Practice and emotions (open)

[Tessa Brands]

It had been kind of hell trying to find a place to practice where no one might accidentally get caught up in her powers on accident. She had tried the recreation room, since everyone seemed to be outside... and not five minutes into the practicing someone walked in. She had tried her own room, but the walls weren't as thick as they could be. Tried one of the empty classrooms but obviously she didn't know the schedules as people began to filter in before long.

It was a bit of a hassle if she was to be totally honest. But, she knew things would change once she moved her anyways. By the time she found the greenhouse, she was feeling a little mixed up as all this running around had taken her away from thinking about practicing the set she had planned out and on to thinking about writing another song.

Tess waited though, sat and waited to make sure that the greenhouse had the lack of traffic that she thought it might have. Once she thought it was safe, she began plucking at her guitar to get the general idea of what kind of tune she might have to work with. The idea formed quickly though as she let her emotions get into the mix. It might not be a song she'd ever release publicly but the point of practicing was to make sure she kept up with her voice ranges. It was alright to make songs just on the spur of the moment. She took a breath and began to actually play.

"No sir, well, I don't wanna be the blame, not anymore
It's your turn, so take a seat
We're settling the final score
And why do we like to hurt so much?

I can't decide, you have made it harder
Just to go on
And why, all the possibilities
Well, I was wrong

That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa

I drowned out all my sense
With the sound of its beating
And that's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa

I wonder, how am I supposed to feel
When you're not here?
'Cause I burned every bridge I ever built
When you were here

I still try holding onto silly things
I never learn
Oh why, all the possibilities
I'm sure you've heard

That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa

I drowned out all my sense
With the sound of its beating
And that's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa

Pain, make your way to me, to me
And I'll always be just so inviting
If I ever start to think straight
This heart will start a riot in me
Let's start, start, hey!

Why do we like to hurt so much?
Oh, why do we like to hurt so much?
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa

That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa
That's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa

Now I can't trust myself
With anything but this
And that's what you get
When you let your heart win, whoa"

((song and lyrics by Paramore))

She panted slightly a little breathless as she was done, not having expected the whole song to have slipped out so easily. Emotions fueled her. Go figure. She hung her head a little as she continued to work on slowing her breaths down back to normal.

((warning, her powers are in effect so in replying to this thread you're agreeing that your character will be caught up in the results.))

[Cyclops]

Scott had been walking around the school, looking for some students that had not shown up for class. This would have usually been someone else's problem, but the way things were right now Cyclops didn't really have a whole lot of options. Besides, it was always better when it was "Mister Summers" telling them to go back to class than someone else; someone that might have seemed softer and had more obvious mutant powers.

That was something most of the kids here didn't even know because Cyclops usually ran the Danger Room simulations, not actually participated with them. Well, not with the lower class-men. He knew that some of them sometimes hid out in the greenhouse, so that was his next stop. What he saw when he got there wasn't what he had expected: Tessa playing her own little song.

Cyclops didn't like the song. In fact, it really wasn't the kind of thing he was in to. He was sure that her legions of fans (at least, that was what he assumed she had) felt differently, but Scott was used to being different than most people. There was something going on though... Something about the song.

"Tessa?" Scott asked, his hands raised as he thought he felt a tingly sensation.

He was feeling an almost overwhelming sense of loneliness and confusion. Thankfully Scott was used to feeling it, so he had some measure of resistance. Some, as in not complete, because he suddenly became very depressed.

[Tessa Brands]

As she heard her name, she snapped her head up even while still working on catching her breath to make it more even. Oh shit.... it looked like the greenhouse hadn't been so safe after-all. She could tell by his face... well, what she could see of it, that there had been an effect on him. Tessa wondered how long he might have been there for. And felt embarrassment trying to creep into her.

"I didn't think anyone came here this time of the day." She commented as she straightened up and adjusted her guitar so she wasn't as draped over it as she had been.

"Don't worry, that's not going to be in one of my CD's, it was just me.... messing around some. Vocals practice; it doesn't require much in the way of lyrics, just how the voice range is hit." She said before scratching her shoulder a little.

Tessa took a breath then spoke up again.

