hey. i know we got off to a rough start but i wanna say i'm sorry for disrespecting corn and by extent yourself i get it now
[ Attached is a picture of Cal with some corn that he's taken a few bites out of. He's giving a thumbs up and there's a solemn expression on his face. Slightly blurry behind him is just The Most Confused street food Vendor. She was just trying to sell this fresh grilled corn and now this ginger is being weird in front of her stand. ]
[Zack's outside when they arrive, chopping firewood, very manly. With the summer garden starting to die down, it's less pretty than it normally would be, but there are obvious signs that this whole area is meant to be a veritable sea of green and mixed colours. Clearly he was not exaggerating about Aerith and her gardening skills.
He spots them, straightening up.]
Hey, Rue! You wanna head in and make yourself comfy? I've got one log left and I'll be right there.
[ On Christmas morning, Zack will find a parcel wrapped in brown paper and tied up with a blue ribbon. There's a tag stating "From Steve - Merry Christmas" with a brief note on the back saying that it's customary for him to celebrate this holiday by giving gifts.
Inside contains a hand-knit ribbed scarf in a handsome charcoal color. ]
[Sometime in the night, a basket ends up on the doorstep. It is a fancy bottle of wine, something red and full-bodied, wrapped up in a big, glittering gold bow. Attached is a card:]
My darling friend, Wishing you the warmest of holidays. May all of the joys of this happy season be yours this holiday and into the New Year. Thank you dearly for the gift of your friendship. Affectionately yours, Delloso de la Rue ♡
[ Evening has fallen. Those nights in Willow still have an occasional bite to the air from windy and wet days, but surely there's many a night it's just another opportunity to leave the window open and let the fresh breeze in.
Not that closing and locking the windows will matter here. Or tedious matters like multiple stories.
It's late enough that everyone has likely gone to bed or decided to stay out overnight somewhere. Vincent is patient and his purpose here does not include letting the entire household in on his presence. Just one. He had spent the day watching and was certain by this time how to proceed.
Full darkness means something else beyond an urban environment. While Willow and its environs have electricity or its equivalent, things like street-lamps and very low key. There's no star-diluting 'glow' over the region. Dark means dark. And the moon at whatever phase is bright. For a split second, the moon streaming through the window of Zack's bedroom is blocked as something moves past it. It's just a shadow or a shape, no sound of footfalls, perhaps a slight rustle of a fluttering cloak.
Silence again. But only because Vincent is now standing at the side of Zack's bed, studying the buster sword. It, specifically, is a weapon Vincent has not seen in a while; though he knew Cloud adopted an homage to it, the one the gunman knows resides in memorium as a marker on a certain fateful cliffside overlooking the much-beleagured Midgar. It may not have as many scores or worn places, but there are memories that gave him pause.
But it's not as if Vincent weren't aware of the identity of who owned it before Cloud; who was, at least when he first entered, still in the bed the ruby eyes now turn to look at. ]
Zack Fair.
[ ...Zack still is sleeping right? If not he'll be waking up to the sound of his name and what looks like a vaguely familiar vampire risen from his coffin looking down at him. ]
[Zack wasn't always a light sleeper. In the early days he could pass out at the drop of a hat and sleep like a log, waking to a particularly insistent shake from Angeal or a sharp-whistling Shinra trainer. Nibelheim, the lab, that year on the run- all of it changed that. Hyper-vigilance is a hell of a thing.
It's why, when a strange voice cuts through the quiet ambiance of the night, Zack snaps awake and jerks upright, instinctively reaching for the Buster where it leans against the wall and kicking off the covers to free his legs.]
What the hell!?
[Who are you and why are you in his room!! ...And why do you look kind of familiar, actually. He doesn't lash out or attack, but he sure is ready for... whatever is about to happen. Probably.]
Zack, there's another Sephiroth here, by Amrita Academy. I don't think he's me from the future, he's not right.
No that sounds bad, he seems normal, genuinely normal. He's normal height, normal weight, normal eyes without even mako glow. I can't feel his presence like I can Cloud's. I think he's human?
Completely human. He doesn't even come from Gaia. We have the same name, but he's not me.
Thirteen gave him three wings instead of two, with dark blue feathers. I wanted to warn someone because of the reactions I got while I was bigger, and he shouldn't get hurt because of what I've done. I don't think he's dangerous, he doesn't seem malevolent and I'm almost certain he's completely unenhanced.
[Honestly, it doesn't take a lot to work up a sweat with how hot the end of summer has decided to be, but the burn of muscles that comes with really being pushed to their limit is what helps in the end. That kind of exhaustion doesn't show up with just a jog or normal exercise; only when he's got someone like Zack driving after him, actual swords clashing and having to use his brain and his body to its limit will get him there. That exhaustion is helping him get enough sleep to remain functional, to be honest, especially over the past few months. Ever since...well.
Since Sephiroth.
