Chapter Text
The Rhodes’ Gallery was uncharacteristically empty today. Orbital military engagements weren't great for business, so there wasn't much to be done I supposed. It granted me the rare opportunity to see it for what it was, a rundown dumpster fire of a business. Threadbare carpeting sported a plethora of questionable stains, machines had more dead bulbs than not, and dingy game tables stood in silent vigil deeper in. Certainly a ghost of her former self, and yet it felt more appropriate than that apartment.
Light and sound pounded against my periphery as I meandered through the sea of slots. The machines had grown restless, singing their siren songs to the open air. Cheap fluorescent lighting buzzed away overhead, and despite the din, it was exceptionally quiet on the main floor. Almost pleasant, really, as on any other Saturday It'd be nigh unbearable. The drunken shouts and excitement never failed to tighten the knot in my skull.
My employees had all stayed home, of course. Given the gargantuan Affini vessel hovering above Maltus’ premier luxury district, I wasn't about to hold it against them. I let out a thin sigh, I just hoped Maggs was okay. ... wasn't even really sure why I bothered to get out of bed, myself. The public safety lessons in school hadn't really covered the apocalypse, mostly just how to avoid your limbs gumming up any assembly lines; I suppose I just ended up going through the motions and came to work anyway.
A smattering of regulars, addicts if I was being honest with myself, sat huddled at their “lucky” machines. Chips were on the house today, an open bar too. Let the poor fucks enjoy their vices while they could, there would be plenty time to sober up in the mines.
My gaze swept up from the kitschy carpeting to the rows of televisions hanging about the ceiling. On any other day, sports commentators would be barking play by plays above the din. Today, a chipper sermon flowed into the room.
“Hello cuties of Maltus!” The sing-song voice of an Affini chirped, “We are working oh so hard to get each and every one of you the help you need! Your safety is our number one priority, so we ask that you stay put and a representative will be along shortly! If you are in need of immediate aid do not hesitate to reach out.”
The last sentence always made the cheap speakers crackle and splutter, before the message paused. For several minutes, tinkling music filled the air before the message repeated, just as it had for the last 4 hours. Couldn't be fucked to find wherever the ladder ended up, so I just did my best to tune it out.
I'd seen their propaganda before, of course. Nearly impossible to avoid it. Espousing the merits of their rule, offering peace and safety and myriad other empty promises. A pretty coat of paint for the shiny new boot on our necks. My face twitched in disgust as I continued my patrol.
I consulted the only timepiece in the building, a gold plated watch in my breast pocket. It was just shy of noon and frankly I wondered just how long until they just glass us already. I'd never been much of a drinker, but maybe I should crack open a bottle myself before-
A bell chimed in the lobby, pulling me from my reverie. The clack of heels upon the faux-marble floor followed soon after. The only people with brains rotten enough to spend the apocalypse in a cheap casino were already here, so I had a hunch on what awaited me.
A few deep breaths, a moment to adjust my ratty tie, and then plodded off to greet fate. I smelled it before I saw it, a faintly sweet citrus-y smell. Strawberries, orange, and a hint of sugar. The real stuff, not the cheap imitations behind the bar.
Why did this thing smell like a fucking daiquiri?
I rounded the final bend to reception and there it stood. It was tall, far taller than I had expected it to be. It- She? It certainly took on the affectation of a Terran woman. She stood stooped forward as the vaulted ceiling strained to contain her mass. Thick wooden vines made up her body, woven tightly in a facsimile of corded muscle. Her bark was a light gray, dappled with darker splotches. She was broad in the shoulder, her physique athletic despite her obvious curves.
Her pink cocktail dress was, upon closer inspection, comprised of numerous flowers. The long petals tapered to a point, and had splotches much like her vines. Scattered throughout, a few of them acted as shimmering sequins. Her ensemble was completed by a white, fluffy boa wreathing her neck and trailing down her side.
The lower half of her face resembled a woman well enough, angular chin and high cheekbones, plush lips, void, she even had a beauty mark. Her hair, such that it was, was a shock of reddish grass, swept away from her face and down her back.
That was where her imitation ended, however. The wooden mask gave up all pretense of Terranhood and spread out into a roughly semicircular shape above where a nose would be. The outer edge was pleated, like a clamshell. Teardrop shaped holes lined the edges with tips pointed outward. Eyes, I couldn't tell how many, danced behind the mask, darting between the holes as she inspected her surroundings. They glowed a pale orange, with myriad facets catching the light. Faint after images trailed behind them in the dim lighting.
They were quite… they-
Each of her wandering eyes snapped its attention to me, their meandering dance not skipping a beat. Her gaze followed me intensely even as they ping ponged around in her skull. She cleared her throat. Fuck, I'd been staring like some doe eyed teenager. Warmth tinged my cheeks as she began to speak.
