victory_road | [One ∞ Video] -- [New Bark Town]

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[One ∞ Video] -- [New Bark Town]

[Ever have that moment where you're just waking up, still drowsy, eyes barely opened, and you look at your surroundings, and somehow, they're totally different than you remember. Completely. Because you're relatively sure you went to sleep in a dusty little inn located in some sleepy little village with nothing going for it but a mako reactor and a creep old mansion and not a field of reasonably soft, incredibly itchy grass.

That is the exact moment Zack is having right now.

Once the intinal panic of waking up in a place so utterly different than the one you fell asleep in, he proceeds to struggle for no less than twenty minutes trying to figure out what the in the world this white and red ball thing he's been given is and why it keeps shaking every time he tries to open it. Thankfully, it takes a lot less time to figure out the device he's been given, scanning in the bracelet located upon his wrist and realizing it wasn't all that different from the PHS he'd used before.

Which is why everyone is now going to get the pleasure of being greeted by an overly bright, enuthusiastic smile. He's seated on the ground, near the main road, the female vulpix curled up in his lap, head resting upon one of his thighs.]

Did anyone else go to sleep somewhere else last night? Because I gotta say, this is the weirdest thing that's ever happened to me. [And that's saying something.] This place is pretty great though. They even give out free pets. [There's a small rustling coming from his lap as the vulpix moves, looking pointedly up at him, completely unimpressed.

She is not a 'pet', thank you very much.] Okay! Okay, I'm sorry. You're not a pet. You're a... Pokémon? I think that's what they said I was supposed to call you. They even give out free Pokémon. That better?

[Satisified, she settles down again.] Anyway, this place is great and all, but I'm needed somewhere else. So if anyone could tell me how to get back to Nibelheim, I'd really appreciate it.

[There's a moment's hesitation, as if he wants to say something else, before he decides against it, one leather clad hand falling to gently brush through the vulpix's fur before ending the transmission.]

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[This was not the sort of thing that Cloud had been expecting to see. He'd been warned; Cecil had told him something like this was possible as had many others but he'd never imagined it would be...he'd imagined Tifa returning maybe. Or Vincent showing up. Maybe Yuffie or Cid.

But not..not someone that he hadn't seen in a very long time. Someone that had died what seemed like forever ago. Someone that had died to protect him.

For a long moment he just stares at his pokegear, leaning heavily against a tree as Gongaga churrs worriedly at his feet and Buster hovers nearby in a just as worried manner but the blonde doesn't hear or see them. He's caught up in memories that are flooding his mind, memories of that smile--of that voice--of this person.

A shaky exhale escapes him as he attempts to find his voice, a pained look in his eyes when he finally turns on his own video to reply to the other.]

....Zack.

[His voice is soft, way softer than he wants it to be and so thick with emotion that it makes his stomach twist.

This was Zack. Zack was here.]

[Despite just how quiet and withdrawn that voice is coming through his device, all it takes is that one, singular word for everything about his spirit to lift impossibly more. There was no possible way he could mistake or forget the owner of that voice, and for a moment, he almost forgets about the little vulpix curled up in his lap, almost sending her tumbling in his excitement. He catches her at the last moment, bringing her in against his chest.]

So you're here too, huh? Guess it isn't just a dream after all.

[If Cloud was here, then he would probably know the way back to Nibelheim. And the sooner they got back, the sooner he could talk Sephiroth out of whatever depressive slump he'd found himself in and they could be headed back to Midgar by nightfall.]

Y-Yeah. Yeah, I'm here too.

[This is so surreal. For as much as his arrival here had felt like some weird sort of dream this takes the cake.

He shakes his head slightly when Basch asks if he's okay, turning to rest his back against the tree to give himself a bit more stability.]

Where--you're in New Bark Town..right?

So that's the name of this place.

[It was a little ironic how everyone always called or referred to him as a 'puppy' and yet here he was, in some little, unknown town called New Bark.

There was probably a joke to be made there, and normally, Zack wouldn't hesitate making it, even if it was at his own expense.

But there's something about Cloud's tone, something about the way he's speaking that isn't right. Something that's making the muscles in his stomach tighten and flip flop, something that's making his heart drop like a stone.]

Hey, you doing okay? You don't look too happy to see me. [There's a bit of humor contained within those words, but his voice softens, takes on that tone it so often did when he was around Cloud. Soft, caring and gentle.]

[The best Cloud can do is nod because he really doesn't trust his own voice. It's getting harder to keep his emotions in check, something that he's not really use to. Keeping his emotions under wrap is usually easy as breathing for Cloud.

But apparently not when a living breathing Zack Fair is involved.]

What?--No, I am! [That comes out a little quicker than he meant for it, a sheepish look momentarily touching his face.] I am, I promise. It's just... [Something's off. Why was Zack acting so...why did he look so young...]

