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Post by Marlene Wallace on Mar 13, 2018 6:03:33 GMT -5
Marlene wandered much more familiar streets as she searched for a particular someone. It was good to be back home, but she was still worried by the fact that she hadn't yet found anyone from her family; Not Daddy Barrett, not Tifa, not Denzel...and not Cloud. She might not even have made it back home if it hadn't been for someone who had been willing to bring her back with them. She hadn't wanted to be a problem but she had also been really anxious to get home. After all, what if, in the time she was gone, they had been looking for her? Or what if something had happened? She hurried her steps into the market street, feeling even more lost and alone back home than she had in the mysterious Twilight Town. Her round eyes studied everyone she could see, but still, even though there were some familiar faces, she didn't see the ones she hoped to see.
She didn't recognize anyone in particular, and she was too uncertain to try approaching any of the people she saw walking around or doing things. What was she going to do?
It was now that Marlene remembered a time she, Tifa, and Denzel had gone to the Market to get some things for 7th Heaven. In all the people shopping and talking and just wandering around, Marlene had lost her hold of Tifa's hand, and was pushed back by the constant flow of people. Separated and alone, she had not known what to do, except to wait someplace Tifa would find her.
"Don't get scared.. If you ever get lost, wait near a wall, or find a central area, like a fountain or statue. We'll come find you. Promise."
Marlene had found a small fountain to stand by, and for a little while had stood on its lower edge to see if she could catch a glimpse of someone coming to find her, to take her home. But while minutes are fleeting to most grown-ups, Marlene had found them extremely long and worrying. She tried to think of things Daddy would say, and decided that though she was lost and alone, if she waited, people would find her. It was a promise, right? Those were always kept.
As time passed, she had been sitting with her head bowed, her ribbon's ends in her hands as she silently wished.
They'll find me...I know they will. Tifa promised..so they will. I have to believe they will. Can't give up. Just like Daddy Barrett says.
It was Cloud who had found her, and she had been so happy to see him that she had started crying. He had knelt down and wrapped her in a hug, just holding her for a moment before leaning back so he could brush the tears away.
"We will always find you.. No matter what. All right?"
Marlene remembered all of it now, as she stood alone, by the same fountain. She had to believe that her family would find her. They promised, and so she would try to believe in that promise. They had found her before, after all..surely someone would this time. She sat down on the edge of the fountain, and closed her eyes, waiting. Waiting...
I'm here...come find me..
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2018 13:51:10 GMT -5
Cloud rode the plains on his huge motorcycle, Fenrir. The wind blew in his face as he whipped through earthly obstacles on his bike. Cloud never thought that he would see his own world again. He hadn't since he had come back from facing Sephiroth, but how he got he was quite strange. Before, Cloud went back to the place in Radiant Garden where he had disappeared with Sephiroth, Cloud thought that Aerith had been there waiting for him, however, he had been mistaken. It simply turned out to be a regular young woman. To say that Cloud was embarrassed would have been a complete understatement. Cloud apologized to the woman; she accepted his apology and left Cloud in that open space but before she completely left Cloud, Cloud turned to ask her a question. He couldn't help himself; he had asked the young woman if she knew who Aerith was or if she even knew where she was, but alas, she didn't. Cloud thanked her for her time; the woman smiled at him and bid Cloud farewell. Cloud then began to look for clues, anything at all that might have sent Cloud and Sephiroth to that other place to fight. After an hour or two, Cloud found nothing. Cloud crossed his arms and sighed. He simply got on his motorcycle and left the area.
Cloud decided that before he would even step foot into the bustling sugar rush-like chaos that was Merlin's house, he would get some fresh air. Cloud got on his motorcycle and put on his sunglasses. He put the kickstand back up and turned on the beastly engine of his motorcycle and rode off to the entrance of the city and out of it. Cloud didn't really pay attention to his surroundings but so he didn't really see his scenery change, but sooner rather than later, he found that the different colors and hues had changed from a blue/purple/orange mix to a green and blue and black mix of colors. Cloud widened his eyes and immediately power-slid into a stop. Cloud wasn't sure what had happened, but he knew the green plains that he had found himself on anywhere. Cloud was back home. Cloud looked all around him to see the mountains in the distance and different sections of forests all around him. It had been the first time he had seen the Planet since he got sucked into the war between Chaos and Cosmos. Cloud figured that he would ride to Edge, thinking that Denzel and Marlene probably missed him greatly. Cloud couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces but of course, the gleeful feelings were kept inside. Cloud's facial expressions were as blank as fresh white printing paper. Cloud adjusted his sunglasses and decided to ride to Edge.
