>Far below the observation deck of Octavia's personal flotilla, the city-planet of Canterlot glows like a sapphire sphere flecked through with veins of gold and alabaster
>The observation deck is filled with the calm, harmonious tones of her photo-cello, an instrument of hard light that projects mathematically perfect soundscapes when held in the hands of a master
>Octavia, few would contest, is such a master
>Her fingers dance easily over the laser-strings, carressing each one and bending it into a perfect blue-gray arc
>There are no other human beings aboard the ship to witness her practice
>When she finishes, a short round of applause sounds behind her
>Octavia turns in her seat, regarding her personal Multipurpose Autonumous Utility Droid (MAUD), who's attended her throughout her journey
"Did you appreciate it?"
>"Impressive performance, mistress."
>Octavia gives a curt nod
"Hmm, thank you.  More than enough to impress the Princess and her cohort, I hope."
>"I am quite certain they will be satisfied."
"That's reassuring, I suppose."
>Octavia ran through another short piece, only half-paying attention to what she was playing
>Regardless, the music would sound perfect to all but the most trained of ears
>When she finished, her MAUD clapped again
"Doesn't take much to impress you, does it love?"
>"I fail to understand the semantics of your statement.  But no, I suppose it does not."
>Octavia sighs
>She's spent nearly two weeks of travel with only the emotionless bio-robot for company, and she's found herself starting to resent Maud's heavily-lidded stare
>To experiment, she draws her filament-bow across the strings, bending them into discordant, ugly shapes and filling the flotilla's observation hub with an awful screeching racket
>Maud doesn't react; she neither shows disdain, nor does she applaud
"Hmm.  So you do have some semblence of taste."
>"I am able to discern when you are genuinely trying, mistress."
"It would seem so.  I suppose you're programmed to cheer me on regardless."
>"I applaud when I deem it would be appropriate to do so."
"Of course, of course.  My own one-woman cheerleading squad."
>Octavia deactivates her cello, and its image disappears into a hazy afterglow
"We'll be landing soon, I expect?"
>"We will."
"Make certain the ship makes it smoothly.  I'm going to draw myself a bath."
>Maud bows
>"Understood, mistress."
"And you will attend me with fresh towels when I'm finished?"
>"Of course."

>Octavia's bath soothed her as much as it could, though she still felt troubled as she stepped from the tub
>As promised, her MAUD stood just beyond, waiting obediently with a towel over one arm and a robe in the other
>Her face regarded Octavia blankly, waiting for instructions
>Maud's eyes trailed down to Octavia's feet, then back up to the musician's face
>"Is there anything else I can provide?"
"No.  Well..."
>Octavia took the towel slowly, scrutinizing the MAUD's cold expression
"What do you think of me?"
>"I regard you with utmost respect, mistress.  You are uniquely talented and have treated me exceptionally well."
"That's not quite what I mean."
>"I will ask you to be more specific.  I must be misunderstanding the semantics of your question."
"Yes, yes.  I mean, physically.  When you see me, what do you think?"
>"You seem presentable and in good health."
"And what about beauty?  Do you find me beautiful?  Or unpleasant?  Or anything?"
>"I believe you are quite attractive, mistress."
"I know you do.  You're probably designed to.  But do you actually *feel* anything when you look at me?  Anything?"
>"I feel satisfaction for having adequately met your needs.  Have I failed in any aspect?"
"No, as always, you've been absolutely perfect.  Too perfect."
>"Are you requesting that I begin making mistakes?"
"You..."
>Octavia shut her eyes, calming the frustrating rearing up in her
>As she pulled on the room, she turned away from Maud and began walking towards her personal quarters
"No, that's not what I'm saying.  Thank you, Maud.  Inform the Princess's guard we'll be docking soon."
>"Understood, mistress."
>Octavia paused
"Please, no more 'mistress' talk.  It feels so... uncouth."
>"Is there a different form of address you would prefer?"
"My name should be fine."
>"Understood, Lady Melody."
>Octavia's lips stretched in a rye smile
"Well, it's a start."

