The Eye of the Tiger was not a song Antipode was very interested in. To tell the truth, yes, he'd watched the Rocky series as part of his avatar Ichiro's integration into human society (away from Shokushu for the moment... but Antipode could bring that portion of him back at any time, honestly) but he never really found it any more than dull. Yes, it gave important information both about the social millieu of the 1980's, American culture in general, and the attitude people had and people have in general.

However, it was so boring! More interesting to him was The Lady and the Tiger, an altogether different piece of information. While this human society was quite simple, compared to what Antipode was used to, it was amazing what kinds of miracles centuries, or even thousands of years, of specialized focus could bring about. Yes, human language and thought patterns were limited, but such an open-ended story was a quiet delight to Antipode's mind.

He could, indeed, think of the possibilities presented, but the situation was so carefully balanced that the chances of either event could be argued, quite effectively, either way, until the answer was literally unanswerable, and the ending, therefore, completely unknowable. You'd had to have been there, Antipode supposed.

Of course, only a portion, and not even the dominant, what a human would call "conscious" portion of Antipode was focusing on such things at the moment. The rest of him, or at least the portion a human would call conscious, was focusing on the girl who had entered the weight room.

He'd been around, but this room had been empty. And he'd seen the girl enter this empty room. He was invisible at the moment, silent. She'd not even notice the monster's entrance, his form unseen, and most likely it would continue to be unseen, at least for the time being.

The invisible tentacles moved to the door, barring it quietly. She'd be unable to escape if she tried... so he spoke, then.

A voice would enter her mind. Not a real voice, like something she heard. But something different... words, nonetheless, in a distinct style, dialect and voice, different from hers, alien to her. It spoke like another person... and it was obvious. Even if it wasn't speaking in sound, it was speaking to her, whatever it was. And it was close.

Good evening. I hope not to bother you too much, but I'm curious... what is your name, young lady?

Antipode had been quite enjoying watching her exercise as she had been doing. It was curious, to see the ways a health-conscious girl would improve her physical condition, and he was pleased, witnessing this. But, alas, it had to end in the end. At least... he would have to bother her. Oh, he'd give her physical exertion. But of a very different time. Her worry was evident when she reacted to his words, and after a brief moment he responded.

Yes. I am here. I'm not speaking to you in words... at least not in sound. but I'm here, nonetheless. Don't worry, you won't be able to see me until I let you. As it is... I'm still asking your name. I'm quite real, and you are too. I'd love to know your name, so please tell me.

She was trapped, even if she didn't know it. But even so, there was no need to be a monster about it.

Surprise. She was immediately hostile. She knew, precisely, what sort of thing he was, and had already surmised what he would want from her. Well, that made things easier, didn't it? At least he didn't have to explain... he'd gotten so used to dealing with the newish students that he hadn't dealt with one who was more... experienced... in a rather significant period of time, or so it seemed.

Well, you seem rather knowledgeable about the nonhuman entities on this island. I understand. I suppose I'll be frank then. My name is Antipode... at least, that's the name you humans could understand. I'm curious about your name because I would like to know. I have no intention of being terribly rude about this. Luckily, my addiction is only towards human pleasure. As you can tell, I'm psychic. From your perspective, anyway. And as such, I can feel your pleasure. And I quite enjoy it. I hope that helps, at least a little bit.

To be honest, I didn't know that your name was Shai. My psychic powers can be quite intrusive, but I usually don't act in that manner. It's rather... rude, you could say. The voice was certainly melodious. He was polite, and actually almost friendly in his response. He watched her as she thought. He realized that she probably assumed he'd be reading her thoughts. So he decided he'd need to try it again.

Mentally, part of his consciousness delved into hers, to hear her thoughts, read them, and understand what she was thinking. Especially, since he had a guess she'd try to think at him, and communicate through that way. So, he listened.

Her thoughts were a jumble. She was excited about the way his communication worked. He decided he might as well respond to that, since he was delving into her mind and reading her thoughts.

Incidentally, I figure you'll expect me to read your thoughts. So I'm going to do so.

A brief pause as he read her mind. Then, an excited exclamation.

Oh! You know, when we're done I could probably place some schematics into your mind, to help you on your way to utilizing this means of communication. As a fellow person of science, I appreciate your human efforts to understand the universe.

