Obvious exits:
West <W> leads to Vermilion City: East Entrance.
East <E> leads to Plains - Route 11: Grazing Lands.

Aurora has connected.

Fair weather clouds drift through the blue sky from the west. The wind is gusty. In the forest, fiery red, gold, and orange leaves rustle and blow past you, swirling in the wind. While at the coast, the sea is a warm blue, reflecting the saved warmth from the summer, and the waves are gentle.

So this is route 11.

Not a bad place if you don't care for trees. Though what seems to be coming up appears rocky and desolate, the majority of the land off the path is simply entirely green (or a kind of light grey if you're Peppy), the multiple hills causing the waves of the ocean of grass. It's decisively peaceful - in the distance there's a little life scampering back and forth, but for the moment, the biggest activity in the vicinity is found in two Growlithes, making their way down the human's road as they continue their journey towards Assasi Farm. It would be nice to say that both of the canine pokemon have their heads up high as they march down the path, but in Peppy's case, at least, he's only a step above dragging himself. Indeed, with his eyes hanging, his tail drooping, and his tongue hanging out as he pant-pant-pants, one would never guess who's *actually* having the harder time walking.

Peppy's mate, Aurora, is a few steps behind him. Unlike the male, she seems almost eager to be walking - her head is up, her nose sniffing intently at the air, and her ears pricked up to listen for any possible prey. Not that she's likely to be able to catch anything, of course, as her rather swollen belly and slow walk indicate. But at least she appears to be enjoying travelling, even if Peppy isn't. She's been glancing at him every so often for the last several minutes, and finally she quietly woofs to him, <Do you want to stop and try to find somewhere to rest? Maybe we can find food around here.>

Snatch your backpack, steal your purse, save the data from this curse! (Psykitt-- eh, Saving)

It would be wrong to say Aurora's voice pieces through silence, as it's actually rather loud, taking into consideration the fact that the wind is blowing fiercely, the eight paws of the Growlithe pair are thumping on the ground, and Peppy is breathing hard as heck. Still, Peppy's ears perk and twitch as the female starts to speak, and as if only just now noticing he's moved ahead of her, he slows his pace down quite a bit. Maybe he's just looking for an excuse to slow down for a bit. <Rest?> the pup woofs, only *now* lifting his head up and giving a few tail wags. He's got to be tough, after all! Shaking his head with (faked) enthusiasm, he continues, <Nope, I'm not really tired. Jus-> 'Just hungry' is what he wants to say, but perhaps he doesn't want to let his mate know that he wants to stop. ... Of course, he might also realize that Aurora *knows* he's hungry, because dangit, he's *always* hungry. <But, uh.> Peppy's pace slows down even further, so that if Aurora keeps her same speed, she'll actually be moving faster than he is. <Am I walking too fast? Are you bored? Need to stop?> He doesn't necessarily sound worried, but at least he's concerned. Aw.

<No, the pace is all right, and I'm not bored... I'm remembering the last time I came down here. But I thought that since I feel a bit hungry and tired, you might too, so...> She looks at the tall grass to the left of the path, then to the right. <Maybe there's some food in here?> She sniffs towards the tall grass that's to her right, and then shakes her head. <I can't smell anything from here. Let's go further in - maybe there are berries in there.>

Peppy sort of glances at Aurora, gradually padding to a stop as he shifts his attention from the female Growlithe over to the grass. Back at Aurora. Grass again. <Are you sure?> he asks uncomfortably, taking a step or two towards the area she's looking at, crouching slightly as if to get a better view. <There might be something really bad in there, though,> he woofs, his voice dropping. <Not like a Rattata, like a -Charizard- or something!> Because a two-hundred pound lizard can hide in grass. <I'll, uh.> Peppy gulps audibly here, taking yet another step forward, halfway wondering if maybe he should just sort of randomly spit a Flamethrower into the grass. That would take care of any Bulbasaurs lurking inside! <... You just want me to go in instead? I really wouldn't want you to get hurt.> Aww. He's brave - or would be, if he wasn't adjusting his weight back and forth anxiously, his tail perking, then drooping, drooping, then perking, drooping, drooping. The more he thinks about it, the more he *knows* there's a Katerwaul in there.

