The ACUITY Team

There, against the rock, the older glaceon struggled in vain to release his body, the boulder pinning his ribcage to the ground. He tried maneuvering his paws and legs to press against the massive rock, but soon saw Rufus' face loom over the curve of the boulder, eyes set as icy as his own. Startled, he blinked, pausing in his escape attempt as the feraligatr placed a large, heavy hand on the boulder.

"No more sh-shouting," he stated, the stutter the only indication that Rufus was still indeed himself and not possessed. However, the quickly increasing pressure against his ribs caused him to pant and hiss against the pain, trying to keep his lungs inflated so they wouldn't collapse. He grunted, trying to muster the strength to tell Rufus to stop, when the gator caught sight of the other injured. He felt himself able to breathe again as Rufus went to Adara, and finally, he managed to push the boulder away.

Shaking, bruised in not only body, but in mind, Famaer limped to the strange scene that had developed. Not only was Rufus rocking and grabbing his neck in a dangerous fashion, but a lucario dressed in... clothes... was attempting to heal her. The glaceon managed to realize the berry bush from earlier was now uprooted and in front of Rufus, probably in an effort to help her heal. Thankfully, the berries were sitrus, and had the highest healing properties he knew. He staggered forward, his body protesting at the movement, and gave Rufus a small, reassurring headbutt. Even if he was forceful, he was still a child...

"...You.... did well..." he murmured, his side hurting as he spoke. "...Those are healing berries... We can let her eat... some and... she'll start to get... better..." He took a berry and took it to Adara, giving the new lucario a strange look before snapping off a piece and holding it to Adara. 'Come on, Child... eat it...' he silently pleaded, keeping his watchful eye on the newcomer.

“N-N-No… no… not ‘Dara… n-no…”

Kaiden's heart broke for his tiny sibling, seeing her so broken, but to hear the sorrow in the one who harmed her was just as terrible. Rufus truly didn't seem to understand what he did, nor did it seem he meant to go that far. The great croc had even brought her berries to try and help. Rufus had told them all to stop shouting, it was their fighting that had started his terrified attack, so he knew in his heart that he was partially to blame for what happened to Adara. No one but she was innocent in this whole thing.

As he pleaded for anyone to help her a new stranger appeared at his side and took to his sister at once. A deep menacing growl emanated from the massive canine, at once on his feet and towering over the smaller canine, but it was his words that still Kaiden's wrath. "Quickly. I need a strong stick, no longer than her shoulder." He...he was helping her! Kaiden gave a loud bark and took off to find a suitable stick, though it was difficult considering he was seven feet tall and his sister was less than one. Everything looked like a twig to him so he settled on reaching up and snapping a whole branch from a tree and bringing it back, dropping it in front of the Lucario. "Choose."

Adara whimpered painfully as she was handled, but she still smiled softly at the stranger who was trying to help her. If she was feeling better, she would have giggled at the strange clothes he wore as they made him look more like a man than a Pokemon, but now was not the time. Everyone seemed on edge due to her condition and even Famaer took to trying to calm Rufus so the poor dear wouldn't keep beating himself up. Kaiden looked like the world was weighing on him and she knew what was running through her brother's head. "It-it's..." she tried choking out, feeling the strain on her ribcage at the attempt. "It's...no one's...fault..."

Famaer offered her one of the berries as the Lucario worked and she gratefully took it from the older male, chewing slowly and feeling the cool juice soothe her raw throat. She smiled in thanks to the Glaceon before casting a worried glance to Rufus, whimpering slightly. "Ruffy..." She didn't want him to feel bad, it wasn't his fault. She had been just as upset by all of the fighting, all she wanted was for everyone to get along. Hating each other would get them nowhere and they needed to work together to survive. Everyone at least seemed to be working together for the moment...even if it was because she was hurt. At least it was a start.

