Reveries of a Loner (open)

[Sawyer]

Aspen wasn't sure what to say. He hadn't had this much excitment in his life since he and Echo were seperated. First the deer hunt, then the pack of dogs, the killing, and now this guy asking for their help. At this point Aspen just wanted a nap.
His light brown eyes looked over at Goldie and back to the Dane. He met his gaze and studied him for a moment before closings his eyes. With a heavy sigh he shook his golden brown head thinking 'What the hell am I going to get myself into now,' before asking, "What kind of help?"

[Amon]

The blue Dane smiled and dipped his head, "I am in your debt, kind sir." Goldie oddly felt that she was more comfortable being quiet for now. She was very happy that Aspen agreed to help the poor guy, he seemed really troubled about something.

Cerule was overjoyed. He didn't know how to thank these two dogs. "I am searching for someone." He answered simply. "Someone very special to me." His blue eyes softened its usual density as he spoke, "I met a certain female named 'Joy' and I have been searching for her ever since. I think about her all the time. I wonder if she is OK, or where she is..." He looked away, "It's rather difficult because I have never seen her face..."

"How romantic..." Goldie said softly, He won't stop until he finder her. Poor guy, "We will definitely help you in any way we can, right Aspen?" She was suddenly excited and looking forward traveling with these two dogs.

"Excellent." Cerule's claws tentatively pawed the dirt. He glanced back at Rex and King, both were still. Never to rise again. "I'm glad you said that. The reason is that I am not a good tracker nor a hunter, thus I... it became rather difficult for me to travel." He looked back at Aspen and Goldie. "That's why I was traveling with those two in the first place. I didn't like it, but there was no other way for me to survive. I had to go along with those two for the sake of finding Joy. They weren't those harmless bumbling imbeciles you may think they were. Those two rose hell in human cities and committed many crimes." He looked down and looked very ashamed. "And I went along with it all... All for Joy..." Cerule looked up, I can't believe I spoke so much... "I hope this does not change your opinion of me and cause you to distrust me..."

[Sawyer]

((OOC - call me psychic, but somehow i knew it was going to have something to do with Joy ^^))

Aspen wasn't expecting this from the large Dane with the cold voice that just killed two dogs in front of his eyes. But his request struck something inside him, something familiar. "Well, I'm a decent tracker and hunter enough. I..we will do everthing we can to help you." Aspen looked thoughtfully at the ground as if counting the grass as his mind wandered to somewhere else. "I know what it's like to be searching for someone. I may not have stooped to their level," he looked over at the bodies of the dogs,"but I can understand how desperate you can get when a search seems hopeless." Aspen cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Well, I think we should fill up and get going if we're going to find Joy." He turned to go back to the carcass that was probably cold by now, but paused and glanced back at the Dane. "Oh, I just remembered, we haven't made introductions. It's hard to travel with with someone when you don't know their name. I'm Aspen, what do they call you stranger?"

[Amon]

(OoC:: PHYSCIC!!! )

If his tail allowed it, Cerule would have wagged that burdensome appendage. Some how I knew these were the dogs to help me out. He smirked. "Excellent, Aspen, I am Cerule." he paused. "And... my friends call me CC."

"Well, CC, welcome to the pack! I am Goldie," She dipped her head. "Your lucky you got Aspen on your side, you should have seen him get that doe's butt down. It was amazing. Never seen a dog do that before. Not only that but he's a great teacher." She smiled at him, "Plus an awsome friend!"

Cerule was overwhelmed. "Ahem" he cleared his throat. "Well, alright then. Aspen, I agree, we will be needing our energy to continue." He slowly walked over to the large pile of meat. Gently lowering himself to the ground, he winced a few times before he settled down. Surprisingly, he ate with manners. Not a scrap fell from his mout as the chewed his food, not even drool was a problem for the regal dane.

Goldie looked at Aspen and shrugged. "Well, I am ready to eat too." She sat next to a leg and took a hold of its leg to give it a good shake. The carcass hit Cerule in the face, causing him to choke.

[Sawyer]

((OOC - MAN! you never make this easy for me. how the hell does a dog help a choking dog??))

His life just could never be easy. Aspen was enjoying his deer shoulder meat when he felt it jerking around. He rose to his feet immediately in surprise and cried "Holy sheep it's still alive!?" Then he looked over and realized it was just Goldie's antics and calmed down. That is, until he noticed a choking CC. "Oh my Dog, choking Dane!"

Aspens mind was going a mile a minute when he remebered something. When he was a pup, his older brother found a walnut and it got stuck in his windpipe. His dad saved him using the...Heinrich...the geriatric....the pinata stick? Whatever it was called, he remebered what his father did, of course the size differences are reversed in this situation, but he thought he could make it work.

