Post by Stern on May 4, 2011 6:50:05 GMT -8
Here is what has happened so far. The different charries have different colors as listed below.
Stern
Kisaragi
Blue
Naleigh
Chuck
Etoile
Starjumper
Stern woke up and blinked the snow out of her eyes. Before standing up, she tried to remember why she had slept in her harness. A flash, a gunshot, last night returned to her more vividly than before. Rising slowly to her feet, she shook herself with a jangle of her harness, waking at least the dog that was in the traces behind her. Luckily, there was no one in front of her, or they would have been rudely awakened.
Stern sighed to herself. This would hardly do. Sitting down in the divot left by her slumber, she reached around and started gnawing at the harness, trying to free herself of its burden.
A yawn came from a Siberian husky that was laying on a rock. He laid his head on his paws, looking down at the team of dogs. His black and white fur was coated with trickles of snow. This was Kisaragi, a stray Husky who traveled these parts. He had found this team last night, all of them asleep. He decided to watch over them so no predator came and attacked. He had been up all night, keeping watch and they hadn't known it.
After another few more minutes, a she-dog woke up. He raised his head, ears perked as he looked down at her. She was the lead dog. For a moment, she looked confused, but then she seemed to remember something. He watched as she shook herself, the light jangle of the harness reaching his ears. He then noticed her begin to chew at the harness.
"You're not going to be able to get it off like that," he stated, looking down at her. He got to his paws and hopped down off of the large rock. He stumbled for a moment, showing how tired and wary he was. His large paws left imprints in the snow as he padded over. "Its leather. It wont break that easily," he added, sitting down a few feet away from her in case she attacked.
Stern's head snapped up. She had been too engrossed in her gnawing to notice this husky walking towards her. As he approached, she growled, low in her throat, but stopped as soon as he sat down. He didn't seem to be aggressive, he didn't seem to want to fight now, at least, "Well, then, how am I supposed to get this thing off of me?" She looked at the strap she had been working on, it didn't seem to have worn down at all, even since she had been chewing on it. She started gnawing on it again, keeping one eye on the new dog while she worked.
Kisaragi sighed as she continued to gnaw on the strap. He got up and shook his pelt, sending snow everywhere. "You're going to need sharper teeth. A German Shepherds or a Pitt Bulls. Huskies, such as us, don't have sharp enough teeth," he stated, taking a step closer. He still stayed out of her reach, though. He was being cautious. He had to be so neither him or this she-dog got hurt in a useless fight.
"Humans use knives if they can't unhook it. I would help, but I don't know if you would like that or not," he said, amusement playing in his brown and blue eyes. His tail began to wag as he waited. He had a small plan, but he doubt it would work. He couldn't wait for the rest of the team to wake up. He wanted to meet them.
"Oh, by the way, my name is Kisaragi. I'm a stray that travels these parts," he said. His ears perked as he heard something. Twisting his head, he noticed a fox sniffing around a tree a few yards away. It was ignoring them and even if it wasn't, it wouldn't be too inclined to get near a pack of dogs.
Stern nodded. She had met a pit bull once before, and as he had said, they had far sharper teeth. She knew in the back of her mind that it wouldn't work, so she gave up trying to work through the harness holding her back.
"How do you propose getting this thing off of me, since you are so smart?" She wanted out of this thing, right now. It had started rubbing, chafing at her skin.
"Hello, Kisaragi. Thank you for coming and visiting, anyway. I am known as Stern." She watched the fox behind him with interest, it seemed that all they had in this bleak landscape was a stray dog.
Kisaragi sighed as she continued to gnaw on the strap. He got up and shook his pelt, sending snow everywhere. "You're going to need sharper teeth. A German Shepherds or a Pitt Bulls. Huskies, such as us, don't have sharp enough teeth," he stated, taking a step closer. He still stayed out of her reach, though. He was being cautious. He had to be so neither him or this she-dog got hurt in a useless fight.
"Humans use knives if they can't unhook it. I would help, but I don't know if you would like that or not," he said, amusement playing in his brown and blue eyes. His tail began to wag as he waited. He had a small plan, but he doubt it would work. He couldn't wait for the rest of the team to wake up. He wanted to meet them.
"Oh, by the way, my name is Kisaragi. I'm a stray that travels these parts," he said. His ears perked as he heard something. Twisting his head, he noticed a fox sniffing around a tree a few yards away. It was ignoring them and even if it wasn't, it wouldn't be too inclined to get near a pack of dogs.
Stern nodded. She had met a pit bull once before, and as he had said, they had far sharper teeth. She knew in the back of her mind that it wouldn't work, so she gave up trying to work through the harness holding her back.
"How do you propose getting this thing off of me, since you are so smart?" She wanted out of this thing, right now. It had started rubbing, chafing at her skin.
"Hello, Kisaragi. Thank you for coming and visiting, anyway. I am known as Stern." She watched the fox behind him with interest, it seemed that all they had in this bleak landscape was a stray dog.
"Just hold still. This stuff may not break, but if you try hard enough, we can stretch it. If we can stretch it enough, you can wiggle yourself out of it," he stated, padding over. He sniffed the strap that was near her shoulder. He carefully grabbed it in between his draws. He began tugging backwards, ears laying back on his head. He had his teeth bared a bit, but only out of frustration.
"Pull the other way," he stated, his voice a bit muffled from the strap. Hen glanced at her. She was a pretty dog. She kind of reminded him of Ginger, but with a different fur color. His eyes clouded in sadness with that thought. He blinked, hiding his emotions. He need to concentrate. After a few minutes, the strap was stretched a few good inches. "One down, a few more to go," he stated, letting go of the now stretched strap.
Blue's eyes flickered open, and his sides slowly lived up and down in a so what rhythmic motion. Blinking away some stray strands of snow he yawned and stood up, shaking the snow from his paws. He hated the cold, and the wet. In fact, he loathed it. Licking some snow from his paw pads he grumbled something to himself and looked around. Flinching as he noticed Atern, and a stranger.
Bearing his fangs Blue padded back and raised his hackles, each one of his guard hairs bristling with life as if they had minds of their owns. "Who are you?" he growled backing off, thankfully there was no dogs behind him, or they would have a very painful awakening. Especially from a dog his size and weight. He narrowed his ice blue eyes which were like chips or glass and flattened his pointed ears.
Stern nodded and complied, moving away from the stray, straining as hard as she ever had to pull a sled. As Blue woke up behind her and started growling, she rolled her eyes at Kisaragi, "Don't mind Blue. He can be mean if he wakes up cold and stiff." She looked over at Blue, "Cool it, Blue. He's helping us get out of these danged harnesses, or would you rather stay tied up here for your entire life?" She strained again at her restraint, stretching the strap another few centimeters, "He's okay, Blue. Don't worry." Her shoulders bunched up, and she gave one last heave, tearing the harness apart at the stitching.
