finished the series.

[aptitude]

It's like my very own smorgasbord out here. I feel spoiled, I really have to applaud this opportunity to broaden my horizons. Still, you need to know your end-game and understand your own motivation before raising your hand like this, it's only common sense. Well, more than a little, but don't worry about a thing — you picked me. And before all the couch therapists come running, so wholly relentless in loving the sound of their own voices, I think I'll settle in for good right here. Bask. Relax. 

There's so much out there just waiting to be unravelled, unlocked. It's kind of poetic, the high I'm on. I'd say I don't expect you to understand, but you should probably settle down before you strain something in excitement.

Seriously, park it. 

Comments

[askedtobe]

Which horizons are you planning on broadening, exactly?

[aptitude]

Does it matter which answer I give to that, Peter? What a question.

[askedtobe]

I'm pretty sure it matters when it comes to this.

[aptitude]

Of course it doesn't. I won't get a choice when I'm from, so there's no point foisting a debate on the subject. [ Nngh. Muting the panic is surprisingly easy for a time. ] If you want me to promise no one will die, I'm afraid I can't do that.

[askedtobe]

You actually think i'd expect you to promise that? [ C'mon Sylar, that's far too stupid of a request. ] Be like asking Nathan to promise to not be an asshole.

Still doesn't change the fact that it already sounds like you know what you're looking for.

[aptitude]

I don't know what you'd want from me in that kind of situation.

[ Putting any stock in most people already passed its expiry date. The crack about Nathan makes his lips twitch, if only because he keenly feels the depth of truth in it. ]

I have a fair idea though, about where I'd like to go. Or I should say, where I wouldn't.

[askedtobe]

[ The number of variables when it comes to that potential situation are far too many and Peter doesn't have the time to start worrying about unnecessary things. Or to even start counting off all the things that could go so very wrong. ]

Doesn't really matter where you want to go. At the end of the day, it's never actually up to you.

[aptitude]

[ Mental applause, it belongs to Peter. ]

Aren't you the optimist today. [ It earns him a once-over, brown eyes flicking up and down curiously. ] What about you, has anything happened?

[askedtobe]

[ He tries.

And admittedly, the question earns something of a confused look. Partially because a lot of things happen all the time, and yet mostly because Peter's not entirely sure which aspect of them Sylar's asking about. ] What do you mean? Has anything happened where?

[aptitude]

To you, Peter. [ His look narrows as if to translate into How many things could I be talking about? ] I have a stake of interest in your well-being, believe it or not.

[askedtobe]

[ Okay, that gives him pause for more than a few seconds. He's not overtly concerned, but it's there, because Sylar wanting to know about his 'happenings' isn't exactly something that could be construed as good. At least not all the time. ]

You want to know about my day. [ It's a statement, but it's just as much a question. ]

[aptitude]

Why break five years worth of wondering?

[ Which is Sylar!talk for Yes, I want to know. It's more of a rote habit now they're not stuck in his head, but he can't switch off his curiosity as easily as he'd like; not when it feels rooted in something real. The barely-there roll of his eyes hastily overrides any answer that can be given, along with a dismissive shake of his head when the wariness buffets his concern. Of course. ]

Never mind, forget I asked.

[askedtobe]

I'm not forgetting you asked, Sylar, just wasn't expecting the question.

[ He's only mildly huffy now, but it's gone after a hot second because earning a 'never mind' from Sylar somehow makes him feel a slight twinge of guilt. He didn't catch on fast enough - that's his fault. ]

Mostly depends on which day you want to know about. [ Because there are options here, and Peter looks grumpy because sometimes life just sucks. ] All gets too complicated -- i'd take the five years all over again over my daily routine.

[breakablegirl]

That isn't creepy at all.

[aptitude]

You could always put your hands over your ears and not pay attention, Claire. Just one more thing that wouldn't kill you.

[breakablegirl]

[Ha, ha Sylar. Ha freaking ha :<<< ]

Sorry, you being excited about smorgasbords and broadening your horizons sort of makes me need to pay attention.

