On the clock

[Terrance Layton]

Terry was waiting for someone to enter the room. He blew his hair away from his face tiredly, leaning against the randomly placed chair in the middle of the room. This was the part he disliked. The actually talking to drama queen teenagers part. He liked looking into their mind, liked messing them up, or even shutting them up when they made their problems a tad too big for his taste. Oh boo hoo, my school boyfriend sent a sext to my best friend! Big fucking deal. My hair keeps falling off from stress! Be bald. Seriously, there was an answer for everything. 

He looked at the clock at the wall. The recently assigned student was late. Five minutes late. This was bullshit. If the student was late, that meant he'll have to keep the session going five minutes into the next and then that one into the next and by the end of the day he'd be leaving here late! That meant less time to... do his stuff. Okay, he had nothing to do but go home and read and get drunk. But hey! It was his free time and he'd spend it how he liked.

He threw his head back and stared up at the roof lazily. Six minutes late. Well, he was so going to take the time out of the session because there was no way he was going to go home later. No sir. He heard the door open and he grunted.

"You're late." He said, without even looking up. 

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina had lost track of time while working out and she hadn’t felt any great need to rush through her shower. She slowly got dressed into a simple black tank top and blue jeans, delaying the inevitable as long as possible. She even took time to pot in her favorite gold hoop earrings because she was enjoying procrastinating so much. Her walk was unhurried and she didn’t care to check the time as she arrived at the trainer’s door.


    Selina was not looking forward to this. She infinitely preferred training on her own. She knew how to physically discipline her body already and the mental discipline… well, she was working on it damnit. Meditation was a part of her daily routine and though she still had times where her emotions were uncontrollable, she was doing a hell of a lot better than she had been when she’d arrived here. She paused before she entered and took a deep breath to compose herself before she let herself in and heard his terse greeting.


    “Actually, I’m Selina,” she responded dryly. Her whole body was tense at being alone in a room with an older male, as it always was, but she hid it with the same smile she always did. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m sure.”

[Terrance Layton]

Selina. Yeah, that was the name of the student. "Sure, pleasure. Whatever." He nodded toward the closest chair and moved to get better adjusted. He watched her then in silence, taking her in, nodding her way as if he'd discovered something. He had nothing other than 'short' and 'Earrings. Compensating?', but he wasn't about to admit that! Truth was, he was far too tired and bored to really care so he let out a deep breath and looked at her, shrugging slightly.

"So..." He started, still staring, "Why are you here?" Usual question. Kids didn't look for one on one training unless they needed help with something in particular. That meant this girl had a problem of sorts. Of sorts boring, if you asked him. Where was the drama? Where was the flavour? "Problems controlling anger? sadness? excitement?" Because he so wanted to give her the same recipe he took (pills and booze) and get this thing moving along.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina had been dreading the moment he’d ask that, but she’d also been prepared for it. “I’m here for the sake of improving both my mental and physical discipline,” she offered with a bland smile. There was no way in hell she was going to tell him the real reason, but she wouldn’t lie to him either. He was the embodiment of most that she feared, and she was forcing herself to train with him so that she could at the very least function in the presence of an older man. “Actually, no,” she responded coolly. Her problem was fear, but she couldn’t admit that yet.


    Selina stayed standing, unwilling to sit down. She wouldn’t give up any advantage, no matter how small. Damnit, she hadn’t thought past this point really. She studied the man and wondered if there was truly any point in having come here. He seemed about as eager to do this as she did. Selina briefly wondered if she should just leave. Why put herself through this literal mental torture if she wasn’t even going to get anything out of it? Selina steeled herself though, as even if he wasn’t worth anything else to her, she could gain from this by merely acclimating herself to being around him and hoping that it would help her against others.

[Terrance Layton]

Terry stared at her as she answered. "That sounds rehearsed." He said dryly, still trying to figure her out. She was smiling, but there was no sentiment behind it. Not that he wasn't used to that sort of smile, his personality often crashed with others and he'd seen a good amount of forced smiles in his life. He never got the reason why people would do that. If they didn't feel like smiling then they just shouldn't. Ah, but if people were honest that would make his job so boring. This was the fun part, the getting them to open up part.

