Seni's face had a look of sincere seriousness, their head tilted down, as they kneeled before the Affini in a nearly formal fashion. Their eyes were closed. Still, despite their serious posture, they were visibly shaking from excitement. Kaltxi sat there, perplexed, not knowing what to say.

"I was talking to my parents, my Master, and I realised... I've been doubting myself too much. The reason I kept hesitating, it wasn't that I was scared of losing agency, or that anything bad would happen. I just didn't trust myself to do the right thing..." Seni explained, a shy smile forming on their face as they kept talking.

"But I know what I want! I know now! I want to spend every day with you, and become the best version of me there can be!" Seni's eyes were full of tears as they looked up and right into Kaltxi's, unafraid. "So please, let me become yours, my Master!"

Kaltxi looked down at the human in endearment, then smiled pityingly as they heard that final request. "Oh, my petal. To think all I had to do is make you happy and comfortable, and you'd break so nicely!" They chuckled and Seni felt an emotion they couldn't quite describe, a mix of embarrassment and pride, relief and anxiety. Kaltxi stood up and gestured for them to do the same. "But of course, Seni. I would be honoured to own a little human as lovely as you."

Though Seni had already expected that answer, they were still overjoyed to hear it. Through their tears, they bounced and flapped their hands, bursting with excitement for everything that was to come.

"Now," Kaltxi spoke, holding up the folded sheet of paper, "I believe we have a very important legal document here. Why don't we sit down comfortably and go over it together?" Seni calmed down a bit and nodded excitedly. The two of them headed to the living room, where Kaltxi set down the contract on the table. They sat together on the Affini-height part of the seat, Kaltxi's vines carefully embracing and stroking the human's body.

The front of the document was pre-printed, containing the typical rules that came with domestication. The boxes next to each of the rules were all clearly ticked, and every space that required the name of either the Affini or the floret was already filled in with careful but shaky handwriting. Right on the bottom of the page, it was already signed with the name "Seni Ngari, First Floret", but the biometric space was not filled in yet. "My! You've really prepared for this, haven't you, little Seni?" the Affini asked with amazement. "How long have you had this?"

"I-I got the contract back at the xenoclinic, my Master. They said it was just in case I make a choice, so I kept it..." Seni paused, uncertain. Their voice got quieter out of embarrassment. "But I filled it in, um, yesterday. Oh, there's... there's more on the other side, my Master," they added.

Kaltxi turned the paper over. The top of the page read, "Stipulations from the domesticated party". Underneath was a fillable space filled in with a few sentences, all in the same careful but shaky handwriting.

"I want to keep being myself, and being able do the things I like, and be in contact with the people I like. I want to be able to think for myself and do what I want, at least some of the time, as long as it's safe for me."

Kaltxi gave those stipulations a quick look, nodded, then wrote down some sort of symbol underneath it, likely their signature in Affini writing. "Of course, Seni. Just as it has been so far, you shall have as much freedom as it is safe for you to have." They turned the page over again. "Now, I have my own stipulations for you, Seni. Allow me." They turned the page back over and proceeded to write down two more points on the Affini side of the contract. They wrote them in human language with their own hand moving faster than Seni had ever seen, but their writing was so precise that it looked like it was printed.

"Seni, I will need you to always be honest with me, and tell me about everything you struggle with. I will not be able to help you otherwise."

"I will need you to stay near me and in view of me always, unless I give you clear permission. This is to keep you safe."

Seni read through these notes slowly and carefully. Worry was painted across their face. "These are... pretty strict rules, my Master."

"Perhaps," Kaltxi responded in a tone that was uncharacteristically serious. "But they are necessary. Don't worry, you will have some freedom – but more importantly, you need guidance."

"I need to always stay with you?" Seni asked, as if to make sure.

"Given some of your thoughts, as well as the few little mishaps we’ve had here, I just don't trust you to be alone yet." Kaltxi stared down at the human. "That means you will have to follow me everywhere, on the planet or off, if need be. Do you understand?"

Seni froze up a bit. Always being by their Master's side sounded scary. They would not be able to have full privacy, or to go anywhere without their approval, or even have time to rest if their social battery ever ran out. And the mention of leaving the planet was just as bad; they wondered for a bit if Kaltxi was going to move and live with them off the Earth. But despite this fear, they knew they had already accepted everything. Besides, they thought, Kaltxi had shown that they cared about them. They understood when they needed quiet or rest. And if they were going to leave Earth, they would surely let them visit. They swallowed.

"I understand. I-I accept that, my Master."

Kaltxi immediately lightened up and gave them a pat on the head. "Wonderful, little Seni! Oh, I'm so happy you're letting me do this!" Their voice was full of genuine excitement. They took Seni's hand and grasped it firmly, evoking a small gasp of surprise from them. "On my part, I promise I will care for you and provide you with everything you need. I will make sure you are always happy with me."

Seni stared down at their hand being guided by Kaltxi’s towards the biometric field. Once their thumb was hovering right over it, the Affini loosened their grip. "It's up to you now, little Seni. If I'm not wrong, this field is made of a special material. Once you press down, a copy of your fingerprint will appear on it, and the contract will be made official."

Seni closed their eyes. It had all come down to this. They tried to breathe deeply and calm themself, but even with the drug still coursing through their blood, they couldn't help but be nervous. Just a few minutes before, they were willing to sign off their freedom there and then, but now that their emotions faded, they were hesitating again. They looked through their head, trying to find any more questions they could ask to postpone this decision some more, but they couldn't find any. They knew it had to be right in that moment. They focused, as if bringing all the strength they had to that finger, and finally, after what felt like many minutes, pressed down, as hard as they could. Ink emerged from within the paper as the heat and pressure intensified on it, and a copy of Seni's finger was placed down, right next to their new name.

They expected relief, but instead they began hyperventilating. There was really, truly no turning back now. No Affini would let one throw out a signed contract. Just like that, their freedom was gone. Their life was going to change forever and there was nothing they could do. Seni’s mind and body were overflowing with panic, though they couldn't make a sound to ask the Affini, this Affini that now owned them, to help. Suddenly, their muscles relaxed and their breathing slowed. Their mind was fuzzy, and it was hard to think about anything. It took them a few seconds to realise the panic was entirely gone. They recognised the familiar sensation.

"N.. no... don't..." they mumbled incoherently.

"I had to. Look at you, petal, you nearly had a panic attack!" Kaltxi picked them up and put them in their lap, embracing their body with more vines spurring from their chest. "Besides," they whispered in their ear, "it's not like a floret to complain about being given drugs, is it?"

Seni tried to protest, but all that came out of their mouth was mumbles. Their now-owner giggled. The two stayed like that for a bit, cuddling, until Seni regained some of their consciousness. They wanted to say something, but realised they didn't mind anymore – they were thankful.

Feeling Seni's more lively movements and breathing, Kaltxi stood up and placed the human down on the floor. Seni still felt weak, but managed to stand. They looked up at the Affini's face, puzzled. "We have somewhere to go now, haven't we? Better not to waste any time," they responded and began walking up to where Seni's leash hanged by the door.

Seni tried to follow, but stumbled on their very first step. A swift vine caught them before they could fall. "Oh! Of course. I suppose it will be better if I just carry you, for now." They swiftly picked the human up, placing them on their back, and reached out more vines to fasten them closer to their body. Seni, in their blissed out state, couldn't help but embrace their Master's body and the pleasure they felt upon touching it. They giggled a bit as they began moving, making their way out of their hab.

***

When the dose of the passively inflicted drug wore off, leaving only the much more persistent dose they had received straight from the inhaler that morning, Seni realised they'd been walking for quite some time, and they had forgot to ask where exactly they were going. "My Master?" they asked. They tried to wiggle a bit into freedom, but the vines held tightly. Kaltxi turned his head. "Where are we going?"

He giggled. "You really have softened up a lot! Letting me carry you around, and not even knowing where?" Seni groaned lightly at the tease, but could not deny it. "But of course. We're on our way to the xenoclinic. In fact, we are almost there."

Seni snapped awake. "Xeno-- Are we-- Are you going to--" they stuttered, before being interrupted by their owner.

"We have a very important appointment to set up," Kaltxi said, smiling. “I can’t have you keep struggling with managing your own thoughts and feelings now that you belong to me!”

Seni straightened their vision and looked ahead. Through their permanently blurred out vision, they still managed to distinguish the familiar xenoclinic building in the distance, at the end of an alley laid out of many other Affini buildings of all sorts. Once they stood in front of it, Kaltxi set them down, but continued to hold their hand as they walked in.

