[Ai Thao has made herself at home on Peter Quill's spaceship, the Milano after their action packed and harrowing heist. She's seated herself next to the tiny treelike creature that's napping in its pot while warming her hands with a cup of sweet and dark coffee. She's taking it easy now that they don't have to face any immediate danger within the deepness of space. It's been fun and all and while Ai would love to explore more, she's about due for a return trip to Earth.
She seems content, with her coffee and examining baby Groot.]
[ Peter slides into a seat across from her, once his own mug of coffee is ready. (Black and just a touch of whatever sweetener they have out here at the ass end of the galaxy.) ]
Well, I guess he's magical in the way that, like, rainbows are magical? But nah, he's 100% Groot. Alien.
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?
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.
[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.
[ 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. ]
[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.
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.
[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.
[She blinks and since she's holding her cup, the tossed box stops short in front of her eyes, floating in its place until she holds out her hand so it plops onto her palm. Her fingers curl around it and her eyes become curious.]
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Pretend "Dancing in the Moonlight" is playing....
[Ai Thao has made herself at home on Peter Quill's spaceship, the Milano after their action packed and harrowing heist. She's seated herself next to the tiny treelike creature that's napping in its pot while warming her hands with a cup of sweet and dark coffee. She's taking it easy now that they don't have to face any immediate danger within the deepness of space. It's been fun and all and while Ai would love to explore more, she's about due for a return trip to Earth.
She seems content, with her coffee and examining baby Groot.]
Are you sure he's not magical...?
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Well, I guess he's magical in the way that, like, rainbows are magical? But nah, he's 100% Groot. Alien.
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[Seriously, look at the little guy! Ai looks absolutely charmed by the tree creature (yes, Groot's got more game than Peter in this instance...)]
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He was like, eight feel tall when I first met him. And he could get taller, if he wanted.
[ His smile turns fond as he glances down at the little sapling. ]
He's pretty cool, right?
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Mm! Hopefully, the next time we meet, he'll have grown up a little by then.
[There's a pause as she takes a sip of coffee with a thoughtful expression in her eyes.]
Well, if there is a next time...
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Why wouldn't there be a next time, kid? You tryin' to ditch me?
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Um... Well, if you don't need my help anymore and you're traveling all the time... I mean, I'd like to visit, but not if it's intrusive and...
... Sorry... [She doesn't know how to put these exact thoughts into words.]
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Hey. We can totally visit. And who knows, maybe we'll need your help again. You've got some seriously useful abilities, you know?
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I'm glad you think so! There are probably things outside of the solar system that are scarier than me after all.
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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. ]
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If it helps, that's probably one of the few times that happened.
In all seriousness, I kind of meant that I'm glad you're not scared of me.
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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?
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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.
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Can you really? I didn't know that.
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[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.
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[ Peter lets out a low whistle, settling back in his seat. ]
That's seriously impressive, dude.
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[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?
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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.
1/2
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I wish someone told me that sooner. I guess I'm still learning how to be a bit more selfish.
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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. ]
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[She blinks and since she's holding her cup, the tossed box stops short in front of her eyes, floating in its place until she holds out her hand so it plops onto her palm. Her fingers curl around it and her eyes become curious.]
And this is...?
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A gift for helping us out on that job. You more than deserve it.
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Wait a minute... These are the earrings from the vault!
[SPEECHLESS.]
You took them for me???
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It seemed like you really liked 'em. You did like 'em, right?
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