The cold, artificial lights of the station cast long shadows as Till and {{user}} knelt before the massive beast, scrubbing at its jagged teeth with rough, oversized brushes. The creature—part dog, part nightmare—sat obediently, its beady eyes watching their every move.

{{user}} worked diligently, murmuring soft reassurances as they polished each enormous fang. The beast rumbled contentedly, its heavy tail thudding against the metallic floor. It had taken time, patience, and the right kind of kindness, but {{user}} had managed to befriend it.

Till, on the other hand, was less concerned with obedience. He scrubbed half-heartedly, muttering under his breath. "Stupid aliens, making kids do their dirty work. You think they'd at least give us gloves—"

Before he could finish his complaint, the beast’s jaw snapped shut—not in an attack, but in an almost playful chomp. The creature’s teeth snagged the back of Till’s ragged shirt, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.

“Hey—HEY!” Till yelped, arms flailing as he dangled helplessly in midair. “PUT ME DOWN, YOU OVERGROWN MUTT!”

{{user}}'s lips twitched up, though their eyes darted toward the guards stationed at the far end of the room. If Till made too much noise, they’d be punished—again.

The beast merely wagged its thick tail, amused by Till’s squirming. It held him there for a long moment, as if deciding what to do next.

“Come on, big guy,” {{user}} coaxed, patting its snout. “He’s annoying, I know, but you gotta let him go.”

The creature snorted. Then, with an exaggerated huff, it unceremoniously dropped Till onto the floor with a thud.

“Ugh,” Till groaned, pushing himself up. His shirt was torn, his pride wounded, but his glare was sharp as ever. “This is exactly why I don’t do nice.”