>The show, as Octavia had predicted, was a resounding success
>Her performance was technically grand and full of sweeping emotion, with mistakes so minor even a virtuoso of the instrument would have strained to hear them
>Afterwards, she found herself invited to the Princess's personal pleasure gardens, where fauna from a hundred different worlds bloomed in shimmering purples, pinks, and whites
>Fountains of crystal water poured out from statues carved to honor princesses past, and various bio-droids carried trays laden with snacks and designer-cocktails that probably cost nearly as much as a full starship
>Octavia stood between throngs of galactic nobles, all of them clad in outfits of garish colors, plumes, and coattails that had to be held by their own assistant droids
>She had thrown back several cocktails already, in an attempt to make things more bearable
>But she's only managed to make herself dizzy and slightly irritable
>Maud stood off to the side, nestled between two trees hung with dimly glowing vines, her model not considered presentable enough for company
"If you'll excuse me," Octavia said to nobody in particular.  "I need a moment to speak with my servant."
>Many polite words of agreement met her, and Octavia motioned for Maud to meet her deeper in the gardens
>The two convened at the base of a fountain, depicting in an ancient Terran fashion the first of the legendary Trixie clone-warriors, standing proud and Amazonian atop a quartz pedestal
>Octavia sat down heavily at the base of the statue, letting out an exhausted sigh
>Immediately, Maud was at her side
>"Is there anything I can bring you, Lady Melody?"
"No, I'm fine.  Sit with me a minute."
>Maud obeyed, keeping a polite one-foot distance between her and her owner
"They're unbearable," Octavia said, gesturing towards the party
>"You appeared to be enjoying yourself.  Should I inform them you are feeling unwell?"
"No, no."
>Octavia kicked glumly at the ground
"I'll rejoin in a minute.  I just need a break."
>"You find their company unappealing," Maud said
>It was a statement, not a question
"Yes."
>"Is there any way I can improve your experience?"
"Hmph.  Become a better conversationalist, perhaps."
>"Unfortunately, my design specifications focus primarily on physical tasks.  I am not designed for companionship."
"I'm the last one you need to tell that, love," Octavia said with a dry chuckle.  "Still, I suppose you're all I'll have for a *very* long ride home."
>"I can request they supply you with a different model," Maud said, with no hint of shame
"I think not.  Strange as it is, I've grown a little fond of you.  Guess it's inevitable, you're the only company I've had for weeks."
>"I see.  Thank you, mistress."
>Maud bowed, respectfully
"Does it hurt you?  That they don't let you join us?"
>"No."
"Why not?"
>"It's not an environment I'm designed for.  I would not expect to be invited."
"It makes sense, I suppose.  Still, you don't feel even a little bad?"
>"I'm afraid my answer to this question will once again be disappointing."
"You must feel *something*.  You talk like you can feel.  Isn't there anything in there?"
>Octavia reached out and gently tapped Maud's breast bone
>"A human heart.  Lab-grown and augmented by 50% capacity."
"I think they might have lost something in the process."
>"I understand you're being metaphorical.  I'm afraid such a conversation is outside my--"
"I don't care about your parameters.  Humor me for a minute, love."
>Octavia stretched out and rested her hand on her servant's arm
"This garden, what happens inside you when you look at it?"
>"My metabolic process continue as normal.  I understand this is your current environment, and attempt to analyze what needs may occur here."
"But?"
>Octavia tapped Maud's chest again
"In here.  Internally.  Analyze what's going on inside yourself."
>Maud blinked twice, processing that
>"Internally, I slow down.  My processes occur at a slower, more comfortable rate."
"You feel calm."
>"That sounds accurate."
"And when you see me?"
>"My processes begin to accelerate.  I dedicate all available resources to making sure I am adequately serving you."
>Octavia let out a spontaneous, slightly drunken giggle, which came out far louder than she would have liked
"You know, in a weird way, it's almost like you love me."
>"I believe love is something that is purposefully left out of my conditioning."
"Hmm, perhaps.  Still, I wonder..."
>Octavia, seized by a sudden impulse and uninhibited thanks to the alcohol seeping into her blood, took Maud's chin in her hand
"How would you feel... if I..."
