Back in Nome

[Kiona]

Kiona observed the two dogs with interest. Steele's growl sent a shiver down Kiona's spine, and she arched her neck back a little. But the feeling she had was instantly forgotten as she watched the tiny, colorful dog rub against Steele's large leg. That was the dog she'd seen her mother around.. right?

And then her words brought up Kiona's curiosity, so Steele wasn't a new comer? She tried to muster up a neutral tone, though curiosity and a smooth edge would clearly be evident in her words.

"So, Steele you've been her before?" she strode over to the to brushing lightly past him before turning to face him and Dixie. Curiosity and leaked into her brown gaze. Her head was cocked to the side lightly. Why hadn't she seen him? Heard of him? Why was there no human to claim him, or group of dogs to greet him? Questions stirred inside her, but she suppressed herself from asking them. She let the caution slide away from her, if the small dog was comfortable around Steele why should the fae treat him like a hostile?

Kiona turned her head, and caught the sight of raven hair. A human was near, and she didn't smell, or look like anyone she'd seen around Nome before. Maybe the woman was returning from somewhere.. like Steele. Maybe she was new...

[Steele]

This little pruple mutt was putting a wrinkle into his plans. He sneered, more of a grin than a snarl but still an angry little snort. He patted Dixie's head with his large paw before turning to Kiona, grateful the girl had asked a question.

"Why I'm a Nome native," he said with a smile, "I used to run races in Nome. I was one of the best race dogs out here."

[Jenna]

That. Voice.

It couldn't be. There was no way he, of all people, would have come back to Nome - not after the way he'd been shown up as a liar and a gloryhound in front of the whole town - but Jenna couldn't help herself but look anyway.

And there was no mistaking that muscular frame, that black and white fur, that steely, incincere grin. Jenna felt her blood seem to freeze in her veins, but she quickly remastered her composure. Whatever Steele was doing here, he would be a fool to believe that the town would welcome him back as a hero the way they had once before. Gathering her courage - she'd stood up to Steele on more than one occasion before - Jenna stepped forward.

"Steele." When she spoke his name, her voice was as cold as the ice coating the town. For the moment, the fact that two of her pups were present went all but unnoticed by the red-furred female. "I didn't expect to see you back in these parts." Her tone was enough to make it clear that this development wasn't one she was at all impressed with.

[Steele]

Ears flicked upward as he heard the voice of a pissed off angel. He grimaced, mouth turning into a frown, as he turned to see one of the parents of the pups he was trying to corrupt. His frown turned to grin as he watched her approach and heard her speak. She was furious, or at least just unhappy to see him. Ears flicked back slightly.

"Hmmm...Jenna," he said softly, "So nice to see you too. And I've been around, darling, just...under the radar so to speak."

[Yareli]

what was she doing here in the 1st place? she should of stuck with the other wolves not gone off on her own. the large dark colored female wolf weved her way threw the alleyways of Nome. how long has it been since i ate? she thought to herself she shook her head then spys a trash can a few feet away with a kick of her back paws the wolf kicked it over on it's side with a loud bang. "shit" Yareli mutters to herself as she crouches down and pokes threw the trash with her snout. "please let no one hear that" she says to herself finding a half eaten sandwich and gulps it down quickly then digs around to try and find more grub. Yareli could smell the scent of dogs close by.

[Kiona]

Kiona was intrigued with the fact that Steele was another sled dog, then again what husky or malamute wasn't? She was just about to voice her thoughts, to inquire what team he'd been on. Also to ask if he knew of her dad's team, of course not mentioning her father, she was to self conscious for that. And then a cold voice sounded by her. She remembered it, though none of her memories thought of the tone as that cold that harsh. The voice from whenever she or her siblings stepped out of line, got into something they weren't supposed to do. Her head turned to see her mother.

Her mother's face was cold and angry, not like the warm features Kiona had grown up with. Her ears went down as she watched the interaction between Steele and Jenna. So they knew each other. Jenna's words caught her off guard, the steely edge giving a different meaning to the words. "I didn't expect to see you back in these parts." Kiona looked from her mother to the stranger. Under the radar? She felt her pelt prickle only a bit, but the uneasy feeling was quickly over rules by confusion and curiosity.

"Mother." Kiona dipped her head in greeting to the other red furred fae.

[Dakota]

Nome native? Sled dog? Wasn't that suspicious? Yes, it was. Dakota had kind of noticed the fact that if he was a sled dog, he hed toknow Balto. After all, her father was the most admired and respected sled d- eh... mutt around these parts. "So you knew my father, right? I mean, because he was the best sled dog ever." She said with a proud smile, until a familiar scent filled her nose, while a familiar voice did same with her ears.