“Good afternoon, dear. I am Integra Osier 7th Bloom, she/they pronouns if you would. Who might I have the pleasure of speaking to?”
Her husky voice drifted along at a strange cadence. To call it sultry would be an understatement, and the way that it harmonized with itself. Multiple tones spoken in unison turned each word into a musical chord, lyrics and accompaniment in one.
“Arthur Rhodes, ma'am, I own and operate this establishment. I bid you welcome to the Rhodes' Gallery.”, my rehearsed greeting flowed easily, accompanied by a slight bow. ”H-he/him, I suppose”, I appended clumsily.
Nailed it.
She was silent a moment, an impish smile overtaking their lips. Her eyes sparkled a deep purple that set me on edge, then cocked her head slightly, “You suppose?”
I bristled, what in the void was she getting at? Despite my best efforts, irritation crept into my voice. “Yes. I suppose. Now, is there something I can help you with? I was under the impression you lot were busy conquering the system.”
“Conquering is hardly the word I'd use, sweetgum, but yes. Maltus is already under the protection of the Affini Compact.” Stars, that fast? Seems like Terra's finest had dropped the ball in record time. She took a step forward and bowed deeply, a gesture I hadn't expected the ambulatory garden to return.
They tittered softly, “Though to answer your question, I am here on a matter of business. We've begun our standard wave of wellness checks, you see, and you~,” she punctuated this with a dainty point, “are the first cutie on my list!”
For the second time today, my cheeks flushed. Was this overgrown ficus flirting with me? No, surely not. They probably reproduced by budding or spores, or however it was plants did their business. Besides, this wellness check of hers was bound to be bad news. I sighed inwardly, probably better to play along for the time being, as there was no way I could take her bare handed.
“If you must. Please, come have a seat in my office while we talk.” I turn and march back through the sea of flashing lights.
She flowed gracefully into step beside me, her heels softly click clacking along the way. I watched as she took in the space, absorbing every detail. Perhaps she was in the market for a bad habit or two? I kept my mask of professional indifference in place, and observed. More than once she stopped to inspect a machine, dragging vines along the various surfaces, poking and prodding the mechanisms. If I didn't know better, the plant seemed positively giddy at the chance to spin my roulette wheel.
“I'll be honest. I'm not quite sure what to make of you, Miss Osier. Clearly you don't match the Accord's line of bullshit. Mindless killing machines hellbent on mulching me and mine.” I chuckled, amicably as I could manage, “In fact, I was half expecting to be sliced to ribbons as soon as you set eyes on me.”
Her hand flew to her chest in shock, and if there had been a pearl within 20 meters it surely would have been clutched. “We would never! Such misconceptions are part of why I'm here, darling. This is a confusing time for many sophonts, especially ones from such an abusive system. Just know that we'll take excellent care of you all.”
“I… see,” She, at least, seemed to believe that, “and the other part?”
“Curiosity. I've something of an interest in games of chance, and well, when your name came up I jumped at the opportunity!” She flashed me another winning smile.
I felt there was more to it than that, but an intrusive flutter in my gut monopolized my attention. My office was a short jaunt through the service hallways, and soon enough we had arrived. I opened the door and gestured for her to enter. “Right through here, Miss Osier, though I'm afraid it wasn't built with someone of your stature in mind. Perhaps we should talk out here instead? I believe I could gather you some pillows.”
“Such a polite little thing you are~! It's very kind of you to ask, sweetgum, but I'll be quite alright.”
Before I could object, her body unraveled into a loose knot of greenery. For several long seconds a tidal wave of branches and flowers flowed into my office. Once inside,she knit her upper half back together. Her legs, she left unwound in a tidy pile beneath her.
After picking my jaw up off the floor, I followed, stepping gingerly over a few stray vines. My office was considerably nicer than the rest of the facility, though that was mostly for show. I had no interest in garish displays of wealth, but the men I'd frequently done business with certainly responded to it. I eased myself into the plush chair and clasped my hands together upon my desk.
“So.” I gestured to Integra, passing the proverbial baton.
“So,” she began, a gentle smile tugging at her lips as they pulled a dataslate from somewhere inside herself, “As I told you, each sophont on Maltus will be receiving a preliminary wellness check, to ensure your health, safety, and happiness. I also come as a representative of the Affini Compact, and as such I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have!”
“Where to even start.” I clasped my hands tighter to keep from fidgeting. This wasn't the time to broadcast weakness to the new powers that be. “These wellness checks, what would happen should I not measure up to your standards?”
She hummed gently, a sound that I could feel in my teeth, “If it is determined that you would not blossom into your best self independently, you would be placed into the care of an Affini. This might be a temporary wardship should you simply need help to adjust, or a more… permanent arrangement otherwise.”
