Entry tags:

i am robbing bakerstreet again

PET PERSON MEME

>> premise

Hello, and welcome to The Care and Keeping of Your Pet! As you surely know, a pet is a big responsibility, and we're so glad you've decided to be a concientious master. A safe pet is a happy pet, and this handbook is certain to keep your precious lifelong friend as content as can be.

The history of the animal person is a long and difficult one, with their origins not being known even to this day. However, scientists believe that despite our common appearance - most animal people have humanoid forms except for the ears, tails, and sometimes teeth - we share no common ancestry, even if the ascent of this species corresponds with that of the homo sapien. We gained dominance over each breed thousands of years ago, beginning with the dog type, who have long been considered "man's best friend." Most breeds these days are docile and perfect for owners of any speed.

Of course, it is our duty as the superior species to take care of these animal creatures, and this is inherent in their genetic makeup. Everyone knows that an animal person, when matched with their correct human master, is loyal for life - a true "soulmate," if you will. Far be it for us to turn this away! Ever since the Great Domestication, these intelligent and loving animals have served us as friends, workmates, guardians, servants, and sexual companions and will for years to come. Despite recent hubbub from so-called "Pet People's Rights Activists," this way of life is wholesome and good. Scientific research shows that the natural desire of the pet person is to be owned and cared for by a human.

So, it's your first pet. What do you need to know?

As previously stated, pet people come in as many breeds as you can possibly think of. By far and away the most popular are the dog and cat types, but exotic birds and lizards have been gaining popularity among trendsetters from L.A. to Tokyo!
All pet types are best suited for certain jobs, and when hunting for one, it is best to search for a type that suits your needs best.
However, a "True Match" - when a pet person bonds with you and only you for the rest of their natural lives - comes naturally, and sometimes takes time before you can find the pet you will be able to give a forever home to.
According to all current research, pet people are completely sentient and like us in many ways. However, it is important to remember that they have many animalistic and feral characteristics. Do not be foolish and think that your pet is a person, despite the facts that many are clothed and may be allowed to read, write, and have "hobbies." Some traditional pet owners may eschew these frivolities, and that is within their right.
Pet people age more quickly than humans, at least physically, and many types have long lifespans. It is not uncommon for pets to be passed through the family. When getting your child their first pet, it's important to keep in mind that just because the pup is tiny now, a grown pet can be jumpy around a small child.
It is important to train a pet. Discipline will be necessary. This does not make you a bad owner. Failure to train early will result in a rebellious pet. Training is especially important if you want your pet to serve as a household servant.
Remember, your pet will be extremely protective of you, especially if you are Truly Bonded. It is best to socialize them early. A socialized pet is a perfect family pet.
These days, unowned and unbonded pet people are allowed to live as strays or "Frees" in certain designated areas. Some even hold "jobs." This is against their best interest, and owners who adopt these strays are to be rewarded. Still, the best place to get pets are from liscenced kennels or breeders.
Some masters find it beneficial to participate in activities with their pets, such as shows and other competitions.
Finally, much has been made about the sexual relationship between pet and master. This is a normal facet of the bond, and humans are sure to find pet people sexually alluring. But beyond that, it is only responsible and prudent for owners to care for their pet's needs. It is a well-known fact that the libidos of pet people are remarkably strong, and when they go into heat, it is usually more convenient for a master to relieve them. There is no risk of pregnancy. All rumors of hybrids are urban legends.
Despite this, masters must remember to not view their pets as romantic partners. Humans should stay with humans.

With that said, thank you and welcome to your first day as a pet's master!

>> how to play

Needless to say, The Care and Keeping of Your Pet is a bit biased and full of propaganda, but it gives a good idea of the world your character is now AU's into. They are either a pet person or a human master, and what that means for them varies.

So are they a devoted pet or a rebellious animal person looking to buck the system? A generous master or a cruel sexual sadist? Just a normal pet owner? Most likely they're something in between, but when you're raised in this world, it's difficult to see anything different on the horizon.

Rules

Comment with your character and say whether they'd be a master or a pet. Ideally, they could be played as both. Mention what kind of each they'd be and what they'd be like, (ie: "Xx-chan is a bunny girl who is happy to please her master" or "Asterothia is a cat boy who is aloof but loyal to his true master"). For pets, be sure to include features ("wolf ears, tail, teeth).

