Maxwell watched as a brown withered leaf floated to the ground in front of him and closed his eyes as trying to banish the thought that even now wormed its way into his consciousness. It was him that had caused the leaf to fall. He dared not look to see if it was true. If the tree was already withered with the season than there was no way of knowing for certain if he was the one inflicting such a sapping of life or not. And if the tree was withered only in his direction then it was all but certain that it was him causing it. Either way he could not rule himself out as the cause. Had he even been here long enough to realistically be the cause? He noticed Kanoa looking at him and turned his gaze to the side. 

[b]“Hey,”[/b] he replied stoically and listened to her explanation of the previous days events. The thought occurred to him that it might be worth trying the same thing with the leafs that fell from the plants nearby whenever he lingered near them. Would it be possible for a similarly telling reading to be performed? But that question aside he had a concern. [b]“And why does it lead you to believe that?”[/b] he asked Kanoa with earnest interest. Already one of Raven's blandly appealing cupcakes hovered in the air to his side as if held by an invisible hand. He made no attempt to eat it as he listened to the newly arrived August. He agreed with her.

[b]“That might work, assuming that whatever it is isn't watching us right at this very moment. Hell it could it already be here. One of us. We need something a little more...personal. Or unique. Something that can't easily be imitated,”[/b] he said as he trailed off into a moment of silent consideration. Something that was unique to him. Did he have such a thing? He grimaced in the realization that he did indeed have such a thing. He had reservations about voicing his idea aloud but it seemed a worthwhile enough idea with how little he knew for certain.

[b]“What I mean is, I have this power, right? To move things with thought alone. But it's not unique, or at least I'm guessing its not. I'm willing to bet that a great many of those beasties in that brain of yours have the ability to do something similar, if not in fact than at least in appearance,”[/b] he said motioning toward Kanoa. He used his power to snatch a leaf from the air. There was still a little life in it yet, which would serve to prove his point.[b] “I didn't mention this before but since the accident plants die really quickly around me, as if I'm draining the life out of them.”[/b] As he voiced his idea the already partially withered leaf started to turn completely brown as it was held aloft as if eager to prove his words true. [b]“So if you guys ever think that I've been replaced you know what to look for.”[/b]