Mallrats (2 of 2)
WHO: Rogue, Sol Badguy, Buffy Summers
WHAT: Sol comes back to 'chat' with Rogue, having dragged her to a hospital after the previous nights' antics.
WHERE: Paranormal Gate - Sunnydale
WHEN: 1/15/07
WATCH FOR: Buffy's embarrassing personal confession.
Well, it's been a day since the 'mall incident', when Soma Cruz and his undead pals tried to bust up the mall and were stopped by Sol Badguy and Rogue.
Okay, so they were really stopped by Sol. But Rogue tried, and that's how she ended up in the hospital with a suspiciously boot-shaped mark on her face. Nobody at the hospital is quite sure what happened to her, since Sol basically brought her in and dumped her...but already a few nurses and orderlies have begun to speculate that she just got trampled in the ensuing panic.
This isn't to say Sol gives a crap about any of that. He's really just here to find out what the heck the girl was up to last night, and that's what's brought him back to the hospital. He /does/ stand out in the lobby as he stomps his way over to the nurse's station, looking for all the world like a man on a mission. This ain't a social call, after all.
Buffy storms into the hospital in full on pissed mode. It's not that someone blew up her mall HER MALL in a fight against the undead the night before. She can deal with that. Heck, she's done worse in the her days of Slayage. It's not even that whoever did it really did a pretty good job at killing some offworld vamps and saving her the work. Really, she should thank them for that. It's not even that the police automatically called her house to find out where -she- was that night. Well, ok, it might be that a little. The reason she is pissed is that no one bothered to tell HER that there was a battle with the undead going down in her hometown. She's the Slayer, the Vampire Slayer, she'd like to be informed when evil undead from other planes come to town to cause trouble. She'd really like to be told about it either before or even after such an event and not by that rather rude new Sherrif they got in the last election. She can't even remember if she voted for him or at all in that one. Maybe it happened while she was dead.
Anyway, after some rather annoying detective work and a bit of Willow's techno-magic (she knows how to use Google) Buffy found out about the young woman admitted to the local hospital and headed there right away having put two and two together and come up with something roundabout four... maybe.
Rogue luckily by some grace of god, had regained consciousness enough to weakly explain to nurses that she had a very serious skin condition. Being disoriented as she was, the medical staff couldn't get too many details so they worked with caution until tests were confirmed about the details of her condition. They even kept her isolated in a room by herself as an extra precaution. What is wrong with her though? It's a medical mystery. For all they know she's physically fine, aside from the bruise on her face... they did find something 'different' in her blood sample though. Perhaps it was linked to the skin condition? Hey it wouldn't be the first time doctor's in Sunnydale found something that made them scratch their heads about.
It also seemed that she was suffering from some psychology stress, so until they decipher her tests, Rogue's been moved to the Psyche Ward. Left alone for now, Rogue is just trying to rest, but after some tossing and moaning, she just wakes back up. At least she stopped earlier in the morning.
And the nurse's... "Are you a relative?" Because they really would like to know what the girl's name is so they might be able to locate her parents. :O
Sol Badguy lies. Because it's easier. "Yes, I'm her brother." He looks like he's in his late twenties, so father/uncle/whatever was right out. "I'm the one who brought her in." He doesn't bother to elaborate any further. That's just not his style.
He does, however, consider what he's supposed to say next. Pretend you were a normal person, Sol. "....how is she?" he asks, somewhat lamely. The nurse might very well chalk it up to concern. "Can I see her?" Best to just get this over with.
Buffy is incredibly used to coming to this hospital. Most of the folks here even know her by sight and she just breezes in. That is, until she gets to the nurse's station and sees HIM. Yeah, with some people you just know at first sight that they don't belong in your world. With some it's extra eyes or limbs or a heavy green drooling problem. With Sol, it's his clothes. So not in fashion anywhere other than maybe some uber-geek convention and even then no one would have the scratch to get them down -THAT- good.
Deciding that one set of lies deserve another, she walks up after hearing the tail end of the conversation and interjects herself. "Hey there Cousin Cletus," she says to Sol, "You checking up on Becky-Sue? That's nice of you, especially after that horrible spill she took in the Mall. We tell her and tell her not to buy eight dozen pairs of shoes and carry them by herself but does she listen? Nope. Not out Becky-Sue, RIGHT Cletus?" And she narrows her eyes, giving Sol a kind of 'I'm getting explanations or you're getting compound fractures so just play along GOT IT' kind of look before smiling sweetly.
"We won't be sure of her condition until the doctors have completed their tests. But for now she seems stable." The nurse is whispered to from another. "You can see her, but we'll need you to fill out this paperwork before you leave." She holds out a clipboard with papers they'll need for their records. Name, social security number, birth date, medical histories, blah, blah. What not even questioning if he really knows her or even just checking his ID? Who thought it was -this- easy to claim a teenager!
Oh and that Buffy Summers. The nurses do recognize her, and as they over hear Buffy's story... they actually buy it. You know those crazy girls with their wacky hijinks. "She's on the 3rd floor. Room 325." The nurses then go back to doing nurse things. They assume Buffy knows her way around this place well enough.
Meanwhile Rogue just lies in room 325, and begins to sit up. Even with the medicine they gave her to help her sleep, all it manages is to keep her sedated. She can't stay here... it's just a matter of time before an accident happens, so first things first- She needs to find her clothes. A dresser on the other side of the room! Score! Once she's wearing something besides this hospital gown, she might have a chance to get out of here. That is ... if she didn't fall to the ground a moment after getting out of bed. Seems those drugs are stronger than she gave them credit for. Okay. So she'll crawl if she has to... and hope that once she gets her clothes the rest of her plan will just come together. >_>
Sol Badguy nods as the nurse hands him the paperwork, and looks...well, pretty much like he always does. He simply can't muster the energy to look thankful. He does, however, return Buffy's 'favor' with a level, vaguely irritated look of his own. He seems to be contemplating the best way to set her on fire.
But, somehow, violence is averted as he walks past the desk towards the elevator. He doesn't bother to see if Buffy is following, nor does he bother to wait for her as he presses the 'up' button.
.oO(Man, I need a smoke.)Oo.
Elevators are for losers Sol. Not only are they a lazy person's way to get anywhere but they render you totally at the mercy of that little box, which can be so easily made to drop by a persistent foe or turned into a shooting gallery by evil magic-users bent on killing you through the walls. Taking two stairs at a time, Buffy manages to get up to the correct floor first. There are advantages to being The Slayer after all.
Just to rub things in, she waits outside the elevator for 'Cletus' to arrive and waves to him when the Elevator doors finally open. "So," she begins, "You wanna tell me about why you decided to deny me a new pair of Donna Karens a few nights ago, or do we have to get punchy? Either option is fine with me, though I don't know if you really wanna make a mess here like you did in my Mall."
Sol Badguy is lazy. This is his defining personality trait.
