[action] the lobby - backdated to the start of villain event, just about

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[There's nothing really unusual in Cid being serious, but today, there seems to be more worry in his expression than usual. The set of his shoulders is a little stiffer, and his steps carry more speed than usual as he exits the dormitory area and steps into the lobby.

What may be most obviously different, though, is his dress. Gone is his Sanctum uniform, the suits, and even the business casual--they've been replaced, apparently, by a rather plain but utilitarian outfit. He has a single duffle bag slung over his shoulder but nothing else of note on his person. The news of recent events in his adopted home world hasn't been sitting all that well with him, and this one individual is off to catch a train to Deling City to see if there's anything he can assist with.

Run into him on his way out?]

Comments

[hotpinkwhirlwind]

[A wild Rattata appeared! Fight / Pokemon / Bag / Run]

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[>Fight

Cid uses stare!

It's... not very effective.]

...What is that thing?

[...He might have to take a detour to see the janitor before he goes if they have pests like this running around the Garden.]

[bunnypassingby]

Rattata!

[The wild Rattata used Tackle!]

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[...Rattata? And it appears to be trying to tackle him?

Cid uses dazega!

...More because he's curious about this little thing that just killing it outright. For now, at least.]

[bunnypassingby]

[The wild Rattata is paralyzed! It can't move!]

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[Cid throws a poke--

Actually, he doesn't, which is a shame. Instead, he kneels and studies the creature, curious about the purple-colored rat. He's never seen anything like it before, and Cid wonders if it's some rare breed from this world...

In any case, he picks it up by the scruff of the neck a moment later and proceeds to carry it outside. Once there, Cid sets it on the ground and waits for his spell to wear off.]

[hotpinkwhirlwind]

[The wild Rattata is no longer paralyzed! The wild Rattata used Tail Whip!]

[werepanther]

[Tom's also headed in the same direction - of course, since he's part of Cid's party - though his outfit's typical for him. Swinging his duffel bag across his shoulder, he glances over at Cid with a wide grin as he makes his way across the lobby.]

Hey! You weren't going to leave without me, were you?

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[Cid comes to a stop and gives Tom a brief smile.]

I had intended to meet up with you and Sharpay at the station, but I suppose there's nothing wrong with walking there together.

[His eyes settle briefly on the other's bag.]

Do you have all that you'll be needing?

[werepanther]

'Course not. It'll make the walk more fun.

[Tom nods, stuffing his hands in his pockets.] I should be asking you the same, man. It's kind of weird to see you not all dressed up.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[He gestures with a slight tilt of the head that they should keep walking while they talk.]

Unusual perhaps, but I would hope that it's not unreasonable. I've little reason to ruin a perfectly good outfit while on the job.

[werepanther]

Whoever said you'd ruin it? I've seen you in action before. [He's exaggerating here, but only slightly: Tom genuinely believes his next words.] The entire world could go to hell, but you? Your outfit would still be the cleanest thing in that damn world.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[That gets a chuckle out of Cid, and he reaches over, clapping the other on the shoulder.]

You overestimate me, but I do appreciate the faith you have in my abilities to keep clean at all times.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Huh. I don't think I've ever seen you looking so casual.

[Snow, having spotted Cid from across the lobby, has taken up a lean against the directory to grin.]

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[Cid pauses and then takes a few steps closer to Snow. He chuckles softly and shakes his head lightly.]

There is little point in dressing in such fineries when going out on a job.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

And here I'd have guessed you were the sort to dress up in full uniform when you were out on business.

[The grin lasts a moment longer, then fades slightly.]

What're you handling, then?

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

I'm heading to Deling City with Tom and Sharpay. There seems to be a... metal man creating chaos in the area.

[Having been unable to do anything for Cocoon, Cid intends to try his best to help his new home.]

Have you received orders to head out as well, or will you be protecting the Garden?

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

That ought to be an... interesting trip. [Cid, your new title is Third Wheel, you know that, right?]

Nothing yet. If stuff keeps popping up, maybe I will, but I'm happier here watching out for the cadets anyway. I get the feeling that this time, they might really need it.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles at that and shrugs his shoulders lightly. Someone has to make sure work gets done, right?]

You always have had a good rapport with the cadets. I have no doubt that they'll feel better with you around.

[His expression then hardens a little.]

And should something happen here, they'll need an able-bodied fighter as well.

[subjected]

[ Had Cid been hoping to escape the school without seeing an unfriendly face, he's pretty much out of luck here-- save that considering Claire is standing right on the steps leading up into Garden, looking out towards the direction of the town, she's actually facing away from him as he makes his way out.

Yet regardless of her obvious distraction, still, the chances of getting by unnoticed, and of her being in anything even resembling a good mood, are extremely low.

Not that that is anything unusual. ]

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[Upon seeing her lonely figure standing on the steps, he comes to a brief stop. Tamping down the urge to sigh, Cid shakes his head before pressing onward. Unpleasant encounter or not, he has no intention of holding up his other two party members because of this.

Stepping outside, he follows her gaze to see if there's something he should be paying heed to.]

Lieutenant.

[His greeting is curt. It's been quite a while since they last spoke, and yet, it still doesn't feel long enough.]

[subjected]

[ There doesn't seem to be anything visible, but it's not as if Claire makes a habit of just standing around for no apparent reason, right? In any case, she turns her head slightly at the sound of steps, peripherally keeping track of any signs of danger by instinct... and immediately it's clear, from the way her shoulders and back suddenly tense even more than they had been, that she knows exactly who has entered her zone of awareness. ]

Yes?

[ Her eyes narrow as she looks over at him... and then immediately trail down to take in the incongruous outfit with a slowly deepening frown. Did he raid a bargain bin somewhere or what? ]

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

I greeted you out of politeness, nothing more.

[He doesn't bother looking at her, not immediately at least. Instead, Cid continues to scan the distance for anything unusual, and it's only when he's quite sure there's nothing there that he needs to worry about that he turns his attention to her, leveling a cool stare at her.]

I was merely on my way to the train station and had not meant to disturb you.

[subjected]

[ Because greeting someone always includes that kind of tone, right? Claire hates that- the subtle implication that she's wrong in something even when a conversation hasn't progressed any further than a few words-- or at least when she interprets that meaning out of something, of course. At the least, the assumption is what shapes her quiet but sharp response back. ]

I'd hate to see your definition of impolite.

[ Her arms cross, but although there's certainly anger in her expression, it's actually more troubled than she'd probably like to know about than anything else.

Their last major conversation sort of ended in tears, after all. ]

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[Her answer earns her a quiet hmph and a bitter smile. Of course she'd hate to see his definition of impolite; really, he's under the impression that she'd hate to know his opinion on anything, actually. He is, after all, traitorous scum, and considering how well he's managed to convince her otherwise, Cid sees little reason for her to change her opinion on him any time soon.

In any case, he says nothing else about her statement, instead turning the attention to whatever has caught her eye.]

Is there something I should know about out there?

[He gestures broadly in the direction she had been staring in.]

If not for my sake, then for those I'm traveling with.