InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Who's scruffy-looking??"

Rogue (nosouthernbelle) wrote in no_good_deed,
@ 2010-12-12 19:59:00

Entry tags:

complete, continued, old pc: gambit, rogue, storm

It was a one eyed, one horned, giant purple people eater
Who: Rogue, Remy, Ororo
What: A purple mutant, a murder, and a revelation
When: Backdated to 12/8. A Continuation of this
Where: The Maple leaf Bar in New Orleans
Rating: PG13 for violence and language.

"Perhaps," the mutant said very slowly, "we have overstayed our welcome." The thought seemed to surprise him, his brows elevating slightly. "How curious it is to suggest these people are all innocent and would have done nothing to provoke what has transpired here. I would think you sympathetic to my plight. To our plight." He looked now to Rogue and the man whose hand she held. "Even the ugliest monsters can hide behind the prettiest of faces."

She was not one to cry. In fact, any time she was feeling too much of anything it was usually expressed in anger.

Rogue was very angry now.

She'd spent seven years trying to blend in, to be a normal human woman, to try and forget mutants even existed. And here was this guy, come strolling into her bar and stirring everything up. She was shaking, she was so angry. With Wayland's hand limp in hers, Rogue knew he was dead. She got to her feet, hands balled into fists. The skin between her knuckles itched and she had the urge to launch herself at the mutant. "Get. Out."

The mutant said nothing. In fact, he looked at her in the same manner he'd looked at Remy just moments before. "I shall tell you both a secret. This skin is not my only gift." He lifted his chin in pride and defiance, and every motion in the room stopped. Rogue felt herself unable to move. The mutant walked slowly away from the bar, over inanimate bodies, broken glass. He steepled his fingers together, surveying the damage his men had done. They also watched him with obvious reserve.

"When I was a little child, I realized that I could exercise control over the blood in my body. Naturally it was helpful should my foot fall asleep or if I had an injury. But as I grew and realized that it was not only my blood that I could control, I found myself wanting to control other people. For that very reason, I was one of the very first in line to take the Cure." He paused in his slow stroll, looking down at Wayland's body. Lifting a hand, the blood on Wayland's face rose and beaded in the air before him. He watched it a moment, then touched the blood. It soaked into his skin almost immediately.

"Three weeks ago I went to bed as a human man. When I woke up, the sleek black hair I knew to be mine was snow white. Within seven hours my skin took on a blue, dead tint. Eventually it became the shade you see here now. And then came the blood lust." He walked to the other side of Remy, looking him over now. "It must be very frustrating to not be in control. Here you simply cannot move. Imagine how I felt when I could not control my need for possession."

He turned now, looking at the three men he'd brought in with him. "A telepath, a power sympathetic, and an empathetic forger walked into a bar..." He trailed off, amused by his own words. "They do not work for me, so I beg you spare them no ill will. They have no choice because I control their every movement." He moved once more, looking between Remy and Rogue. "It has been very useful, having these three with me." His eyes glinted wickedly. "You can imagine the things I already know about you, thanks to my men. But enough of my villainous ramblings. You have asked us to leave, and so we shall. In a moment." He looked at Remy. "A pity my telepath cannot get a very good read on you. I would have liked to know more."

He sighed heavily. "Tonight has been but a preview of what is to come. Perhaps when I let you move you will kill me. Perhaps you will stay exactly where you are because you know what I can do, what I can make others do to you. Whatever it is you decide to do is of little matter." The mutant sat back down in his seat and picked up the drink that had miraculously avoided damage. He looked at Rogue. "We were not meant to be hidden, and we were not meant to be cured. If you fuck with evolution, it will find a way to fuck you back."

Whatever he'd done to them to make them unable to move, it was lifted. And as soon as Rogue knew she had control of her body once more, she launched herself at the purple mutant.

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

chargecard
2010-12-15 07:55 am UTC (link)

It seemed like the police, for the time being at least, were content with just taking the unconscious mutant into custody, and he moved closer to the bar. It was probably best to stay close to one of the few employees of the establishment who hadn't run screaming when the mayhem started. He gave Anna a concerned look when she quietly noted that she understood the feeling. He started to ask her if she wanted to elaborate (though he was pretty sure she'd say no), but she froze up and stared at the door.

