The Time Before (LoneDigger)

[Rumpleteaser]

It was the time before. Everybody knew it, everybody felt it. "Before what?" you might ask. Something was going to happen, the world was going to change forever or perhaps even end but there was little anyone could do about it - not now. It was too late to stop what the world powers and the people who made them up had set in motion. The suspense had been building up for decades as important figures began to disappear, research facilities were destroyed and the arms race reached its peak. No one person was to blame, the problem was far more complicated than that. Everybody was to blame, from the everyday consumers of processed food to the researchers trying to make the world a better place to the arms dealers who sold the weapons to the world powers who stockpiled genetically altered creatures in cryogenic facilities, missiles capable reducing entire cities to rubble lined craters and aerosol drones full of microbial agents of warfare. The entire system was flawed by human intervention. So long as humanity existed, so long as they continued to dream of a better future yet continue to look over their shoulders for the knife in their back, the threat of self-destruction would be ever present.

 

Each of the five great world powers were paranoid of the others, and even of the lesser world powers who really were no threat unless they finally banded together to form a sixth world power. Differences of opinion would never see that happen though. Their cultures were too varied and there were far too many misunderstandings throughout history. Perhaps it was these misunderstandings and differences of opinion that had lead to such paranoia. War had not broken out yet but the sense of calm had been fractured. Skirmishes broke out at borders, spies trickled to and fro like water beneath the Earth's crust and notable influential figures were being taken hostage and interrogated throughout each of the continents. It is only a matter of time before one of the world powers and someone hits the button in retaliation.

 

When the button of war is pushed, it will bring about an age of cataclysm.

 

Humans are too smart for their own good. They all compete to be the best, to be the most formidable opponent whilst playing the innocent bystander. None want to be the one to push the button and start a war that could destroy the world but it is only a matter of time before someone goes too far. With so many biological, microbial, nuclear and projectile weapons stockpiled around the world and even as far away as the moon, the threat of war brings foretells a dark future indeed. Yet war is looming. It is only a matter of time.

 

However, people pretend not to notice, trusting in the governments of the world or at least frightened enough to keep their mouth shut. They see but do not look. To them, the everyday world goes on as bright and new as ever. It's sleek, functional and impersonal. Everything comes in colours of white, glass, taup, silver and turquoise, the colours they consider "modern". Everything has a place and everything stays in its place. People are free, or at least believe they are free, but the environment they've built around themselves is almost stiflingly rigid. Nature itself is bent to their whims, whether it be oceans, mountains or animals grown in factories. Everything is built bigger than big to accommodate an explosion of populations that can live until 115 to 120 years old.

 

Alongside these modern humans are people with supernatural abilities, powers of the mind to create mental probes. Some are able to send a healing probe into the body of another person, some can receive and transmit thoughts over various distances using these probes. Others can nudge matter or probe technology. There are also those who can use their probes to tamper with the thoughts, memories or even emotions of other people. Some people can even use their probes on animals instead of humans. It all depends on their type of probe and what types of probes they can combine. A with powers of the mind can have up to even four different abilities and use them all at once. For example, a person who can transmit thoughts over long distances and control thoughts can control thoughts over long distances. A person who can attune their emotional probe to animals can stop a rabid dog from attacking.

 

So little is known about these new abilities in humans, and possibly animals too. I could perhaps be due to rising levels of radiation, a natural progression of humankind, the advancement of health services or even the additives in food causing mutations. The research into this area is still considered a fringe science. It is newly discovered and technology is only now catching up in order to run tests on human and animal subjects. People are encouraged to come forth and get themselves tested in the mobile clinics throughout the five major continents. It is seen more as a curiousity for the rich and those who believe themselves special than anything to take seriously. There have been suggestions as to how to these powers would best facilitate humankind and weaponisation has been suggested but for now the scientists running the tests are more interested to find out how they work than how they can be applied.

 

*** *** ***

 

There were eight different types of probes, which could be combined to make composite probes. Skills come into play when people learn to pick up more transmissions, weaker transmissions and are able to filter transmissions. The person usually has to create a shield around their mind to keep from receiving constant chatter. How far the probe can extend depends on how strong the person’s ability is (meters to hundreds of kilometres).

 

At their lowest levels the probe remains inside the person and picks up on transmissions from the world around them without exerting any effort. It takes no energy and very little ability to do this. They are just picking up at what comes to them from nearby. As it takes no energy and remains in the mind itself, these types of probes are very hard for the government and other organisations to pick up on.

 

Higher level probes stretch out from the mind like a long thread of silk. They gently penetrate their surroundings, usually without anyone knowing. Only those who are mind-sensitive can pick up on a probe touching them. They are easier for the government to pick up than lower level probes, however, as they extend outside the person rather than just picking up what comes their way.

 

The highest level of probe stretches out from the mind as a fan or a circle rather than a thread. They can spread over vast areas and pick up on everything in their midst. Like someone looking at an object amongst a scene, it is possible to hone and search within the view. It is very dangerous to do this as it is easy to pick up on and anyone who is mind sensitive might notice it. There are other dangers out there than the government to watch out for.

 

The easiest type of probe to understand is a telepathic probe. It is the ability to communicate into the mind of another person. Telepaths can attach a probe to another person’s mind but cannot enter it. They can transmit and receive voices, images, sounds, thoughts, awareness and sometimes smells to the outer limits of a person’s mind. A person can communicate with a telepath by thinking something or picturing it in their conscious mind.