He rode into Edge, and everything seemed pretty normal. He rode slow just to make sure but he hadn’t been in Edge for a very, very long time. That revelation didn’t really hit Cloud as hard as he thought it would, which worried Cloud. All he ever wanted was to take Yuffie, Cid, Tifa, and Aerith and just head home, but he knew very well that he couldn’t, not with the Heartless running around. However, then again, if he was home, maybe the others made it too! Cloud smiled lightly to himself. There was only one way to tell. Cloud decided to head to 7th Heaven to see if his friends were there. On the way there, he found a little girl sitting at a fountain. Cloud narrowed his eyes in the young girl’s direction. There was no mistaking who this girl was. It was Marlene. Cloud made a quick turn and rode to the fountain. He turned off the bike and put the kickstand out and walked over calmly to the young girl. It was then that something clicked to him. Marlene had been alone all this time. Cloud kneeled down in front of Marlene.
“Marlene, are you alright?”, Cloud said, putting a hand on her small arm. “Are you hurt?”
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Post by Marlene Wallace on Mar 29, 2018 10:36:00 GMT -5
Marlene had rested her head on her arms, trying to stay positive and hopeful, but also trying to be as small as possible so that she didn't attract unwanted attention. At the familiar sound of a motorbike, she had lifted her head eagerly to see if it was who she thought it was. Unfortunately, it hadn't been, and so when the sound came again, and stopped, she didn't look up this time. She didn't want to be disappointed again, and she felt very alone. It was only the very familiar voice that brought her back to the present, and she felt a hand on her arm. Could it be..?
Round hazel eyes looked up at Cloud with a piteous expression in them, but the sadness vanished quickly to be replaced with surprise and relief, and joy. She jumped up from her seat to hug him, hiding her face against him for a moment. She was overcome by relief and so happy he had found her. After the moment had passed, she looked at him, seeming more confident and less worried.
Her hand found his, though, and she squeezed it as she smiled, if a little anxiously.
"I'm okay, I'm not hurt. I knew you would find me. I did what Tifa told me to do if I get lost.."
Marlene smiled, clearly confident in Cloud and Tifa, and knowing they wouldn't leave her on purpose. Her smile faded a little as she continued to speak, telling him everything.
"I waited in 7th Heaven like you said, I promise! But I guess I fell asleep or something, because I don't really remember anything else. And when I woke up, everyone was gone.. I didn't know where I was! Nobody from home was there, there were different people, and it was sunset all the time. They had a great ice cream thing, and people were nice, but I wanted to come home. The only thing people could tell me was to take a train, but I didn't think that would work; a lady was nice enough to let me ride with her in some sort of personal travel ship thing. She didn't know where we lived but she said she could drop me off. I came back to 7th Heaven but nobody was here, so I decided I'd better try to find you. But I couldn't, and i was so tired and I remembered what Tifa said to do if I got lost, so I waited."
She looked into his eyes, hoping he isn't mad or upset; she was just glad he was here.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2018 23:11:56 GMT -5
“It’s ok, it’s ok. You’re safe now, it’s alright…”, Cloud said as Marlene looked up and ran into his arms, holding his hand in her small ones.
Cloud couldn’t believe that he was back home. He didn’t know what brought him home. He didn’t know who brought him home, but he was glad that he made it. He really didn’t care who saw him hug what would appear to be some random kid on the street. Cloud was happy to see Marlene, but moreover, he was happy to see Marlene in his own world. He had been away for quite some time. In fact, he wasn’t quite sure how much time had passed. Had it been a week, a year, or a couple of years? Cloud had no way of knowing. Marlene looked the same but then again, Cloud knew that he could pick Marlene out from a crowd of little girls that looked and dressed like her. Cloud smiled when Marlene told Cloud that she did exactly what Tifa told her to do. That was another person that he missed dearly. He hadn’t seen Tifa since he faced off against Sephiroth at Radiant Garden, Cloud still didn’t know where he was either.
