The Great Pet Store (closed)

[swordandsandle]

-Character-
Name- Cana Deikman
Age- 21
Gender- Male
Occupation- Student (Plant Sciences)/Part-time animal shelter assistant
Height- 6' 2"
Weight- 144 lbs
Build- Slim, fairly toned if not bulky
Eyes- Misty Blue
Hair- Well-kept chestnut. Sideburns, but no beard or mustache
---

It wasen't that I had a bad life. Indeed, I'd always thought I had it pretty good; I had good grades, a job, plenty of freinds, money to spend and a small house I rented out from the owners. Still, I never could shake off the feeling that something, not that I was sure what, was missing. In the end, it was the nights I coulden't deal with... the house wasen't very well insulted or contsructed, and there was always a stray chill or heavy creek that would wake me up in the middle of the night, shivering and a bit tence.

I had just gotten up from a particularly unplesent night, a heavy wind having tossed the place about like a leaf, my eyes a bit droopy from the lack of sleep, when, going outside to grab the newspaper, I noticed a small, neatly wrapped brown package on my steps, properly addressed and everything. Examining it quizzically, I took it inside and opened it, revealing an inlaid, leather collar and a note, typed out and folded neatly.
---
Dear Sir,

You have been selected by means we choose not to reveal to be the recipient of one pet of your choice from the pet shop at the address we have provided. Be advised that the pets we have to offer are of an unusual nature and thus the collar is included. Simply take the collar with you to claim your pet and place the collar around her neck, then you will be allowed to purchase her. Be advised, also, that the price will be very reasonable. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Do not miss out or you will regret it for the rest of your life.

Sincerely,
The Staff at The Great Pet Shop
---

"Great... Pet Shop," The words came out of my mouth skeptically. I'd never actually put much thought into getting a pet... my mother had allergies, but for some reason, the thought intrigued me. It did get a bit lonely around here at night, and, maybe, this was what I needed in my life. Pulling out my billfold, I flipped through, counting out plenty of money (you'd be surprised how much not having a girlfreind saves you). After pondering it for a moment, I finnaly decided on a yes, and after throwing on a good pair of jeans and a a black excersise shirt, I headed out to my vechile and drove my way into town.

I had to glance down at the adress occasionally as I drove, but I eventually arrived at the little building just outside the main retail section of the city, charming in a nostalgic sort of way. Strange thing though, unlike other pet stores you coulden't see through the windows to look for a kitten or puppy or anything; just blackout curtains. It was a bit distrubing, to be honest. Yet, keeping myself confident, I wandered inside.

It was a bit strange, to be honest. There where all the normal pet supplies; fish tanks, pet food, bedding, litter, toys... yet as far as I could see, no animals. The only living being in the store, other then myself, was a man about my own age, muddling behind the desk and engrossed in a game of tetris, by the looks of it. For a moment, I was speechless, eyebrows arched as I tryed to puzzle the whole situation out, wandering the aisles.

Finally, after several minutes and a audiable groan as he lost the game, the man at the desk looked up as I passed him by, getting himself back into a professional deminor. "Welcome to the Great Pet Shop," his voice had a practiced charm to it, but still tinted with his recent disappointment. "I see you have your collar there. Any idea what sort of pet you're looking for?"

Now talking eye to eye, I toyed with the leather in my hand, strong but soft. "Well, I don't have anything in mind," my voice was fairly deep and smooth, if a bit dry at times. "But it dosen't look like I have many options here. Where exactly are all the animals."

A sort of secret smile crept onto his face, sliding a hand under the counter. "Well, we prefer to keep them in the back. Makes for a more peaceful store, you know?" I heard a tone as the door in the back swung open, a slight light revealing a set of stairs. "Just go on down and pick the pet you want. You'll be perfectly safe." Giving a slight motion to the door, he went back to his screen, the little tune revealing he was giving the game one more go.

Not to be scared, I walked down the stairwell, the light from the shop slowly fading as it went down in a spiral, the sounds of animals starting to get louder and louder; barks, meows, squaks... but nearly every other sound as well. I coulden't say I diden't like it. yet, when I came about the final corner, I had to stand agape at what I saw.

