Aeris Gainsborough watches Cloud join them

Cloud Strife looks mildly upset and his eyes are a tad red.... As if he has been crying

Aeris Gainsborough says, "Cloud?"

Cloud Strife says, "Hmm?"

Tifa Lockheart looks at Cloud.... Wondering what he is up to

Aeris Gainsborough says, "what is it?"

Cloud Strife says, "Nothing"

Cloud Strife Sighs

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Tifa

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whispers to Tifa* do you still think he might be a ShinRa spy?"

Tifa Lockheart says, "*whispers in return* I don't know... he seemed pretty buddy buddy with Rufus... and I don't know what went on between them on the roof.... He looks upset"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whispering* yeah... what is going on? I don't think he'll tell us..."

Tifa Lockheart says, "*whisper* Cloud isn't one to share his emotional states with anyone... yet it looks as if he's been crying.... Something's up"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whisper* yeah, that's strange..."

Cloud Strife says, "Alright... I have gotten word that Sephiroth is alive... he was in the tower ... its why we were able to get away.... Im going after him..."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "Sephiroth..."

Cloud Strife has been watching the two girls whisper and has a feeling he isn't trusted anymore

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "You two can go or stay... doesn't really matter.... You don't seem to trust me anymore"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I'm going"

Tifa Lockheart says, "I wanna know what's going on"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "so do I, Care to tell us the rest?"

Cloud Strife says, "About what? My place in this whole thing?"

Aeris Gainsborough nods

Cloud Strife sighs

Cloud Strife says, "Alright, You will hate me though"

Aeris Gainsborough listens

Cloud Strife says, "It all started when I woke up in a small room in ShinRa tower.... He... Rufus was there... I soon found out that I was NOT there due to my Soldier training... I was there for ... some rather unpleasant reasons"

Cloud Strife shudders visibly

Aeris Gainsborough says, "..."

Cloud Strife says, "The president... had some sick tastes..."

Aeris Gainsborough her mouth twists to a look of disgust

Cloud Strife says, "Namely... whores, young men, and his own son..."

Aeris Gainsborough all eyes go wide, staring at Cloud

Tifa Lockheart says, "Eew..."

um, do you mean it the way I think you mean it?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes Barret"

Cloud Strife says, "Anyway... Rufus and I got quite close while in that cell... he kept me from doing stupid things... I was ready to break out.... "

Aeris Gainsborough looks sick herself

Cloud Strife says, "Anyway... the president... *closes his eyes* had at me... I will spare you the details...."

Aeris Gainsborough grits her teeth

damn, he was worse then I thought"

Cloud Strife says, "I woke up in a room again.... With Rufus... he helped me get away"

why the hell did he help you?"

Cloud Strife says, "I owe him. He helped me... because... as I said... we got kinda close..."

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Tifa to see her reaction to all this

Tifa Lockheart says, "Cloud I really hope by close you don't mean... nah... you cant..."

Aeris Gainsborough sighs

Cloud Strife says, "While in that cell.... We talked about killing the Prez... for all the pain he's caused. He finally did it.... But he doesn't seem to be the same Rufus... he's colder... harder.... He must have... taken a lot of shit for letting me go..."

Cloud Strife says, "He's worse than he was 2 years ago"

what was he like then?"

Cloud Strife says, "He ... was as little warmer towards me..."

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Cloud

Aeris Gainsborough says, "What do you think happened?"

Cloud Strife says, "Tifa... she was right by the definition of close she was thinking of"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "..."

Cloud Strife says, "There are really only two things you can do alone in a room with someone.... Play cards... or make out... we didn't have a deck of cards...."

Cloud Strife says, "You probably all hate me now..."

Cloud Strife sighs

.... This is getting.... *Scratches the back of his head*"

Aeris Gainsborough says, " I do not hate you..."

Cloud Strife says, "But it doesn't matter... I am what I am and there isn't any changing that... "

Cloud Strife smiles

Cloud Strife says, "Thanks Aeris... you still want that date?"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "yes"

Tifa Lockheart says, "Date?"

Aeris Gainsborough nods

Tifa Lockheart says, "he never asked me on a date...."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whispers* it's my payment for him saving me from the Turks"

Tifa Lockheart says, "oh"

Cloud Strife says, "He's been after me for the past 2 years... although it died down a lot after the first 20 times they tried to take me down didn't work. Now he's dead... "

Cloud Strife smiles

Cloud Strife puts a hand on Aeris's shoulder

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "Once we're through... or if we have time... its still on"

Aeris Gainsborough smiles

Cloud Strife says, "C'mon... we should get out of Midgar"

Aeris Gainsborough everyone agreed

Aeris Gainsborough says, "How are we going to get up there Cloud?"

