Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Men
A/N: Warning- original character approaching! Title this time is taken from the Sheryl Crow's 'There goes the neighbourhood'.
Humble neighbourhoods
04: We can't be certain who the villains are 'cause everyone's so pretty
Blaze had a boyfriend. It irritated Gambit, not so much because she was seeing someone, but because she wouldn't just spit it out and admit it. And so whilst he was confidently 'networking', building his connections and name about the nightclubs of Paris, she was avoiding digging up any work at all, off dancing with this boy. Whatever, Gambit thought, I'se work better on my own anyways.
He kept an eye on her. It wasn't that he didn't like the guy especially; he didn't know anything about him. A tall black youth close to Blaze's age, he looked strong enough to do the redhead some damage if he wanted to. But for the time being at least she was laughing at something the guy said, all fluttering eyelashes and innocent eyes.
"Look Gambit, its like I said, I had a better offer. You're not the only thief working in here tonight." The potential employer dismissed Gambit without even getting up. Remy's eyes narrowed, but he backed off. Funs over Blaze, he decided, time to track down an' deal with the competition.
But Blaze was chatting away amicably to some other girl now, making girly exclamations whilst Blaze's date hung an arm over her shoulder. What did she think this was, a social event? Blaze knew Gambit was hovering, but she stoically ignored him as she greeted Mercury like a long-lost big sister.
"It's good to see you too, Blaze!" Mercury crooned, kissing Blaze's cheeks and offering a friendly hand to Blaze's male companion. "How's business? Keeping you out of trouble I hope?"
"Yeah right!" Blaze laughed, shrugging her boyfriend's arm off her shoulder. "You only hope that 'cause I'm the competition! And I thought thieves were supposed to stick together!"
"In that case, c'mon, I wanna introduce you to a few people. Only because its you Blaze, you know, I don't share my contacts with just anyone..." Mercury grabbed Blaze's wrist and energetically tugged her out of Gambit's sight into the dense crowd. Her boyfriend just stood there, looking a little lost, but Gambit had no sympathy for the kid. He was far more interested in who Blaze was getting introduced to...
Half of Paris' underworld seemed to be swarming the club, and all of them knew Mercury. Before long, most of them knew Blaze as well, though they obviously didn't think very much of the sixteen-year-old. Constantly she was aware of Gambit tracking her movements, watching her back, but letting her be just the same. Slowly, a plan even better than getting herself a boyfriend to take her treacherous mind off of Remy hatched in Blaze's increasingly criminal mind. She just had to get Mercury and Gambit talking...
"Merc, you're gonna get me in trouble." Blaze finally threw in the towel with the whole 'networking' thing. "Much as you've been telling everyone I work for you, I don't, okay?"
"Your boss the jealous type?" Mercury smiled, putting her arm though Blaze's possessively. Blaze grinned, swinging them both round to try and spot Gambit in the crowd. "Do I get an introduction before I steal you off him?"
"Sure," Blaze replied casually, flicking her hair back over her shoulder and leading Mercury over to Remy. But despite appearances, her stomach was doing summersaults. If this didn't cure her, nothing would. Gambit didn't smile, his eyes running dangerously slow over the pair of them, and Blaze knew he was weighing Mercury up in more than one way. "Mercury, Gambit; Gambit, Mercury."
"You know, when you said you were working for someone, I didn't think you'd mean just another kid, Blaze." Mercury commented flippantly, tilting her hip and smiling flirtatiously at them both. Blaze detached herself from her friend and went to stand next to Remy. "I'll fight you for her?" Mercury asked him, steely eyes light and alluring.
"No t'anks." Gambit returned Mercury's smile with a sly one of his own, putting a hand possessively on Blaze's skinny bare shoulder. Blaze glanced at him, saying "Aww, go on..." whilst ducking out from under his strong hand.
"Hey Blaze, you done?" Her date suddenly appeared from nowhere with impeccable timing she wouldn't have credited him with. Nodding to him, Blaze left Gambit in Mercury's more than capable hands. All she said by way of encouragement was "Play nice" as she headed for the dance floor. Once there, she turned her back effectively on the other two thieves, trying to lose herself in the music. She knew them both well, knew where their conversation would take them. The jealously that rode inside her was as comforting as bile. She wouldn't, couldn't watch them flirt. Blaze convinced herself easily that this was for the best; there was no way she could spend the rest of her life daydreaming after Gambit...
