control your fate

"Yeah, I figured. I assumed you wouldn't be moving furniture around."

Perhaps he might have done when he was younger, but he was getting on in years. His back and leg often troubled him. Not that that was any indication of age. Noctis often suffered with his own. Still, he had known that his father wouldn't have done it himself – probably wouldn't have been allowed to even if he'd wanted to. Noctis had never been allowed to do much himself either.

"No? It feels like it."

Noctis knew that wasn't fair. His father wasn't a cruel man. He never had been, especially not where Noctis was involved. Noctis knew that this was supposed to be a lesson. It hurt now but would benefit him in the long run. It would be a while before Noctis would be able to see it that way though. Right now it was still too raw.

"So the people who are commending me want me dead, and the people who are slating me are pissed off at me. Is the point of this lecture that everyone hates me? 'cause that's how it feels."

Noctis picked up the other letter and read through it with a frown. It was hard to tell really, especially from a letter. If the council member had been with them, he would have at least been able to judge their tone.

Regis sighed, unable to hold it back. His son's words hurt, but Regis knew that Noctis was merely lashing out. It was an uncomfortable situation, but he would have to get used to it eventually. Noctis might not be allowed to be a King for long, depending on how fate turned out, but that did not mean that he had to go about his life completely blind. Regis had thought he had been protecting him, allowing him a life free of the heavy burdens of leadership, but now he had to wonder if he had made a mistake.

No, Regis would never regret what he had done. Noctis deserved to experience life, as much as he could. It was unfortunate, but in the end, it was his son's kind heart that had caused the situation they were in. How could he ever truly regret such a thing?

"If that is what you perceived from my words, then I find it hard to believe that you were actually listening to what I said," he replied, brows furrowing slightly. Patience was a virtue and over the years, dealing with the council, Regis had plenty of it. Noctis would understand, eventually.

"Indeed. The council member who wrote the letter is of the belief that marriage would... mellow you out and shift the attention of the public. They do enjoy royal weddings. He has an eligible daughter your age, of course – and it is not the first time he has brought up the topic." Regis explained, moving towards another pile. He grabbed the whole pile and put it in front of Noctis.

"Everything in this pile concerns not you, but your beau – Nyx Ulric," he motioned to the pile, which was almost bigger than the one that had to do with Noctis. Most of the things in the pile was slander, to put it bluntly. Most wanted a scapegoat and they had chosen Ulric. "You care about your boyfriend and you know him well. Is there any scrap of truth in anything you read in that pile?"

The answer was bound to be 'no'. Defamation was a punishable offence, but the royal family couldn't sue everyone who spoke a 'bad' word about them – and Nyx Ulric, despite who he was dating, was a simple refugee. He did not get the same protection as them and was thus an ‘easy’ target.

"When you rule a Kingdom, you need to understand a variety of things. In this case, two come to mind. The first is that people always have a motive. Motives can be good-natured, of course, but in most cases they are self-serving. The second is that you have to take control of the narrative. By understanding what people want, you can twist things in your favour. So, I ask you this, son. How do you turn this situation to your advantage?"

       ❝ shite, ❞ the distant noise was all the louder to her hearing, the echo enhancing every decibel. every crackle of static made her ears flick in distaste. she's heard this before, when dueling garlean magitek. whatever this world is, they've mastered similar technology. she, too, returned her twinfangs to her back, keeping close to cloud's heels. iridescent violet eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, looking for stairwells or ladders that could signify a way out.

       not that she didn't trust the blond. it made no sense to get themselves both killed when he clearly had other issues going on.

       ❝ got a shortcut in mind, chocoboy? ❞ his earlier request completely went over e'kusye's head. the whirring grew louder still, reverberating through the steel and concrete beneath her feet. he probably couldn't tell the difference yet, she assumed. having the echo had its perks, for once. ❝ did ye knock out all security on yer way in? don't feel like havin' a laser bolt shot through me tail again. ❞

       his other statement from earlier still rattled around in her brain like a runaway vole. why would she help him with no foreknowledge of his troubles? why would she drop everything, and shift her priority away from going home to help some random save his own world? there was no time to answer him, not right now, but she couldn't help a bitter, bemused scoff.

