Speech without word and word of no speech
Now that Rachael had gone there was no excuse not to go in for physio, no last barrier to throw up between himself and the waiting machines. Just looking at them sent that old familiar sinking feeling through Michael’s stomach, a reaction as conditioned as that of any of Pavlov’s slavering dogs. Except that this one was triggered by the promise of pain.
I suppose you remember how all of these work? Dr McCoy asked sympathetically though he knew the question was redundant. Once you had gone through this kind of rehabilitation you didn’t forget it in a hurry. Not even if you wanted to. The young Scot nodded silently wondering which one they would start with, hating them all equally. Well no that wasn’t true!The ones that helped to build up the upper body strength he needed to support himself all day on crutches with something approaching ease weren’t too bad. But as for the rest….
Michael sighed. They did exactly what they were supposed to. They pushed his injured limbs to their limit. And beyond! And while his mind acknowledged the necessity of it his body nevertheless cringed at the thought of what lay ahead. Don’t worry Michael , we will take things slowely to begin with the doctor reassured him, moving over to one of the apparatus as he spoke. Why don’t we start here.
The youths heart sank though he complied readily enough bowing to the inevitable with as much grace as he could muster.The machine in question consisted of a small platform, a support and a cross bar from which extended a moveable shaft, hanging vertically downwards from waist height nearly to the ground, which was in turn linked by a pulley to a system of weights which could be adjusted according to the degree of difficulty desired. True to his word Hank was generous ,slipping only two of the metal plaques into place before helping Michael prepare for the exercises.
The principle in itself was easy enough, at least in theory. You merely placed your leg against the bar and pushed forwards . A change of position allowed you to push it sideways, another to push it backwards. Simple and efficient it not only worked all the major muscle groups in the leg it also measured the amount of movement you had in the hip joint. Which in Michael’s case wasn’t very much at all at least as far as his right leg was concerned. Three series of ten if you please Michael” Hank said gently “Take all the time you need “
Ok! He could do this. Taking a breath the young Scot swung his stiffened leg as far forward as it would go , feeling even the feeble resistance from the machine as it it was a burden he just couldn’t lift. Damaged bones and tendons protested loudly as he forced them back into unwilling motion. *One* Michael shut his eyes. *Two..... Three* Already his breathing was becoming unsteady, the machine clanking harshly back into place after each awkward movement. *Four.............. Five* He could feel the sweat standing out on his body now from thezeffort and yet this was nothing. Not even the beginning of the beginning!
It was hard not to feel depressed although in all honesty what Michael felt was closer to panic! He had been able to this before! *Six* Ok, yes it had hurt like hell but still….. He had worked through it and he had progressed. But now….. All that was gone and he was right back where he had started. He had known that the months in the lab had set him back but he hadnt realised just how far. or more likely he just hadn’t wanted to admit it.
*Seven............... Eight* He gritted his teeth trying to hold back tears that didn’t all come from the pain. It was easy to be brave, to say it didn’t matter, that you could get it all back with hard work and determination. Until you were put in the position where you actually had to do it! Machines weren’t sympathetic. And they certainly didn’t lie! *Nine....................................... Ten*
With a sob Michael stopped, his head bent over the support, his body trembling. Oh God he couldn’t do this it was just too damned hard! “That was very good, very good indeed. “ Hanks voice was full of encouragement even if Michael had a hard time believing a word of what he said. It was also clear that he was determined not to let things stop there even if his patient felt that they surely had too. Persistence! What Michael called ‘constructive cruelty.’ That was what you needed form a doctor under these circumstances. Though sometimes it almost made you hate them. Right then Only too more lots of ten to go” Hank said cheerfully. “And then we can move on to the next exercise.”*Just like I’m starting to do now* Michael thought desperately.
Long red locks fell down in Jade’s back and over her shoulders in gentle cascades, perfectly combed and groomed by whom Jade yet to understand was now her adopted mother. There was the understanding that Zia and Hank were caretakers of some sort, they acted like the monks that had looked after her and so she could identify them that way at least. Jean had come by that morning with new clothes, she had called Hank earlier to tell him about it knowing he’d most likely be at work in the medical bay, though since Rachel Summer’s visit to the school Jean kept the clothes left behind, always there and ready for the time their daughter returned, even if technically it was not hers and Scott’s of this dimension, but that of another. She was still family, and she would always be welcomed. But Jean didn’t think Rachel would mind Jade having some of her clothes, they could always go shopping and Jean would be more then happy to offer time for Hank’s new charge even if it was just a chance to get her own mind off things, after all, Zia couldn’t exactly take Jade shopping. For now spare clothes would do and Jean was more then happy to see they fit Jade just as perfectly as she had hoped, both Jade and Rachel had slim figures.
Jade had never worn a dress before, well, a short skirt anyway, Jade’s styles had been limited and everything felt so new and fun, the black boots that crept up her legs to just below her knees were nothing like she’d ever seen before! The tight fishnet stockings and loose black skirt had been completely different to the pants Jade had worn and excitement flurried as Jade wanted to show someone, anyone, Hank becoming the main key figure for the moment. A pink thin jumper was worn on top, while it wasn’t low cut it left the shoulders bare though a wide black strap held it up in place. What could be made very revealing was instead designed more tastefully, the flat heels of the boots helping tone down the style that could, if played up, could become a bit too outy for a waltz around the school. At the moment she seemed casual enough to not seem out of place, though quite a few girls over dressed at times it wouldn’t entirely suit Jade’s personality, especially with her habit of examining everything and anything, which had its risk of her getting herself dirtied a lot easier then most.
Half of Jade’s long red hair was pinned up at the back, held firmly in a brown clip, the style seemed to suit her and the compliment given to her look only increased Jade’s want to show Hank. There was an excitement that Jade wasn’t used to, she didn’t have many people focused on her a lot, however since she came here people fussed, it was a difference that brought a lot of happiness Jade didn’t realize she was missing. That didn’t mean she no longer missed the mountain temple, but she would miss these people if she did leave, she’d miss the way they talked to her and the way Zia was always so near, even if Jade couldn’t see her, the strange presence of the otherworldly creature could always be felt now that Jade knew what she was looking for.
Since Jade’s arrival her mental understanding seemed to grow at an exponential rate that more then clearly hinted at her inhuman nature, but proper words still hadn’t come from her, not because of inability, merely because of her lack of trying to speak them. The door to the medbay drew near and a pleasant smile still radiated on the attractive features of the young looking girl. Without the daily training session Jade had found herself growing bored, so even this minor trip to see Hank was a trilling experience for her in comparison to sitting around and waiting for something interesting to happen.
The swoosh of the opeing doors were still a wonder and a bright smile was given as her eyes scanned over the doorway, this was so far her favourite place if only because there was so much activity here compared to McCoy's apartment. It was louder here then back in tibet, people spoke more, they showed emotions and reacted to things it wasn't all unspoken as so often was the case back in her 'birth' place.
It was very interesting this verbal communication they did and Jade was more interested in watching them interact then she was just yet with joining in conversations of her own. It really wasn't something the red head thought much about and didn't realize there was concern over the fact she wasn't speaking. There was one thing she was learning about this speech thing though aand that was that it made up a great deal of the days activities out here and it seemed so important to them.. but why? Sound and touch! Yes, touch too was important here... and it was taking some getting used to having people stand so close to her and yet at the same time Jade found comfort in the proximity.
