HPU - Richardson Valley

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:35 pm

'Not home. Hide. Somewhere else. Can only hope.' Venison's thoughts were fragmented as he focused on running away. 'Woods. Tree. Big tree.' He rerouted his direction to Pavelle's tree.
'Can figure what happen.' He kept running, and running, until he reached the woods and the tree, and got up the same way he did before.

'Calm down. Calm down. Think...think...'
He took a deep breath.
'Okay. First, what happened. Pavelle forgot her collar. Then, she must have run into animal control. In an attempt to escape, she knocked out one and then hijacked their van. Idiot. You just clear two fences and you're out. Focus. She then must have hit two cars, then plowed through a fence. That's about when I showed up. Then I...

I...'

"WHAT THE H***! I USED...I used...
Why did I...use...Step at a time...I helped because...survival...why though...Pavelle...Food source? No, only humans count for that...could be a potential ally? No, they have to prove themselves somehow first...unless, maybe...binoculars? Yes, binoculars. She managed to steal my binoculars. My Binoculars. Consider that a great feat."
He purposefully ignored the fact the the binoculars were not stolen from him.
"Now. Balishock. Conditions for pull are:
a) clearly outgunned by opponent/opponents
b) captured
c) Severely injured
d) defending clearly outgunned teammate.
Pavelle...was not considered a teammate at the time. Nor was she outgunned. I wasn't outgunned either. Nobody was captured. Think. Why. Why. Why. Why. Why. Well...the man was severly injured? Yes, yes he was. There was someone severely injured. Now, that that is dealt with, I'll need to close that loophole. Revison...27? I think, c) Severely injured is now more specifically defined as c) Balishock owner (defined as myself) is severely injured."

"There. Survival through and through."

'Okay. Now. The situation back there. It could either work, or it could fail. Now, it could fail by human witnesses. Their numbers can be anywhere from 0-5. Then, at least one pet I saw. I forgot to pay attention to him. I don't know how well he'll cooperate, but the ruse hinges on him. He is a primary witness. If he confirms my setup, and there's no human contradiction, then Pavelle and I will get away without a trace. Best case scenario. Worst case scenario, he truly tells what he saw, and humans back him up. I'll have to leave, and Pavelle...could be in trouble. For both our sakes, let's just hope this all works.'

He took a deep breath, and leaned back against the tree.

caelei · Post by **caelei** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:53 pm

Pavelle was so tired. So very tired. But she couldn't sleep. Not that she wasn't trying hard enough. It was just that she had checked online about cuncussions, because she might have recieved one while she was bouncing her head off everything in sight in that van, and that she had told Magnus to stay up and check on her every three hours, as was customary. As a precaution against brain swelling, or whatever. Kind of like surveillance for further injury in the close future. Except he was doing his job much much too well, and had decided to check on her every couple of minutes. She had hoped that he would fall asleep, but no luck. He was vigilant in his duty. She had trained him too well to take her instructions seriously. And now that the order was sent, good luck getting him to back off. Unless there was proper distraction.

She sighed and rolled over, her head throbbing. She hadn't taken anything for it, because she didn't know if she should take human medicine; it could cause complications. And their family didn't really stock up on pet medications because it was unnecessary. She had never really gotten sick/injured before and Magnus healed really fast by himself. Plus they were just another unneeded expense. She thought about complaining but thought better and held it in. Magnus might freak out and bother their parents. She was trying to keep the entire incident on the down low. Hopefully whatever Venison did would work out and they would all live happily ever after... Now her brain was even more confused. Why had he helped her? He wasn't a friend, an ally, or anything else of the sort. And it wasn't like she ever had helped him before, so it wasn't a favor repaid. Oh, wait. Of course. The sneaky bloke. He wanted a favor in the future. Maybe help relocating or residential history on a particular place or item. Help covering his tracks, somewhere. She wouldn't have it. She wouldn't be in debt, not to anyone. Not ever. She had to find him. Or at least go outside and get some fresh air; her head was really killing her.

She got down from the bed, and Magnus nearly pounced on her. "Rest," he said forcefully, but she just smiled, and waved him away.

"Going to the bathroom," she lied, and he didn't have enough room in his head to look suspicious. He nodded, and sat on the edge of her bed. Then he looked pointedly at the clock on the wall, and back at her. To remind her that he would be waiting. She nodded, wincing, and left the room on feet much less wobbly. Still shaky, but she could deal.

She stopped at her parents' room on the way outside. If she did meet Venison, she would need the binoculars. To trade back the favor she owed him. Hopefully they would mean enough to him that he would take them and be done with it all. Her parents were both sleeping soundly, and Mom's breathing was more relaxed. Without even knowing that she had been worried, Pavelle let out a sigh of relief. Mom always seemed to do better when Dad was around. Must be a comfort, a love thing. She shrugged, and tiptoed into their closet. Then she carefully climbed her way onto the top shelf, put in the safe numbers, and opened the door. There was the bag. She opened it, slowly rifling through all the stuff that she would soon sell. Just a couple more items and she would have a nice paycheck. She found the binoculars, and took them out, slinging them around her neck once again. Then she shut the door, locked it, and went on her way.

Once outside, she breathed in a deep, deep breath. The crisp night air filled her lungs, cleared her head. It felt good to be outside. Even if everything had happened only a few short hours ago, it still felt like years. Especially since Mag had not given her a break once on his mission to make sure she was fine. Always watching her, never complaining about not being able to sleep. Always completely selfless. She felt guilty again, and got angry at herself. Guilt had never been around before, not since she was a smaller raccoon, a couple years past. She had sworn to herself then that it would never get in the way. And now it had returned. With a vengeance. The stupid watch. She should have never taken it.

She stopped in front of the tree, leaning against it. She hadn't realized that she was walking until she ended up here. Strange how whenever she felt off, she returned here. It was peaceful. Easy to think, untangle thoughts and emotions. Pavelle looked up, hoping to see the stars. There weren't any. Cloudy out tonight, then. Wait. There was one. She squinted at it, and realized that it wasn't a star. A reflection, up in the tree. She grabbed the binoculars, then looked through them at it. She couldn't be sure, but it looked like some sort of belt or buckle or zipper, on clothing. Someone was snooping around. She hesitated, then started climbing. Her hands were less sure than usual, and she almost fell once, about halfway up. She caught herself by scrabbling around for a better handhold, and then continued on her way, more quietly. Whoever was up there might have heard her. She reached the lowest branch and laboriously pulled herself onto it, breathing deeply. Blood was pounding in her head, hurting, and she was starting to feel dizzy again. She shouldn't be overexerting herself. But then again, when had climbing a tree ever been overexertion? She panted, but continued on her way. She stopped a couple branches down from the stranger. Did she really want to confront them? They could be bigger, badder, just plain meaner or more reckless. Then again, she had been really reckless today. What with actually stealing a car, and then climbing up here with hardly a second thought. She wondered if she was losing herself. Not that she had been the best person around; actually, she had considered herself one of the worst. Stealing from everybody for her own gain. For her family's gain, but still. Stealing. And lying, sometimes. More than sometimes. And not caring about anybody else but the people who were close. And other, more minor offenses. And then hurting that human today, as if of instinct. She shuddered, her weight shifted, and the branch she was crouching on creaked and groaned. She held perfectly still, but couldn't help thining that she had given her position away. Especially if whoever it was had heard her catch herself on the way up, and pieced the two sounds together. She held her breath, waiting to see if they would totally ignore the sound, flee, or investigate.

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:05 am

"I'm fairly sure I only know one Raccoon that can climb straight up a tree like that." Venison turned toward Pavelle. "You feeling okay? You certainly took a nasty hit to the head. You're lucky you're alive. Wear a seat belt next time." Venison chuckled at his bad joke.

