MASS MINGLE LOG, GO!

[these_balls]

Who: ANYONE AND EVERYONE
Where: ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE
When: May 31 - June 2
Summary: GET IN HERE AND MINGLE
Rating: BUT PLEASE MARK YOUR THREAD CONTENT ACCORDINGLY
Log:

Callin' out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For fourth wallin' in the streets
They're breakin' it in Cianwood
Down in Mahogany
In New Bark "City"

All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swingin', swayin', B-G-M playin'
And fourth wallin' in the streets

Oh, it doesn't matter who you bring
Just as long as it's your thing
So come on, every guy grab a girl,
Everywhere around the world
They'll be roleplayin'
Fourth wallin' in the street

This is an invitation
Across the nation
A chance for the folks to meet
There'll be laughin' and singin' and music swingin'
And fourth wallin' in the streets...

Comments

Cloud Strife | FFVII (post ACC) | ERRYWHERE

[bothourlives]

[Well this sure as hell wasn't Kalm. Cloud had been on his way to the nearby small town for delivery, a little exchanging of goods- a completely ordinary and boring trip, something he'd done countless times and was hardly even worth mentioning.

And then everything just... changed. he hadn't run over a pothole of surprise mako... had he?

His motorcycle, Fenrir, was gone. The familiar roads and landscapes were gone. In their place was a strange little spiky fox looking thing (a Jolteon), and forests he was pretty sure he had never seen in his life.

He and the rest of the party had spent hours days! running in circles inside every patch of trees they'd ever come across, it was pretty unlikely that he wouldn't recognize something nearby.

He didn't really feel any different though, so while obviously confused Cloud wasn't exactly concerned. Yet. Maybe he'd just been daydreaming and veered a little off course... then was tossed from Fenrir or something. Yeah. Sure.

It was preferable to believe he'd just ended up a little turned around and might have been in the sun too long than the alternative of returning hallucinations.]

[He'll just be off to the side on a route, making frowny faces at his cellphone. Pretty sure his plan doesn't include different world coverage. Oops.

Otherwise Cloud will be walking around trying to figure out where he is, being unable to say no to side quests from the locals, and hunting down the cactuarCacnea that won't stop following him and shooting out thorns 8|]

[strongestoftheturks]

[...well, look who's finally in town. Rude looks over his shades, but there's no mistaking that familiar spiky-headed kid.

Now the question is whether he should approach Cloud, or let Cloud walk on by. Technically they were on the same side now but they weren't exactly allies. But Cloud did look quite lost and well...he is still a familiar face. Someone from home.

Hopefully Cloud'll have come after that whole mess with the Remnants; one can't be too careful though so Rude keeps to merely watching for the time being. If Cloud speaks to him, then he'll answer what needs to be answered and hopefully there'll be no flashy sword moves to gut him. ]

[bothourlives]

[Someone's been studying his Pokedex to so easily recognize Jolteon! 8)

Rude blended in with the crowd a little better than he did (though really with all the neon haired people running around you'd think Rude would stick out instead) but confused as he was Cloud was still taking note of his surroundings, and it wasn't long before he recognized the Turk keeping an eye on him.

Did they just flock to weird situations while keeping tabs on the party? Didn't they have hobbies? He didn't particularly like the Turks, but he didn't particularly dislike them either- the days of negative confrontation were long past but he still made them pay their tab at Seventh Heaven whenever they just so happened to be in the neighborhood and dropped by.

No freebies, even when you knew the saviors of the planet.]

So you're here too.

[He's pretty indifferent about this whole mess really- or at least, he's trying to appear that way. It wasn't unheard of for hallucinations to talk to him, to seem very very real. But... it had been awhile since that happened, and there was usually some semblance of awareness of the fact.

Cautious, but not necessarily unfriendly. Rude was the only recognizable thing here and whether Cloud liked it or not, someone who would hopefully have some answers.]

[strongestoftheturks]

[How about a "turn-over-a-new-leaf" discount?]

Hmm.

Guessing you just got here.

[No sword swinging has commenced, so Rude's guessing that any fights are off the table. It's a pity in a way, he'd love a good fight, but Cloud's really on a whole other level than him and he doesn't want to spend the next week recuperating in whatever they have for a hospital here.]

Anyone explained this to you yet?

[bothourlives]

[Not interested.]

No. You're the first person I've talked to.

...I was on my way to Kalm.

[If he felt a little more contrary, and had actually understood what Rude and Reno had been gossiping about way back when near Gongaga, he might have indulged in a little verbal sparring by mentioning Tifa would probably be mad at his little detour- she was expecting him back by dinner time.

Probably not a good idea to pester a source of information though, and Cloud was curious about what Rude could tell him about this place.]

[strongestoftheturks]

[Jeez Cloud, there's no need to get sensitive. Rude's well aware that he's her man now. He knows she's off-limits. Just...let him nurse his crushed, umm, crush. He gets enough teasing from Reno already.]

