(ACE) The PYRITE Team

Douglas was exhausted. So much had happened in so little time, and it was too much for the Shuppet. He felt himself being picked up. As much as he wanted to see who it was, he was just too tired to open his eyes. He could also hear very faint voices. He couldn't tell what exactly they were saying, but they didn't seem that happy for the ghost as he was set down.

Weakly, Doug opened his eyes. He looked around the room to see who was there. The human he saw earlier was there. There also seemed to be a strange colored Ninetales and a strange colored Absol. There was also a Vibrava and a Skarmory, both normal colored. Almost all of them looked at him strangely. He felt a little uncomfortable, just entering their territory. "Wh-Where am I?" He asked in something that was close to a whisper, but was still audible enough for everyone to hear.

Pheonix wasn't sure what to do about the ghost, but she did as Dean said and got him the healing items. She was angry that there was a creature in her den that she didn't invite and it was showing in the way her fur bristled, tails twisting and writhing like serpents with her anger. Plopping down next to Kylie she settled for glaring at the ghost from afar as Dean doted over it. "Oh, I have a question...What are the plans for tomorrow? It would be a good idea to plan a schedule out so we're not running around everywhere." Phoenix just shrugged.

"Same thing I do every day. Wake up, kill something, do a little raiding, then look for-" she paused quickly, clamming up as she looked around. Kylie was the only one she had told about Nikki and she wasn't sure she trusted the others to not think less of her for being soft about her kid. They had only known her to be strong, independant, maybe a little hot-headed. If they knew she had a soft side...what if they exploited it? Phoenix just sighed, ears flattening to her head as she lay down. "Never mind. We'll figure it out in the morning."

________________________

Dean had been a little taken aback by the strange way Phoenix guarded against the small ghost, but he wasn't going to let her do anything to him. She turned away when he gave her his scolding look and she brought him a box of healing items. Quickly digging through them he pulled out a couple of potions when he heard the Shuppet stirring. "Wh-Where am I?" Phoenix huffed and went to go lay down by Kylie so that left Dean to help out the injured Pokemon. "Well hey there little guy, how are you feeling? Don't worry, you're safe here." The blonde offered the Shuppet a brilliant smile and held up one of the potions. "You want some help healing from your fight?"

He could hear some of what Phoenix had been talking about with her friends and was a little confused when she suddenly got very quiet. "Princess, are you alright?" he called out. He got no response. A sad look crossed over his face as he recognized the signs of stress in his beloved Pokemon. Without realizing it Dean began to hum softly, a tune he used to sing to all of his hatchlings when they were upset or couldn't sleep. It was a soothing melody that helped to calm them and it seemed his subconscious mind was trying to get everyone to relax.

((OOC: Because it is stuck in my head, he is humming Mercedes' Lullaby from Pan's Labyrinth. lol))

Asche let out a relieved sigh as Kylie came to him, placing herself in the little cove he'd provided for her. Having her nearby would help settle his nerves and help hold his bitter tongue from the human. He normally wouldn't care -even if the human could actually understand- but since he was Phoenix's human, it would be a better idea to keep his big mouth shut. After all, anything to upset him would probably upset her, and after today, that was the last thing he wanted. The little dragon turned her head up to him, catching his attention.

"You will still help me, right? I mean, to evolve, that is," she asked, earning a soft smile from the absol.

"I sure will, Kylie," Asche replied quietly, not wanting to let his voice's normal obnoxious volume attract unwanted attention. "I said I would, didn't I?" His smile turned into a smirk, and he playfully nudged her side. "Promise is a promise."

Another conversation was being had, though, and after responding to the little dragon beside him, he listened in on it. Something about what Phoenix did every day. Tilting his head slightly, the slight look of stress on her face concerned him, but he dismissed it for the events of the day. Surely, that was what was bugging her. For a girl that didn't really cherish company, she sure had a lot of it. Laying his head down, he closed his eyes only to snap them back open again when the human began humming to himself. Lip curling slightly, Asche kept his eye on the other for a moment before opening his own mouth.

