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Just a boring summer day, to be sure. The television, the radio, etc. Not hot enough for the lake, yet. An assortment of students are just sort of hanging out in the living room, some ready to go home for the summer and some staying. Either way it seems the kids around this place are falling into the sludge of doing nothing and like it.
Remy LeBeau pops his head around the door. "Hey, Lorna, I hate t'a ask ya dis, but ahm lookin' for someone ta give me a ride t'da store to get some clothes and some smokes. Any chance I could convince ya? Gas and food on me."
*
Lorna sat in the corner of the couch, other kids piled up on the opposite side. A book, in fact, several, were stacked on the ground beside her. A forgotten soda sat on the end table beside her and another book was open on her lap. Green hair spilled down her back freely, and seemed to off step the baby-blue of her sundress. Flip-flops dangled from her toes as she shifted to keep comfortable.
All of which broke at the sound of Remy's voice and she perked up, before finally spotting him. A grin pulled at her lips as she quickly shut the book she'd been reading studiously, and set it in the pile with the others.
"Yeah, sure! I was getting kinda sick of German anyways." She gathered up her hair behind her neck, and strode forward.
"And don't worry about the gas, I don't actually need it." She wiggled her fingers around her. "It runs on magnetism. C'mon." She murmured, before making her way out of the living room and toward the exit.
*
Remy meets her in stride, opens the door for her, and the pair head out towards her car. "Ah insist on payin' ya for de gas, chere. I jus' came inta some money not too long ago and ahd feel downright awful if I dun shared it wit nobody." Now that they're out here, he's really not sure which car is hers. He pulls out a cigarette, about to light it, but realizes that she doesn't smoke and they're about to go into her car. The smoke goes up on his ear, pinched to his head instead.
*
Lorna strode toward a rather, fittingly, powder blue car, that seemingly matched her dress for the day. A '59 Chevy Bel Air, clearly well loved and cared for. With a wave of her hand the car doors popped open and she flashed Remy a grin. "I don't use gas, unless I'm tired. So if you want, buy me a milkshake or something. I don't need it to run the car, Remy. We won't use any gas at all."
And with that, Lorna slid into the driver's seat, leaning forward to shut her door the old fashion way without the use of her powers. She waited until he was firmly in place, and the door was shut before she turned over the car. While it might be powered by her magnetism, she needed it on for the radio at the very least.
*
"Ah can buy ya a milkshake f'sho, and even a burga if you lil lucky," Remy says as he gets into the car and sits back. "Ya know, if ya can make dis car roll wit yo power, ah bet you could make dis car fly wit yo power. Whaddya think?" Remy raises his eyebrow as he looks to her, judging how confident she is.
*
A laugh followed, "I've only done that once while I was in a car, and I was getting shot at with Raven. A bunch of guys were chasing her and she grabbed me and then grabbed a poor guy's car. I panicked, deflecting bullets is hard when there's a bunch of dudes chasing you with other cars. So… I figured, why not lift one thing instead of trying to push away like a lot of little things that go super fast?" She shook her head as she started to pull down the drive, the gates moving open with a wave of her hand.
"I was exhausted for like a week after. It was totally awesome looking back, but oh man, it was nerve wracking while I was doing it."
*
"Well, ahm sure you learned a lot since den, non?" Remy gives her a little wink. "Giv'er a try maybe. Jus' a foot or two. See how much better y'gotten." He smiles faintly at the topic of Raven. "No matta what dey say about her, she was good in a fight. And fun as hell."
*
Lorna shot him a look as she continued to drive down the country road, "Yeah, I mean that was like this past winter.. I could probably levitate something heavier now.." She wrinkled her nose in thought and continued to steer the car with care.
"And I dunno, Raven didn't particularly do fun with me. Mostly she lectured me a whole lot about how I can be better than my father, boy did she and Creed have a chip on their shoulders over him. It was like he must've spit in their soup or something in the past. I dunno." She shook her head, "But Raven did take care of me and offer to help me. She took me seriously. Also she was a damn good cook. So, I'll give her that." She rounded a corner, and looked out at the long, straight drive before them.
