OCTOBER 2014: Updated and slight changes!
Chapter Six – First Encounters
Marie couldn't help but sigh with content. 'Perfect.' A small smile found its way to the left corner of her mouth as she inspected herself in the full-length mirror. Though it wasn't especially daring compared to other outfits that women her age (and older) wore, it was daring for Marie. And she loved it. The plunging V-cut collar gave a little more cleavage than she had ever let show while the navy silk felt like she was wearing, well…almost nothing really. But then the whole point of buying the shirt had been to be a little bolder than her usual attire. Marie had bought the shirt on one of her sans-Kitty trips around the city and had been positively dying for an opportunity to wear it before her chances were zeroed. Her father would never approve of such clothing. Not when she was supposed to be an exemplary Acolyte and a soon-to-be-married woman. Marie had to roll her eyes at the very notion. 'Ah'm not married yet.' As she turned around to inspect the back, however, a sigh of annoyance escaped her lips. The cut of the shirt was high, and laced to hold it in place against her spine. The only problem with this was that the laces kept coming undone. Marie glared over her shoulder as she studied the low of her back in the mirror. 'That's it.' With the raise of her hands, Marie began to pull and tie imaginary laces while she used the mirror for guidance. The laces began to move on their own accord and within two minutes, they were securely laced without much chance of coming loose without her approval.
With her shirt finished, Marie turned to the matter of her hair. Kitty had already found a place to start the night off. A place named Wannabes. Marie had been more than pleased when Kitty also mentioned that the place allowed both humans and mutants. Not only would there be no point in a full-scale disguise, she wouldn't have to disguise her hair with another hot and itchy wig. So with the aid of a little more telekinesis, Marie pinned back her auburn hair until it was fashioned into a low, loose bun of curls. Her white streaks were tucked away, virtually hidden from sight. She was finishing the last touches with a pair of dangling earrings when a knock came from the bedroom door. She called for Kitty to come in and not a moment later, Kitty's head poked through the door.
"Are you ready to go?"
Marie nodded. She took care to hide her tattooed wrist as she replied from the vanity desk.
"Ah'll be two seconds. If ya not busy, can ya check the other rooms before we go?"
Marie watched from the mirror as Kitty gave a silent groan and rolled her eyes.
"And to think I sometimes wonder how it is you and Pietro are related. You're both security crazy!"
Marie had to smirk at that.
"Can't be too careful Kit."
Kitty rolled her eyes a second time before she phased back through the door. Marie chuckled softly as she finished putting in the last earring. As one of the first priority rules dictated, Acolytes were taught to be mindful of their surroundings. Even a safe house could be bugged with enemy tracers or cameras. They really had to be too careful. However after checking the security sensors, Marie turned to her closet one last time. With a slight wave of her hand, one of the top draws to her closet opened and a pair of long, black, silken opera gloves drifted across the room. They slipped themselves up her outstretched arms, covering both her skin and her new trademark. Marie tugged lightly at the hem of her left glove as she opened the door to leave.
"Can't be too careful."
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Meanwhile…
The blaring music made the room pulsate with energy as people flooded the three levels of the building. Meanwhile, mutants and humans of every colour, size and gender mixed together and flooded the already-packed spaces. As people went about their own pleasures and enjoyments with talk, food, dance and raising their own bets on a winning (or losing) hand at cards, a small group filled out of the poker ring and into the lounge area on the grand balcony outside. Two young men led the small group, most of which were either scantily clad females or scantily clad, mutant females.
The dusk air was crisp and considerably cleaner compared to the noise and smoke-polluted rooms inside. However, that didn't stop either of the men from lighting up a cigarette as soon as they were outside. Both men seated themselves on a pair of plush, green sofas while the half a dozen women cluttered themselves amongst them. One of the men rested an elbow on his chair arm, and rested his head in his hand as he turned her gaze towards the dusk skyline. The red-tinted sky and the glare of the New Paris city lights reflected against his dark shades as he took a drag from the cancer-stick between his fingers. He exhaled the smoke as he addressed to his friend.
"Clear skies tonight mon ami. What was dat ol' sayin'? Clear skies tonight, Shepard's delight?"
The other young man gave a half chuckle as he flicked the end of his cigarette. He let out a lazy sigh before he spoke.
"I think it was Red skies tonight, Shepard's delight or something or rather…Why the sudden interest Gambit?"
Gambit could only shrug wordlessly before taking another drag. A glowing ring of red encircled the end of the cigarette as he inhaled it slowly. A formless expression spread across his half-hidden face as he watched the ring of red fade. It was only when his friend spoke up and lightly kicked his knee that he noticed he was being spoken to.
"Oi Gambit!"
Gambit turned his head in one fluid motion to meet his friend's gaze. A moment later, the vague expression was gone and a bemused smile and an arched brow appeared.
