|
Post by griever on Sept 7, 2011 15:52:26 GMT -5
~ The soft beating of wings continued to fill the ears of the former 1st Class SOLDIER as he made his way through the bright afternoon skies. The rippling sound of wind rushing past his face, and the exhilarating thrill of taking a dive in mid flight only to right himself to glide, was truly a feeling of freedom. If it were not for the label of being a monster, Angeal felt as though he could live this way forever, unhindered by any force that would dare stand the way of his friends and himself. The raven haired warrior took another twenty foot dive as he continued his flight toward Edge, taking the time to pull off an entire loop before his white wings worked hastily to bring him into a steady hover. Blue eyes infested with mako scanned the horizons, taking note of the distant city and it's neighbor: the desecrated ruins of Midgar. In comparison to the rest of the land, the giant epitaph of Shinra's corporate demise was only acknowledged as an eyesore to the rest of the beauty that surrounded the Planet. However in some light of perspective, Angeal felt that it was a suitable state for the company to be in. No longer were Genesis and himself lied to on a daily basis, no longer did people from many families suddenly go disappearing into the night without a word. The evil that had once raped and nearly devoured the Planet's life source was gone, reduced to but a few select members of a suit wearing faction that now only sought to rebuild what had been lost, and seek out their misplaced former employer. A pity enough it was that people like Tseng and the rest of these Shinra scum survived the company's collapse, for it made little sense to Hewley how someone could live with themselves after committing such inhumane acts. He had to admit he was no better, for many of the acts he had done on the behalf of SOLDIER weren't right by any moral standard of sanity. Yet who were truly the real monsters, himself and his friends or the Turks?
Many would argue that it was he, however those with wings knew better.
The likes of former Shinra employees could never redeem their humanity, whether they had seen it lost of their own accord or not. Even some people were blind to what went on around them, especially when those same individuals followed so many orders so blindly, never taking the time to stop and ask or see why they were doing what they were being forced to do. Regardless they would still continue out these orders, and as a result hundreds if not thousands would suffer the consequences of a lone being's ignorance. It was this very reasoning that Angeal saw the real monsters, and decided that they all wore the same identical black suits. His brow furrowed a bit as he continued to ponder such things, however he eventually shook them all off as he decided that nothing could be done about it now. Nothing could have really been done about the three he had seen at Order's Sanctuary, for the way the battle had played out, Weiss had garnered all of Hewley's attention while that mad man Kefka saw to the others. From the looks of it upon the conclusion, no one had died as far as he knew, so eventually someone would have to put down the interloping suits. If it were his responsibility to come, so be it.
As a result of pondering what Genesis had said to him earlier in Traverse Town, Angeal had set out to investigate the status of one of the Planet's primary cities, Edge. If there was anything out of the norm that pertained to the balances of Light and Dark, the offspring of Midgar was sure to produce results. It also remained dire that he keep an eye out for anyone like that kid Sora, who wielded a giant key. For whatever Sephiroth had planned in regards to these Keyblades and their masters, Angeal did not know, however they needed a means in which to play their hand and stop whoever these individuals were from finding this X-Blade. If what Sephiroth had said was true, and the possessors of these weapons were after this Kingdom Hearts, it was all the more important that he do whatever was necessary to stop them from obtaining it. He himself had no idea what the weapon looked like, nor did he know of anyone who did, however intuition told Angeal that his old friend Genesis might know something about the Keys.
Hewley made a rapid descent through the sky, deciding to head for the center of Edge where a large monument had been erected in memory of the Meteor crisis. As his boots softly tapped against the pavement when he landed, Angeal stared up to the great disc-like structure with an expression of curiosity. Surely it had played some significant role in his home world's past, yet sadly he could not recall ever seeing anything pertaining to this newfound city. His blue eyes wandered toward the direction of what remained of Shinra's headquarters, and all he could feel was a hint of remorse. His death to Zack was a fair one, and it was safe to honestly say that, for he had died with honor to a great friend, redeeming himself in the process. However it had also placed himself in a great disadvantage as far as the times were concerned, for if memory served him correctly, he had been dead for a steep amount of years at best. Angeal shook his head, then thought about getting a drink from the local tavern as the taxation of thirst began to set it's toll on him. The raven haired warrior looked around for a possible pub nearby, and came across a sign directing customers to 7th Heaven.
Angeal had never heard of the name, but something about it seemed to have a pleasurable ring to it, so the former 1st Class set off in the direction of the establishment, eventually coming before the front doors some ten minutes later. For a moment he stood perplexed about whether or not to enter, then his blue eyes turned their attention to his white wings protruding from his shoulder. Holding out and fully extending his arm, Angeal retracted his wings so that they remained hidden beneath his SOLDIER armor. The last thing he decided he needed was a bunch of folks interrogating him about where he got them, least of all drawing attention to himself and his possibly still famous name. Hewley took in a deep sigh, then slowly pushed open the doors, walking inside only seconds after. He only made a few steps in before he stopped, and took a glance about the room before proceeding to the nearest open stool, then grabbed a seat as he placed his arms upon the bar top. Signaling to whomever was running it, Angeal placed a silent order for one shot, and then patiently awaited it.
|
|
|
Post by cloud on Sept 8, 2011 13:20:30 GMT -5
Half alive, and start reigning free, A hideous God of a man.
[/center][/div][/font][/size][/sub] Another morning in dismal, run-down Edge.
After having become re-acquainted with Aerith and Zack in the church, amongst the Midgar ruins some miles away on the other end of the highway, Cloud had awakened from spending the night there. Driving down the highway on his trusted metal steed, the motorcycle Fenrir, he was headed to Edge for a pit-stop before heading out back into the sea of worlds beyond the blue skies above. But more importantly, he was headed back to his home away from home for a reason. Only days before, taking advantage of the absence of it's owners, some punk vandals had broken into the bar and stole the till along with several bottles of alcohol. Cloud had apprehended them and left WRO, the military-turned police to clean it up, but the goods had been returned to the establishment.
There had been Turks on the scene too... but only because the vandals had interacted with some strange brunette woman wearing a sari and wielding a lance, and he wondered if the Turks had succeeded in 'recruiting' her... or if she had actually been wise and headed Cloud's advice not to completely trust them.
Figures. The Turks weren't on the scene for the crime, just there for what benefited them and their benefactor. What a pain.
After that scene out of the usual day-to-day affairs, Cloud had returned to the bar. He had hoped Tifa would have been there to greet him and ask what the hell had happened to her home... but she was not. Neither was Denzel, or Marlene... he knew they were safe though, somewhere with Barret looking for oil and were due to come back someday. But, not to this. A bar with the front windows smashed in, the door broken down, and rubble from the break-in scattered along the lane of traffic to the till. Fortunately, Cloud had already cleaned it up and contacted some of his delivery clients to help rebuild the shattered home.
It looked brand new as Cloud drove up to it in the present day, and parked Fenrir out of sight in the nearby alleyway. He didn't want to give his hopes up yet again, but he was hoping somebody would be home when he came through the door. He unlocked the door after he had dismounted Fenrir and walked around to the front of the building, not bothering to flip the 'CLOSED' sign open. He figured no-one would want to come drinking before noon, and all he really wanted to see in the bar were close family and friends. He left the door behind him open a crack, fetching the completed First Tsurugi and slinging it on his back, not taking a second chance that the burglars would come back for round two.
The bar was just as he had left it - clean, newly renovated, and the coffee machine re-installed from being ripped out. He moved behind the counter to the stairs going up to the apartment above, his loud boot-steps echoing in the corridors and rooms beyond. No lighter footsteps came to greet him... no-one else was in the quiet, empty accommodation. His room with Tifa was just as he left it as well, and he noticed some of her things were gone. Where... is she?
He wasn't going to find out by staying here. Once he had prepared food for himself for the day and re-stocked on other supplies such as bandages, he was out of there. Just as he stowed them away and came back down the stairs, he heard loud footsteps similar to his own enter the premises. Damn. I left the door open... can't they read we're not open? He went to investigate, rounding the corner and appearing behind the bar, glancing over at the man he had not seen before.
"We're closed."
