.into the city&& {{Flicker

[` EMBERS]

A radiant golden light emanated from a tear in a blanket of dull gray, overcast clouds, like cotton leaking out of the ratty fabric of an old stuffed animal. The gold sheen settled upon the clear glass of the scrapers so tall, they could almost reach up and throttle the heavens with their heavyset, pointed antennas and large satellite dishes. Busy, early morning sounds gushed from the roadsides twining around the bases of the towering buildings, the loud, dominant voices of car horns and beepers going off every few moments as the AM traffic hustled through the waking city. The new day had begun to put the street lamps to sleep, as only a few lagging light-bulbs still lit the less inhabited alley ways tucked behind the places where eye could not see. The usual worrisome pedestrians found themselves wedged in between the bustling tumult of people crowding the entrance to dimly lit sub-way stations, and poorly roofed bus-stops, brief-cases clutched tightly to their chests, desperately attempting to edge away from the other bystanders to keep their ironed suits in order.

My own spotted pads stood firmly planted against the tar black curb shielding the sidewalk. Away from the busier sections of the metropolis, I had found myself in the midst of a neighborly backstreet, a small road lined with stiff, red brick houses on either side. For the most part, each of the small front yards held nothing but brown grass and the occasional withered flower pot propped up against the stairs’ railings. The recent lack of rain seemed to have taken its toll on the gloomy neighborhood, however, smiling people still emerged from their houses every few minutes to climb into their pick-ups, or catch the carpool humming patiently down the block. To my right, a tall, wooden telephone pole sprouted a number of taut wires and plastic tubing at its peak that sloped downward in the way, perhaps, that could be compared to the build of a slide. At the base, it nested in the ground to my left, stretching over my head.

The sweet scent of the forest still lingered in my nostrils, and I caught myself as my head made an involuntary motion to glance behind me, where I knew the tips of trees could be seen rustling against the indigo sky behind the chimneys of houses. It did not seem that long ago, though it might have been several hours, when I had lain upon the forest floor, oblivious as to what would happen the next day, who I might meet, what I might do. I now glanced back upon the self that had existed within the bounds of yesterday simply amazed that I could have been so ignorant to my very near future. The stubborn wind that had buffeted my fur in the ebony night had been long forgotten as I stood quite placidly on the little block. I only could think about what I could now accomplish…Things were different now.

Nameless to me, my companion was, however I still felt as though I knew her well. She was a rather small little thing, bony perhaps. Not from hunger, no doubt, but from her breed. Lovely heritage, a pure-bred. This I could say with no hesitation, as it was quite noticeable how her form differed from mine, as a mutt. But somehow, fate had brought us together, and within a heart’s beat, I had found her as not only a traveling companion, but something I could hold on to, something to keep me within the bounds of reality. The anger, the uncontrollable emotions that welled inside of me so frequently found themselves lulled to sleep in her presence. Her essence gave of a quieting sensation, one not even I could press myself to ignore. She was the only one who could keep me from my darker wants and urges…the lust for blood to ease my own pain.

Perhaps the sheer fact that she could not speak made it all the easier. In all honesty, my first impression on her lack of speech surprised me. My own lack in socialization, I realized, would be put to the test if I wished to communicate with her. How was I to speak to such a dog through body language when I couldn’t carry a conversation with merely words? However, I found myself mistaken. Her lack of speech simply ensured that her remarks could not offend me, could not trigger my emotions. Though the both of us found it quite complicated to explain to the other what needed to be said, I must admit with all modesty, that I believed I, and she as well, had done an excellent job in conveying spoken word into movements and gestures. The lone problem that she was still clueless as to my capability was my only concern…

Turning to her, I found my black lips spread into a small smile. The city, the place as close as I could call to home, had called me back to it, this time with her. My longing for the more inhabited areas of the region where I could weave in and out of the crowd and watch the flickering stop-lights filled my heart with longing. "Well…what do you think?" I gushed to her, her absence of comprehension of my words unimportant to myself, as my own sheer excitement should do the trick. Finally. Home.

puppet. RIVALRY
word count. NINE-HUNDRED&SEVEN
muse. EIGHT-OUT-OF-TEN

[MENTAL]

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
Good lucks gonna shine

<sub>I could see and almost feel his excitement. Though it did not help me to see this place any differently. It was frightening to say the least, the looming buildings making me feel even smaller than I was. The noise hurting my ears and I could tell that it wasn't even that loud. But it put pressure on my ears in a way that I could not explain, they were straining themselves to try and depict the noise. I hadn't been deaf long enough for hearing to not be a habit anymore, I still tried but it never worked.

