Sheriff Harry S. Truman (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
likewatson) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
route_10652012-12-04 10:51 pm
likewatson) wrote in route_10652012-12-04 10:51 pm
i'm on my way
Who: Harry Truman, Carmen Sandiego, Dale Cooper, and Albert Rosenfield
Where: Cherrygrove, en route to and eventually in Saffron
When: The morning of December 5 and the afternoon of December 8
Summary: Carmen picks up Harry for a Great Reunion back at the Justice Farm.
Rating: PG
Log:
The estimate had been three days, and that was almost exactly how long it took Harry and Waldo—and later, Henry—to reach Cherrygrove. It was nice enough, as far as hikes go; the weather was accommodating, if not almost nice, and his first wild Pokémon encounter wasn't a complete disaster thanks to the fact that he parked under a tree not long after leaving New Bark Town and read his Handbook cover to cover. Even Waldo handled it well. In the end, when the little Sentret fainted, Harry felt something almost resembling pride.
...except that feeling immediately churned over to guilt, so out came a PokéBall, and that's how Harry met Henry.
Unfortunately, it wasn't all fun and adventure. Exciting as the journey was—and wow, did Harry take some notes—the whole scene was tainted by a shade of worry that made the sunlight a little less bright, the sky a duller shade of blue. Something was wrong with Cooper, that much was clear, and the fact that it was coming from three different sides made it all the more concerning. Harry would have been worried enough, just going on Albert's little hints that something was up, but no—Harry had to get confirmation from Coop himself, only to have it further, if subtly, confirmed by Carmen shortly after. Carmen, Coop's girlfriend.
The thought was enough to make Harry stop in his tracks a few times and run a hand over his face. Sure, it was easy to get lost in all the newness around him, forget about all the weird time differences, the things he'd missed—but then he'd remember just as suddenly and would wonder, with a small itch of anxiety, whether or not he was ready for all that seemed to be hovering just over his head. Hovering and waiting to fall, just as soon as Harry found his way to the others.
But then he'd spotted Cherrygrove in the not-too-far distance and realized his time for worrying was up.
*
It's morning when Harry leaves the PokéCenter, all clean and fed and dressed in his dapper new clothes. On his way out, he asked the nurse why in the heck he had a suit in his bag in the first place, but she'd just blushed and giggled and looked away.
He feels a little nervous, truth be told. It's one thing to meet Carmen. It's another to meet Carmen so he can fly to God knows where on the back of a thing (and yeah, he still hasn't been able to picture that one in his mind at all). But to meet Carmen so he can fly to God knows where on the back of a thing so he can meet up with Cooper and Albert with all this mystery surrounding everything? That's a little too much, even for him. Even coming from Twin Peaks, that's a bit much.
It has to happen eventually, though, and he'd rather have it happen sooner than later. He doesn't want to be here on his own for long.
And, judging by the time displayed on his watch, he won't be.
Where: Cherrygrove, en route to and eventually in Saffron
When: The morning of December 5 and the afternoon of December 8
Summary: Carmen picks up Harry for a Great Reunion back at the Justice Farm.
Rating: PG
Log:
The estimate had been three days, and that was almost exactly how long it took Harry and Waldo—and later, Henry—to reach Cherrygrove. It was nice enough, as far as hikes go; the weather was accommodating, if not almost nice, and his first wild Pokémon encounter wasn't a complete disaster thanks to the fact that he parked under a tree not long after leaving New Bark Town and read his Handbook cover to cover. Even Waldo handled it well. In the end, when the little Sentret fainted, Harry felt something almost resembling pride.
...except that feeling immediately churned over to guilt, so out came a PokéBall, and that's how Harry met Henry.
Unfortunately, it wasn't all fun and adventure. Exciting as the journey was—and wow, did Harry take some notes—the whole scene was tainted by a shade of worry that made the sunlight a little less bright, the sky a duller shade of blue. Something was wrong with Cooper, that much was clear, and the fact that it was coming from three different sides made it all the more concerning. Harry would have been worried enough, just going on Albert's little hints that something was up, but no—Harry had to get confirmation from Coop himself, only to have it further, if subtly, confirmed by Carmen shortly after. Carmen, Coop's girlfriend.
The thought was enough to make Harry stop in his tracks a few times and run a hand over his face. Sure, it was easy to get lost in all the newness around him, forget about all the weird time differences, the things he'd missed—but then he'd remember just as suddenly and would wonder, with a small itch of anxiety, whether or not he was ready for all that seemed to be hovering just over his head. Hovering and waiting to fall, just as soon as Harry found his way to the others.
But then he'd spotted Cherrygrove in the not-too-far distance and realized his time for worrying was up.
It's morning when Harry leaves the PokéCenter, all clean and fed and dressed in his dapper new clothes. On his way out, he asked the nurse why in the heck he had a suit in his bag in the first place, but she'd just blushed and giggled and looked away.
He feels a little nervous, truth be told. It's one thing to meet Carmen. It's another to meet Carmen so he can fly to God knows where on the back of a thing (and yeah, he still hasn't been able to picture that one in his mind at all). But to meet Carmen so he can fly to God knows where on the back of a thing so he can meet up with Cooper and Albert with all this mystery surrounding everything? That's a little too much, even for him. Even coming from Twin Peaks, that's a bit much.
It has to happen eventually, though, and he'd rather have it happen sooner than later. He doesn't want to be here on his own for long.
And, judging by the time displayed on his watch, he won't be.
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Meanwhile, Albert is looking at Harry like he just grew another head.]
Yeah, it means "Gandhi" except for a girl. Like I said, I didn't pick it.
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[And here Harry was expecting something more ~deep~ than that, but. Okay.
He shifts his attention back to Gandhina for a moment, moving to scratch around her middle. Is he trying to see if he can get her to roll over? Yes.]
I wound up with an insane bird and a raccoon. You already saw Waldo. I caught Henry on... um. It was route 29, I think. On my way to Cherrygrove.
[The mention of his journey seems to prompt the return of his exhaustion. He holds back yet another yawn and spares a glance toward the couch, then smiles tiredly. What was that Albert had said about Carmen playing taxi...?]
For the record, that was a much more pleasant solution than I was expecting.
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[As if for unconscious emphasis, he casts a glance back toward the lab from whence he came.]
You'll run into the rest of the zoo sooner or later. Coop's got some dogs and cats and that big damn owl, and I've got — never mind. If you're heading downstairs for a midnight snack and you see something glowing near the floor, don't kick it, that's my phosphorescent cat. Ignore the fuzzy little things that skitter around making a nuisance of themselves, and yes, you can pet the fire pony even though it is in fact on fire.
[Feeling marginally more satisfied now that he has vented some customary hatred, he turns his attention back just in time to see Harry's belly-scratching succeed in its mission, and his starter flopping euphorically onto her back and wriggling incessantly. But as mildly humorous as it is, the remark about Waldo isn't.]
You better have the insane bird under control, Harry.
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[The smirk is back, but it fades just as quickly. Glowing cats? Skittering things?
PONIES ON FIRE?
Harry half expects the Twilight Zone theme to start playing any second now. When that doesn't happen, he merely shakes his head and turns, again, to Gandhina.
—that is, until Albert goes and mentions the bird thing, and all belly-scratching ceases. Harry feels the need to stand for this one, so he does, giving Gandhina a sympathetic pat on the chin before dusting off his knees and fixing Albert with a serious, level look.]
I know. I'm trying. He seemed fine with Carmen, but I don't know how he'll be here with all these people and other Pokémon around.
I'll let him out in the yard first. He can't fly, so at least we don't have to worry about that.
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Leave it to Miss Scarlet to end up a bird savant, too.
[Harry, you are just going to have to get accustomed to the fact that Albert is still very much opposed to Carmen Sandiego in just about every capacity — though there's considerably less scathing critique than there once was. The Viking Kid went to town on him about it back on his birthday, and by this point...you know, she can get Coop to smile. That's worth something.
And having Harry here in front of him just kind of brings back something he'd always vaguely been aware of, but that he'd pushed down and pointedly refused to think about — that he'd condescended to Harry like this once, too, and just look at them now.]
Keep him away from Gandhina, too. She likes to investigate with her mouth. Worst comes to worst, we can rig up some kind of cage or pen for him and cordon it off as a Cooper-free zone.
[He fiddles with his fingers a bit, then folds his arms over his chest.]
One more thing. It's gonna happen one way or another, so I might as well warn you and get it over with. Sooner or later you're gonna have to meet the six-foot praying mantis. You think you can keep your head from exploding if I tell him to get out here?
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As for Waldo, the prospect of caging him makes Harry frown, but he understands the reasoning behind why they might have to consider that solution—even if only temporarily. After all, Harry rushed here so he could maybe have a hand in fixing things, not make the situation worse.]
I hope it doesn't come to that, but if that's what we have to do, we'll do it. But let's give him the benefit of the doubt first.
[And oh, look! Harry's suddenly dumbstruck all over again.]
...what?
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Which just brings them to the problem of Dummy.]
There's a six-foot praying mantis walking around this house. His name is Dummy, he's mine, and he's got a pair of scythes for hands, which is why we're gonna have you meet him in a nice well-lit room with lots of people around as opposed to turning a corner and spotting him lurking in the dead of night.
[Pause.]
I know. But he makes a pretty good lab assistant, even without opposable thumbs.
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Harry has big hands, okay?
Speaking of hands, he lifts his and runs them over his face. Albert's got a point, Harry guesses. Better now than later. Better now, while he's just tired enough to accept things without question.
And if he's about to meet a bug as tall as he is, then that's just fine with him.]
Okay.
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[He half-turns, calling in the direction of the Science Garage.]
Dummy, c'mere. Your turn to join the welcome wagon.
[And sure enough, within a minute or two a bright green, dragonish head pokes out the door, and a moment later the rest of him follows. And yup, that sure is a giant praying mantis, all right — though it turns out it's only five feet tall, not six, and you almost have to wonder if Albert did that on purpose, just to make it seem less huge than expectations might have indicated.]
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As Dummy walks in, Harry matches the creature step for step, except he's moving in the opposite direction. It doesn't take long for his back to meet the wall.
The wrong thing to do here, probably, is to reach for the gun he no longer has.
But guess what Sheriff Harry Truman of Twin Peaks just did anyway!
When he speaks, he sounds like he's about three seconds away from screaming. And there's only one thing he can think to say.]
Albert?
[As in, ALBERT? GET THAT THING RIGHT THE FUCK OUT OF HERE ASAP HOLY GOD.]
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But then it suddenly arises in her darling puppy brain that hey, she's seen that style of retreating before, and that is the sort of thing that ensues when you spot a predator or something at a much higher level than you.
. . .
OF COURSE.
HER NEW PERSON MUST NOT HAVE AS MANY LEVELS AS CHERRY PIE.
Well! There's certainly no reason to be intimidated by Cherry Pie's levels just because he has quite a few of them! LOOK, SHE'LL SHOW YOU, HARRY.
As she.
Bounds over and cheerfully tackles Dummy to the ground, turning around to yip contentedly in Harry's general direction as she keeps him pinned beneath her weight.]
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Except now, on top of looking like he's about to shit an entire brick chimney, Harry also looks confused because what.
What just.
What.
Gandhina.
What.]
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Look, I told you, he's a giant bug. He's a tame giant bug, okay? Calm down, already. You're gonna have to get used to this kind of thing sooner or later, and so much the better you get used to it on Dummy instead of on something in the wild.
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HERE HE COMES TO SAVE THE DA~AY...
Anyway, the view may be blocked, but Harry peers past Albert's shoulder anyway now that he's feeling a little more brave. There's also the whole "morbid curiosity" thing, but. Y'know.]
Sorry, sorry. I just—when you said six-foot praying mantis, I don't think I was actually expecting that.
[HEY WAIT HOLD ON.]
...he's not six feet tall!
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Harry, you're something else.]
Congratulations, you noticed. Look at that, in the span of five seconds you've suddenly developed a whole foot on him, now do you feel better?
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[Honesty is the best policy, Albert.
BUT IT'S OKAY. As long as Our Hero stays where he is, Harry will be perfectly fine with this situation. In fact, look at that—he's breathing again!
And now, onto yet another pressing matter.]
Why do you call him Dummy?
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Even if he does have SCYTHES FOR ARMS.]
Oh, don't you start on the names, too. Some girl stirred up a witch hunt on me about a month ago because apparently my nomenclature is the equivalent of prolonged psychological abuse.
[YEAH, HE'S STILL MAD.]
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Scythes for arms, shit. Harry's pretty sure he's had this nightmare before.]
Well, she's got a point.
[And yes, it does occur to him that he maybe should not be having this conversation when Albert is that thing's trainer.
Little late, though.]
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You want to know why his name is Dummy? Because there's a bug in the back room that got doused with parasitic spores at birth. It had mushrooms growing out of its back that, when they reached maturity, would kill it, possess it, and drive its corpse around like a motorized wheelchair. And because apparently having any kind of blade around here is a hanging offense thanks to the utterly incomprehensible institution that passes for a justice system around here, I couldn't operate to keep that from happening.
So then along came Dummy, because apparently eighteen-inch forearm-scythes are A-OK but a scalpel isn't, and the clock was ticking so I started teaching him how to do the procedure himself. And apparently, he decided that when I said, "Stop, dummy" to keep him from making a move that would've severed one of the thing's limbs clean off its body, I was giving him his lifelong name.
She still got a point?
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And now he's smiling. It's mostly due to the fact that this is just one more thing to make him feel at home, but also, in part, thanks to the story itself.
Albert Rosenfield: Good Guy.]
Looks like she doesn't.
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He's harmless. Get used to it.
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I'll get used to it, but I'm gonna need more than five minutes to accomplish that.
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[He lets the insult linger a minute, then sighs and shakes his head.]
The more you see of the place, the less anything surprises you. Walking back from last week, I ran into a three-headed ostrich and didn't bat an eye. Giant bugs are the least of your worries, but pretty soon they're gonna be par for the course. How's that for scary.
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[Said with the sourest of smiles.]
Anyway, fine. I'll take your word for it, but don't give me crap for reacting the way I'm sure you and everyone else did after you showed up here.
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[He flicks a look in the direction from whence Coop has presumably retreated, then brings his gaze back to Harry — and then, almost as an afterthought, tosses over his shoulder: ]
Gandhina, get off of Dummy. And you, how about we take it slow with the biologically implausible animal bit and you just focus on Cooper, instead.
(no subject)