[Video or Action Post] A Death Announcement

[tinymakoaddict.livejournal.com]

[When Shelke appears on the screen, she is sitting on a chair that she has dragged out behind the Strife-Lockhart house in Lindblum, her legs tugged up and crossed in front of her, and a crumpled white bag with the word '-akery' visible on the front. She doesn't say anything for a good fifteen or twenty seconds, considering the screen carefully. She seems quite calm though...most likely the reason she is doing this instead of a different member of the family.]

For those of you that knew him, Cloud Strife is dead. He was involved in an...altercation...by the Dragon Gate in Lindblum which he did not survive.

If anyone wishes to pay their respects to Tifa and the others, you are allowed to come by but things are somewhat...disorganized. [A faint frown then, and her blue eyes narrow.] Warning us beforehand would be appreciated.

[Another pause, as though she weren't certain what else to say, and then she reaches up and turns off the phone.]

[[OOC: So, here's the official 'Cloud is Dead' notice for anyone who missed it/would like to react to it again. For people who happen to be at the house, or wanting to stop by, that can happen here too! And feel free to threadjump. ]

Comments

[Action]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

I know...

[It feels inadequate to say that, but Tifa can't quite express her feelings yet. There are too many. Instead, she steps towards Aerith. A hug would be good right about now.]

Re: [Action]

[tinymakoaddict.livejournal.com]

[Shelke takes a half-step backwards when Tifa arrives, her eyes looking from one woman to the other consideringly. She didn't know what to say to anyone about this. Death was something she had adjusted to over her years in Deepground. Did that mean she could cope with Cloud's death? She...honestly wasn't certain yet. So she remained silent.]

[Action]

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

[It was truly like waking up from a dream. Everything seemed so perfect at the ball a few days ago that made today feel so surreal for Aerith. How could he be dead? Their hero, their leader, their friend was dead.]

I am so sorry. [She managed to whisper out once she came near Tifa. Wrapping her arms around the other woman, Aerith hugged Tifa as tightly as she could.]

I am so, so sorry...

[Action]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

[Tifa hugs Aerith back just as tightly, tears welling in her eyes. She manages to force them away as she steps back again.]

Thank you for being here, Aerith. It... It means a lot. Do you want to come in and sit down? Have a drink?

[She gestures towards the living room, intending to lead the way in.]

[Action]

[tinymakoaddict.livejournal.com]

[Shelke watched Tifa leading her friend away, and then moved back to her seat on the couch where she was playing doorman. Door woman? Where she was opening the door when people showed up.]

[Action]

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

[Silently hearing her own heart breaking, Aerith braced herself once she saw how much pain lingered within Tifa's eyes.]

Yeah, I think...maybe a drink would be nice.

[Glancing over towards the couch once Shelke meandered off to, Aerith found herself struggling to keep herself up right during all this.]

Where's everyone else? [Her gaze shifted over towards Tifa.] How are Denzel and Marlene doing?

[She figured that the younger children weren't doing very well.]

[Action]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

They're... Well, they're shocked and upset. They've been staying in their rooms, mostly. It's not easy to console them... They love Cloud so much.

[Her voice cracks, and she shakes it off with a smile.]

Okay, drink coming up.

[She goes to the kitchen to make them coffee, and adds a tot of brandy too. They could do with it. Then it's back to the living room to sit down. Tifa looks at Aerith with bright eyes.]

I think he'll come back.

[Action]

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

[The children loved Cloud just as much as their mother did, that was clearly evident to Aerith.]

Okay...

[Watching as Tifa wandered off, Aerith raked her hand through her hair as she sat down at a nearby chair. Gazing around at the room before her, she wondered just how many memories were had here in this modest living room.]

I bet he was a good dad. [A little comment she made before Tifa returned.]

Ah? You think he'll come back?

[Reaching for her coffee mug, Aerith took her first sip. It was strong, but she needed something strong right now.]

The Iifa Tree does seem to restore life to those who've lost it, but it's not always guaranteed.

[Action]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

[Tifa nods, sipping her coffee.]

I know it's not, but as long as there's a chance... Did I ever tell you about what happened the last time you were here, Aerith?