Crystal Iris of Glass Heart

Iris was a machine. She didn't particular feel anything nor did she care. She existed to do what 'Mother' told her to do. Even if 'Mother' would scowl at her or scream at her, she would be there at her beck and call. So why was it that despite being perfectly functional, her tear ducts malfunctioned frequently and poured out liquid when visions passed through her mind, of a time long ago and forgotten?

When 'Mother' spoke to her for the last time, she told her to 'live as best you can' in an uncharacteristically gentle tone. What did she mean by that? As she watched the house she had served all her life burn down, she pondered about what to do now that she was free.