Tired of Studying
"... and Sylphs are mythical air spirits," Abe Sapien explained, clicking the slide turner as another picture was projected onto the small screen that had been set up in the Bureau's library. "First mentioned in historical texts by the Swiss-German physician Paracelsus." The fish-man looked over at his student, who had his head down on the desk. "Xavier?"
"Whuzhappening," the teen gasped, waking with a start and looking around with a dazed expression.
"You fell asleep... Again," Abe said, a slight frown on his face. "I am aware that some of this material is monotonous and may not even be useful to you in the future-"
"So can I go then," the teen asked hopefully.
"No. Because this is something you will need to know if you ever wish to go out into the field."
The boy sighed. "Really? Is there some sort of test about monsters I have to take before I get to be an agent?"
"Yes, and it is given by me." The fish man turned back to the projector as the teen groaned tiredly. "Since I am not sure when you fell asleep, I think we should start the whole presentation over."
"You gotta be kidding me," Xavier muttered, his brain feeling too numb to focus on anything.
While being in the library was usually something he would enjoy, he hated the two hours a day spent learning about the supernatural. It wasn't just that the actual stuff he was learning was boring [some of it was actually very interesting], it was just the way Abe taught it. His calm, monotone voice was soothing, and after ten minutes of talking, it became an effort to not fall asleep and miss any important information.
"You seem distracted," Abe noticed, looking back at the teen a few minutes later.
"Your powers of perception amaze me," Xavier said tiredly. "Can we please finish early today?"
"I do not think Professor Broom would approve-"
"I honestly don't care. C'mon, Abe." The boy looked at him with pleading eyes. "Can you show a guy a little mercy? Ple-e-ease?"
The fish man looked at his student, who clearly looked frazzled, tired, and all-together ready to leave. He was reminded of Liz when she was his age, studying and training at the Bureau. She was a more studious student than Xavier, but Abe recalled several times where she had had enough of learning and just needed a break. He sighed, turning off the projector.
"I suppose a day off will not put you too far behind," Abe conceded.
The teen brightened at this statement, grinning at him. "Thanks," he said, quickly closing his notebook and standing up. "Seriously, man, you're the best!"
"It is nothing to be that excited about," the fish man said, picking up one of his books and opening it. "Though I should be grateful; I can now take this extra time to work on my reports and research."
"Wait, you're gonna keep working," Xavier asked, gaping at the agent. "Why?"
"Because it is a good way to spend my time," Abe Sapien explained.
"How? Don't you already know everything about the paranormal?"
"There is always something new to learn."
The teen shook his head. "No way. I cannot allow you to spend what little free time you now have wasting away over books about monsters," he said, walking towards the library door. "Follow me."
"And where might we be going," the fish man asked, wondering what the young agent-in-training had come up with.
"Just to the pool for a swim. I don't really know what you like to do besides studying and researching stuff, so it's either that or you help me pull a prank on Hellboy."
"I thought you were forced to give up pranking after Professor Brunttenholm caught you trying to put glue in Hellboy's fedora."
"Then you better make sure I don't start again," Xavier said, giving him a trickster grin while walking out of the room.
Abe sighed, not wanting to deal with an adolescent human's antics when he could be studying Kereshes for an upcoming mission. However, he had to admit that even he sometimes needed a break, and figured that he really should go make sure that the teen didn't cause too much property damage. Plus, a swim sounded nice [even if the teen splashed around like a child]. So, closing his books, he left the library, catching up with Xavier down the hallway.
