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set in the stables somewhere...
It had been heavy, but nothing that the large stallion couldn’t manage. The hybrid had to drag it that few last feet, create a pulley to raise it and get it into place. The bag hung from a large chain, filled with sand to give it weight. He couldn’t even use it the day he rigged it, the energy drained from his form completely. But he was back, beneath the massive beam that held it aloft and ready to take on the heavy bag. Hands prepared, wrapped with cloth to keep his knuckles from slitting, the male took the stance his paws were so practiced and defended his face from the inanimate foe.
As his sung he thought of the coyote that had approached Lumière, red eyed glowing and speaking of blood and pain. He moved quickly, again and again as the bag returned to him in it’s swing. He let the anger rise, like a tide that rolled through the muscles of his arms and cascaded through the oversized paws his possessed. It had been some time since he had hit another beast, with his fists. Sober. And he knew he was out of practice.
Gold eyes saw the yotes face melt away, replaced by the black eyes of the golden collie male. Heath spread his arms out, paws catching the heavy bag before he punched it again. His breath was heavy, and the lanky coy-wolf stepped back and watched the punching bag sway slightly. He of course hadn't forgotten the free shot the King had taken... With a massive swing the black arm of his south paw took a belly shot, deep in the gut of the heavy canvas. A grow rattled through his throat, as Heath drew the wind out of the sparing partner.
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OOC: Hello there :3 Mind if I join? If so, just ignore this post xD
It was a large building.
Emerald eyes, wide with nervous awe, took in the rafters, the scent of hay and animal. Footpaws were silent on the straw-scattered ground, the fingers of one hand trailing absently over painted wood. The strong smell of horse seemed to fill every inch of air, and she felt it seep into her skin with a surprising amount of calm.
There was a reason Alaine had wandered so far from the Chien Hotel. The young lady had watched, often, as he newest charge slipped out of the house. And she worried, as any overbearing mother does, as to where the young miss Sylvie Ciel was headed. So, this day she'd followed the scent trail, and it had lead here.
She'd never seen this place before. There was so many horses!
In fact, the lovely lady had only learned what an equine was on the day of her arrival, when she had been greeted by Sir Vigilante and his large bay beast. She stopped in wonder at the door to one of the stalls, held out a quivering hand to the blowing nostrils of the beast inside. It watched her with docile eyes. Smiling faintly, Alaine carried on her way, overcome with an almost childish curiosity to discover the wonders of the stables. She would have to bring Caillen here, have to show him how their new pack could tame creatures as large as a moose!
It took her a moment to notice the *thump, thump, whack*. Spurned by curiosity, the young woman headed towards the sound, her soft green dress clutched absently between ivory fingers. Peering about a doorway, she noted a figure who seemed to be taking out a vast amount of anger on a slouched Hessian bag. As usual, her first instinct was to flee. But with a surge of the new-found confidence she'd been fostering since arriving here, the young woman cleared her throat hastily, took a hesitant step forwards.
" ... Hello?"
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HI!
He should have done that, but it felt so satisfying. Heath continued, though the punches and jabs that he gave were lighter. He focused on the position of his knuckles, the speed of his arms, and the combination of each hit. All he saw was the bag, no one before him in wait of a beating. The black accented male danced lightly on his toes, fluttering like a butterfly.
There was much for him to be happy about, the days he spent alone were few and Heath could not find a happier time in his life. The things that had happened between he and Jac were done, finished by the woman that they fought over. A queer fight it had been, since Jac was more a father to the young woman then anything and she had confirmed again and again that Heath was honorable. Still he had yet to speak with the King, and the more time that past the more realistic letting the past fade away became.
A voice came to his ears between the call of the bag, and the hybrid swung his head around to meet the sight of a strange woman. The green clad fey stood before him, and he struggled to catch the swinging the bag. Finally the bag settled and he could let go, Heath turned and honey colored eyes watched her. Her scent was of the pack, but some how familiar in a way he couldn’t remember. His first question was why she was in the stables, but it was more polite to simply say,
“Hey”
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OOC: :3 :3
Her melodic voice had sounded so fragile among the quick pounding of the man, his fists a bandaged blur that seemed intent on pummeling whatever haunts had been pictured upon that dangling bag. But at her soft greeting, the stranger stopped, his lean body hefting to still the swinging weight. His golden eyes watched her in silence for a moment, and Alaine felt regret rise up in her throat. She shouldn't be here, invading this place... It wasn't her place, it was clearly his. Damn curiosity had bested her again!
