[Video]

[lockandkeyblade]

[So it does happen on occasion that Sora likes to play Sherlock. This particular evening, inspiration strikes while in the midst of training exercises in the woods (taught to him some time ago by a certain blue haired master). His hair's a little mussed, outfit slightly askew. But here's something new! Sora's sporting some new duds: At the moment, his left arm's covered in what appears to be some well-crafted armor.]

I've been thinking... Back in my world, there used to things called Gates that helped get you from place to place. Thing is, they weren't all that easy to find, and they didn't just open for anybody or for any reason.

Only, if I'm right, I just might know a way to make this work!

[Hence, his next question. It's completely relevant to the previous matter, he promises:]

What's most important to you? What's something you guys just can't go without?

[Tell the sixteen year old about your precious items, Siren's Port. So he can ask to see it. Toss it in the air. Point a weapon at it.]

[It'll turn out just fine.]

[Probably.]

Comments

private video;

[lockandkeyblade]

[Oh well, hey now. That's interesting...]

Yeah! Exactly...

[A tilt of the head as he peers back at Roxas curiously. Granted, it doesn't take a big leap of logic to come to that conclusion: that something sparkled in the sun. But Roxas looks alert, attention captured, like he's done something similar himself, even...]

private video;

[pullsheavendown]

Hold on a minute! [He scrambles to his feet, the NV's camera shaking as he does so.] Just wait here, okay?

[There's a thump as he drops the device on a soft surface, and from the background come the creak of a drawer opening, the faint sounds of fumbling with what's inside. Xact pads over to sniff at the NV, his nose looming large, but is quickly shooed away when Roxas returns to re-focus the camera.]

Was it this?

[Between two fingers he holds a small blue crystal. If held in the sun, it would sparkle prettily.]

private video;

[lockandkeyblade]

[There's a note of amusement when the cat comes over to to the NV, and it even gets a laugh out of him.] Hey Xact.

[Now when Roxas comes back, Xact jumps off the table. Sora gapes at the screen. Roxas has one of them. Sora's got one of those sitting in his pack right this moment. How in the world?]

Yeah! That's the one. Why do you have one of those?

private video;

[pullsheavendown]

Because you gave it to me.

[He glances down at the orb, rolling it a little between his fingers, then back at Sora.]

The first time you were here, the last time I talked to you, you asked me to hold onto it. [Not so different from Sora hanging onto Roxas' diary.] So I did. Uh, in my sock drawer.

private video;

[lockandkeyblade]

[He's already tried opening up a Gate with the orb that he has, but somehow... he thinks maybe the one that Roxas has in his possession is a little different. There are different memories, different meanings. It's enough to warrant a try.]

You think I could come over and see it in person?

private video;

[pullsheavendown]

Yeah, of course. Come on over.

private video;

[lockandkeyblade]

[He nods, reaching to turn off the NV. But he falters.]

And Roxas?

private video;

[pullsheavendown]

Yeah?

private video;

[lockandkeyblade]

Thanks for keeping it safe.

[The Struggle Trophy gem isn't anything special really. It's just a trinket. And technically, he's brought one from his own world. But still... it feels pretty important to him, though he can't say why. He'd be pretty bummed if he lost it.]

private video;

[pullsheavendown]

[He nods, and then his mouth twitches into a small smile.]

Sure.

It was the least I could do.

private video;

[lockandkeyblade]

Your place, right?

private video;

[pullsheavendown]

Right. I'll be waiting.

I could make some milkshakes or something while I wait.

[Those do not count as ice cream.

But they're closer than some desserts.]

private video;

[lockandkeyblade]

Best thing I've heard all day! Been a while since I had milkshakes.

[More specifically...the last thing he had anything like that was rootbeer floats with Ventus and Xion.]

private video; -> action;

[pullsheavendown]

Then hurry up, sheesh.

[And so he will get into the kitchen and get started on those milkshakes.]

private video; -> action;

[lockandkeyblade]

I'm coming, I'm coming!

[And with a grin, he turns off the NV. One grab of his jacket off the chair and he's heading out to meet Roxas at his apartment.]

action;

[pullsheavendown]

[He's got plenty of ice cream (naturally) and milk is in the refrigerator, so after plugging in the blender it's child's play for a skilled ice cream maker to whip up a couple of tasty treats.

He stops to admire his creations for a moment before answering the knock at the door.]

Hey. Come on in.

[lockandkeyblade]

[He's already all smiles by the time that the door opens. And he starts talking right away, as if he'd been holding it in from the time he walked over and during the time it took for Roxas to answer the door.]

You know, I've got a really good feeling about it this time!

[pullsheavendown]

You think?

[He really has no idea. But he doesn't want that excited, happy look on Sora's face to go away.]

Worth a try, anyway. Here. [Milkshakes, bro. Which contain ice cream. They're not the same as ice cream, but it's a small step forward.]

[lockandkeyblade]

Yeah! If anything has a good shot at working, it's gotta be this. Think about what it's gonna mean for the Port...

[Sora happily takes the milkshake into his hands and steps inside, waiting for Roxas as he closes the door behind them.]

[pullsheavendown]

If it works, yeah.

[Roxas isn't sure how hard he wants to think about that. So many people would get to go home, and that's good...but he'd miss them, too. A lot.

Once the door is shut, he sips his own milkshake and holds up the crystal.]

Here. Just like you left it.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora reaches out and takes it into his hands. He glances down at it in his palms before he turns, glancing at a nearby window. Even now, he has the urge to hold it up to the light.]

This thing is so tiny...

But really important. Who would'a thought...

[pullsheavendown]

I guess it must have been pretty important to someone.

[From a trophy, Sora had said. For what? And who'd won it?]

[lockandkeyblade]

[He can hardly sit still long enough to try some of that milkshake though after everything's over, it'll be more comfort food than a treat]

You know what this is, Roxas?

[pullsheavendown]

Well...yeah, I do.

Who gave it to you?

[lockandkeyblade]

Actually, I got it from King Mickey, and he got it from other people. [People who would be important to Roxas in the future. The one he doesn't want to know.]

It's an orb from something called a Struggle Trophy. In a way, this thing sort of helped me learn a little about you when I was back home.