I was keeping an eye on him while I lay on the pavement with a rather miserable look on my face. I couldn't help but be miserable when I felt pain and fear every moment in this place, every movement that I could see made me jump in fright because I wouldn't have expected it. If I'd been able to hear this approach it would not have bothered me so much. But I didn't know about this until they were right by me and by then it was already too late to anticipate their appearance enough to not jump in fright. It was increasing my heart rate to a pace that was almost painful, me breathing even starting to feel a little strained.

I could tell that he wanted to know what I thought of this place that he had brought me to and not wanting to hurt his feelings I attempted to place a smile on my anxious face. It didn't work however, the smile was too forced which just made me feel worse than I would've felt had I just been honest with him. I let the forced smile disappear, just looking at him anxiously as I got up, barely lifting my body off the pavement at all though, and moved closer to him before letting myself drop to the ground again. I was careful not to touch him because he had shown me no evidence that he enjoyed having me anywhere near him.</sub>

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
So hold on, we're headed for a better life

------------------------------------------------------------

_{Words;; 353
Muse;; 3
Tagged;; Ems with Rivalry
Notes;; very short one I'm sorry.}

[` EMBERS]

A steady breeze rifled through the street, swinging the telephone wires back and forth like a cradle, and knocking a cracked clay pot of wilted pink pansies off of a nearby porch. The jar let out a large crack as it crashed to the sidewalk below, splaying soil, terracotta, and disgruntled looking flowers across the path. The pansies’ faces, however, did not seem to be lined with horror stricken grief and their fall, but on the contrary remained looking quite happy to be lining the ground in such a flustered manner. Upon seeing another couple pots filled, in turn, with both violet and white pansies, I half expected the breeze to draw them off their perch as well, and accompany their lost companion on the asphalt. However, the inconsistent wind seemed to have taken its drag and laid back down to rest in the heat of the moment, and I couldn’t help but feel that though we were within the city limits, that it was quite unlike the metropolis I had hoped for.

The urge to simply dart down the pockmarked pavement, weaving in-between battered old buildings, tall and looming streets lamps, and zigzagging down the block into the heart of city was overwhelming. However dissatisfying it might seem, to squeeze amongst the throb of people in the early hours of the morning was a pleasure I treated myself to frequently. The curses and shouts of angry the passerby, and the steady stream of traffic noises could block out all thought and feeling as your focus diverted to the throng of activities displayed on all sides. Unlike the monotonous scenery of the forest—a few saplings here, perhaps a large oak off to the right every so often—nothing was ever the same in the city. Even upon passing the same corner twice, it undoubtedly will appear different every time. Perhaps a few new vehicles will have parked themselves on the curb, or maybe a new herd of people drifted into the area, but the view was never tiresome.

Unexpectedness was key to my way of life. However much my emotions plagued me, they too were driven by abrupt nature. As the city was. You could never be sure when a car would whiz by under your nose, or how many double-decker buses you’d come across in an hour. You couldn’t even be sure where you would end up in the overwhelming chaos and confusion. I generally liked to know where I was going…but in the city…all I had to know is that I would end up somewhere, and no matter what, I’d be able to pick my way back to where I started if it was necessary. I did have a good sense of direction, if nothing else. Navigating the city wasn’t all too hard after you’d been there a few good times, going off of sight, scent, and sound.

But today’s trip would be even more unexpected than I had handled before. Not only I was landed in the midst of this urban haven, but I had also with me my companion. For the first time since arrival, I found myself looking into her face, and noticing that she looked quite petrified, and not happy at all at the situation. Her attempt at a smile seemed utterly in vain as her face faltered into a rather terrified pose. This mangy backstreet alone seemed to be quite enough to douse her want to explore, and the thought of taking her deeper into the hubbub seemed slightly absurd. It was without a doubt she would be quivering on her paws every time a truck hustled down the road.

Hesitating slightly, I padded over to her softly, head cocked. "You don’t like it…do you?" I asked quietly, nodding toward the towering scrapers behind me, and then shaking my head a tad. Biting my lip, a rather gruesome habit, as I was beginning to feel a rather large bump beginning to form on the inside of my mouth, I contemplated touching my nose to hers as a sign of comfort, yet my lack of socialization deprived me of the knowledge of whether or not this was a wise thing to do in this sort of situation. I had never been so worried of hurting another creature’s feelings than before. However, against my better judgment, I chose to ignore my thought of contact, and drew back slightly, an apologetic look glinting in my eyes. Tail drooping slightly, I turned my head, only glancing at her through the corner of my eyes.

puppet. RIVALRY
word count. SEVEN-HUNDRED&SIXTY-THREE
muse. EIGHT-OUT-OF-TEN

[MENTAL]

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
Good lucks gonna shine

<sub>As he padded closer to me my eyes moved onto him and I tried to focus my attention all on him, to block out everything else so that I could just return to my happy normal self. It was in vain though, the throbbing pain in my ears did not cease. I was sure that the pain would go away, as soon as my brain realized again that I could in fact not hear the sounds, could not depict what they were at all. My eyes caught the movement of his lips, making me strain to hear the words that he uttered, only making the pain in my ears and head worse. I didn't realize that I was in fact making a noise myself, a high flat tone each time I breathed out. I could not even hear the noise I myself was making.

