green, First Bloom

He breathed deeply, inhaling the wonderful smell of petrichor coming from the plushie in his arms, squeezing it slightly. There was something else in the background, a different smell, pancakes? He finally opened his eyes slowly, blinked some of the sleep away and looked around the room. His room, for the time being he had to remind himself. Eyes flicking between stars, picking out familiar clusters and trying to estimate the Zealands currant location.

Looking further he realized Miss Green wasn’t in the room, an opportunity perhaps. He stretched intensely before sitting up and slowly scooting towards the ludicrously far away edge of the bed. Intending to use his legs for the first time in nearly two days.

[I come walking in through the door and pick the cutie up right as Theodore leaps off towards the ground]

Good morning, sweetling. Did you have good dreams tonight?

I've made you pancakes for breakfast!

[I walk towards the living room, Theodore in vine, where a huge stack of fluffy pancakes with several syrup and honey bottles are standing by on the table]

You know, I am perfectly able, and willing to walk on my own right? They didn’t do any surgery on my legs as far as I’m aware.

I don’t tend to remember my dreams actually….

Theodore’s mouth would water very slightly at the sight of pancakes, something he admittedly had not had for as long as he could remember.

Now then, on a more pressing note, how would you like to have your breakfast, cutie? In your own seat or held in my vines?

I-I think I would like a seat please.

And possibly could i be allowed to feed myself?

I take out a booster chair from underneath to set on top of the affini sized chair on the other side of the table and gently set Theodore down on it.]

As you wish, sweetling. ^^

[I let the cutie go, a few vines hovering close to help if needed and move the plate and cutlery over.

As I do that, I sit myself down on my side of the table, which contains a large glass of mint chocolate chip milkshake with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles ontop about as big as Theodore with a big straw inside for me to drink from]

He grabbed the lip of the table and used it to pull himself forward slightly, before rather than grabbing some of the nearby cutlery simply deploying a knife from one index finger and a fork from the other.

As he began to eat away at the stack of frankly gigantic pancake he thought about what this next week would have in store for him. He was rather uncomfortable with the amount of uncertainty before him.

So… what all do you have planned for me while I’m under this wardship exactly? I suspect you have things you want to keep to yourself for now and fair enough. But I’d like to know something at least.

[I walk over and pick aurum up at the hab door, compile a bottle of formula and take aurum to the table with me, carrying it in my vines and sit back down across from Theodore.

I look down at the cutie in my vines]

Good morning, sweetling! Did you sleep well? Have you eaten yet? Do you want me to feed you?

Do you need changies, cutie?

Oh, you should say hi to your friend, dearling, don't forget your manners! Here, let me help!

[I take one of aurums arms in my vines and move it to wave at my charge.

I pat aurums head]

That's better, such a good little one! ^^

[I reach some of my vines over to a compiler and compile the cutest little diapers, wipes and baby powder, changing the little sprout right then and there at the table, right in front of Theodore and swiftly put the used things back into the compiler for decompilation]

Now then, time for your breakfast

OOC: some small parts of the following text could be seen as sexual in nature

So, Theodore, are you looking forward to your day with little aurum here?

Any plans for your time together, anything I can help out with?

I compiled a wheelchair for you so you can keep resting while aurum helps take you around the hab, sweetling. Unless, of course you'd prefer I carry the two of you around in my vines ^^

I did plan to let the two of you spend the day without much interference on my part, since you should learn how to make friends and spend time with them without the distance overnet communications force upon you, but I would love to be your chaperone if you think that'd be too much for you to handle on your own yet.

You can, of course, call on me or 0 at any time if you need assistance.

What do you think?

He breathed deeply, inhaling the wonderful smell of petrichor coming from the plushie in his arms, squeezing it slightly. There was something else in the background, a different smell, pancakes? He finally opened his eyes slowly, blinked some of the sleep away and looked around the room. His room, for the time being he had to remind himself. Eyes flicking between stars, picking out familiar clusters and trying to estimate the Zealands currant location.

Looking further he realized Miss Green wasn’t in the room, an opportunity perhaps. He stretched intensely before sitting up and slowly scooting towards the ludicrously far away edge of the bed. Intending to use his legs for the first time in nearly two days.

[I come walking in through the door and pick the cutie up right as Theodore leaps off towards the ground]

Good morning, sweetling. Did you have good dreams tonight?

I've made you pancakes for breakfast!

[I walk towards the living room, Theodore in vine, where a huge stack of fluffy pancakes with several syrup and honey bottles are standing by on the table]

You know, I am perfectly able, and willing to walk on my own right? They didn’t do any surgery on my legs as far as I’m aware.

I don’t tend to remember my dreams actually….

Theodore’s mouth would water very slightly at the sight of pancakes, something he admittedly had not had for as long as he could remember.

Now then, on a more pressing note, how would you like to have your breakfast, cutie? In your own seat or held in my vines?

I-I think I would like a seat please.

And possibly could i be allowed to feed myself?

I take out a booster chair from underneath to set on top of the affini sized chair on the other side of the table and gently set Theodore down on it.]

As you wish, sweetling. ^^

[I let the cutie go, a few vines hovering close to help if needed and move the plate and cutlery over.

As I do that, I sit myself down on my side of the table, which contains a large glass of mint chocolate chip milkshake with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles ontop about as big as Theodore with a big straw inside for me to drink from]

He grabbed the lip of the table and used it to pull himself forward slightly, before rather than grabbing some of the nearby cutlery simply deploying a knife from one index finger and a fork from the other.

As he began to eat away at the stack of frankly gigantic pancake he thought about what this next week would have in store for him. He was rather uncomfortable with the amount of uncertainty before him.

So… what all do you have planned for me while I’m under this wardship exactly? I suspect you have things you want to keep to yourself for now and fair enough. But I’d like to know something at least.

[I walk over and pick aurum up at the hab door, compile a bottle of formula and take aurum to the table with me, carrying it in my vines and sit back down across from Theodore.

I look down at the cutie in my vines]

Good morning, sweetling! Did you sleep well? Have you eaten yet? Do you want me to feed you?

Do you need changies, cutie?

Oh, you should say hi to your friend, dearling, don't forget your manners! Here, let me help!

[I take one of aurums arms in my vines and move it to wave at my charge.

I pat aurums head]

That's better, such a good little one! ^^

[I reach some of my vines over to a compiler and compile the cutest little diapers, wipes and baby powder, changing the little sprout right then and there at the table, right in front of Theodore and swiftly put the used things back into the compiler for decompilation]

Now then, time for your breakfast

OOC: some small parts of the following text could be seen as sexual in nature

He breathed deeply, inhaling the wonderful smell of petrichor coming from the plushie in his arms, squeezing it slightly. There was something else in the background, a different smell, pancakes? He finally opened his eyes slowly, blinked some of the sleep away and looked around the room. His room, for the time being he had to remind himself. Eyes flicking between stars, picking out familiar clusters and trying to estimate the Zealands currant location.

Looking further he realized Miss Green wasn’t in the room, an opportunity perhaps. He stretched intensely before sitting up and slowly scooting towards the ludicrously far away edge of the bed. Intending to use his legs for the first time in nearly two days.

[I come walking in through the door and pick the cutie up right as Theodore leaps off towards the ground]

Good morning, sweetling. Did you have good dreams tonight?

I've made you pancakes for breakfast!

[I walk towards the living room, Theodore in vine, where a huge stack of fluffy pancakes with several syrup and honey bottles are standing by on the table]

You know, I am perfectly able, and willing to walk on my own right? They didn’t do any surgery on my legs as far as I’m aware.

I don’t tend to remember my dreams actually….

Theodore’s mouth would water very slightly at the sight of pancakes, something he admittedly had not had for as long as he could remember.

Now then, on a more pressing note, how would you like to have your breakfast, cutie? In your own seat or held in my vines?

I-I think I would like a seat please.

And possibly could i be allowed to feed myself?

I take out a booster chair from underneath to set on top of the affini sized chair on the other side of the table and gently set Theodore down on it.]

As you wish, sweetling. ^^

[I let the cutie go, a few vines hovering close to help if needed and move the plate and cutlery over.

As I do that, I sit myself down on my side of the table, which contains a large glass of mint chocolate chip milkshake with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles ontop about as big as Theodore with a big straw inside for me to drink from]

He grabbed the lip of the table and used it to pull himself forward slightly, before rather than grabbing some of the nearby cutlery simply deploying a knife from one index finger and a fork from the other.

As he began to eat away at the stack of frankly gigantic pancake he thought about what this next week would have in store for him. He was rather uncomfortable with the amount of uncertainty before him.

