He frowned. He'd have quite liked to talk to Higgins - if it worked out that way. "Maybe not Professor 'Iggins then," he said, in a cockney accent. He shook his head, giving a grin to say he was merely making fun of the book, before moving on.
"That's a good example," he said. At least there wasn't a return of the question. Xavier supposed he'd need a back-up fable for "himself" eventually. Sinbad seemed like a good possibility - The Count of Monte Cristo had claimed to be him more than once - aside from the fact that Xavier Delamere did not travel.
His head shot up at the mention of Brian's past. Even though it'd been years since he properly studied it, strange episodes or issues with the mind fascinated him. Despite himself, he leaned forward. Questions came out before he stopped himself. "Did they only happen in high school? How long did they occur before they started treating you? And if it's stopped, what did they have you-" He cut himself belatedly, a grimace crossing his face. He ducked his head down, mentally berating himself. Xavier wasn't supposed to be interested in these things, he'd studied business before dropping out of Oxford. FUCK. "Sorry, psychology has always been a hobby of mine." Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, he better not suspect that was too strange- "Something like would stand out though, in terms of fables, wouldn't it?"
Still uneasy from his slip-up, Xavier shook his head, not trusting what he said. "I don't think so. Some do, from what I've read and heard." He stared at his hands for a long moment, bare and his own. There was a split second before he looked up. Distracting him with this might make him forget the too many questions and how disturbed Xavier was by asking them. "Can you keep a secret?"