TR: Not an Exam (Cameron and Chase)

[Event !]

There aren’t really finals for training, but let’s see what Cameron can do anyway.

[Cameron Osiris]

“Why am I here again?” Cameron asked, wondering why his trainer had called him in for practice. Cam hadn’t exactly been the social butterfly he normally was, but he seriously doubted a staff member cared around that. His powers were up to snuff as far as he was concerned, no matter how dim his light had become. “Must be to look at my exceptionally sculpted muscles,” Cam joshed, because obviously he wasn’t putting on any kind of weight any time soon. He was naturally scrawny, so that was the end of that dream.

“I thought we didn’t have finals for training?” Cam teased, looking up at the lightbulb over head. He didn’t have a problem showing off, it just depended on what Campbell wanted him to do.

[Chase Campbell]

Despite the lack of finals in training, Chase still liked to run his students through their paces before they graduated. A final check, really, to ensure they were under control. It wasn't unheard of to have students in college return a few times a week as their schedules allowed in order to continue training. Hell, his husband had done just that for a while. While he knew that Cameron was on track to graduate, he wanted to ensure that the teenager was able to handle himself, and his powers, in the real world.

Of course, he'd also noticed the change in his student's demeanor recently. Chase remembered thinking that teachers didn't notice anything, ever, or that they didn't care about their students unless they were right in front of them in class. How untrue that was. Chase cared about his kids, and that had only increased since he and James had adopted Niko.

Chase arched an eyebrow at Cameron and smirked a little. "You're here because I said so." This was followed by a little grin to show he wasn't all that serious. "Yes, that's exactly why, Cam."

Cameron's demeanor was still a little concerning, but Chase could handle that later. For now, he just wanted to run through a final check of his powers. "It's not really a final. It's just me making sure you're going to be okay after graduation." With that, he crossed his arms and leaned back against his desk. "Show me what you can do."

[Cameron Osiris]

Cameron wasn't graduating, he wasn't old enough to anyways. His grades were fantastic, and he was steadily learning new tricks of his power. His power wasn't very useful, but he loved what he had nonetheless. They were the best at parties - he'd like to keep it that way. If Chase was trying to make his students fidget now already, Cam couldn't wait until next year. Cameron wasn't sure about the real world, but life now was tough enough, school wasn't going to make or break his soul.

Cam rolled his eyes, but it was all good. "You know when teachers say that, it gets old real fast." They both knew he didn't really have to be here, but he cared enough to do so. Chase had been Cameron's trainer since he first arrived here - both of them should be used to the banter by now. "Oh good, 'cause I've been working out." Cam looked at his arms like they were the most precious thing he had ever seen, and gave them a little kiss.

"Oh," Cam said, giving a shrug, "that won't be for a while." Taking a few steps closer to the middle of the room, Cam sighed. "If you say so." And with that, the lights went out. Collecting the energy he had just stolen from the electrical lights and the sun outside, Cam let little balls of light appear in the room, one at a time, some brighter than the others. It wasn't like he could hurt someone, unless he tried blinding someone who didn't have eyelids.

The light orbs collected together, illuminating the room and the both of them. The lined up in mid air vertically, before bursting into a rainbow. Cam wasn't trying to impress anyone, he was just trying to get this over with. Eventually he returned the light to where it had been before. He'd done suppression before, and recreating light that was already there was easy, he just couldn't make light or destroy it - that wasn't in the fine print.

"Can I go now?"

[Chase Campbell]

It was a good thing Cameron was one of the kids that actually liked to work on his power. Chase had come across plenty that just didn’t want to put the effort into learning, and liked to test his patience. Students willing to work, Chase automatically liked better. Of course, he cared about all of his students, but the ones willing to cooperate were always that smallest bit favored. The trainer might have liked to make his students squirm a little towards the end of semesters, but it was also a good place to touch base and ensure that they were still making progress under him. Sometimes it was a necessary evil to transfer them. Some students worked better under other trainers, and that was just how it was. Chase himself had gone through three transfers as a student before really wrapping his head around how his power worked inside and out.

Chase grinned at Cameron’s response. “Yeah, it gets old when parents say it too. Trust me.” Niko was already eye rolling at him when he said it. Thankfully, it was usually just in fun. His son didn’t often get himself into situations where he was in trouble with either of his parents. On the subject of banter, the trainer nodded approval. “Yep, I can see that. That’s the result of what, five, six hours a day?” Not that Chase was one to talk. His workout regime had changed quite a bit over the last few years. Something to do with getting older and stiffer, not to mention wanting to spend more time with Niko. His excuse recently had been that it was too cold to do things like run, but he’d have to ditch that one soon enough with the weather warming up.

