Sonia makes a slightly perturbed face, wrinkling her brow. "Was she really? What a truly bizarre form of voyeurism. I didn't like her very much." No, she'd been about as condescending as every ghem lady on that base -- more than most, actually. Sonia would've liked to spread a few rumors about her. She shrugs. "We were, as far as I know. Seems silly not to if you're going to incubate in a uterine replicator."

She half-smiles, looking just a bit proud. "Oh, I think she really wanted to, sometimes. But we really were very close, even back then. Our parents..." She makes a wobbly gesture with one hand, lips twisting. "I consider myself lucky that I'm one of Da's and not one of Uncle Yuri's. He always tolerated the pouting and crying and pranking much better."