T'was The Fight Before Christmas (AW)

[Soapy]

Thanksgiving and come and passed which meant plenty of delicious scraps in the garbage cans around New Orleans.
Now that it was December, a yellow lab's favorite holiday was a day away. Christmas.
Much to Soapy's dismay, however, this was her first Christmas without Jason, her owner. She knew he was in a better place and was watching over her but she still felt alone. Even though she had a lot of friends and a human family who adored her, she felt as if she were replacing Jason.
Toby, Soapy's new human friend, had been asking his mom if he could possibly take her in but his mom always said she'd think about it. Soapy hadn't seen much of Toby or her other friend Dante who was a rough, gangster Doberman.

At the moment Soapy was asleep in a trash can, an old blanket over her curled form until something woke her up. Something loud. She opened up her sleepy eyes and looked outside her trash can. It was snowing again, the snow a lot deeper than the days before. She yawned and stood up, stretched, then lazily walked over to the mouth of the alleyway, the snow freezing under her semi warm paws. She peeked out of the alley and saw a snowplow passing by, picking up the snow off the white covered road. Soapy stayed hidden until it passed all the way then leaped out of the alley and went in the opposite direction, towards Jason's house.
The house had been long abandoned after the accident that happened and Soapy guessed it still remained that way.
As she trudged through the snow which was quite deep, she noticed the streets were empty except for a few people doing last minute Christmas shopping. Soapy looked in the windows at all the pretty decorated Christmas trees and different colored lights, a small smile forming on her face. She remembered her first Christmas with Jason and kept moving until she reached his house. The old house was barely standing and looked quite creepy covered in snow. Usually snow made things looked beautiful but not a burned house.
Soapy shivered a little then walked toward the house, up the porch and in through the doggy door. She looked around inside and noticed snow piled in a few places, as well as some ice patches. She sat down in the spot where Jason had passed out and took a deep breath.
It was so quiet, almost in a creepy way. Soapy looked up at the snow falling in then looked down, seeing her reflection in an ice patch. She sighed then felt her heart swell with sadness until a song came to mind. She hummed softly before sighing and starting to sing.

I'm dreaming tonight
Of a place that I loved
Even more than I usually do
And although I know
It's a long road back
I promise you....

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow
And mistletoe
And presents near the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where a love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.

Soapy continued her song sadly and when she was finished she sighed and closed her eyes, bowing her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.

[wonderdog]

Britany was leaning against the petshop window, panting happily at the sight of many doggie biscuits, and warm soft baskets, and all sorts of treats any dog would want. To her shocking surprise, Don and Jack trotted out with thier owner T.J, who was ruffling Jack's ginger tufts playfully, while Jack looked pleased. He noticed Britany and barked happily at her. Britany barked back, with just as a wide smile.
"Hey Britany, notice anything you like?" Don asked. Britany nodded.
"Those nice treats" Britany answered. Don just laughed, as both dogs needed to move on. Britany raced up to meet them, and she knew T.J wouldn't mind because he was fond of the scruffy setter.
"Hey girl, how are you doing?" T.J said, ruffling Britany's fur. Britany panted happily and jumped around his legs. Jack had to be held tight on his lead, as he pounced around Britany. She walked with them until they reached the house where she was given a ruffle goodye by T.J and a lick from Jack and a nod from Don.
"Now, where could Soapy, Alex and Diana be?" Britany asked herself, as she padded away from thier house. She walked through the knee deep snow, passing Tony's quiet house on the way. Over the silence she could hear Don's house blast music ater she left. She knew T.J turned it on so she chuckled silently to herself. She looked into an alleyway and found Soapy's blanket, but Britany didn't know it was Soapys.
"Hmmmm.... it has Soapy's scent on it... I wonder if its hers?" she asked herself. She tried to sniff out Soapy's scent.
"Soapy?" she called. She onlyt got an echo so far, so she tried again, it was hard to sniff out her scent with all the snow but then she noticed Soapy's tracks. Britany follwed them and she came to Jason's house where Alex thought was the "centre" of thier pack which is where the pack got together. Britany always laughed at that. She remembered when she frist met Soapy, and Akil was to thank to that. She walked into the house.
"Soapy? Are you here?" she asked.

