❛Barret–?❜ 

She’ll forgive him for his incredulous reaction– larger man certainly having boasted equally impressive lungs all throughout their travels. From shouts to battle cries to rambunctious laughter, Cloud reckons his initial surprise hardly held much weight. Barret had always been a man ready and willing to join in whatever fun was being made, as boisterous and bumbling as he could often appear. Yet, the big man joining in made more sense when it with his own, not a crowd of drunkards. Perhaps the children had goaded him into it, keen and excited to share their time with someone almost as scarce as he? 

  ❛The kids too, I bet.❜

A warm tone drifts its way into his voice, the tiniest upwards curve teases the corner of his mouth as he moves forth, easing along towards the bar with the expectation that he would be followed. Within his grasp rested a small box, humbly wrapped, simple string made of straw wound about its shape. While years previously he may have hesitated upon bringing something similar inside - cautious of those they may call dangerous, living day to day around explosions and the like - peace had reigned long enough now that his ragged edges had softened somewhat. A quick check of keen nose for gunpowder, a cautious shake in hopes of a tell-tale harmless rattle, and his concerns were generally settled. 

( Some may say he’s the paranoid sort– but he would beg to differ. There was no harm in caution, after all. )

  ❛S’pose they’re all worn out by now.❜

Box placed upon the counter, he meanders around; gloves removed and tucked courteously out of sight before gathering himself a simple glass of water. In this, at least, he has become comfortable enough to use basic amenities without falter.

 ❛–That came for you.❜

A gift from an admirer, most like.

As she thought, there's that expression of disbelief to momentarily fleet across the blond's features. Though there's still several things to learn about each other, the simplest gestures are already understood between them. Shamelessly, she chuckled softly at Cloud's reaction and allowed him to indulge in the thought. If Barret was even here in the first place, he'd be hauling Cloud to the front and shove a microphone into his hands.

In agreement to the other sentiment, she chirped, "That's right, it's a good thing we were able to find some instruments like a tambourine for them to use. Marlene had to scold Barret a few times for getting carried away, but they all had fun." Not to hesitate to share the details. Though Cloud is mostly away, not the most enthusiastic to join such lively activities, Tifa doesn't neglect to include him in the form of storytelling.

A quick announcement given by the bartender with a couple of claps, she declared that's the last round for the singing and drinks. There's the chorus of pleas and groans, but it only took a firm smile before they caved in.

Free to join Cloud at the bar and about to fetch him some water when he presented the small box. "Huh?" Genuinely surprised as it's been quite a while since he's received anything. It'd be a care package from Barret, or some silly item from Yuffie. Sometimes they'd receive thoughtful gifts or mail from friends they've made outside the area - but it had always been addressed to all of them.

This is the first time in a long time it's something personally for her. Mixed emotions apparent across the warm hues, but she did pick it up gently. Though she trusts Cloud to have already done an inspection on his hand, she couldn't help but examine it for any signs of familiarity. Anything with the packaging, but it's simple enough and ---. "No card or note?" her inquiry as to who it came from, lest the sender's details are tucked inside with the contents.

   ❛That’s nice and all,❜

There’s a clear level of hesitation within his tone. Mindful enough not to risk offence, yet still marking the issue dire enough to voice a tentative protest. ‘Dire’ being a loose descriptor, that is– as greater worries typically harried his footsteps and this barely broke the surface in comparison. However this was Tifa, and he cared ( although he was loathe to show it, miserable and halting as he was, awkward and unsure and fleeting ) and the bar was far more her home than his, as much as she deemed that not the case. As tired as he felt, it would do him no harm to tread gently.

Still, it was somewhat perplexing to return from another two week long delivery run only to discover this - a karaoke machine, and a gaudy one at that ( where in Gaia’s name had she even found it– ) tucked away in the corner of the bar as if shameful. 

As much as he respected her business, her home ( it was his too, she’d said, repeated over and over, just as the Tifa in his head echoed the same. He was welcome. He was cared for. He belonged here, too. It struggled to sink in.) Cloud couldn’t say he was particularly excited to return after each job not only to a typically popular bar, but one with singing drunkards within its midst as well. 

   ❛But, uh.  Isn’t it a little… ❜

Words halt and brows furrow. Perhaps it had merely been a gift. Perhaps it was meant for the children.

Perhaps his greatest concern was the inevitable coaxing to join in, as though he hadn’t sung a word in his life, as if he could ever comfortably say no to her.

