jikan_network | [Video] un: honoranddreams

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[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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[the answer at first is clattering and cursing, because as soon as he went to respond Zack dropped the damn device and sent it skittering across the table and almost to the floor and it's only through some grace of something that he didn't break it.

And then when he finally can look at the screen properly, he's at a loss for words. Because sure he's thought about it, maybe even wished for it once or twice, but he didn't expect for Angeal to actually show up. Even if he knew he shouldn't]

Angeal—

[ironically, his first clear thought is to ask the man himself how in the world he's supposed to respond to this]

—it's neither. Neither of those.

What the hell, man! Who introduces themselves like that?!

Since when does Heaven or Hell look like a far eastern city, Angeal? And you have been Wutai.

[Wutai was not that similar to Nippon, he knew. There were some similarities, but the culture was still quite different. Even he remembered that much.]

Besides you are not dead yet, my friend. Or else you would not be here.

[There are no actual dead people here, just those taken up their deaths from what he had gathered. But not when they are actually dead. A boon, if he were honest. But also did not know what to make of this. To make of Angeal. It was similar with Sephiroth, although he couldn't hide this time. Someone was bound to tell him eventually.]

Well I can tell you one thing for sure, it's not Hell.

[A deep, monotonous voice rings through the device.]

[After having woken up, when he was not supposed to have been able to wake up, Angeal had been plagued with many questions. He was very confused. And so maybe his thinking was not as sharp as it could have been.

He was distracted. He was uncertain. And he truly believed that there had been come kind of mistake...

Then to further Angeal's confusion a sound like breaking and rattling came through the device in his hand, followed by language that caused him to frown.

At least for a moment.

When the picture righted itself and a face came into view, the frown cleared and became a look of shock.

And even that lasted only a moment as the shock gave way to mild amusement as Zack scolded him.]

A very, very confused man introduces themselves like that. One that didn't expect to see a familiar face here...

[Especially because Angeal felt that must mean that Zack was dead too...

And now he felt a wave of sadness.

He was making himself dizzy with all these changing emotions. It was a good thing he was sat down.]

Wutai this place is not...

[The reply was near automatic, but trailed off as he realised just who it was he was replying to.

And that the one speaking was doing so in a way that caused an ache in his chest.

'My friend', Genesis said... Angeal peered at the grainy image of the device in his hands and thought that maybe Genesis looked... different? Maybe it was his imagination? But it still took Angeal a moment to reply.]

You're certain about that? I'm certain I died. I remember that much.

[Angeal was pressing more buttons and learning more about the communication device he'd been gifted, when a voice spoke to him through it on a burst of static.

He frowned down at it for a brief moment before he raised it to his ear, much like the flip-phones from home.]

One mans Heaven can be another mans Hell. But if this is neither, it leaves me with more questions.

[The grainy feature of the video would hide the fact that Genesis was a bit older now, but it wouldn't hide the long hair that he now had. It was tied into a braid and draped over his shoulder, the usually short layers having grown out a bit. His bangs sorely needed a cut.]

You remembered dying, no doubt. But death's door you did not reach. You reached another door. Many times, am I correct?

[The glow in his eyes, while colorless in the video, was also prominent as he looked at Angeal. They, too, appeared weary and older.]

[That was definitely what he was seeing. Hair was different but the face, and voice was the same. Mostly. Angeal was confused by what he was seeing but he had no way to reconcile what he was seeing with the memories of Genesis he still had.

He didn't immediately reply, picking over his words carefully...]

Correct. There was a door, in the end. And then I was here, wherever 'here' is.

Here is Gaia. A different Gaia than our own and one that had seemingly been stuck in a time loop for awhile. It has since been able to move forward and we are to help that along with the power of kizuna, or bonds.

[It seemed Angeal had not been paying attention to what the NRL would have offered in information, but he could hardly be blamed. If Angeal had come here much earlier in his time, then he knew the man would have taken the time to get as much information as possible.

Being near death, however, would certainly change priorities.]

Sephiroth is here as well.

You're unbelievable.

[it's muttered just loud enough for the device to pick up and despite his best effort, his lips twitch into a brief grin. The emotional whiplash Zack has him both wanting to pace as well as sit before the lightheaded feeling he has makes trip or something even more embarrassing, but he ends up just standing there instead.

