[ It's not quite a forced smile, but it is a small one nonetheless. When Cloud gives her hand a squeeze, she looks at their hands for a moment before squeezing back. This is already making her feel a lot better. ]
Mm... won't you stay for tea, when we get there?
[ She assumes they're headed to the estate first and not his place. ]
I'll still for more than just that. [ A beat. ] If you want.
[ Yeah, Cloud's not planning on going anywhere until they're ready to call it a day. Or until he knows that she's going to be okay. ...preferably once he's made sure the team have indeed come to retrieve the statue. He wants to hear from Ayaka any time, but preferably not with a message that starts off with something like,
"Cloud... It's still here... (///￣ ￣///)" ]
After we've relaxed, we'll find out who was responsible.
[ With his free hand, he pulls out his magi-comm, having perfected flipping through things with one hand to turn it on. He's listening to her as she explains, such as when they mention wanting a chocobo? That...narrows things down quite a bit. ]
Couldn't be Noct...
[ Kidding? Maybe. Pulling a prank like this? Is this his way of getting back at him for the accursed sext last month? No. It's not. He knows this. Which is why as he replays the video of the anonymous man attempting to do their best Tseng impersonation... ]
Feel free. But, [ He gives her a look that doesn't look impressed. Not impressed at the culprit he's got in mind, anyway. ] I might already have an idea.
I only know you, Zack, and Aerith from your world. Though I did speak briefly to someone about chocobos, too. [ Noctis! ] I wonder if my brother would know anyone else...
I don't think we did anything wrong.
[ That would warrant being framed for theft, anyway. ]
[ As for who it can be? Well, it's best that he fill Ayaka in as well as he knows anyway. He still has yet to meet anyone from Eorzea, but, ]
Well, let's count.
Noctis and Prompto are from another world, but they have chocobos... There's me, Zack, Aerith, Tifa, Sephiroth— [ ... he doesn't laugh. But he does crack a half-smile. Because even if their relationship here is solely one of mutual training, and he has a score to settle with the one back home? Hopefully Ayaka sees the absurdity, ] Definitely not Sephiroth.
[ Man. Imagine Sephiroth hauling a 7 foot tall dick to the estate going, "I've thought of a wonderful present for Cloud." Okay smile gone. ]
Then there's Rufus Shinra. The Turks. Tseng, Rude, and...
[ Unless he's missing anyone else whose arrived without his knowing it? His tone goes flat when he says, ]
[ Oh! That Shinra fellow - Cloud's mentioned him before! Ayaka is a stranger to the rest of the ones Cloud has mentioned, though if she were being honest, she'd be very hesitant to try and get to know Sephiroth. Rufus, too.
Now... when he makes a face upon mentioning a name? She can't help but make a face, too. One of confusion. ]
Mm. [ He nods as they walk and talk. Even just being in her presence and having a conversation with her outside of the station...even if it's got to do with what happened? It's a welcome change. It's a familiarity that he's fallen into. ] You know how Zack is. He can kid around but he wouldn't pull a stunt like that. Tifa and Aerith are out of the question. Rufus and Tseng are too serious t—
[ He cuts himself off. ]
Look. Who asks for one trillion gil? Iunno what the exchange rate would be, but that's gotta be like asking for one trillion mora.
When Reno's not working, he's... Just. Yeah I'm 90% sure that's him.
[ Poor Cloud's talking himself through it as they go. aklfdjs And determining how he can get back at him. ...in a way that wasn't violent or caused serious rifts. But he ain't letting it slide no matter what. ]
I didn't get to do what I had planned today because of what happened.
[ She sighs heavily. They're nearing the estate at least, and the neighbours don't seem to be giving her any funny looks. Maybe news travelled fast that she's innocent! ]
Also... would it be alright if you kept this between us? I don't want Ayato to know.
[ Maybe there'd still be time. It hasn't gotten dark yet. ]
Mm. [ He nods. ] The less he's gotta worry about, the better.
[ That and, well. Sparing Ayaka any further embarrassment. They'll tackle this situation later on, after they've had a chance to calm down. Cloud's already feeling calmer himself despite how thoroughly he dressed down the department. ]
[ And that is always so very exciting! Sakura are very beautiful, but given that the Kamisato Clan uses camellias for their emblem? That kind of flower has a special place in Ayaka's heart. ]
I wonder what sorts of festivals we will have... [ A wistful sigh. ] Something nice and warm... with prayers and good food, and even fireworks at the end!
