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sempiternals2019-11-07 04:27 pm
incendiaire) wrote in sempiternals2019-11-07 04:27 pm
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[ assassin's creed odyssey is very close to the format of netflix witcher/witcher 3 so maybe instead of geralt showing up to help her get a djinn it's kassandra. ]
as discussed! pls be gentle, I'm voicetesting~ (but concrit is always welcome too!!)
emotionals
2020-01-22 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Isn't it strange, how priorities change? As a student of Aretuza, she was willing to trade her womb for beauty and power. She was hungry for it, and her ability to bear children seemed like a small price to pay, back then. But that was over thirty years ago now. Yennefer may not have aged a day since then, but she's matured, perhaps - or maybe she's just become hungrier still.
It's just as she said to Tissaia: she wants everything. Power, beauty, fertility. It's not even that she necessarily wants to be a mother, though. They took away something that was hers, and she wants it back.
Rinde is as good a place as any to start. Better, perhaps; the rumors say that there's a sleeping, captured djinn someplace nearby. And so once she's settled into the mayor's house, the man himself caught in her spell - the halfwit thought that he could imprison her, what a joke - she starts a long chain of whispers, beginning with that poor fool of an elf who believes himself in love with her. Soon, anyone in Rinde or its vicinity will know of a resident sorceress who can help townsfolk and passing travelers alike with any djinn-related issues.
Because there's no way she'll chase the creature down herself, no. She's no fool. Going after the djinn would be akin to suicide. Before she can absorb its power, it must be be freed of its prison, and to be freed of its prison, it has to grant three wishes to whatever master summons it from its vessel. To her knowledge, djinns are malevolent, abusers of loopholes, and they have their own way of twisting the words of the wisher into a result far less than ideal. Yennefer has no interest whatsoever in being a djinn's target practice.
And so the sorceress sits and waits, day in and day out, the townspeople of Rinde under her spell, the mayor's mansion an ever-extravagant party: rich foods, alcohol, orgies, and Yennefer reclining in the midst of it all, watching. Waiting.
She has, after all, all the time in the world. ]
It's just as she said to Tissaia: she wants everything. Power, beauty, fertility. It's not even that she necessarily wants to be a mother, though. They took away something that was hers, and she wants it back.
Rinde is as good a place as any to start. Better, perhaps; the rumors say that there's a sleeping, captured djinn someplace nearby. And so once she's settled into the mayor's house, the man himself caught in her spell - the halfwit thought that he could imprison her, what a joke - she starts a long chain of whispers, beginning with that poor fool of an elf who believes himself in love with her. Soon, anyone in Rinde or its vicinity will know of a resident sorceress who can help townsfolk and passing travelers alike with any djinn-related issues.
Because there's no way she'll chase the creature down herself, no. She's no fool. Going after the djinn would be akin to suicide. Before she can absorb its power, it must be be freed of its prison, and to be freed of its prison, it has to grant three wishes to whatever master summons it from its vessel. To her knowledge, djinns are malevolent, abusers of loopholes, and they have their own way of twisting the words of the wisher into a result far less than ideal. Yennefer has no interest whatsoever in being a djinn's target practice.
And so the sorceress sits and waits, day in and day out, the townspeople of Rinde under her spell, the mayor's mansion an ever-extravagant party: rich foods, alcohol, orgies, and Yennefer reclining in the midst of it all, watching. Waiting.
She has, after all, all the time in the world. ]
[ There's talk about a witch that seeks a certain item. Kassandra is well-known throughout the land now as a woman who would take on any dirty job as long as there's money involved. A mercenary might have been a nice word for her, but her reputation isn't the greatest with how much blood stains her hands now.
That's why talks of a witch hardly sways her from the course of visiting this woman. She comes in with a sense of purpose, and though all of that seems to drop the moment she stepts into the premises. The place smells of alcohol and sex, disorienting her immediately. She can't help but gape at the amount of fun these people are having all around her, but she tries to stay focused on the task. The witch sits before them, watching and indeed waiting. It's as though she was always meant to arrive here and stand before her. ]
You must be the witch I've heard so much about, [ She says in a playful tone. ] I also heard that this witch in searching for a special artifact. One that only a mercenary like myself could possibly find. Tell me more, witch.
