♪ Let it all out ♪ (Closed)

[Skylar]

Urgh. Should have chosen a place with less glass. Trying to avoid my reflection in this place is gonna be a nightmare. I mess my hair up and rake my fingers through the length of it to make sure it covers most of my face so my reflection isn't as noticeable to anyone else. Thankfully I'm no beauty so no-ones likely to wanna watch me in glass anyways.
I note Myk's own discomfort and wonder what's up with that. I'm kinda used to places like this so the noise doesn't get me and the emotional chaos is nothing I can't handle neither. I guess I'm kinda lucky like that. I consider asking him if he wants to go somewhere else but I figure he's a big boy and he'll tell me if he wants to get gone.
"Hmm... Me... I like what I like. So I guess you'll have to make that decision for yourself."
I give Myk a quick wink and when the bartender comes close I order a shot of whiskey and a bottle of beer to chase it with. I don't usually mix this way, but it's not entirely unlike me neither. The shot is to get me started. The beer's so I can kinda pace myself. I don't much fancy JD and coke right now. I dunno why. Too sweet maybe?
I'm distracted momentarily by some of the whispers around us. I'm not sure if I should be glaring at people or not. Probably not cos Myk don't seem to care what's being said. And starting **** would only draw more attention to us. Which I kinda don't wanna do. Not that I don't like the right kind of attention. This though. This wouldn't be the right kind of attention.
"Wanna find a dark corner to cosy up in?"
Crap. That didn't sound good. I quickly backtrack. Or clarify. Or whatever.
"****. I didn't meant that how it sounded. I mean. You know. Cos..."
I wave my hand around at the bar, thinking Myk will get what I mean.
"Well I'm sure you get what I mean. You know. Like... Find a place that's a lil' more private."

[Myk]

Myk wasn’t an established drinker – one that knew the rules about what to drink and what not to drink, but he was a chemist to some extent when it came to figuring out what percentage of the alcohol and their various chemical ingredients would produce the effect he was after. Honestly, drugs were more Myk’s thing. They were far more predictable and their contents and various side-effects were better understood by the Telepath. It was something he could study with a certain level of mathematical accuracy. For instance, 60mg of codeine was enough to produce a soft buzz for approximately three hours – a valid short-term escape from reality’s incessant dickishness. Codeine was a starter’s opiate of choice – not enough to knock you out of your socks and send you on a magical adventure, but just enough to slow the brain and make the body forget its ills. Unfortunately, like any drug, the body soon builds up a tolerance for it and before you know it, you’re chasing that need to feel a little less by taking a little bit more, just a little bit more…

When Skylar decided to try a beer chaser with her spirit, Myk figured that he would imitate her. That was the best he could do given the situation and not knowing where this night was intending to lead. Even with the Telepath’s particular weakness for narcotics, he wasn’t likely to get drunk too soon. They would have plenty of time to chat incessantly about mundane, innocuous **** and it would be good for both of their souls. He laughed a little too theatrically when she suggested they move to someplace a little cosier, especially so when her attempt to resolve the situation did little more than to encourage the insinuation that she was trying desperately not to encourage. Myk didn’t know the blonde too well to know how his mocking would be taken, but even at the risk of earning a black eye, it seemed too opportune a moment to waste.

“My, my, you do move quickly,” the Telepath purred, keeping his voice steady, measured and perfectly inflammatory. “Though I suppose it can’t be helped when I’m just this gorgeous.”

Pewter eyes took a moment to scan the potential for… private spots, finding one in the back toward the kitchen. So this bar had a kitchen. That was a little peculiar, but not totally unheard of. From looking around, it didn’t seem that people ordered anything more than pub snacks and chicken wings anyway. Sitting in the back would give them enough privacy to discuss whatever the hell came to their minds and at least they wouldn’t be shining like stars without reflections.

“How about over there?” Myk offered, indicating with a long, slender finger. “We could get away with all sorts back there.”

