Just another day in paridise

[Bleed]

It was another cool morning in the city, the humans vehicles moving up and down the streets in controlled chaos. The fowl birds circled above attempting to get whatever warmth the sunlight provided. The constant noise of the bustling community could could drive even the most stoic of creatures to madness. The blaring of a car horn, the wail of an alarm, the angry protests and shouts of the humans. . .
One such shout, heard only by those who were keen enough to listen and coming from one of the more 'drab' parts of town was directed at a solitary figure.

Bleed shook his head softly as he was rudely awoken from his 'peaceful' rest. Apparently the portly owner of the business seemed to find his presence a nuisance.
"Get outta there you mongrel!" The shout wasn't exactly what made our King shepherd leave, it was the large array of projectiles being lodged at him. As one such weapon; An old shoe, collected Bleed along the back he began a trot away from the alley. People were so un-accomidating. Once out of sight he slowed his trot, his tail flicking softly behind him as he walked into the sunlight.
Blinking back tears his maw opened into a slow yawn. It was a bit of an early start for bleed, being more of a nocturnal creature, These midday starts were disrupting. Lowering his front he made a quick stretch before he began to wander the streets. Following the path the humans used. Granted it wasnt smart for a creature of his size to be out and about, he'd seen more than a few of his companions swept away by those he called 'the takers'.
To him it seemed along with the takers, and the winter, fewer and fewer of his. . .what would he call them, friends? Acquintences? Companions? Whatever they were, it seemed they were less and less.
Bleed was by no accounts a well learned individual, he got by on instinct and size. Of course he knew enough to understand things, but he was never 'educated' regardless he had the uncanny nak for knowing when things seemed to change. This being but his second winter, he chalked it up to the cold that those he knew were no around. Maybe they'll return come summer?
Without thought he'd managed to walk his way across several blocks to the small park that seemed to be a collective spot for those of his kind to collect. Even on occaison those dapht humans would feed you, Saved rummaging through the bins.
As he arrived, the park, as the humans called it, was deserted, save for a few corvids. Making his way toward a small bundle of shrubbery that allowed just enough light about to ensure warmth, he decided he'd catch up on that sleep he'd been denied.
Lowering his large frame to the earthen compact he gave a quick glance to the pale sky, his golden eyes squinting against the suns glare as things were quiet, Or as quiet as a city allows.
Regardless of his lack of intellegence, even he knew something big was coming. That instinct. . .Without much thought on the matter he shifted about, lowering his head to his paws and drifted back to a very light slumber. waiting on perhaps another of his kind to turn up.

[Frostbite]

Today was a nice, peaceful day. It was absolutely perfect for the young malamute wandering about the busy streets of Invercargill. The youngster decided to interact with the humans. She didn't have anything against them after all. She would approach some food venders on the sidewalks, wag her tail and 'howl' at the them, and she was offered a smile and some food. It was definitely an easy life. The bitch was quite popular on this side of the street. The humans who made their way to work through the plaza knew her well. Sometimes, she'd be sitting outside of an office building, and some formal-dressed employees would feed her some of their lunch or bring dog treats from their own homes. Life couldn't be any better!

Late into the morning commute, the malamute casually strolled down the sidewalk, despite some of the surprised looks by humans who were new to the area. She didn't know any better as it was. No one ever complained about the stray dog. Of course, there were always the ones that were disregarded and kicked out of any old alleyway by many cat-lovers. This seemed to be very much the case for today. A terrible racket of thrown objects and shouts erupted from an alleyway still considerably a ways ahead. The bitch's ears perked at the sight of a mutt trotted his path out of the dark corner of the plaza and walked along the sidewalk just she had been doing. Huh. Interesting. The malamute's natural curiosity got the best of her and she happily followed the mutt at a distance to see where he went.

Much time seemed to pass as the spitz crossed the city blocks and workers with such confidence. The continuous bustle and commotion of the city was so soothing to the street stray's ears. Nonetheless, she was probably a poor excuse for a street dog, having never seen the consequences of 'the takers' or whatnot. Then again, she hadn't had canine companions. She only had the humans. Maybe today that would change. The optimistic female followed this mysterious dog into the common park, stopping and watching him find cover beneath bushes and shrubery. A sly smirk snaked along her maw as she slowly scaled down the slope of the park and zigzagged along the mutt's path.

