Who: Espio the Chameleon & YOU Status: Mostly open, some closed Where: eh you know What: Catch-all of variety of shenanigans for May Warnings: Will update as needed but nothing right now.
[As promised, Espio is seated outside of the Dragon's Milk, which is kind of a weird name for a cafe but that's a criticism for another day. For now, Espio is quite enjoying his tea and dango, seated outside of the cafe.
He's picked a spot that's furthest away from other consumers in order to give a sense of both not being trapped but also private enough that people aren't going to just bother them. Probably.
He has a sip from his cup and sighs, content for the moment. Gotta prepare himself for a tenrec!]
[ it's actually a book, hop on peak! read up, espio. as to whether this place is named after it... well, maybe not.
and preparation is in order, normally for as loud and dramatic she is, there's a familiar green tenrec that stands out like a sore thumb as her shoes click against the floor. it wasn't a hard find (with drippy's help), and that's how she's even here in record time. her companion? hanging back if anything goes wrong. ] There you are.
[ walking over, the tenrec slams her hands on the table, rocking it slightly and might be trying to make espio's tea fall over.
the fact that he's even here means he isn't directly going for a beating. ]
So, this your attempt to lie in my face soon? You're pretty bold for that.
The teapot is slightly jostled and his cup's contents swish, but Espio is quick to snatch it up before it spills. Dang you should be called Rude the Tenrec haha gottem]
I will pay for one beverage of your choice, if you would like.
[One! Because he's also poor right now!!]
We could debate the authenticity of my words and intent, but would you truly be convinced if the effort was made? Not that I fault you for your suspicions.
[Unlearning that kind of pain takes a long time, even for someone of a patient mind. For someone like Surge? Who knows.]
In case you weren't aware, poison doesn't work on me.
[ she's immune to the metal virus as well so that won't work on her, buddy. surge rolls her eyes, flipping the chair backwards so she can cross her arms on the backrest, and lead against it with her chest. ]
I want to know what you're after. You don't do things for free, if I remember... correctly, so either you're usin' me or you're tryna screw me over.
[ quickly her cold gaze falls upon him, an intimidating tactic first, and an attempt to make him spill. ]
You call it effort but no one aside from Drippy has done anything for me. [ she doesn't add amy because it's still strange, the girl doesn't remember, but that girl keeps trying in some way. all it does is agitate surge more because he doesn't make sense.
she's sided with sonic, she's lead to what made surge this way, but... ugh! ]
Then you have nothing to fear from a delicious beverage of your choice. Besides, poison is a coward's weapon.
[There's a pause as he gets to finishing his cup of tea... and then he just refills it.
It's a pretty good intense gaze she bears. If he was a lesser chameleon, he might have buckled somewhat. Instead, he keeps an air of patience and indifference.]
Right now, I'm not after anything in particular. I know of you, but we've never held a conversation. I'd rather gain my own impression of you. That is my answer.
Now, will you answer my question in return? I acknowledge your difficulty to trust, but nonetheless you haven't given me a true response.
[ if she thinks about it. effort, effort. if it was made, she doesn't know, she doesn't feel satisfied ever. amy tries, but surge pushes it away because the girl has been with sonic since... the start. she never stopped him and that's why she's so mad.
... ]
I don't know.
[ it doesn't seem possible.
because if sonic made effort, she'd grow angrier, probably unable to keep herself from acting out. in the tone of her voice she seems pretty lost, she's still trying to create her building blocks and find a way to climb it, it's just that it feels like... it only takes one exhale of an outside party to destroy everything.
taking this seriously is hard, not yelling or making irritated noises... is also hard. ]
What type of effort do you give?
[ effort comes in different forms from those who give it, but she expects certain things to happen. she expects everyone to let her kill sonic, allow kitsunami to kill tails. that effort would make them happy, they would be able to get along if that was an option available. ]
[Admitting lack of knowledge or understanding is a hard thing -- even Espio hates to do it. But sincerely, he does appreciate that Surge is probably trying in her own way. He doesn't have the personal experience to compare it to anything else, but that's all right.
