Cloud Strife says, "Alright... got any popcorn?"
Cloud Strife says, "Uh. Alright"
Cait Sith puts the tape on
The tape shows that room Cloud and Rufus had been in 2 years ago
Cloud Strife says, "can we fast forward to the good parts?"
Rufus Shinra is standing there, his father before him
The Prez is talking sternly to his son, about letting Cloud go and how much of a failure... ETC the boy 'Rufus' must be
Cloud Strife Watches in silence
The Prez the... well ... uses his son for a while... Rufus does not look well from it at all
Cloud Strife closes his eyes... wishing he hadn't had to watch that
After that, the kid is dumped on the floor and shouted at some more. Then the Prez leaves
Rufus Shinra gets dressed
Cloud Strife says, "I shouldn't have left him... I should have been a man and stayed"
Then some random people from the slums are herded into the room with him.... Men, women, children ... a group. The Prez then orders Rufus to kill the group, or he'll never be let out of that room
Cloud Strife shudders
Cloud Strife says, "It looks like he made it so Rufus would never feel pity again"
When it's finally over Rufus sat in the corner of the room, covered in blood, his face blank. He's left among the bodies for hours. The Prez laughs over the intercom
Cloud Strife stands there looking appalled
Rufus Shinra does not move from the corner, and hadn't moved since he sat down. Finally, a few robots enter and wheel in an odd table device thing. Some more robots clean up the bodies and the blood. The robots head to Rufus. He struggles, managing to break one of them as they force him up on the table
Cloud Strife says, "Rufus..."
They strap his arms and legs down with metal. He bites his lip, cause the mettle is actually going right through his wrists and ankles
Cloud Strife says, "do I have to keep watching this...."
Aeris Gainsborough is already looking away
Wires are put in his arms to recollect the lost blood and pump it back through his system after filtering and oxygenating it. Then Rufus nearly screams as more metal is pushed through his body ... two right through the right and left side of his rib cage... making loops. Another two goes right through, looping, in his abdomen. Makes gasping sounds
Cloud Strife gags
It would have been quiet deadly if not for the device serving as heart and lungs
Aeris Gainsborough sits down on the floor, covering her eyes
Cloud Strife feels Rage as he sees Rufus being treated this way... even though he knows it was the past... and the cause of the pain is dead
Cloud Strife says, "This... because he let me go..."
Rufus Shinra can't breath; his head is stuck to the table cause of two small mettle pieces sticking into he back of his skull. Is stuck down to the table by all the metal sticking through his body
Aeris Gainsborough says, "Cloud, I'm afraid to look, what's going on?"
Cloud Strife says, "Aeris... you don't want to know"
Rufus Shinra is left this way for a long time
Cloud Strife says, "No wonder he's dead inside"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "(explain)"
Cloud Strife says, "Aeris... look"
Aeris Gainsborough looks up a second, then back down, gagging
The metal is finally taken out of him after a long time ... he lays limply on the table, blood gurgling from the holes in his chest as he tries to breath. He doesn't seem able to move
Cloud Strife is horrified at Rufus' treatment
Rufus Shinra would be dead of that little device wasn't still pumping oxygen rich blood through his body for him
Cloud Strife says, "How could anyone do that to another human being?"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "I have no idea"
Cloud Strife shudders and feels like breaking things
After a while some unseen source casts cure 3 on him. The wires are removed and he's given clean clothing and cleaned up a bit. Then the Prez comes back in and tells him he's being assigned up north until further notice
Rufus Shinra just nods and leaves the room
The tape ends
Aeris Gainsborough looks up
Aeris Gainsborough says, "What happened?"
Cloud Strife shakes his head. Leaves the room
Aeris Gainsborough gets up and follows Cloud
Cloud Strife easily loses himself in the crowd... just wanting to be alone to think about the things he's seen. Sits down at an empty table in the event square and puts his head in his arms
Cloud Strife says, "You probably knew you were gonna get hell Rufus... why did you let me go?"
A few people walk by
Cloud Strife whacks his head against the table
Cloud Strife says, "How could he do that to you? His own flesh and blood..."
A person looks at Cloud a second
Cloud Strife says, "nnng, I'm fine... just thinking..."
The man nods and walks off
Cloud Strife says, "You're lost to me Rufus... hollow... empty... but I cant blame you... I shouldn't have been such a damned baby... I should have stuck with it.... Then you wouldn't have had to do those things... Killing innocents.... Suffering. Had I known..."
Aeris Gainsborough finds Cloud
Aeris Gainsborough says, "Cloud, there you are!"
