Brian and Lil, Backdated to 5/24/13
May. 24th, 2013 10:15 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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om_mainCommiseration about powers evolves into an odd sort of friendship.
She'd just climbed into the saddle - having managed to prep and set the horse herself after a few weeks of leaning, thank you very much - when the door to the stable opened.
"Hey, Brian," Lil greeted the other brick from her perch on top of the gigantic black beast she'd selected. They'd run into each other a few other times there, working on controlling their powers with the animals but they hadn't yet managed a ride together. No time like the present, she figured, fixing him with an encouraging smile. "I was just heading out on the trail; you wanna come with?"
He hadn't been expecting to see her there, though Brian was not surprised by it either. Seeing her perched atop one of the horses, however, was something of a surprise. He glanced down at his clothing, trousers and a button-down, considering for a moment.
Then it occurred to him that he had never seen Lillian ride before, and it was possible that she might not be experienced in the sport. "Certainly. If you would be so kind as to give me a moment."
Brian went to collect his necessities, a blanket, a saddle, a bit and the like. "How are you?"
She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "About as well as anyone can be, I guess, given everything happening." Yes, Lil had Scott to help keep her calm and focused (and she, him) but he was so damned focused on trying to find the girls that it seemed she only saw her boyfriend anymore when he was forced to take a break by someone. (And even then, they didn't do much talking.)
The brunette shook that train of thought away and instead focused on the other boy in front of her. He was dressed much nicer than her - with her denim shorts and cropped, high low tee-shirt that exposed her midriff but covered her back. "What about you? How's things been?"
"They are, I suppose, as good as possible, all things considered. I believe it is a bit much, however. My sister and I shall be returning to England on holiday for a bit." He secured the saddle over his blanket, and went to get the bit in the horse's mouth. "I am, otherwise, simply reviewing data for Cyclops when I've the chance."
"Yeah, I heard about that. He's got himself locked away in his room right now which is why I'm out here with this guy," Lil said, giving the big horse a pat on the neck.
"Horses can, at times, be more enjoyable company than men, I suspect," Brian offered. And they were always better company than Scott Summers, though it seemed imprudent to say that to Lillian. He checked that everything was in order before mounting the horse. "Where are we off to today?"
"I was just gonna go follow the trail down and out to the clearing and let Thunder here do some running. Then, maybe come back up by the path near the creek." She and the horse both had been spending too much time inside and while she's had her chance to stretch her legs, Lil knew he hadn't. She gave the horse another pat then used her heels to urge him into moving toward the open doors that lead to the mansion grounds. "That work for you?"
"Of course." Brian led his horse after hers, towards the grounds.
Lil just smiled but didn't say anything more until they were out on the path, trotting side by side. "So, you said you and your sister were going back to England?"
"For a couple of weeks, yes." He clarified, glancing over at her. If she were anyone else, Brian might have chastised her for her clothing on this ride -- shorts and a quite revealing (though admittedly enjoyable) shirt were hardly safe riding clothes. She was indestructible, though, which made the whole exercise rather moot.
"Just to see your family or something else going on?" Lil asked. Normally, she didn't care what the other kids did but Brian was becoming something of an unlikely friend and, well, he was the only one else at the school who just understood sometimes. It was only polite to have an actual conversation with the guy while riding.
There were bits below the surface, it was true. The stress and anxiety and all, it was likely a bit much for Elizabeth to handle. In fact, Brian suspected that even what she'd shared of her distress was but a portion of her actual discomfort. That was private, however, and family business. So he offered in explanation, "Betsy has not been back to see our parents in quite awhile. We thought we might the take the break afforded to us by the school to remedy that."
Lil's smile went a little sadder, a bit more wistful. "I hope it works for her. And you. I ain't seen my dad since I came here... and I don't know if my going home to visit would really help any of the way things were left between us. But I really hope that ain't the way for the two of you."
Something about her phrasing, and the shadow over her expression, piqued Brian's curiosity. Still, he was compelled to exercise at least some modicum of manners. "If you do not mind my asking, and please stop me if you do, how did you leave things with your father?"
"'Not good' is probably the best way to put it," she replied, nose wrinkling a little but the half-smile was growing a little more sincere. "He was always busy with work and stuff and well, I wasn't exactly the best kid. Got into lots of trouble with fighting and skipping school and boys and smoking and drinking and stuff... We just clashed a lot before the Headmasters found me and I got sent here."
"I see." He was not, in fact, sure that he did, though he would be loathe to admit it. Lil almost sounded something like a chav, back home, though it was certainly not a word he would be using aloud. "What is your father's profession?"
"He's in transport," she said with a roll of her eyes then went on. "He's a trucker. Takes shit from point A to point B. Reeeal exciting, lemme tell you. But like I said, it meant he wasn't home much so I pretty much got to do whatever I wanted - which he didn't like. Parta me thinks he was happy to get me outta his hair."
Brian had absolutely no experience with professions in common cargo carriage, nor a particular desire to learn. He did, however, have some experience with parental expectations. "What would he have preferred for you?"
"The fuck if I know," she answered with a laugh that was dry and dark. "Not to be a screw up. Not to get suspended. Not to fail half my classes. Not to get knocked up before I graduated. I've only succeed in onna those things so far and it ain't the first three."
