Heather Mason (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
foolishwren) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
victory_road2022-07-21 09:03 pm
foolishwren) wrote in victory_road2022-07-21 09:03 pm
I Can't Believe It's Another Hisui Catchall
Who: Heather Mason and YOU!
Where: Hisui
When: July/throughout the event
Summary: A catch-all for Heather Mason, who can be encountered doing various things and saying various swearwords under the cut.
Rating: PG-13 at most
Log:
GENERAL INFO: During her time in Hisui, Heather will be a rather tatty bandit's outfit (she was late getting to the table with all the clothes), some cozy boots, and a blue cap. Heather's new starter is a Hisuian Growlithe who she has creatively named "Twojo" (her actual starter is a Growlithe named Cujo). Over the course of the event she will be catching a shiny Pikachu (!!) and a MYSTERY THIRD POKEMON I have not decided on yet.
She is very tired and not particularly happy about the possibility that she'll never get to see her other Pokemon ever again, but for the sake of other people who she's assuming probably feel the same way, she's at least trying not to be a complete vibe-ruiner over it.
PROMPT A: General Campground Presence
One of the few things that actually help get Heather's mind off of the less-than-ideal situation is keeping busy! When she's not actively exploring, she'll be fairly active around the campground, primarily in the form of keeping the firewood well-stocked and patrolling the camp's borders with Twojo (and a nice hefty stick, in case Twojo's barking doesn't do the trick) to keep high-leveled wild Pokemon from demolishing everything.
As a hot-water-enjoyer herself, she will also be readily volunteering Twojo's firey breath to help keep the showers nice and warm.
Maybe you're joining her on these ventures! Or maybe you desperately need to wash the stank off and there's nobody else around to heat the water for you. OR MAYBE you found her sacked out by the campfires after a long day of roughing it and are in the mood for some conversation.
PROMPT B: Training and Sparring
Being an otherworldly "old-timer" at this point, Heather is used to RARELY having to worry about encountering a problem that can't be at least adequately dealt with by whipping out a level 100 Pokemon.
Needless to say, suddenly being stuck in the untamed wilderness with NOTHING but a measley level-20 Pokemon? That's like... a baby. NAY, a zygote. And she doesn't like that, no SIR. By sunset on that very first day, Heather has thrown herself into vigorous training with Twojo, hoping to stack some levels onto this pup before they have the bad luck to encounter something they can't handle.
Which means she is looking for folks to engage in friendly training battles with! She can't be the only one who's in a hurry to toughen up their new friend in case things go awry.
On that note, she won't say no to friendly sparring, either. When they're all in one place like this, maybe it's a good opportunity to meet some other folks who are into that kind of thing. You never know when you might have to jump in and just punch a wild Pokemon in the face yourself.
PROMPT C: WILDCARD!
You got another idea? COOL, go for it! You can also ping me on Plurk for plotting if you'd like to brainstorm!
Where: Hisui
When: July/throughout the event
Summary: A catch-all for Heather Mason, who can be encountered doing various things and saying various swearwords under the cut.
Rating: PG-13 at most
Log:
GENERAL INFO: During her time in Hisui, Heather will be a rather tatty bandit's outfit (she was late getting to the table with all the clothes), some cozy boots, and a blue cap. Heather's new starter is a Hisuian Growlithe who she has creatively named "Twojo" (her actual starter is a Growlithe named Cujo). Over the course of the event she will be catching a shiny Pikachu (!!) and a MYSTERY THIRD POKEMON I have not decided on yet.
She is very tired and not particularly happy about the possibility that she'll never get to see her other Pokemon ever again, but for the sake of other people who she's assuming probably feel the same way, she's at least trying not to be a complete vibe-ruiner over it.
PROMPT A: General Campground Presence
One of the few things that actually help get Heather's mind off of the less-than-ideal situation is keeping busy! When she's not actively exploring, she'll be fairly active around the campground, primarily in the form of keeping the firewood well-stocked and patrolling the camp's borders with Twojo (and a nice hefty stick, in case Twojo's barking doesn't do the trick) to keep high-leveled wild Pokemon from demolishing everything.
As a hot-water-enjoyer herself, she will also be readily volunteering Twojo's firey breath to help keep the showers nice and warm.
Maybe you're joining her on these ventures! Or maybe you desperately need to wash the stank off and there's nobody else around to heat the water for you. OR MAYBE you found her sacked out by the campfires after a long day of roughing it and are in the mood for some conversation.
PROMPT B: Training and Sparring
Being an otherworldly "old-timer" at this point, Heather is used to RARELY having to worry about encountering a problem that can't be at least adequately dealt with by whipping out a level 100 Pokemon.
Needless to say, suddenly being stuck in the untamed wilderness with NOTHING but a measley level-20 Pokemon? That's like... a baby. NAY, a zygote. And she doesn't like that, no SIR. By sunset on that very first day, Heather has thrown herself into vigorous training with Twojo, hoping to stack some levels onto this pup before they have the bad luck to encounter something they can't handle.