Cloud Strife says, "Elevator is a no no"

Aeris Gainsborough looks over at the guard

Aeris Gainsborough says, "hmm, why are we hear any way?"

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus is here... as well as Sephiroth... I can feel it"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "oh"

Cloud Strife says, "Although he and I are... nothing now..."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "Then, we have to find a way"

Aeris Gainsborough nods

Cloud Strife looks somewhat upset

Cloud Strife says, "But that's the past..."

Aeris Gainsborough nods

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I understand. So, what are you going to do?"

Cloud Strife ponders

Cloud Strife says, "Well there is a tower that conducts the wiring to the underwater Mako reactor...."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "how are we supposed to get up there then?"

Cloud Strife says, "Tower's electrically charged"

Cloud Strife wanders down to the beach to look at the tower

Aeris Gainsborough follows him

Cloud Strife says, "I'm at a loss for once. Unless any of you are resistant to electricity"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "no

Cloud Strife stands stiffly... getting a white knuckled grip on the gun in his hands

Rufus Shinra looks over the soldiers assembled before him. Flicks back his hair

Cloud Strife keeps his eyes lowered... since troopers don't normally have Mako eyes

Cloud Strife fumbles with his gun a bit

Rufus Shinra watches, his eyes peering out at the troopers before him

Cloud Strife o O (Gods don't let him notice me...)

Rufus Shinra is just watching them

Cloud Strife nearly drops his gun several times since it isn't his weapon of choice

Rufus Shinra eyes Cloud, wondering what the trooper is thinking to do such a thing

Cloud Strife o O ( Ugh... I want my sword! )

Cloud Strife expertly spins the gun... glad he can do at least something with the useless thing

Rufus Shinra nods to the troopers. Turns to Heidegger and says a few words to him quietly. Heads into the ship

Cloud Strife grins sheepishly

Here is a gift from the President... a showing of his kindness *smirks a little as he hands Cloud a Force Stealer*"

Cloud Strife says, "managed to pull that off...."

Cloud Strife watches quietly... hoping not to be noticed

Rufus Shinra is watching the sea

Rufus Shinra flicks his hair back. His face is still cold and set

Cloud Strife says, "*softly and to himself* I should have stuck with you Rufus... you probably paid dearly for letting me go..."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whispers* what do you think was done to him after that?"

Cloud Strife looks at Aeris

Cloud Strife says, "*whispers* Whatever it was... I think it totally destroyed what was left of his soul..."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whispers* that's sad..."

Cloud Strife nods

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whispers* how can you kill someone's soul?"

Cloud Strife says, "*whisper* The Prez obviously found a way"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whisper*.... Wonder what it was..."

Cloud Strife sighs

Cloud Strife says, "*whisper* I owe him Aeris... I wonder what he is going to ask of me. The Prez... had a way of making you feel worthless... he was very skilled at mental and physical pain.... Rufus... he's covered with scars. I can hardly imagine what he did to break him as a child.... Thinking about what broke him as a man.... *Shudders*"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whispers* worse?"

Cloud Strife says, "much..."

Rufus Shinra flicks his hair back, watching the sea still

Aeris Gainsborough cringes

Aeris Gainsborough says, "*whisper* I told you, I heard no one has ever seen him bleed or cry.... That he was very cold.... And Barret said he had been assigned elsewhere for a long time"

Cloud Strife says, "*whisper* there is a point... when you don't feel anything anymore... when there are no more tears to cry... he's beyond that "

Aeris Gainsborough closes her eyes

Aeris Gainsborough says, "It's a point that's hard to imagine..."

Rufus Shinra turns from the sea as Heidegger enters

Aeris Gainsborough watches

Cloud Strife says, "*whisper* I was there myself once... when my town was burnt.... I couldn't cry...."

Cloud Strife watches

Aeris Gainsborough says, "He even scares Heidegger ... not even his father did that... *whispering*"

Cloud Strife says, "What do you suppose they are talking about?"

Aeris Gainsborough shrugs

Cloud Strife says, "*whisper* Wonder if they found us out?"

