You stare at the affini sitting across from you, who is sipping casually from a large mug of tea. She had grown close to you over the last year, but the last few weeks in particular had been...more? She suddenly seemed intent on pushing you towards florethood, and more specifically towards one of the more...simple lifestyles.
'There are as many ways to be a floret as there are florets', as the saying goes. You considered yourself an outgoing and independent type, one who had (with effort and support) gone far, despite any neurodivergencies that often ground progress to a slow crawl. But the way Ea would look at you...the things she said...well, like what she JUST said, for example.
"I'm merely suggesting that you give it a try, dear. No contracts, no implants...unless you want those. I'm referring to something a bit simpler."
You frown, crossing your arms. "And what exactly do you have in mind, Ea?"
A brilliantly red flower blossoms before your lips, the needles tip glistening green. "I give you a Class-D, of course. One that prevents those pesky inhibitions and falsehoods from getting in the way. And then you and I can chat a little, and I may ask you to do a few things, to see if they make you feel good. Is that really so dangerous, sweetie?"
"I..." Yes, of course it was...was what you wanted to say. But if it really was just a Class-D, then it wouldnt change your mind. They were there to reveal the truth, and the truth of the matter was that you were capable and competent, and it's about time she figured that out. Sighing, you roll up your sleeve and extend your arm, wincing as the injection slips into your skin. The verdant drug travels up your arm and to your brain, and an....interesting feeling seems to settle on you. Not the fresh-out-of-a-dryer blanket of a Class-A, but a slightly warm sheet, perhaps. You blink a few times, then look at Ea expectantly.
She gently snaps her fingers at you, then points at the floor next to her seat. "No no, darling. We aren't going to one-half ass it here. I intend to show you what I mean, through actions as much as words."
You gawk at her, blushing furiously. "But...but I don't want to do that!"
Ea tilts her head, a coy look passing through violet eyes. "The only one who thinks it is embarrassing is you, petal. No one else in this case will care in the least, and you already know what I think you need." She smiles. "If it helps, just think of it as me...coercing you into it. If anyone asks, you can explain that you didn't have a choice here."
You squint your eyes at her, but your gaze soon follows her arm down to her pointed finger. Crumbs, she really was serious. You look around the cafe again, noting how the others weren't even looking your way.
Blushing, you let yourself go limp, flowing off the lip of the seat and into a kneel as you shuffle towards her spot. When you arrive, you keep your gaze firmly fixed to the left, your hands grasping themselves out of a need to hold onto something.
You wait for her to speak...but she stays silent. She waits until you give in, until you sneak a glance at her, and only then does she cup your cheek in one large hand as she whispers, "Good Pet."
"I...y-you...it-" she slides her hand over your mouth, preventing the words from haphazardly tumbling out.
"Sweetheart, I said we would chat. I never said you would get to use people words~"
The hand returns to your cheek, a thumb gently brushing across your lips as she smiles triumphantly. "Now then, pet. You are a wonderfully skilled sophont, make no mistake. But a trained pet is still a pet, honey. And not everything trained into you is Good."
You open your mouth to protest...only to let the words die in your throat at the warning in her eyes. Instead, the softest little slip of a whimper manages to drip from your tongue.
Ea smiles wider, her other hand joining the first on your head as she begins to pet you, long firm pulls of her fingers through your hair. "You know that you push yourself too hard, don't you? That you keep moving, because the inertia is part of how you stay upright. You need the constant motion, because you're worried that as soon as you slow down, you'll topple over and shatter."
You try to deny it. You try to disprove it. But in the end, you are forced to admit it to yourself:
She gently brushed a tear from the corner of your eye, softer than the petals of her flowers. "But that needn't happen, honey. Not if you have an Owner to care for you, and hold you close, and keep you safe. You know this too, don't you?"
You did. You do. And it hurts. And it heals.
Your eyes make a desperate plea towards her, though for what, you aren't sure. She seemed to be waiting for it, though, because her eyes glow golden ichor. "And so, since you are being honest with me, I shall be in turn with you. I will not wait a single second longer to give you what you want, need, crave. You are my pet, honey. I will Own you, I will train you, I will condition away any independence and wrestle your thoughts into simple submission. I want you to speak the truth, now. Use those cute little words to present the desires nestled in your heart, pet. I will take them as thanks, as a promise, as everything...
Her hand brushes one last time over your head as it makes its way to the back of your neck, tracing a line where you know the implant will soon reside. You shudder as she presses down, down, Down, pushing your face into her vines as you finally are honest with yourself and admit what you realize you always wanted, always needed.
