Animation Source Forums

Kodi slowly paced through the woods, muttering under his breath. The frost tipped branches glistened above him, but he didn’t notice. He clumsily pawed branches out of his path, even though it would have been easier to simply step over them.

“Selfish? Who does he think he is?” He said aloud. “Where does he get off? After all, everything he’s doing is for himself. The only reason he’s training Fang is to make up for his own lost time. I hope his own conscience is eating him alive right now. He’s so weak that way. Everyone thinks he’s such a great hero. He’s just a slave to it.”

He leapt atop a rock, emulating the posture of a wolf howling, his head pulled back and his mouth silently pointing skyward. “Part wolf, yuck. I’m glad I took after Mom. I don’t think I could live with myself if I had to be reminded of him every time I looked at my reflection.”

Kodi heard a snap behind him, of a fallen twig being broken.

“Dusty? Is that you?”

It wasn’t Dusty; a large black humanoid shape stood before Kodi. It didn’t appear real. It seemed more corporeal, like a black smog taking the most minimal of a solid form.

“What? Who-”

Kodi’s question was silenced before he could begin to form it. The shape, whatever it was, had struck Kodi with an unforeseen extension of itself. Kodi flew with unbelievable force into a thick grey tree trunk, the tree splintering under the pressure from the blow.

The shape approached Kodi ominously. The blow had knocked the wind out of Kodi, he was paralyzed. He tried to turn to run, but his back was met with an alarming pain. Was it broken? His eyes widened with fear, he tried feebly to move, but his legs refused. Kodi was engulfed in darkness as the shape loomed over him, blocking the moonlight. “No… please…” he begged.

“Dad! HELP!”


Balto kicked his legs furiously, thrashing about as he awoke. His breathing was erratic as he panted wildly.

It was a nightmare. An awful, horrible nightmare. Balto inched towards the side door closest to the cabin, and peered upwards. The moon gleamed brightly, high in the sky. Disappointed that it wasn’t closer to the dawn, he found the patch of floor that he had warmed, and lay back down.

Futile an effort as it seemed, he tried to get back to sleep.


---------------------------------



“Well, your nose is looking better already.” Kodi reasoned. “I think we should be OK.”

He slowly lifted himself from Dusty, already missing the warmth that the two shared. He stretched his legs and yawned, fearing he’d become almost too relaxed lying there.

“You’re the doctor, is she good to go? Her nose, I mean.” He asked Sable.

Before she could answer he added something he thought most important. “AND, is it safe? Like, guaranteed to be safe? We’ve both had our fair share of excitement tonight.”

Sally, still awake, walked over to him. "Are you alright?" she asked, having heard him scream. She set down, looking him over. "You look like you've seen a ghost to be honest," she said, giving the moment thought. "From my guess, you most've had quite the nightmare to scare you like this. Well we all have nightmares, but some of us are more deeply effected than others are, that's just how it is. Are you alright now?"

------------------

Sable nodded. "If it was a leg, no, but a nose it'll be fine," she replied, leading the way. "And yes, it's safe, we're not even leaving the cave, promise."

"Well there you go... Keep your guard up still, just in case," said Dusty, not in a particularally trusting mood. She lead them down the tunnel into the dark cave. "I'm sorry that your date in town was ruined, it was your first one?" she asked, trying to make small talk and get to know her new friends a bit better.

OOC: I'm so sorry for these short posts!

Balto jumped a little bit when Sally spoke, startled. He was so used to being alone out here (aside from Boris, who could sleep through just about anything undisturbed) that he had completely forgotten that Fang and Sally were out there with him.

“Oh! Oh, it’s you Sally…” His heart was operating in cycles, slowing down and speeding up dramatically in reaction to the things happening around him. “…Yeah… Yeah, I’m fine. It was just a nightmare. It wasn’t real. At least, I hope it wasn’t.” He shuddered.

He recalled about a year and a half ago when he had been plagued by a slew of constant bad dreams, right before his daughter left. When he went to find Aleu, many of the things he encountered on his quest were accompanied by an odd sense of déjà vu, because he had already witnessed bits and fragments within his dreams. He sincerely hoped that his most recent nightmare was just that; a nightmare, and not a sign of things to come.

He looked at Sally, who was watching him with concern. He shuffled outward, doing as little to extend his limbs from his center of warmth as possible, and looked at Fang, who appeared to not have been woken from the commotion. As he slid back to his “bed”, he glanced upward again. The moon still shone, as bright as it did only a minute ago.