[Soapy]

Soapy still had her head bowed but jerked it up when she heard Britany's voice.
"Britany?", Soapy called.
Soapy walked over to the front door and saw Britany standing by the door. Soapy smiled a little.
"I thought that was you", said Soapy. "How are you? Staying warm I hope".
Then a thought came to Soapy's mind.
"How did you find me?", asked Soapy.
She knew it was a stupid question but her mind was whirring with thoughts of Jason. Soapy turned around and walked over to a pile of snow by the stairs.
"It's my first year without him", said Soapy. "Jason."
She sighed and pointed to the snow pile with her paw.
"See this spot?", Soapy asked. "This is where they hung up their tree. I remember Jason's dad couldn't get the lights to work and Jason had to help him. Of course, it didn't help that I was chewing on the tree. There's just something about pine trees that taste really good."
Soapy giggled at the memory then turned to Britnay.
"Jason always had his guitar", said Soapy. "We used to curl up on the couch together and he would sing Christmas songs before we opened presents."

(OOC-Howl-O-Ween is still open and it's your turn to post Wonder. I know, I should probably end it where it is but gaaahh. I don't wanna. Once again sucky post *groan* My rping has been very sluggish lately.)

[Nicky C.Veit]

Nicky trotted down the block, His paws stepping in random patches of snow as he did. His Dogtags jingled as he did. On His mind today was al about Soapy. He didnt know why, even though he loves her alot, it's just something that was racing in his mind. He Soon trotted past the house. he stopped at the sound of the familiar voice. He turned his head and saw Soapy, but soon after see Britany standing there along with her. He wanted to see Soapy badly, but with Britany there, it would've been a guilt trip. He slowly picked up pace again, the sound of his dogtags jingling once again filling the air.

[wonderdog]

Britany chuckled.
"Staying warm? Not a promise, but yea, still cheery" she answered, trotting into the house fully. "Just caught up with Jack and Don is all." She looked up at thier big house through a smoky window.
"How did I find you? I saw your prints in the snow. And I caught a faint scent of you, even though the snow was deep" Britany answered, sitting beside Soapy. She looked at Soapy and expected her carefully. She seemed down.
Of course she seems blue, she's in Jasons old house for goodness sake, Britany thought.
She looked at the spot Soapy pointed to, and Britany slightly nodded. She also laughed at Soapy's memories as well. They sounded pretty happy to her.
"I saw them before... thier pretty yenno... hey, wait a sec... I smell Nicky! Can you?" Britany said, sniffing the air. It defiantly reeked of Nicky. Britany didn't exactly HATE Nicky, but she didn't go all bff on him, like she did with Soapy, Diana, Jack and Don. "I'll fetch him for you."
Britany ran out into the snow and caught up with Nicky, with a bolt of brown.
"Hey Nicky! Nicky C Veit! Its only me! Bite size peices girl!" Britany said, pouncing in front of him. "Look here, I know times can be hard in the middle of us, but you need to listen! Soapy's in distress, and you better come and cheer her up! She loves you anyway, so c'mon" Britany said, jumping swiftly over Nicky and running back to Jason's house.

[Soapy]

Soapy sniffed the air and found that she too, smelled Nicky.
"Hey", said Soapy. "I smell him too!"
When Britany spoke of fetching him for her Soapy leaped up and ran after her.
"Britany wait!", said Soapy, sticking her head out the doggy door. "He doesn't trust-"
She was cut off by Britany racing after him. She sighed heavily, causing smoke to appear from her warm breath and chased after her. She finally caught up to her and heard what she was yelling.
"Britany don't say that!", said Soapy. "And I'm not in distress just a little sad. You make it sound like I'm a pup, who was attacked by a bigger dog. And I don't need cheering up".
Soapy noticed Britany coming her way and gasped as she jumped out of the way.
"Britany stop!", yelled Soapy, sticking her head out of a snowdrift. "I'm right here!"
Soapy groaned softly and jumped out of the snowdrift, shaking the snow from her already wet fur and ran after Britany.
"Britany hold it", Soapy yelled.
She gave another groan and looked back to see if Nicky was actually following.
"Don't worry Nicky", called Soapy. "I won't let her hurt you!"
She sighed then ran down the snow covered road, after Britany, back to the house.

