Rose squeezed my hand lightly in agreement.

“It's not really surprising," she sneered.

“You look like someone that has birthed many children."

I made a noncommittal sound and shrugged. The girl was obviously poking fun at my generous curves. Part of me wanted to be hurt, but I knew there were five men that had worked hard for this lush figure. Her cutting remark barely even stung.

“It doesn't make you better," she sneered stepping closer to me.

“No, it doesn't," I said simply and continued to watch her eyes.

I released Rose's hand and stood staring at the other girl. She was taller than me and I bet she was strong. I did not imagine her Administrators had ever formally trained her to fight, though.

A slow smile crept across my mouth as I thought about the fast moves I could use to hurt her. The Keepers wouldn't be able to stop the first few blows, I was sure of that. I'd get a couple good swings in.

“You know, if you hurt me, you'll get the whip," she threatened with a superior Look on her face.

Again, I shrugged, "I've been whipped before," the Look in my eyes did not change.

My unfaltering stare and complete disregard of her threat seemed to surprise the girl. She sputtered, grasping for something to say. Frankly, I was done with her and walked past without a backward glance.

Rose and Fuji reappeared at my sides as we walked down toward the sand. None of us said anything, we needed to find a private place to talk. A shade tree grew near the water with several low benches arranged beneath it. No one was there, so we headed for that. Just as we settled down I heard a familiar voice

Mia, the girl from Fredrick's shop, approached us smiling broadly. She arranged herself on a cushion and continued to grin.

"So you've made quite an impression," she said motioning toward the grouping of girls still staring at us from inside.

“No one ever stands up to Vesa. Her owners are the head Administrators. She is used to be treated as the most special slave here.”

I grunted a Laugh and Mia Looked strangely at me. I shook my head as I spoke.

"We're still all slaves. The idea of a hierarchy for us is pointless. We are the Lowest thing on this planet."

“That is not how they see it," Mia grinned gesturing.

Mia was pleasant and knowledgeable. She sat with us as we talked for a while. Having me here disrupted the carefully built class system this group of slaves seemed to work under.

I was a breeder and no one could figure out where that put me. My presence rocked their system to it's core. It wasn't clear whether a Warrior's breeding slave was more or less important than the head Administrator's slave.

I would have enjoyed continuing to talk to Mia, but a Keeper approached. Damien had told the man I would swim, so I should be swimming. Evidently he misunderstood the concept that Damien was giving me permission, but not an order.

I was stripped and it was demanded I get in the water. Saying good-bye to my friends I swam in the inlet and inspected it.