video;

[liveandforgive]

[ He's normally not a video guy. So surprise surprise! There's a spiky-haired blond sporting soft wolf ears on your feed. A pair of sunglasses are hanging around his collar. ]

Hey everyone. Not that it's my first time using this thing, [ shrug. ] but... I guess I might as well cut to the chase.

My name is Cloud Strife. Haven't ironed out the kinks just yet, but I'm thinking of opening up shop again. Lunatia's pretty big, and I used to run a delivery business back home. So...

[ He's gauging interest. ]

If you got a business or know anyone who does, I can handle your supplies' shipments. Or personal mail and parcels. You name it, we deliver it. [ Speaking of handling large packages, ] That reminds me...

[ Cloud's already standing outside by what appears to be the side of a road. So when he turns the camera... In frame is a monster-sized motorcycle that somehow manages to look sleek at the same time.

Yes. That's his ride. ]

Anybody know of any garages for rent?

Comments

Re: (Video)

[decisiveconquest]

I'm not sure what other word to use. It feels...masculine. (Or like a really hot woman who takes no crap from anyone because she can leave them in her dust. Is she overthinking this?

There is nothing like riding a dragon, Cloud. In both the literal and metaphorical sense.)

One of my sons. He is the eldest since he hatched first. (She had been chilling in the fire, watching her babies wiggle into the world.) I'm Daenerys Targaryen.

[liveandforgive]

[ Yeah gtfo of frame, Cloud.

His brows lift a little. The help and offers just keep pouring in. Among the Moonblessed, was this place really sorely lacking in a proper delivery business? He has to admit, it's giving him a lot more courage to go through with opening up again. ]

What's this place like, Ayer?

Video. Un:cloudywolf

[liveandforgive]

[ So many people just. Loving the bike?? Cloud wasn't expecting this. Damn. Wait 'til the old man and his niece hear about this. ]

Thanks.

[ And another offer?! Immediate recommendation? Cloud would really need to get things into gear (maybe sooner than he thought)! ]

Great. When I get off the ground, I'll drop you a line.

[liveandforgive]

Something to remind you of home... [ His smile softens. ] That's good.

It's business. We'll thank each other.

audio;

[liveandforgive]

England? [ He shakes his head slightly, even though she can't see it because lol audio. ] No. Just about tales of Camelot and the knights of the round table.

[ And the fact that he can. Y'know. Call upon them? ]

[lumberlady]

Yeah... and it’s just quieter out here. It was tough for my husband out in the city all the time, so I’m just glad our bosses helped us with all the paperwork!

[Business is weird when you don’t just... inherit farmland from dead parents or live off the land.]

Aha, I guess that’s right! I’ll take it, then.

video;

[purrrrfection]

[She could certainly do worse than having more people calling her out on occasion for withholding information, since that's what's gotten her into this mess now. Please someone shake this prideful, overly independent idiot.

But for now, even if he doesn't forget, the fact he doesn't press is enough for her to drop it entirely.]

That's right. I meant to gather more information and establish some contacts. Figured it made sense to settle in where the population mingles most. So far it's served well.

[What he says about working out of home makes sense for the sort of business he's doing though. It earns a nod of agreement.]

You're still living on level two, like most of us I assume?

[Though She's spent more than one night in one of the inn rooms at the guild just to save herself the trouble of all that back and forth while she's drumming up workers.] I'll keep my ears up for any promising leads.

(Video)

[liveandforgive]

[ She probably is. But speaking of overthinkers, she's talking to one too. In fact, he chances a glance over his shoulder back to Sköll, giving a soft little hum in thought. ] ... Hm. Maybe.

Daenerys... [ The name falls softly from his tongue as he looks back to her. That'd be hard to forget or mistake for any other. He smiles before nodding with a gentle "Mm." ] Hope to be of service.

[ What is with him and forming acquaintanceships with royalty unknowingly? ]

[bust]

[ Because Cloud is cool in Ayer's books, and Ayer really likes his books all right, then the spiky-haired guy can stay in the frame. ]

A small cafe in Level 2, Azure. My crew member runs it. He's new to the business scene in general and a little unused to humans, so… it's a bit of a handful, but we're managing.

[ Since Sandalphon has him and the others around. Though, this is only some of the reasons why it needs more help. ]

Right now, it doesn't have an official shipping agent. The staff itself handles those and I'm among the few who do deliveries.

(Video)

[decisiveconquest]

(When you want to be a hero, you have to overthink. It's part of the guidebook.)

I like your name. (That might seem random, however...) My nickname, given to me at birth, is Stormborn.

(So Cloud Strife is almost a reminder.)

[liveandforgive]

If I paid for it all in one go, I'd probably be in negative Chroma. ...if that's possible.

[ He blinks when the young man asks about learning to ride. Welp. Time to tell him what he knows. "And I'll do it for free too." ] The best way I can describe it is...hmm. You ever ride a regular bike before?

video;

[liveandforgive]

Yeah. Never saw a reason to move elsewhere. [ Then again...he didn't think he'd be here for long. For the longest time, Cloud's apartment was rather barren and empty. But with time (and a roommate barging in), it's become something he can call his own. ]

Thank you.

[ This might sound like small talk, and sometimes it was a matter of passing the other by on the street, but not since Amegahara has he had a chance to ask. Might seem like a redundant question as she looks fine on the video, but... ]

How you holdin' up?

