( X little lion man )

          it hasn’t been long since he’s found himself ALIVE & in this city called koi, which wasn’t anything like midgar. at least it seemed more welcoming than there, brighter even. he wasn’t one to sit around in the designated apartment he now resided in & it seemed like his roommate was out or either a very silent, deep sleeper. so he took it upon himself to venture out into the chamomile district, since he wanted to get more of a vibe of the area. 

most of the places seemed bittersweet but it was hard to pinpoint why. maybe, it’s because he associated old friends with some of the places because maybe, in a kinder timeline, they could’ve enjoyed places like these. man, now he wished that he could find some company with a familiar face. new places are best explored with friends. 

& as if luck sided for once, he caught sight of peculiarly spiked blond locks. a hairstyle that he knew could only belong to one person. 

    There was a voice -- a voice that instantly made that pain his chest swell. He’s hallucinated that voice plenty of times before, and even seen him, but of course it was never real and just his own guilt manifesting something to further drag him down. But every single time he fell for it, turning to see Zack waving him at him, and right here next to him. It felt like the air had left his lungs when he realize that he could feel Zack next to him, hear his voice in full rather than a distant echo. He didn’t say anything at first, he couldn’t say anything. 

He feels familiar, in a sense— perhaps, it is in the spiky styling of his hair that reminds her of Sora, or the vaguely paler shades of blond that reminds her of Roxas ( if it is something else entirely, she does not question it; there are very few things that can bring her any comfort here, she is not quite yet willing to break that illusion yet ).

   He’s used to people asking about his sword, so he’s not surprised when this stranger approached him. She looks young... Maybe too young to be here all by herself and it catches him of guard that she asks about fighting rather than the weapon itself. “Actually... not really. I’ve never liked it. But sometimes you have to, I guess.”

The keyblade wield jumped back, giving her a safe distance from the blond. She forced a temporary break as she examined the sword. Her eyes are bright with curiosity as she pondered all the possibilities. 

“Perhaps it’s based on the world you came from.” She tapped a finger to her cheek, “Just like how my keyblade only goes to those who are worthy to wield it.” She smiled and flexed both her arms, “Maybe you are super strong but the sword chose you!” she gave a light giggle at the thought.

   It’s not the best of memories to dwell on, nor are they.... exactly complete memories. Clearly he’s aware of how he got as ‘strong’ physically as he is, but sometimes the steps from point A to point B seem muddled, and it wasn’t something he thought he would have to think about when helping her train. 

   “Yeah.... somethin’ like that. Like.... drug enhancements?” He’s clearly quite awkward in his vague explanations, touch and go with what feels like too much to say or too... odd. Looking at his sword, he doesn’t necessarily smile but his chest puffs up a bit with pride. “I made this one. I like it.” It fits him more than the one he used to carry... though this one doesn’t hold the same sentimental value, it doesn’t weigh down his mind with any guilt either.

@falsumhero

When he first showed her his weapon, Strelitzia couldn’t help but look on incredulously. That cannot be considered a sword. The buster sword that Cloud could lift and swing so easily was almost the young girl’s height, let alone wider than her as it is. 

That was some time ago. This is their third or fourth time where the quiet duo has paired up to do some sort of training. (It was more as a sparring lesson for Strelitzia, she never was considered trained in fighting.)

“You know Cloud,” she hummed for a moment, slashing her keyblade through the air as if it was weightless, “Your sword must weigh a lot…how do you manage to keep it up?”

    She was talented, it was nice getting to know her in to some degree, even if they share more blows and strikes than words. It caught him a little off guard when she spoke, causing him to lose focus and have to move faster than normal to block her blade, bouncing back with a hum at the question.

@falsumhero

As all ninja were, Lee was great at multi-tasking. He could balance several plates while standing on one leg, and recite some terrible poetry about youth and springtime.

Except.

Except when he gets himself too wound up in something. Like say, reading a billboard ad about a new gym opening up! As Lee trudged by the sign, his mouth moved wordlessly as he read. Poor guy didn’t see the telephone pole coming.

THUNK! And Lee was out like a light.

   What a huge sword! It is such a prominent feature of that man’s attire (aside of his very spiky hair), Blumei can’t just resist bringing it up, even though he tried not to.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠.

❛ And for twenty-five years, nothing. Not a whisper, not a clue. ❜

❛ Look at her – I would die for her. I would kill for her. Either way – what bliss. ❜

❛ Unhappy, darling? ❜

❛ Cara mia! ❜

❛ Last night, you were… unhinged. You were like some desperate, howling demon. You frightened me. Do it again. ❜

❛ Sorry about the window! ❜

❛ They grow up so fast, don’t they? ❜

❛ Don’t torture yourself. That’s my job. ❜

❛ Don’t tease. ❜

❛ Let me go! ❜

❛ Gimme that! Stop it! I’m warning you! It’s not a good day! ❜

❛ Can’t you keep up? ❜

❛ I wish you’d drop by more often. ❜

❛ The seance - tonight. Won’t you come? ❜

❛ Wait a minute, hold on! You have to listen to me! ❜

❛ Please… Just hear me out… ❜

❛ What a miserable evening. ❜

❛ Did you hear that?! ❜

❛ But don’t you think that’s absurd? ❜

❛ Isn’t that the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard? ❜

❛ Darling, how does this work again? ❜

❛ Don’t be shy. ❜

❛ Can you ever forgive me? ❜

❛ You were so dashing, you could have any woman you wanted, dead or alive. ❜

❛ Water under the bridge. Forgiven. Forgotten. ❜

❛ You forgot our secret password? ❜

❛ Can I have ice cream? ❜

❛ You spoil me… mon amour. ❜

❛ Isn’t it too enchanting? ❜

❛ There’s a trick to it. Of course. ❜

❛ Oh, no. ❜

❛ What is truth? What is fiction? ❜

❛ But let’s get to bed. ❜

❛ Spirits above me - give me a sign! Shall I be joyous? Or shall I be damned? ❜

❛ Sleepless night? ❜

❛ I don’t think so. ❜

❛ Here it is - suspicion and anxiety. ❜

❛ Haven’t you ever slaughtered anyone? ❜

❛ I’ve been around. I pick things up. ❜

❛ It’s going to be fun! ❜

❛ Darling, I’m sorry! ❜

❛ I said I was busy! ❜

❛ I changed my mind! ❜

❛ It’s a promise. ❜

❛ You were terrific. ❜

❛ What a sublime evening. A theatrical triumph… ❜

❛ A Shakespearean delight! ❜

❛ You were so beautiful - pale, and mysterious. ❜

❛ You bewitched me. I proposed that very night. ❜

❛ You were so right! What an evening! ❜

❛ How long has it been since we’ve waltzed? ❜

❛ Sometimes people have had terrible childhoods. And sometimes they just haven’t found their special place in life. And sometimes they’re dogs from hell and must be destroyed. ❜

❛ Despite everything, I don’t hate you. ❜

❛ Darling, take care! ❜

❛ To live without you - only that would be torture. ❜

❛ A day alone - only that would be death. ❜

❛ You never really loved me! ❜

❛ Come, my love - to safety! ❜

“About Cloud, isn’t the left-hand side of his design modelled on FFVII’s Vincent?” 

Welcome to Koi, Cloud Strife!

You will be housed in Chamomile Apartments. Many congrats on your being fated with Decim! May the both of you experience a wonderful time here in our humble city. If you need anything, consult the City Council or Pairing Project at your earliest convenience. Best of luck to you and enjoy your stay! Your welcome package contains a friendship bracelet, a watch, and a mini telescope!

“ F O R  T H E Y  A R E  C O M I N G  B A C K . “

Oohh, well. That was a request this ‘chu wasn’t expecting. After a silent nod, he positioned himself next to his notepad and got to work. It took longer than the others, and a lot few glances upwards at the requester mostly ‘cause of his hair, but. Eventually, it was done. And pikachu held his sketchbook up with slight triumph. 

It was a challenge, this one. And he’d never back down from a challenge. 

“–’Kachu!”

      Huff.