quiet_storm (Cloud Strife - FF7 Compilation) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
quiet_storm) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
recolle2018-04-26 01:26 pm
quiet_storm) wrote in recolle2018-04-26 01:26 pm
[closed] Cue the Latin Chanting!
WHO: Cloud, Zephyr, and Andrew
WHERE: Starting at Zephyr's dojo
WHEN: April 30
WHAT: Fire spirits taking control, wings, swords, and playfighting. What could possibly go wrong?
WARNINGS: Fantasy violence
When huge black wings tore through Cloud's skin, warping him into an inhuman monster, he laughed in carefree delight.
This was the fifth fire spirit that Cloud had played host to this month, and yes, he was counting. It was proof that he didn't need magic, or elite combat skills, or an awesome airship to make a difference. All he needed, all he had ever needed in his entire life, was a little courage and a healthy dose of resolve.
The first time he was possessed it was terrifying, and he wanted to be rid of the demon parasite as soon as possible. An immediate trip to Respartum was a trivial price to pay for an exorcism to put his mind at ease. The second time was out of a desperate desire to rescue someone else from the same fate. He had reluctantly encouraged the rogue spirit to take refuge in his body rather than run wild, endangering innocent people's lives and causing rampant destruction out of simple childish boredom. The third time, he had deliberately sought out a rogue flame because he realized that he rather enjoyed the experience of having that warmth and energy inside him. The fourth time, it was a relief to fill the strange sense of emptiness where his heart should have been.
Climbing the ladder to and from Respartum was long, tiring, and legitimately fraught with danger anyway. Now that he knew it was perfectly safe to walk around with a spirit living happily inside him, the trip seemed less and less urgent. He started putting the trip off longer and longer, an entire week for the fourth one. The fifth time, the free spirits were so scarce in Recolle that Cloud suspected he wouldn't be able to find another one. He sought one out specifically for the purpose of keeping it permanently. Why should he give it back, anyway? He deserved it for all that hard work he did to keep everyone safe.
Cloud had already sharpened all the blades in his decorative weapon collection because it seemed a horrible shame to leave them dull and useless. Today, he got the idea in his head to pack them all up and take them to the dojo so he could show them off to his kendo instructor. Zephyr-Sensei liked swords. Even if Cloud's weren't sturdy enough to be practical, no one could deny that they were beautiful artwork. Hauling the entire lot over in a canvas tarp wasn't an easy task, so Cloud borrowed a pickup truck from his former workplace to carry them.
Then, as he dragged the burden into the dojo, Cloud saw that his instructor was sporting a pair of huge, glistening black wings. It wasn't the new appendages that really captured his attention, though. Zephyr had a peculiar excited smirk on his face, but that wasn't important either. His teacher was pointing a live blade at his most novice student, an unmistakable and incredibly intimidating pose. It wasn't even a gesture of challenge. It was a dare, and an obviously lethal one at that. It wasn't until Cloud threw down the unwieldy canvas and scrambled to pick up his largest two-handed sword that he suddenly grew wings of his own.
WHERE: Starting at Zephyr's dojo
WHEN: April 30
WHAT: Fire spirits taking control, wings, swords, and playfighting. What could possibly go wrong?
WARNINGS: Fantasy violence
When huge black wings tore through Cloud's skin, warping him into an inhuman monster, he laughed in carefree delight.
This was the fifth fire spirit that Cloud had played host to this month, and yes, he was counting. It was proof that he didn't need magic, or elite combat skills, or an awesome airship to make a difference. All he needed, all he had ever needed in his entire life, was a little courage and a healthy dose of resolve.
The first time he was possessed it was terrifying, and he wanted to be rid of the demon parasite as soon as possible. An immediate trip to Respartum was a trivial price to pay for an exorcism to put his mind at ease. The second time was out of a desperate desire to rescue someone else from the same fate. He had reluctantly encouraged the rogue spirit to take refuge in his body rather than run wild, endangering innocent people's lives and causing rampant destruction out of simple childish boredom. The third time, he had deliberately sought out a rogue flame because he realized that he rather enjoyed the experience of having that warmth and energy inside him. The fourth time, it was a relief to fill the strange sense of emptiness where his heart should have been.
