[ She nods to him before he takes his leave. Alone, she can take in her surroundings. While the restaurant isn't so fancy, it does have a nice ambiance to it! And it makes her not stay seated for long.
By the time Cloud's back, he'll find Weiss' purse still on the table, but the actual girl elsewhere. She's actually by a jukebox, observing how the machine works. It's... something she's never seen before, but judging from how the man who used it just a few moments before she got there? It plays music! That's interesting! It's like a radio of sorts, or a CD player or something! She imagines it must be a machine native to Avalon, not at all realising the history of the machine and how it's present in all kinds of worlds, as well. ]
[ By the time Cloud returns, he blinks curiously as he realizes that Weiss was nowhere to be found. Peering his head back and forth, ]
Weiss?
[ "Hi there!" ]
Uh...?
[ It's their waitress, coming to take their first order. Cloud decides to just get the two of them around of waters for now. He asks them if they can check back in a few minutes, and that he was just gonna find his girlfriend. The waitress pours their waters, well-iced and cool to the touch. leaving the blond be for now while also providing menus on the table. Fortunately for the swordsman, it doesn't take much to spot the huntress from afar as she peers at a jukebox. Huh! Been a while since he came across a more genuine one.
Prismatica had machines like this, but they were either free or required a simple tap of Chroma from any Moonblessed.
He huffs amusedly through his nose before sliding up behind her, peering over her shoulder as he checks out the pages of albums that can be flipped with the push of a button. ]
We don't have anything like this in Atlas. I think I understand how it works, though.
[ She looks up at him when she says that. It doesn't occur to her that she probably look like she just up and left him! And she'll apologise if he makes a note of it. For now, though, she's more focused on the jukebox. ]
It looks so bulky... [ And it's just a machine to play music??? ]
[ Nope. She's allowed to go wherever she pleases! Of course if she was gone and came back to the table, he'd ask where she went out of curiosity. But that won't be coming up. ]
Yeah. Back at 7th Heaven. Some were free to use, but others you put money in, pick the album and song you wanna listen to...
It's pretty old school. [ Cloud places a hand on her shoulder as he says this, only softly shaking his head after to add, ] Then again, we had magic birdboxes.
[ She likes Cloud's birdbox most! It's the one she borrowed, trading hers for his, until she just... claimed it for herself akdjakf When they started living together, though, what was hers or what was his didn't matter anymore. It became theirs. ]
Should we order? [ She finds his hand now, gently squeezing on it to let him know that she's here and he has her full attention! ] I just wanted to see what this was.
[ Especially hers, since he's listened many times before. Cloud squeezes right back as he leads her back to the table so that they can look at the menu and order. He's already got glasses of water waiting for them in the meantime! ]
Sure. We can come back later if you want.
[ As he takes in his surroundings as they make their way back to the table by the fireplace, he finds his gaze appreciatively returning to his girlfriend, hand in hand as he notices the bracelet he'd given her earlier. He's been more affectionate than usual for her birthday, but especially since their dance lessons? Cloud's feeling more open with his words. No mercy. The gross is coming out. Just for her. ]
I tell you how good you look? [ He's sure he has, and he's not even trying to start flirting the way they did mid-Tango. ] Just making sure.
Huh? [ Oh... that came out of nowhere! While she doesn't tense up, she does feel shy all of a sudden. Looking away, her free hand fixes her hair, pushing it back behind her ear. ]
Dummy...
[ She looks back at him as they walk, but looks away right away as if she just saw something horrendous. Her grip on his hand tightens. ]
[ Cloud smirks down at her but doesn't say anything further. ]
You're welcome.
[ Okay except for that. When they were on the dancefloor, Weiss was in her element. He's come to understand it by now; Weiss knew how to dish it out but was still terrible at taking it. Grab his butt? Fair game. Flaunt in front of him or tease him? Fair game. Reverse the roles and he's the one who hasta watch what he says. But...does that also mean he likes what she does? Letting go of her hand, it's only so he can pull her chair out for her. After, he'll take a seat in his own, grabbing a sip of his water before he starts to skim through the menu. As nice as this place looks, the prices seem...relatively fair! He's not starving, so he's not going to go for an appetizer unless Weiss wants one too. ]
[ Her legs are swinging gently once she's seated. She's sitting straight with the menu in front of her, flipping through it with poise. It's almost as if she's going to be ordering the fanciest thing around, but... ]
Order for me?
