002 -

[neverbeamemory]

Characters: Sephiroth [Open]
Setting: October 13th, Various times/locations
Format: Prose & Action (mixing it up a bit!)
Summary: It's time to stop moping and start being constructive. Sephiroth always has to be occupied and that gymnasium just begs to be used. Then afterward, pumpkin food, even if 2 days in it's starting to get old.
Warnings: Part 3 - Shower nudity if you're imaginative enough. (Will edit as necessary) 

1)Dorm 3-02 & Hallway outside

What a weird couple of days, that was to say the least. After getting the Dormitory levels down to memory, he'd explored further afield. Not much further than a few floors around the floors serviced by the elevator but this tower seemed to be a little monster-prone so he figured to play it safe and stick close to where others would be more likely to pass through. At least for the time being, the monsters he had come across didn't seem too challenging for Masamune. There was candy everywhere though, and some of the costumes on other residents he'd spied were really bordering on disturbing. He was glad he'd not been singled out for that game.

However yesterday he'd discovered the gymnasium. If he had no other idea where to go or what to do inside the tower the very least he could do would be to keep himself in top condition for whatever challenge might be put in his way. Be prepared, certainly seemed the best bet. He intended to make the most of that facility today.

Sleeping in a dormitory with three other bodies in the room was pretty hard to get over to start with but eventually he'd nod off. Waking up and each morning so far reminding himself that the foreign object around his neck wasn't coming off was becoming something of a ritual also. What it meant, that he was somehow owned by someone, was just too much to be reminded of first off each day. Perhaps going to the gym would take his mind off of it and refocus him onto some worthwhile pursuit. He'd calmed a little since his arrival, not being so frantic in his urgency to know. It was clear he wasn't getting out anytime soon.

So, doing his best to ignore the slight chill in the air Sephiroth clad himself in pants and boots only today. He had limited clothing as it was, last thing he needed was getting sweaty in a big leather jacket that then may start to stink out their dorm. Afterward he could even drop by the showers and clean up.

Shortly after, he headed through all the similar corridors heading for the lift.

 

2) Floor 39 - Gymnasium

[The things to do to consume time in a gymnasium. Several laps around the track, weights, punching bag; Sephiroth may yet have found his favourite floor thus far in the Tower. Never mind some of the weights didn't have labels or were way too heavy for what they looked like - it seemed stupid to just pick up without testing first. Same with the machines that looked broken; just don't go near them. And so Sephiroth can be found being constructive in keeping himself fit, pushing his own limits or maybe just laying into the punching bag. In his own world though he's too aware of his own surroundings not to notice other people that might be there.]

 

 

3) Later back to Dorm Level 3 - Clean Up

That sure felt good. There was nothing like a good workout to get those endorphins pulsing and even the fine sheen of freshly worked up sweat felt refreshing. Thoughts that had plagued Sephiroth for the last couple of days concerning the Tower and his predicament were suitably all punched, pumped or ran out of their immediate need to be resolved. Maybe he'd be able to see more of the forest now, instead of the trees. To a certain extent the violet collar had been forgotten, though he still was aware of its presence; sometimes he'd brush it with a hand or he would move a certain way which would remind him it was there. It made him tense to think about it.

There was only one thing left to do: clean up. Sephiroth found it strange that a fully stocked gymnasium didn't have showers included but he did know where there were some. Thankfully the dorm levels were indeed equipped with necessary amenities. He could even hang the leather pants inside out to air over the side of the stand he was using. Hot water over skin and through long silver hair was just the thing needed right now, though perhaps he wouldn't stay as long as he felt like under the water. The sound of the shower could too easily mask anything else that might be going on, and he didn't like the idea of being caught with his guard down now. Paranoid much? Maybe but there was some weird sh*t going on around this Tower right now, with costumes and candy and not to mention the rather strange other residents he'd met so far.

 

 

4) Floor 1 Cafeteria: Dinnertime

Having realized that the monsters can be more active towards the late hours of the day, Sephiroth had returned to the dorm and fully suited up with jacket and armor before he'd ventured down for food. For dinner in the Cafeteria it's pumpkin bread and water. Second day of pumpkin-based menu. At least it wasn't that damn oatmeal he'd experienced on that first day. That being said, was this all they were going to ever eat? Pumpkin wasn't particularly repulsive to eat and the bread option mixed the taste up a little but how many more days would it be before there would be another choice on the menu. He knew of the restaurant he could go to instead but he wasn't sure he knew the Tower well enough yet to go foraging in exchange for food.

