He was nodding off again.
During a meeting.
A meeting he was in charge of.
With the Thieves Guild no less.
'Shit…' Blinking his tired eyes he repositioned himself in his seat hoping it would help wake him up somehow, but still found his eyes stubbornly wanting to close again after the same man continued to ramble on about the many disputes they were having with the Assassins over the last week.
Newsflash, they all knew.
So he didn't understand why they had to spend most of their meetings talking about the same things when he could be spending his time right now doing other things. But no, being the future of the guild meant he had to be present at every single boring meeting they had, understanding his role as the future leader of the Guilds.
When he felt his head jerking sideways, he startled even himself upon realizing he'd nodded off again. At this rate he'd sleep through this whole damn thing if he wasn't careful he realized when he looked forward to now see a different man talking then the one from before. 'How long did I sleep?'
As this guy continued talking about their other branches around other states, Remy could hear the sound of suppressed laughter coming from a few seats across from him as his cousins Emil Lapin and Etienne Marceaux kept their humorous eyes on him the whole time, obviously having caught him.
Slowly narrowing his eyes at the two he stopped when he felt a harsh nudge on his side as Henri cleared his throat to refocus Remy's attention to what was going on in front of them.
As soon as he did he could see none other than Jean-Luc LeBeau, head of the Thieves Guild already sternly glaring at him.
"Well, you're in for it now…" Henry quietly mumbled and Remy had to resist the urge to roll his eyes and tell him that he caught him nodding off earlier too, but decided that after receiving another glare from the current leader of the Thieves Guild that perhaps that could wait until later.
Taking a deep breath, he placed his chin on his palm once they started talking about the profits they were still making.
He was pretty sure he was doing a rather decent job at listening this time until he felt another harsher nudge from his brother which made him snap his eyes open. 'Shit!'
"God lord boy…" Henri slyly covered his mouth as he rubbed his mustache to hide his grin.
"Thank you, dat's all fo' today." Jean-Luc nodded as the meeting adjourned, and all the members began rising from their seats.
"Well…" Stretching his arms out Remy quickly rose to his feet as well. "Dat went great."
"Not great, but hilarious." Lapin playfully wrapped an arm around his shoulder as they began walking off. "But t'anks to you our fearless leader, we were able to keep busy by watchin' you."
"Don't know what you mean." Remy adamantly shook his head.
"Seriously Remy, don't you sleep?" Etienne worriedly asked.
"Bella Donna probably keepin' him up all night is all." Lapin winked, which earned him an unamused look from Remy.
"Whatever de case may be I doubt mon père will take too kindly on you fallin' asleep in a meetin'." Henri scoffed. "A meetin' you made us all attend no less."
"Hey now as I recall I wasn't de only one sleepin'."
"I wasn't sleepin' I was restin' my eyes." Henri pointed out. "An' it happened only once...deux de most. What's your excuse?"
"Well I was checkin' to see if I could listen with mon eyes closed." Remy responded hearing Lapin chuckle next to him. "An' as it turns out I happen to do a decent job at it too."
"Yeah well I'd suggest you tell dat femme of yours to let you get some shut eye 'fore we both get in trouble."
"I ain't been with Belle last night." He frustratingly frowned at the assumption. If he had to be honest he was actually out drinking instead since all that girl seemed to want to do lately is talk about the wedding—which he understood—and complain about that new sister of hers that seemed to get under her skin with every passing day since her arrival. If not that, then she wanted to do other things he rather not do right now unless there was no other way around it.
They both knew what this was, yet she was still intent on them sharing a bed together again like they used to.
Normally he would never decline a request such as this, but found himself unable to whenever she would suggest it. The mere thought of it send his mind drifting back to whether the wedding was a good idea or not since anything he felt for her before had changed.
Being tied down in a loveless marriage for the rest of his life wasn't necessarily something he nor he guessed most people were looking forward to…but he had to at least try. For the sake of the guilds and for her since he still cared about her, even if it wasn't love.
"No? Den where de hell were you last night?" Henri inquired.
"Dat's what I'd like to know."
Snapping his eyes shut he could feel the others stiffen along with him at the stern irritated sound of his adoptive father right behind the four of them.
"Well look at dat we better be on our way." Lapin gave Remy's shoulder a hard slap before grabbing Etienne and making for the quickest exit possible. "Was nice knowin' you Rems!"
"I better be off too." Henri made a quick attempt to flee but stopped upon hearing Jean-Lucs' voice raise.
"Hold it. Both of you."
Inhaling deeply Remy didn't even attempt to run away and could already feel Henri's glare turning to him in a 'I told you' sort of way.
"Care to share where you were last night, when you were s'pose to have dinner with your future in laws?" Jean-Luc asked as his eyes bounced around the many members of their guild walking past them. The last thing they needed was anyone overhearing that the current prince of thieves was having issues staying committed to this union.
"Dat was last night?" Remy quizzically blinked, only receiving his father's stern glare in respons.
"An' de night 'fore." Henri coughed into his hand. "An' de night 'fore dat…"
"You ain't helpin'." Remy shot him an annoyed glare before refocusing his attention on Jean-Luc who seemed to be growing inpatient by the second without an answer. "I was busy. Must've slipped my mind."
"Remy-"
"I know." He squinted his eyes shut already bracing for the same lecture that was sure to come again.
"We can't have the future leader of the United Guilds runnin' around doin' god knows what-"
"I was workin'." He was getting really fed up about everyone always breathing down his neck when all he wanted was some time for himself and to do what he wanted, possibly pull off a few heist and quite possibly finish off the night without having to worry about the next day.
Things were so much simpler when he didn't have the burden of two guilds on his shoulder and instead worked with the Acolytes. He knew he never should have came back.
"Workin'?" Both older LeBeau men raised their brows up surprised.
"An' dirnkin' after." He added, feeling the side of his lips quirk into a small smile.
"You don't need to be workin' boy, we got people doin' dat."
"But-"
"Hell what you need to be focusin' on is leadin' an' tryin' not to fall asleep in every damn meetin' we have."
Ok so now he was about 100% sure he caught that small nap of his.
"Told ya." Henri snickered.
"I wasn't sleepin'." Remy argued.
"Oh no? Den I don't s'pose you could tell me excatly what Piere was talkin' 'bout in de meetin'." When he saw his son thoughtfully humming Jean-Luc couldn't shake the growing disappointment on his face. "Rem-"
"He was talkin' 'bout de growin' profits we were makin', de potential clients we gained as well as de possibilities of growin' our branch to other locations." Remy tried to suppress a tired yawn before glancing back at a startled Jean-Luc. "Now would you like me to provide you with de exact numbers?"
Shaking his head the head of the Thieves only cleared his throat as he turned and walked off to talk to the other members before pausing to speaking over his shoulder. "Least make an effort to fulfill your duties to your fiancé."
"Always do."
"See to it dat you do. Word is dat dat new family of hers could cause a problem if we ain't careful."
"Yeah?" Henri quizzically frowned. "How come?"
"Don't know all de details. Which is where Remy comes in." Jean-Luc made it a point to settle his younger son with a pointed look.
Rolling his eyes Remy had already told them what he knew from Bella Donna, but knew that his father was referring to actually making an effort to find out for himself instead of taking an Assassins word. "All I know is what I already told you. Bella Donna's not overly fond of her new mère an' even worse with dat new sister of hers."
"Why do you t'ink dat is?" Henri asked.
"Hell if I know." Remy uninterestingly shrugged. "From de sound of it, dat fille don't strike me much as a threat, but from what Belle's said she got quite de mouth on her." He slowly smirked at the things his fiancé had already told him. "But I can understand why Bella Donna don't like her much, from my understandin' she ain't done nothin' but cause her more problems."
"Well perhaps you should also make an effort to get to know dis fille too." Jean-Luc ordered with a hidden smile. "After all, as I recall dat be your specialty."
Although that may be the case and it wasn't like he's ever been a saint, Remy didn't plan on nor did he care to know anything about this new girl that had everyone here apparently intrigued. "Don't care much 'bout meetin' her." he replied while shaking his head.
"T'ink dat be de first time I hear you sayin' such a thing." Henri chuckled as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Well look at dat, Remy all grown up now."
"An' it ain't like you ain't been caught talkin' to a nice fille after comin' back neither." Jean-Luc reminded him.