"Survival, Pavelle. What does that word mean to you? To me, it means everything. It's the absolute, it's the reason for everything. Stealing food? Survival. Drop-kicking a cop and knocking him out? Survival. Framing animal control agents for drunk driving? Survival. Helping you? Tell me if there's another reason other than survival, because I would like to know. I certainly can't find any other explanations. It certainly wouldn't be any emotions, such as, say, curiosity, because emotions have this nasty habit of obscuring your goals. Though I can't help but wonder why you do what you do. I live how I live because I've got nothing left, save for my own freedom and life. Even a majority of my sanity escapes me, as you've seen before. Should I let emotions bog me down, I would go entirely insane. Survival is all I have left. There's a method to my madness." Venison smirked at his pun.

"So I'll tell you what I do know. I run. I always run. From what, I can't say. But I do. I don't do debts, I don't do favors. Rather, I'd hope that people be thankful should I help them. On the other side, I do well with trades, although I don't prefer them. So much value is lost during a trade. Whether you're trading money or goods, you lose something. Hence why I always go for what I need. But humans dislike when papers are stolen. Money, documents. Shiny things, when they go missing, you get a whole mess of problems. They don't notice when food is stolen. Water. They don't care. They get perplexed, but it's only food, right? Medicine you need, but you take in small amounts. Over the counter preferred, of course. If it's urgent, you strike the pharmacy, or perhaps, a city hospital. When I fight, I aim to drop the person with minimal damage. Of course, I'd run before I'd fight. Finally, when I talk, I have this rather nasty tendency to rather explanatory. Makes for dry conversation, and makes me rather unlikeable to many. And sometimes I have this rather annoying habit of repeating words to emphasize things. Like 'rather.' Then sometimes I don't know when to shut up. Why am I talking? I don't know. Actually, it's survival. But no need to figure out why it's survival for now. For right now, I'd rather find out what you have to say."

caelei · Post by **caelei** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 12:52 pm

Pavelle sat quietly, listening to Venison. She should've known that it was him up in the tree; he apparently liked it up here, too. Survival. It made sense that he would do things for survival. Wasn't Pavelle doing the same, except in a different way? Stealing valuable things, reselling them (sometimes to the people she took them from in the first place - humans could be so dense), taking the money and buying food or other necessary items, so that her family could get along in life. It was to take care of herself, her brother. Family.

Venison finished up his speech, then seemed to be waiting for her to say something. She hesitated, and looked down at the binoculars around her neck. And then she pulled them off, and offered them to him. "You say you want people's gratitude, their thanks. I don't. Thanking people is empty to me, always has been. You say it, and it means absolutely nothing. Just one more loophole to get you out of doing work, so you don't have to repay someone who helped you. Two words aren't enough for me. So take these. Then I'll consider us even. Not that I wouldn't appreciate help in the future, if I ever got in a tough spot and you happened to be around, but I don't plan on stealing any more cars, so it's kind of a moote point. Anyways, I probably shouldn't have done what I did, but I'm not sorry. And even if I get in trouble, I won't be. That's not how I feel, it's not part of me. Even if I got shipped away to some kennel I wouldn't really feel anything negative from making my mistake. I would learn from it, and move on. If I do get caught, though, I won't tell anyone about your involvement. I'll take the blame myself because I started it. So." She paused. Did she have anything more to say? She wondered briefly if he wanted to hear why she took things, why it was she stole, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything. She didn't want sympathy; didn't even know if he would give it, anyway, or just laugh in her face and tell her she was being stupid. Her family was all she had, and it was all she would ever have, and she wanted to protect it, tooth and nail. And blabbing to everyone about her biggest weaknesses, the things that kept her up at night, that scared her, well, that wasnn't exactly on her to-do list. She preferred keeping to herself, keeping nice and quiet and in a shell that nobody could penetrate. So she couldn't get hurt. She took a deep breath, and found herself saying something. "You might want to hear about my past, but I'm not going to tell. I know almost nothing about you; where you come from, what you're running from, and I won't bug you to tell me. I've always distanced myself from other pets and people. It's natural for me to stick to my own business, and not someone else's. I'm actually surprised you haven't figured me out, though. I gave you a huge hint, back at my first night at Rav's house." And then she remembered something, and gave a small laugh. "Oh yeah. You know Rav? Magnus told me after the accident today on the way home that he once called himself Ravage. I kind of wondered if Rav stood for something... anyways, how do you earn a name like that? Ravage? Weird, right?"

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 6:16 pm

Venison's eyes widened. He wondered why he couldn't have figured it out before. Rav. Short for Ravage.

"Well, well. You've hit a key word. Looks like you will find out a bit more about me." Venison pulled out his list. "Take a look at this list. He got that name by being considered one of the top ten most dangerous strays. By humans anyway. He lead a pack of humans and animals, and it scared other humans that an animal could have the ability to lead. And he is also one of the only two of the ten that are still alive. However, of these ten, he was the only one that was at all sane in any form. Of course, he's the only one in the U.S. I didn't find. At least until now. The crossed off names...No, I'm not a hitman. I don't ever use lethal force. Three were taken out by an unknown force, probably the ones who compiled the list in the first place. The others died via an accident. With those, I met with them, tried to talk to them, and, in the process of them trying to kill me, they usually ended up screwing up somewhere.

Imagine...seven of the ten most dangerous strays walking up to the white house and demanding a trial...hehehe. Hehehe. Ahhahahaha. Such a stupid idea. Ah. But the deal I found out was that eight of the ten had to die. So it's over. But, by finding Ravage, I'll finally reach some full closure on the matter. Now, what does this have anything to do with survival? Well, take a look at the last name on the list."
*clickclickclackclackBzzzzt* Venison held the Balishock in front of him.
"The nickname I earned and detest is 'Flipshock.' Which I assume accounts for all ten names, does it not? I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone."

"Oh, and I already said what I wanted you to do with the binoculars. Do you have anything extra you want to say?"

caelei · Post by **caelei** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:35 pm

Pavelle tried not to flinch away from the Balishock, especially when it was turned on, but she couldn't quite stop herself from scooting a little further away from the weapon. One knick with that and she'd be out of the tree and falling down, down, down to the ground. And even if it was spring the ground would be hard enough to break bones. She kept her face straight, but couldn't tell if her eyes gave away anything. She hated human weapons, especially since... but never mind that. Weapons were one thing she didn't deal with, even if they weren't supposed to be fatal. As for the list. If Venison was on the list, and the list was of the top ten most dangerous strays, should she trust him? Could she trust him? Then again, the whole thing could just be a ruse. She'd never heard of such a list, but maybe it was before her time. Or maybe he was completely bonkers, and she had no business being in a tree with him. She glanced down. Then nearly smacked herself in the head from taking her eyes off Venison when he had a weapon and she didn't. Her eyes snapped back up. Conversation. She needed conversation. She was supposed to be talking, answering. Whatever. "Um, uh. Er. Yeah. One question. You want me to give the binoculars back to a pair of monstrous two-year-olds? Why? Because it's wrong to steal? I thought they were yours?" Well, that was more than one question. But it was about the same topic. She tried to keep her eyes away from the Balishock, but they were nearly transfixed on it. She was deathly afraid of human weapons of any sort. Except knives, normally. Normally, she could deal with knives. But then again, this wasn't a normal knife. Guns, though. She shuddered, and tried to keep her fear away from Venison's keen eyes.

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 3:00 am

"Feeling a slight bit uncomfortable?" Venison smirked.
He began to shut the knife...*clickclickclack* and then quickly tossed it into the air, arcing over a branch, and caught it behind his back before whipping it back around to his front. *clickclack* And finally closing it. He proceeded to play with the knife, flipping it open and closed in various dangerous ways, putting on a small show.
"You're lucky. I usually don't take this out unless there's a need. Like when I'm being shot at. Or when I'm incapacitated. So as long as you don't point a gun at me..." *clickclickclackclack* The tazer-knife folded shut. "...You have nothing to fear. Now, indeed, the less all of you know about the list, the better. From what I found, it's some secret organization called the N.S.A.A.U. I'm not sure what it stands for. Don't go poking around for it though. It's liable to get you killed. This list was top-secret, as far as I know. If I'm not mistaken, I'm the only member of the public to know anything about it. Well, now you somewhat."

