01--VIDEO

[shatterings]

[ There's a curious someone fiddling around with her PokéGear. She's a little surprised she managed to click it on, since she's never actually dealt with much technology. ]

Ah... um, hello. [ Her surprise is replaced by a reserved sort of smile. It's pretty brittle--she's not supposed to be here. So why is she, then? Carefully, she tucks a bit of hair behind her ear. A nervous habit, but it's not one she actually notices. ] I'm a little... confused. I'm not sure what's going on, and-- [ Wait. Is that... music in the background? It's faint, and she hadn't really noticed it until she was lost in thought. ] I think I might be hearing things, but... is there music playing somewhere?

[ She lets out a little sigh and gives the Minccino beside her a pat on the head. ] I think I just need a little bit of help, or... an explanation.

Comments

[faintwaves]

...I probably know what friend you're talking about. He got me out of a bad situation, too.

[Riku just has that connection to Kairi clones.]

Listen, um...I know this sounds weird, but maybe not 'cause your thing is memories? A-anyway, we...used to know each other. It's a long story, but you helped me out with doing the right thing...and...we're safe here, the Organization isn't here. Maybe we can be friends this time?

[shatterings]

Ah... that does make sense.

[ She looks a bit embarrassed. Actually, pretty embarrassed. Of course they're called legendaries because of that. ]

[shatterings]

... Riku?

[ Naminé listens and thinks on that for a while. Clearly, she is from her world. Finally, Naminé shakes her head slowly. Xion's right, but not about the weird-sounding part. Naminé's familiar with being forgotten, even where she was never meant to be remembered in the first place. ]

I... don't think it sounds weird at all. [ The idea of friends makes Naminé soften even more, and she nods this time. ] Friends... I think I would like that. Um... though... your name?

[shatterings]

I think I have one at least... um, a travel companion. A human one. [ It feels important to make that distinction--and it honestly probably is. ]

[shatterings]

Five years... You've... really been here that long?

[ She's beginning to wonder just when in his timeline he got here. ]

... Thank you, Riku. [ For being so willing to help her, she means. Not just for answering her questions. Because even though he isn't the Riku she knows, he's still Riku... and Riku helped her when she needed it the most, when she was dangerously close to being disposed of. ]

[shatterings]

Mm... it might take a while, then. I'm sorry.

[ Sorry for not having many ideas. The one she suggested is the best one she's got. ]

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[shatterings]

Mm...

[ She's lost in thought for a while. Sora's question pulls her out of it, though moments later is when her answer comes. ]

Oh-- yes, but... I found someone to travel with. We're heading to Cherrygrove right now... or soon.

[faintwaves]

[She nods, smiling as if to say "of course it's Riku."]

My name is Xion.

[Though, something is bothering her when she has more time to think about it.]

...Um, are...Roxas and Axel...are they safe?

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[heartdive]

Good. Making friends already. I was just asking 'cause we coulda picked you up.

[the_pilgrim]

It's not your fault, don't worry about it.

[walkersystem]

_{[Molly nods seriously. She'd started out the first day alone, but then she caught up with someone, and it made things a lot less scary and lonely to hang out with someone else.]}

Okay! That's good.

Did you know you have a map on the gear? It's not very good but it can help you anyway. So you don't get lost.

Aaaaaaaa how did I miss this BACKDATE

[paopuprincess]

[No way. No way. There's another one. Not just Xion. This one has her face too. And her voice. At... least the hair is different? Again? She... really doesn't know how to feel about this. Someone in the future must really like her.]

Uh... hello?

[islandshore]

Almost. Still got a few months to go.

[But still, that's a quarter of his life spent in this world. Needless to say, it's been on his mind for a while, though he'll refrain from bogging her down. That's probably not what she wants to deal with at the moment.]

So... anything specific you want to know? Or, hey... if you want, we could come get you. Sora, Kairi, and Xion are already here.

[stitchedupbodyguard]

Well... [Huh, that was a question. She considered what info she had at the moment.] There's other wild Pokemon you might have to deal with. But your Pokemon is there to protect you, so if you're careful you'll be there in a jiffy.

[shatterings]

Xion... It's nice to meet you. [ Again, apparently. But her question gives Naminé pause--the conflict is shown fairly obviously in her face. ]

Roxas is... He joined Sora again. Axel... [ More hesitance. ] He... we left together, or we were supposed to. I'm not... sure where he is. But... I'm sure he was safe. Riku let us both go. So... wherever he is, I'm sure he's fine. [ Axel's strong, after all, and Naminé doesn't need to tell them both that, especially if Xion knows him well. ]

[shatterings]

A map... [ She concentrates as she fiddles with the Pokégear. Finally, she nods, and there's a bit of relief in her eyes. ] Oh, thank you.... it's very helpful. [ Now, hopefully, she won't get lost. ]

[shatterings]

Mm. So only wild Pokémon... [ Mini chirps and flails her paws at the screen. Hey, a new person! ] ... She does seem the protective type...

[shatterings]

Ah... well... I'm headed to Cherrygrove with a couple of other people, but... if you really wanted to-- [ She's surprised, honestly, that they all seem to want to join with her. ] --we could meet up. [ She really does want to. But at the same time... why, exactly? ]

[shatterings]

[ She nods and for a while, she's quiet, thinking. ]

A few people... have said that you get used to it after a while.

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[shatterings]

Making friends...

[ Has she, really? They've really been plenty nice to her. Naminé takes a moment, absently petting Mini's head. Riku's words are still having quite a bit of impact on her. Meeting up with them would be... ]

We... could meet, if... you wanted to. In Cherrygrove City.

akihiko voice: i've been waiting for this

[shatterings]

[ She'd heard Kairi was here, heard it from Riku. But seeing her is definitely a shock. She's the same, more or less, maybe just a little older. A little. Naminé, honestly, isn't sure how to react. How do you, when you meet.... yourself? ]

... Hello.

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[..Oh, hello there, little Pokemon. Veronica gave a quick, absent minded wave.]

Yeah. Maybe you'll get lucky and find someone else you can travel with. People tend to show up here around the same time.

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[heartdive]

Sure! That'd be great. There's something I kinda want to say to you anyway.

[ dun dun duuuunnnnnn! ]

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[shatterings]

[ For a fraction of a second, Naminé's eyes widen. It couldn't be... could it? But then again, this Sora... no. She's thinking, now, that she really shouldn't get her hopes up. But it's hard to, and Naminé takes a breath before nodding once.

And Mini's pawing at the screen. This guy looks pretty friendly! ]

... Okay. I think Mini wants to meet you, too.

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[heartdive]

[ yes. yes he is friendly. Sora's making a little face at the screen. just for Mini. ]

I wouldn't mind meeting Mini either. Hi Mini!

[ Sora. you. dork. ]

You'll get to see some of my teammates.