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

The landscape looks ghostly and drained of color in the cold pale fog. In the forest, the bare branches of the trees form stark silhouettes of darker grey. While at the coast, the sea is sluggish and grey as fog lays on its surface like a thick wet blanket.

Though the afternoon is far from running its course, the sky is dark on this lazy, hazy day. As far as the eye can see, snow, grey in the midst of the fog, expands out to the horizon, entirely settled. Inside the Assisi barn, it's hardly any better. Fog seeps in through the cracks of the old building, and it's stuffy with a chilling tinge in the air. The barn has dim lighting, so the pokemon with less adapted eyesight are fast asleep, waiting for a more sunny day to come. There's no rest for the father of five puppies, however. Peppy, every so often giving his sleeping mate an envious glare (she had to watch the kids all day - the least he can do is finish up the night, right?), is the current babysitter. It's not a particularly tough job; Dakota, as usual, is active, but the two other girls are fast asleep, finding a nice snuggle place between their two parents.

The landscape looks ghostly and drained of color in the cold pale fog.

In the same place that he's been for 90% of his stay at Assisi Farm is Soki the Sandslash, on his feet and looking apprehensive. He has the terrible, overwhelming urge to fight something, even if it's only imaginary. The thought surprises him; Soki thought he killed the warrior side of himself a long time ago. The Sandslash starts to shift from foot to foot, looking around for something, anything to distract himself. If he doesn't get something soon, he's apt to start running around in circles at a rate exactly 6.52 times faster than his usual pacing speed, which would look unusual.

Briska is particularly active today - and he happens to be keeping his sister occupied as well. At the moment the two puppies are a flurry of red, cream and black as they bat at and tumble with each other. Briska comes out of the play-scuffle the victor by pinning Dakota on her side; the female remedies the situation by wriggling out from under her brother's paws, leaving him looking more than a little surprised when she bounds upwards and gives him another playbow and a delighted "Grow!". Before Briska can figure out how Dakota managed to get away from him, the girl throws herself at her brother. Briska's slow strength falls to his sister's speed. The fluffy pup looks even more surprised when he finds himself on his back with Dakot's forepaws on his chest. He stares up at his sister...before he licks Dakota on the muzzle and gives a soft "liiiithe," of contentment. He still has no idea what just happened, but why let that spoil a good playfight?

And so on and so forth goes the watching. It's pretty uneventful, unless you count the gruesome struggle against death two of the puppies are engaged in. Peppy lifts his head up to the ceiling, stretching his jaw as far apart as it will go, letting out a great big seven second yawn, his eyes involuntarily closing. He chomps his jaws back together, growls softly, and flicks his tail once or twice. He turns his attention back to the playful fight, and the corners of his mouth perk up slightly when Briska manages to best Dakota. One eyebrow quirks, however, when she manages to squeeze out, and by the time his daughter turns the tables on Briska, Peppy himself is wondering how she did that. <Nice job, Dakota,> he woofs offhandedly. His tone is not loud or excited, but it doesn't sound faked. Perhaps he just doesn't want to humiliate his son.

Soki, watching the fight, grins to himself. Classic move, that one. If it weren't for all the other Sandshrews at home knowing that that's about the only viable option in that position, he'd have won a lot of wrestling matches with that. Unfortunately, living at the bottom rung of a warrior society meant that as soon as you devised that escape, everyone else already knew at least three different ways of countering it, including pressing down on the guy so hard that his thoughts are more focused on trying to breathe than get away. Then you let them breathe just enough to say "I give up!" and that's the end of it. Soki remembers his sister pulling that on him repeatedly, and that's not a pleasant memory except for the fact that she was the best fighter of his entire family. Ah, sister Tuchi... where art thou? Soki loses himself in thought happily.

Dakota turns to her dad at the sound of her name, ears perked and generally looking confident as she yips back to him. She then bounds off of her brother and uses her puppy paws to hustle over to her pop, eyes bright and her tail nearly slapping her sides as she dips into a playbow and yaps expectantly. The loser of the fight now has time to get to his paws, and he does so after peering at his family, the dopey grin on his face rising a notch. Hey, if Daddy's gonna play, he doesn't want to miss this! Briska gets to his feet. Though he moves towards Peppy in a trot, he's still much more sedate than Dakota, contrasting his sister's twitchy excitement with a clumsy calmness.

Though Peppy's more interested in watching his kids wrestle, he does (surprising, actually, giving his stunning ignorance) occasionally give Aurora, the two sleeping females, and Flame a glance, just to make sure they're still all right (or, in the case of the last on the list, not getting into any trouble). Now. Dakota's giving her father a little extra attention, and Peppy, not exactly the quickest thinker, has to think of what to say for a moment. <... Very nice job, Dakota. I couldn't have done that.> Does the little one understand him? Probably not, but maybe she'll get something from his proud face, shining eyes and all, tail wagging excitedly. <And... you, Briska.> He turns to the other pup. Uh oh. What will he give poor Briska? Biting criticism? Intolerable disgust? Threat of disownment? No... an even brighter smile. Peppy leans over, resting his head upon his paws, now level to his puppies. <You did really well too, Briska. You almost had her.> Wag, wag, wag goes his tail. In the back of his mind, Peppy just -knows- Flame is rolling his eyes, but he doesn't care.

