LOG: Mutants and Molotovs - Nathan and Manuel - Status Checks

[x-empath.livejournal.com]

Nathan, doing the responsible thing, checks up on Manuel to make sure that he's doing OK.



Manuel sat in front of the television set, idly toying with a bottle of water in his free hand. His suitemate was off being social, which suited _him_ just fine, as he really wasn't fit to be good company at the moment. He was feeling melancholy - the wound in his heart was still fresh, although well-bandaged by the Mansion's three primary telepaths. He had a vague desire to go do something that would let him kill the pain of all that nothing inside, but that was really too much like work for him right now. Best to sit, play with the bottle, watch the telly, and try not to think about it.

There was a knock at the door, accompanied by the telepathic equivalent.

Manuel got up and opened the door. He'd been expecting this visit. "Good evening, Nathan. Come in." he said, perfectly correct but without any passion whatsoever. Once Nathan had entered the hotel room, he sank back into his chair and then looked over to the big ex-mercenary. "Come to check up on me before lights-out?" he asked blandly.

"You knew I would," Nathan said, coming in and closing the door behind him. He didn't sit down. "How are you feeling?"

Manuel shrugged. "It still hurts, but I'm not in any danger." he said. "It's odd. I'm shielding much easier now. Haven't felt a thing all day." he noted.

"You no longer have a built-in vulnerability. That's what links are, you know. Chinks in the armor." Nathan leaned back against the door. "You have those meditative exercises you were taught, if the pain gets any worse. They're better for you than drugs."

"Haven't needed any painkillers today either so far. I slept on the plane, and I'll go to bed early tonight." he said calmly. "I'm in no hurry to push things along. I feel fine, though." He then yawned, giving something of a lie to his words. "OK, I'm a little tired." he amended.

"Plenty of sleep will help." Nathan hesitated. "You know this isn't me delivering platitudes," he said finally, more quietly. "That I know precisely what you're experiencing right now, in terms of the broken link."

Manuel nodded. "I know." he said simply. He was almost going to say more, but then let it die unvoiced. "The _fact_ ... " and he stressed the word just slightly "... that she tried to kill me before departing makes things a little more bearable. But only slightly."

"I think that's what's known as burning your bridges. Not that it helps."

Manuel smiled a thin half-smile. "No, really?" he said, showing at least a small flash of humor. "I'd never have imagined." Not only had she burned her bridge, but she'd taken his heart with it.

"She didn't tell you where she was planning to go, did she?" He had to ask, although he didn't suppose he was going to get an answer, even if Manuel had one. Call it instinct.

Manuel shook his head just slightly, but didn't say a word. He suspected he knew where she was going, but he couldn't prove it. "I really couldn't say for certain." he finally stated.

Nathan nodded, and didn't push. There were other ways to find her besides pressuring her... victim? He didn't know what other word to use.