My entire body was laid out flat against the earth, I was lying on my stomach though. Maybe if I made myself seem small enough everything would go away, just disappear into nothingness to leave my head in peace. Become nonexistent.. It was hoping too much though, it just continued on as I kept my eyes on him, I could tell that he did not know what to do. And honestly, I'm not sure either what he could've done to make me feel better or more secure. Though something has to work doesn't it, somehow he should be able to make me feel better about this situation that he had placed me in. He was the one that had led me to this place that struck fear into me.

Not even when I had been capable of hearing and had lived with a human as a friend and owner had I been in a place like this. I had lived only on the place where the accident had happened and I had never left that place. Not even once. The city was perfectly foreign to me in all its appearances. Maybe in time I would come to love it as much as my companion seemed to. I just needed time to adjust to this new type of surrounding, the noisy busy type that made me even more aware of my lack of hearing, I was handicapped in a matter of speaking, massively disadvantaged at least.

I was in need of comfort from my companion, any sort of comfort would do. A touch of any kind would've worked to at least redirect my attention and pull it away from trying to hear the things around me. But I couldn't expect that of him, I knew that he wasn't comfortable with even getting too close to me. But still, I needed to feel certain that he would not let any harm come to me. Maybe my mind had led me to him because I knew that he was capable of protecting me from anything that might threaten me, especially because of my lack of hearing. I could defend myself adequately but not from everything, I didn't know about something that could possible hurt me until it was almost too late. Ultimately I needed protection, someone to act as a type of bodyguard.</sub>

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
So hold on, we're headed for a better life

------------------------------------------------------------

_{Words;; 542
Muse;; 'bout a 5
Tagged;; Ems with Rivalry
Notes;;}

[` EMBERS]

No one appreciates when another tells you that you’re clueless. No one wants to hear someone say that they have absolutely no idea what’s going on. No one wants to accept that they should just butt out, because they only make things worse. We all want to pretend that we’re strong, and wise, and perfect. We all want to think that no one knows better than ourselves. We all want the pride in knowing that we’re always right. But sometimes we are clueless. We don’t always know what’s going on. There are times when we should get out of the way. Because we should all know that we aren’t always strong, and wise, and perfect. That others know just a little more about certain things. Everyone should just accept that they’re not always going to have the right answer to everything. Even if we don’t like it.

I still don’t know anything. Maybe I thought once I actually got to know someone, someone like my companion now, it would all just hit me. Suddenly, I’d be able to communicate, be able to be normal around someone else. But it just isn’t like that, is it? A fake little smile was upon her face, something that ought to be happy, but came out looking like tears. A dying butterfly upon her lips. I was too stupid to understand, I didn’t know enough, even though I wanted to with all my heart. Walking into the wake of the city gave me a sense of life, but it gave her a sense of fear, a sense of discomfort; it was only too plainly written upon her. Did that make me dumb, or just selfish?

In an awkward spur of the moment, I stopped the fervent pace I had been caught up in, and laid down against the pockmarked pavement. Cracked like dry lips, the sidewalk was gouged, dead looking; it was in a pitiful state, however no one seemed to pay it any notice. About a foot away from the femme, I passed her an apologetic look. I didn’t think you’d hate it… I murmured sadly, looking behind me to whirring city. The exciting ring of distant traffic called me to it, singing a song that drew me closer and closer. If it weren’t for the dog before me, I’d have been weaving about pedestrians and stealing from garbage bins for over an hour by now. She was like the barrier in my path, but she was too my bridge.

Sighing sadly, I motioned toward her with a flick of my tail, and then over to the direction of the forest we had emerged from minutes previously. Do you want to leave? It was a question that took discipline to ask, as I certainly was not ready to trek back into the darkness of the rural area. A constant fear of running into another canine, someone who wasn’t as easy to be with as my companion still remained strong. And yet, it was only a matter of time until something happened, until something my newfound friend did sparked an emotional response…all I would have worked for would be lost, and I would be ashamed.

And then I looked into her eyes and saw that sad little sparkle in the corners. So I leaned forward. And touched my nose to hers.

puppet. RIVALRY
word count. FIVE-HUDNRED&SIXTY-TWO
muse. FIVE-OUT-OF-TEN

[MENTAL]

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
Good lucks gonna shine

<sub>His nose touched mine and I could instantly feel myself relax, even if it was just the tiniest bit. I had seen him motion towards where we had come from, knowing that he wanted to know whether she wanted to go back instead of going further into the city.

