Maybe Happy News

The last few weeks had been something else. Remy had spent pretty much his entire adult life striving to remain unattached to everything. Never get attached to a home, a person, an item he didn’t carry with him at all times, because he never knew when or if he would have to abandon everything and run. He had spent the first half decade of his exile in Hub exploring, going through every portal that seemed safe, sending drones through first and then heading through himself, blending in with populations where he could, and where he couldn’t, being more or less honest about being a visitor from another world. He had been young, but smart, and he only learned from his experiences.

He still explored new portals as they opened. He still tried to blend in with the human worlds. But such travels had long lost their wonderment for the thief. It was part of his job to find the new worlds available, scout them, and send information back to the Guild. Now, to Henri.

Henri.

Remy loved his family. He had sacrificed for them, their safety. For the Guild. But now, he was being asked to give more. Again. He sighed and paused at the entrance to the Green Goddess; it wasn’t as though what Henri was suggesting would make him an unhappy man, not in the slightest, but he wasn’t sure Jaya (or her people) would feel the same way. And because of that single fact, Remy resented being used the way he was. As happy as he would be to do it, it would be misery to do this and see Jaya unhappy. Yes, she had said that she would want this, but statements spoken when things weren’t even a possibility, not even a far-fetched option, were different than those stated as fact. Different than being the road you were presented to take.

He pushed through the door and sauntered over to his favorite barstool, giving the bartender a nod before he turned to scan the room for Jaya.

@katie

Jaya hadn't been in the Hub nearly as long as Remy, but she'd been there long enough to recognize the opportunities that the Hub represented, for her personally, for her family and for the Orion Syndicate. There were so many worlds that it was difficult to know where to start, and she'd found the decade of experience that Remy had amassed, along with the collective knowledge of his Guild had helped her to identify sources of small and expensive items that could profitably be sent through the Hub.

Which was one of the reasons why she was glad to be with him, as his paramour (that was the word that they'd decided was the best to describe an Orion Dancing Girl who was in an exclusive relationship), although it was secondary to other considerations. At least for her. For the Syndicate, the fact that he was knowledgeable and well connected made him worth cultivating, even if it meant tying up one third of the operatives the Syndicate had in the Hub.

The precise details of how she was to be tied up had yet to be settled-Remy hadn't seemed eager to settle them, and she hadn't wanted to push, especially since the word from the Syndicate had been clear. She could agree to be his paramour on her own, but a marriage-that must be sealed by an alliance of some kind. And since his brother had made it clear that there would be no such alliance, and since she knew what being "sold" had done to Remy the first time, well, she'd decided for the moment to let things lie for a bit, and just enjoy the fact that they were together.

That she could come out from the store room and find him right where he belonged, at the corner of her bar with his black suit on. She walked over, putting a little extra roll into her hips, pheromones sending out promises of passion as well as affection and kissed Remy deeply. "Its good to see you, sweetness. I just finished up checking the inventory-want to come back with me and have a bite to eat? And spend some time together?" knowing that the answer to both questions would likely be yes, but she knew he'd want to be asked, instead of just told.

@Nyte

Remy’s time in Hub had been long, fruitful, and sometimes - often - difficult. But he liked the city, enjoyed visiting the worlds that connected to it, some so similar to his own, and others so very different. He had helped Jaya because he had wanted to, and yes, he had made himself, and the Guild, money doing it, regardless what Mercy thought on the matter.

He didn’t help Jaya entirely because he cared for her, though. There were other reasons, practical ones. She was well connected within her Syndicate, after all. But like Jaya, that wasn’t his primary reasoning for helping her the way he did. It wasn’t why he was with her in the first place.

The conversation he’d had with his brother weighed on his mind heavily. He had done exactly as he had said he would, as Henri had requested of him. He had reached out to his contacts, he had discussed things with them, without speaking of what or why, simply keeping things as business, and then chuckling and joking with them, exchanging gossip and small talk as they were all like to do after business was finished. That had taken time, effort, and a few coins and credits, depending on the world and where the meeting was. He had a few more he was waiting to hear back from as well as another meeting scheduled for the next morning, but tonight he was coming to see Jaya. They would talk, and once that was done, they could move on to less formal things that might be just as intense, but were far more enjoyable.