Finally she was able to catch the scent of this interesting stranger. Male. Now that was obvious because of his enticing scent, at least with every right-minded female. She liked his scent. It was very comforting. Stray. The smell of dirt and sludge was rather apparent. She grinned, chuckling to herself as she thought, Someone would need some nice tidying up! She was a cleanliness freak. It helped her get her the food that was so generously given toward her.

The she-mal (LOL) slowed her pace as she neared the bushes, crouching down and crawling forward, pushing her face beneath the bushes to see if she could even make it to be face-to-face with him. Probably not the best move to make since both she and he were strays and had to somehow struggle to survive, she was a female. Who wouldn't love her? A flirtacious smile brightened up her face as she watched the male, speaking softly as to not give him a heart attack, but just a little jump. "Hey there, monsieur. Mind if I join you?" She would offer a quick wink, settling herself into a lay with her head rested on the fresh topsoil.

[Bleed]

He barely had time to relax before the subtle sounds of another approach caused a stir in his mind. A slight flicker of the ears was the only obvious movement as he assumed it was just some human passing by. he'd manage his best to ignore the sound as he tried to catch the remainder of his missed sleep. That was until he drew in a lungful of air, His eyes snapped opened and he found himself staring at another Canine just as she spoke. The cowardice in him came to the fore as the shock let out a soft yelp and he managed to jump up and back at the same time. Bleed sat there blinking, trying to process her words, shaking his head, trying to get his bearings he managed to utter some profanity before a rather gruff town followed. "Doesnt look like im about to stop you, does it."

Taking a quick glance around he'd quickly overcome his shock. Females. Regaining his composure he'd let out a soft huff. "Mind, I wont tell you to scurry off." A coy grin etched over his features as his eyes gave a quickly appraising look over the fatale.
Becomingly suddenly aware of her rather well groomed features he frowned, The stray had neglected self hygiene for a long while most recently. His fur, whilst relatively clean was still holding some debris. Raising to all fours he gave a quick shake, trying to rid himself of any small leaves deciding to hitch a ride.
Returning his attention to the female he tilted his head slightly, blinking a few times. "Who are you? I don't think i've seen you 'round here before." The smirk returned as he added "And I'm fairly certain i'd remember if I had." Strut.

He remained standing, Aggressive pose perhaps, but for him it was simply easier to start bolting if needed whilst he was standing.

[Frostbite]

The startled reaction of the King Shepherd amused the malamute, her tail wagging at the sight. This guy's funny. Yet, his response was rather pleasurable. "Doesn't look like I'm about to stop you, does it." She loved the reaction; that usually meant she overall welcomed. Oh boy did she love her feminine charm. She never let that go. "Mind, I wont tell you to scurry off." A smirk plastered itself on the female's muzzle, then scrambled into the small shelter, seating herself nice and pretty.

"I'm glad," she responded with careful enthusiasm. "Couldn't imagine being shoved away." She took her time to examine the natural shelter, wrapping her plush tail about her thighs before returning to the male. She was pretty poor at sweet-talk. Perhaps the consistent interaction with humans, just involving a quick bark to get what she wanted was all she needed. Not dogs. It was a little different. Just a little bit.

"Who are you? I don't think i've seen you 'round here before. And I'm fairly certain i'd remember if I had."

Too easily flattered. She smirked at the male's inquiry, spiced with smooth talk. She liked him. The malamute regained her small composure, advancing around behind the male and coming up along to his side, inhaling his sweet scent. She liked his scent too. Delicious. "I'm Frostbite. To think, I've never seen you about before either, handsome. Where've you been hiding?" The malamute grinned innocently, making her way below his chin with her tail meaning to softly run against his jawline. Seducing much?

[Bleed]

An ever so gentle nip was directed toward her retreating tail as she attempted to buffet his chin. Her scent swirled about with an agreeable sense of pleasure in our beau's mind. The attentions of a young fatale were always welcomed. Retreating to a seated pose, his large tail came to rest alongside his body, the tip giving an occaisonal flicker. Musing over her words as he watched carefully. "I'm Frostbite. To think, I've never seen you about before either, handsome. Where've you been hiding?"
A slight stab of suspicion struck as he looked at this creature before him. Pushing such trivial thoughts aside he played back with her soft flirtation.
"Me? Oh here and there, mostly there, depends who tries to chase me off from where."
A coy grin spread across his features as he continued. "Of course one so well looked after, such as yourself, wouldnt know about that displeasure, would she?" The comment was almost aggressive, but held in check.

