Only time will tell its tale (Closed)

[de_faulty_hero]

Characters: de-faulty-hero & heart_rhythm
Location: Bitch's Brew Bar
Rating: PG
Time: December 24, Early Evening
Description: Cloud has returned from Europe, and he stops in to visit a friend while at work.

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[heart_rhythm]

Tifa had taken a day off work after the attacks on the mall, recovering from minor wounds obtained there. They had really been nothing, nothing that should couldn't work with, but the bar had been slower lately because of the holiday and they hadn't really needed her there with slight injuries.

The day before the big holiday, however, she was the only one working and it almost wasn't even needed then. This holiday seemed one that families celebrated together, from what she could gather, and the people here had banded together enough to make do. Marlene had mentioned spending the day together, and Tifa had to assume she meant with Cloud as well. Tifa slowed in the dishes she was washing, realizing she'd barely seen him since she'd arrived. He'd been in Europe, and she'd been trying to work things out here. Some things really never changed.

When she heard someone come in and sit down at the bar, it was a bit of shock to see Cloud there. A wave of nostalgia passed over here to see him there, serious and expectant, probably not here for a drink. He had come home and to her bar to check on her.

Drying off her hands, she approached him, a soft smile touching her lips. "You're back."

[de_faulty_hero]

He spotted her about the same time that she spotted him it seemed. He nodded at her and simply laid his forearms on the bar, lacing his fingers together as he watched her approach. Their last meeting had been a little tense, but he wasn't about to let that show either. He wasn't going to give up on AVALANCHE and the foundation of sanity that they provided for him.

"It seems that way," he replied nonchalantly to her obvious statement. She looked good, just as he last remembered her to be. "I heard there was a little fun at the malls while I was away. Kick out any teeth?"

Maybe she would just throw around relatively innocent by-standers. "It's pretty quiet here. Some big holiday that 'Christmas' thing has to be."

[heart_rhythm]

Crossing over to stand in front of him, she surveyed him as well, feeling a bit of relief that he looked good as well. She knew she didn't have to worry about him, but that didn't stop the feeling from hiding away in the back of her mind anytime she knew he was fighting.

She glanced around the bar a little and gave a shrug, "Well, I think the point of this 'Christmas' is spending time with loved ones, not in a bar." There was a pause, but Tifa decided to hold off a little longer on mentioning Marlene's idea to spend the holiday together. Things felt alright, comfortable even, but she'd let it get a little more comfortable first, perhaps.

"And no, not teeth this time," she looked back to him, "but there was some excitement here that you missed out on. I found my Weapon form."

[de_faulty_hero]

While he could feel her appraising look, he knew that she wouldn't find any obvious injuries on his skin. He had a few healing bruises from the odd bumps along the way, but beyond that, he was healthy. The injuries that were more than bruises were hidden under his sleeveless sweater or spaulder.

"What about those people without loved ones to spend it with? Unless Death City is that perfect place where those people don't exist," he murmured and glanced around the bar. He knew that wasn't the case, but he was almost glad that they were alone. It was rare they saw each other after all.

"Oh, what is your weapon form and how did you find it out?" He always remembered that stair incident that was broadcast. Tifa was far smarter than throwing herself down some stairs thankfully. "Wait, let me guess... you're a weapon that you yourself used to use on Gaea?"

[heart_rhythm]

Likewise, all the visible injuries Tifa had acquired merely gave a scratched up appearance. The kishin egg she'd fought had left a few more marks that she'd covered up. Leaning forward onto the bar, she smiled softly at his comment, "Well, they're staying in out of the cold, if nothing else."

The smile stayed on her lips as he guessed about her form. "It's that obvious, hm? You're right though. The Premium Heart."

It felt strange to talk about it this way, even stranger to remember being the weapon she'd become so used to using.

"I ran into a Meister there, and we had to resonate to fight off a kishin egg."

[de_faulty_hero]

He didn't see why anyone would want to stay out in the cold when there were so many warm places to hide away in. Plus, this was war, and it didn't stop for some funny holiday tradition. If anything, Death City had a track record for having holidays ruined. Maybe having a few lonely people out would give them warning for once.

Shrugging his shoulders, his lips twisted into a brief arrogant expression before fading away again. "Most people seem to have forms that they feel close to, so it was just an accurate guess." Everyone had come up with the theory before him after all. "I liked that glove. It hurt a lot when you punched with it."

Ah, a meister. Was that potential partnership in the air? He liked the sound of that. "First Kishin Egg fight too? Geez, you get into the game fast, Lockheart. Who was the meister?"

[heart_rhythm]

"I liked that glove too," she mused, going to rest her chin on her hand in a thoughtful way, "I would have liked to fight with it myself, but that's the way of this world."

Tifa still hadn't pieced together the classification of weapons and meisters, why some people were one and not another, what made people more cut out for one. It didn't bother her per say that she'd been chosen as a weapon, but it was hard to get used not wielding one herself.

As for the meister... She frowned a little at the thought of the scowling, smirking, ill-mannered man she still hadn't made her mind up about yet. "His name's Ryuuji. I'd never met him before this."

