towerofanimus | 009

Entry tags:

009 | open

Characters: Cloud Strife and YOU
Settings: 4th floor lounge, 25th floor the meadow, 1st floor cafeteria throughout the day.
Format: comment spam to start but will match
Summery: Cloud is having a few issues but will stop to cook ~~extremely SOLDIER bland~~ food.

✗Lounge
[ he had been avoiding the dorms save for when he had to sleep in his bed. Cloud spent most of his time in the lounge, watching the clouds outside and thinking about what he was going to do. Not that the matter had changed much in the last three weeks, but more so because he is a little different. For some reason, he wanted to nag the former general about his ridiculousness. He wanted to tell him to grow up. In fact, he did and that was just not normal for Cloud at all.

So he watched the clouds and he sometimes slept in a nest made from half cured hides and thought.

This day was different though. This day he felt a crawling sensation, like a hundred tiny ants had been poured into his veins and then were fed sugar. He rubbed his arms and then frowned, a headache threatening to appear just behind his eyes.]

Great.

✗Meadow
[he could feel the cold. Cloud was one of those people that usually was more hot than cold, so when he started feeling the first shivers, he went directly to the meadow and it's eternal springtime.

And still he shivered.

Not only that, but his feet felt like he stuck them in ice water and his hands were stiffing... And that was when it struck him as funny, sitting in a springtime meadow and feeling the draw. It looked like someone was not being careful enough in this place. ]

I guess it's my turn to find him.

✗Cafeteria
[ it's easy enough to make a big stew in the kitchen. Cloud had gathered the ingredients from various places, adding in roasted meat from his hunt earlier the month and just let it cook. It was easy and it would also feed a number of people. That is if anyone was still feeling well enough to eat some. ]

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[While Tohko still couldn't see or feel, she knew that she had to keep eating and drinking. She didn't want to die-at least, not like this, so she managed to wander from the library and down into the cafeteria. When she got there, she smelled a soup cooking. She wasn't sure who was making it, but there was no harm in asking for a bowl, right?]

Erm..pardon me, but may I have a bowl of soup, if it's not too much trouble?

[he recognized her from the other day, but she looked a little different. it was the eyes, the way she stared blankly ahead as she walked. Cloud frowned and ladled some stew into a bowl.]

It's not; that why I brought it down here for anyone that needs something different to eat.

[Tohko smiled upon recognizing the voice as Clouds and hearing..him putting some soup in a bowl for her?]

Ah, I see. Thank you very much then! And it's nice to hear you again, Cloud. I'm sorry..but could you put the bowl in my hands?

[She held them out towards where she heard his voice, and even though she knew she couldn't feel, she could imagine the bowl and her hands. She would just have to force them to grip. If she remained standing, she could do that.]

If you're having problems with holding things, maybe you should take a seat so you don't spill it all over yourself.

[Even as he spoke, he started ladling some stew into a bowl.]

It's a stew, so you can't just sip it.

[Tohko sighed.]

I haven't been doing too badly..as long as I can hear what I'm picking up, I can visualize it in my head and force myself to move. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me.

Well... if you're sure.

[He didn't want her to get burned but after a moment, he did what she asked - placing the bowl in her hands.]

There you go. Be careful.

[Tohko strained her ears, and upon hearing the noise, managed to grab the bowl.]

Ah, thank you very much! Don't worry, I will be.

[Using her memory and her hands, Tohko held the bowl with one hand and banged her other one on the counter until she found a spoon. She then started to eat the stew.]

[He kept on eye on her, just in case she does drop it or something happens. He did not want her to get burned by clumsiness.]

[Carefully, using her memory and her ears, Tohko was able to eat the bowl of stew and then set the dirty dishes on the counter.]

Thank you very much! I can't taste it..but I'm sure that it was delicious!

[Cloud had to laugh. Seriously most people think that SOLDIER food was one of the blandest food to have ever been made ever. It was delicious to someone with a SOLDIER's taste buds but normal people wouldn't even tell the difference between his stew and porridge.]

You're welcome. If you need any more just say so. I had a good hunt and there's plenty of food to go around.

[Since Tohko usually didn't have any taste buds at all-except for her books-she wouldn't have known, and i she had eaten it normally, she would have praised it for it's taste..as much as she could. She smiled when she heard his laughter. Was he not used to being complimented for his cooking? Maybe.]

Oh, I'm fine, but thank you! That really helped me out a lot. However..if you need any help hunting later on, you can count on me. I might not be able to do much, but I might be able to help out in some way.

