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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

[Vash is getting pulled down for a Nap. It's really not a nap, since they've been up for all of two hours and Ain's trying to get them to simply go back to bed, but. A Nap. It's a nap.]

Haha, it happened to me my first time, so don't worry about it. You're already doing better than I was back then. I just stayed in bed and refused to move.

[Snuggle, snuggle. Ain runs one of his hands through Vash's hair idly.]

You can stay in bed all day today, too, if you want.

I've never once stayed in bed an entire day, you know.

[Even when he was living on the ship, Vash was always on the move. He, unlike Nai, needed to eat and sleep...but he barely ever gave himself time for the latter. He was too curious about the world, too eager to explore and learn everything he could. The same holds true so many years into the future, and thus, it's surprising even to Vash that he's this tired. Maybe it's a good thing that he's being forced to slow down, for once.

He sighs, his eyes drifting closed as Ain pulls his fingers through his hair, and after a moment he moves to lay his head against the bird's chest.]

...but we'll see if I can manage it. Maybe with you here...

If not, I'll just tire you out again.

[This is a THREAT he is THREATENING YOU.]

Just rest for a while. We can think about other things afterwards.

[Ain holds still so Vash can adjust, then goes back to combing his fingers through his hair. Soft and gentle... Trying to lull him to sleep, clearly. They have time, for once. They can just... be.

Lowly, Ain sings a lullaby, like he did last night. Bedtime for Vash.]

[Oooooh Mister Ain Oooooh please threaten him harder-

Thinking about things later...afterwards...problems for future Vash...thaat sounds perfect. Vash usually doesn't have the luxury of doing that, so he'll latch onto it for as long as he's able. It's not like he's given much incentive to NOT lay here and let Ain lull him to sleep. And unsurprisingly, even though Vash slept a semi-full night...it isn't long before he drifts off to Ain singing for him again.

Only this time, there's no anticipation keeping him on the knife's edge of wakefulness. He doesn't have to pop awake at a moment's notice to escape.

It's as Ain thinks. He can just be, and so...he sleeps, his mouth eventually falling open as he snores softly.]

[He's so cute... it's not fair. Ain is having this exact thought for the millionth time in the last twenty-four hours, as he listens to the soft sound of Vash's snoring and tries to stifle a charmed laugh about it. Ah...

Man. When he actually gets to sleep, he sleeps. Ain wants to see him peaceful like this always, with no cares in the world. Maybe that would make it less significant — if someone's relaxed daily, it's not a special occasion — but that's really all Ain wants for him. Vash deserves a life like this, in a warm room with the promise of safety and good food on the horizon.

Ain presses his lips to Vash's head while he snores.]

I'll keep you safe, [he whispers against his hair,] I promise.

[He's not long for sleep, either, having sufficiently tired himself out with all that magic and flying. So... Ain stretches his wings out and wraps them around Vash's shoulders to keep him warm, and then closes his eyes. Wake him when you're hungry, Vash.]

[Since Vash very rarely feels relaxed, at least in this pure of a form, he sleeps like a fucking log. Even if Ain got out of bed at any point, he probably wouldn't have woken up. He doesn't sleep clear to the next day or even night, mind...but he does sleep up to noon. It's several uninterrupted hours of rest, something Vash hardly ever gets.

Unfortunately, Vash doesn't get the full experience of lazily sleeping in, not when The Traumas are constantly lurking, just waiting for him to slip up and get too comfortable. Because when he sleeps...he dreams. He dreams the same dream he's had for nigh on a century, now.

The loud warning sirens of the ship blare in his ears, the world bathed in red as he's quickly ushered into a cramped escape pod. There's barely enough room for both himself and Nai, the latter who has barely reacted to the chaos that's going on around them. Vash, meanwhile, who struggles to try to get back out of the pod, begs the woman putting him into it to join them. But she doesn't. She stays back, and just before pulling the lever to jettison them into space, she tells Vash that her time with him and his brother truly blessed and enriched her life. That she loved them.

The ship is engulfed with flames, a veritable fireball in the sky. Vash can still feel the overwhelming heat on his face as he jerks awake so violently that he nearly knocks one of the pillows off the bed, sitting up halfway with a gasp of air that rattles in his chest.]

Rem!

[Ow, his ribs.

