Dustin jerked awake as there was a brisk knock on his door. Briefly he
panicked, forgetting where he was until he felt Okai purring against his
side. He calmed instantly and remembered the night before. He was in a
new place with new people, but he was safe...for a while at least. His
uncle wouldn't put him in danger, but at the same time no place was safe
anymore.
"Dustin, breakfast." Scott called through the door.
"Wake and eat." Okai told him through her purrs.
"Must I? I only want a little longer." Dustin mumbled.
"Durah Norku would not approve." Okai scolded.
Dustin sighed and sat up. "And I suppose you will take his place now?"
"Someone has to keep you focused."
Dustin grabbed his sunglasses off the table. He hated wearing them, but his uncle had explained that people would be disturbed by his unseeing eyes. Johlon told him that the way his eyes would just appear to look right through people without actually seeing would frighten people away. Therefore it was one of the last things his aunt Helkena had given him before his departure.
"Are you going to wear your new clothes today?" Okai asked.
"I should think so. I want to fit in here as much as possible." Dustin replied.
Okai snorted and stood up to stretch. "You will not fit in here. You are nothing like these people."
"Thank you for your vote of confidence."
"Durass masil kamajs." Okai replied.
"I will not change for these people. They will accept me as I am or not at all." Dustin snapped. "Wearing their clothes is the most I will do for them."
He crawled out of the bed and went to his suitcase. He felt the different descriptions looking for the right pair of clothes. His hands traveled over his formal cloak and clothes, his formal and informal robes, a swim suit, and then he found the casual clothes his uncle had bought him. Casual clothes were new to him. He'd only ever worn robes, cloaks, and under garments. He could never imagine not wearing a cloak, but as his uncle had told him these people never wore cloaks.
"It is a strange people I have been exiled to." Dustin commented as he changed clothes. "They wear no cloaks, live in large houses, and fight amongst themselves for no good reason."
"You have not been exiled Dustkan Talcuan. You are not safe with your people and you know it." Okai scolded. "However, you are here and you should do your best to make the most of it."
"Make the most of it?" Dustin scoffed, pulling on his shirt. "I am a thirteen year old that speaks better than the teenagers here. I will be shunned by the older students because I am younger and I will scare off the younger kids because I speak like an adult."
There was a knock on the door. "Hey Dustin, if we want to eat breakfast we'll have to beat Kurt and Jamie down there or there won't be anything left."
"You will have to stay here Okai. I do not believe their customs include animals eating with them."
Without another word Dustin crossed the room and opened the door. He sensed Scott staring at him and for a moment worried his uncle picked out the wrong kind of clothes. Scott was in fact impressed with the new clothing. The cloak and formal clothing from the night before had reminded Scott of the Jedi Knights in Star Wars. The new clothes consisted of a pair of loose fitting black shorts that showed off the young boy's muscular legs, a blue t-shirt, and white socks with a pair of blue and black New Balance tennis shoes. All together it made Dustin look more his age than he had looked the night before.
After a moment the older boy stepped closer and Dustin felt the boy's hand on his shoulder as if to lead him. For a moment he was angry and thought about making a rude comment, but then he realized that Scott had probably never really dealt with a blind person before. Though he did get the feeling that Scott had experienced it at some point and time.
"C'mon, we'll be lucky if anything is left." Scott said.
The two boys hurried down the stairs and around into the kitchen. Dustin smelled something good, but was unfamiliar with the scent. Silverware clinked against plates and teeth chewed relentlessly on the food. There were many voices talking about a wide variety of things. However, the room fell silent as the two boys entered. Dustin found this extremely uncomfortable and shifted nervously. He was thankful when Scott spoke up for him.
"Everyone this is a new student, Dustin Tal." He then added. "And you had better have saved something for us to eat."
"Are you blind? There's plenty left for the both of you."
"Kurt, Dustin is in fact blind. So, would you kindly keep the blind comments to yourself." Dustin heard Xavier say.
