[Mahdi actually isn't in his room when Jack calls on him. The kittens are meowing at the other side of the door. They did not find Mahdi's cursory search of their litter pans and food dishes, and almost-indifferent pats on the head - to be sufficient. They are meowing like their mother just disappeared, because in a way, he sort of did.
Once they were out of the nullification field, Mahdi's powers returned. It was all he could do to keep himself together - literally. All of the dread and fear and anxiety of being locked up overwhelmed him, and he zipped into thought-form the moment he sat down on the couch to relax even a little.
And he thought that might be okay. He never thought he could take comfort in not being a person, but it's nice. Nice to not have a body to prod at or stick needless into or just plain stare at. Nice to not have a body to pull the hair of or bite the skin of, like he's some kitten in a kennel overgrooming out of nervousness.
Being able to see the world and not be involved with it, but having the freedom to go anywhere... it's nice. Even if the kittens mewl in protest. He promises them he'll be back by nightfall, even though they can't hear him. Or maybe they can and that's why they're still meowing - they can sense him there. They're cats. Who knows?
But a funny thing happens, as he's drifting halfway down through the floor, thinking about where he might visit in thought-form. He hears Jack's voice.
Mahdi slips into the floors below, then up into the hallway. He re-materializes behind Jack, hands behind his back. He looks like he hasn't slept the entire time he was kidnapped, which is probably true. His lips are bloodied too, though it's mostly from too much pulling and biting at it. But all that care is gone from his face at the moment. He's absolutely thrilled to see Jack again.]
Jack! [He says quietly, announcing his presence.] Happy late birthday!
oops tl;dr
Once they were out of the nullification field, Mahdi's powers returned. It was all he could do to keep himself together - literally. All of the dread and fear and anxiety of being locked up overwhelmed him, and he zipped into thought-form the moment he sat down on the couch to relax even a little.
And he thought that might be okay. He never thought he could take comfort in not being a person, but it's nice. Nice to not have a body to prod at or stick needless into or just plain stare at. Nice to not have a body to pull the hair of or bite the skin of, like he's some kitten in a kennel overgrooming out of nervousness.
Being able to see the world and not be involved with it, but having the freedom to go anywhere... it's nice. Even if the kittens mewl in protest. He promises them he'll be back by nightfall, even though they can't hear him. Or maybe they can and that's why they're still meowing - they can sense him there. They're cats. Who knows?
But a funny thing happens, as he's drifting halfway down through the floor, thinking about where he might visit in thought-form. He hears Jack's voice.
Mahdi slips into the floors below, then up into the hallway. He re-materializes behind Jack, hands behind his back. He looks like he hasn't slept the entire time he was kidnapped, which is probably true. His lips are bloodied too, though it's mostly from too much pulling and biting at it. But all that care is gone from his face at the moment. He's absolutely thrilled to see Jack again.]
Jack! [He says quietly, announcing his presence.] Happy late birthday!