Post by vega on Jan 30, 2010 21:21:48 GMT -5
Characters Involved:
Kerberus, female dog
Nanook, male dog
Vega, female dog
--field of flowers--
Vega is laying, stretched out to her limit, nearbye a colourful mongrel. Her eyes are clearly open, mind, giving the impression that the setter has been deep in thought, as she stares at Allegro's sleeping body in a mix of irritation and admiration: but mostly the former. The male had shamed her, riled her, and allured her all at once - he was so...feisty. So...disgustingly...bizarre. What she wouldn't give for him to understand that she NEEDED the bed, she NEEDED Skylar to catch her food - no matter what Allegro said, Vega doubted that she could survive admist a pack of (ugh) feral dogs.
It isn't often that Nanook wanders to this part of the meadow. Usually, the flowers here mess with his senses too much, and especially at this time of the year. Still in full bloom, all the pollens seem to make him sneeze and his eyes water up, as if he had some sort of allergy to the lovely botanical life. The scent of the others hadn't been masked this time though, and the young mutt felt rather .. almost victimized by not being where the others were. No one looked for him, no one wondered where he was. He was starting to doubt the pack life, wanting to get back to his wandering toward the mountain instead of wasting his time here. Still, the young male huffed his way through the field, frustrated with the others for the first time since he'd been here. The black and white male's ears are back rather far, especially at the sight of the snooty setter, and he rolls his eyes as he trudges up a slope to where they both were laying. "Mornin'." He muttered, not politely, but.. forcedly.
Vega is clearly not paying enough attention to her natural senses - as usual. She doesn't seem to notice Nanooks arrival; not at first, like any self respecting dog would: instead, she appears to be lost in her own thoughts, apparently thinking shes safe, laying in the middle of a field. So much to learn. Because of this, his voice makes the red dog jump, her head snapping up and around as she limberly gets up on to her paws, managing to look controlled and perfect even in her surprise. "Morning," she replies smoothly: after realising who it is, the red dog makes an obvious effort to strain the correct pronounciation.
"Huh," the younger dog huffed out, his ears still tucked firmly back at his dislike for the new female, as he sat down upon his haunches and twitched one side of his top lip up, like he wanted to bare his teeth and growl, but was unable to, because he was Nanook, and Nanook never growled at others. "Still too good to go and get yourself some food, or are ya gonna' try your hand at huntin' soon?" He wondered, since he was rather hungry too, and no matter how much he didn't particularly care for Vega, he was willing to help her learn a trait for her own survival, and possibly get a kick out of seeing her fail a few times as well. "..Aren't you supposed to be some kind'a huntin' dog, anyways?"
It was easy to see that as much as Nanook disliked Vega, the feeling was entirely neutral. The mutt was just too different, too rough around the edge, to appeal to the setted; which was odd, since here she was, following Allegro like a puppy in trouble - not that Nanook would know that's why she was here, mind. "I'm not hungry," the setter promptly lies, lifting her head slightly in defiance: she just didn't want to try hunting, that much was obvious. "I am not SUPPOSED to be, ah, 'some kind'a huntin'' dog. I am SUPPOSED to be being groomed, fed, and well kept."
The setter's last statement made him laugh. A lot. His booming laughter could probably be heard throughout the field, but he soon calmed down and a little rumble did happen to come from his throat. "Well, you're not. Not anymore. Your humans just dumped you out here like the rest of 'em. So get used to it, and learn to fend for yerself. We're not gonna feed you like some sorta pup 'er somethin'." Blue eyes focused intently on Vega, he stood back up, standing just a mite shorter than her due to his age, and let out a sort of half-sneeze, and let out a sigh. "Now, c'mon. You've gotta learn some time, or you're just gonna go hungry."
Vega watches him laugh in irritation, her ears tilting backwards slightly to show her distaste at being laughed at; though perhaps it was simply distaste towards Nanook in general. That was also likely. Still, his words rung true, no matter how much she didn't want to admit it; so she stretched deeply, her tail twitching to avoid being dragged on the ground. "Fine, but it won't work," she grumbles, stepping towards him with one long, practised stride.
The voices of others awakens Kerberos from her nap near the stream to the southeast. She had bedded down in the heavy vegetation that flourishes along the waters edge. Large nose in the air, the female sucks in as much information from the breeze as it will give. Her eyes narrow slightly as she gets a whiff of dog. She pulls herself onto her haunches, coat filthy with mud and debris. She pants slightly in the late summer heat as her golden gaze travels toward the flowers in the direction of the scent and sounds of others.
"A'course it will. We're good at hunting. It might just take a while to learn. .. Moreso in your case, princess." He mutters the last word, but his white legs begin to carry him towards the spring, where, unknowingly to him, Kerberos had been resting. With the wind flowing against them and the flowers the only thing he could really smell at the moment, Nanook travelled stealthily through the tall grasses, checking back up on the setter that he had dubbed 'princess' every so often. "Keep up, too. A little dirt never hurt anyone."
Vega's ears twitch forward, her shocked expression taking place; as subtle an expression as she was. In fact, it was doubtful that the dog could convey anything much more than over the top arrogance, but there you go. Still, the setter was under the belief that growling was true 'bad dog' behaviour, and thus didn't bare a fang or utter a snarl. Instead, she 'humphed,' and followed the other dog, her body lowering slightly, but not so much as to get her coat dirty - she wasn't that hungry. "Not you, clearly." She is unaware of the massive female nearby, insofar.
