bakerstreet | Master/Familiar Love Meme

Master/Familiar Love Meme

The Master/Familiar Love Meme

"In European folklore and folk-belief of the Medieval and Early Modern periods, familiar spirits (sometimes referred to simply as 'familiars') were supernatural entities believed to assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic. According to the records of the time, they would appear in numerous guises, often as an animal, but also at times as a human or humanoid figure, and were described as 'clearly defined, three-dimensional… forms, vivid with colour and animated with movement and sound' by those alleging to have come into contact with them, unlike later descriptions of ghosts with their 'smoky, undefined form[s]'."

Everybody needs a sidekick. This includes those who may have a little help of their own in the form of magic - witches, warlocks, mages, sages, casters, magicians...whatever you want to call them, they have a bit more juice than your average Joe. Luckily, the job comes with a built-in assistant: a familiar, or a helper spirit. The familiar serves as a guide to their magical "Master" of their choice, helping them out of tight spots and being their companion for life. Sometimes, they come in the form of animals, like dogs and especially cats. Some don't bother with this, though, and just stay in their true humanoid forms. The bond between familiar and master is one of intensity, and they know each other completely. Most familiars even have a telepathic link to their masters. That helps them keep an eye on them. Of course, given this closeness-beyond-closeness, it's easy to imagine a master and familiar as soulmates, and with familiars having a human form...well, intimacy seems like a natural option.

Too bad relationships of that kind between master and familiar are strictly forbidden. Surely, that rule is always followed.

HOW TO PLAY

Comment with your character, stating your preferences (ex: F/M, open to all, etc). Also, be sure to remember and put whether your character will be witch/master, familiar, or if they can serve as both. There is no "set" type for any of the roles. Masters don't have to be dominate (ineffectual witches have always been a cute trope), familiars aren't passive or submissive, and so on. It's not the same as BDSM...though your character could bring that into it if they'd like.
Comment around to other characters, playing out your forbidden master/familiar ~love~ or what have you.

PROMPTS

The Familiar Chooses the Master: The first meeting. You may be new to the craft (or someone who needs a new familiar), and someone has been drawn to you.
Setting the Ground Rules: You need to figure out how this is going to work. Where can you hide this woman/man in your apartment, if need be?
Getting to Know You: Magic/power isn't all fun and games. You need to find out how to work together so you don't accidentally blow everything up in your faces.
Helping Out: Familiars have a lot of neat powers that can be a boon around the house...and around the town.
Danger Zone: Your feelings for each other are blurring, which is a big no-no. Do you even realize that the bond is deepening to a new level?
Confession: Things have gotten heavy and you have to let your bond mate know you see them as more.
Bad Romance: The familiar in this relationship isn't treated as equal. They're a slave to their master!
Telepathy: The mental bond between. Explore it or use it to get out of trouble...
Trouble is a Friend of Mine: Speaking of! Your familiar/master is danger, and there's nothing that can keep you from saving them.
Intimacy: The obligatory smut option. Though romance between familiar and master is not allowed, many find the allure too much, and the bond does lend itself to members seeking comfort in each other. After all, they know you better than anyone else.
You're Taken?: You're in love with a master or a familiar...they're just not yours. Oops! Maybe you can find some way to break your bonds so you can be together.
Breaking Up is Hard to Do: It is hard, especially between master and familiar. In fact, it can be downright painful...physically and mentally!
Sending You Away for Your Own Good: You're distancing yourself from the other member of your bond, and it's because you're headed towards destruction.
Everybody Knows: The other members of your community have found out you've broken the ultimate taboo and are WITH your master/familiar. This is bad. This is very, very bad. Punishment bad. Separation bad. Perhaps even death bad.
Happy Ending: Somehow, you've escaped the confines of the world that doesn't understand, and you're able to live together without fear.
WILDCARD

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[This wasn't supposed to work.

He's not all that magically gifted, really, and what talent he does have only relates to death and the dead. The rest has always eluded him, unable to do so much as produce the tiniest spark or levitate something even half an inch-- it seems to be a trade-off for that extra sense he's always had, and the way he can speak effortlessly with the dead. (If he tried it, he's sure he'd find necromancy came easily, but he's never taken that step.)

So of course it made sense that he wouldn't be able to do this, that any attempt he made would go unanswered-- but it appears that even someone who's so heavily restricted in their ability can manage to try to call a familiar to them. Ryan's left staring at him, wide-eyed and struck silent for a few long seconds.]

It-- it worked? I thought-- [Abruptly, a bright smile blooms on his face. He thought he couldn't do anything else, but this proves otherwise, right? Maybe he was just missing something. Someone.]

...hi. D'you have a name?

[Ryan looks rather excited for someone who just produced a naked - humanoid, because this one creature is decidedly not human, despite all appearances. From white skin to blond hair, puffy red lips that part to breathe and bright blue eyes that look around in a daze, as though seeing for the first time.

It all comes to him in an instant, the awareness of where he is. Who he is, and what he's doing here. The spell just threw him off for a second there. He knows why he's here, and now he knows whom he belongs to, which makes things considerably easier.

So he stands, hands by his sides, taking his time to inspect Ryan in turn.]

... Ryan. [Yeah. That's his name. He smiles.] I was wondering when I'd get to meet you.

[When he'd set him free.]

I'm Petre.

You were? I- shit, I'm sorry, I didn't think I'd be able to--

[He huffs out a breath, reaching up to comb his fingers through his curls. Ryan's almost restless in his excitement, pacing closer to peer curiously at Petre's face, starting to reach out to touch him (to make sure he's real) before he pulls his hand back.]

You already know my name, obviously, so... what else d'you need to know? I'll be honest, I'm not a hundred percent sure how this is all supposed to go, I'm kind of self-taught here.

[His eyes follow Ryan's hand curiously, and for a moment it looks like he's going to lean into that touch, like a pet into a caress. The touch never comes, however, so instead Petre blinks rapidly and refocuses on his words.]

It'd be nice to have something to wear, first. Not that you look like you mind.

Oh. Oh, right.

[His cheeks flush faintly pink as he takes a moment to look Petre over-- no, he absolutely doesn't mind, but he's trying to size him up rather than inspecting him. (He really is good-looking, though, Ryan can't ignore that.)]

I'm not sure my clothes are actually going to fit you, but-- I'll see what I have, yeah? C'mon.

[Ryan gestures for him to follow as he turns and heads to the door. It won't be far; his bedroom is right next door to the former storage room he uses for practice, both on the basement level of the house.]

[The smirk is subtly lopsided as he follows, walking comfortably in his human limbs. It's unclear what Ryan freed him from; another form or no form at all, but the initial disorientation is completely gone. He could pass for a 20 year old man with ease.]

I'm sure I'll love it.

You say that now. We'll see how charitable you're feeling about my fashion sense after you've seen it.

[There's faint laughter in his voice, a little grin flashed over his shoulder. Ryan leads him to the bedroom and tugs the closet door open, rummaging through; his wardrobe is a mix of button-down shirts and as many vests (several sweater vests), oversized sweaters, khaki and corduroy pants with a few pairs of skinny jeans, and a small collection of printed t-shirts.]

Alright, let's see here... I think all of my pants are going to be too long, but maybe you could roll the cuffs up a bit? The shirts should be a little more forgiving.

[He backs off a bit to let Petre look as well, allowing him to pick what he wants for now. They can get clothes that fit him better later, but for now, he'll have to make do with things made for a six-foot tall skinny guy.]

I can be very forgiving too, Ryan.

[And he's sure he'll steal his wallet and make him revamp his wardrobe some day, too, because that's just the kind of help that the boy has invited into his life.

He looks over whatever he's presented with, letting a piece drop before picking up the next and finally deciding. It's beige pants that he goes for in the end, followed by a blue shirt. Barefoot, skinny as Ryan but nowhere near as long as he is, Petre looks comical in his attire and he knows it. But he supposes it's as good as it gets for now.

He runs his hand through his hair, as though arranging it.]

What do you have to eat?

I'm hoping not to need to ask too much forgiveness. I mean--

[He frowns, with a thoughtful little hum under his breath-- just taking a moment to consider his words.]

I know what the general arrangement is, here, but I don't want to take advantage of you, you know? I'm not going to treat you poorly. It's... just going to take some adjustment.

[The smile Ryan offers him is decidedly sheepish.]

For example, I'm not sure if you have the same needs. D'you eat the same things? What do you like, I'm sure I have something.

[There's something bright and youthful in his eyes when he watches Ryan speak, like he already knows what his exact words will be and is comforted to be proven right.]

... Meat. Raw.

--sure. Okay, I think I can handle that.

[And again he beckons Petre after him, climbing the stairs to the main level and leading him into the kitchen. It's an old place, the type that probably last got new appliances in the nineties and hasn't seen an interior decorator since at least the seventies.

He crouches down to peer into a drawer in the fridge, calling over his shoulder:]

Chicken or pork? I could've sworn there was beef in-- there we go, that too--

[Petre will often stop to adjust his clothes, either because whatever they've done to keep them in place falls apart or because he's just a fussy and vain creature. While Ryan inspects the fridge he inspects the remainder of the place, unafraid to touch everything and turn it over in his hands.]