 

Mind readers enter the minds of others’ and can siphon through the levels of consciousness to read memories, thoughts, dreams and sometimes senses. They can delve deep into another person’s mind but they can’t change it. They can read messages inside someone’s thoughts but cannot communicate back like a telepath can. Two mind readers can communicate by thinking and letting the other pick up on those thoughts.

 

Coercers are not only able to enter the mind but control it and change it too. They can change memories, create links between memories, set up new memories or add messages to memories. They can also work on thoughts, senses and dreams like mind readers too. The difference between a mind reader and a coercer is the ability to manipulate what they read.

 

Empathy is the ability to receive and transmit emotions. It is very much like coercion but works only on emotions. Empaths are able to radiate emotions, read various levels of emotions and control emotions.

 

Telekines are able to reach out to an object and manipulate it. They can turn it, lift it and change the shape of fluids. They use the probe to hold it in their grasp and move it. It is a difficult ability to master because it takes more energy to move a physical object than to simply use a probe.

 

Animal telepathy is exactly like human telepathy but it connects with the mind of an animal instead. Animals have different ways of thinking to humans and their minds are built differently so normal telepaths cannot use animal telepathy and vice versa. This is a skill that takes a lot of practice as there are lots of different animals with lots of different ways of thinking. Sometimes it can be stressful or even painful to connect with a type of mind that humans aren’t compatible with, such as reptiles. The more domesticated the animal and the more contact the animal has had with humans, the easier it is to communicate with.

 

Technopathy is the ability to communicate with and control technology through thought alone. It is a probe like any other probe but it works intricately with electrical devices. Technopathy is often linked with telekinesis to manipulate other human endeavours too.

 

Healers use their probes search the physical body and find sites of damage or disease. Healing can work in two ways. The healer can delve into the person’s body, absorb the damage and treat it within themselves or they can exert healing energy on the person’s own body. As well as healing, they can also create damage to the body, though not disease (only the symptoms of disease but not the microbe).

[Rumpleteaser]

Matthew Brandt Profile

 

Age: 27

Height: 5'11"

Sexuality: Gay, seme, mostly top

Probes: Empathy and telekinesis

Occupation: Laboratory technician

Likes: Chinese food, cloudy weather, BDSM clubs, his brother, takeaway food, science, new technologies, action movies, being able to pay the bills, manly chests, bubble butts, university life, leather, men in uniform, old school trains like in the movies, kitties

Dislikes: Government searches for probers, prober experiments, cold weather, rain, rent increases, not owning a glider, helmet hair, the secrecy that goes with being a prober, being mindbound, bad smells, powerful emotions, anger, hatred, sadness

 

Personality: Matthew is a man of action. He is boisterous and dominant in personality. He doesn't mean to be pushy but he does tend to inflict his will on others. He means no harm by it though and he has a good heart. He's always willing to lend a hand or offer support. Being a empath, he's able to pick up on people's emotions easily and knows when soothe their emotions through actions rather than just probing. He's picked up a few social skills because of his empathy.

 

Biography: Matthew and Ian didn't know their parents, though Matthew suspected they were scientists because he could remember going into the laboratories with them when he was very little. It was about the time his younger brother had been weened that their parents had given them away to their second-cousins Rachael and Michael. It was supposedly because their parents hadn't had time to bring up children and continue their research. Matthew didn't know the full story, though he'd asked. He'd always wanted to know why their parents never visited, sent word or came to their family reunions. It was almost as though they didn't exist.

 

In truth, Matthew and Ian were the very first life pod babies. Their parents had been the head scientists on the life pod project in the St Leonard's Fertility Centre. They had used their own samples to in-vitro fertilise thirty eggs, the best two being Ian and Matthew. Ian had been kept in cryostasis for four years before being placed in a newer model of incubator. After the project had been a success, the pair hadn't been able to keep their children. It was too dangerous, there were too many tests that would need to be undertaken and there was the children's welfare to consider. If kept in the fertility centre, their entire lives would be monitored and the government would possibly want to get hold of them for further research. The scrutiny was too much for any child, let alone their parents who would have to take care of the children. Ian was too young to remember any of it but Matthew remembered being in a white gown being led around the laboratories and having doctors watching over him. He liked to imagine his parents had doted on him and hadn't been able to bare the thought of leaving him with someone else during those first four and a half years.

 

Other than living with his second-cousins, the brothers' lives were fairly ordinary. They went to school, had their own friends and lived their lives the way any normal child would. It wasn't until they reached about the ages of fourteen and ten that Matthew and Ian started to develop their probe abilities. They both started to be able to nudge objects by will alone and both started to be able to form probes about the same time. Soon they developed different abilities too. Matthew could use empathy where Ian could use healing probes. The two practiced on each other in secret until their guardians discovered what they were doing. Little was known about probers back then so their guardians told them to keep it secret and went on pretending they knew nothing about it. They didn't want to know about it and didn't accept it, though they still loved their adoptive children. It was easier to pretend they didn't know than to accept their wards were unnatural freaks.

 

Matthew was smart enough and did well enough at high school to get into a good university in the city, studying science. He kept his degree as general as possible. He did extra subjects and took on a three-quarter load so he could work so it took him a bit longer to graduate than others. He considers university to be the best years of his life. He looks back on college lifestyle with fondness. He's not a man-child but he can be carefree.

 

Once he graduated, Matthew got a job as a laboratory technician at Petersham Innovation Centre. PIC was a multi-story science and technology facility with laboratories, offices, a few lecture theaters, an administration block and one small to medium sized hall for events. It was privately owned by a corporate run by the CEO, owner and founder of the centre. The CEO owned a few centres throughout the continent but PIC was the biggest. Individuals, companies, universities and government departments came to PIC to hire their facilities and technical staff. They made their proposal and it either got accepted or rejected by the committee. If they succeeded, they got as much space as they need to do their research.

 

The job meant Matthew was able to support Ian while he was studying to be a doctor at university. Ian moved in to Matthew's one bedroom apartment for a while before they decided they needed a bigger place. Sleeping on the couch just didn't cut it. Their deal was that Matthew would support Ian through university if Ian supported Matthew once he became a big-shot doctor.

 

 

[LoneDigger]

 

Name: Jaxson Vias

Age: 22

Height: 5'4

Probe: Coercer

Likes: Being alone, being a smart ass, comfortable clothes, nature

Dislikes: Large crowds, noise, cigarettes -can't quit-, confrontation

 

Personality: Jaxson is quiet, a bit sarcastic, tends to appear grumpy and blunt, can sometimes be quick to temper. He has a cynical view towards the world yet is very dedicated to his purpose. He's the type that once you get to know him shows a different side that is slightly more immature. He acts tough but he's really just needy deep inside. Can't just ask for something without making things more complicated.

[Rumpleteaser]

Rain drummed down against the walls and windows of the Petersham Innovation Centre. There was the occasional flash of lightning, followed by a rumble of thunder. PIC just clipped the edge of the large storm cell, while the worst of the rain and wind traveled north along the coast. Matthew groaned. He'd hoped the storm would pass this neck of the woods before it was time for him to go home. It was a long, hard ride in the rain to get to his apartment. With his all-weather coat in such a state of disrepair, he'd be an icicle by the time he got home. The thing was built with internal heating originally but the circuits were fried and there were numerous holes in it. he always told himself he'd buy himself a new one for his birthday but his motorbike registration hit at roughly the same time. That's right - motorbike! How old school was that? With supporting his brother at university, he didn't have enough money for a real hoverbike. Aaah, a man could dream.

 

The blonde idly considered the wisdom of sleeping at PIC for the night in the technician's offices. He could possible hitch a ride with one of his colleagues or hire a taxi but taxis cost money. Even better, he could drink until he didn't feel the cold. Yeah. That sounded like a great idea. Maybe the storm would pass by the time he'd finished drinking. Matthew looked at the storm outside then down at his watch. Hmmm. It was still too early to leave. He had about another thirty minutes of his shift. That gave him ample time to go around and see who was up for Friday night drinks.

 

First up he'd ask the people in the cryopod department. He was most keen to talk to them because he hadn't heard much about what they were doing in about six weeks. That was unusual for him because he liked to be in everyone's business. There wasn't much that went down without him knowing about it - not in PIC.

 

'Hey! Jeremy!' Matthew called as he noticed one of the lab techs walking down the hall.

'Yeah, what is it? I'm not starting any cleaning this time of night. Tell the biorubber-'

'Woah, woah! Wait! I don't have more work for you.'

'Good. So what do you want?' Jeremy asked, as blunt as ever.

'How about dinner and some drinks?' Matthew offered, leaning against the wall.

'What, me personally?'

'No. You, me, the lab techs and maybe the cryopod guys.'

'I'll go but only if you don't invite those biorubber bastards. They've had me cleaning their gunk all day!'

'Aaah, that's our job,' Matthew said with a hint of sarcasm.

'They're supposed to at least give their glassware a preliminary wash before handing it over to us.'

'I can't just ask everyone except one department. Come on, I'll have a word to them on Monday about it.'

'No need. I filed a complaint. They're too sloppy,' Jeremy said, then paused. 'Oh, and I'm not going.'

'Oh, come on Jeremy. You don't have to talk to them.'

'No. I'd rather spend time with my kids tonight.'

'All right, all right. Suit yourself,' Matthew said with a sigh.

 

Matthew gave Jeremy a friendly salute then walked off. He went around each of the research labs (Biorubber Incorporated included) to tell everyone about Friday night drinks. It was 4:30pm so most people were either finishing up or had already gone home. Nobody really had time to talk half an hour before closing on a Friday night. They were all to focused on the weekend - if they had the luxury of being off on the weekend. Science didn't have a Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm timeline. Work needed to be done when it needed to be done. If that meant sitting around, waiting for an autoclave at 9pm on a Saturday night, so be it.

 

The rounds Matthew was making weren't just about making a last minute offer of dinner and drinks. It was also part of his job to check that everything was in order before the facility officially closed. Luckily, Matthew wasn't on pack up so he didn't have to wait around for the last of the laboratory warriors to finish up. In fact, he even had Saturday off, though he couldn't celebrate too hard because he did have to get to work at a sparrow's fart on Sunday.

 

Last of all, Matthew came to the set of laboratories where Jaxson worked. Matthew crouched down a little so the eye scanner could verify up before the door released with a hiss. The blonde blinked a few times before walking into the laboratory. He looked around with curiosity, peeking at this and that without actually touching anything.

