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<span class="mu-r">“About a month now. I first met her when I ran into my own clone. They’ve been together from the start.”</span> you explained, hoping that this would be enough to satisfy her. You didn’t need Gwen flying into yet another Goblin-fueled rage. <span class="mu-r">“As for why I took so long to tell you, I was dealing with a big situation on behalf of someone who really needed my help. Warren’s cooperation was vital, and I didn’t want to risk any complications until I was absolutely sure that everything was over and done with.”</span>
Gwen remained silent for a minute or two as she mulled things over. When she turned to face you, you could see that her eyes were almost completely clear.
<span class="mu-g">“Alright. That’s not a terrible answer.”</span> she said, running a hand through her hair. <span class="mu-g">“I’m guessing that the situation’s been handled, and you don’t need his help anymore? Is that why you brought me here?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Yes and no. I still need him to help both clones so that they don’t degrade on a cellular level. They’re still imperfect, and it might take him a little while to finalize the treatment method.”</span>
She frowned at that. <span class="mu-g">“Then they both need him to stay alive. Back when I was still attending his classes, I would’ve said that he wasn’t capable of abandoning anyone in need. But now…”</span>
You patted her arm reassuringly. <span class="mu-r">“Don’t worry. He won’t just abandon them. He thinks of them as if they were his own children.”</span>
She stared into your eyes, trying to find any sign of genuine humanity in the unblinking lenses of your mask. Eventually, she let out a sigh and nodded her understanding. <span class="mu-g">“If you say so. I really thought I understood him, you know. Whenever people called him a creep or a weirdo, I’d always be the first to defend him. I never would have imagined that he was capable of something like this.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Believe me, it came as a shock to me too.”</span> you admitted. <span class="mu-r">“I don’t know what someone like that is doing working as a college professor when they could be revolutionizing an entirely new scientific field.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“But it isn't just that. I never thought he would violate my privacy like this. At best, he’s seen my cloned body naked, and at worst…I don’t even want to think about it.”</span>
Gwen’s face grew pale, and she shook her head to clear it. <span class="mu-g">“I guess I can see why you waited to tell me. At least she won’t have to spend every waking moment with him anymore.”</span> she said, smiling back at W. <span class="mu-g">“Hopefully we can get her that treatment sooner than later, and he won’t have a hold on her anymore.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“I’ll be checking in regularly to make sure that he’s not slacking off.”</span> you declared. <span class="mu-r">“But for now, I need to see about introducing her to a friend of mine that might be able to provide her shelter.”</span>
(Cont.)