bakerstreet | Wings for Everyone!

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[meme] au

Wings for Everyone!

Wings For Everyone!

No, really, it's like Oprah on a bender, everyone gets a pair! They can be feathery, leathery, tattered, pristine, made out of glitter, feathers, tissue paper or star-stuff.

The only limit is your imagination (and reference pics, if that's your thing)

Maybe your character has always had their wings, maybe they just woke up with them for the first time this morning like an odd take on Gregor Samsa, it's entirely up to you.

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Waking up that morning to a PSA that there'd been a 'perfectly harmless leak' from the Science Department and that anyone affected should report to the Infirmary was one thing. Cloud had been prepared to ignore it, because what would that have to do with him? Waking up and finding out that nearly everybody seemed to be sporting a pair of wings or just a single one (any SOLDIERs he glimpsed in the halls seemed to mostly only sport a single one, even Zack), either white or black, was... a little more weird.

More so because he was very aware of the soft weight on his own back, hidden underneath his uniform coat, and it didn't seem quite fair that when, for once, they shouldn't stand out at all and he could've pretended to be one of the victims for whatever the Science Department had managed to do, instead he still had to hide them.

Because his wings weren't white or black, but yellow like his hair, though some of the kids back in Nibelheim also only had a single wing instead of a pair...

He was pretty sure his didn't have anything to do with whatever the Science Department had managed to do, but this was very stressful. He felt like people would be able to tell just by looking at him.

Which, he knew it was ridiculous, but he'd gone to great lengths to keep his wings hidden, and suddenly seeing wings on nearly every damn person around was something like visual whiplash.

And so he'd been looking forward to getting rid of some of the tension that'd been building up by training with Zack, and Zack had even managed to snag one of the training rooms on the SOLDIER floor.

Except...

"Damnit, Zack..." Staring down at his PHS, Cloud grimaced. Had to suppress the urge to stomp a foot as he read the email Zack had clearly typed out while running. Mission. Despite the wing he'd woken up with that morning. Which, okay, that wasn't Zack's fault, but---

Behind him, the door slid open, and Cloud froze. Expecting only Zack to appear before the email, Cloud was only in the tanktop he used under his t-shirt to help keep his wings flatter against his back. A tanktop that didn't hide much. Whipping around, Cloud staggered on his feet with a second wave of alarm.

"S-sir!"

Well, that certainly wasn't who'd he'd been expecting to see.

The balance was different. It felt heavier on the right shoulder now as the exceedingly large wing had managed to sprout entirely from that area. When he ran through the negatives of the new appendage, he'd decided there weren't so many that he couldn't bear it till some solution was established. Not that he had high hopes with people like Hojo running the science department. That thought alone cause his jaw to tense.

Aside from the weight displacement and the occasional shedding of raven black feathers onto the ground, Sephiroth's biggest concern had been and remained... how would this problem affect his fighting. Where he doubted it would be much of a change, he knew it would also involve combat training to be sure his skills could more than make up for it.

So, he'd felt no qualms declining a mission that really didn't need him and then stole away to the training room. Zack would forgive him eventually. Only, as he stepped through the door, the last thing he expected to find was one of the troops standing there ready to train. Cool unaffected eyes stayed momentarily locked on one particular trait that was glaringly obvious in the sea of white and black feathers that littered the barracks. Sunlight yellow was a little hard to miss.

Pressing his lips together, he fought that sudden urge for one corner of his lips to quirk up in amusement. Instead, he walked forward in measured strides before stopping just in front of the shorter man. Leaning just slightly to the left, he reached out and ever so slightly tugged on a yellow feather. They were most definitely real. "Funny, I hadn't heard that a chocobo got lose in the building."

That time he knew there was no point in fighting that very slight pull on his lips as a partial amused smirk over took his features. It wasn't like him to joke with people he didn't know well, but such a feature begged for a reaction.

He'd seen quite a few wings from the moment he woke up (discounting his own), and yet, his gaze was drawn to the single black wing Sephiroth now sported - probably because it was so large, but honestly, the only other person he'd seen who'd seemed to be able to move like it belonged was Zack. Even if Sephiroth didn't like it, it sat there with a surprising amount of ease.

And maybe he should be embarrassed by the amount of attention to was paying to this (Zack had noticed and had teased him), but hell, he'd spent his whole life with a pair so why shouldn't he? Though no distraction in the world could make him miss the slight flattening of Sephiroth's lips as he approached and Cloud, knowing he shouldn't be here (alone) because he didn't have access to this part of the building, naturally came to the wrong conclusion.

