driftfleet | If I can learn to do

Entry tags:

psycho mantis

If I can learn to do

Who: Mantis and all

Broadcast: Yes!

Action: The Bishop

When:Today

It’s been so long since he’s felt truly nervous, he almost didn’t recognize why the back of his neck felt damp and a shiver seemed to cling to him. He did this more than a few times to more than a few people, but here… Here there were things to be wary of. If he did this wrong or someone got a bad idea, it could start a reputation he didn’t need.

Yet here he is dressed in slacks, a white dress shirt with a line of red thread sewn into the left shoulder, a vest, and sensible shoes. The bridge is just open enough he can walk around and occasionally glance out at the stars for a couple of seconds of calm and that’s all he needs. Thus, he paces in a slow circle and he wrings his hands together and he speaks with all the care he can muster.

“Some of you are familiar with who I am. Some of you are familiar with what I can do. For those who have yet to be introduced to either concept, I offer my greetings. The name I go by here is Psycho Mantis and I am a psychic.” The feed circles around as he paces, though his hands remain in plain sight as he continues to squeeze at his fingers. “While my psychokinesis is simple to exercise, my telepathy requires a very direct approach in how it’s practiced. To put it plainly: I need volunteers to have their minds read.”

There’s a notable pause from him as he takes a few deep breaths. His voice is only slightly calmer when he speaks up again. “Given the delicate nature of what I seek, I am more than willing to offer up my other abilities as an exchange for any volunteers who might come forward. This skill is as strong as it is difficult to maintain properly. I cannot afford to let my control slip, even for an instant.”

At last, he stops, the broadcast feed stopping with him. Mantis looks directly at the camera and nods quietly.

“Eye for eye. Tooth for tooth. Help for help. No one will find me ungrateful for this.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Honestly, the idea of anyone poking around in her mind is something Looma's not even remotely comfortable with, but...well, those "calibrations" had been a thing, so it's not like this'd be the first time. Plus, Mantis was her crew, which meant as far as she was concerned, there was a not-insignificant obligation to help him out whenever she could. Otherwise there was hardly any point in holding any position of authority over him, be it something real or just an empty formality.

She'll let him finish his initial broadcast before making her way to the bridge, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against a bulkhead once she got there.

"And just what would this endeavor entail? Your request was suspiciously vague, Mantis."

She had no reason to be particularly suspicious herself, of course- she just felt it necessary to point out. And it was only fair she try to get a better explanation of what he was asking. She wasn't in the habit of deceiving anyone, whether she liked them or not, but she did feel it was only fair she have an idea of what he was hoping to accomplish- especially since any damage control would be easier to manage if she had time to prepare for it.

All the more reason to let people know what he intends to do instead of poking around heads without warning or permission. He does not want to become a pariah out of a need to keep his own abilities in check.

He barely turns his head when she speaks to him, holding his whole body straight. You always have to clarify when making such a broad request.

"I need to read minds on a regular basis in order to control my telepathy. It is the one power that I cannot exercise with any regularity here in the Fleet, so I need people who are willing to sit down and let me see what goes on in their heads."

Mantis sighs, his shoulders sinking slightly. "I can't afford to lose control of it, even for an instant."

Well, she didn't get any specific answers, but at least she's got an idea of why he's asking in the first place. And she definitely didn't want him doing anything rash if these needs weren't met.

"Fine. But I will not apologize if you discover anything you find uncomfortable."

Which, he might or might not- her impression of him was that he'd likely done some objectionable things in the past as well, so she wasn't terribly concerned about it. Not that she would have been anyway, it was a short list of people she'd prefer to avoid finding the more regrettable memories, at least without her being there to explain herself. Speaking of which something she should probably mention as she pushed off the bulkhead and made her way over to her chair...

"Oh! And, obviously, if you share anything you might uncover without my permission? I'll use you to discover just how many times the Atroma are capable of reviving us. Now, do you require any special preparations?"

By now, he should probably be used to just how effortlessly the Captain can pivot from death threats to pleasantries. The warning was sincere enough, but she did have enough faith him that there wasn't much in the way of suspicion behind her words. If anything, she just felt obligated to make mention of the consequences- like an alien diplomatic disclaimer of sorts.

He's got a lot of reluctance admitting he needs to keep the telepathy in check at all, let alone telling the truth that he can't control it completely. A half truth is better in his mind.

"I've done it for years back home. Much of what I see doesn't bother me anymore."