The scent of the passive xenodrug filled Seni's nose, though they didn't feel the surge of calm as strongly as before – instead, the sensation of their owner's hand on theirs became like physical pleasure and they tightened their grip in response. A familiar Affini clerk approached them.

"Good afternoon! Master Kaltxi Ngari, wasn't it? First bloom?" they asked cheerfully, looking at the Affini as he nodded politely, then turned their attention to the human. "Oh, and Mx. Seni Loren! It is very good to see you again. How may I help you two today?"

Seni immidiately noticed the Affini's mistake and looked up at Kaltxi awkwardly. He responded by raising his eyebrows, as if anticipating something. Seni caught the hint right away. "Oh, actually, um... My name is also 'Ngari', now," they looked off to the side, their face flushed red, and added, "f-first floret."

The Affini clerk almost bounced in excitement. "My! That's exciting news! Congratulations to both of you!" They turned back up to look at Kaltxi. "So then, how may I help you and your adorable little floret?"

The floret was still stuck blushing, covering half of their face with their hands at the thought of being identified as Kaltxi's pet by someone from outside. Their owner responded for both of them. "We're here to make an appointment to get Seni their own haustoric implant."

The other Affini smiled welcomingly. "An appointment isn't necessary. We don't get many fresh florets here anymore, so we’ve began to accept walk-ins."

Seni turned immediately from red to pale. They had thought there was still time, but it was going to happen in the same day. Still, their anxiety was broken by their owner's voice again. "That sounds great, doesn't it, Seni?" He looked down at them with a smug smile. Seni wanted to protest, but they knew it was pointless now that they had signed away the right to decide for themself. They nodded shyly.

"I'll write you down then. The vet is currently finishing up with another patient, but should be ready soon."

Kaltxi gave a polite nod and led Seni to the familiar waiting couch, giving them a lift up to the Affini-height seating. The room was empty, but it still felt comfortable due to all the patterns on the walls, the music playing quietly in the background, and of course, the drug in the air.

"Oh, I should introduce myself. I am Datura Asyu, second bloom, they/them. May I get you anything while you wait?" they asked. Seni shook their head, but then hesitantly spoke up.

"Uh, no, but may I ask a question?"

Datura smiled back and looked back to Seni. "Oh yes, we're always open to questions. What did you want to know?”

"Um, why don't you get many florets? Do people not want to become florets anymore?"

"Oh, not at all! It’s just that back when we arrived here on Terra, we had tons of humans lining up to become domesticated. Some poor florets had to wait weeks for their procedures!" They sighed, resignedly. "But it has been a few years, and most of the people in assimilated cities who wanted or needed it, already had it done." "Still, there's a few lost little ones like you coming in, so we're still in business, as you humans would say!"

Seni nodded in understanding.

"Back on our Affini megaships, nearly every Affini has a floret, or two, or even three," Datura explained, pointing their head up at the sky. "So, our clinics are far more busy up there."

That idea amazed Seni. They had been seeing florets out on walks with their owners occasionally, as well as working on their own, but a ship where nearly every human – every sophont – is domesticated and drugged up, accompanied by an Affini, was difficult to imagine. For a second, they thought they wanted to see that for themself.

Suddenly, a door opened, and out walked an Affini with a human in tow. Another Affini stood in the door as they were leaving. They stopped and looked at each other.

"You will need to bring him in for a check-up in a few days, just in case, though there really shouldn't be any issues," the second Affini, which Seni assumed was the doctor, said to the first. They nodded.

The human bowed slightly. "Thank you, doc!" he exclaimed with a wide smile. He was immediately rewarded with a stroke of his head. The Affini then began to walk off towards the door, with their floret following right behind them for a few seconds, until he stopped in front of Seni. Seni tilted their head.

"Hi! Are you here for an implant, too?" he asked with excitement. "My name is Jean, what's yours?" The Affini leading him stopped as well and watched the two as they talked.

Surprised at the sudden conversation, Seni took a bit to gather their thoughts "I-I'm called Seni. Yes, I think... Did you just get one?" they asked.

Jean nodded in response. “Yup!”

"Jean," the Affini interrupted. "We do not talk to people’s florets without their permission." They turned to face Kaltxi. "Excuse me, he's eager to meet new people, and he's obviously very excited right now."

