Post by temperance on May 12, 2006 16:13:32 GMT -5
I missed the first part of the log - so this starts from the point where the conversation took a slight turn. (But if someone wants to message me what occured earlier, I can edit the log to include it!)
Location:
Barnyard
The barnyard is arguably the heart of the farm - and at its center stands a tall, centuries-old oak tree with long, gnarled branches. The ancient behemoth creaks and groans, thick leaves rustling in even the slightest breeze. At its base, among the roots, sits the skeletal remains of a rusted steam automobile on cement blocks. This tarnished relic provides plenty of hiding places for smaller creatures - like the mice who have taken up residence in the car's open glove compartment, or that cats who seem to enjoy snoozing in the cool shade of the back seat. A long, winding dirt road carves its way through the barnyard, flanked on either side by patches of tall green grass, dandelions and daisies.
But what would a barnyard be without the barn itself? Fashioned from long planks of rotten wood, the namesake seems to have fallen into a state of disrepair. Here and there, chipped bits of white paint can be found clinging to the structure's exterior - a reminder of better days. Beside the barn is a tall woodpile, overgrown with weeds and dry moss, a notorious nesting ground for spiders, centipedes and a plethora of nasty insects.
The farmhouse sits across the dirt road from the barn and, thankfully, is in much better condition. It carries the warm smells of freshly baked pies and bubbling stews left to simmer on the wood stove. It's a modest, one-story dwelling that looks more like a cottage than a house; it's small, painted bright white, with just enough room for a small family.
Participants:
Jet, adol. dog (black lab)
Brute, dog (mastiff)
Zag, dog (border collie)
Dinah, cat
Daisy, cow
With a hop, skip and a jump, Dinah springs deftly onto a nearby fencepost and balances there - bunched. Her ears pin back as she settles upon her perch, watching the two dogs from behind hooded lids. "So you heard them last night, too."
Jet turns to regard the cat curiously, her attention diverted for now. "I doubt many didn't. They all just lay about here anyway." a disapproving glance is shot at Brute as if it's her place to bestow one.
Wary eyes dart to the cat before a calm nod is offered. "Aye. Loud as the bells a' d**nation, they are." Lips curl into an angry sneer as the mastiff swats a stone near his paw aside. "Ye know they're up ta no good. Plottin' ta take 'eads, they is."
"What makes you think that?" is what Dinah wants to know. There isn't anything condescending about her tone. Her curiosity - or so it sounds - is genuine. She gives a slight flick of her tailtip, which begins to tick-tock-tick.
*Bang* The screen door slams hard after Zag pushes her nose into it to open and slide through, being canine and on four legs, she can't help but let the door slam as it does. Her tail wags some, muzzle wet from the drink she sought inside, not to mention some comfort being inside which she rarely treats herself to. "Hey guys...what are you all doing out here?" She sits near the top step, looking around at the two dogs present and the cat.
Jet yawns, finally tired of the older dog. "Realizing I should be out /doing something/." she responds, accentuating the last two words with a pointed look at the mastiff.
"They're blo'y wolves! 'course they're doin' somethin' like that." Brute states incredulously as he looks up at the cat. Zag steals his attention away long enough for him to look her up and down. "Ah'm watchin' the barn s'all. Where's yer brotha?"
Her head tilting to the side, "Whatcha watchin the barn for? Is it gonna move?" Grinning in a teasing manner, Zag tilts her head to the side with her tounge hanging out, "He's watching the sheep...we take turns. I should be heading out that way soon enough. But I can see them just fine here..." Tossing her head towards the pasture fencing, sure enough the sheep are banded closely and otherwise grazing.
As if on cue, a clanking is heard inside the barn. Sure, it's only Daisy's bell. But still!
A polite dip of her head is given in response to Zag's arrival, and Dinah begins to groom. "Or perhaps he is investigating the situation for himself," Dinah offers lightly. "Before Caesar catches wind of things and starts demanding answers." She pauses, glancing toward the barn at the sound of the bell.
