desperation-c-joining- jayriot

[rook]

It was hot, even for her; drool had begun dripping from her parted jowls for quite awhile made evident by the long shoelace like strands that dangled from her lips. The ugly, wrinkly beast had long since given up shaking it free; it only reappeared a few minutes later. Her dewlap was covered in slobber, her body dirty with mud and her shoulder stiff from a healing wound. The wound itself was perhaps the cleanest part of her; it was the only thing she had bothered to keep clean since coming to the town. Most of the scars that riddled her shoulders and chest and ribcage were hidden beneath a thick layer of dried out mud. The wrinkly French mastiff was not a pretty sight to say the least, but she walked about without a care, a lazy prowling posture, as if she were on the hunt.

Really, she was, for water. Hell a puddle would do, just anything to get a drink out of. Although she hoped for something a bit larger than that, anything to soothe her throat and replenish the moisture she had lost from drool. When she stumbled upon the pond a sigh of relief was expelled from her lungs as her legs picked up the pace so that when her paws hit submerged mud there was a loud splashing noise. Water splashed up against her belly, but the mastiff continued walking until she was neck deep in the pond. Lapping water up thirstily, she remained there for a good long minute before half walking, half swimming into the shallow reeds and lying down. The bitch still panted heavily, but the water was cool and that was all that mattered.



b1a89a


--for Jayriot with the sexy Baine. --

[jayRIOT !]

Heat was no stranger to Baine.  All 136 pounds of him were accustomed to the sun beating down upon his pelt, predominantly ebony.  But today seemed to have carried in a heat wave, and Baine was struggling to - excuse the pun - keep his cool.  Dark brown-black eyes peered out from beneath the caramel dots atop his eye sockets, looking for somewhere he could quench his thirst, or perhaps if he were lucky, take a nice swim.  In the heat of the day, the dirt beneath his paws carried more of a dusty quality to it than usual, and his heavy pawsteps called up clouds of dust that clung to his silky pelt, dulling the sheen a little and making his white patches seem almost gray-yellow.  Baine wasn't the type of dog to care much about his appearance, but even shaking would not rid his pelt of the clinging dust, and he would prefer to be rid of it.

Passing a group of lilies, their yellow pelts beginning to darken and wilt a bit around the edges until the next rains came, Baine stopped and looked at it a moment.  He knew that it was a long shot in this kind of heat, but plants store moisture in their stems and leaves, and these particular lilies often retained a large amount of moisture to survive.  Taking the stalks of the flower and the thick grass that always grew new them in his mouth, Baine bit hard and yanked, ripping them halfway and chewing.  A little moisture flowed into his maw, but not much.  The nasty, bitter taste of the stalks danced on his tongue and he wanted to spit out the flowers and grass stalks, but there was still moisture left, and his parched throat had more of a say than his angry taste buds at this point.

Once he depleted the plants of their small amount of moisture, the large Swissy continued on his way, still looking for a larger form of refreshment.  Sticking to the shadows, Baine let himself wander and shut off his mind, trying to block out the heat this way.  Unsure of how much time elapsed, he found himself seeing a shimmering in the distance and realized it was water.  Water!  Perking his ears and picking up his pace, the large male trotted to the pond, panting heavily in anticipation.  Another visitor to the cool waters caught his attention, and Baine slowed his pace a little.  The large dark was simply hanging out in the shallows and mud, enjoying the cool of the water after having obviously taken a swim.  Baine doubted there would be much trouble, but just in case, his pace slowed and muscles bunched up, tense and ready for anything.  Quietly, he stepped up to the edge of the pond and lowered his head, eyes still on the other canine.  "How's the water?" he woofed casually, dipping his tongue into the coolness to drink up.  He was a good quarter of the pond away from the other dog, but anything could happen in a matter of seconds and Baine was still on his guard, knowing he was well within their sight.

[rook]

Although it was hot and the pond she rested in was likely the best water source for quite a few miles, the mastiff did not expect company. That is, of course, exactly what she got, but it was a pleasant surprise. The canine that approached her was large, as large as her, and although she saw no battle scars, that didn’t mean he couldn’t fight. The male was guarded and uncertain, he approached casually but cautiously. Until he was upon her, the mastiff did not move, she merely regarded him silently. He seemed to only want a drink and after a comment on the water, he drank- eyeing her all the while.

