Almost literally 15 minutes after Tifa left to his first delivery is when Cloud just sorta woke up naturally; he is used to waking up early unless for some reason he is battle worn or not feeling well. He'd noticed that his alarms hadn't gone off, some deliveries are expected to be on time of specific times not just an nilly willy sometime during the day. Blinked up at his ceiling he rolled over to reach for his clock, blurrily checking it. He'd set it to get him up at 6am and it's almost 6:30, someone had turned it off? He reset it for the next morning; yawning and rising to take care of nature's call, afterwards brushing his teeth and washing his face to pull sleepiness out of his eyes some. Cracking his neck and stretching; shuffled back to his office to thumb his notes and the deliveries for the day...and finding Tifa's note on it. "Tifa...you don't have to do that..." he muttered, rubbing his left eye. Muttering more under his breath he'd pick up his phone to dial her number, plunking himself down in his chair. He reached over to a small fridge to open for a soda, closing the fridge and propping a leg onto the desk waiting for her to pick up.
"Hello?"
"What are you doing?" Cloud's tired response to her greeting, popping open the can to take a drink. "You have been working a lot, I want you to take a break." He rolled his eyes a little, delivering packages is hardly work for him, he could climb 100 staircases without breaking a sweat while carrying a heavy ton weight sword. Where as both Tifa and Barret would have trouble keeping up. He wasn't that concerned about Tifa not being able to handle some of the deliveries but its his work. "You could have woke me up to ask, Tifa." Taking a long drink, he checked a few other notes. "You are right, I'm sorry. But I'm already at the Smithy so tough luck. If you're as restless as you sound, you could do some of my work in the bar. It shouldn't that hard just keep the place clean and watch the kids. I'll be back soon! Okay Cloud?" He let out a long sigh, "Fine. Be sure you get the second delivery on time, they asked for it by 10am." He could hear her smile nearly, "No problem Cloud, have some coffee okay. See you later." She hung up.
Shaking his head a little he moved to start getting dressed, pulling on the majority of his usual dark clothes, leaving off the armor he often attached over his clothes with the Fenrir decorations. But he put in his earrings, vaguely brushing his hair, it doesn't seem to obey being brushed no matter what he did with it. Putting on socks and then his boots, fixing a few buckles and straps. Finally he headed out of his office down to the kitchen area. Passing Marlene who chirped a 'Good morning Cloud!' "Morning." She seemed to be doing the cleaning just fine, cap that off Cloud wasn't that sociable at present, so he went for the fridge to see about food. Some leftover boxes; one he pulled to heat up for himself and the idly observing what is left; taking inventory. There are about 6-8 kids living with them and Tifa usually makes extra of everything to give to charity and homeless out in Edge. She hasn't left anything more then snack boxes. She usually has breakfast made for everyone by 7ish am.
Another little kid came in with him cheerfully happy to see him, But didn't appear interested in any of the snack boxes. "What do you want...?" The child thought for a moment then smiled brightly, "Pancakes!" Just what were those made out of anyways? Furrowing a blond brow he turned to look at inventory again and found luckily pre-prepped pancake mix labeled. Okay now what? Pulling the container down he tried to consider the next step. Not considering asking Marlene for help. Taking a frying pan down and started it heating on the stove, he tried looking for directions on the container. It is just labeled 'pancake mix'. Does the stuff dissolve into the cakes on the burner? Shrugging he poured some powder onto the pan to grill. Taking the reheated food from yesterday out he nibbled at his food while watched the powder, it wasn't apparently doing anything. Oh well.
Letting it do it's thing he went out to wipe down a few tables, which is easier. When he went back in to check it, after cleaned all of the tables, the stuff had roasted to the pan in a pile of blackened shit. Pancakes were soft and fluffy, did he need to add something to it? Maybe some oil? That was a mistake. considering the pan just set on fire. He filled a glass of water to throw on the mess with a choice of Barret's favorite curse words. An ugly stink filled the kitchen. Marlene had come in to see what was going on and realizing what he is trying to do couldn't help but giggle at his problem. 'you add water to the mixture in a bowl first silly!' Cloud groaned, why didn't he just go after Tifa and send her home? Cleaning up the mess to try again.
