The Pet Project

by Amanda Milo

  Still, the moment the door opens and I’m welcomed inside, I’m immediately met by two adult male tenders. Awed, I can only stare at them, and the doctor must take my silence for fear because he orders them to their pillows, telling them I’m a guest.

  The tenders all call out as I enter. It’s startling, although it’s not harsh or intentionally loud sounds that they’re making. Oddly, they all nearly make an identical sound for the same length of a beat.

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Hear that vocalization? That’s a greeting.”

  INTERVIEWER: “I’ll take your word for it: you are the expert. And you’re working with other well-known tender handlers to develop a communication device, aren’t you? How’s that project coming along?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Sighing.] “Slowly. But yes. Yes, we do hope to see the daycycle when we can effectively communicate with tenders.”

  He waves me to a chair, and we both take a seat. I take a moment to absorb the vast space: a palatial playroom for tenders of all ages. There’s pillows and toys and resting spots and ambiance plants and water dishes and food bowls set out all over the area. Some tenders sit in pairs, others rest in clusters of youths and adults. Some are playing, some are wrestling, and some are napping.

  Most are watching me.

  The chairs we sit in are in the center of it all, and this clearly shows the doctor’s stance on where keepers should be with their tenders: closely interacting right among them. The doctor is holding an infant tender in his arms, and when it begins to nuzzle at his chest, he calls for the tender’s mother.

  I try not to eye the young tender too greedily. Readers, believe me when I say I wasted no time getting myself on Dr. Xan’-Tay`్’s legendary list for pedigreed tenders, which he only sells in mature, mated pairs. As most of you are probably aware, Dr. Xan’-Tay`్ is firmly against the practice of selling weaning-age and juvenile tenders, and he’s been quite vocal on the subject, citing examples of unfortunate cases all over the galaxy as his reasoning to wait until tenders are fully developed before separating them from their family units. He’s protective of all the tenders in his care, and he’s turned his life’s work and personal passion into an empire.

  I cannot wait to ask the man questions. I jump right into the interview.

  INTERVIEWER: “Thank you for agreeing to chat with me. It’s been such a dream of mine to meet you, Doctor.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Nodding absently as he catches a young tender who launches itself for his lap. An adult male follows—the sire, I assume—shaking his head at the young’s antics, but then he smiles and sits down, settling himself so that his back rests against Dr. Xan’-Tay`్’s leg while Dr. Xan’-Tay`్ tickles the young tender until it’s shrieking with giggles.]

  INTERVIEWER: “It’s obvious you adore your tenders. I read that you chemically retired your original breeding pairs. That must have been a difficult decision for you.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Looking amused as the young drops off his lap to scamper after a herd of other similar-in-age tenders. The adult male stays at his side. Guarding him, I realize, when the male makes direct eye contact with me and doesn’t break our stare.] “As much as I would have been overjoyed to welcome more beloved offspring from my first-generation tenders, it was apparent in their last birthing sessions that it would be too much stress for them to carry and deliver again.”

  INTERVIEWER: “For you or for them?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Barks a laugh.] “Very perceptive! The answer is simply yes.”

  INTERVIEWER: “So you created tender hormone blockers to prevent conception.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “That’s right.”

  INTERVIEWER: “When your second-generation tenders reached breeding age, you employed a rather unorthodox method to see them paired. Can you tell us a little bit about that?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “The first pair of second-gen tenders was a set of beautiful twin females, Aiko and Kee-va. The common practice at the time was to purchase the best tender male specimen you could afford, and bring the female to his enclosure or take him to her at the breeding table.”

  INTERVIEWER: “But what did you do?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “I packed the twins and their parents into an airship and toured the best studlots our planet had to offer.”

  INTERVIEWER: “And did you find what you were looking for?”

  [An adult female tender strolls up carrying a plate of food, which she sets on Dr. Xan’Kt=Ty`4`’s lap before reaching up to kiss his cheek. I recognize her from countless lenticular captures, but the doctor confirms her identity when he cups her chin in his hand and says, “I worked through lunch again, didn’t I?” When the female gives him a disapproving moue in answer, he laughs and says, “Thank you for bringing me supper, Pet.”]

