Roguish Charm

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Magneto did not make many appearances in the city. When he did, it was usually to gather supplies for The Brotherhood. But tonight, the reason for his venture was entirely different. He knew he had to tread carefully; he was after all one of the most wanted men in the world. It wasn't so much that he feared capture or the pitiful attempts of humans; it was that they proved to be a hindrance to his cause. And he would much rather not waste the time nor energy dealing with them. He was rather task oriented and the less distractions, the better and more time efficient he could be. He was currently on his way to meet with a mutant who had expressed interest in the Brotherhood. Because another Brotherhood mutant and vouched for this particular one, Magneto had decided to speak to him in private. After all, it was far too dangerous to merely disclose the location of their headquarters. Such was a place where the other Brotherhood mutants felt safe and comfortable and Magneto was not going to do anything to jeopardize that.

Taking pride in his appearance, he was currently clad in attire that was casual yet gave a sophisticated appearance. He also wore his usual fedora hat and sunglasses to further conceal his appearance. He was confident, unafraid, and showed no sign of paranoia. Even when he entered a crowded pub, the very place that he and the other mutant had agreed to meet. Magneto glanced at his watch, aware that he was a little early, but he had planned it this was. For he could not see whether this was a genuine meeting or whether it was a set up. He was prepared for either. The only description he had of the mutant was that he had green hair which was often covered with a hood. Magneto took a seat at one of the booths, ordering a glass of scotch while he waited. He assessed the massive crowd without looking directly at anyone; avoiding drawing any attention to himself. Though that became quite impossible when after some time, a group of three men approached him. They stopped right near his table, standing around it. They remained silent, and Magneto could tell they grew agitated when he refused to acknowledge their presence.

"You look familiar," one of them stated. It was evident from the way these men stood that they frequented the bar, and most probably frequented in the engagement of bar fights. Wonderful. The stupidity of the human race. Magneto remained composed as he turned his head to look at them, completely unfazed by whatever threatening demeanor they were attempting to intimidate him with. They were failing miserably. "Where do I know ya from," another one of the men stated, as they tried to mentally place him. Were they asking him or telling him? Imbeciles. "Do enlighten me to the answer if or when you find it gentleman. Provided I am still here when you discover it." He was subtly insulting them; basically calling them -- "You callin' us stupid?!" One of them demanded. How wonderful that they understood subtlety. "How perfectly astute of you," Magneto answered sarcastically. They glared at him, though Erik assumed they didn't know the meaning of the word. It was clearly the tone in which he spoke to them in that was provoking them. But then again, they had come here clearly looking for a fight. And it would be one they had no chance or hope of winning.

Tag Rogue

[eloquentnovelist]

The world is an ugly place.

Well shit... That was an understatement. The world was frustrating and in so many ways. Humans and mutants were vying for dominance int the world instead of cohabitating and having mutual natural relationships with either species. Back when she was still a student, she learned the basics in biology and how the world got past being a single celled organism. Adaptation. Often times, nature even came together. Rogue felt like she was giving the world a science lesson, ruler in her hand as she stood at the blackboard.

Ok kids! Today we're gonna learn about mutual bonds. Basic example. Bird sits on hippo. Bird is protected from gators and gets to be on the water. Hippo gets benefit of bird picking the plant and micro organisms off its back that the hippo can't reach. Two different species making the best of a situation. Learn it.

Dear lord... It was a concept that even children understood. Children were more pure of heart. Add the negativity from the world and that child would grow up judgmental, scared, and bitter. Add the fact that bigots would condition that child to hate what they feared, and that's how the world ended up how it ended up. Rogue remembered the night her mutation first arose. She had been terrified. The last thing on her mind was trying to use her power to her selfish benefit. What she needed was comfort and words to give her strength. She had received none of that. The first mutant she met after that was detrimental. He's taught her friendship, family, and acceptance. Were it a different man, her life might have ended up a lot different. Overall, she had no regrets about the path she had taken. Marie had fallen into good hands to evolve into the stubborn and head strong young woman often referred to as Rogue.

It was odd indeed for Rogue to be chewing over something in her head that wasn't touch. Today, she wouldn't waste a thought on something she couldn't control. Literally. She had done therapy, meditation, breathing exercises, hypnosis, and it was all to no avail. She accepted it, as the prayer of serenity had advised. So what if she wasn't like the other mutants who could fly on ice shoots and control weather patterns... She was still one of them. She just had to work harder to be a valuable asset.

