♘ 1: Video

[intemperiae]

[The visage appearing over the video feed was...less than amused, honestly. MAKO green eyes framed with silver narrowed in growing consternation, as this particular user had been trying to make sense of this strange simulation for the last hour or so. With little luck, as this place damned sure wasn't his HQ field tent.

Not to mention that this thing in his hand certainly doesn't look like his PHS, there's a bloody collar around his neck (and for that, heads will roll, oh yes), his sword is nowhere to be found and some idiot considered it humorous to leave cryptic notes at the foot of his bunk... Needless to say, Sephiroth's temper with it was quickly evaporating.]

...I do not find this particularly amusing, gentlemen. We have work to be done, these pranks are better left for your celebrating at mission's completion.

[Granted, finding himself in a completely different place than the one in which he'd arrived the previous day did little to mollify his irritation, either. But, no matter the situation, a SOLDIER always kept a level head. ...most of the time.]

Fair! Strife! Report in, immediately!

Comments

[Video]

[pauldrons]

[Well. That's a familiar voice, thank Shiva. He was beginning to wonder...ah, well, not the time. Have one familiar second in command appearing on screen, General, and yes. He's tugging on his own collar as he speaks.]

Not a prank, sir. And I can't find Cloud anywhere...hells, I can't even find my sword.

[Video]

[intemperiae]

[There you were. Good.]

While I don't exactly frown upon the odd shen--[Then he caught sight of Zack's own neck-wear and his voice went flat.] What are you doing with that around your neck, Zack Fair?

[Video]

[pauldrons]

[Of course he's here. Someone's got to keep you from blowing everything to smithereens. He's also shaking his head, giving his collar another tug.]

No idea. It was on when I woke up and now I can't get it off. It won't tear or give or anything. Can't find a latch or clasp, either.

[And it's getting annoying; yes, his nickname is puppy or "dog of Shinra", but he's not actually a dog!]

[Video]

[intemperiae]

[Praise be.]

Hn. [Green eyes narrowed.] Suffice to say I am less than amused.

[He didn't bother to pull on his own; no, his plan was simply to find the culprit responsible and "explain" how he'd rather not wear the bloody thing. ...by hand, if necessary.]

What's your location? [As near as they could figure, rather.]

[video]

[denigrator]

Why, hello, Sephiroth. What a surprise to see you here.

[Smiling, Hojo doesn't sound surprised at all, although it is true that he hadn't expected to see Sephiroth. Especially not like this. What's happened to him?]

Calling for your men? [Now that is interesting. He hadn't been in a military frame of mind when Hojo had last seen him.] Cloud Strife... [Hojo does know the name of that particular infantryman.] He is here, and I don't doubt he'll be glad to see you.

[At this, he can't help but laugh.]

[video]

[intemperiae]

[A thousand nightmares instantly flashed before green eyes, but all Sephiroth allowed was a minute clenching of his jaw, barely noticeable behind a fall of silver.]

--Professor. [Said in as cordial a tone as he could muster.] Is this..."simulation" some experiment of yours?

[Because if so, you and he were going to have words, Hojo. Oh, yes.]

[video]

[denigrator]

[He folded his hands as he regarded the screen.]

Mine? Oh no, it isn't mine. It is an interesting experiment, in its way, but it's nothing to do with my work... As far as I can tell.

[Although now there was another of his experiments here.]

Wouldn't it be fascinating if it were?

[He unfolded his hands and touched the fingers of one to the collar at his throat.]

If you would take the time to examine your surroundings and this network, you might learn a little more. Someone with your background should have no trouble, haha.

[video]

[intemperiae]

[That small little screeking noise? That was the plastic casing around the device shrieking in pain because black-gloved fingers were strangling it.]

I'll thank you not to patronize me, Professor. [Your head was only so attached to that scrawny neck, you know. But a small spark of wicked amusement lit MAKO green eyes to see Hojo's own collar.]

So. It seems you're no less a prisoner, then. Interesting, indeed.

[Video]

[guardiano_perduto]

--how 'bout counting down from ten, first?

[Video]

[intemperiae]

[What the bloody devil? --it's a talking...animal.]

Excuse me?

[Video]

[guardiano_perduto]

Taking deep breaths? Yoga?

You just seem kinda miffed. Wanna talk about it?

