ex-SOLDIER

[swordstricken-a]

archived.

was going to just reboot this blog, but it’s time for a new space. swordstricken is archived. i’ll be over at makofused if anyone that follows me now cares. 

[swordstricken-a]

url change, but hooo boy this may be dash only. tumblr changes were not kind to me, and I can’t remember a damn thing about coding.

[swordstricken-a]

i come back to see the softest art of bb cloud and his mom flagged as inappropriate. wtf tumblr, this is exactly why you suck.

[cynicaln-deactivated20190405]

Request done for  @littlesparklight, who wanted a bit of Cloud interacting with his mom. Adorable kids are one of my favorite fluffs to draw :3

I imagine that Cloud’s mom is a bit lighter blonde than her son, and that Cloud’s got his dad’s blue eyes while his mom’s got hazelnut ones… at least in my rambling headcanon.

[meanestmachine]

“You smol.” “I’m glad you’re amused.”

@swordstricken

[swordstricken-a]

/places hand on shoulder, steps around

╳    @adventson​ ———— wtf

                                                            body stiffens and heart beats wildly against its cage as the firm hand ( hands that could wield a weapon of magnitude with infinite grace ) grasps his shoulder briefly before retreating. vision is filled by hair the color of moonlight as he steps around him, and he can focus on nothing but the warm weight that still lingers even when he is gone. body leans toward the one that had passed him by, unaware of the effect he had just had on him, as eyes close to hide the swirling emotion within. a shallow intake of breath is the only noise that escapes him and he’s overwhelmed by the visceral reaction ( embarrassed by its intensity ) to the general. 

                                                            such a simple gesture and he had been stricken silent, unable to offer even the expected greeting for a superior. he is still, feet rooted to the ground, and yet part of him wants to turn around and follow. to continue to, selfishly, soak in sephiroth’s presence. to sate his desires and gaze upon a visage of beauty. but realization sinks heavy on his chest, choking the thought from him, and reminding him that he is nothing but an infantryman. he could not even claim the title of SOLDIER. what would someone of such ranking, of such power, of such importance want with him? their exchanges had been pleasant, respectful and cloud ( sure that it was nothing but small talk meant to fill time ) had been floored by the image that had been altered before him. where once he had admired this man, had sought SOLDIER for this man; he now saw the human beneath the veil, and desired to see more. he was no longer unattainable, but within reach ———— if only physically. and even then, it was not to be ( he would not let it be ). fingers curl, digging into flesh as chin tilts to hide his face lest he reveal to all around him what was raging inside.

                                                           ( what would the man think of him,                                                               if he knew just how much he  c r a v e d                                                               his touch once more ? )

                                                           but all he offers himself is a single look. he turns, feet twisting upon leaden earth to focus cerulean gaze upon sephiroth’s back. teeth clench and jaw aches with the force upon which he silences his own voice, and accepts the cavernous distance that sits between them. though their time is limited together, there is still time, and he would appreciate every moment that remained.

[sheisimmune]

Send me "First kiss" for a drabble of my character kissing yours for the first time.

[aim-for-yourself]

Grief is forever. It doesn’t go away. It becomes a part of you, step for step, breath for breath.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (via aim-for-yourself)

[kingofbeartraps]

Regarding Cloud, Sephiroth, and the Nibelheim Incident

All right so, it’s been stated that the various versions of the Nibelheim incident that we see throughout the Compilation are each a PART of the truth. It’s how a particular character (or group) recalls (or projects) this series of events took place.

The Final Fantasy VII version is from the point of view of Cloud and Sephiroth, with their screwed up memories, meaning that the incident in the Library happened, Tifa and her papa chasing Sephiroth up the mountain happened, but what happened inside prior to Cloud’s arrival is more or less speculation.

Crisis Core’s version is from the point of view of Zack, meaning the fight with Genesis’ copies happened, the fights with Sephiroth in the Reactor happened, but what occurred after with Cloud and Sephiroth was purely speculation on his part.

Last Order (and Before Crisis, by extension) is from the point of view of the Turks, their assumption of what happened, what they managed to piece together from the evidence presented–which is why it’s the furthest off from the other two, but looking at it this way it’s easy to see why they jumped to the conclusions they did.

This brings up an interesting point, however. Only one version features the scene in the Library wherein Cloud (or Zack, we’re later led to believe) goes down below the mansion after Sephiroth has finished reading, because he’s worried. Only the original game version features that scene, which closes off with Sephiroth’s sharp conclusion, “Get out of my way. I’m going to see my mother.”

This scene does not appear in Crisis Core, nor is it alluded to in Last Order.

Meaning Zack is not the one that experienced it, and the Turks never found any evidence to point to it. Meaning that Cloud is the one that went down into the basement to check on Sephiroth, he is the one that came out of the mansion to find Nibelheim in flames, the one who Zangan called out to–“Hey? Are you still sane?”–and the first one from the ShinRa party to see what Sephiroth had done.

I know it seems like a little thing, but it’s a realization that kind of blew my mind, because this means that Sephiroth and Cloud spoke, privately, before Cloud was turned into a Clone. They had conversation beyond the quick “How does it feel to be back in your hometown?” (Which I’ve always wondered about; how would Sephiroth have known unless Cloud told him on the trip? This means they actually spoke on the trip, had common conversation, were social in ways that fandom absolutely hates painting Sephiroth.)

Cloud was worried about Sephiroth. He went down into the basement not to report or ask for orders, but to check on him. Cloud tried to reason with him, asked what was wrong, everything you see in the original game’s rendition of the last moments leading up to Nibelheim incident. Sephiroth and Cloud are the only two people who could have these memories, so it’s only their version of events that shows it happening. Even when Sephiroth shows the shifted flashback right before Cloud gives up the Black Materia, you don’t actually see Zack talk to Sephiroth in the library below–all you see is him coming out of the mansion, which we know he did not do.

