[ action / backdated to November 29th ]

[imthe_shit]

[ The tornado had finally stopped, and Snake had been able to leave the center, taking a look around. Downed trees, parts of roofs blown off... Kind of amazing the center had little to no damage.

He could see people working together with their Pokemon, already clearing the wreckage and putting the town back together. Looking upward, the old soldier stared up at the tower. ]

That thing's still standing, huh.

[ He'd seen it in pamphlets about Mahogany Town, since he had nothing better to read while he was holed up in the center. Amazing. It was still raining, though, and Snake didn't have an umbrella with him-- probably not a good idea to bring out Boss.

So, he wandered over to a nearby tree, one of the ones still standing, and leaned against it, patting himself down for a cigarette. He had his octo-camo with him, but he couldn't get the damn thing to work... Must have glitched somewhere along the way, so instead he was dressed in more casual wear. A black turtleneck, camo pants... This was his usual outfit from the last time he was here, too. Not to mention the bandanna around his forehead. ]

Hhn... Where the hell are they... [ Finally, he finds the pack and opens it, realizing there were only two cigarettes left. He frowns considerably. ] ... Damn tortoise...

Comments

[foolishwren]

<sub>[That's something Heather could empathize with, somewhat. Not entirely, no-- she didn't know what it was like to be a soldier and probably never would. Silent Hill was full of atrocities but the horror of war was one thing that hadn't touched it-- at least not for her.]

[But she's killed innocents before-- directly and indirectly. Alessa had been used for more than just ending the world, after all.]

[Those are tales for another day, though.]</sub>

... You can stick around as long as you want. _{[... As long as you CAN. She's under no delusions about losing people now. It's a reality that she's been forced to confront over and over-- and sadly, it never gets any easier. But this is a blessing. And she intends to take advantage of it.]}

As far as I'm concerned, you're part of the family.

_{[Family can share stories, no matter how grim.]}

[imthe_shit]

Part of the family, huh.

[ He smiles a bit at that, looking down at her hands. ]

Kind of like an estranged grandpa, right? [ Snake was laughing at himself, really. ]

[foolishwren]

_{[And at that, she grins broadly.]}

'Zactly.

I never had a grandpa, y'know.

[imthe_shit]

Well, that makes two of us. I've never hard a grandpa either. [ If I did, he'd probably try to kill me. ]

I'm not that experienced with it... I've only got the back pain down.

[foolishwren]

You should start carrying those bags of hard candies around in your pocket. _{[GRANDPAING INTENSIFIES]}

[imthe_shit]

....

Hard candies? Is that something grandpas do?

[foolishwren]

Well, I don't have firsthand knowledge of it, but apparently!

Also, you'd be a huge hit with Henry. He loves anyone who offers him candy.

Sometimes I sort of worry he's gonna end up getting into a strange van and disappearing.

[imthe_shit]

You watch too many movies, Heather.

[ He can't help but chuckle to himself anyway. ] I've already given Henry a pack of cigarettes. That's basically like candy, right?

[foolishwren]

... Wh-- ... aw man, Snake, you gave him cigs?

We're trying to get him to quit, y'know!

[imthe_shit]

Hey, I gave you cigarettes a while ago, too.

[ Snake that was like 3 years ago. ]

Not like you can die here anyway.

[foolishwren]

Not here, but he's got important shit to do when he gets home.

_{[He can't save the world if he has lung cancer!]}

[imthe_shit]

Hey, I've been home before and it was like none of this ever happened.

He'll be all right. [ Maybe. ]

[foolishwren]

All right, all right.

Just don't let my dad know. Okay?

[imthe_shit]

I'm not known for breaking under pressure. His secret's safe with me.

Unless your dad catches him smoking and he rats me out.

[foolishwren]

_[.....]

... I wouldn't entirely put that past Henry.

[imthe_shit]

... Hnn.

Well, I guess I'll just be getting shit from your father.

[foolishwren]

I'm so sorry.

[imthe_shit]

Guess this means you've quit for good, huh?

[foolishwren]

Yeah.

... I mean... I quit before I ever even got here.

... There were just... times when I was tempted to start back up again.

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake nodded slowly, withdrawing his hands from hers in order to rub the back of his neck and stretch a bit. ]

Yeah. A lot of stress... Not sure if I could cope without a smoke.

[foolishwren]

Yeah, I... didn't originally start because of the stress.

I just did it because everyone was telling me not to.

_{[Or rather, because all the authority figures were telling her not to. There were people telling her the opposite... most of them being people she should have known better than to want to impress.]}

[imthe_shit]

Hnn.

Maybe that's why I keep it up, too. [ Smirks. ] I'm a little old to be going through a rebellious phase, though.

[foolishwren]

<sub>[UGH YOU STUBBORN OLD GOAT]

[She can't help but grin, though.]</sub>

Hey, never too late to stick it to the man.

I could hook you up with some hair dye and cheap piercings if you want.

_{[Heather you don't even have any piercings]}

[imthe_shit]

Hair dye?

[ Gestures to her hair. ] You look like you've given up that phase of your life, too.

[ He gives a bit of a smile. ] Don't really feel like dyeing my mustache to go with my hair. I'll just stick with face-camo.

[foolishwren]

Nah, I'm just getting lazy. _{[She plucked at the dark streaks in her hair.]} I don't need to be totally blond to be a rebel, anyhow.

But hey, suit yourself.