It was a forgone fact, those that were well fed, well groomed, and not well equipped to deal with the more volatile of the strays, were usually pets. Shaking his head slightly he'd keep his eyes on her. He wasnt particully fond of the idea to chase her off, it was cool, and the nights were down right freezing, Besides company is company and Females are better. Drifting into momentary thought that sly grin returned.

[Frostbite]

"Me? Oh here and there, mostly there, depends who tries to chase me off from where. Of course one so well looked after, such as yourself, wouldnt know about that displeasure, would she?"

"Er..." Frostbite stalled, pushing herself away a slight distance, uncomfortable with the apparent tone displeasure. It was rather true. She hadn't lived such a hardship life as other strays. She was well-looked after, of course, by the city's workers. It was just a simple matter of choosing a good spot to survive. She hadn't a problem with anyone for months, perhaps besides a soft tittering for her company. Never had she experienced such a nomadic way of life, living off the streets rather than the generous venders of the city.

The warmth of the sun-beamed shelter seemed to have been sucked dry, leaving this cold feeling of anxiety shaken up in the malamute's spine. She had no way to actually respond to that but with silence, tucking her plush tail between her legs before seating herself in a rather recessive manner. Nonetheless, she tried to bright up the moment with a soft, nervous chuckle. "Well, I guess not. Someone like me probably wouldn't last too long out on her own in the streets of Invercargill." Oh god. That was bad. The forced smile was wiped from her muzzle as she watched the real stray, having not yet fully accustomed to even being in another dog's presence. She was too human-dependent.

The malamute lowered her head slightly, her icy eyes still yet focused on the dog. She hadn't caught a name from him. It was probably intentional, but would it hurt to ask? "Sorry, sir, but... I don't believe I caught your name, if you'd be willing to tell it to me, that is," she spoke softly, barely under her breath.

[Bleed]

Bleed remained as he was, his smirk fading as she began to speak once more. A brow arched as she muttered her excuses.
"Well, I guess not. Someone like me probably wouldn't last too long out on her own in the streets of Invercargill."
you've got that right. Holding his gaze on her, he couldnt help but notice her discomfort, something about that seemed to please Bleed, Dominance perhaps? Who knew.
"Sorry, sir, but... I don't believe I caught your name, if you'd be willing to tell it to me, that is,"
Raising onto all fours he took a few short steps toward the Fatale. He pushed his bulk against her slightly as he passed, Moving around her slowly until he was on her left side facing the same way she was. "Me? I'm called Bleed. Never mind asking why I was called such, suffice to say my mother called me it, and thats all I remember."
His eyes once more looked toward Frost, wondering slightly to himself. His woolen tail flicked a few times as he mused to himself.
Suddenly he rose and all but tried to walk through Frost, He was bigger, but not much, as such he just 'grinded' against her currently exposed chest as he made to walk off, his tail playing along her muzzle much the same she did to him, all the while speaking rather fluidly. "Well, seen as I'm not going to get rest in this damned city I might as well find food." Turning back to her for a moment a soft wink was offered. Asking her to follow on perhaps?

He didnt expect her to follow him, unless she was either dumber than he thought, Or entirely oblivious to the darker side of creatures. But then again he never indicated he'd harm her. Who knew. Certainly he didnt. Silently he hoped she would. She obviously knew how to get food quite easily around here.

[Frostbite]

Frostbite tensed, her head lowered and eyes widened maybe in slight fright as the intimidating stray. She was not as dominant as she sometimes acted as, especially when intimidated by one who actually knew the streets more than she did (in which case usually seems to happen). She wasn't going to attempt to act dominant for now, especially with this male looming over her like a hawk. Awkward... He pushed himself against her briefly as he rounded her, her ears remaining locked on his moving form, and fixing on him beside her.

"Me? I'm called Bleed. Never mind asking why I was called such, suffice to say my mother called me it, and thats all I remember."

