A Hidden Storm's Return (OPEN)

[Dr. Sean Neville]

In some respects, working at Hammel was the same as working at any other school. Sean had meetings with students to discuss all manner of problems affecting adolescents; he made plans for academic accommodations, he provided information about sexual health, he talked students through their emotions, and he broke up fights. In other respects, working at Hammel was more similar to working his rounds at the hospital, back when he had been a new doctor.

While, technically, he worked a typical week that lasted somewhere between forty and fifty work hours, and he made use of weekends and school vacation periods, he was also always on call.

Primarily, he was on call to other staff; all of the faculty had his personal information and could contact him by telephone or by email long after the workday ended and before the school day began. Certain students who required additional care had his telephone number for similar reasons. He kept his address and telephone number unlisted to prevent practical jokes or acts of retribution after disciplinary sessions; additionally, he needed personal time for self-care as much as any other mental health professional. That didn’t prevent students from finding him regardless, as Sam Rixon and Vincent Verax had proven last winter.

Most nights, his services weren’t required after-hours. He could unwind with his partner: preparing supper, eating leisurely, watching the news or a BBC program, or reading the newspaper or a journal article he found interesting. All before trying to beat his insomnia and actually sleep through the night.

Other nights, he received calls like the one that etched a deep frown into his features.

A young girl was sexually assaulted downtown at a club.

This was why the psychiatrist never resented the fact that he was always on-call. He wasn’t sought out for frivolities; he was called in when he was sorely needed.

“Please don’t apologize,” Sean said, the underlying manners reflexive. He didn’t think anyone need apologize for alerting him to a situation like this. “Is she in need of physical medical attention? And does she want to speak to me now? If so, I can meet you at the hospital. Or I can come downtown.”

If she didn’t want to see him at this hour, and considering the trauma of a sexual assault, that was understandable, they could make other arrangements. If she was in any way tied to Hammel, he could see her at school the next day and make a special appointment.

[Cole Kessler]

Cole nodded as Christrian stood, "ANDERSON!" The Electrokinetic called from the room and soon was answered by the large man appearing at the door, "Please, show Mr. Lucas to Henry's location. He wishes to share a word with the ass of the night." Cole couldn't help a smirk as the large man showed Christian the way to go. He had no choice but to make light of the situation, Cole just wasn't the serious type.

With Mr. Lucas gone, it was only Cole and Ava alone with the thumping and echoes of the club's music system. Cole opened a nearby ice chest. He looked to Ava, it wasn't hard to see she was still shaken from the incident. He grabbed a couple of beers from the bottom of the chest and sat back up. He cracked both cans open and offered her one, "Here, have a drink. It will take the edge off, Ava."

Cole held the beer out for her to take it, though he knew she wouldn't take it at first. The young man stood up from the couch he sat on and moved to sit next to her. He took a drink of his beer as he sat down. He offered her the beer again, "Seriously, Ava, you need this drink. Trust me, I know." He persisted and took another drink of his own can. As he brought his head back down, he caught sight of her wrist. "That can't feel good." He said as he sat down his drink, "May I?" Cole asked offering his hand out 0to examine her wrist a little more if she was alright with it.




(OOC: Apologies, ladies and gents that this took so long to get up. Work has killed my muse as of late. I'll try and post more frequently.)

[Christian Lucas]

Christian followed the bouncer, making quick time across the dance floor. Obviously some people were trying to figure out what the fight had been about, but no one dared approach the security worker. Once they'd gone into another back area it got much quieter, and Christian heard his phone ringing. He answered it quickly and heard the doctor on the other end. His first reaction was to apologize again for the late hour, but Neville was quick to ease that concern.

"She doesn't appear to be in any physical harm, some slight bruising, but nothing bad. She's here while we wait for the police in case they want to ask her questions. I honestly don't know if she would rather find you or you come here now, she was rather shaken up. I have her sitting in a quiet room away from the crowd, with one of the employees helping keep an eye on her. If you want her to come meet you at your office, I'll make sure to let her know. If you feel that this requires your direct attention right now, I can meet you out front and lead you to her."

