“Honestly man, you really should do something. At least get out a little and meet some people."

Chris was a first rate admin, granted, but his personal life was far too hectic for someone of my pace. “Are you going to stop pestering me if I do?"

He popped his head over the cubical wall to answer, “Maybe." Closely trimmed hair, sparkling dark brown eyes that matched his complexion, and a friendly grin plastered on his face; the very picture of someone trying to be far more helpful than they should.

The last thing I needed was to have myself dragged into a long conversation, “Fine, but after the holidays."

That got a hearty laugh tossed back at me. “Why wait? You don't have any plans, do you?"

Working long nights meant that chatter otherwise shunned during normal hours flowed freely with the lack of anyone to be bothered, except for me. “No, nothing outside of catching up on a few tickets while there's nothing new coming in. Let's get past these updates first. Maybe I'll think of something to get you off my back afterwards."

My coworker gave me a thumbs up before disappearing behind the partition, “I'll hold you to it. I've got some tests to run, but I've got a feeling we're pretty close."

***

'Pretty close' turned into an all night affair with us leaving at noon on Saturday. Feeling accomplished while also exhausted, I climbed into my car and set my backpack on the passenger side floorboard. The only thing between me and bed was a thirty minute commute home.

Chris tapped the window so I rolled it down enough to talk. “You good for the drive?"

I had my seat belt buckled and the heater warming up, “Yep. Gonna crank the radio and I'll even keep the window cracked to let a little cold in."

He nodded, satisfied that I'd make it home. “Alright, Ray. Drive safe." Chris had an apartment downtown so only about ten minutes away, even with heavy traffic.

We both waved at each other and I turned on the radio, jumping stations until I found a news segment on the local NPR station. Having my mind engaged would keep the sandman at bay as I drove.

“… this marks the third such colony in two months. It's believed that UN resolutions regarding grafted research prompted the mass expulsion from several overseas compounds. State department officials have declined to comment on the matter, citing international agreements which allow for the grafted to be relocated safely, but only under strict confidentiality. The department did release a statement highlighting the humane treatment and living conditions of the grafted as the top priority in dealing with the situation. In other news…"

I let my concentration drift off the radio and towards the interstate ramp. The traffic ahead inched forward in a sea of brake lights. After several muttered curses, I accepted my fate and changed the station to something more fitting to my soured mood.

***

I stopped watching the ball drop long ago, mostly because the entertainment had degraded to the point of making it nearly painful. Maybe it was a sign of me getting older, but the acts seemed to get worse each year, and the commentators more inebriated as well. Instead, I spent the evening watching U-Vid segments, many of which were recaps of the past twelve months in terms of computer hardware and associated news.

I glanced at the clock, catching the flip from 11:59 to midnight. My phone chimed as it vibrated against the desk, so I unlocked it and read the notification. It was from Chris and his wife, both wishing me a happy new year and a picture of them wearing the celebratory hat and glasses with the new date plastered across them. I couldn't help but grin.

With the phone set down, I started the next video in my feed. The tech reviewer launched into his year-end overview before jumping into the bit normally reserved for whoever the sponsor was. Instead of an advertisement, he went in a rather unexpected direction.

“Hey guys and gals. By now many of you are probably wondering what to spend your cash on with bonus money burning a hole in your pocket. We'll get to that, I promise; but please, take a moment to check out the GRP link below. Back when the demis came stateside, there was a similar program to get them into safe homes for their new life. It's how Elise's parents got here, and without that program, I never would've met her. Needless to say, it's a cause close to my heart. If you or someone you know can help, get involved and make a difference in someone's life."

I paused the video and expanded out the 'about' portion of the page. In it was a link to the Grafted Relocation Program. Unlike demis, who were humans with animal traits added, the grafted were animals given human level intelligence and the ability to speak. They tended to stay pretty close to the species they came from in terms of appearance; the only real exception being the wolves, whose physical builds were a fair approximation of what a werewolf might look like.

I glanced back at the phone, remembering the silly look on Jeanine's face. They cut the hat to let her triangular, cat like ears stick out for the picture; it made the whole thing insanely cute. She owed her calico markings to her mother and the length of her fur to her father's side. How Chris was lucky enough to land her I had no clue, but the pair had been inseparable for years.

I thought about what Chris had been pestering me to do: get out and meet new people. My spare bedroom had nothing to speak of in it, save for a layer of dust that needed cleaning again, and I'd gone years without a roommate. For that matter, I'd been following the same routine for nearly as long.