"Hi, mother." She said with a happy voice, and watched as she spoke with Steele. "So you know Mr. Steele, mother?" she asked with a titl of her head, curious about how could they know each other. "Did he help daddy bring the medicine back to Nome?"

[Dixie]

Dixie covered her mouth with a paw to try to stop herself from laughing. Dakota was so off the mark it wasn't even funny. Dixie felt she needed to tell the story now. " Steele is.........well....... Steele is....... Well he's ............ he's a bad dog you would do wise to stay away from him. You see way back in the day Steele was one of the best race dogs ever, but he was in love with your mother. Now, you see he hated Balto with a strong passion. In fact he gave up on the team and told everyone your father was dead. Balto brought back the medicine by himself while Steele lost everything that day. The reason he probably is being nice to you is because you are Jenna's pups"

Dixie said explaining the whole story. She knew Steele was going to hate her for this. But, Jenna's pups had to know the story at some point.

[Jenna]

Jenna gave Dixie an appreciative smile. The small pomeranian was often unpredictable - especially when dogs like Steele were concerned - but she was Dixie had enough sense right now to warn her pups away from the larger husky. The smile lasted only a moment, however, and when Jenna's orbs returned to Steele, her expression was as unwelcoming as before.

"I think we would have preferred it if you'd stayed "under the radar"." she replied, her voice soft but her meaning unmistakable. "What brings you back into public again?" Jenna would bet almost anything that Steele's motivation would be to do with either regaining his former glory or getting revenge on her and Balto, and was equally certain that the black and white canine wouldn't come straight out and admit that.

[Dakota]

Dakota's eyes widened at the pomeranian's response. Steele hated her father? She got it now. she got everything. "You... you wanted to get to my father through me!" she said with a low growl, "I now see why you stayed under the radar or... whatever. Nome hates you." She growled once again, narrowed luminaries fixed at the bigger dog.

(Writer's block; Please go away now. Thank you.)

[Steele]

Ears pinned back, blue optics widened as he heard what Dixie said and saw his plan unraveling. He was furious. His eyes narrowed giving a growl to the pom. He turned to Kiona and gave a smile. "Little girl I wasn't trying anything of the kind," he said, "I was just trying to get to know the spawn of one of my good friends, here. Jenna." His ears flicked upward and he rolled his eyes.

"But I might as well get out," he said, "See you ladies later." He started off in the direction of the dark haired woman who's scent he'd smelled earlier.

[Kiona]

Kiona shrugged, looking between her sister and mother with a collected stare. "I can't lie and say it wasn't- er- interesting to meet you." Kiona tried to keep her voice level and guarded. "Later." she murmured, turning her head so as not to watch the large male walk away. She cocked her head to her mother and Dixie.

"Is that the male in the stories dad told us?" her eyes were curious but thoughtful. Why had Dixie told her and Dakota the truth? She'd seemed taken with him at first. For a minute a flash of fear flashed through her body. Not for her, but for the pom, the growl Steele had given her had seemed enough of a threat. But in a town like Nome where most of the dogs knew each other it wouldn't be hard to notice if Dixie disappeared... right?

[Dixie]

Dixie walked close beside Jenna and the pups worried herself. She never had been growled at before and Steele was gonna probably kill her for this. But, Dixie felt like it was her responcibility not only for Jenna but for the pups. She didn't want the pups to get hurt because of Steele. Dixie sighs sadly more out of terror. "Don't worry everything will be okay now", Dixie said softly to the pups trying to talk herself into that then the pups.

[Jenna]

Jenna's glare remained fixed on Steele's back as the larger husky walked away, not lowering her eyes until she was sure he was far enough away not to pose a threat. As soon as she looked away, however, Jenna's motherly instinct kicked in.

"Are you two alright?" she asked her daughters, taking a step closer to nuzzle Dakota gently, and trying to still her pounding heart. While it wouldn't be fair to say that Jenna had got softer over the years, she had never expected to have to face Steele again, especially not with the possible fate of her pups hanging in the balance.

"Thank-you, Dixie." she added, looking across at the smaller dog. "For a moment, I wasn't sure if you were with me or Steele this time."

[Copper]

"Of course I'm on your side. Listen Jen... all though I do have a small thing on Steele. Your pup's could have been in danger if they didn't know the story. All though Steele was my crush. You, Jenna are one of my best friends. And I would never let Steele do anything that might affect your safety. Or Balto's Safety or the pup's safety. Crushes come and they go but you will always be my best friend you have got to understand that" Dixie said with a smile.

"I'm just a little worried about what Steele will do to me now. I just ruined his plan I just hope he doesn't kill me or hurt me" Dixie said really feeling glad she had stook up for a friend but feeling a little bit worried about her own safety.