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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 1:21:43 GMT -5
She was small for her age, injured from a recent beating, was wearing dirty clothes and scared. Sure, some people had rescued her from the "hellhole" she used to call home, but what did they want with her at this Xavier's Institute. They had said she was special. That she had a gift. Hannah knew that it was lies. She wasn't special or gifted. She was a freak with a curse. Actually, more than one curse. Her parents hated her, abused and neglected her. Unknown to her, it wasn't all that uncommon for some parents to turn on their children after discovering their mutations. Of course, Hannah's parents had hated her in the first place.
So, now she stood in the front hall of the institute, trying to find an escape route, but too scared to actually do anything. A couple of bigger kids had tried coming up to her, but she had set off sparks in her anxious state of mind. They left her alone after that. There were others who she was supposed to meet, but she really didn't want to. She just wanted to leave and go back to her old, miserable existence. They would have killed her sooner or later anyway.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 12:27:27 GMT -5
"Her name is Hannah Calder," Xavier said as he came up beside Jean who was looking out the window at the small girl. "She has been living on the streets when I detected her. She has so much potential, but she is scared. Doesn't let anyone get near her, but you could try. It would be a good opportunity for you to work on your telepathy." Jean looked down to Xavier and shook her head.
"I wouldn't know what to say, Professor. Shouldn't you send someone like Scott who has a similar background? I wouldn't know where to start." Jean said, looking back to the girl.
"No, you are the one who'll get through to her, I know it." With that he began to roll away. "Just be you Jean. Everyone can't help it, they automatically fall in love with you." Jean shook her head again and continued to watch the girl.
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 13:02:55 GMT -5
Hannah turned her guarded green eyes onto a couple of students watching her. Her gaze became suspicious and terrified all at the same time. She was fatigued and hungry and in pain, but too nervous to do anything about it. Never let your guard down. Never let your guard down. It was something she had learned at a very early age when she lived with her mother and father. After sighing, she moved over to sit in a corner, behind a plant. She pulled her knees up to her chest and tucked them under her chin. Hannah felt more protected behind something.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 14:40:38 GMT -5
Jean headed toward the door and slipped outside, saying hello to a few fellow students as she did and stopped about thirty feet away from the girl. Hello, Hannah, my name is Jean. She used her telepathy to talk to the girl. Once she had warmed up to her she would speak in her actual voice, but until then she would rely on the telepathy.
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 14:45:13 GMT -5
Hannah looked up, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from. But no one seemed to be talking to her. Why should they? Wait....Xavier said there were others with different powers, like he himself had powerful telepathy. So, was this "Jean" using telepathy? She could read her mind? The thought just made her more on edge so she shrank further back into the corner, her pulse elevating.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 14:47:42 GMT -5
Jean watched her shrink back and sighed. Maybe the telepathy wasn't such a good idea. "I promise I won't read your mind, I'm not nearly as powerful as the Professor so it's quite easy to keep me out if you wanted too," Jean said aloud, moving a little closer.
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 14:55:49 GMT -5
Hannah shifted and winced from a fractured rib she had recieved from her father's last attack. After watching silently for a moment she said, in a quiet voice, "W-why am I here?" The ten-year-old was confused and alone in a strange new place and, after being told all her life she had no purpose, that she had a gift. So, it was understandable if she was jittery.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 15:01:47 GMT -5
"You were brought here so we could keep you safe. You have been given this wonderful gift and this school is full of people like you who have abilities. Everyone has a different type of gift, but all have them. We want to help you. Professor Xavier wants to help you control your gift and give you hope. We want to take care of you here. Invite you into our family," Jean told her, moving a little closer. At least Hannah had talked to her, that was more then anyone else could say.
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 15:07:11 GMT -5
"Family?" The word confused her and this was coming from a girl who had a large vocabulary. She had heard her father use it scathingly once, but it held no real meaning to her. "Why would you choose me?" Her thoughts were running wild and her eyes were fixed on Jean in confusion. They wanted to help her? What reason did they have for that?
