Nightmares [ Open]

[Dante]

[Eh, I was bored.]
It was a scene he knew well, for every night it seemed he dreamed of it. Well, at least it seemed that way, for it was the only dream he could ever remember really. He knew the ending of it, but he also knew that he wouldn’t be able to wake himself up until the dream was over. Panic, a familiar feeling, settled deep within him, and he knew what he would hear, even before it was said.
“Alexander! Go!”
The panicked voice of his father made the eight year old Alex look back in shock; he hadn’t ever been called his full name in that tone of voice before. What he saw though, made every fiber of his being freeze in shock. A dog was coming after him, but at the same time, it wasn’t a dog. Slobber hung in great strands around its mouth, and it seemed confused, bent on only attacking Alex. Green eyes widening, Alex slammed his feet on his pedals, and took off down the dusty road, trying to get away. He could hear the dog behind him, running, growling, and fear threatened to overwhelm him. He had to get away, he had to get away from this strange monster that wanted to hurt him.

Breath coming faster and faster, there was only a short distance left until he reached the neighbor’s house, he could do this! With his last surge of energy, Alex shoved all he had into the pedals…
And then was slammed into by the massive canine. It had come up behind him from the forest, and in a single spring, had knocked the eight year old off of his bike. Covering his face and throat, Alex rolled into a ball, and felt the immense pain as sharp teeth ripped into his skin, tears rolling down his face, golden hair dirty from his fall. It seemed to go for an eternity, before right after he heard the sharp crack of the rifle, Alex blacked out.
**********

Sitting up with a start, Alex groaned slightly, feeling the scars on his back throb in memory of that night. He still remembered it; and thanks to that time, had a phobia of rabies. Not canines though, no, he didn’t blame the dog. Not anymore that is. Stretching slightly, Alex glanced down at his feet, where the large black shape of his wolf-dog was glaring at him in an annoyed fashion, golden eyes narrowed faintly. Letting out a huff, Jace jumped from the bed, before turning to look back at his master, expectant.

”I know, I know. I’m sorry.”
Alex muttered, rolling out of bed, flinching as his feet hit the cold floor. It was the same thing every time, but at least this time Jace had been nearby to keep away the after effects. If the canine hadn’t been so persistent last time Alex had had that nightmare, he probably wouldn’t have gotten out of bed. Even now, as he stood up, it felt as though he was going to throw up, his head spinning slightly. Uttering a soft groan, Alex rubbed his eyes, brushing his hair out of his face. He had survived, but it had been a painful experience for him, and if it hadn’t been for Jace, he probably would have never been easy around a canine again. Sighing, and gently rubbing his temples, Alex grabbed his jeans and a shirt, before going to change. Jace was going to demand going to the park anyway; he might as well get ready…

”Hey mom, I’m taking Jace out to the park.”
Alex called, shutting the door behind him, and reaching down to clip the leash to Jace’s collar. It wasn’t needed, he had complete control over the massive animal, but until they got to the park, it was the law. He had found that out the hard way. Stepping into the cool morning, Alex tugged at the leash, and then the two broke into their routine jog. It wasn’t too long until they reached the silver gates, and Alex felt his mood pick up, the nightmare becoming just another thing at the back of his mind. It was time to have some fun. Shutting the gate behind him, he unhooked his dog, and produced a well worn tennis ball.

”You want to play, huh? Do you?”
He called out, not his usual shy self. There was nobody in the park this early in the morning; he didn’t have to keep himself quiet. Jace growled softly in response, and laughing, Alex threw the ball across the park, and watched as the great black wolf mix tore across the park in pure determination, bent on getting that ball. It wasn’t too long before the canine returned, and the routine continued for a few rounds, until Jace dropped the ball and crouched down in a playful stance, growling softly. To anyone else, the posture and growling would have seemed threatening, for although he was a mix, Jace looked more wolf than anything else, and had a deep growl as it was. Alex though, could read the dog like an open book, and laughing, started to wrestle with the canine, chimes around his neck clinging softly. The playing looked vicious to anyone watching, and as Alex rolled over and didn’t get back up, one could only fear the worse…

”Ugh. Get off me you mutt.”
Alex muttered, shoving away the canine as he was pounced on. Sitting up, he brushed the dirt off of his clothes, smoothing his hair down, before going to sit on the bench, cutting their routine short. Jace, confused, followed, tail and head low. It wasn’t his fault that the wrestling had reminded Alex of the nightmares though, and with a sad smile, Alex dragged a pale hand through the dark fur of Jace, glad for the warmth as the massive beast jumped up beside him, and then promptly spread himself across the fourteen year old boy. Leaning his head back, the two sat there in silence, enjoying the moment.

You could never tell though, when someone else would enter their little haven, and with the creaking of the gate, Alex stiffened, Jace responding by jumping down to sit in front of Alex, a protective position, ears swiveled forward as he tracked the intruder. He wouldn’t attack unless commanded though, so whoever it was would be safe unless they somehow managed to hurt Alex, which was a slim chance. Just because he didn’t look muscular didn’t mean that he wasn’t. Walking Jace had its benefits, you know.

