Challenge [108]

[sakura-raku.livejournal.com]

Challenge: [108] Belle
Title: Prettiest
Word count: 423
Pairing: Sora/Kairi
Spoilers/Notes: This takes place right before KH1. No spoilers, unless you haven't gotten past the first hour of kh1. G rating. This is more cute than anything else.



Destiny Islands was renowned by its inhabitants for many reasons. One was all the legends and secrets it held, the Paopu legend being prominent among them. Another was its beauty. But if there was anything the islanders hated about their world, it was the heat.

The islands' summers were almost brutal; they were humid and moist and unbearably hot. The sun shone strong on the sand, burning the feet of anyone who walked on it. The island children did all they could to keep from burning up, but sometimes it was too much to bear.

Kairi disliked the heat. Sometimes in her dreams she could vaguely remember her world, the place where she had come from, and somehow she knew it was never as hot there. There was snow in the winter, and the summers were light and cool. Not like this place. But she tried not to dwell on it.

School on Destiny Islands didn't let out for summer break until June, so the last few months were almost torture. Kairi was the one who complained the most, while Sora and Riku shook their heads and told her she'd get used to it eventually. But she hated the heat; it made her sweat and feel dizzy, and turned her cheeks red. Which was embarrassing.

Sora seemed to love summer the most out of all the islanders. Kairi had never heard him complain about it, not once. He'd just go around and grin and tell her not to worry, she didn't look sweaty at all. So she tried to bear it, for his and Riku's sake. At least it was cute seeing Sora blush from the heat.

But one day, in late May, she couldn't take it anymore. It was in gym class when it happened - everyone was outside and Kairi was attempting to kick the ball into the net, sweaty and blushing and dying of heat. But she couldn't do it, and she fell to the ground.

She was mortified, she could just hear the sniggers of the kids behind her and she wanted to just be swallowed up by the ground. But then a cool hand was in hers, and she looked up into Sora's decidedly pink face.

"Are you okay?" he asked, lifting her up.

Kairi blushed. "Um, yeah. I'm so embarrassed..."

Sora only smiled. "Don't worry. You're okay. And, um, you look cute, all sweaty like this."

And suddenly the giggling of the other students didn't matter anymore, and Kairi felt like the prettiest girl on the islands.

Comments

[shugamri.livejournal.com]

Hm. While I like your portrayal of Kairi's reaction to the weather, I find the description of the islander's reaction to it uncharacteristic.

Reason why is because I grew up in Europe, a naturally cool place, and now live in North Carolina, a naturally warm place. While I can't stand summer heat, those who have grown up here can.

I mention this as an example; the fact that the islanders can't bear the heat is the only part of the story that seems odd to me. Otherwise, very nicely done.

[sakura-raku.livejournal.com]

Thank you for commenting. :)

Well, I think it all depends on what you're used to. I grew up in Europe as well, in Italy. And yes, it is naturally cool. But I moved to Manhattan, New York, when I was twelve. And as you might know, Manhattan is quite warm in the summer. So I suppose that's where this comes from.

Everyone I know here in New York, even if they're native New Yorkers, has somewhat of a disliking to either winter or summer; they complain that summer is too hot and winter is too cold. So that's where I got the idea for this. I'm sorry if it doesn't make sense. :3 It did in my head.

I hope this clears everything up, a little? Thank you again for your imput. ^_^

[violent-rabbit.livejournal.com]

I jyst want to add to this and say I grew up in sydney AUstralia? Very warm? but Ive always hated the summers? Im now for the first time living south and it's -13 degress and I Love it. :D

[sakura-raku.livejournal.com]

Haha, yay cool summers? :D

[lewdness.livejournal.com]

I'm going to throw out there that I grew up in South Carolina from when I was born to when I was six, then moved to Ohio and then ten years later, back to SC. South Carolina has hideous humidity and has awful heat in the summer, but then, compared to Ohio, it's pretty much the same so basically I've lived in heated areas my entire life and I react pretty much the way that Kairi does.

Personally, I loathe the heat because in the cold you can always put more clothes on, but in the heat, you really can't take clothes off without scarring someone for life. XD

[sakura-raku.livejournal.com]

I know how you feel, hun. XD Heat is no fun! I love winter because I'm used to it now, and it's so pretty here.

Thanks, chiiaro! ♥

[lewdness.livejournal.com]

Heat is made of suck and fail. XD *Clings to AC and fan* :D Winter here is lovely though; everything is all icy instead of all the snow. (Also, don't have to wear anything but a jacket outside in winter. Is love.)

♥

[lazzchan.livejournal.com]

North Carolina sucks in the summer heat-wise. XDD Especially on the coast. Took me a few years to get used to it as well and now humidity is sort of "huh, it's humid?" if it's not 100+ XDDD

[sakura-raku.livejournal.com]

Really? I've never been. XD
We have like no humidity in Manhattan, so I wouldn't know. It's good you're used to it. :D

[chacusha]

D'awwwww, that is so cute! I love Sora's sweet and sunny personality. :D

[sakura-raku.livejournal.com]

Thank you! He's the sunny type, isn't he? :)

[violent-rabbit.livejournal.com]

This is cute! I like. :D Yay for canonish thingies!

[sakura-raku.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[lindskaba.livejournal.com]

AWWW! This made me really happy. And it's perfect for the challenge. Last line love ♥

[sakura-raku.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks <3
I'm usually no good at these challenge thingies, but I like this one. :)