OMG I miss Again and Again too! I didn't know it was gone until I saw the anon 😭😭 I can't read it again??
😭😭😭 I know… I know… when I found out about it I was heartbroken— absolutely crushed! But it’s okay. Because we still have it in our hearts. And I’m definitely going to write something Again and Again inspired after Sanctuary. Not that Sanctuary isn’t Again and Again inspired already, lmao.
My deepest apologies but I do not have any docs for Again and Again, I wrote it in the Wattpad app and never thought to save any of the stories when I decided to delete my account. As for deleting, I loved writing but it was distracting me from my goals at the time and some mental health stuff so I deleted my account. Happy to say leaving writing behind did work for me but I'm sorry I couldn't leave it there for the people who enjoyed it.
*Shocked, crying Pikachu face.* Oh my god, you’re alive!!! I understand that completely— thank you so much for messaging!!! I’m glad you loved writing again and again, we always felt the passion when reading that fic. It was my first ever fanfic and I’m happy that it was. I’m sorry that your mental health wasn’t the best and I’m happy you stopped writing if it meant getting better! I’m happy you’re happy now! Again and Again will always be apart of our hearts and we all just really wanted to tell you that it meant a lot to us. <3 if you stick around to read the rest of Sanctuary, we hope we can give people that amazing feeling you gave to us when we started reading fanfiction. I know, personally, twelve year old me would’ve been super excited that you even talked to me once, lmao.
Love you, Lok_The_Nobody. Sanctuary is kind of for you and for me too, lol. <3 I don’t think I’ll ever be able to describe the amount of happiness you gave me and my friends reading that fic, or even just messaging us right now.
I closed my book as the sounds of shifting clothes, metal, and the clinking of belts came closer and eventually stopped as the man wearing them came to sit beside me. A shallow sigh escaped Squall before he rested his gaze on me. I met his gaze quizzically and ran my hand over the smooth leather cover for comfort.
It was silent for a few extra moments before Squall finally gathered what he meant to say. He started, hands bunched together on his lap as he gave me his full attention, "Denzel says something's been troubling you."
"What's wrong? You can tell me. If you're feeling homesick–" I shook my head at the assumption. Though I missed Mom and Sora, that wasn't what this was. He must've noticed the unease in the house the past few days. I was trying to be careful not to upset Cloud again.
"When we went to the playground a few days ago. I made Cloud upset..." I told him, looking down at my book shamefully. The brunette must've been able to pick up on what I was insinuating because, from the corner of my eye, I saw Squall's hands jerk up. A moment later, I was lifted and sat on the adult's lap.
He wrapped his arms around me in an awkward hug. It must've been weird for him. It didn't seem like he was used to this type of thing, but he was trying anyway. I wrapped my arms around one of his.
"You didn't make him upset. He's working through some things, is all. It's hard to explain, but it's not your fault." He explained, bringing his free hand up to smooth the top of my head. I nodded weakly. He can't tell me everything because I'm a child. I get it. But still, I hurt Cloud even if I didn't mean to.
"Can I still apologize?" I mumbled out my question. "I don't want Cloud to dislike me even more. I thought showing him what I found would make him like me. I didn't mean to upset him."
My lip quivered against my will, and I shoved my face into Squall's shoulder to make it go away.
"Dislike you?" Squall whispered, turning me around to look at him. I couldn't meet his eyes as I nodded in acknowledgment of what I'd said. "Cloud doesn't dislike you, not at all."
I shook my head. Arguing, "Yes, he does. He's uncomfortable with me, which is even worse than him disliking me. If he didn't like me, I'd be fine with that. It means it was my fault and that I could fix it. But I don't know what I did wrong, Squall."
Despite my distress, my body wouldn't let any tears out of my watering eyes. I bit my quivering bottom lip and tried to look my guardian in the eyes, but I couldn't quite make eye contact with my blurred vision.
I was confused when Squall set me back down on the couch in a swift motion and stood up. It was only after he'd taken several steps toward the hallway that I realized what he was doing.
"No!" I exclaimed, trying to make him stop. "It's fine, I'm okay! Please don't go get him..."
My attempts were in vain. And a few distressing moments later, there was some shuffling before their hushed voices traveled down the hall. Cloud walked into the living room with a purpose before I was lifted into his arms. The two adults shared a meaningful look as I wiped the water from my eyes.
Silently, Cloud carried me back down the hallway and didn't stop until he sat me on the edge of a bed. The blond sat beside me, and I realized upon looking around that this must be his and Squall's room. I'd never been in their room before.
Cloud shifted slightly in his spot, and I flinched, slowly moving my eyes to look at him. Fiddling with my fingers, I couldn't think of anything to say.
In the silence, I took a moment to look around the room I'd never been in. It looked like a normal adult's room. Kind of like my Mom's, but her room was more feminine. And though I thought it impossible, this room looked less lived in than hers.
We sat on the big bed pressed against the back wall. It was bigger than I could ever possibly use, with two nightstands on either side. Paintings and a mirror hung up on the walls and two big dressers. They had their own bathroom and a closet me and Denzel could easily hide in for hide-and-seek.
The thing that caught my eye the most was the old guitar leaning on the dresser close to the door. It looked out of shape, like a use away from becoming splinters. But still well taken care of. It must've been old age that caught up with the instrument. It looked well-loved.
There were carvings in the wood along the edges to make it more unique. Stuff like vines and waves. And seashells.
Maybe that's why I found myself captivated by the old instrument. I hopped off the bed and approached it cautiously, running my hands along the strings and listening to each cord. It was surprisingly still tuned.
Hoping to break through the heavy atmosphere in the room, I asked a question. My voice came out softer and conveyed more reluctance than I meant to. It was still heavy with unshed tears, but I swallowed, pushing it back the best I could. "Who plays?"
I seemed to shock him out of his thoughts because Cloud all but jumped off his spot on the bed. His dazed, far-off look vanished in favor of focusing on me. He averted his eyes and turned his head, mumbling out, "It was my mothers."
He seemed almost embarrassed– maybe, I didn't know. He shrugged, "I keep it around."
I nodded. It felt awkward holding a conversation with Cloud after so long. If this kept going just a little more, it'd officially be the longest conversation I'd ever had with the man.
I hope he will continue to talk to me. I know Squall forced him to be here with me, so it's up to him if he wants to interact with the invasive species. Me.
"Do you know how to play?" The question burst out of my mouth before I could control it. And I curled into myself, hearing the vulnerability in my tone. I didn't mean to make that sound desperate.
A part of me hoped that he knew how. I would love to be able to hear some old island songs again.
"'M not as good as she was, but I know the basics enough to play some songs." The adult blew a clump of blond hair out of his face. I had observed him enough to know he did that when he was nervous.
