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 Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:01 pm
Sly was the firstborn male of his large litter, he adored his mother and made well to live up to being her sly little devil. He always kept his raccoon fur pristine and delighted in tricking, humiliating, and upsetting his siblings. His real pleasure though came after in helping, loving, and smoothing away the hurts and upsets. He couldn't help his malicious streak, but seeing anyone actually hurt in the end was never his intent.
Sly figured there was nothing that couldn't be patched up after with his slick charms. His mother had taken them away from their dark willow tonight, but dawn was approaching so he knew their excursion would be short. He quickly dashed away from his siblings and mother, she was used to his disappearing, reappearing act and kept her worries at bay. Tonight however his nose caught scent of something, it was familiar, not family, but another pup!
Instead of popping back behind his mother he followed the scent curiously.
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:27 pm
Step by step, the little pup had found something new to discover around every turn. A new scent, a new visual, a new world was out there that wasn't made up of cliffs nad waters and sand. No, the woods had called her name and the little puppy had allowed the day to go by without thinking much of anything. It had only been with a rumbling stomach that Jaile realized just how late the day had been. . . . and with a happy heart she had turned round to run back home.
As far as she remembered she had only walked in a straight line so she should have been able to find her way home. Ah, but the little pup had been easily distracted in her journey and hadn't realized she'd taken herself far off course. Even as she tried to follow her trail back, she could only track it for so long before losing it. . .
Minutes of panic had turned to hours and it hadn't been long before night succumbed to the world. Yes, for the first time in her entire existence Jaile had to sleep without the comfort of her mother and father; without cuddling her siblings, without being lulled to sleep by the oceans waves.
Tonight she found herself very much alone. . . . And incredibly scared!
She wasn't a timid pup, but she had her frailties. And being alone at such a young age was one of them! Why hadn't her family and pack found her yet? She slept little, though she had taken refuge for hte majority of the evening underneath a small uprooted tree root. It wasn't much of a burrow, but it made her feel safe.
The unfamiliar landscape and night scared her something awful - she knew of dangers and of creatures that could eat puppies her size. Sniffling a little, Jaile could only hope that the sun would shine soon and her parents would rescue her. Not only was she hungry but she was miserable! Tears stained her eyes, as they had all night, and her voice had gone dry from its occasional pathetic howls for help.
No one was coming for her. . . .
Not yet at least.
It was only now, as dawn approached, that she heard someone rustle through the underbrush. Gasping in fear, having watched animals and shadows pass her by all through the wretched night, she feared this woudl be yet another close call. Ears pinning, she trembled underneath the root, pushing herself as far back against the tree as possible. Her eyes stayed wide, trying to discern what was out there and hoping upon hope she wasn't caught. . . .
She was too little to be eaten.
A big, aligator tear rolled down her muzzle as her throat clenched. Whatever was out there was coming closer; her nose was too stuffed to do much good, and the wind wasn't working in her favor. Holding her breath, Jaile could only hope to the spirits that she'd be safe. . .
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:43 pm
Sly meanwhile snuck through the underbrush far from his active wandering family. He knew his siblings would soon be whining about the soft light of dawn making them sleepy, but he was wide awake now that he came closer to the scent he had caught.
Finally he inhaled and smirked slipping into the shadows and edging closer with care, he loved up to his name, and was a stealthy bandit. The raccoon fur was fastened well over him and he curled up beneath it to observe for a moment. ?Feet from him he spotted his quarry, it was indeed a pup, she looked a bit smaller then him and...He frowned, she was crying.
Sly for once didn't sneak up to scare, hurt, or even humiliate. He could tell this pup was really already quite scared, she didn't need his brand of fun ontop of it. He decided instead to give his comfort. Slowly the dark pup slipped up to her and offered a smile.
"H'llo there?" His tail gave a soft wag, he edged closer and tried to look friendly.
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:03 am
Oh dear, oh dear! Jaile's little green eyes widened with fright as a shadowed figure approached. Her ears flattened and with a small whimper she buried her nose in her paws. Now she was in trouble for sure! Oh, why had she wandered away~!
Certain of her impending doom, the little brown and cream pup waited for the worst. Soon something would bite her and drag her off and then she'd be sorry! She'd be taken captive or made a meal and there was really very little a pup of her size could do. Oh, she could holler and make a scene but her voice was hardly loud or intimidating. Besides, what could puppy teeth do against shadowed figures?
