[Antiques? David is hardly amused. He's a doctor and a psychiatrist and a logistics man and he's working a mind-numbing job as a tutor and life is miserable and he can't even touch anything. Not anyone, not anything. He does look up at the ice cream when it's offered, and frowns.]
My... mutant ability was a constant, passive thing. And I only really touch one person without my gloves or suppressor. So it's not like I needed more food in irregular intervals there and I haven't got experience to say here. But...
[He sighs and takes the food and spoon. This will kill his diet.]
I can't shield. At all. I never could. How am I supposed to function like this?
[It's only partially a joke. Most Ps-Psy, in order to avoid dealing with the messier side of their abilities, work in the antiquities field dating paintings and authenticating statues.
And most of them make tons of money doing it.
Judd sits down on the floor across from him, his arms crossed over his chest, his face impassive.]
[Well, if David finds that full time work is too much, he can definitely consider that. As it is, he just nods. His eyes cast, briefly, toward the door joining his room to another.]
I didn't come out here alone. So when I came back and it started to overload, he came to check on me. Touching him was... it was too much. I'm used to his mind, but the added mess from the brush of his shirt was too much.
[So he'd banished the guy to the other room. Wouldn't be surprised if Damian had made himself a portal out into the city to go enjoy LA street life while David tried to get himself under control.]
I can't touch people. I can't touch things. Maybe next I won't be able to touch plants and animals. Just for fun.
Deep breaths, David. My shields will only drop if you're ready, and not a moment before.
[A pause, as he stares at the other man.]
I am not saying that you have not been dealt a bad hand, but unless you plan on sitting on the floor in your underwear for the rest of your time here, we have to try something.
[David shudders. This is just the first of his problems right now. There's everything he did back home. That was bad enough. But this? This was life destroying.]
Trust me, I don't want to stay like this. I... I reached out to you for a reason. You're the only psychic I know of any note. I need help.
And I will do everything in my power to help you. [He pauses.] If there were a true Net we were both connected to, this would be easier, because if nothing else I could keep a shield around you from greater distances, but we will have to work with what we have.
[There's a soft, telepathic "knock" at David's mind while Judd stares impassively ahead.]
We didn't have many people back home who were telepaths, but I knew a few. Including some girls who could operate as a hivemind. But maybe you'll be a better teacher.
[At least in this David has some experience. Too many telepaths in his mind before. And it makes it easier for David to open up to it more, to allow another mind operating within and beside his. Though they definitely left his brain a bit of a damaged mess. Sure, he's organized, but anyone with the powers and really looking might be able to pick out the signs of psychic scarring in how his mind once had a far deeper block between knowledge and skill centers and normal consciousness. Like that part of his brain had been a safe, the doors of which had been blown open.
All Psy, from A to M to F, know how to shield. It's the first thing a parent teaches their child the moment they enter the world. It's especially vital as we don't just have to shield from the world at large, we also have to protect ourselves on the PsyNet.
[Without skipping a beat, he switches to telepathy.]
Will you grant me permission to look in your mind? I will not violate your privacy.
[Those letters mean nothing to him. But he does trust Judd. Deeply.]
I didn't develop my gift until I was nearly sixteen. And even among mutants, true telepaths are rare. I went to school with a kid who could implant the telepathic suggestion that someone was 'it', like in the game of tag. Everyone ran from them. Or from a thing.
But yes. You're welcome to look.
[Though he is a big afraid that Judd will learn what he did back home, because David... judges himself for that joy and pride and secrecy. It makes him sick.]
True telepaths are rare amongst Psy as well. Most Psy have a primary and a secondary designation. My primary designation is telekinesis.
[He just happens to be rare that both his designations rate so highly. His family has produced 3 cardinals--Psy with power so high it couldn't be rated on the Gradient--and his own telekinetic ability was a hairsbreadth from cardinal level.]
I know a woman who, if it's to be believed [And he very, very much believes it.] can implant mental viruses into her opponents.
She is the grandmother of the child I mentioned to you before.
[Judd begins his examination, almost stumbling along as he makes sure there's nothing wrong with the brain itself that might interfere with the lesson. It's clear the longer he goes on that a. he's doing it on purpose, so that David knows exactly where he is mentally at any given time and b. he's doing little more than a surface examination of the brain itself, and not digging into anything David might not want to share.
It's actually harder to be this obvious than if he had gone in there normally, but from the look on Judd's face, he might as well be doing nothing.]
