01 | Video

[missingache]

[Finally taking time to figure out what this device fully does, Roxas just isn't pointing it the right way. The camera is focused on a sleeping Shinx in the sand.]

This thing is a lot like a Gummiphone, I think. But I can't contact anyone back home. Is that normal? [A Pikipek comes on screen and just hops around before its off screen again.]

I don't really want to leave Cherrygrove in case my friends show up. I don't know if a lot of people come through here, though.

[There's rustling as he turns the camera around to point at his own face.]

If I'm a Trainer of these Pokemon, is there certain ones I'm supposed to catch? Is there a good way to train them other than battling? I don't want to make them fight if they don't want to.

[The device is shifted again and now is just pointing at the sky.]

If anyone knows a guy named Sora, can you let him know I'm looking for him?

Comments

[synchroswim]

A gummi-wha?

<sub>[Wait.

Wait. Wait.]</sub>

...Hang on, Roxas?

_{[NOW THERE'S A FACE HE HASN'T SEEN IN... well, since that mission to Olympus way back in the early days.]}

[missingache]

[Waaaaaaait that's a voice he knows! He moves the screen and stares at it.

It's. Not possible? Was it? The last time Roxas saw Demyx was........ well, saw Demyx through not-Sora's-eyes was a long time ago. Honestly, he can't even say what the heck happened to the other since he didn't see him at the Keyblade Graveyard....]

Yes? [This is weird] Are you here, too?

[synchroswim]

Yeah? I've been here for, uh...

_{[...How long has it been? He frowns to himself and takes a few moments to think, then looks off-screen towards something. Or someone--]}

Tempo? Hey, you remember?

_{[At first there's nothing, but then suddenly there's a loud --COLO in the background and Demyx's expression shifts to disbelief.]}

Seriously? Uh... About seven months, apparently?

[missingache]

.... Seven months?

[But... how does that make sense??? Like, at all???]

I don't.... get it. It's just been a little while since someone saw you last...

[synchroswim]

There's not a lot to get, dude. Time doesn't really, er... work like it normally does. I think someone told me that if I went back to my own world, things would pick up right where they left off for me which would be...

_{[Not one of the worst missions he's been on, but also not the best. He's said it before and he'll say it again - sweat is gross.]}

We were in Olympus on Heartless duty and we split up 'cause I so wasn't gonna deal with whatever sort of "training" those guys would've put me through. I woke up here after that, give or take a couple hours.

[missingache]

[Time doesn't work normally?

The only reason this seems to make sense is the story Demyx is giving.]

I'm way past that. Maybe a year or so? [More? Less? Who knows. Sora's heart didn't exactly have a clock in it.]

DW keeps hecking me up with the 504s

[synchroswim]

A year, huh?

<sub>[He squints, and his brows furrow a bit as he studies Roxas through the pokegear.

And then flashes a crooked grin.]</sub>

...Well, I still look older, so I think it's fine!

it made me give up tagging last night

[missingache]

... that's because you're older than me.

[Always will be. Always have been.]

[islandshore]

[Oh, it's... Roxas? Or is it Ven?

Hm. Demeanor suggests Roxas.

Well, here's Riku. The silver hair and eyes are impossible to miss, although he's... notably older. In his twenties rather than a teen.

He sighs as he responds. Bit of a sore subject here.]

Sorry, Roxas. Sora... hasn't been here in a long time.

[missingache]

[......... that's Riku. But not Riku. At least not one that Roxas actively recognizes.

This is weird. Very weird.]

........ So if Sora's not here.... then why are you not looking for him?

[islandshore]

Can't. When people leave this world, you can't just track 'em down.

[He throws up his hands and shakes his head.]

Sora's left so many times. Same with Kairi. And Ven. Terra, Aqua, Mickey, Minnie, you...

[He sounds... tired. Strained.]

Been here almost a decade, so I'm used to it.

[missingache]

[That's a lot of names...]

Wait. I've... never been here before. [Yes, there's some memories missing, but that wouldn't include this place. He's pretty sure this was never a world targeted by the Organization.]

And how could you be here a decade! I just saw you on the beach! Before I woke up in that weird place with the lady who said she's my mom.

[islandshore]

Nah, you were. You just forgot. Happens when people leave.

[Cue a shrug. He's... used to this by now.]

Time passes differently here. People pop up from different points in time. Case in point? The last thing I remember was trying to build a raft. I learned everything else by proxy.

[missingache]

[......

Building a raft.

A raft.]

That was... a long time ago. At least for the Riku I left behind, who I am going to assume is not you.

[islandshore]

I've been here long enough that I might as well be someone else. Maybe that'll change if I ever get outta here, but for now I'm more used to this world than any other worlds I'm supposed to know about.

[Riku heaves a small sigh at that. It's a mixed bag for him.]

But this place isn't so bad. Takes some getting used to, and it doesn't always make sense, but it's peaceful enough, I guess.

[missingache]

[That's a sad explanation... Roxas shakes his head.]

I can't get used to it. I have to go back and find Sora if he's not here!

[islandshore]

I'm not saying you should give up, but there's no way to choose to leave. This world plays by its own rules.

[He reaches for his forehead, sighing through his nose.]

But time's frozen while we're here, so you won't be losing any time back home.

voice;

[sassymaru]

Very normal, yes. Alas, we're unable to speak to those we wish to communicate with, in our own worlds.

Fear not. I'm certain you'll locate new friends.

[missingache]

[That's not reassuring at all.]

But I want my old friends.

[sassymaru]

Don't we all?

But one must accept changes, as they come, I'm told.

[missingache]

... that sounds like something a friend of mine would say.

[sassymaru]

Does it?

My goodness. I must be psychic.

[missingache]

Or you just think alike.

[sassymaru]

I'm scandalized you doubt my potential!

[No he's not.]

[missingache]

If I can't use my magic here, I doubt psychic people exist...