Aiyalla frowned darkly, staring with uncharacteristic venom at the Agent standing before her. His stoic nature doing nothing but sending waves of irritation coursing through her.
"Ms Anore, it is highly questionable that you continue your association with Mr. Maraffino. He is, after all, an enemy to the Machine, and a threat to the security of the matrix."
Aiyalla clenched her fists, and forced her face into a pleasant smile. It hurt.
"I've already been over this at least fifty times with Grey, Agent Morris.... My contacts remain my contacts, no matter what cause they serve. They are useful to me, and the information they provide me is invaluable. Now... if you don't mind... I have a meeting to attend."
She smiled sweetly, and walked calmly outside the Tabor West building. Aiyalla paused in the bright, simulated sunshine, and blinked rapidly. Friendship.... just wasn't something the machines understood. Tools, they did. Sad fact of life, but that was the only way to communicate. Telling and agent to leave your friend alone, was something akin to waving your arms at a brick wall. Useless... demeaning.... and utterly, utterly stupid.
