keychained | 016; [video/action for goldenrod-- backdated to early morning]

[around 4 or so this morning, Sora had been lying in his bed in the pokécenter, awake, not very comfortable, and bored out of his mind. not a whole lot was going on over the network, and Sora didn't want to wake Hope or Rise or Puddles or anybody else nearby. there were, however, two people he had no problem bothering: Riku got a smattering of text messages full of bad puns-- hey, he needed to practice them on someone! right? but shortly after he sent Kairi a text asking if she was awake, and where she was, a new message popped up on his pokégear screen:]

error: this number is no longer in use.

[... and that's when he silently swung his legs over the side of his bed and grabbed a few things-- including his pokémon asleep in their balls and his notebook-- and for the first time this entire week, Sora creeped out of his room and successfully snuck out of the Goldenrod Pokécenter.]

[first things first-- Sora lurched his way over to the closest vending machine and picked up two bottles of soda. he... made an honest effort to chug them, but wound up dumping the contents of the second bottle into a nearby sewer. it wasn't the soda he was interested in, anyway. next, he walked over to the radio tower-- he couldn't really see the ocean over the fence nearby, but he could hear it... seems no matter where you go, the ocean always sounds the same. he sat down, leaning against both the radio tower and a newly hatched Dratini for support, and began writing.]

Dear Kairi,

I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to talk to you about this before you left. I hope this gets to you in time, or that you know it already, but there's something really important you need to keep in mind. I am ALWAYS [--and he's underlined this word several times. even drawn a box around it.] there for you. You know that, right? Even if I try to act all tough about it, you're my best friend. You and Riku mean everything to me.

Your heart is the most important thing you have. It's what makes you who you are, and it's how we stay connected, even if we're worlds apart. If you ever feel like you or your heart are in danger, come find me. I swear I'll do everything I can to protect you. If it hasn't happened already when you get this, then... something's going to happen to the islands. And when it does, I want you to come look for me, OK? I'll be looking for you.

I get the feeling you already know this, though. I miss you. And I'll see you soon.

Sora

[when the video feed clicks on later that morning, the sun's out in full force by the radio tower. the sound cuts in right in the middle of Sora saying something.]

--tini, could you throw this in the ocean for me?

[the Dratini nods, and wraps its tail around the neck of a bottle with a note carefully rolled up inside. with a grunt, it chucks the bottle right over the fence, and both Sora and Pokémon watch as it soars, then plunks right in the ocean. please don't berate them for littering.]

Thanks. I-- [and Sora turns, noticing Bell pointing his gear at him and recording. he still hasn't actually been out and about Goldenrod wearing something other than his pajamas, but he at least thought to put on some shoes and a jacket this time. he steps a little closer, looking down at the 'gear and Bell-- he's smiling genuinely, but there's definitely a tinge of sadness somewhere in there.]

Morning, you guys! I kind of have an odd question. Have you ever been on a date before? I think we're going to set Puddles up with Whitney's Girafarig today.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh, Puddles. No need to get so nervous. Aerith is rooting for you and she'll make sure everyone else roots for him too.]

We were rebuilding our home, but it was recently transformed back to the way it was before Maleficent invaded. Now, we just need to build more homes, find a way to get rid of the last groups of heartless, and attract more people to return. It's going to be a lot of work, but...I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I've got faith in you guys! If there's anything I can do to help, let me know, okay?

[That will only get a smile out of her, but...]

Thanks for the offer, but....I'm sure there are other worlds that need your help more than us. You...or rather the Sora I know has done so much all ready. I don't think we could possibly ask for more. I think....the rebuilding part should be our job. It is our home, after all.

[... Sora can definitely understand that reasoning, at least-- so he smiles slightly, and nods. he'll even give a quick salute.]

All right.

Don't worry, Sora. You'll always have a place at our home. It would be unfair to keep you away from your duties as part of the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee. You are our honorary member, after all~

[Or will be in the near future.]

Huh-- I am? Really?

Of course! You, Donald, and Goofy are our honorary members.

[Aerith will search around in one of her ~~invisible~~ pockets to pull out a card.]

You three even got one of these from us to prove you're members too.

[all right! he's a bona fide card-carrying member!]

You can leave any Heartless problems to us then, Aerith!

[She nods her head.]

We're counting on you~!

Got it!

So where are you right now, Aerith?

I'm still in Goldenrod City. Leon told me he was going to sent me a message when I should head back to Azelea Town. He told me to meet up with him there.

[And she still believes Leon is going to either kill her or lecture her. Both choices are scary!]

Oh! I think he mentioned heading this way. Hopefully we'll all be in one spot for Christmas.

Yeah, I'm hoping for the samething. I really want to celebrate Christmas with you and everyone else. It'll be my first Christmas without Yuffie, Cid, and Merlin. It'll be a little lonely without then, but I'll manage.

Well, we... kinda have Yuffie and Merlin here! And maybe we could dress up one of the computers in the pokécenter as Cid for Christmas.

[Aerith can't help laugh at bit at the computer as Cid bit. Where is Leon to hear this?] And we even have Mosey to represent as Cloud too.

The only person I haven't met yet is the young Merlin. Rise told me about him the other day. Have you met him, Sora?

Yeah, I've met him! He hasn't grown his beard yet, though. And he can talk to dragons.

Hmmm, that definetly sounds a little like the Merlin I grew up with. Is he a smart guy? How old is he? Rise told me that he was close to her age.

Yeah, he looks pretty smart! And-- I'm not sure how old he is, exactly, but I'd guess in his 20s.

....that really is young. [She starts to think about old Merlin as a young man.] I really can't imagine Merlin being so young. No matter how hard I try. Were you surprised to see him such a young Merlin?

To be honest, I was more surprised seeing him beardless.

Looks like we'll have great stories to tell Merlin when we get back~! Do you think he'll be embarrassed when we tell him about meeting him younger self?

Maybe! He hasn't really done anything embarrassing that I've seen.

... Yet.

Don't jinx him, Sora. I'm sure young Merlin is just as serious as old Merlin.

016; [video/action for goldenrod-- backdated to early morning]

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