61. [Video/Action for Goldenrod City]

[foolishwren]

  
_{[This is what one might see if they are outside on April Fool's Day in the fine city of Goldenrod.]}

[When Heather set out from Violet, she did it with a vengeance-- making it to her destination in record time purely by force of will. .... Well, okay. Snake and Solid the Onix helped out a little too. But REGARDLESS, it looks like she made it just in time for the stormclouds to come rolling in.]

[Johto, you been PUNK'D.]

[By the time the lobby doors to the big hotel she had left about two months before slide open and Heather staggers inside, she's thoroughly drenched and gasping. Not even sprinting through the deluge (which had blown in fast, as deluges often do-- the last quarter-mile to Goldenrod had been a mad dash to try and beat the roiling sky. She hadn't made it.]

[Spluttering and dripping everywhere, Heather stumbles into the lobby, letting the doors slide shut behind her to be drummed on incessantly by the big fat raindrops.]

[Cujo, who looks surprisingly happy for a Fire type about being wet, prances in alongside her and proceeds (much to the disdain of the bellboy who had started over to her with the intention of offering her a towel, only to quickly change his mind when he saw what was about to happen) to SHAKE. OFF. EVERYWHERE. And with a coat as shaggy as his? Fur could hold half its weight in water. Once he's finished, he happily goes gambolling off across the lobby to re-investigate the potted plants that he hasn't seen in a month or two. SUP PLANTS.]

[Heather, meanwhile, is doing some shake-drying of her own, sluicing water off of her hair vigorously. BRRRRRRRR. The bellboy is crying on the inside.]
  
UGH!

When they say April showers bring May flowers, but I didn't expect it to hit on the first, on the DOT.... Cooj, if you 'mark' those potted plants and get us thrown out into the rain, I will leave you in a box on someone's doorstep.

_{[Now giving the dripping coat that she'd been using as an (ineffective) umbrella a shake (in the bellboy's mind, Heather's threat level went from amber to red) or two, she grabbed up the strap to her bag and started to drag it towards the thankfully-carpeted sitting area, leaving a big watery trail the whole way (WHY COULDN'T HE HAVE GONE ON TO BE A SPORTS ANNOUNCER LIKE HIS MOTHER WANTED INSTEAD OF BEING A BELLBOY SOB).]}

[Once there, Heather popped down into a squat on the carpet, whistling for Cujo while she rummaged in her pockets for the Pokeballs containing her companions.]

Boy, sure am glad I decided to take Alvaro with me... Sure hope these things are waterproof. _{[Fearing that shoving the orphaned Cubone into a BOX right off the bat would damage its fragile emotional state even MORE, Heather had opted to take him with her. Here's hoping that decision wouldn't bite her in the butt. At least Carousel had been box'd-- Heather had already witnessed the wonder that was a drenched Ponyta trying to re-ignite its mane and she wasn't sure her already-shot nerves could take the stress of watching a pony shed sparks everywhere.]}

Good, nobody fell outta my pocket-- hey, Claudy, c'mon, get outta there, I gotta check on my stuff...

_{[Tossing the bag's flap open, she ushers the damp, ruffled-looking owl out of the bag. Claudy picks her way delicately onto the carpet and fluffs up to about twice her size before starting to preen unconcernedly. Heather watches the display with a roll of her eyes.]}

Y'know, if you'd just go in the ball like a NORMAL Pokemon, that bag would've weighed like half as much. Probably would've been able to beat the rain if I hadn't had to lug YOU around, too... Man, my 'Gear better not be busted...

_{[She reached into the bag to fish around for the contraption in question-- ... and stops.]}

.... Claudy, what the fuck, did you cough up a pellet the size of GOD in here or--








.... Oh.





.... What the--

[VIDEO]

_{[The camera turns on. Its feed is focused first on Claudy's head. She's grooming something, but all that can be seen for the moment is her feathers as they bob up and down.]}


This.... this is an owl.


_{[The camera shifts away from the Noctowl and over to the bag, giving a nice view of the inside of Heather's bag (partially emptied so that her stuff could dry. Littering the bottom of the bag are crushed fragments of eggshell.]}

Owls lay eggs.


_{[And then... then the camera zooms out a little, and moves back over to Claudy-- who can now be seen in full, contentedly preening a damp, squeaking little Eevee with ears about the same size as its body.]}


That is not a baby owl.


_{[The camera turns around, onto a confused and slightly-disturbed-looking Heather. Her hair is still plastered wetly down around her face.]}

I... I think I was just pranked by Mother Nature.

Comments

[video]

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwww!

[ I'm sorry, did you expect Rise to heartily agree with your logic and provide a rational explanation? ]

[video]

[foolishwren]

I-- ... yeah, it's adorable, but Rise.

My owl. Apparently gave birth. To a fox rabbit thing.

THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

[video]

[bakaitoukid]

... er. Did... did Claudy lay an Eevee egg?

[IT'S ALREADY WEIRD ENOUGH THAT MAMMALS COME FROM EGGS JOHTO DON'T FREAK HIM OUT ANYMORE]

[video]

[foolishwren]

I.... don't.... know?


I GUESS?

_{[THIS IS WAY TOO COSMIC FOR HER RIGHT NOW, MAN.]}

[Action?]

[usedrage.livejournal.com]

[There's a shota reading the book in the lobby. Who is glancing up curiously at Heather making everything wet and loud. And she's made him curious now so he's going to be peering over her shoulder.]

Did you buy an Eevee egg from someone, Heather-san?

[Action?]

[foolishwren]

_{[At the sound of a familiar voice over her shoulder, she startles just slightly and looks up-- but the confused Eevee-induced frown disappears as she grins brightly.]}

Heeey, kiddo! I was wondering when I'd run into you.

And-- ... no, no, I think I'd definitely remember buying an egg.

[action]

[philanthrotaku.livejournal.com]

[YOU KNOW WHAT]

[MOTHER NATURE CAN WAIT]

[YOU ARE NOW IN A TINY NERDHUG]

[action]

[foolishwren]

_{[Aaaand thanks to the fact that she's already boggling over WHAT IS REALITY, the sudden nerd!hug startles her into a squeak before she realizes who it is.]}

Haaal!

_{[Brb trying to make her arms work backwards to return the hug.]}

[video]

[quickattackjack]

<sub>[JACK FAILS HOLIDAYS....and the passage of time. FUCK CAVES, MAN. FUCK CAVES. However, judging by the surprise on Heather's face and the fact that it looked like there was no harm done.

Enjoy the crazy old man cackling at your WAT DO face, Heather.]</sub>

[video]

[foolishwren]

I-- ... just-- ... wh-- stop laughing!

[ action; PLACEHOLDER SOB ]

[miniworth]

[ He still has those ribbons in his hair when Miles returns to the hotel -- right after Heather makes her Eevee discovery! He's soaking wet as well, brown jacket dripping water onto the floor (to the bellboy's dismay), but at least Pess shook water off herself outside the hotel entrance.

He squish-squashy-squickety-squishes over to Heather once he spots her. ]

Heather - you're back!

[ action;]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[STILL, Miles?! How long has it been?]

[Needless to say, she looks up when she hears the boy's familiar voice-- and grins widely. IT'S THE BIRTHDAY BOY. But she won't launch into THAT yet. She still needs to go out and buy some funfetti mix. Assuming they have it here. They'd BETTER.]</sub>

Hey, kiddo!

_{[GRAWR C'MERE AND GIMME A HUG. She doesn't care if you're soaked.]}

[action]

[overthedratini.livejournal.com]

[HAS BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!!! ... is totally leaning out of his hotel window]

HEAAAATHEEEEEERRRR!!

[action]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[SQUINTIN' UPWARDS THROUGH THE RAIN. O HAY ITS JOHAN.]

[She waves up at him through the deluge before making motions towards the lobby doors. GOTTA GET INSIDE. SEE YOU THERE?]</sub>

[video]

[soulcool.livejournal.com]

... Welp.

April fool's, Heather.

[video]

[foolishwren]

I know, right?

I just got punk'd big-time.

[Action]

[hasavision.livejournal.com]

[Wataru was just wondering if he should try braving the weather when he noticed he knows this person.]

Heather?

[Action]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[adurr?]

[Heather looks up and around-- it takes a couple passes before his appearance actually registers in her mind as one she recognizes.]</sub>

... Oh! Uh-- hey!

Wa.... Wasabi, right?

_{[HEATHER SPEAKS THE GOODEREST JAPANEEZ.]}

video;

[cynicizing.livejournal.com]

... I know there ain't much point in makin' sense of freakin' Pokémon, but man, that's just weird...

video;

[foolishwren]

I am way too out-of-it to deal with this right now. I do not want to question reality in the middle of a freak rainstorm.

[Action]

[swordofimpulse.livejournal.com]

[He's just chillin' in the lobby, kickin' in the bac- no we're not going there.

Shinn's reading newspaper though- HOLY FUCK IS THAT A MONSTER!?]

[Action]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Is he referring to the drenched Heather over by the bag, or the equally-drenched Growlithe now making the rounds of the lobby. If it's the latter, he's lucky-- BECAUSE GUESS WHO'S SHOVING HIS HEAD UNDERNEATH THE NEWSPAPER.]

[8) HI MISTER I AM A DOG]</sub>

[video]

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[... so Douglas had been smashing his face against the pokégear for a few minutes, trying to respond to this video feed. when it finally flicks on, he's making a sort of @_@ face for a minute, but then he starts chirping excitedly. HI FORMER TRAINER- YOU'VE GOT A MYSTERY ON YOUR HANDS? CAN I SOLVE IT? CAN I? HUH?]

