[ open ] Storms draw something out of us that calm seas don’t

[makoglow]

Who: Cloud Strife & You
Status: Open
Where: Various
What: Catch all if needed; questboard things mainly
Warnings: TBA





🌩️ Seahorse Midwife

[ Thankfully after the first time being around the seahorses with Tifa, the creatures aren't as keen to knock Cloud over. They are, by far, less rambunctious. But maybe that's because Cloud has been coming as often as he can slip away to check up on them. Maybe to feed them, but don't tell anyone if you had managed to catch him in the act.

Either way, Cloud is here today like any other. Too bad that today is going to be much different than the others. Being requested to help the seahorses give birth.

Well he is standing there with a look about him like a vacant chocobo. Excuse him what? He is supposed to what?

Please save this dumbfounded boy man. ]

🌩️ Unconventional Couture

Not happening.

[ Meaning that Cloud is standing there, with his hands across his chest. Going undercover is one thing. Cloud will gladly go undercover to deal with illegal trade and whatever. The issue here it is starting to look like a situation that he had gotten himself into years ago. Aerith had been there to help him at the time and both she and Tifa had been witnesses to the results.

It had been downright embarrassing the first time. Now they want him to what again? Dress in gowns yet again? Cloud is about ready to walk out that door instead of deal with this. Again.

In a brothel. Again. ]

🌩️ Latte Love Story

[ Cloud's already got his hands full here. There's a man in the gondola. Shouting. Clearly drunk on something but Cloud isn't really paying attention to the full story here. Rather, the blonde stands with his finger pressed firmly between his eyes. It's as if he's trying to will away a potential headache - evaluating on whether or not this is really something he wants to deal with right now.

The problem is that the man is trying to stand. And he's not steady on his feet. So that means that the boat is rocking and there's the potential for the man to just up and fall out of it. ]

Cut it out. You're going to fall and then you'll really be sorry.

🌩️ Wildcard

[ My plotting comment can be found here! If you'd like to do something with Cloud then by all means go ahead and hit me up. I'm happy to write closed starters or just go with something you feel like throwing at me. Also would be happy to do the headless pumpkin if anyone is interested. Otherwise, Cloud will be avoiding ships as much as possible. So he can be found loitering around on any of the leviathans. ]

Comments

[makoglow]

Sorry. What happened post mission back in the Infantry stay post mission.

[ Wait. Wait is he teasing right back? Sure seems like it, even if it's said in the same flat tone that he says everything in. The only hint is the faintest upright tilt of a lip to show that he's...

Actually not telling. ]

I still think they'd appreciate yours more.

[starshower]

[Tifa's gaze snaps to him.]

Wait, what's that supposed to mean?

[You can't just say that and not give her more details? She almost forgets about the sea horses before one of them is snapping its teeth at the big plate of shrimp she's carrying and manages to steal a piece right out from under her nose.]

Don't tell me you've had to sing on missions...!?

[She totally believes it. Don't let her down, Cloud!!!]

[makoglow]

I don't know. What is it supposed to mean?

[ He can say that and not give her more details. Cloud is going to turn his attention back towards the seahorses. Instead of stroking the neck this time, he's heading towards the belly. ]

Post missions usually had everyone going out to eat and drink after. You can bet what that looked like.

[starshower]

[Cloud!!!

Though, she grins as she gives one of the sea horses a light scratch on the head as it lowers itself back into the shallow water to munch away at its piece of shrimp.]

Ahh, some good old-fashioned karaoke? I'll have to keep that in mind.

so it was my turn...

[makoglow]

Yeah, sure. You might call it that.

[ And after nibbling some of the ship, the sea horse is starting to get a little... Worked up.

It might be time. ]

[starshower]

[Tifa immediately stops what she's doing to examine the horse, and as soon as she realizes the same thing that Cloud does—]

Wait, already!?

[She wasn't expecting it to happen so soon?]

Here. Try holding its head steady.

[makoglow]

Already? Wasn't this supposed to happen?

[ That's why they were here, right? To help the sea horses move along with their uh. Pregnancy?

Either way, now it seems Cloud is frozen to the spot a little.

Right. head. Steady. Got it. Now watch as Cloud goes to awkwardly do that, stroking the neck of the creature to soothe it. ]

[starshower]

Well, yeah, but...

