foolishwren | 041. Video/Audio

_{[There's a brief snapshot view of Heather's hotel room as the camera swings around-- the bed doesn't look slept in (although it is rumpled), her possessions are haphazardly on the floor by the wall-- as though they'd been tossed there and then nudged distractedly out of the way instead of picked up, and for once Cujo, who is lying on his belly over by the bathroom door, doesn't look like his usual derpily happy self. His cream-dotted doggy brows are peaked and his snout is on the floor between his paws. He's looking over in the direction of the camera worriedly.]

[That's all the viewer gets, though, because the camera turns on Heather as soon as she's got a good grip on the 'Gear.]

[There's rings under her eyes and she's just in a tank-top-- fairly obvious she hasn't slept yet. Her stare has a kind of angry energy to it despite her obvious exhaustion, though, and her voice is hoarse and flat in tone, like she spent the whole night yelling. Which she probably had.]}

If there's someone in Goldenrod who wants to do a practice battle, hit me up. I'll be on that town green by that Slowbroco business building.

Don't come if you're not packing some power. I'm not going to play nice and I'd rather blow off steam on something or someone who can take it.

_{[And then she throws her bag's strap across her shoulder and hits disconnect.]}

[Audio, to Liquid.]

Liquid.

If you're there and aren't busy with something, can-- ... can we just-- fight?

I... I need to blow off some steam.

If not, that's okay, I'll figure something out.

....

I guess.

Yeah.

_click

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

_{[The smile grew a little apologetic.]}

Sorry, kiddo. Normally I'd take you up on that, but I don't think it'll help right now.

_{[Heather dealt with her anger by hitting things and yelling a lot. ... Neither were particularly conducive to conversations.]}

[Heather is pretty much the only person who can get away with calling Sora kiddo-- every time Cid did it he protested mightily, hands on his hips and everything.]

Well... Can I tell you something, then?

_{[She does it with love! That, and she does it with the knowledge that just being a kid doesn't mean jack when it comes to what you can handle, or what you might know or have experienced. She knows better than anybody what children can survive, after all...]}

Sure.

[he knows; that's probably why he doesn't mind it. sort of like how he affectionately calls Heather hardcore-- though that's true, too.]

Don't stay anywhere by yourself. I don't mean just hanging out with your Pokémon, either. If you're by yourself, call me-- I won't care what time it is, okay? Promise?

[that was... more of an order than simply telling Heather something, but. if Riku hadn't been right there with him during that whole incident with Vanitas, Sora might have gone crazy. this was an entirely different set of circumstances, but in a lot of cases anger feels the same.]

_{[That surprises her-- and it shows a little in her expression-- but it returns to being stony pretty quick.]}

I can't promise anything, Sora.

_{[Heather... was often alone. She had friends now, of course-- incredible friends, the kind of friends and never in her wildest dreams expected to have-- but she was still a loner for the most part. Didn't have a set traveling group, didn't share a hotel room with anyone.]

[She knows what the kid means and she appreciates it-- he's damn smart for his age. But... it's still nothing she can promise.]}

But I'll keep you in mind. I promise to do that, okay?

_{[As much of a loner as Heather was... she wasn't always opposed to calling for help. Even if it was just talking help.]}

[the word "loner" simply does not exist in Sora's vocabulary. that's probably why he's persistent in poking a select few, both here in Johto and back home. he trusts Heather enough, definitely, but he just wants to make absolutely sure.]

I know you're really hardcore, Heather. But if you're staying with someone you trust, you don't have to be hardcore all the time, you know? It's hard being strong all the time.

[he breathes a little sigh at that, but he's smiling reassuringly.]

I trust you. Just... don't forget that there are people here for you to lean on, if you need them. Your friends are your strength.

_{[She gives him a tired but genuine smile.]}

I know I have friends. I'd be a pretty big moron to've forgotten that, after all.

But I'll be fine.

This is nothin'.

_{[He's astoundingly wise for someone so young and that's not lost on Heather-- but she's too tired to try and explain that even though he was right, for some people... they were just a little too used to having to be strong on their own to be able to lean back that easily. It's something she's working on.]}

I'll call if I need you, 'kay?

I know.

[she's a lot like Riku, really. in a year and a half, when he's taller, his hair is spikier (somehow) and he's finally nearing the end of his fight against the Heartless and Nobodies, Sora will be practically smacking Riku upside the head and yelling, "WHY DIDN'T YOU ASK ME FOR HELP, YOU DOOFUS?" that... probably wouldn't go over so well with Heather, even if he was in scolding range.]

I'll have a bunch of really lame jokes lined up for you if you do. Or I'll record Puddles doing something silly for you.

_{[The smile grows.]}

Maybe I'll need some of those once I'm done blowin' off steam.

_{[That was really what this was about... Heather wasn't averse to being helped. She was used to doing things on her own, sure-- but she wasn't a moron. ... But this stuff... the last thing she wants to do is let herself bite her friends' heads off when she's in one of these moods. When she's feeling this... well, bloodthirsty. SILENT HILL GIVES YOU ISSUES. Better to deal with that by herself... blow off some steam, kick shit over, scream into a pillow, whatever...]}

I'll look forward to giraffe shenanigans.

[Riku definitely fits the bill of "BIG STUPID DOOFUS," especially after that whole incident where Sora needed to have his memories put back together like a 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, and Riku decided to try to avoid him. trying to avoid being Sora's friend is like trying to wash out glitter if it gets in your hair. you can't get rid of him.]

Okay. I don't think you'll be disappointed; Puddles has been acting really weird for the past week or so.

_{[As someone who probably had to endure many arts and crafts sessions throughout her school years, Heather knows exactly how hard it is to get glitter out of your hair everything.]}

All right, it's a deal.

I'll catch you later, okay?

[... Heather must be magical. that's the only explanation.]

Right! Take care, Heather.

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