But Mercury's first few words to Gambit were purely business. She liked Blaze a lot; seeing what Gambit had seen in her, knowing she was a natural talent. If it weren't for Blaze's obvious loyalty to Remy, Mercury would have stolen Blaze away to train without a second thought. Not that she could much fault the job Gambit had done.
"So, are you going to tell her that she's as trained as she'll ever be yet? Or are you worried she's going to disappear the minute she knows?" Gambit met Mercury's words with a frown, wondering if the belle fille was a telepath or somethin'.
"I'se just not sure she ready for facin' the underworld alone yet, Cherie." Remy's dark eyes drifted to watch Blaze dancing with the nameless boyfriend. She really had no idea how captivated the boy was with her, how other male eyes around the room were watching her too. "She still so young..."
Mercury wondered briefly if she dared bring her next idea up, but it wasn't her way to mince words. Gambit was the one making decisions about Blaze's training, but it didn't mean he'd considered all the options...
"She could be taught what she's capable of, Gambit." Mercury spoke evenly, unemotional though she broached a controversial topic. Neither did she shy away when Gambit's unusual eyes turned back to her, demanding an explanation from his fellow mutant. "I know a few people, I'm sure you do too." Slowly, he nodded. He also knew exactly what Mercury was implying, he'd thought about it before but never come to any sort of decision. Yet as he watched Blaze now, he knew this decision was out of time. It was now or never. But Mercury was already backtracking, slotting in her words of warning.
"If you're seriously thinking about having her taught to use her charms, you have to remember she wont be the same girl by the end of it. All that innocence she has now will be gone..."
"But," Gambit countered, making his mind up. "If she ain't taught, an' she goes where I can't follow, she gonna learn the hard way what losin' innocence is all about. Too many predators in this world not to arm her against 'em."
"If its any consolation," Mercury smiled her charming smile, stepping a little closer to the handsome Cajun as if to show her support. "I agree with you."
"Who you suggest?" Gambit was still only thinking about business, hand in his pocket toying with a playing card. Mercury shrugged nonchalantly before replying. "Arista's good. Very good."
"Arista's a guy." Gambit pointed out, a little uncomfortable with the knowledge.
"I know." Mercury agreed with a quick grin. Not everyone did. "But I'd be interested to know how you found out?"
"Not like that, I ain't stupid." Gambit was quick to point out, perhaps a little too quick, but Mercury let it slide.
"Of course not." She smoothed over his discomfort as she smoothed her glossy hair back from her face. "Do you want me to arrange something? She's here tonight..."
"Non, Chere." Gambit shook his head. "I puttin' Blaze up for this, I'se arrange it myself."
"I understand." Mercury did, better than she would admit. She half wished the people who'd made her the thief she was had been as diligent as the Cajun. "You can pay, right? Arista's not a cheap tutor."
Finally Gambit grinned at Mercury, his eyes suddenly dancing and animated, the defensive steak he had when it came to Blaze disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"Well I could if someone round here stop stealin' all the business. What you offerin' 'em Cherie, free brownies?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A hand tapped Blaze on the shoulder not too much later, bringing her back to the real world from her dancing with a thud. Gambit didn't offer an apology; just spoke to her quickly, ignoring the evil looks Blaze's date was giving him.
"I'se got someone for you to meet, Petite..."
He led her from the dance floor to a smoky corner, hidden under a balcony, where several attractive women of various ages were lounging amidst lace and feather bowers. In the centre of the group, a startling brunette sipped red wine like blood, reminding Blaze of some Renaissance image of Venus, with ringlet curls and a knowing look. Certainly it took some impressive breed of woman to make Gambit uncomfortable around her.
"Hi there honey." Arista exuded smoothly, voice as knowledgeable as her eyes. "Oh she's a star, Remy, your taste is definitely improving boy..."
"I don't get it." Blaze frowned, turning to Gambit for guidance and finding none. Arista sighed melodramatically as if Blaze had somehow offended her, whilst the other women around watched the three of them like vultures.
