Key to Survival: Adapting to Change.

[Kurisu]

To say that growing up in a world with such a gift was a blessing was far from the truth. For years, Alexa done what she had to in order to survive, but she wasn’t a child anymore, hell she was even a teenager. How the mutant managed to survive as long as she had been wasn’t evening her doing, honestly. If it wasn’t for her longtime friend since she was a young teen helping keep her mentally balanced, Alexa would have either been gunned down or in jail.  For that, she was grateful beyond words, though never being the ‘sentimental’ type, the psychic had yet to thank him for helping her, she’d just assumed it was a natural thing that didn’t need saying.

Throughout the years, blending in with society to not be ‘found out’ was proving to be far more difficult than the young female wanted. The psychic’s powers were growing, as she grew older, her gifts getting stronger to where she was beginning to lose control of them. It had gotten to the point where all Alexa had to do was think of something and the item would immediately lift into the air and if it wasn’t noted and stopped immediately it would head her way. Or during a rage chaos would happen and unwillingly a telekinetic force would be unleashed that normally would cause anything around her to go flying across the room. That was dangerous, and honestly, Alexa had brushed off everything as just emotional issues. Which honestly, that is what it was, but the danger of it all hadn’t clicked with her, not yet at least.

Not until this day, Alexa had never been a mentally calm person when under pressure or stress and had always been emotional, so granted her powers were tied to her emotions. The young woman had been in a meeting earlier that day, she’d gotten an office job several months prior, -surprisingly-, and was listening to all of the ‘new changes’ in the office that were beginning just put Alexa in a mood which was never a good thing. Her target, unknown to her was the one spewing the ridiculous rules out of their mouth. Truthfully, it was an accident, Alexa had been writing down notes of meeting when gasps were heard followed by ‘Sir, you’re bleeding… are you alright?’ That in itself was enough to get Alexa to lift her gaze and focus upon the man. Without even realizing, that had caused a mental ‘snap’ to sound within her mind which caused her eyes to widen, her gaze never breaking. After that moment, more blood began to pour from her superior’s nostrils before workers were on their feet and rushing over. while the psychic did what she could to rein in her emotions as she was the one to call for an ambulance. After that horrendous event, they were given the ‘okay’ to take off for the remainder of the day which Alexa had definitely taken.

It was a Friday evening, which meant the weekend free of no work. The event had still played within her mind that the beauty didn’t even have the ability to drive, she knew it would be hazardous so instead, she walked home. The ten miles on foot in heels was going to give her major issues but she’d soak in Epsom salt that night to help ease her body. Yes, she’d done worse in the past, she’d killed in the past, but that hadn’t been since her young teen years, at least ten years past since then. So for her to nearly subconsciously kill the man, wasn’t sitting well with her at all. For the walk home, the psychic kept her powers under wraps, and upon arriving home, she didn’t check to see if Arnie was home, and went straight to her room which she’d stripped of furniture other than a bed that was in the corner of the room and had the walls lined with noise insolating foam padding.

There, the psychic finally unleashed her emotion through a scream of pure raw unfiltered emotional. The though the padding absorbed a good amount of noise, but the vibrations of her energy shot out which even got pictures on the walls outside of her room to go flying as knickknacks shook, some even falling off shelves. Several moments of her unleashing, Alexa crumpled to her knees as she hunched over, labored shaken breaths escaping her as tears streamed down her face. “I’m done… I’m so fucking done…” trembling hands lifted to her plum locks which she grasped tightly, releasing a heavy chested growl, her fists soon releasing and pounding into the carpeted floor beneath her repeatedly for several moments until the physical pain itself caused her to stop. Only then did she curl in on herself, Alexa slumping over onto her side in a fetal position as shaken labored breaths escaped her as she attempted to calm herself before the chaos of her mind had silenced itself "... i'm a monster, a danger t-..to everyone.." her trembling vocals small as she laid there staring at the wall, tears escaping her glasz hues. What if it got to the point she hurt Arnie without even realizing she was doing it? Oh that thought scared the psychic beyond belief. For now, Alexa laid there, her mind slowing, it was a definite exhaustion. But for the most part, she curled up as she laid there, the sound of her heart beat calming to a normal thump was what she used in order to clear her mind. It was a trick she taught herself from a young age and it worked, even to this day.

