isleofavalon | [ if I can't understand it, i'll find another way ]

They definitely did. That outfit suits you.

[He never really understood human fashion, but he can tell that the outfit that Tifa picked out definitely compliments her. She looks nice!]

You were looking for a dance partner?

[The music that's playing did sound nice... it's making his tail bob in time with the beat. Perhaps it's the infectious atmosphere, or maybe it's the magic influence of the mask he was given, but he feels compelled to say his next words.]

If you don't find one, I can dance with you.

[ She almost chuckles at the offer before realizing he's being serious about it. Surprise of surprises! She never imagined it would be something he'd be eager to do, although eager might be a strong word... he could simply be trying to be polite, but it would certainly be quite the experience. It's also not like Tifa has a whole line of dance partners waiting for her. In fact, she'd been trying to chase off the edges of loneliness she'd been feeling as one of the few guests who'd seemingly come on her own without a date.

Maybe that's finally what makes her answer: ]

Sure, I'd love to try it. Are you...

[ She looks him up and down, trying to visualize how this would go. Anatomically, they couldn't be more different, but maybe there's a way. ]

Are you comfortable being on your hind legs? I think it might be easier that way if you can manage it.

[ Otherwise, she's going to have to dance on her knees, which would probably appear all kinds of awkward to do in public. ]

[It's definitely an odd offer, but for Nanaki, he doesn't mind tonight. And maybe that is due to the magic in his mask, but at the same time he truly thinks it would be fun. Tifa is a friend, after all; why not have some fun with a friend?]

I'd be comfortable with that. It wouldn't be the first time I had to be on my hind legs for a long time.

[He chuckles at the memory of himself sneaking into Junon disguised as a soldier, but then pauses. Right, Tifa wouldn't know that... But he doesn't let himself get too down from that.]

There was a time, among our travels, where I had to dress up like a human. This should be no different.

[ She has ...so very many questions about that. For one, how would anyone not know he wasn't human? Maybe if he covered his face entirely and wore a giant trench coat...and boots. And tucked his tail away. She's probably going too far in imagining this. ]

I don't know whether to be worried or impressed. I assume I'll get to see it for myself one day.

[ So this is a preview of sorts, isn't it? It certainly feels strange already as she leads Red closer to the dance floor and tries to position herself accordingly. ]

Alright, let's give this a try. You can rest your weight on my shoulders, so you won't fall forward. I should be able to support you like that.

[ She's certainly lifted stranger things, and well- there are other more peculiar couples on the dance floor. She's not too worried about attracting any stares. ]

Be impressed I was able to do so for a long time. Be worried about the fools who couldn't see past my disguise.

[He managed to trick the whole crew! Be proud of him, Tifa!]

Alright. Let us try...

[He follows her to the dance floor, and once she is ready, he will push himself up onto his hind legs. He wobbles a bit, but then manages to rest his front paws on her shoulders as she suggested. And voila, lab-rat-dog dance partner is ready to go!]

[ That is indeed impressive. She's not sure if it's a testament to Red's acting abilities or maybe a server lack of observational skills by those who were tricked... probably a little of both.

She isn't sure if he can get away with it now even with the dim lighting in this place, but Tifa is mostly just glad he doesn't weigh too much. Little more than the average dumbbell really. She manages to support him decently enough to sway a little. ]

Let me know your legs start to hurt like that. I think I've got most of your weight, but I don't want to drop you.

[ He's been through enough abuse for one lifetime. Speaking of which- ]

I know we're not supposed to talk about it, but I wonder if you ever did find more of your kind outside of Midgar in these two years. It must have been lonely being inside that lab for so long, surrounded by Shinra's scientists.

[ And the closest thing to his kind that Tifa knew of was Aerith, who is still a long way from him species-wise... ]

I will, but let me know if my weight becomes too much.

[He can handle a little fumble, but he also doesn't want to crush Tifa! He's a big cat, after all.]

[It's a little silly like this, and they definitely get a few odd looks, but it's all in good fun. Nanaki's tail swishes behind him.]

[At Tifa's question, he hums in thought, his ears flicking.]

Well... there aren't many of my species to begin with. But they exist, even if they are few.

[ Having the claws ruin her dress is another unexpected tribulation, but she's trying not to jostle him too much to lead to that result. The dress may not have been that expensive, but it is pretty and she'd like to wear it again some time. Fortunately, Red is being equally careful with her, and they aren't doing too many excessive moves -mostly just swaying in time to the gentle rhythm. ]

So you got to meet them? Where do they even live? I'm afraid after I left Nibelheim, I didn't get to visit much else outside of Midgar.

[ Mostly because she didn't so much as leave but was carried away. Maybe Red knows all that already, unable to imagine what the future version of herself must have told him by now. ]

Did any of them join our party, or am I getting ahead of myself?

[ Curiosity would do that. ]

[It is indeed a pretty dress. He'll try his best to mind his claws! He doesn't want to rip it..!]

[but Tifa's questions do make him hum a bit in consideration.]

Well, no. None would join our party. And I would not see Deneh for another few years after our initial journey together.

As for where we live, my species has always been the guardians of Cosmo Canyon. It's not often that we get visitors, so do not feel bad for not having visited before.

Cosmo Canyon?!

[ That's definitely a bit of a ways from Midgard, though she recalls Nibelheim was a lot closer to it. Growing up had provided her with plenty of stories about the place, but she had never dared to venture out that far on her own. ]

I suppose I have a lot to look forward to exploration-wise. I can't even imagine how we wound up out there except if... if we went back to Cloud's and my hometown.

[ Her fingers tighten a little around Red, though she's doing her best not to let her anxiousness show. ]

You don't have to tell me that part. I imagine it wasn't an easy choice if we did wind up there again. Truthfully, I miss it often. I also wonder what became of it.

[ There's nothing quite like home, something she wonders if Red got to feel after seeing more of his kind. ]

[Nanaki hums a little, his tail swishing behind him. Nibelheim... he remembers that place. And remembers how uncanny it was, being there. How confused Cloud and Tifa were, to see the place...]

[...no. He shouldn't tell her what happened. Not yet, especially if she doesn't know. He shakes his head.]

Perhaps I'll tell you another time. It's not a conversation for a night like this.

[ That does make her frown in spite of her best wishes not to overthink things. It's just hard not to, especially when she still has a lot of questions about everything that happened leading up to Sephiroth's rampage... but Red's right. Now isn't the time to ask about that when they're both trying to enjoy themselves and have a good time. ]

Sorry, I've been trying not to think about the future too much, I promise. It just feels inevitable the longer we stay here, but hopefully, we can make this place more of a home. At least, if we're going to be here for a while.

[ Which judging by Cloud's experience in his last world, could be well over a year... Speaking of which-! ]

Did you ever go to another world before this one?

It's alright. I don't blame you for being curious.

[He would be curious too! Really, he's actually impressed that Tifa is holding back as much as she is.]

[Her question makes him tilt his head, his tail swishing.]

No, this is my first time in a new world. I take it you spoke with Cloud?

[ She nods, figuring he must have relayed the same information to Red that he did to her. ]

Just earlier, and he had a lot to say for once.

[ Too much to say in some respects. ]

I wasn't sure what to really make of it, but apparently I -or a version of me- was in that world with him. I don't remember it at all, but it's got me wondering if we'll go directly back to Gaia after this.

[ They could end up world-hopping for longer than she wants to be away from their home. How does one even plan for that? ]

[ if I can't understand it, i'll find another way ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject