folly -p-joining-

[rook]

They were pathetic. They giggled and chased each other; they were oblivious to the presence of the stray. Rook watched silently, wondering if this was what she had to look forward to as a house pet and all at the same time, glad that she had been abandoned as a pup. That jovial dog could never be her; the Dalmatian was sleek and elegant, graceful and lithe. She was wrinkly and appeared fat, she was intimidating and cumbersome. She was not the ideal house pet and she never could be. Licking her wrinkled lips, she moved forward, toward them unfortunately.

The house pet was alerted to her first and his response was almost comical. The spotted dog stopped playing and stood rigid, body language screaming ‘go away’. Rook nearly went over just to prove a point, he could not stop her, nor could the boy he so obviously wanted to protect. At the mildly aggressive sight of his pet, the boy stopped and immediately found her, fear began to waft from the boy and she snorted softly, shaking her head in a carefree way. Her posture was relaxed, as if she didn’t care- and she didn’t. She wasn’t there to hurt them; she just wanted to find a place to sleep for the night. Obviously, this was not a good place.

She passed the home quietly and without incident despite wanting to show the Dalmatian he was not the boss and was just as pathetic as his master. Still, she wandered on, claws rasping softly against the warm pavement as she sauntered through the suburbs. Rook was not against sleeping in the open, but this place was too nice, too heavily populated, it was far too likely that a dogcatcher patrolled and would pick her up and she couldn’t have that. The ugly, wrinkled mastiff would no doubt be put to sleep, who would want an ugly- massive- beast like her? No one. It somewhat bothered her, Rook had ideals, good and bad, and neither could be done without followers. She needed a pack, but more than that, she needed to lead one. That was why her prowl for shelter sent her into the city, she was, in her own way, scouting for a home for more than just her. Rook was also scouting for people hard enough to follow her.



reserved for Chessy with Price. I'd like to keep these short and sweet if thats ok?

[Chessie]

How he ended up here, he would never know. The landscape replaced overhanging trees with towering buildings. Instead of leaping deer, there were chatty humans. Wolves turned into dogs, either obediently following their masters, or wandering the streets with no real clue. Price stayed within the shadows as best as he could, even for a wolf his coloring was odd. He may be mistaken as a really big shepherd mix if disguised himself properly in the darkness. As planned, the humans didn't give him a second look, not even a first for most.  

Being focused on not being on the end point of a gun, Price paid no head to the other canines around him. Quickening his pace to find a suitable hiding place until rush hour was over, Price scanned in between the houses for an alley. All either reeked with dog or already held occupants. Price was in no mood to start a fight, attention was something he was trying to avoid. Killing a dog in plain sight was not a good way to fly under the radar. 

Looking in every direction but front, Price rammed into a solid mass. Taken by surprise, Price leaped back, his tail out and his hair raising. In his mind, the dog should have moved out of his way, he was a prince for God's sake. He took a quick once over of his opponent. Female, and rather large. She was all muscle, there was no question about that. Under the less than appealing wrinkles, there was something to admire. She was not going to be an easy take down, more than likely leaving a few scars for him to remember her. But he would not fail, in the end, he had wild instinct and skills that no dog could compare to. 

[rook]

When one began a search they often looked around, but Rook did not seem interested in this place, her head was held slightly above shoulder height, her tail hung low and relaxed. The dogs in the area were fearful, weak; they were not what she was interested in. The mastiff wanted canines that could fight and would fight, for a cause, for mayhem, for something to do. Rook wanted Gladiators and she would find them. After wandering the suburbs, she didn’t expect to find hardened canines here.

The mastiff did not expect one to run into her-literally. When a solid form slammed into her, she growled, turning as fast as her large and bulky body would allow. What her copper eyes fell upon made her wrinkly brow raise and wrinkle more. A wolf. One that could pass as a shepherd mutt, but no, this was a wolf, there was a wildness about him in the way his lips curled and hair rose. His eyes raked over her body, visually testing it; did he want to fight her? She was a formidable opponent in size and strength. He was agile. He had instinct on his side, but she had a creative mind and experience being beaten up and beating others up. Did he?