Rufus, entirely engrossed with his own overwhelming guilt, was the last to notice the sudden arrival of another canine. This creature walked on two legs, adorned in strange fabrics as it moved to Adara’s injured form. Alarmed at first, a venomous hiss erupted from the reptile’s throat as he regarded the unusual being; his body shifting slightly in preparation to lunge were it not to move away from his friends. Intent on keeping the group safe, despite the fact he had already proved himself one of the greatest threats, Rufus loosened his grip on his neck, instead shifting onto all fours as he took a step towards the lucario. Deaf to the canine’s words, the creature in fact offering advice on healing the eevee, Rufus’s large pair of jaws hung agape to form an image of hostility. However, he soon stopped in his advancing.

"...You.... did well... Those are healing berries... We can let her eat... some and... she'll start to get... better..."

Famaer’s gentle head butt had provided enough distraction for Rufus. Watching the lucario out of the corner of his eye, the feraligatr soon devoted all his attention to interpreting the glaceon’s words. Whilst he was still somewhat bitter about the ice-type’s previous shouting, Famaer was after all, a friend, and had quickly earned his forgiveness. Noticing the creature’s slowed speech, the gator grinned spritely. Able to follow with the exception of the occasional foreign word, Rufus emitted a slight chuckle, pleased at his ability to communicate and understand what was being said. However, the laugh silenced as soon as it emerged. He couldn’t be happy when Adara was in such a state. Reminding himself that the only emotion suitable for the situation was sorrow, his eyes quickly returned to the young eevee he had quickly come to adore.

“Ruffy…”

Rufus whined in response, recognising the nickname from the ‘rew’ sound at its beginning. His expression fell, the uncomfortable tightening in his chest growing stronger as he clenched his hands into fists. Already bloody claws broke the skin of his palms almost immediately, the gator almost numb to the pain as a thin trickle of blood slithered down to drip and stain the white below. His eyes never left Adara, holding his breath as he counted of Famaer’s words. He said she would get better, that she would be okay. Rufus had no doubt of the glaceon’s honesty, yet a growing fear remained lodged in his mind to prevent total trust.’Dara…

(Sorry guys, but I'm going to have to skip here. Writer's block. ;-;)

This Eevee was very lucky. Lucky that the berries the others found happened to be Sitrus. Lucky that he came along - the only relatively sensible one with hands. Lucky that the Arcanine had found the perfect sized twig, quite by accident. Breaking off a small piece of the branch, Joshua sized it against the cracked leg. "Perfect." The Glaceon was feeding the poor scrap the berries, but it didn't seem to be eating too many. "Eat more." He said gently. "It'll take some of the pain away." Preparing his hands over the leg, he positioned the stick so that the break was halfway down, the rest of the twig pointing passed her back.

"This is going to hurt a bit. Be strong."

Gently as he could, he tied the stick to the Eevee's leg using the bandage from his arm. When he was finished, he wrapped it twice around her slim body, then tied it in a taut knot. It hopefully wouldn't come loose now, and she shouldn't be able to move the leg by accident with the splint. Hopefully.


((Hoping it was okay to go ahead and tie the leg. Didn't get a chance to ask beforehand. If not, I'll edit it out. >.<))

Famaer watched the strange Lucario at work; crafting a splint and feeding Adara berries simultaneously. Oh, what a gift hands would be. He'd rather the stranger not be there at all; he was an odd fellow for wearing human clothes like they did. Still, even with his small prejudice, his bruised side reminded him to stay put and forced him to let the stranger do what he would. Famaer was grateful, however, that the stranger did not move to take advantage of the situation.

He sat on the snow, his side unable to allow him standing without effort. His eyes still trained on the young eevee, his attention went to the dimming snow about them. Eyes trailing from the scene to the sky, following the reaching treelimbs and the path they provided, the old glaceon was alarmed by how much time had gone by. They needed shelter... and fast. Turning quickly back to Adara, fear began to grip him. With Adara injured so, we won't be able to move very quickly with her. There are few caves around, all of which are far away enough to be well into nightfall by the time we reach them... Halted by his dilemma, his attention went to her older brother, the fastest pair of legs.