[ And nothing going wrong in any of those. Ayaka can't help but rest her head on Cloud's arm as they walk. Just talking about spring has put her in a good mood. ]
[ Another first? Another first! He tugs on her hand when it's time to cross the street. ]
Maybe... S'not exactly safe to handle them directly. [ He hums... ] Well. Can't ask Yoimiya. [ On the account of her not having been pulled to this world. ] We could look into it.
Maybe they got something in the library for that too.
[ The mention of Yoimiya gets her to giggle. He remembers her! Now she wonders how Yoimiya would be like around Cloud... she hopes they would get along. Her best friend in another world, and her best friend from home. . . ]
Let us look for a book on it some time. But... if it's not safe? Then I don't mind if we just watch from afar.
[ They're close to the Kamisato estate now! Just across the street, then they have to climb up the stairs leading to the gate. Ayaka's actually looking forward to eating something since she hasn't had anything all day. ]
[ Hearing Ayaka giggle even gets him perking up some more. That's the kind of spirits he wants to see from her. If she was feeling this way when they left the station, maybe he could have convinced her to have something to eat on the way back. Luckily for them? He still has that plan sitting in the back of his mind for when they get to the estate. ]
Oh I ain't sticking around when they go off.
[ Assuming they have some really big ones, anyway. ]
[ As they make their way up the stairs leading to the front gate, away from the public eye, he squeezes her hand and stops at the top of the stairs with her. ]
Hey. Go on ahead? I'll be there in a couple minutes. Just gotta make a call.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-11-10 08:36 pm (UTC)You sure, Ayaka?
[ He can feel a weight in his heart. But the fact he has her back and out of there in the first place is what he cares most about. ]
... [ He takes a step in to her, reaching to slip her hand in his and give it a squeeze. ] Alright. Let's go home.
[ ... but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a plan still. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-10 10:34 pm (UTC)[ It's not quite a forced smile, but it is a small one nonetheless. When Cloud gives her hand a squeeze, she looks at their hands for a moment before squeezing back. This is already making her feel a lot better. ]
Mm... won't you stay for tea, when we get there?
[ She assumes they're headed to the estate first and not his place. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 04:05 am (UTC)[ Yeah, Cloud's not planning on going anywhere until they're ready to call it a day. Or until he knows that she's going to be okay. ...preferably once he's made sure the team have indeed come to retrieve the statue. He wants to hear from Ayaka any time, but preferably not with a message that starts off with something like,
"Cloud... It's still here... (///￣ ￣///)" ]
After we've relaxed, we'll find out who was responsible.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 04:57 am (UTC)[ That they stole a statue! Though they didn't really say that they'd be putting the stolen statue elsewhere and not keeping it. ]
Oh... come to think of it? They wanted a chocobo.
[ '^'!! She looks up at him as they wall. ]
It could be that you know these individuals responsible.
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Date: 2022-11-11 05:10 am (UTC)[ With his free hand, he pulls out his magi-comm, having perfected flipping through things with one hand to turn it on. He's listening to her as she explains, such as when they mention wanting a chocobo? That...narrows things down quite a bit. ]
Couldn't be Noct...
[ Kidding? Maybe. Pulling a prank like this? Is this his way of getting back at him for the accursed sext last month? No. It's not. He knows this. Which is why as he replays the video of the anonymous man attempting to do their best Tseng impersonation... ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 05:11 am (UTC)[ A long, exasperated sigh as he puts the magi-comm back in his pocket. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 05:55 am (UTC)[ Whoever it is, anyway!! They made a mistake making an enemy out of the Kamisatos. ]
Perhaps I'll watch what they posted again and try to make conversation.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 06:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 06:27 am (UTC)[ She doubts he would say "yes" to that, but... ]
I only know you, Zack, and Aerith from your world. Though I did speak briefly to someone about chocobos, too. [ Noctis! ] I wonder if my brother would know anyone else...
I don't think we did anything wrong.
[ That would warrant being framed for theft, anyway. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 06:50 am (UTC)[ As for who it can be? Well, it's best that he fill Ayaka in as well as he knows anyway. He still has yet to meet anyone from Eorzea, but, ]
Well, let's count.
Noctis and Prompto are from another world, but they have chocobos... There's me, Zack, Aerith, Tifa, Sephiroth— [ ... he doesn't laugh. But he does crack a half-smile. Because even if their relationship here is solely one of mutual training, and he has a score to settle with the one back home? Hopefully Ayaka sees the absurdity, ] Definitely not Sephiroth.