Never one to take part in the more 'grown up' discussions thus far, Jet sets off without a word in the rough direction of the stream. The bell causes a momentary pause and look over her shoulder before the course is resumed.
A critical eye falls up at the cat. "'Starts demandin' answers' she says? Who the 'ell are ye ta sit up there an' throw words like that at us anyway? We're doin' wot Caesar'd expect us ta do. We're doin' our -job.-" Brute offers a toothy smile to Zag before shaking his head. "Yer brotha's right as rain, 'e is. Ye ain't so bad yerself. Just gotta remember ta keep yer nose ta the barn!" The deep voice erupts into chuckling as he jokes towards the collie. A curious glance turns back to Dinah. "'ey, ye ain't no friends wif dem wolves. Ye see anythin' in yer 'unts?"
"Hey Daisy!" Zag barks softly, watching the cat come out of the barn with the clanks of the bell, she eventually sprawls on the porch on her side, her head still facing the group that forms. "Thanks Brute...your not bad either." Her muzzle still in that grinning look to her. "See ya Jet..." she offers as the Lab leaves. "Have the wolves been close?" Loosing that bit of grin and looking to the mastiff curiously.
An unmistakable bellow is heard inside the barn along with more bell-clanking. Soon enough, the holstein makes her way through the open barn door, turning her ears toward those gathered in the yard. She shakes out her neck and shoulders, causing her bell to sound further, and looks over the dogs and cat with her large eyes. "Afternoon, dearies.." she greets in her smooth alto, smiling softy as only bovines can smile. But the smile quickly fades as the cow hears the mastiff's words. Wolves? She dips her head, tail tucking inward a bit. She may be bigger than any wolf, but she knows that where there is one, more are usually closeby.
"If I was Caesar, I would be demanding answers, too." Dinah's eyes remain fixed on the barn until Daisy emerges, then flick back to the large mastiff, unflinching. "But I would not be so brutish - and I mean no offense to your namesake - as he. I have seen nothing, smelled nothing of wolves in the fields, but I will ask the other mousers next I see them. Perhaps, if we are lucky, the wild ones will be content to remain among the trees. Unless they are starving, I see no reason why they would come near the farm and risk the Man's gun."
Irritated growling and a nod, there isn't much else Brute could do as he turns back. Gaze flutters between Daisy and Zag as he answers both the look of concern and the collie's question. "Ain't noffin' ta get too riled about. They just been chatty as 'ell last night is all..." The pink of his tongue flicks across his muzzle, inadvertently setting a strand of spittle to dangle off of his jowl. "We'd appreciate any 'elp, truly. Thanks ta the other mousers, ey?"
Another nod, and Dinah wordlessly leaps from the fencepost to the woodpile beside the barn, using it to gain access to the poorly thatched roof. Soon, she's gone - presumably to spread the word among the few farm cats who aren't already in the know.
"Cha...oh the howling. I heard them, seems a pack is forming up around there." thingying her head to the side abit, "Zig and I will keep a watch over the sheep well enough, Spy is helping too." Zag stands and hops from the porch, skipping the steps and takes a place near the fencing, as fast as she is she's not all that concerned about the wolves at the moment, "there is plenty of game out in the forest right now....Winter is when we're gonna have to watch more."
"Don't mean to be troubin' you more, dearies.." Daisy interjects, taking another step toward the group. "But a wildcat came up here last night. She didn't cause any trouble - Spy handled her well - ..but I know that wilds comin' up to our fence-rows looking for conversation don't sit so well with *me*.." That, and if a wildcat can get through whatever defenses the dogs and the Farmer have set up, how long will it be until a wolf can?
Hackles raise on the back of Brute and his sizeable mouth curls back to reveal his jagged teeth. "A blo'y wild got in 'ere? The man 'ad me out wif 'em last night, sorry I wasn't 'ere ta rip the lit'le beast in 'alf." A wary nod, perhaps mixed with mild paranoia, turns to Zag. "Game 'er not, I'd prefer ta 'ave an eye open fer the mad cusses."
