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[sultanofsquat]

[Text/Voice/Video/Action]

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text, un: white heron

[mistsplitter]

Hello, Cloud.

[ ... that's it. That's the text. ]

text, un: exsoldierboy

[sultanofsquat]

[ ! Oh.

It's only been a couple or so days, but this is the first time he's had somebody directly message him. Otherwise, it was just communicating over the public network with other refugees. Over the past few days, ever since spending time with Ayaka, the effects of the yokai had begun to wane. The month was dying down, and a new slew of events awaited him on the horizon. Things he'd been thinking about as he thought of looking at June as a fresh start.

But when he receives her text... He types. Then deletes. Gets midway through another message? Backspaces. Before finally, ]

Heya.

text;

[ambitiousblond]

I am inviting you for dinner, tomorrow night at 8pm.

There is nothing you need to bring but you can dress up if you feel like it.

text;

[sultanofsquat]

[ He's been told about how Shinra was trying to turn over a new leaf. Hell, even Reno's mannerisms while familiar gave him different vibes. But...even still, approaching two months later, it's something of a shellshock to just accept that his relationship with the Shinra crew was more...amicable. Trust issues? Justifiably a bit. He hasn't seen Sephiroth again since he arrived, yet his change in presence still sits with him... ]

I'm busy tomorrow.

[ Funny enough? That's not a lie. Cloud was still trying to figure out what kind of housewarming present he was supposed to get for the Kamisatos... He's new to this sort of thing. Ganba Cloud. ]

How bout Friday.

[ June 3rd... Because on the 2nd he was also busy with studying a script with Ayaka. He ain't budging. ]

june 1. IT BEGINS

[mistsplitter]

over the violets
a small breeze
passes by

Today has been a good day, and I shall sleep well tonight knowing there is something to look forward to tomorrow.

IT HAS BEGUN

[sultanofsquat]

[ Cloud's just gotten in the door when he receives Ayaka's message on his magi comm. Whether his roommate was home or not, Cloud's going to at least get settled before coming back out to the living room. He huffs when he sees who it's from and the little poem that comes with, plopping down on his bed. ]

You did good. [ Her and her brother both. ] Things all settled down there now?

june 2

[mistsplitter]

Hello, Cloud.

I've placed the camellias by my drawer.

[ She sends a picture (albeit sepia) soon after! ]

It's a rather new way of arranging flowers for me. I never knew a pitcher would make a nice vase. Your advice is becoming more and more important by the day.

[sultanofsquat]

[ Cloud's just getting up to his apartment after taking the train back to Tokyo. But before he can enter, he stops and leans against the wall by the doorway once he gets her message. ]

Hey. Just got back.

You picked a good spot. Works in a pinch if you got a bunch.

june 3

[mistsplitter]

I will sleep well tonight since it is much quieter in this home. The sounds of the busy streets do not enter the residence.

I have to say, though, that it does feel quite lonely. I feel rather detached from everyone else.

I suppose peace has its pros and cons.

text -> audio wait what AUDIO I DIDN'T—

[sultanofsquat]

[ There's a uh...bit of a delay before Cloud actually gets the chance to escape check his magi comm for long enough. He's been skimming this message, trying to type a message back, only to be unable to finish it. He could feel his anxiety growing the longer he left her hanging. Especially when he remembers what she said. She's fine. But... But... ]

Sigh.

[ Looking back at the gate to the Shinra complex, he starts walking and looking at his screen when his finger slips. Right over the "call" button. ]

! [ It's ringing already um shit uh he didn't mean t— ]

june 5

[mistsplitter]

Hello, Cloud. ＼(＾▽＾)／

Do you have time to do an errand with me tomorrow?

june 5

[sultanofsquat]

Hey, Ayaka.

What's up? [ A yes. ] I was planning on coming to Kyoto for a couple days anyway.

during their stay in nara akdjakd

[mistsplitter]

[ The lights have been switched off, Cloud's cosy on his side of the bed. "Good night"s have been said. Ayaka's on her side and is under the sheets, texting.

Who is she texting? The person right next to her, apparently. ]

I truly enjoy your company. Thank you for being here. This trip wouldn't have been as enjoyable without you.

I am greatly looking forward to our activity tomorrow night. (*^‿^*)

[ She's not moving as soon as she sends that. NOPE. NOPE. She's asleep! What are you talking about? ]

idk early-mid july

[mistsplitter]

[ Conversations over the phone or through text have become more frequent. Ayaka's been checking her magi-comm more often, ever so eager to see a notification and Cloud's name attached to it. She's never really tried to show or hint that something's been bothering her, but with the idle time that she has... it's started to stay in her thoughts longer than it usually would.

