Argolis

Argolis never dreamed that the weight of responsibility would be this heavy, and he was starting to understand why his father had eventually caved in under the pressure and the torment of having his family and friends killed under his watch. Argolis was determined not to falter, but he did need some time to himself after dealing with all that he had lately, and a short excursion away from the Alleys sounded like just the escape he was looking for.

The air was crisp and bitterly cold, causing each breath of his to lift in a shroud of fog from his nose. With his thick, brindle coat and full stomach however, Argolis didn't mind the weather one bit. It was refreshing and helped to calm his mind. He breathed in deeply as he padded along the old bridge, enjoying the quiet glow of the moonlight against the snowy scenery around him.

Dixie

Dixie was not the type to want to just lay around idly, and in her opinion she had been doing that way too much lately. Sure, she had not been spending all of her time lounging but she also had not been as active as she would have liked to have been. This is probably what had caused her to be so sleepless tonight. She lay in the large building where she lived now and tried to sleep with no luck. So, she finally stood up and exited the building. The sound of others moving around was gone, since most were asleep. Then she caught Argolis' scent.

She had followed his scent, not really knowing why but she just thought maybe he would like some company? She had to admit that the weather was a little chilly for her with her short coat. She resisted the urge to go back to the building where the wind was not blowing...

Once she caught up to Argolis she sent out a soft bark to him to alert him of her presence then she walked to his side, lowering her head in a nod that served as a respectful greeting.

Would you mind some company?

Tones were soft as she spoke, hoping he would not mind her following him. Though, if he wished to be alone then she would leave. She shivered slightly as a rather strong wind blew past her.

Argolis

Argolis turned on a dime, pivoting around with hardened eyes to respond to the light bark, before his brain processed just who that bark came from. Initially, he'd been ready to chase off anyone who decided to interrupt his quiet getaway, yet when he saw that it was Dixie, his expression softened almost immediately. The hard glare in his eyes was replaced by something milder, and even inviting, "No, I wouldn't mind some." Anyone else would have been given a few curt words and sent on their way. Dixie was a different story though; he still couldn't quite explain it, but he enjoyed her company more and more as the days went on, and he was happy surprised that she decided to join him tonight.

Argolis noticed the way she was shivering, and stepped up closer to her to press his thicker coat against hers and offer warmth, "You're cold." The words were oddly gentle coming from such a fiery, hot-tempered brute.

Dixie

Dixie noted the way he spun around as she had barked softly to him to get his attention so that she could catch up. Though, when he looked upon her she could see his welcoming look and she closed the rest of the gap between them. When he said he would not mind some company a soft smile crossed her muzzle.

I am sorry to bother you if you wanted to be alone

She had wanted to talk with him some more, though. It seemed that all of their meetings got interrupted by someone else. He was probably used to that, though, since he was the leader of the pack and everyone wanted his attention. But, she quite enjoyed the moments she got to spend alone with him, just having him to talk to, not because he was the alpha but because she thought of him as a friend... Who was she kidding? She was beginning to feel way more than friendship towards him, though she was afraid to admit it even to herself.

Then he moved closer to her so that their coats were touching and she could feel the warmth that he provided as he spoke. His tones were somewhat surprising to her since she had never heard such gentleness in his words.

Yes, it is a bit chilly out tonight...

She tried to keep her tones as level as possible though her heart was racing a bit and her frame shook lightly. Her breed was not exactly made for this weather, but she had adapted to be able to survive in the cold.

Argolis

A smile was a hard thing for Argolis to conjure up on his dark muzzle, so instead of that, he had a lopsided grin to turn her way when she offered an apology. "No, it's alright. I guess I'm just a little tense, is all." The alpha tried to write off why he'd been so quick show agitation. In reality, he had wanted to be alone until Dixie showed up, but he couldn't find the words to explain why he enjoyed her company so much more than anyone else's right now. Well, he knew why, yet like the boxer, he wasn't quite ready to admit that his feelings for her had moved past that of simple friendship, especially when he was entirely sure if she felt the same way yet.

Argolis made sure to keep himself facing the oncoming bursts of wind, to further shield Dixie from the cold that slipped in through her coat much more readily than it did with the alpha's dense fur. Standing like this, with her by his side, Argolis felt a little more at peace with himself than he had in a long while. Something just felt... right about this. "If you get too cold, we can move off the bridge to somewhere more sheltered." He pointed out lightly.

