Post by Cyrus on Nov 10, 2008 17:04:32 GMT -5
Location: Barnyard
Involved:
Kole, Male Elder Dog
Jette, Male Dog
Briefly Alsoomse, Female Dog
It was late afternoon, the air was brisk and partially warm due to the sun above. A light layer of snow littered the ground, various animal tracks scattered around in it from the night before. It was in this rather nice day that Jette found himself lounging outside the barn, the door halfway shut behind him. The Beauceron seemed to be partially sleeping, however the twitch of his ears and movement of his eyes would suggest otherwise. With the two females sleeping tucked away within the barn, Jette wasn't letting his guard down for a second, especially not with the unwelcome rogue wolf the night before.
The snow, littered with various animals tracks, was at the moment being added to with even more paw prints as a large Shepherd made his way across the barnyard. He hadn't been here for a long time; it was time to make an appearance. Kole was not a young dog anymore, however, and his eyes shifted to the sides more slowly than they had in his youth; his muscles moved with less ease and comfort than previously, as well. It is this male that now makes his way toward the barn, not expecting to find the other male dog keeping watch outside the building. Kole keeps his eyes to the ground, tail swaying slightly, until a new scent hit his nostrils. His head lifts swiftly, looking ahead. A strange dog. And others nearby. Curiosity having struck him, he continued on his way, unperturbed.
It doesn't take long for the crunching of snow under paws gets his quick attention and Jette's head is up and angled in the aging shepherds direction almost instantly. Hrr. What was it with this place? He hadn't seen a canine soul in ages and he ushers one young she-dog into the barn for a night and suddenly they're popping out of the woodwork. He pushes himself to his large tan paws and arches his ears forward curiously. A neutral deep chuff of greeting is issued toward the nearing male, his figure neither aggressive nor submissive, just cautious. "Afternoon."
Silence greets Jette until Kole makes his unhurried way to the other dog. Why rush things? He'll get there eventually, darn it. Once he's decently close, yet not threatening, he dips his head slightly. "Afternoon." Kole's eyes focus upon the barn, the scents coming from it indicating other canine presences. He offers no reasons for his approach, instead simply states, "I am Kole. Have I met you before?" Hey, his memory is fuzzy, and it's been a long time. You never know. Why beat around the bush?
The dark male shakes his head slowly from side to side, ears rotating back towards the barn for any signs from Alsoomse or Rouge of an end to their slumber. "I don't believe so, my name is Jette." He shifts his weight back upon his haunches more comfortably. He wonders idly if this is one of the dogs Alsoomse had spoken about from her past pack. Curiosity sketches across his face for a brief moment before his full attention returns to the shepherd.
Kole's face issues no expression as he eyes the other male up and down, sizing him up. A fine looking dog, still strong in his youth. Youth at least compared to himself. Rather than returning to subject of introducing himself further, he instead gestures toward the barn with his large head, pointed ears flopping forward slightly with the motion. "I smell females." He glances back at Jette with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Do you care for them?" Or something else... he doesn't say any more, however.
Jette meets the others gaze with one of emotionless calm. At the indication toward females Jette's expression hardens almost protectively without meaning to. He flicks an ear as he answers, "One's young. Found her in a snow storm, I'm keepin an eye on her until she gets her stray-paws. The other is a wanderer like myself. We've come to a somewhat mutual agreement to stick together until after winter; for protection and to help train the young one," he rummbles, voice deep.
The elder's deep blue eyes, untouched by any physical age, stare at Jette thoughtfully. "Ahh, I see. You are creating yourself a family." Before the other male could retort anything, Kole adds, "Everyone needs a family, be it blood or by trust. I am sure the young girl will appreciate you and the other female for your care." His eyes lift from Jette slowly, glancing in the barn's direction with a new expression. Wistful. Everyone needs a family. A short sigh, and then, "Perhaps there is any way I can of use to you? I belonged to a pack of dogs not long ago, but the pack was broken up, and I am now without a home. If you would allow me to stay here..." He paused, "Or nearby, within safe range of you and your females' assistance, should I need it, I would be most grateful to you." Though he doesn't say it, it's obvious; the poor old dog is lonely.
