When the World Ends

11; Astrid

Finally back at the school, I'm ready for some food. The ceremony had taken place early this morning and by now it was almost dinner time. Daye had left me to wander briefly, saying he had something he needed to do and that he would meet me back here in thirty minutes. 

During that time, I mainly stayed in the school lobby, looking over the glass display boxes full of trophies and award plaques. Several people stopped and talked to me. I was pleasantly surprised! Most people tell me that I look angry and unapproachable, so they tend to avoid me at first. 

A sudden commotion behind me caught my attention and I turned around, pulling a small knife from the belt that sat diagonally on my breastplate. It was a young man, struggling between two peace officers. Squinting my eyes, I gasped. It's the boy from the ceremony! The one that rushed the dais and yelled at Daye. I wonder why he was being arrested? Once they finally dragged him off, kicking and screaming the whole way, the lobby slowly came back to life. Not long after that, Daye appeared, descending the staircase to the left of the elevator, followed closely by Angel. When had she come in? There's only one main entrance to the school and I had been practically standing in front of it for the past half an hour.

 He said some more things to her and then sent her off with an office staff member before sauntering over to me.

     "Daye, before we do anymore work, can we please get some food. I'm famished." 

     "That's fine with me. I'll show you to the cafeteria." He guested for me to walk past him. 

Waking side by side down the long, winding halls, he finally broke the silence between us by asking, "How would you feel about Angel rooming with you until she gets her own place?" 

     "With me?" I repeated, turning towards him. "Why with me?"

     "Because people would find it strange if their Elector freed a slave and then suddenly shacked up with her. Plus, for her own comfort, she'll probably be better off with a woman." Pausing at the elevator we had come up to, he jabbed the button that called the car.

     "How long?" I inquired.

     "As long as necessary. I'm commissioning her the house she's always wanted, so at least a month or so while they clear the plot, bring in the supplies and begin the work. Since you're a government employee and she is now as well, your rent will be covered annually so, even though I have given her a job, she won't have to pay for anything more than clothes, groceries and other things she might want."

     "She's a government employee?" I asked, shocked. "What sort of position did you even give her?" 

A smile creeped across his face as he glanced over at me. "Personal assistant"

     "So...my job?" 

     "Yes and no." He inhaled deeply and then sighed. "I'm sure you're aware that as of right now, your position is one of mere politics. When the time is right, and conflict rises between the east and the west as it so often does, you'll be the commander I've always needed."

I was shocked. And then I was mad. "With all due respect, Elector, you basically took her out of slavery and then put her back into it, except for now, you're paying her. What has she done to deserve such grandiose things?

The elevator doors opened and Daye stepped in. With no choice, I stepped in beside him and crossed my arms. After a moment of silence later, he said, "It's not what she did, but what was done to her."

I raised an eyebrow, glancing over at him? "What does that even mean?"

     "She endured a lot under my father. I'm only repaying what was stripped from her many years ago."