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Post by WarPaint on Apr 11, 2018 17:23:44 GMT
Dharma rested under a tree, panting heavily as the heat of the summer day took it's toll on her. Thin and ragged, it didn't take much to overload her body. No matter how bleak she looked Dharma was just happy to be in the sun. She hated the cold with a penchant.
Her head rested on petite toes and her murky, unseeing eyes looked out over the vast blackness that consumed her sight. She could see outlines in just the right lighting but the view was easily lost. She sighed. Her stomach was beginning to growl and pangs of hunger ripped at her sides. Slowly and without much grace she drew herself to her paws, wobbling and shaking against her own volition.
Keeping her nose sunk to the ground, the starving cur rooted around. Drawing deep breaths that filled her ribs out painfully. She scratched listlessly until she was lucky enough to unearth a handful of grubs. She ate slowly , if she gorged herself it often gave her severe bloating.
Not caring to stand for to long, she collapsed in a heap beside her grubs . And haphazardly shuffled them before her. She was set to finish her meal of insects when a twig snapping caused her audits to flicker nervously. In instant submission she tucked her nose between her paws and cast her oblivious eyes to the ground.
"Who..who's there?" she asked meekly, her soft voice hardly carrying away from her starved frame. "I don't have much." She said even quieter. In her experience it was always best to just submit and take your bruises than to argue. Arguing left you blind and starving and at the whim of strangers.
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May 27, 2018 22:26:05 GMT
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Post by ripple on Apr 11, 2018 18:17:42 GMT
He wasn't much for adventure and his choice of haunts seemed to confirm that fact.
The prairie was almost too much like home for Rooster to leave and it seemed like he would never make it beyond who he had been, even with his eyes and mind set for a new future beyond the golden grasses and loud odors of bison dung. He loved the way the sun beat down on his dappled frame relentlessly, his tongue rolling as he panted through the heat he was well conditioned to. He had met that crazy blue-eyed fellow out here and would have chalked that meeting up to pure chance if not for the bag of skin and bones.
Rooster wasn't under the illusion he was the only one to dwell out on the open plains, but it wasn't the best of choices for dogs who were used to towns and concrete, forests and streams...It was almost a challenging place, full of heat and hidden dangers. It wasn't the poor, half-starved creature that he saw first, but the two coyotes lurking the shadows, lingering at the edge of a small cluster of trees.
The cattledog felt instant anger at the two creatures even though they were canines themselves. He loathed coyotes because it was in their nature to be sneaky thieves, and the master had taught Rooster to drive them away whenever they came to the ranch. All they cared about was thievery. And murder. They'd kill a whole coop of chickens if left to their own devices and were known to take freshly dropped calves after the mother gave birth. It wasn't enough for them to take the placenta and they would lunge upon the helpless newborns, always in a group so they could distract the mother.
And murder seemed to be on the duo's minds as they eyed the weak and unsuspecting dog wallowing on the earth, a creature so frail looking that Rooster would have thought her expired if she hadn't spoke, her ears swiveling. Rooster heard the snap of the twig, a result of one of the braver coyotes stealing a little closer. The thieves hadn't noticed Rooster watching in the distance, more intent on the kill they were about to make than on their surroundings.
He couldn't stand to let them get any closer and rushed forward suddenly, his legs poised low but surprisingly fast. His golden brown eyes were locked sights on the head coyote, whose nose was twitching with such excitement it made Rooster ill. He felt red bolt of rage course throughout him, giving his muscles fresh stamina. Before the vile thing could make another step, the red and white dog exploded against him like a bullet, sending the wild canine rolling.
His partner, watching with fear and dawning horror as his friend was sent asunder, immediately turned tail and fled, leaving behind his brother and a stench of fetid cowardice. Rooster placed himself between the toppled coyote and the female dog crouched on the ground in submission, his face stony and eyes blazing with fury. He gave a warning growl deep in his throat, the hair along his nape rising to action.
"Get outta here, you filthy heathen. Go find somethin' a little more agreeable for your tastes, like bird shit!" He punctuated this command with a spat, sending a filmy string of saliva sailing at the coyote's feet. Shocked that such an easy attack had been interrupted, the wild thing didn't bother to offer a reply. Instead, he collected himself ungraciously to his feet, yelping when he stumbled over a root. He darted glances back at the mottled dog, feeling embarrassment. Anger and disgrace would come later, but for now he didn't want to pick a fight with a healthy dog.
Watching the vermin retreat, Rooster snorted with satisfaction. He then turned his attentions to the pale creature upon the ground and he felt some of his earlier rage fade. She was terribly underweight and was crouched in fear by a pile of half-eaten insect larva. It would have disgusted Rooster, but he understood the power of hunger and the things it would drive one to do. "Hey, miss. This ain't a good place to hang around. Those two were about to have themselves an easy snack." He stepped a little closer, his shadow falling gently over her.
She was a wee slip of a thing, bones poking sharply from beneath her fawn colored fur. His golden eyes were keen, scanning every inch of her. Her eyes, though not looking at the direction in which he was standing, seemed off-color and paler than normal. "What's the matter with you. You blind? If you are, you sure are plain foolish to be out here on the prairie." He sounded rather rough, but he was terribly afraid for this girl and it translated as scolding. How desperate she must feel, stumbling around in a world dazed by misty eyes?
WarPaint
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Post by WarPaint on Apr 11, 2018 18:52:19 GMT
And just like that the world was exploding around her. Yelps and snarls echoed beside her, the sound of bodies scuffling thrummed in dull resonance near her. She cringed and trembled, trying to shrink into herself. But what was there to hide behind, jutting spears for ribs or perhaps her silhouette of a collar bone. She quivered. It was terribly frightening to imagine what went on beside her, she had seen before, she could imagine horrors. The last thing her beautiful blue and brown eyes had ever looked upon were monsters. The kind that terrorize you and then lock you with memory of them by blinding you.
She whimpered softly to herself when terror gave away enough to allow her to scent coyotes and a stranger. Today would not let her waste in despair. They seemed to be fighting over her, at least they wouldn't ravage her for a little while.