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 15:13:08 GMT -5
Jean stopped about five feet away from the plant that she was hiding behind and sat down in the ground, not caring that she could ruin her white shorts she was wearing. "We chose you because you needed help. You weren't safe where you were and we knew we could help you. We can keep you safe from almost everything, if you'll let us. It is your choice, though. You can leave whenever you want to. We aren't forcing you to stay. But I can promise you that if you do stay, you will love it here. You'll have friends and yes a family that will protect you at all cost."
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 15:18:14 GMT -5
Hannah eyed Jean for a moment. People that cared about her? Protected her at all costs. She had always had to protect herself. After a silent minute of thinking over everything, the little girl got to her feet and walked slowly over to Jean, stopping a foot away from her. She sat back down, wincing again. A couple of students had stopped to watch Jean in action, muttering among themselves.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 15:21:21 GMT -5
"What do you say? Give us a try? I promise you can leave if you want to," Jean smiled as she sat in front of her. "Are you hungry or thirsty?"
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 15:24:45 GMT -5
She was offering her food? This was...new. "H-hungry." Hannah said, nodding as her eyes nervously flitted to the students around them. Why were they watching? She bit her lower lip, feeling edgy again.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 15:39:51 GMT -5
Jean nodded and looked at the gathering students. Leave guys, I don't want you to scare her away. Jean turned back to Hannah and shrugged, "They like when we get a new student. Come on, I'll take you to get some food." She stood and held out her hand, mentally asking Scott to meet them in the kitchen.
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 15:45:44 GMT -5
The students dispersed at the order and continued what they were doing. Hannah stood up and took Jean's hand into her own tiny one. Truthfully, one the streets, there's really not much food that healthy to eat. Considering she had only been on the streets about three days, she hadn't eaten a proper meal of more than just water in three days.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 15:51:16 GMT -5
Jean led the girl into the house and to the kitchen where Scott stood, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. Jean smiled and pointed to Scott, "That's Scott, he lives here too and if you need anything he would be more then happy to help you out. He's also a pretty good cook and I asked him here to make you a meal." Scott shook his head and walked over to the two and smiled.
"Hi there," he said, leaning down to look Hannah in the eyes.
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 15:54:49 GMT -5
Hannah froze in terror at the sight of Scott. Her green eyes widened as she backed up fearfully. She hadn't been scared of Xavier simply because he didn't look threatening and he didn't look all that much bigger than her because he was in a wheelchair. Scott on the other hand....the next moment, Hannah was trembling behind Jean's legs. All the men she had ever met had just been cruel to her, so that's how she expected Scott to be.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 16:00:15 GMT -5
Scott stood up straight and backed away, giving Hannah some space and frowning at Jean, who shrugged. "I guess, I'll just make some food then. Any wants or desires?" Scott asked walking to the pantry to see what they had.
"Something easy is good," Jean told Scott as she walked Hannah to the table and pulled out a chair for her. Scott grabbed some spaghetti noodles and sauce to fix. "Would you like some milk, water, or juice Hannah?" Jean asked the girl.
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Post by Nightshadow on Aug 8, 2006 16:05:12 GMT -5
"M-milk." Hannah mumbled, going back to her nervous fidgeting. She was confused. She wasn't supposed to runaway from him, so why hadn't he yelled at her or hit her or something? Hannah sat on the chair, looking down at her hands.
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Post by Polaris on Aug 8, 2006 16:15:11 GMT -5
Jean nodded and went to the cabinet to get a glass and then filled it with milk. She smiled at Scott and patted his shoulder as she walked past him and sat down next to Hannah, handing her the glass of milk. She watched Hannah as she thought of something to say.
"Do you have a favorite food, Hannah?" She asked, hoping that what Scott was making was going to be good for her.
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