[He can't be sure...but to his sleep-deprived brain just catching a glimpse as he goes to put out the trash, there's no other explanation. He'd just talked to him that morning, after all -- at least, he thinks that was this morning? -- so it's...possible that he's dropping by, maybe. Except Lalli doesn't remember ever giving him his address? That's a little weird. He follows the blonde in a daze, questions mounting with every step until finally they reach their destination. His door.
Wait. Wait, no -- ]
I don't live there.
[PROMPTO STOP DON'T TRY OPENING THAT OTHER DOOR IT'S A TRAP
also it's worth noting that Lalli hasn't slept, left his apartment, or showered in days, just changed into a different set of pajamas when he felt like it was time, so he's looking a little, uhhhhh... this is a questionable interaction.]
[He's coming home after staying a little later at work, and enjoying an evening drive around the city before calling it a night. Cloud's tired, but no more than the usual. The retreat to his apartment merely meant that it was time to recharge and to prepare for the next day.
He's digging his apartment keys out of his pocket, letting them dangle on one finger as he pulls him out, when he hears someone speak. Turning his head, Cloud sees Lalli, who-- well. Who could look better, to say the least.
Confused and uncertain, Cloud turns to face him with a frown.]
No. I do.
[That face... Does he recognize it? It's hard to tell from the little profile pictures on the Retrospec app, but he's sure it'll come to him soon.]
[squints.......... There's something off about this Prompto. Like, kind of a lot, but he figures he's got some time to work it all out. Time was simultaneously going too fast and moving in slow motion, so. Yep.]
No... You don't... [is this witch cursing you] Everyone's gone.
[He's reasonably sure people moved out of there a while ago, and with his schedule he hadn't seen anything to the contrary. Not saying much, obviously, since Cloud sure did move in. Still, he raises a weak arm to gesture at this Not-Prompto.]
Cloud turns to face him properly now, a brow raised. He has no idea what Lalli could possibly be talking about, and the "you shouldn't be here" bit is somewhat... disconcerting.]
What are you talking about? I do live here. Ask the landlord if you think it isn't true.
[What? Did he think he was trying to break in or something? Cloud holds up his keys, which jingle faintly.] See?
[When evidence is produced, Lalli's eyes fight to focus again and he leans in. They were jingling quite convincingly... They sure do look like keys... Satisfied with that, he tips his head to get a new angle on this Not-Prompto to see if he can suss out the reasoning there. It's riiiight at the edge, a little fuzzy... What was it...]
[His hands drops as the revelation casually dawns upon the other. He looks... well, not very surprised at this point, hovering on the edge of exasperated, because why do people keep thinking that he's Prompto? They look nothing alike.]
No. I'm Cloud.
[A moment of silence passing between them, probably awkward. There's recognition in the other's face, though it's hard to place his finger on why.]
Have we met before? Were you following me around or something?
[Even with the name, it takes a couple seconds for recognition to settle. Cloud! Prompto's brother! That makes sense, and Lalli nods to himself...after Cloud's question about following him... mmm.]
I live here. [Ah -- ] Lalli. You thought I was Prompto once.
[In his heart he's accepted this reality, but the blank way he's staring is one of the ways that speaks to how he...can't comprehend...being Prompto's brother's neighbor. Like, what? That's bananas. He should probably eat those banana chips Ryoji gave him... If they're dehydrated, how long does it take for them to go bad? The packaging probably helps, too. Maybe it even has one of those oxygen packets, like what came with beef jerky.]
Hn, I should buy beef jerky...
[.........god he needs to sleep.]
...This is weird? I don't know if I'm supposed to meet you.
[Toooootally fine. He's stuck puzzling out this social situation.]
Umm, not like that. But it is weird, right? If you just met Prompto and I just because his friend, but we meet... I don't know. It might make more sense after I sleep.
[He's not sure why he's entertaining this conversation. Any normal person would be like, "all right, nice to know you're my neightbor, have a good night", etc.
Not Cloud, who also doesn't know how to approach these strange social situations.]
It is weird? Either way, we're neighbors. Even if Prompto wasn't in the equation, we would've run into each other eventually.
[He waves this off and goes to lean against his door, eyes closing somewhere in the process.]
Doesn't matter unless I want to talk to them...
[Not like people feel comfortable calling him out on it, if they've lived in the building long enough. The tenants are torn between being convinced he's witchspawn and feeling overwhelming sympathy at the fact that he's an orphan that then lost his guardian.]
[Cloud knows what it's like to hole yourself up somewhere, and deprive yourself of human interaction. But even he limits it; even Cloud Strife communicates with others -- family and friends and co-workers -- and takes no displeasure from it when it happens. He skews towards anti-social, but balance does not escape him completely.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
9/16 night??