“Little further in than usual, wolf? What, did you get lost?” Her tone was low and rough from disuse. Rook was not in the mood to pick a fight, nor did it seem likely that he wanted one, but she was willing to test him. He would be a good gladiator, he had the strength and agility on his side, but did he have the moves and the balls? She was going to find out.

[Chessie]

Instead of aggressive or immediately attacking him as he had expected, she seemed more curious of him. The wrinkles on her face becoming more so as she raised a brow at him, “Little further in than usual, wolf? What, did you get lost?”. Price wanted to scoff and put the bitch in her place, but he wasn't an idiot. If she wanted to challenge him, he would pick the location, preferably out of the eyes of humans. He lowered his head slightly, "What concern is that of yours, dog? Stay out of my way and I won't make you a few more wrinkles." He knew he was being an ass, but he really didn't have time to waste with the musing of domestic animals.

It didn't so much bother him that she knew he was a wolf, he knew he wouldn't fool other animals, other than humans. He hoped that they would be smart and not alert their masters to his unwanted presence in this seemingly peaceful section of human life. Price would not hesitate to silence whatever howling moron came between him and getting the hell out of here. To make his point, Price flashed her another set of teeth, wanting to scare her off before using his energy on a fight that would certainly put him behind schedule, and force him to end his search for temporary shelter, making him stay in the gamble of human and dog longer then he wanted. 

"Move aside, woman. I do not have time for you." Hoping his rugged, deep voice would cause enough fear to move her away, Price pushed his body into hers, throwing in all 110 lbs of muscle into her. Pushing her would, hopefully, knock her off balance and stun her long enough for him to go silently into the night without a second thought of her or this place.
 

[rook]

His response was quick, albeit dull. His words did not cut her or cause her to shiver in fear. He seemed in a hurry and how could she blame him? Wolves were not welcome in the woods, let alone the city. He was probably eager to get back to his trees and holes to hide in. Rook was in no hurry to let him go though and his crude attempts at frightening her were disregarded with a flick of a floppy ear. She stared at him quietly, watching him shift his weight, it seemed he was at an impasse for the moment. A wolf did not want to cause a scene in the middle of the suburbs, he did not want a scene but how was he supposed to get past a mongrel like her?

The wolf began to make up his mind as they stood in a stale mate. He flashed his teeth in a warning, but she merely stared, rooted to the spot, he obviously did not frighten her, why would he? He was taller, but she was stronger. When he spoke again, this time in a way she felt condescending to her gender, her eyes narrowed. A flash of stubbornness flickered in her eyes at the demand, but she remained motionless, she wasn’t moving anywhere. Her silent statement was enough to cause him to surge forward, the small amount of distance giving him little momentum, but with his weight, it was enough to cause her a step back but nothing more. A small huff and Rook dropped her head, muscles flexing as she pushed back, a battle of strength, but she had 20 pounds of solid muscle on him.

Rolling her shoulder so that the bone was positioned against his chest and her head was near his left leg she pushed back. It was harder for her, she had no momentum to help her, but she had her tricks. Her head shot up, brushing against his shoulder as she reached for a hold, snapping lazily all the while. It remained steady and strong. “Don’t want a ruckus do ya?” She growled out, low and deep, she was not a feminine dog and it was made clear in just how deep her growling voice went. He did not frighten her and he had picked his fight against a dog that would not give way to anyone.

[Chessie]

He paid the female's stubbornness no head. If she wanted to act big and tough then let her, so as long as it didn't interfere with his plans, he didn't bother. But the blatant attempt to "put him in his place" was one he could not ignore. She obviously had no idea what she was dealing with. At her growl, he let out one of his own. His deeper and wilder then any dog could match. Her shoulder pushing into his chest, trying to get a hold of him, something primal unleashed inside him. Even as a pup he was taught to keep a level head when fighting, but he was still, and always would be, a wild animal. Soon instinct would take over any logical thoughts he had. At that point, it was impossible to tell what he might do. For survival, anything. 

