ArchivedLogs:The Teacher-Student Equation

The Teacher-Student Equation
Dramatis Personae Jack, Rictor
In Absentia	2015-06-17 Rictor takes Jack under his wing.
Location <XS> Lake
Bright, bright, bright; the lake glitters wide and expansive here, stretching off into the distance. Sunlight, moonlight, starlight, it catches them all. Lapping at the rocky shore, its deep waters are frigid in winter and cool even in summer. A stone pier stretches out a ways into the water, wide and smooth, though often icy in winter. The water teems with life nevertheless, home to myriad species of fish that provide for ample fishing or just lazy watching on a slow summer day, for those who want to take a boat from the boathouse out to the center of the lake, or perhaps lounge on the pier and try their luck. It's not too late at night when someone can be found down by the lake. While most have filtered elsewhere after dinner, Jack's made his way down to the lake to retrieve a towel he'd forgotten down their earlier after a brief swim with some fellow students. Though he's in no hurry to get back, standing on the beach and looking out at the water. In cargo shorts and a Xavier School t-shirt, he's got a few small rocks in hand...or rather floating in mid-air where his hand might be. He's trying to skip a few across the water but rather than throw them, he's using telekinesis to send them flying. "Almost..." he mutters to himself, floating another small rock up and sending it flying. It’s the very possibility of seeing few to no people at the lake that brings Rictor down here tonight. Schools like this one are a constant barrage of people and social interactions that it can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers, even those who once lived the student live. Still, when he catches of the invisible man by edge of the water he doesn’t disappointed. In fact he makes his way over. “Jack,” he begins. “Nice to run into you out here.” He watches a rock whip across the water, but given that the student is invisible he can’t tell telekinesis apart from a physical toss, so he doesn’t comment on it. Jack jumps slightly, startled by the sudden voice. He frowns as the stone skips once before vanishing under the water with a 'plunk' before turning towards Rictor with an unseen smile. "Hi," he greets. "It is?" “Of course,” Rictor responds, stopping a few feet away from Jack. “To be honest, I was hoping to get away from everyone for a bit. You know, to commune.” He holds his hands out a bit to suggest he wanted to do so with the surroundings more so than people. “You’ve made fine company so far, though, so I’m happy.” He stuffs his hands in his pockets and lets out a sigh. “How are things?” Jack rubs the back of his neck with his free hand, sleeve lifting a bit. "It is pretty hard to get away from everyone even in a place this big," he remarks. "Glad I've been good company. I'm getting better at this whole being social thing then," he chuckles. "Things are alright. Just figured I'd try something out while there weren't people around and before the rain started again." “That goes for both of us, I think,” Rictor smiles before turning to look out across the lake, starting from about where the rock entered the water out to where the last ripples have subsided. “What are you trying out exactly?” He turns back to the young man quizzically. “Don’t tell me you’ve come out to learn how to skip rocks.” "Sort of," Jack replies with a nervous laugh. "I mean I can do it just fine if I throw it," he says. "I'm trying to do it with my powers. And it's not as easy," he says, launching another rock. This one doesn't even skip once, just plunging below the surface. "Too hard..." Rictor watches the rock soar, plop into the water, and sink. He makes a thoughtful face and a thoughtful noise. “So you have a second mutation as well? I didn’t realize.” He turns back to Jack and lifts one of his hands out of the pocket it’s in to tap a finger against his chin. “I have an idea. Let’s play a game. Toss a few more, but this time don’t worry about skipping the stones. Let’s see how far you can throw them.” "I'm not sure it’s second. I mean it happened first," Jack remarks but shakes it off. "I don't mention it much," he adds. "But I have some telekinesis," the invisible teen explains. The proposed game gets a curious noise from Jack and he turns to Rictor again. "Alright, I'll start with three," he says, picking them out of the others he has and holding them flat on his palm. He concentrates and the stones float into the air before shooting across the water like they'd been launched with a powerful slingshot. The first part of the game is an easy one. The second might come as a surprise to Jack. Just after firing the stones off across the lake, there’s the sound of a loud crack that briefly pierces the air and sends a flock of birds skyward. The sound goes off just as Rictor lifts his hands, arms outstretched, thumbs and pointers making the shape of finger pistols. The shockwave that emanates from them causes the