Calandra: Yeah, the previous chapter was rather stuffed full, but I hope in a good way, like that of a goodie bag, hehe. And no problem for the explanation, I'm glad you're understanding my reasoning now (: and that is true about Aurora, she's not been very much in the picture. But once the story gets going she should be.. the summary of this story should hint at that :D
Blix: Hehe, he is, he is. Personally I like the whole Siren/Scott thing, cos they're not really that suited for each other when you think about it. But I find it sweet.
Sych: Hehe, well she's got the right ideas for it hasn't she? Lol. You know, "Flash 'em a bit of thigh," Velma, Chicago. Hehe. And I loved the bit about the ruler! It's quite simply impossible to have sword fighting rulers across your classroom and then a red laser melting them away.. but it happened here. And it's oddly believable for some reason.. Well, at least Scott's powers have become practical for classroom use!
Omala: They are! Even more so in this chapter.
Chapter 9With long strides Siren carried herself through the lighted corridors of the mansion. Her head was held high, eyes alight and lips held in a satisfied and additionally delirious smile. She exhales a soft sigh, brushing her curled tresses of blonde from her eyes with a simple movement of a hand. Her eyes soon trained upon a figure coming her way. The confident swagger of the walk instantly alerted that it was Remy. He smiled warmly upon seeing his sister and came to a casual halt in front of her. Siren too paused in front of him, stood beside one of the large tall windows of the corridor, wintry sunlight weakly shining through the diamond leaded glass.
"Afternoon, Adrienne," said Remy with a bright smile. However, his brow raised and he playfully tapped her chin, "Eh, chere, what's this smile I see here?"
But Siren suddenly became rather sheepish and tilted her head away gently, "Oh.. nothing, Remy." she insisted with a gentle laugh.
"Ah, ah, ah.." said Remy teasingly, cupping her chin with his fingers, "Come now, Adrienne. I can still see when my little sister has been up to something." He grinned gently, "What is it you be lookin' so happy about?"
But Siren delicately prised his hand away, "Nothing, Remy.. leave me be." She grinned to him as she stepped round him, glancing to him over her shoulder before she walked down the corridor, the smile still upon her face.
"I'll get it out of you darlin'" called Remy with a soft laugh that followed Siren down the corridor echoingly. With a sigh Remy shook his head, musing over what it could possibly be that made Adrienne look so delighted. His thoughts happened upon several things, each becoming more bizarre than the next. But Remy did give up, since a figure ahead of him caught his eye. His smile spread to a wily smirk. It was Rogue. She was walking through the corridor ahead, a stack of papers in her arms.
"Eh, chere," he called as he took a few quick steps towards her, thus causing the woman to pause and look his way, "What you up to?"
Rogue gave a soft grin, readjusting her arms about the papers. "Oh, I'm just doing some errands for Scott," she admitted sheepishly, "I feel so bad after going on at him about Logan, so I offered to help him out with his workload."
Remy smiled gently as he looked down upon her, "Oh, beb, it no matter. You weren't to know.."
"I know.." sighed Rogue gently, "But it doesn't stop me from feeling bad, does it?"
But Remy lifted his hands, gesturing out of the nearby window, "Chere, come and take a walk wi' Remy in de sunshine. Remy still wants to help ya."
Rogue glanced up to him, shrugging gently as she contemplated, "Well, sure, Remy. All right. But I just gotta go and drop these off to Scott first."
"Good," answered Remy, "Come meet me by the fountain."
"Will do," said Rogue with a smile before she spun on her heel and headed to Scott's classroom.
The work which Scott was meant to be marking had got left unregarded as he stared down at his coffee mug, the remaining drink within now rather cold. Scott twirled his pen in his hand slowly, a hand supporting his chin as he sat in deep thought. So much so that he did not hear light footsteps to his left as somebody entered his classroom. He remained staring at his coffee mug, a faint smile lingering upon the man's lips.
"Er.. Professor?" asked Rogue softly, "Er, I mean, Scott." She stumbled. She was getting constantly told that the formality was no longer needed since she was no longer a student but a friend.
But Scott didn't appear to notice the slip up. He didn't appear to notice her at all actually!
"Scott?" persisted Rogue, dropping the heavy papers on his desk.
At the thump of the workload hitting the wood he jerked suddenly, blinking to Rogue who watched him curiously.
"I photocopied the papers for your English Literature class."
"Ah.. oh.." muttered Scott, clearing his throat, "Yes, thank you Rogue."
"No problem," said Rogue brightly with a smile. But she lingered as she straightened from the desk, "Are you alright?" questioned Rogue. His silent state had intrigued her.
But Scott merely smiled to the female mutant, "I'm perfectly fine, thank you, Rogue."
"Oh, ok, good," answered Rogue with a quick nod of her head, "Well, see you later, Scott." With that she turned from him with a mild wave of a gloved hand and she stepped lightly down through the classroom, exiting silently.
"Bye.." murmured Scott distractedly, his eyes glancing down to the papers she had brought before he reclined back in his chair with the same smile, shaking his head gently as if he was surprised with such good fortune.
