Mirror looks at Slate. Slate looks at Mirror. In the silence of the moment, a battle unfolds between them that might have meant the end of nations, had they understood the concept in the first place and if they had breathed a word of it into the air. Insufferable smugness clashes with irritated incredulity and the terrifying ordeal of Being Known. 

But it dissipates without a word. Each of them shifts their eyes to Matty and smiles. For her sake they set the game aside; if she thought she'd caused her "mommies" to fight it would the work of the entire rest of the day to coax another word out of her. 

But still. Any idiot could see that Mirror was correct to court Matty. An essential skill that was missing had been added to the family at the perfect time.
But still. Any idiot could see that Mirror was full of herself if she wanted any of the credit for that. To be taken with a sweet young heart was one thing, but to call it strategic? 
But still. There is a measure of talent in recognizing the potential of that shining heart. 
But still. No one who knew her thought she was capable of being that cynical about any of this. Don't mix up who absorbed whom.
But still.
But still?
But still!

"That's my girl~," croons Mirror, sliding across the distance between her and Matty without really seeming to move. 

A second later, they are face to face. Watery eyes smile as best they can, and then blink shut. Once, twice, three times. Face to face becomes head to head. Mirror's right hand slips behind Matty's neck while her left soothes flustered fingers until they unfurl and drop into her grasp. She plants the very softest of kisses on Matty's forehead and then waits for the squeaks to die down.

"That's just what I expected from you, my brave and clever heart. Of course the flower who took my simplest questions and forged them into chains of power around my armor can open the pathways between the Distant Gate and her kin. Of course she can, of course she can!"

There is a spot on the back of Matty's neck that melts every bone in her body if it is teased in the right way, and for long enough. Mirror's fingers dance through her fur with the same cleverness and determination as they manipulate the console in her mecha. She leans in to catch the suddenly unsupported weight of her kitten and sweeps her out of her chair and into her arms.

There the pair of them stay, with Mirror's arms pressing Matty close against her, feeling the patter of the kitten's heartbeat through her ribs even as she presses Matty's ear close against her own chest to share the same information in return. Strong arms hold her high, and tight enough that she can't do much more than wiggle or flick her tail. But they squeeze her gently, to say that she does not need to. 

It is a long time before anyone speaks again with words.

"Any help that you require kitten, simply ask for it. Anything that will help you be brave, except for my presence. I will not be able to be present for your meeting, or it will stop being 'normal weird'. Understood?"

Matty's words are expended. Her jaw seems too loose and flopsy to form the sounds. She buries her face in Mirror's clothing and nods instead. The comforting weight of somebody's fingers in her hair just behind her ears relaxes her further, though Mirror's arms haven't adjusted enough to do this herself. Someone else has gotten involved.

"You can call me, if my voice will help you. And of course you must contact me as soon as it is done to tell me how it went. Oh, I know! I think a courageous and special girl deserves a reward for her super important mission! If you succeed, I'll let you ask for anything you want. Aaaaaannny. Thing. At. All~"

"A-a-a-a-a-anyth-thing?"

"Within reason," says Mirror, "Anything within my power, of course. You [i]could[/i] ask me for a moon, I suppose, but it would take me quite a while to go and fetch it for you. And haven't you also been saying I don't spend enough time nearby, my heart? Even still. If you would like a moon, you have only to ask for it."

Mirror and Slate share a smirk overtop of Matty's head. Their fingers touch under the downy softness of her dangling hair.

Fine. I [i]am[/i] very lucky after all.
Fine. You [i]are[/i] still good at this.