keychained | 014; [video/action; 4th wall]

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014; [video/action; 4th wall]

[as with any other resident of Johto, Sora is drawn out of sleep by that giant flash of light and what sounded almost like the earth cracking open-- all things considered? this is entirely possible. so he clambers out of bed-- Bell is the only one of his Pokémon who sleeps out of the ball, so he grabs her along with his 'gear, too. not that he notices his other Pokémon are mysteriously missing-- and practically stumbles out of the inn in Violet to check out what the heck just happened.]

[except he's not in Violet. he's in Goldenrod.]

What the--

[so Sora's now standing in the middle of the street, barefoot and in his pajamas-- they're blue with little Totodiles. don't judge-- and holding one little Togepi in his arms. looks like it's just the two of them for now.]

[after a few minutes of stunned silence, Sora finally thinks to turn on the video feed.]

Hey! Is everybody okay?

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[ silly Sora, it's just a bikini. Though Rise isn't budging. ]

He's seen us, trust me! Sora, I'll explain in a second--

... Rise, is that--

[bikini or not, he's keeping his eyes on the ground thank you very much. isn't bikini Rise who Sora suspects might be this Shadow person Rise told him about a while back cold out here?]

[the half-snarl doesn't disappear, but she does calm down a bit]

... Yeah.

She's my Shadow.

I thought you guys...

[... already took care of Rise's darkness? he shakes his head though, and finally pushes past his initial shock and lifts his gaze to peek around Rise at her Shadow. he's still a bit embarrassed, and the whole concept is hitting way, way too close to home for his comfort levels, but... she said her Shadow was a part of who she is, right? he loves Rise like an older sister. he's not about to reject a part of her just because he doesn't like what he sees.]

[so Sora stands squarely, mouth setting into a straight line. he won't look away anymore.]

I don't just disappear. [she snaps a bit hastily, watching Sora and Rise carefully]

I have a right to exist too!

[ Rise looks almost like she's about to cry. She can feel Kanzeon even now, even if she can't access her, and by all rights, her Shadow shouldn't be here like this. She never wanted her friends to see this, either. ]

When I acknowledged her, she turned into my Persona. I don't know why-- but--

[ she's trembling, but slowly stepping forward. She can't look at Sora right now, far too frightened to verify what he must be thinking about her. Instead, she locks eyes with her Shadow, brown meeting gold.

... And she holds out her arms. ]

I get it. It's like I told you before, you - Risette, too - all of those parts are me, and if I deny any of that, it's as good as running away. And that hurts more than me, it hurt you, too.

[ a pause. ]

I'm... I'm scared. I'm scared to show everybody who I really am, instead of the Risette they know. But I can't turn back now, and I won't. Trust me... they'll know you exist, too.

But I'm also not going to let any part of me hurt Sora. Is that really what you want to show him?

[Sora can't shake the feeling like he's standing in on a very personal conversation. it's why he stands there silently-- and why he's forgoing the usual speeches he belts out when faced with darkness, an adversary, or what-have-you.]

[whether it's a personal matter or not, he is there. and when he steps forward along with Rise and places a hand on the back of her shoulder, that's all he's trying to say: "I'm here for you." he always will be. even if they both go home and live out their lives without ever seeing each other again.]

[There's nothing but silence for a few moments after Rise speaks, and the Shadow's gaze flickers between Sora and Rise somewhat hesitantly. But one of the things she wanted most was to be accepted-- and with Sora and Rise doing so with open arms, she has no reason to fight anymore.

Which is why she steps forward and falls into Rise's embrace quite solidly]

[ it's a VERY odd feeling, hugging yourself, but Rise's been through too much to even begin to question it, and with Sora's hand on her shoulder, it's almost like that's the only weight on her shoulders now. He accepted it-- accepted her, and she closes her eyes with what sounds like a choked sob. ]

I'm so sorry... [ to both of them. ]

[Sora squeezes Rise's shoulder gently, and steps to the side with a smile. he has a huge hug ready for Rise when she's done hugging her Shadow, but he'll wait.]

No need to apologize, Rise.

[not to him, anyway. he still kind of feels like the odd man out in a very personal situation, and he's wondering if maybe he should leave them alone for a minute. he won't go anywhere unless he's told to, though.]

[Shadow doesn't stay long after the hug and acceptance, and she fades rather quickly after Sora speaks. LIGHT HAS WON AGAIN]

[ ... unlike the battle of Rise and her legs, because they will be buckling now.

THIS IS A DRAINING PROCESS. ]

[don't worry Rise, Sora is there to catch you! and he will totally carry you to the pokécenter if need be, who cares if they're both about the same height.]

Rise! Are you okay?

Y-yeah, this... happened the first time, too. [ she's whiter than a sheet and breathing shallowly, but at least her tone's reassuring. ]

... M'proud of you. Do you need me to take you somewhere?

[he's moving like that's exactly what he's going to do anyway, draping one of her arms across his shoulders.]

[ Rise's just wondering what cruel twist of fate is making her relive this TWICE. She's giving Sora a shaky smile though, shaking her head. ]

It's okay, I just... need to sit. I... it was my fault for all of it, so...

[he'll have a seat next to her, then-- he's here if she wants to lean on him.]

Doesn't matter whose fault it is. What matters is you guys have an understanding now. Right?

[ oh good-- because she is. ]

... Right. [ and she's going to keep her promise. ]

Good. Once you're feeling a little better, we'll go get a huge bowl of ice cream or something.

Thanks, Sora. I'm... really sorry you got caught up in that.

Don't be sorry. That was just a way of getting to know you even better, right?

[he'll... want to tell her about the shenanigans in Hollow Bastion soon. he knows Rise so well now, why shouldn't she know him, too? even the weird bug and antennae and yellow-eyed side of him he'd been keeping a secret from just about everyone.]

... [ she stays silent for a minute, closing her eyes to ward off dizziness. It's not as bad as the first time; that world had almost brought her to collapse after a week trapped in it, and joining a fight seconds after receiving Himiko hadn't helped. Rise's just tired now, but this doesn't prevent her from moving an arm to wrap around Sora.

He'd seen that side of her, twisted as it had been-- and accepted it. Accepted her completely. And it's such an overwhelming sense of relief that she has to choke back a fresh bout of tears. ]

[perfect time to deliver that hug he'd been waiting to give-- Sora turns a bit so he can wrap both his arms around her. maybe he didn't have the words when they were standing right in front of her Shadow, but he's got them now.]

Y'know what? You're the only person I know who's ever been able to conquer their darkness.

[ she needed that. She'd needed this from someone who hadn't been through what the team had been through, and he'd still-- Rise's shaking now but there goes her other arm around him. ]

I-it might be a little different where you're from.

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