TEACHER AND STUDENT

~ECLIPSE~
*Aerik's been...gone... for quite sometime now, and when he first returned, it was into a battle with his ex, Sai. Well, some things never change. His thoughts aren't on Sai right now, however, but another he rather callously abandoned in that old room... a 'pet' given to him by the magess Scorscha in exchange for making Chalyss love her as a sister. His demon, Teksi. Aerik had taken to teaching the young demon how to control his impressive psionics, and the demon had learned well as Aerik recalled. Young and unlearned, Teksi had experienced more than a few problems with controlling his abilities, something Aerik was quite schooled in, and he'd passed on more than just psionic abilities. Aerik had been a firm, even severe teacher to his human students, but he'd taken a little more caution with Teksi, a full demon. While the Eshvan wouldn't have been snuggly and praising, he hadn't been wicked, cruel, or cold, either. Professional, more the word, his teaching of Teksi filling up that empty space in the months Sai had been in his coma, and a distraction against the agonies Aerik himself had been going thru at the time with his chemibonding to the new Eshva host form which left him as he was now... much more powerful and much more flawed. Almost two years, he thinks, since he's seen the demon, or a timeframe very close to that... and while Nicky is out shopping for business needs, Aerik seeks out his massive, red charge with a mental probe. It was time to see how the demon had fared...* MS*() ...Teksi....()

~TEKSI~
*Once more the moon seems to paint the forest with splashes of blood as the giant creature moves silently through it, not a creature disturbed in his wake. It had been a while since he had been in this particular forest, a long while...this place held many memories, not all good, but it was a part of his past, a part he could not ignore, not forever, there were still those he knew that perhaps resided within....he pauses at the edge of the forest looking down on a place he once knew well...the moonlight once more escapes the grasp of the clouds, casting its pale rays down upon the form hidden within the shadows, revealing to the observant...a blood red form of massive proportions... deadly fangs of the purest white are revealed, razor sharp claws tip the meaty paws of the enormous beast, fire glints dangerously behind the eyes..yet still the creature stands motionless, staring down upon the tavern...he remains still, blending with the forest as he watches patrons arrive and depart..no sound issues form his lips, no movement disturbs the forest creatures...the only sign of his prescense would be if one were to look up as the clouds parted before the moon...and then unless their vision was excellent they would only perceive what would appear to be a splash of colour, that matching fresh spilled blood as the moonlight briefly reveals his position..he stood there as a statue for what seemed hours, even the creatures of the night now moved freely about him, regarding him as nothing more than a tree, another obstacle to circumnavigate..then a voice can be heard in his mind, a summoning of one he knew well, not even a summoning..more a gentle call.. and then he twitches, and stretches..each massive muscle on his body flexing and contorting.... creatures can be heard scampering away, from this mostrosity which has emerged in their midst, once his stretching is complete he once more moves forward emerging totally from the shadows, allowing himself to be viewed in all his magnificence as he moves down the hill towards the tavern..his mindsend tinged with amusement as he responds*~MS~ It has been a while since I have heard from you, do you too seek old haunts, old lives? ~MS~

*A smile flitters over Aerik's lovely lips as he sits there, upon the bed and in the center, crosslegged and eyes closed. He's pleased by the swiftness and ease of the response from the one he sought. Good. How much was remembered, he wonders. In the manner of his brand of teaching, he tests the demon, as he used to do so long ago, when demon and psionic shared a room. He does it openly for now, it would be obvious what he's doing to anyone who knew /Aerik/... an agressive attack by anyone who didn't know him. Teksi, fortunately, knows his teacher's methods* MS() Is that what you are doing out there? Seeking past lives? I was simply curious about the welfare of an old... associate...() *the attacks come, some low powered, some so strong one would wince at the simple power levels of them... soft and harsh, without warning, and all the while Aerik holding an amiable mental communion. The first strike is to the shields, seeking to taste and test their strength, weaknesses, how they're layered, what new has been added to them... how much Aerik's own signature still remains in both residual effect and methods employed by the demon. Then attacks to the shields... some of them caresses, gentle, loverlike... other rough shoves, gauges, spears of sharpest thought. All at once. It would take a special being to counter them all, clean them all out, understand and place the attacks, realize what's a feint, what's an attack, what's a distraction... one of his students, indeed, very special...*

