cloud strife 。

( Shrugs. )

Okay.

?

Why'd you just hand it out?

I need more money.

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#FFVII | #FFRP | #MVRP
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#FF7 | #FFRP | #MVRP
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....

a man with blonde hair is sitting in a black chair ALT: a man with blonde hair is sitting in a black chair

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⠀⠀⠀⠀❝ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ, ᴛʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ’ᴛ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴘᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴀᴛᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ.❞

🔁&🖤

"Don't overwork yourself, alright? If you need help setting decorations up, just ask me."

He shrugs, and takes a sip.

"Could be more. Most of it is pretty simple work— but money is money, so not complaining."

Pfft.

Cloud leaves it at that; he sees no point in explaining further, simply focusing on his drink.

Huh.

This makes Cloud scowl even further. An invitation from him can't promise anything good.. and as much Cloud knows Aerith is capable of standing up for herself, he needs to see where this goes.

He starts trailing after.

"Most of the SOLDIERs I knew were big on drinking. The resistance and quick recovery makes them push their limits. This is very little in comparison."

He takes a sip.

"How so?"

It looks empty...
#FF7

He motions for her to sit down next to him, enjoying his own drink slowly.

"How's business?" Cloud asks, more as a matter of polite small talk than anything else.

A shrug.

"What's so weird about it?"

Cloud takes the bait, and sidesteps along with Tseng to remain in his way.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Not on his watch. He's shown time and time again that this is a hill he's willing to go to war on.

A corner of a lip curls up in appreciation as he accepts the glass, nodding at her.

"Thanks," he says. "'knew I could count on you."

"I won't," Cloud snaps, defensive when it comes to the topic. He knows what he's doing, and he's doing it just fine.

He feels a little ashamed of his outburst though, furrowing his brows as he stares at his plate.

"Whatever it takes... I'll take him down."

That would be the perfect drink right now, yes. He would really appreciate it.

Could use a drink. Something strong.

A click of his tongue ... but Cloud nods his head nevertheless. His expression doesn't necessarily soften, but his confrontational body language relaxes just a notch.

"You stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours," he says, agreeing for a compromise if nothing else.

Cloud hums, and nods. If killing Hojo brings Vincent a moment of peace of mind, then Cloud understands.

"The moment will be yours," Cloud promises with a small smile, and looks down at his plate. "Just as I will cut Sephiroth down."

They'll both get their closure.

with frustration and restlessness, annoyance.

"Bold of you to assume you could scare me. Wouldn't be the first time I kick Shinra's ass."

There's the look again. It's not the first time Cloud is in the receiving end of such a stare, albeit it's a first from the director.

He's felt it before; like people know something he doesn't, or as if they're in on a joke Cloud isn't aware of.

And every time, it leaves him

+

A look to the left, a look to the right — before Cloud realizes this is about him, so he spreads his arms in a small shrug.

"The same as always."

"You're not the one who should repent. It's Hojo," Cloud says, eyes narrowing. "We'll make him sorry when it's time. Tear him limb for limb, see how he likes it."

Cloud shakes his head, slow. Sympathetic towards Vincent.

"It's not like he didn't have people in his team. Good people. He shut them all out," Cloud says, though it's one of those memories that make his head feel fuzzy.

Cloud continues on nevertheless.

+

Cloud squares his shoulders, not necessarily to appear taller, but to reach for his weapon any second necessary.

Defensive.

"And what's that got to do with me? Dont you have your henchmen to do the work for you?"

"Tsk."

Consider his feathers rustled. Cloud has a short fuse when it comes to the Turks.

"And you're doing all this off-duty? Brown nosing to Shinra much?"