Hi, this is Wolfsong. I've been busy writing on like five stories at once
and reading and keeping up school work, so I haven't had time to get this
ready to post. But after watching the first and second Lord of the Rings
in one setting and not being able to go out and watch the third, I found
some time.
This story, how it got started, I was sitting in my US history class, we were talking about slavery and I wondered what it would be like to live in the south, have slaves but not agree with it. Anyways, I decided I was going to put Rogue and Gambit back during the time of slavery. They do not have their powers (yes, that means she can touch him) and the X-men as we know them do not exist. This is just for fun. I've enjoyed writing it, and I'm almost done with it. Also, check out the works by The Four Minds. I have another one that I'm currently working on being posted. Enough babble, on to the story.
Deeper Secrets chapter
one: Chance Meeting
Wolfsong
The golden sun was rising, filling the southern lands with an intense glow. On a small hill there sat a woman, watching as the sun touched all that she owned. All these things could not make her happy. Something was missing. It had been for a while.
"Miss Ro," a tall, heavy muscled black man hollered as he walked up the stairs of the mansion.
"Yes, Jeffery," the young woman answered, her green eyes dull. She pushed back a strand of the white flock that sat in the middle of her head. She was young, in her early twenties. "What do you need?" she asked as the tall man stopped a step below her. He wasn't surprised by the white stripes. It had been there since he'd known her. She had been young when he had first come to her father's land.
"I don't think that dam is going to hold if we get another down pour like last week." he informed.
"Can we fix it?" she asked. That dam was the only thing that kept her front yard from flooding. If it flooded, there was no way of getting out without risking the wheels of the wagons sticking and breaking. That dam was very important.
"I don't know, Miss Ro. But Lord knows we need the rains."
"Yes. This drought had not been good for the crops." Both were now walking down the steps. They landed on the hard, burned ground.
"Well, I'll get a couple guys, see what they might think..." Interrupted by one of the younger slaves, Jeffery was cut short.
"Miss Ro, this man was wondering in the fields. Says he want's to talk to the Massa." The young eighteen-year-old informed. He had his unloaded riffle still in his hands.
"Thank you, Jerome." Then she turned her attention to the stranger. "What's your business?"
"Well, I'd like t'tell dat to the owner of did here plantation." his thick accent rang in.
"You're talkin' t'her." Jeffery replied. "This here's Miss Ro's land."
"And all the slaves here, too, mon ami." The stranger turned to Miss Ro. "May we talk 'lone?" She gave a look and a nod to Jeffery who went about his previous business. "So you da femme who owns dis plantation? Where's your husband? I'd like t'talk t'him."
"Ah'm not married, mister..." she paused.
"The names Lebeau. Remy Lebeau. And you?"
"Everyone around here calls me Miss Ro, and that's fine enough for you." Her southern drawl added to the authority in her voice. "Now, what's your business?"
"I've been trav'ling 'long time, I need a place t'rest 'while. Regain my energy."
"We don't take to openly to strangers, Mr. LeBeau."
"We, chere?"
"My slaves and I." She didn't like using that word, but did when outsiders were near. He nodded his understanding, but she explained farther. "Ah live alone here with just the slaves." She cringed inwardly. "Ah have to be careful." That's when he noticed the small pistol strapped to her ankle.
"As I can see, chere." She had walked to the porch before this. "Can I get that room, chere? I'll pay." He pulled a small wad of paper money. "Or I can work..."
Her stare cut him short. "Alright. Five dollars everyday you stay and you have to help around the farm."
"Deal." He had joined her on the top step, he was counting out money. "That should cover it." He handed her the money.
"A week's worth. Guess Ah'd better show you your room."
"Lead the way."
Moments later. "This should be fine." Ro said leading Remy into one of the medium size rooms on the second level. "You may put whatever belongings you have in the drawers. You may explore the house if you wish. Doors that are locked are no business of yours."
"Understood. Is there a place I can wash up?" he asked slinging his bags onto the large bed.
"There's a wash room in the back of the house on the first floor. You'll need to carry your own water. It won't be hot unless you heat it on a fire."
