[ It'd be easy to lie, wouldn't it? To smile an brush it off and say she's just fine. But... she wants to be stronger. She wants to stop running away from things, so. ]
I've been... better. [ What does she do with her hands? She pushes a bit of hair behind her ear. ] ... Were you a part of those trials, too? I wanted to make sure you were-- [ alive ] --okay.
[ It's that simple shifting that finally gets Mira to separate the two Alluras. The phantom--the product of her fears--and the real Allura, who exudes such kindness, such patience, such grace. ]
I think a lot of us have. [ She lets out a breath, crosses over to put her hand on Allura's shoulder. ] I... There's something I need to tell you, but I don't know if this is the greatest time.
Okay. [ And here, she pulls her hand away. She folds them in front of herself. ] I haven't told anyone here about this. Ren--she's one of the others in my trial--knows, because it came up in my own. I have a power... to feel the emotions of those around me. If I wanted, I could even influence their emotions, manipulate them--
[ She raises her hands defensively, her eyes widening a bit. ]
--not that I'd ever do that to anyone here. But... I've always been afraid that someone would find out somehow, and see me as a monster.
And I don't... want to keep anything like this from the people who have been kind to me. You all deserve much better than that.
You're an empath? [She only ever heard of them in stories, and in all honestly, there's a quiet awe in her eyes for a second before she reaches out for one of her hands.] Let me show you something.
[If she takes her hand, Allura will lead her to a spot where she noticed some dying vegetation.]
[ Compared to the fake Allura in her trial, this is... well. Allura isn't lashing out, she's not even... upset. Mira can feel the awe, even if she tries not to, but...
It's the first time anyone has ever reacted like this.
She takes Allura's hand, and follows. As she does, softly, she asks, ]
Why would I be? You said yourself that you would not use your gift to manipulate others.
[Sincerity and curiosity echo in her words as she points out the fact.] ...I myself could do irreparable harm -- every being in every reality could.
[She stops in front of the patch of tan and brown. Letting go of Mira's hand, she takes a couple more steps on her own then turns to face her. She kneels down, placing a hand on the ground just on the edge of the bit of soil.]
But like my father once said, there are those with the power to destroy... [She closes her eyes, allowing her own quintessence to gently seep into the land. In a pale cyan glow, the plants on the affected bit of soil begin to spring to life once more. When the glow ceases, they're thriving.] ...and the power to create.
[She stands again, smiling faintly.] I know one other with the same powers I have that lives in our time, and she uses it to take rather than give back. The only difference is how we use it.
[ For a while, she can't speak. Between Allura's words and what she's shown her, it's hard to find the words. She just watches Allura for a while, and she's suddenly more aware of a lot of things. What she's feeling, particularly. It's the sort of acceptance she has rarely experienced from anyone other than Nari and Aiden.
She just barely stops herself from pulling Allura into a hug. Instead, she takes her hands, and her eyes sting with tears. ]
I can't imagine you using your powers for something so cruel. [ She's embarrassed that she's started crying, and she ducks her head down. ] ... Thank you, Allura. Thank you.
[Allura waits patiently, watching the emotions flicker on her face. Almost as if it's rare for someone to do this. Accept her for what she is on face value and her word alone. What kind of world must hers be?
Oh my goodness, girl; it's fine. You can hug her. She squeezes her hands back, before noticing the tears and smiling a reassurance.] You don't have to thank me. That's what friends are for.
[ Oh... friends? Mira had thought of Allura as a friend, but to hear Allura say it... It's almost too much. She moves a little closer and hugs Allura. She's much shorter than Allura, she notices. Strange thing to think about but...
Either way, she hugs her, and looks up at her. ]
I thought... you'd be angry at me for my powers. It means more than I could ever say that you aren't.
You can't help it any more than I can help my alchemy. [Or Keith his heritage. Oh, hello again barely repressed guilt.] ... I know what damage undue anger can cause, and you have done nothing to earn it.
[ Her first instinct is to tell Allura she's wrong, but... she stops herself. She thinks about Allura's words... and realizes the truth behind it. She pulls away from Allura and grasps her hands gently. ]
Your saying that... means more than I can ever tell you.
[It's a day of fighting first instincts; it's f i n e. She lets Mira pull away, and gently squeezes the hands holding hers. Why does she have a distinct feeling that magic was not so widely accepted in Mira's reality?]
I take it not all feel that way. [Which is... sad, honestly.] If anyone ever does give you trouble over it; let me know.
I'm told I have a very mean punch. [The look in her eyes says she's joking, as does her voice; but it's an understatement. The strength in her grasp attests as much and she's being very careful not to squiiish.]
[Allura gently squeezes back. She wants to disagree with that assessment, say that she's hurt those she considers family, but... she holds her tongue.]