But, alas, he returned the greeting. She blinked, momentarily confused, before recalling that not everyone in this place was a monster, ready to maul her just for existing.
The slender lady took another step forward, her piercing emerald eyes giving him a swift once-over. She was shorter than him, but the other didn't appear to be particularly malicious, nor overly territorial of her invading his quiet. The cream beauty smiled thinly, her gaze still nervous, anxious.
" I was just... Erm..."
What was she doing, again? Those honey eyes, and their intent stare, were rather off-putting.
" Have you seen a little girl about here? Her name is Sylvie. I... I'm her guardian."
There, that was safe grounds. She knew Sylvie wasn't here, but atleast it was an excuse for her to come wandering in. Hands fiddled anxiously, clasping each other as if to give her something to hold onto. It was clear that the young beauty was uncomfortable in the strangers presence, though the good decorum she'd had drilled into her maintained it would be rude to back out now.
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 , thanks for joining btw
Heath clapped his clothed hands together softy, hoping to remove any of the dirt that might be there from the dusty bag. She looked uneasy, and Heath found that he felt a similar feeling. Gold eyes looked away, down to try to untangle the knots of the fabric. It had been a good practice, and his anger and frustration had been released successfully. It was time to not intimidate the female, if he read her face correctly. He was not large of stature, but his scars told a different story. They covered his form, speaking of the fights he had won. The long line across his belly and side was the largest and told of his last true battle. Though it was far from a battle at all, Heath was sure he hadn't touched the woman that had scarred him.
She spoke, and Heath looked back to her as he unraveled the coverings over his paws. He could not help but smirk slightly at her hesitation in speech. But when she explained why she was here Heath found no lie in the words. He perked at the sound of the little girl.
"She's missing?" He asked with concern in his tone. Yes, that was the scent that was dabbled on her form. Ruri's sister.
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OOC: No problem! Thanks for letting me join :3
She took another few steps forward, hesitant still, emerald eyes keen on the shape of the man. In retaliation he lowered his fists and his eyes, began to pluck at the threadbare strips of material over her hands. Now that she was closer, Alaine could note details of the stranger - His course fur, his scent, various things that were held by the individual. But, most of all, she saw his scars - Long, angry lashes all over his torso, running like jagged lightning against the soft browns of his fur.
She swallowed nervously.
But, to her question, the man seemed to change - His expression became guardedly concerned, those honey eyes opening rather than simply observing. She straightened, mind comprehending the look of knowledge in his gaze with confused shock.
" You... You know her? How do you know her?"
She did not mean to evade the question with another question, but the mothering surge of protection had began to rise, stealing aware her meekness as it grew. How did he know Sylvie? Why had she not been told of the young girl's antics... Who else had she been meeting without Alaine nearby? Aware that she had sounded rather crude, the young beauty shook her head slightly, and extended a slightly shivering hand for him to shake.
" I apologize. I am Alaine, Alaine Winters. Yes, she is... Missing."
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The girl was not exactly anyone to him, Heath had only met her once. For that the male kept the small pup at a distance, hoping to not get attached to the immature figure. She would get trampled trying to herd anything and everything, and he was sure he would be blamed even though he warned her. But secretly he watched out for her small brown form among the sheep and cows that roam the stables. He already knew what he would be getting the next time he searched the city's library. Books on shepherds, sheep, shearing, cattle. It was all for the small collie dog, though Heath was too rough to admit it.
"I've met her." He spoke with eyes off the woman.
"She came wandering around days ago." she had been the one trotting around looking to fill her curiosity and searching for answers to all those questions. Heath was almost convinced that all the little dog spoke in was in question form.
"Heath." he willingly gave as he accepted her hand. He shook it once before releasing it and stepping back again. He didn't like that Sylvie was out and about without the supervision that the woman was supposed to give. But it had to be difficult to keep an eye on such an energetic pup. Heath would have lost her the moment she entered his care.
"How long has she been gone?" he asked, stepping forward so that they could begin the search.