I shrugged to myself while clicking the link. It wouldn't hurt to at least read up on the program, and I could see what kind of information they needed from volunteers.

***

By mid February I had all but forgotten putting in an application at three in the morning on January first, but as I sat drinking my coffee, I saw an e-mail pop into my personal inbox with the subject line “GRP application status".

I opened the mail, glancing through its contents quickly. It was a notice that my application was under review and I needed to validate some information by visiting the program's site.

“Huh, well that's new," I said to myself. I'd handle it at home.

A familiar face popped up over the cubicle wall, “What's new?"

“Are you just waiting on me to say something all day?"

Chris rolled his eyes, “No, it's just rare that you do and I'm nosy. So?"

“Nothing too much," I nodded towards the screen, “just something about my GRP application."

“Your what? You?" he said with a sidelong grin. “Really now."

I managed to look perturbed, “Yes, me. I've got a house, stable income, and I'm pretty predictable schedule wise. It's two birds with one stone, right? Meet new people and lend a hand while doing so. Win win."

“Alright, man. Jeanine's not going to believe it." Chris was probably already in the middle of texting his wife, “If this works out, bring them over for dinner once they're settled. There's not a huge demi population here, and even less grafted, best to start networking early."

I waved him off as I got back to work, “Yeah, got it. Nothing's set, but you two will be the first to know."

***

“Alright, Mister Edmund, the last thing we need is your signature here," the agent pointed at a line on the form then moved his finger down two sections, “and here. It's not often we get applicants that don't have a preferred species."

I looked over the form as I responded, “Didn't know that. Any reason why?"

Mister Radcliffe nodded, “Most want to help, but there's usually something personal behind it. Maybe they had pet cats growing up and always dreamed about living with a large, talking one. There's as many reasons as there are people."

I signed on the two spaces and pushed the paper back across my coffee table, “Makes sense. I guess my reason's not species specific."

That earned a smile from the man, “I suppose not. Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

I shrugged, “No, not really. Everyone in the program's been screened, and if you're as careful with them as you are with me, it'll be fine. People I haven't talked to in years called me, wondering what kind of trouble I was into."

“We're as thorough as possible, safety being top priority. Anyway, I'll be bringing Marie by later this evening, around seven. Call me if there's any changes and you can't be here."

I nodded and held my hand out, “Will do."

The agent shook my hand then gathered up the paperwork, placing it back in its folder. “I'll call you if anything happens on our end."

With his visit concluded I had the rest of the day to myself, but I honestly had no idea what to expect. I spent the afternoon going room by room, ensuring that things were in order for a good first impression, but all I really knew was her name. When I asked about food preferences, I was told to not worry about it. When I asked about any special accommodations, they said my spare room was fine as I had it; a basic, full sized bed and a dresser with a small closet. Beyond that, they said to submit expenses for any changes needed.

I nearly jumped when I heard the knock at my door. They were only a few minutes early, but I was so absorbed in making sure things were ready I didn't notice the time. With a deep breath, I slowed my heart rate and headed to the door. When I opened it, I saw the aged face of Radcliffe, standing there in his usual black suit and tie. “Mister Edmund, how are you this evening?"

“Doing fine." I glanced over his shoulder, but I didn't see anyone standing behind him. “Is everything alright?"

“Hmm?" The agent turned, giving a small chuckle as he looked behind himself and then down. “Marie, he can't see you if you're huddled behind me."

I followed his line of sight, seeing a pink nose framed by whiskers on either side poke out from behind him, which in turn, was on the end of a long face with two nearly black eyes and two pink, rounded ears sticking up at an angle behind them. After a moment, she stepped out fully with her nose held upward, scenting the air.

My new roommate was a four foot tall, brown rat dressed in a pocketed, blue vest that seemed more utilitarian than fashionable and what looked like stretchy denim shorts, standing upright and eyeing me curiously. Probably about as curiously as I was eyeing her. After the initial surprise wore off, I managed to say a proper greeting, “Hi. You must be Marie. My name's Ray, Ray Edmund. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She sniffed a little more, then shifted her posture to a straighter position. “That would be a first."

“Huh?" While her voice was just a bit higher than I expected, it was her answer that caught me off guard.

“It's the first time a human has said that and actually meant it, at least here." Each time she moved, the angle of her long, hairless tail changed to counterbalance what her upper body was doing.

“Oh." I wasn't sure what to say, so I stood aside and motioned for my guests to enter. “Well, anyway, come in."

“Marie, you go on. I'll get your case from the car." Radcliffe seemed to be taking a hands off approach to the introductions.

