Moving Foreward (open to all)

[donner]

Leila looked around the land that they called "Russet Vale." Being as it was spring, it wasn't very russet at the moment. Instead it was bright green (and yellow where the sun caught it). The long grass undulated slowly in the wind, making the place look like it was alive. When the wind blew one way, it took a breath in; the other way, the breath seeped out. It was beautiful and creepy at the same time.

She spread herself out in the middle of the field, letting the sun warm her golden fur. She could this very happily stay like this forever...though it would get lonely without anyone else talking in the background. She herself probably wouldn't talk, but she wasn't comfortable in the complete silence of unoccupied places.

She rested her doubloon-coloured head down on her paws and glanced around. No one for miles. Not that she could tell anyway.

[-NightShade-]

Tybalt hadn't noticed the female, living in captivity with a human family had caused him to ignore some of the senses that other relied on, smelling was one of those things that he just didn't do automatically, so unless he had turned his black shaggy head, he wouldn't notice the dog at all. He had seeked out these lands and liked them above all the rest, not taking sides seemed like the very best of options to him, and he enjoyed the atmosphere these lands gave. He trotted casually through, not caring if he made a sound that might give away where he was, he wasn't hiding from anything here. His tail was held high, raised in a curl above him, and his frame was pushed tall, his posture showed one of dominance, but Tybalt could see no issue with this, as there was no one around he could be offending with this figure. On first glance, Tybalt could be mistaken for a wolf, but on closer examnation, it became clear that he was nothing of the sort. His solid jet black coat was broken up with strands of grey, and sometimes white, but these were rare to find, and widely spread. He had feathering around his face that almost looked like a mane, and matching feathering along his tail. He was a definatley a dog, and a mutt at that, crossed between the calm and intelligent herder of a border collie, and the military and defensive german shepard, both traits could shine through at different times.

[donner]

With a heavy, tired sigh, Leila rolled onto her back. There were no predators here, she knew - the wolves kept to the lands around their silly little mountain, avoiding the dogs like the plague. She didn't mind this at all, of course. So long as they were far away from her, she didn't care what they did or thought. It wasn't in her nature to worry about troubles that didn't directly concern her.

She closed her heavy eyelids, taking in the sound of the peaceful vale - the singing birds, the soft rustling of the grass, the creaking of branches as the squirrels leapt from one to the other. She heard soft, padded feet crunching through the grass.

Another dog most likely, she thought. She opened one lazy eye to see a large, black dog, walking around like he owned the place. Leila smiled and rolled back onto her stomach, tail thumping lightly. Maybe this one would be nice.

She opened her mouth to call out to him...but stopped, just in time. What if he wasn't one of the friendly ones? She had met far too many of that type in recent years to take any chances. Slowly, she crouched down and began to back away, making as little sound as she could.

[-NightShade-]

Its seems to be some kind of cruel law in the world, that when your sneaking about, doing your best to stay conspicous and not be seen by others, for whatever genuine reason you may have for it, that this is the time you will get seen. Theres something about a slowly sneaking form that manages to catch the attention of most in the world, and the jet black mongrel was no exception. He snapped his head round in a sudden quick movement, the rest of him staying completely still. An icy frozen moment past before he calmed himself, the dog he could see before him was clearly not in an offensive position, more sneaking away.. from him?

Tybalt did all he could to stop himself from laughing at this thought, he instead shifted so he was directly facing the female, but still the same distance away. He folded his hinds beheath him and sat down lightly, eyes shining happily at the prospect of a new friend. His feathered tail began to wag reluctantly at the tip, waiting for a response. He was prepared for a friendly reaction, if this dog appeared to be unfriendly.. well, then he would be at a disadvantage if it were to come to a fight. But he hoped this wasn't the case, he wasn't in the mood for violence.

