You know, I was expectin’ this t’ be all kinds of weird, but it’s been real nice. Who: Belle Boudreaux and Remy LeBeau Where: out and about What: chatting, playing pool When: after this pm Warnings/Rating: pg-13 Status complete
Remy, true to his word, was at the snowball stand in fifteen minutes, figuring he’d wait to order until Belladonna got there. He’d found this place after a wrong turn off the main drag in La Habra, and now he came back at least once a week. He liked living here for the most part, but home was home. And at least because of the dreams, Belladonna was Belladonna. He chose to think of her as an ex - hopefully one with which he could have a decent friendly relationship.
Belle saw him as an interesting link between the real world and her dreams, but primarily she saw him as an interesting person she’d like to get to know. She was whistling a cheerful tune when she stepped in. She liked to make an impression on people, and though her dress came down almost to her knees it hugged her curves and looked sexy. She smiled at Remy, a bit embarrassed that she could pick him out of the lineup with little trouble.
Of course, after their dreams she could pick his ass out of a lineup without seeing his face, so maybe that wasn’t so strange. She waved as she made her way over to him.
Remy saw her as she waved, waving right back with a smile. “Hey. How you doin’, mam’selle? You find the place okay?”
“I did.” She said with a grin. “I’m doin’ alright, how ‘boucha self?” She got in line, assuming he would follow her.
He did, standing behind her. “Ain’t complainin’. Work drivin’ me crazy, but the money’s good, so I can put up with it.” He kind of hoped she didn’t ask what he did, though. It was kind of embarrassing, in truth.
Which was why she immediately asked, “What’s your job?” She had a good enough cover in Winston, and she wanted to know what the man who dreamed of being a master thief did for a living.
Dammit. Remy laughed, shamefaced. “You gonna laugh.” She knew him, even if technically it wasn’t him. “Friend got me a job with a porn company. I just do sound, though, ain’t on camera.”
He was right. Belle laughed loudly at that, and for a while as well. It was just too funny. “Oh, Dieu, I hope you’re like the version of you in the dreams, it’s a perfect job for him.” Well, beside casting all the lovely ladies for the movies. She figured he’d be pretty good at that, too. Ah, but it was a sad thing that he was married.
“Yeah?” Anything to get off that. He was happy to be married, but he didn’t want Belle to think ill of him. “Dream me was one for les femmes? Or just one for a lotta sex?”
“Dunno about other ladies, but I’d assume that’s the case. Just that you’re enthusiastic and considerate of others’ needs.” She smiled sweetly, like she wasn’t discussing how good someone else’s husband was in bed. “But I imagine you don’t wanna talk about that too much, and I’d rather skip the rest of it myself. How’d you get int’ that kind of work?”
“Well, I am glad to know I ain’t some asshole in the dreams, at least.” Small favors? The line moved up, and Remy shifted his weight from foot to foot. “How’d I get into the work? Well. When I got the dreams, I got colorblind.” It didn’t bother him half as much now as it used to. “Got fired from the old job - did demolitions for the films, but can’t do it too good if you don’ know what wire to cut. Un ami hooked me up with this gig doing sound.”
“Really? I didn’t know that. I’m sorry t’ hear that.” She meant it, too. Color was one of her favorite things. She always dreamed of having a nice garden full of bright, colorful plants. “At least you have a fun job. Mine’s a lot of runnin’ around.” They were next in line and Belle eagerly examined the flavors. “Oooh, lime.”
“Apparently I got similar problems to Scott Summers, who maybe you ain’t met yet.” He had no idea. “Scott sees tout le monde in red. And speakin’ of red, I always get cherry.” Remy grinned.
She ordered her snowball and Remy’s, paying before he got the chance. She had the money to burn. “I’ve met Scott. I work with his wife.” It was the safest response. “Still not sure how t’ read his expressions.”
Remy saw her pay, and jokingly snapped a finger. “Ain’t many faster than ol’ Gambit.” But he smiled, and nodded a thank you before answering. “Scott’s all right. I ain’t met his wife personally.” He’d heard she was a huge bitch, actually, but he kept the thought to himself. “So you work for ol’ man Frost, then?”
Belle smirked at him. “Don’t suppose there are many faster than you.” But this time she was. In response to his comment about not meeting Scott’s wife Belle rolled her eyes. “She’s a bitch, you ain’t missin’ much. Her dad’s just like her, but he’s my boss so I like him a little better.” She chuckled a little. “I’m his personal assistant.”
Remy laughed at that. “I was just thinkin’ that I heard that, but I was gonna be a gentleman and not say so.” They got their snowballs and walked away from the counter, Remy taking delight in turning his tongue blood red. “We done stuff together, that family and me, but I only ever said ten words to her. Scott at least gets down to business.”
Belle shrugged. “She ain’t my business, and I’m sure she’s got a redeemin’ quality somewhere, bless her heart, but after puttin’ me in some man’s body for a week I ain’t gonna get t’ be her best friend anytime soon.” She crunched on the ice from her snowball, smiling despite the annoying subject they were on. “How’s it feel t’ be married?”
“Uh oh, you gettin’ Southern on the woman.” Remy laughed delightedly. Southern women said ‘bless her heart’ when they really wanted to say ‘fuck that bitch.’ “Things is good, actually. All my friends givin’ me shit about gettin’ hitched, but it was the right call. Candy been there through all the dreams and the changes and stuff, and she never batted un seul eyelash.”
“That’s important.” Belle said with a nod, taking a seat. “I don’t talk about mine much with anyone, but I got a couple people I could, if I wanted. Mostly I just wanna forget ‘em.”
“That’s fair too.” He sat down across from her, crunching on his snowball. “I didn’t wanna know fuck-all about ‘em, but then it got too much, I had to know.” He shrugged. “Met Scott. Met a coupla others. At this point I rather be with people who know what this shit is, than be alone. But that’s only me.” He didn’t judge anyone for being different.
Belle nodded. “You’re the only one I dream of that’s actually around. I mean, there’s X-men ‘n’ Avengers and shit, but it’s not like I knew any of ‘em in the dream.” She shrugged.
“Yeah? There’s a lotta people I knew in the dreams here, but I never saw you again after I got run outta town.” He didn’t want to talk about Julien, and looked away. “You should meet Logan, if you ain’t yet; he’s hilarious.”
Belle snorted. “I met him before.” He was wandering, she was lonely, it had worked out for a couple hours. “Not really my type, but I can see the appeal.” She finished her treat and threw the paper cone away. “I dreamed about everything up to and right after the weddin’. Hafta say the earlier dreams were harder. My-” She looked down at her hands, feeling lost for a moment. She had to talk about this, really talk about it with someone she wasn’t afraid to scare away. “My brother never laid a hand on me, here. That part was the worst. Didn’t dream of it directly, thank God, but. . . I didn’t cry for him in the dreams. Not for a moment.”
It was awful, but hearing that actually made Remy feel better. He looked at her, sighing. “I got that one pretty early on. And I been beatin’ myself up since then. To know I killed him.” He looked down. “I’s damn glad your brother didn’t do rien here, but to leave you in the dreams damn near kill me. Killed me.” His English slipped a little when he was upset or not thinking.
“I thought I’d die of sadness.” Belle admitted. “I- I’ve never loved like the woman in the dreams. It was hard for me t’ understand at first, and when I dreamed of you leavin’ it hurt so much I couldn’t help but feel it afterward.” She rubbed her chest, remembering that sinking feeling she’d felt in the dreams. “These dreams are powerful things.”
“C’est vrai.” Remy looked down. “I felt so lost and alone.” Even when he’d had a job, even when he’d had friends and lovers. “Scared me.”
“Me too. I have a roommate, we used t’ be lovers, but she’s got another girl now. She tried t’ tell me about her dreams and I just couldn’t understand ‘em. Don’t think she’d understand mine, either. Guess you gotta be there.” Belle sighed. “I used my powers a couple days ago. I’m glad I didn’t have time t’ think about it then, I’d’a lost my shit f’r sure.”
“Can’t imagine it.” Remy made a face. “I got the little stuff first - the colorblind, the bulkin’ up. Only later did I get the chargin’ stuff, after I dreamt it. Merci-Dieu, I woulda flipped! Or hurt Candy or something.” Still, he did feel bad for her. “You and your roommate, you still friends at least?”
She nodded. “Oh yeah. We both know it was for the best. She’s good people, I’d be lost without her.” Talking about Vanille lightened Belle’s mood a little, and she looked up from her hands. “She’s goin’ through some shit too, it’s all just pilin’ up, or that’s what it feels like, anyway.”
“Oui? Shit.” Remy shook his head. “I like livin’ here. There’s good stuff about it, but the dreams is so hard on some people. I kinda feel lucky, given some of the people’s stories I heard before. At least you two got each other to lean on. And you said she gotta girlfriend; you got anybody?” It wasn’t meant to be rude, just curious. Keeping a lover did provide a great distraction, if nothing else.
Belle couldn’t help the very satisfied smirk that crossed her face when she thought of Nicholas as her lover. “Maaaaaybe. Hard t’ say.” Her smugness said volumes on the subject.
Remy snickered. “Which means yes. Ain’t gonna fool nobody with that look, woman.” He finished his snowball, crunching the paper cone into a ball. “I just hope he or she makes you happy.”
She laughed loudly. “Apparently he does.” What the hell, she might as well enjoy it while she had it. She wanted to cherish these memories forever. “His name is Nicholas. He’s a little like you, not that I did that intentionally. Tall, dark hair, bit’ve a joker. Dunno what we got, but it’s a lot of fun and I’m enjoyin’ it.”
“Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s all you can do, oui.” Remy smiled.
She nodded. “We should get movin’ if we’re gonna go out and do somethin’ together. The bars’ll be full up soon, won’t have room t’ breathe.”
“C’est vrai; what you have in mind? There’s some good spots I have in mind, if you wanna go shoot pool or something.”
“I’m kind of curious to see how good you are at pool. You ever heard that quote that’s somethin’ about being good at pool is a sign of a misspent youth?” She stood up again, smiling brightly at Remy.
