A/N: Time spent introducing characters and the like. Will hopefully go into more plot in the next few chapters. R&R please.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANY of Marvel's characters. Not for profit!
CHAPTER TWO: Welcome to The Pit.
It was dark by the time everyone from Xavier's had arrived at the address they'd been given for the home of Larmes du Soleil. Rogue looked up at the huge, Gothic style mansion. It was different from Xavier's mansion: all glass and wood and brushed steel. Modern, that was the word. There were no porch lights on, and no lights had guided them up the winding drive. The fountain next to where they'd parked was off and the only hint that there might be someone home was the soft glow of light that peeked out from around the curtains on a few of the first floor windows.
Jubilee came to stand beside her; a duffel bag slung over one shoulder.
"You think we'll be okay?" Rogue shrugged. She reached a gloved hand up and touched her throat. She clearly remembered the scary blue woman's hand across it, cutting off her air. She was going to speak, but the huge double front doors were pulled open. The Reverend stood in the rectangle of light for a moment, looking for all the world like a king, but then he stepped back and gestured for them to come in.
Rogue stepped over the threshold into the foyer and gasped. Three stories up, the ceiling was beautiful. The centre was a domed skylight letting the stars wink down for the New York night, and it was surrounded by a painting of summer sky. Clouds floated along, surrounding the central skylight. The lights were switched off up there, so it was mostly in shadow, the effect was now eerily like the night sky. It must have been designed that way.
The next thing to take her breath away was the floor. It was a huge mosaic of two dragons caught in an epic battle. The first was snow white with pale green eyes and silver claws and fangs. The second was a deep midnight and in the middle of breathing a huge column of gas-flame blue fire. Everyone but Remy was so captivated by their surroundings, they didn't notice a woman with bright red hair coming down the grand, sweeping double staircase.
She walked silently, her pale green linen pantsuit framing a comely figure beautifully. Regal and elegant were the words that came to mind. Her eyes were gun-metal grey and they surveyed the crowd quietly. She said nothing until she reached the bottom of the stairs, but then she must have noticed Remy.
"Etienne! It's been so long!" She crossed the foyer and reached him, looking over him much like a mother would. "Have you been taking good care of yourself? Sleeping okay?" She traced the lines of his face with quick, slender hands, her eyes alight with joy. "You're so handsome now! All grown up!" He took her hands in his and bowed his head.
"As always, Cardinal, I am honoured by your happiness." He got on his knees and Rogue couldn't help but let her mouth fall open. "Forgive me, Goddess, for not paying my dues." Even his accent was gone! He kissed both her hands and raised his eyes. He wasn't kidding! She'd never seen Gambit be so serious, he was always talking some shit!
"Stand up, child, your presence alone has me forgiving your transgressions." He rose and she turned to address the other eleven people. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the home of Larmes du Soleil." She somehow managed to look everyone in the eye. "My name is Cardinal, you have already met Felix and Illyria." She indicated the Reverend, but Vicious was nowhere to be found. "There are nine of us living here at the moment, and you'll meet us all at some point: hopefully tonight. In the meantime, a meal has been prepared for all of you. I would offer you the chance to unpack and freshen up, but some of you will be staying with people who are not present at this time. You may leave your bags in here." She turned to walk away, but threw more words over her shoulder. "Remy, you now the way to the kitchen." Then she was gone through one of the arches.
Rogue spotted Felix leaning up against one of the banisters, watching silently as everyone got organised. She saw Storm stumble, one of her bags tumbling down, but Felix was there in a flash of inhuman speed. He caught Strom, then the bag and held both upright. Ororo blushed and looked away, taking back her back and looking at the ground. Felix just went back to his space by the stairs.
Black jeans covered his long legs, a little worn at the knees, but still presentable. His torso was covered in a wine red button down shirt. It shimmered a little in the light - silk, maybe? The rich colour of his skin glowed beneath the foyer's artful lighting. His hair was in a French twist at he back of his head, falling down past his shoulders. Almond eyes watched Xavier's people as they all put their things down.
When they were done with that, Remy and Felix walked them to a huge kitchen. The atmosphere managed to be homely and modern with a side of comfortable. The cupboards had enough scratches to show they were well used and the eight seater table had papers scattered on it. The island was set up as a buffet and they were all told to take their fill. Roast beef, potatoes, salad. Remy and Cardinal talked in quiet voices.
