A Million Light Years Away (Pyro, please)

[Sherridan Kaine]

[glow=red,2,300]**Flashback**[/glow]

Sherridan enters the house, there are no lights on. He proceeds through the giant mansion, his steps not making but a single sound. Of course, he is barefooted, he took his tennis shoes off a few hundred feet before approaching the mansion. He passes by the dining room. Everything is set for a very quick breakfast tomorrow morning. He continues. The library. His favorite place, filled with thousands and thousands of books, probably one of the biggest collections in the whole of the USA. Or maybe not. But there are so many bookshelves that one needs at least 30 minutes to walk from one part of the room to the other. And the gold and silver markings. Each book has one, silver for read books, gold for unread ones. Sherridan made sure his father allowed that system before he used it.

Ah, the living room. The TV is on. There's some old, black and white movie on. The big, more than comfortable, armchair opposing the huge TV seems to be producing strange sounds. His father fell asleep again, exhausted from work. Sherridan goes on. Ah, the door to his room is open.

He enters, his eyes scanning it. Of course, a freshly washed and ironed uniform for his high school is set on the chair, for him to wear tomorrow to school. How he only hated those. They itched everywhere, and it hurt him to keep his tail that coiled up. And such a stupid design! Who ever heard of bright red and dark gray going together on a collared T-shirt and a pair of shorts! Shorts, God damn it, Shorts! How revolting. How humiliating for every boy in the school to be seen in clothes so revoltingly colored and matched! There is a slight swoosh as ten very sharp claws come out of the tops of his fingers as his eyes look viciously at the clothing. Then, he retracts them. No, keep up with it for a few more years. he thinks to himself, and then looks over to his bed.

It is neat to the very edge of perfection. And so is the rest of his room. Oh no! His eyes dart to his desk. Please, don't let it be... he sees it, damn! In order! Again! he is now furious. Someone is going to perish tomorrow. Well, he's just going to shout his brains out at the first person he sees, but he is not going to admit the inability to do anything more! Damn it, who ever heard of pencils being kept in a pencil cup! Those things are there just for decoration, and chaos is the only way a proper desk should look! Everyone makes their own personal chaos, and then they find everything as easy as finding an elephant in a glass shop would be! Wait, that was not correct, was it?

Fuck it all! I'm not here to discuss whether my comparisons were logical or not! he mentally shouts at the world in general. Up yours, dirty scumbag English teacher!

Sherridan Sighs, gets undressed, and goes to bed. He falls asleep in a soothing dream mixture of money, friends, parties, and all the other classic teenage problems and joys.

[glow=red,2,300]**End of flashback**[/glow]

Ferus opens his ice blue cat eyes. A slight smile is on his face. Ah, those were the times. He is sitting in a lotus position on the couch next to the TV, which is currently off. He is wearing his usual "home-ware" clothes- a pair of black shorts, and a black tank top, no shoes, no special decorations, no jewelry, no anything. This has become his home, and at home, he is dressed quite simply. His golden blond hair is messy, and let loose, covering most of his face.

He once more closes his eyes, remembering that last day of peace he had. That last, final day of his real childhood. The day before his 16th birthday, the day before the explosion. Oh how easy it was back then! All he had to worry about were the stupid little problems he made up by himself, such as the desk-in-chaos problem, or the crappy school outfit problem. How naive was he then, how foolish, how young! Such a spoiled brat he was back then, not aware of anything in the world, thinking he could shout at anyone he wanted to shout at, just because they made some order on his desk.

And look at him now- a sly diplomat, a merciless killer, a member of the Brotherhood Of Evil Mutants, one for whom "stinking rich" is a diminutive, one who hates using that same fortune. Yes, back then he was Sher, Kaine, and Fur-ball, all of them teen boys without a worry in the world. Now he is Sherridan Kaine, the probably most dangerous diplomat one could find in New York, and Ferus, the most savage of mutants, the Silent Hunter, an assassin vigilante.

He looks one more, final, time back on his previous life. A childhood ended prematurely- one which is far, far away. Perhaps more than he thinks. A thought comes to his mind, a name of a song, a name so fitting to describe his life.

"A million light years away..." he says quietly, not really paying any attention and not noticing another coming into the room. He is too lost in his thoughts for even his senses to pick up the presence immediately.

