LOG: The place is outside of the Town Church. This log involves a host of characters

First the Characters, then the Log, titled, "As The Sled Team Turns" or "As the dog barks."
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Uqaq
   You see before you a mutt, around the size of a Siberian Husky. As you look her over, you notice that her paws seem too big for her. This is a sign that she is a bit wolf, mixed with many other breeds altering her appearance. Her fur, not glossy and silky like other dogs, is short and a greyish color. She has cream colored paws and eartips too. When you look at her eyes, you seem surprised. Her left is green while her right is blue. She looks at you with a sparkle in her eyes and a wagging tail. One in a million, she is.

Iceheart
   Before you is a strong dog. Her fur is made up of a reddish saddle, and about the edges there lies a fringe of grey. Do you wonder about her name? Her name comes from her heart, locked in ice. She can be loyal, and true, and a hard team worker. You would not be let down by her, but she will not allow closeness.

Kade
   Just ahead stands a large, young black and white malamute. He is covered with a shining coat of heavy black fur with a soft gray undercoat. A pearlesent white coloring starts at the lower part of his throat and travels down to envelope his underside and the insides of all four legs. His front paws have 'socks' of white that reach up to about the middle of his legs. Only the toes on his rear paws are white, though speckles of white travel up to the underside of his tail.  Studying him you notice his muzzle has soft black fur with a sprinkling of white that becomes more abundant towards the point. There an onyx nose twitches whenever a new scent is detected. Both muzzle and nose show evidence of past conflicts in the form of various small scars. Concealed within the powerful jaws is a formidable set of shining white fangs which poke into veiw every so often.
   Speckles of white surround his eyes and dot the insides of his ears which are usually perked forward. Kade's head is carried high on a heavily muscled neck. Draped across his neck and shoulders, like a mane, is a ruff of heavy black fur. The powerful muscles of his shoulders and deep chest are well defined and show off the traits for which his breed is known ... pulling heavy loads. Kade's legs are long, big boned and muscular, though not so much as to look bulky. Huge paws help to keep him from sinking in the deep snow. A bushy black tail with a white tip is usually held curled over his hindquaters which also shows the well tempered strength of his kind.
   A lopesided smile that more resembles a sneer etches into existance at the corners of his mouth. Sparkling amber colored eyes stare at you in an almost challenging way, perhaps sizing you up. A firey spirit burns behind those eyes suggesting an indominatable will that refuses to be broken.

*~~~~ < Ruth, White Alaskan Malamute >
Kind spirited; good-natured is that can be named about Ruth. Given the name like that in the Bible, she leads her noble life in the north truer than any canine in the wilderness surrounding. Ruth is without a doubt a true breed sled dog and fighter. From her coat, you notice evidence that at one time or another she has been handled roughly, or has been swept into a battle. Many things she well tell you, but she will not share most of her history freely. She is one of stories and tales, and a creature of wisdom. As you watch her move, you see no hardships or hurts. What you see is Ruth.
   A powdery white blankets her thick, coarse outer coat. Hardly noticeable flecks of ash-dusted fur is seen in various places where normally there would be a strong sable black. From a broad, moderately rounded skull appears a large muzzle. Her muzzle is held with a stern expression, but one that can also be of warmth and kindness. From the bulk of pallid fur appears a set of dark, almond-shaped eyes. Dark nutmeg pupils appear from those almond-shaped eyes, glinting occasionally in the light. Medium-sized ears with the upper halves-held at a triangular point have been tipped a dusty gray. She has a barrel shape and deep chest, allowing her the power of endurance. Her paws are powerful and muscle tight, as well as the rest of her form. Her muscles ripple through her coat, almost budging in her form as she keeps in a healthy condition. A bushy tail ends her body, which is carried high.
   ~ But Ruth replied, 'Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God' (Ruth 1:16) ~

Kierun
   Though fully grown, the siberian husky is strangely small for a male of his breed, roughly about the size of a husky bitch. His mismatched eyes of brown and blue hold a spark of mishchief, and he does not seem to mind at all that he is lacking in size. He comes across to you as being the friendly sort, always eager to meet new faces or join up with those he knows. His coat is of a silverish color, with splashes of grey along his back, head and the upper side of his bushy, curled tail. White takes over on his underside, including the tail, and encircles his hindlegs. His ears are high and erect but tend to flop down at times giving him a puppish look.

