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! |
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Taking Mayoi's hand delicately, he put his other hand on his chest.]
Of course. It doesn't matter how you thank the Lord for His blessings, as long as you remember to do it when you can. I don't think you'll be judged harshly if you miss a prayer here and there. I know some nights I... [He doesn't feel like it's worth it, some nights. But a convenient lie sounds nicer.] ...simply fall into bed from exhaustion and forget.
But I always say a quick thanks before a meal, usually holding my parents' hands when we eat together. When we don't, if I'm eating alone, I just hold my own, really. Close your eyes and bow your head, and speak from your heart.
[He squeezes Mayoi's hand gently, then closes his eyes and bows his head, just as he said.]
Dear Lord, thank you for the blessings you have given us today. I pray this food will nourish our tired bodies and bring us closer to your grace. Amen.
[And he opens his eyes, looking up at Mayoi.]
That's all. You usually say "Amen" at the end, even if you didn't lead the prayer. As long as your heart is devoted to the message, it will reach God, so you can say things silently if needed. Sometimes when I'm out for lunch I don't want to disturb anyone by speaking, so I'll pray silently instead.
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Amen.
[And then he smiles brightly. It is perhaps the best smile he has worn so far, and he takes his hands back to properly appraise the food.]
[He was used to nice food. After all, he was a well-kept pet, for the most part. They cared a lot about appearances, and so, he was given the best in terms of things like that. However ...there is something much more heartfelt about the meal in front of him.]
[He will glance up before he takes up a utensil, making sure he has permission to eat, but once it seems like he does, he will be as politely ravenous as humanly possible.]
[He really was terribly hungry.]
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Of course, he's worried that someone from a wealthier household might be used to better, richer food, but he's delighted when Mayoi seems satisfied. He's so delighted, in fact, that he forgets for a moment to eat his own meal. He's mesmerized by the hunger, and the gratitude. Mayoi is more charming than Tatsumi realized, too, and once again the pious young man stares in polite awe.]
...Mayoi-san, would you like my portion as well?
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N-N-No, I couldn't... T-to take yours... that would be wildly inappropriate, T-Tatsumi-san...
[To even think of taking a portion meant for his Master, it makes his blood turn cold. It feels like a trap. But Tatsumi wouldn't do something like that right...? This is genuine...? But why would a human just offer up their own for him??]
[He's going through a few wild conversations in his own head waiting for Tatsumi's answer.]
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Your hand is very thin and you've had a difficult day... I assumed you weren't fed enough at your prior home. I'm sorry for assuming things. I wouldn't mind making more if you're still hungry, though.
[A warm sound slips out of Tatsumi's throat.]
Not to call myself out, but I'm not used to people being grateful for my meager cooking skills. If it makes you feel warm and welcome, I'll probably cook for you every day.
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I... I am still a little peckish...
[He frowns a little, holding his hands close to his chest.]
Sometimes ...I would be offered things and assured they were okay, only to be punished. I... I had to be very careful about what I accepted and didn't around them...
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No one here will treat you like that. [...] Did no one in that family love you, Mayoi-san?
[It breaks his heart to think of it. He'd always heard that pets were to be loved and protected, treated like members of the family even if they were lesser. That was in the teachings of his religion, to minister to the suffering and love and help the downtrodden.]
I understand if you're afraid of me. I won't ask you to do anything that scares you yet, but you may have to tell me when you're scared. I've never had a pet before.
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[He thinks about it, but then casts his eyes down. Against his will, hot distressed tears start to stream down his face.]
No...N-No... I-I don't think they ever did...I...
[Oh, no, now the tears won't stop. He feels ...so much more upset now than he realized. It's like all of it is finally hitting him.]
Why did I not deserve their love...? What could I have done...? I tried ....a-and I tried ...but they ... I couldn't bear it any longer, Tatsumi-san...
[Hold it together, do not create a scene. You will be punished if you-]
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There's nothing bad or wrong or reprehensible about you, Mayoi-san. They're the ones who were wrong. They should have loved you, at the very least as much as anyone should love all of God's creatures.
[His heart aches in a way he didn't know was possible. Injustice has always upset Tatsumi, but this feels so very personal.]
I hope you'll come to trust me. I hope you'll let me show you all the kindness they wouldn't. I'll keep you safe here, and I'll let you sleep near me and eat with me. I'll give you company when you want it and privacy when you don't. Perhaps... someday we'll come to love each other. I'd like that, really. It's what you deserve.
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...Have I died ...? I feel as though ...your kindness cannot possibly be of this earth. I...
[Tatsumi claims his hands, and Mayoi feels an urge he cannot suppress to lean in as close to him as he'll allow.]
I have longed for even ...a dredge of what you promise ...i-is it really true? Will you not snatch it away from me again and again...?
[Please ...he needs just one more confirmation. That he's safe and that Tatsumi is real.]