Especially when Cloud wasn't there to distract her.

Not that that was his job— no. But being with him and doing things with him tended to shift her thoughts away from the world and onto being "just Ayaka".

It is nighttime when she calls, the time they usually talk after he's going around the city working, and just as she's settled in her room for the night. She'll check on him first, hear about his day... and if the opportunity calls for it, and he doesn't seem like his own thoughts are muddled up, then she'll ask him something.

Ring ring!

this was supposed to be a short tag bc it's a call what happened ]

we'll complete a text-a-day challenge again someday

[sultanofsquat]

[ Compared to the uncertainty that he first started looking for jobs, Ayaka's support had been unparalleled in keeping his head held high. Even moreso after they returned to the mainland and back to their respective lives. He had the makings of a wardrobe, a new weapon he can take into his upcoming training (even a practice version that suits him!), was doing his best to incorporate new things into rice, and he feels less tired and lost despite how much he still works and pushes himself. But every day when he came home, talked to Zack or flopped back on his futon, it was with a sense of content.

...before it ebbs away into that familiar longing. The reason he was doing all this to begin with. The reason that ends up calling him again as he pulls out his magi-comm to see a familiar name. Taking a breath, he answers. ]

Hey.

[ "Cloud speaking." and "Hello?" Out the window with her as he puts a hand behind his head and settles in. ]

text: afairguy

[fairlyheroic]

[or rather, it's just a picture, taken close up on a slightly dirty but well-loved PHS. The e-mail says the following:]

1/2

[sultanofsquat]

[ Even in sepia-tone, he knows exactly what this is. From the very first line of the e-mail... He sits alone in a park, having just finished practicing what he learned from Ayaka when the message comes through on his magi-comm. It's a good thing he's found shade under a tree with nobody around, because the look on his face... ]

...

2/2 text; un: exsoldierboy

[sultanofsquat]

[ Hah... He breathes, though nobody else can hear it, as he starts typing. ]

You really did still have it.

[text] un: hotturk

[tightbod_bigrod]

[Just a text with no context.]

Aerith's cooking for me.

[text] un: exsoldierboy

[sultanofsquat]

What's on the menu?

event text; un: tachibana.i / have smth quick before i do actual log things

[currysseur]

( it's just this picture and then; )

Are you sure this is good enough?

1/2

[sultanofsquat]

[ He's made it indoors just in time, loosing a frustrated sigh as he steps into his home. Whatever the hell that link was, it caused his device to seemingly glitch out before presumably returning to normal. First it was the nighttime transformations...now his magi-comm was on the fritz. Even now, he can already feel the throbbing in his skull that yearns for him to get back out there.

Just...give him a minute. Give him a little more time before he braces himself and embraces his inner furry bestial side and puts it to good use. ]

?

[ Or he can get a text from Izumi. It's been some time since he last saw her! Maybe she has more work for him—

—or she can give him something to wanna work over. Any other time of year...any other circumstance and he would have declined. With good reason! As well adjusted as they've become to this world, and doing what they needed to go with the flow, his partner and him acknowledged that...it really wasn't worth beating themselves up over the way Kizuna compels them.

Tonight, however, as his thoughts turn and his personality shifts between his true self and the one who would prowl later... ]

Really feeding my imagination over here.

2/2

[sultanofsquat]

You sure you sent this to the right person?

[ says un: ExSOLDIERboy, wolf ears already sprouting, the corner of his mouth tugging with a smirk as he sits at his table. ]

voice

[mistsplitter]

[ She's being watched by the police as she makes this call. Seated by the desk of the one that brought her in for questioning, she tries to keep her voice soft.

When Cloud picks up, he'd be able to hear the voice of his girlfriend. Not shy, despite how soft it is. There's a weight in her cadence, sullen and guilty, even though she has nothing to hide. ]

Cloud...? [ Ayaka only has two minutes to make this call. No funny business, she was told. ] I'm sorry to trouble you like this...

I need your help, please.

voice

[sultanofsquat]

[ Cloud had just finished tidying up his backyard when the call came through. It comes through his magi-comm, and he recognizes the number immediately. ]

Hey, [ "I'm sorry to trouble you like this..." He pauses, brow furrowing as he goes back inside. ] What's up?