An exhale followed as she settled back in her seat more firmly. "Okay. Okay. I'll give it a try, it's not like I can get crushed by metal or something if we crash." She murmured lightly, her brows furrowing in concentration as she stopped talking. Her eyes narrowed and after a moment, the car lifted up with a smooth transition from the road. It didn't make so much as a sound, and was utterly silent as she lifted it up a few feet into the air.
*
Remy sits back and crosses one leg over the other as if this is just some Sunday stroll after church. The car is up in the air and he gives it only passing recognition. "I taught dat girl how to cook. What she make you, huh? Remy's Gumbo? Remy's PoBoy? Remy's TripleSec Jumbalaya?" He looks to her and raises his eyebrow. "Obsess or no, ain't it de dream of erry parent to make sure his chil' go an do better den he did? Hell, mebbe yo' daddy tink you can be betta den him some day. Whatevah betta means."
*
Lorna struggled to keep up a conversation and maintain the speed and lift of the car, eventually, she set it back down with a slow exhale and only a little bump. At least she hadn't broken out into the sweats this time and didn't feel like she had to eat something fast before she fainted. Hurrah for improvements.
A glance was spared toward Remy finally and a smile quirked at her lips.
"She made me Shepards Pie with some extra cheese and a bunch of other things. Not anything that you mentioned though." She shrugged and turned her attention back to the road.
"And yeah, I'm pretty sure my father thinks that too. I just don't think that Raven meant it in a good way. Pretty sure she didn't." She added after a moment. "I asked my father once, and he said it was complicated. But Charles and Raven used to be close, something happened and then they weren't. I dunno."
*
Remy gives her a smile of approval as the car touches back down. "Yer a very powerful girl, Lorna. Ahm sure dat before this is all said and done you gun have a big impact on the future and the 'quality of our people." He waves dismissively at her choice of Shephard's Pie. "Typical," he says passively and with a shake of his head.
"Raven tole me dat too but neva went into it. Whatevah happened between de both of dem, I spose. What yo daddy actually believe in? Seem errybody talkin' bout him but I aint eva seen him, I dun tink. Mebbe I have. Ole Remy seen a lot of folks."
*
A shrug, "I dunno about that. If my powers grow, eh, I guess some day I could be as strong as my father. I duno about affecting the future in a big way or anything though. That's a bit more ambitous than I'd go after." She murmured, as she slowed the car before a stop sign, paused and continued down the drive toward town.
"And as far as what my father believes in? I dunno exactly. I guess, he puts a lot of stock into the idea that you protect your own. That you stand with family.. and well, this is just speculation, but I think he believes a bit more in fighting back than the Professor. Not as much as say, Raven, obviously.. but he's worked beyond the bounds of the law before to do what's right. So there's that." She sighed and shrugged again.
"Raven said he doesn't do enough though, she really didn't like Miss Crystal."
*
Remy raises his hand casually and shakes his head as if to 'is what it is' and shrugs his shoulders. "Well, Raven is Raven, n'est ce-pas? She gun be actin how she actin and sayin' what she sayin." He listens closely as she talks about her father and nods a few times. "Well, ah say you gun have a big impact. Y'already call Remy a liar once, so it stands t'reason y'ain't gunna believe me."
*
A glance was spared for Remy again, "Yeah that's pretty true.." She murmured in regards to Raven and returned her gaze to the road as they slowly came out of the country toward town proper. "But she did keep her word in helping me where she could. Even if it didn't pan out." She shifted in her seat, and with a wave of her hand, her window rolled down about half way to bring in more air into the car.
"What about you Remy? I mean, obviously, you ran with Raven once but now you're with the Professor."
*
"What about me?" Remy shrugs. "What about ole Remy? Dunno how t'answer dat question, Belle. Ah am what ah am. Far as what I believe, ah believe we at war and we need t'do sometin bout it. 'mmediately. As for de philosophy an all dat, dat really ain't my specialty." He shrugs again. "I jus' want change an I want it now."
