Nothing Else Matters}{ Angeal

[cid raines]

This was the New Bodhum. It gave justice to the name. This felt like a whole new place and not the Bodhum he remembered from before. A lot of things had changed since he was gone. But now he was back and some adjusting needed to happen, which was fine by Cid Raines. He was a soldier. He knew how to blend in, even with his attention drawing features.

First of all, he was still dressed up in his Commander uniform, all white and having a cape draped over his shoulder. The size was unique, which was made for his very tall figure. He usually towered over most people. Then there was his good looks which attracted eyes of a lot of women.

Though, he didn't exactly need to hide away and keep his face as a secret. Raines didn't even believe for a second anyone held grudge against him. They possibly never learned what happened in the first place. So it was an issue he was very comfortable with.

Wandering around Cocoon until he calculated things and made a decision was his current motive. Until then, he was just a visitor.

A tourist.

New Bodhum was a small and almost cozy place. People seemed to be friendly and positive after experiencing difficult times. Once the destroyed city was rebuilt, it was aiming for a peaceful land for people to live in. This could be a suitable place for him to stay in and even lay low. But no... Laying low was never his thing. He was a talented man who could be the perfect leader. Raines had no intention of stepping back, even with a nasty background.

He continued walking around, even visiting the most silent backstreets. While New Bodhum did strike people as a good place, crime happened everywhere. That was in the nature of people. Just like the picture just before him. A young woman was being cornered by two men, being asked for her handbag and all the wrist watch she was wearing. By the looks of the guys, that could not be the only thing they wanted. The area was pretty much deserted and no one could hear the woman's cry of help. She was really in a tight position with being turned a handgun and a pocket knife.

As the woman dropped her bag and started to unbuckle her watch from her wrist with tears coming off from her eyes, Raines approached the men from behind.

"Does it make you feel like a man to threaten a woman with your weapons?" The voice was loud enough for all to hear him, confident and smooth. It was so confident, it always gave a hint of fear to his opponents' hearts. He knew how the power play worked and never was afraid to use it, when needed.

"Does it make you feel strong? Important?" Raines continued, looking from one man to another, as they turned to face him, now pointing their weapons at the man clad in white. "Satisfied?" Raines lifted his chin up a bit more in a proud and elegant stance.

One of the man was already shouting at him. "Hands up, bastard!" He waved his knife in the air for a clearer threatening. "Or we'll hurt ya!" Frustration was in his voice and face. They obviously didn't expect a guest during their assault.

But Raines didn't do as he was told. He just fixed his ice blue eyes at the man with the gun. The guy's hands were obviously shaking, so very nervous.

It was them Raines moved like lightning, graceful and very fast for his height. A bullet was already shot, loud in the alley; which slipped past Raines. Then the gun holding hand was grabbed by a white gloved hand. It took a mere second for Raines to yank the guy and disarm the man, then giving his back a kick to push him away. His cape danced behind him during the act.

The guy ran forward until he slipped and fell down to his knees, inhaling loudly with pure shock. The tall man in white weighted the gun in his hand before turning his blue eyes at the knife guy. He didn't need to say a word for the rest.

Both guy ran away very fast to save their lives, not even looking back. Then Raines could finally help the young woman to stand up and offer her the purse back. She sniffed and whispered a 'thank you', looking up at her saviour with glossy eyes. There was admiration in her expression. Then she was walking away.

Patrolling wasn't actually his aim in New Bodhum, but Raines wasn't exactly a bad person to allow such things to happen before his eyes.