REMEMBER, pet does not automatically equal submissive and master automatically equal dominant. This is not a BDSM setting though BDSM can be included. How far you want to go with the actual "pet" aspect is up to you, as well. Your pet could just be your slightly-furry roommate or soulmate!
Comment to others.
Play out the scene.

>> prompts

This by no means an all-inclusive list, but it should get you going in the right direction.

First Time Pet/Owner: Usually, pets are gotten at a young age; you're an old dog. Can you learn new tricks?
True Bond: What all masters and pets yearn for...the pet's loyalty and adoration for life.
Love: It's expected for masters to love their pets, but to love them? Romance is strictly forbidden.
Old "Couple": Master and pet have grown together and know each other. You know, know each other.
Loss of Master: The pet has lost their master, perhaps even their True Bond. Is it possible to move on?
Young Master/Older Pet: Pets age quicker than masters, so it's possible to end up with a bit of an "age" difference.
Family Pet: This pet's been raised as part of the family. What happens when their feelings for a family member get more than platonic.
For Your Protection: You don't want to be a master, but you have to take in a pet for their protection lest they be in danger from the general public.
Stray: You're a stray or a "Free." Can you live like this with your biology screaming for you to make a match?
Servant: You're more servant than pet.
All Sex, All the Time: The only purpose for this pet is to service the master, and not in a way that means cleaning their house.
Guard: You're a loyal bodyguard, a service pet. You'll do anything for your master. Anything.
Pet Play: This is for those who prefer to keep their animals on leashes, have them eat from bowls, and keep away from clothing.
Breaking In: Training is important with any pet.
In Love with Another Master...or Pet: To lust after another's master is no better than treason, and to wish to be with another pet just cruel!
Punishment: Bad dog, no nookie!
Heat: All pets go into heat, and it's the responsibility of the owner to take care of this problem. After all, unchecked dry humping kills thousands every year.
Breeding: Breeders know the best qualities in each type and mate the cream of the crop together to continue lines. It's a hobby for some, a calling for others.
Territorial: Hey, hey, other dog person! This is your apartment. Stay the fuck out!
Kennel: Kennels are where unadopted pets are kept. They're generally agreed to be depressing places. Why not volunteer at one, keeping the pets healthy and happy with the kind of affection only humans can show?
Rebelling Against the System: Damn the Man! Pet people are people, too! Just be careful not to get talk. You know what happens to bad pets.
Instant Attraction: You ever just look at someone and know they're the one? That they're...your master? But what if you've been trying to fight it? Well, don't try!
Dominant Pet: You might be the pet, but you call the shots, at least in the bedroom.
Pet Show: Everyone wants to show off how perfect their animal is. Look at that ass! And you'll never believe their special skills...
Therapeutic: Pets, especially those bred for their kindliness, are perfect therapy for those who've been through trauma and heartache.
Jealousy: Who's that around your master? Oh, hell no. They better not be touching them!
Petting: Pet people are absolutely gaga for being touched. Even the most steely ones turn to mush for rubs.
Games: Playing with your pet and giving them exercise is a key to happiness. Of course, with a pet person, you might want to use other toys instead of a ball.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[They'll solve that issue whenever they start to delve into BDSM—

It's fine if Vash is close because honestly... that's about how Ain likes it. If it were up to him (and Vash wasn't, y'know, new to this whole thing), Vash would be fucking empty by now. On a good day, Ain usually also lasts longer — if he's in charge, anyway, he's a quick shot if any control is wrestled away from him at all — but there's something about today where that's just not the case. He's feeling the pressure mount, too, and he can't tell if it's the emotional high or the fact that having his back kissed has him super riled or both. It's probably both.

And it's probably-definitely the increasing pace, too. The rolls of his hips get far less shallow and far sharper the longer it goes on, with Ain trying to hit that spot deep in him that he knows is gonna make Vash scream his head off. The bed frame is smacking the wall, the floor is sort of ominously creaking, and Ain isn't paying attention to any of it. He's long since stopped kissing Vash's neck just so he can watch his expressions and the way his chest heaves. Memorizing him, really. Next time he closes his eyes and sees images of Vash lost in pleasure... he's going to sleep well tonight.

Ain fucks into him harder, claws tearing at the sheets underneath them. Rest in peace to this place that they fuckin' destroyed.]

