Excuse me, Cloud? Sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to let you know that I had a- well I wouldn't say it was a conversation, but Sephiroth visited me in the gym.
[This is audio because he can't keep his hands from shaking, but audibly he sounds totally fine.] I just wanted to let you know that I'm fine and I wanted to check in myself, to make sure you were okay.
[This is audio because he can't keep his hands from shaking, but audibly he sounds totally fine.] I just wanted to let you know that I'm fine and I wanted to check in myself, to make sure you were okay.
Cloud! Important question.
Is Sephiroth bothering you?
Is Sephiroth bothering you?
[Allen still isn't quite sure what to do with temporary pairings in general, but he hasn't heard 'Cloud' on the list before. If the man (?) is new, then his responsibilities seem more straightforward.]
Hello, I'm Allen Walker.
I wondered if you'd like to meet?
Hello, I'm Allen Walker.
I wondered if you'd like to meet?
[Right. The guy he got temporarily paired with. Cloud barely knows what to expect from a permanent warden, let alone a temporary one. Sharing everything that's wrong with him with a stranger who is only responsible for him for a few weeks? No thanks. But at least he has someone to go to when he runs into limitations and barriers, that's something.]
Sure. Where'd you have in mind?
Sure. Where'd you have in mind?
Clooooud.
[Knock knock knock!]
Anyone home?
[She doesn't want to sneak in, and this isn't for talk time. At all! It's fun time.]
[Knock knock knock!]
Anyone home?
[She doesn't want to sneak in, and this isn't for talk time. At all! It's fun time.]
[She doesn't give warning, doesn't ask him over the communicator. She knows he may not be here, but Aerith goes to stand by Cloud's door, a plate with a cake in her hands.
Someone is free to tell Cloud that he has a visitor. It's okay.
If she has to, Aerith will wait all day for him to arrive for this simple gift.]
Someone is free to tell Cloud that he has a visitor. It's okay.
If she has to, Aerith will wait all day for him to arrive for this simple gift.]
[Cloud is here, and hasn't left in a day or two. He's feeling...marginally better after Sephiroth's visit, but also has new and exciting things to worry about because of it.
After maybe ten or fifteen minutes, the cat(?) emerges from Sephiroth's cabin across the hall through the cat flap built into the door. It circles warily around Aerith, watching her, and then darts into Cloud's cabin through the matching cat flap in his door.
Then she can hear some sounds that are...not quite meowing?...and Cloud grumbling quietly back at the animal for a few minutes. And then, finally, footsteps as he approaches the door with none too quick a stride, though not a hesitant one.
And then he opens the door, and blinks in surprise.]
Aerith? Uh, I mean...hi.
After maybe ten or fifteen minutes, the cat(?) emerges from Sephiroth's cabin across the hall through the cat flap built into the door. It circles warily around Aerith, watching her, and then darts into Cloud's cabin through the matching cat flap in his door.
Then she can hear some sounds that are...not quite meowing?...and Cloud grumbling quietly back at the animal for a few minutes. And then, finally, footsteps as he approaches the door with none too quick a stride, though not a hesitant one.
And then he opens the door, and blinks in surprise.]
Aerith? Uh, I mean...hi.
[NOT 10 SECONDS LATER.]
As far as I know, you're the first person he's ever showed interest in. Ever. ... Before I stick my foot in it, I'd like to ask, is this mutual, or something I should not be trying to encourage?
[There's a thread of uncertainty there. are you safe cloud. do you need an adult.]
As far as I know, you're the first person he's ever showed interest in. Ever. ... Before I stick my foot in it, I'd like to ask, is this mutual, or something I should not be trying to encourage?
[There's a thread of uncertainty there. are you safe cloud. do you need an adult.]
...ever?
[Cloud's quiet a moment, not entirely sure how to feel about that. There's a part of him that wants to say it's only because Sephiroth spent so much time messing with his head that he's just Sephiroth's favorite toy to play with, but he knows that's not fair. Or at least, it's not entirely fair.
Then Angeal's asking him the question he really didn't want anyone to ask him, which Angeal can probably tell by the way he looks vaguely like he suddenly doesn't want to be here and he averts his gaze.]
