At Beck and Call

[CS083B 'Alassea']

The park was a nice place to be. A place of pleasure in this cage that they called a city. At least it gave her a break from the constant whining that seemed to be the human's only way of communicating. Honestly, she could see why some of them were afraid of the New Children. At least they could survive on their own for more than five seconds, while humans seemed to need constant caring and attention.

At least, these were the thoughts of one particular New Child, as she lazed on a picnic bench, keeping an eye and ear out for the call of her master. It never failed to amaze her that an eight year old could have so much, and still want more. Freya was selfish, annoying, and loved to brag, but what could she do about it? She was simple Alassea, New Child #83, servant to a rich, spoiled little girl, who she could now see playing happily with the few other children that existed here.

Her musings were disrupted by the expected high-pitched whine of her little master as she called for attention. With a long, loud sigh, she made her way over to Freya, who was standing in the centre of the play equiptment, arms crossed in anger. "There's a stain on my dress!" she whined loudly, pointing down to the hem of her dress.

"You're the one who decided to wear white," Alassea mumbled, leaning down to brush the dirt off. When she stood back up, she got the feeling that someone was watching her, and looked around, trying to spot whoever it was.

[PS113C "ABEL"]

Abel did not mean to stare, but he had caught sight of the small child screaming. His noble instincts had told him to help at first, but he was disgusted to find that she was not in peril, and was instead calling to her slave. What's worse, she had gone to her and done just as the spoiled little girl had wanted.

The small human child ordering around the New Child was the perfect epitome of everything he hated about this society.

He had heard about this kind of treatment, and had once been a part of it himself. He was staring at the young New Child as she drearily served the little girl, but he wasn't looking at her really. What he was seeing was himself, the old him. He was lost in haunting memories of his own servitude.

He had been sitting on a bench in the park, close by. He was wearing a simple dress shirt and slack with matching loafers. He had stopped moving completely and he worse a weary expression as he relived some of his worst memories.

[CS083B 'Alassea']

Casting her eyes about the park warily, Alassea made her way back to her seat. It was several seconds before she noticed the other New Child watching her from one of the other park benches.

Quickly, she caught his eye, and then sat down to watch the children again, ignoring the strange boy. Still, she could not help but wonder what he was doing here. Was he bound to one of these children like she was? Or was he here for a different reason?

As she snuck glances at him from time to time, she saw the expression on his face, and guessed that something had happened in his life that was worth running away from. She looked down, debating whether she should approach him or not. Abruptly, surprising herself even, she stood up and walked over to where he sat.

"Do you have a reason for staring, or is it just because you want to?" she asked, perhaps more harshly than intended.

[PS113C "ABEL"]

Abel was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the woman speak to him. It should have been visibly noticeable that he was just now snapping back into reality by the subtle startled body language.

"O-oh... forgive me..." He said in a solemn voice, though he forced himself to smile politely to her.

"I didn't intend to make you feel uncomfortable, miss," He continued to apologize to her.

Still, he looked to her. Wondering. Smiling his weary smile.

He wondered if he was just forcing his story onto her, after all... he did not know for certain that she was suffering. He wanted to save his people, but did they need saving? He still was not sure, but this was the perfect opportunity to find out.

He decided to speak up after apologizing.

"Excuse me for asking this but... are you happy?" He blurted out honestly what he was wondering, although it might have been a bit naive of him to think that he could ask such a personal question to a stranger and actually get an answer.