Something was off. Sheathed sword... SOLDIER clothing, similar to his friend Zack...? He had a bad feeling about this, and he felt that there was trouble coming soon. The man had indicated he wanted a drink from the staff, but if his verbal informing hadn't perturbed him from one, he imagine the tension that was going to build if he didn't get one. And yet... if he was wearing SOLDIER clothing, that same sense that had nothing to do with his inherit Jenova cells told him they weren't here for liquor at all.
And he hadn't even left the Planet yet.
"Who... are you?"
(OOC: Current appearence for visual reference.)
Template made by Memzard of OTE [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by griever on Sept 8, 2011 14:24:29 GMT -5
The renovations in this place looked as though it were brand new, however unknown to Angeal, it had looked much worse weeks prior. His blue eyes wandered to the new coffee machine, and then back to the counter as he continued to ponder the possibility of a drink in the dead silence. Rather it was silent until he heard footsteps in the loft above, which eventually grew louder as they seemingly descended the stairs, until at last the source revealed himself just as Angeal lowered his hand back to the bar. A man much younger and shorter than himself, garbed in black with a fire of blond hair atop his head addressed him bluntly, stating that the bar was closed. A lone eyebrow slowly raised before Angeal slowly turned to glance over his shoulder, and catch a glimpse of the Open side of the sign in the window turned inwards. An acknowledging nod was given as he said nothing, then looked back to the blond with the massive sword upon his back. Curiosity took a firm grasp upon Angeal as he looked upon the hilt of Cloud's First Tsurugi, mistaking it for a moment to be the Buster Sword he had passed down to his pupil Zack many years ago. However as he followed the crimson wrap down to where the base of the massive blade would have been, his eyes did not meet the highly decorated motif, but rather a much larger guard of silver. In some sense, the appearance of this individual struck a high resemblance to that of Fair, which Angeal found to be quite a striking, yet surprising find having only been in Edge for less than thirty minutes. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, or the way he stood with such a massive blade upon his back, but the former 1st Class was certain that he could see bits and pieces of his old friend in this lad.
Angeal could barely recall the last time he had seen Fair to be honest, only the ever growing darkness around raven hair and bright mako blue spheres remained. Before that there had been an honorable speech, and a discussion of his origins before they were interrupted by Hollander. That damned scientist. It was because of him and Hojo, and all those who followed their directions that he and his closest friends had become inhuman. However he had to admit though, it was rather peaceful to be able to have endured several conversations with Genesis without that ignorant cretin butting in all the time. In his truthful opinion Angeal felt that is was better a person such as Hollander was no longer around, for nobody would ever have to suffer the consequences of his influence upon the world. If anything this was the only comfort Angeal could find in regards to even thinking that man's name, much less mentioning it. The only good that had ever come from his Project G, was the sole fact that Genesis and himself had survived the Darkness of it all, and continued to live on with what they had been left with.
Angeal shook his head silently before slowly getting up from the stool, nodding to Cloud in understanding that the bar was indeed closed. "My apologies, I guess I didn't see the sign." he said in courteous respect, deciding that it was best that he left. However as he made his way to the door on his way out, the blond had asked a prolonged question in regards to Hewley's identity. This in turn caused Angeal to stop with his hand motioned for the door's handle, however the former 1st Class relinquished it to his side as he looked back over his shoulder to Strife. Truly the man did not know who he was? Interesting. Had it been long enough that the fame of SOLDIER's greatest three had dwindled into a myth, or perhaps this man was not familiar with the company? Angeal found it hard to believe that he was not recognized immediately, if only for a short moment, however it occurred to him that he had been dead for quite some time. It remained a possible chance that many no longer knew the names Angeal Hewley or Genesis Rhapsodos, and that their legends had died along with the remains of the company. If that was indeed true, then he was better off now wearing a chance cloak of anonymity than everyone calling out his name in the streets upon first sight.
Angeal stared back down to the handle built into the front door of 7th Heaven, and contemplated just who he was for a brief moment. He was SOLDIER 1st Class Angeal Hewley, spiritual leader and mentor of the division. No, that was all dead now and buried, much like the past that remained entombed underneath the distant ruins of Midgar. Still despite whatever past he harbored, he remained who he was and who he was going to become. It was true there was no changing the past, however the future always remained uncertain. Hewley took in a deep breath, then glanced back to Cloud to answer him. "I'm an old friend of Zack Fair's. You know him?" he inquired, attempting to garner at least even the slightest bit of information about the similarities between Cloud and Fair. Whether this random whim of his held any results, it remained to be seen, yet Angeal remained hopeful about a possible connection to Zack's whereabouts.
|
|
|
Post by Genesis Rhapsodos on Sept 8, 2011 18:56:27 GMT -5
Angeal Hewley, Genesis Rhapsodos and Sephiroth...
The Three had survived the ordeal that was ShinRa, for better or worse, but regardless, they were all still alive. That was comforting to say the least. Old friends gathering to share a reunion which had over due by many a year, only to have a moment of peace and tranquility to be disturbed by the proposal of a 'mission' from the silver-haired Angel. There was something strange about the way Sephiroth had managed to find the other two greatest 1st Class SOLDIER's of ShinRa. Something strange that the man in the crimson coat could not yet put his finger on. It didn't help in the slightest that the Turks had revealed some disturbing information regarding his old friend, information that Genesis wanted never to believe. Could this 'mission' just be another means of Sephiroth to let out his insanity... was he going to destroy the world all over again? A frown spread across the face of the Scarlet SOLDIER as he thought a moment on the 'greatest SOLDIER's of ShinRa'. Of 'ShinRa'... The frown grew heavier into a scowl at such a thought. The last thing Genesis wanted above everything else, to be remain tied to that unforgivable company who did this to his body.
A long, elegant black angel wing was sprouted from the left shoulder of the Scarlet SOLDIER and it's large, powerful beats carried the now weightless body of Genesis through the skies of Gaia. The Forgotten City had been left far behind as he set out to find his old friend Angeal. There were many questions he needed to ask in regards to what Sephiroth had said to them both, but Angeal's presence was already several miles ahead of him and oddly enough, Sephiroth's was no where to be detected at all. Had he learned to teleport or something? It mattered not and instead of rushing to catch up his old friend, the Scarlet SOLDIER's scowl vanished into a faint smile as he decided to enjoy this 'gift' that Hollander gave him. The wind in his hair, the fresh air filling his nostrils and the loud flaps of his wing causing him to sore further and faster through the sun filled skies of Gaia. Indeed... If Genesis was feeling the same as Angeal was... this was freedom. Monster or not, birds had wings and they were free, so why couldn't the man who loved LOVELESS be free too?
No longed tied to the ShinRa Electrical Company, no longer tied to any duties or contracts, deeds or promises... It was just Genesis, the wind and the skies. Lids closed over the mako-fueled eyes that rested within Genesis' skull, relaxing as he stopped his wing from beating to allow himself to begin a free fall, plummeting down to the ocean below. A memory flashed within his mind of a similar feeling when Cloud Strife had smacked him into a large castle wall on a far away planet. The pair had fought for control of that world and the Scarlet SOLDIER was worried he wasn't able to get his words nor actions through to the ex-fake-SOLDIER. Though, as time passed, Genesis started to feel that Strife was right. That world seemed to deserve to remain in the Light and it were indeed himself coming across as the 'bad guy', wanting to bring back the Darkness to maintain 'balance'. The balance? Was it really all cut out to be what he thought? Was the Goddess, this... Cosmos... did he mishear her words? Another memory flashed in Genesis' mind, this time of another woman of divine beauty... an air of royalty surrounding her, though this woman was clad in heavy armor and surrounded by an odd glowing liquid that seemed to resemble the Lifestream. Who was this...? Was this--
A flash of light drew Genesis' attention and forced him to open his eyes, noticing he was still in free fall and nearing the ocean below. Fighting to maintain flight and altitude, Genesis managed to avoid crashing into the dark blue waters below and started to focus all his attention back onto locating Angeal. Already there were too many thoughts, too many decisions to make, too many paths laid out before him that started to make the crimson warrior feel just as lost as he once did way back in the past. He just needed a break, find somewhere to sit down and have a rest. With a fresh head upon his shoulders, Genesis knew he'd be able to make sense of all these things going on about his mind. With a self confirming nod, Genesis soared back up into the skies with several beats of his wing before he came across land once more. Soon, the old ruins of Midgar came into view along with the smaller city nearby known as Edge, the place he had the misfortune of bumping into the Turks again. Taking care to land down into an alley where little to no one would spot him, Genesis' attention perked up to the building next to him, in which two powerful presences seemed to linger, one was undoubtedly Angeal and the second...
