Connection
Krakoa, X–Force #3
Irene had went and laughed as she had played the game with the others that were here, enjoying it with them when she had noticed that there was a commotion with one of the gates, it made her curious as she had went to see what was going on, as she did, Irene had seen that everyone was gathering, making her curious, Irene had went and walked over to see what it was.
Approaching where all of the others were, the young mutant had seen That Charles Xavier was alive again, good, that mean that the lockdown was over if they were lucky, Irene had went and waved towards the telepathic mutant before deciding that she was going to go and see what Grandfather knew about this, as she had walked away, Irene noticed that there were more faces.
Seeing all of them around here, she was getting curious and wondering how many of them were resurrections and how many of them had come from their homes, speaking of home, Irene felt in the mood for an adventure, so she had went to go towards one of the few places that Grandfather had allowed her to venture to on her own as she stepped through the gate.
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New Orleans
Irene was happy that the block was lifted as she had went and stepped through, taking a breath of Fresh Air for herself as she had walked through, only to bump into someone, “Oh, so sorry Pitit.” a woman had said to her with a smile to which Irene had returned, “Pas de problème Mademoiselle, j'aurais dû regarder où j'allais.(No problem Miss, I should have been watching where I was going.)” she replied.
The woman had smiled at that before realizing that she was all alone, “Are you alone here Pitit?” she had asked, seeing no one with her, at that, Irene had nodded, “I just came from Krakoa, I wanted to explore since I never got the chance to before.” She had told her, making the woman tsk, “It’s not safe for you to be wanderin’ the streets alone.” she told her, “What about your Paran?” the women had asked.
“It’s just me and Grandfather right now.” she had told her, “And he’s busy on the council right now.” hearing that, the woman had smiled before they both heard a growl coming from Irene’s stomach, making her smile, “If you’re here on a trip, then you should have some of New Orleans finest cuisine.” she said offering her hand, “Grandfather said to never follow strangers.” she told the woman.
The woman had smiled at that, “Your grand-père is smart,” the woman said, making Irene glad that someone else knew it, “My name is Mattie Baptiste, but everyone calls me Tante Mattie.” she told Irene, making the young girl smile as she had taken her hand to follow the woman, “My name is Irene Essex.” she had told her, making Tante Mattie smile back as they headed to her home.
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Tante Mattie’s Home, New Orleans
Irene had went and smiled towards the place as she had started to smell the delicious food that was there, “So, Miss Essex, you live on that island like Remy?” Tante Mattie had asked of her, “Yep!” she had said, “I actually met him.” Irene had said when she looked and saw that there were pictures of him and others around on her wall, “He seemed nice, wish I met Rogue when she was awake.” Irene had told her.
Tanta Mattie was sad to hear that about the pair, when she had looked back, she saw the the girl was upset as well, making the woman tut at that when she had heard a noise, “Tante Mattie! Do I smell your–” a older man that was dressed in a trench coat started to say when he saw that there was a little girl there, “Ah, hello Petit.” he said, bowing his head to her.
“Jean–Luc Lebeau, meet Irene Essex,” Mattie said, “Irene, this is Jean–Luc, Remy’s Perre.” she had said, “Hello there.” Irene had said, offering her hand to Jean–Luc who took it and gave a shake, “Pleasure to meet you.” Jean–Luc said, “She came from Krakoa to look around.” Tante Mattie told him, “The poor Pitit was all alone so I invited her here.
Jean–Luc had smiled at that as the girl saw something, it was one of the old card packs that he had left around here, “Can you play?” Jean–Luc had asked of her, hearing that, Irene had looked sheepish and confused before answering, “Sorry, I don’t.” Irene had told them, making Jean–Luc grin, “Tell me, Irene, do you know what a hustle is?” he had asked of her, making Irene grin as well.
“I probably shouldn’t have let you two meet.” Tante Mattie had said to the pair as she saw the grins on their faces, whatever these two were planning, at least they were happy right now as Jean–Luc had started to explain to her the rules of Poker so that they could begin their hustle against their future marks with the young girl adding to the information she already had to make it more fun.
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Card Den, New Orleans
Jean–Luc and Irene both had grins on their faces as they had went and approached a chair, “I told you Lebeau that you’re banned.” the owner had said to the two of them while they had noticed that there was a child with him, “Oh, I’m not playing, she is.” he had said, gently pushing her forward and Irene going ang grinning towards them, “Hello.” she had ‘innocently’ said.
The young blood looked interested while the old souls that had been here when Remy was a child, “She’ll be playing with my money.” Jean–Luc had said and at that, the greedy ones had went and agreed, all of them happy at that as they had set up a table while the older ones had watched with grins as Irene had fumbled, making the cards all explode onto the table.
Making them all grin as another had went and started to shuffle, putting a little flair into it and Irene giving a fake look of awe as she had went and had seen that her hand was being stacked against her as she looked to Jean–Luc who started to instruct her on what to do, making Irene smile towards that before they had went and won her money this time around.
“Awww!” she had sadly went before she pouted, “Oh, come on little girl, we can try it again.” she had heard from one of them before they had started again, Irene losing round after round after round before she only had enough for one last hand against them, “Okay, last one petit.” Jean–Luc went, a little worried now for his money, “One more!” Irene said determined now.
The men had complied and had went and started again, Irene looking nervous at that before she had went and started to play before she had went and revealed her hand, surprising the group there as she had went, and had taken all of their money, “Beginners luck.” Irene had said as it was her turn to deal the cards as she had went and made a little rainbow of cards.
The men there were a little spooked at the display as she had went and set them up better than they had, Irene had taken some of Jean–Luc’s skill and some from the others, she was happily taking all of their money away from them, “Thank you! Today was quite fun!” she had said to the men before skipping out of the room beside Jean–Luc, handing him his cut.
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New Orleans
Jean–Luc and Irene had both walked beside each other, “That was fun!” Irene had said to the man, “Most fun I had since I had trained Remy.” he had went towards the younger girl, happy as he had looked at her before they had went and approached the gate, as they did, Irene was tempted to walk back and warn Mister Sinister before she saw that there was Sinister Drone approaching.
She had smiled and waved at that, “Hullo grandfather!” Irene had said with a wave, “I’m fine, just enjoying New Orleans!” she had told them, hearing that, the drone had seemed to nod towards her, dropping a package for her, curious she had picked it up and saw that it was some new DNA samples for her to absorb, In case of emergencies written onto it, “Thank you!” Irene had told the drone.
At that, she had walked away while the drone returned to the gate, “Okay!” Irene had went, smiling to Jean–Luc, “Can we see Tanta Mattie?” Irene had went and Jean–Luc who was counting his money had nodded at that, the two of them heading away as Irene had went and saw what abilities that grandfather had sent her and had smiled at the array that was available to her.
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Tanta Mattie’s Home, New Orleans
Irene had went and munched down on the food that had been served, loving every bite of it with tears coming to her eyes as she had her meal, “What is this beautiful creation?” Irene had asked of the Tanta Mattie, making the woman smile towards her, “That is Gumbo Cheri.” Tante Mattie had told her, “It is beautiful!” Irene had said between bites with a hearty grin on her face.
Mattie had smiled at the expression she was showing and was happy that she was able to try this before she had went and finished up the last of the the gumbo, “Shouldn’t you be gettin’ ready to go home?” Mattie had asked of her, making Irene look at her in curiosity, “Why?” she had asked of her, surprised that she would want her to leave so suddenly now, even Grandfather and Claudine didn’t.
“No,” Mattie said as if she could understand what she was thinking, “I just wondered if you wanted to see what was going to happen next.” Mattie said, confusing her as she had went and finished the gumbo up, “Next?” she had asked, curious of her statement, “I guarantee that you’ll see someone you love when you get back.” she had told Irene which had made her grin at that.
“Okay!” Irene had told her before getting ready, pocketing her money and the card pack, “Have a good day.” Irene had said with a bow to her before she ran to the gate, Mattie watching her as she did and as she did, the woman had hoped that whatever would come for the young girl in the future would not drown her in the dangers that would come before her.
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Krakoa, Excalibur #6
Irene was happy at that, skipping through the gate where she saw that there was a noise as they saw that there was a grumpy– she couldn’t pronounce it so Irene will call him Big Blue, still dripping in that egg fluid as he had headed to one of the gates, “Hello sir!” Irene had happily said to him, “What happened to you?” she had asked of him, looking as innocent as possible to him as she already knew the answer.
