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[ It matters little of where he is. She'll find him, just like he'll always find her. It's the pull of... something. Concern, maybe.
Reunited again, there's a dire expression on her face, bags under eyes, but a glimmering determination in her gaze. ]
Can I help? I can go with you, Cloud. [ She totally can't. But she doesn't want to leave him alone, either. ]
Reunited again, there's a dire expression on her face, bags under eyes, but a glimmering determination in her gaze. ]
Can I help? I can go with you, Cloud. [ She totally can't. But she doesn't want to leave him alone, either. ]
[ They always seem to find each other, don't they? It's a good thing, too - Cloud would have been worried if Aerith hadn't come to stick her nose in his business while he was preparing. ]
[ He turns to look at her, taken aback just a bit at how quickly she found him - he was expecting Aerith, but not... so soon. ]
The teams are already full. I don't know what happens if we have more people there than they said those chalices can handle. [ It's his attempt to let her down easy - they both know she can't come. ]
...Besides. You should get some rest. Half the reason we can get in there is because you've been running yourself ragged all week. Going in there while you're tired is just going to put you in danger.
[ He knows Aerith can handle herself. But he also knows she's been pushing her limits because of how much she wants to help everyone. If she was fully rested, this might not be an argument he could win - but she's not. ]
[ He turns to look at her, taken aback just a bit at how quickly she found him - he was expecting Aerith, but not... so soon. ]
The teams are already full. I don't know what happens if we have more people there than they said those chalices can handle. [ It's his attempt to let her down easy - they both know she can't come. ]
...Besides. You should get some rest. Half the reason we can get in there is because you've been running yourself ragged all week. Going in there while you're tired is just going to put you in danger.
[ He knows Aerith can handle herself. But he also knows she's been pushing her limits because of how much she wants to help everyone. If she was fully rested, this might not be an argument he could win - but she's not. ]
[ It's true this is the gentlest way possible to let her down, but he's also not wrong. "Besides," he says, but they both know that's probably the biggest crux here. He's right: She hasn't had more than a few hours of sleep daily for... weeks, in fact. Since the haniwa first appeared. ]
You know I'm not going to listen, right?
[ She's holding on the Mythril Rod already, for one, but for two... ]
Besides, I'm the one with the healing powers. [ POINT END MATCH whatever whatever. ]
You know I'm not going to listen, right?
[ She's holding on the Mythril Rod already, for one, but for two... ]
Besides, I'm the one with the healing powers. [ POINT END MATCH whatever whatever. ]
Which is why you should stay behind, so you can help patch people up when we get out of there.
[ He's putting his hands on his hips as he turns to face her full on, away from checking his gear - he's not letting you win this one that easily. ]
And if things get worse out here while we're in there, you and Emily and the rest of the medical team are going to be the first line of help for the people who can't fight.
[ He frowns, although it's not hard to tell there's at least a little concern on his face. ]
If you go in there, there's not telling what will happen if you get caught off guard - or if you'll make it out.
[ He's putting his hands on his hips as he turns to face her full on, away from checking his gear - he's not letting you win this one that easily. ]
And if things get worse out here while we're in there, you and Emily and the rest of the medical team are going to be the first line of help for the people who can't fight.
[ He frowns, although it's not hard to tell there's at least a little concern on his face. ]
If you go in there, there's not telling what will happen if you get caught off guard - or if you'll make it out.
[ That's a solid plan. Toraguma could probably take some pointers from Cloud Strife. After a moment of quiet deliberation, she speaks, and a soft smile is working it's way onto her lips. ]
Okay. [ It's like a bunch of air has left her. She deflates, but not in a way that seems stressed. It's relief. ] I'll be here. Pray will be at the ready. Just stay sharp in there.
[ Moving closer to his side, she leans over to get a better look at what he's doing. ] How 'bout I help you suit up, Mr. Hero?
Okay. [ It's like a bunch of air has left her. She deflates, but not in a way that seems stressed. It's relief. ] I'll be here. Pray will be at the ready. Just stay sharp in there.
[ Moving closer to his side, she leans over to get a better look at what he's doing. ] How 'bout I help you suit up, Mr. Hero?
Could I stop you from doing that even if I wanted to? [ He doesn't, and at Aerith's clear relief, he feels a little relieved himself. She even gets a small smile for her trouble. ]
I still don't have my sword back or any materia - but I've got someone who should be helping me out with sword part, at least. But even then, it wouldn't be fitted to hold a materia on short notice.
[ So it's just him, his piecemeal SOLDIER armor, and a sword. Not exactly the best outfitted merc in Hell right now, he admits. ]
Do whatever you think will help. [ Cloud, that is a very open prompt you have just given her. ]
I still don't have my sword back or any materia - but I've got someone who should be helping me out with sword part, at least. But even then, it wouldn't be fitted to hold a materia on short notice.