"Thanks for the warnin', chere."
"And if you get out of line in any way, stealing or just upsetin' meh, Ah reserve the right to throw you out."
"Fine. It be your house, chere." With that he began unpacking.
"When you're finished, if you'd like, you can help in the fields." That said, she left. He packed what little items he had in one of the drawers, what little clothing he had in another, and threw both bags in a bottom drawer. He stripped down to his pants and his long sleeve undershirt. After viewing his room he headed out thinking, 'The tour can wait. Remy want to know more 'bout dis femme.'
He went back outside and was walking around trying to find Ro. 'Da slaves dis woman keeps all seem happy. Guess they like bein' slaves. Or day jus' like her.' About that time Ro rode up on a roan stallion. "Ah see ya decided to join us. Come on. We've work to do." About that time, they heard wagon wheels coming up the stone drive.
A large, fat man in a suit was behind the reins. He stopped in front of the plantation house. "Howdy, Miss Ro. I find this in town. Said he belonged to you." The man, John Webster, mayor of the nearby town, said pulling a black man out of the back of the wagon, his arms and feet bound and a gag in his mouth.
Ro, who had been sitting with her leg over the horn, now dismounted, pulled a knife out of her belt and cut the ropes off his hands and feet. He gratefully removed the gag. "Go help in the fields, Will." The boy ran off, leaving the money with her. "Ah had asked Will to go to town to buy medical supplies."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I thought he had stolen your money and runaway. I didn't mean to cause problems." He eyed Remy closely.
"Well," she said remounting, "you did. Now Ah have to spend precious time in the field going into town muhself." She looked from Mr. Webster to Remy, noticing his stare. "Mr. Webster, if you would be on your way, Ah can prepare for muh trip to town."
"Of course, Miss Ro. May I ask, who's your friend there?" Remy stepped to the head of the horse, ready to fight if need be.
"He's just passing through. Needs to stay a couple days. Not that it's your business."
"Well, I best be going. Don't want to overstay my welcome." With that, John Webster left, a could of dust following.
"Jeffery." Ro called out. Jeffery came at once. "Jeffery, Ah have to go into town."
"I thought Will was suppose to..."
"There were problems. Would you mind watching the farm."
"No problem, Miss Ro."
"Ah'll take the stranger with meh. Can you get another horse ready?"
"Just a couple minutes, ma'am." He left towards the barn to retrieve a horse.
"Who was dat joker?" Remy asked, a deck of cards shuffling through his hands.
"John Webster. He's the mayor of Summitville. He, like the rest of the town, wishes Ah would marry a city man or sell muh property. That ain't going to happen." She turned and looked at him. "Don't think Ah'm takin' you with meh 'cause you think you're cute. Ah don't trust ya alone with muh stuff. You're too shifty."
He laughed at this. "Remy don' mean t'seem shifty. He jus' didn't like t'way dat man was talkin'."
"Now why are you talking in third person like you're some body else? Where you from anyway?"
"The south."
"We're both in the south, sugah." she snapped sarcastically.
"Where I come from it's normal." Jeffery walked over and handed the reins of a white stallion to Remy. "Ever ridden b'fore?" Remy shook his head no. "Mount up on the left side. Put your left foot in the stirrup, grab the horn and reins in your left hand...the horn. This is the horn." Jeffery pointed out. Ro almost laughed. "Now grab the pommel with your right hand. Use your arms and legs and swing into the saddle." Remy tried and barely made it into the saddle. Jeffery adjusted the stirrups to Remy's height then left, mumbling as he went.
"You'll get better." Ro said encouragingly. "Don't kick him in the sides. Just click and use your legs." "Why not kick him in the sides? That's how you get these things started." So he did, and the horse bolted beneath him. Ro rode after, grabbed the reins and willed both horses to stop. "These 'things' are sensitive." She spat out, almost hatefully. "He's ticklish on the flanks. Now, like this." and she moved out smoothly on her horse. He followed her lead though the stallion was still jumpy.
"What's his name?" Remy asked. "Where'd you get him?"
