Post by Cyrus on Nov 9, 2008 22:27:26 GMT -5
Old Barn
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Small trickles of sunlight illuminate the cracks between the wood boards of the walls, the thin beams reflecting off floating dust. Everything past the doorway is shrouded in the dark shadows, looking lifeless yet refreshingly cool. A layer of gritty, dry hay blankets the ground, though soaked in a few small puddles of water and mud here and there.
Rusty farm tools and equipment rest against the north wall, some hanging from wall hooks, others tossed in the corner. Opposite of that, a row of stalls are set up next to each other along the south wall, partitioned off with simple wooden beams and a creaky gate made of brown iron bars. A ladder propped up firmly leads to the loft above, underneath a damaged section of the roof which has been crudely covered up, yet still leaks rainwater.
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Jette, Male Dog
Rouge, Female Adol. Dog
Alsoomse, Female Dog
He'd shifted his position for a moment to take a 'peremeter' of the outside before slipping back into the forgotten barn. He could small the cats that had stirred earlier yet doesn't see them anywhere. The evening was coming to a close slowly and the chilly air was clear to show the few stars that wanted to make themselves known. The large male is settled comfortabley on his side, head craddled on an old half of wood. A deep sigh rummbles from his barrel chest as his eyes lid lazily, keeping a faint eye on the slumbering female not far off.
Rouge is stirring long before she awakens. Her hind legs are twitching just slightly, as if she's trying to run in her sleep. But whatever dream she's having washes away in an instant and her eyes draw open. For a moment, she doesn't know where she is and why she's here. Skittering to her paws, the young mutt glances around in an almost fright until her vision clears and Jette comes into view. Then she remembers earlier, how she'd met him and he'd led her here. With a small sigh, she sits down. "Good m--" Wait, is it even mourning at all? No, can't be... it's too dark. "Ah, hi." She corrects herself quickly, putting on a tiny smile. "How long was I sleeping?"
Jette's head is already up and watching the young mutt as she jumps to her paws. A faint grin tugs at the corners of his maw as he clears his throat. "Evening," he murmurs. The dark male pushes himself up into a halfway sitting position and allows a yawn to escape his jaws. "Awhile. You were pretty exhausted. Did you good though, won't make it long when your body is tired." He motions once more to the rabbit he'd hidden earlier. "Help yourself if your hungrey."
Before speaking, she has to first hold back a yawn, her upbringing having given her an inclination toward manners. After coaxing it away with a deep breath, the mutt nods a bit. "You're right. I feel much better now." And it's true, the rest had done her a world of good. Taking minute long naps out in the cold just doesn't cut it. Eyes sliding over to where the rabbit is, she dips her head politely, then slinks over. Rather than take the whole thing, though, she simply tears off one of its hind legs and drags it back to her spot. Rouge is indeed hungry, a fact made clear once she'd warmed up, but after going so long without a proper meal, her stomach just can't yet hold that much.
Jette watches her before smiling faintly, "Good. Now you got some rest and some food in your belly. So little one, where your paws taking you?" he questions curiously. Jette tilts his head to one side curiously, tail tapping the dusty ground below him as he watches her curiously. He wondered if she was headed anywhere specific or if like him, only less tactical about it, was simply wandering wherever the mood took her.
Rouge is very careful to keep her muzzle at least somewhat clean as she eats, yet another painfully obvious reminder of how inexperienced she is. After a moment, she licks her teeth and looks up. "I don't know anymore. I was hoping maybe to find another human, but... I am not having any luck with that." She lets out a long breath, looking down at the meat again, but not right away returning to eating it. "I don't know what else to do."
Jette listens sympathetically and shakes his head, "I'm afraid that's a suicide mission. Humans these days haven't been extremely kind to us strays.. which is what we are now unfourtunately." He lets his gaze wonder elsewhere before 'hmm'ing softly. "In fact, I personally haven't seen nor smelt a human in a long time.. not around here at least." Jette turns his attention back to Rouge and he smiles almost uneasily, "I know you don't know me but your more then welcome to tag along with me.. I'm not headed anywhere specific but It would probably be safer for you until you were more comfortable on your own.. You'd always be free to go where and when you please. But I could at least offer some company and protection."