"Wild cat? Oy...what all did I miss inside the house?" She promptly gets up, "I'm gonna go check on Zig...see you all laters." In true border fashion she darts out beneath the fencing into the pasture, giving a few barks and nips to the sheep as she passes and disappears from sight to the back pasture to find her brother.
Daisy takes a step back when Brute bares those nasty teeth. Not that the farm dog would ever hurt her, but it's still a scary sight. "Well I thank you fer all your hard work, honey.." she says, smiling weakly.
Eyes trail after Zag as she runs off into the pasture and Brute lets out a low, discontent huff at the entire situation. Gruff appearance melts away to allow a lowbrow smile to part his maw as the mastiff smiles back at Daisy. "I do wot I 'afta do, lass. Anythin' else ye picked up yesterday? Are the rest a' the flock well tended ta?"
Daisy shakes her head lightly, her bell clanking twice. "No other news, Brute. The flock is as noisy as ever, so I assume they're doin' just fine." She turns her head to wink at the mastiff. The dairy cow does her best to steer clear of the flock in the pastures. Loud lot, they are.
"Good, good. Give 'em green 'an air an' they'll be fine. What of the barn?" Paws shift in his sitting position as Brute makes himself more uncomfortable. "'ow 'bout back in there?" heavy head gives a flick towards the barn. "Anythin' outta place?"
"Everythin's dandy, dearie," Daisy says with a wider smile as she starts to move past the dog and to the pasture. "You dogs're doin' good. Can't thank you enough. Now, if you'll 'scuse me, I got some grass to trim."
While her words are taken to heart, an itch at the back of Brute's head urges him to go into the barn and sniff around just in case. Once Daisy moves far enough that he can get past, a protective glare is thrown towards the bovine before he disappears into the building.
Daisy walks carefull to an opening in the fence to the pasture, unaware of the specific glance given by the mastiff, but sure that the dog is looking out for her and the rest of the livestock.
Location:
Barnyard
The barnyard is arguably the heart of the farm - and at its center stands a tall, centuries-old oak tree with long, gnarled branches. The ancient behemoth creaks and groans, thick leaves rustling in even the slightest breeze. At its base, among the roots, sits the skeletal remains of a rusted steam automobile on cement blocks. This tarnished relic provides plenty of hiding places for smaller creatures - like the mice who have taken up residence in the car's open glove compartment, or that cats who seem to enjoy snoozing in the cool shade of the back seat. A long, winding dirt road carves its way through the barnyard, flanked on either side by patches of tall green grass, dandelions and daisies.
But what would a barnyard be without the barn itself? Fashioned from long planks of rotten wood, the namesake seems to have fallen into a state of disrepair. Here and there, chipped bits of white paint can be found clinging to the structure's exterior - a reminder of better days. Beside the barn is a tall woodpile, overgrown with weeds and dry moss, a notorious nesting ground for spiders, centipedes and a plethora of nasty insects.
The farmhouse sits across the dirt road from the barn and, thankfully, is in much better condition. It carries the warm smells of freshly baked pies and bubbling stews left to simmer on the wood stove. It's a modest, one-story dwelling that looks more like a cottage than a house; it's small, painted bright white, with just enough room for a small family.
Participants:
Jet, adol. dog (black lab)
Brute, dog (mastiff)
Zag, dog (border collie)
Dinah, cat
Daisy, cow
With a hop, skip and a jump, Dinah springs deftly onto a nearby fencepost and balances there - bunched. Her ears pin back as she settles upon her perch, watching the two dogs from behind hooded lids. "So you heard them last night, too."
Jet turns to regard the cat curiously, her attention diverted for now. "I doubt many didn't. They all just lay about here anyway." a disapproving glance is shot at Brute as if it's her place to bestow one.
