Web Earth Online

Delta crouched in the ferns fearfully, tongue lolling out as he panted in exhaustion. Although it wasn't too cold, small bursts of steam emitted from his muzzle, his body heat having been raised considerably from the simple act of running in fear of his life. He was laying low in the ditch near the driveway of the lab. He knew he should probably get moving, the whitecoats would probably start combing the area for the escaped canines soon. Unfortunately, he was cemented in place by fear. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. 'Whatever happens, they will not catch me again. I escape, or am killed trying. And that's a better fate than allowing myself to be sent back inside.'

He lifted his head and opened his eyes, having motivated himself to get moving. He wobbled a bit on his feet as he rose to a standing position and then, like a furred bullet, he was gone into the forest, a blur of cream-colored fur through the emerald leaves. He couldn't keep the pace up for long, and soon he collapsed onto his side, breathing heavily. He was vulnerable here, and frightened, but at the same time... There was something profoundly relaxing about laying here in the fallen leaves and pine needles, something he hadn't experienced in a long time. If this was what freedom felt like, then he was going to do everything he could to stay free.

Ayashe jerked awake and scrambled to her paws, fur bristling. She had heard something and now she smelled it. Another dog had just passed her by a few meters. It's scent was still heavy in the air, but he was most definitely gone. Aya relaxed and then cursed for allowing herself to slip into sleep, a luxury she could not afford at the moment. The mutt stretched, wincing at the soreness that had planted itself in her shoulders. Her headache had reduced itself to a dull throb.
Padding forward, she let her nose guide her. Twice she bumped into a tree and twice she muttered an inaudible string of words then continued on, following the scent of the other dog. As she walked, she let her mind play tricks on her. With such a blank canvas in front of her, it was nearly impossible to go without painting pictures of her fears upon it. Many times she thought she saw the blink of red eyes or the flash of white teeth. Ayashe lowered her head and closed her eyes at one point and spent the next thirty minutes as such.
The scent was now very strong, so she haulted and opened her eyes, which of course did no good. She could smell the fear and desperation coming from the dog as he lay there panting. She couldn't tell if he was looking at her, or if he saw her, but by the sound of it, she was fairly close.
"Hey, kid." Ayashe grunted quietly, sitting down. He seemed too tired to attack her even if she were a threat, so Aya had no worries.

Etsu jerked her head up when she smelled something slightly off. Did I fall asleep? She wondered, flicking her ears around to catch movement. Her panting had seized finally, and once or twixe she thought she heard another escapee rush past. She grew weary when she heard a deeper, heavier panting right outside her temporary shelter. Whatever that thing was, it was probably not a dog. She crouched and readied her muscles, then bolted forward. However, the thing stil managed to take a swipe at her shoulder, causing her to yelp in pain but still rushing on. She ran to the trees, where the dog-scent was stronger. She doubted that whatever had attacked her was following her, but she ran on anyways, not even bothering to hide the glow her eyes gave off. She slowed down after her mad dash away from the creature, glancing at her left shoulder then immidiatly regretting it. The old scar had been ripped open, and was now oozing a crimson liquid that she knew far too well. She quietly licked it, hoping that the thing wouldn't track her by her blood's scent. After she had cleaned it as well as she could, she limped forward, only now noticing she was in an unfamiliar area. Great... alone, with a bad shoulder, and possibly being tracked by a wild animal. Just great. She continued to hobble forward through the trees, suddenly stopping when she smelled another dog- no, two dogs. She crouched down and watched them, forgetting to close her eyes which would be a dead giveaqay, even if the blood scent didn't betray her.

She had been walking for awail whean she saw another dog. she put her face up to his a drop of blood falling on forhead. she smiled. "Hello!" she siad simply seemingly relaxed. "Your wasteing your streanth and should slow down a bit. If you walk and run only whean you hear a human or smell them its eysier that way, ok?" she looked behind her sniffing the air. "im not sure if its safe to trvel together though." she looked strong and beautiful but cold and mean at the same time. Zula seemed to have a chill around her that made others shiver at the sight of her. The demon. she didnt know who gave her that nick-name but she licked it. "Im the Demon." she smiled evily. "Nice to meet you." (I typed this before you two. >: I swear!) she hadnt noticed the other dog and looked at her an evil air still clinging to her. "Hi." she siad sounding kinda creepy.