She ever ceased to surprise him, in an uncouth manner that was less off-putting than Brian might have otherwise supposed, when she spoke about herself. By contrast, he was not terribly surprised to hear about her academic successes or lack thereof; Lillian had never struck him as academically inclined. He pushed that behind his mild-mannered veil, however.
"And you objected to those expectations?" They seemed rather reasonable, after all.
Another casual shrug was given with one shoulder as Lil lead them and the horses into the wooded area around the school. "I did when I lived back home, yeah. I didn't wanna go to school so I didn't really care if I failed or got suspended. I just wanted to hang out with my friends and have fun. And my Dad wasn't around so I didn't see why it should matter so much."
The giantess paused briefly, biting her lip before adding, "I mean, I get it more, now. I'm doing better here and haven't had any real fights." The thing with Lydia didn't count because she had only threatened to break her nose, not actually done it. "Still, I was pretty mad at him for sending me away. Especially to a place that's a live-in school."
Brian suspected, given everything he knew about Lillian Crawley, that she had found the fun she had been looking for at the time. Whether such avenues were no longer available to her now that she was at the school was likely none of his business, however, and he'd no idea how to ask, even if it were.
"I suppose that is unusual here, isn't it?" He agreed instead, nodding. "I've boarded since I was eleven. It seems more common, in England. At least in my experience."
The expression Lil was wearing shifted from one of almost wistfulness to one of complete and utter shock. "Since you were eleven? Holy fuck!" That explained somethings about Brian but, still, holy fuck!
Brian looked mildly surprised by the outburst, though internally he was a bit more jarred. "What about it do you find objectionable?"
"Um, your parents sent you away when you were a kid," she pointed out, fixing him with a very serious look. How... eleven?? That seemed horrible to her! "Like, when you were still supposed to be a kid, doing stupid shit and having fun. Not getting sent away to live somewhere other than home like you'd been shipped off to prison. I mean, I guess if it's like this school, it isn't too bad but... Was it like this school?"
"Not precisely like it, no. Larger, rather, with more experienced academic faculty," Brian defended. "Fettes College is one of the best schools in Britain."
"Still sounds hellish to me," Lil said, glancing away to check the path in front of them. No fallen branches or other dangers in sight meant she could turn her full attention back to Brian. "Were there girls there or was it onna those Boys Only places?"
"Both girls and boys attend Fettes," he clarified, still utterly perplexed and vaguely annoyed by her reaction to his dearly held alma mater (of sorts).
"Well, that's a little better, I suppose." Not much, though. She just... didn't get it. Being sent away from home was hard enough when she was sixteen; she couldn't imagine what it would have been like if her father had chosen to send her somewhere any earlier.
Noticing the look on Brian's face, however, caused Lil's frown to reappear. "I didn't mean to offend you or anything. It's just, like, waaaay different. As much as me and my dad fought and weren't together, there is a difference between 'being away' and 'being sent away', right? I really didn't mean anything bad. Honest."
He supposed that equated to a sufficient apology, given the circumstances. "It might seem more curious if you are not from a group that expects it," he said diplomatically, nodding his head towards her. "My father had also gone away to school; it was hardly a surprise or concern when I did."
"Yeah, I guess."
Lil knew she'd misstepped somewhere - though wasn't quite sure where or how - so rather than continue bumble through that topic, she did the only thing she could think of: change it.
"So, how are your powers training stuff going?"
A far safer area, Brian agreed, and he readily accepted the shift in conversation. "It is going, I suppose." Normally that might have been all he said, but Lil was in a unique position to appreciate some of the difficulties in training that his mutation posed. "I am very near finishing the equipment I have been designing for my own use in strength training. I had...I had recently begun sparring with Talon, before she went missing. Her healing factor and speed made her a good match; I fear injuring most of the others."
The Canadian girl nodded. "Finding sparring partners is hard," she agreed. "If you ever wanna do stuff outside your squad, I'd be up for it... provided you let me use whatever equipment you're cooking up," came the addition with a little wink. The gym had a heavy bag designed for the students with enhanced strength but beyond that, there wasn't much in the way of exercise for Lil with the exception of the mats and the weights.
"Of course you can." After all, he could hardly use it all himself at once. "Strength training was how I ended up with Laura as a sparring partner; she found me lifting train cars and chastised me severely for failing to practice my in-battle control. She did not seem to agree with my fear of injuring others."
Brian looked at Lil consideringly for a moment. "How strong are you?"
"Not as strong as you, apparently." Lifting cars? HOLY FUCK! "I ain't really got super strength. Not in the way you do. My bio-aura makes it so that I don't absorb the force I put out so basically me punching someone hurts them twice as much because the recoil or whatever you wanna call it doesn't affect me." It was weird to explain but she was getting used to it, at least.
"But that also means that by me using the gym, I can increase my powers by making myself stronger in the good old fashion ways... which, of course, have their own downfalls," she added, thinking of Scott.
"Indeed. I have accidentally caused minor property damage more times than I care to admit to," Brian confessed with a slight smile. He grew more serious as he added, "Fortunately I've yet to accidentally harm another person, though I am very aware of the potential."
