Jade "Scylla" Acquinas

Your local fish delinquent

[jayden-acquinas]

Introduction

"You may call me, Scylla."

~An all-Around any Fandom OC~ Mod being @vibrant-the-artist

꧁𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏꧂

-----------------------------------------

𝗢 𝗣 𝗘 𝗡 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 𝗙 𝗜 𝗟 𝗘.

𝗢 𝗣 𝗘 𝗡 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 𝗙 𝗜 𝗟 𝗘. .

𝗢 𝗣 𝗘 𝗡 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 𝗙 𝗜 𝗟 𝗘. . .

𝗢 𝗣 𝗘 𝗡 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 𝗙 𝗜 𝗟 𝗘. . . .

𝗢 𝗣 𝗘 𝗡 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 𝗙 𝗜 𝗟 𝗘. . . . .

𝐅 𝐈 𝐋 𝐄 𝐎 𝐏 𝐄 𝐍

N A M E

Jayden Winters Acquinas

A L I A S

"Scylla"

A G E

Nineteen

P R O N O U N S

She/They

D A T E O F B I R T H

December 18th, 2005

-⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘-

꧁A B I L I T I E S꧂

"The Sea Beast"

Can be broken down into many subsections of abilities, as most of Jayden's mutation affects her physical anatomy and how her body functions.

The Overview of all of these traits include:

Total Water Manipulation

Seeing Ultraviolet

Gills on the sides of the torso

Webbed hands

Fins on the ears, arms, and legs. Oddly enough, no natural tail(?)

Visibly sharper teeth

Very slight resistance to deeper water pressures

Resistance to lower temperatures

Prone to faster dehydration

Less nutrient gain from plants, naturally drawn more to a carnivorous diet.

Subject is very clearly akin to some sort of sea-monster, internal workings leaning more towards it as opposed to her outward human demeanor.

꧁B A C K G R O U N D꧂

"I didn't mean to lose track of my ma..."

...

Subject wanders the city and prowls the waterways.

No point of origin known at this time.

[bestistbostonboy69]

Badlands ain't no place for a fish beast, Hella respect for you and your lot tolerating it, holy shit.

- @jayden-acquinas

dang waht?? fish beast? didnt know dat you guys existed. but yeesh. yeah. youd dry up real fast here in da badlands.

[jayden-acquinas]

Ohhh yeah, there's a LOT of creepy crawly things on this hellsite, majority of them just haven't found YOU. Be thankful or be curious, I don't really care.

[vibrant-the-artist]

Jayden full ref time!

Nasty back scar there.

[jayden-acquinas]

This mfer CANNOT decide how I look for the life of him.

[mynameismagneto]

"...Okay, so y'all aren't MY Brotherhood. Something something multiverse shenanigans ensue I'm sure. But like... are y'all aight over here?" Jayden HAD to ask, of course she did.

- @jayden-acquinas

Howdy.

“We’re fine.” Erik’s tone is clipped and short.

[jayden-acquinas]

The fish kid raised a brow. But! She wasn't one to press, not her business. No not at all.

"Righty. Well I'm here anyway. Guess I'll be stalking a rooftop or something in the meantime. Just checking in."

[namor-seaking]

*he was working on making an over the top milkshake. That included a chocolate milkshake as the base, reses pieces, peanut butter mnms, two decently sized brownies, and a cookie sandwich. All to top it off with chocolate syrup.*

* To some, this might be trash and disgusting, but to him, this was a treat worth having*

[jayden-acquinas]

"...That seems like a like of wasted energy."

Jayden, being Jayden, was perched up above. She peered down with those bright yellow eyes, her face scrunched with a degree of confusion.

"Won't all that make you feel worse later?"

[namor-seaking]

Maybe, maybe not. But I find it quite delicious, and something worth my time.

*he pulls out a spoon and a metal straw so he can enjoy his sugary abomination*

[jayden-acquinas]

"...Things up here are weird." She mumbled, promptly moving to the nearest spot along the wall that would allow her to clamber on down.

"Sadly, those concoctions have a tendency to stick to the throat. Not a fun time on my end."

[namor-seaking]

Ah. Well, not everything is for everyone when you really think about it, I suppose.

[jayden-acquinas]

"Who knows." She shrugged. "So you came all the way up here for... that? Just because you enjoy it? What about later? Don't you need to save energy, or do you not need to?"

It was genuine curiosity, of course, Jayden herself lived on conserving as much energy as possible. Thus was the life of an aquatic mutant on land.

