Log 025 | Into new, unseen horizons...

[neverbeamemory]

Characters: Sephiroth & Open [Excepting A]
Setting: In prompts below; B - E could be at any point during the w/c 8th September, please date for orders sake!  
Format: Bit of both. Feel free to tag in what is most comfortable.
Summary: A: Individuation Fallout - Sephiroth returns a day late after death no. 10 to find someone has been waiting. Others: Various studying, working and thinking; the pressure is now most definitely on. 
Warnings: Sephiroth is very prickly around science-associated anything. Otherwise, usual violence associated warnings apply. 

A; Dormitory 03-02. Backdated 19th August [Closed: Ishtar (xroyal_bratx ) and later-Darres (queensgeneral )]
Mother. 

He'd heard her. Just before it had all gone black.  

He'd been floating again, outside of his body. There had been a cage this time but his soul couldn't move. 

Sound slipped first from the enveloping blackness of sleep paralysis. One whole day and one whole hour later than usual Sephiroth drew a stronger breath, a waking breath. He thought he could hear someone else close by, almost too close by in fact. Sephiroth's still-closed eyelids twitched and tentatively he thought to flex his extremities. After somewhat of a pause while the rest of the paralysis faded it was revealed that only one set of toes felt tangible yet - all three of his other limbs were still gripped in numbness. That same pins and needles that no matter how much he moved said limbs wouldn't expedite it away, Sephiroth knows as he's dealt with it before. There was nothing to do but to wait it out, concerning as it was to note the progression of it from two limbs to three. What would happen when his entire body was numb for a while after being transplanted into a new vessel? The main concern in not knowing if it was intentional on Jason's part, or if it indicated something else.

It would be even more of a failure on his part, to have not realized his freedom - indeed obtained somehow for himself a new, real body before it came to any more longer-lasting effects of having died.

Then came that sound again. So close it was almost as if it was in front of his face. Sephiroth's eyebrows dropped into a frown as he felt a weight on his chest. That sound. Someone sobbing quietly. Why would anyone be here right now, and crying? It didn't make any sense. Eyelids parted and Sephiroth peered down onto the top of a somewhat-but-not-too-familiar parting of hair-

"Ishtar-?" 

B: Research Library/Study Room Floor 19/18 [Open]
[Advanced Physics, Chemistry and Biology are just some of the associated titles lifted from the shelves of Floor 19 and brought down one set of stairs to the Study floor on occasion. Though it's not so much to refresh his knowledge in light of his current responsibilities, however it might seem. Sephiroth already knows all of the knowledge, skills and deduction that will be required in breaking down and identifying the elements that make up the enigmatic violet collar fluid. He could conjure methods and generate theories to be tested all in his own brilliant (though never to be referred as scientific) mind.

What bothers him, immensely, is how exactly he has this knowledge. There is a lot to be said for the vast knowledge he accumulated in life and beyond it, from the Lifestream, but without a logical foundation from which to work from he's relying on what could be an entirely flawed medium; his memories. Not that studying any of this from books available here could be at all applied to their subject matter - indeed he wonders what use anything biological could have in a Tower of Illusions - but as the piles of books on the table around him increase, at least Sephiroth could start to feel more secure in his knowledge. 

That is, if he didn't think too much about his 'father'. If only he could stop remembering that laugh he'd heard in one of the psychelysis phantoms-]   

C: Gymnasium Floor 39 [Open]
[Sephiroth and the Gymnasium have somewhat of a off-and-on relationship. There had been a time, of more routine excursions, where he could have been found here more often than not. Back when betterment of the physical form he'd obtained for himself prior to being brought to the Tower was more important than anything else. In the face of the Glamoured reality, such concerns were not justified anymore.

Still, as vital as his work with the collar liquid is, Sephiroth will not sit and study endlessly; all things considered after all it would be dangerous to. He refuses to become that man whom he hates so much, and his physical training does well to ensure that he will not slip that way. It helps to reassure him greatly of his own identity, and has the added bonus of venting his pent up frustrations not only of his continued imprisonment in the Tower - but of angry impulse that might otherwise be exploded in one of the many faces of those that, by right, he shouldn't even be involving himself with but had found himself having to accept. 

