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Then why are you here? You will not believe my words so ...
[He stands up and starts to move closer to Cloud. As he does the glow of light pierces the darkness and the masamune appears in his hand.]
If you fear this so much then end it.
[He raises his hand but plunges the blade into the floor in front of where Cloud stands. After that, he heads back to sit down again.]
If my blade is not fitting, Zack keeps his cabin unlocked with the weapon of his you once carried.
[He stands up and starts to move closer to Cloud. As he does the glow of light pierces the darkness and the masamune appears in his hand.]
If you fear this so much then end it.
[He raises his hand but plunges the blade into the floor in front of where Cloud stands. After that, he heads back to sit down again.]
If my blade is not fitting, Zack keeps his cabin unlocked with the weapon of his you once carried.
Edited 2024-06-25 06:31 (UTC)
[Cloud's quiet for a moment. He could explain - tell Abel that Sephiroth knows everything about him for much more insidious reasons than a little stalking, and Cloud doesn't think he's strong enough anymore to force him out if he decides to invade his mind again. Tell him that no amount of trying to keep information from Sephiroth will help if he really wants to know. But he's not going to.]
...mm. Guess I'm not used to being in a position to need protection.
[Another pause.]
But...thanks. You feel pretty strongly about this, huh?
...mm. Guess I'm not used to being in a position to need protection.
[Another pause.]
But...thanks. You feel pretty strongly about this, huh?
I'm sure you're also capable of protecting yourself, but you shouldn't have to. [Like he'd said before, Cloud's priority and responsibility should be himself.
The question gets a sigh out of him, gently biting at the scar on his lip out of habit before speaking up.] I just...Don't want to stand idly by and watch the same thing happen to someone else. I won't speak for you, but i'll definitely speak up if you need me to.
[Because no one had been there to speak up for him when he'd needed it, it's the least he can offer for Cloud.]
The question gets a sigh out of him, gently biting at the scar on his lip out of habit before speaking up.] I just...Don't want to stand idly by and watch the same thing happen to someone else. I won't speak for you, but i'll definitely speak up if you need me to.
[Because no one had been there to speak up for him when he'd needed it, it's the least he can offer for Cloud.]
[As Sephiroth gets closer, Cloud's head lifts to hold his gaze in quiet defiance. It turns to startled alarm when Sephiroth summons his deadly blade. Why the hell would anyone want to give it back to him? And if he can still lift it that effortlessly, then...
But even so, Cloud will fight if he has to.
Sephiroth lifts the blade higher and Cloud falls immediately into a defensive stance, ready to evade - or try to evade, at least - an attack. What Sephiroth actually does gives Cloud some pause. Later, he'll look back on this and wonder why the hell Zack keeps his door unlocked. For right now, the confirmation that Zack does have the Buster Sword here on the ship grabs him by the heart and doesn't let go.]
...this is one of your sick mind games, isn't it. Well, I'm not falling for it.
But even so, Cloud will fight if he has to.
Sephiroth lifts the blade higher and Cloud falls immediately into a defensive stance, ready to evade - or try to evade, at least - an attack. What Sephiroth actually does gives Cloud some pause. Later, he'll look back on this and wonder why the hell Zack keeps his door unlocked. For right now, the confirmation that Zack does have the Buster Sword here on the ship grabs him by the heart and doesn't let go.]
...this is one of your sick mind games, isn't it. Well, I'm not falling for it.
It is not a game. As I said, it should end. Though this place --
[He gestures slightly around them.]
Generally makes that pointless, perhaps for you it'll be different. My words to you before we're not anything to deceive you. My strength and abilities have been returned for some time now if I wanted to injure you or your --
[What does he even refer to Abel as? He's trying not to think about that..]
Regardless of that, if I wanted to do something to cause you pain, I would have already done so. You know this.
[He gestures slightly around them.]
Generally makes that pointless, perhaps for you it'll be different. My words to you before we're not anything to deceive you. My strength and abilities have been returned for some time now if I wanted to injure you or your --
[What does he even refer to Abel as? He's trying not to think about that..]
Regardless of that, if I wanted to do something to cause you pain, I would have already done so. You know this.
[The same strange feeling of something being different about Sephiroth returns again. As much as he wants to stand his ground, he can't help feeling like Sephiroth isn't deceiving him this time. For once.
And then Sephiroth cuts himself off mid-sentence and Cloud arches a brow. What on earth was going to come after 'your' there?? And there it is again, Sephiroth insisting that he doesn't want to cause Cloud pain.
...this is the second time Cloud's found him sitting alone in the dark (albeit alone with a cat, in this case). In context, he was clearly talking about Abel, and he called Cloud just to interrogate him about why he was talking to the man earlier, in the gym, where he works.
You are important.
But perhaps I regret the pain you've endured as a result.
A sort of mind-boggling shock renders Cloud speechless for a moment.]
You...you're jealous??
