[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]

[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.

[pullsheavendown]

[Oh, the mouse king. Roxas only talked to him once or twice, but he'd seemed nice. It's not hard to imagine him helping Sora out.

Roxas looks closely at the crystal again, and back at Sora.]

Then...I'm glad you got it.

Ready to try it?

[lockandkeyblade]

[He sets down the milkshake because obviously, because otherwise Roxas will have a very messy apartment if it works. He sends Roxas an eager smile: Here goes!

He steps out into a more open area with the orb in hand. His fingers curl once, twice, and then he's lifting it into the air to draw his keyblade.]

Ready.

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas nods, then sets down his own milkshake. He...isn't sure what he can do. Maybe just provide moral support if it doesn't work.

Maybe say goodbye if it does.]

Go ahead.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora reaches into his bag to pull out the orb. Then, he stretches out his hand with the item sitting neatly in his palm, as if he's offering it. There's a ray of light that's streaming in from the window nearby, but Sora swears he just might see the orb glittering on its own.

He inhales and holds his breath. The moments tick by. There's the chime of his keychain on the keyblade. He can feel something, a movement of energy, or a shifting of the temperature- just like it had done every other world he'd found a gate.

But his expression becomes a little more searching as a few more moments pass...]