Wary eyes dart to the cat before a calm nod is offered. "Aye. Loud as the bells a' d**nation, they are." Lips curl into an angry sneer as the mastiff swats a stone near his paw aside. "Ye know they're up ta no good. Plottin' ta take 'eads, they is."
"What makes you think that?" is what Dinah wants to know. There isn't anything condescending about her tone. Her curiosity - or so it sounds - is genuine. She gives a slight flick of her tailtip, which begins to tick-tock-tick.
*Bang* The screen door slams hard after Zag pushes her nose into it to open and slide through, being canine and on four legs, she can't help but let the door slam as it does. Her tail wags some, muzzle wet from the drink she sought inside, not to mention some comfort being inside which she rarely treats herself to. "Hey guys...what are you all doing out here?" She sits near the top step, looking around at the two dogs present and the cat.
Jet yawns, finally tired of the older dog. "Realizing I should be out /doing something/." she responds, accentuating the last two words with a pointed look at the mastiff.
"They're blo'y wolves! 'course they're doin' somethin' like that." Brute states incredulously as he looks up at the cat. Zag steals his attention away long enough for him to look her up and down. "Ah'm watchin' the barn s'all. Where's yer brotha?"
Her head tilting to the side, "Whatcha watchin the barn for? Is it gonna move?" Grinning in a teasing manner, Zag tilts her head to the side with her tounge hanging out, "He's watching the sheep...we take turns. I should be heading out that way soon enough. But I can see them just fine here..." Tossing her head towards the pasture fencing, sure enough the sheep are banded closely and otherwise grazing.
As if on cue, a clanking is heard inside the barn. Sure, it's only Daisy's bell. But still!
A polite dip of her head is given in response to Zag's arrival, and Dinah begins to groom. "Or perhaps he is investigating the situation for himself," Dinah offers lightly. "Before Caesar catches wind of things and starts demanding answers." She pauses, glancing toward the barn at the sound of the bell.
Never one to take part in the more 'grown up' discussions thus far, Jet sets off without a word in the rough direction of the stream. The bell causes a momentary pause and look over her shoulder before the course is resumed.
A critical eye falls up at the cat. "'Starts demandin' answers' she says? Who the 'ell are ye ta sit up there an' throw words like that at us anyway? We're doin' wot Caesar'd expect us ta do. We're doin' our -job.-" Brute offers a toothy smile to Zag before shaking his head. "Yer brotha's right as rain, 'e is. Ye ain't so bad yerself. Just gotta remember ta keep yer nose ta the barn!" The deep voice erupts into chuckling as he jokes towards the collie. A curious glance turns back to Dinah. "'ey, ye ain't no friends wif dem wolves. Ye see anythin' in yer 'unts?"
"Hey Daisy!" Zag barks softly, watching the cat come out of the barn with the clanks of the bell, she eventually sprawls on the porch on her side, her head still facing the group that forms. "Thanks Brute...your not bad either." Her muzzle still in that grinning look to her. "See ya Jet..." she offers as the Lab leaves. "Have the wolves been close?" Loosing that bit of grin and looking to the mastiff curiously.
An unmistakable bellow is heard inside the barn along with more bell-clanking. Soon enough, the holstein makes her way through the open barn door, turning her ears toward those gathered in the yard. She shakes out her neck and shoulders, causing her bell to sound further, and looks over the dogs and cat with her large eyes. "Afternoon, dearies.." she greets in her smooth alto, smiling softy as only bovines can smile. But the smile quickly fades as the cow hears the mastiff's words. Wolves? She dips her head, tail tucking inward a bit. She may be bigger than any wolf, but she knows that where there is one, more are usually closeby.
"If I was Caesar, I would be demanding answers, too." Dinah's eyes remain fixed on the barn until Daisy emerges, then flick back to the large mastiff, unflinching. "But I would not be so brutish - and I mean no offense to your namesake - as he. I have seen nothing, smelled nothing of wolves in the fields, but I will ask the other mousers next I see them. Perhaps, if we are lucky, the wild ones will be content to remain among the trees. Unless they are starving, I see no reason why they would come near the farm and risk the Man's gun."