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[He leans in the rest of the distance between them, pressing his forehead to Mayoi's gently.]
It's yours. All of my kindness and everything I can possibly offer someone else is yours for as long as you'll have it. No one will take you from me, and I'll care for you properly.
[And... maybe because he's stupid and impulsive, Tatsumi tips his chin up slightly to press a fleeting kiss to the corner of Mayoi's lips.]
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[Something in him warms considerably to hear those words. He would have been content to belong to the church, but his heart had really been aching for something more ...something personal. For a single person to say the words Tatsumi was saying.]
[No more cold indifference...]
Will you...? Can I devote myself to you unquestionably and earn your love...? I'll do everything ...be anything... I promise-
[And then that little kiss happens and Mayoi goes quiet again with surprise. But, rather than freak out, something in him simply accepts. Mayoi leans down so he can tuck his head right up under Tatsumi's chin, purring gently.]
I want to be yours, Tatsumi-san...
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I want you to be mine, Mayoi-san. I'm sorry if this is too sudden. I really didn't intend to... be quite like this. But if God has brought you to my arms, I won't turn you away. Anything you need, I'll take care of. You'll be my first and only...
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It may be sudden for you …b-but …truly I have yearned for …something so simply all my life. I feel so happy I could die…
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[Tatsumi reaches across the table and pulls his food over.]
Here. Eat as much as you want. I'll make more for me.
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[Mayoi takes a deep breath and dries his tears. He reluctantly pulls away from Tatsumi just enough to get back in his seat. It does take a bit of working up to it, of having to argue with himself that Tatsumi wouldn’t trick him, before he’s able to eat. Once he does the food doesn’t last long.]
…Does Tatsumi-san enjoy cooking…?
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I think it's enjoyable to cook for others, especially when they're grateful for it. Is that too self-serving? You may have to teach me to be more humble...
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I… don’t find that to be too self-serving. It is …a great feeling, to be needed and to be appreciated. Perhaps it is just my nature as a pet, so maybe it is different for humans but …that is very normal, is it not…?
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It... is wonderful. I don't want to be the kind of person who only does things to please others, that is, simply for the gratification... I'd like to genuinely be a good person. [He thinks for a moment, about the fact that he isn't a "good" person, according to certain people...] I think some people question motives when it comes to humans, whereas they'll give pets more leeway. Some people. Not everyone is like that.
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I suppose for something like me, it is less important to be good or bad in a moral sense. It only matters if I am "good" by a Master's standard. Such a bar can be moved or changed ...or very different depending on the Master.
[Another bite, slower, with consideration.]
I think ...perhaps I have no understanding of human morals at all. I've never had to think about it before.
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I... doubt you need intimate understanding of it, beyond what keeps you alive and healthy and safe.
[Still...] There's no doubt in my mind that you're "good" and that you've been handled and wrong by people who are "bad" to some degree. Only the Lord can judge us, though.
[Tatsumi eats in thoughtful pauses, though it's clear that he's quite hungry when he starts.]
If I'm not good to you, please tell me how I can be better for you. This isn't something I've done before, and I'm very open to feedback.
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[After all his understanding of it is iffy. And ...frankly that he ran from his owners would make him in the "wrong" more so than their mistreatment of him would. Complicated...]
I...I will do my best. I'm afraid ...Tatsumi-san has more than exceeded my expectations for how I'd like to be treated. If you do something to question that, it must be quite terrible...but I will try to tell you if that happens.
[Implied that he doesn't think he will need to. Really, his standards are on the ground and Tatsumi successfully stepped over them.]
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[Tatsumi's smile is soft and genuine, gentle and inviting. He wants Mayoi to have a home here, to feel safe and wanted and cared for, quite opposed to whatever horrible treatment he faced before. In his opinion, it takes overwhelming kindness to overwrite such treatment. Thankfully, that's something he's generally good at.
Even if the bar is low, he intends to clear it like a gazelle. The world is wrong to think Mayoi wrong for leaving a terrible situation. Tatsumi's convictions and sense of correctness matter more to him than the prevailing attitudes.]
Maybe you'll come out of your shell when you're more comfortable. I'd like to see you able to laugh and smile as freely as anyone else. I'm sure you'll have an even more beautiful smile.
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[While he is still nervous, and he isn't so sure he'll be as bright and sociable as Tatsumi might be hoping for, he will try, for Tatsumi.]
Tatsumi-san is very kind for those words. I will do my best.
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For all that Mayoi may be well-bred and meant to be beautiful, Tatsumi finds him lovely for reasons well beyond that. His kindness, his gentleness... his quiet, unassuming manner. There's nothing to dislike.
Once they both finish eating, he quickly washes the dishes and gestures back toward his bedroom.]
We can talk in my room until it's time to sleep. You can sleep in the bed, if you like. I don't think a night on the floor will hurt me.
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