[Skylar]

I giggle when he says I move quick. He ain't wrong. Though I had to take my time with Ric. Scared him off - literally - on more than one occasion. Kinda loved doing that though, since he always came back eventually. I kinda get a thrill out of doing it now too truth be told as it still happens on occasion.
I look to where Myk is pointing, down the shot and place the empty glass on the bar before grabbing up my beer and taking a swig of that. The place he pointed to looked good to me, so I nudged him with my elbow before I headed over that way.
"Oh baby. You sure know how to say what a girl wants to hear."
I turn and give Myk a cheeky wink. I'm a flirt, and it seems he is too. Just because I'm married doesn't mean I'm dead. Hell, just because I'm dead, doesn't mean I'm dead. I'm pretty sure Ric doesn't mind my playful nature. I'm blonde but I'm not stupid. I know when I've got it good and I wouldn't cheat on Ric for all the money in the world. Still, I gotta be me and me is a flirt.
I seat myself down, wriggle to get comfy and look around me. Yep. This will do. We can say pretty much what we like back here and the shiny surfaces have lost a little of their lustre thanks to the decrease in lighting, which means I'm not gonna have to stare at my freaky arse reflection. That thing scares me. Not that I've seen it in a while, I avoid looking in mirrors and the like for my sanity's sake. Just the thought of what I might look like now is enough to give me nightmares. Though you know... maybe the reality wouldn't be as bad as what I imagine it is. I do have a wicked good imagination. Still, best to err on the side of caution. Right?
"So, gorgeous, we gonna talk world domination or what?"
I take another swig of my beer before I settle the bottle on the table. I don't really wanna take over the world or anything. Hell, I don't wanna be famous even for my music, but it seemed like a good thing to say, a good way to let Myk know we can discuss pretty much anything and everything. That and I don't wanna flirt too much. Okay, maybe I do, but I should wait till I've had a few beers so I'm on the top of my game in that. We've not been in each other's company for very long but I'm feeling relaxed and having fun, so it's all good to me.

[Myk]

It was a pleasant surprise to not experience an explosion of pain to his face, to watch a fist coming in to impact his skull. Skylar seemed to enjoy little games as much as he did and Myk was glad she could play with the best of them. Flirting really was second-nature to the white-haired Vampire, though he rarely meant anything by it – particularly if the other party was in a relationship. Skylar had been very open and straightforward and bold about the fact that she was in one, after all. Myk might not have possessed too many morals, but at least he tried not to be a home-wrecker. Tried. There were a few moments in his past where Myk just couldn’t help himself and neither could the ‘straight’ men he’d been flirting with, apparently. But men were simple creatures and Myk never blamed them for being weak – he blamed himself for being weak. Of course he was only Human at the time, and there were many things wrong with him that even the pills couldn’t fix. Oddly enough, coming to Harper Rocking and having had the veil of ignorance that had kept him safe from the supernatural stripped back, Myk was coping better than ever before. Or, at least, he believed he was…

When Skylar downed her shot and escorted her beer to the table, Myk did the very same thing, settling himself down in front of the blonde. The Telepath was very good at mimicking, or, at least he wanted to be enough to believe he was. Like being sane and being well – if Myk believed it enough, perhaps he could be all of these things. Mind over matter, and all that. Pewter eyes held Skylar in their playful gaze as she offered up their next discussion piece. Myk laughed softly and shrugged a single pale shoulder. Clearly she was just joking and so Myk allowed the subject to breeze through like a spectre – acknowledging its presence but not clinging to it. He could be too serious sometimes for a clown and that definitely wasn’t what he wanted for tonight. There was too much sombreness in this world, let alone Harper Rock, and if Myk – with all his problems – could manage to fake a smile and bite his tongue, then perhaps everyone could at least try to do the same. And if that happened, maybe the world would be brighter, even if their flames were as perpetual as candlelight.

“World domination is a subject for those with length-issues to discuss, if you know what I mean,” Myk offered with a smirk and a wink. “No, no. I would much rather focus on the here and the now than be preoccupied with who’s going to stab me in the back and who can I stab in the back to claw a bit of power from. Like it’ll make those few inches seem larger…”

Pewter eyes travelled across the room from his companion as the voices in his head became suddenly louder, convincing Myk that someone had come over and whispered into his ear. He didn’t understand what they were saying, but he’d caught what he thought was a French accent, a man’s voice, and something tender being said. When Myk saw nothing after his brief encounter with a spirit, his insanity, or whatever the **** it was, the Telepath quickly looked back to Skylar like it was nothing at all. Myk took a swig of his beer, his left hand having been instinctively stroking the neck of the bottle in something like a perverse manner before Myk carried on with what he was saying, as if any of this had been purposeful.

