Yasta has never been here. She’s only heard about it. It was nothing like she pictured. She only went on stories and text books from the En4cement Academy. The door opened and Esepha walked out of the hovercraft. Yasta didn’t. Esepha looked at her with slight confusion as she didn’t get out of the vehicle.

“Come in. I want you to see something.” Yasta walked up behind Esepha to the front door of the mansion. The doors themselves looked more expensive then some apartments in the city. Esepha took out her key, the same one she used in the elevator, and unlocked the door. Yasta was shocked at how simple the inside was when she first saw it.

They walked into the living room where they saw a woman on the couch watching TV. The living room had basic living features. A couch, TV, radio, etc. But they were the top of the line versions. It was basic but lavish at the same time.

“Where is everyone?” Esepha said to the woman on the couch.

“Now that’s no way to treat a Second Hand.” She said back without looking at Esepha. She just stared at the TV.

“I think that the fact that I’m a leader of an operation means I get free speech for who ever I’m talking to.” Esepha said with slight snap in her voice. The woman found that snap in her voice and retaliated.

“I don’t think you know where you’re going with this, honey.”
Esepha knew. The other woman didn’t know. She got up and saw Yasta. “Who’s this and who did you steal her from?”

“This is Ms. Yasta Zinesburg and I didn’t steal her. She number fifty in my Top Fifty.”

This woman was a b***h to Yasta. Making snappy comebacks to the leader when she herself was a Second Hand. She didn’t care.

“Hello. Miss.” Yasta said to her.

“Miss? I’m flattered but insulted. Well let’s get introductions out of the way. My name is Rend Zizard. Second Hand of Black Shadow.”

Yasta was confused. How is ‘Miss’ insulting to some one as womanly as this. She clearly lacked the obvious ‘features’ that women had but it was a little obvious she was of the female gender. Her shoulder length wavy blond hair, long eye lashes, voice, the lipstick, and her clothing were something no man would ever wear.

“You look confused.” Rend said. “Alright I’ll get it out of the way so you can feel a little more comfortable.” She said trying to break the ice. But what she said was unexpected “I’m a cross-dresser. Think of me as a male lesbian in some ways. I like girls. But hate men’s clothing. This is just so much more comfortable for me.”

Comfortable? That was the furthest thing from Yasta’s mind. It looked like the most terrible things the mind can endure occur when with Esepha. Yasta tried her best not to laugh but she couldn’t help it. It just seemed too crazy to believe.

“Do whatever you want honey you know I look good.” Rend said snapping his fingers with those rose colored finger nails. Esepha was used to this but Yasta wasn’t. She was holding her gut laughing. Completely out of line for a Lower Thirty to laugh at a Second Hand. But Yasta had no limits or lines. Esepha was looking at her like she had three heads. But got back on track.

“Anyways Rend, who’s home?”

“Cresintis and Chonik are here. Illdinich obviously. And Rasaro is on a mission… wait a second. Where’s Gitoro?”

“He’s dead.” Esepha said without emotion.

Yasta stopped laughing. She knew who Gitoro was. This was bad. Rend was also heart broken.

“I’m so sorry.” He said with his and on his heart. He then went over and hugged Esepha. But Esepha pushed him off.

“Get off of me. It’s ok. People die. I’ve already gotten all the emotion out of me.” Did she now? Earlier she sat in a waiting room for hours wondering and doing god knows what. Was she so cold that in less then a day she could get over the death of a Second Hand?

Rend was getting a picture. But it was blurry and in haze but it was a picture. It was too early to tell. Esepha was developing ‘feelings’. Or some sort of emotion.