Kitty Pryde, Rachel Summers, Meggan and the other members of Excalibur are trademarks of Marvel Comics. This story is an unauthorised work done purely for my personal enjoyment, and is not intended to infringe on any of their rights in or their profits from these characters. But this story is copy write to me.
Comments, especially (constructive) criticism, always
welcomed. Please e-mail me at
mshakespeare@callnetuk.com
Notes
This story is based just after Excalibur #40 - i.e, Kitty recently rejoined the team, they're still living in the lighthouse, the Technet haven't temporarily joined, Excalibur only just found out the X-Men are alive, etc.
* * indicates telepathy
< > indicates thoughts
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
"Actually, Kurt, I was planning to go into London today. I really want to check out the bookstores, like Foyles, Waterstones, and the rest, see what's new in. AND, I want to check out the computer stores, see about some new software. So, sorry, but maybe some other time." Kitty sipped her coffee, and took another bite of her toast. At the moment, they were the only two up; Rachel had been stirring when Kitty had come down, but there was as yet no sign of Brian or Meggan. Not that Kitty expected Brian to be up yet - with the amount he'd drunk the previous night, he'd probably be late up this morning, or maybe even not till the afternoon.
Kurt smiled. "Getting stir-crazy again, Katzchen? I suppose we should all get out now the storm is past, but I know you've been busy working on the computers. Are you going alone, or taking Rachel or Meggan?" He didn't suggest inviting Alistaire, even though it was tempting to tease Kitty about him - after the storm had broken yesterday afternoon, the weather had quickly cleared, today promised to be a fine day, and he didn't want to spoil it by starting a fight, even a friendly one.
"Well, Meg's not up yet, I think. I suppose I could ask Ray ....... though whether she'd be interested in crawling around the shops I want to visit, I don't - "
"Oh, I dunno kiddo, I'll come with you if I get to suggest some of the shops you visit with me!" Rachel said, coming in with a smile on her face. She'd already thought of one or two shops she'd greatly enjoy dragging Kitty round .......
"Oh, well, if you really don't mind - sure, you can come. Just promise not to rearrange my clothing telekinetically again - it was embarrassing last time, and it'd be embarrassing again!" Kitty blushed at the memory. They'd been visiting a clothes shop, getting Rachel some 'sensible' clothing, on Brian's advice, to make her more inconspicuous. Rachel had taken revenge on Kitty by rearranging her clothes into a flashy, sexy outfit that had gotten the men staring at her - much to her discomfort!
Rachel laughed. "Okay, Kitty, no problem. There'll be no rearranging clothing. BUT ..... if I have to crawl round bookstores and computer stores with you, YOU have to come round clothing stores with me - and you have to wear anything I get you! Deal?"
"Okay, just remember, you don't complain about me taking my time browsing - you normally do, whenever we go shopping!"
Before Rachel could respond, Meggan flew in. "Hello everybody!. Isn't it a wonderful day! It's so good to see the sun again after the long storm we've had." Everyone smiled at her infectious enthusiasm - they could all do with some more of that after recent events, as well as the long involuntary confinement due to the Atlantic storm that had been raging for days.
"Guten morgen, liebchen! I'm glad to see you in such good spirits. I remember yesterday, you were agitated and upset about something ....... " Kurt's voice trailed off.
"Oh. Yes. Well, Brian had been drinking heavily again. But he's agreed to try to stop, maybe even see Alcoholics Anonymous, to try to get it under control. And anyway, the sun's shining brightly, the sky is clear, and the wind is fresh - and I've been swimming with the dolphins again, which always cheers me up!"
<One of the best things about Meggan>, thought Kitty, <is she's so free of the angst I got used to with the X-Men. Nothing ever seems to get her down well, not for long anyway!> "Now you're here, Meg, maybe you'd care to join Ray and me? We're going into London, do some shopping, maybe even catch a play or a film, depending on what strikes us while we're there - care to come along? A girls-only day out - no men allowed!"
"Oh, what a wonderful idea! Yes, of course, I'd love to come!" Meggan's boundless enthusiasm put a smile on everyone's face, one which was matched by that on Brian's face as he entered the kitchen. "Good morning, Brian!" Meggan wrapped her arms round him, and gave him a big, wet, sloppy kiss, which got a laugh from Rachel, and a snicker from Kitty, at the look on Brian's face. "Kitty just invited me to join her and Rachel on a shopping trip to London, I hope you don't mind?"
