The Future is Hope (with Yayninja)

[~PlatinumCream~]

After the fall of Coccon and Lighting's disappearance, it's been 10 years since he last saw them and even him too. Being the leader of the Academy isn't that bad.. just lots of research of the fabric time and space itself in Academia 4XX AF where the Academy Headquarters is located in this capital city. 24 year old, Hope Estheim sighing deeply in boredom in which it was a first but after Alyssa attempt to lure Serah and Noel into a trap, it's just so quiet now.

"..I wonder how is Mr. Villiers doing now. It's been 10 years since we talked.." the young man pondered that moment.

[Yayninja]

Following the resolution of the paradox in the Sunleth Waterscape, Snow found himself absorbed back into time, sealing off the paradox for good. These were chaotic times, however, and order disrupted by Etro would not be restored so easily.

Snow was absorbed into the Historia Crux, unable to control it, and found himself hurled onto a metallic bridge. He looked up, the sun blurring his vision, and he felt dizzied by the buildings towering around him. Slowly working up to a standing position, he tried to work out what this metallic metropolis was. Snow topped a passer-by "H-hey, what is this place?". The woman looked back, confused "This is Academia, silly!". Snow looked back, just as perplexed "And what's that?" he replied. The lady laughed "Hope Estheim, leader of the Academy, had this city built as a haven of Pulse".

Snow recoiled at the mention of Hope's name "Th-thanks"

Hope's here?

[~PlatinumCream~]

The young director deep into thought just hoping on what he can do to change the future; to bring back Lighting, Vanille, Fang even his mother. However.. all of that is now in the hands of Lighting's younger sister, Serah and the last mankind to the near future, Noel. Wasn't even pay attention until a woman bystander was repeatably tapping his shoulder. "H-huh? Oh.. sorry.. I was lost in thought." Hope scratching his back head. "It's okay, director. I wanted to tell you that there's someone outside.. I think he's looking for you."

Taking back at what the girl said.. someone was looking for him? Hope headed outside of the Academy doors, looking at the bright clear sky in this city until he noticed someone there. Snow? Is it Snow Villers?

Slowly walks to behind the man having his arms crossed up. "It's been long, huh..?"

[Yayninja]

Snow had managed to find his way to Academia HQ after a long time of getting lost in the sprawling city. How could Hope have built this place? he pondered, in awe of the scale of Academia. He looked around, uncertain of his surroundings, until he approached a woman and asked for Hope. "Important, huh? I'll get him right away!" she replied, dutifully.

Snow stepped outside and took a moment to admire the surroundings. He thought upon the last time he saw Hope upon defeating Orphan and that moment of passion in Felix Heights. His thoughts were interrupted by the very boy standing behind him, arms crossed. Snow turned round and smiled, Hope had grown up - though he still had his trademark boomerang. He couldn't remember how long it had been since he last saw Hope, the time-travelling made this even more confusing for him. He wasn't sure what he should say and he felt somewhat guilty.

"Hope... I- You did this?!" he gushed, spreading his arms wide.

[~PlatinumCream~]

Both eyebrows arches upwards just staring at the man and his surprise expression looking up, down and all around this futuristic city. First time he's ever been here although this is now Hope's new home after that ambush years ago at the Felix Heights. A light chuckles escape through his lips setting his hand on the belt of his pants.

"You could say that. However, I am the leader of the Academy Headquarters. Researching on the very fabric of the time and space. A theoretical paradoxical situation during the process through time." explains to Snow just briefly hearing himself ramble on and on letting out another chuckle. "My apology, Snow. I sometimes ramble on about my research.. other than that.."

His green eyes narrowing up and down to his old friend stopping up to his head noticing that his bandana is gone. "Gave up the bandana?" he asked pointing to his dirty blonde long hair.

[Yayninja]

Snow screwed his face in response to Hope's technical jargon and laughed "Cute and smart. And I thought you couldn't get any more perfect" he said, flirtatiously. His disorganised time-travelling had made his affections for Serah dwindle somewhat, yet his feelings for Hope still burned hot since the steamy encounter many years ago.

Snow chuckled at Hope's observation. "Yeaahh... I guess I had a wardrobe change. I'm still the same hero though" he gloated, winking at Hope. He walked towards the young man and placed a hand on his, now broader, shoulder - though he noticed that he still dwarfed Hope in height. The simple pleasure of touching Hope made Snow smile. "How have you been?" he asked, keen to hear all about what Hope had been up to since the fall of Cocoon.

[~PlatinumCream~]

A sudden shade of pink reveal across his cheeks from Snow's opening comment looking away for a brief moment. Usually, he would've said that to Serah of all humans so it was new to him. Even times where Alyssa kept clinging onto his arm...

"And that cocky little hero attitude is still the same." Hope replied back in a blunt manner still keeping that blush. Flinches a bit when Snow places his much more broad hand on his shoulder avoiding this attempt to drag his gloved hands up and down his muscle and.. what?! No No! That would be highly unprofessional. "Well.. let's take a walk through the Academy while we discuss, hm?" Hope asked patting the man's chest as he walked to the doors waving his hand to Snow to come along.

[Yayninja]

Snow laughed at Hope's curt remark, the boy had done a lot of growing up; very professional now - in public at least.

Again, the feeling of Hope's hand against his chest brought back vivid memories of a long time ago. Snow followed closely behind Hope "Sure thing!". He still craned his head around to admire the sheer scale of his surroundings "How the hell did you do this?!" he boomed.

[~PlatinumCream~]

"High advance technology, my good friend." Hope said letting that warm smile show looking behind at Snow greeting a few of his students by.

"You see.. after Lighting's sudden disappearance causing a paradox through that time, erasing her from existence, I started researching about the art of time travel. During those times.. my father passed away so I was left alone." sighing just soft as he continues. "I started learning more and more until to the point.. I ended up taking leader of this organization. For a better future." Hope brushing a few silver locks from his eyes.

[Yayninja]

Snow smiled widely "Who'da thunk it? Leader of a whole city, gadgets and machines, and students to boot!" he commented, chuckling. He looked at Hope, somewhat worried about his loneliness "Hope, I don't know how I got here... And I don't know how to get back. So I tell ya what, if there's a space for me here then I'll stay and make sure you don't feel alone"

Snow grinned. What an heroic thing to do.