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Turning back to me.] “It wasn’t that I was looking; I was giving the twins the opportunity to choose.”

  [Pet crosses her arms, telegraphing weighty expectation.]

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Sending me an apologetic look.] “Just a moment. If I don’t eat, she frets.”

  INTERVIEWER: “You have no idea how fascinating this is to watch. Go ahead.”

  [Mouth tipping up in a way that plainly says he’s aware of how entertaining his tender brood is, Dr.Xan’Kt-Ty`్ dutifully crunches on a wiqsaiia stalk while Pet oversees his progress. Her concerned expression conveys her absolute belief that her keeper requires her supervision—else he’ll starve.

  A male approaches, another one I recognize from innumerable lenticular prints, and he catches Pet up in a hold that would almost appear aggressive if she wasn’t smiling so hugely the moment his brawny arms wrap around her. His strength is impressive for his age, just another wonder that sets the doctor’s tenders apart: they are incredibly healthy and fit.

  Dr. XAN’KT-TY`్ grins at his overfull plate and murmurs to the male, “Thank you for getting control of her.” When Pet gasps and laughs, Dr. Xan’-Tay`్ sends her a playful wave before he holds up his next stalk of wiqsaiia. “I’ll finish, Pet. Go on.”

  [They take their leave.]

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Sharing a stalk of food with the tender male at his feet.] “Back to your question. If I’d had my choice, we’d have left with the pair of albino males that were for sale.”

  [We both take a moment to moan in disappointment.]

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Instead, the females essentially turned their nose up at every stud who approached the fence. I thought we were going to run out of tender farms to visit.”

  INTERVIEWER: “What, in your opinion, led them to eventually select the males they did?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Brows rising.] “I’ll never know. To be honest, the first chosen male seemed rather unremarkable to me.” [An apologetic smile is sent over his shoulder to a female tender who is kneeling on a large pillow, a male of average tender height resting behind her, his arms wrapped over her shoulders.] “I’ve since learned he’s anything but. It’s led me to determine that I have no ability whatsoever to so much as guess at what traits tenders find attractive. That’s why I insist that keepers let the female decide.”

  [A young male tender creeps past us, glancing at us furtively before sidling up to a potted plant. Dr. XAN’KT-TY`్ claps his hands together loudly and utters a firm, “No. You don’t mark the indoor plant. Only outdoor plants.” Then Dr. Xan’-Tay`్ turns to me and sighs. “You see environment enrichment? Male tenders see targets.”]

  INTERVIEWER: “I take it the second male wasn’t one you’d have picked out either?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Truthfully, I never even noticed him. Aiko kept pointing into the pen, growing more distressed because I couldn’t tell which one she was motioning for. Turns out, the male she was seeing was tucked between boulders, doing his best to hide himself because he was injured.”

  INTERVIEWER: “How did you react when she chose an injured specimen?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Looking confused by my questi
on.] “She wanted him; I bought him. [Features softening into a grin.] I was especially enthusiastic later when I examined him and found him to be an Odd-Eye.”

  INTERVIEWER: “Ohhh, I’ve heard rumors about this stud’s purchase! Is it true the twins’ fathers had to rescue Aiko that day?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Not quite that dramatic. I’d never have let her into a pen full of males. But when I stepped into the enclosure to retrieve the male she wanted, the other tenders became desperate to be chosen. The studlot owner had their stunner controllers at hand, but Aiko’s sire and father were even faster. They shoved into the pen behind me, taught the other males manners, and we retrieved the stud Aiko had picked.”

  INTERVIEWER: “And he made a full recovery from his injuries?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Gesturing to his left.] “They’ve produced eight offspring in four years. I’d say he’s doing very well.”

  INTERVIEWER: [Chuckling.] “I would agree! And twins each litter! You must be so pleased.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Passing a hand over his face and shuddering.] “It’s not as pleasant a notion during gestation and delivery, but yes, once everyone is safe, it’s a celebration.”