[donner]

Leila froze solid when the dog looked at her, not moving a muscle. Her tail was fanned out beneath her, her body pressed down low to the ground. There couldn't possibly be anything wrong with her body language, could there? She was sure she could only be more submissive by lying on her back, which she wasn't going to do, because it would be much to hard to run away.

She kept her deep brown eye on the dog's muzzle - she wouldn't look him in the eye. That would be much too daring. And this way she could see where his teeth were going. His lips curled back in what could have been a smile, but also could have been a snarl. She looked at no other part of his body, and so did not see the wiggle of his tail. She had eyes only for the teeth - those teeth which could rip her life out. She whimpered quietly as she thought of it, those blinding teeth wrapping around her jugular, and tucked her tail even further under her body.

[-NightShade-]

Tybalt sighed an exasperated sigh, what was it with the dogs round here, either they're bitter and cruel, or ridiculously timid. Though he guessed he couldn't blame her, things were a little tense at the moment within these lands. He slid his forepaws forwards in a slow smooth movement, so he was lying on his stomach, he placed his head between his front paws, and placed it on the side, eyes soft and searching the dog before him, he still chose not to speak, he wouldnt until he was more sure of her. His tail lay flat against the ground and was curled around his side, and a low, short, whine escaped his chops. His ears were perked above his head, and often twitched around in certain directions, listening for any signs of others. Although he rarely used his sense of smell, he was good at listening, when and if he was managing to pay attention, which now he was. His mouth was closed and lips tightly sealed his pearly killers. He made no more movements now, aside from the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

[donner]

Leila watched him lie down in the damp spring grass, as she had done not so long ago, and decided maybe he was one of the nice ones. Slowly, she dropped onto her stomach, stretched her front legs out, and laid her head on the just as the other dog had done. It wasn't the most flamboyant acceptance she could manage, but it got the message across...or so she hoped. Besides, had she been more aggressive in asserting her friendship - bounding, leaping, barking and what-not - who knew if he would accept her?

So quietly she mimicked him, doing just as he did. She kept her dark eyes on him, waiting for him to do something else, or to tell her it would be okay to be more...friendly. She didn't know what she was looking for exactly, but she would figure it out when it happened. A small, soft smile played across the corner of her lips. Maybe this will be fun, she thought.

[-NightShade-]

Tybalt raised his head slightly, ears perked forwards and eyes shining brightly, his tail batted against the ground lightly for a few beats, and then he smirked, a gentle friendly smirk. He lifted up his hind legs, so his lower half was raised slightly in the air, his front paws were rested along the ground, his tail raised, but no longer in a dominant manner, he was much more neutral now he wouldn submit, but wouldn't be overbearing. He wagged his tail a few beats, then pushed up his forepaws, so he stood in standing position. He slipped his chops into an easy carefree sideways grin. He flicked back his head and let a few low pitched friendly barks. Then he sat back, settling into a relaxed posture. It was a lot of changes in features and expressions to happen in a short space of time, but he was trying to settle himself. He wasn't usually a playful male, but it was good to relax every so often.

[donner]

When the male smiled, so did she. When he moved into the 'play with me' position, so did she. When he stood up right, so did she. When he waged his tail, she wagged hers harder. She watched him through gleaming eyes, waiting to see what he would do next, at the same time wondering what kind of a dog this was. He seemed playful now, but a few minutes ago he had marched in with his head held high, looking like a no-nonsense alpha. It seemed like quite a change to her.

She jumped up a little in place, teasing him. If he really was friendly, he wouldn't mind a round of tag, would he? She spread her legs apart, tensed and ready to go, waiting to see what he would do. Would he accept it, or would he find himself above such childish games? Only one way to find out.

