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Traveller's Story A smoke ring slowly drifted up above his head as he exhaled. Logan had kept telling him that smoking was bad for him, but it was a habit he couldn't seem to quit. He slowly, almost unknowingly pulled out and lit another cigarette. He had been sitting in the dark corner of the bar for almost three hours now watching the girl across the room.
When he had first encountered her in the airport, she had accidentally bumped into him, he had sensed something different about her and then when he realized his wallet was missing he had decided to follow the young lady. It wasn't everyday that a thief could get past Remy LeBeau, leader of the Thief's Guild. It wasn't only the fact that she was the only person would had ever pick-pocketed him that caused him to follow her, but something about the way she moved. There was an aura around her that he had never felt before and it intrigued him. After leaving the airport he had followed her downtown where she stopped at The Mariott which is were he assumed she was staying. Quite a fancy place for someone who looks as though they came off the very same streets as he had, fancy place for a thief. After an hour or so of waiting she had finally come out and he followed her to the bar where they now were. He had been sitting in the corner watching her, studying her. She had a grace that he never seen and it seemed that as she walked her feet never touched the ground. He had a feeling in his gut that they never did, it wouldn't be a first. His latest flame Rogue had gotten the ability to fly after absorbing Miss Marvel's powers and his close friend and fellow X-Men Storm also had the ability. Unfortunately the X-Men where no longer around. After Xafiers death they had all gone their separate ways, fighting different evils. He had mostly fought the evil within himself and the heartache left by Rogue and knowing that she was married to his ex-best friend Magneto, was almost too much to bear. It had been a long time since any female had come into his life, but for some reason, the girl he now watched had intrigued him in a way he never thought possible. She had gotten up and was now playing a few games of pool with some locals. "Well Gambit, it time to see if des ol' charms o' yo's es still what de used to be, eh," he said softly to himself and stood up. His trench coat dragged softly on the floor as he walked over to where the girl and a few guys had just finished a round of pool. The girl had won.
"Chere, you t'ink you up fo anot'er round wit' dis cajun man?" he said suavely. He noticed her staring at his red eyes and as he started back into hers he realized that hers were not as normal as he thought. They swirled with different colors of silver and blue, twirling around as if in a whirlpool. She smiled, "Sure cajun boy, if you think your up to it." Her voice seemed to float off her lips and into his ear. It was soothing and calming. "And deadly if you don' watch yo back," he thought to himself. He knew nothing of this mutant in front of him and wasn't going to let her obvious charms let his guard down. He swiftly took off his trench coat and swung it over a post, while the lady took off her sweater and grabbed another pool stick. She tossed it to him, "You can break darling." "T'ank you for da kindness, but I believe it is ladys go first, mon amie," he said, giving a little bow. "Well, aren't you the gentleman," she said and leaned over the table with the skill of a professional and hit the cue ball. It seemed as though she were controlling all the balls as three of hers went directly in the pockets while a few of the others lined up in perfect position. "Now, de be no cheatin', eh chere," he said glancing up at her. He knew she was a mutant and she had powers, but what those powers where, he didn't know yet. "No cheating Remy, this be a plain, normal game of pool," she said winking. How did she know his name? He had been positive he had never seen the girl in his life and yet he felt he did. Though his mind told him he should be wary of this girl, his body was completely relaxed around her and he felt he had nothing to fear from her. "You know my name chere, but I yet to know you's," he said, leaning against his pool stick. It seemed as though there was no one else in the room. Just him and her. "I see dat ta be a little unfair, no?" "You never asked," she said smiling and leaning over to take her shot. Two more balls where knocked in. "I t'ink I be askin' now," he said, tossing his almost burnt out cigarette into a nearby ash tray. Quicker then he could blink she was up close to him, a cigarette in one hand and a lighter in the other. He took the cigarette from her and leaned down as she lit it for him. "People call me Traveller," she whispered softly in his ear and then as quick as she had moved up to him, she was back on the other side of the pool table. "I believe its your turn," she said smiling. As he leaned over and took his shot, it dawned on him why that name sounded so familiar. He remembered Professor X talking about her on a few occasions. Funny, it seemed him and everyone else had believed "Traveller" to be a man. She had helped them out on a few occasions and from what he had heard, she traveled alone, helping where it was needed. Most people didn't believe she existed. As he came back from his daze he saw her smiling at him. "I believe I won cajun man," she said taking a swig of her drink. He scratched his head looking at the pool table wondering how he could have lost. "We'll, I hate to play and run, but the road is calling me," she said, quickly throwing on her coat and walking out the door. Remy quickly grabbed his trench coat, tossed some money on the counter for his drinks and ran out after her. A storm had brewed up in the time they had been inside and now a steady rain was falling. "What up a min' chere, where you headin' to?" he said, falling in step beside her. "Don't know for sure. Someplace up river," she said, not turning to look at him, not slowing in pace. "You seem to be in a hurry for not knowin' where you going?" Remy said, keeping in step with her the whole time. She stopped quickly and he almost fell over on the slick road. As he steadied himself and looked up he found her staring at him.
"So, your the one they call Gambit," she said, the hood of her coat accenting her face. "Dat' be me, an' you be da one de call Traveller. If you don' mind me askin' chere, what be you' real name?" he said looking up into her eyes. They had returned to a normal, hazel color. "Nadia," she said smiling slightly. "B'eutiful name. Well, Nadia, you don' mind if da Gambit tag along for awhile wit' you, do you?" he asked, giving her one of his charming cajun smiles. "Not at all," she said smiling. They walked off together down the road in the rain. Silent, but for some reason, the silence was just fine. |
