I Dare Ya!

Scamp tried to hide the fact that his cheeks had suddenly become very warm. This was worse than embarassing. He'd only just proclaimed his love for Tani - why did she have to show up now to complicate things?

A small part of him was glad that she hadn't arrived any earlier, though - he wouldn't have wanted her to see him when he'd been so depressed.

Wait, what? No-no-no... he loved TANI! His crush on Dolly was a thing of the past.
...
...
...wasn't it?

"So, uh, you got yourself a guy yet?" he asked, hoping that the answer would be 'yes' so he wouldn't have to worry about his long-buried crush on her.

Dolly tilted her nose upward slightly with a small grin. Watching Scamp for that short little bit- she couldn't quite help but notices he seemed a little at war wih himself. Though she didn't think beyond this- she was ignorant of Scamp's relationships he may or may not currently have.

"Who's asking?" she replied with mock suspicion, watching closely for reactions before continuing, "'Fraid nobody's filling that spot." she finally said with a tiny shrug, small glance spared to Mooch. Lass lifted a dainty paw to lick it, watching the two pups through her lashes- perhaps to see who showed more interest.

Mooch whimpered, looking at the scene that was going on. Scamp was a rascal. His tail drooped as he huffed slightly. He peered at the female, trying to look tougher than Scamp. He pushed back his fur with his paw and swallowed his insecurities and winked at Dolly.

"Whu-well, I might be!" He sounded desperate. Not something he wanted to. "Uhh, I mean, ya know if you're cool enough to hang with this pup." He was sounding stupid. Mooch was flustered by her sudden interest in Scamp. Just like every other girl.

Femme raised a brow at Mooch's first interjection, lowering her paw to the ground and tilting her head. Small crack of a smile was given- probably amused or pleased, but had a certain air of smugness that prevented it from seeming flattered. Pup released a small laugh, raising her rear and reaching her nose up to rub against Mooch's.

"Isn't that sweet." she laughed lightly, before continuing, "Cool enough?" she questioned- as if genuinely confused at Mooch's words. Brow raised once again, as she diverted her attenion from Scamp to Mooch.

Scamp sagged with relief when Dolly turned her attention to Mooch. He should just tell her that he already had a girlfriend now... but for some reason, he didn't want to. Might she think less of him for being in love with a lion?

And why did he care?

"Uh, yeah, she's cool enough, Mooch." he pressed awkwardly. "In fact, uh, I think you two would make a great couple, don'tcha think?" He was trying every tactic he knew - and he admittedly didn't know many at all - to divert her attention from him without mentioning Tani.

Mooch swelled with pride, chest puffed out, eyes closed haughtily. He smiled smugly, padding around the female. Scamp was helping him out. A good friend? Mooch would say so again, he was helping, right? Mooch placed his head close to Dolly and smiled at her.

"You really think so buddy?" It was unclear what he was referring too, the couple comment or the cool comment. "I think so too, yeah! I think so too." He grinned flipping his head haughtily into the air, walking as if he was strutting his stuff in a dog show. "Scamp, you think she's cool enough to run with our gang, huh?"

"Yeah! Yeah Mooch!! She's cool!!" Dipstick suddenly butted in, and a bit rashly he added "A-and I think 'Becca's cool enough to hang with us too!!" It took him a moment to realize he'd broken the ultimate unspoken rule --- nobody, but NOBODY, made decisions about who was cool and who wasn't but Mooch!! He cowered, bracing himself to be hit over the head. "I-I mean, she's cute and all and she's pretty and I just thought --- I-I mean---" He blushed suddenly, and hard. "I-I mean uh, yeah I....I'm just gonna stop talking now."

Dolly released a small laugh, stifling it lightly by turning her maw downward to her shoulder, before looking back to Mooch. Oh he was arrogant... incredibly so. But something of an amusing pup- Lass watched him saunter around her with a small smile, tilting her head just slightly to keep her eyes on him when he finally came to a stop with his head close to hers.

With that- she said nothing, sparing a short glance to Dipstick- before closing the small distance between her and Mooch's head with a small lick to his cheek, and a small giggle. Perhaps it'd even distract Mooch from Dipstick- who judging by his behavior had made a mistake and possibly risked some sort of 'punishment.'