"Can we play some?" I asked, unsure of if he would say no or not. But I figured it was worth a shot. He can't hate me any more than he does now. It's either no, or yes. Somehow, I managed to squeak out, "Please."
Cloud rose from the bed, and my stomach sank. He was getting up to leave. I felt a lump bob up and down in my throat, and my fingers clenched, nails biting into my palm.
He walked right by me and picked up the guitar by the neck, slinging the strap over his shoulder.
Cloud walked back to me and reached out to grab my hand before pausing. I put my hand in his for him. This man was being too cautious around me; I could feel his nervousness, and his hand was cold. And gentle, like he didn't want to break mine.
I didn't understand him. Or what he was thinking. I always found feelings too complicated to understand. But right now, I was upset at my inability to understand them even more.
"It's a good day outside." He said, explaining himself as he led me out the bedroom door. Getting outside was stiff and more awkward than ever before. But this is the most time I've ever spent with Cloud, so I couldn't help but think it was progress.
Beyond the door was the squared, fenced-off garden with flowers that were sometimes and only tended to by Aerith. The grass was taken care of, at least where there was grass. Toys and tools lay around the yard because no one picked up after themselves back here.
Cloud looked up toward the sky, and I rubbed my arms. I wasn't used to the cold coming from outside. The leaves were different, too; here, they changed with the seasons into reds, oranges, and yellows. Then they began to fall, apparently.
"Summer's the best time to see the stars in Radiant Garden," Cloud said offhandedly. There was a best time to see the stars? In Destiny Islands, the night sky looks the same all year round.
I suppose I missed my chance to see the stars best. I didn't try to stargaze when I first got here. Too concerned with other things. Mainly with mastering the summoning of my keyblade in order to leave.
I exhaled, almost missing the puff of white air that came from me as I tried to look up. I stared at it in awe. Apparently, the seasons were going to change yet again soon. It was going to get even colder than this. I was looking forward to seeing something new like that.
"There's a song we play to honor the stars." He broke through the thick air after a while of absorbing the outside. It caught my attention, and I looked up at him, nodding.
"I figured that would be a good place to start." It occurred to me that when I asked if we could play together, Cloud wouldn't know them, just like I don't know any Radiant Garden music.
In a way, despite living together and being beside each other. Talking to him was like talking to a stranger.
He sat down on one of the plastic lawn chairs. I did the same, scooting the other one right next to him as he began strumming the guitar strings. He paused after each one and repeated a letter; I realized after the second one he was teaching me the notes.
"E," He plucked the sixth string, and I watched intently, committing them all to memory. Knowing each of the notes I'd only ever seen played to me, made me, at least for a moment, believe I could bring the islands here.
I can't go there, so I could bring them here. Surely that would be okay, right? It wasn't a betrayal to Mom and Sora or anyone else if I brought some of home here. Sure, I was getting closer to Cloud and Squall and Denzel, too, but they weren't family. Sharing this wouldn't diminish my connections to my real family, would it?
Cloud seemed to sense something amiss as he paused and thought for a millisecond before handing me the guitar. "You try."
I grabbed it, trying not to be too greedy with it. I positioned it on my lap and started plucking the notes in the familiar melody I remembered. I hummed along as I did, and Cloud listened intently.
"What song is that?" He said after I finished the tune. I averted my gaze from him and the guitar. I was still deciding if I wanted to share this with him, and went ahead and performed it anyway due to my impatience.
"An island song. You reminded me of it 'cause it's about the sky and stars, too." Part of me was nervous that now I'd taken the guitar away from him, things would go back to the way they were. Even if I knew it was unfounded. I couldn't help but think we'd return to being strangers.
Cloud nodded in understanding. And I tried not to make my relief obvious. Cloud was a clunky talker, but he was kind and honest, if a bit awkward.
I suppose we were alike in that way. Once you got to know us, we weren't terrible to be around. But that required someone to try. Another thing we both had in common, neither of us succeeded in trying to get close to people, always relying on other parties.
"Will you sing it again?" He asked softly, sensing I was shrinking away. "I didn't quite hear it the first time."
"O–oh, okay. But what about your song?"
"We can play it after." He shrugged, raising his hand and urging me on with a wave. I hesitated momentarily before warning him, "It's, it's a duet most of the time."
I started the beginning notes, licking my bottom lip, and began singing to the melody. "One Sky, One Destiny."
"Take your hand in mine." Singing both parts was weird. I had to layer my voice and pause in places to make it even half-work. "Doing just fine."
"Reconnect your heart– On my own." I tried changing my voice a bit, going down an octave as best I could to convey to Cloud that the second half of the lyrics was the other person. It was hard trying to do a duet by myself. "Heal your broken trust/ Won't ever break."
"Shine brightly once more/ The light fades. Bonds stay forevermore/ Connections grow apart. Across the seas and skies/ Time controls it all." I had to inhale deeply to be able to continue. Doing both parts like this was impossible.
"Wherever you may be/ I'll never see you again. I'll find you/ Will it still be the same?" I missed a few notes as I had to sing both. It was hard to sing the lines and land the chords at the same time. I ended up having to delay them just to finish the song. "It's up to you, to decide/ Misplaced trust. Open up your heart to me."
"Betrayal."
"One Sky/ There's only one destiny." I looked to Cloud, who seemed intently focused on my old song. One Sky, One Destiny was about love and hope above everything else, about people coming together and repairing what once was. "You can make your own/ It'll happen once more. Destinies in your hands/ Out of my control. Only yours/ Only mine?"
I think it seemed to resonate with him.
"Take your hand in mine/To place my trust in you. Reconnect your heart/To open up again..." I couldn't help but feel the lyrics were tailored to this situation. Both Cloud and I were trying to open up, and it had been hard. But I think we were doing it. Together. "Heal your broken heart/This overwhelming warmth. Time to shine/A light never fades."
"Across the seas and skies/To never be alone. Wherever you may be. One Sky, One Destiny." I played the last notes and took in a deep, cold breath when I was done. I touched my face, feeling the heat radiate from my skin as I huffed and puffed. In and out. To get some kind of air.
Cloud took the guitar from me as I doubled over, absolutely winded from singing for so long. As I was trying to regain my composure, the blond adult knocked me off guard again.
"I don't dislike you."
Immediately, my attention shot to him as the porch became quiet. Just the sound of my heavy breathing and nothing else as he smoothed the guitar over with his hand.
"I never meant to make you feel like I did. I'm sorry, (Y/n)." He averted his eyes shamefully, but I knew he meant it. Cloud just seems like the type of person who's not good with apologies. I think we have that in common, too.
I felt my shoulders slump, and I straightened myself out, smoothing my dress over my legs. "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have shown you that feather. I didn't know it was bad, promise."
Cloud hesitated for a moment, lifting his hand and then retracting it. "It's– you didn't know."