"Sorry, sir! I'm not--- I mean, Zack was going to... what?" Frozen, Cloud retreated half a step far too late to avoid Sephiroth reaching behind him to gently tug on one of the nearest, and definitely ruffled, feathers. Pink-faced, Cloud glowered up at Sephiroth while he mentally floundered some more; none of his usual reactions seemed to be suitable right then.

"... Very funny, sir," Cloud finally muttered, crossing his arms over his chest, hoping he wouldn't get in trouble for the tone he'd just taken while his reaction otherwise was definitely a lot milder than anyone but Zack would get. Zack could use that. Sometimes. Then, as something occurred to him, Cloud shifted on his feet as he bit his lip and threw another, more hesitant look up, "... don't, um. Call animal control?"

He had some vague protection given more or less everyone seemed to be sporting a wing or two, but with the different colour... well, he stood out as much as Sephiroth with his distinctly larger-sized wing did, and Zack had needlessly pointed out in the confusing email he'd sent that morning that he needed to be more careful today. Because today people were actually looking for wings.

He really didn't need to get sent to the Infirmary or the Science Department right now (and yet, he was still certain he would be able to join SOLDIER. Somehow).

The flailing was normal. Most of the younger troops that weren't breaking their backs to stand up straighter when he walked by, often responded like this. Especially if they thought they'd been caught doing something they were not supposed to be doing. Much like this one was right then.

So Zack had planned to use the training room with a friend. Returning his gaze to the other's face, he tried to drag up some name from memory to go with the face. Generally he could do that easily, but that meant they'd not worked together before. What he didn't expect was that dry return for his own comment. Dropping his hand to his side, he canted his head to meet his gaze, which turned out to be a mistake as the blonde managed to add on to that dry humor with a hesitant but witty response.

Taking one step back, he turned his profile to his present company and ducked his head. The sweep of his hair effectively blocking that sudden amusement that ran from his eyes to the slight curl of his lips. If anything, it significantly eased his tone of voice. "You don't seem to be causing any problems, so I see no need."

And Hojo didn't need to play god on anyone else. Just the thought of the man made him click his tongue softly in irritation. Such inferior and pointless science. The dark feathers ruffled and shook almost visibly shaking off the thought before he returned to the matter at hand.

Letting the moment pass, Sephiroth turned to face him again, keeping his voice at that same even tone. "What's your name?" Perhaps Zack had mentioned him, though he doubted it.

Edited 2018-06-26 15:12 (UTC)

If he was getting in trouble, it wasn't happening immediately clearly, and the brief flash of glowing bright green that met his gaze made Cloud pretty sure he wasn't getting in trouble at all. Which was a relief, if it was a blanket 'not in trouble' for any part at all.

His wings, unrestrained by the usual layers, puffed up a little more then smoothed out. He might have flexed them, if they weren't still tucked in under his tanktop; he'd quickly become very used to restraining impulses to move those appendages while wearing clothing. Which was unfortunately almost all the time.

Quietly watching the SOLDIER and even more quietly cursing everything for having met Sephiroth here, like this (not very impressive, now was it), Cloud frowned a little. Wondered if Sephiroth wasn't smiling... couldn't tell, but at the relaxed tone, Cloud decided it didn't matter. It, and the words, confirmed he wasn't getting in trouble, and that was good enough for him.

"... Thank you, sir," Cloud mumbled, exhaling. Tried to keep from shifting on his feet and keep his wings still; ended up rubbing the back of his neck instead before he realised what he was doing and stilled. The soft noise of ruffled feathers drew his gaze back up, because that was Sephiroth's wing, not his. It also stilled quickly, so he wasn't sure if he had done something or not. He hoped not.

"Cloud Strife." That was at least easy to answer, even if he was still silently cursing himself. And Zack. "Sorry if we, um... took the wrong room? Zack said this one was supposed to be empty."

Grimacing as he looked up again, Cloud really hoped Zack hadn't had one of his airheaded moments and then (accidentally, but still) saddled him with this thanks to being sent off on a mission.

His hand moved in a dismissive gesture to the thanks. They weren't needed. To be honest, the younger likely had enough of a fright just being caught here by Sephiroth. Being turned in wouldn't be necessary. In a way, he likely owed it to Zack not to get his friend in trouble.

A brow rose slightly at the excuse and apology that were tagged on to his name. Cloud. Perhaps Zack did mention that name in passing. Something about a country boy. He'd been pretty excited at the time bringing him up. It seemed Cloud was just as puppy-like as Zack, just less noisy and hyper about it. Not that either trait really bothered Sephiroth unless it distracted Zack from his work. "It was empty until Zack left for a mission." There was no reason to make things worse on Cloud. "I didn't realize he invited someone to join him."