Unamusingly removing his brother's hand from his shoulder Remy settled Jean-Luc with one final look. "I ain't doin' it."
"Give it time. Fo' all we know could just be a misunderstandin' between girls." Jean luck waved off as he moved over to the other guild members. "It be in our best interest if you find out who dey are. Fo' all our sakes."
"Yeah right." He scoffed. There wasn't anything Jean-Luc could say nor do to convince him to do otherwise. He was already signing over his future, so there was no way he'd waste more time finding out anything about that girl or her mother. Just hearing about them even when it wasn't Bella Donna yammering away gave him another headache.
When they were sure their father was well involved in a conversation, they didn't hesitate to get the hell out of there.
"An' here I thought you slept through de whole damn thing." Henri chuckled once they were outside. "Color me impressed."
Shrugging Remy thought back to the day before the meeting when he had asked one of the members and friends Piere who usually kept watch of their place to quickly brief him about what he would talk about during the meeting.
"But knowin' you…you probably had Piere help you out with dat." Henri suspiciously eyed his younger brother, sensing that perhaps he was correct in assuming that.
"Assume all you want mon frère. I however have places to be." Walking backwards Remy bid a brief farewell before walking off.
"Don't forget to at least make it to your own engagement party tonight!"
xXx
"You've got to be kiddin' me!" Rogue closed her eyes and began counting from one, each time hoping that what she walked into was only a figment of her imagination, a very horrible imagination at that.
Closing the door behind them Mystique looked just as displeased when she laid eyes on the five figures inside the small cottage she managed to get near their own home, with three of them already bouncing around the place leaving small destruction in their path.
"At least try to keep this place in one piece this time." Mystique in her blue form rubbed her temple as she peeked an eye open to see Wanda already rolling her eyes.
"Why would we be kidding?" Toad curiously asked Rogue from a top of a chair as he eyed a few flies outside their window. "You know you missed us Rogue. The same way we missed you, right guys?"
"It was about time you got out from those X-geeks when you did. Just took you long enough." Lance walked into the living room after setting his stuff down in his temporary room.
"So did you." Blob heartily chuckled taking a break from looking into the fridge. "Man, who does the shopping in this place?"
"Buy what you want for now just keep the place tidy." Mystique angrily replied. "The last thing I want is the guest house to get damaged on my watch."
"Why? Afraid well ruin your perfect reputation with Mr. Mystique?" Pietro only stopped to smirk at her before returning to scanning the house.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Toad quizzically frowned when Rogue still didn't open her eyes.
"Ah'm tryin' to tap my shoes together and forget Ah was ever here." She dared to peek an eye open only to be disappointed. "Well that didn't work."
"Tch." Smiling Wanda silently walked past Lance after picking up her bag and going in search of her room. "No one mess with me and you'll all live to see another day."
"Spoken like a true brotherhood." Toad dreamily grinned after her. "And my painfully frightening angel."
"That's right, now that we're all finally together again what do we do next?" Pietro excitedly asked.
"Ah'm not with you." Rogue angrily fired back, hating the way that small statement seemed to bring forth mixed emotions from the others. "Ah'm just here because Mystique asked me to."
She never asked to be a part of the brotherhood in the first place, did she want any harm to come to them? Of course not since they did take her in when she felt like she had no one, only a mere outsider. But she could never agree with what they were doing, and she wasn't here to make friends or rekindle old relationships. She had to make sure to keep her distance with everyone in this place and remind herself that no one here could ever be trusted.
And the only person she could count on here was herself.
She knew that if it ever came down to it…the brotherhood would always choose themselves. Nothing changed then and it won't now.
"That's right." Mystique nodded. "But while you're here, you all might as well learn to get along again." She trailed her eyes around the various faces until she stopped at Rogue. "All of you."
"Don't trust her." Wanda leaned against the wall after having heard the whole conversation and didn't see the need to hide her true feelings for the other girl. "She's an X-man."
"Was an X-man." Rogue dangerously narrowed her eyes. "Ah'm not anymore."
"Right." Wanda suspiciously narrowed her eyes before pushing off the wall and slamming her door shut.
"Now, stay here and wait for my orders."
