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 Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:50 pm
His pale form crested the rise and he took a deep breath, the smile on his maw stretched wide as he looked down to the place where his pups had been born. he too had been born here, once upon a time his whole family had thrived in this area, and now it thrived once again, but he missed the throng of the pack, the welcoming yips, woofs and howls of a family that didn't just include his blood relatives.
He gave a short rough bark to announce his arrival and wagging his tail padded on down the hill. he had much to tell Bem, this would be a new beginning for them and for any of the pups that wished to tag along.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:05 pm
Bem had been in the large cave in the rock formation that served as their home. They were all free to roam about the land, but this is where the family ate, slept and took shelter from the storm. The curly-haired wild dog was happy with her home, but as the pups had now reached adolescence, she knew many of them would be moving on. She didn't like the thought of them leaving, but it was their time to seek out the world and all its wonders. If they chose to stay, she'd be delighted, but she had to give them the opportunity to find their own lives.
A familiar call outside set her tail wagging. With a grin, she trotted out to see her mate returning home. He'd been gone for a few days, out scouting. She knew the feeling of wanting to get away, so she'd been happy to let him have his vacation. She was delighted he was back, though.
She barked her greeting back to him and waited anxiously for him to arrive at the cave.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:14 pm
The big dogs muzzle turned in a greeting smile as he padded towards the silvery female whom was his mate. She was still as svelte and beautiful as the day he met her and he spent a short moment just looking at her admiring her in the sunshine before he moved towards his glistening silver star and nuzzled her.
"I have news Bem" He whispered, he was excited, his tail wagged and the smile on his maw grew wider as he spoke. "I was on my way home when I met with a group of dogs, a pack out searching for new members. I spoke to them, I spoke of us." He paused for a moment it wasn't often he got this excited, so calm and collected usually but he felt a tight bubble rise in his chest at the thought of being a part of something bigger again.
"They invited us to join them Bem. To go with them and be a part of something big and wonderful, a real pack." He paused and licked his lips, before leaning forwards and nuzzling her ears "I know they would welcome the pups if any wished to follow, they are such a wonderful group, they told me much about their ways, but you know I could go no where without you Bem." He smiled gently his golden eyes glistening in the sunshine You're my guiding star, I need you beside me if we're going to be a part of this endeavor."
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:35 pm
Bem beamed and nuzzled her mate when he approached but then listened patiently to what he had to say, her eyes growing wide with surprise at his words. A pack? Sure, she had just been thinking about wanting others as company, but to go right ahead and join a pack? Horatio had wanted to start a family on this land. But she wanted to have more pups, and having had four with no one else to help look after them had been difficult. A pack offered protection and permanent company. The stability of it all did sound nice.
She still wasn't sure, but she was open to the idea. She hoped her face didn't show all the different emotions she was feeling.
"A pack? Wow. I guess I have thought about the idea."
She sat and indicated with a tilt of her head that Horatio should sit too.
"Tell me about it. Is it nice? Are they nice?"
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:47 pm
"It was hard for us with this litter, though I can't say I didn't enjoy it." he chuckled his laugh quiet but jovial. he loved his family. "I think it would be a good place to raise a family." His golden eyes glistened, maybe he had read the look on Bem's face though he would never admit it.
Horatio calmed , though his tail still wagged it too had sobered as he sat, his golden eyes looking deeply thoughtful. "The two I met were, they were a young couple, clearly leaders in their own rights."he smiled and looked over Bem's shoulder, he was thinking his mind wandering to what was best for his family. For Bem.
"They believe in love and they hunt during the night, they care for one another no matter what. It's a place for family for friends to be together in unison. "We should go to them, they would tell you better Bem, it's been a long time since I have been in a real pack, since I was a young pup, since a pack thrived here, I've not felt this way for a long time, but you know your opinion matters more than anything else."
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:07 pm
Bem sat and listened as Horatio explained about the pack. It did seem nice. Two young leaders. She was unsure as to why they chose to just hunt at night, but there were certainly advantages to it, and one couldn't begrudge a group for their traditions. And it certainly did sound ideal, seeing as both she and Horatio wanted more pups. Plus their first litter would be able to find them more easily should they with to visit them in the future.
She glanced up at Horatio again.
"And you really believe it'd be a good decision." It wasn't actually a question, just a verbal confirmation.
"About how far from here are they located? What are the lands like?"
She didn't mean to pester him with questions when she knew he felt strongly and confidently about it. She just wanted to be sure.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:13 pm
"They said they are out recruiting, we would travel back to their lands, but they speak of a great tree that protects them." His brow wrinkled a bit at this, he didn't fully understand what the two had been telling him but he could gather enough information to his mind to make an informed decision.
