14745/Smoking Buddies

Smoking Buddies
Date of Scene:	02 March 2023
Location:	Backyard, Xavier's School
Synopsis:	o
Cast of Characters:	Wolverine, Rogue

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Wolverine has posed:

Seventies music is an indulgance to Logan. A pair of small blue tooth speakers sit in their respctive spots in his room. Pink Floyd's "Goodbye Blue Sky," plays over them. He's staring up at the ceiling. Ocean blue eyes focused on nothing in particular while the mind wanders. 

The words that could draw parallels to those that worried about bombings in WWII start to trigger a lot of memories. Fragments that flash like a film reel with large gaps between them. Logan swears he can smell the gun power of weapons, taste the fear and everything else. 

Not sure if he likes where these thoughts are going, he remembers the imagery of a threat flying in the sky. This allows his mind to drift back to a few recent patrols. Jean's worried about something, a threat in the sky. Some students could be hurt, there's a larger underlying threat lingering to boot. All of it a lot to take in. 

Eventually, he shakes his as if trying to throw those thoughts aside. Sitting up, he grumbles and reaches for a cigar. Another grumble follows shortly. Tere's no smoking inside. 

Muttering and growling, he grabs some stick matches, the brown bomber jacket and the cowboy boots that go "Clunk!" with each step against a hard surface. They anounce his presence on solid flooring. Heading to the outside, he puts the cigar in his mouth. Cutting off the end with a claw as he walks, he'll start the prep before making it to a "Smoker's Spot" in the backyard. Once in that alittle area, he lifts a heel and runs the match against the boot's bottom. "Flick" the orange light of the match can be seen. 

Right now, there's a small chill of winter and the sun is going down, but the skies are a light blue haze. Not quite dark, but far from high noon. The orange light goes to the end of the cigar where an orange cherry begins to glow. 

Taking a good smoke, he just savors the cigar.

Rogue has posed:

To say it's been an interesting few days would be putting things lightly. At least in Rogue's mind. She's been off flying around, maybe patroling, maybe just sight seeing, there's no one with her to really tell. She's got a lot to think about what with the news she was told a couple days ago. The...agreement? Relationship? That started the same night.

Weird.

All because she's getting better at controlling her main power. The one that kills people. With a touch. How could she ever think to be anywhere near normal with a power like that? To drain someone's power with a brush of the hand. Or their life energy with a kiss on the lips. And what happens on the days when she can't control it as well as others cause the day was just bad.

She's beginning to tell herself it's too risky. She should save a life while she still could.

Then there was a tree in the smoking area that the faculty and students (of legal age) were allowed in the back yard. She's perched there, smoking her own cigarette, when the looming shadow of Logan comes stomping over. He won't know she's there. Well, he might. He's got the nose of a fucking bloodhound. Nothing gets past him. Not nothing or no one.

It's still a bit comical to her to hook her legs on the branch she was perched on just before and roll upside down while the cigarette hangs from her mouth. "Heya Logan! Yer lookin' a bit more miserable than usual. What gives?"

Wolverine has posed:

"Anna," Logan says before Rogue even makes it up to him. Even through the smell of cigar smoke. She smells of rain, fresh cut wood and maybe a small hint of lilac. Taking another puff of the cigar, "You seem troubled," sometimes when someone is off enough, it changes the smell slightly. Fear, depression and othr emotions can alter one's smell similarly. 

Her question comes out, "Got a lot on my mind darlin'. Tryin' to clear it all n' get my head back in the game," he admits. She's one of the few people that he would be open with. It's also why Rogue isn't getting a smoking lecture. She knows the risk and one day he may say, "I warned you," but he secretly hopes that day never comes.

Rogue has posed:

"You ain't the only one with a mind full of stuff to clear out, Logan.." Rogue offers this much because she's always honest with Logan. Not that she's dishonest with others, but she does tend to shell herself against others. There's a few that have earned her trust and the brute's one of them.