 

'Hey Jaxson, is it just you in here this evening?' he asked as he came over.

 

Matthew put his hands in the pockets of his labcoat and thumbed the stylus he had there.

 

'So, anyway, a few of us are going out for drinks and a meal. Nothing flash, just the Tai Street Hotpot. Are you interested?' Matthew asked.

 

Of course he isn't, Matthew thought to himself but he put on a friendly enough smile. In all honesty, Matthew hadn't once seen Jaxson outside work. He wondered what the guy was like when he wasn't focused on his experiments.

 

'I've told the others to wait another ten minutes then we'll all leave together,' he said.

 

'So, how's everything in the lab? Are all your dishes washed and sent to the technician's rooms for cleaning?' he said, then laughed softly. 'Don't mind me. It's my job to check everyone off at the end of the day.'

[LoneDigger]

A grumbled curse was muttered out before a harsh low 'yeah' was given in response to the question aimed at him.

How this guy got chosen to be one of the interns out of all the rest of a the bunch was a true mystery that not even science or logic could solve.

Jaxson was not only grumpy, but he always had this sort of brusque aura surrounding him. It was how he worked and somehow or other found his place.

Maybe because he was so unlike the rest of the cheerful on their best behavior graduates that he stood out as something memorable.

His no nonsense attitude and work ethic spoke for themselves. He just wasn't your typical twenty something year old. He had this cynical attitude that would seem to belong to someone much more seasoned or rough.

 

And Matthew was right. Jaxson was certainly not interested in wasting him time doing that... but yet the truth was he didn't have anything better to do so he agreed that getting out wouldn't hurt so bad. It would be painful no doubt, but no more so than laying on the couch alone in the dark flipping through the channels.

 

"Well if they're waiting on us then we better get fuckin' going."

 

He growled, somewhat dismissing the other man's words but answering just enough to avoid complete social disaster but still not being very friendly.

 

"If your job is to piss everyone off then you're doing a great work at it. We get it. Now come on."

 

He huffed impatiently, but he couldn't deny the fact that the smallest part of him really didn't mind Mathew. He didn't like the other, well shit, he barely knew him. But for what he was, he was an alright guy. Mostly tolerable with only the occasional instances that made Jaxson want to shove knives into both their heads.

[Rumpleteaser]

'We still have time if you need to finish what you're doing,' Matthew said, sounding a bit perky.

 

The blonde was glad Jaxson had agreed to come. He always liked to get to know his colleagues yet he knew so very little about Jaxson. The man kept to himself and his work mostly, never bothering anyone. He'd made very few requests of the laboratory technician team too.

 

'Ha ha. If you say so,' Matthew said in reply to Jaxson's snarky comment. He didn't know what else to say. He wasn't offended. Jaxson was just moody. The lab technician had dealt with worse than moody. Demanding and impatient were far more annoying. 'I'll put my lab coat away and meet you with the others.'

 

Matthew gave a short nod in goodbye and turned to leave the laboratory. At the door he stopped and smiled in an almost affectionate way at Jaxson.

 

'Hey, I'm glad you're coming,' he said before leaving Jaxson alone.

 

Five minutes later, Matthew had his lab coat off and was rugged up in his all-weather coat instead. It was black and looked like leather but it was in good need of repairs. The left arm was actually patched with black gaffer tape and the pockets were stitched on - poorly. Matthew smiled as he saw that at least five people were waiting for him just inside the facility's front doors.

 

'So where's Jaxson?' Matthew asked.

 

'Who's Jaxson?' Jamie asked.

 

'He's one of the interns. Black hair, scowl and a sarcastic manner,' said one of the other laboratory technicians.

 

'Oh, come on. He's not that bad,' Matthew insisted. 'He's just...'

 

'Just what?' the lab tech asked.

 

'Takes a little warming up,' Matthew affirmed.

[LoneDigger]

"You must not get a lot out of life if my showing up makes you that pleased."

 

Jaxson huffed, trying to be either rude or friendly teasing, it was hard to tell honestly since he didn't really smile regardless of which it was.

But Matthew was such a pleasant and cheerful person to work with it seemed to not matter. If anything he would probably be the one guy who could see past the faults in any person, even one as difficult and prickly as Jaxson.

 

When he finally caught up with the others he was about to make some smart ass remark about the other's jacket, until he heard them talking and quickly shut his mouth. Everyone already knew he was a bastard, so why give them the satisfaction of perfectly proving their point right there?

 

No, he could poke fun at Mathew later. Right now he needed to socialize only he hadn't done this shit in so long it was like he was having to relearn the subtle rules and etiquette that came with human interaction.

 

He quickly observed the rest and tried to copy the best he could, but without being too obvious.

[Rumpleteaser]

'Not really, but that's beside the point. It's more that I don't know you as well as I know everyone else here,' Matthew replied with a shrug.

 

Once everyone had gathered, Matthew clapped his hands together in a final sort of way. Everyone looked at him expectantly, since he was the one who'd invited him out.

 

'So we can go seafood, Tai Street Hotpot or barbeque,' Matthew announced. All were within walking distance.

 

'You said hotpot so let's go hotpot. The drinks are cheaper there,' said the lab tech from before.

 

'All right. Let's do this!' Matthew announced.

