jikan_rpg | [open] meeting Dark Nation

[ Of course. But of course this would be how Cloud's day ends. He'd just returned to Tokyo, letting his curiosity get the better of him as the Neo-Midgar district of Tokyo was only continuing to expand bit by bit. Living closer to the outskirts with Zack, if he happened upon a certain President or any of the Turks, he'd see it as an exercise in amicability. Compared to when he first arrived and started coming around? It's been a massive improvement! A massive improvement save for a minor setback with the tension sitting in the air between himself and the head of the Turks. ]

...

[ Well, that and now, ]

Easy... [ There's Cloud, having decided to check out the chocobo enclosure after thinking of how he wanted to bring Ayaka to see them, and now he's got his hands out, open-palmed and no weapon on hand and backing up slooowly. The one time he opted to leave both Buster Sword and Kizuna Katana at the apartment. ] Good doggy.

[ Hahahah no hard feelings? Bygones be bygones? ~~Don't report Cloud to PETA?~~ ]

Edited 2022-07-21 06:21 (UTC)

[As soon as she set her red gaze on Cloud Dark Nation growled low in her throat, instantly on guard. Rufus had gone into the house to get something for only a moment, leaving her to watch the chocobos but now she stood in front of Cloud, ready to strike if he made a wrong move.

She steps forward as he steps back, making it clear that Cloud is not welcome but she stops as the door to the house opens and Rufus comes out to see Cloud backing up away from Dark Nation.]

Cloud, we weren't expecting you. [Dark Nation lets Cloud get another step back, sitting down as Rufus approaches. Today had been a quiet day at home, Rufus had been sitting out enjoying the sun while it had lasted.]

D, heel. It's alright, Cloud is a friend. [Dark Nation sits as Rufus approaches and puts a hand on her collar but her eyes don't waver from Cloud, a silent warning, letting him know that she is watching, waiting, for him to slip up.]

Don't worry, she won't attack you now but don't make any sudden movements.

[ Even without a sword, Cloud was still considerately strong, but that still didn't mean he wanted to have to deal with or explain bite marks or worse before he got to his Materia. The fact that Dark Nation had come to this world also threw him for a loop, too. Granted, if Noctis and Prompto could get a Chocobo Ranch started... His fists clench, mere moments away from standing his ground and preparing for another fight when the sound of the door opening draws his attention. Sure enough...

"Cloud is a friend."

Hearing him say that so simply gets Cloud's breath to catch. They were amicable now, and he was still going to place his trust in the man despite what had only recently just happened. But to hear him say it so openly... The tension in his shoulders grows lax, fists unfurling as his eyes stay on Dark Nation for a moment, only to return to the taller blond as he abides by the man's instruction. ]

It's the "won't attack me now" part that's sticking. [ What about "attack me later"? kjahsdf He's mostly being sarcastic. Mostly. ] I take it she just showed up?

Tseng and I found her last night by complete chance. I don't know how, it was as if she was waiting for us to find her that night.

[Rufus doesn't hide the fondness in his tone as he looks down at Dark Nation. She had been by his side since he was a child until after Meteor and he had missed her absence sharply since then.]

Here, if you hold out your hands slightly, palms up she knows that means you're not a threat and won't attack.

[Rufus demonstrates, holding out his hands palm up with his fingers straight for Cloud to copy him. So far Dark Nation stays where she is, only huffing lightly in annoyance as she keeps her eyes on cloud, watching his every movement to decide if he's a threat.]

And then let her come to you. Once she decides you're not a threat you'll be fine.

[Rufus still keeps his hand near Dark Nation's collar, ready to hold her if needed. She may be stronger than he is but she knows better than to disobey him.]

Really now...

[ What are the odds? He's not skeptical, but he's also justifiably cautious around the imposing creature that Rufus affectionately called Dark Nation. Granted...okay, Cloud was definitely more in the right. But this was not how he pictured his check-up on the Ranch, let alone Rufus and his lot, going. Sighing, he doesn't make any sudden movements, only loosing his tension from his shoulders as he holds out his palms.

Fingers straight...

He had his reflexes in case this didn't work... ]

...