No. She wasn't happy nor sad, she wasn't angry either. Weird. Most kids here were angry. "Well, there must be something wrong for you to need a trainer." He stared again, going quiet for a moment. "This would be much easier if you were willing to share."

"Are you not going to sit?" He asked in a low voice, his eyes narrowing, trying to read her. She'd chosen to stand despite his staring, his usual tactic to make people feel uncomfortable and do something. That's what that always did, uncomfortable situations called for distraction, and such distractors were key to finding out what bugged them. Not this girl. She was standing. He half smiled then. Maybe she was more interesting than he first thought.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina merely shrugged, not denying or confirming his observation. “Regardless, those are the two things I need to focus on,” she responded calmly. It was a relatively vague focus she knew, but she figured the trainers probably had some basic regimen or something to give the students. Selina tried to figure out some way of telling him what she needed without telling him why. Perhaps it would make this easier, “If I just went through my typical routine, would you be willing to give me pointers on how to improve it?” she asked simply. There. That was basic enough, slightly more specific in nature and still perfectly neutral. She would be forced to work with him and get used to him, and he might actually end up being able to help her out.


    When he mentioned sharing, Selina’s expression remained as guarded as ever, “I’ve already shared with you what I’m looking for, what more do you want? Besides, must something always be wrong? I’m merely looking for a way to improve my skills.” It was a half-truth, but Selina wasn’t about to open up to any man she’d just met five minutes ago. She wasn’t sure what purpose her opening up would even serve, as she could still get what she needed from him without it.


    Selina then looked him in the eye, not phased in the slightest by his staring, “I prefer to stand, but thanks.” She could be polite when she needed to, but her tone was firm enough to indicate that it would be foolish to ask the question again.

[Terrance Layton]

Mental and physical discipline, was it? Terry stared at her as she answered. "You need to focus on." He repeated, focusing on one particular word. "You seem to know exactly what to do, then." He replied, "If you already know what you need." Terry sighed, shaking his head as a sardonic smile broke his face. Kids. They always knew better than the professionals, didn't they?

"I want to help." Answered Terry with a nonchalant shrug, "That's what we trainers do. We train students- eh, you." He pointed at her as he said that, "So you can improve. But my training doesn't exactly involve fighting." He stood from his chair, walking around the room, turning his back to her as he talked and approached a nearby table. "I like to approach things differently. If we manage to figure out what holds you back, then we can work with that." He grabbed a nearby bottle of water and opened it, taking a deep gulp and nodding at her. "But for me to do that, I need to read-er, know you." And he wasn't going to do that if she kept her walls up. She seemed to prefer something else.

"Alright, then." He said, actually amused at her attitude. Girls with spunk. Bellefonte seemed to be made out of those. "Show me." With that he threw the water from his bottle at her, hoping to see some bending action. He had no idea how her powers worked and for all he knew, she'd end up wet. Oh well, better her than him.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina glared at him, “I know I need your help, however little you may actually have to offer.” She wasn’t truly angry with him, but if she could get him to rise to the bait, she could attempt to manipulate him into doing what she wanted him to. She almost scoffed at his claim to want to help but held in her cynicism. She almost replied with how she knew exactly what it was that held her back, so why did he need to even bother? But she once more held her tongue as she knew that statement would only bring her unwanted and unnecessary questions.

    When he stood though, she could feel her entire body go rigid. She watched his every movement, hyperaware of everything he did and ready to attack at the slightest sign of a threat. So when he threw the water at her, her entire being reacted without her even thinking and the water formed into a razor sharp spike that was aimed right at the trainer’s neck. Selina panted with the effort of both changing the water’s form and shaping it to her will, as she hadn’t had time to mentally prepare herself for it, but her eyes remained locked on him the entire time. She didn’t once take her focus from his features, and her whole body was still tensed and prepared for another attack.

