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insusurro2020-05-19 01:47 pm
- [ event ],
- [ open ],
- [ whispers ],
- aerith [ asha ],
- aerith [ riddle ],
- andrea [ yan ],
- angeal [ ariel ],
- cid [ ariel ],
- cloud [ peach ],
- cor [ asha ],
- elena [ liz ],
- regis [ ariel ],
- reno [ abby ],
- rikku [ iola ],
- rude [ peach ],
- rude [ yan ],
- rufus [ hebe ],
- sephiroth [ bird ],
- sephiroth [ cat ],
- sephiroth [ nyan ],
- sephiroth [ sten ],
- shelke [ dalrint ],
- squall [ peach ],
- tifa [ ash ],
- tifa [ asha ],
- tseng [ mil ],
- veld [ hebe ],
- weiss [ shikki ],
- zack [ asha ]
ARRIVAL.
π ππ πππ π ππππ ππππ ππ ππππ πππ π you moved under your own power. The shadows that dwelt in the corners of your vision vanished, the world is bright and the shackles of destiny fall from your liberated limbs.
You're free.
But before you can take that next step, before you can alter your fate, a terrible howling fills your ears. It's an ill wind full of malice, one that rips you off of your feet and back, back, back from this chance to seize your destiny. The shadows coalesce into a single entity, its hands locking around your throat. It cannot let this stand.
You think that maybe this is the end. The world goes dark as it rushes past you, this is the end.
Except you wake to the feeling of rain on your skin.
The cliffs around you bare the scars of a fierce battle. Before you, a massive city faces the sea. Behind you, greenery sprawls for miles. Midgar has never looked so beautiful, but it has also never looked so unlike itself. The Sister Ray points proudly towards the sea. A bustling city crawls out from its shadow, looking wealthier and more robust than the slums ever did. You don't have long to ponder this.
Because you aren't alone. Others are coming to, looking just as confused and uncertain as you do. Some are battleworn and bloody, as if they were pulled from a fierce battle. Others appear to be in perfect health, as if they were simply pulled from a long slumber, though no less confused and lost. The howling that filled your slowly begins to fade, and as it does, the rain begins to clear.
ππππππ is within a few hours walking distance. ππππ lies not much further in the opposite direction. There is no presence urging you to walk to one or the other, no voice from on high telling you what path your feet should walk. Underneath this infinite blue sky the choice to go - or to stay - is entirely yours.
ππππ ππππ πππ ππ ππππ ππ?
no subject
But no. That's not right. He's seen this before, hasn't he? In snapshots, in that blurred world between succumbing to pain and holding on in hopes that he could drag himself to his feet still, keep on fighting to save Nibelheim and his friends, he'd seen exactly this. Cloud's anger isn't like anyone else's anger. It's like a hit of Berserk, but it makes him feel nothing, care for nothing but getting the kill. It was the X factor that made it possible for a shy little infantryman to fell the greatest hero of their time. Zack doesn't stand a fucking chance.
Luckily, he doesn't have to. His heart really isn't gonna catch a break today, is it? ]
O-Okay.
[ And then it's gone and Cloud is speeding away, just like that, like nothing happened. It'd take him ages to recover from the whiplash if it wasn't for the brief glimpse ofβis that a smile? Oh, Cloud. He knows just what to do with those.
There's a rock he can get a running start at, spring off his hand and flip-flip-flip through the air like he's a 2nd again and this is all just fun and games in the simulation room. No real war, no real blood, no real loss, just Zack zooming over him and shooting back his own grin once he's gained the lead and walking backwards. ]
Don't worry 'bout me. I'll try and go reeeeeal slow for ya.
no subject
His hand ghosts up over the handle of the sword again, like he's reassuring himself that it's there; for some reason, in the stranger's presence, he feels like he's not supposed to be the one to have it.
Frowning, he rolls his eyes off to the side like he's admiring the scenery. In reality, there's not much for them to see; once the bodies start to lessen, there's just blood and dirt and rock and greenery, spanned out along the path that will inevitably take him to the city. Is he really going to have to endure this for hours?
When he looks back, he scoffs. Why does it feel so natural to want to smile?]
Watch out for that rock. [ He says, dryly, though there's really nothing behind the man for him to trip on; still, Cloud makes it a point to angle his gaze down and then up again, like he's expecting the guy to go tumbling, head over heels.]
You haven't told me your name, you know.
no subject
[ Zack does end up stumbling, if only because he goes from so sure and confident and free to whipping his head around to find the obstacle way too quickly. His feet are always doing their own thing, so they bring him back when he's trying to stop and he'd maybe probably most definitely fall if it wasn't for how determined he is to look cool in front of Cloud.
Well, so much for that. To add insult to injury, there isn't even anything there! He's not sure whether he's just insanely gullible (yes) or just trusts Cloud so implicitly that he doesn't think to question it (also yes), but Cloud got him. Got him good.
This is when he decides it's worth it. So what if Cloud doesn't remember him? The world deserves this quiet, mischievous, careful little creature, and if he played some part in making sure that happened, well then, who fucking cares if he has to introduce himself all over again? ]
Well look'it you. You think you're reeeealll funny, huh?
[ Obviously, considering how Zack's already laughing as he drops a hand between them. ]
Name's Zack. Oh, uh... You probably don't do handshakes either, huh?
no subject
He rolls his eyes down, watches Zack drop a hand between them, and purses his lips. It reminds him of Aerith, a little, like it's one of those people things that he just doesn't quite understand. He can't remember the last time he even shook anyone's hand, or if it would matter--all he knows is that they're supposed to be firm without being crushing, too long without being too short, all these other things that seem to just come naturally to other people, as if they have a sense for it.
He continues walking, eyeing the hand before he decides--to slap his own in, like they're doing some kind of sideways high five. ]
Okay. Zack. [ He confirms, before he drops his hand away again, embarrassed, and instead reaches for the familiarity of the sword at his back, smoothing over the handle before he drops his arm. ]
You weren't injured or anything, back there? Where'd you come from?
no subject
Kind of reassuring, to see Cloud get flustered like that. Even if he is much better at hiding it now, or passing it off as a symptom of something way more epic, and even if he doesn't necessarily want Cloud to feel like he has anything to be flustered overβit's still refreshingly familiar. His spirits restored, he remembers how to put one foot in front of the other again, and they resume an easy, matching pace. ]
Nah. I'm fine.
[ Is he? Zack hasn't had a second to take stock of the wounds he endured beyond that last stand. Is this just like a third wind? A surge of adrenaline? He just can't bring himself to care for anything beyond falling into step. ]
Uhh. Been around. Sorta been all over, actually. Thought I'd head back to Midgar and visit an old friend, and then boom.
[ His hands skitter skyward. ]
You don't... know anything 'bout what's happening, do ya?