I didn't know if my bluff was seen through or not. Either way, I was given a room to wait in. I acted out my part to the letter.
I thought this was a good position to take because of how much more I knew than other crossers. Due to my--special ability, let's say--I was able to go through schooling twice. Not only do my higher energy levels allow me to absorb knowledge faster and more thoroughly I also went through school twice. The first time I took extra classes and became an honor student. I had not even become a Janie agent the first time. The second time I took my time and skipped the surface level of what I'd already learned. I dove deep.
As opposed to the regular elements I took on the more elusive non-elementals. This is when I became privy to much of the top-secret information and assignments. This was also when I became a Mary. Needless to say, my jump in scores for some classes was historical straight off the bat. I chalked it up to my previous energy level position. I was deteriorating. This means that I dropped energy levels drastically. Unlike the energy decline of our kind. Therefore it wasn't so strange to say that I'd temporarily retained some of that knowledge and foresight. I ended up making a new president and they began a new program based on it from what I'd heard about when I was leaving, but that's a story for another time. They sent me off to cross quickly so I could continue my level of work during my deteriorated state. In other words, I skipped the line. In return, I was to work harder for the first year or two of my crossing to make up for it. I would essentially be doing the work of a crosser team all by myself. Instructions were sent ahead with my portfolio for confirmation.
There was talk about sending scientists over because of the gap I created in the delicate balance between humans and monsters. I wonder what became of that? I was supposed to be briefed before I set out. Unfortunately, my memory from that time is still missing.
A knock on the door pulled me out of my stupor. I recognized one of my guests. A tall, curvaceous woman in a power suit. She was well built, but still adequately slender. Her hair was tied up, showing the gentle slope of her neck under a sharp chin with red lips. Her eyes were narrow and strict. A beauty by any human standards. Eliza Barns was the last human I saw in my first life here.
Two other executives entered the door behind her. One was old and bulky.
I wondered if this was a test like the first time. These two were exactly the types that are kept away from new crossers. I watched them, unfettered.
The mission reports gave me some of the most meaningful insights into humans that I ever came across. It was a resource I came across in my studies; sourced by the narrow field of information from Earth students have access to. From the reports I'd seen giants of men cry and curl up to hide while tiny powerless humans stood up as protectors. I knew full well that human nature wasn't as it seemed on the outside.
Once I was familiar with this my distaste and hate for any 'disfigurement' of the human race faded. I have confidence I can look at humans with eyes almost equal to those of other humans. Apart from personal experience, of course.
If I were to say I was bothered by these two 'frightening beings' entering the room, I would say not in the least. The big man, however, did not seem to share the same opinion. He put on the gentlest expression he was able and bent down on one knee just inside the door.
"Hello," His voice was deliberately softened as well. "I'm the leader of this facility." He spoke slowly. He paused before moving to continue. It felt like he was trying to not make any sudden movements.
Was he treating me like a child? Did he not think I knew political positions? I cocked a brow. "That could mean a few things. Please take a seat, Mr. Jaqulin." I motioned to the luxurious recliner by the couch his associates had already taken their seats on.
He cleared his throat and stood up.
Elissa seemed to be the lowest-ranking of the three this time.
I stood up and pulled out tea and snacks. The kitchen was fully open kitchen so I could make snacks in the same room while we spoke.
They weren't anything fancy. The food here was mostly to get used to human society. Everything had special labels showing how and when to use them. I passed over the hard cookie biscuits labeled for visitors and reached for the roll cake labeled for dessert. I used a matcha tea labeled as a supplemental tea to pair it with. My slender hands moved and added berries to the plates as we spoke. Of course, I ignored their labels as well.
"Do we know what faction? Or the world the faction came from?"
I could feel the two surprised at my snack choices.
"According to the labels, you only have to serve cookies for guests." the old man said.
I laughed, my big cheeks rounding out and eyes narrowing, "I haven't served any of my 'guests' until now. But I know how to show my appreciation to those who will give it to me straight." I glanced back with a raised brow, looking like a house fairie making mischief. "Culture is a required course. We've learned your formalities, but few are willing to break their own traditions to follow yours." I turned back to pour the teas, "Following the labels is both a sign of respect and of disrespect. It means they respect your history enough to follow your rules, but don't acknowledge you enough to reach out to you. If you meet someone like this who 'follows the book to the letter' they probably don't think too highly of you. Consider it polite distancing. The rebels are the ones who actually appreciate you."
They both nodded. It seemed they weren't in high positions for nothing. According to my research, this wasn't common knowledge yet. Unlike us who study before crossing over, only their researchers may know something so specific about our culture. Most humans are more interested in our abilities.
"I have noticed that those who break the rules seem more proactive in relationships and work harder. Those who 'follow the book' as you say are--and I mean no offense--like robots. 'Give up one to save 10' or 'give up on a dozen today and live to save a hundred tomorrow' type. The eccentrics, as we call them, would rather sacrifice themselves to save all 11, or sacrifice for the 'mere' dozen."