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[And old-fashioned says enough about a person, or so he's learned in his time of slinging hooch like this. He shifts for a moment, going to grab a glass, letting his tail slowly flick behind him and be at least somewhat seen.]
You prefer brandy or whiskey for it? Hell, some people even go with bourbon. More of a whiskey man myself, but pick your poison, kid.
You prefer brandy or whiskey for it? Hell, some people even go with bourbon. More of a whiskey man myself, but pick your poison, kid.
[He could always ask if he wanted to, not like he has a problem giving a ballpark answer at this point. But given the way he dresses, it would be easy enough to guess if Cloud was... from Earth, unfortunately.]
Bourbon, then. [Luckily it's not a complicated drink and he's pretty quick on the uptake anyway as he sets a glass down in front of him and grabs his own.]
How long you been here, then? I ain't gonna lie to you that I'm on the newer end of this madness.
Bourbon, then. [Luckily it's not a complicated drink and he's pretty quick on the uptake anyway as he sets a glass down in front of him and grabs his own.]
How long you been here, then? I ain't gonna lie to you that I'm on the newer end of this madness.
[He would sure hope so, otherwise he needs his standing as a bartender removed from him for failing something that simple. Though it's still nice to see the approval even while he takes a drink from his own glass, not seeming to even flinch at whatever it is.]
Sounds about right, everyone I've met that's been here that long says time seems to fly in this place. Some people it's for the better to be here and others.... less so, I suppose. [Hell has its ups and downs, if he were honest.] Go on and ask me somethin' if you want, nothing's off bounds for me and I'm a pretty open book 'bout most things. Fair's fair and all that.
Sounds about right, everyone I've met that's been here that long says time seems to fly in this place. Some people it's for the better to be here and others.... less so, I suppose. [Hell has its ups and downs, if he were honest.] Go on and ask me somethin' if you want, nothing's off bounds for me and I'm a pretty open book 'bout most things. Fair's fair and all that.
Mm. Not sure it'd be for the better for me if I didn't have a bunch of my friends here. But at least I chose to be here.
[Cloud takes another sip and nods.] Time does fly...guess it's because there's always a dozen things going on at once.
[He glances up at Husk and tilts his head, then finally decides to sit down on a stool and think about the offer. He considers asking what kind of world Husk is from, but then it clicks--]
Wait a second, aren't you the guy who said you were from hell?
[Cloud takes another sip and nods.] Time does fly...guess it's because there's always a dozen things going on at once.
[He glances up at Husk and tilts his head, then finally decides to sit down on a stool and think about the offer. He considers asking what kind of world Husk is from, but then it clicks--]
Wait a second, aren't you the guy who said you were from hell?
Edited 2025-03-16 09:14 (UTC)
Chose to be here? And here I thought inmates got brought here more or less against their will or with a choice where you couldn't really say no. [That's... curious, really. Hm.
He goes quiet for the longest moment at the question, taking another drink with a small humming noise. Yeah, he probably sticks out in a crowd in that particular regard.]
One of 'em. Sinner demon, specifically, means I was a living human at one point and then when I died and ended up in Hell, also ended up like this.
He goes quiet for the longest moment at the question, taking another drink with a small humming noise. Yeah, he probably sticks out in a crowd in that particular regard.]
One of 'em. Sinner demon, specifically, means I was a living human at one point and then when I died and ended up in Hell, also ended up like this.
Most do. Figure the Admiral would've nabbed me anyway even if I'd said no, but...he didn't have to.
[Cloud's view of things has shifted some over time, but that much at least wouldn't change even if he had it to do over again.
He's patient during Husk's silence, just sipping his own drink in the meantime. His brows lift slightly in some curiosity once the reply comes, then furrow slightly as he considers that.]
But you're a warden. So you must've done something right, at least as far as the Admiral's concerned. Why the transformation?
[Cloud's view of things has shifted some over time, but that much at least wouldn't change even if he had it to do over again.
