"Enter the Cajun"
The red-eyed boy or Gambit as he called himself, sat quietly in office of Charles Xavier. Vash had come just in the nick of time and stopped the impending Wolverine slash fest. She too sat quietly in the corner waiting for the rest of the X-Men to show. Logan barged through the door holding and a dark green duffel bag and dropped it at the young man's feet.
"Merci." The boy thanked Logan in his native dialect and flashed an irresistible grin.
Scott, Kurt and Storm finally entered just as the professor had requested. Storm took a seat next to the Professor. Kurt immediately went to Vashoba's side.
"Are you okay, Liebling?" Kurt asked Vashoba anxiously. Storm noticed.
"I'm fine, Papa." Vash answered. "He didn't quite take my head off."
"So you finally decided to show up, Remy?" Storm asked with a half smile.
"You know this guy?" Scott asked, a little surprised.
"I guess you could say that." Storm replied. "I am the one that gave him directions here, but I did not expect him to show up."
"Storm and I met Mr. LeBeau on a trip to New York." The professor continued. "He was visiting there when we met."
"We offered him a place at the school, but he refused." Storm added.
"Can't a guy change his mind?" Remy asked.
"Got into a little trouble and now you need a place to stay, right?" Logan concluded.
"Non, Remy took eryt'ing Stormy here say ta heart and come ta da decision on his own." Remy replied. "Sides, never can get too much learnin', eh?"
Vash and Logan scoffed at the statement.
"An' what kind of greetin' do Remy get." he continued. "I am almost killed by those two."
Remy was referring to Vash and Logan who were now both standing against the wall together.
"Excuse me?" Vash said aghast. "Wasn't I the one that almost got blown to pieces?"
"Well, Remy maybe next time you'll call ahead before just showing up." Storm replied.
"Yes, well, our invitation still stands and you are welcome, Mr. LeBeau." The professor said. "But there are some rules that you must follow during your stay here."
"Wunderful." Remy said with a huge grin. "So where's ma room?"
"Follow me, Remy, I will fill you in on what is expected of you on the way." Storm said as she headed toward the door.
Scott, Kurt and Logan turned to the professor for a more detailed explanation.
"What do we know about this kid?" Logan finally asked.
Before the professor could say anything Vash answered for him.
"He's a liar and a thief." She stated bluntly.
"Well that's comforting." Scott groaned.
"Is 'Future Girl' here tellin' the truth?" Logan asked.
"He is no worse than any of the other students here." The professor answered.
The professor had a point; most of the students at the institute came from troubled back grounds. Jubilation Lee for instance ran away from a juvenile detention center and lived on the streets of Hollywood for months before turning up at the mansion one day. Logan grunted in response. Scott on the other hand was not so easily convinced.
"Perhaps you're right, professor, but-" Scott began. "How old is this guy anyway? Should he really be housed with the other kids?"
"He was twenty-one when he first got here." Vash blurted. "Or at least that's what he told everyone."
It was becoming obvious that Vashoba knew Remy LeBeau outside of today.
"You know this boy, Vashoba?" Kurt asked.
"If you mean will I know him, then yes." She said.
Her voice was steady but the venom in it could not be missed. Vash could tell that Kurt wanted to know more. But before he got the chance to ask she thought that it would be best if she excused herself.
"I'm gonna take a walk, kay." She said heading for the door.
"Don't stay up too late, kid." Logan warned. "Classes start tomorrow."
"Classes?" She sputtered.
"Yep." Logan replied. "This ain't no shelter, it's a school. If ya live here, ya learn here, got it?"
"Yeah sure." Vash nodded.
Vash disappeared in a cloud of yellow sulfurous smoke. Logan cringed at the familiar smell that lingered afterward. Kurt grinned in delight at Vash's display of power. It would seem that Vash's inherited teleportation ability had its own distinct color and but the smell was still the same.
"So this kid, Gambit," Scott began. "What was that explosion he caused outside?"
"Yeah," Logan added. "He left a pretty big dent in the lawn out front."
"Mr. LeBeau has the ability to kinetically charge inanimate objects." Charles explained.
"And." Logan egged.
"When he releases said object from his grasp it explodes." Charles continued. "Remy seems to have a preference to playing cards. They are small and are easy to conceal and carry."
"Well that's a new one." Scott mumbled.
[Elsewhere.]
Storm had already begun showing Remy around the mansion and informing him of the rules and regulations. He tried his best to pay attention, but he was never one for rules or regulations. He was busy calculating how much money he could get for that collection of rare swords that were showcased in that room they just passed. When he snapped back to reality he realized that he was facing what had to be at least half of the school. Storm was showing him the Recreation Room where most of the students had gathered to watch television.
