Appointments

[aerialassault]

Cliff here. Looks like we've missed eachother, so drop a note and we'll talk soon.

[please note date/time/type of interaction.]

Comments

August 19, afternoon

[ahappylie]

[He helped the taller man to his feet and smiled. He knew he was being selfish and Cliff was only catering to his childish whims, but even that was enough for now. Even if he would never again feel what he felt during the experiment - a sense of home, of being loved - it was nice to have friends who didn't turn him away or leave.

Still, he would have to remember.

Cliff was not Hijikata.

He could not make one man the surrogate for the other, no matter how much his heart ached being away from him. It wasn't as if anything could ever be returned in either case, so it was better to simply smile and play along for as long as he had.

He laughed at Cliff brushing the grass off his clothes and then tapped one finger to his cheek as he thought.]

Mmmmm.....waffles! With syrup and fruit.

August 19, afternoon

[aerialassault]

[There was something holding Souji back behind that cheerful smile, like there always was. In a few ways Cliff recognized a little of it in himself-- a reluctance, of sorts, to let someone get that close to him. Mirage was always his right hand, his best friend, and the one who was privy to his most important secrets and emotions...but, that was her and her alone. They understood eachother with little more than a look and a touch, but that was all Cliff ever needed.

Anyone else could potentially compromise his ability to lead, and it would only put them in danger. Cliff couldn't allow that to ever happen.

He had a hunch that his reasons were far different from Souji's, but he wasn't going to press for more details. That was Souji's business. If Souji ever wanted to tell him, then Cliff would stay and listen.

But, it wouldn't ever be a moment before Souji was okay with it.

For now, Cliff just laughed along with Souji.]

Waffles? Well, I never expected that one!

[It was their little game, for better or for worse. Cliff was content to enjoy the hell out of it until the board shifted one them, one way or the other.]

August 19, afternoon

[ahappylie]

You missed the time when I ate all the pies and cakes in Luceti because someone asked me which was my favorite and I couldn't decide. I promise not to eat the waffles in the same way. Let's go.

[He laughed, linking his hands behind his back, and gave Cliff a smile that usually brightened most people's days. He didn't want Cliff to worry about him, or think he had to worry about him. He just wanted them to stay like this until the day when Cliff had to leave. Everyone left, in the end, and that was something he knew he'd have to prepare for the closer he felt to anyone here in Luceti. It would be a secret he'd keep along with how he felt, for as long as his friend was here.

Even without his geta on, he could still walk and Souji motioned for Cliff to come with him as he started walking. He knew that Saizou would find them eventually, so he'd have to save some fruit.

And for now, that was all that could be done: save things and wait.]