He's patient during Husk's silence, just sipping his own drink in the meantime. His brows lift slightly in some curiosity once the reply comes, then furrow slightly as he considers that.]
But you're a warden. So you must've done something right, at least as far as the Admiral's concerned. Why the transformation?
That so... [He almost wants to ask what he was doing that made that choice so obvious for him, but he leaves that be for now. Especially since the curiosity actually does earn a bit of amusement out of him, a grin climbing to his lips and showing those sharp teeth while he does so.]
Now ain't that the million dollar question? Could be that the Admiral's idea of good or moralistic or whatever-the-fuck is different than Heaven or Hell's definitions of it. Or that maybe I changed for the better when I got knocked off my pedestal of being an Overlord and put onto a collar and leash, hard to say without knowin' what that standard even is. [Another drink and a shrug.] Wasn't a good enough change for Heaven, anyway.
Now ain't that the million dollar question? Could be that the Admiral's idea of good or moralistic or whatever-the-fuck is different than Heaven or Hell's definitions of it. Or that maybe I changed for the better when I got knocked off my pedestal of being an Overlord and put onto a collar and leash, hard to say without knowin' what that standard even is. [Another drink and a shrug.] Wasn't a good enough change for Heaven, anyway.
Yup.
[It seems odd that Husk doesn't know why he's a warden, but then again, Cloud has noticed that most wardens don't actually seem to have as many answers as one would think.
The rest is more unexpected. He may not know much about the ins and outs of Hell, but "overlord" seems pretty self-explanatory. He'd assume "collar and leash" were metaphorical, except, well. The guy is a cat...]
So you were a big shot. What happened?
[It seems odd that Husk doesn't know why he's a warden, but then again, Cloud has noticed that most wardens don't actually seem to have as many answers as one would think.
The rest is more unexpected. He may not know much about the ins and outs of Hell, but "overlord" seems pretty self-explanatory. He'd assume "collar and leash" were metaphorical, except, well. The guy is a cat...]
So you were a big shot. What happened?
[Doesn't much help that his view of his own self isn't the best and yet he's still here and still doing stuff. And doesn't recognize the good qualities about himself or things he's done. It's fine, don't worry about it.
Normally he'd be more, well, catty about these details. But by this point in time, it doesn't much matter anymore.]
Some things from life carry over into death, I was a gambler. Overlords deal in souls, taking them in contracts, that's how you got power. I took a bet I couldn't win and ended up having to trade my own in order to keep even a semblance of my power still. [A slow bit of a shrug as he finishes off the rest of his glass and goes to pour himself some more.] Ended up at his beck and call for whatever he wanted, but I guess in the scheme of things who I ended up with isn't that bad since the asshole at least is annoying instead of malicious.
Normally he'd be more, well, catty about these details. But by this point in time, it doesn't much matter anymore.]
Some things from life carry over into death, I was a gambler. Overlords deal in souls, taking them in contracts, that's how you got power. I took a bet I couldn't win and ended up having to trade my own in order to keep even a semblance of my power still. [A slow bit of a shrug as he finishes off the rest of his glass and goes to pour himself some more.] Ended up at his beck and call for whatever he wanted, but I guess in the scheme of things who I ended up with isn't that bad since the asshole at least is annoying instead of malicious.
[At his beck and call...Cloud glances down into his glass for a moment. He knows what that's like, even if the details are all wrong. But he's pretty sure his soul never entered into it - at least, not before he died and the Admiral intercepted his soul before he could return to the planet.
Cloud finishes his drink, too, and sets the glass down.]
Maybe the Admiral figured you already had a taste of your own medicine and didn't need any more. [A pause.] As for me...I stopped an alien from destroying humanity and they called me a hero for it, but I never felt like one. Not after all the shit I did...and failed to do, along the way.