Shrugging a shoulder lightly, he moved past Cloud to look once about the room. A sudden thought hit him, but he knew it was foolish even to begin with. But Cloud was here, there was no point running him off. "I could leave." The words were offhanded at best, because the real offer followed suit. "Or we could both stay." Cloud couldn't keep up with him. He knew that. He'd never really trained anyone either. Still, "What program were you going to run? Or did you simply mean to spar."

One foot shifted, half turning his body to look back at Cloud with a blank expression even if he felt mildly curious. Sephiroth cut an intimidating figure, he knew that. Which was likely why he shifted on his feet, wing twitching just slightly as he tried to possibly look a little less... terrifying. "Or was he possibly just taking you for a walk?" That managed to get the flat look off his face as a challenging smile broke the veneer just a little. He likely shouldn't tease the other about his chocobo wings, but really, he found it too tempting to leave alone.

Not that he'd admit to it, but, yeah. Turning around and being faced with Sephiroth had definitely been... surprising (all right, a scare).

Nodding silently, Cloud groaned in his head. It felt thoroughly typical that something like this would happen, and while he might feel excited about it later, right now... Right now, he was just embarrassed. And he should probably leave, shouldn't he..? Opening his mouth to offer exactly that, Cloud blinked when Sephiroth got there before him, and not in a way he'd have expected.

"I---" His breath got stuck in his throat right after, stunned excitement and awkward, nearly defensive embarrassment clashing at the second offer. Because he knew he couldn't keep up, in any real, or even half-way respectable way, with Sephiroth. It was obvious, and clearly Sephiroth would know that too. Would he really offer that because it was funny---

No, that was... too uncharitable, wasn't it? Cloud flushed and looked away, frustrated mostly with himself. No, he didn't think Sephiroth would offer to let him stay just to watch him struggle. He hoped, anyway.

"That's, um..." Taking a breath, Cloud straightened up - just when Sephiroth shifted on his feet, the wing shifting with him in a way that was weirdly familiar, though he couldn't quite place it. At least not until he said that, Cloud blankly staring before he caught up to the meaning, the smile, and if he hadn't met Zack when he had, he probably would've taken more real offense to that than he did now.

"Zack's the one who needs taken for a walk!" Cloud scoffed, shaking his head, then shrugged, a little awkward as he looked away. "I mean... he's just, kinda excitable. And he didn't really say which program, sir. Think it was supposed to be a surprise..."

Turning back to face Sephiroth properly, Cloud took a breath and stuck his chin out, determined. Zack would've protested his rejoiner, of course, but it was nothing Zack hadn't tossed at him in similar ways so he wouldn't acually mind that he'd said it, and Sephiroth hadn't reacted badly to his first response. So. It'd be okay, right?

"We were gonna spar, though."

Knowing Zack, he'd have used his newly acquired wing to make a joke while at the same time teaching Cloud something new and showing him the VR program for the first time. And hell, if what he got out of today was taking a peek at Sephiroth training, he'd take that. Maybe he'd learn something, and Zack could walk him through it later?

Sephiroth waited patiently for Cloud to cycle through whatever thoughts he seemed to be processing. He even supposed that the slight bounce between positive and negative had more to do with his own reasons for offering him to stay. And maybe, he wondered the same just a little. Why did he ask? Cloud was so many strides behind they wouldn't likely even be in the same room together save random chance like this.

But he didn't want it to be some grand show of that yawning gap either. His mind ran through different training programs he knew the names of before letting out a soft sigh. It probably should bother him he had so few programs in mind for something of the training level needed. But perhaps a little harder than Cloud could handle would give teachable moments. Possibly.

The SOLDIER only started to consider how well he could instruct another when Cloud hit him with that rejoinder. The smile returned, amused but soft as he huffed a sound that possibly could have been a laugh but wasn't brought to fruition. "True. The puppy and his chocobo." What an interesting pair. He vaguely realized that Cloud was quieter and calmer in a lot of ways. Sephiroth appreciated that about him.

In any case, he could check to see if Zack left any program ready for running and start from there. "I think, even if I only defended, you would get frustrated." At least at this point. Though, defending would be just as good of a test on his motion abilities with the new appendage as full out fighting. His brow creased slightly in thought as he moved to the control panel to start looking through the programs and search for any indicators Zack may have left. "I wouldn't be against it, but we could also run a program together."

Pausing in his search, he realized that Cloud never did answer him. Looking up something like this ran the assumption that Cloud couldn't possibly tell him no. And where he had no concerns or lack of confidence in his skills, he lacked the belief that his status or fame could make someone automatically want his company. That thought alone stilled his movements. Pressing his lips together, he decided the only want to be sure was to inquire one last time. "If you are interested that is. It's not an order."

Grimacing at that description but surprisingly minding it less than he thought he would, Cloud rolled his eyes. Maybe it was that he'd just gotten to hear Sephiroth call Zack a puppy, which he could admit he'd thought once or twice, too. Or maybe it was the muffled half-laugh. It sounded like something that didn't happen often.

