II

[heartstorage]

[Action - Lake Shrine]

[Sora had been to the Lake Shrine once before, it was where he had met Elhaym. He decided to come back to train, since even though he wanted to go to the canyon- it was a out of his league still. And so there he was, Pokemon and axe in hand, ready to put in a hard's day work]

[Except not quite. It's been hard to focus the past couple days, so it's not long before he gets distracted. And so he's easily found in front of the shrine, lost in thought while his Pokemon wander nearby]

A shrine where the dead can appear...

[He crosses his arms as he watches the shrine and after a moment, frowns a bit disappointed]

Nope, none yet. Maybe it's at night?

[Action - Medical Center]

[After he got through a few hours of training, Sora's managed to accumulate a few cuts and bruises from various fights - the most notable one being a scrape on his cheek. None of it is anything serious, just a mix of usual training troubles and a certain level of carelessness. Normally, he wouldn't even bother the Medical Center with it. In fact he's still planning not to bother the Medical Center with it. He can buy bandages from a pharmacy for all he cares.]

[But he did make a promise to Roxas that he'd come back, as well as see Lucas again. And so he can be found in the Medical Center, trying to find either one. And....possibly getting lost in the process. Why do all these halls look the same again?!]

Comments

[a_gentle_boy]

...O-Oh.

[After a few more mental somersaults, Lucas eventually alights on one of several possible explanations for this. ...None of them are very good.]

I... I see.

Did you... You've known he was like this?

[Almost immediately -- ]

Sorry; you don't have to answer that. Um. Sorry to bring this up.

[heartstorage]

[he shakes his head. He needs a moment before he can even answer that question, so he'll focus more on Lucas's apology]

It's not your fault. You didn't know.

[a_gentle_boy]

...

[Lucas is silent for a moment or two.]

There are really good doctors here. There's probably a specialist for something like this. I... I can try to take a look, too, if that's OK...

[........And then, belatedly, because he can't put his foot in his mouth enough times.]

O-Oh -- or... you were coming to see...

[heartstorage]

[He looks down at his feet, biting his lip. He really doesn't want to get emotional here]

Him.

I came to see him.

[a_gentle_boy]

R-Right.

[Lucas will receive a gold star for effort later.]

Um.

I hope... things get better. You probably want to go see him now, then, right? I won't take up more of your time.

[heartstorage]

[Annnd now he feels bad. Lucas is one of his first friends in this city. He doesn't want to upset him]

Hey c'mon, I came to see you too, Lucas!

Please don't feel bad! You were trying to help.

[a_gentle_boy]

O-Oh...!

[Lucas will look even more flushed.]

No, that's not it! Honest. I -- I'm just a little embarrassed, that's all. I --

Sorry, I didn't mean for you to think that. I really mean it. You should go see him.

...It's really important.

[heartstorage]

[he frowns]

Okay, if you're sure...

I'll see you later, right?

[a_gentle_boy]

Right.

[Lucas will try to smile warmly.]

I'll catch up with you soon! I'll probably still be around later.

[heartstorage]

...Alright.

[he gives a little nod and smile then. He still feels bad, but Lucas is being pretty insistent so he'll just go with it]

I'll catch you later, Lucas.

[And off he goes!]

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas's smile will stay on his face until Sora disappears around a corner. ...It will flicker and change into a more somber expression before he turns away, breathing a small sigh.]

...How are you feeling?

[He kneels back down towards Seedot.]

Better now, right?