You'll Always Be A Memory

[backoff]

WHO: Cloud Strife + You
WHERE: A room that's part office and part bedroom
WHAT: Calibration. Cloud has been in his own mind before to find his true self. This time it's different.
WHEN: During the event
WARNINGS: Sephiroth gets his own warning enter at your own risk (if you don't want any of scenes don't touch the black feather), cross-dressing, blood, alcohol, death, fire. (side note: you can touch the Buster Sword multiple times for different scenes if you want to avoid death scenes with it please state so)



The room is divided in a split, both rooms look simple and run down. The left side of the room is an tiny office space. A desk that doesn't have a lot clatter with a lone chair behind it. As if it was used rarely, there's an old style cord phone on the desk. A tiny vase with a yellow flower in it. A glass with red liquid partially filled on top of what would seem like bills. There's a dart board on the wall, right next to it is a calendar with scribbled notes. A window to look out of for the view of Edge.

The right side of the room is the bedroom. There's a dresser along the wall that has several objects upon it. A pair of long golden earrings carefully land on upon a folded up dress that appears to be black and blue. In the middle of the dresser is a infantryman helmet as if it was trying to be a center piece for something. Right at the edge of the dresser is a black feather threatening to topple off of it and flitter towards the ground. The object leaning on the dresser closer to the door is the Buster Sword.

There's a bed in the room under another window. This window appearing to be raining outside with dark clouds.

Cloud is leaning against the wall at the back right where the room splits down the middle. His arms are folded, his head is down as he stares at the floor. It's quiet, peaceful and boring.

Comments

[deal_me_in]

A lot of big organizations had their secrets. This Shinra thing. Clovis Bray. Maybe that's why Cayde doesn't seem terribly surprised.

"Oh, I do. I mean, glowing eyes aren't that unusual," he says, gesturing vaguely towards his own with a wink, "-but if you're not Awoken or Exo or, yeck, Hive, then there is probably a Story behind it."

He shrugs. "Of course, that's only going by things I know. May very well be something common where you're from, but with what you've said, maybe not."

[backoff]

Cloud nodded at Cayde, that made more sense why he didn't seem at all that surprised by it. If they were that common where he was from. "There is a story behind. My story starts from that first meeting with Zack."

He gives a small sad soft smile. "Don't worry. I'll try my best to not get too emotional. I normally don't. It was sudden and unexpected." Cloud gives a small frustrated pout at that.

"The Planet I'm from their SOLDIERs have it because of the mako infusion. They get enhanced abilities but only certain people can really take on the infusion." One must have a great mental will, doesn't matter if you're physically fit.

"I never made it as a SOLDIER."

[deal_me_in]

The Exo smiles wryly. "Memories have a way of doing that. Anyway, if you don't feel up to it, no one's forcing you."

They don't even have drinks to share over story swapping- not that there's much swapping going on, but it still feels weird having such serious conversations without some liquor to hide behind. Cloud continues with his story though, so it's only fair the Cayde feels he should hear him out.

"Okay, so maybe you should explain what this Mako stuff is. I'm assuming it's some kind of...power source or something? Radioactive? Is that why the eyes glow? There was a lot of stuff with Mako reactors so..."

A pause. "...you drop out of being this super-infused soldier thingy?"

[backoff]

"Mako comes the Lifestream. We make materia out of it so we can cast spells and skills and other things. In a liquid form scientist can inject it however they need. Shinra has many big secrets and use not only Mako to make some of their top tier SOLDIERs." Cloud remembers what Zack told him how SOLDIER was nothing but a den full of monsters and to stay out. He sighs knowing he would never achieve his dream and he lost so much more.

He walks over towards the bed and sits down on the edge of it. Cloud pats the space next to him offering Cayde to come along.

"You might want to sit for this one."

[deal_me_in]

"Oh, waitwaitwait- I've heard about materia! Yeah! Reeve told me about it once. And the Lifestream." So the materia's more a byproduct of some sort. It's still a lot to digest, but Cayde thinks he's got the gist of it.

He looks towards the bed and then steps over to join Cloud there for a seat.

