The More You Drink...(Rogue)

[Rogue]

Rogue blushed again, looking down at her outfit. Well, she guessed red and black wouldn't look so bad on her, maybe she should give it a try. And it was nice to know that Remy was looking at her eyes, not the rest of her body. It was hard to tell with those shades on. Speaking of which, what was with the shades anyway? Was it to disguise bluffing? Because a good pair of sunglasses reflected the cards back at everyone, if you weren't careful...

And apparently she needed to be careful. This guy ran around breaking hearts, and got run out of town for it. She'd heard of guys who dated more than one girl at once but not like that. Maybe she should stop flirting and make an exit strategy before she got loved and left too.

"He's a real go-getter huh?" Rogue asked, crossing her legs a bit. God, why was she so restless. "So, what do you do anyway, as a job. Or was that your job over there?" Professional cardshark? Black jack dealer? Truly, the possibilities were endless when it came to cards.

[remy]

And the blush had returned. Even through dark lenses, Remy could see it, though he'd have to be blind to miss it. Such pale skin, any form of blushing was instantly noticeable. "He knows what he wants. I know de feelin' sometimes." The younger girl was practically falling for him, though he wasn't surprised. If he could seduce a nun, he could certain gain his way into a high school girl's inner most thoughts.

Glancing back at the table purely for the sake of humoring her a bit, Remy's usual smirk took over again. "Non, not quite. I'm in de acquirin' business. Mostly antiques, valuables an' all dat. New York's got a lot more den back home. Ya could say I'm de best at what I do." Now there was a bit of a twist, Remy being honest and truthful? Granted, in a way he was lying by omission, but she'd never know that. At least, not until the very last moment.

"De cards are jus' an old hobby really. One o' dese days, I teach ya poker." Would she agree? Knowing that she'd be agreeing to see him again? For her outward appearance, she was rather shy really. Truthfully, it made his job a bit easier since he did have a certain way with women. "So what's a girl like ya doin' here by yaself? I'm guessin' ya not here fo' de fabulous food. De entertainment maybe." Glancing around, it was like what anyone would expect of a place like this. Groups of people together, oftentimes making themselves look like idiots.

[Rogue]

Huh. The Swamp Rat was an antique dealer, and the cards were just a hobby. Strange, he was so good at it she could've sworn that would've had something to do with his job. Ah well, it wouldn't be the first time she'd guessed wrong.

"Ah'd... Ah'd like that a lot," Rogue said, blushing. Sure, she already kind of knew poker but she didn't know it well and... well... Remy was a cute older guy who was offering to teach her, so naturally she was going to say yes. Besides, it gave her an excuse to see him again, and not for him to run off never to be heard from again. Unless of course between now and then he got run out of town by a posse of wronged women.

"In all honesty... Ah guess Ah got a little stir crazy. Too much new too fast... ya said yourself this is the closest t' home that you can get in Bayville." the Southern Belle explained, looking away from him. Of course she couldn't quite explain to him how she was at the rule-filled Xavier Institute and was overwhelmed by her new mutant lifestyle and just needed a break from it all. But she was telling the truth. Mostly.

[remy]

Hook, line and sinker. She was like putty in his hands and all that. It was almost too easy at times. What better way to fulfill Magneto's plans then to actually be around the X-brats? Though at the same time, Rogue was different. He had always missed home, and she was like a little bit of home, if only through conversation. No deal Gambit. She's too young, not to mention the enemy. Developing a soft spot for the southern girl would not be a good idea at all. But she wouldn't be the first 'enemy' to wiggle their way into Gambit's life. He was just a kid though when he met Belle, this was nothing like that incident. Right? He hoped so.

"Lettin' de cards win fo' ya is a much better job anyway." And Remy should know. One of New Orleans' best cardsharps around. "New York does have dat river fo' ya. Make ya feel right at home, non?" The Hudson was nothing compared to the Mississippi of course, but it was about all New York had to offer in those ways. The night life was more Remy's style, but he was confined to Bayville. Well, actually, he was confined to be doing research for Magneto.

"Maybe one day, we get out o' dis hole an' go t' de city? I know a great new creole place. Couple other good places too. New York's only redeeming quality, dey do good at re-creatin' food." So long as Rogue was with him, Remy was still doing his job. Of course, he wasn't really afraid of Magneto, but getting into a fight with Magneto was rather tedious. If Magneto so chose, Remy would be restrained and unable to move, but Remy would then just blow something up. It really got nasty when the Acolytes fought. "Maybe when ya jus' don' feel like school?"

[Rogue]

Rogue gave a wry smile. "Hudson ain't even close to the Mississippi," Rogue protested, "But thanks for tryin' to help all the same, Ah guess." She flashed another smile. Now normally, she'd be disapproving of this. Heck, if this was Kitty she'd be snorting and rolling her eyes or pretending to throw up by now. But when it happened to you it was different... especially when not too many people were interested in being your friend, let alone a romantic interest.