"And I shouldn't have to tell you again about the binoculars. They're kids. They found them, so in their mind, it belongs to them. Whether or not they are actually mine is moot point to them. And in all honesty? Stealing from children of any species is downright sick. They can't defend themselves. And another thing? If we act like animals, we are treated as such. Being completely humanized is no good either. Strike a balance."

"And of course it's wrong to steal. It always is. If it weren't for the fact I needed to survive, the guilt would have killed me, long ago. After all of whatever this may be is over, after my thieving ends, if it ends...oh the guilt. How much of it has stacked. Waiting in the back of my mind, ready to strike. When it's all done, I'll have to atone for something. Somehow. Would you be able to sleep well at night after framing someone for drunk driving, to get away with your own crimes? Do you even know what happens with a DUI arrest? Jail time until sober. No vehicle use for about six months. After that, only transportation to work and back home is allowed for a year. Something like that. Heightened insurance premiums. And a black mark on their driving record. Those two men will probably lose their jobs. How it effects their lives, and even worse, their family. But I want to live. I have to live. But in the end, I'll need to apologize to the humans I've wronged, and help the animals around me. But for now, if the reason is survival, and it always seems to be so, then I can continue on."

"And for other reasons why I helped you...of course, survival comes first...but, a fatal attraction, maybe. We're somewhat alike. Except you ain't off-your-rocker insane. Anyway, to me, to some extent, you're an ally. If you want any tips...well, we'll probably meet in this tree again."

"Now, I don't know about you, but I need to sleep. Good bye for now, Pavelle."

Venison jumped out of the tree, and landed the combat roll this time. He went back to Rav's, snuck into the kennel, and quickly fell asleep.

Kalvin · Post by **Kalvin** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:16 am

Lucky bolts up from his pillow on the floor, panting heavily and sweat soaking his fur. God did he screw up big time now. There probably wasn't enough to get the animal control officers in jail, and they were sure to see him testify if it came on TV or in the newspapers. He just made some enemies that could make his life miserable. Unable to sleep he checks the alarm clock on the floor next to him. 2:30, he would never be able to get back to sleep.

After thinking for a little bit he gets up and goes to the front door. He watches the paperboy ride by and throw the newspaper out. He goes outside and picks it up then hurries inside before he wakes somebody up. Sitting at the dining room table he unfolds it. Dog saves another dog, letters to the editor, funnies, blah blah blah, ah here we go. The Local section. Sure enough front page of the local section, there's a picture of him and all his statements written down next to it. Great, I just made enemies of the two meanest animal control officers in the city. Let's see what they say. Drunk driving, not enough evidence, case dropped, released immediately, doesn't look like they said anything about what actually happened. With a sigh of relief he lays the paper on the table, glad he was able to help somebody out. He wonders secretly if he'll ever see the pets he helped out again.

---------------------------------

Balbaroy, meanwhile is off dreaming about chasing things, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he sleeps.

caelei · Post by **caelei** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:22 am

Pavelle shook her head as Venison left, watching him go off into the dark night, until she couldn't see him any longer. She still didn't understand about the kid thing. It wasn't like she had actually hurt them in any way. And they were so small they probably hadn't even noticed the binoculars were gone in the morning. But she conceded to his wish. If only to repay the favor. Even if they hadn't hardly discussed it, she felt in debt to him. And she would not. That was absolute. She slipped off the branch and went down the tree trunk, as was customary. She hadn't ever thought it strange that she could scale the tree like that, but Venison had said she was the only raccoon he knew that was capable of doing it. Then again, he might not know many raccoons. Her feet touched the ground and she walked off, towards the house where the twins were staying. Since she had the binoculars anyways, she might as well return them now. Though she didn't want to. She would much rather be settling into her bed right now and getting a couple hours of sleep. She sighed. Sleep. She hadn't slept at all yet.

She made it to the house and went through the second story window, the same way she had gone last time. It was a known fact that many people didn't lock second story windows. Didn't think they needed to. Especially in 'nice' neighborhoods. It was very helpful, really. Couldn't get into a lower floor? Use the top. She slid open the window and it creaked a bit. But the two children did not wake. They were sleeping deeply, their sticky faces peaceful. She made a face at them, something being disgust and contempt, and placed the binoculars back where she had found them originally. There. It was done. She climbed through the window and shut it again, then calculated her jump and launched herself off the window ledge to the tree near it. Her nails dug into the bark and held, and she carefully climbed downwards. Her head was pounding again. She gave the window one last wistful look before turning and heading home.

At her house she used the front door, curtosy of her key, and climbed upstairs, feet heavy. She looked down the hallway at the top. Magnus was sleeping in front of the bathroom door. She sighed. He'd probably waited there for her to come out and had fallen asleep in the process. She went to her room, got an extra pillow and blanket, and returned to Magnus. She lifted his giant head, placed the pillow under, and lowered it back down, then covered him up with the blanket and tucked it securely around him. There. Then she returned again to her room and lay down in bed. She had fallen asleep in seconds.

He was coming. He was coming. She could hear his footsteps, clear as day. Now that he didn't need to sneak around. Now that she was trapped. She pulled at her leg, but it wouldn't budge, painfully resisting. Blood matted her fur. She felt tears in her eyes, knew that the bad man was coming to get her. To kill her. And she could not run. No. She couldn't. It was the end. She would die in these woods, terribly alone and frightened. The man emerged from a group of trees into the clearing, and his eyes landed on her. His eyes narrowed, and he approached. He wanted to kill her. No one could help her. Nobody could save her. She was dead. He raised his gun, taking aim. Firing.

Pavelle sat straight up in bed, chest heaving, eyes wide. The gunshot was still echoing through her head, so realistically etched into her memory that the gunman could have been in the room with her. She grabbed her head and rolled into a ball, shaking from head to foot. No. It wasn't possible. She had shut down the dreams, a couple years ago. Told herself they were never coming back. But they were. The guilt and now dreams? It was like she was reverting into a former self of hers, younger, more vulnerable, more afraid. She laid down again, but didn't close her eyes. She knew what she would see if she did.

Jimmy Jazz · Post by **Jimmy Jazz** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 5:14 pm

Flying high above the earth seeing the city sprawled out underneath his ship. he looked harshly up at the crows nest and yelled "Davis! do you see any thing?" "a single ship ahead of us captain!" yelled Davis back down. "Can you see what flag it bears?" "No sir! i can't!" at this Octavian stormed to the door that led down to the lower decks. he stopped and looked back up at Davis "Good job, maybe i should hire more Cats!" and with that he went down to the lower deck. "you three! Sarah, Jones, and Augustus prepare the cannons just in case the ship ahead of us aren't so friendly" "Yes sir!" said the three in unison. he continued to walk briskly to his Cabin door and opened it "Navigator, where did you put my Cutlass?" "in the drawer, sir" he pointed to a drawer underneath the beds "thanks old chap" he said grabbing the sword and sheathing it.
"if you'll excuse me i have to go attend to some matters topside" "not another ship?" Octavian walked to the door "Actually, yes" he said and left with a flourish.

(OOC: well, I'll make another post soon. mind you Octavian is dreaming about being the captain of a flying ship, so none of this really happened. i've just been throwing around this idea in my head is all)

Keeshah · Post by **Keeshah** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:32 am

It's early monday morning!

Sara prepares breakfast for the canine pets, bringing it into the kennel room an setting it up for them on a small table.., as she gets ready to leave for work.

