Obvious exits:
North <N> leads to Old Macdonald's Farm.
South <S> leads to Overgrown Lands - Route 11: Off the Route.
West <W> leads to Field and Streams - Route 11: Orchards.
East <E> leads to Footbridge - Route 12: Junction.

Sophia has arrived.

Towering white clouds drift slowly through the blue sky. It's hazy and hot, and the glare of the sun seems to drain the color from the landscape. In the forest, the shade under the deep green leaves of the trees is welcome relief from the hot glare of the sun. While at the coast, the sea sparkles in the brilliant sunlight, the waves rolling merrily against the shore.

It's the afternoon of the first bright and sunny day the island has seen for weeks. As a result, this is positively no weather to spend all alone, without family or friends around. As he walks down the human's road, Peppy the Growlithe, no doubt on the hunt for a Rattata for his own pack, spies all sorts of love and play from all sorts of pokemon on either side of the road. A few Drowzee playing a sort of catch game with each other, a flock of Pidgeys gathered around a story-telling Bulbasaur, and all other activities. Some of these groups of pokemon scatter in all directions when Peppy walks by, while others stay in their tight pacts, recognizing the Growlithe as no direct threat. Curiously enough, between two large trees on the route, two Rattatas rolling a half-deflated ball back and forth look up as the predator approaches, and immediately hurl themselves off in a frantic chase. Peppy doesn't even look up at what should his prey; he simply continues down that beaten path, head low, ears pressed against his scalp, tail drooped. Curious.

Immense, fluffy clouds sail languidly through a blazingly blue sky. The brilliant yellow sun beats down on the earth mercilessly, draining the color from some of the plants, giving them a sickly yellow-green color. The few trees that grow around the route look limp, drained of energy that once made them burst forth from winter snows. However, despite their unhealthy pallor, the trees do offer plenty of shade for anyone weary from the heat. The streams that babble and run along the route offer crystal cool water, and cast a light mist, cooling the area just a little. Sophia herself pads along the route, wearing an immense white T-shirt, with black capri pants. Her hair is damp, twin ponytails plastered to her back. Judging by the outline of a black bathing suit beneath her shirt, Sophia's spent a day at the beach. Her Pikachu, Hestia rests upon her shoulder, looking considerably drained thanks to the heat. Behind her, a familiar looking Growlithe wearing his black vest and sunglasses pads. It's Kero! He looks a little bigger, and well fed as usual. "Growli? Growl!" <Is this what life is like here? Interesting!> He notes with no small amount of interest that activities of the wild pokemon around him. Sophia squints, her eyes still a little unused to the blinding light. Is that a Growlithe coming towards her? "Hey there," She waves to the pokemon, moving more slowly. It's best not to anger him or her...

Padding down the path, Peppy doesn't seem to have only depression on his mind, but weariness as well. His walk is more of a stumble than anything else, and though he's at least able to keep his tongue in, he pants with every step, his breaths deep and loud. Looks like he's been walking from some time. A rather uncommon noise smacks into his ears, and it's just the sound he's been waiting for for hours. The voice of a human. Jerking his head up, his ears bouncing with the movement, Peppy quickly scans the area before him, trying to determine the source of the noise as quickly as possible, as though his life depends upon it. He settles his green eyes upon Sophia's form, smiles very, very slightly, and springs off into a sprint! ... Which lasts a whole two seconds. The image of a shrieking girl running in terror of the Growlithe charging at her manifests in his mind, and this quick run of his immediately slows to a stop, and he stares over at the girl with a front paw suspended in the air. If she's still there, he'll continue toward her at a far slower pace, but still a brisk trot. Looks like he's not as frightened of humans as many other pokemon may be... although he does seem a little too interested, doesn't he?

Towering white clouds drift slowly through the blue sky. It's hazy and hot, and the glare of the sun seems to drain the color from the landscape.

