The Park

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.

Ghost paced back and forth, weaving in through the trees before coming back across the large clearing that was filled with the dogs of his pack. He felt a warm, calm shudder pass through his slender body, as his amber gaze swept across his pack. He spotted his Alpha, exchanging words with some of the older members of the pack and Ghost knew they were talking about how the pack was going to get through the winter.

The North Pack was quite large, with many, many mouths to feed. And with winter fast approaching, and the squirrels fast disappearing, Ghost could tell that they had only a few options left.

One of them he hated to even speak of because that would mean having to be civil to some of the South pack...things.

The Lacy sighed, before making his way over to one of the few empty spots on the grass left. He sat down, looking around at the other members of his pack. They could survive. North Pack dogs were fighters, survivors, real dogs. Not like those pampered lapthings living next to the docks, with their landfill full of food.

"We may have to find food elsewhere," Gale murmured, dipping her head to her alpha as she spoke, "Outside the city, perhaps. We are not like those dump-rats, confined by the sea." She shuddered at the thought of it. She hated the ocean. Hated and feared any large body of water, in fact. Shaking out the ruff of scraggly gray fur on her neck, she continued, "We could send out a few dogs, to find food in the suburbs?"

[Sorry about that, i didnt realize I had posted in the wrong area]

Blue growled playfully at koda, tackling him lightly. Rolling around on the ground with him. Blue was glad that Koda wasnt as on edge as everyone else. She would much rather be with him then sitting around with the adults who still didnt believe her to be good enough for them. Blue yipped, biting Koda lightly on the ear and tugging. She didnt want to hurt Koda so she did all this carefully, her eyes shining with joy as she played with the young pup.

Ghost came up close behind Gale and Aspen, pricking his ears as his alpha spoke again. An average-sized Belgian shepherd, the silky black alpha, called "Alpha", sighed.

"We cannot be sure what dangers await out in the suburbs." Alpha's voice was quiet, as he narrowed his eyes, swinging his head to look up at the hill just behind him. "Rumors are that there is a wolf pack lingering in the outskirts of the city. It would be dangerous." He turned his eyes to Aspen, but there was a sense of respect for the Siberian. "It would be very dangerous," he repeated.

"We cannot afford to lose dogs, especially when our toughest season is approaching." Alpha got to his, pacing in a small, tight circle.

Ghost narrowed his eyes. "So what do you propose we do?" he asked quietly, his amber gaze focused on Alpha's dark eyes. He turned to Gale, before issuing orders to the Beta.

"Prepare a scavenging party for tomorrow. Whatever you can find, in the city, bring it back to the park. After that...we'll figure out what to do."

Gale blinked, hesitating for an instant. The city was as dangerous as the suburbs, in some ways. Many other strays to compete with, including the South Pack. And they had been scouring the streets without success for days...
But she was beta. And Alpha was...well... alpha.
She stretched forwards, licking his muzzle in submission.
"Yes, Alpha," She agreed, then retreated, coming to her feet and turning to the rest of the pack, "Ghost and Blue, then?"
They would make a good scavenging party... the three of them.

Yes! Finally someone who was willing to play with him! As Blue tugged on his ears, the pup struggled to get away from her. He placed his paws up, gently hitting Blue's nose, and shaking out his fur. Koda rolled away from her, and bit her tail, of course being careful. He climbed up onto the female, this time, tugging on her ears. His little ears twitched, as his eye caught the sight of the alpha, and the other... strong.. big... older dogs, having a conversation. Probably about something he wouldnt understand.. no maybe he would, if he could just listen. The pup perked his ears up, as if that was going to help him. "Hey hey Blue... what are they talking about? Why does everyone look so serious?" he asked, sliding down her back.

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Aspen looked back, as Ghost joined them, bowing his head down, just to show respect towards the older dog. He whined quietly, at the alpha's disagreement, but knew he was right. It would be dangerous... but still... they couldnt just leave the pack to starve. He watched as the alpha announced his orders, but remained quiet for some time. "The rumor might not be true however." the Siberian finally spoke up. "Gost and I, can go out to the suburbs just to check it out. Sitting here doing nothing wont help."

Gale glanced around, flattening her ears.
"If you go to the suburbs, I will join you." She growled. She didn't like the idea of them going out alone, into the unknown territory of the suburbs. Alpha was right. They couldn't afford to lose any dogs. Not this year, when things were getting colder and food was becoming scarcer with every passing hour, "But if Alpha says we may not, we may not."

(editing; Sorry I posted in the wrong area, the dang computer keeps messing up on me so when I try to press thingds it does some wonky things)

Zeva looked around the pack boredly, she looked towards her pup, everet who was playing with a butterfly, chasing it and growling. Zeva smiled and looked around lazily, she was extremly bored and itching for a fight.

Chance woke up in an old building he yawned once before looking around no people lived in this building and it had one of those large yellow machines with the black ball outside which meant it wouldn't be around for long. He could the rats and mice running around but he paid no attention to it his eyes wandered over to the blue plastic basket, he stood up on his paws and walked over to it inside were five medium size wrapped packages, all contained some kind of meat. Chance had done one of his runs, he went to the meat market and hung out in the alley behind it, when the man came out throw out the trash Chance stuck in pass him and the rest from there was simple. He had already eaten from the basket the rest was for the pack, but after running and snacking Chance had taken a nap and now as he went outside he saw it was dark out, how time flew he thought to himself. With the basket's handle handing in his mouth he took off running through alleys until he came to the park where the pack stayed. It didn't him long to find the pack he looked around once he spotted the alpha he walked over to him putting the basket down in front of him Chance said nothing he just bowed his head in respect then walked over to an empty spot and laid down.

((OOC: My last post was at the Docks, but it was supposed to be at the Park, just telling you.))

Rita looked up at the word hunt, her ears perking and tail wagging from side to side. "I'll go." She said, turning and facing Gale, her ears flattening slightly and her head lowering. Her eyes looked hopeful as she lifted her head to look around, then look back at Gale.

Gale flicked her ears in agreement.
"Any of the pack who wish to join us scavenging, you are welcome." Gale told the, "Get plenty of rest, and be ready to start out before dawn."

(sorry for the short post... it's midnight. It's time for bed.)

Chance looked over at Gale as she let the pack know that they were welcomed to come on a scavenger party tomorrow if they wanted to. Chance wasn't really one for group hunts but it wouldn't hurt besides with as much time as he spent on his own this could possibly be good for him. He decided to sleep on it, he laid his large head on his big paws and yawned once if was going to go out on a hunting party tomorrow he would need his rest. With winter coming and the South Pack seeming to be running low on food as well he had no idea what he could be in for tomorrow.