Maya laughed, a warm, resonant sound. "Honey, we all have that 'deer in the headlights' look the first time we realize we aren't alone. You’re looking for the history, aren't you? The roots?"

"The world doesn't always get easier," Maya said, patting his hand. "But you get stronger. And you get a family that understands the parts of you that you used to hide. That’s the real culture—finding your people and realizing you never have to go back to the dark."

Leo looked up to see Maya. She was a legend in these parts, a trans woman who had seen the neighborhood change from a gritty industrial hub to a high-end fashion district. She wore a sequined gown that looked like it had been stitched together from fallen stars, and her makeup was a masterclass in defiance.