"…No Goldie. Goldie, no. Bad Goldie."

These were the three sentences she had been repeating all day. Having some free time Colette had decided to take her dog to the park for some good old training, Goddess knows this dog needed it. Turned out the rancher-ironically-wasn't the best teacher. And after telling the dog 'no' five million times, she started to become more apathetic about the whole exercise.

Now she was sitting on a park bench, hand pressed against her cheek. She held up a ball and presented it to her little black lab. At this point, she didn't really know why she bothered, they both knew what was going to happen next. Throwing the ball, the dog just stared after it before looking back at his owner expectantly. Typical. "Well?" She questioned, "Go get it" pointing in the direction of the distant toy. His tail twitched, but made no move for it. Expressionless, the two just stared each other down. "…I know what you want." His ears perked up. "But I'm not giving it to you." With zero warning Colette launched off the bench and ran for the ball, trying to outrun her dog. Alas, the little menace had apparently seen her pull this stunt before and knew better than to be unprepared. As soon as she took off he was right on her tail, (in a matter of speaking,) and it wasn't long before he accomplished his favorite pastime in the world: biting her ankles.

"ARGH--NO-BAD GOLDIE."

It was almost a relief to not be able to breath right now and feel the adrenaline rushing through her as she ran. Being in shorts and tank top was so much less constricting than her jeans and heavy sweatshirts of Winter and the beginning of Spring. Being outside and breathing the open air and actually feeling the sun on her face, it felt amazing. Marle was mentally preparing herself to make a circuit around the island and get herself back into the swing of running...and to get her mind off of other things and problems. This year had so far been one strange happening after another and she was hoping that it would be it for the year. The cogs in her mind kept turning as her legs kept running and she almost didn't hear the scream that came from behind her.

Marle came to a screeching halt and immediately doubled back with double the speed to find out the source of the sound and who may have been in trouble. "Hey! You okay?" she said between breaths coming to the source and now finding she knew who it was. "Colette!" Marle closed the distance between them and leaned over to help her up and glancing at the dog,"You're still a pup aren't you?" Marle asked as she reached out to let the the dog sniff her hand. "You okay?"

"BAD DOG. IHATEYOUDOG."

This didn't seem to affect the creature, but instead he started attacking her legs with more gusto. She tried to push him away, it did nothing. She wanted to kick him away, but even Colette knew that would have been extreme. It was just that this little puppy's teeth were like..nasty chomping daggers. If the girl was any smarter she could have just picked the damn thing up, but again, this was Colette. With her foot just slightly elevated off the ground Goldie managed to hop up and get a good grip on her pant leg. As soon as he started shaking the fabric like it was a dead animal Colette lost her balance and fell to the ground. Well she knew ONE animal that was going to be dead.

It looked as though Goldie had lost interest as soon as his target was no longer moving. Well that was rather cheeky of him. Instead he bounded over to an approaching woman, who Colette recognized as Marle as soon as she spoke. Even so she didn't bother to move or even react. It was just her luck someone would witness this little incident. And it was even better that it was someone she knew. Currently Colette was treating Marle like a bear. Meaning if she just remained in the fetal position she hoped the bartender would lose interest and walk away. Seeing how this wasn't working Colette sucked up her pride and hopped up, calling out her companion's name at the same time, "MARLE! How are you doi-" She stopped this farce to stare down at her dog who was being the epitome of friendly to Marle. Awesome. So it was only when he was with her that he was a bundle of nightmares.

Sucking her teeth she looked back up to the shorter woman when she addressed her. "Oh fine. Couldn't be better. NEVER BETTER." She yelled the last statement, more at her puppy than anyone the woman before her. He didn't seem to notice. Figuring she owed Marle an explanation the rancher scratched the back of her head and muttered, "I got him as a present. Can't seem to train him at all, though. Doesn't help that he HATES ME." Again, he was too preoccupied with Marle to care. Nose crinkled and glaring at her pet she averted to gaze to look up at the friendly woman. "So how have you been? Haven't seen you at the bar lately."

The woman grinned a little bit and patted the dog on the head, he reminded her a lot of her owner. "Really?" she said looking to Colette and raising and eyebrow. "You know, there's a small part of me that just doesn't seem to believe that." She couldn't but let out a small laugh, "He's a rather rambunctious present isn't he?" Giving the pup another pat she smiled at the young woman, "I highly doubt he hates you Colette, I think you're two personalities just mesh a little too well together. Neither of you really wanna listen to each other."