Sephiroth would always try to sit on his own at a table in a position which no one could get behind him without him knowing about it, and somewhere he could see the doors. The costumed residents just confused him, so he'd try to avoid them mostly as well.

 

Comments

Gymnasium

[midgarhorizon]

[Reno came down to the Gymnasium on his usual routine. It felt best getting back to it after that hiccup with Ganondorf. Got to keep the kids from wondering, after all.

He pulled out the gear he had made himself, or repaired, and set it up in the corner he held classes in.

Fewer and fewer people showed up to class. So many had left already. He was wondering if it was worth holding public classes anymore.

There was someone out on the track, but he didn't pay much attention until they got closer.

Turning around, he was shocked to see that it was Sephiroth. Since when did he get back?]

Hey, Seph! Long time no see.

[The thought that this Sephiroth could be different didn't occur to him. Yet.]

Re: Gymnasium

[neverbeamemory]

[Track was one hell of a way to just focus entirely on the paced thud of ones feet on the ground. Briefly Sephiroth had wondered how something this big managed to fit inside a floor of the Tower but like a lot of things about this place he didn't want to keep adding to the questions pile inside his head]

[He spotted Reno's red hair well before being able to make out other details about the other occupant of the floor. It struck a chord of familiarity but he couldn't conjure a name. As he approached Reno's side of the gymnasium he slowed his pace and came to a stop nearby. Silver hair down his back already quite plastered to skin by sweat. He quirked an eyebrow at Reno]

"I know you from somewhere." [Lowly tone, stating the obvious, but Sephiroth couldn't quite put his finger on a memory solid enough to recognize the Turk]

[midgarhorizon]

[Oh. Great. He must have lost his memories, or this wasn't the same one.]

Geez, I thought I'd be more memorable than that... Name's Reno.

[For some odd reason, Reno's wearing a white shirt with fake plastic moogle wings, white pants, and what looks like a moogle ears headband.]

[neverbeamemory]

[Reno. Sephiroth doesn't recall being introduced before but there is something he does remember. A bike chase, an explosion. It feels like there may have been more memories there before but well, they can't have been important enough. Fireworks. His eyes lit up with the memory as he regards the strange costume; a red-haired moogle.]

"I remember. Just not your name. You're a Turk." [An odd, slightly amused smile cracks the serious mask of Sephiroth's face]

"Who apparently has a fetish for moogles." [Nope, he's not got a clue yet about what sort of power the admins of the Tower have over people.]

[midgarhorizon]

[Whatever good humor Reno had been in was dashed. Glowering, he picked absently at the costume.]

Don't be ridiculous, SOLDIER boy. The assholes in charge here insist I wear it. Can't even get it off. It's something called "Halloween."

4 - Here have a costumed resident

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

Legolas had quickly grown tired of attempting to collect candy each day and though he'd made sure to collect his quota for today, he was eager for this game to end. As if it wasn't painful enough to think about his father being dead, but now he was dressed as him and had been mistaken for him.

The elf didn't go for any of the pumpkin themed delicacies however. Instead, he had collected several types of fruit from the forest floor and wrapped them to save for his meals. His eyes were drawn to Sephiroth when he entered though, the silvery hair made him think of elves but there was no elvish presence about him.

The point was, he was no someone that the prince recognized and he wasn't going to leave someone to go without meeting others. So he approached the table and bowed his head slightly.

"Might you care for company?"

Re: 4 - Cafeteria

[neverbeamemory]

Having purposefully sat himself in a position that people couldn't just walk up upon him. Sephiroth paused from breaking his latest bit of pumpkin bread as the blond haired elf approached. Legolas was considered non-threatening enough to be allowed to advance. Another strange species this Tower was housing.

He was dressed a little strangely, but not as strangely as some of the people he had seen so far within the last couple of days. Was this how it was usually in the Tower? Sephiroth assumed so, after all he didn't know any different. Just another thing to adjust to.

