InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I'm wearing clean underwear."

muppet_thighs (muppet_thighs) wrote in tensor,
@ 2011-02-15 20:09:00

Entry tags:

jono_starsmore, josh_foley

Backdated to Feb 12, late afternoon [Josh]
Since he didn't need to sleep or eat, the powers evaluation had been almost immediately, much to Jono's relief. He wanted to figure out what happened and what was going on with his body. Optimism and hope were strong in Jono, but having your jaw blown off and burning away most of your chest cavity did not have a visible upside that he could fathom. He'd been in a daze on the plane, not awake but not asleep and hearing sounds and voices but sometimes feeling them too. Like they were stroking his hand or something. It was definitely weird. The UK branch of where they were sending him had bandaged him well and clothed him in layers that hid what was going on, so that stares were all for the strange boy in too many clothes for the weather who didn't take off his heavy coat on the nice warm plane.

In the Reyes Medical Center, Jono felt more exposed than if he'd been fully naked (which he had been at some point, but he must've started blocking things out of his memory), laying there on the table with a pair of scrubs pants barely clinging to his nonexistent hips, bare to the waist. His long fingered hands clutched handfuls of crumpled exam table paper and his psifire glowed like a cheerful campfire that just needed some weenies and mallows. Most of the gauze had been removed from the edges of burned skin but would be replaced when the exam was done. Jono certainly did not feel like he was missing his jaw and chest front, which explained why he kept trying to speak.

To be sure, the medical team had been incredibly thoughtful and respectful, to the point Jono was becoming suspicious. There was one last healer who was going to look at him, a powerful student who would be overseen by Dr. Reyes. She promised he would be bandaged back up, dressed, and feeling comfortable before he left, but he had no way of knowing if she would do so.

Throughout the exam Jono had tried to keep his eyes closed, because he didn't want to see people looking at him. Like he was different. Like he was an experiment. Like he was a freak. But a student, at the school he was going to go to... Jono scrimped an eye open. And tried that new way to talk he'd been taught.

His mindvoice was weak and reverberated rather like a bad 70s disco, but it was his voice. *A... Alright?*

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muppet_thighs
2011-02-16 06:56 am UTC (link)

The part of Jonothon raised properly by the Social Workers and children's home employees had 'thank ye' on the tip of his proverbial lips, but the implications of the rest of it sank in. *I... I en't... people enymore?*

Letting go of the wads of paper for the first time since the exam began, he let that thought pass by him as he looked at Josh with concern clear in his brown eyes. *An' ye,* he asked carefully, *Are... ye alright?*

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fatedtouch
2011-02-16 07:27 am UTC (link)

Josh nodded, managing a reassuring smile for him. "Nothing that a really big meal and two days of sleeping in won't cure. Don't worry about it. It happens sometimes." It wasn't exactly a lie. There really was no guarantee it would never happen again after all.

"And of course you're still a person. You're just powered now, is all. In the most miraculous, awe inspiring way that I've ever encountered in another powered in my life."

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muppet_thighs
2011-02-16 08:02 am UTC (link)

The latter was probably the most incredible thing anyone had ever said to Jono in his life but he was still a little too stunned and weak to really take it all in. It was heady stuff for a kid who was only two weeks past his fifteenth birthday.

But a curious eye checked the blond over and found him... well, at his word. If a body could still talk and smile and stay standing, it had to be just tired.

Powered, eh? he thought. So this is powered. And at the back of his mind he allowed himself the tiny pitying thought that if his parents were alive now they might even be proud of him... but they weren't. They hadn't seen any of his small victories, but again, had not been present for his many colossal defeats. Jono had not bothered to hate them for leaving him for a very long time, but now it stung and had he a working body tears might've pricked his eyes.

But they were dry and still as he lay back, head filled with new, weird thoughts tempered by a traumatic experience and an entirely new way of being.

The exam was over. His chart was half an inch thick, stuffed with scan results, measurements, tests. Dr. Reyes moved a cart over prepared with bandages and ointments and thick leather strips that would keep things contained.

