I have some news! - Continued from 'So this is it'

[| Amaya |]

Leon walked slowly just to make sure that Ravage was close behind. He finally stood at the middle and looked back for her. He sat down and took another look around for Tyrant. He just felt so happy at that moment. His tail wagged happily as he sat there. "Lord Tyrant?" He called hoping to see him.

[.::Tyrant::.]

Tyrant's dark eyes were still focused on Reverie's face, his tail drooping. He didn't hear Leon enter, and at first the male's words flew ight over his head. For a moment, he remained frozen as if nothing could happen, then, suddenly, he gave a start and grunted, gaze sharpening, tail shooting into the air.

Slowly, he turned his head to face Leon and tilted it to the side. "Yes, Leon? How can I help?" He said kindly, although his voice wasn't as warm as usual, and his eyes didn't have the same sort of playful twinkle.

[| Amaya |]

Leon stopped and seemed to completely forget what he was going to say as he looked past Tyrant and at Reverie. "What happened to her?" His voice was slow and sounded worried for a dog he barley knew. She looked badly hurt and that's what got to him. The black sheepdog now stood in front of Reverie and was slowly looking at her. He could do nothing seeing as he knew absolutely nothing about healing.

[.::Tyrant::.]

Tyrant's hackles suddnely stood on end, his head whipping round to face Leon. He hadn't realise dtha the brute had arrived, and seeing him for the first time by his side had mad ethe Top Dog jump. Forcing an unconvincing smile upon his maw, he listened half-heartedly to Leon's words.

"I don't know." He replied truthfully, his voice barely more than a whisper as he turned his gaze back to his unmoving friend.

Where /is/ Amos? He thought, watching Reverie's sides heave, painfully slowly. He found himself thinking after every breath that she may not breathe again, and his brow creased in desperate worry, his claws digging into the earth.

"Leon!" He suddenly bark, his head once again whipping about to stare at the dark dog beside him. "We need someone with healing skills, now! Help me howl! This is a desperate!"

And without further ado, he threw his head back for the second time and released another howl, this one carrying a very clear message:

Anyone with healing skills report to the Hollow. URGENT!

[Valentina]

She paused at the piercing howl reverberating across the Lord's Lands, and a shiver racked her scarlet and cream body. She cast her ice blue eyes over the bush that concealed the entrance to the Hollow, and hung her head low, velveteen ears drooping, and padded somberly toward the entrance, plume sweeping the ground behind her. She knew what was going on---it was her fault, after all. She'd thought about leaving this place before she hurt anyone else, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. At least not yet. She had to find out what happened to her fallen friend, or it would haunt her for the rest of her days the question of Reverie's life.

Her movements were still stiff and she still felt incredibly winded from the smoke, but the majority of the bleeding from her shoulder had stopped and the sharp ache throughout her entire body had subsided to a dull, pulsing throb. She slinked down the passageway and another dog she'd never met was standing next to Tyrant. She took him in but basically disregarded him. She just didn't have it in her. Her eyes lacked the fiery passion and mischief they usually held, and she just wanted to find out what happened to Reverie before...before she made her next decision.

She watched Tyrant painfully as she approached, then saw the new dog's questioning gaze lying upon Reverie. She then cast her eyes upon the ground again and half-sat, half-fell back onto her haunches beside Tyrant. She wavered as though she might fall, but only for a second, and then she shook her head and did her best to sit upright. She wrapped her thick tail around her, which still smelled faintly of the smoke that clung strongly to Reverie's fur.

"She followed me," Valentina said again. "And there were boys...we chased them, and then the theater went up in flames." She closed her eyes and again the flames engulfed her. "It went so fast...we couldn't find a way out...we got caught in the fire, and now this is what happened..." she trailed off, not wanting to re-live it again. "I'm so sorry, Sir Tyrant..." she said again. She waited for him to turn on her, to avenge his fallen friend, and she sat stone still with her eyes closed tight.

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

((Um, can Triss be back-up shaman? ))

Dark brown - chilling but shy - orbs flashed from a corner of the hollow. The foxdog crept slowly into sight - she had been hiding the shadows, her black pelt blending in, her white-tipped tail and white dagger-marking on her chest betraying the fact that she existed.

"M'Lord," Trisscar whispered, setting down a white flower by his paws, "'Tis chamomile. It calms the heart, sir." Her voice was extremely soft, and her cinnamon eyes flashed with worry. "Eat it . . ." Her ears flattened against her head, as if she had said something to offend him.

(Charmomile~)

Next Triss gingerly turned and padded off. She came back with something green and slightly prickly in her jaws. "Aloe Vera," she yipped, crushing it in her jaws. She chewed, tongue sticking half-out in distaste. She began licking at Reverie's burnt skin. Finally she pulled back. "And . . . if she comes around . . . shake a few seeds from this, sir." She placed the head of a poppy flower by Tyrant's paws, pointed auds still back, her tail half-tucked between her legs. "Give them to her to chew. That should help numb the pain, but it will make her drowsy. Sir, it's probably best if she sleeps naturally for now."

(Aloe Vera~)
(Poppy Head~)

She looked at Valentina sympathetically but still warily, as if they would tear her apart if she didn't succeed in saving Reverie. "I-I could get something for y . . . the aching in your bones . . ." She dropped a daisy leaf at her paws. "Chew . . . apply . . . it should work. "

(Daisy Leaf~)

Without another word Triss backed into the shadows, shivering violently, watching Reverie's almost still form. She closed her brown eyes and breathed calmly, and it looked like a chamomile pedal was hanging out of her mouth.

[Valentina]

She whipped her head around as the black fox-dog padded from the shadows. Valentina hadn't known she was there. She smelled the new dog, but there were so many new scents in the Hollow that to her, the new smell had been lost. And besides, she was clearly not at the top of her game right now.

She twitched her black nose at her twice but her eyes held no rebellious qualities as they usually did when meeting new dogs. Besides, the fox-dog femme seemed almost scared witless. She would have wagged her tail in a mild greeting but she was too tired and it seemed to be made of stone, although she couldn't help but give a smile---this dog seemed to know a lot about medicine! She watched her offer Tyrant the plant-medications, and a little hope seeped into her, but she still stood up and a low growl escaped her throat in defense of her friend when the femme applied the aloe vera. She sat back down when the fox-dog backed off though, and wiped any hint of suspicion off her face.

Valentina was surprised when she offered her the daisy leaf and dropped it at her feet. She looked at it, then to the face of this newcomer, and took her in, giving her the up-down with her icy eyes just as she had with Reverie, though she still lacked her normal character. She looked quite timid, so Valentina decided she'd trust her, since no one in their right mind would invade the gang's personal resting spot and start dishing out the medications if they weren't going to help; such a fool would be killed in an instant. She smiled and dipped her head in a light bow.

"Thanks," she said, and picked up the leaf in her creamy maw, chewing it in the side of her mouth. She glanced at Reverie and her eyes instantly took on that reflective look of sorrow, but when she returned her gaze to the fox-dog, she had masked it to a mere form of weariness. "I appreciate it...but...who are you again?" She cocked her head to the side in a questioning manner, before she began licking her aching joints and bruises with the daisy leaf on her tongue.

[.::Tyrant::.]

Tyrant's head swung limply back into place, his howl fading around him. His eyes began to roam back to Reverie's body, already taking on a glassy sheen, when Valentina appeared beside him, a reflection of his own emotions.

He watched her, listening silently as she told him the story of the fire, of what had happened, of how Reverie had ended up like this. As she finished, a tiny smile streched his maw, and he stepped forward to lick her nose.

"Don't be sorry, Valentina." He said softly, trying to comfort himself as well as the femme before him. "I'm just glad you were with her. We still have hope...."