[wonderdog]

Britany heard Soapy yell, but all she could do was continue her raid of talking. Then she heard Soapy call for Nicky and she froze in the spot, flinching softly. how could her best friend say she won't let her HURT him?! She wasn't even planning on hurting him! Now, Britany was sensible but sometimes her anger was hard to condamidate. She twriled on the spot, with a savage, angery and hurt sort of face.
"Why would you SAY that Soapy?! Don't you TRUST your best friend?!" she yelled, on top of her lungs. After a long silence, Britany galloped out and back into the snow. She ran as far as her legs could carry her. Soon she stopped by the abonded bus stop, and she hopped up onto the bench and curled up in a small brown furball. She was surprised to hear a farmilar voice.
"Britany?! Why are you out here in the cold?"
"Wait a sec... Tony?!" Britany said, bolting her head up to see the large black and brown collie dog looking at her. "What are you doing here?!"
"Was bored... got sick of waiting for the guy in the red suit to come down the chimney... anyway, and you?"
Britany just shifted uncomfortably. Tony just sighed and sat beside her.
"You gonna tell me Brits?" he said.
"Well... Soapy said-"
"SOAPY?! Why would she say anything, shes SUPPOSED to be your best FRIEND! What did she say?" Tony demanded. Britany sallowed.
"She thought I was gonna hurt her boyfriend when I was only trying to help-"
"That betrayer!"
"Don't say THAT! Soapy isn't a betrayer Tony!" Britany leapt onto her all fours and stared at Tony, in disbeilf. Tony scoffed.
"Britany, calm down..." Tony said. Britany sat down and sighed.
"I'm going for a walk" she said, hopping down and walking ahead. Tony stared after her, but he headed home. So Britany was left alone. The snow landed on her fur, and Britany constantly was shaking them off. She had considered going up to Don's for a bit of cheer. She sat down, looking at thier massive house and she sighed. No harm in going up...

"Hey Dad look! Britany's coming!" Jack said, seeing the setter run up thier lane. Don looked and smiled over his shoulder.
"Oh yea, I see her. Open the gate for her lad" Don said. Jack ran over and pushed the large gate open with all his might. britany trotted in after thanking Jack for his genorosity.
"Thanks for letting me in Don... so, what are you doing?" Britany asked.
"T.J is having a christmas party, and so are we, aren't we Jack?" Don said. Jack nodded.
"We were about to invite you, but then we had to go on home" Jack said. "C'mon, its this way."
Jack lead Britany into the large garage. Some she knew, some she saw around, and some were complete strangers. She noticed Alex and ran over to greet him.
"Oh... hey Brits! Nice to see ya!" Alex said. Jack was busy talking to some mutts Britany didn't regonize and so was Don, only they looked tough and mean... the kind of pack even Britany wouldn't dare to trespass!
"Hi Alex. I was looking for you!" Britany said. It was nice to talk to Alex. He was easy to talk to, and he had a way of understanding things. When Britany told him her story, he nodded.
"Understood Britany" he said, patting her back softly. Britany smiled back at him.

[Soapy]

Soapy stopped in her tracks and slid in the snow as Britany yelled.
"I...Britany of course I trust you", said Soapy. "It's just Nicky-"
Soapy was cut off by Britany taking off again and leaped after her.
"Britnay", she called. "Britany! Answer me!"
Soapy ran over to the bus stop smelling Britany's scent but also another dog.
"Tony?", Soapy mumbled.
She took off again and followed the scent to Don's house. She looked in the gate and panted heavily.
"Don", she said weakly. "Don! Let me in! I have to talk to Britany!"
She jumped up on the gate and stuck her head through an opening, sniffing around for anyone. She smelled lots of dogs and wondered what was going on and pulled her head out and jumped down, finding no sense of movement or anything.

