Rebutia had her many hands full. Not in a bad way, mind you. She was just... busy. Her First & Second Florets were being angels, but it was an adjustment for everyone. Nora was getting used to being subordinate for once, and Helena's ideal xenodrug regiment was proving to be a bit of a challenge. But right now, with her florets dosed up and giggling in her lap, she knew it was worth it, even if the last 24 hours had been so very hectic. 

18 hours ago. 

Helena was panicking. She was sure, oh so sure, that Rebutia was angry at her. She'd gone and ruined it on the first day, fucked it up, and now she was hiding in her Ex-Owner's closet, trying not to cry loudly enough for her or Nora to hear.  At least the closet was cozy. The air in Rebutia's hab unit was a lot drier than a regular Affini living space, which made the warmth under the heap of blankets and companion grabs much more bearable. 

"Helena? I don't want to dose you without your consent, but your collar's gonna set itself off if you get too freaked out." 

Rebutia. She just wanted her to come out so she could let her know that she was no longer her pet. Nora would still be hers. She'd be alone. 

The door slowly creaked open. Nora always knew where she liked to hide when she was stressed. 

"Helena. It's okay. Our Owner's already got someone working on repairing the painting. You're still a good pet."

Her worries lessened, although they still lingered. The collar around her neck let out a pleasant beep, happy that she'd calmed a bit. Rebutia came forward, needles bared- Of course they were bared, Rebutia's didn't retract like some other Affini's could. "I'm going to give you something to help with the panic, okay?" She didn't wait for more response than the beginning of a nod. Needles pierced flesh, and a wave of calm dashed itself across the worried floret. 

"I thought the baseline dose I had you on would prevent this sort of thing. I think I'll put you on this dosage for the foreseeable future. A little less coherent, a touch clumsier, but from what your Pinnate has told me, you enjoy that kind of treatment. Now, lets get you nice and comfy on the couch." 

The Affini lifted her florets up with the greatest of ease, Helena in glassy eyed bliss. She'd be like that for the next few days, at least.

It didn't feel right. It was nearly 4 PM and Nora had done almost nothing today, outside being cleaned by and snuggling her Owner. The sun had already set, as it always did during the winter of this taiga-planet. The worst part is that, by wanting to go and accomplish something, she felt like she was betraying her owner. Twice already today, she'd had the rug swept out from underneath her. The first when Rebutia had managed to work darling Helena through her panic attack in a matter of moments, something that she was so used to being her responsibility. The second, and more embarrassing, was when she went to make Helena and Rebutia lunch. She'd been scolded, of course. Her coordination wasn't what it used to be, and florets like her weren't supposed to handle the sharp kitchen knives. Her "punishment" was to be fed by hand, eating out of her Owner's palm like a good little pet. And while it was incredibly satisfying, she couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't something she deserved. That it wasn't something she'd earned. 

So here she was, standing in front of the door to the hab unit, bundled in a puffy companion coat and sweatpants. She would earn the affection, one way or another. 

The snow and darkness were comfortable, but with her newfound lack of dexterity, she'd immediately fallen into the nearest snowbank. And gotten stuck. Her collar gave a light beep of distress, and immediately Rebutia was on her, picking her up and nestling her into her vines. 

"You poor thing. What were you thinking, going out on your own like that?" A leash is quickly affixed to Nora's collar, making her feel so helpless. 

"You said we were out of that tea flavor you really liked- I was trying to walk to the store to pick some up."

"My darling floret, that's not your responsibility. Very little is, at this point~" The affini teased, but her ward's reaction was unexpected. Sobbing. 

"I don't deserve any of this! I used to pride myself on being useful, but now that I don't need to be... everything feels awful. I just want to do something to prove your love for me is warranted."

Rebutia bristled with concern, and for a moment Nora was sure she was going to give her a dose of something. Instead, however, she merely spoke.

"Pet. As your guardian, it is my responsibility to love you no matter what. I would never stop adoring you. However, if you must do something for me to feel safe... I've got something in mind."

With every foodstuff in the house organized by taste, Nora finally felt the sense of accomplishment she had been looking for. A reason, for keeping her around. She wasn't expecting Rebutia to place gentle hands on each of her shoulders, or for the cactus to draw her into a very tight hug with her extra vines.

"Good pets get rewards, sweet thing."

A needle pierced Nora's neck, and she too faded into that blissful, drugged up state.

The terran duo let out a synchronized, contented sigh. All was well in Viola abode~