HPU - Richardson Valley

[Welsh Halfwit]

David watched, concerned, as the talk continued. There was something off about it, something melancholy about the hug that spoke of an ending, It was full of endings recently, his life. An end to England and the people he knew there. An end to the old country. And here was somthing else ending.
"Hmm," Scruff said, a pawful of chips between packet and mouth. "Y...you mean it?" He smiled a smile full of teeth and chips. "I...I can take a bat... bath once, I suppose... Usually I just run through a river."

[D-Singer]

"Um Blood? What is that?"
His owner said, looking at both his dogs. Their sudden distraction being a tad disruptive to everyone close by.

Just what have you two dogs been doing?
when did you get those tattoo's??
I certainly didn't give any ok for you two to get all ink'ed up!
Come on, out with it..

Ummm This? haven't i always had this ID tattoo?
On your inner thigh, not in your ear!
I don't know then..
An why don't i believe you?

Blood's mind raced.
What happens now?? Does he tell them he has no memory of where they came from, and freak everybody out?
Or lie, and explain things later once he knew more, as planned?

His mouth opened, but no words came out. But he obviously looked just as shocked as they were.
The way Dustin was looking at him, told him at the very least he'd like an explanation. Not that he minded his pet doing what he wanted, as long as he wasn't hurting anyone, or breaking any big rules. Tattoos weren't forbidden, but would at least like to know where and when he got them.

Blood avoided eye contact. Looking for a sign, weighing all his choices.

"They're...eh.."

Blood was hesitantly looking between Sara and his owner, and then back to Rav. Still holding his head by the ears...

"Blooood?"

He said, waiting to get an honest answer. His dog's nervous mannerism starting to raise red flags.

[Keeshah]

Blood's mind raced.
What happens now?? Does he tell them he has no memory of where they came from, and freak everybody out?
Or lie, and explain things later once he knew more, as planned?

"They're...eh.."

Blood was hesitantly looking between Sara and his owner, and then back to Rav. Still holding his head by the ears...

"Blooood?"

He said, waiting to get an honest answer. His dog's nervous mannerism starting to raise red flags.

** Our owners know there is something up now! **

Rav mindsends,
while trying to pull his head out of Blood's death-grip hold on his head, it was starting to feel like he was trying to pull his ears off.

** We are going to have to tell them something!
As they are not going to back down about this now Alpha.


Rav finally speaks up.

I didn't know i had a tattoo in my ear, i've never seen it before..

Nor have i seen the one in Blood's ear before today..


************************

meanwhile up on the stage, Hojo has completed his presentation.
An while he was watching Dominique putting the chimera through it's paces.
he was also keeping an eye on two dogs out in the crowd, who were now in an animated conversation with there owners.

When Dominique happened to come close..
Haaa Haaa.. Find out who those dogs are..
I've seen marks like that before..

[Hlaoroo]

"Aye, I do. I would not have offered otherwise. But... I tink you'll have to take more dan one bat. My owners don't like fleas, so dey don't. So... Have you had much experience in the human world?" Sam pulls two bottles of water from her bag and offers one to Scruff before drinking from the already open one herself before noticing David's melancholy look.
"David? Are you okay?"

[Welsh Halfwit]

"Thank you," Scruff said, watching how Sam opened the water before following suit. He'd opened water this way before, of course, but better safe than sorry. "TWO baths?"
"Hmm," David said, hearing her voice near him. "Oh, just thinking on endings. There have been a lot of them recently."

[Hotep the psychic]

RIPCORD! HOTEP!"" a voice yelled as the two dogs owner walked about w=in his camo cargos and boots, he held two leashes as he waited for the two dogs to burst from the bushes and near him obediently. the owner knelt down to put the collers on when he saw some small cuts. "you both been fighting again werent you?"

the twos ears dropped some as they put on some truthfull smiles "hmph, at least you both heal them in a minute. better be happy it looks like a barbed wire graze." the owner said aas the two dogs smiled before being waved at the humvee "I CALL GUNNY!" Rip said quickley as hotep opened the door with a small frown "AWW MAN I WANTE GUNNY.....shotgun it is!" hotep said jumping into the front passenger seat beefore moving off with a deep and loud rumble.

