Work Text:
Verne was a radiant garden-world even before the Terran Domestication Program, albeit one for the ultra-wealthy to play in. Despite that, life was comfortable for the working class compared to a space station or, stars forbid, a forge world like Voleth.
Most of it was left undeveloped post-terraforming for megacorp CEOs to hunt game, ride horseback in the countryside, and sail unspoiled seas.
99% of the planet dedicated to the hobbies of the .00001%.
When the Affini arrived they swiftly corrected this inequity. Now, the planet was a lush nature preserve open to anyone who desired the tranquility it had to offer.
It was Saturday night in Downtown Orley at Nascence, a trendy bar bustling with patrons raising their voices to be heard over the din.
I was sitting at the corner of the bar, nursing my second drink. An older gentleman had ordered a "G&T," so decided to order one myself. It didn't taste great.
Liquor was yucky, mixed or not.
This was meant to be a restorative trip, a nature retreat. My affini caseworker, Artemis, at the Bureau of Xenosophont Wellness and Care had suggested I try new experiences to broaden my horizons.
"Ah! I have just the thing, cutie: Verne, a mostly undeveloped planet full of nature where you can let that little brain of yours readjust to what sophonts like you truly need in life."
I bristled at being called 'cutie.' My name was Wren; I had chosen it myself.
Artemis had been helpful enough when she changed my legal documents to reflect my identity. And when she helped get me on Class-Gs. But I didn't care for her patronizing manner.
But what choice did I have? Choice was an illusion with the Affini.
I had—somehow—been spared the indignity of becoming a pet. A floret.
If an extraplanetary trip to go hike in a forest would placate them… I didn't like to think about the alternative.
On arrival, I rode the tram from the spaceport to Orley, stopped by my local accommodations to drop off belongings, and made my way to Nascence—the closest bar the furthest I had ever been to from Voleth.
I sighed, realizing I was lost in a reverie. My body was warm; my face felt flushed. Some fresh air would be good.
So as not to be rude, I finished my drink before I stood up from the bar. I felt… Dizzier than expected. I had never felt so disoriented before from drinking a couple beers…
I hastily scanned the bar for an exit. There were so many people here. More had arrived after having sat down at the bar… Enjoying a night out on the town before hitting the trails tomorrow.
Strangers' faces smiling, laughing with each other…
There—the back exit. I began winding my way through the crowd and excusing myself as I squeezed past other patrons. I felt panic rise in my throat. My eyes stung with shame.
Finally, I managed to break through the crowd. I bumped into someone entering as I rushed outside. Tears were clouding my vision.
Strangers were mingling out here, too. I felt exposed. Everyone must be staring at me. I must look so pathetic standing here. I hadn't managed to talk to anyone the entire time I just sat there.
My lip quivered as a tear rolled down my cheek.
"Shh, shh~ It'll be okay. Come with Miss Marigold."
Wait—who? I felt something indescribably soft wrapped around my hand. I glanced behind my shoulder where the voice came from to see an affini through blurry eyes.
Her face seemed concerned, but cheerful. Like when you're looking after a lost child. She noticed mine and raised a spindly vine to wipe it.
"Come along, now," she hummed, guiding me forward by the hand and stroking my back with several vines.
One vine climbed my neck and pet my head, unfurling into tendrils that ran through my hair.
"I-I, uh…" Stars it felt wonderful. My anxiety washed away along with all other thoughts as I followed Miss Marigold.
Something had happened. I was sure of it. Had to think… Think! I could think again!
I remember being led away from the bar in a daze. Belatedly, I realized we were no longer on the premises.
I swiveled my head to look for the affini, finding her sitting beside me and looking down with what I dreaded was adoration. I stared a bit too long.
"D'aww~ Are you too little for words? That's all right, little sprout. How about we sit here by the water and have a nice chat?"
The water…? I heard… a brook babbling and crickets chirping. The roots of a lofty tree offered sanctuary. Moonlight illuminated a forest-like park whose only unnatural feature was an affini-sized bench along a dirt path.
I gripped the ground for comfort.
Despite my fears, the cool dance of nighttime air was refreshing. It had been my original reason for leaving the bar. Until…
Memories flooded back. Overwhelming emotions. It was then that I realized the affini's vines had left me. I don't know why but… it made me despondent to be without them.
My mind swirled with dark thoughts about how useless I was. No family. No friends. No job. No one would notice if I vanished. Alone forever…
As a panic attack pinpricked my body, those sensual vines returned, gracefully enveloping me.
