Open Post

[sonicstriker]

"You've gotta be better than this if you're gonna play the hero."

Comments

For Sanjiro

[sonicstriker]

[ from here ]

You're going to make me too nervous to go! I'm not a trained dancer, I just like it.

At least we can agree on the pizza.

[personalprotection]

I'm pretty sure you aren't allowed to backout after you requested I take you dancing. Plus, even if you aren't a trained one I know you are good.

[sonicstriker]

Oh, so you want to take me dancing :)

[personalprotection]

Of course. It's something you want to do.
Plus you said I get to see you drunk if I do.

[sonicstriker]

I really backed myself into a corner didn't I?

Will you...hold my hand, so fewer guys will come be creepy? That's the main reason I don't go.

[personalprotection]

I will. I will do everything that I can to make sure no one comes and bothers you.

[sonicstriker]

I know. I trust you. Just a lot of shitty experiences.

I really do want to go dancing, though. I really like it. So, it's a date.

[personalprotection]

I get it, you don't have to worry. We are going to have a great night out. Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

When do you want to go?

[sonicstriker]

All my shoes are comfortable I work on my feet :)

Okay maybe not some of heels.

I know this is lame but a Tuesday or Wednesday would be easiest for me.

[personalprotection]

Hm. Well, did have a place in mind already? Did you want to go to a dance club or did you have some other place in mind?

I do have a former client that is hosting some sort of gala on Wednesday if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.

[sonicstriker]

I had some ideas but that sounds way better. And if I don't get quite enough dancing in, we can stop somewhere on the way back to your place. : )

[personalprotection]

I agree. It should be a fun evening for us, no matter how things shake out. I'm very much looking forward to it.

For Viktor

[sonicstriker]

[ from here ]

I'm sorry your day sucks so bad, but I'm considering this a victory. We're friends, you know. Let me help sometimes : ) I like to.

💜

[hiraut]

Far better things you could be doing with your time, I'm sure. But you've convinced me to get out of the lab, and I'm sure anyone would consider that some form of victory.

[sonicstriker]

That is a great use of my time. : ) And I like the company too!

I know about being a workaholic okay. But don't tell Barret or Biggs I admitted it.

[hiraut]

A secret I will carry to my grave, I promise.

[ it's a bit of a hobble-y walk from the labs, but given enough time, viktor finally arrives at seventh heaven. he saunters over to the bar, looking grumpy and exhausted - so, you know, normal. he takes a seat, sets his cane against the bar ... and immediately flops his head down in his arms against the counter. grumbling. please take pity on him, barkeep. ]

[sonicstriker]

You take everything so seriously. I like that about you.

[ It's not very busy mid-afternoon on a weekday, which means every time the door open she glances up. The third time it's Viktor, and she smiles warmly, waving at him, glad he comes to the bar and doesn't try to hide at a table.

And she hides a silent laugh behind her hand as he flops dramatically on her bar.

There's some shuffling and clinking before the crack of glass settling on wood settles somewhere near his ear. She leans against the bar, toweling off clean glasses. ]

Penny for your thoughts?

[hiraut]

[ funny. usually, nobody likes that about viktor.

ah, well. he's here, at least. reluctantly, begrudgingly here. the fresh air will do him some good (lies, it's cold out, this sucks,) and some proper socialization away from the lab and the city high life will also be good for him (lies, he should be working, he hates people.) more importantly, the drinks here are far better than whatever he could scramble back at the tower. getting piss drunk and drowning in his sorrows will be very good for him also.

viktor turns his head in his arms hearing the clink of ice against glass. she remembers that extra fancy white russian she made for him last time, which is nice. he huffs. ] I'd be quite the rich man, were that the case.

[ he does lift his head finally, chin propped on one hand so he can reach for the glass with the other. ] A presentation did not have the expected outcome. And I am building a grudge because of it. Hence the fuckery and asshattery commentary.

[sonicstriker]

Wouldn't that be nice? [ she asks with a dreamy sigh. Her small smile spreads as he stats to unfold, reaching for the drink she poured him. Good. He's not completely shut down. And he bothered to come all the way over here. Remembering the drink he liked is the least she can do.

She does wince sympathetically as he gives her more info, setting down the glass she's drying and picking up another. ]

That's definitely not a great end to the week. [ She's staring a little too fixedly at the glass, drying the same spot over and over. ] It sucks, when the system doesn't work how it should and you can't do a whole lot about it.

[hiraut]

[ better this way, he thinks. he wouldn't have the same goals and ambitions without a driving force behind it. they make do with what they have and work all the more harder for their achievements. wealth, he thinks, would corrupt him like it would anyone. he scoffs. ] Good thing it is not so easy.

[ the drink does not last very long. he should be sipping - failing health and all that nonsense - but he's in a bad mood. less of a bad mood than he was a few minutes ago, of course, who would've thought fresh air and pleasant company could make such a difference? he sets the now empty glass down, ice clinking about. and back to sulking. ]

The most we can do is keep trying. [ said reluctantly, like he's repeating what the council had said verbatim. his tone's dripping with bitterness. were he a much stronger man the glass in his hand would start to crack. probably good thing then, he's sure miss tifa deals with shattered glass enough. ] Someone will listen, eventually. But until then, I am going to be extremely cross about it.

For Edelgard

[sonicstriker]

[ from here ]

That's the point, babe. It's not that you can't. I know you can. It's that you don't have to do it all yourself.

[exaxting]

Honestly, I'm not used to relying on anyone. It's usually just easier to do it all.

[sonicstriker]

I really, really get that. But, maybe let me try?

I'm your friend, Edie. And I'm pretty capable too :)

[exaxting]

Very well. I will try to let myself rely on you more.

For Garrus

[sonicstriker]

[ from here ]

That's...awkward and adorable. Until the cops part.

Any chance of keeping it secret?

[thearchangel]

It's something all right.

Unlikely. Lamont was one of the arresting officers. I... knew him pretty well back when I worked with C-Sec.

[sonicstriker]

Oof. That's...super awkward.

I wish I could help more, but free drink to drown your sorrows next time I see you?

[thearchangel]

Hey, I'll take it. Since the last one spilled and all.

[sonicstriker]

We'll give you a proper do over. I've got a new house drink you can test for me ;)

[thearchangel]

In that case, I owe you one.

We both will.

[sonicstriker]

You're totally welcome to bring your friend, too. I don't know if that makes it better or worse.

For Cloud

[sonicstriker]

[ from here ]

I think you're just out of touch with civilians. But thanks. Really.

Hey! Okay. Maybe 55% her is accurate. : ) Don't tell anyone my secret, ok?

TY for moving!

[chocobotwin]

Maybe. I try and leaving the talking to people to you and the others.

I'd never rat you out.

yw!

[sonicstriker]

You're not so bad at you know.

But me and Aerith are really good at it ;)

I know. You've always been that way. That's why it was a no brainer to hire you.

[chocobotwin]

Not as good as you. Figure that's part of what made you a good bartender.

I figure what I don't know about I should just be grateful.

Couldn't say no when you asked. Although the money offer was good, too.

[sonicstriker]

I had to practice, you know.

And of course I'm going to make sure we pay you what you're worth. And to make it worth your time. Girl's gotta eat!

Well, guy in this case. You get me.

[chocobotwin]

How did you practice?

I get you. Most of the time. Sometimes I still scratch my head a little and know better than to ask.

If you were still interested in doing this little scenario with these two?

[personalprotection]

[She wanted to be taken dancing and Sanjiro is interested in giving her what she wants. Granted, he could have taken her to many different places to achieve that. But when a former client is always issuing him invites to come to fancy events, he saw no reason not to take advantage of it and take her somewhere nice and fancy. Not to mention he feels Tifa deserves to be treated to a night out like this.

A kind, caring woman that works hard like her needs something like this. Though he’s known her long enough to know she wouldn’t have pushed for someone to bring her somewhere like this. Maybe she wouldn’t have even gone if she got a random invite from someone. But Tifa has come to mean a lot to him and making her smile is something that makes him smile.

He left her her invite last night in the bar before he departed. The two of them just meeting there had been the idea he had in mind in case she has something more to do before arriving. So there he stood, inside of the decorated room in his suit waiting for her to finally show.]