Before Ayashe's new-found friend could answer her greeting, a short but stout dog appeared from nowhere and said something about slowing down and preserving strength. Ayashe stood up and backed away, slightly startled but glad that the morning light filtering through the trees now lit her surroundings enough for her to see. She shivered in the cold morning air and realized it had begun to snow. She dipped her head in greeting to the newcomer. "Nice to meet you," she muttered quietly, put off by the dog's crooked grin and the blood on it's face. Ayashe's allowed her fur to bristle. Backing up a few paces, she turn around and listened intently. Her ears told her another dog had found it's way into the forest. She turned away from the bulldog and the Labrador, pushing way through the scrubby bushes to search for it. She sniffed again and was delighted to pick up the scent, nearly masked behind the soft white snow that now laden the forest like a thin white blanked. Ayashe padded towards the canine, ears perked and tail wagging slowly. She gave a hushed woof and tilted her head. "You okay?"
Ayashe looked at her with concerned blue eyes. This dog didn't look as fortunate as herself. Ayashe had escaped physical harm from the whitecoats, but the scars and matted fur of the escapist in front of her told a much sadder story than her own.

Etsu's breath hitched when she realized that one of the dogs she'd been watching had appeared beside her, and she flinched away, instinctively averting her eyes to the ground so the dog wouldn't see their glow. It would make me more of an outcast then needed, probably. She thought to herself, before muttering a muffled 'Fine' to the dog. Scent alone told her that this was a Border Collie, but Etsu wasn't sure if she knew this dog. She self connciously twisted her head to clean her wounded shoulder, realizing that whatever had attacked her had left a scent. Her nose wrinkled in disgust at the bitter smell- a smell that told her that the attacker had been sick, and she could only hope that she hadn't caught it. Shuddering slightly, she began to lick the wound and the fur around it, wondering if the newcommer would find her actions rude or not.

Delta had nearly allowed himself to drift off into sleep when he heard a voice. Head bolted upright, though his body still lacked the strength to follow. Dark brown eyes locked on another dog, and he allowed himself a sigh of relief seeing it wasn't a whitecoat. Before he had a chance to speak, another dog appeared in the clearing. His eyes fixed on her as she spoke, taking in every word. In hindsight, it had been a bit foolish to take off running like that. Whitecoats weren't very fast on foot... He nodded. Icy flakes sprinkled down onto him, filtering through the leaves above. They felt refreshingly cool to him right now, although he had a feeling they were going to turn too cold too fast. He shakily rose to his feet, trying to stay calmer this time. He turned his head as the Akita whom had appeared only moment earlier had turned and left. "Wonder where she's off to?" He spoke quietly, maybe a bit too quietly for anyone to hear. He tilted his head for a moment, and following impulse, timidly followed behind.

The other dog's words echoed to him. "Not sure if it's safe to travel together." He pondered on it for a moment, not sure he knew her meaning. He trotted forwards, following the scent of the other dog before coming to a stop several feet behind her. He hoped she wouldn't take offense at him following her. He wasn't sure why he had, he just felt like he needed a friend to stick to right now.
His eyes peered past her, spotting another dog. He watched and listened silently, leaning back to sit on his haunches.

(She isnt a bulldog! Shes a Bullmastiff! sheesh guss I really do need a picture if you dont know the diffrence between the two. here ya go: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... ff_600.jpg I cant find one thats big anough though. that one is still a puppy I think. there preety big.) "Tch." Zula siad standing up. The large dog let out a small bark. "Ya smell like blood." she siad. she wiped off the blood on her muzzle that was starting to annoy her. she walked over to the other dogs. "Geeze ya like fighting too? ya seem preety busted up there." she walked over and helped lick the wound.

((OOC: My bad.))