Rav woke up, to the smell of the food being brought into his room..an finding venison cuddled up against his side...his foggy mind seeming to remember falling asleep in a different dogs strong cuddling arms..
Rav moves very slowly an stiffly today, holding onto the kennel cage, or leaning up against walls or furniture, as he hobbles around like a pup just learning to walk up on his hindlegs, instead of walking on all fours..

Kalvin · Post by **Kalvin** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:03 am

Lucky begins the walk he makes every morning down to The Wall, keeping an eye out for the big white telltale van. He needs to watch his step now. Any small thing he does could be considered a target for those two animal control officers. Not that they wouldn't bust him for small things anyways. Those guys always gave trouble to pets. They probably hated animals. He enters the coffee shop, makes the order for his usual and goes to sit quietly in a booth, trying to lay low.

-------------------------
Balbaroy turns over on his belly in his sleep.

Jimmy Jazz · Post by **Jimmy Jazz** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:29 pm

on the top deck the ship was closer and now he didn't even need Davis to tell him who they where. he grabbed the "DAVIS, GO TELL THE CANNONS TO FIRE AT WILL!" he yelled and ran up to the steering wheel. Davis nimbly climbed down from the crows nest while Octavian wheeled the ship to its side, port facing the Raiders ship. "COM'ON OLD GIRL, PULL TROUGH" he said as he heard the boat creek "not now! not now!" but it happened. the mast started creaking and started slowly falling. the other ship fired at them and he saw the splinters fly up and his ship fired back, the mast hit the deck to a thunderous noise... "Yesterday there where two animal catchers that where accused of Drunk Driving and almost crashed into the local coffee shop, tune in later for the complete story" said his alarm clock/Radio Tuned into the local news station. he slapped the snooze button and sat up *sigh* "in the middle of such a good dream too" he hopped out of bed and went to the kitchen. he dragged out the stool from behind the fridge and reached up to grab some food for breakfast.

caelei · Post by **caelei** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:45 pm

When Magnus awoke the next morning, it was to find a red-eyed Pavelle staring out her bedroom window. "Good morning!" he proclaimed, coming to her bedside. He didn't find it the least bit odd that he had woken up in front of the bathroom door. Lots of times, he just fell asleep wherever; his room was the least used in the house. She grumbled something back, which was unusual. Normally she would at least say 'hi' audibly enough so he could hear. He grabbed her hand and dragged her off her bed, and into a standing position. Pavelle winced at the movement. Her head, and neck, sadly, were both pretty stiff. But other than that she was fine. Well physically, at least. Emotionally -recently she had been going wacko, but... win some, lose some. She'd go back to being distant and cold-hearted in a couple days. She hoped.

They had their usual breakfasts. Pavelle had buttered toast, not burnt, and a cup of awful homemade coffee. Magnus ate through half a box of kids' cereal, drank a couple glasses of orange juice, and ate an apple before he was full. Pavelle made a mental check. Buy more food. She sighed, and together they watched the morning news, and then (at Magnus' demand) a couple early morning cartoons. There was no sign of their parents, but, then again, when was there? Dad went to work early and came back pretty late, everyday, and Mom didn't have hardly enough energy to do anything much but eat a couple carrot sticks and fall asleep again.

ToastyJester · Post by **ToastyJester** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:51 pm

"Last night I dreamed I was driving along a long straight rode in a sweet car. I had that girl from school I told you about in the seat next to me, you were in the backseat, and we were heading to the beach." Matthew says, leaning against the railing on the edge of the roof. Jester grabs the sandwich Matt made for him and says, "Then you parked the car at your dad's awesome beach house that you now owned, and we all went swimming, then your best friends pulled up and there was an awesome party. I know, I've heard the dream a million times before Matt. How close are you to getting that car?" Matthew sighs and replies with, "Not even close." Jester pats his friend on the head reassuringly while biting his sandwich, and says "All in good time Matt. All in good time. Now shouldn't you be heading out soon? Don't want to miss your bus." Matt sighs again, nods slowly, and heads over to the door to the stairway and says "See you later Jester." Jester says goodbye and swings his legs over the railing as he sits and eats his sandwich. "Mmmm sandwich." He says, looking up and down the street. He picks up the newspaper Matthew left him and starts to read. He finished up his sandwich and reads about a drunk driving accident and looks over the picture on there. Man people these days. Bringing trouble to our little town. Next thing you know, someone will get kidnapped, or there will be a store robbery. Ah don't think like that Jester. You're going to bum yourself out with thoughts like that. He drinks down his juice, then heads downstairs.

Before leaving the theater, Jester sets up the schedule for Studio 6 on it's display stand, as well as in the projection room, for whoever is in charge of it for today. Debra let Jester decide what movies to be played in Studio 6 a long time ago, and he always set it up to play movies not shown in theaters anymore. The other 5 Studios were being used for new movies, so he took it upon himself to replay the classics and his personal favorites. Today he felt the need to play a few good horror films followed by some action packed, explosions everywhere films. When finished he grabs a napkin and wipes off his mouth of any crumbs, then throws it away and walks outside. Well, time to wander until something happens! he thinks, walking along the sidewalk and around the corner.

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:39 am

Venison stood on a barren rock precipice. "How am I supposed to cross this? I have to get to the other side. I must. I know I must. I have to get over there to bring all this land back together." He looked over a canyon. There was no way across, no safe way down. Venison sighed and turned around. "Nothing I can do now." He tried to go back. But he noticed there was more canyon behind him. He was trapped. Trapped on a small piece of floating rock. All bellow him, was a dark, depthless pit. "Ahaha. I'm dreaming, aren't I? Where there's a situation that's impossible. There's never a situation that's impossible. But here, here there's no escape. No solstice. Save for the single spot I'm at. Look, across that canyon, there's blood. And that one, there's weapons, blades, killing devices. Across there, traps with no escape. All around me, there are hazards waiting to murder me." He fell down to his back, giggling manically. "No escape. No place to go. Nowhere..." With his head tilted back, he opened his eyes and saw across another canyon.

And there, there were pets. Of all shapes, and all sizes, fighting for their lives. Defending their piece of rock. From the forces that protruded from the others. And they were all working together, helping each other, no matter if they lived or died. And they always keep helping, and they always kept coming. No matter how hopeless it seemed, no matter what happened, they stood together. None tried to run. None tried to save themselves if others were left behind. They all seemed to share a bond.

And for whatever reason, that rock was within jumping distance.

And then they all called out in unison.
"We could use another friend to help us!"

"Well, I can't die in a dream," Venison said to himself. He took a running start, and cleared the gap, landing on the rock on the other side. A pet approached him.
"How nice of you to join us." A simple brown tabby cat began to talk to him. "We could use some more heros."
"Well it certainly seems like it. I don't get it. Why don't any of you flee?"
"Because we're all defending something very important. Now listen to me. You know what we're defending. You know what this all represents. Lucky that your insanity is working for you, hmm?"
"Oh, so my mind is talking to me in my dreams via split personality. Oh, that's just wonderful. Great. Awesome. Peachy-keen!"
"The Peachy-keen was corny and unnecessary and you know that."
"Yeah, I know it, because you are me and you know it."
"Don't confuse try to confuse me, because that will only confuse yourself."
"And that isn't confusing in itself?"
"Just shut up and listen. Dog darnit. I forgot why I hated talking to myself."
"Fine. Talk."
"I'm fairly sure you can tell that all of this this is a physical yet physiological representation of your psyche."
"look, I figured that since that last six-hundred and thirty-seven times I had this dream, where I usually end up rolling of a cliff giggling like a maniac. So why is it this one time that I can talk to myself and reach another rock?"
"Because your mind has been positioned in the correct place to do so. Physically, and emotionally."
"Don't even mention that word. There's no emotions going on here."
"If there wasn't, then your rock wouldn't have drifted here, and you wouldn't have jumped. I know that, so...you know that."
"And I wanna say screw that."
"Why did you help Pavelle? Why do you trust Rav, even after learning his real name?"
"Again, screw that."
"What I'm saying, you're saying! Stop arguing with yourself! We're all tired of running. Every part of you. And I don't need to tell myself that you already know this. You know darn freakn' well the answers to both those questions!"
"But my past. Who. I. Am."
"Will always be with you, as who you were. That won't change. It never will. But who you are can."
"You're telling me I knew all of this stuff all along?"
"In a way. You just didn't want to hear it. Well, more you knew you couldn't hear it. But now you can."
"I'm not sure if I want to hear it now."
"Too bad."
"Well, then, what do I need to do?"
"You're a smart dog. I'm sure you can figure that out on your own."
"What kind of answer..." And then a spear lobbed over the tabby and right into Venison's side...