"O-oh, um, yessir! I mean---" Colouring briefly, Cloud looked away with an awkward little shrug. "If you don't mind. You're the one who wouldn't be getting, much of an exercise," Cloud said with a little frown, somewhere between self-deprecating and flatly stating fact. That was quite obvious, and once again Cloud wished he could've been at a point that he could at least say he'd been ready to take the SOLDIER exam, or was in SOLDIER already, because while that still wouldn't be up to keeping up with Sephiroth, it'd be... a little closer. A little stronger, a little more actual challenge, perhaps. Though... glance briefly sliding sideways to the huge wing Sephiroth currently sported, Cloud wondered if he knew to account for it---

Well, it was Sephiroth. He must have realised already that he had to do so. Maybe that was why he was here? Which just made a brief thought go to Zack and he hoped Zack would learn quickly enough to keep the wing in mind.

"Anyway, I'm... kinda used to it? Zack sometimes just defends, and uses that to let me practice what he's already taught me, and point out mistakes," a pause, followed by an unconscious little smile as Cloud shook his head, "it really was frustrating, the first time he did that..."

Realising he was sort of just rambling, Cloud ducked his head and shrugged, embarrassed. Why would he be interested in that? But he'd learned how useful it could be to just uselessly hammer against a perfect defense, making the frustration worth it. And when Zack attacked him, he at least pulled his strength and some of his speed.

This time the almost smile that pulled at his lips wasn't brought about by amusement. He couldn't put his finger on what it was, but he only spared a half second of a glance at Cloud before answering that. "I need to see how it feels to move with this." Without pointing, the wing flicked a little in indication. Not that he was worried about his skills or being hampered all that much. Rather, he wanted to know ahead of time how and what he needed to do to compensate. "So it wouldn't be for nothing."

So Zack had already done something similar. Perhaps he felt the slightest bit relieved that he'd not been completely off base in how to train someone with their skill gap. And it also worked in his favor that Cloud seemed to already realize it was frustrating before this moment. Finishing the input codes, the room faded into another setting along a mountain side in Wutai he remembered. The uneven rocky terrain and open space made it a lesson in mobility instead of just defense and offense.

Even before the room changed, he'd caught that lowering of Cloud's head. Puzzling. He looked far too anxious, possibly ashamed in some way. Whatever that feeling was, Sephiroth figured in was likely in some part his fault. "As long as you take something away with you that you learned, the frustration is worth the effort." Completely facing him now, he looked for some comment or remark he could make to keep Cloud talking. If anything, talking seemed to make the blonde less of a tangled mess of nerves.

Too bad he'd never really been the best conversationalist. "What have you learned so far?" The question seemed inane enough. And the more skills he knew Cloud had, the better he could figure out how to work with him. Granted, he'd never made that sort of effort before. Which led to the question as to why he would now.

Sephiroth had no answer.

With a sweeping motion of his left hand, his fingers curled about the hilt as the familiar weight of Masamune and lowered it to his side. "Did you want to face me or shall we generate enemies." At least, if nothing else, he could offer that choice. Not that they couldn't do both, but one thing at a time.

"And since it's just on one side..." He shook his head. It'd be trickier, probably. At least with two, they moved in tandem unless you concentrated. At least he hadn't been wrong about the reason Sephiroth was here, even if it probably wasn't so hard to assume that. It was just pleasing, as ridiculous as that was, to have figured it out.

"... Yeah." Nodding, Cloud straightened up, changing his grip on the dull practice sword into something more ready, if not immediately useful to throw himself into actually attacking. "I know it is. And um... we've gone through, basic blocks and attacks? Zack said something about having caught up to second year level..?"

Something which Zack said with far more praising enthusiasm than Cloud's cautious recount. Not that he wasn't proud, because he most certainly was, if it was true. Not that Zack would lie to him and overstate his skill and accomplishment, he didn't think, because Zack was a thorough teacher. He also just praised him far more than Cloud would've ever expected.

"And, well..." Briefly meeting Sephiroth's bright green gaze, Cloud slid his gaze sideways to eye the wing. It really was beautiful, and he'd never thought he'd feel awkward about his own in a way that felt inadequate, but everyone who'd sprouted wings overnight had much larger ones than he did (a good thing, he wouldn't be able to hide them otherwise). Shifting them under the tanktop, he pulled them tight against his back and cocked his head. Felt far less uncertain in that moment, because he knew this was important. "Guess it depends on how smart the generated enemies are, sir. Would they be able to know the wing is there..?"

If they couldn't, then Sephiroth wouldn't actually learn all he could about fighting with his wing, since just moving with it wasn't all. If you didn't keep it out of enemy reach, well...

