Alien AU
Setting: Medieval times, futuristic
Summary: Eren’s race is part of a highly advanced civilization with a prominent military presence amongst the galaxy - and while they’re considered humanoid, they’re extremely large, and have anatomy more aligned with insectoids. They also have two forms: the more often used bipedal form, and the quadrupedal form mostly used for offense and usually only seen being used by soldiers. (The style was very lightly influenced by 1979 Alien film, with intricate black carapaces)
Individuals of Eren’s race often get access to prime hunting grounds for a number of reasons - high status, heroic deeds, plush wallets. In this case, Eren gets a one-time trip to Earth for a recent promotion and honorable discharge from the military (moving instead to research rather than the field due to an injury). Humans are considered delicacies, but are kept protected from the masses since the species has only just started growing.
However, upon capturing a very unlucky Arian (and doing some very regrettable damage to the boy’s arm), Eren is creeped out how Arian appears to be using some sort of language. He takes a chance and uses the ship’s only supply of extremely expensive translation nanobots to see if it will work; if Arian is sub-intelligent like an animal, it won’t do a thing.
It doesn’t work entirely right away, but it works. A few words here and there get filtered out - most importantly, pleas for his life.
Eren is mortified, and immediately does his best to fix Arian up. As far as he knows, Eren’s kind still has humans catalogued as animals, highly intelligent but not self-aware and certainly not capable of complex language. Through a horribly tense flight back to his home planet, Eren is able to explain to Arian their current predicament; even if a misunderstanding took place, Eren is unable to return Arian home due to protocol. Allowing a pre-contact creature return after being exposed to alien life won’t just get Eren killed, but officials would come in to “clean up” the mess and only result in Arian’s death as well.
Arian is terrified, and continues to react like a captive. After nearly having his arm torn off (though healed now thanks to advance medicine, with a noticeable scar) left him understandably wary of Eren.
As soon they return, Eren finds that the agency in charge of cataloguing intergalactic species already know of human sentience. Humans were simply considered too delicious to pass up, and it isn’t like they’re anywhere near interstellar travel yet. No one would miss just one intelligent species if they so happened to go extinct - besides, they’re still rather stupid and hostile, fighting amongst themselves.
Eren is disgusted with the turn of events, but knows there’s little he can do. He fights tooth and nail to get some sort of special treatment for Arian, but he just barely gets a deal to spare his life. They file Arian as a research specimen under Eren’s care for his work, and forces him to take an oath that forbids him to speak a word of the human’s sentience.
Arian ends up having to wear a collar while out in public to keep anyone from picking him off. With the military emblem on him, people would think twice before harming a hair on his body - but that doesn’t keep poor Arian protected from the hungry gazes and intrigued glances.
Understandably, it takes a very, very long time for Arian to trust Eren. And likewise, Eren never stops despairing over the fact that he’s the cause of Arian’s suffering, no matter how unintentional the act was. Arian is left alone (figuratively) and terrified in a strange world, suddenly no longer able to even speak outside of his immediate home at Eren’s, and has to act like a pet or slave in the eyes of others. After some time though, Arian starts to realize how Eren continues to walk on eggshells around him, and does all he can to make his human charge comfortable and happy. It’s obvious Eren is truly a caring individual who truly has Arian’s best interests in mind, going so far as to getting all sorts of children’s items like step stools, utensils, and blankets to help him feel not quite so small. Eren never approaches Arian unless he has express consent, and never does the human any kindness while expecting anything in return.
Eventually though, Arian warms up to him and does realize how grateful he really is to Eren. At first the change seemed drastic, but Arian notices that he’s actually happy there, considering he had to live a harsh, lonely life back on Earth where he didn’t have a single ally. Though his world is physically smaller now, he feels it’s ten times bigger with someone who genuinely cares about his wellbeing. And it absolutely kills Eren when Arian starts showing very subtle signs of affection (big baby actually cries the first time Arian hugs him)
Arian starts learning cute little quirks Eren has, like how he makes these downright terrifying noises that sound like some satanspawn cicada and orca mixed together… when he’s happy. He knows he should probably be unnerved by it, but Arian still finds it adorable. Eren also has a habit of curling his long tail around Arian when they’re out in public or he’s feeling affectionate.
