Email to Jean

[x-legion.livejournal.com]

To: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
From: [Haller, David]
Subject: This is so embarrassing

I can't believe I got so turned around by Maddie's manifestation I actually forgot to post about it.

Or that I'm so used to traumatic manifestations that the professor actually had to sit me down and explain that this is how manifestation supposed to work.

Comments

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

To: [Haller, David]
From: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
Subject: RE: This is so embarrassing

It's okay. I figured that was the case.

It seems unusual, doesn't it? Though I don't think this is something she's going to classify as 'normal.'

Are you okay? Is that why you were antsy?

[x-legion.livejournal.com]

To: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
From: [Haller, David]
Subject: Re: This is so embarrassing

I know she wouldn't, but it's unusual. I guess I would think so, given my speciality, but it seems . . . weird. I'm trying to think of any other examples, but it's not happening. I think Monet may have had a "normal" manifestation, but I think she did it before she arrived at school, and she does have those complications.

Yeah, I overreacted. It's been a long time since I felt anything like that, and I got triggered. David had a pretty bad experience with that sensation. Which . . . Layla and Maddie's door sort of proves. Charles and I talked about it for a while.

Thanks for keeping your cool, by the way. I'm glad one of us did.

And it just occured to me that what Lorna probably didn't need her first day back was someone screaming in her head.

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

To: [Haller, David]
From: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
Subject: RE: This is so embarrassing

Did Betsy? With Maddie we were able to determine her potential for ability but bring her in before the manifestation itself. It's rare so it can be hard to know what's going to happen.

I think perhaps David was prepared for the worst since it happened to him, and to me? It's the only experience we know. Even for those who had a 'normal' experience we only hear it from stories. We don't actually see it first hand. Did Charles have any insight?

You're welcome. In a way, Charles had a hand in it. I remembered how he was with me.

I'd like to think of it as the unofficial welcome wagon. It isn't Xavier's without something exploding. She'll feel right at home.

This is my attempt at optimism.

[x-legion.livejournal.com]

To: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
From: [Haller, David]
Subject: Re: This is so embarrassing

I guess Betsy did manifest naturally, but there's so much other stuff tied up with what happened afterwards I don't really think of her experience as "normal" either.

Charles' conclusions were essentially yours, with an additional opinion that my psychic insensitivity didn't prepare me well for that kind of thing. I don't shield the same way most psis do unless I'm prepared -- ever since that first time it's been more work for me to sense people at all than to block thoughts out. It makes sense. I already have enough voices in here.

I remember him being very calm with us, too, but it wasn't really the same. We never really had to deal with telepathy until we were Jim, and by then Jemail already had the fundamentals down.

It's true. Lorna's probably thinking "Well, I see it's still business as usual."

Speaking of optimism, I wish there was something we could do for Maddie. It has to be scary for her. And that's not even counting the headache.

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

To: [Haller, David]
From: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
Subject: RE: This is so embarrassing

I guess it's an altogether unique experience for everyone. We just happened to have it the worst.

Which would definitely be a good explanation for why you were so worried. I don't fault you all for it. I wonder if there's a way to prepare in case something like that happened again. I don't know how long it will take for Maddie's shields to get into place.

And Jemail's integration wasn't under the best circumstances.

If it were quiet she might be worried.

Hmmm...I may have an idea or two.

[x-legion.livejournal.com]

To: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
From: [Haller, David]
Subject: Re: This is so embarrassing

True. Though it makes sense. I mean, our traumatic manifestations are why we met the professor in the first place.

I should be fine now that I'm prepared. It was stupid of me to return contact without shielding to begin with, so that's already one mistake I won't be making again.

Yeah . . . nothing about that situation was ideal. Is it too much to ask that Maddie not develop an evil personality or end up possessed by a foreign psyche? We don't seem to have a good track record there.

As a representative of teenaged girls despite being an almost 30ish man, Cyndi's asking if the ideas are going to embarrass Maddie.

But Cyndi's not the staffer.

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

To: [Haller, David]
From: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
Subject: RE: This is so embarrassing

Unfortunately that seems to be the case for more than just us. I'm happy we were able to find her before that might've happened to her.

I think she threw us all for a loop.

Hm. That would definitely be bad. Very bad. But knowing is half the battle.

God I'm quoting GI Joe. I need to sleep. My husband is probably wondering where I am.

I am going to plead the 5th, Cyndi. Though I will say sometimes a little embarrassment is good for you.

[x-legion.livejournal.com]

To: [Grey-Summers, Jean]
From: [Haller, David]
Subject: Re: This is so embarrassing

Cyndi takes that as a yes. Fortunately Jim doesn't care.

Also I'm not sure who's talking anymore and we may or may not be talking in third person, so it's probably time I went to sleep, too.