Easier Said Than Done (Xavier & Jaxon)

[Alanna Darlington]

Alanna never missed a training session. It wasn't even that she enjoyed her powers or wanted to perfect them or anything like that. She rather hated her power. That was why she was so determined to train it. Only once she could control it - or more accurately, suppress it - would she have a shot at a normal life. She hated feeling like she was going crazy, everyone else's thoughts in her head. One on one wasn't so bad anymore but crowds were still nearly impossible for the girl to handle without some kind of music or something to help tune all the voices out. 

The worst part of being a telepath though - even more than the headaches - had to be knowing so many things you never wanted to know. She could hear the worsts parts of people - the things they kept below the surface that no one should know. Mean remarks they dare not say aloud, secrets they wanted to remain hidden, lies they told... She heard all of it and she hated that about her power. She wanted to believe people were good - part of her still did. But when she was privy to so much of the bad... it was hard to still believe that sometimes. 

Which made it all the more important for her to train and train hard to overcome it. 

Still, that didn't mean that training was easy. In fact it was anything but. But in time that would change... wouldn't it? It had to. 

She opened the door to the training room, only removing her earbuds once the door was shut behind her. She wore her headphones anytime she was in a crowd, except in her classes of course. Music helped tune out the voices enough to keep her sane and focused. With a deep breath she turned her iPod off and put it safely in her purse before sitting her bag down out of the way. She was only a couple minutes early so she was sure her trainer would be arriving any moment. 

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

We're back in action, Xavier's voice echoed in the back of their mind, sounding 'physically' drained, but the excitement could be felt in the fingertips of the body the two souls shared. It was quite amusing to Jaxon when Xavier still attempted to maintain the 'I hate my life because I'm too cool to care' sort of outward mindset because after 17 years of living with one another, Jaxon knew Xavier as well as himself, if not more.

'Go to sleep if you're so damn tired,' Jaxon said, amused.

And miss the action? How could I. But as he said this, Jaxon opened the door, one hand holding a file folder while the other reached for the door. In between his teeth was an empty coffee cup, though it would most definitely be filled in a few moments; the men preferred to bring their own cups, if only because Jaxon didn't trust the ones that sat in the lounge.

Not expecting his session to start so soon, Jaxon was a bit surprised to see a young, face in his line of sight. When were their students ever early? Except for Alanna. Always Alanna. "You always seem to catch me at the wrong time," Jaxon said, the first syllable muffled until the cup fell out of their mouth.

Alanna scare you? Xavier snorted, and Jax ignored him. It wasn't worth a reaction, and Xavier knew it.

He calmly took himself towards the desk and placed the file on the desk before returning to pick up the fallen paper cup. Upon standing up, he turned towards the teen standing in the room, his lips finally turning up into a gentle smile. "How are you today, Ms. Darlington?"


ooc:// Text differentiation between Xav/Jax: Jax internal text is indicated by the apostrophes, and Xav's internal text is indicated by the italics. Obviously spoken dialog is in quotations.  

[Alanna Darlington]

Alanna had been pacing when the door opened again and in entered her trainer. She could tell she had surprised them when they walked in, offering a small smile and chuckle as the cup fell from their mouth at Jaxon's remark. It had taken her a little time to get used to distinguishing between the two - it certainly was a unique power - but soon she had started to pick up on little things, like the way they carried themselves and spoke. Now it was pretty easy to notice more often than not. "Sorry, Mr. Wright," she said softly, though the shy smile on her lips conveyed that she knew he wasn't upset with her.

She waited patiently as he placed his file folder on the desk before walking back to pick up the fallen cup. As he offered a gentle smile, she felt herself relaxing a little more. "I'm fine," she said automatically before pausing, reconsidering her reflex answer. "Well, I have a bit of a headache," she added, somewhat reluctantly. Classes were always hard on her because of the sheer amount of people around her and unlike in the halls, she couldn't wear her headphones. It was hard to admit that, but at least with her trainer, she had to, didn't she?

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

It wasn't new for them to hear of headaches - after all, their specialty was mental powers and that was almost a given for anyone with any variation of a mental power. They were both heavily sensitive to how much Xavier and Jaxon spoke to one another when it came to any telepath because it could get overwhelming at times unless they were, of course, blocking using a mental shield of their own.

Hello, Alanna, Xavier greeted the girl internally, making no move to shift into control in that moment.

Xavier was more comfortable, truth be told, with those who readily sought to be interactive rather than the quiet ones; Jaxon didn't mind being in either situation, but his methods of training typically attracted the more quiet individuals. "Have they been getting any better?" A common question, one that he asked every time they met before they started their training sessions, but it was a relevant question each time.

Though with mental shield up, he started conversing with Xavier while still holding his attention on the girl.