"Quoi?" (What?)
His friend gave him a wary look before he spoke a moment or two later.
"You're quiet. Not like you to be quiet."
Gambit shrugged impassively as he took one last drag of his cigarette and leant forward towards the ashtray on the table between them. The last red ring died out as he squished it against the glass. When he was comfortably set back in his previous position, he reverted to his unusual bout of silence. He received another wary look from his friend, causing him to chuckle with amusement.
"What? Is there a law against Gambit being quiet?"
"If there were you'd be breaking it my friend."
Gambit chuckled and shook his head amusedly. His friend continued to push his point.
"You've got at least a couple of million Empires (1) in your pocket from a winning streak at poker, five girls waiting and willing to jump in the sack and you're just sitting here, watching the horizon and acting all silent? That's not the Gambit I know."
Gambit, to prove irony right once more, grew silent again as he turned his gaze back to the horizon. His friend let out a sigh of irritation. When that did nothing to gain his silent friend's attention, he gave Gambit's knee another kick only a bit harder. At the sudden pain that struck his knee, Gambit turned back towards his friend with a grunt of pain and glared. Peter remained totally indifferent to the look as he spoke.
"Seriously, what's wrong with you?"
Gambit didn't know where to start. He had a lot on his mind these days. His father had been trying to contact him for six months. His brother checked on him for his father whenever he did manage to track him down, which wasn't often. He had spent the past year and a half painting practically every major city across the globe in red, leaving a trail of one night stands, underground clubs, poker games and successful heists. However, no matter how much he lost himself in his work, one night stands or simply following the road under his feet, he couldn't forget his responsibilities to the guild for long. He couldn't forget that his time as a single man was nearly up. That in six months he would be standing at the altar and binding himself heart and soul to a woman he didn't even know. As thoughts of what lay ahead of him began to build on his shoulders like chips, Gambit turned his gaze away from Peter, away from the horizon. He daftly landed on the view below where the entrance to the club and mounting line of hopefuls and intimidating bouncers. There was nothing especially interesting about the view, that is, until a pair of women walked into the neon lights.
A devilish smirk spread across his lips as he watched one of the women tuck back an unusual white lock of hair behind her ear. A moment later, she stepped out of sight and into the depths of the levels below.
"Remy LeBeau are you there?"
He ignored Peter's harsh whisper of his real name to gain his attention. Instead, Remy stood up and turned to the nearest blonde escort on the sofa beside him. He gave a practiced devilish grin as he tugged her hand as he stood.
"I t'ink it's about time we had dinner."
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The overall rush of the club atmosphere was invigorating. The smell of second hand smoke, alcohol and leather mixed with the variety of colognes and perfumes that hung from the bodies about the room. To Kitty, it was rather disgusting at first, causing her nose to wrinkle with revulsion. To Marie, her exhilaration to be out of uniform and out of the undercover world outweighed the distaste that struck her first hand. As they made their way to the bar, the two were pushed and on occasion caught by the countless ravelling bodies that shifted around them. Like a turbulent sea in motion, people danced with the upbeat of the music (among other things), laughed and chatted amongst themselves.
When they finally did make it to the bar, both sat themselves down on the high metal stools and ordered some drinks. Though their glasses chinked together in a toast, the actual 'chink' was lost to the commotion about the room. Kitty had to yell to be heard as she leant forward to whisper in her friend's ear.
"Here's to a belated 18th birthday and a last night out before the next chapter of your life!"
Marie smiled appreciatively before she took a long swig of her glass. The liquid slid down her throat like fire. The glass was drained empty by the time she set it back on the bench top.
"Kit ah have t' hand it to ya, though ah love ya dearly an' ah love ya idea about celebratin' tonight, ya have a shit taste in clubs!"
Kitty, instead of being offended, joined her in laughter before finishing off the rest of her glass. It was true, the club was high-class with all the right features but for them, it was like stepping into the twilight zone; surreal and so unlike their home on Avalon. However, they were not about to let that ruin a perfectly potential night for a little fun and last-chance experience. Marie couldn't have agreed better when Kitty suggested they go find some guys to dance with. What did they honestly have to lose?
An hour later, after too many songs to count and at least a dozen or more men later, Marie and Kitty swam through the crowd towards the nearest empty wall space to catch their breaths. Kitty leant heavily against the wall with a hand over her belly, clutching a stitch. Having donned a sleek mini-skirt dress to fit her pixie form, Kitty practically glowed a flushed pink in the florescent lighting as she yelled over the music.
"I am starving! Is there a restaurant in this place?"
Marie wiped back a loose strand of white from her eyes as she replied loudly.
"Ah think so. How about ah meet ya there, ah have t' fahnd the ladies room!"