[Angeal Hewley]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; border-radius: 20px; border: 5px solid #000318; background-image: url(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h424/Shade066/Random/abg103.png);] Angeal was currently sitting down on one of the benches that this small town had. He had never really been to the beach, even back at Gaia he never truly went to enjoy Costa del Sol. He never had time and ShinRa was never known for its vacation benefits. But watching the ocean come and go was pretty relaxing. After that incident in Academia Angeal decided to stay away for a bit. He needed to sort his head and try to understand what has happened so far. That strange dream he saw and the tattoo on his chest were puzzling him. Why did they appear in the first place? He lightly shook his head, Angeal liked it here in New Bodhum, it gave him the piece he needed. He could live here, start a new life doing something. He could grow the garden he had back home. He could live like a normal person, well except with the wing on his back. He still didn't believe in the names that he heard back in Academia, some were calling him the angel of Academia. Though he felt that most of those comments were false. He was no angel and he wasn't foreign to dark things like war and pain. "I promised Tifa I would return soon, the sound of the waters sounds nice." Angeal stood up and stretched hearing a loud pop from different places of his body, including the white wings on his back. A couple of feathers fell from the appendage, slowly landing on the sands of where he was. Angeal felt that he had been lazying around for the last couple of days, but he couldn't help it, just coming to the beach made him relax especially from the sound of the waves. Deciding to go back to the room that he rented for his stay. He looked to his left and saw a woman getting up from the ground thanking a man in almost fully white clothing. The man really stuck out with that kind of clothing, then again he wasn't much different with his own black SOLDIER 1st uniform and large white wing. Angeal lightly shook his head before continuing on his way. He didn't know if the man in white saw him but he wasn't needed. The man had probably helped that woman, so he could handle himself. Angeal couldn't help but to feel someone stare at him... well more intently then the usual stares he always got. He turned around and looked to see if it was the man, even before he saw who it was he raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

Shade † of BTN

[cid raines]

The young woman walked away, but Raines remained in his place to watch her leave. It was then he noticed another man in the area. A different looking man, none the less. Certainly muscular, which was giving out he practiced on daily basis. Perhaps, a soldier from the uniform he was wearing. It didn't look like any uniform Raines knew in Cocoon, but certainly had a military touch in it; familiar or foreign.

Though, that wasn't the most outstanding fact about the other man. Of course, Raines didn't believe he was with the two men he chased off just now. While looks didn't really tell a man's motive, stances would. He just happened to be there.

Ice blue eyes were focused on that one white wing sticking out from the man's back. It was large, almost reminding of an angel's. Only one wing was there, missing a second one to complete the pair. Raines knew well enough not to believe angels existing in Cocoon. Wings had reminded him of something else after his very own experience. No, wings didn't just belong to holy creatures. They also were a part of some monsters.

Cid Raines used to be one of them.

He used to have six white wings, which happened to appear, when he defied his Focus. He had three pairs of beautiful wings, when he became a Cie'th hybrid.

Beauty was never equal to goodness.

His thoughts were interrupted with the voice of the man with the wing. Raines must have been staring for too long. But he didn't apologise. Instead, he lifted his chin up a little and started to take slow yet steady steps toward the winged man.

"Help me?" He repeated and shook his head once, confident and knowing. Smug. "I doubt that." Step by step he was approaching closer, but suddenly he stopped; still not exactly near the other.

The gun he had taken from an attacker before was still in his hand, now remaining at his side. "You are a Cie'th." Raines stated what he believed. He was aware Cie'th was dangerous creatures, who was ready to attack and harm anyone. There were rotten types of Cie'th, but also beautiful ones like him; owning pretty wings. Charming features didn't make a monster any nicer.

Raising the gun to aim at the winged man, Raines offered a serious expression with hints of hatred. Yes, he was an l'Cie, but that never meant he needed to like Cie'th. He was going to be a good man and destroy this one before he was able to hurt anybody. His ideals might have been twisted and corrupted before, but he still owed a better future for the people of Cocoon.

"This needs to be done."