So do you. [She laughs quietly.] We should probably head back. I imagine Keith's likely going out of his mind by now due to the lingering paranoia from his own trial.
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[ It'd be easy to lie, wouldn't it? To smile an brush it off and say she's just fine. But... she wants to be stronger. She wants to stop running away from things, so. ]
I've been... better. [ What does she do with her hands? She pushes a bit of hair behind her ear. ] ... Were you a part of those trials, too? I wanted to make sure you were-- [ alive ] --okay.
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... I was, yes. [She clasps her hands in front of her, turning her head to the side slightly.] And I have... been better, as well.
[At least she didn't reach the maximum of five deaths?]
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I think a lot of us have. [ She lets out a breath, crosses over to put her hand on Allura's shoulder. ] I... There's something I need to tell you, but I don't know if this is the greatest time.
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[So many electrical shocks and trappings. So little time. Wow. She blinks at the hand upon her shoulder, meeting Mira's gaze.]
What is it, Mira? [Sorry, but now there is +1 curious princess on your hands, Mira.]
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Okay. [ And here, she pulls her hand away. She folds them in front of herself. ] I haven't told anyone here about this. Ren--she's one of the others in my trial--knows, because it came up in my own. I have a power... to feel the emotions of those around me. If I wanted, I could even influence their emotions, manipulate them--
[ She raises her hands defensively, her eyes widening a bit. ]
--not that I'd ever do that to anyone here. But... I've always been afraid that someone would find out somehow, and see me as a monster.
And I don't... want to keep anything like this from the people who have been kind to me. You all deserve much better than that.
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You're an empath? [She only ever heard of them in stories, and in all honestly, there's a quiet awe in her eyes for a second before she reaches out for one of her hands.] Let me show you something.
[If she takes her hand, Allura will lead her to a spot where she noticed some dying vegetation.]
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[ Compared to the fake Allura in her trial, this is... well. Allura isn't lashing out, she's not even... upset. Mira can feel the awe, even if she tries not to, but...
It's the first time anyone has ever reacted like this.
She takes Allura's hand, and follows. As she does, softly, she asks, ]
You're not upset?
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[Sincerity and curiosity echo in her words as she points out the fact.] ...I myself could do irreparable harm -- every being in every reality could.
[She stops in front of the patch of tan and brown. Letting go of Mira's hand, she takes a couple more steps on her own then turns to face her. She kneels down, placing a hand on the ground just on the edge of the bit of soil.]
But like my father once said, there are those with the power to destroy... [She closes her eyes, allowing her own quintessence to gently seep into the land. In a pale cyan glow, the plants on the affected bit of soil begin to spring to life once more. When the glow ceases, they're thriving.] ...and the power to create.
[She stands again, smiling faintly.] I know one other with the same powers I have that lives in our time, and she uses it to take rather than give back. The only difference is how we use it.
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She just barely stops herself from pulling Allura into a hug. Instead, she takes her hands, and her eyes sting with tears. ]
I can't imagine you using your powers for something so cruel. [ She's embarrassed that she's started crying, and she ducks her head down. ] ... Thank you, Allura. Thank you.
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Oh my goodness, girl; it's fine. You can hug her. She squeezes her hands back, before noticing the tears and smiling a reassurance.] You don't have to thank me. That's what friends are for.
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Either way, she hugs her, and looks up at her. ]
I thought... you'd be angry at me for my powers. It means more than I could ever say that you aren't.
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You can't help it any more than I can help my alchemy. [Or Keith his heritage. Oh, hello again barely repressed guilt.] ... I know what damage undue anger can cause, and you have done nothing to earn it.
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Your saying that... means more than I can ever tell you.
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I take it not all feel that way. [Which is... sad, honestly.] If anyone ever does give you trouble over it; let me know.
I'm told I have a very mean punch. [The look in her eyes says she's joking, as does her voice; but it's an understatement. The strength in her grasp attests as much and she's being very careful not to squiiish.]
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You'll be the first to know, but I think... it'll be okay. I was so scared to tell you, but I feel a little silly now.
[ She squeezes her hands. ]
You have such a good heart, Allura.
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So do you. [She laughs quietly.] We should probably head back. I imagine Keith's likely going out of his mind by now due to the lingering paranoia from his own trial.
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Oh-- if... you'd like to talk to anyone, about your trial or anything... I'm here for you. You listened to me, after all.
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[Not a complete lie; she doesn't really know if she could manage to put it to words.]
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[ She trails off. ]
... But however long you need, if you need to talk... I'll listen.
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[Always the diplomat, this one. She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes this time - understanding shines there.]
The same goes for you as well. If you ever need to talk about it...
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... Thank you. Later, though. I think I just need a very long nap for now.
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Of course. [She never said it had to be right away, after all. And naps are good.]