Shaking herself, she looked at her team and Kisaragi, "Thank you again. I'd better go help Blue with this." She approached the swing dog, "Here, I'll hold, you pull the other direction." She grabbed a bit of the leather between her teeth and held on, grinding her teeth together.
Kisaragi smiled and sat down, watching as the she-dog helped the swing dog known as Blue. "I'm Kisaragi. I kept watch on you guys all night in case a predator came. Its dangerous falling asleep out in the open like that," he stated, looking at the rest of the dogs. He waited for the rest to wake up so he could help them. He didn't feel like waking them up rudely.
He snorted and went to the sled part. He sniffed it and flinched a bit. He sniffed it again and backed away. "I smell blood. Is your human okay?" he asked, looking at Blue and Stern. He had a slightly concerned look. Sure, his human hadn't treated him right, but that doesn't mean theirs didn't treat them right.
Yet another dog's form appeared in the cold and wetness of the snow. She was curled up a few feet from the sled, for that was as far as she could go. This form belonged to none other than the Malamute female named Naleigh. Being that she needed space and time to gather her thoughts, the sable canine chose to sleep away from the team. Her body had tremors running down her spine, trying to warm up Naleigh, and because there was an overwhelming sense of emotion she felt.
Mr. Brisyen was gone.
All Naleigh had left was the team, and that thought made her feel somewhat isolated. At times, this girl could be vicious to the other dogs and she wondered if their bond would last very much longer. Without the harnesses, all the dogs could be free and go their seperate ways. The problem was, where would they all go to?
Naleigh rose to her wide paws and gave a yawn and a stretch. She best find out what was going on closer to the sled. The Malamute female padded towards Stern, Blue, and another dog that she didn't know. Naleigh sat in the snow next to Blue, for they were the only two Swing dogs, and her tail curled upwards on her back naturally. The canine female arrived just as this Kisaragi introduced himself. Naleigh sighed and shook her head. She was forced to be social if she ever wanted to live and slowly piece her life back together.
"I'm Naleigh," she murmured, "Sadly, he's dead. The only thing that we can do is try to get the heck out of here before we all freeze to death, starve, or get eaten ourselves. Oh, I forgot to say 'good morning', so Good Morning everyone!" the sable female said sarcastically. If she were human, Naleigh would be crossing her arms and an indignant expression would be on her face. Then she remembered that she had to be nice, even if only for a little while. "Uh...I'm sorry. Things just aren't the best right now. Forgive my behavior." Naleigh let her eyes wander to the ground for a moment. Then, the female looked up and watched the surrounding dogs again. She would be quiet until she decided her imput would be needed. Though that might be a struggle for Naleigh considering how she normally interacted with those around her.
Blue flicked his ears towards Narleigh. He liked her, a considerable amount. Though he liked almost all female dogs, and pups. He loved pups. Blue looked at the strange dog who was calling himself Kisragi, well something like that. "Yes, he is dead. Shot. Gone" Blue barked angrily his almost flattened neck fur rising once again. He shot Stern a complicated look from the corner of his eye.
What was she doing? Why was she stretching his harness? He was fine in it. Why did he need to get out? "Kisragi, or what ever your name is" Blue began "Where is the nearest place of civilization? You know humans." he barked wagging his curled tail from side to side.
Kisaragi looked at the other she-dog known as Naleigh and then at Blue. He snorted. "Well that is sad to hear," he stated before he went over to Naleigh. He grabbed her harness in between his teeth. "We got to get you guys out of the harnesses. You can get caught up in something and die out here," he stated as he began to pull at it. He dug his paws deep into the loose snow. He couldn't get a good grip.
His ears perked as the dog made a comment of civilization. He blinked, thinking. "There hasn't been humans here for years. Its too wild now. There are remains of them, though. An old barn isn't too far away. And about a days and a half travel, there is an abandoned shack. Its good to stay in during a blizzard," he stated, although it was muffled a bit from the harness. He felt the other dog's fur tickle his nose, making him want to sneeze, but he didn't.
Stern blinked her eyes rapidly as they started speaking of their owner. She didn't want to hear this, she couldn't handle living with it again and again. Mr. Brisyen had saved her, in more ways than one, and now he was gone... gone for good. Straining, she backed away from Blue, his harness still in her tightly clenched teeth. When she had gone as far as she could, she unclenched her teeth and looked mildly at Blue, no hint of her hurt in her eyes, "You could help. There are no people here, you heard Mr. Brisyen. We haven't seen anyone anyway, so our best bet is to get out of these harnesses and find a way to get... wherever we need to go."
Naleigh pulled the other way out of the harness as she was told. She wasn't going to become some sitting duck or edible treat for Jack Frost. Naleigh's strap had to be tightened a little more than the rest of the team's because she had a slightly bigger build. However, the Malamute female backed her way out of it with Kisargai's help. Naleigh went tumbling backwards in a heap, and she sighed heavily. "Great. I'm free now," she murmured. The female got up and dusted herself off. "Thanks, bro," she said. Naleigh wagged her curved tail for a quick second and then looked out over the snow.
It was going to be an interesting journey that was for sure. They had better bust a move, and quick. Naleigh began to pad off in the direction she thought that would be the right way. Stopping short though, Naleigh looked over broad shoulder and smacked her lips with some impatience. "Are we ready to go? We're burnin' daylight here." To the Malamute, it sure felt good to be relieved of that burden of a harness. It was like she was shedding the remnants of her old life off and starting a new one. In some cases that was good, in others, Naleigh didn't know what to expect.
Blue looked at Naleigh, she was free now it was his turn. Standing up, with Stern's help he managed to wriggle out of the leather death seat and fell backwards onto a mound of snow, getting snow up both his eyes, in his hears and in his eyes. Lifting his head up Blue sneezed and shook his head, not fancying much have g cold insides as well as outsides. Shivering he hauled himself onto his paws and yawned.
Looking at Stern hiding her sadness panged at his heart for he could see how sad she was just though her body language. Blue looked at his paws hoping not to sadden her any farther and whimpered slightly. It was a somewhat pitiful noise to come out of one such mouth. Considering the size of him you would have thought he wasn't that so
Py but no, Blue was as zippy as anything. "What about the rest of the team Naleigh? We cant just leave them"
Stern shook her head and pulled as Blue wriggled free, then watched Naleigh pad off. She called after the malamute, "Maybe waiting for the rest of the team would be our best pet, Naleigh." It wasn't a suggestion, as much as the wording implied that. Her voice hinted at the command hidden underneath, the right given to her by her position in the team. She saw Blue whining and wagging his tail and tried to reassure her team mate, "It will be okay. Don't worry, we will survive." She didn't add the last two words, but they echoed ominously in her mind, I hope.
