cajunspice | [Luceti] 1st Shuffle [Accidental voice/video]

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[Luceti] 1st Shuffle [Accidental voice/video]

[The sound of paper rippled violently in the air was combined with the hollow thuds of something light and small impacting against wood, the image on the camera violently being thrown around at random angles before it landed facing upwards towards the sky. Strands of grass loomed over the view of a tall tree, the camera looking upwards into its branches, as the sound of a voice was close by. A very annoyed and pained voice.

Quickly following behind the journal was the sound of something much larger and heavily falling from the tree branches, hitting quite a few as it dropped. This was the source of the voice, which was now letting out a constant string of curse words in French and grunts of pain. The figure managed to grab hold of one or two limbs during its decent, but was unable to stop the fall, as it finally landed heavily next to the open journal.

At first there was no movement from the person, the only motion visible from that of wind’s moment of the plant life. A groan and the appearance of an arm that partially covered the camera proved the man was still alive, along with a mumble.]

“Merde… Remy, no more drinkin’.”

----

[Having been walking for awhile since his sudden decent into Luceti, the forest was clearing to reveal the town which... god, he was stuck in another hick town. And he thought Bayville was bad. He may as well try the bar Rogue talked about, maybe be able to scam a drink or two out of someone since he had no money on him. The trek through town was interesting, it gave him a starting picture of what the the area looked like. Remy hadn't even begun to figure out what he was going to do when night came, without a place to sleep or money to support himself. He would wing it, see what happened, as normal.]

[Avoiding to elude too much attention from others, or get into a conversation with someone he didn't know, Remy eventually sauntered his way up into the bar, pushing that half hour limit Rogue had originally given him. He was looking a little worse for wear but not showing that it bothered him. He would need to grab something to clean up the scratches, didn't want anything getting infected. Ha! The last thing he needed. Abducted by alien mad scientists. Losing a chunk of memory. And in the middle of who the hell knows where with no one he trusted. Great times.]

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What was your first clue? The wings, or the talkin' animals? Don't worry -- it's not just 'cause you hit your head.

[Rogue was aware that she was not being particularly useful, but she hated explaining about this place and was still trying to wrap her head around this reset. If worst came to worst, she could always direct him to the Guide -- besides, let's face it. This was Gambit. If she was overly helpful, she'd probably need to be checked for a fever, and he would probably faint.]

[Well THAT stopped him in his tracks.] Animals can talk? [Huh, so that was what Storm meant about asking the critters the way to town, Remy thought it was just a bad joke.]

Oui, mais askin' ya causes less a headache than answers from the Loserhood's local witch. [There was a long pause as Remy returned to his path towards down, his tone losing the joking side to it.] She said I've been here before.

Yeah. But don't worry -- they're not very bright. [The squirrels wouldn't stop talking about nuts; the birds were equally obsessed about their territory... it was almost depressing, honestly.] Bet you could still swindle the squirrels out of their nuts.

[...ah. Wow. That was a lot faster than she had thought they'd get to that. He'd been talking with Wanda? ('Loserhood' - ha, those were delineations she hadn't thought of in a while.) She should have paid closer attention to that conversation.]

Yeah. She's not wrong. By my count, this is the second time you've come here an' not remembered bein' here before. [She had a good idea of just how much he'd enjoy that.] It happens.

[This sucked.]

'nd if this ain't some big dream, [Remy started, a mix of talking out loud to himself as much as to Rogue.] Which I was really, really hopin' it be, it means someone been messin' with my head.

[That did not go down well with him. He had seen what it did to Scarletwitch... did that happen to him too? Was he a different person from before? Hell, how could he tell if he was different? The feeling that those around him would have the upper hand over knowing something he didn't also was not a good feeling. Remy hated the idea of holding the worst hand, he would have to find a way to change that...]

[...and then he jumped straight to brainwashing. She guessed she could see why he would.] It's not a dream, Re-- Gambit. [He wasn't Remy anymore. Not to her. That shouldn't hurt, but it was different when it was her choice.] No one's wacko enough to dream up Mayberry in Space -- not even you.

[She sighed a little.]

And I guess I can see why you'd think it was a telepath, but it's not that either. We really have been kidnapped by alien mad scientists. [Her tone competed with the Sahara for dryness and there was also a hint of: what, like this is the weirdest thing you've ever heard of?]

Edited 2013-11-08 15:06 (UTC)

Never said nothin' 'bout telepaths. Plenty of other ways to mess with someone's head. [Telepaths were just a small section of mutant powers that could affect memories, and it wouldn't take too much for a doctor to zap a few memory connections and make past events vanish.]

[Remy wasn't that happy to hear the truth behind his appearance in this world, he had more than his fair share of crazy scientists. Prisoner to beings that wanted to treat them as experiments, this was getting better and better.]

And you would know, wouldn't you.

[Considering the way he'd messed with hers...]

[Remy froze, turning a suspicious eye at her. What did she mean by that? Did... did the past hims tell her about Sinister? God knows that man could pull apart a person's brain and rearrange it so they weren't even a shadow of the being they were before. The past hims couldn't be that stupid! Could they? No! Not even a pretty face could get that out of him, it had to be something else.]