At her questioned Marle replied, "I've been...alright. Just spending some time getting out of the bar, the same environment kind of drives me crazy after a while. How about you, out training...?" she trailed off while directing a nod towards the dog as she didn't know his name.

Her take on things was far different than Colette's perception. Watching the dog flap its tail against the ground she mulled over the idea she had never considered before. Did he like her? It was something generally pleasant to entertain, despite the fact she didn't have evidence to prove it. Hell, the thought even had the dark haired woman letting off a small smile. "Maybe you're right," She finally admitted, scratching the back of her head. She tried shifting her weight only to remember her right ankle was throbbing from the dog's relentless chewing. OW. She looked down at the dog, this time in a very different light. The smile was gone, and the glare made a reappearance. Well, maybe he did like her. As a chew toy.

"Just alright?" Colette questioned, glancing up to the woman again. If she knew Marle any better she would have pressed the topic. Seeing how they weren't much more than friendly acquaintances though, she let it slide and moved on. "I know how you feel. I'm always leaving the ranch. It just gets so…" She slowly sank to her knees as she groaned out the next word, "boooooooring." The rancher patted her thighs, signaling the puppy to come to her. Surprisingly he complied, but only long enough to get a couple pats on the head. As soon as she stopped he was back to Marle. "Oh uh," She gestured to the dog when prompted to give his name. "This is Goldie." An odd name seeing how he was stark black. "He's impossible though. Watch this." Leaning over she snatched the ball she had before, and wagged it in front of her pet. "Goldie, here Goldie! See the ball? GO GET IT!" She flung it as hard as she could down the field. Goldie just stared after it. "SEE?" She flung her arms up in the air. "I kinda wish my dad was here. He'd know what to do…He was always the one that trained the animals. I just took care of them." This comment seemed hard to get out for her, almost ashamed to admit it.

Marle couldn't help but let out a burst of laughter. "Well...maybe he just loves you in a different way right now. I'm sure his mind is just on playing." She finished patting the dog on the head and nodded as Colette echoed her sentiments, but she couldn't help but laugh again as the young woman complained. "During the summer I find that a little hard to imagine. Then again I don't know the first thing about working on a ranch."

"Maybe you needn't throw it so far?" she ventured a guess as to why Goldie was still standing there looking at his owner like she was insane. Marle couldn't help but smile softly at Colette, "It must be hard to suddenly be saddled with the job of the ranch. But I don't think he would leave it to you if he didn't think you could do it."

Marle was only a few years older than her, but spoke with a wiseness that belonged to someone well beyond her age. She was just so calm, reasonable and pleasant. Even if their age difference didn't separate them as children her mature demeanor certainly would have. Colette had her moments, but was usually accused of being childish, and the years did not change this. No wonder Marle was the first of the local kids to get married, first to experience the sweet taste of adulthood. Colette was still wondering what that tasted like, and probably would for quite some time. Marle tried to assure Goldie's affections, before mentioning Colette's ranch.

"Yeah, well," Colette started scratching the back of her head, admitting, "Summer can be pretty busy. Not as bad as Spring though." The Spring usually meant you had to deal with livestock giving birth. Sure there was the occasional birth in Summer, but most took place in the earlier season. Colette never really got to go out during the Spring. Her only hope of social contact was if someone decided to visit her. The rancher looked back to Marle and shrugged, "I figured you'd be busy. Working at the bar has to be pretty steady, huh?" It wasn't like the seasons dictated her work. Then again, she only knew how to consume alcohol, not how to serve it.

After demonstrating her dog's lack of cooperation Marle made another optimistic suggestion. She certainly knew how to bring Colette's hopes up and Goldie certainly knew how to bring them crashing back down. "I'll give it a shot, next time." She nodded, far too lazy to get the ball now. As the topic switched up Marle went from reassuring to motherly. Colette looked up to her and smiled sheepishly, at first completely unsure of what to say. It was high praise from someone she considered merely an acquaintance, and it almost had her cheeks flushing from the compliment. Of course, she was far too dull to suspect Marle was just trying to be nice. Instead of answering directly, the frenchwoman laughed as she went to her knees to give her dog a back scratch. "It's not so bad, I have Goldie here to help--"

As if on cue the dog took off. Making whatever comment she was ABOUT to say a lie.

At first Colette was stunned, watching her disloyal dog's tail bound off into the distance. She slowly looked over to Marle, smiled, then sprinted after him.

"GOOOOLDIIIIIIEEEEE!!"