My eyes had shut, but my sense of balance told me I was being reoriented, lifted from the certainty of the ground. Then, vines fell away as something sturdier took their place.
"There there. I've got you, baby bird~" Marigold cooed, her sing-song voice thrumming from within her chest. "It was a bit too much, huh?"
I could hardly compose my thoughts. I found myself relaxing, all the tension dissipating in her presence. This was… I was… I felt so floaty.
Marigold commented on my change in demeanor. "Isn't this much nicer, Wren? Miss Marigold gave you some Class-Es to calm you down."
Class-Es? I wasn't sure which, but I knew those were xenodrugs. But… I couldn't work up the energy to fight—oh. Sedatives. Yep. That's what those were.
"Oh," I chirped helplessly. No. I had more words. Think harder… My name. She knew my name. Because she said, 'baby bird.' Focus. "Um, h-how did. Know. Name. Mine."
My eyes fluttered, refusing to open fully. Resting on my back like this, gently supported from beneath, it reminded me of something… Oh. I was in her arms.
Even with my senses dulled I detected an aroma. I sniffled, congested from crying. It was floral, tickling my brain pleasantly with novel scents. It was almost intoxicating.
I rubbed my cheek against her to explore further, discovering something delightfully squishy.
There was a noise from her again. Was it a giggle? "Does someone like Miss Marigold's flowery boobies? You're such a little cutie~"
Her chest. I was in her arms, held against her chest. Her boobs. "Noooo." Stars fuck.
"Mhmm~ But—to remind you of what you asked: Miss Marigold knows your name because of your caseworker Artemis."
… No.
"She felt, and I agreed, that it would be best if you weren't made aware, though I've been keeping an eye on you," she casually revealed, all the while tousling my hair with her tendrils.
No.
"I didn't expect you to go to a bar. Your psychological profile said you were anti-social. But what a fitting place for us to meet— Nascence. I looked it up out of curiosity and the Overnet says it means 'coming into existence.'"
Please. I tried to fidget, but to no avail. I was trapped.
"Hm hm hm hmmm~" Her voice? She was humming but not like before. She was humming a song that resonated deep in my chest, soothing my soul. I couldn't resist the sensation of drifting off to sleep.
I was on my back. Something plush beneath me. Little chilly, too. These thoughts floated through my head as my eyes sleepily blinked open. They widened at the sight of the starry night sky filtering through the tree canopy.
I reached up to rub the sleep from my eyes when I heard a resonant voice, snapping me back to reality.
"D'aww, you're awake~ Aren't the stars pretty out here? I bet you couldn't see them with all the smog and light pollution back on Voleth."
I turned my gaze back down to earth to see Marigold and—oh my gosh I was naked!
Stay. Calm. Assess the situation.
"… Where are my clothes?" I asked sheepishly. I reflexively covered my chest and crotch as I sat up.
Marigold savored the moment, hands resting in the folds of petals that made up her cheerful, orange-to-yellow gradient colored dress. A vine affectionately caressed my cheek as she smiled softly at me.
"Wren, I need you to be a good girl for me. Can you do that?"
My chest fluttered with butterflies. I was… eager? To answer her. "Um. What do I h-have to do?"
"It's simple: Good girls do what they're told to do—whatever they're told to do. Can you be a good girl for Miss Marigold?"
Her eyes looked at me, but in a way I'd never known. They looked into me. It was hypnotizing—then the weight of her words hit me. "What…? No! I-I-I'm not some pet you can play with!"
She knowingly smirked. "Oh, I agree; you're not a pet, little sprout."
Dumbfounded. That's what I was. I responded with righteous indignation: "What the fuck does that mean!? You've kidnapped me; you've stripped me n-naked, a-and violated my privacy; and you're playing these fucking mind games with me that no matter how I react y-you'll—fuck you!!"
The edges of my vision blurred. My heart pounded where butterflies once flitted. Rapid, deep breathes. Head dizzy. I had to speak quickly.
"It's not fair! I thought this was my chance to live a normal life!" I shrieked before breaking down into haggard sobs. "P-P-Pl-Please d-don't…" I became unintelligible, unable to beg.
I was at the mercy of a monstrously controlling force I couldn't comprehend.
"Wren."
Here it comes. My life is over.
"What do you think I'm going to do to you?"
