(Contains pet play themes and light mentions of tf)

Foreword: As I'm rediscovering my interest in kink, following my long term relationship coming to an end... I was driven to write something a little more self indulgent. I may explore this more, but those of you more interested in my TF or inflation writing, rest assured there will be plenty more of that in the future. I do plan on making my true return to writing going forward, though I know I've had a few false starts to that these past few months. To my watchers that have been patiently waiting for that 'true return'... I thank you fervently for your continued support. It truly does raise my spirits in what have been some of the hardest times in recent memory. Without further adieu, please enjoy

- Serastosis

Her breath caught in her throat at the words that struck her ears, which themselves had become overly sensitive to sound. What had Emily just said? Surely she did not hear that correctly. Even as she thought this, though, she felt the unmistakable and itchy sensation of fur beginning to grow between her neck and the accessory that started this whole thing. Her recently elongated ears pressed flat against her head while her face was tugged forward into the shape of a snout. Growling whimpers escaped her mouth and her pleading eyes gazed upwards at Emily. The most confusing part of all of this wasn't the fur, or the fact that her hands were swiftly changing to paws, or even the tail that now wagged behind her. It was the pleasure.

Emily seemed to know this as well. A knowing smirk touched her face as she leaned down and-

Riley snapped the book shut just as the door to her private quarters slid open with a mechanical ‘woosh’.

“We’re almost ready to dock,” the bookish man in her doorway said. He was tall and slender, with thin, rectangular glasses that accentuated his almost permanently condescending expression. Everything from his hair to his uniform to the pen in his breast pocket was perfectly so. The quintessential example of his archetype. “I’m sure you’re looking forward to the down time.”

“Something like that, Ix,” Riley replied. She brushed her long silvery hair aside and stood. Her own uniform was a bit more unique compared to the pencil pusher’s typical officer’s garb. Skin tight top covered at her waist by cloth that reached the floor behind her, though left the front open for ease of movement. Thigh high stockings ending in white boots and her armored gauntlet gloves accentuated her limbs. The adornment on her right shoulder and elaborate hair accessory denoted her rank as a special operative, if the humming of her custom cy-blade wasn’t enough of a giveaway. With one final self-assessment, she followed the Ix out to the main bridge to depart after her long stint away from home.

“Home sweet home, eh ‘Alkaline’?” the chief pilot asked over their shoulder, using her designation as she entered the room. A formality that was spoken with the levity of someone that knew her well enough to not need it in the first place, “I’m sure Elizabeth is eagerly awaiting the news of yet another successful mission.”

“She doesn’t need any more dull stories of the outer zone.” Riley replied in her typical emotionless manner. Even her calm and cool demeanor couldn’t fully mask her impatience to be home entirely though. She tapped her boot restlessly, eyes locked to the monitors that depicted the docking procedure on the Mithras Platform. The vessel that served as her home away from home hovered parallel to the bay while the mechanical appendages of the platform reached forward to secure it and attach it to the safe atmosphere within. No more than a second beyond the all-clear, Riley was already striding towards the exit, leaving her comrades to share bemused glances with one another.

“Over heeeere!” A plucky voice called out. It belonged to Elizabeth. Riley turned to look at the source, whose shimmering ebony hair was tied by a large red ribbon into a ponytail. She wore boots that reached up to her knees, after which stockings took over the coverage of her legs, a high waisted skirt, and a hoodie that was just a touch baggy on her. Significantly more casual wear than the armor and uniforms Riley had been surrounded by these past few days, it was a welcome sight to see.

“I expected to see you at home,” Riley said, approaching her and looking down with her hand on her hip, though that was hardly more than a tease. Elizabeth had never once missed the expected time of her return.

“Come come, I’ve a surprise for you,” Elizabeth declared without reacting to Riley’s quip. She took her paramour’s hand and led her back to their home. The Mithras Platform was among the largest yet constructed, and its population reflected as much. They pushed through throngs of people commuting or otherwise bustling about to reach the residential area. Theirs in particular was on the side closest to the Officer’s Academy and associated Operations Base due to Riley’s occupation, not that either of them complained about the sizable home afforded to them there. The place was freshly cleaned as far as Riley could tell, with candles burning in several rooms throughout. Elizabeth had spared no expense, clearly.

“So, what’s this about a surprise?” Riley asked upon entering.

“So impatient,” Elizabeth tutted as she traipsed forward, hands clasped behind her back, “Maybe I’ll just make you wait,” she mused.

“Alright,” Riley said, placing a hand on her hip.

“Ugh, you could at least try to sound like you wanna know!” Elizabeth wheeled around, exasperated.