[backoff]

"Reeve and I know each other. We come from the same world but... I think there's something different from him. You can tell me what else he might have told you. It could be helpful." Cloud's not sure what exactly. But he knows that Reeve is a bit different from the one he knows. Reeve is still his friend even if not from the same world.

He turns to face Cayde. "I'm an failed experiment by Hojo. I guess he thought Zack and I would be perfect candidates. He probably didn't know which one of us killed the greatest war hero general. No one can best him. There's more to that first memory you witnessed." Cloud puts a hand over his heart. "My story is long, painful, confusing and a lot of loss."

[deal_me_in]

Cayde nods. "He told me how materia's used to do magic- like...the knowledge of past, natural magic users, crystallized or somethin'." Which is still a weird thing to process. "And the more you use it, the stronger it gets until it makes something new." He gestures vaguely. "I'm super-paraphasing.

The admission of being a failed experiment is something of a surprise. "Failed how?" It's hard to read that metal face, but there's maybe the slightest shift of his metal brow. Yeah, he is not a fan of loss.

"Hey look. You don't have'ta explain if you'd rather not. Stories, especially past ones, ain't all impromptu dance missions and frilly dresses." He keeps going back to that but there really is no better contrast that he can think of.

[backoff]

"Yeah, it gets stronger and gives you a new one afterwards. You don't need to explain it back to me. I'm not testing you on it. At least you were paying attention." Cloud gives a small chuckle at the summary.

"I developed severe mako poisoning from the experiment, which is bad." He looks at Cayde.

Cloud quickly punches Cayde lightly in the shoulder. Will Cayde even feel it? He doesn't know, Cloud doesn't even flinch when hitting metal. "Are you trying to say that you liked seeing me dressed up?"

[deal_me_in]

"Hey, I pay attention! When I want to."

Cayde sobers right quick at that. "I mean, putting stuff like that into your system just sounds like a bad idea..." Also, keyword, 'experiment.' He thankfully manages not to voice as much. "But you seem fine? I mean, it can't be the whole glowy-eye bit that's the problem."

He scowls then, not at the punch, but at the suggestion before snorting. "Never. Let us not speak of it ever again."

[backoff]

"I ended up getting Zack's memories. I was mentally broken. That's not all, but could also be controlled." He looks at Cayde frowning a bit. Cloud know this path could end in a dark place. "One of my memories was completely replaced."

There's a small pause before he continues. "It's been two years since all of that happened. My mind got healed, I'm more strong willed in both aspects that I was meant to. So I'm not... exactly failed anymore."

He smirks a bit at him. "As long as you don't bring it up. I may have to start saying you missed the chance to put the earrings on me."

[deal_me_in]

He's not even sure how that works, but the thought is terrifying. Memories are a delicate matter. Even as casual as he's been about witnessing other people's experiences, and true as he's been entertained by some of it, Cayde's still quite mindful that these are people's pasts.

Now, having someone's memories swapped about or replaced? That thought's chilling. That might have been a shudder. Robots can't shudder, can they?

"That's just..." The Exo shakes his head. "All sorts of wrong. 'm glad you healed up though. Wouldn't put it past you." Cloud had come off as a tough one from the start.

The bottom of his optics lid in a half-squint, but there's a smirk right back. "Deal."

[backoff]

Cloud watches Cayde knowing that part alone could be unreal, unheard of it, but it's the truth. It's not strange for robots to shudder. They probably make a lot of noise while doing so.

"It wasn't exactly easy. Tifa helped me through it. Sort of like this room... but different. We were still inside my mind." He gives a shrug since it's hard to explain. Cloud kept trying to prove himself and it's something he'll continue to do.

He moves his right hand out towards Cayde. He knows how these things work.

[deal_me_in]

Cayde is not a squeaky, clanky robot, thankfully. He nods as he considers what Cloud tries to explain. "Okay..." he says as he strokes his chin. It makes more sense, being where they are now. Anything further he figures will start drifting into Warlock territory.

With Cloud extending his hand then, the Exo grins a bit, mirroring the gesture to take hold of it.

