bakerstreet | DO NOT FEED AFTER MIDNIGHT - Pet shop of Horrors Meme

[Cop investigating, or a black hound as a pet]

[One of the shop's "creatures," for sure. A lost little child the size of a doll, only a foot and a half at best.]

[ A kirin in canon so he's more likely to be one of the shop's feature creatures. ]

[ just watching or interested in a "pet." ]

[Considering how chaotic some of the side mission NPCs are in RDR2, I could see a cursed pet shop in Saint Denis' back alleys being there lol Alternatively set in modern times, he could be a pet, maybe you need a bodyguard or something. Feel free to PM me to discuss!]

[It had been months since Stukov had retired. He'd been through a lot in his time in the service and he was ready to hang up his hat and disappear into obscurity. It had been months and he was still on edge. It seemed though he was through with war, war was not through with him. He'd been advised to seek out a pet...some type of animal to look after...one that would in turn calm his nerves. He'd never kept pets...never had the time. He did not know the first place to look. However, as if by fate, he'd literally stumbled onto a small advertisement in a local coffee shop. There had been a small, simple business card with a tack holding it to a small cork board.

It was some kind of pet store. Rare and exotic creatures. Huh. Well, if nothing else, it should prove interesting. He had managed to find it, though his knees complained the entire walk-a combination of old wounds and rainy weather. He found the little hole in the wall, which, as soon as he opened the door, he realized that it was significantly larger than it appeared. There was an uncanny number of creatures here...some he recognized, though many more, he could not even begin to identify.]

The pet store was indeed exotic and the store owner seemed to know a great deal about Stukov, sharing tea with him as he interviewed him regardless for something more specific.

"Hmm, yes, I think I have the perfect pet for you." he gestured and a moment later, a large golden stag stepped out of the shadows, then, a blink of the eye and it was a man. A man with the antlers, ears, and tail of a deer. He was pretty big himself, mid to late thirties and scruffy, dressed like something out of a cowboy film.

"Arthur Morgan, this is Vice Admiral Alexei Stukov." the owner introduced.

Arthur nodded, "Afternoon." he tipped his hat politely, but wasn't smiling.

"Yes I think you two will do well together." the owner said "He doesn't have any strict diet, though I recommend making sure he gets out of the house, cities and the like aren't the best for him. If you're not satisfied, please bring him back any time."

Stukov was grateful for the owner's guidance. He frankly had no idea where to start. He'd never been one to keep pets. He sat and listened keenly over tea. The owner was incredibly well versed in his menagerie. He followed his lead and blinked disbelievingly at the stag. He had not been prepared to care for such a large animal...and that doubled when in the blink of an eye, the stag was gone and instead, there appeared to be an actual cowboy...albeit one with a tail and a set of antlers.

Was this creature a man or a deer?

Alexei tipped his own hat.

"Hello."

He turned to the shopkeeper, trying to gauge his response, but he kept acting as though this...Arthur was truly a stag. Was he hallucinating? No...no, it seemed as though the merchant was correct. He nodded.

"I can imagine. I have a cabin. I'm...not fond of the noise of cities myself."

He rand his hands over each other.

"Very well. I shall take him."

The deer's ears pricked up at the mention of having a cabin. Finally a place suited for him too?

The owner was delighted too and had Stukov sign some papers before rolling it up and seemingly making them disappear.

"He's yours! Take good care of him, we'll bill you when we think it's time to" and the owner got up, leaving the pair on their own.

Arthur watched him go, and then followed the older man at his side.

Alexei looked over the paperwork, initialing and signing were it was indicated he should. It was an interesting contract, to be sure. Who knew being a pet owner this would be so complicated? Then again, it seemed this was no ordinary pet.

He swallowed and nodded at the shopkeeper.

"I'll do my best. I hope he finds it agreeable."

He led the stag out to his truck. It wasn't new...but it wasn't terribly old. It was clearly very nice, but was splattered with mud in a few places. He took care care of it, to be sure.

