Ch3 Spruce Onions: Bed and Breakfast

“H-hey, um… Talia?” Niamh said hesitantly after a couple minutes of quiet cuddling.

“Yeah Niamh?” The floret pulled out of their shared hug so they could speak with each other.

“What was it like for you… y’know, when you first met the Affini?”

A gentle smile crossed Talia’s face. “I don’t remember a whole lot from back then. I’ve been with Miss Carrot for… hmm…” She paused for a moment to think. “I think it’s been over seven years now.”

“Seven years? What? I thought the Affini made first contact barely six years ago…”

“I was discovered by the Compact before they’d really made it into Terran space. There was… an accident. I don’t remember much, thankfully - what I do know is that I was an engineer aboard a cosmic navy ship. We were supposedly testing new jump drives, and… it went very wrong.” Talia took a slow breath.

“I-I’m sorry, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want…” Niamh tensed her muscles.

“It’s fine, I promise.” Even though Niamh couldn’t sense Talia’s feelings like she could with the Affini, she still knew she wasn’t lying. Talia continued. “Our ship tore itself apart in hyperspace, and I was flung further than most Terrans had ever been before. Well, I say that, but you’d be surprised how many times that sort of thing happened when the Accord still existed.”

“Oh stars… Talia, I’m so sorry…”

Talia smiled again. “It’s alright, I mean it! It may sound weird, but I’m happy with how my life has turned out. If I hadn’t been tossed out into far space, I would never have met Miss Carrot or Miss Vera or Miss Fractalia. I wouldn’t trade them for anything!”

“So you really like them, then?”

“Of course! That being said, I truly do understand your hesitation. When they found me half-dead as I drifted through space, they knew almost nothing about Terrans, and I knew nothing about them. There was a massive language barrier, so we couldn’t understand each other at first. All I knew was there were massive plampts who could shapeshift and make comforting music. I helped them learn their first foundation in English, and a little bit of French.”

“That sounds scary…”

“It was at first, but it got better. Once they determined which xenodrugs were compatible with and effective for humans, things got even better. But even before then, Miss Carrot, Miss Vera, and Miss Fractalia were there for me. They were all so nice to me… They’d go so far out of their way to make me happy and comfy. And they still do! I love them all so much, and I trust them more than I ever trusted anyone before.”

Niamh couldn’t help but softly smile along with her new friend, which in turn just made Talia beam even brighter.

“So… yeah. I understand how hard it can be to trust them at first.” Talia continued. "That being said, I thankfully hadn’t been subjected to a bunch of Terran propaganda telling me to hate the Affini for years on end.”

“Yeah… Still, I know not to believe their propaganda without question. Well, any propaganda without question, even the Affini’s. That’s part of why I’m scared.” Niamh admitted.

“I don’t blame you, but the Affini are surprisingly truthful. There are a few things they’re a liiiittle bit misleading about, but they’re truthful on the big things - like how there’s no capitalism here. Their hearts are always in the right place, too.”

“What are they misleading about?" Niamh raised an eyebrow, wondering if she’d finally get a glimpse past the outward face of the Compact.

“Well, they advertise themselves as these invincible, infinitely capable saviours who can provide for everyone limitlessly and effortlessly. While they certainly strive to be that - and are astoundingly good at it - they’re still just a bunch of dorks with their own lives, and the problems that come with living.

"For instance, Affini can have poor mental health just like anyone, and it’s common for them to mask their own pain for others’ sake.” Talia sighed. “Miss Carrot used to do that all the time. Xey only started taking better care of xemself because it made me upset to know xey were hurting. Xey didn’t even do it for the sake of xeir own wellbeing, it was all still just for me…”

She paused somberly, but soon continued. "Then there’s Miss Fractalia. It has a rare condition that makes them wilt more often than most other Affini, so he has to rebloom two-to-three times more frequently. The condition also causes lower than average strength and dexterity - though he still has superhuman abilities compared to us, of course. Regardless, there are some things Miss Fractalia can't do, and she tries really hard to help wherever ve can.

"Miss Vera struggles too, in her own ways, but is probably the best of the three at masking it. I think she usually bites off more than it can chew, and that's worn her down a lot."

"I… I knew it couldn't be as perfect as they claim. This just sounds like capitalism all over again." Niamh sighed.

"What!? No, it's not nearly that bad!" Talia gasped and furrowed her brow.

"It might not be as bad as our capitalism, but it sounds like it has similar results. People are being pushed - and are pushing themselves - to hurt themselves so that others can live in luxury. They're disregarding their own wellbeing in service of people that don't work a day in their lives! Well, assuming the part about florets is true."

Talia sat in silence, pondering what her new friend had said. Niamh just sat there too, taking a moment to digest everything Talia had said.

