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Post by {Cloud Strife} on Jan 5, 2010 19:16:26 GMT -5
At that moment, Cloud sensed he was not alone in his room...His Mako blue eyes shot open the minuted Noctis was by his side....Cloud sighed in relief...Just by letting Cloud know he was here was enough to help Cloud wake up from his recent night mare...."You're....here...." If Noctis would look closely at Cloud, he would see that the image of Cloud was different....His skin was a bit paler....His eyes in his pupils the white parts were red....It looked like he had not had a good night sleep in a long time.... "Unless I'm dreaming it again...."
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Jan 5, 2010 22:55:08 GMT -5
From his point of view, Cloud probably had had no sleep in days. It wasn't insomnia, or he would've been hyper with the sugars that kept him alive without sleep. He was the same weather beaten self he had been when Noctis first saw him. However, he knew this Cloud facing him, was much more weary than the battered down one in the other realm. His mind was a sanctuary but it had been breeched and anyone in the same situation would appear ragged and deathly with dark circled eyes, no matter how bright a colour they were. Cloud's eyes were bloodshot, and Noctis saw the thin strips of red that criss crossed over the whites, hearing his breathless voice; it was one that came when sleep walkers were awakened. The initial surprise, the pants that cut over proper sentences due to the speedy heartbeats... All of this made the prince sigh.
Noctis hid the sigh well though, he had turned to his side and exhaled, listening to Cloud, not having waited for Tifa's answer to catch up to him. It was a wonder whether she would be startled by his sudden movement; the teleportation. She could've thought, he was going to kill Cloud... His gloved hand touched Cloud's shoulder in a pat and he shook his head slowly, gazing at the blue eyed soldier. "This is not an illusion..." He shut his eyes tightly, thinking of what to tell Cloud, and what to do to improve his being although there was a significant change just because he had arrived; it confirmed some good hopes Cloud had, even in his nightmares. Perhaps, making those good events, unfold in his dreams to override the terrors was the key to ending it... Noctis had doubts about how long he could procrastinate the horrors in Cloud's dreams, it wouldn't be able to stay this way forever even if it could hold for a long time. "Cloud...if you need assurance, you know it'll be ok. I've come far but the distance should not bear any change to keeping you sane from the trauma."
Shy, he was never good at comforting another, not even friends, loved ones or family but here was to opening up a bit more each day to Cloud, Zack, Squall and whoever else he had yet to meet. Noctis never had pets, so he was utterly useless at coaxing too; it was then, that he would turn to Tifa while overlooking Cloud as he lay in bed. What he could do was channel some of the uncontrolled energy that Cloud felt in his sleep, to himself as he was less likely to react to the same troubles, with the bearings of the minimal telepathic powers he gained after forcing his Crystal to obey his way of using magic. "In the same instance, you may call for Zack and he will make it here, through thick or thin. What I can ease in you may be temporary, I'm uncertain but I will tend to it...your bad dreams, seem to put you in a different time...where we're all dead...or similar...but we're not. I will try to keep you in tune with current time, and reality as we are still in it." Opening his eyes, he looked straight at Cloud, unwavering as his iris swirled purple and he indicated Tifa, nodding once so Cloud would acknowledge what he meant. After all, Cloud was frequently muttering her name, and even Noctis was intoxicated by it as they made mind connections. We share a bond...just like the voices you hear, and your own that travels to me in my sleep and subconscience, you're a friend...
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Post by Tifa Lockhart on Jan 6, 2010 21:56:42 GMT -5
The door swung open and he stood there to greet Noctis. So he wasn't lying, but the look in Cloud's eyes only worried her. What was wrong and why hasn't he told anything...... didn't they agree no more secrets? She walked into the room after Noctis and stood there to let those two talk first but what ever it was Tifa wasn't leaving till she knew what was wrong. She was determent to get an answer.
"Cloud whats going on, whats happening and why didn't you tell me anything?" She asked walking closer to where he stood. She glanced at Noctis then back at Cloud as she waited for him to answer her questions all of them and this time she wouldn't accept no as an answer.
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Post by {Cloud Strife} on Jan 6, 2010 22:56:11 GMT -5
"This is not an illusion..." Cloud sighed in relief....It was all real....Thank goodness.....For a moment, Cloud thought that some how Noctis entered his mind again..... "Cloud...if you need assurance, you know it'll be ok. I've come far but the distance should not bear any change to keeping you sane from the trauma." Cloud then looked down....He knew that... "In the same instance, you may call for Zack and he will make it here, through thick or thin. What I can ease in you may be temporary, I'm uncertain but I will tend to it...your bad dreams, seem to put you in a different time...where we're all dead...or similar...but we're not. I will try to keep you in tune with current time, and reality as we are still in it." "I would...But I think he's looking for Aerith....I don't wanna bother him again...And I trust you Noctis...And you are here....What if some thing happened...? Zack would not get here in time...." Cloud then looked up at him and smiled as he just said some thing to Cloud in his mind about friends just as Cloud just said.....Cloud knew he could count on Noctis from the very beginning....
"Cloud whats going on, whats happening and why didn't you tell me anything?" Cloud then lowered his head...As he sighed slightly....It's not because he didn't want Tifa to know....It was just she worried her head off way too much when ever he was in trouble....
"Tifa....I wanted to tell you...But...I didn't want to worry you....I'm sorry....But lately my dreams have been making it impossible to sleep....Ever since Sephiroth tampered with my mind he's left me this....I only see dark images....One...was so horrifying that....I thought it was real.....Tifa now you know what's been going on....I'm sorry again....I'm so sorry...Please understand...." If Cloud knew Tifa the way he thought he did....She would understand....But being surrounded by her light was helping him.....
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Jan 7, 2010 0:15:59 GMT -5
Noctis, as Cloud faced Tifa and apologised for whatever it was between them that he had breeched by not telling her his sleeping problems, looked down towards the ground and smiled calmly to himself. While the other two were going through an up and down seeing as Tifa wanted to know everything about Cloud? He listened to Cloud's heart, which spoke his mind for the genuine sorry he was telling Tifa.
Out of place, his hair darkened to a toffee brown, he interjected before Tifa could respond, the gaze flicking back to her."It was a good thing, that you had not known, for the pressures in your worrying would have been detrimental to Cloud's tampered dreams because...of how much he cares about you." He knew what he was talking about but he didn't want too say too much; just the exact words he couldn't contain.
Returning attention to Cloud, he glanced at him then looked around the room. Spying for his daily habits, a normal life Noctis didn't have; Cloud was well taken care of by Tifa... he confessed in his heart. "You're right...it is fair not to trouble Zack in his quest. It hasn't been long, but I am one to wonder if he would ever find his, Aerith..." He could now remember Cloud's smile and realised how important it was to keep promises, and be counted upon in honesty. Noctis felt truly appreciated after being needed; this was different because although his city needed him, the Crystal and his people, they did not reciprocate aid or appreciation...they didn't even know him by face... His devotion to this new friendship would reflect his quiet happiness. Anytime, and he could be here, that was the beauty of it. Noctis thought he had finally found a more profound use of his talents in appearing and disappearing randomly. "For now Cloud, if you wish to stay up, you may...but I will stay as those dreams are countered; a much needed sleep might be a good option." It was up to Cloud; he seemed to have much to explain to Tifa and Noctis didn't know if they could keep a proper conversation when Cloud was in a state of exhaustion, that was all that he suggested sleep to him for; how strange it was to visit someone and have them sleep for you.
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Post by Tifa Lockhart on Jan 7, 2010 0:44:21 GMT -5
Tifa was disappointed that Cloud kept this from her. Why after promising he would tell her everything. That they both would be honest with each other. She stopped but to listed, now that she knew that there was something will he admit an tell her?
"Night mares.... about what?" Tifa should have known Sephiroth had something to do with this. She listened to his apology it seemed to be coming from the heart and he did open up to her. She paused to think it hurt her to the fact that he kept this from her but it was for a reason.... not to worry her.
