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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

[Unfortunately Mai’s stupid Plant powers are so enhanced that he could slap them out of the sky if he wanted, so needless to say it’s obvious he’s not here. If Vash had to guess, his focus isn’t on him right now at all, but instead gathering up pets from all over from various cities. He knows he can draw Vash out like a mouse to a trap whenever he wants, and they have all the time in the world. He’s biding his time, perhaps…

Vash relaxes the moment Ain moves in close, prompting him to wrap an arm loosely around Ain’s waist. There’s a little convenient lip in the rocks to sit on which Vash is taking advantage of, and it’s hard not to sigh with pleasure and relief at how nice the hot water feels to his muscles.]

It is…it’s really warm. Like a hot bath…

[But arguably more novel, considering. Plus, the frigid air of the mountains isn’t bothering him at all right now. The hot springs, dare he say, is made that much more enjoyable thanks to the contrast.]

[Ain unsubtly sniffles again. Ugh... What's the point of an immune system if it's not making him immune to anything! They should call it the unimmune system because it sucks and doesn't do anything.]

I'm glad I smelt this and not a gas leak or something. [It's half a joke. Kind of.] We're safe and warm here. We don't have anything to eat, but... when we wake up tomorrow morning, at least we'll feel a bit more invigorated.

[...sniffles again, god dammit—]

[When Ain starts to sniffle, Vash tugs him a little closer. He may as well be in his lap, at this point.]

Do you need a handkerchief? I think I stuffed one in the bag at some point...

[He has to hope it isn't one he'd been using to wipe leaking oil off his arm, because they don't need to have that conversation right now-]

[Babe why the fuck are you leaking oil,]

I'm okay. I'm comfortable, and I don't want to get up.

[If anything he'll just dunk his whole head in the water, no big deal. The cuddling is nice, though, and Ain's tempted to climb fully into Vash's lap. But.

You know. Probably not the wisest idea.]

It's only because of the elevation change, [he lies, you know, like a liar,] I'll be fine after a bit.

[His arm is cybernetic, and while it's usually fine, it's got...a lot of moving parts on the inside, and the fractures only worsen by the day. It was inevitable they'd get into the joints and cause problems at some point, but it's! Fine! They're on the way to get it fixed as they speak so it's fine.

Vash...does not believe Ain, because he was very recently sick, but he isn't going to argue. Being in a warm bath of sorts with hot steam to breathe in is probably good for him anyway, and the best either of them have on short notice. With that, he'll concede and just lay his head against Ain's shoulder.]

If you say so. I just hope going from being really hot to cold again won't be a problem.

It shouldn't be. Believe it or not, I do know how to wear a jacket.

[No one believes you.

It'll be about half an hour before Ain's limbs stop feeling bad, and as soon as he can properly move around without the encroaching feeling of Death, he swims over to the centre of the spring, spreads his wings,

and starts fucking splashing. Goodbye, birdbrain has him he must worsh.]

[OH HELLO, Ain is worshing now and Vash dare not stop him. He just sits back and enjoys the show, laughing in spite of himself.]

Does that feel good?

[He has to imagine it does. Finally, Ain has plenty of space to flap as much as he wants...and splash as much as he wants.]

Uh-huh. It was hard to do it in that tiny little box of a shower we had.

[He looks over his shoulder back at Vash, stares for a bit too long because he's so taken with the man's laughter, and then

splashsplashsplashsplash—

The sound of wings beating themselves dry echoes around the area, and then Ain folds his wings against his back and swims back over to Vash, despite the fact he knows he's going to have to beat them dry again once they actually get out. Then, he nuzzles up against the man, head under his chin. Happy bird noises.]

It's definitely better than climbing into the fountain, anyhow.

[It's a miracle there wasn't a repeat incident because oh boy,]

[He's proud of you for exercising so much restraint, Ain. He really is.

As the bird returns to sit with Vash, Vash sits back a little against the rocks to give Ain some more room, looking up at the stars overhead. It's truly a beautiful sight, the mostly-clear sky with the galaxy surrounding them. It's the life that Vash had up there in the stars, once upon a time, that seemed idyllic and unshakeable. It was perfect. Would have forever remained perfect, had he and Nai not gotten curious...had they not learned the truth. Had Nai not learned too much.

Now he's here, on Earth, struggling to survive. Trying to protect this world from his brother, who seeks nothing more than to destroy it.

He sighs through his nose, holding Ain a little closer to himself. He knows...he shouldn't be saying something like this, but it leaves him anyway.]

If...we ever had our own place, it would have a big bath. Or a pool outside...so you could stretch your wings and wash in it as much as you wanted.