Rouge peers again at Jette. "Is it really like that?" She isn't a stranger to the darker side of humanity, but most of her masters had been kind. She always assumed they were the majority. But he's right, at the very least as far as human presence. "I supposed you're right." At his proposition, she pauses just a moment. She's never been offered anything like that before, but it only takes her a moment to think about it. "You really wouldn't mind, would you?" She doesn't want to be wandering alone forever.
Jette shakes his head, "Of course not dear," he answers kindly. "Like I said, It'd be safer for you, as well as myself. Two is better then one," he chuckles. Jette pushes himself up upon his haunches and stretches out his front legs slowly, ears splaying before twitching fowards. "I could teach you about the surrounding lands, show you the places to hunt and various shelters ive found in my travels, that way if you ever wish to go your own way you would have a fighting chance."
Rouge forgets about her meal for the time being. "Then... I would love to come with you. I really do want to learn." Her heart swells with hope; perhaps she has something to look forward to after all. And more importantly, if she wants to survive out here, she *will* need to get educated, and quickly. But for a more immediate concern, "we're not going anywhere right now, though?" It's still too cold!
The older male chuckles softly and shakes his head, "No we don't have to go anywhere just yet. Not until your ready to move," he reasures her. Jette stands casually and wanders over to the hole in which they came through, glancing out curiously to the outside world. He settles down by the entrance and eyes her again, "Eat your dinner before it freezes, it's harder then," he laughs faintly. It felt good to have someone else around. Less lonely.
Rouge settles down with a reassured nod. "Alright." She begins picking at the rabbit leg again, although his movements distract her. "Is it still snowing out there?" She asks between bites. Not that it matters any, but she's curious and still attempting to maintain some conversation. Silence is uncomfortable for her, it's always been.
Jette was probably more comfortable in it then others but he shakes his head, "No it isn't, not for now. Rather clear out, looks nice. Still kinda chilly," he murmurs thoughtfully before smiling at her. Jette wonders idly if there are other dogs out there.. he'd seen a few on his travels but never a lot at one time.
Rouge listens quietly, picturing the outside in her mind, then goes back to polishing off the meat. When at last there's nothing but the tiny bones left, she sits up, ears perked. After a moment, she pads up toward Jette, the stub of her tail wagging just faintly. "So... how did you end up out here, anyway?" If there's one thing the young mutt hadn't learned, it was the virtues of not prying.
Dark eyes slide in her direction and Jette smiles sadly. "I used to be a herding dog.. my masters pups got hurt when I was supposed to be watching them." he glances back to the world outside. "They never forgave me. Thus I'm roughing it out here.. I lost there scent years ago. No telling where they went." Jette shrugs a shoulder before smiling in her direction, "Looks like the fates have been kind however, they brought me to you. I can redeem myself in protecting a new charge huh."
Rouge is stunned at first, her heart sinking at the thought. "I'm very sorry..." She has nothing to really apologize for, but she feels sympathy for him. Surprising even herself, she bumps her head softly against the side of his shoulder, a gentle smile on her muzzle. "I understand. You're off to a good start, anyway. You've already been so kind to me."
He shakes his head however, though smiles, "Thankyou.." He blinks slightly at the head bump before smiling kindly towards her. Chuckling the male replys, "But of course m'dear, you deserve only kindness. I know how it felt to be out on my own at first.. it wasn't a good feeling." Jette cranes his head out to the world outside and snuffles faintly, trying to catch any scent if possible. Hmm.
Rouge lifts her head again, still smiling. "It's true." Letting out a breath, she nods. "I don't think dogs are meant to be alone. It's not in our blood." Her eyes follow his to the outside. "Do you smell anything?" She wonders curiously.