"Ace. He was an...anniversary gift...from Joseph."
"Your husband?"
"No. But we had talked about it. He gave me Ace on our one year anniversary when Ah was eighteen."
"Where's he now?"
"He died in a freak accident. Ah'm sorry. Ah don't want to talk about it." So they rode on in silence.
A few miles out of town, Remy began to wonder things. Ro had not said anything since they had left. He was getting tired of the silence and began whistling.
"Stop that." Ro demanded.
"Why, chere? It not harmin' any one."
"It's annoying. Just stop."
"It's too quiet. Remy's ears are gonna pop wit all da silence."
"There you go again with the third person."
"Can't we jus' talk?"
She stayed silent for a while longer. "What about?" she questioned softly.
"'Bout you. Your farm. How ya've come t'take care o'it by your lonesome."
"Why the interest in meh? We could talk about you." She didn't want this to become an interview.
"Jus' let me ask a few questions. All ya can do is answer or not."
"Fine. Nothing personal, ya hear?" "Okay. Where'd ya get the farm?" They were now riding side by side at an easy walk.
"Almost too personal, but Ah'll answer. It was muh daddy's. He left if to me."
"You seem kinda young t'not have a father. Or mother." He noticed her sad expression. "Too personal. Sorry."
"No. Muh mom died at childbirth. Daddy died when Ah was nineteen, a month after Joseph. They only person Ah've had this whole time is Jeffery and the others." They were almost to the town now. "So what about you? Where's your family?"
"I've never had a family. Grew up on the streets. Fightin' to get by. Wasn't a life I wanted then. Not a life I want to live again." He looked into her eyes for the first time. They were asking to know more. "The rest is too personal. My past is behind me and I wanna keep it dat way, chere." More silence. Both had given a little, but neither would give all. He did want to keep his past behind him. Unfortunately, he didn't think it that could happen.
End chapter one. What you think? Likin' it so far? Hope so. I've given you a lot to swallow in the first chapter, and there's more to come. The next chapter they get to town and stuff. Note: I am not now or ever will be a fan of Rogue and Joseph. Don't come hunting me down, trying to kill me. Later!
This story, how it got started, I was sitting in my US history class, we were talking about slavery and I wondered what it would be like to live in the south, have slaves but not agree with it. Anyways, I decided I was going to put Rogue and Gambit back during the time of slavery. They do not have their powers (yes, that means she can touch him) and the X-men as we know them do not exist. This is just for fun. I've enjoyed writing it, and I'm almost done with it. Also, check out the works by The Four Minds. I have another one that I'm currently working on being posted. Enough babble, on to the story.
Deeper Secrets chapter
one: Chance Meeting
Wolfsong
The golden sun was rising, filling the southern lands with an intense glow. On a small hill there sat a woman, watching as the sun touched all that she owned. All these things could not make her happy. Something was missing. It had been for a while.
"Miss Ro," a tall, heavy muscled black man hollered as he walked up the stairs of the mansion.
"Yes, Jeffery," the young woman answered, her green eyes dull. She pushed back a strand of the white flock that sat in the middle of her head. She was young, in her early twenties. "What do you need?" she asked as the tall man stopped a step below her. He wasn't surprised by the white stripes. It had been there since he'd known her. She had been young when he had first come to her father's land.
"I don't think that dam is going to hold if we get another down pour like last week." he informed.
"Can we fix it?" she asked. That dam was the only thing that kept her front yard from flooding. If it flooded, there was no way of getting out without risking the wheels of the wagons sticking and breaking. That dam was very important.
"I don't know, Miss Ro. But Lord knows we need the rains."
"Yes. This drought had not been good for the crops." Both were now walking down the steps. They landed on the hard, burned ground.
"Well, I'll get a couple guys, see what they might think..." Interrupted by one of the younger slaves, Jeffery was cut short.
"Miss Ro, this man was wondering in the fields. Says he want's to talk to the Massa." The young eighteen-year-old informed. He had his unloaded riffle still in his hands.