[namor-seaking]

*he was working on making an over the top milkshake. That included a chocolate milkshake as the base, reses pieces, peanut butter mnms, two decently sized brownies, and a cookie sandwich. All to top it off with chocolate syrup.*

* To some, this might be trash and disgusting, but to him, this was a treat worth having*

[jayden-acquinas]

"...That seems like a like of wasted energy."

Jayden, being Jayden, was perched up above. She peered down with those bright yellow eyes, her face scrunched with a degree of confusion.

"Won't all that make you feel worse later?"

[namor-seaking]

Maybe, maybe not. But I find it quite delicious, and something worth my time.

*he pulls out a spoon and a metal straw so he can enjoy his sugary abomination*

[jayden-acquinas]

"...Things up here are weird." She mumbled, promptly moving to the nearest spot along the wall that would allow her to clamber on down.

"Sadly, those concoctions have a tendency to stick to the throat. Not a fun time on my end."

[namor-seaking]

*he was working on making an over the top milkshake. That included a chocolate milkshake as the base, reses pieces, peanut butter mnms, two decently sized brownies, and a cookie sandwich. All to top it off with chocolate syrup.*

* To some, this might be trash and disgusting, but to him, this was a treat worth having*

[jayden-acquinas]

"...That seems like a like of wasted energy."

Jayden, being Jayden, was perched up above. She peered down with those bright yellow eyes, her face scrunched with a degree of confusion.

"Won't all that make you feel worse later?"

[jayden-acquinas]

*Blaze and Eliza were walking around, just hanging out. It was surprising really, considering that they used to hate each other. But now Eliza doesn't mind her alter, and Blaze felt the same way*

@theoneandonlyblaze

//you can ignore this if you want you looked cool so I wanted to send this in-

"Isn't there a school you two are supposed to be closer towards?"

Jayden had landed soundlessly above, promptly stretching out as soon as she was on her feet.

[theoneandonlyblaze]

*Blaze hums and looks around. Eliza on the other hand would grab a poker chip from her pocket and charge it*

Who's there?

Really? That's the question you're asking?

[jayden-acquinas]

"Scylla. Ain't gon' hurt you lot."

She dropped down by that point, peering back at the pair with bright yellow eyes that stuck out against the dark.

"But why are y'here 'lone?"

[theoneandonlyblaze]

Not alone. I have him with me.

*Blaze stares at Eliza and facepalms with a sigh*

Why do you wanna know?

*Eliza would slightly tilt her head at Scylla. Her eyes reminded her of her own, or her brothers when they were in the dark*

[jayden-acquinas]

"'cause you're two little'ns alone???" She said it like it was the most obvious answer in the world. It was entirely natural to see such a thing and grow concerned.

"Go on, back t'th' school."

[theoneandonlyblaze]

Im not LiTTle! IM sixTeeN!

*voice crack. She just sighs and looks down. Suffer Eliza/j*

Uhhh.... no? It's not like anything's gonna happen

[jayden-acquinas]

"EVERYTHING can happen out here!" The other mutant curled her lip back into a sharp-toothed snarl, accompanied by all of her fins flaring up as far as the membrane would allow.

"Go. Home."

[theoneandonlyblaze]

*Blaze...Blaze no... don't do it... Blaze no... Blaze heed the warning don't antagonize-*

Or. What? You don't scare me fish... Person? Fish person.

Shit we're gonna die-

[jayden-acquinas]

Oh this kid was a dumbass.

"...I don't attack children." She sighed, a Webbed Hand combed it's way back through her hair as she stepped away.

"You want to get yourselves snatched up by sentinals, or the FOH, be my guest. I warned you."

[jayden-acquinas]

*Blaze and Eliza were walking around, just hanging out. It was surprising really, considering that they used to hate each other. But now Eliza doesn't mind her alter, and Blaze felt the same way*

@theoneandonlyblaze

//you can ignore this if you want you looked cool so I wanted to send this in-

"Isn't there a school you two are supposed to be closer towards?"

Jayden had landed soundlessly above, promptly stretching out as soon as she was on her feet.

[theoneandonlyblaze]

*Blaze hums and looks around. Eliza on the other hand would grab a poker chip from her pocket and charge it*

Who's there?

Really? That's the question you're asking?

[jayden-acquinas]

"Scylla. Ain't gon' hurt you lot."

She dropped down by that point, peering back at the pair with bright yellow eyes that stuck out against the dark.

"But why are y'here 'lone?"

[theoneandonlyblaze]

Not alone. I have him with me.

*Blaze stares at Eliza and facepalms with a sigh*

Why do you wanna know?

