[ Claude shouldn't be surprised when he turns and sees posted up Aldrip's local delivery boy and fetcher of all things improbable, posted up on a barstool he gravitates to every night he's in town and not travelling. It's part of the bar that has a good line of sight to the stage (hmm...), and the blonde-haired man offers an easy grin. ]
C'mon, Claude, cut the service-with-a-smile tone. [ A friendly barb to the man behind the counter, before following. ] But if you have to ask, you got any good ciders in recently? Kind of want something light, tonight.
[ He rolls his shoulders a bit as he gets settled in. ] Let's turn the tables for a change — how've you been?
Considerate and handsome? Some men really do have it all, [ Claude says, shooting Cloud a quick wink before he turns to peruse the refrigerator for the best ciders in the fridge. Flirting with Cloud isn't exactly a new thing for him, but no man alive could accuse him of lying; anyone with eyes knows that Cloud's a handsome man.
And that he's incredibly smitten with someone else, but that's neither here nor there. Flirtin's free, until Aerith and Cloud finally get together and Aerith tells him to buzz off. Or tells him to keep going because it's entertaining. Either one.
He grabs a bottle and flicks off the top before sliding it towards Cloud. ]
This one's new, from Ketsora. A rhubarb apple cider. It's refreshing -- I had one last night. As for how I'm doing... [ He shrugs. ] I certainly can't complain. Work's been steady, and Aerith's been drawing a big enough crowd to keep me busy these days. Tips have been good.
And flattery will get you everywhere. [ He laughs easily. It's nothing new, to be sure, and Cloud has at least learned how to respond in kind — though that's not to say a bit of red doesn't tint the ears not-quite-hiding under that wild head of chocobo feathers he calls hair. ]
[ He grabs the bottle of cider, taking a small sip, the corners of his mouth twitching as he sets it down. ] You're right, though, this is good. Might have to help you make a trip to Ketsora to get some more when you run low.
[ His smile does fall a little bit, not entirely, but a little. ] Well, when I can, anyway — I'm stuck in town for at least a few weeks. Zachariah took a bit of a tumble last time we were out. Got back to town alright but apparently he pulled something while trying to keep us both upright. I've already shrugged off the nicks and bruises but I've been told to let him rest up for a few weeks, so no out-of-town jobs for me.
[ But then it's back as he looks up. ] Can't say I mind it too much, though. You certainly know how to keep the nights lively, Claude.
Everywhere but where I'd like to go, huh? [ It's said with a saucy sort of wink, but he eases off shortly thereafter. He likes Cloud; he's easy company, and less uptight than so many of the others who spend their days in this poky little town, more consumed with what their neighbours are doing than what's happening under their nose. If Cloud responded in kind to any of his flirtations, he'd jump on him in a second...
But alas, Cloud has never shown any sign of returning his affections. No matter. He's got other takers in the meantime. ]
Sorry to hear about Zachariah, though. Give him some time to rest up and he'll be right as rain in no time. But speaking of excitement... [ He leans forward, a conspiratorial air to him. He doesn't mind gossiping with Cloud for free. Not everything can be an exchange. ]
There's more newcomers here than ever before. Everyone's a bit shaken up by it. Especially since things have been going missing here and there. At first, I thought it was just wives unaware that their lazy husbands have been gambling away their house and home every time they come here - [ that's because you've been fleecing them, Claude ] - but now I'm not so sure. You watch your back out there. The gossips might turn on you next.
Claude, I got bad news, I am the gossip. [ That's perhaps a bit glib, but it's not like Cloud doesn't pass on the rumors he gets on his travels to feed Claude's own gossip ring, when he can. Sometimes it pays to just be a good enough friend to shoot the shit with. ]
[ He does let the actual meat of what Claude's saying sit with him, though, as he sips gingerly on the bottle of sider. His eyes glance to the countertop as he tries to muse on what it all means. ]
Definitely seen a few lost-and-found flyers popping up of late, but to go as far as insinuate there's someone responsible... [ He shakes his head. ] I can't remember the last time we had something like that crop up. Maybe when I first blew in a handful of years back, but usually everyone's so...
