Being out on her own (transferred)

[Gambit]

Posted by Shade on Apr 9, 2007, 18:55
Distraction was the key as the prof had said after she had returned from the cabin, but right now, Shade mused, distraction was maybe the only possible escape.
She wasn’t normally the kind of person who would be out on her own, she preferred the company of others when she went out at night. But this time she had just followed her impulses, sneaking through the city, making her way to the Hellfire on her own, using her old tricks to get to the place without paying a penny.
She opened the door and walked over to the bar, feeling frustration and wearyness drop from her a little bit as she did so.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 9, 2007, 19:16
Gambit was working the bar, as usual. He felt good to return into this noisy and flashy little piece of nightlife after having been away for some days. It gave him a chance to brush at least some worries off his shoulders.
He saw Shade, who was moving towards the bar as if in slow motion. Even the air around her seemed denser than in other parts of the club. A curious trick of perception, Remy thought.
"Dere's someone Remy haven't seen in a while," he greeted her, walking over to where she was about to sit down.
Posted by Shade on Apr 9, 2007, 19:19
She sat down at one of the tables when she saw Gambit walk towards her, noticing it was good to see a different face.
"Hey Gambit" she said, offering a small smile, flinging her jacked over the back of her chair.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 9, 2007, 19:21
"Ya look like you'd rather be somewhere else," Remy noted, sitting down next to her.
Posted by Shade on Apr 9, 2007, 19:23
She let out a sigh. "Not really." she said. Being away from it all felt good for a change, soothing. "I was just having a bad day or... make that a bad fortnight." She chuckled slightly.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 9, 2007, 19:37
"Hope I can do somethin' to end dis," Remy said. "Anythin' to drink?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 9, 2007, 19:41
She nodded with a smile. "I guess I’ll take a coke then." she said.
Alcohol didn’t sound like a good idea not only because she had such a low tolerance, but also because she had not had a sip of alcohol since the wine on the veranda of Erik’s cabin. Distraction’s the key, Shade.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 9, 2007, 19:48
Remy went off to the bar and returned with a glass of coke for her.
"What's so bad happenin' to ya?" he asked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 9, 2007, 20:01
"Thanks" she said, grabbing for the coke.
Then she shrugged. "Just a whole lot of weird stuff going on." she said. She had hoped that the topic was not coming up as she felt she needed a time out.
"Would be too long a story to tell." She gave him a crooked smile.
"So anything interesting happened around this place?" she asked, changing the topic.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 9, 2007, 20:13
"Depends on your choice of 'interestin'', chere," Remy said with a grin. "In terms of good old entertainment, we've had some new dancers; in terms of carpe diem, I prefer to keep things down a bit. Nobody wants to come to relax to a mutant club an' be drawn into a fight or som'thin'. So dis kinda interestin' things are kept in check."
Posted by Shade on Apr 9, 2007, 20:16
She mirrored his grin as her smiled grew wider.
"Well that doesn’t sound too bad then." she said. "good to know that there still are some places where the world’s not gone all wacko."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 9, 2007, 21:18
"If an all-mutant bar is not wacko enough for ya, den you got my congratulations, chere," Remy leaned back against the sofa.
Posted by Shade on Apr 9, 2007, 21:20
She took another sip of her coke. "Thanks" she said with a grin.
"It’s a matter of a point of view. If your own life turns all weird, a place like this seems wonderfully normal."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 0:16
"Well, glad it helps, even if in such way," Remy replied.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 0:17
She nodded and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It does. "
In fact, coming here had been a good idea. It meant getting away and out of the weirdness her life had become even if only for a little while.
"And what about you? Anything interesting happened in your life?" she asked randomly.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 0:26
Remy mused on it for some moments. He even had a "life passed before my eyes" moment when he thought what had happened to him recently.
"Went down to Nawlins to see to some things," he replied at long last. "Dat's a different planet from here."
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 0:29
"I guess" she said playing along the rim of her glass with a finger. "Go somewhere else and you find a totally different world."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 0:37
" 's just dat some are more different than others," Remy grinned with one corner of his mouth.
"Be right back," he stood up and headed for the bar to fix himself a drink. Talking to her felt good and she wasn't pressing on any unpleasant matters - probably because she had too much on her mind already - so he felt like sitting down properly.
He returned with a glass of gin with tonic and another glass of coke for her.
"It's just coke, but if you want, I can add some alcohol to it," he said without sitting down yet, in case she'd say yes.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 0:47
She smiled. "Nice of you" she said. "But I guess I’ll stick to that coke. My tolerance really sucks. Remember last time after I nearly passed out after two coctails." She laughed.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 1:53
Gambit was amused.
"Not really," he said, sitting down. "You being real drunk is what I remember."
