Ava already knew why she was chosen, and she had learned months ago that her role as the commander’s conscript could involve becoming his replacement should he die. It made her uncomfortable to think about it, and really she preferred not to. Still, she knew it would do no good to let her parents know that she wasn’t exactly enthused by the commitment. The small smile she wore remained until her father pricked upon her nerves with is next question. She knew he wanted her to pursue law, that he would have preferred her to join him and her brother at the firm. In his eyes, she probably brought this upon herself. It was what he was implying, after all. She was ready to end the visit, but the commander was speaking highly of her once again. After all the trouble she caused, the mistakes she made, and struggling through CQC, she was surprised that he thought she was at all capable of taking over for him if the worst should happen.<br/><br/>“She’s always been bright. Perhaps too smart for her own good,” her mother smirked as she sipped her tea. “I seriously doubt Ava has been on her best behavior. I know my own daughter, so I’m almost certain that she’s—at the very least—been mouthy.”<br/><br/>“I may have demanded a lawyer.” Ava admitted, eliciting for the first time a small laugh from her father. Now that she knew the commander a little better, she actually felt embarrassed for acting the way she did when she was first conscripted because he<i>did</i>try to speak to her cordially and professionally. She chalked it up to being worked up and in denial. Of course, there were other occasions where she was . . . difficult. “We’re passed that though, I think.” She said, looking to the commander briefly.<br/><br/>“Good. You need to make friends, not enemies.” Her father said, slowly but surely letting the ice in his tone and demeanor melt away. The more he understood that Ava was adjusting well, and wasn’t being tortured or mistreated, it became more difficult to be cross with the commander. “That should be easy enough. You’ve always been well-liked.”<br/><br/>Ava could only nod. After her episode in Alder Rush, not too many people trusted her—even though most knew about her malfunction. Besides the commander, she didn’t have anyone else that she might consider a friend, but she wasn’t about to tell her parents that some people actually hated her.