Aw man. Once again, Naleigh let her impatience get the best of her. She was always ready to go, ready to get things done. She was also more than ready to get away from this...dreadful scene. The smells of her deceased owner were still very apparent to her nose and just looking at his dead body made Naleigh slightly nauseous. The Malamute female was brought to her haunches and she looked at her fluffy, wet paws. She would wait for the rest of the team. At least for a little while. The femme did as she was asked, and wasn't bothered by Blue's comment. But when Stern told her again basically to 'stay' with a more commanding inflection, like a human would, that ruffled her feathers a little bit. The sable female snorted and rolled her eyes slightly.
Naleigh was a dog who normally always spoke her thoughts. Her words were usually spiteful, sarcastic, and had a sharp sting to them. At the current moment she thought:
'Goody Goody Stern. You can't always tell me what to do just because you were two paw steps in front of me on the sled. I'm not deaf, and I heard what Blue said. Enough of this trying to boss me around. One more comment like that and I'll...'
However, Naleigh's words weren't quite the same. "Okay, okay. I get it," she grumbled. If she were a human child at this time, the Malamute would have stomped one of her feet, crossed her arms, and put her nose in the air. Naleigh had to learn a little self-control because fighting between the team would do more harm than good. But that didn't mean that this canine would like it.
A bullet shot is all that remains in Chuck's mind.
The snow buried him into a perfectly formed hole. The warmth from it spread through out his large complex. Chuck opened his eyes to notice a stranger standing, standing a bit too close for his likings. Chuck jumped up yapping like a chihuahua with a back and forwards motion. He barred his teeth showing the stranger nobody messes with this youngster. Chuck took his eyes of the stranger for a instant second and glanced over to Blue. Chuck looked up to Blue and usually copied him in everything he did, his role-model.
In a split second Chuck lost his confidants and flew behind Blue. Well tried before being tucked with extreme force back to his beginning location. He was still in harness and without thinking Chuck slid out of his harness from the bottom with extraordinary speed and bolted behind Blue his tail between his legs. Chuck noticed Blue whimpering and without thinking Chuck copied. Not knowing exactly why he was just the fact that Blue was doing meant Chuck had to as well. He noticed Stern also whimpering. The youngster glanced around only to come across a body dead on the silky snow.
Mr. Brisyen.
Chuck looked ahead to realize Naleigh was ahead of the group standing there like she was frozen. He let her be but this stranger, who was it. Blue would finish him off. Chuck thought with a smirk on his face.
Chuckling slightly as Chuck, the youngster of the group bolted behind him Blue pressed his body against the pups. Comforting him as he whimpered. "I was never saying we wouldn't survive was I?" Blue growled slightly, wagging his black and White tail and letting a yawn spread across his maw, pulling back his lips and sticking his tongue out to show his fangs. Scenting the air, he could smell that Mr. Brisyen wasnt the only thing to succumb a death on this trip, and looking around him, he noticed the sleigh that they had once pulled was on a slight tilt. As if something was holding it up...as if something was wedged underneath it. Something his size.
Getting a slightly alarmed feeling riding from the pit of his stomach Blue padded over towards the mount. Fear Rose up in his chest as he realised that his sister, Red was one of the dogs at the back of the team and prayed it wasn't her. Unfortunately, it was. Digging his frozen paw pads in the bloodied snow near the sled Blue found the old carcass of a dead dog. The fur was a russet red colour, stoked with blood from where the sleigh hit and stunk of Blue's sister Red. "No..." Blue whimpered nuzzling the body and dragging it from under the sledge. Seeing his sister this way made him cringe. She was so...lifeless...so...cold. "Red...Red please wake up..." Blue whimpered nuzzling his sisters sides which were unmoving. No respond. Turning around Blue lifted his muzzle to the sky and howled, a mournful long howl. Much like a wolf's yet more chilling and sorrowful. "She's dead..." he murmured.
Stern sighed as Naleigh came back. She had said the wrong thing again. Somehow, stress tended to do that to her. She couldn't try to make things right at this time, though, because Chuck had just woken up. She watched with slight amusement as the pup ran to hide behind Blue. She wagged her tail gently at the pup, "It will be okay, Chuck, we will get over this." She watched as Blue dug under the sled and felt a sense of shock as she saw the russet fur. Padding up to Blue, she pressed her coat against his pelt in a silent show of support. She had liked Red, the dog had always been well spoken and polite, and Stern felt her loss deeply.
Deadened intonations gradually seeped through the barrier of her trance, that blank ice blue stare of hers gazing languidly into the farthest reaches of the snowy wasteland. It seemed almost as if the tundra's blinding alabaster expanse was slowly confining the Utonagan, to the point where she felt like she was choking amidst its shroud. All of it was far too surreal to be substantial, and reality crashed harder against her than the thick snowfall that pelted her rich-toned pelage. The human that she had just started growing attached to had been murdered point-blank, and not the slightest hint of the perpetrator could be discerned from the chilled gales of wind. And now, if she didn't find a way to attach herself to these dogs that were practically strangers to her, she was as good as dead. The murky black waters of her pupil that surrounded the ice that was her eyes dilated as denial was whisked away on the wind and her breathing increased in the beginnings of a panic attack. I can't be alone out here! They can't leave me here! She fretted inwardly, as hysteria began to eat away at her. Composure, Ette. Hysteria is weakness. Just relax, Etoile chanted to herself in her head, and forced the hyperventilating to surcease permanently. The canine had spent a nearly sleepless night just staring into the distance as if answers could be found; in the swirls of snow that curled through her tendrils of fur, or painted in midnight hues on the canvas of twilit sky. But no, nothing came to mind-- no insight or sense of solace could be found. So perhaps she was as good as dead whether she continued to lay there, or attempted to tag along. However, Ataciara didn't trust a hair on any of their pelts, and wasn't about to anytime soon. And with sudden alarm, she ensnared a most unfamiliar aroma that belonged to an entirely new canine. How was it that this dog could not only survive these conditions, but thrive in a place such as this? The female didn't dare turn to face the rest of the team though, she simply wasn't ready to. For now the harness was the only thing that kept her clinging to fortitude, and even then, her eyes were brightened in dread. No dog could see her face, she feared, for there was too great a cost for showing vulnerability in a land where mercy was unheard of, and the word 'hope' wasn't spoken on any tongue. But she knew she had to move then, for she heard a voice of impatience. Ever so slowly she shifted her weight and withdrew her paws out from under her, with numb, lethargic movements. Her appendages quivered as she gained her footing, and her broad head snapped sharply in the direction of the team-- only to see many of them had freed themselves from their harnesses. Up to this point, she hadn't told a single dog her name, even, but figured it was about time she did. The Utonagan put on her confident face and strutted over to the group as far as her lead would allow her. After all, she was in the Wheel Dog position, stationing her furthest away from the rest of the canines. Unlike her, one of the dogs there might have an idea of a silver lining to their situation. Ataciara scratched in exasperation at her harness, feeling the material digging into her skin with great vexation. She’d find her way out; she always seemed to. She noted with her ears drawn the lifeless figure of one of her fellow sled-dogs, and gave the slightest swoop of her head in sympathy towards the grieving male and regarded the situation with a sheepish, awkward confliction scrawled clearly on her countenance. “Well… guess this isn’t a good time to celebrate the team’s well being, then? I would suggest trying to scrounge up some prey, but I doubt there’s any to be found in this godforsaken land. However, I do have a plan—it won’t go far, but at least some of us may be well-fed. Perhaps the musher has some food in his sled? If we can salvage anything, we could feed it to the pup first, then perhaps to whoever here is feeling the weakest. That is, if there is anything there.” Her blatantly and totally detached words exemplified her lack of experience, and lack of warmth towards the dogs and the musher, but she was merely straying from the risk of getting caught up in emotion rather than figuring out ways to survive. Perhaps the new dog knows something about survival out here, I may not know these dogs well, but I know for a fact he wasn’t part of the team, she mused to herself, and gaped expressionlessly at the canines before her. Ataciara took to struggling in her harness once more, careful to remain a distance away from the dogs just in case they decided to lash out at her words. It was surprising how adept she was at hiding her sentiments, but perhaps that was due to the practice she had in doing so.