I trained her to recognize that as a gesture that someone isn't a threat.

[Dark Nation stares at Cloud for a long moment, following his movements with a sharp gaze. She seems to be considering what to do, weighing the options but when Cloud doesn't make any movement to attack she finally steps closer to him.

Keeping her body between Cloud and Rufus, she leans over to sniff at Cloud's hand curiously. Rufus lets out a breath but still keeps his hand near Dark Nation's leash, ready just in case. He does appreciate Cloud being willing to make this attempt, knowing it wasn't easy.]

[ Less concerned about how he can handle facing Dark Nation if they were ever at odds with one another, the spikier blond simply wanted to make sure the peace was kept. And the last thing either one of them needed was a soured relationship over having a tussle with the president's dog...beast...thing. Sorry, Rufus. She's not your conventional dog. The second that Dark Nation sniffs his hand, Cloud keeps steady as he keeps his strong mako-infused gaze on the animal, not daring to flinch a finger or move in closer.

Not yet.

Not until Dark Nation decides to make a move of her own or not. And should she be the one to make actual physical contact with Cloud's hand? That's when he would make his own move, a surprisingly smooth glide of his hand along the side of the beast's face, much akin to how one would carefully touch a dog. Test the waters. ]

[Rufus is silent as he carefully watches them, impressed at Cloud's control as he lets Dark Nation come closer to him.

It takes Dark Nation a few more moments as she considers Cloud's hand before nudging her nose against it, deciding to accept the offering. She rubs her face against the palm of his hand, encouraging him to scratch the side of her face, under one of her large ears.]

I think you may have made a new friend, Cloud.

Edited 2022-09-15 04:23 (UTC)

[ The nudge is all it takes before Cloud feels any lingering tension fade completely. Her fur is surprisingly fine?? From a distance, one would think that the enhanced military canine had no fur at all. ]

Against all odds, [ sighs. pet pet rub rub. ]

Dark Nation loves attention, she soaks up attention.

[It's rather endearing watching Dark Nation rubbing her cheek against Cloud's happily as he pets her.

Rufus reaches into a pocket, taking out a small packet before holding it out to Cloud.]

Her treats- give her one and she'll be your best friend.

Learning a new side of everyone these days...

[ It's less of a complaint! So much as an observation. The blond's expression does soften some as Rufus offers a small little packet of treats to him. He's...never really given a treat to a dog before. Let alone a military-enhanced one like Dark Nation. Cocking a brow at first, he draws his hand away from her so he can reach out for the treats. Rising back to his feet, he opens the little baggy. It smells...well. Inoffensive. It's dog treats. What was Cloud expecting? Taking one out, he awaits the reaction of Rufus' loyal companion to see how she would react to seeing a treat.

He wasn't sure about tricks or anything. Would she sit? Hmm... Perhaps it wasn't best to test that theory, instead setting the treat out in the open palm of his gloved hand for Dark Nation to accept. She was probably highly trained, but...he wasn't really keen on accidentally getting nipped by her teeth by holding the treat in his fingers. ]

How long have you had her for?

Almost 15 years ago now. She is one of a kind, made specifically for me.

[Dark Nation had been meant to be a tool, a mere creation to protect him when the Turks weren't there but she had become Rufus's best friend, his only friend growing up.

It hadn't mattered she came from a lab and trained to take out any threats, she was still a puppy when it came down to it.

As soon as Cloud takes the treat out Dark Nation sits, her eyes wide but her back tentacle waving with eagerness as she peers at the treat. But she waits for him to offer it before snatching it from his palm with precision without her teeth making contact with his hand.]

Won't count on running into anything like her back home, then.

[ Assuming, should they be forced through their own timelines once more, Cloud and Rufus were to clash once more in the future. Something told him that, whilst bridges have been mended across spaces of time in this world, it wouldn't help their situation back home. Until then, it was just a matter of making good of the time they had here.

Having given Dark Nation her treat, the blond can't help but huff gently, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips before, this time, he nonchalantly reaches out to stroke the militant beast along the back of one of her pointed ears. ]

You're lucky.

[open] meeting Dark Nation

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