"where we going?" hotep asked

"were gonna go see some wierd thing going on, something about a glow in the dark deer is what my freind said, wanted us to check it out." he answered as he turned a quick corner.

Hotep smiled but it sounded interesting that they were gonna see this but also didnt know what else to do for the rest of the day.

about 10 minutes late they arrived and entered the building.

after entering they noticed they had just missed the show with the glowin the dark deer. HOtep pouted some but wasnt mad at all, now that they arrived they had some more freedom to do as they pleased.
Ripcord went on his way to follow their owner while hotep went on exploring the area for anyone he saw that he knew passing rav and blood without noticing how close they were to him.

[Civilization]

Alphabites just continued to watch the situation going on before him. In some odd way this was getting kind of amusing, maybe he could find this funny later. Right now though all he could do was watch, he kept shifting from looking at the dogs next to him to the people up on stage. There wasn't much he could do, and he wasn't even sure if he wanted to get involved, they could handle it, they must have had to before.

[Neon Icy Wings]

Rosal was stunned for a moment, unable to properly process the hug. After a few more moments along with Yukon's words he returned the hug, a few silent tears rolling down his cheek from the kind words. He didn't know exactly why Yukon would care so much, but he focused more on the fact of how good a friend he had garnered, "... Thanks Yukon. Thanks." He said quietly, attempting to suppress a sob.


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

Alex witnessed the fuss, but didn't show it, making sure Jackie went through everything right. He passed by Hojo and heard the whisper, "Heard one of their names at least. I'll find out more about this, Ravage later. Right now, we have a show to put on. We could take questions, or I don't know show off Jackie's jumping prowess to show no deterioration."

[D-Singer]

Rav finally speaks up.

I didn't know I had a tattoo in my ear, I've never seen it before..

Nor have I seen the one in Blood's ear before today..

Dustin studied Rav, looking him right in the eyes. Was it a lie?

He looked at Blood again, who only shut his eyes with a resigned sigh, letting go of his younger friend's ears. Guess the jig was up.

"Blood. Where did you get that tat from?"

The question was direct. Dust may not have known Rav for that long, but he did Blood. There was no good reason for him to lie. If he did, it would mean there was something really wrong, or worrisome about the matter. If Rav was being honest, then it would make perfect sense.

"I don't know."

"Blood..."

"I. Don't. Know."

Blood responded, this time without showing a hint of hesitation. After just a brief moment of silence between them, the man stood up from his seat. taking one last glance at the stage.
"Come here. Both of you."
He commanded, gesturing towards the room's closest exit door.

Blood obediently followed, trying to remain completely stoic. Trading wide-eyed glances with Rav as they were led away from the small audience.

---

Over near the exit door, Dustin had Blood and Rav standing shoulder-to-shoulder. He knelt down just enough to see eye to eye with both of them.
Gently placing a hand on the side of Blood's head, he spoke quietly, but firmly.
"Relax. You're not in trouble, but we need to know what's going on."
He could tell his pet was on edge. That told him a lot, but he needed to help defuse that emotion before carrying on.
He pushed his dog's ear back to examine the bizarre markings up close for himself. Each tiny glyph still visibly glowing, even when distanced as much as they were from the direct shine of the blacklights.

"Freak..out..."

The mechanic thought to himself.
He then did the same with Rav. Carefully examining his ear. noticing that the shapes and series of his marks were only slightly different from Blood's.

"Blood, you don't know where these came from at all?"

The coydog's ears lowered.
"I swear. I don't remember."
Then he glanced to Rav.
"We don't remember."

[Keeshah]

Alex witnessed the fuss, but didn't show it, making sure Jackie went through everything right. He passed by Hojo and heard the whisper, "Heard one of their names at least. I'll find out more about this, Ravage later. Right now, we have a show to put on. We could take questions, or I don't know show off Jackie's jumping prowess to show no deterioration."

I'm sure you will find something quite interesting with those dogs.. Hhaaaa Haaaa
Hojo, straightens out his clothes.

Haaa Haaa Heee So do we have any questions about the chimera?

He asks the audience


********************

Dustin studied Rav, looking him right in the eyes. Was it a lie?
Blood responded, this time without showing a hint of hesitation. After just a brief moment of silence between them, the man stood up from his seat. taking one last glance at the stage.
"Come here. Both of you."
He commanded, gesturing towards the room's closest exit door.

