[ WP ] Starting at age 10 , humans are given companion animals that develop along side them . These animals can range anywhere from a goldfish to a horse to even a dragon . The only catch is that they are assigned based on your behavior during childhood .

The silverback gorilla stared at the chairmen intensely as he wrapped up the business meeting. 
 
 `` So that's where our goals are for next year. Any questions?'' He asked the boardroom. 
 
 I'd seen Jaheem come to meetings dozens of times, and he always made me nervous.'*Maybe that is why status is partly based on our companions. *' I thought to myself. A simple enough realization but one I had n't really thought about before. I looked at Alfy, my Jackrabbit, sleeping on the table next to me. He was a wonderful companion, perfect for the life I lead, but he did n't entice fear or power. If I wanted to move up in the world I had to do it myself. 
 
 `` I have a quick one, but it's not related to this really.'' Bahir asked, his cobra lazily wrapped around his neck. `` Are we still planning on closing the Davendore location in two months? I think we need to start mentioning to our employees that they should start working for other work.'' 
 
 `` And have them start leaving before the end of August? No, we need them to keep working. We'll tell them when there are two weeks left.'' Alvin said bluntly, his crowned eagle perched behind him on the bird stand with 3 other birds. 
 
 Bahir lowered his head in defeat. Eagles kill snakes, there was little argument to be had on the point. 
 
 `` Well if that's all then meeting dismissed.'' The chairmen said. Everyone started standing up at once. Several board members reached down to pet their companions. Many people had dogs and cats, but with so many different people and so many different species and breeds even Ed's koala never got a second glance. I stood up and walked over to Bahir, Alfy laying where he was knowing I'd pick him up when it was time to leave. 
 
 `` I agree. It's wrong to not give those people proper warning.'' I said to him, attempting to give some comfort. He looked up to see who was talking, then lowered his head back down. 
 
 `` Oh, hey Gavin. Thanks but you know how it is when the higher ups make a decision.'' 
 
 `` Yea. I just thought maybe you and I could come up with another idea later to help them. Beers tomorrow night?'' 
 
 `` Yea that sounds great.'' He said, slightly more cheerful. `` You got something going on tonight?'' 
 
 `` Lizzy is turning 10.'' 
 
 `` Aw damn man. Is she that old already?'' He said, genuinely brightening up. Midnight of your tenth birthday was a huge point for every person. Even if you were n't home, The Companion Corporation never missed a delivery to get people their companion animal. They also never seemed to be wrong with a persons companion. `` Any idea what she's going to get?'' 
 
 `` None. I doubt she'll get an S-class like Maggie or myself, so I want to say something big, like a rhino or an elephant, but then what parent does n't want their kid to grow up with a well respected companion? I just feel like there are big things in store for her.'' 
 
 `` I know what you mean. I cant wait for Zavier to turn 10. Kid does nothing but run, I have to hope he gets a cheetah.'' 
 
 `` We can only hope.'' I said with a smile. `` Hey, I still need to get to the bank before I head home. I'll talk to you later.'' 
 
 With a wave I headed out the door. Traveling anywhere is always interesting. You always see people riding L-class companions wherever they need to be. I remember reading once that 70 % of people have S-class companions, ranging in size from geckos to foxes to bigger dogs or tortoises. 10 % have A-class bird companions ranging all sizes. 10 % have L-class companions like deer, horses, rhinos and giraffes. 5 % have F-class companions like lions, wolves and bears, anything typically viewed as aggressive, and an unfortunate 5 % have M-class aquatic companions. Then there was the.00001 % that had X-class legendary companions like dragons, unicorns and golems. I once met a woman that had a sphinx. She ended up finding a cure to Recoplaten, a disease that was causing companions to die decades before their humans. 
 
 I hit the bank and headed home. On the radio there was a story of a couple who had F-class companions that robbed a jewelry store. It was n't uncommon to hear about such things, but one of the officers had lost their companion while trying to take down the criminals. Unless a human was in grave danger, and the companion sacrificed themself to save their human's life, it was normally a companion's human who would die first. There is no greater sadness than loosing your companion before your time ends on this planet, but some people knew their calling was to be in a place of danger to keep the rest of us safe. 
 
 `` Hey Gavin, how was work?'' Maggie asked as I got home, coming over to give me a quick kiss, her Beagle Sandy at her feet looking up at her, tail wagging. 
 
 `` Daddy!'' Lizzy screamed running to me for a hug. 
 
 `` Hey birthday girl! You ready for tonight?'' She just nodded her head in glee. 
 
 `` I want a birdie!'' 
 
 I gave a great big laugh `` You do n't get to pick your companion honey, but if you really think it will be a bird then hopefully it will be.'' I said giving her a comforting smile. 
 
 The afternoon flew by and before we knew it midnight was upon us. 
 
 `` Lizzy, I know you're excited but you need to calm down.'' My wife laughed. Lizzy was running around the house chasing Sandy and laughing as loud as she could. Then the doorbell rang. We all got quiet as I went to open the door. 
 
 `` Hello sir. I'm from the Companion Company. I'm looking for Elizabeth Tortoe.'' The delivery man said with a smile. 
 
 `` I'm Lizzy.'' She answered sheepishly. 
 
 `` Happy Birthday Elizabeth.'' He smiled. `` I need you to sign this paper.'' She signed as best she could. `` Thank you, and this is yours.'' He said handing over a small wooden box. `` Enjoy your companion, and happy birthday.'' With that he left. 
 
 Lizzy came back with the box and set it on the table. We all looked at it for a few moments. `` Well honey, open it.'' I said egging her on. The box was no bigger than a basketball. With a small pull it opened with ease. My wife and I could n't see inside the box but Lizzy's eyes lit up, and then her face. A bright flash came from inside the box and the biggest smile I'd ever seen spread across her face. 
 
 `` It's so cute!'' she said reaching into the box and pulling out a smallish, red and gold bird. My wife and I had to stare for a few moments to process what she was holding. `` He's so warm.'' Lizzy said looking down at the little bird. 
 
 `` It's a Phoenix.'' Maggie finally got out. Stories, that was the most I'd ever heard about phoenixes. Some of the rumors around them claimed that the human would be immortal if their companion liked them. 
 
 All I could think about was what my father always said,'*There are no bad companions, just bad people that abuse the gifts they have been given*'. He always meant it in relation to people that made their companions do terrible things. But he often said it to mean,'*All companions can be used for the greater good*'. With the companion that Lizzy now had, there was nothing that could ever stop her. What did the future hold for this one girl? All I knew is that I was right, big things are in store for my little girl. 
 
 
 > edit: small details and wording for better flow
