themognet | [Video]

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[au: cissnei]

[Video] - 001

I'm guessing that everything I've been told about what's going on here is true, as crazy as it sounds.

[Hello Edge~ Some of you might recognize this individual because she's from this world! Or at least, apparently, there is a version of her here or something like that. The entire explanation she's received has been a bit mind numbing but she's taking it all in stride.

But she'd much rather be in Edge and not this hospital, thank you very much.]

And I'm also assuming there's no way back home.

[Sitting on the edge of her hospital bed, Cissnei frowns thoughtfully at the camera, tapping a finger against her chin.]

So I guess that means I need to find a way to Edge, doesn't it?

[When she asked, she'd been told that certain people were here but she...she's not going to believe it until she sees them. Until she can touch them. Because for her it's been a year since they disappeared and this all feels like a strange dream.

For now, she'll just bait them.]

What's the fastest way out of this place?

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Cissnei.

Sir.

[This wasn't her home and this wasn't the Rufus she knew but that didn't change her respect for him.]

They told me you would probably be in touch.

Of course. It isn't every day a Turk washes up in the Lifestream. I take it you aren't from this Planet?

No. A very similar one but this definitely isn't my world.

One where Zack Fair survived? If so, he's here, as is the boy.

[There's an audible hitch in her voice when he says that and for a moment afterwards she's silent. If Rufus was telling her this, it had to be true. It wasn't just some random WRO agent--this was the president of ShinRa.]

..I need to get to Edge.

I believe the WRO will provide you with transportation once you're discharged. Will you be interested in a job?

Are you offering?

That would depend on the results of your evaluations and whether or not you're willing to answer questions.

You're curious about where we come from.

Naturally, and I suspect you will provide better answers than Fair.

[A soft huff of laughter escapes her.]

I can agree to that, sir.

[It takes Cloud a moment, but then he recognises her - or is relatively sure he does, anyway; one of the Turks who came with Zack during the attack on Junon. Which hadn't been very long ago (for him anyway), but now feels like half a lifetime away.

... and she must be like him, Zack and Riku, with the comment about not going home, though that either means there's more than just one alternate reality (... possible), or she's... from the same one? It makes him hesitate a moment longer, for several reasons.]

... the WRO can give you a ride. I think all of us got one to Edge when we got to leave, at least.

[Cissnei had never dealt with Cloud a lot but she had known of him. He'd been with Zack quite often back then and he had been one of the individuals on the mission to the reactor. A mission he'd never come back from.

Seeing his face causes Cissnei's breath to momentarily catch as she stares at the young man in shock that slowly softens into..relief maybe? It's hard to say.]

At least they're good for something.

[It's a poor attempt at humor, her usual sarcasm not there as she studies him.]

We never met properly before..did we?

[The reaction makes him wonder, again, since if he'd survived she wouldn't really react like that would she..? But then, maybe he was supposed to be as old as the Cloud here was, so it didn't tell him anything.]

Better at that than keeping the power going. [Cloud says wryly - it's better now that they are, for the moment, in Costa del Sol, but that doesn't change much. The question leaves him taking a breath (all he can smell is the salty sea breeze, which is... good) and he shakes his head.]

... no. We didn't. Unless it was... different for you. [Could be, after all. Staring off to the side, Cloud bites his lip.] I didn't... leave the reactor. In Nibelheim.

[Cissnei can't help but let out an amused snort, almost rolling her eyes but resisting at the last moment. She had to keep up some semblance of being an adult, after all.

The moment of amusement passes though and she listens to him speak, that sad look returning to her face.]

I know. [It comes out softly as she glances down.] Zack never forgave himself.

[Looks like any amusement is definitely over for the moment; her comment makes him flinch, just a little, and he knows he shouldn't but the sense of guilt comes back.

Cloud nods, but can't really bring himself to say he knows, because Zack told him, so instead...]

He's... here. If you didn't know that already? [It wouldn't surprise him if she did. A little pause and a frown, more thoughtful than upset this time.] There's... two of them, actually. The other one belongs here.

I'd been told that he was but I didn't believe it at first.

[But then she'd spoken to him. Seen him. Heard Riku.

She's also been told that there were two Zacks and..well. She wasn't really sure how to take that.]

I was told that as well. Seems like this place has an interesting story all it's own.

... why? Since he's alive...

[Though maybe she hadn't thought it could be the same Zack, which was possible; Cloud frowns at the thought. Or maybe there's another reason?]

