(Six)

Scott looked at the cabin dubiously. "What is this?"

"It a house. C'mon, den. Don' be rude," Remy replied arrogantly, walking up to the tiny shack and going inside with a confidence that came from experience. Between his time spent on Cerise and at Trishnar's there was little left to surprise him. As he figured, it was nothing more than an entranceway to a cloaked Dognan ship. He went up the ramp and into a large craft, easily four or five times the size of the Lucky Dragon, but very similar in design. There was the row of seats and the cage room. Two pilot sticks were placed just inside, facing a large viewing screen. This cage was fully enclosed and two tiny pilots resided within, both curled up asleep on the bed, tangled around one another on the bed there like two lovers. They were sleek and well fed, not giving the appearance of being abused other than the fact they were not free to run around. He wondered if they were as self aware as Fallen was or like pets as Trishnar's were.

"Good morrow."

Remy turned to look at the speaker and saw a pretty young woman standing at the end of the isle to greet them. She was sleek and blonde, her blue eyes sparkling with interest, but it was her shine that drew him. Or lack of it, that was. She was a Siskan Courtesan, a normal one, and undamaged. Remy was pleased to meet what Kimble was supposed to be, there might be something yet to learn here for himself after all. He bowed at her, "Good morrow, mon chere."

"Darken said you were guests and we should see to you."

"Oui," Remy replied, looking past her to where three more Siskans had come from what would have been the galley room on the Dragon, two females and a male. All the Siskans were scantily clad as Trishnar's Siskans had been. The women were topless with only the tiniest of briefs, the man's brief not much larger. Not a shine among them, Remy could see. Like Lanlin, these were standard issue Courtesans and not the Lushna-esk that he had come to know so well. It was almost disappointing, he had grown so used to the thought of the Luhsna-esk, that these normal 'grams seemed out of place.

"I am Lislay," the girl replied and stepped forward to give Gambit a kiss. He was ready for it, the deep, suck face greeting of Trishnar's Siskans, and wasn't disappointed when that's just what he got. It seemed some things were common between the two breeds of Courtesans. He returned it without shame or self consciousness, but was startled by what he found – or rather, by what he didn't. Like a long time drunk taking a swig of a non-alcoholic beer, Lislay's Kundatesh free kiss was flat to him no matter how expertly it was given. He didn't show it, but he knew he could never love a Siskan such as this. Here was the machine that Logan saw Kimble to be, an empty shell. He stepped back, smiling at her, but he wouldn't touch her again.

Lislay, in her non Lushna-esk obliviousness, never noticed. She turned to the other Siskans who had joined them. "This is Greta, Migar and Hamish."

Gambit bowed at them, bracing himself as he was greeted by them in equal measure as Lislay, bringing an arched eyebrow from Rogue when Hamish, the male, was not turned away.

Cyclops was team leader on this mission and it took all the will of his training to keep from commenting on Gambit's bizarre behavior. Scott was amazingly uncomfortable with these half naked people about. It was as if they had walked into a brothel and he didn't like how Remy was acting, it was like the thief owned the place. Everyone at the house had pretty much known about Remy's promiscuous tendencies, but they had never been a problem before, not like this. Scott understood that yes, they were on a mission and that to a degree this was Gambit's show because of his familiarity with these people, but this? Whatever they were doing here, Scott hadn't expected to be taken to a what amounted to a whorehouse. He was completely out of his element and uncomfortable.

Remy was new to his talent, but familiar enough with the rippling waves of disgust and horror from his boss not to comprehend that an explanation was in order. He was quick to respond, not letting Scott's vibrations of censure rankle him in the least. "Dese folks are Siskan holograms, like Kimble. Well, maybe not so aware, but Courtesans all de same. Dis 'ow dey say 'allo. Wouldn't want to be impolite," he said, his voice jaunty and light with his usual sense of teasing, but his eyes were a little hard, a push back at his leader, willing the man to at least try and understand.

"And you know this how exactly?" Rogue inquired, her body stiff with jealousy. The details of Remy's adventure in New Orleans had not been given out to everybody. Most of his teammates were unaware of the extent of his leisure activities there.