[ So it's just him, his piecemeal SOLDIER armor, and a sword. Not exactly the best outfitted merc in Hell right now, he admits. ]
Do whatever you think will help. [ Cloud, that is a very open prompt you have just given her. ]
Edited 2022-06-17 23:40 (UTC)
Hmm... nope! [ Bad as his set up is, she thinks he'll be fine. Aerith grins up at him, looking not at all concerned. ]
Anything, huh? You know, I do still owe you a date. Could let you cash it in...
[ But she dips her hand into one of the pockets of her red jacket to pluck a pink ribbon out. It's speckled with blood, and has a tear in it, but that doesn't bother her. It's the same one from the night the rain started: There's been no time or mental capacity for figuring out when to wash it. It'll have to do. She moves closer, attempting to tie it around his bicep. ]
How about this? See, I could end up coming with you, after all.
Anything, huh? You know, I do still owe you a date. Could let you cash it in...
[ But she dips her hand into one of the pockets of her red jacket to pluck a pink ribbon out. It's speckled with blood, and has a tear in it, but that doesn't bother her. It's the same one from the night the rain started: There's been no time or mental capacity for figuring out when to wash it. It'll have to do. She moves closer, attempting to tie it around his bicep. ]
How about this? See, I could end up coming with you, after all.
A date? In this weather? Might need to take a rain check. [ Which... isn't a no. But he is perhaps used enough to Aerith's banter that he can play with it. ]
[ Although he stops as she takes out the ribbon. He's confused for a minute, but then she ties it around his bicep. There's a... sudden mix of weird emotions at play, there. Emotions he's definitely not used to. Subconsciously, he moves a hand over it, a distant - but not cold - look in his eyes as he tries to figure out what to say. ]
Guess I'll... have to make sure to keep you safe while you're out there with me, huh?
[ As far as lines go, it's far from his worst. ]
[ Although he stops as she takes out the ribbon. He's confused for a minute, but then she ties it around his bicep. There's a... sudden mix of weird emotions at play, there. Emotions he's definitely not used to. Subconsciously, he moves a hand over it, a distant - but not cold - look in his eyes as he tries to figure out what to say. ]
Guess I'll... have to make sure to keep you safe while you're out there with me, huh?
[ As far as lines go, it's far from his worst. ]
[ If he notices her biting her lip and looking away for a moment... well, it can be a secret for them to share. ]
You will. [ She's smiling, even as she pulls her hand away. Their fingers nearly touch as she does; careful consideration crosses her mind to let it happen. ] Bodyguard duties never end.
[ Much more sincerely, she hopes it'll be a bright spot whenever he sees it. It helps to keep the darkness at bay— and that's important. ] There, not just the SOLDIER armor keeping you safe now. Feel better?
You will. [ She's smiling, even as she pulls her hand away. Their fingers nearly touch as she does; careful consideration crosses her mind to let it happen. ] Bodyguard duties never end.
[ Much more sincerely, she hopes it'll be a bright spot whenever he sees it. It helps to keep the darkness at bay— and that's important. ] There, not just the SOLDIER armor keeping you safe now. Feel better?
[ There's something that pulls on his heart. Some sort of... flicker at the edge of his memory. Is it a memory? He shakes it off - it's only there for a moment. And Aerith's small little smile and bite of her lip forces a smile from him, as he looks away. ]
Loads. [ It's said with his usual disaffected deadpan voice, but Aerith can tell there's not a hint of bite to it - which might speak to how sincere he actually is. ] With this? I don't think they can touch me.
Loads. [ It's said with his usual disaffected deadpan voice, but Aerith can tell there's not a hint of bite to it - which might speak to how sincere he actually is. ] With this? I don't think they can touch me.
[ He really is easy to read. Cloud's tone might be disaffected, monotone as possible, but she knows fondness where she sees it. ] Is that fondness, Cloud?
[ For her? Scandalous... As much as she teases, she hopes it hides how sincerely she likes to hear that. ] Whenever you feel like they might get too close... that ribbon will be there. Just remember me, and everyone else who's counting on you. We've all got your back.
[ For her? Scandalous... As much as she teases, she hopes it hides how sincerely she likes to hear that. ] Whenever you feel like they might get too close... that ribbon will be there. Just remember me, and everyone else who's counting on you. We've all got your back.
Nope. [ He said, lying brazenly and ineffectively. ] Must have imagined it. [ This is definitely not a successful lie, and they both know it. ]
[ They - the manifestations... really, there is a part of him scared - there is certainly some parts of him on display here that aren't going to be... easy to handle. But with her ribbon. Well. Maybe he can keep himself tethered to the here and now. And, besides... ]
I don't plan to leave you to deal with a mess like this on your own. So don't worry - I won't forget.
