towerofanimus | 015 | "Bad Romance"

Entry tags:

015 | "Bad Romance"

Characters: Sephiroth, Elena and YOU [All OPEN, except for Part 1, A) - including any Strings']
Setting: Part 1 - 15th Feb. Part 2 - 16th Feb. Various Locations around the Tower.
Format: Bit of Prose, Bit of Action. Will try to keep to Action-tags for replies. BACKTAGGING GALORE!
Summary: JOINT LOG - Sephiroth and Elena catch the Howl tape. Talk about sleeping with the enemy. Feel free to tag in and/or threadjack as you like. Part 1: Feel free to create new threads as well, for anywhere your character would possibly run into this ~~disturbing~~ lovedrunkeness.
Warnings:
Part 1 - Extreme, sickeningly cute and OVERLY obsessive behavior. Could turn violently territorial should anyone approach, say or even look at Elena in the wrong way.
Part 2 - This turns CREEPIER overnight and eventually Sephiroth decides he wants to own ALL of Elena. There will be character death, corpse mutilation and all the blood/guts trimmings. Same warning about territorial behavior as in Part 1. Also since the retrievals won't approach until after the event is over at the end of 16th Feb, he will be carrying around/snugging with the body parts.~~Sorry Dormies!~~

>Part 1: An Unlikely Feeling
A) Could be any corridor in the Tower...[CLOSED]
[As with anything that mysteriously appears in the Tower, Sephiroth keeps well away from all the odd tape-recorders scattered about. Just what was Ruana up to? Summoning additional people to play with, and then spreading music? But it's not like music as he would understand it, it doesn't sound like anything he's ever heard before. Maybe he'll pay a visit to the media room later-]

B) Evening - Cafeteria Floor 2 [OPEN]
After spending all afternoon lounging around in one place or the other throughout the Tower; getting drawn into whispered conversations, almost-touches and generally all those things teenagers might feel in high school, Sephiroth with Elena firmly in tow end up in the Cafeteria. Throughout the day he's found himself increasingly high on her company, captivated by whatever she says, and just how she looks and is - who ever would have figured they could have this much in common!

Hell, it's surprised himself at his own capacity for love - it's supposed to be irrelevant for him. But no, this is different.

They are sat across two or three spaces on one of the benches, Elena nestled comfortably between leather clad knees and lent back against him. Sephiroth is all too content with this position it seems, as comfortable as she must have been feeling to have been actually allowed to put those small braids in parts of his hair!

There are a handful of empty glasses of what were strawberry daiquiri's nearby. In fact if anyone is looking (or staring!) hard enough, they appear to be sharing one! Occasionally he will sit forward ever so slightly, bending his head down and around her shoulder to take a sip from the same straw while she holds the glass steady. Silver hair falls down across Elena's one shoulder as if it were a one-sided cape.

This feels so precious, he's not about to let it go now lest it's actually all been a cruel dream. No, she belongs to him now. MINE.

C) Up to Dormitory levels and then Dorm 03-02 [OPEN - Anywhere on route or in Dorm 03-02 itself]
There was no way he was letting her out of his sight now. As the evening drew on, the very idea of letting Elena go back to her own room became more and more unacceptable. In fact even the notion of not touching her somehow could not be allowed to happen. Sephiroth had this nonsense fear that he will wither away if out of her presence for more than a few minutes. He had to keep her close - even if it was only holding her hand, light touching to a shoulder or her waist as she would always be made to go through any doorway first.

Sephiroth considered at one point to usher her up to the 89th Floor to see what they had to obtain for a night in one of the rooms in the hotel but logically they have left it too late now - Elena could get hurt around the Tower at this time of night! No, he would have to take her back to his room. It's not like he really cares what his room mates think anyway, he'd kick them out if they made any comment.

Even if he has to tie her to his bed by a belt, Elena must not be allowed to leave once they get into the Dormitory. There will be death-grip snuggles as well (since there isn't much room in his bed for two of them anyway!) - all night, just to be sure. Sephiroth almost dares her to fidget as that would be all the invitation he needs to really force this control he's managed to get over her.

-----

>Part 2: ...I want to feel you from the inside. Touch and smell and taste. YOU'RE MINE NOW. [OPEN: Character death] -16th Feb

A)Starting in Elena's Dorm - 02-09
[Even after little to no sleep in Sephiroth's dormitory and somewhat ~~forced~~ extended lie-in as well he still cannot get enough of her! He just can't leave her alone. At some point during the next day when she mentions that she has to go back to her own room to fetch something - it's now a given that he will go with her. In fact it's his duty to, as far as he is concerned she is his property now and he has to personally make sure that nothing happens to her. That goes for others who would seek to tear her away from him as well. Such insults will not be tolerated.

He is of course now entitled to go through her things. So Sephiroth will inspect everything that she owns with regards to whether or not she should have it, whether or not it's dangerous - he wastes no time going through her trunk if she leaves it open while they are in her room. It's unnatural to say the least, to see him touching all of her things in that way though, as if even the lowliest bit of dust might be some significant clue to her existence. Really, petting her handgun like that isn't healthy!]

B)After the deed is done. Follow the trail of blood and juices around the Tower...Floor 45, eventually back to Dorm 03-02 [OPEN]
No one else can have her now.

It had started off as a slight interest to know what she looked like on the inside which had started to develop earlier in the day. But by later afternoon this idea has taken precedent in Sephiroth's mind. He MUST have her in every and all ways possible. No one else can even have a chance to take her away from him. But alas, by the very nature of being human there is this innate 'free will' which will eventually carry her away, already there are the signs that he would be blind not to miss. It was time to make sure that couldn't happen. Quite suddenly and without warning Sephiroth lashed out at Elena violently. Masamune cleanly, deeply slicing exactly right up her spine as she walked in front. There wouldn't have been any time to scream.

"It's better this way. Don't you see? Now nothing can ever come between us." Tears of joy couldn't be held back anymore; he'd finally get to keep her. To do with as he wanted. As it should be. Each precisely aimed slice at her postmortem reinforced this belief as Sephiroth went about taking the parts he cherished most.

Her hands, for the delicate way they had touched him. That pretty head that even decapitated looked as if it might wake from slumber at any moment; the blood would wash out of her blonde hair later. There was so much of it pooling around where she had fallen and sprayed on the walls as as result of his butchering. His final cut required some re-positioning of the corpse first but then he stood back and opened her from navel to collar. Masamune vanished almost as an irrelevance as Sephiroth found himself on his knees by the remains of the body, fascinated by how with a little persuading he could stretch and rip at the postmortem laceration. He discarded the leather gloves out of reach of the pool of blood; wanting to feel her properly. She was still so warm when he'd managed to work the wound big enough to let him have both hands inside her; a too-easy pull had opened the cage to his prize. Though honoring each organ with a loving caress, eventually Sephiroth wrapped bare hands around her heart with a lusty embrace and pulled it free. Leather gloves would be forgotten next to what remained of the Turk.

Hands might as well have been dyed red. Sephiroth had taken a great while with the corpse before deciding with a twinge of disappointment that he couldn't carry all of it even if he were to spend more time butchering. It didn't matter much though, he had the important bits. He would wander up to the Lounge on Floor 45 and sit on a beanbag cradling his treasures, glaring out at any humanoid creature that might come crawling across the glass but at the same time feeling ecstatic at having Elena now to be with him - completely his.

There would be no argument sharing his bed tonight, either.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ryoji is used to seeing things things that are a bit concerning around the Tower. It's expected that people get hurt, and they might lose a bit of blood without being in any serious trouble.

But this much blood? This was far more than a regular monster attack should yield.

Ryoji ends up following the trail, almost trance-like from the shock, and before he knows what's happening, he's standing in front of Sephiroth. And then the smell and the sight and that look on the older man's face all come flooding in to attack Ryoji's senses and he almost doubles over, ready to vomit. He stares back up at him, barely managing to get any words out.]

Y-You... what did you...?

[He hadn't met anyone this bad in the Tower before, and seeing someone this dangerous causes far more fear than anything else has. Someone like this could harm his friends... maybe he already did. What if those organs were Minato's?

He can't think about that. It just makes him gag.]

[Bloody hands grasp around the cradle that he's made of her hands, to hold the stolen heart in. The head is rested in his lap as if it might have a body still and be just relaxing there. All his.

Due to the occasional cuddling most of his usually flawless face is smeared with blood as well, though it's rapidly drying. Which Sephiroth raised now in the direction of their visitor.]

Can't you see? [Voice oddly calm, though cracking almost with the intense emotion this obsession places on his tone.]

She's all mine now, no one else's.

... This isn't the way to make sure of that. You can't murder someone just so you can own them!

[He's even more terrified now, that someone would do this with the pretense of some kind of possessive love. He had always wanted love before. Humans had seemed so sweet when they were in love...

Nothing about this is sweet now. Ryoji can only hope that whoever this girl was would be able to stay away from the man from now on.]

[Maybe it was a thing that Sephiroth technically isn't human even if he appears so in many respects. Would that mean that love would have different rules?

Indeed, love seems too worn a word to be used for the way Sephiroth feels about his ~~lover~~ body parts. Is that a tear of ecstasy trailing through the blood down his cheek?]

You - don't understand. [He spoke through a set jaw and gritted teeth, making sure to fold his frame forward more around Elena's remains - protectively as if she might still be able to get away.]

She can't leave me now.

She can't because you killed her! She can't decide to leave you or not. You took away all her willpower. That's not right. It's cruel... How could she love you if you treated her like that?

[Ryoji tries to keep his voice level, if only because the other seems far too broken to handle any loud noises. Ryoji would feel sorry for him if he wasn't so horrified right now.]

How it should be, she's MINE. [Said with all the conviction that this madness could muster.]

We cannot let our love be so weathered by this place that we lose sight of it! I cannot ever let that happen. It won't happen now, I can protect her forever. We'll never be apart again, like we had been before.

[Ryoji might as well have not been there in that moment where he opened his cuddle in the beanbag enough to tuck limp blonde hair behind the ear of the decapitated head and regard the face as if it were the only thing in the world.]

It's going to be more than weathered when she comes back. She can't forgive you for doing something like this!

...Listen to me. You're acting insane. There's no use protecting her when she's dead. You need to calm down so you don't kill anyone else.

[Ryoji's at least slightly glad that Sephiroth is focused on the head, but if he loses that focus, Ryoji needs to stop him from 'protecting' someone else.]

[Sephiroth looks up from Elena's head as Ryoji mentions needing to calm down. A smirk creeps across his features and his eyes start to gleam dangerously. He is after all very good at killing, and ANY emotion Sephiroth goes through doesn't have the usual boundaries that a slightly more sane person might have.]

Then you'd best not do anything to anger me. I suggest to leave us alone.

I'm not going to leave you alone. Someone else might get attacked if I don't stop you.

[Ryoji's being an idiot, getting involved like this, but he's hopeful that Thanatos will be powerful enough to at least knock Sepiroth out for a bit. He's not going to kill him, even if Sephiroth did murder someone himself.]

[Those eyes are still on Ryoji. Waiting for him to leave like a predator disturbed from it's happy place. The smirk drops when it's made clear he's not going to leave. Carefully crossing his legs underneath him Sephiroth gets to his feet, still managing to keep all the parts cradled close to his heart.]

Then we will go elsewhere.

[It didn't matter where as long as he has Elena.]

[Ryoji backs away as soon as Sephiroth stands, glaring at him. At least he seems like he doesn't want to start a fight, so as long as no one provokes him, everyone should be safe.]

...Fine. Just stay away from the people here, okay?

And what would I want with anyone else? She's all that matters.

[For now, anyway. This obsession is absolute.

Sephiroth heads for the stairwell, carefully shifting the decapitated head and hands in his arms so they have no chance of falling out of his grasp. That would be a calamity! He stops only once to look back over his shoulder at Ryoji as if to say something, then has a second thought and carries on.]

[Ryoji doesn't stop him. It looks like he's going to stay away from everyone, and so he sees no reason to go after Sephiroth. He wouldn't want to fight him anyways, as Thanatos is too difficult to control when he's upset.

If Sephiroth does end up hurting anyone else, then Ryoji will confront him, but until then, it's best to just keep away from someone that mentally unstable.]

*Enoch found the mutilated woman's corpse as he wandered after that failed attempt at going to the job the tower had given him. Hopefully they kept being tolerant, because while he could get away with not showing up sometimes, he was sure there would be punishment if he did it too much, and...he was hurting too much already.

The sight of the body brought him out of that hurt. Was that a monster's doing? What were those... gloves? Enoch picked them up, holding them carefully and looking around. Were they hers? No, there wasn't blood on them, at least...not that he could notice against the black leather. Carefully, Enoch followed the blood trail, sticking the gloves halfway into his back pocket for now and pulling out his Arch, warily ascending.

At first, when he arrived on the observatory level, he didn't see what Sephiroth was holding. But he recognized the tall figure and the long silver hair outlined in places by the black...leather that he wore. Holding the Arch by one handle, he removed the gloves from his pocket.*

Sephiroth? Did you lose something?

*Hopefully....hopefully it wasn't what he was suspecting. But the gloves had been deliberately laid there...*

Edited (/edits for logistics) 2013-02-16 04:57 (UTC)

[Sephiroth was stood closer to the windows when he heard a voice from behind him. Admiring how perfect they both look in the half-cast reflection against the glass. Both arms folded around hands and heart, with the head rested snugly in the crook of his arm.

Lose something? No, he doesn't think so. He's now gained everything...

Though as he turns slowly to face Enoch his eyes dart immediately to the weapon held in one hand. His bloody grasp around his lover tightens defensively. The gloves Enoch holds aren't important right now.]

"What do you want?"

*As Sephiroth's eyes dart to his weapon, Enoch's immediately lock onto what the other man is holding.

...The corpse had been missing a head and hands, and had been torn open. Worse, now that he could see the head, he knew this was the same woman that had been married only fourteen days ago...

This...didn't fit what he'd seen of the man. Tohko had spoken of a far-reaching zeal, but...this was not that sort of madness, what he saw here.*

...I found your gloves beside her body.

[Sephiroth doesn't take his eyes off of Enoch's weapon. He hasn't risen to the apparent challenge it presents though, he's much more concerned at keeping Elena safe. He would have to make sure she was put somewhere safe if he was going to have to defend them.

Slowly, since an attack wasn't coming Sephiroth turned his attention to the rest of this possible threat. He searched Enoch's face questioningly at first, as if the statement about his gloves hadn't gone in. Then as if recalling why he'd removed the gloves, he stroked at the flesh of Elena's cheek with a bare, bloodied finger, looking down momentarily at her face lovingly before looking back up to Enoch.]

Thanks, but we don't need them right now.

*Enoch at least isn't holding the Arch in a threatening manner. It's down by his side, the glowing energy blades pointing away from both of them. His own eyes are fixed on the body parts in Sephiroth's hands, his face a rather predictable mix of shock and disgust.

He drops the gloves at his feet.*

...Why did you kill her?

I HAD to. To make sure that we can be together, now we can be happy. Always.

[Sephiroth noted that the gloves had been dropped to the floor. He thought it considerate of Enoch, though why should he ever have need of them again? He couldn't feel her as closely as if he had kept his gloves on and although her parts weren't warm like they had been, that didn't matter, they were still parts of her he would keep safe forever.

As if he were petting a lifelong companion, a strand of limp blonde hair was tucked behind the ear of the head. The hands and heart kept nuzzled in close to his body in case they might fall away from him.]

*Jealousy? But something doesn't fit...Enoch couldn't shake the fact that something was very wrong. This still wasn't like Sephiroth had been in his two previous encounters with him, and even what Tohko had described had been nothing like this.*

How happy do you think a corpse can be?

*Somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembered Jason saying they didn't actually die. If that was the case...could Elena possibly regain consciousness? Like this? Oh, how he hoped not...*

[Sephiroth tore his gaze away from Elena and peered with narrowed eyelids at Enoch. What was he doing, trying to persuade him otherwise - trying to take her away...]

It was the only way. It's better this way. She's mine now and I can keep her forever.

[He couldn't resist but to smile, the very finality about that thought is clearly treasured.]

But death isn't-...

*What was the use, arguing with a madman?*

...Death isn't forever, though, not here.

*Futile as it was, there was little else he could do. He didn't want to have to fight him, but if the body parts he held were the reason the red-collared workers hadn't come for the body, he would have to, to ensure Elena was restored...*

I won't let them take her.

[He'd been there when they'd had all of that explained as well. How apparently Jason stitched them all back together without a trace whenever they died. So they could continue, good as new. It's not something that had crossed his mind, though, while he was claiming those parts of her that he needed to keep. Would they have retrieved the other remains that he'd left already?

Despite the urge to return his attentions to the body parts, he kept his gaze fixed on Enoch and even took half a step back as if it might protect them]

They must take her. Like that, she can't even speak to you.

*Enoch continues to try to reason with him. It's a reprehensible act, murder, and not one he wants to let him get away with. But...if he can persuade him to just put the parts down, to walk away and leave Jason to his work...

...Well. He doesn't want to be a murderer, himself.*

[He paused when Enoch stated that fact. Thoughts racing back to the glorious conversation that they'd had yesterday. Now indeed, unless by some miracle, Elena wouldn't be able to speak again.

There was a waver of his resolve but it was quickly recovered from as Sephiroth reminded himself why it had been necessary to kill her.]

It's a necessary sacrifice.

Death is never necessary to a cause such as jealousy.

*If anything could be said of Enoch, he never made the first approach unless the situation was extreme or made it necessary. Though his weapon was out, it was no threat unless Sephiroth made it one.

Though, given the circumstances, "extreme" was a rather close border, if it wasn't crossed already.*

[Jealousy? Is that what Enoch thought this was? Somewhere in the back of Sephiroth's thoughts is the fact that he knows Elena is married to Reno, he'd made a point to let them get on with that pointless venture. Was he jealous of that? How true can it be, when she herself had been so eager for his attentions. When they had discovered so much in common with each other that it couldn't be locked away forever with no action done about it.

But then, to a certain extent maybe he is jealous. Jealous of everyone else that would have her company, to enjoy that which he had so rightfully claimed as his own. There could be no sharing.]

What have I to be jealous about? I've everything I ever needed, right here. [He clenches his arms around the parts in his embrace as if he were hugging her reassuringly.]

You were obviously jealous enough to kill her for that.

*Enoch's hand tightens on his Arch, but he does not raise it yet. While a preemptive attack while his hands are full would put him at an advantage, it still didn't feel right. Then again, none of this felt right...*

Jealous enough to make her "yours" when she's wed to another.

[Enoch was right of course. His logic was flawless. Odd that despite the obvious madness so completely riding in Sephiroth, he could eventually see the obvious fact.

But he hadn't done this out of spite for anyone, much less the wedding he hadn't attended out of distaste. It was painfully more simple than that. He'd taken the parts of her that had mattered the most to him in their brief time together over the last two days, so that he could keep them safe, so that he could own her in a way no one else could. It was his right to, after all.]

We don't CARE about any of that. It's irrelevant when it comes to destiny, she belongs to me.

"We". But you had to ensure she couldn't leave.

*He knew this mindset - he'd had it imposed on him in Meridian once. He had not been driven to kill, since he was focused on protecting Armaros's life, but...he knew this attitude, love magnified into something smothering and terrifying. He would have gone to great lengths to ensure Armaros did not leave the house without him, then. Was contemplating shaking him out of the trance to communicate mentally before it wore off.

...That was it, wasn't it? That was what was happening? It had to be, this wasn't at all like the Sephiroth he'd encountered, nor was it the Sephiroth Tohko had described. His madness was zeal, not love.*

...Animus has warped you.

[Sephiroth had had to take that step. He'd seen it already, how she was already unconsciously gravitating away from him. She hadn't really wanted it either, he was certain, so Sephiroth had crossed the line to make it so she couldn't. It was better this way.

His mouth twisted into something quite sadistic, but ecstatic as he recalled that moment when he'd taken matters into his own hands. Elena had loved the sense of protection his arms could offer, and now he could protect her always. He flexed his hold around her remains again - though sadly he couldn't fully embrace them when standing up like that. They had been more comfortable sat on the beanbag a while ago.

He didn't care much for what Enoch thought, either.]

I think you're the jealous one.

Why would I be jealous when I only know her and her husband in passing?

*He already knows, of course. It's the only rationale that could make sense to this warped state of mind, just as nothing straightforward during his time in such a state made sense to him.*

How can you not be.

Look at us. How can it be anything short of destiny, having been unknown for so long.

[So proud. So one-in-a-million. So PERFECT. Perhaps Sephiroth has exhausted all the tears of joy right now but it sure still shines in his eyes.]

How can it be anything but madness, when you see a happy couple but I see a murderer with pieces of a mutilated corpse?

*His Earthly instinct was to punish the murder, since her husband didn't seem to be around to avenge his wife for himself.

But...this was not Earth. By now, the red-collared ones had probably picked up the rest of her, and she would be returned to them in a day.

But Enoch had been under such an affliction before, and now that he knew what it was - those tapes John had mentioned! - he could not leave this man here in good conscience. Even though he knew from experience there was no getting him to see the error in his judgment, the problem with his thinking, while he was under its spell.*

[He's not blind. He's fully aware of what he's done. The ~~problem~~ fact is he see's it for the best. The only way to resolve his feelings.]

It doesn't matter. Even if she were reduced to dust, I would still treasure her forever.

[There is a slight drop in Sephiroth's expression which perhaps just tilts onto regret. Maybe...Maybe he should have done that. Just taken her to that incinerator and then collected her ashes. It certainly would have been a lot less messy, and then he wouldn't have had to let go of so much of her.

But then - he wouldn't be able to stroke her face. To hold her hands so delicately as if they were still living.

Since Sephiroth figures Enoch won't attack unprovoked he inches back to one of the comfy seats on this floor and settles into it - arranging the body parts lovingly ~~grotesquely~~ on his lap.]

Then treasure what you have while you have it. She certainly won't feel the same anymore when she's returned to us tomorrow.

*Disgust and logic have won over anger and instinct. Enoch closes his Arch and puts it away on the back of his jeans, and walks away, leaving Sephiroth's gloves where he'd dropped them and heading down.

He may think twice when he comes across Elena's body, still not there, but how long will it be? If they need what Sephiroth has, they will take it from him - he's been close enough to one to know they disable superhuman powers.*

[He's not listening to you anymore Enoch. Speaking of such obscenities, however he may be scared of the truths echoed in them. She can't comfort him and tell him that it's OK anymore, after all.

Sephiroth will sit there all curled up in the comfy chair, petting his prized possessions until he feels like moving, or until indeed this madness ends and the retrievals would come for those parts of her. Whichever would come first.]

Things had been quite....entertaining over the last several weeks. What with the choas of planning a wedding, then the chaos of the actual event that would probably remain notorious not for the act itself but those in attendance and the incident with Ganon, and then finally the Honeymoon. Yes, that near week and a half of being hidden away in the forest where she and Reno had spent plenty of quality time together.

But, sure enough, the pair were forced to leave the comfort of their protective nest after the food ran out. Not to mention the knowledge that such good things were normally short-lived and it was best to end things on a positive note before things turned for the worst.

The last few weeks since had been a cloud of positive energy and efficient work, though not without the normal bumps and bruises. Hence her current patrol. Perhaps per usual, things weren't exactly settling right with her nerves, hairs raised on the back of her neck serving as a warning that something was amiss. People didn't just leave numerous tape recorders laying around in such odd locations.

After passing by six of those machines, Elena finally gave in and picked up one up off its seat on a step, letting the music fill the empty halls. The female's voice almost haunting in her ballad, sending an electric shiver down her spine. While the sound was nice and the beat good, the lyrics were a little...disconcerting. But she can't help herself to rewind the music when its done and replay it, eyes focused on the little player in her hands as she focuses on the little buttons.

Once the music is playing once more, she stops, humming the underlying tune, checking the hall. A flash of silver passes and, for once, her initial response isn't to run or to stalk after him. Instead, she stays still, letting the music play into the hallway, before finally speaking, her voice rising above the music.

"I assume you've seen these laying around... Have you see anything unusual besides the tape players?"

Edited 2013-02-19 20:55 (UTC)

Of course he'd noticed who he was going to pass in the corridor, and how she was seeming to enjoy the music going on in the background. Go on Elena, dare you to say something. Start the fight again as you always do.

Then she spoke, well wasn't that unexpected. Sephiroth stops just a few paces past Elena and turns back. Did she just ask him a civil, somewhat friendly question?

What was even stranger was that he seemed to be all out of sharp responses to throw back at her. In the seconds of silence that passed between them while Sephiroth tried to come up with a response, he found himself actually regarding Elena as a person as opposed to an obstacle for the first time. This was unusual. Eyebrows slightly creased together as he formed a reply.

"Apart from the absurd amount of them. Not recently. Though I assume you saw our visitors wandering around already?"

It was important, as it always was, to maintain a calm and collected composure when dealing with somebody who you knew to be of a different level than you. And while Turks and SOLDIERs were hardly comparable, Elena was not one to ignore common knowledge. Sephiroth was the greatest SOLDIER known in Gaia's history. Not only that, he was fast and powerful - both of which she learned at his own hands.

What had encouraged her to speak had been an interesting mix of thoughts. Clearly she wanted to dissuade him from thinking that she was following him - an action she would no longer continue after breaking the initial promise to Cloud and being made into a Turk-ka-bob. What also drove her to speech was the understanding that while he was a great threat to those within the Tower, there were greater ones. Like the Admins.

That and, for a very perplexing reason, the sound of his voice with that deep, rumbling texture, wasn't that bad to listen to.

"Apart from that, yes." Lips pull into a slight frown, head giving a short nod. "I did. I first assumed that it was their doing, but I've not seen anything to support my guess."

In her hands, the recorder sounded an audible 'CLICK', noting that the music had once more stopped, the end notes of the song fading into the halls before settling into silence. Lifting the small machine in one hand, she gave the plastic contraption a shake, listening to the plastic bits rattle inside.

"Not a very threatening machine, unlike some of Scarlet's inventions. But it goes without saying that we ought to be careful over the next few days. Not that you needed to be told that, I'm sure."

Green gaze was drawn to the tape player as it stopped playing. Oddly the silence seemed final and never-ending without the music there, as if the heaviness that the music added to the atmosphere was carrying their conversation. It felt awkward talking even while the music wasn't there, like the sound of their voices couldn't match it.

Sephiroth smiled a little, oddly amused at the way she shook the player afterward. Then as if he realized he was staring at the contraption he forced his gaze away from it. Away from her. Sephiroth needed two seconds to set his thoughts in order. He should be walking away right about now but then the conversation continued on it's own.

"Yes. The smallest machines can be the most deadly." Scarlet. Who was that? Sephiroth didn't draw attention to the fact that he doesn't know, didn't retain that memory but his somewhat evasive comment might hold a clue. He searched her face, mentally ticking the boxes.

Memories he had to surrender to the Planet.
To preserve his will.
Because they had gotten in his way.
...but she was following orders?

He should be walking away, but he isn't.

Silence was not unusual, but it was unusually awkward. She'd engaged him in conversation before and the conversations were short and with purpose. Not that this conversation was much different - she was discussing the new situation with another person from her home world. Giving a friendly, you're-a-Tower-resident-and-so-am-I warning. But there was a little something..extra. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

The smile was an honest surprise, turning a normally intimidating face into something a little more approachable. Softer, perhaps, by that momentary curve of the mouth. But as soon as she notices it, the smile is gone and she's left to wonder if it was just a trick of the mind or had he actually - actually - smiled. Not that she'd have the gall to ask.

"Guh, tell me about it. I had a run in with a mini-slasher in the R&D department - the thing took forever to destroy."

Fingers turned the recorder over and over again, looking for any crack or button that would allow her access into the main compartments. Nails dug into what felt like small cracks, but found no purchase or hold. After a moment or two of trying, she huffed audibly and offered the player over to Sephiroth.

"Here. I'm sure you can get the case open faster than I could."

Edited 2013-02-26 21:23 (UTC)

What in the hell was going on? Why should he even be interested in her little story - it's clearly some ShinRa employee reference but he just doesn't remember enough to tie up the specifics. Instead of ignoring her like he should, and just walking away, Sephiroth offered a chuckle - drawing his arms up into folded curves at his chest. Humoring her with an all too soft expression on his face.

He tilted his head to one side as Elena started to try and break into the tape player. As if watching some exotic creature do some never before seen behavior, he found his eyes picking out details he'd not noticed before. The exact way her hair fall around her face, that distinct shade of blonde...then she came at him with it - the tape player that is!

As if he had some great magic touch, the player just started to play again as soon as he grasped his hand around it. Sephiroth spent a few parts of the track looking directly down at it. Turning it around in his hands a few times and looking up to Elena somewhat quizzically. Why'd she want to get into it anyway? Best to just put it down...

"It's probably best to just put it back where you found it."

Whoa, where did that come from. There is even a twinge of concern in his tone that by playing with the tape recorder she might be putting herself in some danger.

Well, now, today was a day of numerous surprises, wasn't it? First a smile that she had just about convinced herself didn't happen - and even if it did why did it matter - and now that....that sound. Honey colored eyes blinked, widening just slightly, looking over at him to find that he had been watching her as if she was some odd little creature that he'd never seen before. At least she'd been able to throw him off guard, thrusting the tape player at him to manipulate, to give him something to fiddle with while she calmly kept the faint pink in her cheeks to become a noticeable shade.

At the sudden sounding of the music, Elena started and made an audible noise of surprise that sounded oddly like a chocobo chick. There was no hiding the color this time, hands clasping around her mouth desperately as if to hide the fact that the noise had come from her. She's thankful, once more, for the tape player that seemed to have kept his attention and she's all but praying to Carbuncle that he hadn't heard her making the noise.

"...A-Yeah, but..."

Now just hold on, that didn't sound like the usual disassociated former General who didn't care much for anybody save himself and that gross head of a calamity named Jenova. There was something just hinting of worry in that tone, earning a slightly upraised eyebrow as she slowly and carefully took the tape player back from his hands.

"We can't miss an opportunity to look into the tech they have here. Especially one that they might have actually touched themselves..."

As if it were the most natural thing in world Sephiroth calmly let her take the tape player back off of him as the track continued to play between them. His eyes followed her hands, up her arms and to her face where he let his gaze linger. He was closer in proximity now and could pick out the tiny lines that even though she were not old by anyone's standards; were there all the same. Laughter lines that in time would etch their way deeper into her face.

So human. ~~Hang on was that the ghost of a blush he saw there?~~ So incomprehensible to Sephiroth. He who had broken those mortal coils and gained his due immortality one way or the other. Or rather, until he'd woken up here.

Right, the tech. That sure broke off this confusing daydream before it started being even more uncomfortable. Sephiroth had no idea where it had come from, not being one to so casually let his mind wander here. So instead he stuck to the conversation. Though in fact, the fact that he was sticking to a conversation with A TURK was odd in itself.

"There isn't anyway to open it. You'll probably give yourself a headache trying to figure out how to as well - knowing this place."

"That's a bit defeatist."

Really, who was this man? His behaviors were so far out from what she had both heard and expected - or really experienced. How could a man go from wanting to make her a Turk-ka-bob and so very eager to cause her pain and suffering to...actually sounding like her safety was actually worth concern. And, more than that, the lack of recognition at the mention of Scarlet... If she could think this through, surely the puzzle pieces would come together.

But that level of attention was difficult to assume in the current circumstances. Where she ought to be thinking about the tape player and what the admins were in the process of doing with them, she was instead in a bit of amazed wonderment that she had actually touched his hands. That the leather hadn't caused that instantaneous recoil that she had thought would have come. Or the fact that there was a warmth that ebbed from those palms that she could feel in that brief contact.

"You're probably right, but... I think I'll just keep a hold of this for a little while."

Hands moved with deft precision, pulling at the lapel of her jacket to allow her hand enough room to tuck the recorder into some unseen pocket within her suit jacket. She's not averted her gaze, which had been holding steady in watching the slight changes in expression, during their conversation and had picked up how his hair tended to fall over his right eye a little more than the left. And that his eyelashes were much longer than half the women she knew. Who knew that one of the greatest First Class SOLIDERs in all of Midgar's history was really so ~~attractive~~ ~~no, wait, good looking~~ ~~ugh, no! Hot~~ ~~What....the hell...~~

"We should get moving..." And a pause later after realizing what what she just said. "I mean, its dangerous for us to be wandering the halls alone right now. Gaia only knows what these recorders are supposed to do. Being a pair - I mean, going toget- having a backup would be smart during times like this. Would you agree?"

"Not really. It-"

It's not defeatist. It's not a fight I can win. Would be something-like he would say in return but he stopped himself, oddly it didn't feel like he needed to defend himself right now. Sephiroth never gives up. Though if he had any choice in this particular fight, he wouldn't be fighting it. He would never put himself forward for a challenge he didn't think he would excel in, his excellence makes up a large portion of his self-pride. He detests being played with-

Sephiroth lowered his gaze from Elena's face at that thought and glared at the tape recorder in her hands as if his gaze alone might explode it. Undoubtedly this was another game, the question now was what for. Elena might as well have been talking to a wall just then, but then - hang on, what was she doing even thinking to take that thing with her. Sephiroth's softer expression and smile soon fall into a deep furrow of eyebrows as he frowns, still glaring at the tape recorder as if he could see it through her clothing. He clearly thought that taking that thing along with them was a bad idea.

Them? Realization lit up green eyes like lightning as they both seemed to click into the same conclusion. He had just - no, this didn't make any sense - but she had thought the same as well? That tape recorder, could it be, well he couldn't very well leave her alone with it now if she persisted in carrying it around. What if something happened? Sephiroth hadn't meant to kill her that first time and quite strangely he now found that he felt as though he owed her at least a little for that. What could it hurt just for a little while? It's not like it could be a ShinRa trick when they weren't even on Gaia anymore. After a hanging silence his silver crowned head nodded in agreement.

"There is safety in numbers. Just-" -don't get in my way? The thought of saying that didn't feel right anymore, she's a Turk surely she could handle a few monsters should they appear. Sephiroth made a point of tearing his gaze away from those honey-colored eyes again ~~what was it with them being drawn there all the time~~ and forced himself to take a few steps away from her, further down the corridor where he had been heading. "-let me know where you need to go?"

There was a purpose to her forced feeling of discomfort and awkwardness by watching him so closely. It was because she was able to pick up on those visual cues and changes in demeanor. The way that his expression changed as the tape recorder found its home inside her jacket, settling uncomfortably against her chest. So, there was something there – there were signs of actual concern. It was hard to miss, the way the lines of the brow formed and, well, that very obvious frown. But it didn't make sense. Where did this concern come from and why now? ~~And why did it matter?~~

Her attention is diverted when he speaks, and her head nods at his words. It was relieving that he had picked up on her message despite her rather sad way it was presented. Though, it was hard to ignore the way the silence would settle or how being in the same space seemed to make the air grow thicker, heavier. Teeth bit at the inside of her lip, pinching at the flesh, before a noise of surprise ~~and something that might have been heartbreak~~ when he walked off. Footsteps echoed against the walls, bringing her closer until she was walking at his side, giving him a haughty look.

"Don't wander too far, General," she spoke, the formality not spoken in sarcasm for once, but skirting dangerously close to a teasing affection. She almost touches him, hand outstretched to grab him by his arm, but stops short and, instead, moves to brush her hair over her shoulder. "I was headed to the cafeteria. Its been roughly 18 hours since I last ate. What about you?

As if by reflex, Sephiroth's arm snatched out and grabbed Elena's forearm suddenly. He wasn't one for dancing around urges that's for sure and she was treading on very thin ice. Thin ice that might not have a great lake underneath it that would kill, but bruise perhaps.

"Don't-" Was growled through gritted teeth. Then, after a pause, as if realizing that he was still gripping her arm with no action, Sephiroth let go just as suddenly. Talk about reigning in your temper. He knows how violent he can fly off the handle and he didn't want to hurt Elena. This time? The few seconds spent thinking about it made his stomach turn a little at the concept of even the way he had grabbed at her. He took a steadying breath, being far too transparent again.

"Don't call me that." Sephiroth repeated, a lot calmer in tone. "It's not a good nickname." He'd stopped to turn around and look over her again, as if his eyes hadn't drank in enough of her the first time. As if something might have changed suddenly. Another few moments of silence passed.

"The Cafeteria then..." It was almost as if Sephiroth were trying to change the subject, to focus on something tangible rather than these whirling, unknown feelings he kept thinking about. He would wait for her to lead the way.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

015 | "Bad Romance"

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