Jette's face is somewhat astonished for a moment. It takes only a second for him to compose himself once more before he nods his head slowly, "Of course. We don't own the barn, though Alsoomse is.. pretty certain it's hers." Jette chuckles breifly before smiling more comfortably, "We aren't really a pack.. but your more then welcome to find refuge in our small group of misfits," he comments. He kind of liked the aging shepherd.. he had a sense of trust to him.. a sense of wisdom. The dark male lets his tail tump welcomely against the ground beneath him, a smile reaching his eyes.
A relief spreads throughout Kole's bones without warning. Once again dipping his head low to the other male, he speaks again, this time somewhat more respectfully, "Thank you. I will attempt to not prove a burden in any way." Thoughts of what the dog had said earlier crosses his mind. "You mentioned a young she-dog you found. Young, you said. How... young?" If it was a puppy, he wanted to know. Though he wasn't /against/ the tiny creatures, he needed to adjust to them... not having been around young ones for a good long time. Their innocence affected him... they were so naive. And yet, appealing at the same time. If it was not a puppy, he would simply nod, though perhaps a bit more inwardly relieved.
Alsoomse has arrived.
Smiling widely Jette chuckles, "No worries." The male relaxes a little more back against the barn door and thinks briefly, "Adolescent.. that awkward phase between a puppy and branching into the world of adulthood." He chuffs faintly in thought. He hadn't had much experience with puppies himself, never had any, was never really around any. However his heart went out to the girl the moment he noticed her freezing her cropped tail off in the snow and wind.
"Ahhh.." Kole nods slowly, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Those days seem so far away, and yet so close." Reminisce. Cough. Shaking his head slowly, he finally takes a seat upon the ground, tail wrapping close to his easily-chilled legs. "Have you been able to speak with her very much, as to how she came to such an unfortunate state?" The blue eyes fell to the snow, one paw shifting against the white fluff. Poor girl. Snow was beautiful... unless you got caught in its unmercifully freezing grasp.
Jette smiles toothily and nods slowly before his features turn thoughtful. "We spoke of it a little, she told me her story and I told her mine. She was left by her previous master apparently.. seems she's had quite a few. She's fairly new to the lone life I believe." Jette shakes his head slowly. Fate was cruel to the best of them.. but then again he /did/ find her did he not? The dark male shakes out his neck fur faint, thin chain rattling, and sighs. "It seems that since I found her I've been coming across more canines then I did in my travels alone," he chuckles softly.
Kole's smile fades, his face finally gaining a bit of expression as a look of sympathy crosses it. For one of the few times in his life now, words escape him as he searches for them. The thought of being owned by *many* humans... and then to be deserted and left here alone in the cold winter by the last. The older dog hasn't had the need to express sorrow for a long time, and anything he *could* say now slips out of his grasp. Instead, he addresses the other dog's last words, "I believe most canines you would cross on purpose would be dogs, as you have noticed." Gesture to the barn. "Wolves would generally prefer to avoid dogs, in my experience with them, unless they're too hungry to steer clear of a meal, albeit slightly difficult to attain at times, meal." He smiles again, a twinkle in his eye.
Jette chuckles softly, "Indeed. We had one of those last night.. it didn't stick around long." The last words are said with a darker, slightly sterner tone. Jette delt with wolves before his lapse into stray-hood. Herding and protecting sheep wasn't simply for fun, there were reasons. The dark male lets his ears twitch back toward the barn once more to check for any signs of those slumbering within beginning to stir before his attention rotates fully back to the shepherd. Tail thumps casually upon the ground a few more times before he decides to throw in, "The two will be up shortly I'm sure.. Rouge is friendly as far as I've noticed. To everyone. Alsoomse is more.. reserved. She's a unique female. Takes a little understanding and the right choice of words. I don't believe the fates have been entirely decent to her in the past.." he murmurs.
