After reaching a spot in the backyard, Petra began to speak:
"Well, actually, there isn't really a way to manifest your gift; you just manifest—"
"Wait, Mom. Someone who gives an umbrella to a person who's already soaked is an idiot, so let me explain it in a way even an idiot could understand."
"See how things are, Miss Petra? All those years I spent practically alone at home, and I go out and try to care for someone else, I almost get toasted like bread in a sandwich maker that toasts bread, and then I'm called an idiot."
"Sandwich maker? And why emphasize 'toasted' so much? Sorry about Marie, she's difficult to deal with and doesn't see a lot…"
Petra replied with a sympathetic look. Despite this, I glanced at Marie with a gentle look, and she simply shot me an indifferent one before starting to speak again:
"As my mom said, you just manifest, like when you go to the bathroom."
Gross! This girl really isn't normal, but I think I understand what she means.
"Marie, try to speak a bit more delicately. Mind your manners."
"That's right, Marie, listen to the elder— I mean, listen to your mother."
"Do you understand?"
"I think I do… but I also think I don't."
"You think you do and think you don't? Do you understand more on the think I do side or more on the think I don't side?" Marie asked.
"Well... I guess I think more that I do—no, maybe I think more that I don't—"
"What kind of shit conversation is this, thinking you do or thinking you don't? Doesn't it mean you partially understood?"
"Mom, speak more delicately—"
"Look who's talking. Not exactly the most 'delicate' person in the world, Marie, synonym for 'prettiest.'"
"My name isn't synonymous with 'prettiest'…"
"I think he just called you pretty."
"I know I'm pretty, but who gave you the freedom to say that with your filthy mouth? Do you think that'll make me forget what you did to my gate and what you did in the rain? Swallow your words."
Why does she care so much about a gate? Did I want to touch her? Not really, but I won't say it was bad… What I actually wanted was to see blood—blood.
Gulp.
"Happy now?"
"Anyway, it's more or less what Marie said—after awakening her gift. But some people have more difficulty, like trying to go for pee but nothing comes out. A way that can help is to try filling your bladder."
Ew, didn't she just tell Marie to speak more delicately? And the worst part? I understand! She's speaking figuratively—she means I have to try to increase my TED.
"Many people don't use their power freely; they focus it into their weapon. Using it freely consumes a lot of TED."
"I see."
"A lot of training to increase your TED comes with your gift, but there's one exercise that works for everyone."
Then, Petra started to crouch down.