Been a Long RoadtoFollow, Been There&Gone Tomorrow

[.Dobie.]

Without Saying Goodbye to Yesterday,

Are the Memories I hold still Valid,
or have the tears deluded them?

Maybe this time Tomorrow,
The rain will cease to follow.

And the Mist will Fade Into One More Today.

I continued on, I yearned for something. But what was that something? Home? Companionship? An ease for my pain? The ache in my feet to stop? I didn't know. But I prayed to find an answer, though I strongly doubted it would help.

I looked around. Where was I? This I did not know either. Nor did I care. I wasn't sure for my lack of interest. Maybe it was the fact I was starving? I couldn't find home? For I had no answer to any of this. I am doomed.

My personal Hell. Forget me being cheerful and hyper, at the moment, something could attack me and I'd let it. I'd gladly let it as my life drained from me. Surely it wouldn't be that bad? Not sure.. But at the moment, I was almost positive.

I still couldn't understand why I was so driven to find it? What is it? I have no idea. It made me even more doubtful as I continued to walk.

Something, Somewhere Out There, Keeps Calling.

Am I Going Home?

Will I Hear Someone Singing Solace to the Silent moon?

Zero Gravity.
What's it Like?

Am I Alone?

Is Somebody There Beyond These Heavy Aching Feet?

Still the Road Keeps on Telling me to Go On.

Something is Pulling Me.
I Feel the Gravity of it All

..Word Count.. One. Seven. Four.
..Puppet.. Frosty.
..Played For.. Anyone.
..Music.. Gravity.

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Her paws trod delicately over dull earth, pads cautiously avoiding shards of smudged glass shattered across the pathway. Slipping deftly through a worn rubber tire, her fur caught gently against the rough tread encircling the rim. A keen nose lead the female about the scattered array of cast away, second-rate objects from people's lives. Brown eyes scanned the scene observantly, wide pupils reflecting an unfathomable black chasm leading to her thoughts.

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Tiny whiskers quivered sharply, as Fawn rounded the bend, her damp nose inhaling the biting aroma of freshly dumped trash. The black bags lined up in sloppy rows by the back gate, piling up, and spilling out their contents with each passing day. Her daily visits and perceptive examinations proved so.

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Quickly pulling in her lolling tongue, her tail flitted back and forth more out of habit than of anything else. Her thoughtful daze left her relatively unconcious to her physical action. Her route to the back gate was simply mechanical movement, moreso, at this point. And all the while, between her travel and her whirring mind, she hummed a sad, quiet little elegy that drifted softly into the breeze balleting about the yard.

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And only when her mind caught the scent of another did her gait slow to a wary halt, her drooping ears pricking in an almost feline sense. Fawn gazed about herself in an abstract manner, continuing to reel her conciousness out of her well filed memories that gushed out of tiny desk drawers in her head.

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To her left, another dame, a tall white canine, pacing nearby. She relaxed her tensed muscles solely after she concieved that this new company was no brute, only a female such as herself. Calming her heightened pulse, Fawn could not bring her stocky legs to propel her forward, and she blinked slowly at the moving white figure a ways away from herself.

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'My, my. She is much larger than myself, is she not?' Her constant worry enveloped her mindset and tightly bound it with leather strappings. 'Lovely.'

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puppet. FAWN
word count. THREE-HUNDRED&FORTY-TWO
muse. FIVE-OUT-OF-TEN

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[.Dobie.]

I let my rambling thoughts continue on as a I walked through the pathways of cars, not paying attention to what was under my paws as I tracked on. I jumped back as I felt a piece of glass barely touch my pink pad. I set down my large paw delicately. I moved on, deciding to just watch my steps instead of dwell in pain and confusion like I was.

I unconsciously slowed my pace, narrowing my eyes at nothing. I let my mind crash over me in another wave. How I hated thoughts, memories. Bittersweet, as they were. Or in my cause. Bitter. I lowered my head and hunched my shoulders. I let my paw steps slow to a stop as a scent wafted over my nose. I bit my tongue nervously. 'Ask and you shall receive,' I mused painfully.