"I'll share mine if you share yours?" This is offered then before she rolls up to sit on the branch then, legs hanging over the side, a foot at either of Logan's shoulders. Not on them, but aside them. She takes another hit off that cigarette, "Might could help."

Wolverine has posed:

"You first," Logan -rarely- goes first, but he will always honor the arrangement. More smoke leaves his moutha nd floats into the air. That orange cherry blazing through the creeping darkness, being a small torch-light glow for the briefest of moments. A sky blue eye looks to heras he waits to see what's eating her mind. It helps him clear his own mind before bringing things forward.

Rogue has posed:

Rogue glares, but ultimately she'll take a breath and concede. It's usually the only way she can actually get Logan to open up to her unless they're half through a 24-pack and a few smokes in.

"So. I met up with someone recently. An' we really hit it off. But you know me... despite myself I'm a natural flirt. Call it the Southern Charm, I dunno... anyway. Still, he seems nice and all but..." There's a pause. Mostly so she can inhale on that cigarette again, also so she can collect her thoughts.

"We were talkin' the other night. He wants to try and make things work. And at first...I agreed but... but now I've been thinkin'. Maybe I shouldn't have. I'm gettin' better at controllin' things but what happens if I fuck up? I can't...I can't go through that again, you know?"

Wolverine has posed:

Logan gives a small chuckle that leaves his lips. The irony is not lost on him. "Yer worried 'bout startin' somethin', n' I'm woried 'bout how I feel cuase I ain't got nothin' to start," he keeps his head clear for a moment. Trying to give an honest opinon on this one. 

"Don't look here," he'll point to her head. "Talks too much. Trust this," he'll point toward her chest, obviously meaning Rogue's heart. "Ya have a good one. Trust it. Just don't be so blind to the risks, but talk at em'. He's gotta know the risks, too," he says and gives it a moment. "Or her," Logan will add because it could be anyone. "Not fair to em' if they don't know what they're gettin' into. Kinda like bein' shoved in a pool n' not knowin' out to swim. Not a good way to start things darlin'," Logan just wants her to be fair. It's just the proper thing to do.If they don't they may be destined to fail before the end of night one. 

Giving Rogue some time to work out what he said. He'll take another puff of the cigar, "I like someone, but it's gonna be a one way street. It's always gonna be one way. After a while, makes ya wanna get off the road. Find somethin' worth yer time. Makes ya feel like an idiot," Logan admits, letting her into his mindset. He'll leave names out of it. However, it may not be much of a stretch to fill in the blanks. 

A sigh escapes his lips and gives a bitter chuckle, "Kinda jealous of ya darlin'. I think everyone wants a connection like that at some point," he says trying to assure Rogue that it's okay to feel. It's okay to want things like that.

Rogue has posed:

Rogue watches Logan for a moment, listening to all he has to say. She sometimes both envies and feels a little sorry for him. Having lived a hundred life times is hard, but to do it alone has got to be a pain in the ass.

When he's done talking at first, she'll slip out of the tree to land next to him and puts her cigarette out in the offered ashtray nearby. "What a pair we make eh? Kinda makes me wanna go, ta hell with everyone else. You and me can just...ride off into the sunset..." She laughs at herself for even saying that out loud. Her and him? It'd likely never work - for many different reasons.

Though, she does respect Logan enough that she values his opinion. And after a moment of looking off and yet still listening to Logan let out his own thoughts, she finally looks back towards him. "Wantin' a connection, gettin' and havin'...they're all different. Even if they look the same. An' this fella knows what he's gettin' into...or...I think he does. He still wants to try it...and I kinda wanna let us try..." She smirks then.

"What's yer opinion on Warren Worthington any how?"

Wolverine has posed:

"Don't threaten me with a good time, darlin'," logan says and he ashes on the grass, not caring. He will stomp it out just to make sure there's no faires. Logan and Rogue could work, but he worries that they would be something out of convienance. If that's the case, then it's an injsutice for both of them. 

