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 Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:18 pm
He had no idea how he'd gotten here, all the way out into the vast wilderness that was once again, the rogue lands. But he had a sneaking suspicion that it was once again his sleepwalking. He thought he'd grown out of them, but he was obviously wrong. The proof was in the pudding, as some would say, as he stood all alone and freezing in an empty and dangerous place.
The poor male cowered in fear as the wind whipped around his ears, rustling his fur, and all around giving him the spooks. His eyes did little to help him here, as they'd been severely damaged as a pup. Now all he could do was wait. But wait for what? Morning? Help? Death? He really didn't want to wait on any of them, as not a one sounded appealing. Morning would only welcome with it, the scary surroundings he was trapped in. A den full of sleeping lions? A pit of snakes? Help meant strangers, and everyone knew strangers meant danger.
Shaking his head in refusal of any of his options, the male simply lie on his haunches, and curled around himself. Trying to fight off the frigid night air, as well as his own fears.
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:38 pm
 It was a particularly dark night; the clouds shrouded the moon so that it left only a gentle glimmer of light peeking through the wisps. Atarangi knew better than to be out alone on such a blustery night. The wind brought forewarnings sent by the Gods. Still, the girl would not be deterred. Her anticipation of what the eerie night might bring drove her onward, curiosity her sin. She wondered briefly what her mother might think of her wandering out alone so late, but quickly dismissed it. She was an adult now, and could care for herself. Then she saw him. Or it, rather. She couldn't be quite sure what the thing actually was. It was in a bundle on the cold savannah floor, and it appeared to be quaking. She approached cautiously. Curiosity killed the... dog, she thought humorously, yet even the adventurous spirit within her was quelled by misgivings. What was... she inched closer, her nose within a foot of it. Was it asleep, she wondered? And then, as soon as the thought reached her mind, she realized what it must be. As she grew closer, she was able to smell him, albeit struggling with the wind, which blew in her favor. A wild dog! Just like her! "Hello!" she joyfully announced, unaware of her grave mistake.
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:57 pm
It all seemed to happen before he could even register his mistake.
There was a scent, then a voice, then a flash of light.
As soon as the voice had caught his ears, his head had whipped around in a flash and before he knew it, his jaws were clenched around her shoulder.
It took only a few seconds for the male to realize the grave reality of his mistake, and his whines immediately began. His tremors only grew as he tried both to step away from the disaster as well as form the words for an apology. But he was far beyond a simple apology now, he was in deep trouble.
The farther back he stepped from the scene, the more he realized. His victim was a female, a female with soft eyes, who didn't seem at all capable of the terrible act he'd just committed, and second, the scent of blood. Fresh blood.
Letting out a yap, he knew he had to check on her, regardless of what his past had taught him against strangers.
"S-S-SoRRY! I-I- I thOU-ght - I - i donT KNow WHAT I Th-thOUGHT!" Cautiously he tried to inch closer to the female, but each time, he only backed farther away. What if she attacked him? He wasn't capable of defense, regardless of what this female might think now.
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:36 pm
It all happened so fast. One minute she was greeting this ... strange, stranger... the next, his jaws were tight against her shoulder, digging, grinding. Flesh was torn before he released her, and she grew woozy as she felt blood begin to slowly trickle down her side.
Childishly, she yelped, "ouch!", and then began to whimper. She had never been attacked before, and that was saying something, given she had taken on her fair share of dangerous adventures. Despite this being a new sensation, it didn't seem like a new thrill. It just seemed awful. Why had he done it, she pondered. She had greeted him kindly!
What puzzled her more was his reaction to what he had done. It seemed indeed that despite the gash on her side, he was the one more afraid that she. At his yap, she cringed. What next?
"Sorry?" Atara parroted, looking at the male inquisitively. As a pup, elders had told her stories of attackers, trying to fend off her adventurous nature - though their endeavors went to waste on her. She had never imagined from these stories that a hostile might apologize after an attack. What was going on?
Quite strangely, she was inclined to perk her ears, tilt her head slightly, and ask, "Are you okay?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:49 pm
Her childish reaction did little to deter him away from his own actions. He felt absolutely terrible for what he had done, but in truth had no idea how to correct to problem. He needed to stop her bleeding, but she would surely attack him. Or at the very least, be too afraid to allow him near her. Shaking his head in disapproval, again he tried to step forward, this time he was successful, though he soon faltered and took the step back once more.