Impressive. A new light of admiration flickered in his gaze at Cloud's deduction. Not bad for just a normal trooper. "Is it strange to say that it feels too natural?" The question came out too easily and almost instantly he shook his head. "No, that's a strange thing to say." The low self admonishment was shaken off just as quickly as he looked at Cloud's practice sword. He'd need something better than that.

Or maybe it was just one more compensation he would have to make.

"Sounds like you've made good progress. Not bad." If Zack got him that far, perhaps the stretch between them wouldn't be so overwhelming. That relieved him. Being so conscious of himself in his own movements would have been more distracting than the new appendage. "You make a valid point." And a well reasoned one.

Rolling his shoulders slightly, he tried to push off some of the tension in them. A tension that had been there even before he woke up bearing feathers. Stretching the wing out, it showed just how impressive the span was before drawing it back in and attempting to settle it in a more out of the way posture. At least it wasn't on his sword hand. "I'm interested to see what you've got anyway. If I feel you're up to it, I might not always defend."

And that would likely be the greatest compliment he could pay Cloud. He hoped he got the chance. "Shall we begin?"

Blinking at that hesitant comment, Cloud had a retort on the tip of his tongue even before the General backtracked, and he was probably reading far too much into the tone, but it sounded... kind of familiar and not what he'd expect to come from Sephiroth. Frowning, he shook his head. Probably wasn't that, but... still didn't mean he couldn't say what he'd intended to say.

Also didn't mean he didn't straighten up, not a little pleased, at the compliments, because that was what they were. And he really didn't think Sephiroth would say either of that if it wasn't true. He had no reason at all to do so, after all.

"Yes, sir." Cloud nodded and changed his grip so he was holding the sword out low in front of him, but he glanced up at him quickly. "And, I don't think it's strange. Zack looked pretty at home with his when I met him, and..."

Okay, he just needed to be careful about how he phrased this. His wings were a different colour, obviously, but that didn't mean he needed (or should) to reveal he'd always had his.

"... and, y'know, just 'cause the wings are new, doesn't mean they can't feel natural. Mine do."

He smiled a little hesitantly up at Sephiroth before he glanced around, making sure he knew the limits of the cliffside that had generated around them and the biggest uneven spots, at least. All of it was, but it'd be damn embarrassing if he faceplanted after only a step or two.

Tightening his grip on Masamune, he pressed his lips together in thought. There ran a high chance that Cloud's sword would break even just hitting against him. Glancing once about the room, he knew before looking that there wouldn't be some practice sword lying around to use. Looking down at the slender blade a moment, he figured he could pull off one more challenge.

He could block with the broad side or the blunt. Though the idea of damaging his sword made him wince inside, it was better than accidentally hurting a sparring partner. He'd simply have to just be more aware of who his opponent was and how he fought.

His calculations were interrupted though by Cloud's comment. Tipping his head curiously, he realized that the topic he quickly brushed aside was brought back to the forefront. Words that gave far too much of his thoughts away. The darker ones that he tried not to focus on. Those whispers of being far too different than everyone else.

And they surprisingly... helped.

Smiling just a little, he gave Cloud a kinder look than he even knew he was capable of. "Find your footing first. Losing your balance could get you killed." He offered that coolly but not without kindness.

Pausing, he added quieter. "They suit you. It's a shame they aren't larger."

Then, in a slightly more teasing motion, he spread his arms out just slightly as though welcoming Cloud to come at him. "I won't hurt you, but I can't promise you won't be sore by tomorrow." It wasn't that he wanted Cloud to feel inferior... he simply didn't want him to be afraid of him.

Relieved he hadn't said something wrong - or rather, that what he'd said had been taken in the spirit it was meant, and that he hadn't, like so often happened, fallen short and failed, Cloud's hesitant little smile widened and he nodded.

"Yessir," Cloud said as he started to move, slowly, along the rocks. Getting used to the fact that it felt like rock, behaved like rock, even if he knew that it logically wasn't. It was all a projection of a sort. Halfway through, when Sephiroth added that they suited him, Cloud snorted but paused to pull the back of his tanktop down enough to free them. Didn't mean he didn't immediately pull them against his back again, but this would make it a little easier on him.

"... I have to admit, I'm kinda jealous of everyone who suddenly has wings large enough they could probably fly with them," Cloud said with a little shake of his head, surprised it was so easy to say that, considering it wasn't Zack opposite of him. At the comment, he just shrugged. "And if I don't feel sore tomorrow, sir, we didn't do this right."

There was a faint (and fake, he knew it must be, but it seemed real) breeze stirring the tiniest feathers on his wings, alerting him to the fact that he was close to the edge. Thanks to Masamune, he wouldn't have a lot of space to move, and he wondered how long a dull practice blade would last against a weapon like that, too.