It's...fine. Don't worry about it.
[Cloud's quiet a moment, not entirely sure how to feel about that. There's a part of him that wants to say it's only because Sephiroth spent so much time messing with his head that he's just Sephiroth's favorite toy to play with, but he knows that's not fair. Or at least, it's not entirely fair.
Then Angeal's asking him the question he really didn't want anyone to ask him, which Angeal can probably tell by the way he looks vaguely like he suddenly doesn't want to be here and he averts his gaze.]
It's...fine. Don't worry about it.
[ Some conversations are best had in person so after things have died down a little...Zack goes to find Cloud.
He doesn't call or text in advance - he just goes to find him. ]
He doesn't call or text in advance - he just goes to find him. ]
[Cloud's not too hard to find anymore, back to his usual routines. So he's just in his cabin, feeding the cat-thing, when Zack comes looking. When the knock comes, he pauses to go open the door. And when he sees it's Zack, his brows lift in mild surprise.]
Zack. What's up?
Zack. What's up?
Hello, this is Ulla. Your assigned warden for the month. I'd like to meet with you, either in my cabin or wherever you're more comfortable.
[Right...new month, new warden. Just when Cloud was beginning to get used to Allen. He doesn't love the idea of having to talk about himself all over again, but who knows - maybe Ulla will end up with a completely different approach.]
Sure. Your cabin works. Just let me know when and where.
Sure. Your cabin works. Just let me know when and where.
[After pairings, Corvo debates on not saying anything at all. But - he isn't going to be that sort of warden.
He doesn't want to be any sort of warden, but there's really no getting around that.]
You're Cloud.
[Good, solid start. Corvo clears his throat.]
I'm Corvo. Attano. Admiral wants me to see to you this month, but you're my first assignment since graduating so I'm not really sure how to go about this.
He doesn't want to be any sort of warden, but there's really no getting around that.]
You're Cloud.
[Good, solid start. Corvo clears his throat.]
I'm Corvo. Attano. Admiral wants me to see to you this month, but you're my first assignment since graduating so I'm not really sure how to go about this.
Yup.
[He sure is Cloud.
It makes more sense a moment later when the guy introduces himself - Cloud's seen the name on the pairings list. Another month, another warden, once again. He was really starting to appreciate having Ulla in his corner, too.
At least Corvo's being upfront about this. That's a point in his favor. And between Allen and Corvo, and the bullshit Zack and Richter had to deal with, Cloud's starting to feel like maybe the inmates aren't the only ones who need help.]
Well...can't say I know enough about a warden's job to answer that. You're only my third. Kinda sucks that the Admiral doesn't bother explaining this shit. Could tell you what the last one said about it, though.
[He sure is Cloud.
It makes more sense a moment later when the guy introduces himself - Cloud's seen the name on the pairings list. Another month, another warden, once again. He was really starting to appreciate having Ulla in his corner, too.
At least Corvo's being upfront about this. That's a point in his favor. And between Allen and Corvo, and the bullshit Zack and Richter had to deal with, Cloud's starting to feel like maybe the inmates aren't the only ones who need help.]
Well...can't say I know enough about a warden's job to answer that. You're only my third. Kinda sucks that the Admiral doesn't bother explaining this shit. Could tell you what the last one said about it, though.
I'm your warden for the month. Do you need anything?
[Right. Another month, another warden, all over again. Cloud had been getting used to this process, but after Corvo left...yeah, he's not feeling it right now.]
Not really.
[There's a part of him that's annoyed with himself for being such a recalcitrant dick, but this guy's not Corvo. Cloud had started thinking maybe he might ask Corvo to be his permanent warden - the only person he's ever had even a hint of that thought about - and then just like that, he was gone. And it still sucks.]
Not really.
[There's a part of him that's annoyed with himself for being such a recalcitrant dick, but this guy's not Corvo. Cloud had started thinking maybe he might ask Corvo to be his permanent warden - the only person he's ever had even a hint of that thought about - and then just like that, he was gone. And it still sucks.]