My eyes stayed on him for a moment before glancing towards the city. I didn't want to kill his joy at being where he was obviously more comfortable, but I wasn't sure whether I would be able to handle all of the commotion and the sounds that hurt my ears.

I shuffled myself closer a little, not wanting to scare him off but wanting a little more closeness from him. I shook my head slowly as my eyes moved onto the city again, I was trembling a little from the fear and nervousness at even thinking about going towards it more. But my eyes sparkled with curiosity as well, I had never been in a city before and I wanted to see what it was like. He would just need to be patient and we would need to take it slow so that I would not end up having a panic attack.

I waited to see whether he would lead the way further into the city, wanting him to just walk close to me so that I would be able to know everything was okay. I tried to let my tail wag to tell him that I wasn't just agreeing to go because he wanted to and I didn't want to be rude though that was part of the reason. But I couldn't, I was too scared, too anxious. Even thinking about it was almost making me hyperventilate where I stood.</sub>

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
So hold on, we're headed for a better life

------------------------------------------------------------

_{Words;; 295
Muse;; good
Tagged;; Ems with Rivalry
Notes;; She's too caring for her own good. lol}

[` EMBERS]

The harder I tried to focus, the blurrier everything became. Studying the contours of my companion’s sharp, defined body, each strand of red and white hair seemed to merge in a bizarre, blend of deep cream; an indescribable mass of no width or height, with no feature or definable detail. I could feel her pulse beating quietly as I pulled toward our ginger touch. My own heart sped quickly as the adrenaline pumped heatedly through my veins. The comfort that washed over her face surprised me, and my eyes portrayed that of a confounded pup staring into a vortex spinning with unknown secrets. My companion seemed at ease at my closeness to her, and she defined a concept I still had yet to grasp. I had never been close to any canine before, let alone take in such a strong emotion from them. The childish question of 'Why?' stung my thoughts as I waved it away like smoke.

Standing firmly next to her, I let my thoughts wander so not to pull away from her. It was still odd to remain next to another, a female particularly, for such a period of time, and if I mulled it over to much, I knew I would instinctively break the bond between us. I let my lids mask my vision in darkness, allowing my companion to take in the moment for as long as she could. Her heartbeat provided a steady metronome, a rhythmic beat I synchronized with my own pulse. Drawing in shallow breaths, my mind escaped the quiet street corner and delved into an abstract world at the corner of my mind.

Her wagging tail was the return-trip ticket to reality. My opened eyes met excited ones, a new, curious glint sparkling happily. My mouth parted slightly, but I closed it, simply nodding. I didn’t want to force her into the busy depths of this large metropolis, but I was desperate for the press of the crowd, and the thrum of the big city. Perhaps this was her chance to open up to the sun and drink in its rays; to find something new, and absorb all of the knowledge she could. She would be the student, and I the teacher that would guide her expertly through each and every obstacle she came eye to eye with.

Lingering slightly, I moved back slowly, taking my eyes from her to the bustling downtown a ways off. For a moment, when I had parted from her enough so I could not take in the clearly characterized heartbeat of her, I felt tremendously devoid of feeling. "Don’t worry…this is going to be great," I assured the silence, as I knew of no other way to demonstrate my reassurance. A casual flick of my ears turned me into the empty sidewalk as I paced thoughtfully toward the heart of the city.

puppet. RIVALRY
word count. FOUR-HUNDRED&SEVENTY-SEVEN
muse. SEVEN-OUT-OF-TEN

[MENTAL]

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
Good lucks gonna shine

<sub>I felt him move away from me, my body almost moving with his like he was a force of gravity pulling me with him. But I managed to keep myself situated where I was, my head turned so that I could keep watching him though, just waiting for him to lead the way so that I could follow and try my best to not be too overwhelmed by all of the different sights and sounds.

When he started to walk I moved with him, my steps still hesitant as part of my warned me that it was a bad idea. Something bad was going to happen, I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. The feeling of foreboding made he tremble again, making it difficult for me to keep up with him.

I went quicker for a few paces to catch up again, my side brushing against his, a fearful anxious look plastered all over my features. I couldn't pretend anymore, it was too difficult and I couldn't lie. I was too honest to try and mislead him the way I wanted to, to reassure him that I wasn't as freaked out just by the idea of going into the busy part of the city as I was. It was already too much and we weren't even there yet.

I didn't even realize as I let out a small whimper, my movements stopping completely as I just stood there and shivered.

My tail was between my legs, my ears pulled back as I frowned. I felt as thought my legs were going to give way underneath me at any moment. I couldn't do this.. I just couldn't.. It's too much, way too much. I looked at him apologetically, I wanted to go with him almost desperately, not wanting to lose him as my companion just because I couldn't pluck up enough courage to stroll through a street filled with humans and other scary things.