"Zack...?" Genesis whispered as he walked around to the front of the building, his bright blue eyes glancing up to read the '7th Heaven' sign up above. The place looked like it had recently been rebuilt, maybe renovated. Well, it was nice to see some Gil finally being spent on something other then new suits for the Turks. As Genesis made his way up the wooden steps, the black angel wing upon his back dispelled in a cluster of feathers. Reaching a gloved hand towards the door handle, Genesis twisted it while his eyes were locked onto the figure of Angeal that he could see through the glass, though were unable to see Zack Fair due to how dark it was at the back of the room. Carefully, he pushed the door open slowly as not to hit Angeal, a bell dinging gently as he did so which caught Genesis' attention, making him look up to see what made the sound.
|
|
|
Post by cloud on Sept 9, 2011 13:45:51 GMT -5
You got what you want, what more do you need? If I have to make my stand, I will make you pay
[/center][/div][/font][/size][/sub] He didn't recognize the stranger... not at first, at least. Since he had his head slightly bowed like most regulars did when they were at the bar, he didn't get a good glimpse of his face. Even though he... he felt like he had met him somewhere before. That was when he realized his Jenova cells were kicking in... and why his sense of danger was going off in the back of his mind. But when the man nodded to him in turning to leave, and then again glanced back at him before mentioning who he was, there was no mistaking his identity.
Back when he was a mere Shinra Footsolider... a infantryman that 'couldn't even hold his gun straight', he recalled when he had first met Zack. On a mission to Mideoheim, and the first time he had actually bonded with anyone after leaving Nibelheim to pursue his dream of becoming a SOLDIER. After he had left Zack to deal with Genesis, he had gone after Dr. Hollander, and followed him with Tseng to the Mideo Bath House. After dealing with some new creatures, Strife had only gotten a glimpse of the face of a burly man long enough before being beaten brutally into swift submission. He didn't remember much of the fight, only Tseng's bullet shots ringing out before they were silenced as well, and then a longer glance of the face of the man who had knocked him out before he fell into unconsciousness.
It wasn't until Zack came to his side when he woke up, telling him he was alright after he had stumbled backwards on his behind after getting up. After overhearing Tseng tell Zack that beyond Angeal was waiting, that was all he could recall of the encounter all those years ago... and then after they had returned to Midgar, he remembered Zack's speech of SOLDIER honor and learned that this Angeal person had been a role model of Zack's and the inspiration behind it.
So this man... this is where the idealology... no, the legacy of the Buster Sword Zack had obtained afterwards... had began.
Speaking of Zack, the man that now stood at the door stated that he was his friend, but now the dawning of realization was apparent on his facial features as his expression softened considerably. At his question, his azure eyes flickered to the floor in decision, before flicking back up to the man who had smote him all those years ago. Was he really a friend of Zack's, or was he just saying that so he could get closer to him? What had happened all those years ago, when Angeal had been dealt with, and that Zack would not disclose with him? He didn't get to find out because the mission debriefing was classified to his rank, but Angeal was gone and Zack putting on a brave face so unlike his cheery self... in hindsight from what he had learned in the past few days, he probably only let his guard down to open up to Aerith about it.
Still, that didn't answer the question about the relationship between this man and Zack. From the fact Cloud could tell that Zack was not the same after the incident, he could tell whatever it was had affected him greatly. Was it possible they were friends, and there had been a betrayal to bring such sadness to Zack? Could this man be trusted? He wasn't sure, and until he met Zack again and learned more he would have to play it safe.
"He's my friend, too." he answered, and with his left hand, pulled out from under the bar a bottle of whiskey. He placed it down on the counter, followed shortly after with his right hand with a shotglass. "You probably don't remember me... but I, remember you." He placed his gloved hand around the whiskey bottle, eyeing the muscular soldier cautiously. "Tell me your name, how you know Zack... and, I might just give you a shot." he added with some dry humor, both figurative and literal in meaning. He might not trust this face from his past, especially with the facial scar Zack came back with... but, although Zack never directly said it in his recollection of that time they were in Shinra, it was obvious Zack had a great deal of respect for the man... or at least, used to. He might as well find out what he knew, and if possible, what intentions and objectives this man had.
And then, with the new customer walking in through the door he had sensed outside, he almost hazarded a guess who he was with. Speaking of the one who had quoted he was a pathetic grunt...
He hadn't even travelled outside the metropolis expanse of Midgar and Edge yet to embrace the sea of stars, and of all the bars and places he had to walk into, it had to be Seventh Heaven. Genesis walked in off the street, and that tension of rising danger Cloud felt in the back of his mind heightened even more gradually. As he did, he made no attempt to hide his slow and gradual reach behind his head to the First Tsurugi sheathed on his back, anticipating like the Remnants and Sephiroth that Genesis may also warrant revenge on his head. Sure, he had been the first to attack him during their last encounter, but after Genesis had given him a welcome invitation to duel it had only been because he wanted the crimson-cloaked man to stop what he was doing. "Genesis..." he spoke his name in apprehensive reverence, as the former First Class SOLDIER made his presence known with his solid footsteps upon the wooden floor behind Angeal. "So, you also came for me? Or, are you looking to bring this world into darkness, too?"
This was Tifa's bar, not just his home, and a place of business. Customers were welcome... even if they failed to read the 'CLOSED' sign when he was offering business to a client. While he and Genesis apparently fought for the same reasons to bring balance to the worlds, he just didn't agree with the black-winged angel's methods of going about it. It was one thing that he learned darkness wasn't always evil, but it was another thing to thrust it upon a peaceful world forcefully which the natural state was Light just to postpone a supposed 'cataclysmic' event interpreted from a goddess. He had met the right-hand man of Cosmos during his travels, and he hoped the information he had learned would validate Cosmos's own intentions, however in the meantime Genesis was not unwelcome from visiting this commercial establishment he did not wish to destroy... as long as he did not wish to destroy or fight anyone within it's walls.
Template made by Memzard of OTE [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by griever on Sept 9, 2011 16:55:27 GMT -5
Whether Strife had managed to recall Angeal, the former 1st Class SOLIDER's memory could not provide him with even a hazy image of the youth's face, possibly due to having never glanced upon it before. Anonymity was a small advantage that the standard Shinra militia had over the SOLDIERs who refused to wear the protective helmets, however in the opinion of Hewley, they only provided a hindrance as far as visibility was concerned. Nevertheless Angeal had met and harmed this boy before, yet could not recall having done so. It was the burden of all the memories the war with the company held, there were so many of them, so much in fact that they covered and continued to hide some that may have played relevance to his current situation. There were many he would have wished to forget, however Angeal had had enough time to come to terms with his past. However as hard as he tried, the raven haired warrior always found some sort of conflict with an aspect of it, and did his best to try and mull over disheartening thoughts. A warming glare of sunlight broke through the clouds that had momentarily shielded it from view, raining down through the front windows of Lockhart's establishment. It provided Angeal, whom was already inside, with a better view of Cloud's general appearance as he listened to the man's reply.
He slowly walked forward to the bar, letting a small smile cross his face as he began to acknowledge Cloud as a friend of his friend, which garnered much respect from the former SOLDIER. Placing his hand upon the bar once more, Angeal watched silently as Strife withdrew a bottle and a glass from behind the bar, and listened to the statement he made about knowing Hewley. An eyebrow raised briefly in retort to this, followed by a solemn shaking of his head as Angeal recognized the truth behind the comment. This young man was right, he had no recollection of the blond, however he was certainly intrigued as to how he remembered Angeal. His dry humor did manage to provoke a smirk from the taller man though, as it fondly reminded him of himself when he was Zack's mentor, and a time when he had saved his pupil's life with his prized Buster Sword. "
"You're a little more important than my sword,... but just a little."
