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Post by Squall Leonhart on Nov 12, 2006 20:37:38 GMT -5
The sound of clicking boots filled the area, like a militaristic pattern upon the floor. It made little difference in each thudding, but what became clearly obvious was to whom they belonged to: Squall Leonhart, or as he had asked to be called, no, more like demanded, Leon. Patrol, how tedious. The assigned routine for those in the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee was as follows: Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, Cid. It would change every now and then, usually with him taking multiple tour duties as Yuffie would find some excuse, and Cid would make the excuse of needing to maintain visuals over the entire area. That only left Aeris, but being stubborn and wanting the kind-hearted Centra to not be taken advantage of, though she didn't mind, would volunteer to take her spot, like he was doing now. "Leeeeeeeeon~!"That voice, it could only belong to one person: Yuffie Kisaragi, the so-called ninja elite of Wutai village, a secret community hidden in the mountains of some far off land that she had very little recollection about now. It was either due to her being so young, or perhaps there was more to it. Either way, it made little difference to him, all that mattered was tolerating and dealing with the hyperactive female. "... What is it now?"The female grinned from ear to ear, that smile. It was so large, it reminded him of the front grill of a large automobile, but that was beside the point. If Yuffie smiled, it usually meant something annoying was to follow, that or she had a mischievious prank she was intending to play, but what could she do from atop a pillar? Regardless, the former or latter were not exactly Squall-approved. "You work too hard! Always work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work...""... Alright, enough! I get it."The ninja giggled a bit, finding it amusing at how the older male could be made so annoyed and so easily, too. However, there was more to her presence than had been revealed so far, and remembering that she leaped down and towards Squall, landing a few feet from him. "Cid wanted me to tell you, there's a strange detection coming from the lower depths of Hollow Bastion.""Strange detection?""Uh huh, uh huh!"Even when there was potential danger, there was an uncanny silliness to her actions. It was just typical, but that meant very little right now. What mattered, the detections. "Do you know where exactly they're coming from?""Uhhhhhhhhh... uhhhhhhhhhhhh... uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...""... Well?""Uhhhhhh.... nope!""... Let's just head back and I'll get the details from Cid himself."
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Post by Cloud Strife on Nov 12, 2006 21:12:17 GMT -5
[_.A fresh start, something everyone was looking for after the past events, a new life as some would say, or talk about. That wasn't the case for the blond haired male, even if he wanted to start fresh and share the same goals as the rest, he couldn't, he wouldn't be able to. Limbs rested, folded over the width of his chest his posture supported by the solid wall behind him, where he let his mind wander in thoughts. Even when the breeze was gentle, was a soft breeze that asked for his bags of blond hair to dance along the breeze's rhythm, they would do so. Flow like flags flowing with the wind up high, but the breeze kept its gentle nature, strands of hair brushed against his forehead. What a world, so unique as the rest was this one - now under a different group, a group doing good by restoring that which was lost, in the past. A group under the leadership of a man calling himself, Leon - also known as-- no, he wouldn't bother with that. He respected this man's past, as he respected everyone else's.
With concealed hues, the wind carried the voice, a very familiar one to his ears, but he was far from view. He was on one of the roofs of the buildings of Hollow Bastion, probably an empty place. No one warned him about being around those perimeters, he wouldn't ask for trouble either, his nature was very different from any other. The loose cloth snapped lightly against the breeze, inhaling a breath into his lungs, he then exhaled it, calmed and relaxed. It was hard to hear the rest of the conversation from the two below, but he wouldn't drop in, even when he was only a guest to the place. A member, probably - but his manners would never change, the words the female ninja repeated were heard, indeed, she was after all, an adolescent with great skills. His eyes remained closed, letting the seconds, the time go by, as he settled his thoughts to come to an end. " Hm.. " that soft sound escaped his chords under a breath, eyes opened to the view before him.
Enough thoughts, he pushed his form off the wall arms unfolded to fall against his sides, the loose cloths motioned with his actions. Thud, and thad were the sounds beneath his ankles produced by his boots upon the roof, he walked on, to approach the building's edge. A structure about two, to three stories high, head lowered some to gaze down at the figures, of Leon and Yuffie, he would remain there for now, unless he was needed, of course he had his own issues, but friends would come first, they always will be - in his list._]
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Post by Squall Leonhart on Nov 12, 2006 21:22:21 GMT -5
The female ninja took off, humming and thinking to herself as she would return to Merlin's House. It would leave the lion-hearted warrior alone, unless you counted the intruding optics of the Mako-infused swordsman several feet above him.