He doesn't seem the least bit surprised to find Buffy waiting for him, though he does raise an eyebrow beneath the shelter of his headband as she speaks. "Is that what's got your panties in a knot? Che. Dracula decided he wanted to turn the place into his new castle, so I had to kick his ass." The whole time he's saying this, he's briskly approaching room 325, forcing Buffy to either follow along or watch his retreating back. His hands seem to naturally find themselves in his pockets, making him look even /more/ pissed-off, if such a thing is possible.
And no, he doesn't particularly care that he might very well have broken some unwritten rule about the Masquerade or however they keep things under wraps here; he just wants this whole thing /done with/. So what if he freaks some people out?
The vamps in Sunnydale don't have a Maquerade, unless it's like a ball where they all wear masks made from the skin of babies or something. Ew. No, they're pretty out in the open about what they are and it's the local media that covers for them to avoid having to say "HEY VAMPIRES!" and ruin any chance of a population boom. "Ok, Dracula you say? He's no big. Fancy cape, sexy accent, changes into a bat. No big. I've met him, I've kicked his ass. Never thought he'd come back for seconds though. Talk about masochism."
Okay. Rogue has secured her clothes. Now to get ... ? Hearing voices getting closer, she starts to pull herself up, using the dresser for support. This time she doesn't feel as light headed as she had when she stood up before, so she doesn't fall down this time. Those people are probably just passing by, they don't sound like nurses. ... And even if she had heard the conversation, she assumes that it's just her imagination. She has had Dracula on (in) the brain after all.
Sol Badguy nods. "That's pretty much it, yeah." He then reaches over to put a hand on the doorknob of room 325, but he doesn't open it just yet. Instead, he looks at Buffy again. "Well, now you know, so...get lost. Maybe if you hurry you can find a Gucci's that's still open." The sad part is, Sol is pretty much like this with everyone. Whether Buffy takes his sage advice(?) or not, Sol then opens the door and walks inside. "Oy, kid," he says in 'greetings'. "....the hell are you up to, anyway?"
Buffy isn't about to get pushed around in her home plane by some goofily-dressed outworld hick with a chip on his shoulder. "Yeah, well, that's not 'it' you rude little planehopping tourist. This is my world here and it's pretty much my job to defend it. I'm with the IPA you know, this is my territory and I don't appreciate interlopers blowing up our local centers of commerce and social life. Tell you what, introduce me to your friend here," She turns to flash a friendly smile and a wave to Rogue before turning back to Sol, "And I won't kick you back through the gate you came in from. Deal?"
Well... not what Rogue expected at all. Turning to look at the door, she looks much like a child caught doing something naughty, and it takes her a few moments before she is able to think of what to say. Sol she recognizes, and she answers him without hesitation. "I need to get out of here." She glances over to Buffy briefly, "Who's she?" With or without a reply, she opens the drawer, she starts pulling out her clothing, setting her boots on the floor and folding the rest over her arm so she can take it into the bathroom to change. ._. The other two can talk all they want to as long as the door is shut and they don't raise their voices.
Sol Badguy pointedly ignores Buffy for a moment, as Rogue explains. Rather than get upset, Sol simply shrugs. "Okay." He does, however, follow the mutant's gaze to Buffy. "...a nuisance." Back to Rogue. "Well, I don't know her name, and I don't know who you are, so...white-haired girl, meet blondy. Blondy, white-haired girl." Then Rogue heads off to change, and Sol gives the Slayer a lop-sided grin.
"IPA, huh? I tell you what, Princess...you win. Next time I hear of something busting the hell out of this place, he's all yours, promise. I'll stay out of your business."
Pushing past Sol and ignoring him, Buffy moves to Rogue and extends a hand, totally unaware of what danger a simple handshake might be. "Hi, I'm Buffy, Buffy Summers. Sorry about the really harsh welcome to my town. This is Sunnydale and you've already seen the mall so thus concludes the areas of local interest." Yeah, she's being nice to Rogue, who got hurt saving her town and doesn't seem at all a bad sort. As opposed to Sol and his stinkfest of an attitude.
Oh but a handshake can be dangerous, and Rogue's sudden jerk backward makes it obvious that the gesture seems like a threat to her. Trailing her eyes between Buffy's face and her outstretched hand, Rogue begins to step around her. "It would be safer if you didn't touch me." After that she goes to bathroom, avoiding looking at either of them and shutting the door behind her without another word. Her behavior isn't defensive, it's more along the lines of skittish, so she's clearly shaken up and uncomfortable about something. ._.
Sol Badguy shrugs, pre-emptively. "No clue what that was about." Well, guess he'll ask later, or something. Ignoring Buffy for the moment since she's no longer rising to his bait, Sol heads over to the window and examines it carefully. Being the Psych Ward, the windows are barred with very sturdy metal gratings. Sol reaches over to grab one of the bars, and rotates his hand...the metal begins to bend almost immediately, but it makes a fair bit of noise, so he stops. "Che, worst possible place for her to end up in here. Oh well." Sol turns away, apparently having something else in mind now.
Buffy continues to ignore Sol, if she wanted to spend time with a total jerk, she'd go look up Spike. At least with Spike there would be the sex and all... Oh God, best not to think about that, not now. She goes to the bathroom door and stands just outside of it. "What happened?" She asks Rogue in a very concerned voice, "The vampires didn't bite you, did they? Cause trust me, I know how it can be with Dracula. All those promises, all those sweet, seductive words. I know how good hips kisses can be..." She blushes and stops, "Yeah, he bit me twice. Let's not get into that though. He didn't touch you, did he?"
Rogue pauses in changing when she hears a voice that is so close to the door, it's obviously directed to her. "He didn't bite me." She doesn't say anything more until she's pulled on a layer of clothing, then she adds. "Don't worry about me." Saying she's going to be 'okay'... she just can't do it because she isn't sure about that right now. "..." Way to go with the too much information Buffy... >_>;
Sol Badguy shakes his head. This is really irritating. He briefly considers the possibility of cold-cocking Buffy while her attention is elsewhere and running off, but she doesn't look like the type to go down in one hit. So that would just cause more trouble than it solves. Well, he'll just have to hope she'll play along in the 'escape'....
Man, all this trouble just to get some intel. He's starting to wonder if he should just walk off. Looking clearly irritated, Sol makes his way over to the door (not to the bathroom, to the hall) and looks outside to see if anyone's coming.
Looking a bit, embarassed, Buffy just says, "Oh, ok then. I'll just be out here me and my... yeah, that. Nevermind." She leans against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest and looking anywhere but at Sol. Looking at him will just piss her off more and she really doesn't need any further incitement to violence today.
Seems that the staff on this floor received a call about the girl's visitors and are purposely giving them time. They'll just see to different patients and other matters for as long as they can so they can have some undisturbed privacy. So, no. Nobody is coming to the room.
