NOVA

don’t forget the secret 5th fundamental option!

art by: @hdgprom (the art on their blog is so mulchin’ cute!)

Seems my response to “what are you planning on doing today” with my playful response of “crimes, cause be gay do crime!” Despite the slew of obedience xenodrugs in my system made her think I developed an impossible amount of drug resistance.

I had to explain that my meaning of “crimes” was just my way of adding a bit of fun chaos, like going into the woods or flirting with other florets until they lose the ability to think because of how flustered they are.

If you want a direct alternative there's Revolt, which is a free, open source discord clone.

This means unlike most popular chat apps, including and especially Discord, Element doesn't sell your conversations or tracking data to advertisers, because the company literally doesn't have access to that data in the first place.

A single flare signals my time to pounce.

But it doesn't come.

"Well, now that we have a minute," Handler says. "What's the matter with you recently?"

My eyes go from glassy to alert when I hear their voice.

"N-nothing..." I lie. It earns a shock straight through my collar, stinging pain coursing through my body.

"Bad dog," they say simply. "Tell the truth. You saw your file, didn't you. Answer me." Another shock.

"Yes! Y-yes... Handler..."

*click click*

"Good Hound. Now, what about it bothered you?"

"F-fuck off, you know which part..." I expect another shock, more scolding words... but nothing.

"I thought you hated me," they say, almost laughing. "Wouldn't you like to be free once again? Maybe I should have it done early..."

"NO!!!"

"Replace you with a Hound more worthy of the things I give you while you spend the rest of your pitiful life trying and failing to be human."

"H-Handler, please! No!!! I'll be good, I'll be good..." I start to sob within the iron confines.

"Why not? Isn't that what you wanted?"

Silence. A shock strong enough to force a yelp out of my throat.

"Fucking answer me."

"No..."

"What?"

"No!!!"

"Why not?"

Nothing.

"Answer me when I fucking speak to you, Hound! Why not!?"

"...b-because you give me purpose... y-you give me love, I can't-"

She scoffs. "The purpose you spit in?" Another shock. "The love you're ungrateful for!? That purpose, and that love!? Answer me, mutt!"

"Y-yes, Handler!"

Silence again.

"...P-please don't let them get rid of me... I-I can’t..."

"Do you have any idea how lucky you are? If the corporation had found you instead of us, you'd have been converted into one of their Hounds instead of one of ours. They'd tear your eyes out and amputate your legs for half of the disrespect you give me. I am so much more merciful than I have to be. Decommissioning you is the kindest punishment that still gets you to learn your lesson."

"I'll be good, I'll be good..."

"I know, mutt..." they sigh. "No signal. Return to base, the bastards never showed up."

"Y-yes, Handler..."

observation: stock trope of combat doll kink is the "hound/handler" dynamic, popularized by WARHOUND. an obedient hound who thrives on the approval of their master, their handler.

this handler guides the hound through intense, life-threatening situations, providing reassurance and recognition for their effort. they administer rewards for their servitude, both in a classic S&M style and in a more emotionally intimate way. to me, this is barely distinguishable from having a friend that supports you and helps you with difficult tasks when you feel scared. most of the difference is ludic and archetypal.

enter the hound as a sufferer of generalized anxiety disorder!

when every situation feels tense and dangerous, when you require a lot of reassurance for things that may seem basic or uncomplicated for other people... you can really start to feel like you're soldiering on through life.

when you become so afraid of everything, it almost loops back around into fearlessness. you know exactly how everything and anything can bite you in the ass, and you have a reasonable understanding of the likelihood of these things happening, even though that doesn't make you any less afraid.

so having a figure present to administer rewards for your effort is a pretty good way to balance out the feeling of maximum effort for minimum outcome.

someone there to hold your chin and tell you what a good hound you are...

even if all you did was go buy groceries or go to the bank,

even if all you did was the chores you were supposed to do,

because those things are still important. it wouldn't be worth such a fuss if they were not.

and you deserve help accomplishing those things before you go and handle them on your own.