Dixie

The lopsided grin that Dixie saw on the male's features brought a smile to her own ivory muzzle. It was not everyday that she saw such a grin on the leader's face. Normally he was all business because the rest of the pack was around needing his attention as well. Even now she was waiting for someone else from the pack to come up and ask for his attention as well.

That is understandable. You have a lot of responsibility to have to deal with.

She was glad to see this slightly more relaxed side of this male. And him standing so near to her side was a great comfort to her... It was more than the warmth from him that comforted her, however. He just made her feel safe.

I'll be ok, really.

Truthfully, she would be ok she was just a little cold. But, he was keeping her from getting too cold. The fact that she was getting so comfortable with him and feeling so close to him already made her slightly nervous... She was not one who let herself get too close to others quickly. The thought of leaving crossed her mind, but she shot it down immediately. This would make her a coward. All her life she had refused to let her guard down this low, though. Sure, she seemed happy go lucky most of the time and she would let a lot of others in to her life. Very few of them would ever make it past the walls she has erected... But Argolis was scaling them effortlessly and in record speed.

So, what brings you out here on a night like tonight?

It was a pretty night, aside from the cold... The stars shone brightly in the clear night sky and the snow glimmered in the darkness. But, Dixie really paid this no mind, keeping her attention on the hybrid next to her.

Argolis

Argolis turned his eyes down, looking over the frozen waters below them as he gave a derisive snort, "Responsibility..." The word rolled of his tongue with weight and thought, and he let some silence settle in after murmuring that. The alpha's attention was so wrapped up in those related troubles that he hadn't caught on to the fact that Dixie was feeling a little uncomfortable as she moved out of her comfort zone and allowed herself to get closer to him. And though he wasn't clued into her insecurities, Argolis continued to be calm and honest in all that he said, and it was no different this night, as he openly welcomed the boxer to join him, when anyone else would have been gruffly told to leave him be.

"I was angry at my dad for leaving us at first." At long last, the hybrid spoke up, admitting a feeling he'd kept to himself until now, and reflecting one of the issues that had brought him here tonight. Argolis shuffled his paws and sat down on his haunches, flicking his brushy tail against Dixie like a human might put their arm against a friend or loved one. "But... now I can kind of see why he left. I never realized how much pressure he was under."

Dixie

Dixie remained silent as the other canine spoke one single word… Responsibility. She knew that the strains of running such a large pack would be difficult on any canine. And most packs had two leaders that worked together to lead the pack, Argolis was leading the pack all by himself. Yet, he still managed to keep the pack safe and his members happy. And from what she had seen, they all respected him. In her opinion he was an amazing canine, indeed. This wasn’t something that Dixie thought about others very often. Sure, she thought that many others were decent canines, but very rarely that they were amazing.

There was a relatively long pause where neither of them spoke. Then Argolis broke the silence, stating that he had been angry at his father for leaving. Her head was nodded in understanding, had she been in his shoes she would have been more than slightly angry with her father… But she had never known her father to be angry with him. Then the hybrid beside her slowed his pace before stopping and lowering his rear end to the ground. She followed suit, also allowing her rear end to be lowered. She could feel his tail resting lightly on her as he spoke once more.

This time the hybrid spoke of understanding why his father had left and without thinking she nudged the other canine in a friendly reassuring manner… Though, possibly there was more to the nudge than just friendliness? It depended how far he would read in to the action. She was not normally much of a touchy feely girl…

You have done amazingly with the pack… Far more than many would be expected to do on their own.

Yes, Dixie was actually opening up to this male and telling him her inner most thoughts. Though, she felt that it needed to be said, so it was…

Argolis

It felt good to get those things off of his chest, things that he'd kept mostly to himself until now. It cleared his head of some of the more oppressing thoughts that had been hanging there and let him breath a quieter sigh of relief. Had not Dixie showed up, Argolis realized he may not have even said these things and would have still been left to ponder and brood about these things. Now that his mind had been eased, as much by her presence as by her confident words to him, the brindle hybrid steered his thoughts away from his problems and more towards enjoying the quiet night and Dixie's company.