Dante was sitting next to Alex, a root beer bottle gripped in one paw and a Santa hat on his head. He smiled when he saw Britnay.
"Hey shawty", said Dante. "I was lookin for ya's. Where have you been? I haven't seen you since Halloween."
Dante took another gulp of root beer and grinned.
"Yeah that's the good stuff", said Dante. "Hey Donny! Get me one with a little more buzz. I can still feel my tongue! This whisky's doin nothin. I told ya, don't mix my drinks unless you put a lot of beer in my root beer."
He shook his head then looked at Britany.
"Where's Soapy at?", asked Dante. "She's missin' out on the....fun".
Dante took another gulp of root beer and started swaying a little. He looked at Alex and grinned.
"Alex! Brotha!", said Dante. "I didn't...I did not see you....there....I was..."
His Santa hat fell over his eyes and he giggled like a pup before pushing it back up.
"Donny can't mix drinks", Dante slurred. "It kinda fun-nay!"
He giggled softly and looked at Alex.
"Alex", said Dante. "Remember the brotha I wanted you to meet on Halloween but we couldn't finded him? Well, I founded where he lives now".
For some reason that made Dante crack up and he spilled his root beer all over.
"We can....go there tonight", said Dante. "Once everything stops movin' an stuff".
He chuckled softly and set the bottle next to him.

(OOC-Yeah Dante likes to....drink. And just as a note, that was not root beer he was drinking. It was beer, not root beer. But no worries, should wear off soon. He's kinda immune to that stuff from doing it 24/7 with Carface. Go figure. Just a little buzz. Don't give him anymore! Check the label! LOL)

[wonderdog]

Alex sort of just... stared at Dante while he talked. When he was done, Alex sighed, and waved his paw in a dismisive way.
"Tell me when your sober" Alex said. "I can't understanded what you were sayinged" Alex said, mocking a drunken voice. Britany giggled. She noticed Don was just as drunk as Dante was. When he heard Dante call him, he looked around blindy, that one of his pals had to help him stay up. He stuttered over.
"I cannot unsee what I saw'ded... I think I say Soapy-"
"Soapy?! Where?!" Britany said, jumping up.
"JACK!" Don yelled. Jack trotted over.
"Yea dad?"
"Whos that talking?"
"Britany, dad."
"Oh... Britany girl! Yea... I thinked I saw'ded Soapy out the fornt gate..." Don said. Britany pushed him aside gently.
"Where she going?" Jack asked.
"Over the yellow brick road" Don said, lazily, leaning aginst the table beside Dante.

As Britany ran, she had completly lost the door.
"Looking for the exit?" said a farmilar voice. Britay swriled arounad, to see Shenzi.
"Shenzi! Hey, I am."
"Me too..." Shenzi moaned. "I was hoping you'd know..."
"I think I see it..." Britany said. "Hold on, I'll get Jack-"
Britany pushed past the drunken mutts and found Jack with a pack of his friends, but only barely visable over the crowd of girl dogs.
"S'cuse me..." Britany said, making her way through. The girls didn't like this, but they were afraid of Britany. Britany tapped Jack's shoulder, and he turned. Before he could ask what she wanted she pushed him foward towards where she thought the exit was. And viola! There it was!
"Open that gate" Britany said. Jack muttered something about being rude, but opened it anyway.

[Soapy]

Soapy was out front leaping and yipping. Someone had to see or hear her. She came to a halt and stopped to catch her breath and shivered from the cold. It never accured to her how cold it actually was.
"I have to keep trying", Soapy mumbled. "I need to talk to Britany."
Despite her freezing body and weak legs Soapy continued to leap about and finally after a few more minutes the gate opened. She ran inside and sniffed around for Britnay.
"Britnay", she called. "Britnay!"

Dante stared at Alex staring and grinned.
"See sumin you like?", said Dante flirtatiously.
He gave Alex a seductive smile before flipping his head in Don's direction.
"Donny! I....I didn't.....I thought you were.....over there", Dante slurred.
He laughed drunkily at Don's antics and piped in when he mentioned Soapy going down the yellow brick road.
"S-Soapy went to see teh wiz-erd?", asked Dante. "Why? Does she need sumin from him. I-I never met tha guy but I hear he's a good brotha. Jus' has no....body? Body?"
Dante giggled and watched Britnay.
"Hey where is that......dog going?", asked Dante. "Is she goin down the yellow brick road too? C-Cause I wanna go. To see em. Wonder what Soapy's gonna asked fur".
Dante realized what he just said and fell back in the snow, giggling like a complete nut case.
He looked up and saw the snow fall and freaked out.
"Tha stars are a fallin", said Dante. "Teh sky ish fallinged."
Dante stared up at the sky and watched the snow fall.
"I'mma catch a star", said Dante. "Iss a good present for those you love. A magical gift from.....above."
He cracked up again and rolled in the snow.