Lightly, he blows on his tea before sipping.]
I wish it was something I could easily quantify for you. As we stand right now? I want to give you as much as you're willing to listen. All of it, if you would let me.
I don't want to deceive you or your friend. Nor do I want to hurt either of you. I have no reason to. If anything, I have all the more reason to better understand the both of you rather than just a summary or word of mouth.
[ if he can't do it, then who can? what if his effort changes along the way, what if it's something not worth doing after awhile? the feeble commitment is scary when people give up, and the world has gave up on them in a way that it's hard to come back from. if she focuses really hard on what she wants to do now like being a hero. ]
How do I know you won't deceive us?
[ she won't know, she knows this, but somehow she wants him to promise that he wouldn't do something like that.
it sounds a little stupid when she thinks about it. ]
What if they said "Hey! They're bad guys, kill'em!" What are you goin' to do? What if we are bad, but we had no choice, are you gunna kill us?
[ kinda seems how everyone treats shadow, he can attack people, and they let him slide. ]
I will do everything I can to remain utterly truthful to you and Kit. I wish I could promise you more than that, but life is not often one of absolutes.
Much in the same way I understand various situations aren't without their nuance. [He gestures to Surge.] Such is the example you have given. Based on what I understand about you and your friend, I would expect your circumstances to be complicated.
So let me speak plainly. If someone merely makes the claim, I will ask for your side of the story. I will expect you will be truthful to me.
If I find you bringing harm to the innocent and the powerless, I will not kill you. I may attempt to stop you, but I would not be lethal. Again, I will want to know all sides of the story and wish for the truth of things from you.
Haha! Yeah, not like we haven't been lied to the entire time since our awakening!
[ she leans up in her chair to tap at the side of her head, she's pretty much aware how this goes. it doesn't call for much thought, but he should know something important. ]
Drippy really hates being lied to. That's why we tell each other everything.
[ that should be obvious. but to ask for her to be truthful, that's where she zeroes in on because it's asking a lot from her. ]
If you're expecting me to be truthful, do you want me to be? Askin' that means ya gotta give me the same luxury. You have to be honest to me too, always.
[ quick, the girl jumps a bit so that she's standing in her seat, dropping down onto the table that holds her up fairly well. crouching down, she pokes one gloved finger against the chameleon's chest. ]
[Then he immediately clears his throat, and folds his arms as he looks at Surge, trying to brush it all off. Nope, he has his composure, it's fine it's cool.]
So long as you are giving me the effort, I will do the same, Surge.
I wish for our exchanges to be equal. Nothing more, nothing less.
...that grin on her face only gets worse, practically excited.
how nice to know, peaches. ]
I'm not gunna give this same energy anywhere else. But.
[ there's always a but, she has to make sure everything will be fine for her and drippy too. ]
Are you aware that we won't change? Let me tell you, Peaches, a lot of people are always sayin' what we should do and shouldn't do. What we like and shouldn't like. But you sound like you don't care as long as you're in the know?
We'll see where your path takes you. I will do my best to not tell you what to do, but if you are open to advice I will share it. But it isn't my interest to tell you who you are, merely to help guide you if that is what you desire.
Regardless, yes. I have no desire to be a ruling factor in your life. It is yours to discover for yourself.
Don't really want advice. You know what I want, and that's what I'm aimin' to get.
[ there's no need about change, it's after she kills him that change will be implemented. surely her life has to get better once he's gone, because if he isn't then why should she live a life like this. ]
Actually, I want three things. One dead, and one crushed under my foot.
[ shadow can stay alive, but the other? DEAD!!! ]
That's another thing, why are you all scared of killin'!? It really pisses me OFF!
[ surge jumps off the table now, hands on her hips as she looks directly at him as though he has the answer. ]
[There's no point in insisting otherwise at the moment. Sonic and Shadow are perfectly capable of defending themselves; he isn't particularly worried about how they'll end up handling Surge.
