001 || dream a dream of me.

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Some dreams have some fluidity. They remain constant, with an overlaying theme - much like a storybook of the consciousness. Others can be sporadic, having no meaning, and easily shifting from one thing to the next. They can be serious, or strange. They can be hopeful, or heartbreaking.

Or... they could be Zack's dreams.

As it is, a deep, dark violet night sky floods the area. You might see quite a bit of snow, as if walking up a steep mountain, with the ice wind blowing through your hair. And right at the cliff's edge stands a man wielding a long, sturdy sword, resting safely upon his back. The weight doesn't seem to bother him in the least - if anything, he's accustomed to it by now, both hands on his hips as glowing, bright blue eyes stare off to the distance.

What could be he thinking about?]

Comments

[herlonelystar.livejournal.com]

[ Sob. Why the heck did she have to come into this dream wearing nothing but pair of jeans and a short sleeved shirt? Usagi's shivering at the cold wind passing by, listening to the snow crunch beneath her feet as she wanders about.

As one particular gust of wind brushes past, it makes Usagi completely pause in her step. Finally at her limit, she's inhales, ready to start complaining about being out in the cold, and who the heck dreams this kind of stuff anyway ... but then she stops.

There's someone there, standing at the edge of the cliff. There's something familiar about him.. but at the same time not. ]

Um, excuse me?

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[He pauses, for a brief moment, then turns to face the newcomer stumbling in the snow.

She doesn't look familiar in the least - dreaming about girls in the middle of nowhere? Sounds about right. - though he greets her with the same cheerfulness he'd been infamous for back at ShinRa.]

Hey.

...

--what're you doin' out here?

[herlonelystar.livejournal.com]

Ahaha.. well you see...

[ There's another gust of wind that blows past and Usagi tries curling in on herself a little more to keep as warm as she can given the circumstances. .. Although now that she's actually able to see who she's talking to, there's no way she could have mistaken him for someone else... except for those glowing eyes.

Peculiar. ]

I kind of stumbled out here on accident? It's not like I meant to or anything! [ She makes an attempt at flailing during her answer and fails quite miserably. Darn cold. ]

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yooou don't look like you're geared up for the cold much, huh?

[Which was why he came prepared!

He manages to pull a thick winter coat out of a supply box nearby, draping it over her shoulders carefully. Though it bears the ShinRa emblem on the back, he's sure he would be able to explain the sitaution if anyone were to take notice.]

How's that?

[herlonelystar.livejournal.com]

This is really nice! Thank you!

[ Usagi looks at the coat she's been given and it doesn't take her very long to place her arms into the absolute delicious warmth and hold it tightly and snug against her.

It makes her look even tinier than she already is. But for comfort? She'll take it! ]

It's great!

[ To which, she spins around once with a girlish glee. It's at that moment she catches just a glimpse of the ShinRa logo on the back. It doesn't really both her, but it pings something in the back of her memory. Hrm. ]

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[He can't help the amused grin at her excitement, knowing that after a long time in Modeoheim's mountains, a coat was the absolute most amazing thing one could ever receive. Shame he didn't have a scarf or gloves as well, but she seemed happy enough.]

Yeah, I don't need it. Keep it for as long as you'd like!

[herlonelystar.livejournal.com]

[ She blinks not once, but twice; worry settling in to her blue eyes as she glances back down at the coat before staring up at the kind man who had just given it to her. ]

Are you sure? It's freezing out here! You should be wearing something else at least!

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[The snow and ice are always her own; the dark-haired girl seems to have no trouble navigating it. In fact, she seems invigorated, energized. She lets the snowflakes gather on her hair, turning it white, and doesn't seem perturbed by the cold.

By the time she spots Zack, she feels quite relaxed but caution wins out enough for her to challenge him.]

Who's there?

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Another visitor out here? Except she doesn't seem all that bothered by the cold - a good sign since that was his last coat.]

Hm? Just me.

[He gives her a once over, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.]

Where're you guys all comin' from? I didn't think Modeoheim was that inhabited.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Of course; it would only ever be Usagi who merited kindness. Mizuno Ami never had. Of course, in the dream, she doesn't know that's even what he means.]

What you should worry about, is your own self. Most people can't adjust to this type of weather so easily.

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Well, no, Zack isn't all that adjusted to the cold. In fact, he was considering heading back to the truck in a little while since it was already dark. So he simply shrugs, giving off his best, most genuine smile.]

Nah, I'm good. I haven't been out here that long.

[...actually, why *didn't* he feel all that cold? It was like he wasn't even standing in the snow at all.]

You... live around here, right? SOLDIER First Class Zack Fair, at your service!

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Mizuno Ami. I'm pleased to meet you.

[She says it with a little, pert smile. She notably, but perhaps only naturally, neglects to answer whether she's from nearby.]

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Quiet, but he's used to that. The kindness doesn't falter, his demeanor doesn't change... even though she hadn't answered his question. Maybe it's best to rephrase it.]

So... have you lived here long?

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[the snow under his boots is a bit new. Edge doesn't get much snow and what little it does turns into a nasty combination of slush and ice too quickly. And it's gray, clogged with soot and ash and - who knows what else before it even touches the city itself. But this snow is clear, clean and it reminds him of childhood, a strange, bitter sweet reminder. It's no problem for him to walk through though. You can take the boy out of the mountains but it seems you can never take the mountains out of the boy.

The wind ruffles his hair and he narrows his own vaguely glowing blue eyes against it for a minute, inhaling the sharp smell and pulling it deep into his lungs.

it's been a while...