*halfway down the hill he stops, his gaze roaming over all that surrounds him...not much has changed since the times he frequented this place....only no longer does he look upon them with the eyes of innocence, now his perception of life is tinged with darkness....nothing and noone is perceived as innocent...eveything is an enemy, everything and everyone.....a heavy sigh leaves the massive form as his gaze once more falls upon the tavern and Aeriks voice enters his head...* ~MS~ Perhaps, or to seek those I once knew, not many remain ~MS~ *he had expected the attacks, the tests...if they hadn't come he would have known something was wrong,,the shields remain intact, still mainly those which Aerik had created and taught him to use, but there were a few extras.. surprises which he added, tricks using his strengths, his powers, a trigger for a burning flame, a trip for a ground fault..he weaved those powers he knew best in amongst the shield to form traps for the unwary...his mental powers are still relatively weak, though his shield stand firm, or as firm as they can against Aerik...Teksis strengths lay in the elements, not the mind...but for one of his kind he was strong, he was well taught, and used what he could to reinforce his lessons*

MS()...I understand. I am under the same opinion...() *Amusement and something else... faint, very faint sense of a teacher's approval filter through the mindlink for a short moment, then vanish. Satisfied with the shields, and impressed with the traps Aerik manages to avoid (but only due to massive experience in the area), Aerik's attacks rescinds... he hadn't gone full blown on the demon, knowing his psionics were not exactly on his own level, or even Jesse's level... but always best to throw more at a shield, when testing, than too little. Now Aerik alters his path, just in case... after all, he was hardly the only psionic who could do what he did. He links to others, elementals, and tests Teksi that way. The ground beneath the demon rumbles, shakes... and spews forth with magma, granite boulders, ash... a miny volcanoe underfoot...* MS() You perceptions have changed as well, Teksi. I see darkness on the fringe of your vision. Have you lost so much in so short a time?()

*Earth, not his strongest element, but he can still control it... the earth he manages to settle to a tremor, but also he is not exerting himself, perhaps if he did he could calm it... but the magma, that is his strength,...fire..an amused grin crosse his face as he takes over control of the volcano, foming patterns with the lava as he lets it flow underfoot.....then after playing for a brief moment he settles it, calms it to former dormant state .... ~MS~ and why are you back?~MS~ *hiis massive paw gently opens the tavern door, brief gasps escaping some patrons as they note his arrival... he sighs as he briefly looks around, trying to determine which of these fools was going to choose to be a demon hunter today, or perhaps try to banish him..a sarcastic chuckles enters his mental tone* ~MS~ If you mean not as naive, definatley~MS

*Again, Aerik smiles to himself, there in the half-dark room, centered on his elegant bed. He's amused by the playings of the demon, the toying with the lava, the settling back. Good. Aerik notes the direction of his demon and his eyelids flutter. His senses open to the tavern, the looks of astonishment he sees by peering through another's unshielded mind. An elf of some kind or another... this one stirs in himself to attack the demon, half-draws his sword, but Aerik prohibits it. The instinct is squelched, the elf sheathes the weapon, and all the minds he can niggle into, Aerik settles, calms, leaves the demon free from molestation. Using the elf, Aerik approaches Teksi, stands before him, smiles faintly. The elf is female, very pretty, gold hair and spring-green eyes, rosy cheeks. But the movements are the dark sensuality of Aerik himself, incongruous with the girl's appearance* This is no place for you and I to meet again, Teksi. *with a gesture, the elf turns, starts up the stairs, glances back once* I am not far from our old room, but the wards must be lowered if you are to survive entering. *MS() Who said I was ever gone? And there is a difference between being naive and innocent...()

*He feels the tension leave the room, eyes somehow sliding off of him*~MS~ Thank you~MS~ *He looks down at the elf as she stands before him, very obviously Aerik in charge....a heavy sigh leave his body as he turns to follow her*~ MS~Still playing with others I see, Release her Aerik, she doesn't need the confusion of lost time........I merely assumed, because I never felt your prescense on my previous visits~MS~ *the last question he avoids, he doesn't know how to answer, and if he did it would just start a continuous barrage of philisophicla questions*