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 10:59
She grinned. "Had been an odd week then. That day I learned that it’d be better to drown problems in ice cream, not alcohol."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 11:01
"I know lotsa girl who'd disagree," Remy said. "We got ice-cream here, if ya like, by de way."
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 11:08
"I know, it was great when Rogue?n I came here last time." she said with a smile. "But I guess if I eat any more ice cream these days I’ll get sick or something."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 11:22
"Summer'll be here soon, I guess," Remy said. "All de more reason for you to come down here."

[Gambit]

Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 11:25
She ran her finger along her coke glass again. It felt good to talk to him.
"Anything special you’d recommend coming here for in the summer?" she asked.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 11:32
"Nah," Remy admitted honestly. "Don't think anythin'll change. We can't have a patio set out on de street, ya know. Hard enough to keep it covered as it is. You really should get out an' have a picnic instead of hidin' in my club."
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 11:37
"Did something like that a few days ago." Shahe said. "Rogue?n I went to Central par and we ended up scaring the ice cream seller." she added, grinning at the memory. "Hope the poor guy didn’t take it too badly."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 11:39
"Bah," Remy hit his forehead with his palm, "you Xavier kids honest don't know how to get on wit' human world, n'est-ce pas? Gambit meant an ordinary decent picnic thing. Don' tell me I hafta take you out an' show ya how to make one."
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 11:42
Her grin widened. "I know, wasn’t a real picnic, but where would be the fun with that anyways? So it just turned into an ice cream marathon and a girlish round of Truth or Dare. Was fun for a change."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 11:44
"But tell me, chere, is dere really any difference between girlish Truth or Dare an' de usual one?" Remy wondered.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 11:45
She furrowed her brow in mocking scowl for a moment.
"No." she then said, shaking her head with a grin. "Girlish all the way."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 11:54
"So it's like de usual one, only with more gigglin' an' questions 'bout boys?" Remy specified.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 11:58
And more embarassment Shade thought, but nodded. "Pretty much like that yeah." she grinned. "People might’ve thought we were nuts, if they didn’t already."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 12:22
"I guess what people saw was a couple of girls, nothin' else," Remy said.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 12:24
She nodded. "or that." she agreed.
She took another sip of her coke and let her gaze wander across the club.
"Was still a good idea coming here." she said. "even if that means no picnic."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 16:01
"Even if you come here just on your own?" Remy asked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 17:44
She thought for a very short moment, then nodded. "Yeah." Distraction’s the key
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 17:49
"Do you need my company at all, den?" Remy pretended to begin to get up.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 17:55
She saw him get up and looked at him. She had come here to see something different, to find distraction, not solitude. Speaking with him she felt more relaxed again.
"Sitting here all along would make me look a little desparate wouldn’t it." she said. "but I don’t want to keep you from something." she added quickly. She would like to continue talking, but she didn’t want to hold him up. "I could as well get myself and my coke over to the bar if you don’t mind."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 18:08
Remy sat back again, grinning.
" 'salright, I was just kiddin' you. You don't look like you'd want to be alone, either. So tell me..." he leaned back, studying her features. "I don't think we ever really talked. De Institute people usually come from all over de place; where do you come from?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 18:12
She was glad he had been joking as he was right, she didn’t really want to be alone.
She took another sip from her coke before she started.
"North Carolina" she said. "A little place near Asheville. Not too busy. A nice place to grow up actually."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 18:22
"At least was so until you triggered?" Remy supposed.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 18:24
"Triggered?" she asked. "You mean, till my mutation developed?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 18:32
"It's still developin', I believe," Remy smiled. "No, I mean de moment when it showed for de first time."
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 18:39
"It is, yeah." she said with a nod. She had found her powers to have more potential than she had thought they had and for a moment her thoughts flickered over to Erik who had encouraged her to work on them.
Then she continued.
"Wasn’t much of a problem actually" she said. "I was scared as I first couldn’t control it so for a while I was reluctant to use it at all, but my family was pretty okay with it as soon as they had gotten over the shock that I could now eavesdrop on pretty much anything." She smiled.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 19:19
Remy could think of several ways to eavesdrop even without being a mutant; with superpowers, possibilities grew at an exponential rate. Shade could be a telepath, or could have enhanced hearing, or... He decided not to continue guessing.
"What's your power?" he asked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 19:26
„Invisibility“ she said. “I first thought that just meant I could make myself invisible. But in the last months it developed.” Or rather, I trained it, she corrected in her mind. “I can make other things or persons invisible too, when I touch them and concentrate, and they stay invisible for a while even when I let go. But it’s still draining to do that.”
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 19:55
"Dat's what Gambit calls a useful mutation," Remy nodded in understanding. "Most mutants dat come here, dey refer to theirs as a curse; I kinda guess you're not of their number."