What ya mean by that?

[...he didn't even remember. Peachy. That gave her just enough time to be annoyed with her instinctive response.

...unless maybe he really didn't remember.]

You don't remember that little train ride down to New Orleans?

[Oh, THAT. She was still on about that?] I thought ya liked our time in the Big Easy, ya got to see Mardi Gras.

[Yes, it wasn't the greatest choice out of a life of bad choices, but it got the job done. Yes, he had used her like 'Mommy' did, and like Jean-Luc did to him, but he didn't have another choice. No, that was a lie. He did, he could had waltz up to the closest Ripper, let them take him back to their base, and try and get himself and Jean-Luc out in one piece. Using Rogue was easier, smarter, but no less a dirty trick he played on the girl.]

[Ah well, maybe it was better she hadn't forgiven him, kept in her mind that he wasn't the type to be counted on and trusted. Better she and the rest of the X-Men just steer clear of him.]

[She rolled her eyes.] Yeah, you really know how to show a gal a good time.

[She suddenly felt entirely justified in her instinctive response; she'd probably have to go through this with every new version of him she met. It was nothing to him, to use her like that. It hadn't been nothing to her.

But sometimes circumstances made a difference, when it came to offering a second chance.]

[Remy had the feeling he was about to lose his free drink.] 'nd what 'xactly were ya goin' to do if I hadn't shown up, hein? Ya were makin' a break for freedom anyways. This way, ya got to play ya good little X-Man self 'nd help moi out, 'nd ya got to prove to yaself ya little family cared enough to come after ya. [Unlike his.]

Ya may not liked my methods Rogue, mais I think ya be worse off with the alternative. Miserable 'nd feelin' locked up in that house, or off somewhere who knows where tryin' to prove ya can solo it.

[It wasn't nothing, it meant a lot that she decided still to help him after what he did. She was clearly a much better person than he was and Remy would always be grateful she had been there to save his ass. God knows what would had happened if Rogue hadn't stepped back in when she did. He and Jean-Luc would most likely be six feet under by now. Hell! Who was he kidding? The Assassins would had just thrown their bodies to the 'gators, they would had just vanished.]

Donno how long ya been here cherie, mais maybe time to get of tha high horse of yas.

[Rogue's eyes widened in surprise at his response -- she had been retreading old ground, treating him like he was new, and not expecting such an impassioned defense of his actions. Especially not to what she considered a mild jibe about how little fun had been had in New Orleans. That told her two things:

1) It wasn't nothing to him, like she'd thought.
2) Gambit was an absolute ass. This was public, and these were not things she wanted known, and oh Gawd, now she was going to have to explain this to Loki, and probably to Tony, and it would only look worse if she slapped a filter on it now, damn him.

...3) 'High horse' her ass.]

We don't know a damn thing about what I would have chosen. [Her tone was... okay, yes. It was a little angry. But it was more firm than hollaring.] I told you then to save it, that you'd done the right thing for the wrong reason. I haven't changed my mind. [She'd been willing to move on, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to refer to it when he started talking about messing with minds or that she wouldn't try to get a read on him for what had happened... Gawd knows why, but it all still stung. Maybe it was because he didn't remember, so she'd started with what she knew. And then he had to go and twist it.] But don't you pretend to me like that was, for one minute, about me. You wanna move on from there, actin' like it was some big act of charity sure as hell ain't the way to do it.

[And you know what? Book slam. Because screw you and talking to you over a public network anyway.

...but you know what else? She's going to be at the Good Spirits anyway. Because there was an unfinished conversation and she'd promised him a drink, and Rogue did keep her promises. And because there's something about him... he might not have been packed in a box and left at her shop door this time, but Rogue still felt responsible to make sure he was up on his feet here, or at least point him in the right direction. So if Remy makes it to the bar within a half hour of this conversation, Rogue will be there nursing a Pepsi.]

[Remy had to laugh. Rogue was right, he was an ass, but in his defense he had no idea that these conversations could be seen by others. Ah well, the sooner people realized he was a jerk, the easier it was to keep going through life, no one to rely on him then. Ah well, her slamming the book close was for the best as he really didn't want to go into it much more either.]

[In saying that, he had been walking for awhile, and the forest was clearing to reveal the town which... god, he was stuck in another hick town. And he thought Bayville was bad. He may as well try the bar Rogue talked about, maybe be able to scam a drink or two out of someone since he had no money on him. The trek through town was interesting, it gave him a starting picture of what the the area looked like. Remy hadn't even begun to figure out what he was going to do when night came, without a place to sleep or money to support himself. He would wing it, see what happened, as normal.]

[Avoiding to elude too much attention from others, or get into a conversation with someone he didn't know, Remy eventually sauntered his way up into the bar, pushing that half hour limit Rogue had originally given him. He was looking a little worse for wear but not showing that it bothered him. He would need to grab something to clean up the scratches, didn't want anything getting infected. Ha! The last thing he needed. Abducted by alien mad scientists. Losing a chunk of memory. And in the middle of who the hell knows where with no one he trusted. Great times.]

