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RULES: Post a song that reminds you of your muse and then tag 6 people whose songs you want to see. TAGGED BY: @fairlegacy​ (thank you so much!)

TAGGING: @starshell​ @levitersora​ @luciscaelum​ @fadxngmemcry @terthiodecimo @scavengess

As Tall As Lions - Stab City

How could this be? But it is. “Cloud.” He’s in some shock at first, having already come to think that since he’s far away from home then naturally he’s far away from those he’s befriended yet here before him stood Cloud. In the flesh. He’s a bit hesitant to approach, thinking that maybe this might just be some mind trick or an illusion of the fear that’s began to forge its way into his heart. Just showing him what he wants to see. He watches as Cloud lowers himself and Nanaki takes a good sniff of the held out hand. It definitely smells like Cloud. “It really is you.” For a short amount of time he stands on his two back legs in cheer before he goes back to the using of all four of them. Taking the treat he offers, rude if he doesn’t after all. “I am in one piece. No harm has come to me as of yet. I arrived only a few days ago,” he nods, “I’m surprised to see you here. Are you okay? How long have you been here? Is anybody else here?” Anybody he knows is what he’s referring to.

 The glee and humor tainted laughter subsided in a matter of minutes, the entire situation a rather humorous one aside from the why the mentioned deed had been done. “I ain’t judgin’ ya’ don’t shoot me.” Unable to detain himself from ruffling a good portion of Cloud’s blonde hair considering his miffed state at this present’s notice. “Drastic times do call for drastic measures after all- pft hahaha!” And so Zack found himself betrayed by his self-control once again, falling back into the spiraled labyrinth of humor induced laughter, ex-SOLDIER clutching his gut some. No ill was intended from his persona towards his dear friend, this was all but friendly banter, innocent to a sense — perhaps in hopes to chuck the icy atmosphere that encompassed and embraced the once upon a time infantryman who sat beside him in regards to the subjects of he who had fallen for the sake of his life, she who’s life was brutally ripped from her soft and gentle loving hands, and the mere fact that Cloud was away from friends and family that still drew breath, were still among the living and kicking it among with the rest. Zack still wished and so desired to ease any horrid ill willed woes from the young man, but he supposed not everything would be of such ease. Nothing ever was, he out of any living and breathing thing out there should know of so by now and be so painfully and aggravatingly aware of so. And oh, he was, not one should come to misunderstand that — Zack was simply and would always remain a hopeful fool however. “Yeah I would’a done what I could for her,” or anybody who was a champion of his heart for that matter. However, it remained arguable if he would actually be coaxed enough and gullible to a scale to the points where he would slip on high heels and a dress to accompany that set. Mindless of the rush and desperation that is. “No arguin’ with ya’ there.” The fair man added whilst he indulged upon his alcoholic beverage once again — or so was the plan he had in mind anywho.

 However, action in subject ceased to be and halted midway through Zack’s indulgence in par to the realization that Cloud had been entering the dawns of intoxication as his filter button seemed to have commenced its faltering and for the very words he shed and the inquiry in deliverance. “…” Silence seemed to be the most appropriate response for so at the moment as he found that the words were not coming to him with ease or were not at all fancying him at the time being. Not very wise with them for starters to begin with. Never were they a highlighted virtuous forte — he doubted that it would ever come to be. To his liking or disliking had truthfully yet to be seen even to this day, but so far the handlings of it have not at all been too shabby. Drink, set to rest upon the wooden counter that they were seated before — a small light hearted sigh expelled afterwards after some taken consideration of just how much would be appropriate to share and say and how much Zack was willing to say. Two different topics encased by one sole situation. “Ain’t pullin’ any punches are ya’?” A chuckle resonated from the depths of his throat whilst he shook his head — though not something he held against the other at all. Zack was just stalling. For the longest of times Fair always kept the strong front, never allowed himself any weakness, refused to show so, as it were clear and evident that he was embraced by those who could not be strong for themselves at the time — so Zack did it for them. As reaching and out going as he were, parts of Zack’s heart sealed themselves, he assumed permanently, but he found himself feeling assaulted in some sorts of way every time queries of such magnitude were directed towards his persona. Fair would simply never say a word, never whisper or voice it towards another soul. “Don’t worry about it.” That was all that came to mind to spare, really all Zack desired to spare and nothing really else. A rather bland and vague response, an unworthy one at that, but Zack was not going to allow himself to dwell on a past that was not his, but perhaps should have been a part of. The thought hurts and he did not want to hurt — he wanted to be the sun to end all storms — not the rain within it.