Yeah! I'm a little more regular with her again too

[sonicstriker]

[ Tifa always appreciated Sanjiro's sensitivity to her schedule and her needs. It was part of why this entire set up worked so well. But taking public transit up to the plate dressed as she was in a classy off-shoulder gown just had her getting more drunken catcalls and propositions than normal. She'd definitely head back to Sanjiro's tonight and either let him escort her home or change into casual clothes before heading back herself.

It was not wanting to miss a chance to see him that kept her from bailing entirely. This didn't feel worth it for a dance, her hands worrying sweaty wrinkles into the silken fabric. She wasn't a debutante. Even with an invitation, they'd see through her.

Tifa had always been resolved, though, brave because once she decided something, she didn't back down. So much as she entertained the idea, she knew once she'd gotten past the first checkpoint that she wasn't going to turn back; she wasn't going to do that to Sanjiro, and she wasn't going to do it to herself.

By the time she reached the swanky venue in the upper plate, she'd armored herself with her best bullshit customer tactics, shoulders back and walk confident. She only flinched a little entering the fancy ballroom.

And her eyes went right to Sanjiro, always attractive, but particularly stunning with that flash of red. She waved, thanking a passing waiter for two flutes of champagne as she crossedthe space. ]

I was worried I overdressed. Now I'm glad I did. Hi.

[ She stepped casually into his space, placing a peck on his cheek. ]

Glad to hear it!

[personalprotection]

[He’ll be honest, he almost didn’t recognize her for a second. If not for her voice, it may have took a few more moments before he realized who she was. She looks so different dressed up as she is now. Mostly because he’s not used to seeing her in such formal attire. But it doesn’t surprise him at all that she knows exactly what would make her look incredible.

So at the realization of who she is, there is a small moment of surprise before it washes away and a smile finds its way onto his face.]

No, I would said you nailed it.

[He leans over and gives her a kiss right back on the cheek before taking one of the champagne flutes from her. The little bit of intimacy will likely go a much longer way tonight than one might think. Now the two of them looked like a couple who were out together for the night. That means Tifa won’t have to worry about people bothering her or coming to ask for a dance or even trying to get her to ho home with them.

She could have a nice peaceful evening, something that he knows she wants.]

Is the dress new or something you’ve been saving for the right occasion?

[He’d honestly wondered how she might look all dressed up. She didn’t disappoint, not for a single second.]

[sonicstriker]

[ It's the first time she's worn anything this formal out, and she definitely feels a bit like a kid in dress up. Looking around, though, she's not at all out of line, blending in well despite how awkward the train had been.

For a moment she thinks Sanjiro's face is judgement, that she's misread something, but the smile she knows; it relaxes her. She surprised him. Good. She's alright with that.

She's also alright with them looking like a couple, a thing he does more and more often for her. And they are, in a way. Even if this is casual between friends, they have an intimacy she doesn't offer anyone else. ]

Jessie took me to a costume sale when they were cleaning out the theater. She talked me into buying it, but it's the first time I've worn it. I honestly expected to wear it to a costume party, not a real event, but it's a real dress.

For Catarella

[sonicstriker]

[ From Here ]

Honestly, I'm probably too nice.

But tell me what you would do.

[scapulet]

Oh, most likely. It's a lovely trait of yours.

As for me... hm. It would depend on how they wronged me and mine, I suppose. Under most circumstances, I find that thwarting their beliefs about the world is plenty.

But the ones who really deserve it... well, the Fisalias are known for our varieties of toxic plants. Something like a mild hallucinogenic is hardly that terrible, no?

[sonicstriker]

I guess I can get behind that. Plants really are incredible.

What makes them deserve it?

[scapulet]

They truly are. Distilled down to their basest selves, several otherwise dangerous plants become wonderfully tasteful medicines.

What makes them deserve it? A... very simple question with a much more complicated answer. If you want to know where my moral compass leans, then the answer comes down to... they will have spurned something that I intend to protect. Treated others with undue cruelty; believed themselves to be above all others and forsake respect for greed; lost their minds in the whispers of chaos. The crime, and the subsequent elixir, are both quite nuanced, and a Fisalia is unafraid to bear the mask of a monster for the greater good.

[sonicstriker]

Sounds like we agree on most of that. I hate doing harm, honestly, but...sometimes letting people or corporations keep going is doing more harm than stopping them. I'd rather be a monster if more people are safe.