Seth's pretend smile started to become a real smile. Despite himself, he was already liking this boy. He seemed trustworthy enough - though Seth reminded himself that all the least trustworthy people are also the most adept and pretending to be the most trustworthy.
As Rajko mentioned sunbathing, Seth found himself imagining what it would look like, and realized that his gaze had migrated downward - he was staring at Rajko's abs. He blushed, and snapped his eyes back up to meet his newfound companion's, hoping that he hadn't noticed - and wishing once more that he could hear what Rajko was thinking about him.
"Um... yeah... I like swimming too... I like the feeling of... the water, rushing over my... bare skin. It feels... nice." As Seth mentioned bare skin, he blushed even further.
Get ahold of yourself Seth! What's wrong with you? Stop lusting after this boy, perhaps he is trustworthy but he is not like you - he will never be like you - nobody will EVER be like you - nobody will EVER UNDERSTAND YOU - NOBODY WILL EVER LOVE YOU - YOU ARE WORTHL-
Seth shook his head, trying to dispel the Hateful Voice. A bit loudly, he asked, "You seem to grin a lot... are you... a happy person?" He involuntarily flinched a little as he said the word "happy."
...happy boy... sweet innocent friendly happy boy... so beautiful... so DELICIOUSSS...
Seth's eyes glazed over as he listened to the Lustful Voice, her words like a numbing liquor in his brain... she was right...
SHUT UP YOU BITCH YOU WHORE YOU LIAR YOU SERPENTINE DEVIL - he's a HUMAN, we can't trust HUMANS, even - no, ESPECIALLY the INNOCENT ones -
Seth clenched his eyes shut for a moment, his breathing growing a bit erratic as he listened with growing discomfort to the screeching tirade of the Hateful Voice as she continued her neverending battle with the Lustful Voice... as always he was caught in the middle... but then the Soothing Voice cut in.
Don't worry Seth... ignore them... they mean nothing. Open your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly, and look at him... pretend nothing is wrong... pretend everything is all right... don't let him see your pain... he doesn't need to know.
As the Soothing Voice's mellifluous tones, consonant with the sounds of the rolling waves and the sea breeze, drifted into his mind, Seth breathed in, smelling the cool salt flavor of the air, and opened his eyes, hoping that his face hadn't betrayed too much of the battle going on inside... and that no one else had heard his voices.
This boy, apparently immune to psychic manipulation, had not heard, though from the look on his face he evidently had noticed Seth's varying reactions... but reaching out his mind to the people and creatures around him, Seth noticed with dismay that his power, acting without his consent, had allowed a few people and many animals to sense his roiling mood... most, thickskulled as they were, seemed only mildly perturbed... but Kedija, the old healer, was looking at him from across the beach with slightly narrowed eyes. He knew that she could hear him - how could anyone sensitive not hear, the Voices were practically shouting! - and was worried...
And he felt ashamed.
The other boy, whom by now he had completely forgotten, opened his mouth to speak, and Seth snapped his attention back to his companion.