herobydefault | [Voice]

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.

I dunno. [Cloud double-checks the recipe list before pouring Zack the contents of the shaker and handing it to him.] I figure we're miserable enough without adding hangovers and puking to the list.

I guess. [Zack takes a swig, but doesn't drain it yet; he'd come with Cloud for the company more than for the alcohol for once.] I just think it's fun to let loose and stop being so... [A helpless shrug.] So controlled all the time, y'know?

[Cloud cracks a half-smile, even as he starts to mix something new for himself.] "Controlled" is not the word I'd use for you, Zack.

[ARM-PUNCH. But Zack can't resist smirking back.] Naw, I'm just crazy.

[Cloud just shakes his head and tops off his own drink with some sort of syrup before testing it with a grimace. Forgot something. He dumps it and checks the list.] ...I wonder if she'll show up again. Like I did.

[Zack shrugs slightly, draining his glass.] If anybody can get back here, it's Tifa. She's one stubborn girl.

[Cloud pauses. The bottle and tumbler in his hand lower to rest atop the counter with a thunk.] ...you think she'd want to?

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