» I » [Dictated]

[animusangelus]

[The journal hadn't seemed important when he had first arrived. There were far bigger problems like...

Where the hell am I?! and Is this the Lifestream? Did I...die?

Even Cloud has to admit that if he is dead, it had to be the most anti-climatic death ever. He was only on a delivery, riding Fenrir to the outskirts of the city. He's not even sure how he could die from doing that.

No, something else is going on and he needs answer. That was the thought that finally drew him to opening the journal and beginning to dictate.]

So this is a castle. [Time to get the obvious out of the way.] I...didn't want to come here. Who brought me here? And why?

[He finds a chair and sits down, reclining with the journal in his lap. Only then does he continue.]

I'm Cloud Strife. [Does that mean anything?] I was making a delivery and -

Where is my motorcycle?

Comments

[wishmadeinfire]

Well, perhaps you should be a cloud more often and you might.

[animusangelus]

It's my name; it's not what I want to be.



Cute doesn't help anyone.

[wishmadeinfire]

Well, I wouldn't say that. It depends on what a person needs at the time, I would think.

[animusangelus]

Tell me when a person needs cute?

[wishmadeinfire]

When they are sad, or lonely, or they find themselves scared of something. Sometimes something cute just brightens their day, and that's all they really need.

[animusangelus]

Then they can get a Chocobo.

[wishmadeinfire]

Oh, those giant yellows birds, yes?

[animusangelus]

I hear there's one in the stables. Have you seen it?

[wishmadeinfire]

Hmm, yes, now and then. It tends to stay away from my own beast, and probably best for it.

[animusangelus]

Your beast?

[wishmadeinfire]

My dragon-horse, Svitana. He is carnivorous, unlike most of the animals in the stable, but I keep him well fed enough that none of the others look like plausible food options.

[animusangelus]

I bet a Chocobo looks delicious to him. [Like a giant chicken.] I wouldn't want to see them in a pen together.

[wishmadeinfire]

They can do fine near each other. As I said, I keep Svitana very well fed so he has no desire to hunt other animals in the barns and paddocks.

[animusangelus]

What do you feed him? [Does he want to know?]

[wishmadeinfire]

Oh, meat. I'll buy from the butcher in town or sometimes I just wish it up. Usually some sort of red meat, more protein for him and fat for the winter months.

[animusangelus]

That works. [He wouldn't be happy with slaughtered animals.] As long as it keeps him happy.

[wishmadeinfire]

I do my best. He is particularly sluggish in the winter, and then he is hardly a danger to anyone.

_{[ Cold-blooded beast that he was. ]}

[animusangelus]

Isn't that dangerous? Should he hibernate?

[wishmadeinfire]

No, he never quite hibernates, but the stables are kept magically warm and I keep blankets and wraps and on his legs if he has to go outside. He does fine - has for a few years now.

[animusangelus]

Alright, then. [Someone has a soft spot for animals. He won't admit to that, though.] Might be interesting to see him. I'm supposed to visit the Chocobo.

[wishmadeinfire]

Aha, do you want to? I suppose since you're not a cloud this time, you would enjoy it.

[animusangelus]

Doubtful. It's a big bird.

[wishmadeinfire]

So you have to take care of the Chocobo, but you don't like the Chocobo?

[animusangelus]

[It's only a problem because people say he looks like one.]

Won't know for sure until I try.

[wishmadeinfire]

Well then, I can meet you down at the Castle lobby and we can go out from there, if you like.