It doesn't take long before her gaze settles upon the source of her disturbance. Kerberos watches them as one leads the other toward her location near the stream. She focuses her attention on the second of the two dogs. She'd seen dogs like this in her past being lead around by men and women who would pamper and talk to them like they did their own pups. She also remembers how they'd snear and mock her. Oh how she's always wished she could have a stab at them in the ring. She'd rip the arrogance right out of them. The thought brings a malicious grin to her maw. Suddenly the massive female hoists herself to her paws. She doesn't bother shaking away the dirt that's gathered in her coat. Instead she just stands there face on toward the approaching pair. With a posture that clearly communicates her dominant and aggressive nature.
Rolling his eyes again.. he seemed to do that a lot these days, especially around Vega. "Helps ta' keep me cool. My fur's pretty dense.. gets hot 'round here, I need somethin' to block out the sun. Not a bad tactic, and keeps ya hidden better." This bit of advice would probably be ignored, as 'princess' over there probably would rather die than getting her luscious red coat dirtied.. but, in time, she'd learn. He hoped. Nanook's blue gaze focused forward as he finally caught the scent of something ahead of them, seeing the other dog not long afterward. The position wasn't a friendly one, and the dog was /way/ bigger than him. Even with his Malamute heritage, his age and his mother's breed went against him in this case. Perking his ears entirely erect and standing his ground, the male's tail rose and he kept himself calm, but didn't say anything just yet. Not to the larger female, anyway. "Stay there." He said to Vega in a hushed tone, turning his head only slightly, not breaking eye contact with the possible intruder.
Vega indeed ignores the advice: she obviously intends on hanging on to her clean, smooth coat as long as is physically possible. Which, she knows (but won't admit,) it probably not all that long. She'd dealt with heat, she'd dealt with cold: anything for perfection, and that drive stayed with here, even here. "Whatever," she replies childishly - before the sight of the huge female fills her gaze. Her forelegs stop but her hind legs keep going a stride, making her seem to trip over herself, even if she recovers fast. The other female appeared to be challenging her, and Vega had never submitted in her life; so she keeps her tail in its normal position, even though she finally listens to Nanook and stays a stride behind the smaller, though tougher, male.
Kerberos's grin widens slightly as the two come to an abrupt stop. That's right kiddies. Golden eyes travel up and down both of the smaller dogs. She clicks her tongue and begins to move foward slowly. The slowness in her steps are not due to caution, more like a dramatic effect. Letting them drink in her size. Her ears would be pressed foward had they not been cut away when she was a pup. Her half tail is held rigid over her haunches. "Well Well Well, what have we got here?" she offers the first words, her eyes focused once again on the silky, perfectly groomed form of the setter female. She glances briefly toward the dog - whos scent tells her is male - but ignores him for now.
For now, Nanook has little choice but to ignore the childish argument posed by Vega. The young male keeps his gaze focused intently on the larger female, who was obviously a threat. Not only in her size, but in the way she was coming towards them and everything. Once again, the mixed breed goes against all the behavior that he'd usually exhibited, and bares his teeth warily at the larger dog. Small or not, he has a minute but valuable bit of agility, and he's not about to let Allegro's newest member of the pack be harmed by some aggressor. "Careful," he growled towards the other, "You're on pack lands now. Challenges are made at your own risk.. unless you're just naturally this openly aggressive."
Vega doesn't move from her position behind-beside the male, her legs splayed slightly as she fights her instincts. Unlike Nanook, Vega manages to control hers, which is obviously the wrong thing to do; her fur ripples, but does not rise, her teeth do not flash. Instead, she merely stands, watching the dirty, large, female, all the while thinking how disgusting the creature was.
Kerberos stops her advances as the male bares his teeth and growls a warning. She then lets out a nasty laugh. "My aren't we brave," she mocks him. Sure she may weigh anywhere from 90-100 lbs, but it's a lean mass. Mass built of muscle, sinew, and aggression, and she's been trained how to use it. "Pack lands you say?" she takes another step foward. She'll make the challenge, she's not afraid to take a risk. Is he? "Where then are all your little friends?" she growls as she again stares down the setter. "Or is this it?" She too pulls her lips back to bare suprisingly white fangs to contrast the dinginess in her once white coat.
Nanook doesn't know what he's doing. He is young and inexperienced with fighting. This would be his first fight, and not only would he have to protect himself, but Vega as well. Whatever he'd gotten himself into, he was a bit frightened, but stood his ground and continued to growl at the larger female. "No one here has threatened you.." He murmured, and straightened out a bit, trying to seem a little less challenging. Though, the long fur lining his back did spike up, and it wasn't going to smooth down any time soon. "If you would come peacefully, the alpha of our pack could possbily.. help you?" Well, the gal looked downtrodden enough for him to assume that she needed help, anyway.
Vega shifts slightly when the male speaks; but once more doesn't convey any of her inner workings. Help her!? Really? If Allegro WAS here, Vega would be the first to suggest clocking this monster one. And they all thought that the setter was bad? At least she didn't come thundering in like some mad cow and threaten two dogs on pack territory. However, the red dog was not about to lay bait for the stranger, so she still kept her jaws tightly shut - even in her dismay to see the mongrel male relaxing slightly in her presence.