[-NightShade-]

Tybalt grinned softly, he bounded excitedly forwards, tail wagging in the air, he lowered his head and sent out an array of more playful barks. Yes, now was a good as time as any to relax and have some fun, after all, when others arrived here everything was found to get far more hectic, he may as well make the most of it all. He dodged to her left, then ran round to the right, he nudged her shoulder roughly, but still friendily. He continued his sprint forwards, past her, then turned and lay back down onto his front paws, lifting up his head and sending out more barks, this time though, they were challenging, playfully daring the auburn dog to return the nudge. His pear teeth set our in an easy grin, with his fleshy pink tounge lolling out over them, ears perked forwards and alert, muscldes tensed, but not in defense of any predators, he was ready to spring out of the way of his new found playmate.

[donner]

Leila chased him around the vale, back and forth, around and around. Sometimes he chased her. But she was having fun, and that's all that mattered to her now. When he lay down again, she slid her front legs in front of her, tail looming high above her head, wagging like a windshield wiper on max. She barked several times, urging him to get up. When he wouldn't, she jumped around him, nudging and nipping at him playfully.

She laughed and ran to the middle of the vale, calling out to him once again. What a perfect day to find a friend, she thought, distracted for a moment by the clear blue sky and the glowing sun. Perhaps living here wouldn't be too bad after all. If nothing else, at least she knew there was some place to be safe, and someone to be safe with.

[-NightShade-]

The black pelted brute sighed softly, it was a casual and contented sigh, he rolled back up and stood, now in a casual neutral stance, his tounge lolled softly over his side, and his tail was limply wagging to himself. Finally, he broke the gentle silence with an introduction, his phrasing neat and simple. I'm Tybalt. Four Years, German Shepard And Border Collie. His tail wagged faster, and he held a fairly excited look on his features. He waited for her response, and found himself hoping that the pretty female before him wouldn't dislike that he wasn't a pedigree dog, he found that some did, but some didn't. Being a cross breed didn't bother him, but he liked this dog, and was hoping that she wasn't going to be one of the one who judged him, he wanted a friend at the moment.

[donner]

Leila's bushy tail fanned out behind her, streaking back and forth harder and harder the more time passed. She was happy she had found someone else in this land, and happier still that he was turning out to be a friend, not an enemy. Not like that wolf. She shuddered at the memory, then pushed it behind her, keeping her mind on the present situation.

"Leila. Golden Retriever. Three," she said happily, matching his short, cut off sentences. She ran her eyes happily over the black shepherd-collie mix, taking in the details she had missed while they were playing...or while she was cowering. He seemed a nice sort, she told herself for the umpteenth time that hour. Maybe I should stick with him, she decided. We seem to both be looking for the same thing, so why not? I'll have to ask him first, though.

"Where did you come from, then?" she asked curiously, straightening herself out. That wasn't the question she had meant to ask, but she guessed it was as good as any. If she told him she would be latching onto him so early, he might get scared and run away.

[-NightShade-]

He grinned, his eyes shining again, tail thumping in a methodic rythmn behind him. Me? he asked, not used to others wanting to know about him, then he felt foolish.. Obviously she was talking about him, who else would it be? He looked at his paws, embarassed, then looked back up, and grinned sheepishly. I lived with a human family a few months ago. But then all this madness went on. I decided it would be a good time to get out, explore. I havent really got anything against them, but I wanted to start a new adverture. And this place seemed like the best place to do it. He paused and smiled, pleased with his story, he hadn't really told anyone as of yet where he had come from, What about you? his question hung in the air, and he tilted his head, curious.

[donner]

She grinned, happy that he had a similar background to hers. Well, not happy really, since she had had a horrible time when she and her mother escaped the city, but comfortable. This male knew what family life was about, and he knew humans. It was possible that he also knew that there were some good still mixed in with the bad, though she wasn't certain and would not ask, since there was a high possibility that this would be a touchy subject. Instead, she let it drop and moved on.

"I've been here for a couple years," she said with a sigh. "We lived with humans too even several months after the revolution. Our mistress kept us locked up in the flat, but we were happy. Then we had to leave.

"It's quite beautiful around here, but also awefuly lonely, don't you think?" She hoped he would say yes. That way maybe she could propose traveling together. If not, oh well. Better luck next time, Leila.