So… what all do you have planned for me while I’m under this wardship exactly? I suspect you have things you want to keep to yourself for now and fair enough. But I’d like to know something at least.

[I walk over and pick aurum up at the hab door, compile a bottle of formula and take aurum to the table with me, carrying it in my vines and sit back down across from Theodore.

I look down at the cutie in my vines]

Good morning, sweetling! Did you sleep well? Have you eaten yet? Do you want me to feed you?

Do you need changies, cutie?

Oh, you should say hi to your friend, dearling, don't forget your manners! Here, let me help!

[I take one of aurums arms in my vines and move it to wave at my charge.

I pat aurums head]

That's better, such a good little one! ^^

[I reach some of my vines over to a compiler and compile the cutest little diapers, wipes and baby powder, changing the little sprout right then and there at the table, right in front of Theodore and swiftly put the used things back into the compiler for decompilation]

He breathed deeply, inhaling the wonderful smell of petrichor coming from the plushie in his arms, squeezing it slightly. There was something else in the background, a different smell, pancakes? He finally opened his eyes slowly, blinked some of the sleep away and looked around the room. His room, for the time being he had to remind himself. Eyes flicking between stars, picking out familiar clusters and trying to estimate the Zealands currant location.

Looking further he realized Miss Green wasn’t in the room, an opportunity perhaps. He stretched intensely before sitting up and slowly scooting towards the ludicrously far away edge of the bed. Intending to use his legs for the first time in nearly two days.

[I come walking in through the door and pick the cutie up right as Theodore leaps off towards the ground]

Good morning, sweetling. Did you have good dreams tonight?

I've made you pancakes for breakfast!

[I walk towards the living room, Theodore in vine, where a huge stack of fluffy pancakes with several syrup and honey bottles are standing by on the table]

You know, I am perfectly able, and willing to walk on my own right? They didn’t do any surgery on my legs as far as I’m aware.

I don’t tend to remember my dreams actually….

Theodore’s mouth would water very slightly at the sight of pancakes, something he admittedly had not had for as long as he could remember.

Now then, on a more pressing note, how would you like to have your breakfast, cutie? In your own seat or held in my vines?

I-I think I would like a seat please.

And possibly could i be allowed to feed myself?

I take out a booster chair from underneath to set on top of the affini sized chair on the other side of the table and gently set Theodore down on it.]

As you wish, sweetling. ^^

[I let the cutie go, a few vines hovering close to help if needed and move the plate and cutlery over.

As I do that, I sit myself down on my side of the table, which contains a large glass of mint chocolate chip milkshake with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles ontop about as big as Theodore with a big straw inside for me to drink from]

He grabbed the lip of the table and used it to pull himself forward slightly, before rather than grabbing some of the nearby cutlery simply deploying a knife from one index finger and a fork from the other.

As he began to eat away at the stack of frankly gigantic pancake he thought about what this next week would have in store for him. He was rather uncomfortable with the amount of uncertainty before him.

So… what all do you have planned for me while I’m under this wardship exactly? I suspect you have things you want to keep to yourself for now and fair enough. But I’d like to know something at least.

[I walk over and pick aurum up at the hab door, compile a bottle of formula and take aurum to the table with me, carrying it in my vines and sit back down across from Theodore.

I look down at the cutie in my vines]

Good morning, sweetling! Did you sleep well? Have you eaten yet? Do you want me to feed you?

Do you need changies, cutie?

Oh, you should say hi to your friend, dearling, don't forget your manners! Here, let me help!

[I take one of aurums arms in my vines and move it to wave at my charge.

I pat aurums head]

That's better, such a good little one! ^^

He breathed deeply, inhaling the wonderful smell of petrichor coming from the plushie in his arms, squeezing it slightly. There was something else in the background, a different smell, pancakes? He finally opened his eyes slowly, blinked some of the sleep away and looked around the room. His room, for the time being he had to remind himself. Eyes flicking between stars, picking out familiar clusters and trying to estimate the Zealands currant location.

Looking further he realized Miss Green wasn’t in the room, an opportunity perhaps. He stretched intensely before sitting up and slowly scooting towards the ludicrously far away edge of the bed. Intending to use his legs for the first time in nearly two days.

[I come walking in through the door and pick the cutie up right as Theodore leaps off towards the ground]

Good morning, sweetling. Did you have good dreams tonight?

I've made you pancakes for breakfast!

[I walk towards the living room, Theodore in vine, where a huge stack of fluffy pancakes with several syrup and honey bottles are standing by on the table]

You know, I am perfectly able, and willing to walk on my own right? They didn’t do any surgery on my legs as far as I’m aware.

I don’t tend to remember my dreams actually….

Theodore’s mouth would water very slightly at the sight of pancakes, something he admittedly had not had for as long as he could remember.

Now then, on a more pressing note, how would you like to have your breakfast, cutie? In your own seat or held in my vines?

I-I think I would like a seat please.

And possibly could i be allowed to feed myself?

I take out a booster chair from underneath to set on top of the affini sized chair on the other side of the table and gently set Theodore down on it.]

As you wish, sweetling. ^^

[I let the cutie go, a few vines hovering close to help if needed and move the plate and cutlery over.

As I do that, I sit myself down on my side of the table, which contains a large glass of mint chocolate chip milkshake with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles ontop about as big as Theodore with a big straw inside for me to drink from]

He breathed deeply, inhaling the wonderful smell of petrichor coming from the plushie in his arms, squeezing it slightly. There was something else in the background, a different smell, pancakes? He finally opened his eyes slowly, blinked some of the sleep away and looked around the room. His room, for the time being he had to remind himself. Eyes flicking between stars, picking out familiar clusters and trying to estimate the Zealands currant location.

Looking further he realized Miss Green wasn’t in the room, an opportunity perhaps. He stretched intensely before sitting up and slowly scooting towards the ludicrously far away edge of the bed. Intending to use his legs for the first time in nearly two days.

[I come walking in through the door and pick the cutie up right as Theodore leaps off towards the ground]

Good morning, sweetling. Did you have good dreams tonight?

I've made you pancakes for breakfast!

[I walk towards the living room, Theodore in vine, where a huge stack of fluffy pancakes with several syrup and honey bottles are standing by on the table]

You know, I am perfectly able, and willing to walk on my own right? They didn’t do any surgery on my legs as far as I’m aware.

I don’t tend to remember my dreams actually….

Theodore’s mouth would water very slightly at the sight of pancakes, something he admittedly had not had for as long as he could remember.

Now then, on a more pressing note, how would you like to have your breakfast, cutie? In your own seat or held in my vines?

He breathed deeply, inhaling the wonderful smell of petrichor coming from the plushie in his arms, squeezing it slightly. There was something else in the background, a different smell, pancakes? He finally opened his eyes slowly, blinked some of the sleep away and looked around the room. His room, for the time being he had to remind himself. Eyes flicking between stars, picking out familiar clusters and trying to estimate the Zealands currant location.

Looking further he realized Miss Green wasn’t in the room, an opportunity perhaps. He stretched intensely before sitting up and slowly scooting towards the ludicrously far away edge of the bed. Intending to use his legs for the first time in nearly two days.

[I come walking in through the door and pick the cutie up right as Theodore leaps off towards the ground]

Good morning, sweetling. Did you have good dreams tonight?

I've made you pancakes for breakfast!

[I walk towards the living room, Theodore in vine, where a huge stack of fluffy pancakes with several syrup and honey bottles are standing by on the table]

Good morning sleepyhead~

[When I see the cutie do a stretch while waking up, I declare]

Oooh big stretch!

[A form recording that adorable stretch is filled immediately and I gently place the freshly washed plush version of the Endurance into Theodores arms]

You have had quite a rough and stressful day dearling, but fret not, I'm here to take care of you! ^^

Squeeze my vine if you want a hug, okay? I care about you and I want you to feel comfortable, okay?

I've dosed you with some class E xenodrugs before I woke you up so that you're able to listen without getting all worked up dear. I'm quite certain that otherwise, what I have to say would be quite upsetting to you, sweetling.

[I tilt Theodore's head to make sure the cutie looks into my fascinators pulsing different colours to grab the cuties attention so I know my charge will pay attention while I speak]

I want you to know that I deeply care about you and cherish you and that you are loved.

Since you have texted another cutie that you would, and I paraphrase, use the rocket fuel from your thrusters to incinerate or otherwise destroy your brain, ... I have decided to remove that option from your cybernetics.

I am deeply sorry for reminding you of that. Right now is not then. Right now you are safe, you are cared about, and you are loved and that, dearling, will not change.

