Cliff Fittir (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
aerialassault) wrote2014-06-02 05:22 pm
aerialassault) wrote2014-06-02 05:22 pm
Entry tags:
006 [Action/Audio]
[Action: Locked to Souji Okita]
[Consciousness crept upon him slowly, like a migraine. It slipped in through the window panels with the sun and stung his eyes, but for once Cliff did not want to awaken. He instead rolled over with a groan, burying his face under his arms and promising himself another ten minutes.
But a nagging sensation in the back of his mind kept sleep at bay. He knew in his gut that it was something important, something that was blue and white...
...Fayt.
His eyes snapped open as he crashed into the memories. The dogs and the cultists were all a blur, but the spear stood out in his mind. It was only when he sat up that he registered the not-entirely familiar surroundings and the warm body lying by his side.]
[Action: Locked to Fayt Leingod]
[He messed up, and there was no way to fix and forget about the mess that he had left for everyone to deal with in the battlefield that was once Zompania. It was afternoon by the time he returned to his apartment in the ground building, wearing a fresh set of denim jeans and a comfortable tee-- both of which fit because of some miracle. The dark shades he wore were new, as was he bag he carried by his side that contained the clothes he borrowed off of Souji and yet another set of loose white pants to add to his small collection.
Entering as quietly as he could manage, Cliff did a once-over of the apartment to make sure that things were still mostly as he left it. The Vac whirred and hummed patiently as it made a pass over the carpet, and Cliff found himself smiling.
At least that was still functioning.
After throwing his belongings into his room, he made for Fayt's. A quiet knock was the only warning he gave before he nudged the door open...]
[Audio: Open to All]
Yo. It's Cliff.
[It was dark by the time he reached for his journal, but he didn't care. There were plenty of other people that he wanted to see, but there was no way he could go visit them all in one day.
This was the next best thing.]
Can I get a headcount of who all's here and a tally on the damage? And, is the bar open?
[He'll be heading there later if he get's confirmation. For once, he plans to drink unil the damage doesn't look so bad.]
[Consciousness crept upon him slowly, like a migraine. It slipped in through the window panels with the sun and stung his eyes, but for once Cliff did not want to awaken. He instead rolled over with a groan, burying his face under his arms and promising himself another ten minutes.
But a nagging sensation in the back of his mind kept sleep at bay. He knew in his gut that it was something important, something that was blue and white...
...Fayt.
His eyes snapped open as he crashed into the memories. The dogs and the cultists were all a blur, but the spear stood out in his mind. It was only when he sat up that he registered the not-entirely familiar surroundings and the warm body lying by his side.]
[Action: Locked to Fayt Leingod]
[He messed up, and there was no way to fix and forget about the mess that he had left for everyone to deal with in the battlefield that was once Zompania. It was afternoon by the time he returned to his apartment in the ground building, wearing a fresh set of denim jeans and a comfortable tee-- both of which fit because of some miracle. The dark shades he wore were new, as was he bag he carried by his side that contained the clothes he borrowed off of Souji and yet another set of loose white pants to add to his small collection.
Entering as quietly as he could manage, Cliff did a once-over of the apartment to make sure that things were still mostly as he left it. The Vac whirred and hummed patiently as it made a pass over the carpet, and Cliff found himself smiling.
At least that was still functioning.
After throwing his belongings into his room, he made for Fayt's. A quiet knock was the only warning he gave before he nudged the door open...]
[Audio: Open to All]
Yo. It's Cliff.
[It was dark by the time he reached for his journal, but he didn't care. There were plenty of other people that he wanted to see, but there was no way he could go visit them all in one day.
This was the next best thing.]
Can I get a headcount of who all's here and a tally on the damage? And, is the bar open?
[He'll be heading there later if he get's confirmation. For once, he plans to drink unil the damage doesn't look so bad.]
action;
Cliff didn't need to know that though, and Souji pushed himself to relax, swirling the chopsticks through the egg as it began to cook thoroughly.]
I'm sure if I had been there, I would have done the same thing.
But I've been here for too long to vanish now, so you don't need to worry about it.
: action;
The tightness in Souji's shoulders was obvious in their closeness-- Cliff idly lifted a hand to try to smooth the muscles out while he watched the egg from his vantage point.
All he wanted, truly, was the closeness.]
Hah. Good. I don't wanna have to go chasing you down again. You're a tricky guy to find when you wanna be.
action;
[He finished off the egg and turned off the heat, transferring the eggs to a plate. The rice was warmed by now, so he opened the automatic rice cooker (and amazing invention if there ever was one) and scooped out two paddles of rice into a bowl. He set both of them down on the counter and turned his head slightly to look up at Cliff.]
I promise not to go anywhere if you do.
action;
...who says I'm looking to kill you, Souji? [He understood the first part easily-- having experienced murder attempts himself, he knew how useful the art of vanishing was...if it could be pulled off. But, the second part was simply baffling.]
You've got it backward. I don't wanna let you go.
action;
I meant it was a skill I learned back home. It's simply proven useful here, time to time.
[He twisted slightly in Cliff's arms, turning around so he was facing him and patted the Klausian on the chest.]
Honestly, if I thought you were ever going to try to kill me, I'd never have let you this close.
action;
Then I'm honored. There can't be that many people who are allowed to get this close to the handsome and dashing Okita Souji.