Cloud rolled his eyes in exasperation, but decided to ignore the nickname for now, since they had more important things to worry about. He looked around, but debris blocked the route towards the stairwell he knew about. They could try to get over it, but the space was narrow and it would take far too long to bother with.

"No, but I know how to make one." The place was going to explode anyways, so Cloud had no trouble with destroying the place further. Grabbing Tsurugi, he used it to slash at the wall that separated them from the stairwell. It didn't do much more than create a few dents, but that was fine. He just needed to weaken the metal wall a little. Cloud was practically a first class SOLDIER on steroids at this point, which meant that one forceful kick was enough to get the wall to crumble.

"C'mon," he urged, moving through the hole he had created. "I took out all the security that I ran into on my way in, but who knows if there's anything more around. Keep an eye out." At least she looked like she could hold her own, otherwise Cloud would have had one more thing to worry about.

"What's with the tail anyways?" and ears, but he didn't mention that part. It probably wasn't the time to ask about such a thing, but he couldn't stop thinking about it either. She looked part feline, which was something Cloud had never thought he'd ever see. If he hadn't seen the rift, then he would have thought that she was one of Hojo's experiments.

"Also, the name's Cloud." He said it pointedly, expecting her to use it from now on.

The sarcasm in his tone was heavy. He had always hated drills. In his opinion, they they were the worst part of training. They were just so repetitive, and if Drautos was anything like Cor, he was a hard-ass. Gladio tended to teach through sparring, but Cor insisted on drills. He said that if you didn't have the basics down, you'd fail in a real battle.

"Then again, I don't know whether playing babysitter is any more entertaining."

Noctis had been told time and time again, both by his father and Cor, that as a Prince, he needed protection at all time. Noctis still thought of it as babysitting though. Nobody else his age had to walk around with a guard. Well, he supposed his father did but still, it was kinda embarassing.

"Yeah. You like the arcade?" He asked. It had only been for a moment, but Noctis had picked up on that brief excitement before Cloud had hidden it beneath indifference. "You'd have to join me, but you wouldn't have to play. Unless you want to, I mean."

"Okay, maybe not menacing, but not someone anyone smart would want to mess with."

Of course the uniform helped create a certain image. That was the point. Noctis could have plain clothed guards, but the thought was that a uniformed guard would act as a deterrent. Regardless, Cloud looked like he could handle himself.

Cloud offered a small shrug and didn't bother replying to the Prince's comment. Drills were fine – tedious, yes, but fine, in his opinion at least. It made him a better soldier and he didn't feel like he could complain. It always felt like Captain Drautos was watching him, but why, he did not know. He could assume, of course, that it had something to do with his past, which was why he preferred to be on his 'best behaviour' around him.

He didn't always succeed on that front.

"The arcade is fine," he replied, realising that his face had probably given him away earlier. It was annoying, but there wasn't anything he could do about it now. "I've been before." Cloud wanted to argue that most people probably had, but he knew that wasn't the case. Their loss. Even so, the offer was tempting, but he didn't know how he was going to keep an eye on Noctis and play at the same time. It wouldn't do to get distracted.

"I blame the uniform. Most people recognise it," and Cloud supposed that he did have some muscles to fill it out with as well. He hadn't when he had started out, but again, those drills were good for more than one thing. It probably helped that his chosen weapon was hard to miss, being a large broadsword and all. Most people didn't think Cloud knew how to wield it and he was happy to prove them wrong. He did have some smaller blades that were easier to warp with, but with his motion sickness he tended to avoid it.

"Right, let's mosey." Cloud made sure to follow close behind Noctis, keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings as he did. He sighed under his breath, but didn't bother denying that he played games at the arcade. "I prefer the racing games. They have one called G-Bikes that I like – and a chocobo racing one called Chocobo Kart, it's pretty fun. You can even customise your chocobo. I tend to prefer the teal one, but–" he cut himself off once he realised that he had allowed himself to ramble, the excitement having crept into his voice again.

