Leaving a public query

[neverfirstclass]

Characters: Cloud and Open
Where: At the Aqures Ixen bulletin board
When: 20th October
Summary: Cloud has developed a problem he's not sure what to do about. Medicine hasn't been helping.
Warnings: Icky skin problems

With things as they are, Mako didn't want to go delivering any letters so it was up to Cloud to post his query publicly and on his own. Well Mako was there, but mostly insisting that he has to supervise such things even if he couldn't deliver them on his own. Cloud rolled his eyes at his Moogle as he put up the notice, but deep down he didn't actually want to see the little fuzzbrain hurt either.

In fact, to make sure of this Cloud had decided to change his job. Those who have been used to seeing Cloud in mage gear will now find him wearing heavy armor and a gunblade slung over his shoulder.



To All Heroes of Light,

I know some of us are having problems with our jobs and some of us have also been getting sick. Has anyone else who was turned to crystal or got one of the new jobs also wound up with a black mark on their arms or any other part of their body?

I've tried using potions on it, but it doesn't seem to help. The doctors at the hospital don't think it's contagious but they're not sure what it is either.

If you know anything, I live at house A-13.

-Cloud Strife.

Cloud hung around the board for a few minutes after putting the notice up, just to see if anyone stopped by to read it. He stood by, ignoring Mako's griping about random things while absently rubbing his bandaged arm. After about 20 minutes he decided it was long enough and returned home.

Comments

[rhapsoidein]

Genesis, too, was not in her Monk gear. Instead, she picked something that she felt a bit better about but still not as close to her original fighting style. She wore Black Mage robes. She had debated on Red Mage, she didn't like not being to reach her full potential.

Genesis approached Cloud who was waiting by the notice board and took a moment to read it. Black mark? She took a moment to glance on her person, but found nothing.

"What black mark, Cloud? Like a brand?" Was Snow right after all?

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud glanced over at Genesis, giving her a nod as she approached. He was getting over the gender shock, but it still took him a moment to recognize her in the new gear. As for him, he was going out with the arms of his armor on account of his current condition. He wasn't expecting a fight, but still wanted to be prepared and also didn't want to do anything to exacerbate it.

He frowned a bit, fidgeting, and then undid some of the bandages. They were in need of a change anyway. The skin beneath was blotchy in some parts, bruised in others, and in the middle looked like it was cut, but it was a sticky black rather than blood. It wasn't actively bleeding or oozing, but it didn't look pleasant either.

"Do you have any idea what this could be? You were crystalized too. Are you okay?"

[rhapsoidein]

Genesis frowned at the black splotches. They didn't look like any type of brand, more like a reaction to something. Only black. Genesis shook her had at the cadet. "No, I don't have anything like that on me. I don't think this is because of the crystal stasis either. Everyone seems to be acting a bit... off."

But what could it be? First Shun running out of the house now Cloud getting some weird rash. What was next?

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud nodded, but his face fell a bit at the news. It's not like he wanted other people dealing with this but...it would have been reassuring if he wasn't the only one. If it wasn't related to the crystal stasis then what could it be?

He began to tug the bandages back into position, wincing as he did so. Judging by the coloring on them he was probably due to change them.

A-13 [Also Open to Caius if he's home?]

[shinrasfinest]

Aside from an occasional sniffle, Sephiroth hadn't yet succumbed to the illness that others might well have in a worse condition at this point. Though he did find he was having to take a nap in the afternoon due to creeping exhaustion he very much brushed it off as a side-effect from the mako that had woken up within him. He surmised it was going to take some time to adjust again - but thought nothing else of it.

He had come across Cloud's notice a little earlier at one of the bulletin boards and if anything was curious with regards to this strange mark. None of the other Heroes had mentioned anything of it bar Snow, and logic suggested that Cloud might have gone to Snow directly if it had been similar. Wasn't this the same guy who had recently come around from crystal stasis? There could be a connection there.

As for skin conditions, perhaps he could offer some assistance. Later in the day Cloud got a knock on his front door-

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud didn't answer immediately, but when he did he still had some bandages in his teeth. It seemed Sephiroth caught him in the middle of changing his bandages. A fresh wrap was being applied, but hadn't been completely secured yet. Cloud's eyes went wide and so too nearly his mouth when he saw who was waiting on the other side.

