islandshore | 40 - video/action for Vermilion;

[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.]

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[Burst barks in greeting, butt wiggling and mouth hanging open. Playing is good! Playing is fun! He likes playing!

Yeah, he's pretty much a puppy still, despite his new, gigantic form. Flare snorts at the sight, leaning against a wall, while Deathclaw the Gliscor rolls her eyes and proceeds to trade punches with Axis the Metagross.

Riku, on the other hand, remains largely quiet, inching carefully towards Kairi.]

Could be worse, I guess.

[ Kairi manages a smile as she watches the two Pokemon start up, Pluto's tail flicking as he growls playfully. Though, when she looks back at Riku, she unfolds her hands and starts to reach out for him, then extends her other one to invite him in for a hug. They both sort of need it. Regrettably, Kairi hadn't been as close to Xion, but she's learned enough about her to like her a lot, not to mention Xion's little crush on Riku as well. So they could both use a hug, but Riku definitely needs it more. ]

It really could be. But I'm not here to help you dwell on the negative, now am I?

[Though he hesitates, Riku does return the hug. Tightly. He's not about to push Kairi away. She's one of the few people who really understands.]

Nah. You always try to pull me out of those bad moods.

[Which is appreciated. Especially at a time like this.]

[ 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.

Hah. You really think so?

[Here, he'll at least... try to smile. Because it's hard not to with Kairi around, anyway.

He'll go ahead and squeeze back, too. Just having her around makes a difference.]

[ Shifting a bit, Kairi moves one of her arms to make it more of a half-hug, simply so she can lean her head against him a bit. Though, that prompts Hane to jump up on her shoulder, and after only a second of contemplation, Riku's. ]

Of course, silly. Look, Hane likes it when you smile, too.

[ Then again, Hane likes it when everyone smiles, but shh. ]

[...Well hello, shoulder cat. Riku blinks and then carefully lifts one of his arms to scritch Hane behind the ears.]

You know, I doubt he's that difficult to please.

[ Well hello, human tree. He trills happily from the scratching, rubbing his head against Riku's hand. Kairi just... watches for a moment. ]

Okay, maybe so. But if he's happy, then I'm happy, so if you smiling makes him happy...

[ So of course that's a bit of a silly, roundabout way to go about things, but it's fun to do that, okay. ]

[...PFfft. Kairi, you're such a sappy dork. But then again, so is Sora.]

Basically, you just can't get enough of my smile. I get it.

[SMIRK. Gotta tease sometimes.]

[ Hey, Riku always needs a double dose of that. But at that, Kairi pauses and puts a hand on her hip with a bit of a pout. ]

That's not it at all!

[ But within a few seconds, she's looking back and offering him a small, if not a slightly embarrassed smile. ]

Nah, it definitely is.

[Stiiiill smirkin'. It's a good distraction, okay.]

Well, if that's the case, then that's all the more reason to do it, right?

[ Gosh, Riku. Always know how to fluster her. ]

40 - video/action for Vermilion;

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action; so I had this all typed up last night and apparently just... didn't hit post comment, whoops

action; you are so silly B]

action; jaslkda nooo

action; do not deny it!

action; jalksgh shhh

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