Synopsis
Full Moon of February, 2005 - Abbey and Orion go to the lake to escape the public so they can shift under the full moon without being disturbed. Murphy has the same idea and is unexpectedly faced with a couple of wolves.
Setting
White Rock Lake:
A reservoir, White Rock Lake covers 1,254 acres and was once used for a portion of Dallas' drinking water supply. Now that it's use as a water source has been supplanted, the area has become one of the favored recreational locations in the city. The forested shoreline is dotted with numerous small cabins, fishing piers, and sailboat docks.
The lake is surrounded by White Rock Lake Park, which is home to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Running through the park is a 9 mile trail designed for hiking, running or cycling.
Though swimming was banned here back in the '50's, it is still a popular location for area teens who generally enjoy the more deserted areas, using the beautiful backdrop as a makeout spot.
Cast
Abbey:
The form before you looks like a large oversized wolf, some might mistake her for a bear, or large cat actually with how big she happens to be. Legs are long and a bit on the lanky side to fit in with being a wolf like beast. Paws large and thickly padded so she moves around very quietly. Thick ebony claws slightly stick out from each paw and are even retraceable. Proving she is anything but a normal wolf. A large head rests upon a strong neck. Muzzle big, long and powerful, the tips of two top fangs seen against her bottom maw as there just too oversized to rest fully within her maw. Nose rich ebony, able to catch the faintest of scents, with a few pale silver whiskers at either side of her maw. Ears are large and triangle like in shape, able to pick up any sounds without a problem.
Muscle is found all over the beast, a good amount about her shoulders and legs proving once she gets started running she can go for a while. Thick protecting fur covers her form, this helping her out during a fight. Color being a dark ruddy red with earthy brown tinting, pale yellow found running across her underside, and maw. Ebony black is found tipping her ears, running down the center of her back, and tipping her long tail. A slight peppering of black and silver is also found across her sides and haunches. Bright silver can also be found circling her eyes in a thin wavy line mask that runs down to curl at the sides of her bottom jaw. Eyes of paler then pale ice blue are found upon this animal. When light hits her eyes just right they glow bright blue.
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Murphy:
This blonde, scruffy-faced man is just shy of six feet tall and has the build of a young man who spends a lot of time working with his hands. Casual inspection would probably prompt observers to take a guess at him being thirty - or a little younger - and like many men his age he tends to slouch. His eyes are a fine clear blue and he frequently goes without shaving to leave himself with a scraggly beard and goatee a centimeter or so long before eventually remembering to clean himself up. His hair is relatively short but is in the process of growing wild, sticking out in different directions and being generally unmanageable thanks to the man's unwillingness to spend too much tmie on it. A smile is often seen on his face, and his clothing tends towards the less-formal; oftentimes it's not unusual to catch him with his clothing stained with oil picked up from his workplace. Generally speaking, when he's out and about the man can be caught in flannel shirts, jeans, and work boots. To those with the right kind of nose, he smells like dog.
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Orion:
Standing before you is a great black hound with red eyes. The beast appears to be all or mostly wolf and is slightly over six feet in length and about 180 pounds. The Black Hound is associated with and often blamed for bad luck and misfortune. In truth it has no ability to change luck for better or worse, though the appearance of the creature often strikes terror into those who see it.
Scene
The night is clear and a bit cool, with the full moon shining high in the night sky. Her silver light dances across the surface of the lake and reflects on the reeds and foliage growing nearby. The animals of this area appear to be more active than usual, with several creatures scampering around in the fields and groves of trees.
Orion is currently sitting next to a pile of folded clothes, looking up at the moon in his usual hound form. The great black beast blending in with the shadows of the woods with only the glint of his eyes to show his existence. He stands and shakes himself before proceeding forward, sniffing the air for any sign of Abbey. She had suggested this area to him as a place to get away on the full moon. He had decided to join her rather than lock himself in his basement as he usually does.