"Come sit down, sugar. Let old Arista have a look at you..." Arista patted the seat next to her, and Blaze found herself in a position where she couldn't refuse. What was Gambit up to? But Arista was talking again, taking Blaze's chin in hand, and almost scratching the teenager's ivory skin with elaborate fake nails. "Well aren't we the Bambi-eyes beauty? Let me explain before you explode. Remy, darlin' be a dear and leave us be, us girls need to bond."
"I be about Petite." He swore, before for once doing what he was told and making himself scarce. At the bar, Mercury was waiting for him with drinks and amicable company, but it could hardly be said he'd spent the rest of the night in a good mood. In the meantime Blaze spoke her mind to no one in particular.
"Doesn't anybody use my name anymore?" She moaned, ignoring the fact that technically she was as bad as any of them for using the alias 'Blaze'.
"Well you are a sweet thing," Arista rationalised. "And 'Petite' is such a cute pet name. But I agree with you Blaze, a girl can out-grow wanting to be sweet. Me, I'm an artist. I teach girls to make themselves exactly what they want to be. Trust me, illusion is not a skill to be taken lightly, nor is manipulation..."
"You're a bloke." Blaze suddenly realised, but Arista smiled confidently, a teeth-flashing smile of confidence and amusement.
"Congrats, honey, really. You're about the quickest to get that in a long while. That your fella over there looking all neglected?" Blaze followed the pointing finger to where her date stood by himself, and nodded. "Yeah, and I should really..."
"You should nothin'." Arista told her forcefully, before turning to one of her other tutees. "Keira, go keep the guy company. A boy as lovely as that shouldn't be stood on his own."
With a nod, swinging hips and gallons of feminine charm, the girl named Keira slid like a serpent over to Blaze's boyfriend. Blaze was helpless as she took him by the belt and took him back to the dance floor, his eyes out on stalks and his jaw dragging on the floor. Despite herself, Blaze was impressed.
"You can teach me to do that?" She demanded of the drag queen, who laughed and picked up her wine glass again.
"You already can, hon. I'm just gonna remove those sweet little blinkers you're wearing..."
A/N: Warning- original character approaching! Title this time is taken from the Sheryl Crow's 'There goes the neighbourhood'.
Humble neighbourhoods
04: We can't be certain who the villains are 'cause everyone's so pretty
Blaze had a boyfriend. It irritated Gambit, not so much because she was seeing someone, but because she wouldn't just spit it out and admit it. And so whilst he was confidently 'networking', building his connections and name about the nightclubs of Paris, she was avoiding digging up any work at all, off dancing with this boy. Whatever, Gambit thought, I'se work better on my own anyways.
He kept an eye on her. It wasn't that he didn't like the guy especially; he didn't know anything about him. A tall black youth close to Blaze's age, he looked strong enough to do the redhead some damage if he wanted to. But for the time being at least she was laughing at something the guy said, all fluttering eyelashes and innocent eyes.
"Look Gambit, its like I said, I had a better offer. You're not the only thief working in here tonight." The potential employer dismissed Gambit without even getting up. Remy's eyes narrowed, but he backed off. Funs over Blaze, he decided, time to track down an' deal with the competition.
But Blaze was chatting away amicably to some other girl now, making girly exclamations whilst Blaze's date hung an arm over her shoulder. What did she think this was, a social event? Blaze knew Gambit was hovering, but she stoically ignored him as she greeted Mercury like a long-lost big sister.
"It's good to see you too, Blaze!" Mercury crooned, kissing Blaze's cheeks and offering a friendly hand to Blaze's male companion. "How's business? Keeping you out of trouble I hope?"
"Yeah right!" Blaze laughed, shrugging her boyfriend's arm off her shoulder. "You only hope that 'cause I'm the competition! And I thought thieves were supposed to stick together!"
"In that case, c'mon, I wanna introduce you to a few people. Only because its you Blaze, you know, I don't share my contacts with just anyone..." Mercury grabbed Blaze's wrist and energetically tugged her out of Gambit's sight into the dense crowd. Her boyfriend just stood there, looking a little lost, but Gambit had no sympathy for the kid. He was far more interested in who Blaze was getting introduced to...
Half of Paris' underworld seemed to be swarming the club, and all of them knew Mercury. Before long, most of them knew Blaze as well, though they obviously didn't think very much of the sixteen-year-old. Constantly she was aware of Gambit tracking her movements, watching her back, but letting her be just the same. Slowly, a plan even better than getting herself a boyfriend to take her treacherous mind off of Remy hatched in Blaze's increasingly criminal mind. She just had to get Mercury and Gambit talking...
"Merc, you're gonna get me in trouble." Blaze finally threw in the towel with the whole 'networking' thing. "Much as you've been telling everyone I work for you, I don't, okay?"
"Your boss the jealous type?" Mercury smiled, putting her arm though Blaze's possessively. Blaze grinned, swinging them both round to try and spot Gambit in the crowd. "Do I get an introduction before I steal you off him?"
"Sure," Blaze replied casually, flicking her hair back over her shoulder and leading Mercury over to Remy. But despite appearances, her stomach was doing summersaults. If this didn't cure her, nothing would. Gambit didn't smile, his eyes running dangerously slow over the pair of them, and Blaze knew he was weighing Mercury up in more than one way. "Mercury, Gambit; Gambit, Mercury."
"You know, when you said you were working for someone, I didn't think you'd mean just another kid, Blaze." Mercury commented flippantly, tilting her hip and smiling flirtatiously at them both. Blaze detached herself from her friend and went to stand next to Remy. "I'll fight you for her?" Mercury asked him, steely eyes light and alluring.
"No t'anks." Gambit returned Mercury's smile with a sly one of his own, putting a hand possessively on Blaze's skinny bare shoulder. Blaze glanced at him, saying "Aww, go on..." whilst ducking out from under his strong hand.
"Hey Blaze, you done?" Her date suddenly appeared from nowhere with impeccable timing she wouldn't have credited him with. Nodding to him, Blaze left Gambit in Mercury's more than capable hands. All she said by way of encouragement was "Play nice" as she headed for the dance floor. Once there, she turned her back effectively on the other two thieves, trying to lose herself in the music. She knew them both well, knew where their conversation would take them. The jealously that rode inside her was as comforting as bile. She wouldn't, couldn't watch them flirt. Blaze convinced herself easily that this was for the best; there was no way she could spend the rest of her life daydreaming after Gambit...
But Mercury's first few words to Gambit were purely business. She liked Blaze a lot; seeing what Gambit had seen in her, knowing she was a natural talent. If it weren't for Blaze's obvious loyalty to Remy, Mercury would have stolen Blaze away to train without a second thought. Not that she could much fault the job Gambit had done.
"So, are you going to tell her that she's as trained as she'll ever be yet? Or are you worried she's going to disappear the minute she knows?" Gambit met Mercury's words with a frown, wondering if the belle fille was a telepath or somethin'.
"I'se just not sure she ready for facin' the underworld alone yet, Cherie." Remy's dark eyes drifted to watch Blaze dancing with the nameless boyfriend. She really had no idea how captivated the boy was with her, how other male eyes around the room were watching her too. "She still so young..."
Mercury wondered briefly if she dared bring her next idea up, but it wasn't her way to mince words. Gambit was the one making decisions about Blaze's training, but it didn't mean he'd considered all the options...
"She could be taught what she's capable of, Gambit." Mercury spoke evenly, unemotional though she broached a controversial topic. Neither did she shy away when Gambit's unusual eyes turned back to her, demanding an explanation from his fellow mutant. "I know a few people, I'm sure you do too." Slowly, he nodded. He also knew exactly what Mercury was implying, he'd thought about it before but never come to any sort of decision. Yet as he watched Blaze now, he knew this decision was out of time. It was now or never. But Mercury was already backtracking, slotting in her words of warning.
"If you're seriously thinking about having her taught to use her charms, you have to remember she wont be the same girl by the end of it. All that innocence she has now will be gone..."
"But," Gambit countered, making his mind up. "If she ain't taught, an' she goes where I can't follow, she gonna learn the hard way what losin' innocence is all about. Too many predators in this world not to arm her against 'em."
"If its any consolation," Mercury smiled her charming smile, stepping a little closer to the handsome Cajun as if to show her support. "I agree with you."