Unimpeded by the lack of attention (which doesn't surprise Soki in the slightest, since he doesn't go out of his way to draw attention to himself), Soki sits down and reminesces about the old days. This is a rather extreme departure from Soki's typical modus operandum when it comes to memories of home: for once, he's actually conjuring happy memories. He'd be surprised at himself if he were reflecting on his reflection. The Rattatas he used to talk with during the Summer nights... the first time he beat his youngest brother in a fight (the look on his face was priceless), and above all else, his sister... the Sandslash lets out a happy sigh. Something is most definitely wrong with Soki. Since we does he have happy memories?

Dakota perks up at her name, coming out of her bow to perk her ears and stare up at her father - her grin only grows at being singled out for special attention, and she squirms in happiness. "Ow!" she yaps before Briska's name is mentioned. Previously, his attention had been wandering, but when his father speaks Briska's attention flies to his poppa and lands on his father, taking in his face and body language. He takes it in with a mindless stare, until Peppy smiles at him. Briska is picking up body language quite quickly, and he smiles softly, his tail wagwagging along with his father's. "Lii--" he begins slowly, but Dakota interrupts him by yipping again and slipping into her playbow, practically ordering her dad to come and play with her with her wide eyes. Briska blinks at his sister, before grinning at the sight of her enthusiasm.

Uh oh! The Rockets are scheming! Better save than sorry! (Saving)

The sound of a sigh on the other end of the barn causes Peppy's green eyes to flicker over to the Sandslash, and he continues peering at Soki through the darkness for a couple moments. "Grrrhh..." he growls to himself, assessing the Sandslash as no immediate harm. Quick glance at Flame, attention goes down to Dakota. Her position is obvious enough - she wants playtime! And now! <Do you ever get tired?> Peppy barks wryly, sinking into his paws and grinning dumbly at his daughter. Instead of bounding up and playing with her, however, dad shifts over to Briska, eyes running down the puppy's side and back to his wagging tail. <So did you do a good job protecting Aur... uh, mom today, while I was out hunting?> Peppy himself gets a flicker of a memory. His father used to ask him the same question when Peppy was young, and the Growlithe almost finds it odd that this seems like an appropriate thing to say. <Any mean old Rattatas come by?>

Soki concludes his reminescing and stands again. He feels like going for a walk or something... even in the snow, he's got to do something. His mind made up, he starts to walk for the door with the brisk sharpness of someone who is really certain that he's going to do what he's set out to, though Hell would bar the way. It's the kind of walk that, in any sort of dramatic situation, is quite humorously interrupted.

Briska stares at his father intently once Peppy mentions his name, the lone wheel in his mind grinding away in his attempt to comprehend, but Dakota is restless. Daddy's talking, and it's not even to her! Dakota sighs and mutters her discontent. Turning away from her father in an attempt to find some fun elsewhere, Dakota spies Soki. Her tail perks up; she's not picky about playmates. She waddles after the Sandslash, yapping "Grow!"s and "Li!"s as she goes. Should Soki turn to meet her, she'll stop and grin up at him, but if he continues walking she'll follow right behind him, barking all the way. Briska peers after his sister for a few seconds before turning back to his father. "Row," he says, giving a kind smile to Peppy. Who knows what it's in response to - likely it's not a response to the questions, as there's no way Briska even understood more than two words of what Peppy said.

The weird thing Peppy was looking at a couple moments ago is now up and heading toward the door. The movement behind Briska causes the Growlithe to raise his head high, lazy grin sharpening into a more aware look. Concerned, Peppy takes a quick glance at Briska, and ascends to all four paws, shaking himself side to side as though he was wet. He gives Soki another look, but something along the way makes him do a double take. His eyes widen. <Dakota!> Ack! Ack ack ack! She's waddling so helplessly toward this giant pokemon with big big *big* claws who looks really big and tough and maybe even hungry! <Um, um, Dakota! Dakota, baby, honey-..!> As he barks, Peppy sort of makes an odd pace forward. It's not a sprint, because he doesn't want to surprise Soki or Dakota (or maybe he's just scared of being attacked by the Sandslash!), but it's hurried and frantic. <Um, um, head back to mommy, baby, turn around, go back!> His voice is strained, as though he's trying to remain calm but also struggling to keep from panicking. His eyes flicker from Sandslash to Growlithe as he stumbles (stumbles is definitely the best word) after his daughter, woofing and barking after them. Aurora is going to -kill- him..!

Flame has connected.

The landscape looks ghostly and drained of color in the cold pale fog.

Okay, so "do something" has been changed. That's alright. Soki's trained senses pick up Dakota's approach even before the yips begin. Turning in surprise but not alarm, Soki looks toward Dakota, and then looks down so he's looking *at* Dakota. There's just a second for Peppy to panic, and then Soki kneels and says, <Hello, little one!> in a tone of voice that has absolutely no hint of anything besides genuine niceness. Anything to get boredom out of Soki's mind... even children.

The misty light dims slightly.

Briska turns as his father 'bolts' towards the Sandslash and his sister, his green eyes wide and his mouth half-agape in surprise. Briska doesn't even try to figure out what's wrong. His body jolts into action and he gallumps beside Peppy, yipping out the one full word he's said this week: <Dagaba!> Dakota glances back at her father in confusion, before beaming as she notes that he and her brother are running towards her. Finally, dad's gonna play, and Briska's gonna join in! Soki's words make her head swing back in the Sandslash's direction; she grins up at him, woofing energetically. Boy, being the center of attention is fun.