[ She'll let Cloud decide what they'll have. It's not because she's not hungry or anything! She does, in fact, want a salad! But she also wants to know what Cloud wants to eat. They can go halfsies on a steak or whatever, and it can be something that he likes. ]
[ They've gone out enough times that he's figured out what she tends to gravitate towards. After all, her appetite has waned considerately since she no longer carried the Cordis blessing. Funny enough? His own appetite wasn't what it used to be either. Perhaps it had something to do with his body not requiring as much energy to fuel the power he once dished out? Either way, he was content with a good steak and rice for a side.
Dragging a finger down the menu's pages until he finds the right spot... ]
[ It seems like a pretty hearty salad! But... Maybe they can share a full-sized one, since it comes in half and full costs. Sure enough, when their server comes back, he asks about the salad sizes.
He decides to grab a full-size for himself and a half-size for Weiss of the Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad. Taking their menus and leaving them be, Cloud clasps his hands on the table, finger tapping the smooth-finished wood. ]
[ They went to the hot springs, private as it was! And they saw cute animal! Cloud even surprised her this morning, and they went to dance. Most importantly? Cloud wowed her with his suit. (He still looks really hot rn 💦) ]
When we get back... do you still want to do something with Ruby and the others?
[ Because they're still around at this point, anyway KAHSHSHSDH ]
[ He nods with a smile, humming thoughtfully when she asks about doing stuff with the rest of her team. ]
I wouldn't mind. If you want to, we'll do something.
[ Admittedly, Cloud wasn't quite as close with them this time. But that came with the territory of crossing worlds and not holding the same memories. It's also the same reason he didn't just blatantly come right out to someone like Ruby with, "Cloud Strife. Dating your Huntress partner. Whaddup." ]
[ It's different! Weiss' teammates here aren't the ones they spent time with in Lunatia. It doesn't make them any less important to Weiss, though. And because Cloud is the most important person in her life, she wants him to experience more of her. More of Remnant. Little bits of her life from home. To make the realities bleed, and to make sure that Cloud will fit in in her life no matter where they are. It's the same reason why Weiss wants to get along with his friends and family from home. Why she thinks about what it would be like if his mom met her. She wants to fit into his life, given she's a literal outsider of it.
Weiss stays quiet for a while, looking around, then back at Cloud every so often. It's as if she wants to say something, but just isn't sure how. It doesn't take long for her to find the words, though, swinging her legs under the table when she asks: ]
Can we move to the booth in the corner? I want to sit next to you. [ ... And in case he has any weird ideas? ] I won't feed you in public, I promise.
[ Maybe another time!! But she wants to hold his hand right now. ]
[ It's only fair that she sees her friends too. As important as Weiss is to him, her teammates were just as special. The bond they've formed over nearly two years has become something transcending the very worlds they've crossed to be together, but it'd be no different from wanting to see his family and friends around his birthday too. Before, he didn't hold much stock in it. But after defeating Sephiroth and regaining some semblance of normalcy in his life, along with the life he began to lead on Prismatica after meeting Weiss... ]
Sure.
[ Luckily they'll still be in view when their server comes back, wondering where they are. Scooting out of his chair, he waits for Weiss' hand, holding his out for her to take. He huffs amusedly at her little quip on feeding him. ]
[ She says this as she takes his hand and gets up. Cloud can do it if he likes. That is, if he can take the extra attention, anyway. Weiss certainly doesn't mind. Let everyone know that they're dating. She would even sing about it if Cloud wouldn't shrivel up and die from embarrassment once she did. ]
[ It's relatively quiet and there's not many people around. But for Weiss' sake, he keeps his voice a little softer than usual when he retorts back, ]
Nah. I've done it closer. Remember Caihong?
[ Their first getaway together, just after Valentine's Day when she was dating both him and Midorima. Spending part of it under all three moons aside, it's a trip he wouldn't soon forget. It's safe to say he's never cut loose so much so that he'd have an impromptu pillow fight before meeting Weiss. ]
[ Like she could ever forget! It was the first time she'd celebrated her birthday again since she was ten. Admittedly, it started off roughly, but all the memories she's made when she went on her birthday getaways were all so much fun. It shows which memory she harbours closest to her heart, though, given who she's with now. ]
[ Just as they're about to move into their new spot, she drops that line on him and his breath catches for a second. Ah! A chink in the armor once again, his cheeks reddening a little at the thought. THEY WERE VERY CLOSE TO DOING THAT BACK THEN. Which is...probably the reason why he got flustered just now. Just as quick however, he clears his throat and slides on into the booth. ]
I ain't saying nothin'.
