Just Another Day (Cloud & Noctis)

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa decided to close the bar for today. She was exhausted from last night's work and decided to take the day to rest and just do something for herself for a change. She walked outside took a quick glance around before switching the sign from open to closed. Sure she would get alot of angry costumers complaining but at that moment she really didn't care.

For one day she didn't want any worries any complains or anything. She would make it up to them later by offering a few free drinks. That always worked. Tifa rarely took days off from working but now she felt like she needed one.

"Hm.... where should I go first?" she wondered as she walked aimlessly around Midgar glancing at all the different shops she walked by till one caught her attention. She smiled tucking her hair behind her ear before walking into that shop.

[{Cloud Strife}]

"Face it Cloud....All you are....Is an empty puppet....."

Cloud sat in an arm chair in his bed room that afternoon.....Every since he was controlled by Sephiroth, Cloud had been having horrible night mares. It was so bad that he would wake up every night screaming. Thanks to that bastard Sephiroth for playing around hin his mind....

Cloud had called for Noctis to help. He trusted Noctis....Even though they only knew each other for a few moments back in the Realm of Darkness....It was Noctis's magic and expertise that helped Zack and Squall get to Cloud in time....Like every battle there is a scar....And this was Cloud's scar....His night mares....Sephiroth bruised him enough to make him think his nightmares were real....

And Cloud was at his wits end....Cloud continued to sit in the arm chair where Noctis asked him to sit....By this time....Noctis had Cloud in his trance....He could control now....Not Sephiroth....But Cloud knew Noctis would not do any thing to harm him....Clouds fingers gripped the arms of the chair....As he had his head lowered....What was Noctis going to do....? Cloud had no idea....

"Face it Cloud....All you are....Is an empty puppet....."

"Sephiroth...." Even in a trance....Sephiroth managed to tamper with Cloud....The man would not stop tormenting Cloud....No matter how hard Cloud fought for his life.....

[Noctis Lucis Caelum]

So this is Midgar? What it looked like, didn't fit with the descriptions in books and the visuals in documented film footage his library locked up. It was more developed now, gloomier but nevertheless, he guessed the correct place he was supposed to be.

Streets bustled, it was the same back home, but he never walked those roads when they were busy. A truck swerved near him, turning a bend as he blocked a large section of the tarmac; the driver honked and sped off, presumably pissed and cursing.
Noctis looked on as it disappeared into a mass of streets that were also alleys, the laws of Midgar appeared quite run down; he was in a maze. Children ran, careless of their parents...where were they? Adults pretended as though they didn't exist and did what they had to do mindless of it, the noise and cloudy atmosphere.

He could see vehicles parked at sidewalks, strange motors and rustic parts; he turned and walked backwards wherever his feet led him, for a minute. Marvelling, his eyes were two gold orbs; the hair a chocolate brown that made him stand out less amongst a crowd. Never having been here before, Noctis was intrigued; things and monuments were on exhibit to him and he waltzed through a museum. A journey he embarked on because a friend had called...

Stopping at the thought, he finally gazed around for a direction, reminded of his task and the reason for being here. A friend...he had made a friend...under the most disastrous circumstances. His inner mind laughed at him, and he shook his head so he'd deal with it less as it mixed with the rest of his thoughts. His unique phone stayed in his pocket, safely at his side and he sighed, remembering how much easier it would have been to contact people with it. If he ever used it, that'd be a miracle but these complaints were useless now. Where was Cloud...?

There were stores open, people flooded to them and came out satisfied with curious goods he hadn't seen before. His mind was reeling though as Cloud seeked solace from the traumas Sephiroth left in him; Noctis could feel it. It made his movement quicken, he decided to ask if anyone knew of this 'delivery service' place and he made his way looking for signs until it was futile. Entering a shop with a jingling bell, he hurried to the counter, sceptical of the objects obstructing and asked the cashier mysteriously, not hushed as he hoped someone overhearing would know the answer, if she knew of a Cloud Strife.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa walked out of the shop with a bag in her hand and smiled in disbelief even when she decided to do something for herself today she ended up buying gifts for the children Denzel and Marlen. 'A welcome gift to when they come back' She thought turning to glance around the street again.

They were on a vacation going on trip with a friend and would be back in a few day. Though it was good to havr some time alone and be with Cloud she did miss having those kids around the bar. The place just wasn't the same without them.

"I guess I better buy something for Cloud too" She muttered to herself walking into another shop down the streets and searched through the different items for something she knew would like. "Can I have those sunglasses?" She asked pointing to a pair on the shelf. Those reminded her of Cloud's old ones they were similar but Cloud lost or broke them so as a present she was buying a new one for him.

She smiled placing that in a small gift bag before turning to the door when she heard that question and Cloud's name caught her attention. She turned around and walked back to the cashier but faced the one that just walked in. "What do you want with Cloud....?" was he a friend of his. she didn't know if she should trust and wanted to know what could a strainer from another world be doing here. what business could he have?