It was like making your way through a nightmare and being unable to control it or know what would happen except that it wasn't anything good.</sub>

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
So hold on, we're headed for a better life

------------------------------------------------------------

_{Words;; 362
Muse;; good
Tagged;; Ems with Rivalry
Notes;; poor li'l Flicker}

[` EMBERS]

Fear, to a dog, has a very distinct scent, one that I cannot particularly fathom well enough to describe in vivid detail. The aroma is sharp, not like the discrete smell of gasoline on the highway, or rotting carcass of road kill, but so cutting, that there simply isn’t any way whatsoever not to recognize it within seconds. In fact, if it is possible, it smells exactly like what it is. “Fear,” in itself of course, is an emotion, one could say, and while other abstract sentiments have no identifiable fragrance, fear does. And so I come to the odd conclusion in describing such a smell, in saying, fear smells exactly like fear, which I speak in such a way, that you, perhaps, might find it meaningless, and this time in which you have heard me speak is a waste.

But this fear, this scent of an utter sense of panic, imparted quite obviously from the dog that traipsed in my footsteps. At first, it was subtle, clouded by courage, maybe even vanity, and then the sudden insight as to the situation. It sparked the scent, like a match dropped into a canister of oil. It rose in a sheer wall of orange flame, licking at me from behind, and I could smell everything burning down, smoking. But, of course, instead of fleeing from a fire, I turned to face it, to confront the fear that gushed from my companion into my nose; the bold young female I had met in the wood earlier cast terrified glances about her, like a priest tossed holy water into the crowd. Her jubilant, wagging tail sought refuge between her legs, and she shook like the ground was giving way beneath her body. Tightened muscles might have said she was trying to hold up the world on her own scrawny little back.

Hesitating only slightly, I paced backwards, stepping lightly to her while we both stood, still, on the shoddy little curb. "I’m not going to let anything happen to you," My words severed the quiet air. I stood motionless, uncaring as to any body language that could convey my speech. In the back of my mind, I knew that if I had been with anyone other than my companion, I would have been gouged by an inner wound, and quite offended that she would not trust me to guide her through the city without issue. And still, I found myself unfazed as I gazed upon her quivering body, barring my severe emotions inside of myself and wrought an iron gate in front of it so that they could not escape.

Looking away for a minute, not knowing exactly what I should do, I swallowed once, and nosed her cheek lightly, keeping at a slight distance, but close enough so I could feel our pelts touching. And then, then I realized that I wasn’t unnerved at all; in fact, I found myself rather…content.

puppet. RIVALRY
word count. FOUR-HUNDRED&EIGHTY-NINE
muse. SEVEN-OUT-OF-TEN

[MENTAL]

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
Good lucks gonna shine

<sub>When he turned towards me I tried a little harder to act brave, to pluck up enough courage to at least stop shaking. But it failed miserably and I found myself just looking at him, my eyes pleading with him to help me.

I could see that he was speaking, wanted to know what he was saying so badly but the fear that I felt was distorting my concentration and I could not take enough notice of his body language to maybe guess what it was that he had said. But when I felt his nose against my cheek the quivers of my body stopped instantly and I stood almost as if frozen.

His body close to mine was reassuring and comforting as well, it didn't get the fear to go away completely but it distracted me from it, making me concentrate on him instead of what was going on in my mind.

I leaned against him slightly just to get more comfort from him before I motioned for him to keep walking. I would keep trying to go with him, putting my trust in him to keep me safe from the monsters that lurked within the city's bustling streets.

I tried to stay against him at least a little, I felt like I needed it. If he stayed close enough to me then maybe it wouldn't scare me so much, but I had no way of telling him that.

My eyes moved around everything that I could see, taking in what it all looked like and trying to catch sight of everything before anything could sneak up on me. I was growing more and more paranoid by the second, thinking that there was something or something behind me because I couldn't see. I was growing more anxious as well but I was trying my hardest to not give in to the fear again, I wanted to learn more about this place and environment that he seemed to love.

Maybe I could learn to be comfortable here if he could maybe learn to be comfortable out in the country with me. I couldn't even imagine being somewhere without him now and I barely knew him, but already I was feeling like I had to rely on him to keep me safe.</sub>

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
So hold on, we're headed for a better life

------------------------------------------------------------

_{Words;; 386
Muse;; good
Tagged;; Ems with Rivalry
Notes;; it's just sooo sweet and cute!}

[` EMBERS]

It began to dissipate in the air, fade away like smoke, evaporate like yesterday’s rainwater in the gutter. The scent of fear that splayed itself clearly about her, though it didn’t disperse completely, began dying away as she leaned in closer to me. Shifting, I tried to evenly distribute her added body weight against my neck, heart hammering loudly in my chest like a broken jack-in-the-box pounding against the cage that just won’t open. Licking my lips, I watched the degenerating yellow lines painted in the street blur with the marred blacktop and odd markings of chalk splashed here and there along the road.

