4 days had passed, 4 days of lounging around in the hab unit or taking aimless walks around the hab rings. She’d found a few outcroppings of plantlife that weren’t hab units or the inherent architectural design of the ships. She’d enjoyed some of them, but the last few days were a slog to experience, often spending time reading, watching or listening to different nature documentaries. She’d eventually found the documentary that Elada was talking about, finding the information enjoyable and welcoming.

Today however was probably the most terrifying day for her, she’d have to train someone into helping her with the shop. As much as she enjoyed the solitary task of caring for the shop, it was clear her workload had increased and well… she started to feel the burnout of dealing with paperwork. She decided to at least be prepared for the meeting with the new coworker. Who knew, perhaps she liked to work with someone, and according to their paperwork, they did seem competent.

Groaning and stretching out the last of her tiredness she decided to wear another dress, her mind going to something more floral, more than usual. Her mind went to the dress last night, but it was ruffled and already sent to clean. Her second best option was a more elaborate dress, the skirt being cut into three pieces with a higher collar, the top being adorned in elaborate designs of vines and flowers wrapping around each other in a delicate dance, it almost seemed alive if you stared at it for too long.

Walking through the ship, Lily found an odd famliliar peace return, and an anxiety to boot. It felt like returning home after a long vacation, while also being the first time ever opening the store. Her mind trailing to imagine the workspace, the possible stress, the fact she’d have to work with someone. Her mind fleeting to other thoughts, new recruits, rookie nurses and medics not having enough training. The last one not even having finished medschool the bl- no, Lily forgot to take her xenodrugs this morning it seemed.

Trying to shove her thoughts and memories down, the terran walked through one of the parks close by. Her body slumping against a tree as she looked at the stream of affini and florets, many of them running to the park to play. She simply observed, looking over to a pair, a girl squealing and giggling as the affini rushed in a cloud of leaves to capture the girl, the gleeful noise escaping being easily heard as some affini looked off to coo at them.

As some affini came to her of course, most knew she was independent and even more knew that she’d soon be up for domestication, she bit her lip at that. Word spread fast it seemed, she’d seen a few of them on her datapad. They all came to compliment her dress, some of the more bold ones assuring her she’d be safe and pretty in their vines. One even stated that she’d look positively adorable in pink and light blue, something which was dangerously apparent to be the affini’s colors.

After a mild showering of doting and pats, Lily continued on her way to the shop. The park was supposed to calm her, however the interactions with the affini only lead to her feeling more anxious over her inevitable fate. It was blanketing her with a dark promise, that she’d never be fr- yet again she pushed the thought down. As much as she’d wanna blame the affini, it was not their fault that she was having issues. She shouldn’t blame them.

Finally reaching the shop, Lily let it unlock and open for her as she entered, she hissed a little as she noticed a few of the plants seeming to not be in the best condition. She moved to fix it, but stopped herself for a moment, coming up with a plan on how to test the rookie’s skills. Letting them sit in place as she moved to the desk to set up the necessary paperwork. She moved into the backroom, looking over the inventory. A gel used for some deeproot grafts seemed to be reaching its expiration date, so she logged it before closing and locking the grafting room; it wouldn’t be needed on this day. Finally she thought of flowers.

A few minutes after Lily finalized the workspace, an affini entered the store with her floret in toe. Serenaia Ludium, Sixth bloom was quite the figure. The usual “dress” of the affini was exchanged for what seemed to be more pantlike in nature. Leaves and vines formed into two legs as her body bloomed out, it reminded Lily of a strange xenoflower she came across once, the flowers flaring off of a bundle of stems like a bouquet. A warm, placating smile already on the affini face, trained and calculated.

Behind the affini came the rookie, their name was… unpronounceable for human, the Rinan Language based itself of chirping and chittering that terrans could not replicate. The nickname that Lily received was Trexa, which seemed to emulate the sounds that she heard when looking up the name.

Trexa was a rinan, their height was short, standing at about a meters height with a strange set of hands. They were oddly cute however, the fur covering their body was well kept and smooth. Two large, innocent eyes staring up at Lily with what she could only describe as “childlike fascination”. Their dress being a simple design, flowers covering the creatures midriff like a belt with two “straps” of vines running up the rinan’s side. Lily’s mind went to images of the terran rodent, the similarities almost too similar to her.

There was a strange guilt that welled up in the terran at the same time, she realized that this was a people that the accord had “domesticated” in the most terran way possible. She was sure that most of the fears of mining and testing simulating the terran accord’s treatment of the rinan. Trexa was apparently one of the few “lucky” ones to not be abused by the terran military, yet Lily realized that she was a part of the system that subjugated the rodent like xenos, even if unwillingly.

“Ah! Welcome, I’m assuming you must be Lady Serenaia and Trexa Ludium. I’m very excited to work with you in the future, there’s a lot of work, and while most of the flora in this shop is of terran origin, I have ordered more exotic flora for the foreseeable future. Reading up on the information given, I’m sure we’ll make a great duo!”

The rinan nodded, a chirp sounding before a translator piped up, the voice slightly synthetic yet easily understandable. “I am pleased to meet you as well, Miss Aveler. Mistress has been visiting your shop many times and once we heard you were looking for volunteers to help, I agreed to join.” There was a snicker from the affini, which made the rinan mewl, was that…embarrassment?

“Little Trexa practically jumped in their seat once they heard you were looking for someone to work with you. They enjoyed my attention, but it was clear their love for botany was almost by their love for me. Almost~” There was a clear teasing tone in the affini as a hand slithered to pet the rinan, causing a series of more squeaks that the translator did not seem to manage to interpret. Lily couldn’t hold back the sudden giggle joy that filled her at the reaction as she giggled.