[ ...was that...a lowkey invite? Even if Weiss was kidding or does so jokingly, he doesn't look uncomfortable with anything she'd want to do. That'd make for an interesting exchange with the server once they came back.
[ She was joking! But Cloud responding that way and then taking a seat??? Yeah, that's definitely an invite. One that Weiss, however, refuses, because it's very important to look proper in a place like this. Especially with what they're wearing! Nevermind that they made out and almost did more than that on a bench one time... ]
I'll let you get away with this for now.
[ And so, she slides on next to him, taking his hand once she's comfortable and rests her head on his arm. It's not meant to be dramatic, but she lets out a soft sigh from the contact. ]
[ He's prepared for it. He's totally prepared for his girlfriend's mischievous side to come peeking out again. But he wasn't disappointed when she doesn't go for it either. Especially when she slides in beside him and rests her head on his arm. His hand, meanwhile, rests comfortably just above her knee. As Cloud glances down at her, he can feel himself melting at the contact. The warmth of the moment in particular that gets his heart beating harder in his chest. So he lets out a softer sigh in comparison, smile following suit in its tender grace. ]
Hey...
[ Another kiss to the top of her head. ]
Happy birthday, Weiss.
[ The ambience of the steakhouse's patrons and music playing from the jukebox in the distance was relaxing from where they're seated, further off on their own and taking this moment in. For now, he keeps to his silence, though that smile on his face hasn't waned once. To think that Cloud smiling this sincerely used to be such a rarity...
He'd only just begun to reach happiness back home when he defeated Sephiroth one last time; who would have thought he'd be exploring that very feeling in another world? And sharing that very happiness with a girl like Weiss? Worlds apart, yet perhaps sharing the same sea of stars.
It wasn't just around Weiss and his family either. Even around those he didn't know, he was more calm and outgoing. More open to showing his heart on his sleeve- now that he no longer had one covering scars. ]
Oh, that reminds me... [ Weiss doesn't let go of him, but she does shift in her seat so she can look at him. ] We forgot to order cake!
[ Not that she's complaining, but she left it all up to him and really just forgot about why she wanted to eat out in the first place. It's fine, and she's still smiling! They can easily fix that, anyway, but Cloud greeting her a happy birthday again... It's cementing all the more the fact that this is a day to be celebrated. It's a day to be happy. ]
Can you ask for the menu again? I wonder if they serve cheesecakes here.
[ For a moment, it looks like he feels bad for having forgotten about her cake. Even halfheartedly shrugging his shoulders in an "oops" fashion. As if right on cue, the server is seen wandering and wondering where her customers went. ]
Gotcha. [ A beat and a raised hand later. ] Hey!
[ Their salad isn't quite ready yet (they make the bacon and softboiled eggs fresh), but they happened by and noticed the two were gone. ]
You guys happen to have cheesecake?
[ "Oh, yes! We have our original creamy cheesecake, triple berry cheesecake, strawberry, caramel pecan, and double chocolate swirl." ]
[ Oh! There's the usual blueberry cheesecake, and she would have been fine with that, but triple berry? Sign her up. But she thinks Cloud would want the original type more, and that's fine with her! Strawberry sounds fine, too. All she wants for tonight is a slice, anyway. Or one of those 4-inch mini cakes. At least that'll be easy to finish. Something to take back to their room, light a candle on, so she can formalise her birthday wish.
... that, and it's dessert. (She still doesn't have a sweet tooth.) ]
Is triple berry okay? [ Say yes! Say yes! ] Or do you want the original more?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ She nods to him before he takes his leave. Alone, she can take in her surroundings. While the restaurant isn't so fancy, it does have a nice ambiance to it! And it makes her not stay seated for long.
By the time Cloud's back, he'll find Weiss' purse still on the table, but the actual girl elsewhere. She's actually by a jukebox, observing how the machine works. It's... something she's never seen before, but judging from how the man who used it just a few moments before she got there? It plays music! That's interesting! It's like a radio of sorts, or a CD player or something! She imagines it must be a machine native to Avalon, not at all realising the history of the machine and how it's present in all kinds of worlds, as well. ]
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Weiss?
[ "Hi there!" ]
Uh...?
[ It's their waitress, coming to take their first order. Cloud decides to just get the two of them around of waters for now. He asks them if they can check back in a few minutes, and that he was just gonna find his girlfriend. The waitress pours their waters, well-iced and cool to the touch. leaving the blond be for now while also providing menus on the table. Fortunately for the swordsman, it doesn't take much to spot the huntress from afar as she peers at a jukebox. Huh! Been a while since he came across a more genuine one.