You are welcome. And I will release her when I am through with her. *that irks him slightly... Teksi was /his/ demon, not the other way around, but the slight annoyance doesn't show, its simply stated. Not a moment before she'd served her purpose would he vacate the body of the elf. As for missing time... /that/ was insulting. As if aerik couldn't very easily smooth that over. The green eyes of the girl flash at the demon a moment, then she's at the top of the landing, turning to the left, down the hallway. *MS*() I can mask my presence, Teksi, just as I can fill in time gaps. While it is true I have been elsewhere for a time, I was not always gone, and my shields have remained the entire time. Had you learned what I taught you, you would have sensed them, and or known I could keep my presence hidden... from those weaker() *He sends it all quite casually, flippant, almost, but his displeasure at the insult and the command are there. Swiftly enough, the golden elfmaid pauses before a door not unlike the others. She turns to Teksi* This is the room, I have lowered the wards. You may enter. *she turns the knob, stands aside for the demon to find his way in. Aerik still sits, but no longer on the bed. No, in an elegant little seat, legs crossed, looking, as ever, simply gergeous. No one else is in the room. The psionic smiles at the demon, inclines his head* More expensive and posh than the last room, but very similar, is it not? *the elf girl asks*

* he knows it annoyed Aerik, but thats one part of Teksi that will never change, and has always been...an innocent belief that everyone controls themselves, or should....*~MS~ you should not have taken her to begin, I could have found my way~ms~* He moves past the elf into the room and looks around* ~MS~definately an improvement~MS~ He refuses to speak to Aerik through the elven girl*~MS~ I know what you are capable of, or some of it...your shields were here, but that does not mean you were, or if you were you never previously wished to converse~MS~

If she did not wish to be taken, she should have learned how to shield, or bought shields. And I could have very easily guided you without her, whether you could have found the way alone or not. *The elf girl speaks it, smoothly, as she enters the room and shuts the door behind her. She strolls to the kitchenette in Aerik's easy gait, and prepares a glass of water* Would you care for a drink? *aerik smiles as he sits, blinks slowly, and shifts once in his seat* MS() Exactly my point, Teksi. Either I was not here or I wished not to converse. I would need specific dates to allocate the cases. I do know that I was here for roughly a year after I left our last rooms. Then I was gone for about the same amount of time. And how have you fared since then? Alive, I see. That is something()

~MS~ If she had shields would it have stopped you?* he allows his gaze to wander for the briefest second to the girl , then it continues its journey around the room noting the minor touches which were definatley Nicks*~MS~No thank you...I see nick is still with you..where is he now?~MS~ * a low throaty chuckle, almost like a growl echoes through the room* ~MS~ Specific dates I cannot give you, I don't care to track time as such...*Only now does he actually look at you* You are well I see *His voice rumbling a basso reverberation from any crystal in the room*~MS~ I have been well, I wandered and learned much~MS~

*Aerik blinks at Teksi a moment, startled, perhaps, that the demon knew his lover's name. The elf girl also pauses in her walk towards Aerik, with her glass of water, to stare a moment at the demon. Then she turns and continues to the one leading her, handing him the water. He doesn't look at her or give a thanks... after all, he was serving /himself/, but after a small sip of the clear liquid, he nods towards Teksi* *MS*() ...Yes, we are still together. He is out, at the moment. () *he quells the urge to ask /how did you know...?/ But remembering that Sai had scented Nicky, and Teksi /was/ a demon (they had ways of finding things out), he just lets it go* () Depends on the strength of the shields... *then he smiles, the elf girl wandering towards the door and standing there, as if a servant awaiting her next order* So I see you have... it is good to learn() *he ignores the statement about himself, but watches the demon with bright eyes* () Do you care to sit or are you happy to stand?()

*Amusement dances in his eyes and he openly grins, baring a huge row of dagger like teeth..it was nice to get a jump on Aerik* ~MS~ as I thought~MS~ *he looks abck at the girl as she stands by the door* ~ms~ will you dismiss her yet? or will you make her stand here?~MS~ * his teeth are once more bared in a grin as he looks around* ~MS~Nothing here will support me~MS~ *he chuckles as he looks down at the floor* and that is just waay too far down ~MS~ I am happy to stand ~two of his massive arms cross over his chest*

*Quite frankly, Aerik /hated/ when he was a disadvantage, no matter how minute. But he only smiles, sips his water, and shakes his head. At least it was one of /his/ students, and that made it better, whether it had anything to do with him or not. He glances up thru his thick black lashes and tips his head at the elfin girl, casually shrugging* For now, she will stand here, until I am certain I have no further use for her. *this is pitched from the girl's throat, sweet soprano. Aerik himself chuckles silently, eyes bright with amusement* *MS() I could support you, Teksi, via telekinesis. But if you would rather stand... *a brow suddenly arches high* You /have/ grown, I will offer you that...()

