Welcome to Gaia! ::

lol, that would, knowing you wink

ooc: Alright everyone, the RP is finally underway! Make sure to read everyone's character bios in the first post. Also, make sure you know who is RPing who. Make sure to keep ooc talk to a minimum... any long questions just ask in the general chat thread. I'll start out.... I'm a little rusty, but I should get back into action soon sweatdrop

bic:

Reeve: Well Mayor Black, thank you for your time. Its been a pleasure speaking with you. Its good to see the world's cities getting along with each other, isn't it?

Mayor Black: Yeah... Its good for business. Its much easier to export when you don't have to worry about trade embargos or boycotts because some foreigners don't like how you run your city.

*Mayor Black let out a cold laugh at this. Reeve frowned, however.*

Reeve: Well... I don't exactly think thats quite the right attitude to be taking. You're being a little critical, don't you think?

Black: Please Reeve, don't lecture me. I agreed to your little trade treaty with Corel, isn't that enough? You'd just better hope those backwaters hold up their end.

Reeve: I assure you, I know many of the more prominent citizens of Corel. Corel will hold up it's end.

Black: Well Reeve, as I'm sure you know the election is coming up shortly... you will be backing me and not that simpleton Domino, correct? He used to be Mayor of Midgar before it was destroyed, as I'm sure you know. But even so, he has no real experience. Your old friend President Shinra ran the whole show.

Reeve: Well, my time spent in Shinra was never my best hour, but I thought that Domino was a very good man. And besides Black, you know I try not to meddle in the elections of cities. Its not good for business... and I don't agree with it morally.

*Black looked slightly moodier at Reeve's flat refusal to back him. Though he wouldn't admit it, Black knew he wasn't popular with the public. He had been close to Shinra when they ran the city, and had only gotten into office by a margin. Domino, on the other hand, was well known for his hatred of Shinra and had been campaigning well. Reeve's support would have been invaluable, as he was well known throughout the world for his peace efforts. But as long as Domino didn't have Reeve backing him, he still had a chance. He'd just need an angle.. something to work from.*

Black: Well Reeve, its been a pleasure meeting with you again, but I'm very busy and my next appointment is coming soon. I'll have to ask you to leave.

Reeve: Of course, I understand completely. I need to be back in Corel and tell the good news to Mayor Shelton. Until next time..

*Reeve shook hands with Black, though Black seemed a little more hurried and less cordial (sp?) than normal. Well, the man would simply have to face facts. He hadn't done great in office. Most of the deals that the people liked had been initiated by Reeve and credited to him. The people actually were wanting Reeve to run for office, but without much hope. Reeve always tried to keep out of direct politics. As Reeve left Black's office, he saw a man with pale skin and dark hair standing at the secretary's desk, looking somewhat impatient. As Reeve left, the pale man went into the Mayor's office and closed the door behind him. Reeve didn't quite like the look of him, but he didn't have any time to contemplate it. He hurried out of the building and called a taxi. He needed to get to Corel and talk to Mayor Shelton. Then he'd drop by and say hello to Barret. He hadn't seen him in about a month... it had been too long.*

--------------------------------------
*When the pale man entered into Mayor Black's office, he grinned maliciously.*

????: Hello Black... I see you've been talking to Reeve Sith. Wretched peacemonger... I thought you were above such men.

*Black literally jumped out of his chair. He looked less smug and sure of himself than he had when talking with Reeve.*

Black: F...Fury! I wasn't expecting you...

*Fury began walking slowly and menacingly towards Black.*

Fury: The election hasn't been going well for you, Augustus. Have you given thought to my "proposal"?

*Black began to look like a guilty child.*

Black: B..but Fury... if its found out... what.... well you know what would happen! I'd be finished!

*Fury's face contorted with rage. He looked menacingly at Black.*

Fury: Black... I am NOT a man to be denied.

*Fury regained his composure and laughed.*

Fury: Don't worry... my plans don't fail. Your victory is assured.

Black: But how? How can you gaurantee(sp?) it?

*Fury laid a briefcase he had been carrying down on a table. With a sinister grin he opened, showing the contents to Black. Black's eyes lit up with half fear, half ecstasy.*

Black: But thats... how did you get it?