Hank wasn't alone it seemed, though Hank's companion didn't appear as if he was very pleased with whatever was happening. Training in the temple was harsh at times and Jade hovered back for a moment watching.. a hand reached for the edge of one of the beds and made two taps on the frame. It appeared to be some form of greeting Jade assumed as every time someone came they would often knock and in an attempt of showing respect for their culture Jade tried to mimic their peculiar habits.
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech
It would have been different if Paige had been there. Not necessarily easier. Hank sighed. No, there was nothing he could say or do that was ever going to make this easier for Michael, he was sorry to say, but different all the same, the interaction between the two young people not comparable to the one that inevitably installed itself between patient and doctor or even patient and nurse. Theirs would be a unique relationship to say the least, as far as physio was concerned anyway, friendship hopefully taking the sting out of the sessions even if it couldn’t take away the pain. But all those possibilities had been knocked on the head by Paige’s illness. She needed time too recover and Michael couldn’t wait.
Even for an infinitely experienced doctor like Hank there was always a difference between seeing damage on X rays and having the reality of what that damage actually entailed brought forcefully to life before your eyes. Watching Michael struggle through the exercise was nothing short of heartbreaking though hank made sure to keep all traces of his thoughts from his face and voice. One of them had to be optimistic here and Hank didn’t feel that this time the astral mutant was going to be able to pull his usual cheerfulness out of the hat. Not that the doctor blamed him.
Once again the blue furred physician felt his anger rising against the ones who had reduced Michael to this state. Not the drugged joyrider’s who had hit him with the car though they too had their share in the doctor’s wrath. Had he known the true story behind the so called accident no doubt his attribution of blame would have weighed more heavily in their disfavour but as he didn’t he raged mainly against those who had held and used the boy over these long months. They had experimented upon him in the worst way. Wasn’t that enough? Did they also have to keep him half starved and more or less bedridden till the muscles and tendons he had worked so hard to limber had tightened once again into this rigid unyielding mass that fought against each attempt at movement with renewed cruelty?
Hank could see the despair he was feeling in his heart welling up with tears in the boys eyes, threatening to overwhelm him. He kept going though, despite everything, pushing the bar relentlessly. So much effort for so little effect! And so much still to do. “That was very good, very good indeed. “ Hank said when he was finished, hiding the compassion in his voice behind a veil of cheerfulness. Though the sentiment was nothing less than true! Every journey started with a small step and, however difficult it had been, Michael had just taken his first one on the road to recovering at least some of the movement he had lost. The problem was that the second one was going to be even harder. And it was Hanks job to make sure he kept going forward. Right then! Only two more lots of ten to go and then we can move on to the next exercise.”
Michael’s look said it all. But in the end Hank far preferred its flicker of animosity to tearful pleading. Not that he had expected anything less from this young man. He was every bit as much as the masked crime fighter in the other room pulling himself back from the brink of death by sheer force of character, a fighter. And when the session was over he would be glad to have someone like Hank in his corner. Though for now…..
The doctor’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft knocking ,and the realisation of a scent he should have picked up on earlier ,if he hadn’t been so concentrated on his patient.Turning swiftly he saw the girl who had so suddenly and unexpectedly become his adopted daughter just scant hours before. “Jade” he said smiling as he did so. “Why my dear don’t you look lovely!” There was an old song that said “when you’re the father of boys you worry. But when you’re the father of girls you do more than that , you pray!” Hank had never officially been a father up until now but he suddenly understood it all to well.
Certainly there was Talia but then she had her own father to look after her and as for Paige….Yes he did tend to look on her if she was his own but he could honestly say he had never had this particular problem with her, mainly, he suspected because of her almost crippling shyness and the conservative way she dressed. Jade however was neither shy nor plainly attired. She was quite simply beautiful. The alluring body of a young woman coupled with the innocence and curiosity of a child. *Oh my I think we may just have a problem here* Hank thought, though his smile never faltered. Which just proved, if he had ever doubted it, that a good bedside manner was worth its weight in gold!
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech
The moment his foot touched the lever again he knew he wasn’t going to be able to move it. Why didn’t he just admit it and have done? After all what was it all for anyway? To be able to get rid of the crutches? Yeah! Big deal. He was still going to be lame for the rest of his life no matter which way you looked at it. Even under the best of circumstances all he could do was reach the third stage of man in the sphinxes riddle a hell of a lot sooner than he should have. *Or I can just give up and walk on four legs forever!* Was it really worth it? To trade these supports in for a cane!
Once he had thought so. *In my salad days, when I was green in judgement* Truly Shakespeare did have a quote for every occasion. Even this one! Though they weren’t always encouraging! Because it wasn’t true what they said. That if you had done something once you could do it again. Oh sure there were lots of time when it did apply. But not here! Not now.
The first time he had done this he hadn’t fully realised what it entailed. Each day he had foolis*hly gone in thinking ‘today will be easier. Today it won’t hurt.’ God, how stupid can you get! * Ok granted, put in enough hours of sweat and tears, in the most literal sense of the words and yes, it did get easier. But it never stopped hurting. And in all honesty he wasn’t sure that he could give anymore. After all what was he doing this for?
So that he would be less of a burden on his team mates! That argument was one he had almost worn thin just to get himself down here. But it still held valid even now. It was the little white angel on his shoulder urging him to lift the bar one more time. The trouble was that the little red devil coming in from the left was damned persuasive! Even if by some miracle he got himself back into shape and swapped two crutches for one cane. Did that really mean than when it came to the crunch he’d spend less time up some tree or strapped to May’s back? Somehow he doubted it. Once a cripple, always a cripple, and there wasn’t a hell of a lot you could do to change that.
So why was he still pushing the damned bar? Counting out in his head, and above all in his leg, the latest round of torture? He could tell himself he didn’t know, but he did. Even if he didn’t want to admit it! Because once he had, that was it. There was no going back! No retreat possible! And his body so wanted him to retreat. And yet there it was in his mind. The one thing he couldn’t let go of, no matter what. *Because this broken thing isn’t me! It’s only what they tried to make me and I wont let them get away with it!*
There were mutants whose powers were at odds with their entire being. Even with, if you believed in such things, their very souls. Michael wasn’t one of them. His abilities could have been born from his spirit. They reflected who he was in ways he couldn’t even begin to imagine. They showed his strength even when he doubted it. And that strength and spirit kept him going now. Pushing some puny bar that felt like a mountain. Working towards a goal that would never be enough but which would be all he could hope for. And which somehow he would learn to accept for the victory that it was!
It dragged him back from despair, if not from anger. Though now the face he saw in his mind when he raised the bar wasn’t Hank’s It was George’s. Smugly superior, revealing that he lay behind this constant pain, as he did behind so much previous misery in his younger brother’s life. Getting ready to sell him to demons! Well he would rot in hell before Michael gave in!
*Six!* Second series. Pain out of bounds! Enough to send him to his knees except…… Determination…… Well that also had peaked. Michael’s concentration was absolute. Let’s face it; it had to be, simply to get him through. And so he missed the knock and the name. But as he reached ten for the second time, his breath now little more than a sob, he caught Hank’s final comment and turned one already gaunt and sweat soaked head in the direction of its recipient.Why my dear, don’t you look lovely
And she did! This girl who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere! Red hair! Flawless skin! Clothes that tried to stop this side of sexy but failed! Fish nets! Boots! Short skirt! All the ingredients designed to put any red blooded 17 year old male into overdrive.
