[ As rarely as she's spoken of this - of her power, of her nature - Naminé finds that it really is a comfort to do so now, in the company of someone she trusts to know it. Regardless of what he might term his words or feelings on the matter, they appear to soothe her well enough as her eyes flutter shut, just for a moment. There's the tone of a confession in her, ]

Maybe. [ Her voice is careful even with that one word, almost as if she doesn't believe she deserves to speak it. Surer is the, ] It was... worse for everyone else.

[ She's had a profound effect on many lives other than her own, no matter her wishes or intentions. Her tense posture eases subtly, though, as she continues. ]

Things are different now than they used to be. I have-- more choices. Better choices.

[ And sometimes that means choosing to do nothing. To not meddle, for once in her life. Nevertheless, that doesn't excuse her from explaining herself, she thinks - and accepts the meeting of their gazes. Her eyes are a little sad, but willing. He wants to understand, and she wants that, too, so she answers, ]

Afraid of making it worse. Or of-- finding out I couldn't do anything at all, or that if I did, it would already be too much. Of getting your hopes up for nothing, I suppose. [ Her magic can be fickle, truthfully, in who she can and can't affect. ] This world changed some of the ways I do what I can do. Up until now, I wasn't sure what that might mean, and I wasn't willing to - to use you to find that out, even if it might have helped you in the end. Not if it might have hurt you, too.

[ Although she's been candid throughout, there's finally a hesitation now as her words slow, pause - as if she's reluctant to express some more personal aspect of this. Eventually, though, ]

And... I didn't want to frighten you, either. [ A beat; deeper still, ] For you to be scared of me.