Wandering... (open)

[ishtar]

The lone huskey made her way along the edge of the water. Her eyes darted back and forth cautiously for a moment as she dipped her muzzle towards the cool warer. Glancing down at herself a soft chuckle left her vocals.
Looking at a killer... To think, you stood up to the monsters and the one canine you were trying to defend abandoned you...
Never again... she sighed to herself, her voice echoing off the waters. Could she afford to let herself go? For a moment she decided she could. She leapt into the water, swimming in circles and splashing playfully around. Coming back to shore she began shaking, water flying all around her. If nothing else the romp had eased some of her regrets. There was a reason she had fought, if she had pulled this with her master she would have been beating for getting dirty and needing a bath.
But not today. Not now. She was free. Her sister, as ungratful as she may be, was free. And the puppies were free.
A long howl escaped her vocals, announcing to anyone near her presence. She did not want to startle another canine by accidently sneaking up on them from down wind...

[mickey]

(Hope ya don't mind that I just slip right in.)

The black and white brute was laying a good distance from the water, eyes closed as he did his best to relax. The sun warmed his body, and everything around him was quiet and peaceful. His belly was full and his thirst was quenched. Right now he was at total bliss. He let out a calm and relaxed sigh. His ears soon perked up at the sound of splashing water, and his brown orbs opened slowly. The brute didn't see much of interest, maybe his ears were just playing a little trick on him, telling him to actually get up and do something useful.

Then came a long howl. He picked his head up from the ground, catching sight of a canine off in the distance. "Where did it come from...?" He muttered to himself. He had just looked over there and spotted nothing of interest, and all of a sudden a blink later there was a dog there. The brute stayed down on the ground, keeping his head low as he watched the dog from where he laid. It had to be someone fro his pack, especially if they let out such a loud howl. What fool would do that if they were of another pack?

He should off any fear that might have surfaced inside of him, soon sitting up. With intense curiosity he got to his paws, slowly trotting in the direction of the other canine. 'Ah... A feme nonetheless.' He thought as the scent was slowly sucked in through his black nose. When he was about two feet away from her he sat down, looking at her through his brown orbs, tail brushing the ground beneath him. He was keeping distance just in case.

His ears were perked up happily, his tail wagging slightly, his body calm and relaxed. In no way did he want to show the agnst that was crawling through his skin. "So who might you be?" He finally had the nerve to ask. The brute just wanted to be on good terms. The sky above his head was clear, clouds dotting it here and there. The sun was bright and warming the earth now that spring had finally come. It was only a matter of time before the world was engulfed in the warmth of summer.

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[ishtar]

(Not at all

The femme turned, her hair standing on edge for a moment. She creeped closer, taking in the scent. Finally she relaxed some, her hair returning to a smoother coat.
"I am called Ishtar. I hope I was not disturbing you. I am new to these lands. I figured it was safer to announce my presence then come sneaking up on someone.
Her eyes showed a grin at that thought. Part of her still loved to sneak up and pounce playfully on an unexpecting soul.
Now now... Be nice she chided her self.
But since we're being nice....
She laid down infront of him, showing that she was no threat. Inside her stomach turned. If the male decided to attack she'd be at a disadvantage. She was sure she could turn the tide but none the less. She did not like this pose much.
Never have... never will...
Finally her eyes raised to look at him again.
"So, since you know my calling... May I ask your's?"
She hoped she hid that blind confidence in herself and her abilities. Though there was nothing wrong with it she, at times, could come across as cocky and disrespectful. Not a good thing when trying to enter into pack life.

[mickey]

(Yayyy! (

He listened to her words as they dribbled from her mouth. 'Ishstar, eh? Interesting name.' He thought to himself. The brute felt a little bit of pride come from him as she apologized for possibly disturbing him and explained her reasoning. He just simply shrugged it off his shoulders as if it was nothing. "No, you're fine. I was just enjoying the nice weather," He explained. "Well, welcome to the lands." The words were so calm and soothing as they poured from his mouth.

His brown orbs watched as she laid down on the ground. He smiled inwardly to himself, feeling somewhat respected. Now he was just letting all this get to his head. With a sigh he soon resorted to laying down too, trying to ease the tension that he could feel thickening in the air. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable in any way. The brute thought he was doing good. He was acting like a well-behaved dog should. It actually felt good. Now he had some company for once.