Well, maybe a little concerned that Shadow might go too far, but that's not a present problem.]
That depends on who you ask. It isn't often I would seek to execute an enemy, but there have been times I would call it necessary. A point of contention between myself and some.
[ espio answers questions in a way where surge has no reason to get mad, because it never attacks the heart of the matter where her insecurities are. this time, the answer does make her react, her attention on him only. ]
Did you call it as an option before?
[ she doesn't think so, she doubts it much like everyone else. none of them had probably ever thought about doing so. ]
Or were you a pushover like the rest of 'em?
[ he's probably aware of what she's getting at, and she feels like the latter statement is probably the correct one. all of sonic's friends have let her down, even now, she's wondering why she's here even talking to him as if he isn't part of her problem.
the chances of him not fighting against sonic are there, the chance that he's why eggman still walks.
her fingers curl into a fist, visibly shaking, but she crosses her arms to try and calm herself down. ]
[There is a moment in which Espio goes quiet, his arms folded. Mostly, it's to steel himself, because he does feel his own spike of irritation and anger. Not that he would blame Surge for it; no, if anything, he blames himself. So much pain could have been avoided if he'd just finished off Eggman.]
I was convinced to hold back.
I wish I hadn't. I can't take back the past, what's done is done, but I will say this: I should have done things my way.
Given the chance, I would put a permanent end to Eggman.
that's all it takes? a simple, don't do it, and they don't. she wants to ask who convinced him, it adds fuel to the fire. he said he would do things in his power not to lie, but the truth will encourage surge's bad behavior. she feels like she knows the answer, that she doesn't have to ask. ]
And who convinced you!? Just WHOSE smart idea was that!?
[ even with him saying that he can't change the past, that things moving forward are different, there is some blame that surge can't ignore. he was part of them, that entire gang who thought otherwise, and it drains her. she's slowly brings her hands to her head, her gaze downcast as her tone wavers. ]
You're also why we lost everything. [ it dawns upon her. ] This is... so stupid... Who didn't cause us to suffer at this point...
[It goes without saying who, he reckons. Who else but Sonic, who had persuaded him that Eggman as "Mr. Tinker" was but a harmless jovial man who simply wanted to help others? Espio wishes Sonic had been right. He wishes also that he didn't listen.]
Blame me, if you wish.
[Because Espio does blame himself for not ending things as he should have. It is a quiet thing, and one that he does occasionally still dwell on even now. The Metal Virus and what it caused will not relinquish its hold anytime soon, even after all were cured.]
But I will not think twice, should the opportunity present itself again.
I'mma let it be known, Springtail, silent answers won't work with me!! But I'm not stupid, I know it was him so I'll let you slide!
[ that's a way to get over her questions, to avoid being truthful, but she knows. it's always him, that's why the other accepts the blame. ]
And what do you think now!?
[ here's this song and dance in surge's case, the same steps she plays with every person who sides with sonic. espio is no different, he sided with him, he's why she's even alive today, why the girl before surge the tenrec cannot continue to live her life. no past, no nothing, just the constant reminder that this is all sonic's fault. ]
Do you forgive him? Do you think taking the blame he so rightfully deserves absolves him of what he did to us!?
[It felt obvious to him, but it was evasive, admittedly. Sonic is still a friend, but it also is still a point of pain what was allowed -- and what they can't take back.
Surge is angry, perhaps rightfully so. Even if the situation is more complex than simply blaming one or even ten people. Still, he does his best to remain calm even in the face of her anger.]
I had my confrontation with Sonic. It is something we still disagree on to this day. Do I forgive him?
Hm. It's a good question, actually. In time, maybe. Right now, it is still too fresh of a wound to ignore. Not all the blame is mine to bear, but bear it I do. I should have held onto my convictions regardless of his argument.
I... can never forgive him. [ how dare he say that to her face, how could he say, maybe? why do all of them feel that this slight is one that can be accepted in time, why does no one face consequences!? ] I hate him so much.