'I was expecting a few minutes to plan for this,' Jax admitted with a slight sigh.

Well, lucky for you, I had an idea already planned should you fuck up, Xavier's tone was laced with a smug amusement that was typical for his more carefree mind, and Jaxon suppressed the urge to shake their head.

'Okay, smartass, and what would that be?'

A walk.

'A walk.'

Yes, a walk. You know, that thing you do when you put a foot right in front of another at a moderate pace and proceed forward? Or did you forget already?

'Fuck you.'

But even despite Jaxon's annoyance, his expression and tone remained friendly and warm; it wasn't the girl who pissed him off, just his goddamn brother. "Would it be too much to ask for us to take a bit of a walk? I've been stuck in the office practically all day."

You're welcome.

[Alanna Darlington]

Alanna smiled sweetly as the other Mr. Wright offered his greeting. "Hello, Mr.... Xavier," she said, hesitating slightly. He had said it was alright to call him by his name, but it still felt awkward to her, yet she felt the need to acknowledge the difference between the two which was hard to do when calling them both Mr. Wright.

She bit her lip gently as she considered his question. "A little. I'm pretty much fine when I'm just around one or two people, but it's still difficult to be in a crowd without any music to tune things out. I mean, it varies depending on the day, but the more people are around, the harder it is to keep out their thoughts." She shrugged slightly, as though it was no big deal, but in truth it did bother her quite a bit. A lot of that though was simply how much she hated her power and its consequences. It was not like she had ever asked for this - she certainly did not want it. She honestly didn't know why anyone would.

A look of surprise briefly appeared on her face as he asked if they could take a walk. "Oh no, it wouldn't be too much," she reassured him. "That would be fine. It sounds like a nice idea actually." Partly it was her nature to simply be agreeable - better than causing trouble. But it was also a nice day for the season, and it might be nice to stretch her own legs a bit and get out of a classroom for a bit.

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

Both men adored telepathic students because neither of them were shoved into the background when the other was in active control of their body. It was refreshing to say the least, and Alanna had made it difficult for either of them to not hold an ever growing fondness for the girl who just wanted to be normal.

Most students, including themselves, wished for such a normal life - most men their age were dating or married with children on the way. Xavier and Jaxon haven't had that luxury, and honestly, they felt it would never happen. It didn't bother them, not by much anyway, because it was what they learned to accept and honestly, after all the time that the two men spent with one another, it was hard to imagine a life without them.

As it were, when they disappeared for a short while and left the other to their own devices in an empty body, anxiety always rumbled at the bottom of the stomach they were supposed to share.

"As would be expected," Jaxon said, "But I'd like to remind you that the 'depends on the day' was not the case when you first came to us." It was difficult, truly, to understand how far they've come when all they could focus on what 'isn't' happening rather than what 'has' happened. It was the same for every teenager, and that included them during their time at Hammel.

"Wonderful," Jaxon hadn't sat and so it made it much quicker to get the file in a cabinet before stepping over towards the door; his hands, however, remained at his sides, waiting for the girl to gather her belongings.

So where we heading?

'Garden.'

Ugh, plants.

[Alanna Darlington]

She considered his words for a moment before nodding. "You're right. It used to be much, much worse. The fact that there is any relief at all is more than I could have hoped for in the beginning..." Her gaze turned to her feet for a moment as she remembered what it had been like when her ability first appeared. That had been torture. "It's easy to not notice improvement when it's gradual," she said softly. "Especially when you're still short of your goal." Alanna wasn't truly certain her goal was possible, but she wanted to get as close as she could. She just wanted to be normal. She didn't want to be that freak who hears other people's thoughts.

But she couldn't think of that now - not unless she wanted to get emotional, which she most certainly did not.

Instead she focused on that matter at hand - a walk. She quickly grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder before turning back to her trainer. "Alright," she murmured softly, indicating she was ready as she stepped towards the door, falling in line behind him with a small, shy smile. The more she thought about it, the better a walk sounded. It would give her a chance to get further away from people for one. Even in a near empty room like this, she could still feel the people in the surrounding halls and rooms. The walls helped to dampen their thoughts, but didn't block them outright. Usually the outdoors was more scarcely populated at least. Not to mention nature helped her to relax, even on the rare occasions she didn't have a camera in hand.

Though a part of her had to wonder if this really was just a relaxing walk, or if there was some training purpose to it. She could ask, but she decided against it. She wasn't a particularly spontaneous person, so that was a little difficult for her, but she trusted Mr. Wright - both of them - so she was content to simply follow along and see what happened.