...it does help that the lake is also right over there and every so often Zack suggests they jump in to cool off, and then Cloud gets to watch how the water slides off of Zack's shoulders. Now that he's actually allowed to look at him, not just in admiration but with the interest of something that could be more, he's finding a whole new appreciation for how Zack's skin bronzes perfectly after just an hour in the sun.]
Shit, [Cloud huffs out, holding up a hand and burying Monarch into the ground before bracing himself with his free hand on his knee. They've been sparring for at least three hours now, with swords and without, and Cloud is reminded suddenly that he didn't have breakfast before dragging Zack out here with him. Probably a bad idea. ...did he have dinner last night? He must've, right? Aerith doesn't let him get away with not eating for very long.] 'm okay, [he hurries to reassure Zack so he doesn't worry, glancing up at him.] Jus' tired. Forgot t' eat.
[Too late, Zack's already jogging to close the distance between them, Buster sword on his back, leaning in to peer at Cloud's face in questioning concern.]
Forgot to eat, he says! You know what that means, right?
[He offers his hand out, in part for stability, but also just to take it. Because he can. There's nothing stopping them from beating the shit out of each other for three hours and then holding hands and walking back home together.]
Mr. Valentine passed on your message. I'm okay, and I didn't even try to kill anyone when I returned. Unfortunately, still short. It's been a couple of weeks as far as I can tell. Two things.
1. You did not tell me Angeal Hewley is both obnoxiously persistent AND a far more aggravating version of you. Does he have an off switch? Or is it just go go go all the time? 1a. He's got the same sword you do but at least you USE IT. He does not. What's the point of a weapon that isn't getting used??? I didn't get around to asking him directly, it would encourage him too much, but now it's likely going to be months before I have a chance of asking. Do you know?
2. I was wrong about the longsword and I apologize. It is in fact amazing. I don't have it yet.
hey welcome back! sorry for the height thing you'll get there. glad you're ok
1. what do you mean?? hes not like me at all he was all serious and stern i annoyed the shit out of him at least 75% of the time he did never use the sword tho except 1 time. he'd say use brings wear tear and rust and that's a waste it was a family gift so he was weird about it finally met him tho huh?? i guess he was real different as a kid... wow. secret angeal lore
2. I KNEW IT HAH you just saw it then? where was it, i never knew where big seph got it
Do you think anyone would be terribly upset if I did acquire the sword my other incarnations are known for?
I do understand it's tainted by Jenova, but I kind of still want it. A lot. More than a lot. Yes, I know it's all manipulation and everything I feel and think about it is probably thanks to her, but it just feeeeeeeeeeeeeeels right. I can probably get it exorcised.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text: un: flowergirl
Do you want to go to a party with me?
un: firstclass
Heck yeah I do! What kind of party?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
text | un: cloud s.
Hey
I gotta talk to you
with you
no subject
or you wanna come over?
[is this a Sword Club conversation or a "I can't type this out because of brain weasels" conversation]
(no subject)
(no subject)
>action
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
text un: poncholover
but i wanna say i'm sorry for disrespecting corn and by extent yourself
i get it now
[ Attached is a picture of Cal with some corn that he's taken a few bites out of. He's giving a thumbs up and there's a solemn expression on his face. Slightly blurry behind him is just The Most Confused street food Vendor. She was just trying to sell this fresh grilled corn and now this ginger is being weird in front of her stand. ]
no subject
you found some!! hey that looks super good, where is that?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
[action] sometime after his text
my cat tried to write this tag for me 3x while i slept
He spots them, straightening up.]
Hey, Rue! You wanna head in and make yourself comfy? I've got one log left and I'll be right there.
bless your cat
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
text; un: cloud s.
no subject
did Aerith tell you?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
>voice
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
package delivery, dec 25
Inside contains a hand-knit ribbed scarf in a handsome charcoal color. ]
text later that day @firstclass
hey Steve thank you!! I don't know much about Christmas but Merry Christmas to you too! and have a festive Holy Flameday!
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Christmas Eve delivery
[a gift basket left on the porch]
My darling friend,
Wishing you the warmest of holidays. May all of the joys of this happy season be yours this holiday and into the New Year. Thank you dearly for the gift of your friendship.
Affectionately yours,
Delloso de la Rue ♡
text.
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
[action] a dark and spoopy night
Not that closing and locking the windows will matter here. Or tedious matters like multiple stories.
It's late enough that everyone has likely gone to bed or decided to stay out overnight somewhere. Vincent is patient and his purpose here does not include letting the entire household in on his presence. Just one. He had spent the day watching and was certain by this time how to proceed.
Full darkness means something else beyond an urban environment. While Willow and its environs have electricity or its equivalent, things like street-lamps and very low key. There's no star-diluting 'glow' over the region. Dark means dark. And the moon at whatever phase is bright. For a split second, the moon streaming through the window of Zack's bedroom is blocked as something moves past it. It's just a shadow or a shape, no sound of footfalls, perhaps a slight rustle of a fluttering cloak.
