[Voiced]

[herobydefault]

I'm all right.

Tifa, Denzel, Simon, I'm coming back home.


[[ooc: Cloud's back. Man, I missed him too much; I have a problem. He's actually in relatively good shape; nothing broken, bruised or bleeding. He's probably a little frazzled, hungry, thirsty and tired, but for the most part the Malnosso tossed him into a room and left him alone. There's a little prick on his left arm, though, like he'd been injected with something. Anyways, I'll be on to reply for a few more hours, but then I won't be on till around 11:30 pm EST, so. o/ ]]

Comments

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

Cloud!

A-are you sure you don't need help?

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

Positive. Really, I'm fine. I'm sorry if I worried you.

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

You're really sure? I could-

...I'll take your word for it.

Cloud, when you're up to it... there's something I need to tell you.

[ooc: Since Cloud missed the pregnancy announcement :(]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

I'm just tired, really.

Is everything all right? Do you need help?


[[ooc: I know ;___; ]]

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

*and she's wondering how he can even ask that after just returning from the Malnosso*

It's nothing like that, though I suppose it could cause some concern... But I'm not hurt or anything of the sort, don't worry.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

*because he's Cloud! And really he just sat around, so it's not that bad*

All right. Do you want me to find you right now?

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

*it's still weird to hear him say all that D: And now I've got the Cloud song in my head*

...If you could do that, that'd probably be easier.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

All right. Your house?


[[ooc: Action post?]]

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

Yes. House #32, I'll be outside of it.

[[ooc: Yes! \o/]]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Stella's place is on the way anyhow, and within a few moments there's a haggard Cloud makin' his way up the street to her place.]



[[ooc: Sorry; HTML fail. >_<; ]]

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

[Stella needed the exercise anyway, and she made sure to pace a few times and even swings her arms to the side a few times (though she was sure that wasn't necessary). Once she sees Cloud, though, she stops what she's doing and heads off of the porch to approach him.]

Cloud! [and she can't resist the urge to give him a quick hug, then pulls away and backs off a step] Ah, I'm sorry... Are you sure you're up to this? Maybe you should rest first...

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[A little surprised by the hug -he was still getting used to that touching thing again- Cloud shook his head and gestured vaguely.]

It's okay, really. They just kind of...stuck me in a cell. I hardly saw anybody the entire time I was there.

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

Is that really all? ...I'm glad, then. I've never heard of the Malnosso doing that before, but I'm glad they decided to leave you alone.

Now, about what I need to tell you... [and this is where she avoids eye contact] Senel made an announcement a few days ago, but you were...

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud did that head-ducking thing people do when they try to catch someone's unwilling eye.]

What did he say?

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

[(aosidjfa that's a cute mental image ♥) Stella seems to be working up her nerve, wringing her hands behind her back, before she glances up at him with a somewhat sheepish smile]

I'm... I'm expecting.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[...well then. Cloud's a little surprised and he works his mouth for a minute as his eyes wander, before he scratches his head and nods; he really is happy for her, he's just not sure how to go about saying it.]

Con-congratulations.

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

[she moves her own head to watch his movements and his expressions, having learned this sort of technique a few years ago from a certain someone... then smiles happily]

Thank you. I'm really... glad that you approve. I admit that your opinion was one of the ones that mattered most.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud offers her a smile then, and does a little embarrassed blushing while he's at it.]]

Honestly, it's...really not that much of a surprise. I mean, I didn't expect it but...

[He pauses to think.]

...I suppose you being a mother is natural.

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

[Stella's considering you one of her BFFs now, did you know that? She gives her own little embarrassed blush at that]

A-ah... thank you. We, er... we weren't planning it or expecting it, either. We were a little scared, but... I think we're starting to settle into it. Granted, I'm still afraid of what they might do to the baby, but I'm not giving up on this.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Nooo, Cloud didn't know that, but he feels fuzzy like hell now that he does. Truthfully, he kind of considers Stella 'neesan, even though he's older than her. ♥]

Everything'll be fine, Stella. They aren't going to lay a single hand on you or your baby; you've got a lot of people beside you, myself included. And Senel wouldn't let it happen anyways.

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

[Awww, and now Stella feels all fuzzy like hell, too. ♥ Both from that and what Cloud's saying]

I've been so thankful to Senel for staying by my side all this time. I know he didn't expect this at all, and he probably thinks he won't be a good father... though I believe otherwise. And when Senel made the announcement to everyone, I... I was honestly shocked from all the support we received.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

It's kind of obvious that he's head over heels for you, Stella. I'm not so surprised.

[The antisocial ones are always family-clingy, after all.]

Besides, the two of you...kind of represent something for us, for Luceti. That maybe we can make things be okay, even if they don't want to work out for us on their own. You know?

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

[...That certainly puts this in a different perspective for her~ She'll regard his words for a moment before she smiles again]

I know. Thank you again, Cloud. It really does mean so much...

Now, you ought to rest. Even if the Malnosso haven't done anything to you, you still appear tired and hungry.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud won't deny it, he's pretty tired. But first he's gotta tell her something!]

Stella, I...

[Scritch scratch at the back of his head. He's embarrassed.]

I'm...going to adopt Denzel and Simon. I don't know how it works here, but...