Contents: Aurora
Obvious exits:
Northeast <NE> leads to Commerce Road - Route 7: Trader Way.
Southwest <SW> leads to Celadon City: Eastern Entrance.

Jameka has connected.

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. Here and there, groups of colorful Butterfree can be seen flying towards the ocean. 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.

Can it be? Can it be that after all this rain and haze and wind, it's finally a bright sun-shiny day? Apparently so - the blue sky, the white clouds, the golden sun, the green grass - everything would be perfect if there wasn't so much -mud- all over the place. Those are the thoughts going through Peppy's head as he makes his way through the muck, hopping over this puddle of mud, leaping over that clump of dirt, and so forth. Half of him is saying it's too good a day to stay inside the den sleeping - the other half is saying there is -too much dirt- and he should just retire to Aurora's place and snooze the day away. Still, he's not about to put his nose near the ground, so he sniffs high into the air, apparently looking for something.

Since the day's so bright, and for once it's not raining, the aforementioned den is actually empty - instead, red and black fur streaked with mud can occasionally be seen through the bushes, as Aurora searches for... something. It's impossible to tell what she's looking for from the path, although whatever it is is apparently quite deep into the undergrowth.

Wow, it must be a looking day! Everybody's looking for... well, something. Peppy's looking for something, Aurora's looking for something, even little Jameka is looking for something this fine day. Although, the electric rodent probably has a far slimmer chance of finding what's she's searching for, especially in so short a period as a day. But days pile up, if not rather slowly, and even if you're going as slow as a Slowpoke you'll eventually get someplace given enough time. And heaven knows poor Jammie's had time. Weeks of it! <So,> the Pikachu mumbles to herself, trudging along doggedly, <If I just keep going I'll be home in no time! This place is already starting to look familiar...> Poor thing.

Peppy blinks, coming to a stop as he sniffs the air. Something is amiss - he's definitely picked up the scent of Aurora, but he's not right outside her den or anything. The fact that she might not be sleeping inside doesn't initially hit the pup, and so, with a look of curiousity pure and on his face, the dog slinks down a little bit, using the bushes as a kind of cover almost accidentally, and trots off in the direction of the other Growlithe, ears and nose keen and alert to find any other trace of her. Chances are mostly likely that Jameka won't see him - but it's very well possible that Aurora will.

The female Growlithe finally finds what she's looking for. In front of her is a bush with berries already ripe, and they don't appear to be poisonous, either! With a triumphant but quiet "Grrrow!" she wriggles backwards until she's got space to move, then turns back towards the den - and then she catches Peppy's scent in the air, and stops, nose alert to try to find the other Growlithe. Which she does, within a few seconds, as he creeps through the bushes. Her expression eager, she calls, <I found food over here! And it's good to eat!> She's loud enough that the little lost Pikachu on the road may even hear her.

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

It's doubtful Jameka will catch so much as the scent of Growlithe, despite the fact that there are two of them in the immediate area, as she's a fairly good distance down the road. Not to mention the fact that she's rather absorbed in talking to herself. An odd sight the little critter is, too. So covered in mud, she's not longer a yellow Pikachu with tan markings. She's more like a tan Pikachu with yellow markings. A tan Pikachu with yellow markings that's talking to herself as she marches along down the edge of the road on all fours head drooped, jagged tail nearly touching the ground, and ears flopped back behind her. Aww.

As though Aurora barking wasn't enough to grab Peppy's attention, she mentions food. Coming to a -complete- halt the moment Aurora wuffs <Food>, Peppy only starts to blink and breathe again after she's finished speaking. No longer afraid of going through mud, the pup now barrels a direct path toward the other Growlithe, now using his nose not only to find her better, but to find whatever food she could be talking about too! Turns out he didn't really need to 'follow his nose' (wherever it goes!), as Aurora's not far away at all. Slowing down his pace, Peppy puts on a little grin at he approaches the female, but something else - something *behind* Aurora - catches his attention as well. <Hey, look,> he barks, almost quietly, to Aurora. Berries forgotten (despite having never been noticed by the Growlithe), he makes a little head-gesture toward the Pikachu plopping her way down the path. He glances back at her, wondering - is she pondering what he's pondering? ... No taking over the world, now...

Aurora turns to look at the road at Peppy's gesture, and sniffs in the direction of the mud-covered Pikachu, frowning as she looks back at Peppy. <I think... is that someone I've met before? They smell familiar.> She inclines her head slightly at Peppy and asks, <What do you think?>, then a growl from her stomach makes her glance back at the bush longingly. <I think I might get some food...> she murmurs.