True Tifa did worry alot especially about Cloud. She looked up at the both of them and listened to Noctis' words. "I know I worry alot but thats just because I care about him too...." She turned to face Cloud now and let a small smile appear to assure him that she wasn't upset. "I am not angry that you kept this from me just hurt...... Cloud I want to help you but I can only do that if you let me in. Please tell me what the dreams are about."
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Post by {Cloud Strife} on Jan 7, 2010 11:23:09 GMT -5
"It was a good thing, that you had not known, for the pressures in your worrying would have been detrimental to Cloud's tampered dreams because...of how much he cares about you." "You're right...it is fair not to trouble Zack in his quest. It hasn't been long, but I am one to wonder if he would ever find his, Aerith..." Cloud noticed that Noctis would some times talk as though hie was from a different time....But over looked it.....Though he had a point about what he told Tifa....And Cloud sighed...Hoping Tifa would understand....
"Night mares.... about what?" "I know I worry alot but thats just because I care about him too...." "I am not angry that you kept this from me just hurt...... Cloud I want to help you but I can only do that if you let me in. Please tell me what the dreams are about."
Cloud looked up at Noctis....Noctis would know about what kind of dreams Cloud had if he entered his mind again...But Cloud hoped he would not do that. Even Noctis was in one of them....Where he just defeated Zack after fighting and becoming one with the darkness....Cloud faced Noctis....And killed him as well....Cloud could not let Noctis know.....He was to scared...To let his friends know about any of his dreams just yet...Even Tifa....
"Tifa....Please. Just understand....I can't tell you just yet...It's hard for me to tell you that....I just can't....Some are so gruesome...to even describe....Noctis I can't sleep....Sephiroth made sure of that....It's going to ruin my life if I do...I'm scared to close my eyes....All this darkness...And then I see....Myself doing things I would never do....I can tell you one Tifa....But that's it for now....I know how you want to go on a date with me....But as soon as the sun sets....And we are settling down on the beach....You disappear from me....And I hear screaming....I see death appear....Blood on my sword...." Cloud left one thing out....The death of Tifa.....He would not tell her that.....What would she think of him if he told her that....?
Cloud never did any thing to hurt Tifa....And he didn't want her to think that if he went crazy he would hurt her....Cloud looked at his friend Noctis and sighed...Another that was worried about him...Yes, Cloud had friends....He dreamed of this all this young life as a teenager...Even though in his past he acting like he was better than any one else...And thought he didn't need this...But he did want this....And now that he had it....He was scared for his friends.....He might hurt them if he gets out of control...
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Jan 8, 2010 8:47:21 GMT -5
The snowball effect of people who cared about each other, worrying over things, almost went by Noctis; it was Tifa who reminded him. What was he to say to that, he supposed he was just relieved she understood and took a more gentle approach towards Cloud; he had half expected her to burst into a fit, but maybe this was what made her special to Cloud. It amused Noctis, how much he was thinking about their relationships when he had only seen ones shatter.
The amusement was fleeting yet again. He knew precisely what haunted Cloud, his fears and the misfortune that Sephiroth chose to target that part of him, in order to draw pain and suffering; it was indeed most villainous. When he heard Cloud sigh, he looked at him hard before giving in to a sigh too. It was the snowball effect, he was balling into it as well and Cloud probably tried to hope he didn't, but he still would; it was inevitable. Friends, he never had many, but he held on to the friendships even when they were supported by a meager thin red line; it wasn't any of the sadness and responsibilities that made him begin to distrust friendship, but betrayal that ultimately hurt him. With people who were also his comrades, he hadn't so much to fear; they were going to stand by him, fueled by compassion through honour even if that meant a friendship too, it would be friendship set above it's normal definition. It didn't matter if he was going to worry about Cloud's condition, he would do something about it even without the worrying.