Sophia blinks, glancing at the unhappy looking Growlithe. "Poor thing," She tilts her head. Kero's ears perk up. A familiar Growlithe! Kero licks his lips, panting in the heat and sneezes, sending some fur flying. Apparently, he's still shedding his thick winter fur. Sophia smiles at Peppy, her eyes widening as he springs into a sprint. Is he going to attack? Sophia winces, throwing her arm over her face and neck to keep his canines from burrowing into them if he intends on attacking... and he doesn't, so she lowers her arm, blinking. Her gray eyes are wide, startled. "Oh... You're not afraid of me? You look familiar," She frowns. Growlithe tend to look fairly similar. She doesn't run away, however, and lets the Growlithe come to her. Hestia looks fairly unruffled by Peppy's appearance. <I knew he was going to do that,> She announces, though the fur upon her back has risen. Kero himself looks wary, ready to spring to Sophia's aid, but he holds his ground, and barks a greeting to the other canine. Sophia looks suspicious. "Are you lost? You're not afraid of people like most Growlithe are..." She mumbles. As always, Sophia quickly returns to her calm state, and watches the Growlithe a moment. Just watches and waits. The ball is in Peppy's court now.

Oh, good, she didn't sick her most powerful pokemon on him in self defense. Sounds like an invitation as far as Peppy is concerned. And as once he's within casual speaking range, he plops down on his haunches, and... looks around at Sophia's little troop. And just kind of blinks. Grinning uneasily. Yes, the ball is in Peppy's court, but he doesn't know how to play so he's just letting it bounce past him. After a couple moments of this blank peering, pondering what to say, he looks up at Sophia, his nervous smile becoming even more intense. <Um... uh, hi,> he greets softly, his tail giving a single swish of interest. He opens his mouth and takes in a breath to speak more, but no noise comes out; apparently, whatever he has to say has got him kind of choked up. Why? Is it mean? Is it risky to say to a human? With Peppy, you never can tell what he's thinking. Snapping his mouth shut, Peppy frowns, his cheeks reddening behind his white fur. His eyes flicker to Kero before drifting back to Sophia, though not without a double take as, somewhere in the back of Peppy's mind, he realizes that the Growlithe appears awfully familiar.

Sicing your most powerful pokemon on a Growlithe never struck Sophia as wise. If anything, it would give him a reason to attack, and already Sophia's been attacked by Growlithe. Kero has nearly chewed her arm off before they bonded. Kero sits down, mirroring the older, wiser Growlithe. Fortunately, he has a pretty good memory thanks to being around Sophia. Narrowing his brown eyes a little, he mutters, <Hi, aren't you the one with puppies?> He tilts his head, his floppy ears perking. Sophia's eyes widen as he greets her. "Hello, there," Sophia smiles and waves her long, slender fingers towards Peppy. Sophia looks pleased to have a visitor, even if he is furry. "Are you alright?" She lifts an eyebrow at Peppy's choking noises. Growlithe normally don't make noises like that. Hestia's long ears perk up, swiveling forward to bear. "Pi," She waves. <Hello.> Sophia narrows her eyes, looking concerned. She puts her hand to her chin, tapping it thoughtfully. "Are you hungry?" She asks. Perhaps desperation has driven the wild pokemon to come so near human territories?

Saving the data is only the beginning... (Saving!)

Kero's statement causes Peppy's entire body to prick up, and he snaps his head in the younger Growlithe's direction, regarding him with a narrow-eyed peer of interest. Maybe Peppy wasn't wrong to think that Kero looks familiar. "Lithe," he woofs, something of an "<Oh>". Then again, peppier: "Lithe!" Nodding his head quickly, Peppy speaks even faster than usual, as though desperate to get this point across as soon as possible. Looks like all that stuttering was all trying to determine the best way to start talking, and Kero's giving him that entrnace. <Yes, that's me. And that's you, I've seen you before! Yes, um, I'm the one with the puppies, and, uh, actually, um, everything's not great with them... Uh, I mean, all of them are great, except for one. One isn't great, there was an accident and he's really... kind of, uh, bad, you know? It's like somebody hurt him but he's really small so it hurt him bad and now we're really scared over him, and, um, um, I need, uh, we need help.> Ho-lee-cow. If Sophia doesn't understand perfect Growlithe, she's going to have one heck of a time getting this translated fast enough. Peppy speaks with his eyes squeezed shut half the time, reddening furiously under his white fur, as though the simple thought of begging help shames him. He clenches tightly into himself, as though bracing for a bow, even before he hears Sophia's reply, should she give one.