“I know,” Chase assured. “But the more you work now, the easier graduation will be. I know students that have had to come back for additional training after graduating, just because they didn’t work hard enough earlier on.” That wasn’t entire fair, as it wasn’t always true, but he generally used it as a scare tactic more than anything else. Still, Cameron seemed relatively game, so the trainer just leaned against his desk to watch the show.

He had to admit, the kid was impressive, and he knew how to utilize his powers well. Of course, perfecting control didn’t always mean that side effects were on par with that control. Once the lights disappeared and the question was posed, Chase shook his head. “Not yet, no. I want to know how your side effects are going, too. It’s all part of power control.” He had half a mind to throw in a quick lesson about mental shielding – something he’d been adamant about teaching ever since his husband had fallen victim to a psychic attack – but Cameron seemed distracted enough. Maybe that could wait. “And how things are going with the rest of your classes. I know we get all wrapped up with training in here, but I want to know how things are going otherwise.” He already knew Cameron’s grades in training were fairly high, and he wanted to make sure everything else was going well, too. Despite being a trainer, he wanted the best for his students, and wanted them to know they could come to him about just about anything.

[Cameron Osiris]

"It's weird to think you have a life outside of this place," he admitted, tilting his head to the side. Teachers existing outside of school was just, weird. If he ever saw Campbell out at the mall with his family, Cameron would probably still wave. Actually, he'd probably end up embarrassing his trainer more than anything else. Cameron didn't stifle his laughter, biting his bottom lip afterwards. This was just too fun. "Right. It's my biggest dream to be a body builder. Well on my way I think." The most he had ever done was attempt at running, and that ended about two days after it started.

"Suit yourself." Cam readied himself, and when he opened his eyes again, they were glowing slightly. If he was going to do this, he was going to have fun and do it fabulously. "Waste of time if you ask me."

"Okay, side effects." The blond paused to think, raising an eyebrow and pacing around. "I don't really know, I mean, I don't end up using my power for very long when I do use it, it's mostly just to impress people, get into girls pants, guys pants, you know what I'm saying?" Or in other words, how am I supposed to test the side effects of my powers?

Cameron nodded. "They're going alright, I'm getting over ninety in everything. Trying to get some scholarships next year because my dad can't really afford university for me, so..." Despite his player reputation, Cam did care about more than getting laid, which often threw people through a loop. "Dad's alright, in case you're going to ask that next," he added playfully. "How's your family? A-okay?" Alright, maybe this was sort of rude, but Cam had other things to do. Like go and sulk in his bedroom.

[Chase Campbell]

Chase had to laugh at that. “Yeah, I thought the same at your age, honestly. Thinking about teachers with private lives was weird.” At least he was fairly open with his students. He didn’t try to hide that he was married, nor that he had a son now. If he saw students outside of Hammel, his relationship with them depended on his reaction, or what they were doing at the time. If he was particularly close with his senior students, he’d likely approach unless they looked like they were on a date or something. As a teenager, he couldn’t have thought of anything worse than a teacher coming over during something like a date. “Yeah, a few more months and you could be in the running for Mr. Universe,” he teased. Sadly, Cameron’s attitude towards exercise would have probably depressed the trainer if he knew the truth. He loved running, and though he didn’t do anything as complex as weight training anymore, he still liked to keep mostly active.

He arched an eyebrow at Cameron’s response. “This ‘waste of time’ is going to ensure you don’t have to come back and see my ugly face after you’re in college. Don’t complain.” Though his tone was still light, he was still serious. He’d rather the kids worked hard now, so they didn’t have to return.

His student was being unusually difficult, which surprised Chase. Cameron was usually easier than this. “We need to work on that, Cam. I need to know you can handle the side effects.” He could only think of Morgan, who had blinded himself for months after a power surge. It made him shudder slightly. “It’s important. Next session, we’re not going for quality, we’re going to go for quantity. See how long you can keep it up.” He didn’t want to be tough, but side effects could be crippling under the right circumstances, and he wasn’t going to let his students get away with being lazy about them. Even Nikki was lectured every so often about it.

“Good. You’re smart, Cameron. I’m sure you can do it.” At least most of his students had a better approach to school than he had. He had been more into chasing girls (and a few guys, if he was honest), and goofing off than working on his grades. All it had landed him was a crappy job in a gym back in Arizona. He wanted so much better for his students. As for the question, Chase was happy to answer. “Everyone’s fine. James has been doing some travelling lately, which means Nikki and I have to fend for ourselves, but it’s okay.” He shook his head. “He’s better than me in the kitchen, which is just sad.”

Something was really striking him as off about Cameron. He wasn’t acting the way he normally did, though he did get points for trying. Chase frowned slightly and settled back against his desk. “Cam, stop pacing. Are you okay? You’re... off, today. And recently. You know you can talk to me, right?”

[Cameron Osiris]

Joking aside, Cameron did try to take his training seriously. “Okay,” Cam said dejectedly, “can you tell me what I might expect? I mean, the most I’ve ever had after using my powers is a really bad headache.” Cameron had never intentionally blinded someone, and when he used his powers for that, it was just to annoy people, not to hurt them to the point where they had to be hospitalized. Wringing his hands in front of his, Cam was looking around the room absently. “When is our next training session?” He asked, just to be clear. Hammel had weird summers, so he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss anything by accident.

Forcing a smile, Cameron wondered how often Campbell said that to his students. Everyone was smart in a teacher or trainer’s eyes. Everyone was capable. It was all about choices. Blah blah blah. Cam wasn’t listening as Chase went on to talk about his family, the blond really didn’t take an interest in teacher’s personal lives, especially when his was so hellish. School work and training was the only thing holding his focus these days, otherwise it was quite easy to become lost in his own mind.

Instead of being dismissed though, Campbell was talking to him again. “Huh?” He asked, snapping back to reality, unclenching the fists his hands had made. He shook his head, not even bothering to smile if Chase could see right through it. “I’m as fine as I can be, considering everything...” Did he really want to talk about this to a trainer? “You really think you’d understand?” He asked, his eyes trailing over Chase. “It’s kinda weird to talk to teachers, like, it’s that whole existing outside of school all over again.” Cameron hadn’t had anyone to talk to, and he’d known Chase ever since arriving at Hammel three years ago.

Passing a hand through his hair, Cameron laughed the laugh of someone going crazy. “You wouldn’t believe the year I’ve had.”

[Chase Campbell]

Chase managed an affectionate smile at Cameron’s dejected tone. “Headaches are pretty common. For you, your sensitivity to darkness might also become a factor. I know adult light manipulators that can’t sleep without some form of light nearby.” As for the bigger ones... “I also know one that blinded himself from power overuse.” He wasn’t going to go into sordid details on that one, but he knew it. “I need to know you can manage yourself before it gets to that level.” As for training, Chase leaned over to flip through his scribbled on roster. “Uhh... in two weeks. Same day, same time.” He liked giving his kids breaks in the summer, if they were controlled enough to earn them.

The trainer sighed as Cam snapped back to attention. Apparently he hadn’t actually been listening. Not that it surprised him. He was sure half his students tuned him out from time to time. Still, his body language lent to the idea that he was unsettled by something.

At least he was opening up, even if it was a little. “I know it’s weird,” he assured him. “I never thought my teachers knew anything, but we were all teenagers at some point too.” He really did like Cameron, and he wanted to help if he could. If Cam would let him.

And it looked like he might. Chase offered a little smile and moved around his desk to pull out a few bottles of water and a bag of Sour Patch Kids. “Here. Sit down, and you can tell me about it. Not as student and teacher, but as... well, however you want to see it. I know it’s tough for you guys without your parents around, and I know as teachers we aren’t the same, but I want you to know you can come to me. I’m not going to rat you out to Dr. Neville, or call your parents, so if that’s what you’re worried about, don’t be.” Unless he had a real feeling that his student was in some sort of trouble that Dr. Neville needed to step in to avoid, he wasn’t going to do that to them.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam nodded again. “Okay,” he said simply. So it wasn’t weird to need his ducky night light? Awesome. However, the bigger side effects he made note of to take seriously. “I promise to work on intensity and duration,” he vowed, knowing how serious power training was. Cam didn’t bother making note of the date, his memory would remember for him.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Cam said. They were all babies once too, so what? And didn’t every teenager think no one understood them? Didn’t every teenager think whatever the older generation had gone through was invalid now because everything was so different? Cam’s eyes landed on the candy and he smiled uncontrollably. “Sweet deal,” Cam said, sitting and opening the bag of candy. Shame wasn’t in his vocabulary. Chase’s life didn’t suck, he could obviously be doing other things, so obviously he had to care.