[ So nice. So conflict-free. Something about that wedges in Cloud like a splinter, and he frowns into his drink. It nags at him the way a sore on your lip might. ]
You're sure it's not just people getting touchy over the fairies, Claude? I trust you, but it is about the time they start coming out to mess with us. Had to chase one with Shinjiro's wallet the other day.
I'm not so sure it's petty thievery that I'm looking out for. I've seldom seen anything of actual value go missing. If it's a sticky-fingered thief, then they've chosen their targets poorly. I suppose there's the idea of stealing for the thrill of the game, but... hm.
[ He tilts his head, regarding Cloud. He trusts Cloud more than he trusts more locals. These days, he trusts outsiders more than those who are at the heart of Aldrip's society. They have clearer visions when it comes to the foibles of their quiet little town. ]
Besides, the fairies are usually a bit more obvious about it. I heard tale of people picking things up and them vanishing from their very hands. Maybe they had a bit too much to drink, or they're coming up with fabulous stories to try to cover up their tracks when the missus comes a-calling wondering where her new blouse went.
But regardless... without a fairy to be seen doing it, people are bound to start pointing fingers sooner rather than later.
[ The implications are not lost on Cloud, and there's something that feels vaguely like unease coil in the pit of his stomach. Everything he says rings true — hell, he had his own experience with this sort of thing just the other day. At least the vanishing objects part. ]
[ Before he can even speak up about it, Claude can see the change slowly come over Cloud. He hunches forward a bit, as if bundling himself up smaller. He pulls the cider closer, his eyes floating toward a spot on the countertop. ]
You're saying the people reporting these objects missing... they just vanished into thin air, Claude?
Cause... I can tell you— an object vanishing from your hand? Happened to me. Thought I was crazy, but it was like nothing I've ever seen in this town.
[ Claude, himself, was an outsider, similar to Cloud— both of their professions offered them a measure of distance from others, when needed. It allowed a different kind of perspective. ]
And I can tell you for a fact I was dry when it happened. Though... maybe I shouldn't've been.
[ This is how Claude always gets, isn't it? All smiles and laughter one moment, then sharp as a tack the next; if he had followed his original path into high society like his father had intended, he would be a dangerous man indeed. There's something in his eyes, brightening with intrigue, but this time he doesn't bother plastering his smile back on. Cloud doesn't need it. ]
Better than you were dry for it. That way you can't blame it on me. I put nothing but the finest liquors in my drinks, after all. [ He pauses, eyes flitting over Cloud. ]
[ That's just like Claude, cutting right to the heard of the matter, despite seeming so carefree all the time. He can't help but feel a little jealous at how quick Claude can turn it off and on, but he smiles ruefully instead of letting the envy fester— ]
You never miss a beat, do you, Claude? Wouldn't dream of blaming you.
[ Give him a minute, he needs to take a long drink of the cider in his hands to get his thoughts in order. ]
It was... a green sphere. Crystal, maybe gem? It'd fallen into the fountain in the square when my back was turned, so I turned and saw it. I waded into the fountain, and grabbed it. And next thing I new...
[ His eyes fall to the counter, not because meeting Claude's gaze is hard, but because it helps him dredge those strange visions back to the surface. ]
I was in a church. In a bed of flowers, looking up at a hole in the ceiling. I... feel like I made it, but that seems impossible. If I'd landed with that impact, I'd be in a casket, not a flowerbed.
I was woken up by this girl. I can't remember any details about her, but she was nice enough. She handed me a crystal orb just like the one I picked up in the fountain. Claims she has one of her own. But when she says that, I see... another orb falling into a fountain? Except this one was white. Like I space out while spacing out.
But then, this red-haired asshole storms in with some military types. This girl decides she wants me to play bodyguard. I sure seemed like I could handle myself — I claimed I was a "first-class soldier", whatever that means.
