(This is the actual RP thread. The Information topic is on the other board. The 'opening scene' is below)

Each group starts thusly.

Group 1:
Rufus, having been just healed of his Geostigma (And no longer needing a wheelchair for that) stands with the Turks gathered around him as he speaks to the people of the city of Edge.

"We, and only we, can make Midgar the great city that it was. We do not have to let the city lay in ruins for the rest of eternity. We can make it great again. And those who participate in this effort will be well rewarded. For we are going to offer the rate of 800 gil per day to those who work on this noble project. Machinery is being brought in from all over the world, and all of our remaining technology will be put into making this city once again the centre of the world."

While some people may have had moral reservations about helping this particular man revive that particular city, nobody was going to argue with how much they would get paid to do it!

Group 2:
AVALANCHE, throwing the aforementioned party mentioned calling, are shy their guest of honor. Not that it matters, everyone else is happy to see their old comrades again. Well...except Vincent, who manages to look eternally morose at all times, but even he seems glad of the company he's keeping. Yuffie's wandering around hyperactively, Cait's STILL riding Red around, Red himself keeps getting scritched behind the ears by all the passing humans, Barret is reunited with his little girl, Cid is (while swearing, of course) referring to how great it is to see people again. Denzel sits on one of the barstools, behind which Tifa is serving everyone drinks. And every once in a while, Tifa attempts to use her cellphone. It never works.

Group 3:
Cloud is in a flowerfield. He went there alone. He is not alone now. It turns out that Aerith's soul now lives in Cloud himself, and she'll be able to see him much more often now that he's released his guilt. Cloud feels like an idiot for not realizing that guilt would keep her away, and therefore resolves to never feel guilty about her again. Especially not when she's right here in front of him like this...

Aerith simply stood there, startlingly real against the natural backdrop. Her hair was a healthy glow of wood-brown, the pink of her full-length dress just as vibrant as the day she'd first bought it; her long bangs shifted in the light wind caressing the flowers, and to all eyes, she looked as real as the flowerfield in which they stood.

And yet, they both knew her real body was lying still in the cold waters of the lake, didn't they?

Green eyes laughed slightly at Cloud, standing ramrod straight, still as a sentinel, quiet as a statue. She wondered if she pushed at his forehead with the slightest force, would he fall over? Or would her fingers pass through him, and all he would feel was a slight tingle in his soul?

Aerith closed the gap, deciding to answer that question with a little tap on his nose. "Cait got your tongue, Cloud?"

((Flowerfield))

He knew she would be there. Well...in her way. He wonders about the details...how did she get to be able to...touch him? To use her powers to heal him? He...decides he doesn't care, as long as nobody runs around claiming the moment has to end. He feels her inside as much as outside. What can he say to her? She was still...so playful. So alive. Apparently, however, she can make contact. He wasn't going to fall over. Really, he wasn't. It's not that Aerith tapped him with any particular force. But somehow, he manages to fall over on purpose. Poor Cloud is getting himself beaten up now. And yet, for all the 'falling down'...he is smiling. Smiling up at her beautifully.

"I left the cat at home."

How Cait got Nanaki to agree to carry him around like a Chocobo is a story he never bothered getting.

[OT: Sorry, sorry... Really late reply. My internet's been wigging out on me repeatedly, even though I paidthefrickingbilldammit, and this post has been sitting on my computer for days! :lol: ]

((Flowerfield.))

Aerith giggled as she crouched over him, the hem of her dress folding over the flowers. A joke, from THE Cloud Strife?

Well, perhaps it wasn't a joke so much as a literal reply with a dash of sarcasm -- but for Cloud, that was as good as anything he could come up with. Just like that smile. It was a small smile, by normal standards, yet she thought it looked absolutely radiant on him. He was doing better than she thought he would be.

"Oh well," Aerith feigned regret, daring herself to finger a stray blond hair. "I think Cait prefers relaxing at Seventh Heaven than going on bumpy rides with you, anyway."