Perhaps— perhaps he was just being a kill joy.

   ❛–never mind.❜

    Filled with more jolliness ( the drunken sort ) and music the bar was. There were glasses clinked together, swayed as patrons cheered and sang along with the current star of the night. Orders came in steady streams, but at a manageable pace with the tunes lulling everyone to be more focused on the dancing man who was singing with all of his energy. It's one of those peppy songs and quite hilarious --- the female bartender will admit. Since the current singer was putting effort to mimic a woman belting it out along the high pitches.

    Even when encouraged to join in, Tifa was polite and firm to decline, saying she has to keep the drinks flowing. On her way to fetch from bottles form the back until a familiar bush of fair gold caught her eye; linked o the silhouette she will always know by heart.

    Warm hues lit up in delight to see him ( though it's been two weeks ! ) but what mattered is that he's back. Hands wiped hastily on a dishcloth as she hurried up to him. ❛Welcome home~!❜ greeting him over the loud music and just one look at his expression says it all.

   Following his questioning look towards the karaoke machine, about to give the answer until he dismissed it with a sigh. ❛Ahhh--- I know what you're going to say!❜ she said pointedly, but not at all displeased. Her eyes gave away the light of playfulness and understanding. ❛It was found laying around with the scraps and some of the guys decided to try and get it working --- then here we are! Barret even had a go at it,❜ purposely giving Cloud some food for the thought and actually try to fathom a big guy singing.

   Stepping a bit closer, she winked and whispered, ❛Don't worry, karaoke night is almost over.❜ Of course, she wouldn't subject him to that especially when he just arrived back home!

While their current situation wasn’t entirely the most comfortable, it certainly didn’t warrant such a downtrodden expression upon the other warriors face. Sure, an unending war between two selfish gods was kind of a big deal, and sure, being on opposing sides wasn’t the easiest thing to work around either– but for a “good guy”, Tifa hasn’t been too bad of a companion to have. Especially in comparison to the freaks on team “bad guy”, of which Aranea wished she had no part of. What had she done in life to deserve such a thing? Sure, she was money greedy– but wasn’t everyone? And sure, she’d climbed the ranks of an Empire determined on world domination and the destruction of surrounding countries, and– 

Alright, perhaps it had been a little warranted. 

That was hardly any excuse for the blatant disrespect that had been her last partner, a godsdamned clown of all things, and so the companionship of a lone brawler was far more worthwhile. At least Tifa hadn’t attempted to beat her back the moment she’d been spotted. Not that that would have made much of a difference, in the end. 

   ‘If the look on your face means you’re going to be moping the rest of the way     to whatever base you have, I’m not gonna be happy.’ 

And then, in a less harsh tone, voice lowering ever so slightly:

   ‘We all miss our homes. So cheer up a little, alright?’

   It definitely wasn’t the most ideal situation & it boggles down even the most cheery-spirited warrior of the group as expression is defined by the creases of pondering & worrying. Not the best time to be in such a state when in the presence of the enemy --- whom, oddly enough has displayed no hostile intention since their paths intersected on this plane. Thus, neither did the brawler display any form of hostility or offense. Though, it’s a silent wonder & delight to meet another of the very few females who seems tolerable. Not that, she knew the dragoon any better --- she barely knows anything outside of the obvious laidback nature & somewhat sincere attempts to actually cheer her up.

   ❝I didn’t think I would affect your own mood to that extent,❞ her own clever reply with the cheekiness quirked at the corner of her mouth. Did she actually care? Forgive the doubt, but it is a tad bit difficult considering the line-up of villains who occupy the side that opposes the Warriors of Light. Her own comrades, she’ll always worry about them, but they’re more than formidable enough to hold on their own --- it’s her family she was separated from that warrants her concern.

@forsja

i smell a riri

       It’s been a while hasn’t it? Though the scenario isn’t a stranger to the lithe brunette; nothing too begrudging held against him. Complex & sometimes hurtful, but the connection they have could never be severed, plus she’s quite the stubborn one to ensure they somehow keep in touch. Or at least, make sure he receives her messages. The phone number memorized so well & she wasn’t surprised to hear the soft ‘click’ that leads to his voicemail. ❝Just wanted to remind you that the weather still has been chilly, so please don’t forget to dress warmly!❞  cheery voice to encourage him, perhaps lesson learned from being too much of a mother hen.

She just hopes he’s alright ---.