Remy grinned at her but spoke to their host, "Lislay, dese are my friends, Rogue, Jean and Scott. Dey are human and not so familiar wit 'ow - friendly - you Siskans can be. Take it easy on dem, eh?"

Lislay nodded. "I understand. You are not the first humans to visit our Master."

Remy stepped back and let the others introduce themselves. The Siskans were well behaved and didn't dive all over the new arrivals. They merely leaned in and kissed both cheeks in a standard Continental greeting, leaving their lips alone.

Rogue balked at the greetings until Remy reminded her that because the Siskans were non-organic, they could touch her without injury. This piqued her interest in them greatly and Remy couldn't hide the grin that warmed his face when he saw her smile. In spite of their recent troubles, he would never be so closed off to her that he couldn't share some enjoyment of her pleasure. He knew how significant touching was to her and wasn't insensitive because they were no longer going out anymore, it pleased him to see her joyful reaction.

Gambit was watching Rogue so intently that at first he didn't feel it, a slight mental intrusion that wasn't coming from anyone in this room, but once he realized what he was sensing, his eyes widened in surprise. He had just been read by someone more than just casually interested in their guests.

/ Kundatesh! Shi'ow-ri almost shouted in her joyful excitement, an urgency in her voice. / Lushna-esk! He comes!

Remy's head was already turning in that direction before the new arrival ever made it to the door. Gambit tried to control his excitement, but his shivering was real, a trembling in his fingers that he hadn't the slightest ability to restrain. He was that far gone, it came to him. Just the thought of Kundatesh – anyone's — made him as eager for it as Pavlov's dog.

Gambit had had little time to contemplate how this strange addiction was going to impact the rest of his life. He had gone from Kimble's return right back out on another mission, there had been no time. His body's reaction was just as shocking to him as a man who walked into a restaurant not realizing just how hungry he was until he smelled the main course. It was all he could do to keep from drooling when he felt that magic lick at the corners of his mind, teasing him, tasting him. And finding him good.

Gambit watched, fixed, as the inquirer finally arrived, a magnificent male Siskan, as beautiful as any Irish adonis. His skin was pale as fresh milk and his hair flame red, down to his waist in a long mane, thick and shiny with bright highlights. He was dressed in a shimmering silken dressing gown that sparkled and changed colors as he moved, something any true Siskan would simply love. Under that was a simple pair of tight black spandex pants - leisure wear. His body was lean, tall and lithe, just like Remy's own. He settled in the doorway slowly, his eyes down and submissive, as though he expected to be ignored or uninvited to participate in the greetings.

When he saw Remy there and took in his shine and vibrations, his face broke out in a wide smile. It changed the whole look of his face, making him appear playful and merry. The newcomer's eyes were a deep emerald green and glittered with amused arousal as he used a finger to lift the long drape of his bangs on one side and tuck them behind his ear, a simple, graceful movement that caused his long auburn hair to shimmer in the overhead lights of the ship. Now that he had realized Gambit was as special as he was - and that he had every ounce of the thief's attention - he was consciously trying to seduce him, to make Gambit know he was found attractive.

And of course Remy knew it. Knew it and couldn't help but send out an answering vibration of mutual admiration. The quality of the Siskan's vibrations gave away that he was not only a Lushna-esk, but a Kintay du Lushna-esk. 'One of the Touched', and just as broken as Kimble and Aiden had been, though the clarity in his eyes showed he had been worked on, repaired. Remy saw with satisfaction the blue flicker of his shine as he stood there, leaning in the doorway as shy little Aiden had often done. He was as silent as the Dreamer had been, the pain from his shattering all too clear. He was haunted, but must not be considered a threat if he was loose like this. Remy noted this Siskan carried no Mark and surmised that he wasn't part of the Game. If he had been, Darken would have no doubt kept him hidden. Babette had explained to him that the Lushna-esk had existed long before the Game, he couldn't assume anything about this newcomer. Whatever his status, it clearly hadn't kept him from being as abused and damaged as the others had been.

Gambit was overcome with curiosity, there was no way he was going to leave here without getting to know this one a little bit better.

