001: a different path ☄

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

[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.]]

Comments

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[It's a smart move: It's always best to be prepared. Ami approves.]

If you doubt me, you don't have to do anything. Just wait and see if they come.

[Though the warning, if true, must be well-meant, she still isn't doing much to endear herself personally.]

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

I hope you had nothing to do with this.

[Though if he thought she did, he would have taken action already. He's simply tense, moving quickly, gathering their research. He'll wake the Professor momentarily.]

No, I won't take that chance. Do you know what they'll do to us?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Such a suspicious mind! I'll remember it next time you need a warning.

[Now, finally, she puts the teacup aside and stands up.]

But right now, I'd rather take them out. I don't approve of their methods towards progress.

[This might, and she's aware of it, sound strange coming from someone of her demeanor and her reputation. Yet even now, this area is something special to her, perhaps even sacred; knowledge isn't to be trampled, or gained by ShinRa's questionable ways.]

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

I don't trust anyone anymore. Except the Professor. [He'd been betrayed--he doesn't exactly remember how at the moment, but there's no time for that now.]

Yes, they love progress, as long as they control it. Otherwise, they steal it if they can. Or wipe it out.

[Preparations don't take him too long. They're always more or less ready to depart at a moment's notice, though they always have to leave some things behind: the little, human things they accumulate. They don't live as others do, but at least they're free.] How long do we have?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

You should know: They don't waste time. Decide carefully whether to run, or defend this place.

[Her lips curve upward.]

You have twenty minutes.

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

[He makes the decision quickly. That isn't long. If they flee now, there's no guarantee that they won't be overtaken, and they might not be in the most defensible position. Here, at least, he has some strategic advantages. He knows the terrain.]

I'll fight them here.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

So you've chosen to fight. Good. [She seems pleased by the decision; it's far better than running, though he might have a chance at it.]

How many people do you have who can fight?

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

It's the wisest course of action in this situation. [That's his judgment, and he'll stand by it.]

Only myself. [He won't risk the professor's safety.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

You might be strong, but one person against this many isn't wise odds.

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

I am not the equivalent of one person in a combat situation. I am enhanced. [His eyes gleam. He wields his long sword, nearly as long as he is tall, but otherwise he gives no proof of his claim.]

I prefer not to take lives, but they leave me no choice.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Then it'll be fun to fight with you!

[And now, with her usual love of dramatic effect, she takes a few long strides away from him.]

Dark Power, Make-Up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpSX0asUED0&feature=related)!

[Her voice echoes with power even as she speaks the words. The energy of her transformation flares around her in a dark, watery aura. The flash of light and impression of black rose petals recede to leave Mercury in Ami's place.]

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

Fun? I don't think this will be fun. [He takes no joy in violence, slaughter, no matter how easy it is for him. He does not regret it, but he would rather be free.

He's distracted by the thought when he's startled by her transformation. It's not like anything he's seen before.] What is that? What did you do?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Defeating my enemies is something to look forward to.

[Don't rob her of the joy she still takes in it - which is still far less than true manic glee she felt fighting at first. Years of enemies and seemingly-fruitless battles (when there are always other worlds, other alternates, to become enemies) have worn that down a little.]

This is the form I choose to fight in. [It's dramatically different: the dark hair changed to blue, the everyday clothes changed to a short-skirted sailor-style uniform with a short skirt and tall boots.]

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

I don't understand how that makes you better prepared for combat. [If anything, the short skirt strikes him as impractical. Females in the army don't wear skirts and bows.] But as you like. [This isn't the time for such discussion.]

I always defeat my enemies. [He states this simply, not boasting. It's only the truth.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Don't just look at the surface, or you'll be defeated easily. This uniform isn't made from normal materials.

[Instead, it stands up to even the attacks of her enemies: fire, lightning, energy...]

What you should be saying right now, is 'thank you for lending me your strength'.

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

You're correct. I apologize.

I'm merely curious. You'll have to teach me more about it later. I've never seen anything like it.

And I thank you. [He nods.] We should take our positions.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Hope I leave some for you!

[She pivots sharply, and heads towards a strategic position to cut off their attackers' approach.]

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

[The night is dark and cold. Shinra must have hoped to catch him at a disadvantage with a surprise attack, but thanks to the messenger who arrived with news of their approach, he is ready, and they are at the disadvantage. He can see in the dark.

He sees the troops approach, and suddenly, a wave of weariness washes over him: not physical, but mental. He's so tired of all this, of Shinra. He wants it to be over.

In the wake of the weariness comes anger, and he launches himself forward, moving faster than the eye can see, now. His sword cuts through them before they know what's killed them.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[It's her turn now. Mercury stands her ground. She reaches into thin air, and a harp materializes in her hand. She plays a watery glissando.]

Dark Rhapsody (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeU6r4DWwJw)!!

[The water attack pushes the troops back. They crash into each other, and become easy prey for her next move: Several of the men find themselves completely coated in the water - and soon frozen solid, encased in her ice. Mercury has no pity for them, and doesn't hold back. In a moment, she'll shatter the glimmering prisons - and with them, her foes.]

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

[Sephiroth takes note of her actions, distantly. A strange kind of combat. He will consider the nature of it more thoughtfully later, when this is done.

Her elemental attack inspires him to use one of his own. Fire. He gestures, and it blossoms, bursting through their ranks. They scream and burn.

He wants to be rid of them all.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She'll be happy to tell him more, or even show him more - after their enemies are defeated. She calls out to them, tauntingly.]

Which of you want to be the next to die?

[The frozen soldiers shatter with a sickening sound of breaking ice.]

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

[It's so easy to kill. He doesn't even have to think about it. The way he moves, the things he does--they are not human.

There must be some end to the attacking troops, mustn't there? Yet there are always more and more, coming toward him endlessly. When and where will it stop?

Suddenly alarmed, he turns back toward the cottage. He feels cold. It's been left unguarded for too long, the Professor within. He feels the sudden urge to retreat, to make sure the man is safe. He calls out to the woman who is, for now, his comrade.]

Stay here and hold them off. I'll be back.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[He'd better come back. She tells herself it'd be anger, and not hurt, if he didn't. It's not being expected to fight that bothers her; she is a soldier and no more human than he (less, perhaps: She was born immortal, to a race of likewise immortal beings, originally and long ago).

It's being left to fight alone, when someone should be there.

For now, of course, she has no way to protest and so she simply does what she must: She tirelessly holds off the waves of soldiers, until even she has to wonder if they welcome death, if they haven't learned their lesson yet: not to challenge her. Hail and ice sting the ones behind the ones that freeze and shatter.]

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't intent to abandon her. He'll return. He means to. But it's empty; the house is empty. Not as if it's been attacked. The door is still on its hinges. The windows are all unbroken and in place, but when he enters the cottage, he finds it cold, quiet, void of life.

It's not just that the professor is gone, but dust has gathered. There are cracks in the walls, signs of disuse and disrepair everywhere. It seems as if no one has been living here for years, as if, somehow, he's been fighting for years.

...fighting for years...

And for what? To come back to this emptiness?]

Professor Gast? I-- Professor.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Funny that she doesn't think to worry for Sephiroth. Maybe she thinks he can handle himself; he's strong, after all.

Maybe it's just foreign to her to be that tenderhearted, now. She certainly spares no outward sign of pity for the people she cuts down, a few tasting the edge of her sword as they manage to escape her initial attacks. They go down one after the next.]