Kobalae: A Monster's Quest
- Thread starter Nighzmarquls
- Start date
- Original Art Quest Fantasy
Nighzmarquls
The Endless Hunger
- Location
- United States
Vote closed, Commenting and discussion is still fine. Now to write this out.
0.5
Nighzmarquls
The Endless Hunger
- Location
- United States
Kobalae
0.5
You consider the question a bit longer before responding to the dog.
"No, What's your name? I can't exactly call you just dog."
Or `Creature` as you had until recently been thinking of it.
The dog did a little circling bound along its way demolishing a small pile of leaves as you carefully stepped along behind it.
"Kevin! Kevin Me!"
You nod a bit and hum.
"That's a good name?"
Kevin gave a bark you took to be agreement then leaped around you in quick bounds, managing to kind of lead you along you thing. It was hard to tell as you were mostly trying to follow him but he was some times in front and sometimes behind.
"This way! This way! Friend Here!"
It felt uncomfortably like being hunted and worried but you had just about gotten to the point of believing he meant you no harm.
"Right. Kevin, have you ever met anyone else like me? Colored like me? Shaped?"
Kevin huffed and sneezed a bit before slowing down to walk only a few strides ahead of you, looking over his shoulder to take you in head toes to horns.
Then snuffed again and turned back the way he came.
"No See. Not Friends. Only stories. Ghost pictures. All Different"
You walked along thinking a bit over everything.
Kevin seemed to be in a sombre mood again. You try asking him more questions.
"Your pack, who are they? What are their names?"
Kevin barked and ruffed happily. Snapping at a few leaves that had been thrown up as he twisted left and right.
"Gem! Roxxy! Star! Good Dogs!"
There was a pause and kevin actually stopped to look up at the air above his nose and huffed a bit and said quieter.
"Mostly good."
He gave you a bit of a pained or worried look.
"No say? Please Friend?"
You shrug but nod. Kevin seemed nice enough.
He sighed and huffed.
"Some mean. Only little. Tease Me"
You muse on that, you are not sure what being teased would really be like. You have an idea you should know what it would mean. But mostly you just have a vague idea that there should have been other children when you were a child and that you and them should have done.
Things?
You sigh and shake your head.
Kevin looked worried.
"Friend Okay? Friend Hurt? Sad? Hungry?"
You wave him off.
"No, it's alright kevin I'm just. I don't have a name. I don't even really know quite where I'm from besides. Just over the river there."
You gesture back the way they came which has kevin looking but not seeing anything he turns back to you.
"Friend alone? All alone!? No Pack?! No Mom!? No Dad?!"
All you could do was give a nod all of a sudden, your eyes stung, your chest clenched, everything suddenly seemed far too overwhelming.
The sting turned to blurry vision and then you felt hot rivulets going down your streaks and you were sniffling and whimpering.
He gave a long pained yelping howl then hopped up and put his paws on your chest. Which almost knocked you both off balance so you grabbed his forearms and then he licked you on the nose which surprised you for some reason and then the two of you were both flounced on the ground with him flopped on your lap.
"No Cry! Friend Good! Kevin Help! Good Dog!"
You snort and there is something suddenly salty and gummy in your mouth and you feel the need to spit it out.
You turn your face away from him and oh that helps your nose clear up but your eyes are still leaking everywhere and you can't really see.
"My memory is such a mess Kevin, I don't even have a name! I think... I think I've been all alone since I hatched. Just wandering around. And I... I "
Kevin ruffed and head butted you in the chin which kind of hurt but also got you to stop crying and look down at him.
"No Cry! Best Friend! Dog Help! Good Dog! Kevin Help!"
He sat down and got the most serious expression you have yet seen on his face.
It was sombre and wise and full of the responsibility his people had taken up since time immemorial.
"Kevin Name Friend!"
That some how got you to snort and then chuckle, which set his ears back and he looked away nervously.
"No Laugh! Kevin Name Friend!"
You nod and wave him on smiling a bit.
"Sorry, yes alright, um what did you have in mind?"
He looked at you again very seriously, sniffed you, looked at you again then looked around and nodded.
"Name Know! Name Be! Moss Mud!"
You've never had a name, and you only heard four of them so far, but that did not seem right.
"Why... moss mud?"
He snorted then tilted his head and nodded at her.
"Colors moss!"
You stare at him.
He paws at your nose which you look closely at and raise a brow.
"You have red moss?"
He sneezes, then looks around and runs over to a tree and bites into some very vibrant green moss growing on a side.
He tugs several times before finally shaking a clump free and strutting over to you proudly and dropping it in your lap.
"Pheh! See Friend? Friend Color Moss!"
You look down at the moss which is now a bit torn up from being pulled free but still very obviously green.
"That's green."
Kevin nodded proudly.
You point at your nose.
"And I'm? ... "
He cheered happily.
"Green!"
Frowning a bit you point at your belly.
"Yellow!"
You point at an arm.
"Blue!"
You point at your face again.
"Green!"
You tilt your head to the side and stare at the moss.
"But I'm red... or Orange if you want to be specific."
Kevin boggled a bit at that then tilted his head.
"Re-ahd? Orange? Like Fruit?"
That was confusing.
"Yes Red It's a color, and orange. Orange is like... Red and Yellow. Mixed up."
Kevin looked at you dubiously.
"Friend say? Is Red? What else? What Red"
You look around then up and point.
"When the sun goes down. The sky turns red?"
Kevin looked up and around.
"Sky blue? Or Black"
You gesture towards the horizon vaguely.
"But where the sun sets at evening the sky turns red and orange and purple and..."
Kevin was looking more and more lost the longer you talked.
"Friend Okay? Sound sick."
You walk over to a berry bush and snatch a fruit out of it to show him.
"See this? It's red."
Kevin sniffed at it then looked up bewildered at the moss.
"Moss Colored?"
He sounds worried and whines a bit shuffling around and glancing at the sky then looking all around as if worried that this strange invisible color was going to get him.
You stared at the red berries then popped them in your mouth and shrugged.
"How about you call me... Sunset-Over-Water? Because I'm red" Kevin gave you a look that suggested he did not quite buy it.
"And Yellow"
That at least got a nervous grin.
"And Blue"
He sneezed heavily then licked his nose.
"Okay Friend! Name Sunset!"
You nod and add the second bit. "Over-Water"
He snuffed then started walking.
"Okay"
Although he muttered a few growling words about how you are sick and seeing fake colors.
You two set off again and you continue looking around with a new eye. Apparently you could see (and knew the names of) colors that Kevin could not and had never heard of?
You continue asking him what color something is. And he would respond for a while, then as if getting frustrated he started doing the same.
With some annoyance at first. But then a more thoughtful curiosity as he would sniff and snuff at things you pointed at.
"And this?"
You nod.
"It's green, except the bits in the middle of the leaves. I don't really know why they are different like that."
He nodded and then said proudly.
"Friend Good"
Then he barked happily.
"Magic Eyes!"
That seemed to satisfy him after that and there was no more scrutiny over what things were what colors.
The two of you were marching for quite some time before a voice ahead of you suddenly shouted out.
"Sit! Stay! Lay Down! Who Goes?"
Kevin immediately dropped his rump in the ground then down onto his belly. But his tail was wagging.
"Roxxy! Sorry Dark! Sorry Late! Sorry Wait! Find Friend!"