That's why talks of a witch hardly sways her from the course of visiting this woman. She comes in with a sense of purpose, and though all of that seems to drop the moment she stepts into the premises. The place smells of alcohol and sex, disorienting her immediately. She can't help but gape at the amount of fun these people are having all around her, but she tries to stay focused on the task. The witch sits before them, watching and indeed waiting. It's as though she was always meant to arrive here and stand before her. ]
You must be the witch I've heard so much about, [ She says in a playful tone. ] I also heard that this witch in searching for a special artifact. One that only a mercenary like myself could possibly find. Tell me more, witch.
[ But of course it's a bloody mercenary. She'd rather been hoping that the man or woman to walk through the door would be in a spot of trouble, seeking for the kind of help that only a sorceress could provide. Just her luck, then, that the guest is instead the kind that will expect money from her in addition to catching her djinn.
It's not that money is an issue. It's just the bloody principal of the thing.
Still, she's hardly going to show her irritation to a woman she's only just met, and so Yennefer sits forward a little, an eyebrow raising in her visitor's direction. She sighs, and then with a single word -- ] Ragamuffin! [ -- the magic is dispersed, the orgy of townsfolk separating and staring. ]
The item I seek is likely an urn, but perhaps a bottle or jar, shut and sealed by a wizard. [ With light that trails shortly behind her finger, she draws a sigil in the air, and then another, representing what the seal may look like. The images glow for a moment, and then blink out. ] Something along those lines. It is an item of power. When it rests in your hands, you will know it for what it is.
[ She folds her hands under her chin, watching the other woman, as an idea sparks in the back of her mind, and a slow smile forms on her lips. ] I can offer anything you desire in return for its safe transport to me.
[ All she'll need to do is make a wish, or two, or three... ]
It's not that money is an issue. It's just the bloody principal of the thing.
Still, she's hardly going to show her irritation to a woman she's only just met, and so Yennefer sits forward a little, an eyebrow raising in her visitor's direction. She sighs, and then with a single word -- ] Ragamuffin! [ -- the magic is dispersed, the orgy of townsfolk separating and staring. ]
The item I seek is likely an urn, but perhaps a bottle or jar, shut and sealed by a wizard. [ With light that trails shortly behind her finger, she draws a sigil in the air, and then another, representing what the seal may look like. The images glow for a moment, and then blink out. ] Something along those lines. It is an item of power. When it rests in your hands, you will know it for what it is.
[ She folds her hands under her chin, watching the other woman, as an idea sparks in the back of her mind, and a slow smile forms on her lips. ] I can offer anything you desire in return for its safe transport to me.
[ All she'll need to do is make a wish, or two, or three... ]
we can thread this part, then i can timeskip to when she returns with the urn?
forefathers
2020-02-10 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ So there's a sight to be audience to. With no magic at her disposal, at least not readily at her disposal, the sudden break of the spell does surprise her. All around her, the people are confused and shocked at what they were doing. Truly the work of a witch, and Kassandra knows then that this woman is no one to cross with. ]
That is quite a vague description of that which you seek. Don't suppose you would know of its last known whereabouts?
[ It's a longshot. If that were the case, she wouldn't be putting such a large prize for its recovery. Judging by her tone, Yennefer might surmise that she asks only in jests, but the next part is as serious as Kassandra can possibly be.
She steps closer to her makeshift throne and bows down near her crossed feet. ]
A powerful item. More powerful witch that seeks to retrieve it, even offers something as broad as anything as payment. I gathered this is no job for no ordinary mercenary, considering there aren't many men at your doorstep—
[ She gestures all around them suddenly, indicating the people who were most definitely spellbound. ]
Perhaps all these people are those who met the same fate by dissatisfying you?
That is quite a vague description of that which you seek. Don't suppose you would know of its last known whereabouts?
[ It's a longshot. If that were the case, she wouldn't be putting such a large prize for its recovery. Judging by her tone, Yennefer might surmise that she asks only in jests, but the next part is as serious as Kassandra can possibly be.
She steps closer to her makeshift throne and bows down near her crossed feet. ]
A powerful item. More powerful witch that seeks to retrieve it, even offers something as broad as anything as payment. I gathered this is no job for no ordinary mercenary, considering there aren't many men at your doorstep—
[ She gestures all around them suddenly, indicating the people who were most definitely spellbound. ]
Perhaps all these people are those who met the same fate by dissatisfying you?