The burns that lined the two or three inches of the torn cavity all around were unusual, in that at no point had they ever shown signs of infection or the million other things that serious burns were prone to, but never too showed any signs of healing. If Jono had still been a being of liquids he would've bled out a dozen times since his manifestation but the wounds were lightly damp and that was all. Blood that had dried rather than clotted. Deep inside his body Jono was healing, but the psifire had decided that establishing its home was more important than giving all its attention to maintenance.

It didn't meant the burns weren't painful. Jono's hands clenched and unclenched and his eyes squinted shut as Dr. Reyes gently cleaned and applied creams that would keep germs and infections out. The best she could do was tape the gauze to the uninjured skin and let it flap over to cover the hurts.

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fatedtouch
2011-02-16 09:42 am UTC (link)

It hurt Josh to watch. To be unable to help the other boy, who so seemed to need it. Instead, he helped Dr. Reyes bandage him up. Eyes trailing the burned edges of his body he'd tried to heal, with naught but painful rebounded results.

When they were done, it was like looking at an entirely different person. "Don't take this the wrong way, I don't mean to offend you," Josh said as he helped him up. "But the psionic flames? Make you look really attractive." He grinned and stepped back. "Maybe someday you'll be able to walk around with them. I know a couple of kids like that. It's a real unique, interesting look. No one will ever forget who you are."

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muppet_thighs
2011-02-17 07:24 am UTC (link)

Pain made Jono aware of all the things he wasn't doing and all the things he was. Like, he wasn't panting or gasping or crying out, but every once in awhile his brain automatically remembered for him and he let out a mindvoiced *OW*.

Since he'd been sitting or laying down almost since he'd manifested, Dr. Reyes and Josh helped steady him as he stood for the first time. An assistant came in, as Jono's psifire extended down to a ragged line across his hips and there was no way on earth those scrub pants were going to stay up if they came unachored. It was then that he found out he couldn't blush anymore, and was thankful for it.

Once he was all bound up and standing, there was a moment of the psifire trying to well up at his head, used to flowing up from his chest, but Jono gave a kind of mental swallow and it resettled more evenly. Feeling with his hands, he was happy and surprised to note he had human dimensions again and that the bandages and leather didn't just lay flat against him (god that would've been horrid)

Josh's words took him by surprise as well. He hadn't thought of his power in terms of what it looked like (too concentrated on how it felt) and he wasn't the type of child that had been complimented on his looks, even by the most well-meaning home employee. No one forgetting who he was was a little horrific at the moment (though a tiny part of him way way in the back of his mind thought that was too wicked), but he just said, *Thank yeh.*

Dr. Reyes said then, "We have a uniform for you, honey. Do you like boxers or briefs?"

Dr. Reyes could call anyone honey or sweetheart and make it sound so natural, Jono had thought before. Sometimes the Brits sounded just as insincere as they were, but the good doctor sounded like she meant it every time. Slightly embarrassed, Jono pointed to the briefs. Josh was asked to turn around, and Jono was helped into his pants and trousers. Or briefs and pants, as Dr. Reyes said. He had to get used to these Americans and their speech. He fumbled the buttons on his shirt and looked with distaste at the long blue tie.

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	fatedtouch 2011-02-17 07:49 am UTC (link)
	"Need help?" Josh asked, back still turned, as he heard the shuffle of fabric. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	muppet_thighs 2011-02-17 07:53 am UTC (link)
	He was still on edge about the whole thing. Jono gave up on the buttons when Josh queried. He gave a strange psionic sigh. Aye. And then he remembered his manners. 'F yeh would, please. Er. Most call me Jono. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fatedtouch
2011-02-17 08:01 am UTC (link)

Josh turned around. "Josh." He stepped up to him and began doing up his buttons. "You know, once you learn to control it, you could probably get away with flouting the upper uniform for the most part." He slipped the tie around Jono's neck and began to work it into a proper knot. "They insist on everything being just so here. Unless you have special conditions."

He adjusted Jono's blazer before stepping back. "There. It's official. Welcome to Xavier's."