Cloud Strife says, "..."
Aeris Gainsborough walks over to Cloud and sits next to him
Cloud Strife says, "Aeris... Rufus... he's..."
Aeris Gainsborough listens
Cloud Strife says, "He's dead inside from what he's been through"
Aeris Gainsborough nods slowly
Aeris Gainsborough says, "that's... awful"
Cloud Strife sighs and puts his head back in his arms
Cloud Strife says, "I loved him.... But all I could think of was saving my own ass"
Aeris Gainsborough nods slowly
Aeris Gainsborough says, "you had no idea what would happen to him?"
Cloud Strife says, "I wanted him to come with me... but he wouldn't... or couldn't.... Or didn't want to "
Aeris Gainsborough says, "which do you think it was?"
Cloud Strife says, "I'm not sure"
Aeris Gainsborough holds her hand out to him
Cloud Strife takes Aeris' hand
Aeris Gainsborough holds his hand, placing her other on top
Cloud Strife looks at Aeris
Aeris Gainsborough looks back at him
Cloud Strife sighs
Cloud Strife says, "Guess you are my new solace..."
Cloud Strife smiles faintly
Aeris Gainsborough smiles a little
Cloud Strife says, "I still cant help but hate myself... its partially my fault"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "how?"
Cloud Strife says, "I was a wuss and begged him to let me go..."
Aeris Gainsborough says, "and?"
Cloud Strife says, "and he did... "
Aeris Gainsborough says, "he let you escape...."
Cloud Strife says, "I... I don't know if he cared about me at all..."
Aeris Gainsborough says, "but, he let you escape"
Cloud Strife says, "yes...."
Aeris Gainsborough says, "so why do you say he didn't care?"
Cloud Strife says, "I'm not sure. He said he had thought about me though... I'm not sure if they were thoughts of hate or fond ones"
Aeris Gainsborough says, ".... Why would he hate you?"
Cloud Strife says, "For what happened to him"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "why would he hate you for that?"
Cloud Strife says, "cuz letting me go caused it. Letting me go made him what he is "
Aeris Gainsborough sighs
Aeris Gainsborough says, "did you ask him?"
Cloud Strife says, "haven't had the chance. We're enemies now"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "you sure of that?"
Cloud Strife says, "Don't know"
Cloud Strife looks miserable
Aeris Gainsborough says, "why are you so sure?"
Aeris Gainsborough frowns and rubs his hand gently
Cloud Strife says, "he's probably beyond caring now. I'll have to try again.... Someone new.... Put the past behind me... like he said he did..."
Aeris Gainsborough holds Cloud's hand
Aeris Gainsborough says, "I'm here for you. You can talk to me about anything bothering you"
Cloud Strife says, "Thanks Aeris"
Aeris Gainsborough smiles
Aeris Gainsborough says, "you are welcome Cloud"
Cloud Strife sighs again
Cloud Strife says, "I'm the least exiting person in the world right now... wanna do something?"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "sure, it you are up for it"
Cloud Strife says, "to get my mind off it for a while... I'll try anything"
Aeris Gainsborough smiles and stands up
Aeris Gainsborough says, "ok!"
Cloud Strife says, "Whatcha wanna do?"
Cloud Strife stands somewhat stiffly
Aeris Gainsborough says, "not sure ... I just wanna have fun"
Cloud Strife says, "Well define fun for me and we'll do it"
Aeris Gainsborough scratches her head
Aeris Gainsborough says, "I don't know till I'm doing something weather it is fun or not"
Cloud Strife says, "Well we got games... rides...."
Aeris Gainsborough smiles
Aeris Gainsborough says, "Ride sounds fun"
Cloud Strife says, "Lead on Aeris... drag me around a bit eh?"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "ok"
Aeris Gainsborough hooks Cloud's arm and leads him out of the Event Square. Goes to the Speed Square
Cloud Strife says, "Roller coaster?"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "yeah!"
Aeris Gainsborough gets in
Cloud Strife hops in beside Aeris
Aeris Gainsborough the ride takes off
Aeris Gainsborough says, "wee! This is fun!"
Cloud Strife finds himself thrown against Aeris a few times.... And finds it surprisingly pleasant to be pressed against her side
Aeris Gainsborough smiles and laughs, enjoying Cloud falling into her. When the ride ends Aeris climbs out. Looks at Cloud and smiles
Aeris Gainsborough says, "that was fun"
Cloud Strife is a little dizzy
Cloud Strife says, "Uhh... yeah fun"
Aeris Gainsborough takes his arm
Aeris Gainsborough says, "what shall we do next?"
