Anthromorphs, or as they are more widely called Transmutes, are animals spliced with human DNA. They were created to be expendable labor from drug and other experimentation to being used to fight wars and even as household slaves. Anthromorphs were either seen as abominations or less than human by society at large. Transmutes are genetically indistinguishable from those born as humans but have at least one unique physical trait or tell that sets them apart from other humans. Because these tells are easily hidden or disguised transmutes who escape into human society can go undetected for very long periods of time if ever found out at all.

Human and animal rights activists, workers' unions, and other groups pulled together and pressured many of the world's governments into banning the use of anthromorphs as soldiers or slave labor albeit for different reasons. This led to many being killed and others imprisoned within highly guarded compounds.

Adam Neumann, an anthromorph rights activist, tirelessly worked to create a safe haven for anthromorphs. With government approval, grants, and private anonymous investors he was finally able to create such a place where anthromorphs could learn and be acclimated into human society. While most anthromorph compounds were more or less ghettos, Adam's compound became a thriving community that fell just short of being its own municipality.

Because of its unique status some transmutes from the Newman facility are allowed to live off the compound but only if they are under the guardianship of a Steward that would be responsible for helping them assimilate into human society. A new hire, Linneah Mitchell, is tasked with looking after an anthromorph named Ken. However, Ken is far from being able to get along with his steward let alone in human society. His eccentricities are difficult for Linneah to deal with but desperate and determined she does her best to acclimate him to life outside of the compound. Nonetheless, his increasingly odd behavior begins to worry Linneah and she seeks the counsel of another steward who has a much better relationship with her charge. Will Ken's troubling behavior overwhelm Linneah's need for a stable income and willingness to power through or will it break her to the point of not being able to recognize herself?