Prismatica had machines like this, but they were either free or required a simple tap of Chroma from any Moonblessed.
He huffs amusedly through his nose before sliding up behind her, peering over her shoulder as he checks out the pages of albums that can be flipped with the push of a button. ]
This takes me back.
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[ She looks up at him when she says that. It doesn't occur to her that she probably look like she just up and left him! And she'll apologise if he makes a note of it. For now, though, she's more focused on the jukebox. ]
It looks so bulky... [ And it's just a machine to play music??? ]
Do you have one like this at home?
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Yeah. Back at 7th Heaven. Some were free to use, but others you put money in, pick the album and song you wanna listen to...
It's pretty old school. [ Cloud places a hand on her shoulder as he says this, only softly shaking his head after to add, ] Then again, we had magic birdboxes.
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[ She likes Cloud's birdbox most! It's the one she borrowed, trading hers for his, until she just... claimed it for herself akdjakf When they started living together, though, what was hers or what was his didn't matter anymore. It became theirs. ]
Should we order? [ She finds his hand now, gently squeezing on it to let him know that she's here and he has her full attention! ] I just wanted to see what this was.
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[ Especially hers, since he's listened many times before. Cloud squeezes right back as he leads her back to the table so that they can look at the menu and order. He's already got glasses of water waiting for them in the meantime! ]
Sure. We can come back later if you want.
[ As he takes in his surroundings as they make their way back to the table by the fireplace, he finds his gaze appreciatively returning to his girlfriend, hand in hand as he notices the bracelet he'd given her earlier. He's been more affectionate than usual for her birthday, but especially since their dance lessons? Cloud's feeling more open with his words.
No mercy. The gross is coming out. Just for her.]I tell you how good you look? [ He's sure he has, and he's not even trying to start flirting the way they did mid-Tango. ] Just making sure.
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Dummy...
[ She looks back at him as they walk, but looks away right away as if she just saw something horrendous. Her grip on his hand tightens. ]
Don't say stuff like that while we're out.
[ She can't hit him with a pillow outdoors!! ]
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[ Cloud smirks down at her but doesn't say anything further. ]
You're welcome.
[ Okay except for that. When they were on the dancefloor, Weiss was in her element. He's come to understand it by now; Weiss knew how to dish it out but was still terrible at taking it. Grab his butt? Fair game. Flaunt in front of him or tease him? Fair game. Reverse the roles and he's the one who hasta watch what he says. But...does that also mean he likes what she does? Letting go of her hand, it's only so he can pull her chair out for her. After, he'll take a seat in his own, grabbing a sip of his water before he starts to skim through the menu. As nice as this place looks, the prices seem...relatively fair! He's not starving, so he's not going to go for an appetizer unless Weiss wants one too. ]
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Order for me?
[ She'll let Cloud decide what they'll have. It's not because she's not hungry or anything! She does, in fact, want a salad! But she also wants to know what Cloud wants to eat. They can go halfsies on a steak or whatever, and it can be something that he likes. ]
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[ They've gone out enough times that he's figured out what she tends to gravitate towards. After all, her appetite has waned considerately since she no longer carried the Cordis blessing. Funny enough? His own appetite wasn't what it used to be either. Perhaps it had something to do with his body not requiring as much energy to fuel the power he once dished out? Either way, he was content with a good steak and rice for a side.
Dragging a finger down the menu's pages until he finds the right spot... ]
Check out the salads. They've got...
[ Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad with bacon, softboiled egg and avocado— ]
Oh...
[ Judging by the way he's blinking at the menu? He...may have changed his mind on the steak part. That sounds good. ]
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Let's get it.
[ If he wants it, anyway! ]
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He decides to grab a full-size for himself and a half-size for Weiss of the Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad. Taking their menus and leaving them be, Cloud clasps his hands on the table, finger tapping the smooth-finished wood. ]
You having a good time?
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[ They went to the hot springs, private as it was! And they saw cute animal! Cloud even surprised her this morning, and they went to dance. Most importantly? Cloud wowed her with his suit. (He still looks really hot rn 💦) ]
When we get back... do you still want to do something with Ruby and the others?
[ Because they're still around at this point, anyway KAHSHSHSDH ]
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[ He nods with a smile, humming thoughtfully when she asks about doing stuff with the rest of her team. ]
I wouldn't mind. If you want to, we'll do something.
