westerncontinent | Starfighter AU

Starfighter AU

[Space. A frontier of infinite possibility and resources, desired by Gaia's governments and businesses both. Shinra especially, lodged deep within several countries' energy and military production, was gung-ho about the possibilities of mining in space from the start, and with their money and sometimes expertise, the people of Gaia reached their moon, and beyond.

Space isn't just full of opportunities, however, as they soon found out. No one had actually thought aliens existed, but they did.

Attempts at communication didn't work, and initially, fighting seemed impossible too, the aliens capable of shape shifting and wreaking havoc on the human side. It was, however, slowly dealt with. Methods to find the aliens were found, so infiltration attempts could no longer be easily and even less successfully enacted.

It was then a matter of making sure their planet was safe, and create a buffer zone.

(You want to do what? This is---

It'll go in our ships you buffoon, not the soldiers, though that would undoubtedly be far more successful. Well?

... All right.)

Shinra's technology proved to be the most effective, and they were not sharing their secrets, assuring them great income from various governments and other businesses wanting to protect their assets (and the planet). Few noticed there might be something odd - it was only practical the ships had two crew, one pilot/navigator and one gunner. It was only great luck that sometimes, a pair here and there seemed capable of much greater destruction than those two-man fighters ought to be capable of.

It worked, what did anything else matter?

Cloud Strife has attempted to join West Continent Allied Defense as a gunner for years, ever since he was first allowed to enter the preparatory academy at fifteen (they did not allow you into ships until seventeen at the earliest). He knows he can do it, that he would be good at it.

It seems no one else agrees, because he's consistently put as a navigator in all assessments.

Cloud Strife is deeply, burningly frustrated over this, but he does have a plan. It hasn't gone very well so far - he's has two gunners in four months - but he just needs to prove he can be even better as a gunner than a navigator. He knows he can.]

Navigator Strife, meet your new gunner, Zack Fair. Gunner Fair, this is Cloud Strife. [Commander Lazard stares at them over his raised screen, and Cloud does not glare sullenly at him, just stares with detached annoyance at the wall behind and to the side of Lazard's head. He can feel the disapproving look.] I'm sure you'll get along. Assigned quarters are F376, Deck C. Dismissed.

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Zack. [Gritting his teeth, Cloud takes a deep breath.] This might be, my first transfer to another base, but you are my third gunner. I'm out of chances.

[Tipping his head back, he crosses his arms over his chest, flushing a little but forging on quickly.]

Sure, they... probably wouldn't count it against me, if you decide to quit. [Probably not, considering how and why Zack needed a new navigator. But at this point that doesn't actually factor into Cloud's attempted argument.] This isn't, about me, though! You don't want to give up and quit, so don't!

....This is your last chance. Isn't it.

[ It's not a question. Not in the least. Explains so much so Cloud's attitude. His frustration so easy to come alone never mind its validity. Zack runs a hand down his face now...

Comes out looking calmer if not haggard. ]

If we don't work, you're done. Cause by that point, they're just looking for a way to get of you unless you can prove 'em wrong.

[Flushing darker, Cloud looks away, shaking his head.]

Normally, yeah--- But I think, um, that you're right that they wouldn't count you quitting, against me.

[He hopes so. Anything else wouldn't make sense. On the other hand, maybe the rationale would be that if he couldn't get Zack on an even keel, he has no business being here at all, having been given all chances he could get, especially when he was the problem each time with his previous gunners.]

... But I think, you should try for yourself, too. [It comes out in a mumble, Cloud aware anything he says from now on (as well as what he's already said) might not be viewed in any charitable light.]

[ Try for yourself, he says.

Not like they would count this against him, he says.

Zack... slowly shakes his head. They would definitely get rid of Cloud for having that many pairing issues. They don't have the patience for someone who goes through that many people. Thid much he knows from others going through similar around him. Last chance. For both of them perhaps.

Zack steps off again slowly, crossing his arms. ]

...You know this isn't going to be easy. You know I might fail anyway.

[Slowly, Cloud looks at Zack, turning around to face him... if not completely, then at least mostly, and runs a hand through his hair.]

If you do, then you know, it really didn't work out. And it's, um, my fault I'm on my last chance, anyway.

[He shrugs, trying to shrug it off through nonchalance he doesn't really feel, but really, that is mostly all his own fault, he knows. Sure, he doesn't... know if he would've gotten along with his gunners honestly if he hadn't been trying to get the results he needed to be replaced as a gunner himself, but Cloud knows, still, that that was the biggest issue between him and them.]

[ The truth is... Cloud isn't wrong. Zack knows as much of that. But it doesn't exactly make him feel any better either.

That wasn't the point though.

