jikan_network | [Video] un: honoranddreams

[Before the feed starts up a dishevelled man drops down upon the bottom steps of a shrine to catch his breath. They'd attempted to explain matters to Angeal, which was all well and good, if he had been able to fully focus on what he was being told.

Now he sat. He ran a hand through his hair and looked over the metal case he'd been offered.

A communication device.

Time to reach out and touch somebody.

He flicked the device open and spent a minute or two looking over the buttons before he hit what he thought was the right one, and was pleased to see the screen light up. Angeal was pleased. Though his expression remained as grave as ever.]

Is this Heaven? Or Hell?

[A look around and a sound crackled, a heavy sigh that didn't translate well over the grainy image.]

Or something else...? [A pause. And then...] I am Angeal Hewley. And I don't belong here.

[He was supposed to be dead, after all. Now he could feel the cold stone of the stair under the seat of his pants. Could feel the cold breeze ruffling his hair, it tickled his cheek. A dead man shouldn't have been able to feel these things.

Angeal was very confused.]

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[That gets a low laugh as Angeal leans back against the stone stairs and rests on one elbow, the comm device still held in his hand.]

I'll make it easier for you this time. I'll stay put.

[Where else would he go anyway? Waiting for Zack didn't seem to be that bad a thing, given the alternatives.]

Going easy on me? That's a first.

[not a complaint, either, but the thought of Angeal making anything easy has him laughing quietly to himself.

But it really doesn't take that long before he makes it to the shrine. On the way over he'd tried to get himself back together because dammit, he was usually pretty good at keeping himself in check, keeping as calm as he could. All it took to through that away was one glance at Angeal on the network.

It had been years but now, more than any other time, Modeoheim felt like it had happened yesterday.

And when he comes across Angeal - he has to stop, just for a moment to stare. Just to make sure this isn't some sort of trick.

Then he approaches]

You know, you could have waited inside, it's pretty cold out here.

[Angeal closed the device and set it aside on the stone steps beside him. And then he leaned back on both elbows so he could look up at the sky. Blue skies. White clouds. A bird flying by. A breeze that ruffled his hair...

Alive. He was alive. Zack was on his way and he was alive when he shouldn't have been. When the last time he had seen Zack it had been in a battle of life or death. His death. He never would have taken Zacks life... He knew he'd been a coward and pushed his friend to do something terrible.

But in the end, Zack had actually saved him. In death he'd found peace. Angeal had thought that would be it.

Waking up in a strange world had ruined his perfectly peaceful afterlife.

It wasn't long before Angeal heard footsteps coming his way, but by this time his eyes had closed and he was reclining on those stone steps enjoying the cool breeze. The steps stopped... But soon came closer. And with it, a voice. Angeal's lips twitched.]

I said I'd stay put.

[Eyes open, Angeal sat himself up and then forward until he could lean his arms on his knees. Seeing Zack in the flesh, it was clear that some time had passed. He looked older. Was he taller, too? Just how much time had gone by...?]

I wasn't cold until you mentioned it. Now I'm freezing. So better get moving.

[And with that Angeal pushed himself up to his feet and stepped down the last few steps to stand before Zack.]

[he isn't as tall as Angeal, but it's still a little startling when he steps down and Zack doesn't have to look up as far as he used to. Even more so because he's the one who changed, and it isn't him noting the differences in someone else. He looks the man up and down a few times before physically shaking himself, like that'll help it all settle.

Right, going inside. Then he can figure out just what the hell he's supposed to do or say.

He huffs to himself and slips his jacket off, holding it out. And before Angeal can protest - ]

We're not that far from where I'm staying, but there's plenty of places to stop along the way, so - up to you where we go.

[He lets Zack look. It probably could have been a moment of awkwardness, but it wasn't. Angeal couldn't even begin to understand just how Zack was feeling right in that moment. The last time he had seen Angeal was when he had died right in front of him. After he had handed over his Buster Sword, passing the torch on to a younger, and strong generation of SOLDIER.

The little shake did little to dispel the image of a puppy in Angeal's mind, but he kept that thought to himself.

His mouth opened, the protest was right there on the tip of his tongue, but he snapped his mouth shut a moment later to shoot Zack a glare.

Then he took the jacket.]

Where you're staying is good enough. I haven't a place of my own yet. [The jacket was put on. It was warm still...]

[once upon a time a glare from Angeal would worry him, because he never quite knew where the line of insubordination lied and he's pretty sure he toed it every time he opened his mouth, even despite his best efforts. But now that's far from a concern, and Zack finds himself grinning when the older man gives in. Hah, got his way.

And then he turns to start leading the way back to his place]

Technically there's the dorms, but they're not very private. Or quiet.

[he shrugs a shoulder, but he's not mean enough to even joke about leaving Angeal to that] Don't worry about it for now. I can make a few calls later.

[and it isn't like he doesn't have space, surreal as that would be.

But the reason Zack asked is because he lives amidst a bunch of restaurants, his little office and apartment tucked on a side street. He almost starts to explain what the office is but he stops when he realizes - shit, that'll have to come with a lot more explanation than usual. Way more]

[There had been very little heat to his glare. It was much resignation and frustration than it was anger. As it stood, he didn't think he could be angry with Zack. He had immunity for a very long time, given the situation.

He followed Zack's lead and remained quiet, just listening to Zack and considered his opinions.

As much as he didn't like the sound of those dorms, he knew he was in no position to impose himself upon Zack or anyone else. Angeal would have to find a place of his own. And if staying in a dorm was the only way to do that, then so be it.

For now he wouldn't worry. He'd let Zack make his calls if that was what he wanted to do, and then he would see how things panned out himself.]

Thank you, Zack. So long as it's no trouble?

Is that a serious question? [he just huffs and lets that act as his answer.

How he manages to get his key out and unlock the door in one try is anyone's guess, but he shoves it open and let's Angeal in first. It's nothing extravagant - just a two bedroom place, lived in and maybe a little messy, but it wasn't like that was on his mind as he was rushing out the door.

It's when they're finally inside and the door shuts behind him that he kind of falters, because pretend casualness is one thing, but this is - ]

I, uh. I have tea? Or coffee.

[Video] un: honoranddreams

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