isawallflower | RYSLIG; ic inbox

[ hey rachel what the FUCK ]

Rachel!
I wasn't aware you had my contact information!!

Wow, where did you get a new pet from??

[That doesn't answer her question!! Oh well, they'll get to it, probably.]

I knew what to look for because of Daddy's network arguments.

I asked Miss Mana! I thought she might be able to help me find the perfect pet, since only my birdie's felt right out of all the animals I've met, even though I worked at Poundmates while I was still human. Nothing my doctor used to get me ever felt like mine, so...

Oh. Yes that makes sense.

[ Riley does a full-body shiver, thinking about Ray's "Daddy." ]

Are you sure it's a safe pet? A lot of people talk about getting weird things from Mana or having strange side-effects.

[This isn't about him, Riley!!! Eyes on the prize.]

It's really nice and cuddly...though I was surprised by how it looks, at first. Miss Mana's made a mistake with me before, but I think it's okay this time.

What is it?

[ she's just gonna take the plunge ]

I'm not really sure what to call it. Not a puppy...

[Instead of rolling into an explanation of its snail-like qualities, she just goes ahead and sends a blurry, pixelized picture of her new, unusual critter, sitting and looking at the camera expectantly with a tail that might be in motion. It's hard to tell.]

[ What the every loving fuck is this. ]

Is that a dog snail??

I guess so.

I thought my perfect pet would be soft and fluffy...but something like that might not have let me pet it, since I'm a weird slime monster. We've been getting along great.

Is that what you asked her for? Your perfect pet?

Yeah, but I didn't leave it at that. I wasn't specific enough when I asked her to make me a different monster, so I didn't become what I wanted, that time.

It's tricky trying to guess what she'll think when I have a hard time understanding people to begin with.

That's mostly what I hear about from her. A bunch of mistakes or misspoken requests.
But, if you're happy with it I guess that's all that really matters.

Do you give it a name?

Mm. I used to be mad at her for what happened, but in the end, it was alright. It means I was ready to be more careful when talking to her again, too.

I haven't thought of one yet. I have a harder time finding the perfect name the more something feels like mine.

[ ... ]

I have a cat. I named him after one I wanted when I was a little kid.
After a tree, really. It was a weird and kind of special day for me even though it ended really, really horribly.
He's not the same cat, I know that. But it's like I have a chance to do it right this time.

What I'm saying is, if a name means something special to you, then it can be perfect. No one's ever going to have the same attachment you do to your pet, especially not this one, this snail puppy.
So, whatever you choose, I think it'll be perfect. You choosing it makes it perfect.

Thank you, Miss Riley. I think that's a really nice way to think.

Would you tell me about your cat?

[ This girl's "father" is a man she's killed, a man who's depraved and egotistical. Their first meeting involved a dead bird in a cage. She's keeping the fact that they've shared a therapist from her.

And yet, still, she's just that. A girl. A sweet girl who likes animals and calls her Miss Riley and messaged someone she barely knows just to tell her about her new weird pet. ]

His name is Maple. I got him when I just got here, when he was a kitten.
These bugs who kidnapped myself and many new other new arrivals gave him to me as a party favor and I never gave him back. He used to be incredibly shy and scared of everything, but now he's energetic and playful.
I was never allowed to have pets before, so I try to take very good care of him.

A friend of mine has rabbit ears and he keeps trying to bite them, whenever he's over.
He's a little brat. I love him.

[Riley is...complicated. Maybe if Ray thought about these things a little more, she'd use the excuse of "keep your enemies closer" -- Riley was a threat in more than one way, whether she actually wanted to be or not. But the truth of the matter is that the thing that should make her hostile to the other girl is what puts them on the same side. It's better for both of them if Aunamee lets go of his insistent interest.

Besides, Riley knew about the difficulty she had with pets. She wasn't as likely as Dr. Danny to twist it for fun or to upset her, either. Maybe she'd understand what an exciting opportunity this was.]

Maple...that's a cute name. I wasn't allowed to have pets, either. I had to keep my puppy a secret, since they never let me ask them for permission to keep it. It sounds like keeping your kitty was the right thing to do, too. You sound happy.

Do you mean the pooka or the cat?

I am. Some days here have been difficult enough that I've needed the responsibility of taking care of him to keep myself active.

[ ...Huh. Does she mean the— ]

Both.

I think I can understand that feeling... It's easier to live for something or someone else.

Oh. I like pookas a lot, too. They're cute. Maybe I'll ask Miss Mana about being one, someday... Ah, but if you love him, then you shouldn't let his ears be bitten. Bunnies have sensitive ears.

I know. It's okay, he's a bit of an expert at keeping pets away from his ears. He works with them, after all. He's got a way with animals.

A pooka that works with animals... I know someone like that. I don't remember Mr. Rabbit's name.

You do? Wow... Well he's the only guy I know with rabbit ears, and the only one who works with animals.
Is it at Poundmates? Then that's Steve.

Oh! Yes! That's him. That's Mr. Rabbit.

He's kind. When I don't know something people are supposed to, he explains it to me in a way I understand. He doesn't even seem impatient.

He's really considerate like that, isn't he? That's a really cute nickname. I might have to use it.

If I could ask, though... Why did you message me with all this? I don't mind, really, I just wouldn't have thought I'd be someone you'd want to tell about your new pet.

Oh... Well, it's hard to talk about my pets with anyone besides Dr. Danny. I don't think Dad would understand what there is to like about it...and when I told you about my birdie, you asked if I wanted something that was living.

[ Dr. Danny... Riley's can feel her skin tingle at the mention of him. Should...she tell Rachel she was the person who talked to her that day? That they share the same therapist?

No, the thought of it terrifies her. ]

But you've been here awhile, right? Don't you have friends to talk to about this kind of thing?

Again, not that I mind!! I guess I can't imagine why you would share this with someone you aren't close to.

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CHEERYCHERRY. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 019.46.820.17 * CHEERYCHERRY has joined 019.46.820.17 <CHEERYCHERRY> It's Riley! <CHEERYCHERRY> Please leave a message! <CHEERYCHERRY>** Please be someone with their priorities sorted out properly!

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