What a way to wake up. Vash flails and then screams and Ain's got the wind knocked out of his sails and a very sudden jumpscare all at once, and it's only when he sits up in a panic that he realises they're not in any immediate danger.

A nightmare, then. Maybe they should have eaten more than a single steamed bun each last night...]

You know, it's usually in poor taste to call someone else's name in bed. [Ain!] ...what is it? Did you have a bad dream?

[It takes Vash a moment to realize where he is. He isn't escaping an inferno. He isn't pushing himself up from the sand of a desolate desert. He isn't walking up on his brother as he watches the pieces of the ship rain from the sky like meteors, decrying their- their- act of crashing the ship a success.

His heart feels like it's going to explode out of his chest. It's been decades, and yet it never gets any easier for him to remember as he sinks back against the headboard of the bed, bringing a hand to his face.]

Y...yeah. Sorry...sorry, Ain. I'm okay.

[Ain curls up into Vash's side easily. It's instinctual at this point; Vash gets upset and Ain gently holds him and starts making soft trills in his ear to calm him. This is no different from how it usually goes, except for once it's done in a place with relative safety and not some back alley or shitty apartment or a tree.]

Ah... I'm sorry. I wish I could make it go away. You were sleeping so peacefully, too.

[Kisses his cheek.]

It's okay. I've been told nightmares can't get you once you wake up. Just focus on me for a little, and it'll go away.

[Focus on Ain...

Vash decides he's going to do just that, if only to drive the image of a night sky filled with molten shrapnel from his mind's eye.

As Ain curls up against him, Vash- instead of just sitting up- decides to allow himself to sink down a little further, just enough so that he can turn to face Ain. And instead of being conservative with his contact, he wraps both arms around him, pressing his face into the side of his neck for a moment so he can just...breathe. He counts every breath in, and every breath out, just like Luida used to teach him. Rem never had to teach Vash such things, because Vash had only been an innocent child, not yet tainted by the world. All of that went out the window, once they crashed onto Earth.

His breathing, previously a little too shallow and uneven to be fruitful, eventually evens out. It slows to a more normal pace, and with his good hand pressing in between Ain's wings, Vash tilts his head back so he can look at Ain's face. It's midday, so the room is quite well lit for how they've been sleeping all day...making it that much easier to see him.]

...your eyes are pretty.

[He finally mumbles, muffled into Ain's collar.]

Really? I like yours more, even if they're covered by your dumb glasses all the time.

[Do Not Be Fooled by his dumb teasing, he's actually a bit flustered by the compliment. It shows in the subtle redness to his cheeks that he's not acknowledging. Not even mentally. Do not perceive him. Why are boys.]

Your eyes are so vibrant and kind all the time. I'm jealous. [He thinks he's jealous. Ain is not unaware of how vindictive he can be when he gets pissed off; meanwhile Vash has tons of love for the world. Ain only recently came to understand it, and it was... hard. It was hard to know why the things he was doing were wrong and why the things he said made people upset. He still doesn't get the latter, sometimes, and unlike Vash he's not above murder if it keeps them both safe.] I like that mark underneath your eye, too. And I like your silly hair...

[He nuzzles against Vash from where they lay.]

Pretty. [Yeah.]

[Vash huffs out a soft laugh at that, in spite of himself.]

Jealous? Of me?

[He could say the same about Ain, who is just so...different from anyone else he's ever known. He's so vibrant and unique. Quirky, sassy. He isn't afraid to speak his mind, or- perhaps at times- he simply lacks the concept that what's on his mind shouldn't be said. For Vash, it doesn't matter. Ain has become a rock in what is otherwise a constantly tumultuous storm. Vash is reminded of that as they lay there together, wrapped up in each other like lovers, though they don't have the vocabulary to put it into words.

He presses his face to Ain's neck again, impulsively kissing him there.]

I'm not that special. ...but thank you.

[Ain makes a stifled little noise in the back of his throat. Haha... hi. Hi there. Careful with your kisses sir, just because you haven't eaten in the last twelve hours doesn't mean he won't still try to jump your bones.]

Aha, if you weren't special, I wouldn't be here. I'm really picky about the people I spend my time with, you know.

[Well. He's not, really, but it's a matter of if he likes them or not. Ain will spend time with most people, but if he doesn't care for them... they'll probably never see him again.]

Oh, but before I kiss you stupid, [acting like they're dating when they're not,] why don't we find something to eat? We still have some money, right?