The man who dished out the salad had dark grey hair and hazel eyes. He introduced himself as Victor and didn't say much after that. Maybe he was the help, Rogue thought. A place like this must have help. That theory was shot down when he took the head seat at the head of the eighteen-seater dining room table though, with the opposite end offered to the Professor.
Illyria joined them for dinner, and she was totally different from the last time Rogue had seen her. She was happier smiling, laughing, joking. And there weren't dark circles under her blue eyes anymore. Rogue got a good look at her for the first time. She must have been about 5"8, and 120lbs. Her hair was in layers, with the bottom black and the rest a thousand different shades of blue. All the beads, charms and shiny things braided into it would have looked strange on anyone else, but she made it work. Rogue wondered if her hair was natural.
"Yes, it is." Rogue dropped her fork.
"How did you…?" Illyria waved a hand.
"You were thinking real loud. I didn't mean to, it just…" She motioned above her head. Rogue tried to apologise but she was waved away with a smile. It appeared Illyria was in a bitter mood today.
Halfway through the meal a girl who looked about seventeen rushed in.
"Sorry I'm late!" She kissed Felix on the cheek and sat down to eat.
"Everyone, this is my daughter, Aisling." She waved. Aisling's hair was just like her fathers: long, black, thick. When Rogue looked at her, she was met with almond black eyes, exactly like her father's, but her skin was much paler. She had one of the most captivating smiles Rogue had ever seen.
The X-men began to relax. Conversation struck up and everyone was talking and laughing. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
…
When diner and desert were over, Rogue was helping clean up when the kitchen door swung open. A huge mountain of a man lumbered in. He was African American, with a shaved head and dark eyes. The holdall he'd been carrying hit the hardwood with a thump. They were alone. After a moment, he extended his hand.
"I'm Haven. Haven Van-Cleef." She shook his hand.
"Rogue. Ahm just Rogue." He threw his head back and laughed
"You messed with Illyria's bike?" She blushed and looked at the ground. "Oh, God. High five. She threw a huge fit! Priceless!" She nervously slapped his palm, but he didn't seem to notice, he just kept smiling. "Here, let me help you with that." She realised she was still holding two plates in one hand. "You one of the Xavier kids?" She nodded, handing the plates over. "You met all of us yet?"
"Nope. Just Felix, Illyria, Victor, Cardinal, Aisling and you…" He nodded, scraping a plate into the bin.
"You've got London, Kinessa and Sherrylin-Bliss left."
"What are they like?"
"London can be difficult, Kinessa's got him on a leash and Sherrylin's… different."
"Different how?" He paused and ran a hand over his face.
"She… ah… She hears voices, so she can be a bit… weird sometimes."
"Ah hear voices." He raised his eyebrows. "I mean, ah… Never mind." He raised both hands, palms out towards her, the universal gesture for 'I'm unarmed'.
"I'm not Felix, I ain't gonna get up in your biz, true? You hear voices, that's your deal." He went back to putting dishes in the washer. "Sherrylin gets visions. Past, present, future, the whole shebang. She can just be weird around people some times, feel me?" Rogue nodded. "You probably won't meet her at all, actually."
"How come?"
"She keeps to herself mostly, she stays down in the lab, plays with her machines, builds new shit. She doesn't even realise days have gone by…" He got a far off look in his eyes and Rogue had the weirdest feeling that she was intruding on a private moment. It was shattered by Jubilee who hopped in mid sentence only to freeze when she saw Haven.
He waved and introduced himself, but he seemed to have closed off. His eyes weren't soft anymore, but he still helped clean up.
…
As it turned out, the three boys: Johnny, Bobby and Piotr would be living with Felix and Aisling because it was the only flat with four bedrooms. Storm would stay with Illyria because hers had only two. Scott and Jean would be with Haven. Rogue, Kitty and Jubilee would be with Kinessa and London. Logan would stay with Victor and Cardinal and Professor Xavier would stay in a bedroom alone downstairs. Remy would have his 'old room' back.
Everyone but Haven was sitting in the living room, sharing a few stories and just making conversation when the front doors banged open, then closed. There was the sound of keys falling in a bowl, a bag being laid on the ground and almost silent footsteps coming into the sitting room. Then, the most beautiful woman Rogue had ever seen came in.
