riverviewlogs | ( open ) give me land, lots of land under starry skies above

Entry tags:

( open ) give me land, lots of land under starry skies above

who: Owen Grady & YOU!
what: a general catch-all for the month of August, including a zoo prompt and fun times beyond the walls, among other things
when: August
where: various places, in the Quarantine + beyond the walls
warnings: nudity and sexual content in one thread

I ▹ THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT

[ Having vast experience with dealing with some of the deadliest (if supposedly extinct) animals who walked the Earth has proven to be pretty helpful at his new job. Most of the animals at the zoo are pretty tame by comparison, but still Owen's not so stupid that he'll underestimate any of them— even the supposedly friendlier and more harmless ones.

He gets to work with various animals here, so it'll be easy to run into him doing a myriad of tasks, whether it's mucking up enclosures or feeding animals. He has a little more in-depth interaction with some of the animals, such as the ostrich-looking birds, tall and bulky, with long strong legs that could probably kill a guy with a well-aimed kick. Or at least break a lot of bones.

They don't seem intent on attacking Owen, but seem to be very interested in the bag of treats he's carrying, following him around the enclosure and trying to poke their big beaks into the bag. Owen doesn't seem particularly scared, swatting a hand at their heads as he pulls the bag away. ] Hey! Don't be an asshole. There's plenty for everyone.

[ Or, for a more exciting experience, come by the reptile area and see him attempting to help the alligators as they suffer through the intense heat during hotter days. He's pretty sweaty himself, shirt sticking to his back and all, but he doesn't seem to be too worried about that. The alligators barely seem interested in moving, but Owen tries to goad them into eating some meat, throwing large pieces at them, hosing them down with cool water even as they lay down in the shade. Big jaws there, and big teeth too, but Owen isn't overly concerned even when they open their mouths in his general direction. It's too hot, and he'd put up too much of a fight. Not worth the trouble. ]

II ▹ MAN IN THE WILDERNESS

[ Other than the zoo, it's beyond the walls that Owen spends most of his time. He likes it out here a lot, despite the various warnings of the dangers. He's taken Loki's offer a number of times and has been spending some nights at his cavern near a creek, which is where he goes to bathe. He might be in the wild but that's no excuse to stink up the place.

But other than that, he spends a lot of time exploring the forest, walking along the river, climbing up trees here and there to get a better view. He's excited to meet any wild creature out here, whether or not they're supposedly dangerous, and he also trudges through the forest collecting various small lizards, all perched up on his shoulders or tucked into his pockets. He's making friends, okay. ]

III ▹ WILDCARD

[ Despite enjoying the wilderness most of all, he doesn't turn into a complete hermit either. He can be found around the Quarantine often, whether he's looking for supplies for camping or for the animals at the zoo, or a place to have a nice cold drink. He also needs some new clothes so he'll be looking into that— light and comfortable pieces he can wear while out in the wild, preferably.

He also still has his room in communal housing, and he stays there sometimes too, so he's not exactly a complete stranger to the other residents there, nor is he the unsociable and unfriendly type. He likes having his own space, but he also enjoys good company at times. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Part of her wants to respond on a sassier note, but naked or not he means well, and instead, she nods and offers him a smile.]

Thank you.

[While he speaks, Rogue hooks her thumbs along the waistband of her panties, and with the bra still in hand, she slides them down and steps out of them. No harm washing them a bit more thoroughly while they spoke and she's submerged mostly in shadow. His talk of a cabin has her excited and her interest clearly piqued.]

There are some good places 'round here that might work. Ah can show you if you want? Saw 'em on a patrol a while back.

[From the air, so she might have to get her bearings from topside first.]

Sounds like a fun project. [She's definitely a bit jealous.]

Personally, ah think it's a good thing to not be used to these days, but ah'm biased. Once upon a time ah was a country girl. [He should clearly be shocked about this.] Two squirrels and a rabbit.

[ He kind of catches her getting rid of the rest of her clothes out of the corner of his eye, immediately looking away. (Lord why must you test him.) Luckily the mention of helping him find a good spot helps him shift his focus. He perks up, glancing back at her with clear interest. ]

Might just take you up on that, if you really can show me around. I've been exploring the area, but— it takes time.

