001 || come hold my hand through the night.

[lottato_prima]

[A full day afterwards, and you'd think he'd learn by now to stay still. But guess what? He's not listening to any of you! Because he's sitting over the edge of the bed, now that the Sleep spell finally wore off, holding the... comm-shell thing in one hand. He still looks exhausted as all hell, though he's managing a small smile through it all.]

...Cloud. Cloud, can you hear me?

[Definately sounds like he hasn't rested enough.

The SOLDIER gives a weak laugh, shaking his head and allowing his bangs to wave in front of his face.]

Prolly not.

I'm... lookin' for someone. Cloud Strife. Blonde hair, may or may not be completely comatose.

Dunno where we are, but... whoever brought us here. Thanks.

[Giving a hoarse cough, he turns away from the feed a minute to catch his breath, just before turning back and resuming his demeanor.]

Gonna take a look around. Ping if you can tell me anything.

Comments

video

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Though he can't see it, he knows that voice. He *knows* and...

How the heck was Cloud *awake*?!]

You--

[Alright, now this was just getting weirder. He's already standing up, nearly losing his balance ans staring wide-eyed at the feed.]

Cloud! You're alright? What happened?

voice → video;

[imaginedsoldier.livejournal.com]

A lot happened.

[He sighs a bit, changing it to video as he walks. He had a hunch as to where Zack would be: judging by the background it seemed as though the people who picked him up from the plaza took him to where he was on guard duty the last couple weeks.]

Did... anyone fill you in about this place?

video;

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Either he was still delirious, or Cloud looked... older than he should have been. Then it hits him - the other him that was on the beach, calling his name and looking after him.

He's still convinced this is all some horrible, pre-death dream.]

No, I... I-I just woke up a little while ago. Cloud, where are we?

video;

[imaginedsoldier.livejournal.com]

[He is by your point in time. But... He shakes his head, the background still moving.]

We're in a city called Vatheon. It's... a place completely underwater that has the habit of pulling foreigners like us from different places [and times, but that's another story].

video;

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

Wait, we're... we're underwater? How did I--?

[He winces suddenly, grabbing at his head. This was just way too much to think of all at once - especially considering he's still standing up.

So he sits back on the bed, trying to focus on the situation.]

Cloud, what about that other me? Where is he?

video;

[imaginedsoldier.livejournal.com]

...Other you-?

[Don't mind him, flipping through the feeds until- ...oh.]

He's probably with his own friends. As for how, I don't know.

...You okay?

video;

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

...who is he? [He's ignoring that second question for now.] He's... me, but he's not me. I don't get it.

An' you're okay and different and...

...

Cloud, am I dreamin'?

video;

[imaginedsoldier.livejournal.com]

...I don't, either. I'm going to guess it's something like others knowing me without my ever knowing them.

[Headaches and confusion. This place causes them.]

...

If this were a dream, my hair would be purple.

video;

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

Hn. ...s'only a dream if your hair's purple an' you're okay with it.

[He laughs again, though it causes some visible pain still. Idly, he clutches his side, while still focusing on the feed.]

Guess I'm just gonna have to roll with it, huh? That, or I really did just take too many hits to the head.

video → action;

[imaginedsoldier.livejournal.com]

[That's better. Sort of. And guess who just walked into the clinic, thus ending the feed?]

Don't know. If that were true, then my motorcycle probably crashed.

[Walking over, bee eff eff.]

action;

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Oh, hey steve burton Cloud, when did you get here. He wasn't expecting you to arrive so fast, and it takes him a moment to gain the senses to cut the feed. Already, he's trying to stand back up again, watching his friend in amazement.]

...you're okay.

[Shaky, but walking forward now, an elated laugh fluttering through his injured body.]

You're really okay!

action;

[imaginedsoldier.livejournal.com]

[He isn't in any soaps under the sea, dammit. Hello to you too, Rick Gomez Zack. About fifteen seconds ago, through the front door. His apartment isn't too far away and he was just working on his bike, so he probably smells a bit of motor oil. Just a fair warning. He just chuckles a bit, shaking his head. Same old Zack.]

...Huh. Didn't notice.

[He'll be quietly amused and deadpan tease, walking over to meet him. Well Zack, if you want a brohug, he'll take it. But only if you sit. down.]

Guess I have you to thank for that... Zack.

action;

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[Nope! Not sitting down just yet and you're getting a tight brohug anyway. Enough that he's actually lifting you right off the ground with a happy laugh.]

Well, I'm glad! You didn't look so good before, man.

action;

[imaginedsoldier.livejournal.com]

[ASDFTGHJKL; ZACK. YOUR INJURIES. SIT YOUR ASS BACK DOWN. He does chuckle a bit though, brohugging back. Yeah... Same old puppy.]

Hey...! Calm down before Lucrecia throws me out for starting a fuss. [The laugh is still there in his tone though, along with the mental flailing.]

And I know I didn't. Guess I had to get worse before getting better.

action;

[hisdreamsmyfate.livejournal.com]

[For once in his life, Zack actually listens to Cloud and gently sets him down, wincing at a sharp pain in his chest momentarily.]

Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. S'not like I'm in immediate danger now, right? [And with all Clouds, here comes the hair ruffle!] You look good, kid. Even if there is some weird time-gap, you do!