Climbing the ladder to and from Respartum was long, tiring, and legitimately fraught with danger anyway. Now that he knew it was perfectly safe to walk around with a spirit living happily inside him, the trip seemed less and less urgent. He started putting the trip off longer and longer, an entire week for the fourth one. The fifth time, the free spirits were so scarce in Recolle that Cloud suspected he wouldn't be able to find another one. He sought one out specifically for the purpose of keeping it permanently. Why should he give it back, anyway? He deserved it for all that hard work he did to keep everyone safe.
Cloud had already sharpened all the blades in his decorative weapon collection because it seemed a horrible shame to leave them dull and useless. Today, he got the idea in his head to pack them all up and take them to the dojo so he could show them off to his kendo instructor. Zephyr-Sensei liked swords. Even if Cloud's weren't sturdy enough to be practical, no one could deny that they were beautiful artwork. Hauling the entire lot over in a canvas tarp wasn't an easy task, so Cloud borrowed a pickup truck from his former workplace to carry them.
Then, as he dragged the burden into the dojo, Cloud saw that his instructor was sporting a pair of huge, glistening black wings. It wasn't the new appendages that really captured his attention, though. Zephyr had a peculiar excited smirk on his face, but that wasn't important either. His teacher was pointing a live blade at his most novice student, an unmistakable and incredibly intimidating pose. It wasn't even a gesture of challenge. It was a dare, and an obviously lethal one at that. It wasn't until Cloud threw down the unwieldy canvas and scrambled to pick up his largest two-handed sword that he suddenly grew wings of his own.
no subject
Cloud stood up and dusted himself off. As well as he could, anyway. His clothes were in ribbons and caked in dried blood. "Thanks, but I know the way back." He tipped his head in the direction of the ladder, one he'd descended four times already.
no subject
"If you insist on going alone, I'm coming with you."
The plan for drinks were meant for keeping tabs on him too, just in case Cloud needed an actual hospital visit.
no subject
Which Andrew did, patting the mare as she nuzzled against him and he managed a smile for her. And a bit of a protein bar.
And then he went to catch up with Cloud and Zephyr. He was going to see where things went once they were down in the city. But his car was near the ladder, anyway.
no subject
It was still a pain to climb down the ladder, with company or not, but at least this time Cloud hadn't had to climb up first.
no subject
"Don't fall," he advised before following. Though once they did make it safely to the ground with no further accidents, he turned to Andrew with a curious, "a fire horse?"
no subject
He pointed. "This way, Cloud. Fastest if I give you a ride. Both of you." Because they are both covered in blood and kind of not the best to go wandering around the city streets."
no subject
"Yeah. Thanks." At least the blood was thoroughly dried so it wouldn't soak into the car seat? He followed along after Andrew.
no subject
"Thanks, Andrew." For everything, really.
no subject
A moment, as he unlocked the car, and he squinted at both other men.
"How about we raincheck on those drinks? You both look like shower and a good night's sleep is better, and I'd like to check on Genesis, too." Because this month had been already a lot and he had been a bit under the weather and was better now, but, well.
no subject
His place was first on the route. Cloud pulled himself out of the car, then turned around. "I guess that makes me a designated driver if you want one, then. Thanks again, you two. You know, for saving my life and everything."
Yes, a shower and bed now. He made his way to the apartment door and back to relative safety in one piece.
no subject
When the car pulled up to his apartment, he moved as if to clap Andrew on the shoulder but stopped when he remembered the dried blood still on there.
"I owe you, Andrew," he said, tired and grateful. A moment later, he was out of the car and headed back to his apartment. It occurred to him that the door to his dojo was left open but he'll deal with that tomorrow. For now, sleep sounded like a pretty good deal.
no subject
"I'm just glad I could help. And we'll go for those drinks. And, Zephyr...
"It's not a bad thing, to do things that you usually don't. Just so long as they're your things."
He meant that, too. Being stuck in the same routine was sometimes important, but it sometimes need breaking, too. So long at was not because you were possessed, or controlled, or anything of that sort.
"Give us a call if you need anything."
And, yes, he left him to seek that sleep.