He turned his head and raised an eyebrow as a woman, who he assumed was a detective from the way she moved through the mayhem, walked toward them. If all of the detectives with the NOPD were as good looking as she was, maybe he wouldn't put up a fight if he did get called in for questioning. Anna asked if there was a storm, and he tilted his head to look out the window. It was a strange question to ask, and he didn't have time to answer before the detective was addressing Anna. As Rogue.

Remy opened his mouth to correct the woman, then snapped it shut again when Anna actually answered to it. Well. Clearly, there was something going on that he wasn't a part of. He turned to the bar and poked through a basket of peanuts, not listening in on their conversation. Not at all. Not even a little bit. What did Anna have to be sorry about?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudy_eyes
2010-12-15 03:11 pm UTC (link)

Ororo was very aware of the officers still in the room. She would glance back to make sure that they were not paying attention to her or to Rogue. As to the question of how she found her, her lips tugged into a small smile. "Finding you wasn't easy, but necessary."

The officers seemed to be filing out which worked fine for her. Leaning forward she prepared to lower her voice when she heard Rogue apologize. Her eyes flickered down to her hand and up to her face again. "Sorry for what? It seems I'm the one that has interrupted something here. I only hope that's a good thing. Is there, somewhere we can speak privately? Just for a moment."

Rogue was an adult and in the end it was her decision. She wasn't going to just toss her into the car and head off to the jet with her. It wasn't the same as when they had first met. She wasn't being hunted and even if she needed rescuing, there came a point where if you were asked to let someone handle their own life, you had to do so.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

nosouthernbelle
2010-12-15 03:43 pm UTC (link)

It was a slow process as the bar cleared. Most people were being brought out to be checked over by the paramedics but some were lagging behind to give one last officer their statement. Said officer glanced over to the bar with meaning, letting Rogue and Remy know that they would not be leaving until he'd had a chance to speak with both of them.

Rogue looked at the officer now. "Just duckin' out back to the break room for a minute, Pete." He was a regular on his nights off and Rogue knew he'd be all right with her disappearing for a moment. The officer nodded and finished with his notes. Remy would be his next target. "Don't go anywhere, okay?" Her question was for Remy now, quiet. "Be right back." She nodded her head in the direction of the back room, indicating that Storm should follow her.

She stepped carefully over the broken glass and absently wondered how long they would have to close down this time? There had been brawls and incidents before, but never anything like this. Especially not on her shift. Harry was going to kill her. "There goes my job," she muttered, pushing the swinging door to the break room open. She untied her apron and tossed it angrily into the corner. Turning, she leaned against the manager's desk and crossed her arms over her chest.

She took the time to really look at Ororo now, and she couldn't help but smile slightly. "Been a long time," she offered quietly. "Somethin' tells me this ain't a social call." Her smile faded. "What's happening, Ro?" It was a little strange to call her by the nickname she'd heard Logan and the other older X-Men call her before, but she felt like she had to refrain from calling her Storm for the time being.

"That mutant you saw out there bein' rolled out? He got the Cure. He said he was one of the first in line but obviously it ain't workin' on him no more." Needing something to do, she unwrapped her hand and went for the first aid kit to see how she could clean up the cut and the blood all over her hand. "Don't think I'm not glad to see you, but I feel like you're here to tell me somethin' I don't wanna hear."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

chargecard
2010-12-15 07:37 pm UTC (link)

Remy nodded at the officer when he gave him that very specific, going to have to talk to you type look. At least it didn't seem like they were taking anyone but the purple man anywhere. That was good. The white-haired woman requested that she and Anna find a more private place to talk, and Remy turned again. There were things he'd wanted to ask Anna about, but it was looking more and more like that was something that just wasn't going to happen.

Leaning back against the bar, Remy watched the officer... Pete interviewed another witness. Anna's quiet voice beside him drew his attention away from the officer, and he nodded. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Anna and the other woman disappeared into the back somewhere, and Remy was left surveying the damage again. A quick search of the bar revealed his drink still intact, and he picked it up again and downed what was left, then waved off a paramedic who was itching to get a look at him. He was picking through the food he'd ordered, trying to figure out what was still edible, when policeman Pete came up to him, notepad in hand.

