10th Card Dealt [Action]

[kineticcajun]

[Gambit is back from his mission... finally. And he's definitely looking worse for the wear. With one Severely Black Eye, it's probably at least fairly clear that he did something to irritate the Malnosso while he was gone, although the rest of the effects aren't immediately obvious. Until he opens his mouth, of course. And then he's painfully, stereotypically British.

Which is precisely why he's trying not to run his mouth like he usually does.

There are, however, a few points of importance. He may have slipped off with fairly little notice to the mission, but he does mean to let the people who really matter know that he's back. Which is all of four people, but he's still making the effort.

First it's a trip to the Item Shop. He's outside of his usual Not Until After 3 policy, but he's finding it hard to care. After that, it's off to the Battle Dome clinic... which is oddly bereft of Adele, so he decides he'll track down Obi-Wan (wherever he might be) instead, since that should be just as efficient. He does leave a Joker card on Adele's desk, though, before slipping back out. It's just as good a signal that he's alive and well as seeing her, he's sure. And last but not least, Lupin.

And then it's back home to collapse in bed and sleep. Or at least that was the plan until the fierce craving for tea finally overwhelms him and he ends up at Seventh Heaven instead.

Thanks, Malnosso.]

Comments

[touchofrogue]

[In the Item Shop before three? Well, so is Rogue. And she's reverted back to her harder music choices - this is Marilyn Manson you're walking in to, Gambit. And Rogue's in the back, sorting things.

The music's loud. She might not hear you right away.]

[kineticcajun]

[That is indeed Marilyn Manson he's walking in to. And while the choice of music does make a slight smile tug at one corner of his mouth, he's sure that it's going to make it a lot harder to get out of here without making it too obvious that he can't shake this British accent. Because a quick glance around the shop has made it obvious that she's probably in the back.

It's also entirely too tempting to sneak up on her, but he knows full well he'd end up with another black eye to match the one on the right, so he keeps it simple. And also short, because accent.

Don't mind him turning down the music ever-so-slightly and calling to the back room.]

Miss me?

[touchofrogue]

[The voice was vaguely familiar, but the accent was not. So her first question was not "When did he get back" it was:

Who the hell is messin' with my music?

Rogue moved to see who was in her main room.]

Who'm I supposed ta be-- Remy?

[kineticcajun]

[Hearing "Remy" instead of "Gambit" was oddly welcome. Especially after being gone on the mission for so long. And even longer of being sure it would be years before he got back to the first name. But that was probably not the thing to focus on here.

Not that it stopped him.

Flashing his best charming smile to try to distract from the fact that his accent was very much not Cajun, he leaned against the counter.]

That's my name.

[He sounded ridiculous in his own ears.]

[touchofrogue]

[It was most certainly 'Remy' after Marcus, after Loki, she was relieved to see the devil she knew. It might go back to Gambit after a few more exchanges, but right now that charming smile was a welcome sight, and not only because it was attractive.

Of course, when he opened his mouth - not to mention the rather impressive shiner -]

You sure? 'cause it sounds like ya might have taken a hit to the head.

[kineticcajun]

[Well, so much for skating past without the accent being too much of a focus. He gave a low chuckle, though, fairly unfazed. There may have been fairly high odds of never living this all down, but that was quickly becoming less and less important.

No problem focusing, not at all.]

That much, I'm afraid, is true. But I can assure you that I still recognize my own name.

[Besides, the black eye was hardly anything he couldn't handle. An ice pack later would be just the thing.]

[touchofrogue]

[Oh good Lord.

A corner of her mouth twitched up.]

Really? An' just what is that, exactly?

[Action]

[averybadfeeling]

[Yo Dawg, I herd u wanted to find Obi-Wan.

So here he is, out for a stroll. He seems rather startled when he sees you.]

"Oh, dear. Is your eye alright?"

[Action]

[kineticcajun]

[Gambit waves a dismissive hand. Black eyes are nothing. He's fairly sure he spent half his childhood with one. But he still gives Obi-Wan a grin in greeting, because hey, now he doesn't have to look. What luck.]

It's fine, old chap. I'm afraid I've had far worse before. [Inward wince. Why did they have to give him this accent?

Subject change, subject change. Maybe it will distract from the accent.]

You haven't seen Adele, have you?

[Action]

[averybadfeeling]

[Gambit. Bro. Water u doing.]

"She went on a mission last Friday, I'm afraid."

[Action]

[kineticcajun]

[He has no idea, bro. ;_; But he just can't stop himself.]

Hmm. [Just missed her, then. Good thing he left the card. He pauses, looking thoughtful, trying to figure out how to thank the other man for the information without sounding too off. Unfortunately, his mouth has other ideas.]

Jolly good thing I ran into you, then, isn't it?

[Merde.]

[Action]

[averybadfeeling]

"I suppose it is..."

[Okay, seriously. No. He tried to overlook it, but no.]

"Might I ask why you're speaking like that?"

[Action]

[kineticcajun]

[Sigh.] That may be a better question to ask the Malnosso. I haven't the foggiest why they chose this accent, of all things.

[Cruel and unusual punishment, man.]

[redjacketthief]

[Hi, Gambit. Meet your new neighbor!

It had been a harrowing few weeks for Lupin, beginning with a vicious argument he had with his housemates in 46 and culminating in abduction, an oddly fragile Vulcan, and a decision made jointly between himself and Fujiko to stop playing musical apartments and spend some time in a single location for once--together. That agreement itself was a small triumph amidst the chaos, and one that he had never believed would actually happen. After Zenigata and Jigen returned home back in June, they were literally the only link that they had to home. It was their own natures, both cat-like, that compelled them to keep their distance.

