#I really can't get over the fact that re:mind is real

[star-sworn]

it’s these two gifs for me

hhh gentle,,;; soft,,;

A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT SOKAI? How you've blessed me on this day, @goldensunset!! This scene... is everything to me

The way Sora says her name, so full of wonder and joy, how it's hearing his voice that wakes her up...the way he’s reaching for her, and her for him, like he can’t get to her fast enough, can’t hold her soon enough…How he just throws his arms around her, they both do... the way they both close their eyes, like they're home, it's alright, it's over, she's okay again... How they're just cherishing holding each other in their arms... There's no need for any words... only their joy and love... also there's something so tender about him holding the back of her head? I know it's a little strange but I found it so comforting and protective. He's just cradling her.

Also, the way Sora is holding her reminded me of how Eugene holds Rapunzel after she saves him: one arm across the waist, the other holding her head. (side note: when I imagine a sokai reunion in kh4, this is the pose I imagine them in):

Totally not an intentional parallel, but this scene has so many parallels in its tenderness and joy. And Rapunzel sort of brought Eugene back in the same way Sora brought Kairi back. And it is one of the two scenes Sora flashes back to when he reunites with Kairi after the Guardians lose. It's when he realizes that holding onto him after death was Kairi's act of true love. They both take turns in this game bringing eachother back from the edge of life itself...

As I'm going through 3 for the first time, I feel like they made the intentional choice to make Sora and Kairi's scenes very simple and subtle. Besides their whole "light in the darkness" reunion, the paupo scene and this one have almost no words spoken between the two whatsoever: its all about facial expression, gesture, etc. I remember being a bit confused the first time I saw the paopu scene, because it wasn't as dramatic and flowery and gushing as I thought it was going to be: Sora seemed a little stiff and indifferent to me, but the more I watch it I think its more that he's just struck speechless, he's so moved by the profundity of the moment that he's sober but still tender. To me, this scene is similar, but perhaps better executed. What are your thoughts?

I also love how right after this, it's clear they have to fight yet another Nortgoat, and Sora just looks at her with this almost playful (flirty??) grin and says, "are you ready for this?" such a far cry from "you'd kind of be in my way" from kh1. Just like, of course you're fighting by my side, no question. Like they're on a date and about to go skydiving or something. Things to do with your bae: fight the demon lord in the sky. Oh and one more thing! Since you can't squint too closely at the plot of Re:mind or you'll have a stroke, I also think alot about how this is still "re:mind Sora" or "time traveling Sora." he's still just a heart, bending time and space with Friendship. So this meeting is physical as they embrace, but in a more metaphysical way, I also think of this as a reunion between their hearts. That when their hearts greet each other, its like this, passionate and joyous and loving. Their hearts are embracing, too.

Sorry you probably didn't expect (or want) a novel, but thanks so much for allowing me to gush about Sokai. hope your project went well today, too! :)