5th Reunion [OPEN]

[toxicwillpower]

Misty rain surrounded the remnant as he made his way down the streets. Fog rose eerily from the pavement, hiding his own boots from feline eyes. Streetlamps provided halos of golden light, illuminating signs and storefronts, and yet at the same time creating shadowy exiles.

“I'll find you soon, Mother,” Kadaj whispered under his breath, a smile worming its way onto cold lips.

The only problem was finding someone to interrogate. If it wasn't for the remnant’s desire to question just about anyone at this point, he would have liked it here--this place appeared deserted. Not as much as the Promised Land with Mother, of course. But this city lacked the very thing he hated most, and that's the way he preferred it.

Mumbling came from a dark enclave between two dumpsters. An awful stench, some kind of cheap alcohol mixed with urine and other bodily fluids the remnant couldn’t clearly identify, hung heavily in the air.

Kadaj reached blindly into the corner and wrapped a fist around a soggy coat. He yanked out a homeless man who stumbled and fell to the concrete.

“P-please!” The man held up his hands defensively, trying to get back up. Kadaj kicked him back down and clicked his tongue in disgust.

“I’m just hungry. So hungry,” the old man began to sob, finally making it to his feet. A filthy hand encrusted in dirt supported the pathetic slob against the brick wall.

A homeless man was better than nothing.

“Where's Mother?” Kadaj demanded. The young remnant unsheathed his double bladed katana, and made sure his new prisoner could see the sharp blades.

The bum squinted and exposed remarkably stained teeth. “I don’t know. Please, mister, I’m so hungry. So cold.”

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[toxicwillpower]

Kadaj stiffened at the sound of that voice. The sensation of Sephiroth’s presence was all too familiar.

“He’s lying!” Kadaj said with utmost assurance. He never took his accusing glare off the homeless man for a second. The double blades pressed closer to his dirty, breaded neck.

“I. . . I don’t know what’s going on here.” The man stammered through his words,
shaking underneath his investigator’s grip. Kadaj wrinkled his nose in disgust at the horrid smell that emitted from this man’s mouth. Nevertheless, he continued pursuit. “Lie to me again,” the remnant warned, “and you’ll permanently regret it. Got it?”

[nohometown]

"I doubt it." He saw no need for unnecessary killing, for excessive displays of power. There was no honor in that. "He clearly lacks the knowledge of what you seek. Do you plan to senselessly interrogate everyone you happen to come across? What a waste of time and energy."

He moved, disappearing only to reappear closer, sword in hand. "Release him."

[toxicwillpower]

Had it been anyone besides Sephiroth, Kadaj would have ignored the order. Sephiroth was a traitor to Mother because he sought the Reunion for his own gain, instead of for Mother’s. Nevertheless, Sephiroth was still her precious favorite in the remnant’s eyes. Kadaj boiled with envy, but he still respected the ex-general.

His lip curled in disdain. Hesitantly, and very slowly, he removed the threatening blades from the man’s neck. “You got lucky,” he sneered. The teen looked away, aggravated, and then turned his back on both of them.

“Why are you here, Sephiroth?”

[nohometown]

Sephiroth, still a general, didn't quite understand who Kadaj was, or who the mother was that he was searching for. Nonetheless, he couldn't deny that the two of them had similarities that he had never seen in another. He was curious, intrigued.

He nodded toward the man, who was all too eager to scramble to his feet and remove himself from the scene.

"Do I need a reason to be here? Regardless, I am here. Perhaps I simply wish to speak to you."

[toxicwillpower]

At first the remnant dared not look directly at Sephiroth. He had appeared in the teen’s dreams, creating deeply scarring nightmares. Even during the waking hours, the overwhelming presence was outright intimidating. But Kadaj would never admit that.

“So,” he glanced down at his sword, the twin blades pointing to the ground, “we finally meet.” In person, at least. “I’ve done everything you’ve told me to do,” Kadaj added defensively and then whirled to finally face his own nightmare, determination winning to fear. “It’s big brother’s fault we don’t have Her yet! He keeps getting in the way!” The grip on Souba tightened so firmly his knuckles turned white beneath black gloves.

“I don’t need your help.” There was that defensive tone again. “I will prove to Mother that I can do this without you!”

[nohometown]

Sephiroth remained still as Kadaj whirled to face him. Kadaj is angry with him, that's clear enough, but he doesn't understand the context of what's being said, as if Kadaj is from another time, another place.

"I've never told you to do anything."

He doesn't feel angry himself, only fascinated by this person who looks so much like him. He's never had a family, but this person speaks of brothers, of a mother. Things he's wanted, but not with this much rage and fear.

"I'm not here to help you. I only wanted to speak to you, as I said. A brother. Is that what you are?"

[toxicwillpower]

Liar. Sephiroth may not have spoken to Kadaj directly in the past but he felt his presence before. Day in and day out the pressure to perform The Reunion increased. Just knowing that Sephiroth was somehow watching and urging irritated the little remnant. He could do this alone! Even if it was for Mother and Sephiroth, the emotional and psychological distress the ex-general’s presence brought drove Kadaj dangerously closer to the edge of disabling insanity.

Still, there was something off about Mother’s favorite tonight. Then it hit Kadaj. Brother. Despite being family Sephiroth had never referred to him as such. With a deep inhale he tried to figure out what was going on. Suspicions were high. Sephiroth must only be teasing him now. “Don’t you know what I am?”