She gave another teasing smile. "Ya wouldn't be suggestin' somethin' morally wrong would ya? Let alone somethin' I could get in trouble for..." Rogue said. "Maybe some weekend, huh? Or a day Ah don't feel like school." The weekend was more likely. Prof might freak if she suddenly cut school early to sneak out with an older guy. 'Course, he couldn't be too much older. Right? Five or six years wasn't that big of a difference was it?

She looked at the clock. "Speakin' of which, Ah'd best be gettin' back. People are gonna start to wonder what's keepin' me."

[remy]

"And dis gamblin' ain't not'in' compare t' New Awlins, but ya adjust." Of course, back home, he'd be walking home with pockets full of 100's, rather then 20's, but he didn't really need the money anyway. He just loved the thrill of the game. Of watching people while they played. If he didn't need his adrenaline rush from stealing, he might actually go straight with poker, but that would never happen.

Raising an eyebrow, Remy gave Rogue that look that made it clear that he wasn't going to fall for the perfect student act. "Like ya never skipped school 'fore?" Surely she had, every teenager did. Well, almost everyone. Not those who tried so hard to be perfect.

"People?" Not mom or dad. Not parents. But people. "Jus' who do ya live with?" Of course he already knew the answer to that, but his poker face would never let her catch onto that. "Need a lift home? Or an escort?" Standing up, Remy offered her a partially-gloved hand to help her up. So far, the night had been going rather well. Now, if only he could stay off the battle field until he got any and all information.

[Rogue]

"Ah guess so," Rogue sighed. She wasn't sure if she'd ever truly adjust. There was no place like home and all that stuff. Still, Bayville was... nice, she wasn't denying anything about that. It just was not home for her. Not yet. And a mansion full of strangers didn't exactly help her situation much. All it did was make her feel very small and very... well... alone.

Hence why she snuck out like now.

"Maybe," she said with a small smile. Rogue decided she'd leave it up to Remy to decide that answer. Even if it was true that she had snuck out once or twice, Rogue didn't exactly make a habit of skipping school. And she'd have to be real careful now that she was living in a house with people that could read her every thought.

And that's when her blunder caught up to her. "Uh... mah folks... y'know, the whole kin. Ants, Uncles, Cousins... y'know, people," she lied. No way was she telling this guy that she was a mutant who was living at an institute for them, nor could she explain why she had to get home so soon.

"Ah don't suppose you could get me a ride t' Bayville High. Ah can walk from there.... and Ah'd be awful thankful if ya did..." Rogue asked, somewhat timidly.

[remy]

For a teenager, she was very withdrawn. It was a good thing to note, for any future meetings that were on less...polite terms. Magneto was planning something, and it was big. That's why his Acolytes were pushed out of the base to go do their 'job'. Of course, Remy's was always research. Though his encounter at the high school recently had changed plans slightly, which was why meeting Rogue was a stroke of pure luck. If he ever met up with the archer again...Remy would not be so nice. His hand was still a bit bandaged under his glove.

"I take ya where ever ya wanna go. If ya have ya heart set on school after hours, den I take ya dere." Remy pulled a few bills from his pocket, dropping them next to his empty glass. It was enough to cover any drinks consumed that night, plus a very generous tip. "Guess we better look at goin' den, huh? Can't have ya missin' ya curfew too much on my account. I'm sure it can lead t' some bad tension."

Growing up, Remy himself never had a curfew, but that was life in a house full of criminals. For the most part, he slept all day and worked all night anyway. No sense in a curfew for rowdy boys.

He hadn't been surprised that she didn't take his hand, from what he knew of the girl, though he had to pretend like he didn't know. Like he had no idea who she was before this moment, and walked over to her solely because she had glanced at him. Yet another lucky stroke for him. "Parked right out front, chere." Walking through the building, Remy waved his goodbyes to the bartender. He came here just often enough to be noticed.

Stepping outside, Remy moved to the sleek, black Ducati motorcycle. Of course he knew that Rogue would have something to say, or at least he figured she would. However, he was thankfully fully covered, with the exception of his face and half his fingers. While the encounter wasn't planned, Remy was glad for his usual style of dress. Not to mention Rogue's style as well. Mounting the bike, Remy once more offered out a hand. "Perfectly safe, I promise. I'd never risk dis handsome face."

[Rogue]

Rogue smiled again. "Thanks, Ah was fine with walkin' but Ah really appreciate it," Rogue replied, following Remy outside to his "ride". So long as he didn't go placing his hands anywhere he shouldn't, she'd be fine right? Or rather, Rogue hoped he'd okay, she just wouldn't sap his entire essence.