[de_faulty_hero]

"It is the way of this world," he murmured and shrugged his shoulders. If he had his way, he'd still be fighting with Ultima Weapon. He had developed quite an affinity for the blade, and apparently it had an affinity for him as well. "At least they incorporate teamwork in their partnership system."

He leaned more on his forearms, resting as much as he would allow himself in a public place. He was still wearing a sword on his back, but it was sheathed and he made no mention of it. One never knew when they would be attacked, especially in this world.

Her frown gave him an indication of the meister she might have picked up, and he allowed himself to hide his amusement. Instead, he shook his head. "Never heard of him either. What's he like? A keeper or a dud?"

[heart_rhythm]

She paid no attention to the sword on his back; it was usual to see him with one, as well as the half-relaxed demeanor he'd developed. He wasn't really one to drop his guard completely, after all, but it felt easier now with barely anyone else around them.

The fight at the mall had been a new experience, that was for sure, but not just for her. Ryuuji had no experience fighting hand-to-hand, so to take on her fighting style had been a task.

"He's a bit surly, I guess, but not unbearable. He fights with a kind of spirit energy. It reminded me of using water materia, but he had no weapon." She paused considerably, thinking on his last question, "He just happened to be the one I ran into when we were desperate."

[de_faulty_hero]

He was at least pleased that she had seen some action. As far as he was concerned, that meant that they were all one step closer to seeing action together out on the battlefield. That was a day that he was going to enjoy when it came about, if it came about. He was confident Tifa would find a partner and Aerith could be convinced to go.

"Barret without the swearing then? Or the sailor suit..." he remarked, frowning at remembering that suit. Geez, the guy needed to get rid of that thing. "Water materia was for weenies anyway, but I think I understand what you're talking about. There are several people who seem to claim that power."

He was going to take that answer as a 'no' at the moment. A matter of convenience was different planning and fighting battles together. "Well, even if you kick him to the curb, you can at least find someone skilled in hand-to-hand now that you know how to change."

[heart_rhythm]

Tifa gave a little nod of agreement, thinking of Barrett and the others who weren't here with them. There was a whole herd of ShinRa people here, but their team seemed to have come up a little short. Or at least, short on the other guys besides Cloud. Wryly, she wondered if Cloud felt some satisfaction in this: being the lone male amongst his female teammates. Not that his ego needed any more boosting.

"It's definitely a step in the right direction," she responded, bringing her eyes back to his and giving a teasing sort of smile, "the problem here is, there's so many swordsmen. No one seems to even know how to throw a punch."

[de_faulty_hero]

Well, if that guy was anything like Barret, he would have to meet that guy. Anyone who might be sticking it out with Tifa required a sizing up from him as far as he was concerned. He might be shorter than most, but he guaranteed that his Weapon was longer and perfect sharpness.

"You could ask around to see if anyone favours hand-to-hand. There's a group set up to find partners that a friend of mine helped found," he said, initially letting the comment about swordsmen go by. Then he rounded back to it as he tapped a finger against the hilt of the blade on his back. "Well, it's not our fault swords are more superior. Can't throw a punch without your hands, Lockheart."

[heart_rhythm]

Her lips curved to more of a smirk as she watched him; if they were going to get into a debate about their fighting style, she'd rather let their fists do the talking. The fight in the mall had been the first battle she'd in been for awhile, and sparring appealed to her to get back into the swing of things, so to speak.

But she was still working, and just gave another nod, "I'll probably look into that and the training sessions. It seems best to get prepared as quickly as possible here."

[de_faulty_hero]

The smirk of hers was all he needed to know what sort of thoughts were floating through her head. It had felt like a long time since he took on his friend in combat, and when they did, he usually set aside his sword for fairness. She had taken on Sephiroth with him, so she wouldn't be too rusty.

"There is training every morning, though it might be moving with all the snow and such. If you need a real fight, I'll take you on," he replied cockily. He set his forearm back on the bar counter, letting the challenge sit between them even as he returned to casualness.

"What are you doing for the holiday anyway?"

[heart_rhythm]

"I'll take that challenge up," she gave a confirming nod. It would probably be good for both of them, to get over that initial conversation, get out any excess tension. Any punch she might lay on his pretty face now would be fair game.

His question gave her pause, and she responded, "Ah... that's right. Marlene had mentioned that we could spend it together, the three of us." They had mentioned it was a day to spend with loved ones and she followed up quickly, "I think she wants to join in with what everyone here is doing, and we're pretty much the only family she has here."

[de_faulty_hero]

"I knew that you would," he replied, sounding bored even though he wasn't. Maybe she was itching to land another punch on his face? The bruise from before was gone now, but the topic of its creation lurked around. "We can plan for something."

Ah, Marlene? He supposed that kids like to celebrate stuff like this, what with giving and receiving presents. "I suppose we are all she has since Barret's not here," he drawled, leaning his chin on a hand as he considered. "I guess that would be fine, but I don't know much about this holiday. I never cared to find out, but we can spend some time tomorrow morning."