awesmazings | 006 | Video/Action for Goldenrod

[It's around noon and it's slightly cloudy out, but regardless Jimmy can be seen standing just outside of a circus tent standing prominently in the background. In his hand not holding the Gear are a two juggling pins, and standing in front of him are a Houndour and a Herdier, watching him expectantly.]

We've been practicing some stuff for the next act all morning, and I thought it'd be nice to take a break and see what everyone's up to today! I haven't felt anymore earthquakes, so that's good...so hopefully they're all gone, maybe?

[He shrugs with a half smile, tossing one of the pins. The Houndoom jumps quickly, catching it in midair.]

But I actually do got a question! Do any of you guys know any real spooky, scary stories? Or maybe scary stuff that happened to you, but turned out okay in the end?

[Not that he's saying people are obligated to share, but he's really got to learn some tricks to being scary in the next few days...cause gracious he's not.]

I've got some! I've met a ghost before! He was pretty cool though actually, once we got to know him. Kinda weird...but still pretty cool.

[Aand there goes the other pin, which the Herdier catches as well with a little difficulty, wobbling into the Houndoom's leg.]

---

[Anyone around the center of Goldenrod today might spot Jimmy practicing with his Pokemon not far from the circus tent. As opposed to earlier, he has his Furret and his Breloom out, speaking to them eagerly and gesturing with his hands as he does so.

Choosing to stay and watch a while will reveal some rather...interesting balancing acts that Jimmy is trying to pull off with the two, but staying long enough might just earn a sight that looks something like this, at least until the Furret sneezes and the entire tower comes toppling to the grass in a heap.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, well that's okay! I'd still like to hear 'em anyways!

Alright, do you want the one about the ghostly train, or the one about the haunted lake?

Uuumm...

[Hang on, Lust, give Jimmy a second to do a quick bought of eenie-meenie-miney-mo in his head.]

Okay, tell me the one about the haunted lake!

Alright.

[Lust settles herself in for storytime.]

Where I come from, there are lots of isolated little villages, far apart from one another. Travel between them can take hours. One evening, a young man went visiting some new friends in the next village over. It was a long ways, but scenic and pleasant, so he drove his car. He stayed very late with his friends, drinking and enjoying himself. Before he knew it, the sun had gone down. He started to excuse himself to his friends, but they protested.

'You can't drive back to your village after dark, you'll have to go by Helewise Lake!'

The young man was confused - he'd seen the lake on his way into town. His friends explained that for centuries there had been tales of a ghost that lived in the lake, and dragged young men to their deaths beneath the water.

[She pauses.]

Is this the sort of thing you're looking for? I can stop, if you'd like...

[Jimmy doesn't answer for a second, his attention having been quickly grabbed by the story. When she stops, he takes the Gear in both hands and nods quickly, taking a seat in the grass.]

No no, don't stop! Keep going! What happened next?

Alright.

[Lust resumes her storytelling tone of voice.]

Well, the young man didn't believe his friends at all. He'd never heard of such ridiculous foolishness. There were no such things as ghosts, and he felt secure in this knowledge, because he was a man of science. He ignored his friends' increasing warnings, even begging, as he wanted his own nightclothes and bed.

So off he went, in the dark, driving out beyond the edge of the village where the streetlamps stopped. The moon was high but only half full, so the shadows were all blurred and blended along the road. Ahead of him and off to the right he could see the flat silver line of the lake. He laughed to himself, remembering the warnings. The lake drew nearer and the young man's car began to sputter and hitch. Slowly it puttered to a complete stop, right next to the lake. The young man was distressed, but mostly because his car had gone and broken on him. Cars are very expensive and a rare luxury, he'd spent half a year's salary on it.

He made as though to open the door, when suddenly he heard the howling and barking of wolves. This sent a chill through him, there weren't any wolves in the area. They sounded as though they were all around the car, and then he heard the scratching of claws on steel and the snapping of teeth.

[Lust pauses a moment for effect, to let it sink in.]

[Jimmy gasps softly, his look of intrigue quickly turning to one of concern when she reaches the part about the wolves. Even his Pokemon seem interested now, both Houndoom and Herdier having walked over to look at the screen of the 'Gear over his shoulders.]

Then what?

[He whispers, glancing over to share a look with his Houndoom, who looks like he doesn't believe a word Lust is saying. His Herdier, however, is watching the screen with wide eyes, his head lowered atop Jimmy's shoulder.]

He shined a light outside the window...and saw nothing. There was nothing beside the car, nothing on the road. Growing bolder, he opened the door, even though the sounds continued. He thought perhaps his friends from town had tied up a pack of dogs nearby, as a joke or laugh at his expense.

He stepped outside of the car. Suddenly, the sounds stopped entirely. The young man looked around and movement from the lake caught his attention. There, at the edge of the water, was someone crawling out.

The young man was frozen in place. Out of the lake crawled an old woman, her hair white and stringy and sullied with lake muck. She pulled herself onto the shore with bone-like, rotting fingers, and the eyes that peered out of her bloated face were blood red.

The young man tried to back away but his body wouldn't move. He opened his mouth but no scream came out, no matter how he tried. The dead woman in the lake rose to unsteady feet, dripping water and mire as she came toward him. He couldn't look away. The spectral woman was coming closer and closer, her mouth open in a silent scream, her corpse arms open to grab him....

And suddenly he heard his name called from behind. It snapped the young man out of his shock, and he looked over his shoulder. Coming down the road and carrying a lantern was one of his friends. He called out a warning and pointed to the woman from the lake...but she was gone.

All that was left were wet, muddy marks in the ground from the lake to the road.

[Lust sits back, finished with the tale and rather pleased with her own story telling abilities.]

[By the time Lust finishes her story, the Herdier is hiding almost totally behind Jimmy's shoulder, and even his Houndoom seems to have gotten invested, his head tilted to the side. Jimmy doesn't speak for a moment, his eyes wide and his mouth half open.]

W....

WOW!

[He grins suddenly, leaning back slightly and causing the Herdier to yelp and duck down behind him.]

That was an awesome story! I thought that lady was gonna get that guy for sure!

[Lust is pleased with the reaction. Apparently all that time listening to radio shows has paid off.]

I'm glad you enjoyed. I've always liked stories, but I've never told any before.

Well, you're really good at telling them!

Thank you.

I liked doing it. Apparently I do have some useful skills after all.

You should do it more often!

Maybe you could come to the circus this weekend and tell some? We're gonna have a haunted house this month and everything!

Maybe I should.

Yes, I was planning on going. My brother's working there for the holiday season - Envy.

[Oh, well that's interesting.]

Oh, Envy is your brother?

Not by blood relation, but yes. I'm Lust.

Oh, it's nice to meet you! My name's Jimmy.

It's nice to meet you, Jimmy.

Maybe if I see you at the circus, I can tell you the other ghost story I mentioned.

Okay! I'd like that!

006 | Video/Action for Goldenrod

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