"And how long do you intend to stay up there?"
The question was asked in a manner that, indeed, indicated he had known about Cloud being up there for quite a while, but how long? It didn't matter, only some form of answer or response.
"I know you aren't exactly a people's person, but that doesn't mean you cannot make yourself useful and lend us a hand."
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Post by Cloud Strife on Nov 12, 2006 21:52:22 GMT -5
[_.Poisoned optics followed the figure of the adolescent, leaving the male behind, he continued to observe in silence. Where his hues trailed back to the other, it was obvious the spiky haired one, wouldn't stay under a incognito status. He wouldn't want things that way, at all, instead when the words of the one some feet down, reached him, head motioned some. In agreement, disagreement? It was an idle nod, coming from the blond, himself. With a jump down, he landed on the first floor of the structure, a thud echoed as his feet made contact with the tiles on the roof. He landed almost perfectly as if the jump didn't do much, but move him from up there closer to the other.
And so with another jump he landed about a few feet away from Leon, to then walk toward the other, and to respond those words, " There were some thoughts, " taking a pause he now stood before the Gunblade specialist. " I needed to clear them out. " His tone was rather low yet loud for the other to hear, he kept his nature about. " M'hm. Let's go. " He walked forth, making his response short, the topic wouldn't be touched, there were reasons, probably the other along with the rest knew._]
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Post by Squall Leonhart on Nov 12, 2006 22:10:45 GMT -5
That was all that could be done for the moment, and so with that in mind the other male followed the blonde towards where they were heading: Merlin's House. However, while many potential questions did enter his mind, there existed a reservation about asking all of them.
"You really had Aeris worried, Cloud."
Nothing more needed to be said, that would be more than enough of a statement.
"I'm almost curious myself to ask where you've been, but it'd be too much trouble. I'm willing to accept anything you give me, but keep in mind... Yuffie won't."
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Post by Cloud Strife on Nov 12, 2006 22:29:33 GMT -5
[_.Thud, thud ... he stopped on his tracks, upon hearing those words from the other, as if his being froze that instant. Head lowered, his gaze fell upon nothing in particular, those words, that name. A sigh came forth, along with his breaths, eyelids lowered half-way, his features suddenly became soft. Giving himself the time to get a hold of his being, knowing looking like this before the others would only cause for them to worry even more. He took a breath, alas getting a grip of himself, head lifted as well as his gaze, and was adverted to Leon. His body then turned, to give his attention to the male in his presence, shifting his weight some. Giving his posture the proper position to face firmly at the other.
" There are somethings, I tried to fix, " his tone of voice was under thoughtful words, briefly he then continued, " They won't be part of this, but I'll do whatever I can to help, " head motioned after said words into agreeing with those words. " ..The rest, I must do it alone. " His words came, his answer to the other, hoping Leon would understand, but after all, they all would when things came before the chocobo-head. " Now, there are other things we need to fix. " Head tilted ever so slightly, those words came and went as the normal tone of the blond male, could be heard. He now waited to be led to this trouble, that was being caused by unknown reasons._]
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Post by Squall Leonhart on Nov 14, 2006 14:20:00 GMT -5
The responses he obtained from Cloud where not too unexpected, if anyone gave him a run for their money it was the Buster Swordsman right next to him. Alone? You remind me a lot of myself... The location of Merlin's House was not that much further, and it would be arrivated at any moment. Once there, maybe Cid or someone could fill them in on what was going on in the lower depths of Hollow Bastion. "Depending on what this is, you may want to stay behind and watch over the others. I wouldn't want you getting in over your head."