A few moments passed and instead of some big scary monster there was a small voice not much louder than her own. Slowly, slowly, the orange highlighted pup turned up to stare at the source, and found herself locking eyes with another pup! Shock and surprise followed her fear as she stumbled to find something to say - what was another puppy doing out here at this hour? It didn't occur to her that he was wearing a raccoon cloak, not yet, but she hoped her tear-stained eyes weren't too obvious.
It probably wasn't very nice to cry in front of a stranger! And a boy at that!
"H-h-hello," she struggled to find her voice, words cracking on a dry tongue. Her position stayed submissive for now, ears flat and tail tucked as she studied Sly. She hadn't met any other pups outside of her siblings so this was all sorts of new for her. . . Hopefully he was friendly. She didn't need to meet a bully in midst of her current crisis!
Her tail tip did wag a little and it took all her will power to not throw herself at the stranger and demand a little comfort. She was cold, she was hungry, and she still was close to tears and horribly, horribly lost. Maybe even forever. . . . And such a lot in life was not pleasant.
Glancing down at her paws, Jaile tried to figure out what one might say to a stranger. But the only thing that she could think of was help, and that wasn't all appropriate.
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:52 pm
Sly tilted his head and frowned slightly at the females ragged appearance, she looked terribly cold, and downright miserable. He offered her a smile after his first intake though and moved closer. Sly shook his head slightly and pulled his raccoon cloak from over his head and draped it over her shoulders.
"What are you doing out here alone?" He knew very well why he wasn't with his usual large entourage, and they couldn't be far behind, but he had never seen other pups alone. He was very curious about this female, his sisters were all brave and took his abuse with humor, he had a sinking feeling if he tried to tease this one she might cry again. He had never made a girl cry, his mother would probably hang him from his tail if he did.
He looked back wondering if his mother would be upset with him as it was for having wandered off, but with his fathers ability to watch over them he doubted he would cause any problem. Not like his sneaky twin sisters, running off during the day to have an adventure without even waking his up!
He yawned feeling a bit more drowsy as dawn neared.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:17 pm
The little raccoon pup didn't seem mean. . . In fact, for all her parents warnings against strangers, Jaile found this one to be awfully nice. She had stiffened a bit as he pulled his fuzzy little cloak over her shoulders, but began to relax as a new warmth spread through her. She'd never worn a pelt before but this one was rather pleasant. . . It was extra cozy thanks to sitting on Sly.
Her little brown and orange tipped tail wagged a bit faster as blue eyes watched the black and white pup. Nope - he couldn't possibly be a mean sort of stranger, especially by helping warm her up! "I . . . . I got lost," she admitted softly, looking down at her paws with shame. "I dunno where my family is." And that was the truth. She had wandered all day and had tried her hardest to find her way back but had only managed to further confuse herself. The poor pup was quite aways from her seaside residence, and there was still no call from Jaxom or Faile.
Would she ever see them again? Or was she now doomed to live underneath the roots of this tree forever and ever and ever and ever?
Jaile wasn't a huge cry baby, but she was a little sensetive. She was young and had never been away from her family's side, much less having to stay out all night without them! She had learned her lesson about wandering away. . . . and should she ever find her Mama and Papa again she'd never, ever, EVER do it again!
"What are . . . what are you doing out this late? Shouldn't. . . shouldn't you be sleeping?" She asked, looking up through her tear-stained eyes. She was curious about him just as he was her - usually all sorts of animals (especially puppies!) were asleep at night. So why was this one out here?
His yawning made her nervous though. . . . She had finally found a little rescuer and already her spirit was feeling more relieved. Jaile was sick of being alone and Sly was providing some temporarily comfort, whether he knew it or not! If he was tired and went home to sleep, she'd be back at square one. . . all alone forever and ever and ever.
Yes, her imagination made her a little over dramatic but Jaile had never been so scared in her life.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:27 pm
Sly tipped his head his nose twitching, the females scent was ever changing she seemed happy, afraid, cautious, sad, a constant blend. He nodded as she confessed to him why she was alone, no wonder her emotions were riding a roller coaster.
"It's okay I'm sure you'll find your family, or they'll find you, thats what family is for. Maybe my mom can help you? She used to wander all over Telk!" He grinned proudly trying to inflect that he too knew all about the vast lands thanks to his mother. Sadly knowledge of that sort did not pass on genetically.
"Late? Oh...well we're...we're night dwellers, we sleep when the burning sun rises, and wake when the cool moon returns to the sky." The coming dawn explained why he was feeling drowsy. It was almost bedtime for the black and white pup, still he couldn't possibly sleep until he had rescued this female.