Thankfully Sophia's Growlithe is pretty good. She's had Kero since early December. Kero looks a little pleased that he remembered, his tongue hanging out, as a satisfifed smirk etches itself across his canine face. His bushy tail waves and he nods. Sophia nods. "I remember you now," She grins. The poppa! Hestia grins. <It's a Kero!> She beams. <Or something,> Hestia sighs. Too many striped pups in this world for one Pikachu. Sophia's expression shifts as Peppy's mood does. "What? Hurt?" Her face takes on a more grim expression. Puppies were liable to get in trouble, and in the wild, trouble can often be fatal. Hestia nearly got eaten... "Oh, no, you need help? What can I do?" Sophia looks worried now, a familiar spark of paranoia leaping into her once placid gray eyes. Her glasses slide to the end of her nose, making her look like she's concentrating more than ever. "What's happened? Do you want us to follow?" She angles her head towards Peppy. Kero's expression falls into one of grim realization. <Hurt? How?> His eyes narrow, and he looks all the part of a determined gaurd dog. After all, Peppy's family is practically his family after the glowing description he got. Sophia steps towards Peppy, unsure of what to do now. His confusion and terror is probably wearing off on her now. Or perhaps it's just her. Hestia shuts her eyes, shaking her head. <I hope it's okay,> She frowns, her dark eyes reflecting the worry that has infected their group.

There must be a holy ray of light shining down upon Peppy by now, but he doesn't have any time to look up at the sky and determine this. His heart is no longer thumping with the impending threat of asking for humans for help or, perhaps, watching his son die; now it's humping with a kind of optimism, one usually more associated with Peppy's demeanor. <Thank you,> he half sighs, as though letting some weight off of his chest. <Okay, um, you humans have this... um, thing. Aurora said the name, it's, uh, it's... a potion.> His eyes shine a bit as his mind recollect the word, and he nods, first at Sophia, then at Kero. His tail flicks back and forth. He quickly moves onto the next statement, mentally reminding himself that he doesn't want them to ask how he knows what a potion is. <They, um, I think they might be able to help Briska out. Maybe.> His voice drops a little bit. <I mean, I really hope it will.> A light growl escapes from his throat, and, with an irritated grumble at it, he turns his head to the side, locking eyes onto the first rock he sees, as though he expects it to move. He always does that when he's nervous.

Kero grunts, looking to Sophia. The nerdy girl looks thoughtful, then a spark of light enters them. "Oh! Yes! I won one in a tournament!" She hops once. Sophia's heart leaps into her throat. The idea of an innocent pup ending his life before his time is a very unpleasant one to the girl, as she holds the companionship of her own Growlithe very dear to her. Kero barks triumphantly once. Sophia smiles lightly. "Oh... Do you think you could carry it or do we need to follow you?" Sophia asks Peppy quietly. He might not be too keen on the idea of a human approaching his children. After all, Growlithe are notoriously protective. "Aurora. That's a lovely name," Sophia murmurs, mostly to herself. Hestia nimbly slides down Sophia's arm and starts unzipping her backpack. "Hestia knows where it is," Sophia explains. "Er, the potion you want. And I think it will help. Pokemon that get hurt in battles can be healed," She explains "almost instantly." Sophia wrings her hands, looking nervous as she watches Peppy. Her movements are starting to look a little jerky, while Kero looks solemn and grim. Hestia herself is now half in, half out of Sophia's backpack, rummaging. Wiping some of the sweat off her brow, Sophia looks to Peppy, awaiting his answer.

Yeah, he's definitely bathed in a ray of holy light. How else can you explain stumbling upon a Growlithe-liking girl with a friendly personality who has a high-quality potion and is more than willing to give it up and, if Peppy wishes, administer it herself? There's got to be some outside force at work here. <Oh, I, um... I think I can do it myself. Aurora's really smart, she'll know how to use it.> He looks up at Sophia with big guilty puppy eyes, hoping that she understands him when he implies he'd rather not let her near his kids, even after she's doing all this for her. <... Yeah... um, Aurora's a lovely Growlithe, too.> He smiles a little here, and adds, <And so is Briska, and that's why I really, really want to hurry and help him out.> Peppy shifts his weight back and forth from side to side, admittedly a little uncomfortable about taking the potion and running. It doesn't strike his mind to ask if she has a 'lesser' potion she can buy at a store, but that's not really his fault - what would a Growlithe know about buying stuff, anyway?

