escordvi | closed 🌠⚡ how do we rewrite the stars...

I was.

[She dabs a napkin against her red lips like a proper lady would.]

But maybe I'm just having a good time.

[That just makes him snort.]

Not what I would have expected.

[And he'll reach out with his thumb to wipe off a crumb from the corner of her lips.]

[She's just playing around, but it's not often that she gets the chance to enjoy food like this.]

What do you expect, then? You've surprised me a few times already tonight.

I just didn't expect you becoming a messy eater.

[A playful grin in return before he takes one of the sushi.]

But what do you mean?

[And going to more easily eat the piece before moving to start cracking through the lobster shell.]

Well, first of all, there was nothing messy about that. I didn't drop a single piece of rice or get anything on my lips.

[She chooses a different roll this time, no idea what kind.]

And I mean that I wasn't expecting you to pick lobster yourself. And I learned that you don't mind the more thrilling rides.

I'd say talking with your mouth full could be considered "messy"...and you did have some rice earlier.

[That he picked off.]

The rides I'll give to you, but is me choosing lobster really that strange?

Not strange, no.

[Her finger self-consciously brushes against the corners of her lip to check for anything left over.]

Just that you really do seem like a steak and whiskey sort of guy. If I were the bartender and didn't know you, that would be my first guess.

Hm... You're not wrong there. But I still enjoy other foods, you know.

I know. I never said it was a bad thing.

[She places one roll on his plate.]

I'm just saying that it's funny how there's still so much to learn about you. Like you liking lobster.

Fair. I could say the same to you.

[Hm... He smiles a bit in thought.]

I did say not too long ago I would tell you more about myself.

And me, too.

[She perches her chin again on her hand and gets another roll ready for herself.]

So, what else don't I know?

[She is aware that it is a very general sort of question, and she grins at him.]

[Yes that is a very general question and he gives her a wry look.]

A lot.

[And he'll be blunt while also general.]

But if you want to know, you'll have to give me something to start with.

Hmm.

[How is she supposed to pick just any one thing when she finds everything about him interesting!?]

Well then, how about... what made you decide to be... what, a mercenary? A soldier?

[She still doesn't really know what it was called.]

With all your skills, you probably could have picked just about anything.

[There's a small pause from when he was picking through is lobster, and there's a slight shift in his expression before he slowly resumes.]

...It wasn't really much of a choice.

[Another pause.]

No, I did have the choice, but there was only one thing I wanted to do, and joining the organization was the way to do it.

[She feels a strong pang of guilt when she sees his expression.]

... Sorry. That probably wasn't the question to lead with.

[She knows only a little bit of it, but maybe there was a better way to ask.]

I understand, though.

[Just a low hum because he also doesn't want to bring the mood down... But it was a bit of a "sensitive" topic. Not necessarily in the sense that he doesn't want to talk about it, but given the context and circumstances, it's not the best topic...

Still, it's not something he's trying to keep away from her—not anymore, anyway. It's not something he would openly discuss with a stranger, but Tifa is someone his much closer to, someone he's in a relationship with. He doesn't mind her hearing about it. That and she already knows a bit of what happened in his past...]

It's all right.

[And he does mean it, looking up at her reassuringly.]

Just a bit... Well.

[Something of a helpless smile.]

You remember how I told you want happened to my village... And how I was picked up by one of the leaders of the Society organization. It was because I was already there and wanted to avenge my family and village that I chose to join them. Ronan actually tried to dissuade me, saying I didn't have to walk that path. But I was adamant so I went through the whole regimen, and he even specially taught me how to handle various weapons and tested me without any favoritism or preferential treatment.

[She is slow to eat that next roll, listening instead while she pokes her chopsticks into it. She catches that reassuring look and responds with an apologetic and somewhat sad smile, as well as one of understanding because she had been in the same position, too. It was why she joined Avalanche, after all... There was no virtuous reason at the beginning. It was only so that she could get back at Shinra and Sephiroth. Nothing to do with the Planet. Just a way to try and sate that anger that had grown in her over the years after she arrived in Midgar.

So she can't judge him for it. Not that she ever would, but it's more an understanding than anything else.]

Nothing wrong with wanting to avenge the people you love. Felt the same myself for a while, so I get it.

[A small shake of her head, and she finally takes a small bite of the food, chewing with a thoughtful furrow to her brow.]

[A small nod, also understanding her position and circumstances. That might also be another reason he didn't mind telling her so much... Granted—]

Now that I've managed that, I stay to protect the peace of those I care about.

[Well, it's not really as grand as it might sound, and in a way he's selfish because he doesn't need to stay with the Society specifically. But it is the best place with resources and the goals are still aligned with his own.]

[Another nod because while she doesn't have much to say about it, she understands that, too.]

Don't want anything disrupting the peace you worked hard for. But I'm glad you found it.

[Motives change over time, she's learned...]

Guess I should've phrased that first question better...

It's fine.

[A small smile as he reaches over to brush his fingertips over her hand.]

I don't mind talking about it, I just didn't want you to feel uncomfortable.

I don't. As long as you don't.

[She moves her fingers so that she can touch his in return, allowing her own to curl loosely around his.]

I was more just wondering... if not that, then what else might you have found yourself doing? Something that you enjoy?

[There's a slight widening of his eyes in understanding before he hums low in thought before he finally answers slowly.]

...I don't know.

[And it really...is hard to imagine what he would have done then. Should he consider if things were different...? Or is the premise still with the destruction of his family?]

Even now when things are less pressing, it's hard to imagine doing something differently.

[He's living like a mercenary now, but it's really not so different than being an agent and taking missions because he basically acted the same, just with more direction and objectives.]

[She tilts her head at him with a soft smile.]

You think so? What about other interests outside of work?

...

[And then she quickly adds:]

Not that there's anything wrong with what you do, but—how do I put this...

[Curious, he cants his head slightly.]

But?

Do you never imagine yourself doing something else?

[She smiles across at him, more genuine and less apologetic this time.]

Things that you might enjoy and find peaceful or relaxing at the same time? Like... I don't know, dog walking or starting a garden or opening up some sort of shop.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject