[ he blinks, stupidly, not quite catching on initially -- and then the realization slowly worms its way into his brain, and with all of the grace of a computer slowly dialing up, his expression shifts into something more decidedly...neutral.
cloud shoots the staffer something of a frigid glare, as if that'll drive them away faster. they exchange glances, the staffer visibly somewhat perturbed, and cloud looks at marina -- a little baffled by the audacity -- but makes no move to actually shake her arm away. this was daan's best friend. play nice. play nice.
cloud steps forward, now inextricably bound to her, and makes some move to drag them out of the hallway. bluntly: ]
[That's Marina for him, she's pure audacity. All five foot four of this girl. No need to drag her, though, she's practically skipping along at his side,]
Oh, the flooring here is best for carving! [Whoops, she hushes herself, hehee]
Higher up it's too well monitored, go down low and the naked concrete is just too tough. Being mid is just right.
Sure does, hotstuff. I'm an occultist. I've studied those Gods all my life. [she always found them fascinating. Knowing what others don't, the hidden parts of the world around them, it's too tantalizing for Marina to simply ignore. Even if it wasn't expected of her as a daughter of the Dark Priest, she still wanted to study what she count on the subject.]
And oh? Are you offering to watch my back next time?
[that is not what Cloud is offering, but she can shove some words in his mouth to see if he chews on the idea]
[Hotstuff is cute! And flattering. Better than her calling Daan "patches" or "wet cat" or just "old man", like she does.]
My magic is very different. I can do a few things, but the only things I've gotten to use around here is a pyromancy trick. Oh, and I helped Pinocchio blow a door off its hinges, hee hee.
[Hurting is a much more intense spell than a bit of fire, but she's mostly keeping that to herself. Best people don't really know what hit them, on that one.]
I'll be fair to you! Favor for favor, if I do need you. I don't like owing people... and it would make Daan happy. You know, in the kind of way Daan can be happy. That sourpuss.
[She nods along to his comment about discretion, because yeah. She's trying. Sorta. Marina really doesn't want this place blown up or gone, she wants to stick around. It's better for Daan, too. No going back to Prehevil or Termina. Her heart would break if she let anything like that happen to her best friend...]
Before here? Oh, for a couple days. [only that] I mentioned at breakfast, we met because of a really bad train ride.
[and now they're thick as thieves, must have been pretty bad to inspire that kind of kinship.]
...He's talked about it a few times. What things were like back there.
[ cloud awkwardly rubs at the back of his head, not wanting to broach; it was a sensitive enough topic for daan. he can't imagine how bad it was for marina, too, and they weren't within proximity of each other enough for him to jam his thumbs into that wound.
but still, as they walk, he heaves out a sigh-- ]
My world's a piece of shit, too, but-- if you need any help... winning the game-- making sure that you don't go back--
...You can count on me. [ he turns away. ] Don't want either of you stuck there.
He did, huh? Well... no way I'd want to go back. Nothing left for me or for Daan...
[Marina smirks at his little offer, but instead of going full gremlin to tease him, her lips pout a bit. Seriously, she cares about Daan, she can tell Cloud is on her side with that.]
We can't let him go back. He needs us. So, let's scheme to keep him here for good! We can do it. [she bumps her head into a little into him, like, go team! They got this!]
You need help with him I got you right back. He's seriously my best friend, got a pretty good read on that guy. You have anybody like that around here, hotstuff?
[resign yourself that nickname here and now, Cloud. It has been decided.]
Then don't. If you win the game, you'll get anything you want, right? Go somewhere you're happy. Where you have something.
[ there's no guarantee-- that the alleged "wish" they'll grant will materialized at all. it could an elaborate ploy to keep them here for good.
but-- a life here, for daan and marina, would be better than what they'd have to return to. he knows that much. cloud turns away again, if not wanting to let the mask slip. marina bumps into him and-- he looks at her, a little taken aback by her audacity as per usual, only to let it be.
yeah, he can see why she has such a tight leash on daan. ]
...The things he's gone through. I can't let him go back to a place like that. I... I have to protect him. [ it sounds stupid, so terribly boyish, but there's an earnestness there. ] Not like I can let anything happen to you either. Pretty sure you two are a two-for-one at this point.
[ another way of saying "yeah, i'll protect you too, don't embarrass me about this." he wants to groan at the second instance of "hotstuff", but then she asks that question and-- his brows cinch together in thought, vulnerability contorting his features ever so slightly. best friend. best friend. best friend. why is there so much pain rippling across his mind?
a hand raises to press at his temple. teeth come down, gnashing, before he lifts his head back up. ]
I... [ he starts. ] I don't-- have a best friend... or anything like that. People in my line of work don't keep others close.
