[ 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

[flamekthunder]

[If he wants to be extra, he can be extra—

Eustace joins him in looking at the seahorse with a furrowed brow.]

Likewise. I've worked with farm animals, but not seahorses. And even that was a long time ago...

At the very least we can try to make it comfortable.

[makoglow]

Farm animals... So you have a little experience with things like this.

[ Look. Any experience is better than no experience. ]

That means you're better off petting his stomach and I can get the food.

[flamekthunder]

[Well 1% more experience is better than 0% he supposes...]

...I'll do my best. Just don't take too long.

[....He doesn't want to find himself alone if this seahorse decides to give birth. Please.

In any case, he'll set down his gear and step towards the seahorse, not even hesitating as he gets in the water so he can wade closer and stand to place a hand on the creature's stomach. It shies a little, but Eustace's calm nature might help a bit.]

[makoglow]

[ Nah, he wouldn't leave Eustace alone for that on purpose. He does owe the guy for earlier. Cloud is going to go off and get those buckets of shrimp to make it easier for them both.

Though it's also pretty clear that the sea horse himself is not comfortable with its round belly. ]

[flamekthunder]

[What is he even supposed to do—

For now Eustace will study the seahorse and gently rub his hand over the stomach, and even try to help reposition the seahorse to something more comfortable...

...As he remembers when his mother had been pregnant, he wonders if a cushion would help...hot water? No it might not need something like that—also it's a seahorse so who knows if it would be different but hmmmmmmmmmm.

When Cloud returns, he'll fine Eustace quietly speaking to it as if to help soothe it while gently running his hand over its neck and belly, trying to help give it some support. The water buoyancy helps, but it's still rather...rotund.]

[makoglow]

[ Yeah a sea horse probably won't need much in the way of water. Just maybe make sure it partially stays in the water? Augh this is so complicated.

And so Cloud does return. He gently kneels down beside the creature. Trying to also soothe with some stroking. Too bad food isn't really an option now.

But that tail is starting to thrash about. Might... Want to watch that. ]

[flamekthunder]

[And he'll eventually get smacked by it, grimacing a bit but he'll endure.]

Did they say when it's due?

[And another smack of the tail.....

....

Going to move himself to the other side, see if he can't maybe massage it or something from another angle.]

[makoglow]

No. They just said soon.

[ As in, any day now. And apparently for them that means NOW now. So Cloud is holding the creature about the head, stroking the neck and actually going so far as to try to murmur to the sea horse.

Anything to get it to calm before the real work begins. ]

[flamekthunder]

[And when it suddenly starts to tense and stretch out its tail, hitting him right in the gut, his grunt drowned out by the seahorse's loud keening noises—]

Think it's sooner than they thought—

[WHAT DO THEY DO. THIS IS A BUNCH OF BABIES THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME OUT OF THIS THING'S STOMACH?? Well at least they don't have to worry about the babies drowning, right?




Right???]

Just try to keep it still. Not much we can do until they're all out.

[Where are they coming out... Oh, maybe that hole that's starting to open near the top of its stomach is a big clue—]

[makoglow]

[ That hole is a big ol clue, it is true. So Cloud is also looking right at it. Are there going to be more than one? Like regular seahorses? ]

Hey... Hey hey.

[ Cloud is going to just try to calm the creature. Stroking along the neck. Giving it a couple of pats. Speaking to it in a low, calming tone.

All the while there is a set of hooves starting to peek through. ]

[flamekthunder]

[He is not being paid enough. But seeing how the seahorse seems to be struggling trying to push it out and recalling how newborns can sometimes have issue exiting and could risk suffocation, Eustace grits his teeth and swiftly moves to the other side so he can grab those small hooves.]

I'm going to help tug it through, just keep encouraging it.

[makoglow]

Got it.

[ Which is Exactly what Cloud is going to do. Continue to talk to the beast even though there's really not a high chance that it really understands what Cloud is saying.

