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[herofhopeless]

Username: CliveRosfield

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{ TEXT // VOICE // VIDEO // ACTION }






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action | hospital foyer on arrival

[reincarnesiac]

( Alex didn't exactly have a list of "things I don't expect to have happen next but am writing down because they still might happen," but if she did, showing up here would have been on it. Conversations with people who were on the same weird "mission" as she'd been told by the bots aligned to one truth: there is a place those people could return to, and it had something to do with what was behind Aurora.

Which, well, is Echo. But that's neither here nor there.

What she didn't expect was that the plushies she'd traded in for at the ticket counter had come along too, to the point that when she woke up in the hospital bed, she was practically buried under them. Her exit plan at that point included apologizing to the bots, stuffing the plushies into the pillowcase she stripped off the pillow, and then making her way downstairs until she was in a lobby filled with baked goods.

Between examining what's on offer and admitting to herself that maybe a little sugar would help the medicine of being in this place go down, she spies...

... first, yet another cookie that looks interesting, if not as good as chocolate bread, but then a familiar face in the not-exactly a crowd. Alex lifts a hand and waves. )

Clive! So you got pulled here properly too. Wait, I have something in here for you...

( Alex is in fact swinging a pillowcase filled with unidentified lumpy objects around to her front, crouching down to dig through it in search of something in particular. When she finds what she wants, she has to catch two other plushies that attempt to make a break for it before the desired white chubby chocobo plush emerges victorious. Hah! She holds it up to him with a smile. )

She's not as good as the real thing, but at least you'll have a little of Ambrosia here with you?

( The plushie catcher is in the.................... hospital. And now separated from her favorite form of stress relief, next to you know. Training or taking down Wanderers. )

[herofhopeless]

[Clive turns upon hearing his name and the way he perks up is written all over his body. He had been worried that he wouldn't see Alex again, that she would be trapped in the Golden Saucer and end up on her own. He knew she was capable, he had seen that, but he realizes that he would miss her even though they had just met. He smiles.]

Hi Alex. Though you would probably be more comfortable at home, it's great to see you.

[Clive turns towards her and closes the distance between the two of them. There is something infinitely charming about her excitement. The life she brings to a room is a rare trait in people. He wonders if she knows this.

His train of thought is derailed by the plushie she holds out to him. He looks at it, wide-eyed, before breaking into a smile and taking it.]

She's perfect.

[He turns that smile on Alex.]

Thank you. For this. For thinking of me.

text | un: bahamut

[oblige]

Have you a free moment, Clive?

[herofhopeless]

Yes. What do you need?

Un: sleepnear [ text ]

[quibblingfunctionary]

{ ooc: Backdated to “morning” after Hallway Incident™️ at the Golden Saucer. }

You surprise me, Lord Rosfield. I thought you were only putting on one show last night.

[herofhopeless]

What do you mean?

text ; un: butterfly

[heavensnight]

Nice moves.

[could she be a little more forthcoming? yes. but sometimes it's just fun to tease a person before you get to the nitty gritty.]

[herofhopeless]

Hello to you, too. I'm afraid you're going to have to be a bit more specific.

Action;

[cantilevers]

[OOC: From here]

[Okay, that did earn a laugh out of him, full bodied and wholesome, as he let it play out into Clive's ear. It seemed to him that the younger man had his measure, which would save time on questioning experience later.]

You'll have to bite your boot to stifle the noises I'm going to pull out of you, but that's about it. No flowers left for you to take as your own. [Now they were just being lewd, and he enjoyed that the banter had shifted from testing the waters to fully accepting what it was that they were about to undertake together.] Time will tell if that is true.

[They needed the escapism, he thought. Both of them. Vander chasing down the hot, sweaty and passionate reprieve from his failings and grief, and Clive from the man that seemed to have captured so much attention (for good or bad) that was currently engaged in a fight. They could find that escapism in each other, stoke that hunger they both had and let loose mutually.]

I do, yeah. I want to get out of here and discover all these soft spots that I know you have. We can't stay here. [It was a reminder even as they held onto each other.

He shivered again at Clive's hot breath stirring the short hairs not able to be bound up in his bun followed by lips just behind his ear. He shifted his weight, his own interest stirring to life between his legs, and he made no effort to disguise it as he ground on the swell of Clive's hip bone.