This was going nowhere, and her bleeding wasn't getting any better.
Though her words, did seem to catch him off guard, it did little to ease his nerves. Instead it frazzled them farther! Why on earth was she worried about his state of mind when she was bleeding?!
"D-DON't woRr-rY abOUt me, Y-YOu yOU'Re blEEding!"
Rapidly pacing in circles by this point, the male watched the first droplet of blood mix with the soil at his feet. He knew he needed to do something, regardless of the danger involved.
Slowly, the male reached out a paw, still trying to keep his distance. He held the paw straight at the female, allowing her to watch as he slowly made his move. His paw and arm trembling the entire time. Leaning in slightly, he was finally able to apply his paw directly to the bite. Remembering back to his own attack, and the techniques his hyena friend had used on him.
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 5:43 pm
Atara watched curiously as the male timidly stretched out a paw. Something in his nature did not lend her reason to worry, and so she neither cringed nor moved away as his touch. He seemed... nice. Despite his clearly fearful nature, he had taken the initiative to help her after what appeared to have been a simple mistake. Atara didn't even mind the wound much anymore, though it continued to bleed. Her eyes were keenly set on the male, the light pink orbs flickering from side to side as he spoke.
"I'm fine," she responded jovially, flicking a paw to prove her point. "But you," she said cautiously, trying to mind the stranger's feelings, "You seem... well," she laughed softly, "you seem like you've been through more than I have."
She smiled. "It's very kind of you to try to help." As though reading his mind, she stated simply, "It was a mistake." Then, with a cordial dip of her head, she said, "My name is Atarangi, and you have nothing to fear. You may call me Atara, if you like."
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 7:54 pm
Alazzi wasn't going to take the female's words for truth, at least not yet. The bleeding, while slowly stopping was still present. He had harmed her, and whether it was unintentional or not, it was completely uncalled for. The stress being brought on by his own guilt caused the male's tremors to act up even further. So much in fact, that he quickly jerked his paw from the female's shoulder, timid to further startle or harm her.
Her next words, came as to little to no surprise to him. Well at least part of them did, the other part nearly knocked him off his feet. He knew he was a nervous wreck, and anyone with eyes could see that, but what he didn't know was that other's could actually care about how he reacted to their presence. Which seemed to be exactly what this female was doing, though for the moment he would simply leave her comment on the back burner. Exposing his weakness would only open him to an attack, and he had no idea what she was capable of.
Eyeing her strangely, Alazzi tried to read her facial expressions, hoping something there would give away her true intentions. But there was nothing there, nothing but a polite concerned look. It was strange, but he felt oddly drawn to her. Perhaps it was the warmth her eyes provided, or something he couldn't place his paw on at all, but he had to try to push against it.
"A-ALazzi!" He yelped as he attempted to bow, which resulted in more of a trip than anything. Regaining his composure he took another step away from the female trying to retain his sense of self. "W-H-aT BRinGs-sss YoU H-herE A-Ata-RANGI?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 8:24 pm
"Atara," she politely interjected as Alazzi struggled with her name. "Please, call me Atara. My friends call me that," she said with another smile. Gee, getting this male to open up was like trying to pry a secret from a mischievous pup. Still, she was undeterred. Alazzi was like... like a gift. She still didn't know what was inside, but the potential was what drove her paws onward as she slowly took a step toward the male. He was... admittedly attractive.
"Alazzi," she said calmly, "What a strange question." And then she laughed at the absurdity of it all. In this dark and ominous night, what was she doing out here? "Fate," she decided. "Interpret as you like. But we are both in danger now, out in the open, with my wound still leaking." The word danger excited her and her tail wagged slightly. "A predator... perhaps a lion might catch the scent and find us!" But instead of cowering, she grinned. The thought of danger and excitement was thrilling enough to put a sparkle in her eyes.
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 8:51 pm
For the moment, he wouldn't respond to her little comment. He still didn't know whether to fully trust her, much less to consider her his friend. Though he supposed if he had to say her name that he would call her as she requested. If only because it was much simpler for him to actually say.
Alazzi could do little more than stare quizzically at Atara as she giggled and made strange comments to his questions. She was definitely an old ball, but was that all she was? His strange attraction to her told him it was, but his past fears screamed that it wasn't. He was conflicted in the worst possible way! The poor guy had no idea what to do with himself. Should he at least try to be more sociable? Was he capable of something like that? He really didn't know the answer to that question.
"F-FATe,"
He didn't exactly know why she'd chosen that answer, but something about the way she said it pushed him over the edge. Everything about her just screamed trustworthy, why should he allow his past to control his present and future? Shaking his head, he took a step toward the female, hoping to find out a little more about her, but she quickly cut those ideas short.
At the first hint of danger the poor male collapsed on himself, curling into a ball and whining in a high pitch. He was frozen with fear, and probably wouldn't be able to move if he tried. So focused on his own fears, Alazzi had no time to realize that she seemed to be getting a strange rush out of the ordeal. But she did continue to strike fear into his very soul with her every word.
By the time she had finished her amped up speech, the male was curled into a defensive ball. Tail wrapped around his hind quarters, ears flat against his head, and his paws covering his head and face.
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:04 pm
"A-Al-Alazzi?" This time it was she who stuttered as the male dropped to the ground in a miserable ball.
Concerned, she pressed her nose against his flank reassuringly. "It's going to be okay," she spoke calmly. Oh, Gods, she thought. Why did I have to go and say that? After all, they were in the middle of nowhere. Who was really coming for them? No one. She let out a heavy sigh, her excitement depleted. She didn't want to scare Alazzi off, not now, when he seemed to finally be semi-opening up to her.
She leaned down to his level, choosing her words decisively. "Fate, indeed. If something comes after us, then the Gods will have willed it. Everything happens for a reason, y'know?" She perked her ears and tilted her head ever so slightly. "That being said," she continued, "Do you see anyone out here to get us?"
"Besides," she joked, "I can protect you!" She leapt to her paws and stood erect, her head held high and nose proudly touching the star-dappled sky. It was indeed a jest, for she was far smaller than Alazzi; however, she wanted to help the poor soul, even if it had to be through humor if nothing else.
Then she grew serious and crouched down beside him. "Alazzi," she asked tentatively, "what - what happened to you?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:22 pm
Though good in their intent, Atara's words did little to soothe the tornado of emotions racing thought his mind at that moment. It was as if he could hear her words, but they were a faint whisper from a long distance. Faint, drowned out by the sounds of his inner demons.
The more he tried to focus on her words, the more he began to tremble. He couldn't take this kind of pressure. He didn't want to be seen like this, but then what other way was there for him to be seen? He was a weakling, he always had been and always would be. There was no wiggle room when it came to that argument. He had allowed his past to happen, he had been born weak, and would die weak.
Still hearing her words, though faint as they might be, he heard her mention the gods. Alazzi couldn't help but let a snort slip through his constant wails. The gods had never been here for him before, and by the inflection of her comment, that would mean the gods had willed those other wild dogs to harm him. He could feel a slight growl growing in his throat but he fought it down.
She isn't here to hurt you.
He had to repeat the words over and over in his head, but each time he did, her voice became a little more clear until finally he no longer heard his demons. He no longer heard his whines, he only heard her voice ... a calming voice right by his side, explaining that he had nothing to fear.
Braving a glance from behind his own paws he noted Atara's brave stance and allowed his ears to perk slightly. If she really could protect him, maybe it was worth a shot? As he debated the situation in his head he watched with wide eyes as she leaned down into his view once more and asked him the question he knew had been on her mind the whole time.
"WiLD do-OGs .... WeAK .... Hy-hyENA ... LEft f-fOr De-AD"
The words obviously made little sense, but Atara would just have to give him credit for them. They were truly all he could manage to let slip. Perhaps once he calmed down a bit - IF - he calmed down a bit, things could be explained more easily. Though how much more easily was yet to be seen.
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:36 pm
Clearly things weren't going well. She had opened her big fat mouth and scared him. Darned these urges of hers, to prance around with glee in the face of danger. Some day, she imagined with strange resolution, she would probably die from the consequences of her absurdly dangerous quests. But until then, she had the right here and now, and now was not looking good.
Despite the male's cowardice, her attraction grew. Something maternal sparked in her, and her goal was now to protect him at all costs, if only to make him like her a little. She couldn't help but blush as she gave him a reassuring lick on the cheek.
She couldn't quite make out what he had to say. Wild dogs? Hyenas? Left for dead?
"Alazzi," she said softly, "Why don't you stand up. No one is here to hurt you." And then, just to confirm her intentions, she licked him again. It didn't help that the soft pink blush melded beautifully with her brown fur, only illuminating it.
Her bleeding had stopped, and all was well with her. But she wanted to know why he had done it. What had caused such an interesting soul to disintegrate with fear? She couldn't allow it, she decided. She would help him, and she was determined as ever.
She stood up, demonstrating encouragingly. "Alazzi," she said calmly, careful not to spook him again, "You can tell me anything. You know that, right?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:30 pm
The reassuring licks to the cheek, paired with her soft voice helped his heart to slow. But his mind still yelled above all else that she couldn't be trusted. He knew in his heart that his mind was wrong, but he was still so confused. What if his heart was the wrong one this time? His mind had always been right in the past ...
Another light lick to the cheek, and a plea for him to stand up. But was she right? Could she really know that no one was out to hurt him? Well logically she couldn't, she knew nothing about him. But then, by that same small token, she could see what he could not. She had already commented that no one was around them, perhaps it was safe to trust that small bit of advice? Besides, he wasn't doing much defending at the moment anyway. Slowly removing his paws from his face he caught sight of her eyes once more and felt her warmth flood over him. The corners of his lips curled into a small uncomfortable smile. He couldn't really help it, it was almost like her personality was contagious ...
Slowly, but still quivering in fear, Alazzi pushed himself to his feet. For a moment he debated rubbing his cheek against her neck as a sign of thanks. But he quickly rejected the idea, it wasn't the best idea he'd over had. Instead he merely nodded at her question, unsure of how to go about telling a stranger the tragic story of your life. He knew it would be tough, and only made tougher by his speech troubles. But he would try, inhaling a deep breath he looked straight into Atara's eyes determined to focus on something.
"I WAs at-ta-tacked by m-my PACk as-sss a pup. F-F-F-" Wincing his eyes s**t he tried to shake off his terrified stutter. "For beFRIENdINg a hyenA. Sh-e hELped me lEARN h-how to t-t-ta-LK."
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Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:11 pm
His eyes reached hers, and she could have melted. The grey eyes told a deep and mystifying story, one that he perhaps could not himself divulge - yet it was there, the mystery, the kindness, the hidden bravery. She was a metaphorical puddle. The dog had something on her, and for the first time in her life, she felt scared.
A great grin spread across her face as Alazzi rose to his paws, albeit timidly. She gave him another reassuring lick.
"Thank you," she whispered. She was surprised by the almost seductive tone she had taken on. What was going on in her head? She had never felt this strange sensation before. "I am here," she reassured him.
She listened quietly as he struggled to tell his tale. Briefly she wondered why he spoke in such a manner, but then she understood. A hyena... teaching him how to talk? And his pack... attacking an innocent pup?
"Why?!" She burst incredulously. "How could they do that to you? You were only making a friend!" And then she thought aloud, biting her tongue after saying it, "How could you ever trust another wild dog again?"
Crap.
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Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:09 pm
Alazzi attempted to contain his shivers as he listened to Atarangi's reaction to his story. Though she didn't know the whole story, it was obvious to him, that if she wanted to hear it, he would share it.
Soon enough his thoughts proved true, and he tried to offer her a thankful smile, sadly it amounted to little more than a toothy grimace. Hy-hyenas werE OUr enEMIEsss, n-noT SuPPOsseD to t-talk to th-them." His pitch got higher and his tremors became more pronounced once again.
She was right of course - that he was only making a friend. He had been but a small pup when he first met her. Back then he had no idea what he was doing wasn't allowed, nor would he learn it, until it was far too late.
Shaking his head at the female who now seemed worried by her own words, he managed one final comment before his body began to twitch in discomfort. In an attempt to hide it, he played it off as though he were merely scouting the territory. Though Atarangi was sure to see past his petty attempts.
"Its not e-eaSY..."
All of this conversation had gotten to a bit bit much for the fearful male. His body was weak, and he knew without rest he wouldn't make it through the night. A yawn ripped across his lips, and Alazzi followed it with his eye lids slowly falling. One look at Atarangi told him he would be safe to sleep here, and so without a second glance, he lie down and drifted to sleep.
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