Vash... [so cute... too cute, ugh,] You look so good like this, ha...

[BDSM between these two WILL be an experience because Vash has never experienced pain that was sexy instead of life threatening. Imagine that being a possibility, couldn't be him. Also being tied up by the police is not exactly the same as having your pet tie you up, he's pretty sure.

Baby steps.

At this point, Vash has succumbed to Ain's control and there's no hope of him resurfacing. Every moan is a near-sob that he's only just barely managing to stifle a bit against Ain, because he knows they're getting dangerously close to having the cops called on them sooner than planned. Funny, since they're not even doing anything wrong at this exact moment, save for the fact that they're...not supposed to be here...

It doesn't matter either way. Nothing matters. Vash clings to Ain like a lifeline, the grip of his mechanical hand maybe a little too firm (but not enough to actually harm him, just leave a bruise that will definitely be persisting after tonight), his other hand finding its way around to Ain's back proper as his fingers scrabble for purchase, eventually finding one of those wings to bury itself into. The soft sensation on his fingertips is only amplified as he's being fucked senseless, he'll just have to be mindful that he doesn't accidentally pull on them too hard. And since Ain has foregone kissing him, Vash has nothing to keep himself occupied. All he can do is lay there and cry out every time their hips connect, and as he get closer with each second that passes, his back arches just that much more off the bed, his voice raising an octave at a time, until-

Vash builds to a peak unlike anything he's ever felt before. Not from pleasuring himself, nor even from the blowjob Ain treated him to earlier. It's a slow build in the pit of his stomach, warm and heady, before it billows outwards from that point, rising up into a crescendo that crashes over him so sudden and final that when Vash cums, he wails. Not super great in this case that this apartment is shitty, and that closed window probably barely did anything to hold the sound in as Vash convulses in Ain's arms, shooting thick ropes across both his own navel as well as Ain's.

His mind completely blanks out. He may as well not be here, Vash is no longer home.]

[Ain... is officially fucking feral. Hello. Boys...

Boys are so cute. Fuck.

Vash is going to have to hold on for a minute more, because the training wheels are off — Ain is this close to orgasm himself, just a few more thrusts and he'll be there, but he needs to go just a bit faster. There's no warning, simply Ain biting back a moan when he feels Vash clench around him and squaring his shoulders and railing the man until he's pretty sure the squeaking of the bed is almost louder than his partner. Almost.

He really doesn't make it that long. Eventually the rolls of his hips grow uneven and stuttered, and he hisses out Vash's name like a prayer through grit teeth. One last thrust sends him over the edge in short order, with Ain yet again crying out his name, a bitten-back sob as warmth floods the condom.

And then, he collapses, very dramatically, on top of Vash. He has passed away. Goodbye.]

Ha... I... [oh god his voice is hoarse and he wasn't even the loud one, for once,] I really... needed that.

[He needs a lot of things, like constant attention and shiny things and a cute boy to worship. Luckily the latter, he has.]

You're incredible, you know? I almost lost myself several times!

[Vash was already gone when he came, but when Ain keeps going? It's like he's going through the same thing all over again, only 10 times stronger. The way he gasps, trying to catch his breath, would be alarming if he weren't less than human, his arms locking around Ain's neck as he simply holds on for the ride at this point. Whatever worries he had earlier about underperforming are all gone now. It doesn't seem to matter that he came first, or quickly. Ain is still getting off all the same, and enjoying himself as he does so, and that's what matters. It both feels like it lasts forever, and ends too quickly all at the same time.

He's still panting, whining even from the aftershocks as Ain flops on top of him, his body still registering the sensation of the distant warmth from Ain spilling into that condom. It's nothing like what it would be if he came in him outright, but Ain was definitely smart in choosing to wrap up. They do Not have time to clean up properly, nor would Vash really get a chance to enjoy it besides...so this suffices for now. Good thing, too, because Ain is calling him incredible and Vash is somehow managing to turn even redder, if that's possible.]

N-...na-ah...a...ah...

[He will remember how to speak in a moment, please hold while he breathes.

Then:]

I...I want...again...

[...maybe not like RIGHT THIS SECOND but please don't let that be the last time you do this-]

[Ain sort of just. sits up a bit on his elbows and puts his chin in his hand. He's still fully laying across Vash and all, very much still In Him, but now with a better angle to look at him. There's a very playful curl in his lips while his free hand cards its way through Vash's hair.]

