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onepassingnight2011-10-11 11:09 pm
no-hometown.livejournal.com) wrote in onepassingnight2011-10-11 11:09 pm
001: a different path ☄
[Professor Gast didn't leave him behind. Why would he? They understood each other; there was a kinship between them. He wouldn't have left a child with that madman. It isn't easy, living on the run from Shinra, but Sephiroth is strong, stronger than any other, and swifter. He can protect them both. He can hear the enemy coming from a long way off, the hum of engines or the tramp of feet. The Planet is large, and they'll always be safe, if he can help it. Shinra lost their war with Wutai (there was no Silver SOLDIER). There are places left to hide.
They don't stay anywhere too long, but they bring their research with them. They conceal themselves in small towns. Refugees aren't so unusual, and few people would guess at what they are, though Sephiroth's bearing and his long sword makes some things clear, such as the fact that they can handle themselves.
Their current residence may be cramped, but it is clean. Sephiroth is dressed simply, in a white shirt and black pants, leaning over the table, lost in the study of figures. He and the Professor discuss the problem they're working on in low voices, in terms that might make little sense to a layman. The Professor breaks to make tea, and Sephiroth drinks it black.
When Gast goes to bed (Father, maybe he can think of him that way), Sephiroth remains awake, remains watchful. He needs less sleep, because he's different, a person apart. He's just beginning to understand why that is. He knows he must be careful. What Shinra did to him, to other children: they shouldn't be allowed to continue. He and the Professor mean to stop them. Sephiroth gazes out the window at the night sky spotted with bright stars, and though he has no wealth, no influence, no power save his own strength, the sudden realization sweeps over him that he is fiercely, deeply, undeniably happy.
There shouldn't be anyone else in the cottage, and when he senses an unfamiliar presence, Sephiroth turns, tensing, the calm slipping from him in an instant.]
What do you want?
[He won't let anyone take this from him.]
[[OOC: Starting out with a flip of the chessboard. In his dream, Sephiroth's guardian is Professor Gast rather than Professor Hojo, and they left Shinra together. Sephiroth has no idea of what actually happened to Professor Gast.]]
They don't stay anywhere too long, but they bring their research with them. They conceal themselves in small towns. Refugees aren't so unusual, and few people would guess at what they are, though Sephiroth's bearing and his long sword makes some things clear, such as the fact that they can handle themselves.
Their current residence may be cramped, but it is clean. Sephiroth is dressed simply, in a white shirt and black pants, leaning over the table, lost in the study of figures. He and the Professor discuss the problem they're working on in low voices, in terms that might make little sense to a layman. The Professor breaks to make tea, and Sephiroth drinks it black.
When Gast goes to bed (Father, maybe he can think of him that way), Sephiroth remains awake, remains watchful. He needs less sleep, because he's different, a person apart. He's just beginning to understand why that is. He knows he must be careful. What Shinra did to him, to other children: they shouldn't be allowed to continue. He and the Professor mean to stop them. Sephiroth gazes out the window at the night sky spotted with bright stars, and though he has no wealth, no influence, no power save his own strength, the sudden realization sweeps over him that he is fiercely, deeply, undeniably happy.
There shouldn't be anyone else in the cottage, and when he senses an unfamiliar presence, Sephiroth turns, tensing, the calm slipping from him in an instant.]
What do you want?
[He won't let anyone take this from him.]
[[OOC: Starting out with a flip of the chessboard. In his dream, Sephiroth's guardian is Professor Gast rather than Professor Hojo, and they left Shinra together. Sephiroth has no idea of what actually happened to Professor Gast.]]
no subject
I didn't put 'em there.
[He doesn't seem bothered by that as he continues to stare at Sephiroth, his brow furrowing in confusion.]
...Sephiroth.
no subject
You didn't? Then who--
[When Zack says his name, Sephiroth remembers.]
Zack. Who did this? [He doesn't know exactly what he's asking about; it's not only the plates, but Zack's uncharacteristic manner, his eyes.]
no subject
[Said with a crick of the neck, the SOLDIER finally starting to sit up from his position. He isn't doing a lot of looking at Sephiroth, but something visibly ruffles under his turtleneck.]
Should I be on my way, then? Sorry for, ah... interruptin' your teatime an' everything.
no subject
He puts a hand on Zack's shoulder.] Tell me. What is it? [He doesn't remember SOLDIER yet, but his voice has the tone of an order.]
no subject
Places to go, things to do. It's too stagnant here.