After some time passed, a good cry and release of emotions had been what Alexa needed to even feel remotely better, it was enough for her to get to her feet, kick off her heels, and change into casual wear for the remainder of the day. Heading into the kitchen, the psychic headed straight for the kettle on the counter and set it to heat water for her calming tea blend. She’d promised to herself as well as Arnie that she wouldn’t reach for alcohol when stressed, because the times past, were never good. So while she waited for the water, she headed to the cupboard and grabbed a box of chocolates to lay out about five, but also nab her lavender biscuits to go with her tea.

[Mr. Cuddles]

Given how much time has changed, it made a lot of room to grow, to learn more, to be a better person, to try to be a better person. So much had happened for Arnie, he did get into the school his parents hoped he would get into, he did push and get his degree which they were proud of. The problem? The world around people like him changed drastically, and it wasn't changing for the good either which left his father questioning why he had to move far away from them, and why he didn't pursue a dream job. How could he? sure he could blend in with all the norms, and chat it up all day at the water dispenser, and for what? That wasn't what he wanted to do entirely, he just wanted to survive this harsh cold place. He worked in the IT department at a local plant, he went around fixing up their tech for most of his day from 9pm to 9am every three days of the week. It paid well which allowed him and Alexa to live comfortably without worry about the next check, but it also gave him time to relax and not stress so much. Then again he had someone else to worry about also.

This particular day he didn't have to go into work, he was able to sleep in a little and even get some reading in before stepping out to catch Alexa in the kitchen making her tea. "Bad day?" he could tell how her moods were some times, after spending so much time with a person they practically become a little easier to read. Although, he knows that isn't always true, but he knew her for awhile and the two of them knew when things weren't up to snuff. The funny thing was when his mother finally met her, he thought she was going to lecture him on his choice in girlfriends even though they were just friends. But his mom wasn't really too drastic, nor did she judge her, she just wanted to make sure that all was well. His father was a different breed, and wanted him to date some well off rich girl which he wasn't interested in. Dating...has become an afterthought.

When they were apart of that rebel group, he did have a girlfriend, but she turned out to be a real psychopath when he caught her killing someone over a dispute. Her reason in her own words were "He looked at me funny, besides...he's like the rest of them" that was a night he would never forget. The same night he pushed Alexa to walk away from all of it, for the two of them to just stick together.

Years have gone by since then, they were older, and a little more wiser, but the fears are still there. Arnie stood looking at her with a smile, he changed a lot himself, his hair was neatly trimmed, he had light scruff on his chin which he hadn't bother shaving since he was happy he was growing out a beard. Unfortunately due to his genes, the men in his family didn't grow their beards until late in their life, so to even have scruff he was proud to have it. The young man approached the counter and leaned on it, he wore a fresh white plain t shirt, and some meshed navy blue basketball shorts, he was lounging today, and he did just that whenever he could, unless there was something she wanted to do.

[Kurisu]

Throughout the years, Alexa had her fair share of male suitors but it was never ideal. Either times were rough or there was usually a mutual separation. Needless to say, perhaps she wasn’t the type to settle down? Honestly, it didn’t matter to her, she only had one person who mattered to her, being orphaned as a child and growing up alone. But meeting Arnie, and over the years he in sense became her only family she had left and she loved him, he was her best friend. So of course there would be no other man in her life that meant as much to her as he did.

Alexa wore pastel blue tank top with black yoga pants and house slipper, she had no intention on leaving the house especially with the day she’d had. The petite female had finished three of her cookies as she prepared her tea, had been in the middle of testing it when she felt Arnie’s energy nearing before he spoke. Slowly, her gaze turned toward him and at his question, there was a hint of pain in her glasz hues but she attempted a smile over the rim of her cup before taking a sip “That’s putting it mildly…” she whispered into her tea, taking another drink before setting the cup down and grabbing another cookie. But his smile, his calmer energy always seemed to help balance her out when she was rattled. So having him near at this moment was a definite comfort. Slowly a soft fraction of a smile tugged at her lips though after a few brief moments, faded. The younger was trying, honestly, but the weight of everything was just too much.