"So how much of that did you catch? Need me to sing another diddy to try to fix your mood up?"

[Cyclops]

"I didn't think anyone came here this time of the day."

Bar absent students, they didn't. Scott supposed it was fortunate, as he really didn't need a bunch of impressionable teenagers being caught up in whatever this was. He was guessing that it was her power manifesting, and he could feel the waves of emotion pushing at him. He supposed that even the most strong-willed of students would have problems with it too, so he immediately told himself to keep everyone away from her when she was using her power in future.

"Don't worry, that's not going to be in one of my CD's, it was just me.... messing around some. Vocals practice; it doesn't require much in the way of lyrics, just how the voice range is hit."

Oh, well that made it all right, didn't it. It made all the feelings and experiences he'd gone through while losing Jean just fade away, didn't it. Actually, no, it didn't, but it was his own damned fault for getting caught out here in the first place. So much for tactical thinking.

"So how much of that did you catch? Need me to sing another diddy to try to fix your mood up?"

Scott shook his head, having to clear his throat just after giving a hard swallow.

"I'll be fine. You might not have noticed, but I'm not exactly known for my good moods around here. I'll manage. You know the Professor told me a little about your ability, but I never thought... I never thought it could be so potent." He said, barely managing to get the words out coherently.

[Tessa Brands]

As she listened to him speak, she felt a little more embarrassment flooding in. She should have paid more attention, rather than getting wrapped up in her own emotions. Tessa felt like she should have kept in mind that she wasn't in a place where she could be sure she was alone. That, and that her powers leaked out whenever she sang whether she wanted them to or not. What if it had been someone who couldn't really control their emotions? Scott seemed to be handling it decently, but like he had just mentioned; he was used to less than comfortable moods or something.

"Yeah, they're pretty potent. I used to cause a reaction in the whole crowd at my concerts when I used to be on tour. And that's even when I wasn't going through the emotions of the songs myself." She said, plucking a couple of notes on her guitar due to feeling a mixture of awkwardness and embarrassment she wasn't used to.

Tessa removed the strap from around herself then set the guitar down into it's case before tugging and fidgeting here and there at her outfit.

"The truth is, I don't even know how potent my songs can be. I just try to make sure than if anyone's there to hear them, they're positive emotions that are being given out. Seeing what just happened now though, I'm thinking I might go off of the property to practice my vocals from now on. Find someplace that's actually secluded."

[Cyclops]

"Yeah, they're pretty potent. I used to cause a reaction in the whole crowd at my concerts when I used to be on tour. And that's even when I wasn't going through the emotions of the songs myself."

Scott tried to distract himself by thinking about the tactical and strategic methods through which her power could be exploited. He'd already thought about the crowd control angle, but there were others, like removing an enemy's willingness and desire to "push the button" so to speak. It could be very dangerous in the right hands, and Scott believed his were the right ones. Not just for her powers either.

What? He had been attracted to her yes, but this... This longing, had crept in. He wanted her. He had been attracted to her from the beginning, and he had only ended up becoming more attracted to her, but what was in his head right now was different. It was... Unsettling.

He had known all along that he was up for whatever Tess was up for, be it casual or something else. Scott was just the kind of person who liked to know what he was actually doing, which explained his somewhat guarded, curious nature when it came to women. Not knowing where you stood with someone was more than a little annoying.

She set the guitar down, and Scott actually had to glance away from her, trying not to watch as she tugged at her clothes. He didn't need to think about her body... Not now.

"The truth is, I don't even know how potent my songs can be. I just try to make sure than if anyone's there to hear them, they're positive emotions that are being given out. Seeing what just happened now though, I'm thinking I might go off of the property to practice my vocals from now on. Find someplace that's actually secluded."

Scott shook his head, trying to regain his self-control.

"The... The garage would be a good spot. Only the seniors go anywhere near there, and classes there only happen a couple of times a week. You'd be left alone and you wouldn't have to worry about... About affecting anyone." He said, only managing the last sentence after taking a deep breath to steady himself.

[Tessa Brands]

He shook his head and Tessa wasn't sure on if he was doing that as a response to her commenting on finding someplace off of the property to sing her songs and practice her vocals, or if he was shaking his head to something he was thinking to himself. Even if she had the chance of asking him what was going on, she didn't get the chance to actually do it as he spoke up first.

