Angel of Mercy

Chapter 8

My mouth formed a sweet smile, almost by reflex as my brain tried to process what had just been said. Mary, rude Mary who never missed a opportunity to insult both me and my society.  She would never fit in, was too outspoken, would refuse to conform.

I was trying to formulate some kind of polite response, 'you have got to be kidding me', 'only in your wildest dreams', a long strech of hysterical laughter, all came to mind as options but probably wouldn't quite fit my project image of perfection.

Just as I decided to say that 'I didn't think she would enjoy her time in my society', I remembered something.

I didn't fit. I was as far from the society's version of perfection, yet I manage.every one thought the world of me, well, perfect me. Could Mary? Could she keep her comments to herself, be sweet and polite? After all, wasn't I a product of social conditioning? I knew from my upbringing what was expected and so that was what I projected, what everyone tried to project.  What was Mary taught?

An unexpected wave of pity washed through me. Mary hadn't had the privilege of growing up in my structured society, maybe she wasn't rude, just uneducated? I allowed my smile to grow and looked up,

'Of course'

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'Well, maybe try taking a deep breath before speaking, and think 'Is this going to hurt anyone's feelings?''  My voice so full of sweetness that it was a wonder that bees weren't swarming around me.

Mary glared at me and replied in a sullen tone, 'But then I will never say anything,'

Oh, and what a loss that will be! To think no more offensive attacks on me, my society, the dress she borrowed off me, the weather, the world itself. What a loss.

Following my own instructions, I breathed in, and thought about what I was about to say. I had to decided to give Mary lessons in how to act when we got to my home. Instead of being gratefully received, as I had assumed, I instead hit a wall of stone, completely uninterested in any thing I had to say. My helpful hints, which came from year of experience were completely disregarded, in some cases she actually went out of her way to ignore them.

Finally, after a week of snatched half hours, I gave up,

'Well, they wouldn't expect you to fit in straight away. Everyone will understand.'  I smiled in a rather reassuring manner, hoping she wouldn't pick up on my frustration.

'What' was the response. I had a sigh and repeated myself only for her to start shrieking at me. I think she was trying to communicate displeasure, but this was such a regular occurrence that what was so awful remained a mystery to me.

I suddenly realized what was upsetting her. She had been under the delusion that I would like to the authorities tell them that she was a friend visiting from a far off place. Obviously I was not going to do that, lying to the authorities lead to the break down of society, because criminals start to roam free and innocents are punished.  I almost laughed out loud bust stopped myself. Some of mymirth must have shown on my face, however, as she then started to rant on about how I wanted to see her executed.

'Why would they execute you?'  Came my confused reply, 'unless,' a horrible thought occurred to me and I lowered the volume of my voice, 'are you a fugitive, on the rum, am I not the first girl you've done this to?'

Mary looked at me eyes filled with confusion, 'I thought that all law breakers or non conformist are killed.'

'No, only thouse who break a select few laws with the consent of the wronged party, why would we kill you?'

She blushed and mumbled something about a rumour she heard, rambling on until I stopped her with an lecture on styles of dress.

Vote, comment and remember, normal people are just people, abnormal people agree secretly unicorns :)
The dress is Mary's new dress.