Which means she is looking for folks to engage in friendly training battles with! She can't be the only one who's in a hurry to toughen up their new friend in case things go awry.
On that note, she won't say no to friendly sparring, either. When they're all in one place like this, maybe it's a good opportunity to meet some other folks who are into that kind of thing. You never know when you might have to jump in and just punch a wild Pokemon in the face yourself.
PROMPT C: WILDCARD!
You got another idea? COOL, go for it! You can also ping me on Plurk for plotting if you'd like to brainstorm!
no subject
Turning at the sound of Shiro's voice, she smirks at the sight of his outfit. TWINSIES.
"Sounds like fun. So, you were late to the clearance sale too, huh?"
Lifting her arms, she makes a show of flexing. Even though she's probably as athletically toned as she's ever been, there's never much visible to show off. Which makes pretending there is one of her favorite, never-gets-old jokes.
"Good thing I got a gun license."
Har har.
Meanwhile, Twojo warily regards the bucket and its occupant. Not too long ago, the naiive pooch got squirted in the face by a well-intentioned Spheal and now Water-Types are to be approached with caution. She lets out a little WHF.
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It sounds absurd to say out loud, but it was true. Fortunately, Heather has the audacity to pull that little move, and Shiro's embarrassment disappears. He ends up laughing, shaking his head. It's a very good joke, especially where he's concerned.
"Wow, yeah. You've got me beat for sure."
Says the brick wall with legs.
Pancake pops her head out of the bucket, beaming. She squeaks, and reaches out with a flipper - trying to pet the puppy. Very much like a toddler saying Doggy!
no subject
She says this with a toothy grin and a light punch to his (much bigger) shoulder for emphasis.
Meanwhile, Pancake's petting attempt goes unrewarded as the Growlithe backs out of reach, doing another low bark in her throat.
"Oh-- sorry, Twojo's a little wary around water-types after someone else's new starter squirted her in the face. Don't mind her."
To make up for her dog's lukewarm greeting, she herself crouches down next to the bucket.
"Who's this little cutie?"
no subject
These two fool jokers. They're hilarious. He even mutters a token "ouch" when she punches his shoulder. You know, just for emphasis.
"It's okay - she's just a people person." A beat. "You know what I mean."
Pancake squeals. She bounces in her bucket and wiggles her flippers towards Heather. Shiro really can't help but grin, and offers Heather's Growlithe his hand while she meets Pancake.
"Pancake. Armin says she's basically a toddler, in pokemon terms."
no subject
Heather can't help but let out a delighted laugh at the big show Pancake's putting on-- she's never had particularly strong inclinations towards water-types one way or another, but it's impossible not to be charmed by the Mantyke.
"Well hey, Pancake! You better be keeping Shiro out of trouble. He's a tricky one."
She shoots Shiro a wink as she holds out a greeting hand for Pancake.
Meanwhile, Twojo is giving Shiro's a good sniff, and it doesn't take long for her tail to start wagging in earnest. The sniffing is quickly followed by licking.
I THOUGHT I REPLIED TO THIS AGES AGO
Shiro just shakes his head. Honestly, that's a valid question to ask one of his pokemon. But that doesn't mean he's going to let it go without another quip. Seems like it's par for the course for this conversation. And it's kind of fun.
"And from what I remember, Heather punches her way out of trouble... comes in handy in nightmares, but - keep an eye on her, buddy."
Said as he begins rubbing Twojo's ears, beaming at the pup.
ITS OKAY
Twojo is just in heaven-- she'd agree to just about ANYTHING if it got her ear-rubs! So she lets out a little bark, leaning heavily into Shiro's hand and thumping her silky tail on the ground.
Don't worry Shiro! Growlithes are the LOYALEST! She's known Heather for two days and that might as well have been a lifetime in Growlithe brain.
no subject
Pancake squirms around, still squealing happily. Honestly, Heather (or anyone) could throw her like a frisbee and she would still be delighted. That's just her bubbly little personality. Pun intended.
And not to worry, Twojo. Shiro's solid enough to hold up the weight of the Growlithe. Still lavishing attention on those fuzzy ears.
"How are you holding up, with all this?"
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Heather trails off, turning her attention from Pancake back towards the camp-- in the general direction of that godforsaken machine.
"Barely keeping myself from strangling that nutjob paleontologist, for one thing."
With a heavy sigh, she straightens up, dusting off her knees.
"Other than that... mostly I'm just worried about my Pokemon. I can adjust to new environments just fine. But the thought of never seeing them again..."
no subject
It's what Heather says next that hits the sore point, though. He sighs too, and pushes his hand through his hair. The colors in his bangs are starting to fade - white roots showing.
"Yeah. I'm worried too. Mine are capable, but - at least one of them has been left behind before..."
no subject
"... The thing is, I'm used to losing people at this point-- as defeatist as that sounds. Like, don't get me wrong, it hurts every time, but we all know it happens. ... But the Pokemon... they've been the one and only constant. Ever since I got here."
She leans her head back to roll her neck, staring up at the sky in the process.