And then I could feel her regress, her body diverging from my side. For a moment, I stared past her at the houses and the country we had come from, and the ludicrously shabby houses that lined the street. For the first time, it struck me quite odd that there should be so many mismatched houses smack up against one another; a boxy four story house perched awkwardly next to a single floor little shack of dirty yellow brick, while a peculiarly proportioned stone house stood across from a very narrow, two-in-one residence. Feeling a little numb and fuzzy from my, as I would usually consider, strange behavior, I gulped in a fistful of air before turning back to my companion, who was now gesturing for me to continue onwards.

Whirling around a bit too quickly, I met her eyes for a split second before persisting down the drive. We had made a left turn awhile back and were coming to the end of the street that led out of this more suburban area. In a few blocks, we’d be in the midst of a busy intersection with a few dozen cars flying by now and then, and a number of workers gobbling carelessly on their little cell phones. Worriedly looking back at the femme, I stopped to address the matter, gesturing to the direction we were heading. ”Uhm…you should know, if you want to stop and go back,” I directed her attention in the opposite direction. ”You should think about it now. There’s going to be…er, I fumbled, looking for the right action to demonstrate.

In the corner of my eye, I spotted a woman, leaning out of bedroom window, watering a pot of dead flowers on the sill. Looking to her, I forged onward. ”People. There’s going to be lots of peoples, and, I then lifted a paw that motioned toward a parked car across the road. ”And cars. Lots of them. That move, I added quickly, shuffling my feet, unsure how experienced she was within the boundaries of the city. Giving her a concerned glance, I cocked my head to the side a bit, tail raised in case she wanted to return to the wood. ”I don’t mind if we go back to…to the, uh, country,” I struggled to find the words I did not even need to speak.

puppet. RIVALRY
word count. FOUR-HUNDRED&NINTEY-SIX
muse. SEVEN-OUT-OF-TEN

[MENTAL]

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
Good lucks gonna shine

<sub>Staying close to him I let my eyes wander, it wasn't so scary.. I didn't realize that we were only in a suburban area though. When he stopped and started making motions I just watched him, looking at where he gestured to and figuring out some of what he meant to get the idea. By now the fear had disappeared further and I was more curious than anything to see what it was like in the city, the fact that he was showing that he actually cared about me enough to check to make sure I was okay was making me feel a lot more at ease in the streets.

I shook my head slightly, a reassuring smile settling on my features to let him know that I was okay. My tail wagged slightly and I let my body rub against his as I excitedly urged him to keep going.

When he did I followed again, still staying close to him and glancing behind me every now and then just to make sure there was nothing there. When we got to the intersection it all fell apart again though and I realized where the bad feeling had been coming from. The earth vibrated under the sensitive pads on my paws, the vibrations moving through my bones to make my body feel numb.

My confident and curious expression faded to a look of shameful fear against as I drew back instinctively. It was a mistake. As I stepped backwards I bumped into a person, my heart skipping a beat as I got a fright from the sudden touch on my body. I received an angry shove from the man, yelping before I scrambled away from him. My eyes searching for Rivalry desperately, wondering where he had gone and wanting him to somehow let me know that it was okay.

Every time a car passed my I jumped, they were bigger than I could remember and I didn't hear them coming. To me they just seemed to jump out of nowhere to take away the stability of the earth underneath me and to threaten me with their roaring sounds which I only knew were there because they hurt my ears, making them twitch every now and then to try and get rid of the painful sounds.

I'd thought I would be fine with the people, I'd grown up around humans. Loving humans who had liked me. These humans all seemed hostile, looking at me as though I wasn't even meant to be on the earth. It made me feel small, an unimportant little speck in the city... Something that would be better off not being there.

That thought saddened me, making a depressed feeling sweep through me as I sunk down onto the ground, my head turning this way and that as I tried to take it all in to know where things were so that I would stop getting frights every time something came into view or something touched me. I could feel my heart beating rapidly against my ribcage, probably visible through the layer of skin over my ribs. I was finding it hard to breathe as well, the fumes from the cars clogging my airways and feeling solid in my lungs, leaving no room for oxygen.

I was getting lightheaded, feeling like at any moment my heart would jump out of my body to leave me laying limp and dead on the sidewalk.</sub>

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
So hold on, we're headed for a better life

------------------------------------------------------------

_{Words;; 580
Muse;; good
Tagged;; Ems with Rivalry
Notes;; aww... -tries to pick up Flicker and make her realize she's okay-}

[` EMBERS]

I could almost feel my mind tipping over as I became less and less aware of my steps, and only a nagging thought kept me from almost forgetting that I was accompanied closely by my companion. It tended to happen on city streets, when you felt yourself merge with the flow. No one seems to notice strays, unless you happen upon them in an unruly manner. So you almost pretend like you really don’t exist, and scuttle about like the invisible man, dodging this way and that to avoid a car here, and a group of snotty teenagers there. I was used to it. I was born in the country, but I was a city dog at heart. In the city, I could be whoever I wanted, and no one would really give a damn anyway.

