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]

You too, Hitsugaya. Do you fight? There's a bunch of us who train together, if you're interested.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[With a sword, yes. With his Psyduck...not so much.]

If my Psyduck knows anything besides how to drown in three inches of water, yes.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[... snorts.]

Well, I meant more like swordfighting, but battling Pokémon works, too! Ven's been carving us swords to practice with.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[Everyone finds it funny, don't they. And have a minimal amount of surprise; so much for a kid.]

My job back home consisted mainly of swordfighting. [And paperwork. Lots of paperwork.]

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[it's a pretty funny mental image; Sora can't help it. he pauses to reach into his backpack, pulling out a wooden Keyblade-- he holds it out to Hitsugaya.]

That's my job, too. Er... Well, it's not exactly a sword. It's a Keyblade.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[An approving look crosses his face for just a moment. Nothing like his Zanpakuto, but he can see how it would be useful. After all, they teach students how to fight with wooden blades.]

I've never heard the term.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't have the real thing with me... A Keyblade's used to release hearts from the Heartless, and to seal the hearts of worlds away from the darkness.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[Heartless, keyblades, worlds and darkness...none of this really makes much sense, but...]

How long have you been doing this?

[newhero.livejournal.com]

Uh... I lost track of the time, to be honest. It hasn't been a year, though.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

But you still know how to fight, yes? You've learned to hold your own in that time?

[newhero.livejournal.com]

Yup! Well, I fight better with my friends by my side, but I like to think I'm a pretty good fighter myself.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

I would hope so. This place is unpredictable. [Gin had been here. Now he's gone. Who's to say who else will come and go?]

[newhero.livejournal.com]

Yeah...

[he shrugs.]

The Pokémon are pretty good training partners, too. They keep me on my toes, at least.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[A glance over at Puddles. Really...this homesick or lovesick creature keeps him on his toes?]

I suppose they would.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

[he catches wind of that thought when Hitsugaya glances over at Puddles.]

... Uh, well. Except for him. Puddles isn't much of a fighter.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[Lover, not a fighter. But people had a way of surprising you. Why wouldn't Pokemon?]

He might surprise you one day, with enough training.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

I'd be surprised if he ever trained as much as he eats in one day.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

At least he has some dedication. It's just a matter of turning it in the right direction.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

How would I go about doing that?

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[Shrug.]

There are several ways. The simplest I can think of would be to keep him from eating as much until he starts training

[newhero.livejournal.com]

I could definitely do that... He'll be cranky for a while, though.

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

He'll either be cranky and start listening to you, or he'll be like this and never train. It's your decision, Sora.

[newhero.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't want him to be unhappy...

[yeah, Sora's not so good at this "having subordinates" thing.]

[freezetheskies.livejournal.com]

[...Sora. Really?]

You may not have a choice. I doubt he'll be able to help his family if he is too weak to fight off an opponent.

[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?