"Of course not, Meg. You deserve some time off, especially from me." He overrode her automatic protest. "Look, I'm sorry for my behaviour last night, and I'm sorry to you all for the way I've been acting lately." Brian ran his hand through his hair - obviously, what he had to say was not easy for him. "You know I've been drinking heavily lately. I thought I could control it, but I guess that's what everyone says. So anyway, I've decided to start attending Alcoholics Anonymous counselling sessions, to try to get myself back on the right track."
"Well done, mein freund!" Kurt clasped his hand and shook it, whilst Kitty and Rachel slapped him on the back. "Way to go, Bri!" Even Lockheed joined in the congratulations with a warbled 'cheer'. "'Bout time, Brian! I hope you're successful, it won't be easy" Rachel added.
"I know, but never let it be said I ran away from my problems. Actually, Kitty, while you're in London you could buy us some more food. I don't know about you, but I find the usual supermarket fare somewhat bland and tasteless. So, if I give you an order list, could you take it along to Fortnum and Mason's? They'll deliver it here for us. So, what are you all planning to do?"
"Well, I want to check out the bookstores and computer shops, and Ray wants to buy some clothes - hey Ray, don't the sales start this week?"
"Uh huh, that's why I suggested it - there's nothing like a good day at the sales! Oh, and don't worry Brian, we'll go easy on your credit card!"
"I haven't given it to you yet!"
"Well, I, um, 'borrowed' it telekinetically already ...."
"Oh, did you indeed?"
"No, liebchen, there's nothing like a good day at the sales!" Kurt grinned, responding to Rachel's earlier remark.
"Spoken like a true man, fuzzy!"
*******************************************
"Okay girls, here's the plan of action :
1/ we hit the sales, get there early, see what we can grab (that means you, Ray!)
2/ swing by Fortnum and Mason's, drop off the shopping list
3/ Tottenham Court Road, the bookstores, Foyles and suchlike
4/ the computer stores, for software and hardware
and finally,
5/ check out the theatres and cinemas nearby.
Okay, anything missed out?" Kitty looked at her two friends.
"Just a couple, Kitty. Firstly, I suggest we hit somewhere where we can get a proper beauty treatment - you know, facial, hot-waxing, manicure, pedicure, massage, the lot - just a couple of hours of sheer self-indulgent pampering. Secondly, I want to get myself some more lingerie - you never know when you might need it ..... "
"Well, you might, Red, but I doubt I will. I'll just watch."
Rachel's smile made Kitty a bit nervous. <That's what you think, kiddo. I'm going to get you into sexy underwear if it's the last thing I do - let's see, navy blue and virtually transparent, with white or maybe cream lace trimming, that should do ...... Or how about jet black, a baby-doll nightie maybe? And she's got to get some sexier-looking everyday wear, so I'd better help her get it ........... like, maybe, skintight jeans, postage-stamp sized tee-shirts, maybe very short skirts and high heels .... sorry kiddo, you are going to get a full makeover! Then I'll secretly put through a call to Alistaire ........>
Rachel was really beginning to look forward to the trip!
***************************************
*The doors are going to open soon - you two ready?*
*Ray, I'm not sure it's fair for you to use your telepathy to find out when the shop opens its doors, then 'persuade' the other shoppers the doors won't be opening for another hour! I mean, isn't that a bit, well, unethical?* Kitty was actually a teensy-weensy bit shocked at the casual way her friend had played with the minds of the other shoppers.
*Hey kiddo, this is the SALES! ANYTHING goes! If I have to use a quick telepathic nudge to get the best items, trust me, I will! Just like you can use your phasing power to get to the front of the crush to grab the pick of the goods on offer, so do it! Meg, just remember what I told you - the object is to get to the front of the queue and grab anything that looks even remotely like something you might want. Right, here goes girls! SALES HO!*
"CHAAARRRRGE!!"
****************************************
"Excuse me madam! You, the blonde, barefooted lady!" The saleswoman's voice was sharp, and easily rode above the hubbub of the throng clustered about the cashier's station.