"I can imagine a life without my friends and family. But I'm not sure I can imagine a life without my Pokemon. Not anymore."
And for all she knows... that's exactly what they're facing.
no subject
He really can. Especially his main group - Kuro, Haunter, Red and Blue. They'd been there for the worst of it all. The Nightmare Forest. The big stupid Jellyfish From Space. Losing the people closest to him...
Heather's right. The pokemon were all you had, sometimes. And now they're just gone.
"I guess I'm holding out hope it won't come to that. Not because of Liss." Holy crap, no. Not because of anything Cara Liss is doing out there. Because they have brilliant people on their side. Because, well. Deep down, they're all kind of like Heather, aren't they?
"Because I can't see this many people giving up on seeing their Pokemon again. We'll find a way. Even if it means fighting Arceus."
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"HEH... I don't think Arceus is necessarily my biggest fan."
She may or may not have received a bit of a divine telling-off for being mouthy and ungrateful at one point.
"But it wouldn't be the first time I've fought a god, so..."
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He's absolutely sincere about that, too. If Arceus isn't her biggest fan, then she'll be primed to fight it, won't she? Hell, he'd take a swing at it too, if it meant getting home again.
And now is not the time to wonder when this world was more "home" than Earth.
"Okay, you know I've got to ask about that, right?"
no subject
"You can ask, but I might not answer."
It's actually been so long since she's talked about home to... anyone, that at this point she's pretty sure that Envy and Lust might be the only people left who even know.
Fortunately, having fought and killed a god is ironically something she's far less sensitive about than most of the other long-buried details of her Secret Backstory (tm).
So despite her cheeky answer, she rocks back to sit down in the grass, patting the ground next to her.
"It wasn't anything like Arceus, if that's what you're wondering."
no subject
Listen, Shiro gets it. He knows how it feels to have the Secret Backstory (tm). For any sort of reason - trauma, bad memories, how bad certain things could be. That makes sense. His curiosity really doesn't matter if people don't want to talk about things.
He plunks himself down when Heather indicates, though, folding his legs up under him. Pancake, determined to continue receiving pets, flings herself into his lap, promptly wiggling around to get comfortable. Shiro... sighs.
"Something in your world?" he asks, obliging the little pokemon with some scratches. "Since... anything like Arceus would probably be here, huh?"
no subject
Twojo promptly follows Pancake's example and clambers into her own trainer's lap, and Heather strokes the dog's silky mane absent-mindedly.
"Yeah. Well, sort of."
The longer she was here, the harder it was to separate her world, as it was supposed to be, from the billowing fog and shambling abominations of the Otherworld. To see the Otherworld as a shadow of the 'real' one and not just... an inevitability.
"Part of my world that most people aren't able to see."
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He stays pretty quiet, even while Heather takes her time. He gets it - opening up about Past Things (TM) isn't easy. It already sounds like this is going to be one heck of a story, just from those first few sentences.
"Most people? So you weren't alone?" Kind of a hopeful question. Hopefully she wasn't on her own with... whatever part of this world she'd seen.
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"I'm not the only one who's been through it, no. But I was... by myself, most of the time."
There were her predecessors and successors, of course. Her father before her. And Henry, after. And during her ordeal, she'd had Douglas on her side. But had that made her any less... alone?
No. Not really.
She's pretty sure that Silent Hill, at its core, can only be experienced alone. You could get a helping hand here or there... but in the end, it always came down to you.
"If you can't make it on your own... I think you just don't make it."
no subject
To say the least. Surviving on your own. Trying to get by without any kind of support. That's - well. The concept at least is familiar enough, even if there's likely no way his experience would mirror Heather's. Just the survival aspect.
Maybe a bit of the horror, if he knew.
"I'm sorry," he says, quietly. "I know it - probably doesn't change much. You've been here longer than I have." And likely away from ... what she's talking about. "Still. Can't have been easy to go through."
no subject
About the 'I'm sorry', she means. Because like, what else is there to even say about it? She doesn't expect anybody to come up with something that somehow means more than that.
She's quiet for a moment, then. Just thinking.
"... You got horror movies back where you come from, Shiro? Hellraiser, The Thing? Or that miniseries that made everybody afraid of clowns?"
no subject
She can take her time. He's here to listen.
"Yeah," he agrees. "Weren't ever really something I liked. But you'd have to live under a rock not to know them."
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She didn't LIKE to think so... but also, she met Minnie Mouse here once. She'd be a dim bulb if the possibility hadn't at least crossed her mind.
"If that gives you any idea what I lived through before coming here."
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"Yeah," he admits, finally. And pushes his hands through his hair. "Yeah, that. Really does." A beat, before he adds, in true Shiro fashion: "Also gives me an idea of how you punched me out of a nightmare."
no subject
Despite the subject matter, his remark gets a wry smile and chuckle.
"What can I say... sometimes having all your nightmares turn real and flatten you like a falling anvil all at once winds up preparing you real good for times when it's happening to somebody else."
A pause.
"... Still sorry I just straight up decked you though. I probably could've thought of a better way to snap you out of it."
(no subject)