Jette agrees with her with a small chuff before he glances back outside and shakes his head, "Nothing. Just the chill of the outside world.." he smiles comfortabley and turns back to her, a curious expression falling over his face. "Speaking of.. have you seen other dogs in your travels? I've met others but a long time ago and not again for many moons.." he muses softly.
Alsoomse has arrived.
Rouge ohs and sits down. Her mind stretches back to when she first lost her master, and the days that followed. "Yes, I did." She looks up, trying to picture them clearly in her head. "There was an elkhound, her name was Jage. The other was a fox hound... um..." What was his name? What was his name? It started with 'B'. "B... Bodhi?" She finally blurts out, unsure but assuming she's close, and not realizing just how miserably wrong she got it.
Jette tilts his head curiously and frowns. He hadn't met them before.. Cropped ears twitch as he nods his head. At least he knows there are others out there, aside from the big cats and the wolves. Others like them. Jette clicks his teeth thoughtfully and glances to her, "Have to had enough to eat? Don't worry about me, we'll be able to find more for food now that there is two of us."
Rouge shakes her head. "I hope you get to meet them someday. They were nice to me." She hopes they're alright, she hasn't seen them in a long while. "Yeah, for now. If I get hungry again, though, I'll go eat more." What she really wants to do, though, is learn to hunt for herself. All her life, she's been used to having meals simply handed to her, but she's always worked for them in some manner or another.
The male nods his head slowly. "When it's daylight and the weather is good I'll teach you some hunting tips around the barn here. I'm sure there are plenty of wild mice and rodents we can brush your technique up on." Jette smiles reasuringly and lets his dark eyes wander back out to the cool night air. Ears keep track of the movements of various creatures outside, none threatening, and so his glance slides back to Rouge, tail thumping the ground slowly.
While the weather does little to bother Aloomse anymore she is tired of being wet from all the snow. Her thick fur does a good job to help protect her against most things but right now she is looking for a warm place to lay her head. The large dog is slowly making her way towards the barn as she sometimes has done in the past. With Freyr gone an the rest of the group not around she's find herself alone once more. She's turned back into her more then aggersive self which could spell trouble for anyone that might bother her. She pauses upon hearing voices and picks up the scent from within the barn. Well well, what do we have /here/? She pauses at the entrance and just looks inside, a thin growl rumbling free from her chest.
Rouge wags her tailstump excitedly. "Really? I can't wait." She's never hunted a mouse before. But she's seen cats do it, and if /they/ can do it, surely she can do it just as well? She's about to ask more about hunting, when a growl catches her ears. Jolting to all fours, her eyes nap outside, to where the strange dog has appeared. "Who... who are you?" Why does she sound angry? Rouge backs up, her tail making the motion to tuck between her legs, if only it were long enough.
Jette is smiling at Rouge before the sound and the smell drags him to attention. The beauceron is instantly on his paws however no aggressive reaction is given. He pads a little ahead of Rouge and hushes her faintly, giving her a reassuring nudge to her shoulder before turning his attention to Alsoomse. "Evening.." he calls, voice deep and neutral, a hint of caution to it. "We don't mean any trouble... I didn't smell any other canines scents when we took refuge here for the night. Weather an all.." Jette keeps his posture neutral. Neither agressive nor submissive.
"Who am I?" Comes the deep tone from Al's maw as she paces into the barn. "The one who this place belongs to that's who." So she hasn't been here for what two weeks? She was off hunting for food and trying to find the rest of the group, lot of good that did her. Alsoomse eyes the younger dog then glances to the male. "Why are you two here?" She questions with a thin tone. "Weather indeed." The dog offers while watching them and glances over the barn while sniffing to see if any other dogs might be here as well.
Rouge quiets down, although she quivers slightly, ready to run off if she must. So the stranger owns this place? They had no idea! Biting her tongue, the young mutt lets Jette handle this. Hopefully it doesn't turn out ugly. It would have been all her fault.