"People like their alcohol, that never changes." Marle replied to Colette with a smile. Honestly, her business wasn't very predictable. The weather usually had no effect on her clientele and there was really no one time of the day that was super busy. Sure, the evenings were usually busier when everyone was done with their work day but sometimes the afternoons were surprisingly hectic or a random evening was more dead than a doornail. Still, she loved her job and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Even if the population on this island was miniscule it made the job better. There were those clients she knew their favorites drinks and the patrons she knew when to start serving juice or watered down drinks. it was a comfort to know it was all hers and that she had built it from the ground up essentially.

Marle almost thought Goldie would calm down and maybe listen to his owner, when he suddenly took off into the woods. The woman waited a beat before running after Goldie and Colette and also yelling out for the dog. "GOLDIE!" she waited a few more moments before adding, "Goddess, that dog is fast!"

She heard Marle call out her dog's name as well and join in the pursuit. Colette had to say it was a relief, it would be easier to catch the dog with two people as opposed to one. Goldie had a way of making you think you had caught up to him, before darting out of the way at the last possible moment. It was a tiresome game that he seemed to live for. Colette hadn't ran this much since she was a child, but Goldie didn't seem to appreciate that. Her legs felt like noodles from her romp with him earlier, so it was more than likely an easy task for the bartender to catch up with her tired companion. The hot sun gave her no relief and her rib cage felt constricted: making it impossible to take deep breaths like she wanted. She was running out of steam, and Goldie was just getting started.

"Here!" Colette called out to Marle, holding Goldie's leash in her hand. She usually only used it when walking him to the park and back since he hated it so, but it looked as though she had decided now was a good time to use it. "I'll grab him, you leash him!" She panted, hoping she'd actually be able to hold up her end of the plan. The cramp that was growing in her side reminded her she didn't have much time. With her second wind Colette pushed herself ahead, recklessly sprinting past trees, often nearly colliding with some that were directly in her path. Her dog was just ahead, it's speed constant when he realized his owner was on his toes. With her last bit of strength Colette lunged for her dog, and prayed she caught him. If she didn't, she'd forfeit. He'd win, and could damn well have his freedom.

Thankfully Marle had already been running before this sudden sprint occurred so at least this wasn't a surprise to her muscles and lungs. She got into a steady rhythm between her breathing and the pounding of her feet on the grass, keeping her eyes trained on the dog ahead of them. She looked over at Colette in surprise when she found the leash thrust towards her, but she grabbed it and understood once Colette explained the plan she had it mind. At least it was better than trying to corner to fast moving dog, they would have probably both ended up face first on the ground if that had happened.

Marle watched as the woman beside her pushed herself into a final sprint hoping to catch the dog. She stayed her steady course waiting to see it Colette would be able to tackle the rascal or if she would be making the final sprint. As the woman lunged for him, Marle veered around so that was opposite him and collapsed on the ground as she clipped the leash onto his collar. Her labored breathing was obvious as she lay there keeping a tight hold on the leash. "Well," she said after a few moments, "at least you know he'll sleep good tonight."

Colette's knees skidded against the dirt before the woman ultimately fell on her side. The pain was worth it though when she felt the furry little creature in her grasp. Marle, who was right on her toes, managed to execute the rest of the plan perfectly. She swung around to Colette's side and quickly clipped the leash to Goldie's collar. That was it. The beast was contained. Seeing how Marle seemed to have a good grip on her leash, the rancher released the puppy and rolled over on her back. She gasped for breath, but in all other aspects seemed perfectly content. "So will I." She let off a goofy smile before adding a quick, "Thanks," before gasping for more oxygen. Colette was strong, but she wasn't used to running. It wasn't her thing.

"Hope I didn't uh. Distract you from anything important." She finally said once she began to relax. From the looks of her attire it didn't look like it, but Colette didn't bother to deduce that. Sitting up she patted the head of her now panting dog, before looking back to Marle. "Probably should take this guy home before he causes more trouble." She grinned while grabbing hold of the leash. The woman made it to her feet, ignoring her skinned knees while patting the dirt off her clothes. She held out her free hand to help the bartender up. "Well, I'll be at the bar tonight after this. Count on it." She let out a heavy sigh as her dog seemed finally put out. It was time to take him home while she still had the chance. Waving to Marle she tugged on the leash lightly until Goldie finally realized that was his cue to move. "I'll see you there, right?" She began walking off before something caught her eye. She wandered over to it, and then picked up her dog's ball. Colette began tossing it up in the air as she merrily made her way back to the ranch, Goldie sluggishly following behind.

(I figured this was a good place to wrap it up! Love to RP with you again sooon~<3 PM me or message me or whatever. XD )