jikan_rpg | 🌸 you'll find me on my tallest tiptoes

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🌸 you'll find me on my tallest tiptoes

⌛ Who: cloud & ayaka
⌛ What: cloud's moving!
⌛ When: early september
⌛ Where: kyoto
⌛ Warnings: they're gross

[ It has been a long day today, and Ayaka has all the energy for it. Coming from Tokyo, Cloud arrived very early with all his things so that he can move into a new home in Kyoto, just a couple of blocks away from the Kamisato Estate. Ayaka met him at the station and they headed right to the new home, a bunch of bento wrapped in furoshiki in tow, as well as boxes and bags and such.

It's been hours since their last break, Cloud fixing upstairs while Ayaka decorated what she could of downstairs. Low tables and cushions, rugs, flowers— she even arranged a flower pot just for Cloud! A simple gift to make his home look more beautiful. When everything looks fine? She'll go back upstairs to check on her beau. After all... she's been waiting for this day for months. Not just because of the promise he made her when they were in Nara, but because she made a promise to him, too.

And that promise is the last item she wishes for him to unpack. She has yet to see it herself, but she understands from the shop she bought this item from that it truly works. To make it work however, it will need Cloud's touch.

Seeing as it's almost lunch time, and she's already done downstairs? She decides to prepare their lunches, bringing out the bento, as well as plates to use. Their first official meal in this home! One more "first" to add to their list. ]

Cloud, my love— [ She peeks at him from the opened door to his room, both hands at the edge of the sliding board. Then she smiles, waving a hand at him at the same time. At the same time, her ponytail, already blonde, sways behind her as the windows are open and a breeze coming in. ] I thought we could have lunch now. It would be a good time for you to rest, too, don't you think? I can serve tea with our lunch, if you like.

[ Anything and everything for him, really. She's so excited and energetic today!! ^_^🌸 ]

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Oh, please forgive me.

[ Perhaps she wasn't clear! But that's okay. She does not look discouraged this time around, compared to how Cloud reacted initially during his birthday, the first surprise she'd done for him. Rather, she is excited to see this to the end. ]

My present to you. Please let me get it.

[ Bowing her head, she gets up to where her bag is, and fishes out a small rectangular thing. It's wrapped in black wrapping paper and gold ribbons, and judging from its shape, it could be a thin book!

But Ayaka sits back down and offers the present to Cloud. Excited as she may be, she must be clear with her instructions, else, this present will not work. ]

Before you open what is inside, I would like to request for you to close your eyes, as you hold onto this.

Then you must think of an image of your mother. You may even imagine yourself with her, or think of a fond memory of you have of her.

[ Cloud won't feel anything as he thinks, if he even does as he's told. But he will feel something inside move around, it feels... like it's liquid, or perhaps something like mercury? It's difficult to tell when it is concealed, but that's just the magic working its way into forming the very age Cloud has in his head onto the present.

As for the present itself? It is a simple wooden frame housing a magical stone inside. It does not grant wishes, but it reveals memories of people when touched. The magic is potent enough to work even while wrapped, so long as the memory is strong and the person remembering it is concentrating very hard. Once imprinted with a memory, the magic is gone, and it can no longer be used again. ]

You may open it, afterwards.

[ By the time she reveals the gift to him, he'll know that she was being clear as crystal. It's Cloud who'd almost seemed to feel that the past was behind him...and even if he would have liked to have kept a piece of it for himself? That it was gone. Reduced to ashes. Taken away from him just like everything else in the five years he'd lost before waking up as a completely different person. So when Ayaka asks if he would like to tell his mother about what's happened, and how he actually did find a good girl to keep him out of trouble, he's visibly stunned even when she bows her head and excuses herself to retrieve his gift.

A small and rectangular box, black wrapping and gold ribbons...a motif that's followed him for some time. Be it his clothing, the now completed Inazuman blade married with Nippon's Kizuna, and what could very well be the aesthetic his new home follows. The surprise doesn't completely wane, but seeing it be an actual present for him, he can't help but smile thinly. Between the tsuba and framed flowers from their first date, she'd already spoiled him so much. And now here she was, with a housewarming gift a month after.