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 21:15
She shook her head. "Not really." she said. "Could be more useful at times and can get you into troubke but generally it’s an okay power I guess."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 21:25
"Ah, ecoutez! de words of de almighty, "an okay power"," Remy teased.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 21:28
She grinned. "Yeah, okay meaning great for getting around on bus and train without paying, lousy when you think you can’t be detected although some mutants still can."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 21:30
"Excuse-moi, chere, why is that second part called lousy?" Remy asked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 21:32
"cause you think you’re invisible for anyone when you want to but you can never be certain you are." she explained. "Depending on another mutants powers."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 21:36
"Bon," Remy had to admit she was right, "as long as mutants don' check tickets, you're safe. Jus' make sure ya don't walk around naked, is all."

[Gambit]

Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 21:38
"I never saw it like that" she said with a chuckle. "Although like that I’d be as good as safe from the I-can-sense-the-nickle-in-your-shoelaces-or-your necklace- mutants."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 22:42
"Yeah," Remy nodded, "you know what Monty Python guys say..."
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 22:44
She shook her head, raising her eyebrows. "No, I don’t."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 22:58
"Always look on de bright side of life, dey say," Remy explained, drinking from his glass.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 23:02
Her smile widened. "Oh that. How could I forget?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 23:07
"Ya been sittin' here all evenin' tryin' to convince Gambit you're de pessimist exemplary, of course you forgot that," Remy put a note of mockery to his tone.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 23:11
She pulled a face. "Oh great." she mumbled with a mocking smile. "And there I was never wanting to become a pessimist. What the hell has happened to me?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 23:19
"Um... Xavier?" Remy took his wildest guess.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 23:21
She had to laugh at that. "I think I didn’t ever met someone as optimistic as Xavier."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 10, 2007, 23:54
"Does dat mean someone as little or as much optimistic?" Remy was trying to confuse her in the game of words.
Posted by Shade on Apr 10, 2007, 23:55
She quirked an eyebrow at that. He was trying to confuse her. "As in ‘someone as much optimistic? as him." she said.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 0:01
"Come on, you could learn from de guy," Remy poked her playfully.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 0:11
She grinned and poked him back. "I know." she said. "And right now he’s doing pretty great at teaching me that." she added.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 1:00
"Does he now," Remy said. "But tell me, if you're an optimist - why, of all de joints in dis town, you had to walk into mine?" with a nod of his head, he indicated at the colorful crowd around them.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 1:03
She grinned. "The optimist in me would never call this place a joint." she said. "a club with such a caring serice could hardly ever been one."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 1:05
"I'm no good at adjusting quotes," Remy confessed. "So, de reason for your visit is Gambit? Shoulda guessed," he smirked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 1:10
She had recognized the quote and had tried to give it a twist which hadn’t quite worked. Still, she felt comfortable. This conversation was a nice change from her gloomy thoughts. Maybe she had just needed something like this.
"Hear hear" she said teasingly. "There’s someone confident of his charms." She leaned forward. "Or maybe I just came along because I hadn’t tasted the non-alcoholic coctails. How would you know?" She kept her eyebrow raised.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 1:25
"You just can't help it, can you?" Remy grinned. "Just listen to yourself - even non-alcoholic cocktails mean Gambit, chere. You'd think I let anybody else mix them for ya, non?"
(( Off to sleep. Take your time to think of a smart comeback ))
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 1:32
He seemed intend on playing this game and, although Shade was sober, she was not intent on backing out. This, in some way, was similar to a staring contest.
She smirked. "Well, how should I have known, I’ve only been here twice and drank a cocktail just once." She brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Besides, why ever should I kill time searching for another bar in the big city when I know what Gambit mixes is..." she looked at him, her smile widening "drinkable."
((I’ll be off now too.. *yawns* Sleep well ))
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 13:37
"It's not," Remy shook his head. "I assure ya. Don't even bother tryin', chere. I only let you drink coke here 'cause it be only thin' not ruined by my hands in dis place. I care for your health, you see."
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 13:42
She nodded slowly, her smile not faltering. "Just another reason to come here instead of going to another random place. You can always be sure your wellbeing is taken care of."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 15:24
"Oh yes," Remy grinned, "ain't no lovin' like here."
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 15:28
She smiled, then thought. O blast it, one won’t do any harm Shade. "You know I guess I should try something then." she said. "Is there anything Gambit could recommend with... let’s say just a little bit of alcohol?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 15:39
"Possibilities are limitless," Remy smiled. "For starters, I could add a drop of vodka into your coke, an' dat'd be it. It depends what you want to get. Get drunk? Get a funny taste to your drink? Lighten up?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 15:41
"Let’s make it a mix of two and three then." Shade said. "Funny taste and lighten up." Getting drunk was a bad idea, especially with a tolerance as low as hers. She wanted to avoid throwing up and / or starting to ramble total nonsense.