There were always the monsters to train himself to be better against, after all.

Sephiroth can be found pounding bare fists powerfully into one of the punchbags with strength enough to crack the knuckles of most others, running laps around the track, or bench pressing - lain across one of benches once he's verified it as safe to use that day. Always dressed appropriately for the exercise, only in leather pants and boots with his long silver hair braided back out of the way - though armor and jacket are never far away. It's never known when they could be needed.]

D: Sauna Floor 77 [Open]
In the dry heat of the Sauna it seemed that Sephiroth had finally found somewhere quiet enough to recollect his thoughts. The hot air created some sort of bubble around his senses after a while and he found himself drawn into feeling as relaxed as he could ever allow himself to feel - though never letting go of the very sore fact that he's still imprisoned here.

At least he was now going in the right direction. Who would have thought that so many would have listened to his views over the network and then been compelled by those same words to act upon them. The very personal notion that it had been his doing does wonders for Sephiroth's ego, and the fact that he'd managed (though not without some irritation) to obtain a whole tank of violet collar fluid for himself only added to that. What weighed heavily on Sephiroth's mind now was the inescapable fact that he couldn't do this alone. Said tank was being kept hidden on the strength of his shaky trust with another, the science project which now surrounded it (and him) relied also on others he didn't know at all. Not to mention the additional reconnaissance he would forever keep close to his chest, in Sheba and her books. Too many hands, each additional level to a pyramid increased not only the chance of it's ultimate failure, but the gravity such a failure would have.

Not to mention the sour taste the science project alone brought to the back of his mouth every single time he turned his attention towards the study or work. A very particular part of his hatred was forever reserved for scientists, and now through his own choice, and the utter determination he has to put himself ahead, he was having to swallow that and just do - easier said than done with an over-active mind like his. He thought he was holding up his facade very well, considering. However strained at times, at least so far the others involved hadn't pried and he hoped that it would stay that way.

Sephiroth sighed towards the ceiling as he reclined back on the wooden ledge, spilling silver hair all over one side of the bench from underneath him. Gazing up into the ceiling of the room, though forever he would keep his ears open for the sound of anyone, or any thing that might approach him here.
 

E: Violet Collar Fluid Research - Study Room Floor 18 [Open, even to not!Violet team]
[Equipment availability allowing and at carefully intended random points in the week, after craftily losing his supervisor, Sephiroth spends the odd few-blocks of hours at one of a handful of locations known to those operating in the tower-wide science project. Though at this early stage there is only observation and notes regarding what can be ascertained from a droplet under these advanced microscopes. The technology of which, and therefore the visible details under various settings, is very much beyond anything Sephiroth has even seen before. If only-

-he scowls as his thought train circulates back again to that man. Sitting back from the microscope for a few moments while he recollects his thoughts, peers over a few open pages of textbooks strewn around to reinforce them and then proceeds to continue with his work. Sephiroth prefers to take his own notes, as well, as evidenced by the words starting to appear scrawled on paper (even if it is really film) nearby. 

He is careful, every time to only bring the most necessary of a sample from the tank that remains in hiding; it would not do to spend all of their available resource in discovering the facts only to then not have enough to develop anything that might counter the unwanted effects within the fluid which courses around and through everyone's his soul.]  

Comments

E

[doc_brown]

[ While Sephiroth was working, a certain scientist would be coming into the floor, apparently looking for something. Doc wasn't there to check on the progress or share information-- These kind of tasks he left upon the the assistants while he focused on the researches. he was just passing by to take a few things he had left there earlier, and that was when he spotted the team working, and most specifically Sephiroth.

Doc had really only met this Sephiroth in the context of setting up the science project before, but as far as he was concerned, this was the same Sephiroth he met over a year ago. Hence he didn't think of him as a public enemy, like most of the tower probably did by now. ]

Sephiroth! How are the researches going?