[ her voice cracks, it feels as though her words are caught in her throat. the amount of pain that she's went through with kitsunami, do any of them get that? why can no one say they won't forgive him, why do they look past it? ]
Eggman should have died a long time ago.
[ a hand comes down onto the table, this time rather than just a slam, her hand goes right through it to cause graceful property damage. someone's probably going to have to pay for that. ]
And you're telling me you'll forgive him!? That makes you NO BETTER!
it's not like she understands what the hell he's saying, but all she knows is that she's getting angry. ]
It's not that! I hate no one understands how we feel! [ her voice growing lower. ] How no one sees it from our perspective....
[ that's because they haven't lost their past, they still have friends, even family. she's not even using her powers to show how upset she is, and its mostly her strength at play here.
he doesn't get it.
she growls under her breath, turning away with her arms crossed. ]
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SURGE (and kit kinda) [CLOSED]
He's picked a spot that's furthest away from other consumers in order to give a sense of both not being trapped but also private enough that people aren't going to just bother them. Probably.
He has a sip from his cup and sighs, content for the moment. Gotta prepare himself for a tenrec!]
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and preparation is in order, normally for as loud and dramatic she is, there's a familiar green tenrec that stands out like a sore thumb as her shoes click against the floor. it wasn't a hard find (with drippy's help), and that's how she's even here in record time. her companion? hanging back if anything goes wrong. ] There you are.
[ walking over, the tenrec slams her hands on the table, rocking it slightly and might be trying to make espio's tea fall over.
the fact that he's even here means he isn't directly going for a beating. ]
So, this your attempt to lie in my face soon? You're pretty bold for that.
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listen the player is just unculturedThe teapot is slightly jostled and his cup's contents swish, but Espio is quick to snatch it up before it spills. Dang you should be called Rude the Tenrec haha gottem]
I will pay for one beverage of your choice, if you would like.
[One! Because he's also poor right now!!]
We could debate the authenticity of my words and intent, but would you truly be convinced if the effort was made? Not that I fault you for your suspicions.
[Unlearning that kind of pain takes a long time, even for someone of a patient mind. For someone like Surge? Who knows.]
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[ she's immune to the metal virus as well so that won't work on her, buddy. surge rolls her eyes, flipping the chair backwards so she can cross her arms on the backrest, and lead against it with her chest. ]
I want to know what you're after. You don't do things for free, if I remember... correctly, so either you're usin' me or you're tryna screw me over.
[ quickly her cold gaze falls upon him, an intimidating tactic first, and an attempt to make him spill. ]
You call it effort but no one aside from Drippy has done anything for me. [ she doesn't add amy because it's still strange, the girl doesn't remember, but that girl keeps trying in some way. all it does is agitate surge more because he doesn't make sense.
she's sided with sonic, she's lead to what made surge this way, but... ugh! ]
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[There's a pause as he gets to finishing his cup of tea... and then he just refills it.
It's a pretty good intense gaze she bears. If he was a lesser chameleon, he might have buckled somewhat. Instead, he keeps an air of patience and indifference.]
Right now, I'm not after anything in particular. I know of you, but we've never held a conversation. I'd rather gain my own impression of you. That is my answer.
Now, will you answer my question in return? I acknowledge your difficulty to trust, but nonetheless you haven't given me a true response.
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[ if she thinks about it. effort, effort. if it was made, she doesn't know, she doesn't feel satisfied ever. amy tries, but surge pushes it away because the girl has been with sonic since... the start. she never stopped him and that's why she's so mad.
... ]
I don't know.
[ it doesn't seem possible.
because if sonic made effort, she'd grow angrier, probably unable to keep herself from acting out. in the tone of her voice she seems pretty lost, she's still trying to create her building blocks and find a way to climb it, it's just that it feels like... it only takes one exhale of an outside party to destroy everything.
taking this seriously is hard, not yelling or making irritated noises... is also hard. ]
What type of effort do you give?