What's the last thing you remember?

[Zack didn't believe those hastily spoken words for a second.

Sure, it was in Cloud's nature to always say that he was fine, despite what ever evidence there may be to the contrary. There was a stubborn streak about a mile wide running directly down the front of Cloud's personality. The only thing that could ever possibly hope to match it was his determination.]

Huh? [Confusion over took his features, head cocking slightly as the word slipped out. Angel, having scampered up to rest upon his shoulder, mimicked the motion, as if somehow she was just as curious as he was.]

You fall and hit your head or something? [And he's looking for injuries, as if he could somehow see them through the device.] We just got to Nibelheim, remember? You kept refusing to take your helmet off in front of Tifa.

[There's barely a pause in between that sentence and this one. Just enough to take a breath.] What's the deal with that anyway? If you two know each other why don't you want her to know it's you?

[If anything is said after "We just got to Nibelheim" is said, Cloud doesn't hear it. His eyes are wide and his breathing has hitched, a loud, white noise filling his ears as he tries to make sense of this.

Yet another thing he'd been warned of, right? People coming from different points in time.

His chest and head hurt as he ducks his head and forces himself to breath, taking a few moments to actually get his breathing under control as his free hand comes up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

Zack had no idea. He had no idea that--about what--

After a moment Cloud has himself under a bit more control and clears his throat as he keeps his gaze on a very worried looking Gongaga.]

We're a town or so away from you right now but I--we..we'll come back your way. [His voice cracks and he closes his eyes to steady himself.] If..if you head out of New Bark and head towards Cherrygrove City, we'll meet you there, alright?

[Zack Fair was oblivious to a lot of things.

There were a lot of things that went over his head or escaped his attention. There were a lot of things he didn't understand, a lot of things that had been kept from him and left for him to only find out and bits and pieces.

But this was Cloud.

This was Cloud and he most certainly, definitely, without a single doubt, could tell when something was wrong. Cloud had always, without fail, been happy to see him. Each and every time had brought out that bright, elusive smile. Never had it caused that look of pain to cross his features, to play within the depths of his eyes.

Something was wrong.]

Cloud. [Angel had scooted in closer, face mere inches from the side of his head, as if concerned about the sudden change in his demeanor.] There's something you're not telling me.

[And then, all at once, like a tidal wave you didn't see coming, or a train going wildly off it's tracks, realization came crashing down, swift and merciless.

Cloud looked older.] Either I'm seeing things or you aged since the last time I saw you.

[Please, please tell him he's just seeing things.]

[He really wishes that he could, Zack. Seriously. Because if the bitter laugh that escapes him is any indication, this entire thing is going to be really strange and hard to explain.]

I'm 23 now.

[Unable to look at the pokegear, Cloud let's Gongaga take it with one of his fleshy ribbon appendages so he can rub at his face.]

Look, I'll--this will be easier to explain face to face. Head for Cherrygrove and we'll head your way. [His hands drop and he finally looks up, pain and something that might be happiness if it wasn't so overshadowed lingering in his gaze.] This will all make sense, I promise. I just..need you to trust me, alright?

[Holy mother loving chocoballs.

Twenty three. Cloud was twenty three. A full seven years older than he'd been the night before. And for a moment, all Zack can do is stare at the pokegear is shock, mouth slightly agape and bright blue eyes wide.

Seven years. Cloud was older than he was now. It was enough to make him wonder just what had taken place during all of that time.

But then Cloud is asking Zack to trust him, promising that it will all make sense. Despite how much he wants answers, wants to know why that pain keeps flashing in Cloud's eyes, he doesn't push.

Because above all else, Zack trusted Cloud.]

Cherrygrove. You got it. [He had every intention of heading out the moment they ended this conversation, despite the long walk they'd already endured that day.]

I'm gonna hold you to that promise. [Even as he spoke, Angel was softly butting her head against his cheek.]

I have no doubts that you will. [It comes out softly, Cloud attempting a smile as he says it but it's a weak attempt.

A really weak one.

If this was Aerith, he would have been out of sorts but he would have been able to compose himself. But it was Zack and there was a lot of history there, a lot of pain and so many open wounds even now that Cloud just couldn't...

It was probably going to take the full trek back to Cherrygrove for him to properly prepare himself. And fill Basch in on what was going on.]

It's..about a five day hike from where we are back to Cherrygrove so just..wait for me, alright?

Don't think I'm gonna be going anywhere anytime soon.

[Five days seemed like such an incredibly long time to wait for answers when he so desperately wanted them.

But Cloud had always been stubborn, and once he set his mind to something, there was no changing it. Which meant if he was determined to tell Zack in person, there wasn't going to be any dragging it out him prematurely.]

Take care of yourself, okay? No getting in trouble without me.

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