Silence once more claimed the room as Scott led Dustin over to an empty chair. Much to everyone's surprise Dustin had no problems finding the food and dishing it out on his plate. It became apparent to him that none of the students had ever dealt with a blind person before. He was beginning to get uncomfortable having so many people around that didn't know how to act around him. Their nervousness became his nervousness.
However, slowly but surely the room returned to the noisy atmosphere it had been before Dustin entered. With the talking going on he became more comfortable and relaxed a little. The food helped relax him as well, eating tended to do that to him. His aunt had jokingly told him that the only reason he wasn't overweight was because of his training. It was true though, if he actually gained weight, other than from muscles, his Durah would just say he obviously wasn't doing enough work and give him even more to do.
"How old are you?" A young voice asked from beside him.
Dustin swallowed the food in his mouth before responding. "Thirteen. And you?"
"I'm twelve." The other boy replied. "My name's Jamie."
"Nice to meet you Jamie. "
"What's it like being blind?" Jamie asked.
"What is it like being able to see?" Dustin countered. "If you want to know what it is like being blind wrap a blindfold around your eyes for a day. However, I will never know what it is like to see."
"Does it bother you?"
"Only when people point it out to me."
"Oh, sorry." Jamie said sheepishly.
Dustin sighed. "No need to apologize. You had no way of knowing what you were asking would bother me."
Jamie didn't say anything in reply, simply studied the older boy curiously. He was amazed with the ease the blind boy could find the things on the table. Dustin didn't fumble or stick his hands in the food as one would imagine he would. He simply carried on like everyone else without having a problem at all. Even if things were switched around he still managed to find them without searching. To Jamie it seemed like the kid could see just as well as he could.
"How do you know where everything is?" Jamie asked. His curiosity just got the better of him.
"My other senses are far superior to those of a normal person." Dustin explained. "I can smell where the food is."
"Really?"
"Yes. In fact I can tell you who is male and female in this room just by the smell and their voices." Dustin added. Then he grinned. "I can also tell you everything that is been said in this room since I got here."
"That's so cool!" Jamie exclaimed enthusiastically.
Dustin smiled as he continued to eat. He felt an instant connection with Jamie, something he had never had with anyone. As he and the younger boy continued to talk he found he really liked Jamie.
"After breakfast I am going to take a walk. Would you like to join me?"
"Really?" Jamie asked excitedly. Hardly anyone ever asked him to do things.
"Why not?"
"Actually Dustin, I would like to see how you do in the Danger Room after breakfast. Then you may go for your walk." Xavier spoke up.
"Very well Professor." Dustin replied respectfully.
"What's your powers?" Jamie asked.
Dustin noticed instantly that the room was completely silent. He didn't need to see to know all eyes were on him. That made him uncomfortable to know he had everyone's attention with the younger boy's question and he had no clue how to answer it. If he were to tell the truth it would take quite a while to explain his powers, but as it was he couldn't tell them the truth. Only Professor Xavier knew the truth and in his opinion that was one person too many. He knew he had to lie, but what could he say? He couldn't very well tell them that he could probably do anything they could and more.
_Professor, I am afraid I am lost as to what I should tell them. I have never dealt with this kind of situation before._ Dustin said telepathically.
"Jamie, you should know better than that. Dustin will tell you when he's ready." Professor Xavier scolded.
"Sorry Professor, sorry Dustin." Jamie apologized.
"No need to apologize." Dustin replied. "I suppose you will see what I am capable of in this Danger Room."
I hate lying. Dustin thought to himself. If only I could tell them the truth. I hate to have to hold back simply because I have to keep up the illusion that I am a---.
_Dustin, watch your thoughts. I am not the only telepath in this house._ Xavier broke in.
_That is no problem._
And with that Professor Xavier felt Dustin's mind close up. As it closed an extra strength barrier was wrapped around his mind to keep in any thoughts that might stray, but most importantly to keep telepaths out. Xavier had never felt a mind so tightly and thoroughly protected. There was no gap, no weakness in the barrier. There was no way into the kid's mind, even for the most powerful telepath on the planet.
