Tavin

The large tiger took his first step onto the grounds of the Ashen Domes, the feeling of intense heat quite welcoming to his flesh. It was too cold at the moment to mind business anywhere else, and he had nothing better to do, so why stand around freezing your tail off?
Giving a gruff snort, the large feline padded along the domes, carefully watching the faults with a calm and carefree gaze. Once he finally came to a high ridge, he hopped up onto it and sat back on his haunches, green eyes scanning over the area. The billowing steam hindered his sights a bit, but he didn't need to know what was going on a mile away from him. He was content just sitting here, relishing in the warmth.

.alayna

the tawny screamer had been sleeping quite comfortably in a small cave that was located a few feet to the side of the ridge that tavin now stood on. alayna was a light sleeper, and at the soft sound of steps nearby, her pale green eyes flew open. remaining motionless for a moment, her black-tipped ears swiveled forward, all her attention focused on the strange-looking feline before her. picking up her long, sinwey form, the cougar silently took a few steps forward, emerging from the cool shadows of the rock. muscles taut, the puma tensed a bit as she spoke, Hello there.

the elegant feline remained about a yard from the tiger, very much unsure about whether to approach or ready herself for a fight. the screamer narrowed her eyes, kneading her large paws on the ground slowly. Who're you? alayna inquired, remaining motionless.

Tavin

FOR US...
DEATH IS THE FLAW OF LIFE

Tavin had since lowered onto his silvery-hued belly, quite content with just laying there. It was a cold, chilly day out there, and he wasn't about to take another step into that white snow. At least, not very willingly. He didn't enjoy staying around where it was freezing, and if this was the only place to stay warm at, he was perfectly fine with hanging out here. Variety was nice, though.

With a light yawn, the tiger's toes stretched out a bit. That's when the cougar came into view. His auds flickered and pricked, becoming focused on the other feline. Curious but very wary, he slowly and casually raised himself back to his haunches with his strong fore legs, eyes and 6 inch fangs faintly glimmering in the faint overhead sunlight.
"Hello," he replied, flexing his claws once more, "name's Tavin." he then stated his name, not in the biggest chatterbox mood. He could exchange a few good words, though, no biggie.

TAVIN

Sarge/Freefall

Freefall raced ahead of Sarge, wagging her bushy tail. She was very careful, due to her former career as an attack dog. She saw the faults in the ground and avoided them. In the distance, she spotted two large cats. She cautiously approached them, believing that she could rip them to shreds if she had to. "Hello...Freefall's my name. May I ask your names?" She said, as politely as she knew.

"Be careful." Said Sarge. He, too was careful, once being a bomb dog. An explosion has left him with no hearing in one ear and bad hearing in the other. "Those cats can be dangerous." He watched them carefully with his bi-colored eyes.

.alayna

alayna couldn't help but stare for a moment at his fangs. good heavens, she'd never seen anything like them! without knowing it, she instinctively shrank back a tiny bit, tensing. however, once the screamer was sure the strange cat wasn't going to attack her, she relaxed ever-so-slightly. he seemed friendly enough... alayna. the cougar said smoothly, her words soft and smooth. flicking her onyx-tipped tail about lightly, she tilted her head slightly. Don't think me rude, but, ah... she said, what exactly are you? alayna asked, having decided she truly didn't know. muscles rippling underneath her healthy tan hide, the feline was also incredibly wary, watching the other cat for even a hint of movement that may signal danger... she didn't want to take a chance, not with fangs like that!

Tavin

Tavin's eyes slightly narrowed as he caught sight of the cougar moved. His keen eyes could tell she was all tensed up, but he felt as calm and carefree as always.
His auds flickered as he heard her name, and he gave a small nod. "Pleasure to meet ya," he stated, giving a small nod.
"Oh? A tiger." he then answered her next question, a bit confused, but not at all thinking she was rude. He had lived away in secrecy for most of his life, so didn't know many animals at all. He didn't even know what a human was, let alone a dog. Dogs weren't very common in the wilderness.

Tavin quickly turned his head and averted his gaze to look at the two canines that suddenly showed up. He felt reasonably safe with his fangs, but often thought better of attacking with them. Unless, of course, it was a true fight. Stabbing and letting your enemy bleed to death-- that was what it came to with him.
"Who," he began, voice a bit light and airy, "are you two?" he asked the new canines, attention now split between everyone around him. What a meeting.

