[ Being stalked by statues had grown a touch tiresome to a certain acerbic swordsman. Then again, by this point, what else was he expecting? Here in this world, it seemed like the further they explored and made strides in restoring the planet, more and more trouble seemed to find them. It was his initial reasoning behind arriving here to these spiritual grounds. Gauge for any potential trouble afoot, and nip it in the bud before anyone else could get seriously hurt. As far as Cloud was concerned, he could reminisce of the past any other time. This wasn't his planet, their "Promised Land" where those in his memories were waiting for him.
Cloud's learned his lesson by now. ... Wishful thinking on his part as just when he's about to turn and leave when it seems nothing else was amiss...the melodic tones of the merfolk draw his ear. His footsteps feel heavier than usual, and the last step he takes before a chill trickles down his spine crunches beneath his foot, louder than before. The voice is faded, yet it's not like it's coming from an unknown direction either. For a time, he stands there, at odds with himself over what to do. But in the end, his curiosity wins out for better or for worse.
When he does arrive at the Spring, he simply watches from afar as someone familiar is kneeling over the rocks over the water's surface. The voice was getting closer, stronger, more beautiful and surreal. He's not certain as to why Yosuke was here too, but his reasons were his alone... It seems like, for a time, Cloud was about to contently let himself stand there on the sidelines, giving the young man his own space to pique his curiosity. ]
...? [ Perhaps he should have intervened sooner, or spoken up. Because like a scene happening in slow-motion, his eyes widen when he realizes a set of slender arms were reaching out from the water for Yosuke. As his instincts were screaming at him to stop this, it's already too late. ] Yosuke—
[ And he's pulled under with a splash, just like that. Running a couple steps with an outstretched hand, dread creeps up his spine. Whatever that was, something was in the water and he could very well only have seconds to act. Instead of letting this fleeting fear take root however, the blond wastes little time in rushing towards the water's surface, staring down into it as he stares for any sign of life, any signs of his body. ]
Yosuke!
[ ... ]
Tch, dammit... [ There's no time to waste. If there were merpeople beneath the surface, waiting to draw unsuspecting listeners into the depths, Cloud was intent on blowing past them to save his friend. Just when he was about to jump straight in, he sees him breach the surface with a sharp gasp for air. He holds onto that brief trickle of relief at the sight of him still in one piece, ready to call for him when he can't help noticing the gradually growing exhaustion on his face. Did he even realize that Cloud was there...?
He shakes his head and takes the leap, springing out over the Spring's surface as he dives in. Almost immediately, the cold threatens to sap him of his strength, though the blond wasn't fully aware of what he was about to see yet. He's too focused on reaching for Yosuke before it's too late. Powering through as he breaches the surface of the water, Cloud swims towards him in record time, reaching out to grab him by the back of his shirt, kicking to stay afloat. ]
no subject
Cloud's learned his lesson by now. ... Wishful thinking on his part as just when he's about to turn and leave when it seems nothing else was amiss...the melodic tones of the merfolk draw his ear. His footsteps feel heavier than usual, and the last step he takes before a chill trickles down his spine crunches beneath his foot, louder than before. The voice is faded, yet it's not like it's coming from an unknown direction either. For a time, he stands there, at odds with himself over what to do. But in the end, his curiosity wins out for better or for worse.
When he does arrive at the Spring, he simply watches from afar as someone familiar is kneeling over the rocks over the water's surface. The voice was getting closer, stronger, more beautiful and surreal. He's not certain as to why Yosuke was here too, but his reasons were his alone... It seems like, for a time, Cloud was about to contently let himself stand there on the sidelines, giving the young man his own space to pique his curiosity. ]
...? [ Perhaps he should have intervened sooner, or spoken up. Because like a scene happening in slow-motion, his eyes widen when he realizes a set of slender arms were reaching out from the water for Yosuke. As his instincts were screaming at him to stop this, it's already too late. ] Yosuke—
[ And he's pulled under with a splash, just like that. Running a couple steps with an outstretched hand, dread creeps up his spine. Whatever that was, something was in the water and he could very well only have seconds to act. Instead of letting this fleeting fear take root however, the blond wastes little time in rushing towards the water's surface, staring down into it as he stares for any sign of life, any signs of his body. ]
Yosuke!
[ ... ]
Tch, dammit... [ There's no time to waste. If there were merpeople beneath the surface, waiting to draw unsuspecting listeners into the depths, Cloud was intent on blowing past them to save his friend. Just when he was about to jump straight in, he sees him breach the surface with a sharp gasp for air. He holds onto that brief trickle of relief at the sight of him still in one piece, ready to call for him when he can't help noticing the gradually growing exhaustion on his face. Did he even realize that Cloud was there...?
He shakes his head and takes the leap, springing out over the Spring's surface as he dives in. Almost immediately, the cold threatens to sap him of his strength, though the blond wasn't fully aware of what he was about to see yet. He's too focused on reaching for Yosuke before it's too late. Powering through as he breaches the surface of the water, Cloud swims towards him in record time, reaching out to grab him by the back of his shirt, kicking to stay afloat. ]
Pah— Yosuke! Come on.