Except when they hurt to the point of screaming, as he did! Except when they were all too aware of the fact that that they themselves didn’t exactly paint a pretty picture! Michael called it the three S’s! Sweaty! Scrawny! Scarred! He had almost achieved it first time round, hospital meals and illness, having taken their toll . This time though it was flagrant.
At least with Rachael he had had a certain time to actually get to know her……… well at least a little, before she had been confronted with the stark reality of his existence. This was different though. Here this unknown girl had walked in on this most intimate of moments. And frankly Michael did'nt have the first idea as to how to handle the situation.
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech“Jade” A curt bow of her head followed the mentioning of her name, “Why my dear don’t you look lovely!” A slight tilt of her head came, though the corner of her lips tugged effortlessly into a smile, the tone of his voice pleasant and comforting. A lot of the times Jade judged people on the tone of voice they spoke with, it wasn't the sole thing, and situations were attempted to be taken into account, but the tone had a strong effect on Jade.
The tight lockes of fiery hair that framed the girls face enhanced the crystal eyes that peered out. The other with Hank was strained, something was wrong with him though Jade struggled to understand what it was that they were doing.. was Hank hurting him? Was it some sort of test? It had to be a test! It was never polite to walk in on someone's training. It didn't seem however that Hank was going to tell her off, though Michael hardly looked thrilled either.
An apology must be given, just in case! And so Jade's palmes lightly pressed together before her, thick lashes closed shut and again the girl gave a curt bow, pausing a moment for respect before raising her head again and opening her eyes. Though.. now she was here, now Hank had seen her... what next? Her smooth forehead furrowed slightly as Jade thought, a curious gaze staring at the contraption Michael was working with. Though the faint lines swiftly faded, Jade's curiosity did not, and soon enough there was that warning bell look that was so intent and interested that most parents knew to intercept before it was too late. In Jade's case however she was focused on Michael's cratches.. occasionally Monks would walk with a staff, but in Jade's mind they were very strange sticks of some kind.. what were they for?
The urge to reach out and touch the 'sticks' crept into her, the strangeness of them taking up her attention, did they belong to Hank? Or to the other? ....Or were they just left there? What did they feel like? She never knew what to expect when she touched things, some were smooth, some were rough, some were hot and cold and at this point Jade wasn't sure what made them all so different!
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech
His compliment was acknowledged with a smile, although he could see that Jade’s thoughts only rested on it for one brief moment. Then she turned that intense gaze of hers upon Michael and let it linger. There was no pity in her eyes though, as there could have been; only the same bright curiosity that she had shown towards every aspect of the world she had encountered since the moment Hank had first seen her. Which was of course, only to be expected, given her origins!
Pity was, when all was said and done, an emotion born of experience. Something Jade sorely lacked. And although part of Hank worried over this, another part was profoundly glad that she had never known the pain that could cause her to sympathise with Michael’s current plight.
She did however seem to realise that she had interrupted something, though Hank had no idea of what the present situation could represent to her all too innocent eyes. The gesture however was eloquent in itself, the bow full of an evident respect no matter what religion you happened to conform too. Although he doubted that Michael was in any state to acknowledge that at that precise moment in time. And it had to be said that when the bright eyes opened again they were transfixed by the crutches hanging nearby;
In the short, but undeniably intense time Hank had known him, Michael had proved that he could somehow work wonders on shy and usually uncommunicative girls like Paige and Racheal. But even so there were limits to anyone’s good nature and Hank suspected that this might just be one of them. Not that he really thought that the young Scot would shoot Jade down in a hail of words. After all she wasn’t being offensive, just intrigued , that much was clear. Even if the object of her fascination wasn’t perhaps the most diplomatic one!
*An explanation would make things a trifle easier* Hank thought with a slight sigh. *Although perhaps not the whole truth just yet? For although I trust Michael, Jade was placed here in my care because there are those who are actively seeking her out and apparently not with any good intentions in mind, so given that fact, the less people who know exactly who and what she is the better. Although some sort of cover story will have to be provided otherwise everyone will be just as curious about her as she is about everything else*
“Michael” Hank said finally “This is Jade…my adopted daughter.” Well there was the first bombshell and from the surprised look on Michaels face Hank could tell it had struck home. ”Forgive her staring but she has had a very sheltered upbringing. In fact” he went on “she has lived all her life up until now in a monastery in Tibet, so as you can imagine everything here is very new and exciting for her. Most of the things we take for granted she has never seen before nor does she know their function. She has a thousand questions shed like answers too, but she either can’t or hasn’t yet found a way to ask them. Though I’m sure her silence won’t stop her making friends.” Hank said with a fond glance at his unconventional and unexpected family member.
“Jade” he went on kindly “this is Michael, a student here at the Institute and also my patient. I was going to introduce you to him at some point and if this isn’t exactly the time or the place I’d have chosen to do so I suppose now it will just have to do!”
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech“Jade” So that was her name! Well it certainly suited her. Michael thought that she looked as beautiful as the stone she was named for and as exotic. And it seemed that the doctor agreed with him. “Why my dear don’t you look lovely!” Hank told her bringing a momentary look of pleasure to the girls face. Then before Michael knew it she was looking at him, no doubt taking in the less than impressive picture he made propped up in the exercise machine, still pale and shaking from his exertions.
Yet despite all that there didn’t seem to be any disgust or, even worse as far as he was concerned, pity in her eyes. Instead she seemed to look on him with curiosity as if she couldn’t figure out what he was doing or indeed why he should have to do it. Which given where they were and how he looked, his legs covered with those all too eloquent scars was strange to say the least. As was her next reaction!
She bowed to him and in doing so managed to chase away some of Michael’s initial bitter awkwardness as it was replaced by his own more than healthy sense of curiosity. He was just about to shoot a quizzical look at McCoy when suddenly the girl opened her eyes again and fixed them on the crutches Michael had set down beside the machine before starting his physiotherapy.
They seemed to fascinate her, which was unfortunate for somehow her rapt examination of them made their owner all to uncomfortable. It wasn’t a logical reaction he knew for there was nothing unkind in the girls face as she tilted her head to get a better view. It was just that there had been too many stares before hers and the expressions that had accompanied them had left their own scars on him. Even if they weren’t displayed on his body.
Hank must have sensed his discomfort for he hurried to break the rapidly installing silence “Michael, this is Jade” he said, adding to the astral mutants astonishment “my adopted daughter.” This was news and recent news at that, unless Michael was very much mistaken.! During the Paige incident Hank had told Michael that he had come to consider his young assistant almost as a daughter. He had also mentioned that he had no children of his own. Surely he wouldn’t have just forgotten to mention Jade, would he? Michael thought not. That wasn’t Hanks style. No there was some mystery here and one that Michael couldn’t help but want to unravel.
