The Latter.

I had already spoken with a member of the Polite Society, and mayhaps I could gain more Insight conversing with the more Common folk, should they be of such standing. "The second I think," I said to my staff, "but prepare a List for the former as well."

"As you wish Sir," Howard replied. His brow furrowed and his lips pursed for some time, possibly in thought. "Off the top of my head," he said finally, "I know of the Hongs, the Garniers, the Saetangs, ... and a few more that slip my mind at the moment."

I grunted my thanks to him. "And are any of them similar to Ms. Mevan and Samuel?"

"Black man and White woman, you mean?" Gloria added, speaking bluntly. I frowned, but nodded. "Hm... There's Isiah Anderson and Megan Wilson. He's been a Free Man for... almost a Decade now, if that makes any difference, Sir."

"It may or may not, I haven't quite decided yet," I replied, sinking into my seat. "Howard, could you pen a Message to them, asking when would be an appropriate time for me to pay a visit?" He nodded that he would do so, and both he and Gloria took their leave to attend to their duties.

As I sat alone, I pondered upon Race.

My predecessors would have once turned their noses up to the notion of even mingling with those considered beneath them, and that was not based upon the color of one's skin. They were, and some still are, bound to the idea of Class and proper Breeding and Standing to be the defining markers of Nobility. They would not even deign to speak with their gardener if he were one of the Common folk.

The Great Bard's line, "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" comes to mind. Black, White, Yellow, or Tan, the Human species all bear blood of the same shade of Red. But that could be said of all living Creatures.

What of Civilizations then? It is not only the Whites who had designs to rule the World. In my Travels and Readings, I have come across mention of Great Empires, spanning from one end of the known World to the other. I had never heard of any Black ruled Empire or Kingdom before, but that is not to say that one had never existed.

Perhaps I should give this Samuel a chance. He may not know much about his kind's history, but what he may provide me with is an opportunity to understand the World as he sees it. What other stories he might tell. Stories of a life under a whip.

A dull pain in my back announced itself, and **** me to my feet. As I stretched, the clock sounded. Looking upon it, I discovered that I had been practically immobile for the better part of three hours. Letting out a breath, I looked to my schedule, to see if I had any pressing matters that needed attending to.