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[iluphone]

[ Kunsel's sitting at the bottom of the basement stairs, much as he has been for the past few days. He's been a lot quieter since he realized that it's Jenova whispering in his head, and that it wasn't a one time thing, and that she's not going to go away and leave him alone any time soon. Ever since she punished him for going against her will. The

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[iluphone]

Whoa--

[ Kunsel almost faceplants himself into the floor upon hearing Cloud's voice. Now that was the last person he expected to see out here. Hadn't Zack gone to Edge to meet up with Cloud and Aerith and them, after all? ]

C-Cloud...? What are you doing here, man? Oh, um--

Thanks. Just put it on the table?

[ He gestures to a pile of somewhat-eaten plates of food. ]

[iluphone]

[ This surprises Kunsel almost as much as finding Cloud Strife himself bringing him dinner, and for a moment all Kunsel can do is stare over at his unexpected company. ]

...what's up?

[ When Kunsel finally does speak, it's only to break the slightly uneasy silence. He can't fathom for the life of him why Cloud decided to sit down and stay awhile. ]

[iluphone]

Hm? Me? I'm just tired.

What brings you all the way out here?

[ Kunsel quickly turns his gaze away too, trying to steer the subject away from himself. Oh, the lying. It's beginning to become pathological. Then again, Kunsel was always full of shit, even back in SOLDIER. ]

[iluphone]

Oh. You got the news too, huh? 'm happy for her. She's gonna be a great...

[ Kunsel's voice falters slightly as he moves his bandaged arm out of Cloud's view, conveniently hiding it behind his leg as he frowns a little at himself. The word doesn't want to come. Talking about mothers just feels weird after... ]

...she's gonna be a great mom.

[iluphone]

[ It takes about... Maybe two minutes before Kunsel cracks. He's a social creature, and uneasy silence is suffocating to him. ]

...shouldn't you be getting back? I thought Zack was visiting you guys.

[iluphone]

All caught up already? ...but I guess that makes sense. You saw him more recently than I did, huh?

[ Kunsel looks pensive for a moment, gaze distant, before he manages a slightly lopsided grin, reaching over a little hesitantly before finally patting Cloud on the head in a familiar fashion. ]

Or did you come to ask me what kind of flowers to get him? Take some advice from me--forgo the flowers. Just get him cookies and he's a puddle at your feet.

[ Kunsel's mostly joking, just trying to relieve the tension in the room. There's a grain of truth there, though. Cookies are, after all, the fastest way to Zack's heart. ]

[iluphone]

Huh? Well, I'm sort of living here. Shera's got the baby to worry about, after all, and Elfé's still recovering. And Sai's, um. Busy.

[ Look, another lie. But Kunsel's had trouble looking Sion in the eye since the whole Jenova thing. There are too many questions he just doesn't have the answer to. ]

...better for everyone if I stay right here.

[ Kunsel knows Cloud's not stupid, and he also knows that Zack runs his mouth, so he's at least still telling half-truths. ]

[iluphone]

You still sore about that, Cloud?

[ Kunsel's voice is quiet, weary as he calls weakly out for Cloud even as the other is leaving. For once, he almost sounds his age as he covers his face with one hand, shutting his eyes. ]

SOLDIER wasn't ever anything but a pretty lie. I might've gotten in, but I'm not...

I'm not strong like you. Or Zack, or Angeal, or even Shera. I...

I let her get inside of me. In my head. I'm not--

I can't stop her. I've tried, but I...

All I can do is stop myself.

So just--

...don't tell Zack, okay? Please. I don't want him to know.