[Nicky C.Veit]

Nicky wanted to say something but before he could, they both bolted off. he followed Soapy to the door and watched her trying hard to get into contact with Britnay. He followed her into the gate. "Wait! You need to rest! Let me find her!" He shouted to her, conserning for her health. He ran upto her and stopped in front. stopping her. "Please, just rest for a second. i'll help you find her." he said.

(sorry for the small post)

[Soapy]

Soapy whirled her head around at the sound of a familiar voice. There stood Nicky.
"Nicky", said Soapy. "What are you doing here? I thought you didn't trust my friends. And I'm ok.....really.....just a little cold."
Soapy tried to hide her shiver from Nicky but it showed anyway.
"Looks like I need to eat more", Soapy joked.
She stumbled over to Nicky and snuggled her shivering form against his warm furry body.
"R-Really", Soapy insisted. "I'm okay. Like I said....cold. Just a little though".
She shivered hard and snuggled deeper into Nicky.
"Okay I lied", said Soapy. "I'm freezing. And wet....and my paws might snap off. Don't go after Britany. Stay here with me. Please."
Soapy nuzzled Nicky gently and waited for Britany to come.
"Britany will be here", Soapy promised. "Really".

(OOC-Sorry it's short guys)

[Nicky C.Veit]

Nicky snuggled close to her, trying to keep her warmer. he smiled at every word she said and crossed his neck over her's. "Well, now that you said that, i wont." he said, sitting down and pulling her closer to himself. he burried his muzzle into her fur, smiling as he did.

[Soapy]

Soapy let herself relax into Nicky's body and closed her eyes, breathing in his wet dog scent. She loved Nicky so much and would do anything for him. Her heart swelled with love and warmth as Nicky promised he would stay with her.
"I love you so much Nicky", Soapy whispered. "I really, really do".
She nuzzled him softly and buried her face in his fur.

(OOC-Talk about a tearjerker! Once again, sorry its so short. Last post until Wonder posts. I promise.)

[wonderdog]

Noticing Nicky coming from a very blurred window in his view, Don barked.
"Wha heeeeeeee doing here? Oh... I know what he doing... he doing Soapy!" Don said, laughing. But he wandered up to the exit and walked up to Nicky, with a snarl that sounded like a lion's, and siliva dripping from his mouth.
"You want someding.... BUDDY BOY?!" Don snarled. It was bad enough Dn was vilent, but being drunk AND violent was just as worse. Infact, he was about to leap when Jack came alng and knocked Don straight off his feet.
"Soapy?" someone said. It was Alex. He stared at Nicky for two long seconds with eyes of hate, but managed to look back at Soapy. "I didn't know you were invited-"
"She weren't!" Don snarled.
"Oh... so why is she here?" Alex said. Right now, he seemed to be the only one here sober. Apart from Jack, who was holding his dad down.
"She gone looking fer... Britany... but I don't want Britany talking to... HER! Britanys like the daughter I... nevers had! But... when Nicky is here its only worse'ded" Don said, struggling under his son's grip. Jack finally gave way. His arms were too tired to hold on to Don any longer, he wasn't as strong.
"Dad... you need to SHUT UP and get back inside" Jack said.
"JACK! You maked me laugh!" Don said, cracking up. Jack stared at him in a confused way.
"And you! What are you doing here, cause you certaintly weren't'ded invited'ed!" Don snarled, giving a savage lunge at Nicky. To stop him attacking, Alex stepped onto his tail so Don landed flat onto his stomach.

Britany was around the back of Don's house. She was with Shenzi.
"That Don one... he's wild!" Shenzi muttered. Britany nodded. T.J had just given them a bit of scraps from the dinner inside. They were given some turkey, potatoes, chips and a few slices of bread.
"Sure is... I know down like the back of my paw... he certaintly is the life and soul of a party... but very violent" Britany said. Shenzi nodded in agreement.