Silence again. But only because Vincent is now standing at the side of Zack's bed, studying the buster sword. It, specifically, is a weapon Vincent has not seen in a while; though he knew Cloud adopted an homage to it, the one the gunman knows resides in memorium as a marker on a certain fateful cliffside overlooking the much-beleagured Midgar. It may not have as many scores or worn places, but there are memories that gave him pause.
But it's not as if Vincent weren't aware of the identity of who owned it before Cloud; who was, at least when he first entered, still in the bed the ruby eyes now turn to look at. ]
Zack Fair.
[ ...Zack still is sleeping right? If not he'll be waking up to the sound of his name and what looks like a vaguely familiar vampire risen from his coffin looking down at him. ]
no subject
It's why, when a strange voice cuts through the quiet ambiance of the night, Zack snaps awake and jerks upright, instinctively reaching for the Buster where it leans against the wall and kicking off the covers to free his legs.]
What the hell!?
[Who are you and why are you in his room!! ...And why do you look kind of familiar, actually. He doesn't lash out or attack, but he sure is ready for... whatever is about to happen. Probably.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
no subject
What's this about?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
oh god it's him again; text
I don't need an exact address. Just a vicinity.
oh hey its that guy....
I'm in Gram. Want to meet up? Train station's a good landmark.
[If it was just him, he'd actually not have an issue with giving out his address, but for Cloud and Aerith's sakes... yeah, better not.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
text to.. other things, because why make two tags.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
group chat inv
text
no subject
Seph?
Did you read it yet?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
text.
No that sounds bad, he seems normal, genuinely normal. He's normal height, normal weight, normal eyes without even mako glow. I can't feel his presence like I can Cloud's. I think he's human?
Completely human. He doesn't even come from Gaia. We have the same name, but he's not me.
Thirteen gave him three wings instead of two, with dark blue feathers. I wanted to warn someone because of the reactions I got while I was bigger, and he shouldn't get hurt because of what I've done. I don't think he's dangerous, he doesn't seem malevolent and I'm almost certain he's completely unenhanced.
no subject
wtffffff
thanks for the heads up, I'll tell Cloud and Aerith. does Vincent know? because uhhh don't want him to shoot that one too
[Okay, maybe that was a little mean, but he did shoot a KID. A full-sized Sephiroth might not get the chance to explain.]
at least not if he's not dangerous. did you talk to him? the sephiroth I mean
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
training!
Since Sephiroth.
...it does help that the lake is also right over there and every so often Zack suggests they jump in to cool off, and then Cloud gets to watch how the water slides off of Zack's shoulders. Now that he's actually allowed to look at him, not just in admiration but with the interest of something that could be more, he's finding a whole new appreciation for how Zack's skin bronzes perfectly after just an hour in the sun.]
Shit, [Cloud huffs out, holding up a hand and burying Monarch into the ground before bracing himself with his free hand on his knee. They've been sparring for at least three hours now, with swords and without, and Cloud is reminded suddenly that he didn't have breakfast before dragging Zack out here with him. Probably a bad idea. ...did he have dinner last night? He must've, right? Aerith doesn't let him get away with not eating for very long.] 'm okay, [he hurries to reassure Zack so he doesn't worry, glancing up at him.] Jus' tired. Forgot t' eat.
no subject
Forgot to eat, he says! You know what that means, right?
[He offers his hand out, in part for stability, but also just to take it. Because he can. There's nothing stopping them from beating the shit out of each other for three hours and then holding hands and walking back home together.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
text
no subject
not too busy for you though!
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
text
no subject
<3
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
text; forward dated one day to the 3rd.
It doesn't feel any different with an absolute date attached. One more year and I can officially join SOLDIER as a fresh new recruit. :)
no subject
are you set on joining up for real?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
a couple days after vincent's post.
1. You did not tell me Angeal Hewley is both obnoxiously persistent AND a far more aggravating version of you. Does he have an off switch? Or is it just go go go all the time?
1a. He's got the same sword you do but at least you USE IT. He does not. What's the point of a weapon that isn't getting used??? I didn't get around to asking him directly, it would encourage him too much, but now it's likely going to be months before I have a chance of asking. Do you know?
2. I was wrong about the longsword and I apologize. It is in fact amazing. I don't have it yet.
no subject
1. what do you mean?? hes not like me at all he was all serious and stern i annoyed the shit out of him at least 75% of the time
he did never use the sword tho except 1 time. he'd say use brings wear tear and rust and that's a waste
it was a family gift so he was weird about it
finally met him tho huh?? i guess he was real different as a kid... wow. secret angeal lore
2. I KNEW IT HAH you just saw it then? where was it, i never knew where big seph got it
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
a txt, one day
I do understand it's tainted by Jenova, but I kind of still want it. A lot. More than a lot. Yes, I know it's all manipulation and everything I feel and think about it is probably thanks to her, but it just feeeeeeeeeeeeeeels right. I can probably get it exorcised.
no subject
go back a bit
tainted by jenova?? what
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...