Tracing the wet rim of her class with her bare fingertip, she finally slid it forward to be refilled. "Can ah get another?" The bar keep didn't hesitate and quickly picked up a bottle and poured the amber contents out of the nozzle and into her glass. About to pick up the glass, a commotion drew her attention from the contents just in front of her. She didn't put too much weight into it. After all, bars were common places for liquor induced brawls to happen. It wasn't until another voice spoke that she slowly turned her head to take a gander at the scene unfolding in the establishment. Oh ya gotta be kiddin' me.

There was no one who wanted Magneto to get what he deserved more than Rogue. Unfortunately, there was a time and a place for that and it was anywhere innocent people might not get hurt. Pushing off the bar stool, she addressed the bar keep. "Ah'll be right back, sugah." First thing's first. Rogue dug into her back pocket and retrieved her gloves, yanking them on quickly before making her way over.

Part of her wanted to give him what he had coming. And just when she thought she might throw a mean left hook in his direction, she stopped behind the two men, hands on her hips as she addressed them loud enough. "Gentlemen, ah assure ya, he deserves whatever ya mean tah pull on him, but let me be honest with ya, he's gonna win, no matter what."

Rogue tsked and shook her head before slipping past both of them, patting their shoulders as she moved. When using feminine wiles to persuade the opposite sex, making a physical connection often sealed the deal. Rogue wasn't exactly the small flat teenager she use to be. The girl was curvaceous and not afraid to show it. "Save yaself the trouble and go get yourselves another beer, and put it on mah tab. Jimmy over there will take care of ya." Rogue pointed over to where she had been sitting and waved to her server, blowing a playful kiss in his direction.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Magneto had a feeling that things were about to escalate, however rather unexpectedly, a woman appeared. She told the men that he deserved whatever they planned to do to him, but that he would win regardless. Magneto concealed any surprise by this, as it was not exactly easy to cause a grand emotional reaction from that. Instead, he watched with a slight smirk, rather pleased by this woman's confidence in approaching the situation, and the way she casually dismissed the man, offering them drinks, courtesy of the bar tender. It seemed that the night was turning into a rather pleasant one with her presence here. The men seemed unable to refuse her rather generous offer, and it certainly helped that she was a rather attractive young woman, carrying interesting features that made it easy for any man to turn his head. But it was no so much physical appearance that he found particularly captivating about her; it was the way she presented herself, her tone, her actions . . . and he was intrigued. There was also a chance that she was a mutant and because of that possibility, he was not quick to dismiss her.

"This ain't over," one of the men mumbled to him before he and the other turned to take the woman up on the offer. They even prolonged their gaze on her, as if they'd been hoping she would join them. Magneto briefly watched the two men walk away before turning his attentions on the woman who had intervened. "It seems you know a fair bit about me and I find myself at a disadvantage for I know nothing about you." Her words that she knew who he was. And yet, did not report him or blatantly state who he was. He did not fear her doing so, but the intrigue remained as to why she did so. "Please," he said, motioning his hand to the seat across from him. He remained completely composed and calm, rather hoping to find out more about this rather interesting woman. "Join me. Allow me the pleasure of your company." She recognized him, and so now what exactly was her agenda in approaching the situation? Whatever it was, she seemed fairly comfortable being in his company . . . otherwise she would not have come and dismissed the only back up, even though she had quite accurately stated that they would not win against him.

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue kept an eye on the men, not the man being threatened. Perhaps it was unwise, knowing just what the man was capable of. But... Instinct spoke. And instinct was seldom silenced when it came to her. How does one calm the instinct of a wild thing without taming it? She didn't know either. That was how the world crafted her and instead of fighting it, she went with the flow. The men were leaving, watching her as they stalked off. Rogue returned their glances with a sweet bat of the lashes and a sweet as sugar smile.

The men might have been grumpy but... It was better than them being dead and tied up with metal cables or such. Erik was a formidable opponent. She had heard from a reliable grapevine the horrors he was responsible for. But he had nothing to fear from her. She was his own kind. And he was hers, which assured her she would be safe for the time being. It was better to have her life at risk instead of the lives of innocent civilians. At least she had training. "Ah keep an ear to the wind for useful information." It was better to be vague than for her to admit that she knew exactly who he was and how much she disapproved him. Get her riled up enough and this might just become a debate with lots of drinks, preferably whiskey.

He motioned for her to sit across from him and she chuckled. "Ah assure ya, ya ain't gonna be enjoyin' mah company for very long. One might say we have different views... From what the grape vine's been tellin' me." Rogue kept a green eyed gaze on him, wondering how he would react to such a statement. "In fact, ah might even say that you an' ah have more of a chance to tussle than those fellas that just eased their way onto mah tab."

