Beyond These Walls [joining thread]

[Sawyer]

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.

[Gomez]

<sub>Early in the morning was not his particular time to be awake. This Doberman was more of the type who would like to sleep in. Being a leader of his former pack, he had that advantage. Why did he even desert that land in the first place? As much as he would've wished to have a few select moments to rest his strained eyes once more, resting over that which was required was a wish for departing into the next world. His plan was to atleast become pack leader again, but this time to take it by force, proving that he could be as powerful as his great-great grandfather, Sniper. Sadly, he never accomplished his dreams, so Sabbath wanted to give him his wish in power, by taking that place. In that manner, Sniper could look down upon him, and grow a mischevious smirk on his maw. The aspect of death never came across Sabbarh with a goal in mind.

The light wind beat against his leather armor, the straps wrapped firmly around his chest and stomach. The leather itself wouldn't move, though it could move with his body with flexibility. He could remember clearly about his fighting life with the pitiful excuse called a master. Dogs being beaten because they didn't do something right. As far as Sabbath was concerned, if the job was done, that was all that was important. However, no point in to think about that life. That was then, this is now.

Eye evalutation for this morning. His vision was somewhat well. He could make out the horizon, the shrubs surrounding him. Any creatures nearby, the graceful colors creeping over the horizon. However, all browns, greens and blacks all merged in with each other, making everything look like a dull landscape. Atleast he had all other senses there to guide him when in doubt.

One ear twitched quickly to his right, hearing the faint quirks of two barks. Then came the howl. Due to the effects of the canyon, it sounded like some odd creature was making it's way past the canyon walls. Though he could easily tell what made the sounds. Giving his past with being in packs, it was somewhat of a beckoning, formal call. Either a pack was gathering it's members, or looking. Either way, it was a benefit for Sabbath. Maybe his search could be over now. It depended if these dogs were worth it, or they were weaklings, like the formal pack. He didn't want another 'Myanmar' on his tail, or to deal with youngsters who needed to be mended into shape.

As he could sense the sun rising, and the land began to rise in temperature, he started padding to the direction of the sounds. His paws began to ache, and his over grown claws sprained themselves from impact with the ground. Sabbath quickly ignored it. Small pains were just a sign that you were still alive, and you should take advantage of it. As he ran, listening to his paws and how the sounds from them echoed, showing where the next obsticle would lay, he thought about how he could impress these pack leaders. Hopefully, they could just be impressed by his armor and battlescars, and he wouldn't have to do much.

Moments passed, and could see two figures merging with the gray around him. Though the articles on their feet and craniums showed the figures clearly, almost as a beacon through a foggy night. Then he slowed his pace, paws leaving dirt behind him stained in brown coloring of blood mixing within the dirt. Again, the thought didn't concern him, and he rose his head high, showing that this wasn't bothering him. He gave a slight bow, and he lowered his head down to the height of their shoulders, showing respect. "Did you make the calls?" He asked in question, looking them over, with the best his vision could offer. Indeed, these two were not pushovers. Their masks certainly proved this.</sub>

[Nao]

Over time, the shrine dogs had begun to resent having had accepted hir into the pack. They had tried to make hir change to their liking, tried to force hir free will to vanish and become their toy. Shi did not stand for it. Though at times shi was a merciless killer, shi was not stupid to ignore the signs that they were going to force hir to change. No, this pit dog was not going to allow anyone to change hir to their own will...
It was and had been their own fault. It was their own ruin when they tried to finally press it upon hir. Ans as a natual reaction, shi had rebelled.
But all that had happened on that day was passed and behind the mixed breed.

Though it had been quite sometime without them or even Tess being there to further help hir speech, this mutt was a dangerous sight to see. As the sunlight peeked under the shrub shi had chosen, it began to dance upon the barbed wire that still had its points. As it danced and the sun slowly, steadily rose, the dancing light began to make a glare uppon the closed eyelids of the pit dog.
As the wind blew, it revealed hir fur hiding hundreds of scars that the beast had earned during the fighting days. The coloring of this dog could be overlooked as a red and black lion rather than a dog of Akita and Great Dane breeding. Shi had extra fluffy neck fur that was almost two inches longer than the rest of hir fur, making it flow in the wind as it tried to free itself. With black neck fur and a black tail with blood red body fur, as well as smelling of old and new blood. Talon was not a dog, if shi could be considered one, to be threatened with a fight if its only meant as a joke.
No.

