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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

[Oh my god, AIN-

This may be Vash’s first experience with really being decorated to the nines by his bird, and it’s quite amusing. He stands there like a mannequin as all manner of things are put on his person, things he never could have possibly afforded on his own. Which leads him to ask, laughing helplessly-]

Can we afford all of this, Ain?

[Like yes yall don’t have to pay MONEY but also-]

[Oh it's only gonna get worse from here honey—]

It's fine. I'll just have to work for a week.

[And he won't mind it, because it's better than sitting on his ass (he's read through the entire Warrior Cats series okay, he was sick for a week, he knows about Firestar he was there he witnessed it). Plus, he likes this place. Plants are friends. And he'll be allowed to poke them while he's watering the more delicate ones. He might be able to figure out what the hell those baseball plants or whatever are about.

Eventually, Ain does find a bracelet with geraniums on it, and that's what he considers to be the most important haul. Y'know, alongside necklaces and a brooch and other things. The brooch can clip onto his coat and be out of the way.

Bird brain is happy. :)]

Did you want anything else? [ain did you even give him a choice in the first place]

I can come help you! I love plants…and helping Ciel with the dishes wasn’t so bad.

[They can water the flowers together and be very gay while Vash holds Ain back from worshing in the fish pond.

At this point though, Vash has Ain’s ribbon around his good wrist, along with the new geranium bracelet right above it. It feels like both of his lives merging, bittersweet yet happy as he brushes his thumb over the metal.]

…I love this, though. All of it. Thank you, Ain.

[Ain hums like he's really thinking about letting Vash do work, buuuut... okay. Sure. Vash can do work. Ain agrees to it, and with that, he'll go tell the lady running shop right now that they will be back to work for a week for all of this. She seems very enthused with these antics, but she is Also A Bird and has been watching Ain go feral for the last twenty minutes. Like girl you are down bad and have no self-control. Remind her to lock the shiny things up while you work here.

With that squared away, Ain leads Vash out so that they can head toward their fancy lunch now. Hand-in-hand, as always, and it's only when they're on the "streets" again that he bothers to speak up.]

You don't have to thank me. You're so dashing with your crown on! [And now Vash smells like flowers. Cute...] I love you! You look so pretty!!

[Ugh. There’s something about Ain just freely being able to say “I love you” that strikes Vash directly in the heart. It makes him wish he’d said something so much sooner. You mean to tell him he could have had this months ago? Wack.

He tightens his grip on Ain’s hand, bumping gently into him as they head back out and leave the gardens behind. The flowers are very much still there though, on his head and adorning every square visible inch of his person. It’s more finery than he’s ever owned, yet it makes him feel special because Ain picked it all out. Wanted.]

I love you too.

[He murmurs back, leaning over to press his nose briefly to Ain’s hair. To…nuzzle him? Smell him? It’s hard to say beyond Vash just wanting more contact and being unsure how to express the affection, but he’s seen other breeds of pets do this before. Surely nobody is going to look at him like why is that human doing that to their pet—]

I’m glad we went to the mountains, but I almost wish we’d come here sooner. This place is even safer than that was.

[Haha]

[Ain will take nuzzles, okay. No one is really looking, they're kind of Used To Vash... he's a quirky weird human and that's okay because if he's here that means he needs to be.]

We can stay for a while. Besides, everyone else seems to like you! Even Mr. Ancient does, and that's surprising! [Kindof notreally, Add tends to act like a typical aloof feline like "oh I don't like you" but then he wants attention, and like, that's as close to friendship as you get with him.] We don't have to worry about money as long as we work.

[Though, it's likely that they'll eventually be sent upstairs to bring supplies back in some manner. Vash likely won't be — his reputation precedes him — but Ain almost certainly will find himself topside at one point. That's fine, he's done it before, he just has to avoid the 1% chance he finds Ishmael or his siblings roaming about and being Catholic.

Maybe he'll ask Vash to leave hickeys on him before he goes just in case, ha—]

[Oh, well, in that case >:3c

nuzzle nuzzle nuzzle

Vash won't lay it on too thickly though, leaning back so that Ain has his own space again as they walk. He WILL keep holding his hand though, you will take that from his cold, dead ones. At least down here, they can be as publicly homosexual as they desire and people won't really pay them much attention.

He wants to ask how long "for a while" is going to be, but he decides maybe it's better if he doesn't know...or if they don't try to put a number to it. So long as they remain unknown and unseen...it should be fine.

It should be fine.

And not having to worry about paying for things, or stealing to get by? Ain has no idea how much of an immense relief that is for Vash.]

How come you all decided not to use money down here? How did you ever come to an agreement on that?

[Nothing bad can happen to them :) they are not at the whims of Us :)]

Part of it was practicality, because we had no way to mint our own money. Bringing it from topside wasn't going to work. It would eventually run out somehow. Part of it was because... no one really wants to trade money, when we could just trade resources. At the end of the day, you're trading labour for money for food, and it just made sense to cut out the money portion.

