Contents:
Patch
Obvious exits:
Way around City <WAC> leads to Pokemon Route 6: Celadon City.
Northeast <NE> leads to Commerce Road - Route 7: Caravan Pass.
West <W> leads to Celadon City: City Square.

<OOC> Peppy says "Well... This is it, I guess."

<OOC> Patch says "Yeah..."

<OOC> Peppy says "Would you like to pose first?"

<OOC> Patch says "Sure."

<look Patch>

Patch looks to be around 17 years old. She's fairly tall for her age, 5'6". She's not what you'd call thin, but she's certainly thinner than average. Her hair is long and dark brown, and it's in a braid tied with a cute red ribbon, reaching about to the middle of her back. Her eyes are light brown. She's wearing a white T-shirt with a Charizard on the back, pictured flying, surrounded by many small, fluffy clouds. However, this is mostly hidden by a red backpack with black zippers that's slung on her back. The backpack also has a bit of orange and yellow on it, and a black, jagged line crosses it a quarter of the way down, so it looks a little bit like a fire. Patch is also wearing dark red bicycle shorts and a plain belt with six Pokeballs attached to it. On her right wrist is a black digital watch, and on her feet are a pair of plain sandals. She seems to like red pretty well, judging from her outfit - or she may just be fond of fire Pokemon.
Carrying:
Patch's Pokedex(#2103s)

<look Peppy>

A fully grown but still young Growlithe, Peppy is not large; in fact, he looks like he'd weigh a little less than a Growlithe's norm of 50 pounds.

In the freezing snow and wind, a sad little pair is walking slowly towards the eastern entrance of Celadon City. Patch, with Peppy near her, is all bundled up in her coat, and her hood is up to shelter her face as much as she can from the weather. It also may be there to hide from any passersby any tears that will almost certainly soon be falling down her cold cheeks. She hasn't said anything for a while...maybe because she can't think of anything to say.

One final walk through Celadon City. Snow beats down from the sky, but the canine half of the walking pair doesn't seem to mind at all. His pace matches almost perfectly with his trainer's. As he marches, his gaze remains downward; part of his muzzle is in the thick snow, but the puppy doesn't even seem to notice. Once in a while, the Growlithe turns his head to one side, usually only to glance at his trainer for a second, before returning it to its former position. Though Peppy does not cry, it's not difficult to see that it's taking a lot out of the dog to avoid doing so.

Patch still struggles with herself inside for answers to this. Why? Why did her parents suddenly make this decision? Why now, in the middle of winter? Why tonight, when it's snowing so badly...? Her only consolation, if any, is that it's not the beginning of winter anymore, though it's not anywhere near the end, either. She suddenly realizes that they're at the entrance now, nearly on the route itself, in fact. She slowly comes to a stop, looking down at her Growlithe. A small sigh escapes her. "I know this isn't the best night to..." She stops herself - she can feel her voice starting to break already.

Though Peppy slows down just as his trainer does, the halt comes as a surprise to the puppy, and the pup blinks twice as he stops. Patch's voice finds its way through the wind and into the canine's ears, and he turns his head to glance up at her. The dog woofs something very quietly, but the snow and wind drown it. Slowly, hesitantly, but still affectionately, Peppy takes a step toward his trainer and, supposing she allows, nuzzles the side of his furry head against the girl's leg. As he does so, his eyes are closed and his head is down.

Patch almost breaks down right then. She's not going to feel the nudge of Peppy anymore, not be able to have him on her lap anymore, not be able to feed him anymore...Still, she controls herself. She has to be strong, or he'll get more upset, too. She slowly lowers herself to a crouch and, taking off one of her gloves, strokes her Growlithe's head with her ungloved hand. "You've been a good Pokemon. A really, really great Pokemon. Not just in battles, but for your companionship, too. If you couldn't battle, I still would have kept you, if I could. We're all going to miss you..." All...that gives her an idea. She reaches underneath her coat for the rest of her Pokeballs - the others should say good-bye, too.

