Author's Note:
I apologize if my knowledge of the Thieves Guild and New Orleans is a little lacking. I tried to make it sound realistic. Also, I'm terrible about typing accents, you don't expect one from either Remy or Rogue.
Enjoy.
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Upon reaching the airport, Rogue quickly made her way to hanger 9. A small private plane was waiting for her.
"We're goin' to New Orleans," she said to the pilot as she passed him.
"Hey, Roguey!" He winked at her. "You an' me finally get to spend some quality time together."
"Not if you were the last mammal on earth Bronson," she said disgustedly.
Bronson, who didn't understand the mammal reference, managed to sense that his manhood had been insulted. "You'll do whatever Jinan tells you to do. You're his little whore, and you'd sleep with me if he told you to."
Rogue stalked over to him and twisted his arm behind his back. "Don't you EVER call me that again," she spat. "You spineless little worm. Just shut your mouth and fly the damn plane."
He jerked his arm away and glared at her, but kept his mouth shut and started the plane.
Rogue sank into one of the seats and dropped her head onto her hands. Her headache was getting worse. Every once and a while she got a bad one like this. The pain was splintering, but underneath it, there was a curious feeling of wanting to remember something, but not quite being able to. Sometimes she even had flashes of visions. And old man. A young man on a motorcycle. She could never remember the details after the headache left her.
She popped an aspirin and leaned back against the seat, willing herself to relax.
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Mean while, in New Orleans...
The King of Thieves was pacing back and forth in his chambers. Several upper level thieves were also present, leaning casually against the wall, but ready to do the king's bidding at a moments notice.
"Where...is...he?" asked the king in a low voice.
One of the thieves near the door spoke up. "No one knows for sure highness. We was out celebratin' late last night, an' Remy, well, we're not sure which girl he ended up with."
Many of the thieves smirked to themselves. Yes, last night had been pleasant. They had just pulled off a major heist, and gone out to a club to celebrate. There were plenty of women, and plenty of alcohol. And the prince of thieves, he had quite the reputation for his conquests.
The king smashed his fist against the wall. "When will he learn that there is a time and a place for such things? If he is to succeed me as king, then he must learn responsibility!"
Just then, a side door opened, and in strolled Remy himself, an easy smile on his face. "Sorry I'm late, mes amies. That was some party last night, no?"
His fellow thieves looked away, several of them hiding knowing grins.
"Remy," said the king coldly. "You are late. I have zero tolerance for your antics this morning. There is important business to attend to, and yet you act like you haven't a care in the world. Your companions all managed to be here, but you, the Prince of Thieves, cannot manage the same? It will not work, Remy. As king, your first responsibility is to the guild, not to yourself. This cannot happen again. Do you understand me?"
"Yes your highness," said Remy, managing to look sufficiently contrite.
"Good. Now, on to business. Today we need to replenish our store of weapons. The dealer has contacted me, he is in town today. Your will go to him, and get the necessary items." The king threw a small sack at Remy's feet. "This will suffice as payment."
Remy picked it up and glanced inside. Jewels, several of them. "We're on our way," he said. He turned and headed for the door, followed by the other thieves.
"And for the love of God, be discreet this time," snapped the king as they left.
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As soon as the door closed behind them, Remy chuckled. His friends joined in, pushing and shoving each other down the pathway.
"And just where did our Prince wind up last night?" asked Etienne, a tall thief with a shock of red hair.
Remy's eyes glowed with the memory. "You guys remember that girl with the purple hair?"
The boys crowed in delight. "The one wearin' that see-through negligee?" asked Remy's cousin Henri.
"That's the one all right," replied Remy, smiling triumphantly.
Etienne let out a whoop. "Did she take you home mon ami?"
Remy smirked at his friend. "We didn't quite make it that far. We ended up at that voodoo shop over by the river."
The boys howled with laughter. "I'll have to advise Madame DuPont to replace her couch!" yelled out Henri, jumping on Remy's back.
Remy began to run, stopping about 20 feet ahead where he promptly dropped his cousin into a large puddle.
Henri sat up, sputtering dazedly. Remy and the other boys were doubled over with laughter. "You bastard! I'm going to get you!" he jumped up and ran after Remy.
They reached the market place a few minutes later, laughing and panting.
"Now, remember what my father told us," said Remy, mock-serious. "Be discreet."
The boys all nodded solemnly. Casually, they strolled through the market place, occasionally stopping to pretend to look at various items.
The weapons maker, actually Rogue and several other Jinan henchmen, signaled to the boys.
They walked over, pretending to examine the carved wooden a statues on the table. Each statue represented a weapon, so if you told the weapons-maker that you wanted three wooden bears, you got three curved daggers etc.
While the boys were browsing the selection, Rogue was watching her target, the Prince of Thieves. With his sexily tousled hair and those beautifully mysterious eyes, he really was a prime specimen.
Rogue herself was wearing a long, green velvet coat, that accented her emerald eyes and auburn hair. She stayed back, near the truck where the actual weapons were being stored. The boys hadn't noticed her yet.
Remy selected a wooden tiger. "We'd like three of these mon ami," he said, flashing the weapons maker/Jinan's henchman a charming smile.
"Of course Monsieur." He turned toward Rogue. "Solie," he said, using her new alias, "please get these gentlemen 3 wooden tigers."
"Right away Rostov," said Rogue/Solie with a smile. She reached into the truck and quickly slipped three long swords into a nondescript bag. Turning back around, she handed the bag to Remy, making sure that there was finger contact.
"Here you are Monsieur," she said, smiling seductively.
Remy felt his breath catch in his throat. This girl was beautiful, and she was definitely coming on to him. Etienne shoved him from behind. "Say something!" he hissed at him.
"Merci, chere," said Remy, winking in recovery at her.
"Would you like anything else?" asked Rogue/Solie casually.
Remy's mind blanked. He couldn't remember the list of weapons he was supposed to get.
"Yes," he began. "Etienne, why don't you take care of this."
Rogue smiled, glad that she had that kind of effect on him.
Etienne rolled his eyes at Remy, but stepped forward to finish the order. The weapons maker listened to the order, leaving Rogue free to flirt with Remy.
Remy was furious at himself for losing his cool because of a girl. "So," he said to her. "How did you come to work for my friend here?" he asked, indicating the weapons maker.
"It's the family business," answered Rogue easily. "Rostov is my father."
"Ah," said Remy thoughtfully. "Well, tell him I think he has a beautiful daughter."
"Thank you for the compliment Monsieur," said Rogue, her eyes sparkling.
"Please call me Remy. May I call you Solie, Mademoiselle?"
"Of course you may," said Rogue.
"Well then, Solie, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?'
Rogue raked her eyes over him appraisingly, in such a way that he was sure to notice. "I would like nothing more, Remy," she said in a low voice. "Where should I meet you?"
"At Le Jardin du Monde, 8 o'clock?"
"Sounds fabulous. I'll see you then." Rogue blew him a kiss and disappeared into the truck.
Remy smirked to himself. How perfect. A date with a gorgeous girl that was sure to turn into something more.
Henri clapped in on the shoulder."Only you could find a girl at the weapon makers mon ami," he said, shaking his head amazedly.
Remy shrugged good-naturedly. "Who new the weapons maker had such a gorgeous daughter?"
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Inside the truck, Rostov stared at Rogue with admiration. "You were excellent Rogue. I'll be sure to tell Jinan."
Rogue waved a hand in thanks, not really hearing him. There was something strangely familiar about Remy. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
