So, I posted the Plaything series on my DeviantArt page, and a user emailed me with some cool questions! Man, I love stuff like this! Thinking beyond the TF is why I do some of the things I do. Of course, you run into story problems, continuity problems and, sometimes, moral issues.

Because I enjoyed answering them so much here's their questions and my answers. I hope you like this!




1) Does Plaything have a gender?
Plaything is still female. This would (given standard terrestrial norms, of course) make her more inclined to be nurturing; even despite her predicament.

2) I have to assume that Plaything is not going back to being human because Plaything's new owners were just visiting Earth.

Yup. Just picnicking on Sol 3!

3) Given the strange set up of Plaything's body, I am assuming that the species that Plaything is now part of is an artificial species.

Quite possibly. But, the real reason is that the artist was looking to make something that had enough alien qualities to make it interesting and just enough terrestrial qualities to make it accessible.

4) Can Plaything talk or can Plaything only make sounds allowed by their new form?

She can only make sounds allowed by her new form. After she learns her owner's language, no doubt she'll be able to make sounds that mimic speech; Her vocalizations might sound like a Husky 'talking', for instance.

5) Does Plaything remember being a human woman?
Absolutely. Her brain chemistry and anatomy was changed to allow her to fully live in her new form (controlling six limbs and taking in sensory information from her new antennae, for instance) but, her memory (and intelligence (see below) was unaffected.

6) Does Plaything retain their old intelligence or has their intelligence level been reduced?

She is fully as intelligent as she was as a human.

7)Plaything had to been very docile. Otherwise why trust Plaything to be alone with a child that at least one tenth the size of Plaything? Plaything also seems to be much bigger than the adults. Something must prevent Plaything from overpowering them.

It's likely that there's brain chemistry in the Plaything that pushes them to be docile, even caring (giving more credence to your artificial species theory?). This can work in humans, so there is precedence.

8) Does Plaything accept their new life. Does Plaything find happiness being Plaything?

Possibly in time. She will be, of course, stunned by all of the new sensations and the realization that there is no going back. But, as they will not mistreat her and even care for her, I'm betting she'll accept it eventually even come to feel protective of the child. Stockholm Syndrome, FTW?

9) What happens to Plaything when the child outgrows wanting to play with a huge cuddly furry creature? Does Plaything get changed again into a new form, get placed in storage or given to new owners?

Wow. Fantastic question! Also, creepy question! I really don't have an answer.

I think storage would be right out; if the alien dad was that malicious, I think vaporization would have been his initial action.

Perhaps, Plaything will become a nanny to the child and then confidant as she grows older, living long and becoming a plaything for that child's children? Perhaps she will be given the choice, a decade down the road of being turned back and going back to Earth or being given to another family or given another form?

UPDATE FOR THIS POST: I do think now, that the dad would be, if not malicious, a bit species-ist. Who cares about these piddly little Earthers, never going beyond their own solar system? My little daughter needs a new companion! This may color his future interactions with The Plaything. Though in thinking this as the near ultimate of turning a sentient into an animal (literally instead of figuratively), it gets a bit dark.

Sorry 'bout that.