"Thank you, Jerome." Then she turned her attention to the stranger. "What's your business?"
"Well, I'd like t'tell dat to the owner of did here plantation." his thick accent rang in.
"You're talkin' t'her." Jeffery replied. "This here's Miss Ro's land."
"And all the slaves here, too, mon ami." The stranger turned to Miss Ro. "May we talk 'lone?" She gave a look and a nod to Jeffery who went about his previous business. "So you da femme who owns dis plantation? Where's your husband? I'd like t'talk t'him."
"Ah'm not married, mister..." she paused.
"The names Lebeau. Remy Lebeau. And you?"
"Everyone around here calls me Miss Ro, and that's fine enough for you." Her southern drawl added to the authority in her voice. "Now, what's your business?"
"I've been trav'ling 'long time, I need a place t'rest 'while. Regain my energy."
"We don't take to openly to strangers, Mr. LeBeau."
"We, chere?"
"My slaves and I." She didn't like using that word, but did when outsiders were near. He nodded his understanding, but she explained farther. "Ah live alone here with just the slaves." She cringed inwardly. "Ah have to be careful." That's when he noticed the small pistol strapped to her ankle.
"As I can see, chere." She had walked to the porch before this. "Can I get that room, chere? I'll pay." He pulled a small wad of paper money. "Or I can work..."
Her stare cut him short. "Alright. Five dollars everyday you stay and you have to help around the farm."
"Deal." He had joined her on the top step, he was counting out money. "That should cover it." He handed her the money.
"A week's worth. Guess Ah'd better show you your room."
"Lead the way."
Moments later. "This should be fine." Ro said leading Remy into one of the medium size rooms on the second level. "You may put whatever belongings you have in the drawers. You may explore the house if you wish. Doors that are locked are no business of yours."
"Understood. Is there a place I can wash up?" he asked slinging his bags onto the large bed.
"There's a wash room in the back of the house on the first floor. You'll need to carry your own water. It won't be hot unless you heat it on a fire."
"Thanks for the warnin', chere."
"And if you get out of line in any way, stealing or just upsetin' meh, Ah reserve the right to throw you out."
"Fine. It be your house, chere." With that he began unpacking.
"When you're finished, if you'd like, you can help in the fields." That said, she left. He packed what little items he had in one of the drawers, what little clothing he had in another, and threw both bags in a bottom drawer. He stripped down to his pants and his long sleeve undershirt. After viewing his room he headed out thinking, 'The tour can wait. Remy want to know more 'bout dis femme.'
He went back outside and was walking around trying to find Ro. 'Da slaves dis woman keeps all seem happy. Guess they like bein' slaves. Or day jus' like her.' About that time Ro rode up on a roan stallion. "Ah see ya decided to join us. Come on. We've work to do." About that time, they heard wagon wheels coming up the stone drive.
A large, fat man in a suit was behind the reins. He stopped in front of the plantation house. "Howdy, Miss Ro. I find this in town. Said he belonged to you." The man, John Webster, mayor of the nearby town, said pulling a black man out of the back of the wagon, his arms and feet bound and a gag in his mouth.
Ro, who had been sitting with her leg over the horn, now dismounted, pulled a knife out of her belt and cut the ropes off his hands and feet. He gratefully removed the gag. "Go help in the fields, Will." The boy ran off, leaving the money with her. "Ah had asked Will to go to town to buy medical supplies."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I thought he had stolen your money and runaway. I didn't mean to cause problems." He eyed Remy closely.
"Well," she said remounting, "you did. Now Ah have to spend precious time in the field going into town muhself." She looked from Mr. Webster to Remy, noticing his stare. "Mr. Webster, if you would be on your way, Ah can prepare for muh trip to town."
"Of course, Miss Ro. May I ask, who's your friend there?" Remy stepped to the head of the horse, ready to fight if need be.
"He's just passing through. Needs to stay a couple days. Not that it's your business."
"Well, I best be going. Don't want to overstay my welcome." With that, John Webster left, a could of dust following.
"Jeffery." Ro called out. Jeffery came at once. "Jeffery, Ah have to go into town."