Blueheel
   Before you stands a young undetermained breed of dog. His fur is a blueish tint with one white patch of fur in an unnamed place. His muzzle has brownish accents. His eyes are a deep grey that sees right to your soul. His tail, while not having a lot of fur, is proportionate to his body. He wears a golden looking locket around his neck in place of a collar.

******

The intersection of End Lane and Third Avenue is open, and not too crowded. A few
shops line the streets, though they are not cramped together. The traffic is low, leaving just
a few well worn trails of passersby and animals on the ground through the snow. End Lane runs east and west through the area, a sort northern border to the town almost, while Third Avenue runs north to south. To the south is the Main Street, and the bustle there seems much heavier.
To the north, the outskirts.

BlueHeel pads in from whatever direction he just came from on his nightly walk
through the town. he spies Ruth and Kade and looks to the side of him as Kierun is at his
side. he wonders what might happen, but he greets them in his friendly manner anyway, "Heya you two, how ya doing this evening?

Ruth flickers her ears suddenly forward, finding BlueHeel and Kierun coming down the street together. She nods in answer to Kade as she looks to BlueHeel. "I am doing very well," she says as she looks to Kade with a light glimmer in her eyes. Her tail wags upon her rump and she make no effort to stand and join the two other dogs on the road.

Kierun pads along meekly at Blue's side looking as as if he recently got a rough talking to as
he hurries alon to match the pace of the larger male. Ears perking slightly as he too notices
the other dogs but lets Blue do the talking as he head tilts eyeing Kade for a moment then
looking back to Blue as if asking now what.

Kade just smiles to Ruth then turns his head to face the approaching dogs. "Good evening." he calls out in a light tone. Ke observes the others though as if trying to anticipate their actions.

Uqaq appears.

BlueHeel waggles his tail as he approaches the two. "What are ya up to this evening?" He bows a greeting to both of them, neither submissive, nor dominate at this time, just the friendly mutt that all have come to know. He looks at Kierun then back at the others waiting for the answers.

Ruth lowers her ears for a moment as she looks between Kierun and BlueHeel. She then smiles softly, watching the husky carefully. she shurgs her shoulders as she looks back to Kade. "Just sitting here." she answers simply. Her rich nutmeg irises look to Kierun, "Cat go your tongue or what, Kierun? No, hello?" she deserves that much from him.

Uqaq runs through the back alleys. She knows this land. It is the only land she will most likely rule. Turning thisway and that, knowing exactly where she is going, she appears from the the alley, a sausage in her mouth. She seems to laugh as she devouers her prize, as it is getting harder for her each day. She licks her lips and scans the floor for crumbs. Her head looks up at the voices of the dogs. "KIERUN!" She lopes to the male laughing. Full belly, Full heart.

Kierun lowers his head at the look from Blue then perks his ears at Ruth's tone towards him. Having sensed a change in her a few days ago he is not overly surprised to see her with another of her breed. The voice of his mother echoing through his head about dogs staying with their own breeds and not mixing as he closes his eyes for a moment as if to erase the voice, mentaly shaking his head thinking its not so. He looks to his alpha once more before he timidly pads closer to Ruth offering her a friendly tail wag. "Ruth." he musters the name much to both his surprise and dismay as he feels she is holding back something. Not sure if hewants to know he licks his nose then tries to sniff and nuzzle at Ruth softly. Dazed he does not notice Uqaq as he looks into Ruths eyes waiting for what will come but not sure what to expect.

Kade watches Keirun as he approaches. His ears fold back but he remains silent letting Ruth deal with the other canine as she sees fit. He glances back over to Blueheel and grins. "Actually we were just discussing the benifits of being groomed by humans."