Milne is a veterinarian who specializes in exotic and rare species, and meets both Arian and Eren when the human boy comes down with the flu and a bad fever. Though once she takes Arian back for some routine blood tests, she finds evidence of translation nanobots having been in Arian’s bloodstream recently; and starts questioning Arian to see if he can understand her. Since Arian is horrible at acting, she can tell right away from his facial expressions and body language. She instantly becomes worried for him, suspicious that Eren is perhaps keeping him as a living snack and feasting on his blood periodically. After a long, tense conversation with the three of them however, she decides to trust that Eren isn’t be abusive. She does, however, still demand to make house calls to check up on Arian from time to time (and those visits quickly become more frequent as they become friends). Milne is the first alien Arian warms up to besides Eren.
Later down the road, Eren starts commissioning doll-sized clothing and accessories (like dishes and other things) for Arian, and slowly becomes friends with a particular artist online. Eren is hesitant to tell him that he isn’t using the clothes on actual dolls, as he’s worried that someone might find it suspicious that he’s doing so much for Arian, who should be no more than a toy for him. However after a long while, and getting Arian’s input often, they decide to meet up in person and get to know each other a bit more. Once Eren deemed him trustworthy (if not a bit quirky), he lets him in on the little “secret”, and allows him to visit. (Poor guy started thinking Eren was hiding something nefarious with how secretive he was being)
Arian is overjoyed to meet the alien that made him the clothes and dishes he cherishes so much, and is excited when Eren brings him over to finally show him that Arian wears everything he’s ever made for him. He’s immensely touched, finding it so much more fulfilling to see someone living enjoying his clothes, rather than just on lifeless dolls. He instantly dotes on Arian like one would with a grandchild or nephew, spoiling him with new things each time he visits (and insists on Eren not paying a cent because he loves making them). He loves feeling like he’s actually making a difference in someone’s life.
At some point, Eren catches wind of an underground auction house, and long story short, exhausts his entire savings by rescuing Rena, a young human girl the same age as Arian. Since he doesn’t have translation nanobots on hand like he did with Arian, he ends up bringing the girl home in the sack she was given in, frantically yelling for Arian’s help. It takes a while, but in the time Rena stays there, she comes to understand the situation and warms up to Eren. Milne ends up helping Eren afford another dose of translation nanobots and a new collar - however not soon after that, Milne ends up adopting Rena herself. They get attached to each other fast, and Rena helps out at Milne’s clinic when she can (she finds it so fun). Whenever Milne will be working long or overnight, Rena goes to stay with Eren and Arian.
Much later, Eren and Arian catch wind of a large communal housing area that homes a number of Eren’s kind, and many aliens that range from pets to slaves - but only on paper. It becomes a haven for the two of them, allowing Arian to live in a small, family-like community that seems to hold more compassion for aliens than anywhere else. Arian is instantly accepted as an equal, becoming a brother or son to just about everyone there. The house itself is set up more like a large dormitory, with a huge backyard and garden. Everyone has their own spacious bedroom, but places like the kitchen, bath, and living area are open to everyone. Most people keep their doors open all day.
A bit later on, Milne moves in with Rena as well. As does Eren’s friend who makes clothes for Arian (we still need a name). Milne becomes a tsundere mother-like figure to all the younger ones (alien or otherwise), and Eren’s friend makes clothes for all the aliens with abnormal body types. He even starts up an actual clothing line for pet-grade aliens all over the world, and is overjoyed with his work; he went from being a hobby-driven recluse, to living in a warm, loving community with lots of people who appreciate him, and he makes a difference in others’ lives. His bedroom is more like a studio, always left open for any of the young ones to come in and play around with scrap fabric (going as far as to set up a little craft corner). His walls are adorned with shelves that hold every single thing the younglings have made him like coveted trophies, no matter how silly or small.
Arian has a little baby mute spidergirl following him at his heels in the home.
