Chapter Text
Charlie wasn’t sure when it happened but they eventually fell asleep while wrapped up in the blanket. Only waking up when a new alien, a giant Bernese Mountain Dog, woke them up as they untangled the blanket from their body. With a groan, they looked up to the intimidating animal and let out a yelp in surprise.
”Shh. You’re okay, lil pup, it’s your turn to be checked out is all.” The dog, Robby, says softly while petting their head.
Shakily, they scrambled out of the blanket in an attempt to make a break for it. Just for a loop leash around their neck to make its presence known when Robby grabbed it to keep them from running.
”No.” He scolded. ”None of that now. Or that muzzle will never come off. And I do need to check your teeth though maybe that’ll be saved for last. Come on.” He stood up and walked to the kennel door to head to an exam room with Charlie forced to follow. ”Time to be checked out then hopefully get something in your belly. I’m sure you’re starving.”
Charlie followed behind, eyeing up at the alien that was far bigger and stronger than they were. Their body wrecked with trembles from him, the other aliens, and the apparent animals that they could hear in the building. Most were definitely not all humans.
They did use this opportunity to try and distract themselves with finding a way out. An emergency exit or something. It was just a matter of getting back to it and managing to push it open.
”Here we are.” Robby’s voice spoke up once more in his alien language as a door slides open. Revealing a rabbit on the other side with a tablet-like device ready in her paws as well as other medical equipment prepared. Some seeming familiar to Charlie while others… they weren’t sure what they were supposed to do. ”Let’s start with weighing and getting their height.” Robby spoke to the rabbit.
The rabbit's ears perked up at Robby's words, her beady eyes scanning Charlie with clinical precision. She nodded sharply and motioned to a small scale in the corner of the exam room.
Robby gave Charlie an encouraging nudge forward, though his massive frame blocked any attempt at bolting for an exit.
As soon as they stepped onto it, their weight registered instantly, a loud beep echoing through the room while numbers flashed on-screen. The rabbit squinted at them before typing something down.
”Not terrible.” She muttered under her breath before turning to Robby. ”Height next?"
A mechanical arm extended from behind Charlie with what looked like... some kind of measuring tape? It hovered just above Charlie’s head before emitting another series of beeps. This time calculating height in real-time until it stopped right above their crown.
”That'll do." Rachel tapped more notes onto the tablet without looking up this time.
Robby nodded, pleased with the initial results, while Charlie stood there, still trembling and clearly terrified. The rabbit vet tech’s expression softened slightly as she picked up on Charlie's fearful demeanor.
She turned to Robby with a thoughtful look, her voice still sharp and brisk but slightly softer than before.
“We should consider administering a light sedative before proceeding with the exam. The poor thing is scared out of their wits." Rachel suggests as Robby picks Charlie up off the scale.
”Go ahead and prepare a light one. I want them to be awake to try and feed them something. God knows the last time they ate and the sooner we get ‘em on their new diet, the quicker they can be adopted out.” Robby agreed, placing Charlie on the medical exam table. Making sure to tie the leash to the fishhook underneath to keep them tethered to it. Hoping to himself that the height was high enough that they wouldn’t consider jumping down or attempting to.
The room was sterile, cold, and overwhelming. The exam table beneath Charlie’s trembling body felt like ice against their skin.
Rachel scurried over to a cabinet nearby, pulling out a syringe filled with an iridescent liquid that shimmered faintly under the clinic lights. She tapped it once before turning back to Robby, getting a nod for approval.
"Just enough to calm them down but keep them awake.” She said. ”We can't have 'em thrashing around while we check vitals."
Robby gave Charlie’s head another firm stroke between their ears, his claws just barely grazing enough pressure for comfort rather than pain.
Charlie began to panic but Robby kept a firm grip on them. Pinning them to the table with ease but not enough to seriously hurt them. Keeping their arm in place for Rachel to do her job.
A sharp pinch occured at first as Rachel slid the needle into Charlie's arm before pushing down on the plunger slowly so they wouldn’t panic more from seeing how fast it emptied inside them.
Within seconds? Their muscles loosened slightly; breath steadied despite still being scared stiff because fear wasn't going anywhere anytime soon given what was happening right in front of them.
