Into the wilderness

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Bracken had wandered from home a month or so ago. How she missed the comforts and luxuries. as she scratched at her neck where her dark blue collar had once been, she remembered how when she was a puppy the children had picked the collar specially and then how she had carlessly exchanged it, her medal, for a tatty burgundy rag at an attempt to fit in with the town dogs.

weeks had past since she had been tracking the Synl dog pack and now she had found it and been accepted by the alpha dog no less. it was her first proper day in the woods and everything seemed strange to her. She stood out like a sore paw. Her coat was still quite neatly groomed though starting to knot around her thick leg fur where she had trodden through mud and damp grounds and her pale grey colours made her look like a ghostly figure treading cautiously through the tree trunks.

Her baby blue eyes darted about for a sign of life. it seemed the dog pack were elusive or that she had not come across the centre yet. There were strange noises all around but she had been used to this from the town. The happy sounds she remembered warmed her soul. The children laughing and playing, the father reading the paper, mother cooking evening meal. How Bracken was treated to snippets of the meat joint because mother pampered her so. Bracken closed her eyes to stop from weeping as much as she tried to forget she couldn't and what hurt most was the fact that it was her fault for wandering away.

Now to a new beginning in the dog pack.

[kross]

Crimson eyes watched the new bitch of the Synl pack. Sleek black ears listened to her every movement, while the sounds around them were not unnoticed. A blood red scarf was tied around those ears and it blew softly in the breeze. Black legs held a white body, who stood amongst the trees. A silver and ruby cross hung from the new Beta's neck.

Kross's appointment had not happened long ago, but she had already begun to accept the responsabilities of being Synl's Beta Female. The Wolfdog had been accepted by Kahvie and had immadiately set out to gain a rank to fit her skills. After returning with a treasure stolen from Sallin's Alphess, Nightshade, she had been given her position. Now she watched this new fae, who was obviously a pet from somewhere.

She did not bother to hide herself, but stood on a knoll above the trail that Bracken now trod upon. She said nothing, moved nothing and did nothing. Kross was patient, and she would wait to be noticed, and Icy statue on the ridge.

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The fading light caught upon Kross' snowy upper pelt. Bracken shot her head upwards to see the Beta as her long ears followed with slight delay partially obscuring brackens sight for a fleeting moment. As they bobbed back down to their rightful position Bracken took a long look at this female. She looked like she belonged here and had an aura of greatness about her. Was she a ranked female who ever she was, she was definately higher than Bracken.

Bracken stood perfectly still and after observing the other for a short moment she spoke out. Her voice was delicate and soft. "hello there" she called out to the female upon the ridge. She spoke no further and thought it best to wait for a reply. As this was the first canine, apart from Kahvie, that she had met she took a submissive stance and prepared for any out come.

The necklace that hung from the females neck caught Bracken's eye it was really shiney and looked quite precious. Bracken wondered how the femme had come across such a trinket and felt more ashamed of the rough red rag that was tied about her neck. how she missed her collar.

[kross]

"hello there"

The first comment had been made. Kross nodded her head and came down off the ridge, making her way towards the shy spaniel. It was obvious that this pet had little idea of what she was doing.

"Good day."

Kross's voice was cool and collected, much like her demeanor. She noticed the rag around the little dog's neck and cocked her head sideways. After a moment she took her crimson eyes away from it and turned them to the face of this new dog.

"It seems you have lost something of importance to you. Do you need help retrieving it?"

Although she was not sure of what the spaniel had lost, no item was out of reach for Kross, The Gypsy's "Snow Angel". Her pendant, which she had seen the little bitch looking at, had been given to her by the gypsies, as had the crimson scarf tied around her ears. She smiled when she caught the spaniel's glance go to the ruby and silver necklace. It was her badge of honor.

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As Kross Advanced towards Bracken she remained still and submissive however being so small it wasn't hard to stay below the other. The female was collected and spoke with a cool confidence that Brack admired. "Good Day" came from the other. Bracken smiled slightly and was about to speak further introducing herself when Kross spoke again.

"It seems you have lost something of importance to you. Do you need help retrieving it?"

Bracken smiled even more and felt it time to indulge the other with her backstory tho she would keep it as short as she could.

"I have lost something but it was my own doing and it should remain lost as a reminder to me."

As she started it sounded like a riddle but all would be revealed as she continued.

