[video: unfiltered]

[geotaint]

[ There's no real "beginning" to the video itself; it simply clicks on to an off-center view of Cloud's face from an angle, his brows arching in puzzlement over curious eyes. The frond of an abnormally large fern nods behind his head, almost as though it's mocking the blonde man's seriousness. ]

...I thought I knew how to work this thing...

[ His

Comments

[monocled]

[ It's a friendly face, at least, though a bit curious and concerned. ]

You've been here before?

[geotaint]

No. No... I don't think so. But this... Has happened to me, before.

[monocled]

You've woken up in a strange world before?

You do seem to be taking it rather well.

[geotaint]

Like I said, it's not the first time.

I'm not sure what to believe, any more.

[monocled]

I regret to ask so much of you just as you've arrived, but I must know, is there a way to return to our worlds? Did you figure out a way home from the place you were before?

[geotaint]

[ With obvious disappointment - and it's aimed at himself rather than his situation in general ]

No. I didn't get that far.

....And now I'm here. Maybe there is no way back. Only forwards.

[monocled]

[ At first, he frowns. For a moment there had been an urgent sort of hope, and it's mostly gone now. He thinks over Cloud's words, realizing they're wise (and familiar, somehow), and smiles gently. ]

...You're absolutely right.

I'm Cho Hakkai. I woke up in this strange place about a month ago.

Are you doing alright, besides the obvious upsets?

[geotaint]

[ a little wary now, with everything he's been hearing ]

I'm Cloud. And I'm fine, thanks... Just disoriented.

[monocled]

It's nice to meet you, Cloud-san.

It seems you already know Kakashi-san. I'll leave it to him to introduce you to things around here.

[geotaint]

[ hearing Kakashi's name surprises him, after seeing Hakkai talking with his new self-proclaimed 'enemies' ]

You know Kakashi? So you're not with the... Others? Just whose side are you on?

Filter: NO AKATSUKI

[ura_no_ura]

Some of us here actually arrived from another dimension... similar to this, but not quite.

[ Pauses ]

It's why we acclimated to this place so quickly.