I raised my head, turning to the canine. I felt my wild, frantic eyes narrow as it zoned onto the female dog. I felt my shoulder muscles tense, she didn't look like a threat. But as a stray you could never tell anymore. I let a sigh escape my lips as I watched the creature.

She is, indeed, smaller then I. But that doesn't mean a thing. I turned my whole body to face her, unsure what to do. If I wasn't lost in this.. hell hole, I'd known what to do. I'd show her I was no threat, but now I wasn't sure what to do anymore.

..Word Count.. Two. Five. Five.
..Puppet.. Frosty.
..Played For.. Fawn.
..Music.. Gravity.

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A bleak haze meandered about the ridges in the sky, weaving easily about the scruffy plumes of white clouds. The radiant blue canvas had been scored with gray dust that left it crestfallen and steely. Sun ducked dexterously behind its friends in the sky, its glow barely squeezing past the thick, overcast cloud cover. As summer had begun to pack its back and put on its coat, a few early birds trailed lazily across the way, their irregular flight leading them about the tall buildings stretching out in the south. Fawn’s attention danced hurriedly from the brusque movement hovering above her, and the white dame settled before her. Her eyes flickered tersely, the whites cresting as her stare rested on her bony paws.

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Their eyes had locked now, as the white dame—a shepherd?—had turned in her flight to find the female’s lustrous optics locked onto her. The coarse shock began to drain as Fawn watched the other, the built body sliding elegantly, muscles pressing tightly as she turned to face her. Instead the cavernous hole began swirling in her gut, shrouding her courage in a sweeping black cloak. Street life bore her a child that she carried by her side, and that child’s name was Fear.

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Her warped face twisted; the soft features of her mother hardening into deeply chiseled lines of apprehension. The larger dame whose essence pounded against the stone barricade she had built around herself seemed clearly dominant if the situation turned its back on her and bared its sharpened teeth. The immediate reaction was to flee as her father had taught her. The lack of communication between the two told Fawn that they were climbing the ladder of hostility, and surely she would be outmatched by the white dame. With her own body cropped so short, it was a done deal, surely.

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And yet, thought she could not fight, she could not bring herself to flee as she always did. Could she not even stand her ground before a female who had not even raised her teeth or claws against her? No, she dusted off words she had neither thought nor spoken in ages. The only action she could possibly take was to explain that she was of no threat to the other. While her brother had been alive, her father had spoken to them, saying, There will be times in your lives when you find yourself standing at the foot of a forked path. And more often than not, one will lead into Heaven, and other into Hell. Once you have seen which is which, need you stop to think to turn left or right?

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Fawn knew that he had meant that the peaceful alternative was always the decent decision when up against a choice pertaining to violence and hurt. So she swallowed into the void burning in her gut, and with her body still standing quiet and still, she delicately lifted a dirty paw from the ground and tucked it to her stomach, stooping low, head dipped, until she was close to the ground. Eyes diverted from the female, she let her muscles rest, her resignation written plainly on the slate across her face.

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puppet. FAWN
word count. FIVE-HUNDRED&THIRTYTHREE
muse. SEVEN-OUT-OF-TEN

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[.Dobie.]

I watched the.. mix, maybe? That's what she looked like. or.. Mutt was some dogs would call it. I stared - I had always hated that word.. Don't ask why, but.. that's what I was doing right? I stared at her as her gaze flickered to above and to me. I didn't bother to break my stoney gaze to even see what she was looking at. I kept my eyes on the dog, zeroed, pinpointed on this dog.

I had to admit, I felt a bit stupid. We just stood, staring at each other. No hostility passed really. No words exchanged. Just standing and staring. I let my brown eyes bore into her as our gazes met each other's. I felt my nose twitch at the smell of fear the dog was giving off. But I never let go of my tense stance, a fearful dog was a dangerous one. I learned that in my early life, and since I was only one year old, I didn't have much of a young life.

I thought about defending myself enough to get away. Then I quickly pushed that thought away. I sucked in a breath. Cautious and Calm, I murmured to myself so I didn't do anything rash. But.. No. Hostility is never the answer. Not in my book at least. There always has to be peace ful ways, right? I'd always been the one to find them, even though I was pretty much a pup in other dog's opinions.