He placed a hand over mine, and I realized that was the first time I'd ever seen his hands without the work gloves. They were rough with callouses and covered in uneven skin from scars.
"I don't dislike you." He repeated himself, eyes drifting out into the garden. He sucked in a breath, "I–I just didn't want to ruin things for you. I wanted you to have... a normal childhood."
Upon hearing that, I couldn't contain the snort of amusement that left my throat. It seemed to startle the older male as he sharply inhaled and turned to look at me.
"I think, that's already too late," I told him. My tone was light, and my voice was soft. I didn't want him to think I hated it here. Sure, I would prefer to be with Sora. But that wasn't the hand fate dealt. And I wouldn't try to change the unchangeable now. "If I were having a normal childhood, we never would've met at all."
The blond exhaled, "Yeah. 'Suppose you're right."
"I like it this way, though." I held a hand up to my chest, closing my eyes. "Because I've connected to Denzel and Squall. Ms. Tifa and Ms. Aerith. Mr. Mickey, Mr. Donald, Master Yen Sid, Mr. Goofy, and Max."
I looked up at the adult, making eye contact with vibrant oceanic eyes that held the green of seafoam in them. They swirled more green than blue. And there was something present in there, something with such life, that I'd only been able to see in Cloud's eyes. Nowhere else.
"And you too. Right, Cloud?"
He blinked before a soft smile overtook his face. He lifted his hand and ruffled my hair. I grabbed onto his large hand to try and stop him. What was it with people always doing that? I didn't understand.
"You're absolutely right."
Despite the cold atmosphere outside, everything suddenly seemed a lot warmer than it was just moments ago. It felt lighter, too, like the overbearing pressure in the air suddenly dissolved before our very eyes, along with whatever misunderstanding we'd had.
I suppose I'll have to thank Squall for that, too.
"How'd my daughter get so intelligent?" Cloud asked rhetorically. Everything about him exuded something soft. It's as if I'd used the key to the lock around the fortified wall blocking off his heart.
The words were clunky, and I could tell it took a lot of effort for him to say them. But what caught my attention most was that I didn't mind being called his daughter. I didn't mind being their family.
Yes, I think that's because no matter if I wanted it or not, I was becoming their family. And a part of me wanted it.
The other part of me remembered Sora and Mom. Becoming family with them, was a betrayal.
But yet, against my better judgment, I found myself ignoring that part of me upon seeing Cloud's smile. It made me feel safe and invited a smile onto my face as well. Cloud stiffened for a moment, becoming unbearably ridged. I wanted to question him about it, but he lifted the guitar again and started playing.
Chords in an unfamiliar melody strummed along fondly. A secret song. His notes didn't have smooth transitions and were oddly spaced apart, but compared to mine, he was almost an expert.
"Is that the constellation song?" I asked, enraptured by the sweet tune. It was soft but intense. Like gritty hope fighting through determined despair. Like light fighting through hardened darkness. It was almost like the start of a love song. Not quite; it was more familiar, friendlier, nostalgic, and sentimental, like familial love.
Cloud grunted in agreement, and I nodded, inquiring again. "What're the lyrics?"
I leaned closer, wanting to experience the nice riffs of the guitar and love behind every note. It felt like something worth sharing in full: lyrics and melody.
Cloud shook his head, and I found my shoulders dropping in disappointment. "It's an old song, but it doesn't have any lyrics."
"Why not?" I questioned once more, intrigued.
"You tell the Star Story over it." He half-explained. I tilted my head. Star Story? I'd never heard of that.
"Can you tell it to me?" Surely, it must be some story if the instrumental was as heavy as it was. And it felt like hearing it would draw me closer to everyone.
Cloud mulled over it for a moment. I could see the gears turning on his face as he quirked his lip and his eyes scanned the garden. "I suppose so. The Star Festival's coming up. You'd get a better story from Squall, though."
But I want to hear it from you, I wanted to say. But Cloud continued playing, saying, "If you want, I can teach you the dance too. So you understand it better."
I nodded vigorously, standing up in a hurry. Swaying to the guitar as he played the rest of it. He explained, "We celebrate the Star festival twice yearly, in June and December. The Caeli are why we celebrate in June."
"What about in December?"
"We're getting to that," Cloud said pointedly, and I shut up, listening to him play the last few notes. Cherishing the music as it played.
When he was done, he hauled himself up out of the chair and brought both me and him to the middle of the yard. I came to stand beside him, and he curled his fingers around my hand. Holding my arm up, he let go of my hand but kept our palms pressed together toward the sky.
He put his left foot out, and so did I. The hand not holding mine was out, so I put mine out, too. We looked like a star or were supposed to, but I was too short, so he just kept his hand up as far as I could go, making the position horribly lopsided, more like a star that was supposed to have seven points instead of five.
"The Gemini Caeli are the leaders and represent the stars, all constellations, which is why we celebrate all of our constellations when they appear overhead the castle. And they have two different stories, depending on where you look in the sky."
"So, how do you tell the difference between the two?" I asked, confused. Maybe it's because I'd never bothered to look at the constellation, but I was having a hard time imagining it.
"One side of the Gemini has more stars than the other."
"Oh?"
Cloud looked at my face, searching to see if I understood everything so far. I tried to show him I did, but didn't know how to correctly convey it. He moved our position, breaking apart our hands, and turned himself towards me to face me head-on. I did the same.
He told me to spin three times before continuing, "The Gemini Caeli were two twins, male and female. Raised by the Pater Sapiens, they were brought up with light and goodness in their hearts. The brother was naive and trusting. The sister, loyal and determined. Right now, we'll go over the sister's story."
"Okay," I chimed, following Cloud's movements as he started enacting the dance. Leaving me to follow along.
"The brother Gemini's loyal guard, The Fervus Eques, and the sister Gemini's loyal guard, Sol Pondero, kept watch over them faithfully." He recited it as if he'd heard the story a million times. He probably had. "But one day, the sister Gemini snuck out from the watch of the Pondero, Sapiens, and brother Caeli to discover the Umbra Bestia attacking the Velit Dominae. Frightened by this, the Caeli fought back, protecting the Dominae and letting her run free. In the process, the Caeli became injured. Upon her return, she was met with a scolding from the Pondero, who covered her outing."
Cloud helped me through the motions of the sister's dance, and when I asked, he showed me the other constellations dance. Leading me along with the tale.
"But the Gemini did not care. For she saw the Bestia's eyes, and in them was a great sadness she knew all too well. The longing for freedom." A far-off look in Cloud's eyes suggested more than he'd ever let on to me. I think this story means more to him than just simply being an old childhood fairytale.
"So, she turned to the Pater Sapiens with a question, he asked another in return, 'How would you resolve a conflict?'" The dance motions for this part were simple, so simple that Cloud didn't even have to guide me.