[ Spoken on a fast and casual tone as he moved to grab the things he had left behind. ]

[neverbeamemory]

[Sephiroth has only just lent his head back towards the scope after a pause when Doc comes into his close vicinity and starts reaching for the various tools that had been here before Sephiroth took up his study station a little further away on the long study desk. He looks up from the microscope and regards Doc with a swiftly raised eyebrow, wondering if perhaps the things left behind held some relevance.]

Doctor Brown. [He acknowledges, managing to keep the automatic twinge of distaste at the 'Doctor' title away.] It's going. Your own?

[doc_brown]

[ The papers hold relevance but aren't much-- Just a few observations Doc has made on his side. By the end of the week, odds are Sephiroth will get a copy of these notes through the assistants. He grabs them quickly before shaking his head at Sephiroth's reply. ]

Slowly unfortunately! The researches would be much faster if only we had computers to input the data and run simulations. We don't have half the means necessary for researches on this scale...

[ Thankfully, the lack of means was compensated by the fact some of the most brilliant minds of the multiverse were gathered in this tower, but even then it would be slow to reach conclusions. ]

[neverbeamemory]

Or indeed if we had some working reference to go by. I've not seen structures like these before.

[Or it could be that the microscope is configured to see things that such inferior microscopes back home wouldn't have been able to. Either way, from the open books nearby it seems Sephiroth is looking for something similar to use as a base.

He sits back from the microscope and chuckles abruptly.]

Shame that the only technology similar to a computer is those terminals.

E

[pinnaculum]

[Encountering him at one of these random points and intending to work on research himself, Sephiroth approaches his other self without hesitation. He's not intimidated by him, and he sees no need to be. He has heard rumors of Sephiroth doing things he himself would not do, but this, although of interest to him, doesn't bother him.

As is his habit these days, Sephiroth is wearing the tattered red headband given to him by the administrators.]

May I assist you?

[neverbeamemory]

[He figures he's never going to get over the utterly strange feeling of being around a smaller, different version of himself -that somewhat subdued hum of similarity- but at least if nothing else Sephiroth can have faith in the other Sephiroth's intellect. Even if their timelines don't match up their thought processes must be at least a little similar, right?

Sephiroth noted the red headband before on the youngster but hasn't thought to ask the question, the kid probably thought it looked cool is all and Sephiroth would not ever deny this child his time as just that - a child. Personally he thinks that red just glares like a great beacon against silver hair and pale skin like theirs but again - that's his opinion.]

There isn't much to assist with right now, it's all just necessary observation.

[He un-attaches the slide from under the microscope and holds it up to the light. As if it might reveal something that he'd glimpsed under the microscope. It doesn't of course and Sephiroth carefully puts the slide back under the lens again.]

Take a look. [Out of everyone in the Tower, he could afford to be more open with himself surely. Sephiroth even rises from his seat so that the boy can sit down and look as well.]

[pinnaculum]

I understand.

[Mr. Valentine's headband is familiar to him, even in its battered state, and although he is not sure why he wants to wear it, he does so nonetheless. He would not care to have his actions closely examined. He does not believe it is a sentimental choice, but nonetheless, there is no logical reason for him to wear it.

Sephiroth studies his other self, quietly. He knows they are similar, but also they are different, from different worlds. The question is, how much do their worlds differ, and in what ways? How alike are they?]

I will observe.

First, I would like to ask you a question.

A - huhhuhu akward times go!

[xroyal_bratx]

Ishtar would be lying if she didn't admit that she was worried about what happened that time. It seemed that every time she found him him, he was dying of something. It really bothers her but this time, it's not something she can easily toss aside. Everything that happened, the strange expression he had that time- she wasn't sure.

When people came back, she searched for him, and she found him. She's only afraid that he wouldn't wake up or something terrible might have happened beyond belief. She didn't hate him and even though they're not really friends at all, she's encountered him many times and they've engaged a good number of times for her to worry about him. He may be a prick, but that wasn't something worth dying over. She knew a lot of pricks. He just happened to take that to a whole different level.