It had started in the skies, during that desperate battle for Edge -- in a moment removed from reality and imagination, existing in its own little void, she'd grabbed his hand. Then she had stroked the child's hair in her church. Now she was here, poking and pulling at the man she had given up to the living two years ago. The Planet was being surprisingly lenient with her.

"You just didn't want him telling Tifa you were skipping out on delivery duty, did you?" And yet for all her teasing, Aerith was happy to have this short time alone.

((Flowerfield))

Who wants to live forever, if death is so beautiful?

"Just as well." If Cait did come with him, he'd have to explain things to the mechanical kitty, and that doesn't even bring the Toysaurus he left at home into account. At least Cait was a decent fortuneteller. And while he said he'd be their matchmaker...it doesn't really seem like they need one. If in the Promised Land love comes first, then perhaps the Promised Land is just a flowerfield on Gaia.

While tempted to close his eyes when she touches his hair, he resists the temptation, not wanting to miss a moment of green eyes peering down at him.

And he most definitely did not want Tifa knowing! Well, he knew, realistically, Tifa would find out eventually. But he somehow got the idea he was due to be scolded and nagged to death when it happened, so he'd rather delay the inevitable.

"Let's not talk about Tifa."

There so many better topics to talk about...when one is all alone with the girl of one's dreams in one's heart, an infinite variety of other topics suggest themselves, but Cloud is not the talkative one between them.

"Bah! Who cares about old chocobo-head, c'mon! I got my materia back! It's time to party!" Yuffie raised her drink high, laughing. Sitting down on a stool, next to Denzel, she grinned at Tifa.

"We saved the world too, so everyone should be happy, c'mon, away from the bar! It's time for you to get a drink too!"

Yuffie could understand being sad or feeling down--everyone felt it at sometime or another, but now? Never! She was having too good a time to even think of it.

Tifa tried calling him again. Her fingers moved almost automatically, used to hitting the same keys over and over again.

The number you just dialed is not-

She sighed heavily and dropped the cellphone on the table. It made a loud sound, but she ignored it, feeling frustrated.

"What's he doing? I doubt he's working or it'd be on..."

"Bah! Who cares about old chocobo-head, c'mon! I got my materia back! It's time to party!" Tifa heard Yuffie say as she approached Denzel.

Tifa shook her head and started to clean the nearest table.

"We saved the world too, so everyone should be happy, c'mon, away from the bar! It's time for you to get a drink too!" Yuffie exclaimed to Tifa.

The older girl smiled and put the old rag down, turning her head to the ninja girl, "I wish I could, but it's hard to stop worrying. It's not like i'm afraid something will happen to him, he's big enough to take care of himself..."

"I'm worried about his mental state, though...", she though, pouting a bit, feeling frustrated again.

Yuffie tipped her drink down and laughed, "Bah, Cloud's a big baby sometimes. Just leave him be, he has to grow up eventually. Even I did!"

Turning away from Tifa momentarily, she grinned, "C'mon you guys! This is the worst party I've been to in years! And most of those are state occasions!"

Turning back to Tifa, Yuffie continued in a mutter,"With the annoying dancing and stupid suitors oggling me for my country."

Another chug.

"Damn--what happened to my drink. Hey Teefs, can I have a refill? But anyway, don't worry about Cloud, I'm sure he'll be fine. Don't make me steal your phone away from you and lock it up somewhere."

"Damn--what happened to my drink. Hey Teefs, can I have a refill? But anyway, don't worry about Cloud, I'm sure he'll be fine. Don't make me steal your phone away from you and lock it up somewhere."

Tifa, who had been grinning at what Yuffie said, nodded and went to get another drink. As she prepared her drink, she carefully slipped her cellphone into one of her pockets, in case Cloud would answer. Knowing Yuffie, anyone would be that cautious.

"Here you go, Yuffie.", she handed her the drink, "By the way, this isn't exactly a party. It's a meeting, that's why I want Cloud to come as well. We shouldn't make any decision without him."

Tifa looked down at Denzel and put a hand on his shoulder, "Do you want something to drink, too?"

