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Refuge
May 5, 2008 19:28:15 GMT -5
Post by Fritz on May 5, 2008 19:28:15 GMT -5
((Whee! Long post!))
Two dogs made their way quickly through the quiet city and down the main street. They moved against the cold and winter's strengthening grasp. Shelter was here, and warmth, as well as the sustenance to survive the winter. They knew were to go, like the others that dwelt on the streets, those that were human and not canine.
The homeless shelter took in many strays and outcasts of their own kind during this time of year. When the barrel fires and subway systems wouldn't provide the warmth for their numb bodies, they would make the journey here. Here was the gentle touch and the sympathetic eye, the unjudging smile and the warm touch. To the shelter, the low places seemed to hum. To the refuge.
These thoughts seemed to pass on from man to dog, though only few of the furry kind knew of the place. Fritz and Lupus were two of these few. Behind the homeless shelter, past the dumpsters and the weary-eyed humans; now behind the mouldy couch and under these boxes and through that fissure in the wall.... The trek sent them down a labyrinth of twists and turns, but at last they found their resting place. It was an old, almost forgotten place. The hum of electricity set the background music and the low lighting from yellow lights and clouded sunlight set the atmosphere. This was the old generator room, where once, a long time ago, it supplied the whole city with their electricity and heat. Now, it was left to retire, aging quietly away while its newer counterparts took over. The constant thrum of machinery kept the place warm and its seclusion kept it safe from dangerous intruders. Apart from the mice and beetles, virtually no one knew of this place; and for Fritz, that was just what he wanted.
He had been holing up here when things got rough in the streets above; and one trip after another, had prepared it for a comfortable living. His "nest" of used blankets and softend newspapers took a corner of the room while other forgotten rags, cloth and paper lined the floor. While not the most sanitary or pleasant-looking of places, it was home, and it would be warm throughout the winter....
The greyhound shook his coat, sending a fine spray of melted snow and cold rain from his back. He yawned and stretched his long legs out before again shaking his mottled head. He turned an inquisitive eye back to Lupus.
"So, how're you tonight, my dear?"
Lupus settled herself with a sigh on her own nest of blankets, breathing in the scent of this familiar place. It was quite beautfiul, the way she saw it. This little pocket where Fritz and Lupus used to go all the time, when they first met a while ago when her companion entered the city. Together they had discovered this little labyrinth of perpetual happiness; they always came here, almost like they shared this little home with each other. It was very secluded and warm during the harsh months of the city winter.
But what amazed her the most was the way the humans- bedraggled and wall-eyed- that seemed to hang around the alley that housed the fissure in the concrete building. Lupus would occasionally perk her ears and tip her head in confusion and sometimes barking out her emtions of confusion to the crudely dressed figures. But she knew better than that; the twolegged never understood another tongue than their own. Understanding the nature of dogs were easy for her: like Raven, Ice, and the other Death Stalkers, they were born to kill..and even rumored to be born from hell. It could send a shiver.
But humans? Yes, they were a frankly idiotic kind, but were they even cruel to their own bretheren? The question was always asked to herself again and again, but the answer was always left uncertain. Deep down, all the way past her quest for peace, her friendship with Fritz, the Estrela Mountain dog felt a pity for the homeless humans. They were always cold and helpless, but in the end, Lupus gave up, and retreated back to the refuge.
Lupus looked up from her thoughts, her eyes glittering with happiness at Fritz. "Like I always am: fearful. That pitbull sure turned me around, that's for sure. Odd that she wasn't one of them," Lupus finished grimly.
She sighed, shaking the neative thoughts away. Leaning over she licked Fritz cheek. "So tell me, where have you been? I haven't seen you in quite a while."
"Odd, I suppose. I'm sure she has her reasons, though..." The thought crossed Fritz's mind that perhaps Ice had lied to them. That couldn't be, though. Death Stalkers only go out of their gates at night. It was a puzzle, that was certain. If the pitbull wasn't on the Stalkers' list of "dogs-to-get", he would be surprised.
The greyhound was caught off guard by Lupus's lick. He turned his eye to her with a soft smile; his tail beat the ground contentedly.
"I've been around," he said. "Soul searching, I s'pose. Looking for my family, too..." Fritz had no dog family, not in this part of the country at least. His was a family of humans. He had never given up hope that they would return someday to take him back. Yet this trip, like several before, had only rewarded him with another disappointing search. He was one of the few strays that still retained an untainted outlook on the humans.