"And this is the Recreation Room, Remy," Storm continued.
Static was the first to turn around and notice them in the doorway. His mouth opened in wonderment and he sprung to his feet and ran to the door.
"Remy?" he asked before he could stop himself.
Remy was taken aback but, he answered.
"Oui." He uttered. "Do ah know ya from somewhere?"
"No." Static answered. "I just heard about you from someone, that's all."
"This is Isaac," Storm said introducing the black haired boy.
"But you can call me Static." The boy replied.
"Well I suppose you should meet the others." Storm said as she led Remy into the room.
The group of kids all stood to welcome their strange new visitor. Remy surveyed the room of assembled youngsters.
"Children, this is Remy LeBeau." Storm began. "He will be joining you in your classes tomorrow."
"Another new mutant." Amara groaned.
Amara was not very excepting of new comers. She liked her life to be calm and predictable. Living with these uncivilized people was bad enough but the fact that their numbers seemed to be growing was almost too much for her to bear.
"I am going to bed." She said as she pushed pass the group and out of the door.
"Nice ta meet ya too." Remy mumbled under his breath.
"Don't mind Amara." Rogue said with a pleasant smile. "She's a gets a little weird 'round new folks. Ah'm Rogue. Nice ta meet ya."
The introductions began from there. By the time that Remy left the room he knew everyone's name and their powers and what not to eat out of the fridge. He continued to follow Storm down the dormitory halls until they stopped at the last door on the boys' hall.
"This will be your room." She stated. "Lucky for you that it isn't already occupied, you'll have it all to yourself."
"Excellent." Remy said rubbing his hands together, while a mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Now for the most important rules." Storm began. "We have a curfew around here. Because of your age it will be 10:00 pm. No alcohol or smoking on the premises. You are welcome to do as you please elsewhere."
Remy was thoroughly devastated. He had smoked cigarettes since he was twelve years old and now at twenty-one he was being restricted. And no alcohol and a curfew, what could possibly be worse?
"And no fooling around either," Storm continued. "Besides most of the girls here are underaged anyway. We wouldn't want to getting in any legal troubles would we, Remy?"
"Course not." Remy said dryly.
"Goodnight," Storm said as she left him to his room. "Don't stay up too late. Classes start tomorrow."
"No nookie?" Remy thought. "Dis is gonna be hell."
[Outside.]
Static had left his new friends to find his sister. After seeing that Gambit had shown up he was sure that his sister needed someone to talk to. He knew he would find her in one of her favorite spots. Just outside of the school grounds there were the woods. Though they were part of the property the students rarely ventured out that far. Vash loved the woods; it was in her nature to long for the outdoors. She was what most called a feral mutant. She was fierce, loyal and protective of the people she cared for. The others told him that she was very similar to their father in that respect.
And there she was, by the small stream that flowed through the property, perched in a tree. He walked underneath her and never looking up, he made himself known.
"I thought that I'd find ya here." Static said as he took in the scenery.
"I just needed to digest everything." She replied. "This is getting weirder and weirder, Static."
"Yeah." He answered plainly. "So what do we do? This is the way things are going to happen. We are part of it now."
"So do we hide in corners and try not to interfere with the way things are supposed to happen," Vash began. "Or do we live our lives out here with them?"
Static was strangely silent, this was not like him.
"Static?" Vash said in hopes of getting a response.
"So," he replied finally. "You really think that we'll never go back home."
"This is home," Vash replied. "Just different is all."
She swung from the tree and landed perfectly right next to her brother.
"We've already interfered." She continued. "Besides now we'll finally get to know our parents."
"That is exactly the problem." Static said. "What if by us being here we interfere with them and their relationship? Mom doesn't seem to be as happy to see us as Dad is."
"She'll come around." Vash reassured her brother. "No one can resist this face." She said smiling proudly.
"So easily dooped." Static laughed. "So, who told you that you were irresistible?"
He said it before he knew better. He never thought about things until he said them. She had quieted up after that comment. He knew full well that he had crossed the line.
"I'm sorry." He said quietly.
"It's ok." She whispered back. "I know you didn't mean it. He's gonna be a problem for me ya know."
"Yeah." He mumbled. "Don't let him get to ya though, okay."
"Sure." She replied. "Maybe I'll get lucky and he doesn't know how to be a jackass yet."
"I don't know," Static joked. "I think Remy LeBeau was born a jackass."
