Found the motivation for an old muse again

[motionsick]

I don't--...

[Cloud looks down, eyes fixed on his helmet like he's contemplating cramming it back on his head and hiding away.]

This is a bad idea. You should have let me stay asleep...

Comments

[legcramps]

But then you'd miss out on all the great things being awake has to offer! Like adventures, beautiful women, and...coffee!

[motionsick]

--Coffee?

[He wasn't aware coffee was that amazing.]

[legcramps]

You've never had coffee before? Good. Don't drink it yet.

[motionsick]

Why? You just said...

[legcramps]

Just because it's good doesn't make it good for you. But it can be something to look forward to! Just make sure to add a lot of sugar and creamer and maybe some flavoring to take the coffee taste out.

[motionsick]

Doesn't... that take the point out of drinking it? If it doesn't taste like it's supposed to, I mean.

[legcramps]

No, because it uh...brings out the true flavor of it. Think of it as vitamins for the beverage!

[And while you're at it, pretend that made some sense.]

[motionsick]

[Well, he'll try! Cloud just kind of... scratches his head, moving his eyes between the floor and Laguna.]

Okay... I think I'll just stay away from coffee.

[It sounds confusing. Food shouldn't be confusing.]

[always_a_hero]

Aw, c'mon man, you can't stay asleep forever, ya know. Or else you miss out on all the fun stuff.

[motionsick]

[Zack's optimism can't help but draw out a fleeting smile, even as he shakes his head.]

I think I'd just get in the way. [He looks up at Zack, curious.] They probably keep you pretty busy.

[always_a_hero]

Nah, you'd never get in the way, man. [Have some hair ruffles, cause he just can't resist.]

They try to keep me busy anyway. You know I always manage to find free time though.

[motionsick]

H-Hey...

[But he appreciates the vote of confidence. It's not like you can really mess up Cloud's hair-do anyway!]

Well... never a dull moment, right?

[always_a_hero]

[This is true, but he can sure as hell try to mess up that hair. This means expect noogies later.]

You got that right. But it's cool. It means we don't have to worry about getting bored anytime soon.

So, have you been practicing your swordsmanship? I hope you haven't gotten rusty while you slept. After all, you're gonna need those skills someday.

[motionsick]

[Noogies! Cloud will try valiantly to hide under his helmet. Keyword: try.]

I... well... [Uh. Awkward staring at the ground for a moment.] No. I don't know if I could ever move up in ranks like you, Zack. [And he is blissfully unaware of his future at the moment.]

[always_a_hero]

[He knows you don't know it yet, but Zack knows that he's gonna be great someday.]

Hey, don't say that. Ya got a long road ahead of ya, but you'll be one of the best someday. I know it.

[He really does know. He's seen your future already and he knows that as hard as his life's gonna be, that he's gonna be great. Now, how about those noogies that he owes you. Told ya to expect them.]

Keep your head up, man. Someday you're gonna be the hero.

[motionsick]

I-If you say so...

[Cloud is... so not convinced. And he's not going to be convinced in his future either.]

Don't joke. You're the only hero he-- ahhh! [Even now, those noogies always catch Cloud by surprise. He makes a few flailing gestures, trying to wriggle away from them.] I almost forgot about your noogie treatment...!

[always_a_hero]

I'm not joking! [He keeps the noogie going for just a little longer before letting him go. Oh, how he misses the old days when Cloud wasn't strong get loose from him.] You're really gonna make it someday. Ya just gotta believe in yourself more.

[motionsick]

[That's so not fair, Zack, using your SOLDIER strength against him. He's also failing miserably at trying to hide a smile.] Okay, okay-- if I say I believe you, will you stop noogieing me?

[always_a_hero]

[It is too fair. His last name says so.]

I might. But you've gotta mean it.

[redwingingit]

You shouldn't sleep your life away. You'll miss out on a lot.

[motionsick]

But... I'm always in the way. There's-- ['...no reason for me to be here.'

But it's personal and he doesn't want to dump his problems on this guy. Not his problem. He closes his mouth and stares at the floor again.]

[redwingingit]

[What would Biggs or Kain do in this situation? But...this guy appears to be in the military. Shouldn't someone have already addressed his confidence issues...?

He frowns slightly and shakes his head.]

Few things are ever in the way, and you appear to be none of them. You are not a prop or piece of furniture, nor do you look to be a mountain, or a babe to be led about by the hand. You are a grown man with two perfectly fine legs.

Awww, Ceodore, you're the sweetest thing ever.

[motionsick]

[Cloud can't help but be surprised by those words. They're pretty much the opposite of what he's used to hearing, but he appreciates them all the same.]

Uh... [He scratches the back of his head a bit.] Thanks. I think. It's just-- complicated. I don't think I'd be very good in any of these... "games".

Isn't he just? <3

[redwingingit]

[He just knows how it can be to lack confidence, even if his issues never sent him into depression so severe he wished to sleep forever.]

I think if you don't worry about measuring up to anyone but yourself, you'll be fine, sir. After all, you look to be a fine warrior, so I bet you can find you can find use anywhere.

[motionsick]

Looks can be deceiving... [But he has a point.] I guess I don't really have a choice if she takes me somewhere. So... I have to try.

[iam_sephiroth]

Cloud.

[motionsick]

[O-Oh crap! He doesn't even have his helmet on-- too late for that! He snaps up into attention, helmet bundled under one arm while he salutes with the other. What could the great Sephiroth want with a lowly grunt like him? He's... surprised he even remembers his name.]

Sir!

Aw, a Crisis Core Cloud <3 Makes a change.

[iam_sephiroth]

What is your status? What mission are you on at the moment?

For sure-- I'm sure Sephiroth probably gets a lot of hostile Clouds!

[motionsick]

[It's been a while, but...]

I was preparing to leave for Nibelheim, sir, to accompany you and Zack Fair.

Re: Oh, he does XD

[iam_sephiroth]

I see. Zack Fair, hm?

[This must be before Cloud bore any grudge against him.]

[motionsick]

That's right, sir.

['Is something wrong?' Cloud wonders, but he decides not to ask. It's not his place. He's just going to remain at attention like a good soldier.]

[iam_sephiroth]

[Sir. He could see the tension on the young boy's face.]

At ease, soldier. How are you finding your training?

O-oh trooper Cloud why so adorable slkjsdf

[weallfalldown]

Think of all that stuff you'd miss if you just slept the days away, Cloud!

seize the day and all that. And maybe take better care of your armor. [He's looking at that helmet and is that dust, Cloud? For shame.]

You're going to catch hell during an inspection if you show up looking like that.

He denies this, but I agree! <3

[motionsick]

So everyone keeps telling me...

[He makes a lop-sided smile in spite of himself. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad out there, but he's still not sure. And then Zack catches him off guard with the scrutiny on his armor; he blinks and looks at his friend sheepishly.]

In my defense, I've been sleeping a while. I didn't really get a chance to clean up first. [A beat.] Do we even have to worry about inspections here...?

I'm in the market for a Cloud if you get the urge to put him in a game jsyk >>

[weallfalldown]

Well, in my experience? If it's reoccurring advice? That's almost as bad as a lecture. Maybe you should follow it, bud.

[It was more of a tease than anything, but taking care of it wouldn't hurt either.] I was just teasing. We don't have inspections out here, but it doesn't hurt to keep in habit. You should take pride in what you own and all that. [He tapped the helmet, and then Cloud's head.] I mean, I know you're all good on the inside, but to show it on the outside is important too.