"I shouldn't look worried in front of him. Now that I think of it, I'm worrying to much... I'll just worry again if he doesn't answer tomorrow!", Tifa smiled at the thought, wondering if she could really do that.

"By the way, this isn't exactly a party. It's a meeting, that's why I want Cloud to come as well. We shouldn't make any decision without him."

Yuffie shrugged and grinned, "Well it would be a meeting if Cloud was her, but since he isn't--LET'S HAVE A PARTY!" She laughed at that and taking the drink, thanked Tifa, jumping up from her seat. "As you said, we can't make any decisions without him, so--since he's not here--let's party!"

Yuffie was tempted to just jump over the counter, but deciding it wouldn't be very smart to land in a pile of shattered glass, she took the long way around, running behind the counter and leaning on Tifa. "See? We're all together now! Nothing evil's coming this way, it's been so long since we've all been together and we have plenty of good reasons to celebrate. Now stop acting like Cloud or Vinnie over there and join in!"

"See? We're all together now! Nothing evil's coming this way, it's been so long since we've all been together and we have plenty of good reasons to celebrate. Now stop acting like Cloud or Vinnie over there and join in!"

Tifa blinked and her smile grew wider. She nodded and walked to the other side of the bar, where Yuffie stood, and sighed.

"You're right, I guess. I'm taking this too seriously, aren't I? And besides, barrett isn't here yet, so it's ok to lack off work for a while!"

Tifa grinned and leaned on the bar, looking at the entrance. She could never start jumping around, having fun with no worries at all. But not thinking about the world's problems for a while couldn't hurt, too.

The door to the bar opened with a loud bang, as the loud footsteps of heavy boots thundered into the room. It was as though Tifa had cued his entrance, for Barret now stood in the room. He had a typical scowl, despite the fact it was a joyful event. The news on his mind had soured the event, despite his joy at being with his daughter once again.

"Shit, everyone's just sitting around like this's all for fun! Quit yer screwing around, 'cause we have some serious stuff to deal wit! Damn ShinRa's looking to fatten their pockets..."

Barret was shaking now in anger, and he made his way to the table, and raised his already loud voice to gain the attention of the group.

"Damn Rufus is tryin' to re-build Midgar!"

Looking around him he waited to see the impact of his words on the group. The fact that they were re-building had made him suspicious, but when he had learned that they were going to rebuild the reactors, he had exploded. He had spent so long away from Marlene to find oil, he wasn't about to see Shinra repeat it's mistakes, he was tired of spending time away from his daughter.

((7th Heaven, spoofing unplayed Characters))

Marlene, despite her daddy's sour mood, is anxious to throw her little arms around daddy and give him a great big hug! "Welcome home! You've been looking for Oil for so long, I got lonely..."

Cid overhears Barret, though, and his response is a somewhat predictable, "%$^%$&%$&$%$! Those idiots never learn anything!" This leads to another fit of swearing from Cid, who seems to have forgotten there were children present entirely. Those poor virgin ears.

Vincent, leaning in a corner, looking drab as ever took the news without missing a beat. It's as if nothing ever bothers him. Though he still has that look about him. He's never tried to forgive his sins, as he pointed out, and as such his eternally emo expression remains.

Cait, sitting on top of Red even still..."What? Are the laddies and lassies STILL that stupid? We should shut their mouths." But wouldn't Reeve know about it anyway, cosidering who Reeve is? Maybe Rufus left him out of the loop on purpose. It would hardly be surprising.

Nanaki's tail lashed about behind him, but he didn't see fit to speak yet.

Argh! Stupid interwebz! :( It disconnected and I lost all that I posted :(

Denzel sat on the stoll not uttering a word, Yuffie's energy and loud voice was just causing him to giggle. Even though he hardly knew these people, he always felt warmer when they were around as they filled the room with joy and laughter. But, even with them it just didn't feel the same without Cloud. He had been gone for a while now, he was worried but he didn't want to show it in front of everyone.