”There. Now we can continue with checking eyes, ears, mouth, and vitals. Plus we need to do some blood tests too.” Robby said, loosening his grip on Charlie as they laid on the table.
Charlie’s vision blurred slightly as the sedative took effect, colors smearing at the edges, sounds muffled like they were underwater. Their limbs felt heavy, but their mind still raced with panic.
While they were momentarily distracted, Robby felt he could let up on his grip and placed two things onto Charlie’s body. One was a pulse oximetry onto their finger. Another was a blood pressure cuff on their upper arm.
Rachel wasted no time herself. She grabbed a small flashlight from her medical tray and shined it directly into Charlie’s eyes, one by one. "Pupils reactive.” She muttered before moving to check their ears next. A cold metal scope pressed against Charlie's ear canal while Rachel peered in from above, her whiskers twitching as she examined for any signs of infection or injury. ”Clear on this side.” Rachel said briskly before switching sides without warning.
Robby leaned over slightly to observe but didn't interfere yet. Charlie was remaining down, having enough sedatives in their body to keep them from fighting back and struggling. Robby wrapped up the tests he was doing just in time to help Rachel check their teeth and mouth.
She picked up a set of what looked like pliers but were actually dental tools meant for examining teeth up close and probably cleaning them too for all Charlie knew. They were just happy the muzzle was finally coming off.
"Hold still now.” Robby said softly, watching as Rachel gripped carefully onto either jawline before prying open enough space between teeth so those weird alien instruments could get inside without risking any accidental bites. Not that Charlie had the energy to chomp down right now anyway.
”Everything appears fine. Based on the teeth I’d say we have an adult rather than baby.” Rachel confirms, using the tools to check each tooth.
Despite the sedative, Charlie’s mouth was beginning to ache from being held open. But thankfully Rachel wrapped up not long after.
”Let’s do bloodwork and a full body exam.”Robby stated, watching as Rachel picked up a new device. It was so futuristic to Charlie’s eyes.
The bloodwork device hummed to life, a sleek metallic arm unfolding with precision. A tiny needle-like tip extended from the end, glowing faintly blue as it hovered near Charlie’s skin.
"Just a prick.” Rachel chirped before pressing the device against their forearm. The sensation was barely noticeable, a quick sting like a mosquito bite, before she withdrew it seconds later.
On-screen data streamed instantly: blood type analysis, white cell counts, any anomalies flashing red in real time for Rachel to review. She squinted at one particular reading and tapped her tablet rapidly. "Hm... slight iron deficiency but otherwise healthy."
Robby leaned over again now that vitals were done; his massive frame eclipsing Charlie’s vision briefly before he spoke up.
"Alright, pupper." His tone softened despite still being deep and rumbling like thunder. "Time for full-body scan next.”
Charlie was more aware now but still didn’t have the energy to move. Fortunately or unfortunately, they moved Charlie themselves as they examined every inch of their body. Feeling them with gloved hands and checking for any worrying bumps or bruises. As well as checking their private areas to ensure there was no infections there either.
The full-body exam continued as Robby and Rachel carefully scanned Charlie from head to toe. A scanner they used emitted a soft hum and a soft blue glow, while the alien’s hands glided over their body as it captured detailed images.
”Seems like they are in good health overall.” Robby noted. ”A slight iron deficiency, but that can be easily addressed with proper nutrition. Wrap up while I grab them something to eat. It’ll be easier to feed them in here.”
Rachel did just that, continuing to tap away on her tablet while staying near Charlie to watch them. But they still didn’t have the strength to try and get away. Allowing her to wrap up the exam and finalize notes on them.
Shortly after, Robby returned with a bowl of some kind of liquid and a syringe. Some sort of nurse scrubs and other items was in his arms as well before he set it down by Rachel.
Charlie was able to lift their head up slightly to look at the orange liquid with more curiosity than fear. Smell-wise, it smelt fruity to their nose. Robby smiled at the human’s new curiosity as he filled the syringe up. There was several doses within the bowl. Enough to add up to at least one cup of kibble. Well, the alien world’s version of the measurement that is as it was much larger than on Earth.
But to keep humans from getting belly aches, they are on a system once they are brought from earth.