If you ever feel like doing something like that again, please come and tell me about it and I will be right there to help you feel safe and remind you that you are safe, you are cared about, that you are loved and that this won't change.

Now, to explain what has and will change to make sure you're safe and won't have to hurt like that again. Please keep in mind that none of this is a punishment, I have decided to enact these changes, because I care about you deeply, and I really don't want you to get hurt.

You do not have your thrusters or rocket fuel depositories any longer unless I decide you may have those reinstalled or something with a similar effect be installed in your cybernetics.

You are no longer able to expose your brain stem without permission.

Likewise, you are also not permitted to modify your cybernetics without permission.

You are my charge and will refer to me as your warden, Miss or any other term I permit you to use, which also includes other terms I have already permitted you to use in the past.

Furthermore, you will be able to earn back the privilege of flying the Endurance in due time, though for now the Endurance will serve as your accommodations, modified and grounded near the hab unit I live in, since I do not want to keep the Endurance from you and only want you to be where I can make sure you are okay.

For now, you are on bed rest in my hab while you recover and the Endurance is being parked.

You may ask me to invite your friends over tomorrow if you feel up to it.

Now then, that was a lot to take in all at once. Soooo I made ice cream by vine, just for you! I made it to look like the Milky Way with little bits of cookie dough inside to look like celestial bodies!

And before you ask why I went to the effort to make this for you, it's because I wanted to make you happy ^^

[I blink on purpose and let go of the cuties chin]

As he listened to her talk, soaking up every word and finding himself going deeper into the swirl of colors he slowly remembered the events that led him here. The rescue of October. The several attempts to escape. His messages to Rose….

Subconsciously the hand not held by Miss Green rose gently to his neck, relieved to find the lack of a collar. A wardship then, all he need do was pass.

As Miss Green continued to speak he would perk up at mention of being allowed to stay in the Endurance, granted he wouldn’t be allowed to fly anywhere for awhile but still. He anticipated the familiarity.

As Miss Green finished her explanation and she gently broke his gaze with her fascinators he shook his head slightly, feeling a little dizzy and thought for a moment. He found himself flooded with a variety of feelings. He felt sad at having put Rose through what he did. He felt stupid for attempting to flee with no plan. Indeed he felt rather silly for trying to run at all. And as he looked up at Miss Green, who had kindly taken him into her home and done her best to help. Even though she smiled at him and had made him ice cream from scratch he felt that he had disappointed her greatly.

There there, it's okay, you're okay. I'm here for you. I am so sorry for having brought up that painful memory. To you it just happened a waking moment ago, while to me an entire evening and night have passed-

I care about you sweetling, you are safe with me and my core is filled with love for you. And I promise, I will do everything in my power not let anything change about these three little facts. Nothing you or anyone else could ever do. I simply won't let it.

[A few of my smaller vines reach out to subtly wipe away the tears, presenting tissues and holding them to my charges nose, whenever the cutie has to blow it]

Cry as much as you need, dearling. I'll be there for you, right now and whenever you need me to, for as long as it takes.

Eventually after his sobs had begun to subside slightly, he slowly pulled back a little. He took a few deep breaths attempting to steady himself. He looked up at her and managed very shakily to say “I’m sorry”

There is nothing to be sorry about. You were suffering, afraid and alone and didn't know any other way to cope, cutie.

But I'm here, okay? I have you.

It's only natural you acted the way you did, did the things you did sweetling

[I gently caress Theodore's head, running my vines through the cuties hair in gentle comforting motions]

You don't have to apologise to me, okay? There is nothing you could do that would warrant that. Seeing you struggling only makes me want to take care of you.

Apology accepted, but unneeded. I hope this helps to hear, cutie.

Eventually, after calming down and being held for awhile he did slowly pull away from her chest. Though he avoided looking up at her.

S-so, um…. What’s going to happen now? How many days do I have to stay in bed?

Aside from what I told you already, you'll be spending today with me. Depending on how you're doing, I thought about letting you invite some of your friends over starting tomorrow, provided you stay off your feet and rely on my help whenever you need it.

You should be able to move around normally after about a week.

At some point I'd still like to have your help with the garden and to make sure to make up for all of those years spent on your own, I'll be helping you socialise more!

I will be making sure your needs are taken care of and help you learn to ask for help when you need it as well as look after your needs yourself!

Theo thought for a few more moments processing everything she was saying. Trying to mentally put everything together in an order that let him retain his independence when all was said and done. Though he could not lie to himself, the vine gently running through his hair felt nice….

We could talk about your interests, I'll cook for you, ...

Is there anything you would like to do today?

Perhaps get acquainted with my hab AIs physical drones?

I don’t know, I can’t think of anything I want to do right now. Well, after you’ve made it clear I’m not allowed to fly anyway.

[I lift up the ice cream and spoon, scooping up a little bit and hold it infront of the cuties mouth, still keeping my charge close to my chest]

Let's start with something easy then, eating ice cream.

[I use a vine to tap the cuties cheek for open and at the same time I say: ]

Aaaahn~

W-what….. Miss green?

As long as I have you to myself while you are still recovering, I get to spoil you ^^

[I repeat the tap on the cuties cheek]

Chew, please and wait to swallow.

I tilt my head down and just look at the cutie full of adoration.

I think you already noticed the bed and the walls, but did you know that your walls could also do this?

0, show me labels and orbits please.

[As I finish speaking, the celestial bodies displayed on the map also get labels added to them as well as lines showing their current orbits]

This is actually a live feed based on the current position of the Zealand! I decided to opt out of including the hab ring rotation to keep you from getting dizzy. You can also ask 0 to plot a course or visualise other things on top as well as filter things in and out, change colours and more.

I thought making your bedroom look like you're in space might be nice and help you feel more at ease. ^^

Oh, and if you didn't notice it already, I compiled a night light for you based on the system your favourite planet is in. It's got all the celestial bodies including the star. Scaled down of course, but the orbits are accurate to that scale and the star is warm too, even with live solar flares and everything.

[I move closer to a spot at the far wall from the bed, which makes the outline of a white rounded square appear on the wall, when I get close.

I touch it with one of my vines and a piece of the wall first moves in and then to the side, revealing a closet]

And this is your closet! The entire closet is actually a compiler, so you can have fresh and new clothes whenever you want, just ask me, 0 or use the app that I uploaded to your datapad to make a selection. If any of your clothes have sentimental value to you, just indicate as such and they will never be decompiled.

Your room does also have a door, which is not standard in my hab. No one but you, 0 and me can open it if you lock it and won't open it without permission unless necessary.

After being shown around he wasn’t left with any questions about the room, but he did think he could use this opportunity to get a different answer.

N-no questions about my room Miss.

[I proceed to move to the hallway, the door automatically opening to let me through. I am greeted on the other side by two of 0s drones, 01 and 07, both of which start to fly along behind me]

So, this is the hallway, this door goes to the living room and entrance hall, that you've been in before. The ceiling and street facing wall can actually retract so that the inside becomes part of the outside. ^^

[I continue down the hallway]

This is the kitchen It has compilers and near every kitchen tool one might need. I modelled this stasis chamber after a Terran fridge by the way.

[I keep walking until I reach the T-junction in the hallway and instead of continuing down the hallway in the direction I had been walking, I take a left, showing Theodore the doorless room of my little sprout, which is full of everything my little sprout could need, including a crib, changing table and plenty of plushies.

Adjacent to that room is my private room, much larger than the two rooms made for the Terrans. I don't show Theodore inside, but what the sweetling can see from the open doors is, amongst other things, a few stacks of paperwork, taller than I am, next to a large table.]

And this is the bathroom and shower.

[I go into the room on the opposite side of the hallway from mine that would better be described as a bath hall than a bathroom, containing an affini sized dressing table and makeup vanity mirror with a little staircase leading up to the table.

One side of the hall contains a large glass shower with enough space for at least two affini and their florets to stand in with room to spare and a wide array of shower products laid out inside. There is a compiler nestled into the wall to have towels or shower products be compiled.

On the other side of the hall, taking up the majority of the space, is the 'bathtub', which looks more like a pond with a seemingly natural spring and waterfall, some water lilies and other plants floating around on the water surface, large enough to swim laps in and even dive underwater]

Will you need anything for the bathroom, cutie?

No, I think I can manage…

Wait…

You will have plenty of opportunities to shower by yourself. ^^

I am concerned about your swimming capabilities, so for the bath you won't be able to go further in than where you could stand with your head above the water. With supervision however, you can go as far in as you want.

So, wanna see my workshop? It's the largest room on this floor!

