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Shi’ar ‘Alt
Disclaimer: So not mine. Not any of it, really. I just like to play with other people’s stuff.
The situation was not typical, even for the X-Men, but certainly the possibility always existed, so the X-Men found themselves sitting around a dining table with Lilandra Nerimani and a few members of her advisory cabinet. They had just been called to Chandillar in order to help with the latest catastrophe. As often as they were going to Shi’ar space, Professor Xavier was wondering when they would be considered an extension of the Imperial Guard. The afore-mentioned catastrophe had just been averted and the X-Men were being given a well deserved rest before being shoved back to Earth.
As the Shi’ar were considerate to their guests, they had offered the X-Men food they had synthesized to appease the Earth pallet. The Shi’ar around the table had not developed a taste for the Earth dishes their guests were presented with and so the natives to Chandillar had native dishes before them. The conversation around the table was mostly idle, discovering new cultural details about each other. Some were discussing the most recently avoided calamity, but even that conversation was relaxed.
Gambit’s dinner partner was a young Shi’ar cabinet member, most recently elected to the Civil Finance position. His name was Tam’el, which was a common enough name among Shi’ar. Their conversation wasn’t sparked by anything, as the two didn’t have very similar interests, until the food was brought out and Remy began asking questions. It smelled so interesting, and strangely appealing to his human olfactory sense. “Hmm,” he started out, “what’s dat called?”
“Ah, this is a fish of our rivers called a seshhi. I’m unsure whether your pallet would accept it, but you are welcome to try a piece if you would like.”
Gambit grinned to his dinner companion and announced, “I t’ink I’m feelin’ adventurous enough.”
Reaching for the table salt, Tam’el informed Gambit, “Its flavor is by far improved by salting it. Here, you may have some of mine.” He sprinkled some of the white powder onto the fish and handed his utensils to Gambit to cut a piece he thought he could handle from the main mass. Gambit must have been feeling very adventurous because he cut off a piece Tam’el was surprised he could handle. Carrying it to his mouth he hesitated for only an instant before placing it onto his tongue. Flavor and texture burst on his tongue and his eyes fluttered closed. Chewing the soft textured meat he memorized the way it sent chills through his body.
“Cala,” was the first word out of his mouth before he opened his eyes.
Tam’el was smiling when he opened his eyes. “You’ve been studying Shi’ar?”
“Hmm? Non,” he said shaking his head.
“Then where did you pick up cala?”
“Must a’ been around somewhere. Means ‘wow,’ right?”
“Aree... I think that is the proper translation, yes.”
“Whatever word in whatever language, dang, dat stuff is great!”
“Would you like some of your own? I’m sure the waiters would be tickled to bring you a Shi’ar dish,” the young cabinet member assured.
“I might could get used to dis Shi’ar food, stuff.” Tam’el chuckled and signaled a waiter over and requested some seshhi for his partner. The waiters did not speak English nearly well enough to communicate with the humans, so Tam’el translated.
“Thanks. You feelin’ adventurous?”
“Actually I’ve tried a couple of human dishes. They are interesting, but I find that your sodium salt is rather...sharp?”
“Hmm. I could see why a body wouldn’t like salt. What did you call it– sodium salt? What’s different about your salt from ours?”
“We use Barium Chloride for our table salt. Humans use sodium chloride instead. It is a small difference, but it seems to make a great difference in how it tastes and how it effects my people. We can’t seem to take in nearly as much sodium chloride as you humans can.”
“Hmm. Guess we’re just more used to it,” he dismissed the information.
Gambit’s food arrived and some of the other X-men noted that he was eating the Shi’ar food. “At least one of us is being adventurous,” commented Beast from across the table. Gambit smiled.
“Y’ should try it, de fish is good.”
“You should be careful about what you eat, Le Beau.” Bishop said severely.
“Lighten up, Bish. It’s not like de Shi’ar are tryin’ ta poison us.”
“Shaara have mercy, no.”
“Dere, see.”
“Well, I think I may try a small bit of something, just to be in the culturally adventurous spirit.”
“Dere y’ go, Hank. Bet ev’r body else be too chicken, hunh?”
“Hey, I have no problem with chicken. See?” Bobby said as he shoved a bit of poultry into his mouth. Remy snorted and turned back to his food and his dinner companion.
“Sorry ‘bout de rude one.”
Tam’el smiled. “I’m sure he does not mean to be. Please, enjoy your food. You seemed to like it so much.”
“It is great. Can’t really put my finger on what it is about it dat seems so great. Could y’ pass de salt?”
“Certainly,” Tam’el said passing the clear container to Remy.
Dinner was enjoyed by everyone except the couple bites of the sea fish that Hank had, and desert was lovely as well. Gambit was stuffed to the gills with new food, loving every moment of it. “Do you think it’s all right that Gambit be eating as much of our food as he has been?” asked Lilandra to Professor Xavier.
“He does seem to be the only one of us who enjoys the pallet of your food. Even I haven’t gotten the taste for some of your dishes. Then again, he is from New Orleans.”
“Professor, is it warm in here?” asked Beast looking ill through his fur.
“Hank, are you all right?”
Quite suddenly, his eyes widened and he rushed out the door at full speed searching for a suitable place to vomit. Bobby followed after him in concern.
“Musta’ had too much of de sweets,” commented Gambit.
“I surely hope that’s all it is. He did have quite an interest in that banana split.”
