ⅶ┆filling the blanks...

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Cloud's been in his room all day--his loss ended right after he made it through the window the day before, luckily for him (or probably just what castle intended for him). It would have been bad to change all sudden while still being at some meters above the ground. Getting a broken bone or something while wearing nothing but his birth suit? Well he didn't get any of that.

Either way, he's been sitting on the edge of his bed, reading the journal and Zack's notes (after taking a nice, long warm bath and changing into his regular comfy clothes!). Cloud, I'm sorry if I upset you or something... Or Can we talk? At all? Why did he worry so much...?

Cloud's eyes travelled slowly back and fort from the journal to the Buster Sword that lied peacefully in the very same place he had seen it the last time he was in his room. All he wanted was an explanation, but all he was getting was a headache.

Why were there two Buster Swords? Fine, it was normal for there to be replicas or doubles of weapons, but this one, this one didn't seem to be like that.

Something wasn't right. He could feel it in his gut, but whenever he tried to force an answer, his brain would just shut down.

What was wrong? What was wrong? What was wrong?

Maybe he was the problem after all...]

Goddammit... [The journal is open on his lap, obviously catching on his voice. He doesn't seem to care though. The curse is soft, yet the tension on it weights a ton. Sighs, and a moment later, he grabs a pencil and scribbles something.

He's gotta mosey, he can't dwell on this forever...]

[ Reno ]

[Thinking it better... scratches that.]

[ Reno ]

[Or not? Wait no, never mind...]

[ Reno ]

[Just forget it... He's not gonna ask him. Hopefully the redhead won't notice this...]

[ Hermione; dictated ]

Hey. You got time?

--

[And finally...]

[ People who talked to a cloud during the past weeks, except Reno; dictated ]

I ... just wanted to say thanks to whoever helped me while I was a... cloud, oh and, sorry about the rain. [He's not sorry about the thunder nor the lightning!]

The name's Cloud, and you don't have to say anything 'bout that...

--

[This one takes him longer to write down, in fact, he rather only write than speak to him... He's not sure he wants to know but hey, after insisting that much... Ah, notice he didn't exclude him from the last filter?]

[ Zack; written ]

What did you want to talk about?

Comments

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

[Well, at least Cloud had a good reason for not answering any of Zack's messages. But now that he's back... well, it still just feels weird. The return message is penned by hand:]

It's nothing. Never mind.

You're forgiven about the rain.

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Oh good lord... after all those messages and nothing!? What even...]

If you say so.

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

You still don't remember me?

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

No.

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

Then I don't know how much else I can say.

I want to, but. [A pause; it takes a moment for the next sentence to appear, and the pressure of the pen's indentation on the page is a bit greater than those previous.] It'll be meaningless.

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

Yeah, I guess.









Sorry.

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

It's fine. Doesn't matter.


You're finally convinced I'm not a thief?

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Taps the journal a bit with the pencil... Ah, the hell with it.]

I'm not sure about anything right now.

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

I know the feeling.

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Longest pause ever.]

Did you hit the gym yet?

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

That an invite?

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Shrug-- oh wait.]

Well man, you seemed desperate to see me. I ain't going to deny you the pleasure.

[Is he joking? Is he for real? It's Cloud, make your own conclusions.]

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

Someone you s know up and disappears for a few days, right aft. Concern's natural.

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

I was there. If you didn't notice it's not my problem.

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

Look, just never mind.

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

Suit yourself.

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

Maybe I'll see you there. Haven't decided.

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

Bring your the sword.

[It's not a suggestion. And somehow he knows he'll be there, sooner or later; call it a sixth sense or something. He knows, sooner or later.]

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

Courtyard. Gym's too small.

Zack; written

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Hmm, he might be right.]

Fine.

Cloud Strife; written

[bustered]

Fine.