"You don't know how much it helps to have someone else around who understands," she said, relied filling her voice. "Like, even giving someone a high five, or a hug like we talked about before. It's scary. And that's even without moving into the really scary areas like sleeping with someone!" She paused only to brush a few strands of flyaway hairs from her face then continued. "Having to explain to my boyfriend that, 'no, we really shouldn't try it that way because I might hurt you' is awkward as all hell. He's sweet and tries to tell me that it'd be okay and I won't but there is always that What If. And in cases like that, the What If means a couple of weeks or months without Naked Time."
Lil blew a somewhat frustrated puff of air between her lips. "Do you ever feel like that with girls? Like you might hurt them during sex if you don't keep in complete control of your powers?"
Brian's face was notably pink due to the conversation's turn and the information Lillian had already shared. She was...far more forthright in her discussions of such things than he was accustomed to, that much was certain. However, she was right that there was something of value to the idea that there was another who understood the difficulties of such mutations. And she did seem to feel a bit better for having been able to tell him of her experiences, however private he might think they ought to be.
"I...to..." He cleared his throat to try again. "To the extent that I have been intimate since manifesting. I admit, the fear has crossed my mind." He could feel his face burning, but it was still true enough.
"Meaning you haven't... yeah, well, I'm an ass," Lil sighed, bringing a hand up to her face. "I'm sorry. I just figured a guy who looks like you... And with our powers... Forget it! Just forget it! I'm an ass." A big stupid ass. With a big mouth. Who should just learn when to shut up!
"You are not an ass, as you say, though the question was rather shocking," Brian corrected, still lightly flushed though it was disappearing. "I...your assumptions about my...experiences, since manifesting, are not entirely accurate."
He was not, however, getting into one-night arrangements with women he met in clubs and bars while intoxicated. It hardly reflected well on him or the other parties involved. "And it does make me nervous," especially since he tended to be drinking at the time, making accidents slightly more possible though he held his drink well.
"Oh. Sorry," Lil said quickly. "About assuming your love life. It just surprised me to think - nevermind." There was a hint of relief in her expression but embarrassment as well.
Unfortunately for Brian, that didn't mean she was dropping the subject. Especially now that he'd admitted to having some experience with what she was talking about.
"I guess you got it even harder than me. No pun intended," she continued with an apologetic frown. "Because of, you know, the equipment differences and all." The biology of it made it different but the issues - not so much. "But yeah, I get real nervous still. Like, it's supposed to be good and fun but there is always this little voice reminding me I could screw up and hurt him."
Brian blushed. Yes, he was at least prepared for the conversation now, but a pretty girl discussing 'equipment differences'...well, he could hardly be blamed for the response. "Unfortunately," he managed to say, "that is a problem people like us are likely to always have."
"Yeah. Unless we find someone whose got powers like us and can't get hurt," she said with a snort then nodded toward the clearing ahead of them. "We're just about there."
He did not believe he needed to point out that that would limit them rather severely, not to mention necessitating that Lil cease seeing her boyfriend. He was certain she realized that. So instead he just headed in the direction she had indicated, into the clearing.
"Speedster isn't bad," Lil went on, seemingly unfazed by the conversation now. "At least from a girl's perspective. Dunno how it would be for a guy. But I'd think finding another Brick would probably be wild."
Brian...had not quite realized that they were continuing in this vein. In the interest of politeness, however, he refrained from showing that he felt slightly uncomfortable having such a conversation that he was not intimate with. (Though, admittedly, she was attractive enough that he'd not mind such intimacy, potentially.)
"I...I would imagine speed mutants are just as easily...injured...as those without such gifts."
"Depends on positions," she pointed out. "I've made things work with Scott but there is definitely something to be said for a guy who can vibrate." A little smirk and Lil nudge her horse forward, sending him into a full gallop as she let out a whoop.
Brian went pink again as he made a conscious effort not to imagine her, even less covered than she was now, and writhing. It was beyond inappropriate, given her relationship status, regardless of whether or not she had given the impression that she'd experienced beyond him (since Brian supposed she was dating Scott Summers, but it seemed she had slept with Pietro Maximoff.)
He stood slightly, to better conceal any accidental reactions to that, as he urged his horse on after her.
"Come on, Brian! Gotta do better than that to catch up!" she hollered at him over her shoulder. Bent knees, she was perched high in the saddle, riding into the wind so her hair billowed freely behind her.
Rearranging himself on his saddle, in order to facilitate a faster gallop, he chased after her. Carefully trying not to focus on her arse as he came upon her from behind.
"Hiyah!" Lil cheered Thunder on, urging him faster with another laugh that drifted on the wind back to him. "Go on!"
Brian Braddock did not lose, and he focused on his speed, pulling even with her relatively quickly.
Her laughter continued even as he pulled even then ahead but Lil didn't let up. Not even when the edge of the clearing drew closer. "Some chivalry!" she hollered.
He couldn't help but chuckle at that, even as he continued ahead. "When you are in distress, I shall be happy to save you!"
They raced on but in the end, Brian won without any real contest.
"Fuck that," she said, eyes sparkling when the horses returned to a trot, winding down. "If anyone is in distress, I'll save you."
He grinned. "And you said chivalry was dead."
"Not dead. Just being re-formed." Another little smirk and she jerked her head in the direction of the creek. "How about we get them some water?"
Brian nodded, and tugged at the reins just slightly, to lead them in that direction.
"So," Lil started as they made their way over to the creek. "You gotta girl friend or something? Or someone back home?"