[There's a lot neither of them should promise right now. Ain shouldn't entertain the idea of being in love with a human-passing alien. Said human-passing alien shouldn't entertain the idea of them ever living together in a domestic, not-on-the-run situation. Ain shouldn't sink his talons in any deeper than he has them, even if the thought of giving Vash up sickens him to his core. Yet here they are, cuddled up in a hot spring beneath the stars, making promises that Ain clings to with every fiber of his being because he doesn't know how to let go.]

I still want to have a house with you in general. I want to learn to cook for you... haha, is that silly?

[Is it silly to want to become a malewife for them? Ain has no ability in the wife department, he's pretty useless if he's not casting magic — but still.]

I told you already that we'll get there. I'm not giving up on that yet, because I want to keep you and all. Because you're mine, and I'm yours.

[just

skirting the edge of what those words mean, so far. "Yours" and "mine" but he wants it to flow deeper than their bond they have now.]

[It may not be possible now, or maybe even ever...but it gives Vash hope, and hope is the thing he's clung to for years. It's what has kept him alive for this long. It's the reason he keeps going: the hope that things will get better, one day. That this world will be kinder, and the threats it faces eradicated. And maybe he's running away from his problems, as opposed to facing them head-on...but right now, the stalemate means that the people he cares about stay safe. That matters more than his own feelings.

Nevertheless, he will cling to the idea that one day, he can live a normal life. He can have his own home, in a nice little town, with a little yard and all the things you'd want for normal living. And Ain would be there, of course. And this time, maybe, Vash wouldn't ruin a good thing.

Because you're mine, and I'm yours.

That...means something.]

...Ain. I...

[And a feeling surges in his chest as he speaks, but he doesn't know where to go from there. He wants to tell Ain that he means more to him than just that, but how is that possible? How can you go further than that? It's a feeling so strong that it makes Vash ache. It makes him want to cry and laugh all at the same time.

So, since the words won't come, Vash instead chooses to reach for and turn Ain's face gently up towards him so as to lean down and kiss his lips. Slow, gentle, but insistent in a way that Vash usually isn't.]

[Oh. That's much different from usual, yes; usually it's Ain who's the insistent one, the needy one, the one who's trying to kiss Vash like he'll stop breathing if he doesn't get it. To that end, he makes a surprised noise in the back of his throat because of it, but it's not unwelcome.

Ain places his hands on Vash's shoulders, and then — fuck it, it's not like anyone is out here to see them — throws his arms around his owner's shoulders and draws them into a more official embrace than their gentle, sort of hands-off laying-on-each-other has been thus far.]

...you what?

[Don't think he forgot that Vash had words, before pulling him into a kiss that, despite the slowness, still manages to leave him breathless at the end.]

[Vash wants...he just wants. So badly, he wants. His better judgement is telling him no, because the moment he says too much, there won't be any going back from it. Even as a contingency, he and Ain will be attached at the hip until something happens to one or both of them.

And that's a terrifying thought, isn't it? He lost Rem the same way, and it was his own fault that he lost her. It was his own fault that he lost Rollo. That Tonis became crippled when his home was destroyed. That he and Nick parted ways unpleasantly. And now Nai...his own brother has become the source of all of that misery, to the point where he hardly knows how he should feel anymore, even though he knows what he would have said back on the ship.

Everyone he's ever gotten close to he's lost. It's trauma, plain and simple, that scares him away from saying more. Because he can't lose more.

Yet as he looks at Ain, holds him in his arms, cups his face with his free hand...he knows that it's already too late. When he looks at Ain, he feels the same feeling he always did when Rem held his hand or taught him about the geraniums she grew. How it felt when things were good, and he and Nai would talk about all of the things they wondered about the world as a whole. When he was touted as a hero for saving a desolate town, and the humans there treated him as their own.

He wants.

His hand trails down until he finds the collar still around Ain's neck, his fingers brushing over the tag in a way that makes it jingle softly. It doesn't have Vash's name on it, but it doesn't need to. He can feel something aching behind his eyes, because it feelsl like he's doomed Ain. His affection is going to lead to something horrible.

But. He's selfish.]

I love you.

[It's just as Nai said. All he's ever wanted was the love of "those humans".

That's all.]

[Oh. Ooooh. Ooooooh Ain is so stupid, hello? And here he thought Vash wanted to just be friends-with-benefits, or... be a pet owner with benefits, like a lot of owners do. Here he thought Vash would want to be far the fuck away from him, if Ain said anything about the feelings he has for the man that he only just became aware of. Not just gained, but became aware of, and has been sitting on for several days now because saying something is disastrous.

