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

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.

[Alas, Peony is unlikely to find a sparring partner in Jade, who has little experience in physical combat. While he does have a knife disassembled into its constituent fonons and hidden in his arm, he doesn't have much skill with it and it's more of a last resort than anything.]

A demonstration? Here? [He looks around, slow and deliberate.] Surely your room is disorganized enough without my adding to the chaos.

A little sixth fonon arte won't make a mess, will it? Come on. Or we could talk about your research, [he teases, knowing well that Jade wants to avoid this particular topic. If he's lucky, maybe the man will put on a show to evade his questions for as long as possible.]

I suppose a demonstration wouldn't hurt.

[Although it's difficult to think while focusing. He draws in a slow breath, feeling the familiar vibration of fonons in the air. It's always been almost instinctive for him to draw them into his body, allowing them to collide with his own fonons, then sending them out in a rush of power.]

[A simple arte like this didn't even require an incantation. Within seconds, he had summoned a globe of light, which he sent hovering in front of Peony's face.]

[That he can do it without an incantation says a lot about his talents. Peony looks considerably impressed as he reaches out to touch the light globe. He's always had a very high resistance to the sixth fonon, so he doesn't fear being harmed by it on accident.]

It's pretty...

[A bright smile spreads across his lips.]

You're pretty good at this, aren't you?

[Not realizing that Peony's resistance, he sends the globe flowing lazily out of reach to prevent the monarch from harming himself.]

Hmm? I suppose so. [The globe dissipates into bright sparkles as he breaks his concentration to speak, and Jade makes a note to work on its permanence. Having a mobile light source could be quite useful.]

[He turns back to Peony with a smirk.] Or perhaps your current guards simply aren't skilled enough.

[He's mostly teasing. Jade is sure that Peony's guards are competent, but he's also aware that the majority of the populace are unable to control six of the seven fonons.]

They're plenty skilled, but I admittedly make it a little difficult to look after me.

[A complete understatement. In addition to doing questionably sane things like dragging a thieving animal into his room and deciding to adopt him, he also sneaks off and puts on questionably effective disguises and romps around town with no supervision. If he gets in a couple fights, it's fine, right?]

I can imagine.

[Peony must be a nightmare to look after, if his treatment of Jade is any indication of his usual behaviour.]

You have an astonishing lack of regard for your personal safety.

[Ah. Hopefully he hadn't been too forward. Usually Jade is good at holding his tongue around authorities when he had to, but something about Peony makes him relax his guard. Perhaps it's simply the man's distinctively un-imperial way of acting.]

[Maybe he should be offended, but Peony just laughs.]

And why would you say that? I don't think you're a danger to me, if that's what you're referring to. I knew I could trust you as soon as I saw you.

[If Jade was still questioning if there was some sort of bond here, a statement like that should clear it up quickly. Either that or Peony is a massive idiot, both are equally likely.]

[As far as Jade is aware, humanoid animals are the only ones with the misfortune of being afflicted with a biology that compels them to form bonds with others. Which is why he is quick to dismiss Peony's declaration as overly sentimental nonsense that is unsupported by logic.]

This is precisely what I meant. It could be dangerous to trust so easily.

[Chuckling, he extends his hand out with one finger like he's going to scratch under Jade's chin. Not yet sure of the boundaries or if he likes to be touched, he just lets it hang between them as he speaks.]

You didn't say I couldn't just now, did you?

[There's just the smallest pause before he leans forward and bends down slightly, nudging the top of his head against Peony's hand so his ears can be scratched. Although he's used to being petted and likes it enough that he doesn't mind taking advantage of it when it's offered, Jade still isn't comfortable with having his neck so exposed.]

Oh, no, I'm absolutely trustworthy.

[He grins as he speaks, because really, he's certainly not considered trustworthy by most of society. While he has no intentions of harming Peony, he'll still do so if necessary.]

[Or at least, that's what he'd like to believe.]

Then there's not a problem.

[When Jade lowers his head and nudges against his hand, he's all too happy to oblige and pet him rather than scratch his chin. His other hand extends too as he runs his fingers through soft golden-brown strands slowly, testing to see what he likes and where he likes it.]

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Peony's behavior without Jade to tell him no, folks

Jade will have him trained up soon enough

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