"I thought Will was suppose to..."
"There were problems. Would you mind watching the farm."
"No problem, Miss Ro."
"Ah'll take the stranger with meh. Can you get another horse ready?"
"Just a couple minutes, ma'am." He left towards the barn to retrieve a horse.
"Who was dat joker?" Remy asked, a deck of cards shuffling through his hands.
"John Webster. He's the mayor of Summitville. He, like the rest of the town, wishes Ah would marry a city man or sell muh property. That ain't going to happen." She turned and looked at him. "Don't think Ah'm takin' you with meh 'cause you think you're cute. Ah don't trust ya alone with muh stuff. You're too shifty."
He laughed at this. "Remy don' mean t'seem shifty. He jus' didn't like t'way dat man was talkin'."
"Now why are you talking in third person like you're some body else? Where you from anyway?"
"The south."
"We're both in the south, sugah." she snapped sarcastically.
"Where I come from it's normal." Jeffery walked over and handed the reins of a white stallion to Remy. "Ever ridden b'fore?" Remy shook his head no. "Mount up on the left side. Put your left foot in the stirrup, grab the horn and reins in your left hand...the horn. This is the horn." Jeffery pointed out. Ro almost laughed. "Now grab the pommel with your right hand. Use your arms and legs and swing into the saddle." Remy tried and barely made it into the saddle. Jeffery adjusted the stirrups to Remy's height then left, mumbling as he went.
"You'll get better." Ro said encouragingly. "Don't kick him in the sides. Just click and use your legs." "Why not kick him in the sides? That's how you get these things started." So he did, and the horse bolted beneath him. Ro rode after, grabbed the reins and willed both horses to stop. "These 'things' are sensitive." She spat out, almost hatefully. "He's ticklish on the flanks. Now, like this." and she moved out smoothly on her horse. He followed her lead though the stallion was still jumpy.
"What's his name?" Remy asked. "Where'd you get him?"
"Ace. He was an...anniversary gift...from Joseph."
"Your husband?"
"No. But we had talked about it. He gave me Ace on our one year anniversary when Ah was eighteen."
"Where's he now?"
"He died in a freak accident. Ah'm sorry. Ah don't want to talk about it." So they rode on in silence.
A few miles out of town, Remy began to wonder things. Ro had not said anything since they had left. He was getting tired of the silence and began whistling.
"Stop that." Ro demanded.
"Why, chere? It not harmin' any one."
"It's annoying. Just stop."
"It's too quiet. Remy's ears are gonna pop wit all da silence."
"There you go again with the third person."
"Can't we jus' talk?"
She stayed silent for a while longer. "What about?" she questioned softly.
"'Bout you. Your farm. How ya've come t'take care o'it by your lonesome."
"Why the interest in meh? We could talk about you." She didn't want this to become an interview.
"Jus' let me ask a few questions. All ya can do is answer or not."
"Fine. Nothing personal, ya hear?" "Okay. Where'd ya get the farm?" They were now riding side by side at an easy walk.
"Almost too personal, but Ah'll answer. It was muh daddy's. He left if to me."
"You seem kinda young t'not have a father. Or mother." He noticed her sad expression. "Too personal. Sorry."
"No. Muh mom died at childbirth. Daddy died when Ah was nineteen, a month after Joseph. They only person Ah've had this whole time is Jeffery and the others." They were almost to the town now. "So what about you? Where's your family?"
"I've never had a family. Grew up on the streets. Fightin' to get by. Wasn't a life I wanted then. Not a life I want to live again." He looked into her eyes for the first time. They were asking to know more. "The rest is too personal. My past is behind me and I wanna keep it dat way, chere." More silence. Both had given a little, but neither would give all. He did want to keep his past behind him. Unfortunately, he didn't think it that could happen.
End chapter one. What you think? Likin' it so far? Hope so. I've given you a lot to swallow in the first chapter, and there's more to come. The next chapter they get to town and stuff. Note: I am not now or ever will be a fan of Rogue and Joseph. Don't come hunting me down, trying to kill me. Later!