Imperfection - Chapter Eight (Patreon)

Olwen

Every three months, my blood is drawn and taken to the labs for study. I am also given a number of tests to monitor my abilities and better understand the mutation in my blood. Today is no different. I feel a little at peace as I step out of the testing room. It’s the first time since my departure to the capital that I’ve returned to familiar surroundings. Even Tiberius’s looming presence doesn’t bother me as I step past him.

Tiberius and I have fallen into a bit of a rapport as my days in the capital have stretched on. I begin my days and end my nights with him, as he is always watching over my life to ensure no one is threatening it. Just as he does now. He remains even in the heart of our society where I am the safest. He has become a new source of curiosity for me with his outlook on the way life should be. And as of late, I find myself lingering around the hope of his words and seeking truth in them. But each time I am met with the reality of my world. I come from a world of precision and poise. It is why his opinions are so strange to me. I have no need for hope when there is certainty.

“How much longer should this take?”

I’m pulled out of my thoughts as Tiberius speaks behind me.

“It depends on how fast I can get through this last test then we can leave,” I say without turning back. I hear him scoff behind me, pulling my full attention now.

“I’m sorry did you have somewhere you needed to be?” I ask. He once again surprises me with his response, laughing at what I said instead of remaining silent like any other person would have.

“Of course not, I am just curious as to how much time they’re going to spend testing one of the king’s advisors like a lab rat.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh.

“A lab rat?” I ask.

“It’s how testing was done in the old world-”

“Yes, I know what it is, Tiberius. I just can’t quite understand why you would compare me to it when this is nothing of the sort.”

“Isn’t it? They’re taking your blood and testing your level of intellect.”

“Did they not do the same to you before you entered here?” I counter. Tiberius is silent for a moment as we approach the testing doors.

“It feels violating, is all. That they would do this to someone of your rank,” he says.

When I look at him, his expression is soft as he takes me in. Usually, I would feel irritation at the look of pity in his eyes, but I don’t. He doesn’t understand our way of life, that’s all. I suck in a deep breath.

“Would you like to see the test?” I ask.

Shock appears on his face and he doesn’t try to hide it. I quickly speak before he can.

“You seem to think they are doing me a disservice by emitting this test. But I don’t think you quite understand just how necessary it is for us to continue to evolve. I don’t think you understand why I am in the position that I am.”

As I study him, I see a few cracks in his armor. He comes from a place that hasn’t evolved for centuries. He thinks I am smart. He doesn’t understand what that entails within Etherium.

I can’t help but smile as I step into the testing room.

“Remain silent and you can observe.”

* * * * *

“I will see you tomorrow. Enjoy the night off.”

I end the call with Augustus studying the small courtyard that lies outside my window. It felt like a waste to travel all the way back to the capital once I finished my tests. The sun had already begun its descent and the trip would have taken a while. Instead, I’ve arrived at my parent’s home giving Augustus and the rest of the staff the night off.

Neither of my parents is home, leaving the house dark and empty as the rest of their staff have retired to their quarters for the night. I silently make my way through the house, turning on the lights that I want to make it less empty just as Tiberius enters through one of the backdoors.

“The perimeter is clear,” he says.

I laugh softly at his words.

“Do you really think anyone would attack us this deep into Etherium? My parents are the reason more domes exist outside of this one. Anyone that would dare would be forfeiting their lives.”

Tiberius is rigid as I speak, his eyes following me.

“You put too much confidence in your people.”

I shrug, making my way to the backyard of my parent’s home. I haven’t been back here since the celebration in honor of my position. It feels like it was so long ago at this point. Especially now that I have barely done any work as an advisor. I’ve also caught up on all work involving the capital. At this point I have resorted to coming up with possible plans for Ethos should my brother ever reach out. I see now that going through the king will be impossible. My brother has full autonomy in Ethos and will be a much better judge of whether my plans are helpful.

As I step into the back, the sound of the distant waterfalls fills the air. I feel an immediate sense of calm wash over me as I take a seat in the cushions I’ve made into my work area for the night.

“You never stop, do you?”

I look up to see Tiberius coming to stand over me, concern lacing his expression. I place the maps onto the glass table leaning back in my seat.

“Stop what?” I ask.

He gestures to my surrounding area as he speaks.

“Working. It’s all you’ve done since I’ve known you.”

“Yes, and the only reason you know me is because the work that I do is important. So that should clear up your confusion.”

