Obvious exits:
South <S> leads to Pokemon Haven: Assisi Farm.
North <N> leads to Field and Streams - Route 11: Farmlands.

Dusk has arrived.

Briska has arrived.

The sky is cloudy grey, and nothing casts a shadow. The southwest wind is mild. In the forest, the wind rustles the bright green leaves of trees and bushes and carries Oddish pollen, downy seeds, and the fragrance of wildflowers along with it. While at the coast, rain pitters lightly on the deep grey ocean, and the waves are small.

Even though Summer's right around the corner, the weather is reluctant to go. Forming a rupture in the nice weather the island has seen in weeks past, today is somewhat gloomy and more disappointing, and the dark clouds of the sky block out the sun and spread shadows across the land. The threat of a storm lingers high in the clouds, but instead of shoving themselves inside, one group of pokemon have instead decided to make the most of this dismal day. The Assisi Farm's resident Growlithe family is outside now, with the two parents watching over all five of the no doubt curious little ones. Though Peppy, being the lazy soul he is, usually can't help but succumb to sleep when he's babysitting, Aurora has drilled into his head that it's imperitive that he stay awake, lest one of the puppies run outside of the imaginary boundaries both parents have decided on. And so, with her warnings in his head, Peppy struggles to not fall asleep as he sits there on his rump, looking downright disappointed, half-watching the kids and half-watching the sky.

As the puppies roam and explore, one seems to be straggling behind. While following the actions of her siblings, playing and exploring, Dusk's attempt seems half hearted. The smallest pup in the litter seems somehow slow today, not herself. Her normal grace has been abandoned for sure footed plodding and her plumed tail droops a little. Perhaps it is just the gloomy weather that has taken the air out of this little one's sails? Pausing a moment, the black-eared pup seems to wobble. <Stop moving,> she states, peering at the ground with contempt. Trudging along, nose working gently but mind checked at the door of the barn, Dusk steps in a hole. "Grrrr," she scolds the obstruction as it sucks up her right front paw. "Ooooooow!" she howls, digging at it furiously as if it were the cause of all her problems. After a moment, the puppy ceases this action, whimpering and placing her dirty paws on her muzzle, bottom in the air. Now she feels really sick.

Briska sits near his mother, dwarfed by the adult Growlithe. His head is pointed up at the sky, his green eyes are wide, and his jaw is slightly slack. He appears to be looking up at the heavens, for all intents and purposes. His voluminous coat sometimes ripples in the slight breeze, but that's the only action he makes as he tries to comprehend this. The sky...it's usually different. Why is it like this today? And...wait, what's that noise! The pain of a family member the only thing that could cause Briska to drop his head - which he does, quite quickly. He leaps to his paws, looking around for Dusk, and finding her after a good eight seconds. He then pads towards her, yipping a query, his brows furrowed. Flame's not around her, so why's Dusk so upset?

Peppy stretches his skin tight at he raises his head to the sky, cracking his jaws wide open to expel a loud, long yawn, as though he finds it entirely necessarily for the whole world to hear that he is tired and bored. His head becomes level once again, and he scrunches up his cheek and nose a bit, recovering from the yawn. Now, Peppy may not be paying much attention to what he's looking at, but even he can't ignore a howl of frustration as loud as Dusk's. With a shocked "Li?" of surprise, Peppy jolts up to an erect stance, tail and ears pricked, eyes quickly scanning the area. Reason sets in a half second later, and when the Growlithe realizes that it's just Dusk, he feels instantly relieved. But then he wonders... what would cause her to yip like that? Aurora, preoccupied with explaining something to little Karen, exchanges a glance with her mate and gestures him to go to her, and so with a little hesitation and a slight sigh, Peppy picks himself up off the ground and trudges in Dusk's direction.

Having finished with the offending hole and recovered from the queasy feeling that the digging fostered in her stomach, Dusk begins to rise again, looking around sheepishly and lowering her ears as she notices that she has incoming, both Peppy and Briska are headed her way. <Found a hole,> she begins to explain, tucking her already drooped tail and lowering herself to the ground a bit. The small pup pants a bit, feeling warm and flush and funny inside. Maybe she did something wrong? Maybe something is wrong with her? Flame always tells her that there is something wrong, maybe there really is. Embarrassed and alarmed, the puppy doesn't want anyone to know this secret information.

Briska is friskier than his father - sleeping in and almost missing breakfast does give a pup a certain bit of energy. He undoubtably reaches Dusk first and once he does he looks her over, his head swinging upwards and downwards in large, exaggerated motions. Does she have those weird things that Poppa had that made him mad and made the pups all sad? Her explanation causes Briska's ears to perk her way; the dull yet worried look doesn't fade from his wide green eyes. <Hole?> he asks, glancing around to find this mysterious being. The pup notes that his sister seems particularly upset at the appearance of this hole, and Briska intends to do something about it! But first...<Hole?> he repeats again, confused, looking to Dusk for the answer. Is he asking what a hole is? Is he asking where it is? Is he somehow trying to ask Dusk why she's worried about this particular hole? Let's leave it to others to interpret Briska.

