[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

[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.

[subjected]

[ Claire's chin lowers toward her chest, her nose wrinkling in distaste at his questions. ]

I don't know any more than you do.

[ And yet--

... Premonition isn't exactly a 'listed' l'Cie power, but it's hard to ignore that, just maybe, it might be. Claire has no frame of reference for any others, since in her world she's the only Sanctum l'Cie besides the little Katzroy boy that she knows of, and naturally hasn't and doesn't talk to any of the Pulsian ones... but she's felt like this before. It goes deeper than just having a bad feeling about things after being briefed on the turmoil infecting this world recently.

She grits her teeth, and then backs once, onto the step behind her. ]

Something bad's about to happen.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

[Something bad?

He simply quirks a brow at her. There's already plenty of bad things happening out there; what's one more villain from another world? Cid has faith that so long as the people here rally together they can overcome anything that comes their way; he doesn't think of them as terrible threats, really.

Though on that note, the idle idea of more Pulse l'Cie--her Pulse l'Cie--arriving here does strike him as amusing, but he keeps the thought to himself, expression still completely passive.]

Thank you for your word of warning.

[He studies her for a moment longer, dips his head once in farewell, and then continues on his way.]