2060/Log 2060

Log 2060
Date of Scene:	19 August 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Black Cat, Cypher

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Black Cat has posed:
"Le Chat Noir!" comes the hushed and muffled whisper of Parisians on the street, as the Black Cat crosses the street, lifting her masked gaze to the top of an ornate building. "They can't remember to put ketchup on fries," she mutters. "But by God they remember the Black Cat. Rob ONE little Louvre, and suddenly you've got a stigma for life," she mutters under her breath. Narrowing her eyes, she steps back and squints in the streetlight, trying to look for....something....near the roof of the building.

Cypher has posed:
Funny how these things work. After getting his shoulder bandaged, Doug left the other X-Men and wandered Paris, well into the night. The city never really closes, and there really is champagne on every street corner, so he's well into his cups, having gotten a new shirt since his old one was ruined--He is in a thoughtful mood, as he waits to cross the street -- do people wait to cross the street in this city?

Black Cat has posed:
The sound of a car horn catches Cat's attention, and tears it away from the roof of the Cambodian Embassy. The source is an angry cabbie, trying to swerve a kid who's clearly had a little to drink. "Doug!" Cat sprints into the street. The danger's passed, but she steers him carefully to the sidewalk across the street. "What the living HELL are you doing in Paris?" Her brow furrows. "And why do you smell like sulphur and blood?"

Cypher has posed:
Doug looks up, and says, "Cat!" He blinks, "What are you doing in Paris? Oh, you know how it is," He says, "Hang out with the X-Men, wind up in an evil TV broadcast, watch somebody get killed, take a trip home with a detour in hell--" He waves a hand. "So I figured I'd see Paris! Not like I'm doing anything else, right?"

Black Cat has posed:
Cat flinches at Doug's mention of his night's activities. She knows the X-Men all too well to think he's exaggerating. That's why she steers clear of them. "You're...Are you hurt? Wait, who was killed??" Too much information to process all at once. "Slow down. Let's...let's get you come coffee..."

Cypher has posed:
"Oh, you probably don't know him! No! I'm good." Doug says, "I'm good just the way I am. In fact, I think I'd like MORE champagne, I think I saw a cafe around here that was still open." He shakes his head, and says, "Don't you worry about me..." He wobbles, "Pretty lady!"

Black Cat has posed:
"Ohgods." She helps him toward a cafe on the corner...not so much guiding him. But touching him...to keep him close. "I think maybe you've had enough. You...ARE legal, aren't you?" A pause. "How old are you?"

Cypher has posed:
Doug gives her a muzzy look. "I am 18." He says, blinking, dreamily. When he finds a chair, he sits in it. "Technically I am 18. I died when I was 15. Was dead for three years... came back... now 'm 18. I am not asking questions!" He says, leaning back. "I'd like something to drink!" He says, to a passing waiter, "Champagne! Bring the whole bottle!"

Black Cat has posed:
"Douglas, this is a cafe. We're getting some strong coffee in you. You're old enough to drink here, but not back home..." There's concern in Cat's voice, as she watches him. "How much have you had?" She motions a waitress over and quietly orders. "Deux espérons s'il vous plaît." Then she turns back to Doug, lifting a hand to his cheek gently. "Are you okay?"

Cypher has posed:
Doug thinks. "Two bottles." he says, before he blinks, when she touches his cheek. "Sure, I'm fine! Useless, but fine!" He shakes his head. "No... m' feelin' sorry for myself. Somebody died an' I couldn't help. So I feel pretty bad, really. Sorry, Cat... this is a lousy second date." He shakes his head again. "I should probably just call for a ride back to t' school."

Black Cat has posed:
"I'd really rather you didn't. I've got a jet, I'll take you home when you're ready to leave. I don't...want you to leave yet." Cat is uneasy, and she can't easily put her finger on why. He's been through a lot. But all those X-Kids have. And so instead, she tilts his chin, urging him to look at her. "Not everyone put on this Earth was put here to save a particular life. You may save ten. Twenty. But....this one. Maybe this one wasn't for you to save, Doug." Raking her fingers through her platinum curls, she sighs. "You can't save every single one."

Cypher has posed:
Doug looks up, and sets his jaw. "But I can *try harder*." he says, with finality. "I should have seen... seen that he was going to be stabbed. Could have called out. But I wasn't looking." He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. I..." He sways in his chair, "Am going to feel bad no matter what. It was his wedding day." He frowns. "Poor Remy. I think he was gonna try to make it work this time."