Summary: Eren’s race is part of a highly advanced civilization with a prominent military presence amongst the galaxy - and while they’re considered humanoid, they’re extremely large, and have anatomy more aligned with insectoids. They also have two forms: the more often used bipedal form, and the quadrupedal form mostly used for offense and usually only seen being used by soldiers. (The style was very lightly influenced by 1979 Alien film, with intricate black carapaces)
Individuals of Eren’s race often get access to prime hunting grounds for a number of reasons - high status, heroic deeds, plush wallets. In this case, Eren gets a one-time trip to Earth for a recent promotion and honorable discharge from the military (moving instead to research rather than the field due to an injury). Humans are considered delicacies, but are kept protected from the masses since the species has only just started growing.
However, upon capturing a very unlucky Arian (and doing some very regrettable damage to the boy’s arm), Eren is creeped out how Arian appears to be using some sort of language. He takes a chance and uses the ship’s only supply of extremely expensive translation nanobots to see if it will work; if Arian is sub-intelligent like an animal, it won’t do a thing.
It doesn’t work entirely right away, but it works. A few words here and there get filtered out - most importantly, pleas for his life.
Eren is mortified, and immediately does his best to fix Arian up. As far as he knows, Eren’s kind still has humans catalogued as animals, highly intelligent but not self-aware and certainly not capable of complex language. Through a horribly tense flight back to his home planet, Eren is able to explain to Arian their current predicament; even if a misunderstanding took place, Eren is unable to return Arian home due to protocol. Allowing a pre-contact creature return after being exposed to alien life won’t just get Eren killed, but officials would come in to “clean up” the mess and only result in Arian’s death as well.
Arian is terrified, and continues to react like a captive. After nearly having his arm torn off (though healed now thanks to advance medicine, with a noticeable scar) left him understandably wary of Eren.
As soon they return, Eren finds that the agency in charge of cataloguing intergalactic species already know of human sentience. Humans were simply considered too delicious to pass up, and it isn’t like they’re anywhere near interstellar travel yet. No one would miss just one intelligent species if they so happened to go extinct - besides, they’re still rather stupid and hostile, fighting amongst themselves.
Eren is disgusted with the turn of events, but knows there’s little he can do. He fights tooth and nail to get some sort of special treatment for Arian, but he just barely gets a deal to spare his life. They file Arian as a research specimen under Eren’s care for his work, and forces him to take an oath that forbids him to speak a word of the human’s sentience.
Arian ends up having to wear a collar while out in public to keep anyone from picking him off. With the military emblem on him, people would think twice before harming a hair on his body - but that doesn’t keep poor Arian protected from the hungry gazes and intrigued glances.
Understandably, it takes a very, very long time for Arian to trust Eren. And likewise, Eren never stops despairing over the fact that he’s the cause of Arian’s suffering, no matter how unintentional the act was. Arian is left alone (figuratively) and terrified in a strange world, suddenly no longer able to even speak outside of his immediate home at Eren’s, and has to act like a pet or slave in the eyes of others. After some time though, Arian starts to realize how Eren continues to walk on eggshells around him, and does all he can to make his human charge comfortable and happy. It’s obvious Eren is truly a caring individual who truly has Arian’s best interests in mind, going so far as to getting all sorts of children’s items like step stools, utensils, and blankets to help him feel not quite so small. Eren never approaches Arian unless he has express consent, and never does the human any kindness while expecting anything in return.
Eventually though, Arian warms up to him and does realize how grateful he really is to Eren. At first the change seemed drastic, but Arian notices that he’s actually happy there, considering he had to live a harsh, lonely life back on Earth where he didn’t have a single ally. Though his world is physically smaller now, he feels it’s ten times bigger with someone who genuinely cares about his wellbeing. And it absolutely kills Eren when Arian starts showing very subtle signs of affection (big baby actually cries the first time Arian hugs him)
Arian starts learning cute little quirks Eren has, like how he makes these downright terrifying noises that sound like some satanspawn cicada and orca mixed together… when he’s happy. He knows he should probably be unnerved by it, but Arian still finds it adorable. Eren also has a habit of curling his long tail around Arian when they’re out in public or he’s feeling affectionate.
