Acht - [Action/Voice]

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[One minute, Kurt was in the middle of hanging out in his room in the evening, literally upside down, reading through a book. The next, he suddenly found himself wondering why he was wasting time with books. Landing on the ground, he tosses the book aside and regards himself in a nearby mirror. He's in the same ragged clothing he's used to. He

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[Action]

[phasingly]

[That evening, Kitty's on her way back from some quiet "me" time at the library. Everything in their little family of mutants seems to be toning down. At least Kurt isn't four inches tall and giving her heart attacks anymore. And so far, she's come out of this unscathed. She can't really say much for the rest of the town, since it's really starting to feel like she lives in one big TV sitcom meets circus sideshow act, but she's trying her best to count her blessings.

She's alone, walking down the path toward home by the glow of the streetlights when she sees a familiar figure out the corner of her eye. It's his walk, more than anything, that catches her attention. But it's odd. This person is shaped like Kurt and walks like Kurt, but carries himself in a completely unnerving way.

When she sees him duck into the bar, she can't resist her curiosity. That couldn't be Kurt, right? She just has to check.

So she jogs off after him and enters the bar, standing hesitantly in the doorway. She's sixteen. She shouldn't be in a bar. And he's

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[Graydon found the bar more or less empty, so he jumps up on the bar counter and begins going through the merchandise, paying no mind to the mess he's making. He finally settles on a beer bottle, using the pointed end of his tail to pop off the lid. With his back still turned to her, it's bottoms up as he takes a nice long swig.]

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[Okay, that's Kurt. What is he - ?

She presses her lips together angrily as he starts making such a mess. And the drinking bothers her. It's not like she hasn't been around underage drinking before, going to parties and stuff, but seeing Kurt drink strikes a chord in her for some reason.

She puts her library books on a nearby table and storms up behind him, fully intending on smacking him on the back.]

Kurt! What are you doing!?

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[Ow, now that smarts. Angrily he whirls on her, his eyes flashing as he focuses on her. Ugh, one of the Xavier kids. That annoying girl Lance is obsessed with.

... and that's the same name Noel called him. What the hell?]

What the hell does it look like I'm doing? [... that's definitely not his normal voice.]

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[Oh, please, she didn't hit that hard. And...that reaction was totally unexpected. She unknowingly takes a half step away, surprise in her expression. Maybe even a little stunned.]

You're acting mega creepy. And like, since when do you drink?

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The act matches the face. What's it to you what I do? Or do you X-Kids just got to stick your nose into everything we do?

[His tail wraps around the bottle, so he can set it on the bar out of the way. It's pretty clear why he's doing it, too. He's making himself ready in case this turns into a fight.]

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[phasingly]

[Reading his body language, she takes another half step away. Does he really think she wants to fight him? And why is he talking like that? Something is seriously wrong. When she speaks again, her voice is level. Keep a clear head, Pryde. He needs your help.]

Kurt, I don't want to fight you. You're acting weird and I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong. And what are you talking about, "we"? You are an X-man.

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Like hell I am. And stop calling me that! I don't know who the hell this Kurt is, but it's not my name.

[Maybe she doesn't want to fight, but he's remaining ready to pounce. Yeah, he knows all about her phasing ability. It's annoying... but all he has to do is catch her by surprise.]

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I'm calling you that because it is your name! I don't think you are who you think you are.

[Her heart is thundering in her chest. Kurt's never really scared her like this before. Startled, yes. Creeped her out, sure. But this is like being trapped in a room with a wild animal, and she can't help feeling afraid. Still, she tries not to show it.]

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My name is Graydon. Graydon Darkholme.

[He's savoring it. She might not be trying to show it, but he can tell. It's what makes being a freak so worth it. The fear it causes.]

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[She hesitates. Darkholme? Why did that sound so familiar?]

That's not true, Kurt. The Malnosso did something to your brain to make you think that you're somebody else. Trust me, this isn't you. The guy I know is sweet and funny and noble and kind, and would never stalk around looking like some kind of wild animal, wanting to hurt me for no reason.

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Stop calling me that! [This time he practically snarls it out.] Don't act like we're friends and don't try blaming... this [he gestures to himself] on those bastards who stuck us here!

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[She flinches at the outburst. Now she feels like crying, but she won't. She just takes a deep breath, swallows down as much emotion as she can and straightens herself.]

I'm not acting like anything. We are friends. You're my best friend. You're like a brother to me.

[By the time she reaches the end of her speech, her voice is starting to waver. It has little to do with fear.]

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[Now he's just losing his patience. He hops off the bar to stand in front of her, jabbing a finger in her direction.]

Me? Your brother? Don't make me laugh, Shadowcat.

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Why is that so hard to believe? Do you think I'd still be talking to you if I was lying?

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I don't know what you're trying to prove here, but I don't care. So back off before I have to get rough.