"Nobody panic!" Aspen uttered this in false hope, but was more focused on saving a life. He loped back about five feet from the choking dog and yelled, "Hang on CC!" He lowered his head down and ran, closing the distance between himself and the place no male wants to be near on another male. Thankfully, his near blind aim landed him right where he wanted to be, and he butted his head directly below Cerule's ribcage, hard.

[Amon]

Goldie had no idea of the chaos she had caused. She was busy tearing away the animals hide to get to its soft flesh. Her teeth were chewing on a hefty slice when she looked up to see Cerule, her new buddy, hacking and struggling. Then, Aspen ran full force on his three legs and rammed into his ribs. A loud muffled metallic noise sounded.

Cerule barely felt the blow. He manage to cough and a hunk of flesh went flying out and landed on the ground not too far off with a soft plop.

Once CC got the air back into his body he spoke raggedly, "What .....the ....hell... Were you ... thinking?! Look at what you have done to me?"

Goldie was shocked. What did I do?"I-I don't understand... What did I do?"

"What did you do?... Never mind..." Cerule's cold blue eyes looked away from her innocent golden orbs. He found Aspen and felt he needed to thank him, "Thanks... for saving me." his pride caused a slight sour taste in his mouth.

[Sawyer]

Aspen felt the impact from hitting Cerule tremor down his spine, he'd hit something hard alright and it sounded strangely metallic. When his ears stopped ringing, he heard Cerule's voice, and it was speaking to Goldie in a tone he wasn't sure he liked. Aspen stood up clumsily and shook his head to get the last effects of the blow out of his head when he heard the Dane thank him with swallowed pride.

"No problem," he said unusually blunt. The Leonberger mix siddled up beside the blue dane and spoke in a low tone so Goldie wouldn't hear. "Go easy on her CC. I haven't known her that long, but she seems to have a slight tendency to act without thinking. I know she doesn't mean any harm though and you just need to be patient."

Aspen looked over at Goldie before he continued. "Now look, I not sure what I hit when I saved you, but it was more than flesh and bone. I'm not forcing you to tell me any more about you than you wish, but just know I can't trust you completely if your not straight with me."

When he finished, he limped over to Goldie before CC could say anything. He sat down next her and said gently, "I know you didn't mean to make him choke." He paused and chuckled a little, "But you know, since I met you, I have more excitement than I've had in a long time." He just looked into her golden eyes and gave her a warm smile.

[Amon]

Cerule listened to what Aspen had to say. He closed his eyes, ...Did I make a good decision in choosing them? This one has nearly killed me, and I haven't known her for an hour yet. The steady blue dog looked back at him. "Very well, I will make a note to be a bit more gentle with her the next time I'm angry..." The ice began to melt around his heart, "I'm sorry, Goldie, I just... I have been rather... Stressed lately."

Goldie had her head down until now. Her ears perked up at 'sorry'. "Oh no, it's okay, really," she said a bit hurriedly, "If anything it's my fault. I was the one who... foolishly caused you to choke." Her fuzzy black blue head lowered slightly.

CC nodded and licked the roof of his mouth. His throat felt funny, but he knew he needed the energy to move onward so he began to eat again.

Goldie grinned at Aspen, "You always know just how to pick me up, eh?" she playfully nudged and licked at him.

Cerule watched them as he ate. They are so... easy with eachother... he was rather puzzled, his head cocking to one side.

[Sawyer]

Aspen felt good, he was glad CC apologized to Goldie, he was being kind of harsh to her. He felt her nudge him, but when she licked him he almost blushed. 'This is like it was with Echo, before her mother was killed. I like Goldie, and it isn't like Echo thought of us as more than friends. But still...Oh knock it off you idiot, she was probably just being nice. She said it herself, I'm an awesome friend.'

Aspen nudged her back and said "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't. Now enough goofing off, we need to fuel up if we're going to look for Joy. Hopefully without any more choking incidents." He eyed Goldie jokingly.

He settled back down to his meal and chewed thoughtfully at the cold flesh of the doe, his mind waffleing thoughts of Echo and Goldie.

((Boy, males and their raging hormones. Not even Aspen can keep his mind off of girls. tsk tsk, what am I gonna do with him. Don't worry his mealtime thoughts aren't dirty he's no sicko. lol))

[Amon]

Goldie stared at Cerule before going to eat. "Yes?" he asked slowly. "Just making sure you're alright!" she smiled and ducked behind the carcass to eat.

CC snorted and went back eating. "Man, this sure is tasty! Thanks again, Aspen!" Goldie said from somewhere. "Oh and you too, Cerule, you know for protecting us!" The dane gulped down a mouthful. He was flabbergasted, no one had ever said thank you for killing two dogs.

Oops, that came out wrong. Goldie noticed when she heard a wierd swallowing noise. "erm... You are... Welcome." his deep voice cracked.

Goldie burted into laughter.