[ By foot especially, which is how he's been moving around. Different from someone like her, who can just fly wherever she wants to. Makes things easier. ]

Great. Let me know when you're hungry, and I'll build us a fire. [ He asks curiously, ] Where are you from?

[She finds it endearing, that Southern gentlemen sort of behavior, and while she can be quite open with the right person, she holds value in manners still. Though it's been a while since she's experienced the etiquette of a watering hole. Absently, she moves a little closer, watching him with a growing grin.]

You scared of heights? [Because she will take him flying with her if he's not. That way he can see too.] Ah know ah'm a cheater at recon, but flyins one of my favorite things.

[Rogue exhales happily, relaxing into the water. At his first question, she hums.]

Sugah ah'm always hungry. And ah'm from Caldecott County in Mississippi. Doubt the town's on the map.

[ Look, he's not some mindless creature, so he does know restraint. Also, it hasn't really been that long since he got to... you know, have some very naked and exciting fun times, so there's that. But a naked attractive woman is still a very effective way to get his attention. Or steer his attention away from other things. ]

Not really, no. [ His eyebrows knit together. ] You got an aircraft of some sort?

[ It doesn't cross his mind yet that she means literally flying on her own, and just carrying him like it's no big deal.

He gives it some thought when she mentions her place of origin, but shakes his head. ] I've never heard of it. I've heard of Mississippi, at least. I'm from Minnesota myself.

Just me sugah. [And she flicked a bit of water at him. For as soft as she impacted the water, it sure put up a relatively decent splash.] Ah'd show you, but that would involve a different sort of show.

[She's not surprised when it doesn't come to mind. Not many know where the county's located, much less the town. It's all really the backwoods of Mississippi, near the bayou. But ah've been livin' in New York City for a good long while. [She huffs.] To the point where people back 'home' called me a Yankee.

[How could one ever imagine such a damn thing?]

That explains the appreciation of the outdoors. [And maybe that good ol' Midwestern build.] Land of a Thousand Lakes, right?

Really? [ He considers the offer. Rather seriously, for the record. He doesn't think she's joking, he can tell she means it. ] Well, if you promise not to drop me, I guess I wouldn't mind.

[ He tries not to think too hard of the logistics. Is she carrying him princess style? Piggyback ride?? Every mental image he's getting is downright silly.

He snorts, shaking his head. ] You definitely don't sound like a Yankee to me.

[ Who are the crazy people who'd ever say that? Her accent alone gives her away. To him, at least. ]

It's as real as they say. Haven't been there in a while— but I do like lakes. And rivers, evidently. [ He gestures around them. ]

[She makes a face as though considering quite heavily whether or not that promise is feasible, but there's still a bit of a smirk on her lips.] Like pinky swear promise or...?

[Don't worry... Wait, she doesn't know his name. That needs to be amended, but first she's laughing at the thought of her being a Yankee, pleased that he wouldn't peg her as one at least. Not that there's too much wrong with being a Northerner. She's just full of Southern pride until people start trying to link that with bigotry and low intelligence.

Though, she's the first to admit that stereotypes start somewhere.]

Well thank you... Ah imagine you got a name. Ah'm Rogue.

[There's a moment where she steps forward to maybe shake his hand, but it turns into merely stepping closer. Perhaps she's feeling a little dangerous, but not death dangerous.]

The mountain ones are the best. Ain't clogged in sediment. Better visibility... [Don't mind her gaze momentarily wandering before she looks back at his face, cheeks tinging in embarrassment.]

If that's what it takes. [ His lips twitch in amusement. They're both too old for pinky swears, and he can tell she's just teasing him. Anyway, he isn't scared of heights, or flying. Still, he'll be the first to admit that going high up in the air with nothing more than Rogue to keep him up there (or stop him from falling down) might freak him out just a little bit. It's an adventure he's more than willing to experience, though. ]

I do, as it turns out. I'm Owen.