[L]

There were many differences between Alec and Alexander. None of which they would know, since they didn't know each other. Then again, we're all so different, yet so similar, are we not?

Alec didn't dream, he was thankful for it. Because dreams seemed to always be nightmares, or turned into them. At first, life had been good. While him and Myra were young. Well, at least for him. He didn't notice how Myra was treated. Till his parents sent her off to the main house. They seemed to turn a bit bitter afterwords. His father had been a bit of a drinker. Not heavily, but enough. But the man really was more of a gambler then a drinker. He had thought maybe he could receive more money if her sent Myra off to the main house. Except Akito didn't really like females much, so it really was a lost cause. All that came out of it for them was Myra no longer living in the house. Though Alec was rather resentful of his older sister now, since she had gotten out of the house while he was stuck in it.

Now he held no threat what-so-ever to the younger boy. After all, he was just a teenage human. He was no tiger of the Zodiac, or any part of the Zodiac for that matter. Just a plain ole human. Nothing really special about him. It certainly wasn't a special thing that he happened to be completely deaf in his right ear. It was an annoying thing most of the time, unless one of his parents was chewing him out for some reason. Which they normally were doing. Which is also why he resents Myra, though he didn't know they still called her and guilted her into sending extra funds over to them.

Coming into the park, which is normally where he went to simply get away, he paused when he noticed the dog. Or rather, wolf? It was a pretty canine either way. Alec gave a slight wave to the other boy. "Hi, your... Dog?" He asked, hey, why not make conversation? He wasn't an anti-social person at least.

((Bleh... It's bad and a mess, I apologize. XP))

[Dante]

Green and golden eyes watched Alec as he made h is way over to them; one pair was curious, the other slightly narrowed as it tried to figure out the other boy. Standing up, Alex smiled and nodded his head at the other boy; knowing exactly what he was seeing when he looked at the two. A semi-tall boy with very light golden hair that occasionally fell into his face, probably dark shadows under his eyes from lack of sleep, and strange chimes around his neck, mystifying an otherwise normal outfit of jeans and a shirt. And then there was Jace, a massive what could be called dog but looked more wolf with a dark pelt and fierce golden eyes. They made an odd combo to look at, that was true, but at the same time, there was also something inviting about Alex at least, an air that he didn’t know he had, but it could explain why at school he always had so many people following him around like lost puppies. He didn’t mind it, but sometimes he just sat down to wonder exactly why they were following him of all people. He really hoped it wasn’t out of pity for him; a good deal had seen his scars before.

”You could call him that.”
Alex said with a soft smile, his quiet nature coming back to hit him from behind. He hated it, he really did, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to make conversation with the older boy. It was rare that he didn’t find someone who wanted something from him, and then threw a fit when they didn’t get it. If anything, this tall boy with brown eyes and dirty blonde hair seemed friendly enough, and that’s what mattered.
”I think he is more wolf than anything else, but don’t worry about him; he just appears to be vicious. Really he is just a big puppy. You can pet him if you want, but if you really want to get on his good side…”
Laughing softly, Alex produced the soggy tennis ball, and ran a hand through the canine’s scruff, and uttered a low command under his breath in a different language. Jace looked up at Alex with what could only be called an annoyed expression, before giving another huff, and then sat down behind Alex, though he was still watching Alec.
” That’s Jace. I’m Alexander, but unless I’m in trouble, everyone just calls me Alex.”
Behind him, Jace gave a low growl, and Alex turned suddenly, and snapped something at the canine, making Jace pretty much roll over to expose his throat and belly. Reaching forward, Alex grasped the dog’s muzzle and throat for a moment, staring until the wolf mix looked away, and then let Jace up. Rolling over, Jace kept his head down and tail low as he stood behind Alex. He hated being scolded, but that growl had been out of line.

”Sorry about that. You have to keep up on who is the leader with him, or else he’ll walk all over you.”
Alex said with a shrug, before launching the tennis ball, sending Jace tearing after it. That would deal with that problem for a while.

[Master Breeze Chan]

[What about Tama and Alex know each other from school or something already and are beginning to like each other...]

It really was interesting, the people you saw in the park. Tama never failed to learn something new on her people watching pockets of time. This morning, though, the air had been cool and her bed had felt oh so comfortable. It had been a hassle to get up, and as she opened the gate to let herself in, there were already two boys in the park. She considered the option of just standing there and watching them, but she voted against it, seeing that they probably already knew she was there. The gate did make an awful racket. She scowled at the other option available: going up to them and saying hello. She didn't like either.

With soft steps she made her way over to the boys, her boots crackling the leaves leftover from fall. Her light blond, almost white hair that was trimmed right by the ear swished around her head with each step until finally she came to a standstill, awkwardly looking between Alex and Alec. She smiled at Alex, now that she could see him more clearly and recognized him. She looked around for Jace as well, but seeing as he wasn't there, she just assumed that he was off playing somewhere. She didn't know Alec, but there was something familiar about his face. She couldn't place a finger on it, but felt like it was one of the zodiacs. She'd have to ask around.

"Hello Alex," Tama greeted with a hint of a smile. She turned to Alec, "And stranger. I'm Tama."

((FAAIIILLLL!!!!!))