[Vash nods, reluctantly leaning back a little further out of Ain's space. He should hope they do, considering the fact that Ain robbed those cops completely blind. Vash, being Vash, feels a bit guilty...but given the fact that they were shot at just right out the gate (with the intent to kill, in Ain's case), it's probably fine.]

Enough to last us most of the week, I think... [He hasn't, uh. BOUGHT...things properly in a while, so oops.] As long as we don't overdo it.

[Not that they'll be going for extravagant, expensive meals or anything like that.]

I didn't think to ask if this inn has breakfast.

Haha, do you want me to find out? Or would you rather go outside with me?

[Ain hums, and he, too, reluctantly pulls back to sit up. If he could choose... he would simply lounge around all day, because it's what they deserve. But he also has the heart of an explorer in him, and if this place is nice? He wants to poke his head into the cheap little street-food stalls and shops they can't afford. Just to see.]

I think people here are nice so far. We didn't get stopped coming in... so we should be fine, right?

[It's what they deserve!! But lounging around isn't something Vash is used to doing, and after being so rudely awoken by his own misbehaving brain...he figures that getting up and moving around a bit, even if he has to limp to do so, would be good for him. Good for both of them, maybe. This is a rare opportunity, after all, to be in a town where they can just...be.]

I'd...rather go out with you.

[Not just to see the town, but to stick close to Ain's side. It wouldn't do to let themselves be lulled into too much of a false sense of security.]

But you're right. It should be fine.

["It should be fine." And that's the sentiment Ain will hold close to his chest, because it's never fine with them, nothing is really fine with them except for rare moments of peace like this one. Ain is going to savour it.

It's with boundless enthusiasm that he slides out of bed and tugs on Vash's hand like he's not moving fast enough, c'mon c'mon c'mon, and then makes his way toward the door to put his shoes on.]

I think it'll be nice. [Oh, and his coat, too, he can't forget his coat.] We never get to have fun days on the town like this. I want to look at everything, even if we're not buying anything.

...do you think they have a big fountain somewhere?

[no ain you are not getting into the fountain]

O-oh!

[And just like that, Vash is being ushered up and out of bed by the hand, stumbling a little over his own feet in his struggle to get out of bed without falling flat on his face. He's seen Ain eager and excited about things before of course, but this is enough to bring Vash the rest of the way out of his own head. Thankfully, far enough out that he won't be falling into melancholic reflection, not today.

He wishes there was more to this town, because if he had to guess, they'll probably see everything before half the day is gone (except half the day IS already gone, it's noon, so maybe they'll be able to fool themselves into feeling like there's more than there really is). But, as long as they can see it without being confronted? ...well, that's just fine with Vash.

He takes a moment to work on his own boots before slinging his jacket on, making another mental note to look into a dry cleaining place or something, a laundromat even, before beating one foot against the floor to get his shoe on the rest of the way.]

Haha, maybe! It's a mountain town, it would be themeatically fitting.

[He figures, since he's seen such things in picture books and whatnot. Vash is not thinking about Ain getting into the fountian, even though he probably should see the warning signs.]

[>there is no bathtub
>there is possibly a fountain
>ain is a bird

In modern society they must deal with troubles like birds, dogs, and snakes climbing into fountains. Vash is possibly going to have to pull his feral bird out from a fountain if they find one because Ain has two braincells clonking around in his head and they will combust when instinct takes over.

They'll burn that bridge when they reach it. For now, Ain makes sure that they have the key to get back into the room, and then they're off to go look at the town. The girl at the front desk at the inn seems much more Alive when they pass by, though not alive enough to do much more than wave.

Outside, the small town is as bustling as a small town can be, but yet again no one looks at them funny. They simply see a human (source needed) and his bird and move on with their lives. It's so weird. It's awesome.]

It's pretty here, [Ain says, staring off into the distance.] Look, there are houses up on the side of the mountain. It looks kind of like a Christmas town.

[He's only ever seen them depicted in books and they're always in the mountains and they're log cabins and they're lit up real nicely. Except it's noon, so minus the lights. But everything else is true.

It is not Christmas, though.]

[Ain hurtling into a public fountain is both a threat as much as a promise, at this point. Vash has no idea the storm that's coming.

