[There's a flicker of fear across Tifa's expression when she recognizes it – that pause, and that look on his face – that she hardly notices the black chocobo feather fluttering between them. A perk to knowing him for as long as she has is that it's not hard to tell when something isn't right, but the downside is constant concern. He's been through a lot, but Tifa will never stop worrying.
She's about to ask him if he's alright when he goes on, and she wipes it away with a smile as she slips her own VR set over her eyes. The scenery immediately unfolds before her, putting her beside Cloud at the top of a snowy hill. Looking down, it's as if her feet are strapped to a snowboard, so she turns to adjust.
This should be interesting.]
Wasn't there a 'girls only' rule?
[There was no such rule implemented. She's used to Barret, and she honestly doesn't mind having him around, so she'll accept it.]
You're on. I'm ready when you are, so start the countdown!
[ Barret may be loud and annoying, but he can definitely be trusted with the ladies if he had to room with them. Meanwhile, Cloud can barely share a bench with others, let alone a whole room... this arrangement, should he win this contest, is going to work out great for him! It's time to show her just how cool he is! ]
Three... two... one.... go--
[ Hard cut to 5 minutes later, in which some cleverly placed obstacles and traps caused Cloud to roll down the hill for most of the course. This is a game after all, so he should have expected some trickery. Did he even make it first or second?!? Everything in the last minute has been a bit of a blur, he struggles to get to his feet even in VR mode. ]
[Tifa is no better at dodging the snowmen or keeping herself on her feet, having hit several more on her way to catch up to Cloud, and she tries to slow down when she spots him further on the slope struggling to get back on his feet. Next to him, her laughter continues to ring out as it's been for the past five minutes.]
You didn't think it was going to be easy, did you?
[She'd make another jab at him about where his snowy mountain experience went, but she figures his pride is already sore enough, so she stretches a hand to reach for his, as if it'll help him in VR world.]
I'll meet you at the finish line.
[But as soon as he's ready to go, Tifa is off, speeding through the last stretch of the race to the end. She can see it – the line to cross to mark herself the winner... Not that she cares much about who wins because she's been having fun either way, but damn it that gondola ride sounds relaxing, and it would have been a good opportunity for them to catch up!
She dodges one last snowman – the largest one she's seen, intended to really throw people off course before the end, and flies through the finish line with relative ease... up until she loses her balance as she tries to come to a hard halt, but that won't impede her from encouraging Cloud through the remainder of the course.]
[ For what it's worth (which is not much to him in the end) he does manage to adapt fairly quickly to the chaotic course, and dodges the last snowman in a ridiculous slo-mo sequence that one would only expect in a videogame. When he crosses the finish line, the victory fanfare plays, congratulating them both on completing the course! They even earn some Gold Saucer points, which can later be traded in for fun prizes.
Despite his impressive effort and comeback at the end, it's clear that he still lost the race and he finds himself too embarrassed to face her for the time being. ]
Not a word about this to Aerith or Barret.
[ They'll tease him endlessly!!! 😢 ]
You sure you haven't done this before?
[ Meanwhile the VR world around them is beginning to shut down, indicating that it's time to take off their headsets. Don't worry, he intends on honouring the deal. ]
[Tifa is the first to remove hers as the game sings its fanfare, marveling in the point count going up. It isn't much by any stretch, especially in comparison to what the pros are winning around here, but the fact that they got any is an achievement.]
Not a word!
[Unless, of course, they ask... in which case, she may oblige. But only if they ask. She presses a finger to her lips for emphasis before hopping off the platform for a stretch.]
Pretty sure I haven't. Beginner's luck? For what it's worth, I don't think you did half-bad, especially for someone who's been on a snowy mountain before.
[She isn't even teasing, but she totally means that. Genuinely not half-bad... even if he did lose.]
[ Like a petulant teenager, he only feels more patronized by that compliment. This experience was nothing like being in the real snow!! It's time he swallowed his pride though, she did beat him fair and square at the end of the day. ]
You did well for someone who hasn't been to those places.
[ Maybe their journey will take them there now! He'll need to make sure they all pack jackets. Before they enjoy the heights of a mountain, however, there is a place in the sky for them here that they owe a visit... the big ride! That is, if she's still up for it... wait, what does he care??? ]
...Not sick of heights yet, are you?