I suppose that’s fair…. I haven’t gone swimming in years.

I've been working on a project here, using blueprints from an old Terran archive made by a corporation called NASA. It's called the Voyager Program, which in itself was part of the SETI program, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and I'm assembling a replica of the drone Voyager 1 that they launched into space to try and contact other xenosophonts! Did you know that back then they called Terra earth?

I'm assembling it piece by piece with the tools they had available back then instead of simply compiling it. As a reminder of the Terrans of the past having a favourable attitude towards inviting xenosophonts to Terra! And I've replaced the power source with something that isn't radioactive.

I plan to put it up near a domestication centre.

[Theodore can see the beginnings of what looks like an old satellite, blueprints, as well as a large amount of era appropriate tools and machines in the massive room.]

If you'd like to, you and I could work on this together.

And to answer your question, yes, you'll be allowed to use the workshop too once you've recovered, given you follow the necessary safety procedures.

Do you have anything in mind already, cutie?

I think that sounds like fun, yeah!

And I’ve got a couple things… here.

Theo holds out his left had palm up, fingers slightly curled upwards. His fingertips all individually rotated until they were facing a central point above his palm, all at once they lit up displaying a projection of what would have been called a “Classic muscle car”. With his right hand he manipulated the projection, making it bigger and displaying the internals.

[I have a big smile]

Oh, and yours sounds like such a lovely project too!

[I point at a free area in the workshop]

Dang, that’s really cool. That’ll make work a lot easier too.

[I gently ruffle the cuties hair and accentuate the 'safe' with a little boop to Theodores nose]

Want to tell me more about your project?

You are so precious, dearling, stars.

Want to hang out in the workshop a bit longer, or should I take you to the basement and make you lunch after? The lunch is non-negotiable by the way, how does a five-course meal with vanilla pudding as dessert sound?

I'd start with some skewers with grapes and cheeses and other little things, then move to some cute little appetizers, a small caprese salad, large fried chicken sandwich and, of course, dessert.

I guess I’m ready to see the basement. I’m very curious to finally see the flortrooms.

Upon hearing miss greens description of lunch he would gawk slightly at the sheer amount of food she was describing.

I- uhh, wow… that’s a lot.

I know that this is an adjustment for you, so I'm keeping the first three courses rather small, but I will be working you up to larger meals, cutie. You're quite malnourished from your time alone in space.

[While I am talking, I move back down the hallway and turn left at the junction, away from the cuties room, to the area leading downstairs, which, Theodore can notice, includes a slide.]

So this is the gaming and play area.

[The area I enter is about as large as the Entrance hall and kitchen combined and opens into the hallway and even more open space, encompassing the same area of Theodore's room, the bathroom and a little bit of the workshop area above.

The area is full of bean bags, plushies, a large assortment of games and toys, including laser tag gear, board games, video game controllers and more.

The entire floor is carpeted with a soft but firm carpet, making running around and falling safe. The T shaped hallway is carpeted in a different colour flanking the two guest rooms and ending in one of the entrances to the flortrooms.

The 'street facing' wall of the play area also doubles as a huge screen, much larger than old Terran cinema screens, which is lovely for movie nights, video games or just watching other things.]

You can request or compile just about any game you can think of down here, provided it's safe for you and your playmates to play, of course.

Combined, this area is actually larger than the workshop. There are two guest rooms for any guests that would like to or need to be on their own while here.

If you paid attention to the layout, you might be able to see that the floor space overall is smaller than above. And that's because of the flortrooms taking up a little less space than the workshop above back at this wall.

Theo was quickly distracted from these thoughts as he was carried into the MASSIVE room. Certainly one of the biggest one in the hab. He had several ideas for things he wanted to try but he supposed most of those would have to wait until he was able to leave his bed of his own accord.

Woah… you could fit a go cart track in here…

Theo’s ears perked up at the mention of The Flortrooms. He had heard Salt talking about them but never actually got around to seeing them himself.

All of this space caused Theo to reflect on the, by comparison, exceedingly cramped quarters of the Endurance. Though he did miss it greatly, it was home to him after all.

[I ruffle the cuties hair, proud of my charge for having that lovely little idea]

And of course, sweetling, you're more than welcome to adjust and modify the Endurance as long as you ensure you're being safe about it, don't try to take off without permission or break any other rules ^^

[I show the cutie one of the entrances to the flortrooms, giving a short explanation on them and going back upstairs to make lunch]

A-am I gonna have to eat all of the 5 courses?

Don't worry, cutie, I know just how much you can eat.

[I hold Theodore in my vines and start preparing the lunch I described earlier, compiling the necessary ingredients I don't have in the stasis chamber and getting to work, occasionally gesture feeding the cutie some purposefully left scraps. A cherry tomato here, a small cube of cheese there, ...

While I cook, I hum a melody from an old archive containing the soundtrack of a movie called Howl's Moving Castle, showing the excitement I feel while I cook for my charge and prepare all five courses at once.

At one point I set the appetizers down, and add xenodrug enhanced seasoning that will make the cutie hungry enough to want to finish it all.

I do also prepare a separate, much larger, mineral enhanced bowl of vanilla pudding for myself.

Once all five courses are laid out on the table before him, his internal concern about the quantity of food he’s expected to eat rising back to the front of his mind.

Miss green… it’s would to take me days to eat all this. Surely you’re messing with me?

Greens response made it clear she was not.

“Aaaaaaawwwwwww you're adorable sweetling”giggles

Theo was prepared to protest but as he opened his mouth he found a skewer filled with meats, cheeses and various vegetables raised to his mouth as the gesture feeding immediately continued. His protestations were immediately banished by the deliciousness of the food he was being fed.

After finishing the skewers he was then fed some scrumptious little baguette slices with thin sliced meats and cheeses. He had eaten quite a bit already by now and was getting surprised he still felt hungry. Though he couldn’t bring himself to complain. Both through the wonderful flavor or the gesture feeding ensuring his mouth was always full.

Next was a large bowl of salad, nicely tossed in a wonderful dressing. And as soon as that was gone a mouth watering fried chicken sandwich. Perfectly seasoned and battered, very delicately fried. Covered in various condiments between the two toasted halves of the nice fluffy bun.

The quantity of food wasn’t even registering anymore. All that was floating through his mind was the wonderful flavor. And how easy it was to enjoy while being fed by miss green. All to be topped off by a bowl of rich vanilla pudding for desert.

<0, could you prepare downstairs for a movie? Something sweet about a reluctant Terran finding their Affini and making friends and pinnates in the process>

[I headpat and gently massage the cuties scalp throughout all five courses, radiating happiness at Theodores enjoyment]

Aaaaawwwwww, you look adorable right now!

You easily managed to eat it all, sweetling! You don't have to worry about such things when I'm there for you, okay? So, did you enjoy it? Do you want seconds of anything? Do you have any requests for dinner?

I'll take that as wanting snacks during the movie then!

[I get up, clearing off the table, and bringing the plates bowls and cutlery into the kitchen to be decompiled and grabbing apple slices, strawberries, some green grapes and, of course, soda and popcorn.

The soda cup is half the size of the cuties torso.

I walk downstairs, sitting down in an affini sized beanbag, the room already pitch black to the Terran, but perfectly visible for me.

A few pre-roll ads about new cafés, restaurants, maker spaces and other things Theodore might enjoy made by other Terrans aboard the Zealand, Independents and Florets alike, play to let Theodore settle in and complete the classic movie theatre experience.

I place the soda cup down in my vines in such a way that it's easy for the sweetling to grab and drink from the straw.]

[I keep giving the sleeping Theodore compliments, finishing the movie and when the sweetling still doesn't wake up, I inject some class Zs to give the cutie a long restful night.

I keep holding the cutie close to me and go upstairs to my room to keep up the pets and fill out some more paperwork, cleaning up behind me as I go.

Eventually when the night nears its end, I take the sleeping beauty into the shower, making sure the cutie is all cleaned up. I remove any visible body hair and use some class G cleaning products to prevent further body hair from growing, a little class AG shampoo to coax out those adorable little noises, the cutie makes when sleeping during showers and promote a healthy amount of hair growth over the next few weeks. I brush precious Theodore's little teeth as well and dry the cutie off before putting on a new nightdress.

I kiss the sleeping beauty on the forehead and tuck Theodore in to sleep, the plushie version of me in the cuties arms before I leave the room]

Good morning sleepyhead~

[When I see the cutie do a stretch while waking up, I declare]

Oooh big stretch!

