[Closed] Catch-all

[silentnarration]

WHO: Squall, and others
WHAT: Catch-all for miscellany + girlfriend is gone
WHERE: Dorms?
WHEN: February
WARNING: Experiencing loss?

[Top levels within.]

Comments

Loki - Feb 8 ish?

[silentnarration]

[It's early. The sun hasn't even risen but there's a far too anxious and aggressive banging on the door to Loki's room. Squall doesn't really sleep much and when he does he wakes far too early. And something is deeply off about today. He feels empty. Cut off. A quiet where he never noticed there was sound. There's an edge of panic in his voice.]

Rinoa! Rinoa!? Open the door!

[He just needs to see her to reassure himself. Know that he's worried over nothing.]

[morethanatrickster]

[Loki's sleep has never been something one could call restful, his mind was always active and he'd always found it difficult to quiet it, but he'd found sleep last night.

He didn't rouse from his bed immediately, only realizing no one was responding to the pounding on their door after a moment. He sat up, running a hand back through his hair to smooth it and frowning at the empty bed across the room, untouched. He'd assumed when he'd gone to bed last night she'd been spending time with the man currently pounding their door in.

It was with a sinking feeling he proceeded to open it, clad in loose-fitting muted green pants and a deep-gray, wrap-around top.]

Come in, but stop shouting.

[silentnarration]

[Squall has the same problem, kind of. Though his mind tends to go in circles worrying about things that are going on.

His heart sinks when it's Loki who answers. He scowls and tries to push past him, walking right in and freezing at the empty bed.

She's not here.

Why isn't she here?

He clasps a hand over his chest and tries to focus inward. They still don't know how the bond works yet but they already know it's there. He tries desperately to reach out.

Rinoa. Rinoa!

Nothing. He never felt anything unique from the bond before but now that it's gone...

He clenches his fist and there's a crackle of electricity ready to be let loose in the room.]

NO!!

[morethanatrickster]

[He raises his chin slightly at the brashness of the boy pushing past him with not so much as a greeting, flexing his jaw in order to chew the cutting remark that sprang to the forefront of his mind. Rinoa had mentioned her Knight, the eager and awkward boy who watched her from afar and seemed to love her with no idea what that might mean in practice, mentioned that the Knight and the Sorceress shared some sort of bond he'd wanted to explore...

...she hadn't been visiting her beau the evening past, and now he's missing her. He took a sharp breath and eased the door shut behind the boy, then turned and faced him, arms at his side, apparently relaxed, but ready to spring to action of need be.]

I'll ask you not to destroy my room in your rage.

[silentnarration]

SHUT UP!!

[Lightning strikes at the wall above Rinoa's bed, a tiny explosion accompanying it that's too close for comfort in such a small room. He raises his hand again - his left where a spell tattoo sits - and a radius of light surrounds him, one that lets him summon a spike of light in said hand.]

They took her!

[He needs to tear this town apart. Rip into every one of the Head's iterations. Something. Anything.]

Seifer - Feb 8 - after Loki thread

[silentnarration]

[Will it kill Seifer to answer the damn phone? He's been calling. Again and again after the dreadful discovery. Even left him messages as he packs up and grabs a bike rental to head out to the forge.

Where are you?
Pick up
Dammit Seifer

He's not about to immediately do something stupid and reckless anymore but it's hard to think. Hard to breathe. He feels empty, angry, upset... He wants to do everything and nothing all at once. It's probably a miracle that he didn't crash into anyone heading out of the city. He doesn't even park or kill the engine of the bike properly when he arrives, just gets off and lets the bike fall on its side - the safety mechanism thankfully kicking in.]

SEIFER!

[He yells once he gets inside, slamming a hand against the metal door they repaired so many months ago. His voice cracking and his desperation obvious in his tone. Even knowing the forge is usually too loud for Seifer to hear him, he doesn't care. He strides forward and there's relief and anger both as he reaches out for him.

It shows on his face. Something is clearly very wrong.]

God dammit, answer your damn phone!

[firacrux]

[Times like these are when having a phone on hand would be ideal, wouldn't it? He hadn't even considered it when he left early for the forge. The thing was listened in on anyway, it wasn't safe.

Nothing was, and today was really about to drive that home.

Predictably he didn't hear the banging, not above the noise of likewise banging machines and his own hammer, giving pause when he thinks hears his name.

Weird.

He'd been about to get back to work when Squall made his appearance. Shouting at him about the stupid phone. Pulling off his goggles he looked about to say something nasty back but paused.

There was something wrong, the look on Squall's face said it all.]

What happened?

[silentnarration]

[He wouldn't have said anything right then. Squall was lucky Seifer turned into a forge-head.

He reached out to grab Seifer by the shirt near his shoulders, almost reminiscent of that time he saw himself kill Seifer. He looks lost and guilty all at once and he doesn't know what to do.]

Rinoa's gone.

[It hurts. He looks away after he says that, hands trembling, trying for some maddening reason not to cry.

