video.

[guarded]

[ A transmission will flicker on, broadcasting a blurry sight. The netbook is shaken one, two times (old habits die hard) before Lightning notices the change in the device and evens it out. Initially she doesn't know that she's actually being recorded, so the focus is set on a majestic looking chest plate. ]

... Huh. [ It then pans out a little and adjusts to show the user's face as she catches on. Pale skin, light blue-green eyes and that pink hair... might actually look sort of familiar to some. ]

Think I got it. [ She seems to say over her shoulder. ]

[And from over her shoulder comes the sound of movement, including what should by now be recognized as the snap of a netbook closing, as well as footsteps before a new face moves into the screen over Lightning's shoulder. The face is young, male, lightly tanned with a pair of sky blue eyes, topped with almost shoulder length brown hair. The face is also quite interested in the small screen.]

You're gonna have to show me how you did that sometime.

[Noel hasn't even guessed that these things can record what they're showing on screen, let alone broadcast it. Lightning almost seems to smirk before she turns to Noel and forces the netbook into his hands, making sure to have the camera facing him.]

Why don't you say "hi" first.

[No expression could speak the words "It was recording?" any clearer than Noel's expression right now as the netbook is shoved into his hands.]

Uh. [He is the most eloquent. But still the camera gets an awkward smile.] Hi.

[And then he's all business-like.] There are some people we're looking for. Hope or Yeul, or-- [He cuts himself off here and hands the netbook back to Lightning, upside-down.] Here. 

[ When the device is handed back to her there's still a ghost of a smile on her face, but this time it almost seems sad. The netbook is adjusted and she continues. ]

—Sazh, Snow, Vanille and Fang.

[ There's one more name that should be included - she wants to say it, wants to hold on to what little hope she has, but she and Noel both know there will never be an answer. Her lips purse in a moment of hesitation. ]

If you know any of them, tell them Lightning and Noel are looking for them.

[ Without much pause afterward, she reaches forward and disables the recording. ]

Comments

video

[blondejokes]

I'll let you know if I run into them here. [ But the odds of that aren't likely, the unspoken next part. ]

video

[guarded]

[ She nods. It's all Lightning can really ask for. ]

I appreciate it.

video

[blondejokes]

[ Ino nods in return. ]

I'm Yamanaka Ino, by the way.

video

[toprotect]

[Now that his is working, he'll manage a thankful smile.]

Thanks, really. It'll be good to see familiar faces here.

[Yet he almost doesn't expect them to be here.]

video

[blondejokes]

Of course.

video; 1/2

[searched]

[ Serah can't quite believe what she's seeing at first. Of course, with Fang, Vanille and Hope here, she knew it was possible. But after hoping for something for so long, it's different when you're finally confronted with it. Lightning! And Noel, too! Her day just got a thousand times better.

So she scrambles to turn the video feed on from her end, and a familiar pink-haired archer comes into view. ]

video;

[searched]

[ And despite her name not being mentioned - despite that she thinks she knows why, even - she smiles brightly at the both of them. ]

... Lightning! Noel! Where are you?

video;

[guarded]

[ Lightning nearly drops the netbook at first glance then simply stares in disbelief, that bright smile nearly crushing her. ]

Serah... [ It's almost a whisper. ]

[ Is this a lure? Another illusion of Chaos?

...Or maybe it's a trick of the timeline, and it truly is her little sister. Could this place really have brought her to Serah? ]

video;

[curepotion]

[ the video flickers once, twice, with a bit of static, before showing a teenager with long silver hair in a peculiar backdrop. looks like he's... in a tree? ]

Hope's one of my roommates.

video;

[toprotect]

[Considering most of his experience has been inside or in a city, yes tree. When he makes sure everyone's okay he is so finding some big outdoorsy place.

But on to the matter at hand, he's relieved and disturbed by that one. Let's stick with relief.]

So he is here. [Then...] Did you recognize any of the other names?

[Forgive him if the video's a little bit sideways, this teenager is not so tech savvy and doesn't really get that non-magical things need you to focus them.]

video;

[curepotion]

[ a moment passes, his eyes rolled up to the left corner of his eye, trying to remember... ]

Right. I know Vanille, too. But... I haven't seen her in a few days.

Sorry. [ a light shake of his head. ] I don't know where she is.

[ beat; ] And... why're you holding the netbook like that?

voice;

[chelicerata]

I know Vanille and Fang.

I've met Serah, too, if she's a friend of yours as well.

video;

[toprotect]

[The fact he can't see her doesn't seem to bother him much. But don't mind him if the second sentence caught his attention completely.]

Serah... yeah--she's Lightning's sister.

[Hasn't considered that Serah could be a common name.]

voice; this is so late o-orz i'm sorry

[chelicerata]

[ oh. family. ]

I'm sure they'll be glad to be reunited, then.

voice → video;

[transgressed]

Thought we went over this already. You don't get it to work by shaking it, sunshine.

[It's just the sound of that familiar voice for a second, and then the video feed pops up. Fang offers Noel and Lightning a lazy wave, but she looks visibly relieved.] Long time no see. Nice outfit.

video;

[toprotect]

[He's not so familiar with that face, but since she's familiar with Lightning he's not worried. The second part seems more personal, so he'll leave that alone. But.]

So how do you get it to work, then?

[He's clearly figured at least the videos out, but only because he did what Lightning did. Which may or may not have included shaking it a little.]

video;

[transgressed]

[Oh hey, there's a new face...so to speak. She tilts her head.]

It's easy once you get the gist of it. The keypad's got buttons for voice and video. The keypad itself's used for text.

[She's sizing him up, but it isn't unfriendly, or threatening.] Noel, right? [She knew him of course, had spent hundreds upon hundreds of years seeing him and the others in dreams, but it was different, to really see him.] Guess I owe you a "thank you."

video;

[guarded]

Yeah, well it worked out pretty well for me this time.

[ Of course she recognizes the voice right away. And while she keeps her relief to herself, Lightning visibly softens. ] It's good to see you, Fang.

video;

[transgressed]

[Aww, family. Fang grins — she knows Lightning is happy to be here, even if it's not entirely obvious.] Good to see you too, Light. And in the flesh, no doubt. It's been a long time. You and the new kid need any help getting around?

video;

[matured]

Noel, and Light too. We're certainly arriving here in pairs, it seems.

Long time no see, some more than others.

video;

[toprotect]

[Sure he heard you were here, but he's relieved to see you anyway.]

Hopefully not another 490 years. [Hasn't been that long for him but... well he'll take the strange things from this place in stride. Probably.]

It's good to see another familiar face in this place. [Except you're kidnapped. That's not supposed to be good.]

video;

[matured]

Only a few months, actually.

Mm, same. Serah is here too. ( He pauses, remembering neither of them had mentioned her but figures that -- maybe -- perhaps they had already met up with her. ) And we'll have to introduced you to Fang and Vanille.

video;

[guarded]

Hope.

[ She smiles at his image — a smile from one partner to the other. Nothing can ever make her forget all of the sacrifices he's made throughout the years for the sake of the future they all sought after.

Seeing him now, after everything that's happened, Lightning couldn't be anything but proud. ]

Or should I call you "Director Estheim."

1/2

[acemedium]

[What's with those names...]

Don't worry! Ace Investigator Maya Fey is on the job!

[acemedium]

[Wait.]









What do they look like?