Time for Reflection

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

After having her injuries--as superficial as they were--treated in the medbay, Lyta had gone immediately to get some much needed sleep. Her encounter with the inquisitor in the sensorium had been grueling, nerve-wracking and painful. She'd suffered a multitude of bruises, several lacerations and one of her ribs had been cracked. However, she had thankfully survived. She had gone through what the Vorlons liked to call "the crucible" and she had come out the other side. She had, like all that had before her, come out changed. She had more doubts, more questions, more uncertainties than she had when she had gone in. But instead of doubts concerning her safety, questions of the superheroes humility, and uncertainty over whether she could trust them, all the new ones were about her.

This was why, when she finally woke back up from her rest, Lyta made her way down to the city and headed directly for one of the few places she had discovered that was peaceful here: the Garibah Tree. The tree under which she had first met Ax, the one that reflected a person's feelings back to them. And that was just what Lyta needed, for her emotions to be shown to her in the hope that, perhaps, she may gain some sort of perspective.

Comments

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Lyta isn't the only one looking to get some perspective. Or, at the very least, a good spot to get his thoughts back in order. It could be hard on Stacy when the ship gives him a permanent headache.

So it's probably not all that surprising that Jono stumbles on the tree. And Lyta. Sorry, mate. Didn' mean to walk in on you thinkin'. Nice as it is to talk to other telepaths, he really doesn't know Lyta much. They've linked to protect the group. That's about it.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

It's all right, Lyta replied. I just needed to get away, clear my head. Which is a little difficult when the entire crew is screaming at the top of their minds most of the time.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Don' I know it. He walks over, stopping about ten feet away or so before sitting. Either them or Stacy. I ain't ever got me shields down much.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

You still getting the headaches? she asked. While the static sound in her head had been almost overwhelming at first, it had, over time, died down considerably and become more of an irritant than a pain. But that didn't mean the same was true for the other telepaths.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono nodded. Almos' like pressure headaches. Stacy's pretty overwhelmin' if given a chance. It was probably his unique physiology that made it a problem. Not that he thought of it that way. Add in all the minds what keep comin' awake an' it gets more difficult. Harder t' filter out, so shieldin's jus' the easiest way t' handle it.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean, Lyta said with an empathetic nod. She has to be hiding something. Something she's afraid a telepath would be able to find. Which is probably why she's interfering with our abilities more than anyone else's.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono reaches up, rubbing the tip of his nose. Some people chew their lips or a nail when they're thinking or nervous. This one is his tell. Reckoned it was jus' 'cause she's a lot bigger 'an us, psychically. I mean, she's one 'ell of a presence. Lyta must have noticed that. Makes sense, though. God knows the ship knows a lot more 'bout what 'appenin' 'an she's lettin' on.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

Maybe you're right. But I've met powerful telepaths before, even alien ones, and they always seem to have a lot more control over their abilities. They know how to keep their psychic imprint from being so...overwhelming, Lyta said. But I've never felt anything like this before. It just seems too intentional.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

He nodded slightly, glancing upwards a bit at the tree. True enough. I been 'round some pretty powerful telepaths 'fore meself. Taught by a couple of 'em. So, yeah, I get what yer sayin'. They're generally good 'bout keepin' their presence small if possible. Jono leaned back, the corners of his eyes pulled down. Wonder jus' what's bein' hidden.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

My guess would be everything that she calls 'classified,' Lyta replied, drawing her knees up to her chest and hooking her arms around them. You know, I've been thinking. We know that she can keep us out individually, but what if we worked together?

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

He tilted his head in thought at that. Reckon we could get Dr. Grey in on helpin'? Or d' you jus' wanna keep this to ourselves fer the moment? It wasn't like he couldn't afford a few more Violations, honestly.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

Well, two telepaths is good...three is probably better, Lyta replied.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

He nodded, rubbing his thumb across his nose again. I'll ask. Ain't no harm in 'at. She ain't as strong as the one I know from me world, I don' think. But there were extenuatin' circumstances with 'er, anyway.

Somehow, he doubted that Stacy wanted to deal with the Phoenix Force.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

What kind of extenuating circumstances? Lyta asked, tilting her head curiously.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Gettin' a boost from an alien psychic entity. Best he could describe it, at least. This one don' seem t' 'ave the extra boost.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

Lyta nodded. You know, that's not the weirdest thing I've ever heard, actually. Especially considering that I started out as P5 until the Vorlons made their alterations.

She paused, pinching a blade of grass between her fingers and giving it a tug. She's primarily telekinetic, right?

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono looked blankly at her and shook his head. Dunno what P5 means, other 'an you weren' as strong a telepath 'fore the Vorlons. Whoever the Vorlons were. He'd missed Babylon 5 when it was on the air. Our classifications are a bit broader, I guess. Strongest mutants are Omega. Next are Alphas, then Betas.

He tilted his head in thought. Mainly, yeah. This one, at least. The one in me world was 'bout equal 'tween the two.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

That's interesting, Lyta said. Where I'm from, telekinesis is pretty rare and those that can do it are usually driven insane by their abilities. The Psi Corps has done experiments to try to develop telekinetics from telepaths but the almost always end with the person burning out or bursting a blood vessel in their heads.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Ain't 'sactly the mos' common where I'm from, neither. Nor telepathy, he pointed out. It's natural fer 'er, though. They're the powers she ended up with in the whole mutant lottery. Don' see 'em t'gether too often. Only other ones I know of are her kids.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

"She has kids?!" Lyta exclaimed out loud. "And they're already exhibiting psionic abilities?"

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

The corners of his eyes turned upwards. Sorry. It...ain't so clear cut as 'at. There's time travel involved. Both of 'em 'ave come back to me present from different future timelines. Cable's somewhere in 'is thirties or forties. If not older. Rachel's in 'er twenties. Both of 'em are bloody powerful.

[lytaalex.livejournal.com]

"Great," Lyta said with a groan and a roll of her eyes. "Just what this place needs: more time travel."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Well, this one ain't the one from me world. Possible 'at it ain't ever happened in hers. Just as well, really. The time travel stuff gave Jono a headache. It's pretty usual where I'm from. Alternate timelines, alternate futures... He trailed off with a shrug.