SO AN AFFINI WANTS TO DOMESTICATE YOU
‘SO AN AFFINI WANTS TO DOMESTICATE YOU: COMMON QUESTIONS & HONEST ANSWERS’
Ava held out the pamphlet, angling it just so it caught the tail end of the light. It was on a premium glossy paper, the text in the exact sage green that she loved. Was that coincidence?
Behind the text was a photo of a tall affini holding their floret in their vines. The human looked entirely absent, her eyes focusing on nothing in particular. Around her neck was a collar made of vines with a bright rose in the center. Even with the half dead gaze, she was smiling.
The Affini across from her had introduced themselves as Velina Grace, Second Bloom, they/them pronouns. Their eyes almost didn’t look real. They were crystal teardrops, glowing a vibrant blue that refracted in the sunlight.
“Well, go on, little one,” Velina said, “Or would you like me to read it for you?”
“No, no. I’m not reading this. I already told you I’m independent. I can take care of myself; I don’t need help.”
It was quiet for a single moment before Velina scanned Ava’s apartment slowly. The slow beginnings of Mount Everest in the clothing bin. The two trash bags sitting next to the already filled trash can. The Eiffel Tower of dirty dishes in the sink Ava had been dreading to clean.
“Yeah, don’t do that! I already know it's dirty. Your eyes are saying enough. Everyone always gives me that look.” Ava said, tossing the pamphlet onto the coffee table and crossing her arms.
“I’m sorry, little one. I didn't mean to cause you distress. You se-”
“Well, it did. And don’t call me little one either. I am a grown fucking adult, and I do not need your help. You can leave now.” Ava stated, pointing to the door and taking a few steps back.
“Then, I am sorry, dear,” “Not any better!” “But, you know I cannot leave. Your apartment met the necessary requirements from the Bureau of Xenosophont Wellness and Care for a wellness check and so I am here.” Velina finished.
They were impossibly still on the couch, the eight foot plant somehow condensed to half the height. The worst of it was they were entirely calm. Velina wasn’t angry at all.
Ava’s words felt impossibly heavy in her throat. She would very well admit that she had a problem with her executive function and cleaning, but that wasn’t an excuse for some eight foot tall plant being to make her a pet.
“Now, can we please talk about this, dear? All I wish to do is help you, like a mother guides their child through life. I would never intentionally harm you ever.” Velina said, leaning forward towards Ava.
The promise sat in the middle of the apartment, among the piles of trash and clothing. Ava didn’t know how to pick up any of it.
She sat down in the kitchen chair, “I don’t believe you. I’ve never met someone who could keep such a promise before.”
Ava felt a rising heat throughout her body once she recognized that look in Velina’s eyes. That look of pity you give to a child in pain that Ava had seen throughout her entire life. Pity always hurt more than shouted, sharp words.
“Ava, what would you like to be? What’s your dream?”
After a minute of silence, Ava shook her head, but Velina kept the silence close, deep within her core and it built. It kept building and building until Ava grew weak under the growing weight. And then it collapsed.
“A musician…” Ava sighed, “I wanted to make music that could make people’s heads turn. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, but the world doesn’t exactly make it easy to do that.”
“That’s what I’m here for. Let me help make it easy.” Velina said, reaching out a vine the way you reach out a hand to a frightened puppy, slow and steady.
“Please don’t. I don’t want your help.” Ava looked away from Velina, her eyes landing unfocused between the trash accumulating in her apartment. Wetness gathered under her lashes, but Ava fought to keep them from falling.
“Don’t want? It was don’t need earlier. Even you can see that my help would benefit you. Let me hold the weight of living so you can hold the weight of your music, little one.”
Velina’s vine reached Ava’s shoulder then and just laid there. It was soft, warm, and patient. It was a slow, flowing stream, a constant in a world of changing variables. She couldn’t help but lean her shoulder into it.
“Just read your stupid pamphlet already.”
Velina smiled.
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I wrote this last night.. Is this like anything good lol? I've never written in this fandom before so I might be out of my depth here in this setting. I can't remember if someone already did a pamphlet idea like this before. Sorry if I unconsciously stole an idea.