He wasn't the only one with greetings on his mind. "My my my. Look what we gots here. You gots the Kundatesh some. Had yer Shemusk an' evrathin'. Well, what do ya knows about that?" the newcomer questioned with some surprise in soft Siskan, his mangled speech carrying over into the foreign tongue. His accent exactly mirrored that of Kimble's, sounding so strange in this place. It didn't stop his playful flirtation. "S' kinda odd fer a human... 'R maybe you ain't no human at all?"

"Sometimes, you never can tell," Remy teased in return, playing the game. He had no clue what the guy was talking about, the word Shemusk was new to him and undecipherable, though he could make an educated guess that it had to do with Kimble's gift to him. He could only wonder what a Lushna-esk would make of his own shine, he had been led to believe he was the only human around with the Kundatesh. A rarity, unique. Something that gave him no small amount of pride. He tried to recover from a feeling of intense giddiness at this guy's presence and bearing. Kimble's famous catchphrase coming from a complete stranger, it made him shiver and shake. Remy was filled with an intense longing and desire. The truth was, as soon as this one had come in the room, everyone else had disappeared. The Kundatesh was a powerful thing, it seeks out others of its kind and forms powerful bonds. These two couldn't take their eyes off of one another.

"Back off, Skye," Darken warned with real authority, coming up the ramp. The Games Master now looked drastically different, having shut off his image inducing cloak as he entered. He was now a young Dognan boy, yet just as nerdy and bookish as before. He was fully Dognan and a member of the elite, his wings were clearly visible. He was brown furred, a youthful teenaged lion on two legs, and dressed in the cavalry style clothing as Trishnar had worn. He looked at Remy and teased arrogantly, "Skye's a bit more powerful than a human can take and he knows it. He's high spirited, too. And out of your league. He'll blow you away and have a good laugh over it, I promise."

Skye ignored his Master's order and peeled himself away from his slouch in the doorway, approaching Gambit with the same arrogance and self control Aiden possessed and looked him over, licking his lips. Skye's vibration of desire for the young thief was powerful enough for the others in the room to feel it. It was clear in the way Jean had flushed instantly and Scott had shifted his feet nervously.

In spite of being distracted as he was, Gambit could feel the effects on his teammates. He sensed their arousal like a low buzzing in his mind, but more than that, he knew that as much as they were mesmerized by the interaction between him and Skye, they did not approve. For a moment, Remy felt that great separation between him and them now, between the Lushna-esk and the human. He was caught in between and the hurt of it made him realize that he now identified himself more with the Siskans than he did his fleshly companions, no Siskan had ever judged him the way they had and it woke a spark of resentment in him.

Skye was all over it, reading that well enough. His eyes met Gambit's in a challenge as he boldly spoke in English, "So I'm too much fer ya, huh? Gee, that's too bad. Just when things wuz gittin' innerestin'."

"Gambit t'ink mebbe dere ain't much 'e can't 'andle," Remy asserted arrogantly, rising to the dare and not backing down an inch. It had been more than just a simple challenge, it was an invitation to cross over back into world of the Lushna-esk and Remy was just too tired and pissed off to refuse.

Skye happily grunted a laugh and invaded Remy's personal space, chest to chest as he kissed him deeply, testing Remy's resolve. When Skye saw that Gambit showed no hesitation, the game of chicken began in earnest. He sent his next challenge, / Lay with me. C'mon. I'll be the best ya ever had. /

Arrogance and sexual confidence, a common trait among the Lushna-esk, Remy could see that. His Kundatesh addicted mind was game for a little fooling around, knowing Skye's boast had merit. At the very least, it would be memorable and would no doubt go a long way towards erasing the misery of the past few days out in the snow with his nightmares. He could use some cheer.

Just the same, he had made a decision, a very critical one. If he was to lay with a male Siskan willingly, Kimble was going to be that one. He would keep his virginity intact for the Lover. It might sound girly or foolish, but he just didn't care. He would save that moment – if it ever happened at all - for the one who had earned it most. He owed Kimble that.

Gambit returned Skye's kiss, even shoving back just a little in contest, plundering Skye's mouth with a skill that he had never shown in public, he had always saved his more subtle talents for those conquests that never involved X-men or saving the world. Lost in a Kundatesh driven desire to seduce and conquer, his teammates were forgotten. He was working Skye, demanding his compliance, all the while sending a message through the Kundatesh, hoping it answered the dare confidently enough without him losing any ground. Sex or cards, it didn't matter, he was a gambler at heart and hated to lose at either. / Change fo' me an' I will. /

/ Shure, came the reply easily enough.

