bakerstreet | I wanna be your dog

I wanna be your dog

>> 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 now 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.
Pregnancy: So, about that whole "hybrid" thing. It maaaay be more true than you think, even if pet/human pregnancies are the stuff of salacious tabloids.
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 | Expand All

I got distracted. I've been staring at you for the past hour.

[Though he says it with a straight face, that doesn't last long. Before more than a few seconds pass he's cracking a grin and standing up, gesturing over toward the table.]

I've made as much as I'm going to without you trying it on so I can adjust it. Didn't finish the seams or add any trim, but it works.

[The past hour? That has to be a lie. Before he can call Peony out on it though, the other man had already given the game away. Jade finds himself grinning as well as he shuts his book and stands up slightly behind Peony.]

And I expect you'll want me to try it on now? [He looks doubtfully at the outfit. Well, at least it seems normal enough from what he can see of it, which is...not much, actually.]

Of course! I've got a bathroom right in there.

[Peony jerks his head toward a door off the main room. He's not about to force Jade to change right in front of him. The black clothing he shoves into the man's arms does seem to be relatively normal, though the shirt is a bit long. It's also inside out so he can pin it easily, so it looks pretty terrible.]

Don't turn it right side out, ok? I don't want to stick you with pins.

Yes, pins can be quite dangerous.

[He would have said more, but he's still not entirely sure where he stands with Peony. On one hand, he had expressed a dislike of being kowtowed to, but on the other hand he is still the Emperor and Jade is unsure of how well received his more cutting remarks would be. He has no wish to alienate Peony, not when it seems he finally has such a good opportunity to progress in his research.]

[And not when the other man makes him feel so at home, somehow, but it's not a thought he's keen on acknowledging.]

[Glad that Peony is giving him privacy without him needing to fight for it, Jade quickly ducks into the bathroom to change. It doesn't take him long to re-emerge.]

Is the shirt meant to be this long?

[Everything else fits fairly well (really, he's surprised Peony is so skilled at this), so it seems unlikely to be an oversight.]

[Cutting remarks would not only be accepted, Peony would love them. A great deal of his childish behavior comes from the desire to have someone engage him as an equal, but unfortunately for him it seems that everyone is willing to bow to his whims with little more than a disapproving sigh to show their displeasure.

Of course, he also behaves that way simply because it's fun.

He advances on Jade with a handful of pins, eyes flitting up when he asks a question.]

Hmm? Yeah, it is. It's got a slit in the back there, so you can just tuck your tail under without having to curl it if you decide you want to hide it. I left it open in the front so it's not hard to move around in.

[It's at this point that Peony finally displays his tendency to get a little handsy, patting and prodding as he adjusts the fit of the clothing.]

[That's a surprisingly large amount of thought that Peony has put into the design. Jade was about to say as much, but then Peony began prodding and poking at him. His tail lashes in annoyance at not being touched the way he liked to be, but he holds still, just in case his movements will cause Peony to accidentally stick a pin into him.]

I don't see why this is necessary. It fits perfectly well.

[A bit loose in some places, maybe, but he's had worse.]

For something store bought, maybe. It's a little loose.

[Mostly it needs to be taken in around the waist a tad and at his thighs. He works quickly though, so the indignity is over with soon enough. Peony can't resist one little swat at his lashing tail before standing up straight and taking a step away.]

There we go. Be careful not to prick yourself taking it off again, mmkay?

[His tail flicks immediately at the swat, lightly striking at Peony's wrist.]

Does that mean you're giving me permission to remove all the pins?

[Jade doesn't wait for a reply before he heads off to the bathroom again, eager to get this over and done with so he can return to his studies.]

Don't remove the pins or I'll have to do it all over again!

[He doesn't yet know Jade well enough to poke his head in the bathroom and make sure he behaves, but that will come soon enough. While he's in there changing, the emperor gathers up the mess he's made on the table and... puts it in a pile on the floor. When he's finished "cleaning" he calls out:]

I'm hungry. You hungry yet? What do you like to eat?

Mice.

[It's a shame Peony can't see the way he says it with a perfectly straight face.]

[It's even more of a shame that he can't see Peony taking it completely seriously. He's not familiar with the habits of humanoid pets.]

I'm not sure we have live mice around the palace...

[It's such a bother when people take him seriously, although in this case, Jade is beginning to see plenty of opportunities for mischief. He grins to himself as he shrugs his usual clothing back on.]

In that case, I suppose any sort of meat would be fine. Preferably cooked.

All right, then.

[Peony steps out for a second to flag down one of the servants, putting in an order for two. By the time Jade's finished changing he's already lounging around again, sprawled out on a pile of pillows on the floor.]

Hope you like chicken.

[Jade picks his way neatly through the mess in the room (wasn't that fabric just on the table? And where had those pillows come from?) to once again sit down on the comparatively clean couch and open up one of the books.]

A whole chicken? That would be fine.

[He's actually quite hungry. Money is always tight and it's been awhile since he's eaten well.]

Mmhmm. Roasted. I'll probably have a bit too.

[He's not particularly fond of meat in general, though he does have cravings every now and then. Though he doesn't have much trouble with eggs and fish, the cuter an animal is, the less he feels like he can eat it.]

Shall I get you a bowl of milk, too?

[It sounds good, and the way his ears prick up give away his eagerness despite his attempts to appear nonchalant.]

If it's not too much inconvenience, I'd prefer it in a cup.

[Real cats may not be able to drink milk, but Jade welcomes the prospect of having something that isn't water.]

[So he drinks out of a cup instead of lapping at his milk. As Peony expected, but he couldn't help teasing a little. That gets him wondering if Jade's tongue is rough like a full cat, but he doesn't ask.]

A cup? Well that's just going too far.

[Clearly, he doesn't mean it.]

[It's obvious that he's not going to get any reading done in the near future, so Jade closes the book and lays it to the side. Peony is clearly jesting, so he responds with equal humour and just a hint of smugness, as befits the popular depiction of a haughty cat.]

I am an imperial pet. Surely, I deserve some special treatment.

[If he wanted to get reading done, he should have done it while Peony was occupied instead of napping! As it is now, he's not going to sit down to finish that particular project until after he eats.]

I'll get you a special cup with your name on it, then.

[Peony pops up off his pillow pile and joins Jade on the couch, running a finger over the book Jade just closed.]

What's your interest with fonic artes, anyway? Tell me about it.

[He has to fight down the urge to swat Peony's hand away. As much as Jade may wish otherwise, the books still belong to Peony, not him.]

[His question, however, has Jade immediately on guard. He smooths his expression over quickly enough, but for a split second, he had looked unmistakably wary, his eyes narrowed and lips pursed into a thin line.]

[He smiles, a little too cheerfully.]

There's nothing special about it. Surely it's a common enough interest. Our military is famed for their fonic artes, correct?

Nothing special about it, hmm? Is that why you broke into the palace to steal these books even though it might have ended in your death?

[Because that makes sense. No, he's fairly certain that there's more to this. The books he has are theoretical, not just on fonic artes in general.]

Come on now, Jade. Despite how I look, I'm not stupid. If I'm going to vouch for you, you need to tell me what you're doing. Are you a fonist?

[He sighs inwardly, wondering why Peony can't just leave it alone.]

[Well, he wouldn't be much of an emperor if he gives up that easily. But it doesn't make the situation any less annoying, especially when he's still worried about jeopardizing his position here.]

[Maybe he can simply be vague.]

Indeed I am. I'm also a fonic researcher.

[Being vague simply isn't going to cut it. Peony leans in closer until he's up in Jade's space, a subconscious effort to try and put a stop to Jade's evasiveness.]

If you tell me more about it, I could register you as a guard cat. You wouldn't get in trouble then, hmm? It's the same thing with your research. If I know what it's about, maybe we could get you some lab access.

[He almost leans back, but thinks better of it, his smile falling away to reveal a wholly serious expression.]

A guard cat? Now that would be something to see.

[And lab access...That is something he's never dreamt of obtaining. It's entirely possible that this is simply a ploy by Peony to get him to reveal his secrets, but perhaps he can spin this so that his skills would benefit Peony as well. It's unfortunate that his particular brand of talents are more suited for military development, something Peony seems opposed to, judging by his comments on Kimlasca. Still, if war is on the horizon, then his skills ought to be useful.]

Very well. I'm capable of using the first to sixth fonons for casting fonic artes.

[But he'll need a moment to think about what exactly he could say about his research. The few people he had spoken to had all expressed incredulity and horror when he tried to explain the idea of defeating death, and while Jade doesn't understand why they would react in that manner, he'd rather not have Peony do the same.]

[He might hate war, but he doesn't hate combat in general as a rule. Peony actually quite enjoys it and tries to engage people in a good spar all the time. No one's willing to go all out with the emperor of course, so he doesn't get to hone his skills often.]

The first through the sixth? Aren't you a prodigy.

[Jade's still avoiding talking about his research, but he'll back off a little in favor of a demonstration. Peony drapes his arm across the back of the couch, grinning a bit.]

Show me.

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