Sticks and Stones.

[Orange]

He was cold, dirty, hurting, and hungry. Trouble whimpered. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. The life of a Stray; full of freedom and adventure. But instead he found cold shoulders, vicious dogs, and loneliness. Whimpering still, he limped past piles of garbage, painfully aware of the cut on his hind leg. Couple of teens threw sticks and stones at him, one sharp pebble cutting him, making him run away until he found this place.

As he went along, Trouble tried to make himself as invisible as he could. His head was low and his floppy pup ears were flattened fearfully. His tail was curled tightly under him in blatant submission. Oh how he missed his kind mother, who protected him from the bullying of his bigger and strong siblings. Why did he had to become the runt?

His stomach ached painfully but he didn't dare challenge another dog for their pile of junk. He stumbled on a piece of litter, yelping and whimpering pitifully. He licked his wound, wallowing in self-pity. It wasn't supposed to be this way. He was supposed to be exploring, meeting fearless warriors and such. The dirty pup stood shakily and continued on.

Finding a cardboard box, Trouble curled inside it, making himself as small as possible. He hid his face between his giant front paws, his dark liquid eyes darting about anxiously.

[Malfunction]

Sivamet paraded down the street, throwing an adorable puppy dog face at a woman who had a hot dog. She did a double take on the meat, deciding that she wanted it for herself. The woman was a fat cow, but she looked like a pushover. She looked around, saw something she could stumble over, and faked it. She crawled towards the lady, whimpering and panting.

"Oh you poor dear! Aww, let Miss Lulu take care of it! Who's a good girl, who is? You are!" The pasty woman cooed to Siv. She considered ditching the hot dog and bolting, just to get that huge face away from her. She knew better though, and she made up her mind. She looked at the food, her stomach growling automatically. "Aww, is you hungry? Is you? Is that it! Ah well, I can buy another. Here you go, shweety." She said, making Sivamet glad she was a stray.

The three month old waited 'til the cow had given Sivamet the food, and gone to buy another hot dog. That was when she made her run. She bolted, taking off down an alley. She stumbled over something, flipped head first, and landed on her back. She had still managed to hold onto the dog, though, and she couldn't help but drop it to laugh like a freak. "Oh my gosh that was so much fun!" She giggled to no one in particular.

Then she froze and rolled over onto her back. She looked around and spotted the other puppy. Sivamet bounded over, the hot dog forgotten, and started sniffing all over the poor little boy. She climbed over him and sniffed him here, sniffed him there. She was a puppy gone insane. "Hey, what's your name? My name is Sivamet, isn't that WEIRD?! My momma thought it was cayoot though, so I like it. Do you wanna play? Cause I don't see a lot of puppies, so when I do like to play with them. Cause not a lot of adults like to play, especially that stuffy alpha dude." She rambled on and on, still sniffing and climbing, then she stopped and looked at him; tilting her head to the side and exuded innocence.

[Orange]

The enticing scent of a hot dog reached his nose, drawing him out of his self-pity and out of the damp box. He sniffed about, his dark wet nose wiggling, injury forgotten. Then he flinched, surprised by the sudden violent cackling around the corner.

Oh my gosh that was so much fun!

He couldn't help his puppy curiosity and cautiously peeked to see who it was. A black and white puppy on her back laughing what looked like to him insanely. The she froze and spotted him. Panicked, the Samoyed pup scrambled to get away, but instead tripped clumsily, allowing the other pup to pounce on him.

The female pup boldly sniffed about his body as Trouble blinked in shock. He blinked some more when the pup started yipping and yapping. "Hey, what's your name? My name is Sivamet, isn't that WEIRD?! My momma thought it was cayoot though, so I like it. Do you wanna play? Cause I don't see a lot of puppies, so when I do like to play with them. Cause not a lot of adults like to play, especially that stuffy alpha dude."

Wh-What? His face turned around to face her, his eyes reflecting his confusion. What was weird? Her name? What?? cayoot? Stuffy alpha dude? What?