Bobby rushed back in looking pale. “Professor, I think something’s really wrong with Hank. There’s blood....” he trailed off unsure of how to put it, but he didn’t need to say anything else. Xavier was rushing out the door in his hover chair with Lilandra following, speaking into a communications unit giving instructions in Shi’ar. She was probably getting a medical team down to where they were. The rest of the X-Men stood, not knowing quite what to do because they didn’t want to crowd Hank or any Shi’ar medics.
It was not two minutes before the Professor came back in with a worried look. “Lilandra’s medics have taken him to their facility. He wasn’t in good shape, but the medics sounded optimistic if I read their tone right. They will most likely have a diagnosis within half an hour.”
Within the half hour that the Professor expected, the Shi'ar medics had not only the news that Hank would be fine after a few days, but what had caused this sudden episode in the first place. "It's the food?" the Professor asked shocked.
"Yes, Consort. The Shi'ar denshhi which is from our ocean is saturated with barium chloride as opposed to the salt that humans persist off of, sodium chloride."
"Barium chloride! No wonder he was in such horrible condition."
"And it is a good thing he did not like the food or he would be in critical condition or dead by now. A soluble barium is quite poisonous to you humans. We estimate that one point six grams is the fatal dose."
"One gram is the fatal dose, if I remember correctly. I am sorry about all of this, but at least we know not to eat your food," he said. "When will Hank be able to come back to Earth with us?"
"I would recommend that he stay for one week for monitoring and regeneration. There has been a bit of nerve damage from the toxicity."
"I see. Thank you. We will stay for one week then and get out of your-- feathers-- as soon as possible."
The Shi'ar doctor raised an eyebrow, but was otherwise silent, turning back to his nurse, dictating orders in Shi'ar.
Professor Xavier left to tell the others what the prognosis was.
"Is he gonna be okay?" Bobby asked worriedly.
"Yes, Robert, he'll be fine. He needs rest and you'll be able to visit him some time tomorrow or the next day. Meanwhile, I suggest that we make ourselves comfortable. And Gambit, I suggest that you go in while we are here for an examination. The 'salt' that the Shi'ar use is poisonous to humans."
"Really? I had a bunch of it an' I ain' tossin' it back up."
The Professor's expression was blank. "You've consumed barium chloride? How much?"
"I dunno. Half a handful probably."
"Come with me to the medical center-- now!"
Surprised at his outburst, but knowing not to argue with the Professor when he was disturbed enough to shout, he followed his orders and was escorted by the Professor to the medical center. "Dr. Ai'shi, this is Gambit, one of my students who has also consumed barium chloride, and I believe in much greater quantities than Hank did."
The doctor looked at Gambit curiously. "Do you have any stomach upset?"
"No," he said a little miffed that he had to be in a hospital when there was obviously nothing wrong with him. He hated hospitals and medical labs, even when they were run by friendly people like Hank, and especially when they were run by people he didn't know.
"Faintness? Weakness?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Then are you certain that it was barium chloride you were consuming?"
"It was de salt on de table. If it wasn't barium salt, it wasn't but it didn't taste like Earth salt."
"In that case, I would like to run some test on you to see why you are unaffected."
"Isn't it obvious dat dere's somethin about me dat's different from Hank? I am a mutant, right? Maybe I can digest dis stuff."
"That is highly unlikely, but if that is the case, I would like to know. You are different from Hank and perhaps your system is different enough that the effects are delayed. It would be far better to catch the episode before it starts. Please have a seat, Gambit." Grumbling, Gambit hopped onto a diagnostic bed and sulked.
The doctor proceeded to examine Gambit and the Professor waited with them. He knew that he would be pacing unless he were right there watching the process. At any moment Gambit could change condition and they needed someone who knew how to look for signs on a human well. At the moment, he simply looked annoyed. The examination went on for a few more minutes and then the doctor started to make puzzled sounds. "Som'n wrong, doc?"
"Surely there must be..." he mumbled in Shi'ar.
Gambit looked at the Professor inquisitive because he didn't understand what the man had said. The Professor waived him off. "What are your findings so far?"
"I have not found anything," he stated, apparently very aggravated. He seemed to go about fine tuning his scan, but after he was finished, he made a sound that the Professor had never heard before and stiffened. "I must talk with the Majestrix."
"Over li'le ol me?"
"Kale pi'tale!" he shouted, and stormed off.
"Hmm. I get de feelin' he upset, Prof. What you tink?"
"I think I may try to translate his findings." he said going over to the control board. He analyzed them for a few moments, but couldn't begin to make out any conclusion. “He must have found something in the stats that would tell him something other than what is written on the screen. These are your normal vital signs.”
Remy shrugged. “You de one who speaks Shi’ar, Proff. I dunno why everbody’s so bent outta shape over dis. I’m fine.”
“I think that may be the reason he was perplexed,” he said accessing more data from the computer. Blinking, he adjusted the view and centered in on something. “Hmm. That’s certainly of interest....”
Brows rising in a worried expression he asked, “What?”
“You are absorbing the barium chloride like anyone would, but the barium hasn’t reacted adversely with your system yet.”
“Kay....”
“The puzzling part is what the barium seems to be doing once it reaches your brain.”
“Oh?”
“Ordinarily, it begins impeding absorption of oxygen and small amounts for prolonged periods of time have been known to cause tumors, but with–“ he adjusted the computer settings again pausing. “With you...that’s an odd chemical to be in a human brain... You’re using the barium... with the aid of a complex molecule–“
“Lithium arsenic tetra fluoride dihydrate. We call it ‘amaseeth’ in Shi’ar. It is a chemical only found in the systems of Shi’ar,” said Dr. Ai’shi as he walked in with Lilandra beside him.