Krynn, Rawtalon of Chaos, considered hirself a monster of a stature many often coward from hir. But then again, those who coward from hir were not considered the best. To hir they were not true survivors. Being a true survivor meant to fight for their life everyday, and then fighting for skimpy scraps that another who could over power you would throw on the ground. No, the ones who ran from hir dared not even look in hir eyes.
With a stretch and the extention of hir blue claws, a gurgled yawn and popping of joints, the large dog slipped from his sleeping area and sat down. Hir hind leg came up and claws of months of neglect sctrached through hir thick neck fur, itching the spot where shi was itching. In doing so, hir legs revealed that hir hind legs also held two gold bands, two on each hindleg, were too tight and the fur slowly growing into the imposing metal.
In the position shi was in also revealedsomething else about this dog that was unusual, but it was something that made hir unlike the others the most.

As Talon go up and began to search for water to quench the cotton mouth shi often acquires at night anymore, something made hir mane-like fur bristle more than it looked. A beckoning call. Were there really others trying to form a new pack? Forgetting about the water, the muscular creature began to run towards the are of which the beckonings had come.
This should be interesting no? Perhaps this pack will prove to be more of an entertainment for your ever acquiring taste for dog blood..
A voice spoke into the creatures head. It would sound more feminine if anyone else heard it, but no one else could and thus was the canine's alternate personality. The one more forgiving than the one working the body's mind now. A deep growling cackle escaped Talon's throat as the large dog moved onwards.
"Perhaps it will. There is no such thing as a single pack, but we shall see. We.. shall see.."

Growling with anticipation, the bruja began to move even faster. Leaping with hir claws occasionally scratching a log or boulder shi'd jump, it realized the sprinting was reaching an end as a faint voice was heard. Growling, the giant breed leaped out of the bushes into the clearing, staying close to the bushes as hir upper lip was raised in a toothy grin at the three already here. Shi did not give a bow or courtesy of any sort. To this one, that was only if they proved their worth was the ones to lead.
When the sun began to shine a little clearer, it revealed the scars on the right side of hir muzzle and the ones that almost ripped hir left eye out.

[Roxie]

An ungodly warm sun rose to meet the day. Kissing away the moon's bitter grasp on the earth and bidding her goodnight. Mistress moon had more important things to do anyway than to chill the inhabitants of a mostly unprotected canyon. With a beacon to her star children, she slid quietly behind a mountain. Her cold, pale face leaving but a whisper of her presence in the coolness of the morning.

The sun filtered through what little forest there was on the ridge of Scarlett Edge. The dusty, paprika colored walls of the canyon awash in the golden beams of his scorching rays. Through the driest patch of forest, the remains of their brethren lay charred and blackened in an almost ironic sort of revival. Those who stood tall in the fire now looked hopeless in their battle against the drought and unseasonably hot weather. Their plight seemed to amuse the golden king. Once more, they would have their umber wood burned by a grinning enemy, who seemed to grow more incandescent every day.

Death... then a joyous rebirth. It seemed a little backwards to the young collie who moved seamlessly through the piercing beams of golden haze and the solemn grave of fallen titans. A handful of blossoms poked their heads from the remains. Their red stalks standing proud in the heart of the forest. Silky pink faces seemed to be blushing at their own rebellion of death's grip on the forest's heart. Fireweed, Aiden thought simply. Dutifully noting the clusters that seemed to be an attractant for most game. He would have to keep tabs on this place, it would probably prove to be good hunting for later in the year.

A dense fog had settled over the sparse ground cover, forcing the wood into a sham of being far creepier than it really was. The steel blue fur of the collie allowed him to cloak himself in the gloom of another day filled with arduous tasks and the irksome feeling of unbearable loneliness. Aiden's white paws fell in an effortless rhythm over the cinders. Careful, deliberate movements barely stirred a leaf and were hardly audible to anyone but himself. A technique that he had learned, and used against, the deer he hunted. It allowed him to stay concealed in the shadows of the towering pines and to gain the reputation among other ferals as the "Blue Deer of Ohu."

