On dangerous grounds

[Squeeji]

The rain had finally broke when Anna pulled herself out from under the log she had spent the night in. Her low built form was almost tailored for the subterrian dwelling, but still, she was dirty, and wet. The experience was, in her opinion, less than pleasant, although safe.

She yawned and stretched her paws out as she shook the sleep out of her eyes. The little female was a bit antsy about all of this, she was anxious about the territory she wandered into, it smelled strange, and it was obvious that it was controlled by some pack. The scent was pugnant and unmistakable.

Anna wrinkled her nose and turned her lip, a panic coming over her as her ears pinned back against her skull. but she had to admit it as much as she hated it, she was only biding her time before she ran into the paws, claws and teeth of whomever called this part of the woods home.

"Eeee...nawt good." she warned herself in a low whine.

[Sonny]

Sonny had been safe deep within the forest and because there were so many trees they deflected the mighty rain which seemingly down poured—he had to personally thank them later, no matter how stupid that sounded. He appreciated that because they were towering oh so high and were healthy even with that autumn after-glow, they havened the area enough so that the borzoi wouldn’t be wet in the least bit. But, his sensitive nose caught wind of something; something that of which wasn’t apart of his or Kahvie’s territory and thus it was his job to inspect such.

Reluctantly, being that Sonny didn’t like getting wet too often, bounded outwards towards where the scent radiated from and it was there and then that he saw the small female, possibly a corgi being that he saw them once in a blue moon—but he wasn’t quick to judge on breed now, but instead what she was doing here. No matter how small she seemed, he met some small dogs whom packed a punch and this one looked like that kind, despite being wet and dirty from possible borrowing from the storm’s devastating effects.

“Er…halt there, female! May I ask why you’ve come to the Synl territory? I’m going to safely assume you want to be accepted - or is there another reason I should know about ahead of time?” He was pretty stern while talking, almost like an immediate swathe from his normal, spaztastic personality. But when a job needed to be done, it had to be with a serious outlook towards it, and that’s exactly what he planned on doing; duties needed to be upheld, and he tried his best to not fail while doing such.

[Squeeji]

The sight of the tall male somehow made Anna shrink some, but with a steel of boldness she managed to straighten up. Though there was certainly the chance that this skinny fellow could eat her in one gulp, well...she wouldn't go down easy....so sir.

"Ah...um...sure?" Sonny's wording made her think a moment, was that an invitation or something? Honestly Anna hadn't known that such a thing was an option. Her expression was a little baffled as she offered a small smile. He didn't really seem so dangerous. Atleast, it didn't appear he'd just attack outright. "Ah mean, that's an invitation...right?"

[Sonny]

Sonny tilted his head rankishly to the side at the mere thought of an invitation. Did he honestly speak as if that was the insinuating gesture? Surely, he didn’t mean it or did he? These were confusing thoughts within his mind but he merely shook it and began the infamous game of questionaire—so to speak. He tried his best not to sound like a fool because he was abit irked at how one would take a simple inquiry into an invitation, nevertheless it didn’t matter - maybe she just did not understand, that was always a factor in the back of his mind.

“Well, it’s an invitation if you’re either a loner seeking a pack, a rebel, or someone whose just against Sallin. Are you either of the three?” He had to get to the bottom of this, really he wasn’t just going to let anybody within Synl; everything and their mother would be disappointed if that was the case. That alone wasn’t something he could deal with, he did not like being disliked or frowned upon. Whether he would outwardly admit it with words, it was positive to show upon his expression. He wore his heart out on his sleeve, what more was there to be said?

[Squeeji]

It wasn't as though other packs, just...allowed other dogs to just...join their pack, Anna was just confused about. "Well thats what i mean...were you inviting me to your pack? Or do you want me to mosey? I mean...if not I can just go." The little corgi was getting a tad leery that this would get ugly.

"I mean..i didn't mean to intrude. I was going to shove off right now, I don't want any trouble. Really." she backed up some, a little defensive. "I'm just passing through...I got chased this direction..." she sighed, she just didn't want to run or fight anymore.