But... there is someone here from home I give a damn about if that's what you're asking.
[Marina will be embarrassing about his stance on protecting her later on, he'll be mercifully spared that for now. She does think it's a sweet sentiment. And agrees that there's no getting rid of her if he's going to be close to Daan! She's looking out for that guy and anybody who might want to isolate him from the little support system he's got would be a bad sign to Marina.
Luckily, Cloud has correct priorities there. Daan needs more people who care about him, not less. So, Cloud has her respect (for now)-]
That is what I'm asking! Who is it? Because I'll look out for them, too.
[like a family should, but Marina won't call it that, too sappy]
[ the question takes him aback-- even moreso does the intent. it's a moment of clarity, where daan's investment in this woman makes picture perfect sense to him.
he hadn't been wrong to compare her to aerith. the similarities are striking. cloud looks to her, electric blues blinking, shifting about awkwardly before submitting. ]
...Her name's Tifa. [ there's a kind of shyness that softens his expression when he speaks. ] She... could use more friends. 'Specially girls.
[ he doesn't elaborate on that last bit; cloud's gaze flits back to marina, and for a moment, there's a flicker of a smile. ]
You're softer than you let on, y'know. You and Daan got that in common. Just can't help but give a damn about people, can't you?
Oh, as luck would have it, I'm a girl. [Marina says this with sass, but she can note that shift in Cloud to a gentle feeling towards this friend of his. She wonders if Daan does that about her, and figures no, he probably sighs deeply (if in an affectionate way)] I'll keep an eye out for her, maybe we can be friends, too. I won't try to force it, but it would be nice, huh?
[while she does have a habit of just declaring someone her friend, it's only once she gets a feeling that that is what they need and just what she's willing to be for them. As for his smile and the second comment,
She kicks her foot under his just to stumble him, even though they're walking together and she could very well go down too if he fell. How's that for soft, jackass.]
...She's not hard to get along with. Puts up with a lot, really. [ not that marina was something to put up with, but you know -- gremlin energy at all. ] ...Might be good for her to meet someone like y--
[ and then suddenly, he loses balance, practically catapulting towards. marina, naturally, comes down with him -- DESPITE HER BEING THE ROOT OF THIS INCIDENT, he takes care to wrap his arms around her so they wind up rolling against the ground together.
[Oh, Marina immediately presumes he's talking about himself with that "puts up with" comment so she'd take no offense,]
Eep! [An eloquent response to the situation she caused.
Cloud might take her with him falling, but at least he catches her! What a gentleman, and a klutz! Marina is disoriented for a moment before giving him a little bop-bop of her fists gently to his chest beneath her,]
Me? What was that!? You're the one who went rolling over a little stumble!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
cloud shoots the staffer something of a frigid glare, as if that'll drive them away faster. they exchange glances, the staffer visibly somewhat perturbed, and cloud looks at marina -- a little baffled by the audacity -- but makes no move to actually shake her arm away. this was daan's best friend. play nice. play nice.
cloud steps forward, now inextricably bound to her, and makes some move to drag them out of the hallway. bluntly: ]
What the hell were you doing over there?
no subject
Oh, the flooring here is best for carving! [Whoops, she hushes herself, hehee]
Higher up it's too well monitored, go down low and the naked concrete is just too tough. Being mid is just right.
no subject
Yeah, but what were you carving? [ a sigh. ] This have to do with those Gods Daan told me about?
[ not that he knew a lot, but he knew just enough to gauge that their world was... remarkably fucked up. ]
Need to be more careful, by the way. They could seriously get your ass next time.
no subject
And oh? Are you offering to watch my back next time?
[that is not what Cloud is offering, but she can shove some words in his mouth to see if he chews on the idea]
no subject
...That mean you got magic? Or is yours different from, uh, his?
[ you know, he won't say it outright-- but you can hear it in his tone, the allusion to Mr. Sylvian Sex Magician.
then she says that and-- cloud scoffs, head turning away. ]
...Not like I have a choice. He'd throw a fit if I let anything happen to you.
[ that is a yes, by the way. ]
Consider it on the house for now. I don't come cheap.
no subject
My magic is very different. I can do a few things, but the only things I've gotten to use around here is a pyromancy trick. Oh, and I helped Pinocchio blow a door off its hinges, hee hee.
[Hurting is a much more intense spell than a bit of fire, but she's mostly keeping that to herself. Best people don't really know what hit them, on that one.]
