ⅹ┆ building walls

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Ah... She was gone huh? It had taken him a while to realize it. He had looked for her instead of asking over the journals, probably because he knew what the answer would be -- She was the type of girl that would have gone with them on the expedition or maybe ask how it went when they were back. The truth to be told, he would have wanted to go with her, show her the chocobo and everything...

It was the first time that someone he cared for in that place (read: friend) was gone, and even if he didn't want to think about it, she would probably not be the last. He had been reading the journal, people gone, people not remembering anything. What would the odds be for her to came back and remember him as she did the first time? Probably none. While it didn't quite make him feel anything in particular, there was a unpleasant feeling that lingered, no matter how much he tried to think that it was better she was gone, the feeling wouldn't leave.]

[Hinata]

[What could he tell her though?

...

He has always been bad at this stuff... Besides it was ridiculous... Who sent messages to people who weren't there anymore? Shakes his head, closes the journal and keeps it in his rear pocket.]

--

[Cloud had been hanging out at the gym for the evening, actually practicing the moves Hinata had thought him a while ago. He's sweaty, shirtless and covered in fine sand from head to toe; it was probably the hundredth heavy bag he had beaten to the point of making it explode... Well, damn. He wished there was a training room like in the SOLDIER Floor back at ShinRa Headquarters, so he didn't want to ask anyone to spar with him. What for? They all were going to leave at some point too.]

Comments

[migrates]

[ simca's wandering when she finds herself in the gym. the sounds of someone being there and what exactly they're doing are loud and prominent to her tuner ears and she has no need to look around a corner to see what is going on.

nonetheless, she pops in, stepping a few feet away from cloud, watching curiously in a cute blouse and shorts. ]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Hears the steps behind him, to which he turns only briefly to see the pink haired girl. He, however, continues punching the heavy bag.]

Thought you were gone too.

[migrates]

[ she slides closer to the other side of the punching back, peeking her head past it to watch him ]

Now why would you think that, my big strong hero?

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Hit, hit, hit-- oh, hi.] That's what people do around here.

[Hit!] And I'm no hero.

[migrates]

[ she pauses and then immediately darts between cloud and the punching bag once he pulls his fist back, staring straight at him ]

You're a hero to me, Cloud-kun. [ she hums a little, unmoving ] Did someone leave?

[ardor]

[Kallen's coming for a workout, but she stops when she sees Cloud. Raising an eyebrow she walks over and attempts to make small talk.]

You gonna save some for the rest of us?

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Turns to look at her.]

The gym is big enough.

[ardor]

[Kallen raises an eyebrow at him.]

Maybe. There a reason you're avoiding conversation?

[shrugs_a_lot]

[What kind of question is that...?]

Got nothing to say.

[silvertree]

[While he's certain that youth realizes he isn't alone, Celeborn couldn't help but wonder if the young man even notices him at all. Judging by how focused the other seems to be, the Elvenlord wouldn't be surprised if the sell-sword hadn't noticed his presence yet. Not many do, it seems. The ever silent Lord of Lothlórien has a knack for secrecy and a talent for silence all because he much rather observe others from afar than introduce himself formally. Besides it almost seems as if this angry man would rather speak with his fists rather than words.

Not wishing to hinder Cloud's training with his watchful gaze, Celeborn couldn't help but notice just how strong the young blond is. The sell-sword fights like demon and his eyes seem to glow like one...]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[People come and go from the gym as they please, some approach to talk, others don't, he doesn't care. But generally those who don't, go and make use of the installations--it had taken him a while to notice the guy just looking at him, but Cloud's been trying to ignore them all anyway, it'd beat the purpose of isolating himself if he talked to the other.

Instead of worrying about it, he keeps giving all he's got on the already abused punching bag, finally delivering a kick that makes it give in with a puff sound followed by a thick cloud of dust.

The blond coughs some as the dusty cloud clears and, when it does, he's looking directly at the taller man with those glowing eyes of his.]

[silvertree]

[ If Celeborn's curiosity hadn't gotten the better of him, the Elf would've been more than content to leave the mercenary in peace. However, that display of raw strength was enough to warrant some inquiry from him. Whether or not Cloud shall answer him is up to the mercenary's digression, but Celeborn will inquire. ]

You are by far the strongest I've seen but you don a mortal shell.

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Cloud blinks a couple of times before ruffling his hair trying to dust himself a little.]

There are others way stronger than me.

[samson]

[Since Brock moved away from the floor that the gym is on, he hadn't been working out as much as he would like. So he decided that today was a pretty good day to get back into the habit.

He squints a little at this kid murdering a punching bag, because okay that's just not how you're supposed to use those things, but whatever. He hops on a treadmill, minding his own business for now.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Hey... It's not his fault the things break on him. Or maybe it is... And he's minding his own business too until the sound of the treadmill distracts him. Cloud only turns to check what's going on before continues beating the hell out of the poor bag.]

[samson]

[Beating punching bags that much tends to make them break, yeah. Brock arches an eyebrow when this guy looks at him, then lights up a cigarette as he continues to jog.

He's trying very hard to keep to himself, but it's getting more difficult.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[What is that smell? ... The guy gets another glance from it, just a glance nothing else, not even a judging glance. Well, now Cloud can't help but think of Cid a little, having him running around as he does with his ciggy in mouth...

The spiky blond is lost in thought when the bag gives in and a cloud of dust fills that part of the gym, yet again.

...

He should be using something else already.]

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena had stayed in the castle after coming back, so it's no surprise that she'd be heading for the gym occasionally while she's here. Today, however, she hadn't expected to see anyone else inside at this time of day--least of all Cloud, who looked upset.

She stops and watches a moment, waiting to speak.]

Are you okay?

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Did he really look upset? Or did Sheena thought he was upset... There was no real way to know, he's just a guy hitting a punching bag, it's what they are for.

He stops when he hears her, turning to look at her.]

Hey. Yeah, I am.

[And turns away to keep doing his thing.]

[ninjainviolet]

[Well, the way he hit the bag--not to mention the contents of previous bags strewn everywhere--gave her the idea that something was bothering him.]

Are you sure? [She picks up some of the innards.] Or do you usually hit that thing that hard?

[shrugs_a_lot]

Can't help it... [Not when he's distracted enough to not measure his own strength.]

[bustered]

You feel like hitting something with a better chance of hitting back?

['sup Cloud, Zack's leaning against equipment not too far away. He's well familiar with the frustration of broken gym equipment, of things not meant for SOLDIER strength.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

You want me to hit you? [Hey, there, he was starting to wonder when this guy would show up. Cloud doesn't stop his little personal vendetta against the punching bag though.]

[bustered]

[Yup, can't escape from Zack for long, or something like that.]

You think you can land a hit on me?

[shrugs_a_lot]

[That makes him stop and actually look at him. But only for a moment. Was he actually trying to provoke him?]

Not interested.