Rogue gasped sharply when Skye's body seemed to melt a little around the edges and changed into a striking female version of his first skin, the switch not interrupting the kiss one bit. Skye's clothes hadn't changed with her and she was now against the thief, half dressed and luscious in the black spandex and silk.

Gambit shivered with fierce arousal now, his body craving this almost to the point of madness. The Kundatesh that was so close and being offered so freely demanded his consent. He knew he was here to work, but the power had a way of eroding one's priorities.

"This good enough fer ya, pretty?" Skye continued their conversation in Siskan.

"Oui, dis real fine."

Skye smiled, happy now. Remy could see she was like Aiden and not often picked. It seemed he had a way with finding the broken ones and seeing past all that to the real Siskan inside.

Darken snorted. "Hope you're up to it. That one's a handful, it doesn't always play fair. If it fries you, I'm not responsible."

Skye stiffened, her shine turning cloudy at the insult. Like all Lushna-esk, Kintay or otherwise, she was offended at the idea of not being considered real. Darken had spoken of her like she was an object and not a living creature.

Gambit understood this all too well and was there to show he did not agree with Darken's view on things. "No worries. Gambit lived t'rough Aiden, he live t'rough dis one, too."

Darken arched an eyebrow in real surprise. "You lay with Aiden? I'm impressed. Most humans won't lay with the same gender."

Remy smiled painfully, aware of the smirk that crossed Scott's face. He didn't exactly lie when he said, " 'E change fo' me."

"Aiden changed for you?" Darken said with some disbelief. "That pissy little fuck doesn't change for anybody."

"Gambit ain't jus' anybody," Remy replied arrogantly and took Skye's arm. He hadn't liked the insult directed at Aiden, but sometimes if the shoe fits...well. Aiden wasn't the easiest going Siskan he had met, not like Skye here who was all invitation and ready to romp. He turned towards her and said, "Well, chere? You gonna give Gambit de grand tour or what?"

"This way, pretty."

Remy started to leave, but stopped when Scott made a noise. "Oui?"

Scott met his eyes. "Sixes and sevens, right?"

Remy grinned. This was code for "watch your back." This wasn't the first time they had gone out on a mission where the team was split up, the best way to seek and find information or whatever was needed. By saying this, Cyclops was subtly asking if this was for real or just part of the game being played. The way this had been presented to Scott was that they were here for Darken, not for anything else on the side. Scott didn't know what was going on, was Remy really thinking of going all the way with this? What was the point? Gambit's team leader wasn't happy.

Gambit didn't exactly answer, but looked back at his nervous and uncomfortable teammates before replying with a grin, "When in Rome, non? Oh, an' Rogue? Like I said, dese kids jus' like Kimble. Dey can touch you - all over. Best take advantage of opportunity, comprenez?" He didn't look back again, but allowed himself to be led away.

The others just stood there, nervous now in this sexually charged atmosphere. Scott was furious. Gambit's response hadn't been satisfying at all and that last remark to Rogue? That just about spelled out Gambit's intentions like a big fat neon sign. It only raised his ire another notch. They were here for Darken, not to screw around. Not for the first time, Scott was thinking Remy was a liability. Still, he wasn't about to argue here in front of the mission's target. There would be no open disagreement.

Darken smirked at them, sensing his guests were well out of their element. "Don't be shy. They're just holograms. Use them, don't use them, it's your three hours to kill. I just came up to get a couple of things." He then turned away and walked off, disappearing into the galley.

Rogue didn't quite know what to do with herself. She had seen Remy take over a room before, they had been on missions where it was expected of him to glide in and seduce and distract. She had thought Remy's bizarre flirtation was something like that, she certainly didn't expect to see him walk off with the Siskan like that. It had startled her, the way Gambit's whole face had changed at the sight of that strange man, as if he could see something there no one else could. How had he known Skye was coming? She had noticed Remy's head turning before the Siskan had even entered the room. There had been a strange electric charge between them, not unlike the one that seemed to exist between him and Kimble. It was so frustrating and odd and she disliked being left out. She didn't like his non-answer to Scott's question, it was almost like he had blown Scott off, daring the boss to challenge his flagrant misbehavior. It was as though Remy had become someone else, someone from some other place, or perhaps she didn't know him as well as she thought she did.

