The Evolution of Begging

Exploring around felt like a very surreal experience for the young pup, everything was the same as he remembered it, it all looked the same, smelled the same... Yet now he understood more what everything actually was, the purpose things had and could simply piece things together way easier all of a sudden. It was all due to his persona's influence, that much was obvious, though it still felt like he just suddenly became at least ten times smarter than he was previously, it almost took the fun out of being able to get away with stuff because he was a dog... Though, not entirely, now he could plan his moves in more detail.

It was often around this time of day where Grey would sit and wait, watching the masses go past in hope that someone may be kind enough to notice him and possibly give him some food. The only problem with that method is the majority of the time, even when kind people turned up, they never shared too much and it was often the scraps they didn't want that he'd get his maws on. This time however, instead of him waiting for the food to come to him, why didn't he just go and get the food himself?

It didn't take him too long to find a place with outside stall selling various things from strange decorative objects that seemingly had no real use, to clothes that people seemed to wear instead of have fur to what was really important, food stalls. The small grey dog would scan all easily approachable food stalls to figure out which one to mark as his target before spotting one with a relatively small area to show their foods. The down side was that it was a fruit stall which wouldn't of been his first choice, though the up side was that since they had so little space, a lot of their products were being stored in boxes on the ground that the small dog would be able to reach. Carefully, Grey would bide his time until the owner of the stall was distracted before making a move, creeping up on the stall and using his small size to his advantage, the pup would nab an apple into his jaws and scamper off with it. There was possibly some form of shouting coming from behind his as he ran, though he wasn't interested in stopping to find out if it was to do with him.

He got many looks as he walked the streets of the Diamond City, all of varying kinds within a similar theme. Some were openly fearful and scurried away, and others watched with disgust from behind a flimsy veil or easily crossed barrier. A stray patrolman might keep a wary eye on him, more alert to anything that he might do than of the actual criminals of the area. A number of them looked on in feeble, impotent rage, a bloodlust and desire to kill there greater than any they projected onto him but without the guts to act on their base impulse.
They could look on all they wished with this fickle, pointless emotion.
The Warwolf would not be daunted. Not least by something so fleeting and irrelevant.

While many other eyes fixed onto one point, his senses cast his perception broadly across the area, picking up far more than those narrow-minded whelps cared to see. For example, a small body padding away from a commotion at a fruit stand, where two equally belligerent fools argued with one another. Moreover...it was a familiar form that fled the scene.
Pointed fingers reached down and plucked the scurrying canine from the ground by the scruff of its neck, the creature far too small to hope to pose even a token resistance. He lifted it before his eyes, gaze piercing into it as it was held aloft before him. "Someone taught you to steal. A degenerate trick for any performing animal."

Luckily it seemed that the commotion that had been caused behind him wasn't chasing him down nor was anyone he ran past trying to stop him. Which was good. Now he just had to find a nice quiet place to dart into to hide and enjoy the treat he had come to find in his mouth. Though before he could do so, the young pup suddenly noticed that no matter how much he flailed his paws about in an attempt to run, he'd stopped moving forward? It was only when the ground started becoming increasing further away from the mouthful pup that he realized what had happened. Someone had grabbed hold of him! Continuing to flail about for a moment, Grey would suddenly stop as a familiar scent ran through his nose, causing him to look towards whoever it was that was now dangling him in front of his face.

"Mff! Mfafff! Mff mfafff, mff mfff!" Inaudible babble escaped the small gaps the apple left in Grey's mouth as he stared towards Warwolf, his tail wagging happily at first behind him until it began to slow to a steady stop as Grey realized he was being told off. "Mfffaff, mff mffff mfff! Maf mf mff mfff, mf maf!" He'd continue, making small gestures with his paws as he 'spoke', clearly trying his hardest to communicate something that was definitely not getting across to the other.

Pitiable. The creature didn't even notice that it had been seized until partway through being lifted. To think that people relied on such slow-witted creatures as these for protection...
No, that was unfair. Presumably they bred creatures of a greater pedigree than the young mutt that dangled in his grasp if they intended to send them to the front lines of a conflict. One would need something far more mighty if it were to be effective defence - and far more intelligent too, suffice it to say.

He noted with idle curiosity the way the pup's tail wagged and then stilled as its attentions turned to him, getting rowdy as it started to flail. The sounds it made, however, seemed somewhat unlike what one might expect. Were it not for the fruit it refused to relinquish, it might almost be...coherent.
Decided, Warwolf callously tore the fruit from Grey's mouth with little mind to how the force would impact it, no effort spent on removing it painlessly. A chunk of the apple came away in Grey's mouth, and the rest was tossed away. "Alright, mutt. Speak."

