[ Hello! You have reached: "Walter Sullivan". Unfortunately they cannot answer the phone right now. Leave a message after the beep and they will return your call. ]
The answer to Walter's unspoken musing was faith, trust, and pixie dust years of slowly overcoming her own deeply-ingrained fear of fire. Truth be told, large open flames still made Heather nervous... but Rapidash's ability to regulate the temperature of its flames so precisely made it possible for her to literally sit in the middle of that small inferno without burning.
It had, honestly, been an enormous milestone.
You'd never guess that the girl atop that Rapidash was deathly afraid of fire just by watching them.
Heather drew Carousel to a halt at the sight of Walter, remaining a respectful distance away. It was a relief to see he was letting his Cubone do the approaching rather than walking over, himself.
As apprehensive about this whole business as she was, she couldn't help but smile a little as Assumption bounced up to them.
"Well, hey, little guy."
Shifting in her saddle, she reached to her belt to grab the three Pokeballs in question and release them. The Vulpix, Fletchinder, and Riolu appeared in the usual flash of light, and the latter two immediately leaped to embrace the Cubone with enthusiastic cries.
Warden, on the other hand, first turned to shoot Heather a silent, reproachful look-- which was met with an equally-reproachful raised brow from the trainer. Because WELL??? You went behind her back, Warden, what did you expect.
"Don't look at me like that. You know why I'm not happy with you."
Still visibly sullen, the Vulpix swished her tail and turned towards Assumption as well.
Hello, Assumption. I'm sorry we had to meet like this.
Assumption hugged his friends happily, tail wagging the entire time. Even with Warden being upset, he gave her a gentle hug. "It's okay. I'm just glad we got to meet again."
"We're going on an adventure! My team and Walter and me! And I didn't want you guys to forget me, so I drew this!" He showed the paper to the three of them and, by extension, Heather too. On it were childish but very heartfelt drawings of Kite, Wolf, Warden and himself with shakey writing labelling them. "I gave Kite flames cos she's gonna grow up to be super strong! And I made sure Wolf looked sparkly! And I gave Warden two exclamation points cos she's super important...and I'm really really gonna miss you all..." He trailed off slightly at the end, accidentally holding the paper tighter. He really was going to miss them. His team members were nice, but Kite and Wolf were about his age it felt, and Warden was so wise and lovely, like Darkness in a way.
He held it out to them, before he got too sad and didn't want to give it to them.
If Heather looked past the Pokemon, she'd notice that Walter was watching not in his usual, carefully blank way, but with a genuine, fond smile was on his face.
It was difficult for the quadrupedal Vulpix to return Assumption's hug, but she inclined her head and swept her tails around him in the closest equivalent. She's disappointed that they weren't able to get away with doing this in secret longer... but it would have come to the surface eventually. She can only hope that 'Heather' has grown up enough in the years since her explosive confrontation with Claudia to let her bitterness go.
She doesn't say any of this out loud, though.
It wouldn't do to cloud this opportunity to say goodbye with ifs and maybes.
Instead, she looks at the Cubone's drawing, visibly touched.
Those are lovely, Assumption.
Flames, flames, flames! chants Kite, hopping up and down excitedly. Sometimes when she gets particularly worked up, she sort of just focuses on one aspect of things. There's no doubt she loves the drawing, though.
Wolf says nothing, but softly reaches out to plant a damp paw on the sketch of himself. He's clearly deeply touched.
As for Heather, she doesn't try to join in the conversation from atop her mount... just watches. Both them AND Walter-- discreetly, but still. Neither the Cubone's innocent and heartfelt scribblings nor Walter's fond smile go unnoticed.
Assumption noticed Warden's musing and smiled. "We will meet again. Now our trainers know each other, they can be friends. And if they don't get along...it's about time I did some sneaking again to see you." It was how they had met, so long ago, Assumption trying to breach Shark House to meet Henry and Prince. "And I'll call you on the PokeGear, when Walter let's me borrow it." No ifs or maybes or buts. Just a determined wish.
Assumption fiddled with his hands, remembering something. "Oh! I have something special-" He hurried back to Walter, urgently tugging on his leg. Walter knelt down and seemed to listen as Assumption asked him for something. He thought carefully, sliding his backpack off and opening it for him. Assumption quickly rummaged around inside, finding something and hiding it behind his back as he returned to the group. He seemed a little bashful, slowing as he walked towards Wolf. "It's for you."
From behind his back he revealed a Buneary Doll, a little played with but not too damaged or broken. One ear had a slight accident but had been sewn back together very neatly. He held it out to Wolf, looking at the floor.
Although she really should have been stern at Assumption's proclamation... the Vulpix can't help the small smile that crosses her muzzle. It's not like she's been the best example, when it comes to sneaking.
"Don't get yourself into any trouble, now. Not even on our account."
But hey... she certainly wouldn't tattle if they came calling around Sharkhaus...
Meanwhile, Wolf (being the only one with something like hands) had taken the drawing and waited in silent curiosity as Assumption scurried off to his trainer and back. His dark eyes widened when the little Buneary doll was held out, and he took it reverently, regarding it for a moment... before hugging it tightly to his skinny little chest.
