animus_network | 001

Entry tags:

001 - Video

Fail Filtered to: Sephiroth
General, I've got good news and bad news. Got somewhere private enough that we can talk?

Open to Network, not fail-locked:
So, uh, I got a question for you guys. Anybody know where I can get a sword around here? Mine seems to have not made the trip with me and it feels weird to not have it, so...[sheepish look is go] I'd just really appreciate it if I could get a new one or something. Or if somebody could tell me they've seen my old one. It's about six feet long, weighs around 50 pounds...pretty hard to miss, but I can't find it anywhere.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...Zack? [ He was not lying, he was not lying. Oh craop, oh crap, oh crap. How can he explain to Zack of all people that he was dead back home? ]

Cloud? [A moment of staring because he knows that voice but can't put it to a face that's so much older even though he knows it can't be anyone else so...staring. Lots of staring before he breaks out in a huge grin.] Geez, you got big!

Very funny. [ He is still a little shorter than normal for a SOLDIER but, well, he never did become one despite the glow to his eyes. ] It's been a while.

Hey, I'm not kidding! You look taller than when I last saw you. [At least a little, anyway! Last time you barely came up to his shoulder, so now...been a while?] How long's it been?

[ If his hair could, it would be completely drooping to go along with the sudden sadness filling his eyes. His face was still stoic but the cracks were there if he wished to look. ]

Seven years.

[Seven years. Been a while. That reaction. ...Oh, this can't be good. Either Cloud's spent the past seven years here or something bad happened.]

Cloud...what happened? Talk to me, man.

Hojo happened. [ Just... He can't talk about it twice. He'll tell it if he had to, but not a second time. ]

[Hojo happened--shit. Every alarm bell in Zack's head starting ringing at those two simple words, and it shows. Breathe, Fair. Don't get angry yet.]

He did something to you, didn't he?

[...okay maybe yes to get angry. Zack looks like he's about to go and find the guy himself now.]

When doesn't he do something to someone? [ A slight snap in his words but then Cloud just gets a hold of himself. Remembering that it doesn't help anyone to let the past drag him down. Even though he was staring at the past in the terminal. ]

Sorry... He did. Just don't hunt him down right now. We need to regroup and figure this place out before we end up doing something stupid. [ Yup, little Cloud is starting to speak like a leader. Aren't you proud, Zack? ] Where are you and is Sephiroth around?

[That draws Zack up short. Where was he that Hojo got his nasty paws on Cloud? How could it happen? No, Fair, don't go there. Not yet. Deal with the rest before you go on a manhunt.]

Third floor of the dorms, just outside Room 3-04. Seph's around...probably in his room or downstairs somewhere. Maybe the library, I'm not sure.

The library then. I'll meet the two of you there. I'm not gonna try explaining what happened twice. [ He doubts he could get through it once without losing it as it is. He chews on the inside of his mouth and then sighs a little. ]

There are two people calling themselves Reno here. Same Turk as far as I could tell with a couple differences. Orange collar was stuck on an boat for a while, the other is a few years behind me.

Yeah, we'll meet you there. Don't worry about that...[Worry more about what Zack is going to do to you in person, Cloud. He'll mother hen you like crazy, despite being seven years younger.

Also, have a very confused look now. Two Renos? How is that even possible!?] You're kidding. How can there be two of the same person?

Good. [ Cloud needs mother hens. Tifa was doing a good job of it when he actually stuck around to listen.

He shrugged. ]

I don't know, but they seem legit.

[Then Zack will just will have to do it for her in the meantime. Someone has to look after the Chocobo, after all. He gets into too much trouble without help.

Also, that's a sigh. Two versions of the same person...what next? Zoloms that dress in drag and do the hula?]

I guess it's better that it's Reno than Hojo or somebody else...At least you can trust the Turks. Mostly.

[ That he does. He needs a good kick in the head once in a while after all. ]

I've got a good working relationship with those that are left.

Edited 2012-05-12 05:38 (UTC)

[They all do, really. Cloud's just going to start getting them from a Puppy instead of his crush, that's all.]

Those that are left---hang on a second. Besides you, me, Seph, and the...pair of Reno's, how many from our world are even here right now?

Just us, Hojo, the Reno's, and Sephiroth. I was thinking back home my time.

[Okay, now that's a little disturbing. What happened that the Turks of all people got taken down to "those that are left" status? He almost doesn't want to know.]

Huh. Well, that's not that surprising. They're actually pretty nice people once you get past the suits and the fact they're paid more than SOLDIER is.

We've had a few differences. [ Sector Seven comes to mind. Cloud decides to not mention it. ]

But yeah, they're okay.

When don't people have differences, man? I can't think of even one time. [Said with a wry grin; differences were what started wars, after all. Not the time to be thinking on them, though.]

So...how've you been? Life treating you okay lately? Other than getting stuck here, I mean.

I could be better. It's been a hectic year with a world crisis or three. [ He was trying to keep a light tone, although he was still unsure of what to do next. ]

What was the last thing you remember?

[...World crisis or three? What in the world had he missed? Geez, Cloud, he's the one who's supposed to be unable to stay out of trouble, not you.]

Last thing I remember? Trying to keep you from losing your lunch in the helicopter. We were on route to Nibelheim at the time.

[And poor Cloud had seemed so queasy or worried or...something. Zack still couldn't make sense of it.]

[ What can he say? He did become Zack's living legacy. He probably inherited all that trouble attracting Zackness as well as a really big sword. ]

...Huh. A lot has happened but I still get sick on helicopters.

Wanna meet up and talk?

[No doubts there. Shame he didn't inherit the smiling habit, though. He really could stand to smile a lot more.]

Sounds good. I'm gonna head to the Library on Floor 19 to meet up with Seph in a few minutes. Meet me there?

[ Cloud twitches a little at Sephiroth's name. He knew it wasn't the same one, the same person that he just finished defeating in the ruins of Shinra, but it was still hard to get use to. Cloud nodded. ]

I'll meet you there.

...It's good to see you again, Zack.