The grey canine would wince and let out a small yet sharp whine as the apple was ripped away from his maw, Grey would stare off longingly at the majority of the apple that was simply tossed aside, quickly munching down on what was left in his mouth in case that was about to be taken from him as well. Swallowing the chunk left as quickly as possible when instructed to speak, Grey would take a deep breath and attempt to explain things. "Shee, I wwas ungry. And hhow do shomeone ike me gget fhood? It whas ust ssitting here. Whas Ggrey ot eant to thake?" There was a clear innocence to the young pups voice as it cracked and was horribly pronounced, clearly still lacking practice with his new found ability to actually speak. The same gestures he made with his paws was reenacted as he spoke more audibly this time, showing that he was trying to say that the first time.

Grey would lower his head apologetically after speaking, unsure of what else he could say next and... Honestly... Still a little upset that he'd lost the rest of his juicy treat. Though for now it was probably more important for him to stay on Warwolf's good side, for more reasons aside from just the obvious fact Warwolf could rip Grey in half at a moments notice if he decided to, which wasn't quite on the pups agenda for today. "Ggrey whill not thake. If Ggrey not mmeant to thake. Ggrey ust ungry..."

Translation:

...perhaps he had made an incomplete assessment before now. It appeared their faculties were in fact less lacking than their guise and behaviour had prior demonstrated. Not properly utilised as they should be, as they would need to be to truly realise the promise this creature was likely unaware it held...but more than most animals indeed held if it could speak and think. Its speech was feeble, but if it had acquired it as recently as he believed based on their last encounter, then that was easily forgivable.
Perhaps it had greater capabilities that it had yet to display.

He had found something here that many would lust for. Something that he could mould into something greater.
Yes...this was an opportunity, and he had been the one to seize it.

"In brief, you were not meant to take it, no. A man over there is being blamed for what you have done." His expression shifts from harsh to merely stern, easing off so as not to spook the young pup. "If you require food, I shall acquire some for you. The way one is meant to. In turn, you shall stay with me, and not take anything else before you have learnt what is acceptable. Are we clear?"

After a moment of hanging his head down, Grey tentatively raised his neck back up to look the Warwolf in the eyes. Grey's look was cautious, though he did note that the big guy holding him seemed to loosen up, even if it were only a little to what the pup had just said, which was good. That meant he didn't completely screw up. "Bhlamed?" The small canine would question simply, attempting for a moment to look around to see what the guy meant, though was unable to by his own free will with how he was being held. "Bhlamed ffor thake?" This puzzled the mutt slightly, why would someone else be blamed for him? And even so, why would they put their food out to be so easily grabbed like that if they weren't being given out? There was people there taking them before the pup showed up, the difference hadn't quite clocked on with him yet.

Though Grey's small grey eyes would widen as he was not only offered food, but to stay with the big Warwolf. Would that mean he actually had a place to live again? "I wwont thake, if thake is rong." The pup agreed with as much motion of a head nod as he could manage in his current position. "Bbut, wwhy yhou thake Ggrey in? Elp Ggrey?" It was a question that had to be asked, it did seem mostly out of nowhere and whilst Grey wasn't in much of a position to say no, as, well he'd probably be forced to go with him even if he said no, it was still a strange turn of events from how the conversation started.

Translation:

It didn't understand. Unsurprising. "Yes. Someone had to have taken it, after all. And since they didn't notice you doing it, all they know is that it happened while they weren't looking and that somebody did it. Only natural they'd attribute it to those present...they'd have noticed any person leaving after doing such a thing, after all."

A fangy grin crept onto Warwolf's features as they asked their question. Yes...definitely a mind there to be put to use if they thought to ask these questions. "You can be useful to me, Grey. You represent something many would kill for. I would be a fool not to recognise it...and a fool is not something I have ever been." He moves Grey over, placing him on his shoulder. "There. Now there shall be no mistake as to who you are with. Now - you need food, and you shall get it. If you wish to request something specific, then pick wisely."

The scruff gripped mutt would try to think over the words he'd been told in his head, what he said made sense to some degree, yes someone had to have taken the apple if it was now gone but... "Ggrey whatched efore thake. Ohthers thake efore Ggrey? Ggrey thake rong?" To the eyes of someone who had no concept of money or exchange, the reason behind why taking the apple was bad for him to do but not for others was one that clearly had no logic he could grasp. Maybe it was just because he wasn't one of them? Though, then why is someone else taking the blame if he wasn't even seen in the first place?

