[ She follows, grateful for his slow pace not because of her stature but because of her weakened state. Though she can't see his face, she glances up at him with concern at the claim that they're "not quite human anymore." While waking up in a crystal cocoon was highly unusual and she has yet to fully recover, she still feels more or less herself. If her mentor were here, he might be able to make a connection between the symbolic power of eggs, rebirth, and all manner of obscure things, but her humble self is stuck filing this claim away to be processed later.

It does occur to her to check for the crystal he speaks of. Her cloak flutters amorphously as she pats herself down underneath — and indeed manages to find a small crystal harmlessly embedded in her skin. She leaves it there for now because ?? is something going to happen if she pulls it out? ]

If you were sent to find new Aions like me... then am I correct in thinking that the Regent intends to use us for our new abilities?

[ She was ignorant of this until only a short while ago, but she's now aware of the danger in the word politics. If a regent is looking to accumulate powerful individuals, then she can only assume it isn't to offer them free food and housing and cheerfully send them on their way. ]