"Mera's right." Aurora walked toward Cheon. Put a hand on her arm. "You need rest. We all do. But especially you."
"I function optimally on minimal sleep."
"You function. That's not the same as thriving."
Cheon stared at Aurora's hand on her arm. Her expression confused. Like she wasn't sure how to process physical comfort that came without strings attached.
"I will consider adjusting my sleep schedule after the exhibition match."
"That's three weeks away."
"Correct."
Aurora sighed. But she didn't push. Just squeezed Cheon's arm gently and stepped back.
"Fine. But after the match, you're taking a full day off. No tablets. No monitoring. Just rest."
"That sounds inefficient."
"That sounds necessary."
I watched them. These women who had chosen to be part of whatever I was building. Each of them brilliant in different ways. Each of them damaged in ways they didn't fully acknowledge.
And all of them mine.