Pat. Draaag. Pat. Draaag. This would be the sound of a muddy, tired, lonely Pikachu scuffing along down the road. Pat. Draaag. Pat. Draaag. Pat. Dra-- Jameka halts mid-drag and sits back on her hanches, tiny forepaws tucking up against her chest and nose going into the air, wiggling cutely as she sniffs around. <Yup,> she concludes afer a minute of this. <This place is definitely familiar.> The little Pikachu nods decisively, takes a deep breath and starts forward again, humming to herself. <Home, home. I'm goin' home. Home, home..>

Peppy continues looking at Aurora as she speaks, before giving Jameka another glance. Almost automatically, he sniffs the air. <I think you're right.> Peppy gives the tiniest little nod, barking, <I think I know him, too.> Pause. <Her, actually.> Pause. He peers back at Aurora, and woofs a little, <But we don't have to -actually- eat her! We can just practice instead. Then we can eat...> Peppy blinks, and cocks his head slightly at her. <Where's the food?> Sniff, sniff. Peppy turns his head around - and spots those berries. Those ripe berries. Those ripe delicious berries. Those ripe delicious berries with an overpowering scent. "Grrrowl," the pup barks softly, a little drool starting to dribble out of his mouth as he just sort of peers longingly at the fruit. <... Those look... really good...>

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. Here and there, groups of colorful Butterfree can be seen flying towards the ocean.

What a decision for a hungry Growlithe. Food, or practising hunting? Aurora glances over at the Pikachu for several seconds, apparently unable to make up her mind - until another growl sounds from her stomach, and she shakes her head and heads towards the bush at a trot. <Last one to the bush is a... Meowth!> she woofs as she moves.

Jameka continues to trot down the road, blissfully oblivious to the fact that somewhere, out there, two Growlithe were thinking about using her for hunting practice. And she keeps singing, too, her previous mood greatly improved by the confirmation that yes, this place is familiar. Her mood probably wouldn't be half so cheerful if only she knew /why/ the place was familiar and that it wasn't anywhere /close/ to where she was trying to get. But this she doesn't know, and, as they say, ignorance is bliss. And heaven only knows Jameka is ignorant enough. Then, abruptly, the Pikachu halts once more and perks up, nose quivering. She... smells something... familiar. The rodent's eyes widen. If this place was familiar, and now she was smelling something familiar, too... could she be home?

Peppy also glances at Jameka for a bit, as though this is the biggest decision of his entire life and he'll never have to choose something like this ever again. Any decision involving food would seem like the perfect choice... but practicing hunting involves food, too! Right as Aurora starts to speak, Peppy himself also opens his mouth to suggest food over hunting, but he closes his trap right as the female starts to speak. And then she challenges him! To a race! Run to that bush, Peppy, run! ... But the pup doesn't move an inch, instead turning to the food and woofing a rather loud, <What's a Meowth? Is it... hey, come back here!> And with that, he starts off after Aurora, his paws splashing up mud all over. He's coming up quickly, but chances are that the other Growlithe's going to make it there first. If only he hadn't asked such a dumb question!

In her haste to get to the bush, Aurora's stepping wherever she can - on the little grass that's let, on firm ground, and in the mud. Lots of mud. Enough mud that, eventually, its slipperiness has to affect her - the Growlithe slips in the mud as she nears the bush, skids, falls, and starts to slide along on her front, splashing mud as she goes. And getting quite a bit of it in her face, and her mouth every time she opens it to try to call, <A Meowth is...>

<Home!> Jameka sqeals suddely, dashing forward full-speed. <Home, home, home!> The Pikachu scampers through the mud, slopping more in herself and not caring, somehow managing not to slip and go sprawling. Closer she gets to the two Growlithes. Closer. Closer... <Eee!> she shrieks abruptly, catching sight of the two fire-types up head and stopping dead in her tracks. <You... you aren't my family!> No duh. Wishful thinking in the Pikachu's part, obviously. Her family never lived anywhere near this place! Aww, poor thing.

Peppy himself is just going right through the mud, and though he's wobbly and shaky, he miraculously avoids slipping and falling and getting a face full of mud. Aurora, unfortunately, is not quite so lucky. Food, Pikachus, and Meowths forgotten, Peppy woofs a partially-alarmed "Grrrowlithe?" and starts to come to a halt, sliding a number of feet in the mud (and, consequently, accidentally going right past Aurora). He's, like, -right there- in front of the grapes, but he ignores his stomach for a moment, spins around, and dashes his way back to where Aurora's fallen (well, slid to, at least) - it shouldn't be far. <Are you okay?> he woofs, lowering his head a little to glance at the now -very- muddy Growlithe. If he thinks to snicker at the other pup's misfortune, he doesn't. It's about... -now- that Jameka comes around and makes quite an obvious statement. He gives Jameka a little glance, but doesn't acknowledge her presence until he's sure Aurora hasn't... broken her leg or had some equal injury. Hey, it would hurt!

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

<Mmmmmfffph,> is the Growlithe's first reply, before she shakes her head and spits out the mud that's ended up almost being swallowed. <Uh. Yes, I think I'm okay. I can stand up...> Aurora attempts something that, on dry ground, would have her on her paws in almost no time - but in this slippery mud, her paws move together a few inches and then slide apart again, making the pup splash down on the mud again. <At least, I think I can stand up...>

What a disappointment! Here she was, all excited about seeing her family and all she gets is a pair of muddy lovebirds! Poor Jameka. <You...> she whimpers quietly, staring at the two Growlithe. <You're... not my family.> Yes dear, we've established this already. <But... but...> Snifflechoke. <I thought I was home!> And then, in one giant wave, it hits her. She understands where she is now, and why it was so familiar. Of course. As this sinks in, the little Pikachu's big brown eyes begin to get bigger, and all wobbly due to the collecting of tears. Her nose wiggles, her chin quivers and suddenly, loudly, she begins to wail. <Waaaaah! I wanna go hooooome!> Apparently the last few weeks have... uhm, gotten to her.

Peppy just sort of watches while poor Aurora slips and falls, spits up mud, and gets covered further in the muck. Peppy may be dumb, but he's certainly not unkind - and with a little woof, the pup almost sheepishly offers his help. <Do you... uh... do you need some help? To, uh, to get up?> After a quick thought, he adds, <I could grab the scruff of your neck... or, uh, I could bend down and you could put your front paws on my back to use as balance, or...> The Growlithe actually considers offering to -push- Aurora onto less muddy ground, but for obvious reasons, decides against that suggestion. He listens for a reply from the poor muddy Growlithe - but instead gets one in the form of loud squealing. He simply peers at Auora for a moment, before wisely deciding that... well... that the pup didn't make those noises. He glances over at Jameka, just sort of blinks, and barks an uncertain, <Um... What's wrong?> Slipping Growlithes, hungry bellies, screaming Pikachus - this is too overwhelming for poor Peppy!

Aurora attempts to get up onto her feet again, but it fails this time as well, and the pup shakes her head slightly as she recovers from her second fall. <...Whatever works,> she finally replies to Peppy, looking up at him with her eyes slightly pleading. <Just something that'll get me back onto my feet, please?> She blinks several times as she hears the Pikachu's screams, but concentrates on trying to get back to a standing position rather than going to help the Pikachu. After all, if she can't actually walk there, how's she going to help?

The sun shines overhead, bracketed by puffy fair weather clouds. <Waaaah!> Jameka continues to wail rather loudly, big fat tears rolling down her muddy cheeks. Her ears hang limpy behind her, her shoulders droop and the poor little thing looks the very image of sad. <I... wanna... go... home!> she repeats, choking the words out between sobs, even before Peppy asks his question. At the Growlithe's words however, the Pikachu begins to sob harder, getting louder in the process. Aie.

Peppy tears his eyes away from poor Jameka for a bit, woofing a very soft <We'll help you in a bit> as he does. He directs his eyes towards poor Aurora now. <Um,> he woofs softly, just sort of peering at the other Growlithe. <I...> Blech! <Here, I know.> Peppy moves in close to Aurora's front, all the while glancing at her. <Now, uh, you just... okay, I'm going to crouch down, and you try to put your paws on me, and then you'll be able to get your footing again.> Peppy glances at the ground for a moment, trying hard not to cringe. He's actually going through with this? He's actually going to willingly bend down and put his body so close to that mud? Yuck. Unless Aurora voices a protest or Jameka does something to stop him, the pup will, as expected, crouch down, being very -very- careful to not touch that mud. Yech! But will Aurora be able to put her paws that high? Will she slip off of him? ... And what about that shrieking Pikachu?

As Peppy bends down, Aurora nods and reaches up with one paw towards Peppy's back, planting the muddy limb on the other Growlithe's flank and extending her claws slightly for grip, though not so much as to injure Peppy. She tugs slightly at the fur, then reaches up with her other forepaw - and starts to slide backwards, her hind paws scrabbling for some sort of footing but not finding any.

Jameka keeps bawling her eyes out. Yup. And Pikachu have pretty high-pitched voices, too. So just imagine a Pikachu shrieking. Poor, poor Growlithes. But then, halfway through a particularly long wail, the little rodent stops, takes a shudderly breath, and blinks at Peppy and Aurora. She... she's being ignored! Well, maybe she isn't. But it sure seems like she is! And again the wailing starts, if possible, louder than before. Ouch. <Nobody cares!> Jameka sobs loudly, her words hard to understand. Then, in a dash, she darts away into a bush and hides there, still wailing.

Blech. Mud, Peppy thinks to himself, really stinks. Though Aurora's claws are out, Peppy doesn't seem to be feeling pain or anything - maybe all that fur helps, or perhaps her grip isn't that harsh. Whatever the case, Aurora doesn't instantly pop to all four paws, as Peppy expected - no, she seems to have a little trouble keeping balance. Why hasn't Peppy predicted this? His little mind furiously races for a solution, and comes up with one that is, in his mind, decent. Who knows what it is actually, but... <Try... um, try... putting more of your body on me.> ... Ecchi? <Then I'll stand up and you won't have any trouble getting footing, because as long as you're standing you probably won't slip!> ... Who knows if this'll work? Whatever the case, Peppy's limbs are getting a little bit tired, not because Aurora's heavy, but because his is a very uncomfortable position. Out of the corner of his eye, Peppy spots the Pikachu running off. Hrm... How weird.

A Meowth kitten starts to chew on the database -- better save, quick! (Saving)

Aurora nods quickly, her feet slipping, and starts to, effectively, climb up the other Growlithe, her forepaws reaching up further and gripping onto Peppy's fur one at a time. After about a minute, and several close moments where she almost slips back, Aurora is leaning heavily on Peppy - but her hind paws are square to the ground, although they're wobbling slightly. <I think I'm okay now...> Aurora murmurs, before slipping slightly and clutching onto Peppy's fur more tightly, taking several seconds to regain her footing.

Jameka has disconnected.

Lots of thoughts go through Peppy's head, and they're mostly pretty embarrassing ones. In one way, this was the -worst- idea he's -ever- had, in more ways than one! ... And, in another way, it's practically the -best- idea he's ever had. Mwe he he. <All right,> the pup woofs softly, giving Aurora just long enough to keep her balance before very slowly outstretching his limbs, making absolutely certain to -not- slip and fall on the slippery ground. The way Aurora's pressing herself against him, the way she's gripping onto him, humbles the pup extremely, and Peppy can only hope that he's hiding his furiously blushing cheeks away from the other Growlithe. <You can... just tell me when to stop,> he squeaks very softly, before adding a considerably louder, <Standing up, I mean... I mean, whenever you're comfortable and think you can put all four paws down again.> Another pause. <I mean, um, not that I don't like this... That I'm uncomfortable, I mean, because...> And then Peppy just decides to shut up. ... Though it's a little late for that!

<Sorry, am I holding on too tightly?> Aurora asks quickly, as she carefully releases her hold on Peppy one paw at a time, then finally stands up in the mud, her paws a little shaky, but steady. <Thanks for helping me up. I...> Finally, the Growlithe looks down at her forelegs, and gets to see exactly how muddy she's made herself. <...Does this stuff fall off after a while?> she asks Peppy in a low voice that's almost a whine.

Peppy's first thought? Yet another confused observation - Aurora doesn't seem to be in the same somewhat embarrassed state as he is. Perhaps she just didn't notice. Or perhaps he's just overthinking (hee, Peppy, overthinking) this whole thing. With a small little head shake, Peppy woofs a little, <You weren't holding on too tight or anything, you were okay. I'm glad I could help you up.> Though he's looking right at Aurora, he seems almost a little bit distracted. With a nervous little grin, he woofs, <I don't think it'll be that bad... The mud might be there for a long time but not forever. Ah...> He gestures to the fruit, turns back to Aurora, and gives a soft nod. <You can... you can have those, if you want,> he barks gently, throwing in another little grin for her. <I'm not really hungry right now... So I guess I'll see you around?> ... Wait, didn't he just say he was hungry a bit ago? With any luck, Aurora's forgotten about that!

Aurora nods, her stomach giving another little rumble to remind her. <Yeah, I'll go and eat now... I'm really hungry.> With another nod, she steps carefully and slowly towards the bush, and adds, <The den should still be sort of dry... you can stay in there, if you like.>

Peppy nods softly, and takes one step towards where he thinks the den probably is but might not be. He pauses for a second, gives a little shy, and quietly woofs, a tiny little grin on his fuzzy face, <Um... Would you mind just bringing a tiny little bit back for me?> Hey, no matter what happens, he's still our Peppy - it's just not him to turn up food. And, with that, the Growlithe gives Aurora a quick, <Hope they taste good!> before walking off, thinking heavily (and dedicating some of that thought to making sure he doesn't slip in the mud!). In the back of his mind, he realizes just one last thing - Is this the first time he's ever walked away from Aurora while she's awake? The pup gives himself a little grin as he steps to the side to avoid walking straight into a bush.