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[ ring ring. and should Zack pick up? ]
Hey... You got a sec?
Hey... You got a sec?
[the device is nothing like his PHS, but he still picks it up after the first - ring? Noise? Whatever, he picks up right away, some habits never go away]
Cloud - yeah, of course I do. What's up?
Cloud - yeah, of course I do. What's up?
[ It's something he hadn't forgotten about. Not even since the day they reunited under that great sakura tree... He'd helped him back then, too. And now that most of everything was clear again and Cloud's had time to get his thoughts in order proper? Well... It wasn't some confused Ex-SOLDIER asking him now. Now, as he fumbles with a breath locked in his throat, Zack gets somebody else.
He gets his friend back. ]
You...still got a spot at your place?
He gets his friend back. ]
You...still got a spot at your place?
[he'd meant it when he said it was open. Val, if she came back, was the only exception and even then, if Cloud had decided to take the offer he would have made it work. He hadn't forgotten, but so much had happened in the short time since then that it had been pushed to the back of his mind - until now]
Said it was an open offer, right? It's still there if you want it.
Said it was an open offer, right? It's still there if you want it.
[ There's a feeling in his chest that gets lighter when he gets his answer, letting out an audible sigh over the magicomm. Cloud wasn't the most chipper sounding person, even when he was happy. But there's a lift to his tone after that sigh. ]
Y-Yeah. I'm in. Count me in.
Y-Yeah. I'm in. Count me in.
[did Cloud think he wasn't just saving it for him? He chuckles quietly as he pulls the device away from his ear for a moment, typing in his address to send over. It isn't too far from the others and the little neighborhood they were setting up, but . . . far enough for someone not quite ready to live somewhere like that yet]
Then it's yours.
Then it's yours.
[ It's one of the few uncertainties that sat with him, immediately thrown to the ether upon hearing that soft chuckle through the device. Cloud, meanwhile, finally stops pacing as he slumps down on his bed in the dorm. ]
I'm a light packer. [ He says with only a couple trinkets and the heavy Buster Sword. ] Lemme know when I'm set to come.
[ Otherwise, he's going to take a deep breath, shake off his nerves, and get out of there right now. ]
I'm a light packer. [ He says with only a couple trinkets and the heavy Buster Sword. ] Lemme know when I'm set to come.
[ Otherwise, he's going to take a deep breath, shake off his nerves, and get out of there right now. ]
You can come over whenever you want. It's your place, too.
[and he should . . . straighten up a little, maybe. Not that the place is a disaster or anything, but it sure does look like his room at Shinra did, unorganized and messy because he was never there, oops.
. . . and Cloud coming over at all might help him figure out what to do with the big sword leaning against the wall near the door]
[and he should . . . straighten up a little, maybe. Not that the place is a disaster or anything, but it sure does look like his room at Shinra did, unorganized and messy because he was never there, oops.
. . . and Cloud coming over at all might help him figure out what to do with the big sword leaning against the wall near the door]
[ Cloud's room was, meanwhile, only beginning to acquire clutter in the downtime he's had. Back in Midgar for the couple days that he spent in Sector 7, he hardly had anything to call his own minus the Buster Sword he'd keep in arm's reach. And as he lifts the weapon up and secures it on his back once more, he takes another deep breath... The weight of it feels different now, knowing that it belonged to his roommate. ]
Alright. Seeya in a bit.
[ Stuffing his magi comm in his pocket, he takes another couple steps around his old dorm, and packs what little he has in a bag. The various Materia equipped on his person, and a charm gifted to him. That one? He decides to instead pocket instead of tossing it in the bag. Better take care of that. ]
...
[ Hell with it, he'll keep "borrowing" the kimono he found when moving in too. ]
Alright. Seeya in a bit.
[ Stuffing his magi comm in his pocket, he takes another couple steps around his old dorm, and packs what little he has in a bag. The various Materia equipped on his person, and a charm gifted to him. That one? He decides to instead pocket instead of tossing it in the bag. Better take care of that. ]
...
[ Hell with it, he'll keep "borrowing" the kimono he found when moving in too. ]
See you soon!
[the apartment doesn't have much in the way of furniture, just some basic things he figured an apartment should have. The slight mess doesn't take very long to clean up; the SOLDIER uniform and armor hung up, more out of habit than anything. Laundry organized into a smaller mess in the corner - note to self, find a laundry basket sometime.