Gambit’s face took on a near horrified look. “Den how’d it get inside me?!”
“Dr. Ai’shi believes you to be Shi’ar, Gambit,” Lilandra said gently.
“Hunh?” he squeaked. Pulling down a few locks of his hair he pointed to them saying, “No feathers. I ain’t Shi’ar.”
“You’re a half-breed, isn’t it obvious?” the Dr. seethed.
“Dr. Ai’shi!” she snapped. “Please be more considerate to our guest,” she said sounding short tempered herself. The doctor simply shut up.
“How is this possible?” asked the Professor.
“I hate to admit it, but my brother was quite fond of the female of your species. It is possible that in his madness he... misused more than one of them.”
“Misused? Misused? Is dat what you call it?”
“We don’t know the circumstances behind any of this. We know one possibility based on something similar that has already happened. Things may have been very different.” Gambit huffed, scowling. Whatever had been, he was certain he wouldn’t like it and he was thankful that D’Ken wasn’t around for him to kill should things turn out like the Majestrix feared.
The Professor felt for Remy as the young man sat there with his entire self definition crumbling. He wasn't who he had always thought he was. It must be hard on the young man who had always held family so dear. "Gambit, while you are here, we will do everything we can to figure out who your mother was. I will contact our chief geneticist and have him get in touch with you by tomorrow afternoon. I'm certain he needs a project to work on."
"L-Lilandra.... can I-- talk to you," asked Gambit meekly.
"Of course." Dr. Ai'shi took that opportunity to leave the room and check on his patients in another, but the Professor hesitated before getting the implication that he wanted to speak with her alone. Quietly, he drifted out to go contemplate this turn of events in the privacy of his guest quarters. "Tell me, Gambit, what is on your mind?"
"I... I've always been human, Lil'. Now, all of a sudden I find dere's anoder part of me I never knew about." He paused trying to figure out how he wanted to put this to her. "I want to learn about dis oder part of me. I dunno if I'll like what my parent's relationship was like and I know I don' like... D'Ken... but you seem nice enough, cherie. I don' wanna throw away a piece of my culture based on one rotten apple."
"I see. It takes a great deal of time to learn about the Shi'ar culture, even if one were to study all the hours of the days. Our civilization has existed for three millennia and our culture comes in great part from our history. In the one week that you have to stay here, you would not be able to learn one tenth of our people's mentality."
"I guess I was tinkin' about dat. I... I hate t' ask dis, ‘specially when I know I ain't much good to ya, but... could I stay? I mean... we are related... I guess, an' de place ain't bad. I won't get in de way, an' I'll try to help wherever I can... even dough I know humans don' seem to be much use...."
"That is nonsense. Humans may not be as technologically advanced as the Shi'ar, but I have found that, at least among the X-Men, there are fast learners and people with skills even the Shi'ar may not have. Such is what I hear of you, Gambit."
Remy looked up to her. "Oh? Where'd y' hear dat?"
"From Charles, of course. He keeps a close eye on all of his students." Snorting, Remy thought to himself how ironic it was. All this time he thought the Professor was ignoring him, just like he wanted. "I know that he will be sorry to lose you, but I would be glad to gain you as a subject and possibly... as a nephew."
"Subject?"
"This is probably a good place to start. Every citizen in the Shi'ar government has sworn allegiance to its Emperor or Majestrix. Those who serve within the palace must swear to obey and protect me without a moment's hesitation. One cannot rule without these conditions in place."
Remy swallowed. "I see."
"Charles made that pledge when he was made an official Shi'ar citizen and allowed to be my consort. In order for you to stay, I would require this of you as well, as would the rest of my cabinet seeing as they know nothing about you."
"Makes sense." Remy thought about it. Would it be so bad pledging allegiance to someone, especially if he knew them? And it was Lilandra after all. She was practically Xavier's wife. He had made such oaths before to his adopted family the Thieves Guild. For them he was obliged to kill and be killed at the drop of a hat with the kinds of people they were constantly dealing with. So far as he knew the Imperial Guard did most of that here. He made the decision after thinking it through twice to make sure he hadn't overlooked anything, and there was always that possibility, but even if he had, his will to learn about this new side of himself overrode any concern he may have overlooked. "I'll do it. What do I need to do?"
"It is not a decision to be made lightly. Go to your quarters and rest on it. In the morning I will send Gladiator for your answer. If you still wish to go through with it, he will bring you to the Hall for the ceremony. You may invite your X-Men to attend, but otherwise only Shi'ar members of official office will be there to witness it. If you should decide that you truly do not wish this, you may return to Earth with the X-Men and the option to swear allegiance will remain so long as I reign over the Shi'ar Empire." Nodding, Gambit slid from the diagnostic table, not unlike the ones at the mansion, and faced her squarely.
"I will think about dis seriously, Lilandra. Thank you for your generous offer in de first place." Her expression changed slightly as they looked at one another and she smiled ever so faintly. The boy reminded her greatly of her father all of a sudden, the way he was abruptly taller and more composed. Gambit had always been one to slouch in her presence.
"I will see you in the morning, Gambit."
"Lilandra?" he asked before he left.
"Yes, Gambit?"
"Will you call me Remy?"
"Remy?"
