Three
For the last twenty minutes Rogue and Kurt had been forced to listen to the vice-principal of their new school explain to them what an honour it was for them to be allowed to attend L'Ecole. Instead of making Rogue feel grateful Principal Dumas' rant just reinforced the belief that the man was a total idiot. "It is traditional here for new students to shadow another student for their first week so that the adjustment is smooth for everyone involved."
Rogue watched dispassionately as Dumas hit the intercom to talk to his secretary, "Madeline? Would you call Celeste Montmercy to my office? I believe she has study hall this period." He sat back and looked pleased with himself as he stared at Rogue and Kurt, "Celeste is an excellent student; co-captain of the cheerleading squad, honour roll and the treasurer of the Student Council. I'm sure she'd be quite happy to show you how things are done here at L'Ecole."
"I'm sure." Rogue tried not to roll her eyes-what part of her all black gothic wear told the man she'd get along with a cheerleader?
Soon enough a knock sounded at the door and a smiling, pretty brunette appeared-she was everything Rogue had dreaded she would be; perky, bright and smiling, "Yes Principal Dumas?"
"Come in Celeste," Dumas waved the girl in a broad smile on his face, Rogue noticed a matching one on her brother's face-Kurt always had a weakness for lively brunettes; "I'd like you to meet Kurt and M…"
"Rogue," the gothic teen interrupted hating the fact that Mystique had used her real name to enroll her in classes.
For a second both Dumas and Celeste looked a bit uncomfortable which made Rogue smile ever so slightly. "Yes…Rogue and Kurt Darkholme. They've just moved to New Orleans from…"
"Paris," Kurt supplied shyly while fidgeting with his image inducer.
Celeste's eyes rounded giving her a distinctly cow-like expression; at least in Rogue's opinion, "Wow, Daddy took me there for last fashion week…It's so glamorous. Not like here, all people in this city do is party. There's no sophistication."
"What's wrong with that?" Rogue cocked an eyebrow and thickening her tell tale southern accent a touch, "I'd rather have corn bread an catfish like a hick than frois gras and escargot like a pretentious…"
A strangled cough erupted from Kurt who recognised the antagonistic tone Rogue was taking all too well-she never bothered showing her distain for high school politics. "I can't wait for you to show us the school Celeste."
Shooting daggers at her younger brother Rogue crossed her arms and placed a plastic smile on her face, "Oh yes, it should be so fun."
Missing the sarcasm entirely Celeste clapped her hands and motioned Rogue and Kurt to stand, "No time like the present, I can give you a quick tour then take you to the cafeteria for lunch that way you won't miss any of your afternoon classes."
"Goody." Rogue sighed under her breath hoping that someone would kill her and save her the agony of spending time with Celeste.
Before anything more was said Dumas had ushered them out of the office and into the reception area where Celeste took charge and moved them into the hall. It took less than five seconds for Rogue to notice the other girl was ignoring her-Kurt always was the more approachable of the siblings. "Why we take a look at your schedules?" she grabbed them away from Rogue and skimmed the pages, "Alright, we'll pass your Speech, English and Media classes first Kurt; then we can go by Rogue's History, Trigonometry and the gym where phys ed is."
With the unswerving attention to detail common in most military geniuses Celeste guided her charges through the hallways pointing out anything of interest or if they passed a classroom they had a subject in. Occasionally, Rogue would listen to the bits of gossip being thrown at her but mostly she noted how the school was laid out in a basic square-it would be hard to get lost-she could just circle around if she had to. While they were outside being shown the wonders of the courtyard-what they did there Rogue had no clue-the bell releasing the hordes of hungry students for lunch sounded.
"Come on," Celeste urged them back into the school, "Time for lunch you can sit at my table-everyone who's any one sits there."
They backtracked towards the cafeteria, following the flow of the crowd. Rogue smirked as a purple haired girl in black bondage pants and a worn in black leather duster pushed roughly past Celeste earning a muttered 'Gas Huffer' from the preppy girl. Glad to have found someone in the school who didn't step directly out of a GAP ad Rogue watched the girl stalk to a locker just ahead of them-it was covered in scuff marks. The girl looked from side to side then lifted one Doc Martin clad foot and delivered a solid roundhouse kick to the locker door causing it to spring open. Celeste hastily rushed Rogue and Kurt past as the girl dumped the books she carried into the locker.
Finally after turning one more corner they entered the institutionally painted room-the cafeteria. Celeste pointed to a small group of black and flannel clad kids-most of whom had their noses in binders reciting lines to each other, "Those are the drama freaks, fine if you need entertainment at parties, but a bummer to bring into reality. Oh there," her perfectly manicured hand jerked towards a studious group with text books, "Geeks. Always great if you're looking for a tutor or just someone to do your homework."
"Or we could do it ourselves." Rogue shook her head wondering just why Celeste thought they were unaware of the social Darwinism of the modern high school-she and Kurt had been to five in the last three years.
