[closed/open/whatever]

[shear_trigger]

Who: Squall Leonhart & Various & OPEN
What: Monthly catch-all for threads
When: Month of September
Where: Various locations in Crystallis
Warnings: To be announced


[ Closed to Castmates; House A-04 ]

[After the turbulent introduction of new heroes early this month, Squall is glad to find himself at home for at least a few hours. Between finding Zell awake, dealing with the aftermath of Palitutu’s plans and avoiding Selphie for her little sleep spell trick, Squall is happy find some solace in his home.

But even home, Squall finds himself working. On his kitchen table is a litter of maps and books that all have to do with Crystallis and the cities and towns inside of it. Squall has only been here for a few months, and compared to some other residents he doesn’t know as much as the others.

With the calamity getting worse, Squall is brainstorming a trip to visit the various effected sites.

His friends might find a way inside or he might answer the door. Either way, he can be found studying.]

[ OPEN; House A-04 ]

[Squall’s home is one of the smaller ones at the end of the block. It only houses two people but that suits Squall just fine. For all he knows as of right now he’s the sole occupant.

One (you) might be walking by when a loud bang is heard from the house and a stream of thick black smoke starts emanating from the back.

Following the smoke to the backyard is Squall and his Magitek Armor. He has grease smeared across his cheek as he holds a wrench and has a rather annoyed look on his face. The giant piece of gear sits smoking with a pile of ice elemental components stacked neatly next to it.]

...

[ Closed to Akane; University Training Rooms ]

[ As per contract, Squall is waiting for Akane to show up for her lessons. He’s slightly unsure about how to go about the entire lesson but he has some ideas on what to teach. Squall doesn’t think he’s a very good teacher. He’s a commander, he tells people what to do for a living, so that can’t be much different than teaching. ...Right?

Either way, he’s getting paid for this so he can’t complain. Whatever. A job is a job.

Squall is waiting for her in the designated room, dressed in simple black sweat pants and a white t shirt. After all, basics don’t require any armor or heavy gear. And if Akane needs help as she claims she does, this is fine for now.]

[ OPEN; Training Rooms ]

[Squall is a Warrior and a Magitek Knight. He can be found at various times of the day on several days of the week taking advantage of the training rooms.

In one instance he can be found in a training room practicing his sword skills. Specifically his Warrior skills. He’s adept already and quite talented. He moves with precision and ease. If you’re looking for a sparring partner he’s more than likely to take you up on the offer.

The second instance you might find him in is the target practice room. Indeed using his gunblade to take out targets with various elemental bullets. The shooting is loud but watching, you’ll find that Squall’s accuracy is near perfect. He wouldn’t be opposed to discussions on gunblades or other like weapons.]

Comments

Castmate Shenanigans~ September 8th

[boomchucka]

[Selphie had a feeling that Squall was going to avoid her after she'd used a sleep spell on him when they were back home. Sure enough, her feeling had paid off as she hadn't seen hide nor hair of him since they'd returned to Aqures Ixen. She'd tried to avoid her friends after something had happened when she'd returned and it hadn't really paid off so there was no way that she was going to let him do the same thing.

Unfortunately, Selphie isn't Yuri. Selphie is Selphie and she has a different type of ammunition to use against her Commander. Of course, she'd brought him a coffee and a danish and maybe a little something for his birthday but for now, Selphie was going to be decidedly Selphie. She walked with purpose up to his new home and promptly banged on the door.]

Squall, I know you're in there.

[You can't avoid your friends forever, Leonhart.]

[shear_trigger]

[He looks up from the table at the banging but as soon as he hears Selphie's voice he looks back down at the map he is marking out.

After her little stint putting him to sleep in the middle of a crisis situation he has no desire to speak with her. Maybe if he ignored her long enough she would just go away.

Though he knows deep down that the impromptu nap really did wonders for his exhaustion issues.]

[boomchucka]

[Oh? Is that how we're going to play today, Squall? She places the coffee cup and danish on the small perch on his mognet mailbox before she smiles ever-so-sweetly at the door of her Commanders home. That little stint with the sleep spell would be done as many times as necessary if it helped her friend even the tiniest bit.

Apparently though, Selphie would have to beat it into his thick, stubborn skull about trusting his friends and leaning on them instead of trying to do it all on his own again. Most people would probably try to break into the house or pick the lock on the door.

Selphie has another idea.]

Squall Leonhart. You have 30 seconds to open this door or I'm resorting to desperate measures.

[A pause.] Chocoboman.

[shear_trigger]

[What with that tone of voice? Was she his mother? He scowls and refuses to get up from his chair. Just go away Selphie.

Then a pause and that name. His eyebrow twitches.

No.

No he's not moving. Just ignore her.]

Making it up to Squall... hopefully (no particular date in mind)

[loudestseed]

[Shortly after finding out that this Squall was the real Squall, and not his doppelganger, and some time after seeing the Calamity for himself, Zell realized just how much of an ass he was to Squall when he thought he was the doppelganger instead. He felt really bad about it and wanted to make it up to Squall somehow.

Which is what found Zell at Squall's door, knocking a little hesitantly and shifting his weight from one foot to the other in uncertainty. Would Squall be upset at him for all that? Zell was a little too involved with his own emotions to try and figure out what it might have been like for Squall.]

Yo, uh, Squall? C-can we talk?

[He may have a bag full of as many sweets as he could find... He didn't even know if Squall would like them, but who didn't? Plus he saw Squall enjoying something sweet one time during their travels, so he knew Squall had to at least find them edible, even if it might not actually be enough for Squall to open the door to let him in...

He wondered if he'd have to apologize while standing awkwardly outside.]

[shear_trigger]

[After the last two rather strange conversations with Zell, Squall was unsure how to take the information he'd learned. With Yuna and Bartz already telling him about his timeline with them and then Zell telling him about doppelgangers and more, he's just...tired of hearing it?

It wasn't what he had expected from Zell either, his worry for his friend kind of just thrown back in his face. But things were somewhat clear now, aside from the rocky reunion.

When he hears the knock and the voice, Squall contemplates ignoring it and just going to take a nap. But unlike his avoidance of Selphie right now, Zell really hadn't done anything wrong aside from being confused. So he gets up a moment later and answers the door.

He doesn't say anything, just gestures Zell to come inside.]

[loudestseed]

[While Squall debated, Zell looked down towards the bag. Squall probably didn't even really like sweets. Just because Zell saw him enjoy one during one time didn't mean Squall liked them. Zell probably just wasted his time and money. It was probably stupid to even think of buying them for Squall anyway and he frowned down at the contents of the bag.

But then the door opened and Zell nearly jumped from surprise at the interruption to his internal battle. He swallowed his uncertainty and nodded at Squall before stepping into the house. He glanced down at the bag again before shoving it at Squall before he could second guess himself again.]

Sorry!

[He paused and sighed and shook his head.]

Everything was really kinda messed up for us after we saw him.

[He frowned deeper.]

It was one of the last things I remembered! So everythin' was still really... fresh! And I thought you were him 'cause there really ain't a difference with how you guys look. So I thought he was... I dunno, messin' with me or something!

[That wasn't quite it, either. But he really couldn't come to any conclusion on what would have been going on before he finally realized this was the real Squall.

Still, he was really only giving excuses, wasn't he?]

So I was an ass to you. I'm sorry. I... I shoulda known.

Training rooms [Sometime in September]

[shinrasfinest]

[On one such a day it just so happens that Squall isn't the only one that's decided to take the afternoon to hit up the Hero Training facility. Sephiroth's not sure how it's supposed to feel, going back so soon to a place he often has frequented in recent months when there is something now so different about his life here, but at the very least it could only have been a matter of time before that neglect towards his fitness and training would start to eat at the back of his conscious mind.

