Whatever he did, he did it well...

*Sai quietly slips out the tree, leaving Zakai merrily snoring away in its branches* and he says /I/ sleep a lot. *He wanders away from it some, leaning his staff against his shoulder as he scans around, frowning. The forest was in no way familiar. It even smelt different...*

*He sits in his room, cross-legged on the floor, wearing his normal all-black garments, only the small silver collar design standing out from the rest. A few hours had passed since he killed Travesty, and it had left a mark. He hadn’t… liked… that whole encounter. It was his first kill, and it bothered him somehow. Maybe left doubts in his mind… would /he/ lose his mind one day to his power? Seeking escape, he’d let his mind slip its confines and roam free, not exactly on the ThoughtScape, but just floating among thoughts, his ideas trained on one thing, the compulsion that ran through him even now… find information on Aerik Winters. He hadn’t found much with Travesty, and his /push/ to discover still gnawed at him. There is no distance, no time, in this state… and it strikes him quickly when he brushes, or better yet simply /tastes/ something. /His/ signature, which he’d felt first in Jesse’s mind when he’d entered hers. A frown on his body’s brow and his eyes flutter open again, focusing. He stands soon afterwards and strides towards the navigator’s room… this place one not known to them, he senses this, and he’ll need help to get there. No one is in, tho, and he mutters something about damn Union breaks while he sets tendrils out to glean the information on how to use the manual teleporter from the lunching techies. That done, he sets the coordinates and activates the porter… a small flash of light, and appears outside the place he sensed the signature from. A forest, and very, very close to the source. Again, his mind searches, brushing out to find the point of origin…*

*Sai glances back at the tree holding Zakai, shakes his head, and continues deeper into the forest. He wants to be alone right now. Training Zakai had really been nothing more than an excuse to get away from everyone else..*

*Pinpoint… Rikky finds the mind, narrows his eyes, and starts walking toward the source. He’s silent, and scanning, his Eshva form making no noise. This mind… he pauses a moment, takes in a small breath, and for the time being, simply concentrates on the mind he’s found. Shields? If so, they’re too weak to notice. But this one had been touched by /him/… very much so. And before he approaches, he wants to know the relationship, glean all he is allowed about the expected carriage of who he appears to be. How would he act? How would he stand? How would he look on this one he discovered? Did he speak? If so, what did /his/ voice sound like? Rik waits, gathering this info first, before proceeding…*

*Sai's thoughts about Aerik are...confused at best. Many conflict- though the dominant ones are firmly against the telepath. There’s a form of mock-hatred there- something the syntant has built up to protect himself with. ''It's easier to hate you, Aerik..''* *these particular thoughts are never far from Sai’s mind- something he's not happy about. While Rikky does his gleaning, Sai firmly resists the urge to slice up a few trees. it would accomplish nothing.* *more thoughts...Aerik's arrogance…a closeness that had been there but had since faded...Aerik’s haughty manners..*

*Rik’s brows raise slightly, and he sighs to himself. This one’s thoughts are far different from Jesse’s. But then, Rik knew not many liked the one he appeared to be. Very well… using what he gleans, he let’s his mind’s eye wander, connects it with a bird not far away, one that is able to see Sai in its black little orbs. Ah… Sai Canaan. This one was in Jesse’s thought the other night, and also in the files. Arrogance… a closeness no longer there… haughty manners. He gleans a bit more, tries to find something a bit more concrete. He takes a long moment for this, setting himself into the mold he finds. He almost laughs. Basically, be a bastard. Okay, he can do that. Steeling himself, preparing for the masquerade, and having learned how to perfectly mimic the sendings from touching minds with Jesse, he lets a light whip of mindspeech out, towards the target* MS*() Sai…()

*a sharp hiss- then long, sharp teeth grinding against one another- those are his initial responses.* What do you want? *growled. the hatred gathered up and draped around him like a cloak.*

*One slender brow arches at the response, Rik actually surprised at the vehemence of it, the hiss and the blanket of loathing. Rik smiles faintly at it, fully slipping into character, at least best he can, and starts forward again, towards Sai, gleaning more as he goes. One thing he wishes to know is /why/ Aerik lives in the tavern, as Jesse mentioned… then what his voice sounds like* *MS*() I am overjoyed to see you as well, Sai. *a wry twist to the send* ()

I'm certain you are...*the sarcasm cold enough to freeze the air.* *the why of Aerik's living in the tavern...is buried somewhere in that ''blanket'', both hidden from others and Sai himself. a protective maneuver- for Sai's own hide. or should that be heart?* Don't you have something else to go do? I'm busy.

