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[imjustaman]

Hello, this is Sephiroth. I am sorry I missed you. Please leave a message and I will get back to you promptly.

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[cloudsenior]

The council had provided an apartment to stay in, but not much else besides that, which meant if Cloud wanted to be able to keep afloat in this world, he was going to need a job. Maybe it was because he was in SOLDIER, maybe it was because he had done so much mercenary work in Midgar, but he couldn't settle on just one job. He sold himself out on the Starlink as a man for hire for anything, and it didn't take long for the requests to come flooding in. Part time help, just need someone strong for a day; he had to turn down the delivery jobs unfortunately, but getting himself a vehicle very quickly went to the top of his priority list.

That particular day found him helping out at a bookshop; the owner had just received in a large shipment, and he couldn't carry and shelve all the new books himself. It led to Cloud going back and forth from where the boxes were stacked outside to inside, unloading and carrying stacks and stacks of reading material until his arms burned from the weight. It was a good kind of exercise, and the patrons coming in were nice enough about the restock effort, so he didn't mind.

Something about the bell into the store ringing this latest time had him looking up from the stack he was carrying to one of the shelves, like some tiny voice in the back of his head was whispering for him to pay attention. He caught one glimmer of silver, before he abruptly about faced, staring at the bookshelf in front of him like it would suddenly turn into a door for him to escape out of. He still hadn't even processed his emotions over everything that happened the last week, and here he was, steamrolling into his life right away. Gaia help him.

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth was enjoying shopping and exploring on this nice, overcast autumn day. Being a book fan, of course he was going to see what was available to read in this world.

The blond spikes were unmistakable. “Cloud?”

He hoped.

[cloudsenior]

Cloud hunched his shoulders at being immediately called out, a pink tint coming to his face. He took a breath, counted off to ten in his head, before shuffling around to face Sephiroth.

"...hey," he greeted him lamely, wishing he could get away with hiding behind the books he was carrying.

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth smiled at him. “You’re working here?” It was hard to picture Cloud being that interested in books.

[cloudsenior]

"Just for today," he replied, shrugging his shoulders slightly, the book stack bobbing up slightly from the movement. "The owner got a huge restock shipment and needed extra help."

[imjustaman]

“Ah, I see.” That made more sense. “Well, don’t let me keep you.”

He looked at the books Cloud was holding, however, to see if anything sounded good.

[cloudsenior]

Cloud didn't even really pay attention to what he was carrying, which was why he was carrying titles like The Art of Kindness, Gals or Pals: Navigating Relationships, and The Introvert's Guide to Asking Out That Special Someone.

"Right, thanks," Cloud said quickly, hurrying off to get the books where they needed to go. If Sephiroth looked closely, he might be able to catch a red blot on the tips of Cloud's ears.

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth looked a little embarrassed by some of those titles. He quickly retreated to look at Tolkien.

Soon he had a small stack of books to purchase. He wandered about the store to see if there was anything else good.

[cloudsenior]

Cloud had seemingly disappeared by then; at least, it looked like all the new books had been put away and the boxes from them cleaned up. But in Sephiroth's pursuit of something else to potentially read, he'd be able to find him easily, tucked away from immediate sight in what looked like an employee area of the store. He was leaning against the wall with a lost look on his face, and didn't seem to be paying attention to the store.

And really, who could blame Cloud right now? He still hadn't sorted out his feelings, not to mention he didn't know how to parse how his heart started racing when Sephiroth entered the store. Sure, it could've been a fight or flight response, and part of him wanted to convince himself it was. It didn't feel the same though; normally when Sephiroth showed up he was ready to fight him without a second thought, not try to hide.

And then there had been that whole belonging feeling when he had been carrying him close to his chest...

"Ugh..." he muttered under his breath, scratching at his head and mussing up his hair. Too much; it was too much to think about!

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth did see Cloud and went over in a bit of concern. “Cloud? Are you alright?”

[cloudsenior]

Perhaps it was because he was so wrapped up in his own head, perhaps Sephiroth was unintentionally being quiet as he approached. Either way, Cloud just about jumped out of his skin at the question, letting out the most embarrassing high pitched and loud squeak that ever came out of anyone's mouth. He immediately slapped his hands over his mouth, staring up at Sephiroth with wide eyes as his entire face turned bright pink.

