Chasing Shadows (pt1, Cloud, Xaldin)

[Saix]

<CandySora> Cloud sighed resting against one of the cold hard walls of the Radiant Garden. He had just seen the keyblade go off and it seemed the world was gone of the strange creature that was called "heartless" However his mission wasn't complete yet, He had heard rumors that Sephiroth was around. Cloud glanced around at his surrondings. Tifa wasn't in sight ,nor was Leon. "Its better this way.I have to defeat my own darkness.." Cloud muttered this under his breath as he pushed off the wall and began to explore around looking for clues of sephiroth's whereabouts.

<BlindTaleTeller> There was nothing really in the main of town. Most of the gossip pointed to the strange happenings that had been occurring over the past few months: all surrounding the Restoration Committee's work around and under the Castle. More and more people were becoming aware; and what's more.. though not yet in the vast numbers they had begun to appear when the Nobodies had laid siege to the Castle, nor in the heart of town as they used to appear: the heartless were said to have come back. Sightings were said to happen starting from the Bailey in smaller, weaker numbers.. and growing further out. Rumors of a silver haired man being seen from the Bailey had started to spread rumors of ghosts, as he seemed to change every so often, and at times could be seen (seconds apart) in both directions from a distance. The Committee was still investigating the rumors, as well as what was starting to be known as 'the Sleeping Beauty Incident', in which the entire town had fallen asleep following the blooming of some very odd flowers, now dead: hence their absence. Cid however, grumpy frown on his features and toothpick between his teeth, was 'standing guard' at the Bailey outlook.. or rather he looked like he himself was looking for something..

<CandySora> Rumors were spread around often around him. Cloud often heard the Rumors form Tifa., and if it wasn't for her it was always that hyper ninja that called herself "Yuffie". He really never got why she was always so hyper and happy, He shook his head trying to focus on his mission once more. A gentle wind seemed to pick up as it flew by him having his clothes blow gently in the breeze. Cloud stoped in his tracks closing hs eyes to concentrate. The rumors had said that Sephiroth was seen in the Baily..However Sephiroth never stayed in one place, it seemed like the silver haired male loved to torment with his mind. His fist tightened remembering what had happened to his home town and his close friends. It was all because of that man. "..Nothing but a nightmare..A nightmare i can't seem to get rid of." He hated this. No matter how many times he seemed to battle his darkness, It always seemed to come back, Like an everlasting hell that he could not escape. The more Cloud thought about it the weaker he felt. "I have to end this." Cloud opened his eyes after the wind stopped before walking over to the Bailey where Sephiroth was last seen. "With any luck I won't.." Cloud didn't finish his sentence. There was Cid standing guard at the Bailey.. Another sigh escaped the blond lips as he walked over to Cid as quickly got to the point "Where's Sephiroth? Have you seen him?"

[Saix]

<BlindTaleTeller> It took the second question to drag the Pilot and gummi engineer out of his thoughts, and a second more for the questions both to register as he looked to Cloud, the slight stir of wind brushing his face making him blink an extra motion. " Yeah, I seen 'im.. " he pulled the toothpick from between his teeth and wiped at his brow. " Wondered how much longer it'd take for ya ta come back. " and he shook his head before he stuck said toothpick back between his teeth, turning by half again and waving a hand out towards the canyon. " Been seeing them around too. Sometimes with 'im. " Below in the canyon, a person in a black cloak was heading for the cavern. There weren't any heartless or nobodies.. but that person didn't seem to be having any problems with them either. " If ya insist on goin' after 'im --and I know ya do-- those guys might just be yer best bet kiddo.. "

<CandySora> Cloud listned to Cids words as he started at him emotionless before noding and walked past cid- "I'll take my chances, Thanks." With that Cloud walked into the Bailey and made his way down into the canyon. He glanced at the stairs before jumping from them and landing gracefully onto the ground looking at the cavern ahead of him. He slowly stood up making sure the First tsurgui was shealthed properly before heading towards the location. He wasn't sure who this Cloaked figure was but he had to stay on alert just in case he ran into the mysterious figure.

[Saix]

<BlindTaleTeller> " Yeah yeah... I figgered. " waving his hand dismissively in a shooing motion as the other had already started to move; Cid watched the dark-clad form from his distance, and marked down the time, location and whatnot; though reluctantly. There was something familiar about the shape, and the way the other person moved. It bothered him in an odd way.

<BlindTaleTeller> Xaldin hadn't actually been wearing the cloak. He knew better than that for the most part. It did look like that from a distance though, the blacks of his hair blending with the long black trench similar to the one he'd worn in even younger years. Essentially, there was nothing to mark him as anything remotely like a nobody as he pressed and slid his gloved hand along the crystal-laden walls of the more enclosed portions of the canyon, avoiding some of the sharper crystals. " Hm. " One hand remained tucked behind his waist, fist balled at the small of his back palm facing outwards and likely at whomever might come up behind him. He was looking for something in the surrounding geography itself, though what wasn't clear.... if he had any worry of being identified, it wasn't in his features. Calm, stern, serious as usual: his bright periwinkle eyes scanned the surface his fingers were gliding over: just that soft ring of crystal and the occasional sound of the moogle further ahead to break the odd reverence of the scene.

