Nikolai had allowed his mind to slip back to the few memories he had of the times before he came to Xanatov's service. Though those memories were far from pleasant, he had to admit the lessons learned through pain served him well in trying to avoid the temptations the sounds and scents had tried to bring forth. Such temptations paled before the experiences he had undergone though, and the act that took the sight from his eyes to allow him to gaze into the warp itself was like a bucket of cold water dumped on him, cooling off the ideas that had tried to run wild for a brief moment.<br/><br/>He noticed footsteps nearby, and let his mind wonder who might try and approach him. Inhaling a bit deeper, he drew a breath in to try and catch a scent that would alert him of the individual, to try and notice anything particular about the individual that had come close. He did not find the perfumes or oils in the air, nor the musk that the room seemed thick of. Instead, it had a peculiar scent of its own, somewhat similar to his own robe, but yet different. Faint smile graced his lips, as the man nod his head in a brief greeting.<br/><br/>"The symphonies of sensation do little to those who would not wish their revelries to be brought forth in pain and public, the twisted temptations are turned through temperance. So a man stands aside, seeking wisdom in those who passed before him." He thought of the Emperor, and the many Saints and Primarchs, but at the same time he had to admit there was a passing though to Omnissiah as well.<br/><br/>Regardless, he turned towards Seda and bowed his head briefly. If he was incorect, he might insult someone slightly, but merely explain it away with the 'oddity of a Psyker', perhaps some discipline but he doubted more. Astropaths weren't<em>too common</em>after all, though he was sure he could be replaced if he got too uppity. Still, he was reasonably sure about the presence near him. "What has brought you here today, if I may ask? I find myself wondering the same, and perhaps hearing your reasons would help me find my own."