Rogue pinched the bridge of her nose with her gloved hand and tried to bite back a smile of amusement. Being southern sometimes had its perks. Right now, her southern manners were biting at her heels, urging her to have a seat. Placing a hand on the chair he motioned to, Rogue nodded. "If ya insist, sir, then ah'll gladly provide some company until ya tire of it."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

The woman spoke of how she held a an ear for, useful information. Well, that was interesting indeed. That she considered information about him to be useful. And yet, she did not approach him with any caution or hesitation. It was after all her confidence that had initially intrigued him about her, and continued to do so. Particularly when she spoke of how he would not enjoy her company because of their conflicting views. According to this alleged 'grape vine'. It caused him to continue to smile, showing no reluctance or regret for his former invitation to have her join him. In fact, her words only made him desire her company more to discover what exactly she had heard about him, from whom, and what qualified her to be an adequate opponent in a -- how did she so eloquently put it -- a tussle. How delightfully compelling. "Just because we share conflicting views, does not mean we are incapable of having a civil conversation," he stated, still allowing his offer to stand. He was well aware that sometimes, his political discussions with others did not exactly remain civil for it often grew heated -- mostly those with Charles. But Erik often remained poised and even tempered -- he did not physically lash out just because someone said something he disagreed with. "Nor does it call for any hostility. At least not on my end," he said, slightly teasingly, in reference to her words of a tussle. She had to be a mutant.

Something gave her the courage and determination to confront him like this. She knew who he was, and even told the men before that they were an uneven match. Yet, her words implied that she perhaps possessed something that would make her an adequate one. And he was rather curious to find out what that was. "I can not imagine ever growing tired of your company," he added in a charming tone, with a bit of a smile, continuing to extend his hand as a non verbal motion for her to join him. She was growing closer to doing so, holding the back of the seat. "Though I am aware you are fully capable of handling your own tab, would you permit me to buy you a drink?" A peace offering, to start things off on the right foot and hopefully provide her further incentive to join him at his table. He also wanted to make it a point that he knew she was self sufficient and that she could easily get her own drink, hence the reason he had voiced his initial words of awareness. His also purposely let his last word slightly trail, as if his sentence was unfinished, because he did not know what her name was and therefore, did not know how to refer to her. "As I am certain you know my name, we are half way through introductions. Would you care to complete them?" By offering her name to him. He phrased and spoke his words in a way to attempt to ease the other person, in this case, the woman. He did not want her to feel that he was saying anything in an aggressive, threatening, or rude manner.

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue was a survivor. She had to be. In a world where their kind was constantly on the chopping block, if there was a skill to learn when you were constantly hitting the road and on your own, it was survivalism. Again, back to that science lesson. Survival of the fittest. The strong shall live and the weak shall die. She had several things going against her. First, she was several minorities. A mutant and a woman, a pretty one at that. Small enough to look like a pushover with a mouth that could get her into so much trouble, she seemed like an easy target. If she played her cards right, she was able to manipulate and sweet talk her way out of a situation, such as the two brutes who were now treating themselves to her tab. Rogue grinned. "Ya'd be surprised to find out how many people would disagree with ya."

People these days, were pig headed and full of themselves. Example number one was right at the bar where she had left her drink. One glance at the men, and she could already see how foolish they would look strung up from the ceiling and begging for their lives. Seemed like Magneto was putting on the charm now. "Oh trust me, ah can be quite stubborn, annoying, big mouthed, and hot headed. Ah wouldn't even have to try very hard to give ya one of the worst headaches of yer life." She smiled at that, a tight lipped smile that emulated the cat that ate the canary.

Feh! Oh what the hell? She wasn't doing anything except having a drink to forget for a moment. Though she wasn't ashamed of her powers, it didn't change the fact that she couldn't revel in the comfort of touch. Rogue nodded finally. "Well... Alright. Ya drive a hard bargain." Rogue pulled out the chair and took a seat at the table. Better to keep an eye on him than to leave him to his own devices in a room full of innocent humans. "Ah'll have a glass of bourbon, straight up, no ice." Spoken like a true lady of the south...