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muppet_thighs
2011-02-17 08:10 am UTC (link)

*I moight anyway,* he replied, brow furrowing as the tie was tied.

Rolling his shoulders rather uncomfortably inside the uniform, he tried not to look out of sorts after Josh had helped him. It was just his luck to get out of the freaking UK and then get into an American school that had uniforms. Again.

*Thank yeh,* he said, feeling shy for the first time in a long time and not really liking it. Unconsciously his hand went to his tie to loosen the knot. He didn't have much of a neck anymore, but it still felt like a noose. And it served no purpose! It was just... decoration. It was relieving to feel old irritations.

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	fatedtouch 2011-02-17 08:13 am UTC (link)
	Josh smiled. "Do you know where you'll be yet?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

muppet_thighs
2011-02-17 08:25 am UTC (link)

*Be?* The orientation had been wonderful and informative, but Jono had not been able to take it all in. *Er. Pierce Hall. Two... Two sixteen.*

If Josh were asking about classes they were in trouble, because Jono couldn't remember. He'd get a list later though. *At 'ome I was in tenth form. 'Ere I think they said I woz in... ninth grade.*

For normal kids it would be a GCSE year, but Jono wasn't good enough in any of his subjects to take any. Really, he'd been looking forward ending his schooling at sixteen and then seeing if he couldn't work till he was kicked out of the system two years later. Now, he might even have a future. It was... a strange feeling.

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fatedtouch
2011-02-17 08:35 am UTC (link)

"Oh!" he replied, perking. "You're right next door to my boyfriend. I'll tell him to keep an eye out for you." At the mention of his grade, Josh nodded. "I'm a senior. Twelfth grade," he clarified. He wasn't quite sure how it worked in the United Kingdom. "Grade doesn't always determine your course load in America though, especially here at Xavier's. If you're ready for a more advanced class, they'll put you in a more advanced class. They stress education here and prioritize it. So, you don't have to worry about being in a class that's not right for you."

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muppet_thighs
2011-02-17 08:40 am UTC (link)

As one who didn't really like school, this was not exactly welcome news, but Jono just nodded. He didn't even bat an eye at the mention of 'boyfriend'. In London there wasn't exactly less homophobia as the gay culture was slightly more mainstream. Thank Elton.

Jono didn't know how to translate the grades to forms either, but figured it meant Josh was near the end of his schooling. *No more school for you then,* he asked, to clarify. *'Ow old are yeh, then?*

It would be something to look forward to.

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	fatedtouch 2011-02-17 08:50 am UTC (link)
	It didn't even occur to Josh that someone would freak out over his being gay. He'd been out for so long it hardly registered anymore. "Seventeen. But, I'm hoping to get into the advanced healing program for college. Get set up Pre-Med so I can get into a good Med School." Josh had a lot more school in his future. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

muppet_thighs
2011-02-17 09:02 am UTC (link)

Past sixteen, which up until a few years ago had been the last year required for schooling (now it was 18, but Jono had just slipped under the deadline, not that it mattered anymore) there were two voluntary years of school that had to be paid for, but they were for those smarties who took A levels and GCSEs and were going on to college.

And then he frowned, which only showed in his eyes and forehead. If he was in ninth grade and Josh was in twelfth... *Blimey, I 'ave four more years o' schoolin?! Fer legal 'n all?!*

Jono was stunned.

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	fatedtouch 2011-02-17 09:09 am UTC (link)
	"Three," Josh corrected gently. "Not counting the second half of this year." He tilted his head. "Are you okay? You look like you might pass out. Maybe you should sit again. We don't know what your abilities demand on your body." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

muppet_thighs
2011-02-17 09:21 am UTC (link)

Still, three more years. Plus the rest of this one. Jono didn't know if his transcripts had made it over yet, or if they'd been sent on ahead. They weren't exactly impressive. Straight Cs.

*I... I'm fine,* he replied. *Jus'... I woz gonna drop out 'n get meself a job 'n all.*

But he did sit down when Dr. Reyes brought over a wheelchair. His power was making his eyes glow and reflected his uncertainty.