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Normally Abbey wouldn't be so close to home during the full moon, though after the talk with Orion she figured an attempt in ebbing this close to everyone would be alright. A large wolf is slowly padding through the bushes, pale gaze drifting over the area as she has caught scent of the hound and is moving steadly towards him. Ears twitch forward and back while she pauses for a moment, head lifting as she snuffles out at the passing breeze before licking across her maw. It takes her a moment before catching the scent once more and she moves forward once more, paws carrying her quietly through the area.
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The black hound stops suddenly and cocks an ear to the side, having heard something rustling in the bushes. He turns his head and crouches down, creeping toward the shrubbery before pouncing forward, sending a rabbit fleeing in terror. He makes a sound that could almost be understood as a chuckle before continuing his search for Abbey. She must be downwind of him because he cannot detect her scent. He trots toward the lake and hops up on a rock to look around. Still seeing nothing he lets out an eerie sound that could be classified as a howl. Looking at the hound it really is not surprising that Orion believes himself to be a true Barghest. The creature really does look like some sort of ill omen.
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The wolf tilts her head as she sight of the rabbit that sudden darts by, a slight huff escapes her while her maw twitches. The red wolf moves onwards, the scent of water hitting her and she soon catches sight of Orion some distance off. Abbey tilts her head while she stands there, tail swaying a few times before she lifts her head and lets out a deep howl that echoes over the area.
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The first signs of the approach of a third party are, doubtlessly, the crashing of underbrush and the furious barking that suddenly begins and then increases in volume as it grows closer and closer to the lakeside. Pounding footsteps in sizes extra-small and also in medium hit the air shortly after and - suddenly - a rabbit darts through the underbrush and out into the open, having taken a horribly wrong turn somewhere along the way in its panic. To further shatter the gloomy serenity and serious business is the equally abrupt appearance of the rabbit's pursuer, a big brown-and-black dog whose big feet churn at the lakeside sod as he tries to zig while his prey zags, sending up a short shower of dirt. Apparently the howling hasn't yet occurred to him as being something to pay attention to.
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Orion swivels his ears toward the general direction of Abbey's howl, Turning his head to look for her. His eyes glint in the darkness as he peers down and sees her at last. The creature descends from his rock and sniffs the water, lapping at it for a few seconds before cautiously approaching the wolf. Though Orion's thoughts are clouded by the feral mind of the hound, he is still in control enough to remember Abbey's warning that she can be quite unpredictable in wolf form. He continues forward slowly, head lowered and ears perked forward. His tail sways slightly as he approaches the wolf.
The hound jumps suddenly and bristles up at the approaching sound, splaying his ears and readying himself for an attack. The 'attacker' turns out to be a third canine, one who had apparently discovered the rabbit Orion had scared up a short while earlier. The hound relaxes slightly, looking at the new arrival with mild curiosity until the dog's rampaging sends a shower of mud up to coat the beast's shiny black fur.
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The red wolf paces forward, heading closer to the water as she goes, her pale gaze drifts over the area watching and paying attention to any sound that may happen to be around. Abbey turns her gaze towards the hound as he starts to move towards her. The wolf watches him, hackles lifting slightly and tail flicking upwards until she relaxes a few moments later. A faint wruff escapes her before she leans down to lap at the water's surface herself. The sound of running soon catches her attention and the wolf jumps backwards, hackles lifting once more and a faint growl escapes her. When the third canine appears she cocks her head to the side, ears flicking forward before what could be called a smirk crosses her maw and she snorts out at the cold mud that is splatterd upon her pelt.
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With his tail flagged happily in the air and his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, Murphy certainly looks like he's having a good time chasing the tall-eared creature that's only barely managing to keep ahead at this point. The poor little thing has already had more than its fair share of scares for the evening, and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better. BARK BARK BARK goes the dog as he skitters and then bounds after the rabbit again - and this time, it's not going to be any fairytale ending. The rabbit balks at a fallen log and the dog does not. There are a few moments of squealing terror before the rabbit is silenced and the Proud Hunter lifts his head with the dead thing in his jaws, ears perked as he turns to look back at the way he came. If anything, his stance seems to speak along the lines of 'Oh, did I do that?'. No matter the case be doesn't seem very contrite.