“Oh, I don’t mind, and I’m sure Seni doesn’t either,” Kaltxi responded and took a glance at Seni.

Seni looked up at the big Affini. They stood tall, easily twice Seni’s own size. The main part of their body was built of what appeared to be a large, strong tree trunk, branching out to form vague representations of arms and legs, with the occasional leaves and patches of moss apparent on all parts of their body. Their face emanated a dark, reddish-purple glow, as they looked down at Seni with an empty, serious expression. Their floret seemed like their polar opposite. He was also seemingly less than half his owner’s height, and he was looking at them excitedly, with a wide smile on his face and his bright blue eyes practically glowing. His skin was a fair bit darker than Seni’s own, which contrasted with his bright white companion tunic, and he had black hair of around ear-length. Seni’s immediate thought was that he was kind of cute.

Seni also quickly noticed that the Affini didn’t want to speak to them directly, and technically didn't refer to them as a person. They felt intimidated by them. “Y-yeah, it’s okay,” they responded hesitantly. The Affini gave only so much as a blink of approval and it was enough for Jean to start talking again.

"It's not as scary as it sounds! They just give you an anaesthetic, then you pass out, and then you wake up and it's there! No pain, no blood, nothing," he said, gesturing wildly as he spoke. Seni smiled politely, though they were still uncertain. "You want me to wait for you until you get out? It's only like a few minutes, so I don't mind."

Their owner made a noise equivalent to clearing their throat. “Remember, we have places to go as well, Jean.”

"But Mistress, could we please? Look at how scared they are, I'm sure it'll help!" Jean pleaded.

The Affini sighed and patted Jean on the head. "Fine, love. If they and their owner are okay with it." Once again, they turned to await an answer from Kaltxi.

They answered simply by turning the question towards Seni. "Are you okay with it, Seni?"

"Yeah, it would be nice," they responded, smiling at Jean. His face lit up again and he rushed over to the two. His Affini rolled their eyes and went to sit down next to Kaltxi.

"So, you want to know anything else?" he asked.

Seni hesitated. "Um, I'm not sure, but... can I see your scar?"

"Sure!" Jean turned around and bent his head down, allowing Seni to see the back of his neck from their high seat. Right in the middle, in the spot where his neck ended and his spine began, there was what looked like a small cut, surrounded by exposed scar tissue, sewn together by what appeared to be a mix of mechanical staples and plant stalks. Seni had seen plant tech before occasionally, but never on a human being. Despite not understanding it, they could tell it looked very precise and intricately put together.

"And it doesn't hurt at all?" they asked hesitantly.

"Nope! Not even when I touch it!" Jean exclaimed and proceeded to lift his hand and stroke all over the scar with his hand, much to Seni's horror. "The vet said it would only take a few days until it grows together and fades completely, and then you won't see a thing."

Seni almost reached out their own hand to touch it, but decided against it. "Thank you, this does help me calm down a bit." Jean beamed with joy.

Datura, who had politely stood aside as the situation unfolded, interrupted them again. "Master Kaltxi and Mx. Seni, the vet is ready for you."

Seni looked up and saw that the door to the operating room had opened again. They slid down from their seat and grabbed Kaltxi's outreached hand. As they went in, they heard Jean exclaim from the other side of the room.

"Good luck! We'll be waiting here!"

Seni turned around and smiled at him through their anxiety.

With the door closed behind them, Kaltxi spoke up. "What a nice little human, right, little Seni?" Seni responded with a nod.

The room was mostly empty, reminding Seni more of a traditional hospital, though it was still well-lit and comfortably decorated with plants and colourful patterns on the walls. In its centre stood an operating chair, along with tons of confusing medical equipment around it and by the walls. There was also a station with a desk filled with notes, surrounded by at least five or six different screens, at which sat an Affini.

Their body was mostly made of leaves, reminiscent of a bush bright, green bush, though their arms were barren at their ends, exposing hands and fingers made of dozens of small, wiggling sticks. Their eyes had a bright yellow glow, though they were half-closed, fixated at some papers in front of them.

"Good afternoon, doctor," Kaltxi said.

The Affini doctor didn’t look up, tapping something on a tablet screen. "Good afternoon. Kaltxi Ngari, first bloom, and Seni, first floret, correct?"

Kaltxi smiled politely. "Yes, indeed."