Yet, he did pull apart, flushed and breathing a little heavier as he dropped to grab their discarded cups and his backpack. He didn't bother to close it - no time or inclination - and simply swung it up onto his shoulder as he allowed Clive to take his hand and lead the way elsewhere.

He cast his darkened gaze towards the sparring match as they walked, studying Odin then dropping to the watch party by the kegger. No one was paying them any attention, so focused on the spectacle that they were as he slipped off the top of the hill with Clive.

His long strides allowed him to keep up as they covered ground to be away from potential prying eyes and his arousal only increased with the swish of Clive's cape, tantalizing him with glimpses of that ass, the back of those thighs and even calves. He watched the tension across those shoulders, aware that Clive was as wound tight as he likely was, holding it together by virtue of the strength of spirit only.

They hit the stand of trees that he had considered and disappeared among the thick bodies of them, their foliage covering their fading visage from the hilltop. He glanced back, noting when they were out of sight and then quickened his step so he could wrap his free arm around Clive's waist to interrupt their march so he could plant his lips on the back of the other man's neck, kissing and tasting to keep the fire alive inside of him.]

Re: Action;

[herofhopeless]

[The tiniest sigh escaped Clive’s lips as he felt Vander’s laugh go through his body. Yeah, he could do to hear more of that laugh. He let the vibrations run through him, soothing something he couldn’t put his finger on. It was an odd juxtaposition, having such a burning desire and a gentle sense of comfort. Maybe that was something he could look at later.]

There are other things I’d rather bite. [Clive kissed softly down to the juncture of Vander’s neck and shoulder and licked before pinching a little skin between his teeth, a promise for later. How did he say that he wanted Vander to push him, even past the point where he thought he could take it? Hmm.]

I like the sound of that. [Clive kissed his way back up to the nice little spot next to Vander’s ear and nipped his earlobe.] I need to get my mouth on you. Can’t do that with all these clothes.

[Clive’s breath stutters when he feels Vander’s arousal grinding against his hip and follows his with a quick roll of his own hips. If that sensation was anything to go by, tonight was going to be quite the workout.

He held on to the feeling of Vander pressed against him as they split apart. A part of him preened, pride glowing in his chest as he felt Vander push just as fast to keep up with him. Clive tried to remember a time when he felt wanted like this and he couldn’t. Breaking through the treeline felt like one more victory, one step closer to what he wanted. And then Vander was grabbing him.

Gasping, Clive fell back into Vander’s embrace. His eyes fluttered closed at the feeling of those lips on his skin and slid his free arm over Vander’s, marveling at the difference in the size of their hands. He smirked at the feeling of Vander’s arousal, clearly unflagged. It might get uncomfortable to walk sooner or later and yet Clive leaned into it, slotting their pelvises together and grinding his ass down on Vander’s hardening cock.]

Excited, are we? [Clive’s tone is playful and promising.]

un: verleso | voice

[fromfire]

So -- have you figured this device out at all? Or do I have to figure out how to hunt you down to give you something?

[herofhopeless]

I have.

[Verso gets a ping of Clive's location, not even bothering to ask why Verso wanted.]

Made a friend that helped me figure out how to use it. They're very convenient.

text

[oblige]

Clive, it occurred to me that I neglected to mention there is a book club in Etraya.

It appears there is an informal meeting at the library, should you be interested.

Re: text

[herofhopeless]

A book club, huh? Sounds fun. Do you usually go, too?

[ un: SleepNear // text ] - Earth 2025 // After his murder

[quibblingfunctionary]

Clive. Tell me you are available.

[herofhopeless]

Where are you? I’m coming to get you.

telepathic phone

[sophielicious]

/I'm checking to see if you live.

And also on the rest of the gossip you promised me./

Answering the good ol telepathic telephone

[herofhopeless]

/Sorry about that. I meant to text you, but things got busy.

I am alive. And things moved faster with Vander than I expected them to. Let's say that each time after the first hasn't been any less intense.

He's also very sweet. It's not something I expected./

[ voice ] [un: SleepNear] {While You Were Out}

[quibblingfunctionary]

Shall we go to the club one last time before we leave? The place has such a way of working sound and light into a sweet harmony, surely we would be remiss if we did not attend again.

