004 // Video - Action // In which Sora makes a friend

[lockandkeyblade]

[Hey there, Vatheon! Time for a homely little broadcast of a cozy looking ...  stable? Since when did Vatheon have horses? Must be new. The screen pans slowly, revealing a vast open field, bordered by a rickety white fence. Sora's voice speaks off screen:]

Hey guys- check out what showed up at Nostalgia Nook!

[And then woa! Fluffy yellow feathers invade the screen. The SFC shakes as the person holding it begins to laugh. Sora swivels the SFC on himself. His hood is caught in the beak of a rather large bird. Behind him are several more, nearly twice Sora's height and scattered throughout the field.]

They're called Chocobos. Some are pretty friendly. The guy at the stable? He says I can have one if I take good care of it! [Another Chocobo head bobs into the screen, nibbling at the end of a spike of Sora's hair. He doesn't seem to mind.] You can even ride them, but you gotta train em' first.

Oh. And when you sing, sometimes they'll dance. Watch!

[The screen swivels around, squaring on an unassuming Chocobo several yards ahead. Sora clears his throat, and begins to whistle a tune. The bird in question quirks its head at the SFC and surprise, surprise, it actually begins to dance! It bobs, sways, rolls its head, warking rather excitedly, drawing attention of other ones nearby who more or less begin to do the same.]

[Just when things start getting interesting, that's when it all stops: there's a loud, irritated wark right behind the SFC. Sora has halted his musical performance and the screen has wandered away from the dancing chocobo as if Sora has become distracted offscreen. Could be trouble...]

Uhh.... hey there... You want some greens, is that it?

I'm sure I've got some around here. Hang on a sec....H-hey!

Wait, what're you - Oh no!!

[The screen finally jerks around, catching a flash Sora being tugged backwards, his hood caught in the beak of a rather irate looking bird. The broadcast stops.]

Comments

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[Sora's not being dragged anymore, but he's not making progress in getting away from this particular Chocobo. Now it's pulling at his sleeve, but at least they've stopped moving.]

You mean like under its chin? You sure about this?

[He really wants to keep his fingers.]

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

[She's nodding while trying not to laugh]

Kinda? But I think it's just being playful. And anyway, it seems to really like you.

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

Could've fooled me.

[Well... it's worth a shot. Sora lifts his hand, tentatively. The Chocobo peers down at his hand and Sora hesitates.]

Uhh... So what happens if it doesn't like you?

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

Ah... It might snap at you. So, pet carefully.

[Yuna looks on a little worried for him. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all...]

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[Luckily, Yuna's instincts are right on the mark. Sora reaches off screen. There's a silence. And there's a pleased whistle from the bird in question.]

You know, I think it worked!

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

Oh, good! I was a little worried, for a moment.

[She'd have to thank Clasko one day...]

Ah! I'm sorry. I didn't ask your name.

oh here it comes...

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

Thanks! You really helped me out here!

[Sora owes him too! The bird's leaning into his hand now, turning its head slightly in response.]

I'm Sora! And you are?

dun dun duuuuuuuuun~

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, Sora!

[She almost bows to the screen, but realizes that might be a bit much. As might be her normal declaration of hometown. After all, Vatheon doesn't have an Isle of Besaid.

So she simply smiles.]

Please, call me Yuna.

GASPU /o\

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[A surprised pause.] Yuna... [And Sora peers closer to the screen.] Yuna?

Wow - you look... different!

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

[And she, in turn, reels respectfully away from the screen]

I-I'm sorry? Do you know me?

[Oh, of course!]

You must also be from Spira, yes?

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

Yeah! We met at Radiant Garden, remember? You and Rikku and Paine. The three of you were always looking for treasure.

... Only you were a lot smaller last we talked. [He holds his palms out, one above the other to demonstrate.]

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

[Yuna frowns a little before shaking her head.]

I'm sorry. I don't think I've ever been that small.

And I don't know a Paine or Radiant Garden but... Rikku? You know Rikku?

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

Kinda. She was there when we met. Or... I thought she was.

Maybe we're thinking of different Rikku's.

Blonde hair and green eyes? Excited about everything?

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

[That brings the smile back to her face]

It sounds like the same Rikku I know! Though, my Rikku might be a little taller.

Do you know where she could be?

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen her around here, but I can check on the SFC list for you.

[And Sora fiddles with his SFC for a few moments as he scrolls through a list. Then he shakes his head.]

No... she's not here in Vatheon. If she was, she'd be on the registry. Sorry, Yuna.

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

Oh... It's okay.

[But is it really? Yuna turns her face away from the screen. The last thing she wants her new friend to see is how much she'd gotten her hopes up.]

I'm sure I'll see her again, someday.

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[Oh, no Yuna. He sees it! And that's why he switches straight into cheer-up mode. No sad faces on this SFC.] Of course you will. Who knows, maybe she'll even show up later on. That's what happened with my friend Riku. He showed up here first, and then I showed up a couple weeks later.

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

[You're going to remind her to keep smiling, aren't you Sora? She truly appreciates it. And she can wait a few weeks, even more, if that's how long it takes.] I hope so. I really miss her and the others, you know? But I'm glad your friend is here with you.

[She even managed a little laugh as well]

And the chocobos! I didn't think Vatheon would have had them here as well.

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

I hope so too.

Why don't you come down and take a look for yourself? If you're this good over the SFC, I bet they'll take a real shine to you in person.

[Plus it might cheer you up some, Yuna.]

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

[well, why not? She nods, the smile not fading from her face.]

Okay, I'll go! But I'm still new here. I'm not sure how to get to the, um... Nostalgia Nook?

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

This place can get pretty confusing sometimes if you're new.

Tell you what. If I can get away from this guy, I meet you somewhere and take you down to the ranch?

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

[She softly laughs] It is! It's so big and there are so many levels. The cities where I come from aren't usually this big...

Is the plaza okay? It's the one place I know best.

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

Yeah me too. I lived in a little place called Destiny Islands. Everybody knew everybody, it was so small.

And the plaza's fine. I'll be there in a few.

[Video] ---> [Action]

[grandsummon.livejournal.com]

Mmm... I know the feeling. It's like you're never alone.

I'll be waiting, Sora!

[Offering a small smile, she turns the SFC off and heads toward the plaza. But not without getting a little sidetracked in the market. Does Sora want anything? Should she have brought something?] Managing the chocobos might have made him hungry...

[Action]

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[Sora wastes little time in getting there. When he arrives at the plaza, he doesn't immediately spot her. So for a few moments, he stands by the coral and calls her name once or twice.]