She held her head high and her eyes flashed with a fire that must have reached soul-deep. Wavy brown hair was tied up in a ponytail falling all the way to her waist, with skin a rich bronze and eyes the colour of dark chocolate, she held the room captive. Her features were sharp and angular, her lips perfectly sculpted. She wore a grey women's Henley and a forest green leather jacket over faded blue jeans. The outfit was topped off with knee high black calfskin boots and a pair of brown leather gloves. She put her handbag on the couch and looked everyone over. Her eyes landed on Remy, who had stood up. She looked him up and down, her expression as blank as white tile. Then she smiled and it was truly stunning. Remy hugged her, lifting her off her own two feet.
"Il y a si longtemps! Vous avez l'air merveilleux!" (It's been so long! You look wonderful!) She cried. He swung her around.
"Vous aussi! Vos cheveux ont repoussé, votre bronzage est de retour, ça te va bien! Aussi joli que jamais!" (You too! Your hair has grown, your tan is back, you look great! As pretty as ever!) He replied, finally putting her down. Rogue felt a twinge of something she didn't want to think about as she watched him twirl her around. He turned back to Xavier's people. "Dis is Kinessa Ramirez." He grinned. She waved at everyone.
"Cardinal, has London said when he's coming home yet?" She asked. Her accent was exotic, Rogue tried to place it.
"He said before 5am." Kinessa just rolled her eyes.
"Men." She said. "Now, which of you is staying with me?" Kitty, Rogue and Jubilee raised their hands. "Bueno. Come with me." Aha! Spanish! Rogue congratulated herself.
They went the second floor and Kinessa took a left down the main corridor after coming up the huge staircase. Then she then took the corner, going right and all the way to the end. They were on the left side of the front of the house. She unlocked a set of double door and ushered them inside.
The first floor of the apartment was open plan, with a living room, dining room and kitchen; only the bathroom was closed away. It was all done in modern black and white, with the coffee and dining tables made of clear glass. The appliances in the kitchen were chrome. The flat was on the corner of the mansion, and both the far walls were made entirely of sliding glass doors that led out onto a terrace.
Over the back of one of the white leather couches was a neat pile of dry cleaning, mostly on coat hangers. Kinessa put her bags down and told them to follow her up the white spiral staircase. Rogue's bedroom (they'd already decided who would share and who wouldn't) was on the right as you came up the kitchen stairs, Kitty and Jubilee's was on the left and Kinessa's was in the corner. They each had their own bathrooms and walk in closets, not that they would need them. Kinessa left them alone to shower and unpack.
Rogue entered the room she would be staying in for the next two weeks quietly. She was tired and she just wanted to go to bed, but when she opened the door, her brain jut went blank. It was beautiful. The entire wall opposite the door was glass, it had blinds but they were open and she could see the night sky and the grounds of the mansion. The left and right walls were painted dark green and the one with the door was a little paler. The ceiling was white. Beneath her feet was pale wood, covered next to the bed by a green shag pile rug. The bed itself was queen size with green and white sheets and at least six pillows. Pale wood cupboards matched the floor and brushed steel light fixtures were well placed around the room. The bathroom was yet more green, with a big tub and shower, soft mats and a stock of toiletries she probably wouldn't need. Right, she thought, first order of business: shower.
Later in the evening, it must have been close to midnight, Rogue went back down stairs. Jubilee and Kitty were channel surfing on the flat screen and Kinessa was at the dining room table working on a laptop. She looked up when she heard Rogue.
"Go ahead and watch some T.V. I'm not sure when London'll be home, but - " She was cut off by the front door opening. A man in jeans and a black button down shirt walked in. His skin was pale and his hair was cut close to his head, military short. Aviator shades covered his eyes and he carried a hold all and a backpack. All 6"3 and 210 lbs of him managed to make the sizeable space look small. He took in the four women in his flat, then swung his backpack onto the dining room table.
"Ladies, this is London." Kinessa smiled up at him. His lips twitched in return. "Rogue, Kitty, Jubilee." She pointed out each one. Behind the mirrored shades, Rogue couldn't see his eyes, but she got the feeling he sized them all up. Moments that felt like years passed, but then he unzipped and upended his backpack. Colorful packets poured out all over the table.