[Noctis Lucis Caelum]

Slow down...what had he ever wanted with Cloud? It puzzled him, she was a friend of his? That couldn't be it alone. The way she had worded her concern was protective but quite openly telling him that he had found his answering source.
Noctis was relieved, glancing at the cashier and backed away from the counter, facing this lady. He hadn't too much time to study her, but he saw enough to have a face to fit a name by.
His eyes narrowed, the gold sparkling with what was one stage lower than happiness that he was going to find Cloud. "I've come to meet him, though I...am trying to find him." The last part, he said with decreased confidence, as he had failed to acknowledge enough with their connection to know exactly where the right direction was. Was he really pathetic at this? Never before, had he needed to find others or been sent for; he needed some practice. What he didn't need practice with was, his tone; it was just usually commanding and straightforward.

"You are a friend of his? If so, it is vital I reach him." As he backed away, he turned slightly, walking to the door that he had just come in through. It was to lure her out of there, away from letting others hear anything he might reveal to her if she was trustworthy in the end. Also, if she tried to leave and had any association with Cloud at all, she would indirectly lead him to where he needed to be. Pushing the glass door, framed with wood veneering, the bell jingled again and he eyed the bag she held; lavishly wrapped like a gift and he had some things figured.

[{Cloud Strife}]

"As long as you continue to exist. I cannot awake from my nightmare..." Cloud said that out loud even with no one there.....

Cloud sat still. It was a good thing that the kids were not here at this moment. Cloud heard that they both went on vacation. And would be back within a few days. Cloud was getting desperate he could not awaken from this one....His breathing increased greatly...

"Cloud... You'll never let go of the darkness..."

Cloud squinted his eyes tightly shut. Cloud had not known that his own thoughts placed him this situation. He had no idea that in fact that Noctis was coming just as Cloud asked. Cloud was doubtful for a moment that he would not come...The power that Cloud witness from his new friend, was enough for Cloud to realize how powerful Noctis was....

"I'm sorry Tifa...."

Cloud then saw some thing in his mind again the death of Tifa...As Sephiroth peered down at her lifeless body his sword covered in her blood....But some thing changed...It was Cloud now holding the sword....And looking down at Tifa.....Another night mare it was....But it was so real! Cloud tried to tell himself that it was a nightmare....It was only a nightmare.....Cloud then in reality let out another loud scream!

[Tifa Lockhart]

"You could say we are friends....." Actually now they were more than that but she kept quiet not wanting to reveal too much to someone she just met."Vital....." Tifa was lost at those words what did he mean was Cloud in danger.If so then why didn't he say anything? He promised he wouldn't keep her in the dark anymore. Or was there something else? She paused looking down at the gift in her hands. That man, could she trust him should she lead him to Cloud?

So many questions just popped into her mind. What should she do for a moument she was lost in her thoughts as she just stood there idly. "Hey are you okay?" "Huh..... yeah I am fine" She snapped back to reality and turned to see that person walkout the door and hurried behind him. "You haven't answered my question. You know something I don't and I need an answer a reason to trust you and what your saying."

[Noctis Lucis Caelum]

It went according to plan, she had raced after him after what seemed to have dazed her. They were outside now, in the business of the city but it hid them well; no one seemed to care about who they were and what they were speaking of. The uncertainty in her voice, told him that the things he had figured were quite right, but why would she not know what he was doing here if she was close to Cloud. Though he didn't seem like he'd be able to tell her if he was direly needing help.

Noctis continued walking until they were in the centre, under the tower Shinra had built; this place he learned was under their govern or that's the way he put it anyhow. Under this, the shadow, he stopped and closed the gap between him and her so that she could hear clearly what he was going to say. "He sent for me. The details I have yet to find out from him...that is one of the reasons why I shall never be able to answer your question. If you know everything else about Cloud Strife, then you should know of the story with him and Sephiroth..." He couldn't let out too much at the moment, who was she? At least her excuse for pressing on with her original question was valid.

His head swivelled round, allowing him to see both his left and right as he moved. A pin suddenly nailed him in the head and he recalled something from the time in the realm of darkness. Tifa...? About to tell her that if she trusted Cloud, she need not take the time to trust him, he blurted instead his sudden discovery, wide eyed. " You...are Tifa?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Sephiroth...." How could she not know about him. She sighed with a small frown at that name. No matter how many years passed, she still held that grudge against him and it only grew with time. "How can I not know.... don't tell me he has something to do with this....."but she knew too well it did. Everything usually linked back to that monster and despite their attempts to stop him Sephiroth always came back.

"Cloud.... he is back at the bar Seventh Haven." Would she have to show him the way too. She paused brushing her hair away from his eyes and let out a small gasp of surprise. "How did you know my name?"

[Noctis Lucis Caelum]

When she gasped, he knew she had no idea who he was at all, not even his name had been mentioned by Cloud. He almost wanted to laugh because he had surprised himself remembering her name too but his expression didn't change."Cloud mutters your name when he is in a state of ...if you will put it, sleep. Because of this Sephiroth, I know of an Aerith as well...though who that is is a mystery."