[Ain shrugs.]

Thousands of years ago, trade was how human society operated. There was no money. You traded an apple for an orange, or three goats for a cow, or something of the sort. We're just a bunch of strays who want lives, and a lot of us are happier working for something directly. Plus, then it lets us take care of the ill or the children. People who can't work. It might be too idealistic when this place gets bigger than it is, but... for now, it works.

[Nothing bad can happen! They are safe underground! They are secure.

Vash listens to Ain's explanation as they walk, and it makes sense. It makes him wish that the rest of the world was in a position to do something similar, even though he knows that would be naive, wishful thinking. This community's smallness allows for such a thing to be possible, after all...but he imagines that even if it were to grow, the people here would do everything they could to accomodate.]

It might be idealistic...but I still think it's amazing.

[A few more corners to round, a couple more minutes of walking, and they arrive at a restaurant that's clearly trying to mimic all the fancy, gourmet ones up above. They even have large, glass windows with a fancy font printed onto them. It's fancy. It lights up with string lights and it's cute, okay, they have flower boxes in the window with fake butterflies on them to give the illusion of life. And it's good.]

It's fun in some ways! You get to do things you wouldn't normally do. I'm not particularly skilled in any one area, so I usually take whatever comes to me. [Or he did, when he lived here full time, but now he gets to do that again. Ain holds the door open for Vash because it's His turn on the princely behaviour apparently.] I'm excited to get to take care of the gardens for a week, though. I want to see if those baseball plants open.

[They do not.

They're sat down pretty much immediately once they enter the restaurant, though. It's not like this underground city is over-populated, but as far as semi-quaint underground city restaurants go, this place is kind of hopping. Most tables are full, which bodes well for the food. Ciel did say it was good.]

We'll get to work here, too! I'd make a nice waiter, don't you think?

[Vash hasn't actually had what you'd call a "real" job before. He's done plenty of odd jobs here and there for various towns he's visited, but never something he'd exactly call permanent or official...so Ain is right, he does like the opportunity to get to try out new things. Especially getting to work with plants, that's a definite plus.

Once they're in the restaurant and seated, Vash commits the cardinal sin of putting his elbows on the table, propping his chin up in his prosthetic hand.]

Mhm, I think so. You'd look nice, all dressed up...

Would I? I could wear a bowtie and a nice vest! Oh, they'd have to be open in the back, though.

[Business in the front, party in the back. Would that make Vash feral, or would he be normal about it. Ain wonders this in the back of his mind as he flips through a paper menu. What does he Want. It looks like they have all manner of foods here, from vegan to what Ain might call a meat overdose, from breakfast to dinner to dessert.

He should have actual food. Like, a salad, even though salads are kind of boring. Or like, ribs. Ribs are pretty good. Vash would eat his leftovers. Or maybe steak, or whatever the hell bougie shit a flatbread is supposed to be? (Flatbreads are not bougie; Ain is just dumb.) Or maybe—]

What are you going to get?

[Well Ain, there's only one way to find out :)

Vash meanwhile is distracted now by the menu, flipping through and oh, god, there's a lot of options. It's not like Ciel's place where he just ordered the first thing he was suggested, which means now he's paralyzed with indecision...

Until he flips to the back, where the Meats are.]

Oooohhh.

[He lifts the menu up, eyes practically sparkling as he zeroes in on the picture of a massive, juicy burger.

Borger. Also Vash honey that's not an answer]

[Ain immediately leans forward and curls his fingers around the menu to push it down. Show him what you found, boy!]

...haha, something good, right?

[Something on the back of the menu. Well, that narrows it down a bit. Ain thinks he'll get salmon. They can never afford salmon because it's expensive. He wonders where they're fishing it up... or maybe they're stealing from a local fish shop. Or maybe there's a secret salmon breeding pond? Unknown. Maybe the salmon isn't real. Who cares, Ain is hungry.

All of this is going to come with sides, of course, which is another decision he has to make. Uh. Um... Uhhh.

...

Fresh fruit. That's what he'll do. See, he can make his own choices! —ohshitwaitdrinks.]

[Vash nods furiously, and oh- right- sides. Uhh...well of COURSE he's getting fries, he's getting a burger. What else would you get with a burger? Vash is just out here ordering the most unhealthy meal while Ain is eating something reasonably healthy. They're balancing each other out, if nothing else...

When it's time to order, they're asked for their drinks first, and Vash surprisingly just says he wants water. He COULD get a beer or something but...if he did that he might die of alcohol poisoning by tonight, so maybe not...]

I guess the people here have to go topside to get the ingredients for these things, huh?

[Ain is getting whatever the hell a blueberry lemonade is supposed to be. Purportedly... It is lemonade with blueberries. But he's imagining blueberries being juiced like a lemon and mentally going ??? because what? (He'll figure it out when the waitress comes back.)]