"She didn't have an answer for the Sapiens. So in her confusion, she left the Pater Sapiens to consult with the Sol Pondero. The Pondero was unable to give the Gemini an answer, so she went to find the brother Caeli."
"She found him with the Fervus Eques and Velit Dominae. She asked them all the same question as the Pater Sapiens, but none could give her an answer." The Velit Dominae's dance was much more complicated, airy, and light. Cloud had to guide me through her feathery off-the-ground moves. Graceful and elegant her dance seemed to be made with the intention of never touching the ground.
On the other hand, the Eques dance was quite jerky and heavy. My weight was too little to accurately get the movements, but Cloud seemed to have no problem switching between the two. "Instead, the Dominae healed the sister Caeli's wounds, in return, the Caeli thanked her and went on her way. Determined to find a clue to the Sapien's question."
What was the true intent? What was the Pater Sapiens really trying to ask? It couldn't have been so straightforward.
"She stumbled upon the Oblitus Stella and her worried friends in her search. The Stella was dying, and her friends, the Fortis Bellator and the Sola Flamma were trying their hardest to stop the inevitable." The only way I could describe the Stella's dance was as sad. Slow movements with ballet inspiration, I think.
"They begged the Caeli for help, but she could offer no assistance in their time of need herself. But as she stayed with the Stella and became friends with the group, the Caeli mourned with the Stella's friends. It seemed as though it was too late, there was nothing they could do." Cloud danced the other two for me, one was complicated, a dual dance that required precise movement and memorization. The other was a flurry of movements and actions, seemingly with no rhyme or reason to them.
I found myself liking the first two dances more than the last. Something about the illogical movements didn't sit right with me.
"Until the Gemini remembered the Velit Dominae. The Dominae had healed the Caeli, surely she could do the same for the Stella..!" Cloud looked down at his feet for a moment, closing his eyes.
I thought hearing this story his whole life would make him immune to caring about the star's emotions, their desperation. But maybe it was the other way around?
Maybe the story impacted him more because he had heard it his whole life. Or perhaps it was a familiar feeling to him? I don't know what has happened to Cloud, I don't know his story. But what I do know made me stop dancing and reach out and grab his hand. He looked at it for a fleeting moment before averting his eyes.
This was something private to him. So I wasn't going to mention or comment on it any further. I squeezed his hand once tightly before letting go.
He took a deep breath as he continued. "The Bellator and Flamma set off to find the Dominae, hoping to save their friend."
As he centered himself, I tried to imagine the stars in the sky. Thinking that if they were out, I'd be able to see the stars' positions and discover how this story was crafted, but it was still afternoon, only beginning to turn late, so I could only imagine for now. It's a shame, I would have liked to see how and why they killed a constellation.
"The Bellator encountered the Eques, Gemini, and Dominae. Demanding that the Dominae come with him and that there was no time to explain. His voice was a plea, but the Eques stood tall against his threat. The two constellations clashed." Cloud had me practice the fighting-like motions of the dance, lots of twirls, and even a flip.
It was the hardest part, which meant Cloud and I spent the most time on it. I had to admit, that after a while, it became fun to try. He held my stomach and back and had me cartwheel, saying a flip would be too dangerous for me.
When I fell, it pushed me to try harder. And when I succeeded, I smiled. I looked to Cloud to see how he felt, but my victory was met with sad eyes. He wasn't trying to hide them either. And I realized his body had tensed up, looking very uncomfortable. But a moment later, he returned to normal and didn't mention it.
He reached behind me, guiding my movements as he had me do a twirl. "While the two fought, the Flamma made their way toward the Dominae and the watching Gemini twin, they begged the Dominae to come with them, to save their friend, saying that the sister Gemini had sent them. And the Dominae listened, disappearing with the Flamma. Seeing this, the Bellator vanished from the fight as well."
"The Eques and Gemini met together again, waiting for their friend to return home.
The Flamma, Dominae, and Bellator returned to their friends, only to discover they were too late. The Stella had died while they were gone, only leaving one last message with the sister Gemini who refused to tell, saying she had promised." I frowned when he told me that.
"She refused to tell? Their friends dying words and she refused to tell?" I asked, my voice going up an octave. It made no sense to me. Maybe because promises had never sat well with me, but I couldn't fathom someone keeping their last words, their memory, from those that they loved. It was the last remnant of you that they got to keep, after all.
Cloud nodded, seemingly agreeing. "She was loyal to her friend until the end. Even when it threatened to drive her other friendships apart."
"That's stupid." I commented before stopping, adding on, "and sad."
I was the one who pointed it out, and yet I didn't feel sad saying or hearing it. I guess the story hadn't yet grabbed me enough to build that connection.
"Yeah... It is." Cloud mumbled. He didn't look tense anymore, but there was still this air around him, as if he was bothered by something. Was it me? But I thought he didn't dislike me. Was it something I said? I ran through every conversation I could remember us having, but nothing would suggest that I said anything wrong. Other than the feather incident from a few days ago, which he had forgiven me for.
"This enraged the Bellator, who lashed out at the sister Gemini before leaving. The sorrow still fresh in his heart." Cloud continued the dance. I tried to copy him where I could. But the moves were harder, more complicated. My unskilled and unpracticed performance couldn't keep up with Cloud's fluid movements. "The Flamma followed the Bellator, saddened and lost. As for the Gemini, she finally found her answer to the Pater Sapiens question, storing the ache deep within her heart."
I wondered what the answer the Gemini came up with was. But I didn't ask in fear of breaking the story's momentum. The answer would certainly be revealed at the end.
"The Dominae stayed with the grieving Gemini for a long while. Helping the Gemini to steel her resolve. A resolve to follow the Stella's wish. Carrying the Stella's remaining sparks she asked a favor of the Dominae, to meet her where they first encountered one another and the Umbra Bestia. The Dominae agreed." Cloud noticed my struggle and came over again to help me. I felt relieved as he began to guide me again.
"The Eques and brother Gemini waited for their friend, but she never returned. The Eques cursed the skies, saying that the two had stolen her. The Gemini refused to believe that, going to the Sapiens; who asked him a question in return, 'Who has to be the bad guy?'" I stopped, furrowing my eyebrows.
"Has to be?" I asked. Did anyone have to be bad? I thought that was perspective. Like how Sora looked up to Riku more than anything, and how I didn't think Riku was as cool as Sora thought.
Cloud didn't directly answer me, instead continuing with his story. "The Gemini did not understand the question. Telling the Sapiens that he believed in the good in everybody. When he returned to the Eques, his guard told him that they must retrieve their friends themselves. To prepare for battle. The Gemini followed, not knowing what else to do."
Once I began to understand the dance, Cloud stepped away, showing me the next part. "The Bellator and Flamma joined the Bestia Litigator, who had promised them a way to get their lost friend back. The Bellator believed, in his grief and with all his heart, that it was true. The Flamma was more skeptical but followed not to lose their last friend."
