Chapter Text
Community Garden
Chapter 1: Dandelion Soil
Viviana looked at the friendly holographic sign proudly displaying what appeared to be an enthralled … girl? woman? weed lover? handing over a stack of papers adoringly to one of those plant people, sitting on a desk with what appeared to be reading glasses, legs crossed and smirking. It was cute? Intimidating? Awkward? The pet handed the paperwork over, and the animation started again. The text rippled. She furrowed her brow.
Seriously? These guys had brought down the mighty Terran Cosmic Navy, dismantled capitalism, left her and millions of others just staggering in their wake, and their solution was to send them all here to be taunted by one of their slaves in the streets?
She continued to stare.
A soft chime played.
A small voice interrupted her visceral reaction. “Can I help you, miss? You’ve been standing here for like fifteen minutes”
Viviana blinked, sighed resignedly, and held up her pamphlet. “I… was told to come to the Office of Terran Adaptation and Assistance.” This was going to be a long day. She looked up at the woman and froze. 5’9”, short curly bob, flowers in her hair, the kind of tan that makes people think of the word swarthy. A white dress with a floral print that spoke of summer in a much nicer place, with cute sandals to boot. It was the woman in the hologram. “Did… they make you do that?” she blurted. Were they gonna make me do that? She shuddered at the thought.
The poor thing blushed “I uh. I … Volunteered. Theresa Palida, Third Floret. Come in! She motioned Viviana inside. The terran looked at the former medical office with increasing trepidation and followed her in.
What seemed to be the receptionist was almost normal, holograms aside, but the reception room was positively overflowing with house plants, creeping up the walls and adding texture and warmth to the formally sterile space. What space was free of the verdant army was plastered with cheery posters with slogans like “Florethood and YOU” “Society was deconstructed overnight? We can help!!!!!!” “How to stop worrying and love the vine”. The air even smelled fresher in here.
Theresa turned around as she took her place behind the desk. “So, what’s your name, cutie? And how can we help you?” My... Those stacks of forms looked tall.
“I uh…” she blushed in turn, stumbling over her words. “V-Viviana Crane, but you can call me Viv. P-pleasure to meet you. A-also very taken.” she lifted her left hand, showing a simple black band. “I … uh.. I’m here for the job placement? I brought my resume.”
Theresa went through a few emotions before settling on confusion. “Job placement?”
“Job placement?” Viv echoed, confused by the confusion.
“Job placement.” Theresa seemed unconvinced. “Does your mistress not give you enough to do?”
“I’m sorry, my what.” Viv stared, confused and horrified.
“Your mistress? I … thought you were taken?”
A long pause “Married.”
The tension built a beat, before Theresa burst out laughing. “I’m just yanking your leash! Seriously though, you do realize there is no longer such a thing as capitalism? Why are you looking for a job?”
Because she was growing stir crazy. “I thought this was supposed to be some sort of transition office? I am sure we’ll need to do something at some point, right? Some task the plants want us to do? I was hoping to see what I qualified for.”
At this, Theresa seemed to spring into action. “Well miss, they don’t really need us to do things, but that can be hard to wrestle with, and that’s what we’re here to do! No jobs, I’m afraid, but we better let you know your alternatives! Everyone here is looking for something, and we’ll help you settle. I’ll page one of our counselors. Please fill this intake form?” She handed Viviana a clipboard.
This whole situation was baffling. “I uh. Thanks.” She awkwardly went to sit, only to notice the chairs were not made of the standard Argrid Corp™ Memory Plastic©® but some sort of wood? Damn plants had even taken over the furniture! She sat down and -
Oh.
Oh.
This was the best damn chair she had ever sat in. Even better than her couch bed at home. A bit of the tension left her shoulders. The receptionist was looking at her while typing. Theresa smiled. Goddess above and light within, had she made a noise? She blushed and looked over the form.
Cutie Intake and Interest Evaluation Form
Please enter your precious name:
Viviana Efficio Crane
Do you have anyone at home? Write it here, cutie~:
Kit Elwynn Crane
How old are you, petal?
29
Are you aware that you are very very cute and deserve all the best things in life served to you on a silver platter?