The blue eyes of the elder darken as he glances to the sides almost as if expecting to see the wolf right then and there. "A wolf, here?" Kole tenses slightly now. Great... wolves. Though being able to stay here now is encouraging. It would *not* be a good idea to meet up with one alone. He glances toward the male again at his words. "Rouge is the younger, I presume?" he asks, fully expecting this to be the case. Rather than waiting for an answer, he suddenly jerks forward as the realization of the male's last words hit him. "Alsoomse, you say?" Kole utters a low barking noise, a canine-ish laugh. "I'm sure she'll be thrilled to know I'm still around. I used to know her. Part of my old pack. She wasn't always excited with my presence, I'm sure, though it was never spoken." He winks at Jette, amused. This would be interesting.
The male nods his large head, "Thin, sickly looking creature. Half starved I think.." he muses before curiosity sparks on his face and Jette snickers, "She doesn't seem really thrilled with anyone presence," wink. Despite that Jette liked the female, once again, something about her. He chuckles and shakes his head, "She said she'd been in a pack that disbanded, I wondered how long it would take before one of her old pack-mates showed up," he chuckles.
Speaking of Alsoomse, the large dog is slowly making her way towards the front of the barn from where she was sleeping within one of the stalls. Her tail sways a few times while her gaze drifts out toward the voices, one is Jette's the other she isn't sure of. She licks across her maw once she slips out from the shadows of the barn and gives herself a shake which causes some dirt and hay to fall from her fur in the process. "Figured you all was all dead." She finally answers as she smirks at Kole and settles down to her haunches. Al actually looks bigger, her thick fur came in nicely for the winter and she has an almost bear like appearance because of it. A huff is offered to Jette and she eyes him faintly. "Well, not like I was expecting new dogs here at the barn.."
Kole gives a nod to Jette, about to comment, when Alsoomse shows. Speak of the devil. His amused expression only intensifies at her cold greeting, his tail even thumping the ground a few times. Oh yes, this was going to be *very* interesting. "Nice to see you again too, Al. I was hoping you *were* dead, but it appears the fates have decided to keep you around, for reasons that escape me." He turns back to Jette with a short shrug. "She actually loves me, she's just afraid of what I'll say if she admits it." Wink.
He can't help but laugh a little when Alsoomse arrives from inside the barn. He winks at her quickly and nods his head to Kole, "Re-meet the newest tag along to our little group of misfits," he chuckles. "Says he's a /friend/ of yours.." 'Eyebrows' wiggle dramatically before he looks at Kole and chuckles faintly at his last comment. It already felt good to him, having others around. That feeling of loneliness was slowly feeling like nothing more then an old bruise. He was kinda hope it wouldn't end.. but what the fates decide is their choice; not his.
Alsoomse actually chuckles as she hears Kole. "Please.. the fates don't know what to do with me yet Kole. There too afraid if I die that I'll take over the place." A faint oh escapes her. "So.. your going to follow me around again are you?" Some moments she actually acts normal, like now, but then there are other times when she acts like a crazy dog much like last night.
Alsoomse AFK's.
A smirk crosses the older male's maw as he wrinkles his nose at Alsoomse. While they might not be on the best of terms... *coughcough*... being around someone familiar, from his past, *did* make him feel a bit puppyish. It was a welcome feeling, after the cold presence of strangers surrounded him for so long. Then he turned back to Jette. "Now there is only left to meet the young girl you spoke of. She is resting?" Must be, she should be, if he had any idea what kind of state she must be in.
