[ Nebula chooses to say nothing immediately, watching and stewing instead. She doesn't move when Cassian picks up the kitten or comes to sit nearby, which is as good a sign as any. Leaning forward she presses elbows to her knees as she rolls her shoulders. ]

It's both. It's always both, they don't get a choice.

[ They suffer and grow up too fast. Who they could have been becomes warped and the person uglier than they'd have been if they didn't know the pain. They feel they might not ever escape - Or perhaps it was just her. Who'd lived under those same conditions until well under her adulthood. ]

[ She listens, swallowing. At least he made a choice, it's better than her siblings ever had (then she did). Or at least, he believes he had a choice, and she wonders if that's any better. ]

Yes.

[ If it means protecting a life or preventing children from saving her own fate - she would fight and fight again. That's what it means. ] Rather or not we were meant to be, we were made warriors. [ Guardians. ] Because of that, we can make sure someone else never has to be.