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OOC: SORRY FOR THE LATE REPLY! D:
His handshake was firm, and brisk. All business, Alaine thought with a profound desire to step back again, put distance between them. It wasn't anything Heath had done, oh no. Why, her innermost heart knew this man to be a good character already - she could gage that much from his honey eyes. But it was a past that haunted her own piercing emeralds, made even the slight contact unwelcome, reluctant. Unwilling to seem phased by the reaction of her body, the young mother forced a grim smile across her maw.
" So you are Heath? The stablemaster. She... Spoke of the stables, a while back, of wanting to see what animals were here."
Now, she did peer up at him intently, as if searching the young man's expression for something deeper, something she could trust. Apparently satisfied, the lady straightened, brushed her palms absently on the front of her green summer dress.
" Only since this morning, and this is not the first time she's disappeared," Strange inverted optics scanned the interior of the stables absently as she spoke, before alighting back on Heath again, " I should have clarified. I'm not worried, merely curious... Well, lest she be meeting other strangers I don't know about."
There was a faintly dissatisfied tone to her melodic, female voice. Not quite accusing, but more inquiring, as to the growing relationship between this young man and her newest charge.
" I hope she didn't cause you any trouble, Sir... Might I ask, what she came to speak with you about?"
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no worries
He was oddly in tuned to her reactions. Most of the time Heath could over look another body language and forget about it, but he noticed the smallest changes in the stranger. A stranger she wasn’t in reality, but Heath had yet to really understand her place among them and for that he would give her the title of stranger for now. The woman was uneasy in front of him and Heath could take that as nothing other then a reaction to either the sight of him or his own actions. Because of that he was less apt to warm up to her, and did not return the molded smile that she wore.
They moved slowly, the words she spoke keeping his focus on her instead of the task that they had before them. He gave no more then a nod in response to her question, not surprised that the youth had talked about him. She talked at length, constantly. As she spoke of them, Heath thought of the animals and where the small pup might be. The sheep roamed a pasture north of the stables, north but not far at all. The lanky hybrid strode slightly faster as he thought of the possible hiding place.
“She wanted to know about the sheep, mostly.” Heath answered willingly. Their conversation had not been anything secretive and Heath was happy to give any information to the caretaker. “She spoke a lot.” the coy-wolf added with a small smirk. She hadn’t stopped talking, and he figured she was still talking this very moment days after their meeting. She probably spoke even without anyone to listen.
“We should check the fields, let me get Lumière.” He said without much thought of explaining.
The horse would help, though neither would saddle up to ride her. The hybrid walked to the stall, the roam mare’s nose already out the barn door in greeting. Heath simply opened it, and the mare walked out and strode towards the pasture gate.
“Three is better then two, in the search.” The fields were massive, and a small pup would be hard to find among them. Another nose and set of eyes would be useful. Heath walked to the gate, opening it to release the mare and held it open for the woman.
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OOC: I've talked to Sylvie's player, she's happy to join in once we find her if it's alright with you :3
He answered her question easily, and Alaine reminded herself that she wasn't interrogating. It was a natural mother's urge to protect that had her stiffening at the though of a tiny girl secretly meeting up with a tall, dark stranger... But this wasn't a tall dark stranger, not really. He was the stable-master, and supposedly of a very respectable nature. She'd been told of him once or twice, if memory served correctly - the man called Vigilante had mentioned him, when she'd displayed a curiosity in his stallion.
" Sheep, of course... She wants to be a shepherd, or something of the sort..." To his second comment, the young lady couldn't help but grin wryly. It was true that her young charge was quite the chatterbox, and a sponge for information, " I apologize. She... Loves questions."
It was an understatement, and they both knew it, but Alaine decided it would do. Her emerald eyes lifted to the man's face as he spoke again; His tone was absent, his mind clearly elsewhere, and she did not reply. Instead, the too-young mother followed his swift steps, that same wary and anxious feeling building in her chest. The fields? Pray tell, what sort of animals were in the fields? If the world was kind, it would not be those giant horses... Her body trembled to the thought of little Sylvie, alone and defenseless, in a paddock of the over-sized grazers. What if she accidentally startled them, with her bubble nature? What if they trampled her?!
Even as these horrendous thoughts spilled into her mind, Heath was releasing one of the beasts. When she realized such, her eyes went wide in question, noting everything from how large those hooves were, to how the muscles rippled underneath the animal's winter pelt. She wasn't worried for herself - If worst came to worst, Alaine figured that she might be able to fend off such an animal. But Sylvie, little Sylvie...
To Heath's explanation, she nodded mutely, features gaunt with worry. The air was cold, and would only get colder as the day progressed. She needed to find her daugh-... She needed to find the little girl, and if the horse could help, then so be it.
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sounds good!!
To some he looked like the sort of creature that would enjoy destroying the innocence of a small child. His dark and molted pelt, the scars along his face and chest, not to mention the large paws that had once so willingly destroyed things made others weary of him. In the end he was too thin, and too lanky to be of any true harm. But it was Ruri that had truly leashed him. He had often sought to beat the pansy out of males who had been shackled to a stake by a female. Locked down, tied. They had lost their backbones and clung to packlife with no true manhood. But, he had been immature and naïve, then. There was nothing better then having the love of a woman he never thought he deserved. And, he was happily tamed. Now he worked towards the protection of the lands he was bound to and the female that held his leash.
“She’s smart.” Heath responded. Those that didn’t seek the unknown would simply peak in their knowledge early and then plateau far below average. The small pup most likely held more information then Heath did, though she might not know exactly how to use all of it yet. Heath would have the advantage for another week, and then he was certain the pup would be able to out smart him.
The woman’s weary look made Heath turn his tone softer and less gruff,
“Don’t worry.” Lumière was far more keen then either of them, and it was likely that the roan mare had seen the pup while they were both occupied.
“We should check the northern pasture, the sheep hang around there.” He added, touching the horses neck and pointing for her to start walking out into the field. He trusted the horse with his life and knew that she would never hurt the small pup. Clearing his throat the male asked when his curiosity brought forth the question, “You only look after Sylvie?” For some reason he thought there was another small dog in the mix, perhaps the little girl had mentioned it.
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OOC: :]
For some reason, the young man's reassurance settled deep in her stomach. Alaine was always a worrier - as a mother, it was simply her job. If nobody worried, then nobody cared. But she managed a faint smile in Heath's direction regardless, even if emerald eyes continued to scan the land mistrustfully. It wasn't that she'd anything against this place, more that it held something against those who could not defend themselves, as land often did. And, given the opportunity, she'd no doubt that it would just as easily break a young form than care for it.
The bite of winter on the breeze did little to ease the thrumming of her heart. Winter goaded the pack now, and the too-young mother merely thanked whatever heavens there were that it had not thought to snow.
When Heath spoke again, his voice was low and determined. Alaine spared him a momentary glance and was shocked to discover that he appeared more and more genuinely concerned, despite the gruffness that seemed to shroud the stable-master. Her gaze sharpened as he directed the horse, and the large beast seemed to respond eagerly to it's master. The connection between them made her both curious and wary; Was he not a predator to the mare? How did such a union, such a partnership, work between them? Distracted by Heath's question, she made a soft sound of shallow humor, not quite heartful enough to be a laugh.
" No, though the girl has enough gusto in her to take many carers by the ear. I've a son, also... He is her age," She paused, and a genuine smile crossed dainty maw, eyes softening momentarily at the thought of her son, " She makes a good companion for him. Rouses him from his laziness, as you could suspect."
She did laugh now, if briskly, and it was a pleasant sound. Frost crunched under footpaws as the strange trio made their way up into the Northern pasture, and Alaine resumed her serious and anxious face once more.
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Where the mother like figure felt distrust, Heath held confidence. He knew these lands, better then any other portion of the pack’s home. His might have been the beast that knew them best, always hanging around the stables and basically living in the loft above the horses. The pastures and the lands surround the stables did not hold too many hiding places, either flat meadows or soft rolling hills. If the small pup were here, they would certainly find her. Lumière roamed to the right, and so Heath instinctively moved to the left so that the pair could search the other side. The male wanted to think that he cared because he merely had to. A pup’s death on the area under his watch would mean back news for the Marshal. Rumors would fly, matters concerning the horses might arise and he could be placed in the limelight and the horse might need to be driven from the pack lands. It was a far fetched outcome, but possible. Deep down the gruff hybrid wished the Sylvie were safe and sound because her life was too precious and pure to be wasted.
The scent of the herd of soft spoken grazers filtered to his nose, and Heath drifted towards it. She spoke of a son, and Heath gave a nod. It was interesting, since he did not know of a littler bring born within the borders. The male remain slightly isolated from the rest in his horse laden hideaway, and would not be surprised to know he had missed many different things. He laughed softly at her words, since he could picture the small collie pup rousing a bear from its hibernation. The male quieted, letting the silence settle as they searched. Gold eyes drifted to the mare, in the distance that roamed slowly through the grasses.
“That must be a lot. Its nice of you to care for her.” The fact that the pup was Ruri’s sister, made him even more aware of her wellbeing, and appreciated that Alaine had chosen to take care of her.
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OOC: Ooooooo Sylvie? Feel free to post again after this, or just wait for her to join in :3
As they continued onwards, the mother sent occasional glances towards her guide, noted the expressions on his face with each of her spoken thoughts. He seemed to be feigning a nonchalance at each mention of Sylvie, but she saw it, each time - the quick flash of tenderness, worry. This Heath was very good at hiding his feelings, so it seemed.
The field was coated in frost, which crunched underfoot even with the most delicate of steps. She'd no doubt that the grazing animals knew of their approach, but they seemed to care little, and continued cropping at the dead grass even as the pair of canids walked about them. This surprised Alaine, for she knew of no prey who could become so docile, so accepting of the mastery of their cunning-witted foes. The collie-woman squared her shoulders, her maw set in a grim line as emerald eyes dropped back to the task at hand. The horse had separated from them, and was taking a different path about the bobbing of the herd animals. When Heath replied to her previous statement, Alaine dared a look at him again, found the young man's maw twisted with what appeared to be a brief flash of humor. His thoughts about Sylvie and bears, though unknown to her, were surely shared by all who new of the young pup. She smiled in return, though 'nice' was not what she would have described the task.
It was... Meant, really. Deep down, the young healer recalled the night in which she'd found Sylvie, that sharp tugging on her soul that had commanded attention and obedience. So she'd followed it, directly to the fading light in the girl's soft violet eyes. Fate had brought Sylvie Ciel to the arms of Alaine Winters, and she'd be darned if it took her away now.
" Sylvie? Sylvie!"
Her call startled the nearby flock of herbivores, and they shuffled away, letting loose nervous little bleats of sound. The young woman gave them a distasteful look of scorn, before motioning for Heath to call out too. Two voices were far better than one. Briefly, one ivory hand lifted to rest on Heath's upper arm, her jade eyes searching for his honey for a moment - In them, gratitude shined, bright as the evening star. Then, releasing the stable-master's arm, Alaine leaned into the wind that toyed with the hem of her soft green dress, absently brushing the rogue auburn curls from her face before calling again.
" Sylvie, you come here right now! Sylvie?"
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OOC: TADAAAAA! <3
I've been lurking this thread forever waiting for this moment! |D
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Frosted fields of soft browns and mottled golds gave way in stiff memorandum as the trio of creatures so searched the paddock, searching for any sign of the little lilac collie pup. Any inkling of her sweet cream maw, those vibrant violet gems, her flashing yellow bandanna... equine and canine alike pondered the waves of crinkling grasses ahead of them. If only they had been here but moments earlier- the now pleasantly grazing sheep had been herded into a perfect double line, trotting 'round the pasture in an orderly fashion with the now 4 month old pup working behind them. Dark, blazing gems were perfect for holding the intimidating glare a herding border collie was so revered for, while slim, yet young form was perfect for dashing from side to side without missing a single bleating ewe or lamb. Amazing, the sight had been- a pup herding so beautifully.
But now, the child was curled up beneath a few particular lead sheep- the matriarchs', if you will- staying warm alongside their wooly coats as she caught her breath. For, though she was a herding dog, she was not violent- never did she harm any of her charges- she ran them simply off of dominance. The occasional nip or course was required, but never was it painful nor mean. Gentle reminders were all they were. And so, curled up in a sweet bundle of soft, downy fur, the pheasant child rested, one white ear flicking occasionally against the chilly winds, while it's dark counterpart stayed nestled into the coat of one sheep.