A lead ball grew in my gut by degrees as she spoke. Domestication. Of all the things to be true, why did it have to be the brain melted pets. I wasn't a threat to myself, not by my own standards at least, but if they knew what I did here. I knew how predatory the dump was. Yet here I was letting inertia keep me at the helm. My overdrawn karma had finally caught up with me it seemed. About time I got what was com-
“Petal?” Shit, I'd spaced out.
“That's… I see.” I replied, a slight tremor in my voice. “Domestication, then.” Emotions whirled behind my mask, dread chief among them. I leveled my gaze to match her own.
Something touched my hands and I jerked to look at them. She'd laid one of her massive hands over my own, tracing gentle circles with her thumb. A kindness I didn't deserve.
“Domestication isn't a punishment, Arthur. In fact, the vast majority of florets become so willingly.” Her tone was gentle, as if consoling a frightened animal. “I have it on good authority that not a one has come to regret it.”
I pulled my hands away gently, placing them into my lap. “I have a hard time taking you at your word, Ma'am. You had questions for me as well?”
Her smile broadened, “Indeed, petal. In fact, I'd like to propose a little back and forth. A game of sorts. We take turns asking each other questions and giving truthful answers. I'll even let you go first!”
That. Sounded fair enough I supposed. “I agree to your terms.” I pondered a moment, “What's to happen with the Accord?”
“Abolished. To be replaced with a protectorate under our guiding vines.” The corner of my mouth curling failed to escape her notice, “I take it that pleases you, little one?”
“Serves them right. Never really was a fan of the status quo.” There was a short pause until I realized she had taken her turn already. “What is going to happen to Maltus specifically?” I had about as much love for the cheap resort world as I had for the Accord, but unfortunately it was the rock I happened to find myself living on.
She hummed thoughtfully for a moment, bringing a slender hand to her chin. “Your infrastructure falls woefully short of our standards. Our first priority after handling any immediate health concerns will be to construct transitional hab units until a more permanent solu-”
“There's no way anyone is going to be able to afford all that.” A shock of red flashed between her eyes and I slammed my mouth shut. Her jovial expression had vanished in the blink of an eye. The hair on my neck stood on end as my mind scrambled to locate the nearest exit. I was reminded of just how much larger she was as she leaned across the desk. Alarms blared in my brainstem as some ancient reflex identified her as a coiled predator. I pawed clumsily under the desk, locating my contingency plan. A massive hand gently cupped my cheek.
“It's rude to interrupt, sweetgum. See that it does not happen again.” I nodded frantically which seemed to placate the monster, and her disposition brightened as if nothing had happened. Integra settled back onto her haunches before continuing, “You will not be paying for anything, least of all something as essential as housing. We are a post-scarcity society, Arthur, and to leave any sophont wanting would be an obscenity.” She paused graciously as I chewed on that revelation. Her smile edged on smug.
I shook my head, adrenaline still ebbing. “That's… a lot to take in. Uhm, I think it's your turn to ask something.”
“I understand, dear. How about another loftball question? What do you like to do for fun, Arthur?”
What'd she? Oh. “Its a softball question, Miss Osier, and honestly I've never really had time for hobbies. I've worked here since I was old enough to do so. Keeps me busy.”
“How do you spend your free time, then?”
I laughed bitterly, “What free time?”
She stared down at me with a look of abject pity, like I told her puppies had been outlawed. I bristled, tasting bile in the back of my throat. The teasing was one thing, but I did not need her fucking pity. It was all I could do to keep the scowl from my face as those gleaming blue eyes twisted the knife. “We'll fix that, sweetgum.” She spoke softly, and I couldn't be sure if the words were for me or her.
An odd twinge in my gut pierced the consternation. Shit, she sounded genuinely upset. Intimidating as she was, she had been remarkably kind to me so far. I wasn't a complete monster, so I racked my brain for something. “Actually, Miss. I, uh, do tend to enjoy a game or two with the clientele on slow nights. I'm fond of dealing blackjack in particular.” I plastered on a smile I hoped came across as genuine.
The cascades of blue sputtered, subsumed by a flash of brilliant gold before her eyes gradually faded to their usual ruddy copper. Her smile had returned, along with a fresh waft of strawberry. Thank goodness. The whole display had left a soft fluttering in my gut as well, one that I would not be dignifying with a name.
“Sweet as it may be, you needn't worry about me. There will be time enough to broaden your horizons. Now, back around to you, cutie.”
Stars, again with the pet names. “Are all Affini this, forward?”
“Some more than others, but you'll find us a great deal more affectionate than you are used to. You can hardly blame us when you are all so mulching adorable!”
Adorable? The inexorable tide of ferocious plants hellbent on bringing humanity to heel thought that we, that I was cute? That husk of a man that haunted every mirror was anything but. I levied my rebuttal thusly, “M'not cute.”
“Stars, darling, red is definitely your color. Just look at those cheeks~.”
