[One ∞ Video] -- [New Bark Town]

[modulatingphases]

[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.]

Comments

Video

[notachocobo]

[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.]

Video

[modulatingphases]

[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.]

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[notachocobo]

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?

Video

[modulatingphases]

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.]

video;

[cardboard_boss]

[The guy got a fox Pokémon? Nice. Hey, Zack. Have a bearded, grizzled dude with one eye looking at you from across the network.]

They're called Pokémon. The pets. Nice fox.

video;

[modulatingphases]

[Thankfully, Zack's not the type to be phased by much of anything, let alone some dude with an eye patch.]

Pokémon. Got it. [Snake can't see it, but off screen, there's a little fox staring up at him, as if ensuring that he says it properly. And that he actually remembers it this time.] You know, you got a pretty big personality for being so little.

[Then again, so did Cloud, so he shouldn't really be surprised.]

Are all of them like this?

[cardboard_boss]

[Then, you're a stronger guy than most, Zack. Usually, Snake scares the living daylights out of most just by his looks.]

Huh? [It took a while to realise that Zack was talking to his Pokémon and not at Snake. Of course. The little fox.]

Right. They're all different. Most of them have personalities like humans and like to travel with people. [Snake wondered what Zack's Pokémon was like compared to his. Would they battle?]

I've been here a little over three weeks now and most trainers here use their Pokémon to battle or train up. They level up by fighting other wild Pokémon or other trainer's Pokémon.

[modulatingphases]

[Look, you spend enough with Angeal giving you dirty looks for being so hyperactive, and you learn to learn to no longer pay attention.]

Wait, so you're telling me we can train these little guys to fight for us? [Cue said little fox cocking her head and staring at him in a manner that very much says 'Duh'.]

So, where can I find these wild Pokémon? [Congrats, Snake, now Zack is going to try and battle every pokémon he comes across. You've created a monster with a single suggestion.]

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[a_sin_for_him]

That's how it happens to us all. There's no proper explanation that can be offered. You'll stay here until whatever force brought you here returns you.

Frustrating, I realize, but there's nothing to be done for it.

Video

[modulatingphases]

Man, I've had some crazy stuff happen before, but this really takes the cake.

[Almost. Barely. Okay so this isn't even the weirdest thing that's ever happened to him, honestly.]

So, what's the deal with the Pokémon? Are they just a free gift for being pulled away from our lives or what?

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[a_sin_for_him]

A very common sentiment.

They're our companions in this world. The entirety of life revolves around them, everyone is partnered with at least one. You'll find yourself with more, whether you intend to or not.

I've lost count of all of mine by now...

video; still on hiatus so slow tags, sorry

[ruinimpendent]

[ But Basch is quiet as he replies. ]
Time shall not pass in your own world as you are in this land.

video; No worries!

[modulatingphases]

Well, that's comforting.

[At least no one would notice that he was gone. Could Cloud technically even notice since he was here? This whole thing was confusing.]

[Video]

[thelittlegingerthatcould]

Well, I didn't necessarily remember falling asleep. I was in some creepy guy's house with a shit ton of clocks and there was a gun involved and...possibly drugs. I mean, no mine, but that guy...wow, drugs.

[He's cheery regardless though, grinning at the other man, and maybe peeking at his Vulpix because that one is familiar to him unlike his Noibat.]

I've heard some things about leaving though, and I'm thinking you're going to have a tough time of that. Apparently it's not like, up for discussion when you leave, who ever you would even talk to about that I have no idea, but. I suggest the 'enjoy the vacation' method and try not to get over stimulated and freak out. It's been working for me anyways.

[Video]

[modulatingphases]

[Whoa there dude. Whoa. There. You talk even more than him. Which honestly has to be some sort of world record or something.

Which ever world they're currently in.]

Sounds to me like you lead a pretty exciting life. [Zack, you are the only person who thinks dangerous situations are exciting.] What were you doing at a guy like that's house anyway?

[Okay, so. He couldn't just talk his way out of this one. Maybe give them the infamous puppy face a few times until they sent him home. It was all good.

It was aaaallllllll good.

Sephiroth was going to kill him when he finally got back.]

Yeah, well, it was worth a shot. But hey, who am I to turn down a free vacation? Just wish they could have waited until that mission was over.

[Video]

[thelittlegingerthatcould]

Uh...you could say that? [And he can't tell him that he was tresspassing. He did knock but the door was open and there was blood on the floor, so even if he's not an officer of any kind, that's probable cause, right?] He was a lead in a case I was working, just...when I met him he seemed more lead, less prime suspect material. But that's what you get when you assume.

[Though it wasn't like Hanna could know the man had some kind of Mr. Hyde thing going on.] Anyways... Yeah! Free vacation! I personally think it was great timing, though...

[He had friends in there. That isn't perfect timing. Hopefully they were okay...] You're right, would have been nice to, yanno. Finish up what you were doing before you got plucked.

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[pipers_son]

You'll probably get all the basics and whatnot- mysteriously brought here, mysteriously gonna be booted out, Pokemon friends, gym battles, all that good stuff- but lemme give ya a nice warnin':

Don't try ta climb the ledges.

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[modulatingphases]

[You're telling a country boy not to try and climb something.

Which means he is definitely going to try at least once.]

You can't just give a warning like that and not say what'll happen if I do.

Re: video;

[pipers_son]

[rest in pieces zack]

They can’t be climbed. S’just gonna be a lotta heartache if ya try, I’m tellin’ ya!

video;

[oldestfriend]

Don't worry about it too much. Things'll go back to how they should be eventually for you.

For now, try to think of it like a vacation! I know there are plenty of people here who could use one.

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[modulatingphases]

Would've been nice if they'd bothered asking first. Or waited a couple more days until that mission was over.

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[oldestfriend]

That’s life for you. You never know what turns it’ll take… like transporting you across space and time into a world with cute little animals that can breathe fire or read your mind.

[manlycharms]

I suspect you've already heard, but these "pets" are a bit more intimidating than your run of the mill cats and dogs. Even a small, elegant Vulpix has the potential for devastating attacks, and this potential only grows through evolution.

[He pauses, chuckling lightly.]

Have you found any other Pokémon that pique your interest? The nearby routes should have a decent selection, at any rate.

[modulatingphases]

[The aforementioned vulpix is currently perched upon Zack's shoulder, giving him a look that unmistakably says 'Hear that? I'm small and elegant. Told you I wasn't just a pet.']

Careful now. Or else you'll gonna give her a big head.

[There's only room for one giant ego on this team, thank you very much.]

There wouldn't happen to be any of these little guys who look like birds, would there?

[manlycharms]

[And Ringabel will offer a friendly smile to the adorable creature, though that smile soon gives way to another laugh.]

My apologies! I simply have an eye for beautiful things.

[But he won't carry it on, for Zack's sake if nothing else. A spoiled 'mon is a dangerous thing.

Besides, he asked a valid question.]

There are a number of birds, actually! While I've not ventured near New Bark Town myself, I believe you'll find Pidgeys, Hoothoots, and Spearows in the early leg of your journey.