Log 021 | I warned you

[neverbeamemory]

Characters: Sephiroth and/or/via Ryoji, Some Locked to specific CR, Open prompts also.
Setting: Various locations throughout the Tower. 28th - 30th May.
Format: Prose intro, then Action (Italics for projected thoughts)
Summary: Pursuant to making Ryoji's life in the Tower as awkward and painful as possible, Sephiroth takes the next step in expanding his control of Ryoji.
Warnings: Mind control - Ryoji: Sephiroth may interfere with/control Ryoji at any point during any thread. Ryoji's character death will be inevitable after any thread under the Finale. If anyone goes hunting for Sephiroth, any action to stop him cannot happen before Ryoji is killed.

Throughout all of the suggestive thought and illusion projected at Ryoji, Sephiroth has not once ever made it clear that he's the one behind all of it. In fact he has always taken great care to be subtle about it. He knew that Ryoji has his correct assumption, though it takes very little effort at all to make Ryoji see what the consequences of telling others could be. Sephiroth had spent a long time, months even, making himself aware of Ryoji's movements throughout the Tower; he has paid special attention to those whom Ryoji values most. Just for insurance.

That was about to change now. After so many times, it was so easy now for Sephiroth's mind to find and connect with Ryoji's even from opposite ends of the Tower. Over the next couple of days he would test this power to its fullest, in order to find the limitations - if there were any. To think that Ryoji was so susceptible without even the cellular prerequisite that should be required, this presents so many other opportunities to explore.

Now he would tell the boy, in clear terms that he was behind all of this. So that he could fully appreciate what was to come, and know that he deserved all of it.

1) Evening 28th May, Dorm 04-16 [Telepathic/Locked to Ryoji, OPEN for Ryoji & Anyone/Dormies afterwards]
Ryoji-chan, you have been marvelous.

[It's easier than Sephiroth expected to transmit his voice across brainwaves while the intended is sleeping. He expected some sort of interference from the Tower but there was none; they certainly knew about his actions, else why that encouraging writing on the wall.]

2) 29th May - Any floor in the Tower [Open]
[He could be returning from the Cafeteria, finishing up training in the Gymnasium, it could even be as the elevator doors opened onto any floor Ryoji had been heading too, the effect is the same. At an unannounced point in the day suddenly wherever Ryoji is will appear empty. Empty of monsters, empty of whomever he was just talking to.

It will feel as if until now he'd been dreaming and now has woken up. Every floor, every corridor is empty except for a faint black mist on the floor; dusty as if the Tower has lain undisturbed for millennia. Though familiar enough that he would know he has been here all along, has been alone all along. Of course it's only an illusion, but if anyone touches Ryoji it will feel as if only a ghost were touching him, though if he listens hard enough he might be able to hear them yell at him; but it was all a dream, he's remembering what isn't real. He's free to wander what he sees as the empty Tower alone, all day. Though perhaps someone might want to interfere before he wanders unknowing into the more dangerous parts of the actual Tower.]

ooc-Note to all responders: Ryoji may be able to hear you if you physically touch him or yell loud enough and his path isn't being controlled in any way so it's relatively easy to usher him around though this illusion is unbreakable for the whole day unless Sephiroth is disturbed. Any other questions, ping me/Venus on Plurk

3) 30th May [Locked: Ryoji/Nesir] - Gym Floor 39
[Ryoji will think he is more aware, of when Sephiroth is there or not. This could be another illusion he's causing though, there isn't any way to tell. It could be passed as paranoia. Except when he feels the need to project his voice to make Ryoji know for sure that this is his doing.

Mostly Ryoji will be left to go about his routine but Sephiroth will be waiting inside of him, ready to control an action or reaction that Ryoji might not so naturally carry out.

But it's not so unnatural for the boy to go training after all. Though when Ryoji comes across Nesir training in the Gymnasium, Sephiroth will make Ryoji pause to watch her. Though he does not interfere in any other way for the time being. It would be time to test loyalties now, he thinks, to see how far their 'friendship' really could be pushed. Based on how his meddling with Yukiko and Ryoji's relationship had gone, he's confident he could direct this either way.]

