001 - [AUDIO]

[stormhelm]

[static]... cctk... anyone... [static] computer only... intranet...[static]

[abruptly, the noise cuts out and the line clears] ...we go. Can anyone hear me?

Well... [a sigh, and at a gruff mumble] if this isn’t a dream... This is Cloud, trooper in the 7th division for Shin-Ra Company, personnel number...[the sound of fiddling, a faint jingle of

Comments

[voice]

[soldierinbloom]

--Shin-Ra? Oh! Hey! Yeah, you're coming in loud and clear!

But, um... you're... kiiiind of far from home, I'm afraid.

[voice] 1/2

[stormhelm]

[static] ...

... Zack?

[voice] ~ Yeah, this is going to be awkward xD

[stormhelm]

... oh God, are you okay?

[voice] 1/2 sob I'm so sorry for being so sloooow

[soldierinbloom]

--yeah, I'm great!

...er...

[Wait a minute.]

[voice]

[soldierinbloom]

Have we... uh... met? Before?

Should probably check my phone-- if you sent me mail, I probably didn't get it. Which has got a serious connection issue around here.

[video] No worries! ^_^

[stormhelm]

[He had just turned on in the video feed with Shiki's help, so very suddenly you have a Cloud on your screen, staring at you like you've grown an extra head. Not that he can see you yet, but. Extra head.]

...

...that's not funny.

[video]

[soldierinbloom]

[Zack's almost surprised, the automatic filter switching it, and he scrubs at the back of his head.

He actually feels kind of bad. That face looking in kind of makes him feel bad.

Good job, Cloud! You've kind of... got him a little speechless! With-- a pretty sheepish grin.]

Re: [video]

[stormhelm]

[He knows there's something not quite right as soon as he sees the image of Zack, even with the video fuzz.

The hair. That's it. He never does his hair like that anymore, not since... Together with Angeal being alive, something connects in Cloud's mind. The expression on his face shifts, to one of an almost defeated nature. He look down, and if you look closely... is that the hint of a smile?]

... Weird question... how old are you?

[video]

[soldierinbloom]

[Well, not as weird as it could be. He's been asked stranger things.]

Gonna be seventeen this summer! [He offers another of those sheepish grins, trying to be bright and cheery in the face of such an oddity. This place is spooky enough.]

Guess it's not saying much, though. Uh-- if I didn't remember your name, sorry about that! Better with faces. So! How about we start this over on the right foot?

Re: [video]

[stormhelm]

[And he suspected as much, although it's hardly easy to believe. The last time he saw Zack, he was older, bloody, and lying in a set of stairs in too much pain to move. Not to mention they'd known each other.]

[It would be impossible to explain, and looking at him, smiling like that, Cloud finds he really doesn't want to.]

Don't worry about it. Sorry for causing such a fuss.

[And quickly, without offering explanation, he gets up and turns ff the feed.]

[video]

[soldierinbloom]

...

[The smile drops, and Zack sighs at the empty screen, feeling... pretty bad about that, actually. Something's up.

But-- well... it's-- complicated? He'll just have to ask Cloud about it when he sees him next time!]

Well, that's a fine how-do-you-do. Man...

[After a moment of contemplation, he cuts the feed, too.]