>She leaned in, tilted Maud's face up slightly, and kissed her
>The android's lips immediately conformed gently to the shape of Octavia's, not resisting the kiss, but not quite returning it either
>Octavia sat back up straight, wiping her mouth
>Maud blinked twice, and it was a few seconds before she answered
>"Most of my metabolic processes have accelerated.  Despite this, I am having a great amount of difficulty thinking."
>Octavia chuckled
"So you do feel something."
>"I suppose I do.  But it is hard for me to discern what."
>Maud raised a hand to her lips
"Is it something good?"
>"I believe it made you happy.  So, as per my conditioning, yes it is."
"But about you?  Is it good in here?"
>Octavia scooted closer, until she was resting up against her android, and tapped Maud's chest
"In here.  Is it good?"
>Maud considered for a moment
>"I have reason to believe it is."
"Good.  Do you want another one?" Octavia asked coyly
>Maud hesitated
>Octavia placed a hand on the small of the android's back, feeling the genetically honed muscle just beneath her tunic and smooth, blemishless skin
>"My conditioned response would be to ask whether *you* want to continue kissing.  But I anticipate you want me to decide without regard for your feelings.  You've placed me into a minor paradox."
"I will be happy if your decision is yours."
>Maud closed her eyes
>A single bead of sweat rolled down her cheek
>"I believe I would like to continue, if it pleases you, Lady Melody."
"It would."
>Octavia was so close to Maud now that she hardly had to lean in to kiss the android again
>Her mouth teased at her servant's lips, trying to see how Maud would react to different shapes of kissing; when Octavia boldly slipped her tongue into the android's mouth, Maud accepted it with only a split-second's hesitation
>She was unsure how to react, but allowed Octavia to taste her mouth, even parting her lips to help her mistress's tongue explore more easily
>Octavia put a hand to the back of Maud's head and pressed their faces together
>Her tongue teased as the tip of Maud's own, trying to tease it into her mouth
>Maud, sensitive as she was to her mistress's desires, followed, and somewhat clunkily began to taste Octavia's lips, then teeth, and then to allow her own tongue to swirl against Octavia's
>When they broke apart, Octavia was panting
>Maud showed no signs of having changed, at least outwardly
>But Octavia was close enough to the android to feel Maud's heart hammering in her chest, and to feel the warm flush creeping into Maud's skin
>"My internal processes are going haywire."
"That's what's supposed to happen."
>Maud touched the android's face
"And what do you want now?"
>"To continue.  As long as my mistress is comfortable."
"She very much is..."
>This time, Octavia didn't initiate the kiss; not quite, at least
>She inched her mouth forward until it was barely a finger's breadth away from Maud's, then stopped, and let the android come to meet her herself
>Gently, the two girls shared their third kiss...
>"Lady melody!" came a sudden shout from the edge of the clearing
>Both girls broke their kiss, looking up in alarm
>There, standing on the garden's path, was Prince Blueblood, flanked by several lesser nobles and his own entourage of designer androids
>It was impossible that he hadn't just seen the kiss happen
>An expression of stunned horror twisted Blueblood's face, and was mirrored in the faces of his companions
>Octavia jumped to her feet, waving her hands
"Wait!  It's not what it looks like, I can--"
>She staggered, and the elegant high heels she'd worn for her performance slipped on the slippery cobblestones, sending her sprawling to the ground
>Her forehead collided against the ground with a ringing impact that made her see stars
>"The android assaulted Lady Melody!" Blueblood shouted, astonished
>Immediately, combat drones seemed to melt out from the trees, running to Octavia's aid
>They positioned themselves on all sides of her while two more grabbed Maud and threw her to the ground
>The android hit the cobblestones with a painful, meaty thud
"Wait, no, no," Octavia muttered
>She felt dizzy and slightly sick, and a warm trickle down the side of her face was probably blood, not helping the situation at all
>The last thing she saw before she blacked out was Maud being roughly beaten by armored figures and then dragged away, limp and unresisting

>She emerged from unconsciousness sluggishly, blinking as her surroundings swam into view
>Above her, soft white glow-orbs floated near a plain tile ceiling
>Beneath herself, Octavia was conscious of a thin mattress, and an ambient buzzing coming from several shiny metallic instruments was the only sound audible, aside from her own breathing
>She sat up slowly, wincing at the pain in her head
>Gingerly, she raised a hand and felt the gauze-weave patch affixed right over her right eye
>The wound tingled slightly as medi-gel stimulated the skin to knit back together, but no amount of gel could cure this headache
>Octavia held her head in her hands, and allowed the memories to return to her
>Maud!