Rook yawned before offering a lazy shrug of her shoulders. “Not too bad, why not join me?” The mastiff was not particularly welcoming of visitors at the moment, but she needed supporters and he was by far the largest dog she had met, he could be useful. It was true, she was talking to everyone, telling everyone of her ideals and using them to create the empire that she envisioned. Rook saw nothing wrong with this though, she was using them, but weren’t they using her as well? For safety and protection, for leadership and direction. The ugly female would happily be used in that way, she was strong and sturdy, she could hold their burdens on her shoulder and she was wise enough to direct them in a logical way. She only asked that they obey her direction and her rules. They were easy to follow. “I’m Rook.”




b1a89a


--for Jayriot with the sexy Baine. --

[jayRIOT !]

A lazy yawn from the large female - for the bigger canine was indeed female - showcased more of her spittle and drool, underlining her teeth and stretching her face in a way that somehow managed to make her even less attractive.  Not that Baine was judging, or concerned about her looks.  He'd gotten his refreshing drink and that was what mattered.  He took a moment filling and refilling his large mouth with the cool, clear water before finally raising his head, somewhat less guarded than previously.  He wasn't foolish enough to let her calm and easy demeanor make him feel completely secure, but he didn't pick up on any negative vibes from her.  This mastiff - Rook, had she said? - was exuding a calm energy that Baine had no doubt was due to the refuge of the water on such a warm day.  The heat was harder on the larger dogs; this he understood well, even given that Rook was larger and Baine wasn't necessarily gigantic for his breed.

"Baine," he introduced himself with a polite nod of the head.  "And, I think I just might," he said in response to her invitation.  Taking a couple of steps in until he was just barely brushing his belly against the cool water, Baine dipped his tail and face beneath the water and waited until it saturated his top coat and began seeping into his undercoat before shaking and throwing the coolness upon his ebony back, cooling it almost instantly.   Sinking his backside below the water in a sitting position, the male Swissy allowed his shimmering coat to absorb the coolness and stifle the attack of the sunshine.

Retreating back to the shallow bank, Baine stood a distance from the large female and shook, allowing the excess water to fly from his body in shining droplets, splattering the ground around him in a beautiful shower of color and glitz before soaking into the dry dirt and providing nourishment for the greens.  He then padded forward on surprisingly quiet paws for his size, coming to a rest at a respectful, cautious distance from the Mastiff though just close enough to convey the message of, I'm relaxed, but that doesn't mean I won't tear you to shreds should you give me a reason.  He truly felt it wouldn't be necessary though; with her size, the female would have to move unnaturally quick to be up and upon him in time to surprise him, and as he was sitting rather than laying, his head rested above hers giving him an advantage that would equal out her upper paw in regards to size.  She seemed much too calm and in too poor of a position to desire posing a threat, and Baine felt himself relax a little more.


ooc; Here you are, rook! I've still been too lazy to make him a table T-T  I must remember to do so tonight!

[rook]

Rook continued to pant quietly as she watched the large males every move. Perhaps she paid too close attention to him, but he seemed cautious when it came to getting too close to her. A glint of satisfaction settled in her expression as she watched him move forward and dip his head and tail in the water. As his head submerged her muscles twitched, wanting to take advantage of his lowered guard but she refrained from doing so. It was too hot to start a fight, although if he decided to become hostile, she would have no problem engaging. As long as he was content to be polite- so was she.

Baine. That was his name. She nodded, her lower jaw brushing against the water during the motion, she let it linger long enough to get a quick drink before letting it rise once more. He continued his cautious cooling process, instead of just laying down and submerging his body all at once, he did it in stages and now lowered his rump into the water to cool what was left of him off. After a few seconds he got up and retreated back to the shallows. “Afraid I might bite?” She mused, cocking her head to the side. Once he settled, he remained relaxed, but ready.

“You are a very cautious dog, Baine. Why is that?” She asked, curious as to why he would be so wary when she had done nothing to cause it- although she certainly could see the obvious reasons, she was a scarred up and somewhat intimidating dog, who wouldn't naturally be cautious? He was a stray; chances were he encountered many dogs- some more hostile than herself. “You are a very…polite dog, giving more than adequate space. I like that.” She complimented him lightly. She was not a fan of others being in her immediate space and although she would have not had a problem with him being closer, she appreciated his reluctance to enter into her personal space something that would have landed him in a scuffle very quickly.