The rat took a few awkward steps forward and paused at the doorway. After a quick breath she looked up, meeting my gaze. “Thank you for having me." With that, she headed into the living room and stood there checking the place out.

The agent returned from his car carrying a black bag with wheels that could double as a backpack. “Her things, Mister Edmund. She has two changes of clothes here, and more will arrive by mail. I'll be available by phone, but our policy is to allow both sides to work through issues on their own under most circumstances."

I took the pack and set it just inside the doorway. “Sure, I guess. Anything else?"

“No, that's all." Radcliffe offered a small grin, but soon turned his attention to Marie, “I'll be heading out. Call me if you need to."

I heard her answer from somewhere further inside the house, “Alright." When I looked back, she was in the dining room peering at the cabinets and the pictures along the wall.

By the time I turned back around, the man was halfway to his car so I shut the door and carried the case over, setting it next to the coffee table. “So, I wasn't sure if you'd want to get some…" As I straightened up and turned around, I nearly bumped into her. “Oh, and you're right there. Sorry for being loud, I didn't hear you come back this way."

Marie took a step back and swiped her arm over her ear, bringing it to the front of her face before she looked up at me, “No, that was my fault. We tend to be quiet when we move, much more than humans are. Sometimes I forget that."

I rubbed the back of my head nervously, “We'll split the difference then. I'll listen better if you'll allow for my lousy hearing, by comparison anyway."

She flicked her ears back then brought them forward again, “No arguments on either point, Mister Edmund."

“Honestly, Ray's fine, and I'd prefer that. But I didn't catch your last name."

Marie tilted her head sideways, “I haven't chosen one yet, but I do have an ID number." While she kept her eyes on me, she unzipped the top left pocket of her vest and retrieved her wallet, complete with a government issued identification card. Just as quickly, the wallet was put back and the pocket zipped shut.

“Alright, I wanted to know if you were hungry. I'm not sure what your schedule was today, but I've held off getting dinner in case you haven't eaten yet."

“I haven't," she took hold of her bag before continuing, “but I'd like to get settled in first."

In the time since she arrived, I'd forgotten to give her a quick tour. “Sure, and I can show you around."

***

Two days later on Monday morning I was sitting at my cube trying to avoid dozing off. Marie, like most rats, was pretty much nocturnal. It meant long naps in the afternoon for her while I was up and about, and she was active mostly at night when I was trying to sleep. We talked in the mornings and evenings, really just getting to know each other, so I was burning the candle at both ends. In general, she was always quiet and she tried to be, but the age of the house caused squeaks and creaks whenever anyone walked around and she was heavy enough to cause a few from time to time. The end result was a blown schedule for me and a not so restful weekend.

“You okay?" I heard Chris's voice from behind me.

“Yeah, just a bit tired is all." I took a deep breath and shifted in my chair, trying to muster up some energy into my drooping limbs. After explaining the reason for my drowsiness I stretched once more. “But I'll get used to it. I'm sure she's having to make adjustments too."

Chris shrugged at my explanation, “Maybe, but you know it's not just food and a room; the bigger purpose is to help them integrate. From what you've said, she seems like a bit of a homebody, same as you." Without giving me much room to say otherwise he already had his phone pulled out. “Listen, I'll call Jeanine and we'll have you two over tonight, say around seven thirty or so."

I was about to protest, but thought against it at the last second. It wouldn't have done any good to argue by that point. I pulled my own phone out so I could send Marie a text about the evening's plans, She'd get it when she woke up.

I could hear my evening being decided as Chris walked back to his own desk. “Hello, honey? Yeah, so Ray's going to be bringing Marie over for dinner..."

***

I got home at six, traffic wasn't too bad but I was a little late in getting out of the office. I didn't bother putting the car in the garage, after a quick shower I'd be getting right back into it. I locked it, the short beep announcing my arrival home just in case Marie hadn't heard the car pulling into the driveway.

With my backpack slung over my shoulder, I made my way to the front door and found it already unlocked. “I'm back," I said as I stepped through the doorway.

I didn't see Marie immediately, but I did notice a package on the coffee table and some packing paper sitting beside the open box. I set my pack down and checked to make sure the box was empty before stashing the paper back into it with the intent of dropping it in the recycling bin on the way out.

“Ray?" My roommate was peering down between the banister rails at me.

“Hey, just got in. Did you get the message?" I sat down on the couch. Between work and the commute, my energy levels were already taxed.

