[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

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi's eye widens in surprise when he sees who it is that flickers on screen. He remembers this man. Remembers the weight of his sword, and cutting through high grass on a field. Remembers his quiet disposition and the comfortable silences they would take around each other. Remembers all this, and wonders --

Is this the same Cloud?

Cloud says, "Not again" like he's been through this before, and a part of Kakashi hopes it's because he has. And so he takes a chance.

For once he doesn't look indifferent.

If anything, he looks a little surprised. ]

Cloud?

[geotaint]

[ There's definite, immediate recognition. ]

...Kakashi? You're here, too??

Private to Cloud

[ura_no_ura]

[ Well, that's obvious enough, so Kakashi doesn't confirm the question. But he's relieved that it is the same Cloud he remembers. He switches to a private channel, because Akatsuki is all over this post. ]

I didn't think I would ever see you again.

[ He admits this because it's the truth. Somarium is a place that feels so far away now. ]

Private to Kakashi

[geotaint]

[ He figures out how to make his reply private from the way Kakashi's response comes in return, and his tone is obviously different even at a glance ]

I didn't, either. This is the first time this has happened... Something carried over. What is this place? Why are we here?

Private to Cloud

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi doesn't know what Cloud means when he says that something's carried over. But he knows they don't have much time to waste when Akatsuki can be anywhere, and distance is inconsequential. So he explains quickly, already starting to move. ]

This is my world.

[ Pauses ]

But it's not the one I remember. It's like we've been transported backwards in time, hundreds of years. [A beat] By the gods, it seems. Which I know is hard to believe, but... apparently someone here has met one of them.

Private to Kakashi

[geotaint]

[ He doesn't really know what to do with this information, but he stores it all away for reference ]

... I think we need to talk.

Private to Cloud

[ura_no_ura]

[ He looks a little resigned. Apologetic, even. Because really, Cloud would've been better off in Somarium. Where things were peaceful. And quiet. And the dreams were not as loud. ]

I'll explain when I arrive. I'm about twenty minutes out from you. Stay where you are.

Private to Kakashi

[geotaint]

[ business-like: he understands Kakashi's mannerisms enough to know when they're talking to each other as fighters, not friends. ]

Got it. I'll be here.