He accepts the present, luckily not in a rush to tear it open by the time she begins to explain how this was supposed to work. At first, he cocks his head, bright mako-infused blues flicking between her and the gift in his hands now. It feels...light. He can't hear anything moving around inside. Judging by the shape of it...was it something framed? He really isn't sure what to make of it, especially with the precursor of her question before. Did he want to tell his mother something? ]

...

[ He simply nods with a weak hum, closing his eyes as his fingers feel the smooth black wrapping, thumbs holding the bottom corners of the gift secure.

"Come, come... Let me take a look at you!"

He hones in on the sound of her voice. On the outside, his brow is visibly furrowed as he reexplores his old memories for the first time- the first time since he retrieved all of his memories back. The only pieces that were missing were the ones between Nibelheim and Midgar. But before all that...after he left town for the first time and came back, he told her how he never truly made it in SOLDIER. Even still, despite the fact he was lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling while his Mom scrubbed away at dishes without a care in the world...

"I've never been so proud. The man you've become..."

Unbeknownst to them, beneath the golden ribbons and black wrapping, the frame begins to shift, the magic within stirring silently as an image begins to mold. As her voice lingers, she gives him more motherly advice. Advice that, of course he attempts to shrug off like the mopey teenager that he was.

"I'd feel a lot better if I knew you'd found a good girl—one who'd who'd make sure you didn't get into trouble."

The vibrant, energetic smile just through her words... She never really lost that luster, even as he got older. And when he was younger, eyes trailing upon a hazy image in his mind's eye as she continues on about the right kind of girl for him, it falls upon a portrait. And as the memory fades away...so too does the magic that molds the image within the gift Ayaka has given him. He opens his eyes, slowly as his hand rests atop the bow, pulling on one of the ends to loosen the golden thread. His eyes trail to Ayaka one more time, before he lets the ribbon pool in his lap. Rather than tear straight through the paper, he takes the time to unfold the paper around it, sure enough pulling out a simple wooden frame and— ]

[ His lips agape, blinking rapidly as he finally lets out a sharper exhale. He's gentler with it, the magical stone set in the frame shaped indefinitely before his very eyes. His fingertips gently trail over the the image. His heart feels heavy, but it's that fleeting sadness on his face that's almost instantly replaced as he realizes just what lengths Ayaka went to, as her words finally make sense now. ]

This is...

[ He's not hiding the picture in his hands now, and should Ayaka consider moving closer, she'll see for herself what his memories manifest. Just as he'd told her before, his father died when he was very young. He didn't remember him well...but as for his Mom? The white heron would see both a young boy with that same spiky hair, the glimpses of a ponytail sticking out back. And at his side, hand upon his shoulder and smiling so warmly, hair tempered in comparison to her sons, and yet... ]

Mom...?

[ The word leaves his mouth, and suddenly the image is blurry. Until he blinks one more time and his eyes start stinging. It's clear once more, albeit at the cost of tears that roll down his face. His breath tremors, he realizes it, and as he holds the picture more tightly by its wooden frame, he huffs something almost like a laugh.

Was he dreaming? He'd lost everything. Him and Tifa both. All he had were his memories, and even those were marred by smoke and blood. But this? This was from a simpler time. A simpler time that a girl from a completely different sky had helped him bring back. A wish that he didn't think could come true, not in the same way he'd promised her he would stay. ]

[ But he's smiling, even now, as the weight in his heart is also protected by the warmth Ayaka brings. And he looks to her with that very same smile, taking another deep breath as he faintly sniffs. And exhales, lowering the frame so that it wasn't just for his eyes only.

Instead, he holds the portrait out for her to take. ]

Have a look.

[ There's no fear or uncertainty this time. Just as Cloud believes in her, she believes that this present, even though it may bring painful memories, is a good one. Even when she sees the emotions welling up in Cloud's eyes, she sits still, watching. But her hands ball into fists as she controls herself from helping him.