He listened as she asked her question and though it was only fair if he allowed her his name. "I'm Mickey," He introduced. "It's a pleasure meeting you." The brute was using common curtesy. Maybe it was just the fact that he had been alone so long that once company came around her didn't want it to slip out of his grasp. His head soon rested on his paws, his brown orbs watching her with that same curiosity beaming in his eyes.

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[ishtar]

Ishtar rose, slowly approaching the male, Mickey he had said his name was, allow her scent to surround him and his her. Although, she was sure she had that distinct wet dog smell about her. Silently, she hoped that it was not too ofensive to his nose.
Whats the harm in being playful? she wondered. With a smile reflecting her icy blue eyes she playfully licked the brute's muzzle.
"Well it is a pleasure to meet you. I'm afraid it has been a long while since I have seen another of my kind. Since my... sister..." She managed to choke out the word.
Is it really so petty for me to harbor this anger towards her? No... she should have not interfered. It is her fault.
"Since she left I have been on my own. The lonliness is the worst part. So forgive if I seem a little... rough around the edges if it were."
and cocky.... she added to herself. Oh, she knew well that she should acknowledge her flaws, at least to herself. But what was the fun in that? It was more fun to seem too confident... and a lot safe that way it seemed.

[mickey]

The brute watched as she approached him, taking in her wet scent. He easily ignored it, finding the sweet scent beneath it all. He was slightly surprised to feel her tongue gently glide against his muzzle. Warmth surged through his body, his body totally at ease at this point. He didn't know what to think at this point. She seemed like the trustworthy type, and he felt so comfortable around her.

He listened to her words, wanting to ask what had happened, but he didn't want to upset her. It already seemed like a touchy subject since she was struggling with her words. The brute felt sympathy, and with a warm look in his brown eyes he gently licked her muzzle in return. He just hoped he wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable. That was the last thing he needed. They both needed company, or so it seemed, and he didn't want to chase her away.

"Don't worry about it. It'll take a while to scare me away." He mumbled with a sigh. The brute looked up at her through wide brown eyes. The sun was shining brightly, warming his already soothed body. His tail slowly wagged against the ground beneath his body. His ears twitched as he heard the leaves gently ruffling in the background.

((Ahhh! My muse is leaving meee.... D:))

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[ishtar]

(AH! I hate that ha ha! It always happens at the worse times doesnt it?)

She seemed to smile at that, her body relaxing even more. As if this was not a stranger but actually an old friend.
Odd, that you can be so friendly with this new comer and yet your own kin wont accept that what you did was for the best.
"Believe me, I am a stubborn dame. I may yet find a way to chase you off. Then again, it could be fun spending the time trying.
She playfully nipped his ear, giving the double meaning to her words.
Yes I may chase you... But it wont be away. I need companionship, same as any canine, but the chase can be just as fun and exciting and finding one.
Her vocals lightly let out a playful sound as she nearly danced in front of him. Her attempt to show that she was fine, relaxed and comfortable with this other dog.
She sighed lightly, moving to lay down next to him, her blue eyes searching his.
Do I ask? she thought. The mumbling, was something on his mind? Something wrong?
Taking a deep breath, which escaped as a sigh she braved the question.
"Is everything alright?"
A hint of concern crept into her voice as she spoke, her head resting on her two front paws as she looked at the brute awaiting his response.

[mickey]

(Oh, I know. It's horrible...)

This was no long some strange canine that he didn't know, this was an old friend. Deep down at heart he felt like he had known her all his life. It was this very warm feeling deep down inside of him. The brute let her words flow through his ears, her voice sounding so sugar-coated and sweet. He soon felt her gently nip at his ear, and he soon rolled over on his back. He was finally at ease, feeling as if he didn't have a care in the world.

His brown orbs watched as she danced around happily, making his tail wag quickly. The brute wriggled around on the ground, letting out cute little snorts and growls here and there. His white paws punched playfully at the air. His orbs watched her as she soon laid down next to him, her blue ones fixed on him as she let out a sigh. He wondered if he had done something to annoy her in any way. He was unsure of what to think and make of the situation.

Her sweet question rang through his ears, and he soon rolled back onto his stomach, his head resting on his paws. There was something on his mind, but he didn't think he should bring it up. "Oh, I'm fine. Promise." He explained, looking over at her through wide and reassuring brown eyes. He didn't want her worrying about him, not after they had just met. At least she was being nice, and he couldn't help but like that.

