Run Another Night [Open]

[»Rie]

Another night following on the footsteps of another day. It all seemed to blur together into a long string of nothingness. Hours seemed like seconds, and months like years. The world breathed on, and he strode along helplessly. Following the path before him because he had no choice; he was dragged along it by the chains that bound him, and unwilling participant in this dance.

The night was warm, a soft breeze causing the leaves in the tops of the trees to rustle in soft lyrical sway. The blue-black sky was decorated with a scattering of stars and a waning crescent moon. Silver shadows shivered in the grass, and among the flower beds. The gates to the estate stood open; a single guardsmen stood there quietly observing. Though he seemed rather bored. The fountain whispered secrets, with the wind. The heady scent of well cared for flowers permeated the air. The soft strains of classical violin music, the accompaniment of wood winds drifted from the large veranda in the back. The undercurrent of human voice drew attention, some sort of dinner party was occurring.

Earlier in the day the guards had come out into grounds of the estate to hunt down the wayward guard dog. They'd cornered him and wrestled him into his muzzle, garnering quite a few scratches and bites for nips for their trouble. After they'd gotten the muzzle on him, however, he'd settled down for the most part: What was the point in fighting after that? They'd dragged him over to a large maple tree, around which a chain was attached and hooked him up. It wasn't a long chain, as he wouldn't remain tied up all night, just until the guests had gone. They didn't trust him enough to leave him loose while there were guests around, and the gates were open. He'd either end up mauling someone, or make a bid for freedom.

That's here he was now, still as a statue beneath the waving boughs of the maple. He could see the humans moving about like cranes performing their ritual mating dance up on the veranda. His sharp eyes were glued to the two-legged figures, watching them like a hawk examining the passing ground for prey. His thickly corded forelegs were extended directly in front of him his body poised in classical formation. Head up, ears erect and perked forward; the muzzle lay heavy against his snout, a nuisance.

A mighty hunter, and his prey was man.

[koraun]

The cool air passed over her orange-and-white fur easily, and she welcomed it with open arms. Pushing herself up to a sitting position, the Akita dropped her white jaws, tasting the air. Drinking in the scent of many humans, flowers, and, what was that? Dog? She was not too excited, as she had had her share of them for a while. What with that meeting, being surrounded by Darthyns' followers. Shivering with the thought, the slim female tipped her head as she watched a few cars go by.

Slipping into the shadows of the huge fences, she sauntered off to no where in particular. With a simple sigh, she gazed up at the darkening sky. The ever-shinning stars looked back at her and she felt oddly comforted. It was as if they were walking beside her, lighting her path. Good thing, since she hadn't even been down this road before. She found herself standing along a large fence. It loomed over her, draping her in a black shade that felt odd but comforting, knowing she was out of sight from the weird humans that walked around with their dogs on chains.

Growling at the thought, she wandered up to the fence and sniffed around for any danger. In the distance, the Akita could see someone standing around. Looking to her left, there was a large tree that seemed to shelter something, or someone, else. Walking over that way, she found that her paws were leading her instead of her mind. Curious as to what was going on in there, the female slid her muzzle toward the fence. Besides the voices and scent of human that drifted toward her, there was a dog. A pet? Perhaps..

[»Rie]

Up on the veranda the Master wandered toward the edge pointing into the shadows toward the massive doberman chained to the tree. Junius' head lifted further upward and a threatening growl spilled forth at the sight of his jailer. He couldn't really hear the words the man was speaking to his friends, but he could guess they were speaking of him. After all, why else would the human filth be gesturing toward him?

Quick as lightning he went from his laying position to straining at the end of his tether the chain rattling in complaint as he gave a single loud, snarling bark. A ripple of quiet flowed through the gossiping humans before the Master began to laugh, and finally turned away from the straining growling dog to disappear among his guests. Jerking once more on the chain Junius turned and paced back to his original position folding, shifting around to go back to his watching when he paused. Something seemed... off.

The fur along his back stood on end, hackles bristling; it felt like he was being watched. That low, dark, thrumming growl woke in his chest again his muzzled head coming up to stare with flat eyes into the shadows. Nostrils quivering as he sought the scents on the breeze. Canine...

Darting to the end of his chain again his claws gouging into the earth neck arched as he stared toward the direction of the scent, his teeth bared behind the coverage of his muzzle. The sound of crackling bark filled the air as the heavy metal binding ground against the tree, "I know you're there, filth." He snarled, his gravely voice shattering against the tranquility of the night. For a moment he'd wondered if that female from the other night had come to torment him again, but the hint of scent he'd gotten was unfamiliar.