herobydefault | [Voice]

It's weird... I kinda wonder if they'll even remember her when they go back. Or if she'll remember them.

[Cloud wants to say "probably not," but...doesn't.] ...I don't know either.

...It's kinda scary. [Zack tries to laugh. Why'd he have to go and say that?]

[Cloud glances at Zack.

Then he...touches his forehead to Zack's cheek.]

[Blink. That was unexpected- enough to derail whatever worrisome thoughts were trying to wriggle into his thoughts. He closes his eyes, the laugh fading. There's no reason to fake it now.]

[Cloud lets himself rest for just a moment, glad that the forced chuckle died before it got very far. Then he pushes back and stands, and ruffles Zack's hair.]

I think I'm all right to go get a drink now, if you want to still.

[Zack fixes his hair with an odd expression; just who was comforting whom, here? He looks up and stands as Cloud does, nodding with a smile.]

Sure. I can play bartender for you- I've learned a few mixes, myself.

We'll switch off. [Cloud's not looking forward to breaking into Seventh Heaven, but he's not too keen to head into Good Spirits and deal with that particular grudge just yet, either.]

Sounds like a plan to me. [He shrugs, gesturing to the door. Your choice of destination, fearless leader!]

[Fearless leader picks Seventh Heaven. C'mon, puppy, heel.]

[/HEELS. And he's surprised, though it would be nice to see a little taste of Tifa's still in Luceti, considering all her stuff is already gone.]

[Cloud seems to know where the spare key is, and opens the place up the not-felon way, closing the door after them and locking it for good measure. He doesn't really want any other company right now.]

[No complaints here. Zack beelines for the bar counter, lifting up the divider and taking up the spot by the drinks and glasses, trying to look as casual as possible.]

What can I get you?

Something h-... [The response is automatic, and he cuts himself off, eyes lowering before continuing softly and heading for the piano against the wall.]

Strongest we've got.

[Zack nods and turns to find it, whatever it is. He doesn't ask about the correction; no sense in stirring up little ghosts when Cloud's already so down.]

[And Cloud sits down at the piano, staring at it before plucking out a tune.

It's the little melody from Tifa's sheet music. Funny how he can remember that from eight -ten?- years ago, but not what happened in Nibelheim.]

[Zack glances over; he'd forgotten the piano was in there. Sliding a glass along the counter now- but he doesn't call him back, listening instead. When did he learn that tune?]

[Cloud goes through that a little bit before fooling around with a couple chords and...stops. He doesn't remember anything else.]

[.....Sort of getting that impression, so-] Spike, drink's ready.

[Cloud lingers for a minute before heading over and- yeah, no tasting this one. Right to the back of the throat it goes.]

[And Zack's not surprised by that in the least; juuuuust wordlessly stretches out the arm with the bottle and refills it.]

[Cloud downs that one too, but moves behind the bar to join Zack and start picking out bottles.] What'll you have?

Huh... [Looks like Tifa didn't carry his regular, so he shrugs and gestures vaguely.] Something a little lighter than that. No point in wasting the good stuff on me.

[Cloud shrugs, but...sees the list Tifa had tacked onto the wall, that she'd told him about. Seems like it hadn't disappeared; did that mean it belonged to 7th Heaven itself?

...doesn't matter. Cloud picks one recipe at random and starts mixing. May as well practice if he's going to be taking over.]

[Zack turns around to lean against the back of the counter, head tilting back. The whole place smells like the kitchen did when Tifa cooked. Or maybe it was just her smell in general. It's weird- like the only thing she left behind. Wonder how long it'll last?]

Times like this, I really wish we could just get plastered.

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