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

[ Leon brings a gloved hand to his mouth, making as if to examine the pose, and totally not using it to stifle laughter. At all. ]

He looks...striking.

[that better not be a teeth-baring smile, buddy, or Sora's going to be mad.]

Yeah! Y'hear that, Puddles? Leon thinks you look striking! You're a shoo-in!

GIRAFARIG! [Puddles' best day ever. well, best day ever until Whitney's Girafarig actually goes on a date with him.]

[ It's going to take way more than a little Girafarig posing to get a teeth-baring smile out of Leon, kiddo. ]

When did he first meet this lady pokemon, exactly?

[what's it gonna take, man? does Sora have to fall face first into a pie or something?]

Well... We were watching a few gym battles over the network, and Puddles saw her in a battle! I guess it was love at first sight.

[ You may need to take out the big guns, Sora. You know the ones I'm talking about. ]

So he's never actually met her? [ This...isn't going to end well, is it? ]

[... ... Sora will keep this in mind.]

Nope! But everybody's a stranger until you meet them, right? There's plenty of hope for Puddles.

[ Godspeed and good luck, my boy. ]

You're right. He's got a fighting chance.

[ Skarmory pokes her head in to caw at Puddles. GO GET 'ER, TIGER! WALK IN THERE LIKE YOU OWN THE PLACE! ]

[Puddles bleats in thanks-- look at his confidence soar! he'll even stride in place, puffing out as best as a giraffe is able. Sora just starts laughing.]

Right! We've all just gotta think positive. Are you still in Violet, Leon?

[ THE LADIES WILL SWOON AS YOU GO PAST! KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH, WALK LIKE--there goes Leon, shoving his incredibly loud bird out of the way. Gdit Skarm, stop being a moron. ]

Yuffie and I are on the road to Azalea, actually. We're meeting Aerith there. [ He pans the camera away from himself, so that Sora can see Yuffie's Sneasel play in the snow with Glitter the vulpix. ]

[SKARMORY, IF WE WERE IN THE SAME EGG GROUP YOU KNOW I'D BE ALL UP TRYIN' TO CHAT UP A LADY CAN I HAVE YO NUMBAH-- Sora has to raise his voice over Puddles'.]

Oh yeah, I think Aerith mentioned that! She's been helping me out a lot here.

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

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