[ Just... asking...... in case there's a "psyche!" coming his way. The ladies have really done a number on him in the past few months. ]
The game was fun, but she's been looking forward to it long before they slipped into their VR headsets. She may have even tried to convince him to go in the event of a loss. It'll be a nice opportunity for them to spend some time together without all the hustle and bustle of the Saucer.
And with that, Tifa leads the way in the direction of the ride. The line is short, thankfully – only a few couples ahead of them – so it gives her a chance for a small reminder.]
This isn't quite what I had in mind when I said we should hit the town. Your outfit doesn't even match mine.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
She's about to ask him if he's alright when he goes on, and she wipes it away with a smile as she slips her own VR set over her eyes. The scenery immediately unfolds before her, putting her beside Cloud at the top of a snowy hill. Looking down, it's as if her feet are strapped to a snowboard, so she turns to adjust.
This should be interesting.]
Wasn't there a 'girls only' rule?
[There was no such rule implemented. She's used to Barret, and she honestly doesn't mind having him around, so she'll accept it.]
You're on. I'm ready when you are, so start the countdown!
no subject
Three... two... one.... go--
[ Hard cut to 5 minutes later, in which some cleverly placed obstacles and traps caused Cloud to roll down the hill for most of the course. This is a game after all, so he should have expected some trickery. Did he even make it first or second?!? Everything in the last minute has been a bit of a blur, he struggles to get to his feet even in VR mode. ]
--ngh, why were there so many snowmen?
no subject
You didn't think it was going to be easy, did you?
[She'd make another jab at him about where his snowy mountain experience went, but she figures his pride is already sore enough, so she stretches a hand to reach for his, as if it'll help him in VR world.]
I'll meet you at the finish line.
[But as soon as he's ready to go, Tifa is off, speeding through the last stretch of the race to the end. She can see it – the line to cross to mark herself the winner... Not that she cares much about who wins because she's been having fun either way, but damn it that gondola ride sounds relaxing, and it would have been a good opportunity for them to catch up!
She dodges one last snowman – the largest one she's seen, intended to really throw people off course before the end, and flies through the finish line with relative ease... up until she loses her balance as she tries to come to a hard halt, but that won't impede her from encouraging Cloud through the remainder of the course.]
C'mon! Just dodge that last one.
no subject
Despite his impressive effort and comeback at the end, it's clear that he still lost the race and he finds himself too embarrassed to face her for the time being. ]
Not a word about this to Aerith or Barret.
[ They'll tease him endlessly!!! 😢 ]
You sure you haven't done this before?
[ Meanwhile the VR world around them is beginning to shut down, indicating that it's time to take off their headsets. Don't worry, he intends on honouring the deal. ]
no subject
Not a word!
[Unless, of course, they ask... in which case, she may oblige. But only if they ask. She presses a finger to her lips for emphasis before hopping off the platform for a stretch.]
Pretty sure I haven't. Beginner's luck? For what it's worth, I don't think you did half-bad, especially for someone who's been on a snowy mountain before.
[She isn't even teasing, but she totally means that. Genuinely not half-bad... even if he did lose.]
no subject
You did well for someone who hasn't been to those places.
[ Maybe their journey will take them there now! He'll need to make sure they all pack jackets. Before they enjoy the heights of a mountain, however, there is a place in the sky for them here that they owe a visit... the big ride! That is, if she's still up for it... wait, what does he care??? ]
...Not sick of heights yet, are you?
[ Just... asking...... in case there's a "psyche!" coming his way. The ladies have really done a number on him in the past few months. ]
no subject
[C'mon, she isn't Barret!
The game was fun, but she's been looking forward to it long before they slipped into their VR headsets. She may have even tried to convince him to go in the event of a loss. It'll be a nice opportunity for them to spend some time together without all the hustle and bustle of the Saucer.
And with that, Tifa leads the way in the direction of the ride. The line is short, thankfully – only a few couples ahead of them – so it gives her a chance for a small reminder.]
This isn't quite what I had in mind when I said we should hit the town. Your outfit doesn't even match mine.
[Except she's all smiles anyway.]
no subject