Plus, she could barely afford enough to get really drunk. "Something nice but not too expensive maybe. I’m pretty broke."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 15:50
"I think I got just the thing for you," Remy said as he stood up and headed for the bar.
He returned with a wine glass filled with something bright yellow with black grapes as a decoration.
"It's called 'Shady Lady'," he said as he placed it in front of Shade. "De alcohol it has - it won't get you anywhere near drunk."
(( Seriously, it's right there in my cocktail book ))
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 15:56
Shade waited for him to return with a drink which had a nice shade of yellow. Her knowledge on coctails and alcoholic drinks was too small to judge whether he had just made the name up or if it was a common recipe.
She took a careful sip of it. "Tastes great" she said smiling, actually a little surprised. "Thanks. How much do I owe you for this one?"
((googled it. Awesome *lol* Oh, I’ll be off in a few minutes as my tutor kid will be here for his English lesson in a mo, but I’ll be back in a good hour ))
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 21:30
"Well, how much do you want to pay for it?" Remy dodged the usual question with the usual reply.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 21:33
She raised her eyebrows at that and shrugged, still grinning.
"To be honest, I have no idea how much people pay for a coctail." she said.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 21:38
"I wasn't askin' 'bout people, chere," Remy frowned, but remained smiling. "I was askin' how much you would wanna pay."
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 21:41
She thought. She had no idea what one usually payed for a coctail. She tried to calculate the money she had left. Not too much but she had needed an evening out nonetheless.
"10 dollars?" she tried a vague guess, tilting her head to the side.

[Gambit]

Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 21:43
"An' dat's what you really-really-really want to pay?" Remy was intent on clarifying it into perfection.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 21:46
She hid a grin. Obviously he was intent on teasing her.
"Okay, nine then." she said.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 21:51
"Only if dat's your wish," Remy said in a warning tone. "'Cause you know, I don't really have fixed prices here."
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 21:54
She crained one half of her lips into an amused smiled. "Now that’s an interesting concept." she said.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 21:59
"Interesting, oui... Dis be entertainment business, cheri," Remy spread his arms as if to embrace the entire club, "I thought you'd noticed."
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 22:01
"Of course I have" she said with a slight mock in her voice. "In that case I could pay with some entertainment instead of boring dollars... such as... making a knot into a cherry stalk (?) without the use of hands or something."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 22:18
"For nine dollars..." Remy's face twisted as if he'd eaten something unpleasant. "Maybe if you do it topless?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 22:21
She scowled. "I’d prefer to pay then." she said with a smirk. "9 dollars aren’t enough for a topless show."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 22:24
"Bon," Remy gave a quick nod, enjoying the bargaining, "how about Gambit puts any drinks on your tab here, so dat when you hit a ten-drink mark, you perform topless an' I consider your payment complete?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 22:27
She grinned. "As sorry as I am to say that, but if I did that, that’s so ruin my reputation being a teacher at Xavier’s and all."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 22:32
"Which is priceless, right," Remy mocked understanding.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 22:34
She nodded with a smirk. "of course it is. Stealing cars and scaring ice cream sellers are enough for my record I guess."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 22:40
"Tell me about stealin' cars," Remy said, shifting into a more comfortable position on the sofa. "I'm gettin' nostalgic."
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 22:42
"Not cars actually." she said "rather one, so car. And it was rather borrowing than stealing. But still fun."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 22:50
"Ah, come on, Shade," Remy gave her a slight punch on the shoulder, "don't disappoint me here - describe how it was! Recreate de feelin' of thrill an' adventure. I'd love to listen."
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 22:52
She grinned. "Okay...uhm.. was somewhen early winter. Rogue and me were bored and there was nothing to do and we wanted to get somewhere. So as Erik was absent anyways we took his car without him knowing. God knows where Rogue got the keys."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 22:55
Remy open his eyes wide, incredulous.
"Wait-wait, I'm not sure I got you right... You said Magneto... uses keys... to start the car??" he asked in a low voice, leaning in towards her.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 22:57
He was right and she tried to remember. Had he used the keys on their drive to the lake? She couldn’t tell but he probably hadn’t.
"I guess they came with the car when he bought it." she said. "So maybe that’s why he was leaving them around and Rogue got them."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 23:04
"Ah, okay then. Bonus points for her," Remy nodded in appreciation. "Where did you go, then? in de winter?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 23:07
Shade grinned. "Shopping, then for a drink. We’re just girls after all."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 23:14
"Dat's so cute," Remy beamed. "So civil... didn't even try sellin' it for parts, non?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 23:15
"No." she giggled. "We were feeling risky, not suicidal."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 23:21
"Wha, you didn't think testin' poor old Magneto's limits would be fun, non?" Remy laughed.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 23:23
Her grin widened. "Actually, that’s what all the fun is about."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 11, 2007, 23:28
"About not testin' his limits?" Remy asked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 11, 2007, 23:30
"Er..." she was momentarily confused. "No." she said. "i got that wrong. The fun is all about testing his limits of course."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 0:34
"He sounds so homelike when you talk about him dis way," Remy's face lit with a warm smile.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 0:38
She felt a sting inside when he said that as once more it became obvious that she was most likely to risk the end of her friendship with Erik.
