In Dire Straits

Companion

"What do you want, kid?" Gunner grunted, still laying down with his cropped ears laid backward in annoyance. He was definitely not fond of other dogs, but the husky seemed to be submissive and ready to flee at any second. She was clearly no aggressive pack dog.

Vega calmed herself ever so slightly. This big dog was clearly grumpy and irritated, but wasn't threatening her. However, she could never be too careful.

"Sorry," the female said quietly with a flick of her tail. "Just a bit hungry and thirsty. A little lonely, too. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get out and meet others..." Tilting her head, she observed the pit bull quietly. "A-are you a pack dog?" she stuttered, seeing the male's eyes narrow instantly.

Then it hit her. Stupid, stupid me! She hadn't covered her scent, and the pack dogs could follow her. In fact, she could smell it now. She just wanted to get out of danger and breathe. But it felt like she was constantly being followed.

The pit bull looked up as Vega spoke, a flash of security slowly fading into her eyes that indicated she didn't see him as a threat. He snarled as he rose to his feet, black lips pulling back to reveal a formidable set of teeth. The husky whined and backed up a bit, frightened by his size and aggression. Gunner was clearly annoyed by her question. "Pack dog? What a stupid question. Of course not! I don't run with those damned packlanders. I'm not insane!" He huffed, then took a moment to calm himself. "So, kid... you're pretty damn lucky that I'm the one that found you and not some other dog with ill intentions."

Then he smelled the unfamiliar canine odor that lingered around this strange female. His muzzle wrinkled in distaste as he held back a snarl. "You've been trespassing," he noted. "I'm assuming you were looking for food, and not being idiotic enough to carelessly waltz into pack dog territory. Were you bitten?" he demanded in his gruff, intimidating voice. "Are you injured? Speak."
"I'm okay, I'm okay," Vega assured.
The scent of canines was strong on her. Titus wrinkled his nose. "Stay away from the pack lands," he warned. After a moment of consideration, he spoke again. "I know a place where there's food and water. Follow me," he said.

At his offer of leading her to food and water, Vega slowly lifted herself out of her submissive posture, tail wagging as fast as it could. "I'd definitely appreciate that."

The male watched as the female shook the dust off her long fur. The dog's curly tail wagged as fast as it could go, obviously happy about the promise of food and water. He shifted a bit and turned toward the pond he always went to.

Vega finally managed to get a good look at the dog and was somewhat impressed by his appearance. Seemingly untouched by disease or hunger, he was in a lot better shape than any other dog she'd seen in this city. He was undoubtedly well-muscled, with a pitch black pelt that donned what appeared to be old battle scars. The husky figured it would be best not to ask about them.

This dog was clearly irritable and ill-tempered, but did not seem to mean her any harm. Still, the husky felt a bit uneasy around this brute of a dog. Who knows what he could do if he got really angry? She stayed on her best behavior, trying to be polite.

"I'm Vega, by the way," she managed to call out to him.

The pit bull looked over his shoulder as he led the female. "Gunner," he replied bluntly, and began to pick up his pace. He started trotting into the alley, looking back every now and then to make sure the husky was following. His black tail was held high and confidently, wavering in the morning breeze, his muscular legs covering the distance quickly. He turned into an alley, stopping at a rather worn down chain link fence. The gate was closed.

"Up here, kid. There's a nice clear pond here, where you can drink and wash off," he indicated, before closing his powerful jaws on the fence. He sank his claws into the dirt and pulled the fence open, making it creak slightly. He let go and trotted into the backyard, where the little pond shone under the bright gleam of the sun. "The house is abandoned, but there's a few loners living inside. They don't like others coming through. I could handle 'em, but I'd rather not scrap right now. So we have to pass right along the house so they don't see us." A mischievous grin stretched his lips. Managing to slip his massive form across the distance separating him from the house, he looked back to make sure Vega was following. "Hurry up," he ordered.

Vega couldn't help but look up nervously at this rather scary new "companion" she'd made. She had to admire Gunner's courage though, and followed him obediently.

His scarred shoulder skimming the cracked brick wall of the house, he came to the pond and bowed his head, tongue slipping out to lap up the cool liquid. When he had finished, he folded his strong limbs beneath him and laid down on the grass. "Drink, kid."

Following the beast, Vega smiled a bit. Her ears perked forward at the sound of his strong, commanding voice. She followed him quietly.

"I'm a little nervous..." The utterance slipped out without Vega's permission, and she hoped desperately that Gunner didn't hear. Her blue eyes lifted, expecting to meet his cold stare, but he seemed to be suddenly lost in thought as he stared blankly off into the distance.

She came to the pond, and soon after she dipped her head to lap delicately at the water, she waded in. She shivered a bit at the coolness of the water in contrast to the hot outside. "So, Gunner..." she said, hoping to make conversation with this brute. "You don't seem like the type to be a loner, honestly."

Gunner saw her slip into the water, and at her question he gazed off into the sky. "Nah, damn those cursed pack dogs." He huffed before continuing, seemingly very hesitant. "I was a... pet before. Long ago."
Vega was almost shocked at that. A big independent brute like him was a pet?
"Ah, don't act surprised," he said, as if to read the female's mind. "We all come from somewhere. I grew up here in the North City. That's what they call this place, right? I didn't have the best past, but eventually I became a stray. A loner." He paused. "I don't really like talking 'bout what led up to it."
Vega was surprised he opened up a bit to her, even if it was just a small tidbit of information. But she confused at those last words. Had something bad happened to him? It was probably best not to push the subject. She slowly lifted herself from the water, trying to avert her gaze from those piercing, formidable eyes.