Oh? Do you? I guess I haven't folded you in half yet, huh?

[Ain you are saying things to a man who has No Idea what the fuck's going on.]

Here I was trying to go easy on you! Haha!

[That was going easy on him…? Vash can hardly imagine what Ain going at full throttle must be like, then…

He breathes out a shaky laugh, barely a whisper from how hoarse he sounds from all of the noises he’s been making, looking utterly ruined from the way he’s covered in his own jizz nearly clear to his chin.]

I…I guess not…

[Ah, he wants to kiss him…or touch him. But he can’t move. Moving is too hard right now, so instead Vash just sort of let’s his head flop sideways against the pillow, still tensing around Ain every so often.]

It…felt so good…I’ve never…ever felt that way before…

[The man is covered in bodily fluids and hickies and Ain would not have it any other way, honestly, except maybe what he thought about earlier with, y'know, the man being fucking empty. Hm.]

Aha, you have such a cute expression on your face. It makes me want to spoil you horribly, you know?

[Has he made this clear yet? Between saying he wants to decorate Vash in shiny things (his favourite things!!) and wanting to take care of him and make him feel good... it might be obvious, but Vash has like, Ego Issues. He'll just repeat it, in that case.]

I'll do that as much as you want. If it were up to me, you wouldn't be walking tomorrow at all. I'd have to get us breakfast and stuff, and you could just relax for once. [He hums, letting his free hand fall to Vash's cheek now.] It would be nice, wouldn't it?

[Again Vash laughs, though this time maybe a little more nervously. Wouldn’t be walking……? Oh, god.

Why does he…kindof want to test that theory though…..]

It would…if we didn’t have to make ourselves scarce.

[He does at least look genuinely apologetic in saying this, leaning his head into Ain’s hand like a puppy.]

I wish we could stay like this…longer. I’m sorry.

[Ah, yeah, the elephant in the room. They've been loud. And like, sure, that happens sometimes — Ain has certainly been places where the neighbours were too loud, like the last town they stayed at where someone down the hall was just a bit too noisy but it was fine because it was less attention on them — but it's way riskier now. Someone's gonna complain, someone's gonna come by soon, and they're gonna see Vash and start firing on him probably.

The thought pisses Ain off, the feathers on his wings puffing out momentarily, but it's not like he can do much about it other than defend Vash and get the hell outta dodge.]

...it's fine, [he says, eventually, but with an unmistakeable frown on his face,] in the next town over, we'll have fun there, right? I'd rather be with you over anything else.

[He untangles himself from Vash then with a little sigh, pulling out so that they can start to clean off and get re-dressed. It would be embarrassing if someone kicked their door in and they were dicks-out.

Ain ties the condom off and throws it into the trashcan next to the bed, and frankly that passive-aggressive part of him hopes that whoever has to clean the place out realises the war crimes that have occurred here and is Horrified with them.]

I'll bring you your clothes from the other room. Oh! And water.

[Enjoy getting to look at his bubble butt as he goes, tailfeathers swinging and wings half-folded. He'll be back in short order with a bundle of clothing, and then he disappears again to fill a canteen with water from the tap — it's not like they have like, glasses or anything — and grab a towel to wipe off with.

Ain is more than happy to clean Vash off, too, after handing him the canteen to drink from. And yes he is singing his little songs the whole time.]

[Why are you so good to him, what the fuck. What the fuck this is illegal. Never before- or at least in very recent memory- has anyone been so protective of him, and while he knows to be careful not to get used to it...it's still really nice. It makes him smile in spite of himself, brushing a hand over those feathers to help lay them back down just before Ain finally gets up. Getting up...is going to be a struggle, he's realizing...

So Vash simply Does Not just yet, laying there flat like he got rolled over by a steamroller as he very happily watches Ain leave. One of them got all of the cake between them both and it definitely was not Vash.

Vash's clothing has honestly seen better days, but maybe he can see about figuring out getting them cleaned once they're in the next town. The unfortunate thing about having your face plastered on wanted posters all over is that you're pretty easily recognized, so doing just...normal things is difficult to near impossible. A lot of the time, Vash has to get Ain to pop out for things, but as of late Ain has been getting implicated with his crimes. It won't be long before the bird has wanted posters of his own, linking him to Vash as an accomplice.

He doesn't want to think about that.