He comes at me, I draw this massive sword — seriously, it's like, as big as me or you — and then... I'm back at the fountain in the town square, like nothing ever happened. Whole thing felt like it took minutes, but I blink and I don't think more than a few seconds passed while I was zoned out.
[ This girl. Claude doesn't let it show in his expression, but he knows who he's speaking of, even if the memory Cloud felt himself sink into didn't recognize her. This must be the same memory Aerith spoke of, he just knows it. It lends credence to his belief that this is a past life -- or something more concrete than some terrible vision. They're too detailed, too real, too connected for it to be some sort of mysticism. A part of him feels a pang of envy; how wonderful it must be, to be connected to another through destiny, to meet them from one life to another.
And how terrible, too, to be bound to another. Not that they know that that is truly the case, of course, but Claude has his private suspicions about what exactly is going on here. ]
Weird's one way of putting it. [ He rubs at his chin. ] It sounds like this version of you, this past life, if that is what it is -- was involved in a much more exciting, albeit much more dangerous life. And it sounds like those gems might be important too...
[ He leans forward, making sure this conversation is kept between the two of them. ]
I had one of my own too. Equally as violent. I was holding a sword too, which -- [ He lets out a snort of laughter, placing a hand on his chest. ] Me? A swordsman? Perish the thought. But that is what it was. It makes me wonder if these are visions of our past lives. Or a warning for the future. Tell me, my friend, when you had this vision, what were you touching?
A past life, huh? [ He looks down at the counter, taking a slow sip as he processes that, and processes what Claude is saying about his own vision. ] I... guess that's one way of looking at it.
It was a green gem, that just... plonked into the fountain. Like my vision within a vision. I wasn't surprised I was holding it when I was in that vision, it felt like... equipment? Like it was a tool for me to use. Like it had power. [ He shakes his head. It feels like there's a word for what it was, but he can't place it. ] I wasn't holding onto it when I came to, either.
...That said, you, a swordsman? Yeah, I can't see it, Claude. But... [ Claude's always looking for an angle, for good or for ill, he's going somewhere with this, leading the conversation on. ]
...Let me guess, you found something too that doesn't make sense, right? Something that you can't remember ever seeing here before.
A mysterious girl, a magical gem, a fall into a bed of flowers in a broken down church... quite a romantic life your past self had, if I say so myself. Like something out of a story. Unfortunate about the fight immediately after, don't get me wrong, but you can't say that doesn't make for a striking image.
[ He's not being facetious. It does sound like something out of a storybook, and one thing that binds his past self to his current self is the fact that he loves stories. Always has, always will. And Cloud is as close as he's gotten to someone with an actual story to tell; as peaceful as his life in Aldrip may be, Cloud is one of the few who gets to leave.
Gets to? He means wants to. Anyone can leave if they want to, of course. ]
Anyway, you're right on the money. I saw this thing in the marketplace. It was a war banner, I think. I don't even know why I picked it up -- I'm not actually all that interested in useless bits of fabric. But once I touched it, it was like I was somewhere else.
[ He smiles wryly at Cloud. ]
No pretty girls or mysterious gems in mine, though. Just what seemed like a battle, with endless amounts of soldiers, and little ol' me with a sword... [ Killing them. That's what he remembers. The feeling of his sword meeting someone's neck and them falling to the ground, lifeless. He doesn't dare voice it. ]
I can't deny it wasn't nice. ...Right up until it wasn't, anyway.
[ He sits there, conspiratorially, listening to Claude's tale. His brow furrows a bit, innate curiosity getting the better of him even as he sympathizes with Claude's vision, dream, whatever it is, being nothing but killing. ]
Wouldn't be surprised if I have a vision like that waiting for me, if this 'first-class soldier' stuff is to be believed. But that is freaky. The idea that you'd be capable of cutting down guys like that while smiling like you do's scary enough.