 However, Cloud persisted so and Fair was not one to deny a friend or completely shot them down. Before continuing he allowed himself to indulge in what was left of his alcoholic drink, the intoxicated liquid burning far less though his alcohol tolerance was still in its all time highs. How was it seeing her again? In the lifestream he bet Cloud referred. “I honestly don’t remember,” Fair was honest, not lying through his teeth whilst he blew hot air out for the sakes of doing so. “She was just… there.” Zack shrugged. He was devastated and elated at the same time. The feeling he felt that day was immeasurably chaotic. There was more hurt than happiness but for the sake of their reunion he showcased and placed the best of his abilities to work. He was so genuinely happy to see her again but was torn to pieces as to where it was she was doomed to be seen by his eyes again. “It was a wild ride I can tell ya’ that,” yet again another vague response. This was the past, and the grip of the past no matter how firm should not be allowed to forge with its flames a future of constant hurt, that endless cycle that was doomed to repeat over and over again. It was far too tiring even for Zack Fair. “’Nough of that!” Suddenly blurted whilst he beamed towards the other. “How about ya’ tell me about your journey huh? How ya’ came across her and all. What she say about me huh?” A playful nudge to a half bantered and half genuine question. “Did she tell ya’ anything good? I wanna know a bit about your adventure with your friends.”  A journey that much to his dismay he was doomed and foretold he would miss out on — even if perhaps in an ideal life he were there with them.

Cloud gazes down — shame never strayed too far. While the wolf that had been lurking in his shadow since their untimely deaths had parted from him some time ago, it would visit occasionally in moments like these. It rested underneath his feet, breathing heavily and yet sleeping in the midst of all the chaos around them. Absent-mindedly, the ex-mercenary’s foot shoves it away, and it abides. Fenrir was supposed to be a friend now, a lucky ride to help him tackle new missions. To replace those that Cloud had lost. The past had passed. Walk forward and stand tall, dear, anxious heart. For the world will suffer if you don’t. His eyes rise to meet Zack’s. Just there. So he hadn’t seen her enter the Lifestream with blood gushing through, he didn’t have to carry her cold body to another place... In this overplayed tragedy in his mind, he finds some kind of happy ending to it all. They had deserved it. No doubt that mercy existed. Had Zack lived only to see Aeris die, or Aeris live only to continue to grieve... that was too cruel a life to live. And yet, their continued existence, together, would have been more preferable than that. But he supposed that was asking too much. To Zack, the only fairness that applied to him was in name only. If he could smile, so could his living legacy. Or at least, he could try. He sips a little bit more, finding the end of the drink much sooner than he thought he would. “My adventure?” he asked. Oh, boy. Where to start. How much had Zack known, seen? And how much did Cloud really want to get into? “... Started after you died,” he mumbled simply. “Ended up joinin’ AVALANCHE. I know, I know... ya never liked ‘em. But Tifa convinced me, Barret too.” There he was, talking about Tifa again. “Pay was good.” As if that would make him more noble. The memories were all coming back to him, as if it were yesterday. “I met Aeris... before I went to save Tifa. I fell through the roof of her Church. She got me to be her bodyguard. Ended up losin’ her to the Turks after that. But we got her out ‘n showed ‘em a lesson.” He inhaled deeply through his nose. Skimming through a lot, weren’t you Spikey? “We... met a bunch of other people. Nanaki, Yuffie, Vincent, Cid, Cait Sith. Just a few. We fought together for awhile. Made it to Gongaga one day. ... She brought ya up then. She was real sad.” He looks ridden with guilt once more. “At the time, I... didn’t know what what was up. What she was talkin’ about. Turns out that... I had forgotten about everything. Mako radiation n’ all. And then Sephiroth, and the JENOVA cells I had... it was a lot. I lost myself completely.”

Roxas nods his head in agreement. In fact when he just got here he had absolutely no idea what he was doing or that he’s been actually helping his cause by reaching and speaking out towards others so maybe that’s what made it a bit easier for him. “Not everybody’s that bad. You have to wait a month though before these scientists deem you worthy or something.” Probably wanting to see if the person can last a month here or not before they break or something. He isn’t too sure how they work, once upon a time he cared, but not really anymore. “Yeah the first time, it’s kind of a free pass, the second time you have to undergo one of their experiments. They call them challenges here though.” Roxas shrugs his shoulders, since he isn’t too sure what they should be called in the first place. “I passed mine about a month ago now.” He chooses to say.

He looks at the older blonde man curiously. Cloud? Of course that’s his name, vaguely recalling it from Sora’s chain of memories. He smiles a bit and nods. “It’s nice to meet you Cloud. I’m Roxas. Sorry if this is a sudden change in subject but does the name Sora ring any bells for you?” He has this nudge, so he wants to double check.

“Worthy. Hmph.” Cloud scoffs. “Surprised they hadn’t done that already.” Perhaps the experimentation done to him wasn’t good enough by their standards? He shuddered at the thought of being tested once more. It seemed inevitable at this point. Best to enjoy this grace period while it lasted. “Challenges. That’s one way to put it.” There is some comfort in seeing a little squirt like Roxas passing successfully. Maybe the “challenges” weren’t as hard as he thought they’d be. “Congrats, Roxas. Wouldn’t mind joining your party once I get my stuff back. Seems like it gets dangerous after awhile over here.”