Ayashe pondered for a moment about whether or not she should go any closer. The 'Fine' she heard was not reflected by the deep score on the stranger's shoulder. She sniffed wearily and frowned. It may be infected, which she found odd for such a fresh wound. Still, the grotesque scent it had made her sure it wasn't going to heal without special care. Ayashe watched quietly, having decided against advancing any further. This dog seemed to already be somewhat uncomfortable around others, so she didn't wish to push her luck. The German Shepherd could probably deliver a nasty bite if provoked. Ayashe turned her head to watch the Bullmastiff pad past her and assist in licking the wound of the other. She also felt the presence of the younger male and studied him for a moment with the conclusion that he was a bit skittish and quiet. Remembering not to be too sudden with him in the future, Ayashe smiled and asked softly. "Your name, kid?"

Her face grew kind as she looked at the dog. "Ya dont have to tell us your real name either we wont mind. I never do ha ha! They call me the demon but thats not my real name." she looked into her glowing eyes with happyness. "I think your eyes are really cool! I want some!" she smiled big. "There so bright and light and full of spirit! Never give in no matter the hardship!" she looked hapily at the dog.

Ears flicked up as the dog addressed him. He was unsure for a moment whether to use his nickname, or proper one. He chose the latter. "Dell.. Delta. You?" He spoke, eyes flickering to the other two dogs momentarily. They seemed preoccupied, one had a pretty nasty wound. He felt the fur on the back of his neck bristle for a moment for no reason in particular. His eyes returned to the dog who had addressed him. He shuffled around a bit as he sat, shifting his weight. The frost made it uncomfortable to sit in one place for too long a period. The thought crossed his mind that if he sat here for hours he might freeze to the ground. He wondered if the whitecoats ever tested that out. Probably.

Etsu flattened herself slightly at all the new dogs. She swalled her urge to snarl at the other female when she began to lick her shoulder, wondering why they all seemed so much more calmer then she.Cursed anxiety... she grumbled to herself, narrowing her eyes until they were glowing slits and thoughtfully eyed the male and Collie. The collie was a bit darker then herself, and seemed more at ease with other dogs. The lab seemed about as tired as herself, but didn't have any scars from anything. I wonder if it was a bear... or a badger, maybe. She continued to study the two while the third dog cleaned her wound that the badger-bear-thing had left, noticing that the female had eyes like hers- pale blue - but they didn't glow. She started at the dog who had been cleaning her shoulder comment on her eyes. "I.. guess so..." She muttered uncertaintly, silently cursing her quietness while watching the two other dogs socialize. Why do I have to be the akward, silent one?

Ayashe blinked once, concealing her blue eyes for only a moment before smiling and answering with a tiny dip of the head. "I'm Ayashe. You can call me Aya, if you wish." she whispered softly. She turned back towards the other two dogs. Ayashe sensed the Shepherd's uncomfortable emotions as she was tended to. As Ayashe studied her more closely, she noticed the bright glow of her eyes now. Ayashe felt slightly drawn to them and caught herself staring. She shifted her gaze away and fidgeted, trying to play it off like it was because of the cold. She really relished the frost against her stinging paw pads. For a moment she watched the snow pile on the ground before refocusing her attention on the bright-eyed dog.
"How, if I may ask, did you get such a nasty wound?" She had thought it was some sort of test the whitecoats had used the female for, but it didn't seem like that now that she studied it. The whitecoats hadn't been around for more than a week anyways, and the wound was obviously fresh.

Etsu noticed the collie seemed oddly fascinated with her eyes. At the question, she raised her head and thought for a moment, for she couldn't quite remember how she had come by the original wound. All she remembered were little flashes of pointed objects, then the whitecoated humans tossing her into a cage to fight another dog. Shaking her head, she murmered quietly, "I was running from... from the whitecoats den. I hid under a rock, and rested there for a bit. When I left it, somethine ambuhed me and reopened my scar. It might've been a bear or something, but I could feel its claws. All I know is that it wasn't another dog."

"I wasnt asking you." she siad to the male and turned back to the female with glowing eyes. "My real names Zula. You dont have to tell us your real name, k?" she gently licked the sheperds cheek. "Im your friend now and I dont care about your identity as long as were friends. you remind me of myself a bit." she eyed the male hopeing she hadnt offended him.