[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Rude's shadowed image is seen in front of the glaring backdrop of the sun reflecting from the surface of the skysea that stretches out behind him.

He's spent the past twenty minutes or so learning the ins and outs of his new hand-held device, and gathering as much information as he could on his current situation. What else would you expect from a Turk? Well, not counting Reno, of course.

Although he can easily filter his message, he opts against as much to get a better idea of who's here]

Reporting in. Current location is ... Muruc Cashuac Skysea.

[Now he just needed to wait and see if anyone that he was familiar with responded]

Comments

[video]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

[Three mental keysmashes later and Reno is grinning at the screen, half leaning out of a window and smoking. Yes, he picked up the habit again, though this Rude has no idea about him ever quitting.]

Hey, partner... it's about time. It's been a damn long week without ya.

[He sighs out a breath of smoke before stubbing the remains of his cigarette out on the window frame.]

You need me to give ya the rundown of this place?

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[He's not surprised that Reno is the first to respond to his message. Although he hardly shows it, seeing Reno even via the sky phone is almost comforting in a way--familiar, at least.

Rude's already managed to piece together what little information that he has been able to retrieve, but in no means does he have the entire picture. Which is why he decides to take Reno up on the offer]

Couldn't hurt.

[ video ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

Okay, so this world, right? Not ours. It's called Gaia, but whatever, it's not our Planet. Don't know what brings us here, but somethin' does and it does it randomly.

[He takes a drag and exhales before continuing, thinking about what he has to say.]

Shit... I can probably say this better in person, 'cause Tseng'll be there. [Reno goes to ruffle his hair and nearly drops his phone out the window, snatching it from the air and giving Rude a sheepish grin.]

Sorry about that. But uh... yeah, there're folks here we ain't glad to have around, like Sephiroth, but at least he ain't batshit yet.

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Leave it to Reno to sum things up in the most straightforward way possible, and yet reveal next to nothing at the same time. Rude almost cracked a smile. Almost. And then he heard the part about Sephiroth]

You with Tseng?

[That was good to hear, at least. He was sure that Elena had to be somewhere nearby, if that were the case, too]

[ video ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

[It's an art form.]

Yeah, and Elena's here as well. The President's lingerin' about somewhere too.

[He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. Reno is exhausted and it wouldn't be obvious to anyone but Rude, really.]

Do me a favour and check your phone. It's got a mapping feature, you probably know already. Tell me where you are.

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Well, better that the President was here than not. Rude wasn't sure what Rufus would do if he found all of his Turks missing in action]

Muruc Cashuac Skysea.

[And no, the fact that Reno was fatigued didn't escape him]

Looks like you could use some down time, though.

[ video ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

Muruc... oh. I know that place. [He's not pouting, so don't even point it out. Seriously. Even if that brings up some memories that he has and you don't anymore.]

Heh, I guess. I'm just kinda tired is all... [He rubs his eye and rests his chin in his hand, smiling at the screen.]

I'll come get you after I let the Director know... he better not go missing again either...

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

Director?

[Reno would have to specify which Director it was. Rude was good, but he wasn't that good]

[ video ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

Tseng's the only Director now, pal. Shinra's down to the five of us...

[And then a cheeky little smirk appears.] Unless you count the gang I run for Tseng.

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Good. Rude didn't really want to deal with any of Shinra's other directors if he didn't have to]

Do I even want to know?

[ video - locked ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

[Well, we all know how Reno handles people he doesn't like...]

It's Tseng and the President's idea. We're taking over a city called Treno. Well... ask Tseng, he can fill you in on the details.

Elena's been researching power, since wouldn't ya know it, we're in the fuckin' eighteen-hundreds.

[And a bright ginger cat hops into view, and Rude is presented a cat butt.] Shit, Puss, get lost. I'm talkin' to Rude, you asshole. [And he nudges the cat out of the way.]

[ video - locked ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Just watches this exchange, cat butt and all]

Friend of yours?

[...]

Might be better if you stay were you are so that I can come to you.

[He's a little bit more concerned about Reno getting some rest--which he knows won't happen if Reno comes to pick him up]

[ video - locked ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

Replacement partner. [And he's never looked more serious, so clearly he's joking.]

...well, sure, if you want, but I'm cool with coming to get ya. I mean... airship to Treno ain't hard to get from that place but...

[Can't you see he's been worried, you big ol' bear? >|]

[ video - locked ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Might want to start worrying about yourself there, partner]

Get some rest. I'll take the next ship out.

[ video - locked ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

[The day Reno pays attention to his own well-being outside of a fight is the day hell freezes over.]

...alright. I'm at least meeting you at the airship hangar.

I got some crazy as hell stuff to tell you, man. And you ain't gonna believe a word of it.

[ video - locked ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

You might be surprised.

[After all, he's chillaxen on a floating beach as they speak]

[ video - locked ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

[Reno laughs and scratches at one of his tattoos, shaking his head.]