“Everything started off good, you know?” Cam said, popping a red kid into his mouth. “I mean, I just broke up with my girlfriend, but she wanted to stay friends so it was all good. I was too extreme for her or something, so... But then when we got back to school, we started making out again and whatever, and then we were sort of on again off again, we got tattoos...” His gaze drifted over to Chase. “Don’t worry, I had permission from my dad. Anyways,” he crossed his legs over one another, making himself comfortable. “While that was going on, I realized I was in love with my best friend, but thought he had no interest, because he can read minds, so obviously I thought he had been reading mine all along and knew what I was thinking, so I decided to date this other really cute guy who transferred from Ireland, so he has this amazing accent. Anyways, while that was happening, this other guy thought I was coming onto him and he pretty much molested me, and that was kind of scary. Oh, before all this happened though, I got this other girl pregnant, but I don’t really know what’s happened to her. And I also kinda fell for this other girl with dazzling pink hair, but she doesn’t really trust me... But back to what I was saying...” Cameron paused the story to grab a handful of treats out of the bag. “So I’m dating cute-Irish-guy and my best friend decides to kiss me! Just bam out of the blue! Okay so I’m dating this guy I’m falling in love with, but I’m more in love with my best friend, but then he says he just wanted to see how I would react!” He paused for effect. “And it turns out he hasn’t been reading my mind! So he didn’t and still doesn’t know I love him! But yeah, I haven’t seen him for months, and we used to hang out all the time...” Cameron’s rant petered out into nothing, his gaze wandering around the room. “It’s obvious that me and cute-Irish-guy broke up, but I miss him a lot.” What was a boy to do? Did Chase really understand all that?

[Chase Campbell]

Being friends with many of the staff members really did help Chase teach, it seemed. Knowing Morgan meant that he knew the most extreme side effects of light manipulation, and how to deal with the side effects in general. “Good. I don’t want you to ever go through that. Just remember that even experienced, adult metas can sometimes overexert themselves.” He and Morgan were prime examples, but he wasn’t going to tell Cameron that. The students didn’t need to know details.

Chase had been set in the opinion that his teachers didn’t know anything, nor did they really care. What did adults really know about teenagers? Well, more than teenagers realized, now the roles were reversed. Of course, Chase found having a teenage step-daughter and just barely teenage son helped too. As for Cam swiping the candy, Chase just smirked and pulled himself up so that he was perched on his desk. If candy was what it took to get his student to open up, he was okay with that.

God, didn’t he know about tattoos and parental permission. Granted, his had been ill-gotten due to his power. It had been the ultimate experiment, and it had worked. It had also given him a monster headache, but it had been worth it at sixteen. What hadn’t been so worth it had been his mother’s rather loud lecture coupled with the migraine. At least Hammel had come for him shortly after that. He’d been willing to do anything to get out from under his grounding. (Not that he hadn’t deserved it.) Still, he listened careful to Cameron. It was a little tricky to follow, what with so many people being involved, but he thought he understood. ... Sort of.

Even he hadn’t managed that much trouble during his time at Hammel. “Well, now I get why you’ve been moping around the last little while.” As for what to do, well... Chase didn’t know. He’d had his fair share of botched relationships, and if it hadn’t been for James he probably would have still been on that path. “Did you try talking to your best friend about it? Guys don’t generally kiss other guys just to get a reaction, unless they’re fishing for something. Is he still at Hammel?” Kids came and went all the time, and it was hard to keep track sometimes. “I know break ups suck, though. Trust me. But you’re a smart guy, Cam. I’m sure you can get this figured out. Just... don’t expect it to be instant. Things like this take time. But you did a pretty nice job of making this as complicated as possible, hey?” The trainer reached over and stole a yellow candy out of the bag. “I wish I could do more than give you advice.”

[Cameron Osiris]

“Well yeah,” Cam agreed, “athletes still get sprained ankles.” He wasn’t stupid, and he agreed to help himself as much as possible. He would heed Chase’s advice.

None of what Cameron had experienced was meant to be trouble. It all started off innocently enough, with fun being the only objective. He had only begun taking things seriously when serious repercussion pursued him after the fact, or facts really. He was so hell bent on loving everyone that he hadn’t really found someone that loved him back, and if someone did, he didn’t know about it. Except Declyn, and that was probably over forever. It was just hard for him to let go when he cared about everyone so much... He wore a tattered heart on his sleeve.

“Yeah, it’s a longwinded rant,” Cameron said, putting the now empty candy bag in the trash beside Chase’s desk. Longwinded, and so interconnected Cam doubted anyone really understood it but himself, being the teenager that he was. “No, I haven’t seen him since then, so...” Cam said, his hands dancing around as he spoke. “I don’t know where he is, he doesn’t live on campus and I... I haven’t gone to see him...” Chester had probably forgotten about him anyways. “No, but that’s the thing. And I quote, ‘I just wanted to see what it was like.’ He’s sort of a player, so...” And Cam would know, he was his best friend...

Cam sighed, putting his head in his hands. “Thanks. I mean, thanks for listening.” He raised his head, smiling slightly. “I already sulked about it.” Cameron said, swinging his legs forward, suddenly standing. “Well, it’s been a real slice teach, I’ll see you in a week.”