xp_logs | Angelo and Hank, early Saturday morning

Hank comes down to use the gym and finds Angelo already there. They talk about Amanda, travel and careers.

Sleep was just not happening any more tonight. Angelo had actually managed some, but it had been restless and eventually he'd just given up, unwilling to take the tablets for some reason he couldn't have named. What with his higher security rating, he didn't think it was a good idea to go out into the grounds at this time of night, so he'd headed for the gym instead.

Joyita, hating as ever to be left behind, had followed him and was now curled up against the opposite wall, half-asleep but still watching him as he went through the sword forms Falla had taught him so many months ago.

Hank had finished his shift - Jean having gotten up early and come down to relieve him - and had thought to get a little exercise before going to sleep. His leg was almost healed, now, and usually at this hour he'd have the place to himself...

Not today, though. He blinked, a little surprised to see Angelo, but ambled into the room anyway, gravely offering Joyita his huge hand to sniff. "Good morning," he said softly, as Angelo turned to see who it was. "Difficulty sleeping, or just trying to get the place to yourself for a while?"

Angelo nodded a greeting with a slight smile, lowering his sword. "Some of both. Couldn't sleep, an' there's always people down here. Not that I mind trainin' with Clarice or Jubilee or whoever, but I need to work on my forms by myself too."

Hank nodded. "That's why I come in after night shifts, too." He scritched behind Joyita's ears gently, smiling as she gave him a sleepy wag. "Would you like me to leave you to it, or may I use some of the machines?"

Angelo looked vaguely startled and shook his head hastily. "No - stay, totally. 's what the room's here for, I don't wanna chase anybody away."

"I'd understand, if you did want the place to yourself... sometimes everyone needs time to themselves, and you've been having a rather exceptionally bad few weeks, from what I gather." Hank fussed over the dog a little more - she was really terribly cute - and then headed over to the nearest of the machines, one of the ones designed for those with enhanced strength. "I'll also understand if you don't want to talk about it, of course. We've been having some nice weather that we could discuss instead."

Angelo grinned wryly. "Gettin' time to myself hasn't been all that much of an issue, really. There's those that've been doin' their best - Kitty, Jubilee, Jake, the Pixie - but... 's not the same. They're all busy anyway."

Hank nodded. "With Nathan immured in the Medlab, and Amanda away, and so on... yes, I suppose it wouldn't be a problem, would it?" He smiled ruefully. "It always seems to go that way, doesn't it? Everything seeming to come apart at once? Especially around here, when we're all a bit unravelled around the edges at the best of times."

Angelo began another simple sword kata, almost without thinking about it, and nodded. "Yeah - this place gets like that sometimes. Still don't think I could leave for good, though, bad moments aside."

"Good. You'd be missed." Hank loaded up the machine and sat down, flexing and stretching his arms - a lengthy process that took a great deal of room."I've left at times, myself - going to medical school, working at the Brand Corporation, and so on - but I've always returned. Once you've been here - it's hard to leave permanently. Even if you think you want to at the time... sooner or later, you find your way back."

Angelo shrugged. "'ve come very close to just packin' up an' headin' out, a time or two", he admitted. "Keepin' in touch, but seein' a bit more of the world than LA an' the mansion an' New York State. Never actually done it, obviously."

"Perhaps you should, some time. Seeing the world can be very broadening, I'm told." Hank cracked his knuckles thoughtfully. "Mind you, around here, the world tends to come to you, rather. Even other realms." He yawned a little, and smiled. "And I'm blathering on a bit, I suppose, telling you things you already know - I've been up for quite a while."

Angelo grinned and moved on to a slightly harder set of forms, but not one that took so much concentration he couldn't have a conversation at the same time. "That'd be where I learned these, an' got the sword. Asgard."

Hank eyed the sword curiously. "Really? How fascinating...." That would explain why the sword had looked a little... odd, to him. He was used to more modern incarnations. "It doesn't talk, does it? Magical talking swords are always trouble."

