CHAPTER 10 - IGNITE

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On the mansion grounds, a party to celebrate the X-Men's rescue mission is in full swing. There are several bonfires aflame, kegs and music with squealing, laughing teenagers and young adults running around the woods in high spirits.

In the centre of the revelry is a makeshift stage where Alison Blaire aka DAZZLER provides the entertainment, singing live but also conjuring spectacular light shows as her powers allow. She's a fantastic performer who connects with her audience and knows how to work her body and her powers to her advantage. She owns the stage.

Just before her is the main throng of the student body, dancing and having a good time

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Just before her is the main throng of the student body, dancing and having a good time. Storm, Quicksilver, Nightcrawler, Dust, Cyclops and Jean are off to one side. Kurt is wasted, dancing with his eyes closed and loving every minute. 

He belches and vanishes in a puff of smoke, only to reappear a few feet away, stumbling into Colossus and Jubilee, who laugh it off. 

The others laugh as well, some shaking their heads at him. 

"Well, that's my cue," Dust stands and straightens her hijab.

"Oh no, don't go yet!" Storm bartered, "It is still so early?"

"Drunken partying is not really my thing," Dust replied, her smile evident in her twinkling dark eyes, "but have fun you guys. And Jeannie, I'm glad you're alright. I'll see everyone in the morning." 

Amidst a series of "byes", she disappears into a trail of sand that swirls off towards the dormitories. Cyclops turns to Jean.

"You want another?" 

She affirms and hands him her cup. 

Quicksilver clears his throat awkwardly and takes Storm's cup from her hand.

"Oh don't worry," he stated, gallantly, "I'll top you up too, Ro."

"Oh, but I'm still —" 

He's already gone, streaks of silver and blue evaporating in the warm air. 

"Guess not," she continued.

"Give him a break," Cyclops chuckled, "he's trying."

"That he is," Storm smiled.  Cyclops leaves to join Quicksilver in refilling the girls' drinks. Storm watches him go and when she turns to Jean she finds her BFF already looking at her with expectant eyes. 

"Stop," Storm ordered.

"I didn't say anything," Jean playfully shrugged her shoulders. 

"I know precisely what you're thinking," Storm narrows her eyes at her BFF, teasingly. 

"Hey, that's my power!" Jean pouted in jest. 

She throws her arms round Storm and pulls her close, resting on her shoulder.

"He likes you, you know," she continued, though now with a more sincere tone.

"I know," Storm admitted. 

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