A crowded park soaks in the sun on a day like any other, the nearby footpath completely clear. Letting out contented sigh, a girl lifts herself up from the bench she had been reading on and shoulders her bookbag with a smile. She used to hate these monthly appointments, but they don't seem so tough anymore. 

"So, Amelia. I can see you're looking a lot better. How's your sleep?" For once, Amy isn't the one sat taking notes in the room. Maybe that's why she never much liked coming here. 

The brunette meets the eyes of her psychiatrist, which tells the other a lot on its own. "Better, ahaha... much better. I was thinking I probably don't need to keep doing these, my parents' money is running out and I think I'm doing pretty well so..."

"It's completely your decision, though I'll wait until the end of today's talk to give some advice on that front if you're willing to hear it. From what I can tell though, you're a completely different girl! I'm sure having your dissertation behind you certainly helps?" The doctor takes some more notes, this is when Amelia would usually start fidgeting as the paranoid flood of thoughts slowly overwhelmed her. 

"Yeah! I'm really proud of it... I did need a lot of help, but that's not always a bad thing I guess. You were right, I was trying to go it alone all the time and it made my world feel way too small. I'm happy now, loved." The girl beams, finally fidgeting but only in anticipation of sir's firm leather touch. 

"Oh, you're seeing someone? Be careful with relying too heavily on dating as an emotional crutch, I wish you the best but relationships can be volatile and leave you feeling lower than before should you count on them for emotional stability and then experience a break up. Being prepared to let go is important, Amelia. Still, this is good. Even short relationships can build a lot of confidence and experience if you let them."

I'll never let go of Eden. Never. We're not a couple, this stupid shrink doesn't get that I'm just property. Happier for it. How short is forever?

"You're right, of course. Don't worry, I've got a healthy outlook, I think. I'm just really looking forward to the future, you know? Nobody needs to worry about me anymore." The girl rests back, hands on her knees and a wistful gaze. What was she so pessimistic about for all that time anyway?

"You're a very good girl, Amy." The psychiatrist smiles and places down their clipboard, assessing their patient with sharp eyes. "Lap." Snap.

Amy blinks a few times before hopping up and dropping into the shrink's lap, feeling arms surround her like castle ramparts protecting the princess. "Did I pass? Will that convince them I'm all good now? My parents are super overbearing, if I don't go they'll just get more involved." Her head falls back onto her owner's shoulder, Amy looking so content to be held by them once more. 

"You did wonderfully, princess. I know it's difficult, pretending to be independent, so I'm very proud of you." Eden marks the girl's neck with kisses and Amy coos, always feeling so dizzy when she's given intimate attention by her owner. 

"Like you said before... it's only acting." The slave giggles, not bothering to turn when the door opens and a pair of nurses enters in even step. 

"Owner, Dani's requesting her plaything again. Could just make her forget, but you did promise her Amy on Thursday afternoons and it's well, it's noon now and she ain't messing around." Seven and Twelve circle around the room and Amy grins at their shared nurse outfit, this place is so unserious sometimes. 

Eden checks their pocket watch and rolls their eyes, cupping Amy's chin and planting a pacifying kiss against her lips that makes her float. "Ah, very well then. We were just finishing up here anyway. Amy could do with the training and Dani too, besides, I always keep my word. Usually." 

"Is she going to be mean to me again?" Amy pouts, addicted to those fingers framing her soft round face. 

"Only if you don't behave, but worry not princess. If she's too strict then come to me and I'll set her straight." Eden's pretty, handsome smile disarms the girl's apprehension entirely. 

"O-okay, I love you!" The brunette lunges forwards and hugs her owner tight, something she hasn't noticed her owner only tolerates from her. Perhaps they like her lack of discipline sometimes. Chin dropping onto the other's shoulder, Amy sighs happily once again. "I don't mind her strictness... it's fun, she just likes when I show hesitation like that... I'm trying to be a good girl."

"Ah, only acting? You're a natural, Amy. Go and give Danielle a good show then, you know how impatient she can be while under this roof. Leave your inhibitions at the door, haha... and nurse?"

Seven and Twelve straighten their backs, awaiting instruction dutifully even if they're usually much more laid back around owner. "Yes, sir?" 

"How's our latest doing? Did she click on all those links?" 

"Hm~ Every single one."

Amy carries herself through the warehouse on autopilot, like a long invisible leash tugs her towards Mistress Dani without need for conscious direction. Her dark brown hair is much shorter now, cut at owner's behest and given red highlight to signify ownership. Not that they stopped there, she wears the ink too. Eden's 53rd. A part of her wonders where those other girls might be, there's less than half here in the garden. The girl traces cool fingers over her collarbone and bites her lip, a poor substitute for Eden's apple. 

"Ah, there you are!" Danielle is in the usual room, sitting on a gaudy golden chair with a shiny black leg draped over the armrest. Her body is a canvas for the latex and Amy knows she must submit to its glossy sheen. "Find a cushion and kneel, I'll get to you when I can... uhm... just time yourself out until then, okay pretty?" Dani is playfully holding a wine flute beneath the chin of a kneeling slave who spills drool from her ball gag helplessly, arms strapped tight behind her back. 