Stars and stones!? Why must everything be so damn demeaning or flirty around here?! She just wanted an honest day’s work for her honest day’s pay, what was so hard about that? As much as conditions had improved overnight, she found herself almost wishing to go back. She thought of Kit. Almost, but she didn’t mean it. She frowned and turned to Theresa. “Do you have a… more normal form?”
She laughed gently, but at an odd rhythm. “I’m afraid not, love. All Affini bureaucracy is like this.” She went back to typing something of her own on her computer.
Viviana grumbled and got through the form.
I will not entertain this question.
What types of things are a cutie like you interested in?
My previous experience was in cell biology and more specifically three dimensional culturing as well as fermentation at Terra Medical™. While Terran science is not as advanced as the Affini, this area will likely require the least retraining.
Have you considered adoption? I bet you would make a pretty good floret, being so lovely and all.
Not particularly interested in being owned, thanks.
It continued on like this, asking her sweetly to put down her best attributes, told her being cute was one of them, along with being brave for coming down to see someone to recover from capitalism. Viviana was growing increasingly uncomfortable with this whole business. The plant doctor had sent her here after the “wellness check” and Kit had told her she needed to go outside and work some nerves out. Maybe she should have gone for a walk instead. Maybe she still could? She approached the desk and handed the clipboard back apologetically. Theresa looked up and pressed the enter key.
“I uh. Am sorry. I -”
The very human sized door was suddenly filled by a very not human sized thing hunching and overflowing and overgrowing. Viv started. A lovely fresh smell filled the room. It was one of them. Of course it was one of them. It’s why she was here. Goddess within! They were so big and intoxicating and - “Hello miss Crane! I’m Ocimum Tenui, sixth bloom, he/they for now. Sorry to have kept such a cute thing waiting! Join me in my office, petal, and we can have a chat about transition. I’ll be happy to answer your questions, flower. Follow me.”
Their voice was multilayered, in choral harmony with itself with each voice taking on rhythmic variation within variation in an odd way that seemed to just evade simple beat patterns. She stood in place, trying to find a way to gracefully make her exit from the cosmic horror before her. She looked to the receptionist for assistance. She looked back knowingly and smiled that stars-damned floret smile. She was no thrice-blasted help. Viv gulped, terrified of the creature patiently waiting for her at the door, just tall enough to not touch the luxuriously tall 9 foot tall ceiling without bumping his head and filling the tight space. They made everything look so… tiny.
“I uh … maybe I…”
The affini ruffled her hair and placed a vine on her back from across the room. “I know it’s scary, dear, but we’ll get you figured out! Come on.”
Viv let herself be led to an office that had clearly been an examination room not even two weeks ago, plant hand on her shoulder, guiding her to a seat in front of the single biggest desk she had ever seen. She could see what was on the table but the damn thing was so tall to accommodate the gargantuan alien that would have needed to remain standing. She would have, if the damn weed hadn’t lifted her up so she could get on the glorified high chair that gnnnnn felt too damn good for something that felt so damn precarious.
“I’m told you came in looking for a job, love?” The affini pierced into her soul with his intense focus as they sat down across the table. It felt like it was already picturing her in a collar.
She swallowed. Hard. “please don’t make me a pet” squeaked out of her throat. Ocimum blinked in surprise.
“I’m sorry dear, we seem to have overwhelmed you. Would you like a breather, some water, a snack? I’d offer some xenodrugs for the anxiety, but I am told most of you independent sophonts just freshly reaching the Compact aren’t comfortable with that yet.”
By the Goddesses. she had dressed in her interview outfit for this. This is so stupid. This is so stupid. She needed to collect her thoughts. “Water please.”
He nodded. “Coming right up, petal!” Good. A small break with that thing out of the room. She could think for one stars-damned second. She felt like she was on some sort of prank show, but no. These were xenos and heavily controlled humans. The plant doctor and case worker had both treated them like this. This is just what passed for normal. This was her new normal. Breathe. Focus. Work through your breathing exercise. You are a very clever scientist and you can make your way through this with information about your future. Breathe. You are going to sign up for science courses. You will prove your worth, and hopefully get to keep that brain of yours.