“I’m sorry if I disturbed you, Sally. You’ve already got Fang to worry about, you don’t need to work yourself up over me.” A startling thought ran through his head. “I didn’t… I didn’t SAY anything while I was sleeping, did I?” He asked her curiously. Balto had a history of talking during particularly powerful dreams; it was what got Boris asking him about ‘a raven’ during that previous string of nightmares.

----------------------------------

Kodi’s eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness surrounding him. He could make out the reflective surface on the walls as they walked past, and could only identify Dusty and Sable by their silhouette against it.

He could sense the uncertainty in Dusty’s voice. He had to admit, this proposition made him a little uneasy too. A complete stranger, albeit one who had just helped them out, offering the two a place to go on a date seemed awfully strange. When said place was located further inside of a dark cave that she knew inside out, and they didn’t… Kodi could see why Dusty was a little on edge.

Although her wounds had appeared to be healing (he couldn’t tell now, it was much too dark), Kodi was resolute in keeping a close eye on Dusty, to try and determine if something more dangerous had been added to the herbal mixture.

Trying not to seem too forthcoming, he joined Dusty in her reluctance. “What makes you think it was our first?” he asked derisively. As he awaited a reply, he was making mental notes on where they had taken turns, in case Sable was not as friendly as she seemed.

"Just yelling for your boy, Kodi," replied Sally, still looking at him in concern. She'd seen her baby have his fair share of nightmares over the years, it was never easier to watch someone have a nightmare, no matter how many times one saw it. "I take it your nightmare was about him," she continued, giving it thought. She couldn't help thinking Balto was guilty, he was certainly acting that way, that was for sure.

"Balto," the skunk said, sitting down. "I'm a mother, I can tell stuff like this. Something happened between you and Kodi, didn't it?" she asked, looking at him seriously. "Running off to see him this morning without even alerting me and Boris, having nightmares about him, going to check on him repeatedly. Now, the last one I can kind of understand, but considering you didn't sleep a wink last night, but didn't find out about this monster in the woods tells me that's not why you're so high strung, or at least not the only reason, your mate probably knows too. She's just too caring to let on that she does."

Sally looked at him carefully. "It's none of my business to know, but if it's guilt, know one thing," she continued with a small smile. "If you're half the father Jenna and Boris have said you are, Kodi will forgive you. Think about it, if Fang would be willing to forgive his no account father, why would Kodi, who you've given a far better life, not forgive you for one little transgression, whatever it is?"

-------------------------

"Because you act like you haven't had a girlfriend for too long," said Sable, looking over her shoulder at him. "You're figiting like crazy, nervious about doing anything to upset her. Sure, it's possible you're just like that, but it's more likely you're just new to being somebody's boyfriend, or mate, and you aren't that confeditent in yourself as of yet," she explained, thinking seriously. "That and when two dogs have been mates for a long time, they smell very strongly of each other, you two don't, not yet," she continued, leading the way into a huge cave. It was an ice cave, though thankfully no sharp stalagtites on the roof, it seemed perfectly smooth, but there was a rocky path to the center. The light bounced around beautifully from the moon, bathing the entire room in silver light. "This is it."

Balto huffed loudly, looking away from Sally. It was as though looking at her directly would reveal everything else she hadn’t guessed spot-on. Balto wasn’t very good at being deceptive, he knew that, but he was still embarrassed that someone he had just met was able to see through his charade so easily.

Still, she wasn’t being malicious or manipulative about it. She just seemed genuinely concerned. He thought about conceding, and admitting what he’d done. He wouldn’t know how she’s react if she knew WHY he blew up. Considering that her own son and his goal was more or less the trigger, Balto thought it would be an awful burden for her to know.

With Fang right outside, there was a chance that he might hear. Balto gathered that he was a very timid and impressionable individual, and didn’t want to upset him. If Fang knew how angry Balto had been at his own son because of him, he was sure that Fang would want to leave, not wanting to “cause any more trouble”.

That would be a waste, and Balto wasn’t about to risk it. The Kodi from his dream had said something, something that was tugging at Balto. “The only reason he’s training Fang is to make up for his own lost time”, he had said. Balto knew that deep down, part of it was true. It had to be. His own subconscious wouldn’t simply have imagined something like that. He had already admitted to himself, but if others knew that more ulterior motive, what would they think?