Nodding his head in an affirmative action Jette smiles faintly, "She hadn't gotten much sleep previous to our meeting I don't believe." Jette stretches his front legs absentmindedly as he recalls the sleeping mutt still in the barn. He hopes she didn't wake and think he'd left her. Jette lets a contented sigh escape his dark jaws and he chuckles, "Feels good to have other souls around.. chases away the bitter taste of loneliness hmm.." he comments, cropped ears flicking faintly in a light breeze.
The faintly serious smile returns to Kole's face. "I agree. The lonely feeling comes easily and leaves with difficulty... even once re-surrounded with others' presences." He blinks slowly, looking at the sky thoughtfully. "You traveled, mm? Where did you go?" The male glances back down at the black dog, adding, "If you remember. I can think of many times I left on my own... trying to get lost. Succeeding, of course." He issues a gruff snorting laugh. "It feels good to do so at times."
Jette chuckles faintly and nods his head, "Indeed it does.." he thinks quietly to himself. "A little ways from here. My owner had a small farmstead close to some mountains. He'd worked hard to establish a life there.. sheep herder. After everything with that life, I let my paws wander where they pleased. Ended up in this place. I've been wandering around the forest for a little while.. keeping mainly to myself. This is the most dog interaction I believe I've had in some time," he finally admit, smiling somewhat sheepishly.
Kole tilts his head to the side slightly. "You left of your own accord, hm?" The dog shifts his weight to the side, leaning against one flank in the snow. "Most dogs end up here because of bad experiences with humans... I take it you were bored with the working life?"
The male's expression falters and he clears his throat briefly. "Not.. exactly." Jette frowns faintly, "Aside from guarding the flock, I watched my masters pups when they went out to play. One day they got out of my sight.. it was my fault for not being more alert. Anyway.. they were hurt beyond survival and my master never forgave me. He left me." The last few words are said with a slight strain to his voice before he shakes it off and resumes his faint mask of thoughtful emotionless.
The Shepherd's eyes are hinted with pain as he listens to the other dog's words. Pity fills him and he looks over at Jette with a sympathetic expression. "I see." Rather than go on about how 'things happen', or 'wellllll, you *really* should have...', or even 'I'm sorry', the elder simply remains silent, again looking up to the sky. Clouds were floating by overhead; his eyes followed them, lost in thought. Thinking of his own past, not completely unlike the other male's, yet in some ways entirely unlike. Finally, he looks back over to the male with a sudden thought. "Do you have food for the young female for when she wakes?"
Jette remains where he is for a brief moment before the others words pull him from his thought, "Hm? Oh.. there's a portion of a rabbit saved away she's been nibbling on but its almost two days old. I should go get something here soon.." he comments wearily. He notices slowly his body bordering on exhaustion. He'd slept for a brief time before waking to keep watch after the wolf had left so the others could sleep peacefully. His eyes blink a few times before he looks at the other curiously concerning the question.
Kole raises an eyebrow at the other canine, amused. "You need to rest." he states bluntly, gesturing to the barn. "If you would like to regain your energy, I would be willing to watch for some time. The young one will need some fresh meat soon, so perhaps once you awake, it would be a good idea to hunt for something for her, whether you or I." He smiles at male, broader this time. "You don't have to sacrifice your own needs now in order to care for the others."
Jette blinks sluggishly as he looks at Kole and smiles finally. "Ah.. I know." The dark male nods his head however in agreement, standing and stretching his legs slowly before smiling thankfully in the shepherds direction. "I'm glad the fates have caused our paths to cross Kole. I appreciate your helping.." he dips his nose towards the other before turning and nose the barn door open large enough for him to slip his muscled figure through. He wanders back to his spot beside the young mutt in the back of the barn, sliding down onto his belly quietly beside her and settling his head down upon his paws, eyes closing.
The Shepherd's eyes express his gratefulness, if not also his pure pleasure at the other's words. He nods slightly, replying with a brief, "As am I." Watching the other male stride into the barn, he shifts himself around so as to face the forest, his back to the barn. The stoic expression of calmness touches his face as he gazes upon the trees in the distance. Glad to be part of a family yet again.