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

Jaxon allowed the telepath to speak her mind and recall whatever she pleased; most telepaths go through some sort of traumatic experience - if only by their standards - at manifestation, and so while he couldn't empathize, he could sympathize. After all, Xavier was the soul who had the traumatic manifestation as he was the one in initial control of their body until age eleven, when Jaxon manifested first in Xavier's dreams and then in real life. It was quite the adventure, apparently. One that Jaxon couldn't quite remember.

Jaxon was going to open his mouth to continue the conversation, but from what he could gather, the girl was finished with it. He held the door open for her, smiling down warmly at the young girl as she walked past.

Both Xavier and Jaxon were well aware of the classes in session and the thoughts that would be flying past from hallway to hallway and so they both attempted to relieve Alanna of the tension that was walking through those hallways by taking the longer, but less crowded way from their office.

I hope you don't have allergies because we're going to be messing with some mean, green, sneeze inducing machines. Xavier offered, the shield being pulled away before Jaxon could warn her. He would say something about that later, if Xavier would even listen which, as Jaxon knew, he most likely wouldn't.

"We're going to the garden," Jaxon clarified, "I hope you don't mind that. I figured it was the most secluded place for you to be. We will be training today but I promise you it won't be too intense."

We're never too intense though, Jaxon. You forgot to mention that.

'Quiet, Xav. Please.'

You realize she heard that.

'Exactly. Now please.'

Nope

'Jesus, you're impossible.'

[Alanna Darlington]

Alanna offered a small, polite smile as he held the door open for her. Usually she'd be reinforcing her mental block with everything she had, but for now, she let it be. She usually left herself more open than usual when she was with her trainer, mostly because her ability allowed both Mr. Wright and the other Mr. Wright - Xavier that is - to talk to her at the same time. She didn't want to shut either of them - well, Xavier - out. That just seemed rude and well, she liked them both.

Just then Xavier's remark slipped through and she couldn't help but burst out laughing, her hand immediately flying to her mouth to try to suppress the sudden sound. "No, no, I don't have any allergies. Not pollen related anyway," she managed to say through her laughter as she looked up at them while Mr. Wright explained their destination.

Before she could react though, Xavier had made a quip in reply and the two began bickering over the fact that she had heard it. Alanna bit her lip as she tried to hold back, but she couldn't succeed, soon bursting into muffled giggles. "I'm sorry," she managed to say as she struggled to regain her composure. "You two really are like brothers," she added, a wide grin on her face. If they had been trying to distract her from the thoughts of others, they had certainly succeeded.

It was odd to see Alanna so... chipper and grinning too no less, but for once she was distracted enough that she had forgotten to feel miserable. Even her headache seemed to fade - or at least she was noticing it less. "The garden sounds good though," she said after a moment, that bright smile still lingering on her lips. "It'll be nice to feel not so surrounded for a while and it's a good change of pace really, training outside."

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

Xavier's smug emotions permeated through to Jaxon, but that wasn't the reason why the younger soul was smiling so genuinely down at the girl beside them. They both had been training Alanna since she had arrived at Hammel, and to say she was quiet and very withdrawn in terms of her emotions would be relatively accurate. They weren't just there to oversee her training; they were there to oversee her growth emotionally, as well. Each student they received, whether they preferred Xavier or Jaxon, they cared about deeply as if they were their own family. That was no exception with Alanna.

That's because we are, Xavier commented, his tone lighthearted even as he said it.

"You think I can give him back, Ms. Darlington?" Jaxon replied, his own smile now smug rather than soft as it was before.

Oh man, that hurt. Like so bad. Alanna, make him stop being so mean.

Jaxon couldn't help but laugh then, brushing the fallen curls back from his face as he did so. But by the time Xavier had said that, they were already at the garden. Jaxon briefly noted the gardener - a young woman whom Xavier thought was attractive - working as though neither of them were there. That was fine with him, truly.

"It really is too beautiful to pass up a day like this," What with the weather being as nice and clear as it was, it would be a wonderful change for the hybrid pair as well.

[Alanna Darlington]

The exchange between the two brothers quickly had Alanna laughing. It wasn't a a polite sociable laugh eitehr, but a true bright laugh - a rarity for the rather solemn girl. "No, I don't suppose you can," she managed to say through her laughter.

She watched as Mr. Wright laughed at Xavier's sulking reply. "Besides, you'd miss him. I'm sure it must be nice to always have someone around to share things with. Makes it hard to get too lonely." Alanna flushed slightly even as she spoke, realizing that she was being a downer. Still, she couldn't help but be a little envious of their relationship, something that was all too apparent at moments like this.

"It really is a beautiful day," she agreed though as she glanced around the garden. There was a gardener working, but even still, it was refreshingly peaceful. She didn't feel like she was being crowded in her own head for once. Alanna looked up at her trainer then. "Thanks for thinking of this, Mr. Wright."