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Is this how it works? Ha! Got it!

Hey, this is the equivalent of getting in touch with the mighty Kumou Tenka - yours truly - if I'm otherwise busy. Tell me what you need and I'll get back to you as soon as possible! Talk to you soon.

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[ . . . she needed to talk to him? In the middle of the night? That's not what he expected at all. Still though, he keeps his voice as gentle and level as ever.]

Ah, okay, Mary-chan.

I'm listening. You can tell me anything.

[ There's a long silence following his acquiescence, punctuated only be a couple of deep, steadying breaths. And then, finally-- ]

I'm... not human. My grandmother and my mother weren't, either-- I'm--

[ the words lock up in her throat and Mary coughs, trying to force them out. ]

I'm what the stories would call-- what people would call a... a monster. I can make people stop moving when I look at them, and I-- I'm sorry! [ Her voice cracks this time, on a thin whimper. ] You were so nice, a-and you said I was family, and I didn't tell you anything!

[Before anything else, Tenka's first response is:]

I'm not mad.

[She can't see his face right now and he knows that probably affects her imagination. More than anything, he wants to let her know that he's not mad. He's still digesting the information, but he doesn't feel deceived. If anything, it hurts his heart a bit.

She thinks she's the monster? And she feels guilty for not telling him?

Ahh, one of these days he might need to tell her about himself too.

But wouldn't that just make her more sad?]

.... You don't need to say you're sorry.

[Despite his thoughts, Tenka's voice just picks up in cheer as he goes. The smile in his voice is still evident.]

I don't think you're a monster. Just because you're not human - that doesn't make you a monster. You're my Mary-chan, my cute little sister, no matter what.

... You're not angry at all?

[ because she thoughts families didn't lie to each other about important things like that, but her voice is so small-- is it really that simple to these people when that fact had caused her mother her life? ]

Not even a little bit.

[And he sighs faintly, because he doesn't want to treat this too lightly, now that she knows that their relationship hasn't changed at all.

It seems like it tore her up a lot.]

I'm glad you told me though.

I thought I had to... it wouldn't be right for you to call me family if you didn't know the truth about me.

[Is that what she thinks? It wouldn't be right -- then she's already wiser than he is. Distantly, he smiles and he's glad that she can't see it.

Still, his voice is only gentle.]

Mary-chan... You're so strong.

You're not a monster - you're too sweet to ever be a monster. I promise I don't think any differently about you.

You'll always be my family. No matter what.

... I don't understand how everyone here is so kind... [ she may never really get it. ]

People here.... have all had really different experiences, Mary-chan. We're from different worlds. In some worlds, people might not think that freezing people with their eyes is that scary - or having powers like that is just normal.

I think people here are very open. They're really interesting -- but it's what happens when you take so many big, different worlds and put them all together.

But I think it says something about how strong they are too. Even if people are scared or afraid of something, when they can face it without wanting to hurt it or make it go away, that's when they get stronger.

[ . . . . ]

I'm sorry that you met people that weren't strong enough before, Mary-chan. But that's not the case anymore, okay?

I... [ is that really what it is? It's true that she's met people with powers, and they'd understood, just like her friends back home. But she wonders how many of them are used to it-- and how many aren't. ]

I'm grateful for it... b-but could you still keep it a secret? I don't want to scare anyone else... just in case.

I'll do whatever you want me to, Mary-chan.

[And perhaps this is his attempt to pick the mood right back up.]

I can never deny a request from you, after all!

... Thank you. [ her voice is still soft; she's definitely tired. ] You're a really good brother.

[That just about makes him melt, but he just hums faintly at that. Is he? Is he good if he's keeping secrets from family?

Alas, old habits die hard as he just encourages her softly then.]

I'll always be the best for you - but I think it's far past your bedtime, Mary-chan. I'll see you tomorrow though, so I can give you the biggest hug ever.

I'm a teenager, I don't have a bedtime...

[ one last rebellious grumble. ]

Well if you did, then you'd be way past it. It's even past Aniki's bedtime.

[ ... oops. ]

-- Oh right, you should be-- I'm sorry!

[ IT'S LATE. ]

No apologies, just snoozing now!

[At the very least, he doesn't sound like he minds at all.

Though admittedly, he expects Mary's admission and his own guilt to keep him up for a bit longer.

But that's not her fault.]

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