“Well, I’m glad to have someone that is as excited about plants as I am. The shop won’t be open until tomorrow, since there’s quite a bit to go through. There’s paperwork, standards of care and understanding of inventory. I’ll be doing the ordering, but if there is anything needed it’s best that I show you where to look.” The pair nodded, the rinan taking charge as they followed along, Serenaia shadowing behind to help give comfort if needed. “Any questions?”

“Why are some of your plants showing signs of wilting?” The rinan immediately chirped, the enthusiasm clear in the excited tones that could be heard behind the synthetic voice. Lily grinned and looked at Trexa the same way one of the attending stared at her during rounds. “Great question! Please point to the plants you feel are not treated well and explain what you believe the issue and treatment is~”

Lily was surprised when the rinan pointed out four more plants that were experiencing less than ideal care, many of them having the wrong nutrient mixes. They summarized that many of the flowers which were nitrogen dependent had either depleted soil or were not hydrated with the right mix. Trexa also pointed at one plant explaining the cause for a mold that was common on such plants and easily treatable, while another was overhydrated and needed to be dried and repotted. Lily nodded with her best attempt of looking as if she already knew all of this, yet the attention to detail the rinan showed was much higher than the terran could imagine.

“Good, I’m glad to know I have someone who can point out some of the issues I’m facing after the curfew. Come, let’s take these down and see what we can do with the nutrient mixes. It will be a good exercise in learning where and how to order.”

The terran proceeded to quickly show the two how to manage inventory and pass requests to her. It would be easy for Serenaia to help with the ordering on her own, but Lily wanted to be sure what was ordered and to possibly learn some things she never knew about. Despite her knowledge within human anatomy and her sparse self education about plantlife, she wasn’t very educated in the more intricate parts of botany.

In a strange sense, her worries were both lifted while a strange shame filled her. She called herself a botanist and grafter, yet she had only scraped the surface of both crafts, she still had so much to learn, so much she wanted to learn. Her clock was ticking and she had no time and no assurances that her shop would not be transferred to someone else.

Someone like Trexa, who was more educated and understanding. The pair would probably do well together, way better than the terran ever could, she was passing off as a botanist, lying to everyone, she wa- BEEP. The bracelet flashed yellow causing both Lily and Serenaia to react. One with an embarrassed flush on her face, the other with concern and a vine stretching out to comfort.

“Everything alright petal? You suddenly started to become a little… distant.” The sing-songy voice tried to comfort, but all that Lily could think of was how badly she was presenting herself. If she wasn’t careful, she might end up with yet another affini to attest to her poor mental health. What did it matter, she’d already been told she was to be domesticated.

The bracelet blinked once more, a final warning as Lily slowly let the thought settle, trying not to linger on it. “I’m fine, it is nothing.” There was a rustle in the vines, it seemed as though the affini was ready to pounce, to care for her. It held no comfort to her, she was not the one. Her mind wandered to other thoughts, Elowin, the conversation, the yelling. She stamped the embers, trying to put them out. She did not dare burn now. Centering herself, breathing in and out slowly, she eventually turned to look at the rookie.

“I think that is most of what is needed for today. I’ll see you tomorrow for your first official shift. I believe you will enjoy it here, I’ll be around for the next few days if any help is needed. You may gladly bring your mistress, though I’d like for the… doting to be at a minimum. Perhaps later we can discuss possible plushies for when your mistress is not around.”

The rinan and affini both looked to each other, squeaks being transferred between without the translator seeming to activate. Eventually Serenaia responded, her tone hesitant as she looked down at Lily. “Actually we were wondering if you might be open to having me work around here as well. Since having someone who can deal with paperwork… for Trexa would be valuable, and maybe we can get to know you better.”

The terran stopped up, looking at the affini in disbelief, the comments bordering harassment to her ears. “I’m sorry? Are you trying to flirt with me? The presence of an affini in the shop will imply that I am yours, which I’d rather not start spreading around this ship.” Lily was flabbergasted, her mind trying to wrap around what the affini had said. Implied. Something in her twisted, she felt almost jealous for some reason, possessive. She was her own person, she still had time, this was her shop. Another flash of yellow.

“Well… I guess so, I can assure anyone wondering that you’re still independent and available~” Fury burned, something in her twisted into pain, the rush of adrenaline almost causing her to scream before she calmed back down. “No! Sorry, I please refrain from using the word available. I don’t want affini coming to flirt with me anymore than they already are. This is my place of safety, of not being pursued. If you can’t respect that then I’m afraid that neither of you are welcome.”

The two froze, perfectly in sync, staring at her. A squeak escaped Trexa as their tail wrapped around their leg. Lily assumed it was a worry as Serenaia almost stumbled with the words. “Oh dear! I… I didn’t mean to cause you distress dear, I’m sorry. We simply want what’s best for you, and I was of the impression you were looking for potentially someone to care for you.”

“That is not for you to help with, even if I did want it. There have been many already who have come to me, and more later, I’m sure. I simply don’t want to deal with it here. I am my own person in this shop, and I’d rather it stay that way.”

The affini wilted at the words, yet accepted her denial for help. The two eventually left the shop, mood slightly more sour than Lily wished, they’d probably not retu- no. Stop it. Sighing, Lily fell into her chair and looked to the roof for what seemed like hours, until she finally moved once more. Sending a message to her datapad and waiting with her flowers.