10061/A rose by any other name...

A rose by any other name...
Date of Scene:	15 November 2019
Location:	Dark Alley, New York city
Synopsis:	Cheap booze and great wings are eaten. The pair talk and flirt till the bartender plays Semisonic's greatest hit.
Cast of Characters:	Wild Rose, Gambit

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Wild Rose has posed:
     Certainly, most women have heard the warning to never walk alone in a big city at night. Any with an ounce of common sense would take this advice to heart and follow it scrupulously. Sometimes, however, a calculated risk was necessary. Such was the case for one Riana Mackenzie, who strolled along the lesser known byways in search of... something. What, was anybody's guess. She was modestly dressed, certainly nothing that should draw anybody's attention. A baggy hunter green hoodie, well-loved stonewashed blue jeans, and black sneakers protected her against the winter's chill. She had the hood drawn up around her face, and carried a staff with her, using it to walk with--and, perhaps, as a visual deterrent to would-be less than savory types.

     However, this time, her luck had run out....

Gambit has posed:
The bangers were mostly just bored. There were five of them and a woman walking alone in the evening, well she was aking for it wasn't she. they let her draw even with the alley they were hanging out in, and then two of them grabbed her and yanked her off her feet. "where Jou thinking you'z going chica?" one of them asked, grinning at her. "You'z looked lonely. Thought maybe you'z keep us company huh?"

Wild Rose has posed:
     "You really don't want to do that." In a move reminiscent of a more comedic application from Sister Act, Riana curls her fingers into fists and jerks her arms backwards, aiming for their noses. If her hit connects, there is a very nasty little crunch, and perhaps a lot of cursing in varied languages. Her staff, unfortunately, has hit the ground, as she was caught off-guard by her assailants. This would not be the case again. Glancing between them, she took a moment to size them up--size, build, possible armaments on their person. Five against one? This could prove an interesting fight.

     "Thanks, I could do without your company. Now, I'll tell you again... BUGGER OFF."

Gambit has posed:
One connects, and there is a bit of cursing and screaming from one of the large men as blood gushes out of his busted nose. The leader just tsks at her slightly. "Now see chica, that was just downright unhospitible. Maybe someone needs to be teaching you some manners, huh?" two of the bangers pull out knives, and the one she bashed slips on a pair of knuckle dusters, spitting a gob of blood at her feet.

Wild Rose has posed:
     Okay. Maybe this would get a little bit messy after all. Riana twists her other hand against the leader's thumb, using just a bit more of her strength to free herself. With three out of five armed, she'd have to wait for a chance to get to her staff without leaving herself open for attack. She drops into a back stance, with her hands up to protect her torso and face, keeping her weight primarily on her back foot for stability for now. "Final warning. BUGGER OFF, while you can still do it with only a busted nose."

Gambit has posed:
Remy had been up on the roof? Why you ask? Some questions are best left unanswered. Just don't be surprised if the headlines tomorrow read "Police Baffled" or something simmilar. Still when he heard the comotion, he decided to investigate, and after watching for just a few seconds decided to interfere. Dropping like a wraith into the shadows he stood to his full length then said "Ah do believe dat de lady asked ta be left alone." The like twin pools of hellfire his eyes seemed to take on a fireyu red glow, the only thing visible in the pools of blackness. "Now me? Ah'm 'oping yah don't listen. Ah could use an excuse ta kick someone's ass, and yah lot look like yah mama's not spank yah near enough growin' up."

Wild Rose has posed:
     Remy's appearance just to her left and behind her got a raised eyebrow. What. The. Hell. Was this guy even for real, with eyes like that? Still, he did seem to be on her side, at least for the moment. Good. Any allies in a fight were welcome. She offers him a wry half-grin, laughing. "Better not be talking like that. They might like the idea too much for their own good." Her own eyes were a little less visible, the color indeterminate in the low lighting of the alley. However, the dusting of freckles couldn't even be hidden well by shadows, and what little light there was, hinted at fiery red hair. Her build was toned, not bulky, and she moved with an odd sort of restraint.

     "You really sure you want to mess with two of us, ese? Bad idea. BUGGER OFF."

Gambit has posed:
The leader hadn't really wanted anything but to give Riana a good scare, maybe take any jewelry and money she was foolish enough to be carring. But now respect is on the line, and he can't afford to liet that pass unchallenged. "Get deze puntas!" he yells and pulls out his own weapon. A Glock. It only /stays/ in his hand a few seconds however before a pink streak arcs through the air, exploding agienst the gun and sending it flying. "Chere! Catch!" the Cajun then calls, throwing something that looks like a foot long metal cylinder gently in her direction. a Cylinder that expands mid flight into a 5 foot long bo staff.

Wild Rose has posed:
     Her own staff this might not be, but hey, Riana was just glad for any port in a storm. "Thanks!" She tests the weight of it in her hands; it's light, but the metal feels as if it's got enough solidity to it to leave a few good marks by the end of the night. Wait. What. The. Hell? What had that pink streak been? Where had it come from? She's doubly on her guard now as she grips the staff with two hands, a balanced grip that ought to permit for solid blocks and strikes. "Remind me that I owe you a drink after this, whoever you are!"