He tried to protect her and he failed. Just like that.]

[firacrux]

[There's a moment where Seifer was about to shove Squall off of him, he doesn't get the grabbing thing the guy does and he very much dislikes it. But again he's too paralyzed by the words that come next.]

What?

[He snaps, far harsher than necessary while his mind reels to catch up to the implications of that. Rinoa's gone, again, Squall's the one left here alone this time... Squall, the Knight, without his Sorceress.

Surely she went... no. Oh no.

The irritation drained out of him immediately and for a moment he stood there, just watching Squall, brows furrowed while it all began to sink in. Squall's demeanor, how poorly he was holding himself together, and just the full weight of this. Oh Hyne. They'd all failed her.

Since he'd not bothered to move away instead of pushing Squall off of him Seifer just reached out to wordlessly wrap him in a bear hug instead. Somehow that seemed a better response than telling him off for crying.]

[silentnarration]

[Grabbing is for stressful situations, okay? And considering what he knows of people who disappear from the dorms. Or those who've been turned into robots... He failed her. It doesn't feel like there's a way to come back from this.

He opens his eyes wide from surprise when he's suddenly drawn into a hug. He expected... yelling, cursing, more disparaging remarks, 'I told you so's. He doesn't look up from where his head is turned against Seifer's shoulder. His own arms go around Seifer's back instead, clutching at his shirt as he breaks down into broken sobs. He shouts, wordless but sometimes it's her name that cracks through his voice.

He's never felt this shattered.]

Waking up 8|

[silentnarration]

[It's a couple of hours before Squall stirs with a frown, bringing a hand to his face. He grunts when attempting to sit up just causes another wave of nausea to hit. Then he stays lying down when he remembers why he's even here. At least he's run out of anger and tears for now.

Hyne, he hates this city so much.

Eos is still snuggled up against him and chuffs. He absently reaches over to pet him. They'll have to pick up Rinoa's cat from Loki's place too. Everything about this sucks. Maybe if he keeps his arm thrown over his eyes, he won't have to deal with any of this for another minute. Plus, it's nice he didn't wake up lying on some dirt ground for once.]

[firacrux]

[Right on time, or rather on better time than Seifer had been anticipating for the worst case scenario. Fortunately Squall hadn't been put down hard enough to be out for days, and Eos is a good nurse pup.

Yeah, he expected the reluctance at getting up, too.]

Rise and shine, Princess.

[He rumbled, having spotted Squall's stirring. Time to get up and make that coffee, extra sweet. He'll go get something for the nausea later.]

Try a few deep breaths, helps clear the head.

[skyward_eyes]

[Is Nida allowed to dibs the Peacat? Well, maybe Squall needs her more. As for Squall waiting, Nida moves away from the shelves he'd been sitting on top of because of his nerves. He jumped down and moved to the coffee maker. Sorry, Seifer, this is the only way he can be useful. Defaulting to obedient SeeD for just a moment, let him have this.]

You need anything other than coffee, Boss?

Cloud and Tidus - forestventures - early Feb

[silentnarration]

[This is it! An exciting day of showing Boko the forest in the midst of the feelings of doom rampant around the city. Because really even Squall is tired of feeling hopeless and helpless all the time.

It's not quite a saddle but Squall has managed to fashion some belts together with a tiny carabiner around a belt loop on either side of Boko. A small canvas bag hangs from each of it with some leafy treats inside one and a few balls from the ball pit in the other. He doesn't know why he did this. It just feels right to prepare for the little outing and it gives him something to do, okay?

The forest meets the edge of the city so it's just a matter of them taking a bus there - bird and all. Gunblade resting by Squall's waist in a sheathe. He doesn't expect anything out there but he doesn't want to be unprepared either.

He sighs and heads towards the place they agreed to meet (if they didn't all go together), excited chocobo in tow. Boko's been kweh-ing non-stop since they got off the bus.]

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus didn't come with them, since he had a few things to do beforehand, but he's there before Squall and Boko's arrival, bouncing an object against the paving that's more likely to draw attention to him before anything else. ]

Boko!

[ Well, until he calls that.

Should the chocobo's dads know anything about sports, they'll know the ball being bounced is a basketball -- otherwise, it's just an incredibly bouncy ball. More so once Tidus turns to face Boko's direction, slamming the ball beside him and making it go high, goading the bird with another sly call.

And Boko takes the bait, running on other and giving the ball a bop with its beak to send it bouncing elsewhere. Tidus laughs, already turning to go and get it, to wherever it rolls off to.

(squall and cloud who) ]

[bravers]

[A bus? Not for him. Shortly afterward Cloud should arrive, (of course) on the motorcycle that had arrived in Dualis some months ago. He's between jobs, actually- and honestly? Given everything, he'd been eager to keep his head down and pour himself into work as much as he possibly could. This was different, though.

He's not exactly thrilled about Squall's idea to dump Boko in a forest, but it's not his call. The least he can do is be here for it. Regardless, he's off his boke soon enough, locking it up and approaching the pair (and bird), which looking at his phone.

...And yeah, he's brisk.

...Even as the ball bounces past him, and someone vaguely familiar goes after it. ]

We going?

1/2

[silentnarration]

[Squall feels like he should get a car or something at this point. But it's not vital with the public transportation available. And it's a little cheaper to rent a motorcycle... for now.

And it's not dumping, it's setting him loose and then bringing him back!! There's a difference.

What is this dichotomy between his two companions here?]

Yeah... if they don't break anything.

[Squall sighs as he watches Boko try to play keep away with the basketball, bapping it dangerously against the side of a building where a shop window sits pretty. He eyes the ball suspiciously before looking at Cloud.]

Have you met Tidus?

[silentnarration]

[And instantly gets beaned in the side of his head by the basketball, followed by a triumphant KWEH.

He staggers and doubles over, holding the side of his head.

Ow.]

continues to make my own starters

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus finds out about Rinoa by the bulletin board.

He doesn't rush over to offer his sympathies, to give words of comfort or support. He knows what it's like, and sympathies, solutions or words about revenge, moving forward; he couldn't do anything with them. They helped later, but in that initial loss, for him -- it had been anger. Nothing but rage. Either that or a mind numbed to the point of being blank, hurting too deeply to want any kind of future.

He's sure there's an anger in everyone when they experience a loss like this, but can Tidus say he knows what Squall needs? They're two different kind of guys who don't really know each other, but...

...but even so, there's maybe one thing Tidus can offer. He leaves it in a note slipped under Squall and Nida's door, folded with Squall's name written on the front. A single knock in case Squall's in there and willing to go to it, but with no one waiting outside.

It reads: ]

If you need to blow some steam, reach me
Swords or fists
I know a place nearby we can go
Tidus

breaking my neat combo

[silentnarration]

[It takes him a while to get up and go to the door after that knock, so he doesn't bother opening the door. The note is... well, the sentiment is definitely appreciated. Enough for him to crack a very slight but sad smile.

Still, he doesn't feel like passing notes so Tidus gets a call a little later.]

Where are you?

[blitzcheer]

[ His answer isn't immediate, but it comes after a few rings, the noise of the city not close, but in the background. ]

I can be at the park in ten. I said the spot was nearby, but it takes 'bout ten, fifteen minutes from there.

That okay?

[ You know, if that's what this call is about. ]

[silentnarration]

[He can't think of any other reason to call Tidus for one thing. He contemplates the offer again.]

Sure. I'll be there in twenty.

[He needs... a shower... Among many other things. He's not at all presentable. But he makes it to the south end of the park later, sword in a sheathe by his side. He looks lost and while he cleaned up, the stone face he tends to keep feels more dazed and sad.]

Seifer & Arkady - mid Feb ish?

[silentnarration]

[With the time taken convincing Seifer, the executions, and varying reasons, Squall didn't actually get to call on Arkady for the task he asked of her until now. And even then it's more out of necessity than anything. Now Seifer's not the only one experiencing the loss of a sorceress bond.

Granted Squall's isn't as bad but finding himself spacing out in the middle of the day, frozen mid walk only to find hours have passed when he's himself again...

It's going to keep him from being effective in this rebellion.

Emotionally, he's far from ready to face any of this but it's not the first time he's been pushed into the front lines without much of a plan. So Arkady gets a text message:]

Seifer's ready to talk. Meet us at the roof at 18:00?

[And there he'd be, sitting on an upturned steel bucket meant for carrying water for the chocobo stable, spacing out again. He doesn't acknowledge her when the door opens.]

[hellofishies]

[ There had been a lot going on for everyone involved. For her part Arkady had been somewhat shaken by the executions more than she had tried to let on to anyone around her. On the positive side of things though it had pushed her to make the final decision to take the steps needed to remove her chip. By steps needed she of course meant dying. It'd worked. Chip came out but there were more complications than she'd expected. Mainly a noticeable hole in her head that she didn't really want too many people to see. Worrying was not what she wanted to cause in people. So she'd hidden.

But you can't hide forever and someone wanted her help. It's not like she could just turn someone away for that. Besides, the wound had healed by now. So, she came up on then behind Squall and put a hand on his shoulder. ]

Hello! I hope I'm not interrupting deep important angsty time. [ It feels like she is. ]

[firacrux]

[Ready to talk might be a bit of a reach, but he's willing to attempt this just to make Squall stop harassing him about it. And maybe help him figure out his own funk a little faster... but he's not going to admit to that.

Why did they decide to do this on the roof again? Bah, whatever. Seifer was pacing nearby, doing a poor job of keeping his nerves fully in check. That was until he heard the door open, and glanced over to spot Squall spacing out again.

He frowns, and meanders over toward something noisy to kick it loudly. That should do it.]

Don't mind him, brooding's his natural state.