"Who, me?" Meggan was surprised - the woman's voice showed that she was angry about something, a fact that her empathy confirmed. What had she done that had made the woman so angry? <I can't think I've done anything wrong. What could be the reason for her hostility?>
"Yes, you! Madam, you are supposed to join the crush of people trying to get to the sale items, and being elbowed and trodden on in the process, NOT simply fly over the other shoppers to the front and pick what you want without any hindrance. That's not the sales ethos, madam!" <Is nothing sacred anymore?> she wondered to herself. <Bad enough we have to put up with all these screaming women desperate for their annual sales fix, but there's no need for flying women to be able to bypass the crush, and infuriate those who can't fly!>
"Oh. Sorry! But I wasn't buying, I was just looking."
The blonde elemental was being almost overwhelmed by the sensations of greed and lust (for material items, I should add) which she was feeling. <Why are people so obsessed with having and owning things? Don't they understand that life's more than what you own? And why do they want such ugly and impractical things?? I don't understand people sometimes!>
True, she watched enough adverts on TV, but it was one thing to see something advertised, quite another to feel, to experience, the feelings of people desperate to get their hands on it. Sometimes the blonde fay wondered why life was so much easier when viewed on a TV screen.....
****************************************
"Wow! LOOK at all this stuff! There's some really gorgeous fashion here, but no-one else is around to get it! I wonder where they all are?" Rachel was being somewhat disingenuous - <it's amazing what you can do with a subtle, or maybe not-so-subtle, telepathic 'nudge'!> but, as far as she was concerned, if it got her the items she wanted, that was all that mattered.
The saleswoman gave her a long-suffering sigh. "Madam, I have no idea why no-one else is here. Of course, it would have to happen when I'm here - we get a commission for meeting or exceeding certain sales targets, but if no-one comes and buys anything, I lose out." The woman rolled her eyes, and it was easy for a telepath of Rachel's calibre to follow her thoughts - <my boss is already down on me, this could lose me my job.>
<Oops, maybe I shouldn't have 'persuaded' the other women to stay away. It wouldn't be right for her to lose her job, just because I wanted first pick. Um, okay, when I've finished getting what I want, maybe I'd better put out a quick telepathic 'call' to get everyone over here to buy stuff. That should fix it! Now, let's get what I came over for!>
****************************************
Kitty rolled her eyes. To her left, Meggan was flying over the other shoppers with an armful of goods. <Oh, good plan Meg! How to be inconspicuous, in a country where they aren't yet used to the idea of super-powered people, fly over their heads!> To her right, Rachel was digging through a pile of fancy summer dresses, surrounded by a very suspicious-looking absence of other shoppers. <Don't tell me she's using her TK powers to hold everyone else at bay?! I mean, Ray, for heaven's sake! It's only shopping!> Not that she herself was entirely guilt-free, she thought uncomfortably. Trapped by the crush of people, she'd phased herself to the front of the crowd, in order to make her purchases and get out as soon as possible. <Sheesh! The things some people'll go through just to get some clothes, or whatever they're after! Oh well, let's see, jeans with a 26-inch waist, as I recall that's the size I wear in these old imperial measures. Okay, I'll have five of these. Now, some large, or maybe extra-large, tee-shirts..... oh, those look perfect, and cheap enough to buy in bulk! A dozen should keep me going.....>
Baggy clothes are good, Kitty reflected, they enable you to conceal your figure, or complete and utter lack thereof. <All men are ever interested in is a woman's breast size. And since I'm the stereotypical flat-chested Olive Oyl lookalike, my only chance is to hope that someone likes me despite, rather than because of, my looks. Except, if a man who does have a mind, like Alistaire, is still obsessed by looks, what chance is there that any other man won't be?>
Rachel, expert in finding sexy clothing though she was, skilled in the art of exaggerating female sexual characteristics in order to cause temporary brain-seizures in men, was going to have her work cut out persuading Kitty she really was attractive............
****************************************
"Okay girls, what did you both..... oh, Kitty! For heaven's sake! Only you could come to the Spring sales and buy a load of oversized, unfashionable clothes like them! Honestly, I don't know why you bother coming!"