The point is.. trying anyway would be better than not trying at all. If at least for Cloud. Just because he's had so many chances... well, it doesn't tell the whole story. And for all he knows, maybe Cloud just never found the right partner to work with. Maybe they were hard on him for whatever the reason. Or maybe there's something else to all this.

Either way, giving up immediately... would be forfeiting his chances completely and Zack... can't say he likes that idea, guilt intended or not.

He shakes his head again one last time before he steps forward. ]

I don't think... we started off on the right foot. So, let's start over now.

[ He unfolds his arms, holding out a hand to shake. ] Hey, I'm Zack. It's nice to meet you.

Edited 2020-02-12 22:28 (UTC)

[Startled, Cloud stares down at Zack's hand for a beat or two. Perhaps for an awkwardly long time, he doesn't know. Shifting on his feet, he slowly reaches out to take Zack's hand.]

... Cloud. [It comes out about as awkward as anything, but not because he's unwilling to go along with Zack's intent, here, it's just...] Likewise.

[It's just he's awkward, and didn't actually expect Zack to do something like this as his 'solution' regardless of what he decided to do. So he just tries to to better in the way he shakes Zack's hand, hoping to cover for the near-mumble and the way he'd ducked his head, straightening up.]

I, um... [Grimacing, Cloud looks away, feeling his cheeks burn.] Sorry. I'm not, um. Good at this..?

That doesn't really surprise me, but it's alright.

[ More than alright. It's more than a better start than where they were before, isn't it? He hopes so at least as he claps him on the shoulder with his free hand to attempt at something encouraging before he finally drops their joined hands and glances off to the side. ]

I think we should try again now- before I lose my nerve.

[ If he waits again tomorrow... He can only imagine the amount of second guessing he might have on this. Go in strong now. Don't end up regretting things later. He looks back at Cloud and tilts his head. ] What do you think?

Like you're so charming.

[It's a mutter, though, and without heat. Zack's not wrong; Cloud knows his shortcomings, even when one subtracts any other issues and reasons there might be for him to be less than his best. Or just acceptable. Neither of which are or have ever felt very acceptable or good.

The shoulder clap... feels weirdly encouraging, and not condescending, so Cloud doesn't shake Zack's hand off. Looks up with a grimace though.]

We just got up here! Do you know, how many stairs we walked? [Cloud's complaint is reflexive, and covers for his urge to insist they try tomorrow, because what if they don't do better, what if Zack's (very legitimate) issues will make this a longer battle than just Zack deciding he will try? But then, even so, what if? Doesn't he have to trust that Zack knows what he's doing? So instead Cloud shakes his head and passes Zack.] But, you might be right.

[So down it is...]

[ He might be right, Cloud says.

Zack hopes so as he watches him walk past. Hopes this will all work out. There's no guarantee, of course. But Zack falls in behind him anyway as they take back to the stairs. There's some point in their journey back down though that he has to speak up finally though. Has to spit out suddenly- ]

You know we would'a had to go back down all these stairs anyway, right?

[ So, he doesn't know what he's complaining about. Or maybe he's just digging a little bit for that charming comment earlier. ]

Don't remind me. [Is Cloud pouting? He is definitely pouting, but it doesn't matter since he's still in front of Zack.] If we'd stayed longer, my legs wouldn't be complaining so much.

[Glancing sideways to catch Zack at the edge of his vision, Cloud snorts softly.]

Not all of us do squats like they're going out of style.

[He's smiling a little, and there's no mocking or maliciousness in Cloud's voice, just something wry. Maybe not full amusement, but... it's definitely a lot softer than it could have been.]

Well, maybe that's just something you should pick up then.

[ There's at least enough of a faint, teasing lilt to that for Cloud to (hopefully) know he's joking. Though he does pause in his step not long after. ]

...Hey, if you think we did learn to do synchronized squats, that would help out our whole bond thing? I don't think I've ever tried that before.

[Scrunching his nose, Cloud shakes his head. There is a bit of a smile tugging at his lips as they continue again, though Cloud freezes in horror at the suggestion.]

... What.

[Looking over at Zack, Cloud opens his mouth, then closes it. Huffs.]

Can't you, come up with something... more normal?

[That isn't a no, though. Cloud would rather like to say no, because the image in his head is ridiculous, but... maybe they will have to do something like this, at least to start with, since sparring will be out of question for a while.]

What? Can't hold your form?

[ The thought's out before he might have thought better than to say it in the first place. Not that he necessarily regrets it. Maybe he will in a moment though. Like he can talk. About anything. ]

I didn't say that.

[Drawing up straight, Cloud huffs - though that doesn't make him anywhere near to draw even with Zack, especially so when he's walking in front of Zack and thus below him on the stairs. Even if they'd been standing on even ground he... is a lot shorter than Zack.]