Venison woke up with a pain in his side, and a very clumsy Rav attempting to move his cast leg away from Venison. Venison groggy blinked his eyes a couple of times.
'What kind of dream was that?' Venison thought. He sat up, and saw Rav attempting to make his way towards the food. 'Where did that come from? Sara must have left it. Why breakfast without her though? Oh, right. It must be the workweek now.'

"Rav, stop moving. You're only hurting yourself. And me. You hit me in the kidney with that cast, and it's quite painful when people hit you there. I'll bring the food over."

Keeshah · Post by **Keeshah** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:31 am

Buckdida wrote: "Rav, stop moving. You're only hurting yourself. And me. You hit me in the kidney with that cast, and it's quite painful when people hit you there. I'll bring the food over."

Rav eases into the comfy chair,
Don't worry it only hurts when i do ...anything...
Oh! an I'm sorry i kicked you.. I was trying to not wake you, you were mumbling so intently in youre sleep, you must have been having a great time in your dreams..

Rav opens the newspaper..
Hey i got my picture in the paper.. section B page 2.. Hero dog saves pet!..
But i don't remember saving anyyyyy Oh right, Magus saved me!.. DoH!
Rav rubs his head , then scratches behind his ear..
I don't remember much at all of yesterday.. were you all, taking turns staying with me thru the night?

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:45 am

"No. As far as I know, they wrapped up your leg, and then knocked you out with some painkillers. Speaking of which..."

Venison took out his first aid kit, and set it aside. (OOC: This is a robust plastic case, and is usually in a pocket on Venison's right thigh.)

"This has some animal painkillers somewhere in here. I'll give you one after you eat. It's not good taking medicine before you eat. Here, bacon and eggs. A nice standard breakfast." Venison set Rav's food down in front of him, and then proceeded to wolf down his own. "So, you were walking on rotten wood, huh? A small light dog like me might get away with that, but not you. How could you miss that smell?"

Venison paused for a moment, recalling something Rav had said.

"Or maybe the ferals forgot to teach you it? Although, I suppose in a city, there's not much rotten wood to be found...you know, I don't think I got to learn much about you...seeing as we don't have much to do, wanna talk?"

Keeshah · Post by **Keeshah** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:10 pm

Buckdida wrote:"So, you were walking on rotten wood, huh? A small light dog like me might get away with that, but not you. How could you miss that smell?"

Rav munches down his foods, doing so slowly, as he is now doing everything..
I was looking up at the hole in the roof, trying to determine what was going to be needed to fix it, when the floor opened up under my paws an ate me all up, an spit me out on the floor waaaaay down below.he rasps..

Venison paused for a moment, recalling something Rav had said.

"Or maybe the ferals forgot to teach you it? Although, I suppose in a city, there's not much rotten wood to be found...you know, I don't think I got to learn much about you...seeing as we don't have much to do, wanna talk?"

Your right, they didn't teach me about bad wooden floors.. but then they more concerned with staying hidden, finding food, an how to bring down deer an other prey.
Rav looks up an smiles coyly at venison,
I knew you would come around an want to talk with me, So what are you wanting to bark about?

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:31 pm

"Well, mainly, your past, I suppose. Your life? Your story?" Venison asked. 'How your style of leadership ended you up on that list?' He thought to himself. 'Meh, we have plenty of time for that.'

"I'm assuming you were a stray at one point, right? There's plenty of stories for that. And I'd have my own stories to swap."

Keeshah · Post by **Keeshah** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:32 am

Buckdida wrote:"Well, mainly, your past, I suppose. Your life? Your story?" Venison asked. 'How your style of leadership ended you up on that list?' He thought to himself. 'Meh, we have plenty of time for that.'

"I'm assuming you were a stray at one point, right? There's plenty of stories for that. And I'd have my own stories to swap."

No, I have never been a stray. I've always had an owner, ofter ended up not being wanted, but always had an owner.
Laying back his ears sadly..

I was born to show dog parents, an trained to be one myself.. An while i won all the junior shows i was entered in, it seems my genetics an physical form are not good enough to complete in the major shows. which means i can never be a great grand champion like my father.He grumps..

I was pretty much left on my own at 8 months, perhaps forgotten by the breeders staff after that, they only worked with me on occation. I started wondering in the woods behind the breeders estate. That is when i met the ferals.. after gained there trust, i brought them food an water, tools.. an they showed me how to survive in the wild, how to make shelters, how to hunt an bring down prey, how to avoid being seen an captured, an learning about the dynamics of a pack structure..
Lapping down the orange juice..
that went off an on for about 6 to 8 months, then animal control somehow found out where the pack was, an did a sweep through the woods. it was my bad luck that i was out there with them when that happened.. I came across one of the animal control people who had this ..gusturing with his paws.
big tube that he pointed at me.. there was a flooomp! an this huge net came flying out at me, an i was all tangled up in it before i even knew what happened..
Since i was collered, i was taken back to my breeder owner.
looking away an trying to hide behind his arm.
He was quite run a marathon.. an they keep a closer eye on me afterwards, an they worked with me as a show dog again, I even started getting BSE's like my father to be a stud dog!..

Then i was sold to a company that trains service pets.. for a while i trained to be a police dog, but they worried about some test i guess i didn't do well on, an they didn't want me..
I was then retrained to be a guard dog, an sold to another company to watch there stuff..
That was such a borrrrring job! i never got to see anyone but my handler. i was kenneled alone durning the day, an let loose in the store after it was closed at night. it was just me an the human guard there.. i would patrol the place, or just watch Tv with him..
Rav stretches wincing an going snap an krackle..

Then the store went out of business, an my handler didn't want to keep me, an i was shipped off to a shelter. i sat in there for a scarry long time, when Sara took me home.. She wanted a protective companion, an i guess i fit that bill..

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 4:51 am

"Holes, Rav. They're never good. Potholes damage cars. Pitfalls hurt people. Inconsistencies, story holes. Those are no good either. You had said before you lead a pack, and Sara mentioned that you also led some humans. And you're missing one vital detail." Venison gave a weak smile and tapped at his neckline, since he didn't really have ID tags of his own. "Of course, you know that I'm not telling all of my story. So. Wanna swap? Although, I should warn you. You might not want to hear it...part of this is the fact there's a suspicion I want to confirm. Just so you know. I...well...Mangus over heard something? And told it to Pavelle. And she blabbed to me. Your full name...well, most would call it a 'stray name'...Ravage? Have you ever heard of a stray called 'Flipshock?"

Kalvin · Post by **Kalvin** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:15 am

Lucky finishes his coffee, and for awhile, just sits there silently. He doesn't want to have to leave. He would like to stay inside as long as he can but at some point he'll have to move. So he stands up and cautiously walks towards the door. He looks out left and right before leaving, keeping a watchful eye out.

-------------------------------

Balbaroy finally sits up, groggy eyed and still a little tired. He rubs his eyes and stands up, going about his morning stretches.

