(no subject)

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

When; Backdated to last night the 25th
Rating; PG 13
Characters; Everyone invited
Summary; It's Winter Moon time and the Gaians are celebrating it their way.
Log;

He started building the pile of wood as soon as the sun waned. Anything and everything that could burn was piled into the base of the bonfire, the outside lined with large stones for heating drinks and food. Set a few feet back from that circle were some smooth rocks and a couple large coolers where they could sit and talk without getting too burnt by the flames. Cloud finished piling the initial stack of wood and used a small Fire spell to start it going. He smiled at the fiery glow, for once not seeing the ruins of his home inside the flames. No, this time all he saw were the flames, spitting and dancing in the sharp air.

Turning towards one of the coolers, he took out a battered pot, filled it with some spiced apple juice and set it on a stone to warm up. Another bottle held some pale amber liquid that smelt of winter-bruised apples that he took a capful and tossed it into the fire sending flames high before it settled again. The next capful he drank before closing it and setting it back into the cooler. Then Cloud waited for the others to show up.

Comments

[browning-baby.livejournal.com]

Anita appeared a while later, bundled up against the cold as well as toting a heavy blanket under her arm. She smiled a bit at Cloud as she walked closer.

"Hey there. I got out early since Lux wasn't so busy. Reeve should be along as soon as he's done."

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

"Hey there," Cloud said, looking away form the flames. He smiled an honest smile, his cheeks flushed from standing near the fire and tossing pieces of wood into it. "I'm glad you could come."

[browning-baby.livejournal.com]

Oh, like she could resist grinning back at the sight of his smile. No matter how things had ended up between them, she still appreciated how attractive Cloud was. Even though she was seeing someone else, she would always have a soft spot for him.

"I doubt someone would've let me just go home tonight. He's been looking forward to this."

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

"I can imagine. We haven't had one of these for a long while."

His smile turned wistful and he looked back at the fire, remembering how all of them had gathered at that last bonfire, most of them still sore and dirty and tired from Meteor. Meeting together at Seventh Heaven just wasn't the same.

Cloud shook his head and waved a hand at the coolers. "Help yourself to food - if you want it warmed up just set it near the fire. I've got some cider too, but I've got to warn you about the kick."

[browning-baby.livejournal.com]

Anita nodded and paced closer to the fire, letting her fingers slip out to wave through the flames. The burn was an almost pleasant flare of pain along her skin but it didn't last long enough to worry about. As soon as she pulled her hand away, the scorch faded into the normal pale skin she always had. With an almost wry smile, she leaned down to try some of the cider.

[invocadora.livejournal.com]

It did not take long for Yuna to reach the beach, given where she and Rikku had taken to living in the lighthouse. She wore both the shawl and hairpins she had been giving, and the earrings Tseng had given her hung from her ears. It was important to her that she let her new friends see how the things they'd gotten her--for seemingly no reason--looked, and how much she appreciated them.

Booted feet made soft crunching sounds in the snow as she strode up behind the fire at a modest pace, and stopped to look around with a whimsical smile on her face.

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

Cloud removed the steaming pot from near the flames, setting it down on a smooth stone so it could cool to a little. Glancing up, he smiled at the sight of Yuna wearing his gifts. The wrap and hairpins fitted well with her other clothing.

"Hello, Yuna. I'm glad you could make it."

[invocadora.livejournal.com]

Tentatively, Yuna returned the smile. It warmed after a moment, and she seated herself upon a flat, large stone across from the host of the bonfire.

"Hello, Cloud. Thank you for inviting me--and for the presents. They are beautiful."

The summoner smoothed her violet skirt, blue and green eyes taken in the slightly frozen ocean. Though it was an odd sight for someone from the tropics, she loved being near the water. Next, her eyes turned to the pot he'd set down, and nodded toward it.

"Is that the cider you mentioned?" she asked, cruious.

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad you like them."

He glanced over at the pot and shook his head, the smile fading but still there in the soft glow of his eyes and the curve of his mouth. Cloud fished out a small glass from a cooler and picked up the bottle filled with pale amber liquid and poured a small amount into the glass. Making sure the cap was on tight, he set the bottle back down in the snow and offered Yuna the glass.

"This is winter cider," he said.

[lyra-of-dust.livejournal.com]

"Cloud!"

Lyra was bundled up, carrying a small basket, with Pantalaimon curled up inside her hood.