Another sharp laugh erupts from Kerberos' chest. Again she moves foward, this time thrusting her presence into the space of the young male. She stands over him teeth bared and growling. She lowers her muzzle to his ear and speaks softly, the tone menacing, "No one here is threatening me, but are you prepared to be threatened? I don't think I need your precious alpha as much as you are going to pup." She doesn't attack, but she's pushing him. She likes little games of cat and mouse. That's the difference from life now and when she was in the pits. In the pits you were released the the tearing and biting began, but out here... She liked these mind games so much more.
The laughter from the bigger dog is doing a number to Nanook's extremely patient temper, though the fuse has been shortened by Vega's attitude, and now this. From already having a bad day to having it worsen, the smaller male is obviously ready and rarin' to fight, inexperience not occuring to him as he snarls viciously at Kerberos as she stands above him, and sends his sharp, teeth up toward her muzzle, wanting to shut the witch up, literally. Whether or not he actually lands the bite to her mouth is completely irrelevant to his stature, which is held aggressively low, his ears now pinned against his head, his claws digging into the ground as he stood protectively in front of Vega. Whatever happened to him would happen, but the new girl couldn't get hurt.
Vega takes a step back in surprise as Nanook flings himself at the monster; her ears tilting backwards once more, but not in the distaste she had previously shown the male. Instead, utter surprise and brief fear flashes over her features, as her gaze slips from male mongrel to female mutt: what HAD she gotten herself into? Still, there is only so long she could contain herself before being drawn into the fight out of physical defence: but with her clipped claws and total lack of violent experiance, only the worst could happen.
The male catches her slightly by surprise as he makes a move to bite at her muzzle. Oh goody, it worked. She has to admit she didn't think the little mongrel had it in him. But oh what a fool he is. As the teeth of the collie/malamute cross make contact to her face, she throws her weight into him in an attempt to knock him from his paws, mouth agape and fangs flashing, searching for the ruff of neck below his ear. Though her past was filled with one on one battles, Kerberos doesn't feel any concern for the fact that there are currently two dogs present. The idea of that pampered bitch trying to take her on only gets her more wriled.
Yup, a mistake had definitely been made. What was he thinking? Was it his loyalty to the alpha that drove him to do something so foolish? Apparently, because he didn't want this beast on the pack lands any more than Vega did at the moment, and though his bite had failed, his speed seemed to be kicking in. Ducking from her teeth, Nanook continued to snarl up at her, backing himself up and lunging right back at her chest area, though he was quickly pushed over by the female's massive weight, and soon his thick neck ruff was being pulled on by Kerberos' strong jaws. A high pitched yipe was given, his inexperience already showing. The poor thing was hardly even fully grown yet, who could blame him? Kicking his paws at her, after the yipe he continued to growl, paws flailing in an attempt to find stable ground again, but on one's back, this was quite the hard task.
Vega was starting to look for a way out, trying to keep her movements as low-key as possible. This was just so, unbelieably, not good: but what could she do, but plan how to escape? She wasn't any stronger than the standard dog her breed, size, and gender; she didn't even know how to chase rabbits. She'd thought life in the wild wouldn't be so bad, the other dogs (while annoying,) seemed okay-ish: but this monster-dog-thing made Vega really homesick. Slowly, the setter took a step to the left, but realised that if she fled; Nanook would be in very grave danger, possibly more than he was already in. And so, Vega growled, the sound surprising herself as her upper lip curled back, perfect teeth flashing perfect white, as she produced a sound like rolling thunder.
Aha! Success! Kerberos lets Nanook snarl and kick, but she doesn't relinquish her grip on his flesh. Instead, she presses her weight against him while he struggles to get out from under her. His yip encouraging her further, she gives her head a hard ragdoll shake. Very little sound is made by the large female. She doesn't have any need to prove her strength with scary sounds. She lets her grip on Nanook and her pressing weight do the talking. The setters growls are barely noticed by Kerberos. She's unwilling to release her grip on the male in order to redirect an attack on the setter.
The violent shaking of her head was what really did him in. The sound of his skin tearing could be heard by the victim, and again, a loud, ear-piercing shriek was given on the part of the black and white male, but finally, his legs did find something firm to land upon. The offender's chest, which he dug his claws across in a swift motion, hoping to get her to back off at least somewhat. Already he could feel the warm blood running down his neck, the metallic scent overpowering even in such minimal amounts. Jaws snapping still, the blue-eyed dog simply had to wish for luck against this brute of a female. There was no strategy, for he was already defeated. In fact, he hadn't even heard Vega's growls, since he was so overwhelemed in the fight.
Vega clenches her teeth, tightening her muscles - and powers forward. Her red fur streams beautifully with her body; but unfortunately for her, it isn't the colour of her fur or her conformation that she needed. Still; she couldn't just watch this act of violence; call it her latent maternal instinct, her deep and profound care of other dogs, the sort that came with being...well, a dog. She surged forward and upwards, trying to wedge her rectangular muzzle under the thick neck of the monster, an instinctual - but foolish - strike.
The taste of warm blood was like milk to a pup for Kerberos. And the males painful screams, very satisfing indeed. It was apparent to the large female this male wouldn't be much of a challenge. He seemed young and years, and certainly inexperienced with fighting, but she enjoyed the tearing of his flesh just the same. Finally another sound breaks from the fighting dog's muzzle as the setter makes a move to attack. With a deep gurgling snarl she releases her grip on Nanook's neck to address her next victim. Again using her weight as a weapon, and the leverage by the male pushing against her chest, Kerberos thrusts her weight toward the setter as the setter's teeth clumsily grasp the folds of skin on her neck. "So the pretty little thing wants a taste too does she?" a taunting growl slips like ice through her lips as her aggression is now directed toward the female.