The voice who was quite a bit ahead and above you!.
"Stupid Kevin! Out Long! Out Late! Pack Afraid! Master Afraid! Mom Afraid! Dad Afraid! Bad Dog!"
That had kevin flinching down and putting his paws over his head. Ears back.
"Sorry! Find Friend! Best Friend!"
That got a snarling bark!
"Friends Stories! Stupid Pup! Only Stories! Made Up!"
Now that was uncalled for!
You took a step ready to defend Kevin, ready to explain things.
But he quickly shouted out in a frightened tone.
"Wait Friend! Not Safe! Sit! Stay!"
Roxxy growled from ahead of you.
0.5
Have I ever mentioned that a nice stack of different suggestions and commands makes laying out a script super easy? Like I can practically just play legos with the commands and get a pretty decent narrative.
Y'all are pretty neat like that.
In other news I also am working on a tiny little game project in my off hours from work and writing.
It's just a tech demo/biota toy right now but the intent is for it to grow.
Y'all are pretty neat like that.
In other news I also am working on a tiny little game project in my off hours from work and writing.
It's just a tech demo/biota toy right now but the intent is for it to grow.
[X] No, what is your name ?
[X] Ask the dog for its name
[X] Kevin
[X] Ask if it has seen anything with our colors before
[X] try to keep a conversation going while walking to hopefully learn as much as possible, and to assure the dog that you weren't hurt, only dizzy.
[X] "Gem, like the pretty rocks."
[X] "Star"
[X] "Roxxy"
[X] Mention that you've never had a name before so you're not sure about what to name yourself.
[X] "I-I don't have one. My memories are so warped, fragmented, foggy and patchy that… *voice starts trembling* even if I did, I most likely don't remember *voice breaks* what it actually is… *start crying*"
[X] Have an emotional breakdown at this and pour your heart out.
[X] *after breakdown has passed and the 'dog' asks what we'd like our name to be* "I feel… like
[X] suggest the name Kobalae among others, and ask what the dog would name you.
[X]Water-Butterfly
[X] Sunset-Over-Water x 4
[X]*start getting excited* The… whatever I am. Also, what's your name? I can't exactly call you 'Dog' or 'Creature' all the time."
[X] Follow along on foot x5
[X] Continue to marvel at our discovery of spatial locations beyond the creek.
[X] Stay at some distance behind him, so that we can run quickly if his pack/ master is hostile.
[X] Ask the dog for its name
[X] Kevin
[X] Ask if it has seen anything with our colors before
[X] try to keep a conversation going while walking to hopefully learn as much as possible, and to assure the dog that you weren't hurt, only dizzy.
[X] "Gem, like the pretty rocks."
[X] "Star"
[X] "Roxxy"
[X] Mention that you've never had a name before so you're not sure about what to name yourself.
[X] "I-I don't have one. My memories are so warped, fragmented, foggy and patchy that… *voice starts trembling* even if I did, I most likely don't remember *voice breaks* what it actually is… *start crying*"
[X] Have an emotional breakdown at this and pour your heart out.
[X] *after breakdown has passed and the 'dog' asks what we'd like our name to be* "I feel… like
[X] suggest the name Kobalae among others, and ask what the dog would name you.
[X]Water-Butterfly
[X] Sunset-Over-Water x 4
[X]*start getting excited* The… whatever I am. Also, what's your name? I can't exactly call you 'Dog' or 'Creature' all the time."
[X] Follow along on foot x5
[X] Continue to marvel at our discovery of spatial locations beyond the creek.
[X] Stay at some distance behind him, so that we can run quickly if his pack/ master is hostile.
[X] ask it if it would like to help you hunt for food.
[X] If it is brought up, mention that if we were to try to ride again at a later time, that the dog should start at a walk and gradually increase the speed whenever both had adapted and become comfortable at that pace to avoid this issue in the future.
[X] If it is brought up, mention that if we were to try to ride again at a later time, that the dog should start at a walk and gradually increase the speed whenever both had adapted and become comfortable at that pace to avoid this issue in the future.
You consider the question a bit longer before responding to the dog.
"No, What's your name? I can't exactly call you just dog."
Or `Creature` as you had until recently been thinking of it.
The dog did a little circling bound along its way demolishing a small pile of leaves as you carefully stepped along behind it.
"Kevin! Kevin Me!"
You nod a bit and hum.
"That's a good name?"
Kevin gave a bark you took to be agreement then leaped around you in quick bounds, managing to kind of lead you along you thing. It was hard to tell as you were mostly trying to follow him but he was some times in front and sometimes behind.
"This way! This way! Friend Here!"
It felt uncomfortably like being hunted and worried but you had just about gotten to the point of believing he meant you no harm.
"Right. Kevin, have you ever met anyone else like me? Colored like me? Shaped?"
Kevin huffed and sneezed a bit before slowing down to walk only a few strides ahead of you, looking over his shoulder to take you in head toes to horns.
Then snuffed again and turned back the way he came.
"No See. Not Friends. Only stories. Ghost pictures. All Different"
You walked along thinking a bit over everything.
Kevin seemed to be in a sombre mood again. You try asking him more questions.
"Your pack, who are they? What are their names?"
Kevin barked and ruffed happily. Snapping at a few leaves that had been thrown up as he twisted left and right.
"Gem! Roxxy! Star! Good Dogs!"
There was a pause and kevin actually stopped to look up at the air above his nose and huffed a bit and said quieter.
"Mostly good."
He gave you a bit of a pained or worried look.
"No say? Please Friend?"
You shrug but nod. Kevin seemed nice enough.
He sighed and huffed.
"Some mean. Only little. Tease Me"
You muse on that, you are not sure what being teased would really be like. You have an idea you should know what it would mean. But mostly you just have a vague idea that there should have been other children when you were a child and that you and them should have done.
Things?
You sigh and shake your head.
Kevin looked worried.
"Friend Okay? Friend Hurt? Sad? Hungry?"
You wave him off.
"No, it's alright kevin I'm just. I don't have a name. I don't even really know quite where I'm from besides. Just over the river there."
You gesture back the way they came which has kevin looking but not seeing anything he turns back to you.
"Friend alone? All alone!? No Pack?! No Mom!? No Dad?!"
All you could do was give a nod all of a sudden, your eyes stung, your chest clenched, everything suddenly seemed far too overwhelming.
The sting turned to blurry vision and then you felt hot rivulets going down your streaks and you were sniffling and whimpering.
He gave a long pained yelping howl then hopped up and put his paws on your chest. Which almost knocked you both off balance so you grabbed his forearms and then he licked you on the nose which surprised you for some reason and then the two of you were both flounced on the ground with him flopped on your lap.
"No Cry! Friend Good! Kevin Help! Good Dog!"
You snort and there is something suddenly salty and gummy in your mouth and you feel the need to spit it out.
You turn your face away from him and oh that helps your nose clear up but your eyes are still leaking everywhere and you can't really see.
"My memory is such a mess Kevin, I don't even have a name! I think... I think I've been all alone since I hatched. Just wandering around. And I... I "
Kevin ruffed and head butted you in the chin which kind of hurt but also got you to stop crying and look down at him.
"No Cry! Best Friend! Dog Help! Good Dog! Kevin Help!"
He sat down and got the most serious expression you have yet seen on his face.
It was sombre and wise and full of the responsibility his people had taken up since time immemorial.
