クラウド

I'm not alone. Not anymore.❞

[kunsel]

ennobaria requested: Sephiroth and Cloud

[estrif]

▶ little stars.

[seclusives]

One thing’s for certain, amongst bated breaths and tugging at thin, flaxen strands of her hair: he’s very tolerant. And… cool? Composed, or collected? The words are giving life to jitters, sending static currents over thin skin - Naminé’s futile attempt to comprehend how it is that someone wouldn’t find a roommate aggravating bitter on her tongue. At least the worst they’re faced with is absolute quiet, a nebula closer than previously thought. Even if she hasn’t heard any other stories involving what lies beyond the windows (or doors, even) of separate floors, it can’t be too hard to imagine both easier scenarios, and ones that are much more difficult to have patience with. Cloud? Oddly enough, it fits him. Needless to say, there’s little she won’t dote on when in the company of someone - even just for a short while. 

And when she thinks about it, she’s overwhelmed (and blatantly, too) by how much there is to appreciate about a stranger with such a quiet, polite demeanor… by what they have the potential to learn about each other, even if he’d rather not disclose any private information. As every star visible stills before them, revolving even if the motion is hard to view, she bobs her head. Perfectly agreeable and unopposed to a great deal of suggestions, she thinks of their dim little space and how radiant it might be with whatever energy has in mind. 

"It’s nice to meet you." She’d been stumbling, unable to think up the best way to phrase a ‘glad that you don’t find the idea of a roommate abhorrent’, that’s in tune with ‘I’m happy to have met you’. Something more cordial fits the bill, even if it doesn’t drip from pressed lips the way she’d like it to. "I don’t mind, no. Either way is fine with me." Currently, her mind isn’t centered around the typical comfort of their feet on the ground, and all their primary functions that depend on something that seems so trivial. That changes abruptly.

All with the flick of a switch. "O-oh!" It must only have been a quick shift or a dial of some sort, because suddenly - albeit slowly - her feet hover away from the ground.

She tries to gather her legs closer, ankle straps clicking together as her knees buckle in a hopes of falling back with a shred or two of dignity. Hand clapped over her mouth as she’s hoisted higher up by an unseen force, it seems that’s not going to happen. "What’s—" it only takes a moment for the smaller girl to recollect that they’re in space, and that this must be one of the options in their room. At the realization, she stifles a tiny, sheepish laugh into the palm of her hand. Finally getting the swing (and the point) of just what’s happened, she shifts so that her back is up against the wall, a corner of the ceiling made her own by palms pressed flat behind her. "I don’t think that was the light switch…" Maybe it isn’t the time for any smiles, but she offers one regardless. "Are you okay?" From her odd perch, she almost bites her tongue. "I’m sure we can just turn it back off if you’re uncomfortable!"

[estrif]

Wordlessly, had he flipped the switch and perhaps if he had known what it would have cost -- he would have thought twice. It was strange to him, that he hadn't picked up that something would have undoubtedly been off. Maybe, deep down, he had a fleeting thought but didn't dwell on it as he should have. Cloud was always prone to blaming himself and even though this situation wasn't dangerous, he could already feel tendrils of self-blame creeping ever so gradually to grip his heart. It's such a small thing to blame yourself over, anyone could have made that same mistake. Some part of him still reasons with his better judgement however Cloud only sighs as he manages to get his weightless bearings.

With his head so close to the ceiling, he finds his unruly spikes are forced down and he feels (again) ridiculous, he never much cared for having his hair down if only because he was used to the way his hair would fashion itself. Pushing his arms off the ceiling, Cloud allows for some room as he assesses the situation, his eyes surveying the zero gravity space. Exhaling in relief to see Naminé has made herself comfortable in a niche. Mindful of the floating furniture around them, Cloud manages a weightless flip then push with his legs off the nearest wall. It's not particularly hard to make his way closer to Naminé, though he freezes once, briefly, when he hears genuine laughter.