[A form recording that adorable stretch is filled immediately and I gently place the freshly washed plush version of the Endurance into Theodores arms]

You have had quite a rough and stressful day dearling, but fret not, I'm here to take care of you! ^^

Squeeze my vine if you want a hug, okay? I care about you and I want you to feel comfortable, okay?

I've dosed you with some class E xenodrugs before I woke you up so that you're able to listen without getting all worked up dear. I'm quite certain that otherwise, what I have to say would be quite upsetting to you, sweetling.

[I tilt Theodore's head to make sure the cutie looks into my fascinators pulsing different colours to grab the cuties attention so I know my charge will pay attention while I speak]

I want you to know that I deeply care about you and cherish you and that you are loved.

Since you have texted another cutie that you would, and I paraphrase, use the rocket fuel from your thrusters to incinerate or otherwise destroy your brain, ... I have decided to remove that option from your cybernetics.

I am deeply sorry for reminding you of that. Right now is not then. Right now you are safe, you are cared about, and you are loved and that, dearling, will not change.

If you ever feel like doing something like that again, please come and tell me about it and I will be right there to help you feel safe and remind you that you are safe, you are cared about, that you are loved and that this won't change.

Now, to explain what has and will change to make sure you're safe and won't have to hurt like that again. Please keep in mind that none of this is a punishment, I have decided to enact these changes, because I care about you deeply, and I really don't want you to get hurt.

You do not have your thrusters or rocket fuel depositories any longer unless I decide you may have those reinstalled or something with a similar effect be installed in your cybernetics.

You are no longer able to expose your brain stem without permission.

Likewise, you are also not permitted to modify your cybernetics without permission.

You are my charge and will refer to me as your warden, Miss or any other term I permit you to use, which also includes other terms I have already permitted you to use in the past.

Furthermore, you will be able to earn back the privilege of flying the Endurance in due time, though for now the Endurance will serve as your accommodations, modified and grounded near the hab unit I live in, since I do not want to keep the Endurance from you and only want you to be where I can make sure you are okay.

For now, you are on bed rest in my hab while you recover and the Endurance is being parked.

You may ask me to invite your friends over tomorrow if you feel up to it.

Now then, that was a lot to take in all at once. Soooo I made ice cream by vine, just for you! I made it to look like the Milky Way with little bits of cookie dough inside to look like celestial bodies!

And before you ask why I went to the effort to make this for you, it's because I wanted to make you happy ^^

[I blink on purpose and let go of the cuties chin]

As he listened to her talk, soaking up every word and finding himself going deeper into the swirl of colors he slowly remembered the events that led him here. The rescue of October. The several attempts to escape. His messages to Rose….

Subconsciously the hand not held by Miss Green rose gently to his neck, relieved to find the lack of a collar. A wardship then, all he need do was pass.

As Miss Green continued to speak he would perk up at mention of being allowed to stay in the Endurance, granted he wouldn’t be allowed to fly anywhere for awhile but still. He anticipated the familiarity.

As Miss Green finished her explanation and she gently broke his gaze with her fascinators he shook his head slightly, feeling a little dizzy and thought for a moment. He found himself flooded with a variety of feelings. He felt sad at having put Rose through what he did. He felt stupid for attempting to flee with no plan. Indeed he felt rather silly for trying to run at all. And as he looked up at Miss Green, who had kindly taken him into her home and done her best to help. Even though she smiled at him and had made him ice cream from scratch he felt that he had disappointed her greatly.

There there, it's okay, you're okay. I'm here for you. I am so sorry for having brought up that painful memory. To you it just happened a waking moment ago, while to me an entire evening and night have passed-

I care about you sweetling, you are safe with me and my core is filled with love for you. And I promise, I will do everything in my power not let anything change about these three little facts. Nothing you or anyone else could ever do. I simply won't let it.

[A few of my smaller vines reach out to subtly wipe away the tears, presenting tissues and holding them to my charges nose, whenever the cutie has to blow it]

Cry as much as you need, dearling. I'll be there for you, right now and whenever you need me to, for as long as it takes.

Eventually after his sobs had begun to subside slightly, he slowly pulled back a little. He took a few deep breaths attempting to steady himself. He looked up at her and managed very shakily to say “I’m sorry”

There is nothing to be sorry about. You were suffering, afraid and alone and didn't know any other way to cope, cutie.

But I'm here, okay? I have you.

It's only natural you acted the way you did, did the things you did sweetling

[I gently caress Theodore's head, running my vines through the cuties hair in gentle comforting motions]

You don't have to apologise to me, okay? There is nothing you could do that would warrant that. Seeing you struggling only makes me want to take care of you.

Apology accepted, but unneeded. I hope this helps to hear, cutie.

Eventually, after calming down and being held for awhile he did slowly pull away from her chest. Though he avoided looking up at her.

S-so, um…. What’s going to happen now? How many days do I have to stay in bed?

Aside from what I told you already, you'll be spending today with me. Depending on how you're doing, I thought about letting you invite some of your friends over starting tomorrow, provided you stay off your feet and rely on my help whenever you need it.

You should be able to move around normally after about a week.

At some point I'd still like to have your help with the garden and to make sure to make up for all of those years spent on your own, I'll be helping you socialise more!

I will be making sure your needs are taken care of and help you learn to ask for help when you need it as well as look after your needs yourself!

Theo thought for a few more moments processing everything she was saying. Trying to mentally put everything together in an order that let him retain his independence when all was said and done. Though he could not lie to himself, the vine gently running through his hair felt nice….

We could talk about your interests, I'll cook for you, ...

Is there anything you would like to do today?

Perhaps get acquainted with my hab AIs physical drones?

I don’t know, I can’t think of anything I want to do right now. Well, after you’ve made it clear I’m not allowed to fly anyway.

[I lift up the ice cream and spoon, scooping up a little bit and hold it infront of the cuties mouth, still keeping my charge close to my chest]

Let's start with something easy then, eating ice cream.

[I use a vine to tap the cuties cheek for open and at the same time I say: ]

Aaaahn~

W-what….. Miss green?

As long as I have you to myself while you are still recovering, I get to spoil you ^^

[I repeat the tap on the cuties cheek]

Chew, please and wait to swallow.

I tilt my head down and just look at the cutie full of adoration.

I think you already noticed the bed and the walls, but did you know that your walls could also do this?

0, show me labels and orbits please.

[As I finish speaking, the celestial bodies displayed on the map also get labels added to them as well as lines showing their current orbits]

This is actually a live feed based on the current position of the Zealand! I decided to opt out of including the hab ring rotation to keep you from getting dizzy. You can also ask 0 to plot a course or visualise other things on top as well as filter things in and out, change colours and more.

I thought making your bedroom look like you're in space might be nice and help you feel more at ease. ^^

Oh, and if you didn't notice it already, I compiled a night light for you based on the system your favourite planet is in. It's got all the celestial bodies including the star. Scaled down of course, but the orbits are accurate to that scale and the star is warm too, even with live solar flares and everything.

[I move closer to a spot at the far wall from the bed, which makes the outline of a white rounded square appear on the wall, when I get close.

I touch it with one of my vines and a piece of the wall first moves in and then to the side, revealing a closet]

And this is your closet! The entire closet is actually a compiler, so you can have fresh and new clothes whenever you want, just ask me, 0 or use the app that I uploaded to your datapad to make a selection. If any of your clothes have sentimental value to you, just indicate as such and they will never be decompiled.

Your room does also have a door, which is not standard in my hab. No one but you, 0 and me can open it if you lock it and won't open it without permission unless necessary.

After being shown around he wasn’t left with any questions about the room, but he did think he could use this opportunity to get a different answer.

N-no questions about my room Miss.

[I proceed to move to the hallway, the door automatically opening to let me through. I am greeted on the other side by two of 0s drones, 01 and 07, both of which start to fly along behind me]

So, this is the hallway, this door goes to the living room and entrance hall, that you've been in before. The ceiling and street facing wall can actually retract so that the inside becomes part of the outside. ^^

[I continue down the hallway]

This is the kitchen It has compilers and near every kitchen tool one might need. I modelled this stasis chamber after a Terran fridge by the way.

[I keep walking until I reach the T-junction in the hallway and instead of continuing down the hallway in the direction I had been walking, I take a left, showing Theodore the doorless room of my little sprout, which is full of everything my little sprout could need, including a crib, changing table and plenty of plushies.

Adjacent to that room is my private room, much larger than the two rooms made for the Terrans. I don't show Theodore inside, but what the sweetling can see from the open doors is, amongst other things, a few stacks of paperwork, taller than I am, next to a large table.]

And this is the bathroom and shower.