Jaya might not think that Remy was eager to settle things between them, but that wasn’t precisely true. He would be happy to marry her, except that he wasn’t willing to force his Guild into something they didn’t want any part of, and he wasn’t willing to press her into a relationship she didn’t 100% want. It was a situation that had multiple catch-22’s in it, and that made it a mess.

He was looking for her when she approached, his smile growing as she kissed him and then spoke. “Remy has de mos’ perfect timing, non?” She offered food, and Remy began to nod. “O’ course, Chere. I came t’night t’see yo’, so a meal et time together sounds good.” He stood from the stool fluidly, “Lead de way, ma Chere.” They had plenty to discuss, which might have been evident in his tone, but that didn’t detract from how happy he was to see her.

@katie

Jaya, for her part, didn't have any doubts about wanting to be with Remy. She, like most Orions, believed that affection and desire were permanent, and either developed quickly or didn't develop at all. Not that desire was the only thing a marriage required, but Remy had all of the things-connections, a good family, a work ethic, the ability to keep house and care for children. It seemed simple enough, on a personal level, with the only complication being that the Orion Syndicate would want the Thieve's Guild to at the least, promise aid and support to the Syndicate's operations within the Hub and likely help with contacts and placing people in other universes. Something that his brother had refused to do which meant...well, Jaya didn't like to dwell on that.

"Your timing is always excellent." Jaya said, kissing him again, and then leading him to the family quarters. Kaalth had left a pot of something that smelled tasty in the dining area, and Jaya, never one to expect the man to do all the work, brought over a pair of bowls and spoons and began dishing up the stew. "How have you been?" she asked Remy, giving him an opening to talk about whatever it was that he clearly needed to discuss with her.

It wasn’t a doubt about being with him. It was a doubt about marrying him. Remy wasn’t convinced that Jaya would want to marry him. Marriage was a lifelong commitment, it wasn’t something with an easy out, it wasn’t something that would pass or fade with time; it was permanent, and he needed to make sure it was what she wanted. That she understood that part.

He would not enter into a sham of a marriage. Not again.

Smiling at her words, Remy shrugged almost carelessly, “Dis es true,” he spoke the words with a self-deprecating grin, not meaning them, but enjoying the playful teasing. He kissed her, and let her take them both to the family quarters, happy to follow her as he always did. She dished out the food, and Remy moved to take down glasses to fill with water, “Et has been busy.” It was the truth; Remy could find work whenever he wanted it, but now, with his brother and sister in law in the Hub, he worked harder than he had in the past, trying to prove that he still had his head on straight.

That she was inviting him to speak his mind was evident, but… Remy looked around, making sure they were alone, then moved to Jaya to murmur to her, “Would yo’ marry me? If we could, if it were an option?”

@katie

"Yes, I've noticed that you've been busy." Jaya said lightly. Not that he'd been neglecting her, but whenever he wasn't with her, he was out on a job. She wasn't the only one who had noticed-both Ruvet and Nala had remarked that Remy was working like a man who was saving up for a bride price, Nala sounding annoyed at the idea that Jaya would insist on being so traditional, Ruvet with a fond smile, remembering his own youth. Jaya had just shook her head and brushed off the comments. If Remy had been he'd have told her, that wasn't the kind of thing he'd keep as a surprise. That he hadn't spoken of it meant that things were as they were.

Except that then he was speaking of it. She set the glass in her hand down abruptly, only years of practice kept her from spilling "Yes, I would." she said simply, "If we could, I'd marry you tonight. I love you, and I want to be with you." a little more hesitantly she added "Why? Has something-has your brother changed his mind? About cooperating with the Orion Syndicate?"

@nyte

Right now, Remy was juggling several things in his life, all of which were basically full time jobs; Jaya, his family, and work. Thus far, he had managed to keep all of the balls in the air, but he knew that if he weren’t careful, he’d drop one eventually. Every juggler knew the same thing, it was why they would abruptly end their act from time to time before restarting again. But Remy couldn’t simply stop his juggling. Instead, he had to manage it as best as he could, and hope he managed to keep going until he was able to finally stop it all on his own.