He'll give a nod about "Wanting," "Getting" and "Having," being different. On paper, they're all very similar. Or at least feel that way. Experiencing them, anyone could feel the world of difference. "You don't got that luxury. Ya can't presume that they know. You gotta make sure of it. Yer powers make it that way," he really doesn't want to say that. He knows how painful a comment might be. However, Logan will add, "I gotta be upfront 'bout the age. I'm probably gonna out live em'," and that makes him sigh. It seems they're both carrying some weight thanks to their powers. 

"He's the guy I gotta whack over the head if he breaks yer heart?" Logan thinks on it for a moment and stores a comment for later. "Is he?" Logan will shoot Rogue a look.

Rogue has posed:

Aww, and why's that Logan?" Rogue, the ever continuous flirt, actually goes almost nose to chest (cause, you know, Logan is taller) with the man and grins as she looks up at him. "Afraid you might actually enjoy yerself too much?"

Then Logan kinda lectures her, but she doesn't back down. Well, maybe half a step back, just so talking is a bit more comfortable. Even with the control she has, she still wears her skin tight suit, though she's also got on jean shorts and a tee shirt. Gloves as well. "No I know. We've talked about it. He knows about my powers. And I've told him I have good and bad days..." Then she sees it almost click in Logan's head and she bites on her lower lip.

"I won't lie to ya Logan. I like ya too much. So. Yes. It's Warren. He's the guy you get ta whack if he breaks my heart. But I might break his first... so it may be me yer whackin..."

Wolverine has posed:

Looking down at her, Logan just stares. Rogue should know she's not the only flirt in this conversation. "No. I ain't afraid of that. Afraid ya might like it too much, n' want to run away wit' me. Often. Then I'd break a lotta hearts cause I've stolen yers," he says with a smirk. Not backing down as he looks down to her. 

They will both take a step back. A smirk pulls at the corner of his lips, "If he hurts ya. He'll my claws can be scalpels. All the money in the world won't put Humpty Dumpty back together again," he says, that protective side coming out for the briefest of moments. He doesn't mean it. Well, most of it. 

Again, Rogue is not the only flirt here, but he stops himself after Rogue's last statement. "That's yer choice at the end of the day darlin'. Yer worth the effort. Just up to the right person to see it, darlin'." He sighs and looks down at her, "Hate that yer powers make ya feel like me sometimes. Not somethin' Id' wish on anyone," he admits.

Rogue has posed:

"Well we won't rightly know unless either of us takes the first step ta findin' out.." Rogue quips right back to him, just because she can. Mostly because she knows it's all words. One day it may not be. For now though...

"Should I pass that along to him as a message or let him find out the hard way. On his own?" Asking this of the man who will flirt with her one moment and then become her protector the next. There's something in the back of her mind, they could work. If they really wanted to make it happen, the both of them. But that's not the conversation they're having today.

That last comment he makes has her shrugging shoulders. "I hate that you feel a certain way about your own powers. It ain't a great feelin'. That whole constant fear thing...the pain of the past...the nightmares..." She stops herself and goes through the motions to light up another cigarette. "Anyway...was that all that was on yer mind? You looked a little heavier with thoughts..."

Wolverine has posed:

Turning and looking her directly in the eyes, with a small space between them. "Nothin' between us 'cept air and opportunity. Yer move," Logan challenges, knowing that these are words. They could lead into action, but that ball will be in her court. -Firmly-. 

Turning away, "If he finds out the hard way, he's gonna go missin' fer a bit. Days, maybe weeks or months. If it drags on, it'll be on him," Logan says this, as if he's explaing why the sky is blue. Just a fact in his mind. 

"Least we know how each other feels. Kinda," thre's a strange comfort in that. Ashing his cigar, he'll look back to her. Shaking his head, Logan hates that she can do that. Jean can, too. However, Rogue does it in a way where Logan will actually talk. Jean may need to coerce a little. 