After Doctor Neville came to his decision, Christian hung up the phone and thanked Anderson for waiting. Then he followed him the rest of the way to the man. Slightly surprised at the fact that they had a cage, Christin stood still for a moment. "Mr. Anderson, could you let me talk to this man for a few minutes? Alone please, sir?" The security guard obviously did not like this idea, but the drama teacher was firm and insistent. After finally being left alone with the attacker, the middle aged man closed his eyes and let himself really think, and feel.

Rage. That was his first response. Rage and violence. He held onto those emotions for a moment. Such bittersweet feelings. It felt good to have that kind of energy rushing through your body, it was an addictive feeling. To know you could hurt someone... To even do it. He could feel his body shaking with these dark sensations, urging him to do something. Finally though, he let them go. He instantly felt sick and weak after releasing the feelings that had been controlling him. A shaky breath later he moved on.

Pity. Shame for the man. He didn't know what had driven the man to think this was an acceptable action, but he held the idea, deep inside, that everyone had the potential for good on the inside. Just as he had felt those emotions and had forced himself to keep from hurting... Even killing the man. He knew the man was capable of love. Of feeling happy, and sad. Just like Christian was. To let himself admit that he and the man in the Rolling Stones shirt were anything alike was hard. But it was true. They shared the same ability to feel and express the exact same emotions. One of them had simply allowed the alcohol to take away his choice.

"You made a grave mistake today." Christian quickly shushed the drunk as he tried to talk back. "Please understand just how fortunate you are that things went as nicely for you as they did. If Mr. Anderson and Mr. Cole had not been able to take care of you easily, I assure you, you would not be waiting for the police. It'd be an ambulance that would be rushing here. Now, I'm going to explain something to you. You are going to listen, very carefully, and you will not forget these things. You will give a full confession to the police when they arrive. You will not bother trying to negotiate a deal with anyone. You will go through a program for people with drinking problems. Hopefully this will let you straighten your life out, but if not, just remember... I can find you anywhere you go. Anything you do. Don't think I'm exaggerating. I have no qualms with killing you if you hurt another young woman again."

With this Christian stood up and walked away from the chain link fence cage. He had to take a moment alone away from Anderson and the drunk, and crouched down on his haunches. He took some shaky breaths, and tried to settle the tremors running through his body.

He genuinely believed the man didn't see himself as being the villain there. No one ever did. Any time anyone did something, it was because they thought it was right, or they were justified, or that it was moral or ethical. Alcohol obviously obscured that in some people, but it was still the base truth. Christian was someone who knew his morals and ethics very well, and it made him feel physically ill to realize that he was entirely capable of killing that man. Part of him, even now, wanted to just wait for him to be let out, follow him invisibly, and break his bones. There was something satisfying in the idea.

But even though he knew he had the potential, and even wanted to, Chris knew that it was wrong. It was not his place to decide on those things. This wasn't some "Batman" comic where the hero only hurt the bad guys, and saved everyone. This was real life, and now Christian had to face this part of himself that he felt that told him to do these things. To cause pain. To force his will on someone else. To even destroy their life. He knew he was capable of it, but until now he'd never truly felt it in him. It scared him, and he needed something to hold onto to let himself know he was good. But there was nothing.

[Ava Anderton]

Ava looked at Mr Lucas seeing him leave she let out a small whimper still feeling shaken over the issue of what had happened she gluped and nodded looking and seeing that Cole was coming back she smiled weakly at him offering a small wave her eyes then went wide at the idea of a drink and a beer too she shook her head stickling her tongue out slightly '' lm ok really '' she said with a watery smile trying to keep ahold of her emotions.

She blushed slightly when he moved closer to her she glanced at the beer sighing once more '' Ok...'' she said taking it and offering it to her lips she took a few mouthfuls before putting the can down on the floor and wiping her mouth '' Yuck ! ... how can you drink that ? '' she asked before laughing out loud it was proberly all the emotions that where going through her body she then kept still when he moved to look her wrist '' Sure...but its just a small bruise '' she said as she pulled at her sleeve slightly and allowed him to look at it she then grabbed her can and took another sip '' Yep... lm still not going to like it '' she uttered

'' lm so sorry l ruined your night Cole .. l didnt mean to l feel awful its all my fault '' she said feeling pathetic and that beer left an awful taste in her mouth. Letting out another sigh she groaned slightly '' lm going to be in so much trouble '' she uttered letting out a soft yawn she started to lean against Cole slightly resting her head on his shoulder feeling safer next to him'' Thank you for looking after me '' she said quietly

[Cole Kessler]

Auron laughed hard enough that he almost spit beer everywhere when she gave her first impressions of the drink he'd given her. He almost choked as he swallowed his down to keep it from being wasted. With a cough and a chuckle, Cole answered her, "Runs in the family, I guess." He smiled, "That's all I drink anymore unless I'm with my friends...." He told her, "The hard shit brings back horrible memories if I drink alone." He explained and hoped that she would leave that statement alone. He wouldn't mind telling his story again, but it would take too much time.

As she offered him her wrist, Cole gently wrapped it in his hands. "You'll fell a little pinch at first, but then it should be okay." He assured her as he began to channel his power. It wasn't long before his body filled with static. His hair on his arms began to stand up follicle by follicle as the current moved toward her wrist, "This should take the swelling off." Cole said as the current reached her. The current began to oscillate and Cole could see her forearm's muscles spas, "There we go."

As he continued to cups her wrist in his hands, Cole felt Ava's head meet his shoulder. His instinct moved his head to rest atop hers. "You're not gonna get into any trouble. I'll just tell the cops you were a special guest at my homecoming performance." Cole told her as he released her hand. "And you're welcome. I have a large Hero complex, so it goes without saying that I don't mind it. Besides, the night's not ruined.I got to play my music. No one died. I've got alcohol. AND I got to kick some ass." Cole chuckled, "Not to mention I also got to play the hero. So, I would say, my night's mission has been fully accomplished."

[Ava Anderton]

Ava smiled at him listening to him talk when he mentioned something about horrible memories she lightly touched his knee '' Save it and tell me another time '' she whispered faintlyhoping that there would be another time because she really liked him feeling more comfortable around him she sighed before looking up at him watching his power letting out a small gasping sound before growling slightly '' A small pinch ? '' she squeaked before lightly pinching at his leg giggling happily '' Thats a small pinch'' she mumbled blushing slightly.

She then cleared her throat before taking another sip at her can of beer '' l dont think your girlfriend would like the fact that you are saying that to other girls '' she uttered with a small smile '' but thank you for you being so sweet and taking care of me .. you really are a hero '' she said with a smile '' So where is the big white horse and shiny armour then? ''she asked clearly teasing him she then started to laugh before letting out a faint yawn '' l really liked hearing you play tonight l wish l had heard more '' she said keeping her head on his shoulder it felt so comfy and natural '' Also your good at kicking ass '' she uttered flexing her hands slowly her wrist still a little sore but feeling much better .. lm still going to be in big trouble '' she said shrugging she didnt mind that it was a good night she then glanced up when she heard footsteps the police had arrived '' Oh boy ..''

[Christian Lucas]

Having spent his moment alone, Christian managed to pull himself together. He found the bouncer and as he was being led back to the room where Cole and Ava were, he saw the police officers. Anderson caught their attention and brought them over with the drama teacher. Christian let them take over, and sat quietly in the background. Sometimes you don't need a power to be invisible, you just have to be quiet. Finally though the officers asked him a few questions and he answered them. He didn't mention that anyone in the room was a Meta... While this town was relatively progressive, he had encountered times when being a Meta was as bad as having a criminal record tattooed on your forehead.

He let the officers continue their questioning, glancing at his watch, and realizing how late it was. He excused himself as the officers were finishing their report and went home. He knew he needed to deal with what had happened in the hall to the holding cell. But he wasn't sure how to.

He was truly alone now.