Except he's not sure which 'while' his mind is referring to. The mako in his system keeps him warm, despite the sleeveless, partially unbuttoned black shirt. He's going somewhere, he just hasn't figured out where yet and, for the moment, that doesn't bother him. When he rounds the corner though, sees the familiar silhouette he's seen so many times before, it stops him in his tracks and catches his heart in his throat. The name slips out of him in a almost whispered stumble, more for himself than expecting a response.]

Z-zack?

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[He turns without a beat, hearing that familiar, quiet voice.

For him, it hasn't been long at all... but wasn't Cloud back at the camp? He looks confused for a minute - especially at his friend's sudden wardrobe change, just before he calls out to the blonde in the distance.]

Cloud! What're you doin' out here, soldier?

[Using the Lieutenant rank just for show, he grins, waving the other over.]

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[it's so... normal that Cloud finds himself responding automatically to Zack's call and putting one heavy boot in front of the other in that direction. He jerks to a stop when he realizes what he's doing though. But this isn't - he isn't -

Zack's dead.

It hits him like a hammer blow and his brows come down against it. He can make sense of the snow and the mountain and even the fact that he's walking. Obviously he's got a delivery of some sort - no package - or just finished a delivery - why is he going uphill then? - and had to walk because Fenrir's no good in deep snow - but...

Zack?

He really is losing his mind.

...

Tifa's going to be pissed.

Doggedly, he shakes his head but the spiky headed apparition stays put and looks just as solid as ever.

He wants to see Zack again. Of course he does! There are days he'd give almost anything to be able to see that smile or hear that voice or - Planet help him, even put up with a hair ruffle - but he's not sure he wants to go back to being crazy just to do it.

... He's not sure it isn't worth going crazy to do...]

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Cloud's hesitation is... worrying. Enough that the smile drops off his face and he looks his friend over, turning around all the way to better face him.

Something... wasn't right. He looked as though he'd seen a ghost.]

Cloud?

[His tone is quieter now - concerned.]

Hey... you okay? You don't look too good, buddy.

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[it's so ridiculously Zack. Every move, every shift in his voice - little things he'd forgotten over the years that are so obvious to his memory now. It's - there's no way this is real. And yet - it's Zack. As if he'd never died, never given up his life for what Cloud could only assume had been a pretty disappointing follow through since then.

The guilt hits hard but the sheer shock he's still in is enough to mute it. It takes second place to the fact that there's a dead man standing in front of him.

A dead man that's expecting an answer from the worried look Zack is starting to give him.

It pulls Cloud a bit back to himself and he shakes his head again, a slow move, as if it would clear voices that aren't there anymore out of his head. He doesn't want to worry his friend.]

I - Zack. What are you doing here?

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

What... are you talkin' about?

[Now he's *really* confused - did Cloud forget about their mission already? Busting up AVALANCHE heads? Saving prisoners? Ring any bells there?]

If you mean out here, I said I'd be nearby. You're not gettin' that old, Cloud. Your memory's just fine!

[Maybe he's sick from the old. In which case, he would need to bring the other back to camp and see if any of the other infantry could do something.]

It's a little late, maybe you're not gettin' enough sleep. I'll walk you back if y'want?

[auncyenhalig.livejournal.com]

[ She sees him from the back and recognizes him--it's easy when she keeps thinking of him in the waking world. Of how Cloud acts like him, of meeting his parents... ]

Zack!

[ The wind whips the name from her mouth, carrying it away and leaving only flurries of snow behind. She's not even sure he can hear her, so many dreams her words won't reach him, so she bows her head against the wind and clutches her jacket tightly around herself, pressing on toward him. But after half a minute she looks up, calls out again: ]

Zack?

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Alright, that? Is not a voice he expected to hear at ALL, all the way out here.

He quickly spins around, bright blue eyes widening at the sight of *Aerith* running through the snow, trying to catch up to him. With a startled gasp, he immediately runs forward, trying to catch the young girl before she's tossed off the edge by the wind.]

Aerith! What're you doin' out here? [He pauses a moment.] How'd you get out here?

so that's what happens when I change format halfway through...lol

[auncyenhalig.livejournal.com]

[ Aerith looks up in surprise when he calls her name, clearly amazed that he's coming toward her. So many times he's moving away...

She breaks into a bright, bright smile as they meet, even when she bends over for a moment to catch her breath. ]

How? Hmm... I think it took two feet up this way. Maybe I should try skis on the way down.

[ Humor aside, she looks up at him again, her hand reaching for his arm as she studies his face. ] Zack, you're... you're really here. I've been looking for you!

No worries! I'veeee done worse. >>

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

Oh, ha ha. Not if I carry you down first!

[Which heee just might, because this was a pretty intense mission and Aerith didn't need to be wrapped up in it. AVALANCHE was unpredictable, after all.]

...you miss me that fast? I just saw you the other day! [There's a laugh in his tone, bending over to better took her in the face.] You're just dyin' for another date, aren't ya?

[auncyenhalig.livejournal.com]

Carry me? I'm not a kid!

[ Not even a teenager anymore; he might get an idea of that from looking at her face. She straightens up looking exasperated, but that melts away into confusion as he continues. It wasn't "the other day". It's been... a lot longer than that, and her smile is sad as she looks at him. She's dreaming... ]

Not exactly the place I'd pick for a date. All I wanted was... but it doesn't really matter now. [ She tries to pick her smile up again. ] What are you doing up here?

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

You'll fall an' hurt yourself otherwise! The mountain gets pretty steep up here, y'know. [And he wouldn't mind doing it at all. Didn't women like being carried around?]

I'mmm at work. I think I told you that?

...

...actually, I think I just called you an hour ago about it.