"It is my collar. As i'm sure you have noticed i don't really fit in here yet! I used to be a pet my family loved me dearly and as a pup they bought me a navy collar with a silver disc on it. One day i grew curious of the outside world and escaped my garden. I got lost and try as i did i couldnt find home. I resigned to a life on the street but i found it hard fitting in there the street dogs were rough and i was so unstreetwise. I foolishly traded my collar for this red rag as payment for a stolen meal from one of the others. I also thought wearing a lesser accessory would make me look more like i belonged. Now it's just a reminder of how stupid i was, because i still dont look like i belong even though i am not as well groomed as i used to be and have learnt a few things, i still dont quite fit in."

Bracken stopped here as she felt this was plenty of information for Kross to take in also they had only just met afterall. Bracken looked up a little at Kross. "i know it sounds as though im after sympathy i'm really just looking to fit in. My name is Bracken but the street dogs used to call me Bracket or Brack. It's up to you i don't mind."

[kross]

"i know it sounds as though im after sympathy i'm really just looking to fit in. My name is Bracken but the street dogs used to call me Bracket or Brack. It's up to you i don't mind."

"It seems to me that you're looking for a new start. A new start deserves a new name."

Kross cocked her head sideways and looked at the spaniel, trying to come up with something.

"How about Cinderberry? We can call you Cin or Cinder for short. And also I think it would be best to get rid of that rag. If you're going to have a fresh start here in Synl I don't think you need old regrets. You're welcome to keep it of course, but why not try something... new. I have a few little trinkets you're welcome to sift through."

Kross turned from the new little lady and walked up the trail a little ways before turning and looking back at the fae.

"Would you like to come see them?"

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Bracken looked suprised at how welcoming and helpful this other was towards her. She smiled and listened to what the other had to say.

"It seems to me that you're looking for a new start. A new start deserves a new name. How about Cinderberry? And also I think it would be best to get rid of that rag. If you're going to have a fresh start here in Synl I don't think you need old regrets. You're welcome to keep it of course, but why not try something... new. I have a few little trinkets you're welcome to sift through"

Bracken thought upon a new name for a moment. Yes a new start, a new life that sounded perfect. Bracken nodded along with this idea as the female before her suggested.

"I like Cinder and yes i would very much like to look through your trinkets. You are being so kind and helpful i feel more at home here than i did on the streets. May I ask of your name?"

She spoke as she pawed at her rag with her back foot pulling it off over her head and casting it aside with a flick of her toe. There it lay on the floor in a muddy puddle. Her past now drowning in a pool of dark water. Meanwhile the ebony and snow white fae had begun walking further up the trail Bra...no Cinder followed at a quick trot.

"i'd love to" she replied as she caught up to the other.

[kross]

"I like Cinder and yes i would very much like to look through your trinkets. You are being so kind and helpful i feel more at home here than i did on the streets. May I ask of your name?"

Kross pricked her ears and looked down with a smile.

"Oh, of course, how silly of me. My name is Kross, Beta female of Synl."

They walked on for a while, until they came to a clearing by a stream, nearly frozen with winter, and a wooded glen beside it. Picking her way through the trees, Kross led her to the entrance of a neatly carved den. As she entered she took a right turn in the tunnel into another larger cavern. Light from the day shone through several small holes in the ceiling, and there were piles of various objects.

There were chains and necklaces of all shapes, sizes and colors in one pile. In another was bands for the legs and paws. In yet another were earrings and headbands and bows. And the final pile held every color of cloth.

"These are my treasures. I began collecting them ages ago, but had them burried in several lands. Once I became Beta here I retreived them all, and now they stay in this cave. I know every piece, and except for the ones I wear, do not use them. You may pick what you like, and I will memorize your selections and deduct them from my inventory."

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Cinder followed ahrply at the heels of the other. As Kross turned to smile and offer her name Cinder slowed a bit to make eye contact with the other.

"Oh, of course, how silly of me. My name is Kross, Beta female of Synl."

Now she had met with two high ranking dogs. Cinder had not much intelligence about how a pack worked but she knew of some higher ranks such as alpha and beta.

"oh Beta female.. It's an honour to have your attentions i'm sure you must be busy" she replied as they continued up into the clearing and thus into a den in the treeline. Cinder followed down the tunnel and took the right cavern as Kross had done. As soon as Kross stepped aside and cinder could see the piles of treasures her eyes lit up.