[His tone slides into a kind of bitter disgust, aimed at himself like a blade.] And afterward, I abandoned everybody who cared about me when they needed me. Ran away to wallow in self-pity and wait around for death. And my friends, my family...they suffered for it. So yeah, I wanted to come here. Figure out my shit and do better, for them.
Cloud finishes his drink, too, and sets the glass down.]
Maybe the Admiral figured you already had a taste of your own medicine and didn't need any more. [A pause.] As for me...I stopped an alien from destroying humanity and they called me a hero for it, but I never felt like one. Not after all the shit I did...and failed to do, along the way.
[His tone slides into a kind of bitter disgust, aimed at himself like a blade.] And afterward, I abandoned everybody who cared about me when they needed me. Ran away to wallow in self-pity and wait around for death. And my friends, my family...they suffered for it. So yeah, I wanted to come here. Figure out my shit and do better, for them.
Maybe, ain't much left for an old washed up man like me. [It's far more matter-of-fact that it really ought to be. But he lets him talk, ears flicking forward in oddly more interest in the last part. Man, if he hates one thing about this cat bit, it's this feature.]
You already got a start on shit, then. Getting out of that self-pity spiral's the way to do it, whether you really believe you deserve it or not. [He shifts a little, claws lightly tapping on the bar top.] Though with the way you're talkin' about everything, it seems you still got a bit more to get over for yourself before you can help anyone else. [He might be preaching to the choir, he's pretty damn sure and he wasn't exactly asked for his thoughts on any of it.]
But lemme guess: you continuously think about all the things you coulda done different, what you coulda said differently. All the what-ifs, could-ifs, should-haves. Which ain't gonna do anything other than frustrate you and paralyze you from moving forward, ask me how I fuckin' know, kid.
You already got a start on shit, then. Getting out of that self-pity spiral's the way to do it, whether you really believe you deserve it or not. [He shifts a little, claws lightly tapping on the bar top.] Though with the way you're talkin' about everything, it seems you still got a bit more to get over for yourself before you can help anyone else. [He might be preaching to the choir, he's pretty damn sure and he wasn't exactly asked for his thoughts on any of it.]
But lemme guess: you continuously think about all the things you coulda done different, what you coulda said differently. All the what-ifs, could-ifs, should-haves. Which ain't gonna do anything other than frustrate you and paralyze you from moving forward, ask me how I fuckin' know, kid.
You don't seem washed up to me.
[Cloud, on the other hand, is glad to have the hints those ears give him! He likes cats.
Husk may not have been asked for his thoughts, but Cloud listens to them anyway, with a thoughtful frown. It turns into a slight smile at the end there, though.]
Think I can take a guess. [Then back to the frown.] I know. I know I'm supposed to be focusing on myself, letting go of the past, moving forward...but it's not that easy.
[Cloud, on the other hand, is glad to have the hints those ears give him! He likes cats.
Husk may not have been asked for his thoughts, but Cloud listens to them anyway, with a thoughtful frown. It turns into a slight smile at the end there, though.]
Think I can take a guess. [Then back to the frown.] I know. I know I'm supposed to be focusing on myself, letting go of the past, moving forward...but it's not that easy.
[ Will rubs his eyes with his free hand, then moves on to his temples. ]
Yeah, somehow I don't entirely believe that. You're not the Star Officer from San Otrera here. You can be not okay. A lot of people are a mess here.
[ Okay, even he can recognize that he sucks at this right now. The Breach didn't do much for his 'wardenly' attitude. ]
Sorry, I just...things are probably going to be...sliding back and forth for you for a week or a few weeks. You probably have some San Otrera traits still lingering in you.
Yeah, somehow I don't entirely believe that. You're not the Star Officer from San Otrera here. You can be not okay. A lot of people are a mess here.
[ Okay, even he can recognize that he sucks at this right now. The Breach didn't do much for his 'wardenly' attitude. ]
Sorry, I just...things are probably going to be...sliding back and forth for you for a week or a few weeks. You probably have some San Otrera traits still lingering in you.