“Poor little sods. If only they had heard of Viagra, hmm? Ha! Sorry, wasn’t that a little crass of me,” Myk cackled softly, though he figured Skylar wouldn’t actually mind.

[Skylar]

I don't see anything odd in Myk's behaviour when he downs his shot and follows behind me. It's what you do, right? When out drinking. Things just are the way they are. Shots are meant to be downed and beers and meant to be nursed. Unless you’re at a frat party or something and then you down beers too. Not that I've been to that kind of party in a while. Wow. Married life has changed me. I'm not dwelling on that though. Nope. Not now, not ever, no way, no how. I love my life. Or my unlife. Whatever I'm supposed to call it now.
I'm supping my beer when Myk speaks and I have to swallow quickly to stop myself form spitting it all on him. Really, the guy's lucky. I mean my reflexes are sharp and all but I rarely manage to swallow back a laugh. Which naturally results in me choking just a bit before my laughter finds its way out. Myk's kinda funny, and what he says sounds oddly effeminate. Or maybe not oddly. I mean look at the way he's dressed.
"Crass? Please. I've actually had to judge a competition in which my mates measured said inches. It weren't pretty. And the results were disputed. A lot."
I'm laughing pretty hard now cos I'm not even lying. I've known the guys a long *** time and we've all gotten off our nuts together on more occasions than I can count. In fact I've judged that competition on more than one occasion. I'm now shaking my head at the memory. No matter what, that kinda contest was never gonna end well.
"So never felt the need to see how you measure up?"
I ask this once I'm done laughing. Myk's pretty easy to talk to so I don't even think twice before asking that. He doesn't seem the sort that's gonna get offended or anything. In fact I'm pretty sure he'd come straight out and admit it if he had.
Honestly, it's not so weird really is it? The fact that guys like to see how they stack up against their mates. I mean it's kinda easier for woman seeing as how we have clothing that kinda measures the size of our breasts and all. Of course some women stuff. Something I refuse to do. I'm the way I am. Ain't no point making something out of nothing. I mean it's like false advertising... right?
I shake my head to clear my mind of the direction it's taken. My boobs are nothing to write home about. Hell some of my friends are better endowed than I am in the chest. And the less said about that the better.
I take another swig of my beer and gesture towards Myk with the neck of my bottle.
"You know, I bet you're quite the looker under all that make-up."
****.
I have the feeling I may have said that already. Or maybe I only thought it. In fact on second thought, I'm pretty damn sure I only just thought it before, as it's definitely the sort of thing you should think and not say. Damn it. Why did my filter have to be broken? Why couldn't I just be like everyone else? Because that would be boring and I'd hate myself is why but damn it I shouldn't be saying things like that to people I've just met. I really don't wanna insult the guy. Though I'm not really insulting him. Am I? I mean it's a compliment. Right? I mean that's how I meant it. God I hope he takes it the way I intended.
I kinda grimace at my own words and quickly set my bottle down. Can't rightly take back what I said now can I. So, I do the only thing I can do; I smile and explain.
"I meant that as a compliment. Though maybe that didn't come out the right way. Probably shouldn't have come out at all but meh."
I shrug my shoulders.
"I bet I'm right."

[Myk]

The Telepath smiled delicately, dipping his head to hide those pewter eyes under long fake lashes as if he wanted to disappear. He wasn’t bashful, however, not really. This coyness was something of an act, something he presumed he had to do in the situation. Myk had travelled the world and lived in many places, but he had spent a lot of his time in the UK on account of it being a connective hub of sorts. With his mother being an English-Italian and his father being an English-Frenchman, it seemed only natural that if the pair were going to settle anywhere, they would do it in England. The country was an odd one, but then again, many countries are when you delve deeply enough. There are subcultures upon subcultures where certain mannerisms are more expected or certain things are taboo. It was always difficult for the Telepath to remember which thing was which and in which place, so, he often ended up putting his foot in his mouth. Apologising for his rather crass behaviour might have been the safest choice, but all his agonising seemed to be for naught when Skylar jumped on that band wagon and rode it right into the gutter. This caused the Telepath’s mask of demure to be shredded and he jumped back on that band wagon, laughing along with every seedy bump and jive.

