(Untitled)

[advent_yazoo]

There is a train station down in the slums that's atracting a lot of attention - in part, because of Yazoo and Loz, but also due to the fact that people keep showing up to wait for some mysterious order that has yet to be issued. Yazoo, at present, is busy poring over charts and maps one last time, occasionally glancing up to take note of a

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[gongaga_boy]

The roar of a motorcycle engine announces Zax's arrival, the headlight glaring bright as he brings the bike to a stop outside the growing crowd.

He seems preternaturally calm as he dismounts and makes his way over to join the brothers; the rigidity in his stance belies this, however.

"Yazoo," he says by way of greeting, nodding his head. "Loz."

[advent_yazoo]

Yazoo looks up from his papers and gives him a brief nod. "How many more do you expect to arrive?" he asks without preamble as he returns to his papers.

[gongaga_boy]

"Aerith's coming," Zax says, glancing around at those already assembled. "I think Cloud is coming too. Maybe more than one of him. ... Sephiroth isn't, so don't wait up for him..."

[midgar_bloom]

Aerith was speed-walking before, but when she sees the crowd she breaks into a run. "Zax!"

She arrives only a little red-faced from exertion. "Hi," she gasps, drawing herself up.

[gongaga_pride]

There's a brief, very loud commotion from somewhere outside the crowd. But when a path opens, it's just Zack walking in. Apparently he just materialized in the middle of a lot of people. For once, that usual grin of his is missing. He looks ready for a fight.

"Oi! Zack, Aerith! Clone guys!" He flashes them a quick grin before looking around. "I'm here. So what's the sitch? What's my role in all of this? Any orders?"

[gongaga_boy]

Zax blinks and lets out a short laugh as his alternate arrives. "Not much for subtlety, huh, Zack?" He jerks his head minutely in the direction of Yazoo and Loz. "I think they're waiting to see who else is gonna show up."

[gongaga_pride]

"Hey, I'm dead! Why be sublte if I can't get hurt?" He grins crookedly and laughs for a few moments. "So who else we expecting here? Chocobo Head? Little Miss Shrill Ninja? The General?" He rattles off a few more names, usually of lower-ranked SOLDIERs and a few Shinra employees.

"So... what's up? The Space Thing causing trouble again?"

[gongaga_boy]

"I'm pretty sure Cloud's coming. Both of them, I think." Zax crosses his arms, grinning. "You're in the past, Zack, the ninja is an eleven-year-old in Wutai. The General... well, he's not coming, but..."

[ex_pyrocumu]

Cloud was brushing snow from his shoulders as he walked nonchalantly into the train station. Warning were all well and good, but it had been a pain trying to find the place without a map, especially since he'd wanted time to settle affairs at home Just In Case.

"Am I fashionably late yet?" he asked as he wandered up to Zax, Ravi appearing in the air above them and chittering excitedly. The blue fire lizard had been outfitted with a modified bangle and was carrying a fire materia that glimmered in the inadequate light of the station. Cloud looked up and him and offered a hand for the lizard to land on before he started setting fires in his pre-battle agitation.

[gongaga_boy]

Zax is mildly surprised by the snow, but little oddities no longer bother him as much. He grins.

"You're about on time, actually, everyone's still filtering in. I see your egg hatched."

[ex_pyrocumu]

"Sweet. Got turned around in sector three, 's all," Cloud said, before grinning the grin of the rather besotted and holding his forearm out to show the lizard off a bit.

"His name's Ravi. Ravi, no setting Zax on fire." The lizard chirred, almost turning his head upside-down in an effort to get a good look at Zax, his eyes whirling greeny-yellow in excitement.

[clod_strife]

A small group - barely a squad, really - of young men make their way over, all clad in the attire of ShinRa's baseline military arm, laden down with swords, rifles and all the necessary items required to make things dead and keep yourself alive.

One of them is complaining about the directions they were trying to follow to get here. Cloud nudges him into silence as they approach.

It's entirely possible one of them is named Johnny, and/or is coming along to make sure Zax is okay.

[gongaga_boy]

Nice timing on Cloud's part. And with the cavalry in tow! Not bad, kid. Zax gives a cheerful wave.

"Hey, Cloud! Glad you made it to the party. What kind of party favors you guys packing?"

Zax would not know Johnny as the unfortunate soul with the starry eyes for him, but he would at least sort of appreciate the sentiment.

((Incidentally, I am fail at responding at anything like on time. I blame going to a con and then getting sick.))

[clod_strife]

That might be the one, other than Cloud, returning the wave.

Cloud adjusts the Materia-laden bracelet on his wrist as he lowers his arm. "Just a few things we'll probably need. Med-supplies, munitions, a range of Canned Goods," referring to the one-use Magic canisters, "Generally loud noises, bright flashes and things that hurt up-close or from a distance."

One of the other soldiers contributed to the list. "Bullets, blades, bombs, bayonets, hollowpoints, HEAT rounds, dum-dums, razor-wire, sharp sticks-"

Cloud cuts him off. "Yes, thank you Kilkrazy, I think he gets the gist."

"I wish we'd brought the trubuchet..."

"We couldn't bring the trebuchet, it wouldn't fit in the van!"

Johnny pipes up. "I brought packed lunches!" They were, indeed sandwiches wrapped in plastic and with the crusts cut off. "Does anyone want Cucumber and Mayo? Salami?"

Cloud exhales a short puff of air. "...Anyway."

[gongaga_boy]

Zax's grin is slow and wicked and yes, under all the gentleness, protectiveness, and big-brother complexes, there is a SOLDIER boy who likes to blow shit up. "I like your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter. Shame about the trebuchet, though."

He waves a declining hand in Johnny's general direction, though not without a 'thanks for the thought' nod, and turns his attention back to Cloud. "So. Are we ready for this shit or what? We are going to be making one dead space bitch."

[leela1]

She's leaning against a post, quiet and observant - and out of the way ofr now. Hair tucked up under a hat, she keeps to the shadows to remain inconspicuous for now. Waiting for a nod from her temporary allies, waiting for a sign.