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Notificaiton: Tifa Lockhart has paid you 750 credits
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Notes: Virgin Auction - half
Funds available same day if transferred before 7pm.
[ the one time she was hoping he wouldn't want to talk.
she types and deletes her message a few times. RIP not knowing about the 'user is typing' feature ]
You were in there too.
she types and deletes her message a few times. RIP not knowing about the 'user is typing' feature ]
You were in there too.
[ her stomach drops. the typing notification is terrible ]
No it wasn't
[ She doesn't type this time, but she watches him type as she composes and erases in her head. I'm glad you were there. I'm glad it was you. Being with you wasn't a bad thing. ]
I'm glad I wasn't alone
I'm rattled but I'm okay
You?
No it wasn't
[ She doesn't type this time, but she watches him type as she composes and erases in her head. I'm glad you were there. I'm glad it was you. Being with you wasn't a bad thing. ]
I'm glad I wasn't alone
I'm rattled but I'm okay
You?
i'm okay
[ he types it quickly, this time. he isn't. he's been shaking at the thought of it all night. seeing things he shouldn't be. retreating into himself.
still, he sends the directions to his suite. ]
you know where to find me
if it gets to be too much for you
just knock on my door
okay?
[ he types it quickly, this time. he isn't. he's been shaking at the thought of it all night. seeing things he shouldn't be. retreating into himself.
still, he sends the directions to his suite. ]
you know where to find me
if it gets to be too much for you
just knock on my door
okay?
[ she doesn't believe him, but...she had to take care of herself four more times before she slept, and it was to fever dreams of having him there. she'd even been upset when he wasn't.
that chasm between them feels like it's doubled. she's just staring at the watch trying to figure out how to reach across it when his next messages come in.
this time, she does cry, hard and ugly, clutching the watch to her chest and curling around it.
when she's finally okay, she wipes her tears and snot on her arm ]
sorry someone came by
thank you, Cloud
you too. I'm sending mine. I mean it.
We have each other. We shouldn't waste that.
that chasm between them feels like it's doubled. she's just staring at the watch trying to figure out how to reach across it when his next messages come in.
this time, she does cry, hard and ugly, clutching the watch to her chest and curling around it.
when she's finally okay, she wipes her tears and snot on her arm ]
sorry someone came by
thank you, Cloud
you too. I'm sending mine. I mean it.
We have each other. We shouldn't waste that.
[ she's right. his fingers quiver. and with some strength, he finally sends the next message. ]
doesn't matter what happens here
you'll always have me
[ "even if you fuck other people, even if you fall for them, even if you do what it takes-- i'm not going to judge you for it." ]
i've got something to do
shoot me a message if you need anything
doesn't matter what
got it?
doesn't matter what happens here
you'll always have me
[ "even if you fuck other people, even if you fall for them, even if you do what it takes-- i'm not going to judge you for it." ]
i've got something to do
shoot me a message if you need anything
doesn't matter what
got it?
[ She doesn't believe him. Doesn't believe they can get through this unscathed or that things are okay after last night but. It still gives her hope. They're talking. He isn't mad. That's all she can ask for today. ]
you too Cloud
I mean it
Don't be a stranger, okay?
you too Cloud
I mean it
Don't be a stranger, okay?
[ It takes Tifa a little longer than she means to send him a time and a place, mostly because she bothers to go check out the dining options. She doesn't want it to be too over the top ( or too, uh, sex friendly ). She ends up settling on the Red Cardinal, which could, for all intents and purposes, be a normal classy restaurant and bar in the slums.
Message sent, gym and shower had, she returns to her new room. She's meaning to run down to the shops to get a dress, but there's a package on her bed with a card only marked with a diamond. She opens it, and her eyes go wide. Her dresses, from Sector 7. They shouldn't have survived. Nothing should have. Does that mean -- ?
She can't dwell on it. It's too much. But she does pull the blue one out, the one she meant to wear when they went out together. It hurts, a little, but it's nice too. One thing that didn't get taken from her. From them.
Time won't move fast enough, even as she draws out getting ready. When it is time, she feels oddly self-conscious walking through the hallways, tucking her hair behind her ear near compulsively. The dress is low enough that the scar between her breasts and the slightly mottled skin is just visible, even if the bow hides some of it. That and it's a little dated, a little short, even for her. Something she'd bought two years ago and never gotten a chance to wear.