Hamish smiled and bowed at Rogue, interrupting her thoughts. "My lady? It would be my pleasure to serve you this day." He offered his hand and Rogue hesitated, deciding.

"What did ya have in mind, Sugah?"

He grinned at her. "Whatever you desire, my Lady. A nice hot bath? A warm meal? Whatever you wish."

"Well, a bath would be real nice. Two weeks out here campin' sure does take a lot out of a lady."

He bowed again and took her hand, leading her away in the direction Remy had gone. That left Jean and Scott. Jean took his arm and laughed, "How about it, Lover? A bath sounds heavenly. I won't let you out of my sight, I promise."

He looked back at her, knowing his discomfort was amusing to her. "Whatever you say."

Lislay approached them with a smile. "This way, please."

(break)

An hour or so later, Remy came awake in a fog. His body was stiff, sore, but yet humming with pleasant magic. He had blacked out again, this time for a while. He sat up and grunted when he felt a strange ache in his arms. He looked at his hands, blinking through his fog, and saw red scuff marks on his wrists. He looked at them, uncomprehending. Had he been bound? He really couldn't remember. The last thing he could consciously recall was coming in here with Skye and being tossed playfully on the bed.

This was a big ship with comfortable living quarters. Skye had her own room filled with expensive wooden furniture and the ususal toys. The room was finely made, with beautiful paintings and an armoire filled with luxurious, colorful clothing. The coup de grace of the whole scene was a large four poster bed that was centered against the largest wall of the room, demanding attention. It was covered with thick blankets and silk sheets, a camper's dream, and Remy had sunk into it, dreaming of bliss but had found oblivion instead. He had no memory of the session that had followed.

He looked around him now that he had awakened and noticed he was alone in the bed. He also saw no bindings of any kind, nothing that would have explained the damage on his wrists. No, scratch that. He picked up a black silk scarf from a pile of them on a small table beside the bed. He sifted it through his hands as a faint memory trickled through. He saw this on his face, he had been blindfolded. He saw himself begging, pleading, but for what? For her to take him, for her to let him be with her forever.

No, way, he argued with himself. Dat's impossible. I'd never give m'self over. Gotta be some kind of dream.

He looked down at his body. He was spreadeagled on the massive bed, naked and unmarked except for more red scuff marks on his ankles. Above his head, what he thought had been ornaments on the massive headboard were in fact rings where his hands must have been tied. A matching set dangled on the footboard. Lordy, lordy, dis boy sure in trouble, he thought to himself. He couldn't argue about how good he felt, though. He could feel a humming vibration in his body, not unlike that time he had been with Aiden, when those sparkling little lights had coursed right through him. Had Skye boosted him again? How loud was Shi'ow-ri going to speak? Would she shout now? He felt so funny.

He trembled, a little spooked by all this. He looked back on himself, a bit ashamed now, thinking of how confidently he thought he could handle Skye. Looked like she had just taken him for a ride. He thought he could take anything a Siskan could throw at him and he had been heartily humbled, been given a very rude awakening. He had let his overconfidence and Kundatesh addiction put him in a very precarious position. He didn't like that he couldn't really remember anything. Well, maybe if he didn't, someone else did. He closed his eyes. Shi'ow-ri?

/ Yes?

Remy was relieved to hear her voice was normal. She might be stronger now, but she wasn't shouting. What 'appened? What's goin' on?

/ Skye loved you. /

No shit. Why do I feel all messed up?

/ His Kundatesh is strong. Feels good, doesn't it?

Oui, chere. He didn't...he didn't do nuthin' ...funky... to me...did 'e?

/ You mean like fuck you in the ass?

Shi'ow-ri!

