Seth discussed the details of his idea, keeping the conversation brief as it was late and he still had fluffies to tend to before bed. Once he had laid out the entire plan, Dale agreed to meet with him early in the morning. After ending the call, Seth put his phone away, absentmindedly glancing over towards Frostbite’s shoebox nest, a scowl slowly crossing his face. While he knew that the kid’s heart was in the right place, his inexperience had cost Seth dearly that evening. With the damage done to Kismet’s eyes, he’d have to rethink his entire strategy with the foal, as the die torture simply wouldn’t be as evocative without the colt’s ability to see the pips himself. Seth had to admit that he’d miss the feedings, the simple joy of watching the foal lament as he saw just how much food he’d lose or pain he’d have to endure.
He could always choose another foal one day, and try again. But deep down inside, Seth knew it wouldn’t be the same. Fluffies, despite what most people thought, were nearly as unique as people were, with each and every one developing their own personalities and quirks. And while Seth could get another foal, set up the die torture again when it ate, who knows how it would react. Even if given a limitless number of the tiny fluffs and time not being a factor, Seth knew that he’d never see the same results again, with the distinctiveness of the experience being lost along with Kismet’s sight.
And now because of the kid’s actions, Seth even had to alter his plans for Frostbite. It had been his intention for the pillowfoal to never leave the hobby-room, an attempt to force affection based on exacerbating the colt’s fear and loneliness. And having dropped him earlier, there was no telling how the foal would respond now, as just as fluffies were unique, so too were their coping mechanisms. It was true that fluffies were thought of as nearly uniform when it came to trauma and fright, but Seth had learned better. Over the years, he had seen the full spectrum of emotional resonance that the biotoys were capable of, from full blown terror at the realization that they would die, to apathy as they resigned themselves to their fate, to even delusions of grandeur. Indeed some fluffies would think themselves too strong or smart to ever be punished, thinking that if they were hurt, that the one doing it must be in the wrong. It was exceptionally rare, but Seth considered it a treat when he was confronted with the infrequent fluffy that thought itself above all others.
After a few moments of consideration, Seth opted not to open Frostbite’s box. While he wanted to check on the pillowfoal and see how the night’s events had effected him, it would be easier to maintain the hobby-room torture if the colt never saw any room besides the one he was acclimated to. Giving the box a slight shake, Seth was pleased to hear a startled yelp that was quickly followed by light sobbing and muffled peeps. “Well he’s alive at least…”
With the fluffies fast asleep at this hour, Seth only needed to worry about Kismet’s medical needs and Candyfloss’ emotional ones. First, grabbing a small container of petroleum jelly, Seth opened the foal drawer, instantly hearing light and despondent peeping. While the allergy meds had nearly ran their course, Kismet was till partially feeling their effects. On his side, the foal’s nubs were softly pawing at the air, his head lulling around as the intoxicated foal tried to focus on where the noise was coming from. Placing him on a small paper towel, Seth then took a healthy dollop of the salve and worked it onto Kismet’s skin, the foal peeping as he sluggishly struggled against Seth’s efforts. While great for managing wounds and skin irritation, Seth had never met a fluffy that enjoyed any kind of balm, vaseline, or lotion, as they loathed the sensation of being covered in anything that wouldn’t easily come off, likening it to being dirty.
Despite the foal’s subtle protests, Seth worked the salve onto his skin, already able to feel the small patches of irritated and bleach ravaged dermis. It would heal over time, but Kismet would be in a great deal of pain for the next few days. If not for the medication already in the foal’s system, Seth could only imagine how much agony he’d be in right now.
Gritting his teeth, Seth put away the balm, trying to cool his rising temper. It wasn’t as though he wanted to spare the foal pain, but it irked him that the choice was no longer his, that Kismet’s next few days would be filled with torment that Seth hadn’t planned for. Taking advantage of the foal’s inebriated state, Seth held him up, taking a better look at his milky eyes. It was clear from the discoloration that the colt’s sight had been irreparably damaged, but Seth was pleasantly surprised to see the dazed foal peer roughly in his direction. Based on his subtle reaction, Seth surmised that while Kismet’s sight was severely diminished, he wasn’t truly blind. “Guess I’ll need to think of some new fun for you little guy…”
Once Kismet was safely back in his drawer, Seth then made his way to the saferoom, walking quietly as he opened the door and crept towards the padded fencing. Peering in the low light of the dimly lit television, Seth could see his fluffies, all piled around Cyclops sleeping soundly, save for Powder Keg and Dud. The ashen gray colt was peeping in his sleep, tossing and turning as he no doubt dreamt of his siblings’ demise, the foal far too young to understand what had happened. Seth could already make out a telltale wet spot freshly formed around Powder Keg’s haunches, an accident that happened nearly every night much to Cyclops’ chagrin.
More amusing was Dud, who was clearly still injured from her punishment earlier. Shifting uncomfortably on her side, the filly nearly awoke when her rump touched the padded floor, reflexively peeping as the raw skin was grazed. Before the foal could awaken, Cyclops stirred ever so slightly, scooping the dozing foal closer to her and calming her back to slumber.
Reaching carefully, Seth scooped Candyfloss out of the pile, the filly only peeping drowsily as she was lifted upward into his hands. Gently carrying her from the room, he waited until they were safely in his bedroom before stroking her under her chin, the filly cooing happily until she was finally stirred from her sleep. “Candyfloss…wake up sweetheart…”
“…Daddeh?..Daddeh!!!”
Her eyes widening as she awoke to see her owner, the filly began to squirm excitedly within Seth’s palm, her shoulders gyrating awkwardly as she tried in vain to hug against his hand. While Candyfloss had been very young when Seth had taken her front legs, the young filly still had vague recollections of having them, and would often forget her lack of mobility, especially when just waking up or if overly excited. Growing frustrated and then heartbroken after only a few moments, the filly went slack in Seth’s palm, her face pressed firmly against his hand as she began to cry.
“*huuu…huuu…huuu…Wai nu weggies? *huuu…huuu…huuu…Candee’fwoss nee’ weggies! Nu can gib huggies wiffow’t weggies.*huuu…huuu…huuu…Hao wong tiww weggies?”
Shushing her as the filly began to sob against his hand, Seth lightly stroked her back with his finger, the contact lightly soothing the distraught foal. “We already went over this Candyfloss…Legs don’t come back once they’re gone…” What little comfort she took from his gentle pets was quickly lost as her mewling worsened with Seth’s grim reminder. Now on the verge of a tantrum, the filly writhed and flailed in her owner’s hand, her grief filled weeping growing more frantic.
“*huuu…huuu…huuu…*chirp…*chirp…Nu faiw! Nu faiw! *huuu…huuu…huuu…Wan weggies! Wan weggies nao! *huuu…huuu…huuu…*chirp…*chirp…”
Taking his fingers, Seth lightly grasped the scruff of the peeping filly’s neck, pinching it slightly as her outburst quickly deflated. Her mouth widening as Seth’s grip tightened, Candyfloss gasped as the agony in her neck swiftly grew intolerable.
“*SCREEEEEEE!!! *chirp…*chirp…Dat huwties Candee’fwoss! Nu wike! *chirp…*chirp…Nu mowe huwties! P’wease! *chirp…*chirp…Wet gu! Wet gu!”
Not releasing his grip, Seth let his other hand rise, allowing the filly to see him face to face. “Now Candyfloss, you are too old for this. I know you want front legs but it’s never going to happen! And you aren’t a chirpy anymore…I know that Cyclops has told all about that…So this isn’t acceptable! Now…no more whining and no more peeping!” As his tone rose, the foal winced, clearly startled to hear her owner yelling. Wiggling and trying to face away from Seth, her owner simply held firm, keeping her face squarely towards his.
“*huuu…huuu…huuu…Yus daddeh…Candee’fwoss sowwy. *huuu…huuu…huuu…”
Unclenching her neck, Seth pulled the weeping fluff to his shoulder, placing both hands over her as she slowly calmed down. “I know you are honey. You’re a very good fluffy…you just forget sometimes…” It always amazed Seth how quickly Candyfloss would calm down after her bouts of woe, with the filly often growing dour or depressed when reminded about her disability. Once she was over the hump however, it was as though it had never happened, with the foal cooing and nuzzling against Seth as he held her close, her squirming her body against him in a cute parody of a hug.
Seth was quite pleased with how Candyfloss had turned out after her half-pillowing. With the poor filly often becoming extremely upset and sullen over her lack of mobility, Seth would swoop in, doting on the sad fluffy until she was content, and had given similar instructions to Cyclops in case he was at work. Over the week her depression had grown less intense and not as frequent as she was lavished with love and attention. She still asked about her legs when the sadness hit, but it was happening far less, with Seth being very firm about her situation being permanent.
