(no subject)

[eternal-strife.livejournal.com]

Who: Cloud
Where: Midgar
What: Drinking memories away
Warnings: Who knows? Assume the worst
When: Late evening

The Ex-Soldier heaved a deep sigh, a gloved hand running through the blond spikes of hair that topped his head. His other hand wrapped firmly around a bottle of beer. He'd slunk into the city late at night, and instead of seeking out an inn for the night he'd headed straight for the sector six slums deciding to visit one of the many bars there first. As such this was only his second or third bottle, but he seemed intent on going for the gold tonight, so to speak. The overly large sword that he wielded in combat was leaned up against the back wall of the bar, seemingly forgotten by him for the time being, but the sheer size of it was threat enough to anyone who didn't happen to know him around these parts.

"I don't even know why I came back..." Cloud grumbled under his breath, lifting the bottle to his lips for another pull of the vile stuff they served here. He'd have ordered something better but he was a little low on money, and so had to 'conserve' what he had. He could have been out doing his job, or he could've taken any number of monster hunting contracts, people like that were always wanted. Yet this was where he ended up tonight. "Guess staying one night won't hurt...I mean it's not like I'll run into anyone." Letting go of the bottle, he pressed his hands against his head for a moment. A headache was starting to crop its way to the forefront of his mind. Could he drink away a headache? Especially on the swill they served here? Well, he had nothing to lose by finding out.

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[chaos-v.livejournal.com]

With a whip of his cloak, Vincent landed on the roof of a building in Sector Six. The red fabric flitted down his side and hung loosely as the gunman surveyed the empty streets. He had found himself in Midgar after a failed mission - not on his part, Reeve called it off - and decided to stay for a while. After all, Tifa was sure to welcome him into Seventh Heaven, though he hadn't seen her for months. It was much too late to visit the barmaid, however. So Vincent carried on, jumping from roof to roof, searching for a bearable place to sit and have a drink.

He stopped when a flash of neon light caught his eye. He stared at the small building it was attached to and, with careful examining, decided it was there that he would go. Precision jumping from the roof, to stairs, to a second roof, another set of stairs, and finally the ground, he stalked slowly to the doors of the bar.

Idle chatter reached him he opened the doors. Acrid smoke, stale alcohol, and a mild scent of fresh cedar met his nose, and he found himself scrunching it with disgust. But, alas, it was a bar, and what was he to expect? 'Certainly not an old comrade', he thought when crimson orbs stopped on a familiar spiked-hair male.

Vincent found himself smirking under his cloak as he approached the bar. He was able to get the bartender's attention and bitterly said, "Scotch. Tall. No ice." The bartender gave him a skeptical look, but proceeded to create the gunman's order. Vincent glanced back at his old friend. "And another beer." Gil was left on the counter as he grabbed the two glasses. After hesitating slightly to wonder if Cloud was approachable, Vincent his steps and made his path to the oblivious blonde. He stopped a foot away from Cloud's left shoulder and stood quietly.

[eternal-strife.livejournal.com]

Cloud allowed his Mako enhanced eyes to close momentarily, running his tongue across the roof of his mouth. Was it just him, or did this stuff actually stick to the roof of his mouth? Like some kind've twisted liquid peanut butter or something? The more likely scenario was that he simply wasn't used to drinking. Or rather, he was used to drinking somewhere else.

It had been a while since he'd even visited Midgar in general, let alone any of his old haunts. That included Seventh Heaven, one of the only places in the world that he felt truly comfortable in. Not that he'd ever admit it but what really brought him back now of all times was simple loneliness. Even someone like him was allowed to miss his friends now and again, right?

The sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention. Someone was approaching his table. For a moment he made as if he didn't notice, wondering if he would deal with the intrusion or simply allow it to pass? In the end he decided to risk the chance of conversation. Opening his eyes, and tossing a look over his shoulder to see who was standing there. The slightest hint of surprise gleamed in his unnaturally bright eyes. A deep chuckle escaping from him a moment later, as he waved a hand to indicate any one of the chairs placed at the table. A silent invitation for his friend to join him.

[chaos-v.livejournal.com]

Vincent accepted the offer with a nod of his head. He slunk down in the seat opposite Cloud and leaned back in his chair to stretch his legs. After handing his friend the cheap beer bottle he had in his hand, Vincent said, "Didn't expect to see you here."

He brought his glass of scotch to his mouth, swirling the amber liquid around before taking a sip. Almost immediately Vincent let out a grimace. He put the glass back down on the table and pushed it away gently with his hand, and then rubbed his tongue against his teeth attempting to wash away the aftertaste.

"...Considering the fact that you're not staying for the drinks, obviously." He continued on his sentence, staring down at the scotch glass, and then raised his crimson eyes to meet Cloud's.

[eternal-strife.livejournal.com]

Cloud stayed silent, simply shifting his position on the chair while his vibrantly colored eyes watched Vincent move towards the chair opposite him. He wrapped his hand around the offered bottle of beer, glancing momentarily at his first which now sat on the table between them. It seemed unlikely that he would finish the first bottle of cheaply bought poison, let alone the second. Still he appreciated the offer, and so found himself nodding slightly towards his crimson clad friend.

It was the odd facial expression that bloomed on Vincent's face that finally brought a noise from the taciturn blond. A chuckle to be precise, the sound ringing deep in his throat as he allowed himself a momentary smile. "I was beginning to think that I was imagining the horrible taste." He retorted, giving a slow shake of his head. "It's late, I didn't want to risk disturbing anyone over at Seventh Heaven.." He offered in way of explanation, more an excuse really.

"I'm equally surprised you're here. I thought you'd have better places to be." He spoke softly, setting the untested bottle down onto the table beside his first. He wasn't done drinking tonight, not by a long shot. It would just be nice to keep that horrible taste out of his mouth while he was conversing.

[chaos-v.livejournal.com]

Vincent smiled softly behind his cloak when his friend let out a chuckle. While he unconsciously scraped his tongue across his teeth, he let his eyes wander through the small bar, crimson orbs grazing over any imperfection he could find. He found himself reaching for his glass of scotch and swirling the liquid around, mostly out of habit.

"It's late." He said simply. "Tifa wouldn't appreciate me walking in at this time of night, especially since we haven't conversed in a while." Vincent smiled softly, exchanging glances with Cloud. He brought the glass up to his lips again, this time taking a gulp that burned all the way down his throat. His eyes closed, savoring the sensation it made before the aftertaste welled up. He could live with it, though. It was alcohol, and that's all that mattered.

Vincent opened his eyes again and examined Cloud with level eyes. The silence between them got a little too thick, so he said the first thing that came to his mind. "What have you been up to?" At least small talk would take the tension away from them.