bakerstreet | Fighter/Master Shipping Meme

One small spanner in the works can change nothing and yet everything at the same time.

The world you live in is a lot like the normal one. History progresses more or less as it should. Technology flourishes. Empires build upwards, then crumble and fall. The only difference? Somehow, along the way, society has stratified into three categories:

Normal: The regular folks. Nothing more, nothing less.
Fighters, Berserkers, or Servants: The nomenclature depends on who you ask, but the fact reminds that these people have incredible powers, the nature of which varies yet can range from psychic abilities to resilience to super strength. However, the downside is that, without a "master" (we'll get to that later) as a partner, they can feel listless and not even have control of their powers. Their drive, whether they accept it or not, is to find the true master that will calm them and help them sharpen their abilities - and there is only one, true match. No substitutes accepted, and the longer they hold off on finding their master, the looser their grip becomes. In some parts of society, fighters are considered second class citizens, but this isn't a usual situation.
Masters: Think of these folks as focusing lens. They usually have no special powers, but they can hone the abilities of their "servant" to a T. There are a few benefits, including having someone willing to protect...and sometimes, care...for you at all costs. However, the primary benefit is that unpaired masters are often killed off by rogue fighters or forced into bonds that don't work by half-insane ones.

Once a master/fighter pair is made, there have been reports of psychic connections and fighters being strengthened by the mere presence of their master, which means pairs ofter live together. This is helpful, because despite the fact that you would think pairs would want to peacefully coexist, there's been strife since, well, before anyone can remember. Other pairs will feel a desire to defend their territory and status, and even non-violent pairs will find themselves attacked. There's

One more important thing to note: it's not generally accepted for fighters and masters to be romantically involved. In fact, it's frowned upon. But, given the close living quarters, expectations, bonds, and the fact that no one will be as close or as understanding - ah, it's best to say there's more of a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Yet as a fighter or a master, you won't fall for your partner...

...will you?

HOW TO PLAY

Comment with your character, preferences, and their role (fighter, master, normal). Feel free to include as much information as you'd like.
Reply to others.
RNG to get your prompt!

PROMPTS

Discovery: You've just found out your status as fighter or master. How do you respond?

First Sight: Oh, who is that? Whoever it is, your heart is already racing and your instincts are kicking in.

Trying It Out: It's a trial period for your fighter/master pairing, and you must get into sync.

Bond: You've decided that this is the forever relationship you want and are prepared for the ceremony, which is, essentially, a blood oath.

Not Right: Because of societal pressure or just by being unbonded at the wrong time, you've been forced into a partnership that doesn't work. Aside from being miserable, it could also be dangerous, as the fighter's powers could go haywire.

Unhealthy: In this relationship, the fighter is viewed by the master as their property. Or, in the inverse, the master is viewed as weak and resented.

Adoration: Unlike the unhealthy relationship, in this bond, the fighter puts the master above all else and quite nearly worships them.

Save: You want to take away a fighter or a master because you care for them and their partner isn't treating them well. That's noble...but is it such a good idea?

Doting: Some fighters or masters feel the urge to take care of their partner's needs, especially when they forget to take care of themselves.

Fluff: There are actually fun, loving moments between the well-adjusted fighter and master, even in the most volatile of scenarios.

Calm: It's a rare time of peace where the partners can be almost domestic.

Heal: Injuries and mental hurts need to be taken care of, simultaneously strengthening the bond.

Assigned: The pairing of you and your fighter or master was not natural. You were picked strategically for each other.

Power Up: You have to become stronger. Luckily, you can get power and focus right from the tap.

Need: You're desperate for your fighter or master, and your body and mind are rebelling against you because of it.

Training: A fighter and master must work as one, and this ability must be practiced.

Sense: Your master is in trouble, you can just feel it.

Return: You two have been kept apart and are finally able to return to each others' presence.

Pose: Actually, you're the opposite of what you're pretending to be - ie, a fighter is really a master - and so is you're partner. You're just posing for some reason or another.

Love: You've fallen in love, as it's incredibly hard not to do so, but you must act as if nothing's changed.

Public: You can't take it anymore. You two want to be acknowledged as a normal couple, and you want the world to know it.

Most Pure Partnering: What better way to hone a fighter's skill than through the ultimate support: sex? The obligatory smut option.

Mismatched: You've fallen in love with a fighter when you're a fighter or a master when you're a master.