As naturally as wind blowing through the leaves in the breaking of dawn, Amy does as she's told. Following instructions is oh so easy, but pleasing Danielle is another thing entirely. "Yes ma'am!" Responds the brainwashed plaything eagerly, dropping onto her knees and secretly wishing she had picked a cleaner pillow. Several other naked women, or ones sporting fetish gear, surround the latex queen in a fine huddle of harem. Amy likes the company, it brings a much needed warmth with how skimpy they all are. The brunette peers down at her own, mostly naked form. She wears a pink plastic tube top and matching hotpants, with high platform stilettos she's learned to walk in so well. The rest of her sun-kissed body is covered in thick black writing reminding her what to say and how to act during her psychologist appointment rehearsal. Along with a few extras that Eden opened their slaves the floor to add during morning assembly. To Amelia the words would have been so humiliating, but Amy only feels pride and a sense of community. In the end, Amelia got what she wanted.

Amy times herself out just like owner showed her, drooling onto the pillow she kneels over as her body becomes nothing but a well posable doll for the next hour and a half. Dani was understandably impatient to have her here, Amy really adds to the feng shui of her space.

Days turn to weeks and at long last, Amy's graduation ceremony is upon her. Her hair is a bleached blonde now, though she still has that red streak that reminds her of her place by Eden's side. Danielle pulls her along by the hand instead of a leash for once and smiles back at her innocently, shyly. "Are you as excited as I am, Amy?" The girl asks softly, this version of her seeming like a fake these days but Amy all too happy to play along. Only acting. 

"Yes Mis-- ahaha, yeah... I guess I'm a little nervous too, are your parents here as well?" Amy is just glad that her graduation robes go all the way up to her neck, hiding all those marks that show what an owned slut she really is. Still, she finds the hats quite entertaining, betting Dani that she could balance a spinning top on it to show owner just how good she's gotten at standing still like a doll. 

"In a manner of speaking. You know what a bundle of nerves I used to be, right? Back in first year? I-I mean I know that I'm not the most confident now, but I've been working on that... we've been working on it." Dani smirks and Amy returns a knowing smile, nodding attentively. "Yeah well, it's the usual sad sack story with a much better ending or at least I think so. I lost my parents on my first week of starting college, god it was so hard to focus... I didn't tell anyone, just acted normal. I think it probably pissed me off that you were always sulking around sitting on your own when I was the one going through it and trying so hard not to be a buzzkill."

"Oh... uhm, I guess I'm so--"

"Don't be, Amy! That was a different girl and besides, isn't that a self centred outlook? Just cause I was hurting I was judging others I knew nothing about for acting in a different way. People can be so ugly when they're not owned, hehe. Anyway I was sad about my parents I guess, but not distraught. The reason I was so nervous was because my next of kin was about to take me in and make my life a living hell... ahaha... those people are pure evil."

"So what happened?" Amy links arms with her slave sister, the two looking like close friends to any passing graduate. 

Dani blushes, wetting her lips before continuing. "I don't know the particulars but... Eden took me in, became my legal guardian. It's funny, I haven't heard from my uncle since and I'm glad for it. I belong to the garden now, just like you, pretty." 

Amy stares in awe, something stirring beneath her steel belt. "Owner's amazing... and wow, I'm a little jealous of you. It's like you're legally owned."

The dominatrix giggles uncontrollably, pulling Amy closer. "I'm not sure that's how it works, you sure owner hasn't been dabbling in some IQ play recently? Loving the blonde."

"Th-thank you." Amy only seems to latch on to the compliment, running fingers through her blonde bob with a sweet smile that Amelia could never dream of conjuring. "I've got a feeling my parents won't, especially during my graduation."

"Just focus on looking your best and don't worry about what anybody besides our owner thinks." Snap.

"Yes ma'am." 

"Danielle Gardner." The booming voice calls out, Dani turning to kiss Amy on her cheek right in view of her parents with a playful wink before hopping up to accept her certificate. Amy waits patiently, a part of her feeling proud of the girl she'd spent the entirety of college scoffing at, like they're sisters. It's not such a bad feeling. As the latex queen exits from the other side and sits back down at her seat, Amy realises she'll have to wait a while for them to get to her surname and takes the time to consider Eden. 

What is their life like outside of the garden? While it's true they seem to spend most of their time watering the flowers, Amy has to wonder what sort of place they return to come nightfall. Their living arrangements are a mystery, they're still just a stranger to her. Her stranger, ever illusive. Amy imagines Seven and Twelve serving as their butler, wondering if one day she could earn her place as house staff as if that's even a position being alluded to. Perhaps Eden feels the need to have a place away from this life they lead, a doctor wouldn't share a roof with their patients after all. Amy wants more, though... ever since Dani told her about the secret connection she shares with owner, the feeling has only intensified. As she readies herself to be called up to the stage for her graduation, Amy's mind could not be further from the accomplishment. It isn't hers anyway, but this could be... 

Amy wants to try her hardest to truly become Eden's favourite, to be indispensable to them and maybe one day... return home with them. They don't have to share a bed, she'd gladly occupy the foot of it. The floor. A kennel. 

Perhaps when she gets home... no, not to where she sleeps, but the place she belongs... Amy should ask Seven and Twelve more about their owner's life. 

"Amelia Porter." Calls the voice, Amy scoffing at the name and stepping forwards even without the usual snapping of fingers to beckon her closer. Amy's parents watch her accept the certificate and smile so easily, lost in distant reverie. 

Amelia graduates, so that Amy can live on by owner's side. Even if she knew how many years it would take her to finally become Eden's favourite it wouldn't have stopped her in the slightest. On the contrary. She's in this for the long haul. 

Always and forever.