The opposite of Cloud and his fears, Noctis is. Even if a friendship died, he was used to it happening to him and it was pre set that his heart and mind would get locked up again for awhile, from the need to make friends or share any part of him. His dreams were bleak; remnants of his daily life, memories merged with horrors of his imagination and Sephiroth could not feel the joy he loved to destroy in Noctis. True, he was happy sometimes but the stoicism far outweighed those moments; he was in control of his emotions like a robot, not even the shyness could sway him because that part, he didn't like and shut deep inside. This, was what made it simpler for his magic to protect Cloud, as best as it could; he wanted to preserve the innocence in a once broken man, because it was something far more powerful than anything Noctis had known. It was hope, love and valour... the disturbance in him that comes with not possessing feelings as strong as those to define, seemed to stem a brick wall for Sephiroth to break, making a counter against Cloud's nightmares stable.
"Tifa, his dreams are reflections of his fears, it isn't a wonder if you're present..." Would you really want to know about them? Somewhere outside, the racket caused by speeding bikes and shouting people annoyed him as he was unable to speak over it and Noctis stretched out a hand lazily, and a wide open window beside the bed shut slowly, staying an inch open for air. "When it is time for you to sleep then Cloud, I will try to prevent you from dreaming. Then, you must attempt closing your eyes or you will collapse... from what you've been going through all this while. It is exactly what Sephiroth wants. I will stay here and give you as quiet a mind possible." His expression relaxed, he was still as serious as Noctis could be, but one could see his youth fresh on his face. "You will put him to rest later...I'll be outside then..." Noctis indicated to Tifa what was to be done when Night fell, but he was going to stay at the bar tonight until he could ensure sleep was sound for Cloud, these few days to come, at the very least. "Cloud... it's alright..." Alright...that he stayed, alright that privacy was still theirs, but most of all he reassured him that this, was reality... and suddenly he remembered the gifts Tifa had, as if to break the ice of what silence could ensue. "I think she has something for you...if I might add."
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Post by Tifa Lockhart on Jan 8, 2010 13:19:34 GMT -5
It was that bad then..... he wouldn't hid it and refuse to tell her if it wasn't that she knew about Cloud especially after the promise they made. That if he wanted to be with her he has to be honest and let him in. He was doing the best he could she could see that but also sensed the fear in his eyes.
What ever those dreams were, they were getting to him. Tifa only gave a small smile. If Cloud didn't want to talk about this then she wouldn't pressure him. She was there to help, not make it harder on Cloud.
Tifa listened to his words as he explained his dream. They were on a date and than she faded and there was blood on his sword.... She knew what it was that scared him now even though he said nothing more. She could easily guess the rest of the dream. He was afraid of hurting her like he did in that dream. "Dreams as images of what we fear or desire.... sometimes we might believe them to be real when the images are so vivide....."
Tifa walked closer to place a gentle hand on his shoulder. As she smiled letting him know she figured out the rest of the dream and was still not afraid. "But in the end.... we should remind ourselves that its just a dream..... nothing more."
Turning to Noctis she smiled at him "I am sorry about not believing you earlier.... your here to help thank you Noctis." She paused at the mention of the gifts remembering she left them on the counter downstairs. "Its nothing much just a small gift.... but that can wait...." She added.
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Post by {Cloud Strife} on Jan 8, 2010 19:30:11 GMT -5
"Tifa, his dreams are reflections of his fears, it isn't a wonder if you're present..."
"When it is time for you to sleep then Cloud, I will try to prevent you from dreaming. Then, you must attempt closing your eyes or you will collapse... from what you've been going through all this while. It is exactly what Sephiroth wants. I will stay here and give you as quiet a mind possible."
Cloud sighed...But Noctis was right. He would fall from exhaustion.....So he climbed into bed. He knew Noctis was able to enter his mind. And that was enough to make him lie back down. Cloud then looked at Tifa....And hoped that things would be smooth after what Noctis said....
"Cloud... it's alright..."
"I think she has something for you...if I might add."
Cloud looked up at Noctis then....And was wondering what was going on.....Tifa got him some thing....?
"Dreams as images of what we fear or desire.... sometimes we might believe them to be real when the images are so vivide....."
"But in the end.... we should remind ourselves that its just a dream..... nothing more." Cloud looked down...And sighed...That was the problem Cloud had right now...
"I am sorry about not believing you earlier.... your here to help thank you Noctis."
"Its nothing much just a small gift.... but that can wait...."