At that moment, he found no better word, and he needed none; she had told him where Cloud was. Noctis looked up, down, all around to see a sign of a bar but it was hard to find; reluctant, he turned back to her, commenting apathetically. "Then, I won't tell you." So, Sephiroth was infamous, how classic. Sarcasm drained Noctis' mind, but he was only being to the point. "You know where this bar is don't you?" He wasn't giving her an escape; the only route he wanted her to take was to bring him to Cloud, now that he had found Tifa. The woman, that soldier had cared so much about, could not fail to guide Noctis to his aim, he knew for a fact. In due time you will go to him. What makes you think I will not find him even if you don't trust me? Lead the way...The eyes were still wide and golden, like coins fixated on her but prying deeply, speaking to her what his voice didn't.

[{Cloud Strife}]

It was constant screaming! No one was there to hear him to wake him from his night mare. Cloud was about ready to give up on Noctis coming. He remembered when he called Noctis....His words were not completely normal...His voice was shaking. He got the chills.....And what Cloud told Noctis was sounding like an emergency....His exact words: "I'm losing it....I'm afraid I might do some thing to hurt myself or my friends....The darkness....Noctis....Sephiroth...I can't take this any more....Help...." His voice shook and before Noctis could respond, Cloud hung up....And that was all that was said during that conversation....Cloud didn't even give any directions....But he knew that Noctis knew where Gaia was and where Midgar was....Every world was getting a map of other worlds....This was the part where Cloud thought he was going to go insane....His heart beat wildly in his chest......The image of him killing Tifa repeated over and over and he could not wake up.......

[Tifa Lockhart]

"He did....." Tifa paused looking back at the stranger in front of her waiting for him to continue as she wondered if Cloud revealed anything else about her. "Um....." Could he be trusted if what he said to her was true then Cloud was in trouble. What if he was lying just to get to Cloud, but then how would he know about her and Aerith or even Sephiroth if he wasn't even from their world.

"Yeah I know where that bar is..... I own it" She paused again taking a few steps away from the crowd and she expected him to follow her. "If you want me to take you there at least you could tell me your name. I think its only fair since you know mine."

[Noctis Lucis Caelum]

She seemed pensive; he couldn't tell whether it pleased her to know that Cloud held a special regard for her even when in pain, or that it worried her.
Indeed she was his ticket to Cloud. He felt a tingle of sharp pain in his ear as Cloud protested in his nightmare, somewhere around here. It was some sort of telepathic communication they had developed ever since his magic bonded with Cloud's body to save him. It didn't tell him enough about Cloud's situation, but it let him sense the darkness Sephiroth left with Cloud. The interfering force lingered within him... Noctis' magic became sensitive to it as he practiced higher control with his Crystal's strength.

He was taken aback, his head slightly jerked with surprise as his eyebrows flew with his wide eyes. She owned the place, no wonder he resides there. We must not be far if he was under her care and she dared leave him alone. "Note, I'm not from your world...and I am Noctis..."

Answering, he started following her, trailing the steps behind as the waded through the crowd. "I know no more of you than that you, are a thriving strength for Cloud in his battle against darkness." Resuming his usual stern exterior, he was collected again, cool and unfazed by the buzzing that happened around him, including Cloud's messages to his mind. They were getting there, how much more dramatically could he hurry this Tifa? The voice in his head wanted to ask Cloud, because if he had been flustered by the emergency, Noctis would have suffocated her until she directed him exactly where he needed to be, in the desperation of it all.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Noctis......" Tifa paused in thought. A stranger from another world, could she trust him. What reason could he possibly have to want to help Cloud, but then again what reason could he have to want to hurt him unless he aligned himself with Sephiroth which she doubted.

"Alright I will take you there. I don't know whether your lying or not but from your words..... I will trust you and take you there myself its not far." She said placing all the gifts she bought in one bag before walking down the street in the direction of the bar and waited for him to follow.

"We are here......" She said pointing up at the sign before pulling out her keys and unlocked the door. "Cloud is up stairs in his room." She said placing the gifts on the counter before walking up the stairs to Cloud's room and knocked gently on his door. "Cloud.... are you awake? There is someone here to see you...."

[Noctis Lucis Caelum]

“It is logical, you distrusting me.”
In his patience he watched her keys unlock a homly shoplot. From the atmosphere, he could imagine this to be Cloud’s abode. Anxious, Noctis had reached out to push open the doors, his arm outstretched above her, being taller than her by almost a head. Caught up in the moment, he halted, retracting his hand in the humility of his courteous manners. Intrigued and hiding from his actions, the stranger observed the place and her more intensely, issuing her authority to lead him on her turf by her terms.

“Your purpose, is alike Clouds’?”
Listening,he was impressed by the lack of rowdy arrangement a drinker’s haven composed of. Had he seen the children around there,it would only have been more interesting. Abruptly sensing, fast forwarding himself to Cloud’s side; he didn’t wait for her,concentrating on the distraught telepathy. At least, he knew Cloud would feel his presence without him needing to speak or call out, and be eased by what trace of magic he was to impose on the hypnotic dreams.