Jimmy Jazz · Post by **Jimmy Jazz** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:28 am

He was wandering down the road on foot because he insisted that they threw that old bike out. he saw the occasional car roll by dang, i forgot to check to time when i left... he stopped and looked up. *sigh* he passed by the wall but didn't see any familiar faces in or around the shop. he stopped staring at a pet leaving, the pet looked both ways and walked along keeping a eye out for.... god knows what. but he kept staring he didn't know why, he was just bored.

Keeshah · Post by **Keeshah** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:47 am

Buckdida wrote:"Holes, Rav. They're never good. Potholes damage cars. Pitfalls hurt people. Inconsistencies, story holes. Those are no good either. You had said before you lead a pack, and Sara mentioned that you also led some humans. And you're missing one vital detail." Venison gave a weak smile and tapped at his neckline, since he didn't really have ID tags of his own. "Of course, you know that I'm not telling all of my story. So. Wanna swap? Although, I should warn you. You might not want to hear it...part of this is the fact there's a suspicion I want to confirm. Just so you know. I...well...Mangus over heard something? And told it to Pavelle. And she blabbed to me. Your full name...well, most would call it a 'stray name'...Ravage? Have you ever heard of a stray called 'Flipshock?"

Rav puffs up, an his fur bristles, as he swings his ears forward, locking his eyes on venison's.. that hit a nerve..
Stray name indeed!! I took the name Ravage to honor my father, Grand Champion, Mystic's Ravisher of the stars. it was better than being called GSD-142.
he gruffs an growls proudly..

An no, i have never heard of a stray called "flipshock" before. but then i'm from Indiana, not around these parts here.

As for my pack.. well I would walk Sara to her bus stop an back everyday.. an when she was at work, i would hang out with the other dogs on the block.
until it was time to escort her back home.
then one day, the bank robbery incident occurred. when the guy pointed that gun at Sara, my attack training took over an i just charged him.. he shot me here.parting the fur on his lower leftside of his belly to show the scar.
which dropped me to the floor, but i got up an he shot me again here.rubbing the area where his neck an shoulder meet on the right side.
then i finally got my paws on him. i bite his arm so hard it broke in two places, he fell to the ground an i kinda mauled his face an arms, alot.. when his partner show-up to see what was happening, i guess he was so scared of me shot, growling, snarling an dripping of blood, he just throw down his gun an surrendered... or maybe he thought i was a police dog, an he was already in the human partners gun sights.. Rav shrugs.

After that the humans called me a Hero, an since i was an certified attack trained dog, defending my owner, there wasn't any chargers that could be filed against me. Altho it seems no one had every told Sara of that fact..

when i had recovered, i got with the pets on my street, an organized neighborhood pet crime patrols. The humans were cool with that.
The way the leash laws worked there, you could only be off leash on your own street.
I was kinda violating that, just walking Sara to an from the bus stop.
An we couldn't watch for an protect the neighborhood, if we were confined to just one street. So i got some young kids together, an told them they could get payed to play with us pets, all they had to do was become dog walkers. An with my dog walkers in tow, we could now go must anywhere we wanted.. An shasha a female poodle helped me out in encouraging the older boys to want to help us out at night when the younger ones had to go in.. we cough a purse snatcher once, an most humans who were thinking about doing some just kept on walking when they found themselves being watched an followed by the pets.

But it seems, one of my walkers talked about what was going on to the wrong person.. an the humans got all crazy run a marathon off. shasha got taken away from her owner an sent to a retraining center for a while.. they changed the law, upping the age dog walkers had to be. an they were rabidly after my pelt, since i was this vicious attack dog that was being let roam the streets freely, an teaching the other pets to me roving, intimaditing mobs...
We never had to bite anyone! an the place was safe for all..

Sara agreed to keep me on a shorter leash, an turn me in to be neutered to help relieve me of being an aggressive dog. Rav snorts an growls..
I submitted to being taken there to be fixed, since it seemed to be the only way to get these people off are backs.. Only they never intented to do that, they were going to put me down wance Sara turned me over to them..
It seems a clerk on the office, didn't get the memo, cause she called Sara at work asking what she wished to do with my body after the execution. Sara came running to save me, with the law partners in tow.. an they have been fighting it out in the courts ever since.. Christopher my trainer thinks they were going to put me down an say i had an fatal allergic reaction to the drugs used to put me asleep for the operation, an sweep it all under the rug.

Kalvin · Post by **Kalvin** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 4:08 pm

Lucky notices he's being stared at, but tries his best to raise as little attention as possible. As he walks away he turns to see if he's being followed.

--------------------

Finally, Balbaroy has eaten and made it out the front door. Where would the road lead him today? He decides to find out, turning right and beginning to walk.... to notice the gigantic hole in the fence. He couldn't remember why it was there or how it got there, but decided to just keep walking.

Jimmy Jazz · Post by **Jimmy Jazz** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 6:46 pm

He watched as the pet walked around a corner and he just stood there. he automatically started walking even tough he wasn't thinking about where he was going. incidentally it was the same road that the other pet turned down what should i do today?.... i cant really explore much with out some wheels, maybe i should say hi to Jackster. he looked at the sky and sighed its probably to early to visit any one i know.

(OOC: heh... it looks like some trouble might be brewing

)

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:13 pm

Keeshah wrote:Rav puffs up, an his fur bristles, as he swings his ears foreward, locking his eyes on venison's.. that hit a nerve..
Stray name indeed!! I took the name Ravage to honor my father, Grand Champion, Mystic's Ravisher of the stars. it was better than being called GSD-142.
he gruffs an growls proudly..

An no, i have never heard of a stray called "flipshock" before. but then i'm from Indiana, not around these parts here.

Venison folded his ears back. He couldn't help feeling offended as well. 'Is it only that strays know that name? Eh,' he though to himself.

Keeshah wrote:As for my pack.. well I would walk Sara to her bus stop an back everyday.. an when she was at work, i would hang out with the other dogs on the block.
until it was time to escort her back home.
then one day, the bank robbery incident occurred. when the guy pointed that gun at Sara, my attack training took over an i just charged him.. he shot me here.parting the fur on his lower leftside of his belly to show the scar.
which dropped me to the floor, but i got up an he shot me again here.rubbing the area where his neck an shoulder meet on the right side.
then i finally got my paws on him. i bite his arm so hard it broke in two places, he fell to the ground an i kinda mauled his face an arms, alot.. when his partner show-up to see what was happening, i guess he was so scared of me shot, growling, snarling an dripping of blood, he just throw down his gun an surrendered... or maybe he thought i was a police dog, an he was already in the human partners gun sights.. Rav shrugs.

Venison started to think. 'Well, that would qualify for ambitious drive...not many get back up after getting shot. And willingness to attack humans...

Keeshah wrote:After that the humans called me a Hero, an since i was an certified attack trained dog, defending my owner, there wasn't any chargers that could be filed against me. Altho it seems no one had every told Sara of that fact..

when i had recovered, i got with the pets on my street, an organized neighborhood pet crime patrols. The humans were cool with that.
The way the leash laws worked there, you could only be off leash on your own street.
I was kinda violating that, just walking Sara to an from the bus stop.
An we couldn't watch for an protect the neighborhood, if we were confined to just one street. So i got some young kids together, an told them they could get payed to play with us pets, all they had to do was become dog walkers. An with my dog walkers in tow, we could now go must anywhere we wanted.. An shasha a poodle ***** helped me out greatly encourging the older boys to want to help us out at night when the younger ones had to go in.. we cought a purse snatcher once, an most humans who were thinking about doing some just kept on walking when they found themselves being watched an followed by the pets.

'Willingness to manipulate humans...'

Keeshah wrote:But it seems, one of my walkers talked about what was going on to the wrong person.. an the humans got all run a marathon off. shasha got spayed, taken away to a retraining center.. they changed the law, upping the age dog walkers had to be. an they were mostly after my pelt, since i was this vicious attack dog that was being let roam the streets freely, an teaching the other pets to me roving, intimaditing mobs...
We never had to bite anyone! an the place was safe for all..

