Natural light slowly filled the hab unit as two of Alpha Centauri’s suns rose in conjunction over Thypso. But the sunlight didn’t warm Mel in its usual soothing manner. She sat quietly at the table by the kitchenette, staring glumly into the cup of tea in front of her. She’d taken a few sips at first, but it had gone cold now.

“Melrose, I want you to talk to me. What’s got you feeling like this?” The soothing voice of Sylnathi drifted across the table.

 

Mel looked up to see the tall Affini woman sitting opposite her, resting on the floor so as not to hit her head on the shorter roof of the Terran-sized hab unit. Her skin was verdant and supple like a plant stem. Leafy prehensile vines swayed in coordinated movements around her body. Her figure resembled a large humanoid, perhaps 3 meters tall at full height. The assortment of flowers growing from her form gave her a bright, colorful aesthetic and her eyes shone blue with just the tiniest spark of gold.

Mel looked back down at her tea. “I keep thinking about Abigail." she said softly. "She was so sad. It was because of me, I think. She said she loved me, and then she left.”

“And do you love her too, Melrose?” Sylnathi asked sympathetically.

 

Mel gave a sad smile. “I do.”

 

After a pause, Mel looked back up from her tea and said, “But I also love you, Sylnathi! I know I’m a bit sad right now, thinking about my friend, but I meant what I said to you this morning. I’m ready, and I want to be with you. I know we have to figure out the Implant and everything, but-”

Mel was interrupted as Sylnathi gently shushed her. One sizable Affini appendage fully enclosed both of the Terran girl’s small hands with a firm grasp. The touch sent signals of comfort and pleasure through her arm and she looked deeply into Sylnathi’s glittering eyes once more.

“You’re getting ahead of yourself, dear.” Sylnathi said sweetly. “The Haustoric Implant is important, but there’s plenty of work to be done before we get to that. If you're serious about undergoing domestication, I want you to get used to addressing me formally. Please refer to me as your Mistress, or Mistress Sylnathi from now on. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes- uhh, yes Mistress.” Mel said the words slowly, making sure she got them right.

The Affini woman smiled endearingly back at her. “Very good, Melrose!” she said happily. "I understand something happened last night between you and Miss Abigail, but I also know you might not be ready to talk about it yet." Mel felt Sylnathi's grip tighten affectionately and gasped a little at the sensation. "When you're ready, please tell me what happened." Sylnathi continued, "I want to be sure I can provide the best care I can for you, alright?"

"Yes, I will." Mel said, feeling her smile falter. "Just- not yet. I need a little time." Mel hesitated. "Is- is that alright?" She asked.

Sylnathi nodded in confirmation and tousled the Terran girl's hair. Mel tried to smile again but she was worried sick; terrified of what might happen to her childhood friend now fighting with the Terran resistance. Abby would find no victory in her personal crusade, the Affini Compact was absolute. It was folly to oppose them! But even with that fact firmly in her mind, Mel couldn't quite bring herself to tell Sylnathi about what happened. Not yet.

 

After a minute of silence, Sylnathi's cheery voice picked up once more. “Now then, Melrose, if you’re going to commit yourself to me it’ll be best if we can spend more time together!” Mel immediately perked up at the idea as Sylnathi spoke, “I want you to move into my hab unit with me. It’s not terribly far, just on the other side of the park! Why don’t you be a good girl and pack up your things here? I’ll be right along to help you in a moment after I take care of something.” Mel nodded eagerly, filled with a renewed excitement. For a moment, she almost forgot about Abigail.

 

Mel set about organizing her personal belongings while Sylnathi sat in the kitchen, tapping some information into her data pad. As Mel began sorting through her home she realized how few personal possessions she actually had! She gathered her clothes, a few potted plants, and a couple of art pieces she liked. Her tablet held all of her stories, drawings, and digital media. But the linens, dishes, and most of the household products were part of the hab unit itself. Somebody else would use all these things after she was gone.

 

Sylnathi finished up whatever she was typing and moved over towards her. “Melrose, I want you to sign this form for me.” she said, handing the Terran girl her data pad.

Mel looked at it curiously. It was a mix of Terran and Affini scripts, she could only read half of it. “What is it?” she asked.

“It’s a sort of release form.” Sylnathi replied. “It allows us to formally begin the process under Section 51 of the Human Domestication Treaty. And since you’re not an enemy combatant, your consent is important here too. Just sign at the bottom there when you’re ready!”

 

Mel read briefly through the contract on the screen. It referenced a lot of other documents and proceedings, but sounded simple enough. By signing this form she pledged herself to Sylnathi Pelos, Second Bloom, and accepted a variety of agreements and stipulations regarding Sylnathi's ownership over her. It seemed very similar to what she’d read when she was researching human domestication. She initialed all the necessary boxes and awkwardly signed her name - her new name, as stated in the contract - at the bottom, recording her fingerprint alongside it. 'Melrose Pelos, First Floret' had a nice ring to it! It was comforting to take part of Sylnathi’s name as her own.

Mel handed the data pad back to Sylnathi, who checked over everything excitedly. “Excellent! Thank you, Melrose.” she said, beaming. Mel couldn’t help but blush a bit as she watched Sylnathi’s leaves rustle happily.

"The Affini sure love their paperwork, huh?" Mel teased.

"We do, actually!" Sylnathi replied smartly, "The Compact is so enduring and expansive, bureaucracy is like an art form for us! I've designed quite a few environmental guidelines and regulations myself!"

Mel couldn't help but laugh at Sylnathi's proud expression. "Wait, you actually like doing paperwork?" she asked.

"Of course! It's like a game, isn't it?" the Affini woman grinned, "Designing and redesigning the most efficient systems possible is great fun!"

"You've clearly never seen Terran bureaucracies then!" Mel giggled, unable to keep a straight face.

 

Sylnathi stowed her datapad and leaned down next to Mel, examining the cluster of belongings laid out on her bed. “Now then," she asked, "what exactly are we bringing with us?”

Mel surveyed her home once more and said, “You know, Sylnathi, I don’t think I actually own all that many things.” Mel felt a vine quickly wrap it’s way around her head, forcibly tilting it back until her vision locked upon Sylnathi’s disapproving face. She blinked in confusion, before suddenly realizing her error. “Gahh, I mean Mistress! Mistress Sylnathi!” she squeaked.

The tendril’s grip changed from forceful to affectionate once more as the Affini woman smiled. “Good girl, Melrose~” Sylnathi purred.

 

Mel stared contentedly up at her new owner until her attention was caught by Sylnathi’s other vines, picking through the items she’d arranged on the bed. She watched as the Affini held up her clothing piece by piece, folding some back up and tossing others to the side. Mel grew concerned as the majority of her clothing landed up in an unkempt pile on the floor.

“Uhmm, Mistress?” Mel asked cautiously. “What are you doing with my clothes?”

“Ohh, don’t worry dear.” Sylnathi cooed “You won’t be needing those ones anymore.”