The Flamma followed their friend despite their better judgment? Why? I didn't understand their thinking. Wasn't it better to save yourself in a situation like that?
"The Gemini sister gathered the Sol Pondero and asked him where the Liberum Ventum was, wanting to use its power to free the Umbra Bestia," A pang went through my chest, finding its place as a piercing headache. The name Ventum struck me with the ailment, so I hoped he wouldn't bring it up again. How strange. It must've been a coincidence, but I couldn't help but want to avoid the circumstances that caused it.
"The Sol Pondero promised to show the Gemini, in exchange that he could fight with her. As her guard, as her friend, he wanted to keep her safe. The sister promised."
My face scrunched up at the use of the word. Promises were fine in their own right. I'm sure for many people they worked. But I had no trust in them. The saying promises were made to be broken wouldn't exist if there wasn't a reason for it. "Lots of promises. Did she keep them?"
It's hard to keep a promise. I'm sure she must've broken at least one. Cloud looked down at me, stopping this time to answer as he tilted his head.
"Of course."
The silent gasp that escaped me caused Cloud to raise his eyebrow, though he didn't mention it. It didn't go unnoticed by me either. The fact that her promises bothered me enough to cause a reaction was new.
Cloud continued his story, and I was glad we were moving past that. This tale had given me a lot of things to think about. "Together they found the Liberum Ventum, asking it for the power to free the captured Bestia. It saw the longing of freedom in the Gemini's heart and gave her the power she needed." Cloud performed the most complicated move all day as the sun slowly began to set behind him. It was beautiful.
"They reunited– the Velit Dominae, Gemini Caeli, Liberum Ventum, Oblitus Stella, and Sol Pondero. Coming together for the common goal of saving the Umbra Bestia."
"Then what happened? Did it come? ...Did they save it?" I asked hesitantly. I'm sure he would've gotten to it if I hadn't. But I realized I'd been so immersed in the story I couldn't help my curiosity.
Cloud hid his amusement well, but I could tell from the way his shoulders moved and how he wouldn't look me in the eye. "Every time someone hears this story for the first time it's entertaining."
He guided me through a spin before hoisting me up into his arms, confused, I braced myself on his upper arm before wrapping mine around his neck. The differences in our sizes were plain to see as I hooked my hands together at the back of his neck and had to place my head under his chin.
"What about the rest of the dance?" I inquired, not understanding why we were stopping. Was he not going to finish? Had I ruined it with all of my questions?
He walked back to the porch, pulling over two plastic yard chairs one at a time and plopping me down on one. It was a nasty green color that reminded me of the garbage can. He sat down on a worn white one that had seen better days.
"It can wait. We have plenty of time to learn every part." Cloud smiled, and I thought that was a good indicator that he was comfortable around me. So I smiled too, trying to replicate the same warmth.
Maybe he might've been able to hide it from others, but I saw clear as day the instinctive flinch of his body. His body became tense like he was staring down a predator. I dropped my smile. Why did he not like it?
Was this another thing I wasn't supposed to be aware of that neither Squall nor Cloud will tell me? Like the feather?
I tried switching the subject, looking out into the sun-setting sky. "Tell me the rest of the story?"
He cleared his throat, taking in a breath before jumping into it without another awkward word. I suppose it was too much to ask to be on completely good terms with him in one day.
"With orders from the Bestia Litigator, the Umbra Bestia attacked. Not without help; from within the shadows awaited the Bellator and in the open, the brightly shining Flamma. The Pondero engaged in combat with the Flamma, while the Gemini stood tall, calling on the power of the Ventum to free the Beastia, harnessing both the Stella and the Dominae to clear the Litigator's control for good. The Bestia fell to the ground, being caught by the Gemini." A dull, throbbing pain came from below my chest. Right where my birthmark was. Maybe I was getting hungry. We had been out here a while.
But I wanted to hear the rest of the story more than I wanted to get rid of it. So I didn't tell Cloud, letting him weave the tale together expertly.
The wind brushed his pale blond hair over his face, and he swept it to the side. I noticed the way his eyes scanned the yard as if looking for something.
"The Bellator saw the display of the Stella's sparks, felt her power, and grew enraged at the Gemini who'd stolen everything of his friend. Going to attack the sister Gemini, the Bellator was stopped by the brother Gemini who was determined to protect his twin. The Fervus Eques stood beside the Pondero. They battled as the Gemini sister and Dominae tended to the defeated Bestia. Once it was healed enough, it spoke." Cloud stopped, taking in another deep breath.
"It spoke the lies of the Bestia Litigator." I might've imagined it, but it looked like Cloud had empathy with the story character. I could only show the slightest bit of sympathy with it. To be controlled without any way to free yourself, having to rely on others, must be incredibly hard. I can only imagine how many calls for help it cried. How many went unanswered?
I shook it off, it was just a story. Cloud didn't.
"The Gemini listened without interruption. Hearing of the many things the Litigator had done. She rose to her feet in the middle of the battlefield and yelled the Bestia's words, as well as the promise she made to the Oblitus Stella. A promise to protect her friends and anything else dear."
"The stars listened to her cries. Gathering together and stopping the battle. The constellations stripped the Litigator of his allies, and the Stars– his weapons. They had thwarted the Bestia Litigator."
Cloud closed his eyes and didn't open them as he recalled the unbroken tale. "The Brother Gemini ran to the Litigator, asking a simple question, '"Why?'"
The blond curled his lip, and I bit the inside of my cheek. It was a good question to ask– I was curious to know the answer for all of that cruelty.
"His response was as simple as that question, "'To see my friends again.'"
I furrowed my brow, looking down at the clenched hands on my lap. Friends? Were they really so important that they would be worth all of that? I whispered the word to myself in confusion, "Friends?"
"The stars understood the Litigator's pain, but what do they do now? The Litigator needed to be punished. He was just as bad as his worse actions."
Cloud opened his eyes, glancing down at me. "The Pater Sapiens appeared at that moment, asking the Gemini twins if they finally had an answer to his questions from long ago."
I'd forgotten all about them. But if it was being brought up now then this must be the part of the story where they spout some cheesy lesson– like in the books Mom would read to Sora and I before bed.
"The sister Gemini answered her own, 'There is no right way to resolve a conflict, except for making sure no one suffers anymore than they already have. We need to forgive, we need to heal.' The brother Gemini answered, 'Everyone is better than their worst actions. Just as they can be worse than their best.'"
"Good answers, for the most part." I couldn't help but think they were a bit naive in their views. The Litigator should be punished. Especially for what he did to the Bestia.
"I thought so too." A small chuckle escaped Cloud, one I didn't expect.
"But the brother didn't actually answer the question." I pointed out, thinking on it. The original question had asked who to assign blame to. Not what he answered. "Unless the Sapiens wasn't saying what he meant."