”Forgive her staring "Hank went on "but she has had a very sheltered upbringing.” Michael waited, hoping unashamedly for more details and he wasn’t disappointed. In fact she has lived all her life up until now in a monastery in Tibet, so as you can imagine everything here is very new and exciting for her”
The young Scot couldn’t help but look back at Jade trying to factor in these new facts into the equation. Well it would explain why she was so interested in everything he supposed. “Most of the things we take for granted she has never seen before” Hank explained “nor does she know their function. She has a thousand questions shed like answers too,*She’s not the only one* Michael thought wryly *I have more than a couple myself*
What would it have been like he wondered to grow up in such a place surrounded only by faith and tranquillity? Or was that a naïve outsiders vision of what her life had been like? *Maybe we can answer each others questions* Michael said to himself any resentment he might have felt about her over enthusiastic interest in his crutches dissipated by Hank’s explanation and his naturally open and gregarious nature coming back to the fore. Then Hank spoke again and all ideas of long conversations with Jade suddenly faded. “but she either can’t or hasn’t yet found a way to ask them. Though I’m sure her silence won’t stop her making friends.”
Had he picked that up correctly. Jade didn’t speak? It was true that she hadn’t said a word since she had come in, neither in answer to Hank’s compliment or to ask about the things that so obviously attracted her attention but somehow the fact that she might not be able to hadn’t crossed Michael’s mind. That was sad! Michael caught himself before he did to Jade what he hated others to do to him and let that thought show in his eyes. After all this was just something to be worked round as he worked round his own disability. And no doubt Jade already had found her own way of communicating. He would just have to wait and find out what it was.
Meanwhile Hank was continuing with the formalities. “Jade this is Michael, a student here at the Institute and also my patient. I was going to introduce you to him at some point and if this isn’t exactly the time or the place I’d have chosen to do so I suppose now it will just have to do!”
Michael was strangely flattered to hear that Hank had thought of him as a suitable companion for his daughter. It somehow made him feel even more at home in the Institute, as if his presence counted for something and not just as a member of a team. And so the smile he gave Jade was almost up to his usual standards even if he couldn’t completely overcome the still present pain and tiredness of his body. Hi Jade he said I’m very pleased to meet you. I’d shake hands but .. he glanced down at the apparatus he was clinging to for support “…… that’s probably not a great idea at the moment. The spirit is willing as they say” he told her with a weary grin “ but the flesh……. is more likely to land in a heap at your feet. “
Re: Speach without word and word of no speach“Michael” Hank announced what appeared to be a name, as the boy before her seemed more attentative to the word, just as Jade herself was to the word given to her as a way of calling her for attention. At least that's the way Jade figured it, and as Hank continued her eyes travelled between the larger feline and the boy who was much smaller in comparison.
“This is Jade…my adopted daughter.” This seemed to surprise the other, Jade smiled, not fully yet understanding what Hank was explaining and yet finding interest in the reaction it had caused nonetheless. ”Forgive her staring but she has had a very sheltered upbringing. In fact” The doctor continued, his tone kind and slightly assuring as he explained “she has lived all her life up until now in a monastery in Tibet, so as you can imagine everything here is very new and exciting for her. Most of the things we take for granted she has never seen before nor does she know their function. She has a thousand questions shed like answers too, but she either can’t or hasn’t yet found a way to ask them. Though I’m sure her silence won’t stop her making friends.” There was a special kind of way people spoke, and Jade was always drawn to the friendlier tones, and she always felt happier to be around people who spoke in such ways. She didn't yet realizing that just as people are different, each persons mood too could change with different situations. Though for now Hank's attention was full of a tenderness that Jade enjoyed completely, much like Zia's, only she had a stronger sense of fierceness to her love, a strength of power that was comforting as it was protective.
“Jade” Now McCoy had returned to addressing Jade and the young girl watched him, her focus settling for a moment as her smile curved more for Hank as he mentioned her name. “this is Michael, a student here at the Institute and also my patient. I was going to introduce you to him at some point and if this isn’t exactly the time or the place I’d have chosen to do so I suppose now it will just have to do!” Michael... The name repeated itself in the mind of the mystically born child, her eyes trailing over the thing his arms were holding only for a moment before looking up at his face.
The smile on Michael's features was one of the few warmest she'd seen so far, did everyone here smile so nicely? Jade took a moment to think about the Monks that had showed very limited affection, while at the same time made sure Jade knew she was cared for. Some of them feared her, not that Jade understood that, some worshiped her as well and that too went beyond the newly created entity.
"Hi Jade" A slight bow of her head nodded in recognition of the greetings, I’m very pleased to meet you. I’d shake hands but .." It didn't matter what mangled shape stood before Jade right now, her eyes saw more then a broken body, she saw a power spirit clinging for both pride and respect, without allowing either to beat away any offer of help should he find himself in need. She liked this one, she liked the strength inside of him, just as Zia and Hank were stronge of spirit, and for that, Jade found herself keenly drawing herself another step towards the young scot “…… that’s probably not a great idea at the moment. The spirit is willing as they say” Michael explained with a slight apology in his tone "but the flesh…… is more likely to land in a heap at your feet." For Jade, to spend time with another, it was really only for training, games were not played with her, not when there was so much for the newly formed youth to learn, so much for her to be taught for her own survivals sake. To play fight for the closest to a game she ever got, and yet as Jade's eyes watched the strain in Michael's features, she wondered if perhaps he'd be able to fight, he looked very tired.
Or was it something else? Jade paused a moment in thought, her mind trailing back to a few scenes she remembered, like with the old woman who was trying to help her new born fawl, letting it struggle to walk to her and stay on its feet. Was Michael a new born too? Was Hank trying to teach him to walk? It did appear there was something akward about his legs.. though Jade smiled once again as she moved even closer towards where Michael was, he had marks on his body like she had on hers, although hers were darker.. and only on her stomach. Jade didn't yet understand the difference between having the almost inky tatoos compared to tissue scarring.
With a tilt of her head, Jade's eyes seemed to focus on Michael's own, it was then she saw something, she was sure of it, something for a moment that caught her attention, something that didn't belong, that didn't reflect what was inside of him, though as the curious eyes bore into his, Jade allowed her hand to slowly move forward towards his own as it grasped at the thing he was confined within. The monks had always allowed Jade to touch them, even the ones who feared her, because to pull away would draw suspicion from those around, those who knew her touch could drive out the evils which poison their world. Though there were ways such evils could be avoided, and unfortunately for Michael, his hidden demons within were just the kind able to avoid being so easily discovered. For Jade however, all she wanted was to touch, to connect almost, see how they felt, if they were warm, or their skin smooth or rough... She didn't realize that it would invade other peoples personal space, unlike in Tibet, she wasn't able to folllow her every whim here. And eventually she'd have to learn that too.
Edited by: HankMcCoy13 at: 1/23/07 2:24 am
Re: Speach without word and word of no speach
It was one of the things Hank held as true. That explanations, no matter how difficult they might be at the time, were always better than keeping people in the dark. And this case proved to be no exception. Granted there were some aspects of Jade’s existence that he had been forced to keep to himself, but still the details he had been free to offer Michael had undoubtedly had the desired effect. Hank watched as the young student digested the information he had been given , noting the moment when embarrassment and potential anger had been transformed into budding understanding. And rampant curiosity!
Well that was only to be expected, and indeed it could prove to be no bad thing. For it took some one who truly knew what curiosity was to be able to appreciate the lengths to which it could drive someone. And Jade’s drove her well beyond all socially acceptable limits. As yet though she was only hovering, watching Hank himself as much as she was Michael, her attention divided between her own reaction to his words and the reaction it produced in the young bystander. Pleasure! Hank was glad to see that in Jade’s face as he introduced her as his daughter. The surprise in Michael’s eyes was more predictable.