Ain doesn't want to fuck this up and make Vash want to leave him. It's a scenario he's gone over in his head a billion different times now. That, and losing him in a more permanent sense of the word is something he dreads, but...

At some point, it's too late for take-backs, and that point is now. For Ain, that was relatively soon after they met, when Ain latched onto him, but it felt more permanent when he told Vash he wanted to be owned instead of a stray by society's standards, and now it's double-permanent.

Vash loves him. He loves Vash. And Ain would go scorched earth on a world that tried to keep them apart.]

You do? [No, wait, dumbass, say it back--] I... love you too, Vash. I have for a while.

[There's about five seconds of silence before Ain simply gathers Vash in his arms and squishes him half to death, burying his face against the blonde's next. Another five seconds... and then the trilling begins, loud and unreserved.]

[There's a lot riding on this, more than a simple confession of love. Relationships between pets and humans aren't legal in most cities, and if there's no strict law in place, it's certainly socially unacceptable. Funny, given how it's acceptable to fuck your pet, but not to actually love them unconditionally. Not that Vash even particularly cares about the legality at this point, not when he's got such a large bounty on his head that the idea of "fraternizing with a pet" would be so low on the ladder of crimes that it wouldn't even come up under the weight of everything else. It's a grain of sand atop a dune at this point.

No, it's moreso...all of Vash's personal concerns and hangups involving getting close to someone that leave him hesitant, Because he knows, he knows, that nothing good ever lasts. He's been trained to expect misfortune to follow him and his companions everywhere he goes, which is why he tends to try to escape them, or leave them behind, no matter how much he ends up hurting them for doing so. If it means keeping them safe...

But Ain has worn him to the very bone. Just the thought of leaving him behind leaves Vash feeling miserable and heartbroken, and even if he knows he shouldn't have said what he did, he couldn't muster the strength to stop himself. It's out there, now. It's in the open, there's no taking it back.

He's wrapped up in Ain's arms before he really knows what's going on, eyes widening with his one good hand hovering at his side. Ain begins to trill happily into his neck, the only sound between them being that and Vash's heavy breathing.]

You......you love me.

[It's more of a statement, incredulous and disbelieving, than a question, as his hand very slowly- gingerly, like petting a stray cat- comes down on Ain's shoulder. Smooths up the back of his neck, buries itself into his hair.

He plonks his head slowly onto Ain's shoulder, his own already beginning to shake a little.]

A...Ain.

Of course I do. How could I not?

[Thus spoke the man who doesn't understand emotions like, at all, but go off sweetie. At least he gets this much. At least he figured it out somehow.]

It's... I've never been... I've had crushes before, I think, but never something like this. [And we don't need to go over his crushes or his escapades, nope, the man discovered dick and realised he could put his mouth on it and it was over.] I didn't think you'd feel the same, though.

...

Are you crying? You're shivering.

[Please don't cry on him he's very small (6'0")—]

I'm not...

[He whimpered while crying.

He just. Squeezes Ain. Squozes him. He never wants to let this bird go ever again, thanks.]

I'm just...I'm really happy.

[And you know how people can cry out of sheer happiness?

Yeah.]

[Yeah, you know what, the fact that people do that still freaks Ain out, if only because he's never experienced it himself. Still, he rubs soothing circles into Vash's back, singing softly until he stops, because he's... concerned? He supposes? It's not something to be concerned about but he Is.]

Vash... [That's it. Anything else he was going to say just sort of dies on his tongue. Just "Vash", whispered between them like some secret. Oh, how he loves this man, who's currently sobbing on him.] Do you want to get out for now? We can sleep for the night somewhere nearby. It won't be too cold if we're by the spring. I... want to hold you for the rest of the night.

[You know, like he does... every night, but this time there are labels attached.]

[Vash...is in fact a big baby, this is just in his nature. He's not sobbing uncontrollably at the very least, but he's definitely sniffling all over Ain's shoulder as they sit in the water being gross all over each other. If there weren't the very present threat of falling asleep and drowning, Vash would want to just...stay here.

Vash nods a little, eventually pulling his face away from Ain's neck so he can scrub his eyes against his own shoulder, which only succeeds in getting his face wet with spring water. Sigh.]

Y-yeah...

[Though drying off without anything to dry off with is going to be fun ain't it-]

[No, Ain loves that big baby, stop it. What a fucking doofus.

Drying off will be sort of bad, but. That's kind of the price they pay. If they can both tolerate a moment of cold, Ain will dry them both with his wings, and then they can get dressed and find somewhere nearby to camp out.

