‘It would be kinda awesome if I could talk with reptiles, not just lizards, but any reptile,’ Jay thinks to himself, a big smile then appears on his face, ‘I could give “Claws” human intelligence, it would help communicating so much easier, because he’d immediately understand anything I say’.
Having made up his mind, Jay scans himself and “Claws”, first he opens a tab that says “abilities” and scrolls through the list until he finds an option labeled “languages”. Opening the option, Jay is confronted with a list that has every known spoken language, and as he scrolls through the list, his smile turns into a grin when one word in the list jumps out at him: “reptilian”!
When selecting the language, the boy is asked which file the language should be added to, after selecting his own file and opening it, a huge smile appears on his face, by his “spoken languages” stats there are two words: “English” and “Reptilian”.
“Awesome, I hope it really worked,” the boy says to himself, “but before I try it out, time to give “Claws” human smarts, what harm could it do, other than making communicating with each other so much easier”.
After altering “Claws” intelligence from “animal” to “human” and confirming it, Jay walks over to the terrarium where the lizard is sitting in. Taking a deep breath, Jay removes the lid, he then crouches down and slowly strokes “Claws” over the back, “hey… um… Claws,” he says quietly, “you awake?”
“Claws” stirs and slowly opens his eyes, then lifts his head slowly and blinks a little as he looks up at Jay, “hm? Wh-what is it,” the lizard asks groggily, “I just had a pleasant dream, why did you have to wake me, master?”
Jay’s eyes widen, “it… it really worked,” he breaths, “I… I’m able to communicate with reptiles!”
“What are you talking about, master,” the lizard asks, sounding confused, “and how in the hell am I able to understand you? And why do I feel so… smart?”
“Um… well…,” Jay says, ‘what harm can it do to tell him,’ he then thinks to himself, before explaining what is going on.
“So, you are telling me,” “Claws” says, “that your brother Jeff has gotten himself some program that is able to alter the reality. And after copying it over to your phone, you decided to give yourself the ability to be able to communicate with reptiles, and to make me smart as a human?”
“Um… yeah… that sums it up,” Jay says, “though… you don’t sound very pleased about it. Have… Have I messed up?”
“Well… yes and no,” the reptile says.
Jay tilts his head, “what do you mean, Claws?”
Claws looks up at Jay, “you can’t figure it out yourself, master?”
“Um…,” Jay says.
Claws sighs, “alright, try imagining yourself as a lizard, a dumb animal who doesn’t give shit about anything, just happy to have a warm place to sleep and enough food and water to survive,” he explains, “now imagine someone giving you human intelligence and you suddenly are aware of everything. Having said that: how would you feel when you suddenly are aware that you are trapped in a terrarium, with just enough room to move, but cut off from where you naturally belong: in the wild”.
Jay looks at his pet lizard, then his eyes widen, “oh,” he says, before hanging his head, “I… I didn’t think of that,” he then mumbles.
“That is the “yes” part,” Claws says, “however, let me tell you the “no” part,” Jay looks at Claws. “By giving me human intelligence,” Claws continues, “you also made me aware of yourself, before I didn’t really paid you any attention, not even when you held me, for me you were nothing but a “tree”, something to climb on, in other words: you meant nothing to me”.
Jay winces, “th-that actually stung,” he says, feeling tears form in his eyes, Claws cold sounding voice only made the reptile’s words hurt so much more.
Claws lets out a sigh, “I wasn’t done,” he says, Jay looks at his pet, a tear rolling down his face, Claws slowly climbs up a log, he then reaches out and begins climbing up Jay’s arm, Jay looks at the lizard, “I said you MEANT nothing to me,” Claws continues, his voice still cold but calm as he looks at Jay. The lizard continues, “now, with these human smarts, I see you differently,” he says, “I remember the day you bought me, how you always care for me, feed me and even let me out of that glass prison, letting me explore your room. You are a good master, Jay, and I am HAPPY to be your pet!”
Hearing this causes Jay to smile, “r-really,” he asks.
Claws nods, “yes, sorry if I am unable to show any emotions,” he says, “I’m cold blooded after all, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like you! On the conertary: I like you a lot, Jay, if you don’t mind me calling you that. Calling you “master” feels somehow wrong… I see you as more… I see you as a friend”.
Jay smile grows, “th-thanks, Claws,” he says.
“No, Jay,” Claws says, crawling up to Jay’s shoulder and to Jay’s surprise, Claws licks his tears away, before rubbing his head against Jay’s face, “thank YOU!”
Jay’s smile widens, the 12-year-old closes his eyes as he gently leans in to Claws, “you are the best lizard in the world, Claws,” he whispers.
Claws chuckles, “and you are the best master in the world,” he says.
Jay chuckles, “glad to hear that I’m doing a good job,” he says.
They sit in silence for a while, just enjoying each other’s company, “so, what else is that app of yours able to do,” Claws then asks, sounding curiously.
“Oh, it can change humans and anything into food, objects, change humans into animals or anthros, which are animals that are able to walk and talk like humans,” Jay says, “it can change animals into humans or anthros, it’s able to alter the reality, and even change someone’s gender, appearance, age… basically: it can do anything imaginable”.
“Hm… sounds like something that could cause chaos in the wrong hands,” Claws says.
Jay nods, “yeah, but I’d never use it to cause chaos,” he says.
“I know you wouldn’t,” Claws says.
“Would… would you like to try something with the app,” Jay asks.
“Like what,” Claws asks back.
“I… I could transform you into a human or anthro,” Jay says, “make you younger, maybe make you bigger, you’d look so cool if you’d be the size of an alligator!”