[He's about to hop off the counter when he feels the hand on his shoulder... and immediately, defenstively tenses up.]
Is it really that big of a deal?
no subject
[But he doesn't know what it's better than, and he falters.] --the alternative. But I doubt you have anything so pressing to do in the middle of the night, miles from anywhere.
[Where Zack's well being is concerned, he doesn't falter.] It matters to me.
no subject
You know me better than anyone, don't ya, Seph?
[He tries to relax, moving to gently nudge the hand off his shoulder.]
...
I'm not really here, Sephiroth. In fact, you could say this is my mind's way of protectin' itself.
no subject
No, there was someone else, wasn't there? Who knew you better. [He can't quite remember. He shakes his head, doesn't pursue the thought.]
[He considers the young man thoughtfully, frowning slightly.] I don't quite understand. What are you protecting yourself from?
no subject
I'm in a dream right now, Sephiroth. [He finally turns, finally looks at the man who *should* be his friend. Maybe... his mind was dredging up those simpler times, to make this whole situation better.]
An' I'm not only sleepin'. Something happened - something really nasty that I'm not too sure I can even fix.
no subject
What happened?
no subject
[This time, the tone is almost... sad, quiet enough to be heard, but quieter than Sephiroth would remember him ever speaking. He tries to walk off again, wanting all of this to just be over.]
no subject
Of course it is. You're my responsibility. [He moves in front of Zack, blocking his way.]
no subject
Jeez! Way to be upfront, Sephiroth.]
I said I don't wanna talk about it!
no subject
I'm not going to allow you to leave like this, Zack. You don't have to talk about it if you feel so adamant, but stay. Have some tea.
no subject
Managing to calm himself down enough to face the silver-haired man, he nods once, allowing green-tinged eyes to trail up to that face.]
...fine. Just for a little while. Few hours, tops.
no subject
[He turns to make the tea, but he remains wary, keeping watch out of the corner of his eye, lest Zack, who is behaving so strangely, should try to leave again.]
You can stay as long as you like. There might not be much to do in this town, but it's peaceful. Few people come here. [ShinRa doesn't come. It's safe. That's what he most wants now, to be away from ShinRa, from the things they do...]
no subject
I told you, I'm fine. I'm not the one I'm worried about...
[A bit anxiously, one gloved finger idly taps at the table in thought.]
But as long as either of us get some kind of reprieve, I guess it's alright. It is pretty nice here, after all.
no subject
[There's a sharpness in his voice, and he doesn't know where it comes from, still mostly caught up in the false memories of this dream.
Nonetheless, Zack's fate matters to him. He fills the kettle, puts it on the stove.]
I worry about you. You should talk to the professor, when he wakes up. He might be able to help you. [He has a great respect for Gast's work. Whatever's wrong with Zack, if anyone could help, the professor can.]
no subject
[The word is out before he can even think to stop it - the name, *professor*, and all that comes with it is still enough to make his blood boil. And after a few moments, he realizes he's actually standing again as well, both hands slamming onto the table.
The outburst in itself is taxing, and he sways a little, struggling not to collapse entirely as he slumps back into his seat, holding his head. Even in the dream, he *was* feeling ill, breaking through that unnatural melacony and pushing himself further than he needed to.]
...don't. Don't.
no subject
Zack. It's all right. [He places a hand on the younger man's shoulder.]
Gast wouldn't hurt you. [He frowns. Lining up his actual memory with his dream memory makes him doubt the dream, and it starts to flicker for a moment, allowing a glimpse of something colder and more clinical beyond: dull metal surfaces, gray walls and a low, green glow, but then the dream steadies, the environment cottage asserting itself again.] We left ShinRa long ago. He doesn't approve of their methods.
You'll be all right.
no subject
[He looks up blearily, trying to meet Sephiroth's gaze and blink through the choking sensation of mako over his senses. His throat, his eyes, his nose - everything's blocked by it, and he's finding it a little hard to breathe.]
Didn't say Gast... thought you meant--
Ugh. Nevermind.
no subject
His eyes narrow, his voice sharpening.]
What has he done?
no subject
His hand lowers carefully from his head, blinking slowly and gaze going downcast as he mulls it over. There is no immediate response, the SOLDIER's fingers curling against the table uncertainly.]