Damn.

"Er, just. The racing ones. They're... fine." It was a bad attempt at recovering his composure and Cloud looked away, face slightly flushed.

"Hah. I wouldn't worry too much about me dragging you anywhere like that. I avoid places like that like the plague. So you've only really got to worry about the events at the Citadel that I can't get out of." Noctis wouldn't force Nyx to attend that sort of thing with him since he only really stuck around long enough to show his face and shake a few hands before making his escape. If Nyx did want to accompany him though? Well, he wouldn't say no. The man's presence would certainly make things more enjoyable. "But homemade gifts sound nice."

Noctis knew that he was privileged. He had grown up wanting for nothing where toys and clothes were concerned. He'd never really been given something that had been made for him though – something from the heart. He thought that would mean much more to him. He was secretly sentimental, after all. One of his favourite things was the little carved carbuncle figure his father had given him when he was young. It was far from the most expensive thing he'd ever been given, but it meant the most.

"Okay. There's one not too far from my apartment. We'd be walking past it on the way anyway, so we won't have to make a detour." Hopefully it would have everything Nyx needed. He admittedly wasn't the most knowledgeable when it came to grocery shopping. Ignis did most of it since he did most of the cooking. Noctis just tended to shop for the essentials and instant junk.

Nyx knew very well that Noctis was the 'escape Prince'; especially in connection to the fancy events that the Citadel tended to hold. Sometimes Nyx thought Noctis would be much happier as a commoner, and he didn't believe he was wrong for thinking so. Still, people didn't choose what family they were born into, so he couldn't blame Noctis for trying to escape whenever he could, even if it gave him a bad reputation. "Hah, doubt I'd be invited anyways, to be fair. Just thought I'd mention that it's one of the few things I refuse to spend money on. Ulrics aren't made for fancy suits." He had even had trouble with the Kingsglaive uniform at first, but he had gotten used to it by now.

"Yeah? I can think of a few things I might want to make for you, but I'll leave it as a surprise." No point in spoiling it right away, of course. Depending on how things went, then Nyx knew he eventually wanted to gift Noctis some glass beads. They were usually worn in the hair, but he could use it to decorate his clothing with as well, if he wanted. There were beads that signified clan and speciality, but also some that signified relationship status and so forth. One day, Noctis might wear glass beads that represented not only his own clan, but also Nyx's. However, things were still very new between them, so Nyx would be patient.

"Let's go." Nyx dutifully followed Noctis to the grocery store and was quick to grab a basket once they got there. "Right, if you would grab the snacks and drinks we need, then I'll get everything I need for our dinner," he was already trying to orient himself in the new environment, though most grocery stores tended to follow the same layout, so it was easy for him to find the produce section. Still, it quickly became clear that the grocery store catered towards the clientele that lived nearby in the fancy apartments, which meant that the prices were higher than expected – and there was a wider variety of what Nyx would consider 'pretentious' ingredients on offer.

Nyx still managed to grab what he needed in no time and soon met up with Noctis. "If any of those are salt and vinegar chips, then I'm afraid we'll have to break up," he joked, a teasing smile on his lips as he moved closer. "I got everything I need, though I think I might need one to two business days to recover from the prices. I'm suddenly very happy that you're paying."

Dead, huh?

Of course, people died. Even Sephiroth didn't expect to be immune to the natural turn of fate that came for everything and everyone at some point. For some, sooner than others. SOLDIER, in particular. And for enhanced models like him, the expected lifespan was even shorter. It was why Dr. Hojo had pushed for younger and younger recruits.

But was that the simple truth behind this man's words, or was there more to it? Maybe something related to the state of Midgar City?

Had some kind of calamity struck and taken his life along with many others?

The need to know was as tempting as it was pointless.

"...You keep talking like you know me." He said, stepping closer, but not moving to sit down with the other. Deep inside, the boy was still bracing for a fight. There was something about this place that felt wrong.

