Need a Lift? (Sean)

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean had vivid memories of different conversations in which his powers had been revealed. To his parents before being recruited to Hammel. To his partners over the years. To Kathleen’s husband, then boyfriend, who had been unclear on specifics. Each reaction was burned into memory, and not everyone reacted as well as he’d hoped or needed at the time.

“My abilities include the manipulation of memories, which includes their erasure,” the psychiatrist confirmed with a nod. While the other man’s expression was one of confusion, his own was one of peaceful acceptance. As frightened of his powers as he’d been as a child, he had long-since come to terms with them, and now he couldn’t imagine life without them. He sipped his tea thoughtfully, before explaining further. “There’s a lot of therapeutic good that came from them, in the ability to free others of debilitating trauma. But other people tend to expect the worst, both with control and without it.”

That he had never used his powers for his own personal gain never went far enough. Particularly when there were times his abilities had been used outside of a psychiatric setting. But never for himself.

“All we can ever do is our best,” Sean replied with a small smile. He respected those who tried their best to do well by others, even if they occasionally faltered. What he had little ability to tolerate was hypocrisy, those who preached a philosophy while flagrantly violating it. The fact that such hypocrisy often included underlying judgments only made such occurrences more distressing. “I had a very good teacher when I was younger.”

The best he could have ever imagined.

[Vincent Meian]

Understanding removed the lines of confusion, and Vincent nodded neutrally. He could see where the panic had perpetrated from now. It was a power that he had mostly been unfamiliar with in the past, save for a few students he'd met who had memory-altering abilities, and while it could be used improperly very easily, it was not something to be afraid of. Wary, maybe, but not afraid. Granted, he thought that way of almost every power, provided that it could be trained and used for the benefit of society.


That, combined with the psychiatrist's outlook on life, made him all the more trustworthy. "Your teacher must have been a very understanding person," he added, remembering his own trainer from those days. "It takes a careful hand to curb fear and replace it with knowledge."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean smiled fondly at the memory of his mentor. Thoughts of Robert Hopkins (may he rest in peace) never failed to bring a smile to his lips, because the elder telepath deserved nothing less than that. As much as Josh considered Sean other-wordly, and as much as Sean disagreed with that assessment (though he found it flattering), he believed that the description fit Robert like a glove.

Where Sean tried and yet still faltered, Robert had achieved effortlessly. The older man had been truly unflappable, serenity and wisdom surrounded him like an aura.

“He was everything I could have asked for in a trainer,” the telepath said. “He’s why I’m a strong proponent of establishing a personal connection between trainer and student.”

Sean was a success story for that.

“And while he wouldn’t like me saying this, I think he was the best trainer at Hammel.” Robert had known of Sean’s high esteem for him, long after the younger telepath should have held his personality as remarkable. They had discussed this often after graduation, as friends and then as coworkers before the elder telepath had passed away.

Years ago, now. Robert had taught Sean how to stand on his own two feet, such that he had survived his mentor while remaining composed.

[Vincent Meian]

If Vincent could have seen the therapist's thoughts for himself, he'd be inclined to agree with the assessment. Very few people could walk in the world and maintain the wisdom of saints. Despite the lack of psychic ability, however, he could see on the older man's face how much he'd cared for the man who trained him, and that alone made him agree.


"I am surprised that you did not follow his path. Though there is merit in forging your own, it seems that he was a perfect role model for your younger self." He did not say such things lightly; this man must have been truly something if Sean imparted so much respect on him, let alone the honor of shaping his character. While he respected his own trainer, the soldier did not share the same feelings of nostalgia for him. They had work to be done, and when it was finished they never spoke again. Likely for the better, though he did miss the man occasionally.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

The suggestion caused Sean to chuckle, a deep, warm laugh coupled with a smile. “I would have made a terrible trainer,” he said, shaking his head to banish the thought. He had only the deepest respect for Vincent and all others who chose to pursue power training as their life’s work, but he could never have been amongst their numbers.