*Inwardly, Rik is somewhat amazed. What the heck had his counterpoint done to earn this kind of response? Its buried tho… deep under the hate, but Rik is compelled to learn, to seek out and bring back. He needs to know, /has/ to know, and pushes in just a little further, carefully, so very carefully* MS*() As long as you are certain, then. *he tips his head as he comes into full view of the youth, gazes on him with an easy familiarity, tiniest smirk on his lips* Busy… playing in the trees? How very… young.()*he stands straight, proud, hands clasped behind his back*

*Smirks* well, considering this body is a grand total of four years old now, how very appropriate. now get lost. I've better things to do than talk to something like you. *god- even HERE he couldn't get away from that bastard...even mystic knew when to back off!* *then again, he hadn't been THAT close to mystic...he'd always hated /him/.*

*MS*() /Something/ like me? *Rik smiles faintly* Sai, I have the sneaking suspicion you do not like me very much… ()*obviously strong sarcasm, but Rik is searching for answers, and to play a too-nice Aerik, when what Sai expects is a jerk, would be a give-away. A closeness that faded… this intense hatred now… a form of self-protection. Rik dives deeper, suspicious now. Why was Aerik in the tavern? Jesse made several comments on things pertaining to that… and it seemed the two he met weren’t concerned with him NOT speaking. Did his twin prefer mindspeech? Deeper yet, to uncover the mysteries, and this mind so unshielded…* () I came here, Sai, to talk with you…()

*Images...brief, confused- the time they're from was a very hard one for Sai. Nothing clear- an emotional blur. Hurt, betrayal, anger, a feeling of abandonment- and then a wall to keep Aerik away. A carefully woven cloak of hate.* ''Talk''?! We've already had our talk, /Aerik/. *snarled* We came to a pretty damned mutual conclusion- or that's what /I/ thought. You're better off away from me and I sure as hell am better off without /you/ screwin' with my mind! *the hands on the staff clench, small jolts traveling from bared fingers along the staff's length.*

*Rik’s head tips to the other side, calmly regarding Sai, never shifting position. He blinks slowly, already Sai’s scent matched with his image, his voice, mental patterns, other things. Hurt, betrayal, being left alone, hatred… it starting to coalesce into a clearer image of things… Rik, now fully in the role, smiles a bit broader, just a fraction, and his eyes heavy-lid, brows raising* *MS*() And what did you think, Sai? To what conclusion did we come? () *better off away from Sai? Why? He doesn’t bother looking at the lightening, though he notes it keenly, smells the ozone, the charge*

If I have to tell you that, you're a bigger idiot than anyone's ever thought. *turns to walk away- he's not in the mood for this. he had thought he'd never see Aerik again after that last talk. It had had a feeling of finality about it. Now...*

*MS*() Or you are. I think you may have misunderstood, Sai.() *he keeps calm, but doesn’t want Sai to leave, needing this information… do anything for it. He feels the push towards it… almost anything. Damn. He shifts slightly, his mental tone dropping a bit, softening, almost supplicating* () Do not leave, Sai. Please. I have… missed you. I would like to talk. () *its strained, obviously hard for him to admit, even his eyes softening a bit, waiting to see if Sai will turn back around, will give him this chance to.. discuss. Rik doesn’t overly like it, playing like this, but what choice does he have? None. They made sure of that*

*Growls* and I'm supposed to care because-? *turning to glare* if you're lonely, go talk to your damned boyfriend! I'm /quite/ sure he'll be HAPPY to keep you company! and I didn't misunderstand SHIT. You made it very clear, so'd I!

*/Boyfriend/?? Rik blinks and looks down a moment, towards the ground at his feet, before raising his eyes again, watching Sai from under his lashes. Things were definitely clicking into place now. Boyfriend. Aerik had an interest. And… these emotions from Sai… Rik was willing to bet they stemmed from this fact. Spurned, perhaps? Maybe. Rik takes in a small breath, his sendings still soft, still quiet* MS*()… I came to talk to /you/ Sai. If I had wanted to talk to /him/, I would not be here. *he gambles, as he did with Jesse, tho this time he has a better grasp of the situation* Care because you still… care. As I yet care for you. Is that what you wanted to hear?()

*Flat tone* get over yourself. I'm not interested in talking to you. what part of that can’t you understand? /Just leave me alone/, Aerik. You have your problems, I have mine. you take care of yours, I'll take care of mine, and we'll never have to run into each other again.

*Rik is beginning to /clearly/ understand a few things. One, this wouldn’t be easy. But Sai was far too full of information to simply let go… Rik /could/ mindrape him, take the information and mindwipe that it ever happened. He’d rather not, tho it would please his makers, undoubtedly. It seems to him that Sai has been manipulated enough, and yet that’s what he’s doing, manipulating. That he’s not liking it hardly meant anything. He has his directives… and more. *MS*() It is not myself I am having difficulty… getting over… as you so quaintly put it. I understand you do not care, I do not expect you to, not after… what I have done. I accept that. But is it too far below you to simply -talk-? *he steps forward, his eyes narrowed into dark gold slits, flashing in the dark* You hate me so much…()

With you? damned straight. I've said all I have to say to you. *he continues to walk, silver eyes narrowed, almost closed. this bastard- didn't he have any idea when it was best to leave someone alone? Did he even CARE? Of course not…this is Aerik they're talking about. He only cares about one person at a time...the rest is all show.....*