[Malfunction]

She pouted and rolled her eyes. "Puh-lease. C'mon, don't tell me you're boring!" She snapped, running around the little alley. Siva turned back to look at him, chewing on her lip. "Hey you look thin! Are you hungry? Want my hotdog? I already ate a bit, and I can get someone to help me get more food, so do ya want it?" She asked, her words running together again. She didn't care, she never cared. She picked up the hot dog and trotted over to him, putting it down in front of him. "Go ahead, you can have it."

She backed up a bit and laid down, watching him. She didn't have to be over the top all the time, although she wouldn't mind being able to. She doubted that everyone wanted her to be so eccentric, but she loved who she was. Siva knew better than to think that everyone would love who she was, but she wished they would, otherwise life wouldn't be too fun.

She sighed and put her head on her paws. "I asked your name, in case you didn't hear. And I told you my name is Sivamet. And I asked if that was weird. But it wasn't really a question. And I asked if you wanted to play, but I dunno if you can play, cause you're acting kind of boring." She barked, shrugging her puppy shoulders.

[Orange]

Trouble watched blankly at the other pup's antics. She was so... overwhelmingly energetic.

Puh-lease. C'mon, don't tell me you're boring!

No way! I'm not boring. He growled defensively. It was her fault for being so bold, really. Where had she learned her manners?

Hey you look thin! Are you hungry? Want my hotdog? I already ate a bit, and I can get someone to help me get more food, so do ya want it? The dirty pup's stomach echoed with emptiness and Trouble licked his lips. She wasn't so bad though, just....chatty. Incredibly chatty. Thanks! He yipped hungrily, before snarfing down the synthetic meat.

As he finished his meal, the other pup laid down, looking thoughtful. Now that she wasn't bouncing about, Trouble looked at her more carefully. She - Sivamet was it?-seemed clean, healthy, and happy. How did she survive? Was she by herself? She did mention an alpha figure. A pack perhaps? Anyways, Trouble found himself appreciating her company, even her fast chatter. She seemed fun and exciting to be around...Maybe he should stick with her for a while.

When he finished, he licked around his lips and sniffed the ground for any crumbs. When he did not find any, he face her panting happily.

"I asked your name, in case you didn't hear. And I told you my name is Sivamet. And I asked if that was weird. But it wasn't really a question. And I asked if you wanted to play, but I dunno if you can play, cause you're acting kind of boring."

He huffed defensively. I can totally play! Just Watch Me! He exclaimed as he pounced on Sivamet, growling playfully.

[Malfunction]

She laughed softly, shaking her head. Now he would be defensive? She sniffed, rolling her eyes and throwing him a playful look. She got up, walked over to him, and swatted him playfully with her fore front paw. "You sure you aren't boring?" She teased him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She was always ready to do something, ready to test someone. Why wouldn't she be? Where was the fun in sitting around and talking about something. The poor little puppy just couldn't find a reason to do that.

Siva watched as he finished his meal, waiting semi-patiently. She was so going to test him and find out if he really could play. She would be letting down the playing God if she didn't test him, he was a puppy, it was his duty. Yes, Sivamet was insane. No, she didn't care. She justified everything in her mind, and a lot of the time it made no sense when she finished. But did she care one little bit if other people didn't understand her way of thinking? No, she could find no reason to care.

She shrieked and giggled, rolling over and swatting at him. "You cheated!" She accused him, though she really didn't care. She didn't think he cheated, she was just being her. If he had cheated, good for him. He had to know that no one would play fair out here, she'd learned that when her parents had been alive. So he was doing himself a favor if he didn't play fair with her, cause she didn't know if she would with him.

[Orange]

The white pup laughed and jokingly nipped at Silvamet's paw that reached to swat him. It's been a long while since he played with another dog. The human family that he left behind prisoned him in the house. You cheated! the black and white pup accused laughing. He gave his best puppy smile, his pink tongue rolling out and puppy whites showing. But All's Fair in Love and War! barked Trouble. He gave a short, rough nuzzle on her chest, mocking a bite. Then he ran a few strides away and faced her, before dropping down on his fore in play position. His curled tail wagged in the air furiously, brushing against his back. His minor injury was left forgotten now that Silvamet was here.