This is a different planet. No way back.

[Having already explained the situation to Vincent earlier, it's easier for him to form his explanation and key in on the big things that Cloud should know about this place.]

Monsters here are called Pokemon. You can breed or catch them. There's over 200 types.

They're like chocobos. Pets.

[He's not sure if there's a Pokemon race somewhere, but like our feathered friends you can use them for labour, keep them as pets, or compete with them in battles.]

Your Pokemon's called Jolteon.

[bothourlives]

[You're probably giving him too much credit if you think he's managed to actually step up and talk to her about things lol.]

No way back.

[Repeated, mostly to himself, as he turned to look back at the Jolteon he'd up to this point mostly ignored. Said Pokemon was a little too well suited for him- not just because of it's spiked yellow fur, but because it's a little too sensitive for it's own good, sulking and popping with electricity, upset at being left behind.

C'mon little guy, at least he didn't follow his first instinct and try to kill you.]

What do you do here?

[His attention was back on Rude, Cloud eying him up and down for a moment.

Trying to imagine the Turk with fuzzy little Pokemon.

Cloud at least was sort of used to this kind of thing, having spent a considerable amount of time breeding and raising chocobos. But he'd never seen anyone he knew outside the party down at the races.]

[strongestoftheturks]

[Don't worry Cloud, Rude couldn't imagine it either. And he's not going to win the best trainer award either; his Tyrogue will attest to that.

What does he actually do here? He's...not too sure. There's a sudden flash of uncertainty on his face, but he quickly covers it back up with his normal stoic expression.]

I just...train Pokemon.

[Technically true. He's also part of a shady organization bent on conquering the world with said Pokemon, but best to leave that out of this discussion.]

[bothourlives]

[He's amused at that, an almost smirk settling in over his expression.

So Rude was a critter babysitter. Interesting. But there was no way Cloud was buying that that was all he was into.]

Guess there's nothing better to do.

[Because he'd expect Rude to do it, if there were. Turks weren't the type to just sit by idly and do nothing, and despite the fact that he said very little, Cloud figured Rude was probably pretty (annoyingly) well informed too, more or less the reason he accepted what he was being told at face value.]

[honorablefool]

[Don't worry Cloud, you're really not the only one confused at this point. In fact, you aren't even the only person from Gaia wondering what just happened. One moment he'd gone to sleep, and the next, here he was, alive, in a place that wasn't the lifestream.

Sure the heck wasn't Gaia either. A guy couldn't spend as much time dead and floating around in mako tubes as he had and not notice when he suddenly wasn't on the same planet.

But he'd take it! Being not dead was so totally in, and he got even more excited when he realized that a) the snakelike dragon thing (a dratini) wasn't out to get him, and b) that was Cloud!

Time to go say hi! He quickly made for the familiar head of spikes.]

Oi! Cloud! You're here too??

[bothourlives]

[His head snapped up at the sound of such a familiar voice, eyes wide as he looked around, trying to find the source.]

Za-Zack?

[Cloud struggled to say his friend's name, his disbelief making him stutter, unable to understand why he could suddenly see--

...Oh. Oh. Did he dieagain? Were the weird little critters just monsters that had mutated in a different way from being in the Lifestream? ...Was this even the Lifestream? It hadn't looked like this the last time he visited but he had been alive that time and the time after that he was kind of just knocked out and only heard Aerith talk so.

OH GOD HE'S DEAD. HE'S DEAD ISN'T HE. HE HAD JUST WANTED TO PICK UP GROCERIES BEFORE GOING HOME AND NOW HE'S DEAD.

Sorry Zack, he's a little too busy spiraling into worst case scenario mode to say anything else, standing still and staring, confused.]

[honorablefool]

[WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THIS CLOUD? WHY? CALM DOWN!

Zack got a look of concern as Cloud's brain seemed to short out, and he hurried forward, waving his hand in a wave that was more than a little halfhearted. Geeze, was he really that unnerving to see?

Wait. He was dead. Cloud probably had no idea what was going on either so...

Whoopsie daisy. Accidentally upset the blondie without even trying. And he'd thought he'd be someone awesome to see too!

Solution? HUGS! He took the two steps to pull him into a hug, then put him at arm's length so he could examine him.]

You're looking better than last I saw you~ At least you were before you looked like you were about to faint. DEEP BREATHS.

In, out, air circulates. I don't want you to up and die on me now that I'm not dead.

[bothourlives]

[HE'D JUST BEEN FIXED AND THINGS WERE STILL A LITTLE SHAKY. ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Cloud still hadn't moved, only stumbling forward a few steps when Zack pulled him in a for hug- but he didn't return the gesture, frozen in place and in a daze.

If being on a different planet wasn't surreal enough, this...]

You're not dead.

[Repeated back, quietly. He had actually listened though, obvious by the deep breaths he was taking while staring at his best friend.