Blood obediently followed, trying to remain completely stoic. Trading wide-eyed glances with Rav as they were led away from the small audience.

** Are we in trouble? **
** whats going to happen Alpha? **
** What should be do now? run away? **

---

Over near the exit door, Dustin had Blood and Rav standing shoulder-to-shoulder. He knelt down just enough to see eye to eye with both of them.
Gently placing a hand on the side of Blood's head, he spoke quietly, but firmly.
"Relax. You're not in trouble, but we need to know what's going on."
He could tell his pet was on edge. That told him a lot, but he needed to help defuse that emotion before carrying on.
He pushed his dog's ear back to examine the bizarre markings up close for himself. Each tiny glyph still visibly glowing, even when distanced as much as they were from the direct shine of the blacklights.

"Freak..out..."

The mechanic thought to himself.
He then did the same with Rav. Carefully examining his ear. noticing that the shapes and series of his marks were only slightly different from Blood's.

Rav finally relaxes, as his hackles finally start to lower back into place, but he still felt nervous and shifty.
He was breaking under his owners gaze.. He could face off with anyone to protect his owners..
But having to face-off against his owner was unnerving him.

"Blood, you don't know where these came from at all?"

The coydog's ears lowered.
"I swear. I don't remember."
Then he glanced to Rav.
"We don't remember."

It.. It.. It must have happened that day we woke up in the park.
In that pile of other pets.


**************************

Meanwhile, Lucky the fox has returning home to find animal control and sheriff vehicles pulling away from his home..
What the fox?
Running into the home..

Whats happened? where Kayla?
I tried to get her owners to sell her, be they refused..

So what happened..
A fight broke out, and the sheriff had to be called to come escort her owners away.

But But! What happened to Kayla?
Don't worry, she told everyone of how she is in fear for her life, so animal control took her into protective custody.

What!! you just let them take her away!!
There was nothing more i could.. So just back down mister..

She was MY MATE!
I know, but i did all that i could.
at least for now.
Now go to your room, and don't you dare leave it until you have calmed down.

Lucky huffs off to his room and throws some pillows around and cries for a while..

[Civilization]

Alphabites just continued to watch, with both of the dogs taken over to the side and both of them wavering, he couldn't help but feel bad for them. At least the this show was about to end, maybe it would be easier to sort out without a bunch of strangers around them. He shifted his attention back up to the stage, any additional attention on the dogs would probably make it worse for them.

[Deske]

Yukon smiled and turned off towards the river, "You know... There was another cat here once too. We got along as well as you and I, at least I think we did. She was a female but nobody seemed to notice, always referring to her as a male or just not knowing. Her name was Mars and I'll always miss her. Never figured out what happened to her, she just up and disappeared one day." He sighed, it was a bit longing, but not very sad in itself.

[Hlaoroo]

"Thank you," Scruff said, watching how Sam opened the water before following suit. He'd opened water this way before, of course, but better safe than sorry. "TWO baths?"
"Hmm," David said, hearing her voice near him. "Oh, just thinking on endings. There have been a lot of them recently."