Starjumper watched everything going on around her without really noticing it. This was bad, just bad. She whimpered softly at the thought of being out here with only the team for companions and they had already lost one. Starjumper slowly joined the rest of the team and asked, "What are we going to do?" The female had not really been paying attention, but now that the real world had come rushing back to her she needed to pay attention or die. The young female looked at the rest of the team. She didn't really know them all that well outside of the sled. She had mostly kept to herself and let Stern take charge. He was the lead dog and Starjumper was just a regular team member.
She waited for instructions and hoped that they could get back to people and soon. She wondered what would happen hwen they made their journey for there would be a journey. That much Starjumper knew, but what happened on the way depeneded on Stern and the rest of the team. Teamwork was needed and so they had to follow orders carefully so as not to get left behind or killed. I have to push on. We all do. If we don't we may never survive. The female thought sadly to herself.
Naleigh waited where she was, just looking around and minding her own business at that moment. She was maintaining her patience to the best of her ability. No snide remarks came out of her lips and no more impatient words came out either. For once. Naleigh just listened to what everyone else had to say and kept her mouth shut. Evidently her trying to rally the team was unsuccessful. Despite the fact that she wanted to get out of here, and find her way back to the humans and her home, she was going to have to deal with the rest of the team. They would have to take whatever came up against them in strides as a whole, well-functioning group. The team was trying to pull themselves together still, and she just realized this. Naleigh wasn't big on pups but her tail wagged silently as she watched as Chuck scrambled up next to Blue. He seemed like a fiery little creature, and probably would be when he grew up too. That is if he made it to be an adult.
The mood turned from somewhat light to completely dreary within a matter of a few seconds. Yet another discovery of a body was made, and it was Blue's sister. Wow, he must be going through the hardest time of all of them. The rest of the team had only lost their owner, he had lost his owner and a litter mate. He was drawing a hand lately. Naleigh stood up and padded over to her team mate. She knew Blue considerably well since they were the only two swing dogs and constantly ran side by side whenever hitched to the strange sled contraption. The Malamute female went to the opposite side of Blue, the side that Stern wasn't on, and brushed up against him as well. When the male canine sent his lament to the sky, Naleigh gave a small one of her own as well. It was sweet and soft and sounded like a flowing OwWooWooWooWowWowWoo. The sable female's howl ended lowly, and echoed off the trees as it died.
Naleigh sat down heavily, making a large imprint in the snow, and glanced at the female called Etoile. Her plan of searching the sled was a good idea. The Malamute femme nodded slowly, hopefully they could find food there, and then that Kisaragi dog could lead them to shelter like he proposed in the first place. But Naleigh decided that she wasn't going to be the one to go digging around though. Being near her once live owner made her cringe and sent tremors all through her frame. She would wait until someone else stepped up to the plate on that one.
Stern remained quietly in her mark watching as the dogs searched for remnants of food. The was a dim chance of them finding any food. The trip their master has taken was only a leisurely journey one he would usefully pack without food. But still Stern hoped for some sort of food. The dog known as Etoile was showing leadership even though Stern was completely unaware of who this dog was. Stern scurried over to the sled and gracefully jumped onto the sled bag within one bound. Stern began chewing vigorously into the tough fabric her large canines ripping the fabric off the pale red bag. Suddenly Stern heard a faint beeping noise and dug her nose into the bag, pulling out a red and blue wired contraption. She flew from the sled and landed herself on the ground she dropped the bow carefully. From a close distance Stern investigated it. She watched as symbols on it were changing they meant nothing to her however the beeping sound was one very irritating. Stern lifted her head "Everybody get over here I think I found something!" Stern stepped way to allow the rest of the dogs to look upon it. Stern turned her head to the left and saw Red's motionless body she slowly walked away from the box and went to nudge her but knew there was no point. All too quickly the irritating beeping sound became louder and quicker. Stern turned her head to it what was it?
It was somewhat comfort g when the two females Stern and Narleigh came and brushed their pelts with his. Yet in another way he wanted to just be left alone. Whimpering slightly Lue pricked his ears up as he heard the annoying beeping. Turning around, he spotted what was making the racket, and what was interrupting his grieving. At least it gave him something else to think about. What was it. Sniffing it Blue blinked. "Everybody get back!" He barked in alarm, realising what it was. When Blue was a puppy him, his sister and his old owner used to sit down and watch films together. He had seen one of these before. It made things explode. Set them on fire. Killed them. Whimpering slightly Blue turned to the rest of the group. "This is what humans call a bomb. Unless we get rid of it. I will explode!" he barked flattening his ears back. Was this mean to happen? Was this the end. "From the looks of it, we have four minutes left. I can...go and find somewhere to put it. If you all shelter aw from it. I can make it to the horizon. The bomb should explode there while I'm running back. It would be safe, if all of you wait here. I'm only a swing dog. I'm not important. We need all of you guys.." Blue murmured picking up the beeping this in his mouth, and getting ready for Sterns approval.
Chuck watched from a distance as all the drama took place. He turned around and became more interested in a snowflake. Biteing it down with a large chomp he stared around as he noticed the snowflake disappear. He raised his head into the air and realized hundreds were falling from the sky. Chuck turned his head again to see Blue carrying a large object in his mouth with colored wires shoot out of them. Chuck ran over to Blue and stood right next to him preparing to run. I hope we get to run. Chuck thought to himself and Chuck began leaping in the air with excitement. I stood still waiting for Blue approvment.