“A ritual was completed, child.” he had told her, hearing that, Irene got confused, “How could you die?” she had asked, “I thought that you couldn’t die forever?” Irene had asked of him, “The mutant Rogue, is how.” Big Blue had said, continuing his walk while she had grinned at the thought, “Thank you.” Irene had said to him, grinning at the sound of that while she had went to wait near their home.
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Lebeau Residence, Krakoa
Irene had heard the sound of them coming back, making Irene grin as she had went to the house, trying to sneak as she had went and used the invisibility that she had absorbed from the samples as she had started to look around, only to see that they were in the Hot Tub and were that thing that Claudine called Skyclad, as Rogue was looking to the sea while Remy was walking to her with drinks.
“You know, when you was trapped in there, I kept thinkin’ of back when we were young and feisty, and you wouldn’t talk to me for days on end.” Remy had told her, making Irene listen in interest as she had watched them, “Yeah?” Rogue had asked as she turned to him, “Mm–hmm.” Remy said as Irene crouched, worried that she saw her, “I’m sure glad we grew outta that.” he said sounding like a smile on his face.
“Me too sugar.” Rogue said, sounding sad as she said that, “Hey, I heard y’all had nightmares in that lighthouse.” Rogue had said and there was a frown on her face while she was curious on why Rogue was sad, “Not me. I didn’t sleep while you was in there.” Remy had told her, making Irene smile at the sound of that, thinking that it was sweet of him to do that.
“I had one.” Rogue had said, making her curious as Irene had approached, “In mine, I was strapped to a table.” Rogue had told him, surprising Irene, “The Professor was there, and Forge, and all The Five, and they were pokin’ at me.” she had said, “They were experimentin’ on me to see if I could have a baby.” she had said and hearing that, Irene started to not like what she heard.
“Talkin’ about how we all had to have babies now, but if I did it, it’d kill me, or the baby, or both.” she had said, hearing that, Irene had gotten sad and scared for her as Remy leaned in, twirling a strange of her hair, “Rogue, if you wanna do that–” “I don’t.” Rogue had said and hearing that, Irene’s heart had broken, “That’s the point, Remy. That was my biggest fear coming to the island.” Rogue had told her husband.
“That because we’re married now, everyone would want us to have a baby.” Rogue had went and told him, “I started thinkin’ about how I’m sure this wonderful island would make a way for someone like me to have a baby… if I wanna.” Rogue had said, “Do you wanna?” Irene had thought, “Which made me realize I DIDN’T wanna.” Rogue had said, hurt Irene more than anything before in her life.
“Seemed like a lot of trouble… for somethin’ I didn’t even WANT.” Rogue had told her husband as Irene had listened, “I don’t want a baby, Remy.” She had told him, “Not now. Maybe not ever.” Rogue had told Remy, “It was hard enough to let ONE person in, and that was you.” she had asked Remy who looked understanding of what she was saying to him as her eyes started to glisten.
“I don’t know that I’m ready for that change.” Rogue had told him, “I signed up to live this life with YOU.” Rogue told him as he leaned in to hug her, “…And the cats.” Remy said, “And the cats.” she said with a smile, “You in good control now?” he asked, “No gloves, no bracelet, no problem?” he had asked her, “Mm–hmm!” she had said, sounding happy, “Nothing to worry about but enjoying the night together.” she said.
Rogue had leaned in to kiss him before he spoke, “This body here’s all yours.” he told her, making Irene back away, “And whatever you do with it… well. I’m just happy to be included, ma’am.” he had said as Irene had started to leave, “…But if you DID want a kid, it’d be a good excuse to spend all our time foolin’ around.” he said, “Who needs an excuse?” she said as Irene had ran away.
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Bar Sinister
Irene was in her bed and she was silently sobbing, tears coming out of her eyes in droves as Irene had recalled everything that Rogue had said about having kids, how she didn’t want them, how they probably would never have or want kids, how they wouldn’t want… Irene couldn’t help but cry more and more when she had heard the sound of someone approaching her room, “Go away!” Irene had shouted.
But they didn’t listen to her, instead, it was Nightcrawler, giving her a kind smile, “Hello Kleine.(Little one.)” Nightcrawler said as he had saw her crying face, “What happened?” he had asked, Irene had shaken her head at that, nightcrawler nodded at that, “My Mutter(Mother) said that you are a fan of Rogue and Remy?” Kurt had said to her, “Yes.” Irene had told him, even after what she heard.