"Listen, really I am sorry, I just...want to rest for awhile, I'm not part of a pack. I'm not dangerous. Honest." She looked down at her paws and then gave a little bit of a anxious little laugh "Do I look dangerous?"

[Sonny]

Sonny only blinked slightly; it was obvious that a guise of confusion was present upon his face—if he could’ve helped it, he would’ve atleast attempted to shroud it, but he was lost within all his feebleness to rid of it. “If you would like to join, then by all means it’s an invitation. We’re pretty cautious of who we accept but you don’t look like any cold-blood killer that I know of,” afterwards a cheesy smile was offered in her direction before he looked behind him and then back to the corgi, almost in an embarrased like fashion.

“I think it’d be better if we talked deeper in the forest, you’ll be a tad more warm there and not as wet - it’d also give you a chance to dry off abit and talk,” whether or not she would follow, Sonny would turn around and head in the direction where he was located at beforehand. But instead of rushing, he took his time so that the other would be able to possibly take in the surroundings as they went—if he was new, that’s something he would’ve enjoyed. But…everyone was different. Who knew what she liked.

[Squeeji]

"I generally don't bite," Anna smirked, feeling a little relieved that the big old sighthound wasn't going to tear into her "its more of a ripping motion." She snapped her jaws and laughed, scampering towards Sonny, "But, um...I'd be honored to uh, join...your pack? Your pack right?" She guessed he was in some leadership position or else he wouldn't have tried to sound like such an authority figure.

Her little legs were a blur under her as she kept up with his casual gait. "I'm Anna..." she offered as she looked around, it was a pretty landscape, and the Borzoi was right, it seemed much safer and dry. The little female wiggled her nose as she sniffed about idlely, her paranoia was melting by the minute now that she didn't seem completely unwelcomed. The small comfort made her far more talkative than she had been before. "Obviously, I'm not from around here...I left a small farmstead, north of here I think, northwest?" Her ears fidgeted as she thought. "Well i suppose that doesn't matter where it was...I left. Been moving ever since..."

[Sonny]

Sonny sighed in relief once in the comfort of the dense forest region, it was so nice and he’d give up the world for it which was really alot to say in anyone’s position. “Oh yeah, I’m one of the alphas here. I run it with my good pal, Kahvie, you’re bound to see her around here aswell. Somewhere…” He trailed off at the end being that he haven’t indeed seen Kahvie in God knows how long - but he re-assured himself that she was just fine, perhaps just in another part of the territory. “Anna, is it? That’s a really…erm…pretty name!” If he could’ve blushed, he would’ve being that he was so shy at the current moment but counterstriked against it with a laugh that’d make anyone, well, giggle in return at his own expense.

“I’m Sonny, by the way,” he said in a moreso professional sort of way. “So, why’d you leave the farmstead? And, as you said before, you were chased here. Do you recall who it was that did such? Surely they weren’t up to no good,” he was abit curious as to who shoo’ed her away from their territory; he was left to assume Sallin, but everybody knew better, including him, to jump to conclusions about things pertaining to that subject. “Hopefully you won’t run away from us, right? I tend to think we’re the nicest thing since a slice of cheese - well, that’s a bad comparison,” he shook his head before grinning and continuing, “I think we’re pretty tightly woven, like a family, I guess.”

[Squeeji]

Anna giggled at little at the awkward little Sonny, "Well that's a relief, I'm not so fond of following someone home and getting ripped to shreds by his family." she winked, proving her statement was only in jest.

“Anna, is it? That’s a really…erm…pretty name!”

As shy as he was, she couldn't help but smile, "You think so? That's sweet" The corgi looked up at Sonny "Sonny hmmm? Cute." her ears twitched, a bit regrettably, she was certain that this fellow probably -didn't- want his name to be considered cute, what self respecting pack alpha wanted to be called -cute-. She sighed and trotted along, eyes up watching the light through the folliage.