*Eliza would slightly tilt her head at Scylla. Her eyes reminded her of her own, or her brothers when they were in the dark*

[jayden-acquinas]

"'cause you're two little'ns alone???" She said it like it was the most obvious answer in the world. It was entirely natural to see such a thing and grow concerned.

"Go on, back t'th' school."

[theoneandonlyblaze]

Im not LiTTle! IM sixTeeN!

*voice crack. She just sighs and looks down. Suffer Eliza/j*

Uhhh.... no? It's not like anything's gonna happen

[jayden-acquinas]

"EVERYTHING can happen out here!" The other mutant curled her lip back into a sharp-toothed snarl, accompanied by all of her fins flaring up as far as the membrane would allow.

"Go. Home."

[jayden-acquinas]

*Blaze and Eliza were walking around, just hanging out. It was surprising really, considering that they used to hate each other. But now Eliza doesn't mind her alter, and Blaze felt the same way*

@theoneandonlyblaze

//you can ignore this if you want you looked cool so I wanted to send this in-

"Isn't there a school you two are supposed to be closer towards?"

Jayden had landed soundlessly above, promptly stretching out as soon as she was on her feet.

[theoneandonlyblaze]

*Blaze hums and looks around. Eliza on the other hand would grab a poker chip from her pocket and charge it*

Who's there?

Really? That's the question you're asking?

[jayden-acquinas]

"Scylla. Ain't gon' hurt you lot."

She dropped down by that point, peering back at the pair with bright yellow eyes that stuck out against the dark.

"But why are y'here 'lone?"

[theoneandonlyblaze]

Not alone. I have him with me.

*Blaze stares at Eliza and facepalms with a sigh*

Why do you wanna know?

*Eliza would slightly tilt her head at Scylla. Her eyes reminded her of her own, or her brothers when they were in the dark*

[jayden-acquinas]

"'cause you're two little'ns alone???" She said it like it was the most obvious answer in the world. It was entirely natural to see such a thing and grow concerned.

"Go on, back t'th' school."

[jayden-acquinas]

*Blaze and Eliza were walking around, just hanging out. It was surprising really, considering that they used to hate each other. But now Eliza doesn't mind her alter, and Blaze felt the same way*

@theoneandonlyblaze

//you can ignore this if you want you looked cool so I wanted to send this in-

"Isn't there a school you two are supposed to be closer towards?"

Jayden had landed soundlessly above, promptly stretching out as soon as she was on her feet.

[theoneandonlyblaze]

*Blaze hums and looks around. Eliza on the other hand would grab a poker chip from her pocket and charge it*

Who's there?

Really? That's the question you're asking?

[jayden-acquinas]

"Scylla. Ain't gon' hurt you lot."

She dropped down by that point, peering back at the pair with bright yellow eyes that stuck out against the dark.

"But why are y'here 'lone?"

[jayden-acquinas]

*Blaze and Eliza were walking around, just hanging out. It was surprising really, considering that they used to hate each other. But now Eliza doesn't mind her alter, and Blaze felt the same way*

@theoneandonlyblaze

//you can ignore this if you want you looked cool so I wanted to send this in-

"Isn't there a school you two are supposed to be closer towards?"

Jayden had landed soundlessly above, promptly stretching out as soon as she was on her feet.

[jayden-acquinas]

🎶the lair of Scylla.... this is our ooooonly way home

-💜

"...I have the sudden urge to rally up my friends to lead a group attack on six men. Huh."

[jayden-acquinas]

what’s your favorite song

[jayden-acquinas]

Ooh, a new mutant I haven't met before :3

Hello dear, my name is Wit. I like your scales

"...Thanks...? Scylla. Call me Scylla."

[138-gambit]

There was something-- someone? They were looking down from a spot on a fire escape. Perched up on the side of it like some creature with yellow eyes that peered downward at the sidewalk below.

- @jayden-acquinas

Gambit had seen some strange mutations before. With the Morlocks, how could he not? Jamming his hands in his coat pockets, he whistled quietly as he walked. His eyes flicked upwards, tracing the skyline until they stopped on the fire escape. Huh. "What you doin' up dere, mon ami?" He called, a lopsided smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

[jayden-acquinas]

Her eyes widened briefly, followed by one of those strange head-fins twitching; they caught the light every so often, showing off jewel-toned blue scales.

"...Watchin'." She muttered down. That yellow-on-orange gaze flitted from him to whatever other movement there was on the street, then back to him.

"Ain't lookin' fer any trouble." Not to him anyway, whatever unfortunate sap that would have come into the alley would have been another story. But a fish has gotta eat, and he didn't need to know that.

