TLV - Inbox

[coffinturk]

"Leave a message."

Comments

[coffinturk]

[ Calm before the storm? Well either way, Vincent responds. ]

Sure. Over the phone or in person?

[coffinturk]

Mm.

[ There's probably a habitual nod. But you know. Audio. ]

...Which bartender? The new supervisor there?

[ Themed drinks. ...There's a note of interest sparked. ]

[nimbuster]

In person. You in your cabin? We're gonna want privacy.

[He hopes it won't be a storm, anyway. And if it is, they'll just have to weather it. They've done it before, they can do it again.]

audio->action

[coffinturk]

Hm. Alright. I'm currently here. Come over when you're ready.

[ One would hope it's not a storm. Privacy though... probably means it's serious. ]

---

Vincent's cabin is the same as ever with its soft lighting and antique furnishings reminiscent of the Shinra Mansion. There's a few personal pieces. The mostly black succulent by the window. The painting hanging on a wall by a bookcase.

When Cloud arrives, the door will be open and he's going to be invited in. There will probably be an offer for beverages but Vincent is never one for small talk. Particularly when they're meeting for a reason. He will though, let Cloud lead the conversation.

[nimbuster]

By this point, Cloud's more than ready. Once he makes a decision to do something, he's all in, and there's no reason to wait anymore.

When he arrives at Vincent's place, he turns down the drink offer, but he gets distracted for a moment by that painting. He tilts his head. The remnants? And that's gotta be the Northern Crater, which is where Rufus said the Turks found them. Making the red thing Vincent, he supposes.

But he can ask about that later. They have more important things to discuss first.

"So, what I want to tell you is really two things. One is a recent development, and the other...is something I should have told you a while ago."

He takes a breath, lets it out.

"The recent one is that...Sephiroth and I have decided to...make things official. Between us, I mean."

[coffinturk]

They're settled, they're possibly seated in the living room where there are chairs by this point. Vincent had noticed Cloud's attention on the painting but he hadn't offered anything about it or why he chose to hang it. That can be handled later.

Two things. While Vincent's attention is already focused on the blond, there may be a moment when the intensity increases as the most recent development is revealed.

There is no explosion. The former Turk's expression doesn't change other than to close his eyes and fall into a silent contemplation. It ticks onward. Then...

"...Romantically." It's a statement that is also requesting confirmation, token though it might be. The single word holds not even a trace of surprise.

[nimbuster]

"Yeah."

Cloud watches Vincent, gauging his reaction, but there's neither defensiveness nor apology in Cloud's demeanor.

"I remembered those three questions you told me to keep asking myself. And I did. What really decided it for me was finally getting a clear answer to the second one - whether it was really me, or the Cloud who was here before. Found out that Cloud was actually in a relationship with Sephiroth when he was here, but Sephiroth doesn't feel like it was real, because it started in a breach and just...carried over."

He has no idea whether Vincent knows about the whole...Justine thing. But it might be notable anyway that this conversation is happening not long after another breach.

"That other me was from some other version of events, too, so that didn't help. He considers me the 'real' Cloud because we're from the same timeline, and this all happened without any weird breach shit."

What Sephiroth actually said was a lot more heartfelt than that, but Vincent doesn't need - or want, probably - those details.

[planetdialup]

[She hears the nod at least!]

Yeah! The cat one? With the wings. I think he was offering that the other day.

[coffinturk]

Vincent is not aware of the Breach's aftermath and its affect on Cloud, though it likely would have remained unspoken even if he had.

If only because the blond's regard of Sephiroth, not Justine would have made it clear this was no issue of muddled memory. Even if the Breach was mentioned and the distinction that was made. This part was after all an effect of Sephiroth's perception. One that had felt... false.

Though Vincent's eyes do narrow, it seems more a reflection of thought and focus than concern. And after a time following Cloud's conclusion, the former Turk does have an answer. Though it may get a mixed reception.

"I won't pretend I don't have concerns. But ultimately it's your choice who you decide to love. What I think is irrelevant at best. And hypocritical if I thought otherwise."

Though he closes his eyes a moment, they're soon open again and still focused on Cloud.

"I suspected this was coming when we talked on the boat." Rhododactylos. When Vincent was shaken as Cloud said Sephiroth 'pulls him back, saves him'. "But... thanks for telling me."

[nimbuster]

It's no surprise to Cloud that Vincent still has concerns. He figures that's just always going to be the case, at least until Sephiroth somehow proves to Vincent once and for all that he can be trusted - and frankly, Sephiroth's not good at that, because he doesn't bother to try. It's fine. Cloud can live with that.

The word 'love' gets just a brief moment of glancing elsewhere self-consciously.

He nods at the thanks. "I told Aerith, too, and Zack." He might tell Angeal, maybe, but he hasn't decided yet. "Figured...after everything, you'd all want to know." A pause, and then with a wry little smile, "Might tell Yunlan, too, because I doubt Sephiroth will bother."

He glances aside again. "Back then, on the boat, I really didn't know what I wanted. Not like I hadn't considered it, obviously, but...mm. Wasn't until I talked to Zack that I thought, maybe what I felt...could be a good thing."

[coffinturk]

Huh. Well, if he's still up for it.

[ When they get together. ]

Think he'll let us bring them back to the cabins?

[ Trust Vincent to try to make a to-go order out of fancy, themed drinks so he can minimize his public attendance. ]

[planetdialup]

Can't hurt to ask.

[Still...she has to chuckle.]

Vincent...there are plenty of corners we could sit in. I've never talked to him, so I don't know.

[coffinturk]

Vincent tilts his head to the side. "Your choice. But I think you should tell Angeal. For the same reason you'll be telling Zhao Yunlan."

Because Sephiroth might not bother.

"And Nanaki." Maybe for the same reason Cloud was telling Vincent. The former Turk falls silent again, thinking upon what the blond has said regarding his choice. At the boat he didn't really know... Vincent wouldn't deny that. He understands.

And yet, the signs had been there even then; that this was going to be one of the most likely outcomes if matters continued as they were. When Vincent speaks again, it is with the heavy, slow pace of one speaking from the soul. Of memories that weren't all good. Ones hard to speak aloud.

"...Lucrecia once said to me, 'Sometimes, I get so involved in my research, I lose myself.'." As it always does when he speaks of the woman he loves, the man's voice softens with emotion. Even when that emotion is laced regret. Vincent avoids Cloud's gaze.

"She also said, 'When that happens though, you always come to my rescue.'" He did. But... he didn't. It hurts to know that there was more he could have done to ease her hidden pain. The man closes his eyes and lowers his features until near all are hidden by the collar of his cloak. And yet he continues in a way, to fulfill that promise he made on the boat in Rhododactylos.

"Lucrecia... found that in me. Though... I failed to recognize there was something more I could have done in the end."

[coffinturk]

Fine.

[ IF HE MUST. ...No, there's a light trace of humor there. ]

I guess we can stay if it's part of the price for these themed drinks.

[planetdialup]

Mmhmm.

A very heavy price to pay. But I'm sure we can manage it.

[She might be laughing a little. It's nice to joke around with Vincent.]

[coffinturk]

[ Laugh away. It was after all, meant to be amusing. ]

Alright. Let's meet up later and see if we can track down the bartender.

[ Perhaps not here and now, but later when they're both free. And Aerith can get a good once-over of the gunman to be sure he's as fit as he says he is before they saunter on down to the Lounge. ]

[planetdialup]

Yeah! That's a great idea.

We'll head over in the evening maybe, get the best shadowy alcove?

[Poor Vincent, dealing with all this teasing. But they'll get to check on each other before grabbing a drink, and even pretend that this is a bar back on Gaia. And that everything...is okay.]

Fin?

[coffinturk]

Sure. Just know I'm picky about my shadowy corners.

[ Only the best, Aerith. Only the best. And it suggests he might be looking to judge her ability to pick one in the near future. ]

See you then.

after the shoe flood

[cosmomemoryxiii]

Nanaki was practically hiding beneath behind the desk Vincent manned in the medical suite. His paws were more often on top of his face than on the floor as he covered it in embarrassment.

"It's so embarrassing. That flood was the worst. Just shoot me, Vincent. I can't face anyone after that humiliation."

Vincent, he said such ridiculous and horrible things. In public. To friends. It's awful. Life can't go on. Woe, woe.

Re: after the shoe flood

[coffinturk]

Vincent carried on with his work as usual. Lots of paperwork to be done as always. He's got his shoes back and things seem to be settling down again for the time being.

What's left is the aftermath. The aftermath of woe. And life ending embarrassment. Idly he looks down at Nanaki.

"If I did, you'd just come back. And feeling the death toll on top of everything else."

The gunman doesn't imply that shooting isn't an option. Just that it wouldn't do much good to spare the sentient beast this predicament he finds himself in.

"Besides, I like having you around." Didn't Vincent once say that too much of Nanaki is annoying that he'd only agree to meet up once a year? "...Occasionally."

Oh. There it is.

Re: after the shoe flood

[cosmomemoryxiii]

"I know, but-"

He was still feeling childish. He wanted to hide forever. At least at the moment that was his attitude. It couldn't possibly last beyond a few days. Nanaki had too much else to do, to see, to learn before his end of days. His spirits would return to their normal levels of curiosity and excitement soon enough.

Until then, Vincent had a moping feline to deal with hiding in his space.

Nanaki snorted in wry amusement at the gunman's dry humor. "Too bad you're stuck with me here more than you'd like," he replied sarcastically.

He shifted and his head was now held aloft as he peered up at Vincent. "I'm sorry for the stupid things I said as that... that hellhound. I didn't mean them. I mean, I would never say anything like that."

SUDDENLY, also, [private]

[weartearrust]

Quite frankly from what I've observed it's rarely the unpaired fresh arrivals causing regular problems onboard.

Re: SUDDENLY, also, [private]

[coffinturk]

You're right. Normally it's the ones that have gotten a good idea of what they can get away with. Or who let the resentment build up.

Max was an unusual exception in a lot of ways. Normally he would have been unpaired. But he was immediately paired permanently with Sheehan. Either way, since he came in on a Breach and went on a spree because of the ending confusion, I wonder about the timing of this proposal.

There are ways to improve the unpaired wardens, both in letting people know they're present and in how they choose to handle their obligations. But that's not what this seems to be about.

[private~]

[weartearrust]

It seems to be about the prisoners choosing their guards through a population contest. That really doesn't strike me as a very good idea, and I can't help but think it's a smokescreen for what certain unseen groups may really be after. This sets a precedent.

Re: [private~]

[coffinturk]

There is that. And I'm inclined to agree it's a smokescreen for something. Maybe an attempt to erode the relation between inmates and wardens further at one of its worst.

Though hrmph. I'd like to see them try to force me to give up my position because of a popularity vote.

[ What? Him? Worried that Ashton might be siding with this faction and that he might lose his one employee if he stood his ground? Not that the Medical Supply should ever be in danger over this, mind you. ]