BlueHeel waggles as he smiles back, "Ahh, a good grooming, yes, they are the best, I feel." he tries to remember his last one, He's about to comment more but hears this loud yelling, and turns to see Uqaq running up. "hello there, how are you this evening?" He sits on his
haunches, giving Kie a quick look again then back to kade to see how he responds... His ears flicking all around at the gathered.

As Ruth recieves the nuzzle from Kierun, her gaze turns to her paws not looking up at in or
saying anything at all. Her forepaw comes to rest beside Kade's. Now she is the one who as turned silent. She can not come to speak up for herself. Her ears flatten against her head
as she sighs heavily. All that anger she was going to give Kierun seemed to have drained from her whole body. Her tail stops wagging, she is practically motionless.

IceHeart walked slowly and silently down the icy street, eyes following and watching
everything. Her expression is fierce, one of a time hardened veteran. It almost seems as if
her gait belies a surety and calmness. Her ears perked forward as she caught a few fragments of a conversation, and she began to lope forward. Curiousity catching hold...

Uqaq slows her pace to a stop. She looks around and seems to know what's happening. She nuzzles her Kierun, then bows to the male who's spoken to her. "I'm fine thank you." She tries to slurp Kierun's ears, as she doesn't always have a lot of time with him. Time is always against her.

Kierun looks once more into Ruths eyes as he finds her not responding to his show of
affection. Watching in surprise as the large female suddenly becomes very meek droping her gaze before him. Afraid to talk he stands helpless before Ruth thinking this must surly be a dream...her scent..he sniffs once more taking in the scent of Ruth as his eyes widen but still he refuses to make snap judgments. As if turned to stone Kie stands rooted in place no longer seeing any one but Ruth as he waits for her to talk or even maul him as least that would be something he could understand unlike this silence that is making him feel oddly.

Kade returns his attention back to Ruth and Kierun. As he notices the females reaction to the situation he sits up. "I dont think she is in the mood to talk right now. Maybe you should leave her alone." he says in an easy, conversational tone.

Halex smiles and slowly trots over to Uqaq with a freindly smile on his face and his tounge
hanging out of the corner of his muzzle.

Ruth's eyes turn up to Kierun. She pants as she narrows her eyes, hard to come with anything to say. Her throat turns out whimpers for words as she burrows her muzzle into Kade's shoulder. She comes to grip herself, looking back to Kieun. She can only manage to come out with a "Sorry."

BlueHeel narrows his eyes some at the tone that is taken with his friend, and turns to Kierun
and nips his ear to get his attention. He thought something like this might happen, he
unfortunatly saw it coming. He stays near Kierun and watches what unfolds.

Uqaq whines as Kierun behaves oddly. Thinking something might be wrong, she drops to her belly at his feet and rests her head near his paws. She looks up at him through the corner of her eye, and licks appeasingly at his toes. She never turns her head away from Kierun. She doesn't even notice the mutt trotting over to her. Faithfulness in her eyes, for the first time...ever.

Halex hmmms to himself and thinks for a couple seconds before sorting out that right now might not be a good time to speek with the other mutt. He turns and walks away, this time headingtowards Blueheels and takes a seat next to him.

Sorry? The word rings in his ears like an biting flea. Kierun stares at Ruth as she nuzzles the
other malamute. The other malamute....the other male. The thought hits him suddenly as his
eyes widen. "Sorry? I do not understand Ruth..." he hears himself say but wonders how he
manages to talk.

IceHeart allowed her lope to break into a jaunty trot. She hadn;t been noticed by the others, and dogs were usually observant. She stopped and looked at the group, sensing the...hostility? Her mind churned as she pondered over what could possibly be happening.

Kade eyes Kierun for a moment. "Leave her alone Kierun." he says in the same light tone as before. "You dont need to concern yourself with her anymore." Kade says amtter-of-factly.

"No, no. That's alright." Ruth tells Kade, "He needs to know the truth." she says finally.
Nutmeg eyes direct themselves to Kierun, sighing softly, "I am sorry that I have to let you
go." she replies. "You always told me to find someone of my own breed, so I have. You and I, have unlike minds, and I have found someone who as a common. I have been hurting inside for so long Kierun, my heart sang to you, but you did not care to listen long enough." Her voice rings true as she says without hesitation, "I have found someone else."