[138-gambit]

"Watchin'? Fer what?" Gambit's head tilted to the side slightly. It'd probably be better to leave well enough alone, after all some people were.. yeah. But he didn't particularly care.

Besides, it wasn't like he was in any sort of hurry. Pushing a chunk of hair out of his face, Gambit studied the fire-escape mutant with an amused expression.

[jayden-acquinas]

"People, other mutants." She tilted her head as well, mimicking the Cajun almost subconsciously. "Somethin' wrong with watchin', mister?"

[138-gambit]

Gambit shrugged and scrunched his nose. "Nah, no' really. Jus' an odd spot t' watch. 'Less you plan on breakin' int' dat buildin' over dere." He jerked his chin at the opposing structure.

[jayden-acquinas]

The mutant's head fins pulled back to press against her skull, and she visibly made a face at the suggestion. Breaking and entering wasn't exactly her strong suit, drew too much attention. Crowded cities expected pickpockets, break-ins would put the whole neighborhood on alert.

"...No." she grumbled. "'M not." Her sneer revealed a mouth full of sharp teeth, made for ripping off chunks.

"Thinkin' 'm gonna hurt someone?"

[138-gambit]

Leaning against the wall, Gambit pulled a pack of cards from his pocket. "Never said dat. Should I be concerned?" The sound of shuffling filled the air as his fingers moved idly, letting the weathered deck flutter between his palms.

He grinned. "So tense. You'd t'ink jus' watchin' would be more.. relaxed."

[jayden-acquinas]

"Relax? Here?" The aquatic (amphibian?) Scoffed. She shuffled back when Gambit moved forward, moving across the metal guard to the far side of the escape from him.

She had the strangest tail, transparent and rippling when it tapped against the iron, water?

"Not out here." Her eyes flitted to watch him shuffle the cards. "T'much out here, don' you agree?"

[138-gambit]

"'S'pose so, oui. Or m'be you jus' need t' take a deep breath." He kept his voice light, unhurried and almost distracted. But, in reality, Gambit was taking in every detail he saw, making mental notes and forming different plans in case of.. Well, anything. He raised a brow at her tail. Interesting. Made of water? "You always dis on-edge?"

[jayden-acquinas]

"You always this-- This--" She paused for a second, having to snap her jaw shut and try and again: talking around a mouth full of sharp teeth was hard. "- this relaxed?"

Somehow, Gambit being relaxed put her more on edge. Did he know something she didn't? Was he trying to get her guard down?

Her gaze did a quick sweep of the alley, no other person waiting to ambush...

[138-gambit]

"Eh, when I can." Gambit chuckled and shrugged. "Dere's a difference between "relaxed" an' "oblivious". Not as fine a' line as people tend t' t'ink."

He paused his shuffling. "Jus' 'cause I look like I ain't payin' attention don't mean I don't know what's goin' on 'round me. Ain't good to be so tense all de time."

[jayden-acquinas]

Jayden begged to differ: though she didn't say so out loud. She preferred someone knowing she was on edge, so they would know when they aren't welcome.

The mutant grunted with acknowledgement; though her focus was more on the fact that no, there really wasn't anyone else waiting to attack her. He really was just that relaxed. It was just them, the dark, and the cold brick.

"Always better to be coiled up to spring than be caught off guard, I think." She drawled, "...Don't you have... anywhere to be...?" By now her stomach had begun to remind her why she was stalking up here to begin with, and she wasn't getting what she needed by talking to someone who happened to have spotted her.

[138-gambit]

He laughed. "Non, why else would I be talkin' to a stranger on a escape?" Tilting his body so his shoulders were pressed flat against the wall behind him, Gambit dug in his pockets for a moment. He pulled out a crumpled, half-used packet of cigarettes and a lighter.

"You hungry dere, mon ami, or was dat jus' a passing car?" He knew it wasn't, they had such a distinct sound to them. But, this mutant seemed so guarded he doubted they would admit to such a thing. The lighter clicked once, twice, three times, but didn't light. Heaving a sigh, Gambit stowed it back in his pocket and concentrated on charging a few fragments of tobacco. Just enough to spark and start burning the cigarette, nothing more.

[jayden-acquinas]

"Car." She answered before the sentence had fully left the Cajuns mouth. "Probably a car. Lot of those in the city." She was many things, a sea beast, a hunter...