As Patch strokes Peppy's head, the canine gives his trainer one last nuzzle before taking a small sidestep so as to take a better look at her. While Patch speaks, he rubs up against her hand, though it's easy to tell that he's giving the girl his full attention. <I...> A hesitation. The Growlithe gulps uneasily, and tries once more. <I'm going to miss you too, Patch,> he growls at last, his eyes breaking away from his trainer's face. He closes his eyes tightly, his nose twitching this way and that as he struggles to contain himself. This is hard.

With her gloved hand, Patch takes out two Pokeballs. "Peppy, I'm going to let the others say good-bye to you now, before..." She can't finish. She releases from the balls Charity the Oddish and Eevee. Charity starts to sing a cheery hello, until she notices the weather, and Eevee almost immediately tries to jump inside Patch's coat. <Brrrr...cold!!> Patch removes him from her and sets him down next to Peppy. "Guys, tonight's the night. Tell Peppy good-bye, if you want to." The two immediately become solemn. <Gosh...Well, um, I'm sorry you have to go. I'll miss you, even though I didn't know you that well,> says Eevee. After Patch caught him, though, he did get used to Peppy quicker than to Patch's other Pokemon. Charity's leaves droop. <I'll miss you too. It won't be the same without you.>

It takes a few moments for Peppy to even react to the arrival of Eevee and Charity. Finally, when the pup thinks he's ready, he turns his head and focuses his attention first on Eevee. Though the dog is still not sobbing, the corners of his eyes are watering slightly. A light grin forms from the dog's mouth, but the smile is not friendly or cheerful. <... Yeah,> the pup woofs at last. His eyes glance up to Patch, over to Charity, back at Patch, and, finally, they settle on Eevee. <I'll... miss you, too.> He pauses here as he turns his head to Charity, giving her a very small nod. <And you... also.> The dog's usually sunny woofs and barks have been reduced to quiet and hesitant whimpers and growls.

Eevee looks a little awkward, but Charity hops right up to Peppy and puts her little head up against the side of his - an Oddish kiss, perhaps? <It was fun being in the tournament with you.> She turns back to Patch, and, seeing as they look ready, the trainer calls them back into their balls. Then she takes out two new balls and lets out Victory and Rosie. Rosie actually succeeds in hopping up on Patch and hiding in her hood, shivering, but Victory doesn't seem to mind the cold that much. Patch sighs at the Pikachu. "Rosie, Victory, Peppy's leaving tonight. You should say good-bye to him." As the trainer tries to get Rosie out from inside her hood, Victory turns to Peppy. <I'm really sorry to hear it. Maybe you'll find some sweet Growlithe girl out there somewhere, though, that'll keep you company. Who knows!> Not exactly the most sensitive Pokemon Patch has. She gives him a look.

The dog allows the Oddish to show her love and speak. For a second, Peppy's mind just blanks at the mentioning of tournament. As memories of the event flood in, however, the canine nods slowly, giving Charity another sad smile. The pokemon are recalled, and a second couple pop out. Peppy glances at his trainer for a second or two, before directing his attention to Victory the Staryu. The water-type emits his part, and, as the Pokemon does so, Peppy turns his head to the side. <Maybe...> he whimpers softly, his tail drooping deep into the snow. <I'll... miss you,> the dog ruffs very quietly to Victory, though because the Growlithe's head is turned and the wind is no less strong, the Staryu might not be able to hear him.

Victory can't hear Peppy exactly, though he figures out what the Growlithe was trying to say. He waves one of his arms slowly, almost sadly, even, and says, <Good-bye, and good luck.> Patch finally convinces Rosie to come out, even though the little Pikachu is freezing. She doesn't even have a fur coat like Peppy does. <Oh, Peppy, why do you have to go? I don't want you to leave. Who am I going to play with now?> She looks the saddest of the four Pokemon so far. Her little ears are drooping, and she looks like she's ready to cry. <Ice skating was fun. We can't ice skate anymore now, can we?>

Peppy doesn't look at Rosie while she speaks, keeping his head turned to the side. His teeth clench. His eyes shut tightly, and he doesn't say a word as Rosie pours her little heart out. Even after the Pikachu's ears droop, Peppy stays frozen, like a coil ready to spring. A few moments pass, and when the dog does lift his head, his eyes are red and his face seems tired with emotion. Whether he's crying or not is not easy to see, thanks to snow quickly collecting on the fur of his fuzzy cheeks. <We... can't...> the dog manages, though it sounds rather warped through his clenched teeth. <I'm sorry...> Peppy's ears fall down to the sides, and his tail is drooping very, very low. He tries to add a goodbye, but can't seem to manage the words. "G... rr... rrr..." he struggles, but nothing translatable comes out.

