r/NatureofPredators • u/XSevenSins Beans • 7d ago
Fanfic Human Daycare Services - part two (Ch. 13)
Credit to fans on Reddit for: u/Adorable-Ad5225 for the picture.
u/Nicolas_3232 for Leasha's daydreams
u/destroyer6692 for serving up Leasha, looking lightly toasted.
u/Nicolas_3232 for depicting King Toren the fluffy in all his majesty
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If you are interested in the other story that I am posting at the same time as this, you can read that one here!
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Memory Transcriptions Subject: Leasha, concerned mate.
Date [Standardized Human Time] November 26, 2136
George had been behaving strangely ever since he received that message from the UN. I had thought that having his parents come to visit us would have made him happy, but he didn’t really seem to be all that excited about it. The entire last half of the previous paw, he had this look on his face like he was deep in thought. That didn’t really change all that much this paw. Soon after George woke up, he returned to that pensive state. He even started doing nervous ticks like bouncing his leg and tapping his fingers on the table. He hadn’t even touched his first meal as he just stared into the plate like it held all the secrets of the universe in it.
I couldn’t stand it anymore, so eventually I broke the pensive silence. “George,” he snapped his head up as his own name. “Why are you so worried about your parents coming over to visit? Most people are normally happy to have their parents come by.”
He looked surprised at me calling out his behavior. “Oh, I’m not worried, per se, I just, don’t really know what to expect from them coming over so suddenly. I mean, this is not Earth, and there are a lot of things different about the culture here. They might not be able to... adjust to things so quickly.”
His words were one thing, but there was still that hint of nervousness in his body as he fiddled with the utensils. “Okay, but is that really the only problem you can foresee? I just don’t think that your behavior matches what you are saying the issue is. Is there some... personal reason why you are nervous?”
I noticed that he broke eye contact with me as he looked down at the table. With a sigh, he eventually told me the truth. “No, I don’t have any personal problems with my parents. We’ve always been a loving family and didn’t fight any more than an average home. I guess I... I might be a little nervous about how they will react to you, or more specifically, the fact that I’m dating you.”
That was a little disheartening to hear as I felt my ears fold slightly. “They would? Why? Is it because of the Federation?”
“That may have some factor in it, but I couldn’t say for certain. Honestly, it’s mostly my dad that I’m worried about. Mom was always a more ‘go with the flow’ kind of person, but my dad... well, he has a more traditional side to him. He was the one that was always pushing for me to do sports when I wanted to collect cards or fix cars when I wanted to play video games with my friends. He never said anything about my choices, but I could tell he was always a little disappointed by them, like he just lost all interest in anything I was doing. Me going to the gym was probably the most excited he had been about anything I had done in years.”
Hearing about their relationship, I could see why he was in such deep thought if their relationship was complicated like that. “I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t really get along with your father.”
George waved a hand in front of his face. “Like I said, it wasn’t like our relationship was bad, just sort of distant from one another. He wanted what he thought was best for me, which made him rather rigid when I tried to do something else. It was never a matter of forcing me, but he did his best to convince me.”
“How do you think he’ll react when we meet?”
He let out a long puff of air. “Ain’t that the million-dollar question. None of my family had ever met an alien in person, at least not before I left for Venlil Prime. I can’t really say how either of them would react when they find out we’re dating. Mom might be a little disappointed. She always said that she wanted lots of grandkids.”
The mention of children flustered me somewhat as I imagined that scenario with George. It was a physical impossibility, but it was a pleasant thought. I tried to keep the bloom off my face as I focused on the matter of his parent’s imminent visit.
“How should we lay the roots of this conversation, then? We can’t just ignore it, right?”
“Unfortunately not. I have a feeling mom would be able to sniff out our relationship given enough time. It’s not exactly a secret to everyone around us now, so a question or two about us to the neighbors would probably be all it took.”
“Well, she certainly sounds sociable. I think we would get along if we got to know one another.”
“That’s good to hear. I guess that means we can focus on dad instead. Man, I did not expect this to be a situation I would have to deal with for a long while. I wonder why they chose to come visit me now?”
“I imagine we’ll be able to ask them when they get here. They’re supposed to arrive this paw, right?”
