"Very well." When they make it to wherever they're going, Shen asks her, "So what else can you tell me about yourself? Any significant childhood experiences?"

"Look my childhood was shit, my teen years have been worse. I was born into poverty, then forced into prostitution in the Eastend of London, then sold to a psycho to be his toy." she seems calmer than before despite the rant, "Why the fuck does my past matter?"

"Your past has had a hand in making you, and we are here to undo what you wish to undo."

"I thought we wwere here to sort out my future."

"We are here to do that, too. If you do not feel that what I have said is useful, you may say so. I was merely looking for a reference point.

"Where do you think we should start?"

"I don't know, I barely know what I want to be."

"Have you ever done anything for enjoyment? Let's start with that."

"You know, chips and some Narcs, but that was mostly to get away from the bad. Does playing with yourself count?"

"To a limited extent, I suppose it does.

"What did you look for in those chips? What fantasies did you favor most?"

"Nice safe feelings, you know?"

"Could you be more specific as to the content of them? Any genres jump out at you?"

"I mostly did mood chips, I really liked pink cosies."

"Has anything in your real life ever provoked those moods?"

"Not really, the closed was when I realised that you and Autumn could protect me."

"And when was that? Did the incident provoke any other emotions?"

"Awe," Hannah goes slightly wide eyed, "you guys weren't scared at all the Autumn kicked into the car..."

"For me, the secret was not caring if I died. I'm not sure that that is the best mentality in your case. For that matter, I'm not sure that's the best mentality for my case.

"What was it about our lack of fear that got to you? Did you want to feel a similar amount of empowerment yourself?"

"Yeah."

"Have you ever fantasized about being similarly empowered? Fantasies of being able to fight back? Have you ever thought about getting combat training for yourself?"

"Not really, but the guys in the gang who i worked said I was to week to fight, only good as a breeder."

"Have you ever indulged idle fantasies?"

"What do you mean? I dreamed of getting out."

"Getting out and doing what?"

"Getting out of the hell hole and being safe and comfortable."

"Did you make any plans for after you got out of the hellhole? Peace and quiet are never enough to content anyone for long, much less the rest of their lives.

"And do you consider yourself out?"

"Not really, safe for the moment I hope, but nothing more. I never made plans, I knew that they wouldn't work."

"What about idle daydreams? General desires besides mere safety? We don't need fleshed-out-plans right now."

"I just want to be safe. And able to take care of myself, like Autumn can."

"Would combat training help you?"

"Could I be trained?"

"Anyone can be trained. You're young enough to learn."

"I'm not to weedy?"

"No, of course not."

Hannah looks puzzled as if your making a lie of something she has been told all her life.

"Barring a physical disability, anybody can train their body into a weapon. And even disabilities can be overcome with bioware and magic. Those who told you otherwise did not have your best interests at heart and should be ignored.

"You may even be physically stronger than me; I have neglected my strength my whole life, most likely because I use my magic for everything. That doesn't, of course, mean I couldn't kill you with a malicious thought."

Shen smiles paternally at her; he is making it clear he has no malicious thoughts.

"So I could be trained to be able to fight?"

"If you have the will, yes. Do you?"

"I don't know."

"Well, you'll never know if you don't try, won't you?

"It seems to me as if you've gone through life thinking about it in terms of what you fear. Now you've come out with something that you want. Why not try for it? The gangs are gone, Kratos is next to gone, all you have to contend with now is hour upon hour of free time. You have nothing to fear now, and everything to want."

"Okay can you help me try?"

"I will be more than willing to accompany you. I, however, know nothing of hand-to-hand combat, and I only know a few token combat spells. Perhaps Autumn could teach you, or an instructor that I'd be more than willing to pay for."

Over comms, Phoenix says, "Autumn's a busy girl, but I know someone who'll be happy to help with that. If your willing to accompany Hannah, I'll organise a flight for the two of you."

"Hannah, Phoenix has just told me that if you'd like, we could begin your training very soon. He could organize a flight if you'd like."

She looks shock, "Wow, umm... yeah. What about me being pregnant? When can I get it out of me?"

"As soon as we can arrange an appointment with a good doctor. Which should also be soon."

"Okay, thank you."

The conversation over, you leave Hannah in the room to relax. You head back downstairs to find Cheerleader relaxing in front of the trid.

"How'd it go?" she asks.