It's a well-known fact that exotic pets are harder to take care of than more conventional pets. They have more extensive requirements and needs than standard dogs and cats. Also, these weren't animals that have been domesticated for millennia. Most of these animals weren't the kind to cuddle with their owners. Many wouldn't be let out of their terrariums. Some were too much of a hazard to let loose.
For instance, the Nile monitor lizard does not make an ideal pet for many. For one thing, they grow considerably larger than the average pet lizard. They could grow from about 4 feet long to a little over 7 feet. That length is mostly consisted of a long, powerful tail. Those tails could be whipped with considerate force. Not to mention they have sharp claws and strong jaws. While it wasn't impossible for monitor lizards to be affectionate with their owners, affectionate Nile monitors were a bit more rare.
Such is the case for Arsinoe. She had been living in a Las Vegas pet shop for years, more than long enough for her to get pretty big. She had become something of a staple in the pet store over the years. When it seemed like no one was going to be buying her, the shop's owner named her Arsinoe, which was one of the most common names for queens of Egypt. Arsinoe certainly had a regal air about her, acting mostly indifferent to those who came in to admire her.
Even so, Arsinoe could not stay in the pet shop forever. The customers were finding her a little too unnerving as she got bigger, especially when she eyed the other animals hungrily. Not to mention the squeeze the pandemic has put on the economy, which made it less likely for people to get new pets. But the shop owner couldn't just sell Arsinoe to a zoo, not that there were many who'd be interested in her. As the year came to an end, he decided to donate the Nile monitor to Horizon Labs. Hopefully, she'll have a better life as an Animalian than as a pet store mascot.
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Judy did a little research as she waited for Arsinoe to finish her uplifting. She would have stayed with her, but the monitor gave an unnerving hungry look. While it was very unlikely that Arsinoe could have eaten her, Judy's instincts wanted her to keep away from the predator. Nile monitors weren't as big as Komodo dragons, but they were one of the largest lizards in Africa. Also, her name interested Judy. 'Arsinoe was a rather common name for Egyptian queens towards the end of the Hellenistic period, including the sister of Cleopatra VII. The name's meaning was also interesting as it was derived from the Greek words arsis "to rise, to lift" and nous "mind, intellect". "If that's not a prophetic name, I don't know what is," said Judy to herself.
Checking her watch, she was pretty sure Arsinoe was finished changing. Going to the examination room the lizard was in, Judy opened the door. She had to admit Arsinoe came out pretty well. She had a rather striking appearance with her grey back, her yellowish front, and the yellow stripes along her back. And like every Animalian female, she had a curvaceous and toned body.
"How are you doing?" asked Judy.
"Very well, thank you," said Arsinoe, "Though it's weird that now I can recall the things humans have said before and know what they meant."
"I'm sure it is," said Judy, "And you've got nothing wrong against your new body?"
"There's not really anything to complain about," said Arsinoe before hefting up her new breasts, "Except for these things. I don't know what all the fuss is about them." She gave them a squeeze and shuddered a little in pleasure. "Ok, maybe there is something to this," said Arsinoe as she felt her new nipples.
"Perhaps later," said Judy, "There is still a few things you need to know about being an Animalian."
"Such as?" asked Arsinoe.
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Arsinoe was given a brief summary of Animalian culture in general as well as one of the reasons she was uplifted. "So, there's this other monitor who's in a homosexual relationship with a different lizard, but now they're both becoming bisexual. And you want me to help them adjust, but not actually claim this other monitor as a mate?" asked Arsinoe, who had gotten dressed at this point.
"Contrary to what some people have said, we are not trying to cure homosexuality," said Judy, "We don't force anyone to go straight. They're free to date or marry whoever they want. As long as there's no actual cross-species breeding involved."
"I suppose that's fair, but that's not a lot of incentive for me," said Arsinoe, "I think I should expect a little more for myself than just to be a temporary companion. I'm not seeing where I benefit from this."
Judy was a little surprised to hear this kind of thing from a recently-uplifted Animalian. She must have picked up a lot at the pet store over the years. Either that or she was still adjusting to having human-level emotions and intellect and still running on cold-blooded self-interest. "That's not to say you won't remain single after you helped Solomon adjust. I'm sure we can find someone interested in being your mate soon afterwards," said Judy.
"They would have to be up to my standards though," said Arsinoe.
"And what would those be?" asked Judy.
Arsinoe paused before saying, "I'm not sure yet. But I ought to have some."
Judy sighed. It didn't seem very likely that Solomon would choose Arsinoe over Tyson. She hoped Arsinoe would warm up while being around him.