[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220729/023912a75a8a9b16c801799640a60148.png[/img]

[@Crimson Flame] Bede | [@TruthHurts22] Razuptin Aquato
[b]Place:[/b] S.O.U. Hideout -> Sector 3, Suoh
[b]Word Count:[/b] 956
[b]Level 3 Roxas:[/b] 31/30
[b]Exp:[/b] 2
[b]NEW EXP Balance---[/b] 33/30[/center]

[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYbiRit7NJ0[/youtube][/center]

[color=Gold]"Huh?"[/color] Roxas nearly fell over, taken aback by having been followed out here. Even more so that Bede had apparently overheard what he was saying, [color=Gold]"Oh, uh, well... I wouldn't say I'm bored exactly."[/color] he told the Pokemon Trainer with a shrug, then added, [color=Gold]"Mostly just... overwhelmed. In my experience 'saving the world' is the easy part. You just have to defeat the bad guy. But all this politics stuff just flies right over my head, it's not in my wheelhouse at all."[/color]

And it was after this that Raz came out and joined them. The first things he'd really hit the nail on the head. Was it really that obvious that Roxas was getting overwhelmed by all this? It must have been, since not one but two of the other Seekers had now noticed it. But Roxas was surprised to learn that Raz had only joined the Seekers a day ago. A whole lot must have happened during that one day, Roxas figured. He started telling a story about climbing a mountain and nearly dying at one point. During this, Roxas looked to Bede and Raz on both his sides and was suddenly reminded of all those days he spent on that Clock Tower with Axel and Xion. They'd both be on either side of him, laughing about something or teasing one another while eating ice cream bars.

But he snapped back to reality after that fleeting moment, [color=Gold]"I know... you're right."[/color] he said to Raz. Just because Roxas was second guessing his abilities didn't mean the others around felt that way, as Raz was clearly proving. But still, that part about the Organization gave him pause, [color=Gold]"Look, I don't know what the Organization is trying to accomplish by helping you out, but I'm willing to bet it's not good. It never is with them."[/color] he looked down toward the ground far below them and then continued, [color=Gold]"It's just... I've been there, I know how they operate. They'll tell you what you want to hear so that you'll go along with whatever it is they're planning. They did that with me and my friends for nearly a year before we started to figure out the truth, and they..."[/color] his voice trailed off and he looked away from them. He looked like this conversation was about to drudge some painful memories.

But Raz didn't stay on this topic for much longer. He instead brought up the plan for the Seekers to split up and go to too different Sectors in order to cover more ground. And he made it clear he wanted Roxas to go with him to see the Psych-OSF, It didn't take a genius or a mind reader to figure out why. Some of the people there were people Raz had known. Probably some of the friends he had once mentioned he was looking for. Well Roxas couldn't blame him, he'd be anxious to go there too if he'd found out that any of his friends were there, [color=Gold]"Yeah, you don't have to say anymore. I've got your back. Promise."[/color]

He looked down at the black coat that had been draped over his lap. It still wasn't repaired yet, and at this point Roxas was beginning to wonder if he even should bother fixing it. He began asking himself if he really, truly, still needed to keep using it. After all, it was connected to some of the worst times he'd ever lived through. And yet... it was simultaneously connected to some of his fondest memories as well. Perhaps he'd better just think on it for a little longer.

[hr]
The ride over to Sector 3 was mostly uneventful. Mr. Goldlewis explained a few of the sights along the way but other than that there wasn't much else to the trip. Through most of it, Roxas just looked over the gridLink thing he now wore on his wrist. It identified him as some kind of exchange student visiting from that Bullworth place all the way back in Gutsford. Once they were far enough into Sector 3, Roxas couldn't help but notice Raz acting a little strange. Goldlewis had told them something about this place being sensory overload for psychics, er, not that Roxas could tell obviously. But Raz certainly looked like he could tell, and it didn't look very pleasant.

Eventually they came to a stop, and then Roxas watched Raz wander off toward the steps leading to that shrine thing. Well, since Raz was the one who would have a better idea of what to do around the psychics, Roxas decided he should probably follow after him. Raz wasn't exactly hiding his excitement, not that Roxas could blame him. He'd probably be doing the same thing in his position. But in any case, he kept up with his Psychonaut friend and even reacted quick enough to help him back on his feet after Raz tripped on the last step.

After that was clearly a reunion. The girl he ran up was clearly someone the Psychonaut knew. For the moment, he hung back a bit and gave Raz his space. Instead he looked around at a couple of the others that were around here. Were... they all psychic? Just to be safe Roxas decided to keep his thoughts as quiet as possible. It'd be a real bonehead move to immediately blow their cover because Roxas's thoughts were too loud.

[color=Gold]"Um.. Hi."[/color] he finally said to some other kids that were around, [color=Gold]"Do, uh, you guys live here? I'm visiting from Sector 7."[/color] he was glad he remembered the Sector 7 story that Goldlewis had instructed them to use when introducing themselves.