Irritated growling and a nod, there isn't much else Brute could do as he turns back. Gaze flutters between Daisy and Zag as he answers both the look of concern and the collie's question. "Ain't noffin' ta get too riled about. They just been chatty as 'ell last night is all..." The pink of his tongue flicks across his muzzle, inadvertently setting a strand of spittle to dangle off of his jowl. "We'd appreciate any 'elp, truly. Thanks ta the other mousers, ey?"
Another nod, and Dinah wordlessly leaps from the fencepost to the woodpile beside the barn, using it to gain access to the poorly thatched roof. Soon, she's gone - presumably to spread the word among the few farm cats who aren't already in the know.
"Cha...oh the howling. I heard them, seems a pack is forming up around there." thingying her head to the side abit, "Zig and I will keep a watch over the sheep well enough, Spy is helping too." Zag stands and hops from the porch, skipping the steps and takes a place near the fencing, as fast as she is she's not all that concerned about the wolves at the moment, "there is plenty of game out in the forest right now....Winter is when we're gonna have to watch more."
"Don't mean to be troubin' you more, dearies.." Daisy interjects, taking another step toward the group. "But a wildcat came up here last night. She didn't cause any trouble - Spy handled her well - ..but I know that wilds comin' up to our fence-rows looking for conversation don't sit so well with *me*.." That, and if a wildcat can get through whatever defenses the dogs and the Farmer have set up, how long will it be until a wolf can?
Hackles raise on the back of Brute and his sizeable mouth curls back to reveal his jagged teeth. "A blo'y wild got in 'ere? The man 'ad me out wif 'em last night, sorry I wasn't 'ere ta rip the lit'le beast in 'alf." A wary nod, perhaps mixed with mild paranoia, turns to Zag. "Game 'er not, I'd prefer ta 'ave an eye open fer the mad cusses."
"Wild cat? Oy...what all did I miss inside the house?" She promptly gets up, "I'm gonna go check on Zig...see you all laters." In true border fashion she darts out beneath the fencing into the pasture, giving a few barks and nips to the sheep as she passes and disappears from sight to the back pasture to find her brother.
Daisy takes a step back when Brute bares those nasty teeth. Not that the farm dog would ever hurt her, but it's still a scary sight. "Well I thank you fer all your hard work, honey.." she says, smiling weakly.
Eyes trail after Zag as she runs off into the pasture and Brute lets out a low, discontent huff at the entire situation. Gruff appearance melts away to allow a lowbrow smile to part his maw as the mastiff smiles back at Daisy. "I do wot I 'afta do, lass. Anythin' else ye picked up yesterday? Are the rest a' the flock well tended ta?"
Daisy shakes her head lightly, her bell clanking twice. "No other news, Brute. The flock is as noisy as ever, so I assume they're doin' just fine." She turns her head to wink at the mastiff. The dairy cow does her best to steer clear of the flock in the pastures. Loud lot, they are.
"Good, good. Give 'em green 'an air an' they'll be fine. What of the barn?" Paws shift in his sitting position as Brute makes himself more uncomfortable. "'ow 'bout back in there?" heavy head gives a flick towards the barn. "Anythin' outta place?"
"Everythin's dandy, dearie," Daisy says with a wider smile as she starts to move past the dog and to the pasture. "You dogs're doin' good. Can't thank you enough. Now, if you'll 'scuse me, I got some grass to trim."
While her words are taken to heart, an itch at the back of Brute's head urges him to go into the barn and sniff around just in case. Once Daisy moves far enough that he can get past, a protective glare is thrown towards the bovine before he disappears into the building.
Daisy walks carefull to an opening in the fence to the pasture, unaware of the specific glance given by the mastiff, but sure that the dog is looking out for her and the rest of the livestock.