Sunset

[dolemeck]

Dolemeck had become more active at the mansion since he got there. He had begun swimming with the help of his powers and trusted friends, and had worked on his sewing when he had time to himself. There were so many possibilities at this mansion, many he never thought possible. It was like the world was now his oyster.

That said, Dolemeck decided to take the time to watch the sun set over the lake on the mansion grounds. His leg braces were off to the side, resting up against the boat house, while his feet dangled off the dock. He took in the sight of the sky starting to change from light blue, to a darker blue, and then a fiery mix of orange and pink.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see someone walking up to the dock he sat on. He turned his head and just smiled to the person, giving a small wave, before going back to looking up at the sky.

Comments

[dolemeck]

"This place is the only home I have that has been stable." He smiled. "I actually made friends here. I did not have that at home. Just... people who used me to get concert tickets or autographs. Me oldest brother tried to raise me, and he did a good job I think. But he also has a life of his own, and should not have had to raise me to begin with."

He blinked, watching the bubbling spots start to pick up once more.

"I've never had so much stability before, nor did I ever feel like I fit in anywhere. At this school, I have that... and so does Pete and all of you."

[fourshelled]

"Good invites a pleasant reward, while evil brings about suffering as a result." Aramis smiled pleasantly. He nodded once and then took a step right off the dock.

[dolemeck]

"Surely you do not believe it is so black and white?" he blinked, watching as Aramis was going to go for a swim. He shook his head, taking off his shirt and using his powers to remove his shoes, socks, and jeans.

Now down in his boxers, Dolemeck took a deep breath and fell off the dock into the water. He surfaced, using his powers to allow him to float about.

"No one here wants to hurt any of you. I know what it's like to have someone close just... betray you and your trust. To have someone just throw you to the wolves." He sighed, trying to relax in the water. It was colder than he expected.

"Yes, they were horrible for doing that to me. But I will not allow them to make me view every person around me as an enemy or someone who will just betray or hurt me! If I do that, the more I shut people out because of fear, the more isolated and alone I will be. Instead of protecting myself, I would be doing the opposite."

[fourshelled]

Aramis had not sunk into the water. His sandaled feet were on the bubbling sections of lake. He stood on top of the water there.

He looked down at the young man floating in the lake. "The creature born is the creature dying."

He rested the end of his staff on the top of his foot. "Your opinions may work for you, but the experiences of others do not have to fall in line with your thoughts, young one. Nor do others thoughts have to have any sway on your experiences."

[dolemeck]

"But how am I supposed to know what experiences all of you had, if you do not share?" He raised an eyebrow, still floating about in the water. "Without communication, no knowledge can be gained. Without knowledge, there is darkness."

Now he was starting to sound like Aramis.

"I want to help, but I do not know how. I have nothing to gain, besides a friendship. Nor do I harbor any evil intent towards any of you." His green eyes looked up at Aramis as he stopped floating about and was still in the water. "Tell me your experiences, and I will tell you mine. Nothing leaves this lake that is spoken tonight, aye?"

[fourshelled]

"Grab, and something will slip through your fingers." Aramis stood still, but the two bubbling currents he created moved him away from the dock.

"I can tell you of my experiences, but they are mine alone. For as much help as you want to offer, I personally do not need it. I speak for only myself and no other."

[dolemeck]

"The one person I wish to help will not come out for me to offer it properly." He shook his head and began to float, following Aramis. "I suppose my pleas lay on deaf ears. Well, if any of you wish to talk to me, you know my room is next to yours."

His eyes soon turned back to the sky above. the moon was starting to become visible now, along with more stars. He reached his hand up, as though he wanted to just pluck one down from the sky.

[fourshelled]

"A cold man cannot be choosy about clothes." Aramis started strolling on top of the lake. The bubbling currently moving with his feet. He moved in small loops on the darkening water. Mostly to keep testing his powers before he tried strolling out into the middle of the lake.

[dolemeck]

"No, I suppose not."

Dolemeck tried to follow Aramis, but his concentrating suddenly came to a halt. It was like his he hit a wall with his control of his powers, and sunk into the dark water he had been floating on. He tried not to panic, despite the fact he could not tell up from down or left from right. Extending his hand, he focused on what he thought was the bottom of the lake, hoping to pull off the same trick he had done when he was swimming with Topher and Kayla.