Agh, finally! His neck was released, and he was at ease for a moment there.. until he realized just what was happening. Whatever fighting experience he had flourished in comparison to what he assumed Vega did. Neck injury or not, the youngest dog of the group pushed himself to his paws, and leapt onto the largest dog's back, his jaws opening and a few words being shouted out towards the setter. "Get back to Allegro!" He snarled, though unintentionally, and focused instead on getting a grip on Kerberos' neck ruff with his own teetch. Though his neck was in great pain, he couldn't let Vega get hurt.
Vega whines her distress when she feels her teeth merely graze loose folds of skin, much like the skin on the back of a pups neck. Feeling her paws touch the ground after her remarkably valiant leap, the setter retreated a few steps, smoothing down her fur and trying to get herself under control. Crouching slightly (even now her subconcious not letting her lay in the mud,) she prepares for round two when the male barks out an order; retreat to the alpha. Hesitating, the setter apparently comes to the conclusion that this is the best choice of action, whirling on her paws and running off. What was remarkable was the speed at which she went, her fear for herself and her necessity to ensure Nanooks safety driving her onwards to search for the beguiling, colourful, alpha.
Before Kerberos gets a chance to mess up the fur on the purebred she's leapt upon by the male. The setter takes off leaving the large female furious. She doesn't like it when she misses an opportunity like that, but she decides not to pursue her. Instead she rears to her hind legs as teeth are sunk into the back of her neck, she lets out an angry snarl rather than a yelp. The only way to get a monkey off your back is to roll over them, so she lets herself fall backward. With any luck she'll pin him under herself again, but even getting him to release his teeth from her neck would be of benefit.
Had Nanook the time to sigh of relief, he certainly would have. Yes, it's good that Vega will be safe.. but what about him? He couldn't just run off.. Kerberos would surely chase him. Not that he really had the opportunity to think that through either, for as soon as his teeth do sink into the larger female's, she wastes little time in falling over on her back, or rather, his side, and he is left motionless on the ground. The wind had been successfully knocked out of him, and only a mix between a growl and a groan came from his throat. With his eyes squinting, the male's ears kept back, but they weren't pinned anymore. The heavy weight with the added force and gravity had done him in, and he had no fight left in him.
Kerberos doesn't waste anytime gathing her paws under herself and is right back to towering over the small male. But he doesn't fight back. A self satisfied smirk is smeared across her muzzle as she leans over the winded dog. Standing over him she fixes her eyes on his. She leans her face into his and in that same menacing voice she whispers to him, "That little bitch of yours is lucky to have her pretty little hide intact pup. You'd better run off too and let your alpha know I won't be told where I can or cannot go on any lands." Again she lets out a loud snarl and snaps at the males muzzle hoping she might get one last whine out of him. "Now you'd better run out of here with your tail between your legs before I change my mind." She doesn't bother to move away from him, if he wants his chance to retreat, he can squirm his away from under her legs.
As the beast of a dog is lumbering over him, Nanook doesn't even bother to look at her. He lays tired and motionless on the ground, the only thing seperating him from appearing dead being that little rise of one side, indicating breath. At least he wasn't dead. Pushing himself up weakly, Nanook does a rather dumb thing and bares his teeth at the female, even as he wriggles out from underneath her, and keeps his tail from curling inward. No, no. He wouldn't make her feel entirely satisfied. Even though he'd been beaten, he wasn't afraid of her. Dogs fight. Some dogs are aggressive. Nothing to be afraid of. Once he was free, between gathering his breath and wincing at the sting that radiated in his neck as his shoulders moved, he growled once again, and shook his head. "You're wrong about that. Just because I couldn't stop you doesn't mean the strength of the pack can't.."
Kerberos stands motionless, watching, as Nanook crawls to his paws. She continues to stare as he turns to face her and once again bares his teeth. His insolence draws out another raging growl. She charges him, again making an effort to overcome the smaller male. "You're pack isn't here now is it? I'm half of mind to kill you now. Let the pretty thing carry the message back to your precious pack alone," she spats back at him. And killing is definitely within the monster dogs capabilities. But she'll avoid it if she can. Though she has a lust for a good fight and the taste of blood, nothing excites her like the screams and yelps of an opponent... but all fun is lost once they lay dead before her.
"They might not be here now.." he said weakly, staring right back up at Kerberos, not an ounce of fear in his eyes; yes, though he was brash and inexperienced, one had to admit that he was almost foolishly brave. "But once they get scent of you.." He trailed off, and continued to slowly hobble away, not able to put too much weight on his front legs, as it seemed to stretch and make worse the wound along his neck. Still, his tail did not curl as the beast wished it to, nor did he yipe as she wanted him to. Defiant to the end, if she so chose to kill him.
Kerberos decides it's not worth it to pursue the male. She's already left a formidable mark with the wound on his neck. Perhaps someday he'll wear it as proudly as she wears her many scars and imperfections. Finally the large dog gives her coat a good shake, freeing it of much debris and signaling the calming of her aggression. Still she stands there making no move to turn away or move on, but the muscles under her thick coat lose some of their tension. Except the muscles in her face which keep a hard, stony expression full of hate. "I'm not afraid of any dog, and I will back down from no fights," she growls in response. And this is true, she'd die fighting, that was the honorable way to go.