Time freezes for a fraction of a second. Peppy is suspended in time as he gallops forward, peering wide eyed at the Sandslash as he glares with those sinister, evil eyes down at the poor, innocent little girl. Peppy detects the blood dripping from the fangs of the maniac pokemon. His little girl is better than dead. Then time resumes... and stops again when the Growlithe's keen ears detect a very friendly greeting. It doesn't even sound like the ground type is luring Dakota into a false sense of security. Now. Peppy comes to a very literal screeching halt; his paws actually scrape into the wooden floor, and he slids into place right next to his puppy, almost throwing himself off balance. <Don't hurt her!> he finally cries, exasperated, panting for breath. <I mean-> Pant. <Not that you-> Pant. <Were going to-> Pant. <But just in case-> Pant. Pant. Pant.

Soki was just about to reach out and pat Dakota on the head, but thank heavens that Peppy saved him from that horrible fate in time. With the thought put into it, Soki catches himself and stands. Just what *was* he thinking, anyway? Certainly nothing *parental*? Hey, doofus, you're being talked to. <I had no intent of hurting your child, sir,> says Soki stiffly. <I was just... catering to her playful nature. You have nothing to fear from me; I am not a warrior.> Soki must have a strange definition of the word "warrior," then.

Briska 's dark green eyes are on Soki, and they're quite wide - his ears a slicked against his head in his unease. While he doesn't know what's going on, he's found something to do; he's barking whatever his father says at the end of a given sentence, because if Daddy is shouting it, then it /must/ be important! When Peppy pauses to pant, Briska's bark comes in. <Herder! Tayu! Ingdo! Nnncase!> ...Okay, it would be helpful if Peppy had been speaking in complete sentences, and a bit more helpful if Briska could actually pronounce words, but whaddaya gonna do? Dakota, meanwhile, looks with amusement on her father and brother, and begins yapping with Briska. Let's all bark and wake everyone up! Then everybody could start making noise! Boy, being loud sure is fun.

The barn is filled with activity! Two Growlithe puppies, their father, and a Sandslash all seem to be congregating together. Peppy's panicked pleas are what finally wake the black puppy that sleeps in a secluded corner of the barn. Slowly, the dark puppy awakens, shaking the sleep from his muscles, and stretching out his hind legs, thrusting his rump high into the air as he does. His silvery grey tail is held high and erect. Even in his most clumsy, goofy looking moments, he still manages to carry about him an aura of confident dominance. Digging his claws into the wooden floor of the barn, he drags those sharp appendages along its surface, making a raspy sound. The smell of hay rises from the pup's fur as he shakes himself off one last time, craning his head to look at the source of all the commotion. He lifts a furry eyebrow when he sees his father confronting a Sandslash. What are they talking about? He wonders, canting his head to the side questionably, and letting his tongue flicker out of his mouth to lick the side of his whiskered cheek. <Pfft. That's for sure.> he says in reply to the spiked pokemon's comment, unaware of the danger one angry Sandslash could deal him.

Uh oh! The Rockets are scheming! Better save than sorry! (Saving)

And Peppy continues gasping for breath as Soki speaks, looking at the Sandslash, then Dakota, then Soki, then Briska, Dakota, Soki, Dakota, Soki, Briska, Soki. <You...> Huff, puff. <You really weren't, right?> By now, the pokemon in the barn who were taking this opportunity to catch some z's have woken up, and even if their eyes are blurry and it's harder for them to see in the dark, they know from experience exactly who's at fault. Some of them grumble to themselves quietly, others loudly protest and complain. Peppy ignores it all. Probably not even purposely. The Growlithe has caught his breath, and he's no longer making much noise in his inhales and exhales. <... I'm sorry.> There's a pause. The Growlithe's voice is quieter, so Briska may (or may not) quite yapping so loudly. Submissively, the canine's head drops a bit. <I just got a little scared. You know, can't be too cautious... uh...> And so, the brave, heroic father proudly fades into nothingness, blushing and avoiding Soki's gaze. Somebody swoon.

Soki nods with total understanding. <I know the feeling. My parents would be the same way if my siblings were approached by a stranger.> The exact same way, in fact. <In fact, I'd say that the fault here lies with me. I suppose I should ask before I approach your children. May I submit that request now?> Such total formality in the place of a softened heart. Soki almost broke there... ha. Soki the fighter, playing with children. Ha, ha. Ha...?

Twilight deepens the grey of the fog.

Briska stops yapping the second Peppy's voice gets lower. Dakota does as well, catching the grumbles and cries of other pokemon with her keen ears, grinning and tail-wagging all the while. At the grumbles and curses, Briska looks around, his head tilting a bit frantically as his little brain tries to help him figure out what's going on. Briska's brain doesn't deliver anything other than questions, cheap thing that it is. The fuzzy puppy gives a soft, uncertain whine, ears still flat against his head, before he turns back to his look at his father and the...other thing. Briska is the fastest one to catch Peppy's change in posture, and reacts with a whimper. He then leans against his father's foreleg, perhaps in sympathy, maybe to perk up his father's courage, and possibly because he wants to be close to someone who at least understands what's going on. He'll stay there unless Peppy moves. Dakota turns to Soki when the ground type speaks, her eyes shining as she goes into another playbow.