“About dinner? Yes. Also, the rest of my clothes arrived with a few other things."

It was then that I realized she was standing there in nothing but her fur, seeing that the outer coat shined with a reddish brown tint in the lights above that faded into a lighter, almost sandy color towards her belly and chest. She must have showered as I caught a floral, almost fruity scent that was probably shampoo or conditioner. I looked away, fully aware that many of the grafted didn't bother with clothes, but human sensibilities still controlled a fair amount of my thoughts.

I heard her coming down the stairs, each of her four limbs making contact with the steps. It was another thing that I had to get used to. While she could stand on two legs comfortably and walk as well, it was far easier for her to simply move as her body was designed to in the first place. When we talked about it, I learned that was the primary reason for the vests and their zippered pockets; walking quickly or running wouldn't jostle anything out.

She climbed onto the couch and sat upright beside me. “I was going to get the box, you didn't need to."

I waved off any concern, “No worries. I guess you're fine with heading over to Jeanine's tonight?"

Marie swiped her arm over her head as she'd done in the past. The simple cleaning motion served to soothe herself as much as project a bit of confidence. “That should be obvious."

I chuckled at her bravado, “I'll take that as a yes. Like the scent, by the way. Strawberry and vanilla?"

“It was in the package, so I decided to try it. I know humans like this sort of thing, but it's new to me." She sniffed her hands and wrists before rubbing them against her cheeks and whiskers. “It's not bad, exactly, but I'd rather smell like me."

“It'll wear off in a day or so, but if you don't like it, don't bother with it again. We don't pick up on subtle things, just like with our hearing, and I certainly didn't smell anything off putting before. So really, you smell fine with or without it. Entirely your choice." I ended my observation with a little shrug.

Marie studied my face for a few moments with her ears constantly shifting angles. “Hmm, I'll remember that, but do you need to get ready?"

I sighed before pushing myself up off the couch, “Yeah. I'll take a quick shower too and then find something decent to wear. Neither Chris nor Jeanine stand on formality, so take whatever's comfortable."

***

Marie settled on a red vest and shorts combination that complimented her fur while I donned blue jeans and a polo shirt underneath a jacket.  Not exactly the height of fashion, but I rarely got dressed up.  We stopped at the local wine shop on the way.  Marie decided she wasn't ready for going into a store just yet so I went in alone and purchased a nice bottle of Cabernet.

By 7:22 we arrived at Chris's place. The apartment building stayed fairly well maintained and the grounds were always kept neat. It was something that worried me after a bad experience during my collage years, so I was glad find out the management took care of things.

I pressed the button for 4C and waited until we heard Jeanine's voice over the speaker, “Hey, you guys made it, and early even. It's a first for Ray. One sec." A slight buzz and click indicated the door was unlocked. “Head on up."

Marie glanced at me as I chuckled. “I'm not known for being early or even on time, outside of work anyway." Schedules were never my strong suit.

Just as we made it up the stairs we heard the clicking of a lock and the door with a metallic 4C adhered to it opened widely. Beyond it stood Jeanine, her bright green, slitted eyes glittered with excitement at the prospect of meeting someone new. “Ray!" She nearly pounced on me then quickly turned her attention to my roommate, “And you must be Marie." She held her hand out, palm pads facing upward in the classic demi greeting.

Marie's ears went back, but she held her own and sniffed at the offered hand before holding her own out in turn.

Jeanine knelt down and sniffed, the whiskers on her cat-like muzzle shifting back and forth before she stood up straight, “Glad to meet you. Chris is just inside, he's getting the food set out."

Marie nodded and looked up, “Thank you for having us over."

With the introductions complete, Jeanine stood to the side and let us through. Chris's apartment was as cheerful as ever. Posters of classic funk bands adorned the brightly colored walls. The wallpaper was new since the last time I was over, sporting a Jamaican theme. I'm sure it was planned, but Jeanine's dress matched the new décor flawlessly and it went well with her calico markings too.

“Hey, glad you made it in one piece," Chris called from behind the dining room counter top. “Was a little worried there, you looked pretty dead at the office." He was in the middle of setting out plates and utensils for everyone.

“Yeah, it'll be fine." I held out the wine, “Not sure if it'll go with dinner, but it's good for the chilly weather at least."

Jeanine intercepted the bottle and looked at the label, “Oh, Cabernet. It'll be great later on. Anyway, I'm famished and I've had to smell this food cooking all afternoon. So come on you two, grab your plates."