He hasn't come looking for a partner, either, but with wooden training katana in hand Sephiroth has folded it down his side as he's crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame leading into the room in which Squall is training.

Just watching, gauging...for the time being. He'd seen this particular Hero at his most green and now...well he seems to have grown into the Warrior Job, at least. Pride in someone else isn't something that he often feels but it stretches a light smile across his face on this occasion.]

[shear_trigger]

[There's a loud crack as Squall finishes an attack on a nearby target and he slows to a stop, reaching up to rub his wrist against his brow. It feels good to be moving and working and the feeling of his slowly aching muscles is the prize he gets for a good workout. It's a good feeling and keeping busy is something he's keen about.

His eyes flicker to the entrance as he feels a visitor watching. Seeing Sephiroth he quirks a brow. The last time he saw this man he'd seen the man work his sword and skills with ease and expertise.

He grips his practice sword and turns to Sephiroth with clear challenge in his eyes.]

...Busy?

[shinrasfinest]

[Ah, that perpetual ache that both punishes and rewards a workout. If he's not aching the next day, or the day after that then he simply didn't push himself far enough. Even moreso now that Sephiroth has even a shade of those mako-infused limitations returned to him.

A carefully arched eyebrow is slowly pulled back down into neutral as Squall first notices and then turns to address him. Giving the illusion that he really does have all day the silver-haired man seems to slide back onto his own feet and unfold his arms before taking the time to step into the room properly.]

Not so much.

[Extending his wooden sword out to the one side Sephiroth rolls his shoulders back and then shrugs his head from one side to the other. Shoulders are a little on the tense side, but they'd loosen up soon enough. He connects well with the obvious challenge that sits in Squall's expression and casts a flash of a light smile in recognition.]

You seem to be adapting well, now.

Training Rooms

[21stcenturyguy]

[Santa's not really interested in warrior training. He has magic based jobs, and he does hand to hand sparring with Duster to keep in shape. Weapons are...not his specialty. But he does wanna find out more about this new guy Akane's hanging out with. Pretty boy brunets are kind of her weakness.

...the gun sword thing's kinda cool, he guesses. Totally impractical, but flashy.]

So, what, you didn't have enough belts on to hold a sword and a gun?

[Because saying 'Hello' to start out a conversation is for polite people.]

[shear_trigger]

[Squall pauses, lowering his weapon and side eyes the newcomer. His eyes narrow into a cold glare as he regards him carefully.]

...Can I help you? Or are you randomly drive by insulting every stranger you meet.

[21stcenturyguy]

Pretty much. [Santa shrugs. He's never pretended to not be an asshole.]

But yeah, you can help me. You're the one training Akane on the mech armor, right?

Training Rooms

[pot_head]

[Coming from a world that doesn't have guns, Donnel follows the 'odd noise' until he finds the source. He's not entirely sure what he's looking at, but boy is it impressive.]

Wow...!

[shear_trigger]

[Squall manages to pause just enough to glance over at Donnel. Was he wow-ing at him or...? He doesn't say anything and just goes back to his shooting.

Whatever.]

[pot_head]

[Welp, since he's been noticed-]

What kinda weapon is that? I ain't ever seen one like it before.

[sesenta]

[He needn't wait that long. Akane arrives punctually, because she's polite to her teachers, especially if she's paying them. Her long brown hair is pulled into a ponytail over her shoulder to keep it from getting in her face, and her time mage robes are...rather inexpertly hemmed up to her knees with a series of clothespins. Now she won't trip over them in her boots! Mission: Success!]

[Gripped in her hands is her staff, meant to amplify her magic power as well as provide some means of physical defense and offense if something gets too close to her. She looks about as ready as a person can, her face somewhat flushed from the morning exercise, and beaming cheerfully for the lessons to come.]

Good morning, sen-- Squall!

[Akane bows at the waist, staff held in front of her.]

I'm ready to start whenever you are. Should I take off my boots?

[shear_trigger]

[Squall nods to her in greeting as she comes in.]

Sure, it’ll be easier for you to maneuver in here.

[The room is a basic training room with mats on the floors. Simple, but effective. He moves away from the wall he had been leaning on and picks up his gunblade. He checks it carefully for a moment.

After a brief conversation with her brother earlier, Squall might be a little more standoffish to conversation than their last meeting. So he gets right to business.]

Since you’re a mage, your weakness is enemies getting close to you. So we’ll start right with what do to if someone like me attacks you head on.

[He gestures for her to come to the mats.]

[sesenta]

All right, just a second.

[She puts her staff down, leaning her back against the wall as she kicks one leg up to loosen the strap of her boot and pull it off, then doing the same for the other. Her socks have chocobos on them. If she'd known he talked to Santa, she might be apologizing right now. But she's blissfully ignorant.]

Getting close to me? Ah...you're right.

[Her cheeks pinken somewhat. But she nods, hoisting up her staff again. Carefully she steps onto the mat, her feet sinking slightly into the softer surface. She turns to face Squall and furrows her brow as she gathers her determination.]

Ready! ...Should I use my abilities, or just go about it as if I didn't have any powers at all?

House A-04

[unyieldingspirit]

[…she breaks into a run when she spots the smoke because that does indeed seem like Bad News. But at least it seems contained…?]

Ah… is it a customisation job gone wrong? [judging by the components he's got, anyway.]

[shear_trigger]

[A visitor is the last thing he expects, but with all the noise he just made, he supposes that's rational.]

Unfortunately... It's a new piece of gear.

[unyieldingspirit]

[there was an awful lot of it, it's true.]

Mm. What did you want to do with it? [can she help?]

OPEN TO CASTMTES [SQUALL'S HOUSE]

[venality]

[Seifer managed to it here in one piece, and now he had his home assignment to get situated in. Apparently he had a roommate and here he was hoping he'd get to go it alone. It wasn't like he wasn't used to having one, he had one back at garden who had been kind of a nerd and a neat freak. He just hoped his new roommate was an okay guy, and he followed whatever the hell he wanted, because he enjoyed being the boss of his domain.

Mars flanked his right side as he walked up the steps, he knocked on the door once, then twice as he waited. The guy better not make him wait, he hated waiting.]

[shear_trigger]

[Blizzara had told him this morning that a new hero had been assigned to his house as a roommate. Initially, Squall had been annoyed. The whole reason why he moved out of Sheena's house was because he couldn't stand having roommates. Nothing against Sheena, it's just a Squall thing.

His house is on the smaller side, only a two bedroom house with enough room in the backyard to work on his Magitek gear. A small kitchen, den and only one bathroom. He likes it, and he really doesn't feel like having a roommates. Zell is over invading his space enough as it is.

Hearing the knocks, Squall lifts his gaze from his book and sighs. Here we go. He goes to answer the door, already looking exasperated.]

..........

[At the sight of Almasy, his expression changes from exasperated to surprised. When did Seifer arrive in Crystallis...? It's... a shock. And... He's not sure how to feel right now.]

It's you.

I LOVE HOW YOU SAY IT'S SQUALL'S HOUSE lol!!! (set a day or two after Seifer showed up)

[loudestseed]

[Zell hadn't even been looking for Seifer. He'd wanted to talk to Squall... and yeah, Seifer may have been a part of what he wanted to talk about. Really, he should have reported Seifer's presence immediately after seeing him in the city, but Zell had still felt pretty bad about what he said, no matter how much of an asshole Seifer was and how fresh the memories were of being literal enemies.

He certainly hadn't expected to see Seifer when he showed up at Squall's house. There was a moment when he just stared at him in shock, then...]

The hell you doin' here?!

[... Isn't that how he greeted him just the other day?]