Hearing that and how she said it, Kurt, “Do you not anymore?” he had asked of her, “No,” Irene went, “Yes… I… I don’t know.” Irene had told him, “I still think they’re amazing, I still want to meet them, but…” Irene had started, not really sure how to tell the blue teleporter why she felt this way, her tears coming back with a vengeance as she had recalled Rogues words.
Kurt didn’t know what got her so upset, he assumed that it was Mister Sinister who had told her something bad about the pair, Mystique telling him that he never wanted her near the two, it had confused and made him a little angry at the man when he had gotten a text message from his sister, reading it, he had smiled before looking to the little girl, “I have a question, Irene, how do you feel about Katzen?(Cats?)”
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Lebeau Residence, Krakoa
Irene was nervous as Nightcrawler had led her back to their home, trailing behind the man as the couple had waited outside for him, “Kurt! Good to see–” Rogue had started before she saw that there was another behind him, “And who is this?” she asked with a smile, crouching down while Irene hid behind Kurt, “Wait, I remember you.” Remy had said, recognizing her, “You do?” Rogue asked.
“Oui.” Remy said, “The Petit was at the beach when we was leavin’ he had told his wife, remembering how the little girl told them to be safe, “Pleased to meet you,” she said, remembering her manners as she had said, remembering her manners that both her Grandfather and Aunt had taught her, “My name is Irene Essex.” she said, less excited and less lavish than usual.
That made both pause, “Essex… like–” “He’s my Grandfather.” Irene said, avoiding eye contact with the two, the couple looking at each other before Rogue spoke up, “How good are you with cats, Sugh?” Rogue had asked, gatting an idea of what her brother had planned, “They love me, just asked Hildegard.” Irene had said as the cat door to their home opened, revealing three of the most precious cats she’s ever seen.
“Now don’t be discouraged if they–” Remy had started before he and Rogue had seen as the three cats had went and rubbed around her as she had stroked them all, giving slow blink and smiles, “Fall in love with you immediately.” Rogue had went and said, smiling at the sight as she saw that Irene was cheering up now as she was surrounded by the trio.
“Now here are the rules for them.” Remy had told her, an’ here’s the key to their food.” he said, knowing that they can get in there if not protected, “Okay,” She had went, “What are their–” she started and answered, stroking the white one first, “This is Figaro,” she had went before the Orange one had started to climb Gambit, “This here is Lucifer,” he went as the Grey one climbed into her lap.
“And that is Olivier.” Rogue had told her, Irene had nodded at that, “We’ll be back for them once everything’s moved,” Rogue said, “Please be careful with them.” Rogue said, “I will Ma– ‘am.” she said, catching her potential mistake that Rogue didn’t seem to catch, “Okay, we’ll be back in a couple hours Petit,” he told her, “Be good you four, and if you can’t be good, don’t get caught!” he went with a wink.
Rogue gave a playful slap to his shoulder before they had started to leave with Kurt teleporting away, seeing this, Irene had went and played with the cats, Hildegard approaching them as she was curious, seeing this, Irene had given a small laugh at that as she had went and explored their home, feeling a bit of connection between them that made her smile a little more now that one of her wishes came true.
Rogue and Remy had walked towards the gate, and as they did, Remy had leaned in with a smile, “So that was Sinister’s Granddaughter.” Rogue had went, “That poor child, and her poor parent.” Rogue went, not seeing Sinister being anything close to paternal towards a child, “She seemed almost familiar, didn’t she?” Remy had asked, remembering that smile from somewhere.
Rogue didn’t see it, not in the smile, but more in the look in her eyes when she saw the cats, “You think she’s alright? She looked shy?” Rogue had asked her, “In the beginning, maybe.” Remy had said, “Maybe we should check up on her later?” Remy had said to his wife, his other half nodding at that as they had walked through to the gate with thoughts on the little girl.
As they did, Sinister had gotten a little worried that they were getting a little closer to the truth of her origin, Sinister would have to start working on it, planning on how to cover his rear right now as he had went and saw that she was in their house now, as he saw this, Sinister had gotten to work on making the perfect fake family for his potential world ending bomb.