[ She needs his help...and judging by the tone of her voice? It can't be good. She would never apologize for "troubling" him. At least, he doesn't think so despite how polite and courteous his girlfriend was. And yet he would instantly jump into action if he had to. ]

Where are you now?

[ The estate? The school? Where? He's already getting ready to get into his uniform as he talks and starts walking upstairs. ]

i can't believe naked apron is actually going to happen

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka had only heard about it from her students when they were visiting her at the estate— a tradition every February 14th in which a girl gives chocolates to the person she has affections for. One of them asked what kind of chocolate Ayaka was going to give "Prince Cloud" while they were over, and she honestly didn't know the answer! So they had to tell her about Valentine's Day, a holiday of romance! But it's not limited to just lovers, since girls can give chocolates to anyone they admire, too! In fact, some of her students already told Ayaka that they'd be giving chocolates to her, too! They're such sweet children, and it does make her happy! But once they leave? She starts thinking about what chocolate she should be giving, too...

"It is more heartfelt if you made the chocolates yourself, Miss Kamisato!" Keeping these words in mind, Ayaka leaves the Kamisato Estate early, ensuring her brother sees a box of chocolate mochi for him right on the dining table. She loves her brother, truly, but she also hopes to celebrate such a holiday with the person who has won her heart.

The sun hasn't risen, but she knows he's an early riser. She has to beat him to t the punch and be ready before he wakes up! It's a good thing he still gave her a key to his place even though she didn't fully understand what it was for! Because she sets up in the kitchen to make a fresh batch of matcha mochi with chocolate filling. Of course, that's dessert. She has to make Cloud a nice breakfast, too! It has to match the mochi, so instead of the more traditional fish and rice meal she normally prepares, she makes an assortment of sandwiches, placing some cherry tomatoes in a small glass for him to pick at and eat if he wants to!

With breakfast already set up on the table, with the only thing that needs to be prepared is a pot of hot water for the tea, she heads to the bathroom to... um... prepare the next part of her present.

... She already has an apron on, but it is a matter of removing her dress and everything else. . . Which she manages to do! But it takes her some time in the bathroom because she has to muster up the courage to get out and then wake Cloud up. But when she exits the bathroom? Cloud's right there, already up and awake, and— ]

O- Oh...

[ She's standing in front of him with nothing on but an apron. Just like what they talked about before. There were no concrete plans of doing it, but it was an idea!! One that she had intended to surprise him with! And yet, the moment their eyes lock, she finds herself at a loss on what to do that she turns back around and hides inside the bathroom. ]

G- Good morning, my love!

[ YOU SAW NOTHING ]

millenia later

[sultanofsquat]

[ The tradition? Still happened in his world; granted it was something that the young man had many times glossed over for various reasons or another. Maybe it has something to do with being in Nippon, not knowing if they celebrate it or not, or...just outright forgetting in his time spent here with Ayaka and others. But it was safe to say that nothing would prepare Cloud for the sight that would await him this calm, cool February morning. One of which she was successful in sneaking into his house on. An early riser? Yes. A light sleeper? Especially so. So it speaks volumes to young Miss Kamisato when she manages to step into his home and start preparing a fresh batch of matcha mochi, complete with chocolate filling.

If he hears anything? It's tiny little noises, an ambiance of the home since it wouldn't have been the first time he had Ayaka over at his place. But in his sleep-laden state, it's not enough to jostle him.

...

Not until he hears the bathroom door slide shut anyways. Even here, after almost a year spent in this world, Cloud's body doesn't forget those instinctive SOLDIER reflexes. He springs out of bed, catlike and on his feet instantly. But he doesn't reach for his Buster Sword on his wall. ...no need. He instantly can sense that there's no real trouble afoot. But...was someone here? ]

♥ ♥ ♥

Ayaka?

[ He calls as he walks downstairs... Before he can reach the dining area where Ayaka has his surprises set up though? A certain bathroom was along the way. And sure enough, so was Ayaka, in nothing but an apron, string hugging her waist to keep her front modest. ...save for the ample cleavage her snug apron is accentuating as they blink. And stare. Eyes locked— and she's gone. Inside the bathroom. ]

......

[ Did...she have anything else on? He calmly approaches, the soft sound of his sock-clad footsteps approaching the door. He doesn't dare pry it open, but he gently taps for a knock anyway. ]

Good, uh...morning, Ayaka.

[ HE SAW. EVERYTHING. ]

... .... .....

You okay in there?