[Action - Closed]

[notachocobo]

Who: Cloud, Basch and Zack
Where: Ecruteak City
When: August 16th
Summary: The ghosts arrive..
Rating: PG..ish? Ghost talk mostly; sad times


The festival had been fun. It had been just what Cloud needed, honestly. This place had definitely been doing some good for him in general but being able to just let go of his worries and have a bit of fun--meet new people--had been something he hadn't realized he'd been missing out on. He'd gotten a chance to bond more with his Pokemon as well which was important and he had gone to sleep the last night of the festival with a smile on his face.

And for once dreams didn't plague him.

When the morning finally rolled around it was insistent poking at his face that made him stir, the blonde frowning softly and attempting to bat away whatever it was. A soft chirp made him vaguely aware that it was Gongaga and a soft sigh escaped him as he turned his head to bury it in his pillow a bit.

"Not now..just a little longer," he mumbled but any hopes of more sleep were ruined as something jumped on him then and started to hop about. Cloud groaned and attempted to untangle himself while grabbing for whatever--or whoever--was responsible and haul them around--

"Materia what's--" Whatever scolding or question he was going to ask was halted as he caught sight of something near the foot of his bed, blue eyes going wide as Gongaga chirped worriedly and even Materia looked a little unnerved. Cloud couldn't find his voice right away, a slight tremble going through him as his mouth worked and he slowly set Materia down. "Aer.." No. No this--she-- "Z--Zack. Zack!"

Something wasn't right. She didn't look right. That was her face and her smile but it--there was no way--her eyes weren't right.

"Zack, Basch wake up!"

Comments

[modulatingphases]

There was a weight resting solidly upon his chest, spread evenly among four paws. There was another rest upon his forehead, lighter than the first, only this one was accompanied by the soft sound of whirling. It wasn't entirely unusual for his Pokemon to wake him, especially if he'd slept in unusually late and they had gotten tired of waiting for hungry and unable to find anything for themselves.

Trying his best to ignore it, to fall back into the peaceful realm of sleep for just a little bit longer, it was Cloud's voice that pulled him further out. First with his assuming little mumble, followed by confusion. Still, it wasn't weird to hear Materia's name followed by some sort of question or exclamation. The Meinfoo was somehow more lively and mischievous than all of his combined.

But then Cloud was calling his name, stumbling over it and it's the panic he hears that finally brings him into full consciousness, suddenly alert within the blink of an eye, pushing himself upwards, attention never quiet leaving his friend.

"Cloud?" Questioningly, looking from Cloud over to Basch, as if he would somehow have the answer to what had the blond so panicked. "Hey, are you doing okay? Did you have a bad dream or something?"

[ruinimpendent]

Basch snapped awake. For Basch did not oft sleep deeply - for he had many nightmares following him. Ones he tried to ignore, fears of returning to where he was.

Without skipping a beat, he looked to Cloud, and gave a sharp nod. He's here. Though he can feel something behind him, something slightly warm and comforting - his own expression simply gives his responce.

What happened. Must they fight - for he is always ready. A hand moving to Noah - his Houndour, the one who slept by his side - he grunted.

[notachocobo]

"You--can't you--" Can't they see her? She's there. She's right there and--

The blonde shifts over to try and turn on the light beside the bed, fumbling a bit to find the switch and ultimately it's his Honedge that gets it turned on for him. Light floods the room and makes the entire situation that much more real and Cloud let's out a pained sound as he shakes his head and closes his eyes tightly.

"Why are you here?" Yeah he's definitely talking to the ghost. Sorry, gents.

[modulatingphases]

It's difficult to tear his attention away from Cloud when he's making those pained noises and closing his eyes against something Zack has yet to realize. But it's impossible to ignore the lingering pull, the nagging electric tingle dancing along the base of his spine that comes from being watched.

And instantly, the moment bright eyes fall away and his attention shifts to the end of each bed, he regrets. Deeply, painfully. It's like his heart is shattering inside of his chest and there's nothing he can do to stop it.

Completely frozen in place, Angel sitting firmly in his lap and staring up at him, worry etched across her features. Shock renders him speechless, a rare, concerning oddity.

"That's impossible." One of those people was still alive. One of those people shouldn't be there.