"I… yeah. I suppose you're not entirely wrong… But it's not as bad as the Accord, I promise. There's no bigotry here, or systemic oppression. Black folks like me are treated well. The Rinans are treated well. Everyone the Accord discriminated against, conquered, and exploited are treated just as well as everyone else.

"And I know what you mean, but the Affini are treated well by each other, too. No Affini is forced to do work, or to take a floret, or to do anything. They all just have this drive within them to help others, even if their aspirations surpass their limits sometimes…"

Before the pair of Terrans could continue their conversation, Carrot walked into the room and was beside the bed in a flash. "Breakfast is ready, dears!"

A smile immediately returned to Talia's face. Carrot carefully swept Talia up in xeir vines and ever so gently stroked xeir fingers through her hair. Talia eagerly leaned into her Affini's touch, her body melting as all tension was released.

"Would you like me to carry you too, Flower?" Xey offered and extended a number of other vines.

Niamh peeked over the side of the bed - it was nearly two meters tall! However, on the floor was a very plush-looking set of cushions, probably designed to pad an inadvertent tumble. Still, Niamh didn't want to risk it - especially considering most of her time was spent in microgravity aboard the God-Given Right - even though the gravity here was still well below 1 G.

"Yes, please…"

As soon as she said yes, vines were around her and lifting her off the bed. Niamh could feel them, but the vines were expertly distributing the load and preventing any tightness or pain. Carrot shifted and writhed such that Niamh and Talia were within cuddle proximity. Talia opened her arms invitingly, and Niamh once again accepted.

This time, the pair were being squished together by orange appendages as they were hugged and petted from all sides.

Safety. The feeling of safety filled Niamh's mind, along with a gentle, steady rhythm emanating from the big plampt.

Niamh had forgotten what safety even felt like. It was… nice.

Something about all the Affini Niamh met had some sort of psychic effect, she figured. These inexplicable thoughts and sensations she always seemed to have around them were familiar, yet distinctly not of her own mind. She thought she should be a bit more frightened at that, but she felt the sincerity behind the sense of safety and didn't fight it.

Besides, these plampts were already much kinder than the Accord ever was.

In a moment, the vines receded enough for Niamh to get a look at the rest of the habitation unit. It was as if they’d stepped out into a gorgeous forest clearing illuminated by natural sunlight. A crystal-clear pond was the centerpiece, with a lovely bed of sparkling rocks visible below the surface. A tranquil waterfall about six meters tall fed directly into the far end of the pond while a little stream began on the near end. Over the stream was an intricately-carved, roofed wooden bridge that led to a picnic area with matching wooden furniture. Looking around more, there were several activity areas with such furniture all scattered around the shore of the pond, each of which leading off to some other area deeper in the woods.

And then there were the trees themselves! They were of a scale beyond anything Niamh could have imagined: towering redwood and sequoia trees made even the Affini look tiny by comparison! Far above, there was a structure reminiscent of a treehouse built between a handful of redwoods. Some other, smaller trees were present beneath the canopy of their larger counterparts - most notably a sprawling oak tree growing right at the edge of the pond near the waterfall and a few trees of unknown variety with glowing blue bulbs.

It was the sort of scene Niamh had only seen before in photos. Even during her brief stint trying to escape on that forest planet, she never had time to actually stop and appreciate her surroundings, but here she could gape in awe as she was carried by one of her protectors. Niamh’s eyes were wide and just a bit teary. She wished Linna was there to see all this - she knew her friend would be just as blown away as she herself was.

At the picnic area, Fractalia and Vera were preparing an outdoor dining table for breakfast. They fit in perfectly with the gorgeous, naturey locale like a pair of woodland dryads whose bodies were an extension of the forest itself. They waved at the pair of humans as they approached with Carrot, warm expressions on their leafy faces.

“So you were joking when you said we were on a ship…” Niamh gasped as she absorbed the sights around her.

“Hee hee hee, nope!” Talia giggled knowingly. “This is Miss Carrot’s hab unit! It’s huge, isn’t it?”

“You’re shitting me.” Niamh said in disbelief.

“Nope again! Though, it’s not quite as big as it looks. The farther reaches are holographic projections to make it look like we’re in a larger forest than we really are.”

“We can give you a tour after breakfast, flower. For now though, you really should get some food in you.” Carrot added.

Talia and Niamh were set down on incredibly oversized dining chairs. Ahead of them was a dizzying array of tantalising foods: eggs over easy; toast with a variety of fresh jams; two dozen different muffins; seedy bagels and buns; hash browns; three kinds of bacon; waffles and pancakes; fresh tomatoes, onions, peppers, lettuce, apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and bananas; a platter of many cheeses; a number of spreads, from peanut butter to cream cheese; sausage rolls; deli meats; baked beans; oatmeal; and a frankly absurd selection of fruit juices.

"We didn't want to assume what food you enjoy, so we prepared a vineful of different things." Vera said with a smile.

"If you don't like anything here, Flower, we can prepare something else no problem." Fractalia added.

