12 → [Video] ←

[furorimperator]

[Well, someone's made it out of the Clinic. He stumbles, caromes off the door frame and almost goes over on his nose. The NOC falls from nerveless fingers; he makes a grab for it and his thumb inadvertently activates the video feed. Silver obscures the pickup, swishing away as he shakes his head

Comments

[Video]

[furorimperator]

[Hearing the response - his senses were working just fine - he blinks at the device again, absolutely no recognition registering on his face.]

Who is this?

[Audio]

[furorimperator]

"Strife"...?

[A derisive snort.]

Strife what?

[Video]

[couldnotfly]

[He knew that voice. He knew that voice! Zack scrambled for his NOC, feeling his knees give out and send him to the floor the moment he saw the feed. It was really him...Sephiroth. He'd come back.]

Seph?!

[Video]

[furorimperator]

What?

[But it's not a "what" of "What is it, Zack?" it's more a "what" of incredulity, as in "...who are you?"]

[Video]

[couldnotfly]

[Zack still had some trouble picking up on all of Sephiroth's subtle tone changes, but that...that was like a slap in the face.]

Come on, man. That's not funny.

[Video]

[furorimperator]

I'm not trying to be funny.

1/2 { audio }

[needsmorefiagra]

Are you...?

[ The words are left to linger, as a pair of startled blues carefully observe the image splayed across the small screen on his NoC. It was Sephiroth. There was no doubt about it, the sudden feeling welling up within. Relief was soon tarnished by yet another emotion - this one darker, slowly creeping through him like a chill. Realization suddenly dawned, for it felt as unsettling as the one conjured up by that dream. The question died on his lips. ]

2/2 { audio }

[needsmorefiagra]

[ Something seemed to shift then. A heavy, protective curtain falling upon rare vulnerability and his tone became impassive, dull. The hopeful whisper he'd spoken with only moments ago melting into nothingness. ]

Angeal will be pleased to see you.

[Video]

[furorimperator]

[All these voices...he recognizes none of them.]

...who?

[That seems to be the only word in his vocabulary, a frustration in itself, coupled with the pounding of his head.]

{ audio }

[needsmorefiagra]

[ Watching Sephiroth, doesn't really help. He averts his gaze, choosing to glance elsewhere - perhaps, to the rooftops on the far end of the city. The General's response did little to surprise him. He remained in his apathetic state, barely stirring. ]

Angeal Hewley.