<CandySora> Cloud was now inside the first part of the cavern. He glanced around at the crystals not really paying any attention to them. His body was somewhat tense, His fingers curled up making a small fist as he ventured further into the cavern. After exploring the cavern for a few minutes Cloud came upon Xaldin. The first thing cloud noticed was the long black trench coat and the long hair making him think for a split second it was Sephiroth but relaxed when he saw the hair was braided for one and it was black as well. Cloud didn't really want to interact with this so called "mysterious figure" So he kept walking not saying a word. After walking past the figure Cloud turned his head blue eyes scanning over the taller male. " Well Seems Sephiroth isn't here either " Cloud muttered this under his breath as he took the exit from the caverns seeing if he could have any lucky on the cliff that over looked the castle that Maleficent was occupied. - "Where is he..?" Cloud was getting aggravated and frustrated at the situation, He needed to find Sephiroth and end this now before anyone else got killed or hurt. He didn't want any more of his friends to die. The blond took a seat at the edge of the cliff thinking to himself for a bit. "Where is he...?"

[Saix]

<BlindTaleTeller> The Lancer had felt him coming from the moment the blond had entered the cavern. It was hard to ignore with so few sources of air movement. The rhythm felt vaguely familiar, though he didn't identify it until he saw his face. Granted the blond wouldn't know him; but that didn't mean he wouldn't know Cloud on sight. The younger man had unmistakable features. His words made Xaldin's deep eyes stick a little longer to him even as he left the cavern and traveled out of his sight past the widest part of the canyon. The third could guess where he was going with that said. He wondered if anything in his absence had changed though he doubted it, yest still his curiosity tugged his mind towards the former Shinra grunt enough that sighing, he had to stop. Slipping through a portal on the far end of the canyon yet out of his sight; Xaldin came quietly behind him and sat down beside him without a word: staring out over the black and violet growing sea of heartless in the deep valley below. They were barely enough to half fill it, but they were multiplying. He handed the other man a curved flask of sweetened green tea from his coat. Asking as if the comment had been made a moment ago rather than nearly ten minutes past. " Why are you looking for him? "

[Saix]

<CandySora> -Cloud eyed Xaldin a bit surprised that the other had just suddenly sat beside him. He blinked at the Green flask of tea but didn't open it nor did he reject he at first, He just simply stared at it. After Xaldin had broken the silence Cloud handed back the flash before starting to ask questions " You know of Sephiroth? Where is he? Have you spoken to him?" Cloud only counter Xaldin's question with his own questions as he started at the growing heartless within the valley bellow. "..Why are they back..Is he near by?" Cloud quickly stood up looking around as a hand wraped around the handle of his First tsurgi, He didn't draw the weapon yet but he had gotten himself in a battle stance just in case something happened.. Cloud blue eyes fell upon Xalidin again before muttering "Why are they here?..Who are you?"

<BlindTaleTeller> " I do--have known him, for a very long time.. and you're a very excitable one given the right subject." Xaldin wasn't taken into that fast pace of speaking quite as easily. He could keep up with him if he wanted. He could stand up and play along if he wanted. He didn't want. And he wasn't about to get up just yet. Regardless of the failure the view represented; Oblivion at sunset was a gorgeous view; and he was in a very... agreeable state of mind. His fingers caught on the younger's clothes about his waist and softly tugged, not bothering to look up at him again yet, just a sigh to his tone. " Sit down.. if they were coming up, they would have done it already. And the name, for now: " a half a breaths pause was all it was, but it was a pause none the less " Well, you can call me Dilan. " And then, he chose to look up to him, though it was only a glance as he opened the flask.

<CandySora> Xaldin had now caught Cloud's attention when he mentioned that he knew Sephiroth and filled the blond with even more questions "Where is he th-" Cloud didn't have a chance to finish his sentence due to the face he was pulled down by his waist. He hated being a small frame sometimes, People could simply tug on him and he would be forced down. "H-hey..." Cloud adjusted his clothes a bit before his blue eyes focused back on Xaldin- "..Dilan..Right..So tell me about Sephiroth then." He wasn't too pleased that 'Dilan' had tug at his waist. Another sigh came from the blond as he watched the other nobody like a hawk awaiting answers.