Niamh couldn't move a muscle. The last time she'd seen this much prepared food was back on Earth when she was a child: a banquet dinner for the stockholders of some megacorp and their immediate relatives. Of course, that was before Niamh came out - before her entire 'family' turned their backs on her and cast her aside.

Those memories briefly appeared in Niamh's mind, but they were merely a distraction from the sight before her - a veritable mountain of food splayed across the Affini-sized table.

"I-I shouldn't… it's n-not mine…" Niamh stuttered.

"Nonsense, Flower! We prepared what we could just for you and my dear Talia!" Carrot beamed joyfully.

"Y-you're sure I can take some?"

"As much as you can eat, petal." Vera assured.

After a moment spent digesting the explicit permission she was granted, Niamh realised just how hungry she was. The starved Terran leapt forward and filled her plate: a couple eggs, a few slices of toast, some bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a bun, and a waffle.

Instinctively looking left and right, Niamh scrunched up the BLT and stuffed as much into her mouth as she could. She chewed just enough so she could force the large mouthful of food down her throat and take her next huge bite.

The three Affini present suddenly shifted physically and musically. The calm, jovial atmosphere turned to one of concern and even panic in a moment.

"Flower, please be careful eating! I'm afraid you'll choke unless you take your time!" Fractalia exclaimed, vis voice steeped in worry.

"If you don't slow down, I'll have to feed you myself!" Vera said. Niamh thought it must be joking, but she sensed nothing but seriousness behind its words.

"I-I'm sorry!" Niamh spat out her food and reflexively curled up in a ball, hiding her face.

"You have nothing to apologise for, love..." Vera cooed. "We just want you to be safe…"

"...and to enjoy your food." Fractalia finished.

"I'm n-not hungry anyway…" Niamh knew that was a weak lie, but she didn't know why she said it anyway.

"Oh, Flower…" Vera and Fractalia sighed in unison.

When she was confident she wasn't going to be kicked or tossed out, Niamh tentatively raised her head. Before her was a more sensible bite-size of her breakfast sandwich on the end of a fork being held out by a vine.

"It's alright, Niamh, I promise." Vera whispered warmly. "You're safe here now, and soon Linna will be too. But for now, open up for me, ok Flower?"

The skittish Terran looked to her left, where Talia was sitting. As if to demonstrate to Niamh, Carrot began to feed xeir floret. Xey cut off a slice of waffle and hovered it ahead of Talia. After a vine lightly stroked her right cheek, Talia opened her mouth to receive her bite of food. Another vine gently stroked her left cheek, and in turn she closed her mouth and began chewing her delicious waffle. A moment later, Carrot ran a third vine from under Talia's chin down her neck, and the cotyledon swallowed.

"See, just like that!" Talia smiled reassuringly.

"You have a whole system for being fed?"

"Well of course! Some cuties simply don't have the means to feed themselves, whether due to disability or a xenodrug regimen that affects their motor control." Fractalia explained.

"Or in our case, just because it's intimate and oh-so adorable!" Carrot chimed.

"And in your case," Vera pointed to Niamh, "because you've displayed hazardous eating habits, and we will ensure your safety."

Before Niamh could think of a reply, she felt one of Vera's thin, fuzzy vines graze her right cheek. She decided to roll with it and opened her mouth.

"Hee hee hee! There we go!" Vera giggled as she deposited the piece of sandwich in its ward's mouth.

Vera graced Niamh's other cheek, so she followed the wordless instructions delivered to her.

Now that she was taking her time to properly chew a healthy amount of food, the simply miraculous taste hit her senses. Niamh didn't know such magnificent, exquisite flavours even existed let alone that her body could perceive them. The bun was soft and warm; the veggies were fresh; the bacon was cooked perfectly, and had barely any salt or grease while remaining full of flavour; the cheese was aromatic and aged to perfection, unlike the synthetic almost-cheese of the Accord; and together, the flavours all complemented each other in a satisfying, mouth-watering sandwich unlike anything the starved Terran had ever consumed before.

A gentle vine stroke from her chin down her neck ordered Niamh to carefully swallow. She complied right away.

"That's it… such a good Flower you are~" Vera hummed warmly.

A shiver was sent down Niamh's spine and her cheeks began to burn. She felt as though she'd been cast with a spell, set ablaze, fired out of a cannon, hit by a stray goose, dunked in a steamy hot tub, wrung out like a stretchy cartoon superhero, spin-dried in a space-age centrifuge, hit by a mucky truck full of lucky ducks, isekai'd into a smutty queer fanfic, sent tumbling off a crumbling cliff like some sort of funny-talking turtle-loving fury-slashing eyepatch-wearing runaway prince, and slapped in the face by a very floppy fish - though not necessarily in that order.

It was too much. All of it. The food, the care, the friendship, and now the praise. Niamh couldn't help but once again bawl her eyes out.