likewatson | 001 [video → backtimed to this morning]

Current Location: New Bark Town

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001 [video → backtimed to this morning]

[So here's a fun image to start your day with, O denizens of this strange place: A grown man in a cowboy hat, seated on a bed in a room that is obviously not meant for him, contrary to what he's been told by the woman who seems to think she's his mother. He looks damn confused, and the more he fiddles with his PokéGear, the more of him is revealed: the golden flash of a badge, the blur of a beige uniform, something puffy seated on the bed off to his right—

After a few seconds and the sound of an annoyed grunt, said puffy thing starts moving. Then the camera stills, and anyone watching will be treated to the extreme close-up of a Starly's eye.

It’s all downhill from there. The bird starts pecking at the camera’s lens, and when Harry tries to stop it, it goes after his finger. There’s a manly yelp followed by the fluttering of feathers and a loud, annoyed chirp, and the Gear clatters to the floor. The view under the bed is as follows: DUST BUNNIES EVERYWHERE. Way to go, Mom. Ever hear of a vacuum?]

Would you cut that out? Hey!

[This scuffle continues for about two minutes, after which point the Gear is retrieved. Harry’s face comes into view once more, complete with a scratch on his cheekbone that wasn’t there five minutes ago. He looks—to put it mildly—annoyed.]

I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m assuming there’s a camera on this thing for a reason, so if anyone can see this: I would appreciate some kind of explanation. My name is Harry Truman. I'm the sheriff of a town called Twin Peaks, which—as far as I can tell—is a long way from here.

There's a woman downstairs who thinks she's my mother. She really wants me out of here, and believe me, I'd be glad to get a move on, but I don't know where here is.

[He pauses there and sighs. The Starly then hops into view, bouncing into Harry’s lap. Harry oomphs quietly.]

And then there’s the matter of this thing. It won’t leave me alone.

What the hell is all this?

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[That does little to ease Harry's concern, but it's still nice to hear. He smiles as well—it's a small quirk of his lips, but it's genuine. The last time he saw Coop, they were talking about Josie.

Cooper was talking, anyway. Harry was listening and refusing to talk.

Real mature.]

Yeah. You, too.

_{[Josie is miles away from Cooper's mind at the moment. So despite the way he looks kind of ... weary might be a good word, he moves along.]

[Harry might not be able to comprehend all the facts at once, but the sooner he gets them, he can let them sink in and start accepting them.]}

What did Albert tell you?

That you've all been here for a while.

You, especially.

[What more is he supposed to say?

What else matters?]

_{[He's not really surprised that Albert shared that much. He is a bit surprised, however, at where exactly that hits him.]

[It's a long time. Such a long time.]}

Are you worried?

What, about you?

[—why'd he even ask?]

Of course. Two years is a long time, Coop. Albert said he just showed up this past July. So, yeah. Yeah, I'm worried. And maybe I wouldn't be worried if you didn't seem so—

[Harry can't quite put it into words, but he knows Cooper will understand. It's only been a month—less, actually—since Special Agent Dale Cooper rolled into Twin Peaks and took charge. Compared to two years, that's little more than a hiccup in the timeline.

But Harry can see the difference. Coop may be in control, may know all about human psychology, may know how to hide things, but when the cracks show... boy, are they obvious.

And there's something very, very unsettling about that.]

_{["Of course". Strangely reassuring, that. He appreciates it.]

[And he does understand what that trailing off means, because he's painfully aware of the difference between now and just over a week ago, no matter his attempts to smooth it over. He knows the kind of man he usually is, not to mention the man he strives to be, and the person he is at the moment is coming up short in comparison in several key points.]}

A lot of things happened this past weekend. I might tell you about them later but for now, I'd rather help you find some footing.

_{[Priorities, in which Coop is rarely on top of the list. But in his defense, even if he wasn't, it's still easier to help someone out in a more practical sense than have them play Unwilling Therapy with you - especially over the gear.]}

[For a moment, Harry almost looks annoyed. Like he wants to say damn it, Coop, don't keep me in the dark here, too—

But he knows when to leave well enough alone, and he doesn't want to push his friend. If Albert meant what he said—if there's really no way back home—Harry supposes they have all the time in the world to talk about what happened over the weekend and what happened over the past two years.]

Okay.

[The concern doesn't vanish from Harry's face completely, but it gives just a little to reveal a look Cooper is more familiar with: quiet expectation.]

Good man, Harry.

_{[Which shows that he appreciates that, too. Harry, although close to him, knows far from everything there is to know and Cooper is still fighting himself and his emotional state despite having steadily gotten more composed over the week. If he even starts trying to explain right now it wouldn't do any of them any favors.]

[His voice is soft, but it regains some of his usual tone when he speaks again: more business-like and practical, falling into the old familiarity of their interaction as well.]}

Did you get the rundown of what you're expected to do?

[That's better. Cooper-the-Agent is a welcome enough sight that Harry relaxes visibly.

Even Waldo seems more comfortable with the current situation, given the fact that he's asleep in Harry's lap. Poor thing's probably all tuckered out from being a menace.]

