Need a Lift? (Sean)

To say that he was surprised by the vehicle stopping a ways in front of him would have been an understatement. Very few of the staff at Hammel were close enough to the trainer that he would ask them for a ride home, and even fewer had cars that would accommodate his tall frame. Additionally, walking was something the Japanese man had become accustomed to; one did not simply drive anywhere in Tokyo. It was day-to-day habit, and very rarely was that habit broken.


Once he was aware of the driver, however, the gesture made sense. Sean was one of those people that helped wherever he could, and even in the most simple of offers the man never backed down from his word. It was an admirable thing, and the trainer gave a brief flicker of a smile at the kindness. It also reminded him that with the hectic nature of the past week, he'd neglected to schedule another appointment with the psychiatrist or even update him on the status of the events with Lei.


"You have my thanks," the younger man replied, opening the door with a bandaged hand. It took him a moment to fold himself into the metal contraption, but it seemed that this particular vehicle at least seemed able to accommodate people of his and Sean's height. Closing the door sharply behind him, the trainer lowered the scarf around his lower jaw slightly and gave the psychiatrist a small smile. The bruised half of his face was outside of view momentarily, but he was sure both it and his bound hands had been noticed. The other man was more perceptive than people tended to credit him with.


After buckling the seatbelt, Vincent relaxed back in the seat for a moment before asking, "Will you require directions? I do not believe you have been to my home before."

The seat had been a little forward for the trainer's taste so when the offer came for him to move it back into a more comfortable position, the Japanese man uttered another verbal thanks and felt for the handle. It had been where Sean had said, and after a short moment the seat rolled back. Its furthest setting was just enough (as usual with vehicles fitted to his height), and once he was sure it was settled, Vincent buckled himself in. The motions and pressure were hard on his battered torso, but he made no complaint.


Despite being friends with Ari, the younger man had never heard that particular saying before. He gave the man next to him a mildly curious look, decided that it was meant as a literal analogy and moved on. He gave the street address of his family's new home, and as the vehicle began to move, the soldier spoke again.


"I am sorry for my actions and temperament when we last spoke." He did not try to place blame elsewhere for his mindset either; his temper was something he'd always had to work with. "I understand your position, and taking my leave in such a manner was very disrespectful."

The formality the telepathy had used was comforting in its own way, and Vincent settled further into the seat once forgiveness had been attained. Sean never seemed to hold grudges or deny apologies when they were given freely and earnestly. Even still, he'd felt nervous because there was no assurance that the older man had to accept his rudeness, and to assume would have lessened the gesture. "Regardless, I must admit that I lost my temper," the younger man replied, his tone one of respect for his colleague. "It is... something I have fought for many years, and I did not wish to put you at its mercy."


It meant a great deal to him that the psychiatrist had granted leniency in the face of outright insubordination. He would most certainly have had to do more than just apologize were that event to have occurred at Eisai.


The trainer paused as he thought over Sean's words, seeking the proper reference for them. Deciding that the older man likely mean 'was' and 'is' at the same time, he nodded. "Yes. There is still much to be done, however the majority of the issue has been resolved."


He had been straightforward and honest with Lei, almost brutally so. The resulting emotional turmoil within the boy had caused its own set of problems, but Lei had returned to classes on Wednesday after a full day of rest. Supposedly, he was feeling better physically, but Nik had not seen him since his departure two days ago despite having appointments with him every morning. It worried her, and it worried him.


"What do you wish to know?" The question was said with a certain gravity and with much of the emotional weariness the ex-soldier had been feeling since the event. It was an offering of knowledge, as he knew the older man would wish to know the true events, however he would not speak outside his privilege as a trainer. Facts he could give; insight into Lei's mental state was something he would not speak of indirectly. Even if he was to be the boy's trainer no longer, Vincent would not violate that trust.

"Not well." The answer was short, but it was only the beginning. Vincent let out a soft sigh, likely one that he didn't intend to let escape, and closed his eyes to remember properly. Not that he could forget in any case. "First, he tried to deflect the conversation. When that proved unsuccessful, he feigned ignorance. When my words finally became clear to him..."


This proved the hardest part, and a pang of guilt and anger at himself needled at the instructor once again. Still, he continued. "...He smiled at me. He told me that he knew." There had been so much pain and loss and despair in that single expression that the trainer forced himself to shut it out before he unintentionally forced it upon the telepath. Just because he had seen it did not mean that Sean had to. With a breath to calm himself, he relayed more of the story.


