"Do you have a family?" Anibeli asked, hunched over, breathing slowly. We had been sparring, and I had been trying my hardest not to hurt the child in ways that would take exorbitant amounts of time to heal. Mostly flicks and the like. But the question brings me out of my rhythm.

  "Family?" I think back. I remember I had human parents, but I can hardly remember their faces. But I couldn't remember any necrontyr parents.

  "Due to the fact I was born, yes. But I recall them not. Likely I was an orphan. But I recall I am female, obviously, so-"

  "YOU'RE A GIRL?!" Anibeli interrupted with a shout. I eye her, confused.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  "Yes... obviously I am. Can you not tell? Actually... hmmm." In retrospect, I had to MAKE myself feminine, because the lower castes didn't have many, if any, differentiating features. Only Highborne did, and even then, for a non-necron, it would be hard to tell. But my voice was feminine! I had a lovely voice! But... I suppose it never came up in conversation.

  "Ahem. Yes, I am a woman. Can you not tell by my voice? It should be obvious... And look at my structure." I run a metal hand down my body. "Why, look at me! I'm rather pretty."

  "Well, you are captivating, like some kind of predatory animal stalking you... but you have no breasts, and... well... I guess I never paid attention to your voice. But now that you mention it..."

  "Enough. You've had your break, and your speech is smooth again. Prepare yourself." I say, and lunge at her, slowly. She dodged, and our dance began.

  I was teaching her in the style I had learned long, long ago. And teaching it was helping me learn it, as I had to analyze it, fit it to the child, and practice and lead her in our dance. We were learning together. Growing, even.

  I had given her a stone dagger and shortsword to practice with. They were heavy, but she was doing well. She dodged my stab and slashed at my wrist. I twisted and aimed at her hand. She threw a rock, and the dance began yet again.

  She was doing well.