Involved:
Kole, Male Elder Dog
Jette, Male Dog
Briefly Alsoomse, Female Dog
It was late afternoon, the air was brisk and partially warm due to the sun above. A light layer of snow littered the ground, various animal tracks scattered around in it from the night before. It was in this rather nice day that Jette found himself lounging outside the barn, the door halfway shut behind him. The Beauceron seemed to be partially sleeping, however the twitch of his ears and movement of his eyes would suggest otherwise. With the two females sleeping tucked away within the barn, Jette wasn't letting his guard down for a second, especially not with the unwelcome rogue wolf the night before.
The snow, littered with various animals tracks, was at the moment being added to with even more paw prints as a large Shepherd made his way across the barnyard. He hadn't been here for a long time; it was time to make an appearance. Kole was not a young dog anymore, however, and his eyes shifted to the sides more slowly than they had in his youth; his muscles moved with less ease and comfort than previously, as well. It is this male that now makes his way toward the barn, not expecting to find the other male dog keeping watch outside the building. Kole keeps his eyes to the ground, tail swaying slightly, until a new scent hit his nostrils. His head lifts swiftly, looking ahead. A strange dog. And others nearby. Curiosity having struck him, he continued on his way, unperturbed.
It doesn't take long for the crunching of snow under paws gets his quick attention and Jette's head is up and angled in the aging shepherds direction almost instantly. Hrr. What was it with this place? He hadn't seen a canine soul in ages and he ushers one young she-dog into the barn for a night and suddenly they're popping out of the woodwork. He pushes himself to his large tan paws and arches his ears forward curiously. A neutral deep chuff of greeting is issued toward the nearing male, his figure neither aggressive nor submissive, just cautious. "Afternoon."
Silence greets Jette until Kole makes his unhurried way to the other dog. Why rush things? He'll get there eventually, darn it. Once he's decently close, yet not threatening, he dips his head slightly. "Afternoon." Kole's eyes focus upon the barn, the scents coming from it indicating other canine presences. He offers no reasons for his approach, instead simply states, "I am Kole. Have I met you before?" Hey, his memory is fuzzy, and it's been a long time. You never know. Why beat around the bush?
The dark male shakes his head slowly from side to side, ears rotating back towards the barn for any signs from Alsoomse or Rouge of an end to their slumber. "I don't believe so, my name is Jette." He shifts his weight back upon his haunches more comfortably. He wonders idly if this is one of the dogs Alsoomse had spoken about from her past pack. Curiosity sketches across his face for a brief moment before his full attention returns to the shepherd.
Kole's face issues no expression as he eyes the other male up and down, sizing him up. A fine looking dog, still strong in his youth. Youth at least compared to himself. Rather than returning to subject of introducing himself further, he instead gestures toward the barn with his large head, pointed ears flopping forward slightly with the motion. "I smell females." He glances back at Jette with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Do you care for them?" Or something else... he doesn't say any more, however.
Jette meets the others gaze with one of emotionless calm. At the indication toward females Jette's expression hardens almost protectively without meaning to. He flicks an ear as he answers, "One's young. Found her in a snow storm, I'm keepin an eye on her until she gets her stray-paws. The other is a wanderer like myself. We've come to a somewhat mutual agreement to stick together until after winter; for protection and to help train the young one," he rummbles, voice deep.
The elder's deep blue eyes, untouched by any physical age, stare at Jette thoughtfully. "Ahh, I see. You are creating yourself a family." Before the other male could retort anything, Kole adds, "Everyone needs a family, be it blood or by trust. I am sure the young girl will appreciate you and the other female for your care." His eyes lift from Jette slowly, glancing in the barn's direction with a new expression. Wistful. Everyone needs a family. A short sigh, and then, "Perhaps there is any way I can of use to you? I belonged to a pack of dogs not long ago, but the pack was broken up, and I am now without a home. If you would allow me to stay here..." He paused, "Or nearby, within safe range of you and your females' assistance, should I need it, I would be most grateful to you." Though he doesn't say it, it's obvious; the poor old dog is lonely.
