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[Aerith. Of course this is her doing.--did Sephiroth just say boyfriend? Is that what Aerith told him they are? Why was he talking to Aerith about Cloud in the first place?? Since when does Sephiroth take advice from her???
There's a sort of stunned look on Cloud's face as he slowly facepalms.]
Hoo boy.
Look, uh...Aerith will call anything a 'date.' And I'd rather do something we both want to do, not just me.
[Even Cloud isn't sure whether he's saying yes to the date or not.]
There's a sort of stunned look on Cloud's face as he slowly facepalms.]
Hoo boy.
Look, uh...Aerith will call anything a 'date.' And I'd rather do something we both want to do, not just me.
[Even Cloud isn't sure whether he's saying yes to the date or not.]
[That makes Cloud's cheeks turn red.]
You should really figure out some stuff you like for yourself, too. But, in the meantime, guess I could...show you my bike. In the Enclosure, I mean.
[Sephiroth did express interest in riding it with him, after all.]
You should really figure out some stuff you like for yourself, too. But, in the meantime, guess I could...show you my bike. In the Enclosure, I mean.
[Sephiroth did express interest in riding it with him, after all.]
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.
I’ll see you at the Lounge shortly, then.
[ With a plan agreed upon, Archer hangs up. And he will be waiting for Cloud at the door to the Lounge. ]
[ With a plan agreed upon, Archer hangs up. And he will be waiting for Cloud at the door to the Lounge. ]
[ Archer is a very direct person. He also isn’t very good at niceties so he doesn’t bother with them.
He nods once, unlocks the door to the Lounge, and gestures for Cloud to go in.
Once they both have a drink (something strong whiskey for him) and somewhere to sit, Archer considers the other for a moment before speaking. ]
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been on this ship for close to five years. And you are not the first Cloud I’ve spoken to.
Because of that I have one question to start with - how would you say things are with Sephiroth at this moment?
[ In other words, does he need to be concerned or are things level enough to not be fussed with. He’s not going to touch that issue if he doesn’t need to. ]
He nods once, unlocks the door to the Lounge, and gestures for Cloud to go in.
Once they both have a drink (something strong whiskey for him) and somewhere to sit, Archer considers the other for a moment before speaking. ]
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been on this ship for close to five years. And you are not the first Cloud I’ve spoken to.
Because of that I have one question to start with - how would you say things are with Sephiroth at this moment?
[ In other words, does he need to be concerned or are things level enough to not be fussed with. He’s not going to touch that issue if he doesn’t need to. ]
[Cloud considers that directness a good thing...even if it does mean getting asked about Sephiroth before he's even tasted his drink (something as close to the Cosmo Canyon as he could get).
Still, it's a weird situation to be in. It's unsettlingly like back when Cloud had lost his memories and every time he saw someone new on the Barge he had to navigate the discomfort of them knowing him when he had no idea who they were. So his initial reaction to the question is a brief moment of annoyed startlement, but then he sighs. It's a valid question, and it's not like he's asked for details. (Yet.)]
Fine. Good, even.
Still, it's a weird situation to be in. It's unsettlingly like back when Cloud had lost his memories and every time he saw someone new on the Barge he had to navigate the discomfort of them knowing him when he had no idea who they were. So his initial reaction to the question is a brief moment of annoyed startlement, but then he sighs. It's a valid question, and it's not like he's asked for details. (Yet.)]
Fine. Good, even.
Good.
[ It’s a brisk, business-like answer. They’re only temporarily paired so Archer is fine with leaving it at that. ]
Is there anything you need assistance with presently? Or questions you have for me?
[ It’s a brisk, business-like answer. They’re only temporarily paired so Archer is fine with leaving it at that. ]
Is there anything you need assistance with presently? Or questions you have for me?
Nah, I'm good.
[A pause.]
Actually, yeah - what kind of warden are you?
[All of his previous wardens ended up being friends except Corvo, who left halfway through their month together. This guy doesn't seem like the 'friend' type, and Cloud's fine with that, but he wants to know what to expect.]
