“I expect there will be fierce debates from both sides, not just from those afraid of change. Lots of people like you and are looking forward to meeting more newsouls.” Armande patted my shoulder fondly. “If nothing else, the next few months will give you an idea of whom to avoid.”
I hated knowing this was something I had to do, not only for myself but for other newsouls. “At least when policies are finally made, we’ll know what kind of things to watch out for. Like if they say it’s legal to throw rocks at us. I think I still have a bruise from the last one.”
Armande didn’t laugh.
“Ana!” Cris towered above the crowd, features sharp in the near-winter sunlight as he moved toward us.
I waved.
“I didn’t realize you knew Cris,” Armande said, voice low and tinged with something I couldn’t identify. Memories? The past? Definitely something he didn’t want to tell me.
“We met him at Purple Rose Cottage when he was on his way back here.” I took another sip of my coffee as Cris approached and sat on the other side of me, placing a rose across my knees. Velvety indigo petals shivered in the breeze, and settled as I brushed my fingers up to the tips. It was the same kind of rose I’d tended in Purple Rose Cottage, though the thorns had been clipped off this one. “Where did you get this?”
He cocked his head, shadowing his expression. “I didn’t abandon them all.”
Oh, right. Like I’d accused him of doing. “I’m glad to hear that. I didn’t realize you’d kept growing them.”
“It’s not something someone stops doing just because other people don’t agree about color.”
“Technology didn’t agree either,” said Armande. “They tested whether the color registered more red—like purple—or blue.”
Cris smiled. “What do you think, Ana? Blue or purple?”
I held up my hands, torn between being stunned and pleased someone had asked my opinion. “I’m not getting into this.” My chuckle came out high and shaky. “This is clearly an inflammatory topic, and I think it’s safer not to have an opinion.”
Cris laughed. “Very well. I was more curious whether you’d like to continue gardening. You’ve been taking lessons from everyone, right? Are you still interested in roses?”
I nodded toward the southwestern residential quarter. “I’ve been tending the roses at Sam’s house. It’s not nearly as involved as what you’re used to, I’m sure, but I enjoy it.”
“That’s good to hear.” He motioned toward the rose still on my lap. “Were you interested in learning more about the genetics and how to begin projects like these roses? We’ve actually learned a lot about human genetics by breeding plants to see what traits pass on.”
That was something I didn’t want to hear about—how carefully the Council and geneticists decided who could and couldn’t have children. Maybe I was only sensitive to it because I was new, or maybe they’d become desensitized after living with the awkwardness for millennia.
But since I was interested in the first part—making new kinds of roses and things that required more gardening knowledge—I said, “Sure. I need to check my schedule to see what days are free. Last week I had to learn about automated sewer maintenance. Soon I’ll be accompanying Stef and a few others into a mine to rescue a broken drone. I’m supposed to help fix it.” I made a face. More than likely, I’d be holding a flashlight.
“Gardening won’t be quite as physically exhausting as that.”
“You can’t trick me. I’ve fought weeds before.” I fondled the rose petals, soft against my fingertips peeking out from my mitts. It was just like the roses from the cottage, even the sweet scent. “We usually go to lessons in the afternoon, unless another time is better for you.”
“We? Sam goes too?” He raised an eyebrow.
I frowned. “Is that not okay? The Council makes him report everything.” Plus, it was nice having him around in case we ran across someone like Merton—not that I would admit that out loud.
“It’s fine.” His expression had darkened, though. “I just didn’t realize Sam accompanied you. But please call when you’re ready to schedule.”
“Thanks. I look forward to it.” I offered back the indigo rose, but he shook his head.
“That’s for you.” With a quick smile, he headed off, almost lost in the crowd again, except he was so much taller than everyone. Did he have to duck to get through doorways? How did someone even get that tall? I stared enviously as he vanished behind a crumbling statue of someone riding a horse.
Armande shifted his weight and hmmed. “That was kind of odd.”
“I agree. Why would he just give me a rose when people are supposed to pay for them?” Maybe he’d request payment during the lesson, or hint at Sam later since I, of course, had no credit.
A dark figure appeared around the Councilhouse, hair tousled as he scanned the thinning crowd for me.
I placed the rose and my coffee on the bench and met Sam halfway. He hugged me so tightly my feet lifted off the ground, and then he pressed his mouth against my neck.