[Pyro]

[glow=red,2,300]**Flashback**[/glow]

It’s not the epitaph he would have chosen – Left all that kids’ table shit, and died – but up until the screaming which is tearing his brain to shreds finally and unexpectedly dies away it doesn’t look like he’s going to have a chance to come up with any better last words than that final remark – “Do you always do what you’re told?” - tossed back over his shoulder at his so-called friends.

Not even much of a final shot, really, because there’s only ever going to be one answer. Bobby’s too safe, too stable and sedate, to ever consider that there might be another option (the amount of venom in that escalates to overly-showy levels even though it’s just the inside of his mind which listens, as if he has to prove to himself that he’s always thought that a very bad thing, rather than a mildly irritating idiosyncrasy) and Rogue’s so bloody besotted with the fool she’s convinced herself that’s how she thinks. Is it arrogance to presume that having him sharing headspace (Bobby’s let that slip – though she never would – one of the few details in his constant stream of ‘first love’ angsting which sunk into the best- and only-mate on the receiving end despite his best efforts not to listen) might have something to do with that one? Probably, though he can’t help thinking she’s been making more of a show of her nauseating infatuation post-Boston.

Yeah… that would be the B-word. The word they’ve all been avoiding. When it is mentioned they try to force it back further than yesterday, back into something like distant history. He still can’t see what their problem is. Logan’s said something about how he shouldn’t have enjoyed it, but that’s bull, isn’t it? What, they’d rather he was ashamed of his powers? Fucking hypocrites, the lot of them, talking about a place where it’s safe to be yourself. Unless you’re John, of course, when you’re not allowed, because your gift isn’t ‘convenient’. Isn’t ‘nice’. Won’t win mutants any fans when it makes the headlines. When he points out that they’ve been telling him from day one it’s not about winning or losing anything, just about accepting, he’s told he’s not old enough to understand, that he’ll grow into their way of thinking in time… Shooting back that he wasn’t planning on turning out senile, and wanted to be shot long before he reached that stage anyway, did not go down well.

Whatever. Like he cares what they think.

He still doesn’t know what he was planning on achieving, walking out of the jet. Some vague notion had formed, sure – go do something, go ‘help’ – but he can’t pretend that had more to do with actually giving a damn what happened to the others than his inability to sit on the sidelines. It’s always been there, this ‘flaw’ (though he can’t see it as such despite years of having people try to train him out of it), labelled first hyperactivity, then a desire to show off, and now a morbid fascination with destruction, all the while ignoring the fact that none of those labels sum it up as neatly as just saying that’s how he is. Now that problem’s been taken away, he’s got a whole other issue to deal with; what he’s supposed to do now. Bobby and Rogue haven’t come rushing out to check he’s okay, though he’s unsure what to infer into that, and he can’t just skulk back inside.

When he sees the helicopter, it all makes perfect sense. Moving on has always been the only thing that really took, and he’s nowhere near noble enough for the ‘God among insects’ speech not to have made an impact. He might not have the faith, but he can fake that until he’s convinced it’s what he really believes, and in any case it’s not belief in any intangible ideal which really matters. When it comes down to it, seeing the approval in those icy eyes gleaming beneath the dorky helmet, he has all the faith he needs – faith that this’ll turn out something near enough to okay for him to accept.

[glow=red,2,300]**End of Flashback**[/glow]

Sherridan/Ferus is not the only one lost in thought, nor the only one oblivious to pretty much everyone else. Pyro too – running on autopilot, unaware in any conscious sense of the other’s presence and meditative stance (though whether he would be any more considerate were this the case is another matter) – is revisiting earlier, though in his case not happier, times rather than paying any sort of attention to the programme he switches on or the can of caffeine-rich-sugar-filled-chemical-soup (‘Fruit flavoured’ (though what fruit is anyone’s guess…) energy drink, it still being too early to face making coffee and, seeing as how he’s not exactly in people’s good books right now, the prospect of getting someone else to take pity and make him some fairly bleak) he’s intermittently knocking back as he drops into place on the sofa.

[Sherridan Kaine]

Well, definitely not the best of ways to be awoken from a meditative trance, but it worked, didn't it? Sherridan noticed Pyro only as the steaming midget was getting himself comfortable on the other sofa. Oh, no, I'm not in the mood for the game of insults. he thinks, as his right hand automatically moves his hair from his eyes, so that he can see better.

"Oh...it's you..." he says, his tone of voice not really showing any emotions, as well as the rest of his body, including the eyes. He gets out of the lotus position and lays himself on the sofa full-length, stretching in a very cat-like manner.