“I appreciate your concern, Sally, I really do.” Balto started. “Kodi really looks up to me, for some reason. It’s awkward sometimes, how proud he is of me, and how proud he is to be ‘the son of Balto, the great hero of Nome’. Sometimes, I worry I won’t meet his expectations, sometimes… I know I don’t.”

Like a floodgate, he continued. “I wish he didn’t have to feel like he needed to live up to what I’ve done. I’ve told him, but I can tell it doesn’t matter. He still tries so hard. The truth is, he’s done more than I have as a sled dog.”

Balto uncurled his head, offering Sally the chance of at least being able to see his face as he rambled to her. “I don’t know if you’ve ever seen him make a delivery, but I have. They deliver more than just mail. They deliver hope, life, and happiness. And they do it all of the time. I’ll bet the kids are going to be just beside themselves when they come back with gifts tomorrow. But Kodi doesn’t see that. If he’s not saving lives or something of that nature, it’s not good enough for him.” He pawed his doll softly.

“It’s like his whole world revolves around me, around what I think of him.” He said morosely. “I just don’t want to see him hurt because of something I said.” He said decisively, more or less confirming Sally’s suspicions. “Funny, now I feel like my world revolves on what he thinks of me. I think I know what he’s going through. I just can’t wait to try and set things right tomorrow, that’s all.” He finished, that last sentence would have sufficed his entire confession.

“Thanks for listening, Sally. I feel a lot better now. You were right you know, about all of it. I just hope Kodi sees it the same way.” Exhaustedly, he laid his head down, eyes still open.

-------------------------------

“Oh… well…I, uh… yeah.” It’s like Sable just described Kodi to the letter. He looked at the sparkling walls, saw all three of them reflected off the naturally polished surfaces. He saw a strong, wise creature leading them. Then, he saw a beautiful, inspiring creature. Then, he saw himself, nervous and fidgety.

“This room, it’s really… wow.” He said, trying to avoid discussing his own inadequacies as proper boyfriend. He was sure Dusty caught what Sable said, and probably agreed. It was strange how freely they had interacted before, and now that them being together was “official”, he really had become so much more skittish. What if he messed up? His dad and mother had been together for so long, what would Balto think if Kodi lost it in the first three days?

Kodi lifted his paw from the craggy path, and as inconspicuously as he could, gave a sniff. He didn’t notice anything different. But maybe that was the point.

“What do you think, Dusty? You can see the stars here too, just like before.”

Sally nodded, smiling. "Sometimes that's all anyone needs, someone to listen to," she said, looking up at the stars. "You know, being a skunk, not a lot of dogs will even dare come near enough to talk to me," she explained, thinking about it. "The ones who think I'm a cat normally just chase me, the ones who know what I am stay far away. But you've been skunked before," she continued, thinking about it. "But you walked right up and asked me if I needed help, that's one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me... And you accepted and befriended Fang despite the fact he was Steele's son, the son of the dog who tried to kill you, who tried to ruin your life. You didn't hesitate. I know you knew who Fang was the moment you looked at him, anyone who knew what Steele looked like would. And you still protected him."

Sally gave it thought and then smiled. "I know you've got a good heart, Balto. No matter what you're thinking or what you said, you've got a good heart. But even those with the best hearts have their flaws and make their mistakes. I won't say I've been the perfect mother, I wasn't. Like it or not, you're not the perfect father. You CAN'T be, it's impossible... All we can do is learn our faults and accept they're part of who we are. Some are correctable, some aren't," she stated, looking back at him. "I don't think Kodi expects you to be perfect, he expects you to be his father who he can look up to. Even if you made a mistake, if Fang can forgive his father, I'm sure Kodi will forgive you..." she said, smiling to the old wolfdog. "Because if he knows you as well as he should, he knows in his heart that you don't have it in yours to willing hurt him, no matter what you said or did."

-------------------------

Dusty looked around in amazement, then up through the hole at the stars. "Yeah... It's beautiful..." she said, then looked to Sable. "Thank you..."

Sable nodded. "You're welcome," she said with a smile. "You're a good couple, I can tell that from your actions too. You," she said, looking Kodi in the eyes. "Once you got over the panic and figiting, you did the right thing and comforted her the right way, and it worked. That shows me you're a good couple and I think you'll be just fine together..." she continued, walking over and looking to the sky as a shooting star passed. "A shooting star, make a wish..." she said, closing her eyes and making her own.

