Along the borderline

Calico looks to the coyote pup, inquiring as to how old he is and the patchwork pup’s features relax into mask of pure reverence. That is amazing! Eyes brighten as the pup’s face becomes excited as he blurts out, “Six whole months?! Shoot that means you’re almost a year! Dang! You must know a lot!” For a pup that is a few weeks old and has no real concept of how to measure passing time, six months might actually mean that Nico is a year old. But, he doesn’t want to ask and make himself look stupid, so he plays it up, grinning wide and bright for his friend. All that Jack knows for certain is that Nico has more time outside under his belt.

They continue to talk and walk, the coyote pup bringing up about working hard and Jack nods vigorously as the subject of siblings is brought up. Wait, he can make him better than his siblings? That sounds great! Calico turns around, barking out a high-pitched sound of excitement while his front-end lowers and bounces around, suddenly eager to working with his friend. Tail wags as he chatters at a fast clip, “Yeah show me! When can we start? Can we start now?” His endless fountain of puppy energy is overflowing and Jack would be happy to begin working now. But wait weren’t they doing something? Oh right, the ship.

Calico Jack returns to the first task he had promised Nico, a sudden bounce in step as he happily prances along the beach, a white paw sticking out to show the other land the pack owns while asking if they need to leave the beach. The patchwork pup nods along to Nico’s assessment, willing to try and learn anything the coyote has to show him and Jack dips his head in agreement to his friend’s curiosity about the net. Another, slightly smug, smile appears as Calico thinks her gets to show Nico something new.

The large ship finally comes into view and Calico Jack slows to be able to watch the coyote pup’s reaction, Nico running forward a stride before skidding to a stop. Jack slowly saunters up, stopping next to his friend and allowing his icy blue gaze to roam over Nico’s face. He finds the excitement and awe that his friend tries to play down and a smug grin spreads on his lips as Jack cocks a brow in silent question before the coyote pup’s next words pull a sharp bark of laughter from the patchwork pup.

He shakes his head, a playful glint in his eyes as he feigns a huge frown, saying, “Oh well, if you don’t like the ship, I guess you won’t like the other stuff I have to show ya.” Bottom lip juts out a little and Calico forces it to wobble as he widens his eyes and rounds them. Hey, a guy has to try out his puppy dog eyes on someone. And who better than his new friend?


"Calico Jack"