The bathroom door opens and Rogue steps out as she finishes wrapping the hospital gown around her arm to cover it. Since her green sleeve was completely torn off at the shoulder seam, it's the best she can do for now. It isn't flattering, but she isn't going to take any chances. After she tucks and ties the gown in place as well as she can, her attention then shifts over to Buffy for a moment before she sees Sol. "..." It's not that she's ungrateful for the help, it's just that she doesn't recognize it at first. "What are you doing?"
Sol Badguy shrugs, and closes the door. "Scouting. I'm going to get you out of here, because I still have some questions for you." He turns to look at Buffy again. "You still want to be a tag-along, whatever. Just follow along and try not to screw this up."
That said, Sol heads over to the door one more time, and looks out. Specifically, he checks to see if there's a clear path to the elevator.
"Fine, you don't want me here, I won't be here. Just go back to wherever your came from and don't come back." She heads for the door, clearly not wanted here in the least. "I'll make sure no one comes after you two though, it's the least I can do."
Walking out into the hall, she wonders what kind of distraction she can cause this time. Heck, maybe that one cute guard is working this floor today, he's easily distracted by cute girls.
[OOC] Buffy Summers says, "That was me."
Rogue isn't really in any position to turn down help, even if he's only doing it because he wants something from her. She isn't gonna argue.
As for a clear escape route? It seems that the halls aren't full of guards or nurses, at least not this part. Now by the elevator, there is a desk where a nurse and guard are waiting to make sure that none of the patients make a break for it. It isn't the cute guard, but they see to be doing a good enough job of distracting themselves talking about some popular show they both like. "So what do you think of him posing as one of the terrorists?" ... "I wasn't expecting it. Jerry just isn't that believable. He can't even shoot a gun properly." ... "I wasn't surprised when they shot him either." ... Is this really appropriate work conversation?
Of course not. But as far as Sol's concerned, that's just fine. Buffy is given a salute as they part ways, and he turns back to the room and to Rogue. "There's a desk near the door," he says quietly. "Keep me between yourself and them and they shouldn't notice a thing. Let's go." He sounds oddly authoritative all of a sudden, like he knows exactly what he's doing. He was in the military at one point, after all.
He waits just long enough to be sure she's going along with him before he begins to walk towards the elevator.
***OOC Note: At this point we decided to skip ahead a bit. TIME KOMPRESSION***
Good thing Sol and Buffy showed up ... Rogue wouldn't have gotten far. She knew that her Running -Really- Fast plan probably wouldn't have worked. Apparently she still has some good luck left. Hiding behind Sol seems like a good plan to her. Simple, yeah, but it's much better than anything she could come up with. So like a good little solider, she uses him as a shield so she isn't spotted.
And by her own means Buffy distracts the nurse and guard well enough that Sol and Rogue make it out of the hospital! She'll catch up eventually because she's cool like that! Rogue surprisingly sticks close to Sol, following where ever he decides to go like a duckling following it's mother.
Sol Badguy eventually makes his way to a bench some two blocks from the hospital, and sits down. "Well, here we are." With an air of finality, Sol drops onto the bench and reaches into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes. He pulls one out with his teeth, and lights it with a puff of flame from his thumb. "Allright, allright. That's enough screwing around, I think." He takes a quick puff on the cigarette, before looking over at Rogue. "So then, mind explaining what you were up to last night?"
"Thank you." Even if he's just helping her to get something out of it, but ... "And about last night..." Rogue sits down on the other end of the bench and looks out in front of her instead of at him. "I didn't mean to attack you." She leans forward, crossing her arms over her knees and putting her weight on her elbows. "It sometimes happens when when I'm not ready for it." Sometimes she's just a little taken back when her power surprises her, but when the contact is that long and the person is that full of memories and power... "He got away, didn't he?" After the kick, things weren't so clear, and it's probably a pretty vain hope that Sol took Soma out before he got away, but she's hoping!
An ordinary person would nod or say 'yeah' or something as they're being spoken to. Sol, as should be expected by now, is anything but ordinary. He simply continues to smoke, and finally speaks up when she describes her 'problem': "Sounds like a Forbidden Magic." He doesn't bother to explain the reference, he simply waves his hand dismissively as she asks about Soma. "Yeah, ran like a kicked puppy. I'll just kick his ass next time." He seems pretty confident that there'll /be/ a next time, doesn't he? "So you're not a vampire?" Too bad, it would be nice to get some information 'from the horse's mouth'. Oh well.
A vampire? "Well ..." Even as her mind kind of plays with the idea. Rogue isn't a vampire, nor is she one of these people that thinks she is one or wants to be one... but if you take out the blood bit, her power is kind of like a vampire. Oh wait, that pause might give Sol the wrong idea. "I'm not a vampire." She adds pretty quickly, and even looks at him to make sure he believes her. "I'm not." But ... "It was just that he touched me and when that happens..." See now she'll draw quiet again, because she's has seen many different reactions when people find out about her power. Usually people are either pretty freaked out, or they think it's 'useful'. Since she doesn't have much confidence when it comes to it, she can't help but become shy (or defensive) when it comes up. Sol drew the shy card. "When people touch me it's bad."
Sol Badguy was, quite a long time ago, a scientist. So he quickly runs through all the data he has at the moment, assuming Rogue is a reliable source:
-She's not a vampire.
-When Soma touched her skin, they both looked like they had been shot with a taser.
-Afterward, Soma got weaker, and Rogue got stronger.
-Rogue began to talk like Soma, and espoused similar goals. She did so against her will.
Hm. Sol nods his head. "So you take their personality and power?" He didn't get that Ph.D. watching football on Sundays, after all. "Definitely sounds like a Forbidden Magic...but that probably doesn't mean anything to you, does it?"
Whew. He said it so she doesn't have to. And the good news is that he seems to be taking it well. Rogue nods, "I absorb their memories too." Which is kind of why she's still shaken, but he probably doesn't blame that for her behavior. "It's not called that where I'm from." Her head tilts a little while looking at him and pulls back to lean against the bench. "I thought you were a mutant too... but I guess you're just from a different world."
Sol Badguy shakes his head. "Nope, just a human." He then glances down at the paperwork in his hand, and with a muttered "Che," he sets it all on fire and tosses it over his shoulder. He is quite good at lying, it seems. Almost second-nature for certain subjects by now. "It's 2180 where I come from," he says finally, figuring that's the easiest way to figure out if they're from the same world or not.
Rogue blinks at the sudden burst of pyrotechnics and watches the paper burn up in the air into ash before it hits the ground. And 2180 ... "Really?" That answer your question? "I've only seen the worlds that are in the past." How about that? "Where I'm from people that can do things like you aren't humans." Well at least they've found a topic that seems to keep her mind off of doom and the nightmares lingering in her head. "Most people call us mutants." Not the most endearing of labels ... but she's gotten used to it. "... Most of them also don't like us very much." Hence why she's really starting to develop the habit of going to different worlds to get away from hers ... and the alternative version of it.
