escordvi | [ 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

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. ]

[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.]

[ 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?

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.

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. ]

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[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—]

[ 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. ]

[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?

[ 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.

[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.

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. ]

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

🎀