He wondered if that had been meant to change the earlier subject-matter or continue it, but it wasn't precisely something that could be asked. "Not at present, no."
She nodded once and stroked the horse's neck as they went. "Didn't mean to pry. I was just curious is all."
"There is no need to apologize," Brian assured her with a slight smile. "I was simply surprised."
One eyebrow lifted. "I don't recall actually apologizing," Lil snarked.
Brian raised an eyebrow. "I shall, then, for misunderstanding."
Her tongue appeared between her teeth, small and pink and teasing though she didn't say anything more until they arrived at the cheek. Nodding to the water, she lead Thunder closer then dismounted. "Here you go, Sweetie," the giantess cooed at the horse.
Brian did likewise, leading his mount closer to the creek. "How often do you ride?"
"Not much at all," she admitted. "I mean, I like it, I just haven't had time with everything. I spend more time in the gym." And with Scott. "But I like the horses. It's nice spending time with them."
"They're quite calming."
"They are. How about you? You ride a lot?"
"Not often anymore," Brian admitted with a slight shrug. "I did before, however, in school."
"I bet you had your own horse and everything," Lil replied, another small grin for the other student as she continued to pet the animal that was now sipping from the creek. "Sir Chauncey Neighington or something like that, right?"
Betsy had told him, before, that some of the students here had their own opinions, somewhat negative opinions, about the Braddocks' wealth, and Brian wondered for a moment if Lil was mocking him. Her smile was not edged, however, it seemed genuine. For smoothness' sake, he supposed he should give her the benefit of the doubt.
"I did, yes. Though not with such a name as that, thankfully."
The Canadian chuckled again then turned a bit more serious. "Do you miss home and the life you had before? Or are things better for you here?"
Brian thought a moment about how best to express himself as politely as possible. "I...I believe that, as is likely true for most, there are things I miss from before and things I appreciate about where I am now. I cannot say with absolute certainty that one would be better than the other."
Lil nodded her understanding then bit her bottom lip as she seemed to ponder something. Finally, after a few moments of near silence, she spoke again. "I gotta say something but I don't want you to take it the wrong way..."
Given their earlier conversation, Brian could not imagine what she might be nervous to say to him now, but he nodded anyway. "Take your time, and I will endeavor to keep an open mind."
"I don't wanna offend you but I don't know if this... this whole prim and proper rich guy is who you really are," Lil started with a wave of her hand, gesturing up and down at him. "If it is, that's fine and good and forget I bought this up because your cool as you are. But if it ain't, you don't gotta put on any acts with me. I ain't some society girl or someone looking for fame so I'm gonna go run to the rag reporters about some dude who is probably Prince Harry's cousin."
Hazel eyes were bright and sincere as she looked at Brian, smile soft but just as genuine. "Parta the whole thing about being at this school means we get to be ourselves so when you and I are hanging out in the stables or out here riding or just passing in the halls, you don't gotta be Mister Posh. I just mean, if this is any kinda mask, you can take it off. You don't gotta be a Braddock; you can just be Brian."
She'd been afraid that he would take offense, but Brian wasn't offended so much as he was shocked. It was rather common knowledge, he feared, that everyone wore some sort of mask in society; it was a skill most of them had developed before they'd even realized it was an act. Betsy tamped down her fearsome temper (which might have said something about its fearsomeness), Brian both his temper and humour. DaCosta toned down his idiocy, and Warren to some extent feigned it. Shinobi's persona could not possibly be entirely real.
Yet, for all of the disguising that went on in public, the image that was to be upheld, there was something of themselves, true of themselves, in there as well. Brian was quite reserved, that was not false. Warren more easygoing. Elizabeth more passionate. He could go on, but illustrating the differences to himself was rather pointless.
But it was never discussed. At least, not in company.
"I am afraid that I've no practice being anything other than a Braddock with people I am not related to," he said slowly, looking at her consideringly. Not the smartest girl he'd ever met, but there was a spark of something there now that intrigued him. "I do not know that I know how."
Lil just gave him another one-shouldered shrug and turned to look back at the animal she was still petting. "Maybe it's something you just gotta keep working at. You know, like your powers with the horses until it becomes natural?"
He watched her, curious. "How?"
"I dunno," she answered honestly. "Maybe we should take more rides together and then you can practice being human during it." The last words were said with a very clear tease filling them. "Powers with the horses. Personality with me. You ain't gonna find anyone here who's further away from the kinda people you grew up with than me."
Well, that was undoubtedly true. And it was that very difference that made her fascinating, and simultaneously difficult to predict. She had promised no recourse to the press, and Brian had little reason to doubt her, but what did he know? She was different, after all.
Still, he supposed it could not hurt to test the waters slightly. He was fully capable of far better damage control than he suspected Lillian Crawley might be able to create. "That might be worth a try."
"Cool." She wasn't sure how it would work but like he said, it might be worth a try. "Plus, we'll be able to talk more about our powers and what's good and bad about them."
"With candor even, perhaps." Brian walked over, the horse trailing behind him, and offered Lil his hand to shake. Because, in this rare circumstance, no matter how powered-up or down he might be, he could not hurt her.
Lil took his hand and gave it a firm squeeze; the kind she'd long ago tried to train herself from using. "If 'candor' means you ain't gonna turn into a blushing princess when we talk sex, then you got yourself a deal, Brian."