"You got me some thing...?" Cloud did not think that she would do that...Cloud laid his head on the pillow. Sleep was coming....He could feel it....And that was when Cloud looked over to Noctis..."Are you sure you can do this...? My dreams are not what you call normal ones...." Cloud was worried now....How would this affect Noctis....? Cloud didn't want to hurt his friend with his night mares....
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Jan 9, 2010 4:35:38 GMT -5
The boy in Noctis flashed, stirring comfort and strange sweetness as Tifa smiled and thanked him. He had not deserved it for the delay his mysterious self had caused, and influenced her to have a tougher time trusting him; though none of it was intended, he felt shyness creeping up. His shoulders sagged a little, melting to a posture that reflected a part of his true nature which he despised for taking hold of him at the most inconvenient of times; downright introversion. "I am glad to be of help..." So saying, he closed his mouth, lips pressed to tinge pink as he tried to think of a way to reverse the situation; he was meant to be thank her or just tell her that he appreciated her leading him here but those words weren't structuring. "I wouldn't be here to help if it weren't for you." All he managed, he was disatisfied with, but it surprised him that at least something came out which was pretty good.
Cloud moved to lay back down on his bed, and Noctis' eyes followed, the desire to keep to his word, a flame in his heart. It was a warm feeling... He could remember a moment like this when he still had a family, but that was long gone and he dismissed the recollection as he would to a reflection of himself in still water; a violent splash. Why Tifa chose not to show Cloud his gift, he didn't understand and grew sensitive to having suggested it, at an unsuitable time moreover?
"They are what they tell me about you... You could say, you're not normal Cloud." Retrospection, he awoke from it when Cloud spoke to him and he blurted a simple summary, which sounded like a joke. "...What can be done will be done, I am sure of that. Don't doubt and I won't hear it in my head; my fears are not of what you may see in your dreams... off putting, impossible or fatal."
Neither answers made logic simple for a listener, but he had grown quite fond of Cloud even in Noctis' passive treatment of him and he only needed Cloud's faith in him to know he could do things, he never had before. It was something awkward but pure. All his life, he wanted another's faith, the belief in him, to reach greater heights and it never came...yet somewhere deep down inside argued this want as it was only a want, therefore pathetic and belittling what he could or could not do on his own without such things he seeked; this was going to catapult him somewhere if he failed, but he knew he couldn't fail, not when a lifetime's missing sentiment was found now to fill what had been empty.
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Post by Tifa Lockhart on Jan 9, 2010 12:48:18 GMT -5
"Yeah I did.... sunglasses.... I know your last pair broke so I bought you new ones." Tifa explained as she looked at Cloud. A smile formed on her lips as she looked at him. She stood there holding his hand as he sat on his bed. "Get some rest for now.... I will be here when you wake up and then I will show you your gift how does that sound?"
She turned to Noctis still smiling. "I am glad I could help with something.... its good that you walked into that shop when you did, but I really am sorry for the way I acted. Its just everyone of our enemies came back and I don't know who to trust any more. Your willing to help you came all this way for that and Cloud already trust's you so I think I can too." Sephiroth's and Genesis' return did worry her a lot. What ever those two were up to was never good. With them out there it worried her and Tifa started to be careful about who to trust.
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Post by {Cloud Strife} on Jan 9, 2010 21:21:11 GMT -5
"I am glad to be of help..." "I wouldn't be here to help if it weren't for you." "They are what they tell me about you... You could say, you're not normal Cloud." Cloud rested his head on his pillow as Noctis explained that he was not normal...Cloud knew he was not normal...But to have some one tell him that sorta did bother him slightly. But he tried to ignore it...."...What can be done will be done, I am sure of that. Don't doubt and I won't hear it in my head; my fears are not of what you may see in your dreams... off putting, impossible or fatal." Cloud then nodded....And smiled to himself that he was thankful for. His dreams would not affect Noctis....
"Yeah I did.... sunglasses.... I know your last pair broke so I bought you new ones." Cloud nodded again...Sleep was taking over him....Even though he did not want to...He knew it would happen eventually...."Get some rest for now.... I will be here when you wake up and then I will show you your gift how does that sound?" He felt her grab his hand in his....and he squeezed it slightly. It was also trembling...She would feel his fear...As he looked up into her eyes....
