Summertime Sunshine.

[Talon]

The middle of the day seemed like an odd time for a stray to just be wandering around the city. Though a small cuddly looking canine like Nikki didn’t pose much of a threat and looked more like a lost house pet than a cold hearted stray. Well this little long haired dachshund was neither for sure. Not being any sort of house pet and of course, not so much cold hearted, though the ex lab dog had her own ways of keeping her own. Now Nikki wasn’t much like the lab dogs around here, not quite in a search for a pack, though she would never object. Trotting down the street the canine wasn’t bothered by the few humans she saw, they were never much to bother her, though she didn’t stop to say hi to any of them. Human’s weren’t something a lab dog would ever approach, not in her right mind at least. Making her way to the garden she loved to spend some time in, finding the luscious garden empty of humans and canines alike the femme made her way in.

The smelled were of familiarity to the fae, she liked to come here for a bit of silence. The flowers had no thoughts to hear and the shade of the trees in the sunny summer days was very nice. Today it was hot, the perfect day to just hide out in the shade for a nap maybe. Napping was easy as the femme’s mind never shut off, always hearing thoughts, not always the footsteps of approaching canines and humans, but thoughts of the canines around her for sure. Taking a walk through the gardens the she-dog took in all the scents around her then made her way to her favourite tree. A small magnolia tree was her resting grounds, not much for green leaves like most trees the pink flowers made the perfect shade for the small dachshund. Lying under its thin low lying branches the femme made her way under them only disturbing a few branches and her dark body almost invisible under the shade of the wonderful smelling tree. This was for sure her favourite spot; the cool dirt under her coat cooled her body as she lay on her side, rolling around in the dirt a bit. The silence calmed the femme as she lay quietly under the tree.

Her own thoughts finally able to get a hold of the femme’s calm body, white eyes closing as she lay in the silence. Debating in her own mind whether she was to find a pack or stay alone. Sure she needed the protection, being such a small dog had its disadvantages for sure. Though with her small size most didn’t think much of her, though Nikki was a very feisty little canine when threatened. She could hold her own, with a cost to her own safety for sure. Though the thoughts didn’t last long and she was in a light sleep, ready to wake up at any thoughts in her mind that weren’t her own.

[Sasha]

SOME dogs had it easy, colored neutral tones, harder to spot in daylight against faded brick or old concrete. Other dogs were colored darkly in grays and blacks. They had the advantage of hiding out in the night, clinging to the shadows of day and otherwise going unseen. Degree was no such dog. Lanky-limbed, vivid white and splattered with black spots, the brown-eyed Dalmatian was anything but subtle. He wasn't the largest of Dalmatians but he was noticable nonetheless. Still, if he noticed the occasional human looking up at him or taking a double-take, he paid it no heed. He kept his path, a lazy-looking lope along a cracked sidewalk that lined a residential street. His eyes rolled about, taking in things in an almost lazy manner which most dogs wouldn't think of as observant, but Degree liked being the unexpected. His outward persona was a cool, neutral creature but was quite capable of warmth and affection once he was sure someone wasn't going to wrong him. He had a witty sort of humor and favored things in a sensible light instead of the mass hysteria others tended to follow along with.

THIS particular morn, his thoughts trundled from one topic to another over a vast array of topics. He pondered the politics of pack life, the need for his next meal and other such things. Overall, he had no destination, simply letting his feet wonder well-worn paths and occasionally pausing to investigate a particular scent. He passed by fenced in yards where little toy dogs yapped senselessly, paused once to growl at a cat sunning itself on a retaining wall and zigzagged across the empty street when he spotted some humans watching him a little too closely for comfort. No stray liked being watched. If humans watched too closely, it meant they might call the pound and that would only end badly.

