The dappling of color cast a lovely affect on Rotstalker's camp, something that Dmitri always found beautiful, no matter how downcast things seemed. Even while the air outside was thick and heavy with heat, the camp was cool. Dmitri ambled round the camp at a slow pace, brown eyes idly glancing over his peers while he looked to the prey pile, frowning as he noticed it wasn't as full as he would have liked--barely full at all. He knew he'd have to do something about that, and he wasn't looking forward to another tedious hunt, but it was his duty.
Still, no one was forcing him to do it right now, so he let himself sprawl out in the shards of color of the sun on the stained glass windows of the church, tipping his head up to look at the window. It was strange to be so close to something that clearly depicted one of the Masters, to have grown up in their presence. He was sure this had been an important place to them in the past, and laying in the light of the Masters of the past always assured him that the Fawnstalker pack was foolish to believe they were right. Yawning, Dmitri stretched further and looked about to see if there were any other dogs around be might be able to groom with, or at least have a chat.
dmitri // male // borzoi mix // rotstalker // preyfinder
The Tenderfoot had been rather bored for most of the day, only able to wander about camp to see how others were doing and asking if he could lend a paw. So far the answer was.....no. There wasn't really anything he could do at the current moment but that wasn't going to stop him from trying. Coming across Dmitri was really just another opportunity to help out. Even though the older dog was laying in the sunlight appearing to be doing nothing.
Taking a seat on the ground, Miroku made sure to stay out of the sunlight's way so Dmitri would still be basking in it. Why though was the older dog just laying around? Sure there were things to do and not everyone had to do it but....but still.
"What are you doing?" Miroku asked after a moment of silence.
Slowly, the Borzoi raised his head to regard the Tenderfoot, ear twitching in their direction. Even while Dmitri was a friendly dog, he wasn't good with children, never quite knowing the appropriate way to speak to them. "Hello," he managed, shifting his forepaws to be a more comfortable footrest.
The Tenderfoot was strange, that was for sure. He hadn't said much past greetings, and after a moment of silence he was now critiquing the Preyfinder's current choice of activity. Well, he might not have been, but Dmitri wasn't fond of his tone, regardless. "Relaxing," he replied, blinking lazily at the younger dog before setting his head down to rest again. "Have you never heard of it?"
dmitri // male // borzoi mix // rotstalker // preyfinder
Miroku wasn't meaning to offend or be rude to the older dog. He was curious. Course that could always do harm. The pause of silence was due to the Tenderfoot being unsure on what to ask. So as the Preyfinder gave Miroku a answer, the youngster's ears twitched in responses.
"I was just curious, Sir." Miroku responded, being honest. "I've heard of it."
Well finding something to do with the help of this adult wasn't going to be possible since Dmitri wanted to relax. Slanting his ears, Miroku looked away as he tried to figure out just what to ask. There had to be something. Well....there was always the fact that the Preyfinder would want to to be left alone completely.
Think of something already! Miroku thought in his head.
"Dmitri, I'm suprised at you" said a soft voice behind them. The mutli-colored dappled light easily rendered the Saluki's soft, cream colored fur a rainbow spectrum. She knew this and she took advantage of it, bending down to nudge the borzoi's shoulder with just a brief touch of her cool nose. It was nothing more than a polite gesture, typical between any member of the Pack, but still, she employed it no less than fully aware of the timing and manner.
She then did the same to Miroku, easily closing the distance between them. After that was done, she settled down comfortably and rested her head on her dainty white paws.
"No need to dampen our young Miroku's enthusiasm just because you feel like taking a nap".
"'Sir' isn't necessary," Dmitri mumbled, a bit sheepish now that he'd made the Tenderfoot feel that things were more formal than he'd meant them to--and he felt even more sheepish when Aselle called him out, jumping at her touch and narrowing his eyes in her general direction.
Sighing, Dmitri lashed his tail, stubbornly making himself even more comfortable in the camp regardless of knowing there were things that needed to be done. "I'm not dampening anyone's enthusiasm. Intentionally," he amended, glancing at Miroku for a short minute before looking back at nothing in particular--just not Aselle. "There's nothing wrong with resting once in a while, is there? But," he sighed, getting to his feet and stretching at the cruelty of having to get up and do things. "If we're all so desperate for something to do, I suppose a hunt wouldn't kill us. And you'll both be coming, I imagine?"
dmitri // male // borzoi mix // rotstalker // preyfinder
Aselle didn't even pick her head up as the borzoi ranted haughtily. She blinked, all calm and sweetness. In reality, she was having the time of her life teasing him. He made it far too easy to get under his fur.
"Why,did you want me to come? I could also join in on your nap if you're so desperate for company, Dmitri".