[ They're both naked in crystal clear waters, only made less transparent thanks to the rushing stream creating ripples and waves across the surface, so reaching out for a handshake doesn't really cross his mind. He does spot her wandering eyes, his lips pressing and failing to suppress a smile as he leans back slightly, one elbow propped up on the edge of the rocks he's leaning against. ]

Yes, I noticed. [ And so did she, apparently. She can look all she wants, really, no need to be embarrassed about it. Although he has to admit, that tint to her cheeks is kinda cute. ]

Always nice, getting a good, clear view. [ He pauses, ] So you know where you're putting your feet, if nothing else.

[She grins at that. It's endearing that he plays along with such an idea. Rogue enjoys her teasing and general cheesiness, which includes very seriously honoring pinky swears. And terrible puns, but she'll get to those when the opportunities arise.

As for flying? She only drops folks that deserve it, or can survive it.]

Owen. [It's repeated thoughtfully, as though she's testing how it feels on her tongue, or maybe it helps her remember. But then she's momentarily distracted by how he not so subtly reacts to her slip of the eyes. Her eyebrows lift and she chuckles openly, shaking her head with her own struggling smirk.]

You're peacockin' darlin'. [It's not so much a warning as it's a challenge that she really shouldn't present as an option, but after everything that's happened she's feeling about reckless and selfish.

Since she got in the water to have a wash and clean her clothes, she turn and steps back out towards her pack. She moves slowly, letting her muscles ripple along her curves of her back and down through the curve of her hips and backside.]

That's the perk of flyin'...

[Wringing out her skivvies, she lays them out on a rock and snags the rest of her clothes, conveniently, covering up the naughtier patches of skin as she steps back over towards him.]

Ah ain't too worried 'bout mah feet. [Once back in deeper water, she works on washing the shirt and leggings beneath the surface, watching him with a playful intensity.] Where do you want to put yours?

[ With pursed lips, he shrugs at her part-accusation part-challenge, neither sorry nor shy about it. ]

And you were staring. I'm not complaining, for the record. Go right away. [ Just don't talk like he has nothing to show off, because he does— and clearly she agrees, at least to some degree.

Since she probably got an eyeful of him, it's not that big of a crime if he does the same, right? Plus, he's pretty sure she's doing it on purpose. So his eyes follow the movement of her body, appreciating her back and the curve of her ass from the distance, while still noting how defined her muscles are as they shift under the skin.

At least he has the decency to look back up when she turns around. ('Decency' is not the word you're looking for, Owen.) His eyes still linger a bit, but he doesn't seem particularly embarrassed by it. ]

Mine? Oh, they're firmly placed on solid ground, as always. [ Going nowhere near the vicinity of his mouth, if that's what she's implying. ]

Ah glanced. [She corrects pointedly with an eye roll that he can't exactly see with her back to him. Regardless, Rogue still looked without additional influence from him, and that's all that really matters in that argument.

It's not a crime, but only because she's given him a clear invitation to explore her curves as she steps them out of the slight protection of the rippling water. Honestly, she's surprised that his eyes don't linger even longer as she wades back over to him, eyes and posture reflecting her confidence as she observes his reactions. All the while, her hands work beneath the water to clean the pants as best she can without fouling the creek with soap.

Wringing those out, she lays them artfully over her shoulder so that they, at the very least, cover her nipples. The shirt's next.]

Does that mean you're sturdy, or unadventurous?

[They're speaking in euphemisms and vague terms, but she's genuinely curious at this point. It's why she closes the distance with a smirk and splays a shirt covered hand against his chest as she leans around him to place her pants behind him on the rock to dry.]

Pardon mah reach.

[This is playing with all sorts of fire, and she doesn't much care.]

Call it what you want. [ Owen shrugs. All the same. She looked or her own volition, that's the whole point.

He has to appreciate her determination to still wash her clothes. Well, if that's what she was going for to begin with, though he's wondering what she's gonna do while her clothes are drying, because that's gonna take a while. He can't see a spare change of clothes anywhere nearby, so he's assuming she hasn't thought of that. ]

That latter one's almost an insult to me, just so you know. [ Where does he ever look unadventurous? ] Sturdy, definitely.