Do you have... veal?

[Veal is supposed to taste like human flesh, isn't it...]

Veal, that's-- what, deer?

[He shuts the door and straightens up to lean back against it, lips slightly pursed as he thinks.]

...I don't think I know where to get that, honestly, I'm going to have to see if we've got anyone nearby who sells different kinds of meat. Has to be a butcher or something besides the grocery store.

No, it's like beef. But made from young cattle.

[He tilts his head all the same.]

...huh, okay. Should be easier to get a hold of then-- will regular beef work for now, though?

[Look, he just really does not want to have to go shopping, grocery delivery is the most amazing thing he's ever known. Besides- if it'll do, then at least Petre won't be kept waiting.]

Sure. I can eat that.

[Make sure it's really raw, though. Emphasis on that part.]

Excellent. Here, make sure it'll be okay--

[And he fishes it out of the fridge-- it's definitely uncooked, still fairly fresh-- and offers the wrapped package over to Petre before hopping up to perch on the edge of the counter.]

I'll see if I can't get the veal ordered for you. Anything else you're going to need, or is it just the meat and some better clothes?

[That kind of diet has him curious about what, exactly, Petre is, but Ryan will at least wait til he's eaten to ask more questions.]

[He catches the package in his hand, looks up at Ryan as though looking for permission and finally sits down to properly dig into it. Little to nothing is graceful about it, too; he is visibly hungry and for that he's getting as much as he can in his stomach in the shortest amount of time possible.

By the end, his mouth and fingers are absolutely filthy.]

Napkin, please.

[Okay, he's making a mental note that it's probably worth expediting an order if he can. On second thought, it makes sense that he'd be so hungry, and Ryan can't help feeling a little guilty for being unprepared (even if this was all unexpected.)

He fetches a couple napkins and hands them over, gesturing to the sink.]

There's soap and a towel, too, if you want.

[And because he just can't wait any longer to ask:] What are you, anyway?

[Thankfully enough, Petre is mindful and cares about his appearance enough to make a nice and thorough job of cleaning himself up after the mildly gruesome display. It's not like human meat, and the time will come when he will not be able to just consume a substitute, but that's a conversation they can have later.

Provided Ryan has to know about it at all. Petre wouldn't want him to send him away on that note.]

Me? [a pause, drying himself off before he finally turns to the man.] I'm a demon, Ryan.

[You may have just signed a deal with the Devil. woops.]

I'm here to help you.

--wait, you're what?

[His eyes widen, and he lapses into silence for a few moments to just... let that process. They're called familiar spirits, aren't they? And demons might technically count as a spirit, right?

God. He's so fucked, isn't he.]

This is some kind of cosmic joke, isn't it. [Ryan reaches up to rub at his face, an exasperated gesture.] Can't do anything that's not technically necromancy, of course I'd end up with a demon-- I thought I might get someone who could balance that out a little.

[A shake of his head, followed with a frustrated sigh.]

Shit. I'm sorry, that's not your fault.

[Even so, Petre looks offended.]

So, what - you don't want me after all?

Wh- no, no, that's not what I'm saying!

[He's quick to correct himself, expression thoroughly apologetic. Even if a demon isn't what he expected, Ryan did call him here-- and given that he's the one who showed up, Ryan is sure this was meant to be, on some level.]

You're my familiar now, right? Of course I want you here. I just- didn't even realize this was possible.

[Oh, good. He would most likely not have the nicest reaction to being rejected, made worse by the fact that Ryan had just given him his freedom and he had barely had any taste of it.]

... Yeah. I'm your familiar. And now that I'm here, I'm going to make sure you don't regret it.

[He feels it's necessarily to step closer, to ground the promise with some kind of physical contact, so he does, reaching for Ryan's hands.]

I'm yours forever.

[He accepts the contact easily enough, breath catching slightly when his hands are taken-- Ryan is a fairly solitary person by necessity rather than nature, and this is hardly something he's used to. Sure, he understood what he was asking for when he called Petre here, but those are still heavy words.]

I'm not going to regret it, I'm sure.

[Ryan frees one of his hands and reaches up, fingers trailing down the side of Petre's face, over his jaw, just like he'd wanted to earlier. Yes, definitely real-- and he really is unfairly attractive for a demon.]

It'll all work out. I'll make sure it does.

Master/Familiar Love Meme

1 :> now that I'm not buried in game threads...

hi hi hi

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i am the actual worst at keeping track of threads wow

yo yo yo

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