...A good liar was not one of them. Despite how she steeled her expression, the rest of her body was very reactive. With her head fulls pulling back like she was embarrassed, to her yellow eyes darting aside when she spoke to avoid eye contact, and that water tail halting for a full second before resuming its twitching.

"Still dunno' why you'd waste your time on someone who won't hurt..."

She watched him light the cigarette with wide eyes- Jayden stared at him like he had just created a whole damn fireplace.

"...You."

[138-gambit]

He chuckled. "Jus' a car? Shame, might've offered t' buy you a meal someplace if you was hungry." The smoke curled up around his face pleasantly. He knew it was a bad habit to have, but the familiarity of a cigarette, the warmth inside his lungs, it was soothing. "Waste my time on someone who won't hurt me? Dat's de best way t' do it, " Gambit shrugged, taking a short puff. of his cigarette. His nose twitched slightly. "Wha'? No' used t' seein' other mutants?" Pausing, he added, "Or is it de smoke? You one of dem "ban all tobacco products" people?"

[jayden-acquinas]

She bristled for a second, and it looked like she was going to yell- maybe some rant about how she didn't need someone else offering her anything. But it never came, because if she didn't have so much pride she would have taken the chance.

So, she gritted her teeth and steeled herself again: things weren't violent right now, and she didn't need them to get that way.

"...I don' care what ya do." She rumbled out at last. "Jus... bein' careful." More importantly, making sure she wasn't on the receiving end of whatever her fellow mutant was capable of. She'd been in a few scraps before, and it was never a pretty affair.

Maybe he was right on that front, being with someone who won't attack first was a better way to spend time.

"Look, m' busy myself, so..."

[138-gambit]

"Being careful? Look, chose de mer, if I wanted t' attack you, I woulda already. I won't hurt ya." Gambit watched her through the cloud of smoke and tipped his head back. A interesting person, really. All thorns and glares, no sugar to be seen. Part of him wondered why that was, what might've happened to cause that or if she was just.. like that. At her last statement, he snorted. Clearly, he wasn't wanted. "Busy, huh? Looks like you loitering more'n bein' busy. Waitin' for somebody?"

[jayden-acquinas]

It was a statement that had ample proof, and Jayden hated to admit it. He had been nothing but relaxed since he stepped into the alleyway for the most part, and she was sure that someone who wanted to attack wouldn't be smoking for it - too distracting for a proper fight.

Not to mention he hadn't actually threatened her, not once since this conversation started. She had simply treated him like one to begin with.

She shifted her weight again. Her grip on the metal lessened, and she slowly moved from her coiled position to more of a casual crouch on the railing.

"... Not waitin' for--" She caught herself. "That ain't y'business!"

[138-gambit]

A lopsided grin split his face. "Maybe no'. Never really learned why curiosity killed de cat." Gambit let the cigarette dangle between his lips as he spoke. After a moment, he straightened up. "Well, you ain't hungry, bu' I sure am. Wouldn' say no t' some company... Wha'e'er your name is."

Gambit started back for the street, his steps purposefully slow in case the water mutant decided they changed their mind and wanted to join.

[jayden-acquinas]

She tried to ignore the offer. Really, she did! She didn't need anyone thinking she couldn't feed herself.

...But it was a chance to get some decent food, and clearly this spot had been compromised, and maybe just once to save her energy may not be so bad.

Yeah, to save her energy, she reasoned.

Jayden pulled up her hood and began to clamber down, hitting the floor and moving to catch up. Her footsteps against the pavement were practically nonexistent.

"...S'..." She thought for a second, briefly conflicted one more on if her name was something she wanted to just give someone.

To hell with it.

"S' Jayden."

[138-gambit]

"Remy." He'd offer her his hand to shake, but he doubted she'd appreciate it.

Gambit kept his pace slower, just in case. "So, you make a habit of lurkin' in dark alleys? Any particular reason, or is dat non of my business, too?" The questions were idle, casual. He didn't expect an answer, not with how she'd been reacting. Letting his hands swing as he walked, Gambit's eyes wandered around the street. He kept the action smooth and unhurried. Less like he was keeping track of who was where and exits, and more like he was enjoying the sights.

[jayden-acquinas]

How was she supposed to answer that? Tell Remy that she lurked in alleyways to try and pounce on the unsuspecting? No, definitely not. She wasn't ashamed, no that wasn't it. As far as the beast was concerned- if stealing was what she needed to do just to get by, then so be it.

But a stranger didn't need to know that. A stranger offering her kindness especially.

"...Still none of ya business." She grumbled, kicking a stone along as they went. Being in the light revealed a few things: she was on the scrappy end, in a tattered hoodie and jeans. She was thinner, but in that lean muscle sort of way.

