Powerless

61. Surprise visit

"Jump... sit... roll over." I sighed resting my hands on the floor as I stared at the little white mouse in front of me. Don't ask where I got it. I might have asked Logan to smuggle me out one from the lab. I was surprised to find out he actually did.  That nerd keeps on surprising me. "Dance... lay down... do something!" It was just staring at me. I was getting very frustrated. "I suggest you listen and sit!" I was testing out my new power trying to see what it was. However just like before, it wasn't until I said the word suggest that the little mouse actually listened and sat. "Now you listen to me. You're lucky I'm not an actual snake or I would have eaten you out of pure frustration."

"Is that so?" I jumped at the sudden voice only to turn and see Virgil standing there with a stupid smile on his face. The mouse started to run out but I managed to catch it no problem putting it in the little tank that Patton had given to me for him. He called him snowball. I called him food. At least just to his face for intimidation purposes. It didn't work. Virgil laughed as I glared over at him. "What are you even trying to do anyway?"

"I'm not practicing?" intrigue seemed to roll off of him as I tapped the glass a bit. It was nice having a pet. Even if I wasn't exactly... nice verbally. I could see the question in Virgil's eyes clear as day. "Come here." I looked back over at the mouse as he started for his exercise wheel. "Suggestion... stop." The mouse obeyed no problem and I smiled a bit. "Second suggestion sit pretty for Virgil." The mouse tiled its head before making his way closer to the man beside me and sitting nicely on its back paws. "Ok, little one, that's all." I beamed as he left like nothing had even happened.

"You trained a mouse to stop and sit. Why though?" I groaned giving him another glare as he laughed at me. I didn't really want to use it on him but if only for him to understand since I can't really say it. I've never been honest around him or Roman... not yet anyway.

"Virgil?" His eyes narrowed in confusion as I smiled a bit suspiciously. "Just a suggestion but why don't you go sit on the couch?" I noticed the glossy look in his eyes quickly as he just nodded and walked over, plopping on the couch before he could even ask what was going on. That's another thing I've noticed. They don't act like it's a form of control. They act like it's their own choice to listen. As if I had simply made a suggestion and they thought why the hell not. But it is still a form of compulsion. I mean why else would they just obey my suggestions like that. I mean the mouse literally stopped and sat like a dog waiting for treats. I would be lying if I said that didn't worry me a bit. Just how far could I push the power. How strong could this compulsion go? What does it feel like when spelled? Why did I get this power, to begin with?

"What's wrong Dee? Sit and talk?" I laughed a bit.

"Is that a suggestion?" The glossiness never left his eyes and I frowned. Would the compulsion really still work even though I was just asking a question? "Tell me something I don't know."

"I told Roman, you hated him." I tensed up in shock as he blinked away in confusion. "Wait why did I..."

"You did what?" He flinched as my voice broke and looked away. "Virgil, why would say something like that to him?"

"I didn't. I don't..."

"Virgil, I suggest you..." No. I can't use the power like that. It isn't right. "Nevermind."

"Cassidy?" I slowly made my way over sitting down beside him on the couch. He was tense as if expecting me to snap. I was angry... no, I was hurt. But I used my power to force him to say it. Even if I wasn't expecting him to tell me something like that it was clear he didn't want to tell me and I nearly pushed it. I don't need this power. Just because I have it doesn't mean I need to use it. "Cassidy, I sorry."

"What for?" I wasn't looking at him. I couldn't look at him.

"I never should have said that to Roman." His voice shook slightly as he spoke. "I was desperate and lonely. I knew how he felt and... and I used his fear against him." He sighed as he wrung his hands anxiously beside me. "I was scared."

"Why?"

"He loves you, Cassidy. I was scared you loved him too." I glanced over in shock to see him staring down at his hands, his eyes welling up. "I didn't want to lose you and I... I said some very mean thing to Princy. Nearly made him lose it. He went off about how he would apologize and make it all up to you. That he would do whatever it took to prove he really did care. That he... that he loved you. He didn't even come back that night."

"What do you..."

"The night he pulled you away and went to town... You know, back at the resort? The class prior was when I told him... tried to convince him you would never choose him. I am such an ass." He dropped his head into his hands and I just watched. I didn't know how to feel. "I already apologized to him. I explained why... even though I don't think it was enough he seemed to forgive me. I didn't do it to hurt him, I just... I couldn't lose you. Pathetic right?"

"Yes." He smiled a bit before brushing the tears away with a laugh. "But... I don't have to apologize to, Virgil."

"What did you do?" I smiled softly as he looked over at me.

"I didn't use my new power on you." His eyes widened and I laughed. "I think I'm going to name it sugge..." My eyes went wide as the sentence I was saying hit me. It was truthful. I still don't understand any of this. Maybe it really did have to do with thought. It seems like the only time I'm honest is when I don't care about lying.

"Wait, what?"

"It only works when I say a particular word." His face lit up with fascination.

"Show me!"

"I did! You made a joke about training a mouse." His eyes went wide as I crossed my arms with a pout. "I suggest being actually aware when I'm using it." The words tumbled out of my mouth before I even realize I had done it again. Shit... "Virgil?"

"I want to see, Cassidy. Try it on me. I don't care what you do. Just do it." I narrowed my eyes and laughed at the childlike wonder he had all written on his face.

"Try not to do what I say ok?" He nodded eagerly and I smiled. "I suggest..." He did say he didn't care. "...hiss like a cat."