Slowly, the psychic drew in a deep breath to grasp her emotions before slowly exhaling “If you call subconsciously attacking your superior which puts him in the hospital. who possibly has some sort of brain damage because of said subconscious mental attack… then yes …I’d say it’s been a bad day..” her vocals soft, yet the sarcasm toward the end of her remark describing the day was definite. There were a few moments of silence, the psychic attempting to rein in her emotions but the words that followed she was unable to hold in “My powers are getting out of control, Arnie.. th-.. that scares me..” her vocals finally showing her true emotion as they escaped her in shaken breaths. Damn it, now she was emotional again. It took the beauty a few moments to draw in a few deeper breaths as she blinked away her tears that were beginning to sting her eyes. “I don’t know what to do now…” she finally spoke after several moments of labored breathing. “It was a meeting.. the new changes in the company and… it just.. happened. I was getting upset, yes but.. I didn’t want to hurt him. I didn’t even know that I was… until it was too late..” thankfully, being a psychic she couldn’t be tied to it, at least she hoped not.

With as bad of a day as she had, by now, the beauty would have gravitated toward him naturally, but the fear of possibly hurting him was keeping her grounded in her spot. Though Alexa had never hurt him in the past,  she made sure to always keep him protected. But to doubt herself, to protect him against herself.. yes the likelihood of hurting him was very slim, with how the psychic’s emotions were, she was truly afraid to even get close.

[Mr. Cuddles]

There was a surprised look on his face when she told him how she had lost control, but then again it didn't always surprise him. Maybe it did, because she was able to hold herself down this long, all those other times she should have snapped and didn't, but did over something entirely different. "...I'm sorry you that happened to you" came his words, he often tried to be comforting, but he could see she was starting to unravel, so he set his book down and moved in close and embraced her. "Take breaths, it just seems you need to vent out...you haven't done that in awhile" the two of them use to find secluded areas to just 'play' with their abilities, but lately things have been busy for them. "I just think you have all this energy built up inside you, and you have to let it out somehow" he pulled back from her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

When Arnie did get mad or angry about anything he had to leave the whole area, one night he got so upset over something he shut down power to the whole building, and other buildings next door. Everyone just thought it was a power surge, but lately he has been keeping his calm, and not letting himself get upset. So, reading has been his goto, to try and forget what was irritating him.

The two of them have been together this long, and of course the thought has crossed his mind countless times, on what if the two of them started a relationship, but he wasn't sure it would be best. They were different, not by person, but on a spectrum of what they were capable of, they were both dangerous, but they needed one another. Arnie wasn't sure on how she felt about that, he did love and care about her, but for her sake he didn't want her to torment herself based on decisions she'd make for him.

"You want to have a movie night? I could order take out, or whatever it is you feel for, or we could go somewhere, your choice". He would do anything to make her happy.

[Kurisu]

Hearing Arnie speak again was comforting, but that the moment, Alexa was having trouble stabilizing herself. Yet it was when he neared and wrapped his arms around her did her muscles tense up but only for a millisecond before she found herself leaning into his embrace. This was her best friend and he was attempting to help calm as he always did. Good thing, it was working. As the tall male went on to explain as to what it could possibly be, Alexa gave a nod, understanding and agreeing with him. “That’s more than likely what happened..” her vocals soft, near a whisper as she rested her head against him.

Alexa was never good at finding other means of unleashing, not outside their usual ‘play’ with powers. She’d been far too occupied with deadlines to even focus on play time. Not having an outlet for her energy built up to what had transpired today. The psychic was good at holding in her powers when the time called for it, yet it would seem that so much ‘holding in’ proved to be a horrid thing.  Oh how she hoped that her superior was alright, not knowing what level of strength her attack was, she was unsure of how much damaged had been done.

What Arnie meant to the psychic, she honestly couldn’t explain it if she tried. The plum haired beauty just knew that he was the most important person to her, always had been since they were young. It was love, and a love that grew right along with them. They were a team, always had been, saved each other time and time again, for him Alexa would wipe out many if she had to in order to make sure he was safe. Yes, for him she’d kill, had killed for him in the past and would still do it to this day in a heartbeat if it came down to it. So being more than what they were had definitely crossed her mind, it honestly wouldn’t be any different than what they had now, probably just a bit more physical, but they would already cuddle and watch movies, having gaming nights, and more. It was only just a matter of taking that extra step forward.