4) FINALE Later 30th May, Floor 11 [Locked to Diarmuid & Yukiko]
I wonder how far this can go. Lets go for a walk.

[Sephiroth hasn't directly made Ryoji go to the 11th Floor, rather suggested to him on a subconscious level that it might be somewhere he felt like going right now. Why go to all the effort directly controlling a person when only a suggestion is needed.

That's when he'd chosen to project his voice. Before long, Ryoji is headed away from the stairwell towards the edge of the Tower, through the shallower parts of the lake just before it meets outside. If Ryoji loses his footing, Sephiroth will of course let him fall and struggle with the water before resuming his suggestion all anew once he's back on his feet again.

How far are they up from the ground, anyway?]

Dormitory 03-02 [Open - during/inbetween Prompts in above]
[His dormitory is the safest location where he can lose his outward inhibitions enough to focus entirely inward and then directly towards that wavelength that his mind so easily picks up on now. At first he had tried to keep his outward senses sharpened as well, for protection, but there was a god-awful noise going on that after a minute left his ears tingling. Was that the Tower trying to interfere? Could be. Sephiroth would have to do this another way.

It wasn't as if anyone he shared the Dormitory had earned any emnity though so he'd just have to trust that. The reward far outweighs the risk, knowing the extent of his power over Ryoji is crucial. Besides, shutting down most other senses helps him to keep focused.

So for the majority of both days Sephiroth can be found, sat cross-legged on his bed in the Dormitory. His consciousness wrapped within something akin to a medatative trance, though not without that feeling of power that some who wander close to the room might be able to pick up on. He comes out of this trance only to catch roughly 3 to 4 hours of sleep, or to leave the Dormitory and hit the showers as he does at least twice daily. It must be taxing, to keep this up constantly for so long but Sephiroth doesn't show it.

His expression remains disturbingly neutral though if anyone glances over they might see the faintest sign of a smirk sometimes.]

Comments

4) Floor 11

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji gasps for air as he pulls his head, along with the rest of himself, out of the water. He can't seem to hide the fear in his expression. He doesn't know why he came here. Something told him he had to, and he'd done so without much arguement, but then, once he slipped in the water, that thought was gone from his mind. Why had he come here? It seemed for a bit that he was heading for a certain point on this floor, but he had no idea why. There wasn't anything important here, was there?]

4) Floor 11

[oathshackledbird]

[As is so often the case, Diarmuid is patrolling by a floor when he hears something wrong. In this case, it is the splash of water that alerts him to stop and take a longer peek than usual at the floor. Often such sounds mean nothing, but in this case he is extremely puzzled to see Ryoji, dripping water, standing in the middle of the room. A few quick steps bring him to the boy's side and for once, he is glad that while his speed might make him seem like he is flying sometimes, his powers are not based on such a thing.

They would be useless here if they were.

Diarmuid starts to greet the boy fondly, but stops when he sees Ryoji's expression.]

Son, what is it?

[slightlyoblivious]

[It's been a few days since Yukiko has seen Ryoji. There have been notes, but things have been too awkward. She's wanted to be sure that it's him and not whatever it is that she's figured out is controlling him talking.

She's really just passing through on the stairs when she hears the splash and hears the voices, both of them familiar.

Yukiko's guard is up as she - carefully; her shoes aren't made for terrain like this - edges her way down.]

Diarmuid-san? Is - is Ryoji-kun all right? I -

[She tries calling forth her Persona, but it's blocked here. All it leaves her with is a dull headache.]

- I was going to try and use healing magic, but it's blocked off...but maybe...

[She would really prefer not to have to explain to everyone else why she's dripping water later, but she can go change.]

...Ryoji-kun...it's me. It's Yukiko. I - I know things have been weird, but...can we talk?