[I go into the room on the opposite side of the hallway from mine that would better be described as a bath hall than a bathroom, containing an affini sized dressing table and makeup vanity mirror with a little staircase leading up to the table.

One side of the hall contains a large glass shower with enough space for at least two affini and their florets to stand in with room to spare and a wide array of shower products laid out inside. There is a compiler nestled into the wall to have towels or shower products be compiled.

On the other side of the hall, taking up the majority of the space, is the 'bathtub', which looks more like a pond with a seemingly natural spring and waterfall, some water lilies and other plants floating around on the water surface, large enough to swim laps in and even dive underwater]

Will you need anything for the bathroom, cutie?

No, I think I can manage…

Wait…

You will have plenty of opportunities to shower by yourself. ^^

I am concerned about your swimming capabilities, so for the bath you won't be able to go further in than where you could stand with your head above the water. With supervision however, you can go as far in as you want.

So, wanna see my workshop? It's the largest room on this floor!

I suppose that’s fair…. I haven’t gone swimming in years.

I've been working on a project here, using blueprints from an old Terran archive made by a corporation called NASA. It's called the Voyager Program, which in itself was part of the SETI program, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and I'm assembling a replica of the drone Voyager 1 that they launched into space to try and contact other xenosophonts! Did you know that back then they called Terra earth?

I'm assembling it piece by piece with the tools they had available back then instead of simply compiling it. As a reminder of the Terrans of the past having a favourable attitude towards inviting xenosophonts to Terra! And I've replaced the power source with something that isn't radioactive.

I plan to put it up near a domestication centre.

[Theodore can see the beginnings of what looks like an old satellite, blueprints, as well as a large amount of era appropriate tools and machines in the massive room.]

If you'd like to, you and I could work on this together.

And to answer your question, yes, you'll be allowed to use the workshop too once you've recovered, given you follow the necessary safety procedures.

Do you have anything in mind already, cutie?

I think that sounds like fun, yeah!

And I’ve got a couple things… here.

Theo holds out his left had palm up, fingers slightly curled upwards. His fingertips all individually rotated until they were facing a central point above his palm, all at once they lit up displaying a projection of what would have been called a “Classic muscle car”. With his right hand he manipulated the projection, making it bigger and displaying the internals.

[I have a big smile]

Oh, and yours sounds like such a lovely project too!

[I point at a free area in the workshop]

Dang, that’s really cool. That’ll make work a lot easier too.

[I gently ruffle the cuties hair and accentuate the 'safe' with a little boop to Theodores nose]

Want to tell me more about your project?

You are so precious, dearling, stars.

Want to hang out in the workshop a bit longer, or should I take you to the basement and make you lunch after? The lunch is non-negotiable by the way, how does a five-course meal with vanilla pudding as dessert sound?

I'd start with some skewers with grapes and cheeses and other little things, then move to some cute little appetizers, a small caprese salad, large fried chicken sandwich and, of course, dessert.

I guess I’m ready to see the basement. I’m very curious to finally see the flortrooms.

Upon hearing miss greens description of lunch he would gawk slightly at the sheer amount of food she was describing.

I- uhh, wow… that’s a lot.

I know that this is an adjustment for you, so I'm keeping the first three courses rather small, but I will be working you up to larger meals, cutie. You're quite malnourished from your time alone in space.

[While I am talking, I move back down the hallway and turn left at the junction, away from the cuties room, to the area leading downstairs, which, Theodore can notice, includes a slide.]

So this is the gaming and play area.

[The area I enter is about as large as the Entrance hall and kitchen combined and opens into the hallway and even more open space, encompassing the same area of Theodore's room, the bathroom and a little bit of the workshop area above.

The area is full of bean bags, plushies, a large assortment of games and toys, including laser tag gear, board games, video game controllers and more.

The entire floor is carpeted with a soft but firm carpet, making running around and falling safe. The T shaped hallway is carpeted in a different colour flanking the two guest rooms and ending in one of the entrances to the flortrooms.

The 'street facing' wall of the play area also doubles as a huge screen, much larger than old Terran cinema screens, which is lovely for movie nights, video games or just watching other things.]

You can request or compile just about any game you can think of down here, provided it's safe for you and your playmates to play, of course.

Combined, this area is actually larger than the workshop. There are two guest rooms for any guests that would like to or need to be on their own while here.

If you paid attention to the layout, you might be able to see that the floor space overall is smaller than above. And that's because of the flortrooms taking up a little less space than the workshop above back at this wall.

Theo was quickly distracted from these thoughts as he was carried into the MASSIVE room. Certainly one of the biggest one in the hab. He had several ideas for things he wanted to try but he supposed most of those would have to wait until he was able to leave his bed of his own accord.

Woah… you could fit a go cart track in here…

Theo’s ears perked up at the mention of The Flortrooms. He had heard Salt talking about them but never actually got around to seeing them himself.

All of this space caused Theo to reflect on the, by comparison, exceedingly cramped quarters of the Endurance. Though he did miss it greatly, it was home to him after all.

[I ruffle the cuties hair, proud of my charge for having that lovely little idea]

And of course, sweetling, you're more than welcome to adjust and modify the Endurance as long as you ensure you're being safe about it, don't try to take off without permission or break any other rules ^^

[I show the cutie one of the entrances to the flortrooms, giving a short explanation on them and going back upstairs to make lunch]

A-am I gonna have to eat all of the 5 courses?

Don't worry, cutie, I know just how much you can eat.

[I hold Theodore in my vines and start preparing the lunch I described earlier, compiling the necessary ingredients I don't have in the stasis chamber and getting to work, occasionally gesture feeding the cutie some purposefully left scraps. A cherry tomato here, a small cube of cheese there, ...

While I cook, I hum a melody from an old archive containing the soundtrack of a movie called Howl's Moving Castle, showing the excitement I feel while I cook for my charge and prepare all five courses at once.

At one point I set the appetizers down, and add xenodrug enhanced seasoning that will make the cutie hungry enough to want to finish it all.

I do also prepare a separate, much larger, mineral enhanced bowl of vanilla pudding for myself.

Once all five courses are laid out on the table before him, his internal concern about the quantity of food he’s expected to eat rising back to the front of his mind.

Miss green… it’s would to take me days to eat all this. Surely you’re messing with me?

Greens response made it clear she was not.

“Aaaaaaawwwwwww you're adorable sweetling”giggles

Theo was prepared to protest but as he opened his mouth he found a skewer filled with meats, cheeses and various vegetables raised to his mouth as the gesture feeding immediately continued. His protestations were immediately banished by the deliciousness of the food he was being fed.

After finishing the skewers he was then fed some scrumptious little baguette slices with thin sliced meats and cheeses. He had eaten quite a bit already by now and was getting surprised he still felt hungry. Though he couldn’t bring himself to complain. Both through the wonderful flavor or the gesture feeding ensuring his mouth was always full.

Next was a large bowl of salad, nicely tossed in a wonderful dressing. And as soon as that was gone a mouth watering fried chicken sandwich. Perfectly seasoned and battered, very delicately fried. Covered in various condiments between the two toasted halves of the nice fluffy bun.

The quantity of food wasn’t even registering anymore. All that was floating through his mind was the wonderful flavor. And how easy it was to enjoy while being fed by miss green. All to be topped off by a bowl of rich vanilla pudding for desert.

<0, could you prepare downstairs for a movie? Something sweet about a reluctant Terran finding their Affini and making friends and pinnates in the process>

[I headpat and gently massage the cuties scalp throughout all five courses, radiating happiness at Theodores enjoyment]

Aaaaawwwwww, you look adorable right now!

You easily managed to eat it all, sweetling! You don't have to worry about such things when I'm there for you, okay? So, did you enjoy it? Do you want seconds of anything? Do you have any requests for dinner?

I'll take that as wanting snacks during the movie then!

[I get up, clearing off the table, and bringing the plates bowls and cutlery into the kitchen to be decompiled and grabbing apple slices, strawberries, some green grapes and, of course, soda and popcorn.

The soda cup is half the size of the cuties torso.

I walk downstairs, sitting down in an affini sized beanbag, the room already pitch black to the Terran, but perfectly visible for me.

A few pre-roll ads about new cafés, restaurants, maker spaces and other things Theodore might enjoy made by other Terrans aboard the Zealand, Independents and Florets alike, play to let Theodore settle in and complete the classic movie theatre experience.

I place the soda cup down in my vines in such a way that it's easy for the sweetling to grab and drink from the straw.]

Good morning sleepyhead~

[When I see the cutie do a stretch while waking up, I declare]

Oooh big stretch!