You know... this is probably the longest conversation she's had with -anyone- outside of the small group of people she lives with. "I'm Rogue by the way." He didn't ask, but she felt like telling him anyway.
Sol Badguy has, by now, gotten used to that kind of thing. So Rogue's unintentional jab at his humanity doesn't cause any change in Sol's expression; he gives no clue how accurate she is. "Magic's not that hard," he says casually. "They probably just haven't found it yet."
This is pretty verbose for Sol as well. As she introduces herself, he bats down the urge to offer his hand before replying: "Sol. Sol Badguy." Hey, he may have met one of the only people in the multiverse who can't say 'that's silly!' without looking a bit hypocritical. Rock on.
Rogue crosses her arms and seems to settle herself on the bench. She doesn't know much about magic, actually she doesn't know much about anything compared to Sol, but she doesn't think it's that simple. Besides if people get so scared about mutants, she can't imagine how they'd react when people could use magic.
Even if he hadn't kept himself from trying to shake her hand, there wouldn't have been any problem now that she has gloves, but he probably doesn't know that. And nah, she wouldn't make fun of his name. Not when she knows people with names way more sillier than that. "So... What now?"
Sol Badguy shrugs. "I figure I've got a handle on this place now." Vampires = freaky. Check. "You should probably get moving before the cops come. They have to have noticed something's up by now." He doesn't sound /too/ concerned. He is, after all, quite confident that he could curb-stomp any norm they should send after him. "Go home, relax, try not to freak out about Vlad the Impaler. I've dealt with better leeches than him."
Sol, however, makes no effort to get up. Lazy, remember.
Rogue doesn't get up either, but it's not cause she's lazy. A day without any decent sleep on top of the ordeal her mind and body went through, let's just say that she isn't surprised at all she feels as tired as she does. Aside from that, there's also the little issue of her not wanting to admit that's she's scared to be alone. Actually scared really isn't even the right word- Worried, paranoid, concerned. Yes, yes and yes. She doesn't like being vulnerable, but she's not going to be so stupid as to endanger her life. If Soma were to appear, or anyone for that matter and attack her right now, she wouldn't even be able to runaway. She'd give herself a block tops before she'd collapse and as stubborn as she may be she's not in any hurry to die.
There's also a feeling she hasn't felt since she found that first Gate back on her world. Maybe it's just her feeling helpless, or maybe it's not, but for some reason Sol is reminding her of someone she trusts, and that kind of helps her feel a little comforted. It's probably because of that she also isn't questioning his ability to take out Soma, or anything else for that matter that comes along. ... So instead of getting up and going home, Rogue just stays right where she is, "Would it be okay if I stayed here?"
Sol Badguy says nothing for a long time. Like, almost half a minute. Then he shakes his head, tosses the cigarette to the ground, and stamps it out with his foot. All without leaving his seat. "....sure." He doesn't hear sirens, so maybe they went the other way or something. Curiously, he doesn't ask /why/ she wants to stay, or even how long. He just folds his hands behind his head and slouches even lower in his seat, so that he's almost horizontal. "It's getting kind of late, though, innit?" Please let her have a place to stay, he thinks to himself.
Rogue has a place to stay. In New York, but asking him to escort her there would be even more difficult than just lingering around him until she gets better. "Yeah." It is late. Silence follows and she slouches slightly, almost copying him unintentionally.
The silence is broken within a minute if he didn't seem anxious to break it himself. "Would it be okay if I stayed with you?" Because she seriously doubts he plans on staying here long enough for her to get her strength back, not when she really does need to get some sleep before that happens. "I just don't think I can be alone right now." She seems to pull into herself, tucking her chin down and tightening her arms crossed in front of her.
Sol Badguy raises an eyebrow, which is hard to tell thanks to the fact that his headband rides very low on his forehead. He again falls silent for a long time, before shaking his head. He likes to be alone, but....agh. .oO(****ing Dizzy, ever since I met her I've been going soft.)Oo. "Allright, one night shouldn't hurt." Being more perceptive than he looks, Sol languidly rises to his feet and looks over his shoulder at Rogue. "You look like you're about to drop dead, so let's get going. Bit of a walk." Since, y'know, it's on a different plane and all. Friggin' Gates.
There's a faint smile before Rogue starts to stand. "Yeah." She fidgets with the wrap on her arm before she waves out ahead of them in a 'Go ahead' gesture. "Lead the way." She isn't going to push her luck! Once she's rested up she'll be on her way. Maybe this trusting strangers isn't that hard of a thing to do. Although... it is probably just easy because he doesn't seem eager about it. Whatever... at this moment all she wants to do is find somewhere to sleep. By then she should be so tired that the nightmares would wake her up, and it will help being somewhere that she doesn't jerk awake at the slightest touch worried that some poor nurse didn't take her seriously about not touching her skin.
***OOC Note: TIME KOMPRESSION, again***
In his own plane, Sol has an apartment in a very familiar-looking city. It's Chicago, Illinois...but curiously, the Gate identified as being in "A Country" rather than the USA. Very strange. Well, either way, Sol lives in a decidedly working-class part of town....the simple fact of his presence has dropped the crime rate significantly, but the buildings are kinda run-down, and they pass a couple of homeless people with oil-barrel fires going.
Sol's apartment is a few floors up, and the stairs creak ominously as they're walked upon. The lighting is rather dim, too. Sol makes no effort to apologize; she wanted a place to stay, she didn't ask for the Ritz. And this is where he lives. Inside is...somewhat clean, but there're a lot of scattered things about, such as empty beer cans, newspapers, etc. It smells faintly of old cigarettes. The door opens into what appears to be one of those combination kitchen/living rooms common to small apartments. "Well, here we are."
At the moment, Rogue would have settled for a cardboard box. By the time they arrive at the apartment, her feet are practically dragging when she steps. If there is a couch, she goes right for it once he's given her the signal to go in. Which -Well, here we are.- translates to for her. She hadn't said much on the way, and the longer they walked the harder it was for her to pay attention to everything they passed. Now at their final destination, she does get out a drowsy sounding, "Thanks." She so looks like she's two seconds from just falling asleep on her feet.
Sol Badguy briefly considers being chivalrous and offering her the bed...but chivalry's dead, and he has a quite comfortable couch. So he doesn't make any effort to stop her as she makes for the couch...he does, however, enter a door to the left of the entrance and come back a moment or so later with a spare blanket. "Here y'go," he says to warn her before he tosses it her way.
Rogue mumbles, or something close to it when the blanket falls on her. By the end of the night she'll end up under it, but for now ... zzzzz.
Sol Badguy che. "Kids." That done, he turns and retreats back into the other room...which is apparently the bedroom, as he closes it behind him. Doesn't look like Rogue gets to see him in the buff, too bad.