Then the stranger spoke. He spoke to her in clipped tones, scolding her for her stupidity. But in honesty the prairie was where she felt safe. Unlike the forest there was drastically less for her to trip over, she could wander slowly and learn her way around. She shrunk at his voice though, an alpha male was a cruel male .
Finally finding an utterance, she let her soft tones carry. "I am blind...the prairie is easier..for me to navigate." She said in a voice that conveyed her despair and embarrassment. She was careful to keep her milky eyes averted to her paws. Dharma tucked herself as tightly as her atrophied muscles would allow. Squirming beneath his gaze. She was nervous and afraid of the coyotes returning but she didn't know how she felt with this male so near. Maless always took and took more.
She was becoming distressed but kept her lips pressed firmly together. "I don't have much...or anything..please don't hurt me". And by hurt she meant physically overpower her and have their way. So much abuse had come to the golden pelted dog and she had become used to it. Her melody was resolved rather than terrified, as if she was already accustom to the thought of abuse from him.
She licked her lips and sighed, she was thirsty but that didn't matter did it.
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Heart break in the background lmao. Rooster is a good noodle.
Feel free to god mod!
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May 27, 2018 22:26:05 GMT
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Post by ripple on Apr 12, 2018 17:01:08 GMT
Rooster looked over the wasted creature again, his eyes drawn to that pile of grubs. They were half-eaten, twitching around in the dirt. It yanked on the chords of the mottled dog's heart and wrenched him in a way that he had not ever been wrenched before. Who was responsible for this girl? Surely she would have had some family to care for her? Rooster knew that if the master had seen a sight like her out here, he would have been furious. So, Rooster himself growing angry. Nobody was born without a family and Rooster wanted to shame hers, to tell them what assholes they were for not taking care of their own.
Her voice was soft, like the delicate coos of a dove. She wasn't used to talking loud and Rooster could tell that. She acted as if there had been some hurt in her life, the way she reacted to his blunt and chastising manner. He felt slightly guilty for coming down on her so hard, especially when she confirmed in that soft and wavering voice that she really couldn't see. She told him the prairie was easy to navigate and the cattledog saw her logic- it was flat, nothing but grass and gentle hills. But Rooster thought about all times when he and the master encountered venomous snakes, and some of those snakes did not rattle or make noise when you happened upon them. They were silent, quick to bite and some snakes were harder to scent than others. Not to mention coyotes and the likes...but Rooster held these thoughts back because the golden dog was speaking again.
And her speech shocked him.
She did not plead, but he could hear the desperation in her tone, the sort of tone you give that says one thing, but means another. She didn't want him to hurt her, but she expected it, anyway. Sympathy, so deep and raw cut the cattledog in two. He felt a sting in his eyes, but quickly blinked it back. The thought of hurting another? Especially one in need of help and without a friend in the world to see her through the darkness she was traveling in? It shook Rooster down to his cores, where strong morals always held up.
"Hey, I ain't gonna hurt you," his voice came out a little rougher from the emotion he tried to hide, "I wouldn't save no one from something like that just to try and hurt you myself. Ridiculous." He sat down while shaking his head, hoping to make his shadow less imposing on her. He did wince, though, not realizing how critical he always sounded. He didn't want her think he meant she was ridiculous,just the thought. Her milky gaze was fixed on her feet, avoiding him the best she could. She licked her lips in that parched way, her mouth making sounds of sticky thirst. Rooster knew where to find pools on the prairie and some prairies were even notorious for being wet with fertile soils for lush and copious plants.
"We need to get you some water," he said it awkwardly, as if unsure how to be gentle. He could be warm at times, but gentleness was always a little awkward from the red and white dog. He was very gruff and stern, but right now...This lady didn't need such roughness from him. "I won't hurt you. My name's Rooster. I could help you if you want, but I don't want you to be afraid of me. You need some water..You look spent and today's a hot one. Prairie lands are notoriously dry...but if you know where to look, you find a little water." He approached the subject of assisting her carefully, keeping his voice down instead of booming deep and loud like he usually did. He waited, watching her closely. He didn't want to offend her, but he wasn't about to leave her here, either.
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Post by WarPaint on Apr 12, 2018 23:15:40 GMT
Dharma remained tightly curled against herself. Trying to be as small and unassuming as possible. Fear and sadness radiated from her in waves, such was the nature of a victim of the world's abuse. She sighed against her fear, she could still feel his presence looming over her like an unmoving cloud.
Dharma cocked an erect audit in his direction when he spoke, filtering the chastisement for what it was. Concern...of some sort. That emotion was foreign to her, after all her family had left her for dead on multiple occasions. Most recently during her fresh blindness. She winced at the memory. An ear flicked in excitement when he mentioned water. She was beyond dehydrated, a huge concern considering her already starved physique.
"Water....Water would be nice.
" she offered meekly. Still untrusting if his seeming kindness. Trust earned you more than your bargained for and she was justified in her terror for others. Her ears easily noted the struggle in his tone. He was trying hard to be considerate of her skittish nature and she appreciated it greatly. Rooster was his name. A fitting one since he had no qualms with his presence being known well. Loud and proud.
"Rooster...my name is Dharma. She said softly, as if knowing her name gave him even more power over her. As if he could wreak havoc just by uttering her namesake. "Thankyou for dealing with the... coyotes. Water would be nice...but I'm afraid traveling is a bit tedious with me" She said plainly, making a small gesture at her physique. She was a train wreck of bones and loose skin. A small, defeated sigh left her chapped lips.
Using her last bit of strength and trying to preserve what little dignity she had, Dharma struggled to sit upright.
She swung her head, trying to learn his scent. Especially if she was to follow him or be in his companionship for the time being. Instead her dry nose ran smack into his own nose, lingering on the dampness before she realized her mistake. With a horrified gasp she snapped her head back to her paws and managed to stutter out an apology. "I..im sorry."