It actually... sounds rather similar, from what I've been told. Until the Lifestream started to... throw us out. Pretty sure dead people usually don't get to come back.

[He says it a bit dryly and tries not to think about the obvious exception; no one gets to come back unless their name is Sephiroth, apparently. Of course, he can only go on second hand accounts, since he wasn't there. For anything.]

I haven't seen him or Riku in a year. I haven't been able to find a trace of them...

[A part of her had assumed the worst, as much as she had tried to quell those thoughts for as long as possible.

Cissnei can't help but snort softly at his comment, though there's a thoughtful look on her face as she watches him. Watches his expressions and listens to the tone he's using.

She can't even begin to imagine what this has been like for him.]

The Lifestream has a mind all it's own, though. Not much we can really do about it, unfortunately.

But... [Cloud stares for a moment, flabbergasted.] we haven't... been here a year.

[A month, if that, but not even. That's... pretty unsettling. He shakes his head slowly, glancing away with a little frown. Were things worse than they seemed? Not that they already weren't bad, of course.

He might not be the only dead person back, but that's still wrong, he knows. Usually, he can ignore it, but thinking about it... he shakes his head, turning back to Cissnei.]

I guess, yeah. But it sort of has to be fixed... [And then... what? Cloud swallows and shrugs.]

... at least you know they're okay, now. [Have a... so-so attempt at a smile, Cissnei.]

Apparently the Lifestream plays by it's own rules when it comes to time as well.

[She sounds..tired, as she says it, shaking her head as she glances off to the side.]

What's done is done, though.

[At least she had found them.]

Does it? Have to be fixed, I mean.

[He nods, silently agreeing, because what else can he say to that? Clearly time isn't a factor either, as Cissnei has proven. Cloud hasn't been counting himself, since well... he died. That's not the same thing.]

... well, it has to, right? [He frowns, ducking his head, not quite meeting her gaze.] Since this isn't how the Lifestream works when nothing's wrong, so that needs to be fixed.

And... people should be able to go home. [People Like Zack, Riku and Cissnei, and Terra and... well, everyone else. Cloud is trying very hard not to think about what might happen to him whenever this gets fixed.]

Maybe this is the new normal for the Lifestream, though. I'm sure we'll find a way to get back to where we came from but I doubt that means people won't be able to stay here if they wanted.

[Hold onto this new life they had been given. Sure the Lifestream could take life away if it wanted to but..would it? After going through all this trouble?]

We won't let anything happen to you. Not this time.

Maybe... I hope so. [Cloud nods, the frown hesitant. That sounds a bit too good to be true, if possible at all, but... it's a nice thought.

The reassurance leaves Cloud staring, startled. Partly because the promise had been voiced at all, partly because he was either more transparent than he thought, or... she'd just made a lucky guess. He wasn't here the same way other people were, after all.]

... thanks. [it comes out softly, then he shakes his head, gaze dipping down. 'We'. It's nice to hear that even if it can't mean anything.] But since I'm not supposed to be here or alive...

[Cloud grimaces, falling silent.]

[She's a former Turk, Cloud. Reading people is what she does. Plus, when you live with people like Zack and Riku, you learn to pick up on every single little shift in voice and expression.]

But you are here and the Lifestream wouldn't have done that on a whim.

[You can protest it all you want; she'll just keep countering.]

You're alive, Cloud. That's the important thing. And we're going to make sure you stay put with all of us.

You think it's choosing to do this?

[A dry little snort, reluctantly amused but mostly worried. No one really wants to be here, after all... well, aside from the Zack that belongs to this Planet - being alive again is probably pretty nice for him. But for (almost) everyone else... isn't it kind of cruel?

There's something in the way she keeps saying 'we' that's... Cloud's not sure (why is she so insistent? They don't really know each other, after all), but either way, he closes his eyes and nods, slowly.]

Okay. [Agreeing is easier, and while he hopes it can work out... Opening his eyes again, he smiles a little.] Sorry 'bout keeping you. You've got people to meet, right?

From what I overheard someone saying, apparently there's a larger power involved. So it very well could be.

[You can't rule everything out, Cloud, as impossible as it all may seem.]

You don't have to apologize. You're on the "to meet" list anyway. [Insert light grin here.] Thank you for everything you've told me.

... What? Really?

[Cloud stares, utterly thrown by this idea. It sounds... he doesn't know. It was startling enough to have to start to think of the Lifestream as more as something of a curiosity that ShinRa had turned into an energy source. This... is a little more than that, if true.