At least Eustace providing some help by tugging isn't going to do anything but encourage things along in this case. ]

[flamekthunder]

[And so the arduous labor continues, the seahorse keening and neighing as it struggles to push while Eustace pulls as gently but firmly as he can—]

I see the head!

[And after a certain point, it all just basically falls out quickly, Eustace half catching it though it probably would be fine if it went underwater. No it probably should since that's how it would be in the wild, right? Still, he keeps an arm underneath it as bubbles at its nose, indicating it's at least breathing!!

Nevermind all the mess because—]

Here comes another.

[How many is this thing gonna give birth to!? Well he's prepared and can let this little one float for now, its tail and feet already moving. But boy is it going to get crowded.]

[makoglow]

[ It probably should, yes. The moment that the newborn is out, it's already trying to get to its own... hooves? Tail? Whichever. It'll probably be fine to explore.

And Cloud is getting ready to maybe help the parent out here but then - ]

What do you mean another?

[flamekthunder]

See for yourself.

[As the seahorse grunts and shakes its head, another pair of hooves appears, which Eustace will grab.]

Normally seahorses give birth to hundreds.... Let's hope this is will be just twins—

[He glances at the bulging belly and the kicking movements he can still see.]

Or triplets.

[makoglow]

At least there's no way that hundreds can fit in there.

[ Triplets is going to end up being taxing enough. Cloud takes a breath. Nods at Eustace. Then starts to rub the sea horse again in the soothing manner he had been. ]

[flamekthunder]

[And so they continue this arduous birthing process... But at the very least, it goes a lot faster and the other two pop out quick enough. Well as quick as one can hope for this. With three healthy little seahorses now swimming around, the father can rest...and look a little strange with its vastly deflated belly.

Trying to get out of the way of the nosing babies, Eustace makes his way out.

Let's not even think about the state of the water now—]

It's over...

[He feels just as exhausted.]

[makoglow]

[ It's been a long process for everyone here. For the father. Eustace. Cloud. The only ones that seem to have energy at the moment are the three new lives that are a little wobbly on their feet tail? but are already itching to explore everything around them.

Cloud, on the other hand, continues to stroke the father. ]

Yeah. Took a while. You want to watch him while I go get something for him to eat?

[ Because now it's going to need energy. ]

[flamekthunder]

[There's just a moment where Eustace stares blankly at Cloud.

Him.

Alone.

With not only an exhausted new father, but three newborn seahorses.

...

............

.........................]

...Sure.

[Yeah, he can do it, but Cloud better get his ass back ASAP—especially when he feels a little seahorse bump him first with its head and then another with its tail.

...

He's getting out of the water—]

[makoglow]

[ Don't worry don't worry. Cloud is only going to be gone long enough to get out there and then bring back what they need.

Or, rather, what those sea horses are going to need. It's fine this way, right? Because now Eustace can get out of the water while Cloud makes sure everyone eats. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Yes he can finally get out of the water and dry himself off a bit. Not too much because...well likely to get drenched again or need to go back in the water.

But the little seahorses seem to be having fun, and there are some toys available that he can toss in for them to play with. Namely a ball. Which they'll bump around with each other including towards him, so he'll end up playing "catch" with them as he looks over at Cloud.]

Looks like everyone is fine and healthy... Not much else for us to do, right?

[makoglow]

[ Don't look at him as he's watching the new family. Cloud's expression has grown soft. There's something bright in his eyes and the most subtle of smiles.

Things like this are... Satisfying. Seeing new life. A blessing. ]

I guess not, no. There could be others that need help though.

[flamekthunder]

[Oh he is definitely catching that look, and while he can relate, there's a light smile of his own...in some amusement of Cloud.

...

Though he makes something of a weary face at that.]

There are several of them about to go in labor, aren't there...

[Another throw with a small sigh.]

Hopefully they aren't as stressful as this one.

🎀

[makoglow]

I guess we're about to find out.

[ Since Cloud isn't just a help one and done sort of person. Regardless of whether or not Eustace works with him...

There's a lot of work to be done. And many healthy newborns to be had. ]