They Will Find You.

[jake]

I'll wait here
You're crazy
Those vicious streets are filled with strays
You should've never gone to Hollywood[/b]

Jake auds perked slightly as he heard the song filter out of a vehicle that rolled past, music blaring. Even though he was dog, he understood the words.

Stray? Is that what I am now? Jake growled as he jumped out of the way of a person sitting on the sidewalk that had reached out to touch him.

No. I am not. I still have my collar. But I have strayed from home. I just... I can't go back there. Jake thought, his head low.

He had pondered it for many nights, roaming back home. He knew he could find it, but it would take time. Besides, he didn't want to go back. It wouldn't be the same without her.

He had talked with a passerby, one of the dogs that lived in the town. And he said there was a gang around town that would probably let him in.

A gang. Of ruthless street dogs. Yea. They will have no room for a broken chap like me. Jake thought. But still, to him, it was worth a try. He had given up trying to die- it wouldn't happen.

Maybe they will kill me? Jake almost laughed. No. Most likely not. Ruthless as they are, they won't kill another unless provoked.

Jake sighed and continued his way down the sidewalk, black and white peltage making passerbys stop and stare. Some stopped and tried to catch Jake, but he just jumped out of their way with a sharp growl.

No. I will not be with humans again. It's not the same. So I will join this gang of street dogs.

Jake stopped and sighed. What should he do? Wait for one to greet him? Or should he try and find them?

Jake decided to sit there on the walk and wait.

[.::Tyrant::.]

The Top Dog of the gang which the passerby had told Jake about was now strolling down the pavement, head held high, whip like tail swaying. The last gang meeting had put him into an even better mood than usual, and his dark muzzle was twisted into a warm smile.

The streets were all but deserted, and the few haggard men and women who were still out stayed well clear of the large rhodesian ridgeback - they had no way of knowing that he was a kind dog. All they saw was big muscles and powerful jaws.

So Tyrant was not disturbed as he padded down the broadway, passing run down pubs and grotty adult movie stores. His dark eyes were constantly searching, for he was searching. Scouting for loners that might be interested in joining his gang.

The broadway curved round to the left slightly and, as Tyrant followed this bend, his occuli fell upon a dalmation sitting further up the pavement on the same side of the road as he. His smile broadened and his tail increased his speed and he paced up to Jake.

"Greetings," Tyrant boomed, kind eyes sweeping quickly over the dalmation's face and softening as he saw grief there. "I'm Tyrant Mozae, Top Dog in a nearby gang. If you are a loner and not already part of a gang-" It was obvious to Tyrant that Jake was not a gang dog, but he did not say so. He did not want to offend the dog in any way. "-then I would like to extend to you an invitation to join mine."

He dipped his head formally, never forgetting his manners, then stood, waiting for Jake's reply.

[Valentina]

The femme loped smoothly down the sidewalk, her strawberry fur ablaze in the light. She weaved easily between people, who couldn't help but stop and stare at the dog who so boldly walked right down the center of the sidewalk...and then their eyes would linger upon realizing that the way she moved was not the flouncy trot of a dog; the animal was an ice-eyed half-wolf.

What was odder still, was that the scarlet femme appeared to be following not far behind a massive, chesnut-pelted dog whom the crowd parted for. She was following in his wake.

Valentina fell a few steps behind her mate as she heard a rustle to her left. She didn't turn to look, but kept her eyes locked on Tyrant for fear of losing sight of him, but her velvet ears pin-pointed the sound, and a smile dawned her wolfish maw as she realized that the sound of fur brushing against a plastic garbage can had been her brother. She flicked her gaze at him, and let out a quiet laugh by way of greeting the wolf. Sure enough, there he was, right next to her. She couldn't even hear his footsteps, save for the light click of his talons now and again, and his uneven breathing. The wolf looked very out of place, a massive, lithe, wild animal among the domestic city.

Valentina returned her eyes to the ridgeback ahead of her, and said quietly, "What are you up to?" Laion looked pained, as usual. And as usual, he was letting something get to him. Somehow he even managed to fidget while he was walking, and what was equally amazing was that this didn't take away from the sheer fluidity of his movements at all.

He abrubtly cocked his head harshly to the side, rubbing his inky ear against his shoulder, almost lost his step and tripped over his own massive paw, but recovered in one steely, graceful manuever. His sister laughed quietly at him. "Got nothin' else to do..." he muttered barely audible. His crazed blue eyes were every where at once. He wasn't a nervous individual, really...he was just a bit paranoid and over-alert.

