milliways_bar | (no subject)

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(no subject)

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.

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"Outside then and lack of noise and distraction is helpful, but this is rather private work, no need for anyone else to be involved,"

Charles debates asking Ben if this is what he really wants, they could always do it another time.

Edited 2012-04-11 17:55 (UTC)

"Let's go then," Ben says with enough enthusiasm to hopefully convince Charles is it what he wants.

It's the most positive that Ben's been so Charles nods and starts towards the back door,

"Let's find someplace that you feel comfortable."

"There's this big rock over by the lake shore that pretty nice," Ben replies holding the door open for Charles. As they walk he continues, "I kinda mentioned it before but I should warn ya just in case. The thing that took me over was a god or somethin'. I'm pretty sure it's all gone but ya know."

"Thank you, I'll be careful as I want you to walk me through your current shields. Then you can tell me where you feel safe and unsafe before we strengthen them. Everyone's mind is different and you have to find what works for you,"

When they reach the rock, Charles looks over it and tries to figure out how to make this work best. He likes being able to see the eyes of the person he's talking to and listening to, this is trickier with Ben.

Ben watches Charles to try and guess what he's thinking before taking a seat on the lower side of the rock. He'll be comfortable but he didn't take into account whether Charles will be not having rock-like skin and all.

"If ya can't get comfy on the rock we could go to the grass over there?"

"I'll be just fine. Would you mind facing me?"

Ben doesn't have to but it is something Charles finds easier.

"Sure no problem," Ben agrees readily enough, turning to face Charles squarely.

"Thank you, now lead me through your shields and I'll observe them and see which ones feel weakest,"

He leans forward, placing a hand on his temple.

Ben pushes back with his mind trying to keep Charles out...or at least that's what he assumes Charles is trying to do. The shields likely feel strong and firm but fragile in a way. They likely would withstand a lot but there is no flexibility, as if Ben is used to just muscling his way through.

Gently Charles probes each shield, testing them as he says,

"A shield might begin as a wall but it doesn't have to stay one. A wall is a beginning but a shield has to be able to shift and adjust to whatever it meets."

"So more like a Quarterback than a Lineman?" Ben asks before realizing Charles may not have any idea about the football possessions. Unbidden a couple of replays from games flash through his mind of football play though so maybe that will help Charles.

Charles smiles at the analogy, "Yes, that works."

"Interestin'..." Ben says musing aloud. "I always figured it was just strength o' will. Okay let's try again."

And this time when they do, Ben tries his best to make his mind the ball in a football game, using countless plays from every game he'd ever played, from college, to high school to the streets, to foils Charles. It's not masterful but it is better than the wall he tried the first time.

"Will is important but not everything. Will is where you start and what keeps the shield intact at difficult times, but without flexibility you can't adjust,"

It's a good start and Charles nods, slipping a thought in between the plays and the image of a chess board overlaying a football field.

Edited 2012-04-25 21:21 (UTC)

Ben frowns at the intrusion which throws off his "game". He "fumbles" the "ball" but recovers enough to keep from completely losing it.

"That was you right?" He asks a bit nervously.

"Yes, it was. I was trying to show you as you won't always have warning. Get me out of your head,"

The chess board remains not pressing but not of Ben's mind.

"'Kay..." Ben says closing his eyes and trying to find his center again. He wouldn't call it that but it's the place he always went to before each game. Then he sort of overloads the field with linemen to distract or hide the quarterback. He doesn't push away the chessboard so much as shift it away...or try anyway.

Distraction is a good technique and the chess board starts to shift until its small and moving from head to head of the various linemen.

Ben sharpens his focus to force the colors of the players to that of Empire State University's team, hoping to wash away the chessboard.

The chessboard becomes a Chinese checkers' board and tries to hide on the back of one of the uniforms.

What the? Fine then...

Suddenly all the uniforms have a Chinese checkers' board on them. Ben's honestly not sure what this will accomplish but he's going by instinct now.

Charles smirks and the original board disappears,

"Good, though you'll have to keep pressing. You don't know what form someone might take when they sneak into your mind. How did that feel to you?"