[Audio] Oo1 ;;

[fights_further]

[ The shifting of fabric can be heard above the distant murmur of hustling, bustling streets as the audio feed begins. The former ceases after a few seconds, interrupted quite abruptly by a sudden, stagnant pause. Calm, feminine, soft, sincere, reasonably cheerful, yet subtly tinged with an underlying tone of uncertainty-the voice that moves

Comments

[voice]

[fights_further]

Sephiroth?

[ An audible note of surprise is merged with the inquiry. That the general of SOLDIER should be present in this godforsaken place, let alone addressing her by name over this similarly godforsaken device, more than merits it. How -- why -- just what in Shiva's name is going on here?

Of course, she could be wrong. Not that she thinks she is, but she's only met the man twice, if you could really call either occasion "meeting" him. Still, that voice... ]

Is that you?

[1/2 - voice]

[fights_further]

[ Definitely Sephiroth. Headache or none, she's fairly certain she remembers the voice of the man who has saved her life not once, but twice now; though, his confirmation and presence here only bring more questions to fore, questions the answers to which she realizes she may not be searching for alone. The professionalism exhibited prompts her to relax into that tone like a newly broken in suit. ]

Understood. I am looking it over now.

[voice]

[rewindpendulum]

I'm a-afraid that all the natives are like that...A-are you a newcomer?

[voice]

[fights_further]

It certainly seems that way...

Ah, I've never been here before, so I suppose I am, Miss...?

[voice]

[rewindpendulum]

I'm sorry! M-my name's Miranda Lotto!

[voice]

[fights_further]

Miss Lotto. Got it. My name's Valeria!

[ She pauses briefly. ]

I... take it you aren't a native yourself?

[Voice]

[sucker_punches]

I'd like to think there's a logical explanation, but so far I haven't found it. To my knowledge, neither has anyone else.

[Voice | December 21st]

[fights_further]

[ The tail end of a barely audible sigh can be heard should one listen closely enough. ]

The most sought after things do not come free here either, it seems.

[ A brief pause. ]

And you are...?

[Voice | December 21st]

[sucker_punches]

Well, you're right about that. Especially if what you want most is a way out, like most of us.

I'm Sakura. What's your name?

[Voice | December 21st]

[fights_further]

You can call me Valeria. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sakura. I only wish it were under better circumstances....

[ Yet another brief pause. ]

Mmh. If there is a way out of here, I will find it. It's only a matter of time.

Voice

[wellsuited]

Rookie? Do I know you?

Voice | December 21st, and All That Jazz~

[fights_further]

Ha. Ha. Very funny.

[ A pause. Not because she's questioning the identity of the voice's owner, but because she isn't entirely positive if the other Turk is attempting to joke or what. ]

You do know I was talking about the grease monkey with the unkempt red hair, right?

Voice | December 21st, and All That Jazz~

[wellsuited]

[A pause. Did she just say something funny? Elena doesn't have the greatest sense of humor, after all.]

Oh!

[Well, for a moment Elena thought she knew who she was talking about.]

You probably wanna watch calling him things like that. Technically, he's our superior here.

[There's that 'technically' word again!]

Voice | December 21st, and All That Jazz~

[fights_further]

Our superi --

[ Now that is funny.

Valeria pauses again, considering her fellow Turk's words. Since when had the grease monkey become their superior? Maybe their confusion has something to do with this "Mist" business. Maybe, but then again... ]

Are you okay? I've heard weird things happen to people who wind up in this place, but....

Voice

[i_love_squats]

[Was that--? Could it be--? Zack's smirk was slow and thick in his voice, teasing in his own right.]

Are they picking on you? Don't know how they could be, not to a girl as pretty as you.

Voice

[fights_further]

[ Valeria opens her mouth to speak only to pause abruptly and wholly unintentionally as the Forge begins to record. Dark eyes blink rapidly at the device for a few very brief seconds, and then... then the corners of her lips split into a slow smile despite the blush still creeping upon her face, her cheeks. That voice -- she knows that voice! It's -- ]

Nothing a Turk can't handle, I assure you.

[ -- a very good thing this is voice and not video, she decides, attempting to maintain her grasp on her vocal composure so as not to give away the color of her face at least. It isn't like she was expecting to be flirted with by a not-stranger-it-just-so-happens-she-is-more-than-happy-to-hear-from, not that she's necessarily complaining... or not... necessarily complaining. She is happy to hear from him, though, and it shows through the change in her tone, her words, to the point that she doesn't bother trying to keep the smile out of her voice, nor the teasing as it occurs. ]If my memory serves me correctly, there was a SOLDIER boy I taught

Video

[i_love_squats]

Yeah, yeah, I know how you Turks handle stuff. [Which he didn't really mean in any negative way, instead just saying it to ruffle feathers, rile the masses. After all, what fun was life if you couldn't laugh a little?

[And lately, he could use a really good laugh.

[He sputtered at the checking mail comment, his eyes widening and mouth open, an almost passable fish impression. It was a shame that he wasn't thinking about the years in the tube; for one peaceful moment, he had actually forgotten about that.] What are you talking about? I used to get yelled at for checking it too much, through the academy, on missions, during lessons and mission briefings! Do you know how many people threatened to break the PHS over it?

Video

[fights_further]

[ Why yes, Zack, that is a look she is giving you. A kind of you-just-ruffled-my-feathers-and-riled-me kind of look to be precise. ]

Shin-Ra would have bought you a new one!

[ Wait a minute! Didn't he just -- ]

If you checked your PHS so much, how come you never replied to any of my e-mails?