A New Home

[Omega]

Light consumed the area. As it faded, Sombra and Luzia appeared. They had just been teleported from Alcatraz's Alcove.

"So this is Hallowmoor," said Sombra.

[wynnyelle]

The first thing that Luzia noticed that really stood out were the trees. They were all tall...but some seemed to just tower and tower...going on forever into the sky. She looked way up at them. "Wow...those...those trees..."

"Are you guys going to be all right here?" said Alcatraz. "I'm going back to Erymire, that's where I keep my home and also look after the other escaped prisoners. A lot of them are still on the mend."

[Omega]

"I think we can manage," replied Sombra.

[wynnyelle]

"I'm just really worried leaving you here, not that I doubt you xan take care of yourself, but because you may have aroused the wrath of the unowns," said Alcatraz. "Plus you're now in a land with...how do I say it...some very big and/or vicious pokemon."

Luzia stepped closer to Sombra. She was getting a little worried too, but felt confident that Sombra could see them through anything. He had rescued her from the brink of death and despair.

[Omega]

"I wouldn't worry, Alcatraz," replied Sombra, "The unown's power does not extend to Hallowmoor. As for the giants, they have no reason to harm us."

[wynnyelle]

"I don't know if you realise," said Alcatraz. "Some of them are so big they wouldn't even know you are there. They'd squish you like a bug. Just avoid really wide pathways that cut through the guardian tree forests if you know they're in the area. And you'll know they're in the area by the tremors they make with their feet." He looked around and listened. "Nothing right around here. You'll feel them approaching, through the ground, while they're still a ways away. They don't really go anywhere suddenly."

[Omega]

"I'll be careful," assured Sombra, "I'll ensure Luzia's safety at all costs."

[wynnyelle]

"The key to staying away from them is just staying off their trails if you know they're around," said Alcatraz. "They stick to the guardian tree forests which dominate the lands up here, although they do pass through other areas sometimes. You won't believe the size of them. The Southlands--well that's what Erymire's region and surrounding areas are called--are an exception to the rest of this continent. Other than that, there are a few large flying types--and I mean big--that like to swoop down on prey they spot in open areas. Either of you would be fair game. So...watch the skies, too."

"We will," said Luzia.

[Omega]

"We'll stick to the forests, in that case," replied Sombra, "None of those overgrown beasts will get us here."

[wynnyelle]

"Right," said Alcatraz. "They can't go through thick foliage. You'll get to know how to avoid them pretty easily, though, one thing they pretty much can't do is sneak up on you. Well, I've got to get going, but I'll visit this area some time in the future to see if I can find you and how you're doing?"

"Thank you so much," said Luzia.

[Omega]

"I hope to see you again someday," replied Sombra. "Luzia," he continued, "We should look for a home."

[wynnyelle]

"You will see me again," said Alcatraz. With that, he vanished.

Luzia looked at Sombra, suddenly feeling a little more fearful. Ever since her rescue, the aruseus had never been that far away, and now he was a whole land apart from them. They were truly on their own. "Wherever you'd like to live, I'll go with you...if you want me to."

[Omega]

Sombra felt at home in a forest environment. He didn't mind staying in the forest. He scanned the area for an appropriate abode. "How about here?" he asked, pointing out a small ditch in the middle of a few trees.

[wynnyelle]

To Luzia, it looked perfect. "And little ones...little ones would be safe here, too." It was a place nestled within the convoluted roots of the base of a great Ratharah tree, a tree so mighty that even its trunkbase stretched on and on for many yards. Many smaller plants grew in its shadow including some plants that lived on the trunk itself. It was a very beautiful and to Luzia, exotic place. She stepped in closer to the tree, looking up she couldn't even see its top. She then turned her focus to the areas right around her and stepped in among the cavern like spaces of the roots. "It's beautiful, Sombra...I'd be honoured to live here with you."

[Omega]

"Yes, we will have our litter here," agreed Sombra. He was eager to have children in safety with Luzia. The fox-like eevee evolutions' pregnancy took approximately two months. Now would be a good time. His children would be born by summer, had they been conceived now.

[wynnyelle]

ooc: Yep two months! We'll give it a week real time.

ic: Luzia sighed, she was still so rib-thin. "I'm hungry...hungry is all I seem to be these days." Since her escape, she had been ravenous. She started sniffing for insects in the undergrowth.

[Omega]

"I wonder what food we could find around here," said Sombra.

[wynnyelle]

"I don't know...everything smells different here," said Luzia. "It...well, it makes me a little edgy." She stepped closer to him.

[Omega]

"I'm sure we'll find something," replied Sombra. The sky developed an orange tint as the sun began to set. Surely the night would bring some new creatures to the forest. Perhaps some edible.

[wynnyelle]

Luzia's stomach growled. "I just don't know what's edible here in terms of berries. I don't smell any familiar ones around here although it is warm here and everything's growing so I'm sure there's got to be something around."

[Omega]

"We're in a forest. There must be something," replied Sombra. He proceeded to scan the area. Behind a few trees rested a berry bush. It was large, about fifteen feet tall. It bared basketball sized red berries. "These look edible," commented Sombra.

[wynnyelle]

"Wow," said Luzia, looking up at the huge fruits. "Just be careful they don't fall down on you."

[Omega]

Sombra shot a shadow ball at one. The blast caused it to fall. The gigantic berry split open as it reached the bottom, revealing its succulent insides. It smelled delicious. "Dig in," said Sombra.

[wynnyelle]

Luzia leaped back when the berry hit; a few flecks landed on her face. She licked one off and it was sweet. Smiling at Sombra, she stepped over to the huge fruit and began eating from it. "Good shot. Thanks."

[Omega]

"How's it taste?" asked Sombra. The sun was disappearing under the horizon. The sky grew darker by the minute.

[wynnyelle]

"Delicious," said Luzia, who felt a little sleepy when she had finished eating. She'd eaten a lot, plus the fruit had that mild effect of sleepiness and relaxation on one who ate a lot of it. Now it was growing dark, though, and she felt a little chill--and not from the weather. She stepped closer to Sombra. "I just hope we're safe here."

[Omega]

Sombra looked down to Luzia, "I guarantee you, I will keep you safe." Sombra scanned Luzia's body. She had gained a noticeable amount of weight since he found her in the fortress. He knew, at this point, she would live a healthy life. This brought the thought of children to his mind. He fantasized of raising a litter with Luzia. He gathered the courage to speak again, "Luzia, I think now would be an appropriate time to have children."

[wynnyelle]

Luzia's eyelids fluttered. "But--it's not my body's time...I'm still so thin, and I'm not--I'm not in season. But I want to--I would love to have pups with you. As soon as I'm ready!"

[Omega]

"When you're ready," replied Sombra.

[wynnyelle]

"Soon, any time now I'll come on heat," said Luzia. "I think the reason I haven't yet is because I've been so thin. I still am, really. But I'm fatter than I was. Here, living with you, being able to eat again, all I please I should get fatter yet really soon and then...hopefully, Pokegods willing."