"Stay here?" Toad frowned at the blue mutant's request. "Why? We came all this way."
"Marius has allowed you guys to be here and be part of his group for now, but until we start training with them you guys are to stay put until I call for you, is that undersood?" she waited until she heard the many mumbles of agreement. "There will be an event this evening-"
"Yay! I love parties!" Toda perked up again at that.
"-were." She sternly cut in which made Toad wince. "I will need the lot of you to patrol the outside of our house and make sure everything runs smoothly. That's the task Marius has asked of you. Think you can handle that?" she placed her hand on her hip to scan their faces.
"Yeah, sure count on us." Pietro took this moment to sit on one of the couches. "Just make sure you bring us something to eat. I heard they've got plenty of good food in those places."
"Whatever, just be ready." Mystique irritatedly replied before changing back to Raven and marching out the door followed by Rogue.
"Wait does that mean we have to wear those stuck-up suits too?" Lance raised his nose in disgust when he remembered that stupid penguin suit already hung up in his closet.
"That's what the boss wants." Pietro on the other hand didn't seem to have a problem with the idea. He did however have a problem with being locked in all day, but after tonight as soon as they would start training they would be able to finally stretch their legs.
xXx
"Wait what did you mean about training?" Rogue asked once they were walking inside the large house and up the stairs, making it a point to ignore all the constant servants briskly walking around each carrying different items. She wasn't even aware of anything happening tonight until earlier this morning. And even then, couldn't get any details out of the woman except that it was an elegant party for the guilds.
And if everything went according to plan then maybe Rogue was hoping she wouldn't be forced to go.
"Will I be training too?" she couldn't help the hopeful tone in her voice after being stuck here already for week with nothing to do except enjoying one of her books. Training was something she was always looking forward to at the X-mansion and became better thanks to Logan. He made her understand the importance of it, while finding it a great way to release any pend up anger, stress or in his case…trash the place on Monday mornings.
"Of course you will." Ravens smile told her that she was actually looking forward to it too. "Can't wait to see what those no good X-men have thought you."
Balling her fists in anger Rogue only silently nodded before opening the door to her bedroom.
"I'm excepting you to be on your best behavior tonight Rogue." Raven observed the way her shoulder tensed as she sat on her own bed.
"Actually Ah was thinkin' of not goin'." She confessed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Ah mean let's be honest that girl-"
"You're sister." Raven firmly corrected.
"Bella Donna and ah…" she refused to call her that. Not now and not tomorrow. "Let's face it we don't get exactly along."
"Doesn't mean you can't attend a measly gathering." Raven disapprovingly scoffed.
"Ah don't even have anythin' to wear." Rogue fired back stubbornly narrowing her eyes. Dressing up like some stupid barbie doll wasn't part of the job description.
"I've already got that covered." Raven didn't bother looking at her as she gestured further down the hall.
What Rogue wasn't expecting was to see one of the maids walk in already holding an expensive deep burgundy dress for her to inspect. She had to admit that any other time she would have thought it looked beautiful but under the circumstances she couldn't.
"Ah'm not goin' Mys-Raven." Biting her lip Rogue saw the maids eyes briefly look up when she realized her slight mishap.
The look Raven shot her was icy cold as she responded. "If you don't like this one, I'll make sure to pick another one out myself and you will wear it."
Great now she had another thing to worry about. Knowing this woman, she wouldn't put it past her to humiliating her by shoving her in a damn clown costume to make her point. So she simply nodded at the maid as she placed it next to her on the bed.
As the maid briskly excused herself Raven's tone suddenly hardened. "You will address me as mom Rogue. Do you understand me?"
"No." Now that was something she couldn't do. "And don't ever expect me to either. After all the shit you've pulled, you're lucky enough Ah'm even here. So unless you want me to leave—which Ah'll be glad to do— then Ah suggest you don't try and force things on me Ah ain't ready for yet." She knew this was a risky move on her part, angering someone like this woman was suicide, but Rogue wasn't willing to back down from this.
She never would consider this woman to be her mother…not with what she had done to her and Kurt.
"Alright." Regarding her Raven gave a faint nod. "I suppose that's fair for now. But rest assured that little attitude of yours will stop. Mark my words Rogue, you will understand that I've always been the only one there for you."
