Preparing for Battle

[neverfirstclass]

Who: Cloud and OPEN
Where: Cloud's back yard at A-13 and around Aqures Ixen
When: Over time during the festival and leading up to August 3rd
What: Cloud makes his preparations, does some training, and could use a hand painting his new magitek armor
Warnings: None

[A letter goes out to all the Heroes of Aqures Ixen, carefully addressed so that it hopefully will not reach nefarious hands that have been known to intercept the mail before.]

Everyone,

I’m looking for an engineer to help me out with something. I don’t need anything made but I finally got a magitek armor of my own and I could use a hand with preparing it for when Palitutu arrives. I also have a motorcycle that was left to me by Graham and I want to make sure I know how to take care of it properly if it needs work. Any help at all is appreciated. Anyone else who wants to come lend a hand or just drop by is welcome too.

Cloud



Preparation - At the House

[Anyone coming up to house A-13 and knocking on the door won’t get a reply, but there are a few clues of where to go. The engine sounds of a motorcycle or a magitek armor can be heard from around the back of the house, depending on which Cloud is working on at the moment. A toolbox is laid open and the blonde Hero can be found poring over his two vehicular mounts, gently poking at a few things but avoiding anything major. The motorcycle looks like a custom job, built from parts available into a solid looking piece of equipment, as opposed to the models stolen from the empire. Likewise, the magitek armor looks similar but different, a bit bigger, a bit scarier looking, and white rather than the normal dark metal tones.

Zack leans over Cloud’s shoulder, the chocobo peering at the mechanics before him but it’s hard to tell if he comprehends what he’s seeing. For anyone who hasn’t seen the bird lately, his now black plumage has a lovely healthy shine from the sunlight coming down. A few feet from them are some cans of paint, none of them open just yet.

Mako, for his part, sits off to the side, thumbing through one of his usual books and lets Cloud know whenever someone joins them in the back yard. Cloud isn’t so wrapped up in everything that he’s missing all else going on around him, but between his focus and the noises close to him having a lookout helps.]





Training - In the back yard or at one of the many training spots in Aqures Ixen

[Days. Days are what they have. Time just seems to slip away and tumble and there’s never enough time to get ready when it counts. But Cloud is resolved to make every moment count. He remembers to eat and sleep and do his work, and he even takes some time to spend at the festival, but he pours his remaining moments into his training. It’s not out of desperation or fear, but a solid focus and wish to protect those around him. He doesn’t think they’ll win everything here and now, but that doesn’t make this upcoming battle count any less.

Several training dummies are left battered and broken in his wake, victims of his diligence. He practices with a variety of weapons, those he’s not using at a moment laid out waiting for use or maintenance. The Buster Sword, Zack’s sword, it sits there calmly waiting even though he’s unsure if he wants to use it. His shotgun style gunblade, it’s served him well as a Magitek Knight, he may need it again. The Fusion Swords, the six swords of his future self that could be combined and taken apart as needed. He’s been practicing with the individual ones more than the completed set, but he’s getting a handle on each. A greataxe, black mage staff and a shortspear all sit out on the table as well, alongside a shield that seems simple by comparison to some of his other equipment. Now and then, between rounds of training he looks it over, wondering if there’s something he can do with it.

He murmurs to himself as he inspects his equipment.] I can do this...I can make my own style. I can be my own Hero.

Comments

Training

[acceptedoblivion]

[Ira was passing by the houses and headed home when he heard a racket from behind one of the houses. Never one to really stop his own curiosity, he followed the noise before seeing the very much wrecked training dummies. About time he came across someone who was actively training for the battle to come. That it was an old acquaintance of his only seemed to assure the kid more.

Yet for a moment, he almost feels a pang of something like guilt or--dare he think it--sympathy when he accidentally overhears something. He could almost laugh at the irony of the statement, but only allows a smirk as he approaches.]

You know, I'm pretty sure those dummies had it coming. [He shifts slightly, resting a fist on his hip next to where his rapier and oddly-designed broadsword sit sheathed.] Been a while. Need a target that'll actually fight back, Cloud?

[It's the least he can offer having accidentally eavesdropped.]

Re: Training

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud stands in a half crouch in front of the broken dummy. He has one of the fusion swords in one hand and his gunblade in the other. He's done it a fatal blow to be sure, but he frowns as he considers his stance. The Pirate job offers him some dual wielding skill but he's not quite comfortable with it yet.

Ira's voice pulls him from his thoughts and he turns, a sheepish smile on his face at the joke.]

Maybe. I have all these swords designed to be used together but I've never really used two blades at once. How about you?