He gave a sharp woof, teasing the female pup to advance on him.

[Malfunction]

She giggled, managing to pull her paw back just before he got to it. This pure white puppy dog was hilarious, she couldn't believe how much she liked to play with him. Then again, she could. She played with anyone and everyone, as long as they didn't actually try to rip her to threads. She growled her little puppy growl at him, a pitiful little sound coming from the tiny puppy. "Too bad! I don't believe in that saying!" She barked back at him, her eyes dancing with unheard laughter.

She growled, yipped, and charged forward, her front paws lifting off the ground a bit when she got close to him. She bunched up her hind legs and pounced forward, opening her jaws and nibbling his ear playfully. "I win! You're dead! That's it, haha, you lose." That was all she said, and her face was completely serious as she said it.

[Orange]

Trouble rose on his haunches to tackle her in the air, but she came too fast with momentum on her side. He tumbled on to his back, wiggling and struggling to find his footing. When Silvamet latched on to his floppy ears, he dug his paws into the ground, pulling and shaking his head. His abused ear was released and he tumbled back down to the ground. Bouncing right back up, he 'ruffed' a few times ready for more.

I win! You're dead! That's it, haha, you lose.

His nose wrinkled as his face turned sour. Aw, you spoilsport. You can't win just because you said so. But seeing her solemn face, he quieted, muttering "Only 'cuz you're a girl...." and backed down.

He laid down and asked, "Do you have a pack? You seem pretty....well off. And you did mention that alpha figure."

[Malfunction]

She growled, meaning it this time, and tackled him. "Do not presume that you have to give in because I'm a girl. Do not even dare to make an insinuation that because I'm female I am weaker and therefore worthy of different treatment. I am a stray, I am wild, and I obviously know how to live better than you do. So do not treat me as lower." She snarled, her eyes glinting angrily. If Siva had one pet peeve, it was that. She could be the most charming little puppy dog in the world, and never seem to have anything against the world. But she hated the arrogance of someone deciding she was worthless because she was female. Maybe it was because her mother had trained her to be independent and to never let anyone make you less than who you were.

Sivamet tossed her black and white head and got off him, her eyes narrowed with disgust. "I'm with the only stray pack around. Run by the formidable Darthyn, and probably too good for a sexist pig like you." She fired off, noting him as one she disliked.

[Orange]

OOC: I just noticed I've been writing you name as Silvamet. wooooooops.

He was startled at her sudden vicious growl. Woah What's -- He yelped as he was tackled and floored to the ground by Sivamet.

Do not presume that you have to give in because I'm a girl. Do not even dare to make an insinuation that because I'm female I am weaker and therefore worthy of different treatment. I am a stray, I am wild, and I obviously know how to live better than you do. So do not treat me as lower.

He scowled. I didn't seriously mean it! Jeez, relax. I was just miffed at that moment. When she got off of him, Trouble shook his torso to release the dust and dirt clinging on to his ivory fur. When he saw the hateful look in her eyes, his tail drooped.

I'm with the only stray pack around. Run by the formidable Darthyn, and probably too good for a sexist pig like you. His whole demeanor sagged when he realized she really was offended by his comment. He could lose his new friend. He was desperate to keep her as his friend. He didn't want to be lonely and cold again. Avoiding a direct stare into her eyes, Trouble lowered his gaze and showed submission. "I really didn't mean it, Sivamet. I won't make that mistake again. I'm sorry. Please forgive me..." He was at a loss at what to do, should he apologize more? Should he leave? Should he stay?

[Malfunction]

((How dare you! Messing up Sivamet's name by turning it into Silvamet…Gawd. Haha, smooth.))

She felt grim satisfaction when he yelped, though she knew that it was horrible of her to feel such a low and ruthless emotion. Especially when it was towards a puppy so like her. She frowned on the inside, he wasn't like her, not that much. They were both puppies, they were probably extremely close in age, and they both had white somewhere on them. That was about it. She knew how to survive the streets, she knew to turn to Darthyn and his pack when her parents died. And she knew better than to feel bad about things. Hadn't her parents taught her that your pack was the only ones you felt for, that all outsiders weren't worth anything lest they joined the pack?