Ain was right when he said he's pretty sure there's a cave nearby; it's just up the mountainside a bit, in view of the water. They've got a stolen blanket and plenty of trees and a warm spring, so it's not like they'll freeze to death. It's not ideal, but both of them have had worse.

...that, and as Ain will demonstrate after he grabs kindling, he can make magical fire. So. They'll be fine. He just has to stave off yet another round of illness for the time being, because he can feel it coming on already. The hot spring was supposed to fix him, but when he's outside of the warmth he realises that the fatigue in combination with flying through mountain air is going to kill his immune system.

All they have to do is get to town, though, that's all they need to do. Then he can task Eve with taking care of Vash while he hits the fucking floor.

Sigh.]

We'll head out when the sun rises. Or... Near it. [He tucks himself up against Vash while they get sorted.] It'll be a bit of travelling, but we'll make it just fine. You'll just have to give me some frequent breaks. You're kind of heavy.

[Getting out of the hot spring back into the cold mountain air is...exceedingly difficult. It feels even colder than it actually is, to the point where even Vash- who has toughed out all kinds of nasty climates- begins to shiver from it. It gets better once Ain can dry them off, but even then he'd hardly call it ideal...it makes him wish he didn't get his hair wet. Even it just being a little damp is making things a thousand times worse. From there though, getting dressed is a simple task, and finding a cave to camp out for the night even simpler. It's a pleasant surprise to find that Ain can construct a fire for them, meaning they have both warmth and a little light to see by as Vash tosses their bag into the inner corner of the cave so it'll be safe from the elements just in case it rains overnight or something. This is all after he gets his arm back on, giving his hand a few experimental flexes to make sure everything is working...mostly okay.

It's still functional, but only just, if the way his fingers suddenly twitch every so often outside of his control is anything to go by. He decides to ignore that for now in favor of curling up with his favorite person in the world, tugging their blanket up further around them both as Ain drapes his massive wings over them like a second, heavier blanket.]

Haha, sorry...you know I'd take a turn if I could fly like you.

[He murmurs, nudging his nose against the side of Ain's neck as he shifts so that Ain can use his chest as a pillow in lieu of the hard cave floor.]

Don't worry about me. Just let me take care of you. ...goodnight, Vash.

[He's exhausted, both emotionally and physically, and he Needs A Nap. The Big Sleep. To that end, once Vash has rolled over and Ain's able to use him as a pillow... He's out. Gone. Zonked. And he will stay zonked well into the morning, only waking up when the sun is just the right angle to hit his eyes. By that point, they're three hours past "when the sun rises", the magical fire is still burning, and they have no food to eat. It's just them, a cave, and... starvation, he supposes.

They get up and they go. There's nothing else to do other than to put out the fire and go. The next time they take a break, it's several hours later, and they're forced to forage to survive. Mountain berries are, at least, food. Ain is burning so much energy that he eats most of the bush himself. Then, they fly again, then take a break at an actual town for the night, though this time they don't stay long due to the urgent state of Vash's arm. At the very least, they're able to get food, and yet again Ain eats way more than usual.

He feels like shit. He cannot stop eating, though, because that makes him feel worse. There are times he wonders if they need to slow down, until he glances at Vash's arm and never voices it.

Finally, about two days later, they make it to Ain's hometown. Not the one he was born in, but the one he was raised in, and it's... Maybe not a hometown as much as a home city. It's a huge, sprawling metropolis, where it's likely everyone knows of Vash the Stampede — but they have to contend with Ain knowing the routes in and out of the city that no one takes. The skies, for example. Where he flies them to within it isn't in the heart of the city, or even in a district full of wealthy homes.

No, they're going west, toward an outskirts bordering a thus-far unoccupied plains. A slum, by all measure, filled with people who society has failed. People in rags, people with nothing, people who don't care if a bird-pet and his criminal owner touch down in the middle of the dirt streets here. It's decrepit and perfect for those on the run.

Ain motions Vash onwards, through shelters set up between abandoned buildings and alleyways, through a park that's seen better days, and finally to a small building with a strange, unreadable sign out front that could easily be misconstrued as an art piece made up of Nordic runes. What it really is, is a marker, as will become apparent when Ain opens the door to let them in. It's dusty, with a countertop set up at the front that's long-unused, judging by the huge-ass spider taking refuge in a notch when they approach. The spider isn't what they're here for; Ain crouches and opens a hatch built into the floor back here, and ushers Vash down it. A walk through a dark tunnel leads to a doorway, which Ain opens, and finally...

They'll step out into an entire underground society filled with pets either no one wanted, or who didn't want to be owned. It's a slum, yes, but it's got electricity and running water, buildings set up like an underground city, and plenty of strays wandering about to do business. It's almost idyllic, and maybe would be so if it weren't hidden away, some secret never meant to reach the outside world.]

