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"I was in prison for a year or so. A newly budding faction of Team Rocket apparently knew of me, or at least my research, and felt that I was of more use to them then I was to a prison cell. I believe officially it's documented that I was kidnapped from the prison, but it wasn't totally against my will. So it isn't so much that I joined, but I was recruited to Team Rocket." He had a feeling that only sparked more questions for her. Similarly, he could only guess what some of those questions were.

Mau slowly moved across the room. Long strides carrying him over towards Nyx's desk. He took the chair and moved it closer, sitting in it so he could face Nyx. "What about you? Why did you join Team Rocket?"

Mau smiled fondly at her reason. It made sense. If she needed her research funded. Well, now he knew what to ask her. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs at the knees, mulling over her question.

"I murdered my best friend." Perhaps the simple answer would be best. He wasn't sure he wanted to dive into that particular topic with Nyx, though was sure she would follow up with more questions about it. Reflecting on it, he felt like it made him a monster. But at the same time... there was nothing he could do about it. Perhaps he should take the advice he'd given Aila. Don't bottle it up until kills you inside. He'd done that before, and look where it lead him.

He decided, she would have to ask another question if she wanted to know more. "Wonder when the tea will be ready." He mused for a moment, trying to distract her. "So, why didn't you graduate?"

"Mmmn... people and ethics. Such a shame." Mau half teased. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, staring into the teacup she handed him, his gaze narrowing as if the tea was supposed to answer the question but wasn't cooperating.

"He got in my way." He said presently. "Suppose for a moment we pause this game of questions. I have a feeling you'll have plenty to ask, and rather than waste time with my own silly inquiries to you, I just allow you to ask me whatever you wish. Though next time, the night of questions are mine." He didn't look at her as he spoke, still staring into the teacup.

"His family was the closest I got to a normal family. And that was only when I visited his home. Sai was... two years older than I, and in a way I saw him as an older brother, I guess. Not that either of us had siblings at the time. He was a pretty bad kid. We'd run to stores and he taught me how to pilfer small items. My first successful steal was a pokeball." He said that almost fondly before taking a sip of his tea. "Anyways, our whole relationship as we were growing up was him teaching me how to pull off bad ideas. He delayed leaving for his pokemon journey a year when his sister was born. Though he was a fairly rotten child in public, he was the model son to his family.

When he left for his journey, I took off as well, as things in my home were unpleasant at best. Though I did return home on occasions. Not for my own mother, but for Sai's family. I brought them gifts when I came by, and I got to watch Sai's sister Xaga grow up. We became close, while he distanced himself from his family. When Xaga and I announced our engagement, he was up in arms, and did everything in his power to break us up. Xaga said he was being over protective, but I think he'd lost his mind." Another pause then and he looked up, not at Nyx, but at the wall. The only outward sign this story was affecting him at all was the quiver in his hands as he held the teacup in his lap.

"After the wedding, Sai and I had gone out. I was still trying to reason with him that I was good enough for his sister. After all, he was my best friend. I'd known him all my life to boot. He started yelling... I honestly don't remember much of the fight. It always was a haze, even after it happened. But I remember standing over Sai, gun in my hand, as I fired the third shot."

There seemed to be a small crack in the mask that hid his emotions on the event. Mau raised the teacup from his lap, only to have it slip from his mildly trembling fingers, the contents now soaking into his pants legs and socks. He jumped up in surprise when the liquid spilled, the cup rolling down his leg and clattering on the floor before vanishing under the bed.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Nyx."

Mau remained silent when she placed her hand on his shoulder. Though he did offer a faint smile before placing his own on top of hers for a moment. Awkward silences weren't really his thing. "At least I'm a step up from Newton." His voice lacked humor, but he was trying. Giving her hand a pat, Mau moved away from her touch so he could clean the tea off his pants as best he could. Not that it did much, and it was starting to get cold against his skin. He was, for a moment, in his own little world. He felt quite weighted down now. While one hand dabbed at his pants, his other moved to his chest, feeling the ring that hung on a long chain around his neck.

This was a shame, because he'd been having a pretty good time with Nyx. "Next time..." He started, before standing upright and looking at her. "Maybe we should stick to hobbies and favorite colors. I assure you it's much more pleasant." His face had relaxed and he looked more like himself now. "Should I put this somewhere?"

"You don't need to be sorry." He said softly. "Oh, you have embarrassing secrets then? Well, I'll have to ask you about that next time." He stood there for a moment after she took towel. "Thank you, but perhaps we should end this evening. I do have one final question though." He thought about it a moment. "... no, never mine. Some other night."

Mau was pleasantly surprised when Nyx hugged him. He returned the gesture, one hand near her shoulders, the other at the small of her back. "Ana bahibbik." he whispered to her with a smile before letting her go. "See you in the labs tomorrow." For a moment he hesitated, wanting to touch her cheek and say good night one more time, but he refrained, instead smiling at her before slipping out of her room.