013; [video/action for Cherrygrove]

[keychained]

[if there's one thing Sora here is really good at, it's comfort-- whether it be an enthusiastic pep talk, or telling a silly joke or making a silly face to get a laugh out of whoever needs it, Sora can and does deliver! he's usually pretty successful at getting a smile, at least, though he's better at comforting when he has an experience of his own that he can relate to whatever's happening with a friend.]

[and... he's been trying his best with his friends this week. today, however, Sora will be marching into completely uncharted territory experience-wise when he turns on the feed-- it's so unfamiliar, in fact, that he doesn't even recognize it.]

... There's something wrong with Puddles.

[at least, he wouldn't be able to recognize it on a Pokémon. the feed turns to show the edge of Cherrygrove and Route 30, where the aforementioned Girafarig is standing. just standing there. and staring off down Route 30 longingly. maybe he missed a patch of grass on the way down here?]

I tried taking him to the Pokécenter, and they looked at him... Then Nurse Joy just kinda laughed and told me he's fine. But he's not! Ever since we got here, he's just been standing right there in the same spot like a zombie. Puddles! C'mere!

[Puddles bleats in acknowledgment, but does not move, nor does he refrain from staring off down Route 30 like there's a special Girafarigs-only treasure down that road or something. Sora sighs.]

I don't get it.

Comments

[newhero.livejournal.com]

Well I mean-- I think Puddles should only fight if he wants to. He wouldn't put all of his heart into it if he didn't want to battle, right?

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

And should his life, or yours, depend on him fighting and he refuses? What will you do then?

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[... point, there.]

I think he'd probably be willing to fight then.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

Perhaps. But you would need to have a plan to fall back on if he still refuses. [Plans B, C, D, and E. ...and F for good measure.]

[newhero.livejournal.com]

I get the feeling you're speaking from experience.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[A moment's pause.] ...From some, yes.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

... M'sorry. Someone refused to fight when you needed them to?

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

Something along those lines. [She just refused to realize the truth.]

[newhero.livejournal.com]

That's not what friends do.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[half-shrug] Perhaps. You'll never know until it's happening.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[Sora shakes his head.]

No, friends stand by each other no matter what. Especially if a friend can't fight for some reason.

[yeah, maybe Donald and Goofy had left him behind when he lost the Keyblade, but... in the end, they stuck by him. that's what really mattered.]

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[Yes, but they're Disney. Momo is anything but.]

And what of family? When they choose an enemy over you, no matter how far you are willing to go for them? [He's still going to support her; she's his sister. But....]

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[that's probably why this markedly not Disney scenario is so baffling to him.]

I guess... They'll have to find their way back to you on their own. But you can't not be there for them.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[He'll learn. Eventually. ...hopefully.]

There is only so much one person can give, Sora. Especially during a war that has my entire world and the next in chaos.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[either that or the Disney in his brain will short-circuit.]

I don't understand. I can't imagine not being there for someone, even if they keep pushing me away.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[That seems the more likely option...]

...As hard as it is to accept at times, you have to understand that we're at war, Sora. My sister made her choice. I have other people who rely on my protection. I can't always be there for her.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[one can practically see steam coming out of his ears from the gears in his head turning.]

You still have faith in her, right?

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[A moments pause, again. Faith in her? ...not really.]

I still hold out hope that she will come to her senses. But beyond that....I can't say.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

Well... If you hang on to that hope, then it'll turn out okay.