Sulla was 6 years old before her first body. She was already drawing, making toys for herself, asking Brendan to read her stories, ect. She was very much a developed child before Lucille ever had a hand in things.

Not really. Al already existed before—and he had a body before he died (and was later randomly given one). Sulla’s mind and body were both created. She had no prior existence and did not get to choose her first bodies. Even though those “human” bodies were not the correct gender, she’d never get to interact with other people as a human if she had not had them. She would have been a human thought pattern stuck in a mechanical unfeeling body. Al, on the other hand, is choosing to have his body. He’s also showing appreciation and trust to Lucille in a way that Brendan perhaps should have.

That’s a good angle that I hadn’t really considered.

I still don’t see her as any sort of “parent”, technical or otherwise, in the case or Sulla. If that were true, knowing what we do now, that would mean she’d be a technical parent to Al as well.

Also, think of it this way: If what you say is true, if Lucille makes AL’s new body and is responsible for the entire body, would that make her Al’s birth mother as well?

She knew Brendan developed AIs and that hair and skin were needed for them. In a way, she develops AI cosmetics. That is different from making a “baby” with someone unknowingly. They’ve worked together before.

Also, since this is Al’s story, it seems a bit off to make -Lucille- the “birth” mother/parent when the start always seemed to be pushing Al towards the title and the position of “someone made your child without your permission.”.

However, I think one of the most important things a trauma survivor can learn during healing is to relearn to trust and how to open up so we can actually have families—even if they are not traditional ones.

Even the most introverted of us have the “programming” to connect with other human beings. It’s part of why we are so successful as a species. There’s been a few studies, too, that show close contact with others is actually a bigger key to longevity and a good quality of life than exercise or nutrition (though the last two are very important things as well).

I don’t think it is going to be that. I do think she regrets not getting to be part of Sulla’s life, but it doesn’t mean she feels entitled to co-parenting her. I get more the vibe that she will become another family member (like a very close, dear aunt) and the catalyst that help Al and Brendan heal—which will be ironic given Al was initially jealous of her. I also think she may also get Al to open up and not feel so much shame and guilt for everything (Brendan, his death, the upcoming transition). That’s just the vibe I’m getting.

I think you’re on to something. It think he was processing a lot—including his grief after losing Al. Dude probably needed (and possibly still could use) some serious therapy… However, his issues may have passed well beyond any therapist’s pay range (this kind of thing is often discussed on Steven Universe Future groups).

Exactly! Can you imagine how differently she would have become (if she had even wanted to continue existing) if she had remained in a body like that for her whole life? I think she easily could have ended up becoming someone that was either very sad or terrifying.