Are there even such places in Etraya? I think naught. We must go.

[ voice ] [afternoon next day]

[quibblingfunctionary]

If you do not wish to attend 𝕸𝓎𝖙𝒽𝖔𝓈 it is fine— it is not as if my heart lies in the balance. I shall go on my own and you shall miss the fun.

Delivery - August 26th

[repaintress]

[ A week and a day after their return to Etraya, a package is delivered to Clive's domicile. It is impeccably wrapped in several layers of thick paper, creases immaculate and edges taped up perfectly. On the outside is stuck a wax-sealed envelope that states (in an elaborate handwriting with tasteful flourishes): 'Read before opening.'

Should he follow the instruction, the envelope contains the following items, written delicately on stationary scented with perfume:

• Instructions on transporting and unwrapping the object - to pick it up from behind and to undo the tape in very precise order (and indeed a particularly close instruction will find the tape closures are numbered with extraordinarily small pencil marks for this in mind).


• Instructions on caring for and, if he so chooses, displaying the object.


• An entreaty that, if anything should become damaged, to please inform Clea so she can repair the piece.


• A word to be used if Clive wishes to reveal the other half of the painting along with a note that said reveal would be visible to everyone. Likewise, there is a code phrase to turn the painting back to its 'ordinary' form.


• A short, terse apology for the small size, as she could not transport a larger canvas and Etraya lacks proper supplies.

Inside of the wrapping is a small painting, rendered in vivid oils. The painting shifts depending on who Clive allows.

The painting's default is a colorful, striking rendition of Clive combining bold, wide strokes with blocks of color, influenced by the Cubists to render Clive as an abstract series of shapes and lines. The most recognizable part of the portrait is unquestioningly Clive's eyes, which stare out of the canvas with a core of unflinching steel, color pain-stakingly mixed by hand. While there is no aggression in those eyes, the portrait has the stare of a man who will not back down. Who knows what he wants and will go to great lengths to achieve those goals.

Should Clive wish to see the other half of the portrait and speak the word, he'll witness the colors on the canvas writhe and distort, rippling outward like the surface of a lake after a rock is thrown, until the work resolves itself into a new form.

This version of Clive is rendered in exquisite realism, with the rich colors and attention to detail favored by the Renaissance masters. It shows the monstrous version of Clive sitting quietly in a flower garden, surrounded by delicate blooms and lit angelically by the light of the golden hour sun. One clawed hand delicately holds a flower as the monster-man leans forward, intending to enjoy its scent. The obsidian of his skin is used to contrast against the colors of the flowers, making them both stand out. If looked at for long enough, it's clear the piece is not completely static, as both the sunlight and the fire in Clive's person shimmer in unison, drawing a comparison between the life giving light of creation and his own inner fire. ]
]

In person

[herofhopeless]

[It was quite surprising to receive a package in this place. He didn’t think there was a delivery service here. Perhaps someone dropped it off themselves? Then why wouldn’t they hand it over directly? Clive takes the envelope and opens it. The scent that comes with perfectly folded paper and immaculate script makes him smile. Clea. Of course it was Clea.

He reads the letter carefully before taking the piece to his room. This feels like something that is distinctly personal and he isn’t particularly inclined for someone else to come across him while he is looking at it. In the end, he is glad that he listens to his gut.

After rereading the letter and following the instructions on carefully revealing the painting to a T, he sits on the edge of his bed perhaps a little harder than intended. It was strange, the shapes. He has never seen a painting like it before, but then again he didn’t take the time to go to many exhibits while he was on Earth. He was… distracted.

Apprehension grips him when he thinks about the word to reveal another aspect of the portrait. He is horribly curious, but afraid. Clea had observed him in the form that destroyed so many lives. The idea of seeing that creature, that part of him that had hurt so many, that had killed Vander, made him nauseous.

But it was Clea. She was astute, sharp eyed, had a mind that looked beyond what was right in front of her. And she deserved to have all of her work appreciated. So, with a shaky voice, he speaks the word given. He feels his grip start to tighten as the image is revealed, to the point where he decides to set it on his desk to avoid causing any damage.