He and Fujiko were still in the process of moving into their new apartment on the third floor. It was only their second day and, while the both of them were frightful collectors, a large part of their old furniture had been abandoned.

Thus is the mercurial existance of those who live outside of the law.

Lupin on his way back to the third floor that evening, a bag with an odd array of ingredients in hand. The elevator that had been installed by one generous (if lazy) resident was a boon to him in dealing with the ramifications of his Penalty. November just couldn't come fast enough, but it was a small price to pay in the long run.

He was distracted at that moment, idly pulling out a cigarette as he waited for the elevator. It's presence still astounded him, and he was glad to deal with it's neon green interior for the sake of convenience.]

[kineticcajun]

[Lupin, you are precisely the man he was looking for. Finally trudging into the Community Building after his adventure through town, Gambit paused for a moment, attention torn dramatically between the elevator doors and Lupin's familiar form. He paused for a moment, looking puzzled, before shaking his head and walking over.

In any case, this sudden improvement freed him from having to make some sort of sappy "I'm back" statement. Things were somehow easier if he could just stroll up and act as if he'd never left.

And even better if he could act as if he hadn't returned with a black eye and a British accent.

Once he reached Lupin, Gambit nodded his head toward the elevator.]

When did this arrive?

[redjacketthief]

[Lupin glanced over at Gambit and unconsciously adjusted his scarf before offering a cigarette. His own abduction a couple of weeks prior had taken his voice, but not his ability to communicate. Unfortunately, he was returned right when the village was thrown into another experiment--one where everyone lost their memory. It took him days to realize that writing everything in a notepad was more of a pain than he needed to deal with. There were other methods...

But that forcible silence contributed to an accident that he had with a new feather, and further contributed to a strange gift that the same new feather had made for him. It was an artificial modifier that, while completely removable by him, was noticeable enough that he wanted to hide it.

Never mind that his voice reverberated differently from his norm if he strayed from the lower parts of his range.]

It was before Fujiko and I settled in, word is just before. This last weekend maybe?

[kineticcajun]

[That voice. Was definitely not quite right. Gambit quirked an eyebrow ever-so-slightly, but decided to leave it alone for the time being.]

Perhaps my little vacation was well-timed after all, if I've returned to an elevator.

[Tempting as it was to just steal the grocery bag - some of the ingredients had caught his eye - he instead motioned to it with a grin. Might as well be slightly helpful if Lupin had a lady waiting on him.]

You wouldn't happen to need a hand, would you, old bean? [Merde he said it again.]

[redjacketthief]

...What's with the accent, freot? [Because it was too absurd and too amusing for the moment. He snorted in amusement at this, but tried to reign it in. They were brothers in arms, after a fashion. There was no need to embarrass the man!

Lupin passed off the bag, unashamed of it's ingredients. A new friend wanted to cook something, and he was more than willing to help as he could. Unfortunately, his skills in the kitchen were mediocre at best...]

If you're offering an assist, go ahead. I warn though, Fujiko plays very hard and very fast. You might be handsome enough to catch her interest, and then I'd have to hunt you down.

[He winked and grinned like a lazy cat.]

[kineticcajun]

The accent is a gift from our dear friends the Malnosso. I suppose they couldn't just let me leave the mission empty-handed.

[Absently hefting the bag to test its weight, he peered down at the contents. Definitely not anything he recognized, but he figured he could probably figure out some kind of pattern in them. Creative cooking was just a way of life back home, after all.]

And you have nothing to fret over, old chap. I promise. [Almost as an afterthought, he added,] The last thing I need is to have someone who may know all my tricks hunting me down.

[Action]

[complicatedliar]

[This is Loki, having tea and reading a book. Minding his own business. Thinking about his next glorious opportunity to troll Rogue.

Just in case Gambit is feeling brave.]

[Action]

[kineticcajun]

[Gambit isn't necessarily feeling brave, exactly, but he isn't really feeling particularly antisocial, either. And so, as he's passing by Loki on his way to get his own tea, he gives the other man a nod in greeting.

It's meant to stay as just a nod, but his mouth apparently has other ideas, because the greeting is out before he can stop himself. Once it's out, though, he winces:]

Cheerio.

[...Merde!]

[Action]

[complicatedliar]

[Loki looks up, eyebrows raised.]

...excuse me?

[And he sounds very British himself. Hm.]

[Action]

[kineticcajun]

[How. Does he keep finding all the people with natural British accents today. Apparently the shift wasn't awkward enough on its own.

Well, maybe you'll roll with it like Obi-Wan. Worth a shot.

Clearing. Throat.]

Sorry. Shift. I can't quite seem to keep it under control.

[Which might be why he keeps eyeing up your tea, Loki. His attempts not to are not working out quite the way he'd hope.]

[Action]

[complicatedliar]

[Loki follows Gambit's gaze and then deliberately covers his tea cup with a protective hand.]

Yes, but what is "Cheerio" even supposed to mean?

[It's got to be another weird mortal thing. Ugh. It's like they make up unnecessary new words every few centuries just to annoy immortals.]

[Action]

[kineticcajun]

[Loki, the bayou is full of all kinds of unnecessary words. Gambit, too. It's probably best he's not his usual Cajun self here.

Also, there's a slight flicker of disappointment in his eyes as the tea is covered up, but he pushes past it as best he can.]

Something along the lines of "hello," I believe. I could be wrong.