She mirrored his smile. "I’d say his reputation’s worse than he is." she said.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 0:59
"Hmm," Remy muttered, "usually it be oder way 'round..."
He drank from his glass and glanced at the crowd around them. How many of them had a reputation far milder than their actual biography?
Once in a few days he had a revelation about the danger he was putting all his clients into by letting every mutant inside his club just based on the presence of mutation. A girl of sixteen was working evenings and nights, sitting in a comfortable corner not far from the door. She had an ability to scan people and tell humans from mutants; that's all she did and that's all he needed her to. Her task was purely mechanical - sending signals to guards at the door if a human showed up, and every once in a while they did, eventually. Gambit had his own way of taking care of them and making sure they or their friends never showed up at the club again. The girl was basically his only warrant of running the club as a mutant-only place, and he paid her enough not to ever want to change her workplace again.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 1:03
She shrugged and took another sip of her coctail. "Maybe." she just said.
Truth be told, she had never delved too deep into Magneto’s past. Maybe, very likely, she had been blinded by how he had reacted towards her, by what Rogue had told her about him... she pushed the thought aside and let her gaze wander across the room.
After a moment she turned her head to look at Gambit. "So that’s what holds true for you then? You’re worse than your reputation?"

[Gambit]

Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 9:31
Remy laughed.
"Damn good question," he said and sat in silence for a few moments. "Depends, ya know. Here, as de owner of dis club, I most definitely am. Some other place... to some people, I may be a sinner worse dan those dat ever walked de earth before me, which isn't really true..." he turned to look at her. "I'll leave you to decide for yourself."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 12:58
She watched him with her head tilted to the side, her eyebrows slightly raised. "I guess I’ll have to." she said smiling. "Well, you know, reputations don’t really say much about a person anyways . They’re hopelessly overrated I’d say."
She drank from her coctail again which was now half empty.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 13:03
"Well, unfortunately, sometimes dey jus' kinda run ahead of us." Remy said. "Mine usually lags behind, but when it catches up, all hell unleashes... usually."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 13:08
She chuckled. "Oh come on, it can’t be that bad, can it? Someone acting along such reputations would hardly spend his precious time to cheer up a girl who comes to his bar feeling emo."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 13:25
"Oh non," Remy turned to her, and his eyes lit up with mischief. "It's quite fun, actually. I've gotten used to surprises what people think of me. Dat way, I can be nobody and anybody. Dat's a good disguise. So de guy who's now tryin' to cheer up an emo girl is definitely actin' along at least one of his many reputations, cheri."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 13:31
Her eyebrows rose a tad higher at the ?cheri?, but her smile didn’t falter, it rather widened.
"Sounds like an interesting strategy." she said. "Works well if you ask me."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 13:36
"Alright den," Remy smiled, "I like things that work. An' what's your plan in life?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 13:59
"My plans in life?" she mused. "it used to be the usual stuff." Shade said with a shrug. "I wanted to be an astronaut as a kid, but I have a nervous stomach so that wouldn’t be the best idea. Apart from that... the usual things. Marry eventually, have some kids, an own home and a cat that strolls through your garden." she took another sip of her drink.
"Life seldom goes as it’s planned." she then said with a faint. "I learned that since I came here."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 14:14
"What, you think anythin' happen'd to you dat made ya forget 'bout your plan?" Remy asked dubiously.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 14:18
"Not forget." Shade said thougtfully. "More like realize that life is too complex to get properly planned. Doesn’t work and if it did, it’d take away a lot of the fun."
Thinking about it, she knew she would get several unbelieving stares back at her old, human dominated home.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 14:24
"Fun," Remy nodded. "Like de sound of dat. I'd drink to it," lightly he clinked his glass against hers, before taking a sip of his gin.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 14:26
She raised her glass with a smile. "To fun then." she said, before she said.
"Sounds a lot more sane than drinking ‘to drunk 12 year olds?."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 14:28
Remy couldn't help bursting out in laughter. "Dieu, whoever drank to that?!"
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 14:39
Shade raised her eyebrows. "Take a wild guess" she said. "He’s got a thing for shiny things and metal."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 15:45
Remy laughed again. "Gee, Shade, he's normal, den, ain't he? Crazy toasts, girls stealin' his car - you throw in a couple more details like dis an' I'm ready to consider him just a regular granpa!"