[Angeal Hewley]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; border-radius: 20px; border: 5px solid #000318; background-image: url(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h424/Shade066/Random/abg103.png);] "Help me?" Those were the first words he heard from the strange man. Angeal kept his face unreadable. He could tell by the sound of his voice that he knew something that Angeal didn't. That by itself made Angeal not like the situation that he was being pulled in a lot more. Whatever this man wanted from him Angeal didn't want any part of it. "I doubt that." "Really now?" Angeal didn't move from his spot. He frowned at the man. "Then could you stop staring at me like that if you don't need my help? its getting creepy." Angeal could deal with the stares he normally got, but when this man stared at him and his wings he felt something odd. Almost like his SOLDIER instinct were telling him to stay on his guard. He didn't trust this man for a second, and whatever movement he would try to do then he'll be ready. "You are a Cie'th." "A... Cie'th?" Angeal asked, it was the first time that he heard that term. He didn't know what a Cie'th was, he never asked nor was it explained to him. He was muted from the research that Dr. Hollander tried to perfect. Though he lost most of his abilities from Project G he still had that wing as a reminder of what he was. An experiment for scientist to play around. but now was not the time to think about that. He looked at the man's hand and saw a gun. "I don't know what's a Cie'th but I think you have the wrong person." When the man raised his gun, aiming at his him. Why was this man trying to put up a fight? He was just walking by, he wasn't harming anyone and he wasn't intending to either. And those eyes, Angeal could see the specs of Hatred that those eyes had. He continued to frown at the man. Clearly there had been some sort of misunderstanding. "So are you going to shoot me now? I am not this so called Cie'th stranger. But if you shoot I will be forced to act in defense." "This needs to be done." "So killing me will solve this problem?" Angeal asked. Several of the civilians had scattered away before anything broke down between them. Angeal was not backing down, he was innocent of what he was being accused of.... he wasn't even sure what he was being accused of. "I may be a monster, I may have done things that I'm not proud in my world. However, people had taught me to keep going. My doubts still eat away at me every now and then but I'm not going to let you kill me. I'm not going to lose my second chance to make things right." Angeal fists tightened and took his stance. If the man shot him then he was going to attack, it was a do or die situation. Angeal wasn't going to give up on life so soon. He had to repent for what he has done. And he is not going to let some stranger get in the way of that. If worse comes to worse then he will kill the stranger. Angeal just hoped that he could get the stranger to see reason.

Shade † of BTN

[cid raines]

Raines' hand didn't even shake or even twitch, as he held the gun up in place. His white gloved index finger was on the trigger, ready to pull it at his will. If he decided to pull it and shoot, he was going to make sure he wasn't missing. He might have been away for a while now, but some things were never forgotten. Especially for a man in Raines' rank. He was an instructor in Cocoon Military Academy once. He certainly knew how to aim.

Though, his current opponent seemed confused about the charges. He didn't seem to know of the meaning of Cie'th and he also looked a bit too intelligent than most Cie'th. Again, that wasn't going to prove anything. There were many different types of these monsters.

"A Cie'th is an l'Cie who failed to complete their Focus." The taller man explained, never moving from his place. The winged man was not either. This was a challenge, a battle was promised. But Cid Raines was going to make sure it would end before it started. If his opponent was skilled enough to dodge a bullet, there was always a second. But that wasn't all. From the military look the other had, Raines knew it was better not to underestimate him. That would be such a weakness, wouldn't it be?

"If you were an l'Cie, you must know a mark of it on your body along with your Focus, a mission you must complete before your time is up. But you have failed it. Am I not right? Your wing... It is the proof of you being a Cie'th."

The winged man was not attacking him yet, though. He was actually trying to convince Raines that he wasn't a Cie'th, warning him to put up a fight, if he pulled that trigger. This was a new thing for a Cie'th, not exactly matching their nature. They never solved anything with peace.

"Killing you will not solve the big problem, but one of the smaller details will be gone. Don't get me wrong. This is not personal." He replied with a cold yet polite tone. But then the winged man was talking about a second chance at life, which made Raines wonder...

"What do you mean by that?" He asked with arched brows, curious of this guy now. This was also Raines' second chance. He recently found himself back in Cocoon. He had died before. He still had his l'Cie mark on his hand, but he wasn't a Cie'th. Not even a hybrid. But they couldn't have the same fate, could they?

"How is this your second chance?" He still didn't lower the gun even a bit. He needed to be convinced, if he was making a mistake here by the identity of the other man.