Well. He'd just have to... avoid it as much as possible, right? And while he knew there was no way he'd be able to move fast enough to surprise Sephiroth, he was hoping the different circumstances would be enough of an edge for him.

Which meant that when he darted forward, what Cloud tried was a feint meant to get him under the long sweep of Sephiroth's ridiculously oversized sword and to try to get at the large, black wing.

If Cloud had been trying to catch him off guard, that smile was a good start. For a moment he was taken back enough to start trying to figure out what he'd said or done to deserve that. Zack was easy with his smiles. Excitable and over joyed for even tiny victories. Cloud seemed more pensive and reasonable about such emotions. Not that he lacked them, just that he showed them in moderation. Aside from nervousness, of course.

The slightly widened eyes was the only show of that surprise. A slip that was quickly remedied. Cloud was definitely feeling more confidence, so possibly he didn't manage to socially fumble as he sometimes did. Why did that feel so unnervingly relieving?

Still, he couldn't help the slight dip of his head and smile that pulled at his own lips at Cloud's candid words about the wings. "What an odd thing to be jealous of..." It wasn't mocking, more thoughtful. Fly. He wondered about that. "I think what we get can be a hindrance, but I also think its up to yourself to turn that around." His wing lifted a little at that last comment, probably as he nearly let another almost huff of a laugh escape him. "You've certainly got spirit."

Watching his opponent -- no, his trainee -- Sephiroth minded his movements and started to gauge what he just might do. And Cloud didn't let him down. He knew that the other was under estimating his abilities to move his sword due to length, and maybe he let him have that assumption up to the last moment. Arching his sword over his right shoulder, he let the sword rise just fast enough to catch Cloud's with the broad side just short of his wing. Granted, catching a hit over the back wasn't good for speed. Nor was taking the hit the way he did to keep from breaking the practice sword.

He only held them in place for a split second, but that moment in time was long enough for him to turn his head and smile up at Cloud before he shoved him back hard using only the power of one arm. No use over doing it. "And here I thought I was lucky the wing wasn't on my sword arm." It was as close to a nod at that strategy as he would give. Aim for the weak point. Not bad. If Sephiroth had meant to attack, there was a chance he might have gotten closer. Maybe.

"The best---" Grunting when suddenly Masamune was just there in front of him and between him and Sephiroth's new wing, Cloud grimaced. Not that he'd actually expected to get close enough, or get a strike in (broadside, of course, even if the sword was dull), didn't mean he couldn't be disappointed. "I've managed... was using them to, kinda break my fall."

Clamping his mouth closed to make sure he didn't say anything more, worried what Sephiroth might think if he actually knew his wings weren't new. Didn't pop up overnight due to whatever the Science Department had done.

Staggering as he was pushed back in a familiar move (Zack had used that sort of move more than once), tiny rocks sliding under the soles of his boots and his wings stretching out, flapping once or twice behind he straightened up again, Cloud found himself pulled into a tiny little grin. Not quite smug, because he hadn't really accomplished anything, but praise was praise.

"You wouldn't be getting used to it, if I ignored it, right?" Shrugging in an attempt at nonchalance, Cloud tucked his wings back in, and couldn't quite believe this was happening. Maybe he wouldn't help that much in the end, but that he'd been allowed to stay and pulled into this... it was more than enough. He just hoped he wouldn't disappoint him.

Really hoped, since he was only a trooper and not, as he'd hoped, a SOLDIER. Which meant when Cloud tried to get close again, he didn't just try the same thing again. Kept his distance, but also kept trying to slide off towards Sephiroth's side instead of aiming for his body. Of course, with the length of Masamune Sephiroth had a massive advantage, but Cloud was determined.

"Aren't bird bones hollow?" He hadn't thought of that really till Cloud mentioned using them as a cushion. The idea of falling on the massive appendage to his right sounded more painful than he wanted to admit. He'd certainly have to find out if the same bone density applied to them now that the barracks were full of feathered appendages.

His sudden turn of thought to that was likely even an unintentional insult because it was too easy to let him get distracted when he should be in the moment. But then, he certainly hadn't expected he'd get in a conversation with anyone today either. So he paused, just long enough to watch Cloud catch himself, even using the small wings to take some of the impact away. That looked useful. Especially for the use he employed them.

"You're right. I wouldn't." That time he didn't stop himself from that soft huff of a laugh. Who would have thought a young troop would keep up with some of his own train of thought.

