Rogue and Sooraya

[x-traction.livejournal.com]

*Backdated to September 9, 2014*

In which Rogue and Sooraya reconnect over delicious food

"Marie?" Sooraya glanced up from the huge bowl of egg mixture she was stirring, several baking tins filled with dough and a mix of vegetables and meat in front of her as the woman entered the kitchen. "Come on in. Looking for something to eat?"

"Gladly," Rogue said, following her nose into the kitchen. "You know me, always looking for food.‎ I was told I'd find you here, but I didn't know you were cooking. Lorna doesn't chase you out with a wooden spoon?"

"She trusts me in the kitchen. Even taught me a fair bit herself." Sooraya smiled as she deposited the whisk in the sink. "At least, I'd like to think so." Pulling out a ladle, she started distributing the egg mixture over the baking tins. "I am making quiches, but they need to go in the over still. Still, I still have some sliced veggies, cheese and plenty of eggs, so I can whip up an omelet or something once these go in the oven if you want?"

She hesitated. "I should be an adult and say no, because technically I know how to cook, but how can I say no to you? It smells amazing and most likely won't be as horrible as whatever concoction I come up with. So yes please," she added, smiling widely. "I would love an omelet."

Rogue pulled up a chair and sat down at the counter, watching Sooraya carefully. The girl had really grown in the few years since she'd been there, and Rogue felt she needed to know that. "I'm happy you're still here," she began. "It looks like this place has been real good for you."

"It's my home and I am glad to be here." Sooraya smiled, finishing up with the egg mixture for the quiches. "Even though I have been away, I was still drawn here." She took the plate with grated cheese and was about to sprinkle it on, when she looked at it again and grinned at Rogue. "I have an idea. Why don't you do this and put the quiches in the oven, while I get your omelet started? If you leave a bit at the end, I can put that on the omelet as well."

Rogue gave a salute. "Aye aye, my captain." Once Sooraya had moved out of the way, Rogue took her gloves off and did as she was told. It was a nice quiet in the kitchen, companionable really, as the two women worked in their respective areas. With the quiches in the oven and her gloves back on, Rogue spoke up. "You know, sugar, I don't think I ever told you how much I admire you. New country, mutations, all of it and yet you're still here‎, pluckin' away. I'm proud of you, girl. I remember when I first saw you, just a lil wisp of a thong and now look.". She shook her head, smile firmly planted on her face. "All growed up."

"Thanks Marie. It's good to hear that." Sooraya cracked some new eggs in the bowl, setting about mixing in the splash of cream and herbs she added. "Angelo told me it's been some time since you were here. How have you been?"

Sooraya had an amazing way in the kitchen. Rogue was fascinated watching the younger girl's ease. She never could manage more than toast and cobbler. She shrugged. "Can't complain really. Managed to keep myself busy, ‎but it's never the same kind of busy as being here. Is it just me,or are there more kids than before?"

"We had a small influx of teens a year or two ago, I think. Though most of them are juniors and seniors now, I think It's still not as many teens when I first came here though." The vegetables frying away, Sooraya cracked three eggs in the bowl she had been using, adding a splash of cream and whisking firmly. "I heard through the grapevine you graduated?"

Rogue swallowed the veggie she was snacking on and nodded. "Darn straight. Don't know how the powers that be agreed on it, but I'm not arguing." She leaned back on her chair and smiled. "I'm an art therapist now. Been doing random contracts here and there, but now I'm done my last one. Seemed like a good time to be back."

"Are you on a team now?"

"I work mostly with Angelo in X-Corps, but I am also an X-men trainee. Hope to graduate from grey to black to black soon though." Sooraya explained as added the egg to the veggie mix. "Are you planning on donning the leathers again?

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'd like to, but I need to whip myself back into shape. Can't be a superhero if I can't even fit into the uniform,‎" she joked. "I don't know what I'd be if I wasn't an X-man though. Maybe go into modelling.". She struck an awkward pose on her chair, and proceeded to make a duck face. "What do you think? Do I have a future?"

"I think I'd stick to the paints and crayons." Sooraya kidded, reaching over to grab some bread. It released a yeasty fragance as she cut into it. "Did work with many clients already? I mean, as an art therapist?"

Rogue stuck her tongue out and laughed. "Yah, I'll keep that under advisement, sugar. As for work, I sure did a lot. Mostly contracts here and there, nothing for too long. Did a stint with Social Services. Not sure how I felt about it, but it paid the bills."
"You want to go in practice here as well? I think Doc Samson returned earlier and joined his practice again. He might have a spot for you there?" Sooraya inquired curiously, carefully flipping the omelet over with a plate.

"And ruin this freeloading gig I got going for me? Not on your life." She smiled broadly and twirled a strand of hair with her hair. "Nah, to be honest, I gotta make sure my license transfers over and stuff. Plus, if I do wanna get back on the team, that might end up being priority again." She chewed lightly on her bottom lip. "I also haven't painted since I got back, really. Probably should do something about that."
Rogue was honestly fascinated by Sooraya's ease in the kitchen -- envious really. "So what else they gotcha doin' here other than feeding the masses?"

"Honestly, I leave the cooking mostly to Lorna. Normally I am generally busy with either my college classes, training or my work at X-Corps. I am trying to put the last bits together on a shelter for mutant women in Afghanistan and playing around with a few idea's for what a possible new project could be." Slathering real butter on the bread and flipping the omelet on the plate, Sooraya quickly pushed over the plate. "And here you go."

The smell was intoxicating. Without worrying about embarrassing herself, Rogue took a bite and gave a little sound. "God, there's just something about eating food that you didn't make yourself," she said. "And it helps when it's amazing, and the company is even better." She happily dug into her omelet, and continued to eat contentedly. "You got it all goin' on, girl. Brains, culinary skills, and amazing projects. Shelters for mutant women? Amazing! I would've never thought of all that back in the day. Too busy worrying about myself. Yah, I'm really proud of you, sugar. High fives for you."

"Thanks Marie." She gave a honest smile. "Like I said before, much has been luck." She started to gather up the various utensils that were scattered around the kitchen. "Still quite time though for yourself to find something as well, I would say. But please, enjoy your omelet first. There is time enough later for other things." Sooraya gave her a quick wink before opening the dish washing.
"Now there's an order I'll gladly follow." She took another bite of her meal and chewed thoughtfully. When she finished, she'd help Sooraya clean up.

Just one more bite...