Cloud’s bright eyes looked into Marlene’s own and listened to her story, paying as much attention as he could with a warm smile on his face. He listened to how she waited at 7th Heaven but then when she fell asleep and woke up, she ended up being in a place that was quite unlike any town, city, state, or country in Cloud’s own world. Cloud’s eyes narrowed when she described the place. It sounded like Twilight Town. On top of that, Marlene hitched a ride with someone that she didn’t know. Cloud wasn’t sure what to make of that either, but the lady apparently was able to drop her off at the right world. 7th Heaven was empty according to Marlene as well. Cloud wouldn’t let it show on his face but it would appear that Tifa hadn’t made it back home yet, either that or she was out and about. The possibilities were endless due to the fact that all of these worlds have now been connected and tied together. It was frustrating that forces beyond Cloud’s control or jurisdiction were warping Cloud’s entire life and the lives of those that he cared deeply for.
“It’s alright. You did great, Marlene. I’m proud of you. I’m so happy you are safe and nothing has happened to you.”, Cloud said, taking off his dirty, battle-worn gloves and gently rubbing Marlene’s arms to reassure her.
This was bad. Cloud didn’t think that crossing worlds would affect anyone like Marlene, but now, even she was being tossed from world to world. Something had to be done. Marlene was in danger now. What if she pops into another world and she ends up being face to face with Sephiroth or a Heartless? Cloud couldn’t even imagine that. He wouldn’t want to be in the same room as Barret if he heard about it. What would he have thought about all of this? Cloud probably would have been shot on accident; Barret gets trigger-happy whenever he’s mad or sad…or just having a normal day. Cloud placed his hand on Marlene’s head and did his best to keep his smile on his face but Cloud had to do something. The worlds being connected and intertwined did not bode well for Cloud and now it was affecting Marlene.
“How about this? Let’s head back to 7th Heaven and see if anyone is home?”, Cloud said, standing up and holding out his hand for Marlene to take so that he could lead her to his motorcycle.
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Post by Marlene Wallace on Jul 4, 2018 6:05:24 GMT -5
Marlene watched Cloud, and somewhere in her young mind she marvelled at his patience to listen to everything she had to say, as it was quite a bit and the young girl knew at times she could be a bit overwhelming with her questions and comments and curiosity. But he listened attentively, though she could see her was deep in thought and some parts of her story might concern him; when she mentioned Tifa she could see the glint in his eyes; her missed her too. But of course he did, the young girl thought to herself. He loves her, and she loves him, a child could see it. The idea made her smile a bit, brought back to attention quickly when Cloud rubbed her arms comfortingly. Her round hazel eyes met his blue-green ones, and she stood when he did, taking his offered hand and walking beside him.
She seemed quite happy with the idea of going home, and walked beside him happily. Home was where everyone should be, and hopefully would be again. She wondered where everyone had gone, but finding herself on another world had been equally puzzling, though not bad, as she had made friends with a couple of kids and maybe she would see them again someday, too. Right now, however, Cloud was home and so she would be, shortly. As they approached Fenrir, Marlene grinned, as she had always liked the name and the sound it made. Bikes were cool, and Cloud made it cooler...
She paused when they reached the bike, running a hand over the metal appreciatively.
"Do you think Tifa will be home soon? And Denzel?"
If anyone knew the answer, Cloud would. Marlene had unshakeable confidence in her family.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2018 16:00:15 GMT -5
Cloud found comfort in knowing that Marlene was safe and sound; Barret wouldn’t have to attempt to rip Cloud’s head from his shoulders, at least for right now. Cloud held Marlene’s hand gently as they made their way to over to Cloud’s motorcycle. Marlene and Denzel always like Fenrir. Cloud remembered when Denzel would stay out with Cloud and watch him work on tuning his bike. He even helped on occasion. Cloud kept his eyes peeled, though. He tried not to let it show but his time in Sora’s universe made him a bit more paranoid than he was before. He was more alert, warier of what was around him, who was around him, and who happened to be around the people that he cared about the most. The mark of SOLDIER in his eyes glistened as he looked all around him inconspicuously, familiarizing himself with Edge, a city that he had been long absent from and not by his own doing in any way, shape, or form. Cloud and Marlene made it to his bike. Cloud checked the bike over, kneeling down next to it to take a look at it to see if anything looked out of place before he put Marlene on the bike.