"It's my name."
Smiling at him again, she said, "Or course, Remy." Nodding, he ducked out of the medical bay and headed down to the guest lounge.
The first words Remy heard as he walked in were, "Too bad bird-boy isn't here." It was Bobby.
"I hope you were talking about Angel," Gambit growled. Both Scott and Bobby looked up at Gambit who was a bit more flushed than usual.
"Of course I was. Who else would I be talking about?"
With a clenched jaw Gambit stalked from the lounge connecting all their rooms and into his own. The Professor was there when he opened the door. "I apologize, Remy. You were talking to Lilandra for a while. I was curious to know what it was you were speaking about."
"Dat’s none of y’ bee’s wax. I’d like to be alone if you could arrange dat.”
“Uh... of course. I’m sorry, Gambit.” Remy nodded and headed toward the bed. The Professor left feeling awkward.
Remy had to sit and think all night long. He couldn’t sleep, but he was plenty used to that. The thing which kept popping to his mind was his banishment from the Thieves Guild. He understood why he was banished, and perhaps even why he was tortured, but none of that made it less painful. How could he have avoided that situation? Everything he thought of that he could have done differently didn’t lead to a different outcome. Had he not married Belladonna, the war with the Assassins would have continued and many more people on both sides would have lost their lives. Because of the shame then caused by his unwillingness for peace he would have been cast out. Had he married Belle and not fought Julien, Julien would have come after him anyway and death was certainly worse than banishment, even after torture.
Certainly there was possibility for the same sorts of altercations to occur on Chandillar, especially because the Shi’ar were over all a racist people who hated humans and everything that wasn’t like themselves. Lilandra certainly wasn’t, but he doubted that most of her cabinet members and even some random citizens around the city were as open minded as she was.
He made up his mind to ask Lilandra about their laws in more detail before accepting her offer. After all, what would happen to him should a similar situation arise? Such a thing was more probable than he wanted to admit as there were bigots in every corner of this planet and Remy’s survival instinct was well tuned.
Deciding that he couldn’t sit still for much longer, he got up and began wondering the halls, hoping to run into Lilandra. Of course she was probably in bed like every other decent being at this hour. The halls in the palace were dim and empty. He did however seem to be going in a set direction and he wondered why. It was when he ran into Galdiator that he got the feeling he was actually getting close to Lilandra as the Praetor was never more than one hundred feet away from Majestrix Neramani. “Don’t you ever get any sleep?” Gambit asked curiously.
“I have no need of sleep while in the service of my Majestrix.”
“Mhm. Figures. You know if she’s up?”
“Even if the Majestrix were awake in the middle of the night, I would not allow you to disturb her.” Gladiator crossed his arms and scowled down at Gambit.
“She didn’t tell you, did she?”
“The Majestrix can choose to reveal or withhold anything she deems necessary.”
"I see. Remy, you may go now." Remy inclined his head to Lilandra then scooted around Xavier to leave. "That was Remy. The attack was apparently well planned. Had it not been for Remy and the explosion you heard, I might very well have been dead."
"How was he involved? I thought he was in his own quarters."
"He related to me that he had difficulty sleeping. Fortunately, he decided to walk around the palace and intercepted the skrull who was releasing transerium gas into the air. Skrulls are not affected by it, and it would seem that humans are not either. Remy would have been fast asleep before he got close to the creature."
"I see. I am relieved that you are all right, Lilandra. I was very worried about you when Gladiator would not let me inside."
"You really must relax, Charles. Things will be what they will be, and often there is nothing you can do about any of it."
Looking at her through perplexed eyes, he asked, "Why are you in such a good mood? You were just attacked. I would think you'd be tearing holes in walls with one of the tirades you usually go on."
She smiled at him. "I am happy, Charles. I have a new addition to my family and that is perhaps the reason."
"New--? Remy?"
"Of course. He is my nephew, so far as can be predicted, and even if he is not, he is Shi'ar." In her excited mood, she was about to tell Charles that she had accepted him into her family regardless, but that might be a bit much if Remy wanted to keep his plans a secret from Xavier. "Are these revelations things to be morose over?"
"No, certainly not. I..." How could he explain the fears that were running through his mind? How would she understand the jealousy coursing through his veins?
"Something else is troubling you?" she asked, not so much asking as anticipating.
"I... have never considered myself a jealous man, Lilandra... but when you're with Gambit...."
"Charles, are you insinuating that I might have romantic intentions toward a young man who is most likely my own nephew?"
"Of course not, Lilandra. I know that you would never see him like that. It is simply that on Earth, Gambit is known for... charming any willing woman. With such a reputation... it is an irrational fear. I will try to not let it trouble any of us."
"Good. With that cleared up, I do have things to do today, much as I'd like to spend the day with you, Charles. Perhaps this evening we will be able to have a private dinner."
"I would like that."
"Then I will see you this evening. Please send Gladiator in on your way out." Nodding, he said his goodbyes to his love and hovered out to go see the rest of the X-Men.
As it turned out, Gambit had locked himself up in his room and wasn't coming out for anything. Xavier had wanted to apologize to the young man, but it wouldn't do any good apologizing to a wall, so he waited in the lounge, reading for a good part of the day. He went to check on Hank to see what his progress was. Hank was up and able to take visitors for a couple of hours, although he couldn't move a couple of his toes still. He still needed a bit of regeneration so far as his nervous system went, and fortunately, the Shi'ar knew how to repair nervous systems because on Earth they didn't heal themselves. The doctor let them all know that Hank would most likely be able to go before expected, but not less than four days from now. Two days early wasn't a bad regeneration rate.
