[And after a long while, she's finally breached the territory she's so carefully avoided. The last time, she did this was in a moment of weakness and only expressed to Athena and even then she kept it vague.
This time though, Ai wanted to talk about it without wavering.]
Well... In my world, psychics and magickind— what we call warlocks and witches— are two distinct groups. There's a lot of the former, but we weren't as powerful as we used to be decades ago.
[It wasn't even that long ago in retrospect, when Phuong was lost to everyone.]
So in a way, there's always a power struggle under the surface. And I'm actually one of the better espers; I just all short in the end though.
[They're in the hooded sweaters and jackets section now and Ai pauses to reply to Yang before browsing some more.]
... In the end that's all I might be good for.
[It's a despairingly sad reply even for someone like Ai who was used to self-deprecation.
She gestures with one hand hovering over her chest.]
I'm actually more powerful than people realize. I just don't talk about it all that much unless it comes up, but I've been sealed with magic. What you've seen me do, is me at half-battery.
It was too strong so I could have died when I was younger so sealing me was the only plausible solution for the time being. But maybe it was a way for them to control me.
[ Well, a demon lord needs a devil lady, right? Good instincts, Ai. She might just buy this one. ]
Hiro... Kagey-- sorry, I don't think I've met him. I think I saw someone like that running around the volcano, though... or at least, some guy in a bunny hoodie.
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[ Ai's such a sweetheart, what the hell? ]
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This time though, Ai wanted to talk about it without wavering.]
Well... In my world, psychics and magickind— what we call warlocks and witches— are two distinct groups. There's a lot of the former, but we weren't as powerful as we used to be decades ago.
[It wasn't even that long ago in retrospect, when Phuong was lost to everyone.]
So in a way, there's always a power struggle under the surface. And I'm actually one of the better espers; I just all short in the end though.
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[ THEY BETTER NOT BE. ]
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... In the end that's all I might be good for.
[It's a despairingly sad reply even for someone like Ai who was used to self-deprecation.
She gestures with one hand hovering over her chest.]
I'm actually more powerful than people realize. I just don't talk about it all that much unless it comes up, but I've been sealed with magic. What you've seen me do, is me at half-battery.
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It was too strong so I could have died when I was younger so sealing me was the only plausible solution for the time being. But maybe it was a way for them to control me.
[She would have been overpowering otherwise.]
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[ That just seems unfair. ]
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No, not right now. And besides, the only way to take it off is to find the person who sealed me in the first place.
It's alright though! I'm already pretty powerful even at half. There's nothing wrong with being sealed and I don't miss mind reading whatsoever.
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[Well, it is, but it isn't. There's no one to stop her and it's not as if there's anyone who would benefit from the knowledge of her background.]
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[ It helps to know, too. ]
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Well, lets get back on track then! I think this is cute, how about you?
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[ Yang, stop. ]
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... It is cute, though.
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[Still, she manages a laugh and holds onto the hoodie.]
I'll get this though! It reminds me of another friend's jacket and I really wanted something similar ever since.
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[ Except the jacket she's pulling free has devil horns and little bat wings on the back-- ]
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And yes! It's a boy named Hiro Kageyama. I don't know if you've met him before, but he never seems to be without it.
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Hiro... Kagey-- sorry, I don't think I've met him. I think I saw someone like that running around the volcano, though... or at least, some guy in a bunny hoodie.
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1/2
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