Jette smiles apologetically before his face forms back to an emotionless mask. "Our apology," he rummbles, ears twitching where they're settled. "We came with just the two of us. Needed to get the young one out of the snow before she froze." Jette watches her carefully before adding, "My names Jette. This is Rouge." He's not asking for her name, however one given would be taken graciously. He slides back upon his haunches slowly, the light chain around his neck tinking slightly.
Alsoomse snorts faintly while watches Rouge, her gaze turns back to Jette as she listions to him. "Course.." She pauses glances behind her a moment as if checking the area before lowers to her haunches, her head still raised tall. "I suppose you can stay.. the night.." There is a pause at the sound of a chain and she eyes Jette a few moments. "Human's pet?"
Rouge relaxes just an inch when it seems the stranger might /not/ chase them out. Still, she keeps her guard up when the other dog inquires about the chain. Pet? Haven't they all been at one point? She watches the exchange, remaining silent.
"Thankyou," murmurs the male. He really had no reason to argue with her, so he would take what he could. A faint grin ticks his maw for a moment before his eyes harden. Jette knows that not all dogs were pets, some had harsher.. worse stories dealing with humans. The dark male lifts his chin breifly and rummbles, "Once. A long time ago." He turns his head to smile at Rouge, a sort of 'relax' gesture before his attention slides once more to the female at the entrance.
Alsoomse mms faintly while as she listions to the two while she moves over to the broken stall she calls her own and settles down in the large pile of hay that she moved about a while ago. "I see." She says with a faint tone. Al was one who was the harsher life, an while her thick fur hides the seeable scars many more might be seen if someone watched her long enough. She has a tick that came back once she was on her own, she always looks around her now even in the safe place of the barn, and mentaly she has issues to say the least.
At Jette's encouragement, Rouge does relax. "I was a pet, too! A lot of times!" She offers brightly while stepping forward, so she's now standing next to him again, rather than behind. She watches Alsmoose a while, her head tipping to the side in confusion. "Is anything wrong?" She knows it would probably be better to leave the older female alone, but the mutt just can't help herself half the time.
The male visibly whinces as Rouge chimes in. This would be a face-palming moment if he were human. He doesn't say anything or move fowards as she does, though does keep a wary eye on Alsoomse. Please forgive her for being young. x_o; Jette tences faintly however keeps his outter appearance neutral still and lets his gaze flicker back and forth between the two females.
Alsoomse closes her eyes as she curls up, her settled on a pile of hay. A ear flicks at the word pet. "No one is ever a pet to humans.. Even if they treat you nice its all fake." She murmurs after a few moments. Her maw twitches and her eyes close but she isn't asleep, as forgiving Rouge she doesn't even look at her so she is forgiven in her mind.
Rouge doesn't understand the reaction she gets, from either of them. Did she say something wrong? She wants to give Alsoomse a piece of her mind for that statement, but luckily the mutt catches on that it might not be a good idea. Instead she simply murmurs underneath her breath. What a strange dog.
Jette nudges Rouge and smiles apologetically. He'll explain later. He noses her towards a couple of empty sacks layed over some stray hay and wanders that way to curl up and relax a little, giving the other female some space. Maybe he could talk to her later.. one on one. Figure out some of her story. She was rather.. interesting to him. Jette slides down upon his belly and stretches as he does so, nosing the spot beside him for Rouge to relax and get some warmth at the same time.
Alsoomse listions to the two as they move around, though she doesn't look towards them anymore. Her past is a interesting and hard one for most to deal which. A faint grr escapes her for a few moments before it turns into a whine which soon turns into nothing. Strange? Very much so!
Rouge watches the other female a while longer, before trotting after Jette. She does a few tiny circles around the spot next to him before settle down on her side, partially curled up. She's just as intrigued as Jette by the other dog, but perhaps, if only for her sake, she shouldn't pursue her curiosity. She'll leave that to him.
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Small trickles of sunlight illuminate the cracks between the wood boards of the walls, the thin beams reflecting off floating dust. Everything past the doorway is shrouded in the dark shadows, looking lifeless yet refreshingly cool. A layer of gritty, dry hay blankets the ground, though soaked in a few small puddles of water and mud here and there.
Rusty farm tools and equipment rest against the north wall, some hanging from wall hooks, others tossed in the corner. Opposite of that, a row of stalls are set up next to each other along the south wall, partitioned off with simple wooden beams and a creaky gate made of brown iron bars. A ladder propped up firmly leads to the loft above, underneath a damaged section of the roof which has been crudely covered up, yet still leaks rainwater.
===============================================
Jette, Male Dog
Rouge, Female Adol. Dog
Alsoomse, Female Dog
He'd shifted his position for a moment to take a 'peremeter' of the outside before slipping back into the forgotten barn. He could small the cats that had stirred earlier yet doesn't see them anywhere. The evening was coming to a close slowly and the chilly air was clear to show the few stars that wanted to make themselves known. The large male is settled comfortabley on his side, head craddled on an old half of wood. A deep sigh rummbles from his barrel chest as his eyes lid lazily, keeping a faint eye on the slumbering female not far off.
Rouge is stirring long before she awakens. Her hind legs are twitching just slightly, as if she's trying to run in her sleep. But whatever dream she's having washes away in an instant and her eyes draw open. For a moment, she doesn't know where she is and why she's here. Skittering to her paws, the young mutt glances around in an almost fright until her vision clears and Jette comes into view. Then she remembers earlier, how she'd met him and he'd led her here. With a small sigh, she sits down. "Good m--" Wait, is it even mourning at all? No, can't be... it's too dark. "Ah, hi." She corrects herself quickly, putting on a tiny smile. "How long was I sleeping?"
Jette's head is already up and watching the young mutt as she jumps to her paws. A faint grin tugs at the corners of his maw as he clears his throat. "Evening," he murmurs. The dark male pushes himself up into a halfway sitting position and allows a yawn to escape his jaws. "Awhile. You were pretty exhausted. Did you good though, won't make it long when your body is tired." He motions once more to the rabbit he'd hidden earlier. "Help yourself if your hungrey."
Before speaking, she has to first hold back a yawn, her upbringing having given her an inclination toward manners. After coaxing it away with a deep breath, the mutt nods a bit. "You're right. I feel much better now." And it's true, the rest had done her a world of good. Taking minute long naps out in the cold just doesn't cut it. Eyes sliding over to where the rabbit is, she dips her head politely, then slinks over. Rather than take the whole thing, though, she simply tears off one of its hind legs and drags it back to her spot. Rouge is indeed hungry, a fact made clear once she'd warmed up, but after going so long without a proper meal, her stomach just can't yet hold that much.
Jette watches her before smiling faintly, "Good. Now you got some rest and some food in your belly. So little one, where your paws taking you?" he questions curiously. Jette tilts his head to one side curiously, tail tapping the dusty ground below him as he watches her curiously. He wondered if she was headed anywhere specific or if like him, only less tactical about it, was simply wandering wherever the mood took her.
Rouge is very careful to keep her muzzle at least somewhat clean as she eats, yet another painfully obvious reminder of how inexperienced she is. After a moment, she licks her teeth and looks up. "I don't know anymore. I was hoping maybe to find another human, but... I am not having any luck with that." She lets out a long breath, looking down at the meat again, but not right away returning to eating it. "I don't know what else to do."
Jette listens sympathetically and shakes his head, "I'm afraid that's a suicide mission. Humans these days haven't been extremely kind to us strays.. which is what we are now unfourtunately." He lets his gaze wonder elsewhere before 'hmm'ing softly. "In fact, I personally haven't seen nor smelt a human in a long time.. not around here at least." Jette turns his attention back to Rouge and he smiles almost uneasily, "I know you don't know me but your more then welcome to tag along with me.. I'm not headed anywhere specific but It would probably be safer for you until you were more comfortable on your own.. You'd always be free to go where and when you please. But I could at least offer some company and protection."
Rouge peers again at Jette. "Is it really like that?" She isn't a stranger to the darker side of humanity, but most of her masters had been kind. She always assumed they were the majority. But he's right, at the very least as far as human presence. "I supposed you're right." At his proposition, she pauses just a moment. She's never been offered anything like that before, but it only takes her a moment to think about it. "You really wouldn't mind, would you?" She doesn't want to be wandering alone forever.
Jette shakes his head, "Of course not dear," he answers kindly. "Like I said, It'd be safer for you, as well as myself. Two is better then one," he chuckles. Jette pushes himself up upon his haunches and stretches out his front legs slowly, ears splaying before twitching fowards. "I could teach you about the surrounding lands, show you the places to hunt and various shelters ive found in my travels, that way if you ever wish to go your own way you would have a fighting chance."
Rouge forgets about her meal for the time being. "Then... I would love to come with you. I really do want to learn." Her heart swells with hope; perhaps she has something to look forward to after all. And more importantly, if she wants to survive out here, she *will* need to get educated, and quickly. But for a more immediate concern, "we're not going anywhere right now, though?" It's still too cold!
The older male chuckles softly and shakes his head, "No we don't have to go anywhere just yet. Not until your ready to move," he reasures her. Jette stands casually and wanders over to the hole in which they came through, glancing out curiously to the outside world. He settles down by the entrance and eyes her again, "Eat your dinner before it freezes, it's harder then," he laughs faintly. It felt good to have someone else around. Less lonely.
Rouge settles down with a reassured nod. "Alright." She begins picking at the rabbit leg again, although his movements distract her. "Is it still snowing out there?" She asks between bites. Not that it matters any, but she's curious and still attempting to maintain some conversation. Silence is uncomfortable for her, it's always been.
Jette was probably more comfortable in it then others but he shakes his head, "No it isn't, not for now. Rather clear out, looks nice. Still kinda chilly," he murmurs thoughtfully before smiling at her. Jette wonders idly if there are other dogs out there.. he'd seen a few on his travels but never a lot at one time.
Rouge listens quietly, picturing the outside in her mind, then goes back to polishing off the meat. When at last there's nothing but the tiny bones left, she sits up, ears perked. After a moment, she pads up toward Jette, the stub of her tail wagging just faintly. "So... how did you end up out here, anyway?" If there's one thing the young mutt hadn't learned, it was the virtues of not prying.
Dark eyes slide in her direction and Jette smiles sadly. "I used to be a herding dog.. my masters pups got hurt when I was supposed to be watching them." he glances back to the world outside. "They never forgave me. Thus I'm roughing it out here.. I lost there scent years ago. No telling where they went." Jette shrugs a shoulder before smiling in her direction, "Looks like the fates have been kind however, they brought me to you. I can redeem myself in protecting a new charge huh."
Rouge is stunned at first, her heart sinking at the thought. "I'm very sorry..." She has nothing to really apologize for, but she feels sympathy for him. Surprising even herself, she bumps her head softly against the side of his shoulder, a gentle smile on her muzzle. "I understand. You're off to a good start, anyway. You've already been so kind to me."
He shakes his head however, though smiles, "Thankyou.." He blinks slightly at the head bump before smiling kindly towards her. Chuckling the male replys, "But of course m'dear, you deserve only kindness. I know how it felt to be out on my own at first.. it wasn't a good feeling." Jette cranes his head out to the world outside and snuffles faintly, trying to catch any scent if possible. Hmm.
Rouge lifts her head again, still smiling. "It's true." Letting out a breath, she nods. "I don't think dogs are meant to be alone. It's not in our blood." Her eyes follow his to the outside. "Do you smell anything?" She wonders curiously.
