More to keep us from getting in other people’s way, I let Sveta drag me out onto the train platform. We stood outside the train while people got on. I had only a minute to decide if I’d do what I wanted to do, which was to go with Sveta, or if I’d do what I needed to do, which was to prepare for an imminent war that too few people seemed to be aware of.

Lots of the people were staring or glancing at Sveta, with her unusual body. The noises that body made as she tugged at me drew as much attention as the colorful suit.

“Let me check my phone?” I asked. “It might change what I’m doing.”

“Okay.”

The connection was slow as I waited for my email to load, the diamond shape in the center of the blank page folding into itself endlessly in the ‘loading’ loop.

I sighed a little as the train doors closed and the train went on its way.

“Don’t sigh at me, Victoria,” Sveta said. “The train doesn’t matter. You can fly.”

“People make fun of you on the internet if you get caught on camera while browsing your phone or laptop while flying. I wanted to sit and chat with you about dumb, meaningless stuff—”

“Which we thoroughly did.”

“—and then spend the rest of the trip typing notes.”

“I used to admire that side of you. It was a good thing when you were doing the physio, and when you were watching those videos of university classes. Which were incredibly boring, I’m sorry.”

“They were the highlight of my day.”

“They were so boring. I don’t know how you make powers boring, but they managed. But you had the mental fortitude to push through it.”

“I enjoyed it,” I said. “Really.”

“But I’m worried about that attitude now. If I had real hands I’d reach up and feel your shoulders to see how tense you are.”

I relaxed my shoulders as casually and naturally as possible.

“If you’re stiffer than the girl with the prosthetic body and her metal boyfriend, you need to relax. Spend some time with me and Weld. We’ll talk about tomorrow.”

“I need to call Crystal first.”

“Invite her!” Sveta said. She reached out and jostled my arm roughly. “Bring her. Tristan was going to come by later with some stuff for me, when he has his turn again. He’ll have updates. We can make it a little leadership meeting.”

She looked so happy at the notion.

“I’ll ask if she’s interested,” I conceded.

“I’ll have to figure out what we’ll eat,” Sveta said, in an almost sing-song, happy way.

My phone finally loaded. I had messages and emails. I ignored them and sent one to Crystal.

Me:
Sveta’s trying to drag me to dinner with her and Weld. You want to come?