My Own Personal Hell {OPEN}

[rook]

Rook[/color]

Rook stared at the dry land before him. It was hot, the sun hanging just around the middle of the sky. Rook blinked lazily and stretched, wincing as his ribs pushed painfully against his sides. It was getting harder and harder to find food this year. The dry heat that beat down on his back was relentless and he let his tongue slip from his maw as he panted heavily.
The land had always been cruel, but this year, it seemed determined to beat him into the dirt. Submission was a likely option, but death was not at the top of Rook's list. He groaned and stood up, shaking the thin film of dust from his pelt. The Lost Lake glimmered at him, the water's edge seeming to have receded more than normal. It could only be expected.
Rook dragged his body to the water's edge and rolled in the water, relishing the slight coolness it brought to his fur. But even that was quickly gone as the heat drew at the water, quickly drying him.
He laid down it the lake, slowly lapping at it's murky water's. The earth around him was cracked and firm from the hot sun's rays beaming down on it, but the water kept him slightly cooler than before. Rook turned his eyes to the sun, gazing the endless blue. Silently, he prayed for rain. Both for a respite, and for a fresher drink of water. The water he laid in was slowly growing warmer and warmer with each passing hour.
He turned his gaze towards the Stranglehold. It had been many months since he had last been within the boundaries of the Stranglehold, but since then, he had had no desire to return. Rook had never had a human partner so he would not know the bond that they had once formed. He had only known what was the present today and it was all he would ever know.
Rook sighed and sat up, his gaze never leaving the Stranglehold. "I think..." He whispered quietly, his voice low and having a feral purr ot it. "That it's time I returned..." He yawned, flashing large yellow canines and a gray splotched tongue, and stood up, padding towards the barren empty space that sepperated him from the Stranglehold.
With one last sigh, infinite more ahead, Rook set off for the Stranglehold, a grim look in his eyes.

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[Hercules]

The large ball of heated fur slowly walked through the mass of foliage. Small pestering bugs flew all around his body, a sure sign that he was near the lake. However, he would not swim in the lake, for he assumed he would sink like a stone. Hercules always assumed the worst, taking precautionary measures whenever necessary; it always seemed necessary. He simply came to this lake to seek shade from the trees that surround it.

One foot after another, he walked, slowly, almost like his batteries were running out. He tongue hung under his jowls, drying under the heat. Some last strings of saliva dripped from his mouth.

Why did I even come here? he asked himself in a quiet, exhausted voice,
"I am doing myself no good."

It was as if he was almost losing hope. Hope was one of the only things he could keep held with him now. Fortunately, there was a decently sized spot of shade, to of which he set his sights to. Once underneath the soothing feel of the shade, he collapsed; exhausted and hot. His hot breath escaped through his mouth with each pant and he tail swayed vigorously back and forth, as if he were fanning himself. He felt a lot more comfortable now for he was spared of the sun's wrath for the time being. He planned to not leave the shade until night fell, where he would then attempt to travel back to the city. He only came to the forest in hopes to find two things: water and prey. He seemed to have found one but not the other.

Paws sweeping through the grass not too far away could be heard, but unfortunately Hercules could not. His hearing was not very exceptional at his age. Also, as Hercules laid occupied with the shade, the other creature would not be noticed unless he were to approach him. If that were to happen, Hercules would only be able to hope that it was not hostile.

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[rook]

Rook[/color]

Rook stopped as a scent wafted through his nostrils. It was the musky, and slightly unhealthy, scent of another dog. Rook paused and considered his options. He could either confront the dog, or continue on his way to the Stranglehold. He stared out at the land, his eyes blinking slowly as he thought about it. Finally he turned around and padded towards the smell.
Hidden in the shade of a dying tree, Rook spotted the thin form of another dog. The prospect of meeting another stray put him on his guard and he lowered his head warily, his eyes never leaving the other dog's form.
At the moment, it didn't appear threatening, but Rook had lived long enough in the stranglehold to know that even the most docile of dogs could turn on you faster than you could say 'woof.'
With only a few feet separating them, Rook straightened up. "Oi! Who are you?" He barked, his voice haven taken on a rather hard edge. Rook's eyes narrowed and his tail raised slightly in a warning.

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[Hercules]

The fur ball was ever comfortable. This shade was the only paradise any dog could find in this season and weather, and Hercules did not take it for granted. He almost felt spoiled and pampered by the blessed shade. Even as he--

"Oi! Who are you?"

Hercules' body twitched in utter surprise as he was caught off guard by some strangers voice. He whipped his body around to get a look at the mutt. He appeared to be somewhat large, fawn in color. He was still somewhat off put by the fact that he surprised him like that.

Hercules took a few moments to catch his breath before speaking his name. Then, he smiled and friendly smile and said, "I am Hercules." Fortunately for the other dog, he was as friendly as can be. With his size and strength, for him to be hostile would generally be a suicide mission to surprise. But still, he was a nice dog, and he had managed to be during his entire life in this hell hole. Although the stranger's narrowed eyes made Hercules feel somewhat uncomfortable, he brushed those feelings off and continued to seem nonthreatening. He wanted to make friendliness contrast his intimidating size and shape.

Hercules would not continue to ask for his name, instead, he let himself relax. He felt that this other dog would not bother or hurt him to much, so he relaxed. However, he guard still remained as his weary eyes were glued onto the stranger.

[rook]

Rook[/color]

Rook let out a low snarl. He didn't care for big dogs. Rook himself was rather large due to his own heritage, but this dog still outsized him. Despite that, Rook made up for it with speed and intelligence. "Don't so happy go-lucky you great oaf. It makes me sick..."" He grumbled, padding towards the water and lapping at it a bit.

Despite his rudeness, Rook remained wary of the stranger, his eyes never really leaving him. He shook his fur, dust flying into the air, only to settled back onto his pelt. "So? Why are you out here and not in that hell hole?" He growled, turning back to the dog.

His ice blue eye shone with a fierce coldness, his darker, more black-brown eye showing an equal hardness to it. All in all, he was not a dog to mess with. Especially this day. The heat was making him irritable enough. Silently, without wavering, he hoped once more for rain to fall. He could practically feel the fur melting off his skin.
No! Don't think like that!
He thought, harshly berating himself. It would do no good to bring up his past memories.

Instead, he focused on Hercules, eyes narrowed.

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[Hercules]

"Don't so happy go-lucky you great oaf. It makes me sick..."
Suddenly, his friendliness turned into a stoic smug. Clearly, this dog was a hostile one. Hercules would choose to ignore him. He turned his back to face the dog and laid to ignore him.

Hercules did not take kindly to hostile strangers, he gives him friendliness and that is what he gets in return. It reminded him of a certain human. This dog seems like the everyday grouchy cocky asshole that you come by, and Hercules did not care much for them. Because of this, he would ignore the dog, and should he strike, well, that'd be dangerous to say the least. He would have to be stupid. Hercules was not arrogant, although he could prove to be difficult to fight against. Hercules could only hope that this dog was not pissy enough to attack him.

"So? Why are you out here and not in that hell hole?" the grouch growled.

Some nerve he had, certainly. Hercules simply ignored the snide comment from the other dog, and he would simply laid there. The other dog's rudeness almost offended Hercules, as he seemed to be quite sensitive. Although he would not let that obvious, as he was good at masking feelings.

OOC: Sorry this sucks... I posted this while at a friend's.

[rook]

Rook[/color]

Rook turned back to the dog and noticewd that he was ignoring him. The thought made his fur rise, but he said nothing. If this dog chose to ignore him, fine. He shouldn't expect kiness frome very dog that passed by him. Some actually knew that to survive, it was better to be mean first, then open up.

Rook sighed and pawed his face, his dew claw dragging across his cheek. He muttered something unitelligle, then sighed harder. " The water is cooler you know..." He grunted, not looking at the dog. Rook was not one to be kind to others. But it was strange, seeing a dog like this one so far away from the city.

Generally they stayed there, able to find food easier than dogs that were slightly smaller, like Rook. He grimaced and licked his paw, rubbing it against his scar. The old wound itched slightly from the irritable heat. Rook rolled in the water, then shook his fur, splashing it everywhere. He smiled slightly, but it was gone faster than you could of seen it.