"Right. I am Dr. Pleda Bura, fifth bloom, she/her. I'll be performing the operation." Pleda turned the screen away from her and brought out another, smaller one, that followed her as she got up from her chair. Her seriousness faded and she smiled instead. "Now, let me see that cute little sophont of yours!"

Kaltxi gestured for Seni to approach the vet. "Oh, be careful touching them, they don't always like it."

Pleda quickly tapped something into the smaller, floating screen. "Touch sensitive... Are you autistic, little one?"

Seni's eyes widened. "Um, yeah, though I don't normally tell people."

"I understand. Not everyone gets it. We're here to tend to your needs, though, little one." The words let Seni relax a bit more, and they looked at the vet with appreciation. She bent down and examined Seni closely, gesturing for them to turn and lift up their arms, then tapped something on the tablet with satisfaction and stood back up. "Seems like we can begin. Feel free to take off your pretty dress and sit down on this chair."

Seni examined the chair closely. It was much like the one in an old-fashioned dentist's office, though it had a major gap between the back and headrest which would expose the neck of the human sitting down on it. It was also on some kind of mechanical pedestal that looked like it could be moved in any direction the vet wanted.

It only took one swift movement for Seni to remove their companion dress, leaving them in only their underwear. They walked up to the operating chair and climbed up onto it.

"How obedient! It's like you've already done it a hundred times!" Pleda exclaimed. Seni couldn't help but smile at the compliment. They hadn't expected being called 'obedient' to feel so good... The vet fastened some belts around the human's body, holding them down tightly to the chair, then reached for an injector. "Don't worry, these are only to keep you steady when I tilt the chair down to see your neck. You won't feel a thing. I'm going to give you a quick injection, and you'll fall asleep right away. When you wake up, it'll all be over!"

Kaltxi perked up. "Excuse me, Seni hasn't received drugs intravenously ever before. Could you use an inhalant instead?" they asked, with a politeness Seni frankly hadn't known Kaltxi was capable of.

"An inhalant, of course." Pleda put down the injector and picked up a familiar tube with a mask, which was sticking out of a fairly large box on the ground. "In that case, I'll need you to close your eyes and count to ten." She fastened the tube to their face and held it down with a hand, just like Kaltxi had done many times before. "Ready?"

Seni nodded and began counting in their head. One, two... their vision became blurry nearly as soon as they heard the machine start whirring. Three, four... their thoughts began to get fuzzy. five... eiight... sneven...

Seni's eyelids felt so heavy. They tried to open their eyes, but their head was still spinning and the light coming from above was blinding.

Kaltxi's voice echoed in their head in a sing-song tone. "Seeeni~"

"H-huh?" they muttered. "Issit over?" They noticed they still had an inhaler mask on and took a deep breath from it instinctively. Within seconds, the fog cleared up and they were awake. They opened their eyes and saw their owner looking down at them with the most excited smile. They couldn't help but smile back. "My Master? Is it over?" they asked clearer this time.

"That's right, little Seni! You've got your very own implant now." Kaltxi bent down and began to unfasten the belts holding Seni down.

Pleda stood further back, her face buried in multiple screens which were displaying Seni's vitals and the implant's progress. "Yes, it's all done now. It should still take a few days to grow its roots, but we can try it out pretty much as soon as you're feeling well enough to walk."

She grabbed one of the tablets and left it floating in the air in front of herself. "Now, stand up, please. We're going to make sure your brain and motor functions are all in order, as well as test out some of your implant's functions and tricks."

Seni stood up confusedly and slid off the chair to the floor. They were able to stand up steadily. "Tricks?" To their dismay, both Affini giggled in response.

Pleda elaborated. "While you were under, your Master and I have been discussing a few novel, as well as classic, ways in which your implant may be utilised. They are a first-time owner, so I thought to let them try those out here, where it’s safe, first. Don't worry, none of it is going to harm you." She handed a tablet to Kaltxi and Seni watched as they pressed some buttons and moved some sliders.

"Petal, can you walk a few steps to the other side of the room for me?" Kaltxi asked, trying to hold back a mischievous smile.

"Yes, my Master!" Seni responded with an excited, cheerful voice, that made them recoil in surprise. "Oh, w-what? I mean, yes, I mean, Of course, my Master! Huh..." They found that they couldn't accept an order from their Master without experiencing this strange pulse of joy as soon as they said those words.