 

The blonde took the lead as they made their way out onto the street. Everybody was rugged up with scarves, coats and hoods. Only three of them had thought to bring umbrellas so they had to share. Matthew took one of them and held it over Jaxson's head. He wrapped an arm around the guy and pulled him in close so they could both share the umbrella.

 

'Nothing suss, just keeping us both warm and dry,' he promised. 'Unless you'd prefer to share with someone else.'

 

A flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed ten seconds later by the rumble of thunder. Matthew shivered.

 

'It's great you came out tonight. You're probably the only person I haven't seen out of work, including the new girl from a week ago, Stacy,' Matthew started. 'So what do you do when you're not at work? Do you have any hobbies? A girlfriend?'

[LoneDigger]

Jaxson was just as hard on himself as he was to everyone else, if not even worse. So he cursed himself for his first reaction not being to curse Mathew out or push him away when he was pulled close.

He barely knew the guy to consider being on a touching basis with him, but yet the basic need for human interaction made it impossible to really be bothered by something that he instictually craved, yet so often denied himself for reasons that varied from simply being too busy to socialize, to actually having an aversion to others.

 

Still, Jaxson couldn't just let things be so simple and despite moving along with the blond he still had to make a few quips.

 

"Oh, sure it's not. Just make sure you don't start grabbing me any lower and we won't have any problems."

 

Yet a faint smirk escaped him and he was finding it increasingly harder to stay grumpy. After all, this was his first time really going out of the house or work in months probably. Kind of pathetic when he realized that part.

 

Yet feeling the shudder from the other man distracted him and he was almost about to ask the other if he was cold, but then either he remembered that he didn't care, or Matthew's questions interrupted his own.

 

"If I say 'yes' won't you just kick me out in the rain?"

 

Jaxson teased, but somehow even if he were being half serious, which was unlikely, he still doubted the man would have done it. He seemed too nice. Jaxson on the other hand...

[Rumpleteaser]

Matthew laughed at Jaxson's quip and hugged the guy a little tighter. He still had his mindshield up so he couldn't sense any of Jaxson's emotions at present. They were still too close to the facility and Matthew knew for a fact at least one company was trialing machines that could detect the brainwaves probers let off. There was also another project for known probers to be hooked up to machines to have their powers heightened but that didn't scare Matthew as much.

 

While nobody was looking, Matthew smirked and leaned in a little closer to Jaxson, just to stir him.

 

'Don't tempt me,' he said in a very low voice so that only Jaxson would hear. He was just teasing and didn't mean anything by it though. Hopefully Jaxson laughed it off too. After that Matthew straightened up and kept going as if nothing had happened. His arm remained firm around Jaxson's body but nothing pervy happened in the slightest. Matthew was the complete gentleman, making sure not a single drop of rain landed on the intern the whole way to the Tai Street Hotpot.

 

'Maybe I will, maybe I won't. The real question is, are you game enough to find out?' Matthew replied. He beamed wide and looked over at Jaxson. 'Okay, I promise I won't kick you out in the rain. Sooo, tell me about yourself.'

 

'Okay, if you're not going to talk about yourself, I'll talk about myself until you feel comfortable sharing,' he announced. 'Let's see... I own a motorbike so don't hold that against me. I live with my younger brother in a two bedroom apartment about a ten minute ride from PIC. I'm supporting him through college because our second-cousins only had enough to put me through. I'm single and on the prowl but I'm a bit too picky for my own good.'

 

'Oh shit! Here, hold the umbrella' Matthew suddenly exclaimed. He let go his arm from around Jaxson and handed the other man the umbrella. He held his wrist watch to his lips and spoke into it. 'Dial Ian. Record message. "Hey bro. I'll be home late tonight. Don't leave any dinner out for me. Don't wait up." End message. Send message. There, sorry about that Jaxson. I don't get out much so my brother spooks if I don't get home on time. Bastard usually expects dinner ready too.'

 

That wasn't entirely the truth, however. He did go out at least once a week but he didn't want Jaxson asking about that. Matthew had a few kinks and there were only certain clubs he could relieve them in. It was best nobody knew about that. Colleagues, friends and even his own brother were not privy to where he went. Also, he didn't want Jaxson to know just how clingy his brother was about him going out. Ian had a tendency to make people awkward. He was too bubbly and cute, sometimes a little creepy. The brothers were attached to each other, which Matthew was fine with, but it came across as something else at times.

[LoneDigger]

Obviously Mathew was just hugging him closer because of being cold, right? He guessed he could put up with some of the touching, since it meant he got to stay out of the rain and the prospect of having dinner out was very tempting, so it was all worth the trouble.

 

When the other began to speak of himself Jaxson found himself struggling to even pay attention to what the other was telling him. He just couldn't be bothered to know, or maybe his social skills were just really that shot he couldn't even listen properly when someone else was trying to interact with him.

 

Maybe this was just a side effect from being alone so often, or his inherently selfish nature, or maybe even his own probe.

 

It was conflicting either way, a part of him kind of liked being around Matthew, but he just wasn't used to this. He wasn't even sure how to act, but he didn't seem to care on just being himself which was a pain. The fact Matthew hadn't been offended by him though was already probably a really good sign. He was just rolling with his snark and meeting it head on with that stupid grin... Which kind of worked for Jaxson.

 

Then suddenly that comforting pressure around his side which he hadn't even known was just that until the sensation suddenly was gone and he was holding onto the umbrella a bit lost, since he hadn't been listening.

