Lin Aida

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Lin Aida
Alias(es)	Xiao Lin
Species/Race	Human; Level 4 Super 65
Gender	Female
Occupation/Role	Music-shop instrument tuner; later works at Old Dad's Chinese Restaurant in Chicago 126 199 556
Status	Alive 559
First Appearance	Chapter 23

Background & History

Vought Department Store Incident

Lin Aida was among the civilians trapped during the Vought Department Store hostage crisis. Azu, disguised as “John,” led her out through a breached wall and carried her to the parking lot, where she learned she had escaped the immediate danger. She trusted him despite their being strangers and later invited him to a meal in thanks. 23 33

Born blind, Lin relied on a white cane and had few friends; she initially worried that others would regard her as a “freak” if she explained the strange events surrounding her life. 33 66

Multiverse Travel

Azu later used Insight on Lin and identified her as a Level 4 Super with the Talent Multiverse Travel. 65 Lin described the ability as being like waking up somewhere unfamiliar: opening her apartment door could unexpectedly place her in another location or world, with neither the timing nor destination under her control. 66

When a colorful gateway manifested in her kitchen, Lin agreed to enter it with Azu after he asked to be her friend. Their first recorded crossing transported them to a busy city street, where Azu protected her from an oncoming truck. 98 99

Lin subsequently accompanied Azu through further crossings, including entry into the X-Men universe through another Cosmic Door. 126 271

Life in New York

Lin worked as an instrument tuner, using her hearing and touch to identify instruments and adjust their sound. She tuned guitars at a music shop and later identified and repaired the tuning of William’s Blüthner-Haessler piano. 126 199

She became more comfortable around Azu’s “John” identity, accepting his help while still maintaining caution around unfamiliar men. Her refusal to drink William’s drugged coffee reflected a long-standing habit of not consuming food or drinks provided by strangers. 89 199

When William attempted to assault her, Lin resisted and struggled to escape until Azu and Himiko intervened. 199

Departure from New York

For her birthday, Azu gave Lin a custom ring made from a copper nut, engraved with feather patterns and her name. Despite her colleagues ridiculing its humble material, Lin called it the best birthday gift she had received. 514 515

After further multiversal travel, Lin told Azu that she intended to leave New York and asked to touch his face so she could remember him. She called him her best friend in the city. 540

She later relocated to Chicago, where she worked at Old Dad’s Chinese Restaurant and was preparing for eye surgery. 556 During a later gateway event, Lin entered the light alone while her guide dog Arthur remained outside; she returned in different clothes, followed by two unidentified figures. 559

Appearance

Lin is a blind Chinese woman who commonly wears sunglasses and carries a white cane for navigation. 65 118

• Born blind; compensates with particularly acute hearing. 118
• Uses a white cane when travelling independently. 23 65
• Later receives a guide dog, Arthur. 147 152
• Can identify instruments by their tone and tactile feedback. 199

Personality

Lin is trusting and considerate, having believed Azu’s disguised persona during the mall crisis and inviting him to dinner out of gratitude. 23 33 Her isolation and unpredictable travel initially leave her frightened and lonely, but she gradually opens up once Azu accepts her condition without ridicule. 66

Despite being targeted because of her blindness, Lin is resilient and refuses to view herself as pitiable. 118 She is also cautious in practical matters, especially around strangers and unfamiliar food or drinks. 199

Lin shows empathy toward Azu, recognizing his loneliness beneath his public image and valuing their friendship. 98 540

Abilities & Skills

Multiverse Travel

Lin possesses the Talent Multiverse Travel, which allows her to cross into other universes through doors that manifest as colorful gateways. 65 98

• Her travel has no fixed schedule or destination. 66
• She requires a door to travel and can return through a door after spending roughly two or three hours away. 66
• The ability can carry companions; Azu repeatedly crosses with her. 98 271
• Lin cannot reliably control when a gateway appears, making the ability a source of fear as well as opportunity. 66 98

Instrument Tuning

Lin works professionally with musical instruments despite her blindness. 126

• Tunes guitars by sound. 126
• Identifies piano make, tonal quality, and key response through touch and hearing. 199

Equipment

• White cane — used for navigation. 23 65
• Sunglasses — regularly worn despite her blindness. 88
• Arthur — her guide dog. 147 152
• Custom ring — a modified copper nut engraved with feather patterns and Lin’s name; given by Azu for her birthday. 515

Relationships

• Azu / “John” — Rescuer, multiversal travelling companion, and closest friend in New York. He protects her during several crises, while Lin helps him access other universes through her Talent. 23 98 156 540
• Arthur — Lin’s guide dog and companion. 147 152
• Himiko — Azu assigned Himiko to protect Lin; Lin hoped they could become friends because both lived with disabilities. 138 152
• Aunt Mei — Proprietress of a Chinatown Chinese restaurant who protects Lin from attempted pickpockets. 65
• William — A customer who hired Lin to tune his piano before attempting to drug and assault her; Azu and Himiko stopped him. 198 199

Notable Quotes

“You’re my best friend in New York. I want to remember what you look like.” 540

“Mr. John’s gift is wonderful. I love it. Thank you, Mr. John. This is the best birthday gift I’ve ever received.” 515