"The... The garage would be a good spot. Only the seniors go anywhere near there, and classes there only happen a couple of times a week. You'd be left alone and you wouldn't have to worry about... About affecting anyone."

"I might do that then... Unless there's a sound proofed room or something? I never did actually ask on that. Though, I probably shouldn't now that I think about it. I get enough alternate treatment from more than a handful of the people living here due to the band thing." She commented before ducking down and closing the guitar case.

After locking it as she usually did so the case wouldn't just open right up on getting lifted, she looked up at him while double checking the security of the case. It was an old case, one she'd had since she was about eleven. Sentimental value was what had her holding onto it for so long.

"Less than I worried about though, which I don't know if I should take as a good thing or as me not having gotten myself out there enough." She commented with a small smirk before sitting up once she was satisfied the case was as secure as it was going to get.

[Cyclops]

"I might do that then... Unless there's a sound proofed room or something? I never did actually ask on that. Though, I probably shouldn't now that I think about it. I get enough alternate treatment from more than a handful of the people living here due to the band thing."

He was stuck thinking about what she'd just said and turning his head away so that he wouldn't be looking down her top, as she bent down and closed her guitar case. It was tough, it was hard, so, so hard, but he just about managed, and kept his eyes averted while he thought about what she said. Or at least tried to.

A soundproof room... A soundproof room... Did they have one? Not above ground... Below ground there were some... Maybe they could organise a limited pass so she could have clearance to at least practice in peace? Yeah, that was a good idea. Even with what she had said about "alternate treatment" he found himself worrying about it nonetheless. Anything to keep his mind occupied.

"Less than I worried about though, which I don't know if I should take as a good thing or as me not having gotten myself out there enough."

She then closed the case, and he was able to breathe a little as he turned back to look at her. He still felt an attraction to her, and it was intense, but he was hoping that it would calm down now that she wasn't showing off or singing anymore.

"This isn't exactly a "normal" environment, so I wouldn't worry. And if you change your mind, I might be able to get something sorted for you so that you can really practice in peace." He said, though not without some difficulty.

[Tessa Brands]

"This isn't exactly a "normal" environment, so I wouldn't worry. And if you change your mind, I might be able to get something sorted for you so that you can really practice in peace."

She smiled both from being entertained about being told about special treatment after her comment, and from the mention of this not being a normal environment. He was right, but it was still kind of funny.

"Alright, so I might go along with that, despite the whole not wanting alternative treatment thing. I'm going to assume it would be somethign done for anyone who needed it." She told him in a somewhat teasing tone.

Not the ha ha kind of teasing but more of the flirting kind. Tessa was trying to distract herself away from the way she had been feeling earlier. Distract herself away from who she had been thinking about earlier. She didn't want to think about him, even if at the same time she did. If he hurt her so badly, why did she want him back?

[Cyclops]

"Alright, so I might go along with that, despite the whole not wanting alternative treatment thing. I'm going to assume it would be somethign done for anyone who needed it."

The way she was flirting with him got a reaction out of him, and he brought up his index finger to tug at his collar, stretching the round-neck of his sweatshirt. He was trying to keep his cool, and while it was easier than it had been mere moments ago, he was still feeling the effects a little, and it was taking a good portion of his restraint to keep it all under control.

Not that he wasn't wondering whether she felt the same way, though he couldn't be sure at the moment.

"You'd assume right, as it's how we do things here. Everyone has their own different abilities, so we have to be pretty flexible when it comes to accommodating the kinds of people that come through here. You're like anyone else, and yet at the same time you're not, if you get my meaning." He said, his skin flushed slightly due to his attraction.

[Tessa Brands]

She saw how he was tugging at the collar of his shirt and a brow lifted up, pointing at the arch. It was something she hadn't really seen happen in real life before. Aw, it was kind of cute. But was he sure that he didn't want her to sing him into a different mood?

"You'd assume right, as it's how we do things here. Everyone has their own different abilities, so we have to be pretty flexible when it comes to accommodating the kinds of people that come through here. You're like anyone else, and yet at the same time you're not, if you get my meaning."