*Gotta support meself, get a place,* he murmured, still confused. *If I don't go t' college 'ere, they gonna send me back?*

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fatedtouch
2011-02-17 09:37 am UTC (link)

"Not necessarily. You could probably get a job if you wanted to stay. Though, if you're lucky, S.H.I.E.L.D. will recruit you. Then you won't have to worry about anything. The cadet program is strictly exclusive. Invitation only." He walked along side the wheelchair as Doctor Reyes rolled Jono out of the exam room. "A lot of kids spend their whole school lives on this focused track, trying to get an invite. Everyone's tried to figure out who they pick, but no real theories seem to hold up. Its really random, out of the blue choices sometimes." He shrugged. "It's better to just not think about it, in my opinion. If you're not obsessed, you won't be crushed when they don't contact you."

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	muppet_thighs 2011-02-17 09:41 am UTC (link)
	Jono leaned back to let the chair do all the work. He still felt odd inside, but was getting used to it. ...What is S.H.I.E.L.D.? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fatedtouch 2011-02-17 09:44 am UTC (link)
	Josh raised an eyebrow, nearly bumping into Doctor Reyes as he paused midstep. "You've never heard of S.H.I.E.L.D.?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	muppet_thighs 2011-02-17 09:53 am UTC (link)
	Jono thought about this. He kind of had, but what it was still didn't gel with him. They're like... Delta Force or that, roight? Why would he want to be in the armed forces? The American armed forces? Don't guess I'll 'ave te worry 'bout them. And he did cheer up a bit. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fatedtouch
2011-02-17 10:01 am UTC (link)

"There was probably an agent or two escorting you over." They turned a corner and Josh pointed to a young man in a dark uniform. "That's agent Lensherr." He waved and the agent turned a smile on him and briefly waved back before resuming talking with one of the doctors. "The cadet force trains internationally, you don't have to worry about not getting in. If your host nation sponsors you, then S.H.I.E.L.D. will train you. Which is a luckier break than the rest of us. You can turn them down though, it's not a draft. Enlisting is completely voluntary."

He waved at another pair of uniformed agents. "It's a nice career though. Stable, good pay, just the right mix of exciting and unique to keep life interesting. Some agents travel more than others, but that's a whole different thing."

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	muppet_thighs 2011-02-17 10:09 am UTC (link)
	Jono had never thought about what he wanted to be when he grew up because he'd just assumed he'd stay in London, get a McJob, and die at a relatively young age. I dunno wot I'll wanter do later, he admitted. But make money. Gotta support meself. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fatedtouch 2011-02-17 10:24 am UTC (link)
	"That's where Xavier's comes in handy," he replied with a small wink. "It dazzles on any resume. Alum employment rate is the highest in the country. And they start with higher end wage salaries. No matter what you choose, Jono, you're going to do alright. That much is practically guaranteed by your being here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

muppet_thighs
2011-02-17 10:29 am UTC (link)

It was a little weird, getting so much support and encouragement. Back in the UK he'd been given a good dose of reality, which was only fair, really. But now, it was like he could do anything.

Still Josh sounded a little too optimistic about Jono's future, but Jono just nodded. *Bet you'll be top shelf,* he said, a bit wistfully. *Top doctor, all th' way.*

They'd come to the entrance of the Center, and a car was waiting. It would take Jono back to the dorms so he could rest up, and find a list of his classes and the things the other people had bought him for school.

Getting up slowly, he looked shyly at them both. *Thank yeh,* he said, ducking his head in a bit of a nod. *Twas lovely o' yer.*

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	fatedtouch 2011-02-17 10:36 am UTC (link)
	"Thanks," he replied in response to the compliment. When they reached the car, he shook Jono's hand. "You're welcome, Jono. It was nice meeting you. I'll tell Kevin and Santo to watch out for you. And I'm right down the hall if you need anything. Just ask Kevin, he'll show you." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	muppet_thighs 2011-02-17 10:38 am UTC (link)
	A-Alroight. You get some rest now. He shook back and got into the car, clicking the belt. He nodded to the doctor and the healer, and then the car was off. (Reply to this) (Parent)

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