凶 spring grinding

[liveandforgive]

🧙 WHO: Cloud Strife & CR
⚔️️ WHAT: April catch-all
🕒 WHEN: Throughout April
🗺️ WHERE: Currently just the Librirynth Quest & Training Grounds
⚠️ WARNINGS: None for now!

( OOC; I flubbed up this April my bad. kjsdahf So I'm currently posting one open thread and closed prompts in the comments! If you're interested in threading with Cloud for something else specific (even if it's a fresh encounter), feel free to HMU here on the CR meme or ping me on Discord @ Kuraudo #0214 or even Plurk! )

Comments

enter the librirynth

[liveandforgive]

Striking Twice — Lightning



[ This wasn't his first rodeo when it came to picking up odd jobs. Not even in this new realm; although his tenures were more personal favors over actual quests entrusted to them via the App. Now that Cloud had finally become a more active 'chosen', he's found himself back in the library. It's not the first time he's come here, but hearing of the disturbances that lie beneath these grounds and feeling better prepared for them, Cloud's signed himself up for some slime slaying. But in truths, it's not the allure of special pumpkin pie that has him taking the task up.

It's a similar scenario to the last time he woke up on a new planet. He's more interested in unraveling the secrets of this kingdom. To see if there were any secrets hidden that weren't being shared to them. As much as he wants to trust King Arthur and the trust he's placed in them...

Well, safe to say, Cloud was more interested in answers than sweets. Bonus points for taking a treat home to his house though. ]

...?

[ Whilst armed and prepared to venture down below, he notices a familiar head of pink hair across the lobby. Either he's kept his eyes closed or his nose in the books too much, or this was the first time he actually caught Lightning around the library. Pushing away from the massive bookshelf his back was occupying, he calmly makes his way over, curious as he calls out, ]

Hey.

[ Well, "call out" would have gotten him shushed by the librarian and scholars. No yelling in such a quiet place. Even if there's action going down underground. ]

Beneath the Surface — Klee



Tch—!

[ When he first arrived in this labyrinth, it was almost like these slimes were evading him. Sure enough, as Cloud ventures deeper, it's only his honed experience that prevents him from being consumed by a massive glob that descends from the dripping roof above him. These aren't intimidating enemies by any stretch of the means, but no one should come down here unprepared. ...or alone. And whether he came here by himself or wound up getting split up from others, Cloud's begun to build up quite the kill count on various elemental slimes.

Most were vulnerable to sword attacks, but it wasn't until the blond infused elemental magic through his blade that he begun to see quicker results. Especially when he'd find himself surrounded by bouncing slimes that happened to be vulnerable to lightning magic. Their remains pile on the floor in goops as he huffs, flourishing his weapon with a swipe to the side as splatters of gunk hit the cold ground. So far it's felt like he's been aimlessly wandering...

Wandering and gathering samples in vials provided for this quest. ]

Feel like I'm on clean-up duty...

[ Well. He is. But now that he's strong enough to venture deeper, he'll eventually realize that there's far more to this librirynth than he initially thought. It's about making it that far in the first place, assuming he's not disturbed or ambushed while he kneels down to scoop up some slime remains. ]

[sparkstrikes]

[This isn't the first time that Lightning's been to the library, having come here once before to find books on mastering healing magic, but those were easy to find, so her stay was short-lived. It seems like an obvious place for her to hang out, with silence being mandatory here, and maybe that will change now that she's here again, but she's definitely a rare sight to spot among the bookshelves.

And she looks frustrated when she hears a familiar voice from the end of the aisle, and she stuffs a book back onto the shelf when she sees Cloud, responding in kind with a firm nod.]

You just browsing, or you here for the labyrinth too?

[She's so far off from the entrance she's been trying to find...]

[liveandforgive]

Yeah. I'm heading down.

[ Not that he has to whisper or anything, but he's not just doing this for the brownie points either, fixing Lightning with a more determined yet calm expression. ]

Less interested in slime hunting and more in what's hiding down there.

[sparkstrikes]

You and me both.

[Y-Yeah!! She's totally not here for the pies! Ha ha...