"We both know this could be a new chance for us Bem. and you know, I love these lands, but if we go to a place where there are a lot of older dogs who can help us. Easier to hunt, easier to spend more time together." He moved closer to Bem and touched her nose with his own.
"Yes, I believe it to be a good decision" He whispers, his golden eyes smiling, this was the one he loved without her he was nothing and without her he could go no where, she was his rock and he trusted her decisions even more than his own these days.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:20 pm
A giant tree? That protected them? It sounded a bit outlandish to Bem, but she hadn't seen it, so maybe it was true. And she hadn't thought about the fact that by sharing the hunting duties, it would give her and Horatio more time together. All in all, it really did seem like a good decision. She couldn't think of many reasons not to do it. And most of all, she trusted Horatio. If he truly saw this as the best option, than she could trust him on it.
"You're right!" she said with a small smile. She nuzzled his cheek.
"It really does sound like the right thing to do. We'll have to talk with the kids to see what they want to do. Althea's gone off to learn healing with that hyena, but I don't know about the others. It'd be great if they wanted to come with. I have the feeling Mugen will want to come. The idea would just be fascinating to him."
She laughed. All of their kids had such different personalities. It made for such a great full family. She wondered if the next group they decided to have would be the same way.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:48 pm
The old dog grinned happily as he jumped to his paws and nuzzled Bem excitedly, he could have his moments when he wanted to play, when all he wanted was to be at Bem's side. She was his angel.
"Of course, we need to tell the kids in case they wish to come, it seemed to me that they would welcome one and all." He smiled a handsome roguish smile at Bem and leaned close to her wrapping his chin around her shoulders in a doggish hug " Anything to keep you safe and at my side Bem, and who knows maybe we'll see another lot hmm? And maybe even some grand kids!" He barked, an over excited bark. he had made his mind up that this would be the best for his family, but without Bem's approval it would have been nothing.
Only Bem could make the decision for him and she had made it. "We'll speak to the kids and head in their direction tomorrow. You'll see when you meet them. It will be home for us Bem, a safe home."
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:56 pm
Bem laughed at her mate's puppy-like reaction and nuzzled him affectionately.
"Well, seeing you so excited about it, I can't help but be excited myself. It'll be a big transition for me. I've never really been a part of a pack. But I will do my best to be a help to the pack!"
She really was excited, but also somewhat nervous. This was something very new to her. She hoped she was able to live up to their expectations. She would hate to let them down. But she would have Horatio and her children at her side, so she knew she would be able to make it.
"I'm looking forward to meeting these leaders. And everyone else. I hope word is able to get to Althea, so she knows where to find us."
She wanted to be sure her youngest would be able to locate them, should she wish or need to. The youngster always had been a bit scatterbrained. But Skimble, the hyena, seemed a responsible sort, so Bem knew her daughter was in good paws.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:08 pm
Horatio nodded gently. "I will follow her trail to let her know my love. i would not see our youngest left out." Youngest for now , he thought privately, with a new pack in sight he was happy to see another litter born of them both. He loved his kids they were a part of his life love and now a part of a pack. He loved the idea and he was glad Bem seemed so excited if she had a little trepidation of the situation.
"You'll fit in just fine my love, we are wild dogs after all, we are born to live in packs" He nuzzled her happily, he felt the excitement rise in his chest and he nudged her playfully "Come, lets see if we can round some of the kids up. I'd like to head out early tomorrow. I know you'll find a place there Bem and plenty of new friends." He took a deep relaxing breath "A new home for us, together."
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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:34 am
Bem chuckled. Trust Horatio to go to any measures to ease her mind.
"You don't need to run after her. I'm sure she'll receive word through the grape vine. I wonder how she's doing, though... Never thought she'd have the discipline to become a healer, but it just goes to show you can't underestimate your children."
Back to the topic at hand. She flipped her curly locks out of her hair and smiled. It was going to take a some time to prepare for this, both in rounding everyone up and just mentally.
"Alright! Let's go tell them what we're doing. If they decide not to come with us, then maybe we should hunt this evening, so they'll have some food here until they decide what they're going to do."
Her mind a whirl with plans and excitement, she tried to stay calm and piece together a list of what needed to be done first. She hadn't felt this flustered since she had found she was pregnant. This certainly was going to be an experience.
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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:38 am
Horatio chuckled as he waited for Bem and walking at her side they padded towards the den. This was going to be an adventure the like of which he had never experienced. he felt a joy that was almost childish.
He knew some of the children would come with them, but others would stay behind, that was fine by him it was after all, their lives.
This was their time and they would go forth and join the new pack. He licked Bems cheek playfully as they passed in to the darkness, it was the start of something new.
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