Jette's face is somewhat astonished for a moment. It takes only a second for him to compose himself once more before he nods his head slowly, "Of course. We don't own the barn, though Alsoomse is.. pretty certain it's hers." Jette chuckles breifly before smiling more comfortably, "We aren't really a pack.. but your more then welcome to find refuge in our small group of misfits," he comments. He kind of liked the aging shepherd.. he had a sense of trust to him.. a sense of wisdom. The dark male lets his tail tump welcomely against the ground beneath him, a smile reaching his eyes.
A relief spreads throughout Kole's bones without warning. Once again dipping his head low to the other male, he speaks again, this time somewhat more respectfully, "Thank you. I will attempt to not prove a burden in any way." Thoughts of what the dog had said earlier crosses his mind. "You mentioned a young she-dog you found. Young, you said. How... young?" If it was a puppy, he wanted to know. Though he wasn't /against/ the tiny creatures, he needed to adjust to them... not having been around young ones for a good long time. Their innocence affected him... they were so naive. And yet, appealing at the same time. If it was not a puppy, he would simply nod, though perhaps a bit more inwardly relieved.
Alsoomse has arrived.
Smiling widely Jette chuckles, "No worries." The male relaxes a little more back against the barn door and thinks briefly, "Adolescent.. that awkward phase between a puppy and branching into the world of adulthood." He chuffs faintly in thought. He hadn't had much experience with puppies himself, never had any, was never really around any. However his heart went out to the girl the moment he noticed her freezing her cropped tail off in the snow and wind.
"Ahhh.." Kole nods slowly, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Those days seem so far away, and yet so close." Reminisce. Cough. Shaking his head slowly, he finally takes a seat upon the ground, tail wrapping close to his easily-chilled legs. "Have you been able to speak with her very much, as to how she came to such an unfortunate state?" The blue eyes fell to the snow, one paw shifting against the white fluff. Poor girl. Snow was beautiful... unless you got caught in its unmercifully freezing grasp.
Jette smiles toothily and nods slowly before his features turn thoughtful. "We spoke of it a little, she told me her story and I told her mine. She was left by her previous master apparently.. seems she's had quite a few. She's fairly new to the lone life I believe." Jette shakes his head slowly. Fate was cruel to the best of them.. but then again he /did/ find her did he not? The dark male shakes out his neck fur faint, thin chain rattling, and sighs. "It seems that since I found her I've been coming across more canines then I did in my travels alone," he chuckles softly.
Kole's smile fades, his face finally gaining a bit of expression as a look of sympathy crosses it. For one of the few times in his life now, words escape him as he searches for them. The thought of being owned by *many* humans... and then to be deserted and left here alone in the cold winter by the last. The older dog hasn't had the need to express sorrow for a long time, and anything he *could* say now slips out of his grasp. Instead, he addresses the other dog's last words, "I believe most canines you would cross on purpose would be dogs, as you have noticed." Gesture to the barn. "Wolves would generally prefer to avoid dogs, in my experience with them, unless they're too hungry to steer clear of a meal, albeit slightly difficult to attain at times, meal." He smiles again, a twinkle in his eye.
Jette chuckles softly, "Indeed. We had one of those last night.. it didn't stick around long." The last words are said with a darker, slightly sterner tone. Jette delt with wolves before his lapse into stray-hood. Herding and protecting sheep wasn't simply for fun, there were reasons. The dark male lets his ears twitch back toward the barn once more to check for any signs of those slumbering within beginning to stir before his attention rotates fully back to the shepherd. Tail thumps casually upon the ground a few more times before he decides to throw in, "The two will be up shortly I'm sure.. Rouge is friendly as far as I've noticed. To everyone. Alsoomse is more.. reserved. She's a unique female. Takes a little understanding and the right choice of words. I don't believe the fates have been entirely decent to her in the past.." he murmurs.
