To be a true hero, kid, is a dying art

[if there's one thing Sora here is really good at, it's comfort-- whether it be an enthusiastic pep talk, or telling a silly joke or making a silly face to get a laugh out of whoever needs it, Sora can and does deliver! he's usually pretty successful at getting a smile, at least, though he's better at comforting when he has an experience of his own that he can relate to whatever's happening with a friend.]

[and... he's been trying his best with his friends this week. today, however, Sora will be marching into completely uncharted territory experience-wise when he turns on the feed-- it's so unfamiliar, in fact, that he doesn't even recognize it.]

... There's something wrong with Puddles.

[at least, he wouldn't be able to recognize it on a Pokémon. the feed turns to show the edge of Cherrygrove and Route 30, where the aforementioned Girafarig is standing. just standing there. and staring off down Route 30 longingly. maybe he missed a patch of grass on the way down here?]

I tried taking him to the Pokécenter, and they looked at him... Then Nurse Joy just kinda laughed and told me he's fine. But he's not! Ever since we got here, he's just been standing right there in the same spot like a zombie. Puddles! C'mere!

[Puddles bleats in acknowledgment, but does not move, nor does he refrain from staring off down Route 30 like there's a special Girafarigs-only treasure down that road or something. Sora sighs.]

I don't get it.