Dropping her eyes to the dress next to her, Rogue only felt her own anger bubbling. As if this wasn't hard enough, she had to deal with a spoiled brat like Bella Donna, an overly creepy stepfather and son and now she had Mystique acting like she's suddenly the problem? The only one here who hasn't driven her totally mad was Irene.
"I expect you to be prompt and downstairs at six before all the party guests arrive tonight. I also expect you to look your best and mingle with the guests."
"Sure." Rogue sarcastically responded. "Because mingling is what Ah do." She plainly ignored when her adoptive mother slammed the door shut in anger. Which was when she finally allowed her gloved finger to glide gently against the soft fabric.
It really was a beautiful dress she couldn't deny that and it even had a matching set of long gloves. Even the overdramatic bow that was tied to the back of the fitted mermaid dress didn't look too bad she hoped. She wasn't even sure if she would be able to dance tonight wearing this thing even if she wanted to, but at least this gave her an excuse not to.
Just the thought of tonight made her annoyingly groan, knowing that most likely everyone at attending tonight would be guests of Marius's so she wouldn't be surprised if more than half were members of the Assassins. So, she would have to make sure she would be prepared for anything they might throw at her.
xXx
By the time she was done with her hair and dressed, she found herself standing in front of her full-length mirror trying to decide on whether she really should go or not.
Things like these weren't necessarily her forte but she knew that if she backed up now then she would never be able to bring all these people down. Mystique and Assassins alike.
With one last glance she decided that breathing wasn't necessarily important tonight— or so Mystique seemed to think since this dress barely allowed her to move. It was beautiful but definitely uncomfortable.
"Yup, definitely no dancin' for me tonight." With a deep sigh she quickly grabbed the pair of gloves and reluctantly dragged her feet down the stairs with an equally dressed up Irene who interlinked her arm with hers.
"I swear Mystique did this on purpose." Oh how much she envied the woman right now since she would give anything to not have to stare at the prying eyes suddenly on them as they descended the steps one by one.
She was right in assuming she wouldn't know anyone here—at least anyone she cared to know since she could feel a very specific pair of eyes following her every move which she could do without.
"Relax Rogue." Irene soothingly whispered.
"Easy for you to say Irene, you don't have to see most of New Orleans population staring at you like you're their last meal." Rogue muttered before she realized what she'd said. "Ah didn't mean-it's just that…"
"Is alright Rogue." Irene warmly smiled. She understood that Rogue wasn't used to so much attention nor was she ever someone who liked it, so it came as no surprise to her that the girl she helped raise was suddenly this nervous.
"What if Ah accidently touch someone?" she replied glaring down at the skin she was still showing on her shoulders and upper arms. "You would think that someone like Mys-Raven would consider my illness." She bitterly whispered nodding at a few people who smiled at them.
"I'm sure if Raven was worried about an accident happening then she wouldn't have you dressed like that." Irene chuckled. "Just have faith in yourself Rogue like she does, and everything will turn out fine."
"And yet somehow Ah doubt faith is something she has in me."
"Give it time sweety. We're all still getting used to this." Irene admitted, fondly patting Rogues gloved hand. "I know I am."
Giggling Rogue was at least glad to have someone like Irene here with her. "So long as you don't leave me, well be fine."
"I should be saying that you since I gather that tonight you have various eyes on you my dear."
Looking back over her shoulder she could see the same pair of eyes still watching them as they raised their glass in greeting. "Yeah just my luck." She huffed as she removed her eyes at a leering Julien and back to Irene.
Momentarily pausing, Irene turned to her with a small smile. "Although I might not have my sight Rogue, I know that tonight's very important to her, to the guilds and to you Rogue. Just allow yourself to shine like the wonderful jewel I know you are and everything will follow."
With a small smile Rogue could feel Irene reassuringly squeezing her arm.
"You look lovey tonight my sweet little girl." Irene smiled. "I don't need my eyes to see that."
Despite the fact that Rogue could barely move or walk in this dress, Irene always seemed to have a way to make Rogue feel calm and cared for. "Thanks Irene."
