“She’s trying, you know?” Sophia’s voice caused me to look up. I had noticed her standing there, watching me, about a minute ago, but I had been working on the flight-frame and waited for her to say something. Sadly, I needed a second to understand what she meant, causing her to continue.

“Technica. Or Andrea, she offered me to use that name if it was in private.”

“What do you mean?” I had been aware that Technica was going out of her way to help me, more than maybe normal in regards to an apprentice. But I was curious what Sophia made of things.

“She knows that her actions in the past hurt you. But she believed to do what was best for you and the rest of your family.” she said, her voice gentle, as if trying to soothe a wary animal.

Part of me wanted to get angry but there was something in Sophia’s voice that stopped me. And another part of me was aware that Technica had been right. My life as Martin King’s daughter had been a gilded cage in many ways and that was with him merely in a position of mundane wealth and thus influence. The Powered-society was less concerned with wealth, at least on a higher level, favours and obligation being the currency of choice. If Technica had been known as my mother, I would not have lived in a cage, however gilded, I would have been hidden away in a bunker. Of course, she could have declined the position as Councillor but could she? From everything I had seen of her, if she would have forced herself to put herself and her family first, it would have broken her.

“I know.” I managed to get out, my voice tight. Sadly, Sophia had not finished imparting hard truths to me.

“You know, it is almost eerie how similar the two of you are.” at her words my eyes snapped up, narrowing a little.

“Just think of it. There was someone she loved, her family, but duty called and she felt that she had to abandon her loved one to follow her duty.” she paused for effect, “Does that remind you of anything?” she paused again, waiting, daring, me to speak.

“Maybe of someone, leaving behind the one she loved, in order to pick a fight with a multinational conglomerate on some megalomaniac bent, after raiding one of their training-centres?”

I felt my eyes widen as her words struck me like hammer blows. There were differences, I could see that easily, leaving behind Sophia a year ago just did not compare with leaving behind her family, almost two decades ago. But at the core, what we had done was almost the same, leaving behind something, hoping to protect it, to keep it out of our trouble.

It was almost as if the world was spinning out of control for a second, my mind tumbling over itself, trying to sort out the confusion I was feeling. Suddenly, I felt warm arms around me and Sophia’s soft voice spoke soft words of comfort directly into my ears, while at the same time, Galatea had pulled a part of me into our shared mental space, holding me in the arms of her avatar.

“What do I do now?” I asked Galatea in that space, still trying to come to terms with the confusion caused by Sophia’s words. My first instinct was to ask my daughter for advice, she was able to see past the confusing emotional and oh-so human aspects.

“Nothing.” was the surprising answer, but she continued, “For now, at least. For years, you carried the feelings of abandonment and resentment towards your mother. Those do not just vanish, just because you were given new information and trying to bury them would be unhealthy. Take your time, think a lot, consider not only the result of her actions, but the intent of them. There is the saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions and I believe that Technica’s, Andrea’s, intentions were genuinely good.

“But right now, focus back to Sophia, she’s getting worried.”

I did just that, blinking once or twice and focusing my eyes on Sophia.

“Thank you.” were the first words I said, causing her eyes to widen in turn.

“What?” she sounded utterly confused.

“I said, Thank you.” I repeated, which did not lessen her confusion and it made her look adorable, so I kissed her forehead.

“You pointed something out that I missed before. For that, I thank you.” I explained and she looked at me questioningly. When I did not continue, she asked, “And what are you going to do about it?”

Now, I had to smile. It had taken me a moment, but I knew what I would do. “I will follow your advice.” I paused, grinning at the renewed look of confusion on her face.

“You suggested to take things slow, to get to know each other from the beginning, without isolating ourselves, remember? I will try to do just that, to get to know the Powered Guild-Councillor Technica but also the person Andrea. Maybe, getting to know those two will allow me to get to know my mother at the same time.” I explained. Now, she was nodding in approval and was not shy to demonstrate that she thought it was a good idea by giving me a soft, gentle but oh-so sweet kiss.

“Oh, I thought I should tell you. I agreed.” she said after we seperated a little.

“You mean that you will be with me on Guild-missions?” I brightened at the thought.

She nodded, still smiling. “Yes. Isleen made me promise to stay out of the villain-business, that if I wanted to go out in costume, I would be registered, legal and all that. You know, not breaking any laws, just because I feel like it, even if breaking into a jeweler’s shop allows you to get great shinies.” she continued, her grin widening. It reminded me of one of the first times we had met, I had just broken into the University and had been attacked by the League-Cryomancer and she had been on the run from the League-Pyromancer, causing us to switch off and distract the other’s pursuer. I had later looked into it and found out that a rather high-end jeweler’s shop had been broken into, a couple of display-cases ripped open by brute force and a couple of nice pieces had been taken.

“You do not need to worry about that. If you want shiny jewelry, I will be happy to make you something nice, just for you.” I suggested, knowing that there was no need to rob anyone’s store. And if I made the jewelry, I could hide a few useful additions inside, maybe some sort of beacon. Just in case Sophia and I were separated on missions, of course, not to keep an eye on my sweetie.

“Really?” she asked, her eyes widening a little.

“Sure, why not. I do not claim to be a jeweler but there are a few things I can do. Remember, your girlfriend’s power is to be able to make cool toys. There is no reason why I cannot use those toys to make something nice for you.” I explained, thinking of the many ways I could use the various shop-machines I had, or even the nanites, if I wanted to add seriously small-scale designs. And that was before going into material-treatment, some of which would allow me to add colours to the material itself, without the need to add foreign substances which might fade over time or rub off, in the case of varnish or plating.

I must have said the right things, Sophia’s smile grew a mile wide before she gave me another kiss, this one no less sweet as the one before, but far more heated.

Somehow, I had a feeling that my work would be delayed for a while. And I did not mind one single bit.