"...Kaiden, we need shelter... She needs to be out of the cold as much as possible..." He looked around, remembering Rufus' species and Kaiden himself. "...We all do. Are there any caves nearby? Somewhere we can bunker down for the night?" He wasn't totally concerned for himself as far as the cold went; it was his habitat, and he flourished in it. However, he was aware that few pokemon could as well.

((I was already skipped so I'm not posting. Don't care that it was deleted. If you have to count this as a skip I really don't care but there will be no post from me in this team this round.))

Although somewhat apprehensive and sceptical about the stranger’s movements, Rufus sat quite hypnotized by the healing process. He had no idea how a twig was going to help young Adara or the constant feeding of berries – though he took some pride in having provided them. His expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension, the gator’s large eyes watched the clothing-adorned canine like a hawk, a certain suspicion still flickering in the back of the reptile’s mind. Then again, if the others trusted him, then he would simply have to too. He’d made this situation – he couldn’t jeopardize it any further. Looking down to the blood-flecked snow, he emitted a slight whimper, reminding himself that this was all his fault.

"...Kaiden, we need shelter... She needs to be out of the cold as much as possible… We all do. Are there any caves nearby? Somewhere we can bunker down for the night?"

Rufus struggled to follow, his attention volleying between Adara’s current state and Famear as his spoke. As a result, he only picked up on a few words – most of it was gibberish to the reptile. Something about a cave – whatever the hell that was – cold and talk of the group, presuming ‘she’ was the injured eevee. Rufus watched the glaceon blankly; lost on what to do, he remained determined to do something more than sit idly by, useless.
“What I… help?” He managed a weak smile, convinced that what he’d said hadn’t made much sense yet proud he’d used a relatively new word, ‘help’. Rising to his feet, shivering slightly as the evening wind bit at his scaly body, the gator stood at attention, awaiting his orders.

Sealand watched the newcomer, a strangely-dressed Lucario, help Adara by making a splint for her injured leg. The Umbreon was quite fascinated by the whole process-he'd never done it himself and probably never would, considering his paws and all. Shivering from the cold, and his body still throbbing from the impact of the Ancientpower, Sealand turned his attention to the Glaceon who had been awfully rude to him before. It was odd how he wasn't still yelling at Sealand to go away-but was the Umbreon still even included in this 'we?' He sure hoped so, it was cold out here.

“What I… help?”

Sealand caught the words of Rufus, and even though the phrase was poorly said, he knew that the blue croc wanted to help. Maybe he was feeling guilt for having caused this whole mess; Sealand wouldn't hold it against him. He wasn't like that! The Umbreon struggled as he limped over to Rufus' side, wanting him to know that Sealand wasn't angry. Plus, he wanted to do the same thing-help in whatever way he could. Sealand couldn't just sit back and let everybody else deal with their problems.
"I'll help too," Sealand said firmly. It didn't matter that he still hurt from the previous attack; Sealand was going to help them all out.

A cave... It was dangerous to move the Eevee very far. They'd cause more harm than good that way, even with the splint on her. Groaning as his knees pushed him upwards, he looked to the large Arcanine. "If I can put her on your back, could you carry her, if I make sure she won't fall off?" It was dangerous to have too many hands lifting her, and simply lifting her would probably be the safest way to do it. Joshua would put her on his shoulder and do it himself, but he simply didn't trust himself not to drop her by accident. Joshua didn't like the sound of a cave, but it was far superior to bedding down in the open again. Especially with one injured already.

Daring one last look to her den situated in the snow, Devani rolled the weathered stone in front of the entrance while her pastel colored egg glinted softly in her jaws. Quickly she let out another Protect to keep her unborn child safe from the cold and bounded towards the sounds of talking she could hear from off into the distance. Devani shivered a bit as a shaking came from her jaw and she smiled softly through the egg thinking that soon, her baby would greet the world.