The red-eyed boy or Gambit as he called himself, sat quietly in office of Charles Xavier. Vash had come just in the nick of time and stopped the impending Wolverine slash fest. She too sat quietly in the corner waiting for the rest of the X-Men to show. Logan barged through the door holding and a dark green duffel bag and dropped it at the young man's feet.
"Merci." The boy thanked Logan in his native dialect and flashed an irresistible grin.
Scott, Kurt and Storm finally entered just as the professor had requested. Storm took a seat next to the Professor. Kurt immediately went to Vashoba's side.
"Are you okay, Liebling?" Kurt asked Vashoba anxiously. Storm noticed.
"I'm fine, Papa." Vash answered. "He didn't quite take my head off."
"So you finally decided to show up, Remy?" Storm asked with a half smile.
"You know this guy?" Scott asked, a little surprised.
"I guess you could say that." Storm replied. "I am the one that gave him directions here, but I did not expect him to show up."
"Storm and I met Mr. LeBeau on a trip to New York." The professor continued. "He was visiting there when we met."
"We offered him a place at the school, but he refused." Storm added.
"Can't a guy change his mind?" Remy asked.
"Got into a little trouble and now you need a place to stay, right?" Logan concluded.
"Non, Remy took eryt'ing Stormy here say ta heart and come ta da decision on his own." Remy replied. "Sides, never can get too much learnin', eh?"
Vash and Logan scoffed at the statement.
"An' what kind of greetin' do Remy get." he continued. "I am almost killed by those two."
Remy was referring to Vash and Logan who were now both standing against the wall together.
"Excuse me?" Vash said aghast. "Wasn't I the one that almost got blown to pieces?"
"Well, Remy maybe next time you'll call ahead before just showing up." Storm replied.
"Yes, well, our invitation still stands and you are welcome, Mr. LeBeau." The professor said. "But there are some rules that you must follow during your stay here."
"Wunderful." Remy said with a huge grin. "So where's ma room?"
"Follow me, Remy, I will fill you in on what is expected of you on the way." Storm said as she headed toward the door.
Scott, Kurt and Logan turned to the professor for a more detailed explanation.
"What do we know about this kid?" Logan finally asked.
Before the professor could say anything Vash answered for him.
"He's a liar and a thief." She stated bluntly.
"Well that's comforting." Scott groaned.
"Is 'Future Girl' here tellin' the truth?" Logan asked.
"He is no worse than any of the other students here." The professor answered.
The professor had a point; most of the students at the institute came from troubled back grounds. Jubilation Lee for instance ran away from a juvenile detention center and lived on the streets of Hollywood for months before turning up at the mansion one day. Logan grunted in response. Scott on the other hand was not so easily convinced.
"Perhaps you're right, professor, but-" Scott began. "How old is this guy anyway? Should he really be housed with the other kids?"
"He was twenty-one when he first got here." Vash blurted. "Or at least that's what he told everyone."
It was becoming obvious that Vashoba knew Remy LeBeau outside of today.
"You know this boy, Vashoba?" Kurt asked.
"If you mean will I know him, then yes." She said.
Her voice was steady but the venom in it could not be missed. Vash could tell that Kurt wanted to know more. But before he got the chance to ask she thought that it would be best if she excused herself.
"I'm gonna take a walk, kay." She said heading for the door.
"Don't stay up too late, kid." Logan warned. "Classes start tomorrow."
"Classes?" She sputtered.
"Yep." Logan replied. "This ain't no shelter, it's a school. If ya live here, ya learn here, got it?"
"Yeah sure." Vash nodded.
Vash disappeared in a cloud of yellow sulfurous smoke. Logan cringed at the familiar smell that lingered afterward. Kurt grinned in delight at Vash's display of power. It would seem that Vash's inherited teleportation ability had its own distinct color and but the smell was still the same.
"So this kid, Gambit," Scott began. "What was that explosion he caused outside?"
"Yeah," Logan added. "He left a pretty big dent in the lawn out front."
"Mr. LeBeau has the ability to kinetically charge inanimate objects." Charles explained.
"And." Logan egged.
"When he releases said object from his grasp it explodes." Charles continued. "Remy seems to have a preference to playing cards. They are small and are easy to conceal and carry."
"Well that's a new one." Scott mumbled.
[Elsewhere.]
Storm had already begun showing Remy around the mansion and informing him of the rules and regulations. He tried his best to pay attention, but he was never one for rules or regulations. He was busy calculating how much money he could get for that collection of rare swords that were showcased in that room they just passed. When he snapped back to reality he realized that he was facing what had to be at least half of the school. Storm was showing him the Recreation Room where most of the students had gathered to watch television.