We grow our own produce down here, but there's no farmland. Elsword's family comes from money, and I think his old owner's bank account is still active, so he's able to make purchases. [No one knows where the guy is to this day, but... he seems to not mind his pet spending money.] And Mr. Half-Demon knows the mafia! Getting supplies is easy for them. For the rest of us, we steal, or people ask others to steal for them. Mr. Shadow is one of our best thieves.

[Noah is tiny and agile and has shadow magic. That kid can pick locks and steal like no other. No one would suspect a skittish, teenage feline after all.]

It's not ideal... but all of the regular thieves here know how to shake off pursuers and minimize getting caught. Most everyone here keeps their old collar so that they're not marked as a stray, too, even though that's what everyone here is.

Oh! Well...that's one way to take care of it.

[Just have a rich former-owner. Or know the mafia. You know, the little things.

As for the rest though...stealing...yeah. He gets it. Unfortunately, he gets it.

Vash "hm"s, putitng his head in his hand again.]

People getting caught...that doesn't happen a lot, does it?

Not too often, as far as I know. Pets get... you know. Caught and rehabilitated and adopted out to someone, if possible, and then we rarely see them again. I always want to hope life is better afterwards.

[That is not always the case, but Ain wants to dream. He doesn't like to think about what happens if it's worse.]

There are nice humans out there. They're just hidden, I think, underneath all the evil ones.

...no, you're right. There are a lot more of them out there than you'd think. Nice ones, I mean.

[But Vash knows he's optimistic. He's naively so, in fact, especially when humans are concerned most of the time. It's that same naivety that's nearly gotten him killed on multiple occasions.]

And...I think those pets probably have nice lives, in happy families.

[You know...assuming they're a type that wanted to be adopted in the first place. Some of them, as he understands it, simply don't.]

It does make me wish I could go up there and help you all, though.

Haha... [hoo boy. Telling Vash "no outside" for now is hard.] We'll see! I think you should lie low for a bit. Disappearing from the public consciousness is a good thing.

[...well. Nai is still out there fucking shit up, so that's easier said than done, but... ah. Ain wants to remain somewhat-positive, at least. No one can chase Vash if he disappears, right? Right. Vash is gone. They have electrical interferences down here that prevents connecting to the world outside, but it makes it so that no one can find them. They're so sequestered that, without people wandering outside to steal and bring back supplies and gather information, they wouldn't know if the city above them was raised to the ground.

Ha...ha. Probably. Maybe it would shake a little bit...?

Ain nudges Vash's shin under the table with the toe of his shoe.]

Besides, I want to keep you to myself for a while. You're a good pillow.

[As much as being relegated underground sucks, Vash understands and in fact is all for that very idea. Being down here is one of the very few places he's ever been totally out of Nai's reach, and that's saying something. Otherwise he'd be constantly looking over his shoulder, ready to move to the next place as far away from people as possible to once again avoid the inevitable. But down here...

He has to believe it's safe, and that the pets living here are safe. They deserve that much.

He smirks as Ain nudges him, tilting his head a bit to the side just as their waitress drops off their drinks.]

Hah...I'm glad to hear my job wasn't stolen by the Dachies while you were sick.

Dachsologie is a horrible pillow. He gets upset if you move too much, or touch his feathers a certain way. He wants to be pampered.

[That dog is gonna be the death of him, he swears.]

He also likes to shred things, steal objects for his hoard, [exactly like Ain,] and he loves mud. He's not as squishy and soft and cute as you are, but don't tell him I said so!

[Wow. Tmw you just read your pet for filth-

It's a nice topic change, though. It makes Vash laugh, like. What the fuck poor Dachsologie-]

My lips are sealed! They are pretty needy though, so maybe you've got a point there...

[Their food arrives just as he says this, and boy if it isn't a huge contrast seeing Ain's nice salmon and fruit side juxstaposed next to Vash's massive burger and basket of fries.]

[That dog is a nasty crime boy. Ain loves him so much. The baby Dachie is going to be just as needy, honestly.

Also, the arrangement of their food is very funny, but don't be fooled: Ain is immediately stealing one of Vash's fries and swapping it for a piece of honeydew melon. Here you go. :)]

You'll have to tell me if it's good. That was what was in the picture, right?

[How do they even do food photography anyway... Who eats the food when they're done with it?]

[Wow! Thief. Vash wrinkles his nose at Ain as he yoinks one of his fries, though he'll happily take some of that honeydew, thank you. He's not picky, this black hole. Even though it's clear he DOES like the more unhealthy foods on offer most of the time.]

Yep! I saw it and couldn't think about eating anything else...

[Borger......

He wonders, though. How expensive is a beef burger going to be? Assuming that's what the meat even is...he thinks maybe they'll be working here longer than expected, oops.]

Yours looks good too.

PET PERSON MEME

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