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 15:48
Shade laughed. "Oh well I could but I wouldn’t want to ruin his reputation, wouldn’t I. Noone’d be scared of him anymore then."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 15:51
"An' tell me, chere, who be scared of 'im now?" Remy winked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 15:53
She looked at him with a smirk. "Do I look like I’m scared of him?" she asked.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 15:55
"No," Remy chuckled, "do I?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 15:56
She bit back a chuckle and looked at him with played scepticism. "Hard to tell" she said before taking another sip of her coctail.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 16:03
"Why, do my tremblin' hands an' pale complection give my fear away?" Remy asked in the same tone as hers.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 17:44
She kept her face and tone playfully serious. "I guess that must’ve been it." she said with a nod. Then she emptied her coctail glass with a single gulp. "That stuff’s good actually."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 20:22
"Good?!" Remy exclaimed with incredulity. "Must've done it by accident. Don't let it fool ya."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 20:25
Shade laughed. "Oh come on that was a compliment. I might even recommend this place to others."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 20:29
"Only if dey be as nice to talk to as yourself," Remy grinned, "I don't need acid tripping 'gifted youngsters' who come silently, dance silently an' disappear again - silently."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 20:32
She smiled and played along the rim of her empty glass.
"I’d only tell my friends of course. None of those acid tripping."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 20:42
"At least one of them was doin' extasy here," Remy said seriously. "Gambit's had to put extra resources into keepin' such things under control since then. Just to let you know you can't always be so sure 'bout your friends, chere."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 20:45
She scowled slightly as she heard that. This was in fact new to her. "I didn’t know about that." she said seriously. She didn’t want to ask who it had been. A student from the institute probably. There had been a number of youngsters at her old high school, later college, who had tried stuff now and then, whereas she had not been involved in that sort of thing.
"I’ll take care for anyone I might see around with drugs."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 20:53
"It don't really bother me dat much," Remy shrugged, "just wanted to point out that people only see de tip of de iceberg - even if dat iceberg be deir friends."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 21:01
She nodded. "Yeah" she said. "but thanks for telling me anyways."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 21:05
"I'm here for you," Remy nodded, stifling the urge to pat her on the knee.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 21:07
She looked at him with half a smile. "Bar owner, therapist, drug counselor... any other occupation in your repertoire?"

[Gambit]

Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 21:10
"I haven't been a firefighter yet," Remy said in a tone as if he was guessing the answer in 'Jeopardy'. "It's kinda easier to list what I'm not."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 21:23
"Oh well, better having tried a lot than ending in a boring office job, right?" she said with a shrug. "So, what’s the most interesting thing you ever been then?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 21:35
"Dieu..." Remy fell back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. "I need a moment to think."
He tried to rewind the tape of his life backwards, seizing the most vivid memories. Light sparkles from the gyroscope on the dancefloor skipped the ceiling above him, as if frames of the film in his mind.
"A thief," he said at long last, still watching the light play on the ceiling. "Just what I am. Dat tops everythin'."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 21:36
"I see." Shade said with a grin. "So in case I run out of money or need a pretty car or something I’d ask you then?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 21:54
"I'm a thief, not a benefactor, chere," Remy smiled. "But if you can come up with an interestin' bargain - like, say, you dancin' topless here - I'll give it a thought."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 21:56
She laughed, looking at him incredilously. "You don’t give up do you?" she asked, chuckling. "What’s it that’s so interesting about breasts anyways?" Although he had claimed there had been little alcohol in the coctail, she slightly felt it’s effect.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 22:00
"Breasts?" Remy asked. "Nothin', really. De real pleasure is to unleash somethin' a girl hides. To tear down her mask. To break her inner restraints. An' see what comes out of that. It's not body that counts - it's what you do with it."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 22:07
She watched him, unblinking, her face neutral.
"I’d almost say that was philosophical." she said after a pause. "if it hadn’t been quite that insinuating."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 22:10
"No wonder 'bout dat," Remy tilted his head to the side. "Philosophy can mean either 'love for knowledge' or 'knowledge of love' - depends how you look. Dat way, it's bound to be insinuating, cheri."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 22:13
She raised an eyebrow at that. "Hear, hear" she said. "Not only a thief and all that, but also a walking encyclopedia. I guess I should begin to be impressed."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 22:27
"Ah, chere," Remy spread his arm away, like a leader of the resistance holding a passionate speech, "in my long an' demandin' life, which brought me nothin' but pleasure an' pain, I've learned many incoherent wisdoms which I'll gladly share."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 22:32
"How very caring of you." she said with a grin, trying to make up her mind whether she should ask for another coctail. No, she decided, she was already slightly feeling the effect on the first one.