"Where do you live? We're gonna find your home and get you back!" He thrust his chest out proudly and grinned with confidence. His nose lifted and he knew his mother was closing in on him.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:02 pm
It was hard to stay so down and depressed around someone who talked to confidently! In fact, he seemed to be all sorts of sure that she'd be reunited; maybe she was over reacting. . .maybe her Momma and Papa were ready to scoop in and rescue her any minute! A small, shy smile crossed her features as he puffed out his chest and sniffed the air. . .
Amazing how she was feeling better all ready!
"I've never heard of night dwellers," she admitted, pawing at the ground a bit, ears flattening for a moment in concern that he might get mad. She understood some creatures lived for the night but Jaile and her family weren't one of them! Well, not really. . . . She had been born and raised to play during the day and cuddle with her family at night within the den. Didn't he ever miss the warmth of the sun? Well. . . he DID have a pelt to keep him warm - no sunshine was necessary. Or what about the reflection of the sunlight on water? . . . they had moonlit diamonds instead.
Hrm.
Maybe it wasn't such a bad life. Jaile herself had stayed up all night, and knew if she were well and truly reunited with her family come dawn she'd be passed out for the rest of the day! "But it sounds all sorts of neat! Who wouldn't want to play and hunt under the stars!" She giggled a little bit, her rump wriggling in excitement at the thought. Ever so carefully, she pushed gingerly past Sly and slowly poked her head out from underneath the roots. She peeked up at the brightening sky, but was pleased to still see stars in their rightful place.
"I live in the day time," she announced with a little shrug, "but my family we live. . .we live on the ocean! There are all sorts of sand and water to play in. . . I . . . I've never been in the woods this long." And it had been quite the experience.
Her own nose picked up a foreign scents approach and she resumed her original shy position, taking a bit of cover underneath the pelt and using Sly as a body guard.
Just in case.
He didn't seem worried but there was no guarantee the unfamiliar scent wasn't some sort of monster. Monsters were awfully sneaky after all.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:03 pm
Sly was not in the least offended by her lack of knowledge when it came to his family's lifestyle choice. It made him feel all the more special, secret, and sneaky. He was glad he hadn't scared her, she was really rather nice and he would have felt bad if he had made her cry.
His eyes widened as he realized he was just calling her 'her' when she had to have a name! Maybe if he used her name and all he would be able to make her feel better. Just as he was about to introduce himself he heard her say ocean, ocean? As in the ocean? The huge body of water his mother warned him about?
"The ocean that way?!" He demanded to know pointing his nose back towards his family's home. The rocky ocean that belonged to the pack his mother had warned him to stay away from.
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 9:46 am
Jaile was finally beginning to relax, comforted by her new friend and the warmth of his little pelt around her shoulders. She wasn't alone and they were happily chattering on about the stars and night time and it was . . . good. Very good. The little brown and orange sprinkled pup was beginning to forget her worries now that she had Sly around. . . furthermore, she didn't have time to worry herself ill when they were getting along so amicably!
Strangers weren't so bad. . . . At least the little puppy ones weren't!
Ah, but such feelings were premature as the stranger before her suddenly became. . . alarmed? Jaile's ears pricked and she gave an involuntary jerk back, uncertain on what she had said that seemed to . . . . startle the ebony pup before her.
"W-w-well," she stammered, glancing around the woods to get her bearings. "I . . I don't really know. I'd guess it would be the same ocean, seeing as there's only one I know of. . . But. . " She sighed softly, ears pinning. "But maybe there's more? It is awfully big. . . . " Perhaps she shouldn't have said anything at all. But if the ocean were that way then, even if he left, it was a start for her to wander home.
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 11:27 am
"I suppose that makes sense...I should go with you, until you find your family." He glanced around uncertainly. His mother might worry, but he knew that his parents would understand, he couldn't abandon this pretty female out here. Besides she was wearing his skin and he wouldn't take it back from her until she was warm and safe.
"Come on, let's get started, your parents will get worried if they wake up and your gone." He gently nosed her. "We'll find your home, and you can show me this ocean of yours." Sly found himself mildly curious about the terrain she had described, so different then his forest home.
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 6:55 pm
Jaile wasn't sure what to do. Though she appreciated Sly's invitation to escort her home, the problem was the little pup didn't know exactly where home was. Yes, she now had a direction of where the ocean might lay but. . . on that same note. . . what if it wasn't home? What if was something, somewhere, else? Furthermore, what would happen if Jaxom and Faile were gone looking for her and she moved once more?
