Rogue (absorbs) wrote in valloic, @ 2020-10-01 16:50:00 |
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Entry tags: | !: action/thread/log, ₴ inactive: erik lehnsherr, ₴ inactive: rogue |
Exploring GenoshaWARNINGS Nah
Erik didn’t have anything against boats, or sailing in general - but sometimes a little bit of flight was nice, just really getting up there into the sky and soaring. His mastery over his powers meant that he could sort of glide over magnetic fields, or use, say, a large piece of metal as a surfboard in the air - he could also draw himself to metal, but in this case, flight was best.
Even flying over Genosha he could see that there were more shades of green than he could fathom - some were nascent, bright, yet still pale enough to glint from the birdseye view. Others were the deepest green of mid-summer leaves and in between those two was every shade, every hue - some with an undertone of blue, some yellow. It looked exactly like he’d left it and it felt the same too, in terms of temperature - that tropical feel, a light breeze to keep cool and the sun warming everything. He spotted the tops of the coconut trees, along with mango and papaya. Probably passion fruit as well.
He couldn’t imagine going with anyone else besides Rogue, so she’d flown beside him and then they’d landed on the beach - the island was something of a maritime forest, sand dunes made up of beach grass and sea oats protecting a canopy of trees, thickets of all different kinds. As soon as he touched down, he reached for her hand, excited to get a chance to explore together.
“It’s nice out here, isn’t it?” he grinned, and now that things had settled regarding dinosaurs this would be a necessary yet fun little side excursion.
Rogue’s day of running headfirst into danger was behind her so she hadn’t had much dealings with the dinosaurs. Aside from the multitude of paperwork that had come hand in hand with them after everything was said and done. It was a breath of fresh air, a wonderful weight off of her shoulder, to not be in charge of anything more than making sure the correct forms got to the right people on time. While she still had Logan’s healing, Rogue was never certain when that might run out, and the last thing she ever wanted to do was leave Anka Irene alone in the world. Staying out of the insanity was her new go-to.
But she took hold of Erik’s hand when he reached for hers, glancing around at the island they had landed on. She’d heard a bit about it, but actually seeing the place, feeling the sand beneath her feet was an entirely different experience.
“It’s beautiful,” she told him as she shielded her gaze with one hand, not too sure which part to focus on first.
“And it looks like there’s some good climbin’ trees here so Anka Irene’ll like that.” The next time that they came, after they made sure everything was safe and in order, they could bring the little girl and let her explore.
She could imagine her daughter tumbling up and down the sand dunes, running around the different paths that Rogue could spot among the trees. It would be a nice place to come to. Especially if this temperature kept up once it got cold on Vallo proper.
One of those paths leading into the thicket of trees seemed to be the best place to start, so that’s where Erik head, clasping Rogue’s hand and his fingers laced with hers. “Hopefully the climbing trees make up for a lack of dinosaurs,” he teased, though he knew he’d end up building something for Anka Irene regardless - maybe a dinosaur-themed cart she could ride around in, though he assumed a lot of her exploring would include bamfing every which way to really see the sights.
Genosha wasn’t a particularly large island, but it wasn’t ridiculously tiny either - it was big enough to suit his purposes back home, when it came to creating sort of a mutant safe haven, and it wouldn’t take them terribly long to cover all the ground. “I’m mostly curious if the house I built ended up here,” he added. “I’m hoping it did. It would be nice to have everything there for us, if we ever want to get away.” He’d go in that direction, anyway, and they could sightsee along the way.
The climbing trees would have to make up for the lack of dinosaurs because Rogue wasn’t dealing with the dang things again. They were a damn nuisance and one she was happy to have left behind in Texas. She’d go for getting a dog again before dealing with the creatures that had gone extinct for a reason.
Her gaze softened at the rest of what he said though, glancing around to try and get a look for where the house he had made might be located. She could have reached out with her own version of his powers to try and locate it, but held back, wanting to let Erik show it to her. “I reckon it’d be nice to have a place to go to for a break from the city every so often.”
Especially with the beach and trees. It was a nice, little oasis. “Why did you pick this island though? Back home, I mean.”
“Well, it was partly due to the U.S. government,” Erik snorted, and it was clear that there was no lost love between them - disdain practically rolled off him in waves. “It was originally a small, uninhabited island off the east coast though rich with potential for growing food and harboring a sustainable community. The deal was that they’d give it to me, it’d be for mutants only, but I was to never leave.”
