T2P1 | Video

[gotphones]

[The screen turns on and a familiar face with notable orange and spiky hair comes up. Neku's looking a little different from the person you've seen a while back, though. He pulls down his headphones to rest around his neck and peers into the screen.]

Hey.

[He looks off to the side, looking briefly unsure, but turns back anyway. He knows he's

Comments

[Video]

[ih8spiders]

About a handful of days? Maybe about a week... [He doesn't know that this is the Neku who remembers him. The one who doesn't remember him, however--Kurapika stopped seeing him on the network about a week ago, although he doesn't know for sure. But he might as well answer, right?]

[Video] 1/2

[gotphones]

Kurapika. [Well, isn't that a relief to see you safe.] Just a week, huh... it's even less for me.

But the last time I was here, the city didn't look this bad.

[Video | Private] 2/2

[gotphones]

[More seriously.]

Are you alright? What did I miss?

[Video | Private] 1/3

[ih8spiders]

[Video | Private] 2/3

[ih8spiders]

[There's something slightly off in that reply. Maybe it's how familiar it sounds, a lot less guarded than he was expecting. Or maybe it's the sudden switch to a locked conversation.]

[Video | Private] 3/3

[ih8spiders]

Wait. Do you remember what date it was, the last time you were here?

[Video | Private]

[gotphones]

[Kurapika was a really good at dates, that was something Neku knew well.]

It was September when I left.

[He just hoped that things didn't change between them.]

[Video | Private]

[ih8spiders]

September. But that means--

[Wide eyes. Slowly widening, hopeful eyes. He doesn't understand how or why this third incarnation would suddenly remember him again, but--]

Do you remember me? Crane and Death Robbins and--everything else?

[Video | Private]

[gotphones]

Yeah. I remember everything but the last time I was here. (... or so they say.)

[He frowns a little, a touch worried.]

Last I saw you... is he still giving you trouble?

[Video | Private]

[ih8spiders]

... Then it's been around two months.

[He sets the question of Kuroro aside for the moment. He's far too busy getting acquainted with the fact that this is the friend he made, and not the one who didn't remember him.]

[Video | Private]

[gotphones]

[He grows quiet, looking at Kurapika and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Was he going to say that they weren't friends anymore, when so much time had passed?

So much could happen in a week. A person can find himself changed in a month. What more two?]

[Video | Private]

[ih8spiders]

[The delighted smile of realization takes a while to spread, but it's there after a few more seconds.]

The last you didn't remember me. It was strange and very awkward. I think I'll just have to think of that one as a different version of you.

[Video | Private]

[gotphones]

[The relief he felt was refreshing and it was like something uncoiled in his gut, tension leaving him.]

Yeah? ... if that me said anything weird... (or rude) sorry.

[Video | Private]

[ih8spiders]

Oh, he didn't. But he--you, I guess--he was rightly wary of me. You can't expect a complete stranger to warm up to you immediately just because you told them that they've helped you before.

[Video | Private]

[gotphones]

I wouldn't.

[His smile is wry, recalling himself.]

Sorry I disappeared on you.

[Video | Private]

[ih8spiders]

[He shakes his head, both accepting the apology and indicating that it's not really needed.]

I'm more at ease now [that you're back].