The border collie fae breathed in the air of her home, the home in which she hadn't set paw in for many moons. She had wandered off, after Cookie and a human saved Taipa, Darkeye's daughter. Akia had wandered off soon after Cookie left for the lab with the human. Akia wandered far away, but her injured foreleg was infected. She couldn't make it back.
That was when she met up with Cookie. The young Golden was heading back from Green Haven, Darkeye's land. Cookie helped nurse Akia's foreleg back to health, and they headed back. For many moons they wandered, trying to find Woodland Farms. Finally, here they were, back home.
Cookie was much smarter after the trip to the lab. All the canines were captured, but given a shot that made them more intelligent. But the first thing Cookie did was call:
OTHELLO!
Othello was Cookie's best friend, along with Akia. The trio were friends ever since they arrived there, and Cookie was worried that Othello was not there...
Othello
A Beautiful Letdown
I myself had been gone as well. Just as long as these two, even. I can't say that I haven't looked upon the farm as my own home, along with my two best friends, but shortly after they left, my sister had arrived. It had been a long time since we last seen each other, let alone even said a word for consideration. And then she had found me, and we ran off into the wilderness to explore and do the things we had always loved to do when we were even pups. Good times... But now she's left again, but isn't far off. Just a howl away if I ever needed her.
Soon I came upon the scene, my legs carrying me as fast as I could over the ground. Nothing could stop me, I heard my long lost friend's talking! Right after my eyes landed on their forms, I released powerful yips and barks of joy. "Cookie! Akia!" I called out loudly, coming up to them on my four speedy limbs. "I was wondering if you'de ever return here," I stated, breathing quite deeply. Maybe now we could be that same trio again-- as though we had never been apart.
OTHELLO
Border Collie
Female
I am a slightly darker hue of tan on a base color of pure white. My head, back, shoulders, sides, and my tail are tan. I have a large white area on my forehead and between my ears that runs down to my nose, completely covering the top and half of the sides of my muzzle. My eyes are very dark brown and often appear clear, like when looking through a glass of root beer(you can see through it). I have a very thick pelt which doesn't make me appear huge, but I am of a reasonable size. My legs are long and slender, allowing me to run for long distances without tiring very easily. I am very quick, agile, and skilled when it comes to fighting.
Akia's heart thudded faster and faster, but with joy. Her brown orbs glowed with happiness and relief. She barked and howled as Othello sprinted towards them. Her old friend, Cookie, and her - reunited again! Her bodice fidgeted as the other border collie came closer. It felt so good to home, with her friends again.
Othello! I thought we'd never see you again! She barked as Othello reached them.
---
Cookie yipped and barked crazily. His dial lifted high toward the sun. His beautiful golden pelt shone in the winter sun. As he lifted and set each limb in excitement, the leaves and snow crunched beneath his pads.
As Othello came closer, he gave her a warm-hearted lick, and set his dial on her beautiful coat, as he had done so many moons before.
Othello! I thought that something dreadful had happened to you! He murmured as he closed his heavy eyelids to enjoy a moment of silence.
I honestly didn't think I'de ever see these two again. After they both disappeared, I doubted they'de ever be back. I hadn't even known where they went. Maybe I had left... I couldn't quite place what I had done. It seemed to be too long ago to recall much.
As I neared my two friends, I hopped into the air, and then halted. I returned Cookie's lick with one of my own, and then nudged him lightly as he set his head on my coat. "I thought you'de never return! Now we're all together again," I said, thinking about being home sweet home with my two ultimate friends. Life couldn't get any better.
One again a pair of chocolate eyes scanned the area, peering out of a bronze face to inspect the house and grounds. Aralyn had thought her gone, but Freya had remained nearby, for above all else Aralyn mystified and puzzled her. But she saw no sign of either the girl or her red-headed friend, only three dogs, one of whom she recognized and two she did not. But she did not come forward. She remained in the trees where she was, watching still for any sign of human life.
Akia stood still, her dial raised high. Her brown colored pools glanced at the frigid world around her. The wind blew softly in her auds and her left foreleg lifted up. Her nares had caught a new scent.
Cookie took no notice of the new canine. His maw remained buried in Othello's soft coat. He was so close to Othello, closer that to Akia. He thought he would never lay his eyes of the brown border collie again. Never. The thought sent shivers down his spine. He was one year old now, and had grown strong, but he once again felt like the 6 month old puppy that had bounded around the house, helping many animals with their injuries. He was back, but the Farm seemed to be nearly deserted...
Othello looked at her two friends, and then closed her eyes in a content way. She couldn't think of a life without her two friends. The very first she had ever met since arriving here, and that included the whole valley. What was life without your best buds?
With a light, deep sigh, she went to turn her head to rest it on Cookie's lower neck. Othello wondered indeed, where everyone else was. But suddenly, for once, lost in her thoughts, she lifed her head and looked around. "Do you smell that?" she asked, his nares quivering. Someone was near.