.alayna

the screamer flinched slightly at the bold approach of the two canines, her tail flicking about nervously. her narrowed green eyes left the sabertoothed tiger momentarily, studying the two dogs. they didn't seem like they were here to make trouble- but a slight warning hiss left her vocals anyway. she stood, muscles rippling as she tried to relax, taking a few steps towards the tiger, putting her evenly between the two dogs and the cat. she had acknowledged his statement with a slight nod of her own, watching her three companions with curiousity. how would this little gathering go?

as tavin inquired, the very question had been burning a hole in her own mind. the cougar nodded slightly, a faint sneer twisting her pretty features as she watched sarge and freefall, who were quite small in comparison to herself and tavin.

Tavin

Tavin's green eyes turned to look at the cougar as she took a few steps to be evenly between him and the canines. His head was tilted to the side in a quizzical manner, wondering what the issue was.
"This is strange..." he suddenly blurted out, standing upon his large sturdy paws. His claws became flexed once more as he bowed his front end down and stretched out his fore legs in the classic "cat stretch." He then bunched up again and stood there, auds pricked once again. He was confident in his abilities if the two canines proved threatening, but fighting wasn't exactly on his mind.

.alayna

the cougar felt tavin's gaze upon her, and she turned her head, her lucid eyes returning the perusal. she had nothing to prove. her ear's pricked slightly as he spoke, allowing an amused smile to tug at the corner of her lips. I'm inclined to agree, Tavin the screamer said smoothly, a mischevious glimmer darting through her dark eyes before disappearing. the cougar sat back on her haunches, watching the tiger's stretch with an apprehensive gaze. she wasn't paying as much attention to the dogs now, choosing instead to focus on tavin for now. So, ah, Tavin... how come I've never seen you around before? she asked, glancing away as she spoke, wondering what kind of reply she'd receive. alayna had seen most of the cats around here, and with fangs like that- well, he wasn't exactly unobtrusive, now is he?

Tavin

The tiger's own eyes glinted once more, with his long fangs in great contrast to the rest of his teeth. He was proud of his different self. He wasn't like all others, and he found great pride out of that. Although, too much pride wasn't always good.

Tavin gave a "beefy" nod, his fur seeming thick as he brought his neck in. He was a strange feline, as one may suggest, though was just like anyone else. It simply depended on how you looked at it. He then returned to normal posture, sitting on his large haunches once more. "I've been living outside of this valley, all my life, just about. I'm only getting used to this place. I guess the cold drove me here." he stated, thinking back to how deathly freezing it felt out there. Although he could indeed handle it enough, it still itched and numbed his flesh.

Sarge/Freefall

The German shepherd growled at Alayna. "Are you just ignoring me?! What, you think I'm dangerous?! You're scared of me?!" She snapped. She butted in front of the cougar, giving her a threatening look a she passed. "As I said before, I'm Freefall." She felt as if it was her duty to protect Sarge.

"Hey, hey, Freefall!" Said Sarge. "Be nice!" He faced Alayna and spoke kindly to her. "I'm so sorry about my friend. She was once an attack dog, so does not know how to be kind to those she does not know or trust." He looked at Tavin. "I'm Sarge." He said.

Tavin

Tavin's auds immedietly became plastered back against his head as the canine fae growled at the cougar, in a threatening manner-- at least to him.
His jaws opened wide, and he let out his own threatening hiss. "No wild feline could be scared of a dog!" he butted in, now standing on his paws. The "big" cat-- always stepping in.

His eyes softened only a bit as the other, whom he heard was Sarge, spoke up. The words calmed him, but he was still quite wary of the fae. Such snapping could lead to potential danger. "I'm Tavin," he said back to the canine. His small tail flicked back and fourth behind him, watching the trio with his inquiring green eyes.

Sarge/Freefall

Freefall gave a slight chuckle. "Hehe, I beg to differ. Not all wild cats are the same, and plenty of wild cats have feared the monster known as Freefall." She knew she spoke the truth, but Tavin might not. "But, fear me or not, it's nice to meet you."

Sarge nodded in agreement. "It's true! She killed a big cougar to save me! And a bobcat! A tiger was scared of her!" He, too, spoke the truth. "I'm happy that we could have the pleasure of meeting you, Tavin. I hope we could be friends, despite my friend with anger issues." He laughed when he spoke of Freefall having anger issues. Though he did agree that Alayna stepping in front of them and ignoring them was very rude.