But somehow, as the changing stoplights of the busier intersections came into view, I knew that it’d be too much for her; my companion. Unlike me, this wasn’t the place she should be. And still, I kept convincing myself that a brave little dog like her could fair even when the weather was bad outside. The sidewalks were swarming with people, literally swarming. The early morning seemed to have brought with it a large, human event I wasn’t aware of, seeing I hadn’t been keeping myself posted with the happenings of the city. Dodging easily around the legs of the people, I wasn’t sure they actually knew I was even there. Carefully ironed pant legs of businessmen, and the bare, shaved legs of women in crisp gray skirts brushed over my flanks easily. I occasionally ducked under a swinging black briefcase, or an expensive designer purse, but my movements remained fluid and easy.

Stopping briefly by an enclosed cubicle cleanly labeled “bus stop,” I turned back to my companion. Though I shouldn’t have been surprised, I found her stumbling through the crowd, cowering and shaking violently. A man in a brown bowler hat was swatting at her with a small pamphlet, giving her a shove as he continued walking at a hurried pace. A low growl escaped my throat as I battled against the throng of moving people to her, about ten feet away.

I briefly paused as I shouldered past a homeless man, who had strategically placed himself in the center of the busy sidewalk and shook a small bowlful of change out in front of those who passed by. Only a woman pushing a stroller bothered to chuck a couple of coins in. My companion was rigid when I reached, and this time I did not stop to think as I nosed her carefully, this time with a tad of urgency in my movement. In the city, you couldn’t stay in one place too long; you’d end up trampled by those too worried about their own predicaments to care.

Looking around myself for a quieter haven I could pull her into, I noticed a small alley wedged between two apartment buildings on the opposite side of the street. The cars and busses seemed to come in threes and fours, and there was enough break to blend with the people and cross over without a problem. However, I wasn’t sure if my companion could take it, as I could see her skin crawling with each passing of a vehicle. Okay…okay, look, we’re going…we’re going to cross the street, I explained pacing away from her in hopes she’d begin to move with me again. We can stop in that little side street so you can calm down, My tail flicked over to the little alley. Pausing only slightly, I bit my lip. Not accompanying any charade with my voice I added, And then I’m getting you out of here.

puppet. RIVALRY
word count. SIX-HUNDRED&TWENTY-FIVE
muse. EIGHT-OUT-OF-TEN

[MENTAL]

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
Good lucks gonna shine

<sub>As he came into view I could feel my mind urging me to go to him, he was used to this, he could help me. He had to help me, he was my only hope. Seeing that he didn't hesitate to touch me this time made me feel even better, trusting him even more.

I lifted myself off the cemented ground, my body touching his as I refused to move away. I couldn't afford to lose sight of him again, I didn't know what to do in this place.

I didn't understand what he was trying to tell me, trying to explain to me it seems. Confusion clearly written on my features as I tried to make myself concentrate on him and what he was doing. It was hard to do, I could barely even just keep my eyes on him long enough to see what he did.

Something brushed against my back leg and I jumped away from it, the movement taking me into the street. My eyes catching sight of a car coming towards me. I scrambled out of the way just in time, my nails slipping over the ground and making it hard for me to move. I was panicked, I couldn't breathe... The car had gotten close, I could feel the wind from it brushing against my side as I collapsed onto the sidewalk again, too scared to get back up.

Someone stepping close to my head made me jump back to my feet though, scared of being stood on. But as I stood up I moved into the path of a man hurrying past and he almost tripped over her, kicking me in the ribs by accident as he tried to avoid falling. I yelped before searching for Rivalry again, finding him and moving close to him again, still completely overwhelmed by everything that was happening around me.

My eyes scanned the area, instinctively searching for somewhere to hide and I spotted the same alleyway that he had seen though I didn't realize that it was where he wanted to try and take me.

I took a deep breath before turning towards it, looking at the road quickly before stepping onto it as I ran towards the alley. Whimpering as I felt the cars through the ground underneath me, getting close.. too close. One had to slam on the breaks to avoid hitting me but I didn't even notice because I was looking the other way and didn't hear the brakes squealing under the pressure but it didn't stop soon enough and it hit me hard against my side, making me fall to the ground to just lay there motionless for a few moments..

The pain in my side was almost unbearable and I tried not to breathe so that my lungs would not expand against my ribs as I tried to move to get up. The homeless man had been watching and he had stood up, making his way to where I was on the ground to pick me up gently and carry me the rest of the way to the alleyway before he put me down, patting my head and muttering something, I could see his lips moving as I watched him wearily, not able to fight to get away from him even if I had wanted to. He seemed like a nice person, not someone who would hurt me.

