milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Charles has been taking advantage of the fact that time stops in Milliways to do work and learn more about the people who pass through here. There's such a variety to the minds and experiences that if he didn't have to finish his editing, he'd probably spend most of his time with his eyes closed and just listening.

As it is, one of his sections isn't going as he'd like and he keeps going back over a certain sentence until he's quite lost track of time.

When he finally gets it right, he looks up and realizes that took a while and allows himself a break, so he leans back in his chair and observes the Bar.

Tiny tag: Charles Xavier, Antinoos
OOC: If you approach him while he's working then he's not mentally listening except quite passively. After he's stopped working, he is actively listening to the conversations and minds around him. Feel free to interrupt him or wait until he's on a break. Please let me know what he'll encounter in your pup's mind. Thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Sorry, I seem to cause that reaction here. I'd still like to help you if you'd like me to,"

As it feels wonderful that he's able to be of such help here with his mutation and what he's learned for his own needs.

Ben shakes his head in wonder but says, "I guess weren't from different times at the very least. What year is it fer ya and have ya ever heard o' the Fantastic Four?"

"1962 as I said earlier and no, I haven't. I grew up watching newsreels of Captain America during the war but the Fantastic Four isn't familiar."

Ben snaps a finger. "That's right. Sorry, been a bit distracted."

He puts on his poker face then which has enabled him to play cards against some of his world's best telepaths. "I think we're from different worlds then. My buddies and I hit the news in the winter of '61."

"It's fine. Oh, I see then yes, we must be. The various timelines and world variations do get confusing,"

It's a good poker face and Charles isn't looking into Ben's head but instead waiting to see if he's wanted.

"Eh, you get used to it...well kind of." Ben replies staling a little longer. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"Thanks, I'd like that. Yes, I'm still working on how to best navigate it."

He's gotten some good advice but it's quite confusing.

Ben gestures to the bar and says, "Order what ya like."

"Just a refill on my tea is fine. I know I'm not exactly who you expected but I would still like to help you if I can,"

A new mug reappears for him as he looks towards Ben.

Guess he can't get out of it can he?

"Okay," He replies scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "So I kinda know how to fight off folks tryin' ta get in my head but this time it was different. This time I got mind controlled by my fear. Ta be honest, I been taken over before too an' I'm sick of it. Enough is enough. The you I know has worked wit' me before but I only did one or two sessions wit' him."

Shame faced work avoiding Ben is shamefaced.

"Then hopefully it will just take a little building on what you already know. How and where would you prefer to work?"

Since it needs to be a place where Ben feels safe before everything else.

"Oh...well I guess here works best," since it's their only common ground for now. "How much work do ya think we're talkin' here?"

"I don't know as I'd have to get a good look at your current defenses. Would you rather do that in somewhere more private than the main bar?"

He's willing to do it here but he wants Ben to not feel afraid or ashamed.

"Woah there, I don't know ya from Adam. No offense but how do I know you aren't an evil Xavier? Let's talk a little more and then I gotta room I share wit' my niece upstairs."

"Of course. What would you like to know?" As he'll do all he can to prove himself trustworthy.

Well that bought him some time...but now it's like an interview and Ben hates those.

"Well...what are ya doin' wit' yer life right now?" Safe question right?

Charles would point out that he's the one being interviewed but that wouldn't help,

"I'm working on a dissertation on genetics at Oxford."

Ben hates giving as well as receiving when it comes to interviews.

"So yer just starting out then? Or have you been practicing yer powers fer a while?"

"I've been learning how to manage my telepathy since I was a boy."

Ben winces.

"That could not have been easy."

"No, but I learned how,"

And why he has incredible control because he's been balancing and managing his thoughts and others for most of his life.

"Have ya had much a chance to work wit' other folks or am I gonna be yer first?" Ben's starting to realize he's just stalling and needs to just man up.

"I've worked with two people here and have plans to work with some others. Would you like to talk to any of them?"

Charles isn't sure what Ben is hoping to find out from him that will make him willing to do this work.

"Nah, I think I trust ya. So what kind exercises did ya have in mind? Is it sorta like meditating or somethin' more involved?"

Ben could take Charles upstairs to Val's room, he has a key, but that would be a violation of Val's privacy. Outside could work unless this is something that's going to leave him vulnerable. Not that his body is very vulnerable.

"Well, that depends on how strong your shields are and then we'd work on them. I've found meditating is useful for finding your focus and holding onto your own sense of self, but for shielding, they take time. It might be better to do this somewhere not in the main Bar as its difficult work and requires a back and forth as we test and improve your shields."