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100617.3635@compuserve.com (Warren Ellis) wrote:
>Well, with all the nice things people have been saying about the book >lately, I almost hate to post this, but...>I quit EXCALIBUR earlier today.
I hope no one minds me writing this little story. It's to Warren Ellis, from Excalibur.
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Disclaimer: This story features the X-Men and other related characters, which are copyrighted by Marvel Entertainment/Marvel Comics Group and are used without permission. The use of these characters in this story is not intended to infringe on that copyright. No profit is being made on this work, it's written solely for entertainment purposes. This work is copyright of me and may not be used for commercial purposes.
The members of Excalibur are assembled for a crisis meeting. They all look grey and pale, like old newsprint. Bad allegory? Just go on reading below. There will be worse.
Peter Wisdom sits with his head in his hands. Kitty is trying to comfort him. The rest stare blankly at nothing.
Kitty: Pete? Pete? Say something. You can't just sit there!
Kurt: It's hard on us all, Katzchen. To think this would happen as soon as I began to develop leadership skills. I really think I could be more than a fuzzy elf. Now..I don't know.
He sighs. His tail is drooping.
Moira<absently but warmly>: Aye, but ye are a fuzzy elf. The best one in the world. Though A wonder who will write muh death-scene now. A'd hate to get it all mucked up.
She frowns, reaches for her glass of 70%, then thinks better of it.>
Kitty <close to tears now>: Pete? Do you want..a cigarette? Stop pounding the wall, Peter, it isn't doing any good!
She puts her hand over her mouth, bites her knuckles, then says more calmly: No, I'm sorry I snapped at you.
Piotr: It's all right.
He doesn't look like it is.
Meggan: He gave me some self-confidence! I've never had that before! I really want to be like Sigourney Weaver!
Brian <bitterly>: I guess this was the last chance to get my sister home to England.
Kurt: It's worst for Pete, though. I think he really identified with herr Ellis.
Kitty: Yes, Lockheed even brought back Pete's cigarettes. All wet and chewed up, of course, right, Lockheed? <She pats the dragon who responds by sending out a huge puff of smoke>
Lockheed: Pffft.
Brian <even more bitterly>: Do any of you realise what it means not to have been written like a jerk?
Meggan: Or a bimbo?
Rahne <hesitantly>: Well, he did say A was "the aptly named Wolfsbane". That wasn't very nice of him, A'd say.
Brian: That wasn't him, you idiot! Get me some whiskey.
Meggan <aggressively>: I think not.
Brian: Let's see how long you'll be able to keep that attitude. Another writer will send you back to the dumb fairy-thing you always were.
Kitty: Oh, stop it! We don't have to be mean to each other. Just think of all the others who's suffering today, Alastaire, Amanda, yes, even the Hellfire Club of London. They don't know what will become of them. Think of Tangerine, She might never exist now.
Her words don't make the others look any happier, but they all mutter their approval. All but one.
Kitty: Pete, come on. We don't want to be as dark and gloomy as...as Vampirella, when the new writer turns up.
Pete finally looks up, meets Kitty's eyes. She smiles sadly. Gradually, her smile spreads to his eyes, though it never quite reaches his mouth. It stops in the corner of his mouth and becomes his usual sarcastic, fate-defying grin. This is love. This is what it looks like. For better or for worse.
Pete: Did you say anything about my fags, Kitty?
Lockheed: Pffft.
The End.