shellphones | Asshole telepath protection racket

(Fuck. They didn't plan this out. Can't just do this stuff at the Conservatory and their home is a cramped one room hole. It takes them a few minutes to respond.)

You familiar with the abandoned courtyard in(They give a location.)?

[There's a pause.] I will see you there. [Well that may as well be a yes. Unless there was more to it, he'll be making his way to the designated location. Presumbly he would be the first there, but Chris may not spot him immediately, perhaps only sensing his presence.

Shadow isn't going to put himself out in the open. He is uncertain what Chris will do after everything, or if they're expecting him to do something.]

(Well, they guess they're doing this now, then.

Shadow is, of course, way faster than them, so even if they had started heading there before they told him where to meet--they didn't--he's still gonna get there first. They walk out into the open in the middle of the courtyard, looking around.)

You know, even if I'm not reading your thoughts I can still tell you're there.

Edited 2025-09-18 05:28 (UTC)

[There isn't a response. Instead, there's a flash to their left. A grumpy dark hedgehog now appears, standing at arm's length from them.]

(They start a bit, but don't leap back: they can tell there's no attack coming.)

If you want to mask your presence entirely, you'll want to stick to crowded areas with lots of minds. Even better if they're excited or freaked out or something.

[He crosses his arms, remaining quiet. He seem to be studying the kid for a moment.]

And if one were to find themselves on their own and didn't have that option?

(And well, they frown a bit.)

That's harder. You don't have any psychic powers of your own, so your best bet would be to maintain distance and hope that makes you less noticeable. Approach when they're distracted or tired and vulnerable.

Wanna get started?

I've had my fair share of mind intrusions and overcame them. Psychic powers or not. [He is not referring to Chris. Just like those previous times, he'll overcome this too. His brows furrow.] I'm ready.

(They blink.)

I was intending to coach you on how to have even better (They have to admit he's one of the people who manages not to project everywhere, but they bet there's still a few tricks he could learn.) control of your thoughts and spot more subtle intrusions before the possibility of actually simulating one came up, but if you want to start with that...

Edited 2025-09-20 23:10 (UTC)

I be more concern with yourself, if I'm unable to repel you. [A warning that he may respond violently as a means of self preservation.

There's a reason he reacts strongly when it comes the tampering of his mind. Be it things he does not want others to see, being manipulated, or have his memories reprogrammed entirely. It took him as long as did just to be able to trust what his mind percieves around him.]

Instruct where you feel it necessary.

What, like you'll just automatically lash out and kill me?

(Oh, there's that snappishness. Someone's still pissy.

A part of them wonders: does Shadow really intend to kill them if they poke around in his head, or is he afraid he's going to freak out and kill them for accidentally poking into his head?

...It doesn't make much of a difference, they suppose. Especially since-) That doesn't work anyway, remember?

(They sigh.)I'm not even interested in your secrets.

No, but I could make you wish for death. [There are worse things than death as one could say. He crosses his arms. In quiet consideration.]

Whether it is or not, what memories I have are important to me. I...simply do not want them to be tampered with again.

(They scoff.) I doubt you can top what's already happened.

(That's not even a matter of ability so much as them being pretty sure Shadow has standards.

They sigh.)

I can't actually tamper with memories anyway, just read them. (This is, for the most part, true. That part of their power is blocked. It's possible they might be able to do it if they dove all the way into his head? But that leaves them like, completely vulnerable... and they haven't actually tried something like that since arriving here.

...Probably it'd just give the both of them brain damage.) And even if I could I don't want to. Is it really so hard to believe that I'm capable of not being a complete piece of shit, or do you just assume other people will treat you like a toy the moment you let your guard down? (On the offensive, now. Running their mouth. Picking at a perceived weakness.)

I'm here, aren't I? [He taps his foot impatiently.] Are you going to provide those lesson you mentioned or not?

...

...

...Alright. (So incredibly sullen.

~~They are absolutely mad Shadow didn't take the bait even if picking a fight with him is incredibly stupid.~~) You ever meditated before?

[Maybe if he was younger, he would have fallen for the brat's attempts to egg him on.] ...A few times. [Does brooding count as meditating though?]

(They have no idea how old Shadow is or how that compares to human age.

He's right to think they're a brat, though. They're chronologically like, 19-20?)

Alright. Let's see how fast you can get comfortable and clear your thoughts.

... [He takes a deep breath. For the first time since arriving to the meeting place, his gaze moves from Chris. The challenge of trying to relax, is not letting old haunts creep up on you. He always has to be doing something, because if he's not, his mind tends to wander. What should he be doing, what can he do better? What could he have done? A question that often eats at his mind. There's also the fact he's standing in front of someone he isn't completely sure he could fully relax in front of.

But that's always been the case with anyone. Letting his guard down is just asking to be taken advantage of, controlled.

...But if he thinks about being in a field of lavenders, the plant room on his boat, he can reach some state of calm. Physically, he does appear relaxed. His mind creating a space that makes him feel calm, but there's still a lingering wariness.]

(They frown.) You have trouble with keeping your head clear, don't you?

The more you practice at it, the better you'll be with the stuff I'm gonna teach you. For now, try and concentrate on something you don't care if I see until it's everywhere. Try to ignore any other thoughts you're having.

[He blinks, glaring up at Chris.] It's easier when I'm by myself. [It should probably be obvious why. With a huff, he glances away again.

He can think of one place that brings him calm. A field of lavenders. Something about the way they smell, calms his spirits. An unassuming image that provides no details besides liking lavender.]

Yeah. Unfortunately, needing to defend your mind implies the presence of others.

(Huh. So basically the same thing he was already focusing on.)

That's a good passive defense for if you're worried about someone seeing thoughts but there isn't any proof of deliberate invasion. If someone is trying to actively read what's in your head, it'll probably be much harder than normal to focus on things like that: you'll keep trying to go to whatever topic the telepath is trying to get at. Smarter telepaths will try tricks that bring the information they want to the front of your mind naturally, like asking questions and skimming for the answers that you think of.

Edited 2025-09-29 04:54 (UTC)

...That makes sense. [Even when he can't see himself being swayed so easily. But he can't deny that the mind will wander in the midst of a discussion. Even when he doesn't say what's there.]

(They raise an eyebrow.)

I may not know the specifics but I can still tell you're doubting.

(They can smell that arrogance... or what they're interpreting as arrogance.)

Just continue the lesson and let me decide how to handle it. [It's just how he is.]

Well, if you're really worried about wipes, that willpower will help.

(Willpower and confidence do a lot in the realm of the mind.

But for subtler types of manipulation he's more likely to fall for it if he doesn't believe it can happen.

...They'll just have to watch out for that. ~~Actually they're arrogant enough they'd just fall for it too.~~)

Now I want you to find something that you might not care if I see but that anyone who looks in your mind will regret seeing. Like a really gross thing you've seen or imagined. Be as mean about it as you can without making yourself upset or sick.

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