[Being back in the Tower felt almost...surreal. After traipsing around the dead, barren planet, seeing an actual clean room felt unusual. Seeing live, walking people was equally as unnerving, but comforting. At least she wasn't alone anymore. Just the mere presence of other living beings served as a grounding force to keep her from tripping back into that semi-crazy state. Humans were not meant to be that alone.

Feet carried her quietly from floor to floor until, passing by the Lounge, she saw a familiar tuft of blonde. Hands kept buried in her pockets to keep from the chill of the building, thoughts regarding the air conditioning playing in the back of her mind, and she turned to head in his direction. It was a nice little coincidence to come across him - they had to catch up on a few things.]

Ice headache?

[ he frowned at the familiar voice, turning a little to look at her. she'll no doubt see that his usually bright mako blue eyes were now more green, the pupils slitted in a very familiar way. then Cloud blinked and his eyes returned to normal. ]

No... Not really. Sephiroth is being stupid.

....... [There was no fighting the involuntary widening of the eyes, surprise etched in the little movements of shoulders. It was disarming to see his eyes become those eyes, and for a moment she felt an icy knot form in the base of her stomach. But when normal blue came back, she couldn't stop the concerned frown that planted itself on her face.]

Hnn... And here I was hoping he'd be gone when I got back. Is he trying to...utilize you again? [Taking a seat across from him, she checked around the room before returning her attention back to him.] Also, what's with the Tower? It feels like the air conditioner is on full blast.

[ he shrugged. the cold wasn't that bad - or so he tho0ught being a mountain boy with thinner than normal clothing. he had sleeves to cover his usually bared arms and that was enough. ]

They turned the heat off and people have been getting sick. [ another shrug, feeling the sharp pull of the cells. ] No, he's trying to heal himself. It's making the connection a little jumpy.

That's just rude. What, did they stop paying the electric bill or is this one of their little 'experiments'?

[Arms fold over her chest with a huff. Elena hated the cold. With an unrelenting passion.]

Anything that I should be worried about?

Jason's in charge for this month so... [ He shrugged. She should know that Jason liked to play the most with them.]

Not yet. I don't think he's realized that he's drawing off of me yet. His mind seems fuzzier than anything I've ever seen from him.

Ah, hell.... [Nothing good could come from anything that Jason came up with.] Well, I guess I should go and get my spare magazine soon. You never know who might end up turning into a monster or go mad and try to kill everybody.

[Her head gives a little understanding nod. Cloud was a good deal stronger than he was several years ago - back when it was easier to be manipulated by Sephiroth. But she had to be prepared for any...contingencies.]

Good. Let me know if anything changes and how I can help. But I'm not sure what you mean by 'fuzzier'. Can you explain?

So far people have been getting sick. Some kind of weird cold while others are acting weirder than normal. I've been trying to avoid them.

[ It wasn't heroic but Cloud just did not feel like hurting someone that was being forced to do something they usually wouldn't. ]

I will. It's like... Sephiroth is always focused, always has a mission and a plan. But what I keep on feeling from him is that he can't even tell if it's cold or not. As if something is making his ability to rational go wrong.

So I've been hearing. And the rumor is that Jason's been aggravating it with the increased cold and the poor food options. [She make a slow, short laugh.] Sounds like the only plan, given the situation. I feel for those who are sick but...I get whiny when I come down with colds. I wouldn't want to nag you and Reno to death with my miserableness.

[Leaning back, she wrapped her arms around her middle, hands tucked between elbows and her sides to keep warm.]

You're right, that's unusual. Even his...Remnants had a plan. To think that he's aimless must mean something. Maybe we should keep an eye on him - make sure he doesn't start any trouble. Or make friends with those who have a tendency to.

That sounds like his style. [ It might be also why Sephiroth was acting the way he was. If his cells were knocked out of commission or even told that things were different than normal, that would Sephiroth off-balanced. ]

I don't think that it would be a smart move. I can feel him out and have picked up on his aggression a couple of times. Following him may make him lash out worse than normal.

Twisted is what it is.

[Not at all reassured by his comment, Elena made an audible 'harumph' sound, crossing one leg over the other, the floating ankle beating to an internal drum. But that beat stopped the instant Cloud dissented at jer idea, a small frown forming.]

...What? And let him wander around the Tower without any sort of supervision? What if he comes across some of the other unruly residents - you know, the ones that like to torture and manipulate and use others for their own benefit? I think its too dangerous to let him wander on his own.