[Rogue was debating leaving the bar. After all, she had no plans on waiting around for him all night, and she now had no reason to think he'd be showing up, considering the way their conversation had ended. She wasn't even sure why she was waiting for him. But she was.

The door opened behind her and Rogue turned. Gambit. And she still had no idea what she was doing. Great. Oh well, time to play it cool.

She turned all the way around and rested her elbows on the bar behind her in a pose that would probably allow Gambit to catalogue all the differences these past three years had made. She gave him a wry shake of her head and a small quirk of her lips as if to say: Let's just start over.]

Look what the cat dragged in.

[Well look at that, she was a woman of her word and... certainly more a woman than the last time he saw her. Just how long had she been stuck in this place? The journal image did not do her justice.] Surprised ya still here, after that little show.

[Making his way towards her, Remy took the time to give her a decent once over. This was not the sulky little teen he had gotten to know in New Orleans, no longer hiding behind that thick mask of make up or hunched over poses to try and protect her from the world. Sure, the anger and attitude was still there, but this was not that same old Rogue.]

[Remy let out a weary chuckle before offering her a smile.] Ya ain't the Rogue from Bayville.

[Well. She certainly felt that perusal like a touch. The fact that she responded to it annoyed her. She was a taken woman. Very, very taken. But she was also alive. And Gambit was shirtless (if a little worse for wear). She decided to cut herself some slack.]

'Course not. [She gave him a small smile.] You know I've always been from Mississippi.

[It was a bad joke, but a bad joke was better than no joke, and Rogue needed to say something to ground herself in the middle of her conflicted motivations. She tilted her head to the bar stool beside her.] Have a seat.

Edited 2013-11-10 01:37 (UTC)

[Another laugh got loose from him with her joke. Bad, but it was good to break the tension, so he could appreciate it. God knows he always did the same. Better to laugh then deal with anything too seriously.] Merci

[Getting himself situated on the seat next to her, Remy crossed his arms to lean forward on the bar.] What's good here? [Hopefully something strong.]

[Rogue swung back around, her movements deliberately casual. She felt a little jumpy and she kind of hated the explaining part. She told herself to just... concentrate on what joy she could get out of this and what needed to be done, but it was kind of hard to do while he was half naked next to her.]

I hear the Romulan Ale is strong enough ta make Wolverine drunk. But the bartenders tend ta keep that stuff locked away. [She waved the bartender over.] Why don't you start out with a bourbon. You're gonna need some brain cells left in there ta hear what I've gotta say.

[Welcome to Mayberry.]

[Any comment regarding the ale was cut short as Rogue brought up the situation. Dropping his face into his hands, Remy vigorously rubbed his palms against his face and sighed.] Rather just get drunk 'nd let future me worry 'bout it. [But that wasn't a smart move.]

Ok, give me the basics, worry 'bout rest later. Got aliens, half-assed powers, prisoners of this place. What else?

The basics are kinda complicated. [Rogue brought up one hand to her forehead and massaged her temple for a moment, before asking the barkeeper to add some whiskey to her Pepsi. She might as well have a little comfort for telling these stories, even if it was only Southern Comfort.]

The world's some kind of sinkhole. It pulls people from all kindsa worlds and all kind of places. Some of them will be from worlds that leaked into ours in things like comic books an' TV shows and I wouldn't mention it to them -- they get sensitive.

[That's a rabbit trail, but it's too late now. Where was she going with this again? She is so terrible at explaining this place.]

So the whole parallel universes merde be true? [Yup, he needs a drink for this. Raising a hand to motion to the bartender.] Double bourbon 'nd coke.

'nd for some reason, we all get wings out of this. [Remy glanced back at his own as he said this, eyeing them with contempt before taking a curious glance at her own back.]

Yeah. [To both questions.] You'd best watch 'em. They'll be sore for a couple of days, but you don't wanna get them injured. [She gave an imperceptible shudder.] Trust me on that one.

Pretty sure don't want to get any part of me injured. [Remy shot a grin in her direction as he moved to rest his chin in one hand, his elbow now propped up on the bar top.]

Ok. So... we're here to be, what? Observed? ...experimented on? [He made a face at the last comment, really hoping it wasn't true.]

Edited 2013-11-10 03:09 (UTC)

[Rogue tugged a little on the fine gold chain around her neck. The large emerald pendant that hung from it was currently tucked inside her shirt, but talking about experimentation made her want the physical comfort of holding it. She tugged it out of her relatively (for her) modest neckline and rolled it between her fingers.]

That's why they keep us in the enclosures. There are a whole bunch of them. Just about everyone with this world with small wings was yanked in here at one point or another; big wings mean they were born here. There's a whole story there too but for now -- experiments. The official story is that they're tryin' to master the 'Shifts' that brought us here, but I think they're just sick in the head. Don't worry, though - they're not usually the kind that put you on the lab table. It's been things like... thought bubbles, or love experiments, or... makin' us think we're someone else.

[It wasn't exactly comforting, but she knew what mutants thought of when they heard experimentation. She thought it was important that he knew it wasn't usually like that. Not unless the Rogue Malnosso got you.]

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