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Post by Cloud Strife on Nov 14, 2006 17:14:22 GMT -5
[_.As he turned on his heels, and waited for the other to lead, his blank mind carried only the needed thoughts. Leaving what was once again bothering him aside, at least for the time being. Head motioned agreeing with Leon's words, he would stay back and watch, but would step in, when needed. Knowing once he'd offered his help to them, he would help them to the very end of things. His features, were normal at least to those who knew the blond haired male, he kept very focused on things. Facial expressions, were nowhere to be found on this man's face, unless one noticed his eyes. Poisoned hues, which expressed a soft, yet gentle gaze toward those he didn't see as enemies.
He followed Leon without questioning the other about their destination, he remained silent, at least until his collected thoughts gnawed on his mind, for him to speak. " I ... " as if he carefully searched for the right words, following almost next to the Bastion Restoration leader lips parted, " ..I, will do what I can. " With a nod to confirm his words, he glanced over to his companion, as they entered a cave, or what it looked like to be one. A small house, or cabin was in the center of, ground, whereas the rest was water._]
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Post by Squall Leonhart on Nov 14, 2006 17:35:05 GMT -5
The brunette lowered his head, not even smiling but on the inside a smirk formulated. It was odd when Cloud didn't act a bit defiant, but maybe that was because his mind was focused elsewhere, in regions he lacked a first hand understanding of.
"You're getting soft, Cloud."
With an idle wave of the hand, the SeeD elite increased his walking pace and departed from the black-clad male. He would arrive at the large wooden door that served as the entrance to Merlin's abode, grasping and turning the golden-colored door knob, pushing to enter. The moment he did...
"Leeeeeeoooooooooooooon~!"
"Yuf-guh!"
All that could be seen ahead of him was a giant chocobo on a stick, it wiggled a few more times, but it did nothing but annoy the overly serious soldier. He shielded his seemingly disappointed face underneath a gloved hand, allowing the fingers to dance with shadows along that facial expression of his, so moody and dark. He released a low sigh, then lowered his hand to face the responsible culprit.
"I don't have time for this, Yuffie. Cid nee--"
He was cut off, by a smiling female.
"Got ya!"
"... Excuse me?"
"You're all work, work, work, work, never any fun, fun, fun, FUN! I knew the only way to get you back here would be if I said something dark and scary was approaching... an end of the world sort of fairy tale."
"I'm too old to believe in fairy tales."
"But you came, right? See? You're not all Mr. Grumples!"
"Mr Gr... whatever, I'm leaving."
"Awww, Leeeeeeeon! Don't go! I'll make it up to you, I promise! We... we... we can play Chocobo tea party!"
"I said, I'm leaving!"
"Leeeeeeoooooon~! You... you... ooooooh, you big grumple, you!"
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Post by Cloud Strife on Nov 14, 2006 18:18:51 GMT -5
[_.He stood in silence, waiting for them to walk forth and enter the destination they were heading, obviously that which was before his mako optics. The surroundings reflected in his poisoned pupils, giving the area a scan, he then placed his attention to Leon. Those words that the other said, he wouldn't answer to them. A reason to his decision, drown himself in silence. Once again the familiar voice reached his ears, Yuffie, he remained in silence, when she approached Leon. Head lowered some, dropping his gaze to avoid any sudden attention from the female, although it'd be difficult. He listened to them both, quietly, arms rested against his sides, in a modest manner. Where the loose cloths, motioned for his every movement, even when it was the slightest.
" Hn, you should still get the information from Cid, " his voice came from behind the Cadet's figure, taking a step forth, to reveal himself to Yuffie. In a brief moment he glanced to her, but returned his attention to the leader of this group. Lips parted once again, " I'll head back outside, and secure the areas. " Offering his words, even when the joke, prank or however this was qualified as by the other, hoping it would make things easier. There also reasons for this, coming from the spiky haired male, with a clouded mind he couldn't focus in fighting, unless it was to clear his mind. " M'hm, " adding a nod to said words, as he approached the Gunblade wielder. Where he only walked by the other and passed him in silence, leaving him to deal with the adolescent's amusing behavior. His intention to head back outside and wait, until he set his thoughts clearly into what his actions would be._]
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Post by Captain Cid A. Highwind on Nov 14, 2006 18:21:14 GMT -5
Although Cid had sent Yuffie with word to get to Leon regarding what he'd picked up on his sensors earlier, he knew that making sure that she'd followed through was basically required. It's not that the pilot didn't trust the young ninja, but there had been plenty of times in their past where he had questioned her ability to focus.
