Post by Sawyer on Sept 24, 2009 18:31:12 GMT -5
Dawn. A miracle of nature. A wonder to witness. An elegant beauty not uncommon to the earth, which causes it to be taken for granted by many. When the sun's rays crept across the landscape, the typical response was to turn away, shifting their body or shielding their face with a lethargic paw. It wasn't unheard of to blink drowsy eyes and curse the star for waking them with its unbearable light, wishing the night had enclosed them for longer to allow them more time to rest.
Then there are those who welcome its comforting glow, feeling the warmth on their pelts and gaze into its direction to take it in as if they'd never seen anything like it. Of course, not many are lucky enough to embrace the simple pleasure of life, to taste freedom as it came to them as quickly as the ground could pass beneath their paws.
This, at least, could be said for two strange figures that walked along the barren rock of Scarlett Edge, leaving their paw prints behind them without a second thought of where they had been. Perhaps if all you’ve been allowed to seen since your birth was the solid, gray, concrete floors and walls, the rusty chain-link gates of their run, the dark of the shadows in the building created by the lights overhead –the only source of light. It couldn’t come as a surprise how refreshing the scent of morning dew and the crisp morning air that swept from the sea to their flaring nostrils if all the scents they knew previously was of blood, alcohol, cigarettes, and death. In spite of their new found freedom, the memories of the past cannot easily be left behind and forgotten, like their prints on the dirt being blown away by the wind.
The pair that trotted effortlessly together, matching strides as they made their way further along the edge of the canyon. It was dangerous for them to be out in the open, they understood this well as they could be easily spotted, easily recognized, though at the same time they knew that they wouldn’t be easily taken. Once they had broken free from the pits of Hell, there was no going back without a fight.
Though their steps flowed together, their appearances and character emanating from their presence was different – from each other and everyone else.
The male was well sized, in frame and muscle that started from his face and traveled throughout his russet-brown body broken by scattered stripes to his tail. The pelt was thick in texture, harsh on the outside, yet soft in undercoat that trailed from his ears, legs and tail in feathered wisps. Though the framework was unmistakably saluki, the color, build, and fearless gaze suggested shepherd. Of course this could only be the half of his mix. As he carried himself, there was no hesitation as he strode forward, alert, but at the same time looking as if indifferent, it radiated confidence. A tiger on the prowl.
The female was quite different. Lean, yet toned, her appearance was deer-like, in more ways than one. Rich, golden hues made up the majority of her pelt, catching the sun and shining. White touched her face and ran its way along her chest and legs, rising onto her sides where they met black streaks on each. Black also ran down her eyes like tear-stains, nearly symmetrical on her face, as well as covering the entire length of the top of her tail. Unlike the male beside her, she didn’t show the same assurance, in fact no emotion showed on her face. The blank expression was almost bored, but if you looked closer in her eyes there was a sense of wariness. Her brown eyes flickered in multiple directions, almost too fast to see, yet it was as if she were watching out for the potential threats her companion was ignoring.
Despite their contrasts, though, one thing was common about their strange appearances, the shining objects that they wore on their heads and feet. The male’s muzzle was covered by a half mask, wrapping around his jaws and head, two sinister fangs fastened to it, parallel to his own that hid beneath his lips. Just as concealed, his forepaws were lost in what appeared to be some fashion of boot or glove, silver talons partially sticking out, half retracted within metal sheaths on the gloves. Both accessories menacing, coupling well with his striped pelt and stalking trot. The female had nothing on her paws or jaws, but most of her face was hidden within a helmet that covered her scalp and molded itself around her eyes. Two long horns stuck up from the rest of the metal, ridged along its length but ending in sharp points. It was unlikely that such thing had been seen around this area, if at all before.
Up ahead, the wall jutted out some from the rest of the rock, making a ledge of sorts protruding from the canyon. Slowing their gait, the canines approached it, the female falling back to let the male stand at the edge. Letting the wind disrupt his ears as it flowed between the steep walls like an invisible river, ruffling the feathers around his legs, he gazed off at some distant place locked within his memories. The thought lowered the corners of his mouth, and a sigh rolled from his lungs. Behind him, she waited, unmoving and unheard, her features unchanging as she understood where his mind had traveled and didn’t want to disturb him.
They had been travelling almost nonstop since the escape, their comrades dispersing from them along the way, either temporarily or permanently. It had been a long, hard journey to found their own land they could reside in and protect. Now as glanced around them, they seemed to agree that it rested quietly beneath their paws, unclaimed.
Finally, quiet words broke the silence between them, “I think the time to gather the others is has finally arrived, Tigre…” The suggestion came in from the throat of the female, spoken softly, her voice feminine, yet slightly gravely as if from lack of use. As a response, the striped male gave a curt nod, though he didn’t turn his head. Instead, his lips twitched before releasing two deep, sharp barks, followed by a loud, droning howl. Without waiting for instruction, the female joined in with her higher pitched bay. The sounds merged together, the product an eerie wail sure to give its listener chills up the spine. With the canyon aiding to carry it, the sound travelled for miles, repeated by its creators and echoing off the walls.