"The Gemini wouldn't have understood what he meant." Cloud explained patiently.
"Then that makes the Gemini stupid." I shot back.
"Maybe." Cloud snorted, taken off guard by my fast response. He shook his head, carrying on.
"The Sapiens helped the Litigator up, taking the Litoigator's hand in his own, then taking the Gemini's hand, who in turn took their sibling Gemini in their hand. This continued, until finally, they formed the Tela Veritatis. Finally marking the end of that story." Cloud shrugged and my mouth fell open. How anti-climatic for an ending with a story that long.
But wait... he said– "That story?"
"Over the generations, there have been a lot of different tales," Cloud sighed, "Can't remember them all, but if you want to know more I'll find them. I'm sure I can find at least one in a library book or something."
"I'd like that." I nodded to myself, feeling a smile return on my face. Cloud smiled too, looking at me. There was an unmistakable warmth in his eyes, and I realized that this was the first time I'd smiled that didn't cause a bad reaction from the adult.
"Cloud?" I found myself interrogating him before I could help myself. The weirdness of it had been bothering me for as long as I'd noticed it.
He gave me his full, undivided attention, and I squirmed just a little in my seat, "...It's been bothering me all day, but besides right now, every time I smile you tense up like I'm hurting you. Did I do something wrong?"
Is there a way to smile wrong?
He took my question seriously, eyes drifting away to the yard where he stared, unfocused, ahead. For a moment, all was silent. He sat there with his reply on his lips, and I waited patiently to hear it.
And finally, he spoke.
"It never hits your eyes, that's why."
Did I hear him right? What doesn't reach my eyes? I couldn't stop the bewilderment coursing through my veins. Mystical blue-green eyes met my (e/c) ones.
His eyes burst with energy and life. I wondered for a moment, what mine looked like to him for him to say such a thing.
"That's the first smile since you've gotten here that's made your eyes light up." He didn't make an effort to meet my eyes. He mumbled something under his breath, but even so close to him I couldn't hear it.
He didn't repeat his muttered words, instead saying what he meant for me to hear. "A child shouldn't have eyes like yours."
It was a strange thing to say. And to any other child, hurtful. But I was the one who asked, so I wanted to hear him through.
The first smile to light up my eyes? Didn't they all do that? Sora's eyes were always bright. And Riku's smile was always bright when he was with us. So was Denzels, and even Squalls.
There was a difference? I'd never seen it.
I had nothing to say in response to his words. Questions floating around in my mind like buzzing bees.
If other people saw this, what did it look like to them? How did they interpret this? Because it seemed as though Cloud had a problem with it. Have I hurt Denzel and Squall? Riku and Mom? Sora?
It wasn't my intention to. But thinking back on it now... Mom had said something about my expression once, and she was always trying to get me to smile when Sora wasn't around. I heard her talking about them with Riku's mom once, but I brushed their worries off since I was fine.
And Denzel was always trying to get me to smile too. And Squall always seemed to be searching for something on my face. Was this something so obvious and I couldn't see it? I felt fine, I am fine. Is there something wrong with me?
Without realizing it I had put my hand up near my left eye. Cloud took my hand from its hovering over my face, holding it in his as he set it down on my lap. Under his breath, he cursed softly, hoping I wouldn't hear. I pretended not to.
"I just– didn't want to make it worse. Cause I've seen those eyes, in you, in Denzel, in me, and I somehow always manage to make them worse." He wasn't looking me in the eyes, anywhere but, but it still felt genuine.
I paused, contemplating what he said. Eyes that don't reflect expressions. Denzel had those eyes? Cloud too? Did that mean there wasn't something wrong with me after all? That this was fixable if there was?
I don't want to go around the rest of my life with eyes like this. Eyes that drive people away. That causes hurt and worry. "...There is a way to fix it, right?"
The adult hesitated before nodding hurriedly. "Yeah, yeah. There is– only if you want to."
Of course, I want to. Why wouldn't I want to fix it? It was such a strange response that I found myself ignoring it.
I looked down at his hand which completely engulfed mine. And in the softest and most vulnerable voice I've ever heard come from my mouth, I asked him, "Will you help me?"
He tightened his grip, "Of course."
In the distance, the setting sun was just going below the horizon. The mixture of reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows was disappearing along with it to make way for the starry night sky. I placed my other hand on his as Cloud was about to get up.
"Can we stay out a little longer? I wanna see the stars."
Hey hope everything is going well! And that life isn't too crazy and you pull through anything you're stuggling with. You got this 👍
*Heart squeezes* Thank you! Everything’s fine. I just have too many hard classes this year and have really lost my motivation lately, coupled with extracurriculars I’ve sort of lost ‘me’ time. Which I usually use for writing. But it will all be over soon! Almost done with the year! Yeet! ;^; thank you for checking up.
The sun shone brightly down on the vastly kept greenland that made up the park. Radiant Garden's specialty was the ever-consuming flower fields of its culture and world. And despite the sun's rays not being as harsh as they were on the islands, the plants blossomed under it. There was a giant, metallic playset for little children in the middle of a mess of mulch, enclosed by strips of old wood. Trees were sparse next to the flatlands to really let the kids run wild, and I stood with Denzel right at the edge of it as Squall gently pushed us closer to the playground.
Denzel eyed the swings, shaking my shoulder to alert me that there was still one swing not taken by a kid yet and that we had to move quickly. I saw a kid go down the slide and another fall off the monkey bars. It seemed like a busy day.
I took a step to follow him as he started running toward the swings, saying he'd save it for me when Squall took my book. I let out a cry of protest, but he didn't return it.
"Give her the book back," Cloud told his spouse as I turned to face the brunette, holding out my hands and trying to reach up to grab it myself when I saw he had no intention of it. Without hurting me, Squall put a hand on my head and turned me around, pushing me out again toward the playground.
"She doesn't need this," Squall said, sighing. "I don't know why we let her bring it."
"Max and Goofy aren't even here yet," Cloud protested. I turned back around, eyeing my book.
"(Y/n) needs to play with the other kids," Squall insisted, eyes trailing down to me as I stared up at him. I waited, but he didn't budge.
"It's alright, go play. I'll keep it safe for you and give it back later." He tried to reassure me, smoothing his hand over the book. Realizing I wasn't going to get it back, I huffed, starting to walk away as I heard Squall tell Cloud I was, 'behind other kids my age, socially.'
"She's got a keyblade at age four, what did you expect?" I heard Squall groan, and then I was out of earshot of them as I hurried over to Denzel. He waved me over, hopping off the swing he managed to save but held onto the metal chain.
"Come on, faster, (Y/n)! I wanna push you on the swing!" The older boy rushed me as soon as I got close enough, he picked me up by the waist and helped me onto the swing when I couldn't do it myself. I gripped the chains with my hands tightly so I wouldn't fall, my hands enclosing just one of the big links.
