melodiesoflife | Business Before Pleasure (Backdated to June 5-7)

Entry tags:

[ou] cloud strife

Business Before Pleasure (Backdated to June 5-7)

Who: Cloud and open to anyone who didn't go to the beach. Third prompt open to all.
What: Cloud embarks on a little intel mission to unlock Paladin
Where: Airship, Esdham, Aqures Ixen

Flight to Esdham - June 5

Cloud sighed as he leaned over the railing. He wasn't sick this time, mostly anyway. He rolled the vial that once held a remedy in it between his fingers as he watched the scenery go by. It was expensive, but it was worth it to not be completely debilitated by his motion sickness. Maybe with enough time he'd be able to do without it. He still felt a bit uneven but at least his stomach wasn't churning.

As he looked out over the horizon he almost imagined he could see Balicae and the beach. He was looking forward to the party there. It would have been a nice bit of fun for everyone. And then he looked at the airship schedules and his heart had sank. The only way he was going to get this done in time to prep for Fairy Tail's trip to Stiltzkin's Castle was to skip the party and take this flight. The one returning from Balicae today would never get him back in time. Even going overland by chocobo ran the risk of taking too long.

The others would probably scold him when they got back. Tell him he should loosen up and have fun but...if things were getting as dangerous as he feared then he needed to be able to protect his friends. All the other heroes. This would be worth it. There would be other chances to have fun.

Esdham - June 6

In the end, the job he had to do in Esdham was a quick one. It took a few hours to wait and speak to the right people within the city's military before he got the information that he came for. Biggs had asked him to gather what information they had on any Imperial troop movements. Cloud opted to take the direct route and went to the Military Headquarters and was completely honest about his purpose and even threw around a few salutes where habit kicked in.

In truth there wasn't much to report. The Imperials hadn't moved much at all outside of anything normal. They must have been too busy dealing with the current crisis of the crystal...stuff. Nothing to report was better than a crisis, but he still felt a little like his time was wasted on this trip. It'd be worth it, he reminded himself.

He almost asked about Sephiroth before remembering the man was still in crystal stasis back in Aqures Ixen. A little bit of him was hoping that he would have returned by now.

After hanging around the base a little longer out of curiosity he still found himself with the rest of the day and evening to kill before he and those who came with him to go back home. Maybe going to the coliseum would be a good idea. Or check the weapon shops for some new gear. There didn't seem much else to do around here.

He stood on the street, frowning as he mulled over his options.

Back in Aqures Ixen - June 7th and Onward

Back home, Cloud wasted little time in reporting what they had learned and receiving his new job. Another sweep of the local shops for gear was in order and then he set about training to get ready for the upcoming mission. Even if the castle was going to somehow change his skill level he still wanted to feel ready before then.

When not busy with working at the Chocobo Ranch or visiting other heroes or anything else, Cloud could be found out in the field or at the training dummy at the observatory. It had been a while since he wore heavier armor and the shield was a new addition. The young man was dutiful in his practice. Perhaps excessively so.

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During his shopping for supplies, one of the first places Vincent went was the observatory. Ophelia had informed him it was being set up as a base of operations for the Heroes of Light. Seemed the best choice to him to start orienting himself to this new life and existence.

Taking his time reading the records, getting his bearings, and surprised (and amused) to find a familiar face going at the training dummy. While the Cloud Strife Vincent was familiar with often carried over-sized swords, seeing him with heavier armor and a shield was new. The gunslinger was careful to observe and not interrupt as he watched and waited off to the side.

Perhaps Cloud was also working out his own frustrations from whatever strange phenomena that had whisked them away and into each other's memories. Vincent had not seen Cloud's own, nor had the blonde-haired swordsman visited the gunslinger's... From Ophelia, and Mooshoo's, panic however Vincent was able to conclude a large number of heroes had vanished.

Cloud was keeping decent pace in his new gear. His experience as a Magitek Knight prepared him for the weight, but having a sword and shield was still a bit different than the gunblade he had been using. This job wasn't quite right for the buster sword that he received from Jessie, so for now he was sticking with what he knew would work.

He moved around the dummy, striking at it with his sword. The dummy didn't offer much for shield practice so he did as he could on his own, smacking it with his shield and lunging with it to feel how it felt and where its balance held.

Focused as he was, Vincent's presence wasn't something that leaked into his awareness, though he did have that tickle at the back of his neck that he was being watched from somewhere.

Seeing Cloud with a shield was new, and Vincent could easily see traces of the Spikey-blond soldier he knew, in this version. Especially in how he was moving, and the determination and focus. It was comforting to once more find familiarity in unfamiliar situations.

Waiting until it seemed to be a good breaking point for the other, only then did Vincent move closer. Close enough to be noticed now, to interrupt when Cloud wanted to pay attention to it. Otherwise he was silent and patient.

Cloud kept his practice up for a few moments longer before be noticed Vincent drawing near. Slowing down and finishing his follow through he then sheathed his sword and turned around. He still managed to be surprised by who was watching, not expecting Vincent compared to any other number of heroes who might have wandered in.

"Vincent...hey...is everything okay?"

"I am fine." Everything, considering they were all on the verge of war in a new world, with new skills, was ok. Really, Vincent was trying to be practical and optimistic.

"I have never seen you with a shield before. Which job?"

"Paladin. From what we were told, our experience with a job is reversed in Stiltzkin's Castle. Since this is a new job for me I should be able to defend the others in there." He frowned, looking a bit unhappy, "I missed the trip to the beach to get it though."

Dark Knight was another job on his list to get as well. He'd be able to use the sword Zack left behind with that one.

Vincent wasn't that fond of the beach, but he could understand why the other would be upset at missing it. "Your dedication has always been impressive." He commented instead, choosing to encourage this younger version of the swordsman he was familiar with. "What is Stiltzkin's castle?"

"It's a ruin on an island southwest of the Imperial Capital. There was a research facility there that we had to liberate some of the other heroes from a few months ago...well the others did. I was trying to follow Tifa and I got stuck in the capital."

Cloud went on to describe what he was told: that there was a crystal in the lowest level of the place and that some strange happening occurred. Since then the crystal had been spreading like a fungus and the castle was soon to be swallowed up.

"I don't know if anything useful is there...but it's our only chance to check."

As usual, the stoic gunman listened patiently and did not reply right away once Cloud was finished. Pondering what he'd been told, fitting it with information he'd learned or read already. Part of why he was at the observatory in the first place was to read the records kept there.

"Better that several people check, just in case." Nodding and agreeing with the logic. "I am here to see the records and read what information has been gathered, now that I am somewhat settled in."

"That's the plan. Better to go with a group." Cloud had already died once in this world and he wasn't about to be reckless and let it happen again. At least he wasn't going to let it happen by doing something dumb like exploring a castle on his own.

"Zelda's been really good about keeping track of the information we've been getting. She should be able to help you out."

"I have talked with her before. That was my ultimate goal for today as well." He'd simply decided to look around before then. Best to know one's environment, especially if it was friendly and used often.

[Cloud nods and pulls his sword and shield back out.] I'll probably be busy here for a while. I want to be sure I'm ready.

Vincent nodded in return and watched Cloud for a moment more. Worrying about being ready, was a trait this younger version shared with the spike-haired blonde Vincent was familiar with. He debated with himself for a few moments, before speaking again.

"Be safe."

Then he turned to leave Cloud to his practice, as the gunslinger went to explore the observatory more.

"I've sure got a knack for finding you like this, don't I?"

A gentle touch reaches out to hold tight to the shoulder of the poor, addled young man. Her body leaned against his, only for a moment, to make him more aware of her existence so that he was sure that her vision wasn't some sort of mirage concocted by the churning sensations in his stomach.

"I always forget that you're prone to this sort of thing. Your older self seldom got sick, but then again you were always the one at the wheel, in most cases."

The hand runs down his shoulder, settling to the middle of his back to circle around and try to ease some of his pain.

"So, were you going to leave without telling me, or were you assuming I'd tag along?"

Cloud jumps as he hears the voice and the touch to his shoulder. He really wasn't expecting her to be there at all. The shocked look on his face as he turns around is comical but at least he looks better than he has on previous airship flights in this world. The remedy was doing its job. As for why the future version of himself didn't have the same problems, he had a feeling it had to do with what Hojo did to him...was going to do to him...

"Tifa...I didn't know...I thought you were going to that beach party." It just seemed like something she'd be interested in. He wasn't trying to make assumptions or avoid her, he just figured that's what was going on.

"Actually...I don't know. I didn't want you to miss out on the fun at the beach while I did this. I mean, if all goes well I just need to go talk to a few people." He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, "I guess I just thought it wasn't a big deal. So how did you find out?"

Edited 2015-06-26 19:44 (UTC)

She laughs in her smile, her closed lips leaving the sound of her soft chuckle a bit dampened as she goes to lean against the nearest solid wall. Arms cross over her chest as she speaks, getting a good look at him as she finally lifts her head.

"I can go to the beach any time. Besides, I'd rather go when I've the chance to go with someone worth while being there."

Fingers push a bit of hair behind her ear as she clears her throat.

"You'll find in a few years from now that I'm not just good at being a "tour guide". Keeping an eye or two on people, tracking them down, it all comes with becoming a member of AVALANCHE."

Cloud moves with Tifa. Getting away from the railing is comforting, even if it messes with his senses a bit. Being by the railing let him at least see the ground go by to help mitigate the natural shaking of the craft.

A blush came over his cheeks as she spoke. She didn't have to say who she thought was worth going with. And then there was that little brush of her hair. Why was she always so pretty.

"I...uh...I guess so. At least tell me you don't wear that silly outfit from when you were running the tours. I heard your dad made you wear it to drum up sales?" She did look pretty cute in it but he had to admit it looked pretty dumb in a mountain town.

Tifa gives Cloud a rather hard stare. Her lips shift into a pout as she crosses her arms tighter against her chest.

"Here we are on an airship and all you can ask about is something that my Dad made me wear?"

She turns her head to the side as an exaggerated sigh is pushed out past her lips.

"Such a romantic.. I didn't wear it all the time, just when we'd get some really big customers coming through the town. ShinRa was a good enough cause to roll out the "big guns"."

A hand comes to slap herself in the forehead. One, for explaining her attire as a way to please customers. Two, for referencing her attire as "the big guns".

"Any ways. What's the trip for? Meeting some one? Going out on a job? You don't strike me as the sort who'd be helping to make a delivery or anything like that. The city has a couple of courier jobs, don't they?"

In all honesty he was trying to focus on her and not the fact that he was on an airship. He was keeping his airsickness under control but it was still mostly mind over matter. Before he could even think about it too long though Tifa reacted to her own words first and Cloud couldn't help but laugh. It was a pure and honest laugh, his eyes closing as he briefly doubled over.

"Hah...sorry. Heh heh. Captain Biggs asked me to check on some of Esdham's intel. In exchange he's going to get me the Paladin job. Some of us might be going to Stiltzkin's castle and I want to be prepared." He rolled up his sleeve to show the Fairy Tail guild mark on his right upper arm.

"I joined Levy's guild. And sorry for bringing up the outfit. I'm glad you're here. At least I have some good company for this trip." His grin remained but he felt more and more awkward the more he spoke.

Ashelia exited the military headquarters not far behind her traveling companion. She looked just as satisfied with the results of the investigation as Cloud did - not at all. What had been the purpose of sending them here when there was nothing to find out? Surely this communication - that is, nothing - could have been made without involving the Heroes of Light.

She rubbed the back of her neck, sighing audibly as she caught up with Cloud. "And there we have it. Sent on a fool's errand when a privately couriered message could have delivered such scintillating, confidential information with just as much effectiveness - nay, even more so."

Cloud glanced sidelong at Ashe and shrugged. "Sometimes I wonder what's really going on here. The cities seem fine, but Biggs and Wedge and Jessie...Well, at least I know Biggs means well, but it's like you said. Why send us if he's the one in charge."

He looked over a shoulder at the building behind them, "I wonder if relations between the nations are worse than most people think." For a world that was so connected, it seemed like there were some pretty hard barriers between the nations.

"I'm sure Wedge means well," Ashelia agreed, "and Jessie...is as aloof as a scientist at the forefront of her industry might be." Ashe had given up being suspicious of the trio several months back - if they were playing all the Heroes for fools, they were more devious than Kalki herself.

"With the Queen gone, that is entirely possible." The young queen began walking, her speed indicating she wasn't headed anywhere in particular. "There has been much political upheaval in recent years from the sounds of things. Foreign policy often leans towards isolationism in such uncertain times." She nodded slowly along with her own thoughts.

"Though Garland and Kalki's coup was years ago, the speed with which the Empire developed, their stone wall of silence and their complete destruction of Roalie almost necessitates such policy." Ashe remembered how isolated she'd felt after her uncle had announced her suicide, prompting years of silence between them.

Cloud looked to Ashe and cast her a smile as he began to walk with her. He was glad to have a moment to talk with her and their fruitless meeting had him all wound up. The walk would help with that.

"I guess that's true. And if that dream is any clue then Kalki may be the same person from back then, so she has a bit of an advantage if she knows about...the past? The future? I dunno." He sighed and shook his head. The images of the other him were less and less clear each day but important notes stuck. Still it gave him a bit of a headache to try to unmuddle the two sets of memories.

"Besides. I'm just a soldier. Politics and foreign policy isn't really my area." He shot her another grin, letting her know he was mostly joking, "So what do we know about the Queen? I know a couple things here and there but I mean, why would she disappear? She did it on her own, right? Did she do it to hide from Garland and Kalki?"

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Business Before Pleasure (Backdated to June 5-7)

~~around June 9thish?

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Flight to Edsham - June 5

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Re: Flight to Edsham - June 5

Re: Flight to Edsham - June 5

Re: Flight to Edsham - June 5

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In Esdham - June 6th

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Re: In Esdham - June 6th

Re: In Esdham - June 6th