She eyed Miroku briefly. "Still interested in learning to hunt birds, boy? You jumped pretty high the other day. Unfortunately that was the wrong move for a rat but I'd like to see what you can do with a big fat pidegon".
"No," Dmitri replied quickly, lashing his tail again. Aselle was too good at getting under his skin, and it was irritating. "I don't need company, especially not for napping."
Huffing, Dmitri wandered towards the prey pile again, tilting his head towards it so the other two would take notice. "I don't need either of you to come along--however, if you two are so set on making sure no dog slacks off, or even takes a little nap after what could possibly been a very exhausting, eventful day, I'm sure you'd both me just as willing as me to go out and catch some food for the rest of the pack, yes?"
dmitri // male // borzoi mix // rotstalker // preyfinder
Miroku's ears perked to the sound of Aselle's voice and he looked over at her. How was she surprised with Dmitri? Sure they were both Preyfinders and adults though what was there to be surprised about? Maybe it was the fact that Dmitri didn't want to go hunting at the time? Receiving the gesture from Aselle it snapped him out of his thoughts on why Aselle was surprised.
"I....It's fine...." Miroku started to say but he went silent as Dmitri started to speak.
Sir was just how Miroku spoke to any male with a higher rank than he did. Sure there were some that didn't like to be called that. But it was just how Miroku talked to the higher ranks, showing them respect. As Dmitri mentioned there was no harm in resting for a bit, Miroku knew that it was a bad idea to have gone over to Dmitri. True, it wasn't a bad thing to rest and the adults needed it. Miroku just couldn't find anything to do on his own.
So the only thing the Tenderfoot could think of was to go and see if he could lend a paw anywhere. That so far wasn't working at all. Miroku wasn't paying much attention, too busy with thoughts on what he could've been trying to do but instead had bothered Dmitri without meaning to. Course when the youngster felt a pair of eyes being directed to him, the youngster pushed his thoughts away just in time to focus on what Aselle was saying.
"Well...I....I'd like to learn but.....Si....Dmitri doesn't seem keen on going so." Miroku started, though he was stuttering due to nervousness. "If he prefers I....I can go and just....just leave him be. Sorry for....bothering."
Miroku wasn't sure on how much of his stuttering Dmitri picked up since the Preyfinder had gone toward the prey pile as he spoke. Once done though, Dmitri seemed to be leaning more toward going on a actual hunting trip. Though was he just playing around or was he serious about it?
Dmitri tensed at the Tenderfoot's words, not having meant to put the child off as much as he did. He never knew how to talk to the younger ones, always coming off as too snarky to people who didn't understand sarcasm--or maybe just preferred speaking to people that spoke more directly.
His tailed drooped slightly, sidelining Aselle as he was sure she would have an earful for him if he discouraged Miroku even further than he already had. "No, you're not bothering me. I was resting before, but," he sighed, stubbornly looking off as he continued. "I suppose you were right, about there being things to do. The pack needs food, you need to learn to hunter, and Aselle and I are Preyfinders. I think it's a reasonable enough arrangement. Aselle?" he asked, finally glancing towards the female to see if she was in agreement.
dmitri // male // borzoi mix // rotstalker // preyfinder
Aselle's long fluffy ears perked, turning towards Dmitri with a warm look in her eyes, obviously pleased at his change of attitude.
"Let's get going then. The most beautiful part of the day is over anyway. No reason to stay in camp". She wasn't referring to the weather, but the dapple of light coming from the colored shards of glass. The last traces of that shine was fading on the backs of the working, eating and sleeping dogs all around them. The sun had already almost set, so the best colors slept until morning.
Sure, the forest may have better access to food and water, but those who lived like wild animals completely ignored the traces of beauty the Masters had left in the world. They'd never understand.
It was hard to remember that as she navigated the city with them. It looked so dark and decrepit, and the smell of the rotties didn't help it's image.
Last Edit: Jul 13, 2014 23:46:34 GMT -6 by ASELLE✿
aselle || 3 || saluki mix || rotstalker || preyfinder icon credit ~mutation: scentless, cannot be smelled by prey, predators or other dogs.
Dmitri slowly traversed the city, keeping his head low as they trailed past the rotties and his eyes open for prey. As much as he preferred living where the Masters had once lived, it was not the best environment for finding food, and he did envy the Fawnstalker that. He couldn't imagine how much easier it would have been to be a Preyfinder there--here, it was unbearably boring and tedious.
Sighing and wishing again that he was still sunning in the colors the Masters had left, Dmitri turned to the small group, tilting his head slightly to the side for direction. "Miroku? Aselle? Anyway either of you would prefer to hunt?" he asked, mostly so he wasn't the one who had to come up with all the bright ideas--but if there was somewhere Miroku was curious about, it'd be more effective than trying to avoid rotties while they walked along the concrete streets.
dmitri // male // borzoi mix // rotstalker // preyfinder