"Kevin Name Friend!"
That some how got you to snort and then chuckle, which set his ears back and he looked away nervously.
"No Laugh! Kevin Name Friend!"
You nod and wave him on smiling a bit.
"Sorry, yes alright, um what did you have in mind?"
He looked at you again very seriously, sniffed you, looked at you again then looked around and nodded.
"Name Know! Name Be! Moss Mud!"
You've never had a name, and you only heard four of them so far, but that did not seem right.
"Why... moss mud?"
He snorted then tilted his head and nodded at her.
"Colors moss!"
You stare at him.
He paws at your nose which you look closely at and raise a brow.
"You have red moss?"
He sneezes, then looks around and runs over to a tree and bites into some very vibrant green moss growing on a side.
He tugs several times before finally shaking a clump free and strutting over to you proudly and dropping it in your lap.
"Pheh! See Friend? Friend Color Moss!"
You look down at the moss which is now a bit torn up from being pulled free but still very obviously green.
"That's green."
Kevin nodded proudly.
You point at your nose.
"And I'm? ... "
He cheered happily.
"Green!"
Frowning a bit you point at your belly.
"Yellow!"
You point at an arm.
"Blue!"
You point at your face again.
"Green!"
You tilt your head to the side and stare at the moss.
"But I'm red... or Orange if you want to be specific."
Kevin boggled a bit at that then tilted his head.
"Re-ahd? Orange? Like Fruit?"
That was confusing.
"Yes Red It's a color, and orange. Orange is like... Red and Yellow. Mixed up."
Kevin looked at you dubiously.
"Friend say? Is Red? What else? What Red"
You look around then up and point.
"When the sun goes down. The sky turns red?"
Kevin looked up and around.
"Sky blue? Or Black"
You gesture towards the horizon vaguely.
"But where the sun sets at evening the sky turns red and orange and purple and..."
Kevin was looking more and more lost the longer you talked.
"Friend Okay? Sound sick."
You walk over to a berry bush and snatch a fruit out of it to show him.
"See this? It's red."
Kevin sniffed at it then looked up bewildered at the moss.
"Moss Colored?"
He sounds worried and whines a bit shuffling around and glancing at the sky then looking all around as if worried that this strange invisible color was going to get him.
You stared at the red berries then popped them in your mouth and shrugged.
"How about you call me... Sunset-Over-Water? Because I'm red" Kevin gave you a look that suggested he did not quite buy it.
"And Yellow"
That at least got a nervous grin.
"And Blue"
He sneezed heavily then licked his nose.
"Okay Friend! Name Sunset!"
You nod and add the second bit. "Over-Water"
He snuffed then started walking.
"Okay"
Although he muttered a few growling words about how you are sick and seeing fake colors.
You two set off again and you continue looking around with a new eye. Apparently you could see (and knew the names of) colors that Kevin could not and had never heard of?
You continue asking him what color something is. And he would respond for a while, then as if getting frustrated he started doing the same.
With some annoyance at first. But then a more thoughtful curiosity as he would sniff and snuff at things you pointed at.
"And this?"
You nod.
"It's green, except the bits in the middle of the leaves. I don't really know why they are different like that."
He nodded and then said proudly.
"Friend Good"
Then he barked happily.
"Magic Eyes!"
That seemed to satisfy him after that and there was no more scrutiny over what things were what colors.
The two of you were marching for quite some time before a voice ahead of you suddenly shouted out.
"Sit! Stay! Lay Down! Who Goes?"
Kevin immediately dropped his rump in the ground then down onto his belly. But his tail was wagging.
"Roxxy! Sorry Dark! Sorry Late! Sorry Wait! Find Friend!"
The voice who was quite a bit ahead and above you!.
"Stupid Kevin! Out Long! Out Late! Pack Afraid! Master Afraid! Mom Afraid! Dad Afraid! Bad Dog!"
That had kevin flinching down and putting his paws over his head. Ears back.
"Sorry! Find Friend! Best Friend!"
That got a snarling bark!
"Friends Stories! Stupid Pup! Only Stories! Made Up!"
Now that was uncalled for!
You took a step ready to defend Kevin, ready to explain things.
But he quickly shouted out in a frightened tone.
"Wait Friend! Not Safe! Sit! Stay!"
Roxxy growled from ahead of you.
What do you do?
Poor Kevin... unable to appreciate the beautiful colors of our tribe and family with their rich history and ancient traditions
AFAICT we're about the same size as these dogs, which means we're in absolutely no place to risk a fight. Kevin mistook us for a human, but we can't count on Roxxy making the same mistake, so we can't just command her. We can probably at least insist that Kevin was being a Good Dog though.
Though it also occurs to me that we're really only here because Kevin wants to show us off. Well, I suppose we still owe him at least that much of a defense.
[X] Take a step back to placate Roxxy
[X] Insist that Kevin was trying to be a Good Dog and doesn't deserve being yelled at like this
AFAICT we're about the same size as these dogs, which means we're in absolutely no place to risk a fight. Kevin mistook us for a human, but we can't count on Roxxy making the same mistake, so we can't just command her. We can probably at least insist that Kevin was being a Good Dog though.
Though it also occurs to me that we're really only here because Kevin wants to show us off. Well, I suppose we still owe him at least that much of a defense.
[X] Take a step back to placate Roxxy
[X] Insist that Kevin was trying to be a Good Dog and doesn't deserve being yelled at like this
- Location
- Attached to a wall
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Maybe we could ask a temporary position in the pack.
[X] Ask if you could help with gathering food, or some other things.
-[X] Tell Roxxie would like to travel with some others, safety in numbers after all.
[X] If Roxxie says yes make a spear.
[X] Ask if you could help with gathering food, or some other things.
-[X] Tell Roxxie would like to travel with some others, safety in numbers after all.
[X] If Roxxie says yes make a spear.
- Location
- Nottinghamshire, England
[X] Take a step back to placate Roxxy
[X] Insist that Kevin was trying to be a Good Dog and doesn't deserve being yelled at like this
[X] "Even if I'm not one of your people's Best Friends, isn't making new friends always a good thing?"
[X] Insist that Kevin was trying to be a Good Dog and doesn't deserve being yelled at like this
[X] "Even if I'm not one of your people's Best Friends, isn't making new friends always a good thing?"
Nighzmarquls
The Endless Hunger
- Location
- United States
Closing vote. You can post them still but they go in the backlog now.
0.6
Nighzmarquls
The Endless Hunger
- Location
- United States
Kobalae
0.6
You freeze, well not FREEZE but you stop moving, and settle back on your haunches in a crouching squat. Ankles bent and almost tingling with potential to send you leaping.
Although if Kevin is even slightly indicative of the athletic prowess of dogs you'd not get very far.
There is a growling bark from somewhere ahead and above you. In the dark of the forest.
You raise your hands up and then take a few swinging steps back. Alternating between your knees and feet in a kind of tripodal trundle backwards.
Back staying straight, eyes alert and forward, hands up.
The growling quiets down.
Roxxy barks from the darkness ahead.
"Send away! Send Animal Away! Stupid Kevin! Bring Animal! Stupid! Dangerous! Bad Dog!"
Kevin starts whining and covering his face as he whimpers. No that's not right, that's not right at all, you never had family or tribe or anyone to speak to til kevin but somehow you knew that was not right!