I blinked up at her in exasperated confusion. I couldn't say anything through my ragged breathing. Was this another trick? To ask me something when I couldn't respond. What should I do??
"I—" It was no use. My chested heaved against my will, driven by mortal fear.
Right then, her vines reached out to grab me! Or… not? My face was being cleaned with something moist and fragrant. She was petting me, too. I was ashamed of how good it made me feel at that moment.
I winced as I saw an injector retract from my periphery, the vine wiping my face making it hard to see. I would have said something but then noticed how much calmer my breathing was. Even my muscles. Even my… brain. 'Class-Es' again.
"There"—Marigold's vines left me as she spoke—"I bet that feels much better. I was cautious not to give you too much before, but… I know you're on anxiety meds, but your dosage may no longer be sufficient."
Composed enough to mouth off again, I scoffed. "No. Of course, it has nothing to do with you or what you've done to me or what you plan on doing to me…"
"Which is?" Her eyes seemed to gleam in amusement. I hated it.
"For starters taking my f-fucking clothes!"
Marigold gasped, "That's right! You had a little accident while I let you snooze in my arms. Oh, I'm so sorry little sprout. I forgot how embarrassed you Terrans can be about silly little things like that."
Had I? I did feel a little clammy. A nervous thought emerged in spite of the Class-Es. I looked down and finally took in the plush fabric beneath me: rectangular, quilted, and designed with simplistic flowers and bees.
A changing mat. Was she about to change me into a diaper?? I gestured towards it and raised my voice in strangely calm exasperation. "If this is w-what you're planning to do to me then how could I not f-flip t-the fuck out?"
I continued before she could get a word in edgewise. In hindsight she let me continue. "What, t-turn me into a helpless little b-baby?? Take away m-my autonomy, m-m-my ability t-to think? Pretend you're doing it because it's what's best for me??"
Marigold's body murmured. Was that a sigh? "Wren, you peed yourself. You need changed and all I have on me are diapers, shortalls, and a onesie. Obviously, you need protection."
"And m-my shirt? My bra??"
"Uh, because the shortalls and onesie go together. Maybe you do need me to dress you," she teased. "Anyways, I put down a changing mat and used a wet wipe to freshen you up before your diaper."
Marigold spoke about carrying around baby clothes and changing me on an adult-sized changing mat as if it were natural. "Uh, I-I-I don't k-know why you think this is normal—"
"The 'Terrans Are Adorable' course! Primarily the 'Sprouts Are Precious' class, though I'm beginning to suspect I should have fronted during the 'Taming Terran Temper Tantrums' practical," she added with a hint of playfulness.
"Right. Well, this isn't normal."
"You said that word before; that this is your chance to live a 'normal' life. I'm worried you have some silly ideas about what that means, both for yourself and the Compact."
This should be good.
Marigold was prepared to lecture me on what 'normal' meant in the Compact, and… how I was the one not conforming. Some things never changed.
Unexpectedly, roots and vines subtly shifted; petals morphed into leaves. Though smaller, her form was no less imposing; her arms were punctuated by thorns on their outer side.
As if an afterthought, colors—silver, burgundy, shades of dark green— washed over her. Pupilless eyes filled with moonlight flashed open, a glint of mischievousness about them. "Wren! How're you finding Verne?"
"Artemis," I muttered in disbelief. "B-But how? Why!?"
She chuckled to herself, a hand covering her mouth in an almost Terran-like imitation. "Oh, sweetie. I'm sorry we deceived you. Just a bit," she emphasized with her thumb and forefinger.
"We?" I asked suspiciously.
"Mhmm~ I'm Artemis and I'm currently fronting. Marigold is my coremate, and I'm hers. We share this body, our memories, but we're… Different. Not entirely distinct, but not entirely the same. Our personalities and experiences are our own. Terrans refer to it as being 'plural,' and we've adopted this terminology to describe ourselves. But not everyone has the same understanding as we do."
I didn't know what being 'plural' was, but if I took her at face value… Artemis and Marigold where the same—no, shared the same body. It didn't change my circumstances. "Okay. I'm still waiting for answers."
Artemis' leaves rustled on her chest as she vibrated. Was it excitement…? I couldn't read her mood. "Of course, sweetie. When I read your profile and reviewed your history… You were guaranteed a wardship, at minimum."
I was getting turned into a floret by this psychotic weed!