Ocimum came back into the room with a few pamphlets, a delectable smell, and a glass of water. She took it gratefully. “Thank you. I feel much better now.” They took their seat. “Now, I believe we were going to discuss the options we terrans face, and how to best place myself within that order. Furthermore, I believe it is in your culture to flirt casually with everyone, but I would ask that you keep it as minimal as possible, please. I’ll have to adjust eventually to your ways, but the treaty and surrender were only signed a little over a week ago.”
The affini seemed a bit bemused. “Well, Miss Crane, it might be hard to resist doting on you, but I’ll do my best.” Good! The first victory. They seemed at least willing to humor her.
“Alright,” he started, squaring their eyes on her, “we have a few things you might consider. First, there is always florethood. I am sure we can find someone to take you in, but you said you aren’t interested. I’ll still give you the pamphlet with the rest of the packet when you leave, though. Is that alright?”
“Uh… So long as it doesn’t represent a commitment.” Better keep him mollified and move on.
“There’s always the classic, the insensate hedonism. Stay in your hab and relax on the best xenodrugs we have to offer. If you choose this, you may be assigned a caretaker to make sure you are still taken care of~”
“Hard pass. I like my brain how it is, thanks.” She tried her best to stare them down, but couldn’t pick one of their five eyes, so she focused on his nose.
They nodded. “Next, you can explore some hobbies. Proper habs are still getting distributed so we can get rid of the ground contamination you cuties got in there before we build on it, but you should be getting a hab soon if you haven’t already. The compiler should give you everything you need to explore most anything indoors, and the space to do so. If you need anything more specific, you can request the form from your hab, but here is a copy just to let you read over it, or just ask the nearest affini. I’m sure someone as adorable as you will be priority number one!”
“No pets this time?”
He laughed. “Not unless you want to, or become a threat to yourself or others.”
“Alright, that’s leisure,” and who has time for leisure, she added silently. “What kind of opportunities do you have to do something productive? I presume your whole production network is very different but surely you still need someone to work it? What kind of education programs do you offer? What kind of careers are available?”
It was Ocimum’s turn to stop. “Dear, you do realize careers aren’t a thing anymore. Not unless you want them to be. If you want to learn a skill or get information on say - and I am suggesting this because you put it down as a previous occupation, but you have no obligation to stay in that field - but say you wanted to learn about bioengineering, I am sure one of our vets would be happy to take you as an apprentice. Want to take up jump drive engineering? I am sure someone is willing to teach you. Do you want to develop your artistic expression? We have some excellent artists across most any ship. But no matter what you do not need to work in those fields to contribute. You exist. That’s enough.”
“That sounds promising. A bit more personal than the schooling system I am used to, but probably for the best.” She nodded thoughtfully. She was still not fond of the idea of a doctor being called a vet, but that is their linguistic quirk, and they did conquer the planet, so she couldn’t exactly call them out on it, unless she wanted a collar of her own. “What do you do after the apprenticeship?”
“Often, sophonts decided to keep working alongside their masters,” masters. Accurate for an apprenticeship but a bit of a scary word. “And while they are free to go and ply their skills elsewhere and explore or join more formal academies, many stay where they are with their friends, or grow fond enough of their masters to volunteer to become their floret.” ah-HA! She knew there was a catch!
“So a more professional form of domestication, but better than just giving up. I uh, do you have anything for people who don’t want to get domesticated?” she asked sheepishly.
He grinned. “That’s the thing, flower. You’re all getting domesticated, that’s what the treaty was about. You will be loved and pampered and provided for, at a societal level, if not personal. You can maintain your day to day independence and legal rights, but your adorable little species will be handed everything on a silver platter. If you choose to work, you do it for fun, community, enrichment, or affection, but it will be your choice, because we will never force that on you again.” The horror was cresting again.
She didn’t know how to respond to the affirmation of her fears, so she sweated as she took a sip of her water. They continued after a beat, “tell you what, before we go any further, let’s work on getting you a bit more acquainted with how things will go at a small scale. Doing something with love and personal attention tends to lead to a better community. I have been here all of a week and a half, and I am sure you can find some neighbors that need help with some project or other. We could solve them all with a wave of the compiler, but those are a bit busy right now, so you can take care of a few. If you want to do something ‘productive’, why don’t we start with that? You might even find great satisfaction in learning how to do those things, owning the project, and doing them with your own two feet! How does that sound, petal?”