[ And for the second time in as many minutes, Yennefer finds herself holding her breath against a hefty sigh of annoyance. Mercenaries! Just how many questions does one need ask, she wonders? That single eyebrow raises again, smug and superior, in response to the woman's questions, as she gestures around at the townsfolk, who are only just starting to gather their wits. ]
Ask yourself this, mercenary: do you truly believe I would grant such wondrous pleasure to those who cause me displeasure? [ Nay, in truth, the villagers were merely the result of Yennefer's boredom. Dissatisfaction would earn a person much, much worse.
Still, the bowing woman seems to be trying to make some sort of point, what with the way she talks, and so the sorceress straightens, watching her with a mild spark of curiosity. ] Tell me: what are your terms? If we are agreed, I will tell you what I know of the artifact's location.
[ Not that, admittedly, she knows a great deal. Really, the rumors told her that Rinde was the right place to start, and that is all.
Perhaps her nosy mercenary can discover more, once she has her on her side. ]
Ask yourself this, mercenary: do you truly believe I would grant such wondrous pleasure to those who cause me displeasure? [ Nay, in truth, the villagers were merely the result of Yennefer's boredom. Dissatisfaction would earn a person much, much worse.
Still, the bowing woman seems to be trying to make some sort of point, what with the way she talks, and so the sorceress straightens, watching her with a mild spark of curiosity. ] Tell me: what are your terms? If we are agreed, I will tell you what I know of the artifact's location.
[ Not that, admittedly, she knows a great deal. Really, the rumors told her that Rinde was the right place to start, and that is all.
Perhaps her nosy mercenary can discover more, once she has her on her side. ]
[ She's got a point, and it makes her laugh quietly to herself, as to not to offend the witch before her. ]
Mmm... makes sense. [ Kassandra says with a shrug. ] But me, I would not consider losing my inhibitions such a wondrous pleasure. Not that I mind with the right people.
[ This time, she winks toward the woman, clearly indicating that she's talking about her. Yes, Yennefer is indeed a beauty that she wouldn't mind bedding with, but... business first, right? ]
I am quite the easy misthios, you see? You give me a job, I fulfill your wishes and desires, and you compensate me with gold. There is no need to complicate things with the broadness of "anything," don't you agree?
[ But who is she to turn such an offer down? ]
However, if you do have time between your... festivities, I would like to see exactly what it is you are willing to do for this urn of yours. Call it parting gift.
Mmm... makes sense. [ Kassandra says with a shrug. ] But me, I would not consider losing my inhibitions such a wondrous pleasure. Not that I mind with the right people.
[ This time, she winks toward the woman, clearly indicating that she's talking about her. Yes, Yennefer is indeed a beauty that she wouldn't mind bedding with, but... business first, right? ]
I am quite the easy misthios, you see? You give me a job, I fulfill your wishes and desires, and you compensate me with gold. There is no need to complicate things with the broadness of "anything," don't you agree?
[ But who is she to turn such an offer down? ]
However, if you do have time between your... festivities, I would like to see exactly what it is you are willing to do for this urn of yours. Call it parting gift.
[ Flirtatious, isn't she? And possibly rather troublesome, declaring herself to be happy only with gold. What Yennefer needs, perhaps even more than the urn itself, is someone who will free the djinn inside by spending its wishes.
Yes, troublesome indeed. But flirtatious? She can work with that. With a slow smile, one that carefully masks her irritation, she stands from the lavish bed that serves as her throne in the midst of all this, moving around to its side to procure a small bundle of dried herbs. ] Then we are in agreement, misthios. [ Not quite. She'll sway this woman to her will yet.
Sway, because this woman is too interesting to simply bend. ]
I did say anything, did I not? If you doubt me, I'm sure my magic will show you the depths of my desire... at least until a word of your choice ends the spell.
[ She raises her brows, waiting for an answer. If Kassandra agrees, gives her a word, Yennefer will light the herbs and blow the smoke toward her, the spell designed to cause an immediate arousal, but with inhibitions intact, until the word of choice is spoken. A hint of something more, something the mage will most certainly give to the person who aids her. Especially if that person spends the wishes of the djinn.
And if she refuses... well, Yennefer will just have to find another way. ]
Yes, troublesome indeed. But flirtatious? She can work with that. With a slow smile, one that carefully masks her irritation, she stands from the lavish bed that serves as her throne in the midst of all this, moving around to its side to procure a small bundle of dried herbs. ] Then we are in agreement, misthios. [ Not quite. She'll sway this woman to her will yet.
Sway, because this woman is too interesting to simply bend. ]
I did say anything, did I not? If you doubt me, I'm sure my magic will show you the depths of my desire... at least until a word of your choice ends the spell.
[ She raises her brows, waiting for an answer. If Kassandra agrees, gives her a word, Yennefer will light the herbs and blow the smoke toward her, the spell designed to cause an immediate arousal, but with inhibitions intact, until the word of choice is spoken. A hint of something more, something the mage will most certainly give to the person who aids her. Especially if that person spends the wishes of the djinn.
And if she refuses... well, Yennefer will just have to find another way. ]
I never doubted that we will come to an agreement. Funny, that— a pretty face and a little gold can get anything out of me, as well.
[ But enough of flirting. It's hard not to, when the woman before her is so... alluring. Absolutely, positively enticing, even without all of her displays of magic. That isn't to say that she isn't interested when the offer is extended her way to have a taste of the depths of her desire. Heavens, nothing is as tempting as so.
So, naturally, she nods, mumbling the word "drachmae" has her chosen, and immediately the smoke is blown her way and—
Gods, she feels he knees tremble, and she lets out a gasp, stumbling forward just slightly. ]
That— is powerful magic, indeed. [ Her tone is full of mirth. ] You don't quite expect me to leave this way, do you?
[ But enough of flirting. It's hard not to, when the woman before her is so... alluring. Absolutely, positively enticing, even without all of her displays of magic. That isn't to say that she isn't interested when the offer is extended her way to have a taste of the depths of her desire. Heavens, nothing is as tempting as so.
So, naturally, she nods, mumbling the word "drachmae" has her chosen, and immediately the smoke is blown her way and—
Gods, she feels he knees tremble, and she lets out a gasp, stumbling forward just slightly. ]
That— is powerful magic, indeed. [ Her tone is full of mirth. ] You don't quite expect me to leave this way, do you?
[ The smile grows slowly on Yennefer's face as she watches the mercenary stagger forward a step, the look on her face a clear sign of how instant and potent the spell's effect has been. It's a smug smile - her expressions nearly always have some hint of arrogance, nowadays - although the chuckle that escapes her breaks the image slightly, just for a moment. She's good-natured, this misthios. It's almost enough to abate the sorceress's irritation. ]
Call it an incentive. [ The hint of amusement fades, leaving just the superior, smug witch. ] The sooner you come back with my urn, the sooner we can deal with your little problem.
[ Of course, it would be just as easy for the other woman to state that foreign word again, breaking the spell in an instant. But between those little smiles, the playful, flirtatious comments... Yennefer has a feeling that this will all go exactly the way she wants it to. ]
Call it an incentive. [ The hint of amusement fades, leaving just the superior, smug witch. ] The sooner you come back with my urn, the sooner we can deal with your little problem.
[ Of course, it would be just as easy for the other woman to state that foreign word again, breaking the spell in an instant. But between those little smiles, the playful, flirtatious comments... Yennefer has a feeling that this will all go exactly the way she wants it to. ]
[I tried to see what your wishlists were, but the link went nowhere/is maybe dead? Is there anything you have wanted to do with Cloud & Tifa?]
[ So sorry for the delay in this response; it has been a bit of a time on my end!
I probably need to delete the wishlist thing; I'm lame and never got around to finishing them. But I would absolutely love to do something with these two! I'm a liiiittle out of practice with Tifa, and have been looking for the opportunity to bring her back out, so as long as you don't mind that, I'm down for pretty much anything at all! ]
I probably need to delete the wishlist thing; I'm lame and never got around to finishing them. But I would absolutely love to do something with these two! I'm a liiiittle out of practice with Tifa, and have been looking for the opportunity to bring her back out, so as long as you don't mind that, I'm down for pretty much anything at all! ]
[[It's all good! Then I say let's knock the dust off this old gal and get her goin!
I have a multitude of ideas, one of them having to do with whether or not you've played through the Remake. Have you? Also, did you dig it?]]
I have a multitude of ideas, one of them having to do with whether or not you've played through the Remake. Have you? Also, did you dig it?]]