“I’m rather jealous then,” Myk commented. “A lot of my friends are far too wise to let me anywhere near them with a ruler. I’ve offered to use my thumb as a measure and everything, but… still no takers.”

Myk took a long swig of his drink before he even began to answer her next question, but, his answer differed little from what he’d already said. It wasn’t about the competition for Myk. Any sizing up was purely for… practical purposes.

“Oh, well. I wouldn’t hesitate at the chance, but, again… People seem to get awfully flighty around me. Hmm… I can’t imagine why.”

A devilish smile, a wink, and the sarcastic tone gave her the impression that Myk was being playful with those last words of his. Of course it was obvious to know why Myk made all the men in the world anxious. He was like a prowling dragon with an appetite for the more sensitive, squishy body parts. A lot of people – male and female alike – often couldn’t tell what sex he was and that unknown made them a bit squeamish. Plus, men were often squeamish anyway. Or was that just straight men? Myk couldn’t tell exactly, but he really enjoyed annoying them and making them squirm at any rate. It was probably the masochist in him that lured him into danger like that. There was something about the potential for pain that made the Telepath a little excited. And at the same time, Myk’s self-destructive urges were quelled somewhat by his morals. It was all very well and good putting himself in danger, but not at the expense of others. Even a minor inconvenience would have to be argued to the death with himself about how much that person actually deserved what they experienced, how much Myk deserved that experience, and many various contributing factors that determined the rate and reward calculation. All boring stuff really. Stuff he shouldn’t be distracted with when Skylar was pointing her bottle at him and making comments about his looks. It was really difficult not to laugh out loud at her declaration, her sudden rebuttal and her attempt to try and compliment him. Myk found it all very darling and even thought to tease her on the subject.

“That’s the second time you’ve commented on my looks,” Myk said in a velvet tone that might have sounded damning if not for that wolfish grin on his features and the sparkle in his eyes. “I’m starting to think that you don’t like the way I am.”

Pewter eyes removed themselves from those hues of azure momentarily to look down at his own attire. Once he was done, he pulled a strand of white hair out of the fuzzy cloud on top of his head and then gestured to her.

“ Probably not as gruff and masculine as you like, hmm?” Myk dropped the strand and sighed like he was making a big gesture, but since he was still smirking, it should have been obvious that he was simply playing. “I’m afraid I’m still too cute and pretty even beneath the make-up and the clothes and the hair… Well, ya know… for a guy. I couldn’t hold a candle to you, of course,” Myk then added in a serious tone. “But I try.”

[Skylar]