She was a bit stunned all over again. “I uh.. Am sorry to ask but where do I even begin to find a mentor, or even one of those tasks? I never really got to know my neighbors and I don’t really know any of you lot and - ” she stopped as she realized she might have insulted the giant.
“We lot, aye,” they joked, “think of this as an opportunity to meet the neighborhood and build some community. Capitalism cut all you cuties so far apart, but your pack bonding instincts should definitely come in handy. Besides, you Terrans love to raven on about how independent and free spirited you are. I look forward to seeing what you can do! And if you need us, we’re always happy to assist.”
Stars and stones she should have never come here. This was worse than useless. Kit would have quite a laugh. “I uh, will keep that in mind.”
“Tell you what, since you seem to be looking for something more structured, why don’t you come back next week, petal. Tell me all about your new adventures! Maybe even just one neighbor. I’ll even come to you.” Viv blanched at the thought. “Do you have any questions for me?”
She gulped. “No, thank you. You’re already very helpful. Thank you. Sorry for the bother.” She tried to make her way down the chair. Sensing her intentions, it lowered itself a bit so she could reach the floor. Even the thrice-damned chairs were helpful.
Ocimum handed her the pamphlets and led her to the reception, telling her who to call if she needed materials she could not readily find for whatever little project she was taking on. Theresa smiled at her warmly as they came out. “How did it go? Get her a bit more situated, Mx Tenui?”
“I think so! Miss Crane, do you have a communicator to connect you to overnet? Let you get in contact with all the help you need and all that.”
“I don’t. I’m not much of a personal tech person” Or rather, that was not a time or money priority before the affini. “I’m sorry, but I’m sure I can figure it out.” please let me out please let me out don’t implant me -
“Then here.” He reached behind the reception desk with a vine and pulled out what seemed to be a flower, giving a happy Theresa a pat as they reached. “Let me just…” they plugged into the back of Theresa’s computer. She clicked something. The flower made a noise, shone a bit pink, and -
“New owner registered, Viviana Efficio Crane. Welcome to the Affini Compact, seedling!” said the flower. Viv stared in awe. Ocimum handed her the flower.
“That thing talks!?”
“It sure does! Just ask it to tell you how it works and it’ll explain itself. That’s yours, petal.”
“Threw me for a loop too the first time! It projects a screen out too if you need it.” Theresa chimed in. “Why don’t you pick a username for the overnet, so we can connect? Just in case you’d prefer to talk to a human.”
“My, my, Theresa! Such a good and thoughtful girl!” the alien began petting the receptionist in earnest. The poor thing let out a purr. A purr! What timeline were they living in?
“Uh … tell you what, I’ll think of one at home, and connect,” she said, trying to leave.
“You could use one of your old usernames from your forum days?” offered Theresa helpfully. “According to this, you went by Biodrone just a few years ago. That’s a cute name!”
Viviana’s veins went cold. “How.. how do you know about that?”
The other two had a beat of silence before laughing together. The plant spoke up first. “We had your whole communication network downloaded, analysed, and converted to our systems about a month and half ago. It’s how the medical team knew to look for your spouse when we first landed.”
Stars and stones, they never stood a chance, did they?
“So, it’s your last username on record, do you wanna just use it?” asked Theresa.
“No. I think that life is behind me. I think I’ll go with… HearthFire. Or my name. If you know who I am, there is no point in using much of a username…”
“HearthFire it is. Because it’s fun!” Theresa leaned over her desk, plucked her flower, and entered the information, before handing it back. “Have fun, cutie, and don’t forget to keep in touch! I added my username and Mx Tenui to your contacts. Don’t be a stranger!”
“I look forward to seeing what you do, Miss Crane. See you next week!” Ocimum ruffled her hair with a stray vine. Goddess above, it sent electric sensation down her scalp that resonated with her spine. She shuddered and batted it away, utterly uncomfortable with how good it felt as she headed for the exit.
“See you next week…”