Who: Sascha and Helen
When: Early morning
Where: Mausoleum
What: Penny for your thoughts? (Meditation and some not-so-accidental mindreading)
Note: [Sorry for the repost, but it makes more sense here, anyway.]

Inhale, sloooooowly, then exhale. Clear the mind, become aware of your surroundings. And maybe, just as a pick-me-up...that's right, take a good, long drag.

Sascha closed his eyes in contentment as he did just that, sucking away at the cigarette perched between his lips as he prepared himself for some early morning meditation. His sessions with Theora had grown fewer and further between as his control had increased, but he'd surprised himself with the level of mental discipline he'd achieved in only a few short months. He wasn't as easily overwhelmed in the presence of crowds now, and he'd managed to rein in his unconscious tendency of projecting his own thoughts onto hapless victims.

Today's exercise was less about conditioning, though, and more about...well, he wasn't entirely sure. The recent Vice Council elections had left him restless and more than a little anxious, and what he desperately needed now was an outlet for all that nervous energy. He'd already been jogging with Sweeney and Brasco up and down the lakeside that morning, but that hadn't helped an ounce. Annoying Irei over breakfast AND sneaking in a quickie, check. What else, then, but meditation? Surely that would ease his mind at least a little.

Of all the places and settings he could have chosen for his meditation, he'd ended up at the mausoleum. And what other place would be quite so still and peaceful, honestly? His concentration had been spotty this morning, so when he heard the telltale patterpatter of footfalls as someone approached, he let his eyes remain closed while he focused on the person's mental energy. He hadn't made a habit of peeking into the minds of strangers before now, but would it really hurt? He could use something to take his mind off his own concerns, anyway.