[ He takes a sip of his cider again, mulling over the thoughts tumbling in his head. ]
It's weird, isn't it? The gem I was holding, the war banner you found. If these are past lives, why are they showing up? I like to think we both have a little bit of travel in our portfolio — I've never seen anything like the gem I found. Maybe some of the crystals in the Lorentia Caves could give it a run for its money, but they weren't perfect spheres, and they sure as hell have never seemed magical.
This warbanner you found probably doesn't exist anywhere, either. So... [ He takes a loooong sip. Eyes furrowed as he looks back into Claude's eyes, the green in them threatening to blot out the blue. ]
I don't know if I'd be smiling... that would make me some kind of sociopath, don't you think? [ Claude says, scratching at his cheek. He wasn't, in those memories anyway. He remembers being overcome with a feeling of all-encompassing terror -- and determination, of the likes he's never felt in his waking life. He's only ever gone with the breeze in this life, bowing to his father's whims for most of it, and then doing whatever seemed convenient afterwards without any ambitions of his own.
As for the questions Cloud is raising... he lets out a frustrated sigh. It's nothing he hasn't been ruminating on himself, but to no avail. No matter how many textbooks he's read, how many tales he's thrown himself into, he's never heard of something quite like this. He has no context to make sense of it in, no speculations that feel like anything beyond shots in the dark. ]
It's almost as though someone - or something - is leaving them around for us to find. Like it's sending a message to us. Maybe those religious nuts are right and it's the end of the world, [ Claude jokes, realizing that his words fall flat. ] Do you think this is happening all over, or just in Aldrip? This has always been such a sleepy little town. You'd think this sort of thing would be happening more in one of those metropolitan cities.
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expiationlogs2024-03-09 08:37 am
i.
C'mon, Claude, cut the service-with-a-smile tone. [ A friendly barb to the man behind the counter, before following. ] But if you have to ask, you got any good ciders in recently? Kind of want something light, tonight.
[ He rolls his shoulders a bit as he gets settled in. ] Let's turn the tables for a change — how've you been?
no subject
And that he's incredibly smitten with someone else, but that's neither here nor there. Flirtin's free, until Aerith and Cloud finally get together and Aerith tells him to buzz off. Or tells him to keep going because it's entertaining. Either one.
He grabs a bottle and flicks off the top before sliding it towards Cloud. ]
This one's new, from Ketsora. A rhubarb apple cider. It's refreshing -- I had one last night. As for how I'm doing... [ He shrugs. ] I certainly can't complain. Work's been steady, and Aerith's been drawing a big enough crowd to keep me busy these days. Tips have been good.
no subject
[ He grabs the bottle of cider, taking a small sip, the corners of his mouth twitching as he sets it down. ] You're right, though, this is good. Might have to help you make a trip to Ketsora to get some more when you run low.
[ His smile does fall a little bit, not entirely, but a little. ] Well, when I can, anyway — I'm stuck in town for at least a few weeks. Zachariah took a bit of a tumble last time we were out. Got back to town alright but apparently he pulled something while trying to keep us both upright. I've already shrugged off the nicks and bruises but I've been told to let him rest up for a few weeks, so no out-of-town jobs for me.
[ But then it's back as he looks up. ] Can't say I mind it too much, though. You certainly know how to keep the nights lively, Claude.
no subject
But alas, Cloud has never shown any sign of returning his affections. No matter. He's got other takers in the meantime. ]
Sorry to hear about Zachariah, though. Give him some time to rest up and he'll be right as rain in no time. But speaking of excitement... [ He leans forward, a conspiratorial air to him. He doesn't mind gossiping with Cloud for free. Not everything can be an exchange. ]
There's more newcomers here than ever before. Everyone's a bit shaken up by it. Especially since things have been going missing here and there. At first, I thought it was just wives unaware that their lazy husbands have been gambling away their house and home every time they come here - [ that's because you've been fleecing them, Claude ] - but now I'm not so sure. You watch your back out there. The gossips might turn on you next.
no subject
[ He does let the actual meat of what Claude's saying sit with him, though, as he sips gingerly on the bottle of sider. His eyes glance to the countertop as he tries to muse on what it all means. ]
Definitely seen a few lost-and-found flyers popping up of late, but to go as far as insinuate there's someone responsible... [ He shakes his head. ] I can't remember the last time we had something like that crop up. Maybe when I first blew in a handful of years back, but usually everyone's so...
