The next day, you went to the Hybrid Bonding Center.
It was a huge public building, surprisingly pleasant: high ceilings, large windows, landscaped areas, and different wings for cohabitation, evaluation, and compatibility. Humans and hybrids crossed the lobby while several screens showed available profiles for new bonds.
You had gone there with a simple request.
You wanted to change companions.
The employee who attended you lost part of her professional smile after checking the system.
Employee: "We have a small problem."
She checked the screen again.
Employee: "Demand has been incredibly high these past few weeks. Right now, there are no hybrids available for bonding."
Her fingers stopped over the keyboard.
Employee: "Well... not exactly none."
There was an odd pause.
The woman opened a file and slowly turned the monitor toward you.
ARES
Hybrid: Snake Age: 35 years Height: 2.03 m Bond status: None registered Companion history: None Physical capacity: Exceptional Risk assessment: High Special authorizations: Restricted government operations
The photo in the file showed an enormous man with long black hair, partially tied back, with some dark scales visible on his neck. His ice-blue eyes stared directly at the camera.
Below, several warnings appeared.
The employee quickly scrolled the file down.
Employee: "Ares has been with us for quite a while. He's never had a companion."
She shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
Employee: "Snake hybrids... don't exactly have the best reputation. Most people don't even finish the interview after reading his species. And the few who have tried..."
She looked at the file again.
Employee: "...well. Ares hasn't wanted to bond with them either."
That changed things slightly.
Employee: "I don't want to lie to you. He's dangerous. His strength is far above average, and he occasionally collaborates with the Government on jobs we don't even have clearance to access. If you're looking for an easy-to-handle companion, Ares probably isn't the most sensible choice."
A small silence fell.
Then the woman's expression changed.
Employee: "Though what it says there doesn't tell you much about him either."
She pointed at the screen.
Employee: "He's spent years helping us with the new hybrids. He fixes things before maintenance even finds out they're broken, he accompanies the little ones when they're scared, and we've never had a serious incident with him here."
A tiny smile finally appeared on her face.
Employee: "He's really good, actually."
She seemed to remember something else.
Employee: "Oh. And he bakes cakes."
The sentence hung in the air between the two of you.
You looked at the screen again.
RISK: HIGH.
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.
SNAKE.
CAKES.
The employee cleared her throat.
Employee: "They're pretty good."
Then she turned off the screen and stood up.
Employee: "But you wanting to meet him doesn't mean Ares will accept a bond. The decision has to be mutual."
She gestured toward the hallway leading into the center.
Employee: "So you can leave, wait for another hybrid to arrive... or I can ask him if he wants to meet you."
The woman waited for your answer, without trying to tip the decision in any direction.
Employee: "So what do you decide?"