See Right Through
The team managed to get inside the lavish hotel without a hitch and then divided up based on their earlier assignments.
There were fewer people in the lobby as expected. Kitty hadn’t said a word to Bucky as they walked through the lobby side by side. He couldn’t tell if she was afraid or if she genuinely had nothing to say to him. She didn’t look annoyed or fearful, she wore a neutral expression.
As a waiter passed by with a tray full of glasses of champagne, Kitty snatched two with a smirk and held them out to him. He took one and then the other, causing her to frown, “Logan said you’re not drinking.”
“Oh come on, I’m like two days away from being 21,” Kitty tried to grab back a glass.
“Still not happening,” Bucky shook his head.
“Who knew a guy who’s over a century old would be such a prude,” She crossed her arms.
“I’d only let you drink if you were 21 or if you had a resistance to the effects of alcohol,” Bucky explained with a sigh.
“I might have a resistance, you don’t know,” She tried to find a loophole.
“She does not,” Kurt spoke over the watch.
Kitty gasped, “Betrayal.”
Kurt laughed it off and then turned off the comm on his end. Kitty briefly smiled and rolled her eyes. They soon went back into silence as more people entered the lobby.
Kitty soon got bored and announced, “I’m going to the ladie’s room.”
Before Bucky could respond, she’d disappeared into the crowd without a second word. He sighed and then downed both glasses of champagne, placing them on the tray of another passing by waiter. He decided to walk around and survey the premises. He spotted people looking at him. He could tell a few people recognized him and whispered to whomever was nearby. Due to this, he decided to retreat towards the edge of the lobby where he could hide behind the crowds and still watch.
Of course, he had no idea what he was looking for. Honestly, he’d been hoping that someone blue like Kurt would show up. Or possibly someone with another noticeable quality that he would be able to pick out.
Then Bucky felt a wave of cold air fall over him. He looked around and spotted a bit of air laced with frost cascade around him. He then felt a cold tap on his shoulder followed by a, “Long time no see, metal man.”
“Bobby?” Bucky turned around to see Bobby standing next to him with a slight grin.
“The one and only,” Bucky spread his arms and did an exaggerated bow. As he stood upright, his expression turned to concern, “What brings you of all people here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” Bucky responded, looking at his velvet baby blue suit.
“Well, I can’t tell you everything, but since you didn’t put me in prison and instead just left me with a rather large bruise on my shoulder, I’ll tell you a little bit,” Bobby began and gestured to his arm, “I’m here on mutant business with a little team.”
Bucky nodded, “Kurt said something about having been a part of a team.”
“Did he? Huh,” Bobby tilted his head and looked at the crowd, “So you guys are still working together?”
“Yes, they’re here with us tonight,” Bucky confirmed and crossed his arms.
“Oh so you guys are on a mission too. That should be very interesting,” Bobby stroked his chin, smirking at something.
“And why is that?” Bucky asked, watching his expression change.
“The team I’m with is a portion of the team that Kitty, Kurt and Logan used to be on,” Bobby explained, speaking as if he was gossiping.
“And that’s a bad thing because..?” Bucky tried to get him to go on.
Bobby obliged with nothing less than a smile, “I don’t know how much you know, but our team split up. Lots of infighting. That's why I said I didn’t run with their group.”
Bucky looked at him with intrigue, “Am I allowed to ask why that happened?”
Bobby sighed, “I don’t even know the full details of how it started,” Bobby looked around to make sure nobody was close enough to listen in, “It started right after graduation. The head of our school, the Professor, wanted to speak with Kitty about something. Next thing we know, she’s stormed off and decided she’s leaving the team for college. Our team leader, Scott, got upset and demanded to speak with her. Logan stepped in and got in a verbal fight with him. Things got messy and people started picking sides. Initially, I sided with Scott. Kurt was the only person who sided with Kitty and Logan and left alongside them.”
Bucky took in everything Bobby had said with a slow nod, “And you have no clue as to why any of it happened.”