"I left because I had, a bad reputation," she gulped, thinking how that sounded bad on her, "I mean, i didn't do anything myself, but it was my dad, he was a maddog...so everyone thought I'd be bad too...I always had to fight for my respect, but I never got any, no matter how hard i tried, so I just left..." her voice peaked some, like a little bit of a nerve got touched just talking about it.

She eyed the male beseechingly, looking for some sort of acceptance of her actions "I mean, i wasn't wrong to run off was I? i mean, no matter what i did, I was wrong..." Anna shook her head and sighed. "So I ran off...tried to live by the villages, but I was scared, and I ran off again, but when I got into the woods..." her ears drooped as she pondered the last few weeks.

"Some bigger canines chased me off, wolves I think, good thing they didn't find me too threatening either...that's why I'm so dirty you know, I've been hiding underground." her nose wrinkled.

"Not pleasant I assure you." she was surely stressed just remembering, but Sonny did well with his little cheese statement, Anna stared at him a moment, and then snickered.

"Cheese...no cheese isn't too bad. So long as you don't smell like cheese" a few quick huffs of air around Sonny and Anna bit her lower lip in thought "I don't smell cheese, no." she teased a little.

[Sonny]

Sonny cleared his throat abit before lifting his head to notice one thing and probably one thing only. The rain was pouring harder than ever now and occasionally excess drops of water that broke free of the secret refuge and would hit him in the nose. It was usually never too hot nor too cold, but seemingly a more frigid drift was passing through to counter against the normal temperature creating the storm; atleast there wasn’t thunder, he didn’t like thunder all too much. Nevertheless, after casting Anna a brief look and bizarre smile he figured that she was deemed not a threat but maybe a moreso valuable player within the pack - it was too early to tell, but he had his hopes set.

He didn’t mind being called cute, especially from a female. Whatever compliments he could score were decent enough for him to bask in and afterwards as soon as it was said his large ears gave a wiggle insinuating one thing or another. “No, I don’t think you were wrong, really,” he stopped to think before going on, “I think I would’ve done the same thing. I was sort of in your predicament awhile back in a sense. But hey, lookkit me now!” In one way or another they related but hopefully the corgi would feel better knowing that the place she was in was atleast better than most around - and this wasn’t solely based upon opinion, but indeed fact.

“Hm, well atleast that’s over. I guess I have my suspicions on who those wolves are, but it doesn’t really matter. You’re safe now.” After the pause between the two and Anna staring at him before snickering he could only pressume that his joke didn’t reside over her too well, but she laughed at it so it was a plus nonetheless. As far as the cheese statement went and him smelling like such, hopefully he didn’t. The forest usually withheld the ambiance of something…well, normal. Maybe an autumn-esque tinge entwined in there, but it was really pleasant anyway between the factors. “I don’t think I’d ever wanna smell like cheese. Even when fresh, it kinna reeks, ya’know what I’m saying?” Odd question that she probably couldn’t empathize with - oh well, what more was he to say?

[Squeeji]

Anna paused a moment in a bit of a shiver, thick as her coat might be, it was wet and brisk draft just cut through her like a knife. She bounced about a bit an attempt to warm up and followed along. "Pretty impressive storm..." she peeked behind her herself curiously, wondering idlely if the weather had followed them, or if she could catch it in the act. "I think that thing has been chasing my tail for about a day or so..." the corgi giggled at some private joke before wagging her stub and adding "Or what's left of it."

Anna smiled, hoping that Sonny wouldn't feel awkward by the joke, just a little dwarfdog humor, nothing offensive if he laughed at it. Really. She looked up at him with relief, atleast he appeared to understand the ordeals that brought her here, Thankyou she thought...her grin softening to legitimate appreciation, with no words to explain herself.

"I really didn't get a good look at them, can't give you a positive ID, but they coulda been dogs too...I mean they certainly weren't the first guys who didn't want me around..." She didn't seem too tired keeping up with the leggy male, though her little paws were moving like pistons, the blur under her torso made her almost look like a children's windup toy.

“I don’t think I’d ever wanna smell like cheese. Even when fresh, it kinna reeks, ya’know what I’m saying?”