"Hey! No! Kevin is a good dog! He apologized when he knocked me over! He is really super strong and fast! And he's clever too! He helped me pick a name even he's so smart! Kevin is a Good Dog!"
There was a snort of surprise.
Then yowling and barking laugh.
"Oh! Animal Speak!? Says Smart ? Kevin Smart ?! Hah! Dumb Animal! Rocks fer brains! Think Smart?! Kevin Stupid! Wander out! After Dark! Worry Pack! Scare Pack! Stupid Pup!"
You glare into the dark of the trees ahead of you.
"That's not very nice at all. You're sounding like a bad dog yourself Roxxy."
There was an unimpressed snort.
"Roxxy Good. Roxxy Know. Roxxy Hunter. Roxy Fast. Run Long. Chase Deer. Kill Deer. Feed Pack. Roxxy Good. Kevin Dumb! Dumb Dog! Bad Dog! Can't Hunt! Not Even Snail!"
Kevin gave an indignant "HEY!"
"Dumb stupid. Dumb Dog. Best Friend? Not you! Talking Lizard? Talking Frog?! Stupid Pup. Not Friend."
Kevin whined and whimpered but somehow found his voice.
"Is Friend! Best Friend! Give Scritches! Belly Rubs! Throw Ball! Is Tall!"
There was a sharp bark.
"Stupid pup! Bring animals! Always Animals! Animals dangerous! Say Friend! What now? Dogs Scritch, Dogs Rub, Dogs throw! Animals too! Not Friend! FRIENDS IS STORY!"
"I'm not an animal! You're an animal!"
You realize what you said but it had gotten away before you could stop yourself. Talking to actual people was a lot harder than your strange not quite memories of doing it.
Roxxy from her hidden perch somewhere in the gloom of the canopy snorted.
"Yah So? So Say Ghosts. Talk lots. Teach Lots. Not Point. Not Dog. Not Best Friend. Pup Stupid. Rocks fer brains."
You huff and look where you think the words are coming from.
"Well, Even if I'm not one of your people's Best Friends, isn't making new friends always a good thing?"
There was a hard snort but then a rumbling sigh.
"Pfah, Maybe Smart. Smarter'n Kevin."
Again there was a sharp "Hey!" from Kevin but Roxxy ignored it.
"So Friend? Friends help! How help? Rub belly? Scritch Ears? So What?! Eat food! Pfah! Not enough. Pack small. Pack Poor. Little food. No Help? No Friend! Kevin Already. Too Many! No More!"
You consider a bit then look down at your hands.
"I could help with the food I've been feeding myself for. Years now. I don't see why I couldn't help you with that. I don't eat very much."
That led to some quiet and then a soft humming rumble.
"Already Hunt? Feed Self? Why Friend? Why Follow? Why Here? Why Kevin?! Eat Dog? Hurt Pack? Think That Kevin?!"
That got a frightened yelp of "No!" from Kevin but he didn't move from his crouched down hunker. He didn't turn to look at you. Maybe he trusted you?
You shake your head slowly, hoping Roxxy could see you, but you still had no idea where she was.
"No.I don't want to hurt you, I just want to be with someone. Anyone, I've been all on my own since forever. It's safer together."
Roxxy humed a bit then barked and there was a sound of rustling and something creaking in the trees above. Then a long sharp howl with a few yips at the end.
"Fine! Called pack. They Come. We talk. You Hunt? How?"
The rustling turned into a dog coming through the underbrush and somehow you were expecting something more or less like kevin. If not even bigger.
But instead it was.
Actually smaller than him, but with a knife slung over its back and rope looped on the opposite side of a strange harness.
There was a lot more grey too.
Roxxy kind of made you feel under dressed.
She moved with a quick and easy stride. And Kevin cowered away from her.
There was a confidence to Roxxy that suggested she was not afraid despite her smaller stature.
She looked up at you and barked.
"Hunt? How?"
"Well, I usually use a spear for things like fish."
Roxxy looks around.
"No spear. Worthless Friend. Fine, Leave Now!"
You give a shake and hold up a finger.
"Wait, I'll make one. Just a bit alright?"
That got a head tilt and a nod from Roxxy and then a long look to kevin who was grinning for some reason and sitting up with his eyes on you.
Strange.
You look around then carefully stand up, holding your hands out so that Roxxy could see you meant no harm. Then you walked over to a sapling of about the right height and width.
It looked like it would be good wood.
You pushed a bit to feel the flex and resistance then nodded and checked the stones around.
Not as many as by the river. You start tilting over some, feeling around, looking for a good feeling one.
With some care you began prying a few candidates out and feeling them in your palm. Not satisfied with any of them you toss them aside and dig a bit at the dirt with your hands until finally managing to get a good feeling one.
With that settled you walked over to one of the rocks that was bad for an axe but would work fine for an anvil and quickly slapped a few flakes off it.
The sound made both dogs jump at first but then Roxxy was walking closer, warrily circling you.
Kevin however was a lot closer despite a growling warning from Roxxy.
He made little oohs and yarps as you worked.
When the rock was a good and proper axe that felt right in your palm you walked back to the tree, shifted the grip into both hands and as you had been doing your entire life began hacking into the bark and young wood.
Pulp flew, the sound echoed out among the trees. The dogs grew silent.
The tree was weakened enough to push over. A few more quick hits broke off the last of it. And then a flip of the stone to one hand and gripping the sapling in the other. Cleave down all the extra twigs.
And then a few more chops to bring it to the point.
It had taken you a lot longer than you would have liked, but there were much poorer rocks here then the river.
Kevin however seemed suitably impressed.
"Best Friend... Makes Wonders"
Roxxy snapped at him with a "Shut Up Kevin!"
But you could see a wary look in her eyes that was entirely different from before.
You reach out towards Kevin who eagerly accepts the head pats and ear Scritches, which gets a sour look from Roxxy. You reach a hand a little towards her and she shakes her head.
"No Pats."
Which seemed to instigate a raucous barking typhoon to manifest out of the woods yapping happily?
You think that was happy.
"Pats? Fuk Yeah! Fuk Pats! Fuk! Fuk! Fuk! Fuk! Fuk'n Pats! Aw Yeah! Yeah! Pats! Pats! Pats! Pats!"
The blur of bright fur was massive! As tall as you were upright when it was standing on all fours!
"Fuk Yeah! Pats Me! Pats You!"
It Continued to shout and cheer which got a disgruntled and angry shout from Roxxy that gave you the name of the new tan dog.
"Star! No! Bad Dog! Back!"
Which apparently barely registered for the behemoth that smiled happily at you. Then faster than you realized it could move the dog slapped you to the ground with a forepaw to the face.
"Pats You! Fuk Yeah!"
Now your face is in the dirt and you can't move due to the disorientation.
"Friend?!"
Kevin Yelped in surprise and concern!
You are DAZED however.
Maybe following Kevin to his pack was a bad idea?
Maybe.
0.6
So here we go again folks, there will prolly be a game update tomorrow. Hope everyone is staying safe out there.
[×] Sit. Stay.
[X] Raise your hands in a non-threatening gesture
[x] Call Roxxy a brave dog.
[X] Take a step back to placate Roxxy x 4
[X] Insist that Kevin was trying to be a Good Dog and doesn't deserve being yelled at like this x4
[X] "Even if I'm not one of your people's Best Friends, isn't making new friends always a good thing?"