-- if its all the same to you, I'd like to keep this as short and quick as possible?

[jayRIOT !]

Remaining where he was, Baine listened to Rook's light compliment and observations of his behavior.  Of course she picked up on his behavior; he wasn't exactly trying all that hard to mask it.  Life shows canines frequently the good and bad sides of trusting someone right out of the gate.  Bane's scars were barely visible for the most part, but they were certainly still there.  He had given just as many, probably many more, than he had received over his lifetime.  And Rook, her scars showed as well.  Obviously this is a lesson she also knows the bleak and dangerous side of life as well.  Therefore, he found it rather foolish of her to question his attitude.  Regardless of size, regardless of power, regardless of confidence in one's abilities, it's foolhardy for one to not tread carefully in new territory, and for one to question why another is treading carefully.  This Rook character seemed rather silly to Baine; he was beginning to understand her battle wounds.

Nonetheless, he addressed her questions with his typical tone: light, respectful, and on the friendly side seeing as he had no reason not to.  But if Rook listened closely, she would also hear an edge in his voice, a hardness that portrayed the hardness and strength within him.  It was a light and very base note in his voice that many did not pick up on.  "I am not afraid, Rook.  Cautious is a much more accurate word to choose.  And why should I not be?  You don't know me.  I don't know you.  There is no reason to promote hostility upon a first meeting, but there is also no reason to expose my throat and place a world of trust in your paws upon a first meeting.  Would you be so foolish if the tables were turned?"

Maintaining his position and stance, Baine did allow himself to relax, this time fully.  Rook was much too large for an ambush that Baine wouldn't see coming; she also didn't seem all that interested in conflict.  He felt as though this were merely a conversation, but he also felt that, based on the attention Rook was paying to his every move, this conversation had an end that Baine would soon discover.  Whatever that end may be, he was now sure that, assuming things didn't go downhill from here, this was an environment in which Baine could relax.  No, he was confident at the moment that things were civil and would remain so for a time.

--short and sweet is fine with me!--

[rook]

The ever-cautious Baine had taken notice of her scars, but who hadn’t? They were prominent and shown with pride. She was a survivor and she was not afraid to show it. The mastiff was not the cautious type, she could tread carefully but she was not willing to act as he was. He moved as if he were walking around a hungry bear, ever watchful and always reluctant to expose himself in any way. Yet, he had already made a mistake once, when he submerged his head, she had been right not to move then, it would have shattered his frail trust in her.

When he spoke, answering her question about being afraid, she listened and noted the edge to his voice, she did not doubt he had been betrayed and fought, but he did not seem the type she searched for- not at the moment, still she was willing to give him the chance, he had to know something to have survived so long. When he finished, she raised a brow and stood up. Without hesitation she moved forward, eating the distance between them and coming to a stop a mere foot away from him. “Yes, I would.” The full extent of her scars was now visible against a wet, slick coat. Her ribs and chest held the brunt of them, but there were smaller ones scattered across her body, where dogs had just gotten a nibble or a scratch in.

“Do not mistake me for foolish, Baine, I am not. I am merely bold and know how to handle myself. I do not fear the idea of someone going for my throat, because when they do, I’ll be ready and waiting.” Her tone was passive and non-threatening. Rook did not intend on intimidating the beast, nor bullying him into a brawl, she simply took the opportunity to get closer, while explaining her logic to the mountain dog. Perhaps he would think she was crazy, but she was a gladiator and she wasn’t afraid of the fight- she enjoyed it.

[jayRIOT !]

At Rook's forward approach, Baine held his ground and stood firm; he was past his caution and wariness of Rook, and instead felt only confidence in his own abilities - much, it seemed, the way Rook felt.  She warned him not to think her foolish, but he couldn't shake the feeling that somewhere inside, the large bitch was rather foolish in some aspects.  Confidence was one thing; what Rook displayed was near arrogance at times.  Nonetheless, he felt a slight respect for the mastiff.  How could he not?  She proudly displayed the fact she wasn't an easy adversary to best.  She was also not afraid to voice her opinion, which was something not many other canines were capable of doing - especially in such a way so as not to insult or raise hackles. She was a skillful speaker; perhaps as able to honey-cover things as Baine when the situation calls for them to.