"You girlies like sweets?" His accent was English and his voice was rough, but it caressed, it coaxed, it touched. Like sandpaper and silk. Rogue shivered. "We've got: Jelly babies, wine gums, strawberries and cream, I think there's some sherbet in there actually…" The three girls warily approached the table but he didn't seem to be paying them any attention, he was still rummaging through all the packets. When he found what he wanted, he pulled up a chair, sat next to Kinessa and popped a lolly in his mouth. "Seriously, girlies, go ahead. I'm not going to eat it all, yeah?" He waved at the collection. Rogue looked at Jubilee, who looked at Kitty. Then they went for it.
As she picket out a packet of sweets, Rogue watched London and Kinessa carefully. He still hadn't taken off his shades, but that didn't seem to bother her. Standing, he let long, graceful legs carry him in long strides around his kitchen
"There any food, lover?" He opened cabinets and peeked inside.
"Fridge. Beef sandwich." He located said sandwich and put it in the toaster.
"You're the perfect woman. Make me sammiches, hang up my dry cleaning, keep the flat tidy…" She just laughed. He came up behind her and bent down to wrap his arms around her shoulders. "How was Russia?"
"Cold. You'd think they could find someone who likes the cold to do firearms training. Outside. In the Russian winter. Apparently not." She grumbled and he chuckled, soft and low. "Yours?"
"Boring. Flight got delayed, hence the goodies." He nodded at the sweets. The toaster dinged and he placed a kiss on her throat before getting his meal.
Rogue, Kitty and Jubilee had divided up most of the sweets, but left a fair few for Kinessa. They were all munching at the table, watching London carefully. He was, after all, a man they didn't know. A big man they didn't know. He put his plate down on the counter.
"So what am I supposed to do with you three?" He bit into his sandwich, eyes still hidden by the shades.
…
Scott followed the huge African American through a set of double doors on the second floor, carrying both his and Jean's bags. They came into an apartment that was simple, but functional. It had a kitchenette, a table, a couch, a TV and two bedrooms, but nothing was particularly flashy: comfortable, but not flashy. A splash of personality was brought by the art on the walls. All the walls were covered by painting, drawings, watercolors and sketches.
"Did you do these?" Jean asked. She recognized some of the faces. There was one of Victor, standing on top of a building, looking own at the tiny shapes of cars.
"No." Haven replied. "Sherrylin… She does these." Jean nodded. She wanted to ask who Sherrylin was, where she was, but something about Haven stopped her questions. He seemed like a man who only gave up information when he wanted to. He walked down a short hall and opened the farthest door into a spacious room with a queen sized double bed and a big bathroom. "Feel free to use the kitchen, the TV, all that stuff. There's a walk in closet through that door." He pointed. "You've pretty much got the place to yourselves, but if you need me just ask Caroline." He indicated the little computer screen next to the door.
"Thank you very much." Scott smiled. Haven just nodded and left. They heard the front door shut. "Well that was weird." Their bags made hardly a sound on the carpeted floor. The bed was bouncy when he sat on it. "So what do you think so far?" He asked her. Jean looked around and bit her lip.
"I don't know… I mean, they've all been nice… It's weird not being able to see their thoughts. I have no idea what's going on."
"You're not getting anything telepathically?" She shook her head.
"Just a hell of a lot of 'Get the fuck out', especially from the blue girl. They're all protected, but I can't tell if they've learned to do it themselves or if there's another 'path setting up barriers." She ran a hand through her hair. "Probably both." Scott pulled her down to sit next to him, stroking her hair gently.
"I'm sure we'll be fine." He planted feather-light kisses on her throat. Slowly, slowly, she relaxed onto the bed.
…
"I am Storm, but you may call me Ororo." The weather witch smiled. Illyria nodded.
"Storm's a kinda cool name… but Ororo it is." They were on the third floor, headed for a set of double doors, which Illyria unlocked and pushed open. The apartment was... unusual. It was all open-plan, but half of it was covered by a loft. The ceiling, which was just the roof of the mansion, was made totally of glass, the sky was visible, with all its stars and clouds. One entire two-story wall was made up shelves, cubbyholes full of little things. There were two couches, a small TV and lots of books. A few plants grew in the corner, and the kitchen had a bowl with two goldfish.