"I am glad I could help with something.... its good that you walked into that shop when you did, but I really am sorry for the way I acted. Its just everyone of our enemies came back and I don't know who to trust any more. Your willing to help you came all this way for that and Cloud already trust's you so I think I can too."
Finally after she said that to Noctis, Cloud closed his eyes. His grip on her hand loosed up...Their voices were the only thing he heard....It did not take him long. To enter the dream scape in his own mind....Cloud hoped that Noctis was right, right about now...this was when everything usually happened...Things would seem sweet dreams until they turned into night mares....Even Cloud could not explain it. He already told Tifa the night mare about his date with her...What was she thinking about it right now he wondered...
As he walked along a ruin in the city of Midgar....The very city they were living in....Nothing out of the ordinary happened right now...Cloud felt the hot sun baring down on his forehead...As he looked in the distance and saw a place that he loved to visit often....Aerith's church....As he was dreaming....He walked toward the place....All was well at this moment....It was like he was free finally....Had Noctis magic worked on him....?
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Post by Noctis Lucis Caelum on Jan 10, 2010 1:38:36 GMT -5
Noctis went giddy with Cloud's mind falling slowly into sleep. The smile on Tifa's face lingered, and as he looked back at her, he knew inwardly that Cloud would be able to sense it or even see it as his memories merged to block out Cloud's worries. The nightmare ridden sleep he often had, begun but this time with a strange post modern feel. It would be like a movie to Cloud, as he could see through his own eyes things that happened, things that could be and the parts where bad things could happen, were mere cliffhangers.
If Noctis was fully the director of such scenes, he would've made them obsolete with his soul still treasuring a past. He was listening to what Tifa said about the sunglasses and imagined them; the words and pictures he formed in his head probably obstructed Cloud's on knowledge of how he would look wearing them.
It was a very quick doze off. He hadn't been ready to think that Cloud would drift off so soon, but he understood that with the final crashing after so many nights, it had to be this way. He leaned back and turned to let a glimmer of sunshine reflecting the surface of the window pane, paint his face as he looked at Cloud; magic in him was working and he knew after awhile he would go into the quiet zone. He himself had slept many hours the previous night, bored and for once quitting on his duties; to his luck nothing spectacular happened anyway.
"I suppose you should stay with him through it all..." Noctis told Tifa, as he looked at her hand in Cloud's even as he slept. "If you need anything; I could wake him up..." The slumber was part controlled by him now, a mere interruption and disturbance could call Cloud back to them if some emergency happened. "You are from here Tifa? And...no matter, I know your enemies have returned and I may well have looked like one to you." He admitted his fault and tried to make small talk with her as he stood, resting against the pillar of a wall, mostly sheltered in its shadows; there were still stuff he had to be filled in on and now was a time. "Besides Sephiroth...you have seen the others from the darkness?"
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Post by Tifa Lockhart on Jan 10, 2010 14:49:00 GMT -5
Tifa held Cloud's hand to assure him she wasn't going anywhere and squeezed slightly to let him know that she was there for him. She rubbed her thumb on his hand until he fell asleep before she turned to Noctis. What he was doing it was working and Cloud could finally get some rest. "Whatever your doing I think its working. He is finally asleep."
She nodded yes she was going to stay with him till he work up. Tifa was worried still and she wanted to show Cloud that she meant it when saying she will be by his side when he needed her. "I hope we don't have to wake him, and I don't think we should not unless something unexpected happens and we need him back." It was good to know they can wake Cloud when they needed him.
She nodded again at Noctis' words thinking it was best to say the truth. "A stranger from another worlds happens to walk in the same shop I am in and asks for Cloud Stirfe..... what was I suppose to think?" She paused glancing back at Cloud for a few seconds.
"I was worried you were working with Sephiroth or something, but the way you talked about Cloud sounded like you really cared thats why I trusted you then." Another nod yes, but she only met Genesis. "Yes Geneses if you have heard of his name? He just recently joined the darkness."
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