He wasn't trying to butter up to her... he was actually, genuinely excited to read that in her thoughts. And he'd happily help her... the least he could do, after all. Since he was, indeed, taking something from her.

Anyway, I understand that you'd not respond positively either way. A girl named Violett Small related me to something she called a "jerk jock" in the way I simply take what I want. It was an interesting thing, and she was quite an interesting girl.

Her proposition came from itself... and he was surprised by how willingly it seemed to come. He held himself aloof, and she wouldn't feel anymore emotions coming from him. Only the words.

I believe that deal could work. Ask me the creature you wish knowledge of. Furthermore, feel free to ask me anything else you wish. I'd happily answer questions, or even compare notes to help you in your scientific experiments. It might be worthwhile.

Oh, yes, that reminded him. Plague. He'd have to look up more information on the being, but for now he would give her any information she needed, and which he had. For now, he began sifting through information he had on the various monsters on the island. He wasn't in control, so he definitely didn't' know everything, and he might come up completely empty. But for now, he figured he would not have that problem. He knew at least of the monsters on this island at the moment, so he would answer her questions as best he could.

Agreed. I wouldn't want to make you think I was trying to lie to you or anything. We shall get this out of the way at the beginning, before anything else. What information do you want on this being, Plague? Know, also, that I can't promise I know everything... but I can always find more out, if I don't know. It's not very hard. Really, not much harder for me than an internet query. ( But seriously, what should he tell her?)

Antipode realized he was causing her harm, sending so many thoughts, speaking so much to her. She seemed the sensitive type, at least when it came to her mental and physical state... he decided from then on to be a little more gentle... though if he delved deeper into her mind, it would by necessity not be gentle. But it would be... more careful than he had been in the past. He'd give her that much, he thought to himself in the grand eternity of a single picosecond.

Location. Such was a difficult thing for Antipode, even with his great knowledge, to find. To begin with, Antipode searched whatever records he could find... and found a thing that she would not really like, at least not at the moment. He hoped, genuinely, she wouldn't take the bad news out on him, but even so, he had no real choice.

I'm currently searching for him... thanks to a certain girl I now have access to school records. However, it seems that this entity, which you know as Plague, is not currently on the planet. I don't know precisely when he left, but the records indicate that he isn't here. In general, monster activity is measured. If an alien is here on the island, they have to go through a whole annoying process the first time, and later visits they must sign in. It's all really bureaucratic and tedious. However, those records are mostly private, at least the parts I have gained access to, and so they will not tell when they left, or anything like that. Much less where they go afterwards. Furthermore, I hope you would forgive me for not searching the stars for this entity, but I don't know if I could bring him back if I tried.

He was going back into the level of data transfer he was giving before. He was talking, as he continued searching, and finally came upon an offer he hoped would be sufficient.

I'll tell you what. I will keep tabs on this situation, for I can do that. And as soon as the records indicate that he has returned to this island, if he indeed does so, you will be informed immediately, through a psychic message. I'll even tell you location. Anything the data says about it. I swear to this, but unfortunately I cannot guarantee he would return soon, or ever.

Emotion after emotion ripped through the young woman. She was clearly struggling with the information given, and didn't seem pleased at the answer. However, Antipode was pleased, just a little bit, that she understood he had told the truth as best he could, and furthermore that she appreciated his forthrightness and honesty. She clearly had other questions, but she didn't seem to wish them answered after all.

Perhaps it was for the best. However, he'd definitely give her blueprints, an indelible memory she could never, ever forget even in the slightest, of how to make at least the beginnings of a mental communication system. He'd have to search farther in her mind to do such work, but he'd try it, and knew he'd succeed. He wouldn't even ask for thanks.

When she said what she did, something in the air changed. Some of the invisible tentacles in the room... ceased being invisible at all. They were moving slowly, deliberately around the room. A mass of them were in front of the door, keeping it from any possibility of opening. He hadn't needed to do anything for her, he had had no reason to offer her anything at all. He could have taken her at any time, but he hadn't.

Yes. About that agreement. I apologize that the answer wasn't what you sought. However, perhaps it's time to relax a bit, and, for a short while at least, lay down your burdens.