Author's note:
The following is an "Animorphs" fic in that it takes place in that universe, but the Animorphs make no appearance. This is, strictly speaking, a fic about a Yeerk and her two human hosts. In fact, with the exception of a cameo by sub-Visser 51 (Taylor), no canon Yeerks make an appearance.
The second host, and rather central character of this story, is a twenty-three year old female participates in a practice known as "waist training." To be specific: she wears corsets every day, during most of the day. This topic is explored throughout the story in a PG manner. If you're looking for sexual content regarding this topic, you will not find it here. If the topic of corsets and corsetry makes you feel uncomfortable, I advise you to stop reading here.
If you're still reading, I hope you enjoy, and will take the time to leave feedback. This work will be approximately six chapters long.
My name is Millis 626, but as all of my human hosts call me Millis (or the affectionate nickname, Milly), and I assume it's primarily humans reading this piece, you are free to do so as well. Not that I particularly expect to be contacted after you read my work, but humans often hold a connection to the narrators of the texts they read. So, with that in mind, know that I am perfectly amendable to being callef Millis, or even Milly.
While I did not have an opportunity to join the Peace Movement until the war was a year away from its conclusion, I was never one of those Yeerks who sought to dominate my host. My Gedd was perfectly content to be controlled, as most are, but her limited intellect meant our communication was limited. Much can be communicated nonverbally, however, and I always kept her mind at ease. Contrary to anti-Yeerk propoganda, we do not receive training in dominating and breaking hosts, as much as the fine line between "host sympathy" and keeping them, if not necessarily happy, not hating our presence and very existence.
My Hork-Bajir was involuntary, as most were, but hated being controlled rather than myself as a Yeerk. I realize, in hindsight, that I could have done a great deal more to improve her state of mind during my time with her, but the fear of host sympathy is always present. Involuntary hosts wear down Yeerks, as much as we claim otherwise. An involuntary host with the intelligence of a human toddler can be even more so.
I was very relieved to be promoted to a ten year old female, named Felicity. While initially classified as involuntary, this had more to do with the then undeveloped system of explaining infestation to humans, especially children. Felicity was terrified when I first took control, and had tried to fight beforehand. This was entirely understandable. I hurt for her, even though I attempted not to let these emotions show. I then spent the next two feeding cycles rectifying the damage and earning Felicity's trust. By our third vision to the Yeerk Pool, I could have her reclassified as "voluntary."
Felicity was a wonderful first host to have. At ten years of age, after adapting to having "a friendly alien living in my head"--to quote her--she was lively and very talkative. While perhaps not inclined to science before meeting me, she naturally had a lot of questions about Yeerks and our planet. I could tell her more about the former than the latter, as the Andalites had taken our home world hostage after Prince Seerow built us space craft. One act of hostility by a group of Yeerks, and our tentative alliance was forever severed. Or so I had learned, as I was born a few years afterwards.
It was an unspoken agreement that I would not facilitate the taking of Felicity's parents by force. While I would not have minded if one or both became voluntary Controllers (my feeding cycles were often inconsistent), neither showed the slightest inclination. Felicity had an older brother, but he was in his first year of college at the start of our time together, and out of state besides. Yes, there are Sharing centers and Yeerk pools outside of California, but none in Jason's region. Best not to aggressively recruit him.
As the youngest and only daughter (Felicity's mother had her at the late age of 40, and unexpectedly), Felicity was not exactly spoiled, but she received a lot of attention from her parents. With her older brother out of the house, except for school breaks, Felicity received the bulk of their care. Frequently, after Felicity completed her homework, she and her mother would watch TV together. With a bowl of popcorn between the two (soon, three) of them, they would watch old movies and recordings of her mother's favorite old television shows, all of which took place over a century beforehand.
"I just love Elizabeth's dress," Felicity sighed one day, after the credits rolled.
As a voluntary host, I could give her periods of control without being accused of treason. In fact, it later became a point of persuasion at the point just before infestation that the host would receive some control. ("Your Yeerk will still be present in your mind during these periods, but you will be able to move and speak freely.") I rarely kept track of how much time Felicity was in control, but it was generally three to four hours during the weekdays, and twice that during the weekends.
"The blue one?" her mother asked, with a smile.
"Yes! The flowes were so pretty, and I loved how wide it was," Felicity explained.
"That's because it took place in the 1860's," the older woman explained. She had studied historical fashion in graduate school, Felicity and I knew, and could identify a picture or reproduction of a garment or undergarment to the year.
Felicity's interest centered more in how pretty something was, but she didn't object when her mother spoke about fashion history, and most of it remained in her long-term memory.
Yeerks of the time did not believe in God in the way most humans do. The most devout of Yeerks were the Kandronaists, who adhered to the belief that living an overall upright life led to a pleasant afterlife. Those were the most likely to, if not join the Peace Movement, regard their hosts with respect, and treat them with kindness.
This shortened account will not expand upon my faith journey, but I will say that I began as a Kandronaist and came to Christianity after the war concluded. The canonization of Saint Teresa Sickles, as well as her gentle yet powerful evangelization during her short time on Earth, changed many hearts. For the better.