Edited 2013-01-03 19:45 (UTC)

He's going to meet up with people even if we're around or not. This place has more of the unsavory type of people than the other.

[ He could understand her concern but it just didn't sit well for him. After all, Sephiroth was stronger than most Turks. He would easily do something to her that Cloud could not stop. ]

Don't be reckless.

Which is all the more reason why he should be watched. I'd rather at least have some forewarning that something was on the horizon than being surprised with it - at the very least.

[Which, she hoped, he would agree with at the very least. Given the history of Sephiroth - tragedy, death, chaos, destruction - all seemed to come out of nowhere and cause the suffering of thousands. If she could prevent something similar...]

Reckless?! I'd say waiting around for something to happen - because you and I both know it will - is reckless!

[Arms and legs upwrap themselves from their resting places as she scooted to the end of her seat, hands moving emphatically with her words.]

Cloud - we can't just sit back while he is wandering this Tower. Think of all the people here - what he could do to them. You said that right now he seems to be aimless, and maybe that's making him less dangerous than before. But what do we do when he finally does get focused?

And can you follow him without him knowing it? Can anyone follow him? He is not normal, Elena. He is not even at the same level as a SOLDIER. He can sense people are there before you would even think about following him.

[ He understood where she was coming from. He agreed somewhat but he didn't want to see other people get hurt because of him. It didn't matter if it was someone who should be an enemy. He just did not want to have it happen any more. ]

It is also reckless to toss yourself into the path of his sword.

[ He shrugged, turning a little to face her, looking a little tired and worn and just wanting to not talk about it. ]

Can you watch him every second? Can I? How many more people are you going to try to get help from? How many people will not think he is that much of a threat and die trying to help? He's my burden. I don't want others to die because of it.

....N-No, but..

[Gaia damn it all, she hated when logic was used as a weapon. It always landed a critical hit against her sometimes-emotional judgement. She heard his point and it made good sense. Common sense, really, knowing Sephiroth and what he was capable of. But that didn't mean she didn't have to like it.]

I wonder, though, if it would be better to use a willing body to dull the blade than let it cut into somebody who is less so. If the blade can even be dulled at all.

[It wasn't just ShinRa that had a lot to atone for, the Turks did as well. And if that meant using herself as a lure to keep one of the Tower's more dangerous individuals busy to keep others safe, well...that certainly wasn't off the table.]

Hmph.

[Flopping back into her seat in a most un-Turk-like fashion, Elena's noise of frustration was followed by several moments of silence. She'd seen that exhausted look on his face - she'd seen it on Reno's before too. Too much was being put on those two, from both their histories and this tower. Surely there was something she could to to ease both their burdens.]

You know, I'm starting to get real sick and tired of hearing that there are burdens that can't be helped with. First it was Reno and now you. Him I give a hard time because he's a Turk and we take care of our own. And while you aren't a Turk, I'm still going to give you a hard time. You know you can count on Reno and I, and the recruits if needed, to support you - don't you?

I doubt it will ever grow dull, Elena. All it will do is grow hungrier for someone new.

[ Don't throw yourself his path, he wanted to say but that would be stupid. Wasn't that what he was doing in his own way? By trailing Sephiroth, he was making himself into a huge target and keeping the former General focused on him.

He kept silent for a minute, frowning while studying the far wall. Then a sigh as he ran his hands through his hair. ]

And here I thought that I wasn't part of your group.

.....As the resident expert of all things Sephiroth, I'll have to take your word on that. Not that I like the idea of just letting him run loose....

[Because you didn't just like a monster run amok in the Tower. Ignoring the fact that there were actual monsters that did - in fact - roam the hallways at night. But that was beside the point.

But she did hear the underlying statement - to steer clear of the former General. Not that she would fully follow the advice, of course. She was a Turk, after all. And, more specifically, she was a Turk who wanted to prevent another catastrophe.]

[Elena's head lowered, giving him a look that all but screams 'Don't be so naive', a ghost of a grin forming.] ....Really? Should I remind you of how we came looking for your help with the Remnants?

I know that the relationship between you and ShinRa wasn't the greatest - but I think you'd agree with me that this isn't Gaia and we all need the allies we can get. Besides...[Rising to her feet, she stuffed her hands in her pockets, allowing the ghost to fully materialized.] You're somebody that can be counted on and trusted. I don't mind having somebody like that in the group.