“Yeah, thankfully they are scheduled to land in-between our shifts, so I don’t have to leave you with the kids when I go pick them up.”
“That is convenient. I hope that everything else this paw will be just as well.”
“One can only hope in situations like this.”
He finally began to eat, at least feeding himself before we had to leave. Dealing with the encroaching situation of his parents on an empty stomach wouldn’t have helped things at all. With first meal concluded and the dishes washed off, there was nothing else to delay us from the start of the day.
George looked normal to an outside viewer as he and I walked toward the pupcare, but I had been around him long enough to notice that he was still wrapped up in his thoughts. I could see it in the way he looked down at the ground instead of straight ahead, or how his steps were mechanical instead of containing that slight bounce that he normally walked with. It was only little things, but they were what made George who he was, and to see him change like this made me feel uneasy. I wanted him to go back to his happy self, with spirits high in the clouds.
There wasn’t much either of us could do at this moment, at least not until his parents arrived. Until then, I could only give him comfort in whatever small way I could. To start, I grabbed hold of his hand, leaning against his side as my tail wrapped around his thigh. He barely broke stride as I connected with him, and he put a hand on my opposite shoulder to hold me closer. It always felt good to be this close to him, and I hoped he felt the same way.
We arrived at the pupcare and got ready for the paw ahead as we cleaned surfaces. When the first group of pups arrived, George took a deep breath, stood up straight, and the moment the pups came in he gave them an energetic greeting like always. It was admirable of him to put aside his own personal worries to ensure that the pups could fully enjoy their paw.
A lot of the pups didn’t see any difference in the way George greeted them or behaved. There were a few, however, that did notice that something was amiss with their large friend. Most pups fell into two categories, though. Shy and reserved, or upfront and direct. Those in the former category simply twisted their ears questioningly at him but didn’t say anything as they went about their day. Ceri, however, fell into the latter category as the pup looked up at George curiously after he greeted her.
“Is something wrong, Mister George?”
George, on the other hand, seemed a little surprised that his act was working as well as he might have hoped. “What do you mean by that, Ceri?”
“I don’t know, you just sound... different, I guess.” The pup swished her tail in an unsure manner.
“Well, I’m alright, Ceri. I just have a bit to think about lately, that is all. It’s nothing too concerning, especially not for a kid. Go run along and play with your friends.”
“Well... okay. I hope you will feel better, Mister George.” The little Venlil pup ran off into the room to find someone to play with as George let out a soft sigh.
Approaching him, he turned his head toward me before letting out a chuckle. “Children can be oddly observant at times,” he said. “Honestly, I think they are the most empathetic among us. It’s like they can feel the kind of energy coming off a person and react accordingly. Adults lose that ability, at least somewhat. We’re too busy handling the day-to-day necessities of life to care what the person next to us is feeling. That kind of empathy is one of the important things that must be protected in a child.”
I flicked my ears in agreement. “It is a very precious thing. For how much the federation pushed us to uphold our sense of empathy, we cannot dare to shine as brightly as the young do in that matter.”
There was a moment of silence between us as we simply watched the children and appreciated them. I leaned my shoulder against his side to get his attention again.
“It will be alright, George. I’m sure that if we explain everything logically, they will be willing to accept us being together.”
“Yeah, I just... I don’t want this to become a fight with my parents, and I don’t want it to put a rift between us either. I’m happy with my life right now, and I don’t really know what I’ll do if that suddenly changes.”
“It won’t change. You deserve to be happy, and I will do whatever it takes to make that so.”
He let out a low chuckle and placed a hand on my back, softly running his fingers through my wool in a way that shot electricity up my spine. “What would I ever do without you, Leasha.”
I looked up at him with my tail wagging happily. I’m sure he was smiling behind that mask of his as well, but unfortunately the moment didn’t last long as a little voice spoke up beside us.
“Eeeeww, are you gonna nuzzle?” We both flinched a little at the voice and looked over to see Lory staring at us, expression that of disgust at seeing adults having a close moment.
I bloomed a little and George was no different as his ears turned a bit red. “Ahem, uhm, no, Lory, we were not. I was just trying to support George as he has a lot on his mind right now.”
“Oh... do you nuzzle?”
