“Uh huh... y-yes, yes I know... absolutely... OK, thank you...”
Hanging up her communication device, Shauntal glances out of the bullet train’s window. A heavy sigh leaves her petite frame, a look of anxiety riddling upon her facial features. Although she’d done book tours several times over, it still isn’t consolation enough to rid her of these plagued feelings. The uncertainty is always high, when speaking in front of groups of people, that even her agent’s words can’t quell the discomfort in her gut.
She shakes off the unsettling feeling, and instead focuses on the gorgeousness of the day beyond the glass windows. Having just departed from Saffron City and heading towards the coastal metropolis of Goldenrod, Shauntal begins counting the things she’s looking forward to, in order to better ground herself for the big day ahead.
“Ahh, I do hope the department store has some sales going on... also, a bite to eat at that café near the radio tower would be quite the pleasure after all of this... this activity...” All she has to do is get through this book signing, and then she can continue about her business at her own discretion. A shame, it’d be, to simply spend this time in Johto with her work as a novelist. After all, she found the region to lend itself so well to her imagination.
Deciding to do a bit of pacing around the aisles, Shauntal keeps her restless gaze from those whispering among themselves. It had a been a long while since her last trip via public transport—she’s beginning to remember just why that is. Entering the next car, her eyes immediately fall upon quite a familiar figure. Her face beams, her feet quickly carrying her towards his seat. Although the two aren’t too acquainted, seeing someone from back home is enough to settle her nerves. She can only hope she isn’t intruding upon him at a time like this, but she takes the chance regardless.
“It isn’t typical that I see you outside of Nimbasa,” she beckons for his attention, her mousy voice hardly above a whisper. “Mind if I take this seat beside you? I... I-I could definitely use a little company right now.”
The snow fell steadily from the sky, piling up. A sheet of white had already covered the pavement. Surely, the city folk would wake up to a snow day.
Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as she took in the scene before her.
It was quiet for once.
The hustle and bustle of city life had ebbed away with the passing hours leaving behind this quiet. This dark and tranquil silence.
She felt oddly dizzy --- a swaying motion here and there.
What time was it?
Her gaze found the city clock looming overhead, ticking away each passing second she stood there.
3:00 am
She shouldn’t be here.
Home often called to her during the holidays.
Screaming at her to abandon her futile attempts and to just go back.
Back to where?
Did she even have that right?
She had abandoned home first. Without a second thought.
No one would ever know that she had returned to Unova.
She would be gone before the morning light.
This little secret of hers kept to herself.
The hero has returned?
No. She was just leaving.
She turned on her heel only to sway on the spot.
A sudden wave crashed over her, leaving her light headed and weak.
Managing to stumble towards a bench nearby, Touko placed a hand over her forehead. It was burning.
Ah...
Her cold.
Perhaps she had pushed her body beyond its limits, dragging herself from one region to the next. A mocking laugh escaped her lips. She was never one to think things through.
She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing to the snow to melt on her skin. She just had to wait for the dizziness to pass, then she could leave.
Nimbasa City was as lively and spirited as he recalled despite the harsh sands that wrapped around the pavement that lead up to it, and while that might have been a comforting thought to most, it wasn’t to Touya. A part of him had never planned to return to Unova let alone wander about one of its bigger cities, but the regions he had explored since he had run away had yielded nothing in terms of locating his missing friend (if the green-haired man would even consider him one after how miserably he had failed), and he had little choice but to turn back for the time being in an attempt to dig up any signs he may have missed before he had rushed away from the region. That being said, he had no intention of staying long or of speaking with anyone. A few short visits to a handful of cities and towns, and he would be off again. Or so he had hoped, but his stay had already extended longer than he had originally intended it to. And the dread that had built up within his gut as a result was painful. With his hood nestled over his eyes, he kept his head down as he walked. He had grown out his hair a bit, but he doubted the people who called this region their home would have forgotten about him, no matter how much he wished they would.
Thankfully, today was the final day he intended to stay before leaving. He only needed to grab a few supplies, and he could make his way back to the plane he would be taking elsewhere. And that alone was a relief that made walking through these streets just a bit more bearable, as did Ari’s presence where she padded along at his side. His choice to keep her outside of her Pokeball was just as much for her benefit as it was for him. With her around, it was a bit easier for him to remain calm and bottle up the fear that always lingered in the back of his mind when he spotted trainers mixed amongst the general public or caught a glance of a Pokemon here or there. And, given that he was back in Unova for once, she wasn’t likely to bring him the added attention that sometimes came his way as a result of her rarity in other regions. He made a mental note to buy her something special for the ride, he was certain it would be a long one, after all Unova was far from other regions.
Hugging the bags he hadn’t been able to shove into his backpack close to his chest, he made his way down the familiar streets. The clouds above were starting to darken as they stretched across the city, and he hoped it wouldn’t start storming. His flight would be delayed if it did and he’d rather die than linger in this region for an extra day (all right, so maybe that was a bit over-dramatic, but he’d never claim he was anything but). However, judging from the way Ari’s ears twitched forward and little mew of warning that echoed in her throat, luck wouldn’t be on his side (not that it ever was). And it wasn’t long before he felt the pin-prickle of a cool drop tap gently against his hand before it was joined by more. And more. And more until the sky was black as night and the rain was so thick he could barely make out the color of Ari’s sleek fur in front of him. The thunder that followed was louder than the train stuck at the nearby station, and the lightning brighter than the sky had been moments before.
