Dare I say the thing I love most about Human Domestication Guide as a setting, beyond the magical anti-anxiety and HRT drugs, or even the Affini's unending love for humans, is the fact that it's non-consensual.
As someone with a flavor of mental illness that simultaneously makes me desperately need help, but also be absolutely terrified of it with all my heart, I would still suffer in a world where the Affini followed human conventions of consent. I would do what I've always done and hide my problems, pretend everything is fine, or frustrate medical workers until they deem me treatment resistant and give up (which has happened several times now).
In such a world, I'd refuse Class E's, only cautiously accept Class G's, and go on my merry way slowly tearing myself apart, with expectations of living to 30 at best, 25 at worst. Any time I'd be offered domestication, I'd refuse not because I don't want it, but because I'm pathologically inclined to refuse such a thing no matter what.
The fact that this isn't the case, that I'd be dragged kicking and screaming to receive help, and that help would actually fix me, is the #1 reason I enjoy the setting. The guarantee that, even if I run and hide because I can't help myself, someone will find me, and they're going to care for me until the end of time.
yah u understand. The noncon aspect of hdg is kinda key to it! you will be cared for, no matter what. No one slips through the cracks ever again