And then Sephiroth cuts himself off mid-sentence and Cloud arches a brow. What on earth was going to come after 'your' there?? And there it is again, Sephiroth insisting that he doesn't want to cause Cloud pain.
...this is the second time Cloud's found him sitting alone in the dark (albeit alone with a cat, in this case). In context, he was clearly talking about Abel, and he called Cloud just to interrogate him about why he was talking to the man earlier, in the gym, where he works.
You are important.
But perhaps I regret the pain you've endured as a result.
A sort of mind-boggling shock renders Cloud speechless for a moment.]
You...you're jealous??
[He looks over at Cloud for a moment, but just a moment.]
No.
[Yes. So much so he wanted to bash Abel's face in, but didn't.]]
I am beyond human emotions.
[He hates it. He hates that he feels so much and it's harder to ignore and pretend he doesn't, especially when Cloud is involved. He's still good at acting like nothing's there but not enough so that Zack didn't figure it out.
And now Cloud --
But it doesn't matter anyway. Nothing does. He's also realized that as well]
What you do, and with who, is of no concern to me.
[Which is totally why he interrogated them both.]
No.
[Yes. So much so he wanted to bash Abel's face in, but didn't.]]
I am beyond human emotions.
[He hates it. He hates that he feels so much and it's harder to ignore and pretend he doesn't, especially when Cloud is involved. He's still good at acting like nothing's there but not enough so that Zack didn't figure it out.
And now Cloud --
But it doesn't matter anyway. Nothing does. He's also realized that as well]
What you do, and with who, is of no concern to me.
[Which is totally why he interrogated them both.]
Edited 2024-06-26 01:17 (UTC)
[At that Sephiroth stands, walking straight to where he stuck the blade into the floor and pulls it out. But instead of doing anything else, he walks away, not even looking at Cloud in the process.
He looks at the blade for a moment, briefly considering it's effectiveness against himself with it's restrictions. Not that death would really do anything here, he'd just come back and still be miserable. After a moment the blade simply vanishes into thin air.]
Do as you wish.
He looks at the blade for a moment, briefly considering it's effectiveness against himself with it's restrictions. Not that death would really do anything here, he'd just come back and still be miserable. After a moment the blade simply vanishes into thin air.]
Do as you wish.
[Cloud waits to see if anything else is forthcoming. When it isn't,]
You do know 'sulking' is something only people with human emotions do, right?
[He shakes his head in disbelief.]
You seriously think I'd actually do that? A guy I literally met today? He works at the gym. He was giving me weight lifting advice.
[And asking if Sephiroth was his boyfriend, but that's neither here nor there.
Also, Cloud's never asked anyone out in his life, but that's not here, there, or anywhere.]
You do know 'sulking' is something only people with human emotions do, right?
[He shakes his head in disbelief.]
You seriously think I'd actually do that? A guy I literally met today? He works at the gym. He was giving me weight lifting advice.
[And asking if Sephiroth was his boyfriend, but that's neither here nor there.
Also, Cloud's never asked anyone out in his life, but that's not here, there, or anywhere.]
[What Cloud says is what gets Sephiroth to finally look over at him instead of staring off into the darkness. He won't comment on the whole sulking thing but ...]
His defensiveness says otherwise.
[Not that he thinks Cloud is lying here, but Abel was awfully defensive over Cloud to a point Sephiroth didn't like at all (but Sephiroth also has issues so)]
His defensiveness says otherwise.
[Not that he thinks Cloud is lying here, but Abel was awfully defensive over Cloud to a point Sephiroth didn't like at all (but Sephiroth also has issues so)]
[Cloud frowns. Yes, he should be protecting himself, and others besides. He hates feeling helpless. Hates it maybe more than anything. But anything he says here is likely to get him another stern talking-to, so he doesn't reply to that.
Watch the same thing happen...right. Abel said his ex acted like he owned him. It's certainly a sentiment Cloud understands. He just doesn't like being on this side of it.]
Well...I appreciate it.
Watch the same thing happen...right. Abel said his ex acted like he owned him. It's certainly a sentiment Cloud understands. He just doesn't like being on this side of it.]
Well...I appreciate it.
[Is that a bad joke, or does Sephiroth really just have no sense of humor whatsoever? Wait, no, that can't be right - Cloud remembers. He remembers how subtly warm Sephiroth used to be, when they were in Nibelheim. How he'd say quietly deadpan things and then smile slightly after a moment, clearly a little pleased with himself when others got the joke.
Did Jenova and learning the truth about his origins really change him that much?...guess so.]
No shit.
Did Jenova and learning the truth about his origins really change him that much?...guess so.]
No shit.
[Sometimes Sephiroth acts more like his old self, the one from before he learned the truth. The one who who actually cared about others. But most times it's easier to try and not care. To distance himself from everything that made him human before.
The moment he allowed himself closer to happiness here is the same moment he realized none of it is real anyway.]
Is there anything else, Cloud? What is keeping you here?
[Cloud will leave again like he did before. Sephiroth knows this, he just can't fully accept it.]