He spoke very politely, with a formal tone that Sephiroth couldn't really match. Instead he offered a polite nod in return to the elf; before breaking the bread and ripping a small piece off before eating it.

[ooc: subject change so I don't get lost :-)]

4 - Cafeteria

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

Legolas gave a smile and nodded as well, taking a seat and watching Sephiroth for a moment. He still couldn't understand how anyone could eat all the food made from pumpkins. It just didn't seem as though it should be appetizing. What part of that large fruit was even slightly attractive as a food?

A moment later though, the elf averted his eyes, not wishing to be rude and staring. If anything, Legolas was always polite (unless your name was Haldir or Gimli).

[ooc: Works for me! :3]

Re: 4 - Cafeteria

[neverbeamemory]

Sephiroth thought it strange that someone would come over, sit with him and then not say anything. There must have been some reason for the elf to be there.

Putting the bread down for a moment, he regarded the elf curiously as he averted his eyes. Green eyes shining over the details of his attire more than anything else. He knew people were wearing costumes, but he wasn't convinced that this was the case with the elf.

"So." Attempting to break the ice? Not the most natural thing to come to him. "Where are you from?"

Re: 4 - Cafeteria

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

He'd already asked to join Sephiroth, he didn't want to force any conversation on Sephiroth. Though when he tried to break the ice, Legolas immediately regretted not opening the conversation himself. It was obvious that it wasn't a skill that he was well-practiced in.

"I'm from a world called Arda. Eryn Lasgalen, specifically. And yourself, sir?" Legolas had actually grown quite interested in learning of other worlds since arriving. His own world he knew quite a bit of. He'd had plenty of time there after all.

Room 3-02

[capax_infiniti]

[With the rather constant change of roommates Xehanort has stopped particularly caring about them unless they have lasting potential. He's content to sit at a table and read one of the few precious books he saved, a rather musty old tome written in squiggles that looks like it might fall apart if someone looks at it funny.

He's aware of Sephiroth moving silently through the room, enough of his attention rising to the fore to catch a glimpse of who it is.

It's definitely not common for one of his former roommates to come back.]

Welcome back... do you remember?

Re: Room 3-02

[neverbeamemory]

[Sephiroth stopped in his tracks, half way from buckling a boot up at the speech that came from another corner of the dormitory. He regarded the elder looking male with a furrowed brow.

Welcome back? What was he referring to? Is he supposed to remember something? Instead Sephiroth silently stares for a few moments before asking]

"What do you mean?" [He hated not being informed]

[capax_infiniti]

"Simply that. You were here once before." Xehanort shrugs, his shoulders rolling as he raises his hands to the side in an open gesture. "Some remember, and some do not. Some are the same, and others are different versions. I was simply determining which categories you perhaps fell into."

[neverbeamemory]

Cryptic answer? It certainly went with his first impressions of the elder. With all of Sephiroth's damaged and missing memories, was there something important he'd released? Sephiroth didn't think so, but then maybe it hadn't been important at that crucial moment.

"Well, I don't remember being here before. But by the sounds of it that doesn't lend much weight to either category."

[capax_infiniti]

"Not quite... and unfortunately, I never did speak much with your predecessor. Something I hope to be able to rectify, though I suppose that is up to your whims."

Xehanort gives him a pleasant enough smile, hands going back down to the book he was reading before. He remembered that the young man he'd lived with before had been quite strong and prideful, but little else.

Cafeteria - yet another costumed resident

[warriorscribe]

A piece of candy aimed for the nearby elevator doors instead hit the wall and bounced off, landing on Sephiroth's table. Not a moment later, a blond man in a long white skirt and feathered white wings worn through loops around his otherwise bare shoulders jogged up.

"Ah, excuse me. My coordination failed me for a moment." With an apologetic smile at the long-haired stranger, he picked up the piece of candy he'd found and tossed it lightly, where it landed immediately in front of the elevator doors where he'd intended. He knew it must have seemed rather strange to this person - after all, there wasn't a pumpkin basket in sight, so he hadn't been targeted by the admins...

Re: Cafeteria - yet another costumed resident

[neverbeamemory]

Sephiroth only nods at the apologetic smile from the stranger, but does regard him curiously enough when he takes the piece of candy and with a gentle throw positions it in front of the elevator. This seems odd, though there could be a hundred reasons why. The piece of candy was either being used to trick someone, or as some sort of trigger for something; it had to be if the intention was to position it there.