But where had her manners gone? Rogue was actually enjoying this chat. It was better than drinking alone. Extending her hand to him, she smiled her most charming smile and extended her gloved hand. "Call me Rogue. 'Scuse mah manners. When breaking up an almost fight, even a lady can forget something as simple as an introduction."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She spoke of how many would disagree with him. Well, lucky for her, that was not a foreign notion. He was rather used to people disagreeing with him. "Fortunately for us both, I am unconcerned with those who may disagree with me," he told her honestly, a smile remaining on his lips, the words sounding like a mix of a light tease and with genuine truth to them. She then listed off rather negative qualities about herself and that only further amused him. For she seemed to say it in almost a playful way. "Perhaps you should allow me to be the judge of that. For thus far, I see none of those traits in you." He paused for a moment. "Though do not mistaken my words as presenting you with a challenge to prove me wrong," he added teasingly. While Magneto remained serious in practically all aspects of his life, it did not mean he was incapable of having a lighter conversation. One that was not centered around politics and the ongoing war between the two races.

He was rather certain the conversation would eventually go to that, as it always did -- especially since she had already stated that her views differed from his. But until it got there, he would merely encourage the more casual conversation between them. That was after all what he had offered her: civil conversation. He continued to watch her as she finally conceded and took a seat in the chair, even going ahead to order the drink she wanted. When she did, Erik raised his hand to the server who immediately came over. He repeated the woman's order and then ordered his own glass of their finest scotch. That way, she would not have to drink alone. That would appear rather peculiar. It seemed to be three for three, for she then gave her his name, extending her hand for him to take, which he of course did so, giving it a very gentle light squeeze. "Rogue," he acknowledged, repeating her name and immediately aware that that was not her human name. Good. He preferred mutant names anyway.

"It is an immense pleasure it is to make your acquaintance." He then slowly released hold of her hand, not dragging out the embrace, but not shortening it too much either to make it seem like he was in a hurry: such details were to be considered as it all fell into the category of remaining polite and dignified. "Do not worry. I will not hold it against you," he said, once again in a calm, slightly teasing voice. "Just as I hope you will not hold my lack of introduction against me. I fear it will become redundant for you if I introduce myself." Because she seemed to know all about him already. The drinks promptly arrived and once the waitress set them down and made her leave, Erik continued on with the conversation. "May I ask what brought you to my company tonight?" He asked, curious to know what had compelled her to intervene and find a way to dismiss the threat that imposed him. Not that he was complaining; he was merely curious.

[eloquentnovelist]

For a mutant terrorist and mastermind, he was actually very pleasant to converse with, and somewhat charming. Hell, her plan was to diffuse the situation and then head back to the bar where her bourbon was waiting for her. The choice was still up for grabs. Rogue's green eyes were fleeting, glance flickering back and forth to the seat in front of her and the bar where those two brutes were sitting now. They seemed anxious, like they were hoping she would come in join them. She was out of their league. WAY out of their league, and she meant that in the most humble way possible. It wasn't because she was pretty. She had heard many times the same compliment paid to her. Mostly it was because she didn't allow anyone to get close to her romantically. Then there was the obstacle of her power. She shrugged it off and turned her attention back to the man inviting her to sit. "Then ah won't take it as a challenge and simply as an invitation to have a seat and chat. Just two sorta strangers havin' a drink."

He coerced a name out of her and of course, he was receptive to it. She expected that much. Magneto was practically a diplomat for mutants in his own way. He would most likely take his time trying to figure her out instead of just diving into the enigma that she was. A lovely woman having a drink alone in a dark bar, one that fended off drunken brutes... There was a story behind that. Had to be. Whether she would give it to him or not was yet to be seen, even in her own mind. She wasn't certain she should be sitting with him in the first place. But hell, what was life without a little risk? Her life was a walking talking risk and if she couldn't touch, then she'd get her endorphins by taking a few gambles and bathing in the rush of it all.

He released her hand. For once, it felt like she wasn't being looked over appraisingly. He seemed more interested in the content of her character, not the equipment she was born with. He was already refreshing company. "Ah dare say the feeling is mutual." She smirked and let her hands settle in her lap. It was habit to keep her hands from people, even if she was wearing gloves. There it was. Story time. Rogue had a novel. Several. But he was asking for a brief summary of a page from her book. "Just gettin' away from real life for a while. Ya ever get to a point in your life and wonder how ya ever got there? That's what Ah'm doin'. Havin' a drink, and wonderin'."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

He smiled and gave a small nod when she assured him that she would not take it as a challenge, but rather, an innocent invitation. One that he was still glad she had taken up him on, for she sat with him now, willingly engaging in conversation. And from her body language, tone and content of words, it was clear that the interest in company was not one sided on his part; it was mutual. He slightly raised his glass to that, offering a small cheers before he took a sip of his beverage. Strangers. Yes. He supposed they were strangers at this point, but he certainly hoped to alter that by the end of their conversation -- whenever it did come to its inevitable conclusion. Something told him that there was a lot more to her than what met the eye. It was what interested him in her. It wasn't that she was another pretty face. Magneto's perception of others was not so shallow. To him, a woman's beauty lay in their strength of heart and mind. In their behavior and capabilities. And then of course, in their mutation.

