( v o i c e )

[likeboudica]

I must admit that the flow of visitors may be a little overwhelming, but— if there is someone from the Institute here, if only for a day or two, I should like to make my own presence known, rather than spend all day in the library.

I only ask that— [ she pauses, clearly hesitant, before her voice comes again, stronger now and quite firm ] that whoever should wish to talk to me will not be too forward.

[ it doesn't quite express what she wishes to say (please, take care not to offend my 18th century sensibilities) but it comes close enough while still remaining polite ]

Comments

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[wishgranter]

[Oh dear, what is this furry little thing.]

You don't want people to be forward with you?

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[likeboudica]

It depends on what is meant with forward, certainly, but— no, I rather wish they would not be overly forward.

[ studying this furry little thing. ] May I ask what you are?

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[wishgranter]

I'm Kyubey. [Look at that tail swish.]

Why wouldn't you just say what you mean?

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[likeboudica]

Miss Theresa Gray. It is a pleasure to meet you, Kyubey.

[ a beat. ] It would be rather impolite to phrase it in terms more blunt than this.

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[wishgranter]

Why is that, Theresa?

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[likeboudica]

Call me Tessa, please.

Why is anything polite or impolite?

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[wishgranter]

I don't know. There are still some things about humans I don't fully understand.

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[likeboudica]

There are many things about humans I don't understand, and I thought myself one of them for most of my life.

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[wishgranter]

[Oho.] If you're not a human, then what are you?

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[likeboudica]

I am not certain.

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[wishgranter]

Then how do you know you really aren't human?

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[likeboudica]

I can do things no human can.

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[wishgranter]

What sort of things can you do?

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[likeboudica]

[ considering this— Kyubey for a moment ]

I can Change.

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[wishgranter]

[His expression doesn't change, but his tail continues to flick from side to side.]

What kind of power is that?

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[likeboudica]

Shapeshifting, I suppose? [ And that is leaving out the most important part, the one where she can literally become who she shifts into, emotions and thoughts and memories and all, but that is not something she's willing to disclose to someone she's barely talked to. Even if that someone is very cute and cat-like. ]

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[wishgranter]

Do you use your power often?

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[likeboudica]

No, I prefer not to.

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[wishgranter]

Why not? With a power like that, surely you could do great things.

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[likeboudica]

Or terrible things.

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[wishgranter]

But would you like to do great things? [Swish, swish.] Even without your power.

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[likeboudica]

Why are you asking?

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[wishgranter]

Because of my power. I grant wishes.

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[likeboudica]

Do you? [ a beat. ] I think I would prefer not to ask you to grant me any.

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[wishgranter]

Why is that?