He smiled at the increased pressure on his hand. "I will try to leave my tiaras in my room."
She'd just climbed into the saddle - having managed to prep and set the horse herself after a few weeks of leaning, thank you very much - when the door to the stable opened.
"Hey, Brian," Lil greeted the other brick from her perch on top of the gigantic black beast she'd selected. They'd run into each other a few other times there, working on controlling their powers with the animals but they hadn't yet managed a ride together. No time like the present, she figured, fixing him with an encouraging smile. "I was just heading out on the trail; you wanna come with?"
He hadn't been expecting to see her there, though Brian was not surprised by it either. Seeing her perched atop one of the horses, however, was something of a surprise. He glanced down at his clothing, trousers and a button-down, considering for a moment.
Then it occurred to him that he had never seen Lillian ride before, and it was possible that she might not be experienced in the sport. "Certainly. If you would be so kind as to give me a moment."
Brian went to collect his necessities, a blanket, a saddle, a bit and the like. "How are you?"
She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "About as well as anyone can be, I guess, given everything happening." Yes, Lil had Scott to help keep her calm and focused (and she, him) but he was so damned focused on trying to find the girls that it seemed she only saw her boyfriend anymore when he was forced to take a break by someone. (And even then, they didn't do much talking.)
The brunette shook that train of thought away and instead focused on the other boy in front of her. He was dressed much nicer than her - with her denim shorts and cropped, high low tee-shirt that exposed her midriff but covered her back. "What about you? How's things been?"
"They are, I suppose, as good as possible, all things considered. I believe it is a bit much, however. My sister and I shall be returning to England on holiday for a bit." He secured the saddle over his blanket, and went to get the bit in the horse's mouth. "I am, otherwise, simply reviewing data for Cyclops when I've the chance."
"Yeah, I heard about that. He's got himself locked away in his room right now which is why I'm out here with this guy," Lil said, giving the big horse a pat on the neck.
"Horses can, at times, be more enjoyable company than men, I suspect," Brian offered. And they were always better company than Scott Summers, though it seemed imprudent to say that to Lillian. He checked that everything was in order before mounting the horse. "Where are we off to today?"
"I was just gonna go follow the trail down and out to the clearing and let Thunder here do some running. Then, maybe come back up by the path near the creek." She and the horse both had been spending too much time inside and while she's had her chance to stretch her legs, Lil knew he hadn't. She gave the horse another pat then used her heels to urge him into moving toward the open doors that lead to the mansion grounds. "That work for you?"
"Of course." Brian led his horse after hers, towards the grounds.
Lil just smiled but didn't say anything more until they were out on the path, trotting side by side. "So, you said you and your sister were going back to England?"
"For a couple of weeks, yes." He clarified, glancing over at her. If she were anyone else, Brian might have chastised her for her clothing on this ride -- shorts and a quite revealing (though admittedly enjoyable) shirt were hardly safe riding clothes. She was indestructible, though, which made the whole exercise rather moot.
"Just to see your family or something else going on?" Lil asked. Normally, she didn't care what the other kids did but Brian was becoming something of an unlikely friend and, well, he was the only one else at the school who just understood sometimes. It was only polite to have an actual conversation with the guy while riding.
There were bits below the surface, it was true. The stress and anxiety and all, it was likely a bit much for Elizabeth to handle. In fact, Brian suspected that even what she'd shared of her distress was but a portion of her actual discomfort. That was private, however, and family business. So he offered in explanation, "Betsy has not been back to see our parents in quite awhile. We thought we might the take the break afforded to us by the school to remedy that."
Lil's smile went a little sadder, a bit more wistful. "I hope it works for her. And you. I ain't seen my dad since I came here... and I don't know if my going home to visit would really help any of the way things were left between us. But I really hope that ain't the way for the two of you."
Something about her phrasing, and the shadow over her expression, piqued Brian's curiosity. Still, he was compelled to exercise at least some modicum of manners. "If you do not mind my asking, and please stop me if you do, how did you leave things with your father?"
"'Not good' is probably the best way to put it," she replied, nose wrinkling a little but the half-smile was growing a little more sincere. "He was always busy with work and stuff and well, I wasn't exactly the best kid. Got into lots of trouble with fighting and skipping school and boys and smoking and drinking and stuff... We just clashed a lot before the Headmasters found me and I got sent here."
"I see." He was not, in fact, sure that he did, though he would be loathe to admit it. Lil almost sounded something like a chav, back home, though it was certainly not a word he would be using aloud. "What is your father's profession?"
"He's in transport," she said with a roll of her eyes then went on. "He's a trucker. Takes shit from point A to point B. Reeeal exciting, lemme tell you. But like I said, it meant he wasn't home much so I pretty much got to do whatever I wanted - which he didn't like. Parta me thinks he was happy to get me outta his hair."
Brian had absolutely no experience with professions in common cargo carriage, nor a particular desire to learn. He did, however, have some experience with parental expectations. "What would he have preferred for you?"
"The fuck if I know," she answered with a laugh that was dry and dark. "Not to be a screw up. Not to get suspended. Not to fail half my classes. Not to get knocked up before I graduated. I've only succeed in onna those things so far and it ain't the first three."
