[It's all too easy to go back in Cloud's memories to a time when Sephiroth spoke that way, too. Good, Cloud. Fill your empty heart with rage. Through suffering, you will grow strong. Isn't that what you want?]
...yeah. People who wanna destroy the world usually do.
[Not anymore, though. Cloud wonders what would happen if this Earl showed up on the Barge. Would he eventually find something better to live for, too? ...then Cloud remembers what seems to have been Sephiroth's 'something better' and decides to end that train of thought right there.]
So...you're here to help the dead.
[Cloud wrestles for a moment with the idea of telling this stranger anything. He doesn't think Allen's intention was to make him feel obliged to return the favor, and he doesn't really feel obliged anyway. But what good is having a warden who knows nothing about him? Still...ugh, this was easier when he met Yunlan who already knew everything important.
He sits forward to lean his elbows on his knees, head slightly bowed to let his hair fall over his face a bit. He finally does speak, in somewhat of a subdued tone.]
Somebody tried to destroy my world, too. Almost succeeded. I stopped him, but...that wasn't the end of it. The consequences of everything he did, everything I did...threatened humanity all over again. I dealt with it like an asshole, and in return it took me out. Me, and a lot of others.
[Vague enough not to feel too personal, but gets across enough to give some idea of why he's here - at least, he thinks so. After all, every inmate's got debts to pay and mistakes to make up for. Not like he was gonna be able to tell any of his story without taking responsibility for something.
Besides, it's in his best interests to at least let Allen know he's not some kind of murderous creep.]
no subject
Good, Cloud. Fill your empty heart with rage.
Through suffering, you will grow strong. Isn't that what you want?]
...yeah. People who wanna destroy the world usually do.
[Not anymore, though. Cloud wonders what would happen if this Earl showed up on the Barge. Would he eventually find something better to live for, too? ...then Cloud remembers what seems to have been Sephiroth's 'something better' and decides to end that train of thought right there.]
So...you're here to help the dead.
[Cloud wrestles for a moment with the idea of telling this stranger anything. He doesn't think Allen's intention was to make him feel obliged to return the favor, and he doesn't really feel obliged anyway. But what good is having a warden who knows nothing about him? Still...ugh, this was easier when he met Yunlan who already knew everything important.
He sits forward to lean his elbows on his knees, head slightly bowed to let his hair fall over his face a bit. He finally does speak, in somewhat of a subdued tone.]
Somebody tried to destroy my world, too. Almost succeeded. I stopped him, but...that wasn't the end of it. The consequences of everything he did, everything I did...threatened humanity all over again. I dealt with it like an asshole, and in return it took me out. Me, and a lot of others.
[Vague enough not to feel too personal, but gets across enough to give some idea of why he's here - at least, he thinks so. After all, every inmate's got debts to pay and mistakes to make up for. Not like he was gonna be able to tell any of his story without taking responsibility for something.
Besides, it's in his best interests to at least let Allen know he's not some kind of murderous creep.]