The Docks

The moon hung high in the sky, suspended by a thin thread, almost invisible among the stars. The city was quiet for tonight - it was as if everybody knew something bad was happening. And certainly, the dogs of both packs knew that life was going to get much harsher now. The cool crisp of an early winter was clear as day to any dog whose nose was good enough to smell. Life would not be easy anymore, for either side.

And for several weeks, tensions had already been running high between the North and the South. Two hunting groups had nearly come to bloodshed over a scrawny squirrel that darted over from the border between North and South, at the one part where the two pack's territories actually intersected. The North party argued that because the squirrel had originated on their side of the territory, they should be allowed to cross and take the squirrel. The South argued that well, it was their territory now and therefore their prey.

While they were arguing, the squirrel ran away. Both parties went home empty-pawed, much to the disappointment of their packs.

Sydney sniffed the air, as she shuddered delicately under her thick coat. She was lucky to have such a thick coat, she realized with a wry flick of her tail, the fluffy thing sweeping across the dirty dock. She sat on the very end of the wooden platform, dangerously close to the black water. She could hear the commotion of the other dogs behind her, but she chose to ignore it for now.

The Council had convened earlier that night, and they had informed her that the food in the landfill was running low. She had not thought it possible - after all, it was a landfill and humans were very good at filling it up with the trash they were too lazy to eat.

"Humans have hard times too," the eldest of the Council, an ancient English sheepdog named Rex had told her with a wry smile. "They are wasting less, which means less food for us."

Sydney had been incredulous. "We have hunters," she had replied.

"Yes, but we have no prey." Rex looked almost sad. "I am at the end of my years, Sydney. And we're lucky to have someone with a young mind such as your own. I hate to trouble you, but you might be the one who has to come up with a solution to our problem."

Sydney collapsed down on the dock, her head resting on her paws. "I don't want this responsibility yet..." she complained, looking down at her reflection.

Mitch spotted Sydney off at the end of the dark and dashed down towards her, hardly aware of the mad racket his claws made as they clattered over the wood. He gave an enthusiastic bark as he reached her, almost skidding off the edge of the dock in his attempt to slow down. He ended up with his hind legs hanging off the end, and he had to drag himself back up before he could bark a greeting to her.
"Hi, Syd!" He whuffed, "What's got you so upset?!"

Geisha followed Mitch with her eyes, watching the newcomer warily as she admired the was the moon seemed to touch off the surface of the water. But now was not the time to be dilly-dallying with such things. That wild band of dogs that were a silly excuse for a pack in the North had been getting bolder lately. Her ears folded back at the thought. That mutt...
going for her like that. She growled regretfully, wishing she had just gone in and torn his throat out.

But that would most likely upset Sydney...

Rita walked calmly around the edge of the pack, making sure not to step on any paws or tails. She stopped and looked up a moment, spotting Gale speaking to the alpha. She looked back down and continued to walk, jumping over forms thatlay in her way. She slowly approached the alpha and Gale, dipping her head to the alpha before shaking her head with a grim smile. "I couldn't find anything anywhere," She spoke softly, her head falling slightly.

Blue weaved carefully through the pack, eyes averted to the ground, she made her way slowly towards the pups. Today was a lazy day, though she could feel the tension running high withen the pack. She knew none of them would admit that to her but she could feel it, in the looks, in the way her fur stands on edge. Yelping she realized she had tripped over someone, without looking she muttered a sorry and scampered off at a faster pace, not wanting to give them anymore reason to dislike her.
With her ears flattened and head low she appeared to see one of the pups form her pack, Koda. She yipped and walked over to him.
"Hey Koda"

[ooc: oh geesh.. i forgot to change the location. sorry x3]

"I'm bored, I'm bored! Play with me!!" Koda yipped at an older dog. His pack seemed to be on edge nowadays, and he understood they didnt get enough food, but what was the deal of not playing with him? "Come on!!" the pup whined, jumping onto his hind legs and tumbling backwards. He fell onto his back with a small oof, staring up at the sky. His little floppy eats perked up at the sound of someone greeting him. Koda rolled back onto his stomach, his tail wagging at the sight of Blue. "Hey, hey!! Play with me?" he asked tilting his head. He growled playfully, once again, standing up on his hind legs. This time, he didnt fall back. The pup jumped up, in attempt to bite Blue's ears, his tongue hanging out from his mouth happily.