[ I actually have not, yet! I finally bought it last weekend - tight finances due to covid, blah blah, but I just haven't had the time to actually play it yet. (but I'm cheating by using icons from the remake cos they're so much prettier than anything else.) once I get into a game I play it pretty heavily though so I'm sure I'll be finished with it pretty soon!
I did accidentally get spoiled and will confess that I am kind of disappointed about the fact that I could even get spoiled - blah blah the word "Remake" makes you think that shouldn't happen blah blah - but I did enjoy the demo and am looking forward to playing it. I think knowing about the twist that I don't approve of in advance will actually help me out LOL.
OK I'M RAMBLING NOW SORRY but what did you have in mind? ]
I did accidentally get spoiled and will confess that I am kind of disappointed about the fact that I could even get spoiled - blah blah the word "Remake" makes you think that shouldn't happen blah blah - but I did enjoy the demo and am looking forward to playing it. I think knowing about the twist that I don't approve of in advance will actually help me out LOL.
OK I'M RAMBLING NOW SORRY but what did you have in mind? ]
Edited 2020-05-20 14:55 (UTC)
[Ramble away, I say! FF7 is one of my favorite things to go on about. It actually has to do with that twist. But I'll PM ya about that cuz I have no clever way to suggest it here.
I usually roll around in fluffy smut with these two, but am very fond of date nights or vacations for them. Costa del Sol, Golden Saucer. Camping out for a few nights.]
I usually roll around in fluffy smut with these two, but am very fond of date nights or vacations for them. Costa del Sol, Golden Saucer. Camping out for a few nights.]
Edited 2020-05-20 16:30 (UTC)
[ I am gonna just hit you up in the PM so that we can discuss everything there more openly! ♥ ]
Two and a half years from the day the group left Midgar, Cloud straddles his trusty motorcycle, Fenrir. He slips his goggles on, revs up the engine, and peels away. He has a delivery to make somewhere outside of the city--to the Chocobo Ranch near Kalm, of all places.
While Cloud rides, something sends ripples throughout the cosmos to disrupt time itself. When he nears Kalm, the ripples rise to create a doorway of energy that sees Cloud hitting the brakes hard. He does a brief front wheelie before the back comes to a stop just in front of this strange energy.
Sighing, he steps off of Fenrir and draws closer. His hand slips in and he can see images of the group splitting up after leaving Midgar. Some of what they're talking about doesn't quite sound right to him. It certainly isn't anything that he remembers. He's about to pull back and dismiss all of this as some sort of funky hallucination when he hears the sound of battle. It's--
"Tifa!?" She's alone, too.
That..shouldn't be right, either. Pulling his hand out suddenly, Cloud turns and hops onto Fenrir, revving it back up. He wasn't sure about any of this, and if he was being honest with himself, this felt dangerous on a level he couldn't even begin to put into words. All he knew was that Tifa was in trouble.
His expression one of resolve, Cloud zips into the portal without sparing a moment more of hesitation and finds himself surrounded by a variety of colors. He ignores it, instead making his way to his goal: the surrounded Tifa. As he drives, he hears voices and sees images. He spares them glances, but never drives off the beaten path. For all he knew, he was imagining them.
Cloud zooms out of the portal in a flash of blinding light, but he doesn't flinch. No one would be dying on his watch ever again!
So he pulls out his sword and steps on the gas. When he gets close enough, he steps out onto Fenrir itself and leaps forward. As the bike slows to a stop on it's own, Cloud comes down on the nearest enemy. Energy erupts from his blade and spreads out to the other enemies, hitting each one from behind. The enemies stall, and then fall apart to the ground in defeat.
Cloud sheathes the blade and approaches Tifa. "Are you okay?"
While Cloud rides, something sends ripples throughout the cosmos to disrupt time itself. When he nears Kalm, the ripples rise to create a doorway of energy that sees Cloud hitting the brakes hard. He does a brief front wheelie before the back comes to a stop just in front of this strange energy.
Sighing, he steps off of Fenrir and draws closer. His hand slips in and he can see images of the group splitting up after leaving Midgar. Some of what they're talking about doesn't quite sound right to him. It certainly isn't anything that he remembers. He's about to pull back and dismiss all of this as some sort of funky hallucination when he hears the sound of battle. It's--
"Tifa!?" She's alone, too.
