Rating: PG-13 to R for mature themes of war violence.
Summary: In the aftermath of a war, four survivors struggle to hold on to their identities in the face of a society meant to destroy them.
Acknowledgements: To my Super Betas-- Fyrdrakken, Susan, and JenN-- for making sense of the madness. It takes a very patient and wise soul to straighten out my twisted thoughts....without their support and advice, the only place this story would have gone is the garbage can.
Introduction: A Few Words
My first thoughts are "Wow. It's actually done."
::blinks in amazement::
The idea for this story hit my back at the beginning of last summer, the result of multiple character-exploration plot bunnies mingled with the traditional Post-Registration plot bunnies. I started out thinking it would be a nice, regular length story. Ha. I should know better than to turn the Muse loose. I think this is my longest work to date.
Eleven months ago, I discovered the X-men fan fiction universe, most specifically the beautiful relationship between Logan and Rogue, and I have been blissfuly obsessed ever since. Although this ardor has not dimmed in the slightest, I have been forced into semi-lurkdom lately due to a very, very heavy real life schedule. I just wanted to offer my apologies for having to play Invisible Girl. It's not fun, but I think I'll have to keep it up until things calm down. I'll continue reading and offering feedback when I can, although this will probably be my last story for a while. I may continue to post the occasional poem or vignette, but nothing much longer unless the Muse hits me hard.
I have tried to put this off, but I'm at last resorts and there seems to be nothing else I can do but cut back. I hope this story will be a viable contribution to the post-registration genre, a field of fan fiction that I respect and love.
Thank you all so much for welcoming this little fan fic peon and making her feel at home in the big, wide world of X-men. I have never been in a fandom that is as warm and open to newcomers (and antique members :P) and I am continually amazed by your kindness and by your inspiration.
The Legal Stuff: Disclaimers Etc
Any characters in this story previously affiliated with the X-men movie/comic universe belong to People Other Than Me. I'm not trying to make any money off them, so please...no lawyers. The following songs, poems or novels are either quoted in relation to the story or as a part of it, and are the property of their respective artists. I am merely borrowing their genius and inspiration ---
1) "East of Eden" by Dead Can Dance
2) "Somewhere I Have Never Traveled" by ee cummings
3) "Ash Wednesday"by TS Eliot
4) "Rapsodia" by Andrea Bocelli
5) "Swamp Ophelia" by The Indigo Girls
6) 1984 by George Orwell
7) "Letting The Cables Sleep" by Bush