"Great.” Tucking his bags closer, he darted after Ari and yanked open the first set of doors he could find and stumbled into the largely empty Gear Station. At least it was dry. Glancing around, and spotting no one, he lowered his hood in order to comb his fingers through his damp hair and his wet sleeves against his cold cheeks. Poor Ari looked worse off than he was. He could take off his jacket, but her fur had been soaked through to the bone. Setting his things down, he began to rummage through his back for a towel to dry the poor, unhappy feline off with. It wasn’t much, but he did manage to find one, even if it seemed to have little effect on the Liepard’s colorful, soaked fur.
“Sorry about always dragging you down with me.” He ruffled her cheeks affectionately before using the towel to wipe his face off. With his head buried in the damp warmth of the fabric, he didn’t hear the muffled footsteps until Ari let out a hiss of warning. Nearly feeling his heart leap out of his throat, he kept the towel firmly pressed against his face as he lifted his drenched hood back over his head before daring to lower the towel. Crap, he hadn’t seen anyone else when he had come in so he had been careless, and he hardly wanted to have to hold a conversation with someone. Keeping the towel clutched within his hands, he didn’t even bother to lift his head to look at the other, hoping Ari’s less than welcoming greeting would be enough to chase them off. “Nice weather, right, heh.” Well, that was awful. He’d never been a social person, even more so now, but maybe they’d pity him and just walk away.
Question: Who's a celebrity crush that you would like to date? Dare: Wet your hair and apply shampoo, but don't rinse it off
“I... don’t... really have a celebrity crush?” Her eyes register a quizzical expression, unsure of how to proceed. “Most people that are ‘celebrities’ are really vapid and totally uninteresting, trust me.” Impossible to believe from a girl so boy-crazed, but from recent experience, she’s not wrong.
That said, she had to accept his dare. Ducking her head under the faucet of an available tub (still fully dressed, mind you), she wets her long hair, trying her best to keep any strand from finding the drain (out of disgust, who knows the last time it was cleaned!) but failing. Blindly reaching for a shampoo bottle, she whips her head back, streaks of droplets discoloring the paint of the walls with moisture. She lathers the sweet-smelling shampoo through her locks, and yet she has to stop herself from the urge of rinsing it. Habits, you know.
Emerging, shoulders soaked and bubbles clearly clinging to the stands of raven-colored hair, a visibly unsettled Dawn sits quietly. Unmoved. Face of stone. Willing to prove that this dare is no big deal.
- 5 minutes later -
“.....................This is probably the worst thing I have ever done...!” Dawn scurries back to the bath, closing the door with impressive force. The sounds of a shower running then echo from the enclosed space, as well as a sigh of relief the moment the water stops. She just couldn’t.
🤳name three physical imperfections my muse has (birthmarks, gray hairs, muscular definition, etc) 👾what was my muse’s childhood bogeyman?
❈ She thinks she has a lazy eye; although everyone insists otherwise, she can’t help but to see it in the mirror when relaxing her face. Dawn also has never been fond of her overall appearance in general, citing things from her small frame to the length of her hair, all as negative attributes - until more recently. Her voice is also something she can’t stand, always cringing when watching herself on television or hearing herself over recordings. Let’s not get started on her RBF!
❈ Aside from Mama Johanna, Dawn grew up incredibly scared of Giratina. The trigger itself was both reaffirmed and overcome, following her venture into the Distortion World. The creature is a lot less frightening, now that she’s capable of defending herself! But as a child, she’d have a hard time sleeping in a pitch black room.
“Norman is an utter delight. Incredibly auspicious, comparatively bright in several regards. Certainly of the sort I take to, naturally. We fancy each other quite well!
Although, I’ve yet to see him across from myself in the arena. Perhaps, then, I’d have a bit more clearance on his character, his intent. Hopefully this situation can be remedied soon enough.”
“Now, Norman, you certainly possess quite the vernacular I’d come to expect of someone so seasoned. And, a lovely family you have to boast, as well. However...
Your Gym certainly is becoming... vintage, as they’d say? Clearly, when was the last time you updated this equipment!” *holds and tosses her example of said equipment that needs updating* “By now, these models are quite likely obsolete! Understandably with finances, investing into newer models is certainly these corporations’ modus operandi, yet still, imagine the proficiency at which this space could be utilized, what with the proper appurtenances. Imagine!”
How has your muse changed since you first started writing them?
[ The first iteration of Dawn was a lot colder; I wanted to sort of defrost that to give her more ‘chill’ than outright ‘frigid’. She balances between that: being distant in a way that’s simply reserved, and being accessible to those she trusts. I’ve always envisioned her a bad-ass, probably one of the more formidable of protagonists (in my mind, at least), and so that strength is still ever-present. It’s simply how she displays it now - there’s a confidence there that wasn’t during the drawing board stages.
That confidence also goes in hand with other developments, like making her less a bratty rich girl, and more of someone who appears and acts normal, but is still certainly from a place of privilege (but knows it). However, instead of that being a primary personality trait (which would be boring imo), it’s more something she glosses over. Her esteemed lineage, massive wealth, four residences, etc. She very much *knows* her life is in no way normal, but she desperately wants to be treated as an equal. Beforehand, it was something that she wouldn’t mind rattling off, but now, she’s got a tad bit more humility there.
Although it may take more than a few threads, I’m hoping some more will help shed new layers of how I see her characterization, so that each overarching theme can present itself in due time! ]