[ His lips quirk vaguely, eyes dropping down to the hand pressed to his chest. Well, with that shirt between them, but still. ]

Don't mention it.

[ He's... 90% sure she's just teasing and playing with him, which is why he doesn't really make a move (figuratively and literally), particularly when she could knock him out with a punch or throw him across the jungle. So, you know what, not gonna do anything at all, even if he is watching her and trying to figure out where she's going with this. If she's going anywhere at all. ]

You know those clothes are gonna take a while to dry, right?

[Look, she came to the creek to wash her clothes and herself, and she might as well start what she's finished. Besides, that shirt's the only reason she's (in her mind) able to steal a bit of playful contact and maintain a bit of modesty. Though, that last bit's gone to the wayside it seems, especially since she's not making any effort to break the contact or move away from him.]

Because you wrangle dinosaurs back home?

[Spoken as if that's supposed to impress her, though she's wearing a smirk. It does, but she's just sassing for the sake of enjoyment. Especially since she's considering testing his sturdiness.]

Ah hope you don't expect an apology.

[Without the issue of her touch and her belief that he's just a relatively normal, albeit sturdy, human, Rogue would have already made it very clear that while she's teasing and being playful, she'd be amenable to throwing good behavior to the wind. At his comment, she glances to the the pants thoughtfully. There's an extra change of dry clothes in her pack, but why admit that?]

Well ah wasn't expectin' company, so air dryin' by the fire had been mah plan.

[Until discovering a naked man in the middle of the wilderness had happened.]

[ Yeah, modesty's out the window at this point, he's fairly sure. But he doesn't mind her touching him (or not touching, as it happens), so she can leave that hand there as long as she wants, he won't complain.

He huffs and laughs at her tone, canting his head. ]

Felt like they were the ones wrangling me, sometimes. [ He adds then, with a twitch to his smile. ] I can be adventurous in plenty different ways, though.

[ Even if, admittedly, raptor wrangling has to be at the top of that list. This place might offer some new and exciting contenders, though, what with magic and superpowers being so commonplace for a lot of the people here.

He leans in just a hint, chest pressing back against that hand, tipping his head pointedly at her. ]

Looks like you might have to come up with another plan.

[Rogue can't help but smile a bit more fondly at that mental image.]

They tend to do that. [Though it's far more impressive considering the fact that he's not touting any magic or superpowers that she's aware.] How many were in your pack?

[She hums at his next statement and it almost sounds like an agreement, if only because he agreed to go flying with her. Still, she doesn't miss the innuendo, and of course she has to challenge that, tilting her head opposite of his as he leans closer.] Ah suppose you'll have to show me sometime.

[Her fingers curl just slightly against his chest, sliding a bit lower, still with the shirt between them. Instead of moving back, she holds her ground, watching him with a challenging confidence.]

You don't happen to have a shirt ah could borrow, hm?

Four. [ He doesn't get into a lot of detail, even if he wouldn't mind if asked. It's just still a little sore for him, even after two years. He misses them— misses Blue, most of all, though he wouldn't readily admit that out loud.

But yeah, none of them were particularly gentle with him, except for Blue. She could be gentle sometimes, only with him, which honestly would never cease to be amazing to him. ]

Or maybe you will.

[ He winks at her. Yes, he has some nerve. But hey, she started this whole teasing back and forth, and he's not gonna be the one pulling back. He matches her challenging look, keeping close enough to her that they're both very much on each other's personal space. ]

I think I can lend you mine, if you want.

[ Not that he'd mind if she went without, but. Sure, he'll be a gentleman. (As much of a gentleman as he's capable of being.) ]

[Rogue picks up on the sadness, and while she wants to know more, Rogue hesitates to push the subject right now. Maybe later, when she's possibly wearing clothes and eating hot food. She's definitely curious about the man who trained a pack of velociraptors.]

Ah agreed to fly you 'round.

[She points out playfully with a soft chuckle as he winks, and she shakes her head, having half a mind to take him skyward in nothing but his birthday suit. Except she's in a similar condition.]

That'd be terribly kind of you sugah.