I mention this at all because, looking back, I find it rather providential that I was Felicity's host for two years, and watching these historical shows, during this time. Because my next host was Julia Cartwright, a local and renouned actress in this historical television world.
I had not sought out a promotion. I was happy with Felicity, and her with me. I performed my duties well, spreading word of The Sharing, and later learning that most of the humans I recruited became voluntary. I suppose that my sub-Visser wished to reward me, but there were no open sub-Visser positions available.
"How would you like to infest an actress?" the Yeerk infesting a lovely blonde teenager asked me. She gestured to her host. "She says the body is nearly as lovely as her. Not that appearances matter, in our world, but humans certainly react to beauty. You could serve the empire more through an actress than an eleven year old girl."
I'm twelve* Felicity told me, annoyed.
I know, but I prefer to keep you alive* I reassured her.
Her mental laugh was proof that Felicity took no offense at me. In fact, her thoughts began to wander towards famous actors.
"Who is this actress?" I asked, plainly.
"Julia Cartwright. No Julia Roberts, of course, but she has a following for those who watch movies about old Earth." The sub-Visser shrugged. "Hardly something my host used to engage in, but even she realizes that someone famous will attract attention."
I wondered why the sub-Visser wouldn't take her as her own host. But I wasn't about to ask. Besides, this wasn't too unusual. Most higher-up Yeerks remained with their hosts, no matter how high they advanced. There were rumors that the Council of Thirteen consisted solely of Taxxons and Hork-Bajir. I never had a Taxxon, and had been relieved to leave my Hork-Bajir for a potentially voluntary human.
I could hardly refuse the new assignment. It was a promotion, and while I had enjoyed my time with Felicity, I had always known it would be temporary. She would be reassigned, of course, to another Yeerk who would value her as a voluntary host, and treat her well. If Felicity initially missed me, well, she would adjust quickly. She'd gone from trying to fight me for control and sobbing uncontrollably to tentatively accepting my control, trusting my promises not to hurt her and allow her control in exchange for her cooperation.
Cooperation grew into friendship, on both ends. But under the empire, most friendships between a Yeerk and their host end when the Yeerk is reassigned.
"Provided she agrees to infestation, I accept," I answered. I gestured to my own host body. "I have grown used to a cooperative host. Never have I needed to discipline her." Technically, in the early days, I could have disciplined her without reprimand. But I had the sense to know that chastened and resigned hosts rarely become voluntary. "I value a naturally cooperative host over one who can be utilized for greater power."
"Of course. Mine is voluntary as well, and it's been very helpful," the sub-Visser reassured me. "The actress will be infested in one feeding cycle. After you feed next, you will be taken to the infestation tank."
As I had just fed, this would mean two and a half days with Felicity. I planned to make the morning of them, as did she.
Felicity was a mix of excitement and nerves during this time. As a prepubescent female, her body and mind was still very much the way it had been two days ago. Oh, she'd gained several inches in height, and correspondingly in weight, and her hair was a few inches longer. But she hadn't begun her monthly cycles, her chest was still flat, and her legs were free from hair. Her mother had talked to her about the changes she could expect, so my host was prepared, but they had yet to begin.
Something for her next Yeerk to deal with. And my new one had already gone through that, thank the Kandrona. At twenty-three years of age, Julia was a full-fledged adult. She'd been acting professionally since she had been younger than Felicity when I first infested her, but began her roles in historical films and TV shows after she turned eighteen.
You're so lucky* Felicity told me, the following day.
She had full control, and was lounging on her bed. To an observer, it would look like she was staring at the ceiling.
So you've told me* I replied, wryly.
Oh, Milly! She's an actress! She's famous! Probably rich, too* she mused. *Not only will you have all of that, you'll get to talk to her. Be her friend* she added, wistfully.
I could feel her start to choke up. I took control then, not entirely, just enough to have my host take deep breaths as I slowed her heart rate.
You will be fine* I reassured her. *Voluntary hosts are treated with care.*
I wasn't always voluntary, Milly* Felicity reminded me.
Had she been speaking, her voice would have been shaky.
Only because the process wasn't explained fully* I soothed.
Honestly. Handcuffing a child's hands and forcing a Yeerk into her head, while talking circles about giving up your body to a greater cause was enough to make even an adult hesitate. But a child? And with no preparation as far as what would come next, it was little wonder my host had panicked.
Yea, there was a note in my host's file that she hadn't begun as a voluntary one. Still, I wondered just how many didn't have that note. It ought to be the role of a Yeerk to keep a host voluntary, not to undo the initial damage caused by becoming a full member.
Felicity, you'll be fine* I told her, soothingly.
She went quiet for awhile. Or, not quiet, exactly, but keeping her thoughts to herself. I could hear them, of course, even though she didn't direct them at me. But as she wasn't communicating with me, I allowed Felicity, if not privacy, some space.
After awhile, my host spoke again. *Think you could get me her autograph?*
I smiled. *I will certainly try.*
Author's note:
The term "kandronaist" was first developed by Qoheleth, in his Animorphs fanfic, "Sacred Host." Teresa Sickles is one of the central characters there. While incomplete, none of the information I included goes beyond what Qoheleth currently included in his work in progress.
Once again, if you enjoyed this, please leave a constructive review.