"S-sir! What can I do for you?"

aw Cloud lets try not to fan-gasm too hard! :D

[shinrasfinest]

It was one thing being referred to as 'Sir' over a note sent via the Mognet, it was quite another being addressed that way in the flesh. It was familiar, comfortable, yet Sephiroth really didn't need the scab picked off how he felt about home. Strange indeed how such a title was noticed more, now that he wasn't referred to that way by most people around him. But then, a quick appraisal of Cloud didn't trigger any recognition at all; maybe this young man was just polite in that way - it was endearing for sure. Nice to see someone with some respect.

Same appraisal also quickly discovered the reason he'd been waiting at the door for longer than he liked. Sephiroth's expression softened a little where it had been starting to harden up through irritation at being made to wait, close to sympathy but not quite there.

"Cloud, right? You left a message on the notice board-"

[neverfirstclass]

Oh how it would hurt Cloud to know that Sephiroth had no clue who he was. It was completely reasonable of course; the only times he'd ever been close to the First Class he'd been wearing his helmet, but even so. Perhaps if he had more time to work alongside the man back home, then he'd register more properly in Sephiroth's memory.

"Yes sir. Do you know anything about..." He didn't finish his sentence, instead tugging a strip of bandage down to show the splotchy and sticky marks on his skin. From the look of it, it wasn't simply a surface issue.

A-13

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie didn't usually believe in the act of using doors and in this case she knew exactly which room was Clouds. She needed to talk to him anyway, though the message on the board certainly worried her. After her conversation with Zack she wanted to have some words with the SOLDIER.

Mooshoo had decided to stay home for this trip so she was alone as she moved towards Clouds window. She knocked twice and then opened it, which for Yuffie, was a lot more polite than usual.

"Hey!"

Re: A-13

[neverfirstclass]

The knock had Cloud turning, but the last thing he expected to see was a ninja girl halfway through his window. He yelped a bit in surprise, jumping and tugging on the bandage he was fixing around his arm. It slipped a bit, showing the blackened and sticky bruise that had been spreading along it.

"What are you doing here?!"

A-13;

[thegreatninja]

"Ewwww" Her tone was flat as she wrinkled her nose at Clouds arm.

Yuffie finished climbing in the window and walked over towards Cloud. Her eyes shifted between his and the gross mark covering his bicep. "We need to talk! Also I wanted to see how you were doing. You left a message up."

she crossed her arms and gave him a look of disbelief. "Is it really a good idea to broadcast where you live on a public board?"

A-13;

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud blinked in surprise at Yuffie's audacity. Not just the barging in, but also the questions she was asking him. Was this girl serious?

"Y-yeah, why wouldn't it be?" It wasn't much of a secret that the heroes all lived close to each other, and back in Nibelheim he knew who all of his neighbors were. In such a small backwater it was impossible to vanish into a crowd that didn't exist. "Anyway, I'm fine I guess...except for this." He turned, showing the affected arm.

Bulletin Board

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda watched as Cloud posted the notice on the board. He didn't look harmed from far away but his new armor was noticeable. She walked up behind him and took a moment to read the notice without speaking. Kopu flew behind her and was now wearing a full green adventures outfit to match his hat. A danger hung at his belt but it looked more for show than it did for use.

"Are you alright?" Her voice was laced with concern as she looked over at her friend. So many were getting sick and Zelda was trying her best to help where she could. She was a decent healer but her skills felt useless with the heroes new troubles.

Re: Bulletin Board

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud glanced up distractedly, his mind having been miles away. He tugged absently at the bandages around his left arm. The strips were looking a bit dark now and he was muttering something to himself about needing to change them soon.

"Hmmm? Oh, Zelda, hey." He didn't answer the question. As much as he was looking for help, she was one of the few people he was starting to feel guilty about saddling with his problems. He wasn't actually used to having friends; he never had that many.

Bulletin Board

[goddessofthesky]

"Cloud?" Her voice made her worry apparent but it also held a stern tone. She knew that something was up by his lack of an answer and she wasn't going to take his silence for an answer.

Zleda's eyes moved towards his left arm as he fidgeted. She inhaled softly at the sight of the black bandages. "Cloud? Tell me what's wrong."

Bulletin Board

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud frowned, fidgeting a bit as he weighed his options. Finally he sighed and turned his left side toward her so she could see the darkened bandages wrapped around his arm. Gently, he unpeeled a band of it to show the blackened skin beneath.

