The evening had blossomed into a rather relaxing atmosphere. Both Keegan and Talonth were passed out on the couch in a snuggled embrace which left both J-Dub and Rust to freely wander both inside and outside the house. Talonth had previously left the patio doors ajar for the two of them to utilize. If only to make it more enticing, soft bedding and a comforter for each of them were constructed in adjacent corners of the patio which overlooked the large pond as well as offered the perfect vantage point for one to gaze upward into the heavens. A light breeze billowed up from the south, sending the fragrance of pines and jungle floral aromas to whisk about the air. Their fur was thrown back because of it but they closed their eyes, lingering over the sensation against their faces, and breathed deeply.
As their amber orbs drifted across the tapestry of endless sky, the terra cotta hued female shifted slightly as she rolled onto her back and stared upwards in awe. There were so many stars strewn across the sky that it appeared as if they were scattered carelessly—or perhaps they were fireflies who had haphazardly found themselves trapped within its realm. The thought had also occurred to her that maybe they were simply balls of gas burning millions of miles away. But that was straight up ridiculous, wasn’t it?
Her ears perked upwards while her muzzle lifted skyward, inhaling deeply of the wild scents that flowed across the breeze. There was a small loneliness that ebbed inside of her---wishing that they could still be part of the wild. But, truthfully, it was better this way; she was safe here. How she had lucked out with being placed in a hell of a home accompanied by her 'older brother' made Rust feel that this was truly her new home. Although the wild still called to her, she wouldn't answer.
This was her home.
Across from her, J-Dub was sprawled out with no shame whatsoever. A thrumming, rumbling snore emitted from his maw. A devious idea had planted itself within her head which would only tease and give the large male a hell of a scare. But before she could get a head start, something got the jump on her.
The entryway gate that was built into the backyard wall swung open. It was somewhat peculiar as its size was large enough for a large fighter to easily pass through---Rust hadn't quite excavated the backyard thoroughly enough to become acquainted with the layout of their new residence. But if there was one thing she knew it was that her eyes did not deceive her as a black figure stalked alongside the stone wall and maneuvered itself towards the right side of the patio where J-Dub was.
Rust bit her lower lip. Her ears pined back against her skull as she watched the creature creep closer ever so stealthily. That stench of unfamiliarity emanated with a pungent strength She could just pick out the starlight that radiated from his amber eyes. As the stranger approached closer towards J-Dub, the female was beginning to feel stagnant, trapped, and vulnerable.
Intently watching as the foreigner lowered his muzzle down toward the other, Rust snarled. "J-Dub, watch it!" She sprang forward, baring her teeth with her jaws ajar.
Cellen hadn't been expected to be jumped at his own home. His blood began to boil while his tolerance ran thin. Did these two invaders hurt Keegan or Talonth? Why where they here--what did they want? Countless questions became tossed about the wakes of his mind but, as of now, there was no time to become distracted. As the female made the first attack, Cellen was unprepared and stumbled backwards; tumbling down the steps as they became entangled with snapping jaws and claws poised to strike. He had found enough leverage to whip around and stagger up to his paws. Being restrained to the ground while there was another Mokai who had yet to engage in the fight was anything but comforting.
The earthen toned fighter's eyes shot open as he launched himself up to his feet. Helplessly he watched as Rust's form plowed into the intruder with an audible crash, toppling the two of them down the patio steps and onto the grassy grounds beneath. Kicking from off of the black stranger, Rust rolled back and righted herself on her feet as did the stranger.Jumping down from the patio, J-Dub landed beside Rust and gritted his jowls together. His eyes narrowed dangerously towards the other while the hackles on his back erected upward and stood on end.
A stand off would suffice for now.
"What the ******** are yo' doin' bringin' yo a** aroun' 'ere for. If I even catch ya hasslin' her, harrassin' her, o' any o' 'dat s**t then you better pray that sweet your God will hav' mercy on yo' soul because when I get through with you even the devil won' want a piece of yo' wothless a**."
J-Dub bared his teeth savagely.
The very real threat of this Mokai potentially having the intent on harming their handlers only transformed his rage into a voracious beast that restlessly remained inside of him waiting to be unleashed.
The sudden flare of defense was, to a degree, to be expected as it caught Cellen off guard. He hadn't a damn clue what was going on yet both of the fighters posture were not only defensive but protective. Had Keegan and Talonth taken in two fighters? Well damn, that was a shock to him yet, at the same time, he felt somewhat rejected. Yes, Keegan had let him escape knowing that he was better off immersed within the wilds but there was still a twinge of jealousy that encompassed him. But this was still his house--Keegan herself has said so and he wouldn't be chased out from a place that he belonged or where he was welcomed. He would rather settle this with words than with bloodshed.
"I'm not lookin' to make a damn row or start up a mess of horlicks," he addressed, looking between both of the fighters. He snorted adamantly and stomped a forepaw onto the deck. "This is my home. II come in and out of this place as a so ******** choose to do so. If you deal me a hit for six then I will give you a hell of a fight--I won't let you bastards stand between Keegan and I."
'Hit for six?' What did that mean? J-Dub looked frankly bewildered for the moment; had he been human, he would've scratched his head. He eyed the males tougher frame. No, he wouldn't have an advantage when it came to bullying this one. Yet J-Dub didn't appear threatened in the least.
He snarled and took a step forward, looking Cellen directly in the eye. "'You're a sellout but I ain' buyin' any of yo' s**t. But 'm standin' between you and my human righ' now. Whatcha' gonna do 'bout it?"
"Stop it--cool your jets, both of you!" The female barked and intervened between the two males. Snarling, she shot both of them a disgruntled and irritated look. "Back up and back off. Let's talk this out. So help me if either of you try to pull any stunts then I'll be tearing out more than just your throats."
Rust motioned her eyes lower from their necks down below their abdomen. She was tired of the bickering. As odd as it seemed, there was something familiar about this unknown stranger which caused Rust to believe what he said. There was a scent that lingered about him---something recognizable which couldn't be so easily dismissed. Narrowing her eyes toward the intruder, Rust took several steps forward.
"Gurl, Y'can't get all up in his grills like 'dat an' not expect him to react," J-Dub retorted, growling slightly as he looked towards Cellen. "Try ta' be a smart a** an' I'll be renderin' yo worthless carcass ta' be fit for carrion."
"He won't," Rust remarked, looking up into mirrored ocher orbs. "I know he won't."
The male fighter balked slightly. "Gurl, you're straight up crazy. You've more balls than anyone in 'dis settlement."
The black feral snorted, intently watching as the female fighter approached him. Her muzzle graced across his fur as it inhaled deeply of the wild and unruly scents of the island. A sharp remembrance jarred her memory of her former home which only caused a small smirk to tug at the corner of her maw. It wasn't until her nose touched upon the scarf around his neck that the familiarity was too vivid.
That was Keegan's scarf.
"Your scent---its not like other Mokai here," she mused, pursing her lips thoughtfully. "But I recognize it around the house and Keegan's scent is marked all over that thing."
"So, the fighter' become feral? Hell, s**t keeps gettin' betta' and betta," J-Dub remarked, planting himself upon his haunches.
Cellen remained quiet as he watched the two before him. The girl was smart although the male fighter was starting to cause him to be brassed off. An unusual twinge of familiarity seemed to hang over the two fighters. Why? Well, he hadn't a damn clue. But something clicked within his mind---an old memory was triggered and kindled far within the recesses of his mind. Subconsciously, a word drew out from his maw.
"Outriders. You're from the Outriders Pack."
The two fighters eyes went wide as, simultaneously, their jaws dropped. The spark of remembrance had ignited within all of them and awakened a bond from what felt to be a lifetime ago.
A wry grin stretched across J-Dubs maw as laughter rumbled from out of his chest. "s**t, is this fo' real? Boy, yo' better take a seat an' get comfy cuz' its gonna be a hell o' a long night. I think we all got some questions an' some reminiscent recollections to catch up on."
Speechless, both J-Dub and Rust made their way up the stairs and settled onto the cushions on the patio. Likewise, Cellen followed behind and walked up the familiar patio stairs and stopped for just a moment. He started into the open doorway and looked into the house. A sigh of relief seemed to escape from out of his maw as he took a seat upon one of the vacant pillows between the two fighters.
"So," Cellen drawled, looking between the two. "Where to begin?"
