Black Ballerina

[:Dreamweaver:]

Pawsteps echoed through the empty mall, bouncing off the walls and repeating the rhythm as though mocking the trickle of inhabitants. The lonely sound could drive a dog mad, which was why the current occupant figured it was so deserted. Although the loudest sound was the clear ring of a single dog’s movement, below the tune three more sets of tracks could be slightly detected.

A sharp corner, shadowed deeply in thrown ebony, stood a perfect place for the regal Doberman’s entry. Although six months old, her carved head was held high and proud, tall ears perched upon her dished cranium. Her pelt had the majestic color of midnight black, looking like the color had been plucked right out of the night sky. Above that hue was markings, placed in strategic places that clearly defined her as a pureblooded Doberman. Two small streaks above the eyes made almost a human looking raised eyebrow appearance, darting up on the swells above her clear, dark brown eyes. A ragged flame rose from her underbelly and continued up her chest, wrapping around her chin and cheekbones. Four stockings wound of her sturdy limbs like provoked serpents, climbing above her knee sockets on her back limbs. The markings definitely showed the heritage of the six month old canine, tracing easily back to the lean, slender Doberman breed.

As the dog trotted from the shadows, a limp was obvious in her motions. Her left haunch and right front leg swung awkwardly, like a loosely greased door rolling on its hinges. The strange detachment made her movement rather like a lazy lope, although the speed didn’t match the appearance. She crept along at the pace of what one could call a snail, her slender head lowered to the ground while her dark nose was pressed nearly to the cool mall floor. Uncropped ears perked atop her skull as Nhamo slightly lifted her head, snaking out her neck as she peeked into a deserted food stall.

A drifting smell of meat teased her senses, pulling her into the darkness. Standing elegantly tall, Nhamo pressed onward, dancing through the shadows like a ballerina dressed in black. Her graceful movements masked most sounds she had been creating before, although her injured limbs created a scuffle along the tiles on the floor as she moved. Suddenly, a sharp tug at her nose sent the Doberman easing back into the shadows and away from the tempting smell of meat, from which was drifting from an open department store’s door.

The scent that swirled around her nose was that of another dog. Although it was stale from where she was standing, it was obvious that a male had been here some time before. She quickly backtracked into the open hall of the mall, leaving the store’s hallway’s enclosure. Nhamo was about to turn around when a sound stopped her. Had that been the sound of a pawstep?


(I’m going to say Dreamweaver, Nhamo, Shumba, and Shiri have yet to join the pack, if that’s alright with Echo. Is it? Oh, and also, Dreamweaver, Shumba, and Shiri are elsewhere in the mall. They will be in the posts soon.)

[Echo]

The slow click, and soft rustle of paws echoed in the darkened space. A Pair or harsh yellow eyes singly lit up the darkness. Pearly white ivories slowly pricked out beneath blood-stained black lips, locking a jaw tight in a blood curdling snarl.

Slowly, a Wolf-like Black figure.. makes it's way from the hidden shadows of the room. Muscles rippling beneath a pelt of black luxury, Ivories still bared in a snarl. His Posture gave it all away.. This male was the leader.. this male could only be... Blakh.

He's a large fellow, about 36' inches at the shoulders, weighing in at around 184 lbs. He grinned knowing he held power over this new dog, jaws parted, throat groaned as the big brute began to speak.

" Spending our days stealing food are we? "

[:Dreamweaver:]

OCC:
Sorry for snapping at you over the C-box, Echo. My nerves was a little stretched from a family situation. >< My truest apoligies.

BIC:
His voice ran over her spine that a numbing chill. Slowly, the sleek Doberman female turned her head, muscles moving with a lithe grace as she swiveled her skull around to face the brute. He was large, much larger than herself, and obviously had some wolf running through his bloodline. The scent of him provoked submission; but Nhamo bowed to no one. A snarl lingered on her muzzle, but angrily the fea shoved it away.
"'Ello, brute." The lyrics rounded from her vocals in a curl no other dog could have achieved. Words seemed to twirl through the air, tickling the senses and currents around it. "I am not stealing anything," she pointed out, "for there is no meat in my jaws." After a long pause, at which she waited for him to speak and recieved nothing, Nhamo added, "is there something you want?" Her words were carefully bold, but not sharp enough to say she was challenging the leader. It would be a mistake that might cost her.
Running her eyes over the male once more, Nhamo tilted her head to the side as she studied him. The predator in her memorized every curve of muscle, every slope of flesh. It pays to know future prey, to recognize weakness where no others see it. Although nothing pysical tipped her off to a weak point, there was always the limp a proud male could smother, or a scar the fur covered. Sharp eyes never leaving his form, Nhamo awaited an answer.

