Adults are designated either as Brats, Tamers, Swings, or Blanks. Up until they come to age and figure out their designation, children are called Buds.

Every designation has its own traits (poses, mannerism, facial expressions, vocal noises etc). They are all more or less biological, and more or less societal enforced. Thus, as every person is their own individual, anyone may or may not show those traits, and eventually shows them in their peculiar way.

Brats make around 35% of the adult population, and they are teases. Meaning they periodically have to be tamed, a pull that they show bratting around until someone settles them. In the long run, an untamed Brat can turn dangerous for themself and others. Common traits when they are bratting, other than verbally taunting, are: hands on their hips, stomping, rolling their eyes, pouting, scoffing, hissing, biting, shoving, jutting their chin. Whereas, when they are settled: purring, nipping, rubbing, good manners. A special spot is held by the playful teasing: it features tickling, sticking out the tongue, smirking, and verbal taunting leaning more on flirting; it's a display aimed at triggering a mild tame, often used to entice a reaction from someone they want to pursue as a lover.

Tamers are another 35%, and they are… well, tamers. They thrive when they have someone to settle, a pull that they show hovering around until they find someone in need to be settled. An unfulfilled Tamer can drop into depression and self-harm. Common Tamers traits when they are triggered, other than verbally warning, are: arms crossed, stance firm, gruffing, glaring, squinting, tutting, manhandling, growly voice, clenching their jaw. Whereas, when they manage to settle a Brat: humming, rubbing, gentle touching, praises. A Tamer who’s playfully teased and feels attracted as well, usually responds with huffing, roughhousing, and sweetened verbal warning to match the flirting.

Swings (25%) are people that shifts between Brat and Tamer mood, depending on their own mental and biological state; as well as if they find themself with a Brat or a Tamer (or another Swing already in a mood) that is in need to be taken care of, or to whom they are attracted. When they are shifted into Brat o Tamer mood, they display the traits from one of the previous designations, but their common traits when they feel balanced are: hands clasped behind their back, calm smiles, warm voice, direct eye contact, avoiding touch, following people some steps back or leading them a few steps ahead. Swings often bond between each other because of their shifting biology needs, but it’s not uncommon to see a Swing bonded with an individual of any other designation.

Blanks are people that don’t show any significant trait from any of the previous designation. It’s speculated they make 5% of the adult population, but it’s not certain because they are often mis-designated (purposely or accidentally) as Swings. Their designation was long disputed, finally gaining recognition only around 50 years ago. Before that, they had been treated like children or mentally ill. Either way, they didn’t have any rights, and their fate was determined by the law of the state where they lived. In some states there were facilities for them, were Blanks were held for much if not all of their lives; in others, a judge assigned them a guardian to take care of them; there has been a moment in history when reconversion therapy for Blanks was very popular. In the old days, a common choice for Blanks to escape their fate was to choose the less cruel bust still strict spiritual path and enter seminary. Luckily, all of this is in the past, and now Blanks can live their life as full citizens. There’s still a lot of bias towards them, though, and some bigoted people still call them slurs or engage in microaggressions with them.

There are no strict rules about pursuing like there used to be, but a lot of people still rely on the old fashioned way of carrying these things. So even nowadays it’s customary for the Brat (or the Swing in Brat mood) to engage first and showing their interest, bratting playfully at the one they are attracted to. It’s upon the other one to answer the bratting with an equally playful taming, thus officially starting the pursuing, or politely ignore the call. It’s less common, but not frowned upon, for a Tamer (or a Swing in Tamer mood) to engage first. In this case, the pursuer would either: wait patiently until the pursued is showing bratting traits, and then try to tame them (bold and possibly dangerous, when already riled up in full on bratting they can turn very aggressive); or just act straight out like they have already tamed them, and go with playful taming, praises, and gentle touches (even more bold and it rarely works out, but at least it’s less dangerous, the worst that can happen is being laughed at by the pursued).

It’s considered very disrespectful at best, borderline harassment at worst, to try and tame or tease someone without their consent. Notable exceptions are: people whose needs have been neglected to the point of turning dangerous to themself and/or others; people engaging in playful taming/teasing a particular person they fancy to let them know they are interested in pursuing; younglings (freshly designated Buds) that are still figuring out how their designation works.

Despite its close link to the pursuing rituals, the dynamic taming-teasing is not a thing strictly for couples, nor is inherently sexual or romantic. When a person doesn’t have or want a partner, it could also be acted in these cases: between close friends or family members; during therapist-patient treatments; by non-medical professionals whose job is to act as tamer/brat for paying customers.