WHAT: Sol comes back to 'chat' with Rogue, having dragged her to a hospital after the previous nights' antics.
WHERE: Paranormal Gate - Sunnydale
WHEN: 1/15/07
WATCH FOR: Buffy's embarrassing personal confession.
Well, it's been a day since the 'mall incident', when Soma Cruz and his undead pals tried to bust up the mall and were stopped by Sol Badguy and Rogue.
Okay, so they were really stopped by Sol. But Rogue tried, and that's how she ended up in the hospital with a suspiciously boot-shaped mark on her face. Nobody at the hospital is quite sure what happened to her, since Sol basically brought her in and dumped her...but already a few nurses and orderlies have begun to speculate that she just got trampled in the ensuing panic.
This isn't to say Sol gives a crap about any of that. He's really just here to find out what the heck the girl was up to last night, and that's what's brought him back to the hospital. He /does/ stand out in the lobby as he stomps his way over to the nurse's station, looking for all the world like a man on a mission. This ain't a social call, after all.
Buffy storms into the hospital in full on pissed mode. It's not that someone blew up her mall HER MALL in a fight against the undead the night before. She can deal with that. Heck, she's done worse in the her days of Slayage. It's not even that whoever did it really did a pretty good job at killing some offworld vamps and saving her the work. Really, she should thank them for that. It's not even that the police automatically called her house to find out where -she- was that night. Well, ok, it might be that a little. The reason she is pissed is that no one bothered to tell HER that there was a battle with the undead going down in her hometown. She's the Slayer, the Vampire Slayer, she'd like to be informed when evil undead from other planes come to town to cause trouble. She'd really like to be told about it either before or even after such an event and not by that rather rude new Sherrif they got in the last election. She can't even remember if she voted for him or at all in that one. Maybe it happened while she was dead.
Anyway, after some rather annoying detective work and a bit of Willow's techno-magic (she knows how to use Google) Buffy found out about the young woman admitted to the local hospital and headed there right away having put two and two together and come up with something roundabout four... maybe.
Rogue luckily by some grace of god, had regained consciousness enough to weakly explain to nurses that she had a very serious skin condition. Being disoriented as she was, the medical staff couldn't get too many details so they worked with caution until tests were confirmed about the details of her condition. They even kept her isolated in a room by herself as an extra precaution. What is wrong with her though? It's a medical mystery. For all they know she's physically fine, aside from the bruise on her face... they did find something 'different' in her blood sample though. Perhaps it was linked to the skin condition? Hey it wouldn't be the first time doctor's in Sunnydale found something that made them scratch their heads about.
It also seemed that she was suffering from some psychology stress, so until they decipher her tests, Rogue's been moved to the Psyche Ward. Left alone for now, Rogue is just trying to rest, but after some tossing and moaning, she just wakes back up. At least she stopped earlier in the morning.
And the nurse's... "Are you a relative?" Because they really would like to know what the girl's name is so they might be able to locate her parents. :O
Sol Badguy lies. Because it's easier. "Yes, I'm her brother." He looks like he's in his late twenties, so father/uncle/whatever was right out. "I'm the one who brought her in." He doesn't bother to elaborate any further. That's just not his style.
He does, however, consider what he's supposed to say next. Pretend you were a normal person, Sol. "....how is she?" he asks, somewhat lamely. The nurse might very well chalk it up to concern. "Can I see her?" Best to just get this over with.
Buffy is incredibly used to coming to this hospital. Most of the folks here even know her by sight and she just breezes in. That is, until she gets to the nurse's station and sees HIM. Yeah, with some people you just know at first sight that they don't belong in your world. With some it's extra eyes or limbs or a heavy green drooling problem. With Sol, it's his clothes. So not in fashion anywhere other than maybe some uber-geek convention and even then no one would have the scratch to get them down -THAT- good.
Deciding that one set of lies deserve another, she walks up after hearing the tail end of the conversation and interjects herself. "Hey there Cousin Cletus," she says to Sol, "You checking up on Becky-Sue? That's nice of you, especially after that horrible spill she took in the Mall. We tell her and tell her not to buy eight dozen pairs of shoes and carry them by herself but does she listen? Nope. Not out Becky-Sue, RIGHT Cletus?" And she narrows her eyes, giving Sol a kind of 'I'm getting explanations or you're getting compound fractures so just play along GOT IT' kind of look before smiling sweetly.
"We won't be sure of her condition until the doctors have completed their tests. But for now she seems stable." The nurse is whispered to from another. "You can see her, but we'll need you to fill out this paperwork before you leave." She holds out a clipboard with papers they'll need for their records. Name, social security number, birth date, medical histories, blah, blah. What not even questioning if he really knows her or even just checking his ID? Who thought it was -this- easy to claim a teenager!
Oh and that Buffy Summers. The nurses do recognize her, and as they over hear Buffy's story... they actually buy it. You know those crazy girls with their wacky hijinks. "She's on the 3rd floor. Room 325." The nurses then go back to doing nurse things. They assume Buffy knows her way around this place well enough.
Meanwhile Rogue just lies in room 325, and begins to sit up. Even with the medicine they gave her to help her sleep, all it manages is to keep her sedated. She can't stay here... it's just a matter of time before an accident happens, so first things first- She needs to find her clothes. A dresser on the other side of the room! Score! Once she's wearing something besides this hospital gown, she might have a chance to get out of here. That is ... if she didn't fall to the ground a moment after getting out of bed. Seems those drugs are stronger than she gave them credit for. Okay. So she'll crawl if she has to... and hope that once she gets her clothes the rest of her plan will just come together. >_>
Sol Badguy nods as the nurse hands him the paperwork, and looks...well, pretty much like he always does. He simply can't muster the energy to look thankful. He does, however, return Buffy's 'favor' with a level, vaguely irritated look of his own. He seems to be contemplating the best way to set her on fire.
But, somehow, violence is averted as he walks past the desk towards the elevator. He doesn't bother to see if Buffy is following, nor does he bother to wait for her as he presses the 'up' button.
.oO(Man, I need a smoke.)Oo.
Elevators are for losers Sol. Not only are they a lazy person's way to get anywhere but they render you totally at the mercy of that little box, which can be so easily made to drop by a persistent foe or turned into a shooting gallery by evil magic-users bent on killing you through the walls. Taking two stairs at a time, Buffy manages to get up to the correct floor first. There are advantages to being The Slayer after all.
Just to rub things in, she waits outside the elevator for 'Cletus' to arrive and waves to him when the Elevator doors finally open. "So," she begins, "You wanna tell me about why you decided to deny me a new pair of Donna Karens a few nights ago, or do we have to get punchy? Either option is fine with me, though I don't know if you really wanna make a mess here like you did in my Mall."
Sol Badguy is lazy. This is his defining personality trait.