Denzel took a place behind me, placing his hands on my back before gently pushing me. The swing moved a little bit and I wiggled my legs. He did it again, and I kicked. It felt like I was flying.
"No. If you do that you'll lose the momentum!" Denzel warned me.
"Oh." I didn't know that. I stopped kicking, just letting him push me. Back and forth, back and forth, as he was pushing me Denzel had to move out of the way so he wouldn't get hit. And I managed to soar above his head.
"Hey Denzel, who's that?" Another kid's voice broke through the air followed by a surprised scream. I swung back and didn't feel a push. I turned around, Denzel was catching his breath as a kid around his age looked at him with a raised brow.
He was taller than Denzel and had black hair and a snout with big eyes. He reminded me of Mr. Mickey but he didn't look like a mouse. With his floppy ears on his head, he reminded me of a friendly doggy. But that was a rude observation, wasn't it?
"Dude, you okay?" I noticed when he opened his mouth to speak that he was missing a couple of teeth, but the ones he did have were sharp and jagged. He took his gloved hands out of the pockets of his baggy jeans and crossed them over his chest. A plain red t-shirt covered his upper half. I'm pretty sure that this must be Max, then.
"No," Denzel huffed, "You scared me."
"Aren't your parents like noble warriors or somethin'?" Max scoffed, "Where's your backbone?"
"Over there," Denzel pointed in a random direction. By this time all my momentum had dropped and the swing stopped. In an effort to observe their conversation more, I tried to move directions on the swing seat, but it kept moving. I almost fell, which made me grab onto the chain with both hands and lean on it to stay on the swing. I was very wrong about it, I don't think I can get down on my own...
Denzel saw my plight and steadied the swing, picking me up and placing me down next to it. The hole under the swing caused by people's feet slowing their dissent made me look even shorter next to the two boys.
"Must've fallen out when you jumped out your skin," Max snickered.
I tugged on Denzel's shirt, "What do Cloud and Squall do, Zel?"
He looked down at me and offered a smile, "They fight monsters and keep Radiant Garden safe."
I nodded, but I already knew that. I meant specifics, but I guess no one will tell me those. "What about you, Max? What do your parents do?"
"My dad's Captain of the Royal Guard." There was a lot of pride in his voice as he told us, and I got a distinct feeling that there was more attached to that. He had the same tone of voice Sora uses to talk about Riku, admiration present in every word.
"What about your other parent?" I asked, realizing he only explained one of his parents' jobs.
His entire being seemed to sag, but overall his mood didn't seem to drop much when he said, "Don't have another one."
I blinked, "Your daddy had you alone too?" I narrowed my eyes, suspiciously, "Do you have a twin?"
I looked around, but I couldn't find any kids like him around. Max looked befuddled. "I– no, what? Denzel, who is this?"
"My little sister, (Y/n)," Denzel told him proudly, smoothing his hand over my head. He seemed so happy that I didn't correct him. He told me how much he wanted a little sibling, I wouldn't say anything to ruin that. It's not as if we weren't that close anyway.
Max looked at me, squeezing his eyes closed like I was something far away and he had blurry vision, before declaring, "She's tiny."
Denzel chuckled, "Yeah, I know, right? I was surprised when I first saw her too."
"I may be small now," I started, stepping closer to both of them and placing a hand on my chest, right over my heart, "but someday soon I'm gonna be a big, strong keyblade wielder. Like Mr. Mickey!"
Max scoffed, "You? Like King Mickey? You've got a long way to go if you wanna grow up to be like him."
"That's why I'm starting now," I told him, "because I'm gonna be even better than Mr. Mickey."
"Sure you will, pipsqueak." I gasped as he called me that name, but Denzel changed the subject.
"What's that you got in your hand, Max?" Confused about what he was talking about, I took a second look back at Max, discovering a parchment paper crushed in his left hand. He waved it in front of us.
"Uncle Scrooge gave me a treasure map, I've tracked the location to this park and I'm giving you two the honor of finding the treasure with me." He told us as he smoothed out the map and showed Denzel, who leaned over to see it. I tried to look over it too, but I was too short to see it from the angle they were holding it.
"How do we know it's real?" Denzel asked skeptically. I crossed my arms, siding with him.
"My uncle wouldn't give me something that wasn't legit," Max said confidently. "He loves me," He emphasized, "so it has to be something good. I'm his favorite, after all."
"Alright," Denzel shrugged, "I guess it doesn't hurt to try."
"Are we hunting for treasure?" I asked, grabbing onto the bottom of my shirt and playing with the fabric as I rocked back and forth on the heels of my feet. "Like those pirates from the cartoons? Can I help?"
"Of course!" Denzel exclaimed, ruffling my hair.
"Then, can I see the map too?" I asked, shifting in my spot. I expected Max to say no since they didn't let me see it before, but he handed over the map for me to take a look without an issue.
It had four locations connected together by a dotted line before X marked the spot on the fifth one. The first circle was a picture of Radiant Garden, the second one was a park, the third one was a tree with a deformed trunk, and the last one looked like a hole in the tree. Then the X.
"So we're looking for a tree?" I questioned, looking around the park for such a tree. There didn't seem to be one like it in sight.
"Hey," Another voice called. This one sounded more like one my age, "Are you guys gonna use that swing or can I take it?"
I turned to the one who asked the question, he had floppy hair that covered his eyes and tan skin. Just like his voice, he looked to be around my age.
"Oh, no! You can take it," Denzel took my hand and started walking away from the swing as Max stayed right next to us, walking beside me. The kid happily jumped onto the swing with no problems.
We passed by the playground set as we started looking for trees. All of them seemed normal for the most part. Certainly none with deformed trunks like in the picture.
"Are you sure this is the right park?" Denzel asked as he blew his hair out of his face. The sun beat down on us, and it seemed I was the only one unaffected by it. Denzel had a sheen of sweat covering his skin and Max was trying to hide his tongue which was flopping out of his mouth.
"It has to be. It's the only park near here." I stated, looking around again. I didn't see Mr. Scrooge giving Max a treasure map to a park he wouldn't normally go to. The only other one was out of the way from here and neither Max nor his father had any reason to go over there.
"Should we split up?" Max suggested. I shrugged, that would be the best plan to find it quicker. Denzel disagreed.
"No, we stay together. I don't want to lose my new baby sister. I just got her." Denzel wrapped his arms around my shoulder. I couldn't help but think it sounded as if he were comparing me to a new toy. But even if that's what it sounded like, I knew what Denzel meant. And knowing that he wanted me around was reassuring.
Max huffed, crossing his arms. "I see who's the favorite."
"Glad I made it obvious for you." Denzel quipped back. I didn't think he meant it though. He'd known Max far longer, they were friends.
