i. VIDEO
[ someone's singing.
back turned to the gear, her hair gives her away anyway, pink and gold. seated on the windowsill of her room in the cherrygrove inn is sheryl, holding what looks like an ice pack on her head, singing softly. yep, the ice pack is kiiiinda ruining the moment. ]
When I was in love with God,
I didn't think that such a parting would come.
If I couldn't ever touch you again,
Then I'd want you to embrace me again for the last time at least.
It's long, long goodbye~♪ [ the song fades, unfinished, just as sheryl finally turns her attention towards her pokégear. the expression on her face is unreadable as she slowly stands up from her seat on the window, walks towards the gear and -- promptly flattens alto (who seems to have been the one responsible for the feed as usual) with a hand against the table. ]
I told you to stop -- stealing -- my -- Gear!
[ a happy chirp answers her back as alto struggles against her grip. sheryl makes an exasperated sound, before she sets the ice pack down and picks up the gear. she doesn't look straight at the camera however; she's looking off to one side, her lips pressed together in a thin line.
and if you look closer?
yes, that. is sheryl nome slightly blushing. looking like she has something to say (like, oh, idk, thanks for dragging my dead body across cherrygrove???). going dere.
of course, it doesn't take too long for her to go back to tsun mode and she's once more glaring flatly at the gear. looks like someone's finally back to her senses. it's not sheryl nome if she's not more tsun than dere. ]
Hiro! Last week better not count to our bet. [ because gods be damned if she loses this bet because of her soul being sucked out. ]
One question, now that I'm finally awake. How long would I get from Cherrygrove to Violet if I'll be riding a -- [ she pauses, consulting her dex. alto flits and settles down on her shoulder, peering down. ] -- a girafarig? [ there's an audible snort behind her, most likely from her girafarig, castor. ] You can ride it to the next city, right?
And no, Lacus -- [ have a (faint but) confident grin. ] -- you can't stop me from going. I've already decided to leave, barring bad weather and more stupid events from this world. And maybe if headache decides to improve. [ she sighs, massaging her temples. ] I need an aspirin for this. It feels like I hit my head several times.
[ she turns off the feed. ]
ii. TEXT MESSAGE TO RANKA
sorry for making you worry too.
are you all right? your soul didn't get taken away too, did it? that idiot alto will kill me if something happens to you while i'm around.
i forgot to ask you last time which city we'll meet in. i'm leaving cherrygrove soon enough. but no rush, of course. i want to take my time to look around so you take your time too if you're traveling. and be careful, all right?!
i'll see you soon enough.