He doesn't seem the least bit surprised to find Buffy waiting for him, though he does raise an eyebrow beneath the shelter of his headband as she speaks. "Is that what's got your panties in a knot? Che. Dracula decided he wanted to turn the place into his new castle, so I had to kick his ass." The whole time he's saying this, he's briskly approaching room 325, forcing Buffy to either follow along or watch his retreating back. His hands seem to naturally find themselves in his pockets, making him look even /more/ pissed-off, if such a thing is possible.
And no, he doesn't particularly care that he might very well have broken some unwritten rule about the Masquerade or however they keep things under wraps here; he just wants this whole thing /done with/. So what if he freaks some people out?
The vamps in Sunnydale don't have a Maquerade, unless it's like a ball where they all wear masks made from the skin of babies or something. Ew. No, they're pretty out in the open about what they are and it's the local media that covers for them to avoid having to say "HEY VAMPIRES!" and ruin any chance of a population boom. "Ok, Dracula you say? He's no big. Fancy cape, sexy accent, changes into a bat. No big. I've met him, I've kicked his ass. Never thought he'd come back for seconds though. Talk about masochism."
Okay. Rogue has secured her clothes. Now to get ... ? Hearing voices getting closer, she starts to pull herself up, using the dresser for support. This time she doesn't feel as light headed as she had when she stood up before, so she doesn't fall down this time. Those people are probably just passing by, they don't sound like nurses. ... And even if she had heard the conversation, she assumes that it's just her imagination. She has had Dracula on (in) the brain after all.
Sol Badguy nods. "That's pretty much it, yeah." He then reaches over to put a hand on the doorknob of room 325, but he doesn't open it just yet. Instead, he looks at Buffy again. "Well, now you know, so...get lost. Maybe if you hurry you can find a Gucci's that's still open." The sad part is, Sol is pretty much like this with everyone. Whether Buffy takes his sage advice(?) or not, Sol then opens the door and walks inside. "Oy, kid," he says in 'greetings'. "....the hell are you up to, anyway?"
Buffy isn't about to get pushed around in her home plane by some goofily-dressed outworld hick with a chip on his shoulder. "Yeah, well, that's not 'it' you rude little planehopping tourist. This is my world here and it's pretty much my job to defend it. I'm with the IPA you know, this is my territory and I don't appreciate interlopers blowing up our local centers of commerce and social life. Tell you what, introduce me to your friend here," She turns to flash a friendly smile and a wave to Rogue before turning back to Sol, "And I won't kick you back through the gate you came in from. Deal?"
Well... not what Rogue expected at all. Turning to look at the door, she looks much like a child caught doing something naughty, and it takes her a few moments before she is able to think of what to say. Sol she recognizes, and she answers him without hesitation. "I need to get out of here." She glances over to Buffy briefly, "Who's she?" With or without a reply, she opens the drawer, she starts pulling out her clothing, setting her boots on the floor and folding the rest over her arm so she can take it into the bathroom to change. ._. The other two can talk all they want to as long as the door is shut and they don't raise their voices.
Sol Badguy pointedly ignores Buffy for a moment, as Rogue explains. Rather than get upset, Sol simply shrugs. "Okay." He does, however, follow the mutant's gaze to Buffy. "...a nuisance." Back to Rogue. "Well, I don't know her name, and I don't know who you are, so...white-haired girl, meet blondy. Blondy, white-haired girl." Then Rogue heads off to change, and Sol gives the Slayer a lop-sided grin.
"IPA, huh? I tell you what, Princess...you win. Next time I hear of something busting the hell out of this place, he's all yours, promise. I'll stay out of your business."
Pushing past Sol and ignoring him, Buffy moves to Rogue and extends a hand, totally unaware of what danger a simple handshake might be. "Hi, I'm Buffy, Buffy Summers. Sorry about the really harsh welcome to my town. This is Sunnydale and you've already seen the mall so thus concludes the areas of local interest." Yeah, she's being nice to Rogue, who got hurt saving her town and doesn't seem at all a bad sort. As opposed to Sol and his stinkfest of an attitude.
Oh but a handshake can be dangerous, and Rogue's sudden jerk backward makes it obvious that the gesture seems like a threat to her. Trailing her eyes between Buffy's face and her outstretched hand, Rogue begins to step around her. "It would be safer if you didn't touch me." After that she goes to bathroom, avoiding looking at either of them and shutting the door behind her without another word. Her behavior isn't defensive, it's more along the lines of skittish, so she's clearly shaken up and uncomfortable about something. ._.
Sol Badguy shrugs, pre-emptively. "No clue what that was about." Well, guess he'll ask later, or something. Ignoring Buffy for the moment since she's no longer rising to his bait, Sol heads over to the window and examines it carefully. Being the Psych Ward, the windows are barred with very sturdy metal gratings. Sol reaches over to grab one of the bars, and rotates his hand...the metal begins to bend almost immediately, but it makes a fair bit of noise, so he stops. "Che, worst possible place for her to end up in here. Oh well." Sol turns away, apparently having something else in mind now.
Buffy continues to ignore Sol, if she wanted to spend time with a total jerk, she'd go look up Spike. At least with Spike there would be the sex and all... Oh God, best not to think about that, not now. She goes to the bathroom door and stands just outside of it. "What happened?" She asks Rogue in a very concerned voice, "The vampires didn't bite you, did they? Cause trust me, I know how it can be with Dracula. All those promises, all those sweet, seductive words. I know how good hips kisses can be..." She blushes and stops, "Yeah, he bit me twice. Let's not get into that though. He didn't touch you, did he?"
Rogue pauses in changing when she hears a voice that is so close to the door, it's obviously directed to her. "He didn't bite me." She doesn't say anything more until she's pulled on a layer of clothing, then she adds. "Don't worry about me." Saying she's going to be 'okay'... she just can't do it because she isn't sure about that right now. "..." Way to go with the too much information Buffy... >_>;
Sol Badguy shakes his head. This is really irritating. He briefly considers the possibility of cold-cocking Buffy while her attention is elsewhere and running off, but she doesn't look like the type to go down in one hit. So that would just cause more trouble than it solves. Well, he'll just have to hope she'll play along in the 'escape'....
Man, all this trouble just to get some intel. He's starting to wonder if he should just walk off. Looking clearly irritated, Sol makes his way over to the door (not to the bathroom, to the hall) and looks outside to see if anyone's coming.
Looking a bit, embarassed, Buffy just says, "Oh, ok then. I'll just be out here me and my... yeah, that. Nevermind." She leans against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest and looking anywhere but at Sol. Looking at him will just piss her off more and she really doesn't need any further incitement to violence today.
Seems that the staff on this floor received a call about the girl's visitors and are purposely giving them time. They'll just see to different patients and other matters for as long as they can so they can have some undisturbed privacy. So, no. Nobody is coming to the room.