[X] Ask if you could help with gathering food, or some other things. X 2
-[X] Tell Roxxie would like to travel with some others, safety in numbers after all.
[X] If Roxxie says yes make a spear.
[X] It's peting times motherfuckers
[X] headpat the doggo
[X] Raise your hands in a non-threatening gesture
[x] Call Roxxy a brave dog.
[X] Take a step back to placate Roxxy x 4
[X] Insist that Kevin was trying to be a Good Dog and doesn't deserve being yelled at like this x4
[X] "Even if I'm not one of your people's Best Friends, isn't making new friends always a good thing?"
[X] Ask if you could help with gathering food, or some other things. X 2
-[X] Tell Roxxie would like to travel with some others, safety in numbers after all.
[X] If Roxxie says yes make a spear.
[X] It's peting times motherfuckers
[X] headpat the doggo
[×] Follow you're instincts. Sing your way out.
[X] If it is brought up, mention that if we were to try to ride again at a later time, that the dog should start at a walk and gradually increase the speed whenever both had adapted and become comfortable at that pace to avoid this issue in the future.
[X] If it is brought up, mention that if we were to try to ride again at a later time, that the dog should start at a walk and gradually increase the speed whenever both had adapted and become comfortable at that pace to avoid this issue in the future.
You freeze, well not FREEZE but you stop moving, and settle back on your haunches in a crouching squat. Ankles bent and almost tingling with potential to send you leaping.
Although if Kevin is even slightly indicative of the athletic prowess of dogs you'd not get very far.
There is a growling bark from somewhere ahead and above you. In the dark of the forest.
You raise your hands up and then take a few swinging steps back. Alternating between your knees and feet in a kind of tripodal trundle backwards.
Back staying straight, eyes alert and forward, hands up.
The growling quiets down.
Roxxy barks from the darkness ahead.
"Send away! Send Animal Away! Stupid Kevin! Bring Animal! Stupid! Dangerous! Bad Dog!"
Kevin starts whining and covering his face as he whimpers. No that's not right, that's not right at all, you never had family or tribe or anyone to speak to til kevin but somehow you knew that was not right!
"Hey! No! Kevin is a good dog! He apologized when he knocked me over! He is really super strong and fast! And he's clever too! He helped me pick a name even he's so smart! Kevin is a Good Dog!"
There was a snort of surprise.
Then yowling and barking laugh.
"Oh! Animal Speak!? Says Smart ? Kevin Smart ?! Hah! Dumb Animal! Rocks fer brains! Think Smart?! Kevin Stupid! Wander out! After Dark! Worry Pack! Scare Pack! Stupid Pup!"
You glare into the dark of the trees ahead of you.
"That's not very nice at all. You're sounding like a bad dog yourself Roxxy."
There was an unimpressed snort.
"Roxxy Good. Roxxy Know. Roxxy Hunter. Roxy Fast. Run Long. Chase Deer. Kill Deer. Feed Pack. Roxxy Good. Kevin Dumb! Dumb Dog! Bad Dog! Can't Hunt! Not Even Snail!"
Kevin gave an indignant "HEY!"
"Dumb stupid. Dumb Dog. Best Friend? Not you! Talking Lizard? Talking Frog?! Stupid Pup. Not Friend."
Kevin whined and whimpered but somehow found his voice.
"Is Friend! Best Friend! Give Scritches! Belly Rubs! Throw Ball! Is Tall!"
There was a sharp bark.
"Stupid pup! Bring animals! Always Animals! Animals dangerous! Say Friend! What now? Dogs Scritch, Dogs Rub, Dogs throw! Animals too! Not Friend! FRIENDS IS STORY!"
"I'm not an animal! You're an animal!"
You realize what you said but it had gotten away before you could stop yourself. Talking to actual people was a lot harder than your strange not quite memories of doing it.
Roxxy from her hidden perch somewhere in the gloom of the canopy snorted.
"Yah So? So Say Ghosts. Talk lots. Teach Lots. Not Point. Not Dog. Not Best Friend. Pup Stupid. Rocks fer brains."
You huff and look where you think the words are coming from.
"Well, Even if I'm not one of your people's Best Friends, isn't making new friends always a good thing?"
There was a hard snort but then a rumbling sigh.
"Pfah, Maybe Smart. Smarter'n Kevin."
Again there was a sharp "Hey!" from Kevin but Roxxy ignored it.
"So Friend? Friends help! How help? Rub belly? Scritch Ears? So What?! Eat food! Pfah! Not enough. Pack small. Pack Poor. Little food. No Help? No Friend! Kevin Already. Too Many! No More!"
You consider a bit then look down at your hands.
"I could help with the food I've been feeding myself for. Years now. I don't see why I couldn't help you with that. I don't eat very much."
That led to some quiet and then a soft humming rumble.
"Already Hunt? Feed Self? Why Friend? Why Follow? Why Here? Why Kevin?! Eat Dog? Hurt Pack? Think That Kevin?!"
That got a frightened yelp of "No!" from Kevin but he didn't move from his crouched down hunker. He didn't turn to look at you. Maybe he trusted you?
You shake your head slowly, hoping Roxxy could see you, but you still had no idea where she was.
"No.I don't want to hurt you, I just want to be with someone. Anyone, I've been all on my own since forever. It's safer together."
Roxxy humed a bit then barked and there was a sound of rustling and something creaking in the trees above. Then a long sharp howl with a few yips at the end.
"Fine! Called pack. They Come. We talk. You Hunt? How?"
The rustling turned into a dog coming through the underbrush and somehow you were expecting something more or less like kevin. If not even bigger.
But instead it was.
Actually smaller than him, but with a knife slung over its back and rope looped on the opposite side of a strange harness.
There was a lot more grey too.
Roxxy kind of made you feel under dressed.
She moved with a quick and easy stride. And Kevin cowered away from her.
There was a confidence to Roxxy that suggested she was not afraid despite her smaller stature.
She looked up at you and barked.
"Hunt? How?"
"Well, I usually use a spear for things like fish."
Roxxy looks around.
"No spear. Worthless Friend. Fine, Leave Now!"
You give a shake and hold up a finger.
"Wait, I'll make one. Just a bit alright?"
That got a head tilt and a nod from Roxxy and then a long look to kevin who was grinning for some reason and sitting up with his eyes on you.
Strange.
You look around then carefully stand up, holding your hands out so that Roxxy could see you meant no harm. Then you walked over to a sapling of about the right height and width.
It looked like it would be good wood.
You pushed a bit to feel the flex and resistance then nodded and checked the stones around.
Not as many as by the river. You start tilting over some, feeling around, looking for a good feeling one.
With some care you began prying a few candidates out and feeling them in your palm. Not satisfied with any of them you toss them aside and dig a bit at the dirt with your hands until finally managing to get a good feeling one.
With that settled you walked over to one of the rocks that was bad for an axe but would work fine for an anvil and quickly slapped a few flakes off it.
The sound made both dogs jump at first but then Roxxy was walking closer, warrily circling you.
Kevin however was a lot closer despite a growling warning from Roxxy.
He made little oohs and yarps as you worked.
When the rock was a good and proper axe that felt right in your palm you walked back to the tree, shifted the grip into both hands and as you had been doing your entire life began hacking into the bark and young wood.
Pulp flew, the sound echoed out among the trees. The dogs grew silent.