He stands over it, watching as the painting shifts into something so much more than he expected. Something soft, delicate, peaceful. Beautiful. He holds his fingers just above the painting, tracing the line of the hand gently holding the flower. He can almost smell it, the heady scent of a final bloom of the season.

His eyes burn. His throat feels thick. Clive swallows a couple of times before whispering the word to change it back, watching as the piece returned to show his own piercing gaze. Slowly, he follows the instructions on how to display the piece. He would leave it this way, enjoying it as it was for the public eye. The other painting? That one was for him. A reminder.

He remembers one of the first conversations he ever had with Clea, about how there was beauty everywhere if only one knew where to look.

Clive turns, leaving his room and slamming the door behind him before he is sprinting. It feels like it takes forever to get to her, to reach her door. Panting his knocks, perhaps heavier than intended. He fidgets, antsy, chest heaving from the run, hair blown back from the times where he used his flames to go faster. He needed to see her, to see Clea. He needed it like he needed air.]

text | un: bahamut

[oblige]

[ On the heels of speaking with Emet upon their return and relaying his findings to the Phoenix... ]

Clive, I would speak with you concerning the crystal.

[ He's certain that the Phoenix will inform Clive, but even so, it seems prudent to contact him as well. ]

Voice

[herofhopeless]

[Clive hears the ping that he assigned to Dion's contact and slows. There were very, very few people Clive would stop for in this exact circumstance and if Dion had something he needed to say, it was important.

But texting takes too long and he needs to make sure the people here don't get hurt now.]

I see it. What do you have for me?

text | un: plushiewarrior

[reincarnesiac]

( she keeps changing her username, but the plushie does remain consistent, at least! )

Clive, remember I mentioned comics before? I asked Aurora for a specific collection I thought you might enjoy, and I found it arrived today. Let me know when I can get it to you!

[herofhopeless]

[It's cute. He likes it.]

Can I come over to your place to read them?

[ un: Sleepnear // text ]

[quibblingfunctionary]

[ A Link to un. ltsetsu and un. aurora 's messages ]

It would seem while Aurora may wish to take care of her captives first and foremost—Echo has her hands tied.

[herofhopeless]

The more I learn about Echo, the less I like. I am still hesitant to trust Aurora. She has offered assurances that have been very, very wrong already, and you and I have only been here for a couple of months.

un: ltsetsu | text

[backtostart]

Hey. I asked Aurora about the situation with our resources. I've copied the relevant parts of our exchange here.

"Food and other resources come from below the surface of the hospital. Echo has provided the means to keep all of you fed and sheltered for the duration of your stay on Etraya. They are not limited to the extent one should be concerned, and I do have stores in case something were to happen to my sources."

"Supplies from Echo will last as long as this required. If those supplies were to end, I have enough in reserve to last us for approximately three months currently."

I specifically asked where our resources came from and how long they should last, and these were the answers I received. As you can see, everything is still really vague... I think it's worth noting that Aurora claims she has her own stores, though. Given what can be understood of Echo's character, that detail feels significant.

text

[herofhopeless]

Hey. Thank you for asking and letting me know what she said. I didn’t expect much outside of ‘Echo provides’ so that isn’t terribly surprising, but this makes me uncomfortable. What happens if Echo decides that we no longer ‘require’ supplies? I think it would be wise to shore up some extra shelf-stable foods, medical supplies, clothes and the like.

I went to the library to get some books on various methods of how to preserve foods and I have been attempting to learn about what might be foragable here, though I wonder if Echo could make foragables unavailable or toxic should he decide that we are no longer worth caring for.

I know there are people who trust Aurora and that she is doing what she can within her given parameters, but I suggest exercising caution in relying on her, as well. We don’t know how deep Echo’s reach goes nor do we know if she will always be with us to grant aid.

[sophielicious]

/Clive, honey? Been a hot minute there. How are we doing?/

Clive was literally just about to ping Sophie

[herofhopeless]

/I'm okay-ish. Joshua is already back. I'm happy to see him, but also very confused as to why he was taken in the first place. He has no memory of his time here before the very brief disappearance. Are you alright? I haven't had the chance to check in on you since the fog dissipated./

action | Garreg Mach

[odinpusrex]

[Almost immediately after this conversation with Harold, Barnabas decides to make good on his word and speak with Mythos. He could merely message him through the network, but he has little interest in holding another conversation over such means again. So, instead, he teleports to where he can sense Mythos, where he otherwise knows he resides, the wisps of shadow and mist that roils to give inadequate warning of his arrival is all that is offered before Barnabas manifests in full—]

Mythos, we must needs speak.