If somebody is swooning, it definitely isn't going to be Flame. It's almost torture having to watch his father gasp and stumble over his own words. How's he supposed to look up to Peppy if he can't even get a question across? If he wants to know something, he should demand an answer straight away! When Peppy apologizes and then fades into stupefied silence, Flame shakes his head back and forth disapprovingly, grimacing in obvious embarrassment, gritting his teeth and sticking out his tongue disgustedly. Running a paw through his spiky half grown mane, the pup sighs irritably. Soki's speech doesn't receive a much better reaction. The rodent's formality draws a roar of uncontrollable laughter from the cynical puppy, and he has to clasp a paw in front of his mouth in order to contain it. His laughter stores up inside of him, and Flame's chest heaves up and down, moving faster and faster as he struggles to breathe. Air rushes out of his nostrils, and he snorts like a disgruntled Mankey. Finally, his eyes clear, his breathing becomes relatively normal, and he relaxes considerably. One he regains his composure, the young Growlithe paces towards the group, his walk more of a dramatized strut, his held aloofly.

Well, now. The crisis is averted. Dakota is going to escape with her life, and even if -she- didn't learn a lesson, Peppy sure did. Never take your eyes off of a hyper puppy. He opens his mouth to reply to the Sandshrew, but something presses against his leg. Peppy blinks. He rotates his head hesitantly, eyes dropping down to meet... Briska's. And he watches the little puppy for a moment. Does he understand what Briska is doing? Why he's leaning on his dad? The large Growlithe shifts his eyes away from his son for a moment, shifts back, grins slightly, and straightens his pose, now looking at Soki with a puffed up chest and a head held high. <Just make sure to tell us y-> The Growlithe's right ear flicks. Perking up, Peppy automatically crouches slightly, an unconscious reaction to sudden noise, jerking his head in Flame's direction. Lo and behold, here comes the prince. <Oh. Uh, this is Flame.> There's a pause. The Growlithe gestures vaguely to the female puppy, then back at the male pup against his leg. <Dakota and Briska.>

Soki has learned something just recently, largely due to the fact that he's had so much time to himself. It is that a good stare can convey worlds of meaning simply by locking eyes with someone, even for a second. Soki heard that laugh of Flame's and he knows the type of laugh that is. Not only that, but it's not one of his favorite types of laughs. Soki makes a mere sidelong glance, imperceptible to any but those involved, and sends a rather disciplinary message of "I heard that. Straighten up. Now, for preference, and for your own good," to Flame. As soon as it's there, though, it's gone and Soki's returned his attention to Peppy and the puppies. To use the expression, Soki didn't want to hit Flame too hard... yet. <Pleased to meet you,> the Sandslash says to the puppies with the tone of one that knows the recipient hasn't a clue what they're saying. <I hope you're well.>

Fog and darkness shroud the world.

Briska doesn't smile when his father looks at him; it's only when Peppy grins and looks like a strong dog should that Briska reacts. He blinks in slight surprise (likely wondering what's going on) before smiling, murmuring a soft "Rrrow.." and snuggling even closer to her poppa's leg. Awww. Well, all good things must come to an end, and Flame is responsible for this one: when Peppy moves his head, Briska moves his as well. Dakota might even understand Flame's name, or maybe she's just more observant, for her attention is on her black-furred brother before Briska's is. Her tail wags furiously before Soki distracts her by talking again. Back she spins to the Sandslash, yapping at him and swiping at him with her front paw. Should it connect, it'll be too weak to hurt Soki, and Dakota will look quite ready and eager to play with him some more (which she will if the swipe doesn't connect, too). Briska's attention is on his brother, to whom he gives a broad grin and a "Li!" of greeting, his tail beginning to wag a bit. He's happy at the thought of most of his pack close by.

<Right.> Flame says, nodding over to his father, and taking a seat a few feet away from the others, his beady eyes piercing and observant. He is a prince, and a handsome one too! Running his tongue along his paw to moisten it like a washcloth, he runs it over his face and through his well kempt mane, smoothing and brushing all his fur and hair into place. Yawning, he reveals the roof of his mouth and the tips of his ivory canines. His eyes lock with Soki's for that brief disciplinary second, and he lifts his bushy brows upwards, his eyes full of disbelief. Flame returns the glance, and his message is one that says, "Get over here and make me. I dare ya, you overgrown Rattata." The puppy appears right pleased with himself, and he lets his tongue hang lazily out the side of his mouth in his show of self-approval. He offers the Sandslash a teasing wink, and pads closer to Peppy, but doesn't sit right beside him like the other puppies. <Hey, Peppy.> he greets the bigger Growlithe, giving his tail one quick flick before stilling himself completely. Flame is in a relatively complacent mood, and he doesn't feel at getting scolded tonight, so he responds to his brother's greeting with the nod of his head, and another brief tail wag.

Soki has disconnected.