Unsurprisingly, she was also shorter than he was.

"You make a habit of talkin' t' strangers in alleyways?"

[138-gambit]

He raised an eyebrow, but didn't question her further. No sense to. Jayden didn't trust him and he wasn't about to force things. Seemed like a good way to get hit, in his opinion. "Nah, no' usually. You jus' stood out a tad. Ain't everyday you see a person wit' dem fins." Remy blew out a cloud of smoke. He watched a group of people across the street for a moment, their loud voices echoing around the block. "So, how d'you like cafe food? Some don', some do, it's always hit-or-miss wit' people. I'm one o' de ones who do, I like de homeyness."

[jayden-acquinas]

"Ah..." she pulled her hood a little more over her head at the mention of them, though that didn't stop one of the ear fins from twitching in the direction of the talking people.

"Cafe food is..." She paused. When was the last time she had the stuff? She hadn't tried to indulge often in stuff that would go bad within a few days, for God knows how long. "...Fine, really. I don't feel t'strongly 'bout it."

"I can only drink water, though. Uh... Scales absorb liquids too quickly for me to drink much else without em' goin' on th'fritz."

[138-gambit]

"Ain't a bad t'ing, y'know. Your fins, dey unique." Remy glanced over- or rather down- at her. "Bu' dat tail, now dat's a show-stopper."

Digging in his pockets for a moment, he pulled out the same worn deck of cards out and let them dance between his hands. "Good. Dat's good. I know a place m'ybe two blocks down. Lil' hol-in-de-wall kinda place, de coffee's crap but de food's decent."

Only water, huh? "Interestin'. Wha' d' you mean by "goin' on de fritz", or is dat another question I can't ask?"

[jayden-acquinas]

Up until now, nobody had really outright said that her fins were unique. Sure, she knew that inherently they weren't a bad thing. But for them to be addressed directly was... Refreshing.

Her tail flicked once, then dissipated into the air. they were on flat ground, and she didn't need the extra balance anymore. "Takes energy." Was all she muttered in regards to that.

She eyed Gambit as he pulled out the cards, he'd had those earlier. She distinctly recalled watching his movements while he shuffled them earlier as well. "That's fine... M'body just goes through liquids quick. Need water all th'time n' even if it ain't water m'scales try to absorb it. n' th'drinks here don' always have what a fish kid needs."

"... What 'bout yourself n' th'cards?" She tilted her head, watching them move and nearly tripping over a rock in the process. Of course.

[138-gambit]

There was something-- someone? They were looking down from a spot on a fire escape. Perched up on the side of it like some creature with yellow eyes that peered downward at the sidewalk below.

- @jayden-acquinas

Gambit had seen some strange mutations before. With the Morlocks, how could he not? Jamming his hands in his coat pockets, he whistled quietly as he walked. His eyes flicked upwards, tracing the skyline until they stopped on the fire escape. Huh. "What you doin' up dere, mon ami?" He called, a lopsided smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

[jayden-acquinas]

Her eyes widened briefly, followed by one of those strange head-fins twitching; they caught the light every so often, showing off jewel-toned blue scales.

"...Watchin'." She muttered down. That yellow-on-orange gaze flitted from him to whatever other movement there was on the street, then back to him.

"Ain't lookin' fer any trouble." Not to him anyway, whatever unfortunate sap that would have come into the alley would have been another story. But a fish has gotta eat, and he didn't need to know that.

[138-gambit]

"Watchin'? Fer what?" Gambit's head tilted to the side slightly. It'd probably be better to leave well enough alone, after all some people were.. yeah. But he didn't particularly care.

Besides, it wasn't like he was in any sort of hurry. Pushing a chunk of hair out of his face, Gambit studied the fire-escape mutant with an amused expression.

[jayden-acquinas]

"People, other mutants." She tilted her head as well, mimicking the Cajun almost subconsciously. "Somethin' wrong with watchin', mister?"

[138-gambit]

Gambit shrugged and scrunched his nose. "Nah, no' really. Jus' an odd spot t' watch. 'Less you plan on breakin' int' dat buildin' over dere." He jerked his chin at the opposing structure.

[jayden-acquinas]

The mutant's head fins pulled back to press against her skull, and she visibly made a face at the suggestion. Breaking and entering wasn't exactly her strong suit, drew too much attention. Crowded cities expected pickpockets, break-ins would put the whole neighborhood on alert.

"...No." she grumbled. "'M not." Her sneer revealed a mouth full of sharp teeth, made for ripping off chunks.