The blue eyes of the elder darken as he glances to the sides almost as if expecting to see the wolf right then and there. "A wolf, here?" Kole tenses slightly now. Great... wolves. Though being able to stay here now is encouraging. It would *not* be a good idea to meet up with one alone. He glances toward the male again at his words. "Rouge is the younger, I presume?" he asks, fully expecting this to be the case. Rather than waiting for an answer, he suddenly jerks forward as the realization of the male's last words hit him. "Alsoomse, you say?" Kole utters a low barking noise, a canine-ish laugh. "I'm sure she'll be thrilled to know I'm still around. I used to know her. Part of my old pack. She wasn't always excited with my presence, I'm sure, though it was never spoken." He winks at Jette, amused. This would be interesting.
The male nods his large head, "Thin, sickly looking creature. Half starved I think.." he muses before curiosity sparks on his face and Jette snickers, "She doesn't seem really thrilled with anyone presence," wink. Despite that Jette liked the female, once again, something about her. He chuckles and shakes his head, "She said she'd been in a pack that disbanded, I wondered how long it would take before one of her old pack-mates showed up," he chuckles.
Speaking of Alsoomse, the large dog is slowly making her way towards the front of the barn from where she was sleeping within one of the stalls. Her tail sways a few times while her gaze drifts out toward the voices, one is Jette's the other she isn't sure of. She licks across her maw once she slips out from the shadows of the barn and gives herself a shake which causes some dirt and hay to fall from her fur in the process. "Figured you all was all dead." She finally answers as she smirks at Kole and settles down to her haunches. Al actually looks bigger, her thick fur came in nicely for the winter and she has an almost bear like appearance because of it. A huff is offered to Jette and she eyes him faintly. "Well, not like I was expecting new dogs here at the barn.."
Kole gives a nod to Jette, about to comment, when Alsoomse shows. Speak of the devil. His amused expression only intensifies at her cold greeting, his tail even thumping the ground a few times. Oh yes, this was going to be *very* interesting. "Nice to see you again too, Al. I was hoping you *were* dead, but it appears the fates have decided to keep you around, for reasons that escape me." He turns back to Jette with a short shrug. "She actually loves me, she's just afraid of what I'll say if she admits it." Wink.
He can't help but laugh a little when Alsoomse arrives from inside the barn. He winks at her quickly and nods his head to Kole, "Re-meet the newest tag along to our little group of misfits," he chuckles. "Says he's a /friend/ of yours.." 'Eyebrows' wiggle dramatically before he looks at Kole and chuckles faintly at his last comment. It already felt good to him, having others around. That feeling of loneliness was slowly feeling like nothing more then an old bruise. He was kinda hope it wouldn't end.. but what the fates decide is their choice; not his.
Alsoomse actually chuckles as she hears Kole. "Please.. the fates don't know what to do with me yet Kole. There too afraid if I die that I'll take over the place." A faint oh escapes her. "So.. your going to follow me around again are you?" Some moments she actually acts normal, like now, but then there are other times when she acts like a crazy dog much like last night.
Alsoomse AFK's.
A smirk crosses the older male's maw as he wrinkles his nose at Alsoomse. While they might not be on the best of terms... *coughcough*... being around someone familiar, from his past, *did* make him feel a bit puppyish. It was a welcome feeling, after the cold presence of strangers surrounded him for so long. Then he turned back to Jette. "Now there is only left to meet the young girl you spoke of. She is resting?" Must be, she should be, if he had any idea what kind of state she must be in.
Nodding his head in an affirmative action Jette smiles faintly, "She hadn't gotten much sleep previous to our meeting I don't believe." Jette stretches his front legs absentmindedly as he recalls the sleeping mutt still in the barn. He hopes she didn't wake and think he'd left her. Jette lets a contented sigh escape his dark jaws and he chuckles, "Feels good to have other souls around.. chases away the bitter taste of loneliness hmm.." he comments, cropped ears flicking faintly in a light breeze.
