Life's Changes

[Angel]

Partner as Partner
Kitexa as Annabelle
Private RP just for the pair of us, because I need more of these two.

The thread is set after the events of the first 101 Dalmatians film, before the animal hoarders Roger and Anita move to the farm.

It was all so... new.

Living in a house, that was. Such a small space for ninety-nine puppies to share, and trying to get a moment to himself had proven to be a nightmare. Patches was settling in just fine, but then, he had enough social skills for both of them. For Partner, being jammed into a tiny house with ninety-eight other kids was far from his idea of a good time - more like a sort of torment. In the pet shop it had just been him and Patches, in Hell Hall there had at least been enough space to allow him to retreat alone when he wanted it, but here, he didn't seem to be able to go one minute without bumping into another excited ball of spots, and Partner almost felt as though he could scream.

The sooner Mr Pongo's pets got this farm they were talking about, the better. At least there he'd have more than enough space to avoid the spotted masses.

It was only now, when almost all the other pups were asleep, that Partner finally found himself alone with his thoughts again, and the dark-eared pup couldn't help heaving a silent sigh of relief. Rising to his paws, taking the utmost care not to disturb his brother - who seemed to have taken Partner's hind leg for a pillow - the older male slipped out of the room, padding softly down the stairs until he reached the humans' living room, just glad to be alone for what felt like the first time in days.

He didn't belong here.

Partner wasn't sure what exactly bred that thought as he looked around the pleasantly-decorated room, but it was more than true. This world, the world of the proper homes and house-bred dogs, could never entirely be his. The male gave a sigh as he wandered across the deserted room and hopped up onto the widow-ledge, staring out in silence at the darkened city. Strangely, he almost wished he had someone to talk to right now - rather an irony, after spending the rest of the day trying to avoid all the pups who were suddenly his adopted siblings.

[Kitexa]

Annabelle hated being a house dog. Hated it the moment they slipped a collar 'round her neck and gave her a new name. She had a name. She had a home. She had a family. If Four hadn't gotten himself caught by the dog catcher and the badduns not come and purchased them at the pound she'd still BE home...with her siblings, with Squire and Prince and the freedom of the streets.

This apartment -- as Pets called it -- was cramped and uncomfortable and the femme rarely saw her family nowadays; lost in a sea of spots as they were. The only one she saw on a daily basis was Partner - her best friend and the only other pup here that seemed to have a head on his shoulders.

With a sigh, she rolled over on the arm chair she'd been curled up in, eyes drifting out towards the moonlit night beyond the window. She imagined the night air ruffling her fur, thrilling her nostrils as it tickled her nose...out there...out there she was one with the night. One with the moon, the air....out there she was One. The leader, the older sister, the puppy everyone looked to to keep them safe and sound.

Here....she was just Annabelle. A boring little house pet living in a boring little home with nothing to look forward to but a boring little future.

"I hate this place..." She muttered, letting her eyes fall away from the sky and....onto another furry form?

"Partner?" the pup asked, cocking her head to the side, "Is that you?"

It was hard to tell in the dark, but she'd like to think she knew her friend well enough to recognize him even in the evening light.

[Angel]

Partner started slightly. He'd honestly thought that he'd been the only one down here, and hearing the voice calling his name was enough to catch him by surprise. The male whipped around to face it's source, although he was fairly certain that he knew who the voice's owner was even before his gaze landed on the welcome sight of her face in the moonlight.

"One," he returned, the smile that touched his muzzle at the realisation of her presence lost in the darkness. He jumped down from the window, paws padding softly on the carpeted floor as he closed the distance between them, until he was standing at the foot of Annabelle's chair. Maybe a little belatedly, he added "Yeah, it's me."

If there was one pup whose company he preffered, even to his own brother's, it was One. He remembered the first time he'd met her, exhausted and scared, when she and her siblings had been added to the number at Hell Hall. Why he'd taken it upon himself to greet them, the usually self-contained pup still wasn't sure, but the friendship he'd gained with the oldest female made him very greatful that he had.

And because of that, he knew her well enough to realise that something was bothering her. If it had been anyone else, he would have ignored the fact and let them bring it up if they chose to, but with One... Well, it was different. He cared about her too much to let any problem go unacknowledged.

"Is something wrong?" he asked her with concern, looking up at her from where he stood.