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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Nov 7, 2006 17:24:07 GMT
Rude exited the thingpit. He observed that at this rate, it would be hours before they even got to the Seventh Heaven...
He decided he'd better go ahead without the others. I'll bring Cloud back here... Ami can explain things to him.
He set out for the pub...
****
He arrived several minutes later, after dodging some of the hoodlums that had given him trouble earlier. He sat at a table and ordered a beer before glancing at Cloud's table. "Strife, long time no speak."
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Post by lutz on Nov 7, 2006 17:40:18 GMT
Cloud hear Rude in the head of his mind. He turned hishead looking over at him
Cloud: "Yeah I know....so it seems you finally got out of Shinra's hair huh? good to see your not doing their dirty work for a change and doing something good...."
Vincent grinned
Vincent: "Yeah Rude, what happend to Turk pride....its a good thing I quit!"
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Nov 7, 2006 17:47:48 GMT
"What happened to Turk pride was, I got fired," he said ruefully, staring into his beer. "Mostly for helping Amnesty and her brothers. The old crowd almost nailed me, too... got Tseng in our lockup now, so much for that idea." He took a long pull at his drink. "Didja hear, Reno's getting married? Met a girl over at one of the other taverns, got serious all of a sudden." He took another long drink. "Something else again, I tell ya." He gave Cloud a long look. "Amnesty says she wants your help, tracking down Xima. She's a crazy kid... sort of out there, but she's an OK leader. Does what she can... not bad for a sixteen year old, actually." He took another drink. "Not like there's any leaders with our group, anyway." He threw away his bottle. "So, what do you say? Come back to the Ragnorak, get the details from the kid? I'm sure she's got plenty to say to you. And no, this isn't a trap of some kind... she wanted to come herself, but there's something of a minor emergency going on back at the ship. Besides..." Rude shook his head. "She says Xima's working with Rufus lately. If ever I couldn't stand the man before, I absolutely hate him now."
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Post by lutz on Nov 7, 2006 17:55:06 GMT
Cloud: "Reno getting married! thank is some news right there...I expect you getting married before Reno!"
Vincent: "Yeah no offense to Reno or anything but hes never been a charmer...."
Cloud remembered the ribbon that tyed up Amnesty's hair. something made him believe if he spoke to her at least he could see Aries again....just maybe....
Cloud: "OK...we will speak to Amnesty, but if nothing apeals to me, Vincent and I are heading out of there.
Vincent: "....."
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Nov 7, 2006 17:58:06 GMT
"OK, good stuff." Rude got up from his chair and started leaving the bar. "Ready, gentlemen?"
He stood by the door. "I will warn you, though... she has been known to have a few bad associations in the past. That's mostly behind her now... but it does still manifest from time to time." In the form of three older siblings who can't stay dead.
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Post by lutz on Nov 7, 2006 18:01:32 GMT
Cloud stands up
Cloud: I am sure I can handle it.
*Looks at Vincent*
Vincent stands up.
Vincent: "....oh boy off to save the world again..."
The two follow Rude to the ship.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Nov 7, 2006 18:09:58 GMT
Amnesty was still there on her knees, rocking Kamen, who was still sobbing on her shoulder. "Easy, easy..." She hushed him, trying to let her memories take her to a different place, a tiny village seven hours south of Midgar...
Rude arrived at the exit hatch and swung it open. Reno stood up to meet him and the others. "Hey, guys... Cloud Strife! Good to see ya, man... where ya been, yo?"
He gestured behind him. "This is Nikky... lately, my fiancee," he introduced, more than a little proud of himself. "Gorgeous, likes to fight, funny... in short, everything I'd like to SAY I've been saving myself up for."
Rude looked around. "Amnesty, we have a visitor."
Ami looked up and did not believe what she saw. Cloud Strife... here, now? She felt stuck... I can't leave Kamen to his own devices. She kept holding her friend and rocking him, but she kept her eyes on Cloud. "Pleasure to meet you, finally." She offered a hand for a shake. "This is actually something I've been looking forward to for a long time... for slightly different reasons until recently, but nevertheless."
She wondered if he could see her brothers in her eyes... Don't be silly, girl.