[ As disgusting as they were, the nutrition bar were the only mean he had to feed so Doc moved to the cafeteria. That's when the Doc spotted Cloud as he was cooking in the kitchen. He had not spoken to Cloud in a pretty long time (in fact he had not spoken to a lot of people ever since the explosion), so of course he approached ]

Cloud! It's been a long time. [A wide smile then he looks at the stew briefly.] How have you been going?

I've been okay.

[he hadn't heard about the explosion or anything really. Cloud had been too lost in his head concerning the Sephiroth problem to notice what was going on around him. as usual.]

You want some stew?

[When all you've had since you arrived was bland-and-boring nutrition bars, real food smells real good. Even with the beginnings of a runny nose, the scent is new and notable enough to draw Picky into the kitchen.]

Woah, hey, is that... uh, what is that? I, I mean... what're you making?

[He's looking cautiously optimistic, but heavier on the caution.]

I'm making stew.

[ it was made to Cloud's taste - being a SOLDIER had changed his sense of taste as well as everything else so it was rather bland stew for those with normal human senses. but it was not nutrition bars and it was hot, two things that people could use about now. ]

Want some?

Ohhh. Stew. Right. Stew...

[After edging the rest of the way in, he peers into the pot.]

...is there meat in it?

[There's probably meat in it. He's not looking hopeful.]

Yes. It's a kind of deer.

[ it tasted a little like deer, though not as gamey as what he was use to. Maybe because of this place's reality, the deer were less toughen as they were on the Planet. ]

There's plenty of veggies in it too; mostly wild stuff but it's all safe.

Oh.

[Deer. That brings all kinds of images to his mind. Like cute little deer from animated movies. Like that poor cute deer's mom being shot by hunters. Like that deer with fangs that almost killed him and Porky back in the woods.

He steps back.]

Uh... is it one of those deer from that forest on the 6th floor...?

There are other places to get food from if you know where to look.

[ Cloud shrugged. The forest might be a little weird, but the deer with teeth never bothered him. There were worse things in this place to be scared of. ]

So no.

Edited 2012-12-26 19:37 (UTC)

Oh. Okay then. Because the ones on the 6th floor are sort of... messed up.

[Picky steps back from the pot and shoves his hands into his pockets.]

I'll... I guess I'll pass. I'm not too hungry, yeah, and I'm sure the really sick people need it more, and...

[And then his stomach rumbled. Darn you, stomach!]

This whole Tower is messed up. I think they're a product of that than anything else.

[ Cloud ducked his head to check on the stew and to cover up the slight smile that appeared at that sound. ]

There's plenty of food here. You can have some or take some for others that you know. I don't mind; it's why I made so much.

I'm starting to figure that out. I'm almost afraid to touch anything when I'm checking things out! It's crazy.

[The renewed offer for food just made Picky sigh, this time. Maybe he should just explain himself. That wasn't rude, right?]

I'm... kinda a vegetarian. And if it's a stew, it's all mixed together, so... I can't really pick it apart. I... guess I know a few people that'd want to have some...?

[Did he really want to bring Pokey some stew? He still wasn't sure.]

I really don't have any way to tell you how to survive here. Just have to take it one day at a time.

[ He has heard that term before but he finds it a little funny. The way things are in this place, the next problem they will have would probably be man-eating plants. ]

I do have some left over tubers. You can take them and cook them any way you want here.

[It's a little weird really. The cells are confused more than anything. One moment they react to the 'normal' cold conditions of the Tower; similar to how they would react normally in order to keep Sephiroth physically unaffected by such cold - he hadn't had to wrap up at all thus far this month after all.

But it's entirely more frantic, as every so often the priority switches and it throws the Jenova cells into overdrive; trying to cool Sephiroth down, as if it was in a dangerously hot climate. Sephiroth's will during this hallucinating is causing general panic at a cellular level. Despite the switch onto heat-defense, there is still some minor damage from the actual cold climate and that minor flu that they are trying to hard, but failing, to suppress.]

Edited 2012-12-20 19:11 (UTC)

[ hot cold hot cold - Cloud frowned and clenched his hands, trying to force his own cells down and away, imposing his reality on them to make them see that it was not that cold and was not that hot. he drew also on the very physical sensation of the gentle wind and the smell of the grass, focusing on not letting any of their needs overpower him. it was enough to give him a headache from time to time but not enough to actually go looking for the former general.

at least not yet. ]

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Cafeteria

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Lounge

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Isn't really there - while Cloud is in the Meadow

Re: Isn't really there - while Cloud is in the Meadow