"If you don't like the skylight, I can find you another room…" Storm shook her head quickly, looking up in awe.
"No, its… it's beautiful. I can see the sky!" Illyria smiled and Ororo noticed that her canines were a little longer than most people's. "Why are your teeth… like that?" Blue eyes widened and Illyria reached up to her mouth. "Oh, no, I'm sorry… I didn't mean-"
"Its okay. Its my mutation, I'm a shapeshifter, but if I stay in animal form too long, sometimes I can't change all the way back." There was sadness in her eyes that Ororo couldn't figure out. "As for the sky," she pointed upwards. "Felix knows I'm afraid of cages. When he had the house remodeled, he made sure I could see where I was."
"That's very kind of him…"
"Yeah, Felix is pretty good to me." She grinned. "Okay, you can have the upstairs bedroom, its much more private." She led Ororo up to the mezzanine, which was in fact a bedroom. "You can pull curtains across over here," She showed her how. "There's a bathroom through that door, and a walk in closet through there, but that's got my stuff so you'll have to use the drawers – if that's okay."
"That will be fine."
"Okay, I'll be sleeping downstairs through that curtain over there." She pointed to the right of the kitchen, where thick blue velvet fell from the glass ceiling to the cherry hardwood. "Feel free to snoop around." Then she left, closing the front door behind her.
Ororo got her first good look around the bedroom. It was very simple, the bed didn't have headboard, but it was king sized with plenty of blankets and pillows. Side tables, shelves and counters were everywhere. The bedside table had three photographs on it. One was of Felix standing out in the snow, wearing a brown trench coat over a Gucci suit. There was a cane in his left hand and his hair fell over one shoulder, he was grinning at the camera.
Another was of little Aisling, she must have been about thirteen, wearing a pink dress and holding onto Illyria's hand for dear life. Illyria herself was trying to fix Aisling's hair. They were both frozen in time with smiles on their faces.
The third photograph was of a man Ororo didn't recognize. Tall and broad, even sitting down, he was perched on the front steps of a one-story house, elbows on his knees, hands hanging down between them, somewhere very warm (she could tell by the yellow grass at his feet and the blue sky.). A red tank top covered him from the hips up, and beneath that were black cargo pants. Beside him was a hold all and two sheathed swords. He was looking at something behind the camera – probably the person taking the photo – and trying not to smile. Rich brown eyes twinkled in the sun. His short brown hair was ruffled and unkempt, as if it had spent the last twenty-four hours with someone's fingers running through it…
Ororo looked around to make sure Illyria was gone, then lifted the photo and took it out of the frame. She flipped it over to see if the back was signed.
"Some people will always have Paris.
Wade."
The script was blocky, plain – there was nothing loving about how it was written. But somehow the words and the look on the man's face in the picture said more than anything. Ororo quickly put the photograph back where she found it.
…
Logan followed the red head up to the third floor, where Storm had gone, only they took a different door. The apartment he found himself in was more like an indoor garden. There were plants, fountains, flowers, waterfalls and even a parrot. When Cardinal walked in, she trailed her finger along the leaves and through the water. She coaxed, she spoke, she loved and nurtured – with a touch.
"What are you?" Logan asked, his voice as even as he could make it. She blinked big, gray eyes up at him.
"An elemental. All things natural, I am bound to." She slid her fingers up the stem of a plant and its leaves immediately grew fuller. She waved her hand at one of her waterfalls and the water stopped flowing, ending in a clear pool. "I realize my tastes in décor aren't for everyone, but don't worry, your room is closed off."
She led him to a door that was covered in vines; they pulled back with a flick of her wrist.
"Bed, shower, closet. Should you need anything, feel free to tell Caroline," she showed him the computer panel. "Victor and I will be retiring, as we have much to do tomorrow, but don't feel as if you need to do the same. This is, after all, your winter break. It's a holiday. Enjoy it. The only areas of the house out of bounds to you are The Armory, The Lab and The Archives. By all means, explore The Gallery, Library and Recreational Rooms - The Garage too, but please, no taking apart of motorcycles. I don't believe we could survive another one of Illyria's fits of anger, she has been wound so tight these days… ever since…" but she caught herself before revealing too much. The door closed behind her and he was left in the lap of luxury.
