tabularasa_rp | open ✨ life can be harsh, it can be bitter.

Entry tags:

open ✨ life can be harsh, it can be bitter.

Who: Tifa Lockhart feat. Cloud Strife & YOU
What: September catch-all. Tifa tries to find something else she enjoys outside of Heavenly Blanc, and drags Cloud along for the ride.
Where: Where the threads happen
When: When the threads happen
Content Warnings: N/A

𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 '𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦.
𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚍 & 𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚊 ★ 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚌𝚘𝚘𝚙 ★ 𝚋𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 ★ 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚍 ★ ♫

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(Except he has seen something very private that he definitely shouldn't have seen. Their hometown in flames is not something he's allowed to discuss with Tifa, nor does he have any desire to. She's been through enough. He's very thankful she got something silly over what has been circling around. Instead of dwelling, he puts these thoughts aside to focus solely on Tifa's words, warm smile tugging at his lips.)

Something of destiny, huh?

[ If you come here...

Tears well in the corners of her eyes as suddenly as the memory unfolds in her mind. Such an important moment, and this place just ripped it from her thoughts so easily... She shakes her head, silent for a moment or two. For who even knows how long after they arrived here, all she'd done was looked for that field of flowers...

Rinoa takes a deep breath. ]

I remember.

[ Is he there now? Back home? Waiting for her? It's a cold chill on her heart.

She doesn't want to think about that. ]

It's weird, you know... I have a memory of yours too. About a promise.

[ A pause, and then she looks up at Tifa, curiosity shining through the tears. ]

Wait. Is Cloud your boyfriend?

I believe you.

[he pauses for a moment, falls silent for a moment, and then, at great lengths:] Too bad I won't get to see it, when you do. [look at him, bringing the conversation back down! it's what he's good at today, apparently]

Maybe something like that.

[Or maybe just pure coincidence. She still isn't sure how she feels about Destiny, or fate... especially considering how they just tried to fight it, but the small, whimsical part of her likes to believe that maybe wishing on a star had something to do with it.]

Do you believe in those kinds of things?

[Tifa sits silently, sympathy welling up in her own eyes when she sees the tears in Rinoa's. She wants to reach out and take her by the hands, to remind her that although Squall isn't here with her, she still isn't alone in the struggle. She doesn't, however, when she poses the question instead.

Her expression shifts immediately to a shy one, and with a shaky laugh, she tucks a hair behind her ear.]

Nothing like that, no. But why does everyone keep asking!!! He's just a close friend of mine.

[An old childhood friend.

Without realizing it, she breathes out a sigh.]

Which promise was that?

[Tifa doesn't seem too downtrodden by his comment.]

Who knows, maybe you will. [She knows that likely isn't possible, and that they won't stay here forever—others have left, and their time will come eventually too, but it's still fun to think about.] I'm gonna need some ideas after all. I think it'd be neat to try bringing in a little bit of inspiration from other places. Other worlds, you know?

[And in that sense, maybe he could imagine what it would look like, too.]

To a certain extent.

(With all he has lived, he would be a fool not to believe in it, even when he finds some reasoning to be faulty. But at the same time?)

I believe nothing is set in stone.

[ Her eyebrows raise. With a reaction like that, there's definitely something Tifa isn't telling her, right? She may as well have put it into words, with how obvious her body language is. Still, Rinoa doesn't say anything about that just yet, closing her eyes once more to focus in on the memory. ]

It was nighttime, and he asked to see you to talk. He said he was gonna leave home and become a... a soldier?

[ "The best of the best. Like Sephiroth." Rinoa can't help but wonder if it's the same one. Because somehow, she can't imagine Cloud wanting to be anything like... that guy. Another question she can't ask just yet, though... ]

Then you asked him to promise that if you were in trouble, he'd come and save you. [ She smiles. ] Because that's what heroes do. He promised, but...

[ Her smile broadens, something playful and teasing as she looks over at Tifa. ]

In typical Cloud fashion, it was kinda begrudging, y'know?

[he hums]

Maybe.

[wouldn't that be nice? if he could go with her, when they all inevitably escape from here? never mind the fact that he's not sure the people who have disappeared before them have had the option to choose. (never mind the fact that he's not sure they even actually went home at all.) it's still a nice thought. it would keep him from dying. it would keep him busy, stimulated, assuming he'd have to learn a whole new programming language to be able to hack things in her world. maybe he would join her resistance group. being the good guy really isn't his thing, but -- ]

[ -- but there's a lot of buts and maybe he should get out of his head. he shakes it a little, trying to dismiss it] Well, you're welcome to anything from Chicago, aesthetically-speaking.

[He gains a grin on his face immediately at that. Leave it to Tifa to make a grounded comment and making Zack feel better about all of this that he's trying to navigate. It's true, Aerith wouldn't need Zack to make up for anything but Zack feels like he should still try. For his own conscious and for her heart.]

Alright, a few carts to start it is. Different colours that she can interchange and the rest can be used for displays.

[Back to the workshop for Zack, it seems.]

It's a good place to start.

Good answer.

[Maybe some things are set from the start, but that doesn't mean they can't be changed along the way. They are living proof of that, and she hopes that whatever they do change, they do it for the better. For the sake of the Planet, and for the people on it...