He turned again, bent down and licked Reverie's crown tenderly, as if by doing this he would bring her back. As he lifted his snout, dark eyes filled with emotion, a new scent hit his nostrils, and his muscles instantly stiffened, a low growl forming in his throat as he stepped defencively in front of Reverie.

However, as Triss slipped down the slope, like a silent shadow, and stood ebfore him, apologising and looking petrified, his anger and fear dissolved. Even to be replaced by joy and hope as she dropped a sprig of chamomile at his feet, advising him to eat it to soothe his heart.

It's.... it's a miracle! He thought, and a broad smile streched his maw as the young black femme set about seeing to Reverie's burns, if somewhat shakily. He watched, bemused, as she turned and vanished again into the foliage, and a frown creased his brow, his aws opening to call him back, hind legs tensing, ready to dash after her. But a soft noise held him back, and he whipped his head around to see Reverie's mouth slightly open, a series of tiny, wea coughs issuing from deep inside her throat.

"Reverie!" He shouted, ignoring the Cammomile and leaping forward. He crouched at his friend's side and gazed intently at her as one of her eyes cracked open, revaling a sliver of dull mahogany iris.

"T....t....ty......." Reverie trailed off with a soft gasp. "Fire..... f.... Val........."

"Hush." Tyrant whispered softly, nudging her maw gently closed. Her eye slid shut again, and she was silent, but Tyrant was filled with new hope.

"Hey.... hey, you!" He lifted his head, turned on a dime and sprinted in the direction Triss had left in, paws pounding the earth furiously. Suddenly, the Top Dog skidded to a halt as a dark shape suddenly appeared before him.

"Wha'...." He said, slightly bemused. I thought she'd gone..... His brow furrowed for a second, but he brushed the thought hurriedly away.

"You! Thank you!" He bwoed low to her, his nose scraping the floor.

"You must return! You've helped so much already but..... you must help more! It's vital! I think your the only one that can save her!" The large dog stared deep into Triss's eyes, gaze pleading.

"I think it's something to do with her lungs....." he began, his words tumbling out of his mouth in an extremely uncharacteristic rush. "She can't breath... or talk properly. And her voice is raspy. Have you got anything that can help?"


ooc: Hehe. Triss the super-dog! life saver!

[.::Tyrant::.]

ooc: Bleh. Typos..... can't be bothered to fix 'em..... I'm so lazy. =P

[| Amaya |]

Leon watched as the fox-dog came out of no where. He watched her as she treated the others. A light smile spread across his face as he watched her. He didn't miss the fact that she looked absolutely scared. He sat down with a sigh and looked back over to Reverie. He was happy that the dog had been awake for at least a while before going back to sleep.

Amaya entered and quickly stopped at what she saw. There lay Reverie in bad condition. She slowly walked over as she almost forgot all about Cody following behind her. She didn't say anything until she looked over at the fox-dog that was currently helping them. She listened as Tyrant spoke and could tell he was very worried.

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

((It's okay, guys! No need to worship me! . . . Or Triss, rather.
But it's gonna be kinda hard to gain her trust. She's been torn apart all her life, persecuted and whatnot. ))

The foxdog froze with terror as the large dog appeared out of nowhere. She yelped and ducked, shaking madly. "I didn't mean to, sir! I'm so sorry!" But her fear slowly left her as she saw the dog bowing, actually bowing! When his words reached her pointed black ears she nodded, still shivering from shock.

"I-I think I have something to h-help, sir," she murmured. This was the first time she had stuck around so long. Usually she came in, dished out the herbs, then sprang back in case they didn't appreciate anything. Trisscar left him for a moment, then came back with a chickweed plant. She padded back into the hollow. She looked closer at the female. A wolf-dog, she was sure. A hybrid, just like she was. "'R'welcome," Triss mumbled, ears still flat against her head. She gave a stiff nod as she saw the daisy leaf being licked down her joints. "I-I'm Trisscar." She pushed the chickweed toward Reverie, but she didn't expect her to eat it now; it was for later.

(Chickweed~)

Looking back at Tyrant, she whispered, "I-If she eats it . . . then it will soothe her lungs. When used externally it reduces skin irritations . . ." After the black foxdog realized that she had left out some things, she bowed, almost collapsing, and yelped, "Sir!" and ran off. But she was back, again, with more herbs in her jaws, feeling more confident.

"Garlic for chest infections . . . if she has any. Slippery elm" - she indicated a twig she had placed before his paws - "to soothe her throats and help with coughing. This next herb will help you, sir, and any other who are depressed by this." She glanced at Valentina quickly. "It has no real name . . . call it as you wish." She nosed forward a yellow flower. "And the wild cherry helps with coughs, too. You can save those when she's feeling a bit better."

(Whoa, this is a big list:

Garlic~
Slippery Elm~
Nameless herb (St. John's Wort)~
Wild Cherry~)

"That's all I've got," she said, flashing her eyes warily at him as if she had said something that would offend him. "I could fetch some honeycombs - honey helps soothing throats, too. I could apply them, sir, if you want me too, but I'm kinda exhausted - sorry, sir, sorrysorrysorry!" She ducked again, as she expected Tyrant to bowl her and snarl, 'Whaddua mean that's all you've got! Heal her now!' But he didn't.

With this Triss backed into the shadows, watching the group of dogs. She was still shaking, but her ears pricked slowly forward, her lips started to curl in the beginnings of a smile, and the tip of her tail gave a very small swish; 'twas a violent wag for Trisscar the shy.

[/i]

~~~~ ((Enter: Cody!))

The two-year-old followed the great sheepdog Amaya until he could smell the remains of a fire. Fearfully his tail drooped and his ears pulled back, until he caught a glimpse at the horrid scene before him. At least, it was horrible before what he thought was a fox came and began to heal.

He met her eye but once, and she had looked away. Currenly Cody's eyes were wandering around the hollow. "Neat place," he whispered to himself.

[.::Tyrant::.]

A huge, grateful smile streched Tyrant's maw as the fox-dog left to gather more herbs, and he turned and bounded back to Reverie's side, stooping down so that he was level with her troubled, unconsious face.

"It's all right, Rev." He said gently, "It's going to be all right."

As he smoothly lifted his head back into the air, it was obvious that Tyrant had returned to his old demeanor. The shock had made him upset, but now that there was hope - a great deal of it, he was calm again. The large, rusty hued dog watched as Triss placed a bundle of herbs before Reverie, and a small smile streched his maw.

"Thank you, Trisscar." He said solemly - he had heard her name when she had introduced herself to Valentina. "You have been a great help..." He trailed off as she darted back into the bushes, dark eyes watching her go thoughtfully. After a moment, he turned to Valentina.

"Try to wake Reverie up and get her to eat... tell her I'll be here shortly. I'm trusting you to be gentle with her," he smiled, sure that the wolf dog would be more than gentle, she and Reverie seemed to have formed a close bond, and Tyrant was grateful to Valentina for this - Reverie was very anti-social, and she needed as many allies as she could. "I have to go and ask a certain someone a very important question..."

With that said, Tyrant whirled around and set off at a fast lope in teh direction Trissaca had left in. Once again, he was surprised to come across her hidden in the shadows, for, once again, he had expected her to flee.

"Trissaca!" He exclaimed, dipping his head in greeting. "You have been a great help, and you have my sincerest gratitude... but I have yet anotehr question to ask you.... if youwere to accept, you would be doing me and my gang a huge favour...." He trailed off, his large, mahogany eyes meeting hers.

"You have an amazing talent, m'lday - the talent to heal. My gang has a shaman, but he has been very... unactive lately. If you were to join, as a shaman, I would be very grateful"

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

((Hehehe ;D How will Trisscar the superdog reply? . . . And it's Tris/scar/, not 'saca'. Sorry! ))

The black foxdog froze as the Top Dog approached her yet again. And when he asked his question, she crouched to the ground, trembling and choking out, "Sh-Sh-Shaman? M'Lord, I - I don't know what to say! I-I've - is that an order, sir?" She cocked her head to add emphasis. "I - I -" She broke off, tears gathering around her eyes.

And . . . probably to the horror of all, Triss ran off with the swiftness of her father.

((Do not worry, guys! Triss'll pop up around gang territory! Do not fear! This just makes it more interesting. *Goes off to find somewhere to post and hide Trissy*))

[.::Tyrant::.]

A smile curved Tyrant's maw as the young fox-dog questioned her as to whether his request was, in fact, not a request at all but an order. Jaws opened, ready to form a soothing reply, when Trisscar ((hehe)) turned tail and darted off, which the speed and agility of a cat. Tyrant was left stunned, mouth half open, eyes wide with confusion. After a moment, the large dog turned and padded slowly back towards Reverie and Valentina, a small, thoughtful frown furrowing his brow.

Muscles rippled 'neath cropped aubern fur as Tyrant seated himself at his friends side, still looking thoroughly bewildered. Hmmm.... He thought, glancing in the direction that Triss had dashed off in. Suppose she's not the gang type... 'tis a great shame, though. A small sigh escaped his lips as he brushed away the hopes of a new shaman, and he turned his attention back to Reverie.

"Reverie," He said softly, licking her cheek. "Rev, wake up."

Reverie's eyes opened a crack, her should twitching slightly.

"T-ty.... Va....Val." She whispered, her voice hoarse, every word an effort.

"Shhhh. Tyrant said gentley, licking her nose. "Eat this, Reverie, it'll help." His voice was now firm.

Reverie's dull gaze flitted to the bundle of plants before her, garlic, slippery elm, and the nameless herb (Tyrant had left the cherry to one side, for later.) Her nose wrinkled in disgust, but the tone of Tyrant's voice urged her to open her jaws a tiny bit, strech forward and grasp the bundle in her mouth. She then set about pulling tiny bits of green from the pile, wincing both at the taste, and at the pain of swallowing.

Several painfully slow minutes later, and the pile of herbs had shrunk to a few scattered debris. Tyrant smiled as Reverie's eyes opened slightly more, and her breathing became more regular.

"Yuck..... rabbit food...." She murmered, her voice stronger than it had been, before slipping back into sleep.

[Valentina]

((so sorry guys! went camping and was unable to post absence!))

The scarlet wolf dog had fallen silent, remaining by her friend's side, still lost in contemplation. She gave a faint nod to Tyrant's words, but her thoughts remained in another world. The commotion with Trisscar she had witnessed but not registered. When Reverie came to again and attempted to utter her and Tyrant's names however, her heart leaped and she rose to her feet to nuzzle her friends neck gently yet vigorously as she nibbled at the herbs. Her tail waved happily behind her, and she actually forgot entirely of her own pain for the first time all night.

It then clicked why Reverie had come to, and she suddenly looked up to Tyrant, smiling brightly. "Sir Tyrant, what happened to Trisscar? Certainly she should be our shaman...." she realized that he was going to remain by Reverie's side as he returned to the hollow however, and Valentina decided right then and there that the gang needed that fox-dog, more than her even, and she had to hunt Trisscar down.

"I'll go find her and bring her back, Tyrant," Valentina said, her smile fading. "She's only half a dog," she uttered a short humorless laugh. "Maybe I, if anyone, can connect with her on that." she said with the slightest hint of what sounded like pain. With that she turned and padded smoothly out of the Hollow, the cool night air ruffling her fur lightly and mingling with the scent of the half-dog, like herself, that she was hunting.