The moment he allowed himself closer to happiness here is the same moment he realized none of it is real anyway.]
Is there anything else, Cloud? What is keeping you here?
[Cloud will leave again like he did before. Sephiroth knows this, he just can't fully accept it.]
Cloud! Important question.
Is Sephiroth bothering you?
Is Sephiroth bothering you?
[What is keeping Cloud here? He's not really sure, himself. He thought he'd been operating under the assumption that talking to Sephiroth would accomplish nothing at all. But if that were the case, he wouldn't still be here. Maybe wouldn't have bothered coming over here in the first place.
He looks down at the cat, still demanding his attention. He crouches to pet it again, less awkwardly and more thoughtfully this time. A Sephiroth who didn't have any emotions wouldn't be keeping a pet. Pets are by nature a sentimental thing to have. Taking care of another creature, by definition.
After a moment, he stands back up and looks at Sephiroth again.]
Why do you always have the lights off in here?
He looks down at the cat, still demanding his attention. He crouches to pet it again, less awkwardly and more thoughtfully this time. A Sephiroth who didn't have any emotions wouldn't be keeping a pet. Pets are by nature a sentimental thing to have. Taking care of another creature, by definition.
After a moment, he stands back up and looks at Sephiroth again.]
Why do you always have the lights off in here?
It reminds me of the darkness within the negative lifestream.
[That's only half true. The negative lifestream is dark and not as bright as the regular lifestream. It's full of sorrow, dread, despair, all sorts of emotions opposite of joy and happiness.
Which is fitting to how he feels right now.
But since Cloud commented on it, he lifts a hand a hand, telekinetically turning on the lights revealing the state of his cabin.
... Which is actually pretty simple. Nothing really out of place or anything, but it's pretty boring, plain, and looks like something inside the main shinra building of old.
On one of the far walls is something that looks kind of like Cloud's wolf emblem carved into the wall. But that's about what he has for decoration.]
[That's only half true. The negative lifestream is dark and not as bright as the regular lifestream. It's full of sorrow, dread, despair, all sorts of emotions opposite of joy and happiness.
Which is fitting to how he feels right now.
But since Cloud commented on it, he lifts a hand a hand, telekinetically turning on the lights revealing the state of his cabin.
... Which is actually pretty simple. Nothing really out of place or anything, but it's pretty boring, plain, and looks like something inside the main shinra building of old.
On one of the far walls is something that looks kind of like Cloud's wolf emblem carved into the wall. But that's about what he has for decoration.]
I'm sure you can handle Sephiroth. On the other hand, I don't want you to feel obligated to handle Sephiroth, and I certainly don't want you to feel like you're obligated to keep Sephiroth from hassling other people.
Among other things, that's literally my job.
Among other things, that's literally my job.
The...what?
[Cloud doesn't know enough yet to understand what's going on with the remnants. But if Sephiroth's sitting in the dark because it reminds him of another dark place that he apparently liked being in, well. That's what they call 'sentiment,' pal.
Cloud squints when the lights come on, taking a second to let them adjust before he glances around. The cat looks even weirder in the light. Cloud frowns when he recognizes what could easily be a room inside Shinra HQ. For a moment, it makes no sense to him - Sephiroth was the one who killed the president (more or less), he can't possibly have any love for that place, can he? - but then it occurs to Cloud...Sephiroth must have grown up there. Maybe it's the closest thing to 'home' he ever had. Boy, Cloud would kill Hojo a hundred more times if he could.
He might have said something about all of that, except then his eyes fall on the...carving. Is that...? He walks closer to it.]
The hell is this?
[Cloud doesn't know enough yet to understand what's going on with the remnants. But if Sephiroth's sitting in the dark because it reminds him of another dark place that he apparently liked being in, well. That's what they call 'sentiment,' pal.
Cloud squints when the lights come on, taking a second to let them adjust before he glances around. The cat looks even weirder in the light. Cloud frowns when he recognizes what could easily be a room inside Shinra HQ. For a moment, it makes no sense to him - Sephiroth was the one who killed the president (more or less), he can't possibly have any love for that place, can he? - but then it occurs to Cloud...Sephiroth must have grown up there. Maybe it's the closest thing to 'home' he ever had. Boy, Cloud would kill Hojo a hundred more times if he could.
He might have said something about all of that, except then his eyes fall on the...carving. Is that...? He walks closer to it.]
The hell is this?
[This again.]
...yeah. I get that. But he's hassling Abel because of me. Can't just sit around and do nothing.
[Doing nothing when Sephiroth's 'hassling' other people is why he keeps failing to save them. And this is something he feels like he finally can do something about. He has to make up for his failures. That's what this place is all about, right?]
...yeah. I get that. But he's hassling Abel because of me. Can't just sit around and do nothing.
[Doing nothing when Sephiroth's 'hassling' other people is why he keeps failing to save them. And this is something he feels like he finally can do something about. He has to make up for his failures. That's what this place is all about, right?]
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