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! |
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bakerstreet2016-08-24 08:51 am
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Really now, kid. As if anyone else would have the money flow around here to own something as exotic as a white cyborg rabbit. Everything about this kid's mods were elegant and sleek. He was made to look pretty. It wasn't raw functionality like his scrap arm. It wasn't cute or easily upgradable. He was svelte. Sexy. It was intentional and it was no one's choice to do themselves because of the attention i would garner their entire lives.
Then there's disgust and he's tugging the serape he'd tried so hard to push away tight about himself, engulfed in the dog's scent and warmth permeating from where it'd come straight off his back. Jesse softens to it. The instinctual want to nose up under his hand and offer a head in his lap is hot on his heels and he has to wrestle his animalistic nature back down. Reassure him another way— with his words. Like a human. ]
Yeah, I know, kid. Ain't nothin' I haven't dealt with before. I'll show you all my impressive scars some other time. I can feel the coffee addin' hair to my chest from here.
[ And he tips his hat to the kittens with an exaggerated bow, acknowledging nods to the hamster and the older woman. Feline, most definitely, but once something regal. The remains of her tail swished idly behind her, showing signs that it had once been luxuriously thick and near as precious as rose gold, long. She is also quite clearly hard of hearing and enjoying life all the more for it as the kids call his name over and over, delighted.
Jesse's quick to shush them even as he bends down for them to run full-tilt at him and raise their arms and jump, grabbing onto a bicep each as though he were a jungle gym. He growls playfully, gives some low little "boof"s, and spins them around as they shriek. He exchanges words with the middle-aged man about mob searches and laying low for a while, and the elderly cat is already serving up hot chocolate for Genji and offering him a mug. Still sharp as a tack, that one. ]
Right then, that's the game plan. Y'all can catch up with Holly and Samson at the other square tonight and spread the word. We'll get outta dodge.
[ Yeah he's not leaving Genji much of a choice. He's stuck with the mutt, who's gathering up his bag and a few stray items being used by the others. Namely his other copper mug and one of the other blankets laid out. The pattern is similar to the one on his serape and the other rolled up and strapped to the bottom of his pack. ]
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He doesn't protest the dog's clear intentions to insert himself into Genji's troubles. In fact, Genji doesn't say a word. He slinks up to the group after a second at least, standing on the fringes, awkward and out of place with the fabric wrapped tight around himself to hide his expensive cybernetics. Doesn't say a word, barely looks at anyone, unsure of what to do with himself. Of what to make of... everything. Something as small as being offered a drink has him pausing longer than it should before he silently shakes his head. He hasn't removed his faceplate in company outside of his owner in... never. Removing it before strangers, even to accept a gesture as small as this, is unthinkable.
His silence continues as the dog finishes packing his things. It's only when they're moving away from the group, Genji trailing after this utterly unfamiliar stray who's decided, for no good reason, to stick his nose where it could easily be shot off, that he finally speaks again. His voice is decidedly small when he does, his eyes - or the visor, at least - on the ground.]
Why?
[He's a single rabbit, a pet this dog met only minutes ago, and one who was dragging deadly trouble along behind him. It doesn't make sense to stick his hide out for him when he'd already had a group to watch over, no matter how temporary the arrangement. They were the safer option. They had to be.
Genji wants to protest, wants to yell, wants to throw the fabric in the dog's face and run right off before there was ever a chance to catch him. He doesn't want to be responsible if something happens. But he also doesn't want to give up the fabric now wrapped tight around his body, or the company of someone who wants nothing more than to help him. He hadn't realized how deeply he'd missed the simpler, warmer life until now, and it makes him glad for the faceplate that hides his expression. He can only imagine how he must look.]
You have no reason to do this. You have every reason not to.
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It's that quiet voice that gets him. His heart feels about as full as a tick on a hound that the kid even had to ask, but he didn't seem as though he's had much of a life outside of being a pet. He remembers the feeling; fresh out of a home and thrust on the streets, not knowing how you're gonna get by. Always feeling like just around the corner's someone hunting you. Hell, even now he got those willies late at night when he knows he oughta be alone but something sounds out of place. His ears perk and he goes still, waiting for whatever it was to pass. It always did, save a couple times it'd actually been someone waiting to jump him.
There's a million and one emotions bubbling up in the rabbit beside him and Jesse doesn't rightly know how to answer for a long few moments. He paws at the nape of his neck like he may kick something loose, giving a few more moments of respite when Genji tacks onto his question, and finally, the mutt gives an easy shrug. That hot chocolate's gonna go to waste if it cools any further, so he'll be taking a few good swallows and let it warm his bones. ]
It's just what I do. I had a home once too; got dumped when I wasn't some cute lil thing anymore and started to grow up, both ears standing and I went from somethin' unique to somethin' boring. Teenagers, you know. Always gotta have somethin' to show off.
Worse yet, I remember being some dirty kid about ready 'ta starve on the streets because no one would have a thing to do with me. Wouldn't wish that on anyone. Now the moment I say this I imagine you're gonna wanna turn tail and run, so just hold your horses and hear me out. You and I both know you ain't cheap. Just about anyone who's anyone in the pet business will be tryin' to get ahold of you if they see you. Even some other animals like us lookin' to make a quick wad of cash. They're like to get themselves killed for tryin' but they probably wouldn't know that. Then there's animal control always out and about— look, point is, the world ain't as pretty as it should be once you're outside of those walls and your collar's off and you don't belong to no one anymore. Least, not in town. But I can show you somewhere safe, and you can move on from there if you want. Don't gotta tell me or anyone where you're goin'.
...Here I been draggin' you around and didn't even give you anything to call me. I'm Jesse McCree. Sure you don't want any of this hot chocolate? It's only gonna get colder out.
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It feels awful that he's forgotten that kind of thing. That he was so deeply entrenched in a dark world where nothing ever came without a price that he's still baffled and wary about this help and the price he'll have to pay for it.
The brief silence that follows in the wake of Jesse's offer of the hot chocolate likely says enough. Genji does want some, but whether he wants it doesn't matter or not. He is absolutely not going to dare removing his faceplate in front of a pet he's just met. That, at least, has nothing to do with wariness and everything to do with not wanting to expose his damage to another, to show them exactly why he's covered head to toe. He's hardly going to inflict that on someone else.]
I will be fine. My suit will keep me warm.
[He really doesn't even need this... cloak? - but Genji is going to be hard-pressed to part with it at this point. It means more than warmth now. It's the first act of kindness he's been given without anything being asked for in turn. It's a reminder that outside of the walls of the mansion he was caged in, there are kinder people. He'll return it, of course. Eventually. But he's more than content to hold onto it as long as the dog is willing to suffer being parted from it.
Genji is hesitant on giving his name, but after a few seconds he realizes how foolish it is. It's not as though his name will give away anything that isn't already known at this point. If Jesse wanted to turn him back over to his owner, he could have done it and washed his hands of this mess already.]
Genji. And... [A pause. Then, softly, but genuinely:] Thank you. For helping me.
[Genji still isn't entirely certain how any of this will pan out, but it's good to have someone on his side at all. He's nervous about it, but the warmth of simple concern and protection are quickly burrowing into him.]