I start to pick at the label of my beer but quickly stop when I realise Myk isn't insulted by me and my big mouth. If anything he's playing with me. Flirting even. It's kinda nice to know I didn't hurt his feelings cos I never meant for him to be hurt by my words. Sure he looks like the child of a clown, geisha coupling but if that's his thing I'm not gonna judge. He's right though, about my type. I love manly guys. Though a little eyeliner and mascara can do crazy things for my libido when worn by the right guy. I'm not sure if Ric would stupid or ******* hot like that, but honestly I don't think it would matter, I'd likely **** him anyways. I think he'd look good with a few tatts personally, but they aren't his thing, so I'll hold my tongue on that one. I have to stop myself from thinking about that before I start drooling. I can imagine Ric with some tribal ink and how I'd trace the design with my tongue. Yep. My mind just went in the gutter. Went. okay. It's been there a while. I call it home.
I down a mouthful of beer, place the bottle back down and re-join the conversation.
"You'd definitely get people asking for a do-over if you're measuring in thumbs."
I wink at Myk. I don't know many guys that would want another dude handling their junk, but obviously Myk wouldn't have any issue.
"I'm just the curious type. I'd love to get my hands on a baby wipe or two so I could see what's underneath. I have this theory that you're hiding a whole lot of pretty under all that make-up. For some people less is more. Or for people like me, less is a necessity because you can't be arsed to spend hours putting all that stuff on."
I wave my finger in a circle and in the general direction of his face. I've always been more of a tomboy and making up my face so guys would like me was never top of my list. Then again I've never had a problem with guys not liking me, so maybe that's another reason I didn't bother.
I lean back in my seat, fold my arms and give Myk the once over with my eyes. I'm obviously checking him out, considering what he said and such.
"Sorry to tell ya hun, but ain't no-one as pretty as me."
I manage to say that with a straight face but the smirk that appears on my lips quickly shows that I don't mean a word of what I just said. I really don't think I'm all that, but I'm terrible at compliments and laughing them off always seems like the best plan. Unless someone's complimenting my music that is, or my art, then I'm more than happy to accept praise and talk myself up. What can I say. I know my strengths. My looks. They aren't one of them.
"So... what's your type then?"
I can't help but ask. Maybe I'm being nosy. Maybe I sound like I'm hoping he’ll describe me, but I'm not, hoping that is. I only care I'm Ric's type. Not that I think Ric has a type. Poor ****** kinda got saddled with me. Yeah right. Poor ******. More like lucky ********. He may not know it but he needs me. My inner feminist won't let me admit it but I probably need him too. He keeps me out of trouble. Well, most of the time.

[Myk]

As Skylar made a mention of washing his face to get a peek at what was hidden beneath, pewter eyes drifted in the direction of the lavatory and gave her comment real consideration. It didn’t bother him if he was to wash all that crap off his face and go nude, but his vanity found it difficult to lose it all completely. Myk was a conflict of interests – the confident, insecure and apathetic sort when it came to his appearance. He thought nothing of walking around in his birthday suit because nakedness was natural to him. Plus, he thought he was rather aesthetically blessed, so there was nothing to hide exactly. Myk wasn’t the squeamish, shy and retiring type that got nervous about showing his skin, his scars, and his vulnerabilities – at least not on the physical front. And yet, give him a palette of face paint and he’ll go to town on making himself look like someone completely different. The escapist in him loved to play dress-up, the clown in him loved the mask of anonymity for his performances, and the scientist in him liked to watch the reactions he provoked. Being normal – or as close to normal as Myk could do – was not out of the question even now. He wanted to show off his natural beauty now that Skylar had made the request, but, it would be a bit tough given their current circumstance…

The Telepath was drawn from his thoughts when Skylar made a mention of her own beauty and how the competition was a non-starter. It was pointless to compete with her in attractiveness though, no matter how little she regarded herself. Skylar had confidence, that go-getter attitude, that feisty yet down-to-earth maturity that made her very attractive to the opposite sex. Plus, she had style and she was easy on the eyes and had a fantastic figure. She was skilled too and interesting to talk to. Skylar was a woman that was sure of herself and happy to go with the flow of things. Believe it or not, that **** is more attractive than a pair of fish net tights and stilettos. Women say they wear make-up to attract a mate, but that stuff isn’t entirely true. Men don’t care about make-up. It’s women who care about what they look like, about what other women think they look like, and that behaviour is just translated into what a man might think when he looks at her.

That train of thought followed on quite nicely with Skylar’s next question and Myk smirked to himself, focusing his sights on the bottle in his hand. When most people asked Myk that question, they were asking in a not-so-subtle way about which sex he was interested in. Obviously Myk was a flamboyant creature and lent himself quite well to the stereotypical flaming homosexual, but there was a hell of a lot more than met the eye with him. Since Myk could best describe himself as pansexual – a person who was attracted to personalities regardless of the gender – he decided to explain the type of personalities that he was most attracted by in order to answer her question.

“Well, I don’t know if I have a type exactly… But I do have a tendency to chase those people who run the fastest,” he said with a laugh. “I suppose you can say I… like a challenge? But, I know that I do like intelligence, wisdom, perhaps something of a dark side... But they have to be fun too!”

