Xaviers!

Aiden was feeling rather like a fish out of water at this school. There were no constant missions involving travel around the world, no readiness drills, no briefings. He was even beginning to miss the mountains of paperwork he'd begun receiving as part of his promotion prior to leaving Genosha. So to deal with his anxiety Aiden was in the rec center. He stretched and went through warm-ups before for a moment before starting a hand-to-hand routine with some of the super strength equipment in the Rec center.

10%

His blows began to move faster as he restarted going through the combinations, which looked like a mix of Kali and Muay Thai.

25%

His hands became blurred as he started the series of combinations again.

50%

His blows were just streaks as he started from the beginning again. The equipment turned on damper systems to avoid damage.

100%

Aiden hit the machine for about 30 seconds before the machine beeped out an alarm that the dampers were hitting their limit. He stepped back from the equipment breathing hard. He closed his eyes and worked to slow his breathing.

0%

((Open))

"You'll never get much information if you just redline the machine," Sam says from the sidelines, quirking a ginger brow.

"It's more about the undeniable sense of satisfaction than the readout," Aiden said looking over at Sam before picking up his water bottle.

"Small wonder I smelled you from a mile away, then."

"I suppose when I am the only one working hard there is no way it could be otherwise," Aiden said before drinking from his water bottle.

"Funny, I didn't see your name on the reports about the Brotherhood raid."

"If you wanted action, that's where it was."

"I was not aware my help had been requested," Aiden said, "After all the X-Men supposedly had it all under control."

"Then maybe don't act like it's all on your shoulders, Atlas."

"And here I thought I was talking about the others in the gym, but indeed it was actually politics all along," Aiden said with his best politician smile.

"The reason I sensed you was violence. People aren't getting violent with the treadmills."

"Mostly because Haley isn't here right now."

Haley?

Aiden thinks to himself not recognizing the name.

"So you came over to what exactly? Complain about my being violent with the machine that was designed for me to practice violence on?" Aiden asked quirking an eyebrow. "Would it you prefer if I demonstrated against it instead?"

"Did I say I was complaining? It's more something that tends to get my attention."

"My issue, not yours."

"Pardon this praetor's confusion then," Aiden said curtly not believing Sam but also willing to drop the argument.

"Think of it this way, don't you perk up when you hear your favorite music?"

"And violence is your favorite music? Some would say that's a strange trait for a member of the X-Men," Aiden said before drinking more water.

"I have to play with the hand I was dealt, aye? It's who I am."

"And who is that?" Aiden asked even though he knew who most of the X-Men were via intelligence reports and briefings prior to his arrival.

"Sam. Or the Morrigan, if you're hung up on codenames."

"Turned out to be a bit more literal than I'd thought when I picked it."

"Did it? The Morrigan is not a... cultural or religious reference that I am familiar with," Aiden asked.

"No? I suppose Genosha doesn't have much room for old pagan shite."

"War goddess from Ireland."

"Genosha doesn't have much use for or inclination against religion broadly or specifically old pagan shite," Aiden said noncommittally. "I'm Aiden Mitchell or Galahad. You can call me Aiden or Galahad because only the old guard cares whether you use a mutant name or family name."

"I get the need for release, really. I took up drumming just to try to channel it into more... constructive ways?"

Aiden was quiet for a moment a number of thoughts running through his mind.

"If it works for you," Aiden shrugged. "I think I've spent too long being a soldier to talk about channeling it in constructive way."

"Is that how you wind up a praetor in Genosha? You're not any older than anyone here."

"I've been in active service for four years, but I was trained to be a Praetor by my father for ten years," Aiden said, "Praetors usually are chosen from Genoshan's during mandatory civil service at age sixteen. There are two tests. One before basic training and one after. About ten percent of volunteers pass both tests."

"And this is what you wanted?" She quirks a brow.

"To be a Praetor? Yes," Aiden said, "It was my dream just like many Genoshan children. Praetors are the heroes of Genosha. We all wanted to grow up and be chosen. I imagine just like mutant children outside of Genosha likely dream of being X-Men."

Aiden paused considering something. There was something there a hint of some doubt, screams, blood, fire, and death. Then it was gone.

"Regardless, my duty is to my family and I was told to be the best Praetor. So I became the best Praetor."

"I'd imagine quite a few here would tell you their parents expected them to be something other than what they wound up."

"Indeed," Aiden said, "The freedom you have here is enviable, but I am Genoshan and perhaps we value such things... differently."

"Enviable enough to apply here, eh?"

"I was sent here on a goodwill mission," Aiden smiled. "Show the world Genosha is not the boogey man."

"It is certainly the friendliest place I've been deployed though the weather could be better."

"So you're always on-duty, then?"

"Small wonder you need outlets."

"I suppose I am," Aiden said, "But when you represent something larger than yourself are you ever not on duty, X-Man?"

"I'm not the only one here. I just have to be myself to the other people on the teams."

"Easier for some of us than others," Will said, as he entered the room.

"Perhaps I just need a new squad then," Aiden said to Sam before looking over at Will. "And more difficult for you?"

"Broader definition," she quips.

"Nah, I'm always me. It's everyone else who seems to have issues with things."

"Must be a wonderful thing to have no doubts," Aiden smiled.

"It's the sort of thing you get when someone wrings most of the uncertainty out of you."