It's enough for Cloud to ease his tension, and it's not soon after that he catches her countenance that he manages a faint smile in return. "I don't think so either. But...I'm okay, are you doing okay?" His tone is soft surprisingly, he's glad for that whilst he settles in the air besides his roommate. A small laugh (almost barely audible) sounds from under his breath and Cloud doesn't seem to mind the situation as much as he did a second ago. Catching Naminé's gaze afterwards, he admits that the situation is a bit --

"It's weird but maybe we should have expected it."

He almost wants to add that he's never felt this light before, in more ways than one. Though he stops himself if only out of sheer embarrassment, not wanting to make an out of the blue comment or confuse his roommate. Instead, he turns his attention to her position and notices that she hasn't moved much around the room. An idea pops in from the back of his mind and he offers a question, wondering if she would be willing to take his suggestion. It's not exactly the most conventional thing in the world and certainly not something Cloud would have ever imagined himself doing but something tells him that maybe he should invest in doing more unconventional things.

"Naminé, do you want to try moving around the room? It's not hard and...I can help you, if you want." And as if to punctuate this, he offered the girl his hand.

[estrif]

▶ little stars.

[seclusives]

Two steps from terrified of the idea that she could trouble someone just by lingering in one place, a room number blurs on thin paper between her thumbs. Room 502… could it be the highest level? Five floors seems like quite a distance up. Needless to say, she doesn’t fear heights nor what might happen should she meet a windowsill above - there isn’t much worth fearing when it comes to physicality. Not when her body is not necessarily her own. 

Perhaps there’s some complex in self-loathing that could enjoy the light winds flicking blonde hair against her cheeks. But really, there’s no time to consider that.

What she needs to do is get inside; she’s required to press a few buttons correctly (and she does, however nervously) in order for the door to unlock. As expected, someone else is already inside. Maybe she shouldn’t panic, maybe he won’t mind… but what if he does? If her presence is bothersome or unwanted? No one should be burdened with this kind of thing, or get stuck with such an obligation. She wants to leave and get out of his hair, and to apologize with a ‘wrong room’ claim. The ticket disputes her, though, so she tucks it away.

"Oh."

Scrambling for an apology, she lowers her gaze when the door shuts behind her. There are two beds, and the room looks comfortable… definitely enough space for her to keep to herself - which brings her attention to the window and its obscure view. "Are those…?" A few hesitant step lead her forward to it, blinking three times quickly to gauge whether or not it’s just a wallpaper for decoration. "Are we…?” Gripping her elbows and holding each arm close to her, she turns to the other with ‘sorry’ written all over her, in volumes even. "I’m sorry - I doubt you know any more than I do. My name is Naminé." 

[estrif]

Maybe he shouldn't have been all that surprised that he was rooming with a girl -- perhaps his habitual rooming with men solely in his (brief) days as a Shinra infantryman seasoned him to believe he would have naturally roomed with another man. He doesn't dislike it, dislike her, in any way -- he's mostly just surprised by the situation. It's not as if he dwells on it either, he doesn't have the opportunity to ruminate as he opts to take tactiturn steps in order to not obscure her view of the glittering stars outside their window. The entire window pane view seems fanciful to him, something that can only exist in one's wildest imaginations. Not his, never his imagination since he's not that creative, not that full of wide eyed wonder, not anymore. In fact, Cloud is more caught up in scrutinizing the entire prospect of there being a galaxy outside their window, on a mere fifth floor of a hotel.

Silently does Cloud reach with a gloved hand to touch the glass of the window, carefully and with enough controlled strength that he doesn't cause a break in the all too fragile material. With his palm flat against the surface, he can't help but feel curious and wonder just what would happen should they decide boldly to open the window. It's almost as if one could reach out and hold a burning star in the palm of their hand -- he feels ridiculous for thinking that an instant later but is luckily (and deep down, gratefully) broken out of his thoughts by the sound of her quiet voice.

He listens to her confusion, the same as his own and realizes quickly she has no more grasp on their situation that he does. There's some comfort in that fact alone for him and he shakes his head in response, thinking his words over before proceeding in his ever present soft but firm tone of voice. "Your guess is as good as mine." He answers, turning to face the girl, Naminé, this time. He belatedly realize his hand is still pressed against the window and out of pride or embarrassment, he quickly pulls it back to his side and crosses his arms instead.

