[video: unfiltered]

[geotaint]

[ There's no real "beginning" to the video itself; it simply clicks on to an off-center view of Cloud's face from an angle, his brows arching in puzzlement over curious eyes. The frond of an abnormally large fern nods behind his head, almost as though it's mocking the blonde man's seriousness. ]

...I thought I knew how to work this thing...

[ His

Comments

[callmelegion]

More people in this world?

Who are you?

[geotaint]

I could ask you the same question.

[callmelegion]

I am God.

[geotaint]

God, huh? You'd be surprised how many other people I've heard say that. So which one are you supposed to be?

[monocled]

[ It's a friendly face, at least, though a bit curious and concerned. ]

You've been here before?

[geotaint]

No. No... I don't think so. But this... Has happened to me, before.

[monocled]

You've woken up in a strange world before?

You do seem to be taking it rather well.

[geotaint]

Like I said, it's not the first time.

I'm not sure what to believe, any more.

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi's eye widens in surprise when he sees who it is that flickers on screen. He remembers this man. Remembers the weight of his sword, and cutting through high grass on a field. Remembers his quiet disposition and the comfortable silences they would take around each other. Remembers all this, and wonders --

Is this the same Cloud?

Cloud says, "Not again" like he's been through this before, and a part of Kakashi hopes it's because he has. And so he takes a chance.

For once he doesn't look indifferent.

If anything, he looks a little surprised. ]

Cloud?

[geotaint]

[ There's definite, immediate recognition. ]

...Kakashi? You're here, too??

Private to Cloud

[ura_no_ura]

[ Well, that's obvious enough, so Kakashi doesn't confirm the question. But he's relieved that it is the same Cloud he remembers. He switches to a private channel, because Akatsuki is all over this post. ]

I didn't think I would ever see you again.

[ He admits this because it's the truth. Somarium is a place that feels so far away now. ]

Private to Kakashi

[geotaint]

[ He figures out how to make his reply private from the way Kakashi's response comes in return, and his tone is obviously different even at a glance ]

I didn't, either. This is the first time this has happened... Something carried over. What is this place? Why are we here?

[geotaint]

[ he bristles at the nickname ]

Yeah, this isn't the first time I've woken up like this.

...You're not with those de-pollution guys, are you?

[geotaint]

[ obvious relief ]

I hear you. I don't want anything to do with it, either... Except... I'm worried I might already be involved.

[windsawakening]

[He’s just gonna stare a bit.]

You know Kakash-sensei.

[Not a question. A statement. But you know Kakash, Cloudi and he seems okay with that so…]

Uh. Are you all right?

[geotaint]

[ he nods, tentatively accepting this contact as someone he can trust - so far. ]

Yeah, I do. We met before... In another place.

Don't worry about me. I'm fine, just confused.

[windsawakening]

You did? [Some surprise at that. But then Kakashi's gotten around...] You're his friend.

[Another statement. Naruto's a bit blunt like that. And he squints at the ‘I’m fine part’. Just because.] You… so you weren’t here before, right?

[geotaint]

[ he almost laughs - this kid is almost as prone to stating the obvious as people say he is, himself ]

No, I wasn't. I was... In the other place. The place where I met Kakashi.