[Angeal Hewley]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; border-radius: 20px; border: 5px solid #000318; background-image: url(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h424/Shade066/Random/abg103.png);] Angeal did not move from his place. He continued to to stare at the man with his gun pointing at him. Right now it was a situation that if one acted out of line for the other, then the other will attack. Angeal didn't even know how did it come down to this, this was the first time that he was threatened at all. And this whole Cei'th business, he didn't understand it. "A Cie'th is an l'Cie who failed to complete their Focus." "L'cie? Focus? You're not making much sense stranger. Why would you say that I am this Cei'th or a L'cie?" Even in a situation like this Angeal couldn't help but analyze the man in front of him. His mannerisms and his posture. The way he held himself in front of him, those were signs for being in the military. This man really needed to explain things or nothing will be solved and between the two of them Angeal knew the least. "If you were an l'Cie, you must know a mark of it on your body along with your Focus, a mission you must complete before your time is up. But you have failed it. Am I not right? Your wing... It is the proof of you being a Cie'th." "A mark?" Angeal's hand went to his chest, that strange tattoo he received when he was exploring not too long ago. Maybe this man could tell him more about it. That is if the man didn't try to kill him first. When the man mentioned his wing Angeal couldn't help but to chuckle at the man's statement. Was that what this is about? "So you think that my wing is because I am a Cie'th? Sorry to disappoint you but this wing has been with me even before I came to this world. This wing is a reminder of what I've done in the past. Of that monster that I truly was at the end of my life." Angeal nodded when the man explained that this was nothing personal, that he was only a detail in the entire problem. Were Cie'th that dangerous? Angeal let out a small sigh, this man was difficult. He could understand if the Cie'th were dangerous that he was only trying to protect the civilians. However, falsely accusing someone of being a danger to civilians without any proof was not honorable. "What do you mean by that? How is this your second chance?" "I'm not from Gran Pulse stranger." Angeal answered. "I am not supposed to be alive stranger, I've died once before. Then somehow I woke up in this world." Angeal lifted his shirt only a little to show the large vertical scar that he had. That finishing blow he took when he turned into Penance. "This wound killed me in my world. Though now I am in this world. I thought at first that I didn't belong. But the people I've met on the way told me otherwise. It wouldn't be honorable if I let their efforts go to waste." Angeal lowered his fists and looked at the man. Wondering if he was going to shoot him. If so then Angeal will continue to struggle and fight for the sake of others. That will be a way to reclaim the honor that he threw away.

Shade † of BTN

[cid raines]

The winged man claimed to have no knowledge on l'Cie or Cie'th. He didn't seem to know about what a Focus was either. But lying was always an option out there. Afterall, Cid Raines was a good liar himself. He knew the power of lies. Though, he had to admit the other man was pretty convincing. But that wasn't enough of a reason for Raines to lower the gun.

A bullet might not be enough, but he had enough confidence in himself to take a Cie'th down by himself.

More the other spoke, the more Raines was being proved wrong. Now it was mentioned the other had the wing before. The ex-Commander wasn't sure of how a man could have a wing, but what took his attention the most was the winged man calling himself a monster.

The taller man remained silent for a while, obviously weighting the words in his head. He had the right reasons to blame this guy for being a dangerous threat for civilians, but in the end his accusation was wrong. This was the point he needed to step down.

The gun holding hand was slowly lowered, until it was pointing at the ground, while his hand hung at his side. It was never an easy to task to accept mistake and ask for an apology, but Raines was always confident in whatever he did. He was a proud man, but pride didn't mean everything.

"Then I was wrong."

[/color] The tall man with raven hair spoke, his face was showing a hint of worry. "I must apologise for judging you without any further proof." Giving a slight bow of his head in a form of saying he was sorry, Raines fixed his ice blue eyes on the other man.

He, then thought about the rest of the other's words of waking up after dying. That was a familiar story. "Your wake up call cannot be a coincidence." Raines said with a thoughtful expression in his face. "I, too, have experienced the same. I was dead once." Of course, he didn't go into detail like the other. There was no need to mention a bullet in his head, especially when it was something he asked for that time.

