81.

[soldier_puppy]

This place? Totally confusing me. The complete "Rewind Button Syndrome", for example? And am I the only one getting deja vu? I'm telling you, none of this place makes sense. At. All.

That moon, man. That moon.

Comments

[Private//Unhackable]

[shinra_finest]

[It takes a bit more than half an hour for a 'click' sound to come. There is some breathing, as he seems to wonder what to say before there is another 'click'.

A while after, the 'click' comes again, and this time his voice follow, low.

How long has it been, a week?

Between alcohol, cigarettes and more trips to the Hospital, he only recently actually noticed all of the changes, when the ground started to shake and cold invaded the house. He didn't immediately care, though, but it was time to get back to focus, time to actually do something other than trying to avoid thinking.]

I'm fine.

... You?

[Private//Unhackable]

[soldier_puppy]

[His own voice is hesitant, as if he's worried he might say the wrong thing that Reno might leave again. He thinks before answering, something rare with him in most cases, and his words are soft, controlled.]

I'm doing okay, other than that creepy moon.

You know better than to lie to me, you know. I can tell when you're not fine.

[Private//Unhackable]

[shinra_finest]

Creepy moon? [Why, yes, he hasn't even checked the windows. Then again, he doesn't sound all that curious, more like tired.]

.... [And he goes a bit quiet at that, after all... it is sort of true. Zack always managed, somehow.] Did these Gods ever lie to you? [He is trying to sound as normal as he can.]

[Private//Unhackable]

[soldier_puppy]

Yeah, creepy moon. Haven't you looked outside? [His voice softens, careful, quiet.] We're not in World's End anymore.

[This time, he pauses, thinks.] I think they all do at some point. Every time they say they can't send us home, or half the things they show us... it's all their own lie.

[Private//Unhackable]

[shinra_finest]

[There is some rustling sounds, which is him moving on the bed.] Not rea-- [And his eyebrow raises slightly. What does he mean?--] Not in World's End anymore?

[His own time to pause.] So if they told you Gaia was no more, would you believe them? [Sharing his doubts, his thoughts, in riddles, with the SOLDIER. It was far more than just an habit by now.]

[Private//Unhackable]

[soldier_puppy]

We're somewhere else. Clocktown, I think I've heard it called. Have you been in bed this entire time?

[He's quiet, dwelling.] No. Probably not. I'd believe what's in my heart, and what feels right.

[Private//Unhackable]

[shinra_finest]

-- All buildings standing, at least? -- No. Went to the Hospital, then passed the Thorn and then, well, yeah. Kitchen to living room and living room to here.

That so? [A soft, soft snort.] Sounds like you, alright.

[Private//Unhackable]

[soldier_puppy]

...You might want to take a peek out your window, man. Seriously. Even if it's just to take a peek up at the sky.

Why do you ask?

[Private//Unhackable]

[shinra_finest]

[There is a soft "Nnn" and more rustling. A heavier sound, glass falling at the floor and steps, slow steps.] ... Huh. Snow. [No wonder it was so freaking cold.]

[And his eyes narrow a bit, body leaning against the wall.] Just curious.

[Private//Unhackable]

[soldier_puppy]

Look up. Sky. The moon. I'm telling you, you'll have nightmares for a week.

Reno...? Talk to me.

[Private//Unhackable]

[shinra_finest]

Snow is enough to give you ni-- [Pause.

Paaaause.]

Holy crap-- And they said it couldn't get any worse than that meteor. [Imagine the meteor with that face. Or worse yet, Sephiroth's face on it. Man, that would be scary.]

[And then there he was, insisting, as always. And the Turk clenched his teeth and turned his back to the window.]

He said Asper was gone.

[Private//Unhackable]

[soldier_puppy]

[Forget the rest; that was ignored, forgotten, lost in the worry of what the other said.]

Gone? Like...disappeared?

[Private//Unhackable]

[shinra_finest]

[A small pause.]

Yeah.

[Private//Unhackable]

[soldier_puppy]

I'm sorry. But that means everyone went home, right? That's a good thing?

[Private//Unhackable]

[shinra_finest]

[And that just makes him silent.

No, it wasn't a good thing. It wasn't a good thing at all, if he wanted to do what he wanted to do.]

[Private//Unhackable]

[soldier_puppy]

[It slowly sinks in, and he mutters under his breath, low, quiet.]

You can't change it.