The shift of Looma's voice to becoming more threatening gets him to turn fully towards her. Part of his stance reflexively switched to standing at attention. One doesn't ignore the warning of a woman who is significantly larger and stronger than you.

"I...wasn't planning to. Unlike that man Ardyn, I respect privacy." A small shiver goes down his back to consider what she might do to test how much Atroma can revive the dead. "If there is a truth to share, it is with whomever I happen to be reading the mind off of. I do not wish to die. Once was enough."

All things considered, he's glad to know that Looma is willing to keep him in line. He's well aware that he has a small tendency to get carried away, and she would undoubtedly be able to keep him grounded by any means necessary.

"So long as we understand one another."

She wasn't going to harp on him much. Just enough to make it crystal clear that if this decision came back to bite her, it would end very, very badly. At least, if anything went wrong in a way she deemed avoidable- in all honesty, the ability to read minds wasn't something she was aware of in any capacity back home. As far as she was aware, there were no beings known for it, or even rumors of a single individual capable of it. So this was very much uncharted territory best navigated cautiously. Although, it did offer an opportunity for improvement.

"Before you begin, there is one matter I am curious about. You say you read minds- is it possible to shield one?"

If he could read them, there was no guarantee it was impossible for anyone else who might be brought into the Fleet. Nor was there any guarantee they would not seek to exploit that particular ability. And for someone who had a habit of leaping into the first fight that presented itself, it paid to be prepared.

"Explicitly."

Mantis has seen all kinds of volatile reactions to the very mention of his powers, let alone the use of them. It's the vulnerability people tend to hate more than anything. Thoughts laid to bare are things that can't be taken back, like a secret forced into the open.

"Of course. You can train to do it, and some people can do it naturally. My last mission before arriving here reached an impasse because I met a man who had been taught to resist my abilities."

The damn DARPA Chief. If it hadn't been for that old cat, how Octopus needed to take on his form, things might have ended differently.

Kaidan isn't certain of why Mantis seems so agitated, which in turn makes him more uncertain about replying. What he does see, though, is someone who seems to be in need. That's enough for him to at least consider the question.

"I...might be willing to help you. But I have a few questions first...if you don't mind."

It's the idea of admitting he's in such a state where he genuinely needs help more than anything. There is a lot of pride being swallowed here.

"Questions are normal. I'm well aware that people like me might not even exist where some people in the Fleet come from."

"Probably true. I know the Asari can, in a way - but probably not in the way you're describing. All the times I've seen it done it's more, ah...intimate. And with the cooperation of the person they're doing it with. I'm sure that has something to do with the stories about human biotics being able to do the same thing. But...we can't."

It might have saved him a lot of grief of the years if that were the case, but there was assuredly a downside to such a skill, just as it was with any ability. Adding to the fear and stigma that hung around biotics even still being least among them, perhaps.

"But...anyway...what I want to know is, are there any dangers to this? And what exactly can happen if you lose control?"

"Intimate." He can take a few guesses and none of them bring up pleasant mental images. "Takes all types, I believe, is the term people use to explain a variety of ways to do the same task. My mind reading doesn't need cooperation, but it does help."

He makes a thoughtful noise and moves the communicator with him as he sits down.

"There's no real danger other than possibly exposing painful memories or secrets, neither of which would be exposed to anyone else. At worst, there might be a slight headache depending on how deeply I dive into one's mind." Sigh. "As to my own personal risk, it's related to mental health. Not being able to control an ability that lets you see into other's thoughts is a terrifying prospect that I do not intend to experience here."

Kaidan lets out a breath. "Trust me, I'm used to headaches, and I know how to deal with my damage. I can take it. Besides...I know better than most how much control means to people like us." The cost was a minor inconvenience in comparison to what would be gained. If he could help someone else gain what he had, even in a mostly unrelated ability, then he would do it.

"Just...one thing. I'm not worried about you digging through my mental underwear drawer or...anything like that. But I've seen a lot of...unpleasant things. Comes with the job. Which means you have a chance of seeing those too. So...if you think you'll be okay with that...then I'm in. Just tell me where."

"You have your own abilities?" It was a fairly easy thing to see, but all the same, interesting to hear. "I've found it comforting to know that there are so many different kind of people in the Fleet who have odd skills. You don't feel as isolated among others of your kind."