[ Admittedly, Cloud wasn't quite as close with them this time. But that came with the territory of crossing worlds and not holding the same memories. It's also the same reason he didn't just blatantly come right out to someone like Ruby with, "Cloud Strife. Dating your Huntress partner. Whaddup." ]
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[ It's different! Weiss' teammates here aren't the ones they spent time with in Lunatia. It doesn't make them any less important to Weiss, though. And because Cloud is the most important person in her life, she wants him to experience more of her. More of Remnant. Little bits of her life from home. To make the realities bleed, and to make sure that Cloud will fit in in her life no matter where they are. It's the same reason why Weiss wants to get along with his friends and family from home. Why she thinks about what it would be like if his mom met her. She wants to fit into his life, given she's a literal outsider of it.
Weiss stays quiet for a while, looking around, then back at Cloud every so often. It's as if she wants to say something, but just isn't sure how. It doesn't take long for her to find the words, though, swinging her legs under the table when she asks: ]
Can we move to the booth in the corner? I want to sit next to you. [ ... And in case he has any weird ideas? ] I won't feed you in public, I promise.
[ Maybe another time!! But she wants to hold his hand right now. ]
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Sure.
[ Luckily they'll still be in view when their server comes back, wondering where they are. Scooting out of his chair, he waits for Weiss' hand, holding his out for her to take. He huffs amusedly at her little quip on feeding him. ]
Might be my turn to. It is your birthday.
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[ She says this as she takes his hand and gets up. Cloud can do it if he likes. That is, if he can take the extra attention, anyway. Weiss certainly doesn't mind. Let everyone know that they're dating. She would even sing about it if Cloud wouldn't shrivel up and die from embarrassment once she did. ]
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Nah. I've done it closer. Remember Caihong?
[ Their first getaway together, just after Valentine's Day when she was dating both him and Midorima. Spending part of it under all three moons aside, it's a trip he wouldn't soon forget. It's safe to say he's never cut loose so much so that he'd have an impromptu pillow fight before meeting Weiss. ]
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[ Like she could ever forget! It was the first time she'd celebrated her birthday again since she was ten. Admittedly, it started off roughly, but all the memories she's made when she went on her birthday getaways were all so much fun. It shows which memory she harbours closest to her heart, though, given who she's with now. ]
I can sit on your lap, then.
[ THAT NEVER HAPPENED ]
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I ain't saying nothin'.
[ ...was that...a lowkey invite? Even if Weiss was kidding or does so jokingly, he doesn't look uncomfortable with anything she'd want to do. That'd make for an interesting exchange with the server once they came back.
...okay then he might scooch Weiss off. ]
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Nevermind that they made out and almost did more than that on a bench one time...]I'll let you get away with this for now.
[ And so, she slides on next to him, taking his hand once she's comfortable and rests her head on his arm. It's not meant to be dramatic, but she lets out a soft sigh from the contact. ]
Much better.
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Hey...
[ Another kiss to the top of her head. ]
Happy birthday, Weiss.
[ The ambience of the steakhouse's patrons and music playing from the jukebox in the distance was relaxing from where they're seated, further off on their own and taking this moment in. For now, he keeps to his silence, though that smile on his face hasn't waned once. To think that Cloud smiling this sincerely used to be such a rarity...
He'd only just begun to reach happiness back home when he defeated Sephiroth one last time; who would have thought he'd be exploring that very feeling in another world? And sharing that very happiness with a girl like Weiss? Worlds apart, yet perhaps sharing the same sea of stars.
It wasn't just around Weiss and his family either. Even around those he didn't know, he was more calm and outgoing. More open to showing his heart on his sleeve- now that he no longer had one covering scars. ]
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[ Not that she's complaining, but she left it all up to him and really just forgot about why she wanted to eat out in the first place. It's fine, and she's still smiling! They can easily fix that, anyway, but Cloud greeting her a happy birthday again... It's cementing all the more the fact that this is a day to be celebrated. It's a day to be happy. ]
Can you ask for the menu again? I wonder if they serve cheesecakes here.
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[ For a moment, it looks like he feels bad for having forgotten about her cake. Even halfheartedly shrugging his shoulders in an "oops" fashion. As if right on cue, the server is seen wandering and wondering where her customers went. ]
Gotcha. [ A beat and a raised hand later. ] Hey!
[ Their salad isn't quite ready yet (they make the bacon and softboiled eggs fresh), but they happened by and noticed the two were gone. ]
You guys happen to have cheesecake?
[ "Oh, yes! We have our original creamy cheesecake, triple berry cheesecake, strawberry, caramel pecan, and double chocolate swirl." ]
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... that, and it's dessert. (She still doesn't have a sweet tooth.) ]
Is triple berry okay? [ Say yes! Say yes! ] Or do you want the original more?
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fin.