"Thinkin' 'm gonna hurt someone?"

[138-gambit]

Leaning against the wall, Gambit pulled a pack of cards from his pocket. "Never said dat. Should I be concerned?" The sound of shuffling filled the air as his fingers moved idly, letting the weathered deck flutter between his palms.

He grinned. "So tense. You'd t'ink jus' watchin' would be more.. relaxed."

[jayden-acquinas]

"Relax? Here?" The aquatic (amphibian?) Scoffed. She shuffled back when Gambit moved forward, moving across the metal guard to the far side of the escape from him.

She had the strangest tail, transparent and rippling when it tapped against the iron, water?

"Not out here." Her eyes flitted to watch him shuffle the cards. "T'much out here, don' you agree?"

[138-gambit]

"'S'pose so, oui. Or m'be you jus' need t' take a deep breath." He kept his voice light, unhurried and almost distracted. But, in reality, Gambit was taking in every detail he saw, making mental notes and forming different plans in case of.. Well, anything. He raised a brow at her tail. Interesting. Made of water? "You always dis on-edge?"

[jayden-acquinas]

"You always this-- This--" She paused for a second, having to snap her jaw shut and try and again: talking around a mouth full of sharp teeth was hard. "- this relaxed?"

Somehow, Gambit being relaxed put her more on edge. Did he know something she didn't? Was he trying to get her guard down?

Her gaze did a quick sweep of the alley, no other person waiting to ambush...

[138-gambit]

"Eh, when I can." Gambit chuckled and shrugged. "Dere's a difference between "relaxed" an' "oblivious". Not as fine a' line as people tend t' t'ink."

He paused his shuffling. "Jus' 'cause I look like I ain't payin' attention don't mean I don't know what's goin' on 'round me. Ain't good to be so tense all de time."

[jayden-acquinas]

Jayden begged to differ: though she didn't say so out loud. She preferred someone knowing she was on edge, so they would know when they aren't welcome.

The mutant grunted with acknowledgement; though her focus was more on the fact that no, there really wasn't anyone else waiting to attack her. He really was just that relaxed. It was just them, the dark, and the cold brick.

"Always better to be coiled up to spring than be caught off guard, I think." She drawled, "...Don't you have... anywhere to be...?" By now her stomach had begun to remind her why she was stalking up here to begin with, and she wasn't getting what she needed by talking to someone who happened to have spotted her.

[138-gambit]

He laughed. "Non, why else would I be talkin' to a stranger on a escape?" Tilting his body so his shoulders were pressed flat against the wall behind him, Gambit dug in his pockets for a moment. He pulled out a crumpled, half-used packet of cigarettes and a lighter.

"You hungry dere, mon ami, or was dat jus' a passing car?" He knew it wasn't, they had such a distinct sound to them. But, this mutant seemed so guarded he doubted they would admit to such a thing. The lighter clicked once, twice, three times, but didn't light. Heaving a sigh, Gambit stowed it back in his pocket and concentrated on charging a few fragments of tobacco. Just enough to spark and start burning the cigarette, nothing more.

[jayden-acquinas]

"Car." She answered before the sentence had fully left the Cajuns mouth. "Probably a car. Lot of those in the city." She was many things, a sea beast, a hunter...

...A good liar was not one of them. Despite how she steeled her expression, the rest of her body was very reactive. With her head fulls pulling back like she was embarrassed, to her yellow eyes darting aside when she spoke to avoid eye contact, and that water tail halting for a full second before resuming its twitching.

"Still dunno' why you'd waste your time on someone who won't hurt..."

She watched him light the cigarette with wide eyes- Jayden stared at him like he had just created a whole damn fireplace.

"...You."

[138-gambit]

He chuckled. "Jus' a car? Shame, might've offered t' buy you a meal someplace if you was hungry." The smoke curled up around his face pleasantly. He knew it was a bad habit to have, but the familiarity of a cigarette, the warmth inside his lungs, it was soothing. "Waste my time on someone who won't hurt me? Dat's de best way t' do it, " Gambit shrugged, taking a short puff. of his cigarette. His nose twitched slightly. "Wha'? No' used t' seein' other mutants?" Pausing, he added, "Or is it de smoke? You one of dem "ban all tobacco products" people?"

[jayden-acquinas]

She bristled for a second, and it looked like she was going to yell- maybe some rant about how she didn't need someone else offering her anything. But it never came, because if she didn't have so much pride she would have taken the chance.

So, she gritted her teeth and steeled herself again: things weren't violent right now, and she didn't need them to get that way.