[imjustaman]

Well, that just made Sephiroth more worried. “Cloud, what is the problem?! Are you ill?” He came closer.

[cloudsenior]

"I'm fine!" Cloud insisted, looking like he wanted to retreat only his legs betrayed him, keeping him rooted to the spot. "You... you just surprised me. That's all."

during the WIZA spring cleanup

[heroicdream]

While Zack loves a good party and a whirlwind of chaos, he still has it in him to pitch in the normal way. He's thrown himself into building habitats and planting foliage...he's no Aerith, but he watched her enough to pick up a few things.

He's walking down the halls with his garden tools slung over his shoulder and still sporting gardening gloves when he spots Sephiroth, greeting him with a wave.

"Hey! What brings you here? Looking for the grand tour, or putting in some volunteering?"

Re: during the WIZA spring cleanup

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth looks over and smiles. "Yes, I came to help," he says. "I've been removing fallen rocks and tree branches."

[heroicdream]

"Yeah, guess that makes sense. You're so big and strong and flexible," Zack teases gently. He's missed this...but y'know what? There's a glint of mischief in his eye as he snaps his fingers.

"Hey! Have you seen the hatchlings yet? They're really cute!"

[imjustaman]

"Hm? Yes, I have seen some of them," he says with a blink. "I had to be careful of them while moving things. They are cute, yes."

He likes animals, perhaps surprisingly, but usually keeps his distance from them ... although he likes feeding stray cats.

[heroicdream]

"...how about we go see them?" Zack asks, folding his hands in front of himself and leaning forward.

"I bet it'd do you some good. Taking care of little guys can make anybody feel great."

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth is further surprised at that, and put on the spot. He's not sure what to think.

"Ah ... I doubt they would want me in there," he says awkwardly. "The animals would probably be afraid of me."

Animals like him, curiously enough.

"And there was no shortage of helpers for the babies. I'd likely be in the way."

[heroicdream]

"Aww...Seph, don't be so hard on yourself!" Zack tried again, looking up at him hopefully. "Everybody has a nurturing side. And did you see just how many babies there are? It's springtime, they multiply all over the place."

And then he grins and points at himself. "'Sides, nothing bad can happen if I'm with you. Right?"

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth finally relents, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Alright. We'll go look at them for a few minutes."

He knows it would be faster to agree than to keep balking.

Anyway ... he likes animals and kind of does want to see them.

[heroicdream]

"Awesome! You won't regret this," Zack promises, hustling over to turn in his gardening tools for now. With the beginnings of a plan in mind, he leads Sephiroth down the hall toward the penguin chicks.

"I figured we can handle the cold-weather critters, since we're both pretty tough," Zack commentates, grabbing a bucket of their feed and handing it to Sephiroth. He carefully settles into a crouch-walk as they approach, slowing to a stop and sitting on the cold rock a safe distance away. The fluffy little birds are huddled in one giant mass, though a few lift their heads and look curiously at the large men.

"C'mon, sit with me! I'll let you feed 'em since they bond faster with people who give 'em food."

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth smirks a bit at that. He doesn't mind the cold, that's for sure, since he still brazenly walks around with his coat open and no shirt. Even when he wears a shirt, it's always a button shirt that's left open.

He settles down by Zack, awkwardly holding the food and scooping up a handful. "... Do I do it like this?" He hesitantly holds his hand out to the birds, planning to drop the food when they get closer.

[heroicdream]

"Little lower. Let the little chicks sniff you."

Zack grabs a little handful to demonstrate, offering them an open palm close to the ground with his fingers pressed together. A fluffy little chick drags itself across the rock to snuffle at him, and he beams.

"Hey little fella...." Believe it or not, Zack has an inside voice. It's making a rare appearance now.

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth copies Zack, watching as the curious little birds start coming over. He smiles, touched by Zack’s gentleness.

“You’re good at this,” he says. “Have you had a lot of experience?”

And he watches the chicks, both fascinated and concerned. “They’re so curious.” He’s vaguely heard penguins are very friendly since they have no natural land predators, but it’s his first time seeing it.