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Cloud

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I don't know ... but, why is Heidegger so scared? He didn't even fear old man ShinRa..."

Cloud Strife says, "no clue"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "any guesses?"

Cloud Strife says, "He's a lot stronger than he looks"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "how strong?"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm pretty sure he could have bested me in hand to hand combat..."

Aeris Gainsborough bites her lip

Aeris Gainsborough says, "wow"

Cloud Strife says, "And I'm soldier...."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I know"

Cloud Strife says, "And... Im guessing he doesn't have any constraints now... so I would be afraid of him myself"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "constraints ... because he now effectively controls the world?"

Cloud Strife says, "Because he has no... Emotions"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "how can someone live that way? And, didn't he feel joy when he... killed his father?"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know. Perhaps he does have them... He didn't seem to want to let go when I kissed him"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "oh"

Cloud Strife says, "Im sure you didn't want to hear that..."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "Well...."

Aeris Gainsborough scratches her head

Cloud Strife says, "Does it bother you at all?"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "what do you mean?"

Cloud Strife says, "That I'm... well interested in men"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "just that?"

Cloud Strife says, "Well I like girls too"

Aeris Gainsborough shakes her head

Aeris Gainsborough says, "no, I don't mind. People like what they like"

Cloud Strife says, "Good... cuz some people have problems with that sort of thing"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "oh?"

Cloud Strife says, "Barret looked more than a little ill. Tifa... just seemed more concerned that you were going on a date with me... so I guess she doesn't mind"

Aeris Gainsborough smiles

Cloud Strife exchanges glances with Aeris

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Cloud

Aeris Gainsborough says, "now what? *Still whispering*"

Cloud Strife says, "No clue... w hat do you suppose they were talking about?"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "You asked me that before... and I don't know"

Cloud Strife says, "oh yeah"

Cloud Strife says, "Y'know I wish I could just walk in and ask him..."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "are you?"

Cloud Strife smoothes one of his spikes back... but it bounces back into place

Cloud Strife says, "Can't..."

Rufus Shinra flicks his hair back

Aeris Gainsborough says, "what do you think would happen if he knew we were here?"

Cloud Strife says, "Im not sure.... We're enemies now."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "What was it like when.... Well ... you were not his enemy?"

Cloud Strife says, "I didn't know him long... perhaps a week tops.... "

Aeris Gainsborough listens

Cloud Strife says, "But... well I suppose I fell for him... At first I threatened... played that I was aloof... but... I went to sleep... and I guess he didn't realize what a light sleeper I am...."

Aeris Gainsborough listens

Cloud Strife I woke up to him beside me... he had run his fingers through my hair... and was talking... saying nice things... I don't quite remember what... but I know... his touch thrilled me

Aeris Gainsborough says, "and now?"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know what to think of him"

Aeris Gainsborough sighs

Aeris Gainsborough says, "two years really did so much?"

Cloud Strife says, "Aeris... I've thought about it a long time... About what happened to him"

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "It must have been terrible... I think... the Prez.... Might have seen what Rufus didn't want him to see... Rufus was being compassionate... kind... I don't think... the Prez liked it"

Aeris Gainsborough listens again

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I've never heard of Rufus being... kind to any one..."

Cloud Strife says, "I think he was being kind when he let me go... Or perhaps.... He was just removing an obstacle...."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "oh?"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm not sure really"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "obstacle.... To what?"

Cloud Strife says, "The presidency?"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "how would you be an obstacle to that?"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know"

Cloud Strife shrugs

Rufus Shinra folds his arms

Cloud Strife says, "Perhaps a part of him enjoyed what his old man did to him?"

Cloud Strife shudders at that thought

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Cloud

Aeris Gainsborough says, "huh?"

Cloud Strife says, "he said something about Gentle pleasure"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "..."

Cloud Strife says, "this is a subject I prefer not to linger on"

Aeris Gainsborough nods

Cloud Strife says, "To think that he could enjoy... what his own father did to him... makes me quite ill"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "yeah... but... he might have gotten twisted up you know"

Cloud Strife says, "True. So was I an obstacle in the way of his father's 'affections'?"

Rufus Shinra looks, as if he never sleeps, Cloud should notice this

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I don't know"

Cloud Strife looks at Rufus again

Aeris Gainsborough says, "did his father ignore him while you were there?"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't think he ever sleeps... No he didn't...."