“Don’t want a ruckus do ya?” Like she could really put him on his back for long. He would give her credit, she was brave and she wasn't a weakling, but in his mind, she was too cock-sure of herself. She may have been able to get away with bossing around other canines, but he would not be tamed by her, "Don't lose your head, dear." He warned, giving her more time to think her actions clearly, "I'm not a gentleman. I do not care how large and ugly you are, I will not yield to the likes of you." He was practically a king, simply ranked one lower due to a much larger brother. In the end he was better, he knew he was better. But he still did not make any physically aggressive moves. Even with most of his attention on her, he could hear the lack of children playing and more dogs barking wildly. They'd gone inside, now aware that the big bad wolf was in their wake. Behind large fenced in yards, dogs of varying height and breed jumped and hollered, wanting to witness the fight that may happen. 

[rook]

Rook was well aware of what she was getting into, the bite she was sinking her teeth into and she knew she could chew that same bite, no matter how large. She had the balls to make this fight happen and end in her favor, but how far was she willing to go to get him to prove his worth, to prove his skill? The wolf was not happy with her stubborn act, nor did he seem impressed by her bold nature. It was time to see what he was made of.

He spoke, warning her one last time that he would not take it easy on her. She grinned, withdrawing slightly so that they were nose to nose…so to speak. There was a lull in their intensity and in that moment she heard the dogs, she felt their eyes as they peered over fences and strained against their chains. “Nor I you.” As she spoke those words she shifted to the side and aimed a warning snap at his muzzle. It was a gentle bite in comparison to what she was truly capable of.

Rook dangled a tantalizing piece of bait before him, she was within close striking distance and she was far too slow to avoid an attack to one specific area, her shoulder. The mastiff wanted him to take the bait, but she had to make it believable and so the copper toned bitch moved forward, to plan her own strike, her jaws opened and her eyes zeroed in on his rib cage. There was a moment when her muscled shoulder went close, oh so close to his mouth, she hoped he would take the chance and sink his teeth in, she wanted him to fall into the trap.




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[Chessie]

Price took quick calculations of the female's movements and the situation at hand. It was obvious she would never be able to match his agility, and he would use this in due time. It was also obvious she would never get a hold of him if he grabbed her shoulder or the back of her neck. But this move was too obvious, she expected him to go for it. She knew her weaknesses and strengths, and she knew he'd go for it. Price would not humor her by making it easy. She asked for it. As she charged him, Price made a quick turn, moving his lower body out of her reach and standing parallel to her. 

Thinking the ball was now in his court, Price reached for her shoulder. Letting his teeth sink in as far as they could go. True, he should have waited until he went for the bite. Wear her out first and make sure she was too exhausted. But Price wasn't thinking, he let his instincts take over. The faster he got the bitch down, the faster he could leave. He trashed his head, hoping to enlarge the wound he was creating and shake some sense into the woman. But this was easier said than done, she was still muscle and moving her was nearly impossible.

Making his decision quickly, Price leaped back, releasing her shoulder in the process. He gave her room to charge him again. He had several seconds to renew his battle plan and he would use it to his advantage. His amber eyes pierced her form, he tried to leash in his wild side and regain some logical ground. 

"Listen, pig. We can make this easy and part ways. Or I can gauge your eyes out. Your choice." He could see that the humans were beginning to take full notice of the situation and make plans to get him the hell out of their homes. He didn't want to stay any longer. He could track her down and finish her off later, but for now it was time to make a stealthy get away.

[rook]

He took the bait, he surged forward, jaws wide. There was a moment, just a flicker, of satisfaction before his teeth sank in and the pain took over. His canines were longer than a dog’s and they sank deeper, hitting nerves she was rarely aware of. There was blood pouring hot and quick down her leg, she could feel it dripping down her leg. Already her shoulder pulsed with pain as the blood pumped. She ignored it, unlike him; her instincts were easier to control.

As he began to shake his head, causing a tearing motion with her flesh, the loose skin shaking back and forth was almost alien to her, but aside from a split second distraction she remained on target and whipped her head around so that it was near his shoulder. She kept her head close as she twisted it so that she could sink her top canines above his shoulder blade. This hold, it was meant to lock in and hold and she knew she had the jaw strength for it she was bred for it.

