☁ cloud strife (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
spikyheaded) wrote2023-03-05 09:18 pm
spikyheaded) wrote2023-03-05 09:18 pm
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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.]
[...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.]
[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.]
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.]
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.
[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.
[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?
Involved? Can't say I'm much of a party person. [A pause.] What did you have in mind?
Depends on what you feel comfortable with. Running errands, decorations, delivering invitations.
[This is worse than the stuff he took on back in the slums...]
I can run errands or do deliveries. I'll need names and [Another pause. This one takes longer. Do people have addresses here?] where to find them.
I can run errands or do deliveries. I'll need names and [Another pause. This one takes longer. Do people have addresses here?] where to find them.
[Do you want to be on clean up duty because he can definitely do that.]
I'll lend you one of the dogs. They'll be able to guide you.
I'll lend you one of the dogs. They'll be able to guide you.
We have a few dogs that are familiar with most everyone, so they'll be able to track down whoever is on your list.
[You know what, he's not even going to ask.]
Whatever gets the job done. I can meet them at the fountain when the invitations are ready.
Whatever gets the job done. I can meet them at the fountain when the invitations are ready.
I'll send you a message and meet you there.
[Small pause.]
Make sure Tifa doesn't know.
[Small pause.]
Make sure Tifa doesn't know.
Got it.
If you still need help with decorating, Zack can probably lend a hand.
[Sorry Zack, you're getting roped into this whether you like it or not.]
If you still need help with decorating, Zack can probably lend a hand.
[Sorry Zack, you're getting roped into this whether you like it or not.]
[Would Zack be brave enough—]
I'll keep that in mind.
[And with that, there's no need for further correspondence until the date gets closer and the invitations are ready to go. They've been split, and in consideration of Cloud, he chooses a group that would be easy for him to deliver. And just as promised, he brings one of the corgis—Briallen. Usually Aerona and Idris are sent out for these tasks, and she felt a little put out by it. She can help, too!! And she wants to see Susato and the others!!! Chance to meet baby cousin!!!!
So he's sitting against the fountain, Briallen running around chasing a butterfly looking as precious as she can be.]
I'll keep that in mind.
[And with that, there's no need for further correspondence until the date gets closer and the invitations are ready to go. They've been split, and in consideration of Cloud, he chooses a group that would be easy for him to deliver. And just as promised, he brings one of the corgis—Briallen. Usually Aerona and Idris are sent out for these tasks, and she felt a little put out by it. She can help, too!! And she wants to see Susato and the others!!! Chance to meet baby cousin!!!!
So he's sitting against the fountain, Briallen running around chasing a butterfly looking as precious as she can be.]
[Cloud makes his way over after he gets the message that everything was ready. It's the first time he'd be seeing Eustace since the dance, and since finding out about his relationship with Tifa. He had mostly brushed it off when Tifa had told him but he still didn't know how he really felt about all of it. There was definitely more to unpack there but Cloud refused to, despite having all the time in his hands since arriving.]
Wasn't sure if you were serious about having a dog tag along at first.
[He crosses his arms when he arrives, looking over at the dog before shifting his gaze over to Eustace, keeping his expression flat all the while.]
Wasn't sure if you were serious about having a dog tag along at first.
[He crosses his arms when he arrives, looking over at the dog before shifting his gaze over to Eustace, keeping his expression flat all the while.]
[When Cloud arrives, Eustace straightens up to stand while the little corgi stops to stare at Cloud.
And stare...
And stare......
Oblivious to the flower field effect Briallen was painting over Cloud's face in her mind, Eustace just shrugs.]
I'm always serious.
[A joke or...? He says it so bluntly it's hard to say. In any case he turns to Briallen who has moved to stand...shyly...behind him...?
...Hm.]
This is Briallen. She is familiar with everyone on the list, so you only have to tell her their name and she will be able to guide you. Those with known addresses have them listed and I've also included general directions.
[He'll hold out a folded piece of paper to Cloud while glancing down at the young dog. Why is she still hiding... Usually she's walking around to meet and greet strangers.
She's not afraid of Cloud is she??]
And stare...
And stare......
Oblivious to the flower field effect Briallen was painting over Cloud's face in her mind, Eustace just shrugs.]
I'm always serious.
[A joke or...? He says it so bluntly it's hard to say. In any case he turns to Briallen who has moved to stand...shyly...behind him...?
...Hm.]
This is Briallen. She is familiar with everyone on the list, so you only have to tell her their name and she will be able to guide you. Those with known addresses have them listed and I've also included general directions.
