keychained | [018; video/action for goldenrod]

[hey there, Johto! it's New Year's Eve, and as such the network is receiving a video feed from Father Time himself-- who knows where the hobbling little bearded old man came from, but he's currently curled up warm and toasty leaning up against the inn at Goldenrod, with his hat and his windbreaker and his scarf and his Girafarig blanket and-- wait. it's just Sora.]

[it appears he's wearing as many Christmas presents as he could pile on today (yes, the beard was a Christmas present. it's long and gray and glorious and one of these days he'll notice the stuffed pidgey in there, too). and when he starts speaking, it sounds like Father Time is having a really difficult... time... keeping a straight face.]

... My egg exploded into a dinosaur! See? [the feed turns to reveal a very tiny Tropius-- even though she's just a baby, it's pretty obvious that she's on the small side... probably around knee height to Trainer. the Tropius squeaks in greeting and flaps a leaf like she's trying to wave.]

The pokédex said that these guys start to grow their favorite fruit around their necks because it's the only thing they eat. Sooo, I was wondering... Has anybody seen a star-shaped fruit around? I already checked the stores here, but no luck.

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[Sora's trying his darndest not to just crack up laughing over here.]

Yup! One day I was young and carefree, and the next I'm an old fart.

She is! It's nice to meet you, Miya.

[and Sora politely extends his hand toward Miya, offering a handshake if she wants.]

You...

You mean-- Vanitas!? He didn't threaten you or anything, right? What'd he say?

*And since Sora practically oozes positive emotion, she is not hesitating in the slightest to give his hand a tiny shake, along with a chipper 'Ralts!'*

N-no, he didn't threaten me-- I didn't know it was him at first, so we just had a normal talk. [ did she Light Vanitas into civility? WHO KNOWS. ]

But when I found out, he said... you stole his place.

... Sora?

[What are you doing kiddo and why did you suddenly grow a beard what is this.]

[being completely cowed by adorable things is one of Sora's best kept secrets-- it's more or less how he was able to keep a straight face around Piglet-- but Miya's pretty much floored him with one little handshake; it's a wonder he's managing to just grin.]

What kinda type is she?

I what now?

[give him a minute to think about that. he knows the story behind Ven and Vanitas, and why... well. but none of that registers to Sora as "stealing his place."

Hey, Terra!

[so nonchalant in his bearded majesty... are you reminded of Yen Sid yet?]

Psychic, believe it or not! *Hayate is shifting her about one last time to get her comfy in one arm, so he can motion to her head.* And apparently she can read peoples emotions with the horn on her head.

[ Kairi doesn't get it at all, but she isn't very happy either way. All that darkness looking and talking like and HURTING her best friend just makes her feel sick. Cue silence on her end while he ponders. ]

... Hey, Kairi?

Hey. [He is. It's kind of creepy but hilarious. Also, don't mind that baby Gible nibbling on your beard.]

It's a little late for Halloween, don't you think?

Really? So she knows what I'm feeling right now?

[looks like he can't hide how adorable he thinks Miya is, then.]

-- Yeah?

Hmmm... *He looks down to Miya, who has a biiiig smile on her face as she looks to Sora from behind her built-in bangs.*

... I'd wager that's a yes!

[And Phoenix is just playing along for kicks. It was almost the New Year, he could afford to joke around a bit.]

Yeah, adulthood does seem to creep up like that. I remember when I was a teenager...I thought those days would never end. [And here, have a dramatic sigh.

Meanwhile, those little red eyes now have a green face attached to them. A green face that is tilting its head curiously in Sora's direction. WHAT IS THIS BIG GRAY THING. I MUST KNOW.]

[Sora pauses to pat that munching Gible on the head, then he grins up at Terra.]

Well, I got it for Christmas! So it's a Christmas beard.

I don't... I'm not really sure if I know what he was getting at, but I do know there's a good reason things are... the way they are.

[he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pokéball-- there's a biohazard sticker stuck to the side.]

So don't worry, okay? Just worry about staying as far away from Vanitas as possible.

... Aww, she's so cute! I guess she already knows that, then, huh?

[ WHY is there a biohazard sticker stuck to the side? Kairi stares at it for a minute, then looks back up at him, and she's really not too satisfied with that reassurance. Because she was never scared for herself. ]

Sora--

Well, as long as we both remain kids at hearts-- hey, what kinda pokémon is that?

[and Sora's walking over and holding his hands up to the little green face staring at him. EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF THE BEARD, LITTLE DUDER. WATCH OUT FOR THE STUFFED PIDGEY.]

Hehe... *Holding the little Ralts a bit tighter as she beams happily at all this attention* She knows it all too well! I've been calling her it since she came out of her egg.

*He pretty much squealed like a girl when he first saw her, yup.*

Promise me you will, Kairi? Ven knows how to handle him.

[and he can't bear the thought of anybody-- especially a doppelganger-- hurting her.]

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