He turned to the stag.

"Do you...ride in the cab or in the back? I've...never kept a stag before,"

The pair received some odd looks as they left, curious as to the creature but not stopping to ask.

Arthur followed, glad they'd soon be out of the city.

At the question he said, "I'll ride up with you" glad of the choice, getting in on the passenger side and buckling up.

"Very well."

Alexei opened the door for his new pet and shut it behind him. He then walked around to his own side and hopped in. He put the key in the ignition and turned it. The truck rumbled to life softly and Stukov shifted into gear and started to drive.

"I live about an an hour or so out of town. So we have awhile and it can get a bit bumpy the further out we get."

They drove in silence for a few minutes before Stukov asked.

"So...Arthur...have you...lived anywhere besides that pet shop before?"

Arthur nodded, his mood, clearly unhappy and quiet turning better as they left the city and the sight of trees and open sky lifted his spirits.

His ears pricked at the question.

"Few places, not for some time though. Last owner was in the 80s, when pets like me was all the rage. Wanted somethin' exotic but independent." he snorted and rolled his eyes. "Don't think I've been in a more cramped apartment than I was with that feller. Brought me back when the bills piled up. Didn't miss him. If your cabin really is this this far out, it'll be the first time since the second World War I seen the sky without buildings blockin' the view."

He was excited for such a life, even if Stukov didn't keep him long.

"This your first time with a pet?" he asked.

"I suppose there has always been a market for...exotics. I have never been a keeper of pets, myself. I have recently retired from the military and have been advised...to start to reacclimate."

He shrugged.

"So I'm afraid I have not had much experience with animals at all, but I was not lying when I said I will do my best at taking care of you. My cabin is on a hill and at the bottom of the hill is a forest. You are welcome to go as far as you want into it, but I will warn you, there are wolves and panthers the deeper you go in."

New pet owner, he tried not to be too disappointed. Stukov would not be the first to try their hand at having Arthur as a pet. He just hoped he'd get to enjoy the woods and some fresh air for a little while before being brought back.

Describing the place itself, sounded nice, Arthur looked forward to it all very much.

At the mention of wolves and big cats, he chuckled, "Gimme a gun and I'll be just fine. I ain't no Bambi." He could fight, could run, could kill when need be.

Alexei chuckled to himself quietly.

"You are an...interesting stag, Mr. Morgan. You'll definitely be able to carry. I've got a few rifles for...hunting and protection. I don't believe in waste...and I won't have my chickens being picked off."

The drive continued. The trees got thicker and the houses and other buildings got further and farther between. Of course, the road got rougher as pavement turned to gravel. After awhile, they turned down a road and a decently sized cabin came into view.

"Here we are. Home sweet home."

Given a gun too? Been a long time since he was to be more than something to look at or play with...Maybe this time he'd actually have a home after all...

The mention of having chickens was interesting, but if the man lived as far out as it seemed, having eggs whenever he wanted without repeated trips back to town was reasonable and a nice perk.

He watched the landscape go by, okay with the quiet, taking in the sight of the trees and the slowly decreasing lack of buildings. Then, they were down a side road and had stopped in front of a cabin. Arthur got out and stretched, looking up at the tall trees and breathing in the clean woodland air. Such a welcome feeling.

The woods themselves were dense, he could easily run from the human and be truly free, but he was bound to the pet shop, and if the man returned to the shop with news he'd run off, the keeper would merely summon him back, the man would pay a fee, and he'd have to wait for a new owner. Yea, he'd tried it once.

Best stick with this man, and if he ended up being awful like the owner he had back then, well, far easier to get lost in a wood than in a city, however briefly it would be.

He followed Stukov to the cabin, his steps light on the leaf litter despite the stag's size.

Alexei noticed that the stag barely made a sound as they approached the cabin. He swept the steps and stoop, but otherwise he had left them where they fell. It seemed he really did have a stag on his hands. Only an animal could be so silent on such ground.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key and opened the door. He flipped on a light that illuminated the small cabin. It was simple, a kitchen, a combined dining and living area, a bathroom and two bedrooms.

"You're welcome to the guest room, but...if you prefer, you can sleep outdoors. I'd advise staying in tonight and exploring tomorrow, but I take it you know more about your own preferences than I do."

Arthur followed him in, ducking the frame to avoid knocking his antlers against it.

Place was simple and he had a look around. He was by no means high maintenance, roughing it out in the wilderness was fine by him, even before...but it was nice to see a clean place and there was enough space for two so, he'd be comfortable.

He poked his head into the guest bedroom and nodded, "Thank you I appreciate it."

The stag then shrugged and hooked his thumbs in his belt. "So, what you lookin' for outta me?" he asked. He was his pet after all.

Alexei pulled out a chair and sat down. He drummed fingers on the table, clearly thinking the question over.

"You know...I'm not sure. My therapist said having a pet would be good for me. Something about...having someone or something to take care of to keep me motivated in retirement. What about you? You seem plenty capable of taking care of yourself. How did you end up in a pet store?"

"Don't know, I have no memory before I was a pet, either by accident or design. Store owner don't allow questions of that sort, says that life is gone, whatever it was and best leave it. So I have" he shrugged.

Arthur scratched an ear. "Well, don't necessarily need caring for, not like a dog or cat but, you got things you like to do? Fishin'? Huntin'? Or lean more to indoor sort of things like readin'?"

"A bit of both, actually. I do my share of fishing...hunting in season...and walking the property. It is rather large, so there are a lot of places to check on periodically...but I also spend a lot of time reading. Depends on the day. It has been some time since I have had the luxury of deciding."

He paused before asking...

"I take it you are more of an...outside gentleman?"

Little bit of everything, he liked that, kept things interesting.

"Suited to the outdoors but don't mind sleeping by the fireplace out of the weather." he said.

He then thought of something. "I uhh, ain't the best cook in case that's what you also bought me for. Ain't gonna burn the place down but also ain't gonna be making you five star meals neither."

"Tch. Not to worry. I've got a bit of experience at that. I was not expecting the acquisition of such a...unique pet. I suppose I just need company and help doing things...so that I'm...not alone when I try to fix things. I have a few old wounds that act up. My...my daughter has it in her head that I'll hurt myself and end up trapped out here and meet an unfortunate end."

The man gestured at the stag.

"Clearly...I shall not have that happen now."

"Fair enough." he said, finally taking a seat, beginning to relax in his new home.

"So, you got a family." he stated "Partner or..." he tentatively asked, unsure if either his significant other had passed or were separated or the like.

"I do. Four children, though I'm only on speaking terms with one of them. I'm...not proud of how I dealt with my wife's passing. I fell back into old bad habits...and I don't blame anyone for needing some space."

He nodded, suddenly finding the tabletop very interesting.

"And you? I know you can't remember anything before the pet shop...but that doesn't mean you didn't have someone there."

Arthur nodded, offering his condolences. He didn’t have anything to offer regarding his kids, that was repairing he’d have to do on his own. Hopefully one day the one who did speak with him would come around and talk to the others.

“Well that’s the problem, if I had anyone before I was changed, I don’t know. Been with a mix of folk over the years.” Arthur thought for a moment. “I do sometimes get flashes of a person. A young man, scars across his face. Ain’t sure who it is, no name, no idea what his relation was to me, friend or foe, brother or lover.” He shrugged and flicked an ear, “But that’s all, apart from owners.”

Stukov listened intently to the other man. He did not know a man like the one Arthur described, but he was sure to pay attention, in case he ever crossed this mysterious scarred man. It was an odd thing to have-just a fragment and nothing else to go on.

