The Hidden World

"The Elders say Tribal life must be a choice. We do not have your teck-ologi...."

"Technology"

"Tecknologi.... and things that makes a life easy for Citypeople, but we have a warmer, freer life.... But also a harder one...." he gave her a -look- at this as he spoke, "Like how you make food come to your hut, without needing to gather it!"

"I.... i've never really thought about it that way," she said. "Guess it's why you were asking how to read the Code on my juicebottle like it's a language, and not just something you scan with your lence," she paused, "That's like a plastic disc that goes on your eyes and let you see things from the internet and read codes," she explained.

"Ugh! I wish I was an adult already so I could get my chip implant and not have to rely on toys!" she pouted and crossed her arms.

"I am adult now. I must be responsible, make my own choices."

"But you're 17! How can you be an adult?! You're younger than me!" her eyes wide in shock.

He frowned.

"I hunt. I can make kids. I can take a wife or husband. I am responsible and support myself. That is adult."

She shook her head.

"In the city we're not considered adult until we're 24 and have passed all our exams," she said with a resigned sigh.

"The city is strange. So much learning. It never stops," he said with a frown. "When do you enjoy life?"

"Tell me about it,! she sighed, ignoring his question, "I'm still waiting for the result from my Moral class exam. If I fail to get 100% I'll have to go to summer school to make up for it!"

"What is this "Moral class?" he looked genuinely curious.

"It's, like.... You have to know what's right and wrong, right? To be an upstanding citizen who doesn't break the law, and is a good citizen."

"Why a whole class? It's easy doing the right thing. There's nothing to gain by being bad, you'd just make people angry."

A tiny droplet slipped from the yellow leaves over his head, and he hurried up towards the London metro before the heavy clouds spilled their watery load on his head.

"A day has 16 hours, so it's a day because 16 hours have passed. And a night is 8."

"Yes, but *why* is it separated like that?" Lilia's brow furrowed as she closed her book. "Who decide when it should be bright or dark? When the sun-shield is raised and lowered?"

"Well...." Julie looked unsure, "I believe the elders decided that 8 hours was the right time to sleep, I guess," she said with a shrug, "And anyway it's not for us to worry about. Let the men handle the thinking, and focus on your wedding embroidery. You don't want to upset your father again, do you?" Julia shook her head and went back to matching jewlery to her mistress' dress.

Lilia pressed her lips together, still remembering how her father had burned her science book. She was still grounded for that one, and she knew she was lucky her father doted upon his only child, or she'd be punished far more severely.

"I am 23! I am not a child anymore!" she protested, hoping her friend would agree with her.

"Then maybe it's time to put aside childish things like books and focus on your duties. You are SO lucky to be matched with the handsome general!"

Lilia sighed as Julia started again.

"He's so brave and kind and beautiful.... And such a great match! Even his family's standing is a good match for your own!"

Lilia sighed.

"But I've never met him. What if we don't get along?" Lilia said, and silently she wished she could choose herself.... Like in those forbidden romances from the Twilight lands that her friend would be horrified she read, had she known about it. She did not dare to -think- what her father would say.

A light beamed over the door, and Lilia paled.

"Oh, no! My father.... I need to get dressed in my daydress!" she threw the blanket off her and let Julia help her out of her morning gown and into the many layers of her daywear.

"Lili? Are you decent?" a strong maoe voice cane from the other side of the door.

"In a minute father!" she could bot hear him sigh, but she knew he was.

"Hurry up. Your future husband is waiting, and we mustn't be a minute too late."

Due to my long absence from Tumblr my old blog remains inaccessible to me, so I created this one anew for my writing.

The blog still needs some work, but I'm working on that too.

For any old followers, you know what to expect.

For any new followers, this is where I post my writing practice, tips, videos and other things related to writing.

My true stories will as always be posted on AO3, and in case of fanfiction, also on Fanfiction net.

But be warned; My stories is not for the faint of heart or easily offended.

For those who enjoy the darkness, both human and inhuman; Welcome.

Enjoy the ride.