[It's probably obvious by the blush on her face, but she doesn't mean 'about the weather' here.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji looks up at the both of them, swallowing down panic. He honestly doesn't know what to say. He'd reassure them that he was fine, but it's clear at least from his soaking clothes that he's not. He doesn't think Diarmuid knows anything about how he's been acting lately, and that makes him want to tell him, yet at the same time, he wants to keep quiet, pretend that he really is alright now that Diarmuid has helped him through the last event.

And Yukiko... he knows he's been acting strange with Yukiko, lately, and he certainly doesn't want to upset her further, but just seeing her makes him want to hug her, because honestly, his feelings are genuine, even if they've been tainted lately... but if he lets on that something's wrong and she gets hurt...

He just sits there, looking between the two of them, and when he finally speaks, it's carefully worded.]

Yukiko... we can talk, yes.

[He offers Diarmuid a nod, reassuring him that he is okay at the moment.]

[neverbeamemory]

You're not good enough for her, you know? Look at all the mess you've wound yourself up in trying to keep her safe.

[It's a projected thought, without a discernible voice though Ryoji knows who it is now. The intent to grind Ryoji's already rock-bottom self esteem into the ground.]

And Diarmuid, how could he ever call you his son.

[Ryoji should come away from them now, he finds he is morbidly curious about the edge where the water ends.]

[oathshackledbird]

[The nod doesn't do much to reassure Diarmuid. He might not have seen first hand that Ryoji had been acting oddly, but thanks to Tohko he knows that something isn't right. He also knows who is probably behind it. Even if he didn't know those things, the look that had been on Ryoji's face and his insistence that he's fine sets off warning bells in Diarmuid's mind.

However, if Ryoji and Yukiko need to talk, he will be glad to let them. Once they are safely away from this floor. There is no reason Ryoji should be here... No good reason anyway. Diarmuid might not clearly remember a lot of the things that happened in January now, but he does remember vividly Nyx's attempts to get him to come to this very place and leap to his doom.

He wants Ryoji off this floor now.

He nods a greeting at Yukiko, smiling as much as he is able with as uneasy as this situation is making him and then turns to Ryoji.]

I will be glad to let you two talk, but lets get off this floor, shall we? It's not safe and there are...bad memories that shouldn't be lingered on attached to this place.

[slightlyoblivious]

[Yukiko wasn't here in January - at least not this version of herself. She doesn't have any way of knowing what happened then.

What's happened over the past month hasn't been something she's wanted to tell anyone besides her closest friends, but she makes a mental note to have that conversation - and now she'll dub May the month of awkward conversations - with Diarmuid as soon as she can.

There are some situations she's not very good at reading, but this one has every hallmark of every bad situation she's been in before. Her intuition is telling her that everything Diarmuid is saying is absolutely correct. Something bad happened here. She might not know the details, but she definitely knows that she doesn't want to be here any longer than she has to be.]

He's right. I don't have any way of knowing exactly what happened before, but I have a really bad feeling about this place. We can talk, just not here. Let's go up to the meadow, okay? It's safe there. Or the media room, or one of the lounges. Anywhere else, just as long as it isn't this floor. Okay?

[Yukiko steps forward, holding out her hand, and she takes a breath. Well, if she was going to have this conversation anyway, she can at least say a big part of what she's figured out now. There are parts of it that she'd rather not have in front of her would-be boyfriend's adoptive dad, but there's a part she can and will.]

Remember what I said in the notes? I know - I know that you didn't act the way you did towards me because you wanted to. We can talk about who's trying to make you act like someone that isn't really you - all three of us can - and figure out a way to make sure that person can't ever do that again.

But we can't do that here. It needs to be somewhere safe.

[notsogrimreaper]

[He would agree with Diarmuid's claims. This floor is most definitely not safe, and he remembers trying to lead people here in January. He hasn't been up here very often after that, but recalling that was more than enough to make him want to leave immediately. He shakily takes Yukiko's hand, getting to his feet...

And he finds himself turning in the opposite direction from the staircase. He wanted to talk to Yukiko, explain a few things, and agree to have that private conversation... but for some reason it just had to wait. He needed to check what the edge of this floor was like. Surely Diarmuid and Yukiko would be patient. They probably didn't want to deal with him anyways.]

[neverbeamemory]

[They must be hiding something from you, they want you to leave this Floor so soon. It is one of the more fascinating of floors after all. How can they not understand that? They must not understand you that well if they don't get it.

Especially the way that the water falls over the edge and into the unending abyss. If you were careful leaning out, perhaps you might be able to see what happens to the water when it leaves the Tower? It's a curiosity that begs to be understood]

[oathshackledbird]

[The fact that Ryoji acts as if he wants to leave with them--going so far as to even take Yukiko's hand--but turns toward the edge of the room instead alarms Diarmuid, especially with Tohko's words ringing in his ears. Before he really realizes what he's doing, he's reached out and taken a hold of Ryoji's shoulder gently trying to direct him toward the stairs instead.]

It's Sephiroth, isn't it?

[Not only are memories of Tohko's words playing through his mind, but memories of how the man had been watching them in the gym are too.]

Ryoji, I talked to Tohko and I know what happened. Please, lets go someplace else and talk about this. I know you worry about someone else getting hurt, but I--

[He looks to Yukiko and corrects himself quickly.]

--we will be careful. I don't know Yukiko well enough yet to speak for how well trained she might be in fighting, but you know I am a trained warrior. I will not go into any battle unprepared. I have promised you this.

[slightlyoblivious]

[No, no, no. This isn't happening. Yukiko tightens her grip on Ryoji's hand, and she follows the turn away from that edge. Her nerves are on edge and there's a definite urge to just run, but it's not so simple as that, not when there's a fourth person involved. She has to keep her head.

Yukiko repeats the name in her head as soon as Diarmuid says it. It's not one she's familiar with personally, but she doesn't like the sound one bit. There isn't time to get stuck in her own head, though.]

...and you know my past. We talked about this. You know how my friends and I defeated a goddess who wanted to destroy two worlds. We fought her and those who would stand with her through hell and back to save both of them. You know that, Ryoji.

I know you want to protect me, and I appreciate that. I do, but I have a power for a reason, and I'm used to fighting as part of a team.

But right now isn't the time or the place to discuss all that. It's too dangerous here. Come on, let's go, okay?

[notsogrimreaper]

[He doesn't want to go with him. There's something he needs to see right now, though he honestly doesn't know why it's so important to him. It just feels like it's crucial, so much so that someone getting in his way makes him slightly angry. He pulls himself away from Diarmuid's hand on his shoulder, but a few seconds later, he tries to force another grin.]

I know. We'll go soon, and I'll explain everything about this. I just need to check something first.

[Don't they understand? He's just a little curious, but that isn't bad. Better for him to check this, just for a moment. Then he can ask Diarmuid what Tohko told him, and explain Sephiroth's involvement, and make his promise to protect them, and perhaps protect himself, if that's what will make them happy.]

[neverbeamemory]

[See? They want to control you just as much as you're already being controlled. What about if you don't want to talk about it? You know what may happen if you tell, he knows too much.

It's better for you to just walk away. Towards the edge over there. Just to look out for a few moments, it's rare to feel the actual air from outside of the Tower so why not indulge in it for a few moments. It will help to set your thoughts in order.

As Ryoji gets closer to the edge, he'll start to feel more and more alone. Like the distance between them is increasing exponentially. Sephiroth now turns Ryoji's despair, the entire reason why Ryoji has been so susceptible in the first place, in on itself.]

[oathshackledbird]

What is it you need to check? Can you tell me? Perhaps we can check it together then. After all, that is what family does, isn't it?

[Diarmuid smiles to hide his growing concern. He is tempted to grab Ryoji and just carry him from the room even if that would make the boy angry with him. At least he would be angry and safe as opposed to happy and hurt or dead. The only thing that stops him from doing this is his worry about what those actions might cause Sephiroth to do. Just how much control of Ryoji's mind does he have? And more importantly, can he access those dark things that sleep within the boy?

