bravenewworld | Springtime for Union

After an unusually long and cold winter, the land is finally beginning to stir in the anticipation of spring. In the forest, the first flowers are beginning to peek out of the ground, the hum of Bug Pokémon begin to be heard, and of course, the first wisps of pollen begin to incite misery amongst the more sensitive of the population. The sun sets later and later each night, and at the end of a long workday, the prospect of escaping early to enjoy a stroll out in the brisk spring air becomes more and more enticing.

The pall cast by Team Evolution has long faded into little more than a distant cloud on the horizon. Though the mystery of 'Mega Evolution' remains unsolved, it seems inconsequential in the face of the strength that Union itself is gaining. All damage from the earthquakes has finally been fully repaired, production of iron and steel has been greatly enhanced by the discovery of the mine, there were plans to build a new port and to enhance the range of the Signal Tower, Enlightened and Pokémon everywhere were evolving one after another... On the whole, morale was high.

The city takes it upon itself to reflect this.

When the people of Union begin to stir early one spring morning, they will awaken to discover a cheerful city, indeed. All of Union, overnight, has become covered with vines and shrubs and flowers - plant life, everywhere the eye could see. Though the majority haven't yet begun to flower, the rainbow assortment of buds promises a lovely sight to come in the near future. A few citizens, annoyed, set to work removing the intrusive flora from their properties, but the majority simply take the unusual sight for what it is.

And for the particularly observant, dotted here and there among the landscape, the occasional large pink blossom can be spotted already in full bloom...

((You may use this post as an IC mingle if you wish!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's not really a bad situation right now. The weirs and sudden overgrowth is something to question, but no one's getting hurt right?

Flowers aren't really his thing, but he has recently acquired a grass type and really, the change in scenery is very welcome with how cold its been. Good day and time to take the partners out for a walk.

There's no work today, and everyone enjoys the flowers. Mickey frequently runs ahead to check out the vines with Clara the Skiddo trotting on after. Mim the Misdreavus is taking it easier, swooping around Riku and occasionally pulling a flower out and sticking it in his hair.

Which he's not really enjoying and removes it promptly, causing massive amounts of pouting, defiant huffs and another attempt to make him charming with another flower in his hair. It's all fun and games to Mim, but when Riku stops dead in his tracks at the sight of some red head having a picnic, she's a little worried.

Mickey notices first out of the two, causing Clara to look and only snort. Less than a week here and humans are still a mystery to her. The Houndour follows Riku?s line of sight, and upon seeing the girl there with her Pokemon, he trots over to her with a friendly bark.

Riku's got half a mind to call out to him, to get Mickey to come back. But he's a little frozen now. He's known that Kairi's been in the city and that she should be okay, but seeing her makes him feel... just too ashamed to say anything immediately.]

[Kairi doesn't notice Riku at first. It's idyllic, really, the way she hums and occasionally moistens her thumb so she can turn the page. It's almost like there isn't a thing wrong in the world, like she never lost her home or her family.

The bark is unfamiliar and a little startling. She drops her book into her lap, and reaches out to give Mickey a friendly scritch in greeting. And then, among Minnie's excited peeping, she sees a flash of silver.

Her expression falls, eyes widening. Although he looks different-- older, taller, muscles sculpted, paler skin-- there's no mistaking who he is.

She thought he was dead.

It's her fault, really, for being out of town these past couple weeks.]

Ri--

[It's really him. She thought he was gone, after the chaos of trying to get everyone on the boats and not seeing him and then the storm--]

Riku!

[Book forgotten, she clumsily scrapes to her feet and runs toward him, with the full intention of a. giving chase if he runs off like a scared little girl or b. hugging him fiercely if he continues to stand there.]

[He'd probably be lying if he said he wasn't considering option A. But he's still rooted on the spot, and aside from that if he ran away, she'd only go after him and probably interrogate Sora about his whereabouts too. It was only natural that they'd find each other sooner or later, though Riku had hoped it was later, given his work as a Delver and her work as an apprentice breeder.] Ka... Kairi...

[Mim is still confused about this, giving Riku a very pointed look when he bows his head in order to hide his eyes with the bangs of his hair. She's been with him for only a little while and has seen him around others members of the public and other girls, none of them have made him react like this before. This... this must be something special for him. Quickly, the little ghost plucks one of the pink flowers from nearby and hurries to stick it in Riku's pale hair before calling out to Kairi. She doesn't know the girl, hut Mim will make him desirable enough to attract her.

Mickey and Clara are watching this from afar, with the Skiddo having very little interest in what's going on. She focuses more on the vines and flowers around her. However, Mickey stops to observe, cause this is nearly the same as when Riku and Sora first met. Obviously, another friend of Riku's then! He looks back at the Clefairy and barks happily, motioning for her to follow him to their trainers.

[Minnie is friendly and open, happy to bounce over and even hitch a ride on the big puppy if allowed.

Kairi hesitates. He seems fragile, more fragile than she remembers, like touching him will make him shatter into a billion pieces. It hurts to look at him; he's carrying so many scars and he's ashamed of them. The flower in his hair makes him seem kind of ridiculous against all that, but it makes her smile after a moment.]

I'm glad you're okay, [she manages through her tears. Screw it, she's hugging him now.] I was so worried. I know you can take care of yourself, but the storm was so bad, and then I lost track of everyone...

[Hey, that's fine with Mickey. The more the merrier, right? He lowers himself so that he can be used as a proper mount and to give the lady some dignity and class.]

Ye-yeah. [He's still a little stunned, though that's not even it, since he knows she's been here and everything. It's more of the fear, of hurting her with whatever crazy powers he has, and Riku's hand tremble before her body before he's returning that embrace. He has to act normal, act like nothing is wrong and that he didn't hurt so many people, but its a little hard and he tightens his hug just a little.] I was worried too. I couldn't... Couldn't find anyone. Not you, Sora, Roxas or Naminé. [He's not tearing up exactly, but his voice is low and quiet. At the mention and reminder of the later two, Riku quickly leans back to look at her. He already knows some of the answer, but he needs to ask.] You're okay now though, right?

[Meanwhile, Mim is admiring the two from afar but she lets out a small annoyed cry when she sees Riku's flower fall. Luckily, one warning bark from Mickey prevents her from going to reclaim it, making the Misdreavus rather pouty.]

[Kairi notices that tremble. Though she might not be able to feel it innately like she can sense her Pokemon's emotions, it's something she identifies with. She rubs his back a little, to make sure he knows she's still there. She hasn't disappeared.

When he's ready for a little distance, she meets his expression with a small, tearful smile.]

I'm fine. I'm doing great, actually! Sora and Roxas are okay too, though Roxas doesn't seem to remember much. [She brushes her little pendant with her fingers, thinking of her sister.] ... I haven't seen Naminé, but I'm sure she's out there. Maybe she lost her memory, too.

[Ah, those tears. Seeing those just makes him want to shy away again. They're not just for him, nor should they ever be, knowing the truth of everything that happened. The rubbing is appreciative, but hardly quells his real fears inside.]

Yeah, I actually already found Sora earlier. Roxas too. [He shakes his head. To think that he lost all of his memories. He's just glad that Sora isn't more depressed by the matter, but still. It's not good for anybody, especially since Roxas is so zombie-like now.] Maybe, but... don't try to bank on that. You two were close and it wouldn't be good for her to lose her memories of you either.

Springtime for Union

I am so sorry for the length

i'm not sorry for the heartbreak

Never be sorry!

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