xp_logs | Log: Rogue/Kevin: We Have A Lounge?

Rogue finally meets Kevin. It goes... as expected.

Kevin was reading the paper as he usually did, back on his seat in the lounge in the mansion. He vaguely liked that most people didn't know how to interact with it, usually leaving him alone. But he put down his cigar as the Southern Brunette walked in like she was on a mission.

"How have you had a secret drinking room all this time, with good quality bourbon and y'all ain't never invited me?" Rogue didn't know if she'd actually ever spoken to Kevin before but that was beside the point. She'd been chatting about wanting a specific liquor and someone mentioned it was probably in Kevin's lounge. Rogue had learned a long time ago that curiosity killed the cat but gossip kept it alive, so she asked around a bit more and confirmed not only was there a lounge, it was top notch. Well damn.

"I find that inviting people leads to other people being in here. Which I don't support in general." He picked his cigar back up and took a slow drag before letting it out as a smoke ring. "Marie D'Ancato, right? Chris had some very good things to say about you."

Rogue stilled before a slow smile crossed her face. She gave a light clap with gloved hands, and sat down on the chair across from him. "So it's true what they say about you. You know everyone, and everything and yet don't give a damn about any of it. Wonderful. And please -- I go by Rogue." Very very few people had the right to call her by her birthname, and she was damned if this person she barely knew would be one of those. "Aren't you going to be a gentleman and offer me a drink?"

"I have been many things in my life, but a gentleman is never one of them." That said, he got up long enough to pour a second glass from the bottle on the bar and brought it and the bottle back to her. "So, Rogue. Mississippi accent, unless I'm mistaken."

"Caldecott County," she confirmed, deepening her accent slightly so the vowels raised and elongated appropriately. She gave an appreciative nod, and took a small sip, her eyes widening. "Oh shit, you really do got the good stuff. Cheers.... how have we never talked before? We literally live in the same place and have the same friends."

"First few years, I wasn't at the mansion much. And, frankly, making friends was extremely low on my priority list back then. That's... changed a bit, mostly after you left for Canada." Kevin explained. "And I think Ken Griffin unknowingly expensed this case of bourbon. It was very generous of him." He gave her a thin smile as he sat back down.

Rogue gave a nod and smiled back. "Ah, gotcha. Listen, I can leave ya alone if you want, or stop talking. I really did just want a decent drink, but I'm happy to read and sit in silence or something. I can stop talking, ya know. I mean, it's probably hard to believe considering I'm rambling right now, but that's cuz y'all don't really know me so I'm giving you a super quick view into who I am. Me. Rogue. I'm an art therapist, licensed counsellor, and kick-ass X-men. All that means I can listen and I can give orders. So you just tell me what you need from me since I just intruded on your space, and I'll respect that." She took another drink, once again savouring it for the quality it was.

"No, it's fine. I have to remind myself to try and be a bit more social, despite the age gap. Otherwise, I'll end up like those old guys in the park, talking only to the pigeons and stray dogs all day." He said. "Besides, I have to admit, I'm a little intrigued. Chris considers you family, and Chris is not the overly sentimental type."

"I'm an amazing person to know," Rogue said glibly. "And you know, the old guys play a mean game of chess. It's kinda nice to sit and watch that. I talk too much for that game, although I've always been partial to Chinese checkers."

"Oh, I don't even rank as one of the old chess hustlers in Bryant Park. I mean, if it was Hearts or Bridge I'd take all your money, but I'm told that getting a foursome together for Bridge these days involves a retirement home in the equation."

Rogue snorted. "I can play bridge...and hearts. But I prefer rummy, if you wanna play cards. Since y'all know so much about me, you also know that Logan and I have had our understanding for a long time. That man is so damn old, and we spend a lot of time up in the mountains or in a cabin. Card games by an oil lamp are kinda my thing, sugar."

"I prefer under decent lighting with a pitcher of martinis and maybe a little Bobby Darin in the background, but to each their own." Kevin said. "I do apologize about the... dossier, I guess. Old habits die hard in the intelligence community."

She hadn't even noticed, although she did appreciate any apology that was directed to her. "All good, sugar. We all know way too much about each other at the best of times, so the fact you know all this? Meh. It happens. Don't faze me none, least not when there's good liquor involved. Come on though, let's break out a deck of cards. I got Spotify, we can play some Bobby Darin. You make it sound like this is unachievable but hey man, let's make your dreams come true."

"Been a long time since I've played a hand of Honeymoon Bridge." He got up and went around the bar, coming up with a crystal pitcher and a deck of cards. "I'll mix up the martinis while you deal."

It was always a thing she enjoyed, shuffling decks of cards. She wasn't very fancy about it, could only do a few cascading tricks, but it was enough to amuse her while he got things set up. She found a random 50's lounge music playlist, starting with the promised Jazz, and hummed Mack The Knife to herself as she set up the game. "Y'all might need to coach me a little bit here on how to do this, but I think I set it up right."

Kevin was adding the vermouth over an ice-cube held in a pair of tongs when she asked, and looked over his shoulder. "Thirteen each and seven up, six down in the dummies... yeah, that looks right." He set down the bottle and reached for a long spoon, using it to carefully stir the pitcher before bringing it over with a pair of glasses.

"I've always been told I got an old soul," she replied cheerfully. Her eyes met his and she smiled. "Wanna make this more interesting? Wager something dumb? I got maybe a toonie in one pocket and I definitely have some bananas in the kitchen."

"Canadian money and imported fruit. Might be too rich for my blood." Kevin said as he poured both drinks and passed one over. "How about an honest answer? Not right now, but it's the kind of thing that could be... interesting down the road."

Rogue thought for a moment. "So like a truth at any time? No glib answer, no subterfuge, just a straight answer and that's it?" She mulled it over a bit more before nodding. "Alright, I'm down. Let's do this, big boy."

***

Unsurprisingly, Rogue lost. Demanded a re-match. Lost again.

She tossed her cards down and shrugged. "Wanna cash that in now or later?"

"I think I'll wait. I do so love to collect favours and secrets." He said with his quirk of a smile. "Double or nothing?"

Rogue gave him a look. "And then what happens if I lose? I'll tell you what won't -- me, naked."

"Two truths. And, with my powers, the touch of your hair lets me know what you look like naked. It's not a big incentive for a shapeshifter."

"Oh that's so sad, " Rogue said, looking suddenly devastated. "No mysteries? No wonder you're good at public speaking then. Everyone's in their underwear all the time according to your powers. "

"Like I said, I dearly like secrets, not surprises." Kevin said. "It dovetails nicely with the whole old man thing."

"Fair but I also keep my secrets close considering there's whole dossiers about me. "

She laid the cards down. "I may not be the best at bridge, but I know when to walk away. Y'all can earn that second truth another day."

She reached for her drink, downed it, and replaced the glass to the table.

"It's been a fun night, Kevin. Glad you didn't mind me intruding."