Zack. His face scrunched up for a moment, brows furrowed, Cloud clearly upset by the sense of this is terribly wrong. Maybe it really was a hallucination after all, but it wasn't as important to figure out now, not if there was a chance to spend time with Zack again.]

[honorablefool]

[That's better. Nice, complete sentences! Baby steps. Three words can count!]

Nope, not dead.

[He ruffled up his hair and gave him a grin, trying to calm him down.]

I'm not dead, you're not dead, and this sure the heck isn't Gaia, but everything is peachy. Everything is sunshine and flowers and excellent pals, right?

[bothourlives]

[Huff. The hair ruffle finally did it, kicking him out of his trance as he instinctively reached up to swat Zack's hand away.

Honestly. He wasn't a derpy little cadet anymore.]

It's not peachy.

[You're acting a little weird there Zack. More so than usual.

It's a little suspicious.]

Do you even know where we are?

[honorablefool]

[Better! He relaxed out of the over the top cheerfulness with a smile that was more sheepish than anything.]

Ah... hahaha you see, that's a thing.

[He shifted on his feet, then gave him a thumbs up.]

Not a clue!

[bothourlives]

[Wow Zack you're useless!!!!

No okay he didn't mean that please don't leave him again.]

My phone isn't working.

[He sighed, looking around his friend and down the route, hoping some answer to all this would just... appear. Hey if Zack came out of nowhere why not.]

There's probably a town nearby, maybe we can find other people.

[shotgunsalute]

[As unflappable as he normally was, Vincent was having a difficult time swallowing the fact that he was currently in a different world entirely. He'd seen many bizarre things (some welcome, most of them not), but this was starting to take the cake.

Weaving his way through the crowd, he spotted a crown of spiky blonde hair that was nigh unmistakeable.

Relief at the familiar head washed through him. It was almost embarrassing how much he was glad to see part of the old crew.]

Cloud.

[bothourlives]

Vincent?

[He'd turned at the sound of his name, feeling that same relief at the sight of a friendly face.

Well. Friendly as Vincent could appear anyway. But hey man look at you, out in the sunshine and everything. Yuffie would be so proud of both of them, being all social and shit.]

What are you doing here?

[Cloud still wasn't completely convinced he was in an entirely different world, hoping that he'd just taken a wrong turn and ended up in some unfamiliar backwater town with terrible service.

So don't mind him as he turned and lifted his cell phone up, frowning when there were still no bars. See this is why he rarely bothered with the damn thing, it didn't work half the time anyway.

They never should have made the switch from the PHS.]

[shotgunsalute]

I could ask the same of you.

[That is not the most sufficient answer, but it will have to do. He has yet to figure out why and how exactly he ended up in this strange world, filled with cute animals that you catch.

But, one thing at a time. For now, he was just glad to see Cloud, even if it was in a bizarre place.

...And apparently, one without any service on the phones that the rest of the group forced on them. Ah, he'd forgotten to check that entirely.

Yuffie would be so disappointed in him.]

[bothourlives]

Trying to get a good signal.

[Yuffie would just be having a conflicting mix of emotions at them, apparently.

But the implication of Vincent's answer made him pause the quest for service and look over to eye his friend, a little unsure. Since when did Vincent not know everything about everything?]

You think we're really not on the Planet anymore?

[That was ridiculous... right? For all the bullshit ShinRa pulled they'd barely been able to make it into space once, let alone be capable of kidnapping people and leaving them on another planet entirely.

Did sound like something they would do though, even now, if it were possible. ]

[shotgunsalute]

[Admittedly, Yuffie switches from emotion to emotion fairly quickly. She might not know what to do with them at all in this situation, because hey wow, they're outside and talking, how crazy.]

It does not seem so. I do not recall such creatures inhabiting our world at any point.

[bothourlives]

[And they probably weren't lucky enough for that to mean she'd shut up for awhile at the sight, huh?]

Me either. I thought the locals were exaggerating though.

[He appreciated how calm Vincent was despite completely outlandish circumstances, even if it might have just been external projection only. Cloud was leader guy! He'd figure something out and they'd be alright etc etc yes.

Plenty of weird things happened back home anyway, usually one after the other and conveniently centered around their group, what was one more? Honestly.]

Guess we're stuck for awhile.

[shotgunsalute]

[Not many are lucky enough to silence the perky ninja for any amount of time.]

The people here seem to be completely enraptured with these animals.

[He says this as his affectionate Woobat swirls happily around his head.

Just picture that for a moment— stoic-faced Vincent with the happiest ball of fluff in the world bouncing nearby. A more humor-filled person would be laughing by now.]

We have been in worse situations.

[bothourlives]

[Vincent what. Seriously. You're supposed to kill monsters for EXP and loot, not go all soft and make best friends with them.

Sorry buddy, but he couldn't help but exhale a low snort (it wasn't a laugh!) at the display, his lips curling up in a smirk.]

Looks like they're pretty enraptured with you to me.