Do you have a place in mind to terrorize yet? Or are you just throwing out a net, seeing how many special people you can find.

[aptitude]

A little bit of both, admittedly. [ Rolling his eyes, fngh. ] It's not like I'd have to kill anyone if I got shipped off somewhere.

[ But they'd probably annoy the shit out of him and he'd give up trying, so. Yeah. ]

Peter can vouch for me if you're unconvinced.

[breakablegirl]

Oh good. You realize you don't have to kill people. How're the other 11 steps going?

[:|||| Claire still remains cautiously unconvinced about his apparent good guy act. Peter vouching for him or not. The stuff between them goes way deeper than that.]

You know it wouldn't change anything.

[aptitude]

I never wanted to, okay? You have no idea what it's like, owning my power.

[ Getting a little snippy because mrr, he'd apologize until the cows came home but 'It doesn't change anything'. ]

It barely feels like I have a choice, half the time.

[breakablegirl]

[She knows firsthand how much you wanted her power, Sylar. She won't let that go because of the hunger excuse.]

Yeah, you did. Maybe not anymore, but you did.

[Action is the way to win her over, Sylar. Words don't mean anything to someone who has been lied to her entire life.

Still, she softens.. A little.]

Did you already forget about your- I don't know, solution? No more powers?

[aptitude]

[ He'll just have to suffer that suspicion forever, already resigned to be loathed. At least Peter will stand by him, he's more of an anchor than he credits himself. ]

What, to let Parkman screw me over again? I don't think so. These powers are a part of me and I'm not going to give them up for a second time. I can control it, Claire, I know I can.

But I am not allowing another telepath to do what he did to me. What they did. [ The whole soul-ripping thing before the five-year-vacay-in-his-mind. You know you fucked up when the guy who saws skulls open holds up his hands and says whoa tiger, that shit doesn't fly. ] I don't have to trust people to be good.

[breakablegirl]

[She does feel that kinship with him even though she tries her best to forget that episode at college ever happened, but she's also afraid of trusting and getting hurt and let down again. A big part of her wants to believe him but another big part of her won't let her.

They're basically the same person deep down, once you get past the technicalities. Though I think Claire may have been even worse with his power.]

No! That's not what I- [Frustrated sigh.]

Look, I'm just saying, more powers than you already have can't do anything but make it harder.. Right?

[You're preaching to the choir about trust there, Sylar.]

[aptitude]

[ He laughs at that. Startled and incredulous, widening his eyes to get his point across when he abruptly stops. ]

You don't get it and that's fine. That isn't how it works.

[ He'd love for her to believe in him largely because he doesn't hate her. Taking her talent was a necessity, nothing personal; moving past that is possible, he'd like to think. Probably not.

He spreads his hands, letting them flop to his sides in deliberate flippancy. ]

Don't worry about it, okay? I'll send you a text if I feel like turning psycho. You can rally the troops.

Your Sylar is brilliant. I don't see many people playing him post S4!

[breakablegirl]

How do you have my nu- [GOD YOU CREEPER.] Nevermind.

[:/

Goddammit Sylar stop hitting her empathy/sympathy button. No seriously. She hates you so much oh my god why.

There's a long pause as she considers him.]

I guess the wrong face showed up on your arm, huh.

[Does she sound a little put-off or disappointed? ... NOPE IT'S TOTALLY YOUR IMAGINATION >.>]

ty! i'd love to play him from s4 and slowly ruin him, aha ;; ps, your claire is awesome

[aptitude]

[ DON'T ASK, Claire, just don't ask. Also hey, excuse him!! Your face swanning about on his arm wasn't his choice, girly.

She gets a mildly incredulous look, miffed off around the edges like u srs before his frown eases and he shakes his head. He could argue, he's good at it, but he doesn't always prefer to. Rarely, in fact. ]

You wouldn't have talked to me the way you did if I hadn't looked like your friend, but I'm glad you did.

[ Which is his way of saying Thanks, but if she's going to tsun her ass off then so is he. ]