"There you two are." Raven warmly smiled as she sashayed her way over, clinging onto an equally excited Marius. Her dress an elegant silver trumpet with a plunging neckline.
"My, don't you two look quite stunnin' dis evenin'." Marius complimented as he raised Irenes hand to brush his lips against it before moving onto Rogue who began to fiddle with her hands before she grabbed a glass of champagne just as a waiter walked by to avoid getting anywhere near this man.
"Thanks."
Narrowing her eyes Raven forced herself to smile anyways when Marius gave a loud chuckle. "Rogue?"
"Thirsty…?" Rogue sheepishly grinned only making Marius's smile widen.
"Tonight be a night of celebration." He pulled Raven closer by the waist. "Allow de fille to enjoy herself as we will huh?"
Thinking it over Raven begrudgingly nodded. "I suppose one glass won't hurt."
"Really?" Forcing the sweetest smile she could muster Rogue wouldn't pass the chance to piss Raven off. "Thank you so much." But Rogue was sure she would need more than one glass by the end of the night.
"Irene, Marius and I would like to introduce you to some of his fellow colleagues."
"Of course." Irene resepctuflly nodded before giving Rogue an apologetic smile.
'Great. Well there goes my plan to stick with Irene…' She bitterly thought as she watched them walk away.
"Oh and Rogue?" Raven spoke over her shoulder.
"Mingle yeah Ah know." Rogue mumbled as she turned around and gulped down the entire glass of champagne before placing it on another tray a servant held and grabbing another.
With how crowded this place seemed to grow she would be lucky if she'd survive even two hours here.
xXx
Laughter and chatter filled the air around the Boudreaux's property with the sound of fancy music bouncing off the chandeliers, and exquisite food and drinks being served left and right. Men in tuxedos and women of high class dotting expensive gowns continued to chat and dance as the night went on.
But to him this just seemed like another night at his future-in-law's house.
"Remy, why look so down?" Etienne asked from over his shoulder.
"Yeah with dis bein' your engagement night an' all we figured you'd be thrilled to finally get dis announcement over with." Lapin added, not even bothering to give him a glance since he'd been too busy eyeing the crowd downstairs past the overly dramatic curtain. "Quite de turn out too."
"Well considerin' dis be a big deal fo' de guilds I'm sure Jean-Luc saw to it dat everyone should be here." He resentfully mumbled from his position against the wall. They would be lucky if this night didn't end with spilled blood for either side since asking two of the most powerful guilds to play nice for one night cramped into a mansion—However big the estate of the Boudreadux might be— would be too much to ask for them.
"Well I fo' one am glad he did." Lapin teasingly nudged Etienne as his eyes lingered on a girl they'd never seen before. "Would you look at dat…"
"Where?" Etienne completely ignored Remy's moment of brooding to find what the red head was urgently pointing at.
"Seems to me dis night won't seem like a complete waste of time anymore." Lapin grinned. "Doubt I've ever seen her 'round here."
"Doubt any of us have..." Etienne had a hard time disagreeing with him as they took in the girls two toned hair which instantly made her stand out from the rest even with her hair pulled up in a fancy bun that had strands of white framing her face. "Hey Remy, wanna see? Seeems like your kinda femme."
"Doubt it." Shaking his head he rather much spend his time finishing his drink before they were to announce their engaged to the rest of the guilds any minute now. Not to mention any girl that his cousins were currently drooling over might seem attractive, but he sincerely doubted she could hold his attention long like many of the ones here.
No. His type was more along the lines of a spirited and fiery attitude with a personality to match and a caring heart. Perhaps with auburn-white hair with eyes that could force any thief to his knees wouldn't hurt. No, he doubted any of these would hold a candle to her.
"Hey Remy, what did you say your soon to be sister in law looked like again?" Lapin's eyes followed her until she was being blocked by a few people who began chatting with her.
"I didn't." He exhaled after placing his glass down. The last thing on his mind right now was someone he couldn't care to know anymore then he wanted to be here. And it seemed that Henri knew that he would have been a flight risk tonight, which was why even Remy himself was glad to have his cousins here to keep him company.
But just like himself, any pretty face would distract them as soon as they caught sight of one.