The thought of being responsible for Sam Rixon’s pyrokinesis progress, as opposed to merely his sobriety (although that was no small feat) was enough to make one cringe.

“I came back to Hammel, in part, because of everything that Robert did for me,” he explained. He had done so in such a way that involved utilizing his strengths, as opposed to throwing him completely out of his element.

But he had been expected to go into medicine. Free of that expectation, he still would have wanted to become a psychiatrist, because he was interested in that field, because he could help so many people, and because he displayed a natural aptitude there.

“But he was the perfect role model. He proved to me that it was possible to be completely well-adjusted and to live a good life as a psychic.” Sean sighed softly and then sipped his tea. “He was one of those truly special people, and I’m far better for having known him.”

[Vincent Meian]

From knowing what he did about Sean, Vincent doubted that immensely but did not share his thoughts aloud. The telepath was honest, trustworthy, and cared deeply for the people in his care. While he valued results, it was not at the cost of discomfort, and he gave advice freely. The trainer wondered if others had asked him this same question, however, given the response.


At the very least, the man had patience. It was something that many trainers (Vincent included) lacked fairly regularly. For that alone, the soldier could recommend him to train students.


"Those people who give us faith in ourselves are some of the most important we will ever meet," he agreed. There were few who did that for him in his life, though his own trainer, Nakia, and his oldest friend all shared that honor. "Rarely will we ever encounter others who do as much good as them."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean lifted his mug in a toast to the sentiment. That encapsulated much of his philosophy regarding relationships and other people; those connections lasted a lifetime, and they were invaluable. “This is why I advocate teaching, if not as a career, then on a personal level.” Sean had become a mentor to several students, even though he was not their teacher proper. He was glad to have been able to do that for them.

“I tell my partner the same thing,” he remarked, although not in the exact same language. Discussions with Josh about their relationship were hit-or-miss. At times, the attorney was willing to talk at length, other times he was at least willing to listen. And then there were times when he was so paralyzed with guilt and anxiety that he was unable to hear the truth of Sean’s assurances. Even if he heard, he didn’t absorb it in any meaningful way.

It was a pity, because Josh was one of the most significant people that he had ever met. The effect of the younger man’s influence on his life could not be understated. “But that’s what family is to us. They love us, trust us, and let us become better people while letting us do the same for them.”

[Vincent Meian]

"I see." That made a bit more sense, and Vincent did have to admit that Sean's place as a psychiatrist was invaluable. As a trainer, he would only be able to help a handful of people; as a counselor and therapist, far more were in his grasp to aid. "My gratitude is yours, then, Dr. Neville - I am glad to have such valuable support in my work."


At the telepath's words, the trainer thought of his own family fondly. Much of his recovery had been pushed because he had a wife and children to care for, and even his choice to become a trainer had been spurred by thoughts of their well-being. Teachers were not often paid well in Japan, but rarely were they anywhere; money was not a factor, simply wanting to ensure the next generation's survival was all that mattered.


"Speaking of whom, how fares Josh?" he inquired. Sean spoke of his partner frequently and with great compliment, and though Vincent had never met the man he was eager to at some point.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“I’m glad to be of support,” Sean replied, and he meant those words. He was quite glad to be in a position where he could help others, and he enjoyed his work. Even on bad days at Hammel, when he was in his office all day with back-to-back meetings and lectures about fighting, he enjoyed the work. The ability to improve other people’s lives and to make personal connections was dear to him. “It isn’t even all that different from private practice,” he added. It was somewhat different; he wasn’t involved in billing and the patients were less varied, but over all, it was quite similar.

“He’s doing well,” the telepath responded with a smile. “The courts shut down for the holidays and the New Year, so he has very little work right now. It’s vastly different from how it was in New York.”

Even though the courts shut down for a few days for the winter holidays every year, deadlines continued to exist. There was always work to do, and since Josh’s holidays rarely coincided with Christmas, he kept busy. Even amongst the frequent parties.

“It’s nice, because it lets us have some time to ourselves, as soon as Hammel breaks for the winter recess.” That would be most appreciated, as far as Sean was concerned.