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Post by ripple on Apr 14, 2018 0:25:14 GMT
 "So if you see me walkin’ all alone,
Don’t look back, I’m just on my way back home." He hadn't realized he was feeling slightly tensed, worried that her sheepish demeanor might quickly dissolve into anger at his insistence. The little mixed breed was much too soft to withstand what cruelties life could deal her and the cattledog recognized this. He didn't exactly pity her, because that would be an insult. But he wanted to care for her, to right the wrongs that had already scarred her thus far. He felt sympathy and when Rooster felt it, he had to act on it.
It came as a relief when she seemed find a tiny amount of ease with his words, getting past his intial abruptness and recognizing his intentions as somewhat good. He hoped she would trust him, but he knew that trust was a very slippery thing to gain purchase on. He would have to tread carefully with her and exhibit patience. Without it, he would only frighten her more and that might actually send her into deeper danger. But the golden eyes of the mottled dog caught that flickering ear and the way she acted when he had mentioned something to drink. It reassured him that he might still be able to connect with her, to establish some sort of mutual ground where he would help and not hurt.
Her soft voice was so low Rooster leaned in ever-so slightly to listen better, his muzzle a little nearer. Dharma. Even her name had a gentleness to it, the way it just bounced lightly across the tongue. He nodded, more for himself than for her, registering her not just as a face, but a name. He smiled lightly, tried to appear reassuring...and realized that would do no good. He could only communicate with her through tone, so he waited politely for her to keep going, to keep talking.
He did grunt softly in reply to her thanks, thinking that she needn't do such a thing. The ex-ranch dog thought of it as duty, but that duty was not without heart and soul. He felt a slight tingle of embarrassment at this recognition but it left him feeling a little humbled. It was good to help others. Dharma, the little golden dog, gestured to herself and told him that travelling was hard. Rooster thought this over, brow crinkling. He could help her, support her body with his. He had seen a little pond, hadn't he? He didn't think it was far from this edge of the prairie, and if they took it slow, he could have her there in about fifteen minutes.
He was thinking these things through and didn't notice when the delicate female pulled herself up, using her reserve of energy to sit up properly. He didn't notice that she had swung around to get a better scent of him until their noses made a jolting impact, shocking Rooster out of his brainstorm. He was surprised by the connection and actually a sneezed as she pulled away, her reaction like he had been full of static electricity and given her zap.
He sneezed again, barely hearing her apology before he broke out laughing. It was not an unkind laugh, but one full of hearty enthusiasm. The red and white cattledog chuckled, letting the amusement die off before speaking in a tone of approval,"Now that's a greetin'. Don't you apologize for anything." He watched as she buried her face in her paws, but this time Rooster was having none of it. He wasn't forceful, but carefully he poked her with his nose, encouraging her back up."Now don't go all bashful on me, Dharma. I made a promise to get you some water, didn't I? I ain't gonna let a little nose smack turn me off that idea, now I am?" He was full of rhetoric, ol' Rooster. "You are more than welcome for my intervention on those nasty scavengers, but you call help repay me by letting me escort you to that pond over the hill." He let his freshly bumped nose scent deeply, picking up the faintest hint of water beyond the lush grasses at the top of a sloping knoll. "Now I know you don't feel well, but if you have the courage, I'll more than gladly lend you my shoulder. That way you don't have to put as much weight on those tired feet. We can take all the breaks you need and we could talk if you like." He poked her again, gently pushing his nose into the side of her shoulder. "And if you find I still make you nervous, I could tell you all about me. Ain't no secrets. No dark past. Just a half-decent guy wandering the prairie. Lost my master to an accident and I've been lonesome ever since. Might be nice to talk?" This time the question wasn't rhetorical. It was simply a way to try and help her feel better about his presence. And perhaps it would be nice to talk again, even though Rooster was pretty solitary. Not that he didn't enjoy company, but he usually didn't go looking for it. Usually it found him.And with Rooster, that was A-okay. MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRPHY 2.0 |
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Post by WarPaint on Apr 15, 2018 18:11:50 GMT
A dog who didnt wish her harm was foreign to her and a gentleman was even more bizarre than that. Dharma wrinkled her nose in disbelief for a brief second. He must want something but alas she had nothing to offer other than that feminine charm that had already been stolen times before.
Her once beautiful head was still staring ardently at her feet, looking at nothing and avoiding everything. Her erect audits listened attentively to every word spoken and part of her liked the drawl that dripped over every truth. "If..If you really dont mind, I guess I'm in no position to decline.." she said sweetly her voice raspy and thin. She knew that even if the distance was short, she was desperately emaciated and any expidenture of energy costed her greatly. She sighed almost deflated at the prospect of even a brief journey.
Gathering her strength and grunting like a stung cow, she rose to all four feet. Her hind end wobbled beneath Her, trembling even at the little weight she bore. Her spine jutted out profusely beaten out only by her spears for ribs. Dirt and grime coated the bottom half of her physique, giving away just how long she had been laying there. She was only able to support herself momentarily before collapsing into his side. Leaning heavily, she dipped her head in apology once more. Although she had an inkling he would accept no further apologies from her.
"So you had a master..? I've never seen a two leg before.. what was it like..? she asked with a genuine curiosity through hated breaths. Her family had been feral and humans had vanished almost in the blink of an eye it seemed. She had heard stories from dogs who had masters some good, some horrifying.
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Feel free to god mod!! Good ole chivalrous Rooster!
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Post by ripple on Apr 20, 2018 0:28:53 GMT
"So if you see me walkin’ all alone,
Don’t look back, I’m just on my way back home."
The red and white dog felt the tension building within him melt away, soothing his heart. She wasn't offended and nor was she going to try and push him away. His offer to help was accepted, the sweet softness of her voice confirming he was making a little connection with her. It made him feel good, to know he wasn't really perceived as a villain, even by someone as blind as Dharma. Rooster had never been the type to worry about what others thought, but he never wanted to be labeled an abuser, a bully, or a jerk. It was unfathomable that to him that he had to tread carefully around Dharma because she had probably been all-too familiar with those types.