Re: Training

[acceptedoblivion]

Used to all the time back in the castle. Granted, the second was a summoned blade of darkness and not for an extended period of time, but...

[He shrugs, unsheathing his rapier.]

As for being unfamiliar with something... still getting used to this thing.

[It still feels far too light in his hand as to what he's used to. Like it'd break if he isn't careful.]

Re: Training

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud nods, getting Ira's meaning.]

This thing with the Jobs and the skills they give us is weird. Back home we needed to use special stones to use magic and I wound up as a Black Mage when I first arrived, able to cast spells on my own.

[Stepping up to another dummy he pauses a moment and then lungs in, unleashing a series of strikes on the target. The strokes are clean but he slows himself down as he thinks through each one.]

But even if the Job can guide my hand, I want to know what I'm doing myself.

Re: Training

[acceptedoblivion]

I know what you mean.

[Perhaps more than he wished to admit, considering his circumstance.]

Back home, we didn't need a system to grant us powers. Training, studying, or being deemed worthy was all it ever took.

[A beat, as he watches Cloud's movements and reaction speed.]

'Course, I didn't even get that. [A small, self-depreciating smile, before settling back to watch for a moment longer.]

Training - lets say one of the mornings at the Training Hall?

[shinrasfinest]

Cloud-

[Better think fast, a wooden training sword is coming flying at you as Sephiroth enters the room where Cloud is training this morning.

Having spotted the younger man around while he was finding a free room for his own routine to be gone through, he'd doubled back a short while later and picked up a couple of training swords from the equipment room-

One of which now needs to be caught-]

Re: Training - lets say one of the mornings at the Training Hall?

[neverfirstclass]

[Somehow, after all this time, Sephiroth's voice is one that no longer surprises him as much to hear. He turns quickly at the call of his name at the surprise arrival, but he is no longer so starstruck that it slows his response.

Which is a good thing considering what Sephiroth just did. A word flashes across his memory, something Zack told him once to explain a bruise: "Dumbapples".

Reaching behind him, he grabs one of his swords from the table, bringing it around to cut the thrown one out of the air.]

[shinrasfinest]

[Cloud's sword swipe hits true, the wooden training sword is smashed almost cleanly into two pieces which then separate and collide loudly with the walls several feet away. A quick humph of a noise indicates that it's not exactly what Sephiroth had in mind, and it certainly wasn't any game of Dumbapples that he'd been intending to play.

In fact from the way he's holding the other training sword, it seemed that the intention had been for a spar. Sephiroth relaxes his posture and slips the wooden rod down from a ready stance he'd adopted naturally.]

Nice-

[A quick compliment as the taller silver-haired man approaches where Cloud has all his weapons laid out, laying the wooden sword on the table to the far side of the real weapons.]

So much for inviting you to spar-

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud blinks as he finally takes in what's going on. He sees the sword in Sephiroth's hand and then looks to the shattered pieces of the other sword around him.]

I'm....I'm sorry. I just saw it coming at me and I reacted. I could go get another sword, I know they have a couple others.

[Cloud is halfway across the room before waiting for a response from Sephiroth, already feeling like he embarrassed himself in front of his hero.]

[shinrasfinest]

[The sharp slice of air sang through the air as, as if expecting Cloud to do just that Sephiroth pulls his own sword -all seven feet of Masamune- out and across to block the path in which the young infantryman would have been about to cross.]

Not necessary-

[He's quite convinced now that he's clearly misjudged exactly how well Cloud has been on top of training himself up. Part of him wonders when that happened, while the other is more interested in now pitting himself against the boy in truly finding out where that skill level capped out now.]

Are you ready?

preperation!

[grandsummon]

( it was the noise that drew yuna in, as she hadn't looked at her pile of letters for awhile now. but the sounds of something happening in the back of a house she passed by piqued her curiosity, and she found herself poking her head around the corner.

to her surprise, when mako announced her presence, she realized who was there with a— ) Oh! Cloud! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt...

Re: preperation!

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud turns at Mako's warning, so when Yuna speaks up he already has eyes on her. He'd offer her a wave but his hands are full with a few different cans of paint.]

No, it's fine. Did you get the letter I sent? Are you here to help me paint this thing?

[He nods back at the magitek armor, managing to look sinister with its gleaming white design, like a looming skeletal monster.]

[grandsummon]

( letter...? her momentary blank stare probably leaned towards no, but she seemed to look just beyond cloud to the array of tools and paint in the background with interest. )

You're... going to pain this machina? Really?

[neverfirstclass]

[There is a brief look of surprise on Cloud's face at Yuna's own confusion. He wasn't expecting many bites on his request, but he was a bit more surprised that she'd wandered over out of curiosity alone. Not that it's a bad thing.

He rallies quickly and puts a confident smile back on his face as he looks over at the paint cans.]

Yeah. I figure Palitutu will recognize the design of one of her armor suits, but I want her to know that it's mine now.

[grandsummon]

( she seems excited. she'd helped people repair shelters plenty of times back home, but for some reason dressing up a machina is a new experience. )

Have you decided on a colour? ( maybe they could do more than one! yuna's looking over the selection with more enthusiasm now. maybe you have purple... )

Preparation

[victorix]

[The rumble of motors strikes a nostalgic chord with Rikku, who arrives at a near sprint.

Zack gets a friendly smile as she circles the machines, sometimes hunching down for a closer look at this or that. A happy gleam in her eyes as she admires them. Then they vanish behind goggles.]

Hiya!

Re: Preparation

[neverfirstclass]

[Zack's trill gets Cloud's attention, giving him a bit more warning about this guest than he's had about others over the past few days. Setting a wrench back inside the toolbox he stands up, stretching as his back complains about being hunched over for so long.]

Hey Rikku. How are you doing?

Re: Preparation

[victorix]

[Her response is slightly delayed, having turned back to the machines.]

Me? I'm Great! I bet you're better with these beauties though, huh?

Re: Preparation

[neverfirstclass]

Just a bit. It's taken me forever to get one of these things, but I finally did. This was one of the prototype models in Palitutu's hidden lab in the sewers. I know Sonic took one. Not sure who took the other two.

[He walks over to the motorcycle and gives it a pat.</small.] And Graham built this for me before he went into stasis.

Re: Preparation

[victorix]

Oh yeah? Not Bad!

[She's clearly referring to the custom build, her enthusiasm belying the downplay she failed at attempting.]

I'll have to get to know this Graham when he wakes up and compare notes.

[It's her time to stretch, flexing her fingers. Reaching her hands up high. Though hers is anticipatory.]

In the meantime, I grew up working with machines. I'm happy to help show you how to maintain her so he doesn't throw things atcha when he wakes up and finds her all rusted!

Weapons and the like are my specialty though, with everything...coming - I'd like to take a look at that guy first, [a slight nod indicates the armor]

Training

[bloodypast]

[Vincent was headed to the do some training himself; he preferred to remain at a distance generally--and with the Ultima weapon it would be a necessity. But his hand-to-hand definitely shouldn't be allowed to suffer. It would also provide a good outlet for restlessness.

Stopping to observe Cloud for a moment, the comment while the other inspects his equipment is harder to hear. But when he does, it makes Vincent smile behind his mantle and cloak.]

Who is to say you have not already made your own style?

Re: Training

[neverfirstclass]

[Vincent's sudden arrival is surprising, but at least the soft tones of his voice keep him from surprising Cloud too badly. The blonde turns around and offers him a nod and a brief smile before looking back to his weapons.]

Maybe. I can use all of these, but I've gotten used to using this shield as well. If we had more time maybe I could have something special made.

[Ideas are starting to rise in his mind, mixing the different skills he's learned. But for this upcoming engagement with Palitutu he'll only have what he has at the ready.]

Mounted combat and shields can go together, but these weapons are too heavy for me to use all three...for now.

Re: Training

[bloodypast]

If we had more time, any number of options would open up to us.

[Albel might find a way to make bullets for Vincent's Death Penalty. Vincent might figure out how to wield the strange weapon he'd been left for Christmas--also called Death Penalty. Others might master more jobs, Palitutu might get sick...running the list of potentials down would be madness.]

From all that I can tell, you are your own person. A different person still, than the person I am used to--but you have his strengths.

[It's not a bad thing at all.]

Re: Training

[neverfirstclass]

I know. And I'm not worried about being compared to the other me anymore. I know it'll keep happening, but I can deal with it now. It's just something I've had to deal with in my own time.

[Turning around, he shoulders his shield on one arm while swinging the gunblade in the other.]

I'll be using the new armor in the upcoming fight...Levi's too, but I also mean the magitek armor I got. And I was thinking maybe if we make it through this I can find a way to make a shield that works like those swords. Something that I can change depending what I need.

Re: Training

[bloodypast]

[That brought a hint of amusement and warmth to Vincent's eyes and voice. Cloud already was becoming his own Hero, at least to Vincent's mind, with that thinking.]

If it helps, I have tried to view you as yourself ever since we first talked here.