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[spikyheaded]

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[flamekthunder]

Cloud, this is Eustace. There's something I wish to discuss with you regarding Tifa.

[...Yes, this is... Kind of awkward. He hadn't really approached Cloud since they first met, mostly due to not having much business with him, but also because he recognizes that the whole situation is not one he wants to forcibly put himself in. It's more for Cloud's sake than his own, believing it would be better to let the younger man approach him if he wishes.

But this is something he can't ignore, so he'll just have to wait and see how it goes.]

[spikyheaded]

[This was not how he had planned on meeting with Eustace again. Especially after how their initial meeting had been, together with the things he's learned since. Perhaps it was unfair to judge him without getting to know the man more, but it would be a lie to say that he wasn't a little sore.

But this is about Tifa, and for her, he can keep things civil between them in the meantime.]

What about? Is there something wrong with Tifa?

[And, despite his thoughts on Eustace and Tifa's relationship, his promise to her still takes precedence.]

[flamekthunder]

No, fortunately.

[There will be a small pause before he continues.]

Her birthday is soon, and Lyria and I wanted to hold a party for her. I also want you to be involved.

[spikyheaded]

[Well, it's good that she's not in trouble but... Was her birthday really just around the corner? He hadn't been paying attention to the time.]

Involved? Can't say I'm much of a party person. [A pause.] What did you have in mind?

[flamekthunder]

Depends on what you feel comfortable with. Running errands, decorations, delivering invitations.

Aftermath of the Story Eater »

[theheroics]

[ Zack had never seen anything like it.

He was use to summons, transformations, hell- even people sprouting wings. But nothing could have quite prepared him for the sight he beheld during the battle with Sephiroth. To see Cloud is that state... what he did.

The vision shook his thoughts. Of blood. Of sounds he'd never heard before. It rattled him to his core and now looking back he wished he would have reacted differently. Had he been more proactive... had he been stronger... then perhaps Cloud wouldn't of had to mold into that form.

The former SOLDIER was aware of the abilities given to them in this world, as he had received one during the fight as well, but there was a heaviness that loomed in the pit of his stomach as he stepped into Cloud's room for what seemed like the umpteenth time that week.

Still asleep.

He'll stare onto the form of his unconscious friend before, with a soft exhale, will himself to move to the side of the bed where a chair is positioned off to the side. He's carrying a small plate along with some water and sits it beside the nightstand before settling down into the chair. ]

Hey... Tifa brought by some stuff again. She's been really worried about you. [ Zack offers what little smile he could muster as his elbows settle on his knees. Eyes searching the blonde for any sort of change in complexion. ]

I told her not to, but whaddya going to do? At least the fridge is stocked now— oh! And I got some extra milk too, just in case. They even had this weird strawberry flavor... do you even like that? Well, I got it anyway.

[ There's a half laugh, breathy but somehow optimistic. Almost as if the other had responded back. This felt... somehow so familiar, but he brushes the thought away with a shake of his head before continuing. ]

But man... that was pretty cool what you did. Wasn't expecting that at all! [ A brief pause. His smile faltering. ] Next time? Maybe less fangs.

[spikyheaded]

[Cloud didn't know how long it had been, but for a while, all he could remember was the vast darkness stretching out for miles from all sides. His surroundings were pitch black, dark enough that he couldn't even see his hands in front of him. He couldn't move, couldn't make his way elsewhere—and even if he did, there was no way of knowing for certain.

Then a green glow poured into the darkness, its light soft as a liquid began to ebb and flow, filling the area. Though he didn't know what it was, he wasn't filled with dread or panic as it continued to fill the area around him. Before Cloud knew it he found himself being carried as if weightless as he floated in the emerald abyss.

A warmth, not unlike that of a hug, surrounded him, keeping him calm, content. Cloud hadn't felt that way in a long time. It wasn't long before his eyes fluttered close.

He felt peaceful.

So he stayed that way in silence, adrift for a period of time. Was it for a few minutes? Hours? Days? He couldn't tell.

But eventually, the silence is broken. The sound of a voice fills the air, but Cloud couldn't make out the words. For a brief moment, he debated letting it be, pushing it to the back of his mind and consciousness, remaining in the warm embrace of the liquid around him.