Wait, Ayaka.

... no, she can't. She'd grabbed a handkerchief so she could wipe the tears away, but he looks at her and she forgets. Forgets what she had wanted to do, foregoing everything about her and putting the person who has captured her heart first before anything else. She smiles softly, canting her head as she takes his hands in hers. A gentle touch that lingers. And she looks at him for a good moment, even though he told him to look at the present and not him.

There's nothing she wishes to say, really, but... she just wants to capture this memory and engrave it in her heart before anything else. Her look says it all, though. Her gratitude, her love and devotion to him... she'd been waiting for this moment for some time now, wanting to give this present at the right time. Today, to add to his achievement of fulfilling a wish he made, she thought this was a good opportunity to make yet another wish come true. An unforgettable day for an unforgettable soul who has completely changed Ayaka's life.
]

Your mother... [ She's able to see from where she's seated, but her fingers shift to take hold of the frame, letting go of his hands to place it on her lap. Hehe... is that Cloud when he was younger? He looks so cute... ] She's very beautiful.

[ The pain ebbs away swiftly, if only because the way it's been returned to him...is more bittersweet. In a way, he's tempted to ask Ayaka if that's how she feels when she looks upon her own family portrait. Another time, when he wasn't the focus of this moment. With Ayaka, he's comfortable enough to let the attention fall upon him. Her hands settle in his, but she doesn't take the picture just yet. Instead, his eyes return to his girlfriend as she smiles so softly for him. Her name falls off his lips, unprovoked as she says nary a word...yet it comes so softly to him. The few tears that surfaced earlier were all that he would shed for now, but his heart swells further in his chest in contrast to the weight from earlier. ]

Ayaka...

[ She accepts the frame then, and he sits with his hands neatly folded in his lap as he admires her. Admires the portrait in the corner of his view. ]

Yup.

[ There she is. And when Ayaka calls her beautiful, he hums softly with a little nod. He's not in a hurry to take it back just yet, allowing his girlfriend time with the memory encased in this gift. ]

She was vibrant... She worked hard raising me after we lost Dad. Still never lost her smile for a second.

[ Even when he was that mopey teen who failed to make SOLDIER. ]

She woulda liked you. [ There's no "I think" about it. Ayaka's the 'good girl' who would keep him out of trouble. As he says those words, he finally heaves another sigh before continuing, ] Thank you...

You just did something impossible. Hope you know that.

[ And that he was going to cherish it. ]

[ Mothers are very strong and admirable. There is no doubt in Ayaka's mind. And she's glad to hear that Cloud has many good memories of his mom, even though what took her away from this world was a very painful one.

When she remembers that? Her smile falters, and it takes her a moment to actually smile again. The night she found out about Cloud's mother is a memory so vivid to Ayaka even up to now. That feeling of worry she woke up with when she felt Cloud shoot out of bed. They talked about his dream, the reason why he was fighting, and how she would always be by his side.

That's when he thanks her, and her attention it back to the present. To the words being said to her right now. About making the impossible happen.

Hehe. Of course, she would. She's his star, and making a wish upon a star does that. It is a promise she's made to him many moons ago, and one she intends to keep as long as he loves her. As long as he will let her love him. ]

You're very welcome, Cloud. Thank you for believing in me.

[ And with a wish granted, that gives him a blank canvas for more wishes to be made.

For now, she returns the frame to him with a confident smile. It is a lot to take in, so she'll let Cloud have a moment to absorb everything with his present. ]

You were also a very adorable child, hehe.

[ "Thank you for believing in me." As she returns the frame to him, her confident little smile that comes back is answered by another surprising little display of affection. Normally, he would be content in holding her hand, squeezing it...and while they've kissed on many an occasion, both innocent or otherwise, it was still something rarer for the otherwise acerbic swordsman. And yet, he doesn't hesitate here. Not when he couldn't begin to describe in words how much all of this meant to him. How much she meant to him.

It's a good thing Cloud was a good action man. He steals away another kiss from his girlfriend, softer and slower this time, before he can think of drawing away to hold his new gift. ]

That's my star.