Cloud heard the young one’s question, wondering if Tifa and or Denzel will be there to greet them. Cloud tried his best not to let it show; he had no clue as to where Tifa might be and according to Marlene, Denzel could be anywhere since she didn’t see him. There was so much to do, so much to protect. Cloud wished he could just close off this world so that people like Marlene and Denzel wouldn’t get hurt or caught up in all this mess. Cloud always wondered if that was the key to everything. Although, Cloud knew that he couldn’t. People needed him; he couldn’t be selfish. Cloud looked to Marlene and smiled. “I don’t think, I know she'll be home soon, and so will Denzel. If not, then we will look for ‘em.”, Cloud said with a warm smile.
Cloud exhaled as he kneeled in front of Marlene. If she let him, he attempted to pick her up gently and place her on Fenrir, with enough space for Cloud to straddle the bike himself so he could drive it. Cloud knew that he had to believe in hope; even when he couldn’t see the point in having any. That was what made all the difference in any set of circumstances that Cloud had found himself in. Cloud dug into his pocket to get his black gloves out. He slipped them on, turned on his motorcycle and let the huge engine roar to life. “Grab on, Marlene, let’s go home.”
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Post by Marlene Wallace on Aug 5, 2018 20:19:56 GMT -5
Marlene looked up at Cloud, noticing that he seemed to be in thought; she wouldn't disturb whatever it was he was thinking about at the moment. Instead, she would continue to run her fingers over Fenrir, admiring the bike before looking back up to Cloud when he spoke, and she felt a confident warmth fill her as she listened to his encouraging words. He sounded almost exactly like Tifa, what seemed a long time ago now, when she and Tifa had gone looking for Cloud.
She was confident that he knew what he was talking about, but she knew, too, that adults sometimes didn't write know the answers to everything either; it wasn't really fair to expect them to, after all, they were people too. She understood this probably more that most children, but then, Marlene Wallace was not 'most children'. She had seen a lot in her years and she felt that she had grown considerably. While others might view her as simply a child, she knew Cloud and Tifa didn't just think that. She felt that they were protective and family, but they didn't treat her or Denzel like little children.
She smiled up at Cloud as he picked her up and set her on Fenrir.
"I guess the tables have turned, now it'll be you and me looking for Tifa. I know we'll find her. Or she'll find us. And we'll find Denzel. I know we can."
She settled on the seat, and waited as Cloud started Fenrir.
Home sounded like a wonderful wonderful idea.
"Yes, let's go home!"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2018 16:08:24 GMT -5
Cloud was, for lack of better words, conflicted. He wanted to tell Marlene the truth; that he didn’t know if they would be able to find Tifa or Denzel or anyone that they knew right away for that matter. He wasn’t sure how everything was going to play out. It was rare for him to ever truly know what’s going on. Cloud always seemed to be one step behind everyone and everything. The only way he was ever able to get away with it was because his friends helped or because he was a better fighter than his opposition. Cloud didn’t even know where to start searching. Cloud dug into his pocket as Marlene readied herself for the ride. He caught grip of his phone and opened it; there were no messages, which was quite unlike Tifa. He suddenly wished he hadn’t taken all those calls that Tifa gave for granted when Cloud was out on his own. Cloud let of a slight sigh of defeat when he found his phone dry and devoid on anything related to Tifa or anyone reaching out to him. He had hoped that they were all ok, wherever they were. It wouldn’t be good if they got hurt or worse. Cloud let himself lean forward and grab onto the handlebars, he ignited the engine and drove off slow; minding the fact that Marlene was holding on to him. Cloud could handle the speed, but he didn’t want Marlene flying off into the distance because Cloud put the pedal to the medal. So, he started off slow but he picked up the pace a little bit as they got on the road. He wasn’t able to get in touch with Tifa, he didn’t know where Tifa and the others were, save for Cid, Yuffie, and Aerith, however, finding the young Marlene was an incredible start and Cloud was back home. He would take this blessing in stride and build on it and soon, the family will be back together again. Cloud and Marlene have left the thread together and the thread has ended.
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