mandalus :: the city of fates.

[Cloud was stood in the snow at the beach, not quite shivering but obviously cold, and he was already trekking through it to make his way out of the cold weather and back to... well, that was the question; where was home here now? Was Tifa still there? Denzel? Sora? Ellie? It was a little difficult to get his bearings after so long.]

It's been a while. A lot's happened. [He sighed, shaking his head.] I don't need any updates. I can guess bad things happened; it's Mandalus.

[After a shiver finally runs through him, Cloud scowls at the cold.] Is Tifa still here?

[He'd seen her at home but he knew time froze for them when they came to this city so maybe, just maybe, she was still here.] I have apologies to make.

[Another sigh and Cloud hung up the phone.]

[It's late when the video flickers on, or perhaps early. Somewhere around 4am, when normal people are sleeping, static crackles on the image as the phone is gripped horribly tightly. The image smooths out to the sight of Cloud with his back against a wall in his apartment, his hand grasping hard at his left arm, his eyes shut tight as he breathes slowly, but black ooze trickles from between his gloved fingers, only just noticeable from how the light catches the liquid in the dark.]

Damn it... [He huffs out a shaky breath, squeezing his arm a little tighter and opening his eyes, showing briefly how his eyes have changed. After a moment, when his eyes return to their regular, unnatural blue, Cloud lowers his hand from his sleeved arm, wiping the ooze off on his pants, just out of shot.] Guess I need to get supplies.

[He's not talking to anyone specific, just to himself. It keeps him a little more sane to talk to himself now and then.

As he walks outside the feed is simply of whatever the recording catches as the phone swings in his hand but Cloud doesn't noticed the phone is recording at all, instead his gaze falls on something off screen and he smirks just a little bit to himself, thumbing the phone over in his hand, enough for it to catch a shot of a motorcycle.] Hmph. Silver lining.

[With that, he shoves the phone into his pocket, leaving it to shut off on it's own in the darkness inside his pocket.]

[As the video clicks on, a pale man with spiked, messy blonde hair is shown looking at a woman beside him. She seems to be a native but she gives him a light smile and it's clear she's been explaining things to him.] You're good to go! Just record your video now!

It's... recording video? [Cloud is somewhat hesitant as he looks down at the phone after she nods and a frown creases his brow. Cloud's eyes are more striking than his strange hair; the blue of them glows bright and vivid, the green in them shimmers faintly, and with him holding the phone just close enough, they look full of iridescent liquid. He tilts the phone this way and that just a little bit. His own phone is capable of a lot but he's a little unsettled by broadcasting a video of himself all over this... network. Still, it's already happening now, so he might as well go with it. His voice is low, almost husky, and he speaks carefully, like words are a difficult concept for him. There is a faint hint of an accent, but no one would really recognize it.] I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say. I just got here. Your guards aren't exactly the friendliest.

[Cloud goes quiet for a moment, his head lifted to look around inside the station.] I got the basics; we're brought here to fight a war. Not sure why they'd bring me. [He can't even protect his family. Why would he be able to protect someone else's world?] If I'm going to help, I need more details. If anyone wants to answer a couple questions, I'd be grateful.

[He pauses, looking down at the phone.] So... what now? [He frowns again and looks over at the woman just off screen before he turns back and cuts the feed.]