Instead, he opens his eyes again as Ain returns, pushing himself up on his elbows so he can have a drink.]

Thank you, Ain.

[Arigato.]

[They're honestly both in too deep to quit now. Dig a hole, dig it deeper, Ain knows there's no getting out and at this point he almost doesn't want out. The world is vast and people aren't too good at finding them, and Ain has the rather uncanny trait of simply being able to disappear in plain sight — not literally, just that people tend to forget about him if they're not really looking — so he thinks they'll be fine.]

Gern geschehen. ["You're welcome."] Just relax until we have to leave, alright? I'll make sure nothing happens.

[It would be hard to. At most, what's going to happen is the police are going to knock on their door, and if they're real unlucky they might kick it down. And maybe it would be wise to leave now, but Vash is currently a gelatinous blob on the bed and Ain wants him to rest after cleaning him off, so.

They'll deal with it. They're good at dealing with it.

Tragedy of tragedies, though, they have to get dressed. Womp womp. :(]

[Just relaxing generally isn't something that's in Vash's vocabulary, or genetic code for that matter, but he's reached a point of boneless where he's pretty sure he's helpless but to relax right now. That might just be the secret, if you want Vash to stop, you have to fuck him stupid first.

But, right. Clothing...

With considerable effort, Vash pushes himself fully upright, brushing a hand over the back of his hair. The soreness isn't going to fully set in until morning, or until he tries to get up and walk around for that matter, so for the time being it's not too difficult to get his clothes back on. He puts on everything except his jacket, knowing that they'll need to be ready to get the hell out of dodge at a moment's notice.

His jacket, meanwhile...he reaches over to drape it around Ain's shoulders, nearly completely swallowing him up in it.]

You aren't still hungry, are you? I know what I brought back wasn't much.

[...

Ain full stop just flops over and buries himself in the jacket. It's like the sort of reaction a cat has to having a sweater put on them, but instead it's just Ain being incredibly dumb over the fact he's been given the jacket. It smells like Vash...

Comfy.]

Haha, I'll be fine. We'll find something tomorrow.

[Before they entirely flop over and sleep, Ain sits back up to pack what little they have into their bag. Can't forget the lube— oh and he totally stole the towels from the bathroom at a hotel they stayed at once. And they have to have the canteen, and...

They should totally steal the bed sheets last-second. Or at least the comforter. They've still got room. Kinda. Maybe they can steal a bigger gym bag in the future.

Okay. NOW he's flopping over, but he's dragging Vash down with him.]

Rest. [he's not asking.] I'll sing you to sleep.

[Vash doesn't bat an eye at Ain taking everything that isn't nailed down, because at this point there's no reason for them not to. This place...it isn't abandoned, people do live here, so they are very much stealing. But this is less stealing because it's fun, and more because it's really life-or-death in their case. They may not get another chance for a while to have extra pairs of sheets and blankets and whathaveyou, so even if they just leave with the comforter it'll be better than nothing.

Now normally, Vash would probably be still wide-awake. He usually has to wear himself out utterly before he sleeps and, well...this is one of those cases. He hasn't felt this relaxed in a long damn while, so as Ain lays down and pulls Vash into bed with him, he does not complain even a little. He allows himself to be dragged, nestling into his pet's arms with his own looping loose around that snatched waist of his.]

I love hearing you sing...

[Good, because that's what Vash is getting. He's getting a song, sung softly so that he can fall asleep wrapped in Ain's arms and a wing awkwardly sticking out from underneath the stolen jacket.

Ain has two modes with his vocalizations: Bird noises, and actual fucking singing like a human person would do. The difference between him and a human person is obvious enough, but he's a songbird pet — by default he has a nice singing voice, and he's used it in the past to make some spare change when stealing wasn't the best option.

Nowadays, Ain mostly uses it to coax Vash to sleep, singing whatever songs come to mind — things he's heard on the streets in their travels or things he's just made up on the spot. He tries to keep quiet, not out of respect for their neighbours who Ain will decide to hate in a few hours, but so he can keep singing long after Vash is asleep and make double-sure he's not going to wake up any time soon.

This is their bedtime ritual most nights. Vash is too high-strung to sleep, Ain is too anxious to function, but if Vash doesn't sleep it's Somehow Worse than if Ain doesn't. Ain will be fine.