Finally, Devani came close to the group and took in all of the members. There was another Glaceon, a Feraligatr, a wounded Eevee, a distraught looking Arcanine, an Umbreon, and a Lucario who seemed to be taking care of the small Eevee. Concern flickered in Devani's heart as her mother senses kicked into full gear. They talked about needing shelter and soon she realized that her den would be perfect. It wasn't too far away and it was quite large, too large for her small family but it would be great for this group. Making herself known to the others, Devani sat down to place her egg on her paws so she could talk. "I don't mean to intrude but I heard talk of needing shelter. My den isn't too far off and it's very well big enough to fit everyone inside. Oh, pardon my manners. My name is Devani." The mother looked to the others, namely the larger male Glaceon, too see what they would say as her egg began to shake again on her paws. Her Protect faded into the evening wind and wincing from how many times she had used the attack, Devani used it again. "Please don't be offended," She took in a shaky breath before continuing. "I must keep my egg safe from the cold at all costs." Evidence of her weariness was observed by the tired way she spoke but Devani didn't care how weak she was as long as her egg was safe. She would not lose this one too.

Though Famaer nodded at the sight of Rufus becoming back to his normal, broken-English self, the fact that the Umbreon was still there and offered his own help made the old glaceon flinch and suppress a growl. With Rufus still right there, and the whole ordeal not completely behind them, Famaer resisted the instinct to gut the demon then and there; he'd have to wait until he could civilly discharge the Evil of his... duties... and ask -once again- that it leave them in peace.

The clothed one asked to carry the girl on Kaiden's back, which Famaer could only guess the creature was used to such use; Adara rode her brother like her own personal steed. Still, Famaer only wanted to find shelter, and that was the quickest way to go about it. His attention turned from the clothed one to a mirror image of himself, albeit much younger and female.

"I don't mean to intrude but I heard talk of needing shelter. My den isn't too far off and it's very well big enough to fit everyone inside. Oh, pardon my manners. My name is Devani," the fellow glaceon introduced herself as, keeping her egg near her. Famaer was a little astonished to see an egg with her, but when she explained, he figured it was better than leaving it alone. Famaer nodded, stepping forward with a small bit of hobble; Rufus' force still bruised him.

"...Yes... Miss Devani, we could use any shelter you'd be willing to provide. Please, our companion is wounded..."

Adara faded in and out, not really hearing the order to eat but getting the idea as the berries were given to her. The replacement of her broken leg was agonizing, and she whimpered in pain as the splint was tied. The tiny fox was so tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep, but all of her friends were still worried about her. She didn't want to upset them by going to bed now, but the ice was soaking into her fur and making everything so cold. She looked up at Kaiden with her big blue eyes and offered a silent plea to not be on the snowy ground anymore.

"...Kaiden, we need shelter... She needs to be out of the cold as much as possible...We all do." Kaiden nodded and bent his head down low, intending to pick the small kit up by the scruff to place her in his mane like always. He intended to be careful of the broken limb and battered body of his sister but the new canine seemed to have other plans. "If I can put her on your back, could you carry her, if I make sure she won't fall off?" Kaiden snarled at the Lucario, baring all of his teeth and placing his paw between the blue and black hound and his sister. He may have helped heal her but now that he was done there was no more reason for him to be touching her.

He lifted Adara gently, using only his front few fangs to grip at her scruff and raise her off the ground. On instinct Adara went limp and when she was nestled in the soft fur of her big brother she finally began to feel better. Nuzzling Kaiden softly Adara curled into a ball and lay her tail over her broken body to keep herself hidden from the others. "Ima go to sleep now...okay?" she whispered, pain laced through every word. She most likely had a few bruised ribs as well and it made speaking, or breathing deeply in general, rather painful. With one final yawn the Eevee closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, unaware of anything else around her.