Both walls where lined with fairly large rooms, each blocked from the hallway by mesh. Inside where all these little micro-biomes; swamp and grassland and forest, each occupied by something that looked like a cross between an animal and a human... males and females of every discription. I wandered down the way, visablly cool and confident but mentally stunned. So many questions, so much to know... until one of the girls in particular caught my eye.

"Hey girl," I kneeled over next to the mesh, reaching in and offering a hand to her. "You're such a pretty little thing, you know that? Don't be scared, I won't hurt you."

 

[Ruelle]

Name- Eun-Jin
Age- 20
Gender- Female
Occupation- … being an ever loving pet?
Height- 5 feet exactly
Weight- 101lbs
Build- small and tiny, looks more cutely awkward than beautiful.
Eyes- Chocolate Brown
Hair-Short brown messy hair that is naturally tousled.

--------------


Eun-Jin was a small thing, one of the smaller set of pets. Her eyes were too big for her face and her ears flapped at her side. Deep brown eyes scanned around her small home as she played with a blade of grass. Earlier, she and a wolf had gotten into trouble for play in the store front without permission. Owner was nice but he didn’t like it when they left the back without his permission. The young doe had gotten off light as she rarely ever caused trouble.

Her hands moved to her small antlers, something no one could explain why a female would have them. But it did give her an adorable quality. Eun-Jin looked down at her clothes that were forced upon her. It was a simple white summer dress, looking something that should belong on a little girl. And white stockings that stopped at her knees. While it looked childish on others, it suited her just fine. It lightly hugged her upper body, bringing out her ‘womanly’ mounds and curves.

Her hand moved to the blade of grass to her mouth, lips slowly opening as she ate some. Her ears flickered again, her nose twitched, eyes looking around. Her sense was tingling then the owner’s voice barely wafted into her own… home.

"Just go on down and pick the pet you want. You'll be perfectly safe."

The doe leaned forward on her hands and knees, her bottom slightly raised in the air. There were faint footsteps and the noises of her companions. Ein-Jun could easily understand them, even if the human vocals were not alien. It was sometimes easier to communicate like that without letting ‘humans’ know what they were talking about.

“It’s a man!”

“A human!”

“Think he’ll adopt one of us!”

“I hope it’s me—he looks nice.”

“Hey, I bet we won’t make it all the way back there! All the dumb ones are there!”

“Oi, we can hear you, ya know! Besides, we’re not all dumb. Quietly smart we are!” the snake hissed. Everyone lowered their voices. No one messed with that particular snake. He… was poisonous to say the least. And Ein-Jun, who was next to him, was apparently, one of the few he tolerated—a lot. Then again, she rarely spoke.

Ein-Jun remained silent, blinking as she leaned against the mesh, trying to sneak a peek. In reality, for all her cuteness, she wasn’t the most amazing furry there. She wasn’t very colorful nor was she ‘exotic’ or unique. While most females would have found this difficult to deal with, the doe didn’t. It was a fact of life. Generally the men were more appealing to attract the attention of a potential mate. And for the females that were all she was not, the doe did not feel that pang of jealousy as the lioness did who lived next door. No, she found them interesting to look at but… personality wise, she didn’t find them… all that fun. They were generally too busy preening themselves.

Though, she was not without a few unique marks herself. Down her back were black, white and light brown spots that would have been present had she been a complete deer. Noticing he was rather close, she stared blankly, tilting her head. She supposed he was alright, he wasn’t bad looking. Not that good, but not bad. (The doe really had no sense of attraction. She thought that the log in her ‘habitat’ was adorably cute. She named it Nuzzles.)

Horrifyingly, he came to her, causing her to leap back and fall flat on her bottom. She tried to press away from him, and kept her arms out in front of her. According to body language, she was spooked. Much like a ‘deer in headlights’. She neither liked nor cared for that expression. Hey, the lights were bright and pretty, who wouldn’t want to look at it?

"Hey girl," he kneeled next to the mesh, offering his hand to her. "You're such a pretty little thing, you know that? Don't be scared, I won't hurt you."