"Ah, I see," Lupus answered solemnly. Forever she pitied Fritz for the loss of his human family, being left abandoned here in this forasken city. Since then, they had talked much their return, as well a few side conversations about peace amng the Death Stalkers. It was an odd way to put his whole predicament. Still, Lupus was sometimes sad about Fritz's hopefulness. If his family did return, he would leave immediatley. Her worst fears would come alive that very day in the future. I will lose another that means dear to me. Then, only then, is when I'll be truely alone...
Lupus sighed, readjusting the fixture of her blankets. Everytime she felt upset she found fault in everything. Her blankets were too scrunched, she couldn;t ind a comfortable position, the crude pillow on her left side was cold; the observations came from every direction.
"I do pray you find your family, my friend."
Lupus settled herself, watching Fritz for his response. She could have talked all night; she wasn't tired the least. Lupus was never tired. In fact, she hadn't had a good sleep since she was a pup in her parent's Family, nuzzled so tightly among her brothers and sisters.
Fritz's ear perked at the change of tone in Lupus' voice. His smile fell a little and his tail stopped its rhythm. He had been around the Estrella long enough to realize when something was not right. He also knew the source of the problem and it saddened him...
"Lupe, what's wrong?" The greyhound slid closer on his belly and lifted his head to nuzzle the other's chin. The question had already been answered a number of times before, in situations much like this one. It never hurt to ask again, though. Nor did it hurt to answer unspoken words.
"You're my family, Lupus. If I go anywhere, you'll be with me. I won't leave without you..."
Again, there was that one unspoken fact. Fritz was a nomad at heart and loyalty was in his blood... loyalty to the ones that had raised him.
Lupus took the nuzzle gratefully. He had asked a question with an answer, and he had said something left undetermind. Sadly, Lupus knew that such a thing was not true. She couldn't leave this city, no, not without her peace talkings with Raven and her revenge for the death of her mother. And even if what Fritz said was true, and Lupus's deed in life had been fulfilled, how would his Family react? No way would they take in a street dog; if that happened, what path would Fritz take? Lupus wanted him to be happy. She would tell him to leave with the ones he loved.
Either way, Lupus wanted to answer his question. "It's just hard to think about. Oh Fritz, you're my only dear friend here. But I'm not telling you to pick me over the ones that cared for you. No, never." That was a true fact. If the Family did show up, Lupus would urge Fritz all the way. The greyhound had a home, a family, a life. Lupus, besides her friend, had nothing.
Still, Lupus couldn't help but blurt out her opinions about him calling her his family. "I know, my friend. But listen to yourself. What do you want me to do? I can't leave this place until I have talked to Raven once, and avenged my mother. Even after that, what would your Family think? They wouldn't take in a stray." Actually, that was a lie. There was only one way that Lupus and Fritz could stay together, but it was absurd. She didn't bring it up.
"You don't know that," Fritz said, the undertones relating a sense of pleading. He didn't like how this conversation was going. Talking about things like this made him uncomfortable. A certain part of him asked why they bothered to think about the future and to worry about things that might never come about... Live for the moment and worry about the future when they got there, right?
"You don't know that they won't accept you. We don't even know that they'll be coming back." There, he said it. In that simple statement the greyhound finally stated the words that had been plaguing his thoughts. What if his family never did come back? What then? Sometimes, though it might hurt, it was good to plan ahead, to look at all of the what if's...
Fritz was silent for a moment before he spoke his next line of thought. "They'll kill you, you know that. The Death Stalkers, I mean," he looked up, catching Lupus's eye. "Raven won't hesitate to kill you then. He's done the same thing to other dogs who tried to reason with him; why wouldn't he do the same to you?" Back to that pleading tone.
Ah, their situations had reversed now. As with Lupus, Fritz's fear was of losing his friend to someone else. Oh, the difficulties of life and decisions and choices that came with it! Why couldn't everything be so simple?
"I know," Lupus murmured. Her fears were all too real, all too terrifying. But she refused to give in, not this time. "I can't live with myself knowing that one day I'll see you lying in the middle of the park...dead, because I could've done something to stop it." Lupus almost broke down in tears, the wringing of Fritz's words were still fresh in her head.
They'll kill you, you know. The Death Stalkers, I mean, he had said.
