Beth nodded. “I’m glad you’re happy with your mech—it’s nice to have control over something, especially your first year when things are so chaotic. I know my world got upended. I went into the regular season with a 4-2 prelim record and was fairly obscure to start with. Then I won a few high profile matches and suddenly every distant cousin and high school acquaintance wanted to be my best friend. I hope you don’t mind some advice—but don’t let anyone turn you into their gravy train, Mira. Although non-frivolous things are fine. I set up college funds for my nieces and nephews, for example.<br/><br/>“But anyway, suddenly I’m drowning in attention and distractions—though still close to broke. I had to reinvest a lot in my mech to get it up to snuff. Poor Melissa had to work fifty hours a week to pay most of the bills, all while working on her first novel on the side. Really put a strain on things.” Beth shook her head slightly. She decided not to go into any more detail, or it might seem like she was dwelling on her previous relationship.<br/><br/>“Anyway, you probably know the rest—in the four vs. four finals that year I got into a fire fight alone against two experienced pilots and came out on top. After that, there was a lot less financial stress.” She laughed slightly.