<BlindTaleTeller> One track mind, came into his head as a thought as his eyes slipped over to the blond again: just a moment of those almost otherworldly bright periwinkle eyes staring into him, his mouth curling upwards a bit on one side in his expression: a small smile otherwise. The deep tones of his voice almost purred on their own, the calm and even way he spoke sounding as though no matter what he said he had few worries in the worlds. " He's been involved in certain things lately; specifically having to do with them, apparently.. " A brief nod of his head was directed at the valley below, around the base of Oblivion. " It led him somewhere else, and now he is living with his lover there. He does occasionally come back here, and to the Arena: though not as often as he used to. Most of his days now are spent either training for whatever is coming, or; with that other man in his arms. "

[Saix]

<CandySora> -Clouds features turned into a scowl as he looked down at the base of Oblivion- "So that's where he's be hiding..Cloud eyed the heartless and was already trying to plot how exactly he would get past everything without having to waste strength. He nodded at Xaldin. "Thanks for the info.." Cloud once again stood up looking into the valley and was debating if he should jump or not.-

<BlindTaleTeller> A slight sound of curiosity, almost like a grunt: and one of Xaldin's brows went higher. " Hm? " and he shook his head as he lifted the flask to his lips again, smirking after. " You really are very excitable where he's concerned, aren't you. I doubt he's here right this very second. " A soft shrug, and Xaldin waved a hand in that direction again. " Of course if you want to throw yourself into a meaningless fight you can't easily win.. go right ahead. But as I said.. he's usually elsewhere; with his lover. "

[Saix]

<CandySora> "..That bastard has a lover? I'm surprised he hasn't killed him yet, He's heartless.." Cloud glared at the heartless before letting go of his sword handle "I'll find him on my own then. " He narrowed his eyes at Xaldin before waving a hand at the taller nobody. "Him and I have a score to settle that's all... He took something away from me.. " Cloud's fist tightened as bit his lip. "I have to beat him..I have no other choice. Hes the dark part of me."

<BlindTaleTeller> " That's what I said. " Standing slowly, Xaldin dusted off his legs as he did, summoning a lance to sling over his shoulder, though the way he brought up the thing, it looked more like he'd been carrying it under the back of his cloak. " You know, they say; those who live in the past don't have a future. " Tapping the shaft along his shoulders he sighed softly. " It might be he's come to that realization himself. Or maybe, he simply doesn't care about your world and vendetta any more, now that he's able to travel freely even without her. " shaking his head he waved a hand dismissively at the thought. " Either way, if you pursue things as is.. it's likely you should be asking other questions. Such as: how you're going to get to this other world, and what exactly are you going to do there, should his 'family' butt in: new or old. " That, implying one or more of the trio were around as well now.. and that there were others who would likely come to his defense..

<CandySora> "..." Cloud bit his lip. He hadn't thought of that but he had allies as well. "Heh, Looks Like I'll be talking to Cid after all" With that Cloud gave the other a wave as he headed back the caverns and back tracked his way to Cid. He wasn't exactly pleased about having to ask for a bit of help, and he also knew Cid would never let it down. After a few minutes of wondering, running and walking Cloud finally reached the end of the Bailey and looked to see if Cid was still at his post or not.

[Saix]

<BlindTaleTeller> " Tell him I said hello. " Watching his back until he was around the bend and out of sight; Xaldin's eyes slipped slowly back and down to the growing swarming mass below again as he pocketed the flask: a steady stare as his mind sifted over not just reading the younger and what it might mean: but also over the sight below, how quickly it was growing and exactly what that likely meant. His eyes traveled upwards, wondering if that woman still had a grip on Oblivion.. or whether or not someone else had taken control of the castle. Either way it was something to investigate further. He might just have to break his own personal rules, and talk to Cid himself. Maybe, he shouldn't have let the rookie go all by himself. Just as he was turning to head into the canyon again --speak of the devil-- the Lancer noticed the winged crouched low watching him like a hawk from the rocks above. If it hadn't been for the wind surrounding him.. he might not have noticed. A smirk hit his features.

Cid was indeed right where Cloud had left him; though now he was giving off a more tense air. Arms crossed, he'd bitten the toothpick down a few minutes ago at best and was all but glaring out over the canyons. Cloud had missed sight of the silver haired man topping the rocks overlooking the cliff by just a few moments; a fact that made his chin fall a bit with a sigh as he came up the steps behind him. " Ya know kid, ya got the worst timin' in the world.. " and turning to him by half he shook his head. " But never mind all that. Ya catch up with 'im? "

[shatteredmemory]

The blonde shook his head slowly as he gave out a soft sigh of defeat. "No, However I ran into the cloaked figure you were talking about..I believe Dilan is his name. Cloud had no idea that Xalidin was part of the organization, Nor did he really care. His main concern was finding sephiroth and defeating him. Cloud took a deep breath before letting it out slowly again. " I .." He paused. He was never good at asking help and found it hard to do so. " I need ...your help.." Cloud muttered quickly and quietly. The blonde bit his lip and ran a hand though his blonde spikes awaiting Cid's reponse.

[Xaldin]

Cid had already raised his eyebrows at the mention he had caught up to the other man; though the went even higher when Cloud dropped the name Dilan: and stayed high as he thought about it for a good long while " ..second person ta bring him up.. " Half muttered as he reached for another toothpick: looking up at the last and shaking his head as his expression shifted. " I'm gonna ask ya 'boutthat in a minute.. but, it's not like that's anything new. " And smacking the younger blond in the shoulder he folded his arms over his chest again as he asked: " Well go on 'n' ask. I ain't a mind reader ya know.. what'cha need? "