The tree was weakened enough to push over. A few more quick hits broke off the last of it. And then a flip of the stone to one hand and gripping the sapling in the other. Cleave down all the extra twigs.
And then a few more chops to bring it to the point.
It had taken you a lot longer than you would have liked, but there were much poorer rocks here then the river.
Kevin however seemed suitably impressed.
"Best Friend... Makes Wonders"
Roxxy snapped at him with a "Shut Up Kevin!"
But you could see a wary look in her eyes that was entirely different from before.
You reach out towards Kevin who eagerly accepts the head pats and ear Scritches, which gets a sour look from Roxxy. You reach a hand a little towards her and she shakes her head.
"No Pats."
Which seemed to instigate a raucous barking typhoon to manifest out of the woods yapping happily?
You think that was happy.
"Pats? Fuk Yeah! Fuk Pats! Fuk! Fuk! Fuk! Fuk! Fuk'n Pats! Aw Yeah! Yeah! Pats! Pats! Pats! Pats!"
The blur of bright fur was massive! As tall as you were upright when it was standing on all fours!
"Fuk Yeah! Pats Me! Pats You!"
It Continued to shout and cheer which got a disgruntled and angry shout from Roxxy that gave you the name of the new tan dog.
"Star! No! Bad Dog! Back!"
Which apparently barely registered for the behemoth that smiled happily at you. Then faster than you realized it could move the dog slapped you to the ground with a forepaw to the face.
"Pats You! Fuk Yeah!"
Now your face is in the dirt and you can't move due to the disorientation.
"Friend?!"
Kevin Yelped in surprise and concern!
You are DAZED however.
Maybe following Kevin to his pack was a bad idea?
Maybe.
Now What?
- Location
- Nottinghamshire, England
[X] *Stuttering slightly* Wait a moment, please, I just need to get re-oriented… *shake head vigorously once re-oriented and upright* Okay, now I'm sorted.
-[X] *Look at new dog* Hello. I'm guessing you're Star? *raise/tip hat and take a bow* My name's Sunset-Over-Water, or Sunset for short.
-[X] *Look at new dog* Hello. I'm guessing you're Star? *raise/tip hat and take a bow* My name's Sunset-Over-Water, or Sunset for short.
Just wait until we show you the secrets of fire...
[X] Get back up and keep some distance from Star
[X] Continue to scritch Kevin the Good Dog
[X] Introduce ourselves to the rest of the pack as they arrive, and make our case for being a Friend
- Location
- Attached to a wall
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Ask how big the pack is.
- Location
- Attached to a wall
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I really like how adorable those dogs look.
Star looks like a bit like a Golden retriever in my opinion.
Star looks like a bit like a Golden retriever in my opinion.
- Location
- Norway
[X] Take the time to recover while reassuring the pack of dogs that you're alright, just a bit overwhelmed.
-[X] Once recovered ask star to lay down if they want pats and scritches, once star does so, start patting and scritching while introducing ourselves.
--[X] While star is laying on the ground and getting pats and scritches, take the chance to try sitting on star's back, and make sure to keep a solid enough grip to not fall off like we did with Kevin if star start moving.
With star's larger size, we likely won't have the same problem, and knowing that we can work together with the dogs without slowing them down would be useful on any hunt.
-[X] Once recovered ask star to lay down if they want pats and scritches, once star does so, start patting and scritching while introducing ourselves.
--[X] While star is laying on the ground and getting pats and scritches, take the chance to try sitting on star's back, and make sure to keep a solid enough grip to not fall off like we did with Kevin if star start moving.
With star's larger size, we likely won't have the same problem, and knowing that we can work together with the dogs without slowing them down would be useful on any hunt.
Last edited:
Nighzmarquls
The Endless Hunger
- Location
- United States
Closing Votes for the Week.
They clearly make some use of tools, Roxy has a knife for a reason, and I doubt that harness fit her to begin with, but from how they react to Sunset-over-Water making a stone knife, and how Roxy just assumes that since we don't have a spear with us our spear-skills are worthless, I don't think they make things. They probably think of thing-making as one of the special powers the Best Friends have rather then something they might be able to do themselves. Supporting that, it's hard to tell from the pictures, but I think everything the dogs have has metal parts. They obviously can't work metal themselves, and I think if they could make things themselves at all they'd have things made without metal.
0.7
Nighzmarquls
The Endless Hunger
- Location
- United States
Kobalae
0.7
You slowly wobble back up while Roxxy scolds Star. It's difficult to focus on exactly what is going on while DAZED but you manage to vaguely focus on kevin and find your way to plopping down on the ground and scritching him behind the ear.
There are words that flow over you but they seem somehow less precisely important.
Then finally you come a bit clearer when Roxxy gives a sharp little bark.
"You Okay? Not Dead?"
You look at your own nose for a moment then nod and smile.
"I think I'm Okay. Just DAZED. It should wear f'off... Wear off in a bit."
You eye the apologetic looking behemoth that is Star then look over at Roxxy.
"If I get up again will she knock me over?"
Roxxy turns over to glare at Star before snorting heavily.
"Star Bad. No Treas. Bad Dog. Bad DOG."
That gets a sympathetic wince from kevin and a bewildered whine from star who slumps down to her belly and huffs out a dejected. "Aww Fuk. No Treats?"
Roxxy growls and nods sharply.
"No Treats! Two Days!"
Another dejected whine as star covers her own eyes with her paws and yowls.
"Two Days?! Please No! Sorry! So Sorry! Not Bad! Please! Gib Treats? Fuk! Fuk fuk fuk FUK!"
She rolls around on her back crying and whing and then pawing at the ground by roxxy but all of this is in vain.
Roxxy is immutable in her judgement. You are starting to get a sense she's the elder, possibly even the chief.
If Dogs had chiefs. You really were not exactly sure why you were so certain... whatever you were had chiefs.
"Wait... I... I'm gonna be fine in just a bit, I just need to." you wobble up onto your feet and sway a bit in spite of Kevin's plaintif whines of 'friend?!'
You give your head a few shakes and suddenly your balance settles and you are no longer DAZED.
"There, I'm sorted. Okay, So. Hello I'm Sunset-Over-Water."
Roxxy makes a face like she was trying to spit something out of her mouth and barks. "Too Long"
You laugh and rub the back of your head.
"Uh right, Sunset then? For Short?"
Star whined heavily.
"Sunny okay! No Bad! Please Treats!?"
Roxxy barks and snarls at star which cows her again to silence but then turns back to you with an appraising glare, snuffling at the spear you dropped, pawing it around then with a fluid motion she turns her head around to grab at the grip of her knife and with a twist pulls it free. It shines like magic in the night light before she bounds onto her legs then pounces on your spear jamming the blade halfway into the wood.
She hops back to stare up at you.
"Sunse-. frf. Sun-Set, Is Friend. Makes More?"
There is a glance given to just over you and you find yourself grasping the bowl on your head.
You take it off to offer to Roxxy who sniffs it a bit them huffs.
"Make that?"
You nod a bit. Then roll it back up your arm and over one shoulder to your other hand and flip it back onto your head.
"Uh yes. I made it."
Roxxy looked down at her knife with a sharp glace then up at you.
"Make Knife?"
Star Kevin was looking very smug, star seemed to be getting bored, but Roxxy was watching you very intently.
