Bioelectromagnetics.
Bioelectrogenesis.
Electroreception.
Electrophysiology.
It was all very confusing in terminology but Esumi babbled on, clearly excited, as she explained her specializations, inclinations, interests, theories and plans for Mayu as a favour, a test volunteer and a patient.
All of that while cooing lovingly at a group of electric eels in an aquarium bigger than most aquatic park pools. Some of them sported sparkly collars with heart-shaped name tags.
Also kind of sounded interesting in spots, Mayu considered, linked to several machines while she sat in a containment tank. A boxy thing with see-through panels that she was assured that she could leave at any time. Sighing Mayu glanced around and pressed her lips together as the doctor left, closed the door and activated the... whatever they were called..
Machines responded.
But there was no stressful sound of locks hissing and keeping her in the box.
But if she wanted to write something fiction or tech-y that seemed like the ideal setup. The archive and apocalyptic-minded Suzuna.
"So if we follow the logic we've been prattling on about all that should be needed is a new measurement that compares the progression and then to work those numbers into a more flexible tool or tools to leave you at ease even as things progress and you mindset adjusts." Esumi finished, stretching, ready. "Go."
"I'm dropping as low as I can now." Mayu nodded, speaking for the recording and started, taking a deep breath, eyes closing, calming.
It was her most practised trick to date.
The slow and steady decrease of electricity and keeping it that way.
Easily she followed the process and waited.
"Right..." Esumi spoke up, staring at the screens. "This is how little you can produce..." Comparison brought little surprise as Mayu's training went both ways. "It's lower than the first readings. Very good." Tugging on her sleeves quietly after inputting the comparisons the Doctor turned. "How does it feel?"
"Without the earring to warn me or the crystal to drain it takes a bit of effort to do it. It's like holding something." When first grabbing very aware and then it becomes natural, automatic and yet a distraction, a lapse and the item would fall. "A while to focus, a while to do and then I have to keep checking. And in that span..." Mayu opened her hands and sighed, glancing down as if following something that had been dropped.
"Let's see how long..." Esumi challenged.
It could have been tedious is she just sat and wait but the tests needed the distractions of reality to be accurate.
Mayu went to the distraction course, with conversation, puzzles and mind traps.
So they talked.
Watched the news.
Watched a few episodes of whatever was on.
Tsubaki's work was looking good and even if his personality was sour Amai Mask was both a good actor an easy on the eyes.
Read.
The numbers fluctuated but only once left the safe range.
The assistant, Akina, joined them after a while. At first she observed silently as nothing happened and the numbers appeared, from harmless to slightly life threatening to people with heart disease to able to knock out someone and back to nothing at all.
"Are you trying to get rid of your powers Miss Tempest?" Akina asked carefully, looking concerned.
"No, not really." Mayu answered hearing the alarm beep, responding to the Doctor's go-ahead, letting herself spike. It was a non-issue at home to reach those levels. "They just spike at odd times."
"Don't worry so much." Esumi chuckled and changed the settings after recording the ever changing numbers into the newly prepared database. "Even if someone touched or bumped you the shock would not be too serious." Startling, painful and unpleasant yes. "It seems to take a while to climb on its own after you make it lower." Three hours, fourteen minutes and eight seconds, according to the display. "When it crosses to truly dangerous we start to see some electrical manifestations... what do you call those?" Esumi typed the observation, setting with her teacup down, legs crossed, squinting at the bursts of brightness.
Mayu glanced at her arms where squiggly arches of lightning appeared, danced and vanished around the flowers.
Akina seemed fascinated, hands clasped, eyes wide.
"Wisps." Mayu answered, smiling slightly patting a few down, creating a small explosive spark.
"Is that why the Association refuses fan meetings with you?" Shrewdly the woman asked.
Mayu hesitated as she noticed a lightning flower on the girl's wrist, scratched fervently, eagerly, too worried about such a trivial matter.
"Very likely." Dodging the issue again Mayu carefully suppressed the wisps to finish the experiment and step out of the chamber. "Why do you ask?"
"I'm part of the Storm Lady. We really are looking forward to having you with us." Smiling she named her fan-club, happily, the attention welcome. "Would you sign an autograph?"
"Sure..." Mayu sat down next to the doctor, waiting for the appreciation of the skills. Akina left, excited to fetch her autograph book or whatever she wanted signed. "When did she burn herself?"
Suspicion and relief. Mayu left the lab with those two feelings.
Dr. Esumi made her feel at ease after the numbers were interpreted by explaining, dismissing and debunking doubts and concerns that would have fallen into a frenzy of research and hypothesis. Genos was not the only guilty one there.
Seeing data told her she had much more grip on her abilities than she believed. It felt liberating, actually.
Akina however was giving off a weird sensation. Supporting the idea of being safe but pushing and asking for a lightning display worthy of a storm. A fan was a fan though and both the group and Association had some rules about interaction and Mayu usually didn't like to be dismissive when directly addressed.
"I'm home." Mayu called out taking off her shoes with a sigh, sitting on the step.
"Welcome back." Genos called out from the kitchenette amidst the sound of sizzling pans and boiling pots. "Sensei's in the bath." He informed her as she walked from her former apartment into what was now designated as the living room.
"I need one too..." Mayu smiled, pecking his cheek by leaning through the opening between the divisions, reaching out, ignoring the heat , caressing his face, headed towards the fridge, stretching. "What's for dinner?"
"Grilled fish, rice and steamed vegetables." Genos answered, glancing at the box of flavoured milk she was sneaking away. It wouldn't spoil her appetite, he was sure. "Did you bring the data?"
"I did... It's really not dire." Mayu poked the straw through the pack and turned on the laptop, flopping down, glancing at the disaster channel. "Busy day?"
"Not exciting." Saitama answered in Genos' stead, walking out with a towel around his waist, pretty much just showing off, drying out with another, taking her milk in the stunned moment while she stopped to contemplate his exit, patting her head as Mayu reached up, making a sad sound of complaint.
The ransomed treat was returned after a greeting kiss.
"Sensei seems to have an easier time claiming kisses." Genos considered as Mayu rescued her milk and Sensei rummaged for clothes.
"He is easy-going." Mayu answered, turning slightly. "You are intense." She stopped, thinking on how to explain it. "It feels very different to approach."
"Do you have a preference?" Genos pursued that line of thought, leaving the kitchen.
"Not particularly." Shaking her head Mayu sipped. "Sometimes it happens with moods…"
"Meaning when you seek one or the other based on how we influence your demeanour."
"Yes. Sometimes you seek me." She soothed him, unperturbed. "Is there something you want to ask?"
"Sensei…" Genos sat with them. "I have a few questions I would like to place now that we have been intimate."
Mayu coughed, biting the straw.
Saitama paled suddenly, falling into the conversation after the abrupt call, having been consumed in the search for a shirt, a slight smile breaking his blank face as he sat down as well.
"Can I go have my bath before we start this?" Mayu whispered, hopping the embarrassment hurdle first.