[ There's a moment of awkwardness as he pulls his hand away from the ribbon, it hangs in the air a moment, like he's almost unsure what he should do with it. ]
[ They - the manifestations... really, there is a part of him scared - there is certainly some parts of him on display here that aren't going to be... easy to handle. But with her ribbon. Well. Maybe he can keep himself tethered to the here and now. And, besides... ]
I don't plan to leave you to deal with a mess like this on your own. So don't worry - I won't forget.
[ There's a moment of awkwardness as he pulls his hand away from the ribbon, it hangs in the air a moment, like he's almost unsure what he should do with it. ]
Edited 2022-06-18 06:44 (UTC)
Great! We're on the same page, then. [ As if she'd ever let you do something crazy like let her live in a nightmare hell world. ]
I'll be here. Just call if anything goes belly up, okay? In the mean time, I'll make a round at the clinic to make sure everyone is doing okay. [ Pausing, however, she lingers a moment longer. ]
Cloud?
I'll be here. Just call if anything goes belly up, okay? In the mean time, I'll make a round at the clinic to make sure everyone is doing okay. [ Pausing, however, she lingers a moment longer. ]
Cloud?
If anything goes wrong, you'll be the first to know. [ He of course can't guarantee he'll be able to communicate, once they're inside. But if he can get a hold of Aerith, he will. ]
[ He's lost in his thoughts for a moment, contemplating what's going to happen later this evening when she speaks up, his eyes coming back into focus and looking at her. ]
Yeah, Aerith?
[ He's lost in his thoughts for a moment, contemplating what's going to happen later this evening when she speaks up, his eyes coming back into focus and looking at her. ]
Yeah, Aerith?
[ She could bring up a number of things. Any number of them— Zack crosses her mind, but so does Tifa, and her mother, and Sector 7, and... ]
Kick some ass.
[ They'll talk about it another time. When he gets back, or maybe never at all. She grins, looking no worse for wear than usual. It's hard to explain, but he makes her feel like herself— something she finds all the more important after all her encounters with the Specters. ]
Kick some ass.
[ They'll talk about it another time. When he gets back, or maybe never at all. She grins, looking no worse for wear than usual. It's hard to explain, but he makes her feel like herself— something she finds all the more important after all her encounters with the Specters. ]
[ You've gotta be f- ]
wasn't planning on it.
[ That's all you're gonna get for now, Sephiroth. He's very busy. Not paying attention to your attempts to get a hold of him. ]
wasn't planning on it.
[ That's all you're gonna get for now, Sephiroth. He's very busy. Not paying attention to your attempts to get a hold of him. ]
[ And Aerith in turn makes him feel a little more grounded, a little less likely to get lost in his own thoughts - muddled as they are. Gives him something to shoot for, other than 'ex-SOLDIER, 1st Class'. ]
Never a doubt I would.
[ He gives a small smile. A confident nod. Anything she wants to say, she can say to him when he gets back. ]
Never a doubt I would.
[ He gives a small smile. A confident nod. Anything she wants to say, she can say to him when he gets back. ]
i'd tell you to go to hell, but given where we are, i don't think i have to.
Edited 2022-06-27 06:42 (UTC)
don't know. don't care.
[ Don't get mad, don't get mad, don't get- ]
don't bring her into this.
[ Too late. ]
[ Don't get mad, don't get mad, don't get- ]
don't bring her into this.
[ Too late. ]
Edited 2022-06-27 20:16 (UTC)
Cloud-san? Are you busy? I wanted to ask you a favour if you're free sometime.
Strife-san? I hope this is the correct address. My apologies for not paying you a visit, there's been much to do since the storm ended.
[ translation: Minato depressionslept/conked the fuck out from sleep debt for half this time, and has been doggedly scrubbing blood out of everything in his flat for the other half of it. ]
I hope you are recovering well from your trials. This is Suizenji Minato -- we've spoken before, if you recall. I was assigned to the upper levels that night.
[ translation: Minato depressionslept/conked the fuck out from sleep debt for half this time, and has been doggedly scrubbing blood out of everything in his flat for the other half of it. ]
I hope you are recovering well from your trials. This is Suizenji Minato -- we've spoken before, if you recall. I was assigned to the upper levels that night.
minato?
yeah, this is cloud.
recovery has sucked most of the joy out of being the name on everyone's lips, that's for sure.
[ Sarcasm over text is hard, but not impossible, especially with Cloud. Minato may get the distinct impression that fame doesn't suit Mr. Strife. ]
i got some of the details when cain visited, yeah.
sounded like it was touch and go up there for a while.
good to hear you're bouncing back.
yeah, this is cloud.
recovery has sucked most of the joy out of being the name on everyone's lips, that's for sure.
[ Sarcasm over text is hard, but not impossible, especially with Cloud. Minato may get the distinct impression that fame doesn't suit Mr. Strife. ]
i got some of the details when cain visited, yeah.
sounded like it was touch and go up there for a while.
good to hear you're bouncing back.
Edited 2022-07-06 02:45 (UTC)
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