And maybe, somewhere down the line, things will look up for her, too...

Tifa laughs to herself for even thinking that and pushes herself up.]

Hey. Wanna grab a bite to eat with me? Let's go to Heavenly Blanc.

[Of course, there had only been one promise between them, but that feels so long ago now. Tifa wondered if she'd seen the first time they'd promised each other, or if it had been much later after they'd reunited. She remembers both just as clearly, as if it had happened only yesterday.

Rinoa's comment draws a laugh from Tifa, though.]

It kind of was, wasn't it? I remember having to be really convincing when I made the argument. But even after all those years, he still remembered it. Kept it, too.

[Even if it hadn't been what she imagined it would be like...]

Anytime I was in a pinch, he came to help.

I'll be sure to remember that.

[There are plenty of things she thinks she can draw from already, in this world alone. The Merlaut for one, has given her a few ideas alone. Now it's just a matter of being able to recall the details when she returns home, and figuring out how to incorporate them into a brand new bar.

With all of that said, she has one request for Damien.]

Hey. You think you could keep what you saw a secret?

If you need any help with the painting, let me know. I've done my fair share of touching up around the bar.

[And what can be so hard about wielding a paintbrush!? Maybe she'll even try decorating them with flowery designs, too.

Tifa crosses over to him, a reassuring smile on her face, but not without a glint in her eyes, too.]

Who knows, maybe things'll work out better for you two this time...

(Ren is so fond of Tifa... Even without knowing what she is thinking, he smiles when he sees her laughing.

She's a good person who's been through so much in life... He hopes that eventually, she can find some peace and her happiness, be it here or at home. At her proposal, she gets a motivated hum and he too is ready to leave.)

Curry?

Assuming I can ask the same of you.

[while she didn't see anything tooincriminating, in the grand scheme of things, if she compared notes with some of the other people that got something from him? well, that might not end well. especially not if it's Ren. kid's too damn smart for his own good]

[Once Ren appears to agree, Tifa throws her arm around his shoulder to lead him to the door.]

As long as you're cooking it!

[It is his specialty, after all!]

Only seems right to return the favour.

[In spite of the conversation's tone from earlier, she's feeling a lighter now. Like she was able to get something off her chest, and a small weight off her shoulders. She smiles up at him and brushes herself off as she straightens.]

Better go find the rest of my memories. Good luck.

[Zack grins and feels appreciative of all of this. Aerith and Cloud are really lucky to have someone like Tifa in their lives.]

Thanks. Yeah, that's what I'm banking on. But luckily I've got you to back me up.

[He puts one hand on his shoulder and rolls it.]

I know she'll probably tease me if I try too hard. But I feel like I should anyway.

[ As quickly as it broadened into something playful and teasing, Rinoa's smile softens. She understands all too easily the fondness in the other's words. ]

Even here. I'm glad you guys ended up here together. Besides, the way I see it? He needs you to get him out of trouble sometimes too!

[ After all, Cloud's not always exactly people material... Rinoa likes him a lot, but she's sure he annoys and frustrates many people here just by virtue of being how he is. In a lot of ways, he reminds her of Squall.

Speaking of which... She reaches out, her hand clasping over Tifa's, her eyes bright as she peers at the other woman. ]

I know you said he's not your boyfriend, but... you like him, right?

No such thing.

[She knows she would appreciate it if she were in Aerith's shoes.]

I bet if you went out to the beach, you'd find plenty of supplies to use, if there aren't any around here already. I can come with you; help you carry some of it back.

[Tifa really, really wants to help him see this through, okay?!?]

[Rinoa!?!?!?

Tifa's eyes widen when her hands are taken in Rinoa's, and even more so when she poses the question. What is with everyone here lately? First Ren, now her... asking questions and making a big deal out of something as small as them, especially when they have bigger things to worry about!

In spite of her surprise though, the warmth remains underneath all of her embarrassment, and she slides a hand out from under Rinoa's to place on top, patting the other girl's gently.]

Uh, so... you feeling any better about that memory?

[Answer: It's Complicated.]

Of course.

(But he'll show her the basics! She deserves all the curry.

And to HBlanc they went.)

Sounds like a plan. Maybe we can get started in the next few days.

[He gives her one last smile. The tightness in his chest is palpable but he's truly grateful. Things will start looking up for him and Aerith. He has a good feeling.]

Thanks, Tifa.

[And who knows. Maybe next time Zack can nudge her around about her and Cloud...]

[ It's an answer understood loud and clear, but Rinoa can't quite help the grin that won't leave her face regardless of anything else. Complicated or not, in her eyes, Tifa's feelings are pretty clear. But it's not the time or place to pry that out of her, and so she's willing to let the other shift the topic of conversation. ]

Yeah. I'm okay. [ Sort of. If she doesn't think about it too too hard, anyway. There's too many feelings wrapped up there that she's not sure she's ready to handle just yet. ]

...Thanks.

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open ✨ life can be harsh, it can be bitter.

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gonna start wrapping!

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gonna start pushing to a wrap!

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okiedokie!

sounds good to me!

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gonna start wrapping 💖

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🎀

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