*he glances once more at the girl, a feeling of brief pity overcoming him...but there was nothing he could do, his opinion was known..he had neither the skill or strength to enforce it* ~MS~ no thank you...I am fine~MS~ You only just noticed? *a curious eyebrow raises in a high arch* I hit what most would call...a growth spurt *she shrugs* I have no idea if this is the end of it or only the beginning

*Aerik senses the flash of pity from Teksi to the girl.. he was empathic, after all, and he was in link with a weaker psionic, to boot. At one time, the fact that Teksi is a demon might have meant something in keeping Aerik out. Now, also being demonic and the process of bonding complete, it means very little. And what Aerik was doing with the girl he could very easily do with Teksi, especially now, after so much mental contact. The link is well-forged. But he doesn't do that, he just smiles and shifts, placing his glass on a nearby table, and mentally chuckles, a soft velvet sound*MS*() No, I did not /just/ notice. But it IS quite a change. Have you any idea how large demons of your people become? () *he seems to be ready to ask something more, but he catches something, just for a fleeting moment... his Eshvan side. A presence. On Teksi. What..?*

*His massive shoulders raise in the human gesture of a shrug..one Aerik would be familiar wtih, but a gesture that another found strange* I have never seen another of my kind...dont' think I care to *He looks up at the ceiling, which is not that far up, not from him* Hopefully I won't grow too much more

*Aerik grins, baring teeth, white and pretty* MS() Never? Why not? Are you not curious? Or are you afraid you are so far from them now, human-raised? *Aerik glances upward himself, notes the ceiling is indeed, very close to Teksi's head, and breathes a laugh, mentally* You certainly could have a difficult time finding suitable accomodation. *Aerik shifts again, casts a glance at the elf girl who just stands by the door blankly now, and he leans forward, towards the demon, curiousity piqued. Its... a tickle... he can feel. Similar to the presence of a Jewel, but only that. Similar* Teksi, have you been... visited lately?()

I am curious ~MS~ but unsure of their reaction...as you said, I am human in most ways..but also that they left me to die...I was never meant to be one of them *He too chuckles* ~MS~ Try finding a bed that fits me?~MS~ *he looks at you curiously* ~ms~ visited? what do you mean?~MS~

*Aerik realizes there's quite a bit about Teksi he doesn't know. Course, he probably never asked. He blinks his large gold eyes at the demon and then narrows them* MS*() Indulge me... what happened in your past, teksi? Do you remember? Why would your people cast you out and leave you to die? *Aerik offers a wry half smile and shakes his head* Only a tailor made bed would suit you... or a stable and LOTS of haybales, I fear. *then he becomes more serious, straightening, his attention narrowing on the demon* Visited... by.. *he waves his hand* oh, something... dark...() *Aerik himself isn't sure what he's trying to ask. He's only met one other Eshva, the elfin Bard who'd been placed in a similar, tho female, body by Valyn as well. He's never met a Vazdru, save thru his links*

*he shrugs almost uncomfortably..it was a subject he was never that comfortable with, but also one he never really thought about* You remember what I was like? I was considered a burden, so I was disposed of *he shrugs as if dismissing it all, his mind seeking ahead looking for a change of topic, then he notes the change in you and listens waiting to hear what you seek* I was visited by one recently, a strange demon ..I think she was a demon....Vadru?.. Vazdru? I wasn't certain....strange enocunter

Ah... *it comes from the elf, but its Aerik's word, and the elf nods, slowly. Aerik completely understood the reasoning, of course, he didn't disbelieve in the practice of abandoning a worthless to die, but Aerik usually /did/ try to work with the burden first, see if it could be trained. Most things had a use, even if it was for bait or a suicide mission...* You needed only training. Even /I/ would not have cast you aside. *that was... quite an insult to the ones who'd abandoned Teksi. The next comes from Aerik, his mind, as he leans forward even more, eyes now intense and slits of dark amber** MS() A.. Vazdru? She? Did she offer a name? *the only one with which Aerik was familiar was Madame La Marquise, mistress of the Jewels so long ago...* Tell me about this... Vazdru

It was at night, she seemed a part of the night....*his heavy head shakes in brief confusion* I have never enocuntered one like her...she spoke in a language I had never heard but somehow understood it *...his brow creases in concentration as he recalls the encounter...unable to put it in words, he instead offers it up as a memory, leaving nothing out...perhaps Aerik will be able to answer question that he himself has* In the end she said something about offering me a choice, I'm guessing that means she plans to return...as for my answer to her * once more that gesture which she found all too human raises his shoulder* I don't know what I would choose, neither I would think