In an instant, a vine whipped toward me and my head, mouth open to scream obscenities at her, gagging me. Preempting further action, the vine swelled into a ball that held my mouth open. Unable to swallow my own spit I drooled pitifully down my chin.
"Marigold—she was enamored with you. She persuaded me to let us keep you as our floret." She smiled at something. "I thought it'd be fun to turn it into a 'meet-cute.' You know: Wren and Marigold bumping into each other on their first day here, but going their separate ways, only to discover each other the very next day: booked for the same nature tour."
Artemis looked off into the distance. "Marigold would crack open that tough exterior of Wren's with her delightful self. Wren would learn what she had been missing, how wonderful it was to feel so at ease with someone. Before long, Marigold would brush Wren's hand with her vine—then again for her to take the hint and hold it."
White hot tears singed my eyes. It was humiliating. Forced to listen to her and be able to say nothing—effectively do nothing. I clamped my eyes shut in resentment as she continued speaking unabated.
"Soon, Wren would have let Marigold pet her hair, be held in her lap. Wren would find it hard to sleep at night, thoughts of Marigold running through her head. Another day and she would spend the night with Marigold holding her, tendrils toying with her hair, and whispering all the little things she loved about her. How the two of them could go home together…"
Artemis had trailed off. I forced my eyes open to find her staring at me, chin in her hand as she slouched. "But I miscalculated."
I felt the gag in my mouth fall away with its vine. Stars my jaw ached. I wiped drool from my chin with my forearm, eying Artemis warily.
"Marigold is such a sweet girl that she couldn't help but drop the act before the play began. After your little drink, you—"
The drink! I felt unusual afterward. Woozy in a way I had never felt before. I pounced!
"Did you drug me? What was in that G&T!?"
Artemis' face went deadpan. "Sweetie, that was regular botanical-infused ethanol mixed with quinine-flavored carbonated water and a splash of lime juice. You're just a lightweight."
I huffed! I turned away from her and grasped myself closer to cover my nakedness and save what little dignity I had left.
"As I was saying," she began, impatience plain in her voice. "You stood up from the bar, took one look at the crowd, and your expression turned worrisome. Marigold insisted on following to look after you."
Why? My lips hesitated to form words. What could Marigold possibly see in me that made me worthy of this deranged courtship??
"I don't understand," I admitted. "Why go through all this trouble? And what about you?"
That mischievous glint appeared again. "Oh, I planned to surprise you. I hadn't decided between waiting till we were back on Voleth or you waking up to find me holding you in my arms instead of Marigold."
She wasn't kidding. This was really real.
"And don't worry your little head, petal. This trip was no trouble. Your inhumane job is obsolete, and you were in desperate need of enrichment. And we can take as much time off as we please."
Her vines shot up along with her hands, palms pressing against each other in excitement. "That reminds me! Our supervisor is excited to have dinner to meet our new floret and introduce you to hers! Dahlia is precious; I'm sure you'll love each other—"
"I'm an adult! You can't just—gaslight me into being your ditzy dead-eyed sex slave you treat like a baby!"
Artemis' vines wilted. Had I fucked up? "… Wren, we're trying very hard not to inject you with every xenodrug we know would make you a pliable, gooey mess. We want to understand you. But you need to behave. Can you be a good girl?"
That melody in her voice again. It was mesmerizing. Fuck, I was getting hard. Don't draw attention to it. "Okay. I'll b-behave."
"No. What are you going to be for Miss Artemis?"
I sighed in defeat, my erection growing harder against my will. "I'll be a… good girl."
"D'aww~ That's what I like to hear." She shifted onto her vines, leaning onto her elbow and perching her head atop her hand. "Now, you've intimated concerns about how you've been treated, how we're planning to treat you, and what it means to be normal. Do you agree?"
I nodded my head in agreement. "When we saw you having a little panic attack in the middle of the bar, Marigold decided to step in to help. Objectively speaking, would you have been better off having stayed and broken down in front of everyone?"
"… No."
"Was Marigold anything but considerate towards you? She brought you some place secluded to calm down and listened when I told her not to sit with you on one of the benches or with you in her lap."
"I guess, all things considered." I had a 'but' to add. I bit my tongue. Artemis probably expected 'good girls' to listen.
She smirked as if reading my thoughts. "You're being very well behaved, little sprout."
I squirmed, waiting for her to say more, say something. That's when I noticed vines coiling around me, every bit as sensual as Marigold had been with them.