[Terrance Layton]

However little? "My, how insulting." He replied with half a smirk, "If you believe that then why are you here? I cannot help those who don't want my help." But maybe she did and that's why she was here. This girl had history and he so was craving to hear it, but he couldn't just ask, not with all those walls. But this was the fun of his job. Figuring them out. He just hoped her story didn't involve bad haircuts or someone calling her fat. That would be such a disappointment.

Was it him or was she watching him like a scared gazelle would a lion? Is that what she thought of him? Curious, but not surprising. So maybe there was something particular about him that bugged her. It'd be fun to find out what.

Okay, maybe not fun. Fun's over. Mommy. His eyes widened in fear and he took a step back as she turned the water into a spike. Okay, that'd been dumb. "Impressive." He gawked out, raising his hands out, "But unnecessary." He let out a breath, not wanting to give her a reason to attack. See? This is where some USEFUL powers could come in handy. What was he going to do if she attacked him? Sleep? Curse whoever thought making his powers be 'sleep' was a good idea.

"So... Your problem are not reflexes. It might be reacting extremely to day to day occurrences though. Let's try not to make the trainer uneasy, okay?" Maybe she was just one of those kids who liked to pretend being a badass just because they had powers useful in battle. But he'd seen something in her eyes as she made that, as if she was expecting him to- to- to jump at her? Why?

"Are you frightened?" He wondered, his hands still up so she could see he wouldn't try hurting her. The question was more or less rhetorical, but her answer would just confirm his suspicions.

[Selina Taylor]

    There was no way in hell Selina would repeat the fact that she needed his help. She’d already admitted it and come here, and that was enough of a blow to her pride as it was. She merely stayed silent and wondered if she should leave until he started to move, and then pure instinct took over.


    After he tossed the water, Selina was almost frozen in place, not entirely cognizant of what it was she’d just done. When he spoke, she blinked and came back to herself. Selina eyed him warily, but with his hands up in the air and that expression… he didn’t seem like he would try anything again. She pulled the frozen water to her hand, “Sorry,” she apologized, though she still didn’t let go of the make-shift weapon in her hand.


    The feel of having something to defend herself with was comforting and the feeling of the ice against her hand was helping to further ground her in reality. She watched him cautiously, still trying to figure him out. Rationality was slowly making itself known to her again and she realized that what he’d said held some truth in it. Perhaps she had overreacted, but she still couldn’t convince herself to let go of the weapon in her hand. She wasn’t threatening him with it by any means, just attempting to calm herself down.


    When he asked her if she was frightened, the glare she sent his way was particularly venomous… but she couldn’t force herself to lie to him either. So she compromised, “Why would I be?” she demanded, deflecting the question. Admitting fear was admitting to a weakness that he could exploit, and she couldn’t allow an enemy to have that kind of advantage. And right now in her defensive mindset, “enemy” was the only thing he could be.

[Terrance Layton]

Sorry, yet the scary icicle was still in her hand. Terry still nodded in acknowledgment though, merely to reassure her of it. "It's alright." He said, but his voice might have shown he was actually scared of the girl losing control of herself. As if crazy, hormonal teens weren't scary enough, the universe had to give them super powers that could easily murder anyone who pissed them off. And here he was, doing the pissing off. "Might help a bit if you- uh, melted that thing." He added, nodding at her hand.

She was so defensive. Terry let out a breath and sent her a disbelieving look. Why should she be scared? Well, "You tell me." He said, pushing her to admit whatever was bugging her. His job was to keep kids like her from hurting others, and if this was going to be how she was going to react every single time someone did something as silly as throw water at her, then she'd probably end up hurting someone.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina stared at him and finally forced herself to let go of the ice, letting it fall to the floor and shatter. Selina glanced around the room in a slight panic: they were alone. She’d attacked a teacher while alone again. She was going to be blamed again, and no one would believe her. It was the same thing happening over again and she backed up a step away from him as her hands started to shake slightly, “You attacked me first,” she murmured, reassuring herself of the fact. Reminding herself of her own reality, which she’d constantly questioned ever since high school.


