Ashanti almost missed the distinct dog scent due to the rain tilling up fresh scents. She turned her head looking in all directions for the cause of the smell. She narrowed her eyes annoyed that they had managed to remain undetected for so long. She thought the canine might be in the dip out of sight by the creek, so she padded that direction. She was working hard to guess where they were so she could approach them from an unexpected angle. She would prefer to assess the situation before she engaged. She hated that her fluffy fur was clinging to her making her look thin, weak, and scraggly, when she was actually doing quite fine. She padded around a tree and a few bushes trying to remain unseen. The wetness and rain helped disguise the usual sound of her paws on the mulch. She poked her head around the tree and noticed a mainly black dog sitting and scratching himself. She stared a little longer trying to figure out what mood he was in, what kind of temperament he had, and what business he had in her neck of the woods.

"Who are you?" she finally decided to say something as she stepped out from behind the tree. Being much larger and taller than he was, she didn't want to look like she was hiding. She tried to muster all of the gracefulness she had, but it couldn't make up for how ragged and wet she looked. "What are you doing here? Actually, the second question is more important. You don't look like you belong here." She cautiously approached him, keeping her ears perked up for his potential companions. She was nervous that if he had friends they would avoid detection. He almost had. She maintained eye contact although she was also concentrating her focus on her periphery where she hoped she would notice any movement. She came close enough so she could get a better sniff of him. He was an odd looking little dog. She also managed to stay out of his reach.

Even though he closed his eyes to sleep, they seemed to pop back open themselves. Annoyed, he tried again, desperate to miss out on the rain. However, something caught his nose. A small, but strong scent of another within his vicinity. He knew that going to a dog park that there would be other dogs, but in this weather? It seemed odd to find another. Unless it was another stray. Kieran weighed his options, knowing full well that all the run-ins he had with other strays wasn't exactly pleasant. However, if he kept to himself any longer, he felt like he might lose his head. Ears pricked up and icy eyes scanned what area he could see, wondering if the dog was in the park hiding.

A few moments of looking and nothing catching his eyes or ears, Kieran uncertainly flexed his paws. Should he go out to see? He didn't know how territorial this mysterious stranger could be, and Kieran really didn't want to lose his dry spot. Battling with himself internally for a few more minutes, he found himself slowly rising to his paws and taking a few cautious steps out of the tunnel. Looking around, he slipped out of the tunnel and looked around the park, still not seeing a soul. He trotted his way around the equipment, looking at every nook and cranny he could find yet; still no one. He was getting soaked the more he looked and he vigorously shook out his coat out of pure irritation.

Licking his lips, he just about gave up when his eyes wandered to the entrance of the park. There, by the wall he could see spots. The dog had nearly camouflaged their way into the wall, the only indication of anything being there was the misplaced spots and slow breathing. His breath hitched at the sight, becoming more and more nervous at the fact that there was indeed, another. He wanted to bound up to them and spew out to his hearts content, but another part of him was anxious and wary. He tilted his head in concern, maybe they were hurt? Licking his lips again, Kieran wondered how he should even approach, or if he should. Standing there, eyes locked onto the other dog, Kieran gave up and decided that the worst that could happen is that they fight and Kieran has to find other shelter.

Slowly and cautiously, he approached the other dog, not trying to be silent in his steps. He barked softly and stayed a good distance away, waiting for the stranger to make their first move.

Kieran | GSD x Husky | Stray | Info | Mentions: Blu, Hondo and Chase, Echo (mildly direct)

The others' behaviour was surprisingly turbulent, not assertive at all. In fact, he even offered to leave. He stood up and Kieran took a step back, out of worry that he seemed too brash to the other. He could befriend this dog, finally have someone to talk to? Icy eyes swathed over the other dog, taking in his build and pelt colors. A few moments passed, before Kieran recognized his breed as a coonhound. Ears pricking up in amusement, Kieran opened his maw to explain to the other that he didn't mind his presence when two other dogs showed up. Immediately whipping his head as they barked at him, his heart jackhammered in his chest. The coonhound greeted back and Kieran just about screamed.

He was going to get jumped? Were they going to kill him?

Gritting his teeth, he took a few more steps back. Maybe he misjudged the coonhound? Was he calm or annoyed that Kieran had revealed himself? Kieran now regretted attempting to be friendly and wished he hadn't even left the damn tunnel. The coonhound spoke their names and Kieran dropped his tail uncertainly.

Stop freaking out, stop freaking out, stop freaking out.

They were friendly. Yeah?

What if they already knew about him?

What if they would see right through him and..and-

Kieran's breathing became a bit labored, the dreadful rain making everything seem menacing. He backed up even more, nearing a bush that was looking rather tantalizing to use for cover. He turned to look at it, catching a small glimpse of eyes looking back at him. Jumping out of his skin, he bolted to the otherside of the playground, growing more and more skittish. Frantically, he looked around for anywhere to hide. Anywhere to run. His mouth dry and a pit of dread settled in his stomach as he realized that there was no where to go. He had cornered himself.

His breath hitched in his chest and he was on the verge of tears. All muscles were tense and his paranoia grew. His thoughts wild, the only one that stuck was that they were going to kill him. The thought alone made him freeze out of fear. He was strong, but 4 dogs? Impossible. He wouldn't make it out alive even if he tried. Breathing haggard, Kieran finally found the will to move and his legs propelled him to the entrance, where he juked past the other shepherds.

He ran and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. His surroundings blurred as he sprinted away. He was unsure where he was going, other than away; away from certain death. The sounds of the city seem to slur in his ears as the only prominent sound was the wind howling. He saw the ocean and realized that once his paws hit sand, that he had made it to the beach and that he was safe. He slowed to a stop and panted hard and heavy, regaining his breath. Then the thought of being followed plagued him, and he whipped around and frantically looked for any signs of the dogs. Rigid and alert, Kieran stood there for several minutes, too afraid to move and too afraid to make a noise. His throat was tight and it was hard to breathe.

Kieran slowly calmed, reassessing the situation in his head. Slowly sitting, he hung his head in shame at himself.