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Post by lutz on Nov 7, 2006 18:16:23 GMT
Cloud looked at Amnesty rocking her friend.
Seems nice helping a grown mad cry like that....
Cloud smiled and reached out to shake his hand. Once his hands touched Amnesty a sharp pain drove through Clouds body and a flashing quick vision of Sephiroth enter his mind then returned to normal within a second.
What in gods name...
Cloud continued to smile like everything was ok not to giving himself away.
Vincent leaded his back on the wall of the ship.
Vincent: "......"
Cloud: "Yes well nice to meet you Amnesty.....so it seems we are both after this Xima lady....you have any intel on her?"
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Nov 7, 2006 18:26:52 GMT
"Just a little," she answered. She'd felt something odd when Cloud touched her hand... A connection? Hmm... Has he got the gift, too? "You see, I have a vague psychic connection with her... she always seems to know where I am, and if I concentrate, I can locate her as well."
She tilted her head slightly. "I hear this is something you have some experience with... killing Remnants, I mean." Not sure I want to broach the subject now, but maybe I should test the waters...
She thought about it, trying to let her mind track Xima... "It's no good. I'm only getting brief flashes. The last place we saw her was the Northern Crater... with Rufus Shinra." Her face turned extremely grim. "Somehow or other, they seem to have produced a child." Ami shook her head. "Xima only wants to go about her 'Mother's' business... I'm here to see that she doesn't." If she's a virus... I'm the antigen.
Reno watched carefully... Considering her history, she sure is being cool about this... He sat down with Nikky again and glanced at Vincent. "So, how's your life been, yo? Or lack thereof, whichever you prefer." He grinned jokingly.
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Post by lutz on Nov 7, 2006 18:36:59 GMT
Cloud gripped his sword, remembering, the three clones, and Sephiroth himself.
Cloud: "Yes....Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz....and Sephiroth...the nightmare...they have all fallen to my blade, and so should any Remnants if they think they can danger the planet...."
Cloud's rage eased and he slowly dropped his hand from his sword. Still looking at Amnesty.
Cloud: "I will help you Amnesty...not only to take out this Xima, but Rufus Shinra has been in business for far to long...."
Vincent looked over a Reno with a motionless look.
Vincent: "...........I am doing fine Reno......."
and he returned to his wall closing his eyes.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Nov 7, 2006 18:48:12 GMT
Amnesty nodded, trying to keep her manner from becoming TOO frigid... she had to keep reminding herself that in the strictest of terms, the men Cloud had killed were NOT her brothers... they were only brainwashed shells of the boys she'd known. "Well then, perhaps we ought to get underway then, what?"
She helped Kamen stand. "Are you gonna be all right?" We'll talk more about this later... I wanna help you, Kamen.
As soon as she got an answer to the affirmative, she helped him sit down in one of the passenger seats. "Walk with me, Cloud... I want to see some map readouts, try to guess where she's heading next."
She pulled up the digital readouts in the c0ckpit. As the maps flashed over the Mythril Mines, she paused. "You know... I've actually seen the remains of Jenova. She was petrified over the Mine's ruins... after Sephiroth's spirit attacked me." She kept studying the map. "She might try to go there... but I don't see what the point would be. All of Jenova's matter is sealed up in stone... that is, it was before Xima came back to this planet." Ami's eyes turned hollow. "She and I used to be... very close." She left it at that for the moment and stiffened, straightening herself up. "So what do you think? Where do you think she's headed from here?"
****
Reno examined Vincent. "You sure about that? You're looking a little paler than usual, dude. Heard there was some kinda mess here in Midgar a little ways back... Deepground or some s**t like that?" He shrugged. "More of my former employer's dirty little secrets, yo. He had a million of 'em."
Reno looked back at Nikky and smiled. "Personally, I'm doing better than ever... considering how I was doing before, that's not saying much, but I think things are definitely looking up." He kissed Nikky, just because it was that kind of moment wherein, if you've ever had a fiancee, it is impossible not to do so.
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Post by lutz on Nov 7, 2006 19:03:38 GMT
Cloud walked with Amnesty and listen very carefully to the things she was saying, he was noticing a smell tremble in her voice.
Something isn't right here, she is not telling me something....can I trust her?