However, his spirits were always brought back up with the energy in the room, with Yuffie hardly giving anyone else a chance to talk before she interrupted them.

"Do you want something to drink, too?" Tifa asked as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Yes please," he answered back. He kicked his legs about in the thin air until the door slammed open and a smile grew on his face but it quickly disappeared from the hard expression on Barret's face.

Tifa turned her whole body to the door after the loud banging. When she saw it was Barrett she sighed in relief, actually glad it was him. As he complained about ShinRa and so did the others, she went to get the drink for Denzel and also prepared a new one for Barrett.

"Here's yours, Barrett. Eh, I can't believe Rufus is actually doing the same mistake again. He was also infected by Geostigma, he, of all people, should know better. Don't you think that it's kinda suspicious? Going through this all over again just to rebuild Midgar?"

She wasn't looking at anyone, since the question was directed at everyone. But finally her mind was no longer on the small cellphone in her pocket.

((Flowerfield.))

Isn't it funny how it worked out this way? She wanted to say so much to Cloud, wanted to reveal everything that lay in her heart; yet Aerith's mind was blank right now. So many topics to talk about, but all she could think of doing was to sit there and stare at the skies reflected in his eyes.

"Okay, okay," she rolled her eyes, putting a finger to her lips. "Not a word."

Cloud and Tifa shared a.... delicate relationship. Aerith was a curious person, a trait she'd probably inherited from her scientist father. Yet, for all the times she'd interrogated Cloud and Tifa about their childhood during their travels-- thirsting for details of childhood homes she never had-- she never overstepped her boundaries when it came to their friendship.

Ever since witnessing the telling glint in Tifa's eyes as she denied Cloud was her boyfriend during their first meeting, Aerith knew there were some lines you just didn't cross. Well, except for that time in the Temple of the Ancients...

"Then! Let's talk about you." A grin formed, the hand lifting from his hair to tickle Cloud lightly with a flower. "What are you thinking about? Right this second."

Some part of her said she didn't need to ask-- her spirit resided within him, she felt all his pain, all his sorrow, all his happiness. But it just felt more 'human' to ask, didn't it?

((Flowerfield))

It's almost llke her finger gets a kiss when she places it there. Almost. But somehow, it's not quite the real thing, is it? Nonetheless, he lets it pass...Tifa would be there when he got home, and he came her to spend time with Aerith. And that's precisely what he'd do.

His mind wanders a little...his heart speaks, his eyes speak, his lips, not so much. Looking up at Aerith till she finds a flower to tickle him with. Will it cost him 1 gil, he wonders? Or will he have to pay some other price? Perhaps it'll get interesting after all?

Eschewing words as usual, Cloud has a one word answer for her. "You." He didn't have to explain more then that, and the nonverbal Cloud probably wouldn't explain more then that. But he relaxed to the knowledge he didn't have to.

"Here's yours, Barrett. Eh, I can't believe Rufus is actually doing the same mistake again. He was also infected by Geostigma, he, of all people, should know better. Don't you think that it's kinda suspicious? Going through this all over again just to rebuild Midgar?"

Barret tried to calm himself when he was given his drink, but found his frustration too much to contain. His artificial fist slammed once on the table.

"The only thing suspicious is that he didn't try sooner! Now that Rufus aint in the wheelchair, he's showin' he's the same as always. He aint makin money by havin' Midgar in ruins, so he's gonna do whatever he can, even if he sucks the planet dry! We need action! I know what yer thinkin'. Well, if Spikey aint here, we can't afford to wait! He'll figure out where he needs to be when the planet is dyin' again."

As he mentioned Cloud, he looked at Tifa. Barret had to admit to himself though, even though Cloud pissed him off at times, and rivaled his need to be a leader, he cared about him. However, he couldn't just sit around and wait for him either. All he could hope was that they could handle this. The last time they'd tried to stop ShinRa from using Mako, they'd blown up reactors and ended up hurting innocent people. Trying to negotiate peacefully wasn't Barret's style, but who expects peace from a man with a gun for an arm?