First part of that was coming here tonight, seeing Jaya, and being able to assure he was doing the right thing, making the right choice, not just for himself, or his Guild, but for Jaya, too. He nodded at her words, “Desole, Chere, I do no mean t’spend so much time away.” He smiled to her, eyes crinkling at the corners, “But et es important t’remind mon frere et soeur dat Remy es still a valuable member o’ de Guild.”

The abruptness of her motions, the simpleness of her statement, Remy grinned and leaned to kiss her lightly in place of an immediate answer. When he pulled back, though, he shrugged, “Et depends on what yo’ define as changing his mind an’ cooperating.” Remy, who was nearly always in motion, be it true bodily movement or just fidgeting, went still for a moment, “Es no’ ever going t’be a full t’ing, Chere. Eart’ will be off limits no matter what - es too big a risk t’make. But en Hub?” Remy shrugged, watching her for her reaction, to determine if it would be enough or not.

@katie

"I didn't say that you'd been neglecting me, sweetness." Jaya said, the statement itself a sign of how sincere her feelings for Remy were, since pouting about a client's absence was one of the oldest tricks in the book. "Just that I've noticed you've been spreading yourself thin. I'm sorry that you have to prove yourself to your Guild" knowing that part of the reason for it was their relationship "but it is what it is. So if you need to rest tonight, I'll understand." the last said with a teasing smile. Remy had never been so wrung out that he'd wanted to just sleep. Have her do more of the work, well, that was different. And something that they both enjoyed. But Remy Lebeau would never admit to being too tired to show his paramour a good time.

"The Syndicate doesn't want a merger with the Thieve's Guild." Jaya said with a shrug "Just help with locating valuable items that can be resold in my universe at a profit, and things that can move from my universe to other worlds. And relocating people, as you've already done. Perhaps doing that a bit more, if the Syndicate does decide to expand beyond the Hub into another universe." she quirked a brow "Would that be a problem? If it were not your Earth, I mean. I'm not sure that the Syndicate would agree that all Earths are off limits, but I am sure that we'll stick to ones where green skin wouldn't be a problem, and where the Terran females don't react badly to our pheromones." watching how Remy reacted, to see if this would be too much. Hoping it wouldn't, that Henri had rethought things after his dismissal.

@nyte

Jaya hadn’t said that he was neglecting her, no, but Remy didn’t really care for the amount of time he was spending away from her, either. She had noticed how much less she was seeing of him, and that was enough. “No’ de Guild. De Patriarch et his wife.” He sighed, “Ma soeur. I should no’ have t’prove dis to dem, but…” Remy shrugged, it wasn’t even Henri so much that he was trying to prove himself to, but Mercy. She needed to see that Remy wasn’t slouching, that he wasn’t so lovelorn or lustridden that he wasn’t able to pull his weight and then some. That he had worth. Her comment about resting earned a dismissive snort even as Remy moved to pull her closer in order to kiss her better, “Yo’ know better, Chere.” Jaya was absolutely right; Remy would never admit to being that tired. He would have sunk into his bed in his apartment and slept a few hours before coming if that had been the case.

Knowing that the Syndicate wasn’t looking for a merger, or to expand into his home universe was a weight off of Remy’s shoulders. It meant that something could be worked out. It meant that Henri would, maybe, finally smile about this. It meant that Mercy could climb down off her high horse and maybe go back to the woman he had known a decade ago. Still, he didn’t want to speak for his brother, for the leader of the Guild, so Remy shrugged, but he did so with a smile, “Et es no’ my decision, o’ course, but I t’ink wit’ reassurance dat our universe will be let be so we can continue our work, and dat yo’ Syndicate es no’ interested in assimilating our Guild, Henri might be amenable.” Leaning in, Remy kissed Jaya again, smiling as he did so.