***

We all sat around the living room table, with stomachs full of thai dishes that went well with the buffet style presentation. Marie took a liking to the chicken satay and fried corn cakes. I made sure to get a little of each dish, as did Jeanine and Chris.

I made a mental note to thank Chris on the thoughtful menu. Finger foods were a perfect choice, taking into account Marie's build. Not that she couldn't use forks and the like, but her preference was for things she could handle without them.

“So, any thoughts?" Chris looked between myself and Marie in the hopes of getting some feedback on his culinary skills.

“Besides it was good enough for me to stuff myself silly?" I looked to Marie after answering.

“Hmm. While I didn't eat as much as Ray, I enjoyed it greatly." My roommate slid her hands over her whiskers several times then licked her fingers in contentment.

Jeanine smiled at the compliments her husband's fare received. “You know, if you want any embarrassing work stories about Ray, now's the time to ask." With the not so subtle hint out of the way, she grabbed my arm. “Come on. Chris won't tell her anything good with you right here."

Our sudden departure toward the balcony garnered an amused grin from Chris while Marie glanced at me with mild concern.

Once outside, Jeanine pinned me with a serious look. “So, how are things?"

“What, with Marie? Fine I think."

The woman's ears shot back. “You don't look fine, Ray, and she's better now, but was nervous as hell when she got here."

I didn't understand where any of this was coming from, “Well, yeah. She's new here. All of this is new for her. Anyone would be nervous."

She was worked up enough to hiss at me, “Not that badly. Ray, I'm going to tell you this once. Rats are highly social creatures. You hear me? This isn't like with the demis, there's not a human under all the fur. A person? Yes. A human? No. For your sake as well as hers, don't have her just living under your roof and don't keep her at arm's length."

I stood there at a loss for words.

“You're a good person, Ray, and I'm trying to give you a nudge in the right direction here." She took a deep breath and the cheerful Jeanine returned in full force, “Now that I've got both your attention and hers, let's see about getting the evening on the right track."

***

We left Chris's place a little after ten, still a bit full from all the food, but once we headed out from the apartment a silence settled over us that persisted on the drive back.

About five minutes before we reached the house, I had to at least say something. “So, you have a good time?"

Marie turned her attention from the passing streetlights to me, “Mostly, I think."

That answer worried me, “Talk to me. What's wrong?"

“I'm sure she realized it, Jeanine that is, but I could hear everything." She grabbed her tail and pulled it over her lap. I think it gave something for her hands to do while she thought. “What does she do?"

The calico rarely talked to me about her own work, but Chris had mentioned a few things in the office. “Social worker, if I'm not mistaken. She deals with demis primarily, though I wouldn't be surprised if she's working grafted cases now as well."

“Neither would I." With that, Marie turned back to her own window leaving me to wonder what exactly was going on but getting no closer to the crux of a problem I didn't even know existed.

***

By 11:00 I'd gotten showered and changed for bed but remained clueless. We wished each other a good night, just as we'd done before, but I still had an uneasy feeling about what was left unsaid. I heard the shower running, thinking that it was strange that she'd have another one when it wasn't good for her fur, but the lull of the bed was already overtaking my thoughts.

Sometime later, I heard a knock at my door that pulled me from my admittedly light sleep. “Hmm? Marie?"

The door cracked open and I saw her peek around the corner, “Can I come in?"

“Huh?" I half yawned and stretched, trying to rouse my mind into working again. “Oh, yeah sure. What's up?"

Marie stepped through he door and shut it behind her. Her head disappeared below where I could see only to resurface as she climbed up under the blankets beside me. Lightly damp fur pressed into my side as she snuggled up underneath my arm. “This is my sixth home, since coming here that is."

“Things go badly?"

She buried her head against my ribs, almost to the point that her nose was in my armpit, “Yes. Three of them said the same thing you did, that species didn't matter; but apparently it didn't include rats once they got to know one and saw that we scurried around on all fours. One seemed alright at first, but the family next door had dogs and no one would keep them under control. The last place I won't even go into. What I learned was that humans were fine with housing us, but they didn't really want us to be there, you know?"

By then I was fully awake, “Please tell me I didn't make you feel that way."

I felt her shake her head no more than saw it, “And that's what confused me the most. I didn't know what to do so I stayed to myself. Even if I don't really belong here, I don't want to lose the closest thing to acceptance I've found."

“For heaven's sake, Marie. Not once have I ever thought you didn't belong here, and I won't either. I said it before, talk to me. But if keeping night hours is part of keeping your distance then stop doing both, alright? I need my sleep.“