Not quite a scent in the air, but an energy. Something creeping against his skin and giving him goosebumps underneath the uniform. His vigilant gaze kept returning to that strange pool of water in the middle of the room.

Cloud let out a small huff. "I knew a version of you. I'm not going to pretend to know the person you are right now. I imagine a lot has changed between the present you and who you will become," he replied as honestly as he could. He wasn't going to tell this Sephiroth about his future fate, at least not yet. It was tempting to play with time of course, try to lead the younger male away from his cruel fate, but Cloud wasn't sure if he should risk it.

There was a high chance that something worse would happen and also a chance that the Sephiroth before him was from a different world altogether, not just another time. Cloud didn't know much about such things, but after all the shit he had seen he wouldn't think it impossible.

"It's a church, as you can see, which was placed in what used to be sector 5." It was a remnant of the past, but also so much more than that. It had survived against all the odds, after all – and had helped combat the Geostigma. "The lifestream runs through this place and the water has healing properties. It also acts as a shrine." Cloud looked towards the Buster sword where it was embedded in the ground, surrounded by yellow flowers.

With how young Sephiroth seemed, he didn't think he knew Zack yet, so he probably wouldn't know the importance of the shrine, but Cloud felt peace every time he looked at it. He knew Zack and Aerith could rest easy now, knowing that the threat was finally gone. Sephiroth's current presence might argue against that, but Cloud didn't consider him a threat at the moment.

"I live in Edge, but I like to visit this place from time to time." He used to come around all the time, drowning in guilt, but he was getting better. “You seem uneasy.” Cloud noted, head tilting as he looked at Sephiroth. He wasn't sure if ‘uneasy’ was the right word to use, but it encompassed what he wanted to convey well enough.

       ❝ weeellll, ❞ she flicked her tail as her words dragged out for dramatic effect. her posture shifted, so she could sling an arm around his shoulders. e'kusye craved closeness and the easy camaraderie between comrades. she thrived on her bonds with others, feeling empty and powerless without their presence. they tempered the fiery free spirit, made it easier for her to chain down her wrath ( though she was never afraid to unleash it for their sake ).

       it reassured her that she had that rapport with cloud, even if the circumstances were less than ideal ( were they ever? ).

       ❝ could either go t' the beach 'n sunbathe 'n have the best food of our whole lives, or give up a proper bed fer the ground again 'n be covered in more dust than a peiste in a sandstorm. 'n if all ye've said about these shinra pissants is true, then they'll be lazin' around and it's free intel. don't even hafta sneak around and get ourselves blown t' bits again. ❞

       she can't recall the last time she'd been able to relax and simply breathe on her journey across eorzea. with the war on two fronts between the ascians and the garlean empire, it was inadvisable to even sleep a full night. the alliance's sword knew no rest. until now.

Cloud huffed when E'kusye wrapped her arm around his shoulder, but he made no move to get away. He liked the contact, even if he would never ask for it. He missed his friends – had gotten used to having a team with him. They were all alive now, but he couldn't make himself burden them with his mission. Having a companion was much better than being alone, even if Cloud had been determined to do what he had to do to save his world. E'kusye had been a blessing in disguise and one day he might even tell her as much.

"Well, when you put it like that," he muttered, a small smile appearing on his lips. They both deserved the break and who knew, they might gain some intelligence they otherwise wouldn't if there were anyone from ShinRa around. In truth, the Turks and Sephiroth were the biggest threats. The Turks could be relentless and Sephiroth, well... he might not be insane yet, but the guy was still too intense for his own good.

"Just remember to that we need to stay clear from anyone in black suits. I really don't want to deal with the Turks." Cloud would, of course. He was more powerful than them, but that wasn't the point. He wasn't going to hurt anyone unnecessarily, no matter how much easier it would make things. His mission was to save Gaia, not become its next tyrant.