Surprise!

[Sleeping on the floor of a cave...really sucks when you've had an actual bed to sleep in for a solid week of your life. Vash is realizing now he was maybe getting too complacent and too used to the luxury, because his entire body is screaming when they wake that next morning, and not in the fun way. There's no time to complain or even think about it, really, as Vash snatches up their bag, Ain stomps out the fire, and they leave their little private hot springs behind to continue their journey. Maybe some years in the future, if they ever make it back to that mountain town, they can come visit this spring again.

Now, normally it's common practice for Vash to try to make sure he's got himself well stocked on food and water before going on long trips of any kind. Water is relatively easily replenished from natural springs and rivers, but food can be tricky unless you know where to find it. Storing up enough dried shit to get him through a week is usually the play...but between everything going on, he genuinely hadn't thought about it. It means they're forced to rough it even moreso than usual, and had they been afforded the time, Vash would have suggested they hunt a little further for something more substantial to eat. Even a few small fish from a stream would be better than a few berries off a bush, but...as long as Ain gets to eat his fill, that's all Vash cares about. He's the one getting them there, after all. He will survive going hungry for a few days.

Reaching the first real town is a relief, though it's a reminder of the place they'd stayed before fleeing to the mountains. Small, dingy, definitely not a place they're actually welcomed to be, but it does its job well enough. There's no time for sight-seeing or recreation, they simply eat, sleep, and move on.

Of course, Vash doesn't miss the way Ain begins to lag a bit. The way he seems more strained as he lifts Vash to carry him, or doubly exhausted when it's time to rest for the night. He feels guilty- why wouldn't he?- that Ain is the one having to shoulder the burden of carrying both of their weight, literally flying them miles upon miles to get to his hometown. And it's for his sake.

He'll have to make up for this somehow...eventually.

Still no time to think, because soon enough, they finally make it to their destination, and this...this is more like the cities Vash has grown accustomed to in the past years. Busy, sort of isolated in their own right, and very...VERY aware of his presence. He's already on guard as Ain sweeps over the buildings, ready to find someplace to hide themselves the second he touches down. That, however, turns out not to be needed, since they're not going to where he thinks they are at all.

The slum leaves Vash feeling plenty subdued as Ain sets him down on his feet, allowing the other to lead the way as they weave past the shelters and abandoned buildings. These sorts of areas are even more common than the metropolis, and it leaves Vash wondering just where exactly here Ain came from.

He soon gets his answer.

The reveal of just this...entire society hidden just beneath the surface is unlike anything Vash could have ever imagined. His jaw actually drops when he sees it, because it doesn't matter if it's a slum, or if it's back-alley and run-down compared to the world above. He never would have thought something like this could even be possible, and it's full of pets. Is it...only pets, he wonders?

Does Nai know about this?

He shakes his head to quickly push aside that thought, taking a tentative step forward as he lifts a hand to shield his eyes for a moment as they adjust from above-ground light to the underground.]

I...I can't believe this is here. This is where you came from?

Well— no, not here specifically. This is where I lived for a while in between leaving Ishmael and meeting you. It's only pets who don't want to be owned here. Well... Pets and one automaton.

[This place is better-maintained than it was when they were all kids. Either they have some other nerds on infrastructure here, or Eve is still around... And if Eve is still here that means others will be, too. Even though they all tend to fly the nest sometimes, something inevitably leads them back here. Something like... Needing a robot clad in white to fix Vash before he's broken forever.

Because that's what Ain thinks will happen, obviously.]

You won't find Ishmael or my siblings here. [They're banned. Probably. They shouldn't know about this place anyway.] They live further in the heart of the city itself, unless they've moved in the last few years. Haha, what do you think?

It's...amazing.

[An incredibly, awe-inspiring feat of ingenuity while also managing to be very, very sad. It's sad that Pets need to carve out secret societies for themselves like this just to live peacefully out of the societal norms they're expected to adhere to, either by law or pressure of their peers. It's this exact sort of thing that Vash knows Nai is fighting tooth and claw against...the fact this is even here would stand as proof to everything he'd been trying to convince Vash of all those years.

Humans don't care. They don't have to know about this place to still treat the Pets of society like dirt. Less than dirt, in some cases. It leaves Vash feeling conflicted, despite knowing that they're probably as safe as they could possibly be down here.

His shoulders relax a little as Ain explains this, gaze still scanning everything he can see just from where they entered down into it.]

Why did you leave?

PET PERSON MEME

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I thought I replied to this but I was actually yelling about Elsword

lifts you

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