When They Arrive...

[Tarik Ante]

Tarik watched the little boy spazz, and was a little frightened herself. She didn't understand what a Fido was. Then, a barking beast ran from the hull of the ship, and Tarik shrieked, quickly backing away with the crowd. Everyone dispersed quickly, afraid of the creature. Tarik pointed at it, shaking. "Wh-what is!? What is!?"

[Alan Wake]

Alan watched the natives freak out at the presence of the younger boy's dog. He turned to them, raising his hand. "It's a dog. A canine? Like... A wolf. But utterly harmless, alright? It won't hurt you."

[Mark Brown]

Mark stared at them, utterly confused. He held Fido closer to him, while the puppy panted with his tongue out and wagged his tail happily. "He's just my puppy, Fido! He won't hurt anyone!"

[Tarik Ante]

Tarik slowly inched closer, examining the creature. "Wolf..? You mean..." She looked up at Alan, a smile breaking out onto her face. Suddenly, she stood up, facing the forest, and whistled. Silence followed, but after a few moments, harsh footsteps could be heard from within the rain forest. Suddenly, a massive beast burst from the trees. It's fur was short and wet with rain, and its body with thick with muscle. It had a long, pointed nose, and sharp teeth that jutted from its jaws. It's eyes rested at the very top of its head, poking up like alligator eyes, wide and frightening. Its body shape resembled that of a rhino, perhaps, or something similar. It ran to Tarik, happily nuzzling her. The girl laughed and stroked its snout, looking at the man and boy. "Like Bartre?"

[Alan Wake]

Alan jumped backwards at the sudden appearance of the beast, wheeling slightly. It was nearly as bad as one of his visions! A few clicks of The Clicker, however, and he was calm again.

"Not... Exactly. But... Close?"

[Mark Brown]

Mark's eyes went wide at the creature that appeared out of the forest. It was definitely not like anything he had ever seen before, and it certainly was no puppy. He was silent, but his mind was freaking out, thoughts running wild. He probably let out a scared little squeak or two as he stood there.

[Tarik Ante]

Bartre observed the two strangers warily, sniffing at them with his pointed nose. Giggling, Tarik pulled him back from them, noticing that they seemed frightened. "Bartre is good. Very sweet and cuddly." The beast made a guttural noise, before pushing its snout up against her. With another laugh, she climbed onto his back, holding onto the little rounded ears he had. She held out a hands towards the two. "Come. I'll show you the world."

[Alan Wake]

Alan blinked. Was he really going to get onto the strange creature's back with a strange woman he barely knew?

..................................................

Why the heck not?

He took her hand, and wasn't sure if he was supposed to walk alongside the creature, or ride it? So he simply stared stupidly at it.

[Mark Brown]

At the woman's words, Mark blinked and stared at the creature again. Upon closer inspection, he decided it was actually an amazing animal. Reaching out a hand, he pet the thing quickly, smiled, and then clambered up its side easily to sit on its back. "Hey, this is pretty cool! Are all your animals strange-looking?"

[Tarik Ante]

Due to years of hunting and building up her strength, Tarik had no problem hoisting Alan onto the animal's back. She kicked its side lightly, crying out "Kya!" to get it going. The beast began to lumber towards the town, and Tarik glanced over her shoulder at Mark. She raised a brow. "Strange-looking? This is normal. Your animal is strange-looking."

[Alan Wake]

Alan chuckled at the woman's remark. "Not where we come from, ma'am!" He looked around him as the creature carried them. This would be a wonderful setting for his newest book. Normally he was more of a suspense author, not anything nearing science fiction or fantasy, but maybe... Maybe he would smudge a bit for this. That, of course, would mean that he would need a typewriter and the odds of that were.... Slim.

[Mark Brown]

"You're animal is the strange-looking one!" Mark said after the man, defending his normal looking puppy. "But they're so cool! I want to see more of them!" He looked around them as they moved, observing the plant-life as well. If he was going to start a farm here, he'd need crops to grow. Did they even have normal crops like the ones where he came from? Like carrots and radishes and berries and corn and potatoes! What if they didn't?

[Tarik Ante]

Tarik laughed at them; they didn't understand her way of life at all. But then again, she didn't understand theirs either. Patting Bartre's hide, he began to trot towards Endurne. "Well, I surely can show you more animals!" As the animal moved, Tarik shifted to face them, her legs crossed Indian-style. "I am Tarik."

[Alan Wake]

"Alan." He said, listening closely to the pronunciation of her name. Being a famous author, he was used to having fans and meeting high-class people from all over the world. It would take him a few times of hearing it, yes, but once he got it down he would never forget it. "Alan Wake."

[Mark Brown]

Mark smiled happily. "Tarik," he repeated, pronouncing it wrong. It would take him a few tries.... "I'm Mark Brown, like I said earlier, and this is Fido!" He held the puppy up, using a hand to wave his paw at Tarik. "It's very nice to meet you!"