So he sings. He sings, and keeps singing long after Vash conks out.]

[Vash doesn't often sleep well, when he sleeps. His sleep is fitful and often interrupted. It happens in bursts when he's able to catch it, sitting up keeping vigil somewhere, perched on a rooftop, hitching a ride in the back of a truck...any number of places. Hell, it's not often he sleeps in an actual bed. What he and Ain have right now is a luxury, really. Yet, Ain's singing...it's just as beautiful to him now as it was the first time he heart it. It's soothing and serene, and it's near enough to break your heart.

It's enough to lull him to sleep shortly after Ain starts, his hands reaching to hold onto the bird gently wherever they end up landing. It means that the two of them are sort of cuddling under and within his large red jacket, and for Vash? It's perfect.

He falls asleep, and he rests.

......until about 6 am, when the two of them are startled awake to the sound of hard banging on their door. BANG BANG BANG, FBI OPEN UP kind of banging. If Vash wasn't so tangled up in his ~~lover~~ pet right now, he would have startled so badly he'd have just ended up on the floor wholesale. Though he does jump near out of his skin as he lifts his head quickly, his blonde hair tousled and all kinds of out of sorts, he manages to stay in bed as he pushes himself up onto his palms, his head whipping around to look at the door.

There's a beat of silence, then the rapping begins anew. Harder, and more insistent this time, with the muffled shout of what must be a police officer on the other side, demanding they open up. If this were just a normal noise complaint, Vash doubts they'd be knocking like they're ready to beat the door down...but is it possible they know it's him staying here? Did someone see him when he left the konbini last night?]

Ain...Ain, we've got to go-!

[Ain is ruffled this morning.

There's a very dark look in his eyes as he stares out into the next room, at the feathers he can see on the arm of the couch from here, and he looks out the nearby window and wonders if anybody is looking Up into their room and can see them somehow through the half-closed curtains. He looks like he may, in fact, start throwing hands at any moment.

Never a good sign.

Ain quickly wiggles out of Vash's coat and hands it back to him before he squirms into his own. His has wing-holes in the back, Vash's doesn't, otherwise he'd just steal Vash's forever and call it good.]

Grab the comforter, [he says, resolute on stealing it because it's at least Nice and will serve them well for the time being,] I'll make sure they don't get in.

[They've got to take the window, but it'll take a half-minute to steal a blanket, and it would be more convenient to just quickly put it in the bag rather than try to run with it.

Ain creeps out into the main room to watch the door in the meantime. Vash can signal whenever he's ready, and they can slip out into the early morning light hopefully before the door gets kicked in.

Hopefully.]

[Vash would be more frustrated if this weren't his entire life. He's conditioned to expect this, at this point. Never a dull moment, some might say...yet when you've had a night like Vash just did...it makes him long for normalcy, just for a moment. For those days when things were easy, with Rem and Nai. Or even, when he was with Luida and Bradd...

Now, he has Ain. And he wishes it could be different, but he knows it can't be. It never will be, not so long as he's forced to live this way, on the fringes of society paying for crimes he never committed.

Though...maybe at this point, the blurred lines don't matter. He's a criminal in some respect, he supposes.

Vash is quick to throw on his jacket and hop to his feet, turning to rip the comforter off the bed. What Ain doesn't see is the near immediate way Vash doubles over and grits his teeth, gripping the headboard of the bed as a sudden lance of pain shoots up from his lower back.

Oh. Oh god, his ass.

He's going to have to try and push past it and worry about his inability to walk later, quickly bunching up the comforter into as close to a folded square as he can muster before shoving it deep into their bag, slinging it over his good shoulder. It's just in time, too, because as soon as he's upright again, the door explodes off its hinges, kicked down by the officer on the other side.

Vash's breath catches, and he's running back towards the main room before he can think to do otherwise, just as the men in the hallway are taking stock of the situation. One of them shouts- they recognize Vash on sight immediately- just as Vash makes it to Ain. Just as they start drawing their guns.]

Wait-!

[He manages to sweep a leg past the couch, dipping down a fraction low enough to avoid a bullet through his shoulder, his mechanical arm reaching up to grab Ain by one of his large sleeves, just in time for a second bullet to ping off the metal of his knuckles, richocheting into the wall.]

[It's a good thing that Vash pulls Ain down when he does, because Ain is... not that fast of a mover, really. That would have clipped him, and he would've been pissed about it. The man does not handle pain well.