*
Lorna glanced toward Remy briefly as she turned the car off the main road onto a side road that led to a few shops and the alike. Once she found a place to park, she pulled over with a smooth motion of her hand. The car creaked to a halt, and just like that the car also turned off. "I get that, totally get that. It's why I spent a lot of my free time down in Mutant Town. It was a good thing too I was there when these robot things attacked." She wrinkled her nose.
"They didn't last long since they were entirely made of metal and all, but man. It could've been pretty nasty." She got out of the car without using her powers to open and shut the door, though it did lock immediately after.
"So what did you need again?"
*
Seth has arrived.
*
As soon as Remy gets out of the car his cigarette goes into his mouth and he reaches for his zippo. "Gotta get me a couple pair of pants, a new shirt, and almos' outta smokes. Maybe some more booze too. What's up wit dat Jean girl? Mention you by name and she got weird on me."
Another wave, this time discreet, and the car snaps into a magnetic lock. It wasn't going to open up to a thief anytime soon. She started forward, shoving her hands into her pockets as she listened to Remy list the things he needs. "Well, dunno what you'll find out here. It's not like there's a Macys or anything. But I'm sure there's something we can find clothes wise." She murmured, as he mentioned Jean her eyebrows shot upwards.
"Jean and I were roommates back at the Frost Institute for a while. She and my father.. and my father's girl, don't get along exactly. I went out with her to find this box her boyfriend was discovered in. And yeah, that's totally weird by the way. I don't get it, and I don't want to know. And she got into a screaming match with my father and Miss Crystal. She then turned on me, started yelling for me to go home. I stormed off. I got lost.. and yeah.." A shrug.
"She left the Institute after that to go her own way. The Professor said she just needed time alone."
*
Remy shrugs his shoulders, "Well, I spose if I dun find nuttin' here den ah will havta take de bus into de city to get some real clothes. Heaven forbid Remy wear sometin outta style." He lights his cigarette and takes a drag as they walk along. "Guess dat explain why she got all weird on me. Mebbe de Professor is right. Seemed like a crass way to react is all." Remy takes a drag and exhales quickly as he sees a store that piques his interest. "Less go in 'ere."
*
Lorna shrugged back in response as she turned her attention to the storefront he picked out. "I don't mind driving, Remy. It's not like I have class happening in the Summer. It's just my father's extra assignments. Which is basically, learn four to five languages and geo-physics, along with the Art of War and other strategy books about war tatics." She wrinkled her nose.
"I don't understand like ninty percent of it." Then she was stepping into the shop and glancing around.
"I dunno what is up with Jean exactly beyond that. Who knows. Maybe 'cause of her powers she knows I'm crazy or something."
*
"We all crazy, love," Remy says absently as he begins to look around. "If I keep hangin' out wit ya, de prevailin' thought at de Mansion is dat your pappa gun kill me anyhow." He looks up from a table of jeans and grins at her, "Ain't no one killed ole Remy yet. Besides, I tink me and yo daddy got a lot in common." He whistles, "Sound like a lotta work t'me. Good luck wit dat. I tink Imma do a little studyin and a lotta drinkin' by de lake."
*
A laugh followed as she arched a brow. "And why would my father kill you? Because seriously, the last few people I introduced him to, he liked. He likes meeting mutants and learning about their powers. Is he over protective? Sure. But he's not that bad. Though his rep would make you think otherwise. Especially those at the mansion. So, if I want to date anyone? Definitely not coming from that house." She muttered and eyed the jeans.
"Those look like they'll be a bit too hot for the summer. What about a pair of shorts?" She asked, folding her arms as she glanced around.
"And yeah, it's a ton of work. But he thinks that either I'm up to it, or that it's important enough for me to struggle through."
*
"Well, probably it gotta do wit de combination of him and yo' sista, but dat only become my problem when it become my problem," Remy says absently as he continues to look at pants. He winces at the idea of shorts. "I should prolly get some trunks for the lake, but I dunno bout no shorts. Dun really go wit my motif, so to speak."
*
Lona blinked, "They don't even know my sister at the mansion. At least I don't think they do. Because seriously, she doesn't come around there. My brother has, but he's a speedster… soo, good luck knowing where he is at any given moment. He's likely off messing with someone. He gets bored easily." A shrug and Lorna glanced over at the row of pants again.
