Issue 1 Downtime

After introducing Emily to Onyx and explaining the situation, Onyx had requested some time alone with the girl. After nearly fifteen minutes of talking with her privately, Onyx emerged from the room with a frown.

"I will be right back," Onyx assured Emily. Then she closed the door and sighed.

"Penny for your thoughts," Will said, who had been lurking around outside.

"That... sounds like it could have gone better."

"I am more than happy to share my thoughts for free, ma'am," Onyx says to Will.

"It was...disturbing, ma'am. I have concerns about that girl."

"What sort of concerns?"

"It is hard to explain," Onyx says. "She is not very stable. At times she believes she is a slave. Other times, she acts like a normal girl. I do not think even she knows what she is."

"I thought she was just trying to fit in..."

"No. It is likely the result of not fully integrating the behavioral imprints used for control," Onyx says, "She is a broken thing."

"It is very pitiful, ma'am."

"What do you mean, broken?!" Will said, a little taken aback.

"She has conflicting ideas competing for dominance in her head," Onyx says, "It is causing her considerable anxiety. She believes that she needs to find a Master or Mistress and be obedient, but she also wants freedom. She wants both lives at the same time and it has driven her completely 'nanners."

"Pardon the expression."

"Can we help her somehow?"

"I am not sure," Onyx says. "But I would like to try."

"I suppose we have SOME experience going through this sort of thing," Will frowned.

"I do not wish to impose, ma'am," Onyx says, "She is my responsibility."

"After everything you've done for us it's the least we can do."

Onyx smiles, "Thank you, ma'am. It means a lot."

"In the mean time, I think it would be best if she stayed with me."

"I'll pull a few strings, but there aren't many springs to pull -- I'm sure Sam will make that happen."

"Good," Onyx says, sounding relieved, "That's good."

"Is there something WE can do to make her more comfortable?

I...don't like what she says's been done to her."

"Like what?" Onyx asks, cocking her head to one side.

"Cages. Separation. Loneliness.

Hits too close to home."

"I completely understand, ma'am," Onyx says, "I am just not sure what more we can do. I will admit that I may not be the best person to speak on this matter though."

Will nodded, clearly less than happy with the situation.

"She needs friends. Better friends. And she seemed excited about meeting you, you're probably family to her. So staying with you is probably a good idea so she has a place to call home. You're her mom. Or big sister. You've been great with Robin, I'm sure you can be there for her too."

"I am not sure how helpful I will actually be," Onyx admits. "I am not exactly a standard for a normal and well-adjusted lifestyle."

"Yeah, like any of us here are," Will scoffed.

"Exactly! And you'll be familiar for her. You said she was partially... imprinted or instructed, right? You can understand that part of her better than anyone else. And on the other hand she can see how others at the school are doing and have examples for a more... 'normal' life. Relatively speaking."

"It can not be any worse than what they would do to her back in Madripoor."