He could see, however, that even though his offer had been taken in good faith, the weariness Dharma was feeling was only growing more intensely. Rooster frowned, watching as she began the arduous journey upwards, gaining her legs which were trembling ferociously under her thin weight. Rooster stepped closer to her, breathing out a low breath,"I'm gonna help you now, so don't be afraid." He didn't give her a chance to react and came up beside her, catching her collapse with the side of his own body. She was painfully light and it hurt Rooster's hurt. How could someone let her live like this? A soul with feelings and emotions.... Left and tossed aside. He expected such behavior from lesser life-forms, but not from other dogs. Other dogs should at least care for one another.
She was dipping her head again and he could almost smell the apology rolling off her, but Rooster ignored it. She didn't need to apologize for anything ever again, not while he was around to help her out. He wouldn't accept any more thanks or welcome, because he now felt it was his mission and his purpose to be here today to rescue her from the fate she narrowly ended up taking. Steady and slow, the two dogs were now moving as a unit.
Each step for him was easy but he knew each step for her was laborious. He drew in a gentle breath, tasting the wind for the pond. Soon they'd be there, soon. He was thinking these things when she asked him a question, genuine interest that touched the rough-tongued dog. He felt more relaxed now that she was speaking to him instead of trembling and waiting for an act of abuse who would never in a million years deliver.
"Well, the two-legs," he chuckled softly,"are humans. The official word, anyway, though don't feel ashamed. Lots of dogs call'em two-legs. But my master, he was a rough and firm guy, but sweet and caring underneath. He liked hard work and could be tough, but he was always fair." The sweet nostalgia. He felt it come over him, transporting him back to a time when his master was still alive, before the fated accident that had changed the course of Rooster's existence. "Now, before I tell you how great it was, don't let me mislead you, Miss Dharma. Not all humans were like my master. Some humans had the potential for cruelty and meanness, but sometimes a dog gets lucky and gets picked by a good one. I was blessed enough to have worked with my master. He taught me how to move cattle, to defend the home of coyotes and wolves, to appreciate the hot sun on my back, and that hard work makes a soul filled."
They were still moving together, slow and steady. They should reach the pond soon and Rooster knew Dharma would tire out. More importantly, she would doubt herself. He chuckled softly again,"And this right here for you is hard work, I know. But no matter how tired or beaten we fill, once we get through it, your heart is gonna full. And your stomach. The water will refresh you. You can get cleaned up. I'll find us some dinner, too. But don't give up. Hard work is tough, but it makes us stronger." He felt a tiny rift of emotion hit is raspy voice, hoarse from years of barking and driving cattle. It was true. There were times when Rooster himself had wanted to give up because the work got too tough, but once he followed through, the muscle aches and pains didn't matter. He felt accomplished.
He felt confident. And he hoped completing this journey would do that for Dharma, too.
MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRPHY 2.0 |
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Post by WarPaint on Apr 20, 2018 4:26:55 GMT
Dharma suddenly felt an intense misery at her physical state. Intensely aware of her lack of femininity and overall poor physique. She had once felt beautiful and although her ponderings were silly, especially in her current situation, she couldn’t help but to feel immensely unattractive. Her blind eyes blinked back small tears and she sniffled quietly, it was such a silly thing to be concerned over but she essentially felt less delicate than she could bare. It was the icing on the cake and just a tad too much for her mental state. A cruel jab that even her unseeing eyes could see. She was brought back by Roosters soft rumblings and it soothed her. It had been what seemed like an eternity before she had heard a voice. Especially one who wasn’t detailing all of the cruelties they had planned just for her.
Dharma’s slight frame leaned heavily into his shoulder, whilst her ears flickered to capture his words. She was intrigued by the way he spoke of Humans. Afterall she had never met one and had only heard rumors of them before their downfall. Rooster, however, seemed to love his master dearly, and a sense of nostalgia rolled over her as he detailed his past life. Dharma was slightly jealous of him, for at least having known love and having had a purpose. A role to fill that made him important. She had always been cast aside like trash, only to be used when others pleased and then discarded once more.
She wrinkled her nose as memories flashed brightly in her mind. She had always been weak it seemed, and she resented herself vehemently for it. With each passing day she grew less and less happy with herself, for her lack of strength. For not standing up for herself. What had it gotten her? Starved, blinded, beaten, and used. She hated herself for the victim mentality. But once more his gentle words caught her golden ears. He spoke of strength with a touch of emotion rippling behind him.
Sadness now touched her melody. ”Ive..ive never been strong...it bothers me most times. And embarrases me others…like right now” Raw emotion tinged the end of her sentence. She was terribly embarrassed to be so cumbersome and weak. ”If i had been strong...I would be able to see the kind sir helping me now.” Tears stung her words but she choked them back, turning her head away. Her glossed over eyes watered slightly but she blinked back the emotion. The memory of when she lost her sight was fresh and painful..seeing what had been done to her body, and the monster who did it.
”Something to eat would be nice...but I must make sure I don’t eat to much. Wouldn’t do for me to not fit in my fursuit now.” She said with a hint of laughter, trying to make light of her earlier emotion. She groaned slightly and sank further into his shoulder, panting as her muscles screamed against their abuse. Dharma steadied herself, hoping the pond wouldn’t be too far now. Her legs now shook uncontrollably, and she shuddered against the pain. ”Rooster..do you think it will be much further...I’m afraid my body is starting to fail. “ She hoped he wouldn't think her rude, afterall he was being gracious enough to help her. She turned her nose so it touched his shoulder, taking comfort in his warmth and presence. And hoping it conveyed her apologies and appreciation once more.
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Post by ripple on Apr 25, 2018 0:19:03 GMT
"So if you see me walkin’ all alone,
Don’t look back, I’m just on my way back home." He thought his talk might do some good to cheer Dharma up, but as they walked together in painfully slow tandem, he could feel the small creature next to him exuding utter misery. He was not very attuned to others, but the poor female was like a beacon of pain and was constantly sending him signals of her distress. It shook the roughened cattledog up and confused him, his face falling into a serious mask of frustration. He did not want her to see it, and even though she couldn't, he still felt the need not to project too much towards her. He could see tears welling up in the filmy surface of her eyes.