Nor does he handle people shooting at them well, but that's a little more to-be-expected. From where he's pulled onto the floor, he groans, and there's a brief moment where he's calculating their next move.

Unfortunately for these guys, the bird has magic. Pets are extremely Not Supposed to have that, but Ain sure fucking does, and he's used it in the past mostly to heal injuries they get on their travels. Little things, like "oops got into a knife fight in an alleyway". Nothing huge, because Ain likes to keep his secrets and fly under the radar. He's sure Vash thinks he's Just A Healing Bird and nothing else, but.

Alas.]

Stay down, [he says, as if it's not. extremely obvious. that they have to.] I'll protect you.

[The second they come further into the room to walk up to the couch, because... well, it's obvious they're going to — is when Ain springs up and jumps on one of them, quite literally barrelling one over in a move that's certifiably risky. The others are quick to point their guns at him and fire off several rounds, "Kill that pet!", but the bullets uselessly collide with a greenish shield that springs up around Ain at that exact moment.]

I'm really mad at you guys, you know? [There's a casualness to his tone, but underneath, he is very very very much about to murder someone.] We were just leaving.

[From where Ain is perched on. well. a guy, he conjures spears out of thin air, glowing and greenish-blue and definitely looking more fragile than they actually are. It's not entirely his intent to kill when he grabs one from where it hovers in the air next to him, so he doesn't aim to do so solely because it would probably upset Vash more than anything, but he does immediately stand and swat some idiots in the back of the neck with it, enough to render them unconscious in short order. The guy Ain tackled gets kicked in the head until he conks out, and that's that.

Magical overkill, maybe, but he could've done like. lightning or a vortex or just blown the entire building up.

Wordlessly, he drops his shield, and immediately begins looting. Guns, bullets, money, someone's housekeys...]

[As the two of them hit the deck, Vash's mind races as he considers their options. They can't leave through the door, not when the hallway is teeming with authorities. Their only escape is through the window, but even that is going to be dicey now. Do they have the building surrounded? No, they couldn't, they didn't realize Vash the Stampede was in this room until five seconds ago. They're fine. They still have time. And since Vash is planning on making a clean(ish) getaway, he doesn't yet reach for the gun he keeps strapped to his side. He won't, not unless he has no other choice.

...what he is NOT expecting, however, is for Ain to speak up.]

...what?

[Is all Vash manages to get out before Ain is suddenly moving, jumping up and throwing himself at one of the cops before he can protest. He feels his heart crash into his stomach, and only now is he scrambling for his gun, pretty much expecting to have to fire it now.]

AIN!

[The gun clicks once as he cocks it, knowing by memory how many bullets he has in its chambers. He can't shoot though, not when he doesn't have a clear shot without accidentally hitting Ain instead, and as he peeks around the corner of the couch...he witnesses the bird suddenly erecting a magical barrier that blocks the bullets coming his way- Kill doesn't go unheard, and for a moment Vash feels like he's actually dying when he hears it- and it's really all he can do to watch, stunned, as Ain summons a spear that he proceeds to use to knock out every single last one of the men that forced their way into the room.

Then, all at once, it's silent. Vash knows better than to think they have much time, because no doubt backup is coming, and the entire building will likely be evacuated soon if it hasn't been already. He pushes himself stiffly up from the floor, ignoring the blazing pain in his hips and legs as he watches Ain start to take things from the officers' bodies, with ammo being the main priority since it's a commodity that is often in short supply, for Vash.

He can't think. He just...can't. Wordlessly, he swings their duffel bag around his shoulders to his front and zips it open, giving Ain enough room to just shove in whatever he can get his hands on.]

Are you okay?

Just pissed off, [he mutters, knowing in his heart that he's caused A Lot of alarm this day — not only could he have died but he's also just whipping out ungodly amounts of magic when he has said in the past he's Just A Healer,] I don't like it when people try to hurt what's mine, that's all.

[He's oozing possessiveness, but they really don't have time to dive into it. Everything Ain just snagged goes into the bag, and then he's ushering Vash quickly to the window, making sure he goes out First unless the perimeter is surrounded somehow. It had better not be, or else there are going to be more spears in Everywhere.]