"...You should stop." His voice was steeped in venom and threat, but the words themselves were courteous enough. "You'll attract the dead." His stare was hard, as if he were keeping an eye on the enemy itself.

"Same thing I do every day. Wake up, kill something, do a little raiding, then look for-" Suddenly Phoe had stopped, telling the others to nevermind and that they'll figure something out in the morning. Rukh nodded. "Alright, then," stretching one of his wings, he watched as the Shuppet regained his consciousness. The human reassured the ghost that it was safe, and soon began to hum a tune.

"...You should stop. You'll attract the dead." The Skarmory turned his head to the Absol, before thinking the statement through. The dark-type did have a point, but the humming was soft and quiet, only those close to the den would hear. Unsure of what to say, the steel bird shrugged and yawned, nestling in his makeshift bed. "I'll just... Retire for the night." and with that, Rukh fell asleep.

"I sure will, Kylie," the Absol responded in a soft but warm tone, making my heart flutter happily. "I said I would, didn't I?" Asche's expression became michevious as he then nudged me teasingly. "Promise is a promise." I flashed him a grateful smile, my expression bright. "Th-thank you!" I whispered back at him, returning the gesture with a flick of my tail to poke his side playfully. But then Phoenix finally had a response for Rukh and the Ninetales shrugged. Coming in our direction and settling herself next to my other side, the firey fox began in her normal tone. "Same thing I do every day. Wake up, kill something, do a little raiding, then look for-" Phoe haulted abruptly then, her eyes turning to everyone else in the group as she uncharcteristicly fell silent. For Nicholai, I silently finished her sentence within the safety of my head.

It broke my heart the way I could so easily see the pain within her eyes, a mother's agony of losing her child. I could not help but wonder how no one else saw it. Playing it dumb, I dropped my gaze from the Ninetales as she muttered. "Never mind. We'll figure it out in the morning." But I leaned away from Asche and into the plush side of the greiving mother. I could help her through it as best I could, even if it was to simply let my scales brush her pelt. I am here for you, Phoe, I promised silently. I did not dare say them out loud, for fear of anyone hearing me and asking awkward questions, but I hoped she could feel the energy of the words even if they remained unspoken. So when Dean suddenly began to hum after conversing with the Shuppet, I felt my eyelids begin to droop. It was so late and it had been an exhausting day for me, even if it ended not too bad. Leaning even more against the she-fox, I allowed thoughts of my own mother to suface. I hardly knew her, let alone remembered her. And ahe had been the one to give me up to that Ranger. I frowned, eyes opening to slits in the dark. I don't have any real knowledge of what a mother is suppose to be like, I realized, not without a little bitter saddness.

Sarrow filled my gaze and my antenai drooped, the soft sound of a universal sound translated from human to Pokemon without need of some odd device filling up the empty spaces within my heart. It was right when I realized I really did not want to evwr lose the group I had just mwt that the Absol suddenly growled softly from very close to me. Instantly alarmed, I was wide awake as I snapped around to stare at him with wide, childishly frightened eyes. "...You should stop. You'll attract the dead." Confusion filled me until I realized his ice cold stare was right on Dean. "Wh... What?" I murmurred, my voice quiet and shaky as I moved closer to Phoenix without realizing it. The awkward moment was not broken as the one who started the conversation simply decided to go to sleep. Momentarily irritated with the bird, my unhappy feelings for Rukh were quickly forgotten. The sweet, happy Absol whom had been playful only a few minutes ago now looked ready to take on a threat that only he could see. What's wrong with Asche? I wondered in fearful uncertainty. I was spooked by the display of hostility and it forced my tounge to keep me from speaking. I glanced from him to Phoe, my expression confused and helpless.

"Well hey there little guy, how are you feeling? Don't worry, you're safe here. You want some help healing from your fight?" The human said holding up a potion. Doug could really use something like that, but there was something a bit off about what the human said. He told him not to worry and that he's safe here. "If I'm safe here, then why is everyone looking at me like I have three heads?" He thought to himself.

