tabularasa_rp | 006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives New Imprints ▲ Comments The Ground Shakes
It begins unremarkably enough, with the light tremors of the ground so small they might easily go unnoticed, or else dismissed as the movement of some creature nearby. As time goes on, however, those little tremors begin to grow in both strength and duration, the length of time shortening between each one. To begin with only small, light, unsecured objects are rattled loose by the rumbling of the ground, but as the tremors grow in strength there is a growing danger of much larger things being moved.

The realm’s clear lack of understanding of how things work cannot be relied upon in such a situation. If the tremors have grown strong enough to throw all the books of Hammerhead to the ground and throw over all the clothes rails and capsule machines and furniture in the Academy, then what if they grow strong enough to move the heavy blanket of snow atop Mount Silver? What if they grow strong enough to damage the caverns within?

Then there is the question of how, or why, the realm has made the land shake. It must surely have picked up the idea of an earthquake from someone, right? An answer to the question is not immediately forthcoming, but should one stay low to the ground and listen, they might well hear the muffled, distorted sound of screaming.

Creature Chaos
As the rumbling and shaking continues, it is clear to see that the local wildlife has been disturbed, and they seem remarkably active. Critters can be seen running and flying to and fro, and any who go out to investigate may find themselves the center of attention. Brushboys may paint arrows on the ground in an effort to lead them somewhere, or bluurgobos might actively offer rides, or the flying cat-like creatures will excitedly circle someone before attempting to lead them somewhere. Going along with them will lead to one of two places:

The meaty, pulsating, cavernous tunnels of Mementos shudder and convulse in a way quite unlike before, and closer inspection will quickly reveal why. The flesh has been cut and torn, hacked apart, leaving gaping and bleeding wounds to spill over the subway tracks. Whichever critter has brought someone here excitedly gestures towards the wounds, and as it does a giant and painful shudder goes through the tunnels and shakes the earth. All those earthquakes… could this be the source?

The road to the Hammerlocke Citadel Ruins are as long as winding as ever, and precarious with the risk of an earthquake dislodging snow and rock from the mountainside. The animal that has taken the lead is on a mission, however, as unclear as that mission might be. On arriving, it turns its attention to a group of the spiky, bear-headed beasts that are lazing about as though the land is not currently shaking and quaking around them, and tries to draw their attention. Clearly, these bear heads are expected to do something, and they aren’t doing it.

First Words
Though the tremors have finally stopped, they have left a significant change to the World in their wake. Where the ground above was once flat and untouched, there now lay cracks and fissures that glow with a strange, but enchantingly warm light. There doesn’t seem to be a single area that has been left untouched by them - though the number of cracks are denser in some places than others, it’s difficult to find a place completely devoid of them. Could this be the world’s attempt at trying to heal itself?

If all of that wasn’t enough to warrant investigation, the sound of whispers that appear to be coming from they might do the trick. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that the whispers aren’t coming from the lights, but from inside your own head. Focus a little more, and some of the voices may sound familiar…

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You mean like some embarrassing secret? You wish.

[ They have enough fodder to tease him about as it is. He'd like to think he's pretty open with her anyway... aside from a few things as an ex-SOLDIER. ]

I just don't like talking about certain things, that's all. What if someone's listening right now?

Then they'll know that you don't like talking about certain things, so I guess we better be careful.

[Whatever those certain things might be, but Tifa's got a pretty good idea by now.]

So how's the delivery going? People up there getting things back in shape after what happened?

[ Right, the delivery. ]

Right, the delivery.

[ He can't tell her that he fell off the bike when he first heard a person's voice in his head. ]

I can't tell her about my fall. Shit.

[ He kind of dropped the food, too. ]

Kinda dropped the food, too. Should still be fine, I think.

[ WAIT-- ]

You're still in my head, aren't you?

[Whoa whoa whoa—!

She sure is, and if the thoughts can carry tone, then this one sure is stern.]