She ever ceased to surprise him, in an uncouth manner that was less off-putting than Brian might have otherwise supposed, when she spoke about herself. By contrast, he was not terribly surprised to hear about her academic successes or lack thereof; Lillian had never struck him as academically inclined. He pushed that behind his mild-mannered veil, however.
"And you objected to those expectations?" They seemed rather reasonable, after all.
Another casual shrug was given with one shoulder as Lil lead them and the horses into the wooded area around the school. "I did when I lived back home, yeah. I didn't wanna go to school so I didn't really care if I failed or got suspended. I just wanted to hang out with my friends and have fun. And my Dad wasn't around so I didn't see why it should matter so much."
The giantess paused briefly, biting her lip before adding, "I mean, I get it more, now. I'm doing better here and haven't had any real fights." The thing with Lydia didn't count because she had only threatened to break her nose, not actually done it. "Still, I was pretty mad at him for sending me away. Especially to a place that's a live-in school."
Brian suspected, given everything he knew about Lillian Crawley, that she had found the fun she had been looking for at the time. Whether such avenues were no longer available to her now that she was at the school was likely none of his business, however, and he'd no idea how to ask, even if it were.
"I suppose that is unusual here, isn't it?" He agreed instead, nodding. "I've boarded since I was eleven. It seems more common, in England. At least in my experience."
The expression Lil was wearing shifted from one of almost wistfulness to one of complete and utter shock. "Since you were eleven? Holy fuck!" That explained somethings about Brian but, still, holy fuck!
Brian looked mildly surprised by the outburst, though internally he was a bit more jarred. "What about it do you find objectionable?"
"Um, your parents sent you away when you were a kid," she pointed out, fixing him with a very serious look. How... eleven?? That seemed horrible to her! "Like, when you were still supposed to be a kid, doing stupid shit and having fun. Not getting sent away to live somewhere other than home like you'd been shipped off to prison. I mean, I guess if it's like this school, it isn't too bad but... Was it like this school?"
"Not precisely like it, no. Larger, rather, with more experienced academic faculty," Brian defended. "Fettes College is one of the best schools in Britain."
"Still sounds hellish to me," Lil said, glancing away to check the path in front of them. No fallen branches or other dangers in sight meant she could turn her full attention back to Brian. "Were there girls there or was it onna those Boys Only places?"
"Both girls and boys attend Fettes," he clarified, still utterly perplexed and vaguely annoyed by her reaction to his dearly held alma mater (of sorts).
"Well, that's a little better, I suppose." Not much, though. She just... didn't get it. Being sent away from home was hard enough when she was sixteen; she couldn't imagine what it would have been like if her father had chosen to send her somewhere any earlier.
Noticing the look on Brian's face, however, caused Lil's frown to reappear. "I didn't mean to offend you or anything. It's just, like, waaaay different. As much as me and my dad fought and weren't together, there is a difference between 'being away' and 'being sent away', right? I really didn't mean anything bad. Honest."
He supposed that equated to a sufficient apology, given the circumstances. "It might seem more curious if you are not from a group that expects it," he said diplomatically, nodding his head towards her. "My father had also gone away to school; it was hardly a surprise or concern when I did."
"Yeah, I guess."
Lil knew she'd misstepped somewhere - though wasn't quite sure where or how - so rather than continue bumble through that topic, she did the only thing she could think of: change it.
"So, how are your powers training stuff going?"
A far safer area, Brian agreed, and he readily accepted the shift in conversation. "It is going, I suppose." Normally that might have been all he said, but Lil was in a unique position to appreciate some of the difficulties in training that his mutation posed. "I am very near finishing the equipment I have been designing for my own use in strength training. I had...I had recently begun sparring with Talon, before she went missing. Her healing factor and speed made her a good match; I fear injuring most of the others."
The Canadian girl nodded. "Finding sparring partners is hard," she agreed. "If you ever wanna do stuff outside your squad, I'd be up for it... provided you let me use whatever equipment you're cooking up," came the addition with a little wink. The gym had a heavy bag designed for the students with enhanced strength but beyond that, there wasn't much in the way of exercise for Lil with the exception of the mats and the weights.
"Of course you can." After all, he could hardly use it all himself at once. "Strength training was how I ended up with Laura as a sparring partner; she found me lifting train cars and chastised me severely for failing to practice my in-battle control. She did not seem to agree with my fear of injuring others."
Brian looked at Lil consideringly for a moment. "How strong are you?"
"Not as strong as you, apparently." Lifting cars? HOLY FUCK! "I ain't really got super strength. Not in the way you do. My bio-aura makes it so that I don't absorb the force I put out so basically me punching someone hurts them twice as much because the recoil or whatever you wanna call it doesn't affect me." It was weird to explain but she was getting used to it, at least.
"But that also means that by me using the gym, I can increase my powers by making myself stronger in the good old fashion ways... which, of course, have their own downfalls," she added, thinking of Scott.
"Indeed. I have accidentally caused minor property damage more times than I care to admit to," Brian confessed with a slight smile. He grew more serious as he added, "Fortunately I've yet to accidentally harm another person, though I am very aware of the potential."
"You don't know how much it helps to have someone else around who understands," she said, relied filling her voice. "Like, even giving someone a high five, or a hug like we talked about before. It's scary. And that's even without moving into the really scary areas like sleeping with someone!" She paused only to brush a few strands of flyaway hairs from her face then continued. "Having to explain to my boyfriend that, 'no, we really shouldn't try it that way because I might hurt you' is awkward as all hell. He's sweet and tries to tell me that it'd be okay and I won't but there is always that What If. And in cases like that, the What If means a couple of weeks or months without Naked Time."