As he gestures to Briska, Peppy notes how odd it is that Briska and Dakota seem out and out cheerful that His Blackness has approached the little group of mingling pokemon. If Peppy notices the little staring contest between Soki and Flame, he doesn't comment on it. Then Peppy is called Peppy, as opposed to the Dad or Daddy or, best of all, Father that he's been expecting for the past six months. Maybe Flame's called him by his name before, but this is the first time that the adult Growlithe has taken note. Though Peppy's eyebrows do lift just a tad, he doesn't seem too visibly upset and mortified by Flame's disrespect; likely, Peppy doesn't interpret it as disrespect at all. <Daddy, Flame,> the Growlithe corrects with genuine patience. <Or dad. Or maybe father.> Though he started out looking at Flame, Peppy eventually turns his attention to the puppy leaning against his leg. Perhaps he's suggesting that goes for both of them!

Dusk has connected.

Of course they're happy that the Shadow Lord is approaching! Dakota needs a new playmate! Dakota frowns as Soki appears unresponsive to her game, giving a little grumble. She spins around, her wildly exuberant expression going to her intelligent brother. With a woof, she runs to him, trying to send him tumbling to the straw with what will become a Tackle in a few month's time, but for now is something much more childish. All this happens before Briska opens his mouth to yip again. His face goes blank as he looks at his sister, and then up to his father who is...looking at him. Briska blinks. Not catching on to the fact that he could've been listening to his dad, Briska's extremely fuzzy tail begins to wag. Because if Daddy is paying attention to him, it can't be that bad! "Lii.." he murmurs, that empty grin lighting up his features.

Uh oh! The Rockets are scheming! Better save than sorry! (Saving)

The night is shrouded in cold bleak mist, dark grey and colorless. The ground is icy and the air wet.

Peppy better have a lot of patience, because he's going to need it. Flame watches his father, regards him levelly, and responds with a meaningless "Groooowl," which can most closely be compared to a child's defiant grumbling. Here comes the question most parents hate to hear, <Why?> he asks, more to pester his dad than out of actual curiosity. It doesn't really matter what Peppy's explanation will be, whether his words deal with respecting your elders, or any of that other garbage. Flame will still be Flame, and Peppy will still be called Peppy. While the Shadow Lord is willing to greet his siblings, he's not in the mood to play with them, especially when he's busy pestering his dad. With an impatient "Lithe," <Go away,> he lifts up a large paw, and will attempt to slap Dakota. If the paw connects with its target, it will be forceful enough to send the puppy on its way. Of course, he doesn't put enough strength in it to seriously injure his sister. Peppy is sitting right beside him after all. Flame has to behave somewhat. Otherwise, how will he butter up his father, and continue to beat Dusk in their little "War" of sorts?

Peppy doesn't seem very disheartened when a cheerful <Daddy!> doesn't reach his ears, and the larger Growlithe's warm grin, complete with a flash of teeth and everything, only broadens. He opens his mouth to say something to his son (you know, the -good- one), but Flame's semi-defiant reply (rather, his not-submissive one) causes the adult to narrow his eyes and glare in the black one's general direction. His head is turned toward Briska enough that Flame probably won't notice, but Peppy doesn't seem particularly patient anymore. Peppy lifts his head, regards his child, and frowns. <Because that's what you shou...> Whap. <-... Hey!> Even if the slap doesn't connect, the Growlithe reacts as if it does. Peppy drags forward his front paw and attempts to bring it right down between Dakota and Flame, stepping with his back paws if necessary. <Don't do that, Flame.> Okay... still patient... still calm...

Briska watches his father, his empty smile fading as he notes the narrowed eyes. Slowly (very, very, slowly), Briska is building up a mental database of postures, gestures, facial expressions - from his furrowed brows, Briska is trying to figure out what this look means and how it applies to this situation. But nobody cares what's going on with the quiet puppies. Dakota ducks under Flame's swipe. With all the time she spends playing, she's developed some quick reflexes. She gives a loud yap, mouth curving into a grin as she frisks backwards on her paws, ready to charge back into the thick of things...before the boot comes down. Dakota gives a disappointed whine. Briska, having been jostled by the movement of his father, leans away from Peppy's leg and turns his attention towards the two combatants. He gives a soft, questioning yip. He's confused, not that this is any big surprise, but at least he has a reason for being so this time - he simply wasn't paying attention to the duo.

Flame just smiles at his dad's annoyed expression, and he wags his tail a few times, his dark eyes twinkling mischievously. This is a lot of fun! Maybe he'll break his old record, and get Peppy to lose his patience in less than twenty minutes. Peppy's paw startles Flame, and for a brief second the puppy loses his nonchalant expression to one of fright. His blackish ears flatten against his round skull, and his lips press tightly against his face in a canine's form of a fearful frown. He takes one hesitant step back, his beady eyes locked on his father. Is he going to get a time out? Or, is his dad going to punish him worse this time? He's not sure which Peppy will choose, but neither choice is too appealing to him. When Dakota manages to slip past him, Flame shrugs his shoulders indifferently. Hopefully, the energetic puppy will find Briska more interesting, and go bother the regularly colored puppy a while, and leave him, the oddity, alone and in peace. Shutting his eyes and watching the floor, Flame yawns, showing the dust mites his grayish tongue. Turning back to Peppy, he repeats his question, but this time in response to his dad's order. <Why?>

Soft snores and the rhythmic rising and falling of the furry corner-weights slowly gives way to an exaggerated yawn that slips out of Dusk's body like a wrung clothe. The tiny puppy stretches languidly, bowing low and then slowly wringing herself out, ending finally with a wag of her plush tail. Two black ears prick and her icy blue ices take in the scene as she blinks the sleep from them. "Waaaachooo," she sneezes daintly before rubbing her face with a paw. Casting a glance at mom and Karen, then peering out and focusing on the other Growlithes, the female pup slinks out in a careful and low slunk lope to find out what is going on. Her movements gain more and more grace each week and her body flows in a more purposeful gait than it has before. She slips up behind the others quietly, gently plopping her rump down and tipping her head to the side expectantly. Sounds and looks like trouble...