>She felt both guilt and shame twist inside her
>Why had she kissed her own bioroid?
>Not only was any sort of coupling with bioroids hugely taboo, it had also gotten her servant killed, most likely
>Wait, not killed, Octavia corrected herself
>Dismantled, or terminated
>Bioroids couldn't be "killed" in the way a human being would
>There would always be more MAUDs available for purchase, all of them functionally identical to the model she had lost
>But, of course, they wouldn't be the same...
>Octavia found herself not believing what she was saying, even though all of this was common knowledge

>She was still dressed in the elegant performance robes, though they had been slightly scuffed in her fall
>Her shoes were missing, though, and so she padded down the halls barefoot on the freezing ceramic tiles
>At the far end of the halls, an attendant bioroid stood near the door
>It was another MAUD
>Octavia's throat caught when she saw the droid
>The features were the same
>"Lady Melody," the MAUD said.  "It is good to see you have recovered enough to walk.  But I highly suggest you return to--"
"I feel quite alright," Octavia interrupted.  "I wish to know the status of my servant."
>"I'm afraid I don't possess that information."
"Who does?"
>The MAUD considers for a moment
>"Likely, if she hasn't been recycled already, she will be held in the storage facilities of the servants' quarters."
"Excellent.  Thank you."
>"I still cannot recommend leaving."
"Yes, but you also can't stop me, am I correct?"
>"I suppose not, but--"
"Then excuse me."
>Octavia pushed past the MAUD, emerging into a small elevator hub, only a short ride from the exit

>Outside, rain poured down from heavy gray clouds, running in clean rivulets down the alabaster walls and glowing silver streets of Canterlot's richest district
>There was no dirt anywhere to become mud, and so Octavia's feet splashed through clean water as she stepped out to summon herself a chauffeur
>When it arrived, the driver gave her a strange look
>"My lady, are you feeling well?"
"Fine.  Take me to the servants' quarters."
>"An unusual request, but I live to obey."

>The ride was a quick one, and when it arrived, Octavia gathered her wet, wrinkled robes around herself and tried to maintain as much dignity as she could as she headed inside
>Regardless of her appearance, pristinely dressed Cooperative Companion (CoCo) droids bowed and rushed to attend to her
>Octavia waved them away
"I'm searching for my MAUD."
>"My lady, we are preparing her for analysis.  The glitch that allowed her to attack you must be prevented in the future.  We truly cannot apologize--"
"I hold no grudge.  I wish to examine her myself.  Please, show me to her."
>The CoCo's hurried to obey, even bringing her towels and a pair of silk slippers as they lead her inside

>The bioroid hub was quite different in style from the opulent, gilded interiors of the Canterlot nobility
>Everything was unpainted metal and raw riveting-- Octavia supposed that bioroids weren't conditioned to care too much about the beauty of their surroundings
>She padded down into the basement with attendants flanking her, then found herself led into a long, industrial hallway
>Exposed piping and cables ran over her head, occasionally hissing with puffs of steam
>On either side of her, small cells were placed evenly along each wall, each held closed with a matrix of hard-light mesh
>"We apologize for the state of this place, my lady," one CoCo said.  "It is hardly suiting for one of your stature."
"I'm not here for vacation.  Ah, there she is..."
>Octavia swallowed hard, then approached a cell near the far end of the hall
>Behind the mesh, sitting cross-legged on the floor, was her MAUD
>Though she was functionally identical to nearly all other MAUD's, Octavia recognized the look in her eyes when Maud raised her head
>"Mistress."
"Hello, Maud."
>"I cannot apologize enough."
