The dead can not die again

[Ashley S. Barkin]

The night was dark, cold - not a star in the sky, and the full moon lit the unguarded cemetery, lighting the maze of pathways through the crumbling monuments and gravestones of the forgotten.
The german shepherd seemed to spend more of her time in the old cemetery than ever before - perhaps it was because she came to a cold realization that things had changed; things that she had not noticed before. This change, however, had not been for the best.
She kept hidden from view of other creatures; specifically humans and dogs. Her only companions were the fleas that nicked her flesh, and the low whistle of the sharp fall wind.

[Silvanus Snarl]

The moonlight causes an eerie glow to reflect off the outline of the cloaked collie as he rests on the balcony of the little church. Silvanus sits, facing the full moon as the crisp autumn wind blows through his fur, causing his cape to billow out behind him like a ghostly sail.
He is too deep in thought to take notice of much else. For a moment, as he feels the clear, cold air around him, he almost feels alive. Of course, the true feeling is out of his reach as he simply is no longer a living being. However, caught up in the moment of almost feeling alive, he emits a low, long howl into the night--a mournful cry that echoes over the bayou and into the deepest allies.

[Ashley S. Barkin]

The howl, breaking the deathly silence, brings her out of her hiding place - from behind a large, once beautifully carved monument. She raises her head, both large german shepherd ears perked up as she eyes the collie.

Quietly, she pads towards the church, wandering slowly to seek out the rough collie - it takes her a few minutes, as she moves slow and quietly. Finally, she slips up behind him upon the balcony, settling back on her haunches as she lowers her head.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you around. What are you doing here?

[Silvanus Snarl]

Ordinarily, it would be difficult to startle Silvanus, but Ashley's sudden presence does catch him off guard. However, like everything else, he is able to hide it fairly easily. He turns his ice-colored eyes toward her and nods his head lightly in a silent greeting.
"I come here to think," he replies quietly, "Or sometimes...to stop thinking...unwind. It is peaceful here. I apologize if my howling disturbed you. I simply couldn't resist doing that on a night like this."
A hint of a smile lies deep within his features, but it would only be detected by the most sensitive of canines.

[Ashley S. Barkin]

"Well, I suppose you are right in saying.. it is peaceful here." She adds quietly, her right hind paw lifted as she gently scratches at a flea along her neck.
"You didn't disturb me. Although, I was rather curious to see who else would actually be here, other than the dead. Though that isn't saying much now, is it?" She grins knowingly, her tail swishing back and forth.

[Silvanus Snarl]

Silvanus smirks at her comment, letting his gaze drift back toward the silent black skies. Soft white vapor rises from his nostrils as he breathes in the crisp, cool air and exhales. His eyes still fixed on the heavens, his attention shifts to Ashley.
"So what has brought you to this lonesome place?" he asks at length, "Being such a lively and animated character as I know Barkins to be, I must admit I'm a bit surprised to find you roaming around here."

[Ashley S. Barkin]

“Perhaps I was the black sheep of the family.” She mumbles in answer, turning her gaze to the moon.
“Under normal circumstances, Sir, I would be at guard on such a night. How life changes so quickly, though. Hence, I find myself here. There are more ways of dying than just one. I’m certain I fit in perfectly with the rather morose crew who roam about on earth in the afterlife.” Her fur bristles a bit as she ends sharply on that note, taking a rather handsome stance with a near perfect profile which is outlined by the moonlight, the rest of her face and body in shadow.
“If I wait long enough, I will be reunited.” Again, her voice moves into a soft mumble, her tired body slowly forces itself to stand; she takes a few careful steps closer to the very edge of the balcony, lifting her head to gaze watchfully to the heavens.

[Mr. Sunshine Whippet]

The temperature may have been cold to some, but others found it quite cool. Though after all this time Shana did get used to the difference, she would never forget how much colder the world could get. Halloween last year had not been all that great. In fact some of the characters she saw there just plain creeped her out. Though she enjoyed Jen's company, she knew that there was still something missing, and so she set out to find it once again.

She hummed her familiar yet unknown tune as she always did on a long trip. Gazing up at the full moon she wondered why she had not stopped to look at it before. Shana found a soft patch of grass to sit on and began singing the song in her own way, only soft whispers escaping her muzzle. Her heart shaped locket swayed back and forth in the breeze. It was the only thing moving on her almost statue-like position. After a few moments, she paused and stared longingly at the moon before pulling a camera out of her pouch and snapping a picture at the moon and some of the landscape beneath it. She flinched upon seeing the old church in the viewfinder. "Why don't you just go there? Who knows, maybe she'll be there," she thought to herself. "I've already tried that too many times! Looking around again like before will only make me feel worse!" she argued back. "You don't have anything to lose by trying, and you could miss out on everything by giving up." Ann attempted to sniff back a tear and padded towards town. She heard a deep howl in the direction of the church and made no sign of noticing it. "It's not her anyways, no point in going," she told herself. After a few minutes of walking she felt the wind more chilling on her face than it had been before, and she soon realized why. She could not stop the tears from streaming down her face. With a flick of her tail she sprinted off in the direction of the old church, hot drops being plucked off the sides of her face by the wind. Though her lungs were burning and her throat was tight with emotion, she let out a long heavenly howl in the direction of the church before collapsing on the ground before the fence. She panted heavily and cursed herself for trying to convince herself that it wasn't worth trying.

[Silvanus Snarl]

"I assume you are speaking of your brother," Silvanus speaks quietly, his icy eyes glancing at her subtly, "You have so much to offer, Ashley. You have a good soul. I've been watching you for a time and you're a very strong character. Your life is not in vain. Everyone has a mission in his or her life...the trouble is finding it. You have so much of your brother's personality and yet you have a maturity and depth which he lacks. There is more for you to do here than to just merely wait."
He falls silent and looks away, not really sure of where these words have come from or what caused him to say so much at once. Perhaps it is simply seeing a fellow canine searching for something. Maybe it's the teacher within him--the deeper teacher who expresses concern for anyone he sees as a pupil. Whatever the reason, he has spoken from his heart--the one his students think doesn't exist.

[Ashley S. Barkin]

OOC - Meh. I'll be at the hospital for several days starting today. I'd give a decent reply to this if I was in the right mindset.. sigh.. sorry to run off. Will be back soon, and will reply with something a little better than an out of character blurb.

[Mr. Sunshine Whippet]

OOC~ Just make sure you keep your mind on what's important, over there .

[Silvanus Snarl]

OOC- Are you okay? Whatever is wrong, I hope you get better soon and don't worry about the roleplay. It can wait.