It's a quaint little town. It's nothing compared to the cities they've floated through recently, super industrial and busy. Here...the outdoors really seeps through, and it's clear that it's quite secluded from what most people would consider a more populated region. It's not isolated entirely from the grid at all, as evident by the fact that there's power and running water and modern ameneties, it's just got a different feel. Less people, but less is more in this case.

Vash has never told Ain about one town similar to this one in particular that he used to frequent. The people knew him there, lauded him as a hero...because he'd saved it, once. He'd been responsible for helping restore power to the city, ultimately saving them from the ordeal of struggling for fresh water and power to live their lives. The people remembered him, welcomed him warmly when he arrived. It was one of those times where Vash felt happy...he felt like he'd done something good.

But Nai caught up with him. And now, that town...no longer exists. Nothing more than a rubble-strewn husk, and what people do remain likely no longer live there. Vash just knows that he's no longer welcome. Were he to ever show his face again...

He blinks hard, and just like that he's back to the present, listening to Ain chirp happily as he talks about their surroundings. He bobs his head as they walk, nodding with his hands finding their way into his jacket pockets.]

I've only ever seen places like this in books before. It almost feels like we're in a painting, doesn't it?

It does. Do you think it'll start snowing?

[Well, it's... they're in the mountains, so it's likely? The weather isn't winter storm hours here, but Ain is solidly and clearly confused about how mountain weather differs from everywhere else on account of He Has Never Been To A Mountain Before. He's pretty sure they're always supposed to snow. Blizzard levels of snow. Daily.

It's in books.]

Have you ever been in a snowball fight? I bet I could beat you! [He cannot.] —oh! Vash— [Yeah, still on a first-name basis, congrats,] look!

[Ain veers toward a little street food vendor with a short line, pointing toward it in case it's not extremely obvious where he's headed. The only problem is this food is not, erm, a meal — it's a stall selling frozen lemonades and other frozen drinks. You know. Gotta stick with the theme in a small wintery town.]

They're— [fuck what do you call these,] —Fruchtsaftgetränke?

[close enough.]

[Hhh, the fact that Ain just voluntarily calls him Vash now, and not "Mr. Plant", makes Vash's heart...do things. Worrying things. If it hadn't happened before, he'd be worried he was dying or something. Finally fizzling out despite having lived over a century.

He, too, doesn't have a super solid concept of the mountains and how they function, so for all he knows it will snow today. Though speaking of...]

I've never actually seen snow before. Not in person, anyway...just in books.

[So! If it snows, that'll be an experience for everyone. Maybe they can actually get into a snowball fight-

Ain's adhd brain gets the better of him though, and before they can unpack that, Vash is being led in another direction as they reach a vendor up ahead. It's definitely not breakfast, much less actual food.

Vash sort of. Stops walking. Blinks.]

...a. A what?

[Bless you???]

[He is trying so hard to find the right word for "smoothie" or "icee" but those words do not exist in his native tongue and he's forgotten them in his other two languages, so. He just. Flails his arms and points more insistently at the sign.]

Fruchtsaftgetränke! The frozen ones! ["The frozen fruit juices" is what he's trying to say. Like a smoothie.] We had something like it before, and it had— [FUCK WHAT'S THE WORD] —it had balls in it!

[Smoothies. With boba pearls. That's what they had.]

Vash!! [Now he's desperate and sad why don't you speak German :(] What are they called?!

[POINTS. TO THE SIGN.]

[Vash tenses, his eyes widening as Ain grows increasingly distressed at his inability to words. Vash understands: there were often times on the ship where he'd run into the same problem, despite being a fast learner. It's difficult! And Vash doesn't even know other languages really, certainly not German at the very least.

Context clues help, though. He looks back up a the sign and yes, they're definitely selling frozen drinks here. A slushie would also suffice.

After a moment, he looks back down at Ain.]

You mean a smoothie?

A smoothie! [He echoes, with enough loud enthusiasm that now the vendor is barely muffling laughter at this very confused, very German bird. You imported your pet, huh Vash, that's pretty cool, imports are expensive. Etc.] They have smoothies.

[No honey they have slushies— sigh, let him have this.]

You liked these when we had them last, right? [Now he's speaking at normal volume again.] I don't think these have the— [fuck] —the balls. Orbs. In them.

[the ball orbs. you know. the chewy ones.]

Do you want one?

PET PERSON MEME

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