"Are there any caves nearby? Somewhere we can bunker down for the night?" The massive Arcanine wasn't sure, as he didn't recall passing any when he got here, but that didn't mean he couldn't search the area. His eyes were sharp and his nose even sharper. Another bonus to his size and power was that he was fast, and with his Agility he could be even faster. However, before he could move to scout, another Eeveelution stepped out from the treeline only this time it was a female Glaceon.

She was quite pretty, reminding the fire dog of Adara's mother in her delicate grace. She even had a small egg with her, which in this day and age was an extremely odd thing to keep with you. She offered them the use of her cave and Famaer took the liberty of answering for everyone, though now was not the time to argue about that. Adara needed warmth, shelter, and food. Rufus and the Umbreon had asked about helping, and no one seemed to answer them so Kaiden gave a small nod and motioned to the torn up berry bush. "If you find more, Adara will need them. Please."

With that said he turned his attention to the female Glaceon and made her an offer he thought would help all of them. "My fur is thick and warm, I can help you protect your kit if you take us in. My sister..." He motioned to his small sister, pulling back some of his mane so that she would be more visible to the female. Famaer had mentioned she was hurt but maybe the mother would be more inclined to save a child that was the same kind as that she was about to hatch. It was a cruel thing to play off of a mother's emotions like that but this was survival, and his sister needed him. Nothing would get in his way to protect Adara. Nothing.

((OOC: I think that is the most Kaiden has said ever, lol. I couldn't stop writing though!))

"I don't mean to intrude but I heard talk of needing shelter. My den isn't too far off and it's very well big enough to fit everyone inside. Oh, pardon my manners. My name is Devani."

Sealand was surprised at the arrival of another Eeveelution, but was happy about it all the same. The Glaceon was quite kind and pretty, the complete opposite of the other Glaceon, but the most interesting thing about the newcomer was the egg she had with her. An egg wasn't something you saw all the time nowadays! "I understand why you would have to protect it from the cold, miss," Sealand nodded a bit to make it seem like he understood perfectly, even though he didn't know much about Pokemon eggs. "Thanks for helping us." Sealand was very grateful for any shelter they could find, it was freezing out here. As if to get the point across, the tiny Umbreon started to shiver.

"If you find more, Adara will need them. Please."

The huge Arcanine's words brought Sealand to attention, and he then motioned towards a ragged-looking berry bush. With the arrival of the Glaceon and her egg, Sealand had totally forgotten about Adara and how she was injured. Feeling the sting of guilt, Sealand nodded at the Arcanine to show that he had heard. "I'll try to find some more for her," he promised before bouncing-or, for a better term, struggling-through the snow to get to the bush. It wasn't much, and Sealand doubted he'd be able to find any more berries, but the Umbreon began his search anyways. He didn't want to let the Arcanine down-especially since the fire beast could snap up Sealand and swallow him whole. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

(/mypostsforSealandsuck *cries*)

The large, hairy, very protective Arcanine snarled at Joshua for the very suggestion of lifting her, causing Joshua to jump back, his arm raised up in aprehension. "Hey now." He said, face smoothing into a comfortable smile. "No harm meant. Just trying to help." He could understand the protectiveness of the Arcanine. They were probably raised together, and Joshua had, after all, conviniently appeared right as the injury took place, not even introducing himself. On second though, it probably wasn't a horrible time to do so.

"My name is Joshua, by the way. The wrappings should hold for now, but she still won't be able to move for a while, by my accounts." They were right though, they needed more of those berries. Unfortunately, in this cold area, he doubted too many would be growing. The newest feline to join the crew mentioned a shelter... That would work. Joshua doubted that they would all fit in there, but at least the poor little Eevee would fit. Looking up at the large dog in front of him, he chuckled slightly at the thought of him squeezing into a fox-hole. Very well. That would work.