From what I've heard, it'll be nothing good. Which quirks the corner of her lip downward with a frown. It's always their job to find out what sort of big monster or mystery lurks down in the sewers, isn't it? The non-locals... All the more reason to get down there.

As she wanders over to Cloud, she gestures to the tall shelves on either side of her.]

Too bad I can't find the entrance. Thought it would be one of those magical bookshelves or something.

[And she's too proud to ask for directions. :| ]

[liveandforgive]

[ Cloud's taking his pies home. It's okay. His eyes follow her gesturing the tall shelves, his own hands going to his hips as he muses where to go from here. This would be his first time venturing down, though apparently others had gone into the labyrinth once already. He won't say it, but he's already taking it upon himself to go with her. Her call if she wants to split up or stick together, but at least he'll be venturing with someone he knows.

Two former soldiers is better than one. Part of him is tempted to ask if she ever considered...y'know...asking. But instead, he nods to her and coolly retorts, ]

I know a thing or two about getting intel. [ A beat. ] Comes with the territory of being a former merc.

[ Which is his way of saying that he's...going to ask the librarian for them. kljadsfh ]

open — training grounds

[liveandforgive]

[ Some things never change, no matter which world he ends up in. The pursuit to get stronger, is one thing. Cloud's become a regular at the biggest training grounds, whether he's honing his skills alone or taking on new and old challengers alike. A far cry from how he first started here without his original toolkit of strengths, Cloud's close to mastered his new claymore and made a lot of progress on infusing elemental magic into his weapons. At this rate, he'll have reobtained the power he once lost by pursuing a different path. Spells aside...this was what he could accomplish without the power of SOLDIER.

...

Buuut, ]

WhoA—!!

[ After everyone's secondary magical powers awoke during the Spring Equinox, some struggled to grasp the basics of this new branch more than others. Cloud Strife, who was currently hurtling towards the ground after unintentionally leaping too high? Is one of those poor saps. His primary magic was Elemental spells, while he only just awoke to his secondary set, Kinetic Magic. As he took a flying leap towards a training dummy to deliver a slash, he unintentionally tapped into his Kinetic powers to propel himself way into the air. Normally this wouldn't be a problem. But he's not used to "flying" with magic.

And he's gonna be punished for it, unceremoniously hitting the ground hard as he barely manages to roll to break some of his fall. ]

Nnngh...

[ Fortunately, Cloud didn't break anything as he slowly, painfully wobbles back up to his feet. Thank god there was nobody in the way. ...right? ]

We interrupt your training with a cat....

[rustyhonesty]

[Nobody is in the way, but Cloud may hear soft purring nearby. It's easier to hear when your closer to the ground (or, just, on the ground).

There is a box. In the box there is a napping tabby cat.

There are also various alchemy items around the box, like someone had cleared the box and jumped in.]

nyaa

[liveandforgive]

[ "Sir! Are you alright?" one of the younger squires had come to check on the blond, whose dismissed with a huff and shake of his head. ]

I'm fine.

[ What the hell was that about? This leap in strength... Is this the same route of power that Weiss wielded? Looking down at his hand, he gives it a couple flexes before sheathing his sword. Just in time for the gentle rumble of a cat purring reaches his ears. Shaking his head of the cobwebs, he blinks down into the box at his side. ]

Huh?

[ ... what the- ]

... .... .....

[ Cloud + Cats usually = "Don't get along", but here's a wobbly Cloud, kneeling down anyways as he peers around the training grounds. He hasn't quite clued in that this was someone that transformed. ]

This anybody's cat?

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean isn't in deep enough sleep to not hear someone close by, but he is definitely feeling lazy and just turning to his other side.]

'm no one's cat...

[Purring continues.]

[liveandforgive]

[ "'m no one's cat..." ]

?!

[ Okay that 100% came from the box this time. The voice is only vaguely recognizable to him- if only with how quiet it is... But after a second or two, it clicks and he can't help cocking a brow down to the slumbering little kitty. ]

...