"Hey, I'm sorry! But in case you haven't noticed, I haven't got your looks! Some of us just aren't cut out to go round wearing revealing clothing, 'cause we got nothing TO reveal!" Kitty retorted hotly. Being around Rachel, not to mention Meggan, could be a real drain on a girl's self-confidence, she reflected ruefully. <Dammit, when I'm old enough, I think I'm gonna have plastic surgery! It's the only way a guy's ever going to be interested in me, at least if I hang around these two! It's just like it always used to be with Illyana and Amara and the others......> "Look, this is what I wear, okay? Since I can't look good in anything, I might as well be comfortable! Anyway, what did you get? What's in the boxes, huh? Something - HATS?? You got HATS?? Rachel, you don't even wear hats, what the hell did you buy eight hats for??" Kitty was amazed, she'd never seen Ray wearing a hat, and now she was starting a collection! <Oh man, is Brian ever gonna be pissed!>
"Um, they were cheap..... " To be honest, Rachel really didn't know why she'd bought them, it had simply seemed like a good idea at the time. "Anyway, I got some new summer dresses, so it seemed like a good idea to get some matching hats, okay? Hey Meg, what did you get?" Ray quickly changed the subject.
"Well, I got myself some green teeshirts, and some green leggings, and, um, that's it actually...... oh, and I got some underwear, socks, shirts and ties for Brian."
Rachel threw her hands in the air. "I give up! Neither of you has any idea of how to shop at the sales, have you?" She heaved a huge, theatrical sigh, then an evil grin appeared on her face. "But don't forget, Kitty, you agreed to have me get you some clothing, and wear it! So, once we've hit - "
"I never agreed - "
"Yes you did! Once we've hit the computer and book stores, I'm going to buy you some sexy clothing - unlike that little collection - then, after we visit the beauty parlour, you're going to wear it! I'm really looking forward to seeing the result!"
****************************************
"Wow! Does Brian have rarified taste in food, or WHAT??" Kitty giggled. The others laughed along with her. They'd seen the list of foodstuffs which Brian had put on his shopping list - caviar, lobsters, Earl Grey tea, venison, pheasant, oysters, expensive champagne - "Hey! Wait a minute! I thought Brian was giving up dri - oh. "For everyone else's consumption". Okay, fine - let's make sure he keeps to that." - the list went on and on. Kitty had been surprised at how casually the staff at Fortnum and Mason's had taken the order - she was still unused to how easy things were for the wealthy.
"Right, ladies, it's bookstores time! Oh, and computer stores for those of us interested in such things..." Rachel threw a mischievous glance at Kitty - once they were finished here, they'd go and get some lingerie, and boy, was she looking forward to that...... "Okay, let's go!"
****************************************
"Found anything yet, Meg?"
"Oh yes, I think that this is about my reading level, thank you, Rachel luv."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Winnie the Pooh!"
"Oh. I see......"
*********************************************
"Yep, it's about time I replaced my copy of LOTR - the last one fell apart years ago. I'll pick up the Silmarillion as well, while I'm at it. Lost Tales? No, not yet. I don't know about reading the scrapings from Tolkien's wastebasket - there might be a good reason he didn't finish them ......" Kitty mused to herself.
"That makes eight books in my 'shopping trolley'. What else? Oh yeah, I was gonna get fuzzy-elf a copy of 'The Count of Monte Cristo', by Dumas. And what was the other one? Oh yeah, 'La Reine Margot'. I guess it's the swashbuckling that does it for him."
**********************************************
"What's this one? 'The Perfumed Garden'. Maybe I could give this to Kitty," Ray giggled to herself. The thought of her roomie getting an Arab sex-manual was just priceless. <Nah, she's too young and innocent for this sort of thing. And I don't want her thinking she's being pressured into having sex with a man - there's quite enough of that sort of thing around nowadays. Though maybe I could get it for Brian - he needs to be a bit more attentive to Meggan......... Add that to the lingerie I'm getting Kitty, and today should turn out to be a real hoot!>
<Let's see if they've got a book of beauty tips, or maybe something about building self-confidence. Something like that could be just what's needed for Kitty to stop being so repressed, and start getting better at dealing with men. I don't know why she insists she's unattractive - I've seen a hell of a lot worse in my time! Okay, so she's not well-built up top, but so what? Not every man likes women with big breasts - some are attracted to the more petite figure, like she's got. I think it's down to Alistaire - he won't get the hint that I'm not really interested, and until he does, he won't ever get round to noticing Kitty. Still, if someone suposedly that bright can't tell that I'm not interested, and that Kitty is, and can't see just how attractive Kitty is just because she's young, then I don't think he's right for her anyway.>
****************************************
Rachel finally tracked Kitty down, where she was browsing through the sci-fi section, looking at the works of Iain Banks. "MORE books?? God, kiddo, how many can one girl read? You carry on like that, you'll end up needing glasses."