You reach over and tug the knife free of the spear. The grip was very poor for your hand, it was the right shape for Roxxy's mouth, it was squishy and you could feel the marks of teeth that had bit into it.
The blade was thinner and sharper than any stone you had ever worked.
But there were some vague ideas out of reach. Something to do with fire.
You ran a finger tip over the cool surface feeling it pull the heat away.
Roxxy watched you intently before you hum and shook your head.
"Not this exact thing. But something like it? With wood and Rock yes, But this? I don't know this"
You tap a claw on the blade.
Roxxy nodded and barked sharply.
"Give."
You gently offer the knife grip first to Roxxy, who bites down on it then turns her head around over her shoulder to stow it. Giving a little twist to get it secured then pressing down with her nose to the sound of a click.
She nods sharply up at you.
"Dog Friend, Sunset. Over Water"
Then there was the cutest squeekiest yawn you could have possibly imagined. Made all the more so for how it came out of the far bigger in presence then actual bigness of Roxxy.
You found yourself smiling pretty wide.
Star however whined sharply and loudly.
"But Treats! Is Fine! Sunny Fine! Fuk! Have Treats! PLEASE! No Fair! Two Days?!"
Roxxy turned away from you, snapping at Star which got her to jump out of the way with a heaving gallumpf of colossal mass.
"You Bad, No Treats. Hurt Friend. Bad Dog."
You followed alon, but all of them were already starting to pick up the pace and it was getting harder and harder for you to keep up.
Finally Kevin had to shout out.
"Wait! Wait! Friend Slow! Wait!"
Roxxy gave a frustrated growl then turned around.
"Slow? SLOW!"
You however had gotten an idea along the way. Star was a lot bigger than Kevin.
"Uh, yeah sorry, but I've got an idea. If Star does not run quite so fast at first. I think we could do something I tried with Kevin."
Kevin tilted his head at that then nodded sharply.
"Carry Friend! Like Rocks!"
Roxxy growled and shook her head.
"No Bags! No Carry! Need Bags! Stupid Kevin!"
However you were approaching Star who was eyeing you with concern but a hopeful glint. Panting a bit.
"Um, Star. Could you lie down? I'll pet you and, I don't know maybe if you help Roxxy could say you only have to go without treats for one day?"
You give Roxxy a look which makes her scowl then look between you and Star.
"If Help? Fast Home? Star Good. No treats, One Day. Not Two."
Star's grin splits her massive face and then she was down on the ground peering up at you pleading at you while her lips fluttered through inaudible words of excitement and she whined hopefully.
You shift your legs over Star's back, shifting around until you have yourself sitting just behind her shoulders, shifting to squeeze your knees against her ribs and then leaning down to get your hands around her neck and get a grip in the fur of her chest.
Kevin eyed Star with a bit jealousy but quickly smiled when he noticed you looking.
Then she was standing and you had to give a little squeak.
"Start going slow, then you can speed up a bit okay? And um, try to not go up and down as much?"
Star quivered beneath you before she huffed out heavily.
"For treats, Star Good. Oh-kay! Fuk Yah!"
And then the dogs were off again, about pace with what you had managed at first, but soon going far, far faster than you expected.
Moving through the forest until you could hear and see something ahead. Voices calling and responding, the sound of paws, and light through the branches. Strange and pale and white in a way you'd never seen anything but the moon or the stars before.
It brought up the strange sense of a tribe as you remembered there supposing to be for the rest of your life.
But also there was a lot more voices than you had been expecting.
Star's gait was surprisingly even and soft, she was quiet and stealthy now. Which probably explained how she snuck up on you before.
You spoke with curiosity.
"Uh... How many dogs are in your pack?"
Roxxy barked from far down and ahead of you without turning around.
"Lots Dogs! Big Pack, Five-Tens, Some More, Some Less. Strangers Come. Carry treasure."
You count in your head and boggle a bit. The world was far more full of people then you had ever even imagined.
Fifty Dogs?!
0.7
The Fun Silliness will continue. Keep the suggestions and commands rolling folks.
[x] Drop spear, stagger towards Good Roxxy and Kevin for safety, but mostly Roxxy because Kevin couldn't protect a wet paper bag if his lunch depended upon it.
[X] Get back up and keep some distance from Star
[X] *Stuttering slightly* Wait a moment, please, I just need to get re-oriented… *shake head vigorously once re-oriented and upright* Okay, now I'm sorted.
[X] *Look at new dog* Hello. I'm guessing you're Star? *raise/tip hat and take a bow* My name's Sunset-Over-Water, or Sunset for short.
[X] Recover. Then introduce ourselves to Star and give them scritches.
[X] Be very afraid and pet star.
[X] Continue to scritch Kevin the Good Dog
[X] Take the time to recover while reassuring the pack of dogs that you're alright, just a bit overwhelmed.
-[X] Once recovered ask star to lay down if they want pats and scritches, once star does so, start patting and scritching while introducing ourselves.
--[X] While star is laying on the ground and getting pats and scritches, take the chance to try sitting on star's back, and make sure to keep a solid enough grip to not fall off like we did with Kevin if star start moving.
[X] If it is brought up, mention that if we were to try to ride again at a later time, that the dog should start at a walk and gradually increase the speed whenever both had adapted and become comfortable at that pace to avoid this issue in the future.
[X] Ask how big the pack is.
[X] Get back up and keep some distance from Star
[X] *Stuttering slightly* Wait a moment, please, I just need to get re-oriented… *shake head vigorously once re-oriented and upright* Okay, now I'm sorted.
[X] *Look at new dog* Hello. I'm guessing you're Star? *raise/tip hat and take a bow* My name's Sunset-Over-Water, or Sunset for short.
[X] Recover. Then introduce ourselves to Star and give them scritches.
[X] Be very afraid and pet star.
[X] Continue to scritch Kevin the Good Dog
[X] Take the time to recover while reassuring the pack of dogs that you're alright, just a bit overwhelmed.
-[X] Once recovered ask star to lay down if they want pats and scritches, once star does so, start patting and scritching while introducing ourselves.
--[X] While star is laying on the ground and getting pats and scritches, take the chance to try sitting on star's back, and make sure to keep a solid enough grip to not fall off like we did with Kevin if star start moving.
[X] If it is brought up, mention that if we were to try to ride again at a later time, that the dog should start at a walk and gradually increase the speed whenever both had adapted and become comfortable at that pace to avoid this issue in the future.
[X] Ask how big the pack is.
[X] Introduce ourselves to the rest of the pack as they arrive, and make our case for being a Friend
[×] Follow you're instincts. Sing your way out.
[X] Path the dog a lot
[×] Follow you're instincts. Sing your way out.
[X] Path the dog a lot
There are words that flow over you but they seem somehow less precisely important.
Then finally you come a bit clearer when Roxxy gives a sharp little bark.
"You Okay? Not Dead?"
You look at your own nose for a moment then nod and smile.
"I think I'm Okay. Just DAZED. It should wear f'off... Wear off in a bit."
You eye the apologetic looking behemoth that is Star then look over at Roxxy.
"If I get up again will she knock me over?"
Roxxy turns over to glare at Star before snorting heavily.
"Star Bad. No Treas. Bad Dog. Bad DOG."
That gets a sympathetic wince from kevin and a bewildered whine from star who slumps down to her belly and huffs out a dejected. "Aww Fuk. No Treats?"