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[ishtar]

She sighed, her blue eyes questioning his words. But before she said anything, she thought better of it.
Curiosity killed the cat she teased herself. But she had her own secrets.
"Well, if you ever feel the need to talk... about whatever... Give me a howl. I hope to be around for quiet a while."
She was trying her best to polite now, which always had been hard for her. If she was curious about something she just wanted to gnaw and pry....
But that's rude! Bite your tongue lass, and soon enough, if he trusts you, he'll open up...
And maybe you will too.
Playfully her eyes danced as she looked at the brute, "Funny, how company seems to make everything better, at least for a while. So have you been here for a long?"
The femme rolled on her side, so that her belly was facing the other canine. Here eyes still on him patiently waiting. Suddenly the nervousness of joining a new pack crept into the back of her mind. Would everyone be this friendly, this welcoming. Or would she have end up having one companion and battling to win the others over?
Maybe it is good I sent her away. She would never have lasted if the latter is the case. Besides, her constant mourning would drive any other canine insane...
Keeping her breathing calm she waited for the brute to respond.

[mickey]

He heard her sigh, guessing she was just going to drop it, and for that he was thankful. The brute wasn't one to talk about his feelings and all the things that troubled him. No one ever asked so he never told. Things had been bothering him since that day he had been stolen from his home, but he never talked to anyone about that. It must've been pride that told him to keep his mouth shut. There was a slight breeze making his black and white fur flutter ever so gently. His tongue slowly slid over his maw as he let out a soft sigh. When a gust of wind picked up the clouds just seemed to race across the sky.

He heard her words, feeling a sudden air come to him. "I would really like that," He explained. "I hope so too." Those last few words were barely audible. He had acquired a friend now, and he wouldn't dare want her to leave. Her next comment trudged through his black ears, and he couldn't agree with her anymore. "It is quite strange. I think it's just that the loneliness goes away," He started up. "I haven't been here too long. Right after this whole thing happened I didn't immdeiately go to a pack. Then it just got to the point where I needed to." He just seemed to shrug all his worries off his shoulders.

His brown orbs watched as she rolled over on her side, her belly facing him. The brute slowly inched his way towards her, soon resting his head on her fluffy fur. His brown gaze was fixed on her, soon looking up at the sky so he wasn't caught staring. The black and white tail behind himm drummed softly against the ground, sometimes sweeping against it when he was too lazy to pick it up. He wanted to bring up something with her, actually start a conversation for once, but nothing came to mind. He was worried about saying the wrong thing. He didn't wish to offend, or chase off, of hurt. He just wished for company.

He took a turn at a touchy subject for him, and possibly for her. Maybe he was just being stupid, but he was suddenly surious. "Do you agree with what happened to the humans?" The words poured from his mouth, almost without much thinking. The brute was only worried about one thing : Not every one of those humans deserved that fate. He just thought about his family back home, and knew that if they were here, he would protect them with all his might. He knew he wouldn't last, but he would try.

Not all humans were bad. Some actually had a heart. Maybe it was just him that thought this. You would think after his experience with that family he would become angry with humans, but he still remembered his old family. The ones that actually cared.

Word count : 500.

(Yay! I got it back! (

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[ishtar]

