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

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud flexed his arm, testing the bandage. Satisfied it was secure he looked back to Sephiroth with a smile. "Thank you, sir. I'll keep all of that in mind." This really wasn't the way he had wanted to meet Sephiroth in person, but at the same time it was great to meet the man so far away from the battlefield or ShinRa tower. He always looked so serious there. So cold and distant. This was proof he cared about others.

"What was the condition you saw before? Was it back on Gaia?"

[shinrasfinest]

"Hm." And there, job done, Sephiroth retreated some into that cold aloof shell that he presented to the world most of the time. The facade that Cloud and others across Gaia found so chilling and yet awe-inspiring at the same time. He stood back and seemed to straighten up a fraction, not that it were all that possible for him to, nodding to Cloud and then promptly turned to leave.

Cloud's further question met his back at the doorway to the hallway and he lightly grunted with a side-step back to half-face Cloud again. Silver hair flowing around his shoulders some with the motion, as always as if it had a life of it's own.

"Yes it was. But we're not on Gaia now, are we?"

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud opened his mouth to respond, but Sephiroth was already heading through the door before he could respond. This illness was plaguing him, but not nearly as much as the question of who he was to become here in this new world.

He wanted to be a hero, just like the man who he was just speaking to. But now that they were no longer on Gaia, did it still mean the same thing? The First Classes were on the same level he was now, but he couldn't help but see them as they were. They were still his goal just from memory and habit.

And then there was Tifa. Something was bothering her. Something about home maybe? It was hard to tell, but he wanted her to be happy. He knew that deep down.

He winced as another shock of pain ran through his arm. If he got through this, he'd have to work to stand up and protect his friends. They were all taking care of him right now. He'd have to make their trust in him worth it. He'd be the hero he always dreamed of. He could do it!