~The Caxical Adoption Center~ Free Canine Adopts **OPAN!**

[onotomatopea]

Well, which were you going for? I haven't sent out anything or even finished judging yet, so I might make an exception because I know how long you've been working.

[TheScamperPony]

I was going for 11. The one that looks border collie-ish.

*goes to finish story* Ya, it's not even done yet. e.o

[onotomatopea]

Oh, whoops! I had that post typed out for multiple minutes, but I'm talking to my friend on the phone and so neglected to actually post it. >.<

Of course I'll let you in, Steffi. Just try not to take too long! xD

[Steffi.]

8D Here's my form:

I'D LIKE TO ADOPT A CAXICAL!
Username: SteffiDaBeagle
Cage Number: 11
New Name: Kelsie
Personality/Bio::

I'm Kelsie. Don't let my stupid girl-name fool you. I'm no wuss. Got it? Now here's my life story:

I dreamed of running from my mother. But my brother and sister both died as babies, and I knew that running from her would crush her. I was a tough person, but I wasn't full-on cruel. At least, not to my own mom. My mother was a frail person. She was weak to the point where, as a pup, I was the one hunting for food. Sometimes I was tempted to not come back on my hunting trips, but I couldn't bring myself to it. I would wait until I was grown up, or until she died. Whatever came first.

When she died, I was barely an adult. I was obviously upset, but I was also a bit relieved. It was a hassle taking care of my mother. Now I could explore the world for real, find a real challenge...

I walked through the forest, unaware of some of the things around me. One of those things included another creature.

I walked for days, hunting when I was hungry and sleeping when I was tired. I liked doing things when I want to do them much more than when my mother needed me to. I was a skilled hunter, and hardly ever missed my lunch when I chased it. I never noticed the creature. It was always there, though. It never bothered me. It just stayed in the shadows.

One particular day, I was out in the middle of a field. The creature was there, like it always was. But it was usually very quiet. Today, while I was in the clearing, it sneezed.

I stood up quickly, suddenly aware of it's smell. I became aware that the smell had always been there, but because of that reason, I had just figured that it was the smell of the forest. Just something that I didn't need to worry about.

"Please don't be afraid!" the creature said. It stepped out of the woods.

It was a dog. It was a black white and purple dog. I had been afraid of a STUPID DOG. How stupid. How pathetic. I can't even express my shame. A dog...

"I'm NOT afraid." I snapped hastily. It wimpered and shrank back. Good. Look who's afraid now, stupid dog... Not that I ever was... "What are you doing in MY forest?" I asked, trying to sound tough. It wasn't actually my forest... I didn't own a forest, but she didn't know that, nor did she need to.

"Can you help me find home?" she asked. She was obviously going to ask a guy, trying to use that whole 'damsel in distress' crap. I hate dogs. Especially girl dogs... "I lost my way, and started following you. Please help." she sounded so scared. It was terribly embarrassing. Had she no sense of pride?

I wanted to tell her no, and to buzz off. I wasn't to snap at her and tell her to find someone who cared. But I was bored. So I sighed and said, "Fine. If that's what you want." She smiled.

"I live in the country." I frowned. How did she get here from the country? Why the heck was she here? The country was miles off. It would take three days at best to get there.

"The country? Why are you so far from your home?" I asked, confusion in my voice. She gave me a sorry look.

"I was chasing a herd of sheep, and a lamb was headed towards the forest. Naturally, I went to get it. But I didn't know about the wolves... by the time I realised they were there, they'd dragged me into the forest already. Their leader decided I wasn't good to eat, since I'm a canine like them, and they dumped me into the middle of the forest. I saw you, and decided that you knew your way around. I'd ask you for help when the right moment came... and I felt that the right moment was now."

I stared at her, stunned. I should say something back. What do you say to that? I considered a few things. Stalker. Creep. Lost. You're on your own. Stupid dog. But instead, I just said, "Let's get going. It takes a while to get to the country."

So I headed towards the country. She smiled.

"So, what's your name?" she asked. Her voice was too cheery. What, so she's happy that she's lost with a complete stranger?

"Kelsie." I said. My name is so girlish.... I was even named after an aunt. My mom always insisted it was a both-gender name. Sure. Whatever...

"I'm Mai." she said, her voice still bubbly and high. Ugh. I hope I can last three days with her....

All day she told me about her life. It's pretty basic. She's a border collie, and was born in a breeder's place. A farmer bought her and now she works on a sheep farm. She herds them for the farmer.

"Isn't that kind of using you? That way the farmers can kick back and relax." I had asked.

"No. We're much better at it than farmers. They need us. And hey! It's fun!"

When we finally decided to sleep, we were laughing and smiling as we chatted. I found a cave for us to bunker down in. It was cold in there, and the second I layed down, I wanted to get up again. The floor was freezing. But I didn't. I didn't want to look weak. Mai sat down beside me and set her head on her paws. We both fell asleep easily in spite of the cold weather....

When I woke up, Mai was snuggled right into my side. It didn't bother me as much as it should have, and so I stood up, punishing myself. I sat at the mouth of the cave, thinking; I cannot like her. I can't like her even a little bit. She's a dog. I am a caxical. She lives in the country. I live in the forest. She's a sheepdog. I am a hunter. We are different. I mustn't like her. If I do, I may start to like her more than just a friend, and well... well, that just would't work."

When she woke up, I was myself again. Not that giggling idiot that I was last night. She got up and stretched, and I watched her. When she saw me, she jumped a bit. She gave me a funny look.

"What's wrong, Kelsie?..." she asked. I just looked at her, and her ears flattened a bit.

"Let's go. I want to get there as quick as possible." and then I turned and started walking. Mai didn't say anything for a long time. We had been walking for probably 4 hours, when she asked,

"How long will it take to get to the country?" I shrugged.