@katie

"But they disapprove of you deciding that you want to be with me for more than a night." Jaya finished simply. It was nothing less than the truth, unpleasant as that might be. "So you have to prove yourself, and prove that you can be with me and still be a loyal brother and member of the Guild. I'm sorry." she said with a sigh. "Terran females...well, you've seen how they react. Would your sister and consider trying the blockers, and meeting me again? If you think that would help." then he was kissing her, and reminding her that right now, he was there and that everything was good with them. And in the end, that was what mattered.

"Its not my decision either, sweetness." Jaya replied "But I am certain that your universe won't be of much interest. Expanding onto a Terra where the females all spit when they see an Orion woman isn't attractive, not when there are other worlds where that isn't a problem. Especially if your brother will agree to help us elsewhere, yes, that should work out. The benefits wouldn't be entirely one sided, either. We could offer access to our technology, medicine, not to mention that there are many things in our universe that could be stolen, of course."

Remy sighed, it wasn’t as simple as Jaya made it out to be. He might be hurt by Henri’s decisions, by the fact that he did feel like he had to prove himself, prove that he was still himself, still useful, but he knew that it also wasn’t a simple matter. Mercy. “Es no so simple, Chere.” Remy all but deflated, shaking his head, “Henri has de whole Guild t’ t’ink about, an’ Mercy…” He huffed, “She es acting like a cat that’s found itself surrounded by dogs.” Fur all on end, claws out, and hissing up a storm…. “I offered dem t’mon frere.”

He didn’t want to keep this conversation heading where it was. He wanted to relax, he wanted to be with Jaya tonight, not continue to dwell on the frustration he had been feeling all week long. He also didn’t want to think about or acknowledge just how much Mercy’s questioning of his loyalties had hurt, how her disapproval, her disgust (with him, with his choice of lover) had hurt him. She had called into question his very capabilities of being a thief, of thinking for himself. So he kissed Jaya with the abandon that he was chasing, with the carelessness he wanted so badly to have again.

“My world es filled wit’ hate an’ judgement, Chere. Orions would no’ jus’ be spat upon, but possibly attacked, an’ not jus’ because o’ yo’ pheromones.” Remy sighed, “People like me dere,” he motioned toh his eyes, the only currently visible sign of his mutations, “Dey are hated an’ hunted. Orions would be de same.” His tone wasn’t angry, it was sad, and resigned. He had been abandoned at birth because of his eyes… It had been a hard first years of his life, on the streets alone, but he had survived, no thanks to his birth parents. “I t’ink et es possible, if yo’ Syndicate agree t’leave our world alone, dat we might be able t’work wit’ yo’.” He grinned when she mentioned stealing, “Oh? Yo’ people would no’ mind?”

@katie

"I know it is, sweetness." Jaya said, resting her head on his shoulder "Family always is, and even more when business is involved." as she spoke, Jaya reflected, yet again how ironic it was that the things that she and Remy had in common were also the things that worked to create complications for them. When he kissed her, clearly seeking distraction, she kissed him back with equal passion. She believed in taking pleasure in the moment, and this wasn't something that would be settled tonight, or even tomorrow. Right now, he was here and in her arms, and right now, that was enough.

"That is the other part." Jaya said "A world where green skin is a liability-well, there are plenty of world where it won't be a problem." she hugged him close, knowing he was thinking of his childhood, but didn't say anything directly. The time to bring it up would be later, when they were ready to speak of serious subjects. Not that she hadn't already checked to make sure that the Syndicate would find it acceptable for her and Remy to adopt a Terran child, but that could be discussed later. When the subject switched to stealing, she grinned back "Why would we mind, sweetness?" she asked cheerfully "You wouldn't be stealing from us, after all. And although Orions do steal, when the occasion calls for it, it isn't our specialty."