[ effort comes in different forms from those who give it, but she expects certain things to happen. she expects everyone to let her kill sonic, allow kitsunami to kill tails. that effort would make them happy, they would be able to get along if that was an option available. ]
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[Admitting lack of knowledge or understanding is a hard thing -- even Espio hates to do it. But sincerely, he does appreciate that Surge is probably trying in her own way. He doesn't have the personal experience to compare it to anything else, but that's all right.
Lightly, he blows on his tea before sipping.]
I wish it was something I could easily quantify for you. As we stand right now? I want to give you as much as you're willing to listen. All of it, if you would let me.
I don't want to deceive you or your friend. Nor do I want to hurt either of you. I have no reason to. If anything, I have all the more reason to better understand the both of you rather than just a summary or word of mouth.
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How do I know you won't deceive us?
[ she won't know, she knows this, but somehow she wants him to promise that he wouldn't do something like that.
it sounds a little stupid when she thinks about it. ]
What if they said "Hey! They're bad guys, kill'em!" What are you goin' to do? What if we are bad, but we had no choice, are you gunna kill us?
[ kinda seems how everyone treats shadow, he can attack people, and they let him slide. ]
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Much in the same way I understand various situations aren't without their nuance. [He gestures to Surge.] Such is the example you have given. Based on what I understand about you and your friend, I would expect your circumstances to be complicated.
So let me speak plainly. If someone merely makes the claim, I will ask for your side of the story. I will expect you will be truthful to me.
If I find you bringing harm to the innocent and the powerless, I will not kill you. I may attempt to stop you, but I would not be lethal. Again, I will want to know all sides of the story and wish for the truth of things from you.
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[ she leans up in her chair to tap at the side of her head, she's pretty much aware how this goes. it doesn't call for much thought, but he should know something important. ]
Drippy really hates being lied to. That's why we tell each other everything.
[ that should be obvious. but to ask for her to be truthful, that's where she zeroes in on because it's asking a lot from her. ]
If you're expecting me to be truthful, do you want me to be? Askin' that means ya gotta give me the same luxury. You have to be honest to me too, always.
[ quick, the girl jumps a bit so that she's standing in her seat, dropping down onto the table that holds her up fairly well. crouching down, she pokes one gloved finger against the chameleon's chest. ]
Are you capable of the commitment, Peaches?
1/2
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So long as you are giving me the effort, I will do the same, Surge.
I wish for our exchanges to be equal. Nothing more, nothing less.
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...that grin on her face only gets worse, practically excited.
how nice to know, peaches. ]
I'm not gunna give this same energy anywhere else. But.
[ there's always a but, she has to make sure everything will be fine for her and drippy too. ]
Are you aware that we won't change? Let me tell you, Peaches, a lot of people are always sayin' what we should do and shouldn't do. What we like and shouldn't like. But you sound like you don't care as long as you're in the know?
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Anyway, in regard to what she says about change:]
We'll see where your path takes you. I will do my best to not tell you what to do, but if you are open to advice I will share it. But it isn't my interest to tell you who you are, merely to help guide you if that is what you desire.
Regardless, yes. I have no desire to be a ruling factor in your life. It is yours to discover for yourself.
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[ there's no need about change, it's after she kills him that change will be implemented. surely her life has to get better once he's gone, because if he isn't then why should she live a life like this. ]
Actually, I want three things. One dead, and one crushed under my foot.
[ shadow can stay alive, but the other? DEAD!!! ]
That's another thing, why are you all scared of killin'!? It really pisses me OFF!
[ surge jumps off the table now, hands on her hips as she looks directly at him as though he has the answer. ]
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[There's no point in insisting otherwise at the moment. Sonic and Shadow are perfectly capable of defending themselves; he isn't particularly worried about how they'll end up handling Surge.
Well, maybe a little concerned that Shadow might go too far, but that's not a present problem.]
That depends on who you ask. It isn't often I would seek to execute an enemy, but there have been times I would call it necessary. A point of contention between myself and some.
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Did you call it as an option before?