Walter watched the exchange, his fond smile only growing warmer. He had no idea how Assumption could let go of something so precious to him, the doll that Eileen had given him. It was further proof of his Pokemon's sweet nature and it made the fondness he felt towards him grow. While it was difficult for Walter to express in words, or to even acknowledge to himself, he adored Assumption and wanted him to be happy. He could wait for as long as Assumption needed with his friends - even if he couldn't fight a shiver against the cold, rubbing his hands together to try and keep warm.
Assumption peeked up when the doll was taken and couldn't help how his tail wagged at seeing his present being accepted so well. He glanced wistfully between their trainers. He had hoped they would get closer, but he knew Walter was very shy and wouldn't come forward and it seemed like St. Alessa wasn't coming down from her Rapidash and walking over to him either. It was a little disappointing but there was still hope for the future, as they weren't talking angrily or fighting.
"My trainer thinks we're going to be gone for a month at least. We're going to fight some gyms and become strong. I'll still call you all though! Every time we go to a new place!" He was confident Walter would let him do that.
No, St. Alessa was most certainly not coming down from the Rapidash. But at least she wasn't angry and screaming. Or rushing her Pokemon through their goodbyes-- as genuinely uncomfortable as this was, she didn't want to hurry them off.
All the same, she was plenty warm atop Carousel, but Walter wasn't so fortunate. She wondered, briefly, if he had any fire-types of his own. But if he did, they weren't out at the moment, and he seemed cold.
"Okay, guys. Maybe start wrapping it up."
Wolf looked up at her, not quite in possession of enough emotional self-control not to start whining deep down in his throat, then reached out to give Assumption a last tight hug. The doll was still in hand.
Warden, meanwhile, nodded. Not without some sadness.
"Our thoughts and prayers will be with you on your journey."
Assumption hadn't expected the tight hug but Wolf's low whine upset him too. He held his friend close, nodding to Warden. "I'll be praying and thinking of you all too. All the time." He reluctantly let go of Wolf, giving both Warden and Kite hugs too before taking a few steps back. He looked up at Heather uncertainly and waved to her too, before turning and walking back to Walter.
Despite worshipping a Sun God, Walter had yet to capture or even come across any fire type Pokemon he could obtain, sadly. He heard Heather tell the Pokemon to end their goodbyes and exhaled a soft sigh. He crouched down as Assumption came over to him, his Pokemon also shivering slightly - either from the cold or from the tears that were building up, he wasn't sure. He thought carefully, before pulling out one of the scarves he had been gifted over Christmas - the red one that matched the sweater Assumption had been given - and wrapped it around him, picking him up.
Walter looked over to Heather and paused, before nodding to her too. "Thank you." And, holding Assumption to his chest, he turned and began to walk away.
Even Kite, usually loathe to be touched at all, not only tolerated but leaned into the hug. None of them wanted to leave it at this.
But there was nothing for it... they couldn't stand out here in the snowy park forever.
As Assumption turned to toddle back to his trainer, Heather hesitated for a few seconds before withdrawing the forlorn trio back into their Pokeballs, the cold air betraying the sigh that escaped her. Now that they'd gotten the goodbyes out of the way... she had to decide exactly how she wanted to deal with their transgressions.
Wolf and Kite, she could hardly blame... but Warden and Val (the obvious schemer and the reluctant-but-compliant enabler) are another story entirely.
God, how did this even happen.
When Walter looked up and spoke, she nodded in reply.
"... Get a fire-type Pokemon while you're on the road if you can. Spring isn't coming for a while."
And then she, too, turned her horse and started to head back in the direction she came from.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
pixie dustyears of slowly overcoming her own deeply-ingrained fear of fire. Truth be told, large open flames still made Heather nervous... but Rapidash's ability to regulate the temperature of its flames so precisely made it possible for her to literally sit in the middle of that small inferno without burning.It had, honestly, been an enormous milestone.
You'd never guess that the girl atop that Rapidash was deathly afraid of fire just by watching them.
Heather drew Carousel to a halt at the sight of Walter, remaining a respectful distance away. It was a relief to see he was letting his Cubone do the approaching rather than walking over, himself.
As apprehensive about this whole business as she was, she couldn't help but smile a little as Assumption bounced up to them.
"Well, hey, little guy."
Shifting in her saddle, she reached to her belt to grab the three Pokeballs in question and release them. The Vulpix, Fletchinder, and Riolu appeared in the usual flash of light, and the latter two immediately leaped to embrace the Cubone with enthusiastic cries.
Warden, on the other hand, first turned to shoot Heather a silent, reproachful look-- which was met with an equally-reproachful raised brow from the trainer. Because WELL??? You went behind her back, Warden, what did you expect.
"Don't look at me like that. You know why I'm not happy with you."
Still visibly sullen, the Vulpix swished her tail and turned towards Assumption as well.
