[Unintentional Voice Post]

[herobydefault]

[There's a groan and a crunch of leaves before silence, and then...]


...was I just doing something?




[[ooc: Yes. Cloud has forgotten that he died. Why? Because his Death Penalty is short term memory loss. Think Dory from Finding Nemo. He will occasionally repeat himself or completely forget a conversation you had with him just moments before. Not all the time, though! That would get annoying. o/ ]]

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[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[If anyone can recognize the signs of clamming up, it's Cloud. But he figures he could probably wrestle the information out of Simon if absolutely necessary later, so he simply nods and lets the topic slide.]

Where do your Luceti memories stop, actually? I assumed they stopped at seven because...well, because you're you now, but is that even the case...?

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon frowns at that, scratching the back of his head and forcing a small smile.]

My memories... ah, to be honest, I think it's the experiment causing that problem. My memories tell me I left Luceti... well, a few days ago, exactly when I appeared at this age. You hadn't died yet, that's for sure. [He looks down again, lips pursing.] I'd have remembered that.

Seven years... maybe I really am cursed.

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Hey. [Cloud stops him with a hand on his wrist and -without even a second thought- reaches up to drag a hand through Simon's hair, ruffling it and offering him a reassuring smile.]

I'm back, right? And I'm not going anywhere. No need to be upset.

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon halts at the touch, visible eye widening, and stares at Cloud for a long moment. That's all the time it takes for his words to sink in, and then he manages a smile, cheeks very faintly pink, and looks down, feeling sheepish.]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be a downer. I guess it was just... kind of hard, coming back after so long just to see that. But you're right - you're back now. That's what matters.

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Well, I'm sorry you had to see that. Promise I won't do it again and you promise not to dwell on it. Deal?

[Cloud gives Simon's cheek a little pat before turning back to the path, waiting for him to resume the pace beside him.]

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

... Heh, deal.

[Simon nods in agreement, following suit and heading back down the path towards their house on the opposite side of the village. Even after so long, he remembers a lot about the village layout, mostly thanks to the tunnels he'd dug as a child.

...Speaking of which...]

I was thinking of recreating the tunnel system while I'm here. Do you think that would be a good idea? It's something to do, anyway.

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[Cloud blinks in surprise before his expression falters.] Oh, but...S-your drill, it was broken. I don't think it'll work.

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

Drill? ...Oh, right!

It's okay - I'll take a look at it when we get back, to see if I can fix it. If not, I have this one here.

[Simon grins a little, giving the drill-staff a little pat.]

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[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

Wait that...that's actually a drill? I thought it was a spear.

[And then Simon's words really sink in, and Cloud gives him a look just chock full of hope.] ...do you think you could fix it...?

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

It's... sort of both. If that makes any sense.

[Simon is surprised by Cloud's expression, though really, he ought not have been. He'd been blind upon his return after the Malnosso kidnapping, and had never seen Cloud look at him like that. It... really must have scared him, to have the drill cause him so much pain when it was touched. It just makes him more determined - he wants to keep Cloud from feeling that fear or worry any longer.]

Yeah... I'm pretty sure I can. So little Simon has something to look forward to when I'm back to normal.

[Strange... such words really ought to make him happier.]

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[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud couldn't deny that he already missed the younger version of the man before him, but...it was a complicated situation.]

...so it's just an experiment, then? You aren't here to stay...?

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon averts his eyes, scuffing a hand through his hair once more.[

That's what everyone keeps saying, and to be honest, I can't see the benefit of sending me home and bringing me back like this. Considering my history - and assuming the Malnosso know about it - I'm a lot less of a risk as a child.

[It wasn't egotistical - it was simple, honest fact. As an adult, he knows his power is practically limitless as long as he has the will. Even capped as the residents in Luceti are, he has plenty of energy to put into escape plans.]

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[Cloud is not liking how Simon keeps avoiding his eyes, and he cranes his neck forward to try and catch his gaze again.]

The Malnosso do a lot of things that don't make any sense, Simon. Who's to say this one won't last forever?

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon doesn't want to even try and hope. He finally looks back at Cloud, offering up a forced smile. It's all he can stand to give right now.]

Wouldn't it be better for everyone if I went back? As it is, my being here at this age just makes things awkward.

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[Cloud arches an eyebrow; is this how Zack felt sometimes?]

And aren't you assuming an awful lot? Who knows whether it would be better or worse?

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon chuckles softly, shaking his head and offering up little more than a sad, yet calm expression.]

I'm not about to be selfish, Papa. We have a family here, a real home, even though the situation is terrible. I know you want to take me back to Midgar with you if you can escape somehow. If I... if I can give my past self a life like that, even in some alternate universe, I don't think I'd regret it at all. That... is worth going back for.

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[Cloud suddenly takes two quick steps forward and turns to put himself in Simon's path, pressing a hand to his chest to halt him and giving him an even look.]

If we can find a way to go back to our world from here, what makes you think I can't find a way back to yours?

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon halts when Cloud steps in front of him, startled by his words. The thought had never really occurred to him. Go to his world? What was the point?]

It's... already done and over with, though. Everything bad that could happen already has. Going there wouldn't change anything.

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You idiot. [It's said fondly though, and Cloud ruffles his hair again.] I'd go to get you.

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon feels his cheeks redden, and he ducks his head down, patting down his hair with a sheepish smile. He really was an idiot.]

R... right. That was pretty stupid of me, huh... sorry.

[He hesitates a moment, then adds.]

Thanks.

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[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud fixes him with a serious look, voice low and quiet.] I don't care if you're in a different world, or if you're seven or seventy...

[He turns, heading back on the path towards the house, voice just loud enough to carry back to Simon as he walks.]

You're my family, Simon. Don't forget that.

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[.... Leave it to Cloud. Simon feels yet another smile cross his lips, scratching his hair, and then hurries after Cloud, a few steps behind him. He's really not sure what to say to that, too shaken by a wave of gratefulness to properly respond. Cloud knows him well enough, though - he's sure that Cloud understands.

They're very much alike, after all.]

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[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud feels rather than sees Simon jog back up to his side and smiles knowingly. The rest of the walk is spent in companionable silence until they reach the house, and Cloud turns to Simon.]

You said everyone else is in here? Tifa and Denzel?

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[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon nods, of course.]

They're both here, of course. Zack too, though I don't know if he's woken up yet. Oh, and Denzel's almost as old as I am right now, don't forget.

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[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud mimicks his nod before coming to an abrupt halt and gaping at him.]

Wait, Denzel too?

[And something else sinks in.]

And what do you mean, 'woken up yet'?