"Oh, ha ha, Red! Thanks a lot!" Kitty took off her reading glasses to glare at her roommate. "Look, I don't need you following me round, making fun of my appearance all the time, okay? So I'm a skinny, flat-chested, four-eyed dork!! Well, we can't all be sex-goddesses like you and Meg, can we? So go away and leave me alone!" There were definitely times when Kitty got completely fed up with everyone else on the team making fun of her looks - and Rachel and Kurt were the main culprits.
Rachel threw her hands in the air. "Will you stop complaining about your looks! You do not look that bad! Trust me, I've seen a lot worse! I dunno, kiddo, I'm going to have to get you into something a bit more revealing. Anyway, I heard on your birthday you made a heck of an impact on the men - they were queuing up dance with you, I've been told. So you can't be that bad!"
Kitty just snorted in disbelief, picked up "The Crow Road", and went to pay.
*****************************************
"So, Madam, that's "Just So Stories", "Alice In Wonderland", "Collected Tales of Hans Christian Anderson" - for your childern, or for someone else's?"
"Actually, they're for me. I'm advancing my reading skills, you see."
"Oh."
Meggan was proud of the fact that she'd got onto such advanced reading material. One day she hoped to be able to read a paper without having to ask Brian, Kurt, Rachel or Kitty what the words meant. Anything which might help her reading skills was eminently desirable to her.
"And, can you point me to some books which might teach me how to read properly?"
"Um.... I think you want the Adult Literacy section, just over there."
*****************************************
"God, Kitty, haven't you got enough software at home?" Ray asked in exasperation. They had been in the computer store for nearly an hour, Kitty had bought eight different bits of software, and was still looking.
"Well, actually, I'm trying to find some interactive software for Meg. She should be able to use them to learn without us having to be around - she'll learn quicker at her own pace," Kitty explained. The blonde fay was browsing through the various titles, looking in utter fascination at all the pictures of buxom women with unfeasably big guns. It was obvious to her that many of the writers must be aiming for the adolescent boy market.
Rachel was feeling a bit uncomfortable. She was getting a lot of stares from the various youths in the shop, obviously of a suggestive nature. <Maybe coming in here wearing a red bustier, red leather jacket, red thigh-length leather boots and red leather mini-skirt wasn't such a good idea - they seem to think I'm some sort of hooker.> She'd definitely got that thought from more than one of them, as well as quite a few similar thoughts about Meggan - some of the young men picturing her as Lara Croft .........
Kitty was totally oblivious. As far as she was concerned, this was the only opportunity she'd get for a long while, and she meant to take advantage of that fact.
*******************************************
They staggered outside with bagsful of software, some for Meggan, a few for Kurt (swashbuckling adventure games), but most for Kitty. <Well, I didn't get any fancy clothes, like the others did, so why shouldn't I indulge myself on what I like??>
"Okay girls, beauty treatment now! I got a couple of addresses from Courtney, and they both also stock sexy lingerie which we can buy while we're there, so here we go!" Rachel picked Kitty up telekinetically, and they flew westwards towards the beauty salon which Courtney had recommended to them. Kitty was privately dubious - <these places need something to work on, which counts me out....> - but went along anyway. After all, the shopping trip had been her idea, she could hardly back out of it now, could she?
They landed outside the address - "Igraine Beauty Salon" - and looked in the window. "Well, it doesn't look too busy, let's give it a try. Come on girls, it's funtime!" announced Ray, leading the way in.
Inside, the place was cool compared to the warm summer sun outside. The threesome approached the receptionist. "Hi, we'd like the full beauty treatment, please, if that's okay. We haven't booked, but Courtney Ross said to say she'd sent us." Ray was looking around - it certainly seemed a clean, well-run sort of place.