Kerberus, female dog
Nanook, male dog
Vega, female dog
--field of flowers--
Vega is laying, stretched out to her limit, nearbye a colourful mongrel. Her eyes are clearly open, mind, giving the impression that the setter has been deep in thought, as she stares at Allegro's sleeping body in a mix of irritation and admiration: but mostly the former. The male had shamed her, riled her, and allured her all at once - he was so...feisty. So...disgustingly...bizarre. What she wouldn't give for him to understand that she NEEDED the bed, she NEEDED Skylar to catch her food - no matter what Allegro said, Vega doubted that she could survive admist a pack of (ugh) feral dogs.
It isn't often that Nanook wanders to this part of the meadow. Usually, the flowers here mess with his senses too much, and especially at this time of the year. Still in full bloom, all the pollens seem to make him sneeze and his eyes water up, as if he had some sort of allergy to the lovely botanical life. The scent of the others hadn't been masked this time though, and the young mutt felt rather .. almost victimized by not being where the others were. No one looked for him, no one wondered where he was. He was starting to doubt the pack life, wanting to get back to his wandering toward the mountain instead of wasting his time here. Still, the young male huffed his way through the field, frustrated with the others for the first time since he'd been here. The black and white male's ears are back rather far, especially at the sight of the snooty setter, and he rolls his eyes as he trudges up a slope to where they both were laying. "Mornin'." He muttered, not politely, but.. forcedly.
Vega is clearly not paying enough attention to her natural senses - as usual. She doesn't seem to notice Nanooks arrival; not at first, like any self respecting dog would: instead, she appears to be lost in her own thoughts, apparently thinking shes safe, laying in the middle of a field. So much to learn. Because of this, his voice makes the red dog jump, her head snapping up and around as she limberly gets up on to her paws, managing to look controlled and perfect even in her surprise. "Morning," she replies smoothly: after realising who it is, the red dog makes an obvious effort to strain the correct pronounciation.
"Huh," the younger dog huffed out, his ears still tucked firmly back at his dislike for the new female, as he sat down upon his haunches and twitched one side of his top lip up, like he wanted to bare his teeth and growl, but was unable to, because he was Nanook, and Nanook never growled at others. "Still too good to go and get yourself some food, or are ya gonna' try your hand at huntin' soon?" He wondered, since he was rather hungry too, and no matter how much he didn't particularly care for Vega, he was willing to help her learn a trait for her own survival, and possibly get a kick out of seeing her fail a few times as well. "..Aren't you supposed to be some kind'a huntin' dog, anyways?"
It was easy to see that as much as Nanook disliked Vega, the feeling was entirely neutral. The mutt was just too different, too rough around the edge, to appeal to the setted; which was odd, since here she was, following Allegro like a puppy in trouble - not that Nanook would know that's why she was here, mind. "I'm not hungry," the setter promptly lies, lifting her head slightly in defiance: she just didn't want to try hunting, that much was obvious. "I am not SUPPOSED to be, ah, 'some kind'a huntin'' dog. I am SUPPOSED to be being groomed, fed, and well kept."
The setter's last statement made him laugh. A lot. His booming laughter could probably be heard throughout the field, but he soon calmed down and a little rumble did happen to come from his throat. "Well, you're not. Not anymore. Your humans just dumped you out here like the rest of 'em. So get used to it, and learn to fend for yerself. We're not gonna feed you like some sorta pup 'er somethin'." Blue eyes focused intently on Vega, he stood back up, standing just a mite shorter than her due to his age, and let out a sort of half-sneeze, and let out a sigh. "Now, c'mon. You've gotta learn some time, or you're just gonna go hungry."
Vega watches him laugh in irritation, her ears tilting backwards slightly to show her distaste at being laughed at; though perhaps it was simply distaste towards Nanook in general. That was also likely. Still, his words rung true, no matter how much she didn't want to admit it; so she stretched deeply, her tail twitching to avoid being dragged on the ground. "Fine, but it won't work," she grumbles, stepping towards him with one long, practised stride.
The voices of others awakens Kerberos from her nap near the stream to the southeast. She had bedded down in the heavy vegetation that flourishes along the waters edge. Large nose in the air, the female sucks in as much information from the breeze as it will give. Her eyes narrow slightly as she gets a whiff of dog. She pulls herself onto her haunches, coat filthy with mud and debris. She pants slightly in the late summer heat as her golden gaze travels toward the flowers in the direction of the scent and sounds of others.
"A'course it will. We're good at hunting. It might just take a while to learn. .. Moreso in your case, princess." He mutters the last word, but his white legs begin to carry him towards the spring, where, unknowingly to him, Kerberos had been resting. With the wind flowing against them and the flowers the only thing he could really smell at the moment, Nanook travelled stealthily through the tall grasses, checking back up on the setter that he had dubbed 'princess' every so often. "Keep up, too. A little dirt never hurt anyone."
Vega's ears twitch forward, her shocked expression taking place; as subtle an expression as she was. In fact, it was doubtful that the dog could convey anything much more than over the top arrogance, but there you go. Still, the setter was under the belief that growling was true 'bad dog' behaviour, and thus didn't bare a fang or utter a snarl. Instead, she 'humphed,' and followed the other dog, her body lowering slightly, but not so much as to get her coat dirty - she wasn't that hungry. "Not you, clearly." She is unaware of the massive female nearby, insofar.