___________________________________________________________________

Aspen stared up at the sky, his eyes focusing on the moon. If only life for them was as peaceful as the nightsky. Shaking his head, he turned to face his pack. Most of them were hungry.. their food source was running low, due to the weather getting cold. This definitely didnt help anything. Sighing, he padded over to the others, his ears twitching at Gale's idea. "I can go." he barked, tilting his head. Actually, he would pretty much do anything to help his pack. Aspen sat down, looking from Gale to the alpha, waiting for their response.

Sydney blinked as the Border collie ran by, nearly skidding off the edge of the dock. She sprang to her paws, about to make her way over to the end to help the collie out of the water, but Mitch had never actually landed in the water. He was on the wood near her, grinning and asking her some sort of question. Didn't the dog understand he was on probation, that she could decide he didn't fit in the South?

But there was oddly something endearing about the dog.

"Hi, Syd!" He whuffed, "What's got you so upset?!"

Sydney reached out with her paw, pushing it against Mitch's forehead, threatening to knock the other dog into the water he had barely avoided moments ago. She was about to reply, when the scent of another dog reached her. She turned to look at Geisha. The older Fighter seemed to be...worried or aggravated over something.

"Nothing much," she answered Mitch finally. "Just, you know, pack stuff." She shook out her fur. "Is there anything in particular you wanted to talk to me about, Geisha?" Sydney asked, eyes curious as she stretched.

Realizing that Sydney was busy with someone; something he probably should have realized before; Mitch plopped onto his hindquarters at the edge of the dock. His tongue lolled and his pointed ears perked up in the most ridiculous fashion as he waited with as much patience as a dog of his age and energy could muster. His tail thumped madly against the dock. Pack business fascinated him. Life with the South Pack was so much better than life alone on the streets.

Geisha got up, padding over to her younger leader. "Lately... the north pack has been getting rowdy...they attempted to cross the border before as you probably remember..." She commented, resisting the temptation to push mitch into the water. They could all swin anyways--well the pup might not but...they'd learn eventually.

Blue perked her ears, then looked at Koda apologetically, "I dont know but I think they said my name, ill be right back later" She then slowly walked towards Gale, ears flattened and head down in a submissive stance. She knew Gale was higher up than her, she looked at Gale and perked her ears slightly.
"Shall i go aswell?"
She asked.

Puffs trotted into the Area with a small rat in his mouth. He dropped it down then he padded over to Geisha and the others. He approached Geisha with his ears flattened submissively and crouched under her. "I brought the rat that I didn't eat, if anyone wants it." Then he moved over to Zeva who was watching her pup play."Hey kiddo, I brought you some food!"

(...Puffs is south pack.. What should I do?)

((Puffs is fine - However, Gale is part of the North, so he and Puffs would not have any connection. Guys! Please make sure you post in the right location!!!!! And make sure you check the front page to know which dogs you can actually talk to! This is why I encouraged posting in separate locations.....))

Geisha stared down at Puff and the rat before backing away from it, turning her muzzle away from the rodent. "You guys eat it. I'm not hungry." She explained.

Koda frown as Blue left him. Back to being alone... He watched blue for a second, before running over to the older dogs. "I WANT TO GO TOO!!" he barked, over hearing them talk about going to the city. Of course they would probably say no, but that wasnt fair. How come the 'older' ones gets to have all the fun? "Please~~ I want to go!!" he begged, putting on his best puppy face. "Can I? Can I? Can I?" The pup rolled onto his stomach and whined, looking at each of the adults. "I promise I'll stay out of trouble. I'll stick close to you. I'm responsible for myself, and I can help the pack bring food."

~*~

Aspen looked at Gale, and nodded when she said she would join. Still, he was waiting for the alpha's answers. "I can help with the scavenging." he added with a stretch. Not that he liked the city.. the place was usually dirty, and full of humans. He shook out his fur, as if shaking away the thought. His ears flickered to the side as Koda ran over, asking to go with them. "Koda, it's dangerous." he said nudging the pup with his nose, but of course, the pup didnt stop his begging.

Puffs gruffed and moved back over to where he had dropped the rat and picked it up again. He walked over next to Zeva and gently nipped her on the side. "Hey Zeva, I brought some food for your pup if he wants it.....Hey Everet!" Puffs padded over to Everet and gently bowled him over with his nose. "I got you some food kiddo!

Blue looked over at Koda, stifling a grin as she walked over to him, nudging his ears.
"We all know better than that Koda, its dangerous out there Koda"
She said, bumping him playfully.
"Dont worry, youll be older before you know it and then youll be aloud to come with us"