The doe blinked her eyes, tilting her head. She frowned, slowly moving forward. She stopped a few inches away from his hand. Instead of touching it, she leaned slightly forward and let her hand gently wrapped around the mesh. For a moment, she did not speak; only stare into his blue eyes.

Leaning back, she released the mesh and looked back at his hand. His works echoed in his mind. He called her pretty. She liked that. She also liked not being scared or getting hurt. She liked his eyes. She really liked his eyes. Tentatively, she reached her hand out his and let the tips of her fingers grace his skin, before slowly allowing more and more of her small hand to touch his hand completely.

“I like your eyes,” she said, a small smile on her lips. “They’re like water. How’d you get water in there?” This was her backward way of giving anyone a compliment. Ein-Jun withdrew her hand, slowly stood up and moved further back into her home and sat back down. There was a few feet between the two as she stared at him, with her wide eyes. Ein-Jun’s small hands rubbed against each other, as if unsure what to do now. It was uncommon, but not rare, that costumers came back this far. Not only were they the ‘troublemakers’ but they were not fully furry.

Her ears flickered nervously, wondering what he would do now.

 

[swordandsandle]

There was a certain... smell at the moment. It wasen't particularly unplesent; not dung or anything, a bit more floral then anything else. All about me, I could hear the rattling of metal as the animals set themselves against the mesh; the softness of paws and the scrape of scales. Yet, all I could keep my eyes on was the little doe approching me, shy and a bit clumsily, a slight quiver in her thin and delicate limbs. If it haden't been so adorable, I might have just laughed... might have. Instead, I only let my lips curl up into a gentle smile, like one might give to a sleeping child, never breaking eye contact with her, her own face wided-eyed and curious, my own half raptured, half amused. My other hand wrapped about the mesh, stabalizing myself as I heard the soft purrs, hums, and hisses from all over, a certain purr just to my right particularly strong.

"..." My lips parted slightly, as if to say something, but all I could do was look into those eyes, staring at mine. Big, brown, utterly focused, framed against her almost bemused face. Slowly, I leaned closer, feeling the breath come out heavily, before stoping, simply looking into her, trying to find out what she was thinking.

Then he felt it on his palm, the soft, fuzzy graze of her fingertips, shuttering a bit in a sort of distress. "That's a good girl," I finnaly let out, running one of my own fingers over her palm, slightly harder with the traces of hooves. "You don't need to be scared of me, ok? You can calm down." More and more of her hand flowed into mine, a bit less then graceful, but still plesent.

Then I heard her speak.

I was taken a bit aback my this, eyes flying fully open and jaw dropping slightly, a bit at a loss. Had they honestly come up with something this advanced? It would have been an amazing experence, if I haden't been so starttled by it. Quickly, though, I regained my composure, but not before she jerked out of my hand, causing a bit of pain as the hard palm scraped over my fingers, seperated again, yet still looking her in the eyes... doe eyes in both sences of the words.

"I, apologize," I swallowed a bit of built up saliva at that moment, pondering over how careful I would have to be if I choose her. "Take a few moments to calm down, ok? I'll be back, promise." My tone was that of complete honesty, if tainted a bit by my still-slight confusion.

With that, I took to wandering a bit farther back to the front, eyeing down at a lioness, cream and more flat-faced, leaning out to lick at my hand, tounge sandpaper-like and wet. I walked by a sabertooth tiger guy... a bit of a fright actually, with those huge fangs, glittering in the light. However, the more I went along, the more I wanted to go back and see her, always glancing back longingly, stopping only to give the lioness a short petting job before heading back to her home, looking up for something to open the door, finnaly reaching over and moving a latch, walking slowly and smoothly over, not touching her but getting close enough to talk.

"I like what you said about my eyes," I leaned down so we where at the same hight, my own voice calm and clear. "I can tell you're a bit nervious about me being here. Don't be. I just thought it might be nice to, perhaps, take you home with me. Would you like that?"

 

[Ruelle]

“I apologize,” he told her. She tilted her head once more, the light dregs of fear entwining within her eyes. “Take a few moments to calm own, okay? I’ll be back, promise.” Frowning slightly, she wondered what he meant. Deciding it probably wasn’t all that important, she returned to her small patch of gress, designated for food only. Using her hand, she awkwardly scratched around her antlers. Strange, this ‘human’ was. Wasn’t like the ones she usually saw.