Rosie sniffles a little, then she suddenly dashes towards Peppy and tries to wrap her little arms as far as she can around him, if he'll let her (though that's not very far). <Peppy, I'll miss you so much. I'll always remember you.> Her body shakes, from the cold or from sobbing or both. Patch recalls Victory, but she lets Rosie take her time, since the young Pikachu is obviously very upset about Peppy leaving.

The Growlithe lets Rosie embrace him; he even takes a small step forward to accept it quicker. Lowering his head, Peppy should be able to nuzzle his neck against the Pikachu's, his eyes shut once more. It takes much of the canine's courage, but he is able to manage an audible, <I'll never forget you, either.> Quiet whimpers follow in hot pursuit as he recalls the times he's had with the small yellow mouse, most especially the skating tournament. He'll remember this hug forever, he tells himself. Forever.

Rosie starts crying, just a little, as Peppy nuzzles her. She looks like she's never going to let go, but finally the cold is too much for her and she slowly releases him, looking at Patch expectantly. Patch is almost reluctant to let the Pikachu back in her Pokeball, and as she electric mouse disappears in the red light, she waves to Peppy sadly. <Good-bye, Peppy...> Now, only one Pokemon left to say good-bye to the Growlithe. Patch takes out the last Pokeball, letting out Charles. He takes one look at his sad trainer and the Growlithe, and almost instantly he knows what's going on. <You have to leave now, huh? Wow. What a night to go.> He looks around and shivers. <I hope you can get used to this. Maybe you'll find some safe place to hide until spring. Maybe you'll even find a pack of wild Growlithes to be with and to keep you warm at night. I'm sure there's a group out there somewhere.>

And then, the hug is over. Though it lasted only a couple of moments, it felt hours and hours long. Peppy looks up piteously as Patch recalls Rosie, but the pup knows it's something his trainer has to do. Patch drops Charles's Pokeball to the ground, and Peppy turns his head to the side as the Charmeleon speaks. His eyes don't close this time; instead, he looks out toward the great Route 7 as the evolved speaks. Before the Pokemon is even finished advising Peppy, however, the Growlithe glances up at Charles, his eyes longing, his ears droops, his tail hanging. <Take care...> Peppy's front right paw begins to wobble slightly, weakened by the effort it's taking to stop himself from leaping right into Patch's arms and begging to stay. <... Of... Patch,> the dog pleads, before taking a small step back. The Growlithe's breaths are quick and hurried, and his teeth are clenched shut.

Charles nods, his face serious. <I will. I promise. Good luck, Peppy - and watch out for those water-types. I'm sure you wouldn't pick a fight with anyone, let alone them, but, just be careful.> He looks as if he's finished, but he leans down and gives Peppy an affectionate pat, if Peppy will let him, and then, as he waves, Patch returns him. "Well..." She takes a shaky breath. "I guess this is it..." As she begins imagining Peppy walking off and leaving, tears suddenly come to her eyes as she remembers something, and she tries to wrap her arms around him in an almost desperate hug. "Last night, I had a dream...that all of my Pokemon were taken away from me...but even just you going away is practically as bad as that..."

Peppy can only incline his head slightly as Charles vanishes into his Pokeball, leaving now only the pup and the teenage girl. The dog tries to turn away. It hurts. But Peppy can't help it. As Patch manages to speak, the Growlithe glances up at her, his chest feeling great emotional strain. And then Patch comes forward for the hug. With a quiet whimper that resembles a sob, Peppy moves forward into Patch, rubbing his cheeks, neck, shoulders, whatever is close to Patch against her. For a while longer, Peppy's home is still Celadon. For a while longer, they are still trainer and Pokemon. For a while longer, Peppy is protected from the snow by the human's warmth and a bond of love. But it can't last forever, Peppy knows, and this causes the pup to let out another small whimper and nuzzle Patch even more.

Patch continues to hold Peppy, not ever wanting to let go. "Nobody could ever replace you, Peppy...you're one-of-a-kind. I think you're the sweetest, most faithful, bravest...greatest Growlithe there is out there. You'll always be, to me. I'll never forget you. Take care of yourself, and...I love you..." The last three words are more like bursts of sobs rather than words, and they're barely distinguishable. Patch buries her face in Peppy's fur, wishing over and over again that she didn't have to do this. She just can't make herself let go. But, they can't stay out here like this forever, either...

Nothing can last forever. That still does not stop the Growlithe from trying to make this hug eternal. Peppy's breathing rate increases even further as his trainer pours out affection, causing the dog to also squeeze out tiny whimpers into the girl's clothing. Peppy's crying into Patch, and the Growlithe lets the girl sob into his fur. <I'll... I'll...> the Growlithe tries to say through pounding heart and shortening breaths. He's not going to back away from this hug. Not until Patch can bring herself to.

It seems like forever until she lets go, but finally Patch slowly, painstakingly begins pulling away from Peppy. As she does so, she leans her head down a little to softly kiss the top of Peppy's head, if he lets her. Finally, she's completely apart from him. She's kneeling in the snow, her hands and feet are freezing, but she doesn't care. She doesn't move from the spot. She gazes at her Growlithe for a long moment, trying to memorize this picture of him to keep always in her mind. Then she whispers softly, almost inaudibly, as the tears continue to fall silently onto the snow, "Good-bye, Peppy..."

Patch breaks away from her Growlithe, and the canine, unwillingly, takes a step back. And there stands Peppy. Drooping ears blowing in the breeze, snow collecting on his fur, his mouth... slowly forming the smallest hint of a smile. The dog pauses for a moment longer, and finally summons up enough strength to give his trainer some final words. <I'll always... remember you.> It's now or never, the dog thinks. He takes one last look at his trainer, not knowing whether it'll be his last glimpse of her, and turns east. Taking in one last final breath, Peppy takes off into the snow, vanishing into the snow and into the night.

Patch stares at the place Peppy disappeared at for a long time, almost numb, snow continuing to cover her coat. Then she slowly becomes aware of where she is, of the biting cold and the darkness, and she stands up, putting her glove back onto her freezing hand. She turns her back on Peppy's footprints in the snow, raising her hood again, and, with a lowered head and a heavy heart, trudges back towards the city, a sleeping city, completely unaware of what just took place between a Growlithe and his former trainer.

Thoughts and analyzation, written the night of the RP:

This is a huge turning point in Peppy's life. Though the reasons for the two separating were mostly OOC, there was an IC way - Patch's parents told her to get rid of Peppy. With the gobs of food Peppy eats, you can't blame them.

I've never cried before during an RP. Sometimes, I've been very touched by Wesley's reaction to Melissa, and once an alt (which shall remain nameless) kinda brought me close, but this is my first real... so to speak, passionate RP. Ironic given Peppy's personality. I can only blame it on love for Peppy, I guess - Patch and Peppy really did make the greatest little trainer-pokemon couple while they lasted, and it's sad that her busy life tore it apart. Real life should always come first, and that's why this RP took place.

Peppy is a trained Pokemon, even though he may be wild now. He craves human affection, warm places to sleep, and all the food he can stuff into his belly. He was once left out of this for a few days when Ballistic brought him down to Cinnabar Island, and even then, he had trouble making it without help from Strife. I don't want him to be trained just yet, but the poor guy would have trouble in the wild.

This is the end of the beginning. Is there a middle? Is this the beginning of the end? What will happen to Peppy? I can't tell. Not yet, at least. Only time can tell.