rebelarrow | IC Contact

Oh, I don't doubt your range. I'm more wondering if caffeine would potentially inhibit my senses enough to affect learning this. I'm going to learn this. I'm going to learn it fast, because otherwise... I think I might go crazy.

[He doesn't want that. And he's terrified of it. That sort of overload? It'd fry his brain in new and exciting ways, and David has been given to extreme solutions before.]

I can't say. For the Psy, we have an... odd reaction to most stimulants and depressants, though I've personally found I can tolerate coffee. As you aren't Psy, I can't say with certainty that it would effect you in any way.

If that worries you, my suggestion would be hot chocolate. Caffeine would still be present, but in a lower dose.

I don't keep any hot chocolate, but I do have tea here for...

[Yeah, he's letting that one slide.]

I'll make tea then. Could I interest you in some? I think it's herbal. Honestly, back home, I lived on coffee, before and after I lost my powers.

[He nods, sitting up to stretch.]

Before joining SnowDancer, we were taught to avoid any food with flavor in them, as they could lead to an emotional response. Our diets consisted entirely of meal bars and nutrient mixes tailored to our exact caloric intake.

Walker and I almost fell over the first time we had jam on toast, let alone tried fruit juices or tea.

Jam on...

[David's definitely cross. But he does move to fill the electric kettle.]

How much truly good food have you had? Because I owe you, and I don't know if you picked up on it or not, but I'm a very good cook.

It's been almost 5 years since then. I have eaten. [The bare hint of a smirk spreads across his face.] You're going to have to compete against the den's head chef. She's my brother's mother-in-law, so I might have become a bit spoiled.

I might be able to surprise you. My father was a trained chef at a five star restaurant. I'm good. I'm up to the challenge.

Then I suppose the challenge is accepted.

[After all, if David can joke about this, he must be feeling even the slighest bit better... and the more "normal" things he starts doing again, the better.]

Though you have big shoes to fill.

[Oh no, he's really not feeling much better, except for the fact that he isn't overwhelmed with everything he touches. Hell, he almost feels like he can have clothes back on.]

I'm used to feeling like that.

[Now now, he didn't think a miracle had just occurred...]

I think the feeling is more common than people think.

Oh, it definitely is. It brushes up against imposter syndrome.

[He starts digging around for tea bags.]

Mind throwing me my pants?

[David's pants dart off the floor and hover at arm's length.]

I swear the rest of my life is going to be spent handing out clothes.

Cute.

[He reaches for the pants and pulls them on. Dammit. Don't embarrass him here. Or lop him with those wolves.]

Thanks. Basically, though, we're wired to want to fit in. Humans just as much as anyone else.

[There's nothing wrong with nudity. He just doesn't want to see your undies.]

True. It's an emotional response, however... so I'm still playing catch up.

There are those who would suggest that you were lucky for getting to go so long without emotional attachments. They're wrong. You're luckier now.

[He relaxes a little when the kettle starts boiling. He does hesitate for a second before reaching for the mugs. And then he's preparing the tea.]

In some ways, my life would be easier without emotional attachments. And yet here I am, basking in them like a good little human. They make us stronger.

You don't need to convince me.

[He remembers how hard he once fought to keep himself firmly ensconced in Silence, if for nothing else than to protect everyone else from his ability. But now he can't imagine being drenched in the emotions of his pack, and that of DarkRiver or anyone else for that matter.]

It's cold. Often you don't know who to trust, because though there's no emotional attachment to certain things... logically, you can just as easily justify screwing someone over and sleep soundly at night.

Well, there's where I wouldn't make it as someone who suppresses emotions. I haven't had a night of sound sleep since before my mutation kicked in. Why not have the emotions in that case.

[Still, there are things he wished he didn't have, emotions he wished he could get rid of. He sighs and finishes pouring water over bags and pulls out the sugar before gesturing to one of the cups for Judd.]

[Judd takes the cup offered him, and for the time being, enjoys the warmth beneath his fingers.]

Even with Silence having fallen, there are many who would say that they would rather remain in Silence than face the possibility of falling into madness.

Especially when they will not believe the rate of madness hasn't decreased the way the Council had led us to believe.

The heart is always mad. But it is what connects us to other people.

[But that's his opinion.]

Yes, and when your designation has a long, storied history of losing your sanity and killing those you love when you do, you can see why some Psy might be a little hesitant.

[But he's learned other ways to control his abilities now... in truth using a bit of his conditioning to act as a trip wire. But he has another to train now, and things are proceeding differently with William.

Judd finally takes a sip of his tea.]

Thank you.

The proper direction of thanks is me to you. My companion helped a little earlier. We figured out water doesn’t trigger this. But I can’t float naked in a pool forever.

[And this whole thing had been bad. Why had he ever considered trying to solve this himself? Try to make his own advances without guidance. Stupid.]

Of course it wouldn't. There isn't "history", so to speak, attached to water. Even if someone peed in a pool, water molecules move so frequently it would lose the "memory" almost immediately.

[A pause.]

But you are picking up the basics of shielding, despite the fact you thought you wouldn't be. I should be grateful that I'd been working with my brother on developing a training regimen for a child or I fear I'd be going over your head.

And here I always thought my head was rather lofty.

[Yeah that joke failed.]

I suppose I will have to test myself on other liquids. But in the mean time, I’m glad I show progress. Once we’ve had a few sips of tea would you be willing to see if we can get me to all the basics of shielding? I would rather not drown expericinf the lives of my clothes.

[He nods.]

Once we finish the basics--which will take longer than today--I'll start to teach you how to personalize your shields.

There are many different techniques, and as a result, shields are very similar to a fingerprint. Everyone builds their shields their own way, to suit their own needs, fears, and abilities. It will be up to you to create the outer layers.

It's important, when you get to that point, to create multiple levels of shielding, in order to best protect yourself. That way, if one shield fails, another will still be able to protect you.

Well, that sounds intelligent.

[He does sigh, though, at the news that it will take a bit.]

Do you think I'll manage enough to, well, be able to sleep? I'm scared to even touch the bed.

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