Fury: I have my sources... so do we have a deal?

*Black contemplated, clearly talking himself into taking the offer in front of him. It was something he desperately wanted, but he knew was dangerous. But the power...*

Black: Yes... yes we have an agreement.

*Fury smiled with victory. He closed the briefcase and looked up at Black.*

Fury: I trust you can provide the appropriate accomodations? The program will take no time at all to perfect... we have an expert in the field. The only requirement is that we choose the first target.

*Black raised an eyebrow. He hadn't mentioned anything like this before.*

Black: And that would be?

Fury: ...the first target must be Wutai.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

*Reno knocked back his fifth shot of whiskey. He grinned. Business had been good lately. Getting plastered with Rude was his idea of fun. However, there was always that one constant annoyance...*

Reno: Hey Rude, where's Elena? I haven't heard from her since this afternoon... She's always running around, hardly ever at the headquarters... whats she do for us anyways?

*Unknown to Reno, a black man with a shaved head was taking extreme interest in him. Reno usually was very attentive to his surroundings, but tended to get less cautious when he was getting drunk (a weakness that had gotten him into trouble in the past). After a while, he casually got up and walked over towards the two Turks.*

ooc: Well, theres my first post... I'll just need Ayame to respond to Reno...

OOC: Ack, sorry about that Gwyn...I DID post something...but then Gaia said that "it would be returning shortly" and I had to go...and then when I tried to log back on later yesterday, the guilds were disabled for the moment... stare *shakes fist at Gaia*

IC:

Rude glanced listlessly into his glass of whisky, half listening to what Reno was talking about and half thinking about having a nice nap afterwards. It was good to have a drink in a bar once in a while, but when Reno was...well, a drunk Reno, it usually meant trouble.

"She's probably doing some more research about that information she found the other day," he replied absentmindedly. He swirled the contents of the liquid in his glass as if it were his only amusmant.

Yes, like that made any sense William Rude, he chided mentally.

Honestly, he did not have much of a clue what their young Turk recruit was doing these days. He would see her at HQ whenever she left but didn't talk much to her since she always looked too preoccupied with something else.

Through Reno's laughter and the horrible music the bar was playing, Rude noticed someone approaching them through his glass. He glanced backwards, suspicious.

OOC: Thanks, Gwyn sweatdrop I'm kinda rusty myself...RPing in SOL helped...

IC:

Tifa hummed happily to herself as she began to do her daily routine of cleaning Tifa's Seventh Heaven. It was still about only five in the morning but the sun was already shining brightly through the shutters and it was just nice to have some peace and quiet -- something that was very rare to occur in such a place as Costa del Sol.

Unlike Midgar, Costa del Sol was pretty much a place of constant tourism and business, and she had learned the hard way to open her bar as soon as everyone in the beach town were conscious...which was usually around ten. She began to wipe off the night's dust away on the counters, humming some random song she had heard on the radio the day before.

Tifa Lockheart wasn't quite sure why she was so happy these past few days. Maybe it was because Cloud just recently came back a few weeks before. Her childhood friend suddenly showed up one day in front of the bar, asking for a place to stay for the night. And well, after that, time moved on as if nothing had ever happened.

But he was finally someone to talk to now when business was slow, better than the drunks that often fell into half consciousness and began mumbling some nonsense to her about the "horrible" events that had happened in their lives over and over again.

After cleaning off the counters, Tifa wiped the sweat off her brow as she tossed the rag back into its bucket. Even though it was barely dawn, the heat was already beginning to settle in. She sat down on one of the stools, turning on the radio softly to hear the latest news around the world and the fan to cool her off while she wandered off into her thoughts. Cloud was still upstairs in his room sleeping; the night before must have taken a toll on him after that upstart with some of the drunks yesterday.

But then again it was five in the morning. Cloud was never a morning person.

A small smile curled on her lips, remembering how he had just dropped dead onto his bed before kicking the door closed (their bedrooms were pretty small on the top floor, but it was all Tifa could afford when she found the bar).

Remembering about Cloud's return, she began to think about the others and how they were doing. It had been two years since they all parted their separate ways.

OOC: Whew, I think I'm done with that...I'll continue with Rude tomorrow...