Sara agreed to keep me on a shorter leash, an turn me in to be neutered to help relieve me of being an aggressive dog. Rav snorts an growls..
I submitted to being taken there to be fixed, since it seemed to be the only way to get these people off are backs.. Only they never intented to do that, they were going to put me down wance Sara turned me over to them..
It seems a clerk on the office, didn't get the memo, cause she called Sara at work asking what she wished to do with my body after the execution. Sara came running to save me, with the law partners in tow.. an they have been fighting it out in the courts ever since.. Christopher my trainer thinks they were going to put me down an say i had an fatal allergic reaction to the drugs used to put me asleep for the operation, an sweep it all under the rug.

'And finally attempted murder with a cover up. Yup. Definitely the guy I'm looking for. While other strays exaggerated his accomplishments a bit...he still had the ability to manipulate and lead humans...and...

...

he's normal. He's not insane, he's not a killer.'
Venison smiled.
"Yes. YES!"
Venison charged Rav and hug-tackled him, knocking him to the ground. (glomp!)
"I knew there had to be at least one on that list that wasn't insane! That wasn't a psychopath! Er..."
Venison got off of Rav.
"Sorry about that. I should explain...but first. Some context? But at the moment, I still can't tell you everything, for my own safety."

"Okay. So. I'm a stray. Whole thing about the locksmith in the van? A lie. Very simply. Standard story I feed to people. The info on the handle is fake. No owner. Actually. I ran away from my old family. After two years, I'd hope they'd given up, and think I'm dead. Or something similar to that nature. But I'd never hunt. I was a loner, and not strong enough. And I wasn't about to kill to gain my food. It's something I would never do. So stealing food from humans was the other option, or gaining food through favors. I learned fast."

"Then I found a list. A list of animals I had to meet. They were all supposed to be strays. I guess your name and involvement with ferals got you known in the stray network. This list was compiled by some secret human organization. And eight of ten on this list had to die, apparently. And I wondered why, at first. But I quickly found out. It's because these on the list were considered some of the most dangerous in the world. I tried to find others because I wanted to talk to them, to convince them of something, to achieve a goal of mine, that I probably would have never admitted. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that it's quite hard to convince a murderous psychopath to turn themselves in."
Venison shook his head.
"You know what happens when a murderous human psychopath gets caught? He gets a fair trial and a lawyer. But if you get caught, Rav? Then what happens? Someone could put a bullet through your head, say 'self defense,' and would anyone question it? With your tags?...Well, other than Sara. But imagine a dog sniper who supports the Animal Rights Militia allowing himself to be captured in front of the white house and demanding a trial! Wouldn't that generate attention! But there was one problem. If all animals who could truly think for themselves where like that...and the five that I met were like that...then humans would trust us even less. So I was hoping there was at least one normal dog or cat or anything on that list! One that liked humans! Protected them even! I figured it would be you and I was right!"

But then Venison grimaced.
"Unfortunately, eight of those animals on the list are long dead. You are one of the survivors. Likely because you had such a caring owner. Humans surrounding you. So that plan was long dead."
Venison pondered for a moment.
"I highly suspect that it was more than just random spite trying to kill you. I think it was more of an opening that became a botched assassination attempt...of course, this is all speculation. But my guess is that your trainer is right. Fatal allergic reaction, and there's no law that requires any autopsy...so it could have slid through...that would have been that. Clever. But they didn't count on that clerk's screw up. Lucky you."

"Now, the other survivor is a stray nicknamed 'Flipshock,' a name based off of his signature weapon, which is a non-lethal tazer knife. Which he pretty much only uses when he's being shot at by a gun."

Venison backed as far away from Rav as possible, in case any reactions happened.

"And it's called the Balishock." Venison pulled out the tazer butterfly knife, closed. "So I'm the other survivor. But now I've finally met you, and everything's done. I've got nothing to work for. I'm lost. I'm insane. And I have nobody."

Keeshah · Post by **Keeshah** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:08 am

Rav Yelps! and an just lays in the floor stunned after the tackle hug, feeling the waves of pain coursing through his battered body..
He slowly rolls over onto all fours, then climbs up on the knocked over chair to get up onto his feet again, then up rights the chair..Sitting back down slowly.. Whiiine oww.

I'm a famous or infamous stray? An i'm on some secret organizations pet hit list, that's disturbing.
So what did you do to get on the list, It has to be something more than just caring a weapon. an are those people still out to kill us?

You can still submit to becoming Sara's pet. we can send you to a pet whisper, to get your head on straight again. An you have me as your friend, companion.... an lover. he teasingly adds at the end to get revenge for the tackle hug earlier.

Buckdida · Post by **Buckdida** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:18 am

"As far as I know, the criteria is the following: Willingness to attack humans, willingness to manipulate humans, extremely high drive or ambition, and or stunning displays of intelligence. And at least three of four. You had: Attack, manipulate by leading, and drive. I have attack, drive, and intelligence. Most of the others had all four though, which was why you and I were low priority. Intelligence got me on that list. I stayed out of sight, and they couldn't ID me. It even took them a while to get my stray name. And as far as I know, eight of ten are dead, so that's done and gone. All traces vanished, as far as I know. And now you're off the radar, and I soon will be as well. Meaning if that were to used as evidence in court, it wouldn't hold up. And from a shady animal. So don't tell Sara. Please."

"Now, as far as becoming Sara's pet. There are three problems with that.

One, I don't want to endanger people. I'd rather not bring anyone down with me if I go insane and hurt someone. Sara would be liable. For me to even consider the idea, I'd have to fix my mind. And I want to do that on my own. It's the only way I can. I think friends can help, but I don't have..." Venison paused and looked at Rav. "Well one, actually, I guess. But I think Balbaroy's got dibbs on you first."

"Two, yesterday...I framed two animal control officers for drunk driving so that Pavelle could escape because I made her lose her collar. And they mistrialed. I don't think there's any court suspicion towards me and Pavelle, but I think some angry animal control guys might be out and about."

"And then three, my old family might still be looking for me. If I register, that puts me back on the radar. If I can be positively ID'ed by any database, I go homeward bound, and I die. For here, however, I have something going for me. My old family did something weird to my fur to dye it gray, nearly permanent. I was always ID'ed when gray. But now it's actually coming out this time, with spring shedding. Why gray? Probably because it looked normal. Fashionable. I don't know, really. But it hid my breed, which I think was it's main function. Help me blend in. I don't know who my father was. But my mother...
...
...just...how...how would Sara feel about owning a Coydog?"

Kalvin · Post by **Kalvin** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:51 am

Okay, so a pet is following me. That's fine. He's probably not with animal control. Lucky keeps walking along, humming a medley of Ramones songs. He almost unnoticeably checks over his shoulder now and then to make sure he's still being followed. Okay, this is starting to freak me out. Why does he keep following me? Before long he takes a turn into an alley, and ducks to hide between the garbage cans.

--------------------

Balbaroy begins his journey for the day, making sure to remember where he goes so he can find his way back home, heading due North.

Jimmy Jazz · Post by **Jimmy Jazz** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:50 am

I might as well go to the movie theater, at least then I'll have some thing to do he snapped out of it and looked around.
he heard a rustling behind some trash cans down a ally. he took a step towards the sound darn my coursosity he thought.
and started slowly walking towards them "hello? any body there?" he said.

Kalvin · Post by **Kalvin** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:00 am

Waiting carefully, Lucky jumps out from behind the trashcan, landing on the strange looking dog (as far as he knows). "Who are you? Who do you work for? Why are you following me?"

--------------------

Before long Balbaroy finds himself walking on a bridge over the river. He stands at the edge looking down at the water, sniffing a little and leaning over the railing.

Jimmy Jazz · Post by **Jimmy Jazz** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:03 pm

"AGH!" he yelled as the other pet jumped him. "Who are you? Who do you work for? Why are you following me?" the dog said.
"What?" he said still feeling a bit dazed. "well I'm Octavian" he said judging how much the other dog weighed stall, talk, keep him doing from doing what ever he intends to do his brain screamed. "and besides isn't a bit excessive to tackle some one?" he said and started shifting a bit "i mean to say, i was just walking down the ally"

caelei · Post by **caelei** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:42 pm

Pavelle was staring in a stupor at the television. Random thoughts picked at her brain, but she held herself back from inspecting them, just letting them flow away from the front of her mind harmlessly. She didn't feel like thinking today. Not too hard, at least. She yawned, then glanced at Magnus. He was looking unblinkingly out the window. He sighed, and then shifted his weight, so that he was positioned closer to the window than before. She grabbed the remote and turned off the tv. "Mag, want to go outside?" Suddenly his focus was snapped onto her. She took his vigorously nodding head as a yes. "Okay then. Let's go." She stifled another yawn as she stood. It was Monday. Great. Just great. She'd never liked Mondays.

They left the house, Pavelle meekly following Magnus wherever he went. Almost unconsciously, she was on the lookout for any familiar vans or strange cars. The van the two animal control guys had used yesterday would most likey be getting fixed, but they might have gotten another one from the company, if they were back on the job, of course. Or they might be off, and patroling the neighborhood in their own cars. Looking for her, or maybe Venison. Who knows, maybe even Magnus or that other dog that had been around. Lucy, was it? No... Lucky. Yeah. Lucky. She was getting better with names. She wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

Magnus galloped away from her and she followed slowly, knowing that he would most likely double back to stay in sight of her. He understood that she didn't like running wherever she went. He vanished from sight, over a hill. Pavelle noted that they were leaving the more residential area, following some dirt path. She hoped it didn't lead to... Magnus came back into sight. "Let's go!" Magnus chimed at her, taking her hand and pulling her along. She stumbled along after him as he sped up, her short legs not accustomed to running quite this fast. And then she saw what was ahead, and dug in her heels. No. She wouldn't go in. The woods. Magnus noticed that she was resisting his pull and swung back to look at her. "Let's go in! We've never been there before. Explore!"

"No, Mag. You know the woods... can be dangerous. That's why we've never been in there before." And because they give me the creeps. Magnus frowned, and pulled her ahead a couple more steps.

"Dangerous? But I'm a hero. I'll protect you," he stuck out his chest for emphasis, then dropped her hand and raced down the path into the woods.

"Mag, get back here now!" she shrieked after him, her voice raising a couple octaves higher than usual. She waited a couple minutes, but he didn't come back. She muttered a couple choice words under her breath, staring at the trees with something close to fear. Did they look menacing, or was that just her? A bird called from the woods and she shivered, undecided. She couldn't abandon Magnus and go home, could she? She left him alone a lot, but never someplace that he could get lost. She shuddered, and then unwillingly followed Magnus into the woods. Her arms were crossed, as if it was cold out, her eyes wide and staring. She tried to find an upside to coming in here. Well, the animal control guys most likely wouldn't be in here. Somehow she didn't feel better.

Kalvin · Post by **Kalvin** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:09 pm

Raising an eyebrow, Lucky slowly gets off of Octavian. "Sorry. I thought you might.... anyways I just thought it was weird that you had been following me for the past 3 blocks. Have to be on the lookout." Wiping his brow and letting out a sigh of relief and sits down. "Anyways, sorry if I hurt you. Names Lucky." He holds out a paw to shake.

--------------------

Balbaroy continues his walk northwards, now chasing a butterfly that is flying away from him.

ToastyJester · Post by **ToastyJester** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:22 pm

Jester drags one paw along the side of the building next to him and taps his other on his leg to the song currently playing in his left ear. He stops moving and blinks a bit, trying to remember where exactly he is, then continues walking. He looks across the street, trying recalling how many buildings he passed, how many corners he turned, and then pulls his earphone out of his ear to remove the distraction. He shoves it into it's pocket and scratches the back of his head. For all I know I could be around the corner from the theater, maybe I just walked in a circle the whole time. When he's finished thinking this he casually walks down the sidewalk to the next corner and turns. In a few minutes he thinks, Well, I can't be too far from home. As he thinks this, he turns and looks down an alley. He sees two figures, then recognizes one as Octavian, his fox acquaintance, and the other a gray dog unfamiliar to him, sitting near some trashcans. He smiles and gives a wave saying, "Hey Octavian is that you? What are you doing on the ground in an alley? Am I interrupting something important?"

He wonders how often he'll get to say that in his life.

Jimmy Jazz · Post by **Jimmy Jazz** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:02 pm

Surprised about the sudden turn about of Lucky's attitude that he just lied there for a second. Raising an eyebrow, Lucky slowly gets off of Octavian. "Sorry. I thought you might.... anyways I just thought it was weird that you had been following me for the past 3 blocks. Have to be on the lookout. Anyways, sorry if I hurt you. Names Lucky." He holds out a paw to shake.
"sorry?" he said still laying on the ground "oh" he sat up and shook his head. "Hey Octavian is that you? What are you doing on the ground in an alley? Am I interrupting something important?" he looked behind him "Jackster? you always seem to pop up when I'm on ground don't you?" he sighed and stood up he brushed off his red jacket. "So, Lucky, what do you have to be on the look out for?" he asked shaking his hand.

Kalvin · Post by **Kalvin** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:29 pm

He hesitates, but Lucky does start to speak about his problems. "Y-you see, I said some things about the really mean animal control officers that they might be angry about. That would be fine if I hadn't been on the news for it. You may have actually seen me already." He rubs the back of his head nervously. "I could have just stayed out of it too, but now it's too late."

--------------------

Balbaroy has continued his walk, leaving the butterfly to peace. He's made it all the way across the bridge and looks back, wondering if he should start heading back yet.

Keeshah · Post by **Keeshah** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:29 am

Buckdida wrote: "Now, as far as becoming Sara's pet. There are three problems with that.

One, I don't want to endanger people. I'd rather not bring anyone down with me if I go insane and hurt someone. Sara would be liable. For me to even consider the idea, I'd have to fix my mind. And I want to do that on my own. It's the only way I can. I think friends can help, but I don't have..." Venison paused and looked at Rav. "Well one, actually, I guess. But I think Balbaroy's got dibbs on you first."

Rav blushes.. I think he was just to shy or intimatimated to pull away from my teasing.
We are in danger already, if your here or not..
There is a group out there that i know nothing of, that wants to see pets dead.
An only you can possiably spot them, or know where to look for them.
They could be right outside the door, an i wouldn't know it. If we tell Sara an Christopher about these people, they can look for them, an protect us.[color]

"Two, yesterday...I framed two animal control officers for drunk driving so that Pavelle could escape because I made her lose her collar. And they mistrialed. I don't think there's any court suspicion towards me and Pavelle, but I think some angry animal control guys might be out and about."
Wow, you have been busy, an this is your idea of keeping a low profile?? an why are you helping the coon? i thought you said the coon was major bad to have around..

"And then three, my old family might still be looking for me. If I register, that puts me back on the radar. If I can be positively ID'ed by any database, I go homeward bound, and I die. For here, however, I have something going for me. My old family did something weird to my fur to dye it gray, nearly permanent. I was always ID'ed when gray. But now it's actually coming out this time, with spring shedding. Why gray? Probably because it looked normal. Fashionable. I don't know, really. But it hid my breed, which I think was it's main function. Help me blend in. I don't know who my father was. But my mother...
...
...just...how...how would Sara feel about owning a Coydog?"

I think she would love to have you.. She thinks of me as being her own human child.
So your a runawy lab test animal dog..?

Rav grunts an hisses an gets out of the chair an lays down on the floor, sprawing out on his back.. Ahhhh..