A Mile in Another Rat’s Paws
A Mile in Another Rat's Paws
Written by Bonegero ( https://www.furaffinity.net/user/bonegero/ )
Events in parallel to the image "Living a Life" by Rachel1987, at http://www.sofurry.com/page/298536/user .
It was the most interesting date Dee had ever been on. It had nothing to do with the grey wolf sitting across from her, talking fervently about some band whose music was based on theoretical physics. No offense to David or Theory on Strings, of course; he was a handsome and intelligent young wolf and they rocked. Hard. It was so thrilling an experience because the rat sitting across from him was not the white-haired scientist, but a brown-haired writer. Well, that was, at least, her hobby. Her day job was much more interesting; she was a DSO, or a Dedicated Sensory Outlet. Based on a weekly rate, Danielle Parker allowed another person to control her body through a neck band that computerizes and transmits brain signals from the controller (i.e. Dee) to the central nervous system of the DSO (i.e. Danielle). Her mind was simultaneously synched with a computer at the DSO home headquarters, so she would be able to read, write, surf the internet, work out her schedule, etcetera; her body would be under the complete and utter control of whoever paid for her. If she felt like it, she could check in and share sensory input with her client, as to make sure the contract was being held. Or just for fun. As Dee lay in her hospital bed, limbless from her most recent escapade, she lived her life through Danielle as she waited for her prosthetic limbs. For a mind on constant overdrive, this was ideal for her, and she had plenty enough money to foot for a week of another body. After a day of getting acclimated to the new body and its limitations, Dee had been out exploring the world through the goggles of her new eyes when she passed one of those conversations that peaked her interest. A wolf with too intelligent eyes and black shaggy hair was talking on a cell-phone to someone who was obviously giving him a hard time. "Then check it again! I sent you the correct blueprints three times yesterday- Yes, three times! Yes I'm sure they're correct. I created the mass production technique for artificial limbs, I'm fairly certain I would know if something was off. Okay, please have it done by tomorrow, thanks, bye." With a paw to his face in frustration, he turned around to see Danielle (now Dee), waiting patiently for him to put down the phone. "So, you are an inventor, huh," Dee said in her new voice, coming across a lot flirtier than she had expected. "Wow, uhm, yes, yes I am," the wolf said, taken aback by the curvy, yet slightly nerdy looking creature taking an interest in his work. "Is there any place near here to get coffee? I'd love to hear about what it is you do." Within ten minutes Dee was knee deep in the most interesting date she had ever been on. David understood from the goggles and neck-band that she was using a DSO, but that did not bother him in the least. Her ideologies and theories intrigued him as much as his work with prosthetics got her juices flowing. She had heard all she needed to about this entrepreneur inventor. "To be blunt, David, I would love to thank you for your gift to myself and to society as a whole. Can we go back to your place?" She awoke the next morning drooling slightly next to a still snoring David, both down to their fur, and both fully fulfilled. Dee shivered. Wolves are still my favorite. She collected her clothes from the bathroom, the hall, the floor, and the ceiling fan and made her wobbly way back to Danielle's house. The next few days were nowhere near as exciting, but Dee could not shake off a weird feeling she kept having in the pit of her stomach. At first she ignored it, continuing work on her portable station she had set up in Danielle's house, but eventually it became worse. The day before her contract was up, and her prosthetics would be complete, she woke up running to the bathroom and vomiting. She cleaned herself up and grabbed a shot-vile from her station and took a blood sample from Danielle's body to figure out what this annoyance could be. "No viruses, normal bacteria levels, blood glucose is fine, hormone levels are...crap," Dee flipped down the list on her station's touch screen computer. "Pregnant??" She paused, letting the glow of the monitor sink in a little further. "This may cost extra." *************************************************************** Nine Months Later Dee watched as the ship carrying Danielle, David, and their newborn son floated away from her satellite home, a cup of hot coffee warming her prosthetic hands. When the ship had re-entered the atmosphere, she pressed the record button on the microphone connected to her computer. "Make a note. I have shared the experience of the horrible, yet beautiful things called pregnancy and childbirth through the DSO, my new friend, Danielle. After careful consideration of the past nine months and yesterday I have come to a conclusion: To continue and preserve my studies, and the knowledge I have gained in my lifetime, I must have a child. I must find a suitable mate for this, of course, which will take some time. The look in her eyes, though," Dee whispered, closing her own. "After the birth and I removed myself from sync with her...the love in her eyes was astounding as she held that child in her arms. I desire to know what that feeling is like, to see something flesh and blood, not steel and circuits, that I have created, and to feel the joy and pride that entails." She raised her cup to the window, toasting herself. "To myself and to science, or wherever else this journey may lead me. End Log."