I wanted Rivalry though and as soon as he put me down I panicked a little again, still too close to the business of the street. I managed to get myself to my feet, painfully retreating further into the alleyway before I cowered against a wall in the darkness, just whimpering quietly while I closed my eyes to try and block everything out.

My side throbbed with the pain and I felt like I should just go to sleep and not wake up again. I shouldn't have agreed to follow him into the city, I should've taken more notice of that foreboding feeling in the pit of my stomach. But it was too late now.</sub>

Someday, baby
You and I are gonna be the ones
So hold on, we're headed for a better life

------------------------------------------------------------

_{Words;; 697
Muse;; getting better
Tagged;; Ems with Rivalry
Notes;; poor accident prone little puppy.}

[` EMBERS]

Everything was quick, and then it was slow. Everyone was clear, and then blurry. The urgency of the situation was incredible. The average passerby could look upon us and see nothing wrong, but everything was. My companion was supposed to love the city, she was supposed to love it the same way I did. But that just wasn’t meant to be. Her personality had deflated, and she was writhing is pity and bewilderment as her glassy eyes reflected the rushing cars and the whir of people pushing past one another. Everyone was moving around her, but they were pressing close, too close for her, I knew. We were perched precariously on the edge of the curb, and smell of rubber sliding against the asphalt stung my sensitive, canine nose.

My head was spinning, I looked from my companion to the alleyway, desperately searching her for some sign that she had understood, and that she was ready to follow me across the street. I found none. And though my eyes picked apart her face, her delicate, quivering mouth, the paling black skin on her nose, and her fraught eyes that were so devoid of everything that should have been shining there, I couldn’t grasp what was pealing in her mind. Look…look… I didn’t know her name. I still couldn’t find her damn name no matter how much I groped about and played charades. I knew my despondency was growing out of proportion. Mania.

I could see her paws slipping against the pavement and her plummet a few inches onto the street. The roaring and revving of an engine drowned out my intake of breath, but I plunged into speech that didn’t even matter. We have to cross the street, I spoke plainly, so plain I surprised myself, and with an added force, as if I thought then maybe she could hear me. My forepaw slapped against the walk, claws leaving pale scratch marks all over the ground. Hey! This way, come on— I began walking at a hastened pace, brushing her quickly with my flank to bring her out of her shock. But she was running.

Hey! Hey— I swallowed her silent name. You—you gotta stop! She was in the middle of the street, dodging cars. There was a tumult of beeping horns, of screams and yells she couldn’t hear. The drone of a motorcycle in the distance, and police sirens far away in a distance corner of the neighborhood were resounding loudly in my ears. I couldn’t cross now, there were a parade of cars trundling quickly down the road. I was running back and forth, trying to see through the gaps between the bumper of a minivan, and the hood of a grimy silver Toyota. My mouth was open, because I kept biting down on my fucking tongue, and it was bleeding into my mouth. The rustic taste of crimson blood was burning my taste buds, and now I could hear the yelping of a dog.

Fuck! The crosswalk was a block away, and people were mobbing across the way, reaching out for the green light on the crosswalk sign eagerly. Sprinting crazily down the ground, I could feel my paws scraping off of the ground, welts forming on the bottom of my feet. The angry hisses and moans of the humans hammered in my ears, and I could feel myself slamming into uplifted shoes, and swinging arms of every pedestrian I passed. If my…companion died, then it was my entire damn fault, and I knew I’d never live it down. Maybe not in this life.

I sprung into the last of the mass, throwing myself into the road, safe with the crowd. My companion wasn’t anywhere in the road, and I looked feverishly to the alley, hoping she’d reached it safely, and that the squeal was only that out of fear, instead of hurt. As soon as I’d touched the curb, I’d broken from the mob and was pounding on down the street. I could see the homeless man I’d passed earlier, clutching a dirty overcoat to himself as he jogged across the road, receiving a few beeps and cuss words of his own. Confused, I bounded into the alley, skidding to a halt at the mouth of the little side street. She was there, but I wasn’t quite sure she was alright.

She laid in a limp sort of fashion, breathing rapidly in the aftershock of it all. Her flank held a bruised sort of look, and the immediate fear that she’d been hit rushed in quickly. Are you okay? I breathed heavily, circling her worriedly. I was nosing her rapidly, sniffing at the flank that seemed out of place, and nuzzling up against her face. Raising her chin with my muzzle, I examined her carefully, not even registering how awkward this could have seemed to myself just a few days ago. Drowning in a rush of emotion, I licked her forehead, still too antsy to sit down beside her.

Don’t… I breathed. Don’t ever do that again.

puppet. RIVALRY
word count. EIGHT-HUNDRED&FORTY-FOUR
muse. TEN-OUT-OF-TEN