"I do not know what he thought or felt after that," he stated, being clear that he would make no suppositions about the boy. "What I know is that his abilities manifested without control again. It is currently the worst attack against himself that we have documented here. He screamed and collapsed, and when I attempted to call his attention back, to focus his mind..." The trainer held up his hands, the bandaged appendages saying all that was really necessary. "But I have felt pain before. I could not let him kill himself." Not over my mistake.


"I forced him close, embraced him as I had before, when he panicked the night he fell unconscious in my office. It had worked in the past, and I had hoped it would work again. It did, though at a small price." Once again, he gestured with his hand, though it was towards his face and neck. He would have suffered much more hurt if it had meant saving his student's life, and he did not regret the injury. The only regret on his mind was the fact that he had waited so long.


"The damage was done, however. Lei quickly fell unconscious, and Urswik-sensei had already arrived to investigate. We took him to the infirmary, and Nakia tended to his wounds. The rest she will be able to tell you, as I... fell asleep a few hours after." He was not particularly proud to admit that, but it was a fact and needed to be said. Unlike his previous visit with the psychiatrist, everything that happened was being told, even if it was uncomfortable for the Japanese man to do so. Thus, he spoke, regardless of his own discomfort at doing so.


"I have not seen him since then," he concluded distantly. "I have continued to schedule our training sessions on their proper days, as I have neither received a transfer report nor heard from Lei himself that he does not wish to have me as his trainer any longer." Though why would he? "However, he has not come to them. There have been no meetings, no notes, no emails. I do not know what he is thinking or feeling." Though I can surely guess. "I only know that the matter has been resolved, if not as painlessly as I would have hoped."


The younger man was quiet for a long moment after that, as if all his words for the conversation had suddenly been used up and there was simply nothing more he could say. There were a good number of thoughts that shuffled under the surface of his mind; regret, blame, and concern, being the most prominent. Still, he said nothing else, either vocally or by projecting his thoughts. He just listened to the rumble of the engine and the road beneath the vehicle, idly wondering if this was even the right thing to do.

There was something bittersweet and rueful about the expression that drifted over the trainer's face; he didn't smile, but there was a hint of a dark humor there despite himself. He said nothing to his colleague's words, merely nodded in assent and gratitude for the care, his own eyes fixed on the road ahead.


"I have discussed that possibility with him before," he answered, glancing to the telepath at mention of counseling sessions. "To say he lacked enthusiasm would be an understatement. He does not trust you, though for reasons which I cannot guess." There were few reasons he could see why anyone wouldn't trust Sean, despite the nature of his powers; the man was a professional when it came to secrets, and his silence was all but assured if you only asked for it. He would listen without judging, and he would help you find the answer you needed rather than give you the one you wanted. "If he will still speak to me after these events, I will suggest it to him once more."


The sudden shift to his own care caught Vincent off-guard momentarily. He paused, returned the glance, and considered the question thoughtfully before answering. "I... have not considered that," he replied, a hint of epiphany in the younger man's honesty. "My thoughts have been centered on ensuring the boy's well-being. I am in physical pain from the event, though I have been in far worse before."


He considered his words again, then continued, "I blame myself for much of this, for not reacting sooner. I waited too long, and much of the fault for this outcome lies with me." He had not expected things to escalate so quickly, nor was it expected how Lei would respond. There had been so many factors involved that he did not foresee, and many more that he had not considered. There was no reason for him to consider 'what if's' now, however - what was done was done, and now the aftermath needed tending to.

Vincent nodded, understanding implication completely. Lei would need the emotional and psychological support - something that he himself could not provide in this circumstance without causing more harm than good. Even if they would train together again, it was unlikely that the boy would continue trusting him as he had before. "I will be sure to deliver the message," he assured the older man, "and I will inform you if he is less than accepting of such an offer."


The was a pause, and then one hand came to massage the trainer's temple. He knew Sean was right intellectually, though there were cultural and personal issues preventing much of that. Honor was a strong trait in him, and there was something inherently unacceptable about letting his wife be harmed for his mistake. Although... "...There is a clinic in town, I believe," he answered slowly. "Lei told me of it before that afternoon. Apparently there is a doctor there with his same ability. I will likely make an appointment within the next few days, if only so that I may use my hands more effectively."


He said nothing on the concept of his mental state - guilt was one thing Vincent was accustomed to dealing with in large quantities. Once he was assured of Lei's recovery, his own guilt would be dealt with swiftly. There were other things he'd felt guilty for as well, and those no longer plagued him. Things would get better.