*Rik’s brows raise again. Well, whatever Aerik had done, it’d certainly been thorough. Alright then… if he couldn’t just get talk, then he’d have to go the other route. So be it. He tries once more, however, before doing what he will /have/ to do* MS*() I care, Sai. And… I should have left a note, you are right. *even tho Rik didn’t have anything to do this, this much scraping was hard even for him. He chokes back pride and continues* You wrong me, thinking of me as you do()

*THAT does it. Sai spins, actually throwing his staff, like some kind of bizarre spear, at Aerik- or, rather, in his direction.* Ta hell with being right! who gives a damn?! It doesn't matter- go back to your damned boyfriend and leave everyone else alone! With shred gone, we don't fricken need you anymore! You can go stay with your boyfriend and have your ''needs'' attended to for the rest of your life now. Go away, get lost, no one wants you around! good bye! *doesn't bother to retrieve the staff, wherever it landed. he'll get it later.*

*A brow arches, Rik automatically ghosting in case the spear-staff connects. Instinctive, tho if it were charged and went through him… needs. Needs? Boyfriend and needs. Oh this ex-GUARD had far too much information to let go. Compulsions kick in, Rik literally forced to do what he does next. He tried to play nice, but this was going too far. Still… /still/….* *MS*() You want me around. You have cloaked yourself in hate because I hurt you, and I respect that. But I am a telepath, do not try and hide from me, Sai. We both know this is true() *And ooooh God, he hopes /this/ works. Its his last attempt… the next won’t even be considered fair*

....get lost before I try to tear your fricken throat out, Aerik. *knows damned well the other can stop him- but only if he takes the threat seriously. Sai himself doesn't know if it's a serious threat...* why don't you just /get out of my life and stay there/? *bitterly* you certainly were eager for that almost half a year ago. *one clawed hand clenched into a fist- silver-white blood streaked with blue running from the hand* *he starts to walk away, quiet now- and damning Aerik to every hell he can think of*

I am sorry then, Sai. *he whispers it aloud, in his voice, not illusion, unworried about it… it’ll all be mindwiped anyway, nothing will remain, not even of this encounter* But you have forced my hand. *brutal… its the only word for it. A brutal violation of Sai’s mind… but Rik doesn’t make him suffer… instead he reaches in and viciously yanks… tugs… to send Sai plummeting into unconsciousness. While there, Rik will reap from the syntant’s mind all he possibly can about the telepath who once, and still does, love him. /Everything/*

*a short cry- a startled widening of silver-blue eyes- those are the only reactions Sai has time for. He slumps to the ground, eyes closed now- as every thought, every memory and emotion are taken out and set out like a book for Rikky to read- no secrets kept- Sai has no way of doing such a thing.*

*And Rikky approaches, crouches next to the prone form of the youth. He didn’t want to do this, he really didn’t. Mentally shutting off the boy’s power totally, Rik reaches out and strokes the white skin of the inert form… and sighs. Damn Aerik anyway. Rik frowns and presses his fingertips to the temples, closes his eyes, and siphons the information quickly… every little piece that concerns Aerik, he takes. All this will be stored in his mind and written into his reports. Oh god, everything… so much, so very much was here. Rik’s head bows under the onslaught. This is who he was cloned from? This shattered, twisted bastard? Sai was right, he was better off without Aerik, and Rik… Rik isn’t overly proud, at the moment, of who his brother is. Its not long after that his fingertips caress again, this time as if to ease the mind wipe of the encounter, he never saw Aerik today, this never happened… and he tries, for both their sakes, to dull that pain inside Sai… the hurt Aerik left. Not take it away, Sai needed it, but just… dull it… so it didn’t cloud so much, strike the heart so deep* Hate him… but do not hurt because of it. He is not worth that. *Rik sighs, the mind was odd, perhaps it wouldn’t work, he hoped it did, and will sift through the information later. He regrets this greatly… but he had to do what he had to do. And he prepares to leaves again, scanning the area briefly for any minds that might have seen… or heard*

*he remains quiet- the attempt may have worked- they won't know until he awakes.*

*Rikky vanishes, making sure even his scent is not taken in, not -noticed- by Sai nor any one else... he mentally masks it, and as soon as he leaves, Sai will be nudged to re-awaken...*

*he stirs finally...having a mild headache.* ugh...what?? *Zakai chooses that moment to finally put in an appearance.* you make me sleep in the damned tree and then come out here so YOU can sleep on the nice, even ground! You jerk! {Sai} Huh? {Sai} I don't know what you're- {Kai} they obviously never taught YOU how to lie! {Sai} and who taught YOU about lying- Gild? {Kai} Not even! and I don't lie. {Sai} you just did right there. {Kai} Did not! {Sai} you're lying again- where's my damned staff?? {Kai} *blinking- just now realizing it's gone.* um....I think that completely roasted tree over there can tell you- *both near the destroyed tree, Sai's staff stuck in it.* {Sai} ..........lets find someplace to rest.... {Kai} eh?! but we just got up!!! *whining as he chases the elder syntant into the woods.*