"Jean saw somethin' the other night. Worried some people might be hurt n' has no idea what -exactly- she saw. Whatever it was flew in the sky near the grounds. Enough to raise her fears n' she's got a good head on her shoulders. Mostly," Logan will refrain from certain slim comments. "Worried 'bout that. Worried 'bout school startin' back up. I know some of the kids fear me. That's good sometimes, but allt he time? Kinda grates on ya. Makes ya feel like an animal or a threat," yes. he is those things. However, there's more to him than that.

Rogue has posed:

If Rogue wasn't so caught up in current minefields within her own mind, there's no telling what might have happened in that brief moment before Logan turns away. Yet then he turns away, and she's given a bit of reprieve, and the ball is in her court. Where it might just stay for a long while.

Fuck life can be hard!

"Too little too late. Maybe..." She might have to have a whole other conversation now. Cause she's already got this whole headspace with one guy, there's no way she's gonna try to juggle two! Not to mention, she'll be constantly competing with Logan's feelings for Jean.

And then there's that secret she knows and is sure as hell not saying a WORD about it to the man in front of her.

"Oh? ... Is anyone gonna go out and look into it? If it landed close by shouldn't we look into it?" Rogue asks this first and then Logan is on about school. "Oh, don't let that get to ya. Most the time the students warm up to you given time..." She steps in, because he's turned to her again, and a hand lifts to touch a gloved palm against his cheek. "You need to 'ave a little more faith than you often carry, Logan. It may do you a world of good."

Wolverine has posed:

Sky blue eyes look to Rogue for a moment. "If ya didn't talk 'bout a crush, I'd do more," he says. A flirt with -some- honor. The man looks toward her for a moment. 

Sighing, Logan looks back at her. "If he don't work darlin'," he shakes his head. "Must be crazy fer sayin' it. Be nice to talk to a woman that wants -me-. Not just the idea," Logan says and Rogue gets the feeling that great Jean foundation may be cracking. 

"What is it?" Logan thinks Rogue is just too lost in her thoughts. He's clueless about any secrets. 

"We are n' it didn't land. Floated in the air, stayed in the air," Logan admits knowing it could be anything froma drone to a Sentinel. A look shoots toward her, "How 'bout ya carry the Faith fer me n' give me good words here n' there," he looks to the gloved hand on his face. 

Logan then does soemthing incredibly stupid. A hand will reach out and touch her cheek for the -briefest- of moments. He'll fight off screams and pull away quickly. Shaking his head like a current gone through it. 

"Fergot my glove," he says through a strain, but she gets the feeling that maybe Logan wanted Anna to -feel- that skin. Even if it's just for a -very- fleeting moment.

Rogue has posed:

Rogue lets out a soft chuckle and then shakes her head. "Lotta thoughts runnin' around up there, shugah.. I'm just tryin' to get 'em all in a row..." Is said, after a moment. After Logan makes an offer she's not sure she heard right, but then there was that added bit. Him wanting a woman that wants -him- for him.

"Well good. If there's anything I can do to help with all that, just let me know." She's obviously still an X-Men after all and that duty will come before just about anything. Green eyes find his blue ones as he looks at her once more. "Sure, Logan. I'll carry the faith for you...and you know I always put in a good word."

Then, there's that touch. It's very very brief, but even then with it being unexpected she can't help the fact that he suffers just a tiny bit for it. Her own hand gently pulls from his cheek to touch against her own where she had just felt his skin. The tingle that slightly remains melding with the feeling of having had bare skin touch her....

"You're...stupid for doing that...warn me next time..." She offers. "Cause then..." And she reaches for his hand, "trust me" is said before she lifts it and presses his hand to her cheek once more. Only this time. There's nothing. No tingle, no sensation like he's being drained. He's just...touching her skin...and feeling her slight smile. "See."

Wolverine has posed:

"Don't blame ya. I'm got my ducks in a row after this n' it feels like I'm still herdin' em'." It does, and doesn't get easier. Sky blue eyes look back to her. "I'll keep the faith in ya. Return the favor when ya need it. It's why I want ya happy. Ya deserve it," Logan looks away to take another puff of the cigar. Just enjoying the flavor of it. Plus, it let's the world get drowned out by a favorite taste. 