[It's drawled low, sultry like any well to do southern woman would counter, knowing just how much to play with fire before letting go. Except, Rogue's finding that she doesn't want to let go, or even put space back between them. Though, her hand against him does relax, just enough so that she can try and put that shirt on the rocks behind him.]

You hungry yet?

There. Should prove to be one hell of an adventure.

[ For him? No doubt. He's flown before, sure— on airplanes, helicopters, the like. But never by any other means, and while he has parachuted off a couple planes, actually being taken up there and flying around thanks to some superpower she has will definitely be a brand new and exciting experience. ]

Consider it yours, then.

[ Not literally hers, obviously. Although honestly she can keep it if she wants to. All his shirts are old and worn and— he's just hoping the one he brought with him today doesn't stink or anything. Way to ruin his image. ]

Mm... I could eat. [ With little thought, his hand rests on her wrist, a touch barely there as he starts moving to turn around and get out of the water. He does need to put something on too, his trousers if nothing else. ] Come on.

Ah'll stand corrected, then. [She teases back, not about to give him preemptive credit for the adventure.

Literally hers. No take backs, unless it's stinky and dirty, then he can most definitely have that back, please and thank you.]

Could you now? [There's a double meaning in the tone of her voice, eyebrow lifting and lip curling into a more devious smirk.

That all changes when he touches her wrist. Her immediate reaction is to brace herself for the flood of memories and emotions while also jerking he hand back, and it probably looks more as though she's horrified than anything. A gasp leaves her lips and her expression shifts to confusion as she stares down at her wrist, dumbfounded for a moment before panic swells into her chest.

Her touch. Her powers. A million thoughts slam into her and her previously confident and calm demeanor vanishes in favor of someone clearly on the brink of a panic attack. Her shirt's still clutched in the hand against his chest as she tries to manage her breathing, tries to get back to a coherent state of mind.]

Nothin' happened? [She stares down at her wrist where she can still feel the heat of his touch, brow furrowing in disbelief.]

[ He's about to answer in kind to that teasing tone in her words, when suddenly she's jerking away from his touch, so abruptly and almost roughly that Owen nearly startles. His immediate reaction is to lift both his hands up in a placating gesture, a show that he really wasn't planning on putting them anywhere else.

Because that's what he figures is happening right now, that she thought he was trying to get handsy or something, and that really isn't the case at all. ]

Of course it didn't. [ Nope, see, not groping her or anything. He does still feel guilty because somehow, it seems like he's managed to send her into a mild panic attack. ] Look— I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I wasn't even thinking about it. I know you're just teasing, I swear I wasn't trying for anything.

[He speaks and it grounds her, reminding her that she's not the only one that's having a now weird experience. When he tries to move, her hand on his chest pushes back gently enough, but with enough force to keep him situated as she's shaking her head.]

Ah'm sorry. You did nothin' wrong really ah just... [Her gaze lifts to his face, the confusion and fear mixing with genuine apology.] Ah got powers that usually... Well, react dangerously to skin on skin contact.

[Which means she's been playing with fire without being entirely honest with him, but to be honest, up until that moment has been exciting and fun. It also the reason the shirt's there and she didn't make any sort of other moves on him. She takes a deep, settling breath before cautiously reaching out and smoothing her fingertips of her free hand along the side of his torso. Her attention focuses on his expression, curious and wary as she tests the waters.

When nothing happens, she shifts her focus into pulling on his energy, tugging in particular for memories about the four dinosaurs he'd mentioned, his pack. That should be safe enough, right? It's noninvasive as far as her power's concerned, and he feels nothing negative, but he might feel those memories more as the pop up out of the blue.]

[ Her explanation at least does make more sense, though he doesn’t flinch from her touch after hearing that. He did touch her before and nothing bad happened after all, so he doesn’t really think anything will happen now.

Tension only creeps up when she starts tugging at his memories. It’s faint but he notices, memories of baby Blue nuzzling against him, showing concern when Owen looks curled up and cowering, acting as though he’s hurt or afraid. He’s straightening up soon after, holding his hands out to show her that he’s fine, smiling at her.

“I’m okay! See? It’s okay.”