/ Sorry, couldn't help it, she teased with a laugh. / No, my dear. Your virginity is indeed intact. He just sent you on a trip around the world. /

Gambit looked up when he heard a rush of silk as Skye came in from another room. She was still dressed in her female skin and smelled of sweet things, of love and flowers. She looked so harmless and fragile as she stood there, but he knew better than to trust her completely now. She came to him and touched his face. "He wakes."

" 'E's here, but not too awake, non."

"You wuz tired. Gots some rest now." The Siskan paused before asking with a small smile of insecurity, "Did I makes ya happy? I done good fer yous?"

"Oui, chere," he replied, doing his best to sit up. He was stiff, but yet felt rejuvenated. He certainly didn't feel the bone aching exhaustion and depression he had felt out in the wilderness. It was as if the quick nap he had taken here had made up for two weeks' worth of sleepless nights. As much as Skye made him somewhat nervous, he couldn't discount her ability to make him feel on top of the world.

"Takes me with ya," she whispered from beside him so softly he almost missed it.

"What?"

"When ya leaves, takes me with ya."

"Gambit need de Games Master, chere. Ain't gonna piss de boy off by stealin' you...though I admit ...it sure is temptin'." That wasn't a lie. With her so near to him and feeling her vibrations of loneliness and sorrow, he would have liked nothing less than to take her out of here and bring her somewhere more suitable for a Lushna-esk 'gram. He wanted only to make her happy just as he wanted Kimble to be happy.

Skye crouched down in front of him submissively, a tear leaking from one of her eyes. "It's so horrible now with his father gone. I'm alone alla the time."

He felt her pain, so much like Kimble this was. "De other Siskans? Don' dey play wit you?"

She shook her head. "You know they's ain't likes me. They's so empty, they's ain't gots nuthin' inside. It's like...it's like fuckin' sumpthin' dead."

"Not everyone 'ave de Kundatesh."

"I knows. But if they's gots no life, they's gots no shine. It ain't no good fer me."

"Oui, Gambit understands," he said, kissing her again. He knew that, like Kimble, she would suffer without the touch of a living client, it just wouldn't be the same without the heartbeats and the heat. "De new Games Master won't lay wit you?"

"He's just a kid, some stupid little boy. He's all scared of me. He yells at me alla the time cuz he ain't gots no unnerstandin' of me. He don't loves me an' he ain't never gonna. Yer...yer the first ta be's with me since the Master died. It's been so long..." she replied, another tear spilling down her cheek.

"Shh..." Remy said, wiping it away. "Gambit wish 'e could take you, 'e really does. Gambit feels yo' pain, 'e really does."

He really did wish he could take her, he felt for all Siskans, especially the Kintay du Lushna-esk like Kimble and Aiden. He was like Trishnar now, they had wormed their way into his heart permanently with their humanity and suffering. They were his magic little children and he loved them more than he could say. Skye might not be part of the Game, but he could feel the strength of her, of her will. She was magical and beautiful, something to be cherished. She had shifted to the female to please him, but he knew she wouldn't stay that way for long. She was like Kimble and Aiden, the ones who had the powerful inner strength always preferred to be male. Trishnar had taught him that.

Even if he could liberate her, Remy wouldn't have kept her, no. Kimble was more than enough for him, but he could find a place for her. Etienne and the guys would love her, that was for sure. A clubhouse moll, what better vocation for a Siskan Courtesan? Even Tante Mattie could use a caretaker around to help out with the large Thieves Guild brood. It would be better than being ignored here and tossed aside. The other 'grams here wouldn't care, they didn't feel, not like Skye did.

"I unnerstand," Skye said, hiding her pain. "It's just the way things is, I knows. C'mon. Let me wash ya up. Let me do fer ya. The Games Master'll be ready fer ya soon."

"Oui, chere. Merci."

He let her take his hands and bring him into the next room. Here now was a luxurious bathroom, complete with recessed bathtub and masseuse table. She placed him in the bath and slipped in behind him, finishing off her work with this, the loving after. Remy felt her joy of this intimacy and so it became his own. It didn't keep him from considering the reasons why he was here in the first place. Even as her hands began to touch him, to wash him, his mind was already working. He hoped Darken would be willing to help him with Kimble, he had gone to great lengths to acquire the things Darken might ask for in compensation. He just hoped it would be enough.