"Oh. That - sounds annoying? And also ranks are, I mean, they're a human construct, and they're kind of - based around how well an esper can be leveraged in the current system, not so much a proper objective power scale? More like rock-paper-scissors, and we only know how to properly leverage paper for bureaucracy work. So, yeah, concrete point in Quasar's favor, probably, to be verified by outside sources because that's good intellectual habits. Uh, again, no intention to be rude." But she suspects he won't find that rude!

"Well, honorific language is also just social, right, just—powers lottery doesn't feel like the kind of thing that should determine one's station."

"Right. Agreed. It's just also a power lottery imperfectly judged by imperfect humans, so it feels even sillier."

"—but also, uh, if you make S, or even A, everyone will be, um. Doing the thing at you."

"Oh. Joy." She makes a face. "That'll be deeply weird, especially when - er, okay, so, I'm not entirely happy with my power, exactly? It's very, uh. Destructive. It's hard to use it for things that aren't destructive. I actually get horribly jealous of other power sets even if mine's ostensibly more powerful. I would love to be able to build things with my power, but." She shrugs. "Anyway, so, that'll be weird. Can I make it less weird by brightly voicing my enthusiasm for building related powers? Because I've got a lot, actually."

"I don't think that will make them change the language they use with you..."

"Ehh. Okay. Thanks for the heads up," she sighs. "New thing to adjust to, I guess."

"Yeah. Sorry." At least they get nice sushi.

They do, yeah! Nom.

She's totally out of conversation topics, but this date-like-thing has been going well enough (since they made it to the sushi place, anyway) that she doesn't feel the need to try and come up with something to say. Silence can be comfortable, especially if all participants are introverts.

Oh.

Yeah. It can.

"... your silo's okay as a place to go to," she offers shyly, once they're both done with their food. "Though, um. I should get my luggage so I have... clothes."

"—oh. Yeah. Um. That probably makes sense." He can pay for their food, then.

"I mean it's fine if you'd rather not, I can ask Quasar for something or get a hotel room?"

"I'd rather yes," what is he sayingggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.

"Oh okay, sounds good."

"Are you—wait you came directly from Japan this morning, didn't you—"

"Yeah, I have a tiny bag back at Quasar's HQ. Though I'm... not entirely sure where it's been put, or who to ask to get it back, it just kind of." She waves vaguely. She was very intimidated and the details kind of blurred a bit, okay. "It might be theirs now. A convenience store for replacements might be easier."