When everyone was done eating Xavier requested the New Mutants and the X- men go to the control room to watch Dustin's Danger Room session. No one was prepared for what they were going to see.
"Dustin, breakfast." Scott called through the door.
"Wake and eat." Okai told him through her purrs.
"Must I? I only want a little longer." Dustin mumbled.
"Durah Norku would not approve." Okai scolded.
Dustin sighed and sat up. "And I suppose you will take his place now?"
"Someone has to keep you focused."
Dustin grabbed his sunglasses off the table. He hated wearing them, but his uncle had explained that people would be disturbed by his unseeing eyes. Johlon told him that the way his eyes would just appear to look right through people without actually seeing would frighten people away. Therefore it was one of the last things his aunt Helkena had given him before his departure.
"Are you going to wear your new clothes today?" Okai asked.
"I should think so. I want to fit in here as much as possible." Dustin replied.
Okai snorted and stood up to stretch. "You will not fit in here. You are nothing like these people."
"Thank you for your vote of confidence."
"Durass masil kamajs." Okai replied.
"I will not change for these people. They will accept me as I am or not at all." Dustin snapped. "Wearing their clothes is the most I will do for them."
He crawled out of the bed and went to his suitcase. He felt the different descriptions looking for the right pair of clothes. His hands traveled over his formal cloak and clothes, his formal and informal robes, a swim suit, and then he found the casual clothes his uncle had bought him. Casual clothes were new to him. He'd only ever worn robes, cloaks, and under garments. He could never imagine not wearing a cloak, but as his uncle had told him these people never wore cloaks.
"It is a strange people I have been exiled to." Dustin commented as he changed clothes. "They wear no cloaks, live in large houses, and fight amongst themselves for no good reason."
"You have not been exiled Dustkan Talcuan. You are not safe with your people and you know it." Okai scolded. "However, you are here and you should do your best to make the most of it."
"Make the most of it?" Dustin scoffed, pulling on his shirt. "I am a thirteen year old that speaks better than the teenagers here. I will be shunned by the older students because I am younger and I will scare off the younger kids because I speak like an adult."
There was a knock on the door. "Hey Dustin, if we want to eat breakfast we'll have to beat Kurt and Jamie down there or there won't be anything left."
"You will have to stay here Okai. I do not believe their customs include animals eating with them."
Without another word Dustin crossed the room and opened the door. He sensed Scott staring at him and for a moment worried his uncle picked out the wrong kind of clothes. Scott was in fact impressed with the new clothing. The cloak and formal clothing from the night before had reminded Scott of the Jedi Knights in Star Wars. The new clothes consisted of a pair of loose fitting black shorts that showed off the young boy's muscular legs, a blue t-shirt, and white socks with a pair of blue and black New Balance tennis shoes. All together it made Dustin look more his age than he had looked the night before.
After a moment the older boy stepped closer and Dustin felt the boy's hand on his shoulder as if to lead him. For a moment he was angry and thought about making a rude comment, but then he realized that Scott had probably never really dealt with a blind person before. Though he did get the feeling that Scott had experienced it at some point and time.
"C'mon, we'll be lucky if anything is left." Scott said.
The two boys hurried down the stairs and around into the kitchen. Dustin smelled something good, but was unfamiliar with the scent. Silverware clinked against plates and teeth chewed relentlessly on the food. There were many voices talking about a wide variety of things. However, the room fell silent as the two boys entered. Dustin found this extremely uncomfortable and shifted nervously. He was thankful when Scott spoke up for him.
"Everyone this is a new student, Dustin Tal." He then added. "And you had better have saved something for us to eat."
"Are you blind? There's plenty left for the both of you."
"Kurt, Dustin is in fact blind. So, would you kindly keep the blind comments to yourself." Dustin heard Xavier say.
Silence once more claimed the room as Scott led Dustin over to an empty chair. Much to everyone's surprise Dustin had no problems finding the food and dishing it out on his plate. It became apparent to him that none of the students had ever dealt with a blind person before. He was beginning to get uncomfortable having so many people around that didn't know how to act around him. Their nervousness became his nervousness.