Lil blew a somewhat frustrated puff of air between her lips. "Do you ever feel like that with girls? Like you might hurt them during sex if you don't keep in complete control of your powers?"
Brian's face was notably pink due to the conversation's turn and the information Lillian had already shared. She was...far more forthright in her discussions of such things than he was accustomed to, that much was certain. However, she was right that there was something of value to the idea that there was another who understood the difficulties of such mutations. And she did seem to feel a bit better for having been able to tell him of her experiences, however private he might think they ought to be.
"I...to..." He cleared his throat to try again. "To the extent that I have been intimate since manifesting. I admit, the fear has crossed my mind." He could feel his face burning, but it was still true enough.
"Meaning you haven't... yeah, well, I'm an ass," Lil sighed, bringing a hand up to her face. "I'm sorry. I just figured a guy who looks like you... And with our powers... Forget it! Just forget it! I'm an ass." A big stupid ass. With a big mouth. Who should just learn when to shut up!
"You are not an ass, as you say, though the question was rather shocking," Brian corrected, still lightly flushed though it was disappearing. "I...your assumptions about my...experiences, since manifesting, are not entirely accurate."
He was not, however, getting into one-night arrangements with women he met in clubs and bars while intoxicated. It hardly reflected well on him or the other parties involved. "And it does make me nervous," especially since he tended to be drinking at the time, making accidents slightly more possible though he held his drink well.
"Oh. Sorry," Lil said quickly. "About assuming your love life. It just surprised me to think - nevermind." There was a hint of relief in her expression but embarrassment as well.
Unfortunately for Brian, that didn't mean she was dropping the subject. Especially now that he'd admitted to having some experience with what she was talking about.
"I guess you got it even harder than me. No pun intended," she continued with an apologetic frown. "Because of, you know, the equipment differences and all." The biology of it made it different but the issues - not so much. "But yeah, I get real nervous still. Like, it's supposed to be good and fun but there is always this little voice reminding me I could screw up and hurt him."
Brian blushed. Yes, he was at least prepared for the conversation now, but a pretty girl discussing 'equipment differences'...well, he could hardly be blamed for the response. "Unfortunately," he managed to say, "that is a problem people like us are likely to always have."
"Yeah. Unless we find someone whose got powers like us and can't get hurt," she said with a snort then nodded toward the clearing ahead of them. "We're just about there."
He did not believe he needed to point out that that would limit them rather severely, not to mention necessitating that Lil cease seeing her boyfriend. He was certain she realized that. So instead he just headed in the direction she had indicated, into the clearing.
"Speedster isn't bad," Lil went on, seemingly unfazed by the conversation now. "At least from a girl's perspective. Dunno how it would be for a guy. But I'd think finding another Brick would probably be wild."
Brian...had not quite realized that they were continuing in this vein. In the interest of politeness, however, he refrained from showing that he felt slightly uncomfortable having such a conversation that he was not intimate with. (Though, admittedly, she was attractive enough that he'd not mind such intimacy, potentially.)
"I...I would imagine speed mutants are just as easily...injured...as those without such gifts."
"Depends on positions," she pointed out. "I've made things work with Scott but there is definitely something to be said for a guy who can vibrate." A little smirk and Lil nudge her horse forward, sending him into a full gallop as she let out a whoop.
Brian went pink again as he made a conscious effort not to imagine her, even less covered than she was now, and writhing. It was beyond inappropriate, given her relationship status, regardless of whether or not she had given the impression that she'd experienced beyond him (since Brian supposed she was dating Scott Summers, but it seemed she had slept with Pietro Maximoff.)
He stood slightly, to better conceal any accidental reactions to that, as he urged his horse on after her.
"Come on, Brian! Gotta do better than that to catch up!" she hollered at him over her shoulder. Bent knees, she was perched high in the saddle, riding into the wind so her hair billowed freely behind her.
Rearranging himself on his saddle, in order to facilitate a faster gallop, he chased after her. Carefully trying not to focus on her arse as he came upon her from behind.
"Hiyah!" Lil cheered Thunder on, urging him faster with another laugh that drifted on the wind back to him. "Go on!"
Brian Braddock did not lose, and he focused on his speed, pulling even with her relatively quickly.
Her laughter continued even as he pulled even then ahead but Lil didn't let up. Not even when the edge of the clearing drew closer. "Some chivalry!" she hollered.
He couldn't help but chuckle at that, even as he continued ahead. "When you are in distress, I shall be happy to save you!"
They raced on but in the end, Brian won without any real contest.
"Fuck that," she said, eyes sparkling when the horses returned to a trot, winding down. "If anyone is in distress, I'll save you."
He grinned. "And you said chivalry was dead."
"Not dead. Just being re-formed." Another little smirk and she jerked her head in the direction of the creek. "How about we get them some water?"
Brian nodded, and tugged at the reins just slightly, to lead them in that direction.
"So," Lil started as they made their way over to the creek. "You gotta girl friend or something? Or someone back home?"
He wondered if that had been meant to change the earlier subject-matter or continue it, but it wasn't precisely something that could be asked. "Not at present, no."
