"Not even Garen?" Aldrec said, raising an eyebrow "Well, he's different," Mericlou said quickly.
"Different how?"
"Well, he's like you, you know? He's unusual … different. He doesn't mind androids, and he treats us with respect. He's always paid us well for our work, and, well, he even fell in love with my sister and married her. You understand, don't you?"
"Far better than you realize," Aldrec said. "I don't deny that I'm unusual for my kind."
"Yes, you keep reminding me," Mericlou said, both annoyed and amused. "Hey, that reminds me: what were you doing in a tavern anyway? Last time I checked, elves hated those places."
"I go there all the time," Aldrec replied matter-of-factly. "The atmosphere is friendly -usually-, and I like the ale."
"An elf that drinks ale?" Mericlou said, a wry grin appearing on her face. "That's … a little strange."
"An android who likes flowers and plants is … a little strange too," Aldrec said in an unusual, mildly standoffish manner.
Mericlou quickly sat beside Aldrec on the railing. Afraid that she might have offended him, she leaned into his shoulder. "I'm sorry, okay? I guess what I said was more than just a little uncalled for, so I deserved that. But what I'm trying to say is that you're really unusual, Aldrec. I mean it's not just the tavern or the ale, but it's your personality as well. I've known you for a year now, and I've never seen an elf like you. You're so … straightforward, so down-to-earth, and so lively. It's just strange to me; you throw everything I know of your kind into the air."
"I can explain that," Aldrec said, moving off of the railing. He picked up a few displaced pebbles that lay scattered upon the bridge's wooden planks, and began to lazily throw them into the water.
"I've lived a long time, Meri, a very long time. I'm not saying it to boast; it's just the simple truth. And when you've lived as long as I have, by the traditions and precepts of your people, you either live that way until you die, or you begin thinking for yourself. If that happens, then you one day wake up, and realize something. You discover there's more to life than just being secretive, dour, and aloof. You also discover that there's more to you than the sum of what you were taught, or what race you are. That's why one day, I decided to do what I wanted to do, to behave like I wanted to behave, and not be like every other elf. 'There's an entire world out there,' I said to myself. 'You've only scratched the surface, so what are you doing just sitting around in your gilded cage? Go and see the world, and experience all that life has to offer!' And so I did just that. And to this day, I have never regretted it."