*Aerik listens intently... even the elf maid, now standing to the side of Aerik like a servant waiting for her lord's next command, narrows her eyes at Teksi, observant. In truth, she knows none of this, she's simply acting now as another facet of Aerik's own scrutiny. When the offer comes for the memory to be transfered psionically, the Eshva allows it, soaking up the details, every tiny mote of dust, in the remembrance, even things Teksi didn't consciously notice, but his sunconscious caught nonetheless. He "hears" the way she spoke, "hears" the last, trailing words of the fading Vazdru... the choice she offered, if indeed, she offered anything at all. Perhaps his pride piques him to answer the way he does, or something else entirely. He'd grown rather fond of Teksi in their time together, but whether that was retained at all by Aerik's fractured self is anyone's guess. Often, when away from another, he loses feelings for them. That Teksi was his student still rings loud and clear in the psionic's head, tho, and it might be the /why/ he offers a very, very rare warning...* ()*after gleaning all he can of the situation, he closes the memory link. All that seeps thru are his words* I know of only one other Vazdru, Teksi, the one who rules the TearJewels, who was Valyn's mistress before Serafelle shared that... throne with her. This body, however, is a Vazdru construct. Eshva are demonic creations of that brand of demon, flesh and blood where Vazdru are not, I believe. My knowledge is, admittedly, limited. I can say only this... be careful. They are demon, but not as you are. They are completely their own. Accept nothing from her, for all the gifts of demons are snares()*Aerik shifts in his seat slightly, lowering his eyes a moment, then raising them again, his expression serious in its lack of any indication of what he's thinking* () She will offer a choice, as she said she would, but to assume she would do so verbally may be a grave error on your behalf....()*The last Aerik gives on a hunch, not because he's seen it done. Really, La Marquise wasn't overly subtle, in Aerik's opinion. Rather straight-forward for a demon. So Aerik judges by his own actions, what he would do, what he's noticed Valyn do, knowing Valyn's upraising was finished by Vazdru in Druhim Vanashta. Aerik knows more than the elf might realize, thanks to the massive link he holds with Valyn even now. That contest, though it had lasted a mere six minutes (Aerik had, admittedly, gone slow. Valyn had learned what he wanted, in a way, but Aerik had been playing, and fully aware of the /reason/ behind the challenge) had given the telepath a huge foothold in the drow's mind. And that pride, if that's what it is, -this is MY student, he should at *least* offer some interest, if not challenge- prompts the teacher to divulge more than normal*

*during those few brief seconds when Aerik examines the memories his gaze wanders to the maid marveling at the resemblence between the two, the facial expressions, the stance...all of her is merely a echo of the one within her mind....even her appearance has taken on a likeness of her controller...the only thing which truly remains of her identity is her choice of clothing...that alone a contrast which identifies her as a seperate entity and not merely an extension of the one she stands beside...*...another Vazdru? *his massive head slowly nods* Yes, I remember hearing of her, but I had never seen her....are you certain that this is not that one? *one pair of muscled arms cross over his chest as he listens to your warning, the other hanging loosely by his side, a claw restlessly drumming on a thigh* I had thought as much *blood red lips stretch over gleaming white fangs, a cruel vicious looking snarl....in reality his grin* Its been my experience that those which are that subtle are rarely straightforward, they are far more likely to try to trick or coerce*...wether he is perhaps referring to Aerik or another is indeterminate, and perhaps he wishes to leave it that way...*
*Aerik leans back in his seat and shakes his head slowly, eyes always on the demon*MS*()I am not sure, save... *he blinks and smiles slowly, lids heavy over his eyes, almost a sensual gaze* Yes, I am sure. Yours bore no Jewel. *he believes that explains it all, and it /does/, if one knew about the Jewels. The elf maid stares /up/ at Teksi, her expression thoughtful. She smiles when Aerik does. And Its she who offers this piece of wisdom...* When you are expecting the lash, you are more susceptible to the silken halter. *Aerik mentions nothing about the last Teksi speaks, doesn't ask, maybe doesn't care, but the maid grins faintly, winks once at the demon, and turns to stand by the door again, hands clasped before her, like a servant waiting to take a visitor's coat upon their arrival. She looks lovely there, too. Aerik watches teksi closely, darkgold eyes sparkling in their depths*