[ He knows exactly what he wants to do right now. They're still eating, but...this would only take a minute. She mentions him being an adorable child, and he can't help but rub the back of his neck with a free hand, faintly blushing. ]

See? Toldja about the hair.

[ It sticks out just a little bit! The spikier little ponytail. ... Okay, he really can't wait much longer. ]

Be right back.

[ She doesn't have to close her eyes for this part or anything, but as he bounces up from his seiza stance, he makes his way around the table and towards the corner of the living room. There's no flowers. No names. It's a blank space where memories were waiting to manifest. And as he kneels down in front of it, his eyes linger upon the sight of his mother. Nodding in affirmation, he sets the portrait square in the center of the open shrine, only rocking back on his knees to get a look once he knows it's in place. ]

... [ He looks over his shoulder to Ayaka, the look in his eyes the brightest they've been in quite some time. They hold a different light, something pure and innocent...and when he lays eyes upon her, there's only a few or so thick spikes of hair on his head that remain blond. The rest has shifted, eyes going from that deep blue of before, and taking on a icier hue as he nods at his girlfriend. ] Well?

[ Would she like to meet his Mom? He has something he was supposed to tell her now. ]

[ Well, indeed. Her eyes light up from where she's seated and she's up in an instant, rushing over to where Cloud is kneeling. How excited she is for this moment, one that kills any nerves she would have for "meeting a parent". ]

Yes!

[ AAAAA she's seated next to him now, flowers around her. Ayaka has always been a well-behaved, prim and proper young lady, but even in the midst of her glee, she manages to still look the part. Now looking expectantly at her beau, she says: ]

Here I am.

[ OuO!!! Introduce her!!!!!!! ]

[ Cloud scoots himself over just a little so that Ayaka may share this space with him. There's no pillows or mats in front of the shrine yet, but that's something he can easily fix for later. Along with a myriad of other things. It's been a long time since he's ever felt this kind of energy. Not since he was that more eager and hopeful little recruit who just left his town. It was all because of her...

She took him back to that. And when she seats herself down beside him, sakura swirling and mako particles glimmering above them, he was going to do his best to reintroduce her to another piece of his world. Even if it was gone as he knew it. ]

R-Right.

[ Sheesh. This...may as well act as a marker. It's just like her shrine, her parents were there in spirit and memory. So then why did he suddenly feel so nervous? Looking at Ayaka, though, despite the tightness of his throat, is also working to counteract his nerves. So with a deep breath through his nose, and exhaling out, he nods back to the portrait of himself and his mother. ]

Hi, Mom. [ His hands catch the fabric of his pantlegs, gripping them a little as he decides to just...start talking. Don't think. Just talk. Just feel. ] Haven't been home in over five years, but, I'm doing alright. I made it back to Midgar, and...now I'm back out on the road with some friends. It's a long story. And...I'll fill you in later.

[ He's never really done anything like this before. And he's far from eloquent as his girlfriend had been when she was introducing him to her folks. But thinking of that, he looks to Ayaka at his side, huffing contently as he holds out his hand for her to take. And should she accept it, ]

This is Kamisato Ayaka. And... This is Claudia.

[ Ayaka? Meet Claudia. Claudia? Meet Ayaka. ]

She's the girl whose supposed to keep me outta trouble. I, uh...wound up telling her I liked her while we watched a meteor shower. But...

[ He squeezes Ayaka's hand then, the cadence of his voice softening some as his gaze goes to half-lids, smile warming as he lets his thoughts flow. It's...a little embarrassing, but it doesn't make any of what he says less true. It's only natural to feel shy when talking about this with a parent for the first time, right?

From the heart- the one that belongs to her already. ]

I fell for her way before then.

[ And for a time, there is silence, the soft glow of Mako within his eyes shimmering through his now grey-hued gaze. ]

I love her, Mom. And I swear... I'm never gonna let her go.

[ His eyes open further, his thumb strumming along the side of Ayaka's hand in his. ]

I'm gonna protect her. And you.