The deer though, were not quite as amused by him as the other stray dogs were. To them, he must've looked similar to Charon or a dog-version of the Grim Reaper, for his blue head donned a skull of their own kind. A most peculiar headdress that seemed to stop the deer dead in their tracks and stare in seeming bewilderment at the strange creature that darted towards them. The skull had been hallowed out on the inside to accommodate his head, though the tawny rack with needle-sharp tines remained intact. Parts of the temporal bone had been removed entirely to allow free movement of his ears and to provide him with a way to take this peculiar helmet off when he wanted.
Several times, the deer were either too stupid or too surprised to do anything but stare at the merle menace. It seemed that he was prepared to take his favorite prey on an all-expense-paid, no return ticket, trip to the underworld.

To think, a few months ago this headgear-wearing, deer murdering aberration was a very calm, mild-mannered shepherd dog. Of course, that's what neighbors all say after someone goes on a killing spree: "Oh, he was so polite when I met him, very down-to-earth."
To go from beloved working partner to something more feral in nature within the time-span of a few months was something to be admired, if not feared. But that is a skill that would be required to learn when one has Death breathing down your neck and the only thing you have to fend him off is a bitchy sister and a horrid sense of direction.

It was possible that the rift between Roxie and Aiden had been created when he had transformed so drastically. He knew what he had to do to survive, while she went on long spiels of how everything will be better when their master finds them. Several months later, the two were still homeless and in their best interest, Aiden stopped picking garbage and started hunting small game to sustain them. Roxie still held the hope of finding their home and remained in the city, while Aiden slowly retreated deeper and deeper into the forests until he had lost her entirely.

He had been separated from her for nearly a month now and had a new task added to his "gotta-do" list. Find his sister and get them both back home safely at all costs. Aiden had realized his folly in abandoning her; After all, she was the only one who could speak for him and this mute dog had no way of communicating with anyone if they did not understand his strange body-language.

The yipping call of a female had gotten his attention. His socially-deprived mind warping it to match Roxie's howl. Without hesitation or caution, he darted through the brush and out into the sweltering-hot desert. His paws scarcely touched the dry earth in his excitement to hear her voice. A simple, gurgling laugh became trapped in his throat, his face beaming in the hope that she might be just inside the earthen walls.
The droning bellow of a dog snapped him out of this illusion, though now it was too late to slink back into the shadows of the forest grove. Having jumped down several ledges into the wide passages of the canyon, he had no idea how to get back out. His bi-colored eyes regarded them in a mixture of nervousness and cold hostility, wondering what the hell they wanted.

[Mugen]

The sun was starting to rise, with it a startling heat. The ground was already starting to heat up as well from it. It was making the harsh ground somewhat unbearable but it didn't seem to bother the armored hunting dog that was blazing across it. Mostly black in color with some silver on two of her legs and front paw. The armor though is what everyone noticed first. The skeletal like design always catching their eyes either with fright or with curiosity.

Kosshi's paws took her where they may. They pounded the hard ground at full speed, as if she was in a hurry somewhere and didn't want to be late. Her belly was full from a recent meal she had caught, her blades smeared with blood still as well as her mouth and the helmet she wore. She was rearing to go for something...anything...but there was nothing around her. Just a barren land with no sign of life.

As if that was their cue there came loud barks and howls...echoing from afar. The female stopped, long ears perking somewhat to try to pin point the direction they were coming from. The echoing made it somewhat difficult. This way...or that way... She huffed in her frustration, closing her eyes and lifting her nose to the air. Why use your ears when your nose was so many times better than they ever could be? The wind, however light it was, blew the scents and she let her nose lead her the rest of the way. These howls and barks...they were calling for something. A pack. Was there a pack in this kind of place? Or was this just the start of a pack?

Kosshi hadn't been in a pack in a couple years. Not since the last one that was torn apart. Did she want to become a part of another pack?...yes. It was who she was. To be and work in a pack. Besides, maybe this pack was a lot better than her last one. With better leaders. We'll see.

Her paws and nose took her to a ledge where two other dogs stood near it, both adorned with something on their heads, one with gloves, and both with weapons. She felt that maybe they had shared some kind of similarity there. But that wasn't going to be enough to convince her this was going to be a decent pack. Her head remained up and alert, ears perked and eyes giving the others that answered the call a quick scan. They all looked strong...all quite capable of holding their own...some with scars that told stories about their pasts. This looks like it could be quite an interesting pack.

She went back to looking at the leaders, not saying a word but it was clear her intentions. If this was going to be a pack, she was here to join. She'd prove her worth to them if she had to. This dog was nothing like her ancestor Hyena. She was no coward, no traitor, and would bring honor to her lineage.

((Gah! My post seems smaller than all of yours <_<)