Oh. . . .getting lost was a terribly, terribly frustrating thing!
Glancing down at her paws, little tail tip wagging with uncertainty, the pup heaved a small sigh. Not just lost but terribly tired. . . "You don't. . you don't have to come, you know," Jaile murmured, ears flattening a bit at the thought. Looking up, the little femme hastily added, "Cause that would mean you'd have to go far and . . and wouldn't your parents worry to find you gone?" Honestly, she didn't want to put the night-pup out. He had been nothing but friendly to her and she couldn't bear the thought of getting him in trouble. And to wander off without telling a parent always meant such a thing. . . .
"But . . .but if you're sure. . . ." Rising to her feet, Jaile gave Sly a shy smile. "The ocean is beautiful. And it sparkles with diamonds, just like the stars at night!" Oh yes, yes it did. . . .day and night. . . .the ocean always shone with some sort of light. Taking comfort in his touch, it was encouragement enough for the femme to take a few steps away from the roots of the trees. ". . . .You're awfully nice, you know. . . I . . . I'm glad we met." She added with another little smile, already feeling better knowing she was on her way home.
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 12:35 pm
"My parents would be more worried if I wasn't willing to help you, now come on...maybe if we move to the edge of the forest we'll be able to see or smell which way your home is." He nudged her cheek gently.
"And maybe we'll find something to eat while were at it...I'm starved." He licked his lips and moved to take a step before her words struck him. "I'm glad we met too...the world probably wouldn't be so great if you stayed lost out here." He grinned and headed towards the light his eyes narrowing slightly.
"My mother says that everything has it's place and time, just like my family belongs in the night, you must belong to the ocean...so you should be there."
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:31 am
At the mention of food, Jaile's own tummy began to growl. When was the last time she'd eaten. . .? That morning, honestly, and the little pup wasn't used to going all day and night without at least a little treat. Goodness gracious but she felt famished! If she wasn't already wasting away, the little one was quite sure she wouldn't be able to make it another day without food. . . . all an exaggeration, of course. "I'm hungry too," she admitted softly, ears pinning lightly against her ear as she heaved a final sigh. "But maybe we'll find something tasty on our way, yep yep!" Not one to get too down, and fairly optimistic, the pup was sure that they'd find something. What she wouldn't give for some fish or crab. . . .
Offering a little grin at the other pups words, Jaile gave a little nod in agreement. "It would be awfully scary. . . " She admitted, giving the night time woods around her a little look. "This is the longest I've ever been gone and I . . . I don't know if I like it so much." Maybe he'd think of her as weak or a coward but it wasn't easy being on ones own, especially at such a tender age. She was used to the comfort of her mother or father or siblings, of always having someone near to cuddle and play with.
Now that she'd gotten her first taste of being away, the young wolf pup knew she'd be more careful next time she decided to stray. Only as far as the rush of the ocean waves against the shore, that's what her mother had taught. . . . Well, next time little Jaile would listen!
"Hopefully we'll get there soon," she added, stepping around her new friend and taking her first steps in the direction he had pointed. So the ocean was that way, huh. . .? "That way you can get home safe and we'll both be where we belong." Night and ocean didn't mix well. . . . or at least, as far as Jaile could understand, they weren't supposed to. Not really. Maybe the little one could meet his mother when they arrived home. . .?
He would . . . wait. . .he. With relief finally surging through her, knowing she'd be home soon, Jaile came to the realization that she had no idea whom it was she travelled with! And . . .and he didn't know her name either! "Ohhhhh~!" She gasped, though a silly smile crossed her features. "I'm Jaile, by the way. . . " She figured she might as well let him know who she was. . .so they didn't stay forever strangers.
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:56 pm
Sly chuckled as she introduced herself and tipped his muzzle his eyes bright. "I'm Sly..." He knew that his name described him to a T his mother often told him she should have named him something else in hopes it would circumvent his nature.
Nevertheless he was what he was and who he was, and now his only concern was helping little Jaile home and then explaining to his parents why he had been absent. "Jaile is a pretty name..." He added softly his ears flicking and his wet nose twitching as he moved onward.
"We'll be out of the woods soon...keep an eye out for rabbit...I think I could catch us one." Sly puffed his chest out proudly determined to show her his hunting prowess. The large pup seemed to have a mild touch of arrogance to him.
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