He pauses when he comes to the sword, carefully lifting it to look it over. The problem with talking about the Buster Sword means potentially talking about how and why Zack gave it to Cloud and . . . that's not a conversation for the first night as roommates.
Still, it's not like he can hide it, either, and he wouldn't want to. And so he puts it back where he left it, leaning against the wall between the two bedrooms, and goes to wait on the couch for Cloud to get there]
[the apartment doesn't have much in the way of furniture, just some basic things he figured an apartment should have. The slight mess doesn't take very long to clean up; the SOLDIER uniform and armor hung up, more out of habit than anything. Laundry organized into a smaller mess in the corner - note to self, find a laundry basket sometime.
He pauses when he comes to the sword, carefully lifting it to look it over. The problem with talking about the Buster Sword means potentially talking about how and why Zack gave it to Cloud and . . . that's not a conversation for the first night as roommates.
Still, it's not like he can hide it, either, and he wouldn't want to. And so he puts it back where he left it, leaning against the wall between the two bedrooms, and goes to wait on the couch for Cloud to get there]
[ Cloud isn't quite sure what to expect when coming over, but nothing could really quell the butterflies in his stomach either. Not even in Midgar did he have roommates to speak of. Neighbors like Tifa (and Marco if that counts), but...besides barracks back at Shinra? He can't really think he's ever shared a place with someone before. It's a big step; bigger than he was anticipating. To be fair, everything he's done so far in Nippon has been leaps of faith. If the place was a cluttered mess? He wouldn't be bothered by it! That's where teamwork came in.
He pauses at first when he finally arrives on Zack's apartment doorstep, raising his hand against the frame as he closes his eyes. ]
'Kay you got this.
[ Knock, knock. ]
He pauses at first when he finally arrives on Zack's apartment doorstep, raising his hand against the frame as he closes his eyes. ]
'Kay you got this.
[ Knock, knock. ]
[the barracks don't count, really, or at least Zack doesn't count them. And he lived by himself once he made 1st, so having a roommate in general will be new. But then again, it's Cloud, who he spent months sharing space with - even if he wasn't exactly there for it.
If anything, he's looking forward to getting to know Cloud better.
He chuckles to himself as he hears the knock and pushes to his feet, calling out as he heads for the door]
You live here, you can just walk in!
If anything, he's looking forward to getting to know Cloud better.
He chuckles to himself as he hears the knock and pushes to his feet, calling out as he heads for the door]
You live here, you can just walk in!
Oh, it's unlocked?!
[ Cloud calls from the other side of the door as he decides to open the door. He sees Zack coming, and can't help rubbing the back of his neck as he realizes he could have just waltzed in. He'll hafta get a key, or a copy of it if he really did live her now... It wasn't really going to hit him until he was settled, was he? ]
Alright. Cool. Want me to drop this stuff off?
[ In his room? He's mindful enough to know that around these parts, it was customary to take off your shoes in the front entrance. As for what waited for them when he did get there... Yet another crossroad on this new path they tread together. ]
[ Cloud calls from the other side of the door as he decides to open the door. He sees Zack coming, and can't help rubbing the back of his neck as he realizes he could have just waltzed in. He'll hafta get a key, or a copy of it if he really did live her now... It wasn't really going to hit him until he was settled, was he? ]
Alright. Cool. Want me to drop this stuff off?
[ In his room? He's mindful enough to know that around these parts, it was customary to take off your shoes in the front entrance. As for what waited for them when he did get there... Yet another crossroad on this new path they tread together. ]
[taking off your shoes was one of the first things he learned, which is why there's a pair of house slippers arranged there - for guests, because going barefoot just seems more comfortable. So if Cloud wants 'em -
Zack gestures to the other bedroom, then shoots Cloud a smile] Room's there if you want to drop it off there, or you could leave it out here - it's up to you.
Zack gestures to the other bedroom, then shoots Cloud a smile] Room's there if you want to drop it off there, or you could leave it out here - it's up to you.
[ Cloud takes one look at the house slippers and...files them for later. Honestly, he was used to just wearing his boots on everywhere he went. Every RPG character does this Cloud. So like Zack, he'll kneel down for a moment and remove his boots, following his friend's lead and sticking to socks. ]
Ah, I'll drop it off in there before getting settled.