The X-Men came back in the late afternoon to tell Gambit the good news, but he was still locked in his room and wouldn't respond to any communications hail.
Music blared inside the walls of Remy's room, so he couldn't hear any hail given him, but he wasn't really excited to see anyone either. He mostly wanted to be alone so he could learn his lines and a couple of other phrases he could get his hands on. He tried not to think about his father who was the most insane person he'd ever seen. His aunt was a kind and competent person and he hoped that she would get to be more like a mother than... well whoever his mother really was. She was probably dead at this point anyway. The women D'Ken went after apparently didn't survive long after they knew him. That was a depressing thought, so he took his thoughts away from that plague of a man and concentrated on learning this language of Lilandra's. The language resembled music more than earth speech, which would probably make it more complex, but Remy had always been able to handle complex.
He had been in there for hours listening to his music of a language trying to familiarize himself with it. He practiced his own lines in this ceremony he'd be part of until he felt he was getting it down. He wanted to do this right. If he messed up he'd not only embarrass himself, but Lalandra as well. He'd have to rehearse with her at some point before the ceremony as well. Of course, when he'd be able to do that, he wasn't certain, but he had five or six days left anyway.
Which reminded him, everyone was planning on going to see Hank today if they could. He should probably check to see if that already happened, or what.
Turning off the music, he opened the door out into the communal lounge of the guest quarters. "He emerges!" cried Bobby.
"Remy, are you all right? We weren't able to get hold of you."
"I'm fine. Didn't y' try de comm system?"
"Of course."
"Hmm. Oh well," he said. He must have had the music up too loud.
"Hey, kid, ain' seen hide nor hair o' you. Where ya' been?"
"In my room. How's Hank?"
"Furr ball's fine. He'll be out in 'bout four more days."
"Oh. Hmm." Guess that meant he only had four days left to rehearse.
"You hungry? Ya been in there all day."
Turning his attention inward, he looked at his stomach. He didn't think he was so much hungry as really thirsty. Maybe he could use a snack and lots of water. "Yeah. Where does a body get food 'round here?"
"Replicator's right over there," Wolverine pointed to a recessed box in the wall with a control panel next to it.
Stepping over to the control pannel, he realized that he hadn't learned the Shi'ar alphabet yet. He'd still have to use the English interface. By the time he left Chandillar, he wanted to be fluent in Shi'ar. He was going to try and be off English as much as possible, but until he was a citizen here, he wasn't about to use Shi'ar in front of the X-Men. He wasn't sure the rest of them knew what he was. Had anybody told them? He was surprised that Hank hadn't told them. He was probably too busy with other gossip... or something. If he had told them, why weren't they barraging him with questions? "English, please," he asked the computer. The characters changed to the familiar alphabet he'd read all his life. He looked at the selections and found that none of it seemed very appealing. He ordered a cold glass of water, but what he really felt like was something salty... only Barium chloride salty. "Computer, is dere anything wit' Shi'ar salt?"
A list appeared and an explanation of what each dish was beside it in a different color. Remy selected one that resembled fish and chips one might get on Earth.
“X-Men, please follow me. Lilandra has invited us to a ceremony and I don’t believe any of you want to miss it. It is an historic occasion.” The Professor’s tone was cheerful as he hoped that the X-Men were going to finally be included in an observance of any sort.
“What’s it all about, Prof?”
“I’m not actually quite certain. I know that it concerns us, otherwise we would never have been invited.” Doing a quick mental count of heads, he looked over everyone. “Isn’t Gambit back yet?” he asked to the air a little annoyed.
“Haven’t seen him all day,” commented Wolverine. Sighing, the Professor hoped that he wasn’t off exploring the palace yet again. Well, there was little that could be done about it as his mind was hard enough to communicate with much less detect. They would simply proceed without him.
The hall the X-Men entered was grand, but surprisingly unfilled. There was room for hundreds to stand, but there were only perhaps fifty Shi’ar gathered around the slightly raised dais of the throne. Lilandra was the center of attention on the throne, waiting for everyone to join them. “As we are all now gathered, we may proceed.” Lilandra went off speaking in her own language, singing. Out of the crowd, an unfamiliar voice rose and sang back. He approached her and bowed low before her——curiously, on only one knee. All of the ceremonies that Charles had been present for had the person bowing before her on both of his knees in complete supplication.
The figure was dressed in a robe complete with hood. Charles didn’t recognize the ceremony in and of itself until about the middle of it when they got down to civil responsibility and duty to the Royal House. It was an induction ceremony for a new citizen. It was surely something that didn’t happen often.
This ceremony differed slightly from the vows that Charles himself took when he became a citizen. This was in particular a ceremony for someone who was going to be staying in the palace, it sounded perhaps as part of the guard.
The ceremony was winding down and Lilandra finally announced that the figure was now not only a citizen of the Shi’ar Empire but also a member of her own household. Reaching out toward him, she removed his hood, only to reveal auburn tresses as opposed to feathers.
Gambit!
The shock registered over everyone’s minds and Gambit had to keep his attention focused on Lilandra as opposed to the family he was leaving. A pang of guilt ran through him for surprising them like this, but he couldn’t have done it any other way. Some of them, like Storm, probably didn’t fully understand what was happening. She didn’t know that he wouldn’t leave the planet for quite some time.