"These are my treasures. I began collecting them ages ago, but had them burried in several lands. Once I became Beta here I retreived them all, and now they stay in this cave. I know every piece, and except for the ones I wear, do not use them. You may pick what you like, and I will memorize your selections and deduct them from my inventory."

"Theres so many things i had no idea you had meant so many things to choose from. Maybe you could help me select something from the necklace pile i have no idea what to choose since you gave me a suitable name i think you should find me a suitable trinket afterall they are yours and i would be deeply honoured if you selected it for me personally."
Cinder moved over to the necklace pile and sat looking down upon the gems and chains as they glinted in the small shafts of light coming through the roof of the cavern.

[kross]

"oh Beta female.. It's an honour to have your attentions i'm sure you must be busy"

Kross laughed. "Not as busy as you would think."

She watched Cinder's awe at her collection and felt a sensation of pride well insider her. She'd worked hard to gain all of these things, and to have them appriciated was pleasing.

"Theres so many things i had no idea you had meant so many things to choose from. Maybe you could help me select something from the necklace pile i have no idea what to choose since you gave me a suitable name i think you should find me a suitable trinket afterall they are yours and i would be deeply honoured if you selected it for me personally."

The Snowy female listened as her new little friend made her comments about her treasures and her opinion. Then she walked over to her necklaces and began to dig carefully among them.

"I have just the thing."

After a few moments she found what she was looking for, and with a woof of delight pulled it from the other pieces. It was a finely crafted piece. The center was vines wound around an emerald. On either side was a short ammount of chain, then another, smaller emerald entwined in vines, and finally the chain that connected in the back with a clasp and dangling end. It was delicate and simple, looking almost elven, but a beautiful piece none the less.

"I got this some time ago, in a land quite far from here. It is yours if you like it."

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"Not as busy as you would think."


Cinder smiled but thought this was just Kross being modest. She could see the pride in Kross' eyes as cinder commented on her jewels. She watched on as Kross nosed and pawed her way carefully through the pile

I have just the thing....I got this some time ago, in a land quite far from here. It is yours if you like it."

Cinder watched her pull out the beautiful emerald highlighted chain. It was really gorgeous the gems were so bright and sparkling and the silver chain complemented them so delicately. It really was a fine item. It sure beat the red rag she used to have. Cinder let out a yap of delight

"Oh it's beautiful, Thank you so much Kross. I am forever in your debt! You have been so kind and i feel i owe you! if there is anything i can do for you just let me know! I'd really like it if you would consider me your friend and be my first friend out here in the wild."

Cinder gushed with glee and smiled so brightly. Things were looking up for a change and now cinder was sure she would like living here, especially now she had met Kross. She looked round once more at the piles of treasure.

"maybe next time you go on a jewel hunting mission i could be your assistant and i could start a little collection of my own or help to add to yours."

[kross]

"Oh it's beautiful, Thank you so much Kross. I am forever in your debt! You have been so kind and i feel i owe you! if there is anything i can do for you just let me know! I'd really like it if you would consider me your friend and be my first friend out here in the wild. Maybe next time you go on a jewel hunting mission i could be your assistant and i could start a little collection of my own or help to add to yours."


Kross laughed at Cinder's obvious glee with her gift.

"You owe me nothing, think of it as a welcoming gift. And I would be delighted to consider you my friend. It will be a welcome delight to have another treasure-hunter around, welcome to the team!"

Normally Kross was very aloof and unproachable, but for some reason she liked this little spaniel, so her attitude was different. The crimson-eyed Beta was impressed by Cinder's transformation from her old self. Hopefully she would be able to live a happier life here.

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[i will be very busy over the next few days so i will reply to this asap it could possibly be saturday night hope you don't mind too much}

Cinders xxxx

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Cinder was happy and she was happy here too in synl now she had a good friend who had helped her and a whole new identity to help her forget the past.

"It will be so much fun helping you to find treasures. You can call on me anytime if you ever need any help or anything at all!"

Cinder smiled and looked down at her own chest where the emerald and silver chain now hung it looked so well.

"i guess you might have something else to attend to now Kross?"
she asked, hoping she wasn't being a burden. Cinder didn't really know where to go next or what to do.

"Where are the best places to go in Synl to meet others or to be of some use?"