Probably the only person he would trust to try would be Tifa, but she was so distracted. She needed to be reassured, despite being such an amazing woman. He always wondered why she couldn't accept how strong she was, and always seemed to be trying to prove to herself she was. Prove to herself, and maybe to prove to Cloud?

Barret quickly finished his drink then. He was starting to think too much, and he hated that. Thinking took up time he could use to be productive. Think of the questions, then go forward until either you find the answer or someone tells you was his style.

"The only thing suspicious is that he didn't try sooner! Now that Rufus aint in the wheelchair, he's showin' he's the same as always. He aint makin money by havin' Midgar in ruins, so he's gonna do whatever he can, even if he sucks the planet dry! We need action! I know what yer thinkin'. Well, if Spikey aint here, we can't afford to wait! He'll figure out where he needs to be when the planet is dyin' again."

Tifa smiled sheepishly, but put on a curious smile when Barrett looked at her. He was right about Cloud, but she also knew Cloud would fight with them. He was just... too busy with something at the moment.

Carefully, she pulled out her cellphone again. Clicking on a few keys, she waited for an answer, but nothing. This time, like all the other ones before, she left no message.

'Damn it, Cloud. You're gonna hear from Barrett now, and you won't like it! Why did you have to leave now?!', Tifa thought, pouting a bit.

"Anyway, do you have a plan Barrett? While Cloud's away you're the leader, right?", she asked with a grin, hoping Barrett would go a little easier on them with that.

((7th Heaven, spoofing))

Cid's comment is another somewhat predictable, "$$^%$&^%*&#@! Well, we'd better hurry up before we end up with a fully rebuilt model."

Marlene, of all people, scowls at Cid. "Don't say so many bad words!"

Cid looks oddly sheepish after that.

Nanaki, apparently approving of Marlene, nuzzles her hand as if he wants to be petted.

Cait still seems distressed that Rufus pulled this and he...or rather, Reeve...didn't know about it.

((Midgar, Spoofing))

Rufus is making another speech.

"We, the people of Midgar have suffered greatly over the last two years. We have suffered, we have known pain. Some of that suffering was our fault. Some of it was the fault of others. But this city, now in ruins, must not be left in ruins. Each of the buildings damaged by Meteor will be torn down, and we'll build new ones. Everything we lost will come back better then before. But we cannot do that alone. All that survives of my company is me and my bodyguards."

He pauses.

"I do not ask that you recreate ShinRa for my sake, because we were part of the problem. I ask that you recreate Midgar, and everything this proud city once stood for. Progress, technology, and the connections between all of us. We will rebuild everything that was lost. And we will see to it that every family who works for us prospers by the money they make working for us. This is a hard job, and all will be duly compensated for it."

He pauses again.

"Are you with me?"

The people of Edge, living in that shadow of Midgar for so long, raise their voices up with cheering. They've bought into Rufus's speech. And the construction...or rather, the deconstruction, because almost none of the buildings are safe anymore...will take time...but people believe all Midgar was can be restored.

"Anyway, do you have a plan Barrett? While Cloud's away you're the leader, right?"

Barret was a little surprised that Tifa wasn't teasing him as she said this, but he quickly put on his authoritative face, though it hardly differed from his angry ranting face.

"I'm always the leader! Now my plan would normally mean bombs and shootin' up things, but we'll try some of that peaceful negotiating shit that everyone's always talkin' bout. If Rufus wont listen, we'll tell the whole damn city that MAKO isn't the way! After all our damn work, hell if I'll see the planet dyin' again! The kids deserve a planet, and we do too! So we go to Midgar, and try talkin'. If not, we might have to fight once again."

Taking a deep breath after his rant, he hoped that it would be easy, that Rufus would listen and the people would see the stupidity of rebuilding. He wanted to be able to finally spend time with the kids, to see them not having to worry about such big things. He wanted to be together with his family. But a part of him felt that it was impossible to talk things out, that he would always have to fight for the Planet and for Marlene's future. There was a reason his fake arm was still able to become a weapon, he had to be ready.