Let's get down to business.

[no_more_hiding]

Getting settled and training to stop Shaw is a daunting challenge. Fortunately, Hank loves a challenge. Alex's powers continue to be unstable (though Hank has a few ideas on apparatuses to help), Sean's hyper-sonic vocal cords are a wealth of possibilities, and even Erik is seeming to experiment with his abilities. Though he steadfastly refuses to let Hank help, adamant that he has had enough experimentation performed upon him. Still, he is working with Charles, which is better than nothing.

Hank has also seen Raven exercising her abilities or even walking about in her blue form; which still makes Hank anxious, though there is a certain beauty to it. She's also been lifting weights, running, and anything else she can think of to get stronger. Sometimes she and Hank find time to practice together but all to often Erik seems to arrive or already be there. Well, sometimes it is Alex, Sean, or Charles, but more often than not, it is Erik.

Hank is working on his physical state as well. Running every morning with Charles, and racing in the afternoons, as well as talking books and ideas. Despite the C.I.A. physical requirements, Charles always seems to win these races though. If only Hank could find some shoes that would be comfortable for him to run in.

Comments

[balancingminds]

Charles loves how the house is full, this is what he wanted, to be teaching and training and helping other mutants. He only wishes that they weren't preparing to fight. There haven't been too many personality clashes, but he knows which ones to look out for. Hank and Erik seem almost ready to growl at each other, Alex is still prickly and Sean is unsure of what he can manage. Raven, he doesn't know how best to help her but Erik is listening.

He enjoys beginning his day running with Hank, he knows that if he can show Hank that the physical can work with the mental, he'll be stronger, "Are you going to beat me this time?"

[no_more_hiding]

"I'm certainly going to try," Hank replies, tying his laces securely.

[balancingminds]

"You always try, but you're not using all of your talents to succeed," He says as he gets ready to start running.

[no_more_hiding]

"What do you mean? I've studied running techniques and apply them," Hank replies, startled, his thoughts all on his mind and how much he utilizes it; and yet not a hint of his physical prowess occurs to him.

[balancingminds]

"Yes, but you're forgetting your physical abilities. Allow yourself to see what you can do."

[no_more_hiding]

"Okay...okay, I can do that. You're right." Hank sets himself up for the start, waiting for Charles' signal.

[balancingminds]

"Of course I am, now show me,"

Then he gives the signal and runs, he loves how in running, its easy to get lost in the motion.

[no_more_hiding]

Hank leaps into action himself, and focuses on the feel of running rather than thinking of technique. To keep his mind busy and out of the way of his body, he work on equations of velocity and torque. The method works, in leaps and starts, but ever time Hank gets ahead, he trips, or his foot slips, or he steps wrong and has to adjust his gait, giving Charles a chance to catch up, until Charles wins once again.

Breathily deeply and slightly flushed, Hank shakes his head; kicking his feet against the ground to try and loosen them up.

[balancingminds]

"What would happen if you didn't wear shoes? That way your feet would work for you instead of against you?"

As its clear he has all the other pieces in place in terms of focus, but he doesn't trust his body.

[no_more_hiding]

"I..." Hank starts to say as the excuses fill his head. He stops and gives his feelings an honest look; discovering yet another benefit to living and working with a telepath is that you can't really lie to yourself anymore.

"Worth a try," he says nervously, bending to untie the laces. Once his shoes and socks are off, he stretches out his feet.

He is surprised at how natural and freeing it is.

[balancingminds]

"Now let's see what you can do if you use all of your advantages,"

This is what he was hoping for and he can feel Hank being comfortable.

[no_more_hiding]

Okay, you can do this, he thinks as he rocks back and forth. You owe it to Division X to stop Shaw and to do that, YOU have to be your best. Don't hold back. Be strong. Be a man.

Hank stands at the ready but he's likely a little distracted.

[balancingminds]

"One, two, three,"

Charles counts and then sets off as he can hear Hank overthinking once more.

[no_more_hiding]

It takes Hank another second or so to realize Charles has started the race and then another while he frets about missing the start.

Then he runs.

He doesn't think, he doesn't analyze, he just runs. He runs so perfectly, he loses himself in the power in his legs and lungs.

Charles is forgotten as he speeds past him and beyond. He turns at the corner of the mansion, laughing in the excitement of letting go.

All too soon, at least for part of Hank, he sees Charles' back in front of him again, having run a circuit about the mansion. Leaning forward to find even more speed, he touches Charles' shoulder as he races past again to stop, laughing at the finish line.

[balancingminds]

Charles joins in the laughter as Hank's joy is warm,

"I knew you would beat me."

[no_more_hiding]

"That felt remarkably good," Hank says, panting a bit from laughter but not extortion. "Thank you."

[balancingminds]

"I know, because you're using all of your strengths. Let's go around again, see how fast you can be."

[no_more_hiding]

"Okay," Hank says with an eye towards Charles' breathing. He wouldn't want to overexert the man after all. "I wish..."

I wish I could trust my strength, his thoughts finish for him.

[balancingminds]

"I'm fine, Hank. I want to see all that you can do. Don't hold yourself back. I trust you."

[no_more_hiding]

"Okay," Hank says with a deep, steadying breath. He shifts his feet to get a good grip and sets himself to run again. He thinks to let Charles call the start again but then decides against it.

"Ready...set...GO!" He says, giving Charles plenty of warning. On 'Go' he doesn't so much as start into the run as leap into it.

[balancingminds]

When Hank sets off, Charles laughs as he races after him. Its a joy to see how Hank is using his body in all the ways that are possible.

[no_more_hiding]

The path they race on has always been clear but it is bracketed by shrubs and trees, which ends up tempting Hank in odd ways. He springs to the left, off the path and starts vaulting over the shrubs as he runs; at first losing speed but soon enough he gets his pace down and gets his lead back.

[balancingminds]

"Yes, see what you can do!" Charles yells after him as he laughs.

[no_more_hiding]

Hank keeps going and even adds in a few flips from trees; though he slips on one landing and has to pick himself back up.

By the time Charles makes to the finish, Hank is panting a little and has a proud smile.

[balancingminds]

"Didn't that feel good? That's what happens when you stretch yourself."

[no_more_hiding]

"It did," Hank says with an enthusiastic nod before turning serious. "I'm so used to hiding, I hardly know what my body is capable of. I think...I know I need to find out and before we meet Shaw and his people. We all do."

[balancingminds]

"Yes and I'm here to help. Don't be held back by your old ideas of what's possible,"

This is what he's been wanting to do, helping other mutants like Hank find their strengths and flourish.

[no_more_hiding]

"Less 'what's possible' and more 'don't be noticed' I fear," Hank replies with an awkward smile. "I imagine Alex and Sean, not to mention Raven, have a similar mind set. We need to get used to being allowed to be who we are now, even if we can't be that all the time."

[balancingminds]

"Yes, that's my dream that someday the don't be noticed isn't even part of the equation. Here no one has to hide which is a beginning."

[no_more_hiding]

"I think," Hank says nervously, "that if I am anything to go on, there will be a lot of personal adjusting. Mutants...We all learn to hide ourselves, but those of use with physical mutations more so. Why don't we go get some lunch and we can discuss this some more. I wonder if some psychology practices might not be worth looking into."

[balancingminds]

"Yes, I can actually recommend some books to you. I've began reading psychology books as soon as I realized how it could help me understand my own mutation. Its also about education, teaching how to use what's there and how to enjoy it. This is a beginning but one I feel hopeful about,"

He says as he walks inside to figure out what comes next today. The various futures he's come across in Milliways worry him, but he's already seen a difference in Hank, Raven and especially Alex.