That..shouldn't be right, either. Pulling his hand out suddenly, Cloud turns and hops onto Fenrir, revving it back up. He wasn't sure about any of this, and if he was being honest with himself, this felt dangerous on a level he couldn't even begin to put into words. All he knew was that Tifa was in trouble.
His expression one of resolve, Cloud zips into the portal without sparing a moment more of hesitation and finds himself surrounded by a variety of colors. He ignores it, instead making his way to his goal: the surrounded Tifa. As he drives, he hears voices and sees images. He spares them glances, but never drives off the beaten path. For all he knew, he was imagining them.
Cloud zooms out of the portal in a flash of blinding light, but he doesn't flinch. No one would be dying on his watch ever again!
So he pulls out his sword and steps on the gas. When he gets close enough, he steps out onto Fenrir itself and leaps forward. As the bike slows to a stop on it's own, Cloud comes down on the nearest enemy. Energy erupts from his blade and spreads out to the other enemies, hitting each one from behind. The enemies stall, and then fall apart to the ground in defeat.
Cloud sheathes the blade and approaches Tifa. "Are you okay?"
Things have been a whirlwind since Cloud stepped back into her life. So much has changed, and none of it for the better. She wanted to save the Planet, and now look at the mess she's found herself in. Her friends dead. Sephiroth alive, and determined to take everything away from them again. And Cloud... he's different, somehow; his time as a SOLDIER changed him almost into someone she doesn't even recognize anymore.
Not to mention that somehow, she's become an enemy of Fate itself.
That day in the bar, when she told Cloud she felt trapped, she wasn't lying. But that feeling is nothing compared to the feeling that plagues her now. It's almost too much, and so when it's decided that she'll make her way to Kalm by herself, she's almost grateful.
That's not to say that she's not disappointed or hurt. She'd prefer to be by Cloud's side, and it stings that he didn't seem to want to travel with her. And yet she understands - after all, there's some small relief in being by herself too. This way, she doesn't have to constantly fight against the tears that want to bead at the corners of her eyes, or the way her fingers want to constantly clench and relax.
What would be beneficial right now, though, are teammates.
Two of the furred purple creatures were fine, but the one that slammed into her side, claws out, came as a surprise. And she'd barely taken down those three when she caught even more of them out of the corner of her eye. Too many. Not good. The cut across her left arm is bleeding, but there's no time for that. And it's not like she can run - with four legs, they'll almost certainly be faster than her. So she grits her teeth, raising her fists--
--and then reflexively raising them even higher to cover her eyes against the blinding light that erupts out of nowhere, along with the scream of an engine. And when the light dies, and she lowers her arms again, her eyes widen.
Cloud?
No. He's different, right? Even as she watches him leap from the bike and swing his sword into the first of the Fangs, she can tell there's something changed about him, although in the heat of the moment there's too much processing going on in her mind for her to identify exactly what.
He approaches her, and for a single, wild moment, she wonders if he's some kind of trick. Her fingers clench into fists again at her sides. But he saved her, didn't he? In any other case, it would've just been easier to let her die. Her fingers relax, her eyes serious and intent as she tries to search his, covered by goggles as they may be.
"I'm... I'm fine."
She has questions, of course she does, but those words are about all she can manage for the moment.
Not to mention that somehow, she's become an enemy of Fate itself.
That day in the bar, when she told Cloud she felt trapped, she wasn't lying. But that feeling is nothing compared to the feeling that plagues her now. It's almost too much, and so when it's decided that she'll make her way to Kalm by herself, she's almost grateful.
That's not to say that she's not disappointed or hurt. She'd prefer to be by Cloud's side, and it stings that he didn't seem to want to travel with her. And yet she understands - after all, there's some small relief in being by herself too. This way, she doesn't have to constantly fight against the tears that want to bead at the corners of her eyes, or the way her fingers want to constantly clench and relax.
What would be beneficial right now, though, are teammates.
Two of the furred purple creatures were fine, but the one that slammed into her side, claws out, came as a surprise. And she'd barely taken down those three when she caught even more of them out of the corner of her eye. Too many. Not good. The cut across her left arm is bleeding, but there's no time for that. And it's not like she can run - with four legs, they'll almost certainly be faster than her. So she grits her teeth, raising her fists--
--and then reflexively raising them even higher to cover her eyes against the blinding light that erupts out of nowhere, along with the scream of an engine. And when the light dies, and she lowers her arms again, her eyes widen.