She nodded once and stroked the horse's neck as they went. "Didn't mean to pry. I was just curious is all."
"There is no need to apologize," Brian assured her with a slight smile. "I was simply surprised."
One eyebrow lifted. "I don't recall actually apologizing," Lil snarked.
Brian raised an eyebrow. "I shall, then, for misunderstanding."
Her tongue appeared between her teeth, small and pink and teasing though she didn't say anything more until they arrived at the cheek. Nodding to the water, she lead Thunder closer then dismounted. "Here you go, Sweetie," the giantess cooed at the horse.
Brian did likewise, leading his mount closer to the creek. "How often do you ride?"
"Not much at all," she admitted. "I mean, I like it, I just haven't had time with everything. I spend more time in the gym." And with Scott. "But I like the horses. It's nice spending time with them."
"They're quite calming."
"They are. How about you? You ride a lot?"
"Not often anymore," Brian admitted with a slight shrug. "I did before, however, in school."
"I bet you had your own horse and everything," Lil replied, another small grin for the other student as she continued to pet the animal that was now sipping from the creek. "Sir Chauncey Neighington or something like that, right?"
Betsy had told him, before, that some of the students here had their own opinions, somewhat negative opinions, about the Braddocks' wealth, and Brian wondered for a moment if Lil was mocking him. Her smile was not edged, however, it seemed genuine. For smoothness' sake, he supposed he should give her the benefit of the doubt.
"I did, yes. Though not with such a name as that, thankfully."
The Canadian chuckled again then turned a bit more serious. "Do you miss home and the life you had before? Or are things better for you here?"
Brian thought a moment about how best to express himself as politely as possible. "I...I believe that, as is likely true for most, there are things I miss from before and things I appreciate about where I am now. I cannot say with absolute certainty that one would be better than the other."
Lil nodded her understanding then bit her bottom lip as she seemed to ponder something. Finally, after a few moments of near silence, she spoke again. "I gotta say something but I don't want you to take it the wrong way..."
Given their earlier conversation, Brian could not imagine what she might be nervous to say to him now, but he nodded anyway. "Take your time, and I will endeavor to keep an open mind."
"I don't wanna offend you but I don't know if this... this whole prim and proper rich guy is who you really are," Lil started with a wave of her hand, gesturing up and down at him. "If it is, that's fine and good and forget I bought this up because your cool as you are. But if it ain't, you don't gotta put on any acts with me. I ain't some society girl or someone looking for fame so I'm gonna go run to the rag reporters about some dude who is probably Prince Harry's cousin."
Hazel eyes were bright and sincere as she looked at Brian, smile soft but just as genuine. "Parta the whole thing about being at this school means we get to be ourselves so when you and I are hanging out in the stables or out here riding or just passing in the halls, you don't gotta be Mister Posh. I just mean, if this is any kinda mask, you can take it off. You don't gotta be a Braddock; you can just be Brian."
She'd been afraid that he would take offense, but Brian wasn't offended so much as he was shocked. It was rather common knowledge, he feared, that everyone wore some sort of mask in society; it was a skill most of them had developed before they'd even realized it was an act. Betsy tamped down her fearsome temper (which might have said something about its fearsomeness), Brian both his temper and humour. DaCosta toned down his idiocy, and Warren to some extent feigned it. Shinobi's persona could not possibly be entirely real.
Yet, for all of the disguising that went on in public, the image that was to be upheld, there was something of themselves, true of themselves, in there as well. Brian was quite reserved, that was not false. Warren more easygoing. Elizabeth more passionate. He could go on, but illustrating the differences to himself was rather pointless.
But it was never discussed. At least, not in company.
"I am afraid that I've no practice being anything other than a Braddock with people I am not related to," he said slowly, looking at her consideringly. Not the smartest girl he'd ever met, but there was a spark of something there now that intrigued him. "I do not know that I know how."
Lil just gave him another one-shouldered shrug and turned to look back at the animal she was still petting. "Maybe it's something you just gotta keep working at. You know, like your powers with the horses until it becomes natural?"
He watched her, curious. "How?"
"I dunno," she answered honestly. "Maybe we should take more rides together and then you can practice being human during it." The last words were said with a very clear tease filling them. "Powers with the horses. Personality with me. You ain't gonna find anyone here who's further away from the kinda people you grew up with than me."
Well, that was undoubtedly true. And it was that very difference that made her fascinating, and simultaneously difficult to predict. She had promised no recourse to the press, and Brian had little reason to doubt her, but what did he know? She was different, after all.
Still, he supposed it could not hurt to test the waters slightly. He was fully capable of far better damage control than he suspected Lillian Crawley might be able to create. "That might be worth a try."
"Cool." She wasn't sure how it would work but like he said, it might be worth a try. "Plus, we'll be able to talk more about our powers and what's good and bad about them."
"With candor even, perhaps." Brian walked over, the horse trailing behind him, and offered Lil his hand to shake. Because, in this rare circumstance, no matter how powered-up or down he might be, he could not hurt her.
Lil took his hand and gave it a firm squeeze; the kind she'd long ago tried to train herself from using. "If 'candor' means you ain't gonna turn into a blushing princess when we talk sex, then you got yourself a deal, Brian."
He smiled at the increased pressure on his hand. "I will try to leave my tiaras in my room."