He let go though and began to pull away, growling angry words all the while. “Why not listen to me instead?” She growled back, tense with teeth clenched, holding on to whatever she managed to grab and hold on to. Rook was not letting him go without hearing her out.




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[Chessie]

When the dog grabbed a hold of him, Price was so outraged he almost lost it and simply turned into the feral beast he knew lurked deep inside his subconscious. His training came rushing back to him, think, don't let it take a hold. While he female tried to make herself clear, even with all his fur in her mouth, Price was still coaxing himself. But her "idea" almost made him laugh, "Listen to you? Why would I ever do that?" Just because she won a few fights and made other run like cowards didn't mean she was all the sudden the baddest bitch on the block, "You could lead me to my doom, piglet, I am not going to entrust my safety to a stranger."

For all he knew, it could be a trap. He didn't have any experience with stray dogs, only slightly with domesticated ones. Although he was not one to listen to gossip, domestics had warned him to be more than cautious around strays, after all, they were strays for a reason.

It also went without saying that even born strays had gone without the social structures of true wolf packs, he had encountered heat packs in his travels, but strays never seemed to settle down like wolves. It was probably due to being breed so distant from their ancestors. But Price wasn't a genius and didn't dally on the "what ifs" of stray civilization. Not only that be he was a wolf. He couldn't travel the city like dog's could, he'd stick out like a sore thumb, there simply was no disguising his size. He would get himself killed because one stray thought she was better than the rest and could do more and "protect" ones like him all at the same time. He could protect himself from dogs, sure, but not from bullets. 
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[rook]

Her teeth met their target and she bit down hard, but otherwise, she didn’t move-yet. He laughed at her; damn near called her a fool. Rook let it go, she had him where she wanted him, he thought he had a choice but he didn’t. He had a point, why should he listen to her? Aside from the fact that she had the upper hand in the fight he was a wolf after all, he was far superior. Yet, if that were true, wouldn’t she be torn and beaten? Wouldn’t she be begging for mercy from a wild beast? Here she was, keeping control of the fight and the situation.

Rook held on, making note that he did not make another attack. The mastiff rolled her eyes and once more shifted her weight; she moved forward, her chest against the lower part of his shoulder. It relieved a small bit of the pressure, but a twitch of her jaw reminded him that she still had him. “You’re right, don’t blindly trust me.” It was a mouthful, barely understandable, but she had put it out there. He was a wolf, he was not welcome on the streets and she could hear the humans growing restless, this did not bode well for either of them. “Lets talk…. privately. “ Her tone was more passive now. “Or would you rather continue the fight?” Rook wanted him on her side, in her pack, but- if he needed more persuasion she would happily push the fight along a bit more, the pain would make him listen, she could rip his shoulder out of place if she wanted, with her top canines wedged between the blade and the lower half ready to clash against the bone.


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[Chessie]

Just as she finished a smaller human began banging on the window in the nearest house, the spotted dog inside going ballistic next to him. A larger female human, most likely his mother, came to take him away, a weird white box against her cheek, held there by her hand. Although Price had absolutely zero idea what it was, he didn't like the looks of it. He scanned the now deserted streets, people were peering at them, obvious expecting one of them dead before they departed, "The sooner I get out of here, the longer I live." Price turned to look at her expectantly, waiting for the pressure to be released from his shoulder. 

Although he wanted to rip at her muzzle to let go, Price understood that this was a certain death sentence. She'd either crush his shoulder blade and he would lose the ability to properly walk, let alone run. Or they'd be so caught up with each other that a hunter could come up undetected and get him between the eyes. 

For now, Price would follow her, but if she expected full on obedience from him, she was dead wrong. He could help her, but he would always be free and wild, he would not obey to rules and put under a chain. He'd lived his life under a tyrant, but even then he was somewhat free. He would not change his ways now or ever for the sake of a female he knew nothing about.
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[rook]

Finally, the wolf saw reason and after a long drawn out pause- probably looking around at the eyes they were gathering, he seemed to sigh and speak. His words were not exactly a promise nor were they very reassuring but they seemed believable enough, especially with the fact that he had not retaliated against her continued grip on his shoulder. She remained a moment longer before her jaws worked themselves loose slowly, trying to cause the least pain possible- the complete opposite of what had been about to happen.

