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 Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:34 pm
 Timidstep slid quietly through the night air, his head hanging low as he wandered around the outskirts of the pack. He liked it here, even if he wasn't quite prepared to face the pack as a whole yet. He would get there, but first he had to find his voice again. Something he had lost so very long ago...
Shivers ran down the wild dog's spine and a whimper escaped his slightly parted muzzle. He didn't like to think back to those days, but it was unavoidable in more ways than one. He couldn't escape the dreams of his pack surrounding him, ridiculing him, and beating him relentlessly. But then, amidst the nightmare was a face, a bright opening in a sea of darkness. It was her, the Hyena that had helped him to work past his speech impediment. Never once giving him a harmful laugh, or a harsh comment. She was the reason he had traveled here, his hopes resting entirely on her presence. But alas she wasn't here, and he'd banished himself to the edges of the pack borders, hiding in shame and fear of the judgement of others.
Finally finding a small, moonlit area to relax in, Timidstep panted heavily from this long trek and plopped down next to a quiet stream separating the pack from the roguelands. As he sat there in silence he couldn't help but be drawn to the moon. His heart ached for that comfort he'd once felt, even if for a short while, and in the farthest depths of mind he dreamed that perhaps the one he so desperately needed were looking at that same moon.
Perhaps wondering and longing for the same things as he was.
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 3:19 pm
 There were times that Coolbreeze felt a little stifled by her pack, as odd as that might sound. In part she blamed it on the fact that she'd been away for quite some time. The rest of the fault was entirely her own, and she felt a little sheepish about it more often than not. After all, it was her family and she'd brought three beautiful pups into the world. Nearly full-grown now, Strangesight, Brightfoot and Hugepaws were almost ready to head out into the world on their own. Fine pups she'd raised and she was proud of all three. Despite her little family there was a sorrow that she couldn't explain. Loneliness? Likely. Unhappiness? No, not really. Empty-nest syndrome? Coolbreeze didn't think so, and in hopes that a walk might lighten her mood and take her mind off of things, Coolbreeze found herself wandering near the boundaries of her pack. An astute wild dog with a keen eye, it wasn't long before she caught sight of a male. He looked so sad there in the silvery glint of the moon, and Coolbreeze watched him for a long stretch of time. Her gaze followed his, up, up towards the moon, and a slight flicker of a smile ghosted over her muzzle. A kindred spirit? Soft of paw she approached him, not wanting to startle the male, and called out a gentle, "Hello?" in greeting.
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:27 pm
The poor anxiety ridden dog nearly jumped out of his skin at the unexpected greeting. Here he was out in the middle of nowhere avoiding all signs of life, and instead he seemed to be attracting. He really had to learn some stealthier techniques, because obviously he wasn't very good at it.
With his heart pumping at an accelerated rate, the male began to jerk his head skittishly from side to side. His panic was written all over his face, every jerk of his head, every twitch of his eyes. He wanted to call out, to warn the other to stay away. But all that came from his burdened voice was a small whine. Causing him, to further sulk away as he continued to adjust his eyes to the darkness, just so they he could make out his potential company.
Finally, there was a small movement in the darkness, and the scent of a female on the air. Pulling himself quickly, yet cautiously to his paws, Timidstep began to back away slowly. His mind more focused on his own safety than the stream just a few feet behind his current position. His tail soon cowered between his legs, and his ears sunk low to his head. Every inch of him trembled in fear, and his paniced breathing soon turned to more useless cowardly whines.
More than anything he wanted to be gone, away from the danger he seemed to keep finding. Away from the pain of loneliness and heartbreak. But it was hard to get away, when you so desperately wanted to stay and belong.
With one final step, the male found himself falling over into the water, creating an even larger signal of his exact whereabouts. Forcing an even louder yelp as his head fell below to surface. Of course, he was an excellent swimmer, so this was no cause for alarm.
No, the bigger threat, was that unknown voice.
Though it sounded calm and harmless, he couldn't help but flashback to the dogs in his past that he had assumed were just as harmless.
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:43 pm
There was something about the male that drew her closer. Some little bit of sympathy, maybe, or the anxiety that was frighteningly obvious on his features, in the way he moved. A slight twitch of her brow was the only outward sign of her confusion, and she canted her head to the side in a show of curiosity. Coolbreeze was not the type to laugh or mock the misfortunes of others, no. Coolbreeze was a motherly sort, nurturing to her very core, and it bothered her that the male seemed so utterly upset by her presence.
She paused in her tracks, not wanting to move any closer to him lest he shoot off in the moonlight. Had she seen him before? She couldn't remember... and that bothered her, too.
"Don't run," she cajoled, planting a smile firmly on her muzzle. Was he hurt? Sick? She wasn't sure, but she was going to find out, that much was certain, "I am Coolbreeze.. a healer. Are you wounded? Are you a part of my home-pack?" There were aspects of him that she found utterly familiar -- bits of color, those silvery eyes, but she could not say one way or the other if he called the Peke Na home. Perhaps he was a relative of someone in the pack?