With a nod of approval and a 'be-careful' from Kitty, Marie began to weave in and out between people in the direction of the bathroom sign. Ten minutes later, having freshened up and re-tied her laces once more, Marie made her way towards the restaurant part of the room. The club was three stories in total, each level hosting various interests and themes. The dance floor laid on the bottom level as did a restaurant area that was raised slightly higher than the dance floor to separate the sections. A metal balcony separated the two sectors of the level. Marie was making her way across a pathway that stood along side the railing when she caught sight of Kitty already at a table…with a handsome, darkhaired man sitting across from her. Marie couldn't help but let out a huff of irritation as she came to a stop in her path. However, not a moment later, a small smile spread across her lips. Kitty was obviously enjoying the stranger's company.
"Maybe ah'll give them a couple of hours…"
With that decided, Marie made her way back towards the bar to settle herself with another drink and a seat. However, as she passed between the tables, she was stopped. Something or rather someone caught her wrist and stopped her in her tracks. Marie set her wrist-captor with a warning glare as she turned to face him, only to be caught off guard slightly. A lazy grin was spread across the young man's lips as he looked up at her from his languid position at a booth table. Rogue raised a sceptical brow at him when she noticed the buxom blonde woman that was tucked under his other arm. Was he for real? The scene was completed with the Cajun drawl that practically melted the air as he spoke.
"Excusez-moi chére, could I get a glass o' bourbon et a cosmo for de femme? Merci."
Without so much as a care for her near-gaping expression of surprise and insult, the man had the nerve to slip a couple of Empire notes into her hand he was still holding. Rogue eyed him with raised, sceptical brow for a moment before she retorted coldly.
"Ah think ya got the wrong idea, ah'm not-"
"Get somet'ing f' y'self while y' at it ma belle." (My beautiful)
He slipped another twenty Empires in her hand before she could even finish her sentence. However, before she could shove it back or give him a piece of her mind, the blonde beside him snaked an arm around his neck and pulled him back to her. He responded accordingly by turning his head and attention back to the blonde, while also letting go of Marie's wrist. Marie let out an indignant sound. She watched as the man began to murmured French little nothings into the idiot's ear. The scantily-clad blonde giggled appreciatively and (no doubt) whispered possible little X-rated nothings back into his ear as she began to nuzzle his neck like a pet cat. Marie felt bile build at the back of her throat.
As the two continued their game of X-rated Chinese whispers, Marie slowly backed away in the direction of the bar. She considered handing the guy's money to the nearest waitress as a generous tip but her more sardonic side was the one to win her over. A small, devious smirk spread across her lips as she fingered the cash in her hands. As luck would have it, a waitress hoisting a pair of margarita glasses on a tray came into sight. Marie hailed her over and handed her the wade of cash before she could speak. As she briskly told her to get whoever ordered the drinks another round with the cash (and to use the change as a tip) she took each glass in one hand and walked away before the waitress could object. With her liquid ammunition in hand, Marie sashayed confidently back to the Cajun and the buxom blonde's table. They were still locked in a close embrace, whispering (and giggling) when she stopped in front of them and declared in an acid sweet tone.
"Ah'm sorry but they were all outta bourbon!"
Marie emptied the glasses on top of the man's head without so much as a moment's hesitance or warning. She had the great satisfaction of watching as the blonde drew back abruptly with a clichéd girlish shriek before a string of loud cussing escaped her unnatural looking lips. Marie had no doubt she was worried about her dress getting ruined as alcohol dribbled down the man's head and onto the seat. What was more satisfying was to watch as the man's expression turned from smug to gaping like codfish as he slowly turned to stare at her in silent shock. She actually wished the man wasn't wearing sunglasses so that she might see the look in his eyes. All the same, his facial expression was priceless. An amused chuckle escaped her lips before she turned on her heal and left without another word. Vowing that in the months to come, this memory would still make her smile.
As she headed towards the dance floor, she happened upon the same waitress who, having seen what she had done, was trying not to break into a fit of giggles. Marie handed her the empty glasses and thanked her before she lost herself in the sea of bodies.
If she had cared to turn back however, she might have seen the young man pull off his sunglasses, wipe the wet strands of hair out of his face and smirk deviously in her direction.
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Lol REVIEW PLEASE!
-Gams
I don't honestly think that Apocalypse would keep to the money system of humanity. Don't you agree? Let's just say that 'empires' are the equivalent of 'dollars' annnd… I shall come up with something to be the equivalent of coin change later! Any suggests are very much appreciated!
Hey everyone! I had fun with the last chapter but ya'll will LOVE this chapter I'm thinking…
Oh and a minor note, Rogue's powers (yes! She has her powers!) aren't completely the same as they are in the original series but they will be. It'll all be explained later!