Wait. Wait, no -- ]
I don't live there.
[PROMPTO STOP DON'T TRY OPENING THAT OTHER DOOR IT'S A TRAP
also it's worth noting that Lalli hasn't slept, left his apartment, or showered in days, just changed into a different set of pajamas when he felt like it was time, so he's looking a little, uhhhhh... this is a questionable interaction.]
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He's digging his apartment keys out of his pocket, letting them dangle on one finger as he pulls him out, when he hears someone speak. Turning his head, Cloud sees Lalli, who-- well. Who could look better, to say the least.
Confused and uncertain, Cloud turns to face him with a frown.]
No. I do.
[That face... Does he recognize it? It's hard to tell from the little profile pictures on the Retrospec app, but he's sure it'll come to him soon.]
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No... You don't... [is this witch cursing you] Everyone's gone.
[He's reasonably sure people moved out of there a while ago, and with his schedule he hadn't seen anything to the contrary. Not saying much, obviously, since Cloud sure did move in. Still, he raises a weak arm to gesture at this Not-Prompto.]
You shouldn't be here.
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Cloud turns to face him properly now, a brow raised. He has no idea what Lalli could possibly be talking about, and the "you shouldn't be here" bit is somewhat... disconcerting.]
What are you talking about? I do live here. Ask the landlord if you think it isn't true.
[What? Did he think he was trying to break in or something? Cloud holds up his keys, which jingle faintly.] See?
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You're not Prompto. I'm very tired.
[He gives up. Help.]
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No. I'm Cloud.
[A moment of silence passing between them, probably awkward. There's recognition in the other's face, though it's hard to place his finger on why.]
Have we met before? Were you following me around or something?
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I live here. [Ah -- ] Lalli. You thought I was Prompto once.
[now they're even!]
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Wait... you're right. I did. I remember you.
[Looks like they are even. Cloud can hardly feel offended either way.]
What do you mean you live here? Like, in this apartment complex?
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Like...there.
[He super lives right here, dude.]
I thought you were visiting me...
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Wait, that means you're my neighbor.
[Just. What. Okay.]
Go figure. I'm getting to meet you in person after all.
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Hn, I should buy beef jerky...
[.........god he needs to sleep.]
...This is weird? I don't know if I'm supposed to meet you.
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[What? What's happening. Why is he talking about beef jerky? Did he not get the memo?
Cloud continues to hover on the edge of confusion, which seems to be the theme as of late.]
Supposed to? Who's stopping you? [MORE IMPORTANTLY...] Are you okay?
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[Toooootally fine. He's stuck puzzling out this social situation.]
Umm, not like that. But it is weird, right? If you just met Prompto and I just because his friend, but we meet... I don't know. It might make more sense after I sleep.
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[He's not sure why he's entertaining this conversation. Any normal person would be like, "all right, nice to know you're my neightbor, have a good night", etc.
Not Cloud, who also doesn't know how to approach these strange social situations.]
It is weird? Either way, we're neighbors. Even if Prompto wasn't in the equation, we would've run into each other eventually.
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[like,]
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Did I offend you?
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No? I just wouldn't talk to you.
[It's a fact.]
If you were a normal neighbor, I wouldn't care. Probably ever.
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[That sounds judgmental, and he doesn't mean for it to. Thus, Cloud tries again.]
Sorry, I mean... but you don't even just say hi when you pass each other sometimes?
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Why should I...? I don't want to talk to them. I shouldn't greet them and walk away.
[That's rude? He's never understood all these adults they are like "hey, how are you" as they're already passing him. What rude weirdos.]
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[THIS IS CLOUD STRIFE TELLING YOU THIS, this is a problem.]
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Doesn't matter unless I want to talk to them...
[Not like people feel comfortable calling him out on it, if they've lived in the building long enough. The tenants are torn between being convinced he's witchspawn and feeling overwhelming sympathy at the fact that he's an orphan that then lost his guardian.]
I don't leave a lot anyway. It's fine.
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This, though...]
That sounds lonely.
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Maybe. It's my choice. [When it comes to neighbors.]
...Your brother is enough company if I want it.
[He's kind of. A lot.]
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[It's a small attempt at a joke in the face of an awkward situation.]
You hang out with my brother a lot?
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Usually he's the only one that talks to me.
[Hanging out, ehhh... They have many plans to hang out, but hey haven't really acted on most of them, not that Lalli minds at all.]
He's never been here. I was confused... [How did Prompto know where he lived? Good thing it was Cloud.]
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