“No idea,” He shrugged, “But luckily for you guys and your mission, we’re almost done with ours and we can prevent any conflict before it happens.”
“Kurt and Kitty already seemed tense when they were with you, do you really think that the other members of your team will avoid conflict with them?” Bucky posed the question and watched a thoughtful expression cross Bobby’s face.
“Rogue and Gambit wouldn’t risk any kind of fight in a public space- especially not something like this where we’re supposed to be ‘human,” Bobby thought aloud, “But, Illyana might. She came in here with me though, so as long as you’re the only one here in the lobby and everybody else is in the main hall, then we’re good,” He then looked at Bucky as if trying to gauge if he was right.
Bucky looked into the crowd, trying to see if Kitty had returned.
“Oh. My. God. One of them is in here with you, aren’t they?” Bobby’s eyes widened and he looked anxiously into the crowd, “Nevermind that, which one?”
“What does it matter? This place is so crowded and you said you’re almost done with whatever it is you’re doing. The chances of them seeing each other are low,” Bucky reasoned.
“But never zero,” Bobby brought up, “Please tell me it’s either Logan or Kurt.”
Bucky looked to the side and Bobby covered his mouth, “Kitty. Shit.”
Bobby sprang into the crowd, trying to get through the people and find Illyana. Bucky followed after him, trying to get him to stop. When he was unsuccessful, he tried to talk to him, “Who are we looking for exactly?”
“Pale chick, straight blond hair with blunt bangs, freaky blue eyes, black dress,” Bobby rambled off a description as he looked around the area for Illyana. At one point, he stopped and then turned around, weaving in between the people so often that Bucky lost him.
Bucky found himself in the middle of the crowd and then looked around him as he once again left the middle of the floor. He continued walking around in an attempt to circle the area.
At last, he spotted Kitty standing near the edge of the crowd as well. She seemed entranced by something in the crowd. Bucky walked forward and stood by her side, trying to pick out what she was looking at.
Blond hair with blunt bangs tied into a neat bun, blue eyes, pale skin, and a long sleeve, black, backless dress.
Illyana stood in the center of the room. While she was surrounded by people, she stood by herself. She hadn’t noticed Kitty looking at her. All Kitty could do was stare. For a moment, Bucky thought about trying to convince her to talk to her, but he thought back on Bobby’s comments. Plus, Kitty would never listen to him.
Seconds seemed like hours until Bobby finally emerged from the crowd and began talking to Illyana. He spoke to her at a rapid pace, throwing Illyana into confusion. Illyana looked around as if trying to spot a threat and finally laid her eyes upon Kitty.
They shared a gaze for a few fleeting moments. Kitty’s stare displayed regret and a tinge of hope as Illyana looked back at her. Illyana’s gaze held heartache and a bit of relief. Both of them shared a mutual nostalgia in their faces.
Neither Bucky or Bobby dared to interrupt the temporary stare. Instead it was Kitty that conducted the break. She turned away and finally noticed Bucky standing right by her. She didn’t have the courage to say anything and swallowed her words.
Bucky watched as Bobby guided Illyana out. She still looked back at Kitty as she was taken away from the lobby and they left the building.
“I, um, didn’t know they were here,” Kitty said, trying to break the silence.
“I just talked with Bobby,” Bucky admitted, “He said he and a few others had a mission here and that they were nearly done. You.. don’t have to worry about them.”
“Let’s just head in,” Kitty suggested as people began to move from the lobby into the main hall, making the room now seem much emptier.
“Agreed,” Bucky nodded and they headed inside.
As they were walking, Kitty looked like she was getting back in her head, going completely nonverbal.
Bucky sighed and spoke, “I know what it’s like. I split up a team once too.”
“What?” Kitty snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him with confusion.
“Bobby said that your old team split up a while ago and that you were a part of the reason,” Bucky expressed quickly, “I just wanted to say I know what it’s like. You’re not completely alone in this.”
