Life rolls on, whether you take the time to notice it or not, even on planet Keet. Their way of life similar to that of the ancient 20th century Earthlings. Many peaceful years passed in the Gennard family. The newest member was the beloved pet human Atilius Gennard.

An important fixture of their daily lives, he was fond spending time with each of his giant guardians, though it was Lexi that he was closet with of all. He was raised under her watchful protection, always ensuring that his water dish was refreshed daily and his food dispensers were supplied with ample treats. They spent countless hours together. Everywhere Lexi went, Atilius would accompany, save for when she went to school. They would sit together in Atilius large enclosure, with Lexi carefully brushing Atilius' long strawberry blond hair as he would repeat her whistles perfectly, without comprehension of their meaning.

Atilius woke up on what was his 19th Earthen Birthday. The fact was unknown to him, as Earthen years were not counted on Keet by anyone. In Keetan Years, he was only considered around three years old. To him, it was a day like any other, but it would be one he'd not soon forget.

Upheaving himself from his bed made of soft feathers, he viewed himself in the mirror. The Gennard family were well of financially, not every Keetan family is able to afford their own pet human. According to Father Gennard, Atilius came from a breeder of high repute. Who had told him that Atilius was a human of top pedigree. With a direct lineage towards a high ranking official of the first Keetan humans, found over one thousand years ago. That, along with diligent daily exercise and training had resulted in a lean but athletic physique.

For Atilius, The Gennard's provided the best environment for his mental stimulation. He was fed the highest quality food. Every day Lexi took him down to the park where he could run and socialize with his human friends. He impressed everyone with his natural running ability. He could also pick up a rock and throw it further than any other human around. Atilius was popular, among Keentans and his fellow humans, but it was Lexi he enjoyed the company more than anyone.

The peace and harmony of Atilius's life came to an abrupt stop one fated afternoon.

Lexi took Altius' down to the park, as she did every afternoon. The park they visited was a big open field in a clearing of trees, with a river that ran past the southern part of the field. The air that day was warm as Keetans and humans played together underneath the Keet afternoon sun. A steady breeze ran through the trees around the field.

Lexi's friends spotted her arrival, with Atilius standing high on her shoulder. He perched there proudly, as if it at the helm of a ocean liner. They waved to greet her as she approached. Atilius scrambled off of her shoulder to the ground and raced over to his human friends, the pets of Lexi's friends.

The humans were standing around talking when Atilius approached them.

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'Say, here wander's our grand Atilius.' remarked Cornwell, spotting him. Atilius and Cornwell shook hands, a human greeting ritual, and a trait Keetans find endlessly fascinating. 'How are you, my friend?' Cornwell asked.

'Blessed by the sunshine, Cornwell.' Answered Atilius. He then regarded the others. Barton and Mary-Lou. Mary-Lou belonged to Lexi best friend, Marlon. Unbeknownst to them, there was talk between Lexi and Marlon about one day breeding the two.

'Hi Atilius.' called Mary-Lou in her sweet, soft voice. Atilius regarded with warmth her but said nothing. In truth, he was shy around her. When he looked at Mary-Lou face, there was a feeling he was unable to recognize. His face would turn red while his chest pulled itself taut. What he knew as love was what he felt with Lexi. This was similar, but somehow altogether different. Human emotions could lead to severe complexities, most behavioral magazines state on the subject.

The afternoon wore on, the humans conversed and played games, both intellectual and physical. Cornwell and Barton competed to see who could run the fastest, jump the highest or hold their breathe the longest. Atilius did not compete, it was known between them that he would win such a contest every time. Instead, Mary-Lou roped him into playing a game in which they rhymed words together. Mary-Lou would win without fail each time. They sat together on the ground with every victory she notched she would smile and giggle and Atilius would melt inside as she waved her long eyelashes up at him.

'Atilius, you wield an expression as if you have something you want say.' Said Mary-Lou.

'Only that I find you to be too smart for the likes of me.' He looked to the ground 'I feel my company must bore you.'

'It's just the training that Marlon has me doing.' Pushing her hair to one side behind her right ear.

'Soon, you'll be so smart you'll be able to speak Keet with them.' Atilius pointed up at their humongous owners, engrossed in their own talk.

'If I could, I'd ask them to take me around to your place more often.' giggled Mary-Lou. 'I enjoy your company more than you think.'

Atilius felt the urge to reach out and touch her. If not her face, then perhaps just her hand, if only for a moment. She looked right up at him, her face inching ever so close.

He felt the cold, sweaty slap of a hand clasping down upon his shoulder.

'Hah! you should have seen it Atilius! Barton had me beaten in both running and breathe holding.' Cornwell stood over him, grinning. 'But when it came to running while holding our breaths, he folded! Just shy of twenty second flat on the ground before he awoke by my count.'

Barton sat on the other side next to Mary-Lou nursing his head in hands. 'Curse you Cornwell. You called start before I could draw in my breathe.'

'I guess it's a case of brains beating out brawn for once.' said Mary-Lou. She still smiled, but no longer with her eyes. She turned to Barton to assess the lump that was swelling on his forehead.

The moment between them vanished.

While Cornwell continued to jabber on in his ear, Atilius wished that his two boneheaded friends would have just held their breath until the end of time instead. The owners were walking back over. Their afternoon at the park was winding up.

Out of nowhere, a thunderous crash landed next to the humans. They leapt with fright. A large box dropped down beside them. Three time the size of any human. Towering above them stood Crick, Lexi's older brother. He looked down at Atilius with a wry smirk.

'Just the guy I was looking for.' He whistled as he knelt down to open the box.