Emeryld awoke to see the blue face of Beast and the sparkling eyes of Moryella. At first she panicked, perching herself on the top of a medical cabinet, as they spoke. Then she teleported to Xavier's office. From there she ran, trying to find her way out.
Not knowing her way very well, she ended up in the hanger, trapped. In her panicked state, she tried to picture anywhere that wasn't here. At this, she failed. Her mental block in place, she crawled into a tool cabinet and fell asleep.
(Elsewhere in the mansion......)
"She teleported," Dr. Henry McCoy explained to Professor Xavier, grateful to be back home. "I can't say where she went, but she's gone."
"She ran out of here a moment ago," Xavier answered. "She needs to be found. I don't think she could teleport now." He tried to reach her telepathically. He was barred from her mind. "She's here, inside the mansion, but she has her barriers up once again. We have to find her before she gets outside," he told Hank.
"We'll check the obvious," he replied, nodding to Moryella. "Moryella can give me an idea as to where she might go."
"And I'll alert the others," Xavier replied. "Jean just contacted me; they will be here within the hour." He hung up, turning on the intercom. "X-Men. The girl known as Emeryld is hiding in the mansion. Use caution; she is terrified and may strike at you. It is imperative that she is found before she gets outside," Xavier explained. "If you find her, do not, I repeat, do not try to catch her. Contact that you have found her, then stay with her, talk to her. Try and calm her fears, but don't get too close. She is feral. I repeat, she is feral." He then began to scan once again.
(At that moment....)
Remy LeBeau walked in the front door. Hearing the announcement, he dropped his back and began to run.
(Hours later...........)
They had searched everywhere they thought she could possibly be. Cerebral kept constant search for the psychic pattern she had obtained from Emeryld. All hoped that she'd turn up, but they feared that she had already fled.
They were about to give up when Scott opened a cabinet in the hanger and her arm fell out. "Professor," he whispered into his communicator, "she's asleep. In the hanger."
"Don't move her. Others are on their way," Xavier responded before leaving for the hanger.
Gambit heard this as well, coming down from where he had been looking in the upper levels of the mansion. He and Sapphyre, also known only as Moryella, seemed to feel she might go for higher ground.
Remy remembered a time, long ago, when he found her high in a tree. They had had an argument over something said. In a fit of rage, she hit him with a book. In fear she ran. Two days of searching and all he had to do was look up.
He reached the hanger to see her in a crouched position on top of a cabinet, ready to bolt. "Serina!" He called in a commanding tone. She jumped, turning to look at him rather than Scott and Xavier.
"Now, Professor?" Scott whispered, ready to give a warning blast.
"No," Xavier deferred. "Gambit seems to know something we don't."
"Like her name."
"And more....look," Xavier replied. They watched as Gambit moved closer to her; showing no sign of fear, just walked right up to her.
"'Renia," he said in a softer tone, "no one want to hurt you, but dey don' wan' you to hurt dem, either." He kept eye contact with her. "Now let us help you. De dark one, he gone an' de one you help, he here. He wan' to make you feel better, see dat you're all right. He's worried an' wan' to keep you safe, we all do." He reached his hand up. She struck it, as he hoped. He quickly grabbed her by the arm, pulling her down. "Now," he said softly, as if her attack meant nothing, grabbing the back of her hair by the nape of her neck. "Calm down. I have you and I keep you safe."
They watched as if she was changing. Her eyes stopped glowing, her claws seemed to retract slightly, and she relaxed in his hold. She even began to cry. He pulled her up, holding her close to him. "It's all right, 'Renia." He cooed softly, stroking her face to his. "You let us help now? You not do it 'lone anymore. You are mine again an' I wan' you safe." He brushed his lips to hers. "You safe here."
Xavier told Gambit telepathically. < Can you keep her calm?> Gambit nodded. < Take her to your room, calm her, tend her, then call me. I'd like to know a little more about your Serina.>
Again he nodded, carrying her away. He took her past the gathered crowd of onlookers. She never flinched as he made his way through them and to his room. He set her on the bed and began to undress her. He pulled a pair of sweats from his dresser and redressed her. Then, gently, he combed out her hair and braided it. "Hungry?" He asked her.
She nodded. She had no idea as to how long it had been since she last ate. He took her hand and led her to the kitchen. There he sat her at the table and began preparing her something to eat.
He started with a small salad to tide her over while he fixed her something hot.
Storm walked in as his did this, going to the refrigerator. She pulled out a Pepsi, opened it and handed it to Serina. "You're welcome," Storm prompted.
At this, Gambit turned to see the two women. "Oh, hi Ororo."
"Hi," she replied, turning her attention to Serina. "How are you feeling?" Serina didn't verbally reply. She used hand gestures. Gesturing to Gambit. "Yeah, Remy has a way with women," she agreed.
A group of X-Men began to fill the room. Feeling overwhelmed, Serina disappeared.
(Xavier's private rooms.....)
"Well," Xavier began. "Hello."
His voice startled her. She jumped, turning to face him.
"It's all right, child," he said softly. "It's sometimes overwhelming," he told her. "Come here, sweet child. You are safe here." He opened his arms to her.
She nearly ran to him, dropping to rest her head in his lap as she cried. She was so scared,
"I know," he soothed.
Gambit entered with a tray of food, setting it down on a table. He moved closer to her. "'Renia," he began softly, "I brought you your food. Why don't you come an' eat, den you can visit with de Professor."
"No, dear. I will inform them that I am busy," Xavier told her verbally.
Ok, she replied.
More in the works, but til them jump ahead in time for.............................
Showboat
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Emeryld's Dream Chamber