    After constantly being called a liar and the teacher studiously making sure she was seen as hysterical, if it hadn’t been for her mother’s constant support and reassurance, Selina wasn’t entirely sure she would still be sane. Thanks to the support she’d had though, Selina knew her own mind and she wasn’t hysterical or irrational. Her response, in regards to her history, was perfectly reasonable. She wouldn’t have done it had he not attacked her first. She finally remembered his response to her question and she looked him in the eye, “You have all of the power,” she said unthinkingly as she desperately wished she hadn’t dropped her only defense.

[Terrance Layton]

Attacked? What the hell was she talking about? Terry walked around her slowly, hands still stretched out in case she thought of picking up that icicle again. "I threw water at you, a water manipulator." He explained slowly and clearly, still concerned that she'd end up attacking him. And he'd thought the girl would be boring! What a thrill. "That's not exactly an attack, unless you consider ruining your hair had you not reacted one." Wow, he so hoped other kids wouldn't play pranks on this one. She was harsh.

She answered his question and he stopped walking, staring at her in surprise. Power? She thought he was powerful? "You're the one who can make icicles that can pretty much kill me and you think I have the power here?" He snorted and shook his head. What a weird girl. But something made her afraid and he wanted to figure out what. "Why would you think that?" He hoped she wouldn't avoid this question. Despite his bad attitude, he really wanted to help, especially since it seemed this girl was far from dull.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina glared at him, her anger briefly overcoming her reason before she clenched her fist and fiercely reigned in her temper. Selina wasn’t one to appreciate being mocked, but she also knew where he was coming from. “…I was on edge. I interpreted your sudden movement as an attack and responded in the way I considered appropriate according to what little knowledge I had of the situation.” Every word was cold and clinical. Selina’s guarded expression showed nothing. He could mock her all he liked for that, but truth was she’d had mere seconds to respond and her instincts were what she relied on to defend herself.


    Selina then took a deep breath to calm her nerves before she answered his second question. How could he not realize? How did he not see what she did? Her entire posture relaxed and slowly became less hostile as she melted the ice beneath her. “Look. I’m sorry about threatening you,” she apologized again as she looked up at him and tried to be a bit more understanding, though she was still taut as a bowstring. Part of her apology was also because she knew he could twist this into whatever he desired and she would do what she could to prevent that.


    The internal debate on whether or not she should explain herself raged until the moment she began to speak, “…You hold a position of authority within the school. Whatever you tell them goes on in this room is what they’re going to believe. For instance, if you decide to tell them I’m the type to attack a teacher with zero provocation, they’ll believe every word. I could argue and tell them otherwise until I’m blue in the face, but we both know who they’d listen to… especially considering the fact that they already see me as ‘troubled,’” she added with a bitter edge in her tone.

[Terrance Layton]

Terry nodded, still eyeing her carefully. "It's the edge that bothers me." He said, "Makes me think you're not very comfortable here." He shrugged, "I just don't see how this situation could be interpreted other than a student training with her trainer." He stared at her, "But I'm curious to know how YOU interpret it, if not that way." There had to be a reason why she was 'on edge' as she put it. He just needed to find the right questions.

An apology. That was surprising, although he had a feeling she hadn't meant it. Not fully, at least. "I appreciate that. Although I wouldn't say you were threatening me. More like... overreacting. Which is perfectly fine, I just want to figure out why." Why indeed. She had to be hiding something, or she would be more relaxed around him.

And why she explained. Terry nodded. "I see." He said, "Is that what happened before? Are you... speaking about an experience?" She must have! This was far too detailed for it to be random speaking. Besides, fears like the one she seemed to have didn't come out of nowhere. He smirked a bit. "Being troubled is not necessarily a bad thing, though don't let those fools above me hear it. It means-" He shrugged, "It means you have a story to share. No one is 'troubled' as they call it just for the kick of it." This girl didn't need training. She needed counseling.