“Well, I hope this home is satisfactory for the time. Perhaps, given a little stability, you will recall more about this mysterious scarred young man’s relationship with you, whatever it may be.”

[OOC: Fee free to time skip if you like.]

“I doubt it, if he did exist, he’s long gone. Best do like the shop owner says. Past is the past. Can’t be changed.” He shrugged.

The following few days were mostly Arthur getting used to his new home. He took a walk when the sun came up and returned for breakfast, exploring the surrounding area. When he figured out the immediate area pretty well, he stuck closer to the house. He was after all a companion pet and he’d be neglecting his job or basically useless if he didn’t spend time with him.

After about a week, a fishing trip was planned. Arthur hadn’t gone fishing in quite awhile and looked forward to it.

It had been a long while since Stukov had had a fishing companion for one of his trips. There was a lake a few miles through the woods and over a few hills.

In truth, he was grateful for the company. Just having the stag there was strangely reassuring. It was just good company, which he had been lacking.

In the morning, Alexei struck out with Arthur, bag packed with provisions and walking stick in hand.

It was a lovely, cool morning for the trek, though by the time they got to the lake, Alexei was feeling his age. He was a bit tired, but after a bit of rest, he was ready to set up for a day of fishing.

Arthur was glad to get out and do something with his new owner, taking the heaviest of the equipment they walked together in comfortable quiet, keeping in stride with the older man.

Then they reached the lake. Arthur had not ventured too far from the cabin so the lake was new, and wonderful to behold. The smell of the water and the view of the open area was...well, he hoped Alexei would keep him for awhile so he could enjoy such a view for some time. Setting things down, he looked to his owner, “You okay old man?” He teased lightly.

Alexei chuckled.

"Yes, thank you. I am not so far gone yet. I am afraid you are stuck with me for a bit longer."

He opened his tackle box and began to look through its contents. It was all old, but functional. It had been ages since he had actually been fishing, which was a shame since it was always a pleasant experience.

He selected his lure and baited his hook.

"Well, let's see if anything is biting."

Alexei cast his line and waited. Honestly, he did not care if he got a bite or not. He was content to sit here and enjoy the air and the birds singing in the trees. It was a great change of scenery for him.

"Thank you for coming with me, Arthur. I feel like my daughter was right. It is good for a stubborn old man like me to travel with a companion."

Arthur chuckled, "Guess I am."

He peered into the tackle box, ears pricked up, examining all the old equipment. He picked out a lure and bait for himself and set up his rod, casting into the lake a few yards from Alexei.

"Of course. When was the last time you fished anyway?" he asked

"A year ago, at least....maybe longer? I just seemed to never find the time."

He shrugged.

"Funny what retirement does to you. It seems to make you...take the time."

He gently reeled his line a bit closer to the shore.

"How about you, Arthur? When was the last time you went fishing?"

Alexei had honestly ever thought about it. Still...he also reasoned that the stag might not have been fishing before. Stags don't eat fish. However, this was no ordinary stag, so it was anyone's guess.

Edited 2021-08-02 04:24 (UTC)

"So you just started your retirement?" he asked, slowly reeling his line in.

"Oh a long while ago. Family took me in, the mother wanting another hand around the house with the kids, took them fishing, mini golf, whatever she scheduled them for for the summer. They were good kids. But her husband thought she was sleeping with me as we was pretty friendly, and so returned me about when school started up again."

He tugged his line, "We wasn't, for the record, though in hindsight I'm fairly certain she tried to tempt me. Think she didn't like her husband very much, bastard did jack shit for her apart from work. Seventies were like that I guess. Housewives bored and lonely."

"Yes. I was...heavily encouraged to start it. Not in a terribly friendly manner, either. I know when to take a hint, though. I'm not getting any younger. I think I can agree that I should slow down a bit."

He listened to the stag's story, eyes moving back and forth from the water to his companion. It was an interesting story, to be sure. Alexei had no idea what he had expected the stag to say, but playing happy babysitter to human children was not one of them.