The bathroom door opens and Rogue steps out as she finishes wrapping the hospital gown around her arm to cover it. Since her green sleeve was completely torn off at the shoulder seam, it's the best she can do for now. It isn't flattering, but she isn't going to take any chances. After she tucks and ties the gown in place as well as she can, her attention then shifts over to Buffy for a moment before she sees Sol. "..." It's not that she's ungrateful for the help, it's just that she doesn't recognize it at first. "What are you doing?"
Sol Badguy shrugs, and closes the door. "Scouting. I'm going to get you out of here, because I still have some questions for you." He turns to look at Buffy again. "You still want to be a tag-along, whatever. Just follow along and try not to screw this up."
That said, Sol heads over to the door one more time, and looks out. Specifically, he checks to see if there's a clear path to the elevator.
"Fine, you don't want me here, I won't be here. Just go back to wherever your came from and don't come back." She heads for the door, clearly not wanted here in the least. "I'll make sure no one comes after you two though, it's the least I can do."
Walking out into the hall, she wonders what kind of distraction she can cause this time. Heck, maybe that one cute guard is working this floor today, he's easily distracted by cute girls.
[OOC] Buffy Summers says, "That was me."
Rogue isn't really in any position to turn down help, even if he's only doing it because he wants something from her. She isn't gonna argue.
As for a clear escape route? It seems that the halls aren't full of guards or nurses, at least not this part. Now by the elevator, there is a desk where a nurse and guard are waiting to make sure that none of the patients make a break for it. It isn't the cute guard, but they see to be doing a good enough job of distracting themselves talking about some popular show they both like. "So what do you think of him posing as one of the terrorists?" ... "I wasn't expecting it. Jerry just isn't that believable. He can't even shoot a gun properly." ... "I wasn't surprised when they shot him either." ... Is this really appropriate work conversation?
Of course not. But as far as Sol's concerned, that's just fine. Buffy is given a salute as they part ways, and he turns back to the room and to Rogue. "There's a desk near the door," he says quietly. "Keep me between yourself and them and they shouldn't notice a thing. Let's go." He sounds oddly authoritative all of a sudden, like he knows exactly what he's doing. He was in the military at one point, after all.
He waits just long enough to be sure she's going along with him before he begins to walk towards the elevator.
***OOC Note: At this point we decided to skip ahead a bit. TIME KOMPRESSION***
Good thing Sol and Buffy showed up ... Rogue wouldn't have gotten far. She knew that her Running -Really- Fast plan probably wouldn't have worked. Apparently she still has some good luck left. Hiding behind Sol seems like a good plan to her. Simple, yeah, but it's much better than anything she could come up with. So like a good little solider, she uses him as a shield so she isn't spotted.
And by her own means Buffy distracts the nurse and guard well enough that Sol and Rogue make it out of the hospital! She'll catch up eventually because she's cool like that! Rogue surprisingly sticks close to Sol, following where ever he decides to go like a duckling following it's mother.
Sol Badguy eventually makes his way to a bench some two blocks from the hospital, and sits down. "Well, here we are." With an air of finality, Sol drops onto the bench and reaches into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes. He pulls one out with his teeth, and lights it with a puff of flame from his thumb. "Allright, allright. That's enough screwing around, I think." He takes a quick puff on the cigarette, before looking over at Rogue. "So then, mind explaining what you were up to last night?"
"Thank you." Even if he's just helping her to get something out of it, but ... "And about last night..." Rogue sits down on the other end of the bench and looks out in front of her instead of at him. "I didn't mean to attack you." She leans forward, crossing her arms over her knees and putting her weight on her elbows. "It sometimes happens when when I'm not ready for it." Sometimes she's just a little taken back when her power surprises her, but when the contact is that long and the person is that full of memories and power... "He got away, didn't he?" After the kick, things weren't so clear, and it's probably a pretty vain hope that Sol took Soma out before he got away, but she's hoping!
An ordinary person would nod or say 'yeah' or something as they're being spoken to. Sol, as should be expected by now, is anything but ordinary. He simply continues to smoke, and finally speaks up when she describes her 'problem': "Sounds like a Forbidden Magic." He doesn't bother to explain the reference, he simply waves his hand dismissively as she asks about Soma. "Yeah, ran like a kicked puppy. I'll just kick his ass next time." He seems pretty confident that there'll /be/ a next time, doesn't he? "So you're not a vampire?" Too bad, it would be nice to get some information 'from the horse's mouth'. Oh well.
A vampire? "Well ..." Even as her mind kind of plays with the idea. Rogue isn't a vampire, nor is she one of these people that thinks she is one or wants to be one... but if you take out the blood bit, her power is kind of like a vampire. Oh wait, that pause might give Sol the wrong idea. "I'm not a vampire." She adds pretty quickly, and even looks at him to make sure he believes her. "I'm not." But ... "It was just that he touched me and when that happens..." See now she'll draw quiet again, because she's has seen many different reactions when people find out about her power. Usually people are either pretty freaked out, or they think it's 'useful'. Since she doesn't have much confidence when it comes to it, she can't help but become shy (or defensive) when it comes up. Sol drew the shy card. "When people touch me it's bad."
Sol Badguy was, quite a long time ago, a scientist. So he quickly runs through all the data he has at the moment, assuming Rogue is a reliable source:
-She's not a vampire.
-When Soma touched her skin, they both looked like they had been shot with a taser.
-Afterward, Soma got weaker, and Rogue got stronger.
-Rogue began to talk like Soma, and espoused similar goals. She did so against her will.
Hm. Sol nods his head. "So you take their personality and power?" He didn't get that Ph.D. watching football on Sundays, after all. "Definitely sounds like a Forbidden Magic...but that probably doesn't mean anything to you, does it?"
Whew. He said it so she doesn't have to. And the good news is that he seems to be taking it well. Rogue nods, "I absorb their memories too." Which is kind of why she's still shaken, but he probably doesn't blame that for her behavior. "It's not called that where I'm from." Her head tilts a little while looking at him and pulls back to lean against the bench. "I thought you were a mutant too... but I guess you're just from a different world."
Sol Badguy shakes his head. "Nope, just a human." He then glances down at the paperwork in his hand, and with a muttered "Che," he sets it all on fire and tosses it over his shoulder. He is quite good at lying, it seems. Almost second-nature for certain subjects by now. "It's 2180 where I come from," he says finally, figuring that's the easiest way to figure out if they're from the same world or not.
Rogue blinks at the sudden burst of pyrotechnics and watches the paper burn up in the air into ash before it hits the ground. And 2180 ... "Really?" That answer your question? "I've only seen the worlds that are in the past." How about that? "Where I'm from people that can do things like you aren't humans." Well at least they've found a topic that seems to keep her mind off of doom and the nightmares lingering in her head. "Most people call us mutants." Not the most endearing of labels ... but she's gotten used to it. "... Most of them also don't like us very much." Hence why she's really starting to develop the habit of going to different worlds to get away from hers ... and the alternative version of it.
