float on [darkmoon]

[looney]

Today was the day Damsel would finally leave the large confines of her backyard, and go explore into the great, wide unknown. Of course she had been given plenty of other opportunities to leave her house, she had just never taken them. The young female felt right at home in her small little house, and had felt no need to leave and go adventure, like the other dogs that lived near her. She had heard many a story from her neighboring canines, and not until recently did their stories pique her curiosity. So much so that she had finally decided to venture out farther than she had ever been. Her house folk were always away during the day, and never did they return until right after sunset, so she knew she would have plenty of time to go out and explore, and then find her way back home. Damsel had set out from her home right after her house folk left for the day, which was right after sunset.

At first, Damsel had been scared off on her own like she had been. She didn't have a friend that could watch her back as she walked; she had only, lack for better words, her, herself and, well, her. Not many canines were up either, and for that, she was thankful. She didn't know if she would have been able to handle the stress of turning every corner and seeing an unfamiliar, stray canine. Eventually, though, she did find herself in a very wide alley. It was midday, and the alleyway looked very appealing to her. It was slightly shaded in some areas, and she recognized the things her house folk referred to as, 'bins,' in it as well. She knew these buckets held leftover food from other humans. At just the mere thought of food, her small stomach began to growl, and she set off with a new determination. Sauntering towards the bins, she attempted to jump into one of the large, green contraptions, but it was too small for her small stature. Looking to the side, though, she saw a small, black crate, and decided to stand on it. It gave her enough boost to stand on her back legs and bend her upper body in the bin. There was enough garbage in it that she could nose her way around, but she didn't seem to be finding any food. Right now, she was wishing she were back inside her home, where she didn't have to scavenge for food she wasn't even sure was there.

[DARKMOON]

He had nothing anymore, the people would walk by with families their dog by their side. Walking peacefully, they were one big happy family. A hard lump grew in his throat, he didn't have that anymore. They left him, left him for money. To make a living in this material world. The red collar around his neck with the tags which clanked together as he walked was just a cold reminder of what once was. The nights in front of the fireplace, the days chasing the ball and patrolling the town. Shaking his head, he swallowed hard trying to focus, it was a new day. He had to do nothing but make the best of it, and perhaps try and find some food. The alley was the best place for the strays, humans would dump out their food and leave it for the strays to dig into. They didn't really seem to mind, but if the dog catcher found you that was another story.

Muscles tensed as the spotted man began his daily walk over to find something to eat. Tail set evenly with his body, swaying back and forth with his hips. Tongue rolling out his mouth, ears slightly back. Those eyes heavy, but trying to make the best of what he did have. Pierce was alive, that was something right? He wasn't locked away in the pound. It could of been worse. Paws graced the dry cement, claws clicking steadily as he picked up his pace. This town was laced with other dogs, it was practically a dog town more so than a human one. Maybe it would be taken over entirely one day. What would the house dogs do with themselves then? The same thing he did, he guessed. Try to get by.

His nose twitched at the scent of another, it was no surprise really. The mixed scents never stopped, so he continued on his path, ignoring it until he came across her. She was climbing inside one of the garbage bins, although she didn't exactly look like a stray one could never be too sure. Cocking his head to the side, he paused in his tracks for a moment. Watching her before he padded over to the bin she was scrounging in. "Hello miss" he called out happily. Tail wagging eagerly as his bright eyes watched her carefully. "You don't look like the kind that would be seeking out food in the trash." he commented. It was merely an observation, she was smaller in stature compared to him, more stocky opposed to his lanky legs. But Pierce himself was kinda short and probably didn't stand much taller than the woman. His smile was wide, cheery and innocent. Pure if one could say, he was an innocent soul.

Lowering himself down to a sit, his rump rested against the concrete below, as he watched her waiting ever so patiently for a response. Noticing he hadn't even given her his name before bombarding her with questions, he lowered his head kind of ashamed of himself. "I'm so sorry, i'm Pierce by the way" he told her shaking his head a little bit at himself and his own mistake.