Cloud: "If she is in the mines and the rest of Jenova is sealed in stone is it possible she is going after her mothers power....Jenova...."
Cloud studied Amnesty somemore and once again noticed the ribbon tying her hair up.
Aries.....
*******************
what Reno said made Vincent think about Deepground.
Vincent: "........yes Deepground was a top secret poject Shinra was working on so top secret I dout Rufus had any idea what was going on, it was all the work of Hojo....the bastard..."
Vincent pushed himself off the wall and grabbed Reno's shoulder hard.
Vincent: "Just remember one thing sure I was a Turk to once, but I had no idea what Shinra was becoming and I do remember some Turk partners that ratted me out to Hojo.....we are allies now, but remember I dislike your past actions, it may take some time for my to befriend you so......how about you keep your two cents to yourself....."
Vincent let go and returned to his wall.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Nov 7, 2006 19:11:22 GMT
Reno looked at Vincent's hand on his shoulder... "OK..."
Vincent released him and returned to his wall. Reno turned to Nikky and sent a message to her. Touch-y, this guy. He shrugged. Whatever.
****
Amnesty frowned. "No, I don't think she IS there... I think she might be trying to get there, but whether she has arrived or not is impossible to say... and if she could access her Mother's power..." She noticed Cloud staring at her. "You OK?"
She realized he was looking at her ribbon again. She pulled it loose from her ponytail. "Wondering about this, huh?" She glanced at his arm. "I see you got one, too."
She fingered the ribbon. "I got this from the Martyress... from Aeris... she's the one who told me to go to the Crater." She glanced at Cloud and averted her eyes. "She told me I was called to be a Sacrifice... an atonement for the sins of my family."
She sighed. "Before we start working together... I think there are some things you should know about me. I need partners who can trust me-- I can't afford to hang onto any dirty little secrets." She met his eyes to ensure he was still following her.
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Post by lutz on Nov 7, 2006 19:22:27 GMT
Cloud stared at the ribbon, a small tear ran down Cloud's face.
Aries.....this must but a sign....I know I am not alone anymore...but I do miss you....
Cloud: "Aries is a spirit of the lifestream now, You must be trust worthy is her spirit broke through the bounds of the lifestream and gave that to you....please inform me...everyone shes skeletons in their closet, even my most trusted partner over their has skeletons in his closet."
Cloud rubbed the tear away and smiled at Amnesty.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Nov 7, 2006 19:38:48 GMT
She smiled back, hoping against hope his mind would not change when she told him everything. Maybe this will be practice for when I tell Squall about Rinoa.
She steeled herself. "There were five Remnants, Cloud. Four of them died... one of them at my hands. But the last survived... in an altered state. Cloud, I am just a normal human being, like you or anybody else. I still have a vague sort of ESP, a kind of intuition... but beyond that, I'm just like you." She inhaled. "Xima is another story."
She watched him steadfastly. "I was a clone, Cloud, just like my three brothers... a synthesis of the weaknesses of Sephiroth. But I sacrificed my Jenova cells to help destroy the Calamity, when she tried to return to this world. My sacrifice was wasted... someone intercepted my cells and transformed them into a new being, a creature so vile she'll carry on where even the Template stopped before to get what she wants. I am the Sacrifice... and she is the Abomination." Her eyes became intensely intent... there was no mistaking the fire in her blood when it emerged from the embers. "Aztar gave Reno a vision... the world will be destroyed unless she is stopped. And we cannot allow Rufus to live, either, or he will come to take revenge for the death of his son's mother. Someone has to end them..."
"As the last Remnant, I may be the only one who can."
She watched his eyes. "Please, I know what my family has done to you and to this world, but I have done all I can to be forgiven. I want this world to survive..."
She sagged, knowing her family had committed sins too great to be forgiven. She sank to her knee, head bowed. "Please, help me. Forgive me for my share in this heritage." She felt tears gather. "My 'mother' tried to use me... it's my fault my brothers began to serve her. I'll live with that guilt for the rest of my life... it's all I can do to keep such things from ever happening again."
Her brother's spirits watched her...
Axel interrupted them. "Hate to break up the party, but the Council has got a VERY interesting proposition for you, Aeris says."
"Just one moment, Axel..." Kadaj had to bear witness to this.
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