Da Capo (Manifesto)

[Zhenya]

Zhenya tsked a good-natured tease, and tapped Cruz playfully on the shoulder. “Ma’am will not do. I prefer you call me Zhenya.”

“There are two sides to your coin,” she said, smiling for the very apt metaphor, and not without a glance to where he had pocketed it. “While you think of bettering the world, others will be less noble in their intentions, do you not think? Prove the gift might be distilled in such a way and it does not end with medicine and healing. 

“Responsibility to use this power wisely -- in that you will find in me a devoted ally. But I fear we might disagree on what it means.” Her tone was light and generally warm -- she was not lecturing, just engaged with the conversation. “Then again, I suppose I do not have a healer’s soul, but that of a protector. I admire your spirit, Cruz”