Sam Merlotte's PSA of the Day

[shifting]

[Sam is sitting in his chair, tossing a tennis ball between his hands. contemplative. Frustrated.]

Since I've been trainin' hellhound puppies for the past couple weeks, I'd like to talk with everybody 'bout a topic I'm pretty familiar on - dogs and dominance.

Now, this is somethin' about dogs a lot of people think they understand, but really don't. For one thing, a lot of people don't understand how big it is in socialization. It's as important as it is with people, even if people aren't as ready to admit it's important to them too. We like to view everything as bein' equal, and everybody bein' on the same keel.

Well, dogs don't. Dogs like to know where they stand with each other. They like knowin' who's in charge and what's expected of them. Makes 'em feel safe, makes 'em feel secure. So there are dominant dogs and submissive dogs. And just like with people, dominant dogs can be fuckin' jerks about their power once they know they have it. They can use it to bully everybody else in the pack, just like people do with other people. Or they can be aggressive with everybody they meet no matter how they're treated 'cause they're mentally unstable, same with people.

But here's the difference - dogs don't pick fights they don't think they can win. Not the smart and sane ones. ...And right now you're probably rememberin' some time you've seen a tiny dog pick a fight with a doberman, and you're thinkin' I'm full of shit. Except that most times when that happens, that small dog's with their owner. That's a whole different matter - that's knowin' you've got backup, and a way out of the situation if you bite off more'n you can chew. 'Course, there's times a small dog'll run a bigger dog off, and that's got to do with how confident that big dog is in their size. There's times you can gruff your way through a situation on sheer posutrin', but that's a risky game. An' dogs know it. Most times, the moment the other dog proves he's not gonna buy it - which often means bitin' or a physical tussle - the smarter, smaller dog gives the game up. They crouch low and they stay quiet, 'cause it's clear they can't push their way through his situation. They don't crouch with a snarl, they don't roll over with a growl - they just fuckin' crouch low and wait for the situation to defuse. Or they run.

[He catches the ball one last time and leans forward, staring steadily] You know why they do that? Because it's not fuckin' worth it. Pushin' a situation you can't win, mouthin' off and actin' like a smartass when it's just been proved your ass can't handle what you're spoutin' is suicide. You don't challenge a healthy, strong dominant when you're weaker'n they are and you've got no one to dig you out. You just don't do it. You wait 'til they're weak, 'til they're sick, and you know you've got a chance. Challengin' before that is only goin' to tip 'em off and put them on their guard anyhow.

Now, this ain't the same as when you've got somethin' real to guard. When some bear or wolf or whatever comes into a dog's territory and threatens 'em, or their pups, or their people or their pack - that's different. Then a fight might be your only option to keep your people safe. Not always, but sometimes, sure. But when you've got nothin' at stake - when you're just growlin' at someone dangerous 'cause you don't like them, or you don't like what they do or they did, and you don't have the means at the time to do somethin' about it - you aren't protectin'. You're challenging. Which makes it a matter of proving dominance, and which means that 'less you wanna come out of it maimed or dead, you'd better know your weight beforehand.

Comments

[Offline]

[shifting]

Besides one big fuckin' dog? [craning his neck back so he can see the devil behind his chair]

[Offline]

[thelightbringer]

[He grins and leans over the chair--because he is a 'big dog' but also literally a big human and tall enough to do so. He lazily drapes his arms around Sam and peers at his NV.]

Who's nipping who today?

[Offline]

[shifting]

[Sam nips the arm closest to him, then rests his face on it. Because he can.]

All this shit with Sylar's just been makin' me think about it. I've seen a lot of stupid reactions, and it ain't the first time I've seen them. We've got more'n a few repeat offenders in the Port. Wouldn't be so much trouble if I didn't care about 'em as much as I do.

[Offline]

[thelightbringer]

[His fingers move in slow circles over Sam's chest as he watches the NV.]

Of all people to tease, I wouldn't pick Sylar. He's too stupid to realize he needs to be discreet.

--Tch, Griffin. Never mind, he can harass the psychopath all he wants.

