It’s quite probable that either Cy nor Ty would have been aware of Aiden’s sudden absence, were it not for the fact that at moment in time, the vacuum fell over with an almost comical air, as though it had fainted dead away due to the utter shock of his disappearance. As it was, the rather loud, if not somewhat muffled, sound of its impact caused them to break away from glaring at each other through narrowed eyes, each of them doubtless using their Jedi Mindtricks to insult the other most horribly. The momentary lapse of their locked gazes allowed Ty to look about in open befuddlement. “Aiden, where the fsk did you go?” She demanded of the empty air. “I refuse to clean all of your house, you lazy bum. Key words, your house!” air. Cy’s eyes opened in a wide manner indeed, his gaze now fixed on the silently enriching snow drift, which was a silent as the shadow of death. “I think….I don’t think he’s here,” he began lamely. “Thank you, captain Obvious,” sighed Ty with a theatrical heavenward roll of her eyes. “Will you kindly refrain from attempting to distract yourself from the fact that you were completely and utterly pawned?” “No, seriously- do what?!” He finished, eyes once more narrowing, voice an octave higher, tones laced with an indignant air. Ty shrugged. “It’s the truth. No need to get upset. There’s no shame in being pwned.” Cy could not believe her. “No shame-?” He began, incredulously. “I beg to differ. Being pawned is an affront to gamer’s ego’s everywhere!” “Awwww….sweetie. Did I step on your itty bitty ego? I wondered what that flat, squeaky sound was earlier. I thought it was dog’s chew toy,” mocked Ty. “But I’m glad we agree on something. The first step is admitting you have a problem. In your case-you suck. Anyway,” she continued, riding over top of the start of his protests, “Now that I’ve annihilated you, I can focus on world domina-er…Aiden.” “What?” Cy said in the tones that expressed the well and truly lost.

“Oh, come. Don’t play so innocent. We female gamers are far cleverer than you give us credit. We let you dominant us the first few rounds, then we kick your ass. Why? Because we are checking you out. Weeding out the strong gamers from the weak, and thereby securing a strong line of better gamers in the future. So you see,” she continued with a malicious grin, “Those who get their asses kicked do us the favor of ensuring we never, ever, settle down with you.” “And to think, I thought women were complicated enough as it was.” He muttered dryly. “But if you want Aiden, by all means, go after him, with my blessing. I won’t stop you.” “Really? That makes me so happy! I’m so glad you’re not mad!” She shrilled, hands clasped together and pressed to her cheeks, eyes wide. “So now we can be BFF and go shopping for clothes and braid each others hair and coordinate matching outfits and…” She blinked. “The hell is that?” She demanded, pointing at the screen. “I told you so.” “My ass.” “Wait….I’m your ass? Thanks so much for those nightmares.” But Ty was no longer listening. Instead, she was slowly but surely making her way towards the television screen. Almost with a reflexive air, she reached out with a hand to touch the screen, as if to assure herself that she was doubtless imagining the whole thing. Within the blink of an eye, she, too, vanished.

Moments later, Cy followed. He cast his gaze about, searching for his errant companions, a difficult task indeed, as the wind and snow made it difficult indeed to see much more than an inch or so in front of oneself. At length, he found them….albeit drastically different than their modern day counterparts. “What….the hell….are you?” He demanded of Cy. “A freakin’ Playboy Bunny?” “Shut up,” she growled, twitching an over-sized hare-like ear. She looked much the same-minus the fact that the hair that graced her ears and head were a light shade of lavender-much like her dyed hair in the real world. A rather form-fitting coat of interlocking links of mail proved to be most of her possession in the way of anything that could be considered clothing, that is. She was also adorned in twin beige wrist guards made of tanned leather, and decorated with a vine-like décor. Slung over her right shoulder was the embroidered strap of a quiver of arrows, and it was only then that he noticed her left hand rested atop a supple bow fashioned of ash. She lifted a free hand to threaten him with a glancing blow. She’s kinda…cute, he thought. And only just avoided vomiting. Dear god, help me, he thought with horror. “Would you stop distracting me with your threats?” “What are you trying to imply? I wasn’t going to use violence. I don’t always use violence. Do I?” “The important thing is, you believe that,” he grimaced. He tried to feign mild shock at the rendering of Aiden. Once again, his long black air was loosely bound by a strip of leather decorated with bones and feathers, he wore a long, pastel blue robe over his coat of armor, and was resting his hands upon the twin hilts of his swords, watching the pair in mild amusement.

“You’re not a mage… again?” He inquired, a note of hope in his voice. Cy drew himself up. “What are you trying to imply?” He asked. “I’ll have you know that I’m a very capable mage, and a damn good one a-“ he never got to finish his sentence, however, as a rather powerful sneeze knocked him backwards a few feet, causing a wayward bolt of lightening to discharge from his fingertips. Aiden ducked instinctively as it danced over his head and embedded itself into the snow. Both Ty and Aiden attempted to conceal their laughter, Aiden even going so far as to cover his mouth with a free hand. “Aw, look!” cooed Ty. “A Chocobo!” So saying, she rushed over to stroke the feathered head of the sun-hued and riderless bird. “We could use it to get a feel for the terrain, and figure out where the hell we are,” said Aiden, tones thoughtful. “I think we’re in or near the Northern Cave Crater,” offered Ty, still stroking the overlarge bird. “I’ve got an idea. Let’s just roast the damn thing on a spit,” muttered Cy. “You in the mood for roast chicken?” Asked Ty dangerously. “How about we tie you to a spit instead? Hell, you can practically roast your own ass.” “That’s enough, you two,” grumbled Aiden. “We need to figure out how we got here and how to get back…if that’s even possible.” “Are you out of your mind, man?” demanded Cy. “We’re in a freakin’ video game! And you want to go back? What’s the matter with you?” He looked to Ty for support, but she was no longer there. “It’s Cloud!” she yelped, all but leaping up and down like a hyper two-year old on a sugar high. “I must touch him!” “Wipe the drool from your chin,” snorted Cy.

Minutes later, and several more “It’s Cloud! Must touch!”’s later, the infamous, brooding male drew closer still, ice-gray eyes veiled yet questioning as he regarded the party, and the frantically squirming female who twisted about in the grasp of both males. At length, he spoke. “Who are you? And how do you know my name?”

Author’s Note: Whee! It’s Name-That-Game time! Try to spot the games throughout the story, some will be named, others will be hinted, still others you’ll have to find via description. Anyway, next chapter should be up….soon. This week, probably. Also-because I have to say this-as much as you want to touch Cloud, too, I in no way own or claim to be affiliated with Cloud andor any other character game that appears in this story. Bummer.