Milne is a veterinarian who specializes in exotic and rare species, and meets both Arian and Eren when the human boy comes down with the flu and a bad fever. Though once she takes Arian back for some routine blood tests, she finds evidence of translation nanobots having been in Arian’s bloodstream recently; and starts questioning Arian to see if he can understand her. Since Arian is horrible at acting, she can tell right away from his facial expressions and body language. She instantly becomes worried for him, suspicious that Eren is perhaps keeping him as a living snack and feasting on his blood periodically. After a long, tense conversation with the three of them however, she decides to trust that Eren isn’t be abusive. She does, however, still demand to make house calls to check up on Arian from time to time (and those visits quickly become more frequent as they become friends). Milne is the first alien Arian warms up to besides Eren.
Later down the road, Eren starts commissioning doll-sized clothing and accessories (like dishes and other things) for Arian, and slowly becomes friends with a particular artist online. Eren is hesitant to tell him that he isn’t using the clothes on actual dolls, as he’s worried that someone might find it suspicious that he’s doing so much for Arian, who should be no more than a toy for him. However after a long while, and getting Arian’s input often, they decide to meet up in person and get to know each other a bit more. Once Eren deemed him trustworthy (if not a bit quirky), he lets him in on the little “secret”, and allows him to visit. (Poor guy started thinking Eren was hiding something nefarious with how secretive he was being)
Arian is overjoyed to meet the alien that made him the clothes and dishes he cherishes so much, and is excited when Eren brings him over to finally show him that Arian wears everything he’s ever made for him. He’s immensely touched, finding it so much more fulfilling to see someone living enjoying his clothes, rather than just on lifeless dolls. He instantly dotes on Arian like one would with a grandchild or nephew, spoiling him with new things each time he visits (and insists on Eren not paying a cent because he loves making them). He loves feeling like he’s actually making a difference in someone’s life.
At some point, Eren catches wind of an underground auction house, and long story short, exhausts his entire savings by rescuing Rena, a young human girl the same age as Arian. Since he doesn’t have translation nanobots on hand like he did with Arian, he ends up bringing the girl home in the sack she was given in, frantically yelling for Arian’s help. It takes a while, but in the time Rena stays there, she comes to understand the situation and warms up to Eren. Milne ends up helping Eren afford another dose of translation nanobots and a new collar - however not soon after that, Milne ends up adopting Rena herself. They get attached to each other fast, and Rena helps out at Milne’s clinic when she can (she finds it so fun). Whenever Milne will be working long or overnight, Rena goes to stay with Eren and Arian.
Much later, Eren and Arian catch wind of a large communal housing area that homes a number of Eren’s kind, and many aliens that range from pets to slaves - but only on paper. It becomes a haven for the two of them, allowing Arian to live in a small, family-like community that seems to hold more compassion for aliens than anywhere else. Arian is instantly accepted as an equal, becoming a brother or son to just about everyone there. The house itself is set up more like a large dormitory, with a huge backyard and garden. Everyone has their own spacious bedroom, but places like the kitchen, bath, and living area are open to everyone. Most people keep their doors open all day.
A bit later on, Milne moves in with Rena as well. As does Eren’s friend who makes clothes for Arian (we still need a name). Milne becomes a tsundere mother-like figure to all the younger ones (alien or otherwise), and Eren’s friend makes clothes for all the aliens with abnormal body types. He even starts up an actual clothing line for pet-grade aliens all over the world, and is overjoyed with his work; he went from being a hobby-driven recluse, to living in a warm, loving community with lots of people who appreciate him, and he makes a difference in others’ lives. His bedroom is more like a studio, always left open for any of the young ones to come in and play around with scrap fabric (going as far as to set up a little craft corner). His walls are adorned with shelves that hold every single thing the younglings have made him like coveted trophies, no matter how silly or small.
Arian has a little baby mute spidergirl following him at his heels in the home.