[Fortunately, it takes a lot to really ruffle Cloud's feathers if your name isn't Sephiroth, so he doesn't take offense at Will's tone or anything. Unfortunately, what Will says just slots neatly right into the gaps between 'then' and 'now.']
No, I can't. I... [He lowers his voice a bit.] Um...you sure this is a secure line?
No, I can't. I... [He lowers his voice a bit.] Um...you sure this is a secure line?
Yo. I'm Gojyo; the Admiral's married us off for this month.
I put on a better act than you might think. I ain't shit back home, not anymore.
[At least someone likes them, he sure the fuck does not. Nor does he ever not give his opinion unless told specifically not to, especially given the last time he did it... ended up working out for him, oddly enough. But the smile isn't quite expected as he tilts his head somewhat, hm.]
Lemme ask you something, then: is anything easy worth doing? If something's easy, it ain't gonna push you forward, it ain't gonna make you grow, so what's the fuckin' point.
[At least someone likes them, he sure the fuck does not. Nor does he ever not give his opinion unless told specifically not to, especially given the last time he did it... ended up working out for him, oddly enough. But the smile isn't quite expected as he tilts his head somewhat, hm.]
Lemme ask you something, then: is anything easy worth doing? If something's easy, it ain't gonna push you forward, it ain't gonna make you grow, so what's the fuckin' point.
Excuse you, what the hell makes you so certain of that--!
[--Ahem. Not the point.]
--I mean. Don't be so sure about that; I could probably beat his ass. But whatever. This is where I ask if you need anything or whatever.
--I mean. Don't be so sure about that; I could probably beat his ass. But whatever. This is where I ask if you need anything or whatever.
[ Her eyes are wide with surprise. Unfortunately, that means she's about to spit out some word salad. ]
Cloud? Um, hi! I really didn't expect- well, it'd been a couple of months for me and I- are you okay?
Cloud? Um, hi! I really didn't expect- well, it'd been a couple of months for me and I- are you okay?
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?
[The announcement caught him off-guard, too, but not unpleasantly. Fred's been his older sister and his supervisor - the idea that she'd end up as his warden, too, almost seems like a natural conclusion. He's relieved, not only to finally have a permanent warden at all, but to have one he already knows and feels comfortable with. One he knows he can trust.
On the other hand, he's nervous, too. Permanent wardens get their inmates' files, so she's seen his whole life laid out on paper, or she will soon. She and Sephiroth are now the only two people who know everything about him, everything he's done, all his failures and weaknesses and stupid, selfish moments. What will she think of him?]
Um...hey. Yeah, I'm fine. Mm...no, better than fine. Took the Admiral long enough, but...I'm glad it's you.
On the other hand, he's nervous, too. Permanent wardens get their inmates' files, so she's seen his whole life laid out on paper, or she will soon. She and Sephiroth are now the only two people who know everything about him, everything he's done, all his failures and weaknesses and stupid, selfish moments. What will she think of him?]
Um...hey. Yeah, I'm fine. Mm...no, better than fine. Took the Admiral long enough, but...I'm glad it's you.
You are? Oh, that's a relief. Really. I wasn't sure how you'd feel about the whole thing. I'm still a tiny bit wobbly about that, myself. But I guess this just means we've got some more time together, right?
[ She pauses, then, knowing what she should address next, but not quite wanting to address it. ]
I- I...know we're not on the Narrenschiff here. But I still don't feel right reading your file without offering something in return. And I haven't read it yet, just to be clear. But I was thinking I'd type up my history, and maybe we could go through both of them together? Then you can know all the crazy things my non-Breach self has been through, too.
[ She pauses, then, knowing what she should address next, but not quite wanting to address it. ]
I- I...know we're not on the Narrenschiff here. But I still don't feel right reading your file without offering something in return. And I haven't read it yet, just to be clear. But I was thinking I'd type up my history, and maybe we could go through both of them together? Then you can know all the crazy things my non-Breach self has been through, too.
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