An amused sound following his comment on shorts. "Well, okay, if you want to get overheated. Sure. Be a tough guy. I'm sure that'll be nice when the rest of us are chillin'." A pause. "You might need some sweats for training too. Conditioning and what not."
*
Remy shrugs his shoulders, "Like ah said. It ain't my problem till it my problem." He tilts his head to her and smiles, "You tink ole Remy a tough guy. Well, den, betta get two." He grabs a pair of jeans and wrinkles his nose at the idea of sweats. "Not sure ahll be lookin' good in a pair of sweats. Dat a rule?"
*
Another laugh followed his comment about the sweats and she shrugged, "Uhm, not sure? You'll have to ask Scott. He's in charge of conditioning. But there's a whole obstacle course. Barbwire crawl, mud pit, rope climb, handle bars and what not. I just have my work out stuff. It's easier to move around in for starters." She tapped her chin in thought.
"Do you seriously only wear jeans?"
*
"Round girls I only wear jeans," Remy says with a grin. "Nah, I can get some sweats. Just dun look all dat appealin," he adds. He looks around for a bit, but doesn't really see anything else that interests him. "Alright," he announces, "I tink ahm ready."
*
A blink and Lorna shot him a dry look, "That must be a pretty boring wardrobe. But okay. So you have a pair of swim-trunks I take it?" She offered, glancing around and rocking her weight back on her heels as she waited for him to finish up. When he said he was done, she dragged a hand through her hair, and glanced toward the register.
"Alright.. So, you said what, clothes and drinks and what else?"
*
"Can stop at de gas station for smokes so we can go get ouselves a milkshake and a burga iffen ya wanna." Remy pulls out some cash from a money clip, a wad he stole fair and square, he would add. He peels off a couple of bills, looks up, and the person behind the counter just sort of stands there.
"Y'alright, pardner?" Remy asks.
"I don't sell to freaks. You and your green haired friend need to get the hell out of my store!"
*
Lorna smiled at the mention of the milkshake and possible burger. "Well, sure, works for me." She swung her arms back to her sides as she trailed off after him to the register. She waited, rocking back on her heels and upon her toes as Remy dug out his cash to pay for the jeans. Yet as the man behind the cash register spoke, she froze, her eyes going wide as she gaped in open shock at the man.
It was clear no one had refused her service based on her hair before. Of course, in the city, she was just one of the man. Green hair was easily mistaken for a bad dye job there. Out here? Not so much, apparently.
It took her a long while to manage to process what to say in response, her mouth shutting quickly. "But he's a paying customer. Are you seriously gonna tell me that you get enough business to throw away a sale? Geeze louise!"
*
"Dat a fact?" Remy says as he reaches into his pocket. Lorna will notice that his eyes flicker with a purple energy for just a second as he pulls out a card from his pocket. "'magine dat," Remy says as he looks at the card. "You drew da joker."
"I don't give a shit what he is. You all are freaks. I've seen your kind on tv." The owner takes a step back before he reaches under the counter for a shotgun. "I told you. Get the hell out of my store."
Remy takes a deep breath as, clearly, there's an inner struggle going on. If he were with Raven, there's a good chance this guy would be maimed. Now, the decision is harder.
*
Lorna paled immediately once the man stepped back and started to reach for under the counter. She sensed the metal of the shotgun lodged under there, able to put a name to the intricate metal work thanks for her time spent with Raven. Her hands leapt upwards, one going to tug at Remy's arm while with the other, she pushed downwards on the shotgun. Her eyes wide as she tried to keep the gun under a tight lockdown, attempting to put enough pressure on it to keep the man from being able to lift it upwards and use it on them.
"Remy, c'mon. Lets go." She whispered. "He has a gun."
*
Remy smiles faintly at Lorna and, taking advantage of the gun being lowered, he steps closer to the counter. Slowly, he approaches and whispers something into the man's ear. "You prolleh right, Lorna. We best be goin." Tellingly, he keeps the pants over his shoulder and begins to walk out the door, all with the card still fully charged in his hand.