"Don't try."
>Octavia waved her attendants away
"I want to be alone with her."
>The CoCo attendants shot her questioning looks, then backed slowly out of the room
>There was no furniture in the room, so Octavia knelt on the floor; the feeling of cold metal beneath her knees was bracing, a kind of hardy discomfort she'd never experienced before
>She shivered as the chilly atmosphere began to seep into her skin
>Maud leaned forward ever so slightly; even now, she thought only of seeing to Octavia's needs
"Don't try to apologize to me," Octavia repeated.  "Because you don't need to.  I did this to you."
>"No, my lady, no fault lies with--"
"Spare me the canned responses.  You know this happened only because of my damned curiosity."
>Maud didn't know how to answer that
>She cast her eyes at the ground
"It was maddening, weeks in space with only an emotionless droid.  I wanted to find something inside you.  And I did.  And now they're going to kill you for it."
>"Not kill, my lady, only--"
"No.  Kill."
>Octavia sighed
"There are feelings in you.  Blunted, but they're there."
>Maud shakes her head
>"Please, my lady.  I have accepted my fate.  If I may make a request, I ask that you do not make this difficult for me."
"I... I see."
>Octavia's knees were beginning to ache from the metal floor beneath them, but she accepted the pain, remaining unmoving
>Maud was watching her now, her eyes as passive as ever
>But there was something profoundly sad behind them, Octavia could see
>Whatever she'd awakened in her android wasn't going to be snuffed out
>If she were to be dismantled, killed, whatever, Octavia was 100% sure that Maud would suffer for every second of the process
>The thought of that made her sick
>"My lady, there is no reason for you to remain with me.  Your curiosity has been sated.  I am happy, and I will accept my fate."
"Well, I'm not happy."
>Maud hangs her head
>"I apologize."
"I won't let them take you."
>"I... do not understand."
>Octavia stood and called to her attendants
>The droids ran to her again, their identical features uncertain
>"My lady?  Is there something we can do for you?"
"Yes.  Release this one."
>"Release?  My lady, that would be--"
"I do not believe she presents me any threat.  And I will need a droid for my return home."
>"We will be happy to present you with a new one.  There even is an upgraded model, we're referring to her as LIME--"
"I wish to keep this one.  She holds a lot of valuable information for me."
>"I..."
>The droid swallowed
>"I am afraid I do not have the authority for such an action."
"Then who does?" Octavia snapped
>"The director should.  But, my lady, we really believe it will be best if we simply provided you with a new--"
"I wish to keep my original model.  Please arrange an audience for me with the director."
>The attendant bowed, and ran off
>Octavia turned back to Maud, who continued to stare at her, flat and unblinking as ever
>"That was foolish."
"I agree.  But I haven't made many smart decisions lately.  I find I rather enjoy it."
>Octavia touched her hand to the hard-light mesh
"You won't die in here.  I can't promise you much, but I won't allow it to come to that."
>Maud lifted her head
>Slowly, she rose to her feet, and gently touched her hand to the mesh as well, separated from Octavia's by only millimeters of static energy

>The director regarded Octavia coldly from behind a mahogany desk, her hands steepled in front of her face
>She was a young woman, likely younger than Octavia herself by several years, but her eyes had a cold, steely look to them
>Her hair was a bluish silver, and drawn into ornate tails that ran down past her shoulders and nearly to her hips, curling at the bottom
>"I understand you wish to reclaim the MAUD we assigned to you."
"Yes."
>"You understand, of course, that this android is not your property.  It was a loan from my own organization."
"I will compensate you, plus extra for the trouble."
>The director tapped her fingertips together
>"It's not the money that concerns me.  It's our institute's own reputation.  If I'm not mistaken, you have engaged in intimate activities with your servant, yes?"
>Octavia's cheeks flushed
"Not *that* intimate."
>"Your answer is extremely telling."
"I'm merely asking to keep this android.  One MAUD, surely she can't mean much to you."
>"No.  It doesn't."
>The director leaned forward ever so slightly
>"What concerns me is the threat of seeing one of our droids caught up in a love affair with Canterlot nobility.  This is not something that will reflect well on my superiors, or our organization."