There's about a half-dozen things he can say next, maybe he should try to clear up the confusion first, explain that there's more familiar faces and people who will find his face familiar, but instead -]

It's good to see you.

[In grainy sepia does the face of a young man appear; one adorned in dark robes, a white mask, bird-like in its shape, hung about his chest.]

Are you in need of directions? If you are lost, I can spare the time to help you find your way.

[Angeal had paid attention... somewhat. His confusion and the still fresh memories had been a lot to deal with. A lot of what was explained to him had just washed over Angeal and he'd left before anyone could lay hands on him. Which they had tried. He trusted these strangers as far as he could throw them.

Speaking to Genesis, part of him thought about going back and talking to those strange people...]

'Kizuna'... That's a word they repeated. They weren't very clear on... Wait, Sephiroth is here too?

[Was he dreaming? This all felt very much like a strange dream...]

I'll take that as a compliment.

[There's a smile in return, small as it may be, it was no less genuine. A smile that softens somewhat at the next comment.]

It's good to be seen. But Zack... [He paused (for dramatic effect?)] ... What did you do to your hair?

[he looks absolutely confused for a moment, his free hand flying up to his hair like he has no idea what Angeal means before - that is the last question he thought he'd get]

I changed it?

Hm...

[Totally judging right now. He kind of liked the fluffy puppy look.]

For a bet?

[... Maybe teasing. Maybe.]

No, not for a bet.

[he's torn between bristling or laughing and he settles on a weak glare] Because I felt like it, after - uh. After.

[There's a low laugh a hand raised in surrender, just wanted to check if the pup was still in there. And was pleased to see some of it was.

But he sobered up real quick a moment later, the laugh turning to a sigh. He knew what 'after' meant. At least, he was going to go out on a limb and assume. Having no idea of what happened after he'd died, it was really all he had to go on.]

Zack... If I'd known my death would have caused this, I would have suck around.

[No amount of apology would work, he was sure. And considering just how fresh in his mind that moment was... Angeal didn't want to think about it. He sure as hell didn't want to bring an friend's mood down because of it.]

This is not our world, is that correct? How long have you lived here?

[Robes and a mask? That was certainly a style choice... But the offer for help seemed genuine enough.]

Can you be lost if you don't know where you are to start with?

[oh, the puppy is still there. Watch as it sputters in disbelief and immediately snaps back]

You're not funny!

[he says, even if he has to choke back an incredulous laugh. He didn't miss Angeal's stupid sense of humor at all, shut up. He briefly lowers the device to drag a hand down his face, take a deep breath and let it out.

But then it's back up so he can nod in answer, sobering as well]

It's not. They told you about all the time loops and stuff, right? [he runs a hand through his hair] I've been here for almost a year now.

[a pause] Are you still over by the NRL? I'm coming to find you.

I'm not unfunny.

[But he was willing to let it srop and move on to something that, hopefully, wouldn't upset Zack nearly as much. Sidestepping his very recent passing until he had time to really sit down and think about it all was in Angeals best interests.]

They told me... something. It was a little more than I could stand to hear right after arriving. I... might have walked away.

[And then he was looking around.]

If the NRL is a shrine, then that's where I am.

[ah . . . a look of understanding crosses his face, because - he knew exactly what Angeal was going through, having come here after his own death. The smile that appears is sympathetic, even as he huffs softly]

Yeah, I don't blame you.

[he's moving as he talks, the grainy background going from indoors to outdoors]

It's not, but if you didn't go far then it's nearby. [and because Angeal isn't the only one who can crack dumb jokes, Zack grins a little wider] Good thing I've got all that experience trying to track you down, I'll find you in no time.

Edited 2023-02-13 02:14 (UTC)

[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.]

[The young man's brows draw together in confusion.]

Is that not the very essence of being lost?

[Not knowing where one is, not knowing how to get where one wishes to be. Both are potential circumstances of being lost.]

It depends on your point of view.

I don't know how I arrived here and don't know where I'm going. I suppose I am lost, in every sense of the word.

[The only thing Angeal knew for sure was that the stairs he sat upon were stone.]

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.

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[Video] un: honoranddreams

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