Pad, pad, pad. Though Peppy seems reluctant about having to walk -all the way over to Dusk-, he does have the sense to put on a caring face as he approaches, which is quickly wiped away and replaced by a mask of confusion when she reveals why she yelped. He comes to a stop a few inches away from his daughter. <A hole?> he asks, sounding much like his son as he does. The blank glance looks quite a bit like Briska too. It takes Peppy a moment or two to react in ways other than peering, and, with a slight frown, he inches a step or two closer to her, now looking her over, especially around the legs and paws. <Are you hurt, Dusk? Did you trip and hurt yourself?> Certainly there must be some reason why the female puppy howled so loudly, and Peppy's going to find out what! ... So he can go back to sitting there and wishing he was asleep. An inspiration to us all, that Peppy is.

A port in a storm, a home away from home. We're (saved)!

Wasn't there a story about the little Growlithe who howled Scarewulf? No? Well maybe there ought to be. Dusk, is seems, howls just to howl most of the time. It is simply her way of communicating. As she gets older, the pitch is getting higher and sweeter, though moods and feelings can easily be detected in the singsong expression of emotion. This howl was pure frustration at the lack of control Dusk is experiencing. Her own body is rebelling and bucking like a Ponyta colt in windstorm. The puppy grins sheepishly, tugging her muzzle down towards the hole and giving it's dirty circumference a quick pawing for Briska's sake. <Hole,> she says simply, focusing her blue eyes on him. Does he have three eyes? <Ooh,> she whimpers, closing and then opening her own again to blink at her big brother. Peppy arrives and she faces him now, being buried in her hole by his questions. <I'm fine. Jus' found a hole,> she mumbles, then turns to plod away, pretending to look interested in finding another hole, nose close to the ground. If one were to watch, they'd see she doesn't look very steady. Her legs wobble a bit and her tail seems stiff and rudder like, as if her balance is off and she is overcompensating.

Briska's eyes watch his sister's movements. The pup opens his mouth, and his lower jaw dangles uselessly for a few seconds before his black lips curve upwards in a large smile. <Hole!> he repeats happily, pointing with a paw to, yes, the hole that Dusk just pointed out to him. His new word comes right when Dusk whimpers, so he has no reaction to it. The pup looks up at his pop. <Hole,> he says, nodding down to the depression in the dirt. As Dusk says the word 'hole', Briska turns back to her, his tail beginning to wag though he makes no motion to go after her. Instead, he watches his little sis, and as he does so his tail slows and his ears begin to lower. Briska gives dad a short attention-getting wuff, and then, if dad looks his way, he'll motion to Dusk with his head. Briska takes a step towards Dusk, before looking up at Peppy again, this time expectantly (assuming he got Peppy's attention the first time). Briska's willing and ready to deal with Dusk's oddness - but he's offering the opportunity to Poppa, head of the pack.

One would have thought, yes, that Peppy would have picked up on the speech patterns of his children by now, but then, this is Peppy we're talking about here. He can't pick up on anything obscure. Shoot, he often can't pick up on obvious things. <A hole,> Peppy woofs, with a nod that seems to seal the deal. Dusk found a hole, it interested her, and now she's showing her brother the hole. Peppy smiles down at Briska when the little one points out the dip in the ground for his father to see, and he nods in approval to the pup. Well, glad that's all cleared up. With a slight sigh, Peppy starts to turn to the side, no doubt to head back to his original spot. He happens to take one last glance at Dusk as he does, however, and, in mid-rotation, the Growlithe just freezes, eyes locking onto her. She seems... unstable. Apparently Peppy isn't the only one to notice it, as Briska himself points it out. <Um... Dusk?> the adult pokemon asks, still stuck in his awkward position. <Are you alright, hon? ... You really did hurt yourself in the hole, didn't you?> Close, dad, but no cigar. His worry level rising a tad, Peppy turns his body back in her direction and takes a couple steps towards her - big, long steps, to narrow the gap between them and make it easier for her to reply.

Dusk lowers her head and peers back over her shoulder blades with worried blue eyes. It's ok; he thinks she got hurt in the hole. No one will suspect that she is not the perfect creature she once thought she was. <Yeah, in the hole,> she yips quietly, lowering her sapphire eyes to peer at Peppy's toe nails. The small pup sighs and her stomach seems to heave, causing her to lean forwards a moment, eyes widening as she gags a bit. It has been quite a while since she has eaten; good thing or she might have just lost it. After this sudden scare, the black-eared pup turns to face her father and her brother who is further behind; fur rustling softly in the breeze and ears drooped. <I feel funny inside,> she confesses, belly already low to the ground as if she can sneak away from the icky undulations of her stomach.

The sky is cloudy grey, and nothing casts a shadow. The southwest wind is mild.

Briska gives the doting father and the darling angel one last look before he looks out over at the rest of the pups. Aurora is watching Dakota and Karen play at the moment - Briska wags his tail slightly at that. He then swings his head from side to side, leaning forward on his paws to catch a glimpse of the black-furred pup...and finds him, watching his mother and sisters with the contempt that is so typical of Flame that Briska has no reaction to it. All's normal on this end! And as for the other...Now the heavily-furred puppy turns back, green eyes inquisitive. He doesn't quite catch his sister's confession, as one can see by his tilted head, but as is usual with Briska words don't matter. She's low to the ground with ears down - Briska's canine brain sees pain, submission. He takes a few steps closer to Dusk, and will stand by Peppy's flank if his father doesn't move, watching with sympathetic green eyes. Briska gives his father the chance to work some of that parental magic - he's just a bit too confused to actually comfort his sister when he's not clear what's wrong.

When Dusk backs him up and mentioned that her injury, indeed, stems from the hole, Peppy doesn't seem in the least bit comforted. <Well, come over here then, Dusk. You mig-> He stops in mid-sentence. His ear twitches, his eyebrows lift, his jaw remains open. That wrecthing, gagging noise - that doesn't sound like the noise of a bump or bruise. Any attempts poor Peppy makes to quench the worry rising in his chest and throat are immediately tossed out the window at the female puppy's next comment. <Wh... what?> Peppy manages to choke out, a great tingle paralyzing his limbs. The only thing keeping him from dashing over to Dusk, sweeping her up, and flinging her to Aurora's side are the sounds of Briska taking his place beside his father. Briska's presense gives Peppy the courage (or perhaps he just wants to impress his son) to keep a cool head, and, trying to keep his voice mellow, the adult Growlithe swallows heavily and asks, <How... funny? Are you hungry? Does it hurt?>

<Everything is all fuzzy and spinning and my tummy hurts,> the littlest puppy whimpers as the feelings continue to get worse. <I jus' wanna go back and lie down,> she says, eyes looking past Peppy now as if he isn't even there, fixed on the barn where her bed of straw and fur awaits. The puppy's nose is hot and she pants as stress and fever kick in. Perhaps she ate something that didn't agree with her? Or maybe it is just a spring bug that has taken root in the her system. Thank goodness Dusk doesn't know this, she would hate to be associated with weakness. It is probably a good idea for her to get back to the barn as quickly as possible. Being carried would probably be rather strenuous at her size now. Dusk's tail tip wags hopefully as she pulls her eyes back to her father's, seeking help. After a moment, she looks to Briska, biting her tongue and trying to be big and brave like he is.

It's easy to be brave when your gut isn't rumbling and sending out pain-signals every second. Briska only vaguely understands Peppy's question, but he does look to Dusk as if expecting an answer. When it comes, his fuzzy face scrunches up as he pieces together the words that he knows and tries to make sense of them. Either he can't do so effectively, or his concern for his sister overrides his ability to comprehend. He whines to his father, looking between Peppy and Dusk. He takes a few steps towards his sister, giving her a woof that...well, considering the two main expressions on his face and in his eyes, could either be an attempt to comfort her, or an attempt to ask what's going on. He then looks to Peppy again. Does Poppa have an idea?

A port in a storm, a home away from home. We're (saved)!

Panic level... rising! Rationality level... decreasing fast, captain! It's a wonder that Peppy doesn't simply dive onto the floor and sob in fright and fear and just general panic. Despite the sensation welling up in his body, Peppy somehow through some miracle manages to remain pretty cool, given how prone to excitement the pup usually is. <Briska,> Peppy announces to his son, turning his head down to the pup. He then spares Aurora a quick glance before woofing to the pup, <Don't worry about your sister, son, Dusk'll be all right. Dusk, we're going inside. Can you walk on your own? Do you need me to help you? Or Briska?> The struggle to keep his voice level and collected is evident, and even the pups should realize that he's pretty worried on the inside. However, he's doing his best to hide it, and he looks intently at Dusk while waiting for her reply.

Dusk, trooper that she is, begins her slow and agonizing walk back to the barn. She spares Briska a loving look as she passes. He is easily her favorite sibling, even though he seems a trifle simple. His loving nature and simplicity make him the pick of the litter to Dusk. <I can walk, daddy,> she says, puffing her chest as she slinks for the barn at a steady and determined Slowpoke's pace. Her tail still sways oddly and she seems unsteady, but is doing well. The small pup is eager to lie down. Only days ago she had been eager to be outside and now she is out and having to hurry back in. Oh well, for now, the pain in her tummy and wobbly feeling coursing through her is of more concern than the great outdoors. One foot leaves the ground at a time as she pads unsteadily along, almost resembling a lizard on a tree branch. The puppy seems to rock backward to go forward, but she is covering ground and Peppy will have to follow if he is indeed returning to the barn with her.

Briska hasn't the presence of mind to think in favourites...and if he did, he wouldn't have the heart to. He watches Dusk head towards the barn, moving behind her with slow steps. His head is low, his green eyes locked on her, monitoring every falter in her paws and tremble of her limbs. Poppa's words are ignored; if Peppy knows Briska, he might know that this isn't intetional. After a few seconds, the hefty pup picks up some speed, moving to walk beside his sister and match her pace, all others forgotten as he concentrates on his black-eared little sister.

Peppy remains right beside poor Dusk the whole time, copying her slow, struggling pace, all the while keeping his eyes locked on her intently. Because he's not watching where he's going, he stumbles into two holes and a rock himself, but he immediately snaps right back up to standing position as though nothing changed. Once the trio (finally) arrives at the barn, Peppy comes to a stop, peers at Dusk, looks at Briska, stares back at Dusk, and finally glances over at Aurora. <Okay, okay. Um, Briska. Take her inside, okay? Let her sleep where she wants to sleep. Um, make it really comfortable, uh, talk to her and make her, you know, happy.> Easy, Peppy. Don't get stressed. <I'm going to go tell mom, she'll know exactly what to do. Is that okay? Briska? Dusk?> His heart doesn't show any signs of slowing down; as a matter of fact, it's only speeding up as Dusk wobbles more and more.

The soft light dims at dusk.

Stopping at the door to the barn with her father, Dusk searches his face, beginning to look frightened. Never show fear to a child when their health falters. Eyes of sapphire blue seem pale and dim now, yet wavering with tension and pain. Those eyes tell Peppy what Dusk's voice can't say; she is very, very frightened. The little Growlithe gulps and nods slightly in answer to her father's question, the turns her eyes to Briska. He would be with her so she would be ok. Smiling in an awkward, yet hopeful manner, she slinks into the barn, feet seeming to slide as they readjust to the wooden floor, clawed paws clicking softly. Up above, a few Pidgey's rustle and whisper before flying off as if the puppy were carrying death to their doorstep. Dusk sighs and makes for a nest of straw on the floor. Reaching it, she slowly drops into it and curls up on her side, chest rising and falling heavily and her pink tongue lolling from between her teeth.

If Briska has gotten to a point where he can read emotions in eyes, that isn't demonstrated now - Briska looks his father's way when Dusk looks at Peppy. To his father's words, the male gives a soft, <Briska,> and a nod of his head. ...What? You expected Briska to say 'sure, okay dad'? Not yet, not quite yet. Briska obeys part of his father's orders instinctively - he walks in with Dusk, eyes on her. He watches her as she picks a spot, watches her as she curls up, watches her breathe. He sniffs her over, trying to detect anything different about her smell. He whimpers at her, a high-pitched little sound that wavers into silence. And then he leans over and licks her quickly on the muzzle. <Dusk,> he murmurs softly, his head close to her ear. That one word conveys his simple-minded concern rather effectively. Should she not growl at him or make a move that shows that she doesn't want his company, he'll lie down beside her, warming her with his big fuzzy self. ..Unfortunately, he's not trying to make her happy. Little Briska can't follow his father's instructions.

Peppy can't help it if he shows fear. He's a worried little guy who never took stressful situations well and is easily frightened. No doubt poor Dusk's confidence is rock-bottom low as she looks into her father's eyes, but Peppy's way too concerned over Dusk's health than wondering whether he looks scared or not. Undoubtedly he would be able to draw plenty of courage from Briska's loving actions, were he there to see them... but the moment the puppies turn into the barn, he's already sprinting to his mate, his chest still clenched, the furs on his back one by one picking up as the thrill of the situation starts to get the best of Peppy. And he'll explain the whole situation to Aurora, maybe loud enough for the rest of the litter to hear, maybe not. Will Aurora be able to help? Will she show no fear? Or is Briska, really, the only comfort Dusk needs?

A featureless blanket of grey cloud covers the evening sky.

A port in a storm, a home away from home. We're (saved)!

Dusk opens her eyes at the gentle lick, a softness and love ther before they flicker back closed again and she tries to sleep off the horrible feelings that have gripped her small form. Briska will find that she neither growls, nor tries to move away from him as he curls up by her, though her she appears to be hot at the moment. This might not last though, depending on her condition. Slipping off to a feverish sleep, the small puppy kicks a bit and twitches. It isn't easy being little, no sir. With a loving older brother that no longer pushes her out of the way when it comes to food, things seem to have gotten better for the runt. Now, only rest and care can help her through whatever illness or dilemma Dusk has landed in now.