*he tilts his head, his gaze filled with curiosity* jewel? What jewel would this be? *..he had never heard of the jewels, or encountered them...by the time they began making appearances he was already long gone from the tavern scene...he glances back down at the maid then up at Aerik, mild distaste on his features...freedom, something his Tosha had once fought for, his and everyone elses...but in the end she had lost hers, and herself...she had raised him, it was her beliefs which had been instilled in him, and freedom of will, of action and spirit...these are things he truly believed in...this control that Aerik was exhibiting was simply wrong* even the silken halter has a bite, its just harder to find...that is why you must always examine everything..everything offered, or given has a price...some more costly than others *..betrayal, distrust, loyalty, freedom....these are concepts that Teksi once knew, but never comprehended....but now that he understands them he longs for the naive innocent he once was....a child who percieved the world as a glorious place...but with knowledge comes realization, and with realization comes sight...and that sight lets him see what he previously did not...the darkness of the world, no longer was the world good and bad, black and white now it was grey, varying shades of grey, yet all alike..no longer did he naively trust, now trust must be earned from him, and a difficult job that was.*

*Aerik seems pleased by Teski's distaste on his handling of the elfin maid... it shines in his dark eyes, little sparks of muted gold, and he covers it with a smile, a shift in his seat, seeking greater comfort. Nonchalantly, head resting on his hand, elbow perched on the chair's armrest, he regards the demon almost lazily. The girl was, of course, there only because Teksi had dared commanded the Eshva to release her. Aerik had fully planned on simply using her to show Teksi the room and then letting her go... but the student had ordered the teacher and Aerik simply did not, /would not/ submit to such treatment. Only Nicky might get Aerik to concede to such a thing, and even then it was highly questionable. Aerik very rarely used people like this... anymore, at least, and when he did, it was almost solely his cousin* ...yes... *the girl nods, answering to all Teksi mused aloud about the halter, of being careful, of testing everything. She nods, too, then straightens again, and Aerik takes over* MS*() TearJewels... *Chalyss has worn one for some time and Aerik had held a very intense link over her then... perhaps even still did. Not to mention his link with Valyn, Heavyn, several others...* They were... well, as I understand it *Sar Flux had explained this to Chalyss once* It is the tear wept by the young god Yabael when she touched his face near the Well of Despair. He was a god of Light, and the Jewel was neutral, a source of power, able to call upon Light or darkness. *Chalyss had often called upon Yabael when she battled Orcus, the Demon prince* The wearer could open portals into Druhim Vanashta, the home of the Vazdru, which is the creature who visited you. Eshva, my host body, were created by the Vazdru to adore and love them. Vazdru are demons unlike any other, Teksi. Rare, wicked, beautiful. The Jewels enslave utterly, a command gievn through one, by the one from whom they were received, or La Marquise, was undeniable, could not be refused. *he waves a willowy hand* It does not matter, I do not think. She has been gone for years, Valyn one of the few who still wore one, and I have not seen him in... a long while. He is not in the tavern, and neither is his priest lover, who also wore a Jewel. *oh yes, Aerik knew of that* This demoness, whom you showed to me, wears no Jewel. It was not removable() *he's given Teksi a /lot/... and Aerik rarely warns anyone of anything, and never, ever had he warned anyone away from Valyn or the Jewels, even as he watched them be tricked or talked into taking one*

*Chalyss... a face flashes before him of one he knew well, though it had been a long time since last they had met...and that meeting had not been well....disgust and self recrimination tinges his thoughts as the events resurface in his head...then he had been under the control of another, Scorscha, the daughter of his beloved Tosha...that was one person whom he hated, and hatred was an emotion normally foreign to the demon, but for his former mistress that feeling is strong....thoughts of Chalyss also brings back memories of others Anubis, Kelva, Shadowstarr....those he once knew well and had not seen in years, at times he wondered what had become of them all.... His firey gaze wanders to the elven maid as he listens to Aeriks words....blood red lips part revealing glistening white fangs as a deep rumble starts within his chest, his eyes dance with amusement as they turn back towards his teacher* so...your form, your body was created to be a servant to her type? *its a fact he finds very amusing but he fights to control the laugher, he doesn't want to anger Aerik, he just finds it ironic.*

