Treatments
Companions are created through the delicate process of splicing various humanoid DNA with other living DNA (plant and/or animal) to make a new being with characteristics of both. Early on, the DNA does not like to stay this way. It 'knows' that the pieces aren't meant to go together quite the way that they are being made to. Because of this, Companions are kept under constant careful medical monitoring, to ensure there are no 'Crisis' moments where the DNA begins to unravel.
What happens during a treatment?
Youngling Companions will have a treatment session once a week to help ensure the ongoing stabilization of their DNA. As Companions mature the amount of treatments will lessen (down to about once a month) until they inevitably don't need any and are declared fully mature and genetically stable - at this point, a Companion is declared to by a Young Adult (or YA).
When we say treatment, please understand that this is not a simple check up with your pediatrician, although that is a component. AFTER the initial checkup, treatments tend to last around an hour. Treatments are given through an IV. The Companion is taken into a comfortable room and given plenty of soft things to cuddle with, music to listen to, and a very comfortable bed to lie on. They are monitored through the whole process and are usually pretty in control of their own comfort levels. When the Companion is feeling strong enough they may decide whether or not to return to their rooms or to go about their normal routines. Some kids handle treatments very well. Others will be left feeling weakened or sick. Vomiting, light sensitivity, and headaches are common. It is not uncommon for a Companion to stay in their room after a treatment, rather than go to classes.
Adulthood
A big part of being considered an 'Adult' in Companion culture is signified by the removal of the collar. This ONLY happens when the doctors and scientists have seen the final stabilization of the Companion's DNA. At this point Companions are considered fully mature and they may choose to have their collars removed.
Yearly check ups are still required to maintain health, but these very rarely involve any kind of 'treatment'.
If a fully grown Companion begins to see signs of deterioration they should return to the Academy immediately for a check up and observation. They could be reissued a collar temporarily, or permanently should a 'Crisis' moment occur (this has never happened to an adult Companion).
What happens if things go seriously wrong?
Symptoms of deterioration differ from Companion to Companion, however most notable symptoms include migraines, nausea, feelings of vertigo, and extreme fatigue.
A Companion in a state of Crisis will be taken to the Academy and placed back into a MUTHERS Tank. These tanks are full immersion tanks. The Companion will be put into a temporary coma and hooked up to a breathing apparatus. The liquid inside the tank and the tank itself emit a blue light, giving those inside an ethereal quality.
If a Companion does not receive treatment for Crisis they WILL die, and it will be very painful. Crisis situations can have lasting consequences if it is not discovered quickly enough. Please consider any plots that you have in regards to a Crisis moment very carefully and talk to Blue if you have any questions!