[ Cloud didn't have much. Only the kimono set draped over his forearm, Buster Sword on his back and the bag in his hand. At least this was the easiest move-in! He passes by the taller SOLDIER with a little nod, his nerves starting to dwindle away as he realizes he's actually here. Save for common sense things, he...didn't really know the first thing about being a roommate. The apartment feels rather quiet, only the sound of floorboards gently creaking from time to time beneath the pad of footsteps. ]
So about rent, I've——
[ He stops short of the two doorways to their bedrooms, having to blink hard a couple times to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Then he spares a glance to the handle of his own weapon. It's still there. But then... ]
That's...
[ Another Buster Sword. ]
Ah, I'll drop it off in there before getting settled.
[ Cloud didn't have much. Only the kimono set draped over his forearm, Buster Sword on his back and the bag in his hand. At least this was the easiest move-in! He passes by the taller SOLDIER with a little nod, his nerves starting to dwindle away as he realizes he's actually here. Save for common sense things, he...didn't really know the first thing about being a roommate. The apartment feels rather quiet, only the sound of floorboards gently creaking from time to time beneath the pad of footsteps. ]
So about rent, I've——
[ He stops short of the two doorways to their bedrooms, having to blink hard a couple times to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Then he spares a glance to the handle of his own weapon. It's still there. But then... ]
That's...
[ Another Buster Sword. ]
[huh. He hadn't really thought Cloud would just leave it on his doorstep, but he had wondered if the blond may have knew where it came from. The reaction tells him he didn't, though and that . . . swords just don't appear, especially ones that are supposed to be one of a kind. And especially ones he was pretty damn certain he passed on.
Zack folds his hands behind his head and shrugs, even if Cloud can't see it]
That's about the same reaction I had. It just showed up the other day.
Zack folds his hands behind his head and shrugs, even if Cloud can't see it]
That's about the same reaction I had. It just showed up the other day.
[ Pardon him, Zack. But he's going to reach out and place a hand upon the base of the sword, gloved fingers trailing the studs. He's...more confused than anything else. He may not fully understand, but the pieces do start falling into place. ...at least the ones that help make sense of this. ]
These time loops... Guess it was only a matter of time before it caught up with you.
[ It was Zack's before it got to be in Cloud's possession, after all. ]
These time loops... Guess it was only a matter of time before it caught up with you.
[ It was Zack's before it got to be in Cloud's possession, after all. ]
[it's a pretty sensible answer and really, had it been any other object he would have laughed it off or just settled with some explanation until the truth eventually popped up.
But Zack remembers rain and the sound of metal on rock as he used the last of his strength to pull the Buster Sword closer; the weight of it as he held it up to Cloud, and the expression on his face that was the clearest Zack had seen since before they escaped]
Yeah, guess so. [his answer is careful] But it isn't me it should be catching up to.
But Zack remembers rain and the sound of metal on rock as he used the last of his strength to pull the Buster Sword closer; the weight of it as he held it up to Cloud, and the expression on his face that was the clearest Zack had seen since before they escaped]
Yeah, guess so. [his answer is careful] But it isn't me it should be catching up to.
[ "But it isn't me it should be catching up to." ]
...
[ Cloud can feel it too. For some reason, the sight of this Buster Sword reminds him of the rain. Of feeling drenched, yet right now he feels dry... What memories were unlocked, they're vague in some areas. When he asks himself why Zack wasn't there in Midgar when everything was going down...he can't conjure up the image in his mind. All he can feel is a sinking sensation in his heart.
He can't see it. Zack's fate. But...it's as if he can——feel it. ]
.....
[ Cloud lifts up the second Buster Sword, making his way back towards his friend as he holds the weapon out, handle up. ]
Let's see.
[ He wants to see it on Zack's back again. ]
...
[ Cloud can feel it too. For some reason, the sight of this Buster Sword reminds him of the rain. Of feeling drenched, yet right now he feels dry... What memories were unlocked, they're vague in some areas. When he asks himself why Zack wasn't there in Midgar when everything was going down...he can't conjure up the image in his mind. All he can feel is a sinking sensation in his heart.