"Who you suggest?" Gambit was still only thinking about business, hand in his pocket toying with a playing card. Mercury shrugged nonchalantly before replying. "Arista's good. Very good."
"Arista's a guy." Gambit pointed out, a little uncomfortable with the knowledge.
"I know." Mercury agreed with a quick grin. Not everyone did. "But I'd be interested to know how you found out?"
"Not like that, I ain't stupid." Gambit was quick to point out, perhaps a little too quick, but Mercury let it slide.
"Of course not." She smoothed over his discomfort as she smoothed her glossy hair back from her face. "Do you want me to arrange something? She's here tonight..."
"Non, Chere." Gambit shook his head. "I puttin' Blaze up for this, I'se arrange it myself."
"I understand." Mercury did, better than she would admit. She half wished the people who'd made her the thief she was had been as diligent as the Cajun. "You can pay, right? Arista's not a cheap tutor."
Finally Gambit grinned at Mercury, his eyes suddenly dancing and animated, the defensive steak he had when it came to Blaze disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"Well I could if someone round here stop stealin' all the business. What you offerin' 'em Cherie, free brownies?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A hand tapped Blaze on the shoulder not too much later, bringing her back to the real world from her dancing with a thud. Gambit didn't offer an apology; just spoke to her quickly, ignoring the evil looks Blaze's date was giving him.
"I'se got someone for you to meet, Petite..."
He led her from the dance floor to a smoky corner, hidden under a balcony, where several attractive women of various ages were lounging amidst lace and feather bowers. In the centre of the group, a startling brunette sipped red wine like blood, reminding Blaze of some Renaissance image of Venus, with ringlet curls and a knowing look. Certainly it took some impressive breed of woman to make Gambit uncomfortable around her.
"Hi there honey." Arista exuded smoothly, voice as knowledgeable as her eyes. "Oh she's a star, Remy, your taste is definitely improving boy..."
"I don't get it." Blaze frowned, turning to Gambit for guidance and finding none. Arista sighed melodramatically as if Blaze had somehow offended her, whilst the other women around watched the three of them like vultures.
"Come sit down, sugar. Let old Arista have a look at you..." Arista patted the seat next to her, and Blaze found herself in a position where she couldn't refuse. What was Gambit up to? But Arista was talking again, taking Blaze's chin in hand, and almost scratching the teenager's ivory skin with elaborate fake nails. "Well aren't we the Bambi-eyes beauty? Let me explain before you explode. Remy, darlin' be a dear and leave us be, us girls need to bond."
"I be about Petite." He swore, before for once doing what he was told and making himself scarce. At the bar, Mercury was waiting for him with drinks and amicable company, but it could hardly be said he'd spent the rest of the night in a good mood. In the meantime Blaze spoke her mind to no one in particular.
"Doesn't anybody use my name anymore?" She moaned, ignoring the fact that technically she was as bad as any of them for using the alias 'Blaze'.
"Well you are a sweet thing," Arista rationalised. "And 'Petite' is such a cute pet name. But I agree with you Blaze, a girl can out-grow wanting to be sweet. Me, I'm an artist. I teach girls to make themselves exactly what they want to be. Trust me, illusion is not a skill to be taken lightly, nor is manipulation..."
"You're a bloke." Blaze suddenly realised, but Arista smiled confidently, a teeth-flashing smile of confidence and amusement.
"Congrats, honey, really. You're about the quickest to get that in a long while. That your fella over there looking all neglected?" Blaze followed the pointing finger to where her date stood by himself, and nodded. "Yeah, and I should really..."
"You should nothin'." Arista told her forcefully, before turning to one of her other tutees. "Keira, go keep the guy company. A boy as lovely as that shouldn't be stood on his own."
With a nod, swinging hips and gallons of feminine charm, the girl named Keira slid like a serpent over to Blaze's boyfriend. Blaze was helpless as she took him by the belt and took him back to the dance floor, his eyes out on stalks and his jaw dragging on the floor. Despite herself, Blaze was impressed.
"You can teach me to do that?" She demanded of the drag queen, who laughed and picked up her wine glass again.
"You already can, hon. I'm just gonna remove those sweet little blinkers you're wearing..."