Stern
Kisaragi
Blue
Naleigh
Chuck
Etoile
Starjumper
Stern woke up and blinked the snow out of her eyes. Before standing up, she tried to remember why she had slept in her harness. A flash, a gunshot, last night returned to her more vividly than before. Rising slowly to her feet, she shook herself with a jangle of her harness, waking at least the dog that was in the traces behind her. Luckily, there was no one in front of her, or they would have been rudely awakened.
Stern sighed to herself. This would hardly do. Sitting down in the divot left by her slumber, she reached around and started gnawing at the harness, trying to free herself of its burden.
A yawn came from a Siberian husky that was laying on a rock. He laid his head on his paws, looking down at the team of dogs. His black and white fur was coated with trickles of snow. This was Kisaragi, a stray Husky who traveled these parts. He had found this team last night, all of them asleep. He decided to watch over them so no predator came and attacked. He had been up all night, keeping watch and they hadn't known it.
After another few more minutes, a she-dog woke up. He raised his head, ears perked as he looked down at her. She was the lead dog. For a moment, she looked confused, but then she seemed to remember something. He watched as she shook herself, the light jangle of the harness reaching his ears. He then noticed her begin to chew at the harness.
"You're not going to be able to get it off like that," he stated, looking down at her. He got to his paws and hopped down off of the large rock. He stumbled for a moment, showing how tired and wary he was. His large paws left imprints in the snow as he padded over. "Its leather. It wont break that easily," he added, sitting down a few feet away from her in case she attacked.
Stern's head snapped up. She had been too engrossed in her gnawing to notice this husky walking towards her. As he approached, she growled, low in her throat, but stopped as soon as he sat down. He didn't seem to be aggressive, he didn't seem to want to fight now, at least, "Well, then, how am I supposed to get this thing off of me?" She looked at the strap she had been working on, it didn't seem to have worn down at all, even since she had been chewing on it. She started gnawing on it again, keeping one eye on the new dog while she worked.
Kisaragi sighed as she continued to gnaw on the strap. He got up and shook his pelt, sending snow everywhere. "You're going to need sharper teeth. A German Shepherds or a Pitt Bulls. Huskies, such as us, don't have sharp enough teeth," he stated, taking a step closer. He still stayed out of her reach, though. He was being cautious. He had to be so neither him or this she-dog got hurt in a useless fight.
"Humans use knives if they can't unhook it. I would help, but I don't know if you would like that or not," he said, amusement playing in his brown and blue eyes. His tail began to wag as he waited. He had a small plan, but he doubt it would work. He couldn't wait for the rest of the team to wake up. He wanted to meet them.
"Oh, by the way, my name is Kisaragi. I'm a stray that travels these parts," he said. His ears perked as he heard something. Twisting his head, he noticed a fox sniffing around a tree a few yards away. It was ignoring them and even if it wasn't, it wouldn't be too inclined to get near a pack of dogs.
Stern nodded. She had met a pit bull once before, and as he had said, they had far sharper teeth. She knew in the back of her mind that it wouldn't work, so she gave up trying to work through the harness holding her back.
"How do you propose getting this thing off of me, since you are so smart?" She wanted out of this thing, right now. It had started rubbing, chafing at her skin.
"Hello, Kisaragi. Thank you for coming and visiting, anyway. I am known as Stern." She watched the fox behind him with interest, it seemed that all they had in this bleak landscape was a stray dog.
Kisaragi sighed as she continued to gnaw on the strap. He got up and shook his pelt, sending snow everywhere. "You're going to need sharper teeth. A German Shepherds or a Pitt Bulls. Huskies, such as us, don't have sharp enough teeth," he stated, taking a step closer. He still stayed out of her reach, though. He was being cautious. He had to be so neither him or this she-dog got hurt in a useless fight.
"Humans use knives if they can't unhook it. I would help, but I don't know if you would like that or not," he said, amusement playing in his brown and blue eyes. His tail began to wag as he waited. He had a small plan, but he doubt it would work. He couldn't wait for the rest of the team to wake up. He wanted to meet them.
"Oh, by the way, my name is Kisaragi. I'm a stray that travels these parts," he said. His ears perked as he heard something. Twisting his head, he noticed a fox sniffing around a tree a few yards away. It was ignoring them and even if it wasn't, it wouldn't be too inclined to get near a pack of dogs.
Stern nodded. She had met a pit bull once before, and as he had said, they had far sharper teeth. She knew in the back of her mind that it wouldn't work, so she gave up trying to work through the harness holding her back.
"How do you propose getting this thing off of me, since you are so smart?" She wanted out of this thing, right now. It had started rubbing, chafing at her skin.
"Hello, Kisaragi. Thank you for coming and visiting, anyway. I am known as Stern." She watched the fox behind him with interest, it seemed that all they had in this bleak landscape was a stray dog.
"Just hold still. This stuff may not break, but if you try hard enough, we can stretch it. If we can stretch it enough, you can wiggle yourself out of it," he stated, padding over. He sniffed the strap that was near her shoulder. He carefully grabbed it in between his draws. He began tugging backwards, ears laying back on his head. He had his teeth bared a bit, but only out of frustration.
"Pull the other way," he stated, his voice a bit muffled from the strap. Hen glanced at her. She was a pretty dog. She kind of reminded him of Ginger, but with a different fur color. His eyes clouded in sadness with that thought. He blinked, hiding his emotions. He need to concentrate. After a few minutes, the strap was stretched a few good inches. "One down, a few more to go," he stated, letting go of the now stretched strap.
Blue's eyes flickered open, and his sides slowly lived up and down in a so what rhythmic motion. Blinking away some stray strands of snow he yawned and stood up, shaking the snow from his paws. He hated the cold, and the wet. In fact, he loathed it. Licking some snow from his paw pads he grumbled something to himself and looked around. Flinching as he noticed Atern, and a stranger.
Bearing his fangs Blue padded back and raised his hackles, each one of his guard hairs bristling with life as if they had minds of their owns. "Who are you?" he growled backing off, thankfully there was no dogs behind him, or they would have a very painful awakening. Especially from a dog his size and weight. He narrowed his ice blue eyes which were like chips or glass and flattened his pointed ears.
Stern nodded and complied, moving away from the stray, straining as hard as she ever had to pull a sled. As Blue woke up behind her and started growling, she rolled her eyes at Kisaragi, "Don't mind Blue. He can be mean if he wakes up cold and stiff." She looked over at Blue, "Cool it, Blue. He's helping us get out of these danged harnesses, or would you rather stay tied up here for your entire life?" She strained again at her restraint, stretching the strap another few centimeters, "He's okay, Blue. Don't worry." Her shoulders bunched up, and she gave one last heave, tearing the harness apart at the stitching.
