Chapter Text
In the new age having generic pets like dogs and cats were boring. For a while exotic animals were popular but soon feel off. Then a company created Bitties. Undertale Co. advertised sentient, self relying pets that would interact with you on an intellectual level. Sans bitties were first with multiple models for every person. After them came the papyrus and grillby bitties which made big success too. But when the government learned that these bitties had souls are were technically living creatures with intellect like a human, they shut it down for ethnic reasons.
So with the fall of BittyBones companies tried to design their own bitties. Faz Entertainment tried with Superstar Bitties, but the maintenance on little robots got demanding and the idea flopped. It had been 5 years since Faz Entertainment tried and 8 years since BittyBones when out of business when a new contender came.
C&A was a tech company focusing on AI. While experimenting they accidentally produced their first bitty, The Ringmaster. It was choppy at first but after testing their idea opened new doors. Thus The Amazing Bitty Circus was made! With no internal organs or souls, the government couldn’t count them as living beings. Also, since their personalities are but through an AI script they weren’t smart enough to be truly sentient. It hit all the perimeters plus having limited stock would cut down on overpopulation and discarded bitties, unlike the BittyBones which was still an ongoing problem. The only was to acquire a bitty was through a detailed background check and specialized training courses.
That’s how two people ended up in the little office downtown. Grant and Celine had been married for almost 25 years. With no children or close family, they were looking for something to complete their lives. Grant, a tall man with sandy hair and a thick beard and mustache, worked at the local university as a Computer Coding teacher. He has acquaintances with some of the people who created the circus bitties and gave some feedback during the coding process. His wife Celine was a quiet woman. Her dark skin and long dreads piled on top of her head gave her an alluring appearance. She was a researcher, studying entomology around the world. They were getting older and with Celine’s health declining, they decided to adopt a bitty to help liven up their home.
The office was rather plain except for the colorful pictures of different bitties. Jester bitties, ribbon bitties, rabbit bitties, toy bitties, Chess bitties, doll bitties, and the most popular, ringmaster bitties. It was all a bit overwhelming. The woman sitting at the desk in front of them had a soft smile. She pushed some paperwork towards the two, gesturing to sign.
“We have many different bitties here, I sure you will find one to your liking. Please sign here to acknowledge you know the legal risks.” She said handing Grant a pen. Grant turned to his wife, who gave him a nervous smile.
“And if we don’t take home one today, or ever, we won’t get fined right?” Grant asked.
“No no you won’t get fined. I doubt you wont find a bitty today, trust me,” the woman waved. It didn’t make Grant or Celine feel anymore nervous. With the paperwork signed the woman had the two follow her to the bitty room.
Compared to the office, this room was full of color. Play pens lined the walls, little faces peaking over to see who had arrived. Grant was taken aback by how bit they were. He had read that BittyBones were roughly 3-4 inches and Superstar bitties were 7 inches, but these were about a foot tall. They almost seemed like small children if it weren’t for their appearance. The two walked up to the first playpen. There were 3 Ribbon bitties drawing inside. They looked up at Grant and Celine with a nervous expression. A sign above them had more details.
Ribbon Bitty
A red ribbon body with a comedy mask.
Enjoy drawing, cartoons, and quiet time.
If started, comedy mask with fall and break, changing into a sad mask. Mask will regenerate overnight but excessive breakage an cause malfunctions.
“They’re so cute, but so fragile.” Celine said quietly. Grant agreed. They moved onto the next one. The Toy bitty was much more unique. Interchangeable parts was interesting, and of the 3 in the pen, none of them had the same look.
Toy Bitty
Body and head with interchangeable parts.
Does not like children, prefers to be left alone.
Gets along best with Ribbon bitty.
Best for single households with laid back owner.
Made sense as to why their were placed next to the Ribbon bitties. Although they reminded Celine of a colorful insect, their home was too lively for them. The next one seemed more up their ally. The Doll bitty seemed calm and cuddly, just what they were looking for.
Doll Bitty
Fashioned after a Raggedy Ann doll.
Soft spoken and kind.
Can become controlling if given chance.
That last part was a bit surprising to both. They were a good choice but they kept looking. On the other side of the room was the Jester, Rabbit, and Chess pieces. They read each sign as they progressed.
Jester Bitty
Most personalized.
Dislikes touch.
Will go on almost any adventure.
Rabbit Bitty
Jokester.
Adapts to every environment.
Can be a jerk to other bitties and humans.
Chess Bitties
King: loyal, confused, likes the dark
Queen (Prototype): enjoys listening, quiet
Grant actually like the Chess King but Celine didn’t seem convinced. At the farthest wall was a large cage. Their were 4 bitties inside that flew around when they approached.
“These must be the Ringmaster bitties, I hear they could fly but this is interesting” Grant whispered to his wife.
Ringmaster Bitty
Loud and Proud.
Can fly and levitate small items.
Is great for active families.
They were very cute, flying around like little bumble bees. Grant looked to Celine who had a solemn look on her face.
“Are you alright?” Grant whispered to her. She looked up at him with defeat.
“I don’t think any of them will work in our home.” Celine looked to the floor. Grant took her hand, giving it a little squeeze. “And that’s perfectly fine.” He reassured.
“So, you pick one out?” Said the woman from the office. Grant was starting to dislike her pushiness. “I don’t think any of these are a good fit right now.” He said. The woman glared at him before throwing her hands in the air. “That man, Scratch was right. You two are picky.” She said angrily, stomping off to the office. Celine felt a bit foolish for declining so quickly. “What if we look again. Maybe the Chess bitty could work.” She said. Grant gave her hand a squeeze. “Don’t force yourself. If none are a fit then so be it. That woman is just upset she didn’t get a sale. And I’ll have to have a word with Scratch about keeping his opinions to himself.” Grant warned. The two began to make their way towards the exit when a voice called out from behind.
“Excuse me, but there is another bitty you could meet.”