"Alright well if you two need me I'll be out dere…" Lapin winked before briskly shoved the curtain aside to walk down the stairs.
"Well at least it's quite now." Remy tiredly smiled as he leaned his head back against the wall.
"Lapin was right though." Etienne thoughtfully hummed still standing in the same place Lapin had left him as he timidly peeked through the curtain. "She ain't bad on de eyes..."
"What is it with dis fille?" He wasn't sure whether it was his anxiousness about tonight or his genuine curiosity for the girl who had two of the closest people to him this awe struck that made him get up to try and see for himself. If anything, perhaps this wasn't even Bella Donna's new step sister like Lapin had thought and just some girl that maybe happened to be invited or related to another Guild member.
Scanning over the growing crowd Remy's patient began to falter when he lost sight of his cousin. "Now where did dat fool run off to?"
"There." Etienne nodded his head to the other side which made Remy follow his line of sight until he felt a familiar pair of arms wrapped around his torso as he instinctively tensed.
"Remy mon amour." Bella Donna seductively purred when he turned to her. "It's almost time."
Smiling he turned to see Etienne urgently shift in his spot before Remy rolled his eyes at the slight puppy dog face Etienne gave him. "Just go."
"Thanks!" Etienne didn't have to be told twice before he basically ran out to find Lapin and this mystery woman.
"What was all dat 'bout?"
"Nothin' Belle. Just some femmes dese two were on 'bout." Remy gave one last glance over his shoulder before focusing on her appearance. "You look beautiful as always Belle."
"Awe Remy you're too sweet." She happily smiled. "An' you look quite dashin' yourself. If I dind't know any better I'd say we're long overdue fo' some time of our own." She bit her lower lip before a throat cleared behind them.
"Glad to see de happy couple in such high spirits." Jean-Luc grinned as he and Marius walked towards them. "But I suggest we get along with de announcement wouldn't you agree?"
"It most certainly is." Marius's grin widened when his eyes landed on the young couple. "Best we not keep de guests waitin' any more den dey already have."
xXx
"…and then they told us to come to this lavished gathering without so much as a word as to why." The older woman finished rambling as she continued fanning her face with a small handheld fan and talking to Rogue like they've known each other all their life. "I don't suppose you have any idea what this event is really about?"
Apparently this woman had no clue why she was here, so Rogue could only assume that this woman wasn't a member of the Assassins but perhaps her husband was since he seemed to be busy indulging himself in the liquor if he wasn't busy ogling up her chest, much to Rogues displeasure.
"Ah really don't." Rogue politely admitted wondering where the hell Irene was. At least that way she would be able to somehow survive another pointless conversation with people who constantly grilled her about tonight or asking about her social status.
"Seems we're about to find out." The woman voice dragged Rogue out of her thoughts as she gestured her fan towards the staircase as all curious eyes turned in the same direction just as the curtains were moved aside to announce the entrance of an older man she only vividly remembered seeing one other time before. 'Oh gawd…'
"My fellow guild members an' cherished guests." Jean-Luc's voice boomed over all the hushed whispers just as Rogue's heart picked up speed and her eyes widened in pure shock. "I must apologize on behave of my son for de tardiness…" Jean-Luc gave his son a playful wink which only made Remy roll his eyes in annoyance. "But you know how young love is. Never could quite keep dese two apart."
Deeply inhaling as the crowd began to laugh at his father's little joke, Remy felt Bella Donna's hand on his arm tighten as he glanced down to see her beaming up at him just as Jean-Luc continued talking. He just hoped the man would hurry up and get on with this so he could indulge himself for a little while before making his quick exit the way he had initially planned.
"…which is why Marius Boudreaux leader of de now Assassin's Guild an' I Jean-Luc LeBeau leader of de Thieves Guild have decided to unite our guilds with the celebration of de long overdue engagement of my son Remy LeBeau an' his beautiful soon to be wife Bella Donna Boudreaux." Jean-Luc gloriously announced.
"Oh my Remy look! Isn't dis amazin'?" Bella Donna drank in everyone's shocked but cheerful smiles, whereas Remy's gaze drifted over the crowd until a pair of dazzling emeralds he only remembered from his dreams shockingly shone back at him. "Remy? Cher are you alright?"