Shaking herself, she looked at her team and Kisaragi, "Thank you again. I'd better go help Blue with this." She approached the swing dog, "Here, I'll hold, you pull the other direction." She grabbed a bit of the leather between her teeth and held on, grinding her teeth together.
Kisaragi smiled and sat down, watching as the she-dog helped the swing dog known as Blue. "I'm Kisaragi. I kept watch on you guys all night in case a predator came. Its dangerous falling asleep out in the open like that," he stated, looking at the rest of the dogs. He waited for the rest to wake up so he could help them. He didn't feel like waking them up rudely.
He snorted and went to the sled part. He sniffed it and flinched a bit. He sniffed it again and backed away. "I smell blood. Is your human okay?" he asked, looking at Blue and Stern. He had a slightly concerned look. Sure, his human hadn't treated him right, but that doesn't mean theirs didn't treat them right.
Yet another dog's form appeared in the cold and wetness of the snow. She was curled up a few feet from the sled, for that was as far as she could go. This form belonged to none other than the Malamute female named Naleigh. Being that she needed space and time to gather her thoughts, the sable canine chose to sleep away from the team. Her body had tremors running down her spine, trying to warm up Naleigh, and because there was an overwhelming sense of emotion she felt.
Mr. Brisyen was gone.
All Naleigh had left was the team, and that thought made her feel somewhat isolated. At times, this girl could be vicious to the other dogs and she wondered if their bond would last very much longer. Without the harnesses, all the dogs could be free and go their seperate ways. The problem was, where would they all go to?
Naleigh rose to her wide paws and gave a yawn and a stretch. She best find out what was going on closer to the sled. The Malamute female padded towards Stern, Blue, and another dog that she didn't know. Naleigh sat in the snow next to Blue, for they were the only two Swing dogs, and her tail curled upwards on her back naturally. The canine female arrived just as this Kisaragi introduced himself. Naleigh sighed and shook her head. She was forced to be social if she ever wanted to live and slowly piece her life back together.
"I'm Naleigh," she murmured, "Sadly, he's dead. The only thing that we can do is try to get the heck out of here before we all freeze to death, starve, or get eaten ourselves. Oh, I forgot to say 'good morning', so Good Morning everyone!" the sable female said sarcastically. If she were human, Naleigh would be crossing her arms and an indignant expression would be on her face. Then she remembered that she had to be nice, even if only for a little while. "Uh...I'm sorry. Things just aren't the best right now. Forgive my behavior." Naleigh let her eyes wander to the ground for a moment. Then, the female looked up and watched the surrounding dogs again. She would be quiet until she decided her imput would be needed. Though that might be a struggle for Naleigh considering how she normally interacted with those around her.
Blue flicked his ears towards Narleigh. He liked her, a considerable amount. Though he liked almost all female dogs, and pups. He loved pups. Blue looked at the strange dog who was calling himself Kisragi, well something like that. "Yes, he is dead. Shot. Gone" Blue barked angrily his almost flattened neck fur rising once again. He shot Stern a complicated look from the corner of his eye.
What was she doing? Why was she stretching his harness? He was fine in it. Why did he need to get out? "Kisragi, or what ever your name is" Blue began "Where is the nearest place of civilization? You know humans." he barked wagging his curled tail from side to side.
Kisaragi looked at the other she-dog known as Naleigh and then at Blue. He snorted. "Well that is sad to hear," he stated before he went over to Naleigh. He grabbed her harness in between his teeth. "We got to get you guys out of the harnesses. You can get caught up in something and die out here," he stated as he began to pull at it. He dug his paws deep into the loose snow. He couldn't get a good grip.
His ears perked as the dog made a comment of civilization. He blinked, thinking. "There hasn't been humans here for years. Its too wild now. There are remains of them, though. An old barn isn't too far away. And about a days and a half travel, there is an abandoned shack. Its good to stay in during a blizzard," he stated, although it was muffled a bit from the harness. He felt the other dog's fur tickle his nose, making him want to sneeze, but he didn't.
Stern blinked her eyes rapidly as they started speaking of their owner. She didn't want to hear this, she couldn't handle living with it again and again. Mr. Brisyen had saved her, in more ways than one, and now he was gone... gone for good. Straining, she backed away from Blue, his harness still in her tightly clenched teeth. When she had gone as far as she could, she unclenched her teeth and looked mildly at Blue, no hint of her hurt in her eyes, "You could help. There are no people here, you heard Mr. Brisyen. We haven't seen anyone anyway, so our best bet is to get out of these harnesses and find a way to get... wherever we need to go."
Naleigh pulled the other way out of the harness as she was told. She wasn't going to become some sitting duck or edible treat for Jack Frost. Naleigh's strap had to be tightened a little more than the rest of the team's because she had a slightly bigger build. However, the Malamute female backed her way out of it with Kisargai's help. Naleigh went tumbling backwards in a heap, and she sighed heavily. "Great. I'm free now," she murmured. The female got up and dusted herself off. "Thanks, bro," she said. Naleigh wagged her curved tail for a quick second and then looked out over the snow.
It was going to be an interesting journey that was for sure. They had better bust a move, and quick. Naleigh began to pad off in the direction she thought that would be the right way. Stopping short though, Naleigh looked over broad shoulder and smacked her lips with some impatience. "Are we ready to go? We're burnin' daylight here." To the Malamute, it sure felt good to be relieved of that burden of a harness. It was like she was shedding the remnants of her old life off and starting a new one. In some cases that was good, in others, Naleigh didn't know what to expect.
Blue looked at Naleigh, she was free now it was his turn. Standing up, with Stern's help he managed to wriggle out of the leather death seat and fell backwards onto a mound of snow, getting snow up both his eyes, in his hears and in his eyes. Lifting his head up Blue sneezed and shook his head, not fancying much have g cold insides as well as outsides. Shivering he hauled himself onto his paws and yawned.
Looking at Stern hiding her sadness panged at his heart for he could see how sad she was just though her body language. Blue looked at his paws hoping not to sadden her any farther and whimpered slightly. It was a somewhat pitiful noise to come out of one such mouth. Considering the size of him you would have thought he wasn't that so
Py but no, Blue was as zippy as anything. "What about the rest of the team Naleigh? We cant just leave them"
Stern shook her head and pulled as Blue wriggled free, then watched Naleigh pad off. She called after the malamute, "Maybe waiting for the rest of the team would be our best pet, Naleigh." It wasn't a suggestion, as much as the wording implied that. Her voice hinted at the command hidden underneath, the right given to her by her position in the team. She saw Blue whining and wagging his tail and tried to reassure her team mate, "It will be okay. Don't worry, we will survive." She didn't add the last two words, but they echoed ominously in her mind, I hope.