But couldn't Lupus protect herself? She was a skilled fighter and full and clever nature. Even worse, she herself had witnessed the cruelty of the Death Stalkers killings: her mother had tried to protect her from it. "I escapped the Death Stalkers once...I can do it again." But even Lupus couldn't fool herself. Why was she here? Her mother was dead; can't she just accept it?
Finally, she layed her head down on her blankets, one paw over her nose. Her dark eyes wandered aimlessly, until finally she broke down, tears staining her pillow. "Oh, Fritz, what am I doing here? I shouldn't be wandering around here, hoping I could get close to Raven. This is the stupidest thing I've ever done!" She couldn't help but spill out her emotions. Now, the thought of staying with Fritz...and hoping that his Family would return...sounded much better than this trash of a life she was still too stubborn to give up.
Fritz uttered a soft whine at the mention of him dead in the park. It was an uncomfortable thought, though one that had become reality for many dogs since Raven took control. He was quiet, listening carefully to Lupus's bitter words.
Her tears caught him by surprise but the greyhound was quick to react.
"No, it's not. This would be the stupidest thing you've done if you truly believe that. It is a valiant idea, one that many dogs are relying on; yet... I don't think now is the right time to follow it through."
Fritz leaned his head back and to the side. "Don't give up hope on your plan, just .. don't get your hopes up too high. Not yet." Contradictory much? His ears twitched back again as he realized his words. Not the kind of comfort he was hoping to give, nor did he know what else to do...
"I met with another dog a week ago or so," Fritz said, eagerly changing the subject from one depressing topic to one with a lighter note. "A German Shepherd; Axel was his name. He seemed like a good candidate for our 'little escapades.' One more dog we can keep from Death Stalker jaws, hopefully."
Yes, that was good news.
((Ah, sorry it's so late. >.<"))
((Don't worry))
Lupus raised her head immediatley, watching and listening as Fritz uttered each word in such a way that made the Estrella feel much better. As he continued, certain points made her hang her head in a symbol of defeat; almost disgust. Lupus was a very loyal and ambitious dog, and it took quite a challenge to make give up her dreams. But then again, Fritz hadn't asked her to do that.
Then her mind went happy again. It made enough sense. Lupus was fairly understanding, and although it wouldn't please her, she was willing to put her leadership standings into line. "Axel..." she thought interestingly. Axel. Hmm. Another 'member'. And then, another thought went through her mind. Maybe this would work! Lupus kept the name and thought fresh so she could explain it all to Fritz delicatley as well as astutely. Lupus's plan, beginning with the death of her mother, was coming together.
She looked to the greyhound with eyes full of happiness. "Axel...do you know where we might find him? I would like to speak with him." Quickly, Lupus explained her future plan of making their own little group, some sort of rebellion. If she got to knwo this Axel, maybe some changes could be made!
"Thank you so much for everything, Fritz," she barked. Leaning over, she nicked the greyhound's ear playfully and thankfully. "I mean it."
Fritz nodded as Lupus explained. It was a good plan, though one that would be dangerous... The greyhound had never been keen on grand adventures like this; but if it meant stopping the Death Stalkers, well... He could deal with it.
Now, to Axel. "No, I don't know where he is now. Could be anywhere. The last place I saw him was in the northern part of town, near the park, I think? But that was awhile ago." They would find him, though. The lucky ones were always found.
The greyhound smiled and his tail once more picked up that tail-beat tempo. It was funny how much a conversation could change in so little time. He preferred it like this, anyways, with everything looking all right.
Fritz yawned and shook his head. It was getting late. Outside, night cloaked the city with her dark and still folds. He couldn't help but thinking that while they were warm and safe here, the Death Stalkers were out prowling the streets. In the morning, there would be one less Free Dog in the city, and one more lying cold and still in the shadows. Yet with the hope of Lupus's plan in his mind, Fritz knew that things were going to change very soon.
Lupus sighed, happy for the reassurement in Fritz's tail beats. Still, even though she and her friend were tired, much was that needed to be discussed. How would this rebellion work? As it pained her to think it, it needed a ranking system so some of the Free Dogs wouldn't think that this life was a box of half-eaten candy where they could take what was left.
"Fritz," she began, getting off the topic of Axel, "For this rebellion...I believe me and you should be the...hmm, what word...? Leaders, maybe?"
For a brief minute, Lupus thought Fritz might be offended. Greyhounds were not the most muscled and best fighters. Lupus herself used to know a young greyhound living with her parents' Family, that drowned in their 'pool' because of small muscle tissue. There was a possibility that Fritz may become uprooted from his position.