"Where were we? Right, Marigold noticed you panic again and decided some nice Class-Es would be best to chase away the shadows in your head. You seemed to relax till she mentioned my name, though I can't imagine why."
"I was afraid you were gonna make me a f-floret. Which—"
"Being a floret isn't a punishment, sweetie. You'll learn soon enough." Cryptic... "And it must have been quite a shock to wake up naked with a big lady hovering over you afterward."
"That's an understatement," I laughed involuntarily in nervousness.
She laughed with me. Unlike before, it sounded affectionate. "She really is sweet. I tend to be a bit more restrained, but she plows ahead. We complement each other that way." Artemis cleared her throat, in a fashion. "I hope now you see she was only trying to help. She didn't do any of this for herself; she did it for you."
Words escaped me. The damn butterflies returned. Had I been selfish? No. No! The fact they had sent me on this trip as a pretext for stalking and… florting? Florting me. That crossed every conceivable line.
"Artemis?"
"Yes, cutie?" To think days ago I had sat in her office and been called the very same thing, only now I was stark naked on another world hoping against hope I could escape this surreal nightmare.
How to phrase this… "We talked about what Marigold did to me. You, uh, also withheld information about me needing a wardship. And you used your position to send and follow me to Verne…"
"And? Withholding information on a wardship before one has been sanctioned is allowed. I said you were 'guaranteed' one, but my supervisor is still filing paperwork on the matter."
The same supervisor who wants to introduce her direct reports' new floret to her own. Fuck me.
It seemed pointless to debate her on the ethics of lies of omissions. "And following me to Verne?"
"We took an interest in you. You needed this trip; we merely took the opportunity to grow close to you in a relaxed environment where you wouldn't worry about 'unprofessional behavior' and fight us on it."
She's right about that. I had to keep fighting. I had worked so hard for… this to be it. "And what happens now? I-I'm just supposed t-to become your f-floret?"
Artemis' vines tightened ever so slightly. "It's not up for debate. You've clearly demonstrated the necessity and a wardship would be a formality at this point." She tried to look sympathetic, her face softening into kinder expression. "You'll be treated like our daughter. Loved unconditionally. Does that sound so bad?"
No. But… No, I couldn't. This wasn't right; something wasn't right. Her honeyed words concealed something. Those entrancing eyes seemed to ripple.
This wasn't how things were supposed to be! "What about me is so broken!?"
Her body twitched as if surprised. "Wren, you're not broken. Your neurodivergence is simply another part of what makes you unique."
"Neurodivergent? What, l-like my brain is different?"
"How to explain…" Artemis pondered aloud. "Your psychological profile noted a formal diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, periodic depression, probable undiagnosed autism, intense sensitivity to perceived rejection— "
"Fuck! No! I'm not some list of everything wrong with me—"
Vines tightened till air escaped me. "I wasn't finished. I'll get to the point: you're not living your best life." Her vines loosened enough for me to hack, catching my breath. "What's wrong with accepting help?"
I took a couple more breaths to stabilize myself. "That's…. not how… it works. I'm an adult. I-I'm doing okay. I know I'm anxious and depressed a-and that I take every little thing too hard—but I'm fine!"
Her smile faded. "No, you're miserable. You've been burnt out. Wouldn't it be easier to—"
"No! NO! I'm fine. I'm trying! I-I went to the bar to meet someone! Anyone! I-I-I don't want to be alone! I want friends! I want to be normal! I'm t-trying, please, I'm doing my best!!" Even I wasn't convinced.
She was silent. Her face was a puzzle I was unable to solve. My body shook with anxiety as intrusive thoughts took over. She was right: I'm a failure of a human being. Had felt that way. Before. So many times.
It was better to not befriend anyone. Being around others only led to pain. If I tried, if I said something wrong, did something wrong… The slightest sign I had deviated from expectation and tears would form; my head would ache. Agony.
That's why I masked; I don't know why, but it was easier to remain calm. My mind became conditioned against reaction. It was like… meditation? Except I didn't just feel calm—I felt nothing. Contentment at the cost of feeling like a person, allowing myself to be myself.
"… Wren?" My head jerked up, my tear-stained face staring back at the facsimile of one clad in moondust grey. "Let us take care of you. Please?"
I shook my head violently, clinging to the notion I could remain independent.
"No! I can be normal! Please, j-j-just g-give me a c-chance…!"
"In the Compact you don't have to think like that. What's considered 'normal' no longer matters."