He had hoped his ramblings and his recollections would lift her mood, but they seemed to steer her in a different direction opposite of positive and happy. He could feel her withered frame slowing, almost staggering against him. He felt a rumble in his throat, the instinct to tell her not to give up and keep going but stopped himself. She was not cattle. She could not be driven. She was weak and tired and growing more sad and disheartened and yelling at her would do no good for either of them.
Like a scale tipping in either direction, Rooster's serenity and warmth at his memories were being counter-acted by the sadness and heartbreak of Dharma's own, memories she was reliving because Rooster had opened his big fat mouth and tried to give a coaching, a pep-talk, and it was going horribly wrong. Instead of inspiring her, he was reminding her of her short-comings. Boy, I feel like a jackass. Her embarrassment was now transferring to him and he felt terribly ashamed of himself.
She spoke, her notes as delicate as harp strings, and he couldn't help but to feel moved her as well, his erect ears twitching and falling to the sides of his head. He was moved in a different way, a direction that wanted to give her justice for the things that had been done to her. He didn't know anything about her, but everything on the surface told a story of a difficult life. No one had given her a break thus far in the world and it hurt the mottled dog. It made him angry to think of someone walking away from her, leaving her at the mercy of invisible enemies. The enemies being the entirety of the world because she was unable to see anything at all.
He thought of interupting her but did not. Despite the horrible twist her words were giving his heart, it was not the right thing to do. He listened, grunting softly but not forming any words. He didn't know what to say that wouldn't hurt her further and he was actually relieved when she laughed a little, delighted and cautious about the thought of food. Rooster hadn't considered the fact she might not be able to take a bunch of food in at once, but it did make perfect sense. If she gorged herself, then she would only be capable of purging precious calories. There was small game out on the prairie and he could help her eat just enough.
He opened his mouth to talk, to reassure her, but not before he felt the tremor in her legs increase in a ten fold. He glanced over at her, feeling her pressing into him as much as she could stand, her little voice tinkling in his ears. He looked up, seeing how much more it would take. He could now see the pond, shining brightly underneath the afternoon sun. "Just a bit more," he murmured in response to her question, feeling her little nose touching the muscle of his shoulder. He could feel her wasted frame giving in to the pain and exhaustion. Normally Rooster was not so impulsive and not so inclined to intrude on another's personal space, but she was shorter and lighter than himself and he could not let her falter this close to the finish."Dharma, I'm going to carry you the rest of the way. No ifs, ands, or butts. No embarrassment. You are the lightest little songbird on the prairie right now and you won't hurt me any," he said with compassion and started moving gently, parting her side for a moment to slip his head and shoulders underneath her, his stomach brushing the earth. He did not wait to see if she would object and carried on without hesitation. He was breaking deeply into her personal space, his head brushing up against her chest and his shoulders coming up to support the sides of her ribs. Slowly, he lifted her up, where her head would rest against his neck and the rest of her length would be supported by his body. He was an assertive dog but gentle when need called for it."I apologize if this makes you feel awful. I don't want you to feel that way, okay? I'm more than happy to do this and I'm not gonna just leave you here on the prairie. We're strangers, I know...but a little songbird shouldn't feel as if she has no wings. If your wings are broken, you can use mine." He said this with some awkwardness, feeling as if she would hate him for such an act. But he hoisted them both along, walking carefully so she would not unbalance. "The way you talk....it let's me know someone didn't appreciate your song, little bird. You ain't gotta feel that way with me. I'm not here to try and tell you what to do or try and treat you like an invalid. But I can't just ignore you. You needn't ask for any help. I know how pride works. But I lend myself to those who need it. And you may not think you are strong now and I'm sorry if my words earlier made you feel terrible. It was not my intention and for that I am awfully sorry. You may not think you are strong now...but I promise I'm gonna help you find strength." He puffed out, his legs aching slightly. But he could smell the water now, strong and pungent. So close, five more feet...Despite the extra weight, Rooster relished the burn in his body. He felt his heart pumping, taking blood to his extremities. Each step was making his paws feel as if they were weighted with lead, but he kept himself moving for the small, broken dog along his back. It felt like an eternity, but the red and white male was not apt to stop, even if she offered protest. Rooster felt an anxiousness burning deep within him, wondering if he was doing the right thing by Dharma. Maybe she didn't want his help and perhaps he was only making her feel more like a burden. Though it was not his intention, Rooster did understand pride.He thought these things as he halted, his feet now sinking slightly in mud that bordered the green water of the pond. They had made it, but only now he would see if he had crossed a line. MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRPHY 2.0 |
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Post by WarPaint on May 2, 2018 4:40:58 GMT
Dharma sighed against the burden of her psychi. She was her own bully and it she could not escape it. Depression ran rampant in her although she always tried to put her best foot forward. The little lass let a small smile perch on her lips. She genuinely felt a warmth near him. He was rough around the edges but he spoke with a kindness that was wrapped with firm compassion. She needed that, the tough love kind of motivation.
Lost in her contemplative reverie Dharna was taken by surprise by his sudden movements. She wobbled on sore legs before he was beneath her. Her breath caught in her throat in intense surprise and embarrassment. She clamped her jaws shut and eventually let his soothing drawl ease her apprehension. He hadn't hurt her and didn't seem keen on it anyways.
Her joints appreciated the relief, settling back but she could tell they would swell later on from their sudden use. She could feel his muscles work beneath her and little blush pinched her cheeks. Hidden well beneath her golden coat. Dharma closed her eyes, still in the habit of blinking even though her milky orbs saw nothing. He called her songbird and it did something for the feminine ego she had lost. Stroked it in some small way that made her want to giggle under her breath. Instead she held back her whimsy, breathing in small bursts of laughter.
”I..I like your wings Rooster. They seem like very fine wings.” She said softly near his ears. She grew quiet, simply enjoying the company of another. Something entirely foreign to her. It riddled her with anxiety, was he a wolf in waiting? Was there good dogs abound? What could he want? Questions flew through her skull with the speed of a bullet. Bouncing around dangerously. She willed silence and comforted herself with his scent. Breathing it in small breaths.
And suddenly they had stopped. She could smell the water and her jaws ached. In a burst of appreciative affection, she licked his ears. A gentle touch before sliding from his shoulders. Sighing against her pain. A small tear touched her cloudy eyes, her lips trembled freely. ”Thank You..for your kindness. I can't repay you enough...but thank you” her voice came out in small sobs only they were not of despair. Instead they were choked words of overwhelmed appreciation. Dipping her head, dharma drank slowly. Trying hard to not gulp and fill her belly.
When she had her share, she sank to her belly. Trembling against the refreshment the water had brought her. It had been a while since her body had felt moisture. She eased herself to her side, searching for her companion and safety blanket. Dharma leaned into his legs, comparing the strength of his body against her own. She was tired and a yawn stretched her jaws wide. ”How...how long will you be around Rooster.” Her question was curious but racked plainly by her apprehension at being alone.
Dharma felt, once more, anxiety rise in her throat. Suddenly horrified at being left alone once more. But how could she overextend his kindness and patience. They were strangers and she had no right to further waste his time.”Please…...don't leave me.. it was a plain statement blanketed with an intensity otherwise normally absent from her demeanor. Her melody was soft but pining for reassurance that he would not leave her in the dark. Being alone was worse than blindness to Dharma. It was consuming void for the tiny golden dog.
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FEEL FREE TO GOD MOD!! I'm so sorry there isn't much to work with. Late night ramblings. Rooster and Dharms <3
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May 27, 2018 22:26:05 GMT
Tag me @ripple
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Post by ripple on May 3, 2018 2:47:11 GMT
"So if you see me walkin’ all alone,
Don’t look back, I’m just on my way back home." He had been worried such an act might offend her and in some way he had felt her initial embarrassment, but like the sun rising on a cool spring morning, he could feel her apprehension beginning to fade. Rooster was unaware of his own ability to put others at ease by putting himself last. He did not want to help Dharma because his own sense of self needed bolstering, but simply because it helped restore the natural order in which the mottled dog had been raised into. Oftentimes he had seen the harsh whip of punishment from his master on a wild and unbroken horse, but once the tough stuff had been done and the task achieved, he also saw the gentle compassion in which his master had used to soothe his exhausted charge and the care in which he took to make the horse comfortable. He was tough with a good heart, and Rooster did not know it, but he himself was the same.
Though it was tough for Dharma to rely on his help without feeling small and lost, it is also compassion which triumphs over one's pride and center. A heart reaching for another can move mountains, and even though the fawn colored dog did not weigh much compared to a mountain, their hearts were touching now. Strangers brought together by a foundation of the heart and Rooster's inability to ignore those who needed him. He was relieved to feel her become one with him, her gentle form rocking along his back until he was able to reach the shore.
Her little voice, so much like the birdsong he liked to listen to on quiet summer afternoon's, softly reached his ears and she expressed her liking for the wings in which he could offer her. It made Rooster smile, a genuine curve of his mouth that was nigh impossible to see. He was not frigid or serious all the time, but rarely did such a thing like words make the cattledog smile so grandly. It even touched his eyes, making those golden brown hues shine a little brighter. He did not realize a compliment when it was offered, especially not from a female, but something inside him stirred quietly. Was it a sense of embarrassment? But it was pleasant, so it couldn't be. He felt warm, not just from the day's heat or from the walk with Dharma. "Any time," a little husky and soft, a breathless statement that she may or may not have heard. That embarrassment (was it truly embarrassment?) intensified when he felt the soft brush of her tongue along his ears. It made him shiver lightly but he took it as a sign that perhaps Dharma was beginning to come around to the idea of trusting him. Not because she had to either, but because she wanted to. It warmed Rooster, his own trustworthiness. There wasn't much in life one could hold on to, because material things always got lost, stolen, or forgotten. But things like loyalty, friendship, and trust were things that someone could hold on to for life.She began the descent from his back and he helped her along by crouching low, so that she did not stumble or fall on her way to the edge of the pond to quench her thirst. She made it down, her soft feet finding gentle purchase on the softer substrate. She was talking now, her gentle voice offering him thanks. He rumbled good-naturedly in his throat, too overcome by this new feeling of embarrassment (?) by her lilting little voice. He did not miss the sobs that followed, sending a riffle of despair in his heart for those cries. He allowed himself the moment to take a seat, to rest his legs and give her the moment. Her cloudy eyes were misting once more with tears, but this time she did not fall into sadness. It seemed his one act had meant so much to her that it had spoken to her soul in a way that, Rooster guessed, no one had spoken to it before. He felt that wave of embarrassment shroud him, his ears folding up slightly and he looked away, grunting politely in his own way that he had. He said nothing, not yet, and let her enjoy the cool drink she could now have. He watched her, a thin and unsure creature, extend a delicate neck toward the water and take her fill until she was quenched. Her eyes were reflecting in the water and Rooster could see the ghost of the pretty female she had once been, before the abuse and neglect life had offered her.She had sunk to all-fours once the water had done its job and Rooster found his eyes wandering slightly into the distance, his mind trying to do some wandering of its own, but it didn't have the chance before Rooster felt the brushing of her fur against his. It shouldn't have startled him, being as he wasn't scared of anything really, but he jumped a little at the touch as she sought for him, her bridge in this world that would carry her to beliefs beyond cruelty and mistreatment. She was gathering herself at his legs and he suddenly felt an awkwardness creep into his demeanor. How should he respond? Surely she just sought comfort, and while Rooster could comfort, he couldn't remember if he was truly that exceptional at it. He looked down at the curled up female, his eyes meeting those shrouded by a veil of white.She was tired, her feminine features pulling back into a yawn that helped ease some of his awkwardness. He grinned a little, trying not to look painfully out of place with a lady at his side. He