It doesn't take long before her gaze settles upon the source of her disturbance. Kerberos watches them as one leads the other toward her location near the stream. She focuses her attention on the second of the two dogs. She'd seen dogs like this in her past being lead around by men and women who would pamper and talk to them like they did their own pups. She also remembers how they'd snear and mock her. Oh how she's always wished she could have a stab at them in the ring. She'd rip the arrogance right out of them. The thought brings a malicious grin to her maw. Suddenly the massive female hoists herself to her paws. She doesn't bother shaking away the dirt that's gathered in her coat. Instead she just stands there face on toward the approaching pair. With a posture that clearly communicates her dominant and aggressive nature.
Rolling his eyes again.. he seemed to do that a lot these days, especially around Vega. "Helps ta' keep me cool. My fur's pretty dense.. gets hot 'round here, I need somethin' to block out the sun. Not a bad tactic, and keeps ya hidden better." This bit of advice would probably be ignored, as 'princess' over there probably would rather die than getting her luscious red coat dirtied.. but, in time, she'd learn. He hoped. Nanook's blue gaze focused forward as he finally caught the scent of something ahead of them, seeing the other dog not long afterward. The position wasn't a friendly one, and the dog was /way/ bigger than him. Even with his Malamute heritage, his age and his mother's breed went against him in this case. Perking his ears entirely erect and standing his ground, the male's tail rose and he kept himself calm, but didn't say anything just yet. Not to the larger female, anyway. "Stay there." He said to Vega in a hushed tone, turning his head only slightly, not breaking eye contact with the possible intruder.
Vega indeed ignores the advice: she obviously intends on hanging on to her clean, smooth coat as long as is physically possible. Which, she knows (but won't admit,) it probably not all that long. She'd dealt with heat, she'd dealt with cold: anything for perfection, and that drive stayed with here, even here. "Whatever," she replies childishly - before the sight of the huge female fills her gaze. Her forelegs stop but her hind legs keep going a stride, making her seem to trip over herself, even if she recovers fast. The other female appeared to be challenging her, and Vega had never submitted in her life; so she keeps her tail in its normal position, even though she finally listens to Nanook and stays a stride behind the smaller, though tougher, male.
Kerberos's grin widens slightly as the two come to an abrupt stop. That's right kiddies. Golden eyes travel up and down both of the smaller dogs. She clicks her tongue and begins to move foward slowly. The slowness in her steps are not due to caution, more like a dramatic effect. Letting them drink in her size. Her ears would be pressed foward had they not been cut away when she was a pup. Her half tail is held rigid over her haunches. "Well Well Well, what have we got here?" she offers the first words, her eyes focused once again on the silky, perfectly groomed form of the setter female. She glances briefly toward the dog - whos scent tells her is male - but ignores him for now.
For now, Nanook has little choice but to ignore the childish argument posed by Vega. The young male keeps his gaze focused intently on the larger female, who was obviously a threat. Not only in her size, but in the way she was coming towards them and everything. Once again, the mixed breed goes against all the behavior that he'd usually exhibited, and bares his teeth warily at the larger dog. Small or not, he has a minute but valuable bit of agility, and he's not about to let Allegro's newest member of the pack be harmed by some aggressor. "Careful," he growled towards the other, "You're on pack lands now. Challenges are made at your own risk.. unless you're just naturally this openly aggressive."
Vega doesn't move from her position behind-beside the male, her legs splayed slightly as she fights her instincts. Unlike Nanook, Vega manages to control hers, which is obviously the wrong thing to do; her fur ripples, but does not rise, her teeth do not flash. Instead, she merely stands, watching the dirty, large, female, all the while thinking how disgusting the creature was.
Kerberos stops her advances as the male bares his teeth and growls a warning. She then lets out a nasty laugh. "My aren't we brave," she mocks him. Sure she may weigh anywhere from 90-100 lbs, but it's a lean mass. Mass built of muscle, sinew, and aggression, and she's been trained how to use it. "Pack lands you say?" she takes another step foward. She'll make the challenge, she's not afraid to take a risk. Is he? "Where then are all your little friends?" she growls as she again stares down the setter. "Or is this it?" She too pulls her lips back to bare suprisingly white fangs to contrast the dinginess in her once white coat.
Nanook doesn't know what he's doing. He is young and inexperienced with fighting. This would be his first fight, and not only would he have to protect himself, but Vega as well. Whatever he'd gotten himself into, he was a bit frightened, but stood his ground and continued to growl at the larger female. "No one here has threatened you.." He murmured, and straightened out a bit, trying to seem a little less challenging. Though, the long fur lining his back did spike up, and it wasn't going to smooth down any time soon. "If you would come peacefully, the alpha of our pack could possbily.. help you?" Well, the gal looked downtrodden enough for him to assume that she needed help, anyway.
Vega shifts slightly when the male speaks; but once more doesn't convey any of her inner workings. Help her!? Really? If Allegro WAS here, Vega would be the first to suggest clocking this monster one. And they all thought that the setter was bad? At least she didn't come thundering in like some mad cow and threaten two dogs on pack territory. However, the red dog was not about to lay bait for the stranger, so she still kept her jaws tightly shut - even in her dismay to see the mongrel male relaxing slightly in her presence.