At last, they ceased, relaxing their posture in preparation for the wait that was to come. Once and a while their eyes met, but only briefly, given their appearance and aloof attitude towards each other it’s surprising to think that they shared blood. Brother and sister, at least by half, their father’s seed joining them on a genetic level. However, socially, they were almost no closer than strangers. The only time they ever spent together since their existence was their journey to the land they stood upon now, side by side.
Then there are those who welcome its comforting glow, feeling the warmth on their pelts and gaze into its direction to take it in as if they'd never seen anything like it. Of course, not many are lucky enough to embrace the simple pleasure of life, to taste freedom as it came to them as quickly as the ground could pass beneath their paws.
This, at least, could be said for two strange figures that walked along the barren rock of Scarlett Edge, leaving their paw prints behind them without a second thought of where they had been. Perhaps if all you’ve been allowed to seen since your birth was the solid, gray, concrete floors and walls, the rusty chain-link gates of their run, the dark of the shadows in the building created by the lights overhead –the only source of light. It couldn’t come as a surprise how refreshing the scent of morning dew and the crisp morning air that swept from the sea to their flaring nostrils if all the scents they knew previously was of blood, alcohol, cigarettes, and death. In spite of their new found freedom, the memories of the past cannot easily be left behind and forgotten, like their prints on the dirt being blown away by the wind.
The pair that trotted effortlessly together, matching strides as they made their way further along the edge of the canyon. It was dangerous for them to be out in the open, they understood this well as they could be easily spotted, easily recognized, though at the same time they knew that they wouldn’t be easily taken. Once they had broken free from the pits of Hell, there was no going back without a fight.
Though their steps flowed together, their appearances and character emanating from their presence was different – from each other and everyone else.
The male was well sized, in frame and muscle that started from his face and traveled throughout his russet-brown body broken by scattered stripes to his tail. The pelt was thick in texture, harsh on the outside, yet soft in undercoat that trailed from his ears, legs and tail in feathered wisps. Though the framework was unmistakably saluki, the color, build, and fearless gaze suggested shepherd. Of course this could only be the half of his mix. As he carried himself, there was no hesitation as he strode forward, alert, but at the same time looking as if indifferent, it radiated confidence. A tiger on the prowl.
The female was quite different. Lean, yet toned, her appearance was deer-like, in more ways than one. Rich, golden hues made up the majority of her pelt, catching the sun and shining. White touched her face and ran its way along her chest and legs, rising onto her sides where they met black streaks on each. Black also ran down her eyes like tear-stains, nearly symmetrical on her face, as well as covering the entire length of the top of her tail. Unlike the male beside her, she didn’t show the same assurance, in fact no emotion showed on her face. The blank expression was almost bored, but if you looked closer in her eyes there was a sense of wariness. Her brown eyes flickered in multiple directions, almost too fast to see, yet it was as if she were watching out for the potential threats her companion was ignoring.
Despite their contrasts, though, one thing was common about their strange appearances, the shining objects that they wore on their heads and feet. The male’s muzzle was covered by a half mask, wrapping around his jaws and head, two sinister fangs fastened to it, parallel to his own that hid beneath his lips. Just as concealed, his forepaws were lost in what appeared to be some fashion of boot or glove, silver talons partially sticking out, half retracted within metal sheaths on the gloves. Both accessories menacing, coupling well with his striped pelt and stalking trot. The female had nothing on her paws or jaws, but most of her face was hidden within a helmet that covered her scalp and molded itself around her eyes. Two long horns stuck up from the rest of the metal, ridged along its length but ending in sharp points. It was unlikely that such thing had been seen around this area, if at all before.
Up ahead, the wall jutted out some from the rest of the rock, making a ledge of sorts protruding from the canyon. Slowing their gait, the canines approached it, the female falling back to let the male stand at the edge. Letting the wind disrupt his ears as it flowed between the steep walls like an invisible river, ruffling the feathers around his legs, he gazed off at some distant place locked within his memories. The thought lowered the corners of his mouth, and a sigh rolled from his lungs. Behind him, she waited, unmoving and unheard, her features unchanging as she understood where his mind had traveled and didn’t want to disturb him.
They had been travelling almost nonstop since the escape, their comrades dispersing from them along the way, either temporarily or permanently. It had been a long, hard journey to found their own land they could reside in and protect. Now as glanced around them, they seemed to agree that it rested quietly beneath their paws, unclaimed.
Finally, quiet words broke the silence between them, “I think the time to gather the others is has finally arrived, Tigre…” The suggestion came in from the throat of the female, spoken softly, her voice feminine, yet slightly gravely as if from lack of use. As a response, the striped male gave a curt nod, though he didn’t turn his head. Instead, his lips twitched before releasing two deep, sharp barks, followed by a loud, droning howl. Without waiting for instruction, the female joined in with her higher pitched bay. The sounds merged together, the product an eerie wail sure to give its listener chills up the spine. With the canyon aiding to carry it, the sound travelled for miles, repeated by its creators and echoing off the walls.
At last, they ceased, relaxing their posture in preparation for the wait that was to come. Once and a while their eyes met, but only briefly, given their appearance and aloof attitude towards each other it’s surprising to think that they shared blood. Brother and sister, at least by half, their father’s seed joining them on a genetic level. However, socially, they were almost no closer than strangers. The only time they ever spent together since their existence was their journey to the land they stood upon now, side by side.