She's so in her head, she almost doesn't notice him standing outside right away, but when she does, her face lights up, and she waves at him, almost laughing. Some part of her thought this was gone forever. Because of Sector 7, because of Nibelheim, because of this game-- ]
Cloud!
Message sent, gym and shower had, she returns to her new room. She's meaning to run down to the shops to get a dress, but there's a package on her bed with a card only marked with a diamond. She opens it, and her eyes go wide. Her dresses, from Sector 7. They shouldn't have survived. Nothing should have. Does that mean -- ?
She can't dwell on it. It's too much. But she does pull the blue one out, the one she meant to wear when they went out together. It hurts, a little, but it's nice too. One thing that didn't get taken from her. From them.
Time won't move fast enough, even as she draws out getting ready. When it is time, she feels oddly self-conscious walking through the hallways, tucking her hair behind her ear near compulsively. The dress is low enough that the scar between her breasts and the slightly mottled skin is just visible, even if the bow hides some of it. That and it's a little dated, a little short, even for her. Something she'd bought two years ago and never gotten a chance to wear.
She's so in her head, she almost doesn't notice him standing outside right away, but when she does, her face lights up, and she waves at him, almost laughing. Some part of her thought this was gone forever. Because of Sector 7, because of Nibelheim, because of this game-- ]
Cloud!
[ this is a date -- and he's never been on a date.
he lays on his bed, legs kicked up, palms beneath his head. his heart judders against his rib cage, but he couldn't tell you why; he wonders what she'll wear. if she'll be happy to see him. she's just being nice -- cooperating with an old friend, trying to latch onto some semblance of normalcy here...
and he's overthinking it.
he doesn't know what to wear. he rummages through the little clothes he has. a white dress shirt and ebony slacks -- but what if that isn't enough? what if she thought he was homely, or inadequate for the occasion?
it doesn't matter, he thinks, heaving out a breath. it doesn't matter! she doesn't want him anyways. he shuffles out of his room. he's early, and the red cardinal bustles with its usual business; it distracts him just enough that he stops honing in on the possibility of her standing him up.
his head angles up, and she's here-- and for a moment, he holds his breath before quashing it. his eyes skirt her thighs, and then the contours of her hips, roving up her chest before settling on her face. she was stunning and his stomach is bursting into butterflies. cloud blinks once -- then twice. ]
...Hey. [ it comes out a bit rigidly, but his eyes are bright. ] I, uh, got a table for us.
[ a hand swivels up to rub at the back of his head: a small, sheepish gesture. his eyes are fixed onto her -- enraptured and affectionate. he doesn't have the words for it. he never does.
eventually, a waitress guides them to their table. the restaurant is limned in red light, casting jaundiced shadows against the walls. there's an ambiance about it, and it feels more romantic than it should.
they're seated now, and he goes quiet, having yet to touch his menu. ]
You... [ cloud swallows thickly. ] look nice. Really nice.
[ "don't be a creep," the voice at the back of his head coos. cloud shakes his head in response. ]
How...have things been?
he lays on his bed, legs kicked up, palms beneath his head. his heart judders against his rib cage, but he couldn't tell you why; he wonders what she'll wear. if she'll be happy to see him. she's just being nice -- cooperating with an old friend, trying to latch onto some semblance of normalcy here...
and he's overthinking it.
he doesn't know what to wear. he rummages through the little clothes he has. a white dress shirt and ebony slacks -- but what if that isn't enough? what if she thought he was homely, or inadequate for the occasion?
it doesn't matter, he thinks, heaving out a breath. it doesn't matter! she doesn't want him anyways. he shuffles out of his room. he's early, and the red cardinal bustles with its usual business; it distracts him just enough that he stops honing in on the possibility of her standing him up.
his head angles up, and she's here-- and for a moment, he holds his breath before quashing it. his eyes skirt her thighs, and then the contours of her hips, roving up her chest before settling on her face. she was stunning and his stomach is bursting into butterflies. cloud blinks once -- then twice. ]
...Hey. [ it comes out a bit rigidly, but his eyes are bright. ] I, uh, got a table for us.