He kept his mouth shut and watched as the other left a message for his... brother, right. The other had mentioned he had one... He had heard that much.

 

"Bring him home some takeaway. I'm sure it'll make his fucking day."

 

Jaxson shrugged as he clutched on a bit tighter to the umbrella. Now that he was the one holding it, was he supposed to stand close to share? He didn't want to touch Matthew, plus with the height difference it would be awkward for him and only make it more obvious that the other was taller. Even to just keep the umbrella above the man's head meant that Jaxson was stretching his arms up to cover him. He always hated that, being smaller than most of the rest.

[Rumpleteaser]

'Or not,' Matthew replied, though he didn't intend to shoot down Jaxson's idea so quickly. 'He'll have eaten by the time I get home. Maybe some other time.'

 

Matthew took the umbrella from Jaxson and wrapped his arm around the guy again. What had they been talking about? Ah yes, Jaxson had been avoiding talking about himself so Matthew was trying to get him comfortable. The only thing he knew of that they had in common though was work. It would be pretty dull to talk about work when they were meant to be having a night of drinks but Matthew was still curious.

 

'So...' he announced in a loud voice. 'How's the project going? Where are you up to in it? There didn't seem to be much going on when I went to check on you.'

 

The blonde was friendly enough the whole way to the hot pot restaurant. He never seemed put off by Jaxson's grumpy, sarcastic manner. He seemed persistent at wanting to get to know the other man though. Matthew could be pushy at times. He would sometimes go to great lengths to get his way, even if he was in the wrong. It would perhaps be his undoing one day.

 

'Oh, that's right! You never told me about your girlfriend... or boyfriend. Are you straight?' he asked.

 

A few of the others must have heard Matthew's question and one of them glanced behind them. The laboratory technician from earlier raised his eyebrow at them wrapping their arms around one another but Matthew just shrugged it off. He didn't see anything wrong with holding another man. It wasn't sexual so who was to complain? Besides, the alternative was that one of them would get wet and cold before they even got to the restaurant.

 

When they got to the restaurant, Matthew casually let go of Jaxson. He shook out the umbrella and put it in the stand before taking a number. The hot pot was fairly popular so they'd likely have to wait a while. Matthew shivered and pulled his old coat tighter around himself. Part of it was because he actually was cold, the other part was that he was trying to get a bit of sympathy in order to catch a lift with someone.

 

'I sincerely hope I don't have to ride home in this,' he commented. 'I'll be an icicle by the time I get home!'

[LoneDigger]

What could be worse? Being forced to talk about work or talk about his personal life? He really didn't feel like choosing between either, but Matthew was just too damn persistent in making a conversation. And Jaxson's social skills were so rusty he was having a hard time even keeping up mentally.

 

But again, the pressure and added warmth around him was such a welcomed change that he began to slowly and just slightly, lower his defenses and open up.

 

"It's going..."

 

He paused, and then the other just had to ask if he had a girlfriend... Which actually seemed to somehow trigger a genuine sense of spite from Jaxson that went way beyond his normal snark.

 

"... Your integration is really starting to get old."

 

But then Jaxson paused and had a slight moment of panic. One part of him didn't give two fucks if he hurt the other's feelings, but the other side of him that craved human interaction knew that if he did something like that again he could loose his chance entirely.

 

Thankfully they had already arrived and that created a sort of distraction from his hostile response to Matthew only trying to make conversation or get to know him more.

As pissy as Jaxson was, even he knew better then to push his luck that far. Maybe Matthew found his blunt attitude amusing. But that could only be held to a point before it became nothing more than rude and unnecessary.

 

Trying to find something else to talk about while they were all waiting anyway, he turned to the blond only to see him shivering.

 

"What now? You're telling me that us cuddling against each other the whole hike here wasn't warm enough for you?"

 

Jaxson quipped, but this time there was no hostility to it. He was being more careful now and trying to make up for his little outburst earlier.

[Rumpleteaser]

'Going, huh? Real helpful,' Matthew said sarcastically. He didn't mean anything by it but in all honesty he should have been a bit more sensitive to the fact that Jaxson didn't want to talk. He was an empath after all. In fact, Matthew thought to himself, I'm probably safe to lower my mindshield now. There was no outward sign that he'd opened himself up to the emotions around him, at least until he felt the antipathy rolling off Jaxson in waves. What could have caused that? Was he always that bitter?

 

'Er... did I hit a nerve?' Matthew asked. 'Okay, I won't ask you anything personal again but you've got to at least give me something. I'm trying to get to know you!'

 

Matthew resisted the urge to blow in his hands and rub them, just in case his act became a little too obvious. His jacket didn't have the belt anymore, lost over the years of service, but it did have all its double-breasted buttons so he did them up and stuck his hands in the pockets. He looked over at Jaxson and shrugged.

 

'I feel the cold easily. You wouldn't believe how many times I catch a cold or a flu each year. Luckily my brother is studying to be a doctor so he always fusses over me when I get sick. It's cute until the point I need to get to work,' Matthew explained. He then gave a little bit of a smirk then covered it by coughing into his hand. 'If you wanted to cuddle again, I wouldn't object. It could be a while before we're inside.'

