Jono
Jonothon Starsmore, codename Chamber, stared sullenly into the sky as the Blackbird came in for a landing. He was being transferred to Xavier's school because, quote, 'he didn't fit in well here,' end quote. Well, hoo bleeding rah. More to the bloody point, he wasn't allowed to fit in. And he didn't want to. He sensed Emma Frost come up behind her and he kept his eyes staring forward.
"Jono..."
What? Ya want me out, and I'm bloody well going. He snapped at her. God, he didn't want to go. Everyone here was used to...well, nearly used to the fact that black bandages covered half his face and his torso. He was a freak among freaks. Only one who understood that really was Skin...damn, he was going to miss him.
"It's not like that," Emma protested.
Really? Looks like that from where I'm standing. He hefted his guitar case onto his shoulder and picked up his bag as the ramp of the Blackbird lowered.
"Goodbye, Jono. I'm sure that Xavier will fulfill all your needs more then I could."
Because I'm such a bloody nuisance and drain on yer time. Don't worry, I'm sure everyone will be much happier with me gone. He started up the ramp as the end hit the ground.
Storm and Bobby
Storm turned to face Jono, Logan and Bobby. She waited for everyone to get properly seated again and closed the ramp.
"Hello Jono, I'm Ororo Munroe." She smiled at him then turned in her seat.
Bobby looked nervously at Jono. "I'm Bobby Drake."
Logan and Jono
"Logan," he nodded. Jono eyed them all, hair a tangled mess around his face.
Right, pleased to meet'cha, where do ya want me to park me clobber?
"That chair's fine, kid."
Don't call me that, mate. Jono put his bag down, then placed his guitar more carefully in an overhead compartment, securing it. Ain't a kid. He flung himself down in a seat and settled to stare out the window.
Storm
Storm had them back at the mansion before they knew it. She landed the jet perfectly and opened the ramp to let everyone out. Once all that jet type stuff was done, Storm led them up into the Mansion.
"I spose we should take you to the Professor."
She started off in the direction of Xavier's office.
LOgan and Jono
Jono shrugged and followed her. Logan stared after him for a moment, then went to find Nyx and maybe have a beer. That kid had a serious attitude problem.
"Good morning, Mr Starsmore," Xavier said politely as Jono and Storm entered his office.
Name's Jono. Jonothon crossed his arms and stared Xavier in the eye.
"As you will. I have placed you in the boys dorms for now..." Jonothon was shaking his head.
Nah, mate. Got somewhere away from people? A basement? Xavier's eyebrows went up slightly, and if Jonothon had had lips still, they would've curved up in a bitter smile. People don't like freaks. And the bandages are pretty freakish. Don't want no one's pity.
Storm and Bobby
Bobby headed off to his room to go do some study.
Storm looked sympathetically at Jono, then to Xavier.
"Is there a private room we can put him in?"
Jono
"Perhaps...the boathouse? But I don't know if I like having a student out of the mansion at night..." Xavier steepled his fingers. Jono repressed the urge to roll his eyes. Blimey, what a tosser. "The attic? I'm sure it can be made habitable."
Whatever, mate. Sounds just fine.
"Storm, would you attend to that? I'm sure that you can find some students to help you."
Storm and Bobby
Storm nodded. She opened the door for Jono and followed him from the room. She took the lead again and headed up to the attic, passing Bobby's room on the way, calling in.
"Bobby, could you give me a hand with something?"
Bobby opened his door. "Sure."
They all headed up to the attic. Storm looked around. This wasn't nicest place, but it was going to have to do.
Jono
Jono started to work with Storm and Bobby methodically, cleaning the attic out. This would be fine. He'd have preferred a basement, like he'd had at Emma's...he shut the thought off. He let Bobby and Storm do anything that would've required leaving the room, not wanting to expose himself to curious stares and pitying whispers. He didn't want anyone's bleeding pity! His eyebrows drew together in anger and frustration. The only difference between him and the other mutants, is that he knew he was a freak. Had that drummed into him with every shocked glance, slight widening of the eyes and then that terrible, all consuming BLOODY PITY! Soon, the attic was cleaned out and he nodded to Bobby and Storm. Ta, I can do it from here. Anyplace I can get some settings from? CD player, computer, stuff like that? I don't need to sleep anymore... He frowned again. He wasn't looking for their pity.
Storm
"Of course. Let us know if you need anything."
Storm smiled and nodded and led Bobby out of the room, making their way back to their respective rooms.