[ The memory of Claudia Strife that his Star fulfilled back into his life. ]

Edited 2022-09-19 08:14 (UTC)

[ It doesn't matter if it's eloquent or not, Cloud, so long as it is from the heart. And... it sounds like it is. Cloud's words resonate so deeply with Ayaka's heart, and the happiness and fulfilment she feels in being witness to this scene is something she has never felt before.

Ayaka lets Cloud talk however way he wants, listening and keeping her eyes on her beau who is speaking to his mother. When Cloud introduces her to his mom, she gives a shy wave before resting her hand on top of Cloud's again, while he holds her other hand. Of course, that is not the way she would actually say hello. In fact, not long after that, she bows her head low to show her respect. It is Cloud's mother, after all! She should be doing her best to gain her approval for being with her son... ]

Greetings. I'm very delighted to meet you.

[ Perhaps she can offer flowers or tea another time, too. She definitely intends to say hello more often to someone so important to the person she loves.

Right now though, as she listens, she can't help but bring Cloud's hand closer to her lips. Closing her eyes, she presses her lips against his knuckles to give it a kiss. Nevermind that she is in front of Claudia. Cloud is just so... so kind, so thoughtful, so loving... How lucky she truly is to have someone proclaim all this out loud. Like a character out of a story.

Her prince. ]

[ Though she wasn't about to get a passionate kiss for her own little display upon his knuckles, what he does next before the shrine is still a strong display. Scooting on his knees a little closer, he lets go of her hand, if only so he can wrap his arm around her waist and hold her gently by his side. Right now, he's said all that he wanted to say to his mother. He's said his thanks; and he'll say it over and over again if he has to. But right now, he wants to keep his eyes on her.

Just Ayaka. ]

The best thing to ever happen to me...and I had to jump through a door to get it.

[ It's so easy to rest her head against her beau's side, but she does her best to behave. Her smile does not leave as she watches Cloud, waiting to see if there is anything more he wishes to say or if he has said everything he's wanted to this moment. When he adds more though, she lets him finish before addressing Claudia.

With a small bow of her head, she says: ]

I will do my best to take care of Cloud. Hehe... He is my prince, my hero, and one who has made my dream come true.

[ ☺️ ]

Please watch over us. And please guide me... so that I can make him happy everyday. I love Cloud very much.

[ "Please watch over us. And please guide me... so that I can make him happy everyday." With one last glance at the portrait of his mother, her words settle in his heart furthermore. How she loves him very much. As he tilts his head back in the direction of his princess, who rests against his side... The depths of their bond increases furthermore as sakura petals dance on invisible winds, mingling with the starlike glow of mako particles between them as he plants a kiss on her head, closing his eyes. ]

Now I feel like I'm home.

[ He stays there for a time, the smell of her hair lulling him deeper into that safe space Ayaka has granted him in turn. When suddenly, he snaps back to the present moment, loosing his embrace on the little white heron until he was back to just taking her hand again.

"I'm gonna protect her."

... he holds onto those recent words for later. The day was young, but there was one last thing he needed to do before it was all over. Until then, he nods and squeezes her hand once. ]

Right. Back to lunch?

Alright.

[ Squeezing Cloud's hand right back before she moves away to sit up straight. Bowing at the framed memory again, she silently thanks Claudia before moving to get up. Should Cloud get up after she does, she'll give him a moment alone, maintaining distance before heading back to the dining table. ]

Would you like more tea?

[ She'll pour another cup! And if Cloud has any other requests, she'll do her best to fulfill them. ]

[ His moment alone is short, setting his hand upon the frame's edge one last time, reflecting upon everything he said and has done, and what he continues to set out to do. No matter what this world threw at him, for the time that he had here? It was a life he was going to make his own. It would be Cloud Strife's life, with the friends he'd made back home and here, and embracing the wishes that he's since made upon entering this world. The brightest and most important wish to him being the person waiting behind him as he gets back up and joins her. ]

Please.