And then he's also staring for another reason entirely, ducking his head after a moment. Unsure why she'd want to...]

... no problem. [He gives a little nod, letting out a soft breath.] And um... if you want.

[That's unmistakably her. And between how she's wording things and where she is, there's no doubt that this is their Cissnei.

...Even if she looks a little different. Mostly the same, but not quite.

Riku's been rather shy about using the network because if his own appearance in person sets people off, he's not going to risk doing the same online. But Cissnei is different and special, and she probably needs to know it's really him.]

...You just need to wait for them to finish, Ciss.

[Riku won't be able to see it but her eyes close the moment she hears his voice, relief washing over her.]

I'm tired of waiting. I've already waited a year.

[It's said softly, sadly--but there's a tinge of happiness there as well, a smile audible in her voice even if it's a bit watery.]

It's so good to hear your voice, Riku.

...You've waited a year?

[He recognizes her tone, the hints of sadness in her voice. But of course like a weird, awkward clone that he is, he focuses on something else. Because it's something that doesn't make sense.

And as relieved as he is to confirm that it's her and to see her, he sounds confused.]

That can't be right. We've barely been here a month...

Riku, you've been gone a year.

[It's said slowly, Cissnei attempting to make sense of this situation. She'd been warned that she was probably going to experience some strange things given how odd the Lifestream was being but this hadn't been among the potential scenarios she would find herself in.]

You and Zack disappeared after the healing rain started. Kunsel and I have spent the past year trying to find you two.

But that's...

[You can't see how confused he is about this, Cissnei. He's shaking his head and just trying to make sense of this. Bringing back people from the dead and pulling people from other worlds is one thing, but... other times?

He doesn't know what to do or say or how to explain it.]

...I'm sorry, Cissnei.

[Timey wimey bullshit. That's what it is.

Cissnei sighs softly, rubbing her arms a bit as a chill washes over her.]

It's not your fault, Riku.

[It feels like it is. Somehow. The Lifestream must be really screwed up for this to happen.]

I know... [He doesn't sound very convincing though.]

...You okay though? He's gonna go crazy when he sees you.

I'm alright. It's been an interesting year but..I'm already doing better.

[Just hearing Riku has lifted her spirits. Hearing Zack's will just be the icing on the cake.]

I'd be lying if I tried to say I'm not going to do the same when I actually get to see you both in person.

[It's a good thing that this isn't on video. This warped timeline idea doesn't sit well with him and she wouldn't appreciate the frown that's set on his face.]

...That's good. [A beat as he tries to sound a little more chipper about it.] You'll have to tell us all about it then.

Better get to Costa de Sol as fast as you can then.

[Don't worry, Riku. It's bothering her more than she's going to admit or show.]

I'll tell you everything, I promise. I'll be on the next shuttle out.

[You darn, ex-Turk. Tell him your secrets on how to handle emotions like you do.]

We'll be here. Provided Zack doesn't try to drown me first.

He can't exactly move quickly, Riku. If he manages to drown you I'll be disappointed in you.

Forget Edge, head for Costa del Sol.

[He hopes it's her, but how can he be sure? There are people coming in from other worlds besides his own. She could be from anywhere.]

Take a nice, relaxing vacation.

[First Riku and now Zack. Cissnei's not sure if she's going to be able to keep her composure, a watery laugh escaping her as she shakes her head.]

You just want to see me in a swimsuit again.

[This was her Zack, it had to be. She needed it to be.]

...Is Riku with you?

[There's the tug on the line, Zack. Now reel it in.]

[Unless he'd adopted Riku in another world too, this was his Cissnei. He breathed a sigh of relief.]

Yeah, I'm gonna teach the kid to swim while we're on the beach.

Just make sure he doesn't drown.

[She's not serious, because it's Riku and the kid adapts to things faster than anyone she's ever met.

But still.]

I haven't seen you two for...it feels like forever. So I'd like you both to be in one piece.

Like I'd ever let anything happen to our baby boy.

[He chuckled, shooting her a winning grin.]

Yeah, yeah. No new injuries so far, I promise.

[He is SO going to "accidentally" kick you in the face while swimming, old man.

'Baby boy' his foot.]

[Cissnei can't help but snort softly, playfully rolling her eyes.]

You better not.

[God has she missed these two.]

Good. I would have had to hurt you if you did have some new ones.

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