The words continued and they began to take form but just barely. A furrow begins to form on Cloud's brow as he began to strain himself to hear the voice. Who was that? And what were they saying?

A laugh. He knows that laugh. In fact, it's one he's heard more and more often of late. But he couldn't place a name or a face.

The warmth surrounding him began to fade, but the green glow persisted only for a moment longer.

And then Cloud opened his eyes.]

...Where—

[The words fall short out of his mouth as he stared up at the ceiling above him. The same one he had been waking up to in the last three months. He was at his and Zack's apartment in Reverein. Which meant...

Cloud slowly and carefully craned his head to the side, but remained otherwise still. The brightness was an assault on his senses and he wass forced to shut his eyes once more, slowly blinking them open. Though his vision still remained blurry as it adjusted to the light, there was no mistaking that messy mop of hair sitting nearby, hazy as it was.]

Zack?

[theheroics]

[ At first, Zack thought he was hearing things. It wasn't unusual for him to think Cloud responded in this state, and it certainly helped to move the conversations along, but this time... it felt different from the ones before. He pauses briefly, letting the sound repeat in his head before slowly craning his neck up to where Cloud was positioned on the bed. Time and time again he had been hopeful that he would wake up, and each time he was left with a bit more disappointment than the last. He didn't want to get his hopes up, as determined as he was to know that his friend would make it out the other side, seeing the small jostle from the bed causes all his senses to be alerted at once.

Cloud, he... he was! ]

Cloud!? [ The former SOLIDER responded back, a bit louder than intended. He jerked himself up from the chair, hands flailing to either side as if they didn't know where to go first.

There was panic, surprise, but overall relief that flooded his features as he leans over a bit to examine the blonde. ]

Hey, you finally up?

[spikyheaded]

[The volume of Zack's reply catches him by surprise, louder than he had expected and he winces slightly at it. But his recovery is quick as he finds his friend leaning closer by the side of his bed.]

Yeah. Guess I am.

[He blinks a couple more times, still trying to regain his bearings.]

How long was I out?

sender: sephiroth

[sefirot]

Happy Birthday, Cloud.

[spikyheaded]

[The message is certainly a surprise when it comes in. Cloud had been tight-lipped about the occasion, not wanting any sort of fanfare, even forgetting about the date itself. But to get a greeting? From Sephiroth of all people?]

What do you want?

[sefirot]

You tell me. What do I want?

[spikyheaded]

I don't have time for your riddles. If you want something, spit it out.

[theheroics]

heeeeeey cloud

ur not home rn rite?

[spikyheaded]

Still out.

Need me to pick something up?

[theheroics]

nah im good just




don’t freak out when you get back ok??

[spikyheaded]

[Oh Gaia. What is happening?]

What did you do?

[Then a follow up:] Are you and Fira okay?

[sefirot]

Hello, Cloud.

[spikyheaded]

[It's a long time before Sephiroth gets a response.]

Do I even want to know?

[sefirot]

I imagine you do, otherwise you would not have answered.

[spikyheaded]

[If you could only see the nose pinch right now.]

Fine. What happened?

Sender: Reaper

[b_a_n_g]

[Despite his name, his writing is very neat and easy to read. You're welcome.]

You're Tifa's friend, yes? I saw you in the old man's post offering alcohol reprieve. I also happened to notice you have an interesting shadow.

[spikyheaded]

[This comes as a bit of a surprise but he had been warned. For now, he doesn't confirm or deny knowing Tifa. Sharp, print letters appear on the page as he begins to write.]

With an introduction like that, feels like I've got two of them.

[b_a_n_g]

Hardly. The old man in my prime interest. However, I have met your shadow on the combat field, so I have an idea of his abilities. Why is he so interested in you?

[And will an association create a higher than average risk to Jack?]

[spikyheaded]

[Even if 76 has told him, Cloud's still wary.]

You fought with him? Surprised to see him picking fights with others. Did he hurt you?

[...He still has to ask. A part of him feels like it's his responsibility to keep Sephiroth in line around here, even if he has been on his best behavior.

There's a pause as he carefully picks his words. Again, wary.]

We have history together.