My dream is but a fal'Cie's fancy now.

Greetings. This is Cid Raines, Brigadier General of the Sanctum Skyfleet, Commander of the Wide-area Response Brigade (unofficially known as the Cavalry) and the cruiser-class airship Lindblum, Acting Primarch of Cocoon, and l'Cie of the Cocoon fal'Cie Barthandelus. Brigadier General of the Sanctum Skyfleet known as "the Cavalry". Despite overseeing an expansive area, Cid has established a reputation for being uick to report when an incident occurs. The Masterlist | The Roleplayer

[cocoonlcie-blog]

-ignis started following you

Cid knew a smart man when he saw one, especially one of high reputation. After all, he's been around army superiors and government leaders all his military life. A figure like the man in front of him easily made that impression.

"Salutations," Cid said before extending his hand for a traditional handshake. "My name is Cid Raines."

[cocoonlcie-blog]

damnidealism:

cocoonlcie:

damnidealism:

Rygdea smiled a little wider at Cid’s reply and the grin that followed. Damn, but he’d missed him. He leaned forward in his seat eagerly, elbows on the table and arms crossed in front of him. “Course I do, just don’t have it switched on just yet,” He joked, biting his lip, then letting his expression soften as he looked at Cid pointedly. “Was too glad to see ya… Leave was good, for the first few days.” He heaved a sigh. “Now it’s boring.”

“Boring how? Or more importantly, boring… why?” He asked Rygdea as the drinks arrived. Of course, he’s segue into all the when’s, where’s, what’s, and who’s later. “And besides. We are far better off getting bored than being attacked by a mad clown, which, I believe, has happened far too often in my lifetime. Good thing I banished that demon, but knowing that thing…” Cid sighed, reminiscing. 

“Hah!” Rygdea barked a laugh, remembering Kefka, and shaking his head. “Oh yeah, way better off, I’ll drink to that.” He agreed readily, taking a sip of his drink. “Why?” He shrugged both shoulders, setting the drink down again. “Eh, I went exploring first. You know, seeing new places, meetin’ weird new people, and that was cool…” He took another short drink before looking at Cid again. “But I started t’miss the old ones.”

"Likewise. Unfortunately, I haven't seen them around a lot lately." As much as he hated to admit it, it was true. "Well, at least you had a break. The Pulse settlements needed close attention for a month so we could keep records of resources. It's tedious, repetitive work, let me tell you that. It did loosen up after we completed the statistics, so here I am." Cid smiled with a warm energy which has been absent from him for weeks. 

[cocoonlcie-blog]

damnidealism:

cocoonlcie:

damnidealism:

cocoonlcie:

His eyes scan the now-familiar grounds. For some reason, he’s taken quite a liking to the place, and chuckles whenever he remembers the time when he despised the drab and gray mediocrity of the city. Now, it only means one thing to him: home. That’s all Edge has ever been to him following the destruction of Eden, even though it took some time for him to accept it.

Things have gotten so simple ever since… the incident. With Pulsian settlements doing well on their own and this city not getting destroyed ever so often, the shoes he’s filling got several sizes smaller. The big problems are yesterday’s problems. 

Today, Cid Raines enters 7th Heaven and asks at the counter for a drink.

Rygdea had been sitting in a booth sighing regularly for perhaps half an hour now, wondering when his life had started to change so much. After Barthandelus and Eden’s downfall, he had managed to adapt well enough. Things were new, interesting, differenty, and even though a lot had been lost, there was a hope in the people that hadn’t been there before. Change and freedom was in the air, and he took both with open arms.

Everything had been going well. He’d been meeting new people, learning new things… He smiled vaguely to himself. And Cid… That had been surprising, to say the least. Not that he hadn’t wanted it, he just never believed it would happen. And damn, but he missed him… ‘Time off’ was not working out…  He sighed again and flicked the umbrella in his drink again. He wasn’t even sure what he was drinking…

He frowned gently as he felt a draught as the door opened, wondering who the new arrival was, if it was Fang or someone he could share his drink with. He almost fell sideways out of his seat when he saw that black hair, the uniform… It couldn’t be!

“C-Cid!” He said, grinning suddenly and stumbling out of his seat. “Speak o’ the Devil and he shall appear, I was just thinkin’ bout you!” He said with a wink.