Because Flame takes a couple moments to speak, Peppy has stripped his eyes off the black pup, directing his attention over to a loud noise coming from Aurora. Or, rather, one of the puppies nuzzled into her. Uh oh. Peppy's cheek twitches softly, and he turns to take a look at the whining Dakota and the yapping Briska. Then Flame talks back. Peppy doesn't know if he can handle another puppy this wonderful night. Still, to his credit, this Growlithe is not one to get angry. Green eyes disappear behind his eyelids for a flash of a second. Peppy straightens his pose further, making himself appear as tall as possible, perhaps to intimidate Flame. That or scare him. Or make the little one respect him. Even Peppy realizes that it probably won't even work. <Because,> rumbles the adult, his voice masculine and deep compared to the yapping and whimpering of the two Growlithes behind him. <Because you could hurt her. And she might hurt you, and I don't want you kids getting yourselves in pain. All right?> Easy there, Peppy. Chill out.

Both Briska and Dakota look at their father as he speaks. Briska's jaw drops a tad as Peppy speaks, his eyes going wide. He's so powerful; so commanding. Puppy instincts take over and Briska throws himself down onto his back, his belly exposed and legs pawing up into the air. See how submissive he is? Even if Peppy doesn't, Dakota does. Her attention flies to the movement of her orange-furred brother and, as Flame predicted, she bounds towards him, and is soon standing on his furry chest. Briska is in complete and utter shock. What's happening? Where did she come from? What's happening with Daddy? Dakota nips at her Briska's ear, breaking her brother's train of thought (which seemed to be going in circles, anyway). This causes Briska to grumble softly, but the fuzzy pup soon tries to regain his footing by shaking his sister off him. The two Growlithes begin to growl playfully at as they squirm and nip one another.

Flame is not unobservant. Flame's attentive ears flick from side to side, picking up the sounds that fill the barn. They collect the chirping of the roosting Pidgey, the squeaking of the burrowing Rattata and Sandshrew, and they also catch the sound of his sister sneezing. A pair of black ears perk up, and Flame jerks his head around to find the source of the noise. His beady gems land on the small female, and he furrows them disappointedly. This is not a Growlithe he wants to see. Unlike Briska, Flame isn't about to throw himself on his back in submission. That would seriously put a damper on his agenda. Peppy's explanation gets a snort of laughter, and Flame looks over at Dakota. <Hurt me? > he asks in disbelief, positively amused at such a ridiculous suggestion. He nods his head a few times, responding with a none too respectful, <Right> he says, his voice drawling out like dripping molasses. <Peppy. > he finishes half a minute later, flashing his dad a defiant grin. Getting out of his seated position, the canine walks on padded paws, distancing himself from the rest of the family. He's not in his fully secluded corner, but at least he won't have to deal with the other puppies unless they make a genuine effort to disturb him. As for Peppy, he'll wait to see his father's reaction to his disobedience. But hey, at least he isn't picking on his brothers and sisters anymore.

Dusk's ears lay back against her head, cerulean eyes shifting nervously about the scene as the rumble of her father's voice unsettles her. Runt yes, stupid no. She is already well on her way to speaking the fragile body language that is shared not only between Growlithes, but pokemon in general. Uh oh, he asked 'why'Hoping to observe and learn, yet without being truly initiated into this little conflict, Dusk slinks around and positions herself behind Briska. The batch of puppies are an interesting blend, although the 'black sheep' of the family truly is black, he isn't quite as much of an oddity as it would seem. With four of the five puppies in one spot, it is apart to see the difference in their coat colors more clearly. With her dark ears and banded legs, Dusk is a stair step between Flame and the others. Even her creamy tail and under coat are a peachy-orange in color. As the scuffle breaks out, Dusk curls her upper lip indignantly and scoots over without standing up, uninterested in playing, only in the politics of the situation. Maybe Flame is gonna get it this time? Dusk snickers to herself and then coughs softly to clear away the smirk. The little female curls her tail about her toes and then proceeds to study her siblings and parental unit intently, he posture crisp and exaggerated and her ears twitching softly from their flattened position.

Peppy drops his head when Flame starts to walk away, shaking his head and growling under his breath. He doesn't look particularly hurt, or angry, or impatient - just tired. Oh well - that's Flame's final chance, as far as Peppy is concerned. Still shaking his head, brushing the creamy white fur of his lower face this way and that as he does, Peppy readjusts his focus upon Dakota, who, somehow, managed to sneak attack Briska and pin him down. Again. <She's getting to be good at this, Briska!> woofs the Growlithe, though his voice is almost quiet and his grin is small. He watches as the little puppies bumble and tumble with each other, each one engaged in trying to best the other one. Unfortunately, it holds little interest for Peppy. Every muscle in his head is concentrated on -not- turning around, -not- watching Flame, simply letting the puppy walk away with the last word. Peppy lowers his muzzle to his white chest and rubs, a kind of weak scratch for a hard to reach area. His tail flicks once, twice, and falls limp once again.

Uh oh! The Rockets are scheming! Better save than sorry! (Saving)

Dakota won't gain the upper hand for long. With a sharp jerk of his body, the female is sent tumbling to the straw. Briska rolls onto his belly, his tongue dangling from his mouth like a yo-yo. He sees Dakota stirring and scrambles to his large paws, ears slicked back and white teeth exposed in a broad grin. Briska is learning to sense opportunity in these petty, primal struggles with his kin. He leaps over to his sister and lies on her, pinning her to the ground. He senses opportunity, sure, but he doesn't go for a victory with a flourish. Dakota squawks and grumbles, but is betrayed by Briska's strength and weight, which even at this age is slightly more than hers. "Oowwlithe," Briska woofs, looking to his father before giving the back of his sister's neck (the only place he can reach) a lick, thanking her for tussling with him without words. The female gives a low woof and bursts into a canine smile the remains on her face even as she wriggles.

Ignoring Dusk; Flame awaits Peppy's reaction. He's got to be defiant in order to prove that he's not going to be completely submissive. He won't force his full dominant rule over them all just yet, but he has to start his uprising somewhere. While he can't see the smirk, he can feel it, and the anger burns inside of Flame's body. (Pardon the pun there). His anger is expressed silently, and through subtle body gestures that the other Growlithe might be able to read. Both of his ears are pressed against his head, and his lips are pressed against his maw in an agitated sneer. Peppy's lack of a response leaves the puppy dumbfounded. Does that mean he won? Does that mean he lost? Is this just a stalemate? While he wants to have the last laugh, this reaction leaves him with mixed feelings. He doesn't *hate* his father. However, the only way he's going to have his way, is to break some rules, and to be disobedient. If that hurts his relationship with his parents, then so be it. Interpreting this reaction as victory, Flame paces back to his previous spot, and plants his rump down on the wooden floor. His posture his straighter, he holds his chin up proudly, and his expression is downright pompous. He's going to be king of this roost before long. "Lithe." <Kid stuff.> he remarks, nodding his head to his brother and sister tumbling about in the straw.

Dusk is elated at the apparent vanquishing of Flame the Storm-cloud. She takes a step toward Peppy and then sits and grins, her tail wagging every slow slightly. One more little scoot and plop. Wagwag. Soft and regulated. Her eyes beg for attention yet she says nothing. Her mood is calm and things are going well tonight. She turns her head to blink at Briska and Dakota and then wags a little more enthusiastically at them, her ears now pricked and alert. Let him go and silk, she will be waiting, the puppy thinks to herself, still bitter over the past night's defeat for the acting award of the century. Dusk looks back at Peppy again, examining his weary looking face. <Papa,> she finally says in a soft, sing-songy voice. Why she has designated him this, but so he has been.

Peppy has to force himself to focus on Briska and Dakota as opposed to just boring old Flame, but apparently the dog lacks the willpower. Peppy's stance erects. His eyes flicker to the side. He inhales through his black nose, runs his eyes along the scar on his muzzle, and turns his eyes to the side again. The air he took in is now let out into a soft sigh. Peppy turns his head to the said and walks around in a semicircular rotation, now peering at his son wandering off. His eyes don't get far. New movement catches his attention, and the Growlithe turns his head further, now settling upon... Dusk. And it's not dad, not daddy, not father, but it'll do. Though his eyes still hang and Peppy still retains a quiet and tired aura about him, the soft grin on his furry face is evident of one thing - love. <Hey, Dusk,> he greets her quietly, his tail swaying back and forth slowly. <... Couldn't sleep?>

Kid stuff, perhaps, but when else will the puppies get to be kids? Dakota's paws reach out, scrabbling for any purchase on the straw or the wood beneath. Four prominent claws dig into the wood. Finally! The female puppy begins to rock and jerk with more energy than before. Briska's ears go to Dusk as she speaks, and he blinks. Ohboyohboy. His tail begins to frisk from side to side, in time with the beating of his swelling heart. More pack. More family. More love. He gets to his paws, allowing Dakota to slide out from under him uncontested, though she yips like she escaped from his clutches all by herself. Briska pads clumsily over, exhibiting none of the grace of his black-eared sister. He gives her a low "Growli.." in greeting, dipping his head to her. He then looks between Dusk and Peppy, a happy, kind smile on his muzzle. Which is nice and all, but is a bit annoying if one wants a moment alone with their father. Fortunately, at least Dakota doesn't seem to want to join them - she's chasing her tail as if it were the Holy Grail.

Small, beady emeralds shift this way and that, scanning the barn warily. One can never be too careful in a puppy eat, puppy barn. Flame loathes Dusk, her closeness agitating him, and he wriggles in his seat bothered by her nearness. Her very presence gives him gooseflesh, and he instinctively raises his hackles. This is the extent of his outward displeasure. While he had been rude, this is something Peppy is most likely used to by now. When Dusk speaks to their father, Flame knows that the war has secretly begun, kindled from the smoldering ashes of the previous night's stand off, which ended in Flame's award winning act. Sitting next to Peppy, but a few feet away for his own comfort, Flame observes Dusk, and fights the urge to gag. This scene is getting way too mushy for him. What's with the cute nickname? She might be more adorable than him, more sweet and innocent in appearance, but Dusk can't fool him. He's fully aware of her intelligence, her capabilities, and the evils that are part of the package. Lying down on the wood, he rests his head on his paws and keeps his eyes on Peppy. If there's a war, he'll be ready at the front. <Try me.> he woofs silently, daring Dusk to try any funny stuff, although those words are so hushed they are nearly impossible to pick up.

The night is shrouded in cold bleak mist, dark grey and colorless. The ground is icy and the air wet.

The puppy nods once in a quick motion in answer to Peppy's question and then turns to Briska. Hmm, she is in such a good mood now, she just might be interested in playing! Talking a few stiff-legged steps closer to her larger sibling, Dusk attempts to nip at him, her tail swshing in a soft, circular motion of peachy fuzz. Then, she wags fervently and grins. "OoooOoooow!" she howls, tossing her head back to challenge the very roof. Up above, a Pidgey shuffles nervously and a few feathers and a bit of straw flutter to the ground. Dusk solicites her brother with a play bow, tossing a look over her shoulder at Flame and then turning her nose up with a feminie sneer.

Peppy spots Flame out of the corner of his eye, but his actions mean little to him. His mutter is unheard (and, likely, not important) by the adult Growlithe, and the looks on his face mean nothing to Peppy. He simply smiles as his daughter howls, though the sound of fluttering on the rafters causes the Growlithe to cringe visibly. <Careful, careful!> he woofs softly, turning to Aurora and Karen, still (somehow) fast asleep. <... Don't want to wake... your mother up.> How about that - no stuttered "Auro". Peppy's gettin' gooood at this. He continues looking at her for a few more moments, exhales, and shakes his head. <Maybe we should join her. C'mon, pups! Let's get to sleep!> His voice has faked cheer to it; he can't summon up enough genuine energy to actually be that energetic. A couple pokemon mutter <Finally>. One loudmouth Spearow squawks down, <About time!> Peppy pays them no heed; he's too tired to hear then. Padding his way back to his mate, whether the puppies follow him or not, the Growlithe plops down beside her, nestles into her side, rubs his nose into her cheek, and holds off closing his eyes until at least -most- of the puppies are here. And all he can expect is another big day tomorrow. ... Maybe he'll sleep in.

Briska will likely go to his grave without knowing what the word politics means. As such, the reasons behind the interaction between Dusk and Flame pass him by. ...Let's be honest, the reasons behind a lot of things are mysteries to Briska. Oh, sure, it's easy to understand milk, meat, playing, and sleep, but those are the only easy concepts in the world! Briska's off-white tail waves from side to side as he smiles, though his ears flatten as Dusk howls. She can be surprisingly noisy for such a normally quiet girl. After she does, he too sinks into a play bow, his eyes narrowing as he plans the best way to take his sister down (which is probably 'run into her', knowing his brainpower...). But, Peppy speaks and leaves. Briska blinks after him and straightens up. "Lithe?" he questions the group, giving voice to his internal question 'what's going on?'. Dakota looks over at her father before deciding, no, she'd rather chase her tail some more. Off she goes, yap-yap-yapping. Briska blinks dully at Dakota, and then looks to Dusk. If his calmer sister follows Peppy, he will as well, but if she stays he'll linger with her. He doesn't look at Flame, having forgotten just where his smarter brother went off to.

Uh oh! The Rockets are scheming! Better save than sorry! (Saving)

Dusk's sneer goes ignored. One of the Pidgey feathers falls from the rafters, and lands on his wet nose. Flame focuses his eyes on the feather, and twitches his nose. The feather floats to the ground, and Flame flicks it away with one of his paws. He groans irritably, and his mood is worsening by the minute. The puppy rights himself, and he pushes himself up into a standing position. He watches as Peppy lies down beside his mother, and he regards them both silently. Letting out a yawn, he licks his upper lip and he feels his eyelids growing heavy. Padding over to the corner that is his, Flame ignores the other puppies, (especially Dusk), but does offer a nod to Peppy. It isn't a "Goodnight Dad! Or, see you tomorrow Father!" but, the thought is there at least. Plopping down into a pile of straw, sending a hundred little dust particles into the air, Flame rests his head on his front paws a second time tonight. Curling his puffball tail about his body, the Growlithe sighs sleepily. His eyes shut, his ears and muscles finally relax, and within seconds he's breathing heavily. Every once in a while his lips twist up into a smirk, and he giggles sadistically in his sleep, clawing at the wooden floor as he chases after imaginary Rattata and the like.

Dusk ceases her howl and then tips her head as bed time is announced. "Grooow," she mutters softly to herself and then pads afte her father, throwing Briska a glance to see what he will do as she slips off. The barn is settling down and it seems that beyond Dakota's yapping, everyone else is ready for rest. The dark eared pup yawns as she walks, showing tiny white fangs and a pink tongue, her bright eyes hidden in furry wrinkles. Her tail sways softly as she glides toward her parents. Looking to Peppy, Dusk flashes him a grin, then slowly slips around to sleep by Aurora. Being a puppy isn't as easy as it looks. Curling up with her plumed tail snuggled up tight and her tiny paws tucked under her, Dusk yawns again and then begins to droop heavily, sleep and perhaps a world of dreams, if Growlithe's do dream, taking her.