"Cloud." Pausing a beat, Cloud takes a moment before he more formally introduces himself in return -- he hasn't done this in awhile. "Cloud Strife. It --"

His breath seems to catch in the back of his throat. It's not due to nervousness or shyness, he's not either, but there's something almost familiar about Naminé that he can't quite place in the twists and turns of his mind. She reminds him of certain people, people important to him and maybe it's just him seeing as he doesn't really know her at all. Only going off his first impression of her manages to throw him for a loop and he tries to quell any rising sensations of nostalgia and familiarity that threatens to spill. Forcing his focus back onto their shared window, Cloud gives his roommate a nod before he moves towards the door again, not to leave but towards the light switch. "It's dark and here and that window isn't helping bring us any light," Again he pauses, turns to look at Naminé over his shoulder and continues then. "Do you mind if I...?"

[estrif]

▶ little stars.

A room number was all he was given when he arrived -- he remembered it well enough, finding the hotel with relative ease and subsequently finding the floor easily enough. Inputting the code to the room next, Cloud felt an odd sensation in his chest which seemed to alert his senses, if only a fraction more than usual. He was careful, the code being set in at an almost glacial pace before the click was heard and Cloud pushed open the door.

He had been prepared for anything if any of the other floors were any indication however he found himself pleasantly surprised by the stark normalcy to the suite. Blinking, his eyes adjusted well enough to the dark room though he bypassed the "light" switch completely, making his way to the window instead. Hoping to get a better vantage view of the park, Cloud pulled back the curtains in silence and perhaps since first entering the hotel, he exhaled a sigh mixed with frustration and confusion. Blue eyes filled with visions of stars and space. He wasn't sure what to make of it in the slightest yet, he was at least aware that the window wouldn't provide any light to the already dark room.

"The light is..."

His thought was cut short when he heard footsteps, soft footfalls were drawing close to the room and though he had the impression they would pass, they halted right in front of this room. Cloud was cautious still, watching the door as the distinct sounds of the code being input were heard. He relaxed, if only a margin, realizing his roommate must have arrived after him. Nothing could have quite prepared him for who his rommate turned out to be, Cloud being met with the seemingly gentle visage of a blonde, blue eyed girl.

[combatist-blog]

「ɪɴsᴛɪɴᴄᴛ」◄ Zack & Cloud || Closed

[combatist-blog]

  The comfort of strangers was the same for Zack either way; more gratifying than anything was the presence of his established affinities. He’d take them over anything. One, two, three million times over. Even if they ended the exact same way those course of events had; without any remorse or doubt in himself for his actions.

  His gaze lingered on the other, air ready to burst from his throat, staggered with his hesitation, and with his thoughts jumbled about. He caught himself almost making a concerned expression, apologetic, yet proud; the crease in his forehead vanishing about as quickly as it came. In the flow of prior events they both were caught up in, there’s no denying Zack had a few questions of his own. Most of them consisted on how he was, on how Aerith was, what happened, as well as spotting him a few rounds of a pat on the back for old-times sake, but deep in his gut he had a feeling he already knew, huh? A cruel twist of fate leaving them both irrevocably different,—though not entirely true on his end, death stops one from changing if you ignore process of their own body returning to the earth..but that’s not what this was about, not entirely—unable to turn back the events of the past and let whatever he wanted to say extra out in the open. Or so it seems.

  “'Course it is!" His voice practically bounced from his lungs, carrying his usual warmth and the kind of excitement he never attempted to keep hidden, "in the flesh, right?" As if to prove it, he took another step forward, bridging the distance between them without a moment’s hesitation as he delicately placed his hand on top the other’s head as his fingers found their way into the other’s own hair, ruffling it’s messiness just a little more like they were only long-lost friends. Almost as if he hadn’t been gone, picking up where they left off in Zack’s stagnant time.

  To be honest, he really missed this. Him. The touch being his own confirmation that Cloud was actually there, and not just some figment of whatever warped sense of reality this place was. Hoping to God that this really wasn’t some joke, and relaxing the moment he felt the friction between his hand and his legacy’s head.