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau comes out of the shadows, a slow sly smile on his face. He shuffles a deck of cards slowly as the gang tries to determine what just happened and realized they might be suddenly loosing control of this situation. One of the men with a knife lunges at Riana, slashing at her face while another comes at Remy. That one is greeted with a round house kick to the face while the one with the Brass Knuckles has three pink cards fly at his chest and blow him back agienst a wall.

Wild Rose has posed:
     Okay. Now that was a new one on her. Pink flying cards, with the power to knock an assailant on his rear end? There is little more than a split second for Riana to think, however. With the flash of a short blade heading for her face, she brings the staff up into an up-strike, sweeping her attacker's hand away from her face, and with enough force to very likely send his blade skittering away on the ground. The look on her face was intent, deadly calm. No anger, no fear. Just living in the moment, focusing on what needs must be done.

     "I'd consider running," she drawls, looking straight at the punks who had perhaps decided to pick a fight with the wrong people after all.

Gambit has posed:
The Perps have two choices really, run like dog or be knocked out. They don't run. And so in realitively short order, in a fluid array of Tang Soo Do and Savat, of bo staff and exploding cards, soon the five are laying scattered around. alive but not exactlly healthy. Remy walks up to Riana's staff on the ground, kicking it up into his own hand. "Trade yah chere?"

Wild Rose has posed:
     The staff in Remy's hands is lightly decorated with swirls and bands of Celtic knotwork woodburned into the ends, and the wood has been well-sanded. Smooth, yet easy to retain a grip on. She grins at Remy and holds the metal staff on the vertical in her right hand, offering it back to its apparent original owner. Her left hand closes around her own, much less elaborate piece, accepting it from him. "Thanks. You're pretty handy in a scrape there."

Gambit has posed:
The cajun gives her a grin and shrugs, "Ah jus' 'appened ta be in de neighbor'ood." He presses a concealed button on the staff and the weapon retracts to pocket size and disapears into his duster. "Woul' yah care foh me ta walk yah 'ome chere? Foh Protection Ah mean." He looks back at the groaning unconsious thugs, "De poo' 'ooligans in dis city definately need protecting at dis point." He says with a bit of a wicked grin. "Besides Ah t'ink Ah 'eard yah offer me a drink at some point in dat mess."

Wild Rose has posed:
     Riana chuckles softly, dipping her head in assent. In her hands at the moment, the staff is used more for walking than it is meant for fighting. There is a good bit of color in her cheeks as she grins back, though whether it's from the cheek of her erstwhile companion or from the exertion of the fight, it's difficult to say. "Home's a little way off," she offers. "But that doesn't mean I can't honor the offer of a drink." Shifting her staff to her left hand, she offers her right to Remy. "Riana Mackenzie. Who do I have to thank for saving my skin back there?"

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau grins a bit and takes the hand, but rather then shake it he bows over it kissing it lightly. "Remy LeBeau chere, At yah service." He tilts his head a bit before adding , "An Ah'm always willin' ta 'elp a lady in distress. Or dat dress. Any dress really."

Wild Rose has posed:
Riana Mackenzie shakes her head a bit, rolling her eyes. As he brushes his lips across her knuckles, her grip is strong, yet there is the sense that perhaps she is holding back. "Pleasure to meet you, Remy." Her brows arch, and she lets out a short laugh at his repartee. "No dress today, so perhaps my honor is quite safe." Or is it...?

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau smirks a little bit, "Maybe aftah dat drink we'll 'ave ta redress de address of dis distressing dress debacle. Maybe we even work an undress inta de situation, non?" he says with a chuckle sticking his hands deeply in his pockets. "Yah really planned on fightin' dose Bozos five on one? Yah eit'er bettah den Ah guessed or crazy. Course Ah like dat in a woman so...

Wild Rose has posed:
     If Riana had been drinking, then at that point, Remy would surely have been in the splash zone. As it is, she just sputters, bursting out in peals of laughter, eyes twinkling as she peers over at him. "You're honest, I'll give you that. But yeah,], I'd have taken these guys on. Wouldn't have had much choice. Still a pretty good chance they'd have all been on the ground. You just made things go a little more smoothly."

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau says, "Well Ah do like when t'ings go smoot'ly." he says in a playful tone, opening the door for her to a small hole in the wall pub, that none the less has the heavenly aroma of booze and fried food wafting up from it. "So where yah from chere?" he asks, waiting for the waitress to come over."

Wild Rose has posed:
     "Born and raised in Danvers, bunking down in Bushwick now." Oh yes, the smell of good booze and good food was a heavenly anodyne to the stressful beginning of the evening, and one Riana welcomes. The simple yet gentlemanly gesture of holding the door open for her earns Remy a smile, a playful sparkle in her eyes at his double entendre. "I'm guessing by the accent that you're... hmmm... somewhere in Louisiana? Search me if I know what part, though."

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau smirks a little bit, "Nawlins chere. Ah'll search yah later anyway 'owever, if de offer stands." when the waitress comes over he orders a scotch for himself and two dozen wings for them to share, "One dozen spicy, an' a dozen global Thermal nuclear War. "Ah left maybe five years ago. 'aven't been back but Ah've kept de accent. Ladies seem ta like it."

Wild Rose has posed:
Riana Mackenzie opts for the spicy wings, though as she's reaching for them she glances up to get a better look at Remy's eyes. Never had she seen two wisps of hellfire set into someone's face like that. Nor did a lot of what she had seen make a great deal of sense. Distracted by her fascination with those eyes, she accidentally plucks one of the Global Thermonuclear War wings. "Oh you will, will you? We'll see about that, Remy."

Chomp. In an instant, Riana realizes her mistake, her face going nearly as red as her hair. She drops the wing very quickly, hands waving at her mouth, and tears starting to stream down her face.

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau sees what she is about to do... and does nothing to stop her. when she starts waving her hand in front of her mouth however he at least holds out the basket of dinner rolls for he, mild amusement on his lips. "ah'm sorry chere, yah were saying?" he asks in a tone of total innocence, even as he takes a bite of the wing without so much as blinking.

Wild Rose has posed:
Riana Mackenzie glares at Remy, but isn't exactly in a position to refuse the offer of dinner rolls. One is stuffed into her mouth in short order, anything to cool the flames threatening to burn her lips and tongue clear out of her head. The moment she can catch her breath, the redhead looks about ready to chew Remy out--but instead, her sputtering anger turns into laughter. Picking the wrong wing wasn't the worst that could happen. She makes note of which basket he's eating from--and then makes a point of choosing the other one. Thankfully, this turns out to be the right choice. "Touche, Remy. So, what was that about searching?"

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau smirks just a little bit, obviously enjoying the back and forth flirtation with the woman. When their dreinks arive he nods to the waitress and smirks ever so slightly, but asks "so tell me, jus' what were yah doin' in dat alley at dis time a day chere? "

Wild Rose has posed:
Riana Mackenzie takes a swig of her Sam Adams when the waitress brings it over, washing down the dinner roll and ridding herself of that awful burning in one fell swoop. She flashes the waitress a grateful smile, and takes a moment to enjoy the drink more at leisure, peering over the edge of her glass at Remy. "Would you believe I was scouting out spots for a new dojo? Suffice it to say, I doubt it's going to be there. I don't want to put students in danger like that."

She's more careful about checking which basket of wings she plucks a perfect piece of poultry from, nibbling the spicy tidbit. "What about you? What were -you- doing there?"

Gambit has posed:
The Cajun smirks just a little bit, "Oh, yah could say dat Ah was dare lookin' foh trouble. Guess Ah found some, non?" he asks with mild amusement. He selects another wing from his own basket, scooting it a bit further away from her for her own protection. "So dat where yah learn ta 'andle a staff like dat chere? Ah don' let jus' anyone 'andle mah stick normally." he adds in that wicked tone.

Wild Rose has posed:
     "Cheeky bastard." Riana's eyes glint with amusement in kind, no small amount of color blossoming in her cheeks. Is it the Cajun's sass, or the effects of the hot wings? The world may never know. "I was lucky enough to have a sensei where I studied growing up who was pretty good with the bo staff." Yes, she makes doubly certain to qualify the noun. "We got along pretty well as I was growing up. Almost felt like family after a time. Looked nearly as proud as my da when I earned my Cho Dan."

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau nods slightly. "Mah papa trained me in Savat. Actually taught me allot of t'ings. Nevah wen' ta any official training but Ah've always felt dat Ah could 'andle any situation dat came up." He smirks a bit and adds "Course Ah've gotten mahself inta plenty of situations dat Ah 'ad ta fin' mah own way t'rough." eyes sparkleing with no little amusement.

Wild Rose has posed:
Riana Mackenzie smirks right back, swirling her beer lightly in her glass, letting the amber liquid catch and refract the ambient light. "Oh? What situations, and just how did you get out of them?" Her eyes twinkle with mischief, eyebrows lofting as she throws down the verbal gauntlet. This back and forth really was rather nice, she thought, as she peered over at Remy, taking a quick sip of her beer.

Gambit has posed:
Remy LeBeau smirks a bit, "Oh Ah'm not nearly drunk enough ta share some of /dose/ stories yet chere. And certainly not on a firs' date." He smirks just a bit, "One of dem involves a US Navy Fighter jet 'owever."

Wild Rose has posed:
Riana Mackenzie laughs and raises her glass. "Touche. But does this imply a second date, then?" Just as she's tipping her glass back, her eyebrows shoot up. A Navy fighter jet? Never mind. And, as curious as she was about other things, they certainly did not bear inquiry where curious ears might hear.