"Never said I was smart darlin'. That's Hank's department," Logan says feeling that buzz an tingle in his arms. Then he feels Rogues skin wihtout the sensation that usually follows. It's a pleasant surprise. 

"If yer ducks in a row, just speak from the heart. Blurt it out. If I can help, I will," sometimes it just helps to vent. That includes getting thoughts figured out properly.

Rogue has posed:

"I don't know anymore, Logan..." Rogue says as she lets her eyes find his, holding his gaze while he's still touching her cheek. "Warren and I...we were having fun and flirting and it was quirky and cute and it made me feel...normal...for a moment." A pause as she tries to keep her thoughts in a row. Turns her head just a bit to take a drag off her cigarette.

"But there's fear there. A lot of fear. And I have to wonder if he really, truly knows what he's getting into. I don't think he knows. Or maybe he doesn't care as much as he really should. He seems so...aloof...I dunno if I can handle that."

Her eyes shift to look back to those sky blue ones. "Then you and I talk...and it's easy. It's always been so easy. And we both know where our powers stand, where they're going. You know...all the risks...and yet...you're still here. I gotta admit, Logan...it may be a little more'n a crush I got on ya..."

Wolverine has posed:

Logan's quiet for a little bit. Just keeping his thoughts inward and taking her words to heart. Listening to them and examining them. "Ya gotta ask yerself if ya can see yerself wit' someone like that. Gotta be sure n' listen to yerself. If ya don't think ya can handle it, maybe he's meant to be a good friend. Everyone's got limits, darlin'," Logan says feeling that lately. A lot. 

Looking back toward Rogue, Logan will be honest. "It might be more than a crush, but again. Gotta be honest wit' yerself. Again. Figure out angel boy. If ya think it can't get a point, work on the next problem," he points toward himself. Ocean blue eyes flick toward her. 

"Want ya to -know- what ya want. Only thing between us is air, n' opportunity," then he sees his hand. "Maybe just opportunity then." He'll start to move the hand away unless she stops him. "Tell ya somethin'. I'd only stop ya if I thought ya were in doubt," he admits honstly .It's meant to make her feel comfortable if conclusions ever form.

Rogue has posed:

Rogue smiles again. "I know you would stop me if you thought I was in doubt...and I try to only do things when I'm not doubting the outcome." She takes a breath, then she takes a drag off her cigarette, flicking ashes. "Whatever happens, in whatever context...I am glad you and I are close. Truly. It's good to know that I can talk to you about anything. And that goes both ways, ya know." She offers this and then takes another deep breath.

"But yer right. One thing at a time. I gotta figure out things with Warren. Otherwise it ain't fair to him." It's here that she moves to hug Logan, but since she's all covered in clothing it's not really a bad or dangerous thing for her to do.

Still, she has to make sure of one thing. "We good?"

Wolverine has posed:

Logan flicks some ash off of his cigar. Then he'll take another long slow inhale. Both eyes close as he savors it. Her words are not lost on him. "Me too darlin'. More than ya know," he says jsut trying to assure Rogue of his own appreciation there. 

A nod comes from Logan as she hugs him. He's in agreement with her about fairness. Logan will hold back one thing, maybe she detects it, maybe she doesn't. She might know when thoughts are stored away. He won't lie about it, but Logan may not be opena bout it. Then her question comes. 

Logan thinks on it and he'll whisper something to Rogue. Then he'll give her a nod. Is it an answer to the question? Confirming what he said? It's probably both.

Rogue has posed:

Rogue listens, takes everything in, and then there's the hug. And the whispered words. As she pulls back, she sees the nod he gives and all she can do in the moment is smile. Words are hard, especially when they're all twisted in your head.

Finally she's able to get out, "Thanks for the talk. Don't be a stranger. But I should..get to my room..get a little shut eye." And it's here that she mashes out her cigarette once more before stepping away a bit and before he can say much more she takes off to the skies. Her rooms on the second floor, but she usually uses the roof access to get to it cause it's more fun that way.