Even Kurt wore a look of extreme boredom as Celeste rambled on and on-the Rastas, the skaters, the jocks, the preps. Rogue was about to gouge her own eyes out when she saw the purple haired girl shouldering her way through the throngs. The Goth smirked as beefy football players jumped out of the other girl's path as if she were the bogey man-Rogue always appreciated a good 'Death Glare'. Without people blocking her way the girl moved quickly to the group sitting in the back corner of the room, a small blonde girl dressed like she stepped out of Vogue, a gawky redheaded boy who seemed to have picked out whatever didn't smell too bad, a dark haired stocky boy in a plain black shirt and jeans. The third guy wore a brown version of the girl's duster and a tight black shirt that clung to his chest-sunglasses hid his eyes giving him a mysterious air.
Rogue watched as the third boy tossed something at the punk's head only to have her catch it right in front of her face; they laughed and the punk slid in next to her friend. Trying to be nonchalant Rogue motioned to the group with her head, "Who are they?"
The face Celeste made was priceless-a cross between fear, admiration and desire-it only served to make Rogue more interested. "That's the Lebeau boys; Emil, Theo and Remy. The blonde is Remy's girlfriend Bella Boudreaux and the freak is Mickey Fitzgerald." Unlike Celeste-Rogue noticed Kurt jump slightly and begin to stare at Mickey in confusion, "Except for her the rest aren't bad even if the Lebeaus are one generation away from Swamp trash. Bella is on the cheerleading squad with me."
"But I met…" Kurt began but he was cut off by a deep, smoky voice.
"You gonna let us pass chère or does Remy have to pick you up an move you hisself?"
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So far Remy's day had not been exactly red letter. First, there had been a pop quiz in Chem. which Mickey had so conveniently skipped out on. Then he had been forced to read a part of 'Romeo and Juliet' out loud in English only to have the girls swoon and the teacher criticize his language skills. Those events however paled in comparison to the mess he walked into when he entered the cafeteria and took up his spot next to Bella. Shooting him an evil look she shrugged off the arm he tried to wrap around her shoulder, "An where were you last night?"
"Remy tole you he had travaille," he spread his hands out in apology.
Bella stuck out her lip and pouted, "I had to hide in my room all alone last night while dey had de Elders meeting to figure out what to do wit Julien. I could have used some company."
"Was dat code for 'I wanted to make hot monkey love'?" Emil scratched his head receiving dark looks from Bella and his cousins.
Theo shook his head gently, "Just stay out of it Lapin."
Remy however had a different idea all together, "If dey wanted to save time Remy could have told dem how to fix Julien. Take him to the swamp and leave him dere."
He cringed when Bella slapped him in the back of his head, "Je vas te passe une calotte! Don talk about my brother like dat Remy."
Ever the peacemaker Theo leaned in towards Bella, "What did your Elders say?"
"Dey decided dat Julien should get married," Bella rolled her eyes and glared at Remy again, "Dat I shouldn't be de only one marrying for de good of de Guild."
Emil began to laugh, "I hope dey chose some mean Saloppe…cause no 'fense Bella but your brother is de biggest…"
"They chose Mickey." Bella finished before the rest of the words left Emil's mouth.
For a second the boys fell silent-none quieter than Remy. He knew just how much Mickey loathed Julien and this timbit of information went a long way to explain why she hadn't yet appeared in school. Knowing Mickey she was out there somewhere beating or killing something in an attempt to reconcile herself to the concept. It made him feel for the quiet girl even more-at least he and Bella liked each other-had been friends since birth the idea of marrying was more a natural extension of their bond. But to be stuck with someone you hated more than anything in the world. That was cold.
Maybe it was because he was the only one who knew about Mickey's powers but Remy felt a need to protect the small assassin-even though she could take him in a fight any day. It was his little bit for mutant solidarity. "Dere's de blushin' bride now." Emil nodded towards the entrance of the cafeteria where Mickey was mowing through the crowd.
As Mickey passed by the love of Emil's life Celeste, Remy's eyes were drawn to the new students accompanying her. The boy reminded him of a smaller version of Emil-the same lanky, mischievous look. Then the girl caught his eye and Remy did a double take-average height, a slim athletic build with just the right amount of curve, long legs. Taking his time Remy dragged his eyes up the girl's body already liking what he saw only to find himself sucked into the most amazing pair of emerald eyes he had ever seen-not even the hefty amount of black eyeliner she had applied could dim the sparkle of those gems in her porcelain face. The front of her hair was platinum in contrast to the rich auburn that covered the rest of her head. She looked like a dark angel and her eyes were locked right on him.
Pulling himself out of his trance Remy watched Mickey stomp closer if she had been a cartoon a big dark cloud would have followed just above her purple head. Deciding it would be best to get the assassin away from Emil and his smart comments Remy tossed a pack of cigarettes to Mickey. It was hard not to admire her form as Mickey's hand shot out and caught the pack just in front of her face. She offered the small lifting of her lips that wasn't quite a smile and sat next to Remy, "Thanks I forgot mine. You coming with?"
"Oui," Remy stood and motioned Mickey forward, "Remy never turns down spendin' time wit his favourite assassin."
"Remy there are three things I've never seen you turn down," Mickey lifted three fingers, "Sex, booze and nicotine."