"And this is the Recreation Room, Remy," Storm continued.
Static was the first to turn around and notice them in the doorway. His mouth opened in wonderment and he sprung to his feet and ran to the door.
"Remy?" he asked before he could stop himself.
Remy was taken aback but, he answered.
"Oui." He uttered. "Do ah know ya from somewhere?"
"No." Static answered. "I just heard about you from someone, that's all."
"This is Isaac," Storm said introducing the black haired boy.
"But you can call me Static." The boy replied.
"Well I suppose you should meet the others." Storm said as she led Remy into the room.
The group of kids all stood to welcome their strange new visitor. Remy surveyed the room of assembled youngsters.
"Children, this is Remy LeBeau." Storm began. "He will be joining you in your classes tomorrow."
"Another new mutant." Amara groaned.
Amara was not very excepting of new comers. She liked her life to be calm and predictable. Living with these uncivilized people was bad enough but the fact that their numbers seemed to be growing was almost too much for her to bear.
"I am going to bed." She said as she pushed pass the group and out of the door.
"Nice ta meet ya too." Remy mumbled under his breath.
"Don't mind Amara." Rogue said with a pleasant smile. "She's a gets a little weird 'round new folks. Ah'm Rogue. Nice ta meet ya."
The introductions began from there. By the time that Remy left the room he knew everyone's name and their powers and what not to eat out of the fridge. He continued to follow Storm down the dormitory halls until they stopped at the last door on the boys' hall.
"This will be your room." She stated. "Lucky for you that it isn't already occupied, you'll have it all to yourself."
"Excellent." Remy said rubbing his hands together, while a mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Now for the most important rules." Storm began. "We have a curfew around here. Because of your age it will be 10:00 pm. No alcohol or smoking on the premises. You are welcome to do as you please elsewhere."
Remy was thoroughly devastated. He had smoked cigarettes since he was twelve years old and now at twenty-one he was being restricted. And no alcohol and a curfew, what could possibly be worse?
"And no fooling around either," Storm continued. "Besides most of the girls here are underaged anyway. We wouldn't want to getting in any legal troubles would we, Remy?"
"Course not." Remy said dryly.
"Goodnight," Storm said as she left him to his room. "Don't stay up too late. Classes start tomorrow."
"No nookie?" Remy thought. "Dis is gonna be hell."
[Outside.]
Static had left his new friends to find his sister. After seeing that Gambit had shown up he was sure that his sister needed someone to talk to. He knew he would find her in one of her favorite spots. Just outside of the school grounds there were the woods. Though they were part of the property the students rarely ventured out that far. Vash loved the woods; it was in her nature to long for the outdoors. She was what most called a feral mutant. She was fierce, loyal and protective of the people she cared for. The others told him that she was very similar to their father in that respect.
And there she was, by the small stream that flowed through the property, perched in a tree. He walked underneath her and never looking up, he made himself known.
"I thought that I'd find ya here." Static said as he took in the scenery.
"I just needed to digest everything." She replied. "This is getting weirder and weirder, Static."
"Yeah." He answered plainly. "So what do we do? This is the way things are going to happen. We are part of it now."
"So do we hide in corners and try not to interfere with the way things are supposed to happen," Vash began. "Or do we live our lives out here with them?"
Static was strangely silent, this was not like him.
"Static?" Vash said in hopes of getting a response.
"So," he replied finally. "You really think that we'll never go back home."
"This is home," Vash replied. "Just different is all."
She swung from the tree and landed perfectly right next to her brother.
"We've already interfered." She continued. "Besides now we'll finally get to know our parents."
"That is exactly the problem." Static said. "What if by us being here we interfere with them and their relationship? Mom doesn't seem to be as happy to see us as Dad is."
"She'll come around." Vash reassured her brother. "No one can resist this face." She said smiling proudly.
"So easily dooped." Static laughed. "So, who told you that you were irresistible?"
He said it before he knew better. He never thought about things until he said them. She had quieted up after that comment. He knew full well that he had crossed the line.
"I'm sorry." He said quietly.
"It's ok." She whispered back. "I know you didn't mean it. He's gonna be a problem for me ya know."
"Yeah." He mumbled. "Don't let him get to ya though, okay."
"Sure." She replied. "Maybe I'll get lucky and he doesn't know how to be a jackass yet."
"I don't know," Static joked. "I think Remy LeBeau was born a jackass."