foolishwren | 034. [Video]

Current Mood: uncomfortable
Current Location: Camp Otacon

034. [Video]

_{[It's a little before sun-up-- that weird hour of the morning where the sky is still dark but just starting to brighten in a thin, pale line at the horizon. Of course, where Heather was, that horizon was hidden by the trees, so it's... still mostly dark.]

[She's sitting up in her sleeping bag with a couple of blankets around her shoulders, next to the camp's fire, which had mostly burnt down to ash speckled with a few tiny, stubborn embers. They stood out against the general grayness of the clearing 'Camp Otacon' resided in. Said grayness was only emphasized by the layers of frost coating the earth and grass. It was well into October now, so... unsurprisingly, the weather had been getting colder.]

[Heather was not sure she liked this, though thankfully she's in possession of a living heater in the form of a now-distinctly-potbellied dog (Camp Otacon had been treating him well. Especially because though she'd never admit to being such a softie, she'd been giving him more treats than normal out of pure guilt over the whole 'I thought you were a double-head and also I was kind of a jerk to you in general anyway' thing), who was curled behind her and serving as a backrest.]}

So hey, guys. I have a question.

_{[Her words were accompanied by puffs of steam from her breath. It's c-c-cold this morning without the sunlight.]}

What happens when our warrants expire?

_{[A couple of people had asked her this before, but she'd never had too specific an answer to give them.]}

I heard we're like... basically off with a smack on the wrist and not much else, but... _{[She pauses, sucking her lips inward a little and fiddling with that stubborn eye-bandage. She's gotta be able to get rid of that thing soon, right?]} ... That seems pretty lenient for a bunch of "dangerous fugitives". _{[She's quoting Officer Jenny directly from that announcement, and there's suspicion in her tone. SCREW THE COPS, THEY'RE NEVER HONEST, RIGHT? THIS HAS TO BE A TRICK.]}

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_{[BECAUSE IT IS DELICIOUS.]}

Yeah, hate to admit it, but roughing it for long periods of time just isn't for me. I kind of like to have hot water at the end of the day.

Soon. Once the warrant expires, I'm gonna head out.

[HOW IS THIS DELICIOUS TO YOU? I THINK I'M GOING TO HURL]

How long have you been here, Miss Mason? I assume much longer than me...

Wonderful. Please do tell me the good news once you arrive safely in Goldenrod. I cannot stop worrying about you just yet.

_{[GOD YOU MUST HAVE A WEAK STOMACH THEN.]

[She pauses a moment. It's been a little while since she's thought about exactly how long she's been here.]}

... Guess it must be five months now... time flies, huh?

_{[She grins though and offers him a thumbs-up gesture.]}

It's nice that you worry about me, but seriously. I can take on just about anything this world can throw at me.

_{[Except hallucinogenic fog, apparently.]}

[NO I JUST HAVE GOOD TASTES UNLIKE YOU]

Yes, it does. It is hard to believe that I have been here for almost three months now. It seems like you will always be one step ahead of me, Miss Mason.

Haha, and I have utmost confidence that you can take care of yourself. I'm afraid it's just how I am, with two children to look after.

[Which includes Luke during their adventures and his adopted daughter, Flora. He has no children of his own, but man, he wishes. Just gotta spread the fatherly love around to everyone then.]

_{[SHUT UP, HAPPY BURGER IS AWESOME OKAY. ARE YOU GOING TO EAT ALL YOUR FRIES.]}

... Yeah. It ... well, no, I'd be lying if I said it felt like yesterday that I got here. _{[Because so much had changed since then.]} But it still feels like it's all gone by so far.

How are they, by the way?

_{[She assumes he's talking about Luke and that girl who showed up on the network asking for him, of course.]}

[WHY IS THIS CALLED A HAPPY BURGER? IT DOES NOT MAKE ME HAPPY. I DO NOT COMPREHEND AND NO I'M EATING THESE POTATO STICKS BACK OFF]

I agree. A lot has happened during my stay here, but time has seem to escape my grasp while I was looking away. Though I cannot say I complain. I have met very lovely people here, such as yourself.

Ah, and both of them are doing very good. I do have to keep an eye for them, especially for the girl. She does get into a lot of trouble.

[Trouble as in getting kidnapped left and right. Not your trouble, Heather. You're just a trouble-maker. Flora's a trouble-magnet.]

Have you met with her yet? Her name is Flora Reinhold.

_{[UGH FINE BE THAT WAY.]}

Heh.

_{[Professor, don't you dare make her blush again!]}

Same here. ... I kind went along like I was desperate to get home at first, but... the people here are way cooler than the ones back home, to be honest. _{[She'd have come right out and said 'I've made more and better friends here in five months than I have back home in years', but... it was a little sappy sounding, and Heather had that tough exterior to uphold.]}

And yeah, I talked to her a bit! She seems like a good kid.

_{[And... yeah, Heather IS a trouble-maker. But to be fair, the trouble finds her a lot, too!]}

[That's how Layton rolls. He gets the girl or guy blushing first and bam, LaytonxEveryone comes true.]

Is that so? I have met with a lot of interesting people back in London, but I do have to admit, meeting everyone here is quite the experience. I would never have imagined speaking to those from the far future such as yourself, Miss Mason.

Yes, Flora is, though I do wish that she stayed home at times. Dangers such as these are not suited for any young lady.

[Including you, Heather. He doesn't say it, but he sure is hinting at it. HINT HINT NUDGE NUDGE WINK WINK DO YOU GET IT?]