However, slowly but surely the room returned to the noisy atmosphere it had been before Dustin entered. With the talking going on he became more comfortable and relaxed a little. The food helped relax him as well, eating tended to do that to him. His aunt had jokingly told him that the only reason he wasn't overweight was because of his training. It was true though, if he actually gained weight, other than from muscles, his Durah would just say he obviously wasn't doing enough work and give him even more to do.
"How old are you?" A young voice asked from beside him.
Dustin swallowed the food in his mouth before responding. "Thirteen. And you?"
"I'm twelve." The other boy replied. "My name's Jamie."
"Nice to meet you Jamie. "
"What's it like being blind?" Jamie asked.
"What is it like being able to see?" Dustin countered. "If you want to know what it is like being blind wrap a blindfold around your eyes for a day. However, I will never know what it is like to see."
"Does it bother you?"
"Only when people point it out to me."
"Oh, sorry." Jamie said sheepishly.
Dustin sighed. "No need to apologize. You had no way of knowing what you were asking would bother me."
Jamie didn't say anything in reply, simply studied the older boy curiously. He was amazed with the ease the blind boy could find the things on the table. Dustin didn't fumble or stick his hands in the food as one would imagine he would. He simply carried on like everyone else without having a problem at all. Even if things were switched around he still managed to find them without searching. To Jamie it seemed like the kid could see just as well as he could.
"How do you know where everything is?" Jamie asked. His curiosity just got the better of him.
"My other senses are far superior to those of a normal person." Dustin explained. "I can smell where the food is."
"Really?"
"Yes. In fact I can tell you who is male and female in this room just by the smell and their voices." Dustin added. Then he grinned. "I can also tell you everything that is been said in this room since I got here."
"That's so cool!" Jamie exclaimed enthusiastically.
Dustin smiled as he continued to eat. He felt an instant connection with Jamie, something he had never had with anyone. As he and the younger boy continued to talk he found he really liked Jamie.
"After breakfast I am going to take a walk. Would you like to join me?"
"Really?" Jamie asked excitedly. Hardly anyone ever asked him to do things.
"Why not?"
"Actually Dustin, I would like to see how you do in the Danger Room after breakfast. Then you may go for your walk." Xavier spoke up.
"Very well Professor." Dustin replied respectfully.
"What's your powers?" Jamie asked.
Dustin noticed instantly that the room was completely silent. He didn't need to see to know all eyes were on him. That made him uncomfortable to know he had everyone's attention with the younger boy's question and he had no clue how to answer it. If he were to tell the truth it would take quite a while to explain his powers, but as it was he couldn't tell them the truth. Only Professor Xavier knew the truth and in his opinion that was one person too many. He knew he had to lie, but what could he say? He couldn't very well tell them that he could probably do anything they could and more.
_Professor, I am afraid I am lost as to what I should tell them. I have never dealt with this kind of situation before._ Dustin said telepathically.
"Jamie, you should know better than that. Dustin will tell you when he's ready." Professor Xavier scolded.
"Sorry Professor, sorry Dustin." Jamie apologized.
"No need to apologize." Dustin replied. "I suppose you will see what I am capable of in this Danger Room."
I hate lying. Dustin thought to himself. If only I could tell them the truth. I hate to have to hold back simply because I have to keep up the illusion that I am a---.
_Dustin, watch your thoughts. I am not the only telepath in this house._ Xavier broke in.
_That is no problem._
And with that Professor Xavier felt Dustin's mind close up. As it closed an extra strength barrier was wrapped around his mind to keep in any thoughts that might stray, but most importantly to keep telepaths out. Xavier had never felt a mind so tightly and thoroughly protected. There was no gap, no weakness in the barrier. There was no way into the kid's mind, even for the most powerful telepath on the planet.
When everyone was done eating Xavier requested the New Mutants and the X- men go to the control room to watch Dustin's Danger Room session. No one was prepared for what they were going to see.