Her kissers twisted into a scowl when he scowled at her, hers twice as angry and hateful. He did not dare to look at her that way after she'd gotten so mad, did he? She drew herself up, looking down on him. She felt a little bad when his tail drooped, but she shook it off. He had to understand that she wouldn't be looked at differently merely because she'd been born female instead of male. There was no way in the world she was inferior because of her sex, and she would never be ashamed of it. No one would keep her down because she was a femme. She wouldn't let them.

Sivamet allowed herself to calm down a bit after he was completely submissive, a bit stunned at her own actions. She wouldn't be apologizing for them, though. She didn't have to. She sighed and leaned forward, touching noses with him. "It's ok. Don't do it again though, I won't stand to be looked at differently because I'm female." She told him, making sure that he knew how she felt about it.

[Orange]

He inwardly sighed in relief when Sivamet came to accept his apology. It was almost as if Sivamet became his lifeline. In the short time he had known her, she was swiftly becoming a major part in his life and possibily the future. He gave a quick lick on the tip of her muzzle in gratitude. It's ok. Don't do it again though, I won't stand to be looked at differently because I'm female. He smiled. Yeah. I won't.

Still feeling the scolding that she gave him, Trouble hesitated to ask about her pack again. But he burned to know who they were and what they were. Especially the alpha Darthyn. Because he was still a puppy, he longed for a pack to be with, a family to be with.

"If you don't mind me asking again about your pack, Sivamet, could you tell me more?" he asked politely, ears perked and orbs eager for information.

OOC: Do you mind if Sivamet introduces him to the pack? :]

[Malfunction]

((Nah, that's fine. We can make a thread after we finish this one.))


She wrinkled her nose and giggled, turning very much into the puppy she'd been just moments before, before he'd said anything about her gender. "That tickled!" She laughed, a huge smiling breaking out on her face. "Good, now that's behind us, let's not talk about it." She said, shrugging her shoulder muscles. She could tell that he was sorry, and as long as he was genuinely sorry, she could forgive him. Forgive and forget. Hadn't she heard that somewhere.

She lay down, looking up at him like that. "Well, I'll tell you as much as I know. I haven't met a lot of the pack yet, cause it's hauuuge. But I did meet Darthyn, he's the Alpha." She wrinkled her nose and giggled again, shaking her head. "He says he can play tug-of-war, but I don't think so. He was really silly at one time, but he's also incredibly stiff." She rolled her eyes, huffing a little puppy breath. "And BORING! Well, not really. But he's a grown up, and grown ups don't really know how to have fun." She said, shaking her head again.

[Orange]

Good, now that's behind us, let's not talk about it.

He nodded his head in total agreement, his puppy ears flapping at his eagerness. Well, I'll tell you as much as I know. I haven't met a lot of the pack yet, cause it's hauuuge. But I did meet Darthyn, he's the Alpha. A pack that big? They must practically own this whole town! He squirmed in excitement, his banner whipping about. He gave her a curious look when she giggled. What was she thinking 'bout now? He says he can play tug-of-war, but I don't think so. He was really silly at one time, but he's also incredibly stiff. And BORING! Well, not really. But he's a grown up, and grown ups don't really know how to have fun. He restrained himself from rolling his eyes. She sure was...unique. Though that wasn't nessessary bad.

"Well...I'm sure he has his alpha duties especially for a pack that big," the pup said excitedly. "Like like, exploring, protecting his family, accepting new members, and a whole bunch of other things!" he barked, suddenly jumping up. He couldn't wait to meet this guy. He sounded awesome. The pup looked at Sivamet cheekily. "Besides. You told me I was boring and I'm not an adult." He laughed. Settling down, he struggled over his question. "You think...Can I..." He wrinkled his nose at the way he was stumbling. "Do you think I could meet your pack? Your family sounds pretty awesome."

OOC: My brain is all mushed up D: