Gift - G/t
TW: Pet trope, swearing.
Premise: A world in which genetically engineered tinies or Littlins are viewed as pets. Ellen is gifted one on her grandpas' party, as she had graduated the week before.
Word count: 1,352
Note: I'm considering of writing more parts to this.
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The dining room was livelier than ever. Chittering voices drowned out the clattering of forks and knives ripping through the steak. The smell of her aunt's golden casserole was overpowering. Colourful banners hung from all four walls. Rotund balloons were thrown around the room by her little cousins, across the dining table at times. Her grandpa, who was now a grand 80 years old, would occasionally join in their game, grinning like a schoolboy.
It was very rare for all of the family to gather together at once, so Ellen tried to capture every memory on her cellphone. They almost seemed normal. She showed the pictures she had taken of her grandpa blowing out the birthday candles to her aunt.
"Ellen! Come over here." Her dad called from the other end of the table. As she slid behind the occupied chairs, he placed a large box wrapped in blue wrapping paper in front of him.
"It was my idea." Her grandpa chimed in.
Her parents beckoned her to unwrap the gift right there and then with bright smiles. Her dad boasted about how expensive it was and Ellen in turn had repeatedly explained that she didn't need such expensive gifts.
"But grandpa should be opening his presents tonight."
"This is an exception. Come on! It can't wait."
Ellen felt a fluttering excitement grow in her chest, as she gingerly teared away the wrapping. What kind of computer had they bought her? Was it a monitor instead? Perhaps a jewellery box with the porcelain twirling ballerina inside? With a utility knife she carefully cut through the wide tape at the top of the box. She leaned over the open top. Her smile faded away.
Inside was a small hamster cage. Its floor was covered in spruce shavings. A blue plastic structure with a round roof stood in the corner, from where a tiny face peaked out from. Their eyes met her eyes for a moment, which felt like an eternity. The face disappeared back underneath the plastic.
What the actual fuck.
"Well, what do you think?"
"It's..." she forced a smile on "Wonderful."
"Before you go we'll give you its food."
"Ah... great. Thanks." She hugged them tightly, even though her skin tingled with disgust.
"Won't you take it out?"
"I-" Ellen stammered and glanced at the cage.
No, no, no.
"Yes, of course. I'll, umm, take them somewhere quieter." She shot a worrying glance at her clumsy cousins.
Before her parents could protest, she swiftly picked up the box and carried it upstairs to the spare bedroom. She slammed her door behind her and set the box in front of the nightstand. She kneeled down before it, looming over it.
She had always wanted to adopt a pet, either a dog or a cat. The last one, a goldfish, wasn’t fed whilst she had gone camping. So, when she had returned she found it floating on the water’s surface; her parents had forgotten to feed it. As long as she lived with them she could not have any pets or plants. Now, that she bought her own apartment she daydreamed of having a little furry friend run around the place.
What she never wanted was a littlin. The uncanny human resemblance cringed her. She knew that they were technically human, just shorter. Perhaps it was the sheer size difference that threw her off. Whatever it was that made her fidget with her dress and avoid looking at the box, she had to face it.
Ellen released a shaky breath.
Just do it already Ellen.
With stiff hands, she removed the cage and put it on the nightstand.
"Hello?" She didn't mean for her voice to crack.
A tiny figure marched out from the plastic cover to the centre of the cage. Under the yellow light, Ellen saw a bony girl with untamed, short, curly hair and chocolate coloured eyes as round as buttons. The littlin had to crane her head up to meet her gaze. She greeted her back, showing a toothy smile and placing her hands on her hips.
Ellen couldn't help but scoot a bit further back.
Just why?
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Finally the cage was taken out. Any more hours left in that darkness and Nelly would have lost her marbles. Just as practiced, she presented herself as best as she could, in the hopes of making a good first impression and getting some food to eat. In her mind she battled the thoughts of hunger. She had to stay attentive for her new owner's commands.
For a couple long seconds the giantess remained silent. Her titanic eyes darted around the cage.
You hate it too? Great. Then for the love of god change it.
Nelly kept her stance friendly as she stared at the giantess, whose eyebrows twitched a bit into a frown, barely enough for a human to notice. She noticed a big lump travel down her throat - she had discreetly gulped.
I'll enjoy her nervousness while it lasts.
It felt somewhat empowering to watch a human struggle to meet her gaze and feel uncomfortable in her minuscule presence without even having to do anything. Every time, however, they turned into the others. She was no exception.
Two minutes had passed and Nelly's hands started to sweat.
What was she waiting for? Did I already fuck it up?
First impressions dictate almost everything. If you’re “good” you’re fed and cleaned right away, even though they toy with you at the same time. The next days they keep coming back, cooing at you to come out. If you’re gifted to children that a completely different story, which she didn’t need to worry about for the first time! That giant was unmarried and single, with no animal pets whatsoever; she heard her parents talk about that as they were strolling about the pet store. She seemed perfect. She would probably leave her alone most of the time and keep her well-fed. To Nelly she had won the lottery.
Just then the giantess turned to the box and dove her hands inside. She frantically rummaged through it, as if she had lost something. Nelly eyed her curiously.
"Is there a return card in here?"
Nelly's face momentarily went blank.
Return? We barely spent five minutes together! What the hell is wrong with her?
She couldn't- she wouldn't return to that hellhole they called a pet store.
"No, there isn't." Her smile returned.
"Does the shop accepts returns?"
"No." She lied. Hopefully, she’s naive enough not to google it.
The giantess crossed her arms and closed her eyes, creasing thin lines around them. Nelly's heartbeat quickened. That was certainly not a good sign.
Would she instead leave her at a park or on the streets? Her mind raced with all the horrors she would encounter if that were the case. Dogs, cats, birds, kids, rain, wind - everything out there can tear her apart.
"Do you mind staying in that cage a bit longer? It's just that there's kids downstairs and uh- you know. The party will be over soon." The woman explained quickly.
"No problem at all!"
Good enough. I might have more opportunities to convince her to keep me. Perhaps I should take on a more talkative approach.
"Alright. Great. I'll be right back." The woman hurried back to the dining room, making sure to silently close the door behind her.
Nelly could still hear the humans' loud voices and music, but at least she wasn't right in there pressing her hands against her ears to muffle the deafening noise.
She limped to the wall of the cage behind her and slumped down against it, her right leg bent close to her chest and her left one outstretched, releasing a sigh of relief. Even though it's been a year, her left leg still screamed with pain every time she moved it. It couldn't be helped. She had to perform for survival.
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Thank you for reading!
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