Jono
Jono turned back to what was now his room and eyed it thoughtfully. /Rightio then. I'll just pop to it./ He unpacked his few changes of clothes, all black. Pinned up some Pearljam posters on the walls to make it look more like his room back at the Salem Institute...Jono shook his head and kept working. He laid his guitar on the bed, promising himself he'd play later. The room already had some shelving set up, so he put his books on them and his CDs. He made up the bed and then sat on it and regarded it. Wasn't the basement, but it would do. He leant back on his bed and cradled his guitar, Doc Martins propped up one on the other. He fingered the strings thoughtfully, playing a few random chords. He segued into a song that fit his mood, singing along quietly in his head.
I will light the match this mornin', so I won't be alone
Watch as she lies silent, for soon light will be gone
Oh, I will stand arms outstretched, pretend I'm free to roam
Oh, I will make my way, through, one more day in Hell...
How much difference does it make
How much difference does it make, yeah...
I will hold the candle till it burns up my arm
Oh, I'll keep takin' punches until their will grows tired
Oh, I will stare the sun down until my eyes go blind
Hey, I won't change direction, and I won't change my mind
How much difference does it make
Mmm, how much difference does it make..how much difference...
I'll swallow poison, until I grow immune
I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room
How much difference
How much difference
How much difference does it make
How much difference does it make...
He fingered a few more chords after that, then put his guitar down and stared into space.
Indifference, by Pearl Jam
Doug
Doug was sick of being downstairs. It was so noisy. All he wanted to do was hack into Professor Xaviers files in peace. So he decided to try the attic. No one went up there. They thought there was ghosts or it was too dirty & unclean. An ideal location for him.
As he got nearer to the door, he could hear Pearl Jam. Indifference. Not on of his favourite songs, but one of his favourite bands. He knocked on the door before he entered, but heard nothing besides the song being played by guitar.
He walked in to find a guy dressed in all black with his back towards him. He walked towards him cautiously.
"Hello?"
Jono
Jonothon's back stiffened. Oh, bloody blooming bleeding 'ell. He fingered the guitar strings, then decided to bite the bullet and turn around. Yeah, mate? What do ya want? He lifted his chin slightly to make the black bandages more obvious. His brown eyes smouldered with annoyance and almost a type of anger. If he saw one shred of pity...
Doug
"Hey!" Doug said smiling & he started towards Jonothon, "You must be new. I'm Doug! So is this your room?"
Doug was in front of Jonothon now & looked him straight in the eyes & offered out his hand for a handshake.
Jono
Jono's eyebrows drew in slightly with distrust. Jono. And yeah, guess so. Slowly he shook Doug's hand. Told prof I wanted somewhere that was... he shrugged slightly, away.
Doug
"Oh, I know how you feel man!" Doug said, finishing shaking Jono's hand, "I was actually coming up here to escape everyone down there. It's hard to find a little peace in this place sometimes"
Doug looked around the room & realised how much at home Jono was already & started to feel he was intruding.
"Well it was nice meeting you Jono. I'll let you get back to settling in. See ya 'round!"
Doug started to make his way to the door.
Jono
Yeah, cobber. See ya round. Jonothon watched the boy leave and shrugged slightly. Well, took all types. But thank God he wasn't such a natterer. Jonothon sat back down on his bed and picked up his guitar again, crouching over it and tuning it by ear.
Kitty
Kitty Pryde phased through the wall.
"Hey I heard there's a new guy." she held out her hand. "I'm Kitty Pryde."
Jono
Jonothon Starsmore. The corner of his eye twitched slightly. What was it with all the people tonight? Pleased to meet'cha. And now would you let me go back to my sullen bitter brooding? I 'appen to like h'it, he thought to himself. Call me Jono.
Kitty
Kitty's eyes widened. "I can hear you in my head, okay, weird. Anyways, yah, I'll leave you to get setlled in," she said, bouncing around, nice and hyper and sugared up.
Jono
Rightio then. Jonothon nodded slowly. Just a question...what the bleeding 'eck are you on?
Kitty
Kitty laughed. "COFFEE! Me hade a mochachino with whipped cream & an almond biscotti and a candy bar." she said, very perky and hyper.
Jono
Ah. Jonothon decided he would try and make sure he was far away from her the next time she was on a coffee high. The thought stopped him short. He intended to be here that long? Well, shouldn't you be asleep or summat?
Kitty
"Eh, I prolly should. 'Say, why am I hearing you in my head instead of out loud?" she wondered.
Jono
Because I don't speak. I don't have a mouth. Jonothon tilted his head slightly. My telepathy is strong enough I don't 'ave t' carry a pen and paper round with me all the time. But if I go out in public... He shrugged. Ya learn to scribble fast.