Cloud Strife says, "Something slow?"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "ok, how about the gondola?"
Cloud Strife says, "Sure"
Aeris Gainsborough smiles and leads him there. Sits down inside the car. Smiles and looks to Cloud
Cloud Strife leans back against the wall of the gondola
Aeris Gainsborough smiles
The car takes off
Cloud Strife watches out the window...
Aeris Gainsborough watches as well
Aeris Gainsborough says, "oh, how pretty"
Cloud Strife says, "Yes...."
Cloud Strife sighs as he watches the fireworks
Aeris Gainsborough smiles at the fire works then turns back to Cloud
Aeris Gainsborough says, "Anything you want to talk about?"
Cloud Strife says, "Not really...."
Cloud Strife gets up and sits next to Aeris... then leans on her... finding her presence somewhat comforting
Aeris Gainsborough smiles as she is leaned on. Slips her arm around him. Closes her eyes, enjoying his presence
Cloud Strife says, "I could fall asleep like this... but the ride doesn't last forever..."
Aeris Gainsborough says, "I know ... but there is always...."
Aeris Gainsborough stops short of her sentence... not wanting to pressure him
Cloud Strife says, "Perhaps..."
Aeris Gainsborough smiles slightly
Cloud Strife says, "I wouldn't mind it... though I'm sure Tifa would..."
Aeris Gainsborough smiles even more
The ride comes to a stop
Aeris Gainsborough gets up, her arm still around Cloud
Aeris Gainsborough says, "well, let's go then"
Cloud Strife says, "I am lonely... "
Cloud Strife frowns
Aeris Gainsborough says, "I'm lonely too"
Cloud Strife says, "Just tonight.... Keep me company..."
Aeris Gainsborough nods
Aeris Gainsborough says, "alright"
Aeris Gainsborough hooks his arm
Aeris Gainsborough says, "lead on"
Cloud Strife says, "Do you think I'm weak?"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "no, why?"
Cloud Strife says, "Well... I'm a grown man and I want to cry...."
Aeris Gainsborough says, "what does that mean? Crying is actually a good thing. It helps you feel better"
Cloud Strife says, "Yeah... but.... You're not supposed to do it when you're a guy. Specially not a Soldier..."
Aeris Gainsborough giggles
Aeris Gainsborough says, "that's silly to think"
Cloud Strife says, "No its not. If I started crying here and now you know how many people would stare?"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "Lead on"
Cloud Strife leads Aeris to the hotel... and rents them a room
Aeris Gainsborough goes into the room and sits on the bed. Looks over at Cloud
Cloud Strife sits on the bed next to Aeris. Sighs and flops back onto the bed... wondering if this was a good idea
Aeris Gainsborough lies down too
Cloud Strife puts an arm around Aeris
Aeris Gainsborough puts an arm around Cloud and smiles
Cloud Strife says, "Y'know... its nothing against you... but Im just not a happy guy at this point... Mind if I lose my dignity and bawl for a while?"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "I can understand that ... no, I don't mind. It will help you feel better"
Cloud Strife leans his head on Aeris and cries... feeling stupid but it does make him feel better
Aeris Gainsborough holds him, letting him cry
Cloud Strife sniffles
Cloud Strife says, "Gods I'm miserable.... And a pansy for that matter..."
Aeris Gainsborough says, "Aww Cloud, don't be miserable ... It's not going to help anything"
Cloud Strife says, "I know... "
Aeris Gainsborough lies in the bed
Cloud Strife wraps his arms around Aeris... and hugs her as if she were a giant teddy bear or something
Aeris Gainsborough smiles as she is hugged
Cloud Strife finds himself nuzzling at Aeris' neck... and stops himself
Aeris Gainsborough sighs, cause she didn't mind at all
Cloud Strife says, "I'm sorry Aeris... I want to... try and start something between us... but I'm not sure if I should"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "why?"
Cloud Strife brushes Aeris' hair away from her face
Aeris Gainsborough turns to him
Cloud Strife says, "Because.... We're on an insane quest... and something might happen to one of us... and leave the other miserable"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "I understand"
Cloud Strife says, "You're a very nice girl though... "
Aeris Gainsborough says, "Thank you"
Cloud Strife says, "if I weren't so screwed up... and if all this weren't happening... I would do it"
Aeris Gainsborough smiles
Cloud Strife cuddles up with Aeris
Cloud Strife says, "pleasant dreams"
Aeris Gainsborough says, "'you too"
Aeris Gainsborough smiles as she cuddles and goes to sleep
