Cerebro, Subject X, Test 01

[tobenormal]

Hank arrived at Cerebro an hour before everyone else as he had to start the computer and generator, both of which tended to take some time to warm up. He also wanted to test the calibrations and run the system through a diagnostic as it'd been a while since he had anyone willing to test it out. The last agent who tried was still in the infirmary complaining of migraines and vertigo.

The doors open and the fans are going as well as it can get very hot in here.

Comments

[balancingminds]

At first, he's still far away, trying to hold onto all those minds as the connection drifts away. He takes the helmet off while still seeing and feeling more of the world and smiling. This is what he's hoped to do, reach out and connect.

Then the pain comes as his mind readjusts and the strain hits him.

He ends up leaning partly on Raven and the hand rail, "Hell, Hank, that's amazing."

[markedformore]

Erik's displeasure is written sharply on his face. He lingers away from the rest of them, his arms folded over his chest as he regards their seeming pleasure in such little foibles. "If you're done playing like lab mice, I'm going back to my quarters," he informs them, curtly.

[no_more_hiding]

Hank offers Charles a glass of water and turns to Erik, "Oh I think we're quite done. But feel free to be superior wherever you wish."

The words are out before he can stop himself and he nearly finches at them. He does flush in embarrassment but forces himself to ignore Erik in favor of Charles and Raven.

[balancingminds]

"Stop it, both of you. Erik, I chose this and it's not perfect but I am an active participant. Hank, this isn't the time. You're both just feeling too loudly. I'm going to go upstairs, sit in a dark room and not think for a time. Then I'll write up how this all felt and another day, we will improve this. Raven, stay with me,"

As he's talked, he's moved from the handrail to rest more on Raven. He doesn't actually look up to speak with either Erik or Hank as that motion hurts and he debates closing his eyes.

[andproud]

She slides an arm around his to link them in closer, frowning at him in concern before her gaze redirects from Charles' face to Hank's, hovering over his shoulder.

She doesn't say a word, but instead moves to help Charles walk, leaning into him for added support.

[no_more_hiding]

Whether she meant it as admonishment or not, it hits Hank harder than Charles' words and he mouths a sorry but she's already lowered her gaze away from him. Unsure what to do, he goes to clear the doorstop so they don't trip over it on their way out.

Charles will be alright with some rest he tell himself and he's pretty sure he's right.

[balancingminds]

Charles can walk, but its harder to concentrate and he's glad to have Raven close.

As they make their way to his room, he says quietly,

"Thank you. I just need to rest, this isn't too different from those times I've been overwhelmed in a city just more."

[andproud]

Raven doesn't say much in the way of words, doesn't even try to think directly at him even though she knows his mind is likely overwhelmed from the flood of everything before.

Instead, she nods, smiles, helps him to bed and gently reaches down to stroke his hair a few times before leaving him to rest.