Then again, she generally hid from sight.

She watched as he left, pulling more into herself. Ein-Jun moved closer to one side of the screen, where the scaly, a snake, resided. He was one of the smartest one around. He had good sense of people. A hiss sounded next to her. “Calm down, little one,” he spoke. The furries could easily understand one another, obviously. “You remember what Owner said. ‘Take you home,’ and ‘yes.’”

The doe nodded.

Several moments later, he returned. "I like what you said about my eyes," he leaned down so they were around the same height. His voice was calm and clear. "I can tell you're a bit nervous about me being here. Don't be. I just thought it might be nice to, perhaps, take you home with me. Would you like that?"

‘Take you home,’ her mind echoed. ‘Take you home means… yes!’ This strange game was a little fun. “Yes,” she said. Would he now give her a treat? She liked her treats. Treats were yummy. Slowly moving closer to him, she could hear a male hiss of encouragement. A bright smile lit up her face.

“Eyes?” she paused after a moment. What were those? “Treat? Treat?” Her small hand was held out in front of her, eyes expectant. “Treat!”

The animals around her chuckled at her response. Yes, out of all of them, Ein-Jun was the ‘least developed’ when it came to human speech and thought process. Her other hand once again gripped the mesh between them lightly. Where was her treat? Using her other hand, she allowed it to grip onto the mesh as well, pressing her body against it.

“Ein-Jun treat! Ein-Jun treat! Treat yes!”

The doe could barely speak, but generally her message was clear. Her voice was entirely soft, even when she was trying to get her message across. Perhaps the owner would explain to the ‘human’ in front of her what she wanted. “Ein-Jun good! Ein-Jun yes!”

The fear she once held dissipated. For now, she was in her own territory and the man could not cross it. Yet, once she was removed from it, her skittish ways would return. Unfamiliar territory made her uneasy. But moving creatures were very interesting. It had been why she said, ‘I like your eyes.’ It came out of the ‘beehive’ (speakers).

The girl was a mimick, and half the time it got her into trouble, even if it was cute. Of course, maybe letting her learn via television was not the greatest of ideas. But it was better than a book. (Ein-Jun could not read as her mind was incapable of reading. Currently. To her, letters are squiggles and drawings.) And to let her write was… cruel. The poor girl couldn’t even draw properly. It was saddening, but nothing a patient man wouldn’t cure.

“Ein-Jin,” she pointed at herself, remembering this from that strange looking human. (Tarzan) “Ein-Jin.”

 

[swordandsandle]

"Treat?"

She seemed to change so much in the few moments I'd left her. Before, there had been a certain shyness to her wonder, yet now it seemed to be coming out like a small child, caught in the moment rather then in herself. I coulden't help myself from laughing a little as she pressed there, bouncing around like a playful baby. "I suppose I could find a treat for you. What sort of treat would you like?"

It was clear that went right over her head though, as she just kept herself there, her motions slightly remenicent of... something, I wasen't quite sure what. Her eyes where a bit too big for her, but it was more cute then ugly, sparkling from a sort of childish innocence. Slowly, my laugh changed to a light smile, and I reached out and touched her hands, holding them both as I watched her bounce, her "womenly" movements small, yet still noticable. "Good girl," he encouraged her, a bit obvlivious to the world about him. "Good girl."

"Ein-Jun," my face scrunched slightly in thought as she pointed to herself, our fingers parting. It was a strange name... a little exotic, and hard on the tounge, but nice enough. "Ein-Jun is good," I wanted to reach out, to touch, but for now, all I could do was look. "Cana," I pointed at myself, trying to communicate as best I could. "Cana want Ein-Jun," my breathing was a little staggered, how akward this felt, and I found myself mentally second guessing Move on, some part of me said. She's too far gone. If you're going to get a petgirl, get one with a bit more of a brain. Yet, I diden't want to stop looking in her eyes, full of life and blissful. Rumaging through my pockets, I found a wrapped peice of suger candy, slowly unwrapping it and holding it out, starting to fell a bit nippy... apperently, they diden't heat this place too well, and I could feel myself start to, bulge a bit. "Where is Ein-Jun treat?" I held the cand out, just close enough that she could grab it if she wanted.