Could he possibly wake Nyx if they force Ryoji to resist his commands? The possibility greatly worries Diarmuid, but it is a risk they will have to take if Ryoji continues to insist on moving closer to the edge of the room.

Waking Nyx would be bad, but Ryoji dying would be even worse.

He gives Yukiko a nod, impressed at what she says she has done. It is so much for one so young.]

See? We can both take care of ourselves, so will you at least let us help you check on whatever it is that is making you so curious? Or better yet, maybe you will let me check for you? You know you can trust me...

[slightlyoblivious]

[Yukiko's anxiety flares - if it were visible, it would be a bright red flame against the water - as she feels herself pulled forward a few steps. There's a quaver in her voice when she speaks again.]

And it's what someone who cares for someone like I care about you does, too. We do things together. But I think right now, it's better that you let Diarmuid-san check it out for you.

I can do a lot of things, but I'm a little bit scared of heights - we all have our little weaknesses, you know? I need you to go back with me, just to make sure I get back all right. If I seem nervous at all right now, it's just that I got a look at how high up things look if you look at them from over there. It's that fear of heights talking.

[Yukiko looks over at Diarmuid, trying to get the message across. She isn't actually afraid of heights, but it's a convenient white lie that plays into the situation and hides how nervous she is.]

While he's checking, you and I can have that conversation, and then we'll meet back up, together, to figure out what the next steps are.

[She nods her head once.]

That's fair, right? It's a compromise. You can trust both of us here.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Even with Yukiko's hand in his own, Ryoji feels so lost and alone. He hates the way the two of them are looking at him. They're disappointed in him for some reason, and that just makes him more upset. He hasn't done anything wrong. He'd never want to do anything that would upset them... So why?

He shakes his slowly, unable to meet their eyes.]

I know you're scared, and worried, but I have to check this on my own. You don't know what I'm looking for.

[No one does. Ryoji doesn't even know, but he's sure if he makes it all the way to the edge, he'll see it.

Yukiko's fear, however, gives him pause for a moment, enough for him to resist just running over to the end of the floor, at least for the moment. He doesn't want her to be so afraid, and he doesn't want her trapped in the situation that causes that fear.]

Maybe I can lead you back to the staircase, and after that, I can go and check myself? If you're still scared, my... my father will stay with you.

[He flushes at the realization. His lover meeting his adoptive parent... it wasn't an introduction that he imagined would go like this. Hopefully they'll talk in better circumstances after they're done on this floor.]

[Warning: Taking Ryoji's voice directly for a moment]

[neverbeamemory]

[He might be the other side of the Tower but Ryoji would be able to feel that wave of flaring anger as Sephiroth gets restless playing nice with him.

He's let him stop and have his little heart-to-heart's but now it's threatening to undo the point he wants to make to Ryoji on this floor. That HE can take control at any time, and how he can make him do ANYTHING - even the things he doesn't want to do, or might hurt him or any of those he cares about. Sephiroth doesn't have to get directly involved anymore.

He takes a steadying breath and pushes his will over Ryoji just a fraction deeper. He makes it feel acutely like he needs to get away now, like his friends are starving him of his freedom. He might want to let go of Yukiko's hand now as the words come roaring out.]

"Just leave me alone. Both of you just let me deal with this myself!"

[oathshackledbird]

If you wish to speak, Sephiroth, use your own voice instead of hiding behind another's like a coward.

[The words are growled and unconsciously Diarmuid's hand tightens on Ryoji's shoulder. There is no doubt in his mind those words are not truly Ryoji's. Just like there is little doubt left in his mind that Tohko's suspicions about Sephiroth were well founded. However, Diarmuid has no wish to speak to one so weak that he would hide in the shadows hurting others from a distance, and so turns his attention back to Ryoji who he knows is strong willed and if given the right encouragement will find a way to break free.]

Ryoji...this thing you must check on so badly alone. Tell me what it is. Tell me that one thing and why you must do it, and then I will consider allowing you to do it alone. It's all I ask. Just give me those details.

[Prove to me this is actually what you want. See that its vagueness means it is merely a part of his game...]

[slightlyoblivious]

[Just as there's no doubt in Yukiko's mind that those weren't his words. It's why she asked the questions, made absolutely sure that if she was ever in a situation like this, she would know what had happened.

She learned one lesson well over that year of working with shadows and fog and against those that would obscure the truth: part of it is a power game. The way to win against them is to show them them that people are strong enough to embrace those things that they wish to hide. That removes the power that the ones manipulating the shadows have.]

And there's one thing I need to remind you of, too, one thing this 'Sephiroth' doesn't understand, but you and I do, Ryoji: if any part of him trying to manipulate you is because you're afraid of what you might do? You don't need to be.

Because maybe my own Shadow doesn't look like your other forms do. Maybe it isn't as scary. But it's a monster that came from me and it tried to hurt my friends. They made sure it didn't.

We'll make sure it doesn't. We'll bring you back to yourself - and as far as I'm concerned, this is the real you - as many times as it takes. You know we will.

That power doesn't have to be used just to hurt. It can protect. I'm positive you can do it. Just like me. We aren't different.

[ooc: and your bgm for this tag is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_SPdmQ7TFQ]

[notsogrimreaper]

[He wants to answer honestly. He wants to say that he doesn't really need to check anything, that he'd much rather go with Diarmuid and Yukiko, so that all three of them can be safe and happy.

He wants to tell Yukiko too. That he doesn't want to be controlled, not at all. He has better control of those powers on his own than anyone else could, and if Sephiroth got a hold of them, Ryoji would cause a lot more trouble.

The fact is, though, that he can't say want he truly wants to. Sephiroth's own anger is bleeding into him, and he can't seem to uncover his own feelings long enough to voice them.]

You both don't understand! I need to do this myself. I don't need your permission.

[He takes a few deep breaths, tries to reign in his outburst.]

I-I'll be okay. Please don't worry about me.

[No matter what happens, he doesn't want them to be upset.]

[neverbeamemory]

[Whatever Diarmuid. You just don't have the capacity to understand.

Yukiko though. Clearly she knows a lot more about Ryoji than Sephiroth has uncovered by puppeting him around, piggybacking off of his thoughts and intensifying his impluses. Sephiroth wonders idly if Yukiko even realizes that her own closeness to Ryoji has been spurred on by him. That delicious memory when he'd seen that rumor written on the wall and figured out that he'd been the trigger - the opportunities with this power of his could be very useful.

What is this Shadow? It doesn't take much effort for Sephiroth to change his focus to be more inverted to Ryoji rather than paying much attention to what is going on between the three of them. Curled up somewhere inside Ryoji's subconscious is something that all too eagerly indulges itself in the firey anger that Sephiroth offers it. Oh, now this is something new

His own anger resonates with Thanatos' and the Shadow doesn't need much more encouragement than that, considering how worked up Ryoji is already.]

See Ryoji, I knew you were more than human

[Hopefully Sephiroth will be able to hold on for the ride.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid has no interest in understanding cowards, Sephiroth.

If he were less of a person, Diarmuid might be jealous of how well Yukiko seems to understand what is going on with Ryoji. Things Diarmuid doesn't understand or even know because he has focused on trying to help Ryoji move passed all that. Instead, he finds himself filled with joy that the boy he looks at as his son has someone who cares about him and knows him so well.]

Yukiko is right, Ryoji. I asked you are very simple question and you couldn't answer it because you don't know. Something is wrong. Please, realize that. Look into yourself and find that foreign presence and push it out. I have seen your strength. I know you can do it! Don't be afraid.

