[072-- Video/Action]
[The grave he and Aoko had built was still there, positioned on the far side of the beach in a slightly secluded area. It was surrounded by large rocks which curved inward, creating a sort of cove-like area that was somewhat cut off from the rest of Olivine. The mound of sand he had built for his father was small, along with the flat rock he had placed behind it to act as a gravestone.
He had visited it that morning, alone this time. He needed to talk.]
... 'm sorry.
[His hands were in his pockets, shoulders slouched in a position uncharacteristic of him as he kicked aside a bit of sand with his sneakers]
There isn't anything I can do about Them while I'm here. I feel like a sitting duck. [He scoffed, kicking at the ground a bit harder, clenching his jaw as he did so.] And I hate that.
[He lapsed into silence; the only sound wafting through the air was the gentle crashing of the waves against the shore behind him. He lifted one hand from his pocket and rubbed at the bridge of his nose, a small sigh escaping his lips.]
Does it look like I'm having fun? Heh... it probably does. I am. I wish you could meet some of the friends I've made here. I think you'd like them. I think I'm gonna... [He trailed off, gaze flickering to the side uncertainly. The unsaid words 'miss them' lingered in the air]
... Kay always said that if any of us left, we'd find our way back to each other eventually. I think I believe her. I dunno how, but we'll figure something out. Somehow.
[He nodded, firm and determined]
But until then, I've gotta enjoy having them around, right? So if I'm having fun, don't think it's because I've forgotten! I haven't given up, either. It's been a year, but I'm gonna make it home, all right? [He paused again] And I'm gonna finish what you started.
[A slow, somewhat sheepish grin managed to work its way onto his lips]
Promise.
[GOOD AFTERNOON JOHTO. There is a Kaito on your screen... correction. There is an upside-down Kaito on your screen, seeing as he is dangling in the air with his knees hooked around a tree branch for support. Oddly enough, he is grinning (though it's a much softer grin than usual), proving that this is, in fact, a voluntary position]
A lot can happen in a year, huh? You can be transported to some stuffy monk-infested tower and be held hostage for a week, get lost in a foggy forest, have your soul sucked away by a floating bug corpse. [He shrugs, nonchalant] You can make friends, lose friends, make more friends... you can turn 18 just as you wake up from that bug-induced coma. [His expression suddenly turns a bit sour] Some birthday that was.
[He recovers quickly, though, his soft grin returning] Point is, a year can fly by pretty fast when you're looking for a way home. Never really thought I'd be here that long...
[The feed suddenly shifts as Kaito pulls himself upright so he's sitting on top of the branch, legs dangling over the edge]
Does the year I spent here even count? Feels like it shouldn't, in some ways. And in others... I guess it does.
[Finally, his smile brightens, and he flashes the screen the 'victory' sign with his free hand]
Happy anniversary, guys~
[His expression flickers one last time into something more thoughtful, before he cuts the feed.
If you choose to action this post up, you can find Kaito on the outskirts of Olivine, hanging out in a tree... somewhere. Yes. Trees are fun.]
[Private Text to Crow + Aoko]
I'm tired of port cities. Too many fishermen, and they all smell like Magikarp. Yeesh... wanna get out of here? Going to Cianwood doesn't exactly sound like fun, but there's a gym down there.
Might as well go for the next badge while we can, right?
[/Private]
He had visited it that morning, alone this time. He needed to talk.]
... 'm sorry.
[His hands were in his pockets, shoulders slouched in a position uncharacteristic of him as he kicked aside a bit of sand with his sneakers]
There isn't anything I can do about Them while I'm here. I feel like a sitting duck. [He scoffed, kicking at the ground a bit harder, clenching his jaw as he did so.] And I hate that.
[He lapsed into silence; the only sound wafting through the air was the gentle crashing of the waves against the shore behind him. He lifted one hand from his pocket and rubbed at the bridge of his nose, a small sigh escaping his lips.]
Does it look like I'm having fun? Heh... it probably does. I am. I wish you could meet some of the friends I've made here. I think you'd like them. I think I'm gonna... [He trailed off, gaze flickering to the side uncertainly. The unsaid words 'miss them' lingered in the air]
... Kay always said that if any of us left, we'd find our way back to each other eventually. I think I believe her. I dunno how, but we'll figure something out. Somehow.
[He nodded, firm and determined]
But until then, I've gotta enjoy having them around, right? So if I'm having fun, don't think it's because I've forgotten! I haven't given up, either. It's been a year, but I'm gonna make it home, all right? [He paused again] And I'm gonna finish what you started.
[A slow, somewhat sheepish grin managed to work its way onto his lips]
Promise.
[GOOD AFTERNOON JOHTO. There is a Kaito on your screen... correction. There is an upside-down Kaito on your screen, seeing as he is dangling in the air with his knees hooked around a tree branch for support. Oddly enough, he is grinning (though it's a much softer grin than usual), proving that this is, in fact, a voluntary position]
A lot can happen in a year, huh? You can be transported to some stuffy monk-infested tower and be held hostage for a week, get lost in a foggy forest, have your soul sucked away by a floating bug corpse. [He shrugs, nonchalant] You can make friends, lose friends, make more friends... you can turn 18 just as you wake up from that bug-induced coma. [His expression suddenly turns a bit sour] Some birthday that was.
[He recovers quickly, though, his soft grin returning] Point is, a year can fly by pretty fast when you're looking for a way home. Never really thought I'd be here that long...
[The feed suddenly shifts as Kaito pulls himself upright so he's sitting on top of the branch, legs dangling over the edge]
Does the year I spent here even count? Feels like it shouldn't, in some ways. And in others... I guess it does.
[Finally, his smile brightens, and he flashes the screen the 'victory' sign with his free hand]
Happy anniversary, guys~
[His expression flickers one last time into something more thoughtful, before he cuts the feed.
If you choose to action this post up, you can find Kaito on the outskirts of Olivine, hanging out in a tree... somewhere. Yes. Trees are fun.]
[Private Text to Crow + Aoko]
I'm tired of port cities. Too many fishermen, and they all smell like Magikarp. Yeesh... wanna get out of here? Going to Cianwood doesn't exactly sound like fun, but there's a gym down there.
Might as well go for the next badge while we can, right?
[/Private]