[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

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

You'd be surprised. A while before you got here... actually, not long after I got my position here, Garden was heading out to Trabia when it crashed. Middle of a snowstorm and there's a giant hole in the walls, monsters pouring in like you wouldn't believe.

All I ended up doing was keeping the dorms clear of monsters. The cadets were out there cleaning them up. They're a lot more skilled than they get credit for.

Still, I feel better being here to watch over them.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

A skilled group they may be, but do not belittle your own contributions.

[He smiles briefly.]

I, at least, feel more at peace knowing that you'll be remaining here, as I would prefer to return to a Garden that is still intact and functional.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

No way, I was speaking literally! That's all I did, hang out by the door and punch stuff that got too close! Meanwhile, there's cadets running around with magic and punching monsters and hitting things with gunblades... You'd have loved watching them. They were great. The sort of thing that makes me really glad I'm teaching them.

[Snow grins a bit sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.]

No promises on the 'intact and functional', but I'll keep everyone inside it in one piece. After all, they can fix the Garden.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[Cid nods his head in thanks, but just as he's about to leave, he pauses and looks over at Snow once more.]

Should Barthandelus appears here while I am away... [He glances away momentarily.] Do give him my regards.

Preferably with as much force as possible.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Don't worry. [Snow punches his palm.] I've got a lot of regard to send him from a lot of people.

[Although he would inevitably bounce off a force field or something at least once in the effort.]

Though that might get kind of awkward, since there's one person still here who'd put herself on his side.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

It may work to our favor.

[There's a note of bitterness in his voice, as a wry smile tugs at his lips. Sounds like someone's pretty fed up with another Sanctum l'Cie's behavior...]

As logic and reasoning have no effect on her, a rude awakening may be what she she needs. That is, of course, if she doesn't allow herself to die a martyr first.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Allow herself? I think that's what she wants! It'd solve all her problems, for her perspective.

Though... it would really be weird if the people she sees as enemies showed up here, wouldn't it.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles quietly at that, shrugging lightly.]

It would be very strange indeed. How would you feel about seeing a double of yourself, Snow? Your friends? Your betrothed?

For that matter, what would you do?

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

[Snow folds his arms.]

Don't know. From that world... if the Lightning I know could become the Claire we know, who am I, who are they? Are they different? Are they the same? Did the other me learn the lessons I did, realize his mistakes? Or maybe he's better than me... smarter, wiser.

I couldn't tell you till I knew who they were.

...I couldn't help myself. :x

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[He hadn't really meant for it to be such a deep question, but he acknowledges Snow's answer with a slight nod. The fellow certainly has come quite a ways since Cid first met him.]

The same individual and yet not--separated and differentiated by the experiences we go through. [A pause and a faint smile.] Could you imagine meeting a version of yourself who joined PSICOM?

Re: ...I couldn't help myself. :x

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

[Having Claire around tended to make questions like that deep. Snow has thought about this... more than he cares to admit.]

Maybe. All I ever wanted... was to help people out, you know? That's why we founded NORA, after all, to keep people safe from monsters. Maybe if I'd been offered a chance...

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

I doubt you would have had much opportunity to "help the people," as you said, were you to join PSICOM, but perhaps that assessment is more my own bias speaking than any fault of the troops themselves. [Cid glances away for a moment before refocusing his attention on Snow.] But I will say this about your activities as the leader of NORA:

You gave my men and I very little reason to visit Bodhum.

[haha-steelguard.livejournal.com]

Easy enough to think that's what I was doing, if I joined, right? Protect Cocoon. It's not like I'd have ever learned what was really going on, underneath everything, that way.

[He's somber and thoughtful for a moment, but then grins.]

Hey, we were all on the same side, right? Keep Bodhum safe, make it a better place. I'm just glad you all let us do our thing.