001 - video

[introverting]

[ Cloud looks only slightly irritated. Though, for him, that might mean he's extremely so. The hand that isn't holding his communication lifts to rub the back of his head as he gives a small sigh. ]

This is...

[ What? He's not entirely sure. The pamphlet gave answers enough, sure, though none of it makes sense. He's still not fully convinced this isn't some kind of dream. He can't treat it entirely like that, though, especially given that he did everything he could think of to make sure it was reality. It doesn't feel like the Lifesteam. He doesn't feel dead. At least he's pretty sure he doesn't.

So what was it? What could he say? Ridiculous? Unbelievable? Downright disturbing in the long run? ]

... Inconvenient.

[ He holds up the welcoming pamphlet. ] Missing anything?

Comments

Video

[ugly_soldier_dude]

[No way.

No damn way.

It's a rush of surprise and excitement that shoots through Zack's system when he sees the post. The chances were so small, and yet, here he was, his best friend.

Okay, he looks a bit ticked, but Zack can relate. Besides, he can turn that frown upside down in a heartbeat. Well, if his appearance doesn't cause a heart attack...]

Cloud! Stay where you are! I'll come find you!

[Ten to one Spiky is in the plaza somewhere, so that's where Zack is headed.]

Video

[introverting]

[ That voice.

Heart attack might be the right conclusion to jump to. If only because he'd thought he'd never hear it again. Not after the two left the church. Not until he was in the Lifesteam with them for good.

He's quiet for a moment as he stares at the feed, his forehead creasing in further confusion.

And he just decides to state the obvious. ]

... Where would I go?

video -> action

[ugly_soldier_dude]

Hey, it's a big city!

[Let's go two for two with the obvious statements. Because that's how they roll.

Being an ex-SOLDIER and all, Zack makes it from his home to the plaza in probably record breaking time. Shortly enough, he spots Cloud and barrels right towards him.]

Woooooo!

[To say he's excited would be a gross understatement.]

action

[introverting]

[ Cloud had stayed put, just as promised. Even though he's still pretty wet and still very overwhelmed with information.

But seeing Zack coming closer so quickly, he at least has enough wits about him to brace himself for the impact of a possible strong hug while he still can. ]

action

[ugly_soldier_dude]

[Oh yeah. Zack should have grabbed him a towel. Oops.

Right now he's just got way too much momentum going, and nothing is going to stop him from running right into his friend and basically giving him a bear hug/glomp.]

[Action] why don't I have an appropriate icon for this

[fightforastar]

[Tifa doesn't bother responding to the video when she sees it. Instead she's out the door and headed for the plaza where he's sure to be.

Of course she heard from Zack and a few others that Cloud was all right, or would be all right, but that isn't the same as seeing it for herself. For a long time there's still been that tiny nagging worry that maybe they're wrong. Maybe things won't turn out the way everyone's told her.

But she gets to the plaza and there's that familiar spiky blond head.]

Cloud!

[The hug she gives him isn't forceful enough to bowl him over, but there's definitely nothing tentative about it.]

[Action] It's okay, neither do I :D

[introverting]

[ While in his timeline, Tifa may have been perfectly fine the last he saw her, his heart still skips a beat when he hears her voice. It's certainly one he'd no anywhere at this point, but not one he had expected to hear here. Not so soon, at the very least.

He's so relieved at the familiarity that he doesn't even notice any difference in her at first as he returns the hug almost immediately. ]

Tifa...

[ It's only after that moment of temporary relief that he finally gets what's off. What's different.

She's just a bit younger than the last time he saw her, isn't she? He pulls back from the hug to look at her more fully, brows knitting some.

CONFUSED. EXPLAIN. ]

[Action]

[fightforastar]

[Her hair is awfully long, isn't it? Tifa looks back at him. It does register that something about him looks off, but her first order of business is to look him up and down as though checking for injuries. He seems completely fine, though, and she smiles.]

It's good to see you.

[...he also seems very wet, and confused. And something else besides. After Zack and the others, she thinks she can guess what.]

This is going to sound weird, but... What's the last thing you remember?

[Action]

[introverting]

[ Cloud's tempted to mention that there isn't much that doesn't sound weird right now, but he manages to focus on the more important section of the question.

It takes a moment to push back the muddle of details and new information his mind has been trying to slowly process and remember the last bits of home and familiarity. It's definitely a strange thing to have to recall for someone. ]

I was making deliveries. Vincent finally got a phone. He said to tell Yuffie she'd no right to call him.

[Action]

[fightforastar]

[Deliveries? Tifa tries to think of what she's heard from the others, but can't really place that bit of information. It sounds awfully peaceful though.]

So... Meteor was a while ago, for you, I'm guessing.

video

[findsrisks]

[Dat hair.

Seriously Cloud you look like a character out of one of her shoujo animes.

Not that she can complain, her hair is just as messy.]

If you need towels, they're at the welcoming center. Or someone should be along soon enough to give you one.

video

[introverting]

[ He nods, grateful for the information shared even if he's already been greeted. ]

Yeah... A friend from home showed me.

video

[findsrisks]

Oh! Well if you have someone here already, then you're ahead of the game.

[Nanaki is unlucky in that she is the only person from her world here.]

Anyway, the brochure is pretty accurate, and you just missed the last curse by a couple days so you should get a couple weeks here before your first one happens.

video

[introverting]

[ He nods, even if the thought of curses sounds strange. Negative magical afflictions from materia he gets. Wide spread, physical and mind altering events? Not so much. ]

Good.

[ There should be another set of words here, shouldn't there? Right. ]

Thank you.

video

[findsrisks]

[Well, somebody is chatty! That's okay, she can fill the void there.]

Don't be afraid to ask for help, either. I've only been here a month, but I can point you in the right direction if you need anything.

Oh yeah, my name is Nanaki.

// VIDEO

[ladyinscarlet]

[She sighs, because she can feel Cloud's irritation and confusion.]

It certainly is, sir, I am afraid...

// VIDEO

[introverting]

Yeah?

[ It's all he manages, and he's kind of hoping the tone conveys that he'd be perfectly happy to be filled in on all the details. ]

Re: // VIDEO

[ladyinscarlet]

I am afraid none of us has yet figured out how to go back home.

// VIDEO

[introverting]

[ He sighs, because that's what he figured. ]

Think it actually mentioned that.

// VIDEO

[ladyinscarlet]

[She sighs too.]

I believe it does. Well, I most likely have no more useful information. But if you need anything, I am Madame Red. You may find me at the clinic.

[Gives him her schedule.]

[video]

[styxiedust]

Well, there is an upside to this!

[Wait for it...]

Nothing will have happened back at your homeworld whenever the coral decides to return you.

[...Botan that's not an upside.]

[video]

[introverting]

[ There's actual a small glimmer of relief at that. Nothing happening back home means people stay safe. ]

You're positive?

[video]

[styxiedust]

Most definitely! But you don't have to take it from me, sir, there will surely be others that can corroborate my information!

[She's positive in more ways than one, hur hur hur.]

I hope you've arrived in good health and will find someone familiar to you. The last new arrival I spoke with was injured, and healing them was quite a task!

[video]

[introverting]

[ He hopes it's true. It doesn't help the anxious desire to get back home any, but it at least eases the worry for his family some. Having two kids to take care of is nerve wracking, man. ]

In one piece. Found some friends already. Guess I'm lucky for once.

[video]

[styxiedust]

Chin up! At least you have some familiar people here! Starting over with relationships can be hard for some.

[Like for instance she's alone, and though it's not hard for her to interact with others she knows how anxious humans can get about it.]