I just mean, it's going to look ridiculous.

[But now Cloud's eyes are narrowed and his lips pressed into a thin line. Not due to being offended at the jab - well, not mostly, anyway - but more thanks to brewing, bullheaded stubbornness and competitiveness. He could definitely show Zack what's what.]

[ There's a comment he wants to make about them looking ridiculous as it is anyway. But Zack keeps his mouth shut on that one in the end. Better off not to add to things. Already so much doubt hanging between them as there is.

Instead, he opts to quicken his pace down the steps, quietly challenging in it as much as in his words. ]

So, what you're saying then is I already won cause you aren't even gonna try.

You have not. [Setting off after Zack and trying to keep them on the same, or near to, step, Cloud scowls.] I can beat you.

[Is that an admission that he's going to go along with this? Indeed it is! Cloud knows he's walked right into it, but despite his incredulity over this method of "bonding", he's not backing out now.]

Besides, if we're going to synchronize, it's gonna be harder for you anyway. [He doesn't exactly smirk, but there's a shade to his tone of voice that suggests it.] You're like a rangy chocobo.

[And Cloud, being much shorter, has a lot less body to move. It'll take him less time for any given squat. Which... okay, will present its own issues probably, but they're not focusing on that.]

At least I don't got a butt on my head like one. [ It's out of his mouth before he can think better of it. But listen. If you're gonna talk smack on him, Cloud, be ready to have some of it dished on back.

Zack's also making it a point to walk even faster now down the steps. Hell, it's more of a progressing fast trot at this point as he adds: ]

Besides, You know, the only people who say stuff like are the people who think they're gonna lose.

Like I haven't heard that one before.

[Rolling his eyes, Cloud... takes it with much more ease than he would have a couple days ago. Than he would have done this morning, honestly. There's still a reflexive desire to get defensive and sulk about it, to lash out, but he started this and...

And he needs to try. Really try, even if he's only partially feeling this and also still feeling a little defensive and wary about Zack in general. But that's partially his own problem and only somewhat to do with Zack and how he's acted himself.]

Uh-huh. You said it, not me.

[Oh, how mature. But... it almost feels... if not great, then... okay, maybe? Zack isn't loading his comments with mocking, at least. What he is doing though is almost jogging down the stairs and Cloud grits his teeth and says nothing about it if only because he refuses to be beaten before they've even begun.]

I did say it- and I mean it-

[ He says before he takes full advantage of his build up and leaps from the top of the next set of steps. Just completely clears the next set stubbornly, trying to get far ahead of Cloud now as he aims to do the same on the next set with a quick: ] Better keep up!

Wh--- hey!

[Cloud has no idea why Zack's trying to, what, speed down to the bottom first or something?]

You're gonna land on your face!

[Doesn't mean Cloud doesn't speed up a little as well, taking the landings by swinging from one railing to the other one, though he doesn't... quite, dare to just do what Zack did. He's secure in his abilities, sure, but he's not sure he wouldn't land too short of a step or two and being the one landing on his face.]

Only if I miss my-!

[ Annnd. He doesn't get to finish that. Not when he does exactly what he'd intended not to. Zack misses the jump and goes flat out rolling down the next set of steps with a yelp followed by the clatter of what sounds almost like a barrel more than a body before crashing loudly at the bottom with a sharp: ] Ouch.

[Miss his step. Cloud flinches when Zack suddenly seems to disappear out of his immediate line of sight, the yelp following amply announcing what just happened even if the other noises wouldn't have.]

Zack!?

[It doesn't even matter that he's not sure how much he likes Zack - this time Cloud does jump a couple steps down to the next landing, and he lands fine, but that's not the point. He takes the next stair quickly, squatting next to Zack, one hand hovering uncertainly.]

You okay?

Pretty sure I'm gonna have a bruise on my ass now.

[ He says that between a grunt. And rubbing said ass openly. ] Guess I'm going for a pattern here. [ First, a black eye. Then, some other.. well. Less noticeable bruises. Now this.

All the same, he's already starting to roll over. Trying to push himself back up with another grunt. ] Okay, maybe on my back, too.

[He isn't looking down at Zack's ass as he rubs it. Nope. Well, it's hard not to at least glance down because Zack's not being subtle, but he doesn't linger.]

Bruises, are better than something being broken. [Frowning, Cloud pushes Zack to lay right back down when he tries to sit up.] At least move everything first, then, get up.

[They really don't need Zack trying to get up having broken something important. And wouldn't that be the icing on the cake, Zack breaking something and delaying them even further. At least then it wouldn't be either of their fault for not being able to bond properly...]

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