"Then how do I know how to act?!" I wailed in desperation.
Artemis' resonated softness. "You just behave the way that comes naturally. If you're overwhelmed, then let yourself be overwhelmed."
"But—"
"No buts," Artemis ordered with a wag of her finger at me. "Your emotions are valid. Instead of being given the space to process them, you learned to suppress them for the benefit of others. In the Compact we ensure nobody is stigmatized for who they are."
"… T-Then what happens when I-I-I get overwhelmed?"
"The most natural thing in the universe: an affini will ensure you're always taken care of."
Before I knew it, I was pulled towards her. My heart skipped a beat with the force at which I was reeled in. For a moment, my world spun. I risked opening an eye, though my nose already told me I was buried face first in a field of flowers, the sensation of vines coiled protectively around me as I lay on my belly.
I squirmed to lift my face to meet hers. The last vestiges of silk-like fibers were weaving into the smooth, skin-like texture of Marigold's face. She lit up with bright yellow petals shaped into hair against her pale brown countenance. Bright amber eyes devoid of pupils crinkled at the corners as she smiled at me.
"Miss me?"
Naked and bound to an affini that wanted to belittle me for my own good, and without energy to fight the absurdity of it any longer, I started laughing. I could feel Marigold's chest thrum with delight.
"D'aww~ You're all tuckered out and can't help but be wiled by Miss Marigold's charms, hm?"
I continued to laugh as her vines lifted me into the air momentarily before finding myself laid on my back, much like things began.
The Class-Es must have worked their way through my system. I felt lucidity return as I sat on the changing mat. Which I was still on. Only now…
"Are you ready, little sprout~?" Marigold cooed above me, a vine rubbing my belly playfully.
The butterflies were breaching containment! My erection grew in spite of myself.
"Um, yeah?" I felt conflicted. I wanted to cry again. "I do, but… I'm no good."
"Of course you are! You may not know it yet, but Miss Marigold knows you're a very good girl deep down." A vine booped my nose. "You've spent too long pretending to be big, but you can let that go now. Can you do that for me, baby bird?"
Oh, stars yes. I wanted to say it so badly! But I couldn't speak. Miss Marigold's voice made me feel so small... I forgot big words. Instead, I just nodded slowly, hiding my face behind my hands.
I giggled nervously as vines wrapped around my abdomen in lieu of straps. I felt floaty even without the drugs. I forgot which letter they were. I'd ask later.
Miss Marigold started by wiping me down, gently exploring me to ensure I was clean. She was thorough. I thought she had done this earlier while I slept, but I guess not.
It seemed like she didn't want to stop touching me there.
"Your flower is soooo small; it's adorable~" she admired, wiping it up and down, her grip tightening at the bottom before relaxing at the top to repeat. It felt good having her clean my… flower? Flower!
She stopped and I wondered what happened while I fidgeted in her vines. My flower wilted without Miss Marigold to help it blossom. Then, I felt her again! Except for a new thing that went on my flower. I heard a click and looked down out of curiosity, peaking between my fingers, to see a little pink thingy.
"Don't worry; this cage is to protect your flower, so it doesn't get hurt." Oh. I didn't want my flower to get hurt. I wouldn't have to worry now.
Then, she lifted my ankles with another vine and slid something comfy under my butt. A fluffy cloud… No, it crinkled—a diaper! That's what it had to be.
Now it was snowing. I wasn't sure how much snow, but it felt like lots. But I was a good girl and didn't fuss even if it was cold.
Miss Marigold spent a lot of time rubbing the snow into me, like when she wiped me. It felt really good, even with my flower protected by its cage.
Finally, the diaper was brought up between my legs and grabby vines fiddled with it till it was snug. She rubbed the front of my diaper afterward. Oh gosh, my flower was fussy in its cage.
"And"—Miss Marigold chimed as she held up a onesie and shortalls—"now we just need to put you into your cute outfit~"
Miss Marigold was nice to pick my clothes out for me. That sounded like lots of work. I bet if I kept being a good girl, Miss Marigold would keep helping me.
I got sat up and felt shy suddenly. I wasn't sure why. I tried covering my boobies, but Miss Marigold needed my hands for something.
My arms were lifted and slid into sleeves. My head popped out like a mole as the onesie was pulled over me and snapped with several snappy-snaps near my flower. I wanted to know how my flower felt through the diaper and cage, but Miss Marigold caught me trying to rub it.