[ a hand swivels up to rub at the back of his head: a small, sheepish gesture. his eyes are fixed onto her -- enraptured and affectionate. he doesn't have the words for it. he never does.
eventually, a waitress guides them to their table. the restaurant is limned in red light, casting jaundiced shadows against the walls. there's an ambiance about it, and it feels more romantic than it should.
they're seated now, and he goes quiet, having yet to touch his menu. ]
You... [ cloud swallows thickly. ] look nice. Really nice.
[ "don't be a creep," the voice at the back of his head coos. cloud shakes his head in response. ]
How...have things been?
[ She was worried too, that he wouldn't show. Not so much that he'd stand her up, but that he'd get too uncomfortable and take a rain check, and then she'd never get him to agree again.
Which would be okay. He was allowed to do that. He didn't owe her anything.
But he's there, and -- oh wow, he's in a button down and slacks, and she's not sure if it's actually flattering on him or not. Somehow it looks even more like a generic uniform than his SOLDIER clothes, and it's like he recedes a little, almost like it's saying don't look at me.
But she's also so ridiculously happy that he's here and that he tried that her chest hurts with the force of her feelings. She's breathless as she watches him look her over, and her stomach does flips. Is he -- checking her out?
For a moment, the image of him naked and sweating flashes in her mind, and it's all she can do to hold her gaze steady, praying she isn't blushing. That's not fair. They weren't themselves. And whatever he's doing now, it doesn't make her feel like a piece of meat, or even the same as that night. It's gentler and more affectionate.
Friends.
She can set the pang of disappointment aside. It's not his fault she has feelings and he doesn't. That's normal. It happens all the time. This is more than she was promised, and she's going to enjoy it, because she cares about him no matter what they are. ]
Thanks. They're busier than I expected.
[ He's hard to get talking sometimes, when he's aloof like this. That's okay. She can give him his space. What she can't do is stand too close, because then she's going to start thinking about the fact that he looks really cute in a teen-boy-at-a-dance way, but also in a you-have-beautiful-shoulders way, and that's not okay. She's not making this weird.
The waitress leads them in, and Tifa doubts her choice for a moment. It is a little romantic, and that wasn't her intent but...it was still better than the other choices.
The menu gives her something to latch onto, because her hands are suddenly sweaty and she wants to stare at her feet. But when Cloud speaks, her eyes fly up like she was waiting on him this whole time. Maybe she was.
And then she's smiling, bright-eyed and girlish. She's been called beautiful so many times, but he isn't the kind of guy to just say that stuff. ]
You do too. I'm impressed.
[ She bites her lips. Was that condescending? ]
It's been...better than the first day. My room is nice. Nicer than my old apartment. And the people on our floor seem normal. It's better than--
[ She winces. She doesn't really want to talk about that, because she doesn't want him to know how bad it was, those first years, or how stupid she'd been. ]
Than when I got to Midgar, at least.
[ She bumps his foot under the table. ]
I didn't have any friends there.
Which would be okay. He was allowed to do that. He didn't owe her anything.
But he's there, and -- oh wow, he's in a button down and slacks, and she's not sure if it's actually flattering on him or not. Somehow it looks even more like a generic uniform than his SOLDIER clothes, and it's like he recedes a little, almost like it's saying don't look at me.
But she's also so ridiculously happy that he's here and that he tried that her chest hurts with the force of her feelings. She's breathless as she watches him look her over, and her stomach does flips. Is he -- checking her out?
For a moment, the image of him naked and sweating flashes in her mind, and it's all she can do to hold her gaze steady, praying she isn't blushing. That's not fair. They weren't themselves. And whatever he's doing now, it doesn't make her feel like a piece of meat, or even the same as that night. It's gentler and more affectionate.
Friends.
She can set the pang of disappointment aside. It's not his fault she has feelings and he doesn't. That's normal. It happens all the time. This is more than she was promised, and she's going to enjoy it, because she cares about him no matter what they are. ]
Thanks. They're busier than I expected.
[ He's hard to get talking sometimes, when he's aloof like this. That's okay. She can give him his space. What she can't do is stand too close, because then she's going to start thinking about the fact that he looks really cute in a teen-boy-at-a-dance way, but also in a you-have-beautiful-shoulders way, and that's not okay. She's not making this weird.
The waitress leads them in, and Tifa doubts her choice for a moment. It is a little romantic, and that wasn't her intent but...it was still better than the other choices.
