Ani The Grey

Purpose of Family

I hand the mechanical device to Roya. She grabs it absent mindedly and carefully scans the object in her hands. But I pay no mind as my interest is solely on what she is archiving. The spine is golden with twirls of black like vines running through it. The colors displayed on the front of it are so vibrant, the outer edge of the pages lined in gold. I have a small doubt that this indeed is an object old enough to warrant archiving. It seems to be in pristine condition. Not in the condition of most of the items that are archived. Roya said that this particular book was a part of a collection of books that were hidden in a discovered air tight vault that was owned in the before time so it was preserved well.

'Cinderella' is written beautifully across the front of it in such a way to make it seem like the letters are swaying somewhat. The beautiful girl in the beautiful blue dress seems to be caught mid turn with a blue bird on her fingertip as if her dancing partner. She seems to be happy. I wish to know her story. Her secret.

A clearing of a throat brings me from my wonderings and I am met by my matching green grass eyes staring at me. My face feels warm and I bow my head in shame for my momentary loss of attention to her needs.

"My apologies Roya. How may I be of service?"

Roy tilts her head slightly looking at me in what feels to be the same way I looked upon the book that now sits on her desk. Curiosity.

"What were you thinking just now Ani?" She asks. Not in a demanding or accusing way but I answer the expected response anyway. I know not of any other way.

"I was thinking of how better to serve you Roya." I lied. My heart doesn't thump as loudly as it once did when I first spouted out a lie. The prickling I feel in the back of my neck irritates only slightly. I fear it has become easier for me. Roya said that it is not always necessary to tell the truth on every matter. That there are times that the truth may hurt or perhaps damage another. So it was acceptable in those instances to lie. My throat gulps involuntarily and her eyes flicker to me noticing it. I fear this is not one of the instances she was speaking about.

I hang my head down and admit my shame. "I lied unnecessarily Roya. I am yours to punish as you see fit."

She gasps and the rustling of her robe makes a swish sound as she gets up from her seat. I stand frozen as she makes her way around her desk to me. My shame causes my face to heat up more. I wish to turn away and cry but know that doing so will only bring more punishment. Crying shamefully is a weakness. An unnecessary display of emotion. Emotions are not conducive in the service of a Grey. It will hinder us from serving to our fullest potential and purpose.

These words are engraved in the being of every Grey from the moment we could comprehend. The Administrator's voice echoes through my mind strong and resolute reminding me of my place.

I straighten my back and stifle my emotions and ready myself for my just punishment.

A hand lifts my chin from it's acceptable position. Down to my chest in an act of submission as all Greys must do in the presence of one of higher purpose. My 'sister' Roya is of higher purpose. She is a Higher Level White and both she and I have allowed too much familiarity to form between us in such a way that we have both strayed from our purpose and our levels. Perhaps this incident will remind her as it has reminded me of our separate places and we can resume as we should have. Me as her servant and her as my master to do as she bids.

I believe it to be the right thing to do and resolve to explain my thinking if she asks although a deep clenching in my being is protesting it. I again stifle my emotions holding back the tears that threaten to fall from my eyes.