The sarcastic words resonated within his mind, recalling the gesture he had made to Zack seconds afterward with a good laugh. Fair sure was thankful despite what humor Angeal had found in the situation, but the statement was true, his life was worth more to him than any weapon. His friends had always been more important than most things when it came to Angeal, and along with his honor and dreams, were something worth fighting any battle for. Angeal provided a small chuckle before replying to Cloud with some of his own dry witted humor, and attempted to lighten the air between the two. "Hopefully. You should go first though, looks like you need one just as bad." he said before casting a glance over his shoulder to an empty room. Somewhere near by Angeal was certain he could sense Genesis' aura growing closer, however he paid little mind to it until he would be face to face with him again. He looked back to Cloud, staring blue into blue as he locked eyes with the shorter warrior. "My name is Angeal Hewley, and I used to be Zack's mentor during our time in SOLDIER together." he spoke, casting an uncomfortable glance down to the wood of the bar top, then back to Cloud. "So you have my name friend, will you give me yours?" he asked, however found the following silence cut off by the chime of the front door's bell.
Angeal turned once more to glance to the front door, and came upon the sight of his childhood friend Genesis, glancing up at the bell as he stood halfway through the entrance. He gave the scarlet attired man a smile before he looked back to his impromptu bartender, and the glass he had set upon the surface before him. "Genesis..." the name had been spoken in unison with Strife out of coincidence, however it announced the arrival of the other former 1st Class regardless. His eyes wandered toward the blond's hand, which was slowly raising toward the hilt of the massive sword that he retained upon his back, his eyes locked onto Genesis. When Cloud asked his question, Angeal straightened his posture after leaning forward onto the bar, and merely took in a deep breath as he kept his gaze fixated upon him. For a moment he watched the ex-fake-SOLDIER with a stern expression, then glanced back over his shoulder to meet the eyes of Genesis, then back to Strife once more. "Am I missing something here? How do you two know one another?" he asked out of simple ignorant curiosity, unaware of the fact that these two had recently contested the alignment of Cecil Harvey's home world. He didn't like the way this friend of Zack was staring down Rhapsodos, however Angeal remained adamant to ice the tension of the situation with the utmost haste. The outbreak of a battle between these three in here would prove disastrous, and that's the last thing Hewley wished for at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by Genesis Rhapsodos on Sept 9, 2011 18:40:37 GMT -5
The chime of the bell that hung above the main entrance of Seventh Heaven sounded as if it too deserved a similar name to the bar itself. A 'heavenly' ringing of the small bell that continued to linger within the crimson-coated man's ears, even when he glanced away from the musical instrument to cast his eyes upon the wooden floor where his old friend had been previously standing. Eyelids closed as a warm but small smile formed on the Scarlet SOLDIER's lips. That bell sounded as if it should have been in the hands of the Goddess herself, perhaps tied to a ribbon that held back her hair, softly chiming in light winds that passed by. But would it held back the hair of Cosmos, or of this other figure he had been seeing in his memories recently? Either way, the matter at hand had to be resolved first, hopefully without anyone needed to draw a weapon and cause violence and chaos. All the former 1st Class wanted was to have a drink, take a few minutes to sit down and rest and perhaps indulge in some light-hearted conversation with his old friends Angeal and ...?
"Cloud?" The word was spoken aloud, but barely above that of a whisper. Genesis' bright blue eyes were torn away from the gentleman at the far end of the room as he turned his body around, a leather gloved hand gripping the door handle once more before pushing the wooden door closed with another chime of that delightful bell. He felt so alike to Zack... it was easy to mistake one for the other. What with Angeal being here as well, the LOVELESS fanatic was certain he had managed to stumble upon his friend's student once more. Alas, again he'd been deceived and was left with the 'puppet' instead. Slowly, he turned back around to face the fellow SOLDIERs and ran one of his hands through his fringe as a smile appeared upon his lips. His eyes that shone with the betrayal of Shinra first locked onto Angeal, a subtle nod given his way before Genesis began to walk towards the bar himself, leather boots clunking against the wooden planks as he moved. He then eyed Cloud and caught sight of his arm raising up as if he were ready to grab that First Tsurugi upon his back and repeat the events that played out on the Blue Planet once more.
Strife's words repeated themselves in Genesis' ears, but no reply was given to the blonde. Nothing was said to Angeal either as his body language suggested he were put on alert and would be ready to get between himself and Cloud should anything erupt. No, Genesis simply placed a gloved hand upon the shoulder of his fellow Hero and Monster, giving him a smile and small shake of his head as if to tell him that there was no reason to be on guard. Halting himself, standing beside Angeal for a moment, he lowered his hand down and slid it into his coat pocket as his head turned away from the raven-haired man and onto the blond. "This is my home too, Cloud, and I have no desire to change it in any way, shape or form. I'm glad to see you found safe passage out of your friends world." There were no signs of hostility, no hints of malice within his tone. Genesis gave the ex-fake-SOLDIER a smile and a nod of his head, before then answering Angeal's suspicions, keeping his eyes on Cloud however. "We've met under... uncomfortable and unwanted circumstances, but we're friends. He's just careful about who he trusts." He spoke up again. He knew Cloud would deny it or just go as far as not answering at all, but Genesis was half telling the truth. Perhaps not 'friends', but the Scarlet SOLDIER did explain that Cloud was not an enemy when last they met. No, not friends but by all means not enemies either. That's how Genesis saw things. Cloud on the other hand was a different matter and seeing as their battle on Blue Planet was their first real encounter together, he were sure that the blonde would not be as forgiving due to the bad impression he would have left upon him.
Casting his eyes back to his raven-haired friend, giving him a slightly coy smirk, Genesis spoke up a final time. "I can't say I blame him either, eh?" A friendly, light hearted chuckle rolled from the lips of the Scarlet SOLDIER as he looked back towards the blond, hoping to see him lower his hand from the handle of his massive blade. Genesis was not going to start any fights today. It would have to be Cloud to make the first move again if he wanted to do battle.
|
|
|
Post by cloud on Sept 11, 2011 17:20:55 GMT -5
I can show you the way, just stay out of my way, I will not become another pessimist I will not become another reason to hide
[/center][/div][/font][/size][/sub] Hopefully.
The key word Cloud picked up from the man's answer, which told the younger, shorter man that the ex-SOLDIER in front of him sought his approval and perhaps his trust now he knew he was a friend of Zack's. Hopeful in that he could make friends with him and perhaps find Zack, or hopeful he could gain his trust so he could betray him? It was hard to say, for now. A amused but curt 'Hmph.' escaped the pressed crack between his dry lips, considering Angeal's offer. Well, at least he had been honest with his name... that was a good start.
He glanced up at Genesis who had just entered the bar as he admired the bell above the entrance, as if in steadfast reminded. "I don't honestly know if that's true; maybe if one more ex-SOLDIER customer comes along." he added wryly, and poured the drink out of the nozzle and into the shotglass. Sliding the glass along with the same hand he used to pour, his right hand remained bent back to grasp First Tsurugi. So, he had been Zack's mentor like he had guessed... at least that fit the bill with why Zack looked up to him. "Tell me the story how Zack earned his scar. And I'll pour you another one; come and get the one you earned." he stated, sounding stern enough that it almost didn't sound much like a request. "Sit." he tacked on after a slight pause, his tone lighter in accommodating welcome.
The man had asked him for his name, and this much Cloud was willing to part with if Genesis wouldn't beat him to it first. It wasn't like he could lie about it anyway even if he felt inclined to, which he never would have, what with Genesis in the room anyway. As far as he was concerned, being on the straightened arrow throughout his adventures - when his will wasn't forced to do another's bidding - left him inclined and with the benefit of the doubt to be the one in the bar that would do the least amount of deception.
"Cloud. Cloud Strife." he tacked on his last name, another glance of his mako-blue eyes switching from Angeal's own to Genesis, then back to him. "I think we all remember Mideoheim. I was a Shinra infantryman... one that could barely hold his rifle straight... when I was assigned into the same group as Zack to investigate the town. You knocked me out, leaving Zack to find me and that Turk, Tseng... or did you forget after Zack came for you?" he jogged Angeal's memory with a hint of faint amusement, not impressed with the treatment he had received that day, and even less impressed if Angeal hadn't recalled him despite the lack of his helmet showing off his trademark spiky blond locks.