"Maaaybe a few more dan dat, Scruff." Sam smiles before looking back to the dog. "Oh. I see. Well, perhaps Richardson Valley can be a new beginnin' for us, hey?"

~~~@@@~~~
Meanwhile, a large, heavily scarred doe, leans on a railing, watching ducks paddling under the bridge as she crumbles the last of a bread roll into the water for them. A smile is on her face as the ducks' excited and grateful quacking sounds in her large ears, their happiness making her happy. She'd missed this, being able to walk around like a normal doe without having cameras recording her every move. She'd missed being able to enjoy the sunshine and the fresh air.

She adjusts her eyepatch slightly before using her phone to take a picture of the ducks swimming on the river as it glitters in the light. The noise of the small town surrounding the park seems to fade away as she breathes deeply, feeling calm and relaxed as the sound of the gently trickling water below her lulls her into a kind of trance. She rests her chin on her arms on the rail and gazes over the water, grinning as a fish splashes here and a frog leaps there while the ducks squabble and chat amongst themselves. A fly lands on her nose and instead of brushing it off, she stares at it, admiring the translucency of its wings, the way its tiny hairs catch the light, the way it moves rapidly yet with a definite purpose as it searches for food before buzzing away. She watches it go before turning her one remaining eye back to the river which is teeming with life, obvious to those who, like her, take the time to stop and look.

[Welsh Halfwit]

David smiled and felt it strike deeper than his lips. "Yes, beginnings are always brighter than endings. I wonder what they're talking about?"
"Do they have a lot of food?" Scruff asked, keeping his priorities as straight as he could. "Oh! I... don't eat much," he fibbed unconvincingly, "I was just... wondering."

[Neon Icy Wings]

Rosal happily followed Yukon, though his happiness turned to intrigue at the mention of this other cat, "It is hard. wondering where those you once knew may be. But, who knows? She might pop up again some day. A-as the old song says, 'It is a small world after all.' Well, my hopes that you get to see her again, sure sounds interesting." He scratched his head slightly, "And just to make sure, this is the way to the river right? I-I just like double checking..."

[Hotep the psychic]

Hotep went into a nearby restroom to look in the mirror, he looked around before checking one of the leftover cuts on his sides heal quickley as if some mysterious force was sealing it back together with a sewing needle. upon closer look he saw the small faint silver under the cut. he sighed as het the fur cover it quickley as he heard a door open. A man walked inside to enter a stall letting hotep shake himself off and leave the restroom. "im getting worked up for nothing.....still no one can learn about my secret....nobody." hotep thought as he walked to a nearby snack table to snatch a sandwich and then sit alone against the wall.

upon sitting down he removed his satchel and took out a book on backyard balistics. he opened to a chapter on mortar physics and the chemistry behind them. he currently read a section on the rounds physics when fired.

[Deske]

"Yeah, I have a map." He pulls out a folded piece of paper from his collar and showed him where the river was and the direction they were heading towards it, "See, we're going through the orchard, upriver from the bridge, figured it might be nice to rellax at some point and just float down the river."

[Argent]

"If you're rich enough to give away food, sugar, reckon you got something to spare for kin that's down on their luck?"

A grey-brown rabbit has been standing quietly behind Fletcher for the past minute or so. She's nearly as tall as the Flemish Giant, though kind of on the skinny side.

[Hlaoroo]

David smiled and felt it strike deeper than his lips. "Yes, beginnings are always brighter than endings. I wonder what they're talking about?"
"Do they have a lot of food?" Scruff asked, keeping his priorities as straight as he could. "Oh! I... don't eat much," he fibbed unconvincingly, "I was just... wondering."

"Whatever it is dey seem to have reached an agreement. Perhaps it means sometin' else is beginnin'... Heh, and we have plenty o' food, Scruff. You'll not go hungry. So what do you like to do for fun, Scuff? And what do raccoons normally eat? I'm not sure what's good for you, really."


************
At the sound of the voice Fletcher yelps in shock and nearly drops her phone into the water. Clinging tightly to the device she spins to see the owner of the voice and relaxes when she sees it's just another doe.
"Oh! Sorry! You scared the living daylights out of me. I was completely in my own world there!" The big rabbit puts a paw to her chest, feeling her racing heart.
"My goodness! Wow. Heh. Wooh." Leaning back on the rail, Fletcher tucks her phone into her collar.