…
Johnny watched the black haired beauty walk in front of him like she fucking owned the place. Well, she kinda did own the place. Felix had gone out, So Aisling was showing them around. Johnny thought it was kinda stupid of the Reverend guy to leave his little girl alone with three boys, but whatever, each to his own.
"So where are we going exactly?" He asked for the third time. Why the fuck wouldn't she just answer him? Piotr smiled at her.
"If you don't min, could you please tell Johnny where we're going? He is annoying me." She gave him a breath-taking smile and nodded.
"My place. Or Dad's place, I guess." Johnny rolled his eyes. He was actually shocked she didn't sad 'daddy', which would have just pissed him off. He looked at Bobby, who gave him a 'be polite look'. He just rolled his eyes in answer. Eventually they came to a set of double doors on the second floor and she just walked in: no lock.
To say the apartment was huge would be an understatement. The floors were pale hardwood and the walls a light cream. The living room was a depression in the floor with dark brown couches, a huge flat screen and a bearskin rug. The walls were decorated with modern art pieces Johnny would bet his left nut were priceless. The fireplace was stylish, with a chimney of gray stone.
"You and you," Aisling pointed at Bobby and Johnny, "will be upstairs sharing next to Dad." She pointed at Piotr, "You will be next door to me." Johnny wiggled his brows at her.
"Why can't I be next to you?" He grinned. She looked him up and down, slowly. A sly smile spread across her face.
"Because you wouldn't know decency if it bit you in the ass. I'm a lady, mother fucker. Try to show some class." She looked around the room. "If you break anything, and I mean anything, you're buying it, which means you'll spend the rest of you lives spit shining the garage floor." Then she turned and walked up the stairs. She didn't add an extra sway to her hips the way most girls did around him. Weird.
…
Remy climbed the ladder into the attic above the fourth floor. He pulled himself up into the room he'd lived in when he was eighteen. After he'd been driven from home, he'd tried to steal a priceless ruby from The Reverend. Felix had caught his ass and dragged him back to The Pit, kicking and screaming. He'd literally dropped him in front of Cardinal and offered her his head – apparently the ruby had belonged to her. She'd taken an interest in his guild training and told him he could work off the debt he would have owed had he succeeded in stealing her ruby, or she could turn him in to the ops. Either way, she couldn't give a fuck.
So he'd stayed. He'd stayed longer than was necessary. He'd stayed for four years. Larmes du Soleil became his family. His brothers, his sisters, his parents even. They had treated him right and when the time came for him to fly the nest, they wished him well and offered all their support. He never came back to see them, he knew if he did, he would never leave again.
The roof of his room was sloped and made of wooden beams, with a few windows. He had his own double bed, small bathroom and cupboard. He'd chosen this room because of how different it was from the rest of the house, because of how removed it was. He flung open one of the windows and hopped out onto the roof. From his coat pocket he plucked a cigarette and lit up with the tip of his finger.
He was twenty six now. Four years since he'd been back –
He whipped his head around at the sound of footsteps. The hulking black figure behind him would have frightened anyone else, but he recognized London, even in the pitch black.
The Englishman settled with his own smoke and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses.
"Bad night?" Remy asked. He received a nod in return. It had been four years since he'd seen London last, apparently the big man still got headaches – healing factor or no.
"You don't call, you don't write. I'm starting to think you don't care, Cajun." Remy chuckled.
"You ever wanted somethin' so bad you afraid o' it?" They both took drags.
"This about a chit?" One of London's brows came up.
"Oui. She's… somthin' special, you know?" A nod. "But it don' matter how bad I wan' it. Ain't mine to have." A sigh.
"Yeah, mate. I know that feelin'." Remy watched him lean forward, suck on his smoke, and rest his elbows on his knees. He'd always been afraid of London, always loved him and always respected him. The man had been to hell and dragged himself back reasonably sane. "Tell you what though, go for it. What you go to lose, except maybe time?" Remy nodded and looked out over the grounds of the mansion. He felt London watching him.
"Maybe Remy'll do that, non?" He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"It'd good to see you again, Remy. I'm glad you took care of yourself." Then, just as quietly as he'd come, he was gone. That was the way with London: here one day, gone the next.
Remy looked across the roof, across the lawns and across the game courts and swimming pool. He chuckled to himself and remembered what Felix had said to him that first day eight years ago…. "Welcome to The Pit."