[ Man. Imagine Sephiroth hauling a 7 foot tall dick to the estate going, "I've thought of a wonderful present for Cloud." Okay smile gone. ]
Then there's Rufus Shinra. The Turks. Tseng, Rude, and...
[ Unless he's missing anyone else whose arrived without his knowing it? His tone goes flat when he says, ]
Reno.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 07:37 am (UTC)Now... when he makes a face upon mentioning a name? She can't help but make a face, too. One of confusion. ]
... is something the matter?
[ Obviously, for Cloud to react that way. ]
Do you think this was caused by that Reno fellow?
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 10:33 am (UTC)[ He cuts himself off. ]
Look. Who asks for one trillion gil? Iunno what the exchange rate would be, but that's gotta be like asking for one trillion mora.
When Reno's not working, he's... Just. Yeah I'm 90% sure that's him.
[ Poor Cloud's talking himself through it as they go. aklfdjs And determining how he can get back at him. ...in a way that wasn't violent or caused serious rifts. But he ain't letting it slide no matter what. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 10:53 am (UTC)[ But... even if they have an idea who did this, it still doesn't answer the other question. Why?
And this is going to bother Ayaka for a good while. ]
What does he look like? Maybe we've crossed paths and I just don't recall.
I must have made him angry in some way...
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 11:46 am (UTC)[ Compared to the rest of the Turks anyway. ]
You? [ Make Reno angry? This Reno especially? ] No. I don't think so.
And...that's what makes this whole thing stupid, if it's him.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-11 09:45 pm (UTC)[ She sighs heavily. They're nearing the estate at least, and the neighbours don't seem to be giving her any funny looks. Maybe news travelled fast that she's innocent! ]
Also... would it be alright if you kept this between us? I don't want Ayato to know.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-12 01:59 am (UTC)[ Maybe there'd still be time. It hasn't gotten dark yet. ]
Mm. [ He nods. ] The less he's gotta worry about, the better.
[ That and, well. Sparing Ayaka any further embarrassment. They'll tackle this situation later on, after they've had a chance to calm down. Cloud's already feeling calmer himself despite how thoroughly he dressed down the department. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-12 11:15 am (UTC)[ She very well still can! But it's a train ride all the way to Shibuya. That's gonna take a lot of time... ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-12 11:56 am (UTC)[ He says this with no morose, but it hits him with a faint smile. ]
Won't be much longer till we're right back with the cherry blossoms.
[ They've been here for quite some time now. Not as long as, say, Aether. But still. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-12 09:54 pm (UTC)[ And that is always so very exciting! Sakura are very beautiful, but given that the Kamisato Clan uses camellias for their emblem? That kind of flower has a special place in Ayaka's heart. ]
I wonder what sorts of festivals we will have... [ A wistful sigh. ] Something nice and warm... with prayers and good food, and even fireworks at the end!
[ And nothing going wrong in any of those. Ayaka can't help but rest her head on Cloud's arm as they walk. Just talking about spring has put her in a good mood. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-12 10:50 pm (UTC)[ But not to bring down the mood immediately, Cloud is quick to add on, ]
Maybe we can get our own fireworks. Get a good picture of them as they go off.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-12 11:22 pm (UTC)[ Getting her own fireworks and letting it
implodego off, she means. . . huh! ]We'd need to be trained for that sort of thing, won't we?
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 12:24 am (UTC)[ Another first? Another first! He tugs on her hand when it's time to cross the street. ]
Maybe... S'not exactly safe to handle them directly. [ He hums... ] Well. Can't ask Yoimiya. [ On the account of her not having been pulled to this world. ] We could look into it.
Maybe they got something in the library for that too.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 12:44 am (UTC)Let us look for a book on it some time. But... if it's not safe? Then I don't mind if we just watch from afar.
[ They're close to the Kamisato estate now! Just across the street, then they have to climb up the stairs leading to the gate. Ayaka's actually looking forward to eating something since she hasn't had anything all day. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 02:24 am (UTC)Oh I ain't sticking around when they go off.
[ Assuming they have some really big ones, anyway. ]
[ As they make their way up the stairs leading to the front gate, away from the public eye, he squeezes her hand and stops at the top of the stairs with her. ]
Hey. Go on ahead? I'll be there in a couple minutes. Just gotta make a call.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 02:32 am (UTC)[ The snacks will take a while longer, but the tea is priority especially since she has a visitor over! ]
Um... you'll find the statue in the garden, if you wanted to see it.
[ Ayaka certainly has no intention of looking at it again. But she will, however, see it from the kitchen. Unfortunate.
Taking a step back, Ayaka bows her head before excusing herself inside. ]
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