"Sir, we'll need a statement." Remy gave him a thumbs-up, trying not to convey just how much he disliked the fact that he was standing less than two feet away from a cop. Reaching for the plate, he held it out and offered, "Popper?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudy_eyes
2010-12-15 07:58 pm UTC (link)

Ororo wasn't sure what she missed, but at least one mutant was now going to be under arrest when all he might have needed was help. The comment to the officer only proved that Rogue had a new life. One she was settled in, and most likely didn't want disrupted. By her or by a failed 'cure'.

With a nod in reply she followed Rogue back through the swinging doors and unbuttoned the single button of her jacket in an effort to relax slightly in a situation that seemed more charged than she was hoping for. "You look well." She answered the smile, even if Rogue's stance was more defensive than inviting.

She let her speak first, and closed her eyes briefly hearing about the mutant. He probably had a flare from the cure failing. There was no telling what his mental state was. When she opened her eyes again she stepped forward to take the kit from her. "Let me. Is this usual at work?"

It wasn't an important question, considering what she was there for. "You are right, it's not a social call. Not that we don't all miss you, but it's your life and I'm not here to take you from the life you've built. Not by force anyway."

She set the kit down and held out a hand for Rogue's injured one. "The cure, is wearing off. In stages, in flares. I was worried for you. I felt you deserved at least a warning. The school, is seeing more students that had taken the cure and need help. It's open for you, you know that. It will always be your home should you need it."

She opened a cleaning cloth that was wet with disinfectant. "I have not heard if they will find a fix for the cure or not. We are trying to find out for those that need or want it. For now all we can do is what we have been doing. Keeping room in a safe place for people to deal with their flare ups."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

nosouthernbelle
2010-12-16 04:12 pm UTC (link)

Rogue hesitated momentarily when Ororo offered to help with her wound, and for different reasons. She'd gotten so used to taking care of herself that the offer of help was practically foreign to her. That, and she was afraid of what touching Ororo's skin would do to her. Ultimately she offered her hand, holding her breath as she did. When they touched and nothing happened, she let go of a breath of relief. Maybe that feeling had come from the other mutant after all. Maybe she was just paranoid.

"Thanks," she replied quietly at the compliment. "You do, too. Can't believe how long it's been." That guilty feeling just wouldn't go away, try to ignore it as she may. "Is this usual?" She chuckled. "Not most night, so. We get a fight or two now an' then when someone's had too much to drink but nothin' we can't handle usually." Her lips pursed. "This...this is not usual." Rogue shook her head, idly watching Ororo clean her hand. "That mutant killed one of my regulars."

She listened to the news about the cure, nodding and feeling like a fist had tightened around her throat. It was comforting to know people still thought about her. There was a wild urge to ask after Bobby and Logan, but Rogue pushed thoughts of their well-being aside for the moment. "I had a dream last night. Not a dream, really. More like a memory." For the first time since Ororo had begun looking at her hand, Rogue looked her in the eyes. "It was one of Bobby's memories. Nothin' he ever told me about so I know..." She trailed off and wet her lips. "I don't wanna go back to bein' a pariah, Ro. I like bein' able to touch people. I like not havin' to cover myself up all the time like some kinda leper."

She frowned. "If I go back to the mansion I'm gonna be looked at like some sort of traitor. it's why I left in the first place."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudy_eyes
2010-12-16 05:16 pm UTC (link)

Ororo was well aware that there was a chance there would already be problems with skin to skin contact. She also knew that to shy away would simply make things worse. She just assumed if it was an issue, she or Rogue would be able to pull away quickly.

Luckily it wasn't an issue and she concentrated on cleaning the wound and checking on the damage. It didn't appear to need stitches. A ghost of a smile at the compliment and she grabbed the gauze for her hand. "I'm sorry, do you know why the man attacked here?"

Finishing the bandage she looked up at her. It was happening, it was possibly only luck that it was simply memories so far, but she knew that could be damaging enough. She remembered the Professor having headaches when it got to be too much and of course Jean's flare up. Control and the mental wear and tear could be so much worse than a physical manifestation. "I know you do." She answered softly.

Letting go of her hand she shook her head. "Rogue, no one thinks you a traitor. They miss you, and not everyone may understand your choice, or even agree with it, but we learn to respect it. To be honest, you would not be the only one to return after the cure gave way. But, as I said, I am not here to force you. Only offer you help if you wish to take it. That and, we do miss you." She added with a smile.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

nosouthernbelle
2010-12-16 07:02 pm UTC (link)

With her hand cleaned and taken care of, Rogue offered a smile of thanks and wiggled her fingers. "I'm pretty sure he came in here a suicide mission. You know how every now and then you hear about people doin' suicide by cop? Got the feelin' it was somethin' like that. He hated who he was an' figured if he pissed enough people off, someone would do him a favor." She glanced at the door, out through the small circular window into the bar. "If Remy hadn't knocked him out an' the cops showed up, I might have done what he was lookin' for someone to do."

She wasn't proud to admit it, that much was obvious. But she'd tapped into anger that didn't belong to her. Add to that the memory of someone else's childhood, she could only figure some of the rage came from the dormant Wolverine in her. She'd taken him in twice and both times nearly did him in. If anyone had a stronger hold in her head than anyone else it was him.

Rogue was missed. Why was that so hard for her to accept? "I need to really think about it, Ro. To be honest. I just need a little time to really think it over." She looked up at her, half smiling. "I ain't askin' you to stay while I do it, either. I know you gotta house full of crazy mutants to worry about." Though she wanted very much to ask Ororo to stay. She was familiar and comfortable. And safe.

Doing something completely uncharacteristic, she moved suddenly, pushing herself away from the desk to envelop Ororo in a tight embrace. It was a moment of thinking she might not get the chance to do it again that drove her to it. Right now there was no worry about what could happen if their cheeks brushed or anything. She closed her eyes, feeling like that seventeen-year-old child for the briefest moment. "It's so good to see you."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudy_eyes
2010-12-16 07:56 pm UTC (link)

When she had her own doubts, and believe it or not she did have them, things like this only proved to her that she needed to continue. Regardless of how hard it could be, or how often it seemed like an endless struggle, Charles had a clear goal. She would continue until it could be reached, or she stopped breathing. "You can not blame yourself Rogue. He was struggling, we both know what that is like, and if he was doing so alone, with no hope, he may have not seen another way."

Ororo understood letting emotions get the better of you. If only because she couldn't allow that. Control was so ingrained that even her expressions showed a measure of control. Her smiles were always soft, and barely touching her eyes. Everything was dampened, for safety, for far reaching consequences she could only control by keeping emotions to herself.

"I have some time. The school is being looked after for now." She wouldn't mention by who, as she was still quite surprised that Logan just happened to be in the area to know that the kids might need him. She'd swear that he had his own 'sixth sense' but he'd just snort at her if she mentioned it.

Returning the hug she sighed and let her cheek lay on the top of Rogue's head. "It's good to see you too. You've built yourself one hell of a life here. Not everyone could, you should be proud of yourself." She added softly.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

nosouthernbelle
2010-12-16 08:10 pm UTC (link)

Though she was told not to blame herself this night would be something Rogue played over in her head for awhile to come. She tended to obsess about her character flaws a little too much. And then Ororo was telling her she should be proud of herself for the life she had made. Again she had no words to speak for fear of being overcome with emotion. It was something she avoided with purpose.

Letting Ororo go, she forced a smile. "I should go talk to Pete an' give him my statement. You can meet Remy, too. He may have saved my life tonight."

She held the door open for Ororo to pass through before following her out into the torn apart bar. She pointed subtly toward Remy, watching as the officer he spoke to nodded and wrote something down. "That's him. Found out he was a mutant when he threw some peanuts at the other mutant an' they exploded. Not really sure what that means as far as what he can do goes, but..." She trailed off and shrugged. Pete turned his attention in Rogue's direction and she sighed.