didn't want to impose on her, to make her think he had ill-intentions, but he also did not want to appear aloof and unwanting of her touch against his. She asked him a question, one that left him speechless. How long would he be around? Rooster himself did not know and hadn't really considered it. He had been a wanderer for awhile, just sort of aimlessly going this way and that, stopping along the way and meeting some interesting faces. He was going to say that he might be around for awhile, but before he could, Dharma was suddenly racked with intense fear and anxiety, her birdsong voice rising high in her distress. Her voice still remained soft, remarkably low, even though there was a desperate sort of longing for companionship behind it."I won't leave you, Dharma," the words slipped out fast in response to her statement, soothing and low. He felt that awkwardness again, that apprehension of how to approach her without seeming imposing. He had no right to feel so validated by her femininity and he normally did not take his acts of kindness to his ego, but there was something about what he had seen in her reflection as she had drank. That pretty face, those milky eyes... Her bones were protruding from her coat and it was not the full golden luster it should have been, but it did not stop the fact that beauty was present and always would be."I don't much have anywhere to be. No home myself and no family left since my master died," he gently extended his muzzle to brush the fur along her cheek, hoping to displace some of those tears. "You don't have to thank me, either," he withdrew his touch almost as soon as he had placed it, feeling like too much touching would give her the wrong impression of his willingness to remain with her. "You have repayed me just by not giving up. I appreciate that. I don't much no where I'm going to go, but you could come with me if you like. The prairie will always have a soft spot in my heart, but it ain't a place for dogs to dwell without shelter." It was true. This was a desolate sort of place without respite from the elements."How about I try and get you a morsel of food?" he began carefully. He didn't want to break the contact, but he felt like he should. It was not like a gentleman to soak up too much of a lady's warmth without him being wolfish with evil on his mind. "If you'd like to journey with me, you need to get some strength. I won't leave you for more than a few minutes, I swear it on my word, which you can always take to the bank and cash, guarantee it." It was one of his master's sayings, something Rooster didn't entirely understand, but liked anyway. It made him grin and chuckle lightly. "Rabbits are the prairie's chickens and warrens aren't hard to come by. Easy to pick off the young ones, since they make their nests so shallow in the earth. A few little bites for you, nothing to upset your stomach. The sun is still pretty high in the sky and I don't think hope is lost yet. Humans were once here and they have dwellings themselves. We can find us a place for the night. I can carry you when you aren't feeling up to it and I can help you walk when you need it. What do you say? You up for a little challenge, songbird?" He didn't want her to feel incapable. He hoped some lunch would lift her spirits, renew some of her strength. Rooster had been aimlessly wandering, but what he said was no lie. He had seen a human fence not far from here and this was a pond not made by mother earth. You could tell it if you knew about human ways and Rooster did. He had a feeling that beyond this pond and through the trees, he would find a house.He didn't know it yet, but together, Dharma and himself would find one of the grandest houses in Graycott. WarPaint - 1697- nothing to work with? i HAD SO MUCH TO WORK WITH THAT I WENT OVERBOARD PERHAPS XD? Eluding in this that together Dharma and Rooster will discover the vineyard bed and breakfast together, eh eh? MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRPHY 2.0 |
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Post by WarPaint on May 3, 2018 7:02:18 GMT
Her thoughts bullied each other into submission, vying for her attention like school children. Her anxiety was a monster its own. Something that battled her for supremacy every waking moment of her life. Dharma’s mental health was the collateral damage of cruelty wrought over time. A trickling expanse further triggered by her blindness and meekness. She targeted herself, angry at how weak she was, sad at her predicament, enraged at her victim mentality.
She wore her insecurities like a plush pelt, boasting it on her sleeve to be paraded in front of others. Nearly nothing soothed her these days, and yet she had felt more comfort in the past hours than the whole of her life prior. Her soul ached but it was manageable, able to be overcome with with contentment..Contentment, a word that rolled around inside her mental cage. Foreign, but well suited to her predicament.
Dharma relaxed further into the frame of Rooster, feeling his physicality next to hers. Her bones easily traced his muscle and she thought back to her earlier youth. She had once been a vixen, a sultry image of exquisite femininity. Nostalgia touched her, she had once worn something similar to confidence. Once beautiful and desirable. And now..now she was a thinly draped pelt over bones who stuck out like ragged pillars. Her eyes unseeing and milky, like marbles rolled around in flour.
And then he said he wouldn't leave. Her bated breath fell from her throat, further deflating her minute stature. She felt a consuming warmth radiate throughout her entirety when he touched her. The small gesture made her blush but it relaxed her. Touch was usually an unsettling thing for her. It was always a trigger for hyperventilating and terror. She sighed beneath him, a sound of the purest strain of comfort. The kind of sound heard when one settles into deep slumber.
“I am a tad famished..” she said with a mischievous laugh, something she kept short as her ribs protested the stretching. ”I like that saying...it suits you Rooster.” She lifted her head, looking upwards at him, but her head was cocked past his presence. Her blind eyes pointing in front of him. The gesture was well meant but fell flat with the oblivion that faced her orbs. Dharma tested her head in her paws, separating the small space between them. Her ears fell limp to her skull. Nervous at being left alone no matter how brief. She perked once more when he asked her to travel with him. She quite enjoyed his company and wasn't aghast at the idea of spending more time in his presence.
”I think I would like very much to travel with you…. And er, well I regain myself, I'm sure some use could be made of me.” Her harmonies were soft and tentative, gentle but blooming beneath their companionship. Small tinges of confidence was leaking into her. ” Will you tell me about these humans..? I've never seen one but you speak fondly of them..do their homes have warmth..? Im afraid my bones make for a terrible blanket” Wiggling at the end of her statement, her skeleton barely made a tent out of her skin.
She was unsure of the universe or how it worked but she did not feel her normal trepidation around him. An adventure seemed like a splendid reprieve from her past especially while in his company. She turned her head until she found his leg, letting her cold nose linger before replacing her head to her paws. A feeling unknown had begun to blossom within her, something more than appreciation. But it was something she buried, unwilling to acknowledge it….yet. She was afraid of what lie ahead but in the most wonderfully anxious way possible.