She was watching the house intently when the odd silence of the woods struck her. She absently pushed an unruly braid back behind her ear to hang with its mates, and turned those chocolate eyes back to the gathering of canines. All of them had become quite still, and she had learned that when animals froze, something was amiss. Of course, it could be her own presence that caused their disturbance, but no sense in taking chances. She remained completely still, silent, watching with all her might.
Akia's pools stared at the woods. She took a bold step foward. She lowered her dial until it was a few inches from the frozen winter ground. Her lip curled and she showed her ivories.
Whatever this scent was, Akia didn't want any harm to come to her friends. She stood there, her eyes trained on the patch in which the scent came from. She growled softly and lifted her maw. Continuous barks escaped from her maw, warning whatever was hiding.
---
They Dubbed me: Akia
They Molded me: Fae
My Blood is of the: Border Collie
My pools are Dyed: Dark Brown
My Pelt is Hued: Black and White
I Belong to: Woodland Farms
My Heart Belongs to: Othello and Cookie
This time, Cookie lifted his dial up from Othello's pelt. He cocked his head in confusion.
Akia? Why are you barking? The puppy asked innocently.
He lifted his maw and sniffed the air. As the scent came in through his nares, he understood. Immediately, Cookie lowered his head and growled-just like Akia.
---
They Dubbed me: Cookie
They Molded me: Brute
My Blood is of the: Golden Retriever
My pools are Dyed: Dark Brown
My Pelt is Hued: Creamy Golden
I Belong to: Woodland Farms
My Heart Belongs to: Othello and Akia
Ah ha! So it had been she herself that caused their stillness. She shifted her staff to rest easily in front of her, not attacking but ready for defense if they should attack. The crimson beads that trimmed her zillions of braids clicked a little as she raised her voice, soft and sure, with a slight accent that was untraceable. Easy now, pets. What kaq has so mistreated you that you would be so apprehensive, then? Now me, I'm Trader through and through. Freyati fa Yorenfali, at your service.
Akia's eyes softened. This human seemed to be friendly. Her dial raised from the ground and her muscles relaxed. Her paws no longer dug into the frozen ground. Lifting her head, she barked softly. Warning her still not to hurt her friends...just in case...
---
The creamy Golden Retriever still was wary. Even as Akia lowered her defense. He never wanted for Othello and Akia to be seperated from him. He barked furiously, making sure that he made his message clear-Don't Attack.
As she saw them begin to relax, she continued to speak, moving slowly to lay down her staff as a sign of peace and trust. There now, that is much better. I'll not harm thee. And she turned to Cookie, smiling a little, for she had been watching this house long before revealing herself to the owners, and now remembered this pup. Ah yes... I do believe I know you, my friend. Though, to be sure, you were much smaller at the time. And she put her brain to work, remembering a scene from months back when a boy and girl crouched over wounded wolves, and she had watched from the trees. The girl had used his name... Cookie, is it not? Aralyn's dog? Of course, Cookie was not really Aralyn's dog, but she did not know that. Where is your mistress, Cookie? I've not seen her for some time.
As Freya laid her staff down, Akia's defense disappeared. Her eyes gazed at Freya as Akia backed up. Soon, she halted and sat down slowly on her haunches. Her nares breathed in the crisp winter air. She was relaxed now. This human ment no harm.
---
Cookie's eyes lit up at the sound of Aralyn's name. His auds pricked and he dial lifted. He laid down with his dial in his paws. Doing so, Cookie sighed deeply, remembering Aralyn: The lady who saved him as a puppy. He too relaxed now, but Cookie stood up and backed towards Othello.
My auds were pricked as the sight of an unknown human came before me. I had no clue who this was, or where they came from, but I thought they weren't safe. At first, anyway.
My auds pricked as I heard the human speak a name, one I was sure I didn't know, or couldn't remember. A lot had happened in the time I was gone, and not all of the memories were still there.
"Who is that?" I asked lightly, a bit faint-hearted at the moment.
Akia sighed and moved closer to the human, dipping her black and white head in respect, as she felt like she had to do at this time. She smiled at her, and then at Othello. Breathing in the cold, winter air. I still feel like I just got home, this second. Maybe it's the human. Did the human make Woodland Farms complete?
---
The young dog licked Othello and sighed. His maw burried into her fur, and his pools strained to see the human. Although Cookie trusted the human more, he was still wary.
Aralyn? Or that human?
He asked, quite confused.
She settled herself comfortably on the ground, sweeping all that hair to one side and bringing it around, rather like a tail, to rest in her lap. She continued to speak as though the dogs could understand her, as was her habit. I see you have decided I am safe enough. I wonder where your mistress is, Cookie. I have not seen here around recently. Though she was not happy to see me the last time we met. And her eyes grew distant for a moment. Indeed, Aralyn had been almost cruel the last time Freya had met up with her.
Finally she shook her head and dug into a belt pouch, producing several little cubes of the spiced venison that canines seemed to be so fond of. She tossed one to each of them, voice soft. Here now. Venison.