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Rufus too. Frowns

Aeris Gainsborough says, "but, you have to sleep...."

Cloud Strife says, "He walked in on Rufus and I... while we were.... Well never mind that..."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "without sleep... you sort of go nuts.... Or something like that"

Cloud Strife nods

Cloud Strife says, "I think he might have"

Aeris Gainsborough looks back at Cloud

Aeris Gainsborough says, "gone nuts?"

Cloud Strife says, "Perhaps... he is after Sephiroth"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "What do you mean?"

Cloud Strife says, "Back on the roof.... He said we were both after Sephiroth"

Cloud Strife watches

Cloud Strife says, "Makes me wonder if he eats either. What does he do to stay alive?"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I don't know. Does he even care?"

Cloud Strife says, "Perhaps not. I was a little strapped for wanting to live after just one time with the Prez"

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Cloud, raising an eyebrow

Aeris Gainsborough says, "what about him?"

Cloud Strife says, "I think he got it close to every night of his life when he was little... Beatings too...."

Aeris Gainsborough looks very horrified. Her eyes fill with tears

Cloud Strife says, "he's covered in scars..."

Aeris Gainsborough wants to cry

Aeris Gainsborough says, "that is ... so sad...."

Aeris Gainsborough blinks away the tears in her eyes

Rufus Shinra Turns away from the sea. Says something to Heidegger

Rufus Shinra flicks his hair back

Cloud Strife says, "I loved him... how hard is it on me?"

Aeris Gainsborough looks down

Aeris Gainsborough says, "that just sounds so horrid. What happened to him? Covered in scars?"

Aeris Gainsborough looks at Rufus again

Aeris Gainsborough says, "no wonder he wears a black Turtleneck all the time"

Cloud Strife says, "yes... why do you think he wears what he wears"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "But now what is going through his head? Remember his speech?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah, Fear... "

Rufus Shinra walks out of the main area and out of site

Aeris Gainsborough listens to Cloud

Aeris Gainsborough says, "what did you think of it?"

Cloud Strife sighs

Cloud Strife says, "It made me think he's changed"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "why?"

Cloud Strife says, "Even though I really didn't know him that well in the first place"

Aeris Gainsborough nods again

Aeris Gainsborough says, "What else did you think of the speech?"

Cloud Strife says, "He sounded bitter"

Cloud Strife leans against the wall

Cloud Strife says, "like he wanted revenge for the pain caused him... but couldnt stop at the old man's death"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "Fear..."

Aeris Gainsborough sighs

Aeris Gainsborough says, "control by fear...."

Cloud Strife says, "Its how his father controlled him at first"

Aeris Gainsborough nods

Aeris Gainsborough says, "and?"

Cloud Strife says, "Now he wants the world to feel how he feels?"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "he might... or there might be something else"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know... stop asking me questions.... If I knew I would be a god"

Aeris Gainsborough chuckles a little

Aeris Gainsborough says, "What do you think he would do if he saw us?"

Cloud Strife says, "Don't know! Stop asking me! Im not him!"

Aeris Gainsborough backs up a little

Aeris Gainsborough says, "sorry...."

Aeris Gainsborough looks down at the ground

Cloud Strife says, "I'm me... and you know what I would do?"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "what?"

Cloud Strife says, "Put duct tape over your mouth..."

Aeris Gainsborough bites her lip and sighs

Cloud Strife says, "I really can't answer for him or anything... cuz Im not like him"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I know, I'm sorry"

Cloud Strife Sighs

Aeris Gainsborough sits down

Cloud Strife says, "I get edgy when Im stuck somewhere... this boat is like a floating prison for me.... No way off but to swim... look, I'm sorry..."

Aeris Gainsborough looks back up at Cloud

Cloud Strife sits down beside Aeris

Cloud Strife says, "It's been a tad stressful..."

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I know"

Cloud Strife sighs and leans on Aeris slightly

Aeris Gainsborough smiles a little

Cloud Strife says, "So where do you wanna go on our date?"

Aeris Gainsborough smiles

Aeris Gainsborough says, "I don't know. Where sounds good?"

Cloud Strife says, "Anywhere but here"

Aeris Gainsborough nods

Aeris Gainsborough says, "say, where are we going?"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm guessing Costa Del sol... It's the opposite port"

Aeris Gainsborough says, "oh Cloud, did you see the Airship at the Junon airport?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah"

Cloud Strife puts his head on Aeris' shoulder