And of course he’d taken the deal - all he wanted was to be left alone anyway, especially after Nina and Magda were killed and the dust from the debacle with Apocalypse had settled. Of course, trouble always found him, didn’t it?
He paused to examine a tree with sea grapes hanging above them; small trees, gangly and sprawling - the fruit itself was mostly pit, but could be eaten as is or used for jelly. The bark of the tree was good for ailments affecting the throat. “Raven and Charles helped locate mutants in need,” he went on. “And it sort of came together after that. But here - “
Erik glanced at Rogue, eyebrows lifting imploringly. “I should open it up to other Outlanders, shouldn’t I?”
She hadn’t expected to hear that it was the US government that had a hand in all of this. Though, Rogue supposed it did make some sense. If it got him off their claimed soil and restricted his movements to one area they would probably feel safer. All the while having their own weapons trained on the island, ready to attack at a moment’s notice. Or at least that’s how it would have gone in her own world. Maybe his was a little better in that regard. She doubted it though, not with how events usually transpired for mutantkind.
“Ya probably should open it up to the others,” Rogue agreed, as she took in the nature around them. It was different from the northern shores of New York and even the southern banks of the Mississippi that she’d grown up with. It reminded her a bit of the Carolinas, but even that comparison didn’t quite hold up.
“Dependin’ on the state of things ya might need to spruce it up a bit or just let people know they’ll be doin’ a bit of roughin’ it out here.” Which could limit who would want to try it out, leaving it as still a bit of an oasis.
Admittedly, Erik had considered opening up Genosha for other drifters who found themselves in Vallo - he already told Noah he was free to come by whenever he liked, since there was good swimming to be found in these calm, cool waters; the beach of course, and also a pond or two. The idea of sprucing it up was interesting, kind of funny.
“I suppose electricity is something to consider,” he said, sounding amused at the prospect. “Lights that switch on and off? How posh.” Genosha hadn’t really gotten there back home, not yet - if anything, he would have built it up to be solar powered but then Jean Grey happened and - now he was here. He could only hope that the Erik back home was busy turning Genosha into something amazing, provided he hadn’t been arrested (again) for daring to, oh, help prevent the world from being blown up.
They emerged into a clearing that was where a cluster of buildings were - homes, actually, and while they were cozy their appearance was crude to the naked eye. They were empty now but built mainly from sheets of metal, resembling beach shacks in all sorts of bright colors - most didn’t have doors either. But then again, they weren’t really necessary due to the weather. “Though I like the idea of roughing it,” he admitted. “It’s - peaceful, somehow. To not have to rely on things like phones or computers.”
“It sounds peaceful until somethin’ happens out in Vallo we don’t know about and then we head back into the craziness unprepared,” Rogue pointed out. Considering how often random creatures created a fuss out in the forest and eventually into the city area as well, she knew the likelihood of that happening was pretty high. Not that they needed all of the bells and whistles of everywhere else. But being able to check in to make sure they weren’t missing something of actual importance could be good. “I reckon it’d be easy enough to get some sorta solar power out here for some of the basics.”
She took in the different buildings, noting the different ways the metal had been placed together to create them. A lot of thought and care seemed to have gone into every single one of them. Were these places being missed back in their homeworld? Or was this just an intricately done replica? It was probably best not to think too hard about it.
“I also think a playground of some sort might go well over in that area over there,” Rogue told him, nodding toward the area she thought might work.
Erik agreed - a playground for Anka Irene was ideal, and he wanted her to feel at home in a place like this (even if it lacked things like mermaids or dinosaurs - couldn’t have it all, alas). “I can build something,” he concurred, extending a hand and, with a sweep of his arm, a few scrap pieces flew toward the area, marking it off so he’d remember how big he wanted to make the playground. Surely this was where he’d put Anka Irene’s dinosaur ride-around cart, a slide and a swingset too, maybe a kiddie pool. Whatever she wanted.
He also considered the notion of solar power - he had been planning on it for Genosha back home as well, so it wasn’t too out there of an idea. “I suppose you’re right,” he chuckled, a grudging admission (but not really - it was more teasing than anything else). “I’d hate to be back in the city in the middle of another dinosaur attack, unprepared.” Or whatever else would be thrown their way. “Do you know of any other Outlander who would be good at establishing solar power on a remote island? I can always put out a call, but you know more people than I do.” Brigitte may be good at that as well, come to think of it.