 

Matthew drummed his fingers against the inside of his pockets while they waited and tried to rack his brain for something to talk about. He didn't want Jaxson getting bored or impatient then deciding to leave. It was also likely Matthew would crack if he had to stay silent for more than five minutes. Usually when that happened he'd start people watching using his empathy.

 

'Sooo... ANCAD's project on probers is putting in a request to have everyone in our facility scanned. They just have to get their ethics approval first. Their staff say they're just scanning brain waves but I dunno. It's making everyone nervous,' Matthew said. Work was about the only thing Jaxson and Matthew had in common so far and Matthew had warned a few people about ANCAD's dodgy ethics. He'd "accidentally" come across a few funding documents that were smelled foul. He couldn't say that he'd seen something but he could warn people about the possibility of staff being scanned. It would give people the chance to find an excuse not to be there. 'I'd watch out for them, if I were you. They say they're an independent organisation but I'd bet my bike that they're receiving "donations" from government officials.'

Please Register/ Sign In, in order to see the links.

[LoneDigger]

"Oh, really? You better not be sick right now or else your brother will be stuck with another problem."

 

Jaxson chuckled. Again, this was all just friendly jibbing. He was trying to at least not act like a complete sociopath.

Now was one of those times that called for being just like the rest, making a friend or two that wasn't really there, but enough that when he needed it he would have someone to call upon.

To him, relationships were always just a means to an end to benefit his own personal gain. With his Probe it was just too hard to feel genuinely attachment to others.

 

He hadn't given Mathew much credit up until this point the other man just kind of struck him as, to put it perfectly blunt, a bit dense.

Jaxson just didn't trust people who smiled about nothing at all and found idles small talk entertaining to be anyone worth much at all.

But it seemed the other was proving him very wrong with this next piece of information.

 

The dark haired male didn't say anything at first, he just let it sink into his thoughts and fester there silently.

But knowing Mathew and their destination this quiet would not last long and he might just snap if the blond were to break it asking him another pointless question about his personal life or his favorite color.

 

"I'll be careful. Thanks."

 

Jaxson murmured, leaning in just a little closer when a gust of wind kicked up the cold and rain against his unprotected side. It was fucking miserable out here, why had they decided to go out in this weather? Oh, well. It was probably planned in advance and it wasn't like he had decided to come until last minute being convinced.

As much as he was almost dreading being forced to sit down and pretend to enjoy this gathering, right now being inside where it was dry and having something hot to eat did make it all worth it. Plus, Matthew's warning.

[Rumpleteaser]

'Yeah. He's already under enough pressure with his studies. I'm glad I didn't study to be a doctor!' Matthew said with a laugh. 'I doubt he'd be able to do his studies without me playing house bitch.'

 

Matthew sighed heavily in the silence. He could feel something inside Jaxson, other than the normal reluctance and unsocial attitude. He didn't question it. Having someone examine your brainwaves for probing abilities was unnerving for everyone. Even those who didn't have probing abilities would be worried about having the project find something.

 

'Personally I don't like all the attention on probers. I can just imagine the government will find a way to militarise them. I'd hate to think of having the military in control of a troupe of people who can read thoughts, cause a person to cower in fear or control your body,' he said. He gave a shudder but in reality he was shuddering at the thought of being part of such a troupe. He was a scientist at heart, not a soldier.

 

Finally their number was called and Matthew sighed heavily. He took Jaxson by the hand and moved to the front of the group so he could lead them all inside. Once at the table, he took off his tattered jacket and tossed it over the back of the chair. He was wearing a navy shirt with black jeans. After pulling out Jaxswon's chair for him, the blonde sat down and undid his top button.

 

In the middle of the table there was a gas burner with a large, copper pot on it. It was already filled with a spicy seafood broth but they had to pick the ingredients to add to it. They'd have to decide together what to put in it. Matthew opened his menu and started to look through it thoughtfully.

 

'I'm partial to scallops, personally, but they're a bit expensive. Maybe mixed seafood?' he suggested.

 

'Who's paying?' asked one of the others.

 

'Alla romana?' suggested Matthew. 'We all pay an equal share.'

 

'You're the one who suggested we go out,' the guy commented.

 

'Come on, do you really think I can pay for everyone?' Matthew said with a laugh. It was common knowledge he was broke.

 

'Dutch then. I'm not paying for everyone else's drinks,' the man grunted. 'I know how much Clark can put away.'

 

'Dutch it is,' Matthew agreed. Oh well. He'd have to limit himself. 'So, scallops?'

[LoneDigger]

"Isn't that what siblings are for?"

 

The faintest hints of a smile played on Jaxson's face then, but there was something eerie about it. It was meant to be joke surely, but it seemed to hold some kind of other implication to it.

Given that the man was also so reluctant to even talk about himself in any light also only added to the strangeness.

 

Jaxson went quiet again, no surprises there. But Matthew's words and reaction intrigued him.

He didn't know how he felt about the idea of being militarized. It didn't bother him so much in the way one would think. He hated to be controlled period, but that was just a part of existing. But to be used in such a way as a sort of weapon of war... It almost excited him. But he gave no indication of how he was feeling beyond a grim nod, he was always an excellent actor when he wasn't being his usual self, but he knew how to play the right parts when the moments called for it.

 

"What's with you? I didn't sign up to be your date."

 

Jaxson growled as he was lead by the hand, and like the gentleman that apparently his coworker was, pulling out the chair for him to sit and everything.