[ Well. No harm done if he turns out to be wrong or just hearing things. ]

Interesting spot to take a catnap... [ Jean is getting carefully lifted up, box and all, and carried off to the side where he won't be in the way of others that are training. ]

[everydayeveryway]

[Cloud hits the ground. And, a little later, a silver-haired young woman floats down. Adelle took to Kinetic Magic well and took to flying very easily; she lands in front of him, and looks down at him for a second. Her brow furrows for a moment as she looks Cloud over.

Her head tilts to the side.]

Are you okay? That looks like it hurt...

[She puts her hand on her waist, peering down at him -- then up, after he's back to his feet.]

[liveandforgive]

[ Scrunching his face as he suppresses the urge to groan, when he opens his eyes next, there's a woman standing in front of him. Craning his head as he slowly blinks up at her, if Adelle hadn't spoken up, he would have nearly mistook her for someone else. Blame the hair. And eyes. And attire color. ...aaand the fact that she also has Kinetic Magic. this is the best and funniest coincidence akdjshf ]

Oh-

[ Rolling on his back, he kips back to his feet, albeit with a stumble as he gathers his bearings. Somehow he managed to hang onto his sword this whole time, which he promptly sheathes to his back as he addresses Adelle proper. ]

I'll be fine. [ But...he guesses that she must have seen all of that. Only a little embarrassed, he decides he may as well fess up. ] Wasn't expecting Kinetic magic to kick in like that.

oh no she really does just look like Weiss

[everydayeveryway]

[Adelle, as it happens, hasn't met Weiss Schnee. She stares down at Cloud -- and then she steps backward for a second -- and then shakes her head.]

You look a little like you've seen a ghost. Or maybe someone else.

[She smiles, then -- kinda glances at his sword, because holding onto that big honking claymore in that tumble was really something else -- and then Adelle looks back at him.]

Yeah, it has a kick, doesn't it? It took some getting used to...

I was so amused when I got this tag. LOL But hi!

[liveandforgive]

[ Oh- she caught on. He huffs as he gently shakes his head. ]

Sorry. You just...reminded of someone I know.

[ "someone I know" is probably the safest thing to open a conversation with- mainly because saying "you look like my girlfriend" is weird, even for him. Having not yet seen her sport her own use of the magic, her words are what clue him in as he places a hand on his own hip. Save for the grass stains and dirt splotches on his arms, he acts like he didn't just eat crow. ]

You've got it too then. [ A beat. ] I'm used to carrying heavier, [ swords, that is. ] so this might be a lucky break for me.

[fullgauntlet]

[Without the power of his usual abilities from home it sure is a wild ride trying to relearn how to do certain things without the abnormal strength and power he usually has thanks to his world. But it doesn't stop Izuku from wanting to use a powerhouse of a weapon in lieu of all that. He's recently picked a large broadsword of his own as his weapon of choice in this world if he can't go about smashing through everything with his own two fists anymore. Using magic with the weapon is one thing but using the weapon in an effective and fluid way is another.

He's heading to the training grounds that day with his broadsword strapped to his back for that when he literally sees a cloud fall from the sky.]

Eh-?! Wha-!!

[He tries to run forward to somehow help the man before he comes crashing to the ground yet he's too late. All Izuku can regretfully do is wince in empathy.]

Are you alright...?? Do- Do you feel anything broken?

[liveandforgive]

[ Fortunately for poor Izuku who had to watch that display, he only emerges from this rough tumble with scuffs, grass stains and a bruised ego couple bruises that'll show later. Shaking his head to straighten his thoughts, he pushes himself back to his feet, taking a breath to steel himself least he start wobbling. The entire time, he manages to successfully hang onto his broadsword. It's not the same Fusion Sword he came to this world with, but something lighter and easier to wield. But it's still sizable enough for a guy his size.

He...probably would have had an easier time if he just let go. Turning towards the younger swordsman, he rolls his off shoulder, unaware of the dirt smeared across his nose. ]

Nope. Just a tumble.

[ He eyes the young man's weapon, noting how he carries it in a similar fashion. ]

Note to self...don't jump till you don't go flying.

[fullgauntlet]

[Izuku can't help the little sweat drop he gets at the comment, still a bit worried for the man. Honestly, he can get the sort of recklessness that comes with testing things out. And the man seems pretty okay aside from some dirt and bumps so he nods.]