[The seahorse is starting to kick its hind legs a little now as Tifa comes around the back, giving it soothing rubs against its side.]

It just happened so suddenly, I wasn't prepared...

[So, what now? Do they just stand here and soothe it until it's over? How does this even work? Tifa has so many questions, and all of the Paladin experts are off helping others, and so all she can do is follow their example.

Slowly, the horse begins to lower itself closer to the water, and Tifa nods to Cloud, silently asking if he's planning to follow.]

[makoglow]

I don't think anyone is prepared for something like this.

[ Even when they are expecting something like this. After all no one really knows when a new life is suddenly going to decide "nah it's time for escape." So Cloud looks back towards the water. ]

Think you got the right idea though.

[ Meaning heading back into the waters. That will probably help the creature feel more secure. And the most natural. ]

[starshower]

[More and more, the horse grows restless even as it moves further into the water. She isn't sure what to expect or what's to come, but with her hands resting firmly on its side, she starts to hum any old tune softly to it, hoping that it will ease whatever discomfort that it's feeling. And then... she closes her eyes and waits...

And waits...

And waits...

Until...

There's a splash and it suddenly kicks up the water when it rears, and out from under the surface, a tiny little head pops up for air!]

[makoglow]

[ Mostly Cloud just waits. Relies on Tifa to keep the sea horse calm as it goes through its pains. The tail lashes about, meaning Cloud is going to be absolutely soaked with water but that's fine. There's no way that they could actually get out of this otherwise.

And then! New life. New life that is already trying to get onto its hooves. ]

Looks like its healthy.

[starshower]

Whoa...!

[And there it goes splashing back into the water as it cries out for help as the larger one simply lowers itself until it's almost completely submerged to rest, to let the waves wash over it until it has the energy. But she supposes that's what they are there for, right?

The baby bumps into its parent, the head nudging against the tail while it tries to swim, and Tifa comes around to try and calm it.]

Cloud, can you—

[Grab it or pick it up or something before the poor thing swallows too much water...!? She doesn't know what to do but that seems like the thing that makes the most sense! She'll quietly try to coo at it in the meantime in that soft, calming voice of hers.]

It's alright. You're okay...

[makoglow]

Yeah got it.

[ Cloud is just gong to help get the smaller critter upright. Honestly it should be fine since it is born to swim and breathe underwater. But it has used up a large amount of energy just in the process of being born. So a little assistance is necessary, Cloud things. Just temporary. ]

At least it's just one and not a whole brood.

[starshower]

[It's still splashing, likely from the sudden dump into the cold water, so Tifa kneels down next to it, one hand on the larger steed while the other reaches out to try and soothe the smaller one.]

I think one is more than enough for these guys.

[She smiles sheepishly up at him, then back down to the baby.]

Should we get it some food?

[makoglow]

Hopefully one is enough.

[ The small sea horse is now on legs and tail. Shaky, but not falling over. As if it is ready to try to take on the world.

Cloud smiles. Faintly. ]

We could try. But I don't know if it is okay to give it solid food yet or not.

[starshower]

I'm sure that they've got something for the babies... I'm going to go—

[But she stops when the horse gives a little whinnying whine that tugs at every single heartstring that Tifa has. It tries to chase after her, but it stumbles into the water instead, and the larger seahorse tries to nudge it back on its feet with its nose.]

You can't come with me, I'm sorry. You should stay here. With Cloud.

[makoglow]

Probably right about that, especially since they were expecting, right?

[ Expecting all of the newborns, that is. Cloud can't help but also smile. Give a small chuckle at seeing that the newborn wants to chase after Tifa. It's cute. ]

Hey there.

[ Cloud gives the creature a pat. ]

Don't think your parent here wants you wandering too far away.

[starshower]

[It looks between all three adults surrounding them, and the father gives it a soft, slightly disapproving whinny before Tifa runs off to one of the Conservatory helpers. She chats them up, accepts a small container of something, and splashes her way back, slogging her legs through the water at a half-run.

The baby looks up at whatever she has with curiosity, and its nose is already twitching like it knows what's inside.]

There's some mash in here that they said to feed it. Just some vegetables and a little bit of fish mixed in.

[And she'll just hand it to Cloud.]

You should give it a try.