  He removed his hand curling them both in a fist as he placed them on his hips, lips still curled in a smile before broadening as his gaze was placed on the sword he had handed in his care, along with his hopes..his dreams. He couldn’t confirm how long they had been apart, how long Cloud had it in his possession, nor even if his existence was erased when he thought, at least not on his own. It’s curious, time. He had to admit that he was ecstatic to see it with him, running over the thought that it lent the blond strength in his time of need.

  “Cloud," repeating the name mostly for his own disbelief as well as confirmation that the owner behind it was certainly, definitely here—would definitely respond—his sky-blues shifted back onto his visage, "I’m here, that’s not gonna change. Not now." Not if he could help it.

[estrif]

Some small part of him was still in denial that this was real.

Zack couldn't be here because it was impossible, he tried to rationalize it that way but was snapped free from any lingering doubts when a familiar touch to the crown of his head sent Cloud reeling to the brim with nostalgia. Bright blue eyes shifted to look at Zack this time around, breath catching as he finally saw that expression he remembered seeing so many times before. It brought him back to when they were younger, years ago -- when Cloud had his dreams of being a SOLDIER in the 1st Class like Zack and like his hero, Sephiroth. Vividly, he could remember meeting Zack for the first time and on that first mission. He had only been an infantry man while Zack had been what Cloud had hoped for. -- It seemed so strange to think about that now with how things had so starkly changed since then.

There was no denying that Cloud had missed Zack, the same way there was no denying just how much Zack himself had impacted Cloud in so many ways. Impulse almost drove Cloud to ask just how much Zack knew about what had happened after that day on that hill but he managed to control blurting out the first things that came to mind. Likewise, he tried to control the expression he was making -- he had a feeling he was frowning, others would often comment how he would always look like he was brooding though he lifted a hand and rubbed his forehead, trying to ease the creasing of his brows. "What is this place exactly?"

Not knowing where he was, Cloud held a fragment of suspicion that this was real as much as he wanted it to be. He supposed however that he could investigate on his own given time, as much as he wanted to reunite with Zack and catch up, he didn't want to get him involved if Cloud did find something amiss. He didn't doubt that Zack could handle himself, he probably could better than Cloud, still, if he could help it then he'd prefer to fight alone. Old habits died hard, after all.

"I don't understand it yet, but...it's good to see you, Zack."

Shifting his weight around, Cloud was reminded quickly of the sword on his back. Glancing over his shoulder, his vision was filled with the length of the Buster Sword prior to steadily meeting Zack's gaze. There was a silent beat that passed between them and it went unsaid, maybe, what Cloud intended to do next. As if to punctauate his silent point, Cloud moved his arm back and gripped the handle tightly, his hand would have shook otherwise. It was surreal to remove the sword from his back and hold it next to him, carefully and decisively did he part his lips and utter a single, firm statement. "I should give this back to you."

[combatist-blog]

「ɪɴsᴛɪɴᴄᴛ」◄ Zack & Cloud || Closed

  Though Zack took practically no time at all growing accustomed to his new ‘home’, he still had momentary lapses of the weird feeling he’s not really home. Sure, it’s easy just going wherever, sticking there awhile, and saying it’s your home. But if he couldn’t feel it, it couldn’t be. Not yet, however. He couldn’t just sit around and wait for it, knowing how he is. So, naturally he made a name for himself in the place he couldn’t up and leave from, made himself aware of what he’d be dealing with and familiarize himself with the area the best he could manage.

  Honestly he hadn’t even begun to understand how it was he was even alive. For all he knew, everything he had experienced before could have just been some part of some messed up dream, but it all felt too real to be. Every event that took place felt way too real to just be some painfully vivid dream. He laughed, he cried, he fumed, he lived. Nothing would change his idea of it, even if the very last thing he could recall was the heart-wrenching pained expression of someone important to him— he was certain he died. But he couldn’t confirm that, having no recollection of what happened after. Maybe that’s when he ‘woke up’?

  If it was, then God is cruel. Isn’t he?

  Usually at this point in the day he’d be out and about to meet up with those he’d grown accustomed to seeing but, today felt more like a wandering day than anything. He preferred excitement, stuff that kept him on his toes, got him riled up, so of course the obvious solution for him would be to find it!

  But he was stopped dead in his tracks however, when a voice he didn’t think he’d hear again rung in his ears, familiar sound of fast-paced steps, “Zack?" He stood there for a couple moments, playing the sound in his head before looking towards where it came from, though the voice was strained it held every single ounce of the person he knew previously. Granted, he could note some changes in regards to the tone, more mature, defined. Iconic sky-blue hues scanned the very same face of the one he cheered on, supported, held in high regards to; his proof of existence— and boy, oh boy, was he glad to see him.

  Ah, but, the expression on the other’s face sunk in his earlier concerns. Which only made their reunion, in his eyes, all the more valuable to him.

  “Hey," Signature grin spreading across his own face as he folded his arms across his chest,

  “Cloud.”

[estrif]

When Cloud arrived, he wasn't sure what to make of it.

A flurry of thoughts littered every corner of his mind and all he could do to quiet it was to pace around the park until he found a secluded off area. He could only press a hand to his forehead, worrying about all he had been forced to leave. In a last ditch effort, he searched his pockets for his cellphone, though he didn't always answer all of his calls, he had gotten better about it -- at least answering every few calls even if they were few and far between. Even if he wanted to call someone, anyone now - he was unable to. His brows creased and he bore his natural frown, unable to find his cellphone left him feeling irrevocably at a loss. It almost appeared as if the only other thing that he had with him that wasn't the clothes on his back was the large buster sword resting on his back.

Cloud didn't want to allow himself to feel helpless, not after everything. So he hurried from his current spot, looking around the park and what it had to offer. Though he couldn't focus as well as he wanted to, plagued constantly by creeping feelings of guilt for having left when he promised he was going to stay. He was only broken from his stupor when he swore he saw a familiar figure. Initially unsure if what he saw wasn't a trick of the light, he sought the figure out. His steps were decisive if not steady as he drew closer and he found that they grew rapid, fast-paced in rhythm with his heart beats. Cloud reached out, faltered, and pulled his hand back to his side with mixed emotions.

Calling out instead seemed the safer option, maybe if he said the name and they didn't reply -- he would feel more at ease? No, that didn't seem right. -- But what was he supposed to say?

"Zack? Is that really you?" "Zack, I'm sorry."  "Zack, I..."

None of those seemed right.

He took a step backwards, eyes cast to the ground and quietly had he uttered his friend's name in a tone so soft that it was almost a whisper. His breath was held in the back of his throat when a voice responded. What he expected would be a confused reply was instead warm and welcoming and all too familiar. His lips curved into a faint smile, perhaps out of reflexive nostalgia, yet that same smile soon turned into a brow-knit frown. He was ultimately unable to look at Zack at first, exhaling slowly whilst trying to find the right words to say. -- He was silent for longer than he should have been, only able to rephrase an earlier idea.

"Zack...it's really you, isn't it?"

There was so much more he wanted to say but Cloud didn't even know where he would begin.

[estrif]

knees weak arms spaghetti 

now that i have your attention helo...im kou or you can call me lucia! either or is a ok with me (peace sign)

i'll be rping cloud strife...from final fantasy i dont know what else to say im sweating UHM ive rped on tumblr for awhile now a few years though ive been rping in general for a lot longer..u may have seen me around though under other name until recently!! wipes sweat off forehead

this will be my first time rping cloud so im a bit nervous but excited to interact with everyone so i hope we can rp together soon (sparkle) (sparkle)

you can always hit up my askbox or find me on clearaoba on twitter!

[theburrowiswheremyheartis-deact]

[killedlightmoved-deactivated201]

Ｍｙ  ｎａｍｅ  ｉｓ  Ｃｌｏｕｄ．  ＳＯＬＤＩＥＲ，  ｆｉｒｓｔ  ｃｌａｓｓ．

[martesplan-deactivated20140321]