I've seen a few people try to fly using their magic before and it always seems to be a bit ahh... tricky.

[Not wanting to offend the guy but flying in general seems like a pretty risky business! Even if he would do it in a heartbeat too. Flying is pretty cool and amazing and if his magic permitted that sort of thing he'd be jumping off all sorts of stuff.]

Was that kinetic magic you were trying?

[liveandforgive]

[ Despite pulling off the equivalent of Buzz Lightyear's "Falling with style" flight-like feats back home, Izuku's words actually have little offensive effect on him! He agrees, shaking his head as he briefly sets his eyes on the sky. ]

Don't think I wanna go too high. Cloud surfing's just askin' for trouble if I fall.

[ Cloud is...awfully calm for painting the scenario of falling from really scary heights. Almost like he's used to this sorta thing. ]

Mm. [ Nod. ] It musta just woken up last month.

[ Back during the Spring Equinox when many delved into the Soul Pods. ]

[wherethewindtakesme]

Are you okay, Cloud?

[He'd arrived a little early for his training and doesn't even bother hiding a wince.]

You look like what I must have looked like when you kicked me into the ground.

[liveandforgive]

[ Oh- His...student? He supposes that it's come to this now. Cloud continued to offer training and advice to the skilled young man. He supposes that this must be unsightly. ...well, it would be, if he were the more chivalrous/pride driven sort. What's done is done, and he just has to shrug this off. Gaius seems more concerned anyway! ]

I knock you around that hard?

[ He grunts as he pushes himself back to his feet, stabbing his sword into the ground for support as he takes a calming breath. ]

I almost feel sorry if that's the case.

[ Yeah, he's fine. And may have forgotten a simple "I'm fine." Whoops. ]

How you holdin' up?

[wherethewindtakesme]

I'm doing all right. Was...was what you just did a manifestation of your new powers?

[Gaius didn't have anything that dramatic for power. He found working on his Elemental skill set tricky enough, especially with their random effects.]

[liveandforgive]

Yeah...

[ Cloud stares back down at his hands, clenching and uncurling them as if he can feel the new source of energy flowing through his fingertips. ]

They call it Kinetic magic. My partner has it too... Gonna come in handy when I've finally got it down.

HELLO i am very late...

[fishblast]

[ while Klee isn't much of a physical fighter, she does need a safe(ish) place to test out some of the bombs she's made here, and the training grounds seem like the best place to do it. she's doing her best to keep things relegated to one area, but when you're working with explosives - and magical explosives at that - things are bound to get a little messy.

thankfully, however, the yell of terror from the person behind her isn't because of her low-key pyromantic tendencies. what she sees is a guy taking a flying leap, only to hit the ground with a thud. it looks too painful for her to be outwardly amused or amazed by, even if it was kind of funny and cool. she thankfully wasn't in the way of anything, but Cloud will see the backpack-toting child standing over him with a concerned expression. ]

Hey... Are you okay?

AS AM I APPARENTLY dksajhf

[liveandforgive]

Agh...

[ While he was preparing to shrug off anyone who may attempt to see to him, when he scrunches his eyes and tries to regain some of his sight back after knocking himself down? He wasn't exactly prepared to have a little kid standing over him on a training ground. The first thought to roll through his brain before he even says anything is if she was here with her parents or something.

Not privy to Klee's prodigious skillset for her age, his big bro responsible instincts kick in as he grunts and slowly rolls up into a sitting position. ]

Yeah. I'm okay. No need to worry.

[ He scoots around on his behind so that he was facing her properly (and not because he's waiting to get up because lowkey ow.) ]

Guess that's a lesson to be more careful with magic.

LOL no worries c:

[fishblast]

[ too bad, cool guy! Klee saw everything, but she's more concerned about his well-being than inclined to make fun of him. it's not how she was raised - she wouldn't want someone to make fun of her after she fell down, after all. ]

Are you sure? You fell from really high up... it look liked it hurt a lot.

[ leave it to a kid to be painfully (hurr hurr) honest. but she says it in good faith, offering him a small smile. pay no mind to the scorched earth and training dummies from where she ran over from! ]

What sort of magic was that? You looked like you were flying!