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

... It did?

[look, it even momentarily goes back into kaleidoscope mode--]

I was just... thinking.

... What's on your mind, Sora?

[Sora has no problem crying like a baby into Rise's shoulder, so he certainly has no problem confiding in her, either. that's why he doesn't really hesitate before he speaks.]

I'm worried about telling Ven what happened last week. I don't wanna upset him.

What-- about Vanitas?

Yeah. I promised I wouldn't try to fight him alone, and, well...

[the "oops, I done goofed" is definitely implied there. and all he's got to show for his efforts are a hospital stay and the fleeting memory of punching his doppelganger in the face.]

... Sora, you don't remember everything that happened, right? For all you know, you could've been attacked first.

I know, but I--

[he rubs his forehead.]

I still fought. I was probably angry, too... I still get angry every time I think about him.

Anyone would be angry when they think about him. I'm angry, and I'm not even connected to it at all. And I think... out of anyone, Ven'll probably understand it most of all. You can't help reacting sometimes.

I don't... know what I would do if someone who's a part of me hurt any of you.

[he has a good feeling Ven would feel the same way.]

... It hurts. A lot.

[ BOY DOES SHE KNOW. ]

... I'll just. Have to wait and see what he says.

Sora... there's one thing I know for sure.

What's that?

Nothing's more important to Ven than knowing you're okay. And I don't think he'll be upset if you tell him, especially since I know you're sorry about it.

... You're right, Rise. I still need to tell him, at least-- just in case we need to be ready for anything else.

You know I'll be supporting you, right?

[he reaches out for Rise's hand with a smile.]

Yeah. Thank you.

[ Rise smiles back, giving his hand a squeeze. As far as she's concerned, Sora's family. She's sticking by him. ]

You should be sleeping now, you know.

Mmkay...

[he'll lean back and sort of half-yawn, already halfway to sleep, but he's not letting go of Rise's hand. might be stuck there for a while, big sis.]

[ it's all good, Rise doesn't have any other plans, and Sora's top priority. Sleep well, little bro. ]

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

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