With his extensive knowledge of deadly herbs and how to effectively use them at the back of his mind, Baine allowed his maw to fall open in a loose, relaxed smile.  Obviously Rook was under the impression that direct attacks were the only ones to be aware of; once more, Baine found himself thinking how foolish the she-dog could be deep down inside.  "Well," he said politely, with a dip of his head, "let us always hope your attacker is large enough and slow enough to be caught before getting close to your throat.  I, for one, prefer preemptive approaches over revenge.  Less messy that way."  The tone that crept into his voice at this point more than revealed Baine's extensive history and experience with both preemptive strikes as well as revenge.  His mind jumped to the many, many lives he had either damaged or taken - more often taken - for one cause of the other.  Baine was in no way heartless and certainly had a soul.  But, he was also in no way going to lay down and take what life throws at him.  He's survived almost six years on his own, and it was by anything but taking crap from others.  It was by anything but allowing his name or his being be dragged through the mud.  So few times had any other canine bested him, and only when it was obvious Baine just wasn't the stronger beast did he let it go forgiven.  His thoughts flashed to the canine he watched suffer slowly at the hands of Baine's own poison after a personal trespass, and felt his heart lift a little at the gasping sounds.

He was not heartless.  He was not soulless.  But Baine could most certainly be ruthless.

But, there was still the feeling in the air between the two of them that this conversation had become a means to an end, and Baine wanted to know what that end was.  He wished Rook would hurry up and make her point known.  So, he decided to give her a bit of a budge forward at it.  "What is it you really want to talk about, Rook?" he woofed.

[rook]

Rook listened as he spoke, speaking of preemptive strikes and revenge as if he had done them for years. Her face wrinkled in interest at his admission. Perhaps he was a fighter, just a different kind. The mastiff was no stranger to fighting dirty and had no problem doing so if it meant she could best her adversary, but she was a calculating dog, she did not rush blind into situations and she was happy to let others pretend they had won- it often led to a sweet victory for her. “I’ll keep that in mind, Baine.” Her tone was calm, but it was clear that this knowledge was something she would remember, it was already being filed away into important information.

When he spoke again, she chuckled softly, perhaps he was not as patient as she was, but he had a point, there was something she wanted to talk about and it was not passive pleasantries. “I want you to join my pack.” Her tone was flat and sharp, straight to the point he so wanted. “A pack where the strong protect each other and strive to rid the town of the weak. I want to control the town, those that aren’t part of my empire; I want to fear us.” Rook was not a greedy dog, but her ideals were powerful and she could not have the empire she wanted without the fear and submission of the rest of the town. The mastiff needed other fighting dogs, to intimidate and force others into the submission she desired. “You don’t look much like a physical fighter, how do you fight?” She asked, curious how he sought his revenge without a physical confrontation.

[jayRIOT !]

At last, the end goal.  Baine was a bit surprised at her reach, but also impressed.  He felt now that his respect for the large she-dog was well-founded.  She had goals, and she seemed to have at least some sort of plan to reach them.  Baine decided then that he liked this Rook.  A demand for attention and respect, but the patience and tact to allow time to them to be naturally earned coupled with an obvious lack of hesitation to enforce her will were all qualities Baine was able to pick out quickly about this mastiff.  He liked that, and found himself leaning quickly toward the idea of joining a pack under her.

But then, what in the world would he do in a pack?  He'd been there before; it had never worked out for him.  Not yet, anyway.  His brother's greed and pack leadership sprang to mind, and Baine, while aware that his brother was nothing like Rook, was no stranger to the way that sort of power and ability could quickly get to one's head.  Packlife had been at odds with Baine's way of living for most of his years; but then, he was beginning to get up there in his years.  Not that there was any physical signs of his age yet.  Baine was still every bit - if not more - agile and powerful as he was two, three years ago.  Perhaps more dangerous now, as he had twice the experience and twice the intelligence to boot.