Curious enough Sephiroth looks up from his now-empty plate, only crumbs of pumpkin bread left, waiting to see what will happen with the candy now it's placed there.

Okay, I guess nobody's biting. Sorry for the delay!

[warriorscribe]

Soon enough, someone else in a costume walks towards the elevator. They stop, pick up the candy, and board the elevator.

No trap, just someone helping others stuck in this game, if Sephiroth has figured out what's going on with the costumes.

Enoch looks down and catches the curiosity in Sephiroth's face and posture, or what he can see of it at least. Why wouldn't he be confused, after all? He's obviously not in this game and even if he was, Enoch hadn't seen very many others trying to do what he was doing.

"I doubt he would have found that piece inside one of the kitchen's devices."

Re: Delay, pffft!

[neverbeamemory]

"Provided you like candy." Sephiroth had no clue about the game that was being played (so far) and so only assumed this was some sort of game the young man was playing with some of the other residents.

Confusion is still across his expression slightly, though his guess about this being some sort of entertaining game between people who frankly didn't have a lot else to do seems to have gone most of the way in getting rid of the confusion.

[warriorscribe]

"I'm afraid liking it isn't a consideration." He fished around for the note at the bottom of his pumpkin - after encountering a few people who hadn't noticed it or weren't part of the game, he felt it might be easier to show them what they'd been shown. Once he'd found it, he showed it to Sephiroth. It read Collect candy, or else!

"Our hosts like to play games with us. We're playing under threat. I think that if they want competition, I'd best work towards cooperation instead."

Gym

[atouchofstrife]

So. You're back.

[ That uneasy feel he had off and on was starting to get annoying. So was all the costumed people running around, frantically gathering candy in an attempt to offset whatever the tower's administrators were trying to do. Cloud was glad that he didn't get drawn into this game, and he was guilty for feeling glad about it. He sometimes wondered if that was another reason for the games - the tower trying to break the people down from their ideals. ]

Re: Gym

[neverbeamemory]

[Sephiroth was pounding one fist after the other into the punching bag as Cloud had appeared. He'd carried on regardless, but it would be foolish to think he hadn't already noticed Cloud's presence here. Cloud's words had echoed toward him at a break in his set of punches and it seemed to be reason enough to Sephiroth to pause, uncurl his arms and allow his stance to turn towards Cloud.]

[So, he'd been saved too. At least it surely looked like him, and after a moment - yes it still felt like him too. What a crooked sense of irony, both of them ending up here like this. Sephiroth's tone in response could hardly hide his amusement]

No thanks to you.

Re: Gym

[atouchofstrife]

No thanks to anyone from Gaia. [ Arms crossed, he shrugged. Cloud was still armed with his swords, still dressed as he had been in the ruins of Midgar, though there was a little tiredness to his words. It hasn't been a good last couple months for him. ]

What do you remember?

Re: Gym

[neverbeamemory]

[That's the third time so far today that someone has asked him that question. That it came from Cloud gave it much more weight though. Reno had claimed that the version of him that had been here had been before the Nibelheim incident, and what a difference that made. This could go either way now, based on whether he wanted to try and fool Cloud into thinking he had come from before the crisis. The familiar tingling in the back of his head though told him that wouldn't hold up for long, after all the climax of that day had been his fusion with Mother.]

You're the third person to ask me that today. [Observation, nothing more] But you already know the answer so stop pretending.

Re: Gym

[atouchofstrife]

There's reasons for it.

[ Yeah, he did know. This crawling feeling wasn't the same with the other Sephiroth. The previous Sephiroth hadn't pulled on his sense in quite the same way despite still carrying a massive amount of J-cells. This one reminded him of storms and battles and the sicking routine of that fighting.

He felt for Sephiroth, he knew what it was like to be a puppet and to be made into something that he had never asked for, but he also just was tired of it. He could hate him, and hate would be an easy thing to do in this place, but it really wasn't worth it.

Especially not in this place. ]

I'm surprised you haven't tried to bring down this building. [ He shrugged. ] It's not like this has anything to do with JENOVA's plans.