OOC: Sorry this is late, school is busy, but Red and Elena should be up by tommorow.
BIC:
The soft yet intense thrumming of a guitar built up into and intense polyphonic harmony as the lead singer tragically told of New Years day for the visiting Emo-style band. Glancing around, gray eyes glinted in the multicolored strobe lights, eyeing the passing young couples. Taking one last swig of her sake bomb, for which she was still underage, the young former hero hopped off the barstool, wading into the throbbing crowd on the dance floor. Halfway through the crowd, she felt a tap on her shoulder, spinning around to face the -

"Don't even take a breath, the air is cut with cyanide in honor of the new year~!" The vocalist practically screams into the microphone.

What appear to be blue eyes in the club's varied lighting stare drunkenly over alcohol flushed cheeks. "Wanna dance?" The slurred inquiry slips from lips slicked with saliva. Who does this drunken sicko think he is?

Half grimacing, the youth's eyebrow twitches in irritation as she replies, "Errr, no� I - uh-"

"-Already have a date." A deep voice from behind her resounds over the music. Paling to the point where his skin appears to be the purest hue of whatever light happens to pass over his face, the man mutters a quick apology, or the closest he can in his state, before skittering off into the crowd, all too happy to disappear. Thank the Ancients, that was lucky. Better dance with whoever the nice guy who saved me the trouble of dealing with that guy is� The rare thoughts of gratitude streamed through the teen's mind.

Turning, eyes closed, she cocked her head sideways, "So I guess I owe you a thank you dance," she began, opening her eyes, "huh? Oh s**t-faced-Jenova-spawn~"

"YUFFIE KISARAGI, How many times must I impart upon you my request that you not waste your nights out drinking and clubbing?!" The flame-faced Lord Gohdo practically screamed in her face.

Open mouthed smile twitching on the corner, all she could
manage was a friendly, "Oh, hi Dad. What are you doing here? Heh, heh�"

Taking firm hold of her shoulder, the enraged leader of Wutai half-marched his no-longer-so-spunky daughter out of the club, too embarrassed to even glare at the staring citizens of his community. A little outside the club, the gray-eyed young heroine shook her father's hand off her shoulder, shrugging on her coat to null the chilling touch of lightly falling snow. As they continued back to their residence, Gohdo looked up at his daughter. Eh, he's staring at the back of my head again, oh well. If I ignore him, it'll tick him off more! Pulling her arms into the sky, she stretched her hands behind her head, interlacing her fingers, and continuing down the path home in that fashion.

"Have you any idea what repercussions your actions could have?" Gohdo sternly lectured his daughter. "One day you will have to run Wutai, and one day people may look at the way you�re acting now in reflection and then you'll-"

"Listen Dad," Yuffie snapped. "I don't want to care about the future right now, okay?! Just because I'm next in line for rule of this city doesn't mean I need to be deprived of my childhood does it?"

"No, but you still must be a respectable young lady!"

"What do you mean by that?" Yuffie huffed, face flushing in the cold.

"You're always out partying, always getting drunk and dating guys for who you don't care!"

Turning more red, Yuffie glared at her father, then yelled. "What do you know? You're never around there, so how can you be sure! Besides, maybe I want to be a kid like everyone else! Maybe you've forgotten, but I wasted my mid-teens running around globe saving the ******** world! Then I helped restore and expand YOUR city!! Why can't I have a break too?!" Furious and frustrated with her father, the young ninja sprinted off through the snow, leaping on various objects to the nearest rooftop before shaking her father from her path, fleeing in her rage.