As she relaxed, the young girl took note of a calling... calling... shout...? Was that her name? Violet gems opened slowly as silence surrounded her once more. Perhaps she had imagined it... but, her comraderie of bleating charges began to shift, slowly separating from the loose, but near perfect circle she had worked them into. A grumble left the workaholic's mouth as she recovered from beneath the wooly down of the Matriarch. Shaking out her dilute chocolate fur, the white ruffed collie studied the sheep as they dispersed, and then where the circle was breaking. A horse caught her attention first as it parted the herbivore clan, apparently searching for something. Frowning, the child nudged the sheep she had been beside, and it got up to walk off. Fun time was over, sadly...
Again, the call of her name sounded, but this time, it was Alaine's reprimanding call for her return. Drat! And I was just starting to enjoy myself... pouting, the young girl headed for her caretaker's voice, surprised and alarmed when she saw Heath alongside the motherly-figure. Oops... there goes one explanation... Floppy ears pinned back, tail low, the unhappy Sylvie started once more for the two canids.
"Coming Miss Alaine..." She knew she was in for it now, having not told anyone, even Caillen, she was going.
The Name's Sylvie Ciel. Who be you? Run run run, Chase that little sheepy-pie! and now I chase those cattle, snapping at their heels as they run by.
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yayyy!!
The small herd of sheep sat before the two canines. Heath had never taken particular care for their well being, and hadn’t stood among them often. It was usually after a rogue horse that had jumped a fence, or to move them along to another pasture for grazing. He had read that the pastures needed to be shifted often to regain the grasses that grew there. He had begun to do so before the winter’s frost and cold. Now it just seemed pointless. They were fuzzy sorts of beasts, their wooly coats forming them into round cotton ball creatures. The male looked down at one that strayed near by, reaching out to touch its curly coat. It was soft beneath his touch, but only briefly. In a moment the sheep was dashing off in a quiet distress.
It was then that the woman began her calling. Normally Heath was quieter then he was loud. But there was no danger if they yelled and so when she motioned for him to call as well, Heath took a hand to his maw and yelled for the pup. “Sylvie! Sylvie!” he wondered if she would be here, loosing his confidence for a moment. He had been sure she would be lingering around the sheep, if she were in the area at all. Lumière had rounded the field and strode towards the coy-wolf and doggish female.
He caught sight of the little collie pup beyond the round forms of a few sheep, and Alaine called for her once more. Heath felt a relief flow over him, though he blamed it on the contagious feeling that radiated from the caretaker. But he felt better knowing that the pup was found and there was no need to worry any more. He whistled for the horse, which had started to compete with the sheep for the small patch of green grazing. Heath smiled lightly at the brown and while puppy, seeing that she was sullen in her ended fun.
“We’ve been looking for you Sylvie.” Heath explained, though such a thing was obvious. But maybe it was important for the young girl to know that her actions had consequences, and that running off would only mean that someone needed to trail after her. Oddly his tone was far from angry, and his features held only the happiness he felt having found the pup. It was then that he realized how much he had actually worried.
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OOC: X3
Heath's voice rose beside hers, and for a moment, their voices permeated the silence that hung over everything. But it yawned to swallow their words once more, and for the briefest moment, Alaine felt the crushing weight of worry return to her shoulders. But then - There! Movement among the sheep, who shuffled to reveal a very sullen, very familiar face. The little girl's tune rose in reply sulky but resigned as if she knew of the lecture that was coming. Tail low, Sylvie was quite the pitiful sight as she made her way towards the two waiting adults. Relief poured from her very pelt, and the too-young mother exhaled a breath she was unaware she'd been holding.
Having exuded her moment of joy Alaine let her ivory hands fall to rest on the slender curve of her hips, her own softly curled tail her high, and quick dashings of anger lighting her emerald eyes. She waited till the pup had slunk right up to them and let her momentarily silence hang over her in punishment. Heath spoke, then, his voice soft with emotion. Though her eyes remained trained upon her charge, one floppy mocha ear twisted towards the stablemaster in surprised. He sounded just as relieved as she did, with not an ounce of disapproving tone to his words! Well, somebody was going to have to be the bad guy here, and Alaine supposed with a deep sigh that it would be her.
The healer crouched down on the heels of her footpaws, so that she could get level with the pup's brilliant violet eyes. Her ivory maw opened in reprimand, but no sound came out; Then, like some sort of instinctive reaction, the collie-woman merely swept the little girl into a bear hug. IN the back of her head, she was aware that the display of emotion was probably very improper, but feeling the little form safe in her embrace was enough to push those thoughts away.