... Son... I wish I could see you again one day... she thought in her head.

Dusty closed hers and gave a silent wish as well.

I wish that Kodi and his father will make up and everything will be alright between them...

Balto tried listening to her. He tried so hard to concentrate on the sound of her voice, but it was getting difficult. The words blurred as he heard them, becoming unrecognizable. His eyes that he had kept open specifically to let Sally know he was listening were fading from view as his drooping eyelids were getting heavier and heavier.

And yet, without specificity, he understood what she was saying. Heard her gratitude for his open-mindedness. Heard how perfection as a parent was unattainable. Heard how Kodi would, with any luck, understand that everyone makes mistakes, even the great Balto.

“I…uh…sorry” were all of the words he could muster. He was grateful that Sally was such an adept listener. He would have to deliver a proper apology in the morning. He felt rude that she was pouring her massive heart’s worth of advice to him, and he was dozing off. If Balto had to guess from how she handled his flaws this evening, she would understand when the sun rose.

--------------------------------


“Oh! Ummm…” Kodi vocalized his surprise. It had been almost a year since he had seen a shooting star last. He was with his mother at the time, and she told him about the power of wish granting it supposedly held. At the time, naturally, he wished for the position of lead dog on the mail team. It came true, so maybe there was some merit to the legend.

But what to wish for? He couldn’t think of the most pressing thing on his mind at the moment. His and Dusty’s safety, for one. Their relationship going well for another. Then, his father was waiting back home, he hoped that would go over well whenever he finally got around to talking to him. And what about Fang? Kodi still felt awful about how he treated him, and wanted Fang so badly to be on their team, as a form of his own indirect exoneration.

All of them were important to him, no doubt. Which one was the most? His mind raced like the star had above him. It might have been cheating, he thought, but he had one in mind. Something to cover all of them in one fell swoop.

He closed his eyes and read aloud in his mind. “I wish… I wish that everything would work out.”

It was simple, but effective. He didn’t know how shooting stars read wishes they received, or if they could interpret how much ‘everything’ entailed specifically pertaining to him, but he figured it was worth a try.

He opened his eyes again, blinking at how bright the expansive cavern was. As his eyes adjusted, he looked at Dusty, smiling. Already he could feel his wish coming true. Or at the very least, one part of it was.

“So… what say we begin our date properly?” He asked her, bowing down on one leg. He figured starting off as gentlemanly as possible was a good start.

Sally gave a smile and nudged Mini-Balto closer to Balto before curling up close to Fang and letting herself drift off to sleep. She hoped Balto would feel better after a good night's sleep.

----------------------

Dusty smiled and nuzzled him. "I'd really like that," she said, giving him a smile. She really hoped her wish would come true as well, she didn't want to see another good family break apart, after hers and Fang's were. But she also wanted to get a good date with Kodi, it was important to start out on the right paw. "Should we just stay here and look at the stars?"

"I know you're domesticated dogs," said Sable, thinking. "But just killed a raccoon before I met you, if you're hungry I could bring it to you to have as a meal for your date," she said, in a kind tone. "I know that I don't know you that well, but it always pays to be a good host," she continued, giving a smile. "Most religions encourage you to be one, as spirits, angels, or what have you are known to hide in the guise of mortals and test us via hidden tests. Even if you believe in nothing, being a good host is still the polite thing to do."

OOC: I know we've set a standard of lengthy posts, but with only two/three characters interacting at a time, with one half/third as the opposite role-player, posts are bound to be a bit shorter.

As if it were an elaborately timed cue, Kodi’s stomach growled. He had eaten before they left, true, but as it just so happens, panicking about nearly being killed, nearly being killed, running for your life, and then panicking some more had a tendency to work up quite an appetite.

“I am feeling a little bit hungry, actually. That’s really nice of you, Sable.” He exclaimed.

She had explained why she was doing so when she herself admitted she didn’t know them that well. It was a bit of a strange reason, Kodi thought. He had witnessed some semblance of religion when he attended his mother and her family’s Christmas party. He didn’t know of dogs that practiced it. Then again, he didn’t know any dogs that could use plants to heal wounds and ward predators. Sable was certainly a rarity, all right.

“Will you be joining us then? I imagine that you didn’t get that raccoon on our behalf before meeting us. What will you be eating?” Kodi asked her. It was one thing to be a gracious host, but it was equally as important, he thought, to be a gracious guest.