[A pause.]
Actually, yeah - what kind of warden are you?
[All of his previous wardens ended up being friends except Corvo, who left halfway through their month together. This guy doesn't seem like the 'friend' type, and Cloud's fine with that, but he wants to know what to expect.]
[ Archer takes a sip of his drink and considers that for a moment. ]
You’re the first one to ask me that, actually.
[ It’s a fair question, though, so Archer weighs his response seriously before he gives it. ]
I would say I generally strive to take an objective approach, as opposed to a more emotional one. I’m not built very well for that, and I don’t pretend that I am.
There is very little that surprises me anymore, and I have seen enough death that we are old acquaintances.
I’m not sure if that’s the sort of answer you’re looking for, but I expect the people I was once paired to could give you better insight than I can.
You’re the first one to ask me that, actually.
[ It’s a fair question, though, so Archer weighs his response seriously before he gives it. ]
I would say I generally strive to take an objective approach, as opposed to a more emotional one. I’m not built very well for that, and I don’t pretend that I am.
There is very little that surprises me anymore, and I have seen enough death that we are old acquaintances.
I’m not sure if that’s the sort of answer you’re looking for, but I expect the people I was once paired to could give you better insight than I can.
[Cloud supposes he's not as surprised as he could be. A lot of inmates don't care about temporary pairings, or wardens at all.
He listens quietly to the answer. An objective approach seems promising - Cloud is nothing if not practical. Sounds like Archer has a lot of life experience, which also seems promising.]
Wasn't looking for anything in particular, just your thoughts on it. Tells me plenty.
He listens quietly to the answer. An objective approach seems promising - Cloud is nothing if not practical. Sounds like Archer has a lot of life experience, which also seems promising.]
Wasn't looking for anything in particular, just your thoughts on it. Tells me plenty.
Hey Cloud.
Thanks for standing up for me.
Thanks for standing up for me.
No. He's warned me she's dangerous and violent.
What did she do?
What did she do?
Of course he didn't.
[Sigh.]
He was off by himself like usual, ended up getting frozen. He texted me, so I was on my way to go help him. But...Katie found him first. She attacked him with a hammer, and he couldn't fight back. It was...really brutal. By the time I got there...if it hadn't been Vincent, I would have assumed he was dead.
[Sigh.]
He was off by himself like usual, ended up getting frozen. He texted me, so I was on my way to go help him. But...Katie found him first. She attacked him with a hammer, and he couldn't fight back. It was...really brutal. By the time I got there...if it hadn't been Vincent, I would have assumed he was dead.
[She took in a sharp breath. Vincent was pretty durable...but still.]
What the heck is wrong with this girl...
Wait. Does that mean she also attacked that man on the network too...?
Did Vincent...what the heck...
What the heck is wrong with this girl...
Wait. Does that mean she also attacked that man on the network too...?
Did Vincent...what the heck...
Not sure which man you mean, but I'm sure Vincent's not the only one she's gone after.
I got her away from him, and then after a minute he came out of the room as Chaos. But it's not like we remember it. He can fully control it now, even hold a conversation. Dunno how long it would've taken him to heal from something like that without Chaos. Anyway, he took her to Zero and I went with 'em.
I got her away from him, and then after a minute he came out of the room as Chaos. But it's not like we remember it. He can fully control it now, even hold a conversation. Dunno how long it would've taken him to heal from something like that without Chaos. Anyway, he took her to Zero and I went with 'em.
There was someone who was shouting on the network and bleeding. I'd been about to go but- it looked like he was helped by the end of the call.
[But she winced, hearing what he said. Chaos...came out huh.]
If it was that bad, Katie went overboard.
[She sighs.]
I was going to talk to her on the network but...I'm going to track her down instead.
I'm not letting people get hurt or murdered because she felt like it.
[But she winced, hearing what he said. Chaos...came out huh.]
If it was that bad, Katie went overboard.
[She sighs.]
I was going to talk to her on the network but...I'm going to track her down instead.
I'm not letting people get hurt or murdered because she felt like it.
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