She paused for a long moment. Thinking perhaps... and remembering...
Ishtar and her "sister", a pure black German Shepherd, had just come in from a romp outside in the back yard. Nikita ran about, doing her normal happy greeting at being let inside. The man relaxed on the couch near the front door.
Nikita was getting a new bone from the woman, Mary. The woman was calling her over as well. The husky made her approach, the sweet smell of peanut butter that was inside the bone filling her nose. Happily she took it, beginning to chew. A noise from outside soon broke the silence. Both femme canines began to bark.
"Shut up!" the man snapped, startling Ishtar. But her sister kept on.
"HUSH!" she snapped, trying to save the other dog from what she could tell we coming. The man stood up, stepping closer to the woman.
"Can't you shut those dogs up!" he snapped at her.
Mary tried to hush the shepherd, even though it was not doing any good.
The main raised his hand and Ishtar looked away. She heard Nikita whimper, and then make a huge mistake.
She growled at the man.
The next sound was rustling in the closet and Mary screaming no. Nikita remained by Mary's side, even once the shotgun was in John's hand.
"Next time!" he threatened, waving it at the both of them. Silently Ishtar slipped away to the upstairs room where their kennels stayed. Slipping inside she laid down, wondering why her sister remained...
Foolish femme... she thought bitterly once the memory was through. She realized she had begun to breath heavily and calmed herself, afraid to startled the brute whose head lay on her. For a moment more she listened to the rustling of leaves in the wind and felt the warmth on her fur.
This is why we fought, she reminded her self. It was against men like him that is the reason it had to be done...
But for a moment more she remembered that bone, or the bully stick that Mary would bring home to them. The gentleness in her touch after her husband had lost his temper. But she never did anything. Never defended them.
"It had to be done. One way or another. Even if not all needed to die... Some did. My man, he would beat us for barking, once or twice he even waived a shotgun saying he'd put us down himself. And his wife, she did nothing. She stood by crying, or begging him not to. But she never took us away. Never defended us with more then words.
She sighed briefly, debating on if she should add the last little bit that came to mind.
It's worth a try to trust...
"My "sister", though we are not blood related , we lived in the same home. She decided that no matter what loyalty to them was more important. She didn't fight to defend the man, her primary concern was Mary. I... I had to fight her to get to the woman. But I don't regret it. She watched, she could have done something. But instead she let it happen... I have never known a kind human other the kindness she tried to show us, despite her husbands flaws. But it was not enough in my mind. I've been wandering alone since it happened. But it is time I find a pack...
After another pause she figured it would be safest and best to add about Nikita. Her voice filled with sadness as she spoke.
Nikita is fine, as far as I know. I ran into her on my way her. I told her of a pack I had come across briefly that seemed to mourn the loss of the humans. Last I heard she was heading that way. She still does not forgive me. With time, I hope she can see how much better it is being free.
And maybe... with time I can live with my regrets. The woman could have lived and I killed her...
She lightly shook her head, trying to make the memories past.
"What about you? What are your feelings on the... incident?"
Her eyes raised to look at him again.

(Word count: 734)

(Hope that wasn't too long ha ha.)

[mickey]

He listened to her explain her opinion. They were suddenly so different on the situation. The brute didn't know what to think as the words poured from her mouth. Maybe he just didn't understand the motives and the story behind it all. Suddenly he felt a cold chill running down his spine, making his hair stand on end. The cool breeze wasn't helping with this problem either. The brute just kept his head pressed to her belly, listening to her words as they continued to dribble from her mouth.

Then she surprised him by asking what his opinion was on the incident. "I detest the idea," He started up. "I lived the perfect life with this real nice family, and then one day me and my brothers and sister got taken away. Then I was locked away in cages until a family adopted me." The brute stopped talking, remembering those horrible days and nights spent in those cages. The cold hard floor beneath his body made his joints stiff and uncomfortable. The memories haunted him quite often in his sleep, though he wondered if he should continue with his story.

"The kids pulled at my tail and ears constantly, tied cans to my paws and chased me around. I would nip gently at them and they would tell their dad, and I would be smacked around and tied outside for days without food or water." He started up again. "That still hasn't changed my mind about humans." The brute's brown orbs looked at the sky as the clouds zoomed overhead. He could still feel the hand smacking against him, the hands pulling his ears and tail whenever they pleased.

That life was horrid, but there was no way he could kill all humans for that they had done. He loved his owners back at his real home, and wished that he could be in there getting a good belly rub and a scratch behind the ears, but that wouldn't happen again. His brothers and sister were probably somewhere many, many miles away. He wondered if they were with good families, hoping that little Nikki had the best. His heart ached at the wonderful memories of all of them romping around in the parks like puppie should.

The brute just lifted his head from her belly, giving it a good shake before resting it back. He needed to rid his mind of those thoughts that haunted him. They would only drive him mad. Right now he just needed to focus on what was happening now and save the past for his dreams. He didn't want to make her feel sympathetic for him. Sympathy couldn't make himself feel any better and it sure as heck wouldn't bring him back home.

Word count : 484

(Nahh... It's all good. )

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[ishtar]

(OMG! I hit the wrong button and lost all my work! )

She paused for a moment and then turned to lick his cheek again.
"I'm sorry. Perhaps if I had met a kind hearted human I would feel different. But I was rash, impatient, and had only known one way of life. It was the kennels cramped with other pups or that home. Neither was very appealing."
She laid her head on the ground, her eyes for a moment glancing into the shadows of the trees. Before her eyes the shadows seemed to take shape. Mary stood there, her arms wrapped tight around herself. The bite wounds still looked fresh, her clothes torn in a horrible manner. Her face scared forever. Behind the man wrapped his arm around his wife. In death, that is one image that had changed. He seemed gentler, more at peach in her minds eye now. They kissed, and the woman held out a hand towards her. That look, that look of lonliness and sorrow...
You're not real! It's the guilt that's all...
She turned her eyes away. Glancing back the image was gone. She sighed deeply.
"The odd thing is I still feel guilty at times. In the moment it seemed right. But I saw it in his eyes and leapt attacked him. Much as John threatened it and cruel as he was he would never have shot of us. Mary was right, he was taking out his anger at life on his family. Time could have made things better. But we didn't give it time. Nikita defending that human... that just angered me more. Not because she was protecting one of them. It was the fact that in their last moments she was the one they praised, not me. She got the final approval."
She paused again, considering heavily what she was about to say.
"Part of me wants to say we did what we had to do to survive. And part of me wonders. If more had defended the humans. If i had stood by John as I should have and as Nikita had stood by Mary... What would have happened? Would things in our home had changed. Nikita was always there to guard the home. I pulled the small cart that Mary would load with veggies and fruits from the garden. Would there have been peace, at least for us?"
She shook her head one last time, banishing that wishful thought and the tear coming. No, her resolve could not falter. Her guilt could not over come her.
Murderer The thought echoed in her mind once again.
No! I did what was right!
She glanced back at the brute. The cool wind blew around them, mixing their scent together and it mingled in their nose along with the aroma of flowers and grass.
"I'm sorry I'm rambling. I tend to do that..."

(Word Count: 501)

[mickey]

(Ahhh.... I hate it when that happens!)

Her tongue slipped across his cheek, and he could feel his body get warm all over again. The brute listened to her words, and he couldn't help but feel that there was something else that drew them together. He just wished things didn't always have to end the way they did. He couldn't change the past. What happened, happened, and there wasn't much he could do about it. Sometimes life threw things at you, and you just had to take it and try to make things right. "I know what you mean..." He finally spoke.

The brute looked at the green grass below his paws. With each little breeze the blades flowed slowly. There was a sudden feeling of peace that streamed through the air. He was just so comfortable laying there in the sun, his head resting against the femme's stomach. He couldn't ask for a more relaxing day. He then listened to her as she continued to pour out her feelings to him. "Sometimes others let their feelings get the better of them. It's never safe to make decisions when you're blinded by rage and other emotions." He couldn't believe these words were coming from his mouth. Never did he say such wise things.

"I sometimes wonder what life would be like if I wasn't taken here. It probably would have saved me the heartache and pain." The words poured from his mouth like they were drool. The brute wasn't normally one to share his feelings and the thoughts that were cluttered in his mind. They normally just sat in the back of his mind gathering dust, only looked at every once and awhile when his dreams were filled of those sweet memories. He soon pulled his head from her stomach, rolling onto his own and crawling up and close to her. His fur mingled with hers along with their scents, his head resting on his black and white paws.

He looked over at her through brown orbs. "Don't worry. It's fine. It's good to talk about your feelings and what's on your mind." He soothed her with calm and reassuring words. He gently pressed his nose to her cheek, giving it a gentle, playful nudge. His maw parted as he let out a yawn, his tongue sliding along his muzzle before his head rested back onto his paws.

Word count : 426

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[ishtar]

She watched him for a moment, nodding in agreement.

" Yes... But then again... Sometimes play helps. It can be as relaxing as bathing in the sun..." She paused for a moment. Then she looked towards the trees. "Wait here!"

You're too old for this silly girl! What are you, a few months old?

But she did not care and she nearly laughed to herself. She rose, her black and white form disappearing into the treeline. She sniffed around, her eyes seeking a fallen branch. The leaves rustled beneath her paws, breaking th soft silence surrounding her.

You really are trying arnt you? To be his friend...

Soon she found what she sought, a stick that was free from branches sticking each and every direction. She picked it up running back through the trees to where she had left the brute.

This was a game Mary would play with Nikita and I. Perhaps it is one he knew once.

Why was she doing this? Perhaps she was trying to spark a fond memory for the other canine, something he had once enjoyed with people. She stopped a couple feet away from the dog and through her head back, rearing up on her hind legs and tossing the stick into the air as best she could. It landed a few feet away from her and rolled towards Mickey. Her eyes danced with a smile as she looked towards him, rashing for the stick.

Why do I feel so foolish? So immature?

She brushed the thought from her mind again. Now was not the time to be self concious.