They call it Than-X-Giving here

[onebluebamf]

Who: Ororo Munroe, Rogue, Kurt Wagner, Jubilation Lee, Remy LeBeau, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Dick Grayson Robin, and Melanie Walker
What: TURKEY DAY
When: Evening of the 24th
Where: House 16
Summary: The X-Men have decided to invite some of their buddies and pals (who all coincidentally have costumed alteregos) for some Turkey Day

Comments

[kineticcajun]

Gambit has to admit to himself, although it's nice not to be alone on a holiday, that it's definitely a little weird hanging around with the X-Men. Sure, they're familiar faces, but eating Thanksgiving dinner with former enemies? This is a little unexpected. Though he waffled around about going or not for some time, he ultimately ended up deciding to go since Jubilee asked... although he's still a little uncertain.

Still, when he shows up, he's armed with two side dishes just as asked: cornbread and oyster stuffing, the latter definitely a little on the spicy side. It's not a Thanksgiving without some of the flavors from New Orleans, as far as he's concerned. He's not even sure if anyone will even eat any of it, although this probably just means more for him and Jubilee.

For the most part, Gambit's just going to be keeping a quiet eye on the others, although he's bound to warm up a bit more as the evening wears on. There will be the occasional trip outside for a cigarette, but otherwise, he's staying inside where it's warm.

[kineticcajun]

"It ain't gonna be that spicy. Didn't bring any of my cayenne pepper, after all." Two can joke and tease, Rogue. Grinning, he turns his attention back to the turkey.

It honestly isn't much spice he'll be adding, but enough to add just a little extra flavor. He definitely knows what he's doing here.

[touchofrogue]

"So we can all be thankful for small mercies." She leans her elbows back against the counter. "When abouts do you think it'll be done? The natives are gettin' restless, an' I hafta coordinate the reheating of the fixings."

...and yes, a part of her notes how bizarre it is that she is having this level of casual conversation with Gambit. But, she quickly excuses herself with the thought that Thanksgiving is sacred, and even during the War Between the States opposite sides sat down at Christmas time.

[kineticcajun]

The casual conversation is definitely a bit of a surprise, but that doesn't mean it's not appreciated.

"Shouldn't be more'n another half hour or so. T'ink they'll make it?"

[touchofrogue]

"Think I'd better set out some more crackers and cheese." And she starts moving to do just that. "It should work out all right. The guest of honor ain't here yet."

She casts him a sidelong glance. "You heard, right? Captain America's comin'." Famous heroes from their past don't just show up in Luceti every day.

[kineticcajun]

The way his eyebrows raise slightly is a pretty clear indicator that this is the first he's heard about the famous - now not so dead? - hero showing up here. How in the world did he miss that.

"Do I even wanna know how you roped in Cap for this party a'yours? Or is that just a hero-type secret."

[touchofrogue]

"I had nothin' ta do with it." She turns away from him to busy herself with setting out some more crackers and cheese. It is, after all, very important to maintain the fact that she was 'roped into this against her will' instead of... provoking it.

"Ororo asked 'em." Very busy hand indeed, requiring a slight ducking of her head, clearly. "No one should be alone for the holidays. Even in a backwards place like Luceti."

[kineticcajun]

Ah, now that made sense. He doubted anybody would turn down the lovely Storm asking them along for Thanksgiving, even if they're not too familiar. Well, except for some of his former coworkers, but that was a special case.

And that also illuminated what he's doing here himself. 'No one should be alone' indeed. Gambit has an itching suspicion there is something more to that sentiment, especially since she is so completely wrapped up in the crackers and cheese process.

Giving his head a slight shake and turning to inspect the turkey again, he fights down a small grin. "Guess you got a point, chere. He'll prob'ly appreciate not bein' left out."

[touchofrogue]

She's not sure she likes that knowing tone to his voice, but it's better left ignored than investigated. She doesn't want to talk about it, so why bring it up?

"Assumin' the turkey turns out all right, why wouldn't he?" She'll just be leaving that slightly ominous suggestion to set out the appetizers again. But she returns before too long to slip off the apron now that it seems all she's left to do is some warming up and waiting. Like the outfit, then?

"Nearly time ta start warming up the fixings?"

[kineticcajun]

Oh, he does like the outfit. And his appreciation of it is hardly any secret, the way his eyes roam down and then back up. It's a very good outfit.

...Oh right, carving this turkey.

"'Bout that time. Jus' about done here." The turkey has turned out awesome, by the way. But his attention is split fairly evenly between Rogue and his work at hand now. "You should wear that more often, chere. Looks good on you."

Not that other outfits don't, but still.

[touchofrogue]

...well then. She felt that looking-over almost like a touch, it was that thorough. She has a feeling that Gambit didn't miss a single curve. And that's all right, she wore the outfit to look nice and she certainly wasn't ashamed of her body. Sometimes it was fun to tread that line of "Look, but never touch."

The appreciation makes her feel flattered, and a few stray butterflies take off in her stomach as her gaze warms in appreciation - Gambit was never hard on the eyes, and there was always something about watching the deftness of his movements which appealed to her.

"An' then what would I wear for a special occasion?"

She'll shove off and start with the warming up in a moment.

[kineticcajun]

That line is all too much fun to tread. Pushing it is equally fun.

Even though pushing it will probably end in him being knocked flat one of these days. The strange part is that he's fairly sure it would be worth it.

"Still got that dress from before?" And that's only a half joke. He's sure she knows which one he's talking about: the Sleeping Beauty dress. Who knows if she even held onto it, but it'd be a damn shame if she didn't.

[touchofrogue]

The warmth slides out of her eyes to be replaced by a certain wariness. He'd let her off for a while without bringing up that time spent kissing in the tunnel under the experiment's influence. She doesn't mind playing around with the line, but then, she'd do well to remember who the expert at these kind of games is. That doesn't mean she's withdrawing from the playing field by any means, she's just curious as to where he'll take it.

"Wasn't exactly my style."

[kineticcajun]

This is just about his favorite game. The greater the challenge, the more it peaks his interest. And this is definitely a significant challenge. For several reasons.

He's still almost absently carving away at the turkey. It's not exactly an expert job, but it's still getting done well and quickly.

"That's de only idea I had for special occasions." There's that spark of mischief in his eyes again. "Should I be keepin' an eye out for somethin' else for you?"

Because seriously she should really wear this more often.

[touchofrogue]

That mischief spells trouble, and she's not sure at all she wants to know what he's thinking. Best to change the subject, then. Rogue exhales a sharp, derisive breath and then shakes her head. "Thinkin' of tryin' out a gig as a personal shopper after all? Pass. I'm through bein' an experiment."

And she turns to start warming up the fixings, the back of her corset top a low line against the small of her back, the long ends of her scarf dangling by her hips... not quite like pigtails begging to be dipped in ink, but they might pique the imagination to see what would happen if one end was given a solid tug.

[kineticcajun]

You are killing him with that corset, Rogue. Sweet torture. The lines of the scarf only draw his eyes back along her curves.

...And he is far too distracted to be carving this turkey. It's nearly finished, though, and so with a small shake of his head, he drags his attention back to the work at hand.

"Turkey's all done, chere. Needin' me for anythin' else?"