Cloud! You promised you'd be careful with that bike! You shouldn't be trying to look cool doing tricks on it.

[This is food delivery, not trying to escape Midgar... But this is just an assumption. Hopefully she's wrong???]

I'm not trying to look cool! I am cool!

[ oh god this is terrible ]

Listen - I didn't want you to worry. Besides, it wasn't my fault... the terrain changed ever since the earthquake. We need to figure out what caused it.

[ And hope there's not more of them. ]

[When someone has to remind their best friend that they are cool, they probably aren't that cool, Cloud.

Tifa only laughs at that, because of course he is and questioning such a thing is setting herself up for more huffs and puffs that she's sure neither of them want to deal with.]

Just because you don't want me to worry doesn't mean I won't!

[She sighs.]

Anyway. You think there was anything that caused it? Kinda learned to accept that most things around here happen without any reason or explanation...

There's always a reason, we just don't know it yet.

When I don't focus on your voice, I can hear whispers of the others. I know it sounds crazy, but... it could all be related.

I can hear it too. Thought I was imagining it, but maybe we're all just going a little crazy around here.

[There's a lingering pause between her thoughts.]

Kinda weird... so much is happening, but it still feels like nothing's really changed, you know?

Do you even want anything to change?

[ There's a pause of his own this time, like he's getting the hang of filtering his thoughts. ]

I think you're starting to like it here.

I don't hate it here. It's not so bad once you get used to it.

[But it isn't "home".]

I'm just saying... a lot about the world's changed since we got here, but life hasn't.

[She's very careful about the next thought, not wanting it to trickle through to others if she can help it.]

It's the same old thing every day. Feels that way, but maybe it's just me.

Don't really give a damn about this world, I'm just trying to make it to the next day.

[ Some things definitely never change. ]

Of course nothing has changed when all we have are parties. As for me? I won't stop looking for a way out.

[Count on Cloud to be the one to find it, if anyone ever did. Tifa believes that without a doubt.

But it isn't just about finding a way out for her. Rather...]

I just wanna know what I can do to help. [ ... ] Remember when I said I wanted to leave Heavenly Blanc? To try new things? I guess it was different, back at Seventh Heaven. It still felt like I was doing something to make a change, with AVALANCHE and all.

Here? Not so much.

That's not true. You help a lot around here, more than you know.

[ More than Cloud is, if he could ever admit it. Though could she really be missing her AVALANCHE days? He remembers how worried she was about the bombing missions... and how he didn't listen to what she was really saying at the time. He corrected it later, but... he wonders if this is a repeat of his failure as a friend. His failure to keep a promise. ]

Hey... I'm still here, you know. If you ever wanna talk about things.

Hang on...

[If he were standing right in front of her now, she'd be popping his personal bubble. If that could somehow be conveyed in thought, but there is definitely some inner laughter going along with it.

The gesture is sweet, and she would take him up on the offer in a heartbeat, but—]

Don't tell me that being here's made you softer!?

[ Oh, here we go again, just when he tries to be more open, she goes on and teases him about it. He saw it coming, of course, and takes no offense. Cloud Strife losing his hard edge?! Never! He'll show her! ]

There's nothing soft about me.

[ al;fjsa that sounded less inappropriate before he put it out there

Quickly, he powers through it--!! ]

Just because the world is changing, doesn't mean that I am.

[It's fine. She can get away with some light teasing because she already knows that he'd be there for her in case she ever needed it... and has been!

Although it will take every ounce of self-control she has not to think or laugh out loud in response to his retort because wow, instead putting all her willpower into focusing on the next. She's already embarrassed him enough as it is.]

Hmmm... Guess not. I think it happened before we even got here, now that you mention it.

[What was it he said? It has been five years, after all. :)

There's another pause before she quickly moves on.]

Anyway, I should let you get back to those deliveries. Wouldn't want the food to get cold.

006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

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