In The Garden of Eden
Chapter 15: On The Precipice
by JustALittleOne
Tags:
#cw:CGL
#D/s
#f/f
#Human_Domestication_Guide
#pov:bottom
#sub:female
#transgender_characters
#cw:death
#cw:partial_blindness
#dom:internalized_imperialism
#hurt/comfort
Well, this is an exciting chapter. Finally, we're reaching the end phase of this story, and it won't be many more chapters before I can call Amity's story to a close. But... I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
The next few days were filled with paperwork. So much paperwork that Amity wasn't even sure what to make of it all. Every once in a while Hyacynthia would give her something to sign, with some translated sections that she could read, but all in all, the air of mystery was very well kept around what The Everbloom was or what it meant to go there.
As far as she could discern, it was akin to a holy site of sorts? Someplace that the Affini held at high regard, at the very least. It made sense, if it was where Hyacynthia was born. Or sprouted? She tried to ask before about how Affini are born, all her owner told her was that they sprout from the ground in special gardens made for that exact purpose. A sentiment she had rather negative feelings about, clearly preferring the old way of doing things.
Page after page of different sections, subsections and their addendums of regulations covered the floor of their hab, and Hyacynthia did her absolute best to keep track of it. Alas, Amity soon realized that despite her Affini's expertise on anything spiritual and ancient, she did not handle the advanced nature of the Compact's bureaucracy well. Something about how when she was a sproutling, things weren't this complex, and how she still remembered the first Affini spaceships taking flight and connecting the rest of the Core Worlds.
Still, by the end of the week, Hyacynthia was finally finished with the slew of paperwork that she had to file in order to get permits for her little stunt. She must have thought it was a punishment of sorts for her hubris, for as soon as she handed over the documents to be approved and had some time to herself, she took Amity into her arms and just kept patting her all the way back to their hab. Perhaps, old ancient Affini needed some comfort sometime too. "I swear on the stars every cycle the amount of bureaucracy gets worse and worse…"
"At least it's over now?" Amity asked, and readjusted herself in the viney nest that her Affini created for her. "What happens next? Do we just go to that Everbloom thingie?"
"The Everbloom is not some random object to be trifled with my dear." Hyacynthia had that slightly stern tone when she got serious. "It's a sacred site to many Affini out there. It is the very birthplace of our race. The genesis of our life. And while younger Affini like your vet wouldn't really get the significance of its majesty… I do. And I wouldn't suggest going to such consecrated grounds if I didn't fully believe that it was the best way to help you."
Now Amity was halfway curious, halfway just flummoxed. Finally her Owner answered a few questions, but as usual that only spurred even more things she wanted to know about. "But… How will it help us with my Implant?"
"It's not something I can easily explain in words. Especially not Terran words. I need to teach you Affini at some point…" She mulled it over, and shrugged for now. There were more pressing matters at hand. "But you need to trust me that when we get there you'll understand why I chose that place. Now, get some rest. We leave first thing tomorrow."
All Amity could do in response was shrug a little and nod as Hyacynthia took her, bathed her, and then grew something for her to eat and refresh her strength. She did trust her. Trust was one of the very first things they've established, and yet, this was also the first time Hyacynthia didn't explain to her the entire situation, even if intentionally. At least she didn't hide the fact that she's hiding some of it? With any hopes it would be enough for now.
However, before ending the day, they did one last ritual. Something the two of them shared fondly now, and Amity wouldn't skip for the entire world.
Gardening.
Her little seeds actually did grow! Now they had tiny leaves coming out of the ground, and Amity brimmed with joy as she got pat and told that she did amazing. It made her so happy, to be able to help something else grow into the world of the living. Nourish it too. She gave her sprouts plenty of water, smiling fondly and looking up to her Affini. "You're doing such amazing work, little flower." Hyacynthia whispered as she guided her floret's hands. She didn't need to, Amity knew what to do. But it still felt nice to be touched, and guided along.
"Thank you." Amity smiled wide, leaning against her. Finally, they were done for today. She learned that plants also need time, so to dote over them all day long could harm them. And with that in mind, she walked over to the patch of grass that comprised her bed, curling on it with her owner throwing a blanket of comforting vines and leaves all over her. "Do you promise it'll be okay?"
The white Affini cooed, leaning close and kissing her forehead, before rooting herself in the ground next to her and putting an arm around her floret. Even now, she didn't give up on her old way of life, as best she could. "I promise. It'll be an adventure, but once it's over, we'll be able to go home. We'll even take your little plants with us, so you can tend to them there too."
Amity nodded, feeling drowsy and letting the comfort her owner bestowed upon her pull her under. "I love you." She mumbled between flustered cheeks. Hyacynthia merely grinned.
"I love you too, my sweet flower."
The next day, they already boarded a ship. One called the Flosculus Genesis. Whatever paperwork she filed, they made sure to get the permits done asap, though Amity could reason that having Argonia in such close bonds further expedited the issue. They even allowed Aqua to accompany them, though from what she was told only Amity would be allowed off the ship once they reached the Prime Core World.
"What do you think is waiting for us down there?" Aqua and Amity were both sitting together while observing the space outside the ship. They both had some food, handcrafted by Hyacynthia as always. "Also, tell your Mistress her cooking is amazing."