When Cloud came again, he moved sooner. Not for himself, but for Cloud to start seeing movement. One of his own strategies was to give an opponent no time to react or gauge his motion. But Cloud could use a little more to work with at his level. The hardest part of the entire thing was having to adjust his hold on his sword so the blade didn't collide against the weaker sword. Luckily, Cloud hadn't moved in such a way that required him to rely on reflexes yet. He could plan and adjust.

But part of him wanted Cloud to get faster and show him the potential he was starting to believe he might have. However, he wouldn't let Cloud see his back. That was the first mistake to make in combat that you didn't come back from. "How fast can you move? That might be something to focus on." Because quick succession along with what Sephiroth already saw as calculated moves would be a strong edge to have.

"Huh--- oh, no, um." An awkward, slightly embarrassed smile stuck on his face while he also tried not to laugh from honest amusement, Cloud had to focus real hard to try respond while trying to just keep up, gritting his teeth. "Not breaking as in landing on it, just--- slowing down."

Too slow, too slow... too far away to really do anything of what he wanted to, but it was a familiar frustration. Zack usually didn't do it because it was damn hard to learn anything if your opponent (as your teacher) was moving too fast to do anything, but it was also a good way to force Cloud to just react instead of, well... overthinking things, sometimes.

Huffing as they separated again, Cloud chewed his bottom lip and shrugged. If he'd have let himself, he would've pouted, but he didn't. If it was Zack, maybe, but he refused to do something like that here.

"... Not anywhere near fast enough, against a SOLDIER, but..." He grimaced, mostly because this was exactly what Zack was trying to get him to focus on instead of strength. he just didn't want to admit that after he'd seen Zack with the Buster, that was the sort of sword he wanted, one day. "But we've been focusing on it."

Sighing, Cloud nodded and lifted his sword again, frowning. Knew even his best wouldn't get him as close as he wanted, but... Another lunge, just a quick parry as Cloud went low - swept up a little rock from the ground and it didn't matter how not real it actually was, it felt exactly like a rock.

A rock which Cloud tossed with all the strength and accuracy he had, aiming for Sephiroth's shoulder and then darting for his wing-side again.

"That is a good use." And that made more sense. He could appreciate that kind of use for it. If anything, when he turned too fast and didn't think about it, he could feel the resistance dragging against the feathers and slowing him. He had been trying to calculate that into his movements all the while keeping careful eye on Cloud's movements.

Though, Cloud seemed frustrated with his comment. Obviously he wasn't the only one that wanted Cloud to focus on his speed. He had the build and quick thinking to pull it off. He just needed to cultivate it. "No, but everyone starts somewhere. Even I did." Perhaps far, far, younger than Cloud, but he had been a beginner once. And he didn't want him to just give up. The right thing to do was to encourage, right? Even if Sephiroth wasn't all that good at pulling up such comforting comments.

This time as Cloud recovered, he lifted his sword over his head and curled both hands about the hilt to let it curve over him. For a moment he considered that maybe moving would force Cloud to get more attacks in, but for once, he didn't have time to do that. Sephiroth caught that motion to grab debris and it forced the SOLDIER to readjust his stance. It was more a kneejerk reaction for him to yank the wing back as he had to release his right hand to knock the rock away. But it had been enough that he didn't have the presence of mind to change the angle of the blade as Masamune caught the practice sword blade up.

And the metal gave, just like he thought it would. Enough it bothered him and forced him to step back and give ground. But that didn't stop Cloud from still pushing against him. Which was why he reached out with his right hand and pushed at Cloud's middle to try and relieve some of the stress off their swords. If he could see the way his own eyes widened at it all... he would have surprised himself.

"Yeah..."

Yeah, that was true. Everyone did, and no exceptions, even if everybody didn't start at the same point, or in the same circumstances. Didn't meant it wasn't a start, all the same.

It was something to keep in mind, later, anyway. Right now, Cloud was a little busy. Flinched when a sharp little shard of metal bit into his cheek and then continued past. He'd been lucky it wasn't high up enough to threaten blindness. Still, even with a noticeable notch in the training blade and Masamune threatening to sink deeper and maybe cutting the sword in half, Cloud didn't let up.

Stubborn. A little too stubborn sometimes (a lot of the time), so it was probably just as well he was pushed away, staggering half a step and his sword coming loose to slide along the longer blade.

"Guess it kind of worked..." Cloud muttered with a grimace, distractedly dashing away the little trickle of blood creeping down his cheek.

For the briefest moment, a million things that could have gone wrong went through his mind. Each calculated and in detail with his strategic mind. Cloud likely hadn't come up with each sickening scenario, not with his single minded purpose to get the attack right. Where he couldn't blame him for that, it certainly didn't help Sephiroth diffuse that potentially dangerous situation.

Letting out a breath he didn't realize he'd held as the blade slid away from his own, he closed his eyes. A quick shake of his head dispelled the what if scenarios and he finally gave Cloud a carefully controlled look. "How deep is it?" Luminous eyes fell on the cut on his cheek, making his point clearly.

