Arrival in Spring

... N-Ngh...

[ What...was he doing before this? Head fuzzy and vision still haloing white, the acerbic swordsman scrunches his eyes with a breathed groan. Then he blinks once. Twice. ...and he realizes that it's no longer winter. In fact, a light and floral fragrance greets his senses soon after as the world around him comes into focus. Suddenly very alert, like a cat, Cloud springs to his feet as his bright mako-infused blues dart to take in his surroundings. Only for his rise in heartbeat to quell with the passing seconds. Swallowing, he takes another breath in through his nose...and out through his mouth as he realizes this isn't anywhere near Midgar's wastelands. In fact, it's a familiar scene. From the first time he arrived in a nation known as Nippon.

Cherry Blossoms as far as the eye can see, flowers that no doubt would have broken his fall if he'd indeed taken a fall. And when Cloud glances down finally, he realizes he's no longer in his uniform. Nor is he armed with his Buster Sword or other personal belongings. A white t-shirt and matching white pants... ]

The hell...

[ Not the most eloquent first two words out of one's mouth for arriving in such a beautiful landscape. But he's more confused than anything else. Cloud ventures forward, cautious of his surroundings despite the peace and serenity this scene tries to instill in him. Could he be dreaming? It's what he thought when he first started experiencing time loop back home, yet look where he ended up before. ]

A. Exploring the Fields

[ The minutes pass quickly, yet he ventures and finds his fingers gliding along the bark of cherry blossom trees nonetheless, almost absentmindedly so. Until he finds you, that is. Cloud should have been cautious, but after venturing for what felt like an eternity (it's only been twenty minutes, Cloud...), knowing that there's someone else here who might have answers?

He wasn't going to turn the other way. ]

Hey! [ He approacheth. The direct approacheth. ] Got any idea where I am?

B. Temporary Abodes

Least I've got some groundwork set.

[ After being explained that they were expected to find a job in this world despite being whisked away and implored help to save it, he'd have thought that they'd be a little more accommodating after the first couple months... Guess it's true what they say. Gil doesn't grow on trees. But Cloud doesn't intend to make this a permanent stay. He had to get back to his Planet. And after that...

"You're...Cloud Strife, yes?" ]

Yup.

[ He crosses his arms before the friendly local urges him down the hall to his apartment. His belongings were waiting for him there. Giving a light wave of his hand to them as he takes his leave, he at least speaks up with a simple yet meaningful, "Thanks," before he enters what is supposed to be his new apartment. It's free living space...

Funny. He'd spent so much time living in a more feudal world before coming here, technology that was reminiscent of his world almost felt foreign at first. It was going to take him some time to get used to...well, what normal used to be for him originally.

Sure enough, some of his personal belongings came with him after all! The door to his bedroom is wide open, and Cloud is too distracted by the items he's retrieved to detect you coming quite yet. But among his possessions? His old SOLDIER uniform. A massive sword- two of them, in fact. One is his Buster Sword; the other an impressively long katana with gold camellias adorning the handguard.

...

And a new outfit Cloud is only half-changed into, still shirtless after getting rid of the plain white clothes he woke up in. ]

Valentine's on Nightwake

A. He's Gameing

[ Just because Cloud was encouraged to participate with others on this intimate holiday season, didn't mean that he was about to sling his arm over the shoulders of the first person that he saw. Lucky him, he doesn't have an overt sweet tooth, having only tried a couple after the insistence of locals seeing him all by himself. There's a very good reason he's not jumping at the prospect of tackling these games with others as a 'couple'.

Thankfully, Cloud seems to think he's doing a good job at masking his feelings, currently pulling a crowd who applaud as he continues to swish basketballs into hoops every single time. He's already broken the high score under a certain time limit. And now he's onto free throw mode! How many can Cloud get in a row?

And just how sweet of a prize would it be if he was winning for you?

He's up to 25... ]

B. Valentine's Challenge

[ How this predicament came about? All depends upon the buildup leading towards it. Was he acquainted with you already, and you two were in the right place at the right time? If your character is inclined to want to try, they may find that Cloud...isn't quite as abrasive to the idea as he might have been a long time ago. Still not jumping at the opportunity, but if goaded and coaxed enough? Cloud will do it. It's a challenge, after all. With a prize waiting at the end of it all for the two of them.

If approached by someone Cloud doesn't know? He could be taken by surprise, mayhaps even proverbially stumbling towards the starting line with his newfound partner before forcing himself to get into the swing of things. Awkwardly, but quickly catching on!

Lastly, if Cloud sees someone alone, lingering and contemplating the challenge with no partner in sight? He turns and walks away. ...for a good three steps before stopping. Only to loose a sigh and shake his head before muttering, ]

Hell with it.

[ Closing what distance remains, he coolly asks, ]

You thinking of trying this out too?

All Aboard

[ The segments really were a contrasting marvel to behold. From the familiar if not faux tone of Nightwake City's streetlights from this high up, to the neighboring regions that begged to be further explored and understood...

No doubt, it would be spectacular to watch.

If Cloud wasn't currently playing wallflower down a random hallway away from the beautiful sights, taking a break from it all. To passersby, he seems to be deeply lost in thought, arms crossed and his mind focused. What was going through that head of his? Was it the fact he was still wrapping his head around the very idea of crossing over into yet another world? Was it the fact that he kept his memories of his time spent in Nippon? The weight of the Omamori he continues to carry in his pocket, a reminder of who he needs to return to?

How heavy was Cloud's heart, feeling an amalgamation of lost, uncertain, alone— ]

Urp—

[ Ah. Nope. Nope. Not entirely that; his hand flies to his lips as he breathes hard through his nose and out through his mouth. Cloud's combating motion sickness.

Talk about a cruddy downside to regaining his memories. ]

Wildcard

( Hi!! Got any other ideas or scenarios you wanna throw at me? HMU here! Discord and Plurk inside. Or you can DM me! Or just write something up and I'll roll with it. )