Perhaps avoiding the pronouns and avoiding anything physical wasn’t going to go in the way that Myk had intended. He’d avoided saying he or she on account that gender didn’t bother him, but perhaps it came across suggesting that he was too nervous to say he liked men? People did that, didn’t they. Admitting a same-sex attraction was taboo even in today’s society and a lot of people just liked to avoid the hassle. Myk wasn’t one of those people… He didn’t give a **** what people thought about his sexuality. It was difficult to pin-point certain things he found physically attractive, however. Frankly, Myk was easily pleased in that department. The person didn’t have to be particularly toned or handsome or beautiful for Myk to find them hot. It was all about the personality to him and as long as you were hygienic, you wouldn’t turn him off.

“So… Now it’s your turn,” Myk offered with a sneer. “Tell me your type.”

[Skylar]

"Bad boys."
I say the words without giving it any thought. I mean really, my type is similar to Myk's from the sounds of it. I mean who wants a dumbass for a partner. I sure as hell don't and Ricky's smart as all hell, in his own unique way. Then again everything about Ric is uniquely him. I'm sure the look on my face says I've slipped into my own little fantasy world, as I know I'm smiling at the thought of him.
"Just before I met Ric, I told Ellie, I wanted to find someone tall, dark and handsome. The kind of guy you wouldn't take home to meet your parents. Or something like that. And Ric's all of that. I don't need a guy to tower over me or nothing, but I like to look up at a guy. Don't know why. Probably some innate breeding instinct."
I shrug and continue.
"Looks are a given, but I mean, that's subjective right? What I find attractive, you might not. You gotta feel that spark with a person. So maybe it's chemistry more than looks exactly, but looks is the easiest way to describe it. One look at Ric and I knew I had to get to know him. Dark hair and dark eyes are my thing. Dunno why. Just seems to be what I gravitate towards. And then we come full circle to the bad boy thing. I've always had a thing for the wrong type of guy. At first I think I just liked dragging men home I knew my mum would hate, then somewhere along the line it became what I was actually attracted to. The more unsuitable the guy, the more I wanted him. I wanted Ric bad..."
I laugh and stop myself there as I'm pretty sure that explains my guy well enough. He's an arsehole and he knows it, and I'm a freak and find that fact as sexy as ****. He has his sweet side too but I'm not so quick to tell people about that. That's kinda private. Though I've told people before and likely will again. Hell. I may have already let that fact slip to Myk already. I say so much, I kinda lose track of who I said what to.
"I'm not all that experienced in dating, truth be told. In fact, I might actually already be more experienced at being married."
I take a sip of my beer as I consider what I just said. It might not be true, but this is hands down the longest relationship I've ever had and the only one I've really been invested in; outside of my friendships that is.
"I've got plenty of experience with guys but I was more the love 'em and leave 'em type."
This is my nice way of saying I slept around. It's the truth, and something I can't change about myself, so I own it. Most of my friends know the truth of it, hell, all of my friends know it cos they've seen me in action. Thank **** Ric came along when he did. I'm much calmer now than I used to be. Though now I think about it, that may not be a good thing. My brow furrows and I begin picking at the label on my bottle again.
"Relationships never came easy to me. Till now. No wait. That ain't right. It hasn't been easy. But it's been worth it, you know. How 'bout you? You any good at relationships?"
As soon as I say it, I realise that might have been a shitty thing to ask. Too late to take it back now though. And I am curious. Myk strikes me as the free spirit type. Bit like me, before I met Ricky. I liked the whole chasing those that run the fastest thing. Ric would have run, had he known what I was doing, thankfully for me, he didn't realise till it was too late.
I smirk. Yep. I'm a sneaky little bunny - when I want to be.

