The year is 1950. Scientist Lisandro Gama has been selected by his superiors to travel to the unfamiliar lands of Antarctica with a team of mushing experts from the icy lands of Russia: Shvedov Aleksei Kirillovich, the musher; Khanipova Albina Kirrilovna, the dog caretaker and Shvedov's wife. The trio was joined by Japense cartographer, Kaneko Tsuneo. Their mission? To complete the first cross-continent exploration of Antarctica's frozen mass.

Discovered in 1773 by James Cook, Antarctic is a land of great mystery to many countries; vast, frozen, and vastly untouched by the influence of man. Highly respected in their respective fields, the team was specifically selected by their home governments to ensure the mission was carried out with minimal difficulties.

While stationed, a blizzard struck and gave the team little time to prepare. It was 2:36 in the morning when the storm hit, seemingly out of nowhere. The dogs were left outside, chained and with little protection from the storm beyond burying themselves in the snow for warmth, side by side.

The Kirillovich couple were unfortunately casualties in the blizzard in trying to help the dogs, as well as six of the team's dogs. Following the deaths, Lisandro and Tsuneo had to leave when the storm cleared; they had not bonded with the dogs, not having their trust, and therefore had to leave without them. No dog answered the calls of these unfavored voices, they're assumed to be dead.

Without the humans watching over them, can the team survive?

It is the first day that the dogs are alone on this unfamiliar continent, a vast expanse of nothing but ice and snow. It is early morning, and the dogs are covered in snow from the night before; they've yet to discover the deaths of their caretaker and musher, along with the majority of their team.

The dogs will be just rising from their snow "shelters", and are searching for each other. There is still a light flurry of snow, slightly lessening the distance the dogs can see; they must use the voices of those more than a foot away to guide them.

M A K A R O V
♂ | Wheel Dog
Direct Mentions: Siyanna (NPC), Czarina
Indirect Mentions: N/A

. . .

The white husky didn't remember much before the storm; it all happened so fast. He could remember wrestling with the other wheel dog, a larger female by the name of Siyana; she was a pretty dog, and Makarov would readily admit that at any moment. Truthfully, he was quite smitten for the other dog, though he would never let her know that; she scared him sometimes, and he didn't want to risk being on the receiving end of a fierce bite to remind him of his place.

He couldn't remember much after that, aside from the cold wind tugging at his fur as he relaxed above-ground; he had yet to hide in the snow to protect himself from the biting cold of the tundra surrounding them, watching the stars with his tail dragging excitedly in the snow below him and ears angled to listen for any sign that the team may need him.

The wind had started to blow harder, pulling more strongly at his fur and biting at the skin below, and a twisting feeling in his gut had Makarov calling out a hardly heard warning to Siyana, the dog not hearing soon enough to take cover as he had, though other dogs had already buried themselves for warmth throughout the night. He had managed to dig and wriggle into a sleeping 'cove' for the night just in time for the storm to hit.

Now, the morning after, he had struggled only briefly to dig himself out; he was a broad canine, one that could use his weight to his advantage to break out of the barrier brought on by the fierce blizzard the night before. His paws scraped desperately at the ice as they had the night before, reopening previously dried wounds and causing blood to drip steadily from the opened scratches on his pads. He hardly acknowledged the stinging as the ice scraped his wounds, shoulders shoving desperately at the snow before the compact blockade had fallen away, allowing Makarov to escape the place he was sure he'd suffocate in.

Immediately, he began his search for Siyana. A desperate series of barks, a desperate voice calling her name to draw her out of her sleeping den, to assure him that she was alright. He had run instantly to the place he'd last saw her, paws aching and leaving thin trails of red fluid atop the white snow, growing only when he began to dig rapidly at the snow to see if he could unbury her, to find her sleeping safely, unaware of the storm the night before.

The desperation of the wheel dog was clear in his posture, his fur fluffed up to prevent the cold from seeping into his thick coat and piercing against his skin, the muscles beneath his pelt rippling with each powerful propulsion and dragging back of his forelegs. Said muscles were tightened against the cold, Makarov seemingly larger than he truly was--which was, still, quite large for his breed--to protect himself against nature's cruel touch.