Whatever he was saying, it seemed to be working. That or the face Warwolf just pulled was the one he pulled when thinking about what he was going to have for dinner... U-uh... "Ushful?" The now shoulder riding pup would question simply. "Ushful hhow?" It was strange to think someone that big needed someone like him to do something useful, not that he was going to complain or try to talk back about it, more so Grey was just curious as to what Warwolf had meant. Though that thought quickly was pushed to the back of the hungering mutts mind as the topic of food came back up. "Ggrey ets to phick? Ggrey ever phicked efore... Wwhat shuggest?"

Translation:

Hmm. Prudent of the newly cognisant pup, but it seemed they hadn't managed to fully grasp the nuance. It was a good start, however. That could be built upon. "Without delving too deeply, those people gave something before they took. I will make sure you know the specifics later, but this isn't the place or time for a proper explanation."

Again, Grey proved to have a proper instinct when they began to wonder what use he found in him...though he proved easily distracted from the question by the offering of food. That was a habit to be broken later. Warwolf tilted his head to look at the canine on his shoulder, gaze impassive. "Can you not recall anything you have had that you particularly enjoyed? Something that you lusted for when its scent reached you? Think on what you've had, on what is here, and tell me what stands out in your mind. If it will not harm you, you shall have it."

The pup would tilt his head lightly as he tried to grasp what it was that caused his actions to be wrong compared to everyone else. "Ggive... To thake...?" Grey would mutter to himself, trying to wrap the concept around in his head in a way that made sense. What sort of things would you give? Do the people you want stuff from ask you for something specific? What if you don't have what they want or what they want is really hard to get? It all seemed very confusing, however apparently now wasn't the time he was going to learn, perhaps the young pup would get a chance to ask stuff like this later.

The grey coated mutt would stare back at Warwolf for a moment, trying his hardest to think. "Uh. Ggrey emember ggetting phersona. Tthat whas ecent. Nnot efore tthat." He'd answer truthfully, the only real things he seemed to remember from before then were certain smells and very specific places. Along with all the other improvements he seemed to get when he awoke to his persona, it seemed to have helped storing new memories in general as well. However, they were still not too far away from where all those food stalls were and taking a moment to take in the aroma in the air around them, the smell of some form of meat caught his attention and consumed every other scent in the area. "Tthat! Tthat shmell! Ggrey whant tthat shmell." The mutt would call out excitedly, throwing a single paw forward he'd almost lose his balance as he tried to point in the direction of the overpowering smell.

Translation:

This tiny little puppy had a persona.
If he hadn't taken notice before, then Warwolf certainly had done so now.
He started revising his plans.
"I would advise you not to let anyone else know that you have a persona for now." His voice was hard as he delivered the words. "You already stand out just by talking. But to have a persona makes you valuable beyond ignoring, and many people will not hesitate to try and seize you for that reason. With your persona you can protect yourself, but doing so will cause other issues. Keep it hidden for now if you can afford to if you don't want to find yourself in trouble. Am I clear?"

Without waiting for his answer, he moved over to the stall, meats of many kinds being cooked openly in the streets so as to permeate the area with their tantalising aroma. It was a scent few humans could resist, and he was unsurprised that a creature with a nose as powerful as Greys would so easily be drawn to it. He looked over the offerings at hand, paying careful attention to what was there before retrieving the needed currency from his form. "I will have a serving for myself, and a portion of cooked meat for the canine. Do not add anything to the dog's portion - the spices used here would be toxic to it."
The vendor was decidedly unhappy with Warwolf's presence, but between Grey's obvious hunger and the fact that the money was fine, they went about their business and the transaction went through with minimal fuss.

With their food acquired, Warwolf found a quiet spot at which the two could eat with minimal interruption. Grey was set down, and the container for his portion was placed next to him and opened, releasing the scents within once more. "And there you have it. See if it is to your liking."

Grey would sink down slightly, the sudden tone shifts Warwolf had were quite something. The pup could never tell if it was because of something he'd said or if that's just what they were like. Either way, the guy seemed quite adamant that this new found ability of his was something quite special, which granted the small grey dog would agree, it was a very odd thing to suddenly have. "Gget Ggrey in rouble?" Was it really that much of a concern? The gravity of the situation clearly hadn't been met with any form of reason that Grey had developed himself yet, though it would be hard to try and stop someone if they did try and take him... Though... "Is yhou sheizing Ggrey? Hhow shhow Ggrey, Ggrey can rust yhou?" The small creature would say this with a hint of worry, he felt as if it was something he had to ask, though at the same time was scared what the response of it could be...