*he can sense the small storm of emotions as Teksi remembers, laments, finds distaste in memories... its not really his fault he feels this, Aerik /is/ empathic, tho this stems from his massive psionics and the two were tightly linked to one another, even as Aerik had his link with Teksi which only helps in his sensing the other. He says nothing about it, just watches in interest, feeling the subtle shifts in psionic tides and blinks slowly at the demon even as he languidly shifts in his seat, ignoring the elf maiden yet again, tho it she who speaks in her sweet, inhuman voice* Servant... yes, something like that. Created to long for and ache and dream of the Vazdru if what I gather is correct. And people think /I/ am arrogant. *a delicate, feminine snort of derisive amusement from the maid. Aerik doesn't see the point Teksi alludes to, doesn't see irony, doesn't get the joke, as it were. After all why would he? He was his own, he was no servant and he was powerful enough to keep it that way. The irony of the situation is lost on him and his pride. It was only the body, not Aerik himself, which was created as such. At least, not for Vazdru at any rate, though he does know the truth of why unnaturals were created and who created them. One of the telepath's elegant brows arches slightly at that demonic rumble of laughter deep in his pupil's barrel-like chest, as if asking what he found so funny, which he finds particularly interesting in the face of the strong hate he felt just moment before... that has been subsumed by some obscure amusement which seems focused at Aerik*

*he had already figured that his discomfort pleased Aerik, but there was nothing he could do to hide it...he had never really learned to lie..or hide his feelings...he didn't want to, that was the last vestiges of the simplicity he once knew and he preferrred to keep it it that way....Tho now he does try and keep his gaze from the maid..attempting to ignore her forced servitude, then perhaps Aerik would tire of his game and release her...*A body of a demon created to be a servant to a greater demon.yet it missed its primary purpose and was instead granted to serve your puposes*he shakes his head* Don't you miss it? You original form? *he shrugs* to be human?

*...A long pause. Aerik cocks his head toward the much larger demon and blinks at him owlishly, slowly* MS()Miss it...?() *again, he blinks. No one has ever asked him that question, few felt the urge indeed to delve into /Aerik/. Perhaps they assumed he felt nothing or was more (or less) than a human. Or he would mock them, or whatever it was, no one has ever inquired, really, as to /his/ feelings. Such a simple question... /Don't you miss it?/, yet he doesn't know exactly how to respond. Generally, with Aerik, when a question is asked, he answers. Not many ask him things, however* MS().........I-- there are things I... long for... *the answer is slow and halting, as he searches himself. Indeed, he's never even asked himself this querie* I miss... I miss eating. I no longer eat, and my palate was, at a time, quite refined. I miss truffles. I miss wines. They are too sharp for my senses anymore. I drink nothing but water now, and even that, sometimes, is too /flavorful/... I taste the iron and the minerals. I miss appreciating simple fragrances, /not/ being able to smell an unwashed human 10 yards away, and worse. *another long pause, Aerik tipping his head the other way, eyes narrowed and dark* I suppose I miss the... simplicity... of my old form sometimes. This body is much stronger than weaker, the alterations in it when I bonded made me far, far from human. Even my mind has changed. I am far from the same Aerik I was in my original body. But it hardly helps to pine, to grieve and miss things when they cannot be changed, does it? I am in this form, it is now my body, there is no going back. I was never one to be, shall we say, sentimental. All material things perish and they mean little() *Aerik, does, tho, smile softly now, gazing up thru his lashes at the towering red demon before him, a gentle light in his eyes* ()But thank you for asking()

* a faint light dances in his eyes.... it was rare that anyone had gotten a jump on Aerik and yet here he had managed twice..that fact alone was more than enough to make this trip worthy....* too sharp? *his massive head tilts as he seems to study you....then after a few moments he breaks the silence* can you not...dull....your senses to what they once were? *One set of massively muscled arms cross over his chest..one arm propping on top of them, a long claw tapping at his chin as he quietly thinks* I mean, with all the power you seem to have....the control over your own form...can't you just manage to deaden you senses to the point where you can once again enjoy what you used to?...or, if not then perhaps enjoy it through the senses of another? *the arms fall loosely to his sides as he once more shrugs* You are as human as I * the words filled with amusement...he was born a demon, but he was raised human, his thoughts and gestures those were all human...Aerik was born human and had become demonic...his gestures, perhaps even his thoughts, or so many assumed* perhaps in some ways we are very much alike.....neither belonging to the species they were born to, and neither belonging with the species they are.