Hello, Assumption. I'm sorry we had to meet like this.
no subject
"We're going on an adventure! My team and Walter and me! And I didn't want you guys to forget me, so I drew this!" He showed the paper to the three of them and, by extension, Heather too. On it were childish but very heartfelt drawings of Kite, Wolf, Warden and himself with shakey writing labelling them. "I gave Kite flames cos she's gonna grow up to be super strong! And I made sure Wolf looked sparkly! And I gave Warden two exclamation points cos she's super important...and I'm really really gonna miss you all..." He trailed off slightly at the end, accidentally holding the paper tighter. He really was going to miss them. His team members were nice, but Kite and Wolf were about his age it felt, and Warden was so wise and lovely, like Darkness in a way.
He held it out to them, before he got too sad and didn't want to give it to them.
If Heather looked past the Pokemon, she'd notice that Walter was watching not in his usual, carefully blank way, but with a genuine, fond smile was on his face.
no subject
She doesn't say any of this out loud, though.
It wouldn't do to cloud this opportunity to say goodbye with ifs and maybes.
Instead, she looks at the Cubone's drawing, visibly touched.
Those are lovely, Assumption.
Flames, flames, flames! chants Kite, hopping up and down excitedly. Sometimes when she gets particularly worked up, she sort of just focuses on one aspect of things. There's no doubt she loves the drawing, though.
Wolf says nothing, but softly reaches out to plant a damp paw on the sketch of himself. He's clearly deeply touched.
As for Heather, she doesn't try to join in the conversation from atop her mount... just watches. Both them AND Walter-- discreetly, but still. Neither the Cubone's innocent and heartfelt scribblings nor Walter's fond smile go unnoticed.
no subject
Assumption fiddled with his hands, remembering something. "Oh! I have something special-" He hurried back to Walter, urgently tugging on his leg. Walter knelt down and seemed to listen as Assumption asked him for something. He thought carefully, sliding his backpack off and opening it for him. Assumption quickly rummaged around inside, finding something and hiding it behind his back as he returned to the group. He seemed a little bashful, slowing as he walked towards Wolf. "It's for you."
From behind his back he revealed a Buneary Doll, a little played with but not too damaged or broken. One ear had a slight accident but had been sewn back together very neatly. He held it out to Wolf, looking at the floor.
no subject
"Don't get yourself into any trouble, now. Not even on our account."
But hey... she certainly wouldn't tattle if they came calling around Sharkhaus...
Meanwhile, Wolf (being the only one with something like hands) had taken the drawing and waited in silent curiosity as Assumption scurried off to his trainer and back. His dark eyes widened when the little Buneary doll was held out, and he took it reverently, regarding it for a moment... before hugging it tightly to his skinny little chest.
He will keep it forever.
no subject
Assumption peeked up when the doll was taken and couldn't help how his tail wagged at seeing his present being accepted so well. He glanced wistfully between their trainers. He had hoped they would get closer, but he knew Walter was very shy and wouldn't come forward and it seemed like St. Alessa wasn't coming down from her Rapidash and walking over to him either. It was a little disappointing but there was still hope for the future, as they weren't talking angrily or fighting.
"My trainer thinks we're going to be gone for a month at least. We're going to fight some gyms and become strong. I'll still call you all though! Every time we go to a new place!" He was confident Walter would let him do that.
no subject
All the same, she was plenty warm atop Carousel, but Walter wasn't so fortunate. She wondered, briefly, if he had any fire-types of his own. But if he did, they weren't out at the moment, and he seemed cold.
"Okay, guys. Maybe start wrapping it up."
Wolf looked up at her, not quite in possession of enough emotional self-control not to start whining deep down in his throat, then reached out to give Assumption a last tight hug. The doll was still in hand.
Warden, meanwhile, nodded. Not without some sadness.
"Our thoughts and prayers will be with you on your journey."
no subject
Despite worshipping a Sun God, Walter had yet to capture or even come across any fire type Pokemon he could obtain, sadly. He heard Heather tell the Pokemon to end their goodbyes and exhaled a soft sigh. He crouched down as Assumption came over to him, his Pokemon also shivering slightly - either from the cold or from the tears that were building up, he wasn't sure. He thought carefully, before pulling out one of the scarves he had been gifted over Christmas - the red one that matched the sweater Assumption had been given - and wrapped it around him, picking him up.
Walter looked over to Heather and paused, before nodding to her too. "Thank you." And, holding Assumption to his chest, he turned and began to walk away.
no subject
But there was nothing for it... they couldn't stand out here in the snowy park forever.
As Assumption turned to toddle back to his trainer, Heather hesitated for a few seconds before withdrawing the forlorn trio back into their Pokeballs, the cold air betraying the sigh that escaped her. Now that they'd gotten the goodbyes out of the way... she had to decide exactly how she wanted to deal with their transgressions.
Wolf and Kite, she could hardly blame... but Warden and Val (the obvious schemer and the reluctant-but-compliant enabler) are another story entirely.
God, how did this even happen.
When Walter looked up and spoke, she nodded in reply.
"... Get a fire-type Pokemon while you're on the road if you can. Spring isn't coming for a while."
And then she, too, turned her horse and started to head back in the direction she came from.