The faintly serious smile returns to Kole's face. "I agree. The lonely feeling comes easily and leaves with difficulty... even once re-surrounded with others' presences." He blinks slowly, looking at the sky thoughtfully. "You traveled, mm? Where did you go?" The male glances back down at the black dog, adding, "If you remember. I can think of many times I left on my own... trying to get lost. Succeeding, of course." He issues a gruff snorting laugh. "It feels good to do so at times."
Jette chuckles faintly and nods his head, "Indeed it does.." he thinks quietly to himself. "A little ways from here. My owner had a small farmstead close to some mountains. He'd worked hard to establish a life there.. sheep herder. After everything with that life, I let my paws wander where they pleased. Ended up in this place. I've been wandering around the forest for a little while.. keeping mainly to myself. This is the most dog interaction I believe I've had in some time," he finally admit, smiling somewhat sheepishly.
Kole tilts his head to the side slightly. "You left of your own accord, hm?" The dog shifts his weight to the side, leaning against one flank in the snow. "Most dogs end up here because of bad experiences with humans... I take it you were bored with the working life?"
The male's expression falters and he clears his throat briefly. "Not.. exactly." Jette frowns faintly, "Aside from guarding the flock, I watched my masters pups when they went out to play. One day they got out of my sight.. it was my fault for not being more alert. Anyway.. they were hurt beyond survival and my master never forgave me. He left me." The last few words are said with a slight strain to his voice before he shakes it off and resumes his faint mask of thoughtful emotionless.
The Shepherd's eyes are hinted with pain as he listens to the other dog's words. Pity fills him and he looks over at Jette with a sympathetic expression. "I see." Rather than go on about how 'things happen', or 'wellllll, you *really* should have...', or even 'I'm sorry', the elder simply remains silent, again looking up to the sky. Clouds were floating by overhead; his eyes followed them, lost in thought. Thinking of his own past, not completely unlike the other male's, yet in some ways entirely unlike. Finally, he looks back over to the male with a sudden thought. "Do you have food for the young female for when she wakes?"
Jette remains where he is for a brief moment before the others words pull him from his thought, "Hm? Oh.. there's a portion of a rabbit saved away she's been nibbling on but its almost two days old. I should go get something here soon.." he comments wearily. He notices slowly his body bordering on exhaustion. He'd slept for a brief time before waking to keep watch after the wolf had left so the others could sleep peacefully. His eyes blink a few times before he looks at the other curiously concerning the question.
Kole raises an eyebrow at the other canine, amused. "You need to rest." he states bluntly, gesturing to the barn. "If you would like to regain your energy, I would be willing to watch for some time. The young one will need some fresh meat soon, so perhaps once you awake, it would be a good idea to hunt for something for her, whether you or I." He smiles at male, broader this time. "You don't have to sacrifice your own needs now in order to care for the others."
Jette blinks sluggishly as he looks at Kole and smiles finally. "Ah.. I know." The dark male nods his head however in agreement, standing and stretching his legs slowly before smiling thankfully in the shepherds direction. "I'm glad the fates have caused our paths to cross Kole. I appreciate your helping.." he dips his nose towards the other before turning and nose the barn door open large enough for him to slip his muscled figure through. He wanders back to his spot beside the young mutt in the back of the barn, sliding down onto his belly quietly beside her and settling his head down upon his paws, eyes closing.
The Shepherd's eyes express his gratefulness, if not also his pure pleasure at the other's words. He nods slightly, replying with a brief, "As am I." Watching the other male stride into the barn, he shifts himself around so as to face the forest, his back to the barn. The stoic expression of calmness touches his face as he gazes upon the trees in the distance. Glad to be part of a family yet again.