[Echo]

Blakh bared his lethal set of Canines warnigly again, obviously sensing an unwanted boldness in her tone. The slowly lowered his head, not in a submissive bow, but one out of politeness. Quickly, he raised it back up and parted his jaws to speak.

" Ah.. But Miss. I have no problem with you eyeing my large store of meat.. nor taking some. So why does one like yourself fire back with such intensity.. like I would tear you to peices.. Not that I couldn't. "

[:Dreamweaver:]

The second time he spoke was not quite as chilling as the first; it seemed when one could lay eyes on a predator, tones were not nearly as secretive. "I only fire back with the intensity you give me, sir." She responded, steady eyes never wavering from his large frame. The address at the end of the sentence was playfully, teasingly said. It seemed to dare him to accuse her of trying to provoke a challenge.

Sloping ears swiveled atop her ears as Nhamo heard more pawsteps. She raised a questioning eye to Blakh, as though asking if it was one of his pack members. When the scent drifted to her senses, however, eyes sharpened and her lips lifted off teeth, although quite obviously it was not directed to the leader standing before her. Opening her maw, Nhamo boomed, "Shumba! Stop stalking and come here!" Her tone was commanding, almost an exact replica of Blakh's.

Trotting from behind her, an enormous Rhodesian Ridgeback looking canine stepped forward. His large paws made rough thumps on the ground, creating enough noise to show he had distributed his weight evenly enough. "But, Nhamo..." He began before clear eyes laid themselves on Blakh. Ears instantly dipped down, snarl etched across his lips and eyes narrowed. The male, now showing the dominance in his pride, began to leap forward. Bundling out of what seemed to be pure air was Nhamo. She hurtled her entire weight into her brother, shoving his form to the ground in mid-leap. Pressing a slender paw to his neck, Nhamo growled. "Do not attack strangers unless they are being threatening." With a well practiced gait, Nhamo leaped backwards and landed lightly, although once more her limp was obvious in the slower movements.

Shumba climbed wearily to his paws but did not make any sounds; instead, he placed his leveled gaze on Blakh as though waiting for, or perhaps daring, the brute to say something.

[Echo]

Blakh let his over-sized Canines poke out from beneath his tainted black lips. Just Daring the dog to challenge him. His tail rose dominantly, and ears pricked forward, hackles raised his snarled.

" You Got a Problem.. Pup.. "

Muscles rippled beneath sleek black fur, Blakh knew for a fact... HE could tear the younger dog to shreds, btu he wouldn't. If the dog challenged him, he would soon learn who was boss around here. Blakh would not tollerate fowl behavior, but he didn't want his pack to be so well behaved it looked liek a military camp.

[:Dreamweaver:]

At the words Blakh growled, Nhamo snapped a narrowed gaze to her brother. The eyes held a true warning; despite her smaller size, the Doberman could hold herself in battle much better then her larger brother. Glancing over to his sister, Shumba muttered, "No problem, sir." His tone was descent enough, but it was easy to tell the only reason he was saying this was not because he was accepting Blakh as a leader, but because he had already accepted his sister as one.

Standing a little distance apart, Nhamo eyed her brother approvingly before turning back to the wolf mix before her. "Now, where were we?" Smooth vocals trembled out of her slender throat as she laid her once more unreadable eyes upon him. Although it was nearly impossible to see from the outside, Nhamo's leg ached. She had twisted it in the jump to stop her brother, and small waves of pain lapped up the limb. Hiding a snarl from pressing across her lips, Nhamo plainly focused on Blakh, perhaps to give her mind something else to think about.