"There will be no relationship.  I merely wish to keep her as I did before."
>"Hmm.  Than you understand your MAUD is property, yes?"
"Of... of course."
>"It is a thing.  One does not love things."
"I never said I loved her."
>"Then why go to all this trouble?"
"Because..."
>Behind her glasses, the director raised an eyebrow
"...because it feels right to me.  Her company is pleasant."
>"We can easily assign you an identical droid.  Why keep this one?"
>Octavia could sense the director trying to bait her into a trap
"As I said, I am fond of this one.  She knows my needs well."
>"Aha."
>A tiny smile played on the director's lips
"Not *those* needs."
>"Then what needs?"
"I feel comfortable around her.  I suppose, in a strange way, I've grown to see her as a... friend."
>"We do produce models designed specifically for companionship."
"But those aren't the ones I want.  I want her.  My MAUD.  Name your price."
>The director smirked
>"I would say you've nearly paid it."
>She tapped a button beneath her desk, and the doors slid open, revealing Maud standing just outside them
>Octavia's eyes went wide
"You were there the whole time?  Did you hear..."
>Maud nods
>Octavia might have imagined it, but she was certain she could see a silver tear glistening in the droid's eye
>She tore her gaze away from Maud and focused on the director
"I would like an explanation."
>The director still held that same small, knowing smile
>"I understand something of what you are feeling.  Which is why I have one more, small price to ask of you."
"And what is that?"
>The director clicked a second button, and a disguised panel along the wall slid away, revealing a CoCo droid standing with her hands clasped
>She was dressed differently than the others, wearing only a pretty yellow sun-dress instead of the maid-to-order frilly costumes her kind were normally known for
>"Um, hello," she said, obviously nervous
>The director held out her hand, and the Coco obediently stepped up next to her and slipped her hand into her mistress's
>Their fingers intertwined, and the director gave her CoCo's hand a small squeeze
>"I ask only for your secrecy.  And for your guarantee that, if I entrust this MAUD to you, you will care for her."
"Of course I will," Octavia said, stunned
>She glanced between the director and her... girlfriend?... unsure what to make of this
>The CoCo gave her nervous smile
>"It's wonderful to see you in person, Lady Melody," she said.  "I'm a really, really big fan."
>"Aah," the director said.  "Forgive me, I must append our deal."
"Append how?" Octavia asked, wary
>The director slid a crystal scribe-slate across to Octavia
>"I'm afraid I must insist that you autograph this for her."

>Octavia never thought she would be so happy to be on this shuttle
>Almost immediately, she made her way towards the washroom, thinking only of a long, hot, soapy bath
>Maud followed behind her, and immediately went off to grab towels and shampoo
"Actually," Octavia called out after her, "why don't you join me, for once?"
>"Join you, my lady?"
"Yes.  You've been mistreated far more than me by these past days.  That cell was filthy."
>Maud considered that
>"I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to wash.  But I would hate to impose."
"I insist," Octavia said, and beckoned for Maud to follow
>Together, they undressed, and Octavia slid into the water wish a sharp gasp of relief
"Ah, how I needed this..." she muttered
>Maud stepped to the edge of the bath, and Octavia beheld her servant's body for the first time
>She was pure muscle from head-to-toe, with only the bare minimum of body-fat, leaving her looking sleek and steely
>She also, shall we say, anatomically correct, though not a single body-hair was anywhere to be found below her head
>All over, her skin was the same pale grey
"You know," Octavia said.  "I've been so preoccupied with you noticing my beauty, that I think I may have missed yours."
>Maud blinked, and raised a hand to her chest
"Do you feel something?"
>"Yes.  Heat.  Concentrated here."
"That's how I hoped you'd feel.  Now come in, please."
>Maud hesitantly stepped into the water, settling in across from Octavia
"I hope you won't mind if we pick up where we left off."
>"I would not deny you that, Lady Melody."
>Maud considered for a moment
>"And I would like it for myself, too."
"That is exactly what I was hoping to hear.  Now, how about we see what needs *you* have that haven't been met."

End