Freefall looked back and growled at Sarge. "Not funny, dumb dog. If it weren't for my 'anger issues,' you would have been cat food."

Tavin

Tavin wasn't so sure about these canines speaking of killing all those cats. Now, maybe an alleycat or something, but such felines? A tiger could have them down in the swipe of a paw. Though, he wouldn't spark up a potential arguement in the group, but Tavin had clear disagreement written all over his features.

"I have no reason to fear," he stated with a light chuckle. Then his eyes turned to Sarge, with that same quizzical look once again. "Well, then those cats had some 'fighting' issues." he stated, knowing full well that he himself could take down a canine anytime. Of course-- tigers always went for the larger prey. These days, the best pick for Tavin would be something like a buffalo, maybe. Those didn't live around here, though, so Tavin couldn't add them to his menu. He didn't even know what they were. It was too bad-- they seemed quite meaty.

"Friends we can be. Enemies, I hope not." he stated, giving another one of his little nods. He then gave a wide yawn, and shook his head a bit. His green eyes watched the two canines, attention still split between everyone as best as he could put it.

Sarge/Freefall

Freefall gazed back at Tavin. Why won't he accept that a dog can kill a wild cat?! She thought. A dog, especially an attack dog, was perfectly capable of killing a big cat. "Fine, then. You win...I guess..." She grumbled. "Just don't make me mad...It'll be the last thing you ever do."

"Would you just give it up already, Freefall?!" Snapped Sarge. "We all know you're right. Tavin's just kidding, right, Tavin?" He looked at the tiger. "You do know she's telling the truth, right?" He asked him. He really did believe that Tavin was kidding.

Tavin

Tavin narrowed his eyes, still not very sure. But then he moved his shoulders in a slight shrug motion, having no clue where he got that from. I still have doubts... he thought silently to himself, trying to get rid of the look of doubt that was shown all over his face.
"I won't die to a canine's jaws..." he stated, flicking his tail. He knew his limits, but to him, a dog was nothing real that he needed to fear. He had his own teeth to use to his advantage, and he used them well.

"Uh, I soppose I am," he stated, though his voice was light and airy again. He hated saying that he agreed to something when he really truely didn't. He wouldn't push this into an arguement, though, so watched his words. That was the last thing he needed.

Sarge/Freefall

Sarge smiled at Freefall. "See! He knows you're right." He often didn't think before acting. If he had been thinking before acting, he would still be a bomb dog. He still remembered the day that the bomb went off. It almost cost him his life. Now he wished he would have never listened to Freefall. She was the one who told her to run away. She was the one who led her to this horrible place.

Freefall was still in an aggressive pose, until she remembered what her trainer taught her. She sat down and looked up at Tavin, as if he was a criminal and Sarge was her trainer. She watched him carefully. If he made a move, she would have no choice but to take the next step--bite him. And after that, kill him.

Sarge watched carefully. He knew that if he intervened while Freefall was in this position, she might attack them both. It was what she was trained to do. He looked at Tavin with a fearful look in his eyes. "Don't move" He whispered.

Tavin

Tavin let out a light sigh, picking up his large paw and brushing it against his big head. He was silent as Sarge spoke his words, still having doubts. Many, actually. Tavin could be a hard one to get to believe something.

He sat there quietly, his eyes holding a dull, tired look. He really wasn't very tired at all, just bored.
"Why?" Tavin then asked, finally speaking, brushing his paw against his head once more. Why would he have to not move? He didn't see what was going on. He couldn't quite understand what Sarge was speaking of, and was a bit curious to find out. Freefall's pose told him nothing really-- in his eyes, it was just like a dog that had a bad day.

.alayna

okay, so they think alayna's rude. whatever. the tawny screamer had simply sat back, silent, nodding only in acknowledgement of the two dog's names. as the little female canine continued to threaten them, alayna allowed her disdain and immediate dislike for the dog to be easily seen upon her haughty features. who did this freefall think she was? alayna was completely content to just watch the goings-on, until... what? great, so now the dog thought she was going to attack tavin?

the cougar stood up once again, upper lip pulled back in a threatening snarl. she made no move towards the dogs, however, simply stood. she was tensed and ready, ears pinned back tightly against her large skull. her tail flicked about her legs anxiously, and her pale green eyes glittered with lucid malice. would the dog go after tavin? if so, she'd have alayna on her back soon enough...