The first person to begin clapping was the Financial Advisor who had been Gambit’s dinner partner the evening they had the banquet. The others soon joined in and last to clap was the older members of the cabinet. Neither Lilandra nor Remy clapped, as it wasn’t part of the ceremony. When directed, Remy rose. Only Lilandra could tell that he was trembling. With a small smile, she pulled him into an embrace.
“<Welcome home>,” she said to him in Shi’ar. Then she turned to the X-Men. “X-Men, you have repeatedly offered your services to me and I am exceedingly grateful. I do hope that you will forgive me for keeping one of your number here on Chandillar.”
“What?” The whispered cry came from Storm. Remy cringed mentally, sending her a pleading glance.
Lilandra concluded the ceremony in Shiar and dismissed everyone. The cabinet members dispersed for the most part, except for the new Financial Advisor who came over to Gambit, clapped him on the shoulder and pulled him in for a friendly hug congratulating him. Remy smiled at him and thanked him in Shi’ar. His attention was drawn to the X-Men who were looking at him staying exactly where they were, waiting for his consideration. The Professor was moving over to Lilandra to speak to her, but he was the only person who moved.
“Please excuse me, my friend,” he said to Tam’el. He let Remy go over to his companions and left the hall when he felt the atmosphere change.
“What is it exactly that you are doing, Remy?” asked Storm.
“I’m stayin’, ‘Ro. I really want to know who my parents are¼¼ or were. Dis is de best place to find out. An’¼¼ we t’ink Lilandra might be my aunt. Don’ know yet, but if she is——dere was an attempt on her life¼. I stay and protect my family. I need to stay, at least for a while.”
“I do not understand what you’re talking about, my friend.”
“I’m part Shi’ar, ‘Ro. I don’t know who my parents are, but I can only find out here. Dis is where the databases are of all de people who would have been able to get to Earth. It has to be one of dem.”
“I see¼¼. What of Rogue?”
“Tell her I’ll miss her, but dis is somethin’ I have to do. I’ll be back, don’ worry.”
A few meters away Lilandra and the Professor were discussing Gambit. “How could you let him do this? I need him on Earth.”
“This is not a matter you should discuss with me, Charles. The young man came to me with his request and I saw no reason to deny him after he demonstrated his loyalty to me without being one of my subjects or even a friend.”
“Lilandra, please ask him to come back with us.”
“You could ask him yourself.”
“But he won’t listen to me.”
“Then perhaps you should examine that aspect of your relationship further. Is he always so uncooperative with you?”
“He has a history of being so, yes,” he said more thoughtfully.
“Why do you think this is?”
“He has a problem with authority figures¼.”
“This does not seem to apply to me. He has agreed to do everything I ask of him willingly.” Charles paused. Gambit did seem far more attached to Lilandra than he ever was to Charles.
“I don’t know, Lilandra. All I do know is that he is a valuable member of my team.”
“Then perhaps you should discuss it with him and present your arguments to a more relevant set of ears.”
Charles turned to Gambit who was conversing with Storm still. He didn’t really want to approach the man, but how could he get the man to change his mind unless he spoke with him? Hovering over to him slowly, he spoke to Storm. “Please excuse us for a moment, Storm. I will return him shortly.”
Sighing, Remy knew that this would happen. He had made up his mind and was staying and that’s all there was to it. At least this way he wasn’t fighting with the Professor for the five days previous as well. “I know what you gon’ say, Prof. I really do. I can’t go back with you. Not yet.”
“Remy, do you realize that the next opportunity you may get to come back to Earth is the next time the X-Men are summoned here by the Shi’ar? There may never again be such an opportunity. Lilandra may never come to Earth again.”
“I have a little more faith in de crossin’ o’ paths. Don’t worry, Prof. It ain’t de end o’ de world. I’ll be back.” Remy snorted to himself. “Never though you’d get so bent outta shape over little ol’ me. I’m hardly your best team member, and I don’ play nice wit de other kids. What’s got you so upset?”
“Lives hang in the balance daily, Gambit. I need everyone there that I can get my hands on. Despite our clashes in the past, Gambit, I do consider you to be a valuable member of this team.”
“You survived without me before I got dere, you can survive without me for a little longer. Theoretically, I may be here for years, but dat’s what I was expectin’.”
“Why are you so determined to stay here, Gambit?”
Remy looked down a moment before answering. “I don’ expect y’ to understand, havin’ grown up in a real family where you know everyone and how dey’re tied to you. I’ve never had any o’ dat. For de first time, I have a clue about who my parents are, an’ dey ain’t some Joe an’ Julie who dropped me at de hospital after I was born. I want to know more about dem¼ more about why I was left in dat hospital... an’ maybe I’ll find some things out ‘bout m’self. A chance like dis won’ come by for anoder life-time, Prof. I’m stayin’, an dat’s all dere is to it.”
“Very well, Gambit. Do you have a message for Rogue?”
“I gave it already. It’ll get to her.” The Professor nodded.
Lilandra came up from the side of the two men when it sounded like their conversation had concluded. “Gentlemen, if you’re through, I have arranged a quiet little farewell and welcoming dinner for us. It’s quite small, but I thought it would be appropriate so that everyone could say good bye to Remy.”