The menu gives her something to latch onto, because her hands are suddenly sweaty and she wants to stare at her feet. But when Cloud speaks, her eyes fly up like she was waiting on him this whole time. Maybe she was.
And then she's smiling, bright-eyed and girlish. She's been called beautiful so many times, but he isn't the kind of guy to just say that stuff. ]
You do too. I'm impressed.
[ She bites her lips. Was that condescending? ]
It's been...better than the first day. My room is nice. Nicer than my old apartment. And the people on our floor seem normal. It's better than--
[ She winces. She doesn't really want to talk about that, because she doesn't want him to know how bad it was, those first years, or how stupid she'd been. ]
Than when I got to Midgar, at least.
[ She bumps his foot under the table. ]
I didn't have any friends there.
[ his ears perk up at "i'm impressed" -- and then his eyes dart away, and he's shrinking into himself, coy as a hand moves to rub at the back of his head. he'd haphazardly dressed himself in the only way he knew how; surely, she couldn't have meant it.
but he would be lying if he said it didn't inspire a spark of excitement. something in him stirs.
cloud listens as she speaks. he's never been good at talking-- but listening is another matter entirely. he drinks in every word, ruminating on it. good. she's doing well. ]
Yeah. A step up from Stargazer Heights. [ he speaks light heartedly, although his cadence is still strangely stiff, as characteristic of him as ever. maybe it was wrong-- to let memories of their old lives resurface. he regrets it too late.
and then she says that-- says she didn't have friends. tifa, alone and afraid and vulnerable, in the middle of the centerpiece of the world. his heart aches. and then it burns. ]
...I didn't know.
[ he wishes he did. he wishes he was there. he's holding the menu now, and his fingers tighten against its cover, curling with the embers of protective rage. ]
That isn't going to happen again. [ his voice is hard -- unshakably hard. ] Not as long as I'm here.
[ and then, as if sensing the tension, the waitress materializes out of thin air. with an easy smile, she sidles up into their conversation.
"what would you like to order?"
cloud bristles awkwardly. ]
Um. [ he doesn't have enough experience to gauge what an appropriate answer would be. food was sustenance and nothing more within the realm of his mind. everything was pallid, flavorless, there to fill his stomach at best. rigidly, as his eyes rove over to tifa, he makes some attempt to be a normal human being...
he can't let her know that he's not even capable of this much. she'd deem him a freak -- like the rest of nibelheim did. ]
Whatever's good... never eaten here, so...
but he would be lying if he said it didn't inspire a spark of excitement. something in him stirs.
cloud listens as she speaks. he's never been good at talking-- but listening is another matter entirely. he drinks in every word, ruminating on it. good. she's doing well. ]
Yeah. A step up from Stargazer Heights. [ he speaks light heartedly, although his cadence is still strangely stiff, as characteristic of him as ever. maybe it was wrong-- to let memories of their old lives resurface. he regrets it too late.
and then she says that-- says she didn't have friends. tifa, alone and afraid and vulnerable, in the middle of the centerpiece of the world. his heart aches. and then it burns. ]
...I didn't know.
[ he wishes he did. he wishes he was there. he's holding the menu now, and his fingers tighten against its cover, curling with the embers of protective rage. ]
That isn't going to happen again. [ his voice is hard -- unshakably hard. ] Not as long as I'm here.
[ and then, as if sensing the tension, the waitress materializes out of thin air. with an easy smile, she sidles up into their conversation.
"what would you like to order?"
cloud bristles awkwardly. ]
Um. [ he doesn't have enough experience to gauge what an appropriate answer would be. food was sustenance and nothing more within the realm of his mind. everything was pallid, flavorless, there to fill his stomach at best. rigidly, as his eyes rove over to tifa, he makes some attempt to be a normal human being...
he can't let her know that he's not even capable of this much. she'd deem him a freak -- like the rest of nibelheim did. ]
Whatever's good... never eaten here, so...
Edited (SORRY wording got me) 2024-01-16 04:23 (UTC)
[ His eyes train on her, bright and sparkling, and for a moment she forgets to breathe. For a moment, she sees him as fifteen, looking at her like she's the first person he's ever seen, and then he's in that room again, naked and wide-eyed and calling her beautiful.