However, when he pulled away and placed a hand upon her shoulder, glasz hues lifted to him as a soft smile graced her lips “A movie night with take out? We haven’t had one in a very long time.” her vocals taking on an amused tone to accompany that smile “I’d like that, Chinese or Italian, I’m fine with either.”

It didn’t take long as the psychic closed the space between them and hugged onto him again, burying her face into his chest as her eyes closed, taking that time to bask in Arnie’s calmer energy, being a psychic she was good at sensing so she took this moment to help her stay grounded as she worked on settling her energy. ‘Thank you.’ her soft mental voice sounded within his mind as she nuzzled into him.

[Mr. Cuddles]

As she spoke to him he just smiled, but he was understanding of her situation, the two of them had been glued together for so long. There were even jokes at his job about how he lives with a hot woman, and the two are just friends which always blows his coworkers minds. Of course he often fantasized of the two of them were together, and if they got married, probably had children, but the children part would be kind of scary. Too scary, but that is just thinking too far. Arnie snapped back into reality as she gave options for what they would order "Hmm, lets try Italian, we had Chinese last time" he smiled wider, then blinked when she hugged onto him again.

Moments like these were reasons to stay alive, to stay fighting, to never give up when things got tough. There were so many times where he started to question himself, and he vowed to do everything in his power to protect her. He moved his arms around her and held her close, he could hear her words in his head, and it was quite soothing. The first time he had to deal with her voices were creepy, then after awhile they freaked him out when she would just do it without him being ready for it, but now he welcomes them. In fact, there are times where he feels alone without them, just knowing she was there kept him going.

"You pick the movie, I'll order" he gently pulled from her with a grin "And please...no sappy" he started to chuckle "Like you did last time, forgot the name of that movie, but it was just too much with the drama".

[Kurisu]

That gentle moment between them was absolutely comforting to the psychic, taking in his natural scent, being in the presence of him was just what she needed. Being close with him, knowing that she wasn’t along meant everything to her. There was love between them, it was felt, but the fear of ruining what they had going on is what kept Alexa from pursuing what she truly wanted. So for now, once she overcame her fear and her worry, being this close to him was more than enough for her. Though as he pulled away, glasz hues lifted to him as Alexa’s smile broadened “Italian sounds great and after today, not up to cooking so ordering out is definitely the best choice.” Her vocals reflecting the soft calmness that washed through her form as a whole.

As he spoke of her picking the movie and about their previous movie a laugh escaped her lips “I do admit, that one was a dreadful cheesy drama. No more of that, but something slower paced, more uplifting. Not sure what’s on the tube but I will definitely pick something that’s not a snoozer.” Leaning in she pecked his cheek and soon pulled away to go get their usual ‘set up’ of things for movie watching. Which usually meant her faux fur throw and cushiony over-sized pillows to go with it.

Once the set up was ready, Alexa lounged back on the couch with the remote in hand and began to skim through the movies. “You feeling for an adventure movie?” she called out while skimming through the genre slowly.

[Mr. Cuddles]

With cellphone in hand, Arnie called up one of the local Italian joints that were nearby, he had to eat a lot of food for the amount of energy he had constantly, it was like being on speed sometimes if he wasn't in a mellow mood. There were times he had to expend it, and if he didn't get enough he would get sluggish, it was one of the pros and cons in having these abilities. Once done he poked his head around the corner "Adventure sounds good" he set his phone on the counter and went to grab an energy drink in the mean time, but the benefit was that he didn't gain much weight from consuming so much, but he did wish he didn't have to and there was some way he could regulate it, or suppress.

Walking out into the living space he sat down beside her and started to chug down his drink, then let out a refreshing sigh "The amount I drink in these things, would kill a normal person" he finished the rest of it and leaned back "You're lucky you don't nee-" then he stopped himself 'Well...you are lucky you don't need to eat all the time, and take energy shots like they're going out of style". The older he got the stronger he got, and he found himself consuming more, which made things awkward when he went to his parents for Thanksgiving. The look on his parents face when he had 4 servings of food, his mother was concerned, but he managed to convince them he was fine.

"So what did you find for us to watch?"

[Sponsored content]