To the village!

[Jarwis-finiarel]

Josh was slowly walking trough the forest with his head hanging low. Though still darkness, it was close to dawn, and weak light crossed the place. Nearly three days had passed since he had left the shores. These ‘Green lands’ –as Josh called them– seemed to have built out of forests. Strange, round topped trees were all around, he barely saw any of the pines he grew up with. The air was rather warm, with not more than a little cold breeze blowing trough the trees once in a while. There was no snow at all. Not a single mound of it anywhere. And the ground was soft, even muddy at places.

Thus, the land was unusual. But Josh kind of liked it –though he honestly hated the mud. His leg seemed to heal rather quickly. ‘It must’ve been because of the new, favorable environment’ thought Josh. He could already move it with only a slight limp and almost no pain at all.

Now he looked up for strange sounds getting to him. It was the voices of human without doubt and Josh saw movement in sight. ‘Time to get moving!’ He sped up towards the people. He might get some help here.

Hopefully

[Wesley]

The hustle and bustle of the small, isolated village never ceased even for the friendliest of the canines. Dogs had been a commonality here so long that one would only be concerned if the dogs had truly disappeared. Any that might be approached continued along their way unless they spied a dog that might actually be useful to them.

Wesley was taking a day off. A day on and a day off his paws usually kept his lean and ready for the next day without feeling terribly tired. It was hard work to begin with and without the capabilities to see, it was a strain at times. Wesley didn't know why he always felt tired after work, but one had to use their mind and body a lot when towing carts or carrying parcels without the aid of vision. Wesley had been doing it his entire life, but the strain never left. Dogs were meant to have more than just ears, paws, and noses.

With large ears lifted towards the street, Wes perched on the end of a small stone fence many folks used as a bench when their chores became too great a labour and a sit was in order. Sitting, Wesley heard the sound of lighter footsteps accompanied with the uneven clack of claws. Was somebody hurt? He rose from his reclining haunches and leaned forward to see if he could hear or smell anything else of use to inform him of this limping one. Was he without a leg entirely? No. Did he smell of blood? Not recent if any. Was he a dog or a wolf? Wolf-like dog.

Wes jumped from his stone perch and began to trot towards the other being sincerely curious and always eager to help a fellow dog if need be. Being certain not to be bumped or kicked off course by the many scuttling persons, Wes made it to his goal: the other dog. "Good 'morrow, may I be of service to you?" He said, smiling. He was feeling rather bold today apparently; hopefully that wouldn't deter the other too much. As alpha, Wes just wanted to help.

[Jarwis-finiarel]

Josh slowed down as he got near the place he saw from the woods, which turned out to be a border of a village. The moving ones were in fact human, doing their daily work between their houses. They were different from those he knew in his home land; they were wearing differently colored, light clothes, probably made out of skins and fur of animals.
Josh saw dogs walking in the distance as well. Something like a cart turned out from behind a house, pulled by a bunch of dogs. A sudden warmth filled Josh as he thought; this might be a good place to stay at temporarily. After all it can’t be a bad place, if there are dog ‘sleds’ used by the men of the village.

Josh was in need of food for a time now, since he couldn’t hunt in the forest with a wounded leg. He was used to humans anyway, so it wouldn’t mean any problem to get to them. Maybe he could get some food or even a helpful hand with his hurt leg.

Just as he left the edge of the forest, a dog appeared in front of him suddenly, nearly like arriving out of nowhere. Josh looked up at it and realized it was yet another unknown kind. He had long, ruffled fur, which was colored just like the land’s; brown on top and sandy under. His eyes were blue, but a strange kind, without any sparkle in them. Still though, he was smiling warmly as he greeted Josh.

“Good day, friend.” nodded Josh, smiling back at the dog weakly, “My name is Joshua. And I’m looking for Hallow village. I expect this is it.” he said, and nodded towards the street. “Someone at the shores told me about the village and I was hoping I would find some help here. And maybe could even stay around for a while.”

[Wesley]

Wesley liked the boldness of the other, and bobbed his head in the most welcoming gesture he could muster. Even if it was his job to greet newcomers, he somehow felt it to be a tedious duty to assume that everyone wanted to join Hallow and weren't merely passing through.

"Salutations Joshua." He said, inclining his head in a polite nod while open the path up for Josh to move ahead of him. Wesley didn't want to be in the way after all. "This is indeed Hallow Village and on behalf of the canine life dwelling here, may I invite you to remain as long as you like." He said, beginning at a steady trot towards the trusty butcher's shop.

If Josh followed, he would certainly receive a treat from the good fellow who had been dicing up meat since Wes could remember. The fellow was good-natured and could see an injured dog a mile away from his little business. "Food's this way if you fancy." Wes invited, turning back towards Josh even if he couldn't see. He knew how important it was to the seeing to be looked at. Wesley could see without turning his head though.

Hoping he wasn't being to bold, he continued to slowly lead to ensure the dog wouldn't overstrain his injured foreleg further. Those things took time to heal and far be it from Wesley to tamper with it.

[Jarwis-finiarel]

Seemingly this place was much friendlier then his own home. Probably, because they didn’t have to struggle so much to stay alive, thought Josh after the dog invited him to stay in the village as long as he wanted. After, he turned and walked down towards the street, saying one more line back to Josh.