At his blushing, she couldn't help but to want to tease him some. So she was playful, sue her.

"If I get what you're meaning? Do tell." She commented, wrapping her fingers on the edge of the bench she was sitting on, her hands on either side of her.

A part of her was curious on how much resistance he had against her singing. She hadn't seen anyone try to resist it before so it would give her more of an idea on how her powers worked. She WAS here to learn more about her powers after all, wasn't she? To learn more about them, to learn to control them more than she had self tutored herself to the point of...

[Cyclops]

"If I get what you're meaning? Do tell."

He had several options at this point. He could tell her, literally and bluntly, what he meant. He could turn it in to a flirt, but in his current condition, that probably wasn't a good idea. So what did that leave? Changing the subject? Telling her to "fix" it, so that he wouldn't feel like this? He had more options than he wanted, but he could already tell which one he was going to use.

"It's probably better if I don't go in to too much detail considering how badly I've been affected by your powers. I don't want to do anything... Improper, I suppose is the word." He said, more trying to reason with her than trying to blow her off.

He didn't want her to feel ostracised, nor did he want to show too much enthusiasm. It was a delicate balance that he was trying to maintain, and he had no idea if he was actually managing.

[Tessa Brands]

"You know, I really don't have a clue on how long my powers last on someone when it's on accident and when I'm using them out of raw emotion. Are you sure you don't want me to try to tweak your emotions back into place? You seem like you're not too comfortable with it." She commented, even if she was unable to keep from flirting a little while at it.

What, she was a little flirty by nature. Actually, no. Not by nature. She had learned the do's and don'ts of getting and keeping fans, and if you flirted at least on some level to the people you spoke with, you tended to get and keep fans. Go figure. But it was a habit she needed to wriggle her way out of, wasn't it...

Tess thought for a moment then smiled a little at one corner of her mouth. No, she didn't think she would be getting rid of that habit. It had become as much of a part of her as singing had. Anyways, it wasn't hurting anyone. Anyways, most people tended to think it was kind of fun or thrilling to play the game. He seemed like the type to just tell her out straight if he didn't like it.

[Cyclops]

"You know, I really don't have a clue on how long my powers last on someone when it's on accident and when I'm using them out of raw emotion. Are you sure you don't want me to try to tweak your emotions back into place? You seem like you're not too comfortable with it."

Scott shook his head, taking a deep breath.

"No, it's okay. I like a challenge." He said, taking another deep breath before letting out a long exhale.

It was true though. He saw it as part of his training; if he could handle what she threw at him (however badly), he would see it as progress made in his attempts to better himself. The need to be Xavier's right hand. the sword with which he exercised his will, was a pressure that Scott put on himself. Nobody wanted to be responsible for the lives he protected, hell, even he didn't want it.

If he didn't do it though, who would? Why let someone else take on the burden when you could protect them from it? That was the reasoning behind everything he did when it came to the team... They were his family, and he was the oldest son. It was up to him to protect them.

"So you can make a person feel anything with your music? Or just happy or sad?" He asked, his somewhat suggestive tone indicating that he was interested in something else.

He was trying to distract himself; to give himself an advantage he could use so that he wouldn't have to deal with the pain that was rushing back due to what had happened with him and Jean. Maybe it was better this way...

[Tessa Brands]

"No, it's okay. I like a challenge."

Did he, or was he just too stubborn to accept some help? Maybe he was paranoid about her powers now, and didn't want her to mojo him with them? Did anyone even use "mojo" anymore? That last thought threatened to make her snicker but she instead bit her lower lip to keep it in so he wouldn't have the chance of thinking that she was making funof him. Or, you know, plotting something evil to do to him.

"If you say so." She commented in a somewhat teasing manner, but in a way so he would be able to tell she was just playful.

"So you can make a person feel anything with your music? Or just happy or sad?"

"I can make them feel any of the emotions through my songs. Sometimes, even a small mixture of them. But, everything I've learned was through experimentation. Careful experimentation. I'm sure there's other aspects and elements to my powers but it's not like I actually went out to find out everything I can do with them. That's at least part of why I'm here, right... so I can really get into the deeper levels of what I can do?