Contemplating Rook's - was it an offer?  A question?  Baine gave response to her question about his fighting abilities and styles while contemplating the idea of giving pack life another shot.  "Physical fighting is no stranger to me, and after my nearly six summers alive, I can't say I have many doubts in my abilities.  But I also have vast skills in other areas much more subtle.  Herbs, venoms, things of the sort.  I can heal, or I can maim.  Or, I can rip throats out.  Whatever is required of me."  The way he said it sort of surprised himself, as if he already chose to join the pack beneath Rook.  Had he?  It could very well benefit him.  A number of others guarding his back would be a positive for him, and his knowledge could be put to use for them.  He could also settle down once his body decided to give out on him due to age.  He didn't care much at all if the others in the city feared or respected him.  Baine didn't care much for power or ridding the city of the weak.  He quite frankly didn't care about those other dogs and their lives; if it didn't bother him, he wouldn't make it.  But...the offer did have its appeal.  A pack might be beneficial to him now that he was older.  What harm would it do to give it a shot, at least?  He could always leave them in the future and return to his vagabond lifestyle.

"Perhaps...perhaps I will join your pack beneath you.  I see no reason not to, since you are not nearly as imbecilic as those I've followed before."

[rook]

His explanation for fighting was fascinating to the mastiff. She listened with intense interest as he explained, briefly, his skill in herbs and poisons. As of yet, he was the only dog she had come across that held an interest in herbs. Now the mastiff definitely wanted him in her pack, the Pariah could use someone who could heal- someone who could help ease pain and mend serious injuries to fellow pack mates. Rook also knew that any mother near birth would benefit greatly with his knowledge and skill- although yet unproven. Rook was ready to take that chance, even if it meant using herself as a guinea pig to test his abilities.

As he concluded she nodded passively, head bobbing ever so slightly. It seemed he had made up his mind- whether he realized it or not. The wrinkled dog was pleased, her pack was growing and soon she would have enough to begin her plan. There were many steps to consider, however, the first being to secure the junkyard as theirs. It was an easy task, one that her presence alone had helped considerably, but with strong able dogs roaming the junkyard not even the human caretaker would dare mess with them. He would likely leave the place to them.

When he hesitantly agreed to join her, explaining he had followed many others far more “imbecilic” as he put it, she huffed softly. “Good to know I’m not as brain dead as others you’ve known.” Her tone was rather flat, as if she was offended, but the glint in her eye said she was only joking. “As of now, I plan on setting up our home at the Junkyard. It provides more than adequate shelter and necessities. If you’d like, you can follow me there now.” As much as she enjoyed small talk, she had gotten what she wanted and now the mastiff was all business, but she was interested in his opinion of the home she had picked out, as the healer, he would hold a lot of sway with her as far as living conditions went. “I’m going to place you as the healer, but I will call upon your knowledge of poisons as well.” She smiled at this, although she did not need his toxic knowledge yet, she was sure it would be handy in the future.

[jayRIOT !]

It seemed as though he had not only secured himself a pack, but also a position in the pack already.  Baine was pleased; while he knew he would obviously have to prove his abilities before anything were finalized, it was typically a bit harder to secure a position of some kind of value when there were others around.  At least, from his experiences anyway.  Perhaps this was the answer to living out the rest of his life comfortably.

He knew the junkyard of which Rook spoke.  He'd investigated it a time or two, but never found much reason to be there until now.  He wondered at how they would overtake the place from the caretaker, but decided if Rook didn't have a plan yet, there would be on soon, and there was no reason to fret about it.  All in due time.  Nonetheless, he decided he'd follow his new alpha to the territory and scope it out in greater detail.  Baine wanted to be sure that he secured a suitable place for him to bed down, and there would be a suitable place to store any of his necessities.  As a pack healer, he knew he would surly have to keep a supply near.  Once he had time, he made up his mind to start going out on some runs and bringing back a small supply to have ready for whenever it would be needed.

"Well the lead on, I shall follow. I'd be happy to provide for the pack in whatever ways I can offer."  It was strange now, to be going back to a pack mentality after all this time.  He wondered what sort of leader Rook would be, and how many others she had gathered.  How high would their numbers grow?  How quickly would they gain influence?  Power?  Baine found himself hoping Rook ruled her rather small kingdom with more of an iron paw than his previous pack leaders.  They had allowed usurpers and uprisings to break their hold and their laws, to tear their empire apart from the inside.  A good leader should accept nothing of the sort, and squash it out the moment it starts.  He felt that Rook might just be that sort of leader, and was confident in his choice to follow her.