[ There's seldom to accomplish in mourning those you never knew. Whether the victims were adventurers who bit off more than they could chew, or otherwise innocent denizens of this region, there's at least solace on the side of Cloud and Ayato with the blond being able to separate his feelings from the mission at hand. As harsh as it may sound (and something Cloud and Ayaka especially were reminded of the hard way), what's done is done. What's lost is lost, with only memories to carry forward. That didn't mean that neither one were to stand idly by and let any further loss come to pass. Not when Cloud had accepted this mission with the intent of nipping this problem in the bud.
When it came to the topic of death and high-risk, Cloud was thankful that he'd even thought of living a lie long enough to back up his talk. This kind of job took a levelheaded mercenary to carry it out. Even better with a well-prepared household ensuring the traveling duo were geared up. Before departing, Ayaka had already prepared enough snacks and bento for the two to last them there and back. As for Cloud, the night before leaving Sunwaning, she'd entrusted back to him his gift. Something that would not only protect her brother, but also ensure that he was the one to bring it back to her.
Only Cloud was allowed to be the one to come back and give her the Barrier Materia, now gently glowing in the slot of his Buster Sword upon his back.
After gathering intel around the safety of the outpost en route to the Abandoned Graveyard and Flooded Woods, the two were taking a moment's reprieve to collect themselves, sitting at an intimate little table with their respective bentos. Before things get serious, they lie within the eye of the imminent storm.
...
BZZZ BZZZ.
All the while Cloud lets his guard down as a half-smile crosses his lips. His phone has been buzzing both in his pocket and on the table for the past couple minutes now. Cloud, uh...might have to text back some of these, Ayato. It's your sister. ]
treading water💧(kamisato ayato)
When it came to the topic of death and high-risk, Cloud was thankful that he'd even thought of living a lie long enough to back up his talk. This kind of job took a levelheaded mercenary to carry it out. Even better with a well-prepared household ensuring the traveling duo were geared up. Before departing, Ayaka had already prepared enough snacks and bento for the two to last them there and back. As for Cloud, the night before leaving Sunwaning, she'd entrusted back to him his gift. Something that would not only protect her brother, but also ensure that he was the one to bring it back to her.
Only Cloud was allowed to be the one to come back and give her the Barrier Materia, now gently glowing in the slot of his Buster Sword upon his back.
After gathering intel around the safety of the outpost en route to the Abandoned Graveyard and Flooded Woods, the two were taking a moment's reprieve to collect themselves, sitting at an intimate little table with their respective bentos. Before things get serious, they lie within the eye of the imminent storm.
...
BZZZ BZZZ.
All the while Cloud lets his guard down as a half-smile crosses his lips. His phone has been buzzing both in his pocket and on the table for the past couple minutes now. Cloud, uh...might have to text back some of these, Ayato. It's your sister. ]
Kinda surprised the reception goes this far out.