Rogue considered his question, going through the list of people she knew and their occupations. “I honestly ain’t got a clue who’d be good for doin’ somethin’ like that,” she admitted after a moment, before pursing her lips. “Your boss might be good for it though. Or at least be able to set you up with someone who could.”
She didn’t think it would be too difficult to get set up. They could have the panels on one small building even. Just enough for communication devices to be charged so they could stay in the know. Everything else could stay as it was now, untouched by electricity. There was something pleasant about not being strapped to it completely. And with Genosha being more of a getaway spot than a permanent home it would do. Though if it were ever to become something more permanent she was going to want electricity all throughout.
Rogue nodded toward the structures already in place. “So which one of them did you call home?”
“Oh - “ Erik perked up, reaching for her hand again; he was excited, even in his low-key sort of way. “This way. I’ll show you.” He went with Rogue to the house that was built from the hull of a ship - there was no door attached to his place either, but thin, gauzy curtains that were parted and acted as the entranceway. The house consisted of two ‘stories’ but the bottom level was where he had most of his furniture.
A simple bed held aloft by a chain, shelves and shelves stuffed with books and other little wood-carved knick knacks and candles, a table with one chair - bowls of fruits and vegetables grown on the island; passionfruit, artichokes, grapes, zucchini, eggplant. There were also canisters of tea and bunches of aloe vera leaves tucked away on those shelves, helpful when sunburn happened (and given the sheer amount of sun, it definitely happened).
It was exactly how he left it, which pleased him. “What do you think?” he asked, the wood floor creaking slightly as he stepped toward the chain, fingers brushing over the coolness of the metal.
She gave his hand a squeeze before letting go of it once they were inside of the house. Rogue wanted to be able to get a better look around and walked away from him, taking in all of the bits and pieces that made up his home. It seemed lived in and loved, a glimpse into the life he had been leading before Vallo had taken hold of him. The life seemed like a good one as far as she could tell. Simple, but that was probably what he’d needed after all those years of turmoil.
“It’s very peaceful.” She could see why he liked it here, with the scent of the salt water in the air and the sound of the sea and animals all that could be heard for miles around. It was a stark cry from the hustle and bustle of life in the city.
“Think you got room in here for a toddler bed?” Rogue asked as she looked back over her shoulder at him.
Erik was exploring too, carefully, just checking in all of the nooks and crannies to see what was what - if it was a replica of his previous ship hull house, it was a damn good one. Even the feel of the curtains was the same, the feel of the sheets and the softness of the pillow on the bed, which he pressed with one hand and -
Rogue’s question had him looking up, and he sauntered over to join her. His hands rested on her shoulders, briefly, fingertips gliding down - until he simply slipped his arms around her waist from behind, a snug hold. “Of course,” he promised about the toddler bed. They’d make room for one - it was a cozy little space, rustic and wooden, but Anka Irene would be a welcome addition.
“Might need a bigger bed for the adults though,” he added, voice velvety, smooth as cream.
“Smooth,” Rogue murmured, leaning back into the touch. It felt a little bit like coming home every time he touched her, but especially in this space. Being able to see a little bit more of the man he had become and the life he had created for himself was far more valuable than she could really articulate.
“Maybe we can bring her out here next weekend?” she suggested, resting her hands overtop his arms. Hopefully there wouldn’t be some new catastrophe happening in Vallo proper. Though if there was maybe that would be more of a reason to head away to this island and escape from all of the craziness.
It wouldn’t quite be a mermaid adventure, but Rogue thought Anka Irene would enjoy exploring the island just as much as swimming around with a tail.
Erik laughed, a throaty sound. He had his moments, he supposed - sometimes he worked his own brand of magnetism, though admittedly, there wasn’t anyone else in Vallo he desired to work that magnetism on, except for Rogue.
“Next weekend then,” he agreed, dropping a kiss on her temple. “We’ll just assume that nothing will go awry.” It was a bold assumption to make, but what choice did they have? They couldn’t always plan for a catastrophe, living their lives that way - that really took away some of the enjoyment.
He also planned to ask if there was someone who could ward this house, since while he planned to open up Genosha to the masses, he didn’t want just anyone poking around in here. But surely he’d be able to find that easier than a solar power option - still, he liked a challenge. And he liked having this piece of him to share with those he was close to.