Lowering Masamune, he started to reach out with his free hand only to stop and think better of it. Brow furrowing for a moment, he figured his concern was likely not wanted. Not that he wouldn't try to see to it later, but for now, he wanted to be the instructor he was attempting to be. "You made me react, that means you are getting better." Not that he would have won even with a real sword. But he made Sephiroth move automatically. "However, the sword was what let you down."

Very clearly, even if it took Cloud a second to realise what exactly the problem was. Sephiroth was so controlled compared to Zack, he almost shrugged it away without even checking. Stopped himself when Sephiroth actually reached out, even if he didn't finish the motion.

"Um... not very?" Dropping his sword point down, Cloud poked around the nick and shook his head. "Can poke my nail in there, but that's it."

Was that reassuring? He didn't know, but he hoped so, and couldn't help feeling pleased. He had managed that, hadn't he? The earlier strikes... had hit on the broadside end, for both of them. Peering down at the practice sword, a soft little 'huh' escaped him as he realised what'd happened just now; edge instead of broadside. It really was lucky the practice sword hadn't been cut in half.

"Uh-huh. Against that, you'd need something a lot better than this," Cloud said, glancing between his practice sword and Masamune with a soft snort, still poking at the cut. "Zack's not wanted to switch to the sharp practice swords yet, sir..."

A pause, and Cloud glanced away.

"... Probably 'cause he's still trying to make up for forgetting we probably should've used the dull ones from the start. I've had worse than this." Zack had run off in a right tizzy to get both one of his cure materia and something to wrap the healing cut up with after, that first time they'd tried this and Zack had ended up giving him a pretty serious cut on the arm.

The frown that pulled at his features was telling as Cloud poked at the cut. The idea of infection from that kind of treatment flit through his mind as his brow furrowed. He could see the similarities to Zack in those sort of motions. But then, he never paid much attention to his own well being either. He just very rarely got hurt.

He might have even managed to ignore the cut if Cloud hadn't continued to poke at it even after the point of conversation shifted. "You're not wrong." Cloud would need a much stronger sword, but his words were more offhanded as he sighed. With a motion of his left hand, Masamune faded and both hands were now free for him to just fix the issue before Cloud poked himself to death. Over exaggeration? Yes, but it bothered him since he was the reason Cloud was hurt to begin with.

With out waiting for compliance or even asking, he caught Cloud's wrist lightly and pulled it away from the cut before using his own cure materia in his armor to heal it. Over kill. That was the word that entered his mind after the cut sealed up, but he didn't care. He didn't have a first aid kit and this was the next best thing. "I had hoped to avoid that scenario."

After the green light of the magic faded, his fingertips very carefully grazed the healing mark almost to be sure it was going away. Only then did he release Cloud and take a step back. "If we mean to continue I should find another training sword." For both of them. Going to buy a sword right now would waste time. "Unless you'd rather go find you a real sword and postpone training for another day."

Definitely over-exaggeration, even if he should probably have stopped poking the little cut instead of (continuing to) agitating it, and Cloud froze, surprised, when his hand was pulled away.

"Sir---" Whether he'd meant to protest that he was fine, or that it was nothing to concern himself over, or... whatever, all those potential words got stuck on his tongue with the brief, cool little rush of magic. It was very hard not to roll his eyes at the unnecessary healing - he might not be enhanced, but he wasn't fragile.

Even more surprising, though, was the gentle brush of fingers against the previous nick, there and gone. Mostly surprising because he hadn't thought Sephiroth would be so hands on about it, even when unnecessarily taking care of what was nothing more than a scrape, if less than a thumb's length away from one of his eyes.

"Um--- thanks." Cloud floundered briefly, cheeks going pink and then fading again. "You didn't, have to go that far. It wasn't... what?"

Wide-eyed, Cloud gaped up at Sephiroth before he snapped his mouth closed.

"A real... that's... wouldn't you need, the sort of swords SOLDIERs get in that case?" Was his insides suddenly nearly vibrating at the idea of getting to use a sword of that sort of make? Absolutely. Still, Cloud took a breath and shook his head. "I'm fine, with this, sir. If you don't mind just using practice swords... I don't wanna be any trouble."

Really, he'd already gotten more than he could've ever hoped for, before he got into SOLDIER at least. Getting to see some of the actual human behind ShinRa's star general was... a bonus Cloud honestly hadn't ever thought about. All he'd been aiming for joining ShinRa was to become SOLDIER, become as strong as Sephiroth, and hopefully famous enough he could show Nibelheim he was more than what they thought.

This was... more than that, in a way he hadn't even thought possible, as small as it really was.

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