When she heard his voice after a long while, she looked up, with tear stained face and puffy cheeks. He might not have been concerned with what she was doing, but she was still concerned with that fact that was okay.

"You're a huge asshole you know? Dropping dead on me like that," she replied with a cracked voice, "I'm glad....that you're alive now."

Maybe at the moment, she's just taking advantage of the fact that he couldn't move completely yet to hug him tightly.

All the awkward-times!

[neverbeamemory]

He might not be able to move his arms that strongly on account of that numbness but Sephiroth could still arch his back into the bed below him and that way kind of lever Ishtar's face up off of his chest. He tilted his head to one side, unsure for the moment whether to be angry at the obvious invasion of his very personal space or curious why Ishtar was upset that he'd died. Death wasn't even real here, and even if it were real it wouldn't change his attitude towards it.

"Death isn't real here, surely you know that." He breathed, his voice whispered since she was only a few inches away. Steadily he kept his tone level, trying not to sound as uncomfortable as he felt.

He wondered what this was all about. He doesn't specifically remember seeing her be there in the poppy field, much like he hadn't remembered exactly who had been there the time before when he'd died in someones arms either. Her tears though, and the puffy cheeks certainly seemed genuine. As far as anything could be considered genuine in this Tower.

loving this way too much XD

[xroyal_bratx]

Ishtar shot him a look through her puffy eyes, "You still died you jerk!" As she said that did lift her head away from him as he levered her face off his chest. She probably did something awfully stupid but she didn't care.

She didn't mean to snap, but it was true. How could anyone just brush off their deaths as if it didn't matter, as if it wasn't important. She squeezed the brief fabrics of his clothes, eying him seriously, "How can you casually say that? How many times have you died here already?"

She was pretty much in the field, when he was dying, and saying incoherent things.

D - two manly men chilling out having fun

[terra_nullius]

After his first trip here he'd found he'd rather had a taste for the place, and so Xehanort often made trips back for the quiet just as much as the relaxing heat. There was nothing amiss as he put his clothes in his locker, wrapping his towel around his waist and another smaller one around his neck. With a slight whistle he pushed open the door and strode into the sauna proper...

... oh. Well that was new. There'd never been anyone else in there before when he'd come. He cleared his throat and murmured an apology for intruding, hovering on the threshold to see if this individual preferred their privacy or not.

Oh boy...xD

[neverbeamemory]

Hovering on the threshold gave Sephiroth ample opportunity to turn his head and look over the would-be intruder. He's never seen this other man before but then, of course, it was that time of month when there would be a fresh batch of faces for a while. Though Sephiroth was not prepared to take anything for granted, the fact that the other had taken time to undress to the modest towel provided granted him some safe knowledge;if someone had been looking to disturb him they probably wouldn't have bothered to appear to be using the sauna as well.

Then again, stranger things had happened. Hence the rather intense gaze now rested on the stranger in the doorway. Sephiroth did indeed prefer his privacy but after several months of being shadowed by a red-collared retrieval unit a lot of the time, and having always to share sleeping space, he'd rather grown to ignore those slights to his privacy which otherwise would have irritated him beyond belief. After somewhat of a pause, the still-prone man sighed into the ceiling and spoke.

"If you're going to come in then do so. You're letting the heat out."

[terra_nullius]

With a smile he shrugged and closed the door, heading over to the bench opposite where Sephiroth was laying and sitting down with a low sigh. The heat was just what he had wanted, and he leaned his head back in relaxation after a few moments.

Finally, he broke the silence after he'd considered what to say.

"I wasn't sure of the protocols, I've never encountered anyone else here yet. Not that it means much, of course, as I'm still rather new."

E

[darkestsatisfaction]

[While Kiryu might throw some curious glances towards equipment and notes every now and then, he knows his role here - and his limitations; he knows that he won't understand much of this without a proper explanation, but well... he's never felt all that bothered by his lack of formal education anyways.