[A form recording that adorable stretch is filled immediately and I gently place the freshly washed plush version of the Endurance into Theodores arms]

You have had quite a rough and stressful day dearling, but fret not, I'm here to take care of you! ^^

Squeeze my vine if you want a hug, okay? I care about you and I want you to feel comfortable, okay?

I've dosed you with some class E xenodrugs before I woke you up so that you're able to listen without getting all worked up dear. I'm quite certain that otherwise, what I have to say would be quite upsetting to you, sweetling.

[I tilt Theodore's head to make sure the cutie looks into my fascinators pulsing different colours to grab the cuties attention so I know my charge will pay attention while I speak]

I want you to know that I deeply care about you and cherish you and that you are loved.

Since you have texted another cutie that you would, and I paraphrase, use the rocket fuel from your thrusters to incinerate or otherwise destroy your brain, ... I have decided to remove that option from your cybernetics.

I am deeply sorry for reminding you of that. Right now is not then. Right now you are safe, you are cared about, and you are loved and that, dearling, will not change.

If you ever feel like doing something like that again, please come and tell me about it and I will be right there to help you feel safe and remind you that you are safe, you are cared about, that you are loved and that this won't change.

Now, to explain what has and will change to make sure you're safe and won't have to hurt like that again. Please keep in mind that none of this is a punishment, I have decided to enact these changes, because I care about you deeply, and I really don't want you to get hurt.

You do not have your thrusters or rocket fuel depositories any longer unless I decide you may have those reinstalled or something with a similar effect be installed in your cybernetics.

You are no longer able to expose your brain stem without permission.

Likewise, you are also not permitted to modify your cybernetics without permission.

You are my charge and will refer to me as your warden, Miss or any other term I permit you to use, which also includes other terms I have already permitted you to use in the past.

Furthermore, you will be able to earn back the privilege of flying the Endurance in due time, though for now the Endurance will serve as your accommodations, modified and grounded near the hab unit I live in, since I do not want to keep the Endurance from you and only want you to be where I can make sure you are okay.

For now, you are on bed rest in my hab while you recover and the Endurance is being parked.

You may ask me to invite your friends over tomorrow if you feel up to it.

Now then, that was a lot to take in all at once. Soooo I made ice cream by vine, just for you! I made it to look like the Milky Way with little bits of cookie dough inside to look like celestial bodies!

And before you ask why I went to the effort to make this for you, it's because I wanted to make you happy ^^

[I blink on purpose and let go of the cuties chin]

As he listened to her talk, soaking up every word and finding himself going deeper into the swirl of colors he slowly remembered the events that led him here. The rescue of October. The several attempts to escape. His messages to Rose….

Subconsciously the hand not held by Miss Green rose gently to his neck, relieved to find the lack of a collar. A wardship then, all he need do was pass.

As Miss Green continued to speak he would perk up at mention of being allowed to stay in the Endurance, granted he wouldn’t be allowed to fly anywhere for awhile but still. He anticipated the familiarity.

As Miss Green finished her explanation and she gently broke his gaze with her fascinators he shook his head slightly, feeling a little dizzy and thought for a moment. He found himself flooded with a variety of feelings. He felt sad at having put Rose through what he did. He felt stupid for attempting to flee with no plan. Indeed he felt rather silly for trying to run at all. And as he looked up at Miss Green, who had kindly taken him into her home and done her best to help. Even though she smiled at him and had made him ice cream from scratch he felt that he had disappointed her greatly.

There there, it's okay, you're okay. I'm here for you. I am so sorry for having brought up that painful memory. To you it just happened a waking moment ago, while to me an entire evening and night have passed-

I care about you sweetling, you are safe with me and my core is filled with love for you. And I promise, I will do everything in my power not let anything change about these three little facts. Nothing you or anyone else could ever do. I simply won't let it.

[A few of my smaller vines reach out to subtly wipe away the tears, presenting tissues and holding them to my charges nose, whenever the cutie has to blow it]

Cry as much as you need, dearling. I'll be there for you, right now and whenever you need me to, for as long as it takes.

Eventually after his sobs had begun to subside slightly, he slowly pulled back a little. He took a few deep breaths attempting to steady himself. He looked up at her and managed very shakily to say “I’m sorry”

There is nothing to be sorry about. You were suffering, afraid and alone and didn't know any other way to cope, cutie.

But I'm here, okay? I have you.

It's only natural you acted the way you did, did the things you did sweetling

[I gently caress Theodore's head, running my vines through the cuties hair in gentle comforting motions]

You don't have to apologise to me, okay? There is nothing you could do that would warrant that. Seeing you struggling only makes me want to take care of you.

Apology accepted, but unneeded. I hope this helps to hear, cutie.

Eventually, after calming down and being held for awhile he did slowly pull away from her chest. Though he avoided looking up at her.

S-so, um…. What’s going to happen now? How many days do I have to stay in bed?

Aside from what I told you already, you'll be spending today with me. Depending on how you're doing, I thought about letting you invite some of your friends over starting tomorrow, provided you stay off your feet and rely on my help whenever you need it.

You should be able to move around normally after about a week.

At some point I'd still like to have your help with the garden and to make sure to make up for all of those years spent on your own, I'll be helping you socialise more!

I will be making sure your needs are taken care of and help you learn to ask for help when you need it as well as look after your needs yourself!

Theo thought for a few more moments processing everything she was saying. Trying to mentally put everything together in an order that let him retain his independence when all was said and done. Though he could not lie to himself, the vine gently running through his hair felt nice….

We could talk about your interests, I'll cook for you, ...

Is there anything you would like to do today?

Perhaps get acquainted with my hab AIs physical drones?

I don’t know, I can’t think of anything I want to do right now. Well, after you’ve made it clear I’m not allowed to fly anyway.

[I lift up the ice cream and spoon, scooping up a little bit and hold it infront of the cuties mouth, still keeping my charge close to my chest]

Let's start with something easy then, eating ice cream.

[I use a vine to tap the cuties cheek for open and at the same time I say: ]

Aaaahn~

W-what….. Miss green?

As long as I have you to myself while you are still recovering, I get to spoil you ^^

[I repeat the tap on the cuties cheek]

Chew, please and wait to swallow.

I tilt my head down and just look at the cutie full of adoration.

I think you already noticed the bed and the walls, but did you know that your walls could also do this?

0, show me labels and orbits please.

[As I finish speaking, the celestial bodies displayed on the map also get labels added to them as well as lines showing their current orbits]

This is actually a live feed based on the current position of the Zealand! I decided to opt out of including the hab ring rotation to keep you from getting dizzy. You can also ask 0 to plot a course or visualise other things on top as well as filter things in and out, change colours and more.

I thought making your bedroom look like you're in space might be nice and help you feel more at ease. ^^

Oh, and if you didn't notice it already, I compiled a night light for you based on the system your favourite planet is in. It's got all the celestial bodies including the star. Scaled down of course, but the orbits are accurate to that scale and the star is warm too, even with live solar flares and everything.

[I move closer to a spot at the far wall from the bed, which makes the outline of a white rounded square appear on the wall, when I get close.

I touch it with one of my vines and a piece of the wall first moves in and then to the side, revealing a closet]

And this is your closet! The entire closet is actually a compiler, so you can have fresh and new clothes whenever you want, just ask me, 0 or use the app that I uploaded to your datapad to make a selection. If any of your clothes have sentimental value to you, just indicate as such and they will never be decompiled.

Your room does also have a door, which is not standard in my hab. No one but you, 0 and me can open it if you lock it and won't open it without permission unless necessary.

After being shown around he wasn’t left with any questions about the room, but he did think he could use this opportunity to get a different answer.

N-no questions about my room Miss.

[I proceed to move to the hallway, the door automatically opening to let me through. I am greeted on the other side by two of 0s drones, 01 and 07, both of which start to fly along behind me]

So, this is the hallway, this door goes to the living room and entrance hall, that you've been in before. The ceiling and street facing wall can actually retract so that the inside becomes part of the outside. ^^

[I continue down the hallway]

This is the kitchen It has compilers and near every kitchen tool one might need. I modelled this stasis chamber after a Terran fridge by the way.

[I keep walking until I reach the T-junction in the hallway and instead of continuing down the hallway in the direction I had been walking, I take a left, showing Theodore the doorless room of my little sprout, which is full of everything my little sprout could need, including a crib, changing table and plenty of plushies.

Adjacent to that room is my private room, much larger than the two rooms made for the Terrans. I don't show Theodore inside, but what the sweetling can see from the open doors is, amongst other things, a few stacks of paperwork, taller than I am, next to a large table.]

And this is the bathroom and shower.