I kept my muscles and bones locked in place, my flanks the only thing moving from my breathing. It was slightly faster then your average, just because I was desperate to keep myself calm.

I felt my muscles tightened, waiting for the release to flee or attack as the dog lifted it's paw. I felt my lip twitch as I fought back the urge to raise my lips up in a snarl. Calm. I felt all my muscles relaxed as as tucked it beneath her and bowed to me in a peaceful stance. I felt that I would crumple into the dirt with how much relaxation I felt in my muscles now. I lowered my head to the ground, hovering over the dirt. "Hello," I murmur, breaking the silence.

..Word Count.. Three.Eight.Seven.
..Puppet.. Frosty.
..Played For.. Fawn.
..Music.. Gravity.

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Her ear muscles remained taught as the flaps pulled close against her cranium. From her resigned stance, Fawn stole a quick glance up at the dame, who appeared unfazed by her actions. The stench of fear wafted around the mutt, a lingering odor as that if she’d stepped into the burrow of a mother skunk’s. Her cowardice left a bitter taste on her tongue, and she violently scorned her actions. How far had she fallen from the beautiful dame of a single year, who would have strove to the height of her potential, who would have stepped forward in this situation and demanded with quiet authority the pretense of this all?

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Dirty, off white paws shuffled nervously as Fawn lowered her leg to the ground, her rump now leveling with the rest of her body. Ruffled pelt rose with her breath, her flanks heaving slowly as her mindset attempted to soothe her with vain, quieted words. She preferred the meetings, by far, when the other came forth with a smiling face, and a cheery greeting. With that, Fawn could offer them a hearty introduction and a beautifully exchanged conversation. And yet, now her frayed nerves tied and unknotted each tendril in anxiety; she could not stand in a dark room with her eyes closed, she needed to understand what was happening, what was going through the mind of the white dame.

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Rearranging herself slowly, her eyes traced the contours of the dame’s mouth as her jaws parted to form, Hello, She stood placidly, the words dissolving as they touched the soft fur lining her ears. The word had no decipherable emotion tucked into its cupped hands. She stirred the ashes of “hostility” that had been burning in her mind. If they dame had intended to attack her, or harbor a hatred toward her, she would have already done so. It was time to shatter the fear against the wall and sweep the pieces out of her mind.

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Tongue brushed against Fawn’s teeth as she sought out words to counter the dame, but her dry mouth stuck closed. Parting her maw slightly, she forced sound out of the shelter in her throat, prodding it sharply. ”I—" Swallowing a lump, she straightened herself into a higher position, trying to swallow the fear scent she was emitting. The aspect of the unknown bothered her as did a nagging tick on the scruff of her neck. "Fawn. Hi, I’m Fawn…It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am."

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puppet. FAWN
word count. FOUR-HUNDRED&THIRTEEN
muse. SIX-OUT-OF-TEN

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[.Dobie.]

I felt my nose twitch against the strong scent of fear, coming off of her. I automatically felt a pang of guilt for scaring the poor creature. I watched, I had never been a harsh dog, but now my train of thought seem to fails when I need it most. The dog, from what I could see, was older then I for maybe a year or two. But, I still could never see a dog crumple in fear. I closed my eyes, inhaling and exhaling slowly.

I sat down, desperate to ease the dog's fear and fraying nerves. I let my tail wave in the air lazily, a sign I has hoping she'd take as non-threatening. Just in case, I eased myself to the ground so I was laying before the crouching female. I had to admit, this dog was nothing like I have met before, it fascinated me. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if the some other dog acted the same way in fear to me, I mused coldly. I hadn't exactly been myself this week..

I pricked my ears with much interest when the light ginger, creamy female parted her jaws to reply, by the looks of it. "Nice to meet you as well, Fawn," I replied, lowering my muzzle from my laying position so it was hovering less then an itch from the dirt. I lifted my head after a heartbeat or two. "I'm Frosty," I announced, looking at her curious.