[He finally looks at Sam.]

Has Sylar been in touch with you?

[shifting]

[it's calming; soothing. He leans back, sighs through his nostrils]

He's a lot of things. Can't think of one of 'em that's good. [not true - he's obviously intelligent.]

Griffin just needs to learn. Same as all the other well-intentioned hotheads I've got workin' for me. And no, not unless his comment here counts.

[thelightbringer]

Don't waste time trying, there's nothing much in there.

[Lucifer nods, deciding Sylar's comment doesn't warrant any further inspection.]

How do people like Griffin learn? He's going to get burned. Probably a few dozen times, before he'll take the lesson to heart.

[shifting]

Maybe so. [opening his eyes again to look up at him] But it doesn't hurt me any to try.

[thelightbringer]

No, it doesn't. And maybe he'll surprise us. [Lucifer's not holding his breath, but he at least keeps his skepticism out of his expression. Even when he smiles playfully at Sam.]

Speaking of dogs, I have a pack of new balls and Frasier doesn't know what to do with them. I have ten bucks says you can teach him~

[shifting]

Only ten? C'mon now, I'm an easy date but I'm not that easy.

[thelightbringer]

[Lucifer snickers and his lips are just close enough to make it clear he wants to tease the hell out of Sam.]

Okay, how much did you spend on me that first time we went out together?

[shifting]

[he will bite you, don't tempt him. He's in the mood to press his luck.]

Like you would've let me. You were throwin' your magic around left an' right tryin' to impress me.

[thelightbringer]

You were already impressed.

[He does so love when Sam is in a rambunctious mood. Humans being brave in front of him just warms his cockles.]

Though I wasn't sure if it was because of my powers or because of my heels.

[shifting]

Like I could look lower'n your hips.

[thelightbringer]

Like I said. You were already impressed.

[His fingers scratch along Sam's abdomen, raising his shirt just a bit.]

100 dollars says you can teach Frasier how to chase a ball. Better?

[shifting]

[Sam arches into it easily] Mmm, maybe. You're on the right path to convincin' me...

[thelightbringer]

Am I getting hot or cold, Sam~?

[Fingers traveling up his chest slowly.]

[shifting]

Gettin' a little chilly.

[thelightbringer]

[His hands change direction, but only as far as the hem of Sam's jeans. One hand slides under his shirt; the other stays right where it is, one finger on the button.]

[shifting]

Gettin' warmer... [he licks his lips, his mouth gone dry]

[thelightbringer]

[His hand trails over the front of Sam's jeans, just firmly enough to be felt. Curiously, he never quite touches Sam where they know he'd most enjoy it. His hand comes to rest again against Sam's inner thigh.]

There's a funny thing about human bodies. I can touch you here...and you'll feel just like I'm stroking you there.

[He presses just so with his powers and his hand, pressing a nerve that races straight between Sam's legs.]

[shifting]

[oh Jesus - if he wasn't getting hard before, he is now. Sam throws both arms around Lucifer's waist and pulls him forward, groaning]

S'like... the best biology lesson I've ever had. Teach me somethin' else.

[thelightbringer]

[Lucifer maneuvers the chair so he can lean Sam back in it, just a bit.]

There's a spot, [he leans close, mouth near Sam's ear] here, too.

[His tongue rubs a very specific spot, which sends nerves firing all the way down through Sam's nipple.]

[shifting]

[he leans back easily, accepting Lucifer's weight over him and baring his throat. He always runs fever-hot - now he's sweltering. And harder than hell, too, which he hopes you plan to do something about, Lucifer.

His hands scratch up and down the devil's back. He hisses between his teeth.] You don't say.

[thelightbringer]

Mmhmm. [As Sam scratches him he's encouraged enough to kiss--bite, really--at his lips. Lucifer's never good at gentle.]

I'm a little rusty, though. Go lie down, we'll see which nerves go where.

[shifting]

[right now, Sam's perfectly fine with that. There's a sound in his throat a lot like a growl when he goes to lie down, watching the angel with a hungry gaze.]

So you haven't been practicin'?