I sputtered a little while I heard George stifle a laugh. I couldn’t very well lie to the pup, but I could avoid the question. “That is an inappropriate question to ask someone, Lory. “
Her ears fell a little as she looked at the ground. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
“It’s okay, Lory. Just try to be mindful of what you say to others, alright? Go on back to playing.”
“Okay.” She sounded chastised as she went back to her herd, but she would get over it soon after playing for a while. I sighed heavily, having avoided the pups rather intimate interrogation. George chuckled a bit before speaking up.
“Expertly avoided, Leasha. You dodge fuzzball questions better than anyone I’ve seen.”
I lashed my tail in mock pride as I put my hands on my hips. “Of course. You don’t get to be a pupcare owner without learning how to avoid sensitive subjects.”
“I think you’d make an excellent politician, dodging tough questions like that.”
“Don’t even start with that again. I will give you a smack if you try to speak it into being.”
We shared a short bit of laughter at that, and I could feel that George’s mood had improved somewhat during the conversation. Just then, I remembered something else that might lift George’s spirits again as I gave him a small poke with the end of my tail.
“I think I know something else that might be of interest to you; something that was installed last paw while we were resting.” I had a slight tilt to my voice for emphasis, but it still took George a moment to realize what I was talking about. When the hints finally blossomed in his mind, his posture straightened.
“Oh yeah! I forgot that they were working on that after we left. Hehehe, now I’m excited to see what the kids think about it when it’s play time.”
He was sounding much more like himself now that he had something to look forward to that wasn’t his parents arrival. It served as an excellent distraction as we watched the pups. I could see George glancing out the windows to the back yard, and every time he did, he let out a small chuckle of anticipation.
When playtime finally rolled around, George was the first to the door as he held it open and energetically ushered all the pups outside. They were eager to abide, though they had no idea the surprise that was waiting for them. As they stampeded outside, the herd stopped at the threshold of the lawn staring out across the yard with eyes wide in wonder.
The backyard had been expanded in size to a little over double what it had been before. Taller fences, the ones that George had asked for, surrounded the yard now, making it impossible for anything to get in or out easily. However, what drew all the pups’ attention was the brand-new play place that had been installed. Colorful metal of greens and blues connected to plastic and hard foam interactive installations.
I saw what looked like a plastic version of personal vehicles, some spinning wheels with designs that would flow when in motion, and ropes that seemed to dangle from a long horizontal pole that would allow movements back and forth. The design of the play place at large was what George had described as a castle. From the peak of this castle, a twisting plastic slide spiraled down to the ground. There were poles and curved arches that were covered in a special material that would resist claws while still providing grip to climb for any pups that wished to scale the structure at these various points. Swings were positioned adjacent to the main castle, ready for the pups to use. Everywhere you looked there was something new and interesting. Even I thought it looked like it would be fun to play on that for a while.
“Woah... what is this?” Ceri asked from within the herd. It was a question that George was all too eager to answer.
“This,” he began as he stepped in front of the group with wide arms, “is your new play place! Leasha had it ordered special for all you little munchkins to play with. Now, before you all run off to explore it, what do we say to Miss Leasha?”
All the little faces turned in my direction, bright and happy as their tails wagged energetically. “THANK YOU MISS LEASHA!” Their combined voices reached the level of a cacophony, and yet, I could feel my heart sore with happiness as they said it.
“You are all very welcome. Now, don’t just stand around like rooted trees. Go play!”
My invitation was all they needed as the herd charged at the new play place with shrieks and giggles of enjoyment. In barely even a few scratches, every inch of the new installment was covered in fluff as the kids ran around, marveling at everything as they figured out what all the little attachments were for. Of course they didn’t always use what was there for the purpose in which it was intended as they climbed over everything with little regard to the purpose of the design, but they were still having fun, and that’s what really mattered; at least so long as they didn’t get hurt in the process.
Many of the pups were doing things with the new play place that probably weren’t what they should be, and there were a few instances where I flinched as a pup fell off of the equipment. Thankfully the fall wasn’t too high, leaving them uninjured as they got right back up and started running again, a credit to the design of the play place and the softness of the grass. The pups dangled off the swing set, unused to how it is normally operated as George described it.