Sarge/Freefall

Freefall growled when Tavin moved his paw. What if he was reaching for a gun? Sure, it was unlikely that a cat would have a gun, but Freefall just thought she was doing what was right. She stood up every time the big cat made a move, but sat down once he went back to his normal position.

"Freefall! Sit! Come! Umm...Roll over! Freefall, stop it!" Sarge commanded. When Freefall wouldn't listen like a good dog, Sarge jumped at her and grabbed her tattered collar.

Freefall yelped, but got the message. "Fine..." She said. She walked a ways away and sat down, but kept an eye on the cats.

"I'm sorry...Again." Said Sarge to both of the cats.

.alayna

Alayna relaxed noticeably when Sarge forced Freefall to give up her attack charade, lifting her head slightly. As the dog apologized, Alayna allowed a curt nod to be her gesture of choice, "It's alright. Just watch her..." Alayna said smoothly, lifting one her large paws to her mouth, licking it daintily for a few seconds before rubbing it over her ear, then dropping it to the ground again.

So tell me, Sarge she said, a bored smile tugging on her lips, What brings you and spaz here? she inquired, gesturing with a nod of her head towards Freefall.

Sarge/Freefall

Sarge looked at Alayna. "Who's Spaz? Oh, Freefall..." He paused, then told their story. "I was once a bomb dog, and Freefall was an attack dog. I was hurt in an explosion and Freefall was shot in the leg. We were both forced to retire, but we couldn't stand living a 'normal' life. So we ran away. We didn't care where we went, we just ran and happened to come here." He took a deep breath and looked at Freefall, to make sure she wasn't going to try anything.

Freefall just stared at both of the cats. She was starting to get used to her new friends, but she still wasn't sure. She had no human to guide her, so she did what she wanted to.

Tavin

Tavin continued to sit there, but he had since risen to his paws again. This dog was beginning to irritate him, with her strange antics and even wierder personality.
With a gruff snort, he looked to Alayna, and then back to the couple of canines. His auds were pricked as he listened to the story, though he didn't feel too much remorse for such happenings. A few words struck him as questionable, but he kept silent. Tavin sent a small, brief glance to Freefall before taking a seat again, yet his muscles were still quite taut.

.alayna

the screamer listened half-heartedly to sarge's little tale of woe, ever so slightly bored with the the whole confrontation now. she glanced at tavin at about the same time he glanced at her, and alayna gave him a slight nod. the cougar lowered herself slightly in a crouched position, green eyes watching the three creatures that stood around her. the tawny feline was also becoming a bit irritated with the irrational behavior of the german shepherd, and the anxiety she felt could be seen in the constant twitching of her tail, the swivel of her ears... she didn't trust dogs, especially this one.

well... her words were soft and smooth, her gaze resting sharply upon sarge, paying no attention to freefall at this point in time.

Tavin

Tavin gave a light snort, and returned the small nod back to the cougar. He was growing quite bored with this, seeing nothing happening. He would have spoken up about leaving, but felt that it would be a little too rude. Maybe give a good reason? A meeting? Something? Then he shook the thought off. Never before had he simply brushed someone off without good reason, unless he really had to do something. Along the lines of eating, probably.

"Well," Tavin began, repeating the word shortly after Alayna had said it, "we're all a bit new, I soppose." he stated, voice young and a bit rich with some sarcasm-- although he didn't mean for it to be there. He then gave a half hearted grin, which ended with a sigh and look of plainness.

Sarge/Freefall

Sarge sighed. A sad look grew on his face. "You want us to leave, don't you." He whined. "Are we bothering you?" His head was low in a submissive position. "I knew big cats would never like to befriend a dog. Dogs are stupid...Cats are smart...I know, I know..." He was beginning to walk away.

"Sarge! Where is your self respect?!" Snapped Freefall. "Everyone knows that dogs are better than cats!" She gave him an intimidating glance. "Does the Army use cats to attack criminals? Does the Army use cats to find bombs?!" She left him to ponder these words.