Thus far, she was succeeding in meeting all this criteria of being an exquisitely beautiful woman; if she hadn't, then he would have dismissed her quite some time back. She said that the feeling was mutual, her phrasing suggesting that there was some hesitation in admitting this, or at least some surprise in being able to state it so easily. This was where he was so grossly misunderstood. While he aimed to instill fear in humans -- in retaliation to all the fear they instilled in mutants -- he wanted other mutants to understand that he fought for them. That they should not fear him. That he was an advocate for their rights by fighting in this war that some did not even know, accept, or acknowledge was occurring. The fact that she knew who he was and yet sat with him now and conversed with him, was something he was rather glad for. He listened intently as she answered his question, as he took another sip of his drink. He made sure to look at her with interest and focus, without staring at her to make her feel uncomfortable.

He was genuine in his hope to understand her more and did not want that to be misconstrued by dumbly fixating his gaze on her for it could be easily misinterpreted when a man stared at a woman a little too hard. And he would prevent her from making any incorrect assumptions about his intentions. "Your words strongly relate to me, so I understand far more than you may realize," he told her, still maintaining a small smile on his lips. "But tell me, is it in a positive way or negative way?" He further inquired, pausing only for a moment before he continued to further elaborate on the meaning of his question. "Is it a wonder that causes you to be filled with many regrets. Or a wonder that allows you to feel that everything you have done was fate leading you on the right path, the path that you are on now?" If he could pick one for his own, it would be the latter. While he did have regrets, where he was now was where he felt he was meant to be. But he was not talking about himself right now. He was far more interested in learning more about her. And he hoped that much was evident in the way he asked his question to her, taking into account the expression and tone he used when asking it.

[eloquentnovelist]

He toasted his glass and she did the same, even clinking her bourbon to his drink before taking a drink. The heat of the drink burned all the way down in the sweetest way. In a way, it cleansed her before setting another flame ablaze. Rogue enjoyed a good conversation over a couple of drinks. She hadn't been expecting one tonight so when Magneto presented her with an opportunity, it thrilled her. Setting her glass down, she then fixated her gaze at him and his eyes. Often, people said the eyes were the window to the mind and soul. So what did his mind and soul intend to converse with her about? Rogue didn't make it a habit to stare into people's eyes, especially a strangers. It was usually the combination of liquor and curiosity that produced these results. So when she caught herself doing it, she merely grinned broadly and produced the most light hearted chuckle.

"You'll have to forgive me. Ah hardly sit down for a night of drinkin' so Ah'm not exactly mahself... But the addition of liquor is often thought to produce the true person to the world without boundaries or inhibitions so maybe ah really am mahself at the moment." It was an interesting thought how a little glass of amber liquid could effect her in such a way. She wasn't a rowdy drunk. Hell, she wasn't even drunk. Just lightly buzzed from the burn that increased in her blood. Without liquor, Rogue kept mostly to herself, a lone wolf as one would call her. Not that she was against being social, she just preferred to run on her own. It meant she could come and go as she pleased and not wait up for anyone. She did enough of that on a team. When one was as wild and free spirited as Rogue, it was hard to find someone who was able to keep up with all the directions she was heading. And currently, she didn't know which direction her path was leading her.

"Is that so?" She was intrigued now. Magneto often was rumored to terrorize to benefit on behalf of mutants. While she admitted that her kind was treated often with prejudice and and unfairness, she didn't exactly see a benefit to portraying herself in an ominous light. She fought for what was right and against malice. "Most of the time, it's a negative light. But to let that get the best of me would be to admit defeat. Lately, it's been... Rather positive. Ah've stopped running from what ah am and what Ah'm capable. Ah define me and a choose what contributes to that." It was on the brink of Rogue developing into a strong and courageous young woman that she had learned regrets will only hold you back. "You learn from your mistakes. That's the best thing you can do. Ya shouldn't have regrets. Ya should make those regrets lessons from your mistakes. So, yes, ah have lots of lessons from mah past but ah would hardly call them regrets. Everythin' happens for a reason and even if our past is ugly, it shapes us, molds us into the people we are today. Ah don't regret me. Ah'm not perfect, but Ah'm not trash either." She didn't know where her path was going. So far, she was just enjoying the journey, even if it was on her own most of the time.