[backoff]

Cloud doesn't have a lot of energy to talk about the Lifestream. He's not sure how much Reeve really said. It can lead to a more magical and a scientific explanation. He's really great at wielding swords, combat training, Shinra security training and overall he's good at fighting. He could go over alien cells within his bloodstream another time.

He grips Cayde's hand giving it a firm shake.

[deal_me_in]

That was perfectly fine. Cayde might be surprised he even got part of what Reeve had explained about it, but then he probably gave the dumbed down version too. From his understanding someone blended up magical memories and thought it'd be a brilliant idea to juice up some soldiers with it. That's enough to explain glowing eyes to him, at least.

In any case, the two had an understanding here. Most importantly, or at least so far as Cayde's concerned, he's discovered that Cloud has a sense of humor, somewhere in there. Also a good dancer. Can't hurt to keep that little detail in case he needs to make a quick bet.

He shakes Cloud's hand, giving him a nod. "Well, this has been weird but oddly educating."

[backoff]

A dumbed down version wasn't bad in case others had been still having an issue thinking about what it is. The Lifestream is tricky since that's also included in the whole materia making. The glow of the eyes is from the mako, so it's easier to explain the Lifestream. The extra abilities would be the enhancements.

Cloud's not completely all icy or defensive. He does play hard to get but that has a lot of trust issues and other things littered for him to keep those shields up. Cayde's seen these sides but now he may get lucky and see it out there.

The young man gives a small smile as he tightens his grip harder than he had been and does not let go. "Are you sure you want to go with those words?"

[deal_me_in]

Oh, is that how he's playing it? Cayde matches that grip with a lopsided grin before hesitating as he considers what Cloud's said.

"...okay, yeah. Probably not."

A pause.

"-I'm still holding to the whole weirdness though. Not often you get to share a mind trip. ...all right, maybe I should just stop talking."

[backoff]

Cloud's used to people backing off. It's different when Cayde grips back. He's a bit surprised by at first but he ends up smirking in a cocky way. He'll continue to apply strength. Maybe he's testing how far Cayde can go.

"I can let you get away with the weirdness." He gives the Exo a jokingly kind of look. It's very brief. "Do you stop talking?"

[deal_me_in]

Does it count when you're in someone's head? Maybe they can cheat somehow. Either way, Cayde's not one to back down. He obliges Cloud by tightening his grasp, still maintaining that grin.

"Not really, no," he admits. "It's one of my many charms."

[backoff]

Why would Cloud cheat in his own mind space? Cloud tilts his head curious as he keeps his eyes on Cayde's robot face.

"And your other charms?" He's intrigued over Cayde not backing down and continuing to give it right back. The challenge seemed interesting enough.

[deal_me_in]

Why wouldn't you?! ...clearly thankfully, even not everyone thinks like Cayde.

Those glowing optics narrow, not in a hostile manner, especially not with that smirk still present. "What! You don't expect me to dish all my secrets! Hand's just been dealt, and it's way too early to fold."

[backoff]

There's other ways to gain the upper hand.

Cloud goes to try to twist their arms a little. He's testing the waters to see if he even can. "But didn't you say talking was one of your charms."

[deal_me_in]

"Ouch! Is that an insult?" Cayde had been too intent on matching grips that when Cloud starts switching up tactics, he almost fumbles.

"Have you not been listening to me this entire time?" he continues, even as he works at trying to keep their arms in the original position. He may have more durability and strength as an Exo, but this sort of test of strength isn't really his forte, not that he'd been sure what they were trying to accomplish here to begin with.

[backoff]

"No," Cloud smirks a little at least Cayde can keep up. "Maybe I want you to keep talking. You might eventually tell me. What else are we going to do?"

He's a bit impressed over Cayde being able to keep their arms in the original position though. Accomplish what? Cloud's all about strength in skill here, maybe he might be in need of a sparring partner at some point too.

[deal_me_in]

"Hey, be careful what you wish for! But don't think you'll get me so easily."

Cayde grins, even as he continues to work at keeping his arm from twisting in some weird direction. "For starters though? Usually arm-wrestling is done with elbows on a table. Also, just an idle thought, but how long do you suppose this whole thing lasts?"