Cloud?
No. He's different, right? Even as she watches him leap from the bike and swing his sword into the first of the Fangs, she can tell there's something changed about him, although in the heat of the moment there's too much processing going on in her mind for her to identify exactly what.
He approaches her, and for a single, wild moment, she wonders if he's some kind of trick. Her fingers clench into fists again at her sides. But he saved her, didn't he? In any other case, it would've just been easier to let her die. Her fingers relax, her eyes serious and intent as she tries to search his, covered by goggles as they may be.
"I'm... I'm fine."
She has questions, of course she does, but those words are about all she can manage for the moment.
That seems to be good enough for Cloud, who gives Tifa a nod in acknowledgment before dipping his head to remove the goggles he had on. There was a moment there where he thought maybe he was going to be too late.
It shows when he lifts his head, his Mako-tinged eyes full of warmth as he approaches her to check her arm. The cold look she'd seen throughout most of Midgar was gone. When his hands touch her arm, it's gentle; the motions almost like he were familiar with..this.
Touching her. When his fingers slide slowly up, she could be forgiven for potentially getting the wrong idea. "I'm glad you're okay, Tifa." His voice is soft, his eyes on her. Satisfied that the hit she took is just superficial, one hand drops to his side while the other moves downward to brush over her fingers.
Briefly they slip between her own--but only briefly. Tips brushing over tips. Intentional.
It shows when he lifts his head, his Mako-tinged eyes full of warmth as he approaches her to check her arm. The cold look she'd seen throughout most of Midgar was gone. When his hands touch her arm, it's gentle; the motions almost like he were familiar with..this.
Touching her. When his fingers slide slowly up, she could be forgiven for potentially getting the wrong idea. "I'm glad you're okay, Tifa." His voice is soft, his eyes on her. Satisfied that the hit she took is just superficial, one hand drops to his side while the other moves downward to brush over her fingers.
Briefly they slip between her own--but only briefly. Tips brushing over tips. Intentional.
It's his clothes that are different, she realizes belatedly. His sword, too. But otherwise, he seems normal, right? The silent, brief nod of acknowledgement... it's just like him.
And then the goggles come off, and her eyes widen at the warmth in his. Lips part, but the words of confusion won't surface no matter what she tries, and she finds herself frozen in her shock as his fingers slide up her arm to inspect the wound. There's no chance to even begin to form the wrong impression; by the time she processes that he's touching her, and that he doesn't appear averse to doing so, his hand is already falling away.
It's part instinct that her own hand moves as if to follow, part years of longing, but her brain kicks back into gear in that same moment and she snatches it back, cradling it in her other hand as if his touch burned her somehow. She meets his gaze, unflinching, but there's a vulnerability there that she'd never confess to feeling. Not to mention the confusion.
"I don't understand," she says, and her voice is low, although some miracle keeps it from trembling. "You're... different."
And not in the way she had noted in the Slums: the change of years and hardship and training that made her almost afraid of him. She saw him just a few hours ago, and yet this change seems just as complete. How...?
And then the goggles come off, and her eyes widen at the warmth in his. Lips part, but the words of confusion won't surface no matter what she tries, and she finds herself frozen in her shock as his fingers slide up her arm to inspect the wound. There's no chance to even begin to form the wrong impression; by the time she processes that he's touching her, and that he doesn't appear averse to doing so, his hand is already falling away.
It's part instinct that her own hand moves as if to follow, part years of longing, but her brain kicks back into gear in that same moment and she snatches it back, cradling it in her other hand as if his touch burned her somehow. She meets his gaze, unflinching, but there's a vulnerability there that she'd never confess to feeling. Not to mention the confusion.
"I don't understand," she says, and her voice is low, although some miracle keeps it from trembling. "You're... different."
And not in the way she had noted in the Slums: the change of years and hardship and training that made her almost afraid of him. She saw him just a few hours ago, and yet this change seems just as complete. How...?
"What?" Cloud blinks, taking a slight step back. His boot scraps along the ground and there's a moment where he looks briefly hurt. Now that she mentions it, something does feel off about the area that they're in.
Something in the air, perhaps? He's about to press Tifa on what she could mean when he turns and catches sight of--"Midgar?" His attention, attitude, and stance changes completely, the blond turning to fully face it. The city looms as large as it ever did, even from this distance.