Aw man. Once again, Naleigh let her impatience get the best of her. She was always ready to go, ready to get things done. She was also more than ready to get away from this...dreadful scene. The smells of her deceased owner were still very apparent to her nose and just looking at his dead body made Naleigh slightly nauseous. The Malamute female was brought to her haunches and she looked at her fluffy, wet paws. She would wait for the rest of the team. At least for a little while. The femme did as she was asked, and wasn't bothered by Blue's comment. But when Stern told her again basically to 'stay' with a more commanding inflection, like a human would, that ruffled her feathers a little bit. The sable female snorted and rolled her eyes slightly.
Naleigh was a dog who normally always spoke her thoughts. Her words were usually spiteful, sarcastic, and had a sharp sting to them. At the current moment she thought:
'Goody Goody Stern. You can't always tell me what to do just because you were two paw steps in front of me on the sled. I'm not deaf, and I heard what Blue said. Enough of this trying to boss me around. One more comment like that and I'll...'
However, Naleigh's words weren't quite the same. "Okay, okay. I get it," she grumbled. If she were a human child at this time, the Malamute would have stomped one of her feet, crossed her arms, and put her nose in the air. Naleigh had to learn a little self-control because fighting between the team would do more harm than good. But that didn't mean that this canine would like it.
A bullet shot is all that remains in Chuck's mind.
The snow buried him into a perfectly formed hole. The warmth from it spread through out his large complex. Chuck opened his eyes to notice a stranger standing, standing a bit too close for his likings. Chuck jumped up yapping like a chihuahua with a back and forwards motion. He barred his teeth showing the stranger nobody messes with this youngster. Chuck took his eyes of the stranger for a instant second and glanced over to Blue. Chuck looked up to Blue and usually copied him in everything he did, his role-model.
In a split second Chuck lost his confidants and flew behind Blue. Well tried before being tucked with extreme force back to his beginning location. He was still in harness and without thinking Chuck slid out of his harness from the bottom with extraordinary speed and bolted behind Blue his tail between his legs. Chuck noticed Blue whimpering and without thinking Chuck copied. Not knowing exactly why he was just the fact that Blue was doing meant Chuck had to as well. He noticed Stern also whimpering. The youngster glanced around only to come across a body dead on the silky snow.
Mr. Brisyen.
Chuck looked ahead to realize Naleigh was ahead of the group standing there like she was frozen. He let her be but this stranger, who was it. Blue would finish him off. Chuck thought with a smirk on his face.
Chuckling slightly as Chuck, the youngster of the group bolted behind him Blue pressed his body against the pups. Comforting him as he whimpered. "I was never saying we wouldn't survive was I?" Blue growled slightly, wagging his black and White tail and letting a yawn spread across his maw, pulling back his lips and sticking his tongue out to show his fangs. Scenting the air, he could smell that Mr. Brisyen wasnt the only thing to succumb a death on this trip, and looking around him, he noticed the sleigh that they had once pulled was on a slight tilt. As if something was holding it up...as if something was wedged underneath it. Something his size.
Getting a slightly alarmed feeling riding from the pit of his stomach Blue padded over towards the mount. Fear Rose up in his chest as he realised that his sister, Red was one of the dogs at the back of the team and prayed it wasn't her. Unfortunately, it was. Digging his frozen paw pads in the bloodied snow near the sled Blue found the old carcass of a dead dog. The fur was a russet red colour, stoked with blood from where the sleigh hit and stunk of Blue's sister Red. "No..." Blue whimpered nuzzling the body and dragging it from under the sledge. Seeing his sister this way made him cringe. She was so...lifeless...so...cold. "Red...Red please wake up..." Blue whimpered nuzzling his sisters sides which were unmoving. No respond. Turning around Blue lifted his muzzle to the sky and howled, a mournful long howl. Much like a wolf's yet more chilling and sorrowful. "She's dead..." he murmured.
Stern sighed as Naleigh came back. She had said the wrong thing again. Somehow, stress tended to do that to her. She couldn't try to make things right at this time, though, because Chuck had just woken up. She watched with slight amusement as the pup ran to hide behind Blue. She wagged her tail gently at the pup, "It will be okay, Chuck, we will get over this." She watched as Blue dug under the sled and felt a sense of shock as she saw the russet fur. Padding up to Blue, she pressed her coat against his pelt in a silent show of support. She had liked Red, the dog had always been well spoken and polite, and Stern felt her loss deeply.
Deadened intonations gradually seeped through the barrier of her trance, that blank ice blue stare of hers gazing languidly into the farthest reaches of the snowy wasteland. It seemed almost as if the tundra's blinding alabaster expanse was slowly confining the Utonagan, to the point where she felt like she was choking amidst its shroud. All of it was far too surreal to be substantial, and reality crashed harder against her than the thick snowfall that pelted her rich-toned pelage. The human that she had just started growing attached to had been murdered point-blank, and not the slightest hint of the perpetrator could be discerned from the chilled gales of wind. And now, if she didn't find a way to attach herself to these dogs that were practically strangers to her, she was as good as dead. The murky black waters of her pupil that surrounded the ice that was her eyes dilated as denial was whisked away on the wind and her breathing increased in the beginnings of a panic attack. I can't be alone out here! They can't leave me here! She fretted inwardly, as hysteria began to eat away at her. Composure, Ette. Hysteria is weakness. Just relax, Etoile chanted to herself in her head, and forced the hyperventilating to surcease permanently. The canine had spent a nearly sleepless night just staring into the distance as if answers could be found; in the swirls of snow that curled through her tendrils of fur, or painted in midnight hues on the canvas of twilit sky. But no, nothing came to mind-- no insight or sense of solace could be found. So perhaps she was as good as dead whether she continued to lay there, or attempted to tag along. However, Ataciara didn't trust a hair on any of their pelts, and wasn't about to anytime soon. And with sudden alarm, she ensnared a most unfamiliar aroma that belonged to an entirely new canine. How was it that this dog could not only survive these conditions, but thrive in a place such as this? The female didn't dare turn to face the rest of the team though, she simply wasn't ready to. For now the harness was the only thing that kept her clinging to fortitude, and even then, her eyes were brightened in dread. No dog could see her face, she feared, for there was too great a cost for showing vulnerability in a land where mercy was unheard of, and the word 'hope' wasn't spoken on any tongue. But she knew she had to move then, for she heard a voice of impatience. Ever so slowly she shifted her weight and withdrew her paws out from under her, with numb, lethargic movements. Her appendages quivered as she gained her footing, and her broad head snapped sharply in the direction of the team-- only to see many of them had freed themselves from their harnesses. Up to this point, she hadn't told a single dog her name, even, but figured it was about time she did. The Utonagan put on her confident face and strutted over to the group as far as her lead would allow her. After all, she was in the Wheel Dog position, stationing her furthest away from the rest of the canines. Unlike her, one of the dogs there might have an idea of a silver lining to their situation. Ataciara scratched in exasperation at her harness, feeling the material digging into her skin with great vexation. She’d find her way out; she always seemed to. She noted with her ears drawn the lifeless figure of one of her fellow sled-dogs, and gave the slightest swoop of her head in sympathy towards the grieving male and regarded the situation with a sheepish, awkward confliction scrawled clearly on her countenance. “Well… guess this isn’t a good time to celebrate the team’s well being, then? I would suggest trying to scrounge up some prey, but I doubt there’s any to be found in this godforsaken land. However, I do have a plan—it won’t go far, but at least some of us may be well-fed. Perhaps the musher has some food in his sled? If we can salvage anything, we could feed it to the pup first, then perhaps to whoever here is feeling the weakest. That is, if there is anything there.” Her blatantly and totally detached words exemplified her lack of experience, and lack of warmth towards the dogs and the musher, but she was merely straying from the risk of getting caught up in emotion rather than figuring out ways to survive. Perhaps the new dog knows something about survival out here, I may not know these dogs well, but I know for a fact he wasn’t part of the team, she mused to herself, and gaped expressionlessly at the canines before her. Ataciara took to struggling in her harness once more, careful to remain a distance away from the dogs just in case they decided to lash out at her words. It was surprising how adept she was at hiding her sentiments, but perhaps that was due to the practice she had in doing so.