*Aerik waves a delicate hand and rolls his eyes ever-so-slightly. The elfin maid answers from her position by the door, her voice is her own, but her words marked with Aerik's inflections. Her face, tho, does not alter expression* Of /course/ I can mute them. Do you not think I already do that? It is not so simple, you are too ignorant of my situation to understand through what I am going. And I no longer eat foods. This body does not need them. As for the power I /seem/ to have... it is not /seemingly/ at all. And you know it. *The maiden stops speaking and Aerik smiles on the chair, steepling his fingers to his chin, eyes narrowed in mirth* MS() I am no longer human, Teksi, not even close to it. This, too, you do not understand. I was /raised/ human, I /was/ human, and still hold to some things of my past, namely, experiences, but there is no part of me now that resembles human. ....But you are correct. In some ways, we are alike, for now I am neither as I was born nor as the body was given to me. I am utterly... alone in this. As perhaps are you ()

*A deep rumble once more issues from his chest and he grins in amusement* Well then it would only be for enjoyment that you indulge then. Your vanity need not fear being marred by an unsightly figure...*His grin fades slightly as his gaze passes over the elf maid, then settles once more on Aerik and he shrugs* only seems *Glistening white fangs are revealed as he grins* After all, you could just be a strong illusionist that has convinced us all of your powers....at least for arguments sake anyhow *...he shifts one clawed arm reaching down to scratch at a thigh as he seems to think over Aeriks last statement* ..And I have never been human, yet was raised one....I am not demon as most think me, yet neither am I human....*He nods slowly* yes, in that we are both alone.

*Again, Aerik smiles, broader... a lovely gesture on his marvelous face* *MS() Of that I have no fear. But I cannot 'indulge' as you call it. This body is no longer able to process food and such. I drink only water anymore. *A sudden, silent chuckle that shakes the Eshva's shoulders and he makes an intricate gesture with his hand* And even if such were the case, it would be all I would need if it served the purpose. *he means the 'seeming power'* And yes, as far as you know, you are correct. Care to test it? () *Aerik shifts in his chair, then stands, crossing beside Teksi to reach the elf maid. He pauses before her, towering over the woman, and reaches a hand out to mimic a gentle caress across her chin and cheek, as if admiring a particularly captivating doll, tho if he touches or not is impossible to tell* () Exactly, Teksi. I know the sentiment well. Neither am I demon as most would think. Ah, well. It can be quite the advantage to be thought of incorrectly or looked upon erroneously. Enjoy it, demon. It is all appearances anyway. Do you not think?() *he glances over his shoulder at Teksi, the smirk evident on his face, then turns back again to the elf, stroking her hair as one might pet an exotic animal*

I see now, why you miss it.....I think I would too, it is one of the few truly self-indulgent pleasures *His eyes follow Aerik as he moves across the room towards the maid* Why would I? I have no need to *His gaze seems to slide off of the elf, almost as if she did not exist....to acknowledge her and his dislike of her situation would only lengthen her sojourn* I am always misjudged, as are you *He nods* Yes, sometimes it can be advantageous, but only sometimes....I much prefer to be known as I am.

That is the lament of all living creatures, Teksi, and will continue to be so. *the elf maid answers to the last statement Teksi makes, and Aerik smiles as he looks down on her. Slowly, purposefully, he draws his fingertips over her eyes, closing her eyelids. Then, without standing back or moving in any way, Aerik lets her go... she turns on her heels and walks out the door, closing it behind her. When she makes it down stairs, Aerik navigating the steps, she puts her head down on the table, her half-empty glass of wine still on it, and will eventually wake up, thinking she drank too much. Aerik shifts to face Teksi, looking up at the massive creature but still somehow seeming to be of equal height. A strange sensation grips Aerik then, something like a wooziness, a tug, and he hides his frown. Inside, his body dips and dives, as if falling and floating in a dream. He smiles through it all*MS() This has been amusing, Teksi and I appreciate the diversion. Farewell. And may you be... /known/... someday () *A smirk, and Aerik fully turns away, the tug becoming stronger, the floor tilting below him, but none of this shows, he is such a master at facade. And he fully expects Teksi to let himself out*

*Teksi watches Aerik, a small smile baring teeth as the elf is sent away....*Thank you *words softly murmurred....he knew that it wasn't because of him, but the fact that she is gone and released pleases him..and it was the only way he had to show his appreciation...his massive head cocks slightly as he catches just the slightest hint of something in Aeriks face, but before it can fully register its gone...Aerik, as always, the master of his emotions....*It is nice to know that others besides me still haunt this locale upon occaison *He too smiles and nods then turns and heads out the door *~MS~ And may your Nikky never fade from your life~ms~ ...your humanity *The last words a soft murmer, like a hint of distant thunder...not meant to be heard.... as he enters the main bar his gaze lands briefly on the sleeping maid and he pauses besides her...as massive paw gently reaching out to put her in slightly more comfortable postion before turning and heading out the doors and back into the woods*