Remy trod lightly down the staircase, his feet slipping expertly up and off the steps as he smoothly travelled down to the first floor. His feet merrily skipped down off the last step as he continued his walk across the wooden flooring of the main entrance. Once more his face took that wolfish smirk as he saw Aurora walking across the entrance with her head behind an opened book. She appeared quite oblivious to her surroundings, indeed so as she walked right past Remy. Remy chuckled softly to himself, his expression quite innocent as he lightly patted the woman's rear on passing. However, Aurora made a surprised yelp and the book tumbled out of her hands and hitting the floor with a resounding thump.
She spun her head round to glare at Remy, "Gambit!" she said loudly, continuing to glower at him until she turned away and doubled over the pick up her dropped book.
However, Gambit let out a soft chuckle, sidling up besides her, quite blatantly brushing his hips right against her. Far too close for comfort in Aurora's opinion, "Sorry if I made ya jump, chere," whispered Remy in a silky voice, his hand lightly running along the woman's back.
Aurora quickly straightened, holding her book tightly as she uttered a faint, "Doesn't matter," and quickly walked away, cheeks glowing with a blush.
"Ya," called Remy after the retreating Aurora, "Let's put it behind us, no? Haha!" He clapped his hands together merrily at his own joke, pirouetting smoothly on his heel as he slid across the wooden flooring to the main entrance in a suave motion before stepping jovially outside and down the snow covered steps of the large entrance.
He strode out across the snow-covered pathways; that, he guessed. The snow had covered so thickly he couldn't distinguish what was the path and what was the lawn. Nevertheless, he headed roughly in a straight line towards the large running fountain in the centre of the grounds. The snow layered the entire ground, built up to a satisfactory few inches. The air was bitterly cold, and although no snowflakes fell, icy dust blew through the wind merrily. Remy came upon the fountain, stopping in front of it with his hands in his trouser pockets. He stared down at the water that was becoming choppy, as areas had partially frozen. The surge of water still harmiously tumbled from the top of the central stone statue, pleasantly hitting the water beneath.
A few crunching footsteps to his right caused Gambit's attention to be caught. True enough, Rogue had joined him, but she'd made the wise choice to put on a coat as she ventured out into the snow. Remy's face spread into a smile as he saw her. Her eyes stared up at him, pale face glowing crimson from the bitter wind that played around them, tantalising with her unnaturally designed hair.
"So, was Cyclops pleased with de gifts?" murmured Remy sarcastically, though a playful twinkle lit up his otherwise harrowing eyes.
Rogue chuckled appreciatively to Remy's good-natured humour, "Hell, I don't think he noticed."
"Oh?" perused Remy with a curious tilt of his head, "Why is dat so?" he asked, lightly playing with the tassels of the girl's emerald scarf.
"I'm not sure," replied Rogue, a soft laugh coming with her tone at Remy's apparent infatuation with her scarf, "He seemed happy though."
"Heh.." sounded Remy distractedly as his eyes stared down at her, "Now, chere, why don't you talk to me about yourself?"
Rogue appeared rather thrown about this, "About myself?" she questioned. She'd not spoke to anyone about her past before. Not even to Logan, for he had never pried.
However, Remy nodded his head once in confirmation, "Aye.." he whispered, "I'm sure you got some tales to tell, huh?" he said with a friendly wink at her.
With a soft laugh Rogue playfully pushed at his chest, "Now, Remy, don't you go assuming I'm some haughty Southern belle with a wild life, cos I ain't, sunshine."
"Perish the thought," cried Remy delightfully, taking her hand, "Remy don't be assuming nothin' if you tell, my dear."
"Well, a childhood in good old Mississippi went down a treat," said Rogue with a sad smile drifting across her face, "My life was pretty much fine.. hell, I was plannin' a great trip up into Canada for when I finished college. But, after I ended up sending Cody into a coma.. that trip began rather early," the woman sighed softly, turning as she sat down upon the edge of the large fountain, "That's when I met Logan. If it hadn't have been for him I would be probably stuck in Laughlin City or some other grungy bar.. and would have never have found this place, and nor would Logan."
Remy watched her silently, stepping back to sit beside her as she did, "No offence, chere, but dat seems awfully mild compared to poor old Remy's life." But Remy turned his head away, "But we're not here to talk about me, now are we?" he said with a soft chuckle, "It's you.."
Rogue glanced up to him, "I suppose my past ain't that bad compared to some o' the poor kids here. There's this girl who used to be in my History class who spent time scrounging mall, shopliftin' an' stuff to survive. I think she's called Jubilee.. but I mean, that's just one example, ain't it. Not many like to talk of their past.."
"No, they don't.." admitted Remy, "Brings up bad memories.."
Rogue was about to say something, when a painful roar blasted at the bitter air from the mansion. Both Rogue and Remy snapped their eyes upon the window of the Professor's office at once. With wide eyes Rogue uttered one word under her breath, "Logan.."
Christmassy chapters coming soon! Please review!