Lifestyles
It is a widely known fact that fumis are highly intelligent creatures capable of complex emotions and thoughts. However, the possibility of self-awareness is claimed to be a highly debated topic. One side would claim that lack of communication between our species proves that they aren't likely self-aware, while the other side claims that perhaps the reason our communications are strained stems from the fact that we treat them like they aren't self-aware. Indeed, any self-aware individual would be uncomfortable if we treated them the way we treat fumis. Flashy commercials broadcasting across the globe; advertisements showcasing the latest designer bloodlines to entice the upper class collectors; even subtle displays like children's shows and cereal box mascots in an attempt to weasel the species into the consumer's consciousness, insisting that a fumi would improve your quality of life. We treat them more like products than living creatures...
That being said, it's really hard to describe what life for a fumi is like as a whole, since each individual has different personalities, experiences, and lifestyles. The chubby creatures are so ingrained into our society nowadays that you won't often find a middle or upper class family who doesn't own at least one. It's also fairly common to encounter feral fumis in the wild, outside of human influence, although much of their behavior outside of captivity is unknown to us humans....
That being said, it's really hard to describe what life for a fumi is like as a whole, since each individual has different personalities, experiences, and lifestyles. The chubby creatures are so ingrained into our society nowadays that you won't often find a middle or upper class family who doesn't own at least one. It's also fairly common to encounter feral fumis in the wild, outside of human influence, although much of their behavior outside of captivity is unknown to us humans....
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Urban or Trophy Pet
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Foghouses
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Fighting Rings
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Wild/Feral or Cannibal
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The Faerumi Court
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Urban House-petIt's theorized that fumis owe their fame to their colors which, thanks to genetic engineering, are often quite aesthetically pleasing and will always be different for each fumi. Regardless of the reason, fumi popularity has skyrocketed since their first discovery and initial distribution among the public. They have since been featured in all types of media including cartoons, video games, movies, tv shows, as mascots, and fumi themed merch has also become quite common, such as fumi-themed food, clothing, and toys.
Fumis have since become one of the most popular choices of household companions, rivaling the notoriety of even cats and dogs. However the typical middle class household is not usually a healthy environment for a fumi's physical and mental health due to having very expensive care requirements. This is a bad combination, as many fumis are rehomed, released, or neglected by owners who were underprepared to care for a fumi. For this reason, we will detail the most important care requirements here: |
(please note that the following does not apply to gummi or snowfumis)
Food: Fumis are big creatures and even smaller breeds consume a lot of food. Dry pellets are cheap but not recommended as they don't provide the fumi with the necessary nutrients or tactile sensations that fresh, unprocessed food does. Feeding your fumi a variety of fresh fish, fruits/berries, and red meat with little to no seasoning or cooking is recommended.
Space and Enrichments: Fumis are theorized to have lived a nomadic lifestyle due to their tendency to wander around and explore. It's recommended that you have some sort of very large area for your fumi to regularly wonder in. Fumis are especially well adapted for swimming and walking on sand or dust, so having a large area of water and/or some sort of sandbox will be much appreciated by your fumi. It also goes without saying that some fumis, especially the painted breed, can grow very large and should have a wide open space to occupy since human houses can be uncomfortably small.
Companionship: Fumis are social creatures who crave company of other fumis. Sadly it is very uncommon for the typical household to afford the care of one fumi, much less multiples. Possibly due to loneliness, fumis in these environments tend to form bonds with humans more quickly and deeply than they would otherwise. These bonds can be quite strong and it isn't uncommon for a fumi to fall into depression or even perish from stress, should they lose contact with their bonded human for too long.
Activities and Duties: Laying around and doing nothing until it's owner(s) can play is not mentally or physically stimulating enough for most fumis. You should regularly that you walk, play with, or bring your fumi to a park regularly to engage them. It's also highly recommended to give your fumi some sort of job or duty for it to focus on. Some suggestions include: riding lessons/competitions, guarding the house/property, life guard duty, lifting and transporting heavy materials, mail delivery, service or therapy animal, and many more.
Food: Fumis are big creatures and even smaller breeds consume a lot of food. Dry pellets are cheap but not recommended as they don't provide the fumi with the necessary nutrients or tactile sensations that fresh, unprocessed food does. Feeding your fumi a variety of fresh fish, fruits/berries, and red meat with little to no seasoning or cooking is recommended.
Space and Enrichments: Fumis are theorized to have lived a nomadic lifestyle due to their tendency to wander around and explore. It's recommended that you have some sort of very large area for your fumi to regularly wonder in. Fumis are especially well adapted for swimming and walking on sand or dust, so having a large area of water and/or some sort of sandbox will be much appreciated by your fumi. It also goes without saying that some fumis, especially the painted breed, can grow very large and should have a wide open space to occupy since human houses can be uncomfortably small.
Companionship: Fumis are social creatures who crave company of other fumis. Sadly it is very uncommon for the typical household to afford the care of one fumi, much less multiples. Possibly due to loneliness, fumis in these environments tend to form bonds with humans more quickly and deeply than they would otherwise. These bonds can be quite strong and it isn't uncommon for a fumi to fall into depression or even perish from stress, should they lose contact with their bonded human for too long.
Activities and Duties: Laying around and doing nothing until it's owner(s) can play is not mentally or physically stimulating enough for most fumis. You should regularly that you walk, play with, or bring your fumi to a park regularly to engage them. It's also highly recommended to give your fumi some sort of job or duty for it to focus on. Some suggestions include: riding lessons/competitions, guarding the house/property, life guard duty, lifting and transporting heavy materials, mail delivery, service or therapy animal, and many more.
Luxurious Trophy PetThe road of high-dollar fumi collecting is not one often travelled on, if only due to the massive amounts of money the hobby requires. Although trophy fumis are treated to a life of opulence and luxury, they are often kept away from the contact of other fumis or people to avoid injury or theft. That in combination with the owner often having too many fumis to split their attention among makes this possibly the loneliest lifestyle a fumi could have.
These people love showing off, so they host extravagant parties and contests often. They have a close knit community and even form internal cliques based on different qualities their hordes have. Some of these cliques include: |
The Seraphims (AKA Seraphs) - They adore the most beautiful and expensive looking fumis and often brag about how their collection are fit to be the pets of angels. Their collection often includes fumis with colors and markings resembling precious metals, gemstones, jewelry, and treasure in general; and they especially adore angelic looking fumis. Rumor has it that this particular group has access to a secret type of fumi, but they could be spreading false information about themselves in an attempt to look superior...
The Labours of Hercules (AKA Lobbies) - The nickname comes from the abbreviation LoB. They tend to value fumis with incredible physical strength and talent more than for their looks, and find brave or stubborn fumis to be delightful.
The Merchants (might rename) - This group prides itself on locating and securing highly valuable fumis of any kind to sell among the other cliques. They have a vast network of contacts supporting their business, but are very secretive and keep valuable information to themselves.
The Acolytes of Antiquity (AKA Acos) - A clique that values historically significant aesthetics over anything else, they seek themed fumis of high quality. Examples of the themes they seek out include various fashions, locations, religions, and historically significant events or art.
The Talent Agents (needs to be renamed) - Those who seek out fumis that showcase talents, specifically ones that are exceptionally skilled, or who can perform tasks not usually associated with fumikind. Some of these skills include the creation of art, music, using instruments, telling fortunes, ect. Out of all the cliques, this one especially desires fumis who have unique features that perform some sort of function (as opposed to simply aesthetic features).
The Underbelly (AKA Shadows) - They're rarely mentioned by name, due to most not wanting to be associated with them. These collectors place value on a fumi based on how illegal it is to own, especially ones with restricted or unique features. Cannigoomis are desirable to them, most likely for the danger of owning one and for the physical strength one could provide in high-end pit fighting activities.
The Labours of Hercules (AKA Lobbies) - The nickname comes from the abbreviation LoB. They tend to value fumis with incredible physical strength and talent more than for their looks, and find brave or stubborn fumis to be delightful.
The Merchants (might rename) - This group prides itself on locating and securing highly valuable fumis of any kind to sell among the other cliques. They have a vast network of contacts supporting their business, but are very secretive and keep valuable information to themselves.
The Acolytes of Antiquity (AKA Acos) - A clique that values historically significant aesthetics over anything else, they seek themed fumis of high quality. Examples of the themes they seek out include various fashions, locations, religions, and historically significant events or art.
The Talent Agents (needs to be renamed) - Those who seek out fumis that showcase talents, specifically ones that are exceptionally skilled, or who can perform tasks not usually associated with fumikind. Some of these skills include the creation of art, music, using instruments, telling fortunes, ect. Out of all the cliques, this one especially desires fumis who have unique features that perform some sort of function (as opposed to simply aesthetic features).
The Underbelly (AKA Shadows) - They're rarely mentioned by name, due to most not wanting to be associated with them. These collectors place value on a fumi based on how illegal it is to own, especially ones with restricted or unique features. Cannigoomis are desirable to them, most likely for the danger of owning one and for the physical strength one could provide in high-end pit fighting activities.
FoghousesMost people are unable to afford keeping their fumi at home, and it would be unwise to do so anyways, since fumis are naturally social creatures which crave the company of their kin. Loneliness can be very hard on their mental state and easily cause them to develop personality, social, or other various mental issues. For this reason, owners who can't afford to raise multiple fumis at home prefer to house them in a facility known as a Foghouse instead.
While a Foghouse's main purpose is much like a horse stable, and is in fact oftentimes located on a homestead, it also doubles as a harvesting facility for the fumi's vapor. Profits from vapor harvesting is enough to fund the facility and then some, making it self-sustaining and cost efficient. Tenants are provided food, water, medical attention, and companionship of other fumis. This makes foghouses the perfect alternative to keeping a fumi at home, especially since tenancy tends to be rather cheap. |
The exact Foghouse structure and general appearance can vary, especially aesthetically. Generally, they consist of 1 large building where the fumis are stabled, which contains a complex ventilation system that sucks in vapor exhaled by the fumi tenants while simultaneously pumping in fresh air. If the vapor becomes tainted by whatever upset a fumi may be experiencing, the system detects this change and re-routes the bad vapor to flow into a chimney instead, keeping the main vapor supply mostly pure.
The resources available also depends on the individual facility, the best ones simulating an environment most suited for the species. Large open areas to roam in with sand or loose soil, and a sizeable body of water to swim and hunt in are especially beneficial to a fumi's health and happiness. Fumis are allowed to mingle and create fogs within the facility's population, oftentimes forming the nurse/thug/brute setup. Fights can occur but are easily kept to a minimum by foghands, who make an effort to keep incompatible fumis away from each other and break up fights as needed.
Foghouse life is laid back, but may bore a more adventurous fumi and motivate them to escape into the wild.
The resources available also depends on the individual facility, the best ones simulating an environment most suited for the species. Large open areas to roam in with sand or loose soil, and a sizeable body of water to swim and hunt in are especially beneficial to a fumi's health and happiness. Fumis are allowed to mingle and create fogs within the facility's population, oftentimes forming the nurse/thug/brute setup. Fights can occur but are easily kept to a minimum by foghands, who make an effort to keep incompatible fumis away from each other and break up fights as needed.
Foghouse life is laid back, but may bore a more adventurous fumi and motivate them to escape into the wild.