[ Another cup it is! Sitting back down at the dining table, he almost wants to go right back to taking her hand and holding her. "Over the moon" didn't even begin to cover how Cloud was feeling right now. Since he let the gravity of her gift sink in? That smile hasn't left his face for a second. He'll finish his bento made especially by her, and once they've cleaned up, that's when he'll make sure to set his own plan in motion. The rice has cooled a little since they got sidetracked by the now completed shrine, but everything still tastes fantastic.

They return to their prior conversation about design and what they can do for his new home, and it's ultimately decided that, while Cloud in particular wasn't picky about uniformity, a black and gold motif for certain things would be best. If nothing else, darker furnishings in contrast to the deep blues and golden accents that the Kamisato Estate was known for. This? This was different... Of course, Ayato worked hard. Harder than just about anybody they knew. From his position in the government, he was able to provide a comfier way of life for himself and his sister; Ayaka was able to start finding her own sense of purpose and way, to provide for the people she loves with the work she's taken up.

Cloud? If he were asked, and if he was being honest...it almost felt like he was getting by by the skin of his teeth. He had purpose. He had drive. He had means. But it wasn't until he actually started moving here that he actually had a potential career set in motion. And it was a career already preestablished by a different version of him. His future self... Would he remain the same person as that man? Or was Cloud going to define his own path, this time? ]

After we clean up... [ That was a great meal. Even better with her tea. ] Will you come with me upstairs?

[ There's not much to clean up, so Cloud's request is nothing to worry about. Just a quick wipe of the table and putting the bento away, and she should be done.

Her own box is empty already, too, having eaten the onigiri and finished the cutlets. She's very happy! And even happier that Cloud seemed to enjoy lunch, too. It means she's improving, and it furthers her confidence in this craft. ]

Alright. I should like to see what it is you've done with your room, too.

[ How he decorated it and all! She doesn't think it would be extravagant or anything, but that hardly matters when all she wants is for Cloud to be content with a space of his own.

The guy moved to a new city for her. Ayaka's ideas of romance grow more and more thanks to him. No other prince can compare.

Checking the thermos to see if there's any tea left, she decides to pour the rest onto her cup. There wasn't a lot left! So she finishes that quickly before she puts the lid on their bentos. Time to put these away! ]

Actually, not too much, yet...

[ He was still unpacking a couple more things by the time she'd checked on him before lunch. There was probably a lot more he could rearrange. And if they ultimately decide to change anything in his bedroom to match the rest of the house, costs permitting, that was even more work to do! Perhaps if they can sell the furnishings that were included in the price... But that's a scenario for future Cloud to deal with. Right now, as the two of them are quick to wrap up their lunch, the blond helping her as he quickly wipes down the table while she gets the bentos put away, they get ready to head back upstairs. ]

There's something I want you to have. Truth is, I'd been thinking about this for some time, now.

[ When they return to his bedroom, she'll find that there's a couple more boxes of miscellaneous accessories, books and other various knickknacks to be set up and organized. There's a wide dresser drawer that can accommodate many things atop it, but that's not what he's wanting to show her now. Still sitting in the center of Cloud's bed, is an otherwise unsuspecting wooden chest, one that he'd picked up during his stay here to contain some very important (and familiar) equipment from his world. ]

[ Oh! That is... unexpected, but most certainly appreciated. Does Cloud have a gift for her, then? He's the one who should be receiving gifts at this time, not her! But after her initial moment of surprise, she smiles at him, anyway.

Ayaka wonders what it could possibly be on their way up. She might own a lot of things, and the Kamisatos may have a lot of money, but Ayaka is a very simple young lady at her core. She's not someone who wants a lot of things from other people... Cloud needn't give her anything but his presence and his time. Anything else is a huge bonus.

It gets her heart racing just thinking about what it is Cloud wants to give her. Flowers? No... Not this time. It does not seem like it, especially if her only clue is it has been something on Cloud's mind for a while now. Then, perhaps something that he owns? A keepsake of sorts.

