Elven Roses

Mericlou's hand struck her hard against her face.

"How dare you!" Mericlou spat out. "Just because I meet someone new, and he wants to be my friend doesn't mean that he wants me to hop into his pants! He's not that kind of a guy, Alaema … and he's an elf! An elf! You forget how they are! They may not treat us like humans do, but, there's no way in this world that he'd be attracted to a … a machine."

Her gaze swept back in the direction of Skori and Sedriil -both paralyzed- and then returned to Alaema, on the verge of tears as she grabbed the injured portion of her face.

"And that's what we are," Mericlou said, her temper still unabated. "Machines, all of us! We look like humans, but we work for them! The law may make us free, but it's only words, and we all know it! Servitude is our purpose in life, and because of this elf, this household has the opportunity to do that and make good money! But you, Alaema, want to think that every relationship that I have with a male is some kind of sexual escapade! Life … is … not … that … way! Defy your programming and think outside the brothel for once!"

"Meri, I … I …" Alaema quavered, but words failed her. Without another sound, she tore through the opposite doorway, through the dining room and into the hallway beyond. The door to her room slammed shut only seconds later.

For what seemed like hours, the kitchen was eerily silent. Skori and Sedriil stood motionless, staring at Mericlou, who shook with barely-harnessed rage. At last, the flames seemed to die out inside of her and she collapsed into the chair at the breakfast table. All at once, she felt deflated and ashamed, as she stared at the wad of bank notes in her hand.

"Divide the money up in the usual way," Mericlou said in a flat, hollow voice. She handed the bundle to Skori. Her voice was quiet, almost sepulchral. "Sedriil, could you tally the accounts for today? I suddenly don't feel up to it."

"Of course, Meri." Sedriil murmured, and then hurried away while Skori quietly took the money from his sister's hand.

"I'll do the first day at the garden tomorrow," Mericlou said. "I need to download the disk that Aldrec gave me." I'll be in my room if you need me."

Taking the same direction as Alaema, but at a much slower pace, she hefted herself up from the table, and then moped the rest of the way to her room.