No... you ain't gonna believe some of it. Yeah, you'll take a lot of it, but some of it you'll call bullshit on.

[ video - locked ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Hm. Rude's almost intrigued now--though you'd never know it]

Guess we'll see.

[ video - locked ]

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

Yeah, guess we will.

[Reno sighs and looks over his should at some noise, nodding slightly to a very quiet voice that can't be really understood. Business is getting boring, hurry home, Rude!!]

Look, I gotta go take care of something. Call me when you're at the hangar. I'll come meet you.

[ video - locked ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Nod, before the video feed cuts off]

[video]

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

[It was divine irony that allowed for Rude to be returned to this realm so soon and at the Skysea no less. Ironic for it seems as if Halim's optimism finally paid off for once in the form of Reno being reunited with his long lost friend. Certain that he could take his leave of Treno now, Ondore wondered if he should have a few words with the sunglasses clad Turk.]

...Svagatam, stranger.

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Ondore gets himself a raised eyebrow from behind the tinted lens of those trademark shades for his efforts]

Likewise.

[ video ]

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

[Studying Rude's less than friendly disposition, the Marquis let out a slight sigh as he rubbed his temples in mild annoyance.] You remember nothing, do you?

Aye! Tis' a common woe here upon Gaia, those who leave come back anew in body and mind. However, I am certain you remember 'Reno' at least.

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

You know Reno?

[Short and to the point as usual, but that didn't mean he wasn't internalizing everything he heard about this place]

[ video ]

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

[Nodding in confirmation, Halim struggled to find what else to say to this brooding individual. He always knew that Rude was more stone-faced unlike Reno but Rude certainly seemed slightly intimidating now. Maybe it was because the Turk was clearly on edge now.]

That I do. I am certain he has already extended his hand towards you, Rude. He is your companion, is he not?

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[No sense in hiding anything--for all he knew, this guy knew Reno with the way he was talking]

We're partners, yeah.

[video]

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

[Cloud just watches the screen for a moment, quirking an eyebrow.]

Rude. [A polite nod.]

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[A man of few words--Rude liked that about Cloud]

You and your group are here too?

[ video ]

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

[And likewise, Cloud liked that about Rude. Even if Rude has a thing for his woman.]

All except for Nanaki and Barret, yeah.

Have you had the rundown or do I have to do it?

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Sorry, Cloud. Rude knows a good thing when he sees it]

I've got it.

[ video ]

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

[And apparently, so does Cloud.]

Good.

Then you don't remember anything from your first time here?

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Too bad the same can't be said of Tifa. D:]

No. Should I?

[ video ]

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

[Clearly she chose the better man.]

I guess not. See ya around.

[ video ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Well, that was pretty ... pointless.

Then again, it's Cloud so Rude doesn't think much of it]

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

The Skysea? Are you on vacation?

[ voice ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Ahem. Give him a second to compose himself. Has to make sure the tie's on straight]

Just woke up here, actually.

[ voice ]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Oh... Yes, Reno said you'd gone. Don't you remember being here before?

[ voice ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

Apart from everyone else telling me that I was here? Nope.

[ voice ]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that. So I guess this is a fresh start. Do you need anything explaining, or did they already tell you?

[ voice ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

Reno said he'd fill me in when I got to Treno.

[ voice ]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Right. Good luck.

[ voice ]

[cyke.livejournal.com]

...Thanks.

[te-dirige.livejournal.com]

Rude. Welcome back to Gaia. Make your way to Treno via Airship. ShinRa now has an account with Airship group - you should be able to put the cost in our name.

From what Reno has said, you don't recall anything from your previous arrival here?

[cyke.livejournal.com]

Already on it.

A couple of people have indicated I was here before, including Strife, but they wouldn't elaborate.

Locked, Video.

[te-dirige.livejournal.com]

[Tseng's seen better days. He'd apologize, but for Rude he doesn't need to. At least the mashed up side of his face doesn't impede his speech.]

Good. You'll find us in the Red District, the Sweet Child Antique Shop. Tell the woman at the counter I sent you.

As for your previous visit - it was nothing to worry yourself over. You were here, assisted us in our plans, and then were 'returned' by whatever force is at work here. Undoubtedly you will find others who remember you that you are unfamiliar with - it's a common enough occurance here however I doubt it will be a problem.

[A pause, and he gives a faint smile from the side of his mouth that isn't bruised.]
It is good to see you back.

Locked, Video.

[cyke.livejournal.com]

[Tseng may be a little worse for the wear, but he's still alive. To Rude, that translates as who, or whatever it is responsible for those bruises as having already been dealt with]

I've got it.

[You didn't really need to tell Rude anything twice. He might make for some lousy company, but he definitely knew how to get a job done]

Should be there within a day or so.

Re: Locked, Video.

[te-dirige.livejournal.com]

[You've got it Rude - no one who did this is still alive to brag about it, but now they have work to do.]

Good. I'll send Reno to meet you.