Then he looks away, deflating like a spooked cat. The space between her eyes feels tight. She wants to reach for him, wants to explain he means so much to her, and she just doesn't know how to talk to him, but what would that do? This isn't a date, and she's just insulted him.
Why is this so much harder than it is with anyone else? Is it just because they give her a pass because she's pretty? Maybe he's the only person who knows she's socially awkward, him and maybe Jessie.
Jessie, who's--
His voice is lighter when he speaks again. The effect is near instant, the dread seeping out her dislodging into a fluttery smile. Okay. He's trying. He's joking even.
It's ten seconds of blissful ease before his expression goes cold. She wants to bury her face in her hands, cold tension clamping around her shoulders. Why does this keep happening? Why does she always say the wrong thing? How is she supposed to think straight with this whiplash of emotions. Her brow furrows, expression dropping as she searched for what to even say. It was okay. I was okay. Because she wasn't, and she didn't want to lie to him.
She doesn't want him this rattled either, especially on her account. She bumps his foot under the table again, even as she wants to smooth her hand over his. Even as she wants to be on that side of the booth with him and curl her head against his neck and thank him for caring when no one else did. ]
You are here, so it's not happening again. And I'm better at making friends this time, so you don't have to worry about me.
[ Even if she really, really liked that he worried about her. Even if it's easier to think about that than the unease at how intense he can be.
Then the waitress is back, and Tifa has to duck behind her menu to keep Cloud from seeing her amused smile at just how blunt he is. He's always been like this. Jumpy, a little rude without meaning to be. And it's easier to laugh at that than ache about how much it hurt to see him hurting about her. ]
I want something spicy to start. Does that work for you, Cloud?
[ She can't remember what he ate. It's not something she paid attention to back then, other than she didn't remember him refusing food. But this was both their money. They should both enjoy it. ]
And bartender's favorite drink, top shelf whatever it takes. Tell them they're impressing a fellow bartender.
Then he looks away, deflating like a spooked cat. The space between her eyes feels tight. She wants to reach for him, wants to explain he means so much to her, and she just doesn't know how to talk to him, but what would that do? This isn't a date, and she's just insulted him.
Why is this so much harder than it is with anyone else? Is it just because they give her a pass because she's pretty? Maybe he's the only person who knows she's socially awkward, him and maybe Jessie.
Jessie, who's--
His voice is lighter when he speaks again. The effect is near instant, the dread seeping out her dislodging into a fluttery smile. Okay. He's trying. He's joking even.
It's ten seconds of blissful ease before his expression goes cold. She wants to bury her face in her hands, cold tension clamping around her shoulders. Why does this keep happening? Why does she always say the wrong thing? How is she supposed to think straight with this whiplash of emotions. Her brow furrows, expression dropping as she searched for what to even say. It was okay. I was okay. Because she wasn't, and she didn't want to lie to him.
She doesn't want him this rattled either, especially on her account. She bumps his foot under the table again, even as she wants to smooth her hand over his. Even as she wants to be on that side of the booth with him and curl her head against his neck and thank him for caring when no one else did. ]
You are here, so it's not happening again. And I'm better at making friends this time, so you don't have to worry about me.
[ Even if she really, really liked that he worried about her. Even if it's easier to think about that than the unease at how intense he can be.
Then the waitress is back, and Tifa has to duck behind her menu to keep Cloud from seeing her amused smile at just how blunt he is. He's always been like this. Jumpy, a little rude without meaning to be. And it's easier to laugh at that than ache about how much it hurt to see him hurting about her. ]
I want something spicy to start. Does that work for you, Cloud?
[ She can't remember what he ate. It's not something she paid attention to back then, other than she didn't remember him refusing food. But this was both their money. They should both enjoy it. ]
And bartender's favorite drink, top shelf whatever it takes. Tell them they're impressing a fellow bartender.
