[audio]

[soldierboy777]

[Zack sounds more than a little distressed and barely realizes how fast he's talking.] Hey, uh, if anyone happens to see a spiky-headed blond guy wandering around town, let me know!! He's not supposed to be out of bed yet! Damn, maybe he -

[There's a crash.]

Aerith! I lost him again!

Comments

[ibringpaine]

He disappeared again?

Can't seem to keep him in one place.

[chuckles]

Need help finding him?

[Action]

[ibringpaine]

Ah.

[Finishes her water and a Moogle refills it.]

He hit on me. I let him live.

[She's not sure how much to tell the kid - there was the mistletoe and the sparring, and then there was the bonding over the love potion...]

[Action]

[dormantstrife]

Sounds like Zack.

[He glances up at her, curious now.]

He had a fan club back in our world.

[Um.. not that Cloud was in it or anything.]

[Action]

[ibringpaine]

[She chokes on her water. Gippal would be jealous.

If she ever told him, anyway.]

Really.

Were you in it?

[She remembers something about Cloud being fun to tease. Might as well try it. Then she could tell Rikku and Yuna that she was lightening up.]

[Action]

[dormantstrife]

[Why was she asking him such silly questions? If the blush was any indication..]

N-no.

[He's definitely lying.]

[Action]

[ibringpaine]

[Riiiight. Nice try, kiddo.]

I wonder what the newsletters were like.

Probably something like 'Zack killed another fiend today. His muscles bulged.'

[Look of disgust. She doesn't understand people who fawn all over others.]

[Action]

[dormantstrife]

[He sighs quietly, shrugging.]

Something like that.

[Actually, he can't remember the reason why he joined. Maybe he lost a bet.]

[Action]

[ibringpaine]

[She totally just caught you, you know.]

You done with your pie?

[Action]

[dormantstrife]

[...Change of subject! You didn't hear anything-]

I'm done.

[Action]

[ibringpaine]

[Don't worry, Cloud. She won't tell anyone.]

Good. We can either wait here for your keeper, or I can take you back to the hotel.

And Zack can freak out again when he gets here and you're not here.

[Action]

[dormantstrife]

[Should he risk Zack tearing up the town? He thinks about it for a few moments.

...

He'd stay. Only because he didn't want to make Zack worry more.]

I'll send him a message.

[....when he figures out how to send texts.]

[Action] Zack is jumping in next!

[ibringpaine]

[Probably for the best.

She takes out her sphere and switches it on.]

Zack. Cloud is ready to go back.

Re: [Action] Zack/Aerith/Cloud/Paine order, I think xD;

[soldierboy777]

[Luckily, Zack had long since gotten the message that Cloud was at the cafe and okay. He'd just been awfully...distracted by Aerith.

But now at getting Paine's message, the two of them dash to the cafe, Zack immediately grinning in relief.] Spike, I swear, you're gonna give me gray hairs at this rate!

Re: [Action] Okay by me! <3

[pink_aerith]

[The flower girl would like to point out that her boyfriend is as much as a distraction than anything else, but luckily Paine found Cloud. That was a relief.

So after lots of running, or at least, Zack dragging her to the cafe, she finds Cloud sitting at the cafe with Paine. A giggle escaped her lips at her boyfriend's words.]

Oooooh? Are you finally admitting that you're really old, hm? [She crosses her arms and thinks about it.] I wonder if it isn't too late to find a younger man now~

[Oh crap. No. Must not tease...okay back to Cloud, then Paine.]

I'm glad that you're okay. Zack almost sounded like you were kidnapped... [She looks at Paine with a smile.] Thank you for much for finding him, Miss. Paine. We really appreciate it.

[Action]

[dormantstrife]

[He stays in his chair, staring down at the empty plate, just listening to the lot of them talk. He felt like a such a kid.

He stands and pushes in his chair before slipping by the three of them and heading out of the cafe. He could find his own way back.. maybe.]

[Action]

[ibringpaine]

[Poor kid, she thought. No wonder he took off. She nodded at Aerith and Zack and watched at the kid started towards the door.]

No problem. Make sure not lose him again.

[She heads towards the door and catches up with Cloud.

Before opening the door and leaving, she says to him quietly:]

If you need help getting away from them again, let me know.

[And with that, she's gone.]