Tavin

Tavin had just about enough of this Freefall. She thought she was sooo good and worthy of such respect, when she showed absolutely none of it to anyone else.
"Who in the world is talking about that?" he seemed to snarl with a menacing roar, lifting to his paws once again. "If you ask me, anyone's better than a dog like you!" he shot at Freefall, without even a second thought. "Nothing but your everyday police dog-- there's nothing so special about that when you go around blabbering about it, so I wouldn't wear it out." he then shot again, all of his comments directed to Freefall. She was like an unruly pup who had to be put in it's place. "And I can even prove it to you that such a cat wouldn't put up with your attitude. They'de sooner rip out their own throat than have anything to do with a human." he then added, his long 6 and a half inch fangs gleaming in the dull sunlight. He'de give her something she'de never forget if she even dared so much as to try and attack him. Half of the words he spoke of weren't even known to him. And what was she talking about? Obviously something to do with these "humans," but he didn't care.

With his head steaming, but anger at a low boiling point now, he spoke to Sarge; "I never said that I wanted you to leave-- you brought that upon yourself." he stated in a much cooler tone, unlike the harsh one he had spoken in to Freefall.
She's steadily losing my liking if she keeps this up... he thought to himself, ready to spring into action if Freefall happened to attack. If she did, he'de just have to teach her a lesson... In pain. And she thought being an attack dog was something.

Sarge/Freefall

Freefall growled. "I was wondering...Are you trying to intimidate me? 'Cause it's not working." She chuckled, then looked at Sarge. "You hear this?" She seemed quite calm, despite Tavin's defensive behavior. She looked at Tavin and said with a snarl, "You think you can take on the best attack dog alive?" She prepared for a fight, if Tavin wanted a fight.

"Freefall, stop it." Said Sarge impatiently. "Leave the poor cats alone." He looked at Alayna and Tavin. "Again, I'm sorry for my friend's stupid behavior." He faced Freefall again. "Listen. I'm serious. If you don't come when I count to three, I'll make you come and it won't be fun." He paused, then said, "1...2......2...........3!" He ran to Freefall and closed his jaws around the back of her neck, then started tugging.

"You counted two twi--Okay I'm coming!" Said Freefall, with Sarge's bite marks in her neck. She looked back at Tavin once more and gave him a mean look. "I don't have time for your nonsense..." She snapped, then walked away.

Sarge apologized again, then walked away with Freefall. He knew that Freefall had ruined their chances of becoming friends.

Min

Min strode through the ashes. She still hated the look of this place. It wasn't long before she spotted a cougar. She had seen that at the zoo. But there was another. A bulkier cat with long teeth. She took the risk of approaching it. She dipped her head and raised it. "If you don't mind me asking...um, what are you?" She hoped that she wouldn't anger the beast, or she might become its lunch.

Tavin

Tavin snorted, ready to take this puny fae on. "Look who's talking!" he stated at her last statement, completely ignoring everything she had done before that. He then turned and looked to Alayna, ready to say something, when another animal came up. This was a strange one-- asking the same question and all, but it had a long neck and legs like twigs.

Tilting his head a bit, he spoke, "A tiger, if you must," he replied, still puffy from before. "What are you?" he then asked her, having never seen such a creature before. Well, for once he was in the same boat as someone else.

Min

Min stepped back. "I'm--I'm sorry." She said. "I didn't mean to offend you. I had just never seen a creature of your kind before." She was truly sorry, and a bit hurt herself at the cat's behavior. "I'm a gerenuk." She paused. "Um...Do tigers eat gerenuks?" She stepped back one more step, ready to flee if she had to.

Tavin

Tavin stared hard at the much smaller creature, who looked like some miniature cross between a giraffe and a deer. Shaking his head lightly, he gave a yawn.
"No, I'm irritated from an earlier meeting." he stated, his voice a bit low and gruff. The more he thought of that dog, the angrier her got. He knew they would cross paths in life another day, and he would rip her apart if she dared to play "fool" next time. Sarge or no Sarge.

"Gerenuk..." he mumbled lightly to himself, having never heard the name before.
"Anything that has flesh," he then answered her question, his auds flickering. He wasn't very hungry at the moment, fortunatly for half of the animals he met.

Min

Min stepped back even more. "Ummm...You won't eat me, will you?" She didn't wait for an answer, for she knew that it might mean her death. What was a prey animal doing around a predator anyways? Then she thought of Jack. He was a prey animal. He was her best--if only--friend. But she didn't know where he was. He had a way of getting into trouble. "Jack!" She called out, then ran.