"I woke up the other day and it was like this. I don't know what it is."

A-13

[jiyunotaika]

The moment he saw the notice at the bulletin board, he started making his way over to Cloud's house. On the way, he made a stop to pick up something. Zack will knock a few times to get the kid's attention and when the door opened, invited himself in. First stop, the kitchen.

"I brought soup. My mom always used to make it for me when I got sick," he said as he lifted up the container only to put it down on the counter.

Pulling off the lid he started opening up drawers to find a spoon to eat with. Yep, he's just going to make himself at home because Zack was going to look after Cloud for as long as he was sick. Make daily visits to check in on him, try curing him with his materia, bring him healthy foods so he doesn't have to worry about what to eat.

Re: A-13

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud sat up in his chair as he walked in. He was a little surprised at the intrusion but at least he knew who it was. Zack's company was welcome, even if unanticipated. He finished changing the bandage around his left arm and walked over to the kitchen.

"Thanks Zack. I appreciate it."

It didn't look like he had a cold or anything; Cloud seemed to be alert as ever. He was favoring his arm, using his right hand to almost exclusivity. Now and again he winced, glancing down at his bandaged arm shortly after.

[jiyunotaika]

It's probably something Cloud should get used to - him being around a lot. Zack already lived with Angeal so he spent plenty of time with his mentor and the blond was his closest friend. Besides, if he did get sick someone would have to keep an eye on him if he got to the point where he couldn't move.

He noticed it. Kind of hard not to considering he spent months taking care of the other guy after escaping ShinRa's mansion. But Zack doesn't ask about it. That's the nice thing about this place - Cloud isn't a comatose mess so he can talk about it when he wanted to. So when he's successful in finding a couple of spoons he moved everything over to the table and set it for the both of them.

"Well, come appreciate it before it gets cold."

A-13

[zodiac_brave]

At the tail-end of yet another nightly patrol around the city, Ramza circled back by the bulletin board to check for any updates on the situation. When he saw Cloud's note, he immediately set out for House A-13. He paused for a moment, remembering that this Cloud was not the one he knew...but he shook away that thought. Even if they were not the same person, even if it made Cloud think him mad, he owed it to the Cloud of Ivalice to do whatever he could to help his doppleganger.

He stepped up to the door and knocked before he could convince himself that he shouldn't. If medicine was not working for the blond man's injury, Ramza had something he wanted to try.

Re: A-13

[neverfirstclass]

It wasn't a long wait for Cloud to open the door. "Oh, Ramza. What do you need?" Cloud was dressed down for the evening, pants and shirt instead of the armor or mage clothes that Ramza might have seen him wearing around town. The short sleeve showed off the bandages wrapped around his left arm; they looked recently changed.

Re: A-13

[zodiac_brave]

Ramza glanced at the bandaged arm. "Your message on the bulletin board said you had a mysterious wound that medicines could not fix. I came to check on you." He said it as if it were the natural thing to do, to check in on someone you met on a street one time.

"Does it hurt?" he asked, gesturing at the arm in question.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Well, hello, neighbor. Part of Kaji is irritated at having to use the public message board, because there are some things that just can't or shouldn't be communicated so publicly. And this is one of those things. He can appreciate the need to get more info, but calling attention to the fact that he's injured? Why not just slap a giant target on your back there, Cloud?

He is curious enough to go to Cloud's house, rather than just returning to his own. Kaji knows very little about medicine, but this is something different, something new, and so Kaji wants to know what's going on. He knocks on Cloud's door and waits patiently.

[neverfirstclass]

It might not have been the smartest thing to do, security wise, but Cloud wanted help. He posted the message in good faith and for the time being he was being rewarded. If there were any enemies lurking about, they hadn't done anything to him yet.

Kaji winds up having to wait a few minutes, but Cloud opens the door partway and peers out. He doesn't exactly recognize the man in front of him apart from him being another one of the Heroes. "Can I help you?"

[iknowtheconsequences]

Kaji gives a slight smile and holds up a hand. Scholar robes are equipped, and he's unarmed. "Ryoji Kaji." He nods slightly to the next house over, A-14. "I'm over next door, and couldn't help but notice your message. Don't know how much I can help, but I've seen a lot of strange things from back in my world."

The smile turns into a smirk. "At least, I had to check on you, or if Ib gets word of this, she'll probably be trying to come over with tea and soup and stuff."