"So, we’re both teachers then in a way."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 22:37
"In a way?" Remy repeated. "Thought you said you teach at Xavier's."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 22:38
"Yeah" she said rolling her eyes in mock impatience "but I guess the wisdom you pretend to spread has nothing to do with writing or a bunch of dead people and long passed events."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 22:56
"It has to do wit' everythin' I've come across in my life," Remy objected, "an' I can write lots about bunches of dead people, ya know."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 23:00
She leaned back into a more comfortable position. "i can imagine." she said. "I never got around much." she then said. "if ever I get enough money to be able to afford it I’ll seriously do some travelling."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 23:13
"Money's no prerequisite," Remy shrugged, "but if you prefer to do it de safe way, den of course."
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 23:15
She grinned. "I could definitly safe money for some of the fees and stuff." she said. "but then again it would be easier to travel alone which is not too much fun either."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 23:24
"But nobody to keep you back, either," Remy hinted.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 23:25
"True." she mused a thoughtful look on her face.
"I don’t mind being on my own at times, but generally I feel more comfortable in a pack."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 23:29
"Aw, you should have kids an' drag 'em around the world, chere," Remy nodded quickly.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 23:31
She laughed at that. "kids?" she burst out. "me? God, I’m not even willing to abandon the kid in me yet."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 23:38
"Dat's where all de fun come from, eh?" Remy winked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 23:39
She grinned widely. "Of course. There’s hardly something worse than people my age trying to act all grown up."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 12, 2007, 23:49
"Or oders, who toast to drunken twelve-year olds," Remy winked.
Posted by Shade on Apr 12, 2007, 23:51
She grinned. "Double edged sword" she said. "Some never get the difference between child-like and childish. Although... the borders are fuzzy and Magneto doesn’t really fit because he’s kind of an oddball most of the time, isn’t he?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 0:02
"Don't know," Remy spread his arms, almost apologizing, "never really got a chance to meet de guy."
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 0:05
Shade stretched, stiffling a yawn. "oh well." she said. "I guess I’ll take another coke before I go."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 0:09
"An' so we're gettin' closer to topless by de minute," Remy muttered with a a smile, standing up.
He went over to the bar and returned with a glass of coke for her and a tonic for himself.
((I daresay this is the fastest progressing conversation I've ever had here ))
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 0:11
She shook her head with half a smile. "Nice try." she said. "my money’s still enough for two cokes and a coctail, so... bad luck this time."
((really? I feel honoured ))

[Gambit]

Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 0:14
"Damn, woman!" Remy clicked his tongue, sitting down with his drink. "Gotta warn you, I'll never give up. I'll jus' steal all your money someday."
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 0:16
She flashed him a grin. "Won’t work too well." she said. "I’m the invisible girl, I can quickly get new money picking pockets."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 0:21
"You don't know much 'bout pickpocketin', do ya?" Remy smiled. Oh those amateurs. "It rarely counts whether you're visible or not. Most of de time it matters when you can't be felt or heard."
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 0:23
She shrugged, still looking him in the eyes. "oh well, I guess my non-existing experiences in that will suffice to get together enough to pay for a few drinks."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 0:26
"Unless I stop acceptin' money payments from you," Remy said. "But den I'd find myself lackin' a client, I s'pose."
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 0:29
"Would take away the fun if I answered that with a yes or no would it?" she replied, sipping on her coke. "I might be really, really lacking money somewhen but I guess I’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it and I’m no longer able to pay."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 0:32
Remy smiled. "Aw, chere, don't let ol' Gambit bug you too much. Get carried away lots."
(( Now I really have to go to sleep. Night! ))
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 0:52
She smirked. "Oh come on, you would want to keep things interesting, right? No hunt no game." An inner voice told her the alcohol was indeed having a slight effect that set her tongue loser than she wished it.
((okay, me too. Sleep well ))
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 12:38
"No game is jus' another kind of game," Remy said. "More delicate. More subconscious. Life is a game, after all - an' considerin' how many choices must be made, a mighty gamble at that, too."
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 15:31
"True." she said, nodding. Her life had felt a little like that two in recent months.
When he mentioned the word ?gamble? a question popped up in her mind.
"I didn’t ask before I think." she said, watching him from the side. "but what’s your power?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 15:53
"In plain words, I explode things," Remy replied, turning to look at her and hoping she wouldn't ask for a demonstration.
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 16:10
"Oh." she said. "Sounds useful. Although I wouldn’t want to swap. I guess I’m too clumsy for something that dangerous."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 16:21
"If you had it, you'd learn your ways around it - you'd have to," Remy supposed.
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 16:24
"I guess." she said. "At times I think mutations aren’t random at all. Somehow they go with people’s characters, don’t you think?"
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 16:44
"I guess it be question of chicken an' egg - what came first," Remy said. "I'd say mutations form our personality alon' wit' ev'rythin' else. Dey appear just when puberty kicks in, when traits of character are about to complete deir development - to my opinion, it's mutation dat makes you who you are, not de oder way around."
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 16:49
She thought about that. "Sounds logical." she said. There had been moments when she had given in to the urges of her mutation. When it was so easy to eavesdrop a conversation, the restrains to not do so were not that strong. And when she was feeling sad or upset, she could feel that she at times had to fight the urge to let her mutation take over and just vanish to avoid the situation or be left alone, not to be seen in her moods for a moment.
"I could say that about myself too. A mutation becomes a part of yourself over time."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 16:57
"You can see it in Logan, for example," Remy said, encouraged by her agreeing with his point of view. "He dives headfirst into anythin', he takes all risks he possibly can, just because he knows he can survive anythin'. Wouldn't think he's been that way when he was ten, would ya?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 17:01
"Probably not." Shade said, a smile creeping on her lips when she tried to imagine Logan as a ten year old. Rogue had told her about the other man’s powers and about his metal sceleton, although she had seen nothing of that yet.
"I guess when you’re ten you don’t even know who you are."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 18:03
"True," Remy agreed, " but den - do you ever really know it?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 20:43
She nodded. "How very true." her tone trailed off into thoughtfullness.
"Oh well, I guess I’ll better see I get myself off to get some sleep."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 20:48
"Bon," Remy said, "you're goin' by bus, or should I call you a taxi?"
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 20:49
"I guess the bus’ll be fine" she said. "No danger of any bad guys for me. They won’t even know I?l there."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 21:23
"We could make a fake taxi call as if from Westchester; de car would drive dere wit' you inside," Remy couldn't let the opportunity to plot some mischievous schemes go by.
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 21:25
She grinned. "So the poor taxi guy’ll wait outside, probably ring people up and I’m the jerk after all." she said. "better not to. I guess I tried the prof’s goodwill enough these days."
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 21:29
"I can drive you, if ya promise not to fall off de bike," Remy said after a moment.
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 21:32
"I’m not that drunk I promise" she said with a smile. "Okay, but just if you’re sure you have time for that. I wouldn’t want to keep you from working or something." As if you hadn’t already, Shade, she thought.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 21:34
"Me? Workin'?" Remy put his hands to his chest in a gesture of sincere surprise. He stood up. "Let's go. I'd love to get some fresh air."
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 21:36
She chuckled at that then got up and took her jacket. "Fresh air sounds good to me." she said. Then she remembered something and fidgeted some dollar notes out of her jeans pocket. Two cokes and a coctail...she calculated in her head. "I know you’d prefer the topless thing but do you think 17 dollars will do?" she asked.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 21:39
"Drinks - ten dollars," Remy smiled with his most charming smile. "You on my bike - priceless."
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 21:41
She handed him twelve. "Priceless as a guy as charming as you listening to my ramblings I guess." she said, smiling back.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 21:45
"Those ramblins were de best part of my evenin' tonight, chere," Remy said. "I'm sho I'll want to repeat it someday. Wait for me outside, I'll get my jacket."
With that, he left her and disappeared in the crowd, heading towards the bar.
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 21:48
She smiled to herself when he disappeared in the crowd.
It had been a good idea to come here indeed. The evening had done wonders to her mood. She put on the jacket and walked towards the exit, passing by groups of people while she did so.
Opening the door she momentarily closed her eyes, letting the cool air refreshen her slightly dizzy senses.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 22:05
Remy told one of the barmen that he was leaving, in case somebody might need him later. Then he went to the room upstairs where he arranged a little place for himself; he took a spare helmet and his jacket and went towards the door, putting the jacket on as he walked. Maybe driving to the Institute wasn't such a good idea, but he was hoping no one would notice his arrival when he would stop at the mansion to drop Shade off.
She was standing near the entrance, waiting for him. Remy felt some less confident part of him breathe a sigh of relief somewhere deep inside: there was this tiny percentage of girls who wouldn't wait. And that less confident part of him hated it.
"Let's go," he said, nodding his head at the bike that stood not far from the club.
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 22:09
She had been standing in front of the club, watching the hand full of people being out here and there at this time of the night. When Gambit stepped out, she turned her head and left the place where she had been waiting for him. She followed him a few paces until she spotted his bike.
"Pretty." she said honestly.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 22:28
"Merci," Remy smiled. That was the kind of compliment he truly enjoyed. He was a man, after all; men are usually more susceptible to compliments paid to their achievements and gadgets than to them personally.
"I believe it be de right size," he handed her the helmet and got on the bike, kicking the stand upwards and starting the engine.
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 22:30
She took the helmet he handed her, threw back her head slightly to get her hair out of the way and tried it on. She nodded, signalling him, the helmet was fine, before she mounted the bike and sat behind him.
Posted by Gambit on Apr 13, 2007, 22:41
Remy took his own helmet off the handle of the bike, put it on, and with the sound of the engine's roar the bike carried them away into the night street.
(( *coughintothesunsetcough* ))
Posted by Shade on Apr 13, 2007, 22:42
(( indeed *rofl* ))