[ she knows. at least she knows -- that he's there for her. that he won't let anything happen. cloud's face is unchanging, stoicism solidifying his features, but there's a storm brewing in his eyes. ]
...Fine. But--
[ and then she orders, and cloud dawdles a bit, shoulders shifting as he awkwardly reintegrates himself into the conversation. spicy food. right. he could take that -- he hasn't...ordered out at a restaurant since--
there was somebody else there, urging people to treat him well, seated across the booth--
he can remember it so clearly. he swears, he can. it was before SOLDIER. when he was still a rookie, up and coming, and yet--
cloud snaps his head up, reality washing over him waves. ]
...They've got a high standard to meet, huh. [ he teases, and the waitress gives a small ghost of a laugh before leaving them be. the food comes out quicker than expected -- heaping bowls of noodles served on a platter, ushered to them in record speeds. it's a little uncanny, truthfully, but at least it saves him from having to make conversation.
the waitress sets the two of their bowls down. it's accompanied by a drink -- no, two drinks, one to match them both. "this is our couple's set -- his and hers! we wanted to give you two a treat on your date. enjoy!" ]
Huh? [ cloud asks innocuously. he doesn't correct her -- he doesn't want to. instead he gingerly accepts the neon blue drink, saturated bright with an ingredient that was likely far from natural. ] I, uh. [ remembering his manners: ] Thanks.
[ right. he casts a cursory glance to tifa, and then the noodles, and then the drink, and then back to the noodles. he forks a swathe of it into his mouth-- and...
his face lights up. he eats gradually, then quickly, noodles now suckered into his mouth. ]
This is... [ he says, a little breathtaken. a variety of flavors pop in his mouth, bursting and scattering across his tongue. there's the heat, which kicks his eroded taste buds into action, the umami of the soy sauce marinade, the slight sweetness-- ] ...really good.
...Fine. But--
[ and then she orders, and cloud dawdles a bit, shoulders shifting as he awkwardly reintegrates himself into the conversation. spicy food. right. he could take that -- he hasn't...ordered out at a restaurant since--
there was somebody else there, urging people to treat him well, seated across the booth--
he can remember it so clearly. he swears, he can. it was before SOLDIER. when he was still a rookie, up and coming, and yet--
cloud snaps his head up, reality washing over him waves. ]
...They've got a high standard to meet, huh. [ he teases, and the waitress gives a small ghost of a laugh before leaving them be. the food comes out quicker than expected -- heaping bowls of noodles served on a platter, ushered to them in record speeds. it's a little uncanny, truthfully, but at least it saves him from having to make conversation.
the waitress sets the two of their bowls down. it's accompanied by a drink -- no, two drinks, one to match them both. "this is our couple's set -- his and hers! we wanted to give you two a treat on your date. enjoy!" ]
Huh? [ cloud asks innocuously. he doesn't correct her -- he doesn't want to. instead he gingerly accepts the neon blue drink, saturated bright with an ingredient that was likely far from natural. ] I, uh. [ remembering his manners: ] Thanks.
[ right. he casts a cursory glance to tifa, and then the noodles, and then the drink, and then back to the noodles. he forks a swathe of it into his mouth-- and...
his face lights up. he eats gradually, then quickly, noodles now suckered into his mouth. ]
This is... [ he says, a little breathtaken. a variety of flavors pop in his mouth, bursting and scattering across his tongue. there's the heat, which kicks his eroded taste buds into action, the umami of the soy sauce marinade, the slight sweetness-- ] ...really good.
There was a reason Seventh Heaven was popular.
[ She grins at him, a real one, not the one she plasters on to keep the world happy. And yeah, she knew a lot of Seventh Heaven was...her looks. The dumpling stand had been the same way. But people came back because the food and drinks were good. Because she worked hard and was nice.
Because if it was just for her looks -- it was too bleak to think about too closely. And she knew the bar had done so well for more than that. Looks didn't buy supplies or balance the books.
The waitress leaves and they fall back to silence. For once, she isn't sure what to say. They'd been meaning to get a chance to talk, and everything had been so much, and that's not what she wants to talk about, but now she has him here and she feels shy and empty-headed.
The waitress returns surprisingly fast, and the meal smells amazing, even if Tifa eyes the electric blue his and hers with a weird feeling in her stomach. Cloud says nothing, so she doesn't either.
But she does...watch him eat. Which is probably weird. It's not that the noodles aren't good. They are, which is a relief since she doesn't have that many dining options, but they're like...normal above average good. Not amazing good. ]
SOLDIER not let you guys eat out much? [ she asks, face blatantly twisting into doubting thought. That seemed...weird. But then she catches herself.
She doesn't want him to clam up anymore than he already is. ]
Sorry, you don't have to answer that. They are really good. I love food like this. [ And there's some warmth, realizing it's a taste they share, something easy they could do again.
She picks up her drink, holding it up for a toast. ]
To finally getting to catch up. It really is good to see you again, Cloud.
[ I missed you seems inappropriate, and It's so nice someone else didn't die is....not really what she wants to say. But she smiles at him, warm and unguarded, glad they're doing this, even as the question of what happened to you those five years gnaws at the back of her mind. ]
[ She grins at him, a real one, not the one she plasters on to keep the world happy. And yeah, she knew a lot of Seventh Heaven was...her looks. The dumpling stand had been the same way. But people came back because the food and drinks were good. Because she worked hard and was nice.
Because if it was just for her looks -- it was too bleak to think about too closely. And she knew the bar had done so well for more than that. Looks didn't buy supplies or balance the books.
The waitress leaves and they fall back to silence. For once, she isn't sure what to say. They'd been meaning to get a chance to talk, and everything had been so much, and that's not what she wants to talk about, but now she has him here and she feels shy and empty-headed.
The waitress returns surprisingly fast, and the meal smells amazing, even if Tifa eyes the electric blue his and hers with a weird feeling in her stomach. Cloud says nothing, so she doesn't either.
But she does...watch him eat. Which is probably weird. It's not that the noodles aren't good. They are, which is a relief since she doesn't have that many dining options, but they're like...normal above average good. Not amazing good. ]
SOLDIER not let you guys eat out much? [ she asks, face blatantly twisting into doubting thought. That seemed...weird. But then she catches herself.
She doesn't want him to clam up anymore than he already is. ]
Sorry, you don't have to answer that. They are really good. I love food like this. [ And there's some warmth, realizing it's a taste they share, something easy they could do again.
She picks up her drink, holding it up for a toast. ]
To finally getting to catch up. It really is good to see you again, Cloud.
[ I missed you seems inappropriate, and It's so nice someone else didn't die is....not really what she wants to say. But she smiles at him, warm and unguarded, glad they're doing this, even as the question of what happened to you those five years gnaws at the back of her mind. ]
[Marina has acquired a knife.
A good, solid carving knife, at that. While she could do this somewhere private, messing it up in her own room wouldn't do. To make sure she could remember the perfection circle fully, it was better to pick a halfway hidden spot to vandalize with it. After some hunting around, she finds a nice hallway nook around the rank 5 rooms.
There's a loose rug she pulls aside and beneath it is soft wood flooring. Ideal. In no time, she has carved out a broad circle. Within it, she's digging in geometrical shapes with steady handed accuracy. For something "occult", the circle looks more mathematical in nature than magical...
She's not paying much attention to her surroundings, but the scratching sound is probably peculiar to any passing by at this hour,]
A good, solid carving knife, at that. While she could do this somewhere private, messing it up in her own room wouldn't do. To make sure she could remember the perfection circle fully, it was better to pick a halfway hidden spot to vandalize with it. After some hunting around, she finds a nice hallway nook around the rank 5 rooms.
There's a loose rug she pulls aside and beneath it is soft wood flooring. Ideal. In no time, she has carved out a broad circle. Within it, she's digging in geometrical shapes with steady handed accuracy. For something "occult", the circle looks more mathematical in nature than magical...
She's not paying much attention to her surroundings, but the scratching sound is probably peculiar to any passing by at this hour,]
[ the sound tugs at his nerves; calls to his irritation, grinding down on his ears. cloud is leaving his room when he recognizes her. daan's alleged best friend, the one who had called him to breakfast that morning.
one of the resort's esteemed employees is striding down the halls when he sees her. cloud moves quickly, shoulders stiffening, posture straightening. ]
Hey, [ he says to marina. ] someone's com--
[ the employee is there before he can finish. he arches a brow, peering over cloud's shoulder to examine the newfound carving.
"and what is all this?" ]
Don't worry about it. [ cloud's eyes flit to marina. ] We were playing a game.
one of the resort's esteemed employees is striding down the halls when he sees her. cloud moves quickly, shoulders stiffening, posture straightening. ]
Hey, [ he says to marina. ] someone's com--
[ the employee is there before he can finish. he arches a brow, peering over cloud's shoulder to examine the newfound carving.
"and what is all this?" ]
Don't worry about it. [ cloud's eyes flit to marina. ] We were playing a game.
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