However, Lupus would not let that happen. Being an Estrela had its perks: huge body, strong mouth and legs, temperature resistance, and the occasional stubborn mind that came with the package. Anyone that messed with Fritz, would have to answer to Lupus herself. She was not prepared to have a dog in their rebellion that would fight for a title. Weren't they the peace woes of the city?
Shying away, Lupus looked down at her paws. "What do you think?"
Fritz c.ocked an ear at this. Leaders? That was an interesting thought. Leaders, hm.... It was an interesting and terribly tempting proposition. One that couldn't be accepted without thought, one that would probably burden the light-hearted dog with more troubles than he cared to have. But... If Lupus was going to be leading this thing, then by golly, he'd be standing right beside her. And so, if Lupus had had any fears about Fritz's opinion of her suggestion, they were horribly dashed to pieces by his enthusiastic response.
"Wow. I like it. I'll be a leader with you. Though you'd be more of a leader than me, I guess. Your ideas and all. I'll reinforce them," Fritz said with a grin. Despite his outward appearance, the greyhound's mind was already rolling. Claiming such a position would make them even bigger targets in Raven's eyes. No doubt that they would be in for a rough ride. Yet if it meant bringing an end to the Mastiff's regime, then Fritz was more than willing to step into that role. Even if it meant risking his own life.
Only an hour before, they had been ordinary street dogs with little seedlings of defiance carefully grown and nurtured in secret. Now they were on their way to becoming a true threat to the Death Stalkers. And how? By becoming leaders of this organized rebellion! It was so exciting! At last they were on their way to fulfilling Lupus' dream... and more.
Raising her head, Lupus listened to Fritz with a mixture of joy that he had accepted the responsibility...but then again, if anything would to happen to Fritz, she knew the blame would be put on her. Raven's life was of killing and recruiting; a rebellion to stop his efforts would land a dark destiny between Lupus and her companion. Anything could happen: death, betrayl, failure... But in the middle of it all, right in the tiniest center of the turmoil, a faint glimmer began to glow. Hope.
As Fritz continued, Lupus flattened her ears, her dark eyes broad with a mixture of anger a slight stubborn. "I may have ideas, but that doesn't mean you'll be right next to me!" Lupus began to think about the possibilities. Yes, she wanted to lead their quest for peace full on, but she wanted to lead with him. She understood his point of view, though. Being a greyhound had some points that would make a pitbull laugh while in a certain position.
But what if Fritz still refused? "Whether you want to lead or not, I need you beside me." The Estrela's tail began to thump with the feeling of success. My mother...Death Stalkers... All of her life Lupus lived under the feeling that her only purpose in life was revenge, to kill the one who made her life miserable. No, she said to herself. Not anymore. This rebellion wasn't saught for revenge. It's purpose was to free all those who lived in constant fear of walking behind a corner. It's purpose was the bring peace to the land of city dogs. Lupus couldn't fulfil that unless Fritz was there.
"When shall we begin?"
"Alright, alright; I understand." Fritz blinked, giving Lupus an encouraging nod. With, together; not beside with one less than the other. That's how it always had been and he had been silly to have forgotten it.
"We'll begin tomorrow. Once the Death Stalkers go back to the park." Once we get some sleep...
Fritz smiled softly, pleased with how quickly things were coming along. The greyhound yawned again and rose to all fours. He stretched his forelegs out before giving a quick shake and then trotted back to his own ratty nest. Even after almost two years from the track, Fritz had never overcome the habit of sleeping alone. A racing dog's bed was the one of the few things that he didn't have to share... He laid down again and rested his head on his forepaws, already half asleep.
"G'night, Lupus."
Content with his acceptance, Lupus rose to all fours, her eyes shining. Her nest was close by his; unlike Fritz, Lupus too had an odd habit apart from her friend: she hated being alone. But with having a greyhound as a companion, she got over it, but the Estrela would not stray more than a yard from his own nest. The female walked over, giving Fritz a good-night lick to reassure herself.
Wagging her tail, Lupus retreated to her own bedding: a mess of baby-blue blankets and a chewed pillow thrown in for support. She eyed the heater unsurely, walking in circles to buff the blankets until they were in waves with the pillow comforted next to her. Even during the winter, Estrela's had to mix around when it came to the heating conditions. Despise her temperature resistance, the heat annoyed her thick fur. She settled herself a good deal away with Fritz not feet from her.
"Good night my friend."
- Fin -
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