"I'm afraid I only have the crumbs left." she answers, holding up the crumpled bag apologetically. "If you can show me where a shop is then I can buy you something though. Or I can give you some cash if you'd rather do it that way. I don't have a lot on me at the moment but I've enough that you can get yourself a meal and a drink. I'm Fletcher, by the way. What's your name?"

[Neon Icy Wings]

Rosal couldn't help but smile at the idea, "Oh, that sounds lovely. It's been so long since I last went for a swim! This is gonna be a welcome relaxation." He looked at the map, "Shouldn't take long at all as well!"

[Deske]

Yukon clapped his paws together excitedly, "Fantastic! I haven't been swimming for quite some time too. Usually it was only 10-15 in the summer time and in the winter everything was frozen so there was no swimming." He continued off in the direction of the river, smiling widely.

[Serence Frostbite]

"So....." Selene said , heading back to the where the others were , Muiva stayed behind , leaning against the wall and looking up onto the sky above
"Sorry about that everyone , we just needed to do some catching up . So , how are you guys doing ?"

[Welsh Halfwit]

"Oh," David said lightly, "I was just musing on the apparent temporary nature of things, my sweet. The Rancid little fellow..." Scruff stuck his tongue out at David - "Charming. He appears to have found himself a home."
As though to agree with this, Scruff tried to do a backflip. And failed, landing on his rear. "Ow. Um... I'm not sure what to do for fun, Miss Sam, but we Raccoons eat pretty much anything!" He put his handpaws up and apart as though to emphasize that.

[Argent]

"You gotta watch that, maam, ah seen wild animals in this park, an they don't always know what a collar means."

Saying this she tugged at her own collar to show she wasn't one of those wild animals.

"That's mighty kind of you, I could tell you were a good 'un when I saw you. Sure wouldn't say no to a few bucks for a trip to th' salad bar. Mah name's Pitchpipe."

She fiddled with the tag dangling from her collar, flipping it around to show the side that displayed the name "Minty".

[Hlaoroo]

"Aye, we're fine, so we are." Sam confirms before smothering a giggle at the failed stunt. Leaning on her cane, she offers Scruff a paw to help him up.
"I'm sure we can find you sometin' to eat den. Are you okay? Dat looked like a pretty hard landin', so it did. So, how are tings wit you and da wolf, Selene? It looked like you were havin' a pretty intense discussion dere."

************
Fletcher can't help but notice the disparity between the name on the tag and the name the doe gave but she decides to give the doe the benefit of the doubt for now. After all, she wouldn't be the first pet Fletcher has met with a nickname. Still, given her mannerism, Fletcher can't help but feel slightly wary. She's also feeling hungry herself so she decides to kill two birds with one stone and make sure this doe is actually going to use the money for food and isn't just scamming her.
"Oh? Thanks for the warning. I was under the impression this was a relatively safe area... Anyway, nice to meet you, Pitchpipe. You know, I might come with you to the bar, if that's okay with you? I'm a bit peckish myself. That bread I gave the ducks was old and stale so I couldn't eat any. That's why I gave it to them - better than throwing it out."

[Serence Frostbite]

"Oh , don't worry , it's nothing really , just a few things we needed to catch up and all that , we haven't been able to talk to each other for quite a while you know , so , there was a lot of things to say and discuss.....yeah...." Selene smiled , with little sadness hidden behind those eyes , before changing the subject "So , I heard you guys wanna get something to eat , how about we all go get something , and talk about this little guy right here too" she said , indicating Scruff "Since David just told me he finally found a home and all , but , before that ." she stopped suddenly "David ? May me and Muiva have a word with you ?"

[Welsh Halfwit]

"Of course." he turned to Sam and Scruff (who had chips poking out of his mouth). "I do beg your forgiveness," he said, "I am sure we won't be long." With that, he followed Selene ans Scruff, his eyes a little bugged, watched them go.
"Tawfk abutt me," he asked through chips.

[Argent]

Pitchpipe looked about, ostentatiously checking her surroundings for predators, as one does when one is trying to impress a city slicker about the dangers of the wild.

"Relatively, yeh. Relatively. Coons an foxes get everywhere, and ah seen a giant weasel near big as I am. And wolves or maybe they was coyotes, I'm not exactly a conny-sore of wild dogs. Sure, that'd be great, haven't had a proper sit down meal with company for years. Hold on one sec."

She ducked under the bridge for a moment. When she returned she was shrugging into a ratty old leather backpack.

"Wouldn't be neighborly to lead anyone into temptation by leavin' my stuff here."

The skinny rabbit took Fletcher by the arm and started walking towards the strip. She didn't actually know where there was a salad bar, but she knew you could get salads at McDonalds so that's the way she headed.