air to ripple as it races across the lake toward the trio of rocks, decimating them on impact. “Now then,” Rictor tells Jack, grinning. “Make me work for it.” That sound makes Jack jump as well, the invisible teen cursing a little. "Jeeze..." he trails off. He stares as the small rocks are shattered into tiny gravel and whistles. "Okay...that was...wow," he says, blinking a few times. The challenge has him tilt his head, take a breath, and then grin invisibly. "Alright, I'll give it a shot," he says, turning back to the lake. He concentrates and sends two rocks flying, faster than the three before. He follows it quickly with a single rock, that one even faster. Rictor’s hands connect and there’s another crack as a he fires a second seismic wave out across the lake. He aims a bit lower this time, hitting the surface of the water just ahead of the rocks. The force send a plume of water shooting up to douse the rocks. There’s a grin on Rictor’s face as he turns back to Jack. “Good. There’s real strength there, Jack. How are you with control, though? I saw some trouble when you tried to skip that last rock, but grab a handful and let’s try something else. Not too many, though.” He takes a couple steps away from Jack before continuing. “I want you send them flying all at once, but each one in a different direction. Don’t worry about force, just about controlling where each one goes. And try not to hit me in the face.” "Depends on how much I'm trying to do," Jack replies with a shrug. What Rictor suggests has him looking as unsure as empty floating clothes can. "Alright..." he trails off, looking around and collecting a few more rocks from the ground. He gathers six in each hand, holding them up in front of himself. "I'm not sure how well this is going to work," he warns. Taking a deep breath, the stones rattle a bit before getting sent flying off in all different directions. He doesn't seem to have much control over them once they're sent flying but he does he best to keep them from heading for any direct impacts with Rictor. Rictor ducks and lifts his arms fast to cover his face when the rocks go flying. A smaller rock hits him in the elbow and causes him to yelp, but when he drops his arms he’s actually laughing. “Oooh, ooh, funny bone,” he says, giving that area a good rub. “It’s absolutely alright, Jack. We never know how things are going to turn out if never done them before. They sure went everywhere, though, which means with practice you’ll be able to control them just fine.” Jack winces but ends up smiling even if no one can see it. "S-" he cuts himself off, still working on not using that word. "Lo siento," he apologizes. "I'm good at sending things flying around. Heck, I still do it accidentally if I get too angry," he admits sheepishly. Rictor notes the bit of Spanish and nods, “Esta bien.” He’s rubbing the spot, however, as he continues. “That’s great. Not that you’re getting angry of course, but it shows what you’re capable of. Meditating, controlling your anger, those are all good techniques to stop accidents from happening, but they’re not going to teach you control when you actually want to use your powers. Are you interested in learning control?” Jack chuckles a little. "Yeah, I try to keep the angry under wraps by default. Mostly take it out on the poor punching bags downstairs," he says. "I definitely want control," Jack responds firmly. "To keep accidents from happening and so I can...use my powers more effectively if I have to." “Good. I remember when I got here I was mad as hell. With my ability, that caused some problems as you might imagine,” Rictor explains, wincing slightly at the memory. “I’m certainly not the most qualified when it comes to this sort of thing, but if you’d like we can meet and see about developing your ability. I think we both will stand to learn something from it.” "Yeah, that sounds like things would get pretty uh...rocky," Jack tries to make a little joke. "I appreciate all the help I can get," he chimes. "Not sure how much I'll be able to teach you about it but I'll give it a shot." “Well, as interested as I am in your specific abilities, I’m even more interested in learning how to work with young mutants. Things are different on this side of the teacher-student equation.” Rictor steps forward with his arm outstretched for a handshake. Though he can’t see Jack’s hands, he assumes he’ll be able to feel it well enough. "Okay, that makes a lot more sense," Jack replies. He steps forward as well and gives the offered hand a firm shake. "Happy to help," he adds. A quick glance up and he hums a little. "Looks like the rain is going to start up again soon," he remarks, squinting at the dark sky. Yep, it feels a little weird shaking an invisible man’s hand, but Rictor seems happy enough to do so. “Please, the pleasure’s mine.” Without a glance to the sky, Rictor nods in agreement. “It’ll be another twenty minutes or so, but you’re right. We should get going.” And with that he turns to make his way up the path back to the mansion.