Valentina could tell there was something else irking him however, by the way he frequently whipped his tail, and she waited for him to continue. "I miss home," he said at last, and Valentina's heart fell. She knew exactly what he was talking about; their old pack, in the widerness. She herself hadn't had as much of an attatchment as Laion had, but she still felt his pain, and above all else felt incredibly sorry for him. She had no idea of the trials he'd undergone arfter watching his entire world be shot down one by one, before his very eyes.

Her eyes fell from Tyrant to the cement concrete path beneath them, although she took in nothing. "Laion, I-" but then she heard a rattle like cans clinking together and she saw Laion already fifteen feet away, padding silently down a side alley. She stopped and looked after him frowning, and as Laion began to climb a wrought iron fire escape up the brick wall, she heard her mate's boming voice ahead of her. She took one last look at her sulking brother then padded after Tyrant, shaking her head and hoping the wolf would be okay.

Her icy eyes settled on a dalmation before Tyrant, and she wiped her 'petty' emotions off her face, to be replaced with a sly smile. Tyrant had already spoken the needed words, so she settled for brushing lightly against her mate's shoulder and offering the new dog a bow, but remained silent. A peculiar shadow caught her attention in the snowy white street and she looked up to see what was causing it. Laion was standing on the edge of the building above them, head hung low as he peered at them. Against the brightly lit sky she could only make out his outline. She parted her black lips to call to him, but even as she did this he spun on his heel and disappeared under the horizon the building made against the sky.

Valentina closed her maw and looked back to the two males before her, but found she couldn't keep the weariness out of her eyes no matter how hard she tried.

[jake]

(ooc- I love my siggy... -huggles siggy-)

bic

Jake shivered slightly as he sat there, waiting... Waiting.

He sighed and hung his head slightly, trying to keep his mind off of his battered frame. The scabs from the broken glass were finally beginning to heal properly and they itched. Jake sighed, mentally scolding himself not to itch, no matter how bad it was.

The sooner they heal, the sooner the itching stops. The black and white brute told himself.

But thankfully, a sharp scent of another presence reached his sensitive nares. He rose his tapered muzzle and noticed not only was there a dog coming towards him, but it was a street dog, the Top Dog.

Jake dipped his speckled muzzle in greeting and listened intently. During the formal speech, Jake noticed yet another gang member coming towards them- a weary husky that in the way she carried herself, was another type of "Top Dog".

Jake's eyes flittered around his surroundings.. So, this is how it's going to be? This is going to be my new life?

Jake got to his feet and bowed akwardly to Tyrant. "My lord, I have traveled a long way and I am weary, both mentally and physically. I would be honored to call your gang home." Jake said, trying to get the raspiness out of his voice for it had not been used in a long time. He coughed slightly and awaited the Top Dog's reply.

[.::Tyrant::.]

As the rhodesian ridgeback waited for Jake to reply, his mahogany eyes absorbed the dalmation's appearance. Tyrant observed that the dog had obviously had a rough time of it recently, for scrathes were scattered here and there on his body. But he looked as if he would be a healthy addition to the gang once he was healed up.

Jake's reply came, and Tyrant's smile broadened. He dipped his head, tail swaying.

"Welcome, then. I'm glad to have you," Tyrant boomed, his voice warm. He turned his head to Valentina and his grin shrunk, becoming an understanding smile. He had heard much of her conversation with Laion - being a dog and therefore having excellent hearing. He licked her muzzle gentley, then straightened up.

"This is Valentina, my mate and the Leuitenant of the gang," He explained. "What is your name?"

Tyrant didn't wait for a reply - he had to say something else to say, concerning Jake's exhaustion. He decided the dalmation could tell him his name after he had spoken again, on their way back to the Hollow.

"If you would like to accompany me and Valentina back to the gangs base - you can rest there, maybe eat a little."

With that said, Tyrant nodded once more to Jake, then turned and began to pad back in the direction he had come.

[jake]

Jake's thin, whiplike tail wagged once weakly as he was accepted. A new home. New, literally. His gaze once again turned to the streets, surveying his new home. He sighed softly, trying to imagine himself running within a gang of street-smart dogs, him in the middle, his black and white peltage sticking out like a sore thumb amongst colours of tan, black, and brown...

But his attention was snapped back when Tyrant introduced his mate and asked him his name, but before his strong jaws opened to reply, the brute cut him off and told him to follow.

His jaws shut with an audible, metallic click as his teeth snapped together. He nodded in greeting to Valentina, then trotted after Tyrant, head low.

"Sir, My name is Jake." Jake said to the Top Dog, catching up to him and trotting effortlessly by his side, his gait smooth and supple showing no signs of the weariness within.

[~ T r i s s c a r ~]

OOC: Are they still there, or did they leave yet?

[.::Tyrant::.]

ooc: They left... XP Sorry. They're going to the Hollow, so, if ya want, some of your charries can meet them there.