victory_road | [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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[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.