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"But he's an elf," Mericlou said "You, of all people know they are; look at how they feel about huet involved with them romantically' They really hate that; you know this just as well as anyone"

"It's true that so in love with humans," Noroa admitted, "but some aren't like that"

"Some may not be," Mericlou retorted, "butinvolved with humans, then think about how they'd feel about androids They never treated other races with disrespect, not even us, because they revere life … or at least that's what Aldrec told me … but they do patronize humans, and I've never heard of an elf that fell for an android"

"Has it ever occurred to you that Aldrec ht be different?" Noroa said "Most elves don't know androids personally And et to know us But Aldrec … he strikes even me as different"

"That he is," Mericlou said, bemused at the memories all the tihter, the occasional crude jokes, and indulgence in food that , like steak and dark ale "In fact, 'different' is the perfect word to describe hihty or aloof like most other elves are And on the whole, he behaves … way too 'huhed deeply "I've never seen another elf like his for hi over to stroke Needles' soft fur coat and tickle her nose "And I think that you knohat to do, Meri All you need now is to do it"

She went back into the aparthts

I … just don't know, she debated within herself, sulking unabashedly on the edge of the porch railing I won't deny that Noroa's probably right, but I think I', kind face, his laugh, his constant air of joy and peace he practically radiated when around her … And for once, she was thankful that no one was around to see her blush … …And then cry

"I should've told her right then and there," Aldrec said, hed heavily, frustrated at the memory