" I was so worried."
The words were a rushed whisper, and told more about how much she adored the young girl than any ballad could have. Sylvie might not have come from her womb, but she was Alaine's now.
The young healer released Sylvie and straightened, her features brisk and disapproving once more. One eyebrow arched, and she looked quickly to Heath before returning her gaze to the pup.
" You have a lot of explaining to do, miss!"
Speak think walk
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OOC: ;P Back!
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The tense child was nearly deafened by the silence hanging over her as she approached the two adults, her heart sinking with each step. What would be her punishment? Would she have to pick out a reed for a lashing? Would they sentence her to the confines of a burlap bag with no food for a time? Would they send her away... once more from a place she had come to love? Heart heavy, regret filling her form, the child almost missed the coy-dog's offering of consolation. Sylvie glanced to Heath as his kind words reached her. A slight smile was offered to the almost terrifying male before the child braced herself for the surely incoming onslaught of words from her guardian. What happened next was nothing like what she had expected.
The healer crouched down on the heels of her footpaws, so that she could get level with the pup's brilliant violet eyes. Her ivory maw opened in reprimand, but no sound came out; the bracing babe opened one eye in confusion as the silence ensued but a moment longer, before she was swept up into a warm embrace. Confusion colored the pup's face as tiny snowy maw opened to ask for a reason, but instead, a whisper left Alaine's similiarly colored maw.
What? Violet gems were wide, surprised by the rushed mote of adoration. She was supposed to be in trouble, right? What was Miss Alaine doing? Her own mother had never reacted like this... bitterly, the child looked towards Heath's feet, scolding herself for even thinking about the terrible merle dog that had been her carrier. Tears peeked out of the corners of the pup's eyes as full lower lip trembled. What worth did she have to Miss Alaine? Surely, a whelp like her, not even of her own brood, was not valued...? Raw emotions steeled over as her common determination to prove herself returned. She would be the best herder she could be- for Miss Alaine.
After what seemed like an eternity, the healer released the child, snappy demeanor returning, scolding tone slipping back over a demand for an explanation. Indeed, she had a lot to explain. Eyes downcast as intelligent brain searched for an answer. She had snuck out, without alerting anyone, and obviously caused major worry and possibly mayhem. As if hoping Heath could offer a reprieve, the young girl looked up at the coy-dog from beneath long, dark lashes, deep amethyst gems glinting with apologetic airs.
"I... had hoped to practice herding a little... and then show Heath..."
Once again, those lovely gems switched their victim. Watching Miss Alaine for any possible physical discipline to follow this verbal scolding, the child continued.
"I... I know it was wrong of me to leave without telling anyone, but I wanted it to be a surprise... Caillen especially would have given me away..." Gaze shifted to white tipped toes, shuffling about in the cold, dusty ground. The sheep had been grazing in a single place too long, it seemed- there were many bare spots like these in this particular paddock.
The Name's Sylvie Ciel. Who be you? Run run run, Chase that little sheepy-pie! and now I chase those cattle, snapping at their heels as they run by.
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yay! we could end this with this or Alaine's next reply...
The male stood beside the two females as the caretaker took hold of the pup and embraced her. Honey hued eyes looked downwards at the pair, and could not help but feel the emotions that had swept over the woman. He had no children, and did not know if he would ever be a father, but could not ignore the connection that the adoptive mother held with the pup. It was almost tangible, pushing his eyes away from the two and looking to the ground as if he had just spotted something that he shouldn't be looking at. He had held such a relationship for only a short time before their mother had been killed, and then running off with his siblings in search of their father. Now they were all gone as well, and Heath had been left to find a new family.
When the pup spoke his name Heath looked to her, not wanting to be blamed for pushing her towards running away. There was a surprised look on his face, but he recovered after a few seconds as his maturity and composure returned.
"This was a surprise, wasn't it?" Heath spoke with a little but of a hardening tone. Surprises were not always the best, just as this small adventure had been. He would rather go out with her, show what he might learn from the human's books and keep an eye on her as she worked with the sheep. The world was a dangerous one, even if she had stayed in the pack's boundaries. Still he was simply relieved that they had found her. The male began to walk back towards the stables. What her guardian wished to do with her as a punishment was no business of Heath's, trusting that her choice was for the best of the little pup.
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