49 - text;

[islandshore]

[It's been months since they last talked. Months since they'd even seen each other. And with Terra wide awake now, Riku decides enough is enough and shoots Ven a message via PokéGear.

But the ID no longer exists. Riku instantly feels the weight of a thousand boulders rolling over him.

He tries again to no avail. And again. Maybe he shouldn't be surprised. But still, for one of his most trusted friends to leave without even a chance to hang out for one last time...

There's a reason why he's writing this message in text instead of video.]

Ven's gone.

I don't know how many friends he actually made here, but I figured I'd pass the message along. It's probably what he'd want, right? And it's not like this place ever gives people a chance to say goodbye. Why change things now?

You'd think that after every other disappearance we'd all be used to it, but it never gets easier. Not with the people who really matter. But Kairi's left about a million times now, and I've lost plenty of other friends. Guess it was only a matter of time before he waltzed off, too.

Just... let me know if you wound up with any of his Pokémon, okay? Otherwise, I'll be around.

And no, nothing's wrong.

Comments

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[islandshore]

Why are you so desperate?

[Seriously, Sora. Nothing wrong with standing up!]

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[heartdive]

I'm not, really.

[ a shrug. ]

You need it more than I really want it.

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[islandshore]

So why do I get the feeling you're not gonna let go?

[SIGH. This is Sora, after all.]

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[heartdive]

I will if you say please.

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[islandshore]

Okay, okay. Will you please let go?

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[heartdive]

[ and so he does. Sora releases Riku and sits back against that tree. ]

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[islandshore]

[No more than two seconds later, Riku's legs wobble, and he lets out a sharp groan. Thanks to the weight on his leg, it along with his foot have fallen asleep, and so he slides down to the ground.

Touché.]

You planned this all along, didn't you?

[He jabs Sora with his elbow.]

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[heartdive]

[ smiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiile. success! give him his achievement! ]

Do I look like the type of guy who could plan that out before doing it?

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[islandshore]

...On second thought, no. You're way too dense to pull of something this crafty.

[He'll even tap his knuckles on Sora's head to emphasize this.]

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[heartdive]

[ laughing, Sora takes the abuse. ]

Feeling better?

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[islandshore]

Nah. It's all in your head.

[Except he's smirking as he says that. Clearly Sora did something right.]

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[heartdive]

Hear that, Flare? It was all in our heads.

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[islandshore]

[Pffft. Flare snorts, rolling his eyes. Why is his trainer so ridiculous?

...No, scratch that, why are they both so ridiculous?]

Maybe you two should go see a doctor before it gets too out of hand.

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[heartdive]

[ the snort plus Riku's comment makes Sora burst out laughing. ]

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[islandshore]

Oh, you laugh now, but just wait until the real symptoms kick in.

[...Wow, is he seriously saying this with a straight face?]

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[heartdive]

Like what. I feel perfectly fine.

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[islandshore]

Like... the spontaneous urge to make friends with everyone.

[Take that!]

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[heartdive]

...Riku. You're the one that taught me to be like that. Dummy.

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[islandshore]

Who, me? Naaah.

[Okay, maybe he was, but he's too smug to admit it.]

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[heartdive]

Riku... We all know when all is said and done -

You're a much bigger dork and softie than me.

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[islandshore]

Maybe in some parallel reality.

[But nope. He's totally not a sap and you can't make him admit it.]

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[heartdive]

...I don't really think I want to see a parallel you. No offense, but I can barely handle one of you - let alone the two others that are here.

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[islandshore]

You know, I bet you just jinxed it.

[After all, he's got two copies around already.]