“Now that we’re calm…I heard about what happened today…with Dud…” Seth could feel Candyfloss tense up under his hands at the mere mention of the foal. It was understandable that she’d be upset, as the filly had a poor history with fluffy brutality. From her parents screaming and fighting in front of her, to her own mother seemingly maiming her, Candyfloss was uniquely susceptible to anger and cruelty when it came from her own kind.
“…Candee’fwoss nu wike Dud nu mowe…Am meanie fwuffy…”
“Well don’t you worry about her…Your daddy punished her for hurting you. And because you were such a brave, good girl…you get a treat!” Lifting her away from his shoulder, Seth was pleased to see her dour mood melt away at the promise of some kind of reward. Her entire rump wagging as her eyes met his, Candyfloss giggled as she pondered what her treat might be.
“Weawwy?! Candee’fwoss gowna gets a tweet?! Wat am Candee’fwoss’ tweet daddeh?!”
“Well I thought that if you can behave…You can sleep with daddy tonight!” Seth winced slightly as the foal’s excitement got the better of her, the filly’s voice going up a full octave as she realized she was going to get to stay with her daddy for the rest of the night.
“Yay! Candee’fwoss wuv sweepies wiff daddeh!”
Despite how much Seth enjoyed the darker aspects of fluffy ownership, it was hard to beat the genuine moments such as these. It took precious little to make a fluffy’s day, and it did warm his heart to see one he cared about so happy. On the rare occasion that Seth allowed Candyfloss to sleep in his room, there were rules and steps to follow to make sure that the filly neither made a mess nor was injured. First, Seth took Candyfloss to the restroom, gently massaging her belly with his thumb until she relieved herself into the toilet. Disposing of the waste with a flush, he then took a scented wipe and vigoriously cleaned her fluff from haunches to face, with the foal only protesting slightly when her rear was touched. Finally, Seth took out a small dog bed that he had converted for Candyfloss, putting the excited foal in and placing it next to his side of the bed.
Turning off the light switch, Seth smiled as he heard the foal shriek slightly at the sudden lack of any illumination. Letting her stew for a little longer than he probably should have, Seth then clicked on the small lamp, gently petting the cowering foal until she calmed down enough to fall back asleep. Once she had finally drifted off, Seth took out his phone, setting an alarm for 8:30. Putting it on his bedside table, he then stretched out comfortably near the filly’s bed and fell asleep.
Frostbite had been peeping like mad since his box was shaken abruptly, scared out of his wits and unsure what was going to happen next. It was quiet for a long while before he heard his cruel owner return, his words muted by the cardboard walls of his makeshift pillowbed. Once again, the pillowed foal heard the terrified screams of a young fluffy, like himself, the colt now shivering as he struggled to slow his panicked breathing. After what seemed like an eternity, the screams stopped, with Frostbite unable to make out what was being said afterwards. What little light the pillowfluff had went out briefly, followed my more panicked sceams, his own nearly drowned out entirely before a dull light came back a few moments later. Shaking from the nightmarish evening he had endured, Frostbite struggled to find rest, but eventually grew too fatigued to remain awake, the poor fluff trembling and peeping even in his dreams.
Jerome stretched out as he slowly woke up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he rose to his feet. Getting out of bed, he let his blankets fall to the floor, deciding that he’d deal with the clutter later, if at all. Heading towards the bathroom, the teen was pleased to find it unoccupied and went about relieving himself and brushing his teeth before heading downstairs, already able to smell the breakfast his mother had prepared. Walking down the steps, Jerome crossed into the kitchen and saw his mother with the refrigerator door open, but before he could wish her a good morning, he heard her speak first, as though continuing a conversation from before.
“Well it ain’t fancy but it was good enough for me and mine when my mamma was raisin’ us, so I hope it’s good enough for you…”
He had heard the line many times throughout his childhood, but never unprompted. Laughing slightly, Jerome was about to ask what she was talking about before she abruptly shut the fridge’s door, revealing Seth standing behind it. “I’m not picky at all Mrs.Cranston. And it’s nice of you to set me out a plate regardless…Oh hey Jerome…Good Morning…”