Chapter Text
Affini vets and Terran vets had similarities and differences. Similar in that they both treated species different from there own, though Affini on far more than Terran vets. Different in that while Terran vets worked almost exclusively on animals that were domesticated in some way or another, and Affini vets treated all Sophonts, both independent and Florets.
I reminded myself that key different regularly while I sat alone in the Vets waiting room. There was only one other independent in the whole room, and they clearly had an injured arm.
I shouldn't be here.
I didn't need to be here.
My face itched, and as I reached up to scratch it I was greeted with the distinct feeling of stubble.
Scratch
A reminder that I hadn't been able to shave before my Custodian confronted me this morning.
Scratch scratch
Disgusting.
Scratch scratch scratch
Absolutely disgusting.
Scratch scratch scratch
Maybe if I scratch hard enough I can claw out the traitorous hair from my face. The thought invigorating me and soon a second hand joined the first.
ScratchScratchScratch
Why
ScratchScratchScratch
Won't
ScratchScratchScratch
It
ScratchScratchScratch
Come
ScratchScratchScratch
Off!
I looked up and noticed that several Affini were looking at me. And not in the way they normally look at Sophonts. They were looking at me with concern.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
I stopped scratching immediately. But the itch was still there. It has permeated the entirety of my skin. I had to scratch somewhere.
My arm. My arm worked. I started scratching, making sure not to get aggressive enough to be noticed. I had to be careful.
I couldn't become a Floret.
.....Not that there is anything wrong with being a Floret, its just very much not for me. The mere prospect of being treated like a pet twists my guts into knots with what I can only assume is dread.
I tried, and failed, to suppress the image of myself as a Floret from invading my mind. It sent a shiver down my spine. It was wrong. All wrong.
I didn't need to be here. I was just wasting time and recourses. Time and recourses that would be better spent elsewhere.
scratch
Like the independent with the hurt arm. I looked over to them again. They were looking back at me.
scratch
They were looking at me with the same look of concern as the Affini were. Mixed with something else. Pity? Why were they looking at me like that??
Scratch
Did they think it was too late for me or something? Oh my god, they totally did! That had to be it.
Scratch
Why else would an independent look at me like that? It was to lat-
"Oliver Branch~, Clementine will see you know~" The Floret behind the counter called out in a sing song voice that interrupted my thoughts and caused me to jump in surprise.