Well it was rather a bombshell, this transformation of a hitherto solitary figure into a husband and father. Though one Hank was far from objecting too! It was also nice to note the shy warmth that suffused Michael’s thin features as Hank told him of his intention that these two should meet. The as yet silent child and the boy who seemed to be able to draw words out with his own! Though he hadn’t even spoken before Jade seemed to decide that she liked him. Not that he held back for very long. "Hi Jade” Michael said, easing his uncooperative body into an echo of her graceful bow. “I’m very pleased to meet you”
It was the first time Hank had witnessed the moment of contact between Michael and someone new. That brief instant when sometimes the spark had not only to fly but to actually catch and kindle if friendship was to ensue. Of course it wasn’t the case with everyone. Some people, like Jade herself, he suspected, would give many chances for bridges to be built. But others….like Paige or Rachael… well they were less trusting, more skittish. And while Hank himself had hopefully managed to get them to lower their barriers a little he had done so coming from a far different place than the one Michael would occupy in their lives. He wasn’t above admitting that he would be intrigued to know how the astral mutant managed to get in under their defences.
Seduction was out. That much he knew. Not because Michael wasn’t attractive, or rather would be once he had fattened up a bit, but rather because that wasn’t who Michael saw himself to be. After all, his alter ego was Robin Hood , not Don Juan. Which was probably Hank reflected, just as well for the hearts of the female students. For he certainly didn’t lack charm! “I’d shake hands” the young Scott went on with a smile that Hank knew must have cost him dear considering the pain he must have been in “but“…… that’s probably not a great idea at the moment”*Honesty! That’s how he does it.* the doctor realised * So simple and so complicated! Those explanations I hold so dear and which sometimes hurt so much to give he offers up, though not easily I suspect*“ The spirit is willing as they say but the flesh…… is more likely to land in a heap at your feet."
It was an admission of weakness certainly. But somehow not of defeat! And somehow that readily offered insight into who he was and the difficulties he faced, Hank suspected, made it easier for other people to admit that perhaps they too were less than perfect. And that Michael at least had never expected them to be! Jade though had no idea of what society’s idea of perfection was. Though she seemed to react to Michael’s sincerity none the less! Her eyes met those of the Scottish students and held them, the change his body language something she probably wouldn’t pick up but which for Hank was hard to miss. Michael froze… Literally!
For the space of an instant, muscles that should have been shaking from pain and exertion suddenly stilled. Medically there was no reason for it, but then again Hank had worked out with the boundaries of what was considered normal for so many years now that the unexpected was becoming commonplace. All he knew was that something had happened; And if it had, even for one moment, alleviated Michael’s pain then he was all for it. Though it lasted all to short a time! Now Michael's face was set once again in its familiar expression of stoic resistance and Jade…she was crossing boundaries she didn’t even know existed.
As she reached out to touch his patient Hank moved to intervene saying “Jade maybe Michael wouldn’t .....““Its Ok Dr McCoy” the young Scott said, his voice for once without any trace of its underlying humour. “Jade’s like a child isn’t she? I don’t mean that shes limited in what she can learn. I mean that she wants to, needs to learn …….. and I don’t mind teaching her where I can”
Re: Speach without word and word of no speach
This strange girl Hank claimed as his own was still smiling, which Michael construed to be a good thing. It was certainly what he wanted, for her to feel at ease and to know that he did too. Even if her eyes did seem to be rather awkwardly inclined towards his legs. Not his best feature by a long shot, though to be honest he would have been hard pressed to tell you what was his ’greatest asset’ Before the accident he might, if his back was really against a wall, have said his eyes. But now they just tended to reveal the pain he was in. Given a more lenient choice he might have opted instead for something not at all physical. His sense of humour for example! Except that where he had come from those who had understood it had been few and far between. Jade on the other hand had many assets she could count on as great …though her eyes, despite their child like quality, or perhaps because of it, were simply spectacular!
Michael felt them grab his and hold them like a magnet, no mere hormonal rush taking responsibility for the moment, although given her beauty it could well have. This exchange though was something deeper. Something that offered a hope of salvation he hadn’t known he needed and yet at the same time confirmed in him a potential damnation he had tried with every fibre of his being and his reason to deny.
Jade touched his soul, and in doing so she surprised and worried something that, without his consent, squatted there, like cancer on a healthy cell, causing it to move and bury itself ever deeper into his psyche. It was a fleeting, ghastly sensation, like scales on naked skin or nails waiting to tear helpless flesh apart. There was only an instant in which Michael’s entire being recognised the insidious presence within him and in which, for the sake of sanity, it dismissed it as the result of trauma. A mental aberration born from memories and sensations seventeen year olds weren’t supposed to or indeed, equipped to deal with. Like being sold too and desired by demons. It was his only defence, denial, inadequate as it was. Because if the feeling had been in any way real, if there actually was something dwelling down there inside him, then that would have been too horrible to imagine, breaking him in ways neither pain or cruelty had managed to do up until now. Ways he might not be able to overcome.
“Jade maybe Michael wouldn’t “ Michael took a breath , the intense contact suddenly broken by the doctors words. This was silly he told himself. A throwback to Harmony Market that it was only normal he should have from time to time. And something he’d just have to learn to get over. Already the sensation was fading, helped along perhaps by Jade’s presence. In a lot of ways she reminded him of his team mate Scott. There was the same aura of otherworldliness hanging over them both, a purety of spirit that spilled over onto those around them and made the world seem, if not exactly a bed of roses then at least a little less harsh. It was a rare gift and one that Michael felt privileged to receive. So it seemed only fair that he should give something back in return. Even if it was only patience and understanding.
“Its Ok Dr McCoy” he said earnestly as Jade reached out to touch him “Jade’s like a child isn’t she? That sounded condescending, as if he thought that her inexperience somehow lessened her when in fact the very opposite was true, so he hurried to explain saying. I don’t mean that she’s limited in what she can learn. I mean that she wants to, needs to learn …….. and I don’t mind teaching her where I can”
The offer was sincerely made, though it was hard not to feel embarrassed as her hand moved towards his own. Still if she wanted to touch him then he would let her, within reason. And if her glorious eyes let him know that she wanted explanations then he would give her those too. Though he had no idea whether he’d find the words to make her understand. *She’s like Miranda from the Tempest* he thought suddenly, *discovering life outside her island.Its up to us to make sure as far as possible that it is a ‘brave new world’ that she’s getting herself into. And for that she needs the truth. Even if * . he glanced down at the needle marks on his thin arms and sighed *it isn’t always pretty*
Re: Speach without word and word of no speach“Jade maybe Michael wouldn’t" As Hank began to speak, Michael interrupted, “Its Ok Dr McCoy” Michael assured the doctor, “Jade’s like a child isn’t she?" It seemed the comment brought an anxious flurry of further words from the boy as he explained himself, though Jade remained smiling at him with a pleasant curiousity. "I don’t mean that she’s limited in what she can learn. I mean that she wants to, needs to learn …….. and I don’t mind teaching her where I can” There was a maturity about Michael that Jade couldn't yet respect for the uniqueness that it was for someone his age. When Michael seemed to be allowing her, almost expecting her to continue, Jade felt slightly more at ease to freely explore and she looked more content with a brighter smile aimed towards the blue eyed boy.
The nimble fingers hovered over the astral mutants skin, tracing oer the hand without yet touching. It seemed to cause a reaction, some sort of strange tension or anxiety that Jade couldn't quite piece together. Why did people react like this, how did they learn what was the correct way to reply to all these different situations?
A focused look settled across her young and fair features, like a student undertaking a curious project. Jade's eyes looked up at Michael's, watching over his expression, the tense muscles in his face, the look in his eyes, the taint of red in his cheeks. There was a heat coming off Michael, one that seemed to almost call for Jade to touch him and yet demanded she stay back as well, a heat that was there but wasn't at the same time. It felt almost like a challenge, and she loved them, the monks made her expect them around every other corner, but for the most part it seemed nothing but a strange wonder awaited her about the corners.. and while that was nice.. she missed the challenges she grew accustomed to.
Was Michael challenging her? After all, the monks did it randomly, why not these people? Riley had gotten defensive with her and Jade had naturally assumed he was merely testing her reactions like the monks had done... they weren't as jumpy and didn't cause so much discussion about it, but these people and their ways were strange.
There seemed to be a cautious settling over Jade as her hands pressed down against Michael's skin. The demons inside of Michael were rather deep and well hidden, enabling Jade to keep hold of Michael without the sudden seering pain that would be usual if she touched an actual unholy creature. The vile essence that seeped easily overlooked from Michael's soul was like a radiating heat, and though Michael couldn't feel it himself, he'd feel Jade's hands grow warmer from the burn of the demonic essence on her sensative skin. Her eyes furrowed slightly as she lifted her eyes to stare at him with a slightly discomfort and confusion.
He might have said that Jade was like a child and in many respects that was true. But she didn’t have a child’s abruptness, nor were the hands that approached his own anything less than gentle. It was strange though, feeling them so close, their warmth seeming to stroke over his skin although they themselves still hovered above like moths afraid to come too close to a flame.
Because there was heat here wasn’t there? And it wasn’t caused by either exertion or embarrassment any more than it was the heat of desire. This was something else. Something Michael couldn’t explain and that all at once he wasn’t sure he liked. Something coming from Jade and yet……although no answering warmth rose from his own flesh, he knew that this reaction was in some way called forth by him.
So the eyes that met Jade’s were puzzled and not a little concerned, knowing that whatever this was it wasn’t right. That it didn’t feel right. In fact it felt like the moment when one of the diseases his tormentors had injected into him finally started making its presence spreading itself through his body with malicious efficiency. Jade could sense it too. She didn’t have to speak for him to know that. It showed in her bearing, in the subtle way it had changed from casually curious to focused alertness.
This had to be her power, mutant or otherwise making itself felt and it was unsettling to say the least. Michael forced him to keep still though it was hard. Deep within him demons cried out and drew back before Jade’s presence, making themselves small so small, almost not there at all, discrete as cancer and just as malignant. They hadn’t expected to come into contact with someone, something like her and while they writhed beneath the glare of her essence they also smiled realising the value of this information they had just gleaned. Oh he was a difficult subject this seemingly helpless boy whose spirit was as strong and unbroken as his body was flawed. But then they had always known that he would be.
There was no merit in bending the weak to your will or in corrupting someone who was naturally inclined towards evil. No, destroying the potential for good, tainting something that should have been pure, that was true art. Sculpting Michael into a gift worthy of their prince would take time and effort, even suffering such as they were enduring at this moment. But in the end that would only add to his value. And in the meantime look at what they had already gained.
Access to fairies! That had been undreamed of. Unheard of for millennia! Yet this nobody, this lost boy, slept free of the demons disturbing dreams only because of the proximity of one of their treasures. A gift of memories placed in his oh so respectful care. What would he say if he knew that they saw it through his eyes, that they touched it with his hands? Only held back from staining it with their evil by the force of his goodness! For the time being anyway!
And now this. While they weren’t exactly sure what Jade was they knew she was an enemy of their people. And a powerful one at that. To have found her, hidden away here in this most surprising school. That was a feat that would bring them the recognition of a great many highly placed demons. Though until they learned more about her that wasn’t a card they were prepared to play. And so they hid and wailed and waited. Letting Michael do what he did best. Be himself. People liked him because he was likeable. People trusted him because he was trustworthy. Which made him the perfect bait. He was an apple with a worm at its core and so many ready and willing to take a bite.
Even now this girl like creature was getting closer her flesh ready to touch his, oh it burned when she did. Burned their dark spirits if not Michaels skin. All he felt was the sudden increase in heat like fever being concentrated where her hands lay on his.
But she didn’t pull away. Instead she asked a silent question with her eyes, one to which he had no answer. Which was just as well for him if not for those around him, for if he had then his world would have crumbled like so much dust. As it was he looked back at Jade and sincerely but wrongly put the blame on the one demon he did know possessed his body.
“You think theres something wrong, don’t you?” he said with a sad smile. “That there’s something in me, something that shouldn’t be there? Well you’re right.” Michael told her. “ Its called morphine. It’s a drug. I need it to control the pain.”
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech“You think theres something wrong, don’t you?” The smile was small, and it did not feel right, she did not feel as nice as she usually did when someone curved their lips towards her. He did not beam with the same positive energies that touched her lightly, if anything, he radiated with the exact opposite. “That there’s something in me, something that shouldn’t be there? Well you’re right.” A slight tilt of her head followed his words, the fact people could read her expressions and movements and understand when she was confused just helped to keep the girl from trying to voice what she needed to express.
“Its called morphine. It’s a drug. I need it to control the pain.” The girls bright gaze lowered to study Michael's arms, the needle marks that riddled them catching her attention. The discomfort in her hands as they still held his irritated, especially as she let them glide higher up his arm for a moment before pulling away and folding her hands into her lap. Long lashes closed together, her thoughts assembling what Michael had said and finding it slightly upsetting she couldn't really understand the meaning of some of the words he used.. morphine, drug.. she had no hint as to what it might mean. Something about his mannerism told her however that it wasn't good, it wasn't right, he didn't like it but he couldn't get away from it.
Jade's lips parted and closed in silent experimentation. Whenever Zia talked like this and felt sad or confused or angry, Hank would comfort her, though Jade couldn't quite figure why he did it or why it helped, she could still see it helped. Maybe if she tried to mimic them it'd make him feel better? Again her lips opened, her hands moving once again towards him, one lifting to brush against his fringe, the other resting atop the astral mutants hand.
There was a sweetness to her expression, a smile on her face as her lips parted, remaining slightly open as if waiting for the words to spill out just as easily as they seemed to do for everyone else.
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech
Something had happened between Jade and Michael. Though for the life of him Hank didn’t know what it was. All he knew was that there had definitely been a moment when……… Hank sighed in frustration…. What… What had it been? It hadn’t been the normal awkwardness of a seventeen year old boy, no matter how prepared he claimed to be for the experience, being touched by a beautiful girl he didn’t know. Or even a child’s wonder when confronted by something new and strange. Oh they had both been present to start with , these normal emotions in a less than normal situation. But then things had changed
It had started with Jade, or at least so he thought. Yes he was almost certain. There had been a touch, tentative and careful of the boys feelings and then a look, that was neither but instead full of confusion, though Hank could not tell why this should be. Or why Michaels face showed the same, almost worried expression as Jade’s did. You think theres something wrong, don’t you” the young Scot said suddenly . “That there’s something in me, something that shouldn’t be there? Where did he get that from? Hank considered himself to be a good reader of body language and faces but this was a leap of understanding that he certainly had not been able to follow.