Angelo grinned. "No, it doesn't talk. Does have runes on it, though - meant to improve its owner's luck in battle, I think. I got the same ones tattooed down my back, a while ago. A souvenir."

Hank nodded. "Luck in battle is always useful." He looked down at himself and sighed. "Even if I could get a tattoo," he said, a little sadly, "there wouldn't be much point. I always wanted one, when I was younger, but never got around to it, and it would be pointless now."

Trying to cheer him up, Angelo suggested "Permanent dye?" with a grin.

"It would grow out eventually." Hank grinned. "I suppose I could always shave a pithy phrase into my fur..."

"Ah, but that'd grow back too. I bet Jamie could come up with somethin' really permanent, given time. Or Doug, or Forge."

"I don't think I want to know what they'd come up with." Hank grinned. "Oh, well." He finished stretching, and started working on the weights.

Angelo grinned, moving onto another drill. "Yeah, you're probably right. Best not to think about what the resident genius inventor and two pranksters could do if they teamed up."

"Don't ever suggest it to them." Hank laughed. Then he sobered, looking over at the young man. "So.... I hear you're considering a career on the thin blue line," he said a little tentatively.

Angelo nodded, suddenly more serious himself. "I... yeah. It's a possibility."

"An admirable ambition," Hank said seriously. "And one for which your training here will stand you in good stead. The numbers of criminals with assorted powers - mutant or otherwise - is only going to rise, and police without powers of their own, or training in how to handle them, will be at a distinct disadvantage."

Angelo shrugged and added quietly, "An' I've seen it from the other side, too."

"Also a point." Hank nodded. "If you do decide to go for it, I'd be happy to put together some of our files for you on the best methods of coping with assorted powers. If you're going to be out there taking risks in the name of law and order, I know that I for one would like you to be forwarned - as much as is possible, anyway."

Angelo smiled at that. "Thanks - I'd like that. Um, if you're goin' to - Kitty said Jubilee was thinkin' about it, too, an' she thought other people might be. They should have the files too, if I get them."

"Of course. Jubilee and I haven't really talked about it yet, but we will. And anyone else, as well." Hank smiled a little. "I have no intention of letting any of you go out into the world without all the metaphorical armour of knowledge that we can offer," he said softly. "And any other help we can provide, as well."

"I know", Angelo answered truthfully, smile growing. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Hank grinned. "And, fortunately, many of the most efficacious methods will be readily available to you, even without the use of your powers. For example, the best way of stopping a psi in his or her tracks is still a sharp blow to the head, which would certainly come under the heading of subduing a dangerous individual before they can do more harm." He considered it. "Doing more work on your shields is always a good idea, too, in order that you may be able to hold them off long enough to clout them."

Angelo nodded. "I've worked on that with Nathan, on an' off. With Ms. Braddock, too, before."

"Good." Hank smiled. "Good shields are useful in all sorts of situations - believe me, I've often been grateful for mine." The number of young psis with iffy control that he'd had to deal with, for one thing - from Jean onwards. And then there were actual enemies...

Angelo chuckled slightly. "I can see how they're useful 'round here, yeah. Psis with control issues..."

"Dozens, over the years." Hank nodded. "And that's something else you'll be able to do, working with the police." He let go of the weights, looking at Angelo seriously. "You're going to encounter young mutants. Delinquents, runaways, those who have been turned out of their homes... it's inevitable. And unlike your fellow officers, you'll have more options than putting them in prisons or in foster care... both of which are likely to only make their lives worse."

That made Angelo smile. "That, right there? 's mostly why I'm thinkin' about it."

Hank nodded. "I thought it might be." He smiled at the younger man. "It's... a good feeling, to know you can go out and really help someone. That's why I became a doctor."

Angelo nodded back. "If Scott hadn't come an' found me, after... well. I got lucky. I know not everybody does."

"Very true." Hank nodded. "And those of us who have gotten lucky should spread the luck around, don't you think?"

"Absolutely", Angelo answered with another broad grin.