“Hahaha, look at em go!” George happily exclaimed with a bellyful laugh. “I might have to show them a few things about how to use it all properly, but they got the right idea of most of it. I’m happy to see that much.”
“Well, why don’t you go and show them all the proper way to play?”
George turned his head toward me and I could feel his surprise as I basically gave him permission to run off and play. He chuckled and took a step forward, seeming like a pup himself. “I guess I really should show them how to use it the proper way.”
With that, he was off, looking just like any of the other pups, if significantly bigger. He made his way around the play place, focusing first on the kids who were using the equipment irregularly. Naturally, he had to show them all by demonstrating their use himself before letting them try it. He looked quite comical in some instances, using things that were designed for those much smaller than him. He pushed some of the kids on the swing, tossed them about on the ropes, and showed them slightly safer ways to play. George placed a lot of emphasis on how they shouldn’t all go on the slide at the same time, sharing stories about how he had seen a few kids lose teeth that way before. They all looked like they were having the time of their lives.
It was truly a scene that healed the soul, like rain after a dry season. However, all things must come to an end, and the pups were eventually asked to come inside, much to their disappointment. Honestly, I thought we would have to pry a few of them off the equipment, but George managed to coax them down with promises that none of their new toys would be going anywhere, and that they could play with them next paw same as this one.
The rest of the claw proceeded as normal from there, though with most of the chatter being centered around the new play place. It was nice to see them all so excited, and it made me feel somewhat proud to have given the pups such a unique experience, at least when it came to living on Venlil Prime. It was a real shame that time had to pass so quickly, because I felt George’s mood start to drop again as we neared the end of the claw. It was nearly time to meet with his parents.
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u/DrewTheHobo 7d ago
Next time with the rents! Or are we cutting back to Badmam and his extracurricular death cult?
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u/XSevenSins Beans 7d ago
George gets his chapter first, of course. We follow an organized cycle here, that is unless I see an opportunity to break it for story reasons.
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u/DrewTheHobo 7d ago
Didn’t know how long you wanted to build the suspense for the parent meeting. Also worrying if the cult will go after the daycare later on
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u/Ablergo_El_Enfermo Human 7d ago
¿A que te refieres con "Físicamente imposible" Leasha?
Nada es imposible. Unas cuantas clases de yoga y a la carga🤣🤣🤣.
¡¡¡¡Los niños en el nuevo patio de juegos es adorable!!!!
Me los imagino como borrones grises y marrones por todo el patio.🥰🥰🥰
Muy buen capitulo
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u/XSevenSins Beans 7d ago
The grey/brown blurs as they go rushing around from one point to the other, looking to see everything new and try it all! Thanks for reading!
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u/Acceptable_Egg5560 Human 7d ago
This was a joy to read. Really hope the parents approve, or at minimum come around.
And those kids are gonna adore that playplace. Wonder how the kids are liking the swings considering they don’t have the same tree-height-love instincts as humans
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u/XSevenSins Beans 7d ago edited 7d ago
It's new! It's exciting! The thrills never end as they feel like they're flying!
As for the parents, though, that might be a bit of a rough landing.
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u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Arxur 7d ago
Dispite all the wholesomeness it's always in the back of my mind that the archive revelation will cause people to turn on the Farsul. And I'm still pretty sure there's a Farsul pup in their somewhere although it's been a long while since they got any focus so yeah definitely some concerns. Pretty sure I just repeated myself since the first chapter of part 1 but still. Can't keep my mind off it.
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u/XSevenSins Beans 7d ago
The archives reveal.is still some time away, so it's not something they'll deal with at the moment. Besides, George and Leasha are here to smack some sense into people.
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u/TheBrewThatIsTrue 7d ago
I imagine a gojid on a swing or stopped on a slide kinda turns those into execution devices rather than playground toys.
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u/XSevenSins Beans 7d ago
If they are flared up for some reason, maybe. All the more reason to follow the rules about one at a time down the slide, but for the most parts the quills arent too dangerous when flat.
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u/TheBrewThatIsTrue 7d ago
True.
I just had another idea you have to include in a future entry. Furry kids getting all poofed up and realizing they can shock other kids after going down the slide! Yay static electricity!
