Her Wonderous Designs (Chapter Two: Playdate) Preview
Holly and Thimble eyed each other curiously, a smile gently tugging at the corners of their mouths. They introduced themselves, name and pronouns. They looked back at their chaperones - Papavii Pelei, Teysa Pollup, and Trillia Yyve. Holly waves her paw at them and the two bound off towards a fountain to talk.
Papavii Pelei, Third Bloom (He/Him) was shorter than the other Affini in his company. Atop his torso composed of vines tipped with wine-red thorns was a yellow mask, inset with two eyes that shone bright scarlet. Around the mask, a bright red flower which attracted much attention, especially from drugged-up florets, who found the color both eye-catching and appealing. Papavii had recently acquired a fourth floret, and was helping her through her first battery of vet visits. She hadn't had her haustoric implant yet and that was a concern - but only slight.
The bigger concern was how often Thimble was needing to be corrected by their implant - usually his little assistant was a perfect pet, well-behaved. Papavii could only surmise that Thimble was jealous of Sylvia - his new Terran. It was their first time being introduced to a new floret, and they'd get upset when Sylvia was the focus of the day. The Affini reminded them that their fellow florets were very well-behaved when Thimble was new and Sylvia deserves that same respect.
The eye-catching Affini gives his vines and petals a rustle and regards Teysa and Trillia. Then he notices it - how they look at each other. How they look away. How Trillia quivers as her... friend? Gets closer. He was partial to giving them space. @{Well. Everything seems in order. I'll have to bid you ladies farewell, I have such a busy day. Thank you for agreeing to babysit.} He looks at Teysa and smiles. @{Go easy on the newbloom~} He winks at Teysa and quickly absconds.
Trillia's eyes go wide and she wilts. @{Roots... we really are obvious, huh?} She takes Teysa's hand as she's led to an Affini-sized bench.
@{Well... you quiver every time I speak, lately.} She smirks and leans against the adorable newbloom. @{There's nothing to be ashamed of~ You deserve to relax too~} Trillia couldn't know this but - Teysa had a few injectors filled with drugs specifically made for Trillia. For the right moment~
@{Yeah... well. It's difficult. For me. I have to prove I'm - put together. That I can take care of Holly and maintain my Xenosophont Behavioral duties. I - it's so... stressful...} Teysa grabs the girls cheek and directs her to look up at her eight, glimmering eyes.
@{Starfall, I can tell you're trying. And you're doing your absolute best. There's no shame in... easing up. Letting someone else handle things.} She presses closer. @{In being pet-cute...}
Trillia falls over on the bench, clutching it tightly. @{I'm not pet-cute, YOU'RE pet-cute!!!} She gives a quiet "hmph." Considers leaving. Ultimately... doesn't.
Meanwhile, Holly and Thimble get to know each other a bit better. "Um... can I..." Thimble looks bashful and shy. The kitty looks up at them and nods, curious. "Can I pet your paw?" They said, unable to take their eyes off the implant. There was a yearning in his eyes.
"Oh! Well, of course you can, silly~! Mistress said I can..." She blushed brightly. "I'mallowedtotouchyou." Thimble thought to himself a moment.
She was clearly rolling off of something, her... feline pupils? Nice touch... Her feline pupils were very dilated which means she's high as fuck or about to pounce... possibly both...? Is it okay to touch her...
He eventually gets comfortable with the idea of playing with a drugged-up floret and remembers she's probably waiting for a response. "Thank you, Holly!" He reaches a hand out and gently holds the paw. It was so... fluffy... he got lost in the sensation of soft - fluff...
Holly started to purr. Of course she did. Then, gaining a semblance of herself - "Please. Call me kitty." She giggles and steps closer to Thimble - looking up at this tall floret and feeling so small.
"Kitty~ let's go climb up that thing, it looks fun." He points to a giant tower in the middle of the floret park. Many sophonts could be seen in various modes of play crawling up and down the tower. They eventually make their way to an installation of play equipment which towered over the two. The bright, colorful structure had many places to climb, jump, hide, and slide. Holly had a difficult time climbing up some of the steps (Her useless paws often got in the way of tasks that require grasping things) and Thimble would stop to help her up. Their strong arms felt so reassuring and if she was honest, Holly simply liked being grabbed and picked up. They laughed it off and continued to explore.
[Hehe I hope you enjoyed the preview, lil nerds~]