  INTERVIEWER: “And Aiko’s twin? Does she produce twins also?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “One set. The rest of Kee-va’s were single births. Her daughter though,” [he turns and beckons a pair forward, each tender holding an infant] “has had two sets of twins so far.”

  INTERVIEWER: “Will there be a chance for more offspring from the second-gen tenders, or did you place both Kee-va and Aiko on the hormone blockers?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “They’re on hormone blockers. They’ve given me many wonderful tenders; they’ve earned rest for the rest of their daycycles.”

  INTERVIEWER: “Ah. One last topic before we close out the interview.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “All right.”

  INTERVIEWER: “It’s interesting that you teach your tenders how to spar—”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “No, no. That’s not accurate.”

  INTERVIEWER: “It’s not?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “No. I don’t teach the tenders to spar; they teach each other to spar.”

  INTERVIEWER: “Really!”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Indeed. It alarmed me, the first time I saw males partaking in—what appeared to me—to be fighting. But their movements were so deliberate, and they were so devoid of aggression, I checked my instinct to intervene and observed them instead.”

  INTERVIEWER: “And you found they were playing?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Some play, certainly; but no, the first time I observed the occurrence—the, what I believe is a natural occurrence—it was between my first set of mature tender males, and—”

  INTERVIEWER: “Your Beastly and Prime?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Laughs.] “Yes. It seems they’re rather well known everywhere.”

  INTERVIEWER: “They are! They’re famous across the galaxy. I was on assignment in the Pah*lyt-vhyonga quadrant, and spied Prime and Beastly’s images wrapped around liquid canisters. You can hydrate out of canisters with your tenders on them.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Laughs again.] “That’s interesting. I might have to purchase those now.” [Glances to the tenders being discussed, who are watching us, their lips stretched into curves of amusement.] “Whenever I take them out, crowds call their name and wave, and want to render lenticular captures with them. Thank trinary stars they handle the attention so well.”

  INTERVIEWER: “I didn’t mean to distract from the question. You were saying that you decided to allow your males to fight.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Spar. Not fight. It’s an important distinction.”

  INTERVIEWER: “Ah. Of course. Apologies.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Waving hand in a forgiving, dismissive gesture.] “As I said, it’s easy to mistake, but the males were engaging in a non-violent form of practice-fighting. And I realized they were building on necessary skills.”

  INTERVIEWER: “Necessary?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Absolutely. I’ve unfortunately had the opportunity to see this proved several times over the spans, and because of that, I believe it’s imperative that males be allowed to partake in controlled, supervised sparring sessions.”

  INTERVIEWER: “You believe it provides a tool to protect their females.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Smiling.] “You’ve read my latest study!”

  INTERVIEWER: “I skimmed as much of it as I could on the way here. It was fascinating. Summarize for those of us who haven’t had a chance to delve into this new area of your work yet.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “Well I wouldn’t say it’s an ‘area’ of my work, merely an aspect I felt compelled to report on, but yes, I know for a fact—as do most all tender keepers—that males who are equipped with the skills to protect their female make for a well-adjusted male and female. Less anxious, less stressed. Of course, it’s the keepers’ job to limit the pair’s exposure to circumstances that could set up for a combative event. Ideally, it will never happen—but it happens. [Reaches out to Beastly, who raises his chin and accepts an affectionate-looking scratch along his scarred jaw.] “Male tenders defend and protect. It’s what they do. They grow unspeakably anxious if they can’t.”

  INTERVIEWER: “How intriguing that you say that, because I read an article that claimed you were encouraging female sparring too?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Briefly patting Pet on the head.] “I don’t discourage females from learning to protect themselves or their young or their charges from threats, and when I observed males accepting female trainees during sparring sessions, I didn’t stand in their way. They should be allowed to pass on their skills.”

  INTERVIEWER: “That’s wonderful, actually.”

  And that, readers, is where the interview essentially ended, because Pet, who had risen and left, suddenly returned, her mate following her as if bonded by a physical chain, and she was carrying two young tenders. She motioned to me, and made some indication to the doctor, who inclined his head, and somehow, I ended up with an armful of the most adorable tenders I’ve ever seen. Readers, I’m in love. And I lost all ability to remain professional as I cuddled the young and gushed to the doctor about my interest in obtaining tenders from his program.