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Orion gives his fur a quick shake, sending mud splattering all around him as he attempts to clear his fur of it. He snorts and paws at his face, trying to get one last glob off before giving up and starting out at the other dog. His stance is dominant, yet non threatening as he peers at the newcomer, glancing for a moment at Abbey before approaching the other dog. Orion sniffs the air and detects the faint scent of a human wafting from the new canine. The hound cocks his head and sits, lifting his head and letting out one of those eerie howls again. If the new dog smells like a human, it might have come with one. And if it came with one, Orion wants to keep the human from looking upon his cursed form.
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Abbey just stares at the dog as if he had an extra head growing out from its neck. Her look seems to say it all, 'Yes you DID do it.' A forepaw is lifted and she scratches at neck a few times before she shakes her form of sending the mud off and a faint huff escapes her. A glance is offered to Orion and she wruffs out faintly to try and show that its alright. Seems she knows the scent coming from Murphy and isn't that worried about it, enough of her human side coming through to at least remember who the new doggie is.
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The dog gives his tail a couple of wags here and there. Still, the gesture is less enthusiastic than it could be - a dog faced with wolves has a right to be spooked. He twitches his gaze between the strangers and absently mouths the corpse he's caught, tipping his head and taking a couple of steps forward. This stops immediately when Orion gets to howling; Murphy turns tail and sprints down the lake shore a good ten yards or so before turning around again and staring. One thing of note is that the dog doesn't wear a collar, which might throw into doubt the theory that he has a human is attached to him.
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The hound stands once more and shakes himself off again, flinging off the last remnants of mud. He watches the other dog warily, though Abbey seems to be unconcerned with its existence. Orion feels a bit less worried after seeing the other canine run away, perhaps this new dog is not something to be avoided after all. He cocks an ear toward Abbey and lowers his head again, proceeding forward slowly toward the new dog. He tries to keep his posture as neutral and non-threatening as possible as he moves forward, stopping every few feet to swivel his ears and sniff the air, still not entirely convinced there are no humans in the area.
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The wolf lifts her head slightly as she watches the dog suddenly run forward. Abbey titls her head and soon licks across her maw while she shifts forward on her paws, tail lashes slightly. Running most likely isn't the best idea around the wolf, even worse of an idea when the dog still has that kill in his mouth. The predator side is starting to take over, and the large wolf starts the pave forward, heading towards Murphy with sure quick steps.. What she is planning to do? Who knows..
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Oh lordy. Murphy continues to back up, his tail dropping down between his hind legs to tuck inwards a little even as his floppy ears start to set back against his head. All things considered, though, he's not up for having a drag-out fight with a couple of wolves over a rabbit, not when he's got a refrigerator stocked with beer and Tex-Mex back home. The rabbit-chase was a game to experience the thrill of the hunt. That thrill having been experienced accordingly, the dog drops his head and opens his jaws wide enough to let the bloody rabbit hit the damp earth.
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The wolf lifts her head slightly as she watches the dog suddenly run forward. Abbey titls her head and soon licks across her maw while she shifts forward on her paws, tail lashes slightly. Running most likely isn't the best idea around the wolf, even worse of an idea when the dog still has that kill in his mouth. The predator side is starting to take over, and the large wolf starts the pave forward, heading towards Murphy with sure quick steps.. What she is planning to do? Who knows..
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Oh lordy. Murphy continues to back up, his tail dropping down between his hind legs to tuck inwards a little even as his floppy ears start to set back against his head. All things considered, though, he's not up for having a drag-out fight with a couple of wolves over a rabbit, not when he's got a refrigerator stocked with beer and Tex-Mex back home. The rabbit-chase was a game to experience the thrill of the hunt. That thrill having been experienced accordingly, the dog drops his head and opens his jaws wide enough to let the bloody rabbit hit the damp earth.