"Are you lost?" Maybe that was it. She felt a little bad for pelting him with questions, but something about him made her curious. Perhaps his lack of vocalization, or those sad whimpers and yelps. Coolbreeze knew that he would keep backing away in that nervous manner of his.
What she wasn't expecting was for him to tumble into the small pond that he'd crept too close too, and in an instant Coolbreeze darted to the side of the pond if only to assure herself that he wasn't going to drown.
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Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:50 pm
He could hear a muffled voice as he paddled his way to the surface. Though what those muffled noises translated to were beyond him, and truthfully he wasn't much sure if he wanted to know. For a split second he debated attempting to outlast the voice. Perhaps if he could hold his breath just long enough...
But those muffles had pretty much stomped that thought from his mind. If they were determined enough to follow him, even though he had sprinted away, they weren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Timidstep readied himself the best he could for the encounter and paddled all the way up, panting a bit as his head broke the surface of the water. Immediately, he took note of the dog standing along the water's edge. She seemed worried, but what was she so worried about? Maybe she was scared of the water? Well that was just si-
"I am Coolbreeze.. a healer. Are you wounded? Are you a part of my home-pack?
"Are you lost?"
His heart sunk in his chest as the voice hit his lowered ears. This was the dog who'd been yelling earlier. The one who had followed him, and the one he had attempted to outrun. Not successfully mind you, but he had tried.
All of the questions hit him what seemed like all at once. So many things to take in, and so little he could do in return. As his mind attempted to wrap around the questions, he paddled his way to the bank; careful to put a distance between himself and the unknown female.
Once that was done, he shook himself dry, determined to keep an eye on her as he did. Still - she looked so harmless, concerned even! The thought lightened his burden a bit, but not enough to allow him to let down his guard or loosen his vocal cords. For as soon as he opened his mouth to attempt to answer her questions, nothing but a slight yelp came out. It was an odd yelp, almost sounding as though the male were in some type of pain. But he wasn't, though he'd be hard pressed to explain this to her.
Shaking his head violently, in hopes of swaying the female's opinion of his physical state, he paused for a moment and pawed at his throat. Hoping to signal that he wasn't capable of speaking to her. He then took to the dirt to paw out a sort of map. It was rough, and crudely drawn but he hoped it would help her to understand his answers.
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Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:44 pm
"You can't speak," Coolbreeze said softly, a genuine frown of distress crimping her brow. Oh, how terrible that must be. He seemed so frightened, so alarmed, and she did not want to send him running again. She took pride in her skills as a healer, and to think that she brought such distress and upset to another of her kind twisted at her heartstrings. It made her sick to her stomach.
She glanced at the map but could not understand what he was trying to say. "I don't understand the map," she said, gesturing at the crude drawing in the dirt. "Can I come closer? Perhaps once I get a better look at the map..." she trailed off, not wanting to pressure him. He was already soaking wet, and Coolbreeze felt guilty for it. She did not want to push him further, but he seemed so distraught. So... lonely, almost. At least he seemed that way to Coolbreeze.
"I mean you no harm," she whispered softly in coercion.
She could not imagine living her life the way this dog before her did. Terrified, worried, alone and without voice. The nurturing, motherly side of Coolbreeze wanted only to draw him close like she would one of her pups (though they would not welcome such affections at the age they were) and tell him that all would be well. She could not, though, and so she watched him in silence hoping that he would allow her to come closer.
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:33 pm
Frustrated with himself and his horrible drawing skills, Timidstep let out a low groan which actually came out as a sort of forced gurgle. His communication skills needed work, more work than he had the heart to put into. But on the inside, as was being made apparent now, he knew it was something he had to do if he truly wanted to belong.
As he stood there, standing his ground, his eyes never losing the gaze he held with the female, a slight shiver ran down his spine. Though it was by no means from the weather, or his cold damp pelt. It was her words, that soothing voice that held just the right amount of concern to grab hold of his yearning to belong.....
He wanted to badly to greet her, and speak with her but his vocal cords were so tightly bound, he was amazed he could grunt and whine. Instead, the male inhaled a deep breath and winced tightly as he slowly nodded his head in approval. He hoped his small gesture would answer both of her comments. Both that he could not speak, and that he would allow her to get closer, if for nothing else but to view the map.
But just to be on the safe side, he slowly sat down, and then from there slid belly down into the dirt beneath him. His ears folded down and his tail wrapped safely around his legs. He also lay his head down on the ground, attempting to show the female that even if he was different, he meant her no harm.
He could only hope that she felt the same way, and would hold true to her own words.
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:47 pm
Coolbreeze waited until he was completely settled before she carefully crept closer. It was obvious that he was both frightened and frustrated -- and Coolbreeze could not fault him for feeling both of those emotions. She could only hope that her gentle voice soothed him enough to allow her to move even a little closer.
Exhaling gently, Coolbreeze's gaze was drawn to the map he'd attempted to sketch out. Shaking her head slowly, she carefully dropped back on her haunches before watching him carefully from her seated position on the damp ground.
"I don't understand the map," she whispered softly, those golden eyes of hers ever watchful. "How about I ask you a question and you just... nod for yes and shake for no? I only have a few questions, I swear it." Questions like, was he lost? Hurt? Did he need a home?