ON one particular occasion, Degree jogged down an alley and onto a completely new street to escape the prying eyes of an elderly woman with curly gray hair. He didn't like how her eyes had narrowed, like she was trying to decide if she should call someone about him or not. Anyway, the Sanctuary male ended up on a new block where the houses were older looking but well kept. As he paused to take in his surroundings, the brute sniffed the air, curious if any of his packmates had passed through this way. He caught a faint whiff of something unusual however. It was...flower scent? Brows furrowing, the male sniffed again. Yep, no denying it. There was a floral smell in the air, something seldom smelled within the city unless it was a human-kept garden. This however, was stronger than the normal front yard flower beds most humans kept. A bigger garden perhaps?

CURIOUS and with little else to do, Degree shrugged to himself and began to make his way along the sidewalk toward the source of the flower smell. Five or six houses down, he found it. A fence was encircling a lot the size of the others but without a house. Folded ears perking a bit in curiositiy, Degree used his nose to push the open gate further open and slipped in. It was a garden afterall but it covered the entire lot with little paths and benches. The trees weren't overbig, still relatively young by tree standards but the beds were lush and their shade looked cool and promising after the heat of the summer sun. After walking around the town all morning and a bit of the night before, Degree was feeling old aches. You didn't go five years as a stray without getting in a few scraps. Add on being hit by a car once in his youth and again not too long ago, though that time he'd been helped, he still was prone to the phantom aches and discomforts of such a rough life. A break couldn't hurt. He'd been on the prowl since just after midnight and it was nearly noon. Yes, it was time for a rest. Nodding to himself, the brute absently began roaming the garden, pausing now and again to sniff a curious plant.

JUST as he was lowering his head to inspect a strange, spiky herb, Degree also caught a wiff of a dog. Turning his head to the right, he spied a magnolia tree and then, under it, a long-bodied she-dog unlike any he'd ever seen before. He raised his head a bit, though his face showed neutrality, he was curious. He'd never seen a dog so small...and...long...He considered himself rather odd looking, so he knew strange. This she-dog definately was. Lowering his head again, the brute nosed the plant and then sneezed.

[Talon]

The small dog’s name was disturbed by the quiet sound of a gate opening, though no thoughts were heard and the dame ignored the sound. The quite paw prints left her little stress, though under the beautiful pink flowers in the shade the dachshund was clearly visible from anyone close enough. White orbs opened slowly as the femme let out a silent yawn, now seeing the words she heard in her mind. The new thoughts were a bit scattered and curious, though she heard no threats from the other canines mind, sniffing deeply the dame tried to take in the scent of the Dalmatian, smelling only the tree she lay under. Bright orbs watching the brute she could clearly see with the bright white and black coat. Not feeling a threat the she-dog slowly stood up, making her way out of the low hanging branches slowly. This canine was interesting for sure, white, bunch of black spots, large compared to her of course, but a bit lanky and thin.

There was a bit of curiosity in her mind as well, he seemed very calm with no horrid thoughts and it took her no time to assume he was no threat. Then again the little dame usually made assumptions and they could be very wrong. Though she could try to hold her own if there was a threat. His sneeze did not scare her as she made her way out of the cover of the tree into the sunlight. Her bright white orbs eyed up the male before her. ”Good day.” Soft vocals had a bit of hidden pain and hate, typical of any canine that was once trapped in the lab. The labs had changed this small stray, she had never been the kindest of all strays or the nicest of anything, though now kindness was hard to find. Feeling no threat to herself she had no reason to be rude, though the soft words had their own hate and pain regardless of the dame’s standing on the situation at hand.

Finally taking in the scent of the male before her the female sat, still managing to be in the shade of the magnolia tree. Long dark coat was matted and dirty, typical of any stray, long cut in her left ear covered by a matte of long black hair. Tan lips moving slowly as her pink tongue moved over her lips as the dame yawned once more. White orbs watching the stud as she felt an itch, lifting a short back leg sharp claws scratched through the dame’s thick coat and relieved her of the itch. Still a good safe distance from the Dalmatian she sat back curious of the canine, short legs holding her up as she sat before him.


OOC: Sorry it was short, I have to go and didn't want to leave it. I like finishing posts in one sitting. LOL.