He laughs at the metaphor, shoulders shaking and everything. "I've been unpleasant things for a lot of people. Whatever you have seen can't traumatize me more than I already have been. As to location: anywhere you are comfortable. Your own ship, the Iskaulit..."

"Yeah, that's for sure. The fleet makes it hard to feel all that...different. In a good way."

He smiles faintly, pleased to have lightened the other man's mood even a little.

"I'm not picky. How about the gym on the Iskaulit? I was going to head there soon anyway."

"That is part of why I decided to do this in the first place. With enough odd people, someone is bound to understand."

A little humor is just what he needed to shake off a bit of the nerves. Not all of them, but enough. "That works well. I haven't been to the ice rink in a bit, either. Let's say ten or so minutes?"

"Sure. I'll be there ASAP. See you there." He smiles, a touch hesitantly, though part of that is simply his inability to know how to smoothly end a conversation most of the time. With that, he ends the transmission, gathers up a few things for the workout he intended to get to after they were done with...whatever was going to happen...then quickly made his way to the shuttle.

Mantis gets to Iskaulit quickly, making as close to a straight line as he can for the gym. It isn't the kind of place he visits with any regularity, but he finds it fairly quickly. Between the conversation and the location of choice, it's fairly easy to guess he's dealing with another military type. While he waits, he looks at all the different machines, wondering if he could stand to do a bit of weight lifting.

It's maybe hardwired in him, at this point, to be efficient even in something like this. Kaidan isn't far behind Mantis, arriving with a towel slung over his shoulders and a small bag clutched in one hand. The gym is as close to a familiar haunt as Kaidan gets on the fleet - the only other option being of course the bar, but that didn't seem like the best place for this kind of exercise.

"Hey," he says, dropping his gear against the wall, after which an awkward beat ensues.

"Uh...sorry, I didn't pick a spot with chairs."

The lateral pull bar is close to what Mantis could probably work with in his current state, although he'd have to work at a somewhat low weight. He waves at Kaidan as he approaches and leans against the machine.

"Think nothing of it. There is no real proper place for what I'm about to do, but if you can be in a place that offers familiarity and a sense of protection, then it will work."

He gestures to the gym area. "Perhaps a machine that you can do simple repetitive movements will be best. Routines like exercising often clear the mind and relax the body. A stressed out mind is the hardest to read."

Kaidan wouldn't personally himself as stressed out, but he takes the direction regardless. He isn't here to question the process.

"Alright. You're the expert," he says, rolling his shoulders thoughtfully, then moves towards the bench press after only a slight hesitation. He tended to focus on the punching bags, but there was a lot of variation there - this would be simpler.

"So...you're not looking for a challenge, then?" he asks, nonchalant but curious as he adjusts the weights on the bar. Nothing too much, especially if he's going to multitask.

Mantis can't help a little smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. Even on Earth, he had to fight pretty hard to find anyone who would be willing to have their minds read voluntarily. It's odd having his suggestions followed without some level of his powers already put into play.

"The challenge of it depends largely on what kind of mind you have. Some people are born with natural defenses, and even surface thoughts can be hard to read. I'll start with a few questions to see how easy it is to read your reactionary responses to different words and work my way from there."

He takes a few steps towards the bench press only to suddenly climb up on air. He manages a seated position in the air with his legs crossed.

Kaidan had already laid out his concerns, and now was not to time to second guess himself or the man he was volunteering himself to. That wasn't to say that he didn't have questions, or wouldn't have more later, that was as sure as water was wet. But he was also a soldier, and following orders was comfortably second nature. Sure enough, a certain ease begins to settle in as he lowers himself down onto the bench and tests his grip on the bar above.

His brows raised a little, mirroring his first lift, as Mantis seated himself in the air. It wasn't entirely until what he's seen before, though it's also without the pyrotechnics and subtle violence of biotics. Not even a highly skilled asari could hover so peacefully for a long period of time.

"Right. And...doing that at the same time won't interfere with the exercise?" he asks, after lowering the bar gently.

Far too late for second guessing. Mantis isn't feeling the most confident about what he's doing either, but he needs this practice if the whole of the Fleet will be kept safe. If Kaidan is the best he's got, then it will have to be enough.

"You would think that, but it's really not much of a difference to sitting on the floor. Tell me about your crew. What kind of people do you work with where you come from?"

Seated aloft, Mantis edges his telepathic powers out to Kaidan's mind, seeking out the flow of his thought process. Words, images, even snippets of sound... He can only imagine what kind of things he'll find.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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