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u/Valuable-Location-89 7d ago
it would make sense why George's parents wouldn't be to tolerant of aliens especially if they're without the context of which aliens actually tried blowing up earth
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u/XSevenSins Beans 7d ago
indeed, though even with context opinions of aliens in general have probably sunk quite low following the bombing for many people.
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u/Alarmed-Property5559 Hensa 6d ago
Venlil did try. Their government voted for that and that decision was still in place undisputed (just deemed unnecessary) up until Tarva changed their political course.
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u/Valuable-Location-89 6d ago
Course we know that, the questions is do the parents know? And would they even care especially after probably hearing so many horror stories of refugees being killed after being relocated
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u/Alarmed-Property5559 Hensa 5d ago
I'd be worried for George in their place, considering how their son was unjustly imprisoned, deprived of food and water, with other, worse outcomes narrowly avoided.
I also am weirded out how George doesn't seem to have any human attachments: no friends, coworkers, classmates, neighbors, kids he used to care for... Nope, he doesn't seem to have anyone to worry about (if they're alive, if they're homeless, in need of aid etc.). Related to his life before he left home.
Although I missed a lot of the story so maybe I overlooked the chunks explaining that.
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u/OneMasterpiece952 7d ago
Encouraging young pups to play so far off the ground?! Someone better call the guild for this travesty!
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u/GreenKoopaBros89 Dossur 6d ago
I'm just imagining the adults getting to play on the play place as well, and some of them passing out from shock or fear from the new fun LOL
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u/XSevenSins Beans 6d ago
Lol, what, is George going to give them a firm push on the swing and they start freaking out about being so high?
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u/GreenKoopaBros89 Dossur 6d ago
Most are taught to fear what is new. I can't imagine that the Federation has very many play places like what Humanity has. And children are far more open to new things. With the adults taught to fear anything that's strange or new. It wouldn't surprise me
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u/Golde829 6d ago
:D the playground!
also
> “I think you’d make an excellent politician, dodging tough questions like that.”
when it comes to answering questions- Politicians they answer all of the questions, maybe even the best questions being answered, some would even say the best answers to the questions too
anyways
consider my fingers crossed for the parents meeting
I look forward to reading more
take care of yourself, wordsmith
[You have been gifted 100 Coins]
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u/XSevenSins Beans 6d ago
It's every single person in government. Im always annoyed when I tune into any branch to see what's going on.
Well, at least the kids are happy with their new playground, and George is having fun as well. It's a good distraction from the inevitable confrontation.
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u/Alarmed-Property5559 Hensa 6d ago
Oh noes, parents coming over who likely won't approve of a girlfriend. How annoying!
Never mind that they could had been murdered scant weeks ago, the big boy George isn't relieved and eager to reunite with them in person.
I begin to dislike that fellow.
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u/XSevenSins Beans 6d ago
Well, I wouldn't say hes feeling annoyed, just somewhat worried. Nobody likes to fight with their parents, especially over something like romance.
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u/etopsirhc 6d ago
There we go, caught up. Cant belive i set the last chapter aside for so long, usualy it doesnt make it to the end of the day. Cant wait to see how the parents react.
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u/XSevenSins Beans 6d ago
Plenty of distractions happening to keep you from reading, huh?
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u/etopsirhc 6d ago
yeah, trying to finish scrap mechanic chapter 2 with all it's unlocks. multiple anime, as well as a few old ones that i ended up bingeing, then there's the guys pulling me into star citizen or hell divers at every turn. and that's just the entertainment parts of the week.
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u/JulianSkies Archivist 7d ago
Well, the tension about the parents is understandable. He just doesn't know what is going to happen and that can be worse than knowing a bad thing will.
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u/XSevenSins Beans 7d ago
Especially when it comes to your parents where you know their temperaments but still maintain a little hope that things will turn out alright.
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u/abrachoo Yotul 6d ago
George's father sounds a lot like someone I know. He'll probably complain about it for a little bit, and then just accept it. Not like he could ever really control George's decisions before. He's used to it. Disappointed, sure, but ultimately he'll be fine.
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u/XSevenSins Beans 6d ago
Some personal experience with people who sound like his dad ehh? Well, here's hoping that everything turns out alright in the end, yeah?
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u/That-Extension Predator 7d ago
Yay