Chapter Text
“Exotic pets and servants for huge bargains!” Dirk saw the sign and let out a sigh. He came down here hoping to meet someone, or something that might be able to interact with. Mostly what was being sold though, were snakes and trolls and parrots. He, himself, wasn’t all that interested in pets. He preferred someone that could hold up a conversation. He rented out a troll once, but his ex-boyfriend seemed to take more interest in her than Dirk did. Since then, Dirk had lived on his own. He had considered getting a companion, but as he wandered through this sorry excuse for a trades show, the disturbingly human-like creatures locked in cages caused him to pause. “Violet-blood seadweller, $650! Very obedient.”, “Psionic for all your kinky needs, $500!”, “Well-trained Jade-blood looking for a dominant owner, $415!” The violet-tinged troll gave Dirk an up and down before giving him a wink and an animalistic purr. Dirk made a face.
“Sorry man, I’m not big on trolls.”
The violet-blood shrugged and leaned against the pillow in his cage, sticking out his tongue. Dirk sighed and continued walking along the strip of cages. Some made hit on him, others tried to rip out his throat through the bars. Bet they’d sell fast. As he walked, he caught eye of something green. It’s cage was behind the dealer’s booth.
Its skin was an emerald green and bruised a light green in places, and red in others. Green fangs protruded from its upper lips and it had a skeletal figure. Its head was bald and green on green, lime green and blood red swirls decorating it’s exaggerated cheeks. It wasn’t just the unique appearance that drew Dirk in, it was how it was being kept. The creature wore remains of human clothes, and on each ankle and wrist, was a shackle, holding it captive to the inside of the cage. Its body was limp and if not for the subtle rise and fall of its chest, Dirk would have assumed it was dead. Its long-lashed eyes were closed and its expression was slack with exhaustion.
The sign on the cage made Dirk scowl.
“Exotic monster huge deal, $100! BEWARE: Extreme mood swings!”
Dirk noticed the dealer approaching him and let out a sigh.
“It’s an interesting thing, isn’t it?” He said.
Dirk pursed his lips. “Yeah, guess so. Why’s it chained up like that?”
“Its dangerous, y’see! When those there cheeks turn red, that thing can do some serious damage. When they’re green though, it’s the sweetest piece of meat on the market.” The guy gave a grin that made Dirk’s stomach turn.
“Only one hundred?”
The guy looked down on him.
“Yep, you interested? I’ll even throw in an instruction guide!”
Dirk took a breath. He couldn’t actually be considering this, could he? He could barely care for a cat, never mind a fucking… Whatever this was. He figured it could sleep on his couch, or he could set up an air mattress in his room.
"Whats the care like?”
“Well, it eats regular food for the most part, it can communicate with English and wash itself. Basic stuff. It’s more like a companion, if you get my drift.” The man winked and Dirk felt a scowl try and make its way onto his expression. He looked at the defeated creature and sighed.
“Well,” He figured he could pull his jacket over it until he got to his car. “Alright.”
The man smiled as Dirk emptied his wallet and shook his hand.
“I swear, you’ve made a good buy.” He fumbled with his keys.
‘Looks more like you’re just ready to be rid of it.’ Dirk thought to himself.
The man shouted at the creature through the bars. “Hey, beast! Wake up! Someone’s bought you!”
Dirk let the scowl show this time.
The red and green swirls on the creature’s cheeks glowed before the red seemed to melt away into its skin, leaving only the lime green decorations on its face. Slowly, it’s eyes flickered open. They were aware in an instant and the exhaustion was gone. Long lashes framed glowing green eyes. Dirk had never seen such a brilliant shade of green in someone’s eyes.
“Good, its just you.” The man let out a breath he was apparently holding and unlocked the door to the cage, stepping inside to rearrange the creature’s shackles. Throughout the process, it remained silent, its neon eyes glued to the ground. As the man finally shoved the creature forward, he handed Dirk a leash which was attached to a collar around the creatures neck, and also to the shackles that were still chained around its wrists. By this point, Dirk had noticed a couple people stopping here and there to stare at his new possession.
The creature was trying to appear as small as possible, though it was already barely five feet, it cringed as it felt peoples eyes boring into it.
“This one shouldn’t cause you much trouble, here’s the key to those shackles, but I’d suggest that you keep them on. Especially when it sleeps.” The man tipped his hat, a huge grin on his face. Yeah he definitely just wanted to get rid of it.
Dirk tugged off his jacket and pulled it over the creature’s shoulders, tugging the hood over it’s bald head. Just as he pulled up the hood, it glanced up and made eye contact for only an instant.
The fear that he saw there broke his heart, and he didn’t even know how human this thing’s feelings were in the first place.
“Don’t worry bro, I got your back.” Dirk whispered to it before carefully pulling the leash and guiding it forward through the crowd, and its new home.