It would be a lie to say Famaer was disappointed or sad when Sealand bounded away on the quest to find more berries. While he had Adara's health in mind and in his heart, he did wish that, should the umbreon not find anything useful, he would simply... vanish... in the snow. The thought of being rid of all Evils -as even the other croc had disappeared- was a welcome ray of hope amidst the dark tidings --no pun intended. Kaiden and the new female of his own kin were speaking, and so Famaer kept himself out of the conversation, instead catching the words of the healing, clothed one.

"My name is Joshua, by the way," he offered, before saying more things on addressing Adara's injury. Famaer nodded at the boy, still not sure on whether he was trustworthy. Yes, he healed Adara, but who was to say that he wasn't simply trying to follow and sabotage them later? Still, he had given his name... "Famaer," the glaceon replied, watching the other closely.

((Crackerjacks! Sorry it took so long but skip please. I meant to do this first day, but I got caught up and forgot that I needed Blitz since Adara is passed out and Kaiden asked her a question, lol. And we kinda need her to take us to the cave. Sorry again!))

"I don't mean to intrude but I heard talk of needing shelter. My den isn't too far off and it's very well big enough to fit everyone inside. Oh, pardon my manners. My name is Devani."

Whilst Rufus’ initial instinct was to present the stranger with a hostile stance, fangs bared to ward off any more potential threats to his friends, he found himself lost to a childlike curiosity. He didn’t understand much of what the creature had said – the female having a striking resemblance to Famaer – but the gator’s wide eyes were glued to the strange, rock-like thing she carried with her. As he strained to follow conversation, consisting of long words in which he’d never heard, the reptile soon singled out ‘egg’. Frowning, he took a step forward, his snout twitching to pick up a smell he would never detect. Rufus had lost the sense years ago, infection from living in the sewer system utterly destroying his olfactory ability.
“E-guh?” The feraligatr repeated hesitantly, peering at the strange object from a distance whilst he looked to Famaer for guidance. He was convinced the ice-fox knew everything. However, Kaiden’s voice soon drew his attention away.

"If you find more, Adara will need them. Please.”

Rufus’ tongue poked out in a comical fashion, eyes focused on the canine’s mouth as the words were processed in his simple mind. He had gestured to the push, and soon the gator was grinning, enthusiastically nodding his head with understanding.
“Yes!” He announced cheerily. “I find! I find!” With that he began to trudge excitedly through the snow, soon taking to following the umbreon who seemed just as intent on finding the berries. He grinned at Sealand, before suddenly looking back to group. Frowning, he considered how to phrase it. “I find your…” He knew not the word ‘footprints’ and instead was forced to point to his own large tracks in the snow. He smiled, trying to reassure them that wherever they went, he would be able to track them down – especially with Sealand’s help. Nodding his head, he leapt forward, calling to the dark-fox accompanying him. “Berries! Sealan!”

Joshua had definitely found himself in an interesting group: An injured tyke; an overly large, several-times-the-size brother; Two ice-foxes, one with an egg, and one who didn't seem to be able to go a few minutes without a shifty glance at almost everyone else; a black fox with a scarf; and a Feraligatr who barely seemed to speak their language. Strange, he felt right at home with this crowd.


((asdfghjkl, short post is short, but it pretty much relies on Kaiden, since Joshua had been talking to him. >.<))

A gentle smile spread across Devani's face as she listened to everyone speak and it turned to one of sadness when Kaiden gave her an offer to help protect her kit if she helped his sister. Standing, the female turned around for a few seconds and did something quite odd but she was use to it and exercised the most caution when doing so. Her tail wrapped softly around her egg and in a gentle fluid movement, was pressing the egg against her back as she walked with a maternal grace. Her light blue eyes watched Kaiden as she slowly walked towards the large Arcanine and inspected the small fluff of Eevee buried in his fur. Sorrow crept into her eyes at the sight of her broken and pained breathing but she turned to Kaiden and bowed her head submissively. "Kaiden is it? You don't have to offer something in return for my help because I will gladly do anything in my power to make sure your sister is okay."

With her egg still balanced on her back, the gentle female strode through the snow a bit away from them and turned around to make sure they would follow. Just a few feet away was the large rock hidden in the snow and she moved it to reveal a small cave situated beneath the snowbank. Taking one last look behind her to once again check on the others, she padded into the den and began clearing space for all of the others. In itself, the den was fairly large for the family of Glaceon's but this was mostly due to Devani having found this cave and protecting it from outsiders. Towards the back of the cave, it ended in an area covered in a soft layer of old moss that was still okay to lay on. Sighing, the female remembered laying there with her mate but shook the thought from her head as she placed her egg back on its pile of moss, curled her tail around it, and awaited the others. Before too long though, her egg began to shake even more than usual and a cracking sound began to erupt from its base. Lighting the cave up in light, Devani held her breath as she awaited her newly hatched Eevee.

(Sorry for the delay everyone. Her little boy will be revealed on the next post for those of you that haven't seen him yet<3)

The other glaceon seemed warm, inviting, even with her egg. Famaer'd known most females of his kin to be protective and harsh when awaiting their pups to hatch, but he was taken off guard by how willing to help she was. He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Adara would soon be healed. It was good to see such positivity in a world that condemned it.

As Devani led the others away, Famaer stayed put. "I'll... stay and wait for Rufus to return. I'd rather him not get lost," he stated, his posterior firmly planted in the cool snow. He turned, waiting for the reptile to make his way back, hoping the Evil would simply disappear. He now knew better than to go around preaching his case, but it didn't mean he couldn't silently wish the other's demise.

Kaiden was relieved when Sealand and Rufus went off to find more berries, as Adara would need them to heal. The female from before giving him a submissive look. "Kaiden is it? You don't have to offer something in return for my help because I will gladly do anything in my power to make sure your sister is okay." Kaiden looked down in shame, knowing that his attempt to use the Glaceon weighing down on him. She apparently was a good enough soul to not need such trickery, but he had stooped to it anyway. That wasn't his way, it was Mastema's. Perhaps that devilish Zoroark had rubbed off on him during their time together.

A strange feeling filled his chest as he thought of the male he had shared a partnership with. While the Zoroark was still youthful and arrogant, preferring to use his body and his wiles to deceive, they had still shared...something. Even if he had no freaking idea what that was. And for all their arguing, their fights, and the fact that they had absolutely nothing in common, he still missed the little bastard. Even though he had his sister, there was still someone out there he was worried about and hoping they were okay. That was so not like him.

"Thank you," he offered to the female Glaceon as she led them to her home, but he paused for a moment, unsure what to do since the others were still out there. Famaer offered to stay and wait for them so he gave a nod, wanting to get Adara into a warm shelter as quickly as possible. "Stay safe," he told the male ice fox, turning back to follow Devani. As he made his way into the small mouthed cavern he was pleased to find out that it was much larger inside than it looked. But as he tried to find out where to settle down a blinding light hit his eyes. Devani's egg was hatching.

As the wind picked up, snow flurrying about him in a blur of disorientating white, Rufus soon realized he had severely misjudged his abilities. His optimism lost, the gator had begun to panic as the strange weather proved a rather frightening opponent. He didn’t like snow anymore – not one bit. Shivering against the elements, he looked to the Umbreon accompanying him, concern written across his wide face as he struggled to manage a smile. He’d been trudging around for a while now, essentially in one big circle in a vain bid to find more berries for poor Adara. Rufus was sure the weather was angry at him – making him pay for what he’d done to the unfortunate Eevee – and although he didn’t particularly like it, he knew that he deserved it.
“Sorry,” He muttered to himself, fangs chattering as the cold continued to bite as his scales. Turning to Sealand, he emitted a whine of defeat. Resorting to hugging himself with broad, muscular arms for the purpose of both warming and comforting, he looked panicked behind him. “S-S-Sealan! No b-berries,” Temperature invading his speech, Rufus was clearly beginning to suffer.

Growing sick of this, the gator was ready to give up altogether when a sharp pain suddenly shot up his foot. Yelping in surprise and pain, the Feraligatr instantly recoiled, foot held up as he stared fearfully down at the ground. A single spine was lodged in the flesh - not particularly painful, but a stinging sensation that had succeeded to draw blood. Watching hypnotized as the crimson droplets hit against the snow, Rufus, swallowing his fear peered closer. It was a small, spiky thing. A bush perhaps, yet the water-type saw no berries hanging from its aggressive leaves. Curious, he kept his foot raised, instead nudging the snow around the visible spines to gradually reveal a sandy-coloured ball. Convinced a bush so peculiar looking must be especially useful to Adara, Rufus let out a squeal of delight.
“Look!” He called out to Sealand, moving to gently pick up the surprisingly hard thing in his jaws. It was freezing, rigid, as tiny icicles intermingled with the prickly leaves. Careful not to damage such a precious item, the gator grinned over at the dark-type, ecstatic at his discovery. “I di-ood,” It was difficult to speak holding the bush and particularly hazardous as the reptile’s tongue flicked dangerously close to those cruel spikes – one of which was still lodged in his foot. Satisfied with what he considered an exceptional discovery, the reptile turned tail, expecting the Umbreon to follow.

Trotting after the faint footprints left behind by the group, Rufus, although still shivering from the cold, walked with his head high. A smile stretched across his face regardless of the spiny ball attempting to distort the joy, the Feraligatr didn’t get very far until he found Famear waiting for him. Emitting a muffled squeal of delight at his friend’s loyalty as well as an incredible eagerness to present his companion with his find, Rufus stumbled in the snow in a mad rush to get to the fox’s side.
“-Amea!” The canine’s name emerged as garbled slur as Rufus skidded to a halt beside the fox, narrowly avoiding a full-on collision in his excitement. “-Ook!” The large reptile shook his head, gesturing to the ball of spike nestled amongst his equally as dangerous fangs. However, in the midst of thrashing his bulky head about, a quietened groan echoed from within his mouth. Alarmed, a frown crossed the gator’s face. Bushes didn’t groan – they didn’t make any noise at all last time he’d checked. Concerned, he dropped the item at his feet, leaping back in shock when the spines practically unravelled to reveal a small, rodent-like creature. His injured foot still lifted, he turned to Famaer with fear – utterly clueless to what the hell he’d been carrying around. “…Buh?” Staring down at the motionless creature, now revealed to be a near-frozen Sandslash, Rufus’ nose scrunched in distaste. “No b-berries?”


(( Introducing Seymour! :D Considering he’s unconscious, I haven’t included this as a post for him. ^^; ))

Sealand likes this group - he thought they were unique. But he needed to keep going; To Find Wy! With a sigh, he looks around a stats, "I have to go... I'll be back." He then runs off without warning. Maybe he would come back, If he could find them again.

([ooc: Leaving post.])

Knowing that they were going to a den for foxes, Joshua didn't like the odds of it being large enough to fit everyone inside. Joshua truly didn't like cramped areas... "I'll stay out here too." He said, as the Arcanine walked away. "Save some room." Looking around, however, he realized that he was the only one left with the grizzled male ice-fox. That one seemed... Rather odd. He struck Joshua as more of a gruff-type fellow, and yet he seemed to care for the Eevee and 'gator. Joshua wondered what his story was. He always did love stories...

Kicking a small pebble that had been kicked up from one of the Arcanine's footprints, he stuffed his hands in his coat-pockets. "So..." he spoke, initiating conversation. "What's the deal with the big blue guy? You know why he doesn't talk much?" That had been bugging him for a while. Where he came from, it was an effort to get people to shut up. Very few people barely talked at all.