Cloud AU's

Reason to mingle

The Arcobaleno were chosen to preserve the balance of the Trinisette and the World. They had to have the strongest flames to be given the position. Sure, purity was a bonus to run things more smoothly, but the quantity was over quality for Checkerface. He still did a screening just to make sure the flames of the Pacifier holders would -should- be compatible.

Looking in the Mafia was obvious, the Active's tended to be snared into it eventually, some more willing than others and eager to trample competition. A natural instinct to fight was within every living being, those capable of utilising their flames simply exhibited more bloodthirst, a desire to dominate, than passive ones did as a result of coming into their instincts.

The current Arcobaleno were no different. He looked at those who excelled, the best of the best ranks known amongst those thriving amidst the seedy underworld, kings of Scum, and was fortunate in his findings.

Sun, Reborn, Hitman, Accuracy.
Mist, Viper, Broker, Deceit.
Storm, Fon, Assassin, Ruthless.

Some were a bit more out of left field but no less known, others just making a name for themselves:

Lightning, Verde, Scientist, Morality.
Rain, Lal, Mercenary, Discipline.

The last were both known and mysterious, one harder to find than the other.

Sky, Luce, Donna, Foresight.
She was already aware of the future she'd bear and offered herself to it, accepted it to continue her lineage and do her duty to the world without any want for recognition or thanks.

Cloud...

Truly, Checkerface hadn't chosen the Cloud. Not this one. He had looked at prospective ones, ones that might fit in with the ones he'd already decided on according to what would be needed to make up for the loss of the last set. He was sure he'd found them, but no.

The Trinisette didn't react to his chosen, didn't care about that Cloud who was lost in his instinct. A Cloud made machine.
A Cloud who wasn't free, their Flames running on fumes of a fading desire of a forgotten Will to stay atop of the food chain. That wasn't freedom. It was struggle, yes, but they wouldn't last as an Arcobaleno.
It wasn't as much rejection as dull pity. The Trinisette wouldn't put a burden such as the Curse on a Cloud as unstable and fading as this one. Their will was all but nearly gone. They would die upon being cursed. Without freedom, the flames would dull and extinguish themselves. Dying.

Kawahira was grasping at straws. Bloodthirst, violence, calculative, aggressive, chained, even another don-! None were satisfying, none matched what the Trinisette demanded.

So, he was at his wits end and did something any Mist knew was a stupid move, if only because it served no purpose. He used his Flames and prayed. He prayed to a higher power -the Trinisette- to guide him.
It wanted something? It had to know it existed in the first place. He'd accept It's choice, as it was far too late to render his own judgement. He'd already set up the meeting for the others, telling the Sky the Cloud would be late or later.
They couldn't be a no-show, the others' flames had to at least somewhat acknowledge that they belonged 'together'.

The flames took hold, and he clutched the invite to the meeting, forcefully relaxing and steeling himself so he wouldn't have an angry Cloud to deal with for suddenly breaching into their territory, looking tense and ready for a fight.

The air was damp, moist and warm. The scream he was met with upon materialising, causing his eyes to open, wasn't unexpected. Going to a Cloud without expecting any fear, pain or anger to surround them was an unnatural expectation.

There wasn't a woman in danger as he'd expected from the shrill voice, but a young man, a teen, decked in make-up and clutching a bath towel to his body to hide his private parts as he stared at him owlishly.