There was a creak of leather as Cloud tightened his grip slightly around the handle of his weapon, his eyes remaining narrowed as Genesis looked down from the bell above the doorway to move further into the room. He didn't like the way Genesis sauntered through the room, the movement reminding him of the trail of the large Midgar Zolom slithering across the floor. Perhaps when glancing over to Cloud, as if peering over to his prey in his sights. Reassuring Angeal's attempt to be the mediator and acting like everything was alright... he was just too comfortable for the situation. It would be human to show tension or even distaste back towards him for their last encounter and the rage he had shown, but Genesis seemed to be smoothing it over and pretending it was more than it was as if nothing had ever happened. The hand clapped on Angeal's shoulder to signify and confirm they knew one another, perhaps they had even come together one after the other, only questioned further in his mind that Genesis also assumed they were 'friends' as Angeal had. The 'puppet' felt glad he had only mentioned he was Zack's friend, and not given him any more to go on that he was his best friend. While Genesis was sticking with the story he was fighting to spread Darkness on behalf of Cosmos's wishes to balance and 'save' the worlds, if Angeal was with him and hadn't been phased in the slightest of Cloud's words that he had been doing so, gave him ever more the reason to play it safe to not completely trust either of them.
The way Genesis had also said he was glad Cloud had found safe passage off the world, while not filled with animosity, didn't sound very... sincere to him. "No thanks to you. Would spreading darkness to this world disturb your balance and bring the end, too, like my friend's world?" There was no amused tone this time. He didn't expect Genesis to answer him seriously and continue to play things calmly, and try to make him look like the 'bad guy' even if Angeal had the same beliefs as him. "I don't remember making friends with you... you must have thought we were when you were trying to taunt and cut at me." he did answer Genesis's remark, however curt he had been about it. Then again, if Genesis really was on the level with trying to be a new hero, he supposed he was not the enemy for not attacking him on sight. Especially in his home away from home here, where Tifa and he attempted to raise a foster family.
It was slow and gradual as the tension remained, but as his hand gripped the handle of his fusion sword, it descended and curled by his side into a tight fist. The two former First-Class SOLDIERs would not be able to see this from where they were standing as his hand disappeared behind the bar, but a few moments later it reappeared from behind the counter... with another shot-glass. However, it was not for Strife himself, as it was too early in the day. Instead, Strife picked up the whiskey bottle and set it down next to the shot-glass, eyes not leaving 'G'. "If you want a shot, you'll have to pay." he offered reluctantly, while not trusting either of them would not kick them out if they were not causing trouble. He might as well try and raise some revenue for the bar, even if Tifa was gone. This would be a compliment of sorts to Genesis, as far as Cloud would go for the moment to show he would tolerate his presence professionally.
The last words mentioned by the 'real' crimson-coated SOLDIER would not go unvoiced by Cloud, either. "No, you can't. Our last encounter wasn't the first time we met... I'm sure you remember Mideoheim too. Where you fought Zack, and disappeared to be left for dead... just as you were. Right, Angeal?" he contemplated in afterthought. Perhaps the two incidents, while he wasn't present to witness the second, were more than co-incidence? How had Zack earned that scar he had freshly acquired after he had gone to meet Angeal, and how had he come into possession of the Buster Sword, which Zack in turn had passed down to him? He looked with an unamused stare from one Shinra legend to another, the ex-'fake'-SOLDIER questioning the origination of the living legacy passed down to him by his cherished best friend.
Template made by Memzard of OTE [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by griever on Sept 13, 2011 13:20:52 GMT -5
The light in the bar remained dimmed, with exception of that steadily growing in brightness near the door; glowing beams that were soon eclipsed by a lone cloud travelling through the distant sky. Hewley slowly took a seat on the stool he had previously occupied, nodding but hardly paying attention to Genesis as he listened to Cloud's words. The slow patting of Rhapsodos' boots on the wooden floor drew out what silence there was between each syllable that Strife uttered, which was strongly referenced to that of Zack, and what happened back in Mideoheim. The blond had asked if Angeal recalled the memory, which after a pause, the raven haired warrior gave a solemn nod as he stared down to the filled glass upon the bar. Hewley's arms remained crossed and folded upon the bar before him, and his brow was ever so slightly furrowed as he recalled memories pertaining to the war with Shinra.
As the former 1st Class slowly rubbed a gloved index finger over the lip of his glass, Angeal took in a breath before letting it out in a sigh. "I'm not happy about what happened, but yes...I remember." spoke Hewley after taking a pause mid sentence. There were many things that had transpired during that past conflict, which put many friends on the other side of the line from one another, and in all honesty Angeal would have sooner forgotten anything about Shinra, if it weren't for so many people bringing it up. It made no difference though, for he was willing to talk about some of the past, so long as he wouldn't have to dwell on it. That was when Cloud inquired about the encounter with Zack that had happened moments after he had been beaten into submission, after he and Tseng had been nullified so Hewley could focus on Fair. Angeal frowned as he stared at the glass before him, then took a firm grasp upon the container and took the whole drink in one swig. For a moment he could feel the burn of the whiskey, torching the inside of his throat on the way down to his stomach, until at last he was left with a solemn comfort within himself. "Penance. That was how Zack got his scar, from a trident wielded by a perfect monster." he answered, turning his gaze away from Cloud to that of Genesis' eyes, then back to Strife before returning to the bar. He chose to remain silent as Strife addressed Rhapsodos, first stating that the crimson haired man would have to pay if he wished for a glass. It was at this moment that Angeal reached inside his pocket, then placed a sufficient amount of Gil on the bar top to cover both his, and Genesis' drink as a favor to his child hood friend. The pair had often paid for one another in the past, keeping track of who owed who whenever they went out, however it had gotten to the point that Angeal didn't care about things like this today. Any other day in any other bar, Hewley would have probably asked Rhapsodos when he had seen them, however in this moment things were different.
He kept an ear open as Strife continued to speak to Genesis, taking note of what information the words held, pertaining to a fight over a world belonging to a friend of Cloud's. So his old friend continued to act upon this whim of a Goddess he himself had never met, yet as Genesis remained so adamant about her existence, Angeal was among the few who believed the word of the Scarlet. He didn't believe he was going about the right way of upholding balances, however Hewley admired his friend's ambitions for wanting to preserve the safety of the innocent regardless. Yet as the conversation continued, Angeal picked up on the tense air between the two, and decided to cut the air of it when Cloud suddenly addressed him again, this time asking only for support on his recollection of Genesis in Mideoheim. "Sure." he muttered, then cast a glance to his right to look out the window to the open street where a few kids squared off in a wooden sword duel. The sight greatly reminded Angeal of himself when he was a kid, often dueling with Genesis in their spare time while they exchanged ambitious dreams of joining SOLDIER. It reminded him greatly of many other he had known during his time with the company, most notably his pupil Zack.
He then turned his thoughts to that of Sephiroth, and what the silver haired man had spoken to the pair of them in the Forgotten Capital. It was a rather unusual favor he asked of his old friends, seeking their aid for a mission when all three of them knew full well that there weren't any missions to be had. Not since their fallout with the company had Angeal even considered undertaking something of the sort, for it was often paired with a lack of details and specifics that would doubtlessly remain classified to his rank. While most of the orders he received in SOLDIER were pretty straight forward and clear, there was always ulterior motives attached to them, and Hewley would remain unaware of this at least until the completion of said task. Never again he swore. Never again would he blindly follow orders to see another's endeavors come unto fruition. The idea of hunting warriors with Keyblades didn't appeal to him either, for he didn't understand exactly just how great of an effect they had on the worlds. However he needed to find out more about them, but he didn't know just where to look or ask. That was until the answer dawned on him, and stood there right in front of him pouring drinks. Angeal presumed it would be doubtful at first that this man could know anything about such a weapon and their wielders, however Cloud was a friend of Zack's, and if there was anything to learn about a possible threat to The Planet, one of it's greatest heroes was sure to know about it. If he was lucky enough, maybe Cloud would know something as well. For now though, he would let Genesis and Strife have their share of words, and see what would develop from this coincidental reunion.
|
|
|
Post by Genesis Rhapsodos on Sept 27, 2011 21:49:10 GMT -5
((OOC: Forgive me for the lateness, comrades.)) It seemed a rather peaceful day in the town of Edge. The sun shone out through the clouds frequently and the subtle chirping of the birds outside returned to extinguish the silence within the bar a few moments after the figure of the Scarlet SOLDIER had moved away from the main door. The wooden echo of leather boots proceeding across the floor indeed seemed to match the gaps between the syllables of the words that Cloud spoke, though was purely coincidental. That being said, Genesis kept his eyes on the blond as he listened to him address his old friend, mentioning Medioheim and bringing up memories of the past. As the repeated words of Strife 'not being able to hold his gun straight' reached the ears of the Scarlet SOLDIER, he simply allowed a smile to spread across his lips as an amused 'heh' were the only reply given. After reaching the bar, he remaining standing upright, not wanting to come across as rude or obnoxious by simply sitting down at the bar without being invited first. True, this was a bar but unlike his body language, his mind had not forgotten the encounter he and Spiky shared only days before.
