I opened my eyes and I was holding that glass again. Keiko was across from me, smiling. Sipping from an identical glass.

I stared down into my drink. What? What just happened?

"Where am I?" I asked Keiko.

She gave me a funny look. "You're at the gathering."

"Oh..." I nodded a few times. "Sorry."

Keiko laughed. Her laughter sounded different. I gazed at her face, my own twisting in confusion. Something was wrong.

"It's been such a nice evening," Keiko stared deep into my eyes, leaning closer. "Hasn't it?"

The Leader was there suddenly. "How are the refreshments treating you ladies?"

I said nothing. My throat felt dry somehow.

"Just fine, thank you." Keiko answered.

I hated her voice. My mouth was beginning to taste like rust. I took a few steps back.

"Don't go." Keiko grabbed my wrist firmly. I tried to pull away but then...

Her chest was glowing. My eyes widened. I looked down. My chest was glowing, too. But the color, the color was wrong. Why...

"Why, congratulations!"

Congratulations.

The smell of coffee brought me to my senses. Morning light was penetrating my ungrateful eyelids. I felt fingers run down the side of my face, and I shivered.

"Good morning, Isla."

I breathed in deeply at the sound of her voice. Her voice. My Keiko.

I opened my eyes and smiled. "Good morning, Kei."

"Do you believe in soul mates now?" Her eyes were soft. She closed them and exhaled. "I wonder if we'll be chosen."

"Chosen?" I murmured sleepily.

"For seed."

A shock ran through my spine. I sat straight up in the bed and then realized- this isn't my bed. It was a double bed. I looked around at the barren room.

"Keiko..." I met her eyes. "Where are we?"

Her face fell a bit, and I saw the similar confusion in it briefly before she regained her sure smile. "Don't you remember? We..."

Our wrist circlets began beeping. A loud voice echoed through the room, "You have passed the first screening process and are being put under examination. We will arrive shortly."

I looked at Keiko. Keiko and I... my throat felt a strange tighteness. Keiko and I were a pairing.

"We might start a family." Keiko's eyes reflected my joy. "What an honor."

I closed my eyes and tried to picture it. Keiko and I with a daughter- eating together, giving her baths, sending her off to schooling, taking her to events, going for walks with her in the evening. I could almost see it.

"Yes, an honor." I hurriedly looked away as a strange liquid began to seep from my eyes.