[Myk]

If Skylar hadn’t all-out confessed that she was married, Myk would have accused the woman of being obsessed with this man, Ric. It was normal to be obsessed with your husband though and frankly, if your every thought and dream and wish revolves around that one person, there is no reason to not make them your husband. Myk smiled at the thought, because despite the fact that he was flighty and free-spirited and flirtatious, he still respected the sanctity of marriage. It certainly wasn’t because he was religious or respected the religions of Earth – hell no – just, Myk was fairly romantic. Seeing people in love made him happy, gave him hope that perhaps Humanity – in all its forms – was capable of going beyond the natural destructive instinct and creating something beautiful instead. Skylar might have had this dreamy look on her face as she talked about her man and her history, but she wasn’t alone. The Telepath, who was so much like an empath a lot of the time, was dreaming along with her. It was a wonderful subject to wander into and Myk rather liked that they were staying there for so long. He didn’t mind her question either and although it wasn’t entirely in Myk’s nature to be straightforward and honest about himself, he was perfectly open to being so with Skylar tonight.

Perhaps it was the beer.

“I’m good at avoiding them,” Myk said rather amused. “I’ve found that it’s just better not to get too attached to people. Oh, and I know how it sounds… I don’t mean to sound so bleak and all that. It’s really not that at all. It’s not like I’m scared of getting hurt or anything like that,” he laughed, batting away the cliché with a wave of his hand. “It’s just less hassle that way. I guess I’m too lazy to get in too deep with people. Too apathetic, maybe I just don’t care enough to be so far invested in a person… Plus, I’m one of those people who like… err… new experiences. The thrill of the chase… the hunt… It wears off rather quickly if you’ve already caught ‘em, you know?”

Although it wasn’t something the average person might admit to and be proud of at once, Myk was fully aware that what he was doing was using and discarding people like tissue paper, and worse, he really wasn’t that bothered by it. Provided there was no animosity, Myk was fine to continue too. Besides, quite a lot of people were just like him and maybe too proud or whatever to admit to such a thing. If they were happy to lie to themselves, it didn’t bother him. Myk could admit his faults. He knew he was easily bored and had the attention span applicable to a gold fish. It was why he never finished a project or kept a steady job or even went to school when he could be perfectly capable of excelling in all those things. Myk was intelligent, skilled and wise where it mattered, but he lacked focus and the will to stay on one path for too long. Myk didn’t think too far ahead and most of the time responded on instinct and desire. If he wanted something, he would just go out and get it and when he was bored of something, he would drop it and move on. Unfortunately, this behaviour extended to people as well, so Myk had to be somewhat careful about his chosen subjects in case they might get too attached to him. And on the other side of things, Myk had to be careful that people didn’t use his flighty, flirty nature to make a slave of him.

“Friends are different though,” Myk added after a little consideration. “As useless as I am at staying in touch… even now…” he said, indicating his skull with the head of the beer bottle to mean his telepathic abilities, “I do like to keep friends. I try not to discard them and I try to keep them happy. I would hope that if my friends wanted to see me, they would just come out and say it. I’m not that kind of mind reader… I’m not going to chase them down and force them to spend time with me either.”

There was the other problem with the Telepath. He liked people – most of the time – but he was one of those characters that felt like an intruder in other’s lives. Myk didn’t like to be a burden to anyone and so rather than be the one to strike first, Myk just got on with his life. He never held it against them though, so at least that was a positive. People get busy, get complacent, hell, Myk had frequent black-outs and forgot very important parts of his history, so who was he to judge if someone dropped off the radar and wouldn’t contact him? Myk suspected that a lot of people were probably just like him – not the being crazy part, but just not being bothered when people were off being selfish. Of course, Myk could get totally obsessive if he allowed himself to be. He knew how easy it would be for him to base his life around that one person, to spend every waking second of his existence thinking about them, and how much it would stress him out to be apart from them for even a minute. Surely that was the other extreme which was better off avoiding. So, wasn’t it just better to be as he was? Because as much as Myk was lazy and probably didn’t love anybody, at least he was friendly enough and didn’t obsess over them and he certainly didn’t hate. If Myk had enemies, he wasn’t aware of them.

“Ah… People are very complex. Even dead people…” Myk mused, now mimicking Skylar by picking at the label on his beer. “And chemistry with someone… now that is an interesting subject to be sure. I wonder why it’s so long-lasting for some and so fleeting for others… How long have you been with Ric, if you don’t mind me asking,” Myk said, turning pewter eyes on Skylar. “How long have you felt that spark?”