"Mediohiem huh? The supposed place of my 'death', according to ShinRa." Genesis said aloud, mainly to himself as he tilted his head backwards a fraction, bright blue eyes looking up to the rafters holding the second floor up as he folded his arms across his chest, leather creaking subtly as he did so. Only when he were spoken to by Cloud did the LOVELESS fanatic return his gaze to him, smile still present on his lips but that quickly faded as he heard the words spoken to him. Genesis shook his head from side to side, head lowered slightly as he did so till his eyes found themselves peering towards his SOLDIER issue boots. "This world has suffered enough." Was all Genesis said in reply, obviously indication through his tone that he pointed the finger towards ShinRa for what they did. True, Genesis himself and his dear friend Sephiroth also caused chaos in the past, but it was very safe to say that the four ex-SOLDIER's all held ShinRa as a common enemy.
As for the taunting and cutting, as Cloud has so animalistically described; "My my my, we're cold today, aren't we? Fine, perhaps not friends but we're not enemies either. Those 'taunts' of mine were simply an attempt to provoke you. I've read a lot about you. I needed to see if those reports were true." However the Scarlet SOLDIER didn't move nor speak another word as he watched Strife lower his hand from his blade. About time. Seems he wasn't able to give a good enough impression during their engagement on the Blue Planet. Well, who wouldn't arm themselves when the man who you fought against to save a world entered your bar? If memory were to serve correctly, wasn't it Cloud himself who attacked first anyway? It mattered not. Genesis wasn't going to bring it up. His bright blue eyes widened slightly in surprise when another glass was produced and a shot of whiskey poured. Stepping forth, slowly and still retaining his elegance, Genesis pulled a bar stool out a little ways so his long legs wouldn't be squashed up against the bar itself. Sitting down, an elbow resting on the edge of the bar top, Genesis kept his eyes on Cloud as he told he had to pay for the drink.
The movement from Angeal as he pulled the coin out of his pocket caused the Scarlet SOLDIER to look towards him, as a smirk spread across his lips as he repeated some words he once spoke to Sephiroth. "... You remembered." Of course he was referring to whose turn it was to pay for the drinks. That being said, he turned and grasped the small shot glass within his gloved hand before raising it to Angeal in a silent toast, nodding then finally drinking the hard, warm liquor. Genesis closed his eyes tightly for a second, a slightly half-pained half-relieved grunt/gasp left his now warm throat. Returning the shot glass beside the bottle, he turned his attention back upon Cloud, eyes narrowing somewhat as a serious expression spread across his face. "Cloud... What do you know of this 'Cosmos'?" He asked.
|
|
|
Post by cloud on Oct 2, 2011 11:32:00 GMT -5
War is a prize of the flesh.
[/center][/div][/font][/size][/sub] (OOC: Sorry I took so long; I had to re-consider how I was going to answer, as I felt I'd go out-out-character with Strife. But I think I reached a fair compromise with including adding both, as you will see.)
The two first-classes before him may have gotten comfortable with the bar scene... but Cloud was far from it as their host.
Firstly, he wasn't content nor satisfied with Angeal's answers. He claimed to remember what had happened, but when it came to questions about what had happened when Zack ran off to confront him, his descriptions came off as crude and vague. "Penance?" he questioned aloud, as if more questioning himself what that could mean instead of querying Angeal. A mark of guilt... from a perfect monster? It almost sounded like Angeal was taking about himself, but that almost didn't make any sense. Just what exactly was Fair's former trainer hiding the details about?
His second placing of distrust came when he stubbornly treated Genesis like any other customer with a fare, only for Angeal to pay for him. Now he wasn't even sure what to believe of Angeal. He was siding with Genesis, and maybe this was his true colors all along. Maybe he had been a master of Zack's long ago, but that had been before he had knocked Cloud out just after co-incidently being in the same area as Genesis was seen to disappear. The chance he had decided to give Angeal was now all but vanished, and only mistrust was left in it's place.
At his comment about Genesis in their former fight to throw to Angeal, it all hadn't raised any concern towards him either, only further solidifying his alliegence with the red turn-coat. Genesis had made some snide remark about the world, and Cloud scoffed inwardly as he forced himself not to let out a cliche 'Hmph' in disbelief. "Not taking your word for it." he remarked bluntly, pouring Angeal a small amount that he had offered as pay for his answer. Genesis went on about their differences and the reasons behind his antagonism as if trying to explain himself, but Cloud had heard enough. "You got what you wanted." he added sharply, slamming down the whiskey bottle on the counter hard.
'G' talking to Angeal as if he knew him only made him feel more like he was serving the enemy right within a home of his, and it took every once of who he was not to suddenly pull out his weapon and sweep the counter to smash the bottle and shot-glasses onto the floor to demonstrate they were not welcome. But no, that was not him, to violently illustrate a point. He knew they were not here for him or anyone else, and was almost about to leave to resume his journey into the next world, if it were not for Genesis asking one question. It was about Cosmos, and the mercenary remembered the goddess coming up in conversation during their battle. "Nothing. If you spoke to her yourself, why come to me for answers?" he demanded tersely, at first.
Having spoken that out loud and hearing his own words for himself, this told him two things. That one, Genesis had lied about talking to Cosmos, or for seconds that if there was any chance he had that his meeting had been too brief to really know anything about her. Hence, why he was asking him now, but a realization also dawned on him because of this fact. Genesis wanted to know something from Cloud... and Cloud wanted to know what Zack wouldn't talk to him about Angeal. Whiskey was no longer the desired item on the menu, and if they were going to get anything out of Cloud, then his foggy past as a warrior of Chaos would leave him unpredictable enough to sort out an exchange of information.
"You want to know about Cosmos? Then... Angeal. Tell me." He looked sternly across the mahogany counter at the man as sunlight filtered in through the same windom he was looking through outside, at the kids playing in the alleyway on the street. "Why then did Zack take the Buster Sword from you? What really happened that day?"
Template made by Memzard of OTE [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by griever on Oct 3, 2011 14:56:24 GMT -5
As the conversation continued, Angeal could only remain silent as the two shared their retorts and replies, only bringing the raven haired man to conclude that these two needed words with one another. It was a safe assumption that they had fought as well, but whether or not that duel had been recent or some time ago, it remained to be seen. Angeal ultimately decided against digging into the past regarding this, for it remained irrelevant to himself, yet there was a vague hint of curiosity within him about it. He would have to ask his old friend about this encounter sometime later if he felt the need to appease this, but for the most part Hewley felt that both Strife and Rhapsodos were doing an adequate job of summing it up for him. If anything it was done in a cryptic manner, however a solemn nod was produced upon Genesis' recital of the line: "This world has suffered enough."
It was a mutual common knowledge that Angeal felt they could all relate to, given the fact that he now knew Cloud had worked for Shinra at some point in time too, though admittedly he felt that he had been on the wrong side. If he were to have had it his way back then, they all would have fought against the company, and then there wouldn't have been such a primary focus on himself and Genesis. He understood Sephiroth's reasons for staying with Shinra, for the man used to uphold a strong sense of duty like himself, yet after their last conversation with the legend, Angeal wasn't sure he could say the same about his friend. He seemed unlike himself from what Angeal remembered him as, and now held traits about his personality that only told Hewley that he harbored dark intentions. Shinra had done the same to him as they had to both men now sitting before Strife, so it was safe to say that someone was deserving of that darker side's wrath, which apparently would be these wielders of the Keyblade he had mentioned. Angeal's focus was brought back to the conversation when the Goddess Cosmos was mentioned by Genesis, and shot a look from the crimson to the blond as Strife answered his question. The name had struck a cord inside Angeal, one of which both men with him would remain unaware of unless mentioned.
