route_1065 | (no subject)

Who: Riku, Sora, Kairi, Ilya, Xion, Naminé, and her travel group if they'd like to jump in!
Where: Cherrygrove City
When: Present, or maybe a few days back, depending.
Summary: Upon Naminé's arrival, the Keyderp brigade promised to meet with Naminé. Now's their chance to catch up and enjoy the relaxed scenery.
Rating: Probably nothing higher than PG.
Log:

[With everyone all prepped up for their meeting, it really was just a matter of time before they made it into town. Psych's teleportation made reaching New Bark Town an easy task, leaving the rest of the trip just a matter of flight.

When the gang finally reaches their destination, the first thing Naminé and her companions may notice is a bright orange dragon descending from the sky, along with any other flyers the group brought along. Once they've dismounted, Riku's quick to look around, trying to pinpoint Naminé in order to give a proper greeting.

But while they're in town, nothing says they can't enjoy the sights. It's been ages since Riku's hit Cherrygrove, so he's more than happy to take a little break. Give everyone time to mingle and catch up.

Maybe even catch some waves.]

[ooc: This log is open to mingling, so multiple top levels are A-okay. Figured it'd be easier than one big thread.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Leaving so soon?

[It was tough not to notice Lightning. Not only because of her age, but due to the way she'd kept a distance the whole time.

Riku doesn't want to push her, but at the same time, it's kinda sad how she seems so resigned to all this. So, he'll approach with a smile, hoping to at least lighten the mood a bit.]

You guys got what you came here for.

[She looks down and shifts. It takes her a moment to look back at him.]

You better take care of her. Else you'll have to answer to me.

Hey, c'mon. No need to be a stranger.

[It's so odd seeing her so aloof again. Feels like he's dealing with a completely different person, but maybe it's for the best if he stops making comparisons.]

We'll take care of her, just... I don't know. Not like we want you to feel out of place.

I am a stranger. Or at least I'm not the person you want me to be.

[She's not being mean. But she knows that everyone who meets her and knew the other one will always make comparisons. She can't force people to let go of memories the other her made with them, and she doesn't want to. If they really wanted to try and be friends with her, they just needed to see her as her own person, not another version.]

I don't feel out of place. I had a feeling when I met Naminé that I wouldn't be able to travel with her for long. I just didn't think that the first town we got to would be the place she was whisked away.

And what if I told you I wanted to get to know you from scratch?

[Because even if he does have a lot of memories of her previous iteration, he's been around long enough to know that each new version is like a clean slate. Forcing old memories on people only brings stress, frustration, confusion, and other unpleasant feelings.]

If you really want to go, that's fine, and I won't stop you. You've probably got your own plans, and I respect that.

[But it still feels bittersweet, and he's only now just starting to realize that.]

... That's your choice. I can't stop you.

[She can tell he's being genuine. She's watching him after all. Was this boy even capable of lying?]

I promised our other companion that I would take him to Goldenrod. After that I'm not quite sure what I'll do.

Goldenrod? Hmm, then you've got a few weeks of traveling ahead. After that, I guess it depends on how much you like big cities.

[He laughs, tucking his hands into his pockets.]

It's an okay city, but everyone seems to just... stop, there. They give up traveling, and then they miss out on everything else Johto has to offer.

Phoenix knows a shortcut, so it should be about a week. He wants to get there as fast as possible.

[Is he fidgety?]

I won't stop there for long. What's the point of going on a journey when you just stop at the beginning of it?

[Just watch. She'll make her way to Kanto in a manner of months. She's determined. Though she might take about a year. If people keep stopping her.]

Tell that to everyone who decided to settle down. I guess they'd rather feel like they've got a home. Travel's not for everyone.

But still, it's such a waste...

[Shaking his head, Riku blows a small sigh.]

Would you rather be traveling?

[Since she's lost her home, she can't sit still in any once place. It has to feel like Bhodum, a nice island, before she's considers settling down. And still travel.]

Well, I've got the Training Center, but I don't think I could stand it if I stayed in Celadon all the time.

[It'd be a headache and a half. Sure, the city's huge, but he'd probably run out of things to do eventually.]

You could always have a traveling Training Center or something. Get out of the city, help others train if they can't get to your center.

[Being practical is a thing for her.]

Hmm... point. And it's not like I have to be in Celadon at all times. Might as well branch out and get the word out.

[Two birds, one stone. He travels around, more people might want to hit the center itself.]

... Take Naminé with you, if she wants to go. It'll do her good to see more of this place.

[And up the chance of Lightning seeing her again.]

That was our plan. Kairi seems pretty excited to spend time with her. Her, Sora, and Xion, honestly.

[But mostly Kairi, from what he can tell. That makes two lookalikes now.]

[Lightning is thinking now. Hmm...]

If she's staying in Celadon, I can visit her there. It might take a long while.

Depends on how fast you get your first badge. Once you beat Falkner, all you need's a Pokémon with Fly, and you can get around in a fraction of the time it'd take on foot. You'll probably have to save for a train pass, but after that, you'll have two regions at your disposal.

[So it might not be as bad as she thinks. It all depends on how serious she is about her training.]

That doesn't sound too difficult.

[She's very serious.]

Nah, it's pretty easy. Just time consuming, since you're gonna have to train up a team, get the badge, then either take the train to Saffron or go all the way out to Cianwood for the HM.

[He'd recommend the former, but he knows the train ticket's kinda steep for a newbie. 20,000 is no small fee.]

I have all the time in the world. I'll stick around here for now.

[She won't go to Kanto till she has a powerhouse team.]