"S'matter Scamp?" she asked, tilting her head, "Don't you like me anymore? Already trying to get rid of me?" she gave a small wink- though her tone was somewhat accusing. She wasn't dumb- she could see what Scamp was doing, though she was unsure why he was so keen on selling Mooch to her. This made the girl interested... curious.

Scamp's face turned an even darker shade of red.

"I... uh... it's not... like THAT..." he tried to explain, glancing to Mooch for support. "It's just, I, well, you know... Mooch needed a girl!"

Of course, the fact that HE already had one himself had more to do with his clumsy attempts to pair the two than anything else, but he didn't want to know how Dolly would react to that knowledge. Even though there'd never actually been anything official between the two of them...

Mooch's eyes widened, his mouth dropped open and his knees got wobbly when she licked his cheek. He grinned broadly, barely hearing what Dipstick had said. Again if this were a cartoon hearts would have appeared above the arrogant pup's head. He went to give a triumphant grin to Scamp before he heard the girl's little speech. His eyes blazed. Not again.

Padding over to Dipstick, Mooch looked a little hurt. What was the lick for if she liked Scamp? To make him jealous? He growled low and under his breathe. "Naw," Mooch blurted out, "Scamp's already GOT a girl." He turned to Dipstick, nose to nose and snarled. "And WHO do you think is cool now? You got a crush on someone, Dipstick?"

It was strange really- the gal's behavior. She didn't exactly 'like' Scamp at all... in that way. Perhaps she was just going on a little trip because he didn't seem as interested in her anymore. Brows raised when Mooch blurted out the truth though. So Scamp had a girl huh? Mooch was incorrect in thinking that she'd wanted to fill the spot of 'Scamp's girl' anyways. Lass stood, turning lightly, and rolling her eyes in the process. Finicky little boys. ((Dolly be conceited xD))

"I was under the impression Mooch wouldn't have much trouble finding a girl on his own." she laughed, padding not far behind Mooch, and lifting a dainty foot to paw at his dangling ear. Lass back up, sitting her rear down and licking her paw, though kept her eyes on Mooch. It was odd- looked although she might have felt guilty for any feelings of Mooch's that she'd hurt. Dolly usually wasn't one to go out and repair feelings.

"Uhh..uh no I-" That was an outright lie and he knew it. And it showed. "I-I mean uh, yes. I-I mean no I...uhm...I-I was jus' sayin that Rebecca's cool and and um she should... um, hang out with us?" Thankfully he wasn't blushing anymore but his heart raced furiously. "I-I just uh..." He trailed off as Dolly approached. Another pretty pooch who could've played on his nerves, but the truth was Dipstick wasn't paying attention to her at all. He was too worried about what Mooch -- and REBECCA -- thought of what he'd just blurted out.

Scamp laughed nervously, unsure of what he could say to that that wouldn't either make him sound like an idiot or insult Mooch.

"Just trying to help." he offered sheepishly.

He nodded to Mooch. "I'll, uh, I'll go and see if 'Tani's okay." he said quickly, wanting an excuse, no matter how brief, to get away from Dolly. Without waiting for a reply, he darted back towards the MASH tent.

---

Once there, he entered and started towards Tani... until a shadow fell over him. He looked up, aware how painfully obvious his torn stitches were.

"Uh, h-hey, Tiana..." he managed a small grin, his tail wagging sheepishly.

(OOC: I know Tiana can't come into this thread, I just wanted to include that to make it clear what's about to happen to Scamp. (Hope that didn't come across as godmodding. If it did, sorry.) Don't worry, he'll be back to join the group soon)

Cool?
She....was cool?
Rebecca blinked, staring first at Dipstick, then down at herself. How could....how could she....be cool?

She was small and frail and easily upset....
....and the only wounds she'd gotten in this war she'd inflicted on herself....

....he thought she was cool?

The little dalmatian wasn't sure if she should smile or cry.

So she just stared back at Dipstick, hoping he'd decide for her.

patch rolled his eyes at Mooch trying to impress Dolly. He did this a lot to all the girls, why would Dolly be any different? Patch wagged his tail glad that he had Angel. he glanced at Scamp with a tiny nervous smile. Hoping that the dog was okay.