Mrs. Maheswaran and Connie get in to the family car. They are both exhausted but also nervous for the impending conversation on the dark road back home from the hospital. "So . . . You know how to sword fight." The mother exclaimed trying to break the silence between the two "Yah" Connie murmured back "When did that happen?" "Well . . . You remember during the summer when I was at Steven's house every day? It was during then. Pearl taught me." "Oh" Mrs. Maheswaran was silent, she never thought anything like this would happen. She was scared, a parent can't just let their kid go around swinging a sword like a hooligan. . . But that form, the technique. Her daughter was no armature, but maybe that's why she is scared. Why would one of Steven's mothers train her daughter to be a skilled killing machine? "Why?" The scared mother blurted out. "Why were you trained to sword fight?" Connie looked at her lap she knew she would one day have to this explain to her parents. "You know those . . . Things that we saw in the hospital? From what Steven has told me, those are weak compared to what he normally had to deal with. I know I am not magic of special like he is but I know one day he is going to face something that he won't be able to fight or talk his way out of, and I need to be there to pro . . . To help him." Connie looks at her hands calloused and rough, remembering to a time back when they were still soft. "I can't just stand there helpless like I did back when that water gem tried to take the earth's ocean." Tears welled up in Connie's eyes. "Don't sell yourself short honey. I don't know about this water gem thing, but today you looked extraordinary. When Steven was trying to protect us and we were still cornered I honestly didn't think we could have made it out alive, but when you took that sword from me and I saw you use it I knew everything was going to be alright. With you and Steven side by side . . . I don't even think an army of those things would have a chance." Connie's mom takes a deep breath and continues to talk "I really think that boy needs you, his mothers and father seem like good people but if he is dealing regularly with things like that, he needs a friend he can trust." A sigh came out from her lips as she prepared to give her final thoughts. "As I said I am willing to let you continue seeing Steven and sword fighting, but you have to tell me and your father what you are doing. Not only are you putting your own safety on the line, but as you saw today it can put your father and I in danger too." Connie looked at her hands then back to her mom. "I am sorry; it was stupid of me to try to hide this all from you two. I promise that I will make sure you two know everything." "Good, but let's see how willing you are to keep to your word." "Ask me anything mom!" "Sure why not." The mother smirked. "Is Steven a good kisser at least?" Connie became silent as she blushed hard. Her mom laughed as she parked the car right in front of their house.