Halex goes home.
Halex has left.

BlueHeel looks at Kade with more narrow eyes, "That was harsh, Kade. You can't expect someone to just drop something without knowing the reason why." he listens to what Ruth says, "And it appears that she has stated why, in time I'm sure that Kie will understand, but don't beharder on him than needs be." he looks over at keirun and watches his reaction, trying to see where he can help his packmate. He has always hated seeing this situation happen.

Uqaq's ears fall back. Found someone...?? She looks to Kierun, a hurt look on her face. She does nothing. Awaiting his responce. She closes her eyes and wishes herself being away...yet wants to stay. Caught in a tangle of emotions.

Just stares at Ruth for a long moment seemly unable to understand what she is telling him. "The truth?" he blinks at the bitchs words then glances to the male malamute then back to her. "How long has this been going on Ruth?" he asks evenly. Wanting to ask about that male all ready having a mate but he holds back... the idea of slinging mud makes him feel ashamed at the thought. "Let me go? Unlike minds?" he stares in disblief shaking his head wanting to think this is jsut a malamute that looks like Ruth. "I'm sorry Ruth." he says simply holding his own pain in side thinking she is surly better off without him around. "Take good care of her.." he offers to the male thinking an expericed breeder will give Ruth the pups she so longed for. He turns away not wanting to hurt Ruth by showing his starting tears but at that moment he trips over Uqaq. Stunned he just lays where he has fallen not caring what happened to him now.

Ruth looks to BlueHeel, "If you have suffered as much hurt as I have, you would understand." she says. Her eyes are damp with moisture as she whimpers softly. Her head pulses as she which she was no longer here. She wishes she were somewhere else entirely. Kierun use to sooth her with his passionate words, as much as they had make Ruth draw closer to him. Then there was a wall, a force that Ruth could not get through and other bitches around her had shared a common feeling with Kierun. She could not share him, that is not Ruth's way of things. "I still love you..." she says softly out to Kierun. Her breath catches as she looks to Kade, "I want to go inside now..." she says softly, looking to him to se if he wishes to do the same.

IceHeart's head whipped back and forth between the two groups. Something was
happening...something interesting. She regarded the group from a distance, still aloof, but
listens to the goings-on.

Kade turns his head to look at Blueheel. "Harsh? No I dont think so. I said the truth and that is all." He eyes the other canine for a moment and shakes his head. "Not that it is any
concern of yours." He looks back at Kierun and sighs. "Kierun, I'm not sure what has
happened to Lily, I havet seen her in months. If she should happen to show up at the kennel
again let her know that I have had to move on." Kade glances over to Ruth at her comment and he turns to head into the church with her.

Blueheel looks with saddness at Ruth, and then turns to Kierun and stands by him and Uqaq protectivly, as he feels he should, being by his omega. he watches Ruth carefully, wondering what web has been weaved and broken, wondering who's really at fault, but not blaming anyone. "It is my concern, anything that deals with Kierun is my concern." he looks at Kade not in an unkind matter, but a matter-o-fact voice.

AIE! Whine....Uqaq cries out in pain, not only from the body but from the heart. She picks
herself up in one swoop, and turns away. She walks. Where? Who cares. She sure doesn't. 'I still love you...' She cringes. She doesn't care anymore. "Back into the shadows with you..."  She tells herself as she walks into an alley, and flops down. 'This is where you belong. You were stupid to get tied up in him...STUPID! He cared not for you! GET OVER IT!!!!!' She thinks as she feels like another stupid, useless mutt wandering the muddy roads. Two tears roll down her cheek. She feels like slapping herself for crying. She wipes her eyes on her dirty paws.

Kierun lays still as Ruths words ring in his ears. He hurt her? He closes his eyes and curls up into a tight ball. He tried to explain his problems to her..he sighs then cringes at the words love echo to the distance place he finds himself in. Why could she not just tell him instead of having to bring her new mate along... Was he the first male that licked her tears away when Kierun was off sleeping too foolish to see that a mate needed more attention. He curses himself feeling like a total faulure as even his sled team is gone.