Black Cat has posed:
"Remy..." Cat's blue eyes go wide. "Remy LeBeau?" A hundred things rush through her mind, but she pushes them back. They aren't what matter right now. "Listen, Doug. We've all been there. We've all had that one moment where we feel like we weren't enough. Didn't do enough. Didn't help enough." She sighs. "Didn't save a life. But have you stopped to consider the lives that your help may have saved? Who might they have lost if you hadn't been there, Doug?"

Cypher has posed:
Doug puts his hand on his cheek and says "Remy LeBeau, yeah. You know him? Was gonna get married to Rogue... she was so happy. An' that spineless blob of..." He frowns, "Mojo. This is all his fault. Why, if that big bag of goo were here right now I'd kick him right in his giant butt." Then he says, "I know, Cat, I know. I just... I feel bad. It's not logical, I just do. Also I'm really, really drunk--" He lets out a small *urp*!

Black Cat has posed:
Half-smiling, the masked woman lowers her hand to his, taking it and giving a gentle squeeze. "It's okay." The waitress comes, setting down two cups of espresso between them. "Merci, Mon Cherie," whispers Cat to the waitress and giving her a friendly wink. Then she turns back to Doug. "I knew him. Some time ago..." She trails off, shaking her head. "That poor girl. I hope she's okay." Her expression softens and Cat shakes her head, watching her companion. "I feel like I should be taking advantage of how much you've had to drink, somehow." She laughs quietly, reaching out for her espresso, and lifting it to take a sip. "Not giving you coffee."

Cypher has posed:
Doug looks down at his coffee, and his fingers curl around it. "You know what my mutant power is?" He says, "I'm an omnilinguist. I interpret information." He raises it to his lips, "And I respond to it. Any information." He tips it all back in one go. Then he sets it down, and says "I don't know..." He looks down, "M' still trying to figure out what I want out of life. I can't promise true love. Is that all right?"

Black Cat has posed:
She hadn't flinched when he said he'd died. And the news of his power is wholly insurprising. "Doug, I'm six years older than you are. And I can tell you I've never known what love is, much less felt it. Maybe it exists out there. Maybe it's just a bunch of statistics stacking the odds. Don't think for a moment I could promise the same. No one can. But I'm here for you. Right here and right now. And I'll look out for you, 'cause I know without a doubt, you'd do the same for me."

Cypher has posed:
Doug looks up, and raises his eyebrows. "I think mebbe I did, once. I thought I loved the girl I died to protect... an' I do, but-- it was another place, another time. Never gonna happen." He sets his empty cup of espresso down, and he says, "I have to be honest, otherwise... it'd just not be right. So I can't promise you forever, Cat. But I can promise you tonight. I'm drunk, but I'm not crazy..."

Black Cat has posed:
Cat smiles softly. "Then don't promise me anything at all. Just be here, tonight. Be a tourist, with secrets just like every other tourist here. Like me. At least you're not wearing your secrets like some sort of ironic scarlet letter that announces them to the world."

Cypher has posed:
Doug tilts his head, and then says, "In some ways maybe it'd be better if I couldn't hide it. If I didn't have th' luxury of bein' able to hide it." He leans forward, on his elbows. "So what're we gonna do, Cat? Th' museums are closed. Th' coffee's good..."

Black Cat has posed:
"I dunno." She shrugs and sips her coffee. "It's midnight in Paris. I should be trying to you you back to my room, for all the wrong reasons." She breathes a laugh. "I'm not a good person, Doug. But there are those moments that I can overcome that. You sorta make me believe I can."

Cypher has posed:
Doug tilts his head, at that, and then says, "I've known lots of people who didn't believe they were good. I don't think my definition of th' word's the same as everybody else's. I know a girl -- we're just friends, don't worry -- who was *dark*. And she's even darker now. But she always stood up for me, and she was looking out for me today, even if she didn't know it. So maybe you're not a good person. Maybe I'm not askin' you to be, Cat. That's your call to make."

Black Cat has posed:
Cat smiles at that. "Well, Doug. We could ramble through the streets of Paris in the dark like a couple of bohemian backpackers, and end up back at my place. They show boobs on TV here. Guys like boobs, right?"

Cypher has posed:
Doug looks down, and his cheeks flush, and he says, "I *have* an HBO account." He says, lightly. "...Okay." He says. "That would be--" He sighs, exhaling breath. "That would be pretty great. I don't know if I'm in the mood for TV though."

Black Cat has posed:
Grinning, Cat nods. "Fair enough. We'll find something you're in the mood for. TV'S off the table." She lifts her cup and drains it. "Maybe I should find some champagne and catch up to you...a little."

Cypher has posed:
"They sell it on every street corner!" Doug says. He closes one eye and rubs the back of his neck. "This really is a great city... wish it was a happier day." he sighs, and then gets up. He's all set to wobble off. "All right... let's go--"