"Courtney Ross?? You let that - that witch - "
*Meggan, calm down. I haven't asked her anything, I'm just using her name as a 'get-out-of-jail-free' card, to get us in without any hassles. Okay?* Rachel's voice was apologetic - she'd forgotten just how much Meggan disliked the platinum blonde banker.
*I-I'm sorry, Rach - *
*Nothing to be sorry for, Meg. Let's just forget about t, and get ourselves some serious pampering!*
"Certainly, Madam. There's no problem getting whatever treatment you like. What would you prefer? Might I suggest a massage or sauna first, perhaps a session with the sunbeds, then a facial, a manicure, pedicure, and hair-styling, and finish with a full beauty makeover? Does that sound about right?" The young receptionist wondered for a second why these three wanted beauty treatment - none of them really needed it. Maybe the girl could do with a few hints on makeup, and definitely how to dress up to look attractive, but she wasn't that bad, just a bit young for real beauty maybe.
"That sounds just the business, thank you!" Ray was really looking forward to this. <And when we're done, I'm going to telekinetically alter Kitty's clothes into something a bit more..... attractive....>
********************************************
"God, that was damned hard!", Kitty exclaimed, "I thought it was supposed to be relaxing??" They'd just had a full-body massage, and Kitty at least was in need of some time to recover. Rachel, of course, was feeling fine - being the host for a celestial avatar does that to people - whilst Meggan had taken it all in stride, and her link to the earth had meant that within five seconds she was as right as rain. Now all three were sitting in the sauna, naked, letting the sweat drip down their bodies as the steam billowed round them. "Remind me again this is for fun!"
"Oh Kitty, it's wonderful!" Meggan responded. "Can't you feel the goodness seeping into your body as it's purged of all the horrible poisons it picked up outside?" The elfin shapeshifter was lying on her back, stretching her neck luxuriously, then her back - and all unwittingly making Kitty even more self-conscious about her bust, or lack of. "I'd really like a little pampering - or better yet, a lot! Brian never really does anything like that, you know, he seems to think it's all feminine nonsense ....." Her voice trailed away as she thought about the difference between how Brian treated her and how Kurt did. <Why can't Brian treat me the way Kurt does? It's Brian I love, but Kurt's so wonderful to me! Why doesn't Brian take time with me?>
Rachel walked over to Kitty, and sat beside her. The spectacular redhead then put her hands on her roommate's shoulders and began massaging them gently. "Come on kiddo, relax willya? This is all part of the fun! The massage gets the knots out of the muscles, the sauna purifies us - then we get the facial, manicure and pedicure together - get them all cleaned up and beautiful-looking, then hairdos and finally makeup. With the proper clothes, we'll look fabulous, and feel it too! Oh, and Kitty? I'll do your clothes for you - I've already ordered your lingerie, I know your size."
"YOU DID WHAT?? RAY!!"
"Relax, Kitty, you'll look stunning, I know you will - I can feel it." Meggan cheered her up, or attempted to. But Kitty's insecurity was a bit too deeply ingrained to be so easily dislodged.
"Of course I will! - NOT!"
***********************************************
"Come on kiddo, no hiding! Come on out and take your medicine!" Ray chuckled as she thought of the expression on Kitty's face when the assistant had handed her the lingerie. Ray herself was in a stunning red basque, with matching panties and stockings, trimmed with black lace. Her makeup was bright and noticeable, especially the bright red lipstick, and the eye makeup bringing out her vivid green eyes. Meggan, of course, wore green - a full-body slip, with yellow and russet trim, and a matching silk wrap. Her makeup was lighter than Rachel's, and her bright golden hair done up in an intricate weave. After a few seconds, Kitty finally emerged. Her lingerie was the scantiest of all (due purely to Rachels' influence, of course) - chocolate brown with cream trim, it was a simple lowcut bra and matching panties, with matching-coloured stockings, no suspender belt - simple and elegant. Like Meggan, her makeup was minimal, just some eyeshadow and a slight touch of blusher, and a dark pink lipstick. If anyone else had been there, they would have said she was stunning.......
"Okay, fine, here I am - satisfied??" The slender brunette glared at them. "Can I go now??"
Meggan looked hurt. "But Kitty, you look really beautiful! Look in the mirror if you don't believe us!"
