i took my collar off;, i'm holding my own leash now; open

[GB]

The lanky English Setter roamed across the landscape that was so familiar to him. The lake was one he had visited so many times before. Many of the times had been peaceful, just the desire to quench thirst and then move on. There had been other times, though; searching for the bodies of Weed and Jerome after the encounter with Kaibutsu came to mind. GB was glad for the relative peace that had settled around Ohu and its outer areas.

The land had seen a lot in the past year or two and since GB had been on that land he, too, had seen very much. Far more than he ever thought he would see.

Right now, though, GB had no desire for any great adventures of old. All he wanted was to quench his thirst. Summer was quite possibly one of the spotted dog's least favorite times. It was so hot, he always felt like he was melting. Of course, in the winter he always felt as if he was frozen. GB was not born to deal with extremities.

The male made his way gratefully down to the edge of the lake, eying the crystalline clear surface as it shimmered invitingly. There was nothing quite like taking the first drink of the water and even plunging in on the worst of the summer days. Even better was how very close to home it really was. The journey from Gajou to the lake took a minimal amount of time and effort -- just like GB liked it.

As he reached the water's edge, GB slid down into a lying position. He let his paws dig into the dirt and mud at the bottom of the lake as the water lapped at his chest, dipping his muzzle down to take in the first few laps of the water that had brought him down here in the first place.

[Jacques]

Curled up in a black ball of scruff, leaves and dirt the old hermit of the north snored away. Dreaming about his past of hunting foxes and badgers. Back in youth he was quite the hunter but nowadays he spent his time conversing with his friends. His friends of course being the rocks, trees and the lake. Living alone for about half a decade the old Scott went mad. Not raving mad though, he simply needed a friend and someone chat with.

The sunlight pierced through his thick eyebrows and warmed his face. With a few blinks the old dog was awake and marched outside. There he was silently greeted by his neighbor, a large tree, and his good friend, a rock. “Aye, an’ a good mornin’ to ye both as well.” Jacques wasn’t what time of it really was but whenever he woke that was morning enough for him.

With a crack he stretches his short legs and back. He then scratches some of the leaves out of his mangled coat before heading off to visit the lady lake. It was simple routine he kept during these times; wake up, greet his friends, visit the lake, find a meal and then head home.

But today’s routine was going slightly different. Of course, Jacques didn’t until he saw a spotted looking rather comfortable on the shore of the lake. It was a younger and larger dog but to Jacques it was just another friend to meet. Being somewhat overfriendly the Scottish terrier barks a greeting to the other dog and calmly strides over to him. “Mornin’ lad, see ye being enjoying Miss Lake. Mind if I join ye both?” The old hermit smiles before splashing chest deep into the lake.

[GB]

"E-eh?" GB pulled his head up from the water quickly, turning and staring at the sudden appearance of an older dog. The dog was a Scottish Terrier and despite their size difference seemed to hold no fear of GB in the least. Not that many dogs held any fear of GB in the first place, but still. There was no caution. The dog just greeted him cheerfully and addressed the lake as 'miss' before asking if he could join and then just splashing into the water.

The Setter wasn't exactly sure what to make of the old dog. Certainly he'd met small dogs before, he'd even met another Scottish Terrier before. He just wasn't used to dogs that addressed him in an odd accent and seemed so chipper and yet... not all there. It was kind of like the dog was wrapped up in a different world. Still there, yet some of his attention just wasn't in the practical world.

"Ah, um, sure," he finally stuttered out permission even though it was long past the point where it mattered. The younger dog watched the older as he stood chest deep in the water of the lake. It was a good thing it wasn't winter anymore. Going into that water when the ice hadn't frozen over yet but it was still frigid was just asking for problems. In an older dog it would probably be asking for death.

Slowly, GB lowered his head again to take another quick drink that he now alternated with glances at the old dog. It was a puzzle. GB had never seen or heard of this dog; you would think news of a slightly off little cheerful dog would travel, after all. "I haven't seen you around, sir," the spotted dog decided politeness would benefit more than his trying to be gruff and something he wasn't. "Have you heard of Ohu?"

[Jacques]

As he soaks his quilt in the refresh water he takes a look at the younger dog. Through his thick eyebrows he watches him as he lapped up some more water. Shortly afterwards the spotted lad asked him a question that made his ears and tail pop up. “Ohu,” he mumbled to himself. Jacques tilts his head as he thinks way back when he met another lad, one with a strange thing around his neck, who told him a nice story. Or at least he thinks it was nice. “Is that where I am? Well thank Mister Earth for not movin’ in me sleep.” He lets out laugh with just a touch of insanity in its tone.

Submerging up to his beard the old dog begins to swim in circles. “I’ve heard of Ohu, aye. It was mentioned to me by another strapping young lad like you, but he was brown and a bonny thing ‘round his neck.” The name slipped his mind but there might be a chance that it would return in a month or so.

Jacques then heads inland to dry off in the sun. As his feet hit the bottom he begins the walk up next to the lad, “Jacques, be me name.” He pauses mid step before turning an ear towards the lake “Of course lassy where’s me manners, may I introduce Miss Lake.” Once out of the water he shakes himself off and lays in the sand, “So lad, what do you called yourself?”

[GB]

GB watched the old dog as he seemed to think and think on the question. It seemed a fairly simple one to GB. You either knew or you didn't know if you'd heard of it. The Scottish Terrier did seem terribly old, though, so maybe he was just struggling with the weight of memories. Then the older dog spoke and he realized that the smaller dog just might not be all there. He didn't even seem to know where he was.

"Yes, you're in Ohu. The territory is pretty large," he finally told the black dog as he remained within the water. One of the largest, actually. Weed and Gin certainly had a lot of land to cover through their leadership.

The spotted dog breathed a sigh of relief as the dog confirmed that he at least knew of Ohu. He might not be too keen on where he was but at least he knew. That made GB's job much easier. He blinked brown eyes at the continued words, tilting his head to the side slightly. Brown? Bonny thing? What was a bonny thing? Something around the dog's neck? Brown... what dogs at Ohu wore things about their necks? Very few.

"Ben?" the name came to GB in a rush. Young lad? How old was this dog in front of him? No wonder he was a bit dotty in the head! He watched with a slack jaw as the old Scottish Terrier made his way to the dry land and up to GB's side. GB tilted his head down again and just stared. He was about to respond when the old dog paused and seemed to address the lake, again, and introduce it.

It took GB a moment to recover and to realize he had been asked a further question. "Ah. GB. I'm GB, a soldier of Ohu." He paused again. "It's nice to meet you... you both," he stuttered at the last bit. He had no reason to introduce himself to a lake but he had no desire to offend the old dog. He had a thought that maybe he should take him back to Gajou where someone could look after him.

[Jacques]

Resting his bearded head on the warm sand the old Scotty dog’s ears twitch at the name. It sounded familiar but he was sure that wasn’t the lad’s name from the last time he was out and about. Was it ‘Ben’, ‘Hen’ or ‘Fen’? No no no. Then it hit him as he raised his sand covered face. The lad’s name was Ken! Even in his old age Jacques had managed to remember the name of the lad that he meet who knows how long ago.

GB’s kindness made the old dog’s shaggy tail wag. And even the aquatic lady seemed to respond as a wave rolled up to them then faded away. “Think she likes you lady,” he says with a gritty smile. Taking a look at the scenery the little dog inhales, “So Gee Bee, where does a soldier of Ohu call home?” He asks with a tilting head.

[GB]

There was no question about it. The old dog was off his rocker.

There was nothing wrong with him physically except the frailty of old age. There was nothing mean about the old dog. He was just completely crazy, that was all. It wasn't the scary or unsettling kind of crazy, either. Jacques was just odd but GB felt no fear at all... unless that fear was that the Scottish Terrier would get himself into some kind of scrape by thinking it was something totally different than what it was.

The brown eyes blinked for a moment in response to the statement and then the question. "Ah, well..." there was nothing much to say about the lake. No, GB was not the best at quick responses so it was best to just divert that topic away. The question was far easier to answer. "All of Ohu. From the mountains down to the human village."

How far had the little black dog come in his troubles? Had he seen the mountains or the village? Had he been owned before? Would he even really remember? It was hard to know. "Many of us reside in Gajou, though." If a dog knew the stories of Ohu, they would know of Gajou.

[Jacques]

wip