"You think so?" Argolis quirked his dark head to the side as he attempted to hide the pleasure and pride he felt when the boxer told him how she thought of his work with the pack so far. "It's been a challenge, but then the Lurkers are the best pack around. Loyalty, dedication... I don't know a pack better disciplined and closely bonded as ours is." He couldn't help but return praise on the Shadow Lurkers. The hybrid then lowered his head, leaning it to the side to touch in a lingering fashion against Dixie's shoulder, in response to the nudge she'd given him. He'd been so busy before that he had no time to stop and reflect on the emotions and feelings stirring in his soul, but now that they were out and away from the pack and had a clear mind to think... Argolis understood what that thrumming was in his heart. "I really enjoy having you out here with me." The alpha final broke the ice on the matter, if in a rather subtle use of words. More than his words though, it was his tones that conveyed the deeper meaning he was aiming for - he did see the lovely canine beside him as more than a friend.

Dixie

In Dixie’s opinion, it was very nice to have his company without a bunch of others. Sure, she strived in the family-like pack situations, but there were just times that you needed this tranquility for a private conversation. And tonight was a very welcome night. Being away from the hassles of the pups she pretty much helped to raise along with her own who had went out on their own as soon as they could was a tremendous weight on her shoulders most of the time, especially since they had been strays on their own up until recently. Now they had a whole pack looking out for the younger canines and Dixie felt relieved. His words caught her attention now, and she had not realized that she had slightly dazed off. A nod of her head was given in answer to his question.

Yes, the Lurkers are an amazing pack, but without an equally great leader they would surely fall in ruins. No matter how great a pack is, it can only be as strong as its leader.

She enlightened him to her way of thinking about things. Truthfully she put a lot of her trust and faith in this male to keep their whole pack from danger, also to help them out of it if they did find themselves in hot water. So far, no trouble had come to be since she had joined the pack. And she hoped that they would not, but if they did she believed that he could get them out of it.

Then Argolis returned her nudge, and his touch lingered on her shoulder. Had she been a human, she might have blushed at the close contact. Though, instead she just allowed her stub of a tail to wag a couple of times. Then as he pulled away, she heard his words once more. He stated that he enjoyed having her there with him and her tail wagged a couple of more times.

I am enjoying being here with you as well.

Her words were soft and maybe a little unsure, as if he was going to read what she was saying and turn her away. Surely he could not have the same feelings for her as she was beginning to have for him? No, he could have any female in the pack and most if not all of them would be better than she would be. Sure, she knew that she was a strong canine in her own respects, but with a pack of hybrids she knew she really did not stand much chance against them. She was relentless, though. Giving up was not in her nature.

Argolis

Not being a terribly modest fellow, Argolis greatly enjoyed what praise other showered his way, though he was learning quickly not to gloat or to let himself get too arrogant, and not to flaunt his self importance in the way he had often done when he was a younger canine. The pressures of leading the Shadow Lurkers by himself had tempered these qualities in him and were slowly mellowing his fiery attitude, without actually dampening any of his spirit or confidence. Litlte by little, the hybrid that so many feared was too headstrong and brash to properly rule the Lurkers was becoming the sort of leader that would make Lyckos and Hydras proud, if they were here to see him. "That sounds like something my parents would say." Argolis drew the side of his dark muzzle up in a half-smile, before doing something that he didn't often do. "I couldn't have done it on my own though. In the last few months, I've learned that." A momentary pause followed the alpha's words, "It's something I didn't realize before... how everyone in the pack brings something unique to the group. Like Ninaki; he can barely help in hunts, but he has wisdom that far exceeds my own. And the pups- clumsy and young as they are, they help lighten the tension and bring joy and purpose to the others. And you," Argolis turned his eyes from where they had been watching the chilly river below, and once again looked to the boxer, "I know I have been cautious with you about joining hunts, but I don't think I've ever said how much I appreciate you being here. You're calm, dependable, and..." It was rare for Argolis to go on speaking praise of others as he was now, and he faltered as he tried to describe the feelings he got from Dixie. In the end he shook his head, "I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks. I couldn't imagine trying to lead any other group but you guys."