“Food?” he asked a bit louder, to over shout a rumbling of his stomach, “Sure, thanks.” He couth up to him and followed closely.

While walking alongside the other dog Josh looked around the street they walked in. The people scurrying around were different from the ones in ‘his’ village and their houses were more square formed and mostly made out of wood. Josh was still getting used to the new surroundings, as also trying to like it, since it seemed impossible for him to get back home. The hospitality was desirable and this dog... ‘this dog’...

“Ahm...” started Josh wittily, “I just thought; I do not know your name yet.”

[Wesley]

Wes was glad to show the dog the ropes, though he could sense a great deal of observation from the other canine. Had Josh never been about the lands before? From whence had he come that these modest homes were of such immense interest? All housing, if any, was like this about the Swedish lands, but Josh seemed quite taken with the place even if it was foreign to his eye.

"Do you like the village? The humans are good enough if they are your sort of folk; some own dogs, but most of the canines about here are part of a rag-tag group." Wesley stated, feeling like a tour guide as he headed for the place of meat. Hopefully the conversation wouldn't die on the way there; that would be dreadfully awkward.

At Josh's inquiry, Wes felt himself feel incomprehensibly warmer. Had he forgotten to introduce himself? Sometimes, he didn't do the best at representing his group. "I'm Wesley; Alpha of Hallow Village along with my mate Echo." He said, turning and smiling back, noticing the grumble of Joshua's stomach, but not taking it to much to heart. The poor dog was hungry, that wasn't anything to be ashamed of. With some food in his belly, there would be more time to talk.

"Here we are!" Wes declared, standing before the butcher shop. With any luck, a few barks and they'd have supper at their paws.

OOC|Sorry for the shortness.

[Jarwis-finiarel]

Josh listened to the dog telling about the place and then introducing himself. That was when he stumbled – and nearly fell – over his legs.

“Oh! Excuse me than, ahm... sire.” said Josh realizing who he was talking to. “I didn’t know you were the alpha. I’m rather new around and my nose had been messed up by seawater. Yes, I like the village, it looks... interesting.” he said, not being sure what to answer. “It’s very peaceful and... well... -equipped. And the country is much nicer then my homelands. The weather’s good and warm, I just don’t like the raining. Back at my home we have snow. Everywhere. But I haven’t seen any of it here. Does it use to snow here?”

While Josh was talking they had walked trough a few streets into the village. Finally Wesley led him to one of the houses and stopped right in front of it, telling him they’ve arrived. Josh looked at the building, than back at Wesley. Then he took a breath and barked at the door of the house, hoping that’s what he had to do.

OOC| No problem with the shortness. In fact I wrote shorter – not to mention this one. Holy Short! Sorry, I didn’t find else to write

[Wesley]

Even though Wes had been standing still, the address of 'sire' made him mentally trip of his motionless figure. What kind of formalities had Josh been accustomed to back in his homeland. In fact, Wesley wondered just how far and how long Josh had come from and been here. After all, Sweden received plenty of snow, but Hallow was in a mild valley which meant less snow and more rain. Besides, it was spring and things were freshening up before summer and therefore, the earth needed lots of rain.

However, Wes didn't have time to scold Josh for his formalities or his polite chatter. Wesley really wouldn't mind if Josh disliked Hallow; this place wasn't for everybody, but Wes wasn't beyond recruiting the chap either. Yet, the other dog's bark silenced any retort of Wesley's immediately as he waited for the customary response.

---

Wiping his calloused hands after hewing a large haunch of meat into delicately cut slices, the butcher found himself interrupted by a yap by the back door. The call was unfamiliar, but the butcher smiled crookedly knowing that he must have another batch of customers come to call. However, how they'd pay him this time, he hadn't decided yet.

Heaving his great bulk from behind the cutting counter he pulled the wooden-hinged door back to peer down at his visitors from his beady eyes in his great ruddy face. "Well, well," he boomed from the peak of the mountain that was his immense figure, "Who have you brought to me today, Wesley? An out-of-towner? Someone you want to persuade into your peculiar ranks here in town? Ha! You never quite ya ol' hound." The butcher joked as he wiped his bloody hands on his apron before patting both dogs gently on their furry pates.

As the butcher pulled himself back up to his great, rolling height he puzzled the two eager dogs over trying to determine how they could sing for their supper best. "I tell you what lads, iffin' you bring this new bundle I just cut up to my neighbor, you will receive a fine pair of bones. I'll pay now, but if my neighbor don't have his meat, then you won't merit another snack from my shop for a while."

Turning about he wrapped the meat in a fine cheesecloth and held the knot for Josh to grab with two meaty bones held in his thick fist for Wesley to tend to. "Show the village off proper now and take this to where ya find this smell." He held out a swatch of cloth which he kept from each of his regular customers. So many dogs had turned to delivery services that it was just easier. With his heft, dogs just made his life easier.

---

Wes thankfully took the bones and looked to Josh to see he had received the parcel. If they found whomever the butcher wanted, they could feast soon. He barked merrily in consent with the gibberish the man always burbled and gladly took the bones from his hand. "Not a bad bit, eh?" he said, grinning doggishly. Wesley could only hope this idea appealed to Joshua also.

OOC| I thank you for your patience, and it's not that short. We can't always write a billion lousy paragraphs. Plus, variety just adds to the fun. ^^