Not in Step: You're a terrible pairing. The two of you together makes no sense at all, but you must make it work.

Childhood: From the very beginning of your life, you have been brought up as the perfect fighter or master.

Don't Belong: You're normal; the only reason you're involved in all this is because the person you love is a fighter or master.

Masters' Privilege: Masters can have a love interest in the "normal world"; fighters cannot. Is this a point of contention between you two?

Dark Underbelly: You're a fighter or a master from the part of the world that sees fighters as second class. Can you learn that there's a different way?

Jealous: The person you really want isn't your partner.

Possession: After seeing the wandering eyes of your partner, you feel the need to remind them that it's you and them against the world.

Comfort: The events of the day didn't go as planned, and one of you needs reassuring.

Berserk Button: Your master has been threatened. You must destroy anyone who could have harmed them. Can you be brought back from the brink?

Unexpected: A master protecting a fighter? Unheard of!

Double Trouble: At least one of you in your pair is sadistic and looks for other fighter and master duos to torment, both physically and sexually, even if they don't want to fighter. The other party is willing or at the very least unable to be noncompliant.

Attacked: You're a peaceful pair, but you've been sought out and our in danger.

Need a Boost: Right in the middle of a fight, the fighter's strength is fading. The master must step in and show support or affection.

To Be Left Alone: Your partner is leaving you. It is your duty to convince them to stay.

Defeat: The battle didn't go your way. Your partner has been slain in front of your eyes; if you're a master, perhaps it was to get at you. Your humiliation is cinched by your being claimed.

Betrayal: In a twist of fate, the one you should trust the most has been working against you this entire time.

WILDCARD

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Most likely a Master due to her emotional issues...that, or a very emotionally-stunted Fighter. Probably posing as a normal until her partner turns up.]

[Master or fighter, both would work well. Scheming, vicious s.o.b. either way though. Ask if you've got any questions, m/f if there's shipping]

[ taking the dust off from this one. so, the master. open both to gen and shipping. ]

[ the master. ]

[ definitely a fighter ]

[Fighter.]

(OoC: If you don't mind an OC, would you mind Doting and Fluff?)

(I don't mind at all! Feel free to starts us off.)

Master, are you feeling alright?

[Marie couldn't help but always be worried about Sakura. She seemed to be the kind that was always worried about everything. Even more so, she felt that she needed to be some sort of anchor, even if she was a fighter to her master...]

[ She has to give her all. If anything can be said about the girl is that she knows her own strength and weaknesses better than most, makes no effort to deceive herself into doing things that she can't make happen, or being someone that she simply wouldn't ever be able to become.

But someone as kind and strong as Marie deserves a good Master. Of this the girl is certain, and so Sakura makes sure to give her all in whatever it is that must be done; she's may not be as bright as Nee-san or as strong as Senpai, but she's a hard-worker to be sure, headstrong and relentless in her own quiet way.

If she gives her all, if she keeps trying and trying and trying without faltering... ]

Eh?

[What was she saying? Picking up the laundry that slipped through her hands. She resumes their folding with a light blush and an unspoken apology written all over her face; perhaps she has been overdoing it a little.

... But only a little.]

Ah... I'm really sorry Marie, what were you saying?

I was asking if you were feeling alright. You seemed... distracted.

[Marie couldn't help but tilt her head at Sakura. She seemed so lost in her thoughts and it worried her a bit. Her hands went over to help her with the laundry.]

Perhaps I should do the folding for you. I may not be the best, but I want to help you out as much as possible.

Ah... I do?

[That's no good. It's true that lately there have been a lot of things coming up one after the other, but it was nothing that she couldn't take, right?]

But... I feel fine. I'm very resilient! So you shouldn't worry about me, really - a few more chores won't make a difference.

[Right. She only needs to keep at it for a little bit longer. She'll sleep as much as she needs to then, and her face will light up more and her eyes will stop hurting. But that's then and this is now, and she's... she can't worry her Fighter. That's the one thing she shouldn't do.]

... But we could finish this together, if you'd like.

[Marie nods at Sakura's suggestion, smiling warmly.]

I can do that, then. It'll be over faster, then we can do whatever you wish next. Okay?

(...Hi, sorry if I'm being rude, but I think I'll be leaving this thread here. I couldn't get used to the length of your replies, sorry. Best of luck out there, and sorry for taking up your time. )