An hour later, perched on a cliff near her hometown, the youth gazed out at her father's city, then stared at her palm. "Shinobi, shinobi, just father's damned tool." She muttered to herself. "Always stuck training to help father achieve his dreams." Looking back up at the stars, she coughed a little. "Dating? What does he know!" She continued in indignation. I've never even had a boyfriend, let alone dated. Why can't anyone understand me? She sighed, remembering her ragtag group of friends. Who would've thought that the group of people I left stranded with no materia would become some of the best friends I've ever had. Burying her face into her knees, her hair now past her shoulders veiled her face. Who could understand me anyway� Stop hoping damn you, it's pointless and painful... why can't I give up on hope�

Pain. Someone he knew was in pain. Nanaki shook his head, red mane unfurling across his shoulders from one side. No, that can't be right. His brow wrinkled in scrutiny as he dropped his gaze to the ground. The stars didn't hone in on individuals feelings. Though vastly important to each individual, these emotions were often insignificant to the world after their passing. Not unless the person... no that can't be. It's unheard of, never has it happened. Pressing his nose into the v shape formed by his paws, he glanced up with perplexion. Also, how could the stars tell him it was someone close to him? They spoke in genralities which everyoneone could explian, not specifics for one particular reader of their cryptic messages. Letting out a growl of a sigh, he decided to temporarily suspend his search for the answer to this new and confusing event. Rousing himself from the rocks, he padded back to his settlement, noting it would do him no good to fall asleep on the monster infested cliffs. Entering the front gate of Cosmo Canyon, he was greeted by the gate's watchman.

"Welcome back, young master." The guard gave a slight nod and bow, keeping his eyes on the clearing before him.

Returning the greeting in a civilized fashion, he exchanged little conversation as he jogged to his study, his paws carrying him faster than people's voices could stop him.

There must be something, anything about this event. As he sprinted off, he couldn't shake the feeling something big was going to happen, and that the cosmic images he had seen had been more than a trick of his eyes.

OOC: Sorry guys...school has been so busy...hehe. Plus...it took a while to catch up. sweatdrop Here goes:

BIC:

*Cid closes his eyes and smiles, sipping his coffee outside in the morning sun. He turns his gaze to the site where he lifted off into space: his dream.*

Was that two years ago? I can't believe it...

*Cid gives a slight sigh, and walks back into his house.*

It's going to take a while before I get the chance to return up there. Space. Such an incredible place...stars everywhere. Oh well. At least I have my Highwind.

*He breaks into a broad grin and sets his coffee down on the kitchen table. He moves into the living room, gathering his things as quietly as possible, as not to wake up Shera.*

I wish I didn't always have to leave before she wakes up, but business calls. I'll be back soon enough...besides, she seems to be perfectly content with me being here whenever I can. I don't know what I'd do without her...except have a lot more work to do and a lot less time to fly!

*Cid picks up his bag and grabs an extra pack of cigarettes for the flight. As he walks to the door, he hears footsteps in the hall.*

Shera? Are ya there?

Good morning Cid. Up early again?

Yep I have to go to Corel today. Sorry I woke ya up...I usually do, don't I?

Yes, you do. That's okay though. I'll take care of things until you get back. Have a good trip.

*Cid gives her a slight salute and steps outside. He walks briskly toward the hangar, lighting a cigarette as he walks.*

Looks like a mighty fine day to fly.

*He goes to open the door and notices someone in the corner of his eye. Before he turns to look, a smile forms in the corners of his mouth. He shakes his head and turns toward the mysterious man.*

Vince, my boy, you should speak every now and again. It's good for ya!

*He chuckles to himself and puffs on his cigarette.*

...or not. Well, I'm not going to stop you from coming if you want to. You know how to get on.

*Cid walks inside and puts his stuff on board. He begins doing the mandatory checks before flight, making sure he has enough fuel and that all the gauges are working properly. Soon enough, he feels satisfied and, with a grin on his face much like a kid in a candy sctore, he starts up his pride and joy and flies out of Rocket Town.*

~~~

Here we go! Corel, get ready for me!

*He laughs as he brings the Highwind down in a perfect motion, making airship controllers on the ground scurry around to get out of the way.*

Maybe I have too much fun with this...nah!

*Cid lights another cigarette after shutting off the engines. He makes sure everything is secure and steps outside.*

Boy this place has changed. Hard to believe too. Heh. That's what ya get when Cid's in charge!

*He begins walking in the direction of the terminal, when he notices a large black man walking his way.*

Barret Wallace! My my my...what a pleasure! Hehe. How's everything here?


OOC: Well...there it goes. Hope it was okay. I'll do Barrett next. Also...what's the status on Cid and Shera? Oh...and I left it up to Vincent's RPer to determine whether or not he got on the airship. 3nodding