"It's..in one piece?" He's taking a step back from all of this--several steps back. He should be done seeing things. It was finished! Over!
Something in the air, perhaps? He's about to press Tifa on what she could mean when he turns and catches sight of--"Midgar?" His attention, attitude, and stance changes completely, the blond turning to fully face it. The city looms as large as it ever did, even from this distance.
"It's..in one piece?" He's taking a step back from all of this--several steps back. He should be done seeing things. It was finished! Over!
Edited 2020-06-03 05:51 (UTC)
The look in his eyes makes her heart hurt, and there's a moment where, despite her misgivings, she almost reaches for him. But then a few short things happen in quick succession, and suddenly Cloud is standing several steps further back from where he was, and uttering words that make her eyes narrow, her fists clench.
How can he say that Midgar is in one piece when Sector 7 is no more, when their friends are still lying buried in the combined rubble of plate and slums? When just a few short days ago he held her as she sobbed her pain into his shoulder? She whirls to face him, tears burning fresh in angry eyes... but then she sees the look in his, something almost wild, almost panicked.
"...Cloud?" Her fingers relax again, and Tifa takes a few hesitant steps towards him. "Talk to me. Whatever it is... I'm listening."
How can he say that Midgar is in one piece when Sector 7 is no more, when their friends are still lying buried in the combined rubble of plate and slums? When just a few short days ago he held her as she sobbed her pain into his shoulder? She whirls to face him, tears burning fresh in angry eyes... but then she sees the look in his, something almost wild, almost panicked.
"...Cloud?" Her fingers relax again, and Tifa takes a few hesitant steps towards him. "Talk to me. Whatever it is... I'm listening."
He let's out a little huff and motions in the direction of the massive city.
"Last time I saw this place, it was in ruins. All of it." More to the point, Tifa should know this. Then again, it did look like the party was splitting up when he was driving through all of that weird light...
"Hey." He turns to face Tifa once more, nodding in her direction. "I like the outfit, but you usually dress different. Were you out here training, or are you going somewhere?" He glances briefly just past Tifa towards Kalm before looking back to her.
Cloud seems like he already knows the answer, he just wants to make sure.
"Last time I saw this place, it was in ruins. All of it." More to the point, Tifa should know this. Then again, it did look like the party was splitting up when he was driving through all of that weird light...
"Hey." He turns to face Tifa once more, nodding in her direction. "I like the outfit, but you usually dress different. Were you out here training, or are you going somewhere?" He glances briefly just past Tifa towards Kalm before looking back to her.
Cloud seems like he already knows the answer, he just wants to make sure.
Ruins? She shakes her head, the distress clear on her face. He's not making any sense. It's bad enough that Sector 7 is gone; the thought of the entirety of the city being destroyed... all those lives... It makes her sick. But what does he mean, the last time he saw Midgar? They only just left Midgar, and it's been in view the entire time...
Her lips part, a question on the tip of her tongue, but then he speaks again, and...
Wait, her... her outfit...? For a few long, quiet seconds, her eyes search his. Is it possible...?
"We just left Midgar," she says, her voice soft. "We're going to Kalm. Sephiroth is alive; he killed President Shinra. We're going to find him."
If it is what she thinks, somehow, then that should be enough information... right?
Her lips part, a question on the tip of her tongue, but then he speaks again, and...
Wait, her... her outfit...? For a few long, quiet seconds, her eyes search his. Is it possible...?
"We just left Midgar," she says, her voice soft. "We're going to Kalm. Sephiroth is alive; he killed President Shinra. We're going to find him."
If it is what she thinks, somehow, then that should be enough information... right?
Then..all those things he saw on his way through that portal of light, they were--he was--?
Tifa can see him piecing it all together before he offers a soft, "Oh." in response. He doesn't say anything specific, but what he does follow up with really says it all.
"You're just starting out." As in not just Midgar being barely even the tipping point, but that Cloud himself is from the future. Question is: why did this happen at all?
Tifa can see him piecing it all together before he offers a soft, "Oh." in response. He doesn't say anything specific, but what he does follow up with really says it all.
"You're just starting out." As in not just Midgar being barely even the tipping point, but that Cloud himself is from the future. Question is: why did this happen at all?
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