It's been a while since his last cat-nap, hasn't it? A whole day at least. Damn, soon he will be more than tired if he didn't get some caffeine. Luckily, he prepared a whole two-day supply of very strong coffee, one that can hardly be made with the machines. Turkic coffee, namely. And strong even for those standards.

He takes off in the direction of the kitchen, and soon returns, his hands holding two cups, his tail holding the dish with the coffee. "Want some?" he asks, his manner still emotionless as he sets down the cups and dish. Pouring himself a full cup, Sherridan leaves Pyro to self-service.

Ah, the smell of fresh coffee alone helps him recover a bit from the meditative state he was in a few moments ago. Gulping it down quite quickly, Ferus returns to his laying position, his eyes looking at the show that is currently on. A stupid one, but what the hell? Everyone needs a bit of brain damage every now and then.

[Pyro]

Damn right it’s me, git… The only emotion in Ferus’ tone is the one Pyro seems intent on reading into it, though even that is more the caffeine withdrawal talking than anything. He’s all set to fire off some remark, triggering round two of the ‘Sandbox Argument’ spilling over from yesterday, but Ferus absents himself quickly enough and he’s content not to think any more on it, because it’s too damn early and his brain hurts enough as it is.

Ferus’ return, however, is far more exciting, and makes him feel almost guilty for being so harsh on the guy. Almost. It’s hard not to be amused by how he can carry coffee with his tail, and the scent alone is enough to spark a less flaming-death-to-anyone-who-talks-to-me side, and merits an (albeit slightly grudging) ”Thanks” as he helps himself to a cup. “You psychic on top of” – hmm, some disparaging comment as to his cat-ness is probably not the best idea, not if he wants the coffee. Which he really, really does - “everything else?”

[Sherridan Kaine]

Ferus waits, expecting something- anything insulting, really- but to no effect. I guess I judged him wrong then he thinks as he laughs slightly. "No, not really. Feline characteristics is all there is in my free bundle. Good manners and all that shit were being carved into me since the day I was born- still can't get rid of some old habits." he replies with a bit more emotion in his voice. Just a slight touch of cheer, nothing more.

His tail extends from the sofa and pours the coffee into the other cup. "You'll have to get it yourself, though, it's not that long." he comments on his tail, pushing the cup along the table as far as he can, which is somewhere midway between the two.

His fur is now white with black stripes, his favorite- a white tiger. Besides, his naturally blue eyes actually make him look like one, since white tigers have blue eyes. And those eyes are now observing the stupid show on TV. The news will be on soon. Or some talk-show. Oh God, don't let it be another one of those that just had to cover either the Silent Hunter, or the last of the Kaine family! Although it was more than likely that one will be covered- lately the media have been connecting him to that last brotherhood attack at that hotel. What was it? Mimi's? Fifi's? Something like that anyway.

[Pyro]

Now he understands where that presence Ferus inexplicably but unmistakably has must come from; he’d missed it before (understandably distracted by other aspects of the ‘free bundle’) but now he’s paying somewhat more attention the marks of breeding and privilege are plainly enough written on his every inch. It further underscores the contrast between them, because how can John ‘Triple-Reject-Broken-Foster-Home’ Allerdyce compete with Sherridan ‘Pseudo-Aristocratic’ Kaine?

(Thankfully for the something-other-than-hatred which might still develop between the two misfits this is, after all, the Brotherhood, where such things shouldn’t really matter; Pyro the arsonist and Ferus the ‘Silent Hunter’ are, at least, on something like the same level)

It’s not like him to reveal anything much, but seeing as how that was another life and this is rapidly turning into an approximation of easy banter it doesn’t feel like much of a surrender to toss in a throwaway comment as he retrieves the cup – having to lean forward because as well as lacking an impressive prehensile tail he’s somewhat more diminutive than Ferus – with a slight nod of gratitude and a half-smile. ”There’s where my lot went wrong. Only thing carved in me at birth s'a reference number”

The coffee is really jaw-droppingly good (and Pyro likes Ferus somewhat more because of it, since very few people in the age of the double-decaf-half-fat-dry-slopaccino understand the magic of strong black coffee), and as the caffeine hits he too becomes aware of just how much whatever crap the TV is showing sucks. Channel hopping, however, reveals something which – though part of him is fully expecting it – is stunning in a far less pleasant way.

