Nightshift 46: M11-M20 Hallway

[notthistrain.livejournal.com]

Once again the doors had opened. Cloud believed most of what Yuffie had told him, but it was still unreal the way this place operated. They were clearly being tested, mocked, or both with the nightly routine, yet they didn't have many other options but to take the chances they were given.

Still unarmed, but hopefully ready to deal with anything, the blond nodded a goodbye to his roommate before stepping out into the hall with nothing but his flashlight. Yuffie's room was in the single female block, which was on the other side of the block he was currently in. It wouldn't take long to get there, but knowing that creatures could attack the patients even within the patient block caused him to keep his guard up right from the start.

[to here]

Comments

Re: M18

[heavens-too-far.livejournal.com]

When Dias lifted his head again, it was to find Celes' face inches from his owns - a realization that served to quite effectively wipe out all thoughts of old wounds in order to replace them with fresh bafflement and uncertainty. He'd observed for some time now that he and Celes were alike in many ways, but in just as many ways she was entirely inscrutable to him; now was one of the latter instances. Part of him was still waiting on that punch; there was a rock-hard core of cynicism that even wondered if this wasn't simply some sort of ruse to throw him off-guard for it. And instead she was leaning in too close for anything except - well, something he'd assumed she'd punch any man for trying.

Knowing he was already due a punch as it was, Dias opted to give her a questioning look and see what, exactly, she intended. His social skills were badly stunted as it was; he wasn't going to risk misreading this cue, if it was meant to be a cue at all.

Re: M18

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

Celes scoffed slightly and rolled her eyes, "Men." Really, she'd come this far, with little planning on her part, actually, she'd might as well go in for the rest. In for a penny, in for a gil, as the saying went.

Slowly, and possibly to keep him from instinctively flinching away, Celes kept her hands stiffly on his shoulder and closed the rest of the distance between them. Her lips pressed gently and congenially against his. A kiss could mean many things, as far as Celes had been concerned. It had been a payment for a knife once, and to other people meant much more than Celes thought it should. But there was reason behind this, and much more than Celes knew she could put into verbal expression.

Still, his lips were warm and slightly chapped, and not womanly soft thank all the goddesses for that, much to Celes's relief. He'd just better have some idea of what she was putting behind this sneaky attack of hers.

Re: M18

[heavens-too-far.livejournal.com]

Dias didn't have the first idea of what Celes was doing. (Or, rather, why - what she was doing was fairly obvious even to someone with his limited experience.) He wasn't sure what his first reaction should have been to being kissed by the last woman he'd ever have expected as much from, though - thanks to her exasperated remark as she leaned in - what it actually turned out to be was a roll of his own eyes in return.

Women. It was probably just as well she was preventing him from saying it aloud.

Trying to discern her motives seemed pointless, at least for the moment, and the kiss was pleasant enough - and coming from a woman that, baffling tendencies aside, he cared about and admired. With questioning or refusing it deemed thus unneccessary, response was left as the only logical option - though without experience he'd need to rely on instinct. Not that this presented any great difficulty; instinct had served him well before.

A gloved hand lifted to rest at the back of her neck. If figuring Celes out were at all possible, he'd have to do it later.

Re: M18

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

A few long moments ticked by before Celes finally pulled back, thankful for the dim lighting that hopefully hid the pinkness from her cheeks, though she couldn't say she had nearly as much cover for the warmth that rolled off her face. Still, Celes was a noblewoman and a General to boot (even if she was a branded traitor). She could handle this with aplomb. "I realize that was forward of me, and I apologize. However, Dias, I have come to realize that I'm rather fond of you. Overfond, perhaps, given the situation and our goals.

"But, even with all that, I would just like to make it perfectly crystal-clear to you." Celes reached up and closed her fingers over his hand. "So there is little confusion for both parties should something irreversible happen."