“And I you,” Cid replies as a smug grin graces his features. Cid sits across the table from Rygdea and ordered a drink for both of them. “How has your leave been treating you?” he asks energetically. “Still got that natural charm?” He laughs at the fond memory.  

Rygdea smiled a little wider at Cid’s reply and the grin that followed. Damn, but he’d missed him. He leaned forward in his seat eagerly, elbows on the table and arms crossed in front of him. “Course I do, just don’t have it switched on just yet,” He joked, biting his lip, then letting his expression soften as he looked at Cid pointedly. “Was too glad to see ya… Leave was good, for the first few days.” He heaved a sigh. “Now it’s boring.”

"Boring how? Or more importantly, boring... why?" He asked Rygdea as the drinks arrived. Of course, he's segue into all the when's, where's, what's, and who's later. "And besides. We are far better off getting bored than being attacked by a mad clown, which, I believe, has happened far too often in my lifetime. Good thing I banished that demon, but knowing that thing..." Cid sighed, reminiscing. 

[cocoonlcie-blog]

damnidealism:

cocoonlcie:

His eyes scan the now-familiar grounds. For some reason, he’s taken quite a liking to the place, and chuckles whenever he remembers the time when he despised the drab and gray mediocrity of the city. Now, it only means one thing to him: home. That’s all Edge has ever been to him following the destruction of Eden, even though it took some time for him to accept it.

Things have gotten so simple ever since… the incident. With Pulsian settlements doing well on their own and this city not getting destroyed ever so often, the shoes he’s filling got several sizes smaller. The big problems are yesterday’s problems. 

Today, Cid Raines enters 7th Heaven and asks at the counter for a drink.

Rygdea had been sitting in a booth sighing regularly for perhaps half an hour now, wondering when his life had started to change so much. After Barthandelus and Eden’s downfall, he had managed to adapt well enough. Things were new, interesting, differenty, and even though a lot had been lost, there was a hope in the people that hadn’t been there before. Change and freedom was in the air, and he took both with open arms.

Everything had been going well. He’d been meeting new people, learning new things… He smiled vaguely to himself. And Cid… That had been surprising, to say the least. Not that he hadn’t wanted it, he just never believed it would happen. And damn, but he missed him… ‘Time off’ was not working out…  He sighed again and flicked the umbrella in his drink again. He wasn’t even sure what he was drinking…

He frowned gently as he felt a draught as the door opened, wondering who the new arrival was, if it was Fang or someone he could share his drink with. He almost fell sideways out of his seat when he saw that black hair, the uniform… It couldn’t be!

“C-Cid!” He said, grinning suddenly and stumbling out of his seat. “Speak o’ the Devil and he shall appear, I was just thinkin’ bout you!” He said with a wink.

"And I you," Cid replies as a smug grin graces his features. Cid sits across the table from Rygdea and ordered a drink for both of them. "How has your leave been treating you?" he asks energetically. "Still got that natural charm?" He laughs at the fond memory.  

[crystallinus-blog]

[cocoonlcie-blog]

damnidealism:

crystallinus:

Second Version.

…… ;D

That's not the way to my room, Ryg.

[cocoonlcie-blog]

His eyes scan the now-familiar grounds. For some reason, he's taken quite a liking to the place, and chuckles whenever he remembers the time when he despised the drab and gray mediocrity of the city. Now, it only means one thing to him: home. That's all Edge has ever been to him following the destruction of Eden, even though it took some time for him to accept it.

Things have gotten so simple ever since... the incident. With Pulsian settlements doing well on their own and this city not getting destroyed ever so often, the shoes he's filling got several sizes smaller. The big problems are yesterday's problems. 

Today, Cid Raines enters 7th Heaven and asks at the counter for a drink.

[crystallinus-blog]

[cocoonlcie-blog]

OOC:...And there!

Miss me, anyone? Unfortunately I think I have a ton of catching up to do... Can anyone fill me in?

[cocoonlcie-blog]

My apologies for the sudden absence.

Fixing up settlements have been requiring my immediate attention lately, but now that that's all done, I'll get back to Edge tomorrow at the least.

[xwithasmile-blog]

[cocoonlcie-blog]

xwithasmile:

giohgihiuhuifg.

For now, have a FLight comic.

[cocoonlcie-blog]

finalfantasythings:

I was so emotional when Cid Raines made Rygdea shoot him. Snow and Raines were supposed to get together in the end. Why did that not happen. Barthandelus is such a fucking cockblock, turning people into l’Cie and puppet Primarchs and shit.

I also got really emotional when Yaag Rosch exploded himself to save Lightning and friends and then the game over music played. Even if he didn’t believe them and chased them like a little attention bitch for the first half of the game. But he had nice heels, though. He must have gotten a lot of ass at the club with those heels. Stilettos, pumps in the club.

And now a letter from a fan! I never seem to get fan ma-- oh dear. Ooooh dear. What?

[finalfantasy-quotes-deactivated]

[cocoonlcie-blog]

In all fairness, Ryg here faked the shot.

[cocoonlcie-blog]

army-of-one:

cocoonlcie:

Other than an almost inaudible “Ah,” Cid could not reply properly. The whole conversation felt rather strange. Even though Cid had acknowledged the fact that Lightning was doing a lot more talking and explaining than usual, and on top of that they were more open that they had ever been, he still found something off place. Perhaps… perhaps it was because they weren’t accustomed to this kind of interaction. Their relationship had been purely military, as an officer to his subordinate. Once he realized it, it was difficult to ignore. 

It took a while for him to regain composure. “Well, enough about you.” Cid tried a smile. “Aren’t you going to ask me anything?”

Lightning narrowed her eyes at Cid’s smile. It was odd, seeing the expression on his normally stoic face, and it made her almost suspicious. The smile was a little strained, but it seemed genuine, or at least came from a genuine desire to make conversation. Something they had only been able to properly do once the Purge had ended.

The ex-soldier had never been a very inquisitive person, so Cid’s question caught her slightly off-guard. The Brigadier-General had always been an enigmatic figure in her life, his motives cloaked in his stoic manner and his emotions locked deep away; now that Lightning thought about it, there was so much she didn’t know about her former general.

Where to start?

“…How’s Rygdea?” She finally asked lamely, raising an eyebrow. From what she understood (Fang’s uncomfortable implications included), the two still maintained friendly connections. She had not had the pleasure of knowing the captain well, but she knew him well enough to be earnest in her concern.

Cid pondered over this for a moment. Hmm, where was Rygdea? It had been a while since they've last talked, and that was the day Cid waved him goodbye as the loyal soldier got a well-deserved vacation. Absentmindedly, Cid swirled his pointer around and around the rim of his goblet. It was a while before he snapped out of his reverie.

"Honestly, I think he's fine," he stated. "I gave the guy a break or something. Surely you, of all people, understand the soldier's want to rest. Dunno where he went, but I imagine that wherever he is, he's pretty bored without me."

"On our relationship, I am certain we're working out well. Although I honestly feel that we should be more together."

"What do you think?" Cid asked Lightning in the most honest tone he could muster.

[cocoonlcie-blog]

army-of-one:

cocoonlcie:

“No, not much of it remains,” Cid agreed. “Not after Cocoon’s fall from grace. Even as we speak, the scattered remains of what once was a mighty populace are building communities on Gran Pulse: on the Archtyle Steppe, the Vallis Media, and even near the Mah’habara. The only reason Oerba’s untouched is because I’ve deployed guards there to conduct patrols and eliminate threats. If not, the place may have been ransacked by now, given the amount of technology readily available there.” He sighed, and realized how much has actually changed. 

“By the way, where do your…” Cid struggled to find the correct word. “...comrades reside? Sure, Oerba Yun Fang is somewhere in this city, but where are the rest? Don’t take this the wrong way,” he quickly interjected to reassure Lightning. “I’m simply curious.”

“I don’t know,” Lightning blinked as the truth dawned upon her. She really didn’t know. All their shared escapades as fugitives, all the happy reunions they’d had after Fang and Vanille had sacrificed themselves to save them all, and she’d gone straight back to her lone-wolf mentality. It was an upsetting truth, but only once Lightning had realised it. It had always felt more natural to operate alone - that way, she put less people in danger, and less people dragged her down.

“We met briefly in Edge, but we all went our separate ways. They all left so quickly. To be honest, I think after going through something like the Purge as l’Cie, it’s hard to settle down again. To stay in one place… to sleep soundly at night. We all got a taste of adventure, and now we hunger for more. Nobody’s settling down.”

The ex-soldier stopped, mouth dry and feeling almost self-conscious of her words. She had never been much of a talker. She’d always managed to say the right thing when she needed to, giving the necessary speech or tirade before a well-aimed punch, but Lightning had never been fond of words. They’d always seemed so pointless compared to a swing of her gunblade.

Other than an almost inaudible "Ah," Cid could not reply properly. The whole conversation felt rather strange. Even though Cid had acknowledged the fact that Lightning was doing a lot more talking and explaining than usual, and on top of that they were more open that they had ever been, he still found something off place. Perhaps... perhaps it was because they weren't accustomed to this kind of interaction. Their relationship had been purely military, as an officer to his subordinate. Once he realized it, it was difficult to ignore. 

It took a while for him to regain composure. "Well, enough about you." Cid tried a smile. "Aren't you going to ask me anything?"

[cocoonlcie-blog]

army-of-one:

cocoonlcie:

It was hard to stop the smile that spread across Cid’s face. It was simple yet tender and true. Even Cid was surprised by the sudden rush of feeling as he listened to Lighting’s account. Sure, life has been hell recently, but the former soldier’s words soothed the storm at the heart of Cid’s discomfort. 

“I am glad to hear that Snow’s finally gotten what he’s always wanted: a peaceful life with Serah,” he responded. He immediately thought back to the day when Fang found Snow chipping away at the crystal figure that was Serah. How utterly desperate and broken the man seemed back then.

“As for Fang… well, I’m happy to see you’re still staying strong.” There was a hint of mischief in his tone, a characteristic he was not known to display. “That woman’s a rare breed, and so are you. I’m glad to see how everything is with both of you. And it’s glad to know Hope’s doing well, too.”

He put his glass down, and subdued his tone for the next few sentences.

“Vanille… Ah, the other Oerban.” Cid’s features twisted themselves into a slight frown. “So far, the population records for the Pulsian settlements can’t do anything to tell us where she is. I’ve left Oerba unconverted, as Fang liked it, but the last scouting party I’ve sent there reported no human settlers. Just the fiends that infest the area.”

He sighs. “Well, I personally don’t know where she is. What I haven’t done, however, is search Cocoon. Wasn’t she crystallized there?” He raised an eyebrow and waited for a reply. When none came, he resumed speaking. “Also, about that man she used to travel with. I forgot the name. Afro guy. Is it possible that…” Cid trailed off, immersed in thought.

“Katzroy. Sazh,” Lightning corrected herself quickly. “It’s possible that he found Vanille, but doubtful that he was what caused her early departure from stasis. I visited Fang more times than I care to count and she stayed in the crystal until a few days after Vanille disappeared. If she’s lucky, she ran into Sazh. He was a good man. Protective. I don’t know what the chances are though - of him seeing Vanille, that is.” Lightning was reluctant to admit the worst - that Vanille might have been taken, not left of her own accord. The possibility loomed, a dark shadow in her mind.

“The last time I saw her, she was in stasis, in the crystal pillar holding up Cocoon. I had been… visiting them for quite some time. Actually, they were both in the crystal until my last visit. Vanille was gone and Fang awoke when I came. We’ve been looking for Vanille since.”

A soft look played across Lightning’s features as she fully took in Cid’s words. “You left Oerba untouched? I’m… glad. I will relay the news to her. I’m sure she’ll be pleased. Not much of the old world remains, after all.”

"No, not much of it remains," Cid agreed. "Not after Cocoon's fall from grace. Even as we speak, the scattered remains of what once was a mighty populace are building communities on Gran Pulse: on the Archtyle Steppe, the Vallis Media, and even near the Mah'habara. The only reason Oerba's untouched is because I've deployed guards there to conduct patrols and eliminate threats. If not, the place may have been ransacked by now, given the amount of technology readily available there." He sighed, and realized how much has actually changed. 

"By the way, where do your..." Cid struggled to find the correct word. "...comrades reside? Sure, Oerba Yun Fang is somewhere in this city, but where are the rest? Don't take this the wrong way," he quickly interjected to reassure Lightning. "I'm simply curious."

[cocoonlcie-blog]

army-of-one:

cocoonlcie:

Cid ponders on this for a moment. Come to think of it… yes, he thinks. It’s been so long that we’ve all been here, and so many things have we done. Even I’ve saved the city from that wretched clown. I want to stay.

However… There is something that gnaws at Cid’s substance. Something unspoken, always overlooked, but now it resurfaces from the recesses of his thoughts and the weight of it hits him full-force. 

“I am not so fortunate as you, Lightning, and I admit I’m a little envious,” he says and takes a sip from the goblet. His face is a lidded pot. He is struggling to keep the emotions he is suppressing, whatever’s cooking underneath. “I do want to stay. I’ve had my fair share of adventures in this city and in this world. But our similarities on this matter stop there.” He takes another sip, and watches how Lightning will react. 

“As for myself, I have my own duties elsewhere. I have to tend to the populace of a dead country. So yes, I can relate to the rebuilding part.” The knowing smile that follows pains him.

“But ah, enough of me. How’s the rest of the team?”

Lightning watched Cid with a guarded look, not daring to interrupt his reverie nor his words. She couldn’t help but think there was still something of the old soldier in her, afraid to interject as her commanding officer spoke. His words were reticent and chosen warily, but Lightning understood. He had responsibilities, a calling. Lightning more than understood, actually. The ghosts of obligation still hung around her at night, haunting at the strangest moments.

All the thoughts that spilled out at Cid’s explanation and the only reply Lightning could muster was, “Ah.” Brevity was her greatest virtue. There was not much more to be said.

“Serah and Snow are both safe,” Lightning thought she would count her blessings first. “Well, as safe as they can be with each other. I’m glad they’re living out their life the way they want to.” A privilege Lightning had never thought to want. “Fang is… the same as always.” A thin smile curved her lips. Again - there was not much more to be said. Even in the most adverse of circumstances the Oerban had not strayed from her sense of self. To put it kindly.

“Hope is around. I understand he’s growing into a gentle and capable young man. I’ve taught him enough about survival of the fittest. The best thing I can do for him now is take a step back.” There was a trace of guilt in her voice. Had she taught him too much, too soon? No. The answer had to be no. They did what they could to survive and that was that. All she had given him was a knife and her cynical views on life. “But Vanille… is missing. She came out of stasis before Fang did, and nobody knows why. She’s disappeared.”

Lightning’s voice was as calm as ever, despite the news.

It was hard to stop the smile that spread across Cid's face. It was simple yet tender and true. Even Cid was surprised by the sudden rush of feeling as he listened to Lighting's account. Sure, life has been hell recently, but the former soldier's words soothed the storm at the heart of Cid's discomfort. 

"I am glad to hear that Snow's finally gotten what he's always wanted: a peaceful life with Serah," he responded. He immediately thought back to the day when Fang found Snow chipping away at the crystal figure that was Serah. How utterly desperate and broken the man seemed back then.

"As for Fang... well, I'm happy to see you're still staying strong." There was a hint of mischief in his tone, a characteristic he was not known to display. "That woman's a rare breed, and so are you. I'm glad to see how everything is with both of you. And it's glad to know Hope's doing well, too."

He put his glass down, and subdued his tone for the next few sentences.

"Vanille... Ah, the other Oerban." Cid's features twisted themselves into a slight frown. "So far, the population records for the Pulsian settlements can't do anything to tell us where she is. I've left Oerba unconverted, as Fang liked it, but the last scouting party I've sent there reported no human settlers. Just the fiends that infest the area."

He sighs. "Well, I personally don't know where she is. What I haven't done, however, is search Cocoon. Wasn't she crystallized there?" He raised an eyebrow and waited for a reply. When none came, he resumed speaking. "Also, about that man she used to travel with. I forgot the name. Afro guy. Is it possible that..." Cid trailed off, immersed in thought.

[cocoonlcie-blog]

theproudlion started following you

Cid stared the man up and down. He had the air of a soldier, but his attire told him otherwise--or wasn't anymore. A scar ran down his forehead--from a duel, Cid thought as he saw the swordlike weapon the fellow held in his hand. The man took on a serious demeanor, reminding him suspiciously of Lightning, except this one felt like he had more pride... He shrugged this thought off as he approached.

"Salutations. Cid Raines," he held his hand out for a handshake. He was cautious as he did so, for he knew not if the man was enemy or friend.