Contents:
Navarone
Aurora
Obvious exits:
North <N> leads to Overgrown Lands - Route 11: Off the Route.

Snow flurries drift silently down from the pale grey sky. The air is damp and cold, and there is little wind. In the forest, snowflurries dust the bare branches of the broadleaves and the needles of the conifers. While at the coast, light snowflakes sprinkle the glossy, black, and calm surface of the ocean.

Snow finds its way through the narrow entrance between the door and the wall of the barn, sending a cool breeze rustling through the barn, unsettling those pokemon not blessed with fur or feathers. The Charmanders are cranky together, huddling behind whatever's big enough, clutching their fiery tails and grumbling to themselves and other pokemon less adapted to the cold, especially the Exeggcute, who seems every bit as inclined to moan and groan. As quickly as they're growing, the little Growlithe puppies over in the corner of the barn are bound to be uncomfortable by the change in the usual warmth of the building, and their playing is somewhat slower and less energetic. Dad's home today - Peppy found food somewhat early this morning, a somewhat healthy (if not a little old) Rattata. He, however, hasn't even taken a single bite, perhaps waiting for Aurora to eat her fill, or perhaps he's just too busy enjoying the wind blowing through the white fur on his face as he sits there on his rump. He idly wonders how a little cold can make some of the pokemon in the barn grumpy, and the thought that he has, you know, fur never occurs to him.

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

It's true that the weather today isn't enough to make Growlithes cold - it takes stronger winds and more snow to do that - but Aurora doesn't look quite as pleased with the weather as her mate. She's also sitting on her rump, a bit further away from the barn door and nearer to the puppies, so she can keep an eye on them as they play. With this weather, they're acting more calmly and Flame, in particular, hasn't been nipping his brothers and sisters as he occasionally does when he thinks his parents aren't looking. Still, Aurora's attention is only half on the pups - once she's sure that they're all in one place, she looks around the barn, her attention wandering from pokemon to pokemon. Some of the others in the barn have come in alone - others, like Peppy and Aurora, are with their families, and the female Growlithe spends most time looking at the other family groups.

Sometimes you never know what could be causing a poor pokemon to be this grumpy. As aforementioned, the lack of warmth is a great factor, but maybe it's also due to hunger. Blessed with a thick winter coat, food is just about the only thing on Navarone's mind, given that he's not as vulnerable to the elements. He's there, close to the two Growlithes, watching Aurora eat while he waits as well, eyeing the Rattata like a hawk. His mouth waters, and he swallows it down, loudly. His tails swish softly, side to side, as he patiently waits for Aurora to finish. Maybe she's forgotten about that promise to share. When you've hardly a bite to eat in the past few days, sometimes it's just a little hard to ignore the lack of food. And so, in light of this, Navarone's stomach decides to retort with a growl. Both ears droop sheepishly. <Sorry about that.>

Taking in a deep breath, the air fresh and cool, Peppy gives off a somewhat sound sigh. It doesn't sound particularly distressed, or tired, or worried, or frustrated, or content, or anything. It's just a sigh, if anything a half-excuse for him to fill his lungs with the crisp air. For the first time in a few minutes, Peppy turns his head to sneak a quick glance at Aurora, now only halfway interested in the Rattata. He watches his mate for a moment or so, perhaps wondering if the Rattata isn't good enough. The wind blows back into his eyes as he turns to where Aurora's looking, trying to note anything of interest. How could it be more attention grabbing than food? ... Ah. Smiling, the Growlithe turns back to Aurora, his tail giving a quick swish-swish. <It's sort of funny to see them all moving, huh?> He directs his eyes back to the door, half grinning. <They're almost always sleeping.> The wind picks up, rustling his cheek fur and the tuft on his head as Peppy inhales once more.

<What? Oh...> Peppy's comment brings Aurora's attention back to her immediate surroundings, and she looks down at the puppies for a little while, and then comments quietly, <Yes, they are...> Her 'survey' of the other inhabitants now almost completed, she stares at her barely-eaten Rattata meal for a while, until Navarone's growling stomach catches her attention, and she turns her head quickly. <Oh! Yes, I forgot... Peppy, Navarone was really hungry, and I said he could share our food when you brought some back. Do you mind about that?> She nudges the Rattata away a few inches with one paw, then returns to watching the puppies with a pensive expression.