Roxxy growls and nods sharply.
"No Treats! Two Days!"
Another dejected whine as star covers her own eyes with her paws and yowls.
"Two Days?! Please No! Sorry! So Sorry! Not Bad! Please! Gib Treats? Fuk! Fuk fuk fuk FUK!"
She rolls around on her back crying and whing and then pawing at the ground by roxxy but all of this is in vain.
Roxxy is immutable in her judgement. You are starting to get a sense she's the elder, possibly even the chief.
If Dogs had chiefs. You really were not exactly sure why you were so certain... whatever you were had chiefs.
"Wait... I... I'm gonna be fine in just a bit, I just need to." you wobble up onto your feet and sway a bit in spite of Kevin's plaintif whines of 'friend?!'
You give your head a few shakes and suddenly your balance settles and you are no longer DAZED.
"There, I'm sorted. Okay, So. Hello I'm Sunset-Over-Water."
Roxxy makes a face like she was trying to spit something out of her mouth and barks. "Too Long"
You laugh and rub the back of your head.
"Uh right, Sunset then? For Short?"
Star whined heavily.
"Sunny okay! No Bad! Please Treats!?"
Roxxy barks and snarls at star which cows her again to silence but then turns back to you with an appraising glare, snuffling at the spear you dropped, pawing it around then with a fluid motion she turns her head around to grab at the grip of her knife and with a twist pulls it free. It shines like magic in the night light before she bounds onto her legs then pounces on your spear jamming the blade halfway into the wood.
She hops back to stare up at you.
"Sunse-. frf. Sun-Set, Is Friend. Makes More?"
There is a glance given to just over you and you find yourself grasping the bowl on your head.
You take it off to offer to Roxxy who sniffs it a bit them huffs.
"Make that?"
You nod a bit. Then roll it back up your arm and over one shoulder to your other hand and flip it back onto your head.
"Uh yes. I made it."
Roxxy looked down at her knife with a sharp glace then up at you.
"Make Knife?"
Star Kevin was looking very smug, star seemed to be getting bored, but Roxxy was watching you very intently.
You reach over and tug the knife free of the spear. The grip was very poor for your hand, it was the right shape for Roxxy's mouth, it was squishy and you could feel the marks of teeth that had bit into it.
The blade was thinner and sharper than any stone you had ever worked.
But there were some vague ideas out of reach. Something to do with fire.
You ran a finger tip over the cool surface feeling it pull the heat away.
Roxxy watched you intently before you hum and shook your head.
"Not this exact thing. But something like it? With wood and Rock yes, But this? I don't know this"
You tap a claw on the blade.
Roxxy nodded and barked sharply.
"Give."
You gently offer the knife grip first to Roxxy, who bites down on it then turns her head around over her shoulder to stow it. Giving a little twist to get it secured then pressing down with her nose to the sound of a click.
She nods sharply up at you.
"Dog Friend, Sunset. Over Water"
Then there was the cutest squeekiest yawn you could have possibly imagined. Made all the more so for how it came out of the far bigger in presence then actual bigness of Roxxy.
You found yourself smiling pretty wide.
Star however whined sharply and loudly.
"But Treats! Is Fine! Sunny Fine! Fuk! Have Treats! PLEASE! No Fair! Two Days?!"
Roxxy turned away from you, snapping at Star which got her to jump out of the way with a heaving gallumpf of colossal mass.
"You Bad, No Treats. Hurt Friend. Bad Dog."
You followed alon, but all of them were already starting to pick up the pace and it was getting harder and harder for you to keep up.
Finally Kevin had to shout out.
"Wait! Wait! Friend Slow! Wait!"
Roxxy gave a frustrated growl then turned around.
"Slow? SLOW!"
You however had gotten an idea along the way. Star was a lot bigger than Kevin.
"Uh, yeah sorry, but I've got an idea. If Star does not run quite so fast at first. I think we could do something I tried with Kevin."
Kevin tilted his head at that then nodded sharply.
"Carry Friend! Like Rocks!"
Roxxy growled and shook her head.
"No Bags! No Carry! Need Bags! Stupid Kevin!"
However you were approaching Star who was eyeing you with concern but a hopeful glint. Panting a bit.
"Um, Star. Could you lie down? I'll pet you and, I don't know maybe if you help Roxxy could say you only have to go without treats for one day?"
You give Roxxy a look which makes her scowl then look between you and Star.
"If Help? Fast Home? Star Good. No treats, One Day. Not Two."
Star's grin splits her massive face and then she was down on the ground peering up at you pleading at you while her lips fluttered through inaudible words of excitement and she whined hopefully.
You shift your legs over Star's back, shifting around until you have yourself sitting just behind her shoulders, shifting to squeeze your knees against her ribs and then leaning down to get your hands around her neck and get a grip in the fur of her chest.
Kevin eyed Star with a bit jealousy but quickly smiled when he noticed you looking.
Then she was standing and you had to give a little squeak.
"Start going slow, then you can speed up a bit okay? And um, try to not go up and down as much?"
Star quivered beneath you before she huffed out heavily.
"For treats, Star Good. Oh-kay! Fuk Yah!"
And then the dogs were off again, about pace with what you had managed at first, but soon going far, far faster than you expected.
Moving through the forest until you could hear and see something ahead. Voices calling and responding, the sound of paws, and light through the branches. Strange and pale and white in a way you'd never seen anything but the moon or the stars before.
It brought up the strange sense of a tribe as you remembered there supposing to be for the rest of your life.
But also there was a lot more voices than you had been expecting.
Star's gait was surprisingly even and soft, she was quiet and stealthy now. Which probably explained how she snuck up on you before.
You spoke with curiosity.
"Uh... How many dogs are in your pack?"
Roxxy barked from far down and ahead of you without turning around.
"Lots Dogs! Big Pack, Five-Tens, Some More, Some Less. Strangers Come. Carry treasure."
You count in your head and boggle a bit. The world was far more full of people then you had ever even imagined.
Fifty Dogs?!
What were you going to do?!
ThatGazzer
Minds Eye Bind
- Location
- PNW
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Bask in the pup glory
- Location
- Norway
Definitely going to be fun in the next chapter when we get introduced to the pack.
[X] Take a deep breath to calm down, the pack might be bigger than anything else we can remember, but so far they have shown themselves to be friendly if rather excitable in some cases.
-[X] It's up to star on how long she will let us stay on, but so far it seems safest to remain on her back to avoid getting knocked over and dazed, or hurt by accident or from a misunderstanding.
[X] Ask about the strangers and the treasures they carry with them, along with any other pack they might know about.
[X] Take a deep breath to calm down, the pack might be bigger than anything else we can remember, but so far they have shown themselves to be friendly if rather excitable in some cases.
-[X] It's up to star on how long she will let us stay on, but so far it seems safest to remain on her back to avoid getting knocked over and dazed, or hurt by accident or from a misunderstanding.
[X] Ask about the strangers and the treasures they carry with them, along with any other pack they might know about.
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Artificial lighting? But it's outside, which is a bit unusual. You'd expect it to have succumbed to the elements after as long as it seems to have been.
I'm starting to feel some sympathy for Roxy, though she does still jump too quickly to insults and punishments.
- Location
- Attached to a wall
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It seems to the closest thing dogs would have to a city.
I'm going to attempt to continue the small talk for bit.
[X] Talk a bit about what you remember.