40 - video/action for Vermilion;

[islandshore]

[It was kind of strange, really. After their match in the tournament, Riku hadn't seen hide nor hair of Xion. He thought he might've kept missing her and that she was somewhere in town; the city's huge, after all, and with so many trainers, it'd be easy to lose her in the crowds.

But when he tried contacting her over the Pokégears, he got no response. Then, when he checked his PC, he caught several familiar Pokémon inside what would've been an empty box (the others were safe at the TC, after all). Then there was that note... Really, it didn't take much to add two and two together.

So, when he addresses the network, it's with a somber expression. There's an Arcanine bounding around in the background, but Riku doesn't pay him much mind. Making it to the semis in two cups is worth celebrating, sure, but not when he's lost a close friend.

He hesitates before, finally, he speaks up.]

To those of you that knew her, Xion's gone. I've got Bahamut and a handful of her other Pokémon, but if anyone else wound up with some her roster, could you let me know?

She probably wouldn't want us to worry about her. If anything, she'd probably want us to keep smiling, but I know she made a lot of close friends here. It's only fair of me to give you guys a heads-up.

[There's a pause, followed by a sigh.]

And good luck to everyone else in the tournament.

[With his message complete, he shuts off the gear and wanders out to the docks with Flare by his side. It's still mind boggling to think about. After over a year, he hadn't expected her to just... vanish. And after he beat her in the tourny, too.

How ironic... depressingly so.]

Comments

[video]

[islandshore]

Only if you want to. I'm not expecting anyone to send them my way; I've already got my hands full with my team, so as long as they're in good hands, that's all I could ask for.

[But to answer her question...]

But my Training Center's located in Celadon, so if you do want to send them my way, that or Vermilion's the best bet.

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

...Gyarados, huh?

[He laughed, a quiet and almost self-deprecating sound.]

Helluva joke on her part...actually, that's pretty funny.

[for_realsies]

So. Unfair.

*She's pulled back from the camera, her hair in two neat balls on either side of her head. She's got pencils holding them.*

I might just have to start wearing my hair like normal people to stand out if you all have cool hair.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

I'll make sure to swing by. After the tournament, I might drop by during my travels around Kanto.

[Man, he's really in this region for real. It's both exciting and interesting to see how the region's real looks compare to the games.]

[islandshore]

Well, you have to consider that these hairstyles might be normal for some of us.

[Heh.]

[Video]

[islandshore]

Hah. I'm glad to hear someone's taking the initiative to travel here. Too many people stick to Johto.

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

[Like Cobra Commander's going to pass up the chance to take advantage of someone's misery.]

She's gone? What a shame!

[He's being horribly sarcastic, in case it wasn't obvioussss.]

And here I was, hoping that I would be the one to get rid of her!

[Video]

[islandshore]

[...Hngh.

Despite his irritation, Riku masks his feelings with a yawn and an eyeroll. He's not about to let that jerk get a rise out of him! Not today.]

Call me back when you're actually intimidating. Or did you think I missed that broadcast about Crow?

[video]

[islandshore]

...I take it you're not a fan of them.

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

Where I come from, you don't really screw around with sea serpents.

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

The only reason I lost was because I was sssstupid enough to play by rules ssset by someone other than myself! Next time, and there will be a next time believe me, I won't make that mistake!

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Johto's nice and all, but I feel like a change in scenery's what I need.

[video]

[islandshore]

Even when those sea serpents aren't necessarily out for your blood here?

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

'Scuse me if I'm a little wary.

[video]

[soggypastry]

[Nod nod. She'll have to check her PC soon, see if that was a thing, but for now...for now there's something more important.]

I'll remember that. [headtilt.] You going to be alright?

[Video]

[islandshore]

I'd like to see you try.

[He really should not be tempting Cobra, but hey. He's gotta take out his anger on someone.]

[for_realsies]

I just figured more people would have hair like normal for me then they would normal for here.

Cause hair can get really weird here.

I'm mostly jealous. Until I find someone with hair like yours that I can play with. Can I play with your hair?

[video]

[islandshore]

Probably. I mean, it's not like the first time I've lost somebody here.

[He shakes his head.]

Sora and Kairi have left more times than I can count. It's just... you never expect it, I guess.

[video]

[islandshore]

You know, she was probably trying to flatter you. Gyarados are powerful Pokémon, and hers was pretty darn loyal.

[video]

[riastrad_ridire]

I ain't upset by it or anything. It's kinda sweet she named it that, to be honest.

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

You don't want to ssssee what happens when I try! It would make what happened in Sssaffron City look like nothing more than a training exercise!

[Except he was trying there. And he lost. Oops.]

[Video]

[islandshore]

I just think Johto's too... familiar, honestly. Plus, what people don't realize is that you can get Fly much faster if you head to Saffron instead of Cianwood.

action;

[lightofheart]

[ She'd be disappointed if he pushed her away, anyway. And no one wants a disappointed Kairi. She keeps her arms around him until he decides to pull away, though - no point in letting go when he needs her - and squeezes him a little, one of her hands rubbing the best it can at his back. Silly tree. ]

It's not as effective without Sora here too, but I figured a little one-on-one time could help too, right? [ She pulls her head back enough to flash him a smile. ] Besides, you look a lot better when you smile.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

It'd be better if people know about that earlier. It's not exactly advertised as much, so people would most likely keep bringing up Cianwood.

[islandshore]

Why would you want to play with my hair...?

[Such a baffling concept! Not to mention a little strange.]