A bark split the air, and Makarov's own ears immediately rose to attention in response to the delicate noise. They were in an avalanche area, he vaguely remembered that much at least. Too much noise, and they risked another heavy snowfall from another source. And with that in mind he called out gruffly, a voice both gentle yet hardened by maturity and accompanied by a thick accent from the motherland, carrying a single word from his jaws. "Czarina?"

KIR
Male | 5 | Team Dog | Mentions: Czrina, Makarov (directly), everyone else, NPCs (indirectly)

It wasn't something that had happened to Kir before. It was a first-hand experience, one that would be considered a bad first experience. One that he wouldn't dare tell stories about, considering how much he would end up despising this certain situation, soon to be riddled with challenges as the male's eyes slowly were disturbed by the coolness around him.

Kir couldn't help but flicker his eyes open, feeling the coolness of the snow on top of him. His body ached in a way he had never felt before, another first experience. He closed his eyes, groaning softly as his opened them yet again, looking around for any sign of the other dogs or the humans. Nothing. Emptiness, and Kir couldn't help but think that this - this would be the end of him. He would freeze to death in this weather, a pursuit that was bound to occur, right?

That was when last night had replayed in the back of his mind. He could reminisce about the newly acquainted memory, in which he remembered how cold it was. First it was the snow falling softly onto the team, on the ground, and that was just before everything would take a turn. The fate of the team would take an indefinite turn, and that was what scared him most - what if he was the only one left? What if he was the only one who had survived? What would he do? Would Kir even go on? No, he couldn't think about that right now.

As he began putting two and two together, Kir took a moment to take a deep inhale and exhale, attempting to calm himself. That's just what he needed to do - take a moment to understand the situation. At best, there was everyone still alive and well, searching for their teammates. At the worst, Kir was the only one left and there wasn't anything he could do. Kir managed to rise to all fours, the coolness and crispness of the air sending a bone-chilling shiver down his entire body.

Kir looked around for moment, his eyes regaining a focus he didn't have before. He couldn't see much, barely anything in fact, and it was more freezing than before. He realized the only way he was keeping warm was by the fact he was curled up, recycling his own body heat. He swallowed, and his heart dropped.

They were all dead, weren't they? His beloved Rina. Oh no. And Mak, Yekaterina, Salkov? Were they okay? Even Marena and Yuda and Anatolii? These were dogs he had worked with for two years now, ones that he cared about, even if they weren't that close or got along too well. Kir shook his head.

I must find them, he told himself. Do not give up now.

Kir's ears swiveled at the hearing of a distant voice. A familiar one, luckily, which meant it was one he could rely on. The echo hadn't traveled far, which meant whoever it was, they were close. The wind and the visibility of what was in front of Kir wasn't going to help him track, though, considering he wasn't efficient at it either. Kir looked around for a moment before he began trudging through the new blanket of snow, covering the land all around him.

Kir had fastened his pace at the sound of another bark, emitting from an all-too familiar female. Kir barked back in return, only to be carrying himself at a quick trot at this point. This meant that not all of them were dead, some were safe and alive, but who knew how many casualties there were. Kir didn't want to know, but sooner or later, what was left of the team would discover that answer in no time.

There was a second bark, much much closer this go around, and Kir had spotted Czarina just in front of him. "Rina," Kir said breathlessly, his head turning in the direction of Makarov's voice. A male who he appreciated, would perhaps protect if it came down, but wasn't always on good terms with because of Rina. "That's Mak," he said, looking back towards Rina.

TEAM DOG - 7 YEARS - FEMALE

MENTIONS - Czarina, Belikova [Directly]

Everyone Else [Indirectly]

The frostbiting cold of the Arctic was something that since the day she was born Marena was meant to be able to brave and conquer alongside a working team of similar working class. Whether it was her breed that was made specifically for it, or perhaps because of the fact both of her parents had once been sled dogs, the female knew since the moment she had first been beside another eager, ready to work canine that she was fully ready to always try and put some work and dedication into what she did even in the toughest or grimmest of storms. She had been younger then. Naive, foolish, maybe even too eager about the work to be able to see the truth behind such blood sweat and tears that would come in the years of her service. There had been fun times, meeting some other dogs that of which she would form a rare everlasting friendship with, the experiences she had gained and adventure she had been able to witness and walk upon, not to mention meeting the team. It had certainly been something she would look back on if she ever would get a chance to lay by a fire again like she had done when younger by her owners feet. Hardships we're cruel, and trauma even crueler. She remembered the bad things about the work. The frostbite, the urging of others to make it just a few more steps only to see someone collapse next to her from the Winters biting chills, the emptiness of the once occupated spots that got filled with someone new almost just as quickly, the heartache she had once felt and determination she had gained from such things to never relive it again. Ever. How afterwards with every passing she would try and build herself up, put in more and bring better effort than she had last. Marena had seen the worst of storms, but she had never seen devastations of howling winds

This, was more than just a mere devestation. This was that of an absolute catastrophe, a storm that held nothing back as the winds and snow made the cold seep deep into your bones and made even the strongest of predators and prey alike cower in their burrows and in the safety of a want embrace. The only warmth Marena was able to gain from this was burying herself into the white powder to try and keep herself alive, to make sure that she survived to see another day and keep the team together and moving, to make sure something like the past would be near prevented from ever happening again. The female moved once, then tried moving herself again from the thick layer that she was buried inches deep into that shielded her from the brunt of the storm. She was alive, and she was grateful for it but she couldn't rest, couldn't make the furious pounding of her racing heart go away and take the blood rushing in her ears with it until she knew someone survived. A furious bark from her maw is what finally gave her the final push, the sudden surge of her legs to finally break the layer she had been in cased inside of and with the small shake of her pelt tried her best to clear herself of the snow. The land seemed empty, barren, dormant even as piles high of crystal flakes covered the area in an almost kind of mocking matter to the female. Worry was something she wasn't used to feeling, but boy was she feeling it at the moment as her thoughts that usually lay organized in her head felt as jumbled and wild as the frostbiting winds that gave a mighty thunder. It wasn't even a minute after she had emerged that she quickly set off on her paws swiftly to try and find absolutely anyone, to give her them the assurance that they might need that they would make it through and get ready to put in the effort they would need to survive. It wasn't time for sarcastics or sour remarks, not when a life or death situation was at hand and the cruel, cold fingers of darkness were trying to get a grip on anything it could possibly grab and drag into the depths

Marena stopped only when she was the end of someone's paw sticking from the ground, covered in a layer of snow much like she had been but the rest of the body hidden from any sort of view. Her digging was strong, though could come off more as frantic as pounding thoughts dances inside of her head, vision filling with scenarios and worry of what had happened to the rest of the team before things seemed to freeze much like the barren landscape when the body of none other than Belikova was revealed before her. Marena stood rigid, soaking in the sight, the way her stomach nor chest rose and fell to indicate that she might be instead sleeping, not dead, with her eyes closed shut and muzzle pressed into that of what could have been a whisper or scared frown. "Belikova..." Marena tried once, softly. Quiet. Nothing more of a whisper. "Belikova." No response. Leaning down, she pressed her muzzle gently to her fluffy neck dyed the familiar shades of black, somewhat grey colored fur that offered no pulse in return. She was dead. Gone. Mourning would come, but not now. Was Czarina alive? Perhaps even Makarov or Yekaterina. Asmik, Kur.... Koskov? The bark that separated the winds was certainly something familiar to her. Czarina. Marena brought herself up tall, chest puffing up and head high to deliver a powerful and clean bark of her own amongst the battle cries of the wind, hoping that the lead would be able to hear it. "Czarina!" The female barked, loud but not commanding with a pleading edge. She had no sense of the direction she was in, but made it her task to at least try and find someone alive or stay put until they could find her. Her paws were planted firmly, though her legs shook slightly either from the cold or perhaps something else, Marena didn't want to confirm

Yuda

Male||Team Dog||Four||Mentions:..,Indirect:Team

Thump..There it was...Thump. Thump. Again? And why has it doubled? Thump. Thump. Thump. The beats accelerated, rapidly so. He let it continue on. Just this once, he’d be courteous...But it hasn’t stopped, rather, it's gained more speed. He began to grow annoyed, frantically searching for the source of the horrific poundings. But well, his vision..it was terrible. Just terrible. It was like his eyes were locked closed, and the sounds intensified, meticulously matching every speedy breath he took. He became..concerned. Just how would he get his sleep now? His ear flicked, trying to keep the progressive thwacks from drowning out his precious senses. He needed those..he wasn’t sure why but he needed and wanted them.

“How else will I hear those beautiful beats?” Almost immediately, he’d clasp his jaws shut, screwing his eyes tightly in nervous surprise. Then, almost tentatively, he’d raise his head. “I can speak? I didn’t know I was allowed to do that.” I can move too..His eyes shifted around. But I still can’t see. “Very well then. I’ll be on my way. Nobody can hope to get any rest here.” His mouth driveled with distaste, openly referring to those dreadful pounds. Just why did I call them beautiful earlier? “Let me out.”

His voice carried a strange echo, prompting a flame of curiosity to nestle deep inside of his throat. But he refrained from voicing such childish concerns; propping his chin up simultaneous to his rise. “I said let me out. I hate repeating myself.” He scowled, jerking his blind gaze about wearily. No response. At this point, the thumps grew unbearable, ringing throughout his ears and vibrating beneath his own paws. His chest became tight, his breathing unstable. He felt like he was going to burst..and well, he did. But who knew it would work? “Let me out!” He howled it loud this time, throwing his head back with wide eyes. If his ears could go back any further, they would surely break off.

His body convulsed, pupils shaking wildly. He knew he looked like a freak but he was scared damn it. But..it hadn’t lasted long. Because finally, he could see. His eyes shot open, as if whatever taping them down had at last, snapped. At first, he stood shocked. And then a second later, his vision flew about his surroundings carelessly. It was all..still dark, but he could see. He could see the bits of cold light that softly illuminated every piece of shade..including what thunked behind him at violent, hasty speeds. Those..terrible thumps were..his own tail. “Hehhe” He blew out a breathy laugh, harshly stamping a paw on his lively appendage.

“Ha..Heh. Hahaha.” It didn’t stop there. His chest heaved with long laughter. And to make matters worse, the pounds, no throbs, didn't cease. Even though his tail had stilled, it pulsed all around him, louder than before, faster than before. He really felt like he had gone mad. Until, well, until he woke up.

Deep within the snow, Yuda’s head sprung up with just one jolt, the heavy sheets of powder sinking slowly down to his shoulders. At first glance, everything was just gorgeous, maybe even ethereal. The sun rolled gracefully over the horizon, and the sky was pricked with thick clouds, so smooth and soft looking. Who knew they could create such a disaster? The air..was moist, cold to the touch, and it spiked his nostrils like a sharp whistle through still, calm air. And with every soft rock of his eyes, lines of glimmering light, similar to fragile dewdrops, refreshed his vision. And yet...why did he feel so..terrible?

Something fierce drummed ruthlessly against his chest. The males eyes were broad, his jaws slung open in a pant like wheeze. He quickly shook himself free from his wintry capsule, dragging himself from its depths with frantic paws. Just Breathe you idiot. He tried to tell himself, a look of anger mingling in with his frenzied expression. Why was his body so weak. His heart continued to rap against his flesh, and although it began to slow, it still wasn’t enough to stop the bile that rushed forcefully through his maw. He vomited. How gross.

With one last, large swallow of air, Yuda would finally begin to relax, his previously tense limbs melting back against the icy ground..away from the puke. A gentle breeze caressed his flank, but it did little to soothe the cauldron of feelings brewing lazily inside of him. He felt…a strong urge to pin it all on Makarov. Everything that he was feeling. Somehow, he was going to do it. But then it all flushed back into his mind, the night prior, the blizzard, his team..And that odd dream. If one could call it that. He felt as if he was real close to death. That there was a chance that, instead of jerking awake in the snow, he’d wake to..well nothing really. Maybe some bright light if he was lucky.

The male emitted a soft exhale, flipping himself onto his back with his front paws pressed lightly against his chest. He was cold. Real cold..He wouldn’t even deny that idiot a chance to warm him up. “Hmph.” He breathed,albeit shakily. “What's taking them so long?

Anatolii

Team dog || Male || Six years || M: Asmik(NPC), Czarina

[ind.] Kir, Marena, Makarov, and Yekaterina

The previous night had been rough, Anatolii had started to freeze, and had dug a hasty spot in the snow for him to sleep. The cold had pierced his thick fur and the conditions outside were just miserable. He had dug his little hole just before the storm had set in, and was able to take shelter and warm up during the night. Something had felt off, and he couldn’t get consistent sleep that night. When the team dog woke up, he was still exhausted, though warm. Anatolii almost convinced himself to stay out of the cold for a little longer, he wasn’t yet aware of the tragedy above and felt no need to leave until he had to. His breathing started to slow as he started to drift back off, but it was getting harder to breathe, he shuffled around and started to scrape at the ice and snow above him.

He grew frantic for a moment, but steadily made some progress and calmed down, his paws ached, the pads scratching up as he finally burst through. Fluffy snowdrifts filled a portion of his hole when he crawled out and shook the remaining snow from his fur. The little flakes clung to his fur, making him appear more white before Anatolii could shake them off and send them flying into the air and twirling back to the ground. His limbs felt stiff and sore from the cold and he stretched, head bent to the ground and hindquarters in the air, in a ‘downward dog’. A yawn escaped his mouth, coming out in more of a squeak that he quickly shook off.

One look around the white landscape, and new snow told him that there had been a storm that night, a rather large one too. He took a tentative step forward, snow crunching beneath his paws, the ground before him seemed to shimmer in the light, it seemed almost too pretty to break. Then he remembered the team. He whipped around to look for them, noticing a patch of fur sticking out of the snow. Anatolii bounded over to its side and gave it a sniff, Asmik. The other team dog felt cold when he gave him a nudge and then began to dig him out. “Aye wake up!” he called, the ice surrounding the dog was hard to breakthrough, and it took him a minute or so to get him out. Asmik wasn't moving.

“Asmik,” he spoke, nudging the other male with his nose. He didn't move, “It’s not funny, we have to find the rest of the team, wake up,” he repeated. Anatolii was able to dig out the younger dog's face and took a closer look at him, he wasn't breathing either. Leaping back in surprise Anatolii assessed the dog he now assumed to be deceased, how many of the others had ended up like that? Rina. Where was his sister?

"Is everybody alright?!" and then a single bark sounded.

The husky moved to face the sound of his sister's voice, and it turned out he was quite a bit away from her. Anatolii was relieved to see her and wanted to run to her side and see if she had seen any of the other dogs, though he was hesitant to leave the other team dog behind so quickly. "Czarina?" "Rina," "Czarina!"

At the sound of the three new voices, Anatolii was able to spot Mak, Kir, and Marena. Relief washed through him, finally some more familiar, breathing dogs around.

With a last glance at Asmik, he made his way over towards some of the others, heading in Czarina’s direction. His pace quickened as he drew near, “Rina...I’ve found Asmik.” he paused, “He’s not breathing...I think he died, I found him only half-buried,” Anatolii finished, his mood dipped. Asmik had been a snarky dog, and he had never been especially close to him, but to lose a teammate was hard. “Is Yekaterina…” he trailed off, it was hard for Anatolii to get out. Now that he knew his sister was fine, he worried for his cousin, he could only hope she was alive.