He has set up at one of the unused tables near the stair case, Blood Vorse summoned out and standing guard at the entrance, but otherwise he has spread out both his decks over the table: monsters, spells and traps in groupings with his Earthbound God and Dark Synchro Monster laying side by side right in the center.

Ultimately, reorganizing his deck and working on his strategy is more a matter of habit than anything - he is working with a very limited supply of cards after all, and he knows each and every one of them by heart - but it's calming and familiar and something to keep his ind fit and occupied as he watches out for monsters while Sephiroth works.]

If I've got any of this wrong let me know and I'll edit - canon blind!

[neverbeamemory]

[Now there is something you certainly don't see all the time. Just where did that monster come from anyway? Sephiroth has seen Ganondorf control certain monsters in the Tower before but this is something entirely different.

Though Kiryu does indeed seem to have it all under control. Anything that would enter from the stairwell would have a shock for sure. A part of Sephiroth wants this to happen just so that he could watch, another part of Sephiroth wants to see how he'd match up to that Blood Vorse; though there is indeed work to do.

At every small break in his observations though, when he needs to take five to reset his thoughts, Sephiroth will cast an inquisitive gaze towards Kiryu.]

Nope, all good!

[darkestsatisfaction]

[Kiryu is leaning back in his chair, frowning down at the cluster of cards that contains the monsters of his old deck - a lot of them are useless to him, they wouldn't add to his new decks strategy, but some just might useful if he shifts things around a little. He is very aware of the eyes on him though, he wouldn't have survived in the Satellite for as long as he had otherwise (even if awareness and a certain amount of caution simply aren't enough why you challenge - almost - overwhelming odds and all your teammates betrayed you in that one moment you would have needed their support their most), though he chooses to ignore them for the first second before he slowly turns away from his cards and meets Sephiroth's gaze.

The corners of his mouth are tugging up just a little as he tilts his head - if Sephiroth has questions about what he is doing, he is more than welcome to ask them.]

B - Study Room Floor

[blackestomen]

[Have another few books added to the piles around you, Sephiroth. Several chemistry texts, thick and heavy, with little slips of paper acting as bookmarks here and there. Simply taking notes and protecting them had begun to grow dull. She had started to skim through the research library, herself... and then to read a little more in-depth. And having found a few interesting things, she wishes to share them.]

Here. Are there any others that I can clear away for you?

[Zeal is being helpful... but it's not an eager, girlish sort of helpfulness. A queen should care for her subjects. That ought to extend to those in the tower. Or at least on her team.]

[neverbeamemory]

[Green eyes framed by silver snapped up from the pages of his physics text, to the bearer of additional books as they were added to the pile. Sephiroth has no idea what has possessed Zeal that she needs to help him with all of this but sure, it beats him keep having to go back up to the research library and back down again - time enough for any books left behind to have vanished, knowing the Tower.]

Hm. [He looked over the spines of a couple of the books she had retrieved and noted the markers at certain pages.] This is more than sufficient for the time being.

[He didn't want to say that he knows most of what he's re-reading already as that would just lead to questions, but it is hardly like he's learning all of this from scratch. Contrary to how all of this might look. Sephiroth pauses and takes one of the chemistry books from the top of the nearest pile and opens it on top of the already open book in front of him, at one of the marked pages. Glancing once more to Zeal he asks.]

Did you mark this?

Terribly late; still care to continue?

[blackestomen]

I see. [With nothing to take back, she didn't intend to linger too long. Sephiroth still had work to do. Important work that she didn't care to delay. But he asked a question, and so...]

I did. I thought it might be relevant. If it isn't? Disregard it.

[All said quite plainly, quite calmly, certain that this was not a bother nor an imposition.]

C

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[As Berserker, being all blunt, unstoppable force, he has no need to hone his finer, more technical skills outside of combat. But as himself, Lancelot enjoys active pursuits that require pushing his own reflexes to their furthest. In that spirit, he had set about climbing one wall of the Gymnasium bare-handed, wearing his undershirt, his dress slacks rolled up to the knee-- his feet bare. His legs dangled as he found handholds where he might, using strategic thinking to plan his moves multiple steps ahead.