[looney]

Damsel wasn't doing too well in her search for food. The majority of her upper-half was hanging inside the bin, and her back legs were barely touching the crate she had used to balance herself only a few short moments ago. When a voice spoke, it startled her, and she had to practically throw herself backward so she wouldn't fall into the very smelly garbage. Teetering for a few moments, she finally found the balance to push herself to where she was completely standing on the crate again, and then lowered herself into a sitting position. Damsel knew that either this was a stray, and she needed to look big, or that it was another house dog looking for some company. At this time, she allowed herself to look over the man, and her eyes brightened. The first thing that caught her eyes was the bright red collar on his neck, deeply contrasted to his black and white coat. The next thing she noticed was how handsome he was. He couldn't possibly be a street dog, could he?

At his comment, Damsel looked down at herself. Her fur was nicely kept, and was very shiny and soft. The man was correct, she really did not look like the type to be looking for food in the trash, yet here she was, probably smelling very terrible, and even worse, empty handed.

"You're right, I'm not. This is my first time venturing out my house folk's yard, and I'm not too familiar with the food sources." After a few moments pause, a horrified look came over Damsel's face, and she asked quickly, "This is how strays find their food, right?" If it wasn't, she would be horrified, and would probably die right on the spot from embarrassment.

When he offered his name, looking almost shamed, Damsel couldn't help but smile. Her tail began to thump onto the crate in a rhythmic manner. Shaking her head, she replied, "It's fine, darling. Really. We all make mistakes." Damsel fidgeted slightly at her flirting, and looked down briefly. After a few seconds, she returned her bright blue gaze to his chocolate one and continued, "It's very nice to meet you, Pierce. My name is Damsel." She bowed slightly and then glanced up at him, her head still close to the crate she was standing on.

[DARKMOON]

He watched her carefully as she quickly brought herself out of the trash and fully settled onto the black crate. She was very well kept, pretty her coat well taken care of. There was no way a pretty face like that could be a stray. Smirking a little, he tried to shake the memory of his own now gone family from his thoughts. And the words that followed, confirmed his original belief, he forced a small smile. She was happy, that made a difference right? Some dogs were happy, and he did serve to protect others, even those he didn't know. Pierce couldn't help but chuckle at her comment. "Don't they feed ya plenty? Or are you just trying to sneak an extra snack?" he asked, cocking his head to the side a bit. Her face quickly grew concerned as another question raced from her lips, and Pierce glanced over at the trash regrettably. "Unfortunately, yes. This is where most of our meals come from." he told her, scrunching his nose at the nasty smell of wear his breakfast, lunch and dinner usually came. Look what he had been reduced to. It was terrible really, most of the food had gone bad, and some days he didn't even get any at all. Bad food was better than none, but this wasn't exactly good food either.

He couldn't help but be terribly relieved when her tail was wagging, thank goodness she wasn't angry about him throwing questions at her without a name. He gave her a soft, thankful smile to her words. Wagging his own tail in return. Her bright blue eyes were rather pretty, her coloration unique and different. He was a purebred, but what was she? He couldn't exactly tell. Maybe some pit bull, but that was all he could guess just from looking at her. "Well, isn't that a relief. Wouldn't want to disappoint." he told her, smirking lightly. He didn't know what he would do if he made a girl such as he upset, laughing a bit in his own mind he sighed with content. Returning her bow, he smiled widely. "Nice to meet ya as well Damsel." he replied. Unsure how she would take his previous comment, about this was where 'our' food came from. Meaning yes, he was a stray as well. Hopefully she wouldn't run off. He had a home at one time, did that count?

"Got time to hang around, or do ya have to head home?" he asked curiously. The people here were usually pretty relaxed about letting their dogs roam, but some less so than others. The humans were all different, he was much like herself, someone that could roam freely and not have to worry about being by his masters side all day. However these days, he wished he was. He'd rather be by his side, than not have a side to return to. Wagging his tail he waited patiently for her response, hoping he could have some company. While there were many strays, he didn't exactly spend time with them, many of them weren't exactly the friendliest of dogs.