Username: Shadow17
Name: SLK Fire From the Mountains // Everest
Gender: Male
Name Meaning: [optional]
Prompt: 5 times Everest knew what to say, and 1 time he didn't. Featuring
Alaska, with mentions of
Galileo.
Everest watched dogs go around the field, some cleaning up their stock well, others being a bit sloppy. The therapy dog organization he was with was a "sponsor" for this competition, and he was one of the lucky collies who got to go watch. From the stall next to this baker who kept sneaking them treats, he had a pretty good view of the fields. One collie in particular seemed to be upset after they walked out of the ring, although he wasn't sure why. He thought they did pretty good! Their owner seemed kind of upset too. After they pet Everest's fur some, the person looked like they felt better, but the poor collie he'd been getting to know didn't seem to feel the same. As they started to leave, Everest nudged Galileo. "Hey. If you can dream it, you can do it. You'll do better next time." Galileo smiled a bit, and they walked off, part of his ear flopped over where Everest had been licking it.
A year passed. The organization was doing better, and they sent out more dogs with their sponsorship this year. Everest was fascinated by the collies again, and luckily, he was set up much closer to the field this time around. He watched dogs dart past their flocks, and it seemed that it wouldn't be an easy competition this year. He watched dogs go in and out of pens, zoning out when suddenly, he saw a coat he recognized! And this time, there was a new collie with him! Everest wagged his tail, and the new collie looked mildly startled at the sudden movement from him. "Hey Galileo, who did you bring with you this time?" Everest asked. "I'm Alaska," she said. "Well, Alaska, I'm glad you're here. You did great out there. You're a natural, unlike someone else I know." He laughed, shoving his old friend. She smiled, and they left soon after.
Another year passes. This time, he's here as an adoptable dog. The organization wasn't able to keep up with his aging self anymore, and let him retire. But today was a good day. Today, he got to see his favorite competition, although it was a bit difficult for him to actually see the fields. Collies flew past every way, and he seemed at peace watching them. He got lots of treats and pets. On the horizon, a crowd of people appeared, passing by their stall. At the tail end, he saw her. Alaska was here, and she was looking right at him, her pale coat impossible to miss. She ran over to the pen he was in, and her owner laughed, following. The people talked, and Alaska giggled as she booped his nose. She seemed so much happier than last year. They talked for what felt like mere minutes, but by the end of it, paperwork had been signed. His old handler passed over his leash, bed, and bowls. Alaska gasped as her owner grabbed his leash. Her tail was wagging, and he had to admit, so was his. His old handler knelt down next to him, put her hands in his furry neck, and whispered, "I'll miss you. I love you, Everest." He knew what this meant. He'd seen people do this with their family before, in hospitals. Usually, it meant they'd never see the person again. So he put his head up against hers and wished he could hear his "I love you, too."
More time passes. His vision is getting worse, but nothing he couldn't handle. Alaska heard him sit up, and she was up in an instant. He admired how energetic she was, and it helped distract from his tired bones. He greeted her with an ear lick, and she pressed herself against him. He arose, and they walked together to the kitchen. Her owner smiled at the two walking side by side. They had breakfast, and went and laid in a field outside, watching the sheep graze peacefully. This was much nicer than a hospital, he thought. He enjoyed the stillness of this field, and how calm it was next to Alaska. He fell asleep for a while, and when he awoke, Alaska was nudging him. "Gosh, you scared me, old man. It's almost time for dinner," she laughed. "Can't an old man nap in peace?" he retorted. They laughed, and they walked in side by side, as usual.
He watched Alaska as she slept. This time, he was the one awake early in the morning. He looked out the window to see collies gathering the sheep to drive them to the next pasture, and he softened a little. What seemed like hours and yet moments later, Alaska sat next to him. She licked his tipped ear, and it stood straight for a moment. He sighed quietly, wishing this moment could last forever. He leaned onto her, slow blinking as the sheep began to disappear over the horizon. As the last sheep ran off, he looked over to see Alaska watching him. They softened their gazes, and before he could think, she whispered "I love you." Like nothing more than instinct, he whispered "I love you too, Alaska."
Everest woke up from an afternoon nap as the sun started setting. He was just outside the kennel again, with Alaska looking up to the stars. Galileo and his family began their nightly routine of laying farther down the hill, ready to watch the night pass. Their darker coats began to blend in with the sky, with Galileo being a beacon of light in the center. He looked beside him to see Alaska doing her favorite thing, something she hadn't been doing much lately, with Everest mostly sleeping inside these days. His bones ached, and he longed for his soft bed inside the house. He knew if he told her that he wanted to sleep inside, she'd follow him in and not come back out. He wanted her to have this night. She noticed his stare, and turned to see him. "You ready to go inside?" she asked. He paused, then shook his head no. "I'll watch with you tonight," he told her. She smiled a bit, and licked his ear. They looked up together, and suddenly, he realized why she was fascinated by the sky. Why all the collies here, in some way or another, knew the basic constellations you'd see at night. As the stars seemed to dance across the sky, he felt at peace. What was there to say in the presence of this magnificent sight? Alaska turned to look at him. "Thank you for being here," she whispered. Everest could do nothing but smile.