“You know that isn’t my style,” Riley argued, sitting on the couch, “But, I suppose I can make more of an effort since you seem so excited about it.” She relented, unable to resist the other woman’s wants.

“Alrighty, sit tight then, I’ll be right back,” she said, heading deeper into the abode toward their bedroom.

While she waited, Riley crossed her legs and looked around the living room. Something felt different. Some instinctive sense was ringing in her mind that something was off, and it was making her restless. The television was the same… the rug was no different… there was a lead hanging from a hook on the wall… wait. Did Elizabeth get a dog or something? Riley sat up, looking for evidence to that conclusion, but was interrupted pretty quickly by her girlfriend returning, arms once again behind her back.

“Hey, did you…?” Riley began before trailing off, studying the shyness on Elizabeth’s face. It was as though she’d been rehearsing this moment for a while, but when it was showtime the butterflies were getting the better of her.

“Sooo…” Elizabeth began, rocking on her heels a bit, “Y’know how we’ve been… lookin’ for some ways to sorta… spice things up?” she began.

“I remember. You suggested I research something that caught my interest,” She said, recalling the very book she’d been reading earlier. A blush touched her cheeks, but she did not continue.

Elizabeth was quite familiar with Riley’s penchant for not initiating or requesting things, even when it was so obvious that she wanted something. Truth be told, it was simultaneously frustrating and something she found immensely adorable in Riley. The way she would avert her normally steely amber eyes and dance around a subject rather than assert herself only teased at Elizabeth’s desire to take charge, but she held herself back on this one. This one required some extra tact, she thought. With that in mind, she took a breath and chose her next few words carefully, “Yes, I did ask that of you… did you happen to find anything in particular?”

Riley glanced at Elizabeth. Her tone was so innocent, but she initiated this conversation with the precursor of having a surprise for her. It had to be related, so how? Did she have something she wanted to try? Or did she find something she thought Riley would want? The conversation suddenly felt a battlefield of sorts, and the most strategic thing she could do now was to play defense, “I’ve looked here and there,” she said vaguely.

There she goes again, Elizabeth mused, overthinking things without realizing her face is much easier to read than she believes. She tried not to smirk too much, lest Riley feel taunted. It seemed as though she’d have to guide her, “So have I,” she said, “In particular I noticed a trend in the purchase history on our Intellectis Mithras account…” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at the slight surprise and deepening blush on Riley’s face, “Oh sweetie… you forgot we share that, didnt you?” she chuckled.

“Viewing the recent purchases may have… slipped my mind as a possibility…” Riley admitted. It seemed as though she’d been utterly out maneuvered.

“Well, I looked up those titles you’d seemingly been interested in and noticed a trend, sooo I got this,” she pulled her hands from behind her back. Cupped in them was a high quality collar. It was adorned on the front with an engravable tag. Noticing Riley’s increasing embarrassment, Elizabeth reached up and placed a hand on her cheek, gently pushing to have Riley look at her directly, “Hey, I think it would be really interesting to give this a try. I mean, you’d make for a really adorable puppy I think.” Riley looked over to the leash on the wall, “I got a bunch of stuff for this, admittedly. I may have gotten a little carried away with my own excitement for it. But we can take it slow okay? And if you don’t end up liking it thats fine! We can always return-”

Riley lowered herself to her knees to look up at Elizabeth, “Will you…” she glanced at the collar, “put it on for me?” she practically forced the words out, her heart hammering in her chest. She’d always been so much more meek than Elizabeth when it came to things like this, but she knew she loved Elizabeth, and trusted her with her life a thousand-fold. As much as she’d been thinking about stuff like this, there was no one she’d rather do this with than her. It felt a little rushed almost, like they ought to explore this idea before jumping to this level of commitment, but something inside compelled her to ask. Elizabeth needed no more encouragement. Characteristic of her higher levels of confidence in this field, she smoothly and deftly unclasped the accessory, lifting it with both hands over Riley’s head, like some sort of crown, before bending down and wrapping it securely around her neck from the back. She ensured none of Riley’s hair was caught in it before clicking it shut around Riley’s neck. The sensation was both immensely exciting and somehow intensely comforting. A heat spread through Riley’s body, but even still, there was something so… soothing about it all. She shut her eyes for just a moment, relishing in the moment. Elizabeth had just made Riley hers in a way she hadn’t felt before. It felt… good in more ways than one. When she reopened her eyes, Elizabeth cupped Riley’s head in her hands and leaned down to kiss her, which she eagerly returned. If she’d had a tail, it would have most assuredly been wagging.

“Welcome back, puppy.”