As if trying to distract himself from the possibility of him simply making a snatch for the Rattata and running off with it, Navarone too, glances at the pups. The swishes of his tails quicken, and the eager look on his face just fades into a wide grin again. <Words.. mere words.>, he whispers to himself, as if it were a reminder. It's true, when they're sleeping, they don't do much, but even then, Navarone has always been interested in their behaviour, even if all they do is suckle and randomly swipe or kick their mother. So it's easy to imagine how attentive Navarone is when watching the pups in action; moving about and generally interacting with each other. His hunger suddenly doesn't seem so acute anymore.. at least, until his stomach argues with him again. Out of frustration, he simply points his head towards his stomach, and was about to reprimand it when Aurora suddenly speaks up. Watching the Rattata edge ever closer, his eye widens, and it wanders to Peppy. A simple message is shown on Navarone's face, and it simply speaks: Please, pretty please?

As Aurora speaks, Peppy turns his head to watch her, and when she glances back at her puppies, he cocks his head slightly. What do they have to... "Grrrith!" the canine pokemon woofs suddenly, his smile increasing. <Right, they are too!> he woofs enthusiastically, also watching them for a couple moments. <But I was ref...> He's about to gesture back to the other pokemon in the barn with his shoulder, but he pauses for a second and decides to drop it, his voice fading into an inaudible growl. His tail swishes back and forth almost amusedly as he watches Aurora push the Rattata a bit, and he takes a look into Navarone's pleading, pitiful, hungry (definitely hungry!) face. <All right,> the pup woofs after a moment or so. He hesitates for a second, and, assuming Navarone has not just dived upon the Rattata and shredded it to pieces, he'll go on to woof, <Just save a little bit for me, all right?> If the Vulpix has already dug in, the male Growlithe won't even bother. Turning his head back to the ajar door, Peppy is silent once more.

Snow flurries drift silently down from the pale grey sky. The air is damp and cold, and there is little wind.

Both Navarone and Peppy are hungry, but Aurora's already had a little food this evening, and so her stomach doesn't betray her by growling inappropriately when she says, <Navarone, please leave half of it for Peppy...> Watching the Rattata for a few moments more, she glances at Navarone and then at Peppy, and opens her jaws as if she's going to say something... and then closes them again. Open, close, once again - then she says quietly, <Peppy?> and then glances quickly over at Navarone to see if his attention has been distracted yet by the prospect of food.

Those were the two words that Navarone has been waiting for all this time. The sad, pitiful look on Nav's face is replaced by a suprised and elated face; ears perked to the tip, tails swish like nobody's business, his one eye is wide open, and his mouth, dropping suddenly at Pep's confirmation, is now a wide, wide grin. He couldn't be more thankful. <Thank you very much!>, he yips loudly. He looks teary eyed. Aww. Bending forward to take a bite, he catches Peppy's and Aurora's words, and nods accordingly. <Sure.>, he replies, before turning his attention back to the Rattata. Almost greedily, he takes out a large chunk of the Rattata's left flank, and chews eagerly. A couple of <Mmm!>s and muffled words (Thith ith goodh!) are all that he manages to say, and Aurora's call for her mate goes ignored. It's food for pete's sake!

Peppy doesn't react to Aurora's soft beckoning; he instead focuses his attention first upon Navarone, to whom he cocks his head very slightly at. A little snow blows into the pup's face, causing him to squint back a bit. He makes out at the Vulpix through watery, blinking eyes, before shaking his head and turning it to Aurora. If something's wrong with the female Growlithe, Peppy doesn't detect it. His voice isn't loud, but it has cheer as she responds with, <Yes, Aurora?> He steals a quick glance at Navarone when she does, and adds, the doggy smile on his face waning slightly. <Oh. Did you, uh, want to have some more of the Rattata?> A little more panicked now. <Should we tell him to leave more?> His eyes are worried as he jumps from Growlithe to Vulpix, waiting for Aurora's reply.

<No, it's okay, I've eaten enough,> Aurora replies quickly, then she adds more hesitantly, <Peppy, do you ever wonder... um... do you ever wonder what it would be like if you could be free and on your own?> Once she's said it, she shakes her head vigorously and then says, <No, forget I asked. I should be keeping an eye on the pups now - they might want to go back to sleep soon.> Turning her attention back to the puppies, Aurora seems to go off into a pensive daze again, though any reply from Peppy is likely to get her attention quickly.