[He'll hold out a folded piece of paper to Cloud while glancing down at the young dog. Why is she still hiding... Usually she's walking around to meet and greet strangers.
She's not afraid of Cloud is she??]
Edited 2023-04-27 07:20 (UTC)
I'll remember for next time.
[Whether it was a joke or not, Cloud doesn't care enough to figure it out.
He takes the paper from Eustace before casting another glance towards Briallen, noting how she's tucked herself behind the wolf-eared man.]
You sure she's up for the job? I can probably handle this on my own.
[Whether it was a joke or not, Cloud doesn't care enough to figure it out.
He takes the paper from Eustace before casting another glance towards Briallen, noting how she's tucked herself behind the wolf-eared man.]
You sure she's up for the job? I can probably handle this on my own.
...She was protesting and wanting to go earlier, I'm not sure what's going on...
[Frowning a little, he reaches back and picks her up, cradling her in his arms and letting her have a closer look at Cloud.]
Did you change your mind?
[And the little corgi furiously shakes her head, flower petals flying around. She looks at Cloud... And then shyly tucks her head down.
...
...Why...is he only hearing flowery thoughts from her—
A bad feeling is sinking in, so—]
Since she doesn't seem up to it, I'll just take her ba—!?
[Before he can finish she squirms in his arms, barking a little and forcing him to set her down. She immediately hops towards Cloud, again looking shy up at him.
...
.......
............?????]
[Frowning a little, he reaches back and picks her up, cradling her in his arms and letting her have a closer look at Cloud.]
Did you change your mind?
[And the little corgi furiously shakes her head, flower petals flying around. She looks at Cloud... And then shyly tucks her head down.
...
...Why...is he only hearing flowery thoughts from her—
A bad feeling is sinking in, so—]
Since she doesn't seem up to it, I'll just take her ba—!?
[Before he can finish she squirms in his arms, barking a little and forcing him to set her down. She immediately hops towards Cloud, again looking shy up at him.
...
.......
............?????]
[Cloud is as confused as Eustace is as he sees the dog bound towards him, looking up at him with doe-eyes, though her snout is slightly turned away. He'd never really known how to deal with dogs anyway.]
Look, if you want to help just tell me where to find [Who's the first name on the list?] Kazuma.
[All of a sudden there seems to be a spring in Bri's step as she walks to the general direction of the Wild Harvest. She stops to look back to see if Cloud is following her, only moving further away when he does.]
Guess she's still up for it. [And with that, he leaves Eustace behind without so much as a nod of acknowledgment.
Ten or so minutes later, Eustace will receive a message:]
Your dog is acting strange again.
Look, if you want to help just tell me where to find [Who's the first name on the list?] Kazuma.
[All of a sudden there seems to be a spring in Bri's step as she walks to the general direction of the Wild Harvest. She stops to look back to see if Cloud is following her, only moving further away when he does.]
Guess she's still up for it. [And with that, he leaves Eustace behind without so much as a nod of acknowledgment.
Ten or so minutes later, Eustace will receive a message:]
Your dog is acting strange again.
[Wow, not even a thank you?? Eustace just stares after them, brows furrowed a bit as he mostly watches Bri. What is she doing... But she seems okay now, maybe she really was acting shy? Eventually he leaves the plaza to return to the café...
...
Only to suddenly receive the oddest message.]
Strange how?
...
Only to suddenly receive the oddest message.]
Strange how?
[How does he even describe this?]
One second, she seems ready to go, then by the next, she stops and just looks at me weirdly.
One second, she seems ready to go, then by the next, she stops and just looks at me weirdly.
Edited (hours later I realize that my icon choice didn't go through) 2023-05-08 11:26 (UTC)
Just made our way out of Wild Harvest. She's acting like she was before we left. And she keeps running off to hand me flowers.
[Just as she comes back with another, looking up to him with large, round, puppy-dog eyes. Cloud reaches down to accept it but before he can ask her where to head next, she runs off again to fetch him what he assumes is another flower.]
She's on her fourth one.
[Just as she comes back with another, looking up to him with large, round, puppy-dog eyes. Cloud reaches down to accept it but before he can ask her where to head next, she runs off again to fetch him what he assumes is another flower.]
She's on her fourth one.
[He was getting ready to leave with his eye still on the journal with updates when he pauses at that last message.]
Just flowers?
Just flowers?
[What kind of a reply is that...?]
Were you expecting her to give me something else?
Were you expecting her to give me something else?
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