It took Cloud a moment to register her next words, but when he did, he sputtered slightly, a blush colouring his cheeks and the tips of his ears. "Wha – I never said anything like that." He huffed and stood up, finally pulling away from the close contact in his embarrassment. He supposed they were going to the beach, but it hadn't been on his mind.

"C'mon, let's mosey. No point in sitting around," he started walking without waiting for her, knowing she would catch up with his slow stride in no time – and if he refused to look at her for a little while because of the image she had planted in his mind with her comment, then that was his business.

Aerith frowns at him, well, in a playful way, but she still frowns. She wants Cloud to learn how to take care of himself. Things won't get better if he jumps into action right away and gets injured again right away. After all he's a very important part of the team. She's not sure the group would manage well without him, but of course, she won't insist too much about it.

"Hey, you take care of yourself. Or I'm attacking you myself." She playfully crosses her arms over her chest. Well Aerith might not be physically strong, but she certainly is creative when it comes to fight. She made one of Corneo's men unconscious with a chair, after all. She can't be underestimated.

"You don't need to threaten me," Cloud pointed out, though he wasn't actually worried. Oh, Aerith might 'attack' him, but he doubted she would actually hurt him. It would be entirely counter productive, after all, since he was already recovering from an injury. He knew it was just her way of saying that she wanted him to take care of himself, which Cloud supposed he could at least try to listen to.

Even so, he held up his hands in defeat and offered a small nod. "Talking is fine, I guess." He wasn't the best at it, but Aerith already knew that. Cloud could only guess that she was fine with it if she had suggested it in the first place, knowing how he was.

He had never been super talkative. Maybe it was the lack of friends when he grew up – feeling lonely and inferior. He could talk just fine when he was lashing out or trying to prove himself, but casual conversation had never been his strong suit; especially not now. He wouldn't admit to it, but it often felt like he didn't know who he was anymore. It was difficult to deal with, but talking about it wouldn't help their mission either, so he just... stayed silent. No point in doing anything else.

"Do you always wear your hair like that?" Cloud asked before he could take it back, since it was the first thing that popped into his head. Aerith wanted to talk, but Cloud hadn't known where to start. It was something, at least.

His response caught her off guard, the certainty in his voice shaking something she'd thought was settled long ago. Aerith swallowed hard, grateful she'd turned away before he could see it. A sad smile touched her lips as her hands fell to her sides. "Stay?" she echoed softly, the word felt foreign and heavy in her chest. "I've never thought about staying," she admitted, almost to herself. The possibility felt strange the moment she spoke it aloud, like stepping onto unfamiliar ground. "I don't know what happens if I stay, Cloud."

And that was the truth of it. The future he was asking her to reach for was one she'd never let herself imagine. It was unwritten, uncertain, frightening in ways fate never was. "I don't know if they'll let me." Cryptic, blurred lines she wasn't sure they could cross. The thought of staying however, gave a flutter in her chest.

Cloud frowned, not able to make sense of what Aerith was telling him. Why had she never thought about staying? Currently, Cloud was thinking of little else. Sometimes his thoughts would veer off course, threatening to distract him, but they always returned to the same thing. He needed Aerith to stay – it was really important. He couldn't... couldn't what? His heart ached with loss, but that made no sense. Aerith hadn't left yet, so why did it feel like she had?

"Let you?" He questioned, brows furrowing with frustration. "Who are they to decide?" He continued, not understanding. He didn't like feeling so lost. He tried to look around him, but it was like his eyes refused to focus and so his eyes found Aerith once more, as she stood out with an almost intense kind of clarity. He didn't know who they were, but if Aerith didn't want to leave, then who were they to stop her? Cloud would fight them if he had to.

"I won't." Cloud assured, voice firm. It was a question that had been easy to answer, at least. "I'm your bodyguard. If you want to stay, then I'll make sure you do." It was a bit of a farce, of course, but it was easier to give himself purpose when he used the title. He'd do it without it, but his emotions were still hard to deal with at times. He didn't like being vulnerable, but he knew he would be, if it would make her stay. It was really important that she did.

"Please."