The Mind's A Muscle... ( Dr. Sean )

Sean was quite familiar with the ramifications of psychic powers; he had worked at Hammel for over two decades, and he’d been a telepath for over four decades. As a psychiatrist, and as someone familiar with psychic powers, he knew of the high incidence of mental illness and psychiatric diagnoses (deserved and mistaken) that arose among the psychic population. As such, he didn’t think that Mercy’s parents’ concerns were wholly misplaced, although that was Clarisse’s realm. He also tried to keep tabs on the psychic students, and the monthly meetings provided a consistent opportunity to do so with Mercy.

On another day, one where he thought discussing identity politics was beneficial, he might explain that he wasn’t gay. However, he tried not to comment on uninvited thoughts, and the fact that he was in a relationship with another man rendered that moot. Also, as flattering as her thoughts about him were, he wouldn’t comment on those, either; they were also somewhat unexpected given his age (he wasn’t Morgan, after all). She was entitled to an illusion of privacy since she couldn’t have the real thing.

He sat behind his desk and listened as she reported in about her progress and side effects. He then nodded in understanding, because that was a common enough affliction. “That happens to the best of us. It can take time to adjust to needing to put forth less mental effort. And the headaches are our reward until we get that mostly under control.”

Even he still had headaches, although they were far rarer than when he had been a student. He didn’t miss that. “How are the training sessions emotionally?”