Another sharp laugh erupts from Kerberos' chest. Again she moves foward, this time thrusting her presence into the space of the young male. She stands over him teeth bared and growling. She lowers her muzzle to his ear and speaks softly, the tone menacing, "No one here is threatening me, but are you prepared to be threatened? I don't think I need your precious alpha as much as you are going to pup." She doesn't attack, but she's pushing him. She likes little games of cat and mouse. That's the difference from life now and when she was in the pits. In the pits you were released the the tearing and biting began, but out here... She liked these mind games so much more.
The laughter from the bigger dog is doing a number to Nanook's extremely patient temper, though the fuse has been shortened by Vega's attitude, and now this. From already having a bad day to having it worsen, the smaller male is obviously ready and rarin' to fight, inexperience not occuring to him as he snarls viciously at Kerberos as she stands above him, and sends his sharp, teeth up toward her muzzle, wanting to shut the witch up, literally. Whether or not he actually lands the bite to her mouth is completely irrelevant to his stature, which is held aggressively low, his ears now pinned against his head, his claws digging into the ground as he stood protectively in front of Vega. Whatever happened to him would happen, but the new girl couldn't get hurt.
Vega takes a step back in surprise as Nanook flings himself at the monster; her ears tilting backwards once more, but not in the distaste she had previously shown the male. Instead, utter surprise and brief fear flashes over her features, as her gaze slips from male mongrel to female mutt: what HAD she gotten herself into? Still, there is only so long she could contain herself before being drawn into the fight out of physical defence: but with her clipped claws and total lack of violent experiance, only the worst could happen.
The male catches her slightly by surprise as he makes a move to bite at her muzzle. Oh goody, it worked. She has to admit she didn't think the little mongrel had it in him. But oh what a fool he is. As the teeth of the collie/malamute cross make contact to her face, she throws her weight into him in an attempt to knock him from his paws, mouth agape and fangs flashing, searching for the ruff of neck below his ear. Though her past was filled with one on one battles, Kerberos doesn't feel any concern for the fact that there are currently two dogs present. The idea of that pampered bitch trying to take her on only gets her more wriled.
Yup, a mistake had definitely been made. What was he thinking? Was it his loyalty to the alpha that drove him to do something so foolish? Apparently, because he didn't want this beast on the pack lands any more than Vega did at the moment, and though his bite had failed, his speed seemed to be kicking in. Ducking from her teeth, Nanook continued to snarl up at her, backing himself up and lunging right back at her chest area, though he was quickly pushed over by the female's massive weight, and soon his thick neck ruff was being pulled on by Kerberos' strong jaws. A high pitched yipe was given, his inexperience already showing. The poor thing was hardly even fully grown yet, who could blame him? Kicking his paws at her, after the yipe he continued to growl, paws flailing in an attempt to find stable ground again, but on one's back, this was quite the hard task.
Vega was starting to look for a way out, trying to keep her movements as low-key as possible. This was just so, unbelieably, not good: but what could she do, but plan how to escape? She wasn't any stronger than the standard dog her breed, size, and gender; she didn't even know how to chase rabbits. She'd thought life in the wild wouldn't be so bad, the other dogs (while annoying,) seemed okay-ish: but this monster-dog-thing made Vega really homesick. Slowly, the setter took a step to the left, but realised that if she fled; Nanook would be in very grave danger, possibly more than he was already in. And so, Vega growled, the sound surprising herself as her upper lip curled back, perfect teeth flashing perfect white, as she produced a sound like rolling thunder.
Aha! Success! Kerberos lets Nanook snarl and kick, but she doesn't relinquish her grip on his flesh. Instead, she presses her weight against him while he struggles to get out from under her. His yip encouraging her further, she gives her head a hard ragdoll shake. Very little sound is made by the large female. She doesn't have any need to prove her strength with scary sounds. She lets her grip on Nanook and her pressing weight do the talking. The setters growls are barely noticed by Kerberos. She's unwilling to release her grip on the male in order to redirect an attack on the setter.
The violent shaking of her head was what really did him in. The sound of his skin tearing could be heard by the victim, and again, a loud, ear-piercing shriek was given on the part of the black and white male, but finally, his legs did find something firm to land upon. The offender's chest, which he dug his claws across in a swift motion, hoping to get her to back off at least somewhat. Already he could feel the warm blood running down his neck, the metallic scent overpowering even in such minimal amounts. Jaws snapping still, the blue-eyed dog simply had to wish for luck against this brute of a female. There was no strategy, for he was already defeated. In fact, he hadn't even heard Vega's growls, since he was so overwhelemed in the fight.
Vega clenches her teeth, tightening her muscles - and powers forward. Her red fur streams beautifully with her body; but unfortunately for her, it isn't the colour of her fur or her conformation that she needed. Still; she couldn't just watch this act of violence; call it her latent maternal instinct, her deep and profound care of other dogs, the sort that came with being...well, a dog. She surged forward and upwards, trying to wedge her rectangular muzzle under the thick neck of the monster, an instinctual - but foolish - strike.
The taste of warm blood was like milk to a pup for Kerberos. And the males painful screams, very satisfing indeed. It was apparent to the large female this male wouldn't be much of a challenge. He seemed young and years, and certainly inexperienced with fighting, but she enjoyed the tearing of his flesh just the same. Finally another sound breaks from the fighting dog's muzzle as the setter makes a move to attack. With a deep gurgling snarl she releases her grip on Nanook's neck to address her next victim. Again using her weight as a weapon, and the leverage by the male pushing against her chest, Kerberos thrusts her weight toward the setter as the setter's teeth clumsily grasp the folds of skin on her neck. "So the pretty little thing wants a taste too does she?" a taunting growl slips like ice through her lips as her aggression is now directed toward the female.