A few squeaks later, Hestia's head pops out of the backpack, holding a blue bottle with a sprayer that says "F.A.P" upon the label. Sophia takes the potion into her hand as her Pikachu zips the bag back up. Having a pint-sized 'Chu is handy. Sophia kneels on the ground, her capri pants protecting her knees and explains the thing. It looks like a mini-Windex bottle or something. "Okay," She twists the nozzle. "The nozzle's open, so all you have to do..." she puts her hand on the trigger, "is grip it tightly here. You should be able to do this with your teeth," She nods. "Hit the worst point of the wound with the spray, and it should start to work." Kero's ears perk, feeling Kero's relief. After all, they are the same species, and their species must continue. It's a primal instinct rooted deep into the canine. Sophia nods. "I understand. Parents have to do what they have to. Here, hold it by the top so it doesn't get set off accidentally," Sophia smiles and holds the top of the thing to Peppy. She couldn't really afford to buy a potion worthy of tournament or emergency use. Hestia waves to Peppy. <Hope that helps,> She lowers her ears, flattening them against her body. "Run away home, then," She smiles softly, knowing the pokemon will most likely bolt once he has what he knows. Sophia understands that Peppy probably doesn't want a human near his pups. She was fairly protective of Hestia when she was tiny, and she wasn't even Sophia's. Sophia sighs, and she'll stand once he takes the potion. "Farewell. I hope we meet again," Her gray eyes glitter with a sadness from realizing she may not have been on time.

Peppy's green eyes widen at the sight of the potion, and he gives off an unmistakable breath of excitement. He has to mentally tell himself to keep his paws planted on the ground to keep himself from snatching it up from Sophia's hands and rushing home to heal Briska as soon as possible. His restlessness is obvious while Sophia tells Peppy how to use the F.A.P., an explanation Peppy only listens to half of. And finally, she offers him the potion, and, taking a couple steps towards it, he snatches it just the way she tells him to, right on the top. With a smile at Sophia, he spins to the side and takes one step in the direction of his home, pauses, and whirls right back around. Setting the medicine on the ground very gently, he lifts his chest up high and woofs to her, <I, um, I really... really appreciate it, a lot. I, uh, I don't know what I could do for you to make it up to you, but I bet Briska will really be glad, too. If, um, if you need something... maybe, I don't know, and you think I can help...> He grins a little uneasily, and, supposing her reply doesn't require a response from Peppy, he'll woof her a good night, snatch the potion up, and march off along the path, a new bounce back in his step.

Saving the data is only the beginning... (Saving!)

"Bye, little guy," She smiles and waves. "I hope his puppy's okay. Briska, was it?" She tilts her head to Kero, who simply nods. He barks his farewell, his tail waving with excitement. "It's... alright, I probably would have just hoarded it anyways," She smiles softly. She takes a deep breath and nods. "Thanks. Good luck," She waves again. Hestia throws in a wave of her own, and Kero lets out a long, mournful howl, bellowing his respect across the route. He watches the other Growlithe go. Sure, they sacrificed the one thing Sophia won in a tournament with her own pokemon, but who can weigh the cost of a life against a potion? Sophia watches the Growlithe go, taking a deep breath. A huge weight has been lifted from her shoulders. "I hope everything works out," She grins. "We should probably get going. Summer nights reek with gnats," She frowns and lets Peppy run away home to his family and wounded pup.

Towering white clouds drift slowly through the blue sky. It's hazy and hot, and the glare of the sun seems to drain the color from the landscape.

Peppy, surprisingly, stops in his tracks. He blinks at the path before him, before turning his head around, glancing back at Sophia with a touch of curiosity. He looks back at the path in front of him, lifting his head slightly, before smiling very gently and whirling around. He sets the potion on the ground, and barks a rather loud, <Wait!> If only he knew her name. <Wait, wait, wait a second!> He pulls into a slow jog, again not wanting to scare the human or her smaller pokemon. If she does stop (if she's walking) and allow him to approach, he'll keep walking until he's right in front of her, looking up at her with almost a sense of urgency. <I want to tell you something,> he woofs to her. <But I want to whisper it into your ear.> Uh oh. This is sounding like a little red riding hood story. Is he going to bite her if she leans over? Or flamethrower her in the face? He is a wild animal, but he doesn't exactly seem threatening - though that may not mean anything.

"Hm?" Sophia blinks as the wild pokemon stops in his tracks and turns to Peppy. "What?" She stops and looks down towards him. Sophia's eyebrows furrow a moment. This must be pretty urgent if he's stopping... Kero turns, his floppy ears lifting. <Stop, Sophia,> He tugs at her pant leg with his teeth. Sophia halts as Kero hangs onto her. Sophia looks down at Peppy and nods. "Well, if you want to whisper, I suppose I'll listen," She smiles lightly, trusting Peppy, perhaps too much. Hestia scrambles off of Sophia's shoulder, her tiny paws perfect for her acrobatics. She keeps out of Bite range, looking more wary than Sophia or Kero. Sophia is now kneeling, ready to listen to Peppy. She looks ready to spring away if something should happen, however. And Kero steps away, his gaurd dog look still on his face. He's younger than Peppy, and much more trusting of Sophia, but he's not stupid. Sophia tilts her head. "You're not going to bite me, are you?" She raises an eyebrow. This seems a little fishy, but Sophia will listen to Peppy. He's been her friend through and through so far, after all.

Peppy may very well give poor Sophia the fright of her life. Without a warning, he makes a quick step forward, diminishing the gap between them. Augh! Is he going to bite? Sure enough, there's almost no way Sophia will be able to draw back in time, and almost immediately, she'll feel wetness all along the side of her cheek. It must be blood! ... Without pain. ... Supposing Sophia hasn't run a mile and a half away by now, she may realize that Peppy is not at all attempting to attack her, but, rather, give her a very (very) appreciative slurp right on the cheek. Maybe he knows humans like slurps, or maybe that's just his way of saying thanks. He'll only slurp her for a little bit if she doesn't pull back, but if she does...

For better or worse, Sophia's not exactly the fastest reacting human being on the planet. Her eyes flutter open with fear, and she gasps as the Growlith suddenly closes in on her only to give her... a licking! Kero grins, parting his dark lips. She blinks as the perfect pink tongue is dragged across her cheek. "Aww, hey, it's okay, that's what friends are for," Sophia smiles slightly. If Peppy lets her, she'll give him a little rub between the ears. "Thank you," She grins. What a kindly Growlithe! She'll also fluff his mane gently and let him go his way, or keep slurping as he wants. Kero wags his tail, letting out a happy bark, short and ecstatic. "Be careful on your way home, okay?" She looks to the paternal Growlithe at her side. "And that's a Fast Acting Potion. Briska will be better very quickly," She chuckles. She will pat Peppy before he goes, feeling oddly content about all of this.

Oo! And a reply rub on the ears! Peppy's heart takes a leap as he realizes that omigosh if he asks Sophia will probably give him *scritches*, which is one of Peppy's favorite things in the world. More than he loves getting scritched, however, he loves his family, and with a grumble to himself, he pulls back after getting Sophia's cheek wet around, and peers up at her with a half-grin. <Thanks again,> he woofs after she wishes him the best, giving her a comforting nod and a wider smile. <I really hope he will.> And with that statement, he spins around, trots up to his F.A.P, grabs it up into his jaws, and turns to Sophia. He gives her one last look before he springs off of his back paws, kicking up dust and dirt as he does, sprinting as fast as his little legs will carry him back to his home - and to his son.

"Bye, little guy," She smiles and waves. Sophia nods, her gray eyes filled with ...something. A distant look of utter calm. Perhaps she's learned something in the brief whirlwind of urgency the Growlithe came bearing. Now the clouds have parted and the evening is calm. Hestia looks strangely calm herself, and Kero looks immensely pleased. The idea of someone else losing a family alongside his is rather perturbing and would open a wound he'd rather not. Sophia gives one final wave, then she'll start off on her own path. Summer eves bring insects and she and her pokemon are walking buffets. "What a nice Growlithe," She glances over her shoulder, watching Peppy spring. "Hope he makes it. Some careless trainer probably got his pup," She sighs. She too, was once a greedy trainer, but thankfully, she's learning better.