Looking for any/all castmates!

[standing_alone]

It'd be impossible for me not to miss them, Mun. All the same, I don't think forcing them into the city is the right way to go about things. If they wanna come, they'll come, right?

I'm not going anywhere.

Comments

[backwater]

I don't think any of us choose where we go in the end, Zack.

[standing_alone]

Good point. [Still...] It feels wrong to make a demand.

[backwater]

Not if you're demanding companionship. Every deserves a little, right?

[standing_alone]

I've made a few friends in the city. [They're just not...Cloud. Or Aerith. Or anyone he cared about before.]

How are you holding up?

[backwater]

Restless.

[ One little pause. ]

Which city?

[ He sure hopes they have less bullets there! ]

[standing_alone]

[It's not the bullets he has to worry about - it's the curses.]

I don't think it has another name. I'm told the game is called Poly Chromatic.

[backwater]

[ Cloud smiles -- a little wistfully. ]

I'm sure you've taken it by storm.

[standing_alone]

Far from it! I do what I can, but it's not the same. I'm afraid I'll become out of shape.

[backwater]

Given up on squats?

[standing_alone]

Never! [How could you even ask that, Cloud?]

[backwater]

[ Haaaahahaha. ]

I had a hunch.

[standing_alone]

They're apart of any exercise session. [He's damn proud of them too.

Now for an awkward moment.] So I...gave you my sword, right?

I wondered if I had dreamed that since I still have it.

[backwater]

I still have it too. Well, after I wrestled it back from a god anyway. [ He could mutter on this topic for days. ] I don't really think any kind of normalcy reins supreme here, though.

[ And let's just ignore that elephant in the room while we're at it. ]

[standing_alone]

[He looks relieved.

Until Cloud mentions a god.]

What were you doing battling a god? [He's caught between being impressed and being worried.] I've noticed that. I just wanted it to go to you, that's all.

[backwater]

Don't worry. I'm not planning on losing it ever again.

[ SEE LOOK ZACK he's spinning it round and round my hasn't he grown. ]

I maintain that it's this sword gets me into so much trouble.

[standing_alone]

I didn't have the best luck with it at the end. [He scratches the back of his neck sheepishly.] But you can make your own luck, Cloud.

You're much stronger than - [He expected.]

[backwater]

The end?

[ Cloud nearly holds his breath forever. ]

So you know about...

[standing_alone]

...yeah. [He sighs and looks down.] The moment I...you know...was the moment I ended up in the city.

[backwater]

You got a second chance.

[ What a comforting kind of thought. ]

[ Cloud still feels him out for a second though. ]

You... don't look ecstatic.

[standing_alone]

I...didn't get my wings. [And he left a lot of people behind.] I didn't really want to die.

But no one gets to choose their time. [Unless they kill themselves - something Zack would never do.]

[backwater]

You don't know that for sure, Zack. Your... What happened to you wasn't the end of things.

I wish I could have done something to help.

[standing_alone]

You did the best you could. I don't blame you or anyone else for what happened. [He smiles faintly.] I'm glad you were able to carry on.

[backwater]

Ha.

[ The dryest laugh ever, but still a laugh of a kind. ]

If you can call it that. I might still be useless without you.

[standing_alone]

You were never useless.

[backwater]

[ Now he's really smiling. ]

C'mon Zack. I was sadder than a sack of Mimett greens back in the day.