[atouchofstrife]

[ No no no no no no. Not here. Not now! Cloud stared at the screen - and Sephiroth would probably note the sudden flash of surprise mixed with horror in the Mako-tainted eyes - before all expressions were cut off outside of a grim frown. ]

Sephiroth. [ No 'General'. No acting like a mere infantryman flustered over a higher ranking person remembering his name. Just a cold determination. A careful observer would note the maturity in his face, his washed-out blond spikes, the blue collar and the non-military clothing the camera showed. ] We are not on the Planet any more.

[ Then as if carefully poking a bomb, he adds... ]What are your plans for this world?

[intemperiae]

[Ah, there you are, Cadet. Finally. Under more normal circumstances, Sephiroth would have indeed taken note of the changes in Cloud's appearance and demeanor, but unfortunately, the current circumstances were less than ideal and the man hadn't even had his morning coffee yet. Thus:]

Rendezvous with Zack Fair and meet me here-- [He paused, disappearing for a moment to check the number on the door.]-- 3-02. Immediately.

[A spark of wry humor flashed briefly.] It seems your village has gone missing.

[atouchofstrife]

...Zack's not here. [ What are you smoking? Are you playing tricks with him again because he does not appreciate your bringing up Zack's name. Not one bit at all. Cloud is frowning harder -if possible-. Careful, his face might get stuck that way. ]

Of course it's gone. [ Oh he is going to start up a righteous growl here but then... He realizes something here. He had talked a little with Reno who didn't know about the stigma or the Remnants and thought Cloud had been still under the delusion of being Zack's better cousin. ]

[ He pressed his lips together and then the feed goes off. A door will open from room 3-08 and Cloud will step out, but if the feed wasn't being paid attention, the flesh should be because what steps out and starts down the hall in a slightly angry huff was Cloud all grown up. ]

[Video]

[get_bent]

[The feel opens to a young in their mid teenage years, wearing a strange outfit. His arms are crossed.]

Dunno if you noticed, but this ain't the place where you came from. We're all stuck here.

[Video]

[intemperiae]

[Had he been familiar with the image on the other end, he might have bitten off quite the scathing quip. As it was, Sephiroth merely frowned and cocked an eyebrow.]

Quite obviously, since I retired in a small wintry village half-way up Nibel Mountain. And if you would be so kind, define "stuck here".

[floreatnoctem]

[Here Sephiroth, have a very straight-faced girl in a lot of frills and lace.]

Whomever it is you think you are addressing, it is very likely they are not here- though you will be fortunate if they are.

But rest assured, this is no joke.

[intemperiae]

[They came in all ages, it seemed. Such was ...slightly disturbing. To imprison children? Sephiroth did not approve.]

So it seems.

[floreatnoctem]

Quite.

[Chidori isn't a child- she's also not as ordinary as some of those that are around.]

Have the basics of the tower been explained to you?

[video]

[notontheflowers]

[Have a equally grumpy looking Reno on your hands. He looks... a few years older than the last time you saw him Sephiroth, and has a bit of a tan. Considering you're not cursing Redd and his ship at the moment he's pretty sure you're like the other him.

Have you ever seen a Serious Reno before? Now you will.]

Not a prank. I can brief you on the details I know of at some point, there's a lot of them. Short version, it's your basic quarantine of refugees from a disaster. We're the refugees this time, and there's no knowing when we'll be relocated if at all.

[He probably sounds a bit like Veld.]

[video]

[intemperiae]

[Truth be told, Sephiroth had never paid much attention to Tseng's operatives, unless a stern reprimand was necessary. Which, thanks to the efficiency of ShinRa's commanders, had been seldom.

But green eyes lit with familiarity; at last, a reputably competent subordinate. Of sorts. He'd do, at the current moment. Although his news had Sephiroth's brow lowering further.]

Reno. Yes, I'd appreciate a detailed report of any intelligence you've managed to uncover. Sooner rather than later, if you please.

[Although to see the Turk here was a bit...surprising.]

[video]

[notontheflowers]

[Reno might have been hurt at one point to hear that he wasn't paid attention to but that time had long since passed.]

We can meet in the library when you're done getting ahold of Cloud. Just be aware, he may try to kill you on sight. I'll explain later, it's a bit complicated to say the least.

[promised_victory]

This is much too elaborate to be a prank. [It would have to be an extremely powerful magus to pull her here in the first place.]

[intemperiae]

[Sephiroth's lip twitched.]

I would put nothing past ShinRa's holographic technicians, madam.

[promised_victory]

Who is this ShinRa you speak of, sir? I am not familiar with the term.

[Nor holographic technology, nor.... anything. Which was her first big clue something is wrong here.]