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Orion stops for a moment as Murphy continues to back up. He attempts to lower himself a little further as he continues his approach, no longer intending to frighten the other dog any further than he already is. He watches the dog drop the rabbit and lifts his nose to sniff curiously. Orion hesitates, almost as though the creature is deciding whether to proceed or not. He decides progressing is probably a good idea when Abbey passes by him. He circles around slightly and follows behind her, watching her movements carefully. The beast glances between the wolf and the dog as they come forward, speeding up his pace slightly to surpass the wolf. When he reaches Murphy he stops and extends his head forward, sniffing the other animal tentatively.
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The Black Hound watches the dog as it trots off, cocking his head curiously and starting off after him. He pauses to sniff at the rabbit from a distance, but he does not want to get too close since Abbey seems interested in it for now. Orion eyes her for a moment and trots after the other dog, trying his best to look non aggressive. His large black tail is wagging slightly and his tongue is lolling out. Somehow this does not do much to make him look less like some sort of hell hound, but he is at least making an effort it seems. Orion stops and sits, cocking his head at the other dog as it retreats to the trees.
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At the moment the wolf doesn't seem to care about the rabbit, her mind seems to wander a lot at the moment. Abbey paces forward slowly following along after Orion, heading closer towards Murphy. Her head tilts, maw opening slightly and her tongue hangs from her maw slightly before she barks out towards the dog once he starts to leave. She pauses at the hound's side and huffles out while she settles herself down upon her haunches near Orion while merely watching.
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All of the watching is kind of creeping the poor dog out, especially since he's being a nice guy and is just wandering off without a fuss. His pace gains a slight kickstep when the strange beasties start following him, taking him faster towards the trees. In no time at all he's amongst tree trunks and shrubbery, and he seizes the opportunity to take off for home. Let none say that he isn't fast, either.
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The hound stands suddenly as the dog begins to run, darting forward to chase the creature. He reaches the trees and sniffs around for a moment, apparently trying to decide which course of action to take. The dog departed in the general direction of civilization, and Orion is not too keen on being around a lot of people. He sits and lets out another one of his howls before turning back to Abbey and wagging his tail slightly. In the morning he may put the pieces together and decide this third dog was also a shifter, but he is not capable of such complex thought at the moment.
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Abbey merely watches as the dog takes off, she shifts slightly on her paws and then just stretches herself out with a yawn escaping her. The wolf titls her head and curiously watches Orion as he follows after the dog, yet she isn't to worried on it. Instead the wolf turns and moves back to the rabbit sniffing at it while her tail wags about a few times. She wruffs out and turns to face him more to watch what he may do now.
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Orion shakes his head and brings up a back paw to scratch behind his ear, letting out a satisfied ‘erf’ sound as he does so. After that he stands back up and trots back down toward the rabbit, sniffing at it and grabbing its head in his mouth. He shakes the carcass slightly and tosses it in the air, watching it drop before darting over toward it again. He grabs it once more and gets into scuffle position, growling playfully at Abbey and wagging his tail. Apparently he wants to play tug-of-war…With a dead animal.
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Abbey watches Orion as he takes hold of the rabbit, she lowers her head and lets her forepaws rub against her face a few times while letting the other play with the rabbit. Her pale gaze settles on the others and her tail sways a few times before she shifts up onto her paws and snaps out at the other end of the rabbit to snag hold of it to start the game.
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The Black Hound digs his claws into the ground and pushes back, jerking his neck a few times to try and tug the rabbit out of the other wolfs muzzle. He jumps sideways and gives a great tug, hearing a gruesome snapping sound and falling back. He lands on his rump and looks curiously at the rabbit, now missing the leg that is still in Orions muzzle. He lays down and chews on it happily, the bones crunching as he does so.
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It only takes a few hard jerks and pulls from the two large animals for the poor dead rabbit to be ripped in half. Abbey gruffs out fiantly while she stumbls backwards herself. With her tail wagging she settles herself down upon her belly and glances to the half she has. A muffled wruff escapes her and she starts to rip into the half she has happly.