Stukov whistled, impressed.

"You were at that pet shop a long time. Did you get a little stir crazy?"

He smiled.

"I'm glad I could get you out here so you can stretch your legs. It isn't good for animals like yourself to be cooped up in the city."

"Time moves differently while in the shop. You're put into a deep and dreamless sleep when you're not being used. When called upon, you wake instantly, though its as though you just closed your eyes, ain't like waking up from a nap or somethin'. The pet shop itself exists in its own dimension, hard as that is to believe."

Arthur reeled in his hook and found the bait had been taken. He huffed and rebaited it.

"Anyway, that family weren't the last folk to have me. Was bought about a decade ago as a pet for a guy who could barely afford his apartment. Guy didn't have any friends and wanted a pet to fill void. Lasted three days."

(( Could feasibly fulfill the role of pet or investigating ))

[There's a card table in an alleyway with a handwritten sign that reads:

"SAnDwOrM HaTChlinGs for SaLE. CHEEP."

Yes. He's misspelled 'cheap'. No, he doesn't care. And the 'sandworms' might just be king snakes. Either way they're kept in a beat up looking igloo cooler.]

[The Pet, he's an icy white and blue lizard/ice drake with a passion for the stars.]

[Either the client or the pet. If he is a client, he's looking for some type of emotional support creature, if the pet, he is a large scorpion creature in a jar.]

( a wind spirit encaged as a pet for sale, instructions being mostly a diet of apples, and that music must be played to subdue him... as one might expect, Venti suffers from this experience, as he's meant to be a free creature by nature. maybe he can convince his purchaser to relents and let him roam free for a little bit...

as a fan of PSOH, I'm plenty happy to dive into the horror element and give him monstrous qualities (including body horror; cw for that and also what is effectively nudity, effects such as this as well as classical monster features are both up my alley here,) from either going without music for too long, or if his owner unsuspectingly allows him the freedom to exit his cage. that said, I'm happy to have it go completely south, or, maybe your character can reason with and tame Venti with a song...or, funnily enough, a glass of wine. that's very possible as an option to subdue him.

castmates and cross-canon loved; for castmates, love Traveler (either,) Zhongli, Diluc, Lisa, Albedo, Jean, Barbara, Noelle, and Sucrose, but genuinely happy with anyone from the series. open to discussion/plotting; if you'd like a starter made, just ask. )

[ A moonshadow elven assassin, I suppose would be quite the rarity; he's been captive before and kept midst other 'relics' like him. Probably going 'pet' with this one. Assumed CR, open to discussion, etc. ]

[He's definitely here to buy an experimental subject, though he isn't quite prepared for one with sentience. OTA for shipping — he's a fussy control freak that takes a long time to warm up so it might be difficult, but he softens more quickly to his subjects.]

[As a pet, he's a large fluffy dog-shaped creature with sharp teeth. Sometimes advertised as a sheep dog.]

[pet probably. he's half-draconian - a nearly-extinct vein of ancient, winged beings.]

DO NOT FEED AFTER MIDNIGHT - Pet shop of Horrors Meme

Sherlock Holmes | Fate/Grand Order | Ota

Runaway Kid | Little Nightmares | ota

taiki | the twelve kingdoms

kirschtaria wodime ♔ fate/go

Arthur Morgan - Red Dead Redemption II - OTA20+

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Lmk if I should change anything!

Looks Good!

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The Medicine Seller | Mononoke

Beetlejuice | Beetlejuice the Musical

Ice Fae/Rime Sigma | Overwatch | OTA

Vice Admiral Alexei Stukov | Starcraft II/Heroes of the Storm | Gen-All Ages, Ships- 25+

Venti ☙ Genshin Impact ☙ ota

runaan | the dragon prince

Ryan Walker | OC

Goetia | Fate/Grand Order

van fanel | escaflpwne