Nightsong ~ Prologue
 | Nightsong |
- Nightsong ~ Prologue
Xavier’s School for the Gifted – 2 weeks ago.
The sound of laughter echoed down the oak paneled hallway. It died away after a moment only to spring forth anew a few minutes later. Logan, the mutant known as Wolverine, paused for a moment to listen. Laughter had not often been a part of his life. His childhood, if he had ever had one, was a mystery, lost in the blank period that comprised much of his life. His memory began twenty years previously.
He had awakened in a meadow in the Canadian Wilderness, naked save for the dogtags he still work, with no memory of who he was or where he had come from. Since coming to the school five years ago and becoming one of the mutant crime fighters known as the XMen, he had enjoyed many opportunities to hear the carefree laughter of childhood and always took the time to appreciate his good fortune. He leaned against the wall just outside the library, a slight smile on his well shaped lips. He knew what was behind their mirth. Several days ago one of the young mutants, Kitty Pryde, had
discovered a stray kitten and, predictably, brought it home. The antics of the tiny orange and white scrap of fluff was a constant source of entertainment to everyone at the school.
Another wave of laughter washed over him, leaving in its’ wake a feeling of peace and contentment. In the past five years, the school had become the closest thing to home he
had ever known, and the students, XMen and Professor Xavier, his only family.
Abruptly, the library door swung open and a wadded paper ball bounced out into the hallway closely followed by a wild eyed ball of orange and white fur. The kitten attempted to change direction to follow the ball, lost traction on the slippery hardwood floor and proceeded to run furiously in place for a full 15 seconds, much to the merriment of the observing students. Finally, the kitten managed to get moving in the intended direction and continued his pursuit of the prize. Then he saw Logan and discovered that stopping was just as difficult as turning. After skidding four feet on his rump, he evidently decided it was better to keep going in the same direction, only vertical.
He hit Logan’s boots, continued up is left leg, across his chest and ended up clinging to Logan’s right shoulder as though that had been his intended target all along.
Logan and the kitten looked at each other for a moment. The kitten lifted a tiny paw to bat playfully at Logan’s sideburns. “Muuurrrppp”, he inquired softly and Logan couldn’t help but laugh.
Kitty Pride smiled up at him, “He likes you, Logan.” I was no secret that the girl had a soft spot in her heart for the taciturn loner.
Logan gently disengaged the kitten’s claws from his shoulder and deposited the tiny creature in Kitty’s arms, scratching between the kitten’s ears as he did so. “There you go, Little Bit. Picked out a name yet, Kitty?”
“I’ve been sort of thinking about Fireball.”
Logan nodded thoughtfully. “Either that or Furball.”
“Oh, Logan! I’m not going to name him Furball!”, She stroked the kitten gently. “Logan, have you ever had a pet?”
Logan snorted. “What in the hell would I do with a pet? No..” His voice trailed off. “Well, not really. Not like you would have a dog or a cat. But once..” Logan’s eyes took on a hazy far away look as the memories came flooding back as crystal clear as though they had just happened yesterday…
