The low moan of the wind was practically alive in these drafty stone corridors, and the sound of her boots on the floor seemed almost deafening.

And it was cold.

Those were a few of the many differences between this and the Otherworld, which had been cramped and often grotesquely warm, with her footfalls echoing only dully on the dusty (or sometimes meaty) floors.

It wasn't really a question of which she liked better, because frankly, she didn't like EITHER.

But the similarities were, weirdly, more comforting than the differences.

She stopped as a non-windy sound drifted towards her from down the hallway, her steadily-bouncing flashlight beam stilling.

That was something that was similar. The light by her collar (not in her pocket this time-- but close enough) and the knife in her hand and the familiar buzz of adrenaline to sharpen her senses and mind.

And the creatures, whose eyes were now visible, gleaming in the gloom ahead.

They were perhaps, the most familiar of all, even though it had been years since she'd seen a real one and not one of the magical creatures inhabiting her new home. Magical creatures that she, in fact, was LOOKING for now.

But these weren't Pokemon.

And they could be killed.

Her grip tightened on the knife and she started forward once again.


[OOC: This is a catch-all log for all the nighttime adventures Heather had in the Nightmare Castle, whether it's fighting monsters or finding her Pokemon. Open to all, feel free to start any scenario you want. Doesn't have to be connected to the prose above!]

<sub>[clop clop CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP]

[A set of creamy hooves trot past, stirring up dust and leaves on the forest path, before the camera is adjusted by a big scaly blue hand-- and then, after a moment's though, plopped into the hand-owner's lap. It's a Croconaw, judging by the legs crossed in the bottom of the camera's view.]

[And the fiery hindquarters of a Rapidash and its rider are just visible, disappearing up the path.]</sub>

She's getting much better, isn't she?

_{[The voice, which to human ears sounds only like a few happy chirps (but will be perfectly understandable to any Pokemon), belongs to someone off-camera-- and is answered by a much louder rumbling growl that is clearly coming from the camera-holding Croconaw.]}

I dunno... she's bouncing a lot, and when Carousel stops she pitches forward really sharply. She could fall off. And... and she's been so jumpy after she came awake in the middle of the night like that... I'm worried. Maybe I should...

_{[A tiny brown paw appears and pats the Croconaw's knee comfortingly.]}

Don't, she'll be fine! Carousel will take care of her. Just enjoy the nice weather!

_{[The speaker, a little Eevee with enormous flop-ears, pads into view and then stretches out on her belly in a dappled patch of sunlight, evidently happy as a clam. A rumbling, reluctant sigh follows from the Croconaw.]}


But... I... well, okay...

<sub>[Then he trails off into silence. They're apparently sitting on some pine-needle-covered boulders in the forested paths just north of Mahogany. The camera rolls in silence for some time, during which any Pokemon wanting to talk to Cheryl the Eevee or Godzilla the Croconaw will be answered!]


[Around fifteen minutes later, though, the hoofbeats sound again and the Rapidash comes trotting back into view with Heather aboard her back, holding onto a pair of makeshift reins. She's bareback but straightbacked and keeping steady-- well, until Carousel comes to a halt anyway. Then she can't help but pitch forward slightly before righting herself.]</sub>

Whoof. Thanks for waiting, guys-- ... what, were you recording the scenery or something?

_{[She dismounts and takes the camera from Godzilla, giving his spiny crest a pat before lifting it up to her face. It's ruddy from the exercise, but there's also some dark, bruised-looking shadows under her eyes. Like many... she apparently did not sleep well last night. But when she speaks, her voice is the usual I-dare-you-to-question-my-enthusiasm volume. Because everything's totally okay, right? Everything's super duper okay right now.]}

This has been the Forest Zen Channel with Heather and Co. Hope we helped you all feel super tranquil and shit. Peace!

_{[Boop, end feed.]}

( Read more... )

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After that, there is nothing.




ANNOUNCEMENT: THE IC.

-Well, gosh. For all sakes and purposes, Heather seems to have disappeared. Attempts to contact her PokeGear seem to be met only with thin static, blipping, or error messages, and, save for the assorted encounters of varying bizarreness in Violet City, the last time she was seen was about twelve hours before the fog started to disperse.

-A warrant has been issued for her arrest and sent out on the network (along with probably dozens of other warrants for other people, given the amount of chaos that was wreaked), on the counts of carrying a weapon, physical assault, destruction of property, and resisting arrest. A somewhat crappy (but recognizable) photograph, along with her full name (Heather Mason), are included. AKA she hasn't been arrested yet so the police apparently don't know where the heck she is, either.

-Likewise, Cujo is nowhere to be found. 8(

THE OOC:

-Unsurprisingly, this means that for the time being, Heather will not be responding to any messages or transmissions that occur after this log (although by all means feel free to backtag to that if you still want to participate!)

Likewise, your character is also perfectly free to try and get a message through to her, they just... won't be receiving any replies yet.

-That's 'bout it. KEEP BEIN' AWESOME, GUYS. Sorry for spamming so much during this plot!