Be it snow, be it cold blasts of air, or hey, even a Snorlax plummeting in a Body Slam that could collapse this barn, Navarone's quite oblivious to it all, now that he's busy munching and eating. As the few chewed-up chunks of meat hit the bottom of his then-empty stomach, he pauses a little to sigh contentedly. It's at this very moment that Peppy speaks of leaving a little bit more for themselves. Nav swings his head sideways, waiting for an answer from Aurora. He smiles asininely as Aurora confirms her lack of hunger, and was about to dive back into what looks like the Rattata's gut when Aurora continues. His jaws, about to clamp in onto a nice bit of stomach, suddenly freeze. He stays in that position awhile, and only his eye moves, looking at Aurora. As soon as she says 'No..' Navarone jerkily lifts his head up. He is in a -lot- of trouble. Again, hunger takes a backseat- this time to guilt. It's only about a quarter finished, but suddenly Navarone doesn't feel so hungry anymore. Now he's sitting upright, haunches planted firmly on terra firma. He gazes at Peppy- hopefully he accepts what Aurora says, and doesn't say anymore. But then, there's a nagging feeling; what if he doesn't? a shiver shoots up his spine- and it's not from the cold.

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

Any trace of a smile is stripped straight off of the Growlithe's face as Aurora speaks, leaving a somewhat chaotic mixture of confusion, shock, depression, and maybe even panic. His jaws part automatically, unintentionally, but no sound comes out, not even the sound of the Growlithe's breathing. The wind picks up considerably, sending a low murmuring wave of discontent sounds flowing across the barn. His fur dances wildly on his face, and Peppy hardly seems aware of it. After a moment he smiles, drops the grin, then smiles once again, though by no means is it a cheerful look. It's very nervous, and entirely uncertain. Finally, the Growlithe speaks. His voice is soft, but has a hint of hopeful optimism, though it fades away as his sentence goes on. <... Do you want to... leave the farm when the winter comes?> A little more desperate now, and a little quieter. <Is that what you, um, what you want?> Despite his "hopeful optimism", it seems almost blind in his final sentence, as though even Peppy himself knows that's not what she's implying.

The look Aurora sees on Peppy's face when she glances at him is enough to make her expression more miserable, and she half-whispers what she says next in a desperate tone. <It's because... I remembered what Streetwind once said, about being someone's mate, and that it's like you're giving up your freedom. And I wondered what you thought. Would you be happier on your own, and not having to provide for six other hungry Growlithes?> From the way her tail is drooping and her ears are almost flat against her skull, it doesn't seem to be a prospect she'd be happy with, but still she asks... <Do you think it was worth it, giving up your freedom?>

Navarone's jaw is left hanging, just dangling there as the two continue. Inside, he's practically crying. How can this happen? Months ago, he played Cupid; now he's about to see them fall apart (or so he thinks). Worse still, it was the work of his own paws. He whimpers softly, both from the wind biting into his face and fur, as well as from his own emotions running rampant inside him. Ears droop. Tails stop swishing, and if there weren't six of them, he'd be trying to tuck them in between his legs. watching Peppy's face, he immediately recognizes the pained smile; he's seen it before somewhere. Again, it was a result of his own doing. And then, Aurora speaks. what she says next doesn't cause him to withdraw into himself, but instead, widens his singular eye. She's asking Peppy about what he thinks, not questioning herself. The thought brings a soft sigh of relief. It's cold comfort, but it's comfort nonetheless. Shaking himself, he goes back to the Rattata, but instead of biting out massive chunks, he nibbles at it, almost reluctantly.

Though Peppy being confused is nothing new, this time he's hardly blamable. He's trying so hard to figure out whether Aurora is asking him because she's sick of him or because she thinks he's sick of her or maybe if she's just asking just because, but he can't make out very much. He feels almost dizzy, and it takes him a couple seconds to process even what Aurora said. It takes him even longer to reply. He's no longer smiling, though the sullen, almost surprised look on the Growlithe's face might also ring a bell in Navarone's mind. He, unlike the Vulpix, is finding little comfort, even from the blowing wind that presses his fur back against his skin. <... I got freedom, once. From, um, from Patch.> He's definitely insecure, definitely uncertain, but he's definitely genuine. <... And I... I, um, I traded my freedom for you.> Nothing new yet. Peppy looks down at Aurora, as if trying to see something on her face, in her eyes, something. <... I'd do it again. Over and over again, I'd give up...> He simply stops, unable to get it out. What would he give up? He face doesn't answer the question, but it does pose a new one. Though he's silent, he's asking. Wouldn't you?

<Sometimes it seems like there's so much to do, though, and there's only two of us... looking after five young ones is a lot of effort now. And what'll happen when they get bigger? They're...> A grin makes its way onto Aurora's face for the first time this evening, as she says softly, <But they're wonderful, and they'll grow up to be able to survive on their own if they need to. And I suppose that's all thanks to us giving our time to raise them and teach them how to hunt...> She sighs, and hangs her head. <I didn't mean to worry you. I'm sorry. It's just... sometimes looking after them gets a bit tiring, and when I'm tired I sometimes wonder what it'd be like to not have to worry about them...>

Each and every single word is like a blow to Navarone's conscience. Like that very day many months ago, he recognizes the suprised look on the Growlithe's face. It's almost identical. And while the words aren't directed at him, they act in very much the same way that his words; once spoken in a fit of rage to Peppy, did to said Growlithe. They attack. Inside his poor head, there's yelling and screaming that only he can hear. You unite them, then you separate them! You sadistic life-destroyer! Can't you even bear to see other people happy? And it goes on and on, repeating itself, until Peppy stops. The horrible caterwauling in his head just vanishes, and is replaced by Peppy's last words. "I'd give up.." Even if both Growlithes aren't looking, he simply mouths what he thinks would be the ideal word. Life.

Peppy usually snaps right to attention and looks at Aurora whenever she has something to say, but right now, his teeth clenched tightly, he's turned away from her, tucking his nuzzle into his side and squeezing his eyes shut. He stays in this position long after Aurora's trailed off. Perhaps he's angry? Or maybe just holding in tears? Whatever the case, when Peppy does stop touching nose to fur, he brings his head to the front, letting it sag and drop as he peers at the ground, a limp frown visible from Aurora and Navarone's point of view. <Sometimes I get tired, too,> he woofs very softly, still looking at the ground. He blinks once, twice, exhales, and continues. <I try to sleep, and then the puppies wake us up, then I go hunting in the cold and try to go back to sleep again...> He turns his head slightly, now looking at Aurora. Now he's got a small grin on his face, but he tooks more tired than anything else. He opens his mouth, closes it slightly, then opens it again. And he can't say a word. Is this a good sign or a bad one?

<Peppy, I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean... I didn't want to...> Her face says it more clearly than her stuttered and halting words - "I didn't want to hurt you". She glances at the puppies, who thankfully don't appear to have picked up on their parents' conversation. <They grow up quickly, my mother once told me... soon we'll be able to talk to them and they'll learn to talk back. That's when they start sleeping when night falls, and not waking up at strange times. It'll stop snowing in a while, too, I bet, and then it'll be better and less tiring for us...> She sounds hopeful, and looks at Peppy's face as she talks, hoping for a more cheerful reaction, even if she doesn't exactly expect one.

Whatever Peppy's feeling, Navarone's probably feeling it as well, but it isn't as acute as whatever Peppy's feeling. Whatever conversation he catches between the two Growlithes; that which didn't get blocked out by the voices in his head, he nods at. There's a similarity between what the two Growlithes suggest; both are tired. Navarone feels the same way, strangely enough. At least he can relate this to his own experiences; that is, his search for Spook. Many times, he felt like giving up. But he didn't. Blink. That's it! He moves in closer to the couple, and pauses, before he speaks; an action he might regret, but it's a bit too late for that. <Excuse me..> Another pause, for the two Growlithes to look at him. <I know how it feels to be tired. I've felt tired for a very long, long time, and I even felt like giving up at time.> His head droops, as does his ears, but immediately they rise again, lifted by determination. <But I didn't give up! I still believe, and I still hope for it.. and you two should do so as well. You can't give up now... You've come so far.> Glance at Peppy. <I remember you telling me that. 'You can't just give up.' Don't tell me you don't heed your own advice?>, he asks, a pleading look on his face. Please, oh please, agree with me for once!

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

Snow flurries drift silently down from the pale grey sky. The air is damp and cold, and there is little wind.

Peppy gives Aurora another uneasy grin, his head lifting up just a little now that his mind is no longer moaning about how Aurora is *so* going to finally figure out how pathetic Peppy is and she's going to leave him. Good of Peppy's self-confidence to support him in his time of need. Navarone's butt into the conversation causes the Growlithe to blink a few times and glance up at him, almost as though he's unaware that there are more organisms in the world than him, his mate, and his children. Navarone is not met by Peppy's own gaze, not until he mentions that they 'can't give up now'. Looking the Vulpix right in the eye, the pup's ears lift right off of his head, no longer droopy flaps of depression. His tail doesn't wag, but at least he doesn't seem quite so hopeless. <I'll keep on going,> he finally woofs, one last breeze puffing into the dog's face before the wind finally dies. His fur is frizzled and frantic, but Peppy doesn't notice as he looks at his mate, gives her another nervous smile, and adds, <If you will.>

Aurora smiles, nervously at first, then a little more confidently. <I... I want to keep on going,> she says after a pause, and looks at the puppies then up at their father. <I want to see them grow up and become strong, just like their father... and if we work together, then... we can...> Her voice is quieter as she says, <I need you, Peppy. Neither of us can care for them on our own, but together we'll be... we should be fine.>

There. He's spoken his worth. And thankfully for Navarone, it seems to work. And as Peppy and Aurora both agree to his statement (to some extent), he releases a soft exhale. Soft as it might be, it seems to magically lift the burden on his shoulders. He just continues to look on, an almost guilty eavesdropper, practically invisible to the two. A glance at the half-eaten Rattata. There's a smirk on his face. Out of the simple fact that he was extremely hungry, he caused this whole ordeal of the two Growlithes each doubting themselves. If the Rattata wasn't already dead, he'd throttle the darned thing into oblivion. He's brought back into reality when Aurora mentions the words 'I need you Peppy.' There's a smile of pure untainted joy on his face, and he turns away momentarily, just to wipe away a tear pooling in his eye with a paw. Maybe it wasn't so wrong to interrupt after all.

It's only when Aurora mentions the word 'together' that Peppy actually looks relieved, his chest squeezing up as he exhales, a faint whisp of smoke visible in the cooling air. Half of him wants to break down and cry, and half of him wants to stand tall and be strong like she says he is. Half of him wants to come right out and say he's not strong enough to be her mate, the other half says it doesn't matter as long as she likes him. All of him, however, propels him to simply look at Aurora for a few moments, stomach hurting, chest clenched, eyes hanging, head throbbing. At last, he opens his mouth, inhales, builds strength, and eventually speaks. <... Just realize that I need you too.> The corners of the pup's mouth perk up a bit as he takes a step towards his mate, brings his head level to hers, and proceeds, if she'll let him, to nuzzle her. <You said together, and that means both of us.>

<I... you do?> Aurora replies quietly, sounding a little surprised. <But I'm-> Whatever she was going to say next is cut off as Peppy moves in to nuzzle her, and after a second or so she begins to nuzzle back. <I'll do anything I can to help you,> she murmurs. At this point, some of the puppies have finally noticed that mum and dad are both near enough to play with, and trot towards their parents - but Aurora, for one, doesn't notice at the moment, her mind still on Peppy.

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

Navarone can't help but smile. He's been doing that a lot lately, thanks to these two. And as he just watches the two display their affection towards each other, his minds wanders a little. Could he ever love anyone like Peppy does? A shake of the head. He's got Spook to worry about, and while she may not be around anymore, he loves her all the same. Another sigh. Gazing at the pups, he giggles lightly as they trot closer to their parents, ready to engage in a little playtime. Turning around, he trots back towards his own little corner that he has staked out in the barn, but not before he takes another bite out of the Rattata. It's a free meal, after all. Lying down, he settles into a nice nap, tails wrapped around himself like one would with a scarf. Cupid just shot another arrow, ladies and gentlemen; and he's got plenty more where that came from.