"Two more days at the least." she nodded, but I could tell she was upset. Most likely because she had like the other me more. Which was stupid. The other me was degrating. And why did she care how I acted anyway?...

After two LOOOOONG hours of silence, I finally sighed and stopped walking. I couldn't stand seeing her so down, and honestly, the silence was getting annoying. I turned to face her.

"Look, I'm sorry that I was such a grump this morning. Please go back to your normal, annoying, talkative self. It's driving me up the wall that you're acting so depressed."

Her expression brightened a bit, and we started walking. After a few more minutes, she was chattering away again. And slowly, a smile worked i's way into my face as I joined the conversation. And by the end of the day, we were talking just like we were the night before.

That night, I found a tree with an empty den in the roots. It was much smaller than the cave, but big enough for us to btoh fit with some leg room. However, Mai cuddled into my side like there was no room at all. And even though that in the back of my mind, my common sense was feebly calling, You're a caxical. She's a dog. You're a hunter. She's a herder..., it was no match to the voice in the front saying, Whatever. This was bound to happen. Just let the cards fall where they may, now...

When I woke up, we were tangled slightly. Our legs and tails were curled around each other's, and my head was on her back. After a bit of fiddling, I managed to remove myself without stirring her. I stepped outside and sighed. This was going bad. Everyday, it seemed, I was becoming more attached then I'd entended. I hoped that would make it to the country soon. The more I stayed with her, the more I never wanted to get there....

She climbed out and stretched, just like yesterday, and then smiled. "Should we get going?" I smiled back and nodded.

"So Kels.... what's your life story? You know me inside-out. I know nothing about you..."

"Well.... I was born with two other caxicals, my brother and my sister. My mother was a very unstable person, and they were both born very weak. My father was never around to help. I never even met him... When we were two weeks old, my brother died, and my sister died a few days later. My mother was heart broken. Once I could walk, she taught me to hunt, but she was very bad at it. Before I was even considered more than a baby, I was hunting for me and my mother. I was better that she ever was. But she was very frail, and she died when I was still a kid. And now I live on my own... well, currently I live with you..."

"Huh..." she thought for a moment. "You didn't have a very nice life, Kelsie... I'm sorry about your family..."

I shrugged. "I don't even remember my siblings. It's fine." I said. I wasn't lying, either.

We talked for a while, and just before the sun was setting, the smell of wheat and wet sheep wool hit my nose. I smiled.

"We're here." I whispered. She smiled and we both sprinted to the smell.

The forest ended and we came to a field of wheat, golden in the sun. We bounced through it, our heads bobbing in and out of view as we jumped. We both laughed.

We were in a field of grass that had about 50 sheep in it. They all looked up and smiled, and bleated, "Hello Mai!" When they did it all at once, it sounded funny. I couldn't stop laughing at the sight, and neither could she.

A human jogged over, obviously wanting to see what the rucus was about. His face lit up when he saw her, and he squatted down, his arms outstretched. She ran to him, and he wrapped them around her.

I sighed, and I knew that she belonged here. I turned around and walked into the long wheat, which were turning dull as the sun was setting. Suddenly, Mai was behind me. I swirled to look at her, and her face was sad.

"Are you ever coming back?" she asked me. I shook my head, and her ears drooped. "Oh..."

I sighed and just as I started to walk away, she kissed me. I didn't protest, and I didn't get upset. When she broke away I sighed again. And I turned to head back to the woods, away from the only thing I had left.

* * * * *

It was nighttime, and after two days of hunting, sleeping, and doing other caxical-y stuff, all I could think of was Mai. I wished I had her with me. She would brighten my day, and make me smile at everything. So I did the only thing I could think of.

I ran towards the country.

I was closer than I thought. It only took a few hours. I leaped through the wheat, sparkly in the pale moonlight. I raced past the sleeping sheep and towards a small house she had told me about. A 'doghouse'. Mai's purple eyes were still okay when I peered in. Her face lit up immediately.

"Kelsie! Oh, why are you here? I thought you'd-"

"My life is nothing unless you're here with me. I'll learn how to be a herd dog if I can stay with you." I said.

* * * * *

After a few months of being a border collie, I learned why she likes it so much; it's really fun! But soon my hunting instinct took over, so I live in the woods again. I visit her all the time. And I'm different. I'm friendly. I'm lovable. And I'm hardly a caxical. But I've learned that life is no fun unless you have someone to share it with; no matter who that someone may be.

I had to rush the ending, so it kinda sucks. x3

[onotomatopea]

That story is so amazing! :D Alrighty then, off to continue judging...

[Solanum]

Wow Steffi. No point even looking at my form any more. xD

[Steffi.]

>_> It's not as long as I thought it was... And I've written better stories. x3 That one was very rushed; you still have a chance.

Also, don't forget that I started my story a few months ago. I have had a lot of time to re-write and perfect some stuff in my story. ^^

[TheScamperPony]

I love! <3

[onotomatopea]

Uhm... yeah, I got distracted, so I'm still in the precess of sending out the adopted Caxicals. Sorry everybody! >.<;
And yeah, I know, I'm a lazy bum. -w-;

[onotomatopea]

All adopted Caxicals have been sent out! Thank you all for adopting, and if you didn't get the pet you applied for, better luck next time around!

For the record, I would like to say that Tesshin and Steffi's forms were unbelievably difficult to choose between - I spent a good chunk of time just figuring out which of those two would get #11. If I could, I would've given him to both of you, but alas, I cannot.
And so we came to our winner: congratz to Steffi for ultimately getting the Caxical!
However, I would also like to congratulate Tesshin for writing such an osumly osum form. As a consolation prize (because your form was just that great), you can have a full, free custom. ^^