@eve

Family complicated everything, yes, but Remy was loathe to feel even annoyed by that fact, especially when it came to Henri. His brother had been the first person to win the young street rat over, who had coaxed him into a willingness to believe that there was any hope that the LeBeau family could be his family. He loved his family, loved his brother more than he did most; this schism between them (or at least between him and Mercy), real or imagined, hurt. Jaya was right, though, and they both knew it; this wasn’t going to be resolved tonight or likely tomorrow. He needed to speak with her more, and then with his brother again, but… For the first time since Mercy’s outburst and Henri’s subsequent less than positive initial response, Remy had hope. Maybe things hadn’t gone as badly between his brother and the Orion he cared so much for as Jaya had worried. Maybe, just maybe, things could work out.

Even as Remy described the prejudice and hate that ran rampant in his world, he missed his home. Hub had been home to him for a long time now, over a decade now, but New Orleans held a certain place in his heart, one that it wouldn’t be pushed out of in a lifetime. His voice was a bit warmer than it maybe should have been, though there was also bitterness in his voice as well at the memory of the wrongs that were so common there. Nodding, Remy acknowledged Jaya’s point about the needless difficulties of entering and establishing any sort of foothold in his world, and he gave her a small, playful smirk, ”Not t’mention all de t’ieves yo’ would all have t’deal wit’.”

Stealing was usually a fairly good subject for Remy. Something he enjoyed and was good at. He chuckled, ”Well, no’ dat yo’ know of, at least.” He winked to let her know he was joking; the Guild took their alliances seriously, which was why this was such a big deal for them. If Henri decided to make an alliance of any sort with the Orions, the green skinned aliens would be off limits. He relaxed, though, even as he made the joke, more at ease than he’d been even a few moments before. He told her with a wink, ”No one steals better dan de Guild, ma Chere.”

@katie

Jaya snuggled against Remy, letting go of her worries that, in spite of how everything was looking like it might work out that something would go wrong at the last moment. That the "curse" or whatever it was that was causing Nala so many problems might be contagious. That...well, that a thousand things would happen that would mean that this would be her last chance to spend an evening with Remy.

Which meant that she was going to enjoy it like it was going to be the last night she'd ever have.

Letting go of worry, she smirked back "Oh no. A poor, sweet innocent Orion girl like me, surrounded by thieves. I will die of the shock." she replied, voice dripping amused irony "Next you'll be telling me that some of them gamble and consume intoxicants, and chase after females. Its good that you'll be there to protect me, since I've never been around beings who are involved in such behavior before." The behavior was familiar to be sure, and she was used to being around all sorts of aliens, but truthfully Jaya was a little uncertain about how to conduct herself, since she wasn't familiar with the details of Remy's culture, which was quite a bit different that what she'd learned about Terrans, and the standard Orion procedure for what to do in an unfamiliar setting, which was to find the most powerful male and seduce him would not work in this case.

"Yes, but seducing Orion women only technically stealing." Jaya said with a wink of her own, knowing that they could trust the Thieve's Guild, once their word was given "Besides, you'll need us, at least at first. My universe has challenges you haven't dealt with, sweetness."

@Nyte

Letting go of his worries and just relaxing was healthy. It wasn't as though either of them were going to drop their concerns and cares for very long, but a few minutes, an hour or two, that was helpful, good for them. It would allow both of them a chance to de stress, the better to view their problems with fresh eyes later. They both knew that there was a plethora of events that could happen to tear them apart. But what good what it do them to dwell on that?

At Jaya's words proclaiming herself poor, sweet, and innocent, Remy chuckled quietly and tisked her, "Yo' will never be poor, Chere, no' while yo' wit' me." If there were anything Remy could provide unfailingly, it was riches. "I hardly t'ink even such a should would kill 40!." He couldn't argue her sweetness, though, and so he didn't even try. "Besides.... Dese t’ieves, we have honor.. None will chase yo', not unless yo' want dem to."

While Jaya was uncertain, Remy was relaxed; he wasn't worried about how she acted. No, his concerns lay in far, far from those, more akin to just how his Pere would ever meet Jaya. At the wedding, if Henri insisted upon a ceremony there, but it wouldn't happen before. Remy was fairly certain of that...

With A short, Remy shook his head at her words, "Now dat, ma Chere sounds like a challenge."