"T-Thanks…" Amity blushed a little, and held a plate with some salad on it. "I think she grew all of these herself? The seeds I planted in the ground haven't really grown enough yet, and besides, I don't wanna eat them. They're cute." Amity's faded eyes looked outside, at the myriad colorful blotches of starlight that comprised the infinite abyss outside. "As for what we find… I don't know. All Mistress told me is that it's something big and related to where the Affini came from. I think it takes special permission for someone who's not an Affini to go down there?"
"I mean it'd make sense." Aqua sighed and leaned back a little. "Maybe it's like, going into the captain's quarters? You know, very secret and stuff."
Amity just looked away. She didn't really want to reply to that. She's been there exactly once, and that one time was enough to cause her to go into a massive surge of panic. "O-Oh. Right, sorry…" Aqua soon picked up on the hint, and pulled Amity into a hug. "You know I didn't mean it that way. It's just…"
Amity's eyes turned away. "The only thing we really know…" She finished, her voice trailing off into solemn silence. "I just… I heard that some florets can have their memories suppressed using their implant. Navigating the Overnet is still hard, but I'm getting the hang of it. Do you think Hyacynthia would be okay if I asked her to… You know. Wipe my memories of the ship?"
"Would you?"
Amity didn't really know how to respond, she never really thought about it. On one hand, she did want to let go of those terrible parts of her life. But on the other… She still felt scared of losing them, somehow. "T-Those are painful memories…"
Now it was Aqua's turn to push, grabbing her shoulders. "But they're your memories, Amity. I know it's painful. Every day I have to wake up thinking about it all. Spite… We both know what happened. And it's something I have to live with too. But I decided… I don't want to forget. It was painful… But it helped me become who I am, you know?" Amity nodded, and Aqua continued with a reassuring tone. "Granted, my Mistress doesn't leave me a lot of choice. But I can tell that I've become happier after becoming a floret. And maybe… Maybe those memories are important for you too. I'm not saying you should wallow in them, but… Accept them? I dunno."
She felt as her lips curled up a little, and Amity pulled her friend close in for a hug. "Okay. I… I'll trust you too."
The two of them smiled, looking outside again. What caught their attention, however, was the planet that soon came closer into view.
A flower. A massive one. One so big that it could be seen from outer space. Amity saw big plants before. She still remembered the tree that was her Mistress' old hab unit, even if it was vague. But nothing came even close.
"Alright my dears." They heard Hyacynthia as she approached from behind them, picking Amity gently into her arms. "From here, we take the shuttle down to the world itself. Aqua, thank you for accompanying us. When we come back… Hopefully you'll have a properly implanted friend."
Aqua nodded, walking back to her own Mistress who stayed behind to keep her floret company. "Okay. And… Amity?" She turned to the ivory maiden one last time. "Stay safe."
"I already am." She smiled, leaning against Hyacynthia while being carried to the shuttle, with Xaxavex to boot. "I still cannot believe how you talked me into this…" It grumbled. "I still think it's extremely dangerous. With her heart, she could-"
"That's exactly what I'm counting on, my dear doctor." Hyacynthia grinned, and the Shuttle took off.
At first, everything seemed as it should. The planet grew bigger, and the massive flower with it. But after a few paces… Amity began to hear something. Another melody. She was used to it. Lots of Affini had different rhythms and songs, though if you asked the best one was her owner's. This one however, was different. Louder. Whole. Complete. There were no other words to describe it, and in fact, she found herself unable to properly explain to herself what she was even hearing with what words she did know.
This song… It was entrancing. It pulled her in, and she could tell it affected the Affini around her as well. While Xaxavex seemed to keep its wits together, forcing itself whole through sheer willpower, Hyacynthia began to sing along, humming and tapping her feet to the tune, which Amity began to do as well.
"Ah~... Reminds me of when I was merely 25~" Her mood uplifted, Amity was soon swiped off after her, grinning and shaking in place gently out of sheer excitement. Which, to her surprise, bewildered her vet and further excited her caretaker.
"Now, Amity. My sweet, darling, adorable and gentle Amity." She heard her Mistress' voice, but it felt so far away. The song covered everything. "I know you just want to let go and fly off to this, but… I need you to keep yourself together for me, okay? Here." She guided Amity's head to her chest, where the song of her owner was more prevalent. "Close your eyes. Listen to me. You're allowed to feel this joy, but don't let it consume you."
Amity nodded, closing her eyes as instructed. The song was still there, but with her Mistress gently covering her free ear and letting her immerse herself in the familiar… She was able to ground herself somewhat. Still, words would just not come to her mouth, and the fight between managing to keep herself together and succumbing to this endless melody took its toll. And soon enough, Amity found herself curled tight against her Mistress' lap, staying put and quiet and just listening to her body's natural rhythm as much as she could.
"Now, I'm going to give you some Class Z's, okay? They're going to put you to sleep, and when you wake up, it'll all be over. I promise. Are you ready?"
The closer they got, the more she lost her grip, only managing to nod ever so slightly before her consciousness faded into the abyss of dreams…
To be honest, the idea of Hyacynthia saying "Feels like I'm 25 again" stuck in my mind for a while now XD
Either way, I'll see you all on Thursday. Let me know what you think if you liked it <3