[It's... uncomfortable actually. He's only ever been this aware of people in his mind once before, and it sends a shudder down his back. It's like an itch that he can't scratch, and wouldn't be able to. At least his brain is organized enough that there isn't much clutter. David is very clearly highly experienced at organizing his thoughts, though he's used to running through quite a bit more at a time.
This new status just means that he can't focus like he normally does. Too much external data. And with the overwhelming input, pain. And fear.]
Yeah, Emma could do that too. Jean-Grey probably if she wanted to, but she's unnatural, even for a mutant.
[Thoughts of them are accompanied by hatred and fear in turn, but he is very quick to quash that.]
[Judd pulls back the second he's finished looking. He is nothing if not psychically polite.]
It was unusual for us too... And Nikita Duncan is one stone cold bitch. She makes me look like a exuberant wolf pup.
If she wasn't so loyal to protecting what was hers, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have lasted as long as she has.
[Because DarkRiver and SnowDancer would have taken her out, Sascha's mother or not. Thankfully, she's been... mellowed, if the cats are to be believed.]
I didn't see anything that would make me think that your mind would reject shielding techniques.
I've learned from some of the best shield technicians, but I'm sure Sascha or my brother, were they here, would be able to help you better. We'll start with the basics.
[There's another telepathic 'knock', only this time rather than Judd's presence, there's an image of a shielded mind. It isn't his. What follows is a series of pictures showing the shielding technique as he explains it to David. It isn't going to be an actual functioning shield, but one has to learn to crawl before one can walk.]
Pretty sure my brain structure here is different than it was as a mutant. So hopefully I can learn for a change.
[But if David's anything, he's a very good student. He dedicates himself fully to the process. He's open and quick and adaptive to a fault. Which means it takes almost no time at all to manage some level of mimicry of what Judd's showing him. Not strong, even for the standards that would be expected of a child. But picked up fast.]
[Judd nods slightly, approvingly. He thinks to how he had been taught, then thinks to how they've been teaching Marlee... how Aden is teaching the younger Arrows.]
Good job.
[Seeing that David's getting the basics, the images switch to basic shielding games a parent would teach their infant... perhaps modified slightly to actually be a challenge. At some point, Judd 'ports an energy bar he had found in the kitchenette to him and eats it.]
[Well, if you're going to make a game out of it, David's attention is going to sky-rocket. The guy is a fiend for that sort of thing. But there's also a quiet desperation to the process for David, and after a bit he raises his hands and shakes his head.]
I... I need a minute. I'm sorry.
[He's just so tired. This whole this is only hours old and it took him so long to focus enough to make his desperate cry for help. His whole body is about to give in, and there wasn't enough ice cream to stop that crash.]
There's nothing to apologize for. [The images stop, but Judd's shield remains firm around David's mind.] I occasionally forget that my training was... abnormal.
[It was torture, if he was being honest, but this isn't the time nor place to bring that up. He tilts his head to the side slightly, allowing his neck to crack. For a second his eyes seemed to darken from brown to pure black, but after a moment it fades back to normal.]
I can drink it... But I don't think you're asking that question because of me. I have a long telepathic range, David. I won't allow anything to slip inside until you're ready.
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.
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.
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.
[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.]
[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.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-11-01 09:18 pm (UTC)My... mutant ability was a constant, passive thing. And I only really touch one person without my gloves or suppressor. So it's not like I needed more food in irregular intervals there and I haven't got experience to say here. But...
[He sighs and takes the food and spoon. This will kill his diet.]
I can't shield. At all. I never could. How am I supposed to function like this?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-01 09:23 pm (UTC)And most of them make tons of money doing it.
Judd sits down on the floor across from him, his arms crossed over his chest, his face impassive.]
The ability you had before, do you still have it?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-01 09:28 pm (UTC)I didn't come out here alone. So when I came back and it started to overload, he came to check on me. Touching him was... it was too much. I'm used to his mind, but the added mess from the brush of his shirt was too much.
[So he'd banished the guy to the other room. Wouldn't be surprised if Damian had made himself a portal out into the city to go enjoy LA street life while David tried to get himself under control.]
I can't touch people. I can't touch things. Maybe next I won't be able to touch plants and animals. Just for fun.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-01 09:35 pm (UTC)[A pause, as he stares at the other man.]