He’s scratching Blue’s chin in return, and she tilts her head contentedly against the petting, eyes closed. It’s about then that Owen reaches for her wrist again, frowning. ]

How are you doing that?

[ Or more importantly, why. ]

Edited 2018-09-06 11:57 (UTC)

[Rogue's very relieved that he doesn't flinch away from her touch, that the sharp rejection she expects never actually happens. Nothing really excuses her to carefully dig into his memories without consent, but she needs to know if she's lost her mutation or she's somehow gained control over it without her knowing. She'd been avoiding skin on skin contact since the kidnappings, so something could have definitely happened since then. She just... Doesn't know what exactly.

Tears well in her eyes when she feels that familiar pull of her power, smile curling onto her features even before she loses herself in his memory, in her power functioning as she wills it rather than with the force of an untamed disaster. Seeing Owen with his pack as children moves her further, the tears she's been holding back falling hot down her cheek as her smile grows.

His hand on her wrist breaks the spell, and it takes her a few moments to return back to present.]

It's mah power, ah haven't had control of it since...

[Since she absorbed everyone superhero on Earth's powers to save Earth. Since Wanda couldn't remove Simon from her head. Too long is the answer. Too much of her life has been spent without control of her own mutation. She glances down to stare at the hand he's captured.]

Most of mah life since ah was a teenager. [She pauses, still a bit overwhelmed. This explanation is mostly autopilot at this point.] Ah absorb life energy an' without control it just happens on contact. Ah get everythin'. Powers, skills, memories, an' physical traits sometimes. Usually in a rush, an' ah can take too much.

[She can take it all. Her eyes lift to his, deeply apologetic.]

Ah'm sorry ah didn't ask before ah took. Ah- Ah had to make sure ah hadn't lost me.

[ Owen's hold on her arm eases, particularly when he feels that she's no longer trying to get more memories out of him. It's not that he minds talking about it, about the work he did at the park, but it's something else entirely to have someone dig up the memories of the experiences he's had there.

Most days, he tells himself it's fine. He doesn't care, he doesn't miss his pack— doesn't miss Blue most of all. Some days he even believes it. It's a little harder to do so when stirring those memories has him looking as though his mood has just sank like a deadweight. ]

It's fine. [ He presses his lips. Well, it's not fine, but he's not too upset about it. ] I get it.

[ Maybe not completely, but he understands why she felt the need to do that. To make sure her powers are still there, still working. And frankly, between taking a peek at one of the nicest memories he has and sucking the life out of him, he'll gladly go with the former.

He rests his hand on her shoulder instead, since that's fine now. Well, unless it's a little too up close and personal for her, but he thinks she'll be the first to tell him if that's the case. ]

You're alright though, right? Everything's... there?

[ He really doesn't know how else to put it, but she'll understand, he figures. ]

[He might tell himself one thing, but they both know the truth now. She's certainly glad she has the control to only pull those memories and not the tidal wave of everything at once. Even with his hand around her wrist, her fingers instinctively start to reach for him, to comfort him from the ache of lost loved ones she feels deep in her chest from him.

His statement brings her to the present, and she shakes her head.]

No. [She insists softly, her expression intensely apologetic and focused on him.] It's not. [And she holds his gaze with hers for emphasis before continuing.] But thank you, for understandin'.

[Her breath catches in apprehension as he reaches out to touch her, exhaling both the breath and the heavy weight of fear from her chest, relaxing visibly against his touch as though it's forgiveness in it of itself.

Instead of shying away from it, she leans into and blinks back those heavy tears again, her own this time. It's been since the kidnappings since she's touched someone properly, and Remy disappeared before... This or the dampener. It's quite a bit for her to emotionally process, but her right hand joins the other on his chest, tentatively at first, sliding fingertips along his chest before pressing the full splay of it against him with a shaky sigh.

Her eyes close at his question, and she nods once, hesitates, then shakes her head as she keeps trying to calm her breath. When she finally speaks, her voice is low and full of rough emotion she's managing herself.]

Ah've missed this. An' ah feel guilty for wantin' more.

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ugh html mistaaakes :<

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