Within the frame, a blonde woman stands in front of the a sign, once neon, now a skeleton of fractured tubing. He knows what it used to read, and seeing it again sickens him. The original broadcast he managed to avoid, but this is days later and they're still showing the footage, something he's not prepared himself for. Blame has been placed with Magneto she says. It is not known if he acted alone, but some witnesses have described a boy of about eighteen…

”Fuck”

[Sherridan Kaine]

"Heh, being taught to be a true gentleman doesn't really help in methodical assassination, you know. You're, I dare say, on far better grounds in fights than I will ever be." he replies, sipping his coffee. Of course he is excellent in combat, but not for a mere moment would he dare think of himself as more than just "an amateur". If a psychiatrist tried to analyze Ferus, he would find so many contradicting characteristics that it would seem that Ferus cancels himself out.

Oh no, an amateur at being the topic of media coverage! Ferus is far more than used to being discussed about pretty much everywhere on TV, and it is actually a relief not to be the main topic. Pyro, however, doesn't seem used to it. At least not in the right way. He chuckles. "Don't worry, you get used to it eventually." he says from experience, and then takes another sip of his coffee.

"Like the coffee? Most people consider it too strong..." he commences once more with the casual chat. Even if they are considered as the real evil in the world, it doesn't prevent them from having illusions of real, normal lives, does it? It is merely a matter of choice- will one allow himself be bugged by it, or will one learn to live with it as a part of a normal life?

[Pyro]

Ferus’ words are something of a compliment, and in any other circumstances he’d probably acknowledge that. Other issues, however, are currently taking precedence. Besides, Ferus seems to be misinformed, if the events of the night of the Mimi attack are anything to go by, because although he’s right in that Pyro’s not afraid to fight dirty that doesn’t seem to be much help as things stand.

”The media coverage, you mean? Or the being hunted down like an animal?” (maybe the phrasing on the end there wasn’t the best idea…) Pyro can’t see himself getting used to either, although he tells himself he’s already resigned to the second because that’s the way homo sapiens are… which doesn’t make things much easier, admittedly. Knowing that he’s a wanted man is not quite as ‘cool’ now that evading capture is more than a matter of life and death because he knows full well where he’s headed if they do catch him, and the desperate steps he’s sure he could and would take if that was the case are some of the few things that he’ll admit still scare him.

”The coffee?” He’s a little confused at first, then grateful as it seems Ferus is equally determined to steer this conversation back away from Big Issues towards the casual. ”It’s Cuban… erm, awesome.” - he checks himself, unsure whether Ferus is ‘au fait’ with current street slang, and highly doubting that, even if he is, that extends to Australian idiomatic speech – ”And most people are idiots. Coffee should be as strong as possible, no question. Weak coffee is evil - worse, evil and meaningless - and decaff is the spawn of the devil.” On those points he, caffeine addict that he was, was adamant.

[Sherridan Kaine]

"Oh, being hunted down is a job requirement, almost. Even though it leads us to a paradox in my case, since I myself tend to hunt like an animal, so being hunted down like one is a bit...weird, if you know what I mean. I was talking of the media coverage. Trust me, I know how it is, and it just get amusing after a while." he says, relaxed. Finally, the sandbox fights are over. Or at least have ceased for a while, so he can relax in a casual chat with a fellow hardened killer. Well, the circumstances are quite casual, considering their alignment.

"I learned how to make this particular one from a lady who used to do it for my..." he pauses a bit at the memory. They were his world, really, and they wanted him to follow in their steps. But then they died, and he turned to the opposite. So has he let them down? NO! Don't go there! he snaps back to himself, coming back from the memories of that horrific day, his biggest, innermost, and probably only demon. The one pillar that isn't still secure in Sherridan's mental castle, the one which could bring everything else to ruin. "...parents. We used to have a paid person to do most of the things around the mansion..." he finishes and reveals another part of his past.

"To tell you the truth, I use as small an amount of that money as possible now. I practically give it away." he says after a while, laughing at the thought of him, Ferus, the Silent Hunter, throwing money from the rooftops. In that case, however, the money would probably be coated in anthrax powder just for the fun of it.

The news end with the coverage of the Mimi-attack, and go on to a talk show that is all about rich and/or famous people. Of course, there are Oprah, Bill Gates, a few other anonymous rich people, and yours truly on the repertoire. "I guess it's my turn to say "Fuck"" he comments, chuckling slightly. He has already seen this episode, although it seems a bit edited, since now there seems to be a bit on Pyro and Magneto, speculating their financial status.

"Now observe, how stupid the media really are." he adds in a mock-dramatic voice.