"I wonder what life has in store for us next." Then he tossed the handgun at the winged man. He didn't need or want a weapon.

It wasn't blind trust, but Raines already had something in common with him. They both must have had confusion of same type. [/blockquote]

[Angeal Hewley]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; border-radius: 20px; border: 5px solid #000318; background-image: url(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h424/Shade066/Random/abg103.png);] Angeal crossed his arms over his chest as he saw that the man slowly lowered his gun until it was on his side, pointing down. Seems that the man was listening to his words. That he was not this so called Cie'th. Angeal observed as the man was trying to think of something to say to him. Angeal waited patiently for the stranger's words, whatever they were he would hear them. "I must apologize for judging you without any further proof." "There's no need for an apology stranger." Angeal shook his head. He knew all too well the duties of protecting the innocent. That was what he wanted when he worked for ShinRa, before everything went to hell. "You were doing what you thought it was best for the civilians. Any soldier would have done the same in your place." Angeal looked at the sky, it was so blue, almost like back in Banora. It felt nice, the salty breeze made it easier to relax a little. However he couldn't let his guard down completely just yet. "Now then, was there something else that you needed?" Angeal asked. "I don't know much about this world, but if I can help then I will." "Your wake up call cannot be a coincidence." "Is that so?" Angeal blinked and looked at the man, he had such a thoughtful expression on his face. Almost as if he wasn't here, he was somewhere else. It was just a second but Angeal saw it. He preferred to keep quiet about that and continued. "Why do you believe that me being on Gran Pulse is not a coincidence? I'm not familiar with this world, I don't have any attachments to it. So tell me, what else could it be besides a coincidence?" "I, too, have experienced the same. I was dead once." Angeal eyes widened, it wasn't every day that he met someone who was just like him. Brought back from the dead, who didn't truly belong in this world. Or any world for that matter. They were men that are mere shells of what they once was, they may be breathing, their hearts may be beating, but they didn't have any clue of what they needed to do. "You too, huh? Are you lost like me? Or have you found your way?" "I wonder what life has in store for us next." "I honestly dont know." Angeal sighed as he looked at the gun that was close to his feet. There was no need for it now, he only stared at the gun not knowing what to do or what to say. "I want to say that I know what I want to do, but right now I don't feel like I found a place where I can call home. No matter what happens after this I have to face it head on, I can't just.... give up." Angeal looked back at the man, wondering what was going on through his head at the moment. What will he do now? He touched his chest once more, right where that strange tattoo was. "I have a question about this l'cie that you were talking about. What do you mean a mark on the body, what does it look like?"

Shade † of BTN

[cid raines]

The winged man was very forgiving for someone who had a gun pointed to his face only a moment ago, able to look into the scene in a completely different angle. It was an impressive trait, Raines had to admit. It was obvious, he was able to notice Raines was a part of the military. But again, it wasn't just about the uniform they wore. Soldiers always had a special aura. Even their stance was different.

"I am grateful that you understand." The taller man said with a small smile touching his lips. "My name is Cid Raines." He introduced himself, which was the proper thing to do. There was no point in the other man calling him as 'stranger'. Of course, he was expecting to receive a name from the winged one. "I used to be a Brigadier General. A Commander in Guardian Corps." His small smile was turned into a knowing smirk now. "I suppose when death is involved, ranks change and even don't mean anything anymore."

The winged man was asking questions, wanting to know the reason why he was back from death and suddenly on Pulse, yet not anywhere else.

Raines tilted his head to the side and finally started to walk, taking slow steps around without having an actual destination. He was simply pacing around the winged man, keeping their distance in same level. "I'm afraid I do not have the answers you need. I have guesses, though, I am not certain of." He explained what he thought.

He shook his head gently, his long bangs were falling over his ice blue eyes, making a sharp contrast. "I am not exactly lost, but I cannot say I know where I am going either." He was giving a clearer smile now, bright and charming. His long cape was waving around his long legs. "I know how you feel, but a search for a new home is never an easy task. Good luck with your quest."