The confusion remained and she repeated herself, “What?”
Bucky debated how to respond, “I was the reason Captain America and Iron Man fought years ago. I caused the team to split in half and the reason Sharon, Sam, Steve, Wanda, and the others were deemed criminals.”
“I know about that. That was broadcast to the entire world. What I’m confused about is why did Bobby tell you any of that?” Kitty clarified.
“Oh, well, I asked him why his being here was such a bad thing. He didn’t give me a lot of details though,” Bucky conveyed.
“What he said was true, but why did you feel the need to tell me that?” Kitty queried, knitting her brow again.
“I don’t know,” Bucky trailed off, “I wanted you to know that our experiences at HYDRA isn’t the only thing we’ve shared.”
Kitty nodded, not replying in words. While the conversation itself seemed out of the blue, she found it strangely touching, almost understanding. To be understood is a comforting feeling. Maybe at long last there was an inkling of trust between them.
She wouldn’t have long to reflect on it before they stepped inside the main hall and heard the sound of a scream.
^^^
Once they’d entered the main hall, Sam, Logan, Torres, Walker, and Kurt entered the area. Rather than stick together, they split up at the sight of the massive main hall.
The main hall itself was divided into two levels and was full to the brim with people dressed in intricate regalia. The place was loud with chatter and the clinking of champagne glasses.
Torres, Walker, and Kurt all stayed on the lower floor while Sam and Logan went upstairs. Kurt found himself in a lighthearted conversation with someone by the center of the room. Logan watched him and the others by the edge of the second floor, looking down upon the crowd. Sam, Torres, and Walker thought it would be best to keep walking the area so as to not seem suspicious.
Sam picked up a glass from one of the passing waiters and took a sip as he walked. It was disgusting to say the least. He choked down another sip of the alcohol and decided to just hold it as he walked.
“I must say, I’m glad that there is another here who finds this champagne to be quite revolting,” He heard a woman’s voice near him. A woman with blond hair and icy blue eyes, dressed in all white stood by his side with her head slightly tilted.
She graced him with a shallow smile and held out her gloved hand, “Emma Frost.”
“Simon Wheeler,” Sam responded with his fake name and shook her hand, “It is a pleasure to meet you, miss.”
“It has been a delight to meet you as well, Mr. Wheeler,” She weaved her arm into his, “Shall we converse?”
Sam nodded, a bit baffled by her sudden move. He then tried to recall who he’d been looking for, suddenly finding difficulty in doing so.
“Do you attend these events often, Mr. Wheeler?” She asked.
“No I do not. I’m sure that’s obvious, isn’t it?” He decided to add a lighthearted joke.
“In truth it is,” She replied with another slight smile, “Most people conceal their reactions to the poor alcohol.”
“I see,” Sam accepted and then went to question, “Do you?”
“I do. I enjoy these things. It makes me quite the expert when it comes to the quality of these events,” She mentioned.
“So do you come to these things for enjoyment then?” Sam was trying to make conversation, “Or do you have other intentions for tonight.”
“Unfortunately I am here on other business,” Frost admitted, “My business partner and I are here to strike a deal that’ll benefit the both of us. If I might ask, what brings you here, Mr. Wheeler?”
“Similar thing,” Sam said.
“So I assume you have connections to the Power Broker as well then?” She tilted her head with intrigue.
“Yes,” Sam nodded his head, keeping his answers short.
Sam couldn’t tell if she was irritated by his lack of lengthy answers or not. She was difficult to read. He was still attempting to remember the names he’d been told by Kurt and Kitty. It was like something was stopping him. He knew it was there in his mind, but it felt like there was a barrier between him and the information.
As a result, he decided to continue the conversation. It was nothing more than small talk and at one point, Frost went silent.
“You alright, Ms. Frost?” Sam asked, concerned by her sudden silence.