He took note of Sephiroth's presence, but being loath to disturb another during training, waited until he was ready to make his exit before nodding a greeting. His shoes are in one hand, his shirt and jacket over his arm, his hair in a topknot.]

Sephiroth. Well met.

[neverbeamemory]

[On occasion Sephiroth had wondered what Lancelot was doing, idly watching him scale the wall bit by bit as he'd been pumping muscle with a weight that looked too small but was actually more of the correct weight for someone of his size. Sephiroth could indeed lift more, if he willed it or wanted to of course but then there wouldn't be very much point in visiting this floor at all. Besides this floor is not without it's risks either.

As it was he had to pass Lancelot's wall in order to get back to the stairwell. He's slipped his leather coat back on but holds his belt and armor over a forearm. He's not undone his hair yet either as Sephiroth will catch a shower first. He nods a similar greeting to his room mate.]

Lancelot. [He acknowledges, though can't help but wonder the purpose in his climbing a wall. However he's not really the type to out-and-out ask.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Similarly, he is not the type to ask why Sephiroth goes continually without a shirt. In his Time, such a thing would have been the mark of a Barbarian. Still, he supposes the effect serves its purpose-- many opponents would think twice about attacking a man so unarmored yet unafraid to face combat.]

How fare you this day?
[Lancelot knows better than to talk about Violet Fight Club, but being a key part of Security, he is invested in keeping abreast of developments.]

Belatedly, C

[firstnothing]

[Xemnas is a patient person. There are people who come and go throughout the gymnasium, some staying and talking, some choosing to move on quickly, and he ... won't interrupt. Besides which, he's never encountered 'exercise equipment' of this sort before and it's going to take a bit of poking and prodding around before he's certain as to their uses.

And what's one more silver haired man in black anyway?

The concept of exercise when they don't even have their actual bodies to do the exercising with is a little baffling, but perhaps others use it as a way of venting frustrations. Which seemed to be what Sephiroth was doing presently, if the assault on a helpless punching bag was any sign. Again, Xemnas doesn't interrupt. But he does observe, from a distance just enough to be considered almost-polite, measuring and thoughtful.

Unfortunate the stranger was so pale, he'd blend right in with most of the thirteen chosen otherwise.

It probably isn't the first time Sephiroth has acquired an audience while working out. It probably also won't be the last.]

glad to have you on board \o/

[neverbeamemory]

[Every so often, between a flurry of bare-fisted punches at the bag Sephiroth pauses at the feel of eyes on him. Despite his focus on what he's doing, he's not one to ever let his own spatial awareness down so far as to not notice that he's being watched.

Each time though, he decides that the other man watching wasn't a threat. Or if he was, he was biding his time for something. Sephiroth doesn't ever cast a gaze over to the other black-clad, silver headed man for the first few times but there really is only so much of that creeping feeling of being watched with no further action that he can really abide. Even if he would usually apply the same behavior to others.

Stopping his latest set of moves he puts hands on the punching bag to bring it to a stop before looking slowly over a bare shoulder. The tail of his long braid coming to rest neatly along the crease of his spine. Eyes narrowed just a touch.]

Yes?

[firstnothing]

[If Xemnas is planning something, he's certainly keeping it to himself. No attacks suddenly happen, either verbally or physically. He's just... observing. Adjusting his own mental tallies as needed. There were countless possible motives to such a determined attack on an innocent, harmless punching bag, from enjoying the feel of impact to straight up ignorance that all of it was an illusion..

... He could ask, but well, that would be interrupting.

When the stranger draws to a stop and actually speaks, Xemnas smiles briefly. There is absolutely no actual emotion or friendliness in it whatsoever, but surely the effort counts for something.]

Are you finished? I would hate to interrupt.

[His tone at least, is one of perfect politeness, easy to manage when one feels no scorn or hostility or even amusement.]