yuffie had been a bit brash, a bit too forward, and kairi had watched cloud retreat on himself under her words and the eyes of the others before she decided to take a different approach. she waited until they were alone, reminiscing on the day, so that the conversation felt more like natural progression and less like an ambush. ❛ that lady who came to merlin's at the end–––– are you guys friends? ❜
in truth, kairi was curious. their paths had never crossed before. the mystery woman hadn't seemed to be an official member of the restoration committee, but everyone had greeted her like an old friend. kairi hadn't gotten to spend too much time with her, hadn't even gotten her name in all the chaos, but she'd noticed how she had stuck by cloud, how they seemed to communicate without speaking.
❛ she was nice. ❜ kairi took a bite of her ice cream with a hum, letting the comment sit for a moment before she added, ❛ pretty too, don't you think? ❜
The day's been decent; no long hours that seemed unending, and no vague reminiscence of hours that never seemed to exist. Average, most would say, but it's not often Cloud experiences any day averagely… It feels peaceful. Almost relaxing, if he would absolve the guilt that sits ever - atop his chest, back, shoulders.
Kairi's introduction to a conversation didn't seem peculiar today, while most times it might. They've been speaking more frequently, and he's begun to view her in a similar light to Yuffie. Someone he cares for, who he'd like to protect, but also knows just about every way to piss him off. Bearing that in mind, Kairi seems to be observant enough to know all the ways to get the truth out of him as well, like her understanding of others' quirks and habits goes beyond a simple note in her head, and instead tunes itself into a feeling in her soul. It's no surprise when she begins questioning him about Tifa. Well, it is, but it shouldn't be. The question feels vulnerable, but the answer feels simple.
❛ You could say so. ❜ But, you could also say they go beyond such a simple term; an understatement to the bond they share, the home they find in each other. The light that wraps his darkness and keeps him from drifting into abyssal night. Eyes drift to the ice cream that's melting off his stick, but he can't be bothered to adjust it, lest the sugar become sticky on his hands. He'd rather it melt off completely. Not that he notices presently, as his thoughts are focused on the singular aforementioned topic.
There's a decently long pause that separates their conversation, like perhaps she's giving him to elaborate should he wish, but he only spends the time lost in his thoughts. His gaze never meets hers, as the feelings of memories associated with ‘that lady’ consume him. He's a bit out of it when she asks her next question, salty-sweet delectable soiling the ground beneath him, mind clearly fixated elsewhere, and he answers without much thought. ❛ Yeah. ❜ His admittance is casual, like he's simply stating a fact. There's hardly a feeling to be seen, despite the deep and almost nauseatingly complex stir that bubbles from his stomach to his center sternum.
He blinks once, squinting, almost glaring into the distance, like he's fixing his face purposefully to remain serious, and also like he's a bit frustrated with himself for getting caught in this situation, untrusting of what the girl would do with the information. Probably nothing, but he blinks again and confirms with himself that had he been paying better attention, he definitely could have come up with a better answer… In any manner of fashion.
❛ She's, uh… ❜ A rosy pink dusts his faint freckles, and he's not sure if he's embarrassed because he told Kairi he thinks Tifa's pretty, or because he was so lost in his thoughts he hardly realized he'd said anything at all. It's not often he gives himself a chance to daze in a manner unrelated to the looming shadows of his past. ❛ She's a good person. You'd like her. ❜