<I don't know...> Aurora's tail slows its wagging, and the female shakes her head. <Maybe there is something bad in there. I don't think I looked in there when I went to the farm last year - I was faster then, so I didn't stop here.> She looks down at her paws, and shakes her head, saying more quietly (and almost inaudibly, what with the wind), <And I don't want you to get hurt, or anything.>

Peppy seems to nod slowly as his mate speaks, though it takes him a couple moments to process what exactly she's saying. <So...> Peppy's voice jumps up from its worried and somewhat low tone to a somewhat more cheerful, slightly relieved, and much more hopeful pitch. <So we're going the right way?> Remember, all Peppy saw last year was snow. The only things that weren't snow were things *covered* in snow - including himself and Jameka. Back to the grass Peppy's attention goes, and he glances at it for a couple more seconds, before woofing, <I wouldn't get hurt.> Looks like he managed to hear Aurora after all. Turning her head to give the other Growlithe a doggy smile, his tail wagging back and forth. He, too, gets a little quieter, and his green eyes drop down to the ground. <I wouldn't... let myself, because, uh, you... they'd need...> Dot dot dot. Peppy trails off into nothingness. Despite his words, despite the fact that there's no way he could get hurt, the pup doesn't seem to be making any attempts to venture into the grass - not yet, at least.

Aurora nods to Peppy, and glances back at the grass, more nervously this time. <Maybe we should head on a bit further. There's not so much grass, so nothing can be hiding there. I don't want you to go in there and get hurt, and I know you don't want to be hurt, and I'm scared about what might happen if you did get hurt...> Her voice trails off, and then Aurora shakes her head fiercely. <No, let's keep moving! There's open land just ahead, and there might be berries there!>

Peppy actually exhales a little bit, though thankfully not audibly so. He's relieved. Relieved that Aurora's deciding to look *ahead* to a *safer* area. Man, she's so smart, Peppy thinks to himself with a proud little gleam in his eyes. Still, perhaps he's slightly guilty, because he does look back at the grass a couple times as he slowly steps closer to his mate. <Maybe a Rattata,> the pup woofs gently, approaching the female but not quite touching her. He comes to a stop, and adds, <If I can smell a Rattata, you can sit down and rest for a bit and I'll go out and catch it!> Granted, he looks so tired right about now that he looks like he'd rather catch some z's, but hey, he's hungry too. He turns his head to the east, the direction in which the two Growlithes were heading before they stopped, before wondering aloud, <I wonder if there are more Rattatas around here than back at the den...> Hm. Peppy can only hope. Or who knows? Maybe that burger tree grows around here...

Peppy's offer to search for food gets a hesitant nod. <Just... just as long as you don't go too far,> she says, sounding uncertain. <In the den, and at the farm, it feels safe, but around here...> She gives a little shake of the head, and adds, <I'm kind of scared. Even though I wasn't scared last year, I am now - I don't know why that is.>

Peppy had already turned his torso to start marching along, but his attention snaps back to her when she continues speaking. He mostly expects her to talk about how much she'd just love a Rattata and it sounds so yummy right now, but that's not what he gets. No - his mate is worried. Uncomfortable. -Frightened-. This quite reflexively causes Peppy to give off a very soft whimper, not because he's scared too but because he doesn't like to see his mate depressed. He leans his head forward a little bit, the very tip of his muzzle only an inch or so away from the female Growlithe's, although he doesn't quite touch her. It would be too hard to speak if he was. <You don't have to be scared,> he woofs quietly, definitely concerned and totally genuine. <I know that... that...> Now Peppy seems to get a little ashamed as he glances down at his muzzle, quite specifically on the dull scar upon its side. <That sometimes I let you down, or... or I don't look strong, or brave, b-but you don't have to be scared, because I wouldn't let anything happen to you.> And now he looks back up at her. <Not today or tomorrow or anytime.>

Snatch your backpack, steal your purse, save the data from this curse! (Psykitt-- eh, Saving)

Aurora nods and smiles a little, her blush just about showing through her fur. <I know you wouldn't,> she says, her eyes not quite meeting Peppy's as she looks at him. <It's just that... I don't know this area very well, and if you got hurt then I wouldn't be able to help you properly, what with me being so heavy and slow now.> The Growlithe sighs, and looks up towards the hills. <I think I'd just feel a little safer once we're somewhere we know well.>

The sun shines overhead, bracketed by puffy fair weather clouds.

Fair weather clouds drift through the blue sky from the west. The wind is gusty.

Peppy gives the hills in the distance a quick glance, though he almost immediately directs his focus back to Aurora, and he appropriately replies quickly. <That's why I promise I won't get hurt,> he woofs gently, the sides of his mouth now perking up slightly as he gives his mate a tiny grin. <Because if I got injured or lost, it would be hurting... you.> The dog's tail gives a quick swish-swish as he adds, <And I wouldn't want to do anything that would hurt you...> His voice is almost a whimper now, so soft that it's difficult to hear. <Because I still really...> Even though the Growlithe himself isn't quite aware of it, his eyes are watering a little, and almost automatically he's motioning his muzzle closer and closer. <... Really, I...> Unless Aurora moves out of the way or just otherwise says or does something to stop him, Peppy will continue on his course and give her a loving nuzzle, his voice trailing off into meaningless though content little growls.

<It's... thank you,> Aurora murmurs in reply, nuzzling Peppy back affectionately. After a while, she gently moves her head away from Peppy's, and glances over at the grass before returning her attention to the other Growlithe. <I know that you're strong and can fend off things, but I'm worried about how to care for... well, how to care for the pups on my own, if that ever happened. I don't think I could.>

As he nuzzles her (throwing in a couple loving little licks, though they're light and not overly sloppy), Peppy squeezes his eyes shut, as though maybe he's holding in the urge to cry. It seems to work, however, as by the time Aurora rears back, Peppy's green eyes are wandering down the female's cheeks, dropping down to her now somewhat big tummy. The pup notes offhandedly that she's probably as big as or even bigger than he is by now. His self-esteem would probably drop considerably at this realization had Aurora not just mentioned that - hey, he's strong! <But you're really smart,> the Growlithe notes to his mate, giving her a very soft nod and even a friendly tail swish. <You'd find a way, even if that happens...> And then, somewhat quickly, and even a little loudly, he suddenly assures her, <Even though it won't, because I would attack a hundred Charizards to protect you and the puppies!> It's unlikely that Peppy even knows -exactly- how many a hundred Charizards is, but one can tell by the proud tone in his voice that he knows it's a lot. <And I'd win, because I wouldn't leave you alone. Never!> Wag, wag. A couple of his teeth start to show in his grin. Aww.

Peppy's smile seems to be infectious - Aurora grins back, her tail wagging more rapidly now. <Thank you for everything, Peppy. And for protecting me while I can't hunt, and...> Sniff. Sniff. Aurora's head turns rapidly to the left, and she takes a few steps over to the grass. <Is that a Rattata?> she whispers to Peppy as she stops.

As Aurora speaks, Peppy does a couple little actions. He blushes slightly under his furry white cheeks, he shifts his weight over to his back paws, and he switches between looking at the female's eyes and her body, eyes and her tail, eyes and her belly. He parts his jaws, undoubtedly to thank Aurora more for everything she's done for him (which, Peppy knows all too well, is a *lot*) - but they instead snap shut. Peppy stops leaning on his back paws. Sniff. Sniff sniff. <I think it is!> he growls. The only reason he's quiet is because Aurora whispered, reminding Peppy himself to be soft - but thankfuly, if there's a Rattata out there, Peppy probably wasn't loud enough to scare it off. Poff poff poff. Sniff sniff. <Do you think it's in there?> he woofs very, verrry quietly, crouching down very slightly no matter what Aurora's reply. Boy - wasn't she just concerned about his safety, now he's going to go thrust himself into the middle of the tall grass to chase what -might- be a Rattata?

Snatch your backpack, steal your purse, save the data from this curse! (Psykitt-- eh, Saving)

<I'm not sure. I think... you sniff the air, and see what you think.> Aurora glances back at Peppy, then up towards the hills. <I may be imagining it, though. If you don't think it's there, maybe we should head further along. It'll get us away from the long grass, and closer to the farm.> She glances at Peppy again, and then sniffs the air a second time. <I'm still not sure... what do you think?>

Sniff. Sniff, sniff. <I think...> Pause. Sniff sniff. <I think...> The pup's tail, as bushy as fluffy as it is, is still visibly erect - is that a worried sign or an excited one? Giving Aurora an anxious glance, the pup woofs a soft and quick, <Wait right here!> He takes one little step towards the grass, hesitates for a second, and turns his head to give his mate a quick glance. <I'll be careful. I'm won't get hurt.> If Aurora voices a protest (and a strong one at that), the Growlithe might stay, but otherwise he'll whirl right around and halfway dive into the grass, low to the ground, sniffing quickly. This is it. He's brought the female only one Rattata that he actually hunted and killed himself (sort of) - this is going to be number two.

The Rattata - for there is one there, as Peppy and Aurora have noticed - is sniffing around in the long grass a few metres away from Peppy. Currently, its attention is occupied by a half-eaten sandwich that some careless trainer has evidentally tossed into the grass, and its head is down as it nibbles at the bread. Aurora, still waiting outside the grass, doesn't protest to Peppy, but looks around warily, ready to fend off attackers if necessary.

Peppy's never been known for his stealth or for his smooth hunting skills, but he's actually not doing such a bad job right this moment - he's quiet, he's quick, and he's... he's... he's just spotted the Rattata. <I knew it!> he growls under his breath... not too loudly, true, but there goes all of his silence. With any luck the wind or the Rattata's preoccupation with the sandwich will have disguised the cheerful recognizition. Peppy now even goes so far as to hold his breath as he glares at the purple pokemon through the grass, his paws gripping the earth slightly, his body tensed and ready to pounce - as long as the Rattata just stays right where it is. Not exactly the best strategy after audibly telling yourself <I knew it!>, but at least it's a strategy. As far as Peppy goes, that's something.

<Hmm?> The Rattata pricks up its ears, and glances to one side - fortunately, it's completely the wrong direction, and the small pokemon doesn't catch sight of the Growlithe. With a small, <Eh,> the purple pokemon returns its attention to the sandwich, muttering, <It's good shtuff,> as he bites eagerly at it.

Peppy pauses for a little longer than he has to. The Rattata has his attention focused on the little sandwich. Now would, undoubtedly, be the canine pokemon's best time to pounce, to strike, before he goofs something else up, as Peppy is so prone to do. But maybe it's a pang at his conscience, maybe it's a little guilt... His hesitation doesn't last long, however. This is the way it works. He's not only doing it for himself, but for his mate. For his pups. And so, with that thought, the Growlithe takes in a quick inhale, and kicks himself off his back paws, springing into the air with a loud "Grrrrrrrrrowlithe!". It's not *exactly* a fierce and horrifying roar of death, but at least it doesn't sound like he's in pain, so Aurora shouldn't worry. If the Rattata's quick enough and expecting it, he might just be able to dodge - but if he hesitates even a moment, there's a high chance he's about to get doggy-piled. Literally.

Fair weather clouds drift through the blue sky from the west. The wind is gusty.

Luckily for Peppy - and unfortunately for the hapless Rattata - the sandwich is just too tasty for the rodent to be easily distracted. The Growlithe's yell startles him, and he turns quickly to stare at Peppy in horror - and simply freezes, the close proximity of the puppy making him unable to even think of running away. And it's too late to run, anyway, as the pup hits the Rattata... and there's one pokemon that won't be running about to be captured anymore, as testified by the snapping sound the Rattata makes as Peppy makes his impact on it.

Snatch your backpack, steal your purse, save the data from this curse! (Psykitt-- eh, Saving)

Wow. Peppy even surprises himself. He doesn't stumble over his paws when he leaps. He doesn't miss his target. He doesn't have doubts halfway through the pounce. Nope, Peppy actually lands it pretty well, and though he doesn't make the connection between "snap" and "dead", the pup is reasonably certain that the force of his impact - more like his *smash* - would have been enough to take down an Arcanine. It's not true, of course, but while his adrenaline's burning and he's driving solely on testosterone-based aggression, that's all he's thinking. Popping right onto his paws with a tough little growl, the Growlithe doesn't even check to see if the Rattata's alive or not before snapping his muzzle down on the Rattata's neck - not enough to draw blood or anything, but enough so that if the Rattata does turn out to be alive after all, the carnivore's in perfect position to finish the job. Wow - is this actual thinking on Peppy's part?

With that kind of impact, the Rattata is most definitely dead. Blood spurts from its neck as Peppy sinks his teeth into it, and its partly-eaten sandwich lies discarded on the ground. From the road, Aurora calls, <Did you catch it? I heard you call, but you didn't sound hurt, so...>

Blech. Even caught up in the heat of the moment, body pumping heartbeat thumping, Peppy can't help but twitch a little at the blood. Maybe he got a little carried away. Any worried or regretful thoughts, however, poof into the air as he hears Aurora's howl, and the pup's tail begins to wag. He's not Mr. Cold-Blooded Killer any longer. <I got it, Aurora!> he barks intensely, his tail just swinging back and forth now powerfully. <I got it!> Snatch! The pup grabs the Rattata up with his teeth, gripping the rodent by the neck, before dashing into the fields of grass, half-stumbling over rocks and roots as he rushes his way back to the path. She's gonna be so proud of him! Yeah! So proud! She's going to be so thankful and so happy, and that'll make him happy! That's all Peppy's thinking as he races through the tall grass, the Rattata bouncing up and down in his clutches.

<You got it? That's great!> Aurora's tail is wagging as hard as it can, and there's a big grin across her face. Peppy doesn't know that his first ever kill was helped along by Streetwind and Aurora herself - at least, Aurora is fairly sure he doesn't know - but this time he's managed to take down something all by himself, and she's so proud of him that if she wags her tail any harder it's going to fall off. <Well done, Peppy! That's really, really great!> she woofs as she waits for him to emerge from the grass.

Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy oh boy oh boy! By the time he pops out of the grass, his heart is pounding even further than it was when he took down the Rattata itself, so proud is he of himself and so glad is he that he can bring his mate home a present. Peppy doesn't really get to compliment himself much, as he's awfully clumsy and not too bright - so when he -does- do something correctly, it's a huge boost to him. Coming to a fast, almost screeching halt, the canine pokemon stops a couple feet away from Aurora, and proceeds to deposit the Rattata right in front of her paws, his tail furiously at work jumping excitedly back and forth, his face alight with excitement. <How does it look? Isn't it great? I got it for you! I really hope you like it. Better than berries, right?> Ironically, for doing such a mature thing, he's speaking almost like a little puppy.

<It's even bigger than the first one you caught! Wow, that's really well done. That should feed us today and maybe tomorrow, too.> Aurora prods at the Rattata with a forepaw, and then nods. <Shall we go and try to find somewhere safe to stay for the night? I'll carry the Rattata, and when we get there you can eat first, since you were the one who caught it so well.> She sounds earnest, and also proud of her mate - which, of course, she is. It's not just any Growlithe that can catch a Rattata that well on his own.

"Lithe!" What's this? Peppy seems to be making a protest. Shaking his head a little, and peering down at the Rattata, he woofs, <I should carry the Rattata.> Is he developing an ego? Is this his little trophy, now? No, quite the opposite - Peppy pauses for a moment, before woofing, <I... mean, not that I don't want you to carry it.> His tail has slowed down considerably, and half of him feels guilty for telling Aurora what he should do and what she shouldn't. That's just mean. <If you really want to, you can... but... but you're already carrying things already.> ... Aww. From here, Peppy picks up the Rattata with his teeth, and lifts its corpse above the ground for a few moments. Should Aurora simply tell him that she just *really* wants to carry the Rattata, he'll allow her to take it from his grip. Otherwise, the dead pokemon will simply remain loose in his grasp - Peppy won't put it back down.

Aurora smiles at her mate, pride and a little bit of amusement showing in her expression. <Okay, then. If we aim for those hills, we should find somewhere that's fairly safe before night falls. And remember, you get the first bite. You caught it, and that's really clever of you.> Peppy may scoff at being called clever, but Aurora means it - in her current state, she couldn't exactly do the same as he just did.

Peppy simply nods his head, his tail wag speaking louder than he can with his mouth full. He has every intention in the world to give the female the first bite, for a large number of reasons - not just because he loves her, but because (and this is a twist of logic that isn't quite as out there as his other ones) if he had never met her, he'd never have caught this Rattata. It's as much hers as it is his, or so Peppy's mind works. With a "Grrr!" of a <Lesh goe!> (Hey, even growls come out garbled when your mouth is full), Peppy takes his first couple steps towards his hill, feeling much more awake than earlier. Life is good when you've got a mate who loves you on your side, dinner in your mouth, and a bright future ahead of you.