[Sawyer]

A another moutful disappeared down Aspen's throat, he was glad Goldie was being more careful. He heard her thank himm frm somewhere behind the carcass and he chuckled and said "Hey, you caught it, I just broke it's neck," and returned to eating.

What she said next surprised him, 'Not the words I'd choose.' Aspen wondered if CC thought the same thing because he heard the Dane swallow awkwardly. 'Oh no, he's not gonna choke again is he?' Cerule croaked out response that made Goldie laugh. It was so infectious, Aspen started and ended up rolling on the ground.

"Gonna be alright there, CC? Or do you need the Heimlich again?" Aspen finally stopped laughing. "Well I can't eat another bite, when you guys are finished we can get going."

[Amon]

If the big blue dog could, he prpbobly would be blushing red right about now. "Ahem." trying to salvage his lost dignity, Cerule cleared his throat. "I-I agree Aspen," ignoring his other comments, "We will most definetly leave after we have all had our fill." I know I just repeated what he just said, but I needed to say something to not seem like a complete idoit! he tried to reason with himself. CC went back to cautiously eating, it was getting difficult for him to eat for some awkward reason.

The dark blue dog began to roll on the ground herself at Aspen's comment. Whats a 'Heimlich'?Goldie's laughs subsided. "Wow, that was great, really CC." she chuckled and sighed, "Classic." It felt great to make a memory with these two dogs. A few more bites and she was completely satiated. Goldie rested on her back, a belly round with food. "Oh man, I'm stuffed!" she exhaled, content, "That was great." A small nap sounded pretty good right about now.

Cerule noticed Goldie lounging. He opened his mouth, about to critizie her for lazing about when he thought for a moment; Now now, CC, be nice. "Goldie," he said his usual deep voice, "Do you wish to rest before we head out?"

"Huh?" Goldie said shortly, "It's cool we can leave in about.... Now." she took three tries getting to her feet. "Okie dokie, lets go." With a burp walked a few steps before stopping. "Which way do we go?"

[shenkka]

((I can join, right? :D))

Shenkka ran from tree branch to tree branch, with her friend Firedrake running beside the trees, complaining as usual. "Where are you going? Can't we just stop and sleep? I'm still hungry. We haven't eaten in foreeveer.." He whined. Shenkka rolled her eyes.

"Fine! Dear lord." she said as she looked downwards. Suddenly, she couldn't feel the branch under her. Stupid! never take your eyes off the course! she thought, quoting what her angry mentor always told her. Shenkka fell on her side, winded. "Ha! I knew that would happen someday!" Firedrake laughed. "Shut up and go find some food, okay?" Shenkka moaned.

Firedrake stood up and trotted away. Not too far after, he heard some voices. He steered towards their location, and when he was in plain sight, he said "Hello!" if Shenkka were here, she'd throw a fit. I wonder why. He thought. "We just kinda wa-" he stopped short. Firedrake stared at the dead dogs. "Woah, what happened here?" he said aloud. He was oblivious to the deer that was almost only a few feet away.

[Sawyer]

((OOC - NO YOU CAN"T LEAVE NOW! ha you know I'm kiddin shenkka. welcome! (gives a joking scowl) though you did push me down the order list... ;D)

Aspen looked at the new arrival, then to the dead dogs, and then to CC. "There was, a...mishap. Those dogs attacked us and tried to steal our food, but Cerule here came along and saved us." His father always taught him lieing was wrong, but in a sense what he said was the truth, this stranger didn't need to know that Cerule had been with the dead dogs.

"It seemed alot of trouble to move the deer away from here." Aspen stood up on his three legs and said politely, "My name is Aspen. Who are you?"

[Amon]

((OoC:: of course, Shenkka, this is an open thread! Besides the more the merrier!))

Goldie popped up from behind the deer. It took alot of effort, but it was worth it to see the new arrival. He seemed to come from nowhere. He doesn't seem to be an enemy... The flame red and orange dog had come from nowhere, yet he willingly stepped out and spoke, not a foe kind of thing to do. Besides he seems nice enough... her golden yellow eyes stared at the dead bodies of the fallen dog. Too bad he had to see those. Hope he doesn't think too bad of us. Maybe some food will make it up to him. Goldie decided to wait for the mystery dog to introduce himself before she did.

Cerule didn't like this, not even a little bit. This male had barged in, completely without any manners or respect. That dog had simply assumed that they weren't going to snap his neck for intruding on their kill. He is lucky, his blue eyes glanced at the bodies he had murdered in cold blood and then returned to the young orange male dog, If those two were around, they would urge me to hold him down as they ripped him up. As I told Aspen and Goldie, they really were nothing but trouble.

The great Dane stood proudly over their kill, he had one paw on its agape face, his large pads covering its eyes mouth and ears. He decided against speaking, his body would speak for itself. At least until the unknown one introduced himself.