He can't see it. Zack's fate. But...it's as if he can——
.....
[ Cloud lifts up the second Buster Sword, making his way back towards his friend as he holds the weapon out, handle up. ]
Let's see.
[ He wants to see it on Zack's back again. ]
[Zack lifts his hand to take it but pauses, eyebrows furrowed. It was more than just a sword; Cloud may not remember all of it yet, but for Zack . . . he too had inherited it, a symbol of a man's hopes and dreams, his pride. A legacy that only a few people will remember.
What's the protocol for this, Angeal? What would you do?
Shaking himself a little, he holds up a finger and steps around the couch to go into his room and grab the straps that'll hold it. He's worn them once since he got here, but it's muscle memory to slip them back on.
When he comes back he's schooled his expression into something less conflicted. There's a certain amount of reverence in the way Zack takes the sword, the same kind the other soldiers would see as he stood in front of them, giving orders and encouragement. It doesn't feel any heavier or lighter, but there's still something -
Something he'll think about later. He's careful as he brings the sword around, attaching it to the plate on his back. And then with a deep breath he smiles, putting his hands on his hips]
Well?
What's the protocol for this, Angeal? What would you do?
Shaking himself a little, he holds up a finger and steps around the couch to go into his room and grab the straps that'll hold it. He's worn them once since he got here, but it's muscle memory to slip them back on.
When he comes back he's schooled his expression into something less conflicted. There's a certain amount of reverence in the way Zack takes the sword, the same kind the other soldiers would see as he stood in front of them, giving orders and encouragement. It doesn't feel any heavier or lighter, but there's still something -
Something he'll think about later. He's careful as he brings the sword around, attaching it to the plate on his back. And then with a deep breath he smiles, putting his hands on his hips]
Well?
[ He can see the reluctance in Zack's eyes, the blond feeling a slight pang of regret from just passing it to him so suddenly. But...it belongs to him, doesn't it? Yet if it came down to Cloud's possession, he had a right to it too, didn't he? But the answer is something more simple. He realizes he may be putting pressure on his friend over something so spontaneously, feeling bad for doing so. Up until his friend passes him to his bedroom to retrieve his straps.
Cloud's grip on the Buster Sword wanes a little, the weapon's edge gently resting on the ground as he stares out to his friend as he gets ready. But he doesn't apologize- not as Zack returns to retrieve the sword. It all falls into place, the look on his face being taken back to a time before he'd truly lost anything. A time wherein Zack inherited something greater from someone he lost. As he steps back, he forgets about his own Buster Sword, or the uniform that he sports to match. Instead, he's stepped back into formation, drawing a silent breath.
"So you want to be in SOLDIER? Hang in there."
There's an audible clip in his breath, now sharing the same glow of mako in the eyes of his friend. Ever since the revelation came back that he never truly did make it to SOLDIER, and that he'd fabricated it all to protect himself...the headaches stopped. And yet,
"M̵͖͗y̶̖̾ ̶̭̀h̸̛͇ọ̴͐n̶͓̑o̴͎͐r̵̝̿.̶̘͂.̷̨͘.̴̠̅m̶̡͘ỷ̸͉ ̸̪̕d̵̥́r̵̻̂e̵̼͛a̵͜͝m̷̮̈s̴̘͑.̶̩͆.̸̺̒.̶͕̊ṭ̴͗h̸̖̋e̴̳͌y̷̲̋'̷̜̌r̴̠͌e̸̢͋—̶̤͝——————"
After staring long enough, he faintly smiles, his tone lifting from earlier as he stands with him. So how does it look? ]
Like I feel sorry for whoever's gotta deal with us.
[ Like it should belong to him. Like he should still be here. ]
Cloud's grip on the Buster Sword wanes a little, the weapon's edge gently resting on the ground as he stares out to his friend as he gets ready. But he doesn't apologize- not as Zack returns to retrieve the sword. It all falls into place, the look on his face being taken back to a time before he'd truly lost anything. A time wherein Zack inherited something greater from someone he lost. As he steps back, he forgets about his own Buster Sword, or the uniform that he sports to match. Instead, he's stepped back into formation, drawing a silent breath.
"So you want to be in SOLDIER? Hang in there."
