Kurt & Cammie

[x-scorpion.livejournal.com]

Cammie drops in on Kurt after not seeing him around. Things end with a lot of cheating at cards.

Even though she wasn’t the little social butterfly, it was unusual not to see Kurt around. She knew about the powers switch thing now. It was hard to miss that. Just like it was generally hard to avoid Kurt. Not that she really minded that.

She didn’t knock. She never really knocked. The rules were once you invited her in she was free to come and go as she wanted.

“Anyone home?” she called out as she walked in, “Or have you been eaten by that vicious ball of fluff you call a dog?”

"Triscuit is not vicious", he said reproachfully, standing in his doorway to watch her arrival. "And he is sleeping now, anyway. Hello."

“He is so vicious. He is a licking, barking ball of vicious,” Cammie said, waltzing right on up, “So. I’m normally the hermit crab. What’s going on? Is this an alien invasion or something?”

"There is no such thing as aliens. And it seems to be a powers switch, among various people at the mansion."

“Hey, you can’t say that for sure. There could be aliens somewhere. They’re likely down at the Home Depot hanging out and waiting to do landscaping work for people,” Cammie said casually, “That, and there are people out there who think we’re aliens. So hey, you never know. And that much I figured out, so I thought I’d come and bother you. Bothered yet?”

"You are never bothersome", he assured her automatically. "Unless you are really trying. Also, we are not aliens and those people need psychiatric help."

“Most people need help,” Cammie returned, “Those people are just funny. But more like funny sad and less like funny ha-ha,” she amended.

"True", he agreed. "So what brings you here today?"

“The fact that you’re suddenly a hermit,” Cammie said, flopping down on the couch, “I’m the only one allowed to be hermity around here. I should look at getting that made into a law. So what’s with the fancy necklace?”

"It is to counteract the new powers." He wandered over to sit down. "So no one else is affected."

“Affected how?” Cammie returned.

"By pheromones", he told her. "The same way Laurie's powers work, if you know anything about that. I cannot remember if she was here when you came."

“I don’t know. I’m horrible with names. But if it’s chemical stuff, I’m pretty sure it won’t work on me, so you can take off the dorky necklace if you want,” Cammie offered.

"It is chemical." But he shook his head. "I have already disinfected the room once. Best to keep it on."

“Well, whatever, I guess. What the hell happened, anyway?” she asked, sitting up a bit.

"No one really knows, yet. But everyone who went to the art gallery seems to be affected."

“Good thing I hate art then,” Cammie said, “I’d hate for anyone to be stuck with what I got.”

"I think everyone can be grateful for that", he agreed. "Though some poor soul got Marie's."

“Ouch. Sucks to be them,” Cammie said, though it was with sympathy. “When you’re not used to it, it really, really sucks to not be able to touch anyone.”

"I imagine it must", he said quietly. "And even if it is temporary... Marie must go through what Yvette did, when it wears off."

“Yeah… that’s going to suck. Again, glad I’m not involved in this,” it had taken her two years to actually feel like she had a good grasp on what she could do. “Sure it’s going to be hard on everyone when it wears off.”

Kurt just nodded, apparently not in much of a talking mood today.

Cammie sighed and for a moment didn’t say anything, “So, how are you for boring card games and stuff? I have awhile before I have to go and pretend I’m a responsible person and work. But I’m hanging out here until then.”

"I am fairly good at a few card games." He even brightened a little now she'd changed the subject. "And very good at a few more."

“Great!” Cammie said, “I’m good at cheating at Poker and what I don’t know I can fake. Got a deck around here?”

"I will just go and get it. And if you cheat, I will cheat back."

“Awesome,” Cammie said, “We’ll have the Best Game Ever then.”