:: Arianna :: True Calling

[Alexandra Lawson]

Alex listened intently. Even though her fear had started well before her mutation had manifested, it was made all the worse in recent years. She was amazed she didn't have an ulcer or hadn't been committed as the constant anxiety knowing she could suddenly and accidentally conjure the one thing that would lead to an instant, paralyzing fear, Arianna wasn't wrong. It was a poignant look into the psyche of a young woman who's life was now defined by fear. Fear of fire. Of her power. Of the unknown. Fear had become such a staple in her life that it was no wonder Arianna could pick up on it even after a leave of absence.

Slowly she nodded and swallowed hard. She wasn't going to cry but Arianna's words cut deep. Alex already knew her former teacher was right. She'd been aware of the parallels drawn between her fear of fire and all the rest of the anxieties she carried with her. Having them presented in such a well-spoken, hard hitting manner, though, was a lesson in clarity. "I'm trying." She said, her tone not relaying the truth of the statement. Alex had been working tirelessly with not just her power trainers, but also a therapist in order to overcome her phobia and cope with her constant homesickness. She wanted to beat it. Wanted to be as normal a girl as possible. She offered a small smile to Arianna. "Why do you always know the right thing to say?" She asked.

[Arianna Robins]

"Oh, honey." Arianna patted Alex's shoulder affectionately, knowing she'd probably heard all this before. "I know you're trying. I'm not saying you're failing, I'm just saying what I see. You have gifts. Many of them."

Alexandra spoke again, and she smiled. "Well... I could blame it on being a damn good teacher, but really, well, the truest words come from the heart, and I really do care about you, you know. I do."

She brushed some hair back behind her ear. "Listen, I'm sure you probably have so many people to talk to, who want to help you. You're a smart girl. I won't be the first person you've spoken to about this. But I want you to know: if there's anything at all I can do to help you, I will, without a second thought. You hear?"

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OOC Notes:

[Alexandra Lawson]

There was more weighing on Alex's mind than her lingering personal and new found professional fears but that would be a conversation for a later day. She'd already been pulled from a nervous, anxiety ridden state to one of near total contentment by just talking with her former (current?) mentor for a few minutes. In truth, Alex found herself drawn to Arianna because the English teacher reminded her so much of her beloved mother. The two women were similar in so many ways. They were both passionate about the work they did. They were both strong, independent and free thinking individuals who seemed to cherish the act of caring and never were too busy to nudge a wayward teenager in the right direction.

Alex smiled and nodded. "Okay." She answered simply before flicking her eyes toward the clock on the wall and issuing a frown. "That's the one thing I don't like about college." She said with a resigned sigh, her attention shifting back to Arianna. "I'm always late for something." Slowly she got to her feet, bringing the strap of her backpack up along with her. "I'm really glad you're back." She said, turning her eyes upward to the woman. While everything was good and the girl was far more relaxed now than when she'd entered the classroom, Alex had a sneaking suspicion she'd be calling upon Arianna again in the future. Knowing she was there brought no small amount of comfort.

"So, um, I should probably go." Alex fidgeted a little. She wasn't very good at this part. Saying goodbye would forever be something she just couldn't get down. It always felt awkward and reluctant, especially when she couldn't contain herself and she lunged forward, dropping the strap to her pack, and wrapped her slender arms around the English teacher in the tiniest bearhug. "Thank you so much." She breathed, clinging to Arianna tightly.

[Arianna Robins]

"Oh, Christ on a cracker, you should have seen me this morning. You want late for something, you'd have been laughing. From 'oh, shit, I slept in' to 'good morning class' in ten minutes flat." She laughed and stood as well, slipping her hands in her pockets and smiling at her favourite student.

She'd totally never say that out loud.

"I'm glad I'm back, too," she said, and it was true. "It was..." She paused for a moment and shook her head. "You know, that'll be another visit. But it was an interesting trip."

And then, a few more words and an awkward pause later, suddenly Alexandra was clinging to her, and Arianna felt a pleasant rush of surprise and affection. Without hesitation she wrapped her own arms around the girl and held on just as tightly. "Darling, anytime. Any time, I mean that. I missed you."

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OOC Notes: