Melting Pot

Being an Orc, Human, Elf mix isn't easy. Auropolis claimed to be inclusive; was it though?

Everyone on the Ruby Line of Auropolis' subway gave Dina a wide berth. The Orcs didn't trust her because she had light skin and pointy ears. Humans and elves looked wearily at her large, black horns.

Dina did her best to ignore the wispers and sideways looks. She mumbled her "me in thirty seconds statement." The train rushed to the business district as she recited.

"I am an Architecture Gradutate at Auropolis Academy of Engineering. My eye for detail helps me design blueprints that are exceptional. My doctoral thesis is on—"

"So is it true Orcs have four breasts?"

Dina glared in the direction of the rude, inappropriate young man. What the hells was wrong with people in this city?! "Thats none of your business," she stated. "Tell me do you always sexually harass people on public transit or just those who could kick your bony ass?"

The man held a palm flat on his chest. "Me? Harass someone?" He asked. "I'm sorry, momma dropped me on my head. I'm Gabe, and for the record I'm only trying to pick you up because I think Orc chicks are hot. But I still haven't been able to get one in bed."

There's a reason for that Dina thought. Hell, what would you do if I assumed you were just a perverted man then told you to your face, asshole?

"Minecart and Broad Street station," a smooth synthetic voice announced.

It was about ten blocks from where she had her interview but if she didn't get off, she'd probably do something she'd regret. Instead of continuing conversing with someone who was obviously just interested in a reaction, she exited the train. Dina wasn't about to get herself arrested.

The clock downtown was just sounding ten as Dina reached the office building. She rushed to the elevator, the doors were closing. Dina managed to squeeze in between about five other people riding up.

"Floor fourteen please," Dina told the Little Person nearest the buttons. They scowled and fluttered their wings in annoyance. Dina swore she heard them murmur "when did they start letting people with horns in? What's Auropolis coming to?"

The ride up was awkward. Elevators in the city hadn't been built for people who were both tall and part Orc. Dina almost ended up with someone's hair caught up in her rack. This had occurred because Dina had tried to duck to avoid scraping the ceiling. Finally she reached her floor.

An oversized digital clock told her that it was now ten thirty! Thats when interviews started. Dina dashed towards the Larsen Construction firm's reception desk. "Hello I'm—"

"I know you're here for an interview," the Elf behind the reception desk said. "Mr. Larsen doesn't like late comers. If you're not early, you're late; have a seat please."

Dina had always assumed all elves were cheerful, like her grandpa Dirk, clearly this one wasn't. She placed her portfolio case in front of her legs almost like a shield.

The chairs were the uncomfortable kind meant to hug bums. It really irked Dina trying to sit in one. Not as much as who was also in the waiting room. "Oh no," she said. "It's you, why'd you have to be here?"

Gabe smiled at her. "Who knew we'd both be trying for an internship here," he said. "So, did you miss me?"

She snorted, "Not a single bit," she said. "Any chance we can just wait quietly?"

"Nope," Gabe answered. "So, what makes an Orc think she can build? Last time I went to the Reservation north of here, weren't your buildings all made of mud?"

What an ass! "Look thats my mother's side of the family you're talking about," Dina said. "It's not mud, the buildings there are stucco! Just because they're not monstrous towers that humans like to put up doesn't make them mud!"

Gabe put his hands behind his head and crossed his feet in front of him. "Well how was I to know?" He said. "I'm just an Auropolis born and bred human. So you're not a full blooded orc? I'm slightly less interested knowing that."

Dina completely lost her objectivity. Not only was Gabe fetishizing her, he'd just insulted part of her culture. With a roar she threw the oversized file she'd been carrying to the floor. Her feet echoed as she stomped across the travertine tiles. She picked Gabe up and was about to slap him when the door to the office opened.

"You," Mr. Larsen pointed at Dina. "Thats not the kind of attitude we look for. Violence won't be tolerated in this company. Get out, you've lost your chance."

Thankfully the elevator was empty as Dina rode it down. She cried as a realization hit her. She'd just thrown away her dream; all because she couldn't ignore one stupid jerk.

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