001 ♡ [action]

[lighthoused]

[ Making their way from the Garden Lobby to the Fisherman's Horizon inn are a boy and a girl, each with a course catalog tucked under their arms and matching confused faces. Their bodies are turned into each other slightly, enough to let onlookers know that they're friends. The girl's eyes keep darting about, whether in amazement or sheer surprise

Comments

[action]

[betweenpaths]

[Riku reaches one hand up and rubs the back of his neck, eyes slowly looking around and watching his surroundings carefully. He's happy that at least Kairi is with him now, but it made him question where Sora was.]

Huh, just when we thought we were finally going home. I guess it's probably too much to ask for a break.

[action]

[lighthoused]

[ Kairi's just as happy to be in good company--but wondering the same thing. ]

But you two did get home. Even though you didn't get to stay long, before the King sent you that letter...

[action]

[betweenpaths]

[He stops the rubbing, only to give her a strange look and shakes his head.]

Sora and I were still in the Realm of Darkness, and he got your letter. [Not going to mention that he found it first.] A door opened and we were going to go through, but ended up here. [A beat and he shakes his head again.] Or at least I did.

[lighthoused]

[ ...the most confused face. ]

No, you washed up on the beach with Sora. Donald and Goofy were there, and the King, too!

[ No comment on how delighted you looked hugging your tiny mouse friend, Riku. ]

That's strange. Does stuff like this happen a lot, when you travel between worlds?

[laughafterme]

HIYA!! [Yes, she just popped up from outta no where.] You two lost? You look lost! So I thought I'd help you! And you look new, and I make it my job to know EVERYONE who's new here and make friends with them! You can't go around not having friends, because then who would help you out when you're lost, right?!

[betweenpaths]

[He tries hard not to groan out loud at her, just settling for rubbing the bridge of his nose. How does he keep attracting happy people.]

Yeah, we're lost. Or new, rather.

[lighthoused]

[ Unlike Riku, Kairi is far more tolerant, and offers Pinkie a pleased smile. ]

Hiya yourself! We would appreciate some help, actually. Do you know where the inn is?

[laughafterme]

GREAT! Not that being lost is great, but that I knew you two were lost AND new! It's like double the FUN! [Bounces in place. Awwyeah! NEW FRIENDS!]

I'm Pinkie Pie, and I like parties, and cakes, and cookies, and dancing, and games, and cupcakes! What's your name?

[suriyan]

[Well there's someone she hadn't expected to see in a very, very long time. Olette pauses, studying them over to make sure she's got the right person and then...]

Kairi? What're you doing here?

[Sorry Riku, he's kind of an unfamiliar face right now, but she'l smile for him all the same.]

[lighthoused]

[ Kairi looks up at the voice--and her face splits into a wide smile. She breaks away from Riku to focus on her friend. It's so good to see someone she recognizes! ]

Olette! I should be asking you that question--we just got here.

[ She motions behind her for Riku to step up. ] Olette, this is my friend Riku. Riku, this is Olette.

[betweenpaths]

[He takes his cue, striding up beside Kairi and offering a smile, a nod and an outstretched hand. Riku remembers her from the fake Twilight Town, but he's not about to say anything about it.]

Hey. Nice to meet you.

[suriyan]

[Olette can't help grinning back as she steps forward and shakes his hand warmly.] It's good to meet you, Riku!

I'm not sure how I got here, really, but they said it was because of Time Compression. That's not normal, right? [She's hoping it's not normal, at least.] Either way, it's really good to see you guys here.

[feedmyglitch]

[Fortunately--or is it unfortunately?--"Sora" happens to be out and about. He's in one of the shops, looking over the varying accessories for sale. Accessories are always good. He'll have to buy a few. Granted, he's ignoring the stares he's getting for being, well, solid black with gold eyes. He's about to leave, having noted prices. And just as he's turning to the door... He freezes. Because Kairi is coming in.

...Well. This isn't good.]

[lighthoused]

[ Kairi doesn't notice him at first, mostly because unlike Riku, she doesn't come with a built-in darkness radar, and she isn't looking for any black shapes; her eyes slide over him, intent on the strange jewelry and clothing she sees instead.

If he's particularly sneaky, he could attempt an escape! ...but Riku's outside. Damn. ]

[feedmyglitch]

[So he's between a rock and a hard place. But he doesn't know about Riku, so he'll try to sneak out. Key word being: try. But he has to go around Kairi, so that might not work out.]

1/2

[lighthoused]

[ It seems for a moment as if he'll succeed, but just as he reaches the door--Kairi turns.

And comes face-to-face with a very familiar black shape, with two glowing yellow eyes.

For a long moment, silence. ]

[adewdropbright]

...Kairi? [ Kairi was younger, with a different hairstyle when they last met--and it's been a year since then at home, with another year and some months added on for Aerith. But there's just a certain something about the girl that makes Aerith think it must be her, and she changes her path down the street to meet them.

Still, she feels a little unsure--it seems strange to meet another person she knows after running into "Sora" at the carnival. She's curious about Riku too, trying to catch his eyes for a few seconds as she walks up. He keeps looking at the ground--or is it...?]

[lighthoused]

[ Kairi looks up at her name being called, and grins in recognition. ]

Aerith! Hey!

[ Kairi breaks away from Riku to meet Aerith partway, and doesn't hesitate to open her arms for a hug. This is the woman who helped keep her safe in Traverse Town, after all. ]

[adewdropbright]

[ The cheerful greeting dissolves Aerith's uncertainty, and she walks more quickly, smiling as she takes Kairi's hug. ] It is you! When did you get here?

[lighthoused]

We just got here about an hour ago. It's been a wild ride...

[ She holds up the course catalog, grinning sheepishly. ]

What are you doing here?