[ Tartaglia manifesting his blade of Hydro is the first thing to grab Cloud's attention, watching as it lingers in the ground as a marker for their starting line. Everyone's capabilities manifested in different ways, of course. But ever since he'd been introduced to the concept of these elements back in the nation of Nippon, he was fascinated. It seemed like such a refined system, forged by Celestia and bestowed upon those with a strong sense of ambition. He had the latent ability to conjure various traces of elemental power from himself, but it was nothing like having the power of an element at the beck and call of your hands like the three he's surrounded by.
Cloud's not jealous. He's got his skills. ... He's not jealo— ]
Up we go.
[ With Ayaka securely harnessed to his back with his arms hooking her legs, he minds himself not to go squeezing tight when he can trust her to already start clinging in kind. It was all about smooth movements. Less up and down bouncing. Just straight ahead and rushing. No powers involved, no elemental assistance. Just the support of their respective girlfriends and a special prize waiting for them at the proverbial finish line. ...not the actual one. Time and place.
When she sneaks a kiss on his cheek, he only temporarily loses his focus with brighter, widened eyes, a blush washing over his face.
But any embarrassment he feels is immediately swept away by the affection of it all and knowing that it's Ayaka's support. So he keeps a firm hold of Ayaka on his back, leaning forward so she doesn't have to fear feeling like she would fall backwards. ]
Hold tight.
[ Cloud's never given anybody a piggyback ride for a race. This is a first for him. But as the girls count down, none of that matters to him. First time or veteran of the sport(?), he's in this to win it. Cloud may not have truly made SOLDIER, but he sure as hell was going to take advantage of everything he's got to secure this victory.
The mako towards the center of his irises almost appear to flare with life as his gaze narrows and focuses...
"Go!" ]
!
[ Cloud bursts forward! Lunging effortlessly across the ground by the force of his first kickoff. Mentally noting not to let himself jump into his steps too much, he keeps himself tilted forward as he calibrates his balance with the light weight of Ayaka on his back. He's no blur (he's sure he'd accidentally shake Ayaka off if he wound up flash stepping her JKLFSDA), but he is sprinting full tilt at the start of the race. No pacing himself here. ]
no subject
Cloud's not jealous. He's got his skills. ... He's not jealo—]Up we go.
[ With Ayaka securely harnessed to his back with his arms hooking her legs, he minds himself not to go squeezing tight when he can trust her to already start clinging in kind. It was all about smooth movements. Less up and down bouncing. Just straight ahead and rushing. No powers involved, no elemental assistance. Just the support of their respective girlfriends
and a special prize waiting for them at the proverbial finish line. ...not the actual one. Time and place.When she sneaks a kiss on his cheek, he only temporarily loses his focus with brighter, widened eyes, a blush washing over his face.
But any embarrassment he feels is immediately swept away by the affection of it all and knowing that it's Ayaka's support. So he keeps a firm hold of Ayaka on his back, leaning forward so she doesn't have to fear feeling like she would fall backwards. ]
Hold tight.
[ Cloud's never given anybody a piggyback ride for a race. This is a first for him. But as the girls count down, none of that matters to him. First time or veteran of the sport(?), he's in this to win it. Cloud may not have truly made SOLDIER, but he sure as hell was going to take advantage of everything he's got to secure this victory.
The mako towards the center of his irises almost appear to flare with life as his gaze narrows and focuses...
"Go!" ]
!
[ Cloud bursts forward! Lunging effortlessly across the ground by the force of his first kickoff. Mentally noting not to let himself jump into his steps too much, he keeps himself tilted forward as he calibrates his balance with the light weight of Ayaka on his back. He's no blur (he's sure he'd accidentally shake Ayaka off if he wound up flash stepping her JKLFSDA), but he is sprinting full tilt at the start of the race. No pacing himself here. ]