animus_network | ♘ 1: Video

[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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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?

[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!]

[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.]

[The less than amused part is...fairly evident, General. Stating the obvious should be your thing. But, yes, orders are orders and that was close enough to one that Zack stops tugging before he chokes himself by accident.]

Some kind of terminal. I'm guessing it's on the third floor or something, cause the closest door reads 3-06.

[...Just how close is he, Sephiroth? Did he not notice you nearby?]

[Sephiroth blinked, suddenly snapped closed the "phone" and not far down the hall a door opened, a tall figure stepping out into the hallway.]

--and here we are. Quaint.

[Oh, thank Shiva, there you are. Don't mind him grinning, Sephiroth, he'll just be doing so as he walks closer, obviously relieved.]

Guess that's one thing you could call it. Cloud's village is a lot quainter, though.

[Sephiroth glanced around and snorted softly.]

Well, I'll have to take your word for it, since my first glimpse of the place was so woefully brief.

Have you word from the cadet yet?

Probably better than mine. All I saw was a couple of rooftops on the way in.

[But first impressions, and all that. Also, that's definitely a headshake.]

None. I'm starting to wonder if he actually came here in the first place...not like him to stay this quiet.

Mm. You know him better than I. [Sephiroth's lip twitched wryly.] And I suppose there's little chance in contacting ShinRa with these...things. [A snort of disgust indicated the little communicator devices.]

Guess so, since every number I tried didn't even go to voicemail. [siiigh.] Though that may be cause we don't have a world anymore, if you wanna believe that letter. I haven't found a window to check through yet.

While I don't doubt the possibility, given those in power back home, I do doubt such a feat occurring without at least some notice of such. So, all things considered, I do believe I'll keep an open mind regarding that news.

Priority for now, however: locate Cadet Strife and whomever else might be stuck here and locate a way back to where we're supposed to be.

[Zack nods, glad to have some kind of purpose before the feeling of being put out to pasture with no idea why can sink in again, and also just glad to have something to do before his mind can wander into what the hell happened and why they're here but everyone else isn't. It's a terrible idea to let him think and Sephiroth knows it.]

So much for an easy mission, huh, Seph?

[He smirked, shaking his head slightly.]

What, you missed the fine print in those orders? Tsk, sloppy, First Class.

Hey, I help get the job done, man. What's it matter if I don't go into that crazy little stuff?

[Dramatic flop sigh. He read it, but for a couple of Firsts? Every mission's supposed to be easy!]

Present situation excluded? [Touchè, pup.]

Present situation excluded...and if they ever sent us out to hunt Zoloms but didn't want the things dead.

[Because he hates those things as much as he hates reading the fine print.]

[Sephiroth's lip curled again.]

Somehow I doubt Heidegger would want one for a pet. Still, one never does know.

Nah, I don't think it would be Heidegger...not unless he wanted to sic one of things on Hojo for some reason. Can't say I'd blame him for that.

[Would anyone in ShinRa blame him for that? Hard to say...]

The ensuing amusement would almost be worth damages rendered.

Only almost? Huh. I'll have to remember that.

[If only to keep the temptation at bay.]

Who do you think they'd have cleaning up the rubble, hm? The gil-grubbers always have the last word, you know that.

[Oh, sure, ruin his dream why don't you.]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Still, you gotta admit...it's tempting to think about doing it, isn't it?

Oh. [Wry snort.] It's more than tempting.

[Griiiiiiin. Good to hear that, that's for sure, but...there is more pressing business at hand, sadly. Not much time for banter.]

Want me to go take a look around? See what I can find out about this place?

[See if he can find his sword, more like...one track mind sometimes, this pup.]

Mm, I'd be ever so appreciative. You take the left side, I'll head right? Rendezvous back on this level in...an hour or so?

Provided you don't stumble off into trouble as soon as you turn the corner.

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pauldrons - 2012-05-12 01:54 (UTC) - Expand

intemperiae - 2012-05-12 01:57 (UTC) - Expand

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