[ she doesn't think so, she doubts it much like everyone else. none of them had probably ever thought about doing so. ]
Or were you a pushover like the rest of 'em?
[ he's probably aware of what she's getting at, and she feels like the latter statement is probably the correct one. all of sonic's friends have let her down, even now, she's wondering why she's here even talking to him as if he isn't part of her problem.
the chances of him not fighting against sonic are there, the chance that he's why eggman still walks.
her fingers curl into a fist, visibly shaking, but she crosses her arms to try and calm herself down. ]
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I was convinced to hold back.
I wish I hadn't. I can't take back the past, what's done is done, but I will say this: I should have done things my way.
Given the chance, I would put a permanent end to Eggman.
[he would totally k-word that guy]
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that's all it takes? a simple, don't do it, and they don't. she wants to ask who convinced him, it adds fuel to the fire. he said he would do things in his power not to lie, but the truth will encourage surge's bad behavior. she feels like she knows the answer, that she doesn't have to ask. ]
And who convinced you!? Just WHOSE smart idea was that!?
[ even with him saying that he can't change the past, that things moving forward are different, there is some blame that surge can't ignore. he was part of them, that entire gang who thought otherwise, and it drains her. she's slowly brings her hands to her head, her gaze downcast as her tone wavers. ]
You're also why we lost everything. [ it dawns upon her. ] This is... so stupid... Who didn't cause us to suffer at this point...
[ her words are mostly directed to herself. ]
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Blame me, if you wish.
[Because Espio does blame himself for not ending things as he should have. It is a quiet thing, and one that he does occasionally still dwell on even now. The Metal Virus and what it caused will not relinquish its hold anytime soon, even after all were cured.]
But I will not think twice, should the opportunity present itself again.
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[ that's a way to get over her questions, to avoid being truthful, but she knows. it's always him, that's why the other accepts the blame. ]
And what do you think now!?
[ here's this song and dance in surge's case, the same steps she plays with every person who sides with sonic. espio is no different, he sided with him, he's why she's even alive today, why the girl before surge the tenrec cannot continue to live her life. no past, no nothing, just the constant reminder that this is all sonic's fault. ]
Do you forgive him? Do you think taking the blame he so rightfully deserves absolves him of what he did to us!?
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Surge is angry, perhaps rightfully so. Even if the situation is more complex than simply blaming one or even ten people. Still, he does his best to remain calm even in the face of her anger.]
I had my confrontation with Sonic. It is something we still disagree on to this day. Do I forgive him?
Hm. It's a good question, actually. In time, maybe. Right now, it is still too fresh of a wound to ignore. Not all the blame is mine to bear, but bear it I do. I should have held onto my convictions regardless of his argument.
Sonic was wrong to let Eggman go, and so was I.
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[ her voice cracks, it feels as though her words are caught in her throat. the amount of pain that she's went through with kitsunami, do any of them get that? why can no one say they won't forgive him, why do they look past it? ]
Eggman should have died a long time ago.
[ a hand comes down onto the table, this time rather than just a slam, her hand goes right through it to cause graceful property damage. someone's probably going to have to pay for that. ]
And you're telling me you'll forgive him!? That makes you NO BETTER!
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It isn't as if he doesn't sympathize, especially not with the clear pain in his voice. Despite it all, he doesn't flinch.]
The flapping of the wings of a butterfly can be felt on the other side of the world. Or so the saying goes.
[He sighs softly.]
Then don't forgive him, or me. But understand that once again, these matters cannot work in absolutes.
If you're going to become violent, I'll remove myself from this location. [Espio doesn't really want to fight her, honestly.]
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it's not like she understands what the hell he's saying, but all she knows is that she's getting angry. ]
It's not that! I hate no one understands how we feel! [ her voice growing lower. ] How no one sees it from our perspective....
[ that's because they haven't lost their past, they still have friends, even family. she's not even using her powers to show how upset she is, and its mostly her strength at play here.
he doesn't get it.
she growls under her breath, turning away with her arms crossed. ]
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