Post 6: Socializing Your Pet

Every pet owner must eventually introduce their pet to vampire society. Ideally this happens gradually, at small gatherings, among trusted friends.

My pet's first outing was the Region 5 Equinox Gathering, attended by every progenitor of the Fifth Council, and four hundred distinguished and ambitious guests.

This was not my choice.

PREPARATION

On the generous advice of @GuRl_666, I had Ginger dressed in deep green velvet to set off the hair, with long sleeves and a high collar to cover the sigil. Pets at formal events must be leashed, so I chose a slim silver chain.

Ginger looked at the dress for a long time. Then she put it on and, with the carving knife I had failed to take back from her, and cut a slit in the skirt to the knee.

I realize she did this so she could be able to run. I did not understand why she believed she would need to run at a party. 

ETIQUETTE TIPS

1.) Keep your pet at your side at all times.

2.) Do not allow other guests to feed your pet. You do not know what is in it.

3.) Do not let other guests feed off of your pet.

4.) Do not allow other guests to handle your pet.

5.) Never, under any circumstances, allow a higher-ranked progenitor to take an interest in your pet.

I managed to achieve four out of the five.

The first hour went well. Ginger stood at my side and looked at everything. I watched her watching the doors, the windows, and even the ceiling.

Then our visitor from Region 17 arrived with all twelve of her pets, leashed in a line, in matching sailor suits.  While I think she did a phenomenal job of their training, their eyes had a glassy, faraway look, like windows in an empty house. @~PaWz_n_FaNgZ~ introduced them to me one by one: Cupcake, Tiramisu, Little Flan, ect.

Ginger went pale. Through the sigil I felt her fear spike, harder than it had in the forest. I could not think what had frightened her. I have since concluded that she saw the sailor suits and was overcome with dread from the outfits.

As the line passed, the last one, Mochi, leaned close to Ginger and whispered something. Very fast and very quiet. Ginger's hand closed tight around the chain of her leash. Neither I nor her owner understood a word, and her owner did not appear to notice that anything had been said at all.

Then the Third Progenitor came across the ballroom.

I will not describe her, for reasons of etiquette and also survival. I will only say that she wore black, that she smelled of dark florals, copper, and citrus. I watched the crowd part for her before she approached me. With a single extended claw, she lifted Ginger's chin, and spoke to her.

In Human.

I want to be precise about what happened next, because it has kept me up during the day. The Third Progenitor spoke to my pet, fluently and softly, for perhaps a full minute. And Ginger answered her. They had a conversation, an actual conversation, with pauses and replies and a little laugh from the Third, and I stood there holding the leash and understood none of it. It was the first time since I bought her that I had heard Ginger speak to anyone who could understand her. It was the first time, I realized, that anyone had.

Through the sigil, I felt her heart going like a drum. Despite her being friendly, I could feel and smell her fear.

Then the Third turned to me and said, in our own tongue, "What a lovely thing. I'd love to borrow her. As a gift, or an appetizer. I haven't decided."

For the newly turned: a Seventh does not refuse a Third. A Seventh says "Of course" and "What an honor," goes home, and quietly purchases a new pet.

Instead, I heard myself say, "She isn't for sharing."

I said it in the voice I really shouldn’t have. With such finality. It wasn’t until the ballroom became very quiet that I realized I was very likely to lose my rank, or head. I felt my wings even extend, a sign of either intimidation, arousal, or aggression among our kind. To be fair, it was just the tips.

The Third Progenitor looked at me for a long moment. Then she smiled, which was worse, withdrew her claw, said, "Of course, Seventh. How sweet," and drifted off into the crowd.

We left soon after.

In the carriage, Ginger sat across from me in her dress. That’s when I realized she wore several of the rings on her fingers, but one of them I recognized. The one she looks at when she thinks she is alone. I watched her look at it for awhile before looking up at me. Then she said one word, clearly, as if she wanted to be sure I heard it.

I have written it down as best I can: LIE-ur.

If anyone knows what this means, please advise.

TIP: Never let another vampire handle your pet. Some of them have very long memories and very short patience.

REPLIES

xX_RedRum_Xx u told off a THIRD PROGENITOR over a redhead

MagicalRaven39 Respect, but also u are going to die.

~PaWz_n_FaNgZ~ If she is upset just give her fries 🍟 also she was STARING at my babies, she def wants a sailor suit, i can send measurements 💕

GuRl_666 THE GREEN DRESS!!! I was so happy to see her wear it!! Did she at least like it?

xXBloodyWristsXx @GuRl_666 She improved it.

LaDy_of_darkNess What a lovely conversation we had, Ginger and I. Such a shame you missed it, Seventh.

Region5_Mod_Bot Reminder: Disputes between progenitors must be conducted through official Council channels.