Training Day

[dolemeck]

Dolemeck was a bit excited about today. He would finally start training in the Danger room with his telekinetic powers. Not just that, but he would also be training with Ilya. Since his arrival, the two formed a unique bond which enabled them both to open about their lives and problems. This made Dolemeck less anxious around the mansion and in class. He was coming off as more relaxed and mature.

The two only worried that Headmistress Ramsey would say something about their closeness. It hung over their heads as they entered the Danger Room. Dolemeck allowed Ilya to wheel him in, and both young men were dressed in their training uniforms (which Dolemeck hated his with a passion). Giving Rachel a salute, Dolemeck smiled as they arrived.

"Dolemeck Night, reporting for training, Headmistress Ramsey!" He sounded more cheerful and care-free than ever. All of this, despite the worry he felt inside.

Comments

[kid_from_chukotka]

"A lot of things seem to have changed for the better. And I don't dislike the world. There are so many good things in it - but it's so much to take in. SHIELD tried to prep me for it." Then again, was there really a way to prep someone for that?

He winced, not realizing until then she'd caught what he thought. Normally he was terrible at projecting thoughts; she was just good enough at catching them to make up for it. It's an unfamiliar sensation. "Sorry. I know things have changed and people look at me differently here. It's just that to me, being second-class was part of life, and it doesn't feel like it was that long ago."

[nohoundsallowed]

"Both things we can work on," she assured with a gentle smile. "I'll let you get your bearings around campus for a few days. Our new dorms are opening up real soon. After you get moved in there, we'll start our regular counseling sessions. Sound good to you?"

She looked at him, patiently waiting for an answer. Whatever answer he thought to give or actually gave.

[kid_from_chukotka]

"Okay. That - that sounds better than the group idea by a lot. I just have a question about roommates. I get nightmares. Not just about this subject, either, these weird ones where I'm stuck in the ice, too, or I can't move and blue light is everywhere. Sometimes I panic and thrash around when I wake up. So that means I'm going to wake up my roommate, even if I try not to. I just..." Well, he didn't want to be an asshole roommate who woke the guy stuck with him up at three AM every night like clockwork. Especially since everyone here had been so nice to him. "I guess I'd like to know if you have some idea on how to make the nightmares at least the normal, quiet kind that most people have."

[nohoundsallowed]

"In all honesty, nothing that works immediately. I'll keep that in mind when I review the roommate pairings." Though she did have an idea about which student would not be bothered by late night disturbances.

"Everyone who comes to Xavier's has their own unique set of circumstances. When you meet your roommate, just explain the situation and that you're going to work on lessening the nighttime disruptions. You'll run into more sympathy than bother if you're up front about it."

[kid_from_chukotka]

"Thank you. For the advice, and for everything. It's really weird to talk about any of this, but it feels a little better. Not perfect, but like I'm not so alone anymore. I've, well, I've felt like I was alone for a long time."

Thank God he's Russian and doesn't do physical displays of affection, or he almost feels like he would hug her. Which would just be weird for everyone involved - aaaand she probably just heard that. Instinctively, he bit down on his lip. The habit had been there long before his mutation had; it was just a thing in his family.

[nohoundsallowed]

"Xavier's is here to show young people they're not alone. Whatever I and my staff can do to help you, we will." Even if already evidenced, that help would not go like he thought it would. Rachel, despite looking in her late twenties, was so very far removed from being a teenager. She looked well past the immediacy for her students.

"We'll pretend the mental Russian hug didn't happen," she said with a slight smile. "You can go now, Ilya. Enjoy the rest of your day. You did well in here."

[dolemeck]

Dolemeck had waited for Ilya outside of the Danger room, just as he had promised. However, he had fallen asleep in his chair due to just exhausting himself with his own session (and the deep dread he felt about being placed on probation). He did not snore, he just looked peaceful.

[kid_from_chukotka]

Ilya was horrified she'd caught the hug thought - how hideously improper was that to think about the Headmistress?! - and fled immediately. At the sight of Dolemeck, though, his first thought was 'he looks like I feel after all that'.

But he honestly didn't want to wake him up. He just looked so peaceful. Like a baby reindeer - aaand that was another reason to learn how to shield his thoughts right there, because there were certain comparisons that just weren't manly in any century.