[Special 009: Voice] The inheritance of power
[To those who know her, or those attuned to it, Ami's voice seems to be struggling with its composure. The reason isn't evident at first; it's a straightforward question of the sort making the rounds lately.]I've been speaking with Hermione about magic in different worlds. We wondered who comes from worlds where magic power is hereditary, or from
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... And it figures that the Malnosso would kick her when she was down, if she had been. Aino Minako? Robert remembers her, vaguely, as one of Ami's very close friends - and the tremor in Ami's voice betrays that in a way that Robert can just about tell.
At first, he doesn't betray his own feelings, just answers.]
... My multiverse has no such thing as magic, as far as I was aware of.
... An experiment here in Luceti seemed to confirm this, if you would be... c-curious to hear of it, Doctor Mizuno...?
[Well, okay, "not betraying" isn't quite the right term for it. More like... not acknowledging out loud. The shake in his own voice says how he feels well enough, anyway. Says that he's sorry for being silent for the past week, for not making a better attempt to find her, for withdrawing into himself again like he used to do whenever he was terrified of everything. That he's sorry he won't be ( ... )
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[Robert allows a small smile at this.]
... Would you wish to see my nanocomputer yourself, at some point...? I mean, only if you wished. But... it would be nice. [He's stumbling all over himself.] ... At some point I ought to... call a time over the journals and ask what would be a good time for a demonstration for anybody who might be interested...
... A-And, I'd still like to have lessons in doctoring, if you would be so inclined. You and Doctor Faye-Ling could both educate me to a degree where I might become useful...
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[Well, anything... friendly-ish, anyway.]
... I... regret that I didn't try harder to locate you after the last experiment, but... th-things were very... difficult, for awhile... [The waver in Robert's voice here betrays how difficult it was. Suddenly being able of an ability to fight? Or forgetting everything about Terra for awhile? Yeah, it did a bit of a number on his psyche.]
... I-I hope that... it wasn't too hard on you... Though I understand if you don't wish to speak about it.
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[Before or once she's back from the exploratory trip with the others.]
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You are a strong person. I am certain that you would have weathered it relatively well...
[And Robert realizes - just barely - that even if she didn't, she wouldn't talk about it. Just like this thing with her friend leaving Luceti. Even Robert notices how she's going out of her way to avoid the topic... and he can't really blame her for that.]
I would like to meet you again sometime soon, yes, if you are not busy, Doctor Mizuno...
[... He wonders if he should try calling her just "Ami" more often, and if that would seem rude or not... Would it be unprofessional not to give a doctor that respect, even if she's his friend? Hopefully?]
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[She's not very good at talking about those deeper thoughts and feelings. Keeping it practical is always best. Focusing her mind.]
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And neither is Robert, in all honesty. Though he is wondering about whether he's helping Ami or not.]
And it might be best if we met after; I would not wish to be a bother or get in the way of any plans...
[That, and it'll give Ami some time to deal with the loss of Minako, and Robert some time to try to figure out what to say to Ami.]
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[And, to her pleasant surprise, so is Lucy; it'll be a good chance to see her some more.]
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... Actually, come to think of it, Cameron expressed interest in seeing my nanocomputer as well, so it is likely that zie will be involved in that too. [Thoughtfully:] As will Mr. Japan...
[Robert's going to have a regular geek-out club set up after this thing, isn't he?]
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[Not all of it from just the Malnosso, either.]
... Is there anything that I could do for you in that regard, actually? As in, perhaps assisting you with gathering the requisite supplies for the trip?
... It would be no trouble to me, I assure you. [Hey, it's not like he has much else to do...]
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My apologies... Well, I'm glad to hear that everything is in order, then...
... Would there be anything else you would need, though?
[He's already anticipating the "everything is fine", but he's asking more to show that he would totally do something for her if she asked.
Though the whole thing makes him a mix of nervous and awkward...]
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Robert resists the urge to say that, though. He has a subtle, uncomfortable feeling that it would be painful, and he doesn't want to cause Ami any more pain.]
I-If you're certain...
[Almost gently:] You are welcome to come to my apartment if you ever wish. After all, you are the reason I have it to begin with.
... I would be sure to make some tea for you.
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