[Does Barnabas care that this is clearly the bathing area within the monastery? No, he does not. This is far more pressing than Mythos' bathing or being naked, in any case. Those are immaterial to him.]

[herofhopeless]

[Clive had been peacefully enjoying his quiet bath, humming to himself has he scrubbed the day’s toil from his skin with a gently scented floral soap when Barnabas’ silken, stoic voice suddenly snaps him from his reverie. He jumps off of the short stool he had been sitting on and reflexively hurls the half full bucket he had been using to rinse at the intruder. ]

Fuck!

[Clive braces a hand over his heart and takes a couple deep breaths. He, too, has little regard for the fact that he is naked. Communal life left little room for shyness.]

You couldn’t have, I don’t know, called first instead of trying to scare my soul straight out of my body?

un: R.B. | Text

[godsandbats]

I'm sorry for this but have you seen Vander lately?

[herofhopeless]

No. I’ve been trying to get ahold of him but he hasn’t responded. Was thinking about going to his apartment.

[He knows what he’ll find. Or what he won’t find. Will they get there before the bots clean it out?

Verso, Dimitri, Yuri, An Zhe, Alex, Joshua.

Vander.

He feels his chest constricting. Sends another text. ]

Will you meet me there?

Action // back-dated to day after Vander is discovered gone

[dangerbird]

[The pattern, such as it was, such as Joshua has come to expect it, changed. Clive doesn’t necessarily have a ‘usual’ time in which he comes back, but generally he does so at a reasonable hour. At least, what a Rosfield might dub to be a reasonable hour. But Clive didn’t last night. Hasn’t returned at all, at least not that Joshua can tell. The grounds of Gareg Mach are large so there were plenty of places in which for people to hide… but they were also nigh silent. It’s peaceful, but also, it’s rather easy to hear when someone is about them. Especially if one pays close attention.

So it’s not like Joshua needs to lurk around Clive’s chosen bedchambers to be made aware of when his brother has returned, so he doesn’t. But he does listen. And he does pay especially close attention.

Whenever Clive returns to his room the next day he’ll find rather quickly his brother poking his head in curiously after him.]

Welcome back.

[herofhopeless]

[Clive hadn’t been entirely sure that he was going to stay the night at Vax’s last night, but the idea of going home had been too much and the comfort he found in his companion had been needed. He hadn’t thought to text Joshua that he wasn’t going to be home. He was still getting used to it, the idea that his brother now paid attention to that kind of thing.

So when Joshua pops his head in to say hello, Clive nearly jumps clean out of his skin, gasping in surprise. He turns to face Joshua, heart still pounding.]

Thank you.

[That was a very quick greeting. Clive’s brow furrows.]

Were you waiting for me, Joshua?

text. un: superboy

[solarson]

hi! this is superboy. do you remember me? :)

[herofhopeless]

That I do. What can I do for you, Superboy?

text | @noctgar

[somnifer]

Hey. I'm sorry about kind of freaking out on you a little when we first met. You were really nice even though I was like, totally weird. I hope I didn't ruin stuff.

[herofhopeless]

It's alright. Not only have you been thrust into a situation where everything around you is new and unknown, you are being forced to face some difficult knowledge that challenges beliefs that I imagine you have held for a long, long time. I understand why you reacted the way you did and there are no hard feelings whatsoever. Thank you for reaching out.

How have you been settling in? Were you able to find Prompto and Gladio alright?

un; champion (text) a week after the return to Etraya

[twin_blade]

Clive?

[ As soon as he sends it, he wonders if he should have. ]

[herofhopeless]

I’m here. You okay?

un; champion (text)

[twin_blade]

Clive, I don't know if you're getting this message or not, but I'm worried about you. And I'm not going to stop looking for you until I know for sure you're gone. So, if you can send me a sign or something, I'll come and find you.