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

The sky is grey and cloudy, and nothing casts a shadow. The northwest wind is chilly. In the forest, fiery red, gold, and orange leaves rustle and blow past you, swirling in the wind. While at the coast, the sea matches the cool autumn sky: grey, rolling and foreboding.

It's a cold autumn day, overcast and dark. Autumn has always been a season that's interested Soki. It is a time of transition where the last bits of summertime fight to stay as they are. Never mind that winter always wins; fall, in nothing but its own context, represents combat to Soki. Perhaps this is because of the life-changing event that happened to the Sandslash, then a 'Shrew, in an autumn, but not even Soki knows that. What he knows right now is that his mind has turned once again to fighting, and that has lead to a conclusion that he feels he needs to share with the father whose children he's currently watching over from the same old stance: back the wall, quills flattened, arms over his chest, eyes darting back and forth from puppy to puppy.

Rattata snatching things away, save the base without delay! (Saving)

Yeah, another one of those afternoons. It's chilling and just generally dreadful outside, but that hasn't stopped the two parents of the Growlithe puppies of the Assisi Barn from sticking Soki in charge and wandering off, no set purpose in mind, for an hour or two. It's something they do commonly enough; the only thing actually suspicious about this scenario is that the day is not exactly "walking weather". No accounting for taste. It hasn't even crept over into evening before Peppy and Aurora return, however, smiles on their faces, talking low about some thing that would interest them and only them - maybe about the kids, or about family, or about something fascinating to a Growlithe and entirely dull to anything else. They don't enter very loudly, but a few heads of other pokemon settling down in the barn for the winter perk up, and a couple of them wave.

Soki offers quick glance in the entering Growlithes' direction, but after that his eyes are back on the kids. While it's true that he had something important to tell Peppy, it's not a, "run over and start telling immediately," type of thing, nor is Soki that type of pokemon. He'll wait until Peppy comes close enough for talking privately. One of the puppies tackles another, completely ensnaring Soki's attention for a moment. It's just play, however, and the Sandslash relaxes. He ought not be so jittery about the puppies nowadays...

Aurora whispers something to Peppy before heading into the general center of the area where four of the five puppies play (Flame, of course, being the one excluded) and try to gravitate them all towards her, maybe to round them up for a story, or a game, or simply to get them to take a midday nap or something. Peppy, at the same time, casually strolls over to where Soki is standing, eyes on his family until he's in close proximity to the Sandslash guardian. He clears his throat, supposedly to get Soki's attention. Even if the ground type doesn't budge, the Growlithe will greet him with a low but warm bark, followed up by, <Have they been behaving themselves?> As a rule, Peppy knows as well as anybody that his kids aren't vehement, rambunctious youths who terrorize the innocent, but it never hurts to check.

Soki has his eyes on Peppy from the moment Aurora takes over the attention duties. He almost gets his own greeting out, but Peppy beats him to it. It's no big deal to Soki; the conversation has been initiated in any case. The question is an easy one to answer. The Sandslash nods his affirmation and elaborates, <Perfectly. They've played around a lot, but nothing dangerous.> There is a moment's pause as Soki fishes for the right words. <Would you mind coming over here and sitting down?> he asks at last. <I have something I need to talk to you about.> It's one of those serious "somethings," by the tone in Soki's voice.

And Peppy gives off his normal sigh, once more scanning his children for any signs of harm - not necessarily because he doesn't trust Soki, but just because he like any good father is way, way too paranoid about the health of his offspring. He opens his mouth to speak right at the end of that slight hesitation Soki gives, but when the bigger pokemon starts talking, Peppy snaps his jaw right shut. His right ear flickers with interest, and he slowly turns his head to watch his friend, eyes narrowing in lack of understanding at Soki's request. <... Sure, no problem,> Peppy replies with all his normal cheer, though the tint of confusion and perhaps anxiety is easy enough to detect. He'll head over to where Soki gestures or leads him, plunking down on his butt in that area.

Rattata snatching things away, save the base without delay! (Saving)

The Sandslash nods grimly and begins. <You may or may not remember the reason I decided to take the job of watching over your children. If not, I'll tell you again: I had planned to train one of your children as a fighter, in the same way that my mentor, Zenny, had trained me. It turns out that I had misjudged the timing, and the odds of what I thought would occur occurring. In short, I do not believe that any of your puppies will make a good fighter in the long run. Please don't take that the wrong way; they'll make fine hunters, but so far as fighting in the human circles goes, none of them have all that it takes.> Soki pauses for breath, and to let Peppy take that in. After a suitable silence, the Sandslash adds a comparatively short extra note: <Besides, they can't grow to the proper age in enough time me to train any of them properly...>

Peppy almost always absorbs information that doesn't directly interest or relate to him with a blank stare and a slightly slack jaw. It's just the way he is. It's interesting to note, however, that he's giving Soki that very same look right now as the Sandslash speaks, almost as though this isn't quite getting through to him. Even when Soki gives Peppy a moment or two to think about all that and comments on their age, the Growlithe still continues to gawk aimlessly at him. This is not exactly a good sign. When he finally speaks, he doesn't sound angry, or sad, or even accepting; he mainly sounds confused. <... You mean... like... they won't be good pokemon if they ever get trained?> It's probably not too hard to figure out that, while he does remember Zenny by name and face, Peppy probably doesn't recall exactly what the Squirtle (now Wartortle) symbolized and stood for. Hm.