[Sasha]

A black and white spotted head rose as a feminine voice called a greeting. Dark brown orbs took in the short, long-bodied she-dog regarding him. Her eyes were a pearly, unusual white. Alarms went off in Degree's mind, though his visage showed no change. A lab dog. It explained the...undercurrent of her voice. It wasn't an outright angry voice, nor an unpleasant one, simply the voice of a dog that had known pain. His heart went out to her, it really did, but to look at him, you would never be able to tell. He simply raised his head a touch and looked at her in a fashion that would appear faintly curious, one stray simply regarding another upon meeting. Nothing impressive. No theatrics because she had white eyes or ridecule because of her unusual anatomy. Instead, the dark orbed brujo dipped his head in a decidedly old-world manner. Not many males bothered with good manners these days, Degree would like to think he was at least something of a gentleman. He may not be open and friendly like some upon first meeting but he could at least be civil.

"GOOD morning," Degree replied coolly. "A fine day, though I sense rain on the horizons."

THE humidity, not oppressive yet, was enough to make him suspicious of sour weather. It was common enough in summertime for violent thunderstorms to ruin a fine day, but the changing pressures had him thinking if the storm didn't slam them, it would glance them at least. No matter, rain was a necessary evil and unlike some long-furred breeds, he dried quickly since his dotted pelt was so short. Yes, it made winters miserable but at least the summer and other rainy months were tolerable.

MOVING past the smaller femme, long legs moving easily over the well kept grounds, Degree paused near a young sapling of some sort. Black nose twitching, the male dipped his head and investigated the tree's base. Jess. The young spaniel's scent was faint but present. Moving a bit further, Degree caught a hint of...Rancor. A chill went down the male's spine and he made a mental note to check on her. She wouldn't be the type to tell anyone if something had gone wrong, oh no, she'd clam up and pretend she was okay. If someone from Rancor had hurt her, it may be enough to demand the Sanctuary's alpha to pay attention. Jaw tensing a bit, Degree withdrew his head and headed for a large bush growing out of a flowerbed. Laying down in it, he made himself comfortable in the shade, contemplating what to do. He crossed his front paws and laid mostly on his side, whip-like tail thumping on the ground in a steady rhythm.

ooc: sorry my muse for him is...odd...it'll pick up, promise!

[Talon]

It was surprising to the small canine that this male didn’t think much of her odd eyes. They did make her look blind but any canine that met her would beg to disagree. Nikki was dark form blind in every way, though her white eyes were no genetic anomaly, the labs had somehow managed to change her in so many way. With her white eyes she knew she could see into other’s minds. Though the odd canine before her didn’t have many thoughts that caught her attention, the dame hated digging most of the time. Thoughts were meant to be thoughts, not words inside her mind. Though with nothing in his mind that bothered her, the femme sat where she was content with her day. Bright white orbs staring up at the sky when the Dalmatian mentioned rain, not a favourite of the long haired canine. Her long coat took forever to dry, and the long fur on her belly got wet so easily being so close to the ground.

Watching the white and black male walk around she felt his mind wander into her. As he sniffed he heard the thoughts of a spaniel, Jess he called her, then a more terrifying thought. Rancor, the thought of one of them being here before gave the small dog a chill, though she hadn’t searched herself she knew there was no Rancor here today. Nose sniffed the air quietly as Degree’s thoughts faded in her mind, taking in the air around her before looking at the spotted canine. ”There was no bloodshed here.” That was one thing the dachshund could tell, she would be able to smell the blood. The Rancor didn’t hurt his sanctuary member to blood, though she could no hear thoughts of canines that were no longer here.

Not sure what to do with the Dalmatian before her the fae’s small figure moved back under the magnolia and laid in its shade once again. Not sure if the Dalmatian would question the words she had spoken out of turn. Leaving the thoughts the femme let the cool air of the shade protect her from the sun. Her own thoughts of the rain bothered her slightly; she would have to find a good hiding place from the rain and try not to get too wet. Hopefully it would be a thunder storm. The dame loved water; it wasn’t really her day to be soaked. The thunder and the lightning would amuse her enough while she hid under something to stay dry. Maybe her mood would change by the time it started raining, she might enjoy it a bit.