[ So nice. So conflict-free. Something about that wedges in Cloud like a splinter, and he frowns into his drink. It nags at him the way a sore on your lip might. ]
You're sure it's not just people getting touchy over the fairies, Claude? I trust you, but it is about the time they start coming out to mess with us. Had to chase one with Shinjiro's wallet the other day.
no subject
[ He tilts his head, regarding Cloud. He trusts Cloud more than he trusts more locals. These days, he trusts outsiders more than those who are at the heart of Aldrip's society. They have clearer visions when it comes to the foibles of their quiet little town. ]
Besides, the fairies are usually a bit more obvious about it. I heard tale of people picking things up and them vanishing from their very hands. Maybe they had a bit too much to drink, or they're coming up with fabulous stories to try to cover up their tracks when the missus comes a-calling wondering where her new blouse went.
But regardless... without a fairy to be seen doing it, people are bound to start pointing fingers sooner rather than later.
no subject
[ Before he can even speak up about it, Claude can see the change slowly come over Cloud. He hunches forward a bit, as if bundling himself up smaller. He pulls the cider closer, his eyes floating toward a spot on the countertop. ]
You're saying the people reporting these objects missing... they just vanished into thin air, Claude?
Cause... I can tell you— an object vanishing from your hand? Happened to me. Thought I was crazy, but it was like nothing I've ever seen in this town.
[ Claude, himself, was an outsider, similar to Cloud— both of their professions offered them a measure of distance from others, when needed. It allowed a different kind of perspective. ]
And I can tell you for a fact I was dry when it happened. Though... maybe I shouldn't've been.
no subject
[ This is how Claude always gets, isn't it? All smiles and laughter one moment, then sharp as a tack the next; if he had followed his original path into high society like his father had intended, he would be a dangerous man indeed. There's something in his eyes, brightening with intrigue, but this time he doesn't bother plastering his smile back on. Cloud doesn't need it. ]
Better than you were dry for it. That way you can't blame it on me. I put nothing but the finest liquors in my drinks, after all. [ He pauses, eyes flitting over Cloud. ]
...what did you see?
[ He had to have seen something. Everybody has. ]
no subject
You never miss a beat, do you, Claude? Wouldn't dream of blaming you.
[ Give him a minute, he needs to take a long drink of the cider in his hands to get his thoughts in order. ]
It was... a green sphere. Crystal, maybe gem? It'd fallen into the fountain in the square when my back was turned, so I turned and saw it. I waded into the fountain, and grabbed it. And next thing I new...
[ His eyes fall to the counter, not because meeting Claude's gaze is hard, but because it helps him dredge those strange visions back to the surface. ]
I was in a church. In a bed of flowers, looking up at a hole in the ceiling. I... feel like I made it, but that seems impossible. If I'd landed with that impact, I'd be in a casket, not a flowerbed.
I was woken up by this girl. I can't remember any details about her, but she was nice enough. She handed me a crystal orb just like the one I picked up in the fountain. Claims she has one of her own. But when she says that, I see... another orb falling into a fountain? Except this one was white. Like I space out while spacing out.
But then, this red-haired asshole storms in with some military types. This girl decides she wants me to play bodyguard. I sure seemed like I could handle myself — I claimed I was a "first-class soldier", whatever that means.
He comes at me, I draw this massive sword — seriously, it's like, as big as me or you — and then... I'm back at the fountain in the town square, like nothing ever happened. Whole thing felt like it took minutes, but I blink and I don't think more than a few seconds passed while I was zoned out.