“Glad you’ve seen reason.” She muttered rather dryly before backing several steps away, but keeping a wary eye on him. “Let’s go this way.” It was a suggestion, not a demand. Yet, she moved quickly in the direction she nodded toward, leaving him to follow beside her. She did not ask for total obedience, just a bit of faith to listen just as she was lending faith that he wouldn’t turn and grab hold of her back. From this view it was possible that he saw the scar on her leg, injured in a similar fight that had not exactly gone her way.

“You don’t want to trust a stranger? I wont be one.” She began, glancing over to see if he was paying attention as she pushed her way through some bushes, heading towards the tree line. “I’m Rook. I am four, I was abandoned as a child and brought up to fight. I want to start a pack of dogs that fight and otherwise create havoc in the city. The pack would be a family…of sorts. Rules are common sense and few. I don’t expect blind obedience, I don’t even expect full obedience you can do as you please- go wherever you please.” She stopped now, beneath a tree to stare at him. “I want fighters and you seem capable enough, you seem level headed…to an extent…Any questions about me or my ideals?” She cocked her head, she hated speaking, really she did but she felt that she had given a decent description of who she was and what she was looking for.


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[Chessie]

Price followed behind, but to save his pride he kept his head up and tail out in common alpha body language. Glad you've seen reason. She really liked to push it, didn't she? But Price didn't argue as they rounded the fenced in pathway and escaped from the eyes of humans and their pets. He stopped directly in front of her when she began to tell him a little about herself and the pack she hoped to start. It was a cute idea, he'd give her that.

"That's all fine and dandy, Piglet," he began, "but I am a wolf. The humans aren't as stupid as we are lead to believe. Some of them know the look of me and will not hesitate to skin my hide." He knew she knew he was a wolf, he couldn't fool a dog, but if she seriously thought he had a chance in the city, well, any wolf followers of her weren't going to be sticking around for long, "You've managed to avoid them this long, it seems, you're going to get yourself killed if your seen hanging around with wolves in the city." Price didn't particularly care if she was caught or not, but he would not have the stain of another's blood on his shoulders just because they didn't have enough sense to not be seen hanging around the wrong crowd.

"Keep dreaming your dreams, piglet." With that Price stood, preparing to leave. To be honest, a rule free pack was very persuading. If it weren't for the fact it was in the city he may think it over some more. He had no wishes to be alone, it went against his nature. He simply didn't want to be ruled over by some idiot who thought they knew better. He'd hoped for a simple band of wolves who helped each other but didn't tie one another down with responsibilities. 

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[rook]

The wolf listened, albeit impatiently. Still, she appreciated the chance…or at least a pretend one. When she finished he stood in front of her, back to the tree line. She stared with a raised brow, wondering his thoughts on her idea. The nickname, Piglet, it amused her, did she really look like a baby pig? While that seemed like an insult, she found it to be a compliment. Better than some of the names she had heard in her past. He seemed to think that she had not realized whom she was inviting into her fold, but she had and she had also scouted the city and the outskirts. Her places of hiding were far from the prying eyes of humans.

She understood his need for privacy from the humans, they hated his kind and she knew well that they would take aim and fire without a second thought. They had to protect their children from the big bad wolf. Rook did not understand his logic on how she was going to get a bullet for hanging around a wolf, that made no sense to her and she showed it by cocking her head to the side in question, but she did not verbally question it. He told her to keep dreaming and then he stood, ready to leave. She let a yawn cause her mouth to part before she cleared her throat with a soft and low growl.

“I’ve thought of that, actually, how much the humans hate wolves, well, they hate strays almost as much. There are three lands that fit both a dogs needs and those of wolves. An abandoned falling apart train station, a junk yard- to the side of the city by some woods it is large enough to hide a decent sized pack of dogs and wolves. There is also a half burned building in the heart of the city, as ideal as it is, it doesn’t interest me.” She paused for a minute, shaking some drool from the corner of her lips. “ I’m much more interested in the junk yard, there are plenty of opportunities for shelter there and few humans to bother a pack. Now, what other excuses can you think of?”



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