Pleda chuckled. "Oh, how adorable! Yes, part of the implant's good work is that it will make you so excited to follow your orders!"

Seni wanted to protest against this, the fear of losing their free will setting in again, but as soon as they opened their mouth, they lost their train of thought and all they could get out was a sheepish smile and an "Oh, okay."

"It also removes most of your negative thoughts, of course. But don't you worry, I can assure you that your owner will not use those features in bad faith."

Seni tried to test it by thinking about something negative, like how anxious they were right now, and the thoughts lingered for just a bit before they were ultimately replaced by simple excitement to follow orders again.

"Now, can you do what I asked and walk across the room for us?" Kaltxi asked.

"Of course, my Master!" they blurted out with excitement again and immediately felt heavily compelled to do exactly what they had been told. They quickly shook off how weird that still felt and began walking.

Seni took one careful step after another, uncertain what exactly the "test" entailed. On their fourth or fifth step, they noticed their movements were beginning to slow down, though they weren't doing it on purpose. On the next, they were barely moving their legs. They looked back at their owner, who was holding back a giggle, then back in front of themself. With slow, concentrated effort, they took their seventh, tiny step. At this point, they were about three-quarters across the operating room. For a reason they couldn't explain, they were filled with unexplainable worry.

"Go ahead, touch the wall for me!" the giggly voice exclaimed.

Seni reached out their hand, but it was still too far away. They tried to take another step forward. They lifted their leg... then set it down again. They were incredibly confused. It felt like they had forgotten how to walk. They lifted their other leg, and found themself taking a step back rather than forward. They turned their head back again, distressed, and realised the two Affini were watching them with incredible amusement.

"W-what's happening? I can't walk!" they yelled out in distress.

Kaltxi giggled again. "Try coming back over here!"

Seni turned around and walked swiftly back to their owner. The bad feeling they had just had faded nearly instantly. "Whu--? What happened, my Master?"

Pleda chimed in. "That was a virtual leash! It's a fairly new invention. With its help, your owner can keep you from wandering too far away, without needing to hold you on a real, physical leash and risk you getting tangled up or hurt."

The floret briefly thought of saying something against the concept of leashes, but once again, they felt unable to really protest. "R-right... I did promise not to leave my Master’s side. It's-- it's really short, though," they pleaded.

"That was just for show. I can make it longer later, if you'd like," Kaltxi explained, tapping something on the tablet.

"So, you're doing a great job at standing up and walking, and the implant is... definitely doing its job," Pleda said, chuckling at the last part of her sentence. "Now, let's try out something else." She rotated one of her screens to face Seni, and pressed a button on it. It displayed the equation, '4+3='. "Seni, can you tell me how much this is?"

"Seven," they said, with a hint of confusion in their voice.

"Great job! How about this?" She pressed a button again and the screen displayed,

'10+5='.

"Fifteen."

'30-4='

"Thirty... twenty-six."

'20+5='

"Uuh.. twelve... fifteen... Wait no, twenty-something... Twenty-five! Wait, huh?"

A smile formed on Pleda's face.

'7-4='

"That's... uh... Seven times four was... twenty-one... No, that's not times, that's... minus... So four plus... It's... uh, five?"

"It's three, darling. Try this one."

'2+2='

"That's... I recognise this one. Everyone knows this. The answer was... red, I think? Wait, no, this is maths... So it was green?"

Kaltxi burst out laughing. They tapped some buttons on their tablet again, then said pityingly, "Sorry about that, little Seni. Try now."

Seni looked back at the screen. "Two plus two? It's four! What was I... What did you do to me!?" they asked in an accusing tone, but quickly caught themself regretting it. A shiver went down their spine, and the annoyance faded from their face, replaced by a faint, worried smile. "Excuse me. What did you do, my Master?"

Pleda responded instead. "This one is for... intellectual subduction. If you're ever thinking too hard about something bad, it can be used to mix up your thoughts a little bit," she explained, smiling kindly.

"Intellectual..." It took Seni a minute to understand what the Affini had said, and when they did, they were on the verge of tears. Though the implant was still trying to do its job, Seni was so overcome with fear again that their true emotions shone through for just a moment. "But you won't have to use that! I won't misbehave, I swear!" they pleaded. "You said... you promised to let me have some freedom..." They sniffled.

Kaltxi's smile turned to a frown and they ran up to embrace their floret. "Oh, oh no, petal, please don't cry! We were just trying some things out. I will not use them to hurt you!” Seni buried their face in their owner’s arms, fighting with their own emotions.

Pleda took a look at one of her screens, then took it with her as she walked closer to Seni and Kaltxi. "I apologize, Seni. Maybe we went a bit too far with the testing. The implant's negative thought suppression was still set so high, we didn't notice you were hurt – I should have adjusted better for your inexperience and anxiety." She moved one of the sliders on her tablet with a swift movement. Immediately, Seni felt incredibly relieved, like their inner conflict finally stopped.

Pleda squatted down in front of them, looking into their face. "You have to understand that we Affini would never seriously hurt you. I know it wasn't like that among you humans, but we are different; we only want what's good for you."

Kaltxi squeezed their floret tighter. “I will only use your implant to make you stay safe and feel good,” they said, wiping Seni's tears with one of their vines. "Aaand maybe sometimes just to mess with you, because you're so adorable. But not much, I promise!" They giggled and despite how non-reassuring that felt, Seni couldn't help but giggle back. The embrace of their owner was calming as usual, and the implant only amplified how safe they felt with them.

Kaltxi loosened their embrace, noticing their floret was feeling a little better, and looked down at their face. Seni took a bit of time to compose themself, before finally saying, “Thank you. I was just really scared when I couldn’t say what I was thinking. I’m sorry, maybe I’m a bit more sensitive than other florets."

“You have nothing to apologise for. The implant is there to make you feel better, not to control you against your will,” explained Pleda. “It just takes some getting used to, but in time, you will find the changes in your mind to be very positive.”

“Okay,” Seni said. “I trust you… and I trust my Master, of course!” Smiling, they looked up at Kaltxi, and received a smile back.

Pleda smiled reassuringly. "I'm very glad. Now I need to clean up and sanitise the operating chair, but we will see each other again. You'll have to go back for a routine check-up in a few days." She reached out and handed Seni a lollipop. "Here you go, for being such a brave patient!" Seni eagerly grabbed it.

"Of course," Kaltxi said. "Thank you, Doctor. We will see you soon." They reached out their hand to grab Seni's, but they shuffled away, indicating they were overwhelmed with touch for the time being. Just being able to make this small gesture surprised Seni, and they felt glad that they still had enough control left to not do things that would exhaust them. Kaltxi understood this right away and put their hand back down, keeping a close eye on Seni instead.

"Seni!" Jean practically jumped off their seat. "What took you so long?"

"Oh, we had some small issues while we were testing out their implant," Kaltxi responded for them. "Nothing to worry about now, though."

Jean's expression turned grim. "Issues? Gosh, I'm sorry, I didn't know it could go wrong. Are they okay?"

"I'm okay!" Seni said. "Nothing went wrong with my implant, I just got a little scared. But my Master and the nice vet helped me!" They were smiling wide in excitement now. With Kaltxi's help, they climbed back up on the seat in the waiting room and began chatting away with Jean. To their own surprise, the anxiety that usually accompanied talking to people was very much gone. They no longer stuttered, and they were able to say anything they wanted to without the usual hesitation and embarrassment. The confidence that filled them was definitely strange, but they got used to it quickly.

"So how did you become a floret?" they asked at one point.

Jean's eyes shone. "Oh jeez, it was like love at first sight!" he responded. "I don't know what came over me, but I just saw this grim looking Affini at some event or another, and I chatted her up. And next thing I know I'm calling her Mistress!" He laughed out loud. His owner extended a vine to pat him on the head, but didn't say anything.

"You chatted her up?" Seni asked in surprise. "I didn't know that could happen."

Jean laughed. "So I guess it was your Master that chatted you up?"

"Huh, I guess so. I don't really know why, but they tried really hard to get my attention at first..." They glanced over at Kaltxi, who was busy adjusting something in their tablet. They whispered in Jean's ear. "I think they had a crush on me." The two giggled.

"Seni!" Kaltxi spoke up. "Remember our contract, petal. You mustn't keep secrets from me." They grinned at Seni, indicating they'd been listening in the whole time. "Do you mind repeating that out loud?"

Seni blushed lightly, but smiled. "Uh, I said... I said I think you had a crush on me, my Master!"