Everyone seemed to be going to sleep from the looks of it. Doug's face had a slight sadness to it as he slowly floated up and looked out the entrance. The Shuppet hovered in the doorway and looked out. "I'll take the first watch." He said, his voice emotionless, "It's alright. I don't sleep, anyway." Doug didn't sleep for two reasons. One; his ability is Insomnia. And two; he was traumatized by being a witness to the deaths of his parents. Besides, his definition of rest was to just take it easy for now.

((Skip, Asche is moping lol))

[OOC: Skip, Rukh's sleeping. ^^;;]

My eyes continued to linger on Phoenix, my expression quickly falling to one of desperation. She did not react at first and i immediately felt uncomfortable. Shufflting in my own little spot, I ducked my head to the plush bedding beneath my light weight form, antenna down and eyes dull. I was so tired of all the fighting. But I felt so awkward sometimes being the peace keeper. I liked Asche, i really did, but he was clearly against Dean seemingly just for existing. The Absol already had a friend in me just from promising to help me acheive my biggest dream, but yet I would not side with him on this.

On the other hand, Dean had not actually done anything to take such hostility. He had frightened myself at first, if I was honest with myself, but him going out into the dangerous shadows to find and retreive me... well, that in itself was a miracle. humans, maybe they were not all that bad?... When the Shuppet suddenly offered to take first watch, I liteed my head to blink large, brown pools at him. I nodded slowly. Deciding to try and smooth the atmosphere, I murmurred, "Thanks. The name is Kylie, by the way." My voice was soft and kind, but the ovious exhaustion was clear in the dull tone I used. The back of my eyes burned and I wished we could just get to sleep already.

Doug kept an eye out for anything that was coming to the shelter. He heard a voice from behind him. "Thanks. The name is Kylie, by the way." The Shuppet looked back a little bit and let out a soft smile. Kylie seemed nice, or maybe it had to do with the fact that she was just tired. Either way, he responded. "Nice to meet you. I'm Doug." He said it in a voice that was quiet enough to not wake everyone up, but loud enough for her to hear.

Doug turned around and let out a sigh. He missed his mom, dad, and Robert too. Even though he was part of a group, he didn't get the impression that he was welcome here. "I don't want to be alone again..." He thought to himself as he looked at the sky, "But if they really don't want me here, then I guess I could leave. Let's just wait for morning in the meantime..." It felt strange not being welcome.

Dean was a little taken aback by the harsh tone of the Absol, demanding he stop making noise. The young male hadn't even realized he had been humming, the sound a completely natural thing to the breeder as it was his way of soothing the young hatchlings when they were upset. It had always comforted his Pokemon...but Asche wasn't one of his. Though he would love to breed that unique coloring into one of his lineage Absol's, Asche had been raised in who knew what kind of life. The poor boy probably didn't even like humans much less trust them. Humans tended to be a bit, well, harsh with Absol. Not that the poor creatures ever deserved it.

Instead he just nodded his head and turned his eyes downward, not really up to meeting the harsh creature's eyes. Even in the face of the Epidemic, despite Cipher almost killing him, Dean was still very sensitive. His posture fell as he sat, slowly starting to hunch over as he brought his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. The young man lay his head down upon them and kept his eyes turned towards the window, mind beginning to wander back to the days before his life went to hell.

It was safe to say Dean missed his old life. His partner and lover, his ranch, his Pokemon...all of it was stolen from him. Even his own life was almost ripped away by a single bullet. Subconsciously Dean's fingers traced down his shirt right over the scar where the bullet had nearly pierced his heart, and this caused Phoenix to perk up. Watching her trainer so morosely fidget was unusual for her because she was more familiar with his bright and shining smile. Silently glaring at Asche for causing Dean's behavior the Ninetales let out a small whimper for Dean to come closer to her. Ruhk had decided he wanted to sleep and the ghost offered to take watch. Phoenix was actually pretty happy with that because that would mean he wasn't just going to be a mooch. She had Kylie curled up to her and didn't want to disturb the girl, so all she could do was call for Dean softly.