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The sound of snarling and the crunching of bones is sure to frighten the other animals enough for them to keep a safe distance for now. Orion continues to chew on his rabbit piece before standing up and making a wharfing noise. He spits out a chunk of something that apparently disagreed with him. He stands up and trots over toward the water again, bending down to drink a bit to sooth whatever the rabbit had done to him.
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The red wolf goes about happly munching upon the rabbit, taking care of both bone and meat without a problem. Abbey soon stretches heself out and rolls about on her back a few times before she flops down onto her side and curiously watches Orion while her tail thumps against the ground a few times in a rather dog like manner.
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Something is in the water. What was it, a frog? A fish? He turns back and barks at Abbey, though even his bark sounds eerily abnormal. He darts up the rock he had climbed up earlier and takes a running leap into the lake, splashing around and looking for whatever he had seen a few moments ago. After a few moments of searching he climbs out of the water and shakes himself off before climbing up the rock once more. He stands there staring at the water with his ears pointed forward for a moment or two before plunging into the lake again.
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The wolf blinks as she watches the other bark and then jump into the water. Abbey lifts her head and then shifts p onto her paws trotting over to the water and peers in with a tilt of her head. She wruffs out softly a few times trying to figure out what he may be looking for. The wolf leans back slightly as she is suddenly covered in water and smirks slightly while a grumble escapes her.
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The hound bounds out of the water chasing some sort of small hopping animal. He runs right past Abbey and snaps the little creature up in his jaws and shakes his head for a moment. Orion stops suddenly, tilts his head to the side, and coughs out the toad, pawing at his muzzle and whining as he does so. The Black Hound might be an omen of bad luck, but he seems to be the only one suffering from it tonight. He shakes his head a couple of times to try and clear his mouth of the vile taste and shakes the water from his fur once more, saturating the air with wet dog smell.
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Abbey blinks while she watches the other as he bounds around wihtin the water with something in his maw. A few deep barks escapes the wolf while she bounces foward to follow after him. The wolfpauses ons he does and her maw twitches while she snuffles at the toad that was just spit up before making a face and gruffs out as she glances back to Orion.
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Orion is not quite sure how to punish the toad for filling his mouth with the awful taste. He leans down to look at it and offers it a menacing growl, to which the toad responds by not moving at all. The hound tries growling again but it is again to no avail. He snorts at the horrible little creature and lies down, defeated by its lackadaisical nature. The hound paws at his muzzle and glances over at Abbey again, sighing softly.
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The wolf looks amused by this and titls her head while a faint snicker like sound escapes her. Abbey shifts over to where he is and lifts a forepaw to bat out at his ear a few times. Her tail swaying about while a wruff escapes her. Play?.. Seems to be the question that is asked without words, which may be picked up more when she drops down to playbow, her tail swaying about.
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The hound attempts to ignore the wolf playing with his ear, but eventually he can no longer ignore Abbey’s mood. He still feigns disinterest, though the twitching of his tail belies his true mood. The hound cocks an ear and rolls over onto his back, pawing at the wolf’s face a couple times and wagging his tail from side to side.
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The wolf bounces around, nipping out playful at paws and ears while her tail sways about. The two play like this for some time, the wolf getting and keeping the hound playing for as long as she can manage. A yawn soon escapes Abbey as she wolf pauses, stretching while her tail sways about. She tilts her head pale gaze watching Orion before she leans close and nips at his soulders before she turns and starts to wander off, back to change back get dressed and get on home it seems.
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The hound jumps around and plays happily, laying down and panting for a short while after Abbey has stopped. He watches her wander off and raises his head to emit one last eerie howl as she departs. He stands up and trots over to where he had stashed his clothes, laying down next to them to wait until dawn. He’s a bit too far from his own home to have walked here, but he’ll need hands to work his motorbike. Once Orion transforms back he will return home, but he thinks he will return to this place again when the moon is full next.
~ Fin ~