Jette agrees with her with a small chuff before he glances back outside and shakes his head, "Nothing. Just the chill of the outside world.." he smiles comfortabley and turns back to her, a curious expression falling over his face. "Speaking of.. have you seen other dogs in your travels? I've met others but a long time ago and not again for many moons.." he muses softly.
Alsoomse has arrived.
Rouge ohs and sits down. Her mind stretches back to when she first lost her master, and the days that followed. "Yes, I did." She looks up, trying to picture them clearly in her head. "There was an elkhound, her name was Jage. The other was a fox hound... um..." What was his name? What was his name? It started with 'B'. "B... Bodhi?" She finally blurts out, unsure but assuming she's close, and not realizing just how miserably wrong she got it.
Jette tilts his head curiously and frowns. He hadn't met them before.. Cropped ears twitch as he nods his head. At least he knows there are others out there, aside from the big cats and the wolves. Others like them. Jette clicks his teeth thoughtfully and glances to her, "Have to had enough to eat? Don't worry about me, we'll be able to find more for food now that there is two of us."
Rouge shakes her head. "I hope you get to meet them someday. They were nice to me." She hopes they're alright, she hasn't seen them in a long while. "Yeah, for now. If I get hungry again, though, I'll go eat more." What she really wants to do, though, is learn to hunt for herself. All her life, she's been used to having meals simply handed to her, but she's always worked for them in some manner or another.
The male nods his head slowly. "When it's daylight and the weather is good I'll teach you some hunting tips around the barn here. I'm sure there are plenty of wild mice and rodents we can brush your technique up on." Jette smiles reasuringly and lets his dark eyes wander back out to the cool night air. Ears keep track of the movements of various creatures outside, none threatening, and so his glance slides back to Rouge, tail thumping the ground slowly.
While the weather does little to bother Aloomse anymore she is tired of being wet from all the snow. Her thick fur does a good job to help protect her against most things but right now she is looking for a warm place to lay her head. The large dog is slowly making her way towards the barn as she sometimes has done in the past. With Freyr gone an the rest of the group not around she's find herself alone once more. She's turned back into her more then aggersive self which could spell trouble for anyone that might bother her. She pauses upon hearing voices and picks up the scent from within the barn. Well well, what do we have /here/? She pauses at the entrance and just looks inside, a thin growl rumbling free from her chest.
Rouge wags her tailstump excitedly. "Really? I can't wait." She's never hunted a mouse before. But she's seen cats do it, and if /they/ can do it, surely she can do it just as well? She's about to ask more about hunting, when a growl catches her ears. Jolting to all fours, her eyes nap outside, to where the strange dog has appeared. "Who... who are you?" Why does she sound angry? Rouge backs up, her tail making the motion to tuck between her legs, if only it were long enough.
Jette is smiling at Rouge before the sound and the smell drags him to attention. The beauceron is instantly on his paws however no aggressive reaction is given. He pads a little ahead of Rouge and hushes her faintly, giving her a reassuring nudge to her shoulder before turning his attention to Alsoomse. "Evening.." he calls, voice deep and neutral, a hint of caution to it. "We don't mean any trouble... I didn't smell any other canines scents when we took refuge here for the night. Weather an all.." Jette keeps his posture neutral. Neither agressive nor submissive.
"Who am I?" Comes the deep tone from Al's maw as she paces into the barn. "The one who this place belongs to that's who." So she hasn't been here for what two weeks? She was off hunting for food and trying to find the rest of the group, lot of good that did her. Alsoomse eyes the younger dog then glances to the male. "Why are you two here?" She questions with a thin tone. "Weather indeed." The dog offers while watching them and glances over the barn while sniffing to see if any other dogs might be here as well.
Rouge quiets down, although she quivers slightly, ready to run off if she must. So the stranger owns this place? They had no idea! Biting her tongue, the young mutt lets Jette handle this. Hopefully it doesn't turn out ugly. It would have been all her fault.
Jette smiles apologetically before his face forms back to an emotionless mask. "Our apology," he rummbles, ears twitching where they're settled. "We came with just the two of us. Needed to get the young one out of the snow before she froze." Jette watches her carefully before adding, "My names Jette. This is Rouge." He's not asking for her name, however one given would be taken graciously. He slides back upon his haunches slowly, the light chain around his neck tinking slightly.
Alsoomse snorts faintly while watches Rouge, her gaze turns back to Jette as she listions to him. "Course.." She pauses glances behind her a moment as if checking the area before lowers to her haunches, her head still raised tall. "I suppose you can stay.. the night.." There is a pause at the sound of a chain and she eyes Jette a few moments. "Human's pet?"
Rouge relaxes just an inch when it seems the stranger might /not/ chase them out. Still, she keeps her guard up when the other dog inquires about the chain. Pet? Haven't they all been at one point? She watches the exchange, remaining silent.
"Thankyou," murmurs the male. He really had no reason to argue with her, so he would take what he could. A faint grin ticks his maw for a moment before his eyes harden. Jette knows that not all dogs were pets, some had harsher.. worse stories dealing with humans. The dark male lifts his chin breifly and rummbles, "Once. A long time ago." He turns his head to smile at Rouge, a sort of 'relax' gesture before his attention slides once more to the female at the entrance.
Alsoomse mms faintly while as she listions to the two while she moves over to the broken stall she calls her own and settles down in the large pile of hay that she moved about a while ago. "I see." She says with a faint tone. Al was one who was the harsher life, an while her thick fur hides the seeable scars many more might be seen if someone watched her long enough. She has a tick that came back once she was on her own, she always looks around her now even in the safe place of the barn, and mentaly she has issues to say the least.
At Jette's encouragement, Rouge does relax. "I was a pet, too! A lot of times!" She offers brightly while stepping forward, so she's now standing next to him again, rather than behind. She watches Alsmoose a while, her head tipping to the side in confusion. "Is anything wrong?" She knows it would probably be better to leave the older female alone, but the mutt just can't help herself half the time.
The male visibly whinces as Rouge chimes in. This would be a face-palming moment if he were human. He doesn't say anything or move fowards as she does, though does keep a wary eye on Alsoomse. Please forgive her for being young. x_o; Jette tences faintly however keeps his outter appearance neutral still and lets his gaze flicker back and forth between the two females.
Alsoomse closes her eyes as she curls up, her settled on a pile of hay. A ear flicks at the word pet. "No one is ever a pet to humans.. Even if they treat you nice its all fake." She murmurs after a few moments. Her maw twitches and her eyes close but she isn't asleep, as forgiving Rouge she doesn't even look at her so she is forgiven in her mind.
Rouge doesn't understand the reaction she gets, from either of them. Did she say something wrong? She wants to give Alsoomse a piece of her mind for that statement, but luckily the mutt catches on that it might not be a good idea. Instead she simply murmurs underneath her breath. What a strange dog.
Jette nudges Rouge and smiles apologetically. He'll explain later. He noses her towards a couple of empty sacks layed over some stray hay and wanders that way to curl up and relax a little, giving the other female some space. Maybe he could talk to her later.. one on one. Figure out some of her story. She was rather.. interesting to him. Jette slides down upon his belly and stretches as he does so, nosing the spot beside him for Rouge to relax and get some warmth at the same time.
Alsoomse listions to the two as they move around, though she doesn't look towards them anymore. Her past is a interesting and hard one for most to deal which. A faint grr escapes her for a few moments before it turns into a whine which soon turns into nothing. Strange? Very much so!
Rouge watches the other female a while longer, before trotting after Jette. She does a few tiny circles around the spot next to him before settle down on her side, partially curled up. She's just as intrigued as Jette by the other dog, but perhaps, if only for her sake, she shouldn't pursue her curiosity. She'll leave that to him.