Dean head turned over, moving away from the window to gaze towards Phoenix, and Dean gave her a sad smile. She knew that he was upset but he didn't want her thinking it was her fault. He got up slowly, clothing brushing softly against the stone floor and creating a rustling sound, and walked towards his beloved Ninetales. She had done so well to stay alive this whole time but as he sat down on her large pile of pillows behind her a thought occurred...she and Erebos were inseparable. So if she was here..."Phoenix dear, what happened to Erebos?" The look that came over her pretty form nearly ripped his heart open. She looked utterly crushed that he even brought up the Houndoom he had chosen as her stud, and at once he regretted ever even asking.

"He...he was..." Phoenix could barely get her words out, the loss of her mate crushing at her now that she was with Dean. Before, when she was alone, it was easier to force herself to not think about her mate, but looking at Dean and remembering how happy they had been before all of this, it was almost too much for her. "Nuri...she killed him." Dean's eyes widened in disbelief. "Nuri?! But how? Why?" He hadn't even realized his Arcanine had escaped with the duo, convinced that she had been locked away with the rest of his Pokemon. "We chased Cipher here, followed the truck that took Nikki all the way to Pyrite before we lost them. Erebos and I saw that Cipher hung around here a lot so we stuck around, and with Nuri we wound up forming a gang of other homeless Pokemon. We sort of ran things here, and it helped us get a lot of info on Cipher. But then things got quiet, really quiet, Cipher all but dropped off the map. Then the infected started coming in...and Nuri turned..."

She didn't need to say anymore, Dean understood completely. Wrapping his arms around Phoenix's neck he shushed her quietly, feeling her beginning to sob. "Cheer up baby girl," he whispered. "I have something that may help." Reaching behind him he pulled out two Luxury Balls and held them up. "I found two of our friends on my own journey to find Cipher. Why don't we let them come on out?" Phoenix's ears perked up at the sight of the specially crafted Pokeballs and looked up at Dean expectantly. All of Dean's Pokemon got Luxury Balls, herself included, it was sort of his trademark. Tossing the balls towards the empty center of the room they quickly found themselves in the presence of a striking Zebstrika and a small, lovely Vuclarona. "Storm and Cira..."

Phoenix was thrilled to see them. Cira was a wise female and it was her son Kegan who had practically helped her and Erebos raise Nikki, and Storm was just awesome. He had an attitude to match her own and it always proved for an entertaining match whenever they fought. The pair came to rest beside Phoenix and Dean, Storm taking care to not step on the small bug curled near the Ninetales, and the group quickly began catching up. It was several hours before they all finally fell asleep and Phoenix couldn't remember being this happy in a long time.

((Next turn Cira and Storm go back in their balls and it will be morning. Everyone get some sleep! lol))

It would taste a lie to say that Asche wasn't hurt by Kylie's shift, nor in the happy reunion Phoenix got to partake in with her human and other teammates. His heart yearned for Jake, his kadabra, but knew that he was likely to never see him again... The only person he'd truly cared for and he was gone, ripped away by more humans for one reason or another. His eyes fell from the sight, unable to keep looking. Once more, he was set apart, away from the warmth of a genuine group. While he thought his own hostility toward Dean would be his own business, it seemed not. He was silently condemned by both Kylie and Phoenix, which hurt all the more. He figured Phoenix would stand by her human but Kylie? Ouch...

Curling himself more into a ball in the corner, he just wanted to make sure no one saw the wounds he now suffered. He'd forgotten his niche, his place after all the comraderie and hardship. 'I guess it's good to know where I stand.' Taking in a steadying breath, knowing that he'd likely never experience what Phoenix had, he closed his eyes and tried for elusive sleep.

((OOC: Herp derp, still snoozing. |D Skip!))

