Out of the Forest [Open]

Alice wandered through the forest, looking out of the trees toward the meadow. Well, this was certainly not where she wanted to be. She had, at some point, gotten herself turned around, and wound up on the completely different side of the forest than she needed to be. She'd tried getting back to the path she'd needed to be on, but that didn't help her at all, and now she was completely lost, at the end of the forest and out at some meadows.

She had never seen this place before, and there didn't seem to be anything around that looked familiar, or any structure that people might be in to ask for directions. With a sigh, she walked out into the meadows, hoping to find something or someone that might help her out.

[[Mature-Any male, human or animal, is welcome to join.]]

Dodge was wandering again, as he did often in this area. He wasn't entirely sure what he would do, or where he was going, but he didn't have to decide. There was a sound, a scent, a sighting of a woman. She was alone, and looking rather confused. He smiled, barking softly and trotting slowly towards her. He approached, but lowered his head and ears like a pet would do. His tail wagged as he whined softly, hoping to prove that he wasn't a threat to her.

He knew these lands well, and she looked frightened and lost. There were no humans around that would be able to help her, so he might as well. There was no use letting her get hurt out here. He watched her cautiously, waiting for her reaction to the stray rottweiler before her.

Alice looked up as she heard a soft bark, quickly looking around to see a dog trotting towards her. As he approached her, he lowered his head and ears, his tail wagging, giving her a soft whine. Well, he seemed to be friendly enough, at least.

She knelt down in front of the Rottweiler, holding out a hand for him to sniff. "Hey, there, boy," She said to him gently, "Are you lost too?" He didn't seem to have any collar on him, perhaps he was a stray?

Dodge wagged his tail harder as she spoke and offered him her hand to sniff. He took a step towards her, skipping the sniffing and going straight to licking her hand. He had already smelled her, from pretty far away. He barked happily, obviously not lost or confused. But he made a point to look around, to make sure there was nothing around that posed a threat or possible danger to the human. She was frightened and confused, the last thing she needed was to get hurt or killed.

She smiled as he licked at her hand. He didn't seem to be lost, as she thought originally. She scratched the top of his head. "Well, at least I won't have to be alone out here," She said with a slight sigh. She took a moment to look around, as did the dog, and she wondered what he was looking for. "Maybe you can help me find my way back," She said with a slight chuckle, doubting that the dog would help her out in that area.

Dodge licked her as she spoke, watching her look around. Then she asked him to help her find her way back. He barked happily, nudging her hand under his head as he moved closer to her. But then he looked up, whining softly as he noticed the darkening sky. She would be in danger if he let her stay out here in the dark. He knew where the humans lived, but it was too far to make it before night fell. He whined, nuzzling against her leg and looking up at her to see how she would react to the darkness. But then another problem assaulted them. It started to rain. His ears pinned to his head as he looked up, watching the dark storm clouds surrounding the meadow.

She looked down at him as he nuzzled against her leg, then turned her gaze skyward. "Oh, its later than I thought it was," She said, sounding a bit worried. There was no way she was getting back home before dark now. And then, as though things weren't bad enough, the sky opened up, rain falling down on them. The storm clouds she could see in the sky did nothing to comfort her either. She looked back down at the dog. "Come on boy, lets see if we can find some shelter for the night," She told him.

Dodge chuckled as she spoke of finding shelter. He already knew where to go. He had found a cave to call home, and he nudged her gently, leading her into the trees and towards his home. They reached it eventually, just before it started pouring. He nudged her inside, following her in slowly. Then he shook his fur dry, sitting down and watching her, his stub of a tail wagging slowly. He had rushed her in here, and he hoped she wouldn't be cross with him.

She started moving as he nudged her, following him through the trees to a cave. They were able to slip into it, before the water starting pouring. It wasn't as comfortable as being home might be, but it was better than being in the rain, which was starting to pour. "Good boy," She said to him, stroking his head, She rung out her damp shirt and skirt, before she sat down besides the dog.

Dodge wagged his tail slowly and laid down, rolling onto his back as he watched her dry off her clothes. He could tell that she wasn't scared, and he was surprised that she was so comfortable with him. He wagged his tail, pawing at the air as she finished drying off.

Alice saw no reason not to be comfortable around the dog, he had been so friendly to her, after all. looked over at him and smiled a little as he lay down on his back, wagging his tail and pawing at his tail. She reached out and scratched at his chest, before she started to rub his belly a bit.