*
Lorna's brows shot upwards as Remy stepped forward, but maintained her spot. Her hand splayed outwards as she focused hard to keep the gun magnetized to the shelf. Her features pinched in obvious worry and fear from the man, despite her ability to bring down the shop if she wanted, it was clear she was more than a little freaked out.
Yet as Remy started for the door with the pants still over his shoulder, she stared. "Remy!" She hissed, "You have to leave the money or put the pants back. I know you're used to doing that, but we can't do that if you're goin' to the school." She whispered under her breath, slowly stepping back from the counter, her hand still out stretched.
*
Remy gives her a long, long look. Finally he exhales and drops the pants on the floor. "Be dat as it may, ole timer. You keep de pants, but de otha promise still stands," he says to the storekeeper. "Come on, kid. Less go."
*
Lorna backed away, her brows furrowed as she backed out of the store slowly. Never letting up on the magnetic bubble she'd wrapped around the gun for as long as she could manage. Which was about a hundred yards or so. Enough space to safely get ouf of the store and down the street some. But she wasn't going to be holding up a conversation as she followed after Remy.
It was only after her grip on the weapon broke, the other assorted metal that made up the town clogging up her focus enough to burst her control, did she speak.
"Remy, uhm. I don't think I want a milkshake anymore."
*
"Yeah, I tink dat probably ah dun want one either." Remy flicks his wrist up into the air and a small explosion pops into the air above them. He doesn't even react." He knows he needs smoke, though, "I'm tinkin dat we can get smokes at de gas station on de way home. Less get outta here."
*
Lorna jumped, eyes going wide at the explosion that followed above them. And so did a little spurt of magnetic power all around her. She cut it off though, once she realized that it had been Remy who caused the explosion. Still, her hands had clapped onto her ears as she hurriedly followed after him. "Holy cow!" She yelped, glancing around them sharply and back.
"Uhm, yeah, I-I think that's a good idea. Lets go." She didn't wait as she practically jogged over to her car, her hands waving it open without a second's glance to see if anyone was watching or following them. The engine turned over just as quickly without any keys.
*
Irritated, Remy takes a seat in the car. His eyes are locked forward and it's clear that he's seething at what just happened. This fuckin' town. What a joke. Tellingly he doesn't say anything. He's still kind of pissed he didn't walk out with those jeans.
*
Lorna pulls back and out of the parking spot quickly, her eyes on her mirrors as she pulled out into traffic, such as it was, with a little less care than usual. It didn't matter too much, she knew where other cars were instinctively. Once she'd pushed the car forward and there hadn't been gunshots following, she released a harsh exhale, gripping the steering wheel with a white knuckled grip.
"The Professor can get more jeans." She mumbled softly, "Miss Frost can probably buy that guy out." She added trying to come up with something to ease the thundering of her heart. She'd been scared, it was obvious.
*
Remy can't help but start laughing, as he begins to put the whole thing behind him. It's not the first time that he has been in an interaction like that. But it is, however, the first time that he didn't get violent. It probably cuts an awkward scene inside the car. A girl scared beyond her belief and a guy in the passenger seat laughing his head off. "You prolly got dat right, Lorna." And just like that, he seems back to his old self again.
*
His laughter seemed to help, and she focused on the road. She pushed the car to the speed limit and flirted with speeding as they crossed out of the town and back to the country roads that would take them back to the Institute and toward the gas station a few minutes down the road. "The jeans were trash anyways." She muttered finally, the tense line of her shoulders easing.
Never before had she been chased out of a store because of her hair color. And the that made her stomach twist and knot at the fact. It would be too easy to go home and put on Wanda's charm again to make her hair brown. All too easy. But then again, what good would it do to stop that sort of thing from happening to someone else? What if her only mutation had been her hair color? Would they have been shot? Entirely possible.
It still didn't sit well with her as she drove, but for the moment, she tried to push it from her mind.
"We should get some drinks while we're there, yeah?" She offered, arching a brow.
*
"Sounds good," Remy says as he smiles and watches the road. "For what it worth, your hair is great and y'should neva change it." Another sigh, "One milkshake for you—I think it gunna be a shot for me."