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

"Lyra," he said, smiling a little as she came into the clearing. "It's nice to see you."

[itachi-kunoichi.livejournal.com]

Misao waved to Lyra energetically.

"Lyra-chan!!!"

[itachi-kunoichi.livejournal.com]

Misao bounded over as quickly as she could while carrying two jugs of saké and several bento boxes of sushi and onigiri. She was wearing the clothes Cloud had gifted her with, and was quite mobile even in the change of attire.

The energetic ninja girl loved parties, as was her nature. She always thought of reasons to celebrate because she loved life and upheld it in all the ways she could. And if there was a special occasion? Then all the more reason to parrrrrtyyyyy!

"CLLLLLLLLOUUUUUUUUD!!!"

She came rushing over, treading through the snow and the sand, the cold making her cheeks a rosy pink.

"HIIIIIIIII!!!"

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

Cloud outright laughed at the sight of Misao carrying all that and still being hyper and bouncy. He stepped forward to help her with her offerings, looking around before setting them next to the rest of the coolers and drinks.

"Hi, Misao," he said. "I'm glad you can make it."

[itachi-kunoichi.livejournal.com]

"Whatcha laughin' at?"

Misao blinked at him before letting him help her set the things down. The night really was perfect, and she clapped her hands together with glee.

"Man, I just know we're gonna have so much funnnn!!!"

Excited, she launched herself into his arms for a MASSIVE HUG, squeezing him tight while laughing excitedly.

[urbandev.livejournal.com]

Freed from Anita, Reeve crossed his arms watching Misao maul his collegue. "Oh, sure, I see how it is," he called to the girl. Who said he wanted Ninja hugs anyway?

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

Stopping ninja sneak attack hugs were next to impossible. Cloud laughed again, a little less loudly than the first time, but it felt good to relax enough that he could laugh among friends. He hugged her back and then let her go, giving her a little bump towards Reeve.

Hands free, he went to put some more wood on the blaze and check the heating pots.

[bigfreakinshot.livejournal.com]

Just like back home, huh? That was the thought that crossed Barret's mind as he arrived at the bonfire. The weather was perfect for this kind of thing, and although it wasn't really home, he thought it was great that they were trying. They were stuck here, after all--might as well make it worth it, right?

He looked around when he got there, seeing people he knew well and people he didn't know much at all. Cloud did say there'd be others here, too. Of course, after the sailor suit deal, the only person he really wanted to see was Cloud anyway. Maybe not to give him the beating he'd promised, but.. hey. Whatever worked.

"Yo, Spikey! How thing's goin' over here?"

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

"We're doing good with the supplies so far," Cloud said, standing up and brushing off his hands on his jeans. He rummaged in a box for a moment and held out a wrapped package towards him, an apologetic smile on his lips.

"Here. Sorry about the suit."

[bigfreakinshot.livejournal.com]

"Sounds alright," he said, taking another look around. Everything did seem to be going fine, so for now, he wouldn't have to worry. "If you need anythin' else, though, make sure you let me know. I'll see what I can do."

At Cloud's apology, Barret shook his head. "Yeah, yeah. Don't mention it again, else I might really have to do somethin' about it!" he said, taking the package into his hand. "Should I be worried openin' this one?"

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

"I will."

He scratched at his hair, blushing faintly at the incident that brought the sailor suit to mind. Barret had even snuck that suit to the Golden Saucer but he wasn't sure why he had done that. But that was the past.

"No, it's fine. Really. You won't even have to fight Cid for them."

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

Reeve had asked Niko to come, and Anita had insisted, so as soon as he finished a quick sparring match at the dojo after Lux had closed, the young man made his way to the bonfire. To be truthful, he was glad of the distraction. It was true that being without family hurt more on the holidays.

Dressed in a black leather jacket, dark jeans and a dark long-sleeved T-shirt, Niko stepped into the light of the fire, his blond hair burnished almost coper by the glow of the blaze.

[cloudsinstrife.livejournal.com]

Cloud hadn't met him at all, but he had told his friends if they wanted to bring with them some friends of their own, they could. So seeing the newcomer to the fire, Cloud just nodded in greeting and held out a a bottle of winter cider to him.

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

Niko nodded his thanks, likewise unfamiliar with the man.

[browning-baby.livejournal.com]

Anita caught sight of Niko and waved to him with a smile.