"Bleed," she repeated beneath her breath. Now that is definitely not a more dangerous name. She sighed inwardly to calm her nerves. She wasn't as confident anymore, though she wished she was. However, her confidence usually came with cheer and joy, and Bleed obviously did not seem to like that type of concept. She pursed her lips, easing herself from the urge to speak. Calm. Calm. Don't worry about it. If she let it get to the best of her, she probably wouldn't see another day. Maybe I'm just overreacting...

Bleed stood again, grinding against her own small body and making off with a conclusion of a caress on her muzzle with his tail. She backed up suddenly as she watched Bleed head out of the sheltering shrub, saying so in his gruff voice, "Well, seen as I'm not going to get rest in this damned city I might as well find food." Frostbite's round ears perked as he offered a quick wink to her. How cute! Oh, now here's my chance! She didn't want to see this scrawny male get any scrawnier.

She bounded enthuasiastically toward him, her tail curled and bobbing above her like it was on a spring. She lagged her pace and lowered her head slightly in slight submission, offering in a cool, innocent voice, "If you want, Bleed, I can help you get some food. The venders are usually eager to share food. I'm certain I can help get you some." Maybe she was being oblivious to any dark intentions Bleed may have held, though maybe she just wanted some adventure. After meeting a real street dog, she wanted to learn the way of survival of the fittest.

The malamute crawled from the bush, regaining her composure but she was quickly distracted by the passing breeze, headed right for the Alps. Her eyes followed the gust, eyeing the Alps almost in suspicion. She always wanted to go there, see real snow, new and old, not the disappointing frost coastal cities received. Yet something was different. Had she known Bleed felt the same thing that morning, she'd be more concerned, but she shrugged it off for now, rather having that haunt her tonight than now. She was to help, whether King Shepherd liked it or not.

[Bleed]

"If you want, Bleed, I can help you get some food. The venders are usually eager to share food. I'm certain I can help get you some."

Bleed just shook his head slightly as he once more headed across the small park, His large paws crushing the grass below. Venders? His own experience with most of the humans who had food about, they weren't exactly friendly about him taking it. . .Why would they treat her any better? He took another quick look over his shoulder at her, Again he pondered at her lifestyle, she seemed to well looked after to be a stray. But then again those Wolves managed to stay pretty well looked after for vagrants. Pushing away the thoughts he decided no harm could come from her showing him how she got the food. He didn't even look toward her, golden eyes watching intently the busy street ahead, "Well Frost, let us see how you get fed on the streets, hmm?"

Why not? I might learn a trick or two here. Or at the very least ill see her make a complete ass of herself. A rather beatific smile spread across his maw for a moment as he mused over the more amusing side of this situation. Vanishing as quick as it came his expression was once more serious as ears perked, whiskers moved slightly as he ventured a side-long glance toward the distant peaks. The slow zephyr seemed to bring with it that slight feeling of fore-baying. For Bleed there were times when that feeling would have made him investigate, but now wasn't one of them, hell, he had a rather attractive tagger-on and more importantly; he was hungry. Putting aside any remaining thought on the feeling he spoke once more, "So in my experience these humans don't seem to like releasing their food, so how is it you think they offer so much? Maybe one of them owns you?"

It was spoken with an almost venemous tone. Not that he held much against the 'pets' he just felt it was mocking for one to offer him help. Of course were this the case Frost would be in for an almost surely painful Shock.

[Frostbite]

Frostbite bounded enthusiastically after Bleed, assuming he'd accept her proposition. It didn't take too much to lull the humans in being generous and giving her a little food. Hey, it was the only thing they could do for her that would be unhuman-like. She'd seen enough of those humans' pets kicked out of the door for defecating on the carpet of a crappy-enough apartment. Psh. Her ears perked toward the male's delayed response, nodding her head in a determined I'll show you! fashion.

"Well Frost, let us see how you get fed on the streets, hmm?"

The malamute wagged her tail with glee as she thought of the possible outcomes of this day's trip. She wanted to get on this guy's good side. She'd hate to see him in a bad mood. The cool breeze whisked past her, stirring up her thickened coat. She brushed the breeze aside, shaking her head in annoyance before her ears perked again at the sound of the male's voice, tinged with disgrace.

"So in my experience these humans don't seem to like releasing their food, so how is it you think they offer so much? Maybe one of them owns you?"