However, his hand was pointed upward, and he ended up pushing himself down to the bottom of the lake at an incredibly fast speed. He tried to correct himself, but his head bashed up against something on the bottom of the lake, knocking him out cold. Aramis would notice the huge splash of water that came up, and the fact the Brit was no longer floating about the lake.

[fourshelled]

Aramis had kept an eye on the teen who needed leg braces. It would have been foolish not to be aware. He stopped looping his paths when Dolemeck disappeared under water.

When the splash that came up, the turtle stopped the currents beneath his feet. He sent them to where Dolemeck sank. The twin currents raced across the bottom of the lake to pick up the unconscious body and send it to the dock by the boathouse. The force of the water deposited Dolemeck and splashed all over the docks.

Aramis' hat floated on top of the lake while the full-clothed turtle sank placidly down.

[dolemeck]

The force of that splash was enough to knock everything that Dolemeck had put on the dock, into the water. His clothes, shoes, and leg braces were all now in the lake. And the Brit? He was out cold with a gash on the left side of his forehead.

Now the question was: Where had Aramis gone?

[fourshelled]

The turtle calmly floated down to the bottom. His feet hit lake bottom and kicked up clouds of sediment. Aramis pushed off and used his super-swimming ability to get to the surface quickly. Even with his clothing weighing him down and a staff in hand, he surfaced quickly. He snagged his hat with his staff and brought it to his head.

He dipped under water and came back up with his hat perched on his head. He swam toward the dock to gather the things that fell off the dock and check on Dolemeck.

[dolemeck]

Dolemeck's leg braces looked ruined. There were some fragile pieces to them, and they bent or broke in half from the impact of the wave and then hitting the water. His clothing was soaked, his shoes ruined, and the Brit himself was still on the dock.

That gash on his head was not terribly large, but it was bleeding, and he appeared to have some issues with breathing. More than likely there was some water in his lungs that was the cause of this.

[fourshelled]

The turtle grabbed all the things and got them on the dock. He pulled himself up. He sodden clothes hampered his movements slightly, but he crawled over to the crumpled Dolemeck. He carefully rolled the teen on his side so he wouldn't choke on any water if it was expelled.

Then he thought really loud to catch the attention of one of the strong telepaths to send help.

[dolemeck]

Water came out of Dolemeck's mouth and nose as he struggled for breath. There was a loud, audible gasp of air, then heavy breathing. His eyes opened for a brief moment, before rolling back in his head and shutting again.

His body was shivering quite badly on the dock. All that could be done was to wait for help to arrive.

[talk_to_you]

Doctor McCoy was preparing the med lab and Doctor Reyes was gathering her medical supplies, but Doug had been closer and thus got to play the role of first responder. He'd had more than enough first aid training with the New Mutants, so hopefully he could be of use here...

"What happened?" he asked, as he arrived on the scene, already bending down next to Dolemeck.

[fourshelled]

"I'm not him. But he's not a fish either," Aramis replied calmly. He glanced at the lake so full of water and then at the drenched teen at his knees.

He couldn't do a thing about the shivering except let the warm August night get back to him. Unless it was shock. He had no idea what to do then. "He sank below, and I retrieved him."

[dolemeck]

Dolemeck was still shaking quite bad. His breathing sounded more like wheezing or gasping for air. Everything Aramis said was true. He was no fish, and sank like a stone when his powers or something caused his powers to go out.

The shaking, however, did not appear to be from cold or want to stop.

[talk_to_you]

"Good job," Doug told Aramis.

Quickly, he pulled a small device from the first aid kit and set it on. Shi'ar medical tech had its advantages. The device was a basic field medical stabilizer. Wouldn't help in the long run, but would buy plenty of extra time.

[fourshelled]

The turtle stayed out of Mr. Ramsey's way as he took care of Dolemeck. Aramis backed away to bundle up the boy's sodden clothing and braces for transport.

"It takes little effort to watch a man carry a load." The turtle looked to Doug for directions. He was not sure what was needed.

[dolemeck]

With the Shi'ar medical device, Dolemeck started to cough up more water, and his body was not shaking as bad. He was still unconscious, which may be for the best at this point in time. The best news so far was that the medical device appeared to be stabilizing him for the time being.

[talk_to_you]

Doug frowned. What had the kid been thinking? There were far safer places he could have been swimming... especially this late in the evening.

"Doctor Reyes should be out pretty quickly," he explained. "She'll let us know if it's safe to move him."