"So we won't be splitting up?" I asked, just to be sure. Both boys gave me noises of agreement and Denzel let go, taking my hand. I held the map in my free hand as we walked along the tree line.
There were many trees near the park, but none that looked like the picture. Max walked ahead of us, mostly because Denzel had to slow his walk so I could keep up with him. I appreciated it.
There was a tree with a weird trunk that we took a look at, but there wasn't anything except a nest in the hole. Denzel had to lift me on his shoulders just for us to have a look inside. We wobbled a bit, and I had to hold on to the tree for stability as I checked.
By the time Denzel had managed to put me down safely, Max had run ahead and was shouting for Denzel to come take a look.
"Coming!" Denzel yelled back, smiling at me. "C'mon, (Y/n), let's see what he found!"
He rushed toward his friend before I even had time to respond. I clutched the map close to my chest as I made my way over to the boys. They'd hurried to check the tree and found nothing. Leaving them quite dejected.
I thought it was a bit too soon to be dejected, we hadn't been looking that long.
"Denzel, Max, (Y/n)!" Cloud's voice cut through the heavy air of disappointment as he came from the tree line.
I waved at him to let him know where we were, but he'd already caught sight of us.
He sighed in relief upon catching up to us. "You shouldn't go that far. Stay in our sight line."
I noticed that when he was warning us, his eyes went between Max and Denzel, making a point not to look at me. I felt myself shrink just a tad, he really didn't like or care for me at all.
Cloud shook his head, "Let's go back to the playground. You can play out here another day."
Despite his words, his tone made me think he didn't mean it. Still, if Cloud said it, it must be true. He wouldn't lie to us. I saw the way he talked to Denzel, every word was truthful and genuine. And even if he didn't like me, nor want me, when we did talk, I never sensed any ill will.
So I suppose we'll have to wait until next time to find the treasure, then. If Cloud and Squall still want me around.
"Okay, can we go down the slide?" I nodded to Cloud before asking Denzel, reaching my hands up for Denzel to grab. He took my hand in his easily.
"Of course we can!" The brunet looked up to his father for confirmation and received a subtle smile in return.
Behind the trees far off in the distance, near the bramble and bushes, something shook violently. Max looked off toward that direction, farther than I could see, with a sense of pointedness. He inhaled, before voicing his suspicions aloud. "Wait! I think that's it."
He took off running without a second thought, and without a third thought, Denzel started running after him, voicing a 'wait up!' as he went. Denzel hadn't let go of my hand before he took off, leaving me to try and run at a pace I couldn't keep up with as he dragged me along.
"You can do it, (N/n)," Denzel exclaimed. Out of breath and a bit bitter as he made me run, I thought to myself that, no, I can't.
By the time we made it to the tree, Max had pointed out, I was huffing and puffing and about ready to double over. Placing my hands on my knees as I tried to take in big breaths. The boys tried jumping up to put their hands in the nook of the nest, but couldn't reach on their own.
"Aw, man! C'mon, just a little more!" Denzel groaned, getting on his tippy toes and stretching his arm in there. Max exhaled heavily, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Dude, you're not gonna reach. Just put your sister on your shoulders again." He suggested, moving his hands in his baggy jean pockets.
I shook my head in denial. "Nuh-uh, he almost dropped me last time."
Denzel paused, light blue eyes turning to meet mine. "(Y/n)! I swear I'll be careful this time. You know I'd never mean to drop you."
"No," I stated, very sure of myself. I knew Denzel would never mean to drop me, but that doesn't mean that I want to try it again. "Just wait for Cloud, he's tall. He can get it."
"He's taking his sweet time getting here, though," Max grumbled, slumping against the tree and crossing his legs. Denzel sighed, walking around in a circle as he waited for Cloud to catch up with us.
The adult didn't seem to sense the boys' urgency, as he kept walking at his regular pace until he reached us. I couldn't quite read his face when he asked, "Do you all need some help?"
Dramatically, Denzel waved his arms between Cloud and the tree. "Please! The treasure's right there. I can feel it."
Without another word, Cloud walked over to the tree and knocked on the hollow trunk, nodding to himself when it reverberated back and stuck his hand in it. Pulling out a small wooden box that was smaller than his hand, but would've been big in both of mine.
"This is what you were looking for?" He inquired, raising a brow and passing it to an excited Denzel. The brown-haired boy was practically jumping for joy.
"It's the treasure, we found it, Max. Thanks, Dad," Denzel laughed, not even caring as Max took the box from him and took a peek inside.
"What's in it?" Denzel asked, trying to grab at the box to see inside of it too. Max held it away from him with a mischievous smile.
"Come find out." Denzel let out a noise of indignation before Max took off running in the direction of the playground. Denzel chased after him, seemingly forgetting about me and Cloud.
I finished catching my breath, standing straight. As I did, I noticed something by the base of the trunk. Something Denzel and Max both missed in their excitement, but something I found much more appealing than a simple treasure.
It was a single, fluffy black feather. If it came from a bird, I'd never seen it before. Not on the islands or here in Radiant Garden. I walked over, crouching to pick it up and examine it. Just a feather. I wonder where or what it came from. It looked well-groomed and healthy.
As a resident of this world for far longer than me, Cloud would know which animal this feather belongs to. Right?
I stood up and turned around, waddling forward to show him up close. I held my hands up to him to show him the pretty feather I found.
"Cloud, look what I found. I've never seen a feather like this before. We don't have this kind on the islands. What bird does it come from? Can I keep it?" I thought it might make a good bookmark. A nice reminder of the different and unique things I could find in Raidant Garden that I could never see back home.
In my wonder, I hadn't been paying attention to Cloud's face very closely. But when I looked to him for his reply, I found that he was unusually still. His breathing had stilled and his eyes were alarmed.
No, not alarmed. Distressed. He was panicked.
He swiped the feather out of my hand and held it in his gloved one before snatching my wrist in his other and quickly turning on his heel. Walking at a steady pace back in the direction of Squall and Mr. Goofy.
I blinked, trying to keep up with him. Watching as he clutched the feather like it was burning away the cloth above his skin and searing his being. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes looked off into a far distance that wasn't here.
In his eyes, I saw genuine fear.
And though I didn't understand why the feather had caused this reaction, I understood the fear itself. I would've hated it if Cloud had presented me with darkness.
I couldn't help but think I made my relationship with Cloud worse by picking that feather up.
I feel like (Y/n)‘s theme would be sad but not slow. A fast song in the vein of Terra’s theme but like Riku’s in a way, though different. I also feel like it would be one of those themes with multiple names like other characters. I’ve dubbed her theme, “A Genius’s Regrets” and “The Forgotten Soul.”
romaincrisis
gamechangershow
yousharknotpass
turnnoffyourmind
pixelskylines