"Guess I better go get this over with an' then give Harry a call. I'll be back."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudy_eyes
2010-12-16 08:33 pm UTC (link)

Ororo let her go and held her arms as she looked her over. It had been awhile and the changes were subtle, but what worried her was that look in her eyes. The one that said she was again lost. She hated that she helped put that look there but knew she couldn't live with herself if she didn't attempt to at least warn her. Letting things just possibly flare up and cause problems for her. She had to at least bring her the warning and remind her that she was still considered family. Still welcome. Still had help.

Letting go of her arms she nodded and brushed some stray hair from her forehead. "I'd love to meet him." She wasn't sure what part of her life Remy was, but meeting anyone in Rogue's life would be nice. So she turned and headed out. "Remy is a mutant? Does he know. . " She left it at that. It was probably not any of her business. Neither was what Remy could do, but she was of course curious.

"Let me know if you need any help." She left Rogue with that before walking over to Remy and keeping to her feet rather than a stool at the bar. "You must be Remy, I'm Ororo." She offered.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

chargecard
2010-12-17 03:12 am UTC (link)

Policeman Pete seemed like a nice enough guy, and Remy recounted the story between bites of the sampler platter. It wasn't a particularly difficult story to recount, and the conversation strayed a little bit... well, a lot. By the time Anna and the white haired woman came out from wherever they had been, Remy was giving Pete the name of the mechanic who worked on his bike. Pete was having some suspension issues.

Remy and the officer both glanced up as Anna and the other woman approached, and Remy shook the man's hand and thanked him, which was definitely something that Emil would find absolutely hilarious later.

Still leaning against the bar, Remy poked through the remainders of the cold platter. When he noticed the woman approaching, he straightened up and smiled.

"Must be," he agreed, holding a hand out. "Pleasure to meet you, Ororo. You a friend of Anna's, I take it?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

riding_the_wind
2010-12-18 01:58 pm UTC (link)

Taking the hand that was offered Ororo shook his hand, her grip was gentle. Subtly she took in the man before her, wondering how long Marie had known him. "Anna?" Her brows furrowed a bit, was he talking about Marie? Storm decided to go along with it. "Yes, I've known for for quite sometime."

Still she did not sit down, after what happened here tonight who was to say it was over yet? "So, I hear you.. threw peanuts at our purple friend."

She'd never heard someone throwing exploding food as a power before and she was thankful Logan wasn't present. "If I may be so bold, what is it you can do exactly?"

The entire time she was speaking with him she kept a wary eye on Marie in case she would by chance need her help. Even still she wasn't that timid little girl she was Ororo couldn't help but have a motherly sort of protection over her. She'd still see that girl that wore that green cloak in her class and that made her smile inside.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

chargecard
2010-12-18 06:37 pm UTC (link)

Remy glanced over at Anna when Ororo questioned the name. It seemed like a small slip in the woman's composition, and Remy tucked that little tidbit of info away for some point in the future when he could step back and process everything that was happening. She said she'd known her for a while, but she didn't seem to know her name... which was a little bit strange.

"Oui," he nodded, trying not to get too suspicious of the woman. As a general rule, he was wary of discussing his powers in public. Went back to the whole being captured and tested on chunk of his life. He was even more wary of discussing them with complete strangers, especially ones who marched in and had private conversations with witnesses then immediately started asking questions.

"I do many things," he replied, smile still on his face. Until she gave him reason to, he wasn't going to give her a straight answer. "Most don't involve throwing snacks."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

riding_the_wind
2010-12-23 01:27 pm UTC (link)

There was something familiar about him, his name rung a bell with her, but she couldn't quite place it. She decided to go out on a limb, he was a mutant so it wouldn't hurt. "Do.." She had to quickly correct herself. "Did you know Professor Charles Xavier?"

For a moment a look of sadness crossed her face. There were still times she forgot he was gone and those were the ones that hurt the most.

She could tell he was uncomfortable and that was not what she wanted at all. "I apologize for being so.. forward. That's information that should be shared if you wished to provide it, not asked for. I should know better, especially in these times."

Storm finally took the stool beside him, though far enough away that she didn't invade his personal space. "I have to thank you though, for coming to Anna's aid. Many wouldn't of gotten involved." She nearly called her Marie but caught herself.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -