Event || The Empire Strikes Back

[melodiesmods]

Characters: Everyone participating in the event
Where: Aqures Ixen
When: July 27th to August 02nd
Summary: The battle for Aqures Ixen is about to begin! The Heroes of Light are going to do their best to defend Aqures Ixen, but will this be enough? Feel free to participate and reply to appropriate threads. New top-level threads will be posted regularly as the battle progresses.
Warning: N/A, will be updated.

July 27th || Mingle
July 28th || Bomb Defusing / Imperial Assault
July 29th || Mingle / Attack on the 13th District / Aerial Battles / Imperial Camp
July 30th || 14th District on Fire / The Hospital / Mognet Office Attacked
July 31st || The Fire Spreads / Betrayals
August 01st || The Second Wave / Ultima Weapon
August 02nd || Final

Comments

[forcegalactic]

That close, then. You go on a lot of adventures?

[This was the most Vincent has said so far. Barkeep's method is a successful. Time to continue Operation Gloomy Gossip.]

Oh. [A grins spreads across his face.] So there's some timeline hijinks goin' on here. Whoever's brought us here must love confusin' us with all these alternate universes and timelines, don't you link? Must love the trouble that comes from figurin' out what's goin' on.

How far along are you, compared to the others? You know all? They hidin' things from you? 'Cause I'm sure I'm from some sort of alternate timeline where Sparks never disappeared and he met his new girlfriend - which I set up, by the way - on account of how little he remembers happenin' recently in my timeline.

How's Cloud and Tifa, by they way? Never had much of a chance to talk to those two.

[bloodypast]

[Success is relative; it's because Vincent is being mannerly more than anything. Nor does he exactly care to try and turn it around on Barkeep, to get him talking at the moment.]

Cloud was working to perfect his paladin skills. Tifa is, I believe, currently in Crystal Stasis.

[Silent again--don't think he doesn't recognize your prying there Barkeep.]

You enjoy playing matchmaker then. [Time to turn this back away from himself, thanks.]

[forcegalactic]

Poor Tifa. Red's recently turned into a Crystal too, and poor Sparks still ain't over it.

[They were an item in this universe, weren't they? He sips from his glass.]

What? No, I'm just askin' about your friends, not plannin' to set them up! [He might has been, a little. He can't help but think of potential pairings between friends.] You're puttin' words in my mouth, Vincent, and I won't stand for it!

...Unless you're suggestin' that these two need to be together. Oh~ [He grins and raises a finger.] Thanks for tellin' me about 'em. You sayin' that they're real close already?

[bloodypast]

[Vincent just raised an eyebrow skeptically.]

I'm not putting words in your mouth. Do not put words in mine.

[Tifa and Cloud were complicated enough, as he'd observed. Never mind the difficulties here in Crystallis that added to it. Another swig of the beer, and Vincent stayed silent.]

[forcegalactic]

[Barkeep closes his eyes and shrugs.] I ain't sayin' that, Vincent, but thanks for the reminder.

[Not that he will remember this lesson. It's too late; he's already interested in how two strangers' love lives will turn out.]

How about we move onto another topic of conversation. Like yourself. How did you get to meet all those friends of yours?

[bloodypast]

[Vincent is watching you Barkeep, and is skeptical. He knows a 'gossip' when he meets one. At least the other man doesn't seem to be mean-spirited about it. So far; but Vincent is going to be very closed mouthed and watchful.]

Adventuring.

[forcegalactic]

What sort of adventuring are we talkin' about?

[He's certain there's a great story behind that, and he wants to hear it before they have to part ways.]

[bloodypast]

I was unaware there was more than one kind.

[Semantics, and Vincent was aware of it. It didn't mean his humor couldn't be dry and snarky at times. Another easy swig of beer, as he's not going to make it easy if Barkeep wants to continue to be nosey.]

[forcegalactic]

Well, there's the kind where you roam the plains, lookin' for whatever it is you're lookin' for. Then there's the kind where you leave home for a week, then come back with stories to tell. And there's the military kind, which ain't as interestin' but it counts.

[He does not move from his spot, staring at Vincent. He will make that man crack one day.]

[bloodypast]

[Good luck with that Barkeep. Vincent doesn't crack easily on many things. The things you might get a reaction from him on, you probably don't want, Barkeep.

Another swig of beer, as he just raised an eyebrow in turn at the stare.]

Sounds like some narrow definitions of adventuring.

[forcegalactic]

[Ugh! He gives up, Vincent's no fun. He lifts his glass, and grumbling turns to bubbles as he takes several gulps to finish his water.]

There's all kinds of adventures. I can't read minds anymore, so I can't tell what kinds you've been on unless you tell me.

[bloodypast]

[Vincent's perfectly 'fun' in the right circumstances. He just doesn't do well with nosiness. There might be a barest hint of smirk around the last swig of beer.]

A mind is a dangerous thing to read.

[forcegalactic]

You know what? You're right. That's why I didn't take to mind-readin' when I still had my space powers.

[He's a bit upset over the lack of conversation, so he picks up their empty glasses.]

Well, I got a lot of preparin' to do before tomorrow. I wish the best of luck to you.

[bloodypast]

[Vincent is far from upset. He has some measure of the Barkeep now, and will be prepared. Including what might be 'safe' conversation, should he choose to engage.]

Thank you for the drink. I'll be running messages tomorrow. Be safe and best of luck to you.