(no subject)

[jameva]

 So I've been trying to get Space Troopers from point A to point B and failing miserably. I may take the easy way out and timeskip the hell out of it.

In the meantime, have a drabble. WARNINGS: Character spoilers, draft, most likely will get edited. Something that happens wayyyyyy far down the line.

The tightly-controlled panic that reigned in the Highwind's cockpit allowed Red to slip out quietly, soft pads mute on the even deck. The recent events were a shock. Monster, the word floated on the recycled air, unspoken but heavy. Only monsters could do this.

 

Not so.

 

The primary hatch door opened obligingly when Red pressed his nose up against the control pad. Cid would now know what he was doing but it was too late. The vacuum sequence had begun, raising his mane. His ears popped as if in high altitude and he shot his claws, sinking them in the floor grating for purchase. When the hatch door opened he was near sucked out; his bracers grew hot against his fur as the magic held him down magnetically.

 

Maintaining his hold and balance on the hull was an interesting affair, fighting at once zero gravity and the bracers' pull, but he proceeded slowly and carefully and did not have any incidents. There were no smells in space but his race's magic which allowed him to live in vacuum also provided a form of hearing that was different than atmospheric-hearing. Sounds were a rhythmic, concussive pulsing he could feel in his bones rather than his ears.

 

Red followed this rarely used sense until he found Vincent, or whatever this new transformation was. All of his forms had been impressive yet this one trumped them all. He was crouched like a gargoyle on the side of the hull that allowed a perfect view of a faraway moon, red and bright against the reflecting sun. The thick leather wings were curled to shield his face.

 

He approached slowly, uncertain of his welcome. Although Vincent had never sought to harm them when like this he had also never fled in such a fashion, maintaining the transformation well after the threat was eliminated. Was it the vacuum? Did he know he would die if he reverted here? As Vincent sat unmoving Red settled at a respectable distance that was still close enough to reflect his trust and companionship.

 

The Highwind was floating aimlessly. Cid would not fire the engines with them here. Neither could he raise the shields. Slowly, the red moon was waning below the hull as if the ship were its new orbit.

 

"This is how I escaped," Red offered, not knowing if Vincent would be able to hear him. He remained as still as the statue he emulated. "Hojo captured me as a curiosity but ignored everything about my race. He took us as mere instinct-driven predators." Red displayed a full-fanged smile. "His ignorance led to carelessness. He never dreamed I could escape into outer space."

 

A minute twitch. A shift of Vincent's chin towards him.

 

"I remained close to the ship, too small to be recognized amongst all that floats about it. I knew I could be chased and caught by smaller vessels if I was not careful. It was a harrowing time." The magic drained Red very quickly and could kill him as efficiently as space itself. "Luck and patience granted me passage on a cargo shipment. From there it was all stealth until I sought refuge on the UNPP, where I met Aerith."

 

By now Red was certain Vincent could hear him, somehow. He was paying attention, his eyes less focused on the disappearing moon.

 

"It may be presumptuous, but my race is long-lived. I am young. I will live my life knowing that, barring misfortunes, you will all likely die before me. May I correctly guess it may be the same for you now?"

 

Finally, Vincent turned his head towards him. He did not blink.

 

Red met the black stare evenly and nodded his head as if Vincent had clearly assented. He let the silence stretch as he surveyed the celestial bodies follow their inexorable paths. "You smell of him even now."

 

Vincent's upper lips twitched upwards, almost a snarl. Red rolled his shoulders dispassionately. He was venturing unto shaky ground, touching topics he had only ever paid the slightest attention to. But all the cues he had distractedly picked up now seemed crucial, as if they would make or break the situation.

 

"Do you believe he fears you now, after everything? That you will lose what little time you may have before he grows old and dies? He fears for you." Red allowed himself a hint of self-deprecating humor. "Space is normally deadly."

 

This devil-like creature that Vincent had become, all sharp horns and defined muscles and dark intent, unfolded gracefully from his grouch and stood straight, considering Red with alien but high intelligence. His eyes were a sharp contrast against the darkness of space. Red calmly stood.

 

"I can't watch their backs alone."

 

Red had never had any practice at this kind of thing and was out of words. He slowly began making his way back to the hatch. After a moment, he felt-heard Vincent following.