"Well, let's see if this thing will really work. This is Maria Florez, researcher on the relationships between the Affini and the Terrans they keep as pets. I am here interviewing an Affini on how they treat their florets, difficulties in ensuring sophont safety, and the daily life they lead together. I know I asked you before I began recording, but I need to make sure I get formal consent to record. Do I have consent to record you and include you in my research? This will include giving the details of your name and the names of the florets you have dominion over."

Oh but of course cutie. This is all so very exciting.

"Yes, quite so. In that case, please state your name for the record as well as the names of your florets."

Well, my name is Tritoma Iberis, Fifth Bloom, and these are my darling little pets Coralline Iberis, First Floret, and Blair Iberis, Second Floret.

"Hi! You're really really pretty!"

"I would prefer they not interrupt the interview if possible, I must get all this data collected properly."

I understand completely. Go along now my darlings, have some fun playing with each other~

"Hehe, ok Mistress! C'mon! Let's play some games!"

"Thank you. Now, I would like to start by asking you about what a typical day is like for you with your florets. Don't need too much detail, just wanna get a basis for understanding."

Well, on a normal day, my Florets will ask me to cuddle with them, to have my vines all over them as they squirm and moan~ They're so very cute when they do that~ I like to administer a Class-M for each of them so I can make them my cute little dolls~ Just thinking about it now makes me wish they could be here so I could give you a proper demonstrat-

"That is quite enough please. You have made it clear it is enjoyable for you, but do they truly find it as wonderful as you describe?"

Oh but of course! I would never do anything to harm them or do anything they wouldn't wish for~

"I see. Well, that is rather reassuring for my research then. Now, I'd like to move onto talking abo-

Are you sure it's just your research you're reassured about?~

"I'm unsure what you mean."

You weren't worried that if you decided to give into those wonderful little thoughts of yours that you would be at the complete mercy of a beautiful Affini like Ms. Verdianthos?~

"Wh-what kind of terran do you take me for!? I am here strictly on research, not to end up as some mindless dumbass pet to a damn we-"

What did you just say about my Florets?

"...s-sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just don't want to talk about Verdia- Ms. Ve- the other Affini right now. I'm stressed about it and I don't want to think about her right now."

...I see. I apologize for my outburst, but I do not take kindly to anyone insulting my darling florets. You may continue with your questions.

"Thank you. Only got one question left anyway since I now know how you treat your florets. What can you tell me about the difficulties that come with ensuring a sophont is truly safe and taken care of?"

Well, we first evaluate the risks that the sophonts are in. We check for any dangers they can put themselves in and do our best to remove that risk as soon as possible. We then take the sophonts with us. For them to come willingly is preferable, but as you have seen, there are many instances where we have to use xenodrugs to ensure their safety.

"I see. What about once you have captured them? Is there anything that is normally done to keep them in check then? I can't imagine most are happy after being knocked out cold and waking up somewhere strange."

After they have had a chance to acclimate to their new environment, we simply take care of them with a combination of xenodrugs, our biorhythms, and all the love and affection we can give~

"This is very fascina- Wait, I'm sorry, I don't think I've heard that term before. You said biorhythms?"

Why yes! All Affini produce biorhythms that we follow. I have also heard that they are rather hypnotic to sophonts, particularly to Terrans. It helps in the domestication process and allows our darling Florets know we are always with them~

"...oh. Oh no. No no no no, this can't be it, right? I-it has to be some kinda joke or something."

Are you alright? You seem to be getting rather anxious darling, perhaps I could help you rela-

"Shut up! I can't be here any longer! If what you're saying is true, then I really can't stay anywhere near here any longer. I have to go, I have to- ow!"

Oh my, are you alright? Please, allow me to help you back u-

"This is Maria Arum, Second Floret, researcher on the relationships between Affini and their Florets. Today I will be conducting an interview on an Affini who enjoys turning her Florets into... dolls. This log shall cover the questions of the consent of the Florets in being "dollified" and how the process occurs. It will also provide a live demonstration of this happening with the Affini and a new doll. I have been permitted to conduct this interview by my Mistress, Verdianthos Arum, Fourth Bloom. Do I have your consent to record you and include you in my research? This will include giving the details of your name and the names of your Florets."

I do believe you already asked me that darling~

"Yes, but I prefer ensuring that the consent to record is also provided in the recording."

Well then, I do indeed consent.

"Perfect, in that case please state your name and the names of your Florets."

I am Laburnum Solanum, Third Bloom, and these are my darling little dolls, Erika and Grace Solanum, First and Second Florets. Aren't they just the cutest little things?~

"I... yeah, they are rather cute. Are they normally so immobile? I can barely see them breathing."

Only if they're well behaved~ They do so very much enjoy being like this, completely thoughtless and just feeling wonderful, having me play with them and dressing them up as I please~

"It is rather... interesting to see. Sorry, I feel slightly lightheaded."

Oh that's quite alright darling, just feel free to take your time~

"Thank... you. So, the process of becoming a doll? How does... all that work? Ugh, my head is too full."

Well, you're the one who should tell me~ After all, you're currently going through the process of becoming a good doll~ The process starts with some Class-H xenodrugs to allow you to slowly drift deeper into what you truly want~

"Huh? S-sorry, I'm... having trouble understanding you right now."

Awww, your poor little head must feel so heavy now~ You shouldn't have to have so many thoughts clouding your mind~ You should just take a deep breath, and let yourself

FALL

My my, you certainly are rather receptive to my words~ But that shouldn't be too surprising~ After all, good dolls shouldn't think~

"Good dolls shouldn't think"

Very good~ You're such a good doll already~ I wonder just how far you want me to push you~ Just how much you want to be a mindless little doll~

"I want to be a good doll. Good dolls don't think"

My my, if you didn't already have an owner, I would love to make you one of my precious dolls~ But your Mistress did tell me to not push my luck too far with you or you might really lose yourself~ I'm going to give you the counteragents now, and if you ever want to be a doll again, ask your Mistress and feel free to come back any time~

"I'm a good d- wh-what? S-sorry, I'm not sure what happened. I-I think I fell asleep there for a bit. Where was I?"

Oh, you already asked all your questions, but you looked so very cozy that I didn't want to wake you up~

"O-oh. Well uh, in that case, thank you for your time and for providing me with this information. I do hope you'll allow me to sit here a while longer, I can't really feel my legs for some reason. Do you have any water? I think I might still not be completely recovered from the implant procedure."

Of course, here you are darling~ And I do hope you enjoy listening to the demonstration later since you fell asleep during it~