Her Magic

Chapter 3

I wasn't completely awake yet.

I was stading in the woods in front of the house, I looked around and ran my nails on the inside of my palm. When did I get here?

I started to walk slowly, taking in the sight before me. 

The trees were in full bloom. Lush greens and vibrant colors could be seen as I continued to walk. It seemed endless, but soon I reached a wide clearing where the trees were evenly spaced. Sequoias surrounded me, but they didn't keep my attention.

At the center, an android, a broken but functioning one was facing me. Her eyes were black, and it almost looked as if she was crying, but her tears were black. Her crown was missing and she had wired dreadlocks spilling out of it.

"What?"

"Hello Selene. It's so good to meet the one who saved the people of Jericho."

I tilted my head wordlessly and she reached out, taking her hand into mine and closing her eyes, a small smile gracing her lips.

Memories of me and Connor flashed before me, then the rusted ship of the now sunken Jericho. All the decisions I made, along with Markus, Connor and those who had a massive influence on where we are now were playing before my eyes. 

"You have seen the past, and now, you must see our future." She stared at me before looking up.

The frames had changed, now replaced by events that I haven't seen. 

Shaking hands with President Warren and the Senate leaders. 

Fighting an unknown shadow.

Me and Connor smiling somewhere.

"I don't understand, what is this? Who are you?" I looked at her and she stepped away.

"I am Lucy, I died at the fall of Jericho, and you must protect them. Or all will be lost."

I gasped and shot up, frantically taking in the room. 

I was in DC. 

I looked and Connor was in sleep mode, shirtless. I was shaking when I moved and sat on his lap, and he quickly awakened. His arms wrapped around me.

"What's wrong my love? Bad dream?" He lifted my chin up, worried eyes met panicked ones.

"I... Yes, but.. I need to talk to Markus." I buried my head into his chest and he rubbed my back, returning my embrace.

"Okay, we'll talk to him after the meeting."

It was with times like these,  I wished he could probe my memory.

"You look amazing Selene," Simon and Josh were waiting for me at the bottom of the staircase, Connor was by my side, his arm hooked through mine.

I was dressed in a black chiffon halter dress with a diamond brooch in the middle. A black cotton cardigan covered my shoulders and a black knitted scarf with matching tassels. Black tights covered my legs and black Christian Louboutin pumps made me a few inches taller, but still short compared to Connor's. I didn't want to wear too much makeup, but last night's events made me reconsider. The circles under my eyes were concealed along with the exhaustion on my face, along with the smokey eye that graced my eyelids.

"This just in, the motorcade carrying the Ambassador of Deviant Nation has just pulled into the White House, we will update this story as the information comes in." 

I locked my phone and put it in my silk clutch then handed it to Connor. He turned me to him and we locked eyes.

"You can do this Selene, I'll be there the whole time. You remember what to talk about, and how to talk about it. You got this." He leaned over and kissed my cheek as the car stopped. One of the men from the Secret Service got out and quickly opened my door, he offered his hand to me.

"Right this way m'am, we'll be meeting President Warren in the Cross Hall before going into the Oval Office." His gaze was reserved. I nodded and laced my hand through Connor's as we stepped out. 

A barrage of camera flashes and clicks assualted my eyes but I kept my eyes focused on what was in front of me. President Warren's eyes met mine and I smiled, letting go of Connor's hand and placing it in hers.

"President Warren, thank you for having us."

"Ambassador Anderson, Connor, thank you for coming, you are most welcome here."

Connor returned her smile and shook her hand, then we turned to smile for the camera's, no doubt one of them would be added to the history books.

After a minute, we made our way to the office. We quickly sat down and three reporters took some snapshots. 

"I'm very grateful that we were able to arrange this meeting. It is my sincere hope we can find a path forward that will allow the androids to become an independent nation, one that is forged from cooperation and trust." She spoke and smiled at me and I returned it.

"I am also grateful to be here, it is mine, and the androids hope to forge a partnership built on trust and understanding." I turned a little and Connor nodded in agreement. 

"Before we begin, I want to express how sorry I am for how we treated the androids when they protested for their freedom. We now understand that they may bleed blue, but are alive and just as human as you and I. We know trust after bloodshed is not easily gained, but we will work to earn it."

I nodded, "Markus and I agreed that the time for anger and bitterness is over, and that forgiveness is the only way to move forward and turn those who oppressed them, into their partners, and even one day their friends. No one will ever forget the androids who died as they fought, but we will not make there sacrifice be in vain by holding on to hostilities."

"We are here now, and we are here to listen and give whatever is necessary to pay penance to those we as humanity oppressed."

"Madam Ambassador! How did the talks go?" One of the journalists in front of the podium raised her hand.

"Today's talk was very productive, we will be reconveing tomorrow to finalize very important detalis that will be of great benefit for the androids of the United States." 

"Madam Ambassador, why did Markus not come to these talks?"

"Markus is still in Michigan helping those who sustained injuries from the fight outside the No 5 recall center camp. He wanted to be there for his people and so he trusted me to come in his place."

"Madam Ambassador, although you previously stated, what is your goal for these talks?"

"It's as I said before, it is my hope, along with Markus and the androids, that we move past anger and bitterness and forge a path where humans and androids can exist peacefully and build a better future for all. That's all the time I have, thank you."  I smiled and moved left toward the exit. They could be heard echoing my name as I slipped through the door and into Connor's arms, he held me by the waist as we moved outside the Cross Hall and back to the motorcade.

Now to deal with the android in my head.