Nor indeed could he see how Michael had extrapolated this conclusion from the few signs that Jade had thrown his way. Oh he knew the boy was sensitive in his own right and that he paid careful attention to those around him in a way most others his age didn’t but all the same…..This was in a different league to just realising someone was upset, or needed to talk. This was precise. Pinpointing the supposed reason for her concern even without the need for the words which she could not supply. And from Jade’s reaction it seemed that he was on the right path even if Hank had no idea what had led him too it.
It was a fascinating interaction to say the least but, somehow, not one that Hank was sure he was entirely comfortable with, as if some line none of them had suspected the existence of had somehow been crossed. And that what lay on the other side wasn’t at all what they had wanted to find. Then Michael spoke again and things became clear. “Its called morphine” Hank sighed this time with genuine sadness. Was that what was behind this? At least on Michaels side .The doctor had seen that he was self conscious about the scars that covered his body and the all to obvious deformation of his leg but that was after all to be expected even if Hank hoped that in time it would fade.And Michael had faced up to it before Jade had ever laid hands on him But this more insidious shame, for now it was clear that was how Michael thought of it.... Did he really believe that she could read it in him with a touch. And if he did what did that then say of his state of mind.
Michael always put up such a brave front even if he himself perhaps didn’t always believe that. Take today for example. Hank was sure that his patient would think his barely held back tears were a sign of weakness when in fact they were anything but. The pain was there and it was as fierce an adversary as any Michael would meet on a battlefield. And he faced it with courage and fortitude. With humour even. And that was a victory no matter how you looked at it. Even if he needed help to achieve it.
It was just unfortunate that the help came in the shape of morphine..”It’s a drug” he told Jade starkly. I need it to control the pain.” Clear, concise and to the point! No half truths nor any of the eloquence that Hank knew him capable of. Just the facts. Stated bleakly and honestly. Though it sounded as if he had cut his heart out to do so. What did he expect now Hank wondered! Horror on Jades part. Rejection perhaps? Or just more confusion? Whatever judgement it was that Michael waited to be passed it didn’t come. Oh there was still a lack of full understanding on Jades part that mush was clear. But there was also a desire to comfort and accept that transcended that as it did the need for words.
The hand that brushed the hair from Michael’s forehead was as gentle as a mother’s with her child and while the other that she left atop his own showed nothing of the revulsion that he seemed to have imagined in her moments before. And under this touch Michael steadied, pulling the dignity that had somehow been shredded for an instant back around himself like a cloak. “At least.. I do at the moment.”he told her with a hint of the old fighting spirit back in his voice “Though with your fathers help that wont always be the case! “
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech
What sadness had swept the human boy, seemed to slowly lift, which for Jade was a wonderful thing, especially since she had wanted to help and it seemed perhaps she had done something right… And that felt nice. Almost giving her an air of pride inside herself as the otherworldly entity watched and listened to the youth sitting before her.
"At least.. I do at the moment." Said the mortal with an air of strength that flowed slowly back with each passing moment, her bright eyes watching as Michael’s lips moved to help form each sound of the letters pronounced, "Though with your fathers help that wont always be the case!" Although Jade smiled, there seemed to also be a slight tilting of her head, the first time it seemed to crook slightly but straighten again, then with a second motion had her staring a little lopsided as she wondered what it was that he was saying. As if there may have been a moment where she figured it out enough to content herself, but then decided she really didn’t get it to the degree she ought to for it to make proper sense.
The light burning sensation on her palms didn’t fade, but continued to sting, even as her hands no longer touched Michael, leaving them red and tender, but still rather bearable. For the moment that was brushed aside, even if the strange sensation was difficult to understand, instead Jade’s eyes focused on Michael’s lips. It was easier for her to make a sound like ‘f’, which relied only on the sound of air rushing through her mouth as she mimicked the manner in which Michael had spoken, though when her mouth opened more only silence followed. There seemed a moment where Jade completely turned focus only onto herself, the curious sensation of the sound that had been made by her mouth. It looked a lot easier when others did it…
"…fff……ssss……… ssshhh… fff…" If it made any sense or not, Jade didn’t seem all that fussed, but she seemed to grin at Michael nonetheless with anticipation. It was easily noticeable that when one person spoke, the other with them usually spoke back, and it seemed like something that made people happy… for the most part… there had been moments where she noticed that the speaking brought something else other then happiness. Hopefully this wouldn't be one of those times...
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech
OOC ... 'a blether 'is someone who talks a lot. verb 'To blether' Will not be understood anywhere other than in Scotland! Well unless you happen to be talking to a Scot that is!
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Why had he told her this? Michael didn’t know. It certainly wasn’t something he revealed to all and sundry. Indeed it was something he usually kept pent up and buried far inside himself. A secret known only to him and those who fully knew of his pain!And those were thankfully few and far between.
Hell he hadn’t even told his team mates openly about it, though he hadn’t gone out of his way to conceal it either. But then again they weren’t exactly living in each others pockets here at Xavier's and that was probably a good thing.
Jade though…………she hadn’t said anything………..! From what Hank had indicated she probably couldn’t have even if she had wanted to. . But her touch…!. That one touch had spoken volumes. And despite everything within him that had told him not to, Michael had answered it. Honestly, if mistakenly. Stripping back layers of perhaps unnecessary pride to say what he had needed to say for so long. That it hurt. All of it! Walking! All these insane exercises designed to help him do it better. In the end just getting through each and every day! And that he couldn’t do it alone. That he desperately needed these insidious drugs that leeched themselves into his system.
It was nothing but the truth. Even if it was a truth he tried to reject. And one he had managed to claw himself back from before. It hadn’t taken much on Jade’s part to revive his desire to do the same again. Just a look of encouragement where he had expected only disapproval! For surely her hands hadn’t welcomed this foreign substance she had sensed in his system. That much had been clear. And yet in the end they hadn’t rejected him either, urging him somehow to make his brave and yet foolish affirmation. He did believe it though. On a good day, at least! That somehow he would overcome this addiction and win free of the morphine. He had to, after all. Otherwise things would have been all too unbearable.
Oh it was true that Jade's hands had retreated from the burning proximity of his own corrupted arms, but they had come back, as soft as a mothers, brushing the hair gently away from his forehead in a gesture of tenderness he had only known from his own mother when he had been lying on what could very well have been his deathbed.
His family had never been into what his father called ‘all this touchy feely crap’ Physical contact had been limited to the bare necessities, except in two of his brother’s cases of course, when if had manifested itself as barely concealed violence. And as for the rest.. a slight brush of the hand when passing objects! A rubbing of shoulders on a narrow staircase. Personal space preserved above and beyond the call of duty.
Except where Kirstie was concerned of course! But then again she was a girl and as such allowed such luxuries as hugs and consolation. Michael didn’t begrudge her it for a moment. Instead he was glad that she at least wasn’t deprived of something that he had always needed but somehow been denied. And he knew it hadn’t been done through any desire to hurt. It was just.. awkward, that was all!
He had seen that all too well after the accident. When he had needed physical help to do things able bodied people took for granted. Ok George and Robert had been a lost cause and to be honest he hadn’t wanted them anywhere near him, then or ever.