"Uh uh uh, little sprout~ Only Miss Marigold can play with your flower."
Oh. That made sense. Miss Marigold didn't want my flower getting hurt. That's why she put it in a cage.
Nice and smart. And soft. And pretty. She even smelled pretty. I wanted to sniff her again.
I was so busy thinking about Miss Marigold I spaced out. When I came to, she was clipping a paci on my shortalls. A vine tilted my chin so that my face met her face way above me.
"I have a game I think you'll be good at."
A game? I wanted to play a game! "Okay!"
Miss Marigold's vines flapped, and her body buzzed. "When I tap your jaw, you open your mouth." She tapped the side of my jaw; I dutifully opened my mouth. "Good girl~ When I tap it again, you close your mouth."
I waited for her to tap my jaw, but she didn't. I was a good girl, and I knew the rules, so I kept my mouth open!
She seemed happy while I looked on, mouth wide open. Miss Marigold ran her tendrils through my hair slowly while looking way below at me.
Her eyes were so dreamy that I didn't notice her plop a paci into my mouth until she tapped me and I closed. "Well done, baby bird! What a clever little sprout you are~ Yes, you are~"
I smiled, wiggling my butt. It felt good with her vines going up and down my throat. I started suckling my paci and it made me sleepy.
Miss Marigold scooped me up into her vines, others picking up the changing stuff and hiding them inside her body. I wasn't sure how. She unzipped and zipped herself back up around the stuff.
She must have forgotten something: she unzipped again and took new stuff out. Grabby vines held my feet and slipped something over them, then something more over that. I wiggled my toes to explore.
Miss Marigold was all zipped up now. She moved me to her flowery chest, and I stopped wiggling my toes to nuzzle instead while my paci went nuk nuk.
"D'aww~ You really are a good girl, Wren. We want you to know we mean that. We believe it deep in our core. And we'll work every day to show you what a good girl you truly are."
I smiled behind my paci. I must be home.
Marigold sat down on the bench as she admired Wren. She seemed so fragile in her arms.
[You need to be gentler with her! You squeezed too hard!]
Artemis drifted forward. [Nonsense! Remember who fronted during 'Taming Terran Temper Tantrums.' I applied a reasonable amount of force. I'm sure of it…]
Marigold's discontent bubbled up. Artemis gave the slightest hint of remorse.
[… I'm sorry, too. For ruining your 'meet-cute.']
[It's fine. I may have overestimated how much of her suffering I could endure. She seemed so vulnerable. If it hadn't been you, I would have done the same thing.]
[D'aww~ I love how prickly you act when you're a big softie under those thorns!]
Artemis radiated embarrassment. [Yes yes, now drop it! I mean it, Mari!]
[Okiedoke! Say, did you notice her flower?]
[Oh yes. Seems she likes humiliation more than I thought. Perhaps it was a mix of the Class-Es and Class-Hs in her system that lowered her inhibitions.]
Marigold pulsed with annoyance. [Oh yeah! You shouldn't have slipped Class-Hs in! She's already starved for touch and praise. We could have induced her with the Class-Es already in her system and biorhythms alone.]
[I couldn't help myself! And look at how deep she sank by the end. Precious~]
[Hey]—Marigold oscillated nervously—[you didn't forget, did you? I want her to know who she is whenever she's not in little space.]
A sympathetic hum reverberated. [I promise, no surreptitious application of Class-Ys. You convinced me how wonderful it'll be to know she allows herself to be taken care of whenever we're not toying with her brain.]
[Good. Thanks, Art. Oh, she's a little squirmy.]
[Roots, look how late it is! She's had no nourishment tonight and is showing symptoms of dehydration. Actually—]
[Oh! Oh! Can we feed her our milk?? You know how weird this graft feels when we're full.]
Artemis thrummed in agreement. [You needn't convince me. Go ahead.]
Marigold shifted Wren up to where a nipple hid under petals, plucking the paci from her with a tap on the jaw and again to latch in one deft movement. With a few strokes she started nursing. [Oh my gosh! She's a natural!]
The graft synthesized milk using their own nutrients. Until Wren's regimen was complete, Class-Gs could be injected into the milk as needed, nourishing their beautiful baby girl waiting to bloom.
But her body would undergo another metamorphosis: cell-by-cell, atom-by-atom, her being replaced with their essence. And with a haustorium, she would be theirs in mind and body in every way imaginable.
[Wren Petala, First Floret,] they thought in harmony.