foolishwren | 76. [Accidental Video/Text/Action for Olivine]

_{[The feed opens in a decidedly innocent fashion. It's jauntily wobbling back and forth as its holder walks, and the screen is filled by a big blue :D face, backed by an even bluer sky. ... And the occasional waving green tips from the sand dunes he's passing. Yes, Butch the Quagsire is on the beach, waddling happily down to the shore with Heather's 'Gear-- perhaps stolen in hopes of being able to carry on a happy WOOOOO-filled long-distance conversation with Flapper.]

[But an angry-sounding gurgle rings out behind him-- and Butch turns to face his pursuer, who is equally blue, but a great deal smaller.]}

Ttt-t-toto!

QUAAAA--

_{[What follows is a very shaky view of the sky jittering around as the two Pokemon engage in a fierce tug-of-war over the gadget. Occasionally their faces pop into view, and while it's more or less impossible for a Quagsire to actually look angry, it's obvious that it's a heated debate. Finally, apparently deciding that it's too much trouble, Butch lets go of the 'Gear with a huffy 'QUA!' and waddles off.]

[Godzilla's concerned red eyes appear in front of the screen as he checks over the 'Gear delicately, as if checking to make sure it wasn't damaged. Anyone who's gotten used to the Totodile's presence in Heather's transmissions before may note that he seems a lot more... contrite than usual, maybe? Which has actually been the case ever since the OMNOM ELBOW incident a couple months before... strange.]

[In any case, once satisfied, he sets off waddling back across the sand, determinedly. If anyone's actually cared enough to keep watching that long (or is just tuning in now), his destination becomes apparent immediately.]

[In a shady spot juuuuust where the sand starts to shift over to grass and trees, Heather is sprawled on her back on an unused old picnic table, arms folded behind her head, along with her wadded-up vest for a pillow. There's a few old chip bags and soda bottles scattered around the little sun-dappled area, but it would seem that whoever left them had probably packed up and left much earlier, since Heather's the only one there.]

[... That's probably why she's there... judging from the dull, despondent quality of the way she's staring up at the foliage above.]

[And then she's lost from view briefly, as Godzilla struggles to clamber up to her, first onto the bench-seat, and then the tabletop itself. Then he's standing next to her and fumbling with the 'Gear, giving viewers a view first of her jeans pocket, then one hand, then the card-deck pattern on her shirt, then (inexplicably) a zoomed-in view of worn-out wooden table-top, before it finally settles on her face as he presents the 'Gear to her with a self-important gurgle that can only be an attempt to tattle on Butch.]

[At first, she doesn't even turn her head. It's pretty obvious her mind is elsewhere. But when he tries again, this time nudging her shoulder with the 'Gear, a flicker of irritability crosses her face and she looks over.]}

... Zilla, what--

_{[... Oh. It's the 'Gear. ... And the damn red light is blinking.]

[... Heather frowns with lidded eyes and shoves the 'Gear away.]}

Get that thing outta my face.

_{[The Totodile makes an apologetic (and slightly hurt) sound, but relinquishes the 'Gear when she takes it and ends the feed abruptly.]}

[Private text to Harry Mason and Henry Townshend]

Hey

I was thinking maybe we could try and head east to Ecruteak City in a few days??


We've been here awhile now

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She clings tight to her, needing to make sure Heather knew she wasn't alone, that people cared, and, most importantly, that those evil actions wouldn't be repeated. In fact, if possible, as time goes on her grip goes tighter. Her face can't be seen at this angle, and her voice is a little shaky as she speaks.]

Her name... I n-need her name...

[She swallows. No, she won't go out for revenge, no matter how tempting that can be.]

... Someone like that... People must be warned against her.

_{[All that squeezing is almost painful, but... Heather doesn't mind so much. It does its job... in a way that sometimes could work better than any words could.]

[And she squeezes back... not as strongly, no-- more tentatively. But she at least wants the gesture to be returned.]}

... She... won't hurt anybody. Probably.

_{[It had been no violent, hot-blooded murder... it had been personal. Out of character. And yet, out of all the terrible things Claudia had done, it was probably the only thing she hadn't felt bad about...]}

She thinks this is... well, it doesn't matter what she thinks.

She won't hurt anybody.

[That 'probably' isn't exactly the most assuring thing in the world.]

But, Heather...!

[But Minnie stops herself. This is no time to demand things of Heather. Not to mention Heather knows this murderer better, and can be the person to make such calls. So Minnie'll reluctantly let it go... for now. She pulls a hand back to wipe her eyes - yes, she's begun tearing up. The idea of someone hurting Heather is enough to bring her to tears.]

... If you say so... Please be careful... I know this may not mean much, I know everyone thinks I can be weak, b-but... if something happens, if anything happens... Tell me. I want to help you if I get the chance. I will protect you, and your father, and your friends.

[This is not a hopeful wish or a fact. This is a declaration. She will not let anything happen to her precious subjects. Her precious family.]

_{[No, it's not... but as much as Heather hates Claudia... can never forgive Claudia... no matter how horrific that awful night when she'd lost her father and her normal life in one go had been, she still knew better. It had been so much more complicated than a simple killer hurting people.]

[She nods. Her own eyes are dry, but the look on her face seems to suggest that... she'd already done a bit of crying over this. Probably more than a bit.]}

... Yeah.

I know. And... I will.

... Thanks.

_{[She reaches up with her free arm and rubs at the back of her neck, looking down at the sandy grass below the bench.]}

... Her name is Claudia Wolf.

_{[The irony that that name is the sort of name Minnie would consider normal isn't totally lost on her... and neither is the part where 'Wolf' might sound like a rather threatening connotation to her, either.]}

[She sniffles a little, trying to calm down. This is no time to turn into a crying mess, Heather needs support. She she screws her eyes shut for a moment before trying to enter the conversation again. A roll of her shoulders... and she takes this matter seriously.]

Claudia Wolf. I'll remember that.

[She pulls back enough so that they're looking at each other face to face.]

... You have family here. Not just your father - all of us. We're always with you. What this woman has done, what you may have done to her... the only thing that matters now is you. And we love you. I love you very much.

_{[... At long last, Heather breaks into a real smile. It's not a HAPPY one, but it is a smile. One of those ones where you know the person doing it has stinging eyes right there.]}

... I know.

All things... considered, I'm a pretty lucky person.

Back home, Dad and I never had a family.

_{[She doesn't say 'I love you' back... at least not out loud. But Minnie can probably get her meaning anyway.]}

[Minnie now goes onto the next stage - cheering up!]

Luck? Luck has nothing to do with it. You're a wonderfully kind and fun girl, and there's no doubt you got your delightful traits from your father. You and he have earned this family. We like you, and we're not letting you go or get in harm's way.

_{[Honestly, if ANYONE can do it, it's probably Minnie.]

[Heather smiles faintly.]}

... No, luck has a lot to do with it...

Lot've people better than me don't have what I have.

S'just... life.

... Dad's earned it, though.

He's the best person I know.