[It was a small joke, but one that felt necessary at that point. There was so much that needed to be said...
But he had Souji, hot food, and his focus was a little better now. This was more than he had hoped for.]
action;
I've been called girly before, but never handsome. That's new.
action;
[Headscratch. He watched Souji gather more materials, testing out his focus once more while he pondered all of Souji's layers.]
Handsome...pretty. Like I said before, hot is hot.
action;
You remember the strangest things.
[Turning his head, he looked up at Cliff, trying not to be too obvious as he watched the way Cliff's eyes focused.]
You should eat, then go see Fayt-kun. He needs you.
action;
...I know, and I will. He's the first guy I plan to see.
[Fayt was the most important person too. Although it was a long time ago now, Cliff still clearly remembered the battle in the Kirlsa Training Facility. It was a trap...Quark lost several good members that day...
And Fayt lost his father.
He shook his head, shoving away the memories of all of the people who had died for Fayt's safety and trying to forget about how he now counted among that number.
Instead of dwelling on it, he offered Souji a tired smile.]
Thanks Souji. For everything.
action;
I haven't done anything but make you eggs, and admittedly, possibly not very well. It isn't often I cook them this way.
action;
You're here, and that's worth the world.
action;
Souji only smiled, rather than say what was on his mind, and nodded toward the kitchen island where a two tall stools sat lined up. When the others had left, he'd stopped using tables as much and until recently, he hadn't had people coming over to eat.]
I won't be going anywhere, so eat before you fall over and crush me.
Shall I call Fayt and let him know?
action;
The only thing that would top this would be seeing Fayt.]
Nah, [he said, carefully pulling out one of the stools,] I think I wanna surprise him. It might work better that way, actually.
...He'll have less time to worry over it, not that he isn't already. Man, I hope that guy's taking care of himself.
action;
Instead, Souji had heard the messages Fayt had left him over the network and only penned meaningless responses to assuage Fayt's fear. He'd ignored him when he tried to come over, refusing to even go to the door. It'd just been too difficult to get out of that place in his head where he saw the sword fall, the flash of light, and him too far away to do anything.
Souji's smile wavered slightly and then he nodded, forcing it back to its former brightness.]
He has been. It's been difficult for him, but seeing you will make it better. He's been blaming himself since that day, no matter what we say or do.
action;
[He suspected that there were pieces that were being left unsaid, but that could have been his own unease clouding his judgement. While he knew Souji's habits, he also knew Fayt's. If things had gone the way Cliff thought they did...then, frankly, he was glad that there weren't more casualties that he knew of.
Yet.
Who could say for sure what all had transpired?]
I don't doubt it. That guy...he's got a big heart. A little too big sometimes, but he was raised in a quiet part of the world. Besides, it suits him.
[He took a bite of the eggs and rice, just glad for the nourishment it provided.]
action;
[And it was better to have a big heart and be hurt sometimes, than to be what Souji was. Fayt could fight without losing himself, he was strong.
He smiled, resting his elbows on the countertop, leaning forward as he watched Cliff eat.]
He might have put more spices in there though. I might have some fish I can cook, if the eggs aren't enough.
action;
Cliff offered a tired smile in return. There was no point in hiding from Souji.]
Nah, this is perfect. I've a hunch that a few others are gonna try to feed me too, if they've figured things out already. Sheesh...I wonder how many people know.
action;
[Enough people knew. People who didn't had guessed, and those who needed to know had been told or had found out some way or another. Souji watched the plate more than Cliff's face, trying to keep his own expression steady. He didn't know how many knew, not exactly. Souji had spent too much of the last week closed away in this too quiet house to truly know the numbers.]
I wasn't sure who you would want to tell, so I haven't said anything. But those who know you, they...noticed. I'm sure of it.
[He raised his eyes, pressing his smile a little stronger, a little brighter because it needed to be.]
Which is why you should eat up and make sure to show them a good face now that you're back.
action;
[He was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice the angle of Souji's gaze, although it was clear that the other man was having his own troubles with the whole affair. Cliff could think of several people whom he needed to check in with immediately, besides Fayt. Rei, Vegeta, and Ion topped the list after him, and he was certain that there were others that he was forgetting about...
Glancing up to finally meet Souji's gaze, he nodded in understanding.]
I'll let them know before the day's out. Fayt comes next, and then....
I dunno. We'll need to see.
action;
[His smile softened slightly at the edges as his eyes searched Cliff's face.]
I told him the same thing, but you're both doing it anyway. There isn't anyone to blame, so stop trying to take it upon yourself.
action;
I know. Believe me, I know. That doesn't make it any easier.
action;
[He reached forward and nudged the plate a little.]
Just try to feel it, rather than know it, hm? We can't change what happened in the past, but we can try to guide what will come to be in the future.
action;
Yeah, we can. We definitely can-- and, this?
...It ain't gonna happen again.
action;
He'd had enough of people promising things only to disappear.]
Don't.
[He had to restrain himself from adding an almost desperate "Please" after that. He may have had his fears, but he didn't need anyone else to know them. Souji softened his expression, trying to make his words seem less out of insecurity and more for reassurance.]
You don't need to push yourself so hard. It wasn't anything you could prevent.
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