If Affini were capable of blushing, Kaltxi's face would have turned beet red. "My, um. Well, you see, Semi, uh..." Jean laughed loudly again and even his owner cracked a smile. "Oh well, I think it's fair to say I was a bit smitten with you. You were just so adorable, the way you kept denying how much you wanted to become a pet! I figured someone was going to claim you eventually, and I suppose I simply really wanted that someone to be me." They looked incredibly flustered, but Seni found it even more endearing. They realised that they had also not stopped thinking about Kaltxi ever since meeting them.

The other Affini stood up. "I'm glad our florets got along, but we must leave now. Jean, say goodbye." she said, cliff-faced again.

"Oh! Goodbye! Hold on, can I add you?" Jean brought out his mini-tablet from his pocket.

"Sure, I'm Seni Lo--" they paused and chuckled awkwardly. "I'm Seni Ngari, first floret."

Jean giggled. "And I'm Jean Waesk, second!"

Seni tilted their head. "Is that your Mistress's last name? I'm sorry, I think I forgot what she was called." They instinctively bowed down apologetically before the Affini.

"Oh no, my Mistress doesn't like to introduce herself. I don't think anyone knows her name except her florets and the doctors," he explained in a half-whisper.

Kaltxi stood up and finally put their tablet away. "Well, it was nice to meet you, Jean, and you too, Miss Waesk. My name has been Kaltxi Ngari, first bloom." They bowed as well. "I'm happy to see Seni has made a friend."

The Affini nodded. "Of course. Come on, then, Jean." She began to walk away, and Jean waved at Seni one last time before skipping away after his owner.

"Little Seni?" Kaltxi asked to grab their pet's attention, now that the two were gone.

"Yes, my Master?" they turned around immidiately with a light smile on their face. The excitement they felt from just hearing their name called was still a bit strange, but they were getting used to it.

Kaltxi took out their tablet again and turned to show it to Seni, though there wasn't much use in it as they didn't understand any of the markers and symbols. "While you were busy, I took the liberty of adjusting the implant's functions a little bit. It's still going to block your harmful thoughts, but you should be able to tell me when something is wrong, or when you have doubts about my orders. And finally, I adjusted your leash down to five steps away from me if we're outdoors, and fifteen if we're indoors." They smiled politely. "Does all of that sound good?"

Seni had expected to involuntarily agree to everything again, but though they felt an inexplicable excitement towards the thought of being owned and controlled to such an extent, they felt like the majority of thoughts in their head were still their own. They felt comfortable that way, and quickly figured that some degree of limiting their thoughts was necessary to make them their 'best self'. They pondered for just a few seconds and gave their owner an excited nod. "Yes, my Master!" These words, however, had never felt better to say.

"Now, let us go home. I figure you should need some rest after so much social interaction," they said, and Seni quickly made their way to the Affini's side, walking alongside them. They smiled to themself, grateful for the consideration Kaltxi had for their needs, without them even needing to say anything, and they found themself thinking about how lucky they were to have been found by such a good Affini. Kaltxi continued talking as they were almost out the door. "And besides, we still have someone to pay a visit to tomorrow! I think you will be excited!"

As they made their way out of the clinic, Seni looked back. Memories of this place from just a week before echoed in their head. Back then, they felt incredibly scared of it, but now, they just felt happy. They were thankful to Kaltxi, to Anne, to everyone who they had met that led them to go down this path. There was no more doubt in their heart that this was the right thing to do, that they were going to be happier now than they ever had been. Their thoughts went back to the poster from before. They noticed the familiar screen and tried to make their way towards it, though they stopped about half way to it and couldn't walk any further. They knew what was happening this time. "My Master? Can we come over here for a second, please?"

"Yes, Seni? What is it?" Kaltxi stepped closer and began following the human. The two stopped and stood right in front of the screen.

The display now showed them exactly as they appeared, happy, well groomed, with a tight collar on their neck. The text displayed was different than last time. It said: 'Thank you for trusting us!'. After a few seconds, next to this image, the photo it had taken those few days ago appeared again. They realised that they were looking at the exact same image from before – their old, independent, sad self, next to their brand new, domesticated, happy self – except the only thing that was different was which one was real.

Seni smiled wide, which became reflected in the picture, and tears welled in their eyes. They turned and wrapped their arms around their owner as hard as they could. They tried to find the words to describe all the thoughts and feelings coursing through their mind, but all they could muster was this:

"Thank you... Thank you, my Master!"