A smile with a sinister undertone crossed her face and she replied, “Perfectly fine, Mr. Wheeler,” She flashed another shallow smile at him and then removed her arm from his, “As delightful as this has been, I must take my leave. Have a fine evening.”
“So long, Ms. Frost,” Sam bowed his head.
“Oh, please, call me Emma,” She corrected him and then went to add, “I look forward to seeing you in the future, Mr. Wilson.”
Emma left him and disappeared into the crowd. Sam’s expression turned to concern as she used his real name. As soon as he knew she was gone, he hurried through the people to find Logan. He finally spotted him standing near the railing and made his way over to him, joining him by his side.
Sam began to ramble off, “I think we may be compromised. Logan there was this woman and she knew-”
He stopped when he saw Logan gripping the railing tightly.
“Everything alright-?” Sam asked worriedly.
“Did you plan this?” Logan spoke accusingly and turned to him with fury in his eyes.
“Plan what? Logan I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sam replied, watching his movements carefully.
Logan glared at him and removed his hands from the railing. He was getting ready to unsheathe his claws, clenching his fists tightly.
Sam’s eyes widened and he looked around quickly, trying to lay eyes upon whatever it was that had caused Logan to be filled with so much rage.
Finally, he spotted the scene happening below them and realized the grave danger he was in.
^^^
Kurt, Torres, and Walker had also split up on the lower floor. Kurt had put on his human disguise long before the gala. However, after a half hour Kurt had finished his pleasant conversation with a random wealthy attendee and had decided to walk with Torres.
They rather enjoyed each other’s company as they strolled among the other guests. Torres asked him about what it was like to have to put on a disguise every time he went outside. Kurt responded with a shrug and that he’d gotten used to it.
“Come on, it has to be annoying at the very least,” Torres started.
Kurt scratched the back of his neck, “I suppose so. I am just used to it. I’ve done it for so long zat it is no longer as pressing as it used to be.”
“It doesn’t bother you that you constantly have to hide?” Torres continued to ask.
“Maybe a little bit, but not enough to be important,” Kurt shook his head.
“The fact that you have to hide who you really are is important,” He insisted.
“I guess,” Kurt shrugged again.
Torres looked at him with slight bewilderment, “I don’t get why you don’t see why that’s so wrong.”
Kurt sighed, “Vhen I vas younger, I did not have access to zis technology. I vas alvays blue. I grew up having to stay home and among my peers in ze circus. It vas ze only place vhere I could simply be, but even zen I vas viewed as a freak among members of ze audience.”
Torres listened and Kurt continued, “After my time at HYDRA, I failed to recognize myself. It hurt to know zat somzing I had worked to gain pride in would become ze reason for my suffering.”
Torres nodded, “So what you’re saying is you’re ashamed?”
Kurt chuckled, “I have never zought of it like zat, but I suppose you are right. Vielleicht it is part of ze reason I vanted to start zis partnership,” He then paused, “But enough about me, ich muss fragen, vhat is it like to vork vith Captain America?”
“It’s as cool as you think it is,” Torres started, “I’ve been a Captain America fan since the Avengers showed up in New York. I always wanted to be a hero like them. I never thought I’d actually be in this position one day.”
“So you are a fan as vell?” Kurt grinned at him.
Torres nodded, “Yeah, the whole ‘American Dream’ thing is something my family has been all too aware of. I immigrated to the U.S., so my mom’s always wanted me to do something great with my life. She thought coming to America would be the first step,” He took a breath, “It was hard, but hearing stories about heroes made me want to be one. Obviously I don’t have any major superpowers so I joined the Air Force, worked my way up, met Sam, and here we are.”
"Zat is a vonderful story. Sounds like ze embodiment of ze American Dream," Kurt nodded his head.
"Well, you have to make the best out of what you have, right?" Torres grinned and held his arms behind his back
“Ja. Sam must have seen something great in you. Zat great resilient spirit,” Kurt remarked and then tacked on, “I know I do.”