Tiberius walks around the table, coming closer to me in the process.

“But your king brushed off the most important and sent you away. Does that not make you want to relax a little?” he asks.

I smile at his naivete.

“Our world isn’t like the one you were raised in. It does not matter what the king does. Unless he revokes my position, I know how important what I do is for this place.”

I expect Tiberius to have a rebuttal but he doesn’t. I slowly lift my head from my work to see him watching me. His gaze is intense as he studies me, having an inner battle with himself as he always does.

“Speak. I know you want to,” I say. I try and act nonchalant in my command, but I am curious as to what it is he wants to say. I am slowly beginning to crave his words and opinions, as they are always unexpected and challenge me in ways I’ve never felt before.

“How do you do it?” he asks, coming closer. He laughs, shaking his head as he gestures to my work.

“I still can’t get my head around the test you did today. I knew the people of the king’s class were a step above but you…” he trails off, continuing to watch me.

To my shock, my heart starts to beat heavily against my chest, my cheeks growing warm as he speaks to me. I’ve never had a physical reaction to someone’s words before. The feeling is terrifying and exciting all at once.

“I just… I see now why your life is so important. I wasn’t assigned to you out of vanity. I see now what you meant when you told me I have honored my bloodline.”

Confusion washes over me at his words. He’s referring to the moment he was charged with my life. I told him what he had done was an honor. From that moment, he must have assumed I was a vain, self-righteous Etherian. I don’t know why he would think his assignment to my life is vain. It makes me wonder if that is where his hatred of me stems from. But as I study him, I cannot know. He is unreadable.

“Did they teach you this in the academy?” I ask.

“Teach me what?” he asks.

I gesture to his body.

“This way you carry yourself. Did the academy teach you to defend your thoughts and feelings from me?” I ask.

His eyes widen slightly, his stance shifting. My eyes follow the movement, and I can see that he is uncomfortable.

“Did they show you the ways to avoid my glare because they knew what it would entail for you? Someone who despises my kind?” I ask.

He doesn’t respond. He’s become stiller than a statue in this moment, refusing to move even an inch for fear of my gaze. I laugh, looking away from him to return to my work.

“Your silence says it all. It would be better for you to answer rather than let me speculate. You know how I am when I come to resolve.”

He thinks about his words, finally responding to me.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” he says.

Now I’m the one who doesn’t respond. He’s lying. I know he is. I’ve been around him long enough to understand his mannerisms even if he is shielding most of himself from me. But he is doing it on purpose, that is clear. I won’t let him know that I am aware of his lies, though. For the moment, it doesn’t feel like something I want to pursue. But I do make a mental note of it as it may be something I want to visit in the future.

* * * * *

Tiberius

I hate Etherium. Everything about it disgusts me. It’s a place built on supremacy and it festers in corruption. I am living proof of that corruption and the lengths it will go to hide itself from the world.

I look down at the sleeping woman in my arms. She’s worked herself to sheer exhaustion and isn’t even aware of it. Every night, she falls asleep at her desk, working. And every night I carry her to bed. This night is no different.

She represents everything that I hate about this place and more. She is arrogant, vain, and worst of all the most lacking emotional person I have ever encountered. She has said things to me that make my blood boil, her eyes holding no remorse. She is a product of this place, pure and simple.

But corruption hasn’t quite taken its hold on her. I smile as she stirs in my arms, her body unconsciously moving closer to mine. I always knew the members of the king’s class were of the highest standard. But it didn’t occur to me just how outside of my realm of understanding she is in particular until today. She allowed me to see the tests she takes every few months. Even I couldn’t understand what I was seeing. Her comprehension of information is that of a computer. She is the biggest threat to this world and my own. I am sure the king himself sees that. It is why he sent her away, so she won’t be privy to the corruption that has taken hold of this place. He doesn’t want her to grow self-aware of just how useless he is and how much better for this world she will be. And yet she still works herself to the bone for it.

I feel pity for her, something that I know will cost me in the future. It has already cost me more than she knows. They warned me about her abilities, but I didn’t quite believe it until today. Her gaze is eerie in itself, the way she studies you, understanding you in an instant. And I have let myself slip in her presence enough for her to be aware of my feelings about her kind. Yet she hasn’t cast me out like any other would. For some reason, she is letting herself grow close to me. The pity I feel for her deepens.

I know it will cost her in the future.