"Mmm?" Her response sounded somewhere between a groan and croak.
"Are you awake?"
"I am now," Mericlou replied, voice slurred and groggy. She realized that the one talking to her was Sedriil.
Well, at least it wasn't Alaema this time, she thought, propping herself upon her elbows. She turned toward the sliver of light that shone through the crack in her door. "You usually don't wake me up, brother. Is something wrong?"
"I just wanted to know … is it true what you said about the elf?" Sedriil asked hesitantly. "Are you really going to see him again? I'm sorry I woke you up for that, but I was just … you know, curious."
Mericlou smiled. She was surprised, and even amused that a shy, logical Kespar model like little brother Sedriil would ask her such a question.
"Well, he did ask me to see him again," she admitted. She felt her face tingle at the thought, making her thankful that the lights were off. "And besides, he's a historian. You know how much that fascinates me." "That's true," Sedriil said, but in an unusual tone that piqued Mericlou's curiousity.
"What's wrong, brother?" She asked. "You're not one to disturb me unless it's important. Is something about this bothering you?"
"Well, not really," Sedriil said, evasive at first. "It's just that … well, I think you should be careful with him. If you want the complete truth, I had a premonition … I think."
"Sedriil, we're androids. We don't get premonitions," Mericlou said pointedly. "Maybe you need to lay off all that wraith work on the Orb Network."
"Well, I know my feelings, Meri," Sedriil said. "And I know it's not logical, but premonition or not, I still think you should be careful."
"Oh, all right," Mericlou sighed, lying back down. "But you remember what we agreed on earlier: not a word of my seeing this elf again to Alaema, or I have a 'premonition' that Skori will be soldering your limbs back on. You understand me?"
"Don't worry," Sedriil said before closing the door. "Your secret's safe with me. Pleasant dreams, sister."
Mericlou yawned. "Goodnight," she said, not bothering to remind him that androids did not have dreams either.
Now she was the one who was being too logical.
***
A pair of golden eyes glinted at Aldrec from the dark.
Does something trouble you, friend?