Agh, finally! His neck was released, and he was at ease for a moment there.. until he realized just what was happening. Whatever fighting experience he had flourished in comparison to what he assumed Vega did. Neck injury or not, the youngest dog of the group pushed himself to his paws, and leapt onto the largest dog's back, his jaws opening and a few words being shouted out towards the setter. "Get back to Allegro!" He snarled, though unintentionally, and focused instead on getting a grip on Kerberos' neck ruff with his own teetch. Though his neck was in great pain, he couldn't let Vega get hurt.
Vega whines her distress when she feels her teeth merely graze loose folds of skin, much like the skin on the back of a pups neck. Feeling her paws touch the ground after her remarkably valiant leap, the setter retreated a few steps, smoothing down her fur and trying to get herself under control. Crouching slightly (even now her subconcious not letting her lay in the mud,) she prepares for round two when the male barks out an order; retreat to the alpha. Hesitating, the setter apparently comes to the conclusion that this is the best choice of action, whirling on her paws and running off. What was remarkable was the speed at which she went, her fear for herself and her necessity to ensure Nanooks safety driving her onwards to search for the beguiling, colourful, alpha.
Before Kerberos gets a chance to mess up the fur on the purebred she's leapt upon by the male. The setter takes off leaving the large female furious. She doesn't like it when she misses an opportunity like that, but she decides not to pursue her. Instead she rears to her hind legs as teeth are sunk into the back of her neck, she lets out an angry snarl rather than a yelp. The only way to get a monkey off your back is to roll over them, so she lets herself fall backward. With any luck she'll pin him under herself again, but even getting him to release his teeth from her neck would be of benefit.
Had Nanook the time to sigh of relief, he certainly would have. Yes, it's good that Vega will be safe.. but what about him? He couldn't just run off.. Kerberos would surely chase him. Not that he really had the opportunity to think that through either, for as soon as his teeth do sink into the larger female's, she wastes little time in falling over on her back, or rather, his side, and he is left motionless on the ground. The wind had been successfully knocked out of him, and only a mix between a growl and a groan came from his throat. With his eyes squinting, the male's ears kept back, but they weren't pinned anymore. The heavy weight with the added force and gravity had done him in, and he had no fight left in him.
Kerberos doesn't waste anytime gathing her paws under herself and is right back to towering over the small male. But he doesn't fight back. A self satisfied smirk is smeared across her muzzle as she leans over the winded dog. Standing over him she fixes her eyes on his. She leans her face into his and in that same menacing voice she whispers to him, "That little bitch of yours is lucky to have her pretty little hide intact pup. You'd better run off too and let your alpha know I won't be told where I can or cannot go on any lands." Again she lets out a loud snarl and snaps at the males muzzle hoping she might get one last whine out of him. "Now you'd better run out of here with your tail between your legs before I change my mind." She doesn't bother to move away from him, if he wants his chance to retreat, he can squirm his away from under her legs.
As the beast of a dog is lumbering over him, Nanook doesn't even bother to look at her. He lays tired and motionless on the ground, the only thing seperating him from appearing dead being that little rise of one side, indicating breath. At least he wasn't dead. Pushing himself up weakly, Nanook does a rather dumb thing and bares his teeth at the female, even as he wriggles out from underneath her, and keeps his tail from curling inward. No, no. He wouldn't make her feel entirely satisfied. Even though he'd been beaten, he wasn't afraid of her. Dogs fight. Some dogs are aggressive. Nothing to be afraid of. Once he was free, between gathering his breath and wincing at the sting that radiated in his neck as his shoulders moved, he growled once again, and shook his head. "You're wrong about that. Just because I couldn't stop you doesn't mean the strength of the pack can't.."
Kerberos stands motionless, watching, as Nanook crawls to his paws. She continues to stare as he turns to face her and once again bares his teeth. His insolence draws out another raging growl. She charges him, again making an effort to overcome the smaller male. "You're pack isn't here now is it? I'm half of mind to kill you now. Let the pretty thing carry the message back to your precious pack alone," she spats back at him. And killing is definitely within the monster dogs capabilities. But she'll avoid it if she can. Though she has a lust for a good fight and the taste of blood, nothing excites her like the screams and yelps of an opponent... but all fun is lost once they lay dead before her.
"They might not be here now.." he said weakly, staring right back up at Kerberos, not an ounce of fear in his eyes; yes, though he was brash and inexperienced, one had to admit that he was almost foolishly brave. "But once they get scent of you.." He trailed off, and continued to slowly hobble away, not able to put too much weight on his front legs, as it seemed to stretch and make worse the wound along his neck. Still, his tail did not curl as the beast wished it to, nor did he yipe as she wanted him to. Defiant to the end, if she so chose to kill him.
Kerberos decides it's not worth it to pursue the male. She's already left a formidable mark with the wound on his neck. Perhaps someday he'll wear it as proudly as she wears her many scars and imperfections. Finally the large dog gives her coat a good shake, freeing it of much debris and signaling the calming of her aggression. Still she stands there making no move to turn away or move on, but the muscles under her thick coat lose some of their tension. Except the muscles in her face which keep a hard, stony expression full of hate. "I'm not afraid of any dog, and I will back down from no fights," she growls in response. And this is true, she'd die fighting, that was the honorable way to go.