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

Entry tags:

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

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Zack did you really just up and go and buy ONE for the both of them? Really? REALLY REALLY?

He sighs and rubs at his neck. Then leans over the drink slightly. ]

So... It's completely normal?

[Snooze you lose-

But he is handing the latte to Cloud now.]

Who knows. Here, you take the first test sip.

[ There are days where he wonders the value of being around someone like Zack. This man will take years off of his life at this rate...

Whatever. It's not like Cloud is ever going to isolate himself again. So he takes the cup. Blows on it to cool and then takes a sip. ]

It's... Interesting.

[Zack does his due diligence and watches Cloud take a sip. Any weird changes? Any effects like dilated pupils or something? Cloud still seems normal...]

Just interesting? No weird tastes?

[Like it's supposed to taste like drugs or something...? Probably not.]

I don't taste anything weird, no. Just cinnamon and pumpkin. A little sweet but some heat to it.

[ Gestures for Zack to take a drink! ]

Huh. Alright.

[Zack takes the cup and takes a sip too. A quick lick of his lips and he looks lost in thought.]

Yeah... that seems fine to me.

Maybe there really wasn't anything wrong with these at all.

[ But it's not bad either? So excuse Cloud as he goes to take an actual drink this time. Not a sip.

Sharing a cup with his friend like this. That's totally normal. ]

[Yeah, totally swapping the same cup is totally normal. Zack doesn't even think twice when Cloud takes more of a real gulp this time.]

Maybe that guy was just plain drunk. He probably put some vodka in it or something.

[Little do they know...]

It's possible.

[ So now they are just walking down the street. Passing this cup between them. ]

Sorry. Feels like I just wasted your time.

Nah, It was a good lead at the time.

[Zack takes another sip when it's his turn.

There is this strangely warm feeling in his gut. But that's probably just because it's a hot drink.]

So now what?

[ Zack isn't the only one who thinks that this is basically just the result of having a warm drink on a cooler night. Doesn't realize the way it is making him feel more relaxed. A strange calm starting to wash over him. ]

I don't know, we could keep walking around for a bit. I don't have much else to do.

[He's fine with walking around with Cloud and enjoying the night air a bit. It's kind of nostalgic, really...

Zack takes another sip and hands it back to Cloud.]

Actually... Follow me?

[ As in, Cloud has an idea of where to go. But the question is... Will Zack go ahead and follow him? ]

[Is that really hard question to ask? It's a no-brainer for Zack. He'd follow Cloud anywhere.]

Sure, where we going?

Nowhere special. Just towards the docks?

[ In other words, just to sit there and enjoy the evening? ]

Hey, that's a great idea.

[Hope Cloud doesn't mind Zack slipping an arm around Cloud's shoulders like it's the most natural thing to do. Must be the latte talking.

It's a quieter night now. The busy sounds of the day are starting to die down as the sun starts to sink. Off they set towards the main docks.]

[ He's used to it. The casual physical affection. If anything he just huffs a little and carries on. It's quieter, yes. Much so. But it's not like Cloud minds it. If anything it's welcomed.

It also doesn't take long before they make it to the docks and Cloud breathing out. ]

Wish I would've taken you up on asking me out more often.

[ He means post mission but! ]

[Zack inhales a breath of fresh dock air. It's nice out.]

Hah, you regretting it? I could ask you out more often if you're up for it now.

[Post missions, of course.]

I think the way that things are, why would I want you to wait until after?

[ In other words, ask him to work alongside you more often, Zack. That's what they both had wanted, right?

What Zack had been trying to do when he got them out of that basement. ]

[Zack glances at Cloud and his expression softens a bit.]

I mean, sure. We're partners, aren't we?

[That's all he wanted at the end of their journey, anyway. For the two of them to be able to live lives, free to do whatever good work they wanted to do. Make a real difference in the things they took on. Together.]

It's not like we can start up our own mercenary business here. The paladins have enough work for us as is. But I'l admit part of doing this reminds me of that plan.

Pretty sure the word you used was "friends."

[ Zack should know what Cloud means. Though it means that he had been somewhat coherent when they had been cut off by Shinra. Yet it's something that has stuck with Cloud now that he remembers. Something he will never forget.

There's something warm. Nostalgic. Something that makes it easier to just speak. ]

It does, yeah. That's the other reason why you better not think of doing too much work without me.

[It makes Zack smile. Of course, he remembers saying that. He said that so that Cloud wouldn't pass out on him. That memory...

His arm tightens around Cloud's shoulders to jostle him.]

Yeah, friends.

[That's an important bond that he never wants to lose. Bringing up all these old nostalgic memories...]

Remember when you were fresh meat? You were like a chocobo chick that wouldn't stop chirping. [He's joking.] If I leave you behind now I wouldn't hear the end of that chirping again. [He's joking.]

[ Tch, Zack. Chocobo chick... The guy would call him something like that. He gives Zack a bit of a nudge in the ribs for it. Nothing that would hurt, of course. Just enough so that Zack realizes that Cloud sees he's teasing. ]

You were the one that was laughing at me first. As if a place called "Gongaga" sounded completely normal.

[ That whole exchange had started it. Kickstarted their friendship. Since that moment, Cloud had looked for Zack. Zack had sought him out. ]

But I've got a feeling this time you would be the one chirping this time.

[Zack gives a pretend "ooph" when Cloud nudges his ribs. Then he quirks a grin as he glances at the blond again.]

It's because that was the first time I'd ever met another backwater nobody like me!

[They're far from nobodies now, huh.]

Maybe you're right, though. I kind of like having you around.

[ Cloud takes another sip of the latte and passes the rest to Zack. He feels calmer, now. Maybe there's also the water along the docks to consider - contributing to this inner calm.

He chuckles at Zack's words. How he likes having Cloud around. His thoughts at that first meeting. ]

I owe you so much. Not even sure I could list it all. So I guess I'm just grateful.

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