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[ Peter tilts his head in question, having taken a sip of his own coffee. ]
Why wouldn't there be a next time, kid? You tryin' to ditch me?
Why wouldn't there be a next time, kid? You tryin' to ditch me?
[ Ah, even if she can't express it, Peter still gets what she's saying. He smiles a little, trying to catch her eye. ]
Hey. We can totally visit. And who knows, maybe we'll need your help again. You've got some seriously useful abilities, you know?
Hey. We can totally visit. And who knows, maybe we'll need your help again. You've got some seriously useful abilities, you know?
[ He laughs at that. ]
I dunno, you give 'em a run for their money. I mean, I don't know that many things out there that can swing a tree at a dude just by thinkin' about it, you know?
[ NEVER DROPPING THAT. ]
I dunno, you give 'em a run for their money. I mean, I don't know that many things out there that can swing a tree at a dude just by thinkin' about it, you know?
[ NEVER DROPPING THAT. ]
[ He tilts his head a little, frowning. ]
I hang out with a dude who makes explosives on the regular, another dude who's built like a brick wall who thinks that pulling people's spines out of their mouth is a good way to resolve arguments, and a woman who could figure out at least five hundred different ways to kill someone with a pencil.
Why would I be afraid of you?
I hang out with a dude who makes explosives on the regular, another dude who's built like a brick wall who thinks that pulling people's spines out of their mouth is a good way to resolve arguments, and a woman who could figure out at least five hundred different ways to kill someone with a pencil.
Why would I be afraid of you?
[There's a pause as she considers his words. And you know what? It helps. It helps her because at least Peter Quill was a person who has probably faced things that were beyond her current imagination and he wasn't someone who had powers like her. Their adventure together showed her that he roughed things out and faced things head on.
And when he mentions his motley crew... Geez. He really was something. The guardians could nearly be called a bloodthirsty bunch, but in the end, weren't they still his friends?Ai wonders if she can have people like that someday because right now...
She points to her head and quietly says.]
I used to be able to read minds. I still could if I wanted to.
And when he mentions his motley crew... Geez. He really was something. The guardians could nearly be called a bloodthirsty bunch, but in the end, weren't they still his friends?
She points to her head and quietly says.]
I used to be able to read minds. I still could if I wanted to.
Edited 2015-02-17 04:05 (UTC)
[ That brings him up a little short, and he stops moving his mug just as he's bringing it to his lips. He looks a little surprised, just a touch nervous, but he tries to conceal it as best he can. ]
Can you really? I didn't know that.
Can you really? I didn't know that.
I don't want to read any minds though.
[She doesn't meet his gaze and stares into her coffee instead.]
When I was younger, my abilities were too difficult for me to handle and that included the mind reading. I heard everything too clearly and it put more stress on me than I could handle.
Eventually, I was powered down so I had a better chance of surviving. I've been working with only half of what I actually have ever since.
[She doesn't meet his gaze and stares into her coffee instead.]
When I was younger, my abilities were too difficult for me to handle and that included the mind reading. I heard everything too clearly and it put more stress on me than I could handle.
Eventually, I was powered down so I had a better chance of surviving. I've been working with only half of what I actually have ever since.
-- Seriously? You've been working with only half?
[ Peter lets out a low whistle, settling back in his seat. ]
That's seriously impressive, dude.
[ Peter lets out a low whistle, settling back in his seat. ]
That's seriously impressive, dude.
... Ah.
[She looks up, trying to be SERIOUS.]
W-What I'm saying is that I'm not used to being around other people outside of my community where the others are always expecting me to act a certain way. So I'm not accustomed to anyone thinking my powers are "cool" or "impressive!"
But, even after all that trouble we went through, I think I'm happy! I don't know what it is, but I think it's okay to call it happiness, right?
[She looks up, trying to be SERIOUS.]
W-What I'm saying is that I'm not used to being around other people outside of my community where the others are always expecting me to act a certain way. So I'm not accustomed to anyone thinking my powers are "cool" or "impressive!"
But, even after all that trouble we went through, I think I'm happy! I don't know what it is, but I think it's okay to call it happiness, right?
[ ... Damn. She's like, a really serious puppy dog, and Peter tries his best not to smile, instead affecting a sort of sober air. ]
Why wouldn't it be okay? If it makes you happy, then call it what it is, right? As long as you aren't hurting anyone who doesn't deserve it, then you're allowed happiness, kiddo. Simple as that.
Why wouldn't it be okay? If it makes you happy, then call it what it is, right? As long as you aren't hurting anyone who doesn't deserve it, then you're allowed happiness, kiddo. Simple as that.
[She deflates, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just... Was it really that easy? Ai's not sure what happiness could be with her context and all, but when he puts it that way...]
I wish someone told me that sooner. I guess I'm still learning how to be a bit more selfish.
I wish someone told me that sooner. I guess I'm still learning how to be a bit more selfish.
[ He can't help it -- he laughs a little, reaching over to pat her hand. ]
You're definitely in the right place if you need to learn that.
Speakin' of which.
[ He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, hinged box. He offers only a quick-- ]
Think fast.
[ -- before he tosses it over to her. ]
You're definitely in the right place if you need to learn that.
Speakin' of which.
[ He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, hinged box. He offers only a quick-- ]
Think fast.
[ -- before he tosses it over to her. ]
[ Peter grins at the display of her abilities, but then waves a hand -- a signal for her to open it. ]
A gift for helping us out on that job. You more than deserve it.
A gift for helping us out on that job. You more than deserve it.
[ Peter just shrugs. ]
It seemed like you really liked 'em. You did like 'em, right?
It seemed like you really liked 'em. You did like 'em, right?
[ He shrugs again, waving a hand sort of dismissively as he picks up his mug of coffee again. ]
Don't mention it. It's a thank you gift for your help, anyway. You really saved my ass back there.
Don't mention it. It's a thank you gift for your help, anyway. You really saved my ass back there.
[ He's glad to see the way she perks up--
-- and then reaches over to ruffle her hair, careful to avoid rousing Groot as he moves. ]
And that's why you're awesome, kid.
-- and then reaches over to ruffle her hair, careful to avoid rousing Groot as he moves. ]
And that's why you're awesome, kid.
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