[I go into the room on the opposite side of the hallway from mine that would better be described as a bath hall than a bathroom, containing an affini sized dressing table and makeup vanity mirror with a little staircase leading up to the table.

One side of the hall contains a large glass shower with enough space for at least two affini and their florets to stand in with room to spare and a wide array of shower products laid out inside. There is a compiler nestled into the wall to have towels or shower products be compiled.

On the other side of the hall, taking up the majority of the space, is the 'bathtub', which looks more like a pond with a seemingly natural spring and waterfall, some water lilies and other plants floating around on the water surface, large enough to swim laps in and even dive underwater]

Will you need anything for the bathroom, cutie?

No, I think I can manage…

Wait…

You will have plenty of opportunities to shower by yourself. ^^

I am concerned about your swimming capabilities, so for the bath you won't be able to go further in than where you could stand with your head above the water. With supervision however, you can go as far in as you want.

So, wanna see my workshop? It's the largest room on this floor!

I suppose that’s fair…. I haven’t gone swimming in years.

I've been working on a project here, using blueprints from an old Terran archive made by a corporation called NASA. It's called the Voyager Program, which in itself was part of the SETI program, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and I'm assembling a replica of the drone Voyager 1 that they launched into space to try and contact other xenosophonts! Did you know that back then they called Terra earth?

I'm assembling it piece by piece with the tools they had available back then instead of simply compiling it. As a reminder of the Terrans of the past having a favourable attitude towards inviting xenosophonts to Terra! And I've replaced the power source with something that isn't radioactive.

I plan to put it up near a domestication centre.

[Theodore can see the beginnings of what looks like an old satellite, blueprints, as well as a large amount of era appropriate tools and machines in the massive room.]

If you'd like to, you and I could work on this together.

And to answer your question, yes, you'll be allowed to use the workshop too once you've recovered, given you follow the necessary safety procedures.

Do you have anything in mind already, cutie?

I think that sounds like fun, yeah!

And I’ve got a couple things… here.

Theo holds out his left had palm up, fingers slightly curled upwards. His fingertips all individually rotated until they were facing a central point above his palm, all at once they lit up displaying a projection of what would have been called a “Classic muscle car”. With his right hand he manipulated the projection, making it bigger and displaying the internals.

[I have a big smile]

Oh, and yours sounds like such a lovely project too!

[I point at a free area in the workshop]

Dang, that’s really cool. That’ll make work a lot easier too.

[I gently ruffle the cuties hair and accentuate the 'safe' with a little boop to Theodores nose]

Want to tell me more about your project?

You are so precious, dearling, stars.

Want to hang out in the workshop a bit longer, or should I take you to the basement and make you lunch after? The lunch is non-negotiable by the way, how does a five-course meal with vanilla pudding as dessert sound?

I'd start with some skewers with grapes and cheeses and other little things, then move to some cute little appetizers, a small caprese salad, large fried chicken sandwich and, of course, dessert.

I guess I’m ready to see the basement. I’m very curious to finally see the flortrooms.

Upon hearing miss greens description of lunch he would gawk slightly at the sheer amount of food she was describing.

I- uhh, wow… that’s a lot.

I know that this is an adjustment for you, so I'm keeping the first three courses rather small, but I will be working you up to larger meals, cutie. You're quite malnourished from your time alone in space.

[While I am talking, I move back down the hallway and turn left at the junction, away from the cuties room, to the area leading downstairs, which, Theodore can notice, includes a slide.]

So this is the gaming and play area.

[The area I enter is about as large as the Entrance hall and kitchen combined and opens into the hallway and even more open space, encompassing the same area of Theodore's room, the bathroom and a little bit of the workshop area above.

The area is full of bean bags, plushies, a large assortment of games and toys, including laser tag gear, board games, video game controllers and more.

The entire floor is carpeted with a soft but firm carpet, making running around and falling safe. The T shaped hallway is carpeted in a different colour flanking the two guest rooms and ending in one of the entrances to the flortrooms.

The 'street facing' wall of the play area also doubles as a huge screen, much larger than old Terran cinema screens, which is lovely for movie nights, video games or just watching other things.]

You can request or compile just about any game you can think of down here, provided it's safe for you and your playmates to play, of course.

Combined, this area is actually larger than the workshop. There are two guest rooms for any guests that would like to or need to be on their own while here.

If you paid attention to the layout, you might be able to see that the floor space overall is smaller than above. And that's because of the flortrooms taking up a little less space than the workshop above back at this wall.

Theo was quickly distracted from these thoughts as he was carried into the MASSIVE room. Certainly one of the biggest one in the hab. He had several ideas for things he wanted to try but he supposed most of those would have to wait until he was able to leave his bed of his own accord.

Woah… you could fit a go cart track in here…

Theo’s ears perked up at the mention of The Flortrooms. He had heard Salt talking about them but never actually got around to seeing them himself.

All of this space caused Theo to reflect on the, by comparison, exceedingly cramped quarters of the Endurance. Though he did miss it greatly, it was home to him after all.

[I ruffle the cuties hair, proud of my charge for having that lovely little idea]

And of course, sweetling, you're more than welcome to adjust and modify the Endurance as long as you ensure you're being safe about it, don't try to take off without permission or break any other rules ^^

[I show the cutie one of the entrances to the flortrooms, giving a short explanation on them and going back upstairs to make lunch]

A-am I gonna have to eat all of the 5 courses?

Don't worry, cutie, I know just how much you can eat.

[I hold Theodore in my vines and start preparing the lunch I described earlier, compiling the necessary ingredients I don't have in the stasis chamber and getting to work, occasionally gesture feeding the cutie some purposefully left scraps. A cherry tomato here, a small cube of cheese there, ...

While I cook, I hum a melody from an old archive containing the soundtrack of a movie called Howl's Moving Castle, showing the excitement I feel while I cook for my charge and prepare all five courses at once.

At one point I set the appetizers down, and add xenodrug enhanced seasoning that will make the cutie hungry enough to want to finish it all.

I do also prepare a separate, much larger, mineral enhanced bowl of vanilla pudding for myself.

Once all five courses are laid out on the table before him, his internal concern about the quantity of food he’s expected to eat rising back to the front of his mind.

Miss green… it’s would to take me days to eat all this. Surely you’re messing with me?

Greens response made it clear she was not.

“Aaaaaaawwwwwww you're adorable sweetling”giggles

Theo was prepared to protest but as he opened his mouth he found a skewer filled with meats, cheeses and various vegetables raised to his mouth as the gesture feeding immediately continued. His protestations were immediately banished by the deliciousness of the food he was being fed.

After finishing the skewers he was then fed some scrumptious little baguette slices with thin sliced meats and cheeses. He had eaten quite a bit already by now and was getting surprised he still felt hungry. Though he couldn’t bring himself to complain. Both through the wonderful flavor or the gesture feeding ensuring his mouth was always full.

Next was a large bowl of salad, nicely tossed in a wonderful dressing. And as soon as that was gone a mouth watering fried chicken sandwich. Perfectly seasoned and battered, very delicately fried. Covered in various condiments between the two toasted halves of the nice fluffy bun.

The quantity of food wasn’t even registering anymore. All that was floating through his mind was the wonderful flavor. And how easy it was to enjoy while being fed by miss green. All to be topped off by a bowl of rich vanilla pudding for desert.

<0, could you prepare downstairs for a movie? Something sweet about a reluctant Terran finding their Affini and making friends and pinnates in the process>

[I headpat and gently massage the cuties scalp throughout all five courses, radiating happiness at Theodores enjoyment]

Aaaaawwwwww, you look adorable right now!

You easily managed to eat it all, sweetling! You don't have to worry about such things when I'm there for you, okay? So, did you enjoy it? Do you want seconds of anything? Do you have any requests for dinner?

I'll take that as wanting snacks during the movie then!

[I get up, clearing off the table, and bringing the plates bowls and cutlery into the kitchen to be decompiled and grabbing apple slices, strawberries, some green grapes and, of course, soda and popcorn.

The soda cup is half the size of the cuties torso.

I walk downstairs, sitting down in an affini sized beanbag, the room already pitch black to the Terran, but perfectly visible for me.

A few pre-roll ads about new cafés, restaurants, maker spaces and other things Theodore might enjoy made by other Terrans aboard the Zealand, Independents and Florets alike, play to let Theodore settle in and complete the classic movie theatre experience.

I place the soda cup down in my vines in such a way that it's easy for the sweetling to grab and drink from the straw.]

So I wore a bunch of different outfits and we took some photos, mrauww :3

Also yes I am using the photos Thyme took from the background instead of the ones from the datapad.