xp_logs | The Party: Rogue & Julian

Julian and Rogue have a serious conversation about her powers in the midst of the party.

Julian looked down from above; he had taken to the air to survey the crowd, examine the damage his guests were doing to the rental penthouse, and to snap a couple pictures to put up on twitter. With the photos posted, he slowly descended to his improvised flier's platform, where he unceremoniously skidded to a halt, tumbling at the last second. His security detail had kept the platform off limits, and he was pleased that no one had seen his landing, though it was one of his better ones.

He whispered to one of the guards that it was okay to let people up there and descended the stairs to the pool area where many of his guests were enjoying themselves. Near the lounge area, which he had decorated with a Moroccan theme, he noticed a familiar face. Thinking better of floating over the crowd, Julian made his way through them to greet his guest.

Rogue never felt comfortable in large crowds, but Julian had insisted, so here she was, covered up from head to toe as per usual. Sometimes she thought she was completely comfortable in her skin, and then there were moments like this when she wasn't sure. At least she'd developed her own style over the years, and even though she had a long pair of opera gloves, a long-sleeved dress and leggings tucked into leather boots, she still looked good. Or so liked to think.

She was busy trying to figure out if the girl next to her had forgotten her pants, or if that was the style now when Julian came towards her. "Dapper as always, sugar," she stated, offering a little wave. "Quite the shindig, seems like half of New York is here." Rogue tossed him a teasing smile. "How are you planning on feeding them all? Since, as we both know, food is very important to me."

"Feeding half of New York is not a problem- there are three caterers here tonight, tomorrow night will have three others so that tonight's caterers can enjoy tomorrow's festivities," he smiled and motioned for drinks to be brought to them. "You look lovely tonight, Rogue," he grabbed two glasses of real champagne from a tray that was brought to them, "the lady would like to try the selection from DeliCATessen, dear." He winked at the server and turned back to his guest as the young woman scurried off, he held out the glass to her.

Rogue shook her head, amused as always. "I think I have a better understanding of y'all now. Living like this, you got no choice but to be one suave cat.". She tipped her glass to him and took a delicate sip. "And the real stuff...no bubbly grape juice for you."

"Is this what you were expecting? Whatever happened to having a few friends over, a pack of beer, and some laughs? Do you actually know all these people? Inquiring minds want to know."

Julian motioned about himself and took a sip of his drink, "These are the inquiring minds- they're here to be seen being here, and to see who else is here and worth being seen. After tonight, I'll be a part of their little circle...after the next night, a legend. I may get a reality show out of it." He took another sip, "Not that I'd want one, but still- it's nice to be asked. You are right though, brought up in wealth and among these people for so long, this sort of soiree becomes habit." He smiled, this was at least his sixth drink within the last few hours and he was quite sure he shouldn't fly anywhere tonight. "What about you, were there many parties like this where you're from?"

She gave a most unladylike snort. "No. Fancy meant that Mama made a jello mold, and Papa put on his good jeans. I never even knew how the other side lived til I got to Xavier's.". She could still remember the utter disbelief she had when Scott and Ro brought her to the Mansion.

"Don't you find this all fake? You seem more genuine than all this."

"Of course, it's incredibly fake- but it's become the reality for many of these people. It provides them validation, a sense of meaning...not to mention it is easier to deal with this than to look at what's really going on." He took another sip, the glass was already half-empty, "But if I want them to invest in the things I want them to invest in, I have to be a part of their illusion too." He thought for a moment, "Or develop telepathy, but that seems unlikely."

"So when do you get to be yourself?," she asked softly. She swirled her drink in her glass, and watched the ripples. "It must be tiring having to keep this up all the time. As much of an investment on your part, really."

A pause.

"I shouldn't criticize," she continued. "I'm sorry. It's a lovely party. You have a beautiful home."

"Thank you, it’s a rental, but still...thank you," he smiled and sat down in the lounge, motioning to a seat near him for Rogue. "You are right though, all of this," he motioned toward his party, "can be very exhausting." He finished his drink and set the glass down, "Fortunately, I have time to recharge by talking to the lovely and mysterious, Rogue."

"You already got me here, Julian," she stated. "Don't gotta keep flattering me, or I'm gonna wonder if this is all an act too." She finished her champagne and gave him a look. "I may not be the most open person, but I'm always gonna be honest with you. So be honest with me."