Starjumper watched everything going on around her without really noticing it. This was bad, just bad. She whimpered softly at the thought of being out here with only the team for companions and they had already lost one. Starjumper slowly joined the rest of the team and asked, "What are we going to do?" The female had not really been paying attention, but now that the real world had come rushing back to her she needed to pay attention or die. The young female looked at the rest of the team. She didn't really know them all that well outside of the sled. She had mostly kept to herself and let Stern take charge. He was the lead dog and Starjumper was just a regular team member.
She waited for instructions and hoped that they could get back to people and soon. She wondered what would happen hwen they made their journey for there would be a journey. That much Starjumper knew, but what happened on the way depeneded on Stern and the rest of the team. Teamwork was needed and so they had to follow orders carefully so as not to get left behind or killed. I have to push on. We all do. If we don't we may never survive. The female thought sadly to herself.
Naleigh waited where she was, just looking around and minding her own business at that moment. She was maintaining her patience to the best of her ability. No snide remarks came out of her lips and no more impatient words came out either. For once. Naleigh just listened to what everyone else had to say and kept her mouth shut. Evidently her trying to rally the team was unsuccessful. Despite the fact that she wanted to get out of here, and find her way back to the humans and her home, she was going to have to deal with the rest of the team. They would have to take whatever came up against them in strides as a whole, well-functioning group. The team was trying to pull themselves together still, and she just realized this. Naleigh wasn't big on pups but her tail wagged silently as she watched as Chuck scrambled up next to Blue. He seemed like a fiery little creature, and probably would be when he grew up too. That is if he made it to be an adult.
The mood turned from somewhat light to completely dreary within a matter of a few seconds. Yet another discovery of a body was made, and it was Blue's sister. Wow, he must be going through the hardest time of all of them. The rest of the team had only lost their owner, he had lost his owner and a litter mate. He was drawing a hand lately. Naleigh stood up and padded over to her team mate. She knew Blue considerably well since they were the only two swing dogs and constantly ran side by side whenever hitched to the strange sled contraption. The Malamute female went to the opposite side of Blue, the side that Stern wasn't on, and brushed up against him as well. When the male canine sent his lament to the sky, Naleigh gave a small one of her own as well. It was sweet and soft and sounded like a flowing OwWooWooWooWowWowWoo. The sable female's howl ended lowly, and echoed off the trees as it died.
Naleigh sat down heavily, making a large imprint in the snow, and glanced at the female called Etoile. Her plan of searching the sled was a good idea. The Malamute femme nodded slowly, hopefully they could find food there, and then that Kisaragi dog could lead them to shelter like he proposed in the first place. But Naleigh decided that she wasn't going to be the one to go digging around though. Being near her once live owner made her cringe and sent tremors all through her frame. She would wait until someone else stepped up to the plate on that one.
Stern remained quietly in her mark watching as the dogs searched for remnants of food. The was a dim chance of them finding any food. The trip their master has taken was only a leisurely journey one he would usefully pack without food. But still Stern hoped for some sort of food. The dog known as Etoile was showing leadership even though Stern was completely unaware of who this dog was. Stern scurried over to the sled and gracefully jumped onto the sled bag within one bound. Stern began chewing vigorously into the tough fabric her large canines ripping the fabric off the pale red bag. Suddenly Stern heard a faint beeping noise and dug her nose into the bag, pulling out a red and blue wired contraption. She flew from the sled and landed herself on the ground she dropped the bow carefully. From a close distance Stern investigated it. She watched as symbols on it were changing they meant nothing to her however the beeping sound was one very irritating. Stern lifted her head "Everybody get over here I think I found something!" Stern stepped way to allow the rest of the dogs to look upon it. Stern turned her head to the left and saw Red's motionless body she slowly walked away from the box and went to nudge her but knew there was no point. All too quickly the irritating beeping sound became louder and quicker. Stern turned her head to it what was it?
It was somewhat comfort g when the two females Stern and Narleigh came and brushed their pelts with his. Yet in another way he wanted to just be left alone. Whimpering slightly Lue pricked his ears up as he heard the annoying beeping. Turning around, he spotted what was making the racket, and what was interrupting his grieving. At least it gave him something else to think about. What was it. Sniffing it Blue blinked. "Everybody get back!" He barked in alarm, realising what it was. When Blue was a puppy him, his sister and his old owner used to sit down and watch films together. He had seen one of these before. It made things explode. Set them on fire. Killed them. Whimpering slightly Blue turned to the rest of the group. "This is what humans call a bomb. Unless we get rid of it. I will explode!" he barked flattening his ears back. Was this mean to happen? Was this the end. "From the looks of it, we have four minutes left. I can...go and find somewhere to put it. If you all shelter aw from it. I can make it to the horizon. The bomb should explode there while I'm running back. It would be safe, if all of you wait here. I'm only a swing dog. I'm not important. We need all of you guys.." Blue murmured picking up the beeping this in his mouth, and getting ready for Sterns approval.
Chuck watched from a distance as all the drama took place. He turned around and became more interested in a snowflake. Biteing it down with a large chomp he stared around as he noticed the snowflake disappear. He raised his head into the air and realized hundreds were falling from the sky. Chuck turned his head again to see Blue carrying a large object in his mouth with colored wires shoot out of them. Chuck ran over to Blue and stood right next to him preparing to run. I hope we get to run. Chuck thought to himself and Chuck began leaping in the air with excitement. I stood still waiting for Blue approvment.