Kitty walked over to the mirror, and gazed into it in dawning amazement. "That's me??" She couldn't believe it - if she hadn't known better, she would have said it was a stranger. The lingerie didn't do anything for her bust size, but, seeing herself now, it didn't really matter - she was a reasonable proportion for someone of her height and weight. Perhaps a couple of inches would have helped, but she was by no means totally flat-chested, as being around Rachel and Meggan often made her feel. Now she was beautiful. It was a fact that she'd never understood before - if you feel attractive, you look attractive, as hers pick up in your own feelings and self-awareness. On the other hand, carry yourself as someone unattractive, people take you as being just that. This was the first time since dressing up on Archon's world, so many years ago, that Kitty had ever really tried to look beautiful - and Rachel and Meggan agreed that she should try it more often....
"Yes, of course that's you, Kitty. Who else could it be? I don't know why you don't believe us when we say you're beautiful - why would we lie to you?" Meggan honestly couldn't see why Kitty kept complaining, the naive elemental thought that her young friend was a lovely girl - but then, being empathic, she could see into Kitty's persona, which other people couldn't. Still, the two older women had formed a conspiracy to persuade the young girl to stop being insecure about her looks. It might not work, but they both intended trying.
********************************************
"Are you sure this is me, Rachel? It's not what I usually wear." Meggan's voice was somewhat dubious. Though the redheaded time-traveler might know more about fashion than she did, it was nevertheless something she didn't normally dress in.
"Trust me, Meg, you look great! I know most people wouldn't think of blouses as being sexy, but they are when they're that tight! And I picked the low-cut front for a reason, you know. As for the matching trousers, hey, they show your figure perfectly! And we're all going similarly dressed, that's why I'm now in trousers and shirt, like you, except my trademark red rather than green. And, when she gets out, Kitty's matching style our style - right, Pryde?" The spectacular redhead was thoroughly enjoying herself - between Kitty's insecurity and Meggan's naivite, the opportunities for some friendly teasing were all but unlimited. On the other hand, she was rather looking forward to the stir they'd cause when they finally got to the theatre - after all, three lovely young ladies, obviously without male companions, were likely to attract a lot of attention. And one thing which Rachel thrived on, was attention - one of the reasons she dressed the way she did.
There was a loud groan from the changing room, and Kitty finally stepped out. She was in skin-tight blue denim jeans, and a blue blouse, the top three buttons undone, her Star of David gleaming against the pale skin. She glared at Ray. "Gee, thanks Red! Matching me with you two - shall I go home now?" The last thing Kitty needed to make the night a success was to spend the evening being compared with her two friends. They were both years older than her, and had the physical maturity to be able to command the attention of every man within line of sight. Her earlier self-confidence had largely evaporated - it was one thing to dress up when no-one was looking, quite another to go out dressed like that.
"Oh hush now! We're all ready to go out, and we're all going to have a good time - that includes you, Pryde!" Ray was sympathetic to her roommate's complaints - but only to a point. "You look stunning, so stop complaining! Right, Meg?"
"Oh yes! You look really beautiful, Kitty!" And the blonde elemental gave the young girl a hug - and, all unconsciously, empathically projected the truth of what she was saying.
Kitty brightened, and her shoulders straightened. "Really?? Well, okay then, let's get down the theatre - I'm looking forward to the play!"
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The moment the three of them walked into the theatre, they started turning heads - Meggan in emerald green, Rachel in (what else) bright red, and Kitty in royal blue, they made a most attractive sight, all three of them. Rachel looked round. "He should be here by now," she murmered.
"Hello everyone! I hope I'm not too late!" Alistaire chose that very moment to put in an appearance. Kitty's heart sank. She'd been looking forward to the play - the Royal Shakespeare Company performing 'Romeo and Juliet' - but now she was going to have to watch Alistaire drooling over Rachel all evening. <One day, I'm going to find a man who'll look at me, notice me, instead of my roommate or best friend or whichever X-woman I happen to be with at the time. But probably not before I've spent a few more years being overlooked...>
*Well, kiddo, if you made an effort to look attractive more often, you might have more luck with the men....*
*Rachel?? Stop listening, dammit! My mind's mine, leave it alone!!*
*Sorry, Kitty. But if you will insist on broadcasting that loudly, I can't help but overhear.* Rachel shrugged apologetically, then turned to the new arrival. "Hi Alistaire! Glad you could make it! Here's your ticket, don't lose it. We're going to grab some drinks before we go in, do you want one? Don't worry, Brian's paying!" She grinned - Brian was definitely going to regret letting her have his credit card!