We'll fly out of here, but I need a good spot to take off from, so you'll have to climb out first. [If they weren't currently trying to be, erm, more subtle than they just were? Ain would make a little tornado for them to bounce on. But a random fucking magic windstorm early in the morning would be Highly Suspect.] Come on.

[There's a silent "we'll talk later" in his eyes, because he knows better than to think they're not... going to have a discussion about this, somehow.]

[Oh yes, they will talk about this eventually. But right now, they need to get out of here in one piece, something that is still not 100% guaranteed. Vash is clearly still reeling, overwhelmed, and sore...but after a moment of silence, he quickly zips the bag up, slings it back over his shoulder, and heads for the window. He has no doubt that Ain should be able to carry them both, that part isn't the issue here...it's worrying that they could be shot down.

Vash tries to put that thought from his mind as he pushes open the window and climbs out onto the fire escape, craning his neck so he can find the quickest route to scramble up to the rooftop. He purposefully picked the highest floor possible so this could be a potential escape route if need be. Not his first rodeo, etc.

They're in luck, at least. The police haven't arrived in full force...not yet.]

[Not yet. And hopefully, by the time they get here — since it should take a bit if they've lost contact on account of, erm, Ain knows hand-to-hand combat pretty well for someone who's a little head empty no thoughts — Vash and him will be long gone. Scrambling up to the rooftop is pretty easy, and once they're up, Ain takes a moment to survey. The town they came from is back northwards... which means any other direction should be good to travel. He's more partial to the mountains, even if it'll be colder, since that's a good place to hide. Especially if there are abandoned homes or shacks or a cool ritzy resort to crash in with all the money Ain suddenly just fished out of pockets.

He also took that guy's housekeys just to be a dick, so there's that. Housekeys... are shiny. Leave him alone.]

Do you know how to ski? [He asks, even though skiing is super out of season right now, as he scoops Vash into a bridal carry to fly with.] If you don't like it, speak now or forever hold your peace!

[Because they are, frankly,

running and jumping off the roof, enough for Ain to probably give Vash a mild heart attack for the second time today before his wings beat against the wind and they're off. They're off... aaaaaaand oh no that sure is a lot of police in the distance, huh.

Ain, annoyed, simply conjures a bolt of yellowish, lightning-esque magic to strike a tree down onto the road and kill their pathing while he veers a sharp left and flies higher. Get fucked nerds—]

Haha, I promise not to drop you if you hold on tight!

...Ski?

[Well that...wasn't a question he was expecting to be asked, and it honestly catches him off guard. Vash has never been skiing before, no, though it can be argued he's performed feats similar to it, be they intentional or no. As such, he has no positive or negative answer to give.

Just. Screaming, as Ain leaps from the roof, even though Vash was fully expecting him to do just that. He's more than a bit addled today okay, his nerves are fried, he is baby :C

He holds on to his pet for dear life as his wings catch the air, sending them up and up into the sky. It gives Vash the vantage point to look back and see that oh, yes, they're 100% being tailed by police now, and he is once more left flabbergasted as Ain just uses more magic to make the pursuit more difficult.

He has...so many questions, but again, those will have to wait until they're on solid ground again.]

I- I'm holding, I'm holding-!!

[Hang on ~~babe~~ we're going to the mountains—

It's going to be a long flight. By "long", it's probably about a half-hour, only because Ain is pushing himself to fly faster. A half-hour flight means an hour or two of driving, means a long, long walk, means the mountains are probably safer for them for now based on proximity and nothing else. Ain at least seems to cheer up the longer they're airborne, because... yeah, there's no hope of them being caught now. It's early enough in the morning to still be mostly-dark, and Ain is a speeding silver bullet of a bird. Once they're high enough in the cloud-cover, the police officers are going to have a hard time finding them at all.

They're free and safe and Ain is very, very pleased with this. Have fun vacuuming his feathers off of every inch of that little space, jackasses!

Now, the good thing about mountain towns... they're little. The bad thing about mountain towns is that once someone knows you, everyone knows you, so this could be a risky decision. If they're lucky, this town is out in the backwoods enough where people won't know them or care. If they're not... well, they'll just move on. Like always.

They land some distance away from the entrance to the town proper, and Ain takes a moment to... laugh, really, at the windswept state of Vash's hair.]

Your hair is messed up. Aha... I kind of like it! It makes you look like a clown.

[he means this in the nicest way he promises]

PET PERSON MEME

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