[ He casually takes a sip. ]
...Weird as hell, right?
no subject
And how terrible, too, to be bound to another. Not that they know that that is truly the case, of course, but Claude has his private suspicions about what exactly is going on here. ]
Weird's one way of putting it. [ He rubs at his chin. ] It sounds like this version of you, this past life, if that is what it is -- was involved in a much more exciting, albeit much more dangerous life. And it sounds like those gems might be important too...
[ He leans forward, making sure this conversation is kept between the two of them. ]
I had one of my own too. Equally as violent. I was holding a sword too, which -- [ He lets out a snort of laughter, placing a hand on his chest. ] Me? A swordsman? Perish the thought. But that is what it was. It makes me wonder if these are visions of our past lives. Or a warning for the future. Tell me, my friend, when you had this vision, what were you touching?
no subject
It was a green gem, that just... plonked into the fountain. Like my vision within a vision. I wasn't surprised I was holding it when I was in that vision, it felt like... equipment? Like it was a tool for me to use. Like it had power. [ He shakes his head. It feels like there's a word for what it was, but he can't place it. ] I wasn't holding onto it when I came to, either.
...That said, you, a swordsman? Yeah, I can't see it, Claude. But... [ Claude's always looking for an angle, for good or for ill, he's going somewhere with this, leading the conversation on. ]
...Let me guess, you found something too that doesn't make sense, right? Something that you can't remember ever seeing here before.
no subject
[ He's not being facetious. It does sound like something out of a storybook, and one thing that binds his past self to his current self is the fact that he loves stories. Always has, always will. And Cloud is as close as he's gotten to someone with an actual story to tell; as peaceful as his life in Aldrip may be, Cloud is one of the few who gets to leave.
Gets to? He means wants to. Anyone can leave if they want to, of course. ]
Anyway, you're right on the money. I saw this thing in the marketplace. It was a war banner, I think. I don't even know why I picked it up -- I'm not actually all that interested in useless bits of fabric. But once I touched it, it was like I was somewhere else.
[ He smiles wryly at Cloud. ]
No pretty girls or mysterious gems in mine, though. Just what seemed like a battle, with endless amounts of soldiers, and little ol' me with a sword... [ Killing them. That's what he remembers. The feeling of his sword meeting someone's neck and them falling to the ground, lifeless. He doesn't dare voice it. ]
Pretty freaky stuff.
no subject
[ He sits there, conspiratorially, listening to Claude's tale. His brow furrows a bit, innate curiosity getting the better of him even as he sympathizes with Claude's vision, dream, whatever it is, being nothing but killing. ]
Wouldn't be surprised if I have a vision like that waiting for me, if this 'first-class soldier' stuff is to be believed. But that is freaky. The idea that you'd be capable of cutting down guys like that while smiling like you do's scary enough.
[ He takes a sip of his cider again, mulling over the thoughts tumbling in his head. ]
It's weird, isn't it? The gem I was holding, the war banner you found. If these are past lives, why are they showing up? I like to think we both have a little bit of travel in our portfolio — I've never seen anything like the gem I found. Maybe some of the crystals in the Lorentia Caves could give it a run for its money, but they weren't perfect spheres, and they sure as hell have never seemed magical.
This warbanner you found probably doesn't exist anywhere, either. So... [ He takes a loooong sip. Eyes furrowed as he looks back into Claude's eyes, the green in them threatening to blot out the blue. ]
Why are they showing up?
no subject
As for the questions Cloud is raising... he lets out a frustrated sigh. It's nothing he hasn't been ruminating on himself, but to no avail. No matter how many textbooks he's read, how many tales he's thrown himself into, he's never heard of something quite like this. He has no context to make sense of it in, no speculations that feel like anything beyond shots in the dark. ]
It's almost as though someone - or something - is leaving them around for us to find. Like it's sending a message to us. Maybe those religious nuts are right and it's the end of the world, [ Claude jokes, realizing that his words fall flat. ] Do you think this is happening all over, or just in Aldrip? This has always been such a sleepy little town. You'd think this sort of thing would be happening more in one of those metropolitan cities.