@katie

Jaya laughed a little as he reassured her...and contradicted her at the same time. "Well, now that we're sure that I'm not going to be poor, and that you're the only Thief who is going to chase me..." because he was the only one who's attentions she would welcome, Orions took promises of monogamy very seriously "and I know already that you think I'm sweet, well, all that is left is to see if I'm innocent." she said with a little smirk, as her hand crept over him in a way that showed that she was very much not an innocent.

Although Jaya had her concerns about meeting Remy's family, based on how things had gone so far, she was less worried about him going to her home universe and meet her family, since she was confident that they'd accept him, being used to aliens. And having a Terran operative could prove useful in all sorts of ways "Oh, its meant to be." Jaya said with a smirk "Security measures are a bit more difficult to get around, and stealing and moving goods over interstellar distances is challenging. It might take you a little while to get up to speed." not that she doubted he would, but still, there would be a learning curve, even for Remy.

@Nyte

Let it never be said that Remy LeBeau was a simple man. But even as he contradicted her, he was honest and as straightforward with her as he ever was with anyone, which in itself was a marvel. Her words about her innocence earned her a sly smile from the thief, “Well, ma Chere, en my country, where I am from, yo’ are innocent until yo’ are proven guilty.” They weren’t speaking of the same sort of innocence anymore, not really. In some ways, Jaya truly was innocent; there were few claims anyone could really levy against her for wrongdoing, at least here in Hub. Still, in the way she spoke of, no, Remy would not accuse of her innocence.

She laid before him a challenge. Remy enjoyed challenges, especially when it called into question his skills in his profession. He was a damn good thief, a master of his art. To be challenged, called out and told that he’d have to ‘get up to speed’ meant only that he’d have to prove himself, that he would have to work to live up to that master title. With a quiet snort, Remy shook his head, “Chere… Yo’ underestimate yo’ Remy. Dis T’ief has gone t’many other worlds, stolen priceless artifacts. Has he no’ proven his skills t’yo’? Brought yo’ trinkets from his exploits?”

@katie

"I would think that by now you would have seen plenty of evidence that I'm not innocent, but if you require more...." She laughed, low and throaty before bringing her lips to the side of his neck. She enjoyed this part of being with Remy, the teasing and banter, although she knew that she was not innocent in the sexual or the legal sense, since she'd done her share of spying and stealing in her own universe, not to mention running away from her legal owner. None of which bothered her in the slightest, of course. On the other hand, it was also true that she'd never violated Orion law, which was, at the end of the day, the only law she actually cared about.

"You've proven your skill, certainly." Jaya replied "But so many of those worlds were quite low tech, and in my universe biometric locks and so on are quite advanced. There are ways around them, of course, but it would be unfamiliar tech for you, I think. Not to mention things like space ships and replicators, someone would have to show you how all that works." Not that she doubted his skill, or his adaptability, but still, there would be challenges.

@Nyte

“Aw, Chere,” Remy grinned, happy and at ease here with Jaya. “Dere are many kinds o’ innocence.” He chuckled at the pres of her lips against his neck, pleased as he always was when he was with her, when things were relaxed and easy the way they were just now. Neither of them were really innocent, both had been on the wrong ends of the law. While Jaya had never broken the laws of her people, Remy had never dishonored the rules of the Guild. Still, as knowledgeable and clever as he had been back home, when he had stepped into Hub to start his exile, he had felt like a babe in the woods. Different types of innocence.

“Es more dan just skill, ma Chere.” He leaned in to rest his forehead lightly on her shoulder, “A master t’ief es clever an’ able t’ t’ink on his feet.” And understand how technology worked, at least to an extent. Sure, he knew a lot more than the thieves that had come before him, and it was likely that the kids that were doing their apprenticeships would know more than he did. Still. He turned his head to smile sweetly up at Jaya, “Well, dat es why I am lucky t’have ma Chere t’teach me about all dese t’ings.” He was confident that Jaya would teach him about the technology of her world, and what ways she knew to overcome it. Given that, well, Remy was confident in his abilities.

“But dat es fo’ later, non? Tonight, le’s just enjoy de Hub, non? Es what brought us together.”

@katie

end?