Chrysalis

[Crinis, could you come over here please?]

[Of course Master] the tennis ball of endless darkness responded immediately.

I get the feeling that she's able to sense where I am since she manages to roll towards me despite having no sense of sight. Once she reaches a space just in front of me she unfolds a few tentacles and 'stands' up, holding her body up on a few slender tendril like limbs.

[How are things going Crinis?] I decide to lead with a general question.

[Well, Master!] she replies happily, [since maturing I've been able to gain levels and Biomass at an accelerated pace. It feels good to be useful to you Master]

[Yep, you've been a great help]

The little ball wiggles happily in front of me for being praised. Despite her image she really is quite weak to positive reinforcement….

[How have you found spending your skill points and Biomass Crinis? Has there been any issues? Do you need any help or advice?]

She pauses for a moment. [I've been a little hesitant to spend my points Master since I couldn't be sure my choices were exactly what you wanted. I didn't want to make any mistakes…]

What?!

[It's your skills and your Biomass Crinis, you spend it however you want!]

Just because they are pets I don't want to micromanage every aspect of their lives! I'm probably a bit naive about it but I like the idea of my pets making their own choices and finding their own way in life.

Is it because I'm lazy and can't be bothered going through all the menus and burning up my brains working out a balanced strategy where every member of our group functions as a cohesive part of a whole?

…

Maybe.

Still… viva la freedom! Viva la pet choice!

They can work it all out on their own! I don't need to get involved!

[So tell me Crinis ] I say cheerily, [how many points have you spent? What sort of skills are we looking at?]

[.... ]

What is this? … Somehow, even though she doesn't have a face, I can tell she's looking away from me.

[What's wrong? Have you got a few points stored up? I'm happy to give advice if that's what you want…. ]

[....]

is starting to dawn

… How many points have

[.. All of them]

You haven't

sorry Master! I didn't

them however you want!

but what if I make a choice that doesn't

…..

contradiction to Tiny, but she's TOO diligent and thoughtful. She's become paralysed by wanting to make the perfect selection. Unable to make a choice because she's

time for me to show my understanding side and educate her,

….

WHAP!

in a wide loop and whack straight

m Master?!] she

THWAP!

spend your points! All

[But!]

THWA PAAAA!

strikes a moment before the other, cannoning the little ball into the second blow which sends her flying to

I'll be checking back on you in

a heart of cold steel. I know she's only trying to do what is best by me but if I relent and go through the process with her this time she'll come to rely on me even more. I want my pets to be more independent than that. If

This is tough love!

and not

….

sits uncomfortably with my modern sensibilities. Much as the colony has come to be my family, Tiny and Crinis are also part of that family. I would rather that we teamed up and worked together as fellow

I'm just

up buddy, come over here for a

wearily open his eyes and groans before

…..

of a

red bat eyes contrasting sharply with his black and silver fur. He really is

it going Tiny?] I lead with

[…..]

Any minute now.

[Good]

There it is.

skills going? Spending your

[…. ?]