  INTERVIEWER: “These two are perfection! I want to take them home with me.”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్ [Grinning with pride.] “So did the emperor.”

  INTERVIEWER: [Gasping at the prestige of it.] “How fabulous! [Noting their vast physical differences.] “They look to be about the same age, but they’re not related, are they?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: “They are not. It’s very interesting; they were birthed on the same day, and have been drawn to each other ever since. The only way they stay quiet is if they’re holding onto each other. It’s forced two pairs to essentially raise offspring together. Very interesting.”

  INTERVIEWER: “Indeed! Is it too early to tell if they’ll choose each other when they reach selection age?” [One of the young bounces forward and land against my arm, slobbering on me. It’s beyond charming, somehow.] “Oh, I want them. If the female here does choose this male later, can I please, please be put on the list for this pair specifically?”

  DR. XAN’-TAY`్: [Glancing down at Pet, who’s resting against his knee. She looks back at him, and smiles.] “This female is so mischievous.” [Giving me a rueful look.] “She’s been bringing this pair out to everyone who visits, if she approves of them.”

  INTERVIEWER: [Looking right at Pet.] “I’m honored. Thank you.”

  [With impressive grace, Pet tosses me a winning smile. Then she rises and takes back the pair of young, presumably returning them to their parental units.]

  Readers, that’s when I bow to Dr. Xan’-Tay`్, thank him for his time, and bid him and his tenders a good daycycle. Before I left, I filled out the request form to apply for one of the Doctor’s coveted apprenticeship slo
ts in his tender rearing program. I wasn’t joking when I said I was in love with the set of paired tender youths. They’re darling and some daycycle, I hope they’ll be mine.

  Wish me luck, readers!

  AUTHOR NOTE

  Oh my land, THANK YOU, *thank you* for taking a wild crazy chance and grabbing this story! *Brings you in for a slow-motion Squeeze Hug* :D

  I have so much crazy trivia to throw at you.

  The Pet Project latched onto me while I was trying to write Contaminated. I mean, this thing hit me like a facehugger. It was a wild time, with Contagion happening before I could even finish its predecessor (Because Simmi. I loved Simmi.). I tried to kick Pet Project off to the side, but it actually became this fun little side game, where I could play with the idea of what could go wrong if humans came under the rule of sentient beings… who didn’t recognize full sentience in us. This notion came about because--actually, I’ll save that for the trivia page. Swipe on if you want trivia! =D

  What did you think of this one? A bit of a departure from my other stories, (behind the scenes, author friends are both wonderful and terrifying as they gently ask if I’ve lost my mind *“Ha!” emoji with bead of sweat trickling off forehead goes here*) but I really hope it was an enjoyable way to pass the time for you. Early reader feedback was interesting with a lot of great questions, and I’ve added the biggest one below in case you’re curious. I know this story is different. I know people are giving it the side-eye because they aren’t sure what they’ll be jumping into. If you take the time to leave a review to let others know if they should grab it: Thank You!♥!♥!

  *OTTERSMOOCHES* to you! (It’s now a thing. Look out for “Water Squeaker Pups” too, i.e. otter babies. This is my new favorite term.)

  *SMOOCHES FROM A POOL FULL OF WATER SQUEAKER PUPS*

  Amanda♥

  https://www.facebook.com/AmandaMiloAuthor/

  FUN BOOK TRIVIA THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY NEVER USE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE

  I was absolutely thinking of rats while working on this story. (There’s even an odd-eye phenotype in rats that I borrowed from. If you want to kill a chunk of your day looking up odd-eye everything, do not miss searching for odd-eye cats. And people. And deer. And horses. And dogs. Beautiful.) (Also see heterochromia and Henry Cavill. Did you notice his eyes before now? I did not, because all this time, it turns out his eye-level was not where I was staring!) Back to the original subject: Why rats? Because when you’re raising people or rats in captivity, turns out there’s not a whole lot of difference.