For two weeks, they are on a liquid diet to start with. Then for another two weeks they are on a somewhat solid food with the consistency of applesauce. After that, they can safely eat kibble or wet pet food without belly aches. Unless it’s later discovered that they have allergies or intolerances to something in the food. But that’s why there’s plenty of options to try out just in case.
Gently, Robby shoved a thumb into their mouth and forced their jaw down to stick the syringe between their molars. Slowly pushing the liquid meal down their throat. Charlie wasn’t able to taste it very well but what they could taste, it wasn’t horrible. Fruity like the smell.
Charlie shuddered as the syringe was forced into their mouth and the sweet liquid slid down their throat. It felt so degrading, being treated like a child or an animal. But deep down, they knew they had no power here. They were completely at the mercy of these giant aliens. And all they could do was lay there and take it.
So after several minutes and dose after dose, Robby pulled back for the last time. Scratching under their chin with his gentle claws.
"There we go.” He rumbled in his deep alien voice, patting Charlie’s head like they were some well-behaved pet. ”That'll keep your little stomach happy for now."
"And I’m done here! You can take 'em back to quarantine for the next two weeks. Once we switch them to semi solid foods we can put them in the pre-adoption holding room. We still need to do their vaccines and have them fixed before they can be adopted too.” Rachel adds as she stands up with the tablet.
”Sounds perfect. We’ll do vaccines before they leave quarantine and the fix surgery can wait until they get to the pre-adoption floor.” Robby nodded, grabbing the plastic wrapped nurse scrubs, hoping they were the right size. ”Just gonna get them dressed first. Once they get moved to the pre-adoption floor we can begin running some behavioral tests on them too. See how they’ll do with other critters and families.”
As he spoke, he worked the scrubs shirt onto Charlie, something that had a zipper in the back to work around a collar and leash. Then with Rachel’s help, they got the pants on. A little long but the waistband had strings to tie to make it tighter.
Despite their current state, they were still aware enough to notice the holes at their private area and ass. Hoping to god they wouldn’t have to piss and shit on the floor or yard. But something told them that was the most likely options. Still, better than being completely naked. There was even Velcro kneepads and shoes that looked just like water shoes that they put on Charlie as well. Straps going around the back of the knees or around their ankles to keep them on. Finally, there was the gloves. Soft and comfortable black leather with Velcro straps around their wrists.
Robby stepped back to admire his handiwork, the oversized nurse scrubs now securely fastened on Charlie, pants tied snugly at the waist, kneepads strapped tight over their legs. The gloves finished off the look: a fully dressed human pet.
"There we go," He muttered approvingly. “Now you're looking proper and probably warmer too."
Rachel tapped her tablet once more before nodding sharply.
"Vaccines are scheduled for tomorrow during morning rounds. Until then, let’s get them settled in quarantine." She motioned toward Robby with one paw as she turned to leave.
Robby untied the leash from the table and scooped Charlie up effortlessly from the exam table. His massive arms making it feel like being cradled by a predator who’d just decided they were too cute to eat (for now). He carried them down a few hallways before reaching a new door. Charlie couldn’t understand the alien language but it had one word on it:
QUARANTINE
Beyond that door was another hallway of rooms. Special quarantine exam rooms on one side and kennel rooms on the other. Along with a few rooms that had smaller cages.
After opening the next room’s door, Charlie whimpered to themselves when they saw rows of kennels.
“Home sweet home for now, pup.” Robby mumbles as he walks deeper into the room until he found a prepared kennel.
Charlie watched as he opened the kennel and set them inside it so they didn’t fall from residual weakness in their limbs. Quickly removing the leash from their neck and giving one final pat on the head before closing the kennel behind them.
They turned around and watched Robby tap at a screen on the kennel door. But couldn’t quite tell what it was from inside.
Unlike the other kennels, these ones had a solid metal that went up over halfway of the kennel fence and door. Preventing them from seeing the other kennels. Even if they were standing it would likely be just high enough that they would still struggle to look over it. There also wasn’t any access to an outdoor kennel. Just cold cement, a raised bed with blankets, a squeaky ball, and two bowls. One empty and one full of water. But nothing to use as a toilet which made them wonder in their hazy state.
Especially since the urge to go began to grow now that they were thinking about it with a somewhat clear mind.