They began walking towards the exit bringing Remy closer to his mystery girl, "If Remy didn't know better he'd say you didn't love him no more."
"If Remy was thinking he'd remember," Mickey nearly growled, "I don't love anyone."
Remy was about to reply when they drew even with Celeste and the others-the Gothic girl was standing right in front of him with her back turned away. Unable to help himself and hoping to get some nicotine into Mickey's system before she went on a rampage, "You gonna let us pass chère or does Remy have to pick you up an move you hisself?"
The girl jumped and spun around her eyes blazing, "Go around me."
A smart comment bubbled to Remy's lips at the sound of her Southern lilt but died when he noticed Mickey turning a ghostly shade from the corner of his eye-the boy standing beside the spitfire in ripped jeans wore a similar expression only more dumbfounded. "Fantôme? You okay girl?"
"Michaela?" the boy's voice was German tinted and caused Mickey to pale even more.
Sending a quick prayer to Saint Jude, Remy pushed Mickey and the new duo towards the doors-he had to get them out of the cafeteria before anyone created a scene, "Celeste you found Remy's old amis…Merci beaucoup chère…"
"What are you talkin' about Swamp Rat…?" The girl shot Remy a glare but it went ignored as he steered the others through the halls and outside to the smoker's area.
Once they had reached the relative safety of the outdoors Remy stopped and turned his attention back to Mickey, "Come on 'tite tell Remy what's wrong."
He spun towards the boy when no answer was forth coming, "What you do to her Homme? Remy never seen anythin spook her like seeing you?"
For his part the boy looked even more confused, "But you didn't have purple hair last night…"
"This is Church girl?" the Goth lifted one dark eyebrow in question pushing some of her long white bangs out of her face.
Suddenly it all clicked-Mickey had met the boy wearing one of her other faces and didn't want to be recognised. They both were careful not to arouse suspicion about their extra skills, both to protect themselves and the Guilds. The boy shook his head, "Your eyes are the same but everything else is different…how?"
"Dat's a long story homme." Remy sighed and tried to think of the best way to broach the subject while hoping that they weren't facing a pair of genetic purists.
"I'm a mutant." Mickey's voice was flat and emotionless, "I can change the way my face looks, or my hair…"
"Merde…" Remy swore under his breath, "You shouldn't lissen to her…dey dropped Mickey on her head when she was a bébé…"
The boy and girl looked stunned then sharing a loaded glance began to laugh. The girl recovered first, "Join the club."
"Quoi?"
Lifting his eyes from his feet the boy met Mickey's eyes, "We're mutants too…"
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Translations
Je vas te passe une calotte – I'm gonna slap you
Saloppe – Dirty, skanky girl
Bébé - Baby
How's that for a cliff hanger?
And then there were responses.
Thanks to everyone who read and took the time to review like Pixie Cat, JosiahGirl.
Star of Chaos – Me talented? You talking to this hack here? But I'm glad you're looking forward to everything. I'm happy to clog your inbox with alert notices. Yep, Kurt and an Assassin.
RogueWanderer – Oh man is Julien ever bad…and evil…not in the fun way. I'm going to make him super evil. So I see Pyro is a Talking Heads fan.
Petra Delling – Yay! I made a believable OC who isn't all that Mary Sueish! Yay me! *Happy Dance* I haven't figured how far the Kurt/Mickey thing is going to go…just because of the Julien thing. And she's sort of like Mystique but her transformations are more limited…she can't make herself look male or bigger than she already is. But I'm uber thrilled you like the plot so far.
Yumiko – Where's the cookie? I want it! If you're allergic to Gerbils I'll find another animal to attack you with.
Michelle – Step away from the computer…take deep cleansing breaths…I have eight finished stories for you to read to hold you over while I work on this. Because good, bad I'm the girl with the plot outline.
Peace215 - *Sob* "one of the best AU's I've read!" oh my…thanks. I'm glad you liked it but don't tip your hat too far it might fall off.
Pixie Flyer – I can't say if I'll kill Julien…that would be giving things away…You know I don't give away my secrets.
Caliente – It had nothing to do with creativity…just the level of your praise. I hope I explained a bit more about Mickey's hair and the way she changes things around.
Ish – Maybe Kurt's the one that caught her eye maybe not…The more I develop Mickey the less she seems like the type of girl to have a BF. And the 'Holy Trinity Superheroes' thing makes me giggle…I could just see it. I'm glad you liked the relationship between Rogue and Kurt…I think that even though they didn't grow up together they're pretty close and Rogue feels its her place to look out for them while Mystique does her thing. How about ten thousand burning suns…that might cover the hate between Mickey and Julien. I'll explain it later. I hope to get her away from him though…and Remy from Bella. So many relationships to ruin so little time.
Anime Addicted – Teehee…in a confessional it's dirty I know. It's the repressed Catholic in me acting out.
Evanescence Kicks Ass - *I love your name!* I'm glad you like it. I haven't decided on what other Evo characters will appear…But you're right Pietro and Wanda make the most sense, so do the other Brotherhood members. But then that might bring the X-geeks. And yep, Mickey is all mine. Yay! I try and make all the characters I create as realistic as possible…that you think so makes me happy.