Anna laughed a twitter in her voice, she really thought that was a joke, atleast she hoped it was, it was funny. "Yeah, I once got trapped in the cheese aging cellar when i was a pup....ugh, I stank for like...months. No lie, and no amount of soap and bathes got rid of that, it just had to wear off, it was...actually pretty funny come to think of it." She smirked "Naw but you don't smell like cheese either, you smell good." she stated simply as they went.

[Sonnylazy]

ooc|| I've been really busy with some work, so I promise to reply to this soon!

[Sonny]

Sonny remained quiet for abit only because he wasn’t exactly as quirky as one would necessarily intend to be - infact, he was actually pretty self-effacing when it came to things such as conversing with females. Of course, he was quite the swindler in his own mind but involuntarily so outwardly, nonetheless he kept a petty smile upon his face and only tilted his head rankishly to the side when the corgi wagged her stub. Whether or not it was actually impressive how one could survive a bunch of wolves, or creatures, whichever was chasing Anna and manage to slip away with only a few scratches. That was something the the borzoi appreciated in a dog, one with the will to fight for it’s own life rather than admitting defeat.

The storm was slowly dying down now and the once cold drift was seemingly becoming moreso warmer—but the sky…it was still it’s own dismal shade of gray. Whether or not one attempted to change that fact alone, it was unknown to even him and that was something he dare not tread onto. Perhaps Synl deserved a little shower here and there, but not like the one they were just given. Maybe it was a sign, but who knew, not he. Regardless of all those thoughts, he only shook his head slightly and nodded towards the statement of the impressive storm before clearing his throat in a mannerly fashion.

“Heh, really? Never thought I’d smell good! But, that isn’t to say someone would expect I smell bad either,” he paused for a moment then continued, “Cheese aging cellar? Wow! That must’ve sucked. I know I wouldn’t wanna be caught dead in there, but atleast you don’t smell like that now,” hmm, yeah that sounded decent enough, “Or else I’d have to spit on ya or somethin’!” No, no that wasn’t funny in the least bit, but maybe Anna took a favor towards crude humor. He usually wasn’t like this, but desperate times called for desperate measures - atleast in the day and age such as the one they were currently present in.

[Squeeji]

As the warmth started to tinge into the air Anna almost felt herself puffing a sound of relief. The dismal condition of the cloud cover didn't seem to bother her, it was the rain from the darkened clouds that were the bother.

She really did enjoy the banter between herself and Sonny, it did much to ease her nerves as she picked up scent after scent that could have been considered threatening to an outsider. Anna made sure she kept plenty close, given the situation, but not so close that the male thought she was getting cozy. Her mind was awash with the what could happen, what could go wrong, she was still a bit anxious, but that was good news for the borzoi, whose statments made her laugh easily.

"Pah, I'd have spat on myself, given the chance I'd have taken a bite out of me..." Anna nipped the air again, not even thinking how random she was beginning to sound, but she was slowly catching herself.

"...So what about yourself Sonny?"

[Sonny]

Sonny looked at Anna through the top portion of the glasses that stood pushed up against his muzzle before he attempted to avert his eyes elsewhere, though they seemingly focused back upon the corgi haphazardly. Not to mention he felt embarrassed, but his fur was already a golden color and thus could not get any lighter as one would when expressing the same emotion - which in all honesty was a win-win situation.

He did too enjoy the mindless conversation he was having with the other, she wasn’t really the serious type but that was all good with him, since he wasn’t either. If he had to be, he would, but now wasn’t the time. Now was moreso the time where he could absolutely spaz out and expect no consquences for his actions because of such - again, another win-win situation at hand! Now, as far as the question that was aimed to him and the joke of biting herself, he only laughed wholeheartedly before lifting a single leg to scratch at his face and then grinning ever so lightly afterwards as some sort of finale, though not.

“What cha mean about myself? Do you mean, like, my story and such? Why I’m here? It’s rather long, but if you really want to know I’d be more than happy to tell you.”