Samuel had been greatly impressed by all he had seen at the party. There were all sorts of products that were being advertised as beneficial to Animalians, some of which he was interested in trying. He'd even told that to Jessica and Sophie earlier in the evening. The best part of the party, though, was meeting Samantha. While a part of him might have wanted Jessica to be a hamster so they could be together, that part of him had no trouble with Samantha and with her felt content with simply being friends with Jessica and her friends.
"So... you were transformed while still in the pet store?" Samuel asked.
"Yeah," Samantha answered, "though the workers there were friendly and helpful... though..."
"It felt impersonal," Samuel finished.
"In a way," Samantha admitted while nodding.
"It's why I liked being Jessica's pet and now her friend," Samuel admitted with a chuckle, "she's helped me with building confidence, being polite, and making good conversation so that when I found a female that I'd have more than my body to give to her."
Samantha noted Samuel's appearance. While he might not be a "double doser," he didn't need to be. He was well muscled for a male hamster, and she did like that. However, Samuel was right in wanting to be more than just an attractive male. She supposed that was all that would have mattered if they hadn't been uplifted, as naturally hamsters generally didn't raise their young together. But since her own uplifting, she'd felt that life and love needed to be more than just sex, regardless of how good the sex was. It was strange, but that was how she felt.
"Well... it would seem like she has been a good friend for you," Samantha smiled, "and a good potential friend for me."
"Yeah," Samuel agreed, "so... are you going to the school or in the remedial learning program?"
"I've been with the remedial learning program and working with the pet store on a part time basis," Samantha answered.
"You're still at the pet store?" Samuel asked.
"Yeah... they have been friendly and it isn't like the people of Lyre are going to not want pets even with Animalia around," Samantha answered, "and with the city's water now cleaned up they're able to try and get things up and running again. I've actually learned a lot about caring for mundane animals and all the work that the store has to do keep them healthy and ready to be bought. Though, I'd hope to try and show a bit of personal love so that every future pet can feel loved and be fully ready to go to a new home... And I kinda like caring for them."
"That's very kind," Samuel stated.
"Yeah... and it's left plenty to learn," Samantha commented, "Once I'm ready to go into the Lyre High School... and maybe even college... I was thinking about maybe being a vet... or maybe even being a doctor for Animalia."
"That'd be great," Samuel commented.
"So what about you?" Samantha asked.
"My first day at Lyre High School is this coming Monday," Samuel said with pride, "I really hope to learn a lot and make friends... as there are so many possibilities... While some of the uplifted predators have me a bit nervous... instincts I suppose... everyone, including the uplifted predators, have all been kind. It'll be good make friends..."
Samuel reached out and hesitantly touched Samantha's hand. It felt soft and warm and as he smiled to her, he watched her smile back and roll her hand over so that they could hold each other's hands.
"And find love," Samuel commented.
"That is nice," Samantha smiled, "and I think it will great for both of us... as you are handsome and kind. We'll make for a good pair... a pair of Sammys."
"Two are always better than one," Samuel laughed.
Samantha laughed too.