"Apologies, force of habit and I am a little drunk," Julian smiled and looked out at the pool- several people jumped in, fully dressed. "In all honesty, Rogue, I meditate and exercise. Solitude helps recharge me, which is a rare commodity in my line of work- or as you said, a pack of beer, a few friends, and some laughs." His smile waned slightly as he settled into the water-proof sofa. "Again, sorry, a lot on my mind tonight; thank you for coming, it is good to see you again."

Rogue groaned inwardly. "I should apologize first. I've always had a temper and in like ten minutes, I've insulted you twice. Maybe I should go...or have another drink. "

"My vote is for the later," he signaled for another drink, "and I wouldn't say temper. You seem fairly mellow to me and you'll need to work harder if you mean to insult me."

She smirked. "It would be." Another glass of expensive champagne was delivered by the same girl who tossed another flirty glance at Julian before she walked away.

Rogue had always wondered how it would be like to be free with oneself, and just go for things. Not so easy when one has deadly skin.

"See, that sounds like a challenge to me. I guarantee you, darlin', at some point you will end mad at me. I have a talent for it."

Julian sipped the bubbly beverage before setting the half-finished stemware on the center table, "That would be an argument I would greatly look forward to, but I just don't see it...perhaps a few more of these," he indicated the drinks, "and I will?" He cocked his head to the side and met her eyes, "Why do you cover yourself so much?"

The minute he asked, she looked down. Even amongst mutants, she was someone to be afraid of. Since she'd met Julian, she'd wondered how to bring it up. She should've known he'd notice.

"It's my skin.", she said, gazing out to the party. "It's deadly. One touch, and I can absorb your powers. Memories too.". She gave a wry smile. "It's why I don't do well in large groups of people."

He hadn't expected that. Julian nodded, trying to remain nonchalant and remembering a friend he'd had when he was a student named Kevin Ford with a similar problem. "Okay, that's a good reason to keep covered up, I suppose. You take it seriously, which I respect." The smile returned to his face as he took another sip of champagne, "In your place I doubt I'd manage myself quite so well."

"14 years of anything will surely get you accustomed to the worst things," she responded wryly. "And I ain't got no choice." Her accent was thickening as she spoke, a clear indicator of her anxiety. "I gotta cover up or people get hurt. I don't want that on my conscience."

Or die, even, she thought to herself. Stanley.

"If you want to stop being friends cause of it, I totally understand," she blurted out. "I try real hard to make sure I'm always covered but I still forget. I wasn't wearing my gloves that night we first met. I could've hurt you."

"You didn't though," he raised a glass to her, "so don't worry about it." The thought that he could have been seriously hurt by her though did present certain issues- Julian resolved he'd need to make their relationship platonic. "I am sorry though, not for- well...," he thought for a moment about what it was he was trying to say. "I am sorry, maybe this is presumptuous, but it sounds like that could make for a very lonely life- well, that was a downer, wasn't it?"

She gave him an incredulous look. "You think? Maybe? Well, of course it is. Be honest: this is kind of a deal breaker." Rogue sighed and took another drink. "No spontaneity is what I miss the most. Can't just give a hug without making sure my head is positioned right. I do take it seriously. Very seriously. I couldn't live with myself if something happened."

Again, she thought to herself. What had begun as a nice evening was quickly derailing. Why she didn't just give up and become a nun always surprised her. Instead she flirted, and pretended even though she always knew it would come crashing down.

"Anyways, that's that." To what she was referring to was anyone's guess.

"I got lucky," Julian said, taking a long pull of his drink before setting it on the coffee table before him. "I don't have a deadly mutation, I don't have a physical mutation- I could pass for human if I wanted to. Then I work with people who can't or have issues like yours," he stood up and offered his hand. "It sucks, and you're pretty- and all covered up- so let's dance." The alcohol slurred his speech slightly, but it was only a mild buzz. He still had an entire day-and-a-half of partying to do and between keeping on top of the kitchen staff, and making sure no one was hurting each other, Julian decided it was time to enjoy himself a little.

She looked at his hand and debated a little before taking it. "Well, I've had worse come-ons," she stated. Rogue let him help her up and she then smoothed her dress. "Let's see if you're as dapper on the dance floor as you are off of it."