We all have to train. Yes, even you Charles.

[excessivehubris]

Characters: Charles Xavier excessivehubris and OPEN!!!
Location: Swoop Track
Planet: Coruscant
When: Sunday 11/6
What: Trraaaaaaiiinnnnnniiinnngggg
Rating: Say PG-13 for swearing and boo boos
Notes: Open log is open to any and all

Comments

[excessivehubris]

“I don’t see it as relying, so much as understanding a source of energy that may or may not affect our ‘tricks’ while we’re here,” Charles explained reasonably.

“After we talked with Claire the other night, I did a little self diagnostic I suppose you could say,” he offered, frowning a little and the next words came haltingly.

Outside of speaking of his mutation in broad terms, Charles … didn’t like to talk about his own powers. He’d poke and peer at everyone elses’ ‘groovy’ mutations but he was positively recalcitrant when it came to sharing the study of his own.

“My mutation manifested at birth possibly before, if I had the capacity to remember such a thing but there has never been a time when I’ve not had my gifts. As you may imagine for an infant and a small child, with little capacity for reason, beyond ‘hungry now’ being bombarded with the thoughts, emotions, desires and understanding of the adults around him, was … overwhelming.”

Stumping his toe against the ground, Charles took a breath and shunted these memories away as he glanced at Erik. There was a point to his confession, really.

“Anyway, long story short, I learned how to learn to adapt my powers before I knew how to chew on my own toes. Its kinetic mental memory now, the same as being able to walk or breathe and until Claire mentioned it and I took a look, I didn’t realize I’d been adapting to the interference of the Force with my mutation.”

Glancing across the open track, Charles’ brows knitted together.

“However, I don’t like to leave anything to subconscious chance, my friend. Now that I know … well, its why I’m out here training, testing how exactly the Force affects me and bringing it under my conscious control. Not as a means to rely upon it but as a means to ensure it does not control me.”

[oxidantshappen]

Erik took in Charles' words, listening intently as he relayed his childhood. A part of him felt bitter that his friend's ability had manifested so early, giving him the chance to adapt to it over those years, whereas Erik was limited. His own had manifested years later, brought on by the sudden stress of separating from his family, the imminent realization that he was in a place where surviving was the only option. Charles, however, had none of that, left to deal with such an intrusive gift on his own.

Small wonder they both adapted to their abilities differently. He looked over at Charles, watching his expression out of curiosity, rather than concern. Given that Erik had spent a great deal of his life maintaining absolute control over both himself and his talents, what Claire had mentioned, and what Charles reiterated had suggested that Erik was unconsciously tapping into the Force to manifest his abilities.

It had all come so naturally to him this time, rather than placing the emphasis on Charles' suggestions from earlier, Erik found himself adjusting to things on a minute scale. The incident back at his apartment when they last spoke to Claire was a particular jarring point; Erik could control his frustration with Charles, always had despite their disagreements, but that one remark had thrown the cutlery out of control. Whether or not Charles was aware of that, however...

"Short of asking the Jedi Council for an explanation," Erik spoke after a while, "is there a way to ensure you're not subconsciously tapping into it?" The last thing Erik was interested in was resorting to a group he cared very little about.

"And if there is, I wonder if there's a way to control it or shut it out completely." If it meant Erik could drastically improve on his abilities, he was all for tapping into it without letting it get the better of him, controlling all aspects of his metal manipulation.

[excessivehubris]

It was probably in neither of their best interests to get into who had the shittier childhood, Erik. The scales would probably weigh even.

"If I don't have to go to this Jedi Council, I'd rather not," Charles said, showing a distinct reluctance to go to source of authority, where before he had always tried to work with such groups. "I know I was subconsciously tapping into it."

Reaching up to brush his hand through his hair, Charles slid his hands to his hips and glanced at the taller man.

"Which is why I am now training, so I can do it at will or block it at will, as necessary but it is not an easy thing, my friend. This ... Force is intrusive."

[oxidantshappen]

"Clearly," he said, not inclined to disagree with Charles at this time. The Jedi Council (and the Force itself) was a foreign entity and Erik was hardly in the mood to give up his self control to a group he could not trust just yet.

But here was Charles working on an idea and Erik's interest was piqued. "Are you going to stand there and talk or do you intend on keeping it a secret?" He's teasing, and Charles should know that full well, as eager as Erik is to manipulate the Force to his liking, another aspect to reign his control over.