Rogue & Namor | Tuesday Evening

[x-submariner.livejournal.com]

Rogue and Namor talk tennis, latinisms, and art.

In such a large living space, it was easy to never walk down some wings. In all honesty, Rogue only ever went to the kitchen, the gym, the library and the common rooms. There was little to no reason for her to go to the student ‎quarters.

Today, however, she wanted to return a pair of boots she'd borrowed off of Jessica. She'd texted the other girl, and even though she didn't receive a response, she went to Jessica's room anyways.

Reaching it, she knocked briefly as she walked in. "If'n I don't bring these back now, I'm calling squatters rights and -- oh! I am so sorry!". The room was very clearly not Jessica's room. In fact,she could safely say that the half naked man-god was definitely not Jessica. So who was he?

"I was just looking for Jess, so sorry to interrupt your naked time‎. That's probably important to you, although I gotta say, you look a little cold, you should maybe put on a sweater? Not that I'm judging or anything, just pointing out something that has nothing to do with your nipples -- I mean, well, you know. Not that I'm looking or noticing but they're there and all. Anyways. I'm Rogue. And you're clearly no one I've met before although you look familiar.". This was all said with a speed she did 't know she possessed. She hated being caught off guard. "Wait. You're Namor. Jess's roommate."

Or in the words of Jessica:‎ super handsome, cue giggles.

And the other words of Jessica: except for his fucking high lord shit of a personality.

The young man posed behind the counter had been silently watching Rogue's full range of emotion passively unfold with little discernible interest. He may not have been naked. She may not have been a stranger barging in through open doors. This could be a Starbucks! There could be rainbows everywhere. But... he cleared his throat. Namor, Heir Apparent to the Dukedom of Thakkar, was still Namor.

"One: Miss Jones is out. Two: Please tell me you are not on the mutant spy team. Or anything that involves clear articulation." ​ "What?" She blinked a few times before shaking her head. "I can articulate, thank you very much. I can articulate with the best of them.‎ And I appreciate you not making fun of me. I can't help it if my delicate sensibilities were triggered.". She leaned on the doorway and crossed her arms. "Can I have a do-over? This isn't going well at all." ‎ He raised an eyebrow, eyes flat and appraising. "So. Tennis rules?" He set the cup of tea he hand in hand down upon the granite breakfast bar. "Serve again."

"I'm no good at tennis," she replied, "but I'll try.". She swept her bangs behind her ear and smiled widely. "Hi, I'm Rogue, Jessica's friend and mentor. I happen to have property belonging to her and I apologize for bustin' in on your private time. That being said, I've been kinda secretly dying to meet you since Jessica told me about you. Are you really royalty?"

Namor shifted weight on his heels, totally not self conscious about any lack of clothing. The apartment itself was its normal, spartan affair except for telltale signs of Jessica here and there. If Rogue was curious, she could see that Namor's bedroom — wide open — had exactly as much personality as he was openly displaying: just as naked, just as flat.

"A pleasure to meet you Miss... Rogue," he paused as if the lack of a proper surname was worth minus points, "Miss Jones stepped out. You may leave her items on the end table."

A deep breath. Possibly a tick of the eye, definitely the palpable underscore that no one ever got this right. "The correct term is 'Your Grace.'"

"Of course!". This was Rogue's ‎first time in front of someone with an actual title. It was safe to say she was a little tongue tied. Walking further into the room, she placed the boots in the end table, before turning around to face him suddenly.

"That was rude of me, wasn't it? I'm sorry, I jus' never met someone before that was all pedigreed. Which is a horrible word to use. I'm no good at this conversation at all."

Her enthusiasm, or at least her good natured attitude, was a bit contagious. Namor's icy demeanor softened at each apology. "I will be sure to grade you on a curve. You do get two faults in tennis, after all."

He leaned over, straight-backed, and propped himself against the counter with his forearms. "Pedigreed is a fair term. There is little to do aside from boasting and smiling for a Marquis or Duke these days."

Her mouth formed a perfect O. She had no idea what those words meant, so it was safe to assume they were beyond her league. "I have no idea what you just said," she admitted. "Is that what you are, or is that what you do? Smile and boast for people?"

"Modern 'royalty' is mainly dinner parties, charities, and cameras. It is part of what I am, but not what I am."

"So, then, who are you?," she asked, curiously.

A small, satisfied smile, like ripples breaking the surface. "Imperius Rex."

She couldn't help herself. "Is that Latin for sexy dinosaur?"

He frowned. "It means 'The will of the king.'"

There was that frown again. She was sure she was doing better with this conversation. ‎"Can we go back to the time when y'all were smilin'? Explain to me what the will of the king is. It sounds awful important. Does that mean you're like his right hand man?"

"No. It is an imprecise translation. The ancient Romans believed in the power of the oath; be it to themselves or the empire."

He paused, eyes loosing their intensity as he searched for the most appropriate explanation. "Your will is your authority. Command. Imperius Rex is about having indomitable, justified will bound by the duties of the crown. That is what I desire to drive both what I do and the respect I inspire."

"So essentially, ya can't do anything that isn't in the best interests of the‎ crown or your people, since that's an extension of your realm, but what you always do is in the best interest's of your people?"

A quirked eyebrow. "You sound like Miss Abbott. So dry and formal. I do not formally have any people, so it is the spirit of the oath. The things I do in life should be right, and if they are I will be unstoppable."

Rogue's smile quirked a little. "Me? Dry and formal? Seriously? I don't think those words have ever been used to describe me." a pause. "Ever. And the concept of unstoppable seems strange. Who holds you accountable?"

"Right now I just think the words are appropriate. Imperious Rex. Imagine yelling that as you bring justice." He sighed, "I am not the imaginative sort. I am not good at it."

"Imagination is a muscle, an' just like muscles, you gotta exercise it. When's the last time ya let go and just dreamed?"

Rogue ignored the look. "I have a drop in art class, ‎super low key. I can help ya with that imagination thing...or paint your portrait, whichever you'd like. Everyone important should have their portrait done."

Well. Namor couldn't fault her for her good taste. He nodded. "I cannot fault you for your good taste. I have studied art before, but purely academically."

"Then it's settled. " Reaching in her pocket, she pulled out a receipt and ‎scribbled her number on it. "Text me when you've got time. It'll take a few sessions but I guarantee you'll be happy with it.". She extended her hand, the paper dangling between her fingers. "Sound good?"

She got a smile for this, and then Namor looked down as if just noticing his current state of undress. "Is there a dress code?"

"Whatever side you wanna project, darlin', that's how you should dress."‎ Rogue smiled. "Truly though, even if ya give me the outfit you wanna be in, you don't gotta dress in it. "

"Although, " she added, a glint in her eye, "if it's for my benefit, please, don't change a thing."

That was enough to entice a wicked grin. "Well then, Miss Rogue. It will be a challenge in both flexibility and creativity. How could I say no?"

"You can't," she replied, matter-of-factly. "Seriously, text me whenever, or drop into the boathouse. We can do this whenever.". She started to walk towards the dooe before stopping and doing a little swivel. "And it was nice to meetcha. You have a great day, Namor."