[liveandforgive]

Unused to humans...? [ Well, not that he's unfamiliar with non-human folk. Between Nanaki back home, and a few friends he's made here... Whether Ayer answers him or not (he'd understand if he didn't. it wasn't his business,) he'll still continue with, ] Well, you gotta start somewhere. Business or not.

[ Best of luck to them. But as for not having an official shipping agent? ]

I've worked with smaller stores like yours. When Strife Delivery Service takes off, I'll help you.

[ And by "takes off", he means when the government...y'know, approves of his business license he got recently. Unless he just works rogue out of his home. Like he might have planned to anyway. ]

[liveandforgive]

Sometimes I miss that. I used to be a country boy when I was a kid.

[ A lot of paperwork sometimes, on the business front. ]

video;

[purrrrfection]

I can certainly think of much worse places to live than a nice, quiet little residential area. It reminds me of the adventurer's wards back home.

[Maybe some time they'll have an excuse to visit one another at the others' home. Then again putting Panty and Ziva in the same general space sounds like a really, really, really terribly ill advised idea so of course it needs to happen.]

Of course.

[What are cuddle buddies for?

His question earns a shrug, and the nearest Ziva's come to a displeased expression in one of their conversations thus far, outside of combat. A bit disgruntled, as if puzzling out just how much of an annoyance her current problems are, and if they're worth mentioning.]

Now that the gods damned ghosts are gone? Better. Can't say I appreciate knowing these devices of ours can turn against us when the dead feel like fucking around with us.

[Despite the language her tone remains deceptively casual, though that stormy look returns to her eyes as she says it, betraying the casual calm she tries to present.]

What about you?

[pushpin]

Think ya die when that happens.

[ ...aaaand a very deadpan look. is he taking this like some kind of joke...? ] Ya mean a damn bicycle? Who ain't rode a bicycle, hairwax?

[ guess what Cloud's new nickname is. ]

[liveandforgive]

Let's avoid that.

[ Deadpan/dry jokes? Ayyyy. ]

... .... .....

[ Cloud went from being the cool guy on a bike to "hairwax". Fuck. If he's nonplussed about the name (it's a new nickname at least?), he doesn't show it as he decides to just go right ahead with his explanation. ]

In theory, driving a motorbike can be like riding a bike. Just way faster and you've got a clutch and throttle to think about. It's a lot heavier, too. But if you've got good control, the balance tends to look after itself.

(Video)

[liveandforgive]

[ She's the second person here to outright say they liked his name. Also a Queen like. What? ]

Really? [ Deja vu. Again. He can't help rubbing the back of his neck when he makes the connection to Stormborn. What an interesting person... ]

Better than the nicknames I've picked up.

[pushpin]

[ in the same way Cloud is seldom cool outside of very specific scenarios, there are very few where Guanshan isn't an abrasive little shit. it's fate that they both met like this, really, some concoction that put both of their feet forward. ]

[ the illusion will crash and burn for both of them, doubtlessly. ]

...So basically yer tellin' me it's a "crash a few times 'til you get it" kinda thing. [ that's exactly what he heard, anyway. ]

(Video)

[decisiveconquest]

(She has a thousand nicknames - Stormborn just happens to be the first.)

I wouldn't mind hearing some of them? I have others too. (Like The Silver Queen, Dany, Silver Lady, Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, Mhysa, The Dragon Queen etc..)

[lumberlady]

Really? I totally had you pegged for a city boy!

[He just seemed so comfortable in that crowded festival and everything...]

[bust]

We've been helping him a little back home, such as letting him practice at the Grandcypher's kitchen or volunteering together at some food stalls.

[ That's basically Sandalphon's practice in their world. Now it's the real thing in Prismatica, Ayer will continue to assist however he can. That's what crew members are for after all. ]

He's… uh, an angel, by the way. He's a bit slow. Several of my other crew members aren't humans either.

[ What's considered common sense to humans isn't the same case to these guys. Well, Cloud will understand once he meets Sandalphon and the others. ]

We'll appreciate it. When you're ready, send me a message. In the meantime, whenever you want to come and check it out, you can let me know.

[Video]

[leekspins]

Ah ha ha ha!

[Orihime can definitely see the humor in the two of them politely apologizing to each other for things that didn't cause any offense at all. Her shoulders relax, and her smile grows far more natural.]

If you're short on money...maybe I could pay for driving lessons sometime.

[She doesn't moonlace much, so she'd have to go get a job, but it'd be absolutely worth it!]

I promise not to drive it into the river!

[Video]

[liveandforgive]

[ When Orihime laughs, Cloud can't help but gently shake his head. His expression lightens again. Suffice to say, he sees the same thing. It was a knee-jerk reaction. But it's one way of breaking the ice meeting someone at least. She just wanted to see his bike. ]

Driving lessons? [ He chances a look back to Sköll, as if weighing his options. He didn't want to assume. But... ] It's pretty big...

[ Cloud looks back to the girl on the other end of the feed, his expression turning a bit sheepish. ]

I'm not doing too bad for money. [ Despite the hit to his "Chroma" wallet with this last payment. But...he's not saying "no" either. ] Maybe you should tag along first.

[mylawn]

Something from back home?