obviously ecstatic about his new home in exitvoid

[disheroic]

. . .

[ a small twitch at the corner of his mouth, like he's fighting the urge to scowl. ]

Talk about a knack for timing. [ dryly. because, seriously: welcome to exit void, here's a crazy in a lab coat and a bunch of caged experiments. ... not exactly a walk down memory lane, but close enough to make him feel a little nauseous. not exactly how anyone looks forward to coming out of retirement, buuut...! ]

... at least we're doing this alone. [ which means everyone else he cares about is safe. small favors. ] It's not the kind of place where you're happy to see familiar faces.

Comments

[zackthepuppy]

Man, you're not serious are you? Going in alone like that.

[He scratches the back of his head and sighs.]

And the hits keep coming.

[disheroic]

... it's not that bad.

[ ... and even in magical fourth-wall land, it's still sort of a shock to see zack. (not a bad one, just...) ] I can watch my own back.

... and it's better than putting someone from back home in the middle of any of this.

[zackthepuppy]

[This is all true. Even Zack is glad to see Cloud even if he's no longer living in their world. He's just glad that his living legacy is doing well even if he can't be there to help him.]

I know.

[He takes a few steps and looks up at the sky.]

Listen, just do me a favor, alright? Don't die. And if you see anyone from our world, tell them I said hi.

1/2

[disheroic]

Don't worry.

[ a brief shake of his head, a wry half-smile ghosting over his expression. ] I'm not planning on going down that easy.

[disheroic]

... and I will, but...

[ the idea of denzel or marlene trapped in those cages with the other children... ]

... I'm still hoping that I don't end up running into anyone I know. Not the best place for a reunion.

[zackthepuppy]

[His brow knits in thought. It's hard to be happy when so much sadness has come to pass. If he only knew about the kids...]

Hm.

[He lowers his head and places his hand to his chin.]

I suppose not, huh. Hey, I know that you're wanting to go alone and all but do you remember what I said to you?

[He knows that sometimes everyone needs a little reminder now and then.]

[disheroic]

[ his voice is quiet, but no less firm: ] I remember.

[ even if he's on his own here, it doesn't mean he can just shake off what's been placed on his shoulders. ]

I won't forget, Zack. [ not again. ]

[zackthepuppy]

[He gives a nod and a smile. He always thought Cloud is the better of the two and his sacrifice to save him was worth the price he paid.]

You're a good man, Cloud. You always have been.

[Zack is always willing to forgive and he hopes that Cloud can do the same for himself.]

I'm sorry that you got wrapped up in all of this.

[disheroic]

[ old habits die hard. ... old guilt, too.

and if he'd heard that aloud -- that he was better, that he deserved saving, that it was better for him to have gone living on while zack died -- he would have been the first to deny it. ... after all, zack was a hero in his own right, and... well, cloud couldn't even stand on his own two feet without pretending he was someone else. ]

Don't. [ there's a ragged edge to his voice, quiet but raw. ] You don't ever need to apologize. Not to me.

... for anything.

[ he's done his best to bury his demons and put them to rest, but... even still. old habits. ]

[zackthepuppy]

[That, they sure do. While Zack may have wanted to tell him, it was better that he hadn't. He did the best he could, but he felt that it wasn't enough until he knew that Cloud was safe. He finally obtained the unobtainable and he was happy with that.

He looks up toward the sky and scratches the back of his head. He's not sure what else to say.]

Hm. Maybe not, but it sure does help sometimes.

Oh!

[He drops his arm and looks at Cloud.]

I heard you got in! Congrats. Now, you can go on and be a hero in your own way.

[disheroic]

[ cue a snort, humorless. ]

I don't know about that. I... I don't know how much I can actually do.

[zackthepuppy]

[Yeah, he had a feeling that would happen, but he'll roll with it. His eyes look about, then back to Cloud.]

Well, that's where you learn and adapt. I mean, it's a whole new world right? Just do what you do best, but don't do anything I would do. That'll get you in a lot of trouble.

[He chuckles and places his hand on Cloud's shoulder.]

You really don't want me there to bail you out.

[disheroic]

Wasn't planning on it. [ wryly, almost smiling. ] Don't worry, I can keep my head down.

[ but that next part... any trace of that smile is gone, replaced by a tightness around his mouth. ]

... it's...

[zackthepuppy]

I know you can.

[Zack has always had a lot of faith in Cloud just as Angeal had a lot of faith in him. He wouldn't have tried so hard for their freedom if it wasn't for that faith. His body just simply couldn't take any more punishment.

He tries to keep his smile but it wanes slightly. He can sense that something is on Cloud's mind but he doesn't want to push too hard.]

Cloud?

[He can't exactly read his mind but he places his hand on Cloud's shoulder for encouragement.]

It's okay. You can talk to me.

[tenka]

Better to keep the people you care for out of it, yeah?

[disheroic]

Exactly. Company won't make it any easier if they're in danger.

[hold]

[ ah, that place. both Tifa and her mun know very little but know it's a bad enough place. ]

Cloud... [ please be careful, please don't die, please— ] You'll be fine, right?

[disheroic]

[ cloud hears the strain in her voice, the worry; instantly, there's a stab of guilt for causing it, a clumsy urge to reassure her. ]

Don't worry. I'll stay out of trouble, I promise.

[hold]

[ she nods, her lips purse. Cloud will be fine. ]

It's nothing you can't handle... right?

[disheroic]

It can't be that much worse than anything we've already done.

[ they fight sephiroth like every other tuesday, how much more dangerous could things be. ]

[hold]

[ she lets out a small chuckle—he's right, it can't be as bad as trying to take down Ultima Weapon as well. ]

Hmm, that's true. Do you get to keep your sword?

[disheroic]

[ a nod. ]

One spot of good fortune, I guess.