Big brother, my Warden and I want to meet with you~
Good day, Cloud.
I have two questions when you are at liberty to discuss them: one professional, one personal.
I have two questions when you are at liberty to discuss them: one professional, one personal.
[Oh no. Oh shit. Cloud is suddenly hyperaware of the ring he's wearing and he freezes with slightly widened eyes for just a moment, like a deer in vivid green headlights. He recovers well enough, though, and keeps it casual.]
Sure, go for it.
Sure, go for it.
Edited 2025-01-08 07:15 (UTC)
Cloud Strife. I’m Archer, your temp for this month.
At your convenience, I’d like to meet. Is there a place or time that works best for you?
At your convenience, I’d like to meet. Is there a place or time that works best for you?
[Cloud has mixed feelings about having another new temp warden. On the one hand, not having a warden for a month kinda sucked. On the other, he's a little sick of having to do this song and dance all over again just for the warden to move on in a few weeks.]
Sure. Lounge? Now's fine.
Sure. Lounge? Now's fine.
Hey Cloud.
Thanks for standing up for me.
Thanks for standing up for me.
Hey Cloud.
So um. I'm not sure how exactly Lark got the idea...maybe it was something that kind of gotten away with me..but he wants to help plan a birthday for me in a couple of weeks.
And I told him you'd help.
Sorry Cloud.
So um. I'm not sure how exactly Lark got the idea...maybe it was something that kind of gotten away with me..but he wants to help plan a birthday for me in a couple of weeks.
And I told him you'd help.
Sorry Cloud.
text, during the chromatique breach, post-brock breakout
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
punched_hitler
2025-02-03 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Roughly two days after the incident that resulted in the disappearance of a particular dark-haired Interventionist, Cloud receives a text from a blocked number:]
You were there the other day in the blackout block, weren't you. When the Interventionist escaped.
You were there the other day in the blackout block, weren't you. When the Interventionist escaped.
[Cloud feels like there have been entirely too many incidents lately. He would really like them to give him a break, but he also can't stop working because that way lies thinking too much, and he definitely can't afford that. For a variety of reasons, SCI chief among them.
So this text he receives...his first instinct is to ignore it, or even report it to someone. It wouldn't be the first time he refused to play games with some anonymous ne'er-do-well. But no...no, not this time. This time, he just replies.]
So what?
So this text he receives...his first instinct is to ignore it, or even report it to someone. It wouldn't be the first time he refused to play games with some anonymous ne'er-do-well. But no...no, not this time. This time, he just replies.]
So what?
Cloud? Hello. This is Will Graham. I wanted to see how you came through that Breach.
It was mostly...emphasizing parts of my life, for me. Being an Interventionist wasn't that far of a leap. How are you holding up?
It was mostly...emphasizing parts of my life, for me. Being an Interventionist wasn't that far of a leap. How are you holding up?
Hi. Um...
[Will Graham...yeah, he knows that guy. The Interventionist who works with Malcolm. Is that his name?
Right, the breach. When he was back in San Otrera. Even here, though, he's gotta keep his head up. So people can keep looking to him as a problem solver. As someone who'll keep their city - or their boat - safe. Even if things aren't the way they should be, he can still do that. Right?
When he replies again, his voice itself hasn't changed, but there's something about the tone, the energy, that's shifted.]
Never better.
[Will Graham...yeah, he knows that guy. The Interventionist who works with Malcolm. Is that his name?
Right, the breach. When he was back in San Otrera. Even here, though, he's gotta keep his head up. So people can keep looking to him as a problem solver. As someone who'll keep their city - or their boat - safe. Even if things aren't the way they should be, he can still do that. Right?
When he replies again, his voice itself hasn't changed, but there's something about the tone, the energy, that's shifted.]
Never better.
Cloud? Oh gosh, I probably shouldn't have called. It's not really my right anymore, but I'm worried. And so much happened. How are you now that things are back to...normal...?
[ That still doesn't feel quite right to say. ]
Well...normal-ish, I guess? For the Barge.
[ That still doesn't feel quite right to say. ]
Well...normal-ish, I guess? For the Barge.