Sort of, but it couldn't hurt to hear it again.

[This is Harry's way of saying tell me what to do.]

_{[Cooper is for the most part avoiding looking at the bird or trying to figure out why it's there. Harry might recall it later - I don't like birds - but it's not really obvious right now.]

[Instead he dives into the explanation with what could best be described as practised ease. He's helped a lot of newcomers over the years, a way of repaying the help he got when he first showed up.]}

First things first, you can't stay in New Bark. There's an inn and opportunities to work in the next town; that's a three day hike, so you'll want to make use of those survival skills. _{[A beat.]} Unless you take the ferry over to Pallet Town - I've never been there but I imagine the same basic principles for starting your journey apply.

That's your goal. Travel. See the world.

_{[Notable lacking enthusiasm, there.]}

Do you know whether you're a trainer or breeder?

[Well.

This is definitely not the same Coop who flipped his shit over ducks and fir trees, is it? But nagging worry won't do either of them any good, especially if Harry has a three-day hike ahead of him.

He runs a hand over his face, already tired.]

My guess is breeder. I got a book.

_{[Definitely not. But he'll likely return, sooner or later - Harry and Albert aren't the only ones who can be stubborn. For now, things are ... yeah.]

[There's a hint of the old smile, though.]}

That should suit you. _{[It's maybe even surprisingly easy to picture.]} Means you get to breed and raise these creatures. The other option is using them to fight.

Why?

[Now there's a question, Harry.

But that's what he really needs: a reason. It's not enough to know what he's supposed to do—he needs motivation, a goal. Why did he want his job in the first place? Because he loves Twin Peaks and wants—wanted?—to keep it safe, make it better. What the hell does he owe this place?]

_{[Nothing, just like the rest of them. There is absolutely no reason to stay. The problem is that there's no way to leave.]}

Because they're nothing short of magical.

_{[He'll probably be relieved to hear traces of wonder in Coop's voice, that slightly slower way of letting the words out. But it's a short moment and he lets out a slow sigh in admission.]}

I don't know why we're here, Harry. I can't answer that.

[Ah, there we go. There's the answer Harry didn't know he was waiting for. He glances down at Waldo, still asleep, and ruminates on the word. Magical. A little dumb, maybe, and too aggressive for his own good, but... magical?

Hm.]

Albert couldn't give me an answer for that one, either.

So—okay. I leave here, go on a hike, and... what? Find you guys? Start my new life as a bird breeder?

[He doesn't sound too enamored with the idea.]

_{[Just wait until that bird grows up an starts summoning its own weather.]}

Until we find answers, that's about the best you can do.

_{[He knows that's not the answer Harry wants, and it's not exactly one he wants to give him, either. Not to mention it's aimless in a way neither of them usually are - there's usually been a plan. But he's been here two years and stopped looking for answers.]}

[Harry considers his options—er, option—for a few seconds. Then, he nods, looking only half resigned.

If this is what he has to do, fine.]

How long will it take me to get to you?

_{[Coop runs a hand through his hair and looks away from the screen for a moment, either thinking or distracted or both.]}

Could be weeks. I'm- we're in Saffron. _{[Names won't mean much, Coop.]} There's a map in the device you're using right now. It's not detailed, but it'll give you the names of the cities and routes.

_{[He'll tell him more exactly where if he can't find it himself, or didn't already. Harry's a practical guy and Coop wouldn't put it past him to figure it out pretty quick with or without help, no matter how alien the technology.]}

Weeks?

[He squints at the camera. Did he hear that right?]

Don't they have cars here? Planes? Just how far away are you?

No cars, no planes, only one train line. It all comes down to the pokémon.

You'll be able to fly that bird one day.

_{[Hard to imagine, isn't it?]}

[Hard? No. Impossible? Yes.]

Coop, Waldo just about fits in my cupped hands.

Waldo.

_{[Did you miss his smile? It's back, but though seemingly amused, not particularly warm.]}

You'll be surprised, Harry. Expect the unexpected.

_{[He did, after all, just call them "magical".]}

[Oops, is Harry looking a bit sheepish?

Yes. Yes, he is.]

First thing that came to mind.

Anyway, I'll take your word for it.

[It's not like he has another choice, right?]

_{[That's okay, Cooper will probably have a moment when Harry gets to meet his Houndour. ...again.]}

Most people will tell you the same thing. A lot of it will sound too fantastic to be true, but you'd do yourself a favor if you try to believe them. Helps in the long run.

_{[He's - honestly, he's kind of sorry Harry has to deal with this, because it's coming back to him fast, the sheriff's loyalty and dedication to the town he's from and its people. Might come across in the way he looks at him over the gear, might not, but. Well.]

[Coop's in quite a subdued state of mind regardless.]}

I'll try, but I make absolutely no promises.

[Unfortunately, it hasn't quite hit him yet that he very well may never see Twin Peaks again.

But it will, eventually.]

Should I keep contact with you through this thing?

001 [video → backtimed to this morning]

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