Heaven for the Hungry

[Apolline]

It didn't take them too long to reach the small restaurant. It was about time for the sun to set, so there weren't very many humans wandering about either. This was good. This meant less of a chance of getting caught. It was an old-fashioned place, and it looked like it had been there for quite a long time. Ivy crawled up its weathered bricks, and the shudders were cracked. It was a little wrecked, but in that pretty, meantful sort of way. She crept quietly behind the restaurant, keeping her body low. She looked back to see if Balthazar was still behind her when she got to the very back by the dumpsters. The sweet scents of human food filled the air. She smiled to herself. "We're here." She said proudly. "This is it." She looked to him. The place was enclosed with wired fencing, and at the back of the fencing were the dumpsters in all of their glory. Sunlight was streaming in through the trees that hung over the place, and in her view it was quite the beautiful evening. "Since this is your first time here, you're welcome to take the first pickings." Her tail swished back and forth a couple of times as she eyed the big dumpsters. This was heaven for a hungry dog.

[Balthazar]

Tail waving in uncharacteristic enthusiasm, Balthazar padded after Apolline. "We're here," the female said happily. "This is it. Since thit is your first time here, you're welcome to take first pickings." They had crept carefully into the back yard of an old building, where the scent of food had wafted deliciously from the inside. There was some noise as well, so there were probably some humans eating dinner. It didn't matter, though. This probably wouldn't take very long, and it was unlikely that the humans would emerge from the back.

The dumpsters lined the wall of the ivy-covered building, redoubling the food scent. Running his tongue along his mouth, Balthazar trotted forward, claws clicking on the cement. The dumpsters were tall, but there were some convienient boxes stacked off to the side. Leaping easily to the top, he peered inside. There was so much good stuff to eat here. How could the humans just turn it out? Reaching in carefully, her gripped a paper bag and dragged it into the dappled evening sunlight. Nosing inside, he quickly found the remains of some sort of pasta-thing. It was cold, but it was meant to be served cold, and her crunched down quickly, satisfied as the delicious taste flooded his mouth.

[Apolline]

She watched him as he began to sort through the garbage, singlining out some left over pasta and eating it. She smiled as he feasted, and now it made her want to do exactly the same. She leapt gracefully onto the boxes as Balthazar did, and looked excitedly into the dumpsters. There was so much, it was hard to decide. She ended up sniffing out some parmasean pasta with chicken chunks in it, and grabbed a tray of that out of the dumpster, before heading down back to the cement where Balthazar was. She pawed the tray open, and there was almost half of the meal left, lucky for her. Some kid must have gotten full, or disliked the meal. Apolline was not full nor did she dislike it. It was delicious, and the best part was that it was all for her.

[Balthazar]

Balthazar finished the meal quickly. On most occasions, he would eat more, for he wouldn't know when he could eat again; but if he was planning on staying here, it was clear there was plenty of food. Settling down on the cement, he cleaned his paws with gentle, well-timed strokes of his tongue. It was still very warm here, but the setting sun had lent some relief. It was almost completely down now, and the dark blue sky above his head was dotted with the first stars.

The smell of Apolline's food drifted over to him, but he had no inclination to eat more. He was comfortably full as it was. Finishing his wash, he looked over at the female. She was beautiful, especially for a street dog. Very few long haired dogs managed well on the streets, preferring a safe home and a dependence on others. Balthazar looked away from her and lay his head on his paws, knowing it was rude to stare, especially at a pack leader. His pack leader, now, come to think of it.

[Apolline]

She finnished up, leaving no scraps left to be seen. She was full, and it felt wonderful. She licked the last remnints of pasta from her lips and looked up at Balthazar. She smiled when she caught him looking right up back at her, then glanced away. "Pretty good, huh?" She murmured softly, tassle wagging slowly; the good taste still surging through her mouth. She sat on her rump, and watched as the world around them started to grow dark and fade away. She knew now, or pretty soon, the humans would put the street lights on. She memorized things like that. She found it helpful.

She looked back up at him, and it stuck her again that he was a part of her pack. She had almost let the idea slip away, perhaps because it was too unbelievable. Her, leading a gang. Too weird.

[Balthazar]

"Pretty good, huh?" she said, tail waving. Balthazar nodded. He opened his jaws and gave a great yawn, teeth extending far, ending in a tiny whine of tiredness. He stood, stretching his legs a bit. He had been traveling all day, and was more than a little tired. He turned to Apolline.

"Is there some specific place where we sleep?" he asked. Some packs had set territories, while others simply roamed the area. He found the territorial packs more violent to protect what they owned and the roaming packs more complacent.

[Apolline]

His questioin made her think, and than she finally turned to him and spoke a reply. "Not particulary." She began, gazing around and watching as the sky darkened and the firebugs began to roam around, blinking on and off. A beautiful sight. She herself, she was tired as well. It had been another long, hot day but a good one. Besides, she had met Balthazar and he was the highlight of her day, most certain. "I suppose we could just sleep anywhere we desire, but It probably would be best to go someplace unpopulated by humans." Her smart words were soft and useful. She knew that if they fell asleep in human territory, they'd probably get found and even worse sent to the pound. They didn't want that.

[Balthazar]

"Not particularly," she responded. She looked thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "I suppose we could just sleep anywhere we desire, but It probably would be best to go someplace unpopulated by humans." That went without saying. Humans at best were irritating and loud, and at worst hostile and controlling. Rising to his paws, Balthazar shook himself, ruffling his fur to let the soft breeze in. A moist scent on the wind suggested rain, but not very close; it would probably be cloudy tomorrow. A brief respite from this heat. Even if it was a warm day still, the husky liked rain.

He turned back to Apolline. "You know the area best," he said, an invitation for her to lead them to a good place to sleep.

[Apolline]

"You know the area best," A smile crept onto her maw, and she sighed quickly before thinking it over again. There were multiple places they could go without humans. She knew of many. But she knew one that was her very favorite. She turned to him, with an answer. "I do know of this place by the Canal where I have spent the night before. There is a gather of willow trees to lay under and the sound of the crickets and frogs always seem to put me to sleep. It works for me, but if it does not fit your taste I know of other places." Her tail flicked as she stood up from her haunches awaiting a response from him. They were traveling all over the place, and that was good. Apolline usually just lyed around in the shade, daydreaming about nothing but now she was actually with somebody and going places.

[Balthazar]

The female thought for a moment before making a suggestion. "I do know of this place by the Canal where I have spent the night before. There is a gather of willow trees to lay under and the sound of the crickets and frogs always seem to put me to sleep. It works for me, but if it does not fit your taste I know of other places."

Crickets and frogs? Balthazar's left ear twisted slightly in surprise. He had spent most of his life in larger cities than this one. Had a dog where he came from voiced a sentiment such as Apolline's he would have been laughed onto the streets for the night. However, things were clearly different here. There was a Canal, in any case, and his fur prickled with anticipation at the thought of a swim. The night was still uncomfortably warm.

"Water is always enjoyable," he responded, and indicated that she should lead to way.

[Apolline]

She was regulary, a laid back kind of dog. She knew how to live without worry, stress, or anger. If any of these things crossed her she would simply just ignore it or find a way to fix it and move on. The canal was one of her favorite places, especially at night when it wasn't as hot. She knew they would probably get a good night's sleep since they wouldn't be tossing and turning in the scorching, uncomfortable heat. She listened to his comment, smiled, and nodded in agreement. "This way," She said and began to walk off back to the direction where the palms were and where the canal would be closeby. Away from the city. They were traveling all over the place.

[Same thing as last time. When you reply, I'll make a new thread in the Canal... or you can If you get to it first. =D ]