The way the winged man seemed interested in this topic of l'Cie made Raines wonder a few things. Again he had a few guesses, but he didn't word any. Instead he allowed the other to reveal what it was.

"It is a tattoo. A tribal tattoo with many arrows." He gave the basic information on how it looked like. Of course, taking his gloves off and showing the other man his hand could be an easier way. But there was no need to reveal the fact Raines was an l'Cie in the first place. He preferred to keep that to himselfç Yes, there were a few people who knew of his secret, but they possessed no threat against him at the moment. Maybe they would, if he went and faced them closely.

But again, there was no purpose in revenge, when it was them who won a battle against Raines. He believed he was safe.

"Do you have one?" Raines asked and stopped pacing, then arched a curious brow.

[Angeal Hewley]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; border-radius: 20px; border: 5px solid #000318; background-image: url(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h424/Shade066/Random/abg103.png);] Angeal had been a SOLDIER for many years, and he knew that direct and often reckless actions would only hurt him. So he had learned to play it cool and listen to those around him. He doesn't have much to over react for. Which as strange as it was it would be what a normal person would have done. Angeal nodded when the man said that he was grateful that he understood. "My name is Cid Raines." "My name is Angeal Hewley, its a pleasure to meet you Raines." Angeal nodded to the man, Raines, he seemed to polite in his mannerisms. "I used to be a Brigadier General. A Commander in Guardian Corps." Angeal listened to the man in front of him. He wasn't sure how to react to the man now. All he can do is act accordingly he supposed. "I suppose when death is involved, ranks change and even don't mean anything anymore." Angeal was correct when he assumed that Raines was once part of the military. It was something that could be recognized if it was spotted correctly. But he knew the feeling, he still had his SOLDIER pride but he had to ask himself several times, did it matter anymore? Was it even good for something? Those questions were somewhat put to ease by Tifa and Yuna. "I understand your feelings Raines, I was once a commander for the military. Though I have to wonder if it made any difference." He lightly shook his head. "I still have my Pride as a SOLDIER 1st Class Commander." "I'm afraid I do not have the answers you need. I have guesses, though, I am not certain of." Angeal watched Raines walk around him, whether that man was trying to analyze him or something similar was not something that Angeal had in mind. Though he would like to hear what Raines had to say. "What sort of guesses are we talking about Raines?" Angeal listen as Raines explained about how he was still looking for a way after he came to life. Unlike Angeal who was completely confused and lost, Raines had an idea of what to do. Which was nice. And as the man said, finding a new home was all that Angeal was trying to do now. He was no hero, so he shouldn't involve himself with any more incidents. However deeper in his mind, he knew that he was fooling no one. If someone was in trouble then Angeal would be the first to jump in head first. Of course with some sort of plan but usually head in first. It was sad that that was how he would react but he can't hide the truth. It was difficult to swallow. "Thank you Raines, I don't know how long it will take but I might as well make the best of it. Even if I don't deserve to be here. These wings of a monster, they may as well be used for something productive." "It is a tattoo. A tribal tattoo with many arrows." Angeal's head turned to look at Raines when the man explained what was a l'cie brand was. To further make his point Raines took off one of his white gloves and showed him the mark. Angeal knew that mark, it was the same as his own. Not knowing exactly what to do next he stayed silent. "Do you have one?" Angeal let out a sigh, he might as well show the man that tattoo. Maybe he would be able to tell him more about this. It was driving him crazy and Angeal wanted some answers. Angeal lifted the front of his shirt, Angeal knew that the vertical scar on his abdomen was still there but above it, at the center of his chest was a tattoo identical as Raines. "I do, but I didn't know what this tattoo did or why did that monster gave it to me. It just didn't make sense to me, why didn't it killed me and instead gave me this and some sort of strange dream." Angeal stopped and let his shirt back down before looking at Raines once again. He was sure that Raines might have a solution to this problem. The question was how much would Angeal have to do or pay before it got fixed. Sorry it took so long. And do say if there was any errors on my part. ^^;;

Shade † of BTN