His smile brightened when Dixie returned her mutual feelings of being here with him tonight. Though there were a few butterflies flapping around in his stomach at this moment, he didn't quite share the same doubt that the boxer did, possibly because he was already such a highly confident individual by nature, and even more so now that he was in charge of an entire pack. But he did notice something in her tone that caught his attention and and brought his triangular ears to ease back a little. Was it uncertainty that he heard? Maybe she wasn't as interested in him as he was in her? "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a bit hungry for something other than bison." The hybrid decided to change the subject, with a new idea in mind. "What do you say to venture into town? I know of a great place to find human food that is as cold as the snow, and sweeter than any berries you'll find in the wild lands." What he was speaking of was icecream, and the reason for the trip wasn't just because he was craving a snack; he wanted to spend some more one on one time with Dixie and get a better understanding of how she felt about him. And what better way than to have a fun night on the town?

Dixie

Dixie had never really been thought of as a fiery canine, if anything she was thought of as aloof but loyal and one who would not let others walk all over her. She was not one to let others in too quickly, which was one thing that surprised her with Argolis. He made it through her strong guard like a hot knife would go through butter, with no trouble at all. This was slightly confusing to her, how she could trust him so completely without having been able to really have any one on one time with him. Maybe it was just because he was her leader. No, she had never felt like this with any other leader… His words of how what she said sounded like something that his parents would say brought slight laughter from her vocals.

Then without them around, you needed someone to tell you how it really is.

There was laughter and a teasing note in her tones. She was finally beginning to just allow herself to give in to her feelings for him, at least to the point that she was not making herself uncomfortable when she was around him. He seemed relaxed and she wanted to be the same. Though, his words remained almost solemn when he spoke. And he went on to explain the role that the members played in his success. She listened attentively to everything that he said about each member or group of members… Then he made it to her… She found herself holding her breath as he paused before going on to explain her role with the pack. He spoke of his hesitance for her to join in hunts, even though she had given every sign that she was willing to hunt.

Then he paused once more and went on to tell her thanks and this brought a doggy smile to her muzzle before she wagged her docked tail once more.

Your welcome, Argolis… I am glad to have found you and the Lurkers. Though, I hope in the future I can be more of a help to the pack.

She spoke now of her thoughts that she had not been as active or helpful as she would have liked to have been. Though, she did not dwell on the thought. Instead she just said that she would do better in the future. That was Dixie for you, not dwelling on her short comings but thriving to always do better.

After she had spoken about how glad she was to be with him, she could tell that he was maybe a little uncertain or disappointed by the way he eased his ears back but then he just hurried and changed the subject. He spoke of being a bit hungry for something other than bison and she nodded. Since she had been used to starving for the most part, she was loving the opportunity to be able to fill her stomach now. Though, even if she was not hungry at all, she would have agreed to go with him since she did not want their time alone together to end just yet.

Sounds like fun!

And she stood up to her long legs once more, her rear end wiggled slightly as her docked stub of a tail wagged, giving away that she was enjoying herself maybe a little more than she was telling him… Though, her apprehension was not as greatly shown in her body language as it was in her vocals. She waited for him to stand and lead the way.

Argolis

Argolis was detecting a change in the boxer's personality for the better. Well, maybe not a change so much as it was her opening up a little bit more with him, which was encouraging to the alpha. Her laughter and the jesting tone in her reply earned a broader grin from the hybrid, "Then I guess I'll just have to keep you close at paw, for when I need advice." Argolis continued with the joke, sending one right back at her. It had been quite some time since he'd been able to let down his guard and actually enjoy a nice conversation with someone since he'd taken up the mantle of the leader, so it was nice to shrug off his responsibilities for just a little bit. His tail swayed a few times as he stood up, and he nodded to Dixie, "I can see there's a lot of potential in you, and there's no doubt in my mind that you can contribute to the pack just as much as everyone else. You've already survived this long on the streets, looking after three pups, and with only one other adult to help you. That's more than most packless dogs can attest to." The hybrid gave his praise again, which coming from someone who tended to be as hot-headed as Argolis, really meant something.

The brindle canine adjusted his stance and turned his quivering nose to the incoming breeze. Even from here, he could smell the subtle aromas from the various eateries in town, and despite his stomach being happily full of meat already, Argolis had a major sweet tooth for sugary human food. "It's only a few minutes' run from here. Ready?" He might have declared a race to the icecream shop for the fun of it, but he wasn't sure if Dixie knew where the building was. So instead, he started forward in a brisk run, and looked back to be sure that the boxer was following.