I'll be fair to you! Favor for favor, if I do need you. I don't like owing people... and it would make Daan happy. You know, in the kind of way Daan can be happy. That sourpuss.
no subject
[ that's his very guarded way of saying "be careful, seriously." his features are taut, two fingers coming to rub against his forehead. ]
Deal. [ he can acquiesce to that much. ] ...Sourpuss, huh. [ says the fellow sourpuss. ] You two know each other long?
no subject
Before here? Oh, for a couple days. [only that] I mentioned at breakfast, we met because of a really bad train ride.
[and now they're thick as thieves, must have been pretty bad to inspire that kind of kinship.]
no subject
[ cloud awkwardly rubs at the back of his head, not wanting to broach; it was a sensitive enough topic for daan. he can't imagine how bad it was for marina, too, and they weren't within proximity of each other enough for him to jam his thumbs into that wound.
but still, as they walk, he heaves out a sigh-- ]
My world's a piece of shit, too, but-- if you need any help... winning the game-- making sure that you don't go back--
...You can count on me. [ he turns away. ] Don't want either of you stuck there.
no subject
[Marina smirks at his little offer, but instead of going full gremlin to tease him, her lips pout a bit. Seriously, she cares about Daan, she can tell Cloud is on her side with that.]
We can't let him go back. He needs us. So, let's scheme to keep him here for good! We can do it. [she bumps her head into a little into him, like, go team! They got this!]
You need help with him I got you right back. He's seriously my best friend, got a pretty good read on that guy. You have anybody like that around here, hotstuff?
[resign yourself that nickname here and now, Cloud. It has been decided.]
no subject
[ there's no guarantee-- that the alleged "wish" they'll grant will materialized at all. it could an elaborate ploy to keep them here for good.
but-- a life here, for daan and marina, would be better than what they'd have to return to. he knows that much. cloud turns away again, if not wanting to let the mask slip. marina bumps into him and-- he looks at her, a little taken aback by her audacity as per usual, only to let it be.
yeah, he can see why she has such a tight leash on daan. ]
...The things he's gone through. I can't let him go back to a place like that. I... I have to protect him. [ it sounds stupid, so terribly boyish, but there's an earnestness there. ] Not like I can let anything happen to you either. Pretty sure you two are a two-for-one at this point.
[ another way of saying "yeah, i'll protect you too, don't embarrass me about this." he wants to groan at the second instance of "hotstuff", but then she asks that question and-- his brows cinch together in thought, vulnerability contorting his features ever so slightly. best friend. best friend. best friend. why is there so much pain rippling across his mind?
a hand raises to press at his temple. teeth come down, gnashing, before he lifts his head back up. ]
I... [ he starts. ] I don't-- have a best friend... or anything like that. People in my line of work don't keep others close.
But... there is someone here from home I give a damn about if that's what you're asking.
no subject
Luckily, Cloud has correct priorities there. Daan needs more people who care about him, not less. So, Cloud has her respect (for now)-]
That is what I'm asking! Who is it? Because I'll look out for them, too.
[like a family should, but Marina won't call it that, too sappy]
We should all keep an eye out for each other.
no subject
he hadn't been wrong to compare her to aerith. the similarities are striking. cloud looks to her, electric blues blinking, shifting about awkwardly before submitting. ]
...Her name's Tifa. [ there's a kind of shyness that softens his expression when he speaks. ] She... could use more friends. 'Specially girls.
[ he doesn't elaborate on that last bit; cloud's gaze flits back to marina, and for a moment, there's a flicker of a smile. ]
You're softer than you let on, y'know. You and Daan got that in common. Just can't help but give a damn about people, can't you?
no subject
[while she does have a habit of just declaring someone her friend, it's only once she gets a feeling that that is what they need and just what she's willing to be for them. As for his smile and the second comment,
She kicks her foot under his just to stumble him, even though they're walking together and she could very well go down too if he fell. How's that for soft, jackass.]
no subject
[ and then suddenly, he loses balance, practically catapulting towards. marina, naturally, comes down with him -- DESPITE HER BEING THE ROOT OF THIS INCIDENT, he takes care to wrap his arms around her so they wind up rolling against the ground together.
blinking, as if still trying to process it: ]
Marina! The hell is wrong with you?
no subject
Eep! [An eloquent response to the situation she caused.
Cloud might take her with him falling, but at least he catches her! What a gentleman, and a klutz! Marina is disoriented for a moment before giving him a little bop-bop of her fists gently to his chest beneath her,]
Me? What was that!? You're the one who went rolling over a little stumble!