[b]Ruiko Saten - New York City, Arcadia-1[/b]

With the beat down going on in front of her, Ruiko had no choice in the matter as she was forced to watch the slaughter, the strange creature taking down the new arrival like they were made of tinfoil. Fortunately it hadn't noticed her yet, or else she was sure that she wouldn't have a chance of survival. Nonetheless, she had to marvel, and tremble at the strength on display, even if the men before her got no sympathy for charging to their deaths.  

She couldn't tear her gaze away, and it was only when she suddenly found herself somewhere else that she could possibly act.  "Hey, what gives," she protested after a moment, looking around to find herself with the Ethereal once more. But it wasn't the Ethereal who had done this. No, it was some other person, a looming figure in golden armor that seemed to grab and captivate her attention. 

Held as she was, she had no choice but to listen to what he had to say. At first her hackles rose at the offer of protection, condescending as it was. Her choice to use the Level Upper in the first place had been motivated by her helplessness, and she would never be that weak again. Fortunately he seemed to recognize that, somehow, and offered an alternative that ha her eyes widening in shock. He...he could do that? Could give her full and complete access to her Esper abilities, without needing the Level Upper to do it? It was a toxicating thought, and one that threw her into confusion as she tried to figure out what to do.

She turned to watch as he walked off, still as she swayed slightly on her feet. Such a possibility, it was what she had dreamed for. She wouldn't need the Level Upper as a crutch to activate her powers, and she could return to Academy City free of the ridicule and hatred that using it had gotten her. she just...didn't now what to do.