3 January

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"Y'know, you really should try gettin' t' know da others," Remy pointed out abruptly to Rogue. He pulled a chunk from his piece of toast, stuffing it in his mouth as he raised his unusual red-on-black eyes to her. She had been startled at first to discover this unique mutation, but she had gotten to know him at least slightly before they were revealed to her. The night he had come into her room during the New Year's party was too dark for her to see him properly.

Rogue set her spoon down, throwing him a contemplating look. "Ah'm not the all-out social gal, Sugah."

"'Xactly why you should know da others," Remy mumbled around his piece of toast. He swallowed, leaning in closer to her. "Dey ain't dat bad, chere. I ain't one t' get close t' anyone, but I feel comfort'ble enough 'round 'em." His accent almost left Rogue swooning. It was definitely southern by origin, she decided, but she couldn't place it exactly; she hadn't done a lot of traveling before moving to Salem Center.

"Okay, how many 'othahs' are there?" Rogue asked, lifting her chin in defiance.

Remy paused, his brows knitting together and his eyes flicking to one side. Eventually he held up his hands to count on his fingers as he mumbled names under his breath. "'Leven. Not countin' you or me."

Rogue leaned against the counter, picking her spoon back up and returning her attention to her breakfast. "How 'bout let's start with who Ah know," she suggested. She saw Remy nod in her peripheral. "There was one big guy that pulled me into the room at New Years. What's his name?"

"People call 'im Hank," Remy replied promptly. "Kinda da brain 'round here."

"And then there's the red head girl. Ah think the prof called her Jean?"

"Yup." Remy's voice was clipped, like he wanted to say more, but didn't. Rogue tossed him a quick look and he grinned back at her. "You'll see her hangin' out wit' slim brunette. Goes by name o' Scott."

"Umm ..." Rogue shoved some food in her mouth. "Ah think I remember this other real tall guy. When the prof showed me the Danger Room, he turned inta metal." Rogue couldn't keep the awe out of her voice; someone that could change their epidermis so completely had to have been one strange mutant.

"Colossus? He's Russian. His name's Piotr, but we all call 'im Peter. Y'know how Asians always get der American names? We Americanized 'im." Remy laughed quietly to himself as he helped himself to another slice of toast.

"So that's what? four people? You said there's eleven?"

"Ya. Soon's I'm done wit' dis toast an' you wit' your cereal, I'll drag ya 'round t' see everyone, d'accord?"

"Alright, fine," Rogue replied huffily. She couldn't tell Remy that she was at least partially excited. Especially since discovering her powers, she hadn't had contact with anyone enough to even talk to them. Remy was the first person that initiated a friendly conversation with her for a couple of years and it was relieving to say the least.

Remy wasted no time in dragging her around. As soon as she finished off the milk in her bowl, he grabbed her around the arm and dragged her out of the room. Rogue almost exclaimed for him to watch out for her skin, but he appeared to have that under control. Whereas she didn't have a pair of gloves on, Remy did, though she had no idea of where they came from. So once they had their momentum, going down the hallway, he shifted his soft grip to her hand, holding it like someone who cared.

"Here's where most everyone likes t' hang out," Remy stated, pulling her into a room. Sure enough, a group of teenagers sat around in front of a television. Two had remote controls in hand. "Excusez-moi!" Remy shouted into the room, causing a couple pairs of eyes to draw towards him. "Found someone y'all might like t' meet." Rogue's eyes flew open wide at his straight forward attitude and found herself shrinking into his side a little.

A smaller boy stood up from the couch upon which he was sitting, pausing the game he was in the middle of. "Hi! Rogue, isn't it?" Rogue nodded at him. "I'm Bobby." Having heard of her particular brand of mutant powers, he didn't offer a hand, but a big smile.

"I'm Alison," a young girl piqued up.

"Elisabeth," another purple-haired girl added.

"Hi," Rogue replied. She made quick work of pairing their faces with names, though she doubted she'd be able to remember everyone right off the bat.

"Sean Cassidy," a curly carrot-top greeted. His accent was most definitely foreign.

A tall white-haired girl with African features walked up to Remy and Rogue as well. She flashed a quick smile to Remy before settling her blue gaze onto Rogue's face. "I'm Ororo," she said. "It is nice to finally meet you." Rogue nodded, unsure of how to respond to her greeting.

One boy hung back until all of the other hellos were said. Once Rogue's eyes fell onto him, she blinked in surprise. She had thought that the winged man would have problems blending in, but this boy was completely blue. Pulling her hand out of Remy's and maneuvering around the crowd to get near to him, Rogue initiated her first greeting. "And who are you?" she asked in a friendly manner.

"Kurt," he replied. His voice held an accent as well. "Kurt Wagner." A smile snuck onto his face. "You're not afraid?"

"Why would Ah be?" Rogue challenged.

"Because I don't look the same as everyone else."

Rogue cast a glance behind her to study the crowd. "Ah don't think that's a problem anymore, Sugah." She owed one to Remy now. It was only because of him that she could even think of smiling. Yet here she was with a broad smile on her face to match everyone else's.