"...I don' care what ya do." She rumbled out at last. "Jus... bein' careful." More importantly, making sure she wasn't on the receiving end of whatever her fellow mutant was capable of. She'd been in a few scraps before, and it was never a pretty affair.

Maybe he was right on that front, being with someone who won't attack first was a better way to spend time.

"Look, m' busy myself, so..."

[138-gambit]

"Being careful? Look, chose de mer, if I wanted t' attack you, I woulda already. I won't hurt ya." Gambit watched her through the cloud of smoke and tipped his head back. A interesting person, really. All thorns and glares, no sugar to be seen. Part of him wondered why that was, what might've happened to cause that or if she was just.. like that. At her last statement, he snorted. Clearly, he wasn't wanted. "Busy, huh? Looks like you loitering more'n bein' busy. Waitin' for somebody?"

[jayden-acquinas]

It was a statement that had ample proof, and Jayden hated to admit it. He had been nothing but relaxed since he stepped into the alleyway for the most part, and she was sure that someone who wanted to attack wouldn't be smoking for it - too distracting for a proper fight.

Not to mention he hadn't actually threatened her, not once since this conversation started. She had simply treated him like one to begin with.

She shifted her weight again. Her grip on the metal lessened, and she slowly moved from her coiled position to more of a casual crouch on the railing.

"... Not waitin' for--" She caught herself. "That ain't y'business!"

[138-gambit]

A lopsided grin split his face. "Maybe no'. Never really learned why curiosity killed de cat." Gambit let the cigarette dangle between his lips as he spoke. After a moment, he straightened up. "Well, you ain't hungry, bu' I sure am. Wouldn' say no t' some company... Wha'e'er your name is."

Gambit started back for the street, his steps purposefully slow in case the water mutant decided they changed their mind and wanted to join.

[jayden-acquinas]

She tried to ignore the offer. Really, she did! She didn't need anyone thinking she couldn't feed herself.

...But it was a chance to get some decent food, and clearly this spot had been compromised, and maybe just once to save her energy may not be so bad.

Yeah, to save her energy, she reasoned.

Jayden pulled up her hood and began to clamber down, hitting the floor and moving to catch up. Her footsteps against the pavement were practically nonexistent.

"...S'..." She thought for a second, briefly conflicted one more on if her name was something she wanted to just give someone.

To hell with it.

"S' Jayden."

[138-gambit]

"Remy." He'd offer her his hand to shake, but he doubted she'd appreciate it.

Gambit kept his pace slower, just in case. "So, you make a habit of lurkin' in dark alleys? Any particular reason, or is dat non of my business, too?" The questions were idle, casual. He didn't expect an answer, not with how she'd been reacting. Letting his hands swing as he walked, Gambit's eyes wandered around the street. He kept the action smooth and unhurried. Less like he was keeping track of who was where and exits, and more like he was enjoying the sights.

[jayden-acquinas]

How was she supposed to answer that? Tell Remy that she lurked in alleyways to try and pounce on the unsuspecting? No, definitely not. She wasn't ashamed, no that wasn't it. As far as the beast was concerned- if stealing was what she needed to do just to get by, then so be it.

But a stranger didn't need to know that. A stranger offering her kindness especially.

"...Still none of ya business." She grumbled, kicking a stone along as they went. Being in the light revealed a few things: she was on the scrappy end, in a tattered hoodie and jeans. She was thinner, but in that lean muscle sort of way.

Unsurprisingly, she was also shorter than he was.

"You make a habit of talkin' t' strangers in alleyways?"

[138-gambit]

He raised an eyebrow, but didn't question her further. No sense to. Jayden didn't trust him and he wasn't about to force things. Seemed like a good way to get hit, in his opinion. "Nah, no' usually. You jus' stood out a tad. Ain't everyday you see a person wit' dem fins." Remy blew out a cloud of smoke. He watched a group of people across the street for a moment, their loud voices echoing around the block. "So, how d'you like cafe food? Some don', some do, it's always hit-or-miss wit' people. I'm one o' de ones who do, I like de homeyness."

[jayden-acquinas]

"Ah..." she pulled her hood a little more over her head at the mention of them, though that didn't stop one of the ear fins from twitching in the direction of the talking people.

"Cafe food is..." She paused. When was the last time she had the stuff? She hadn't tried to indulge often in stuff that would go bad within a few days, for God knows how long. "...Fine, really. I don't feel t'strongly 'bout it."

"I can only drink water, though. Uh... Scales absorb liquids too quickly for me to drink much else without em' goin' on th'fritz."