I felt my guilt come back. "Eh.. Sorry, about that. You kinda caught me at a time when my thoughts were a haze," I apologized. I crossed my paws lightly, my gaze awaiting her reaction.

..Word Count.. Two. Eight. Six.
..Puppet.. Frosty.
..Played For.. Fawn.
..Music.. Gravity.

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The dame’s white tail swung methodically like a bronze pendulum in an old, mahogany grandfather clock. In a dramatic turn, the flipside emerged in all of its splendor, stunning Fawn with its vivid brightness. She stood erectly now, tail raised, yet unmoving, and ears pricked ever so slightly above her head with an air of curiosity bounding about them. Her soft eyes mirrored a certain puzzlement, and perhaps a hint of comprehension brewing in the mixture. Blinking sparingly, she now watched the dame with a calmer heart, the pulse that had risen to its height descending as each moment died quietly behind her.

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She watched intently as the tense matter seemed to resolve itself, the pressure bubbling away with each careful observation. Fawn knew she had not needed to spook herself so when the other lay upon the ground, returning the gesture of acknowledgement she had offered up. Without the heavy beat agonizing forlornly in her chest, the female was able to give the shepherd a keen once over, and she realized for the first time that she had obviously misjudged the canine’s age by far. The largeness, in comparison to herself, had thrown off her estimate, for the dame could not have breathed for more than a year, or two at most.

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Cocking her head slightly to the side Fawn listened as she heard her voice resound against her ears, thrumming against the inside of her mind. First a greeting. And then a name. …Frosty, ’Suits the girl, well, with that pretty white pelt,’ She commended gently to herself. The apology tripped her up a bit, as she had not expected it from such a large, young dog. Taking a few steps forward, she lessened the large gap between the two of them, hoping not to appear antagonistic in doing so. Feeling the press of broken glass against her pads, Fawn gazed at the ground, stepping delicately around a splintered glass canister.

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A polite smile curled around the edges of her black lips. ”Quite alright, Frosty,” She assured her in her faint voice. Her low spoken words caressed the windblown, dusky courtyard. ”It’s fairly easy to get my heart racing,” Thoughtful mind churned easily, cogs spinning, engine red, and burning hot with coal. Fawn brimmed with incomplete musings she hoped to recapture one day soon, and she cast them all aside to figure out this curious other, this Frosty. She seemed quite a peculiar young girl, far too troubled and offbeat. Her turn in personality was both odd and complex as she watched the dame stow away her deeper feelings in her pockets.

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puppet. FAWN
word count. FOUR-HUNDRED&THIRTY-FOUR
muse. SIX-OUT-OF-TEN

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[.Dobie.]

I couldn't keep the amusement from dancing in my eyes as confusion covered the other canine. Then again, I found all dogs interesting, all different but so much the same in so many ways. I've always kept my distance, of course, but mere observement never seemed to be enough for me because of my young, naive yearn for companionship. I figured I'd grow out of it, then again, Maybe I wouldn't. But I knew I'd eventually have to get over it.

What made me even more curious- How did other dogs see me? For the opposite of myself- large and violent? Curious and nice? Depressing and insecure? Or for what I was, Young and Naive? Then again.. I was a rather emotional rollarcoaster, never sure why. I mused these over as I watched Fawn. Now that I thought about it, Fawn was a nice name..

I watched the she-dog step forward timidly. I waited for a couple of heartbeats, worrying I'd frighten her once more. I sat up, letting my ears fall back into their regular position to the side of my head.

I pricked my ears once more as she began to speak. I couldn't help but love how she talked, soft and low. While my own voice showed me as timid yet enthusiastic. Musicalish.. Or, so. I had been told once. I did, indeed, still feel guilty about spooking Fawn, but I had to admit I instantly liked her.. Or maybe I was being naive again. I'd never really met a dog I didn't like, but that didn't mean I was friends with every dog I met.

I shuffled my large paws on the ground nervously. There wasn't much to say. This is what made me a rather awkward dog to be around. I spoke my fill when there was something to be said, but other times I felt lost within silence.

..Word Count.. Three. Two. Seven.
..Puppet.. Frosty.
..Played For.. Fawn.
..Music.. Gravity.