I have said it before and I will say it as many times as I have to. I care about you and that means I will worry about you. Always.

whoops, this kind of renders the letter in Dia's inbox moot

[slightlyoblivious]

[If she had any way of knowing what Sephiroth were actually thinking right now? There would be no way Yukiko would be able to stay right there. She'd be going after him, to a result that would not end well. Normally, she's able to adjust her emotions and keep a cool head in battle when working them into her magic; it's just how things work, when her power is so closely tied into her soul. She knows there's a fine line between knocking a Shadow into line and hurting the person behind the Shadow, and she's careful not to cross it. They all are.

But when it comes to matters of the heart, that control isn't nearly so good. All of this is so new to her, and it was painful enough knowing that things were manipulated, on two levels. It's been a comfort knowing that the original feelings were there before that manipulation even started. If she had any way of knowing Sephiroth was laughing about it all right now?

That careful control of her emotions would be gone, and with it, her willingness to stay there and to not confront him. It would probably be a fatal loss of control for Yukiko.

It's really for the best right now that she doesn't have any way to know. That way, she can keep her head and her control.]

I never once stopped caring about you, once those feelings started. And I'm just going to say it, honestly, from my heart, since one of the jerks who tried to manipulate my - no, both of our hearts - is listening, and so he knows the truth: those feelings didn't start between us because of your manipulation.

[Yukiko takes a deep breath. This is not easy for her, and that's clear by the blush on her face, but she's determined to continue.]

They started after I reached out to you, Ryoji, back in April, when you weren't yourself. You hurt me under the Tower's control, and when I saw you, you were scared. You didn't want to say anything. We talked, that day, for a really long time. About what happened, about being from the same world, about what happened, about my experiences, about yours.

Sometime during that conversation, you took my hand, and that was the spark for what turned into feelings that - well, they're something I hadn't felt for anyone honestly before. Before that, I hadn't let myself feel them because of things like school and work and telling myself there wasn't any time, or because of everything that happened at home. The one time I did feel them before that? It wasn't real.

But that moment, that spark, and the feelings I still have, despite everything? Those aren't anything anyone manipulated.

I care about you, too, Ryoji. I'm not going to stop worrying. I can't just turn those feelings off like that. It's not how it works.

I've said this to you before, and I believe it: you are so much stronger than this. If you need my strength, too? It's yours. You don't need to ask.

[notsogrimreaper]

I'm not strong... not strong enough to...

[In seconds, Ryoji's eyes widen, and he backs away as quick as he can, wrenching himself out of Diarmuid's and Yukiko's hands. Something is wrong, far more than this whole situation had been at the beginning, and there's nothing else to focus on but escape. Not Diarmuid's reassuring words, not the spark he feels that Yukiko so perfectly described, just getting away.]

Please, get out of here! You have to leave! It's not safe!

[They'd already determined that this floor was dangerous, but at Sephiroth's voice in his head, Ryoji relinquishes control and a completely different threat appears. Thanatos growls, sword at the ready, though it hesitates for a moment, sizing up its opponents. Only for a moment, then it pounces, blade threatening to cut Yukiko down where she stands.]

[oathshackledbird]

[When Ryoji's pulls away from them, Diarmuid starts instinctively to follow the boy. His intention is to grab Ryoji and drag him off the floor. He had hoped that it wouldn't come to that since Ryoji might hurt himself fighting back, but it's obvious at this point that their talking isn't going to be enough.

And then the boy growls and changes.

Immediately, Diarmuid's spear appears in his hand. He might not have ever seen Ryoji like this before, but he remembers the boy mentioning that his Thanatos form used a sword when they were talking about how he should be trained. It only takes seconds for Diarmuid to connect that information and recognize what they are facing now.

He dashes in to deflect the attack aimed at Yukiko, but stays between the two of them only for the few seconds needed to turn away the attack since he isn't sure how Yukiko fights. Diarmuid would have no trouble dodging her attacks, he's sure, but she has no way of knowing he can do that, and he doesn't want her to hesitate out of concern for hitting him.

There can be no hesitation if they want to save Ryoji now and not be hurt themselves.]