“I have indeed.” Remy chuckled, following suit. “And I used to make a living at pool” - and a couple other pursuits - “off tourists in the Quartier. I might be un peu rusty though.”
“That’ll give me a chance, then.” She said with a wink.
“Eh, I bet you better than you think.” Remy grinned. “All us quarter rats are.” And she was one, even if only honorarily.
She laughed. “I’m pretty good, but I lost the last game I played. And the one before that, come t’ think of it.” She’d have to set up a rematch with Tyra at some point. “Where you headed, I’ll meet you there.” She pointed to her SUV, to indicate that she’d driven.
Remy named a place about fifteen minutes away. “They know me, so I gonna have to warn ‘em I ain’t cheating.” He laughed before heading for his car.
She laughed. “Just let ‘em know I’ll be cheatin’ right back.” She said with a wink, before heading to her car.
Remy made it to the bar first, warning the bartender that this was an ex, and not to call Candy. He didn’t talk about any kind of cheating at pool, though. He got a table, waiting for Belle before ordering anything.
Belle wasn’t far behind. She smiled as she walked in and joined Remy at the table. “You want anything t’ drink before we start? I can’t play pool sober.”
"Southern Comfort, yes please." Remy understood that feeling.
Belle laughed and went to the bar. She opened a tab, figuring the loser would pay it. She returned eventually with his Southern Comfort and a beer for herself. “We flippin’ a coin t’ see who breaks?”
“Sure, can do.” Remy produced a quarter, holding it out to her with a laugh so she could see that it was in fact not double-sided or anything. “Heads, I say.”
She nodded and sipped her beer. “I go for tails anyway.” She motioned for him to flip.
Remy did so, flipping it neatly and turning it over onto his hand. “Heads. I’ll break.” He chuckled, going to set it up. “Who you been playin’ with lately, your man? I am sad outta practice.”
“Him an’ a lady friend.” Belle grabbed a cue, examining it for straightness. “Used t’ play a lot more. Don’t ever play against Scott, he’s too damn good at it t’ be human.”
“Summers? Well, he is a mutant. We just don’t know what kind.” Remy cracked, picking up his own cue. “Here goes.” The break was clean, smooth, and he sunk two solids right off. “Ah, merveilleux.”
Belle sighed and took another drink of her beer. “I think he’s part robot.” It was a joke, but after all, “He wears those glasses all the time, you’d never know if he was.”
“He is in the dreams.” Remy hadn’t actually hung out with the man enough in this world to tell one way or the other. “Le deux, corner pocket.” The two-ball obeyed for the most part, but lipped out just at the last second. “Merde.”
Belle smirked, stepping up to the table. “Awww, poor dear.” She winked at him, then turned to examine the table. She was careful to avoid the pocket where Remy’s ball was precariously balanced. She took her shot, nodding in satisfaction as a striped ball fell in and was joined by a friend.
“See, you ain’t so bad.” Remy had to laugh. “It’s a good thing we just playin’ for the tab.”
“We’ll do somethin’ more interestin’ next time.” She promised with a laugh. “Though nothin’ too crazy, I already messed with one man’s wife this month.”
“That so? You sly devil.” Remy watched her shoot again. “Was it that body-changin’ thing? I was so damn glad that didn’t hit me.”
“Yep. When I got back into my body I was face first in the poor lady’s chest.” She motioned toward her own breasts so Remy would get the idea. “Thought she was the lady I’d picked up the night before.”
“Oh, shit.” Remy snickered. “Least you didn’t do anythin’ about it. Somebody would get an ass-whuppin’.” Speaking of. She was clearing the table slowly but surely. “Goddamn, Bella.”
Belle laughed. “Yeah, thank God I woke up before I did somethin’ like pin her to the bed and go for round two.” She shook her head, and smirked at Remy when he noticed how well she was doing. “Sorry you won’t get t’ play again, cher.”
“You a hard woman, chere.” Remy laughed. “Two outta three?”
She sighed. “Yeah, sure. If I scratch on the eight ball I’ll be cryin’ for two outta three myself.” She paused to take a drink of her beer. “You’re lucky I’m not bein’ meaner to you, I like t’ make boys cry.” She winked at him, to show she was being playful.
“Somehow, mam’selle, that don’t surprise me.” Remy snickered again. “I ain’t thinkin’ you suffer fools.”
“Only as long as it takes t’ demonstrate how silly they are.” She smiled at him. “You know, I was expectin’ this t’ be all kinds of weird, but it’s been real nice. You’re a good guy, Remy.”
“I try.” Remy shrugged. “I don’t feel responsible for you or nothing like that, but I dunno, we have a lot of the same memories. If I can help make things less weird, I feel duty bound.”
“Well, I don’t consider you bound t’ me for anything, but I do appreciate the sentiment.” She smiled at him, a soft, genuine smile this time. Then she bumped him with her hip and went back to the pool table. “Now lemme just finish kickin’ your ass.”
"Oui, Madame." Remy laughed. Even if it meant losing at pool, he could get used to this.