_{[Its gotta be the top hat. No one can resist its charms.]}

I've met some interesting people back home myself, but none I'd wanna get to know, if you get my meaning. _{[When you were a young woman who was fresh out of high school and pretty cute by most peoples' standards, and your only friend was a sad old alcoholic detective who'd seen better times... that either said something about YOU or about the people around you. In Heather's case, it was mostly the latter.]}

But I've made a lot of friends here.

Never did think that would happen.

_{[She'd thought her trust was done for-- long gone, having ceased to exist; an ex-trust, if you will-- but the people here... Otacon, Liquid, James, Rise, Kaito, and heck, the Professor himself, and many others... they were drawing it out of her whether she liked it or not.]}

Heh, yeah, she did seem kinda little. But I bet you're taking good care of her.

_{[ The hint <-----------------

Heather's head
----> :D <---- ]}

[See, pimp hats got nothing on top hats. Gary motherfucking Oak doesn't stand a chance against Layton.]

The people around here are quite kind, and I will not be surprised if someone made a few friends here. In times such as these, it is good to have someone to rely on for strength.

There are surprises everywhere, Miss Mason. Life is filled with them, and I believe this is just one of the many we are about to experience. Though I have to say it is rather a nice one. I too would have not imagined making this many here in Johto as well.

[Not like he doesn't try, but he just didn't think there will be a lot of others he can start relying on. Not to mention that his late sweetheart suddenly came and surprised him. He actually teared up at that part, so indeed, these are pleasant surprises. Even if there was that whole nightmare incident, but that was done and over with.]

Haha, thank you. She is my adopted daughter, so I do try my best to watch after her.

[.../attaches hint to a rock and throws at yo head.]

_{[Gary can't solve puzzles all he knows is to be a douche.]}

Heh, don't I know it... _{[Of course, HEATHER'S life had mainly been filled with the unpleasant surprises... but this place is teaching her that the good ones still exist.]}

... Your adopted daughter??

_{[Oh... oh wow, just look at that face positively light up.]}

You adopted her?

_{[Apparently Heather was a huge fan of adoption! I WONDER WHY.]}

[You're five steps away from getting to the Pokemon Center to heal your Pokemon. You're tired and hungry, but who's there to block your way? GARY MOTHERFUCKING OAK. But then Layton comes and kicks his ass. MAN OF ACTION AT YOUR SERVICE.

And the Professor nods, smiling as well. Well, it looks like Heather seems really happy for some reason. He wonders why.]

Yes, she has been under my care for almost a year now. Due to certain situations, she was alone and I was able to take her under my wing. She is a joy to be around.

_{[He needs a themesong.]}

That's really awesome that you did that.

Not many people are actually willing to, y'know, take in kids in need like that. So uh... yeah, you really rock.

[He'll just steal Batman's. And what is this "you rock"? He assumes it's a good thing though, so he just chuckles and tips his hat.]

Thank you, Miss Mason. I quite appreciate it. I could not just leave Flora to fend for herself, so it was a quick decision for me to take her in.

Though I do not have any previous experience as a father, so I may not be the best, but I do try.

[He really does, but it's hard trying to juggle about three jobs at once and taking care of his daughter. At least he didn't have to go through the terrible two's.]

_{[DANGIT HEATHER YOU AND YOUR NEWFANGLED SLANG.]}

Hey, nobody's perfect. But just the fact that you're trying means you're doing more than most people would.

_{[For someone who'd been such a hard thing to raise, Heather had a VERY healthy respect for what adoptive parents went through. She knew how hard it could be.]}

["BADASS"? "FUCKING WITH ME"? GOOD LORD, WHY IS SLANG IN THE FUTURE SO VULGAR? And this would be the part where Layton will fiddle with his top hat's brim, overjoyed to hear some compliments as to being a father. Shucks, you're going to make him blush soon.]

Thank you once again for the very kind words, Miss Mason. I always did worry if I was not doing enough, so it is quite reassuring to hear this.

Haha, now it seems like I now must treat you to that dinner as a thank you. You have brightened my day quite a lot, Miss Mason.

[Seriously, that just really made him happy. Like, leaping for joy. As one who always wanted to be a father, this is probably the best kind of compliment he can get at the moment.]

_{[BECAUSE THE FUTURE ITSELF IS VULGAR.]

[And HAHA, the tables have turned!]}

Nah, man, if you do it at all, I'd say that's 'enough'. _{[Nobody was perfect. Harry hadn't been perfect-- he'd struggled, he'd made a few poor choices here and there, and for awhile he'd been in over his head trying to deal with Heather as a teenager. He'd doubted himself and he'd even come close to snapping for real back before he knew for sure that Heather was a real little girl, and not some sick changeling replacement that the town had planted in his nest like some kind of fucked-up cuckoo.]

[But he'd still been the best father Heather could have ever hoped to have.]}

Well get yourself to Goldenrod where I'm going and then we can see about it!

[OH SHI-- wait...that probably means Heather herself is quite vulgar...ewwwwwww don't tell me any vulgar jokes please.]

I will keep that in mind, Miss Mason. That will motivate me as much as possible.

Haha, and then I will try to get to Goldenrod as soon as I can. Hopefully they will have a few fine restaurants for you.

_{[Well, she IS a modern teenager. They're ALL pervs.]}

I sure hope they will.

I'm getting sick of leftovers!

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