Frost rose her brow, almost offended by the comment. She laughed a snicker from her throat, shaking her head in almost sheer amusement. Is that why he's acting like this toward me? Geez... "'Owns' me? Yeah right! As if I could live cooped up in a house all day. You know what, Bleed, the key trick to getting food around here isn't by stealing it. You'd only anger them. It's better to beg and beg until you get what you came for." She paused briefly, taking a breath before jerking her head forward again, saying in a cool tone, "It's like another dog. You wouldn't want to steal his meal, would you?" She smirked, prancing forward at a faster pace to crawl ahead of the stray, acting innocent with her response. What a smartass.

[Bleed]

[FONT=Times]

"'Owns' me? Yeah right! As if I could live cooped up in a house all day. You know what, Bleed, the key trick to getting food around here isn't by stealing it. You'd only anger them. It's better to beg and beg until you get what you came for."


Bleed almost froze, her words seemed to burn almost as much as an insult, Beg for food? What the hell does she think I am, an inbred mutt with no ability to fend for myself? A minute growl seemed to escape just as she passed by, as much at her self indulging 'wisdom' as for the suggestion that he beg for food. Biting back it sounded nothing more then a slight groan. Bleed wasn't one to hold his tongue, save for when it was beneficial to his health, and food was beneficial for health. Besides she had a decent point, being cunning was far easier then out and out brute strength.

"It's like another dog. You wouldn't want to steal his meal, would you?"

Shaking his head slowly as she moved ahead of him, his golden eyes watched quietly as he spoke, "I guess not. . .But begging? You mean we ask them for food?" Never had he been able to deal with humility well, a fact brought down by others general mockery of the small mistakes everyone made. Hell, even he mocked others at those times, And begging seemed more of a pet thing really.
"It just seems like such a pet thing. . . You sure you're not owned by someone? Maybe I should just call you pet. You obviously know their tricks" His tone was nothing but serious, save the slight snicker at the end of his speech. His pace increased as he caught up to her, trotting along with her, an almost playful smirk on his features, his tail beginning a soft to 'n fro motion.
A well fed, well kept, smart-ass stray. Shrugging inwardly he pondered this creature who seemed so far to force her company open him, He obviously wasnt bothered in the least. Especially if she could score him a decent meal. Even if it was a very 'petlike' way to go about it.

"Pets" he muttered quietly

[Frostbite]

"I guess not. . .But begging? You mean we ask them for food? It just seems like such a pet thing. . . You sure you're not owned by someone? Maybe I should just call you pet. You obviously know their tricks."

Frostbite twitched her ears at the sound of Bleed's comments, her head inclined slightly to give him a slight glare. Supposedly he doesn't know anything or is too wrapped up in his own pride. The malamute rolled her ears, continuing to trot through the thinning grass of the park, nearing the city and its heavier dosage of smog and gas. Her hazel eyes glanced back up toward the azul sky, scanning the clouds almost in a searching fashion. It was a brief moment before the malamute withdrew her gaze from sky-gazing and began, again, her commentary for this ignorant dog.

"If you want to go, that's fine with him. Let me tell you though, if you've died due to starvation because you're too proud to ask the humans for food, you're still going to be humiliated, no matter how proud you were during your own pitiful life as a 'strong' stray." She quickly shut her mouth, somewhat expecting a negative response by the male before finally just leaving. Unless he actually has some common sense to listen to me. I didn't copy pets for nothing but to humiliate myself, because it seems to work, don't it?

She, however, was going to continue talking, to explain, even if the King Shepherd decided to wander off. She wasn't going to acknowledge the fact if he did or not. "See, it may be 'petlike,' but it works. Even on the hardest days, if the humans know you well, they'll give you food. This is not a pride thing, but a survival instinct, and we're all looking for easier ways to survive. I'd rather humiliate myself than starve and die because then it wouldn't matter. We ask them because they've got the food and they could easily take away, especially if they view you as a threat." She paused briefly as the city's skyscrapers began to grow bigger, along with the noise of the everyday traffic. "Humans are very cautious creatures and believe they must keep everything in their own hands. However, if we trick them enough, they'd be willing to give food away like shit." She liked her comparison, smirking at the sound of it.