You know... this is probably the longest conversation she's had with -anyone- outside of the small group of people she lives with. "I'm Rogue by the way." He didn't ask, but she felt like telling him anyway.
Sol Badguy has, by now, gotten used to that kind of thing. So Rogue's unintentional jab at his humanity doesn't cause any change in Sol's expression; he gives no clue how accurate she is. "Magic's not that hard," he says casually. "They probably just haven't found it yet."
This is pretty verbose for Sol as well. As she introduces herself, he bats down the urge to offer his hand before replying: "Sol. Sol Badguy." Hey, he may have met one of the only people in the multiverse who can't say 'that's silly!' without looking a bit hypocritical. Rock on.
Rogue crosses her arms and seems to settle herself on the bench. She doesn't know much about magic, actually she doesn't know much about anything compared to Sol, but she doesn't think it's that simple. Besides if people get so scared about mutants, she can't imagine how they'd react when people could use magic.
Even if he hadn't kept himself from trying to shake her hand, there wouldn't have been any problem now that she has gloves, but he probably doesn't know that. And nah, she wouldn't make fun of his name. Not when she knows people with names way more sillier than that. "So... What now?"
Sol Badguy shrugs. "I figure I've got a handle on this place now." Vampires = freaky. Check. "You should probably get moving before the cops come. They have to have noticed something's up by now." He doesn't sound /too/ concerned. He is, after all, quite confident that he could curb-stomp any norm they should send after him. "Go home, relax, try not to freak out about Vlad the Impaler. I've dealt with better leeches than him."
Sol, however, makes no effort to get up. Lazy, remember.
Rogue doesn't get up either, but it's not cause she's lazy. A day without any decent sleep on top of the ordeal her mind and body went through, let's just say that she isn't surprised at all she feels as tired as she does. Aside from that, there's also the little issue of her not wanting to admit that's she's scared to be alone. Actually scared really isn't even the right word- Worried, paranoid, concerned. Yes, yes and yes. She doesn't like being vulnerable, but she's not going to be so stupid as to endanger her life. If Soma were to appear, or anyone for that matter and attack her right now, she wouldn't even be able to runaway. She'd give herself a block tops before she'd collapse and as stubborn as she may be she's not in any hurry to die.
There's also a feeling she hasn't felt since she found that first Gate back on her world. Maybe it's just her feeling helpless, or maybe it's not, but for some reason Sol is reminding her of someone she trusts, and that kind of helps her feel a little comforted. It's probably because of that she also isn't questioning his ability to take out Soma, or anything else for that matter that comes along. ... So instead of getting up and going home, Rogue just stays right where she is, "Would it be okay if I stayed here?"
Sol Badguy says nothing for a long time. Like, almost half a minute. Then he shakes his head, tosses the cigarette to the ground, and stamps it out with his foot. All without leaving his seat. "....sure." He doesn't hear sirens, so maybe they went the other way or something. Curiously, he doesn't ask /why/ she wants to stay, or even how long. He just folds his hands behind his head and slouches even lower in his seat, so that he's almost horizontal. "It's getting kind of late, though, innit?" Please let her have a place to stay, he thinks to himself.
Rogue has a place to stay. In New York, but asking him to escort her there would be even more difficult than just lingering around him until she gets better. "Yeah." It is late. Silence follows and she slouches slightly, almost copying him unintentionally.
The silence is broken within a minute if he didn't seem anxious to break it himself. "Would it be okay if I stayed with you?" Because she seriously doubts he plans on staying here long enough for her to get her strength back, not when she really does need to get some sleep before that happens. "I just don't think I can be alone right now." She seems to pull into herself, tucking her chin down and tightening her arms crossed in front of her.
Sol Badguy raises an eyebrow, which is hard to tell thanks to the fact that his headband rides very low on his forehead. He again falls silent for a long time, before shaking his head. He likes to be alone, but....agh. .oO(****ing Dizzy, ever since I met her I've been going soft.)Oo. "Allright, one night shouldn't hurt." Being more perceptive than he looks, Sol languidly rises to his feet and looks over his shoulder at Rogue. "You look like you're about to drop dead, so let's get going. Bit of a walk." Since, y'know, it's on a different plane and all. Friggin' Gates.
There's a faint smile before Rogue starts to stand. "Yeah." She fidgets with the wrap on her arm before she waves out ahead of them in a 'Go ahead' gesture. "Lead the way." She isn't going to push her luck! Once she's rested up she'll be on her way. Maybe this trusting strangers isn't that hard of a thing to do. Although... it is probably just easy because he doesn't seem eager about it. Whatever... at this moment all she wants to do is find somewhere to sleep. By then she should be so tired that the nightmares would wake her up, and it will help being somewhere that she doesn't jerk awake at the slightest touch worried that some poor nurse didn't take her seriously about not touching her skin.
***OOC Note: TIME KOMPRESSION, again***
In his own plane, Sol has an apartment in a very familiar-looking city. It's Chicago, Illinois...but curiously, the Gate identified as being in "A Country" rather than the USA. Very strange. Well, either way, Sol lives in a decidedly working-class part of town....the simple fact of his presence has dropped the crime rate significantly, but the buildings are kinda run-down, and they pass a couple of homeless people with oil-barrel fires going.
Sol's apartment is a few floors up, and the stairs creak ominously as they're walked upon. The lighting is rather dim, too. Sol makes no effort to apologize; she wanted a place to stay, she didn't ask for the Ritz. And this is where he lives. Inside is...somewhat clean, but there're a lot of scattered things about, such as empty beer cans, newspapers, etc. It smells faintly of old cigarettes. The door opens into what appears to be one of those combination kitchen/living rooms common to small apartments. "Well, here we are."
At the moment, Rogue would have settled for a cardboard box. By the time they arrive at the apartment, her feet are practically dragging when she steps. If there is a couch, she goes right for it once he's given her the signal to go in. Which -Well, here we are.- translates to for her. She hadn't said much on the way, and the longer they walked the harder it was for her to pay attention to everything they passed. Now at their final destination, she does get out a drowsy sounding, "Thanks." She so looks like she's two seconds from just falling asleep on her feet.
Sol Badguy briefly considers being chivalrous and offering her the bed...but chivalry's dead, and he has a quite comfortable couch. So he doesn't make any effort to stop her as she makes for the couch...he does, however, enter a door to the left of the entrance and come back a moment or so later with a spare blanket. "Here y'go," he says to warn her before he tosses it her way.
Rogue mumbles, or something close to it when the blanket falls on her. By the end of the night she'll end up under it, but for now ... zzzzz.
Sol Badguy che. "Kids." That done, he turns and retreats back into the other room...which is apparently the bedroom, as he closes it behind him. Doesn't look like Rogue gets to see him in the buff, too bad.