I am not saying that you have not been dealt a bad hand, but unless you plan on sitting on the floor in your underwear for the rest of your time here, we have to try something.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-01 09:39 pm (UTC)Trust me, I don't want to stay like this. I... I reached out to you for a reason. You're the only psychic I know of any note. I need help.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 01:09 am (UTC)[There's a soft, telepathic "knock" at David's mind while Judd stares impassively ahead.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 01:15 am (UTC)[At least in this David has some experience. Too many telepaths in his mind before. And it makes it easier for David to open up to it more, to allow another mind operating within and beside his. Though they definitely left his brain a bit of a damaged mess. Sure, he's organized, but anyone with the powers and really looking might be able to pick out the signs of psychic scarring in how his mind once had a far deeper block between knowledge and skill centers and normal consciousness. Like that part of his brain had been a safe, the doors of which had been blown open.
His life had been fun back home.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 01:20 am (UTC)[Without skipping a beat, he switches to telepathy.]
Will you grant me permission to look in your mind? I will not violate your privacy.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 01:27 am (UTC)I didn't develop my gift until I was nearly sixteen. And even among mutants, true telepaths are rare. I went to school with a kid who could implant the telepathic suggestion that someone was 'it', like in the game of tag. Everyone ran from them. Or from a thing.
But yes. You're welcome to look.
[Though he is a big afraid that Judd will learn what he did back home, because David... judges himself for that joy and pride and secrecy. It makes him sick.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 01:37 am (UTC)[He just happens to be rare that both his designations rate so highly. His family has produced 3 cardinals--Psy with power so high it couldn't be rated on the Gradient--and his own telekinetic ability was a hairsbreadth from cardinal level.]
I know a woman who, if it's to be believed [And he very, very much believes it.] can implant mental viruses into her opponents.
She is the grandmother of the child I mentioned to you before.
[Judd begins his examination, almost stumbling along as he makes sure there's nothing wrong with the brain itself that might interfere with the lesson. It's clear the longer he goes on that a. he's doing it on purpose, so that David knows exactly where he is mentally at any given time and b. he's doing little more than a surface examination of the brain itself, and not digging into anything David might not want to share.
It's actually harder to be this obvious than if he had gone in there normally, but from the look on Judd's face, he might as well be doing nothing.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 01:49 am (UTC)This new status just means that he can't focus like he normally does. Too much external data. And with the overwhelming input, pain. And fear.]
Yeah, Emma could do that too. Jean-Grey probably if she wanted to, but she's unnatural, even for a mutant.
[Thoughts of them are accompanied by hatred and fear in turn, but he is very quick to quash that.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 02:01 am (UTC)It was unusual for us too... And Nikita Duncan is one stone cold bitch. She makes me look like a exuberant wolf pup.
If she wasn't so loyal to protecting what was hers, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have lasted as long as she has.
[Because DarkRiver and SnowDancer would have taken her out, Sascha's mother or not. Thankfully, she's been... mellowed, if the cats are to be believed.]
I didn't see anything that would make me think that your mind would reject shielding techniques.
I've learned from some of the best shield technicians, but I'm sure Sascha or my brother, were they here, would be able to help you better. We'll start with the basics.
[There's another telepathic 'knock', only this time rather than Judd's presence, there's an image of a shielded mind. It isn't his. What follows is a series of pictures showing the shielding technique as he explains it to David. It isn't going to be an actual functioning shield, but one has to learn to crawl before one can walk.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 02:05 am (UTC)[But if David's anything, he's a very good student. He dedicates himself fully to the process. He's open and quick and adaptive to a fault. Which means it takes almost no time at all to manage some level of mimicry of what Judd's showing him. Not strong, even for the standards that would be expected of a child. But picked up fast.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 02:16 am (UTC)Good job.
[Seeing that David's getting the basics, the images switch to basic shielding games a parent would teach their infant... perhaps modified slightly to actually be a challenge. At some point, Judd 'ports an energy bar he had found in the kitchenette to him and eats it.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 02:21 am (UTC)I... I need a minute. I'm sorry.
[He's just so tired. This whole this is only hours old and it took him so long to focus enough to make his desperate cry for help. His whole body is about to give in, and there wasn't enough ice cream to stop that crash.]
I'm guessing coffee is out of the question?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 02:36 am (UTC)[It was torture, if he was being honest, but this isn't the time nor place to bring that up. He tilts his head to the side slightly, allowing his neck to crack. For a second his eyes seemed to darken from brown to pure black, but after a moment it fades back to normal.]
I can drink it... But I don't think you're asking that question because of me. I have a long telepathic range, David. I won't allow anything to slip inside until you're ready.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 02:40 am (UTC)[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.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 02:54 am (UTC)If that worries you, my suggestion would be hot chocolate. Caffeine would still be present, but in a lower dose.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 02:59 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 03:39 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 03:46 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 04:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 04:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 04:41 pm (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 04:44 pm (UTC)I'm used to feeling like that.
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