[PSL for Cefca]

[yacantdoitkid]

Every day is pulling them closer to the Calm Lands. Closer to Gagazet. Zanarkand. Jecht tries to put it out of his mind, sitting just outside camp with his chin on his knees. Hell, it's not like he doesn't know what has to be done. Because of the kid -- his kid. They'll get it right this time.

Never mind that he's cycled around twice already. This time is going to be different. It has to be, and he won't let it be anything else.

Comments

[sandinmyboots]

There's nothing like monster killing to clear the mind - even if it does come with wounds. The save point did a lot to help, but he's still feeling a little out of it as he wanders outside camp to see Jecht.

"Do you need a potion or something? I've got some extras."

Cefca sits next to Jecht.

[yacantdoitkid]

"Looks like you need'm more than me. You look like shit."

Romance, Jecht's strong suit. But his frown is concerned as he looks Cefca over. Obviously, he knows that Cefca hasn't been sleeping well. And he's even more off his food than usual. Not good, especially with the magic eating him up from the inside out.

[sandinmyboots]

"I already healed up. This is just how my face looks normally."

This is somewhat true. Half true. He's been looking more and more like a zombie these days, yes, but it's not that bad. It could be worse. Yes. Definitely. He's not in denial at all!

[yacantdoitkid]

"No it ain't."

Jecht grabs him by the cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle, and he examines Cefca's face. He's definitely gaunter, paler -- Jecht can't pretend like he likes it. He knows what it means for Cefca. Time is running out before there's not much of him left to fight the madness.

"You need ta sleep. No good t'anyone like this."

[sandinmyboots]

Cefca stands on his tiptoes while Jecht inspects him. It's a little weird, having someone be so focused on him for reasons other than his effectiveness as a soldier. In combat, he's never done better. Healthwise...not so much. He has too much energy to sleep much, and his appetite swings from ravenous to gone and back more than he likes.

"I tried sleeping. I can't get still. I just keep on thinking about - stuff. Stuff and things."

[yacantdoitkid]

"Stuff an' things, huh?"

He can guess. He bumps his forehead against Cefca's gently.

"We'll find something. Maybe Braska's got a spell or something."

He knows he's grasping at straws. But there has to be something that can quiet Cefca's mind just long enough for him to get his rest.

[sandinmyboots]

"Whether day or night, I don't feel like I stop fighting."

Cefca sighs. "Do you think a Sleep spell would work? I know my future self has immunities to a lot of conditions, but I don't think I have any yet. Or maybe if we found some sort of relic to equip? A peace ring or a ribbon...Does anyone live up here?"

[yacantdoitkid]

"S'worth a shot. C'mon."

Jecht slings an arm around his shoulder, trying to ignore just how thin he is. Even through his robes, Jecht can feel his shoulderblades.

"Dunno if anyone lives up here, aside from the cats. Why?"

Cats, Ronso, whatever.

[sandinmyboots]

"If there's a merchant around, there might be something worth buying. It's inconvenient how no one has any decent armor here!"

Cefca huffs and wraps his arm around Jecht's sturdy hips in return. "Ten minutes in a shop on my world and I'd have everyone outfitted to fight Sin in no time!"

[yacantdoitkid]

Jecht hides a grin in Cefca's hair.

"Our armor's fine. Quit yer worrying." As if it doesn't warm him to hear Cefca expressing his concern, however backwards he might be about it. Not that Jecht is that good at expressing his own feelings.

"Let's find you a ribbon. Pretty sure Auron's got one."

[sandinmyboots]

"We could get a few dozen magic wands and then break them in Yunalesca's stupid zombie face! The resulting explosions should reduce her to itty bitty zombie pieces in no time! Ka - bam!" Cefca swings his fist to demonstrate. "Anyone who looks funny at you will feel my wrath!"

He's gotten a bit off topic.

"A ribbon! Ribbons are good! I bet that'd work a lot better than a Peace Ring! That's what I usually use. It prevents Berserk and Confusion, see. But doesn't he need it for Yunalesca? She's coming close."

[yacantdoitkid]

"Deep breaths, babe."

He hates it when Cefca goes off the edge like this. He sounds more like Kefka than Cefca.

"Nah, he'll be fine. Don't worry about it."

[sandinmyboots]

Cefca takes some deep breaths, his footsteps becoming more even, less jumpy.

"If nothing else, my blue magic should help out. I hope."

[yacantdoitkid]

"You got this, babe." He runs a hand down Cefca's back, soft and soothing. "Just quit freaking out."

He leans down, rummaging through Auron's pack, and comes up with a ribbon in hand. "Gimme yer wrist."

[sandinmyboots]

"I'm good at freaking out. It's my signature. Kill everything, pass go, collect 200 gil."

He offers his hand. "Do we have any anti-zombie gear? I think I can use Auto Life and Magic Hammer to keep everyone alive, but I'm not sure that will be enough. I've never tried Auto Life and zombie in conjunction before."

[yacantdoitkid]

"Quit it."

Jecht ties the ribbon around his wrist, then uses his grip to pull Cefca in. He wraps him in a hard hug, as if he can force him to be still. (And not insane.)

"We'll deal with it, alrigh'? Done it enough times already to know the drill."

[sandinmyboots]

Cefca stills in the hug, then rests his forehead against Jecht's chest.

"I don't want you to die. I don't want anyone to die. I'm all psyched up for the battle. This is different from what I'm used to."

[yacantdoitkid]

"Quit it. No one's gonna die, 'cept for that creep."

By that creep, he means Sin, yes. Familiarity, contempt, and what not. His hands roam down Cefca's back, soothingly.

"And yer not gonna lose it, either. Promise."

[sandinmyboots]

"By creep, are we talking Yunalesca or Sin or just Yevon in general....?"

Cefca bounces onto his toes and presses a chaste kiss to Jech's mouth.

"I know. I trust you."

[yacantdoitkid]

The kiss makes him turn red. Bright red. Jecht can't help it. His eyes dart around, trying to see if Brasa or Auron saw them. Not that it changes much, if they did -- he's kidding himself if he thinks the others don't know about him and Cefca.

"Y'know, the creeps. All've em."