Her smile quickly vanished when she saw the Cajun's "ride" was a motorcycle without a sidecar. Which meant she'd have to hold onto him in order to keep from falling off. Although she had gloves on there were too many risks involved with being so close to him. What if she knocked her head forward? What if he made a sudden stop? What if his arm brushed against hers? Sure, he had a trenchcoat and she was well covered... but... this was a guy she actually liked a lot. She didn't want another Cody incident.

"Uh... Ah... Ah ain't so sure 'bout this... Never been on one..." Rogue lied. She grabbed the wrist of one arm with her other hand. "Maybe Ah should just..."

She remembered the time again and sighed, and prayed this would end with them both still conscious.

"Lead the way, Remy."

((Feel free to powerplay a little if you need to, just to get Rogue onto the bike and keep the thread moving))

[remy]

Rogue was hesitant, but Remy didn't really blame her. She likely hadn't been on a motorcycle before, she had said it herself and Remy really didn't have any reason not to believe her. Not to mention that considering her powers, it was likely she had purposely stayed away from bikes and such. "I promise mon chere, not'in' bad will happen. I give ya my word as a gentleman." Oh his family would be laughing hysterically if they were around to hear that one. But Rogue had no reason to believe otherwise, unless she knew something she wasn't letting on. It was always possible that she knew about him as well, that Xavier had told all his students, but she seemed genuine.

Leaning over, Remy grabbed her hand, gloves protecting them both. Smiling up at her, Remy pulled her closer. "Live a little. Ya only get one life t' live." In the end though, it seemed as if she gave in. Whether it was his promising, or her own thoughts, Remy couldn't tell, but it didn't matter anyway. Once she was on the bike, Remy brought the engine to life as he simultaneously raised the kickstand with his booted foot. "Jus' be sure t' hold on..." Motorcylces always did come in handy with women, but it was obviously different with Rogue. He could go to prison over her, but then again, he could go to prison over his career.

Like most people, it wasn't until Remy pulled out of the parking lot with tries squealing that Rogue really held on. If she didn't, she surely wouldn't arrive at the destination with Remy. Weaving through traffic expertly, Remy payed no attention to the sounds of honking horns and brakes being hit. He even ventured over into the other lanes of traffic, the vehicles coming at them. Remy truly was an adventure junkie, and did anything to get his adrenaline pumping. What Rogue would think of him once the ride was over, Remy wasn't quite sure.

However, once the school came into sight, Remy slowed down, but only a tad. Turning into the school's parking lot, Remy fully slowed down and dropped his feet to the ground, steadying the motionless bike. "Told ya we'd get here in one piece. Sure ya wanna walk home in de dark?" Not that Bayville was all that scary.

[Rogue]

Remy took her hand and Rogue thought her heart fluttered a little. How could she resist that now? She was already convinced but... now she just had additional reasons.

The bike engine revved and Rogue grabbed her own wrist around Remy's chest. He sure didn't have to tell her twice to hang on, 'specially because she wasn't wearing a helmet or anything. She closed her eyes tight to prevent anything from flying into her eyes. And she squeezed them tighter when she heard the other cars honking and breaks screeching. She couldn't help but think that this was how she was going to die. Sure, she may put on the tough girl act but... this was insane.

Rogue opened one eye to check where they were, only to discover that they were in the wrong lane! She shut her eyes again tight and pressed her face against Remy's jacket, silently saying the prayers that she could remember at the time.

When they finally stopped at Bayville High, Rogue practically leapt off the motorcycle. "That's all right, Ah can take care of myself. Ah guess... Ah guess Ah'll see ya 'round?" Rogue asked, looking down at the ground in front of her. She didn't want to give out the mansion phone number to a perfect stranger...

"Maybe we can meet up again sometime?"

[remy]

While Rogue seemed a bit shocked from the ride, or uncomfortable, Remy was sitting happily. That's what happened when you let an adrenaline-junkie drive. Though he had a clean record, no accidents or wrecks. When it came to driving, Remy was a rather safe driver, even if it did seem like you'd die with him.

She wanted to see him again? Throughout the night she seemed to have come out of her shell, though Remy didn't know her well enough to be able to really say. In fact, he didn't know her at all. He just knew of her, and what she was capable of. From Remy's understanding, the girl had limitless power.

"Jus' name de night mon chere, and I be back at de bar lookin' out fo' ya. 'Less ya lookin' t' go somewhere else. But I don' do school lunch, 'less ya ask me really nice." Smiling to her, Remy leaned back slightly as he watched her face. The light from the parking lot lamps left it dim, but not so dark that he couldn't make out her features. Even behind dark lenses. It was just Remy's normal way of seeing.