But he wasn't really annoyed, in fact it was kind of amusing. He wasn't used to so much attention. He couldn't tell if the other man was just really friendly, or if there were another intention going on. Jaxson always liked to assume the worst in others so he went with the latter.

 

Then came the bickering and more pointless chatter. He couldn't stand it, but instead of snapping he went with another approach to shut everyone up quickly.

 

"I'm paying, get whatever the hell you want."

[Rumpleteaser]

'Ha ha, I guess,' Matthew agreed. 'Do you have any siblings?'

 

Matthew went quiet after his outburst about the probers. Any more and he would draw attention to himself. So far only his brother knew he was a prober. It was still something people were afraid of talking about and only shared with their closest friends and family. It was entirely possible that there were other probers working at PIC. There could very well be one with them right now, perhaps even actively probing the group.

 

'Oh, sorry. Just habit,' Matthew replied, letting go of Jaxson. He flushed a bit and reached up to rub the back of his head. He still pulled the chair out for the guy though. 'It's nothing, really. I'm not into you or anything.'

 

Matthew stared at Jaxson in shock when the guy offered to pay for everyone. As nice as it was, Matthew felt a bit guilty.

 

'We should pay for our own drinks though. Trust me, you'll regret your offer if Clark has his way,' he said with a slight chuckle. He gave a smirk at Clark's annoyed expression then shrugged.

 

'So what does everybody want?' Matthew asked. He supposed he was the one leading the group. 'I really like their fried tofu and pork balls.'

 

'I think we should skip the veges,' Clark said.

 

'What? You need your greens. It's not a hot pot without some colour in it,' one of the other techies said.

 

'Just fish it out if you don't like it,' Matthew said. 'Cabbage or baby buk choy? Jaxson, you're paying so you can choose what you want. What are your favourite ingredients?'

 

Once everyone had decided what they wanted, Matthew waved over the waitress and listed all the ingredients they were to have. Next everyone ordered their first round of drinks. Rather than getting water as he'd thought, Matthew had a hot peach sake. It was a girl's drink but he liked it. If anyone gave him shit about it, he'd brush it off the way he usually did. Most things tended to roll off him like water off a duck's back. The blonde gave the waitress a friendly smile as everyone finished up then leaned back with a sigh.

 

'Well, that was a task. I would have taken us to a noodle house if I thought there would be so many disagreements over hot pot ingredients,' he said sideways to Jaxson. 'Not a great first impression, huh? I assure you, normally things are more... peaceful when we go out for dinner. Last time we had sushi rail. Clark got so drunk that we had to take his keys. I swear, having him on the back of my motorbike is an experience I do not want to repeat.'

 

'Shut up, Matthew,' Clark growled.

 

'Okay, okay. I won't tell him what happened,' Matthew said, raising his hands in surrender. He could feel Clark's animosity rising and knew there would most likely be a fight if Matthew told Jaxson that he'd been felt up by his co-worker. Clark was a closet bisexual who hadn't had his first guy yet. He had a girlfriend and no way to explore his homosexual desires. Being drunk and holding onto a man's back, he'd gotten hard and begun feeling Matthew up until they were both in an uncomfortable situation.

 

'Hey, the annual motorbike finals are next weekend. I got knocked out in the last heat but it should be a good show. You interested, Jaxson?' Matthew asked. 'It's not a date, I swear. I won't ask you any questions about yourself either.'

[LoneDigger]

Jaxson nodded, he did have many siblings actually. All four of them being brothers. But he wasn't close with any of them and they didn't see each other anymore beyond the rare holiday occasion.

 

"Yeah, sure."

 

The male scoffed when Matthew informed that he wasn't 'into him'. If that's what he called acting like that then he didn't know what to believe.

 

"Seriously, you guys can get whatever you want. I'm not picky."

 

It was true, Jaxson would eat anything as long as it didn't taste awful. He wasn't a foodie or anything though, for him eating was just something you did to survive. Many mistook this attitude as him being health conscious, and in a way he was. But it was more out of practicality then trying to so called, 'eat cleaner'.

 

This was actually challenging. He wasn't used to having to come to agreement in a group, and especially not something as casual as what to eat. When he was alone everything was done quickly and effectively, he didn't waste time going between choices or second guessing. But now that it was like being back at home again as a kid with four other brothers all arguing over what they were going to have for dinner while he sat there quietly waiting, just hungry and wanting to get on with it. Well... that only reminded him why he didn't miss being in a family.

 

"I'm not used to it, but you got it figured out so it's all good."

 

Jaxson lied easily, he was still incredibly annoyed and mentally reminding himself never to do this again, if he had gone home to eat instead he would have already been full and cleaned up, in bed reading or something else that wasn't a complete waste of time like this was.

 

"Oh? Come on... Now you have to tell me."

 

Another white lie, Jaxson really didn't give a fuck what happened... but... the sadistic side of him liked to see others uncomfortable, and clearly whatever had happened had Clark embarrassed.

 

He didn't know how to respond to the next question... was he interested? Well, not really. But somehow the word 'no' wasn't coming so easily to him and he didn't not like to seem hesitant about anything so he gave a little shrug.

 

"We'll see. What's the big appeal, anyway?"

 

He tried to sound uninterested, but yet it wasn't about the finals at all. Matthew was the one that had captured his interest when he gave away the rumor about the probers, if the other knew something more then it wasn't something he could let slip away.