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The feels , love these two!!<3 FEEL FREE TO GODMOD ripple
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May 27, 2018 22:26:05 GMT
Tag me @ripple
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Post by ripple on May 22, 2018 1:28:11 GMT
She didn't want him to leave, not even with the promise of food hanging between them. It touched and saddened Rooster, but the way Dharma was beginning to open up to him and openly display her trust for him was astounding. He had never been looked to like this before. He was always needed by his master, but his master needed him for work. Companionship was usually second nature to his master once the work for the day was done, so it was wonderful to feel needed by someone just for the sheer comfort of him being there. It softened the tough cattledog, wore down some his rougher edges.
She relaxed into him, feeling secure with him by her side. It made Rooster smile, a little twitch of the lips Dharma would never get to see. It didn't matter to Rooster, because he was sure she now felt how good he was, could feel the golden glow of his secretly enormous and welcoming self. He had a kind heart, desired nothing but to respect all those who deserved respecting, and help those who needed it. The mottled creature felt a kind of happiness, the void of his loneliness filling up slowly.
Friendship.
Her laughter was a good change of pace, showing just how a few drops of niceness could brighten the soul. Rooster rumbled with her, his deep voice complimenting hers. His own stomach was a little fluttery, perhaps because of her closeness or perhaps because he was really hungry himself. It was kind of hard to feel hungry, especially when looking at Dharma's thin frame. It didn't disgust him, the hard jut of her bones, but it did make him feel compelled to feed her. She was speaking to him, even though her milky white eyes were cast off beyond his actual position. He was oddly proud she enjoyed his saying and was even more flattered when she said it suited him. The red and white dog felt his head stretch up a little higher. Dharma wasn't the only one not used to attention.
He was delighted that his talk of travel was exciting her. He watched as her nervousness at being alone melted away to be replaced by curiosity. She wasn't a weakling in Rooster's eyes. She was just simply a flower late to bloom. Her folded back ears perked up, making her white eyes shine. She might not have realized it, but even though they could not see, her eyes could still sparkled with delight.
"I'm glad to hear that," he spoke softly, approving in tone and posture. He was content to accept her as his traveling companion and he was glad that she was willing to work on getting more strength along the way. "We'll getcha there. It will take a little time, but I think you've got what it takes." He sounded like normal Rooster, constantly coaching, but secretly he was slipping a compliment to her, whether she picked it up or not. He was too shy to directly voice how brave and tough he thought she truly was, but in time he would grow to be more open with her.
She was then interested in humans, a topic Rooster was well versed on. He appreciated how interested she seemed, her questions innocent and childlike, but he had the tendency to forget that not all dogs knew about life with humans. He settled into a brief lapse of silence, mulling over what he might say. The evening was beginning to steal the bright light of day away, but the golden warmth would last them a little while longer. He had time for a story before he really did needed to find them some food. Food gave energy and they both would need it if they were going to travel.
"Well, all humans can be different. I won't lie to you about that. There are some bad apples in every bunch, and humans are no exception. My master was a good man. Tough and liked to work, but he was kind when the day was done. I didn't see too much of the house, but when I did...The hearth was my favorite. On cold winter nights he'd sit in this old plaid recliner and I'd lay on the woven rug. It sat near the hearth so I could warm up after a nightly drive. It was made of stone and could be cold, but with that rug it was absolutely warm. He'd sit, smoke his tobacco pipe...I'd drift off and listening to the creak of old boards and the hateful scuffling of the old barn cat he'd let in," Rooster liked this nostalgia and how Dharma was able to soothe him back to complacency with her questions.
"So," he started again, sounding slightly apologetic for rambling out answers with long memories,"their homes can be warm. Or cool, when it is hot. They don't deal with temperature like we do out here. Humans like to control it. They really do like to control everything, but my master didn't try and gain any control through anger or aggression. He could be stern, but always fair." He didn't laugh when Dharma mentioned how bones didn't make a good blanket. Instead, he nudged one of her ears.
"I bet once when fatten you up, you will be softer than a spring lamb's wool," he laughed, but it was deep and hearty. It was soft and quick, reflecting the rise of confusion inside of his body. He imagined Dharma with a thick and nourished figure, her fur a deep fawn that looked almost white, with bright and shining white eyes, milky but beautiful like quartz.
This awkwardness was rising in him fast, so fast that he gently untangled himself from Dharma's embrace. He did not do it hastily, as if to make her think she was unpleasant or annoying. He did carefully, to show her that there was some work he needed to do before they could truly rest. "I, uh, I should get us some food now before we loose light. I promise I won't go far," the cattledog mustered up the courage to say, trying to ignore the rise of strange feeling from within him. He didn't want her to panic with his departure and felt torn for a moment before beginning to step away and search for some food. He hesitated, standing above her.
As he looked from left to right, trying to decide how far away was too far, a desperate splashing sound distracted him. His golden brown eyes flickered from Dharma to the muddy bank they were resting nearby. A large fish had leaped for a flying insect and had stranded itself on the muddy shore, flopping furiously to try and return to the pond. It was beginning to slide backward, almost attaining its goal, but before the green and silver bass could slip back to safety, Rooster quickly jumped, his paws pouncing on the body while his muzzle opened up to reveal his teeth. He sunk them down into the fish, ignoring the taste of pond and slime.
He wrestled with the wriggling body, craning his neck to turn the fish to Dharma. He crunched down, feeling as the bass weakened. Once it quit moving, Rooster placed it at Dharma's paws. He couldn't help but to laugh, bellowing with humor. "Well, I guess I really didn't need to go far. How about some fish? It's pretty light. I just hope you'll share with me. This was a moment too good to be true. A promise kept and a meal delivered." he was delighted at his luck, delighted that the fish had stranded itself just at the perfect moment. He wouldn't have to leave Dharma now.
WarPaint <3
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