A calm week

Over the course of the next week, Emi slowly comes back to herself. You can tell that she’s been doing a lot of thinking, but she never lets it drag the rest of you down. You spend as much of your free time as you can with her, even if it’s something as simple as sitting together on the couch. Lili helps as well, the irrepressible harpy always able to draw a smile with her own happiness.

As for yourself, you’re doing some thinking of your own. The more you think about CompanionCorp, the more you dislike what they’ve done. Even excluding the treatment of Emi and the other so called ‘rejects’, the way they’ve treated Hybrids as pets and fashion accessories doesn’t sit right with you. Somehow, though, it seems like yours is a minority opinion. Everything you see online and in person seems to point to general acceptance of Hybrids as lesser than humans.

Fortunately, that does mean that no one questions Lili being with you. Though she gets some odd looks when people see her markings, which she generally displays proudly even when she’s wearing clothes, the worst you see is usually an eye roll or sidelong glance. It seems like word is getting out as to the meaning of the marks, and Lili is hardly one to hide her personality. She has no qualms with public displays of affection, and if you’re honest with yourself, you don’t mind it either.

You have several conversations with Sam over the course of the week, both via text and phone. You explain the situation with Emi, and Sam is completely understanding. She also shares your concerns about CompanionCorp, but you both agree that there’s little that you can do at the moment. Sam is much more active online than you are, however, and she shares her findings with you as often as she can. It’s unsurprising that she’s able to find a group of people with similar concerns, and, with your permission, she shares your story with them.

All in all, things seem to return to relative normalcy, and by the end of the week, everyone is in high spirits. The biggest news is that you receive an invite to a local ‘Hybrid Club’, where people can bring their Hybrids to meet and talk. It seems a bit odd, but apparently your coworkers will be there as well, with Jane having been the one to send the invitation.

You initially aren’t planning to go, but both Lili and Emi seem enthusiastic about the idea. Lili seems excited to meet other Hybrids, and promises to be on her best behavior, something you’re sure she’ll forget within moments of arriving. Emi, meanwhile, welcomes the opportunity to meet more people. She proposes joining you as your girlfriend, and her interest is what tips the scales and convinces you to go.

They both seem excited when you agree, and the resulting affection makes it all worthwhile.