His blue mako infused eyes wandered down to the refilled shot glass, however the former Spiritual Leader of SOLDIER made no motion to take it, and rather continued what he did before by running a fingertip along the lip of the glass. Alcohol was a fine soother to a warrior's ever anxious nerves in combat, and even provided a solace to those who decided upon relaxation, yet for the conversation at hand it was unnecessary at this point. There was a lot going though the mind of Angeal at the moment, such as how best to take up Sephiroth's offer, whom these Keybladers were, what had caused the company's direct collapse aside from his desertion, and what remained to do as far as his allegiance was concerned. It was then that Cloud came to ask him another question, first addressing Genesis then himself in the whole sentence, to which Angeal only replied in silence at first. He brought his blue eyes to meet that of Cloud's, and for a moment he remained locked in his gaze, then eventually returned them to the street outside the window. A moment of silence overtook the inside of the bar, save for the muffled mutterings of the children outside. He stood up then, and silently pushed the stool he had sat upon closer to the bar. He made no motion to leave, nor any motion toward Strife, but rather nodded towards the filled shot glass. He recalled mentioning to Cloud that he could use one as well only moment prior, and decided to give up his free drink to his newest acquaintance.
"What happened that day..." he allured at first, then crossed his arms as he glanced to the floor, beginning to ponder upon his memories of his last hours. It wasn't a subject of topic Angeal was fond of, however Strife remained determined to find out the details, and it was fortunate that he was one of the few who had decided to ask. If it were anyone else, Angeal remained sure that he would have turned them away, and ignored their pleas regarding the information. There was something about Cloud though, something about the youth that reminded him strongly of Zack, and a small piece of himself that resonated strongly with the raven haired warrior's reasoning. They shared a mutual friend, and unknowingly a mutual bond in wielding a symbol of Hewley's honor. It was enough to trust him with this information, solely for this lone fact, which was being questioned even now. "I explained to Zack, the reasons and nature behind my betrayal of Shinra. The nature of what I had become." he began, then took two steps back from the bar and extended his right hand. Once more the snow white feathers of his wings burst from their hiding place, extending fully before the dimmed sunlight shining through the windows. "Hollander did this to the both of us," he added, regarding himself and Genesis in this statement, "...Zack didn't understand at first, the reason behind our desertion of the company. Ultimately it was the lies and deception they fed us, throughout all those years that we worked for them unquestioningly. I, myself, eventually came to receive abilities from the JENOVA cells I was given before birth, and as Hollander said, I was "perfect." Only I saw myself not as a man, but a perfect monster."
Angeal turned away from the eyes of Genesis and Cloud, covering his face with his left glove briefly before he shot them a glance through his fingers. He remained embarrassed about talking of Hollander, solely for the fact that the man had altered his very existence from the very beginning. It was true Hojo was just at fault, however animosity towards Hollander was unfathomable, and he disliked mentioning the man's name more than any other. Eventually Angeal lowered his hand, and began to continue his lengthy answer to Cloud's question. "Zack came for me in Modeoheim, as you know Cloud. There he approached me once more about my decisions and my actions, and I tried my best to explain it all to him, but Hollander interrupted us and forced my hand. I showed Zack my abilities full potential at the time, and absorbed many monsters to become an abomination called Penance. I gave him the first scar, then we had a duel of honor, which I proudly lost." he worded, in a slow speech as a means to draw out the emotion of the event, as well as to make sure that they both understood what had happened. "The Buster Sword, I passed on to Zack, as a symbol of my honor and dreams. I told him that they were passed onto him from that moment on, then passed for the Lifestream."
The final sentence was the ultimate conclusion to his recollection of the events, yet Angeal made no motion to end his answer just then and there. "I know this Cosmos as well." he added in, hoping to keep their attention as opposed to losing it, solely for the Goddess pertained highly to the focus of where this conversation had been led. Without warning a bright flash of light emitted from Angeal's left palm, and after it had faded, Goddess' Gift remained firmly grasped within his gloved hand. The weapon itself resembled Zack's current weapon exactly, minus the absent gold motif that had surrounded the Materia slots, yet it was just as durable as his old sword, if not more. "She gave me this gift after I helped stave off some Warriors of Darkness, and stopped their attempt to seize her throne. There were three Turks, and a young boy wielding an over sized Key that proved to be very powerful." stated Angeal, recalling the near dreamlike battle he had participated in, yet could not recall exactly when it had taken place. Nevertheless it proved to be real in the end, solely for the evidence that now remained in his hand. The large weapon then disappeared in another flash of light, and Angeal walked closer to the bar once more, however did not relinquish the use of his wings. He merely watched Cloud following his lengthy answer, knowing that it had been enough information to appease his curiosity. If it wasn't, then Strife would be disappointed in the silence he would receive further on the subject.
|
|
|
Post by Genesis Rhapsodos on Oct 3, 2011 20:38:14 GMT -5
((OOC - If this stinks and/or makes no sense, forgive me xD The moment I began to type my reply, my brain turned off xDD)) The Scarlet SOLDIER was getting an uneasy feeling from the blonde standing on the opposite side of the bar. It felt like he was just dying to draw his sword and attack him once more. Was it because of their encountered on the Blue Planet? Did Cloud have to fight everyone who didn't see things the way he did? What if Zack didn't agree with him on something? Would the ex-SOLDIER attack him too? It was funny, yet sad at the same time. A smile spread across the lips of the Crimson Warrior as he peered at the empty shot glass that rested calmly upon the bar top, his thoughts racing as many a question entered and left his mind. Most of them seemed to be about Cloud and why he was having so much trouble trusting anyone and anything. A major deciding factor in that obviously had to have been ShinRa and the fact that Genesis and his good friend Angeal continued to wear their SOLDIER uniforms. Perhaps that image alone was enough for the narrow minded blonde to believe that the two Legends were still in league with ShinRa? Oh how wrong would he be if that were the case.
Genesis' eyes were adverted away from the shot glass when Angeal mentioned the name 'Penence' which was supposedly a 'perfect monster' that gave Zak his scar. The Scarlet SOLDIER knew there and then that he was referring to himself, that it were Angeal himself in his actual monstrous form that gave Zack his scar. True, Genesis had never laid eyes upon him, but he knew from past encounters with his good friend that he often called himself a 'perfect monster'. The LOVELESS fan too fit into that category, but he, unlike Angeal, clearly wasn't as distraught about that fact. While he shared the same hatred for both ShinRa and Hollander, Genesis actually used his new body to his advantage, whether for the side of good or evil. As Angeal rose to show his beautiful wing angel wing to Strife, Genesis' eyes peered back at Cloud at watch him carefully. Only when the raven-haired male mentioned what 'Hollander did to us', did he peer back at his friend to which he continued to watch until he finished explaining himself to Cloud.
However, once Cloud has said that he wasn't going to take Genesis' word that this world had suffered enough, the LOVELESS fan returned his gaze, now glare, to Spiky and narrowed his brow. "Would you rather I kicked down the door with my sword drawn then? Or perhaps destroy this entire bar with some Materia? How about I go outside now and slaughter those kids playing with wooden swords? You're such an idiot Cloud." Strife's next sentence just made the LOVELESS fan chuckle in disappointment, shaking his head from side to side. "I wonder what Aerith and Zack would say to you now, if they witnessed you acting so ridiculously? I swear, ever since our encounter on your friends world, it seems to me like you're dying to start another fight with me. Carrying on Zack's dreams and honour? Don't make me laugh!" Genesis shook his head from side to side once more, mako-infused eyes locked onto Cloud's as he watched him intently with a hawk-like stare, yet his hands and arms remained crossed and placed upon the surface of the bar. He had constraint. While Cloud succeeded easily in frustrating the SOLDIER, he wasn't about to become the 'bad guy' and suddenly draw his weapon and attack. After all, this was a nice bar. He may have to come back for another drink one day.
Peering back at Angeal, eyes looking down the length of the Buster Sword that Zack had challenged him with in the past, he listened as Cosmos was mentioned and how she gave the raven-haired man his blade back. "I have met Cosmos, she were the first one I laid my eyes upon when I came to these worlds... but lately I have been getting images of a much more familiar female... golden blonde hair, an angelic face... but wielding a mighty lance and clad in godly armour... Nothing like what Cosmos wore and I am wondering if there might be 2 Goddesses..." He paused for a second, bright blue eyes peering back towards Cloud for a moment. "If Cosmos is not MY Goddess, the one depicted in LOVELESS, then perhaps I have been on the wrong path of keeping 'balance' between the Light and Darkness..." His eyes fell to the bartop upon which he drummed his crimson gloved fingers a few times.
|
|
|
Post by cloud on Oct 8, 2011 10:12:34 GMT -5
I know what I want, but what do I need? If I have to take this chance, I WILL TAKE IT TODAY.