A sound that was anything but dignified escaped my lips as I tried and failed to quell the heat in my chest. Mercifully, she giggled but said nothing more on the subject. Why did she have to be so… so much?
“Now, the Office of Transitional Neoxenoveterinary Archeobeurocracy,” there was no way she didn't just make that up. “has very thorough records on the sophonts of Maltus, but it seems we do have a few gaps to fill. Do you have any friends on-world?”
My mouth flapped open and shut as I tried several times to give an answer. Instead, I opted to stare a hole in my desk and gave a meek headshake.
“Family?”
A proverbial bucket of ice quenched any remaining heat in my cheeks. I kept my breathing steady, “Scattered here and there, but no, not locally. Not since my father passed. I would really prefer we don't talk about this anymore.”
“Oh, sweetgum… I understand we can move on.”
For minutes we sat in silence, both chewing on our thoughts as I thought about what to ask next. I honestly just wanted this to be over with already, to go back to my tiny apartment and rot.
I looked back up at Integra, her eyes radiating that cerulean pity that turned my stomach.
There was really only one thing left I wanted to ask. One question that had been itching the back of my mind this whole conversation. “You said the Accord would be dismantled. Those in government or financial institutions, what will come of them?”
She spoke softly, the heady scent of strawberries and citrus filled my tiny office. “They will be assigned an Affini owner to act as their guardian. Both to ensure they pose no danger to others and bloom into their best selves.” My hand wandered under my desk as she spoke, gripping tightly the concealed firearm affixed to the bottom.
With the number of times I'd been threatened from the other side of this desk such a contingency was a necessity. Thank the stars I'd never had to use it, but a few close calls with furious bag holders had me cleaning the thing nightly. If it came down to it, I would defend myself. I… really hoped it wouldn't come to that.
She gave me a look I couldn't quite place, but the fuchsia glint in her eyes set me further on edge. I nearly leapt out of my skin as a vine wound its way gently around my free hand. “Arthur.” I grimaced. Her voice was firm, like a parent lecturing a child, “You are aware of the predatory nature of your business, yes? The harm it wrought unto others?”
“I-I..”
There it was. She knew, of course she fucking knew. The weed had simply been playing with her food and now she'd tired of the game. She knew how awful I was, a danger to others. Best to reduce my mind to mush for everyone's sake. I couldn't even convince myself I didn't deserve it. How had I allowed myself to stay here? Why? Because it was convenient? Because it's what he wanted? I opened my mouth, but all that came out was a pathetic croak.
I felt her gently take my chin between her thumb and forefinger as if from miles away. Their gentle grip forced me to match her gaze. She was saying something, but I couldn't parse it over the hammering in my ears. Her eyes swirled behind their sockets, rhythmic pulses of light I could almost feel. Stars, they were quite pretty weren't they? My breath hitched as my train of thought jumped its tracks. Her eyes darted this way and that, pulling me deeper, filling my vision, narrowing my world until her prismatic gaze filled my own. There was something glimmering deep within them, if only they'd hold still, dammit. My mind thrashed, adrenaline railing against the soft blanket smothering my thoughts. I… she was taking me. She knew. She fucking knew. I had to do something before… before…
CRACK
The report of the antique scattergun ripped me back to reality and I shot to my feet. My chair tumbled against the wall behind me as I stared down at her. She lay there motionless, slumped forward in a heap. “N-no, no nonono”, Tears threatened to flow freely now. Void dammit I didn't mean to. She just kept pushing and pushing and now I'd fucked up. I clenched my eyes shut as I struggled in vain to pull myself out of the tailspin, gripping the sides of my head in grief.
A strange warbling suddenly filled the room.
I whipped my head to look down at her. Was that… laughing? Integra's form rippled as her unearthly laughter filled the tiny room. She righted herself, tightening her vines tidily into place. Her grin stretched ever wider, inhumanly splitting her wooden mask and revealing rows upon rows of razor sharp thorns.
I stood, pinned in place by her hungry gaze. She held out a hand and dumped its contents over the desk. Lumps of lead clattered and bounced to the floor. I distantly realized I had not, in fact, taken a life, but any relief was smothered in a fresh wave of terror. She slithered forward, vines coiling around my desk. A wooden groan filled the room as the poor thing buckled. Their raw strength splintered the only barrier between us.
“Oh, Sweetgum. You don't know how happy you've just made me.” She punctuated by wrenching my desk in two, its corpse heaved free of her path.
Words failed me, half formed apologies spilled from my lips as my back pressed into the wall.
I barely registered the pinch in my neck before the unseen stinger retreated into her mass. Vines gently caught my limp body as my legs folded beneath me. Integra pulled me snugly against her bosom as the world slowly dropped away. The sweet, cloying aroma swaddled my mind as I drifted away in her arms.