Rattata snatching things away, save the base without delay! (Saving)

Soki shakes his head. <I'm sorry, I suppose I said too much... let me try again. Everyone has different talents. Some people are smart, like Aurora. Some people are nice, like you. And some people fight well, like me. I see many talents in each of your children... but none of them are fighters. Do you understand now?> The Sandslash is desperately trying to keep from sounding like he's insulting Peppy's children, since that's absolutely not what he means. He also paraphrases his P.S., since that's also something he direly needs to get across. <And if there were a fighter among them, I don't have the time to teach them.>

Now Soki's putting it into words that Peppy can understand. When Soki uses nice, short little sentences, and uses different examples for different people, Peppy can understand! Every one of Soki's sentences gets a nod of understanding, though the actual amount Peppy truthfully follows is questionable. <Oh...> he finally woofs as Soki winds down, nodding in reply. <Yeah, I understand. Just because they're not good at that doesn't mean they're not good at other things.> Well, that's one way of putting it. There's definitely some depression in his voice, though it's kept in check and is reasonable anyway - very, very few dads can ever have a star athlete for their child, but it's always a disappointment to learn that anyway. Peppy will probably stay silent until Soki speaks again, unless the silence becomes too prolonged.

Again, it seems as though Soki's going to have to reword one of his statements. Not the "fighter" one; that's settled. It's the P.S. that he's got to get through before this night is through. <...tell me, Peppy. How long do you think it will be before the puppies are all grown up? How long until they're ready to live on their own, I mean?> Soki is quite well aware of his tone; it's the type that signals a booby-trap, a guided result. In other words, Soki is not necessarily asking his question to be enlightened but rather to lead the conversation in the direction he wants it to go.

Well, this is strange and intruiging. Peppy snaps his head up at Soki's words, and watches him with great, great interest, as though if Soki stops talking Peppy will melt away into nothing. Soki may be luring the conversation in a direction of his own, but it's probably generating something more for Peppy than he would have expected. <Did you talk to Aurora while I was out hunting or something?> he asks, curious in tone. Soki shouldn't have enough time to reply, for Peppy hops right onto his next statement. <Because, um, she and I were just... talking about that a few days ago.> The sides of his mouth curl up into a smile, and he flashes his teeth at Soki for a split second before speaking. <I was... I was about their age when I left my parents, but that was because things happened.> Descriptive. <But Aurora, um, she didn't leave until she was *three*! And I'm *four* now! So they almost have to be as old as me!> He speaks with great enthusiasm, as if this is the most fascinating topic he has ever journeyed on. With some luck, Soki will be able to build up on it.

Rattata snatching things away, save the base without delay! (Saving)

The sky is grey and cloudy, and nothing casts a shadow. The northwest wind is chilly.

Soki nods slowly. He grinds his teeth thoughtfully, wondering even now if he can get what he has to say out. It's not a subject that he's ever wanted to think about, but as conditions stand, he must. Soki would like to keep it a secret, but it's something Peppy will have to know, and plan around. After a deep breath both in and out, Soki explains what's on his mind. <I see. Listen, and try to understand that this is hard for me to say. I won't be able to take care of your children up to the time they leave. I suggest you prepare to find another caretaker sometime this coming year, possibly in spring or summer.> They're minced words, dancing around their true meaning, merely hinting at what the core of the matter is.

Soki's statement doesn't come across as a surprise to Peppy, so there's that. Peppy doesn't jerk up, howl at the sky, and dive at Soki, tearing him limb from limb; as a matter of fact, the Growlithe almost kind of expected this is the direction the conversation would head in. Babysitting is a thankless, difficult job; though the reward may be contact with growing children, full appreciation of that miracle is difficult to achieve. Peppy seems to take it surprisingly well. He nods, slowly at first, before nodding faster and faster as he woofs, <I understand.> And he really means it this time. More silence. <I... well, um, Aurora and I really do, at least, um, appreciate what you're doi... uh, what you did, how you helped, it was... ... if you ever need help with something, uh, like, need help, well, we're always... er... though you might be far away, or we may not be here... um.> You know, for having expected this to happen, it's rather interesting how amazingly little Peppy, you know, *prepared* for the situation.

Soki chuckles. He was too vague. Well, there's always another try... <Thank you. I don't mean to say that I'm leaving now, or that I don't want to be your caretaker, though. I would gladly keep this position as long as necessary, just to see these children grow. It's not the children, or you, Peppy. It's this body of mine.> With that, he lightly thumps his chest with the blunt side of a claw twice for the dramatic ephasis. <My kind doesn't live as long as yours. I've got some time left, but I can't last forever. ...you're not going to be looking for my replacement, you'll be looking for my successor.>

Rattata snatching things away, save the base without delay! (Saving)

The fact that Soki claims that he wouldn't be leaving immediately makes Peppy look a little confused, and it's only after a second or two of thought that the dumb dog realizes that Soki mentioned *Spring* or *Summer* - not now. Soki's next statement, however, is entirely lost on Peppy, but it isn't as much of his fault as an individual, but his fault as a species; it's an error anybody could make. <What do you mean?> Peppy asks, his tail whipping back and forth briskly. <... If you... don't live as long... but wait.> He shakes his head, simply not following. <But you've got... I mean, look!> He smiles uneasily, leaning over to look at Soki's back. <You've got those spikes, and those claws, plus you're really smart and witty and like to fight. I don't think you'll die for a long time,> he asserts, with a confident nod. Peppy's no stranger to the concept of death, but death due to old age, perhaps.

Maybe it's time to open up the can of wisdom that Soki carries around in his head and teach Peppy a thing or two. <I may have the skills and the equipment to live through any mortal battle, Peppy, but there's one enemy who defeats everyone, and that's time. No matter how strong you are, your body wears out over time. You've got years and years before that happens to you, but my kind isn't built to last as long as you are. I've got...> The Sandslash pauses for a moment and folds the arms he'd be laying at his side across his chest. He appears to be thinking deeply. His eyes twitch under the closed eyelids, so he hasn't conked out or anything... and then suddenly, <One year. This body will last one more year,> is his announcement as his eyes snap open. How do you suppose he determined that?

Peppy frowns slightly at Soki's words, shifting weight from one side of his body to the other. This sounds vaguely like a conversation he once had with a... a female pokemon from a strange snake-like but beautiful species whose name and kind he can't recall, despite meeting her multiple times. The fact that different species of pokemon have different timelines was one that's eluded the hapless Growlithe's mind for some time now, and Soki's words remind him of that. <... Oh.> A pause. Again, let the words sink in. <One year?!> he finally snaps, a little too loudly - a few other pokemon, including Aurora and one of the puppies, glance over in his direction. He doesn't notice them, but does quiet down. <... But that's... that's not very much time at all! One year is just... just like, now it's hot-turning cold, and then it's cold, then it's cold-turning-hot, then hot, then hot-turning cold, and that's one year! You only have until *then?!*> No respect for the elderly.

Rattata snatching things away, save the base without delay! (Saving)

Soki holds up a paw in a human gesture requesting silence. <Peppy, don't worry for me. Our perspectives are quite different. The time that feels like a walk from the barn to outside to you is like a walk from the barn to the human city to me... I have plenty of time left. And right now, I want to spend it helping to raise your children, not worrying about what must come eventually.> Soki lets out a sigh. <Just how do you feel about your kids, anyway?> It's an obvious ploy to change the subject.

Human gestures are something Peppy, even after almost two years, can still pick up on with ease, and he shuts right up, though his face, especially his eyes, are still worried. <But...> Peppy almost whispers, though he doesn't follow it up with anything else; Soki's question comes before Peppy can speak up about anything in respect to Soki's health and time left on this mortal coil. <... What do you mean?> he asks in reply, his voice still a little heckled and overwhelmed from this sudden holy-cow-things-don't-have-to-die-from-other-things thought. <I...> And he turns his head, watching the Growlithes of interest as he speaks. <I love them. I'd do anything for them.> He sounds distracted, albiet genuine. <Is... that what you mean?> He turns to the Sandslash.

Soki nods. <That's good. That's the best attitude a parent can have, I think. You're a model father in that way, Peppy.> Even to Soki, that sounds too cookie-cutter. Something? Anything? Help? Ah! <You know, now that I think about it, I need to get some sleep. I have to stay fresh for the night watch, and think now would be my chance to rest. I feel much better for getting all this off of my chest. Thanks, Peppy,> the Sandslash says, rather conclusively. Let's see that Growlithe prolong this conversation after that one!

Oh, there are a lot of things Peppy could have said in response to Soki's question that only come to mind now, all very true things. He would hurt himself for them! He would die for them! He wants them to succeed, he wants them to be happy, he wants them to be comfortable, all of these seem so much more noble than "do anything for them"! <I...> he woofs softly, his head low in submission, eyes wide and concerned. <I'm... sorry... about you, then. But if you, um, need to speak to me again, or, um, or to Aurora, because she's smart, don't hesi... heser... um, don't pause for a second, just come and tell me right away! Okay?> Let the poor 'Slash get his sleep already, Pepster.

Rattata snatching things away, save the base without delay! (Saving)

An impatient nod and, <I'll keep that in mind,> are the last things that Soki does before he curls up against the wall (moreso than he was doing before) and shuts his eyes. He makes a conscious effort of snoring, just to prove that he really is asleep, even if he isn't at the moment because making a conscious effort to do anything would prove that he's not unconscious yet.