Zack was in the inn, doing gods know what.

Cloud was in the mansion, checking on Sephiroth.

And people want to say Cloud was terrified to even look at him? People want to paint Cloud as this weak-hearted, waif-like prettyboy who faints at the thought of meeting his idol?

Both Crisis Core and Before Crisis show that Cloud is and has always been very, very brave, and very powerful in his own right. The boy helps a Turk kill a RAVEN, he throws himself in the way to protect people, he chases down mad scientists and gets beat to hell to be the best that he can.

And Sephiroth was his idol, but he cared about him enough as a person, rather than just a celebrity, to go into a dark, creepy basement in a monster-infested mansion he grew up being told was haunted, just to see if he was okay. And he was brave enough to do it alone.

Fandom, I think you need to stop and chew on this for a while.

—-

EDIT: I’m adding this since so many people seem to be misunderstanding the scene I’m talking about. It’s viewable here. What occurs in Crisis Core is before that, when Zack goes down upon his first discovery of the library, and ends with Seph saying “I would like to be alone.” The scene I’m focusing on in this takes place after Sephiroth has finished reading, not before.

[swordstricken-a]

.

[swordstricken-a]

╳  blasteredged  ⟨ RINOA ⟩

    booted feet lead her to the front of the bar where the blonde stands. he goes about his business as she looks around, the barmaid must be somewhere. it’s as if he reads her mind with his next few words. lips purse in thought for a moment before she slides into one of the bar stools. a smile pulls at her lips as she leans her chin against the palm of her hand, doe eyes observing his actions. 

          “Well I guess you’re stuck with me then, Cloud!”

                                                            instead of leaving she slides into one of the stools, making herself comfortable. he pauses in his work to turn his gaze upon her, confusion coloring his features, unsure as to why she would stay. she had no reason ( that he could see ) to be here when tifa was gone. he’s at a loss as to what he should do, caught between attending to her, or finishing what he had intended to do. he settles for the former, knowing that’s it what tifa would have wanted. he stands upright, hands falling to his sides as he turned toward her, cerulean falling to her gaze. head tips slightly as he addresses her.

                                                            “    is there something I can get you while you wait ?    ” 

[swordstricken-a]

🔫pewpew

╳    reaction meme ———— @churchflower

                                                           the noise is overwhelming and he’s never been one for parks, but the smile on her face has made it worthwhile. though he would leave in a heartbeat, gentle fingers wrap around his and tug him from vendor to vendor, whisking him away from escape and further into the fray ( not that he had truly tried to leave ). he lets her, unable to shatter the tentative peace they have managed to grasp onto. it is a welcome escape, despite his lack of enthusiasm for such games. 

                                                           they’ve stopped at a shooting game. the guns, fake imitations of the real thing, sit upon the counter ready for those willing to shoot the plastic toys that pop up in random places. she’s chosen to stop, slender fingers grasping hold of the weapon and pointing it forward. he glances away from her briefly, mind drifting until he hears her laugh, and turns only to catch sight of the barrel pointed toward his face instead.

                                                           hand raises to block his face from the offending item that she shot his way, scowl painting his features.                    “    very funny.    ”                    and yet he could not disguise the the slight tip of pale lips in a soft smile, betraying feigned indifference. 

[wnq-music]

I’ll carry your world… and all your hurt.

Coldplay, “Atlas” (via wnq-music)

[zacksoldiers]

It was once described as “the love that remains” after someone is gone.

[terrabrannford]

[swordstricken-a]

🛁 //ASK AN U SHALL RECEIVE

╳    reaction meme ------------ @honorburdened

                                                           warm water cascades across lithe form, washing away the sweat and dirt of the day. he’s lost in the gentle pressure of water against his scalp, as hands rub at his face, exhaustion dragging heavy against his shoulders. it is quiet, and he is grateful for the silence that offers him a reprieve. 

                                                           lost in his thoughts, and the rush of water, sounds are muffled and he is not aware of the presence that joins him until the unmistakable shadow rises behind him. he jerks upright, caught between fear and surprise, and turns to face the other that has invaded his space. he is stunned silent at the man before him, chin tilting up so that he might meet the face of the one who had joined him, ignoring the fact that they were both here, naked.

                                                           “    i ------------ sir.    ”                       face heats far beyond the temperature of the water that now cascades about two frames. he stiffens before the man in front of him, chin raising in deference to his position. he can think of no reason for SOLDIER 1st Class Angeal Hewley to enter his shower, but he can only assume it is a mistake.                    “    i'll leave immediately.    ”

[swordstricken-a]

❛ You can’t glare magic into happening. ❜

╳    darker shade of magic ------------- @adventson

                                                           skin begins to heat as he lets his hand drop to his side, the materia clutched tightly within shaking palm, cerulean gaze averting from one more powerful than he. embarrassment chokes him, silences words that could not explain his inexperience in the matters of magic ( how foolish must he look right now, and in front of the man he looked up to above all others ). he would never live down this moment of inadequacy, in front of the man he viewed with such adoration. this was not the impression he had wanted to make.

                                                            head cants as he glances at the imposing figure before him, hesitant to face his scrutinizing gaze. admittance falls past lips unbidden, frustration loosing his tongue. he wanted nothing more than to act is if it hadn’t happened, and yet he should have known that nothing would pass unseen by the bright gaze of his superior.                    “    I’m not glaring. it’s just ------------ I’m not very good sir.    ”