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:09 pm
Well there was no surprise it her not being able to understand the map. It was really crudely drawn, which normally wouldn't have been a problem but his nerves were definitely on edge tonight. So he supposed he could let himself slide on it. But practice was definitely in his future. But he couldn't worry about that now, Coolbreeze, as she had referred to herself, was already thinking up alternate forms of communication.
If there had been any doubt for her concerned nature, the proof that it was genuine was obvious by her persistence. As a token of his appreciation, Timidstep allowed his tail to thump lightly upon the ground, as he nodded in agreement to her request.
The least he could do was answer her questions, so long as he was comfortable with them. Which didn't seem likely since he couldn't see himself more awkward or uncomfortable than he already was.
Shaking his head, politely, he finally settled down, and allowed himself to concentrate fully on Coolbreeze's questions. All the while his tail thumping nervously against his side.
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:38 pm
Coolbreeze did not stop the smile that crept over her muzzle as a result of his wagging tail. It was encouraging, and Coolbreeze was feeling a little proud of herself, to be honest. She was also feeling like they were finally getting somewhere, and that made her feel pleased as well. Very pleased.
"Okay, okay. Very good," she said softly before posing her first question.
"Are you lost?" She waited for his response. If he was, she would ask him if he wanted to come to her pack. She certainly hadn't seen him around before, and maybe he was actually looking for the pack. It was a curious situation, and one that Coolbreeze intended to get to the bottom of.
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:07 pm
As he sat there across from Coolbreeze, noting the sincerity and concern on her face Timidstep's heart felt a bit lighter. This by no means meant he felt completely safe, because in truth, he wasn't sure if he ever would again. But, for some odd reason he felt comfortable. The thought, of being comfortable around another wold dog helped him to loosen himself up a bit, and he slowly, but surely let a small smile creep to his lips as well. If she were going through all this trouble just for his sake, he could at least do the same for her, if for no other means, but a symbol of thanks.
"Are you lost?"
The words seemed to come from a far off distance as Timidstep quickly shook himself back to the present. Shaking his head, he hadn't even realized he was answering her question until his senses had returned to normal.
No. He definitely wasn't lost. At least; not in the means she was referring to. In fact, he was far from it, he knew exactly where he was and how to get home. He need only to look into the sky and follow the stars back to his makeshift den on the outskirts of the pack. But, perhaps she didn't know that.
With a quick twitch of his head, he was looking up at the nightsky, and with a small glace up he knew exactly how to answer her. Slowly rising to his feet, he began nodding his head in the direction of the Peke Na, prancing his feet in a walking motion in an attempt to pass off his reply.
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:20 pm
Coolbreeze couldn't fight the giggle that rose in her throat as she watched the other dog. "So you live in the same pack I do. Why haven't I seen you before?" Realizing that the question would be difficult for him to answer, she looked thoughtful for a long time before asking again in a way that he could answer. Well, at least she hoped he could answer, and really it wasn't the question that she wanted to ask, but it was hard to come up with yes or no questions!
"Are you new?" Maybe that's why she hadn't seen him yet. She was a healer in the pack and tried to make her rounds daily, making sure that everyone knew that she was capable of providing care should anyone require it. Yes, he had to be new or else she surely would have made contact with him in the past, right?
Right?
Honestly she didn't know anymore. It didn't mean that she was a bad healer.. after all, there was only so much that she could do on any given day. It saddened her, though. He was so skittish and looked so lonely... strengthening her resolve, she vowed to be even more determined to get to know this dog. With her brow knitted in a soft frown, she quietly waited for his response.
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:47 pm
Thump thump thump
Timidstep's tail was happily wagging by this point, and he even managed a definable laugh! Well, at least he hoped it was easily noticeable as a laugh. His rough, raspy, barks seemed to get interpreted as many things, but most of the time he noticed that others took it as a sign of aggression.
The thumps continued to get louder and more animated as he sat across from the very adamant Coolbreeze. He felt safe in her presence, in a way he couldn't quite understand after all this time of fear, was it really, in the cards for him to finally be accepted again? He could only hope so.
So you live in the same pack I do. Why haven't I seen you before?
The words caught him off guard a bit, and he merely stood there, his ears drooping once as he began pawing at the dirt. He truly had no idea that she was from the Peke Na, but then, he really wouldn't know any of he fellow pack since he so seldom stayed within it's comforting borders. He so much wanted to answer her, but couldn't even muster the courage to try and admit his cowardice, instead he awaited a more simple question; one to which she soon asked.
"Are you new?"
Now that was something he could answer!
Raising his head slightly, and pausing mid-dig he answered with a characteristically timid head nod. But somehow it didn't seem strong enough, and digging deep down into himself he let loose a quick yelp. Along with a few paw pads to the ground, which created a bit of a dust cloud.
He was excited to know that he had finally completed his goal - regardless of how accidental it may have been. Timidstep had finally met someone in his new pack, and she seemed so caring too! He wanted to thank her so much, but his cords were bound and locked with a strong lock, and he had long ago lost that key... But perhaps he could find some way to thank her for her unexpected part in this...
But what could he do exactly?
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