Torres patted him on the shoulder, “Thanks, man.”
“Of course,” Kurt smiled at him.
“Well, well, well, if it ain’t my brother,” A woman with a southern accent, dressed in a long, silk, green dress with matching green gloves walked up to them. She had long brown hair with a series of white streaks and green eyes.
“Anna Marie!” Kurt exclaimed and rushed to hug her, “It is so gut so see you, meine Schwester!”
“It’s been too long, sugah,” Anna Marie greeted him and then looked at Torres, “Now who’s this?”
“Ah, zis is mein Freund, Joaquín Torres,” He introduced him and then went to introduce her, “Joaquín, zis is meine Schwester, Anna Marie.”
“Nice to meet you, Ma’am,” Torres bowed his head and then tried to make the connection, “You two are related?”
Anna Marie looked at Kurt with slight concern, “Does he-?”
Kurt nodded, “She is adopted. Our Mutter is also blue.”
“I am really confused,” Torres admitted with a laugh, causing both Kurt and Anna Marie to smile.
Anna Marie then turned back to Kurt, “Hon’ what are you doin’ here?”
“Ve have a mission of our own as I assume you have as vell,” Kurt responded, “Vhich, I must ask, vhat you are doing here?”
“Sugah, as much as I wanna talk, I gotta head back to the mansion. Gambit’s roundin’ up Bobby and Illyana to leave,” She spoke to Kurt, looking slightly saddened at the thought of leaving.
“Bobby’s here?” Torres asked.
“He was in the lobby, were you an’ him friends?” She questioned.
“Kind of,” Torres answered curtly.
“Ah, well, that’s too bad. I’m sure he woulda loved to see ya,” She remarked and then went back to speaking with Kurt, “Please come by the mansion when you got the time. An’, if you can, bring Kitty and Logan.”
“Zat is a tall order,” Kurt laughed and shook his head, “But I vill try.”
“That’s all I can ask for, sugah,” She then went to hug him, “And stay outta trouble for me.”
“Natürlich, meine Schwester,” Kurt tightly hugged her back.
Anna Marie waved goodbye to Torres and then left the main hall.
“Another mutant, huh?” Torres joked.
“Vell, ve are everywhere,” Kurt joked back.
“And still no sign of the people we’re looking for,” Torres stated.
Kurt looked around. When he found no sign of Frost or Shaw or any member of the Hellfire Club, he sighed. He looked at one side of the hall and spotted Walker looking at something.
“I am going to speak vith John for a bit, if zat is alright,” Kurt suggested.
“All good by me. I’m going to see what they have to eat here,” Torres started and then walked off first.
Kurt walked towards Walker and stood by his side for a moment, looking at all the artifacts and expensive items arranged in the area, trying to identify what he was looking at specifically.
He used Walker’s eyeline to finally see what he was looking at. It was an ancient knife that had survived the tests of time. Its age was apparent in its rusted appearance. Kurt read the little note underneath it.
“Ze dagger zat Brutus used to kill Julius Caesar,” Kurt spoke up in an effort to make conversation, “Vhat an intriguing find.”
“Story’s interesting,” Walker answered, still staring down the dagger.
“Really?” Kurt tilted his hand, “I never took you for a child of history.”
“I’m not, I just said the story behind it is interesting,” Walker repeated, this time with a bit of irritation.
“Ah yes, a tale of betrayal,” Kurt contributed, unsure of how to take this. Walker just nodded in response.
Kurt felt uncomfortable and shifted his position slightly. He looked at Walker, watching his expression change. Walker wore an unusual faraway look that Kurt found strange.
As the silence set in, Kurt tried to think of a way to leave Walker without it being rude or obnoxious. He turned away, trying to find something to catch his attention and take him away from this trying situation. He secretly hoped Torres would somehow appear and lighten the mood.
Kurt could hardly turn back to Walker before he felt the sudden dagger digging into his side and the darting pain that followed.