But his parents had tried, even though it was obviously something that they were very far from being comfortable with. In fact out of all of the familly it had been Frank who had handled things the best, even if he hadn’t been at home all that often. He had made time to be there though, sensing his parents rising panic and his brothers need. He had physically got Michael through the whole ordeal to the point when he could cope by himself even if it was far from easy, just as Kirstie had buoyed up Michael's spirits with her incessant chatter and total disregard of his disability.
So it was true to say that spontaneous gestures like this were something Michael didn’t come across everyday ,and it touched him somehow that this girl he had just met could reach out like this to show her concern not only in her eyes , but also by this physical contact that he knew, from whatever it was that had passed between them seconds before, must have been hard for her. Even if it didn’t seem to be here and now!
Rather it was warm and thoughtful and irrationally enough full of hope. And that was what he needed at that precise moment for he himself had been more than ready to doubt!
Even after her fingers had left his skin, Jade’s eyes seemed to strive for contact of a different kind , scanning his face intently as if seeking an answer to a question he didn’t even know she had asked. Until she began to talk that was. Or at least to try too!
Michael hadn’t known if she was in fact capable of producing any sound at all, nor, from the startled look on Hank’s face, had the doctor been, and yet it was now proved to be the case. "…fff……ssss……… ssshhh… fff…" she said happily, as if it was verses of Shakespeare that were dropping from her tongue. And as far as Michael and her adopted father were concerned it might as well have been.
“Oh that’s grand “ the young Scot said with a grin that matched her own, even if it showed considerably less teeth than the one that had simultaneously appeared on the physicians blue furred face. “ That’s your first step to becoming a right blether like me. Oh just wait….” he went on enthusiastically ” you have all the wonder of words just waiting to be discovered. And that, as Peter Pan once said, will be a very big adventure indeed!
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech"Oh that’s grand" They were happy! Jade’s eyes glanced between Hank’s face and that of Michael’s, she had pleased them, she had done a good thing… The thought was enough to content her for a while, it would be hard pressed to fall into misery with the flurry of thoughts and curiosities going through Jade’s mind. "That’s your first step to becoming a right blether like me. Oh just wait…." A sweetly clueless smile remained on Jade’s face as he talked, somehow understanding a vague meaning the words were yet to express to her. "you have all the wonder of words just waiting to be discovered. And that, as Peter Pan once said, will be a very big adventure indeed!" This voice of his was better, this look upon his face Jade preferred, there was a tender tingle in the flesh of her hands but the cosmic child barely cared to wail over that after a victory such as thing. Words. Something about the tone of his voice made her like that phrase he had used… maybe she could do what she did now with Zia, and Zia would be happy, there was a fierce pride in the furred woman. A vicious love that was all powerful and all consuming, a tenderness that was not for the cowardice of heart or mind. Jade had been present when Zia flared in a need to protect her, even if Jade was being protected from something that seemed unable to harm her, the ghostly individual had displeased Zia, but even Jade’s presence there hadn’t shed away all the displeasure… though it had lightened it at least.
Hank and Zia were different, yet alike; both had a passion and fierceness, and Jade thought of their air of power and strength as a show of knowing and teaching, those who are strong have combat the world and survived, those who are with power must grow wise enough to use it. At least……that was something along the lines of how Jade assessed them, so much so far had been so heavily based on instinct and naïve acceptance that often Jade was waist high at least in a situation before realizing what exactly it was all about. It was getting easier now, with every day the habits of the people around her made that little bit more sense, and everything became slightly more obvious, she could now tell which doors opened with a will of their own and which doors required her own effort to open them. The light of the room could be stolen away with a touch of a special switch on the wall, water could be summoned from a simple twist of a handle, and come from nozzles, shower heads, the strange silver sprout that emptied the water that seemed endless.
There was much more to learn, and more which she understood vaguely but needed to understand more, and it was times like that that Jade felt especially eager to impress and to show that she could do more… If only the girl knew what made people happy… Zia and Hank were happy when they chewed each other’s lips and let their tongues flicker across each other’s face softly… Zia wasn’t as hesitant to show her affections in wide view of all, Hank seemed slightly more aware of those around… However Jade had yet to see others chew at each others lips, or let their tongues flicker lightly at another’s cheek… or seem as dominant as Zia does in her presence… Hank was the leader, even if Zia could lead him, Zia was aggressive and wild as she was nurturing and affectionate, while Hank was gentle, soothing, nurturing and affectionate as well but without the air of power flowing from him as thickly as from Zia. It confused Jade greatly to under what was normal when her two key figures differed so greatly in personalities at time, Hank held back even if at times he seemed displeased… Zia went wild… regardless of her emotions.
Wild or not, the reaction to her sounds seemed more then even Jade had hoped for, pleasure erupted in Hank vibrantly enough that he had taken her up into his arms. The gesture was not totally alien, the girl had seen Hank and Zia hold eachother and Hank had even lifted her in excitement from the ground, and such thrills had not occured with Jade. The experience was strange, though something inside forced a grin upon her pretty features, indeed she had pleased him. And as her feet once more touched the ground, Jade couldn't help but thrive for the sensation, she liked it, she liked the way he acted and the way it seemed so pleasant, already her mind planned and plotted new and unusual things she should keep an eye open for and try hard to mimic as she had earlier.
A smile was given to Hank, though her eyes were eager and thoughtful, swiftly drifting to the distractions of the room and examining whatever dwelled within it. The clear curious gaze settled once more on Michael, swift, darting, excitement from success and pleasure clear in the softening expression. Somewhere, be it talking to them, or finding something around her, there was another chance to make them happy, all Jade had to do, was be ptient enough to learn and understand what had to be done.
Re: Speech without word and word of no speech
Strange how hope would always rise from the ashes of despair! If Jades first touch seemed to have brought to Michaels mind thoughts of shame and dependency her second somehow called forth that constant courage that kept him going forward when others would have given up. The same courage that had led them to put this fragile boy on a team and know somehow that he would flourish there! For his voice was steady again and his words full of quiet determination as he assured himself as much as the smiling girl standing before him that his battle against the morphine was far from being over. It was a brave affirmation and one that touched the doctor’s heart , especially since he knew how hard it would be to accomplish. Still he would, as Michael so rightly said, be there to help every inch of the way as no doubt would the other friends the young Scot had made in his short time at the Institute.
Would those friends include Jade? Hank certainly hoped so! His adopted daughter had so much to learn about the world around her. How many people though, especially people her age, had the patience and understanding to teach her? That Michael did, the doctor knew for certain,which is why he had been grateful for this chance meeting even if the circumstances for it weren’t exactly ideal. Still despite that one awkward moment things seemed to have been going well. He just had no idea how well until jade started to talk!
Well not exactly talk. Miracles as they say did take a little longer but nonetheless….. Given the very real mystery that Jade presented , although he had found no medical reason for her muteness, Hank had still been far from sure that Jade would ever communicate verbally with those around her. And yet here she was doing just that. Or at least taking the first tentative steps towards doing so. “Oh that’s grand “ Michael echoed the Doctor’s thoughts almost word for word. . “ That’s your first step to becoming a right blether like me.
Oh just wait….” The astral mutant went on excitedly ” you have all the wonder of words just waiting to be discovered. And that, as Peter Pan once said, will be a very big adventure indeed! " "Yes it will my dear" Hank said with a laugh as he caught Jade up in his arms and twirled her around in delight. “And now I know it will be one we can embark on together.”
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