Fred? What are you talking about? Dunno what your rights have anything to do with calling your brother...maybe I'm the one who should be worried about you.
[Not that he wasn't already, considering...everything.]
As for me, I...
[No, she's already worried. He can't worry her more with the mess of confusion and dread that is his mind right now. He smiles - she can hear it in his voice.]
I'm okay. Aren't I always?
[Not that he wasn't already, considering...everything.]
As for me, I...
[No, she's already worried. He can't worry her more with the mess of confusion and dread that is his mind right now. He smiles - she can hear it in his voice.]
I'm okay. Aren't I always?
(continued from here)
One might think that Cloud ought to be alarmed at suddenly being pulled underwater, but all it does is crank up the intensity further. Cloud falls into these kinds of moments all the time...when Sephiroth is around. Once, he had no choice - Sephiroth invaded his mind and took it over completely, not by way of control so much as simply existing there and occupying every scrap of Cloud's attention, even when he wasn't really present at all.
Now he lets it happen on its own. Willingly allows his mind and body to tune out anything that isn't Sephiroth. It might be scary if he thought about it too hard, but then again, Sephiroth himself has given Cloud every opportunity to back out, and Cloud hasn't taken a single one.
Turns out, he likes it this way.
His eyes stay closed for now. Every sensation seems heightened now that he's holding his breath, as if breathing was just a distraction from what he's feeling. And what he's feeling is...not enough, he realizes eventually, hitting another point of frustration. Once again, there's no need to pull away from Sephiroth's lips to fix it. He lets go of the SOLDIER just long enough to slip one hand between them and unzip his shirt, unbuckle his pauldron with its attached sleeve, and let all of it follow his gloves to the bottom of the pond.
Now bare to the waist, he wraps his arms back around Sephiroth's neck and presses himself even closer with as much of his body as he can.
One might think that Cloud ought to be alarmed at suddenly being pulled underwater, but all it does is crank up the intensity further. Cloud falls into these kinds of moments all the time...when Sephiroth is around. Once, he had no choice - Sephiroth invaded his mind and took it over completely, not by way of control so much as simply existing there and occupying every scrap of Cloud's attention, even when he wasn't really present at all.
Now he lets it happen on its own. Willingly allows his mind and body to tune out anything that isn't Sephiroth. It might be scary if he thought about it too hard, but then again, Sephiroth himself has given Cloud every opportunity to back out, and Cloud hasn't taken a single one.
Turns out, he likes it this way.
His eyes stay closed for now. Every sensation seems heightened now that he's holding his breath, as if breathing was just a distraction from what he's feeling. And what he's feeling is...not enough, he realizes eventually, hitting another point of frustration. Once again, there's no need to pull away from Sephiroth's lips to fix it. He lets go of the SOLDIER just long enough to slip one hand between them and unzip his shirt, unbuckle his pauldron with its attached sleeve, and let all of it follow his gloves to the bottom of the pond.
Now bare to the waist, he wraps his arms back around Sephiroth's neck and presses himself even closer with as much of his body as he can.
Cloud will probably regret letting his clothes drift to the bottom of the pond. Sephiroth won't be fishing them out for him. But that's a frustration later Cloud will have to deal with.
For now Cloud will just have to deal with Sephiroth continuing the kiss, his hands also wandering the now bare skin. He's not too lost in the moment that he'll drown Cloud, but he might push the limits just a little before he brings the both of them to the surface. It'd be too disappointing if Cloud were to die during it all.
After a moment he breaks from the kiss to move to Cloud's neck, trailing down the side and eventually to his chest as though he has to taste every inch. Which might possibly be true right now.
For now Cloud will just have to deal with Sephiroth continuing the kiss, his hands also wandering the now bare skin. He's not too lost in the moment that he'll drown Cloud, but he might push the limits just a little before he brings the both of them to the surface. It'd be too disappointing if Cloud were to die during it all.
After a moment he breaks from the kiss to move to Cloud's neck, trailing down the side and eventually to his chest as though he has to taste every inch. Which might possibly be true right now.
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