"Thank you! I'll have a large, black coffee, please!" The tall Englishman smiled at Meggan, then at Kitty (noting with surprise her use of makeup and change of clothing from her usual baggy, oversized apparel), then went back to following the stunning redhead with his eyes.
The petite brunette just sighed. It had been too much to hope that a change of clothing might actually persuade Alistaire to start looking at her instead, and now she was regretting even making the effort. Having put so much time into dressing up, she now felt foolish that she'd even tried to get his attention. Then she lifted her head determinedly, and her jaw set. <Why should I be feeling miserable just because Alistaire doesn't notice me? If he's that shallow that he won't look at me just because I'm young and not well-built, then to heck with him!>
Meggan didn't notice. The blonde empath was having great difficulty shielding herself from the emotions of the other theatregoers - especially the men. Their uncontrolled arousal was starting to affect her, and, against her will, she felt herself start responding in kind, being drawn towards them, like a moth to a candle. She started shifting her shape, becoming what the men wanted her to be.
Then she felt another mind enter hers, and the changing stopped. *Meg? Are you okay?*
*Rachel? I-I couldn't control myself, I ........... I wanted to be what they wanted to see me as. I couldn't help myself!* Meggan's mental 'voice' was anguished - it had felt like she was drowning in the men's wishes and emotions.
*Meg, when we get back to the lighthouse, we're going to have to start working with you on shielding yourself from other people's emotions and feelings.* Ray's voice was firm and kind - as a telepath, she had plenty of experience herself at finding it difficult to screen out the thoughts and emotions of others. She hadn't really thought, before now, about how much more diificult it was for the naive, open elemental to screen out the thoughts of other people, but, now she knew the extent of the problem, she was determined to do something about it.
"Well, ladies, shall we find our seats?" Alistaire gestured towards the entrance to the theatre - hoping he was sitting next to Rachel.
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Alistaire was feeling most frustrated. He had, in fact, managed to get a seat next to the object of his desire - and she had paid absolutely no notice to him throughout the performance. Well, all right, she had answered his questions, and spoken to him politely, but she had evinced no real desire to get to know him better, much to his disappointment. In fact, none of the ladies had really made any great effort to get to know him better. True, Meggan was taken, so that was to be expected. But Kitty had kept herself to herself as well. Normally she could be relied upon to engage him in conversation, argue with him, and generally keep him occupied. But tonight she had been uncharacteristically subdued.
In truth, the young girl had simply given up. As far as Kitty was concerned, there was no further point in even trying to make him notice her - he was never going to. So she hadn't bothered anymore, but simply concentrated on enjoying the play. And, to be honest, she was more than a little miffed at him for blatantly drooling over Rachel, when the latter was making it quite clear that she was uninterested.
"Well, thank you for joining us at such short notice Alistaire, I do hope you enjoyed the play." To be honest, Rachel was disappointed that he hadn't given Kitty more than a passing glance - she'd hoped that, with her new look et al, he might at least have been more willing to take notice of her interest in him, especially as Rachel herself had been scrupulous about not giving him any encouragement. <But then, I guess it just proves that, big brain or not, he's a shallow sort of person, so Kitty's better off without him.>
"Oh yes, thank you Alistaire! And thank you, Rachel, for arranging it! It was wonderful! I loved every minute of it!" Meggan had loved it all. She had missed all the interplay between the others - or lack of - and simply concentrated on the play. Oh, she'd watched plays performed on the TV before, but she'd never been to the theatre before, and wanted to come again whenever she could.
"Oh, that's okay ladies. I enjoyed myself no end." <If only it could have just been Rachel and me....> "It was a lovely surprise for me - you must do it again some time." <But only if I get to spend some time alone with Rachel.....> "Still, I had best be getting home - I have work tomorrow. Goodbye!" And with that he left.
Rachel turned to Kitty. "You okay, Kit?"
The younger girl smiled back at her. "Yeah, fine, why shouldn't I be?" <I actually enjoyed dressing up, even if HE didn't notice. I think I might do it more often...> "Come on ladies, time to go home - we can annoy Brian with how much we've bought!"
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FIN