 

[Ruelle]

“Ein-Jun is good,” he told her, which made her smile and tilt her head to the side. She watched as he pointed to himself. “Cana.” Oh, Cana = pointed finger. He then said. “Cana want Ein-Jun.” Pointed Finger want Ein-Jun? The Doe frowned, crossing her arms as she pondered this before pointing at him.

“Ca…na…” she spoke softly while pointing directly at his chest. “Ca…na…” Then moving her finger around she pointed to everything. “Cana! Cana! Cana! Cana!” She smiled happily, looking him in the eyes.

He rummaged through pockets, her eyes watched his hands. She tilted her head once more. He appeared to be slightly cold. Stepping away from him for a moment, she bounded toward the far part of her small home and pulled out what appeared to be a wrap made of the materials she had found. Taking it with her, she ran back toward him, holding it behind her back.

"Where is Ein-Jun treat?"

He held the piece of candy just out of reach. She would have to reach out to actually be able to grab it. And grab it she did. Holding it in her hands, she moved it to nose and sniffed it. Strange smell. Quickly licking, the flavor made her eyes go wide. It tasted good! A wide smile danced on her face. “Ein-Jun like treat. Yummy, yummy, yummy!”

Reaching behind her, she pulled out the wrap and fed it through the mesh to give to him. “Cold? Ein-Jun make!”

 

[swordandsandle]

(Chobit reference... he he)

I coulden't quite place what it was, because my all means I should be a little unerved right now, but for some reason, her silliness was almost attractive. Though I wasen't thinking it at the moment, the science must not be perfect, otherwise, why go through such unusuall channels? She'd need some help, yes, but we could work on that later. All I could do was look on with a strange mixture of pride and concern on my face, keeping my hand held out for her.

"That's right," a bit of hope came in my voice as I watched her finger creep up, pointing directly at me, a light breeze from the air conditioner blowing her hair a bit. "Cana," my voice was slow, as I reached out to take her hand, but quickly drawing it away, watching, holding back the laughter as I watched her name everything "Cana". Obviously, she had an... intresting way of looking at the world.

I coulden't bring myself to say anymore though... although I doubt I could get a word in edgewise, with her dashing about and speaking fast and repedativly. However, the touch of her hand on mine as she reached for the food, was a bit intresting to say the least. "Ein-jun," I reached in and took the wrap in my hands... very scratchy, poorly made, but still a nice gesture none the less. "Ein-jun make happy." Holding one of her fingers, I played with it gently for a moment, before standing up and working the latch, letting the mesh swing aside and allowing me to step in, tossing the wrap over my shoulder and leaning down, slipping the collar back into my grip and around her neck. "Ein-jun mine now, ok? Come" Taking her hand, firmly but gentle, I slowly lead her out of the enclosure, keeping her close to me as I took my first step out.

 

[Ruelle]

(I couldn’t resist. :3 Chii./Elda was so cute… and Ein Jun is adorable…)



The doe smiled when he took her wrap, tilting her head to the side. She had watched something on the moving ‘human’ moving cave. (TV) He took a finger of hers and she tilted her head. “Want Cana?” she asked. Why would he hold her pointing finger right? Watching him, she stepped back as he released her and moved her hands behind her back. The see through wall started to move and he entered her small home. She tilted her head once more a questioning look on her face.

He slipped something into his hand and moved it around her neck. A blushing smile danced on her face as she lightly touched the strange object. Was this… a throat-ribbon (necklace)? She didn’t understand when he spoke.

“Ein-Jun mine now, okay? Come,” he took her hand gently and led her away from her home. She followed him, not realizing that she wouldn’t be coming back. But it wasn’t that big of a problem. The doe was a curious beast; she always wanted to learn about new things. The girl looked up at… she frowned. She didn’t know what they called him. She looked down at her pointed finger. So, this was Cana.

Ein Jun smiled happily as she followed him, not really sure what he was saying. But it sounded nice. Many Owner would explain. As they walked down together, a few of the more intellectual animals gave the male a look of pity. Clearly, she would be a handful.