Quoted By:
<span class="mu-g">“It means that you’ve got a late start. You never got to learn from your environment or make mistakes like most kids do. You just got dumped into this world as an adult, with little to no regard for your wants or needs.”</span> Gwen explained, punctuating that last part with a glare directed at Warren.
<span class="mu-g">“But we can talk about that later. For now, I want to know more about you. Is W your real name? What are your likes and interests? Do you have any dreams, or-”</span>
W took a quick step back and pulled her mask back over her head. Right, you almost forgot that she was wary of new people.
Gwen looked disheartened by the rejection, but she didn’t let it stop her.
<span class="mu-g">“Sorry. Was that too much? We can go at whatever pace feels comfortable for you. I just want an opportunity to get to know you better.”</span>
W relaxed her posture slightly, and glanced towards you as if to ask whether she was safe to interact with her. You nodded your assent, and the clone allowed her arms to fall back down to her sides.
<span class="mu-s">“Catching…up?”</span>
It was a genuine surprise to hear W’s voice, as she didn’t use it very often at all. She was much more recognizable as a silent, constant presence whenever Warren was in the room.
Gwen looked a bit puzzled, so W clarified her intention by pointing to herself, and then back at her.
<span class="mu-s">“Catching up.”</span>
Gwen’s face lit up in realization. <span class="mu-g">“Oh! You want to catch up with me?”</span>
W nodded. <span class="mu-s">“Yes.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“Awesome! Do you want to take this to another room so we can have some privacy?”</span> Gwen suggested.
W shifted her weight from foot to foot, looking unsure of herself. She glanced back at Warren, who gave her a warm smile and an approving nod. At the very least, it looks like his fondness for W would never change, even if only made her as part of an experiment.
Finally, W turned back and nodded her agreement. Gwen beamed at her, and looked to Pandora to guide her to a secluded area. Pandora responded immediately, ordering the Silvertongue clone, commonly called Letty, to escort the two of them out of the room.
After they left, the three of you stood in awkward silence.
<span class="mu-b">“I suppose that could’ve gone worse.”</span> Pandora sighed. <span class="mu-b">“At the very least, I’m glad that I sealed away that shield of hers. It could’ve done some real damage if she started throwing it around.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“She seems so different from how I remember her.”</span> Warren muttered. <span class="mu-g">“She was always strong-willed, but now-”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“She’s a hulked-out super soldier?”</span> you suggested.
Warren nodded absently. <span class="mu-g">“I honestly thought she would’ve wanted to have her mother back.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“Clones can’t replace real people.”</span> Pandora cut in. <span class="mu-b">“You should’ve known that she’d react negatively to that. Humans are more complex than you think.”</span>
(Cont.)
