calm the frenzy. (open!)

[Crypt]

It was strange to look out the dense foliage and see the river, rippling and waving as the current swept it downstream. Days ago it had been frozen, stilled by the icy surface that kept the waters below contained. But it was a welcomed sight to her emerald eyes, it meant spring was coming. Soon, but not quick enough. Her massive paws although swift as she yielded them, managed to still sink into the slowly moistening shores of the Volga River. The delta that opened up to the ocean was always the first to melt, it meant that the fish were more abundant here as well.

It was here that they would begin to awaken, they would greet the sky as if they had been stuck in darkness which perhaps they had. Anastasia had never wondered if the fish in the river suffered darkness when the winter season passed for she, and the other inhabitants of the earth were troubled by the white snow instead of the murky waters. Nevertheless, it was not wise to dwell on the past too long. She had suffered much and the past held so much pain, it was enough to inspire her to drive forward. Others needed to learn that. In her young age, her experiences had forced that knowledge into her mind. She was wise and gray from her past, others would be much luckier if they learned to listen from her.

Nevertheless, that was not the reason that the Tibetan Mastiff had trekked so far from the city. It was warmer in the city, there was far more life and more food. But the pleasant awakening of the spring was far more interesting. If anything, it soothed her aching soul and it was a different touch of scenery that did her heart good. Not only that, it would be refreshing to have a bit of chilled fresh water from the river rather then the musty canals that ran through the city. Some dogs did not appreciate the comfort or the thrill that nature provided, that Anastasia would be willing to teach as well. As she loped alongside the delta, breathing in the salty mist of the ocean that was not far ahead of her. She pricked a triangular ear and heard a struggle, the splash of a hefty fish as it floundered about.

Although fish was prey, a maternal urge welled up in her and she rushed over toward the steep shores. Then there, with no doubt in her mind was a trapped fish with its gills red with stress. It was a fish that wasn't quite edible, for its scales were covered with a thick armor plating. It was a sturgeon, perhaps looking for a shallow place to spawn only to find that the water receded before it could finish and it was left in the wake of the tide. She shook her head and scolded it, for a mother could not be so foolish if her brood were to survive. It was a young mother likely, if that existed in the fish world. Nevertheless, her eggs were too dry and she was likely to choke on the lack of oxygen filtering through her gills.

Gently, the golden brunette lifted the sturgeon and placed it gingerly in the water. It was quick to flee, leaving its destroyed nesting area to the hungry dog. It was a meal, safe although a bit difficult to get as she wedged her nose between the round pebbles of the shore. Anastasia's tongue licked the salty sides of the rocks, reaching and grasping the rubbery eggs before lapping them up. It was a burst of flavor, tasting quite like the sea. It was an interesting taste and Anastasia could not say that she did not like it. She was growing rather fond of it. It reminded her of something the humans had eaten, in fancy restaurants that strays were not allowed. It pained her to think of being a stray when she previously had been loved by a human, owned in fact. But she pushed the thought away and brought a new one. Ah, it was called caviar. But it didn't matter to her what it was called. It was food. Swiping her tongue along her tan lips, Anastasia strode over toward the water's edge and lowered her head to drink only to pause as if accessing the dangers of the world around her, in and out of the Volga River.

ooc: :3 first post! hope its okay! <3

[Vexation]

[bg=000000][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,490,table][th] Winter had been cold and miserable for the pitbull mongrel. The snows and biting wind had forced him, more often then not, to seek shelter wherever he could, his short fur unable to protect him against the bitter weather. And he had gone hungry many a night, curled about himself in whatever make-shift nest he could construct. Thus, what should have taken him only weeks to reach the city had taken the better part of the winter, and his sides were shallow and sunken with lack of food, stomach grumbling quietly in a plea for sustanance. All in all, he was not in the best of moods as made his way through the receading snows, following the sounds of the river, broken free from the ice's embrace. So lost was he in his thoughts of food - which surely could be found somewhere along the river's shore - that he almost did not notice the Mastiff female. He was halfway across the short clearing that seperated bank from forest before he spotted her, muzzle hovering over the water as if in preperation to drink. His steps faltered, guard hairs raising momentarily as he eyed her susposioucly, black nose lifting and twitching to catch her scent. He was tempted to leave. She was large and formidable, and he could only guess as to what she would be about, once she became aware of him, if she hadn't already. But the sound of the river was alluring, and his aching stomach yearned to be filled, if only by frigid water. He moved forward again, circling around in a cresent shaped path that allowed her a wide berth. His brown eyes focused on the shore, though he was ever aware of her, watching her from his peripheal, one ear trained in her direction. He stopped short of the water, having no wish to further chill himself by stepping into it. He lowered his muzzle, tongue seemingly shriveling as it dipped into the river, curling and bringing up mouthful after mouthful of liquid into his jaws. The cold kicked at his gut, and he brought his head up with a jerk when his sensative gums could take no more, almost forgetting the girl as a new pain was birthed within him.

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