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[Hercules]

"The water is cooler you know..." the other dog grunted.

Hercules slowly lifted his heavy head, turning towards the dog. He lifted to his feet, padding one foot after another towards to foot of the lake. He stared at the surface of the murky waters. "I think if I may to too heavy to swim," he said. He stepped backed, to ensure he would not fall in. This may prove that Hercules was not a risk taker and always made an excuse to avoid taking the risk. It seemed pathetic, but it seemed to be an unbreakable habit.

Hercules approached the water's edge, staring down at it for what seemed to be several minutes. Finally, he dipped his tongue into the water and then continued to lap it into his mouth and swallow it. His dry throat was relieved and his stomach felt washed. He cracked a small smile of relief before heading back to his square of shade, where he collapsed again and tried to relax.

OOC: I'm so sorry, its so hard to squeeze out decent posts its been months. Im trying no, no excuses![/size][/i]

[rook]

(( ooc: It's alright Hercules. I'm not doing so well either... I'm leaving tomorrow and it's pretty hectic. ))

[rook]

Rook[/color]

Rook growled in an annoyence. "Never mind then...." He was quite for a few minutes, then he walked away, going to a seperate patch of shade. It was smaller than the other dog's, but he didn't mind. He sighed and laid down, wincing as his rib's dug into his sides.
He closed his eyes and yawned, his canines flashing, and slowly drifted off into a deep slumber.

THe fire flickered around him, his tendrils curling against him and lapping at his fur. He looked at it with the horror of a young pup. His mother stared a thim through the flames, her eyes as white as snow and her tongue lolling out. Blood gushed from her neck in a terrifying amount and Rook tried to back away.

The fire hissed and scorched his backside. He yelped and jumped back towards his mother. Fear raced through him as he lay trapped between his two most greatest fears. Rook curled into a ball and began to cry silently, feeling the fur and flesh slowly melting from his bones and scattering. Like ash in the wind.

The pain was excrutiating, and yet he remained asleep, unable to wake from the nightmare.

Rook shifted and kicked at the air slightly, letting a small whimper escape his maw. He winced and grimaced in his sleep, his teeth clenched tightly.

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[Hercules]

"Never mind then...." the other dog said. Hercules listened to the almost silent footsteps behind him. He looked up and noticed the sleeping dog in the smaller patch of shade. Feeling a little more comfortable, Hercules let himself relax.

Suddenly, there was a small yet apparent whimper coming from wherever the other dog was laying. There was no one else there, although, Hercules noticed his kicking and clamped jaws. It was easily recognized that he was having a nightmare.

Hercules was immediately worried and he got up and ran to the other dog. He nudged him, desperately trying to wake him up. He may have seemed to be trapped in the gruesome nightmare. He tried to nudge him harder, it would not work. If the nudging would not work, then he was out of ideas. He tried to bark "WAKE UP!" to his voice's limit. He could easily tell he was suffering. It reminded Hercules of himself. He could only imagine what was going on inside of the poor dog.

OOC: I cannot really go any further into the post without power playing, since I cannot control if your character woke up from his first attempt to wake him.

[rook]

Rook[/color]

Rook jolted out of his sleep, teeth bared and ears flat against his head. He snarled fiercely at the dog and his pupils nearly covered his whole iris as the fear raced through his veins. Slowly, but surely though, he relaxed and blinked.

He sat back, realizing what had probably happened. He looked away, shame, guilt, and embarrassment flickering through his eyes. "Err... Sorry.... I didn't realize it was you..." He coughed sheepishly.

"Thank you....." He muttered, still unable to look at Hercules. It was not in Rook's cold and standoffish nature to be so forward with his emotions. But Rook would have rather kissed this dog's face and thanked him than spend another hour or so burning to death over and over again. Just the horror of it made him tremble.

"I err..." He muttered, not really knowing what to do next. The sun beat down heavily, but it was slowly sinking beneath the horizon. Soon, all that would be left was a navy blue sky, twinkling with bright stars and the hot dry earth.

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