When they get to his room, Ayaka looks around and nods, quite content that Cloud has begun to make this more his own. There are some furnishings that don't quite seem like him, but that's okay! He got those with the house, anyway! ]

Ah, you left this since we went down when I called you for lunch. [ The chest, she means! Sitting down on the bed, she reaches for it to try and give it to Cloud. ] Is this something from your home?

[ Whatever she could have mulled over, musing what his gift could be, the answer would lie within the chest that she's reached for to try and give to him. Still standing at the foot of the bed, he retrieves it from his girlfriend with a nod and hum in thanks. ]

The chest isn't. I just bought this while I was living in Tokyo. [ It wasn't anything delicate. Not in the current state of what was remaining inside. Deciding he was going to join her, he sits at the edge of the bed and urges Ayaka to join him with a little "here", ultimately deciding to keep the chest between the two. Whether she stays put or moves up with him, it didn't quite matter anyway. ] I've told you about Materia, and how we equip it with weapons and armor to grant us magic.

[ She may not have expected anything from her beau beyond his attention and affections, but this conversation was easily shifting in the direction of that very Materia. And as he opens the chest up? A prism of glowing orbs glimmers between them, his assortment of various Materia that he came to this world loaded out with, and even some that had returned to him after the fact. Green, purple, blue, yellow...they're all very beautiful, and may have been seen slotted into his Buster Sword from time to time.

But was he planning on giving one of them to her? Which one would it be?! Perhaps an elemental spell to practice with? Something to augment her stamina even further? ]

We've been pretty lucky... Everyone that's come from my world is on our side. [ Even Sephiroth, perturbing as that still is to him from time to time. ] But if the wrong person knew what I had... [ A frown mars his lips, momentarily as he digs into the chest beneath the various Materia on top. ] Mm. Last thing I'd ever want is for this power to get used against the people I care about.

[ Which is why he retrieves a very special red Materia, holding it in the palm of his hand, and out for Ayaka to obtain. ]

Remember what we talked about at the top of Nara?

[ Ayaka moves to the foot of the bed, closer to Cloud. The chest does garner her curiosity, and when he opens it? There's a look of mystical wonder, as if Ayaka had just opened a treasure chest.

Yes... this seems suitably sophisticated.

She's still looking at the colourful orbs when Cloud asks her a question. That's when she looks at him again, and she tries to recall what happened in Nara. It was an unforgettable trip, after all! Now, when they had reached the top of Nara, Cloud said he went even higher for Zack. They also talked about photos and how she wished the ones they took were in colour. And-- yes!

Just like today? They discussed Materia. ]

Mm, I believe I do. You have made it clear that you are a powerful magic user.

[ It seems he is offering the Materia, so she takes it with both her hands, carefully holding it up closer to eye level so she can try and see what's inside. It feels... not heavy, but heavy at the same time. Ayaka doesn't need to be from Gaia to be able to tell this is an important piece of Materia. ]

[ Cloud will cut to the chase. It's not just any Materia. But one that, if anyone more malicious ventured into this world and was privy to the former SOLDIER's arsenal, ran the risk of being used against him. Against everyone he cared about. The people he loved. This wasn't treasure to be left buried for just anybody to come across. In the end? He doesn't want to have to use this, ever. Unless it was absolutely necessary.

For all intents and purposes...for his time in this world, however long he's allowed to protect this happiness he's made with the girl sitting across from him, ]

This is Bahamut.

[ and he's now a treasure of the Kamisato Clan. ]

Bahamut... [ Her eyes flicker over to meet Cloud's before her gaze falls back to the Materia. Slowly, her hands fall to her lap, cupped around the magical orb. ] The King of Dragons.

[ Was this what Cloud wanted to give her? She doesn't know how to use Materia, but perhaps it would be best, so that she could not use its power by accident. Because Cloud keeps it hidden though, she has to take great care of this, and she has to make sure no one else gets it, too. ]

I shall keep this safe for you.

[ She won't give it to anyone but him. ]

Edited 2022-09-26 05:33 (UTC)

🌸 you'll find me on my tallest tiptoes

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