[/center][/div][/font][/size][/sub] There wasn't much to be sure of as Angeal took the questioning Cloud gave him silently... at first. As Cloud's hands ran over the smooth mahogany of the counter as he rested them there and looked expectantly towards the man for answers, the overheard fan silently spinning and throwing constant flickers of light and shadow over them as cool air wafted downwards, the silence despite the children's laughter outside seemed to sink in as a disgruntled look seemed to cross the face of the original wielder of the Buster Sword. Then the former SOLDIER had left his seat and pushed the stool towards the counter, signaling to Strife that the man had heard enough and was making his leave. But not quite as he remained in his place behind his place behind the bar, only telling him what Cloud already knew.
Then he took two steps back, and showed him something he didn't.
Wings of white, and instantly Cloud realized perhaps Angeal's name was given perhaps in pure coincidence - or irony - of what he would represent. Another one-winged angel. This explained a lot of things, as Angeal went on to explain his betrayal, as they all sunk in. The disappearance, the black and white monsters and why they had Hewley's face planted on them, and of course his deception turning on Zack... and his re-emergence. Just the same as Sephiroth, and the other one-winged angel already in the room after their supposed 'deaths'. Keeping a fallen angel down after their wings were clipped was harder than trying to destroy a cockroach with a nuclear bomb... they just kept crawling back out of the rubble. This set off alarm bells in his mind once more, and when he had finished, was only then Cloud quickly spoke before his mention of Cosmos. "So what you're telling me is... you not only turned on Shinra. But you turned on your friend Zack, too." he summed up Angeal's story in one sentence, seeing the harshness of reality for what it was, the way he saw it.
Genesis was not far behind with another annoying, snide remark from the brutal truths Cloud could see of the world. Having wrapped up the previous conversation with what he had assessed of the LOVELESS quoter, it seemed like the man would not let go Cloud's own quote and let it die. Which told him something as he had predicted; why did he care so much about what he thought of him? "What I want, is for you to show your true colors. Like you're doing, right now. I don't trust you, after only words, and keeping a world in the dark. Even if you say you're saving worlds... I just don't agree with your methods, or even your reasons." he said strictly, indifferent to Genesis's childish name-calling and antagonistic laugh.
"I can't speak for them; but the way I see it, they wouldn't be any happier than I am, after what you... what both of you... have done to them." he spoke sternly in reaction to Zack's and Aerith's names being spoken, his words louder and harsher. His eyes narrowed at Genesis, and it was all he could do to prevent himself from pulling his sword from his sheath, his eyes piercing into him instead of his blade. "And to this planet; Shinra wasn't the only collateral in your defections. Innocent people got caught in your battles and you did nothing; that's what you don't get was wrong in taking the fight to Shinra, and so neither will either of you about SOLDIER honor." he finished as he glanced over at Angeal, taking away Genesis's shotglass and putting it in the sink. Genesis should ought to have watched what he said, should he face a life-long ban from this bar, or for his comrade-in-alliance Angeal. The time of trading hard liquor for information was over, and he had almost had his limit of having to deal with these two malicious, conniving Hollander experiments and their attitude upon the world they themselves had been contradicting in making suffer.
And having done nothing in Cloud's eyes, to atone for such crimes.
As Angeal held a hand out to summon his weapon, the blond's brows furrowed, and reached for his weapon in pure reaction to a weapon being drawn. However, upon further study Angeal was only conjuring it to show Cloud what he claimed to have obtained after a supposed story protecting Cosmos's throne. "You met Cosmos?" the question came, almost in disbelief after Angeal's story, taking in his tale of allying with Turks and a keyblader. Sora? What would Sora be doing helping out him and the Turks, who he could trust about as far as Sora could throw them... unless he didn't know the truth? Even if this was true? But then, the story of Angeal's defection against Zack could have been just as false, so the impromptu barkeep had some small kernel of belief of the story... the Buster Sword could have just as well been the same one Zack took and he had been wielding all those years ago, for all he knew.
Genesis did not help matters. If Cloud were to believe even the fabrication from the crimson cloak man's lips, it would be much less than the grain of truth he held with Angeal's words. So if this goddess Genesis was following the words of was not Cosmos all along, it would very likely explain that Genesis was only the tool that had been played by another deity, possibly one with less honorable intentions than Cosmos had. If she were still alive, that was. Realizing Angeal had answered his question with something that had fit Zack's closed attitude towards him all those years ago, despite Genesis acting like a total jackass at his straight-forward mistrust, he would tell them what should be common knowledge that wouldn't hurt Cosmos and nothing more. "Cosmos is a goddess of harmony. She summoned me... and nine others from different worlds... to battle the enemy and save the world. Sephiroth... he opposed me. But in the end, Cosmos gave up her life to give us the chance to win the war." he simply stated, and finished.
There was no need to give the former First Classes pointers about the forces of Discord, Chaos, or the crystals. And simply put, with Cosmos's life being taken, there was very little chance she could have been the same goddess Genesis took literally with LOVELESS... unless like Zack and Aerith, she came back to life as well. And he wouldn't put it past this new universe, where death wasn't the end, but just another means of a beginning to a new life. Nor would he tell them anything about his own memories of fighting on the side of Chaos... and even some of what had begun to happen after the war. He reached a hand back as if to rub his own shoulder in consideration of the angel wing coming out of Angeal's, then consciously lowered it back down to his side. Putting the bottle of whiskey away, his hand remained on the handle of First Tsurugi as he sent them both distrusting looks, having gotten the information he wanted as well as his assessment regarding his trust with the both of them. "Drinking hour's over. If you have a home, you don't have to go back to it; but you can't stay here. Get out."
(OOC: Sorry for the lateness; time to wrap this up, boys. Cloud would walk out, but he doesn't trust leaving the bar unattended even if there's no intention of trashing the place. Gotta give the mantle over to Kefka soon.)
Template made by Memzard of OTE [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by griever on Oct 12, 2011 13:20:58 GMT -5
Once Genesis began to speak, Angeal listened closely to everything his dear friend had to say. However as the man in crimson began to taunt Strife, the raven haired warrior shot him an expression of warning, yet kept silent so as to let him finish. He did not bother to add anything to what he had said before, and as Cloud began to reply to the words of Rhapsodos, Hewley had heard all he needed to. There was nothing but inquiry of the past here, and he could clearly see that now. Even if he decided to ask about the Key he had seen that proud youth wield, whether for the boy's benefit or Sephiroth's, Angeal doubted that he would be able to get a straight answer out of Cloud. The man remained guarded, and secured his knowledge with the tightest of lips it would seem. It was something he could have seen in himself many years ago, but no longer.
As he was asked to leave, Angeal nodded subtly in reply to Cloud, then looked to Genesis as he waited for his friend to get up from his seat. He was disappointed in the way Rhapsodos decided to handle this opportunity, deciding to dwindle on the past as opposed to garnering information. However Angeal was quick to let it go, deciding then and there that it was highly possible that they would run into Strife again. If not then there was always his friends to interrogate about the Keys, and unknowing to him at the time, many others out there in the worlds seeking to claim them for their own. Angeal then turned his gaze back to Cloud, and gave the blond a nod. "I'll be seein' you, Cloud." he spoke with an expression and tone of sincerity.
It was then that Angeal turned away from the bar, and slowly walked to the door. As he opened it, the bell above gave out another chime, which resonated throughout the silent establishment. Bright blue mako fueled eyes gazed back over the raven haired man's shoulder, and regarded Genesis once more, followed shortly by a silent jerk of the head; a subtle gesture to inform the former SOLDIER it was time to leave, and that there remained more to discuss. Hopefully Angeal would get a chance to speak with Genesis before he left, and determine another means of seeking out the desired quarry; information regarding the wielders of the Keys. After this Angeal stepped outside to get some fresh air, and waited for his old friend at the end of the street from the bar. [[OOC: Thanks for the awesome thread Vince ^-^]]
|
|