“How thoughtful of you, Lilandra. Thank you.” They and the rest of the team followed Lilandra to a room down the hall that to their relief was not filled with cabinet members. The Financial Advisor was there, but he looked far more like a friend there to welcome Remy than a member of Lilandra’s cabinet. He was making sure the food was ready for everyone. Charles had rounded everyone up before lunch had happened and the ceremony had probably lasted longer than it felt. Charles felt his stomach growl.
Tam’el embraced Remy as he came in and said, “You look more Shi’ar all the time,” to the Shi’ar ceremonial garb he was still wearing. Remy chuckled, then thanked him in Shi’ar.
He turned to everyone in the room and got their attention. “I——know I ain’ one for speeches, but I needed to say somethin’ to you all. For as long as I’ve been with you, you’ve been my family. You can’t be replaced. But I wanted to explain why I was leaving——‘cause I know dat it feels like I’m leavin’. I have de chance to explore my roots. To me, dat’s an irresistible chance. I can’t say when I’ll be back, but I will be back¼¼ an’, I’ll miss you too.” Remy looked away shyly.
“No one here is accusing you of desertion, Remy. I think we can all understand what it is that you’re searching for. My actions would mirror yours flawlessly.” Hank smiled at Remy before reaching out to shake his hand. “I for one, wish you the best of luck in your search.”
“Thank you, Hank. I know it wasn’t on purpose, but if you hadn’t eaten de fish too, I would never have known who I am. I’m sorry you got sick dough¼¼.” Hank chuckled.
“No permanent harm done, although I’ll never touch the stuff again.”
“Please don’t,” Gambit said smiling.
Bobby moved over next to Hank. “So, you’re bird boy II?”
“Call me dat again an’ I’ll melt y’ down t’ yer component parts,” he growled.
“Hey, I thought you wanted to get back to your roots.”
“Do I have to deck you?” Remy balled a fist at him.
“No,” he nearly hid under Hank. “Well, you be good, here. Don’t make too much trouble for the ladies.” Everyone was laughing, which was Bobby’s desired effect. Remy smiled at the comment, but kept his thoughts to himself. He was sure that would come up at some point as it was his nature to¼¼ socialize.
Scott caught his attention next. “Gambit¼ you’re a good team member. There’s always a place for you when you come back.”
“Thanks, Scott.” It meant a great deal to him, but he couldn’t find the words to convey it. He and Scott had not always gotten along. Remy knew how to follow orders, but often had his own opinions on how a mission should be played out. This of course is where the root of the problem laid. It occurred to Remy that Scott might be able to put this behind them because he wasn’t going to have to deal with him for a while, but he preferred not to think of it that way.
Tam’el kept looking at Remy as he said goodbye to all of his friends and as they all talked. There was talk about the next time they might see each other and of what they thought Remy would end up doing at the palace, seeing as he was going to start living there. At one point, Remy asked Logan to keep track of his things as he didn’t exactly get a chance to pack. Logan agreed to box things up for him seeing as they were probably not going to be used for some time.
Remy’s hair would move gently around his face as his head changed angle and it intrigued Tam’el. Normally their crest feathers were rather stiff. He certainly did not look Shi’ar. He looked far more exotic to Tam’el’s eyes. Speaking of eyes, Remy’s were also quite unique. The crimson was very much like fire and they would glow occasionally as his emotions flared.
It was when Remy laughed and threw his head back as he sat relaxing in a chair that Tam’el realized that he wanted him. It was quite forbidden, especially for one of the royal house, but he was from another culture and one that purportedly practiced all sorts of backward and sacrilegious customs. It was very possible that through this man would be a great deal of help for people like himself. He was a Krai’afi, those who could never reproduce, not because of difficulties physically, but because they were attracted to members of the same gender.
To practice as a krai’afi and be found out would mean execution. He hoped that this man had different ideas and would help pull the ear of the Majestrix toward the favor of krai’afi and in being merciful toward them. There was of course an underground network of krai’afi, but there were few supporters who were not themselves krai’afi. To be interested in both genders was practically unheard of.
Tam’el watched Remy as he sat with his friends and consumed ethanol diluted beverages, which he assumed had similar effects on humans as it did Shi’ar. He did notice that Remy was drinking quite a bit. If the man wasn’t careful, he would be quite soused when the evening was over. Perhaps that was his plan. He wouldn’t be surprised if Remy wanted to dull out this period of in between goodbye.
It was when Remy’s speech started to slur that Tam’el began to get worried because he was still drinking in between he slurred words. Most Shi’ar would have stopped drinking by now. The others in the room didn’t seem to think much of it and a few of them were also partaking of the drinks. Tam’el had a few himself and was flying well, but not drunk. Remy must be at this point.
He didn’t say anything, but he did point it out to the Majestrix discreetly when he got the chance. “Remy, as the first order I’m going to give you, I command you to stop drinking.”
Remy stopped with his glass touching his lips, but his head not tipped back yet. His eyes sought her out to make sure she was looking at him waiting for a response indicating that she had in fact spoken. He set the drink down. “Emmm… permanently?” he asked tentatively.
“If I had intended that I would not have allowed you to drink in the first place. No, just for the evening. You have had quite enough.”
Shrugging, he gestured to his drink. “Up f’ grabs, who don’ care ‘bout cooties.” He completely skipped the ‘to those.’
Tam’el wanted to take Remy’s drink and taste his lips from the glass rim, but he was very careful not to even eye it in desire. That he was even thinking about doing such a thing showed how much he had already had to drink. He was lucky that he had the wherewithal to keep his hands to himself too.