Ruth stands up completely, her stride is slow as she takes her time to head into the small space behind the church's organ that she calls her own. Her head remains raised, she will forever be an alpha no matter where in town she goes or whom she is with. She knows every nook and trash can, she knows every alley from top to bottom, twice as better as Uqaq. She whimper-howls as she enters the church, not to care if some human tells her to shush up. The thick door closes behind her, giving time for others to heal. This will be hard on the entire team but what is done is done.

Ruth heads into the Church.
Ruth has left.

Uqaq snivles in the darkness, suddenly turning bitter, wishing it would all end. She buires her nose in the dirt. "I shall never trust anyone again....they do not deserve to be trusted." She rises, turns her nose to the wind....and remembers her ancestors, being wolves. she Howls an eirie howl...and runs....runs....runs....runs..... To the forest where she needs no one. "And I'll be damned if I ever come to the city again! My death awaits me in the forest!" She screams as she runs on pure rage. Tears sream down her face as she dissapears.....

Kade looks back to Blueheel and sneers. "Whatever. If Kierun can't handle himself then he
shouldn't be loose on the streets." Kade still cant understand why this other dog must butt
into matters that don't concern him at all. "By the way, if you feel that it is your place to
stick your nose into the affairs of others then you also are to blame for not keeping this
from happening. Good evening to you all. I need to go and comfort someone now." Is Kade rubbing it in? No. He is just saying what he feels. With that he walks into the church.

Kade has left.

IceHeart's ears perked forward after the whimpering and sobbing dog. Love. Bah...who needed it anyway? Tentatively, she got up the nerve to follow. Poking her nose around the alley, she asks..."Something wrong?"

BlueHeel blinks and looks at the devistation left in the street, watching Ruth leave into the
church, Wondering how she can blame his Kierun for this, then looking over at where Uqaq
stomped off to, seeing her over on the corner. he then looks down at his feet to the one
that is hurt the most and hearing kade's words he shakes his head saddly. he gently lays down and nuzzles at Kierun, Knowing that he needs comfort. "Kie." he says softly, then hearing the other voice, he looks up saddly, "everything, m'dear."

Kierun stays here he is seemly just a dead dog along side the road. But at the nuzzle from Blue he jumps then opens his eyes to look up at his team leader. "Please tell me it was just a
dream Blue..." he trails off as he gets shakly to his paws, muzzle wet as he leans agaist his
best friend for support.

IceHeart has disconnected

Uqaq runs till she collapses. Short of breath, and short of love she sobbs rubbing her face in
her paws. She looks at the world through watery eyes. The sorry looking dog looks up at the emerging night sky. "You were the only one who ever taught me anything..." She snarls and kicks a rock harshly out of the way. Weak, hungry, exausted, she finds a place to sleep. Tomorrow. She'll find some way to end it. Ask a wolf to kill her. Yes, tomorrow she'll find a wolf. Drained, she crys. Too tired to sleep, the poor mutt with broken heart disease sits in the forest, shivering. "I am the mutt who walked alone, lived alone and shall die alone...." She shivers as it begins to snow upon her pelt. The wind howls as it finally caresses her to sleep.

Uqaq has disconnected.

Kierun stays here he is seemly just a dead dog along side the road. But at the nuzzle
from Blue he jumps then opens his eyes to look up at his team leader. "Please tell me it was
just a dream Blue..." he trails off as he gets shakly to his paws, muzzle wet as he leans
agaist his best friend for support.

BlueHeel looks down at Kierun saddly, hearing the yelling off in the distance he sighs some,
"I'm sorry my friend, I can't do that. It was real, unfortunatly." He tries to comfort his
friend. "It wasn't your fault though, don't EVEN think it was your fault." he looks wiht
narrowed eyes at the church. "I have a feeling that Kade was behind this all the time." he
then remembers something that Ruth said, and realizes that part of Kieruns earlier speciism
had something with it too.