I allowed the numbing embrace if sleep to slowly take over. By the time the Shuppet responded that his name was Doug, I was already crashing. "Mmm... Nice to meetchoo, too," I mumbled un graciously in response, but my eyes were already falling. Behind the lenses that covered them like all my species, the shit brown orbs were dull with exhaustion. It had been too long of a day. What with being chased by undead, watching Phoe massacre that Smeargle -shudder- meeting the others, Bane and Tybalt, only to have them leave- it was much too long. The good part was meeting Phoe and Asche. Rukh and Dean are trustworthy, but I just... I donno. I just trust them more. Talking to myself in my head, I finally gave up the battle and shit my eyes completely.

Laying my head on my front legs, I turned slightly so I was on my side. I always did sleep in weird ass positions. Snuggling into the soft fur of the brilliant Ninetales, I fell asleep completely. Dropping into a haze of my dreams with the feel of the mother beside me... I feel safe... For the first time in so long... But as soon as I was dropped into my first dream, I knew I would never be completely protected. As the different nightmares flashed by, each quicker than the last, I cursed them and my own head. My greatest foe.

Regaurdless, I didn't sleep all that well.

(Skip. Everyone's asleep.)

As the morning light filtered in through one of the small windows on the opposite wall it began creeping ever slowly over Dean's body until it lit his face. The human twitched and his eyes fluttered open, one hand raising up to block his sensitive eyes from the harsh rays of sunlight. One arm was wrapped firmly around his lovely Phoenix while Cira lay behind him keeping him pleasantly warm with her Flame Body. Storm was settled comfortably on the floor at his feet, so Dean felt bad when his slow rise disturbed their sleep and he saw the others waking up. “Sorry guys,” he whispered, stroking Sorm's mane and reaching up to cuddle into Cira's endless fuzz.

He loved his Pokemon.

Phoenix let out a wide yawn and started stretching, being careful not to disturb Kylie lest the child was still asleep. She looked around and checked on everyone before going up to her friends and offering them a fond good morning, sighing sadly as Dean summoned them back to their Luxury Balls. “Alright girl, let's say we get something to eat while waiting for everyone to get up?” Phoenix nodded and went over to the small corner she kept most of her stuff and pulled out a small bag. “I have a bunch of stuff in here, but for meat we have to go outside.” The happy blonde patted her head and pulled the bag into his lap, digging around until he pulled out a few options for food. “Now all we have to do is wait for everyone else to wake up.”

((OOC: I'm going to wait for everyone to wake up and then Dean will pass out breakfast and bring up moving the team out of Pyrite town))

It would taste a lie to say that Asche got a god night's sleep. Too soon did the early morning beams of sun hit him, waking him almost instantly. Not ready to face the day, he simply curled more into himself, barely occupying the corner he'd staked for his own. The strange absol tried drifting back to sleep only to have voices ensure that he keep up.

Dean and Phoe were chitting to each other, going on about breakfast. While food did actually sound appealing, anything with the human involved bedded his growing appetite back down. He opened a golden orb to look at the two, unsure of how to go about getting up. Should he stay as he was? Should he feign sleep? Should he get up and help? He spotted the human pulling stuff out of a bag... that was probably breakfast right there.

Groaning lightly to himself, he simply readjusted his tight curl to face into the corner and not into the sun or the happy couple. Unwilling to tolerate such happiness in the presence of Dean, Asche just wanted to go back to sleep. 'It's too early for this shit...'

Rukh was never quite the early bird that most others though he was. The beams of sunrise tingled his worn steel casing as the retired battler groaned in mild annoyance. "What a pain..." he mutters, shifting about in his makeshift nest of plates and cogs. The soft screeching of his bed as he moved didn't irritate him as much as the sun did, surprisingly, fighting to actually open his eyes. He had spent much too long in the depths of those Hoenn falls, and he quietly regretted ever entering that wretched cave in the first place. Squinting, the conversation was only white noise to him while he tried to gain enough consciousness to actually make out their sentences.

Drawing his beak over his long, crimson feathers the words "food" and "meat" rang alarms in his mind. So far, he'd been on a diet consisting mainly of the occasional berry and the malnutrition of it had been beginning to show, subtle chips in his wings and his shell more prone to cracking. His muscles weren't quite what they used to be, either, and as a captive bird of prey he had long forgotten the feeling of the hunt. Forcing open his eyes and stretching out his body, Rukh looked at awakening forms of the others. Usually, the Skarmory was cranky and loud during mornings, screeching at near everyone who tried to bother him, but his consciousness urged him to stay composed in fear that he won't get any of the delicious sustenance if he were to be rude.

It was a blessing when the nightmares that plauged my mind finally released to a restless sleep. There were a number of dreams, but when I opened chocolate eyes, I could not remember anything but the feeling of fleeing. And being helpless. I was awakened from movement, awear of the shifting of the large fox beside me as she woke up before I did. Falling back into a half sleep again as the Dean and her discussed something in soft tones. With the movement of both Asche and Rukh in their respectable places, I kept still for the most part. I had been on my own for so long- it was hard to remember the last time I had been allowed to actually sleep without being constantly paranoid about the infected. Having my childhood ripped away with the borderline cruel training of the Ranger... I sighed softly as I merely snuggled into Phoenix's side, still feigning sleep.

The atmosphere was what kept me from completely relaxing, though, as I realized that I could no longer feel the Absol by my side. Opening one eye just a slit to squint in Asche's direction, only to feel sarrow bite within her. He has seemed upset since Dean showed up... Able to relate to his clear mistrust of humans in general, I decided to try and make him feel better. Lifting my head with a yawn, I smiled fleetingly at the two before nodding a greeting. " 'Morning, Phoe, Dean." But still not too willing to completely get up and greet the growing dawn, I turned around to face the midnight blue Absol.

Moving closer to his curled up form, I snuggled my face into his dappled pelt. I didn't say anything, but smiled at the touch of his velvet pelt.

[ooc: Let me know if that is not alright, Silbur~]

As Doug kept watch, he thought about everyone in the group. The Absol and Ninetales seemed like they didn't want him in their group, and the Skarmory seemed completely neutral either way. The human and the Vibrava, Kylie, seemed to be the nicest of the group. The Shuppet found it a little odd that Kylie was the only one that gave him her name, and it confused him to no end.

Doug looked back from his spot at the door and saw that the human and the Ninetales were up talking, leading Doug to believe that the human was the Ninetales' trainer. Cautiously, he floated over to them and greeted them. "Good morning, I hope you all slept well." He said with a small smile. "What are your names?" He asked the two.

Asche sighed as he tried to push his body and mind back to sleep, but only managed to get to that half sleep: his body gone, but his mind still aware of his surroundings. An eye lazily opened as he felt something warm against his side, spotting translucent wings and a tan exterior. Kylie? Wasn't she busy cozying up to Phoe and her human? Bitterness still captivating him, it soon began to dissipate, his lonliness winning over his quiet anger. He let out another sigh, somewhat content that Kylie had come back.

However, his peace was not to continue uninterrupted, as the ghost from last night floated over, seemingly determined to keep the absol from sleeping in. "Good morning, I hope you all slept well," he greeted them with an all-too-cheery sort of tone. 'That's what I was trying to do, thanks...' "What are your names?" Asche's one open eye merely glared up at the ghost, silently cursing the thing for ruining all chance of sneaking in more sleep.

"...Nnnrrmh." It was only a grunt of a noise, Asche's irritation getting the better of him rather than actually giving the ghost what he wanted. He closed his eye once more, adjusting himself to prevent light from scalding his face in a last bid to try and catch a bit more sleep before Phoe demanded they rise. Surely she was an early bird, their first encounter suggesting she'd been up in the early morn dispatching her fair share of Undead.

I was thankful for the peace. The morning air was clean and nice, almost as if there were no monsters running around and nothing wanted to gut you the moments it's eyes run over you. For the first time in many months, I was calm and unworried. Normally I would be up and awake, wings twitching with nervousness as I hastily survayed around me. But this time I had Asche and Phoenix. Once more I smiled, mu dark eyes drooping again as I dozed.

But Doug was also an early riser, it seemed, and he approached the Ninetales and human duo with a greeting. I didn't bother turning to face him or even respond. The Shuppet already knew my name and I had already said good morning. It was like doing your good karma for the day- now just leave me be. While I had no ill feelings for the ghost, the Absol shifted and I caught one gold eye glaring at Doug before Asche shuffled again with a displeased sound. Raising my head, I turned to regaurd Phoe and Dean. I felt a deep saddness peirce me. The Absol truly hated the human. While I could relate and understand, my heart would not let me continue feeling ill for Dean after he had helped me the night before.

Without a word, I merely stayed put and lowered my head again.

(Skip me, for now. Can't really think at the moment.)

As they were trying to dig everything out, Dean began spreading the food choices out around the pillow pile to make them easier for everyone to see. He wasn't sure what everyone liked so he wanted to make certain everyone ate. He looked around to see if anyone else was getting up when his eyes met with a harsh glare from Asche. The petite blonde winced, that wicked look almost physically painful and he quickly averted his gaze. Dean wasn't sure what had caused the Absol so much pain when it came to humans but he knew it had to be something terrible. The poor thing...

A creaking and the sound of scraping metal echoed through the basement and both Dean and Phoenix flinched at the sound. It was a little loud for this early in the morning. "What a pain..." Dean let out a soft chuckle. "Hey, uh...Skarmory," he began, regretting instantly that he didn't remember if he had learned the birds name before bed. "I think I saw some lubricant down here if you want me to rub some into your feathers. It will help with them wearing together, as I'm sure your nest didn't help much. I used to breed Skarmory, so I know all the good spots."

"Morning, Phoe, Dean." Phoenix looked down at Kylie and gave her a big smile, nuzzling the little bug nestled at her side. "Morning doll. Sleep well?" She was a little concerned about Asche's attitude towards Dean and didn't want him starting anything, because she sure as hell would be the one to finish it. She had been warming up to Asche but if she forced a decision between him and Dean she would pick her breeder every time. "Good morning, I hope you all slept well." She had forgotten about the ghost. She offered a curt 'morning' before going back to digging for more food, leaving Dean to deal with his guest.

"Well hey there little guy. Feeling better this morning?" The blonde was definitely a morning person it seemed, as his smile had yet to leave his face. "What are your names?" Dean slapped a hand on his forehead, mentally berating himself for not taking care of that already. "My goodness I completely forgot. I was too worried about getting you safe than learning your name. I'm Dean and the yellow fox is my Ninetales Phoenix. What was yours again? I can't remember if you said it last night." He looked over to Rukh and offered a sheepish grin, arm going behind his head as an embarrassed flush crossed his cheeks. "Yours too, I'm afraid. Sorry..."

Phoenix snickered at Dean's pathetic attempts at apologizing. The guy never had been any good with names. "Well guys, since you are all up, grub's over here. Though like I told Dean, if anyone wants meat I will have go hunting outside. Though I think only Asche and I fit that category. Asche?" She left Kylie to pick her meal as she stood up and stretched, tails fanning out and squirming in odd directions to try and loosen up. She opened her mouth wide and let out a big yawn before padding over to the blue pelted cat sitting alone in the corner. "You hungry kitty cat?" Even this early in the morning Asche looked like he could use a little tease.

It looked like Asche just wasn't allowed to get any more sleep.

Though the ghost and Kylie remained quiet, Rukh's squeaky feathers rivaled the human's cheery voice in level of annoyance. Burying his face more into his paws, Asche could only shut out the world for so long when it nearly demanded his attention. Though he only half-listened to whatever was going on, he only really reacted when his name was called. "Though I think only Asche and I fit that category. Asche?" He peeked an eye over his arm, crystaline orb staring at the obnoxiously colored fox. "You hungry, kitty?"

The frown from earlier stayed on his face as he slowly rose, dislodging Kylie from her spot on his side. He moved sluggishly, his lack of sleep obvious to any onlooker. He made it to Phoenix in a few lazy steps, the glanced at her with a small glare. "...I'm not a kitty..." were the only words of protest as he stepped out into the full blast of the blazing morning sun. How he loathed it. He paused just outside of the den, waiting for Phoenix.