Cloud Strife (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
neverfirstclass) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
melodiesoflife2015-06-22 04:12 pm
neverfirstclass) wrote in melodiesoflife2015-06-22 04:12 pm
Entry tags:
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.
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.
Re: In Esdham - June 6th
"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.
Re: In Esdham - June 6th
"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?"