There's an audible clip in his breath, now sharing the same glow of mako in the eyes of his friend. Ever since the revelation came back that he never truly did make it to SOLDIER, and that he'd fabricated it all to protect himself...the headaches stopped. And yet,
"M̵͖͗y̶̖̾ ̶̭̀h̸̛͇ọ̴͐n̶͓̑o̴͎͐r̵̝̿.̶̘͂.̷̨͘.̴̠̅m̶̡͘ỷ̸͉ ̸̪̕d̵̥́r̵̻̂e̵̼͛a̵͜͝m̷̮̈s̴̘͑.̶̩͆.̸̺̒.̶͕̊ṭ̴͗h̸̖̋e̴̳͌y̷̲̋'̷̜̌r̴̠͌e̸̢͋—̶̤͝——————"
After staring long enough, he faintly smiles, his tone lifting from earlier as he stands with him. So how does it look? ]
Like I feel sorry for whoever's gotta deal with us.
[ Like it should belong to him. Like he should still be here. ]
[it doesn't feel like getting something back Zack lost; hell, it doesn't feel like something that had belonged to him, either, not really. Instead, it's like being reunited with an old friend, its familiar weight on his back a comfort he hadn't been planning on experiencing again. For all that he's smiling, it's still a somewhat conflicting feeling, though he does know one thing -
I'd give it back to you if I had the chance. He even knows how it would go - Angeal wouldn't take it, and Zack would argue it until the older SOLDIER said something profound, one of those lines that would stick with him the rest of his life. Maybe followed by one of his stupid jokes only he found funny and - he'd still try.
He can't help it, though, as Cloud takes a step back. The smile twitches into a grin at the familiarity of it, he'd seen it thousands of times from thousands of other soldiers but he could always pick out one - ] At ease, soldier.
[but it's all wrong, too. Wrong in the way that . . . it should have ended up like this, shouldn't it? Cloud in SOLDIER fatigues, and Zack - Lazard would have still been gone, but he would've used whatever meager pull he had to get Cloud with him.
What Cloud says only confirms his train of thought.
It doesn't matter that he's only seen his friend fight once, and not even with the Buster Sword. He doesn't need to; Cloud's confidence is more than enough]
Geez. [he laughs, a brief, quiet thing] They really don't stand a chance, huh?
I'd give it back to you if I had the chance. He even knows how it would go - Angeal wouldn't take it, and Zack would argue it until the older SOLDIER said something profound, one of those lines that would stick with him the rest of his life. Maybe followed by one of his stupid jokes only he found funny and - he'd still try.
He can't help it, though, as Cloud takes a step back. The smile twitches into a grin at the familiarity of it, he'd seen it thousands of times from thousands of other soldiers but he could always pick out one - ] At ease, soldier.
[but it's all wrong, too. Wrong in the way that . . . it should have ended up like this, shouldn't it? Cloud in SOLDIER fatigues, and Zack - Lazard would have still been gone, but he would've used whatever meager pull he had to get Cloud with him.
What Cloud says only confirms his train of thought.
It doesn't matter that he's only seen his friend fight once, and not even with the Buster Sword. He doesn't need to; Cloud's confidence is more than enough]
Geez. [he laughs, a brief, quiet thing] They really don't stand a chance, huh?
[ He can't help it. When he's told to stand at ease, his expression softens further, and the smile from before grows. None of this was supposed to be happening. But...then again, Cloud wasn't supposed to have broken free of fate and into the world of horrifyingly boundless freedom. And yet before the loops began? There he was. On his way, passing something by without ever truly realizing it. ]
Nope.
Nope.
[it's nice to get caught up in what ifs of the past, even as sad and bittersweet they are, but not for too long; he sets them aside, tucking them somewhere with the rest he tries not to spend too much time looking at.
Instead:] We should find something big that needs taking care of and show everyone how it's done.
Instead:] We should find something big that needs taking care of and show everyone how it's done.
For a price.
[ Though, let's be fair. If there were trouble afoot and he was in the area, he'd likely still deal with it anyway. ...and make up some "there's a discount" or "market sample" excuse for his mercenary services. ]
[ Though, let's be fair. If there were trouble afoot and he was in the area, he'd likely still deal with it anyway. ...and make up some "there's a discount" or "market sample" excuse for his mercenary services. ]
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