Remy did look over at Tam’el though, and smile to him. Tam’el couldn’t read Remy’s expression, but there was something deeply soft in it. It wasn’t the practiced artificial smile he gave to so many, though that smile was soft around the edges. He didn’t know what to make of it, but he did enjoy it.
When everyone began heading separate directions for the evening, Tam’el offered to take Remy to his new room as he wouldn’t be staying in the guest housing any more. Remy nodded and bid everyone goodnight. There were jokes about the hangover Remy would have in the morning—whatever that was, then Remy finally let himself be guided from the room.
It started out that Remy could walk on his own, but his walking got less and less straight as they ambled down the hall. Tam’el ended up supporting Remy under one arm as they were about half way to the quarters he’d be in. “Tam’el….” Remy tried to say something, but apparently couldn’t get it out.
“Yes, sir?”
“Sir?” he asked surprised.
“You don’t have an official title yet, but I still should call you sir.”
“Call me Remy, please? Tam’el, y’ de only friend I got here.”
“R-Remy. I will.”
“Tank y’,” he said as he collapsed into Tam’el’s grasp. Tam’el had a time of holding him up, but it wasn’t impossible for him. He couldn’t however, move with him.
“Remy!” he shouted as quietly as he could. “Remy, please wake up.” Remy wouldn’t respond to any of his pleas. This was great, he thought sarcastically. He would have to carry him. That would most likely complicate matters.
Squatting, a little unsteady still, he hoisted Remy over his shoulder and hoped the man didn’t vomit on him. Perhaps it would be better if he did. That would spoil this mood Tam’el found himself in and he’d be able to walk away from the situation more sober than he anticipated he’d be able to.
Tam’el had been shown where Remy’s quarters were going to be as he was going to help him out. Lilandra knew that they had become friends in the short time Remy had spent here in the palace. He hoped that she didn’t figure other things out based on his fondness for Remy. Tam’el opened Remy’s door and ambled under his burden into the small apartment. The bedroom was ten feet away, but it still felt like a good distance with Remy getting heavier and heavier. The automatic door closed behind him as he walked away from it toward the bedroom.
When Tam’el was finally able to lay Remy down on his bed, Tam’el sat on the side of it to rest. As he looked over Remy, he noticed how his mood began to change. Anticipation ran through his veins like a wild virus, compelling him to take of those lips, slightly open; to run his hands through that exotic hair that looked finer than any Shi’ar crest, yet at the same time wild. Before, his heart had been beating with exertion, now it beat with anxiety.
He wondered to himself how much Remy would be upset at him for kissing his sleeping form. The man seemed so open and carefree that he found it hard to imagine the man upset. He found himself leaning closer to his face and before he knew it himself, he touched those soft lips. It was a shock to actually feel the other’s skin because he had closed his eyes. Granted, it wasn’t the best idea, but it was so romantic to close your eyes when kissing, it was something he fell into easily.
What was more surprising to Tam’el was when the body under him started to move and the arms reached up around him and held him close. It had been so long since he had a partner, he had forgotten the gentleness. He also found that he craved this feeling.
“Mmm—Tam’el?” the lips moved.
Tam’el’s eyes popped open and he stared into glowing red eyes that shocked him frozen against those lips. Tam’el had forgotten to turn on the lights and the eyes floated in the pitch black. He couldn’t speak. Deftly, he moved away from the lips and sat up a little. “Tam’el?” Remy asked again.
“Please don’t be angry, Remy.”
“Angry?” Tam’el was somewhat relieved to hear him question anger at this point.
“I apologize. Please don’t tell anyone else about my—indiscretion,” he asked, eyes turned away from Remy’s face.
“Dat was hardly indiscretion, ami.” Tam’el looked at him, perplexed. “’Least, if it was, y’ people‘re awful sensitive.”
“People here are. That’s why I ask you to not tell anyone.” Remy’s arms slid down Tam’el’s sides and Tam’el closed his eyes enjoying the feel of his hands.
Remy’s senses were particularly open tonight and that’s why he could feel how much Tam’el wanted Remy and the pleasure that ached inside his bones. “If Remy keep quiet, don’cha tink he ought to share dis little secret?”
“It’s not little,” Tam’el whispered emphatically. Remy’s hands were traveling back up now and Tam’el was almost undone. “Please, Remy—“
“Please, what? Remy already pleased,” he smiled in the dark. Tam’el wasn’t sure if his eyes could get wider, but they seemed to because he felt more shocked. Remy was openly accepting this—this horrible thing to their people. This must be one of the backward practices from his planet.
Tam’el didn’t want to speak any further and ruin this incredible moment. He just leaned down to Remy and kissed him deeply. Remy’s mouth opened and he forced his tongue into Tam’el’s mouth. The contact of such a naughty appendage made Tam’el flinch. Tingles ran rampant through his body and he loved every second of it.
Frenching must have been new to Tam’el because he didn’t seem to know what to do with his tongue when he had it, but that was okay as it allowed Remy to explore the other man’s mouth. Tam’el seemed to enjoy himself and his hands became freer over Remy’s body, slipping easily into the unfamiliar clothing he had on.
Tam’el didn’t know what he would find when he moved his hand down underneath Remy’s undergarments, but he was surprised to find the skin down there perfectly smooth. That was highly exotic as he had expected humans to have some pubic covering just like the Shi’ar. He wasn’t about the question it, but he did moan in pleasured surprise as his hand found the area. Remy was just as pleased, but not near as surprised.