"After all... she mighta found somethin' shiney on the ground and gotten distracted..." he grumbled to himself between drags on his cigarette, strolling along his way. "Always turnin' shit into a game, that one is..."
His ever suspicious gaze constantly swept the scene as he walked, never quite feeling secure outside of one of his aircraft. After all, it was a lot easier to blow things to Hell with a missile or two than to fight on the ground. However, it seemed quiet for now, so much so that he could hear Cloud and Leon talking and approaching.
Deciding that they were coming for him anyway, Cid stopped and leaned back against a wall, opting to spend a few more moments working on his present smoke before casting it to the ground. Spotting the others as they came around the corner, the pilot offered them a smirk and slight nod of aknowledgement.
"Howdy there, guys... Lookin' for me? Yuffie give y'all the news, eh?" he said to them, crushing his spent cigarette beneath his boot while straightening up from the wall.
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Post by Squall Leonhart on Nov 14, 2006 18:36:29 GMT -5
Backside to them, he stopped for a moment and watched as Cloud had left them, but that was typical of the blonde.
"Cid, just what is being detected? Is it a small tear allowing Heartless to enter Hollow Bastion, or just Yuffie's reconfiguring messages again?"
If Cloud was wise, he wouldn't too far as he would want to give an ear to hear this conversation, and in realizing that decided against going to find the swordsman and turned around to face the other members of the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee.
"Whatever it is, I can handle it."
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Post by Captain Cid A. Highwind on Nov 14, 2006 18:54:39 GMT -5
The pilot immediately brought up a finger to point at the young man. "You always wanna just run off'n take care've shit yourself. You and Cloud, Goddamn... Drop the emo crap for a moment. This ain't somethin' y'all wanna be runnin' headlong and alone into, kid."
He pulled out yet another cigarette and lit up before speaking, turning his gaze to the general direction of the interference he'd picked up.
"Now, here's the deal... I didn't pick this shit up from the air on my ship. I got it from a sensor I have sorta... installed... into some communication lines since I ain't payin' for..." Cid cut himself off, realizing that he was wandering from the point and no one really needed to know that placing the sensor was just an excuse to steal cable. Then again, it had been the sudden and complete loss of his picture that had clued him in that something was wrong underground. "What I'm sayin' is that this is somethin' I'm pickin' up through EMF disturbances. I don't know if it's a subterranian rift lettin' them fuckers in or if it's somethin' completely different. I can tell you the readin's I'm gettin' are huge, buddy. Like, way fuckin' off the scale... Whatever it is, it's bad."
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Post by Squall Leonhart on Nov 14, 2006 19:59:05 GMT -5
The comment did little to phase him, but that wasn't important right now. Right now it was essential to focus on responding to Cid, working with him and making something out of this situation.
"I'm the one responsible for this group, so if I decide it is best for my presence, then that is what will be done."
That was a fact, but unlike most thick-headed leaders there was some intelligence to what he said, but it had a tendency to come out wrong if someone did not pay close attention to detail: Squall only wished to protect others, but he would not come out and say it. That was just not his style.
"Where exactly are these readings coming from?"
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Post by Captain Cid A. Highwind on Nov 14, 2006 22:58:53 GMT -5
Cid sighed to himself, before pulling the cigarette from his lips once more, and then with it in his right hand, he motioned off to the east again. "From best I can tell, it's originatin' from about fifty yards that a'way, and about twenty feet down, in the utility conduits underground."
He took a few steps toward Leon, before briefly placing his left hand on the young man's shoulder. "And yeah, I know y'all fancy yerself the leader 'round these parts, but when it comes to the layout of the technical shit underground, I'm the one with the maps and knowledge of the infrastructure. Ya can't just go runnin' off and facin' this alone, there's no sense in that, guy. For fuck's sake, we don't even know what the hell it is, yet."
His hand then slid from Leon's shoulder and back to his side, before he took a final long drag from his cigarette, then flicking it off into the street. "Could be nothin' other than someone havin' crossed some bad wires tryin' to get free porn, or it could be somethin' unlike we've ever seen before. I'm hopin' for option A, but we know nothin' is ever that simple."
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