"Where'd you want to go, dear?"

[Hlaoroo]

"Sure. See you soon." Sam turns back to the raccoon as David leaves. "Well, I'm sure she just wants to make sure you're goin' to a good home, dat's all. Hmm. We might have to teach you a few manners before you meet my owners. Dey like polite pets. It's just simple tings dough, like not talking wit yer mout full and not lettin' food hang out your mouth. No offence or anytin'. I just don't want you gettin' into trouble wit my owners. Dat wouldn't be a good start."

************
"Coons aren't dangerous, surely? Don't they only eat fish and trash? And I doubt a fox would go for someone as big as me." Fletcher scoffs as she allows Pitchpipe to take her arm. Still wary, she makes sure Pitchpipe is on the side with her good eye so she can keep tabs on her.
"Heh, I don't really know where to go. I'm new here. I was hoping you'd know. Have you lived here for long?"

[Serence Frostbite]

◊hey again◊ Muiva waved dismissively at David ◊Gonna cut to the chase , since I'm running late , David , is it ? Find your friends , all of them , and stays together , something's happening here , and I have no time to deal with it , so watch your own back◊ she said , as if it was a command

[Welsh Halfwit]

"Of course," David replied evenly, offering a handpaw. "Generally, my job is protection. But thank you for the warning. You're right, I can feel... something."

Scruff swallowed hard and put a dirty claw into his mouth to make sure there were no chips sticking out. "I take it I shouldn't talk to myself either?"
"Oh, you always look for reasons to shut me up."
Scruff just looked embarrassed.

[Neon Icy Wings]

As the two neared the river Rosal couldn't think of anything to really say, but turned to Yukon, trying to start some kind of conversation "So... How has today been for you?"

[Deske]

Yukon sniffed and looked up at the sky, "Well it's been hot... I'm not too suited to these temperatures as much. I liked the zoo, I haven't seen some of those animals before. I like all the new people I've met, though I think David could tone it down on the flaunting, 'I couldn't pay for your vet bills,' I could put that fool in the ground. The way he holds himself, it's so... I don't know, condescending." He brushes it away, "I don't want to dwell on it, don't like talking too ill of people. Don't tell him I said that though."

[Argent]

"Ah ain't had any coon bother me, but ah heard stories. A fox, now, a fox will totally go for rabbit. Anyhow, ah don't live here, just passin' though. Been here for a few days, be movin' on soon. City life makes me nervous."

[Hlaoroo]

"Heh, city life definitely isn't for everyone. I kinda like the slower rural life like Richardson Valley seems to offer." Fletcher comments. "So... Your owners move around a lot then? Where are you from originally?" The big doe surreptitiously glances at Pitchpipe to see how she reacts to this question.

************
"Heh, dat part's fine. Dey won't mind dat a bit. And personally, I tink it's kinda cute." Sam smiles. She glances around and then leans in towards Scruff, putting a paw beside her mouth consiprationally. "Besides, will I tell ye a little secret? Sometimes I'm talkin' to meself too." She straightens again, dropping the paw, and nods at Scruff with a grin.
"But don't ye be tellin' anyone yerself, okay?"

[Welsh Halfwit]

"I won't tell anyone," Scruff said.
"Nor will I." Inner Scruff said. Scruff grinned.

[Argent]

"This place is too city for the likes of me. Owners, hon? That's a joke. Mine kicked me out... ah bin makin' my way on my own for years now."

[Deske]

He put his paws out quickly, "But don't think I don't like him, no that's not it at all. I just think he's a bit too sassy for his own good sometimes." He turns around and points at the river, "It flows east to west, so we'll go towards the city if we decide to float."

[Serence Frostbite]

"Of course," David replied evenly, offering a handpaw. "Generally, my job is protection. But thank you for the warning. You're right, I can feel... something."

◊yes , that's good◊ Muiva nodded , shaking David's paw ◊better get to that then . And try to be a good boy and take care of my girl for me , anything happen to her and I'm gonna take care of you◊ she ended with a grin
"Muiva !!" Selene actually yelled , blushing bright red . The vixen was clearly not amused by the way her wolf friend was talking to David
◊what ? I mean seriously , can't I just worry about my old friend ?◊
"I'll be fine , it's you and the young ones that I'm worrying about."
◊eh , not like anything can kill me . I'll be fine . Seriously though , David , if the occasion ever calls for it trust no one , do not hesitate . Remember that . Well , that's all I gotta say , I guess , before you do anything else , find them , that's all I'm gonna say .◊
this time , Selene stayed silent , watching from the side , as if she was thinking about something herself .

[Welsh Halfwit]

"Of course," David said, "and, once again, thank you for the warning. It seems I may have misjudged you, Muiva. You care more than you let on. Good luck to you."