[where's Sora? curled up into a Sora and blanket ball in the background in his hotel room. rain has this effect on him, but Douglas will chirp him awake shortly.]

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[Heather blinks a bit at first when the screen blips on, but when she spots who it is, a big grin crosses her face.]}

Well HEY there, Douglas. How's my ol' tadpole?

_{[She's definitely glad that Sora was able to take the Poliwag. He's an infinitely better match than she is-- and it's good to still be able to see the little guy relatively awesome.]}

Where's Sora?

... Oh.

_{[... Awww. Kid looked beat. She didn't blame him-- rain sorta made her wanna curl up in bed too. ... Well, when she wasn't going out and splashing around in it like a BAD KID.]}

[action] AM I LATE, I don't really care, THEY HAVE TO MEET.

[tapestodiane]

<sub>[So you know, Cooper was hanging out in the sitting area because he didn't particularly like spending too much time in that hotel room - he had a tendency of getting a little restless there. Said sitting area also had the added bonus of being juuust hustling enough, the kind of background noise that only made the peace and quiet seem sort of cozy. It was a good place to think. Typically, anyway. Heather sure changed that. Why so loud and teenager-y and opening the door to let all the cold winds in.]

[He looks up, sort of annoyed, tapping a pen against the notes he was scribbling. Aidan the Vulpix (who was previously investigaing scents), on the other hand, trots over curiously. BIG FIRE DOG. :O WHY ARE YOU NOT HATING BEING WET.]</sub>

[action] NO YOU'RE NOT LET AND YES THEY MUST. -AT LAST-.

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Well she kind of had to open the door to get INSIDE, Coop. Why so judgmental! But needless to say, she's a little busy investigating the great mystery of the Eevee and the Noctowl, so she doesn't particularly notice Mr. Grumpypants over there being annoyed ... yet.]

[Cujo, however, hones in instantly on the curious kitsune and immediately drops into a play-bow, butt wiggling in the air. HI. HI. HI. HI. OH MY GOD. HI.]</sub>

[boldandresolute.livejournal.com]

[There miiiiiight be a Liquid kind of lurking around, you know, just because he totally had a reason to come down to the lobby. A reason that didn't involve his brosis coming back or anything, because that would be just ridiculous.]

[foolishwren]

_{[Well Liquid you're just gonna have to sitcho ass down and WAIT because Heather doesn't notice you yet, being distracted by the not-an-owl and all. But unless you come up to her first, she WILL be finding you. And greeting you with an immediate tackle-hug (she can get away with that with him since her chances of actually knocking him down are pretty much one in five hundred thousand.]}

LIQUID!

[video]

[usednastyplot.livejournal.com]

You do like to put on a show in everything we do, don't you, Heather?

[video]

[foolishwren]

Well, someone's gotta entertain the masses.

Anyway, I felt everybody's lives would be improved by being as weirded-out as I am.

[action]

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy was down in the lobby trying to subtly threaten negotiate with the front desk for some kind of room discount. Attempt unsuccessful, he turns just in time to see Heather and Cujo come in and get water everywhere.]

[Brief check for Furret aaand no Furret! Safe to approach. He'll get over to say hi after she's done with her broadcast.]

Hey, Heather, you got here fast.

[action]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Thankfully, there is no Arty in sight! She's either in her Pokeball or she was one of the ones taking a break in a Box while Heather made the trip from Violet to Goldenrod.]

[... But she'll be back. Oh yes she'll be back.]</sub>

... Oh! Sup, tree-head?

_{[Heather waves over to the homunculus.]}

[Video]

[hintcoinplz.livejournal.com]

Are you...are you sure that egg came from an owl? Seems more like someone switched you eggs!

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Yeah, but... I didn't HAVE another egg.

I didn't even know it was IN there.

[video] Great, I finally get to this post and now I have to go to sleep ;A;

[gochuugoku.livejournal.com]

[It's okay, Heather... China is just as disturbed as you are.]

How-How is that even possible?

[video] AW IT'S OKAY. I'll backtag like the wind.

[foolishwren]

_{[Heather's voice is flat and frazzled.]}



I'm pretty sure the cosmos is fucking with me.

Video;

[superboobies.livejournal.com]

So even Mother Nature participates in human holidays?

[ Rangiku is still gathering information! ]

How odd.

Video;

[foolishwren]

Mother Nature's a bitch.

So honestly, it wouldn't surprise me.

{action}

[used-glare.livejournal.com]

{Nanao had been walking around town, doing some shopping when the storm broke, and she'd run into the lobby to avoid getting wet.}

Heather, what happened?

{action}

[foolishwren]

_{[She doesn't even look over her shoulder as she answers.]}

Rain.

_{[... It's blunt but it's true.]}