Regardless, it seemed as though they were going to get the food that he wanted. Grey couldn't help but wag his tail in anticipation and excitement as this give to take thing was going on, his tongue would be hanging out and small traces of saliva would unknowingly slip from his mouth onto Warwolf's shoulder. Though once the food was brought and they'd found a place to relax and eat, the pup would hop down and sniff at the food presented to him before digging in. Hey, regardless of if this guy was dangerous or not in the end Grey was hungry and was given food. So at least something positive came out of this. "Mfts, Mffreat!" Grey babbled mouthful gibberish to respond how the food was, it was a damn sight better than anything else he'd had in ages!

Translation:

Something almost like a grin spread across Warwolf's features, filled with teeth and quiet amusement. It was a good question...but it was far, far too late. "If we were to take this in the most cynical possible fashion, then my entire interaction with you since you spoke was with the intent of trying to coax you into staying with me. But if you want a reason why I am less likely to resort to something you would not wish?" A deep, rumbling sound akin to laughter rises up from deep within their chest. "I don't need you. If it came to it, I would lose little from letting you loose. You're simply something that I deem worth my investment for the sake of easing the path forward. Somebody more desperate, however, would not hesitate to employ whatever means necessary to force you into doing their wishes."
"I can afford to take my time with you, and I can offer you a more comfortable environ and a chance to develop your abilities until you can stand without me. Others will happily shackle you, chain you, and make you suffer until you comply. You might not face such a fate...but are you willing to take that chance?"

Warwolf started to eat himself, leaving Grey to his food and thoughts as he went through his own with quick and measured bites. His meal was of a passable quality, and a good use of what ingredients the vendor had available, but the ingredients themselves were far from impressive. Something salvaged over something enhanced.

The small rugged dog would listen to everything Warwolf had to say before gulping anxiously. Would certain people really go that far to force the pup to do things? He had no first hand experience to judge off of so there was no real option other than to just believe what he was told... Even if he still wanted to question some parts. "If yhou ddon't eed Ggrey. Tthen, wwhy whould rotect Ggrey if ohthers try thake Ggrey?" The guy had admitted himself that he was trying to coax Grey into staying with him the whole time, and whilst yes, Grey was currently a stray and would prefer a warm place to sleep and reliable food to get a hold of... If there really was these kinds of dangers out there for someone like him then he had to be sure the decision he made would make him as safe as possible.

Despite his small size, Grey finished up his food extremely quickly. It was clear just how hungry he was by the way he wolfed it down. "Ggrey get shtronger wwith yhou? Tthat's wwhat yhou whant?" The mutt would try to piece together what Warwolf was telling him. "If Ggrey romise to ttry, bbest Ggrey can. Yhou rotect Ggrey?"

Translation:

"Because nobody takes what is mine."

Warwolf finishes off his food, wiping clean his fingers and discarding what remains to a nearby bin. "That is, indeed, what I ask of you. I shall help you cultivate your power, and act as your guardian...if you are willing to make an effort. Otherwise, you may try your luck elsewhere, with hopes you aren't warped into a mindless, rabid mutt that would have their gifts squandered." He looks down at Grey, expression cold but not dishonest. "Make your choice, and be prepared to live with it."

Welp, the mutt wasn't going to argue with that. The concept of being owned full ramifications hadn't really dawn on the dog yet, though from what experience he has had in life so far it was already pretty normal for him so that wasn't the part he would complain about. He just didn't want these bad things that were being explained to happen to him, and if all he had to do to be kept somewhere safe with a person who clearly looked like someone who could protect him was to get stronger... Sounded like it could be fun. Despite only doing so once so far, it was an extremely interesting experience using his persona, and if Grey could learn more about it along the way it seemed like a win win scenario.

"Ohkay." Grey would begin, before raising his head up as high as he could to make what was a small dog look ever so slightly bigger. "Ggrey whill do Ggrey's bbest. Shtick ith yhou. Gget shtronger." Whatever it was he ended up having to do, if it provided food, shelter and protection then it was better than living out on his own any longer and starving to death.

Warwolf seemed to smile, an expression filled with multitudes of pointed fangs. It was settled, now. He had made his choice, and they would see to it that they would not go back on it any time soon. If they lacked the discipline and commitment, then they would have it beaten into them. "If that is your will, then so shall it be. I will work you, Grey. Pray that you can withstand the trials it takes to achieve power."

The wolf crouches down and extends their hand, clawed fingers posed such that it would be easy to pierce and crush the pup within the wolf's palm. Intimidating, for one of Grey's scale. But it was a representation of what was to come from there, a confrontation of a potential danger in order to be raised above.
If they could not face up and place that much faith in the Warwolf after they gave their word, then they were already lost.
There were far greater threats in the world to face than this. This was only the first hurdle.
"Shall we depart, Grey?"