Log 020 | Such potential... [Event log: Rumor has it]

[neverbeamemory]

Characters: Sephiroth & YOU
Setting: 19th May. Prompts in below, or anywhere on route between them (feel free to tag in with whatever rumor chaos he may encounter)
Format: 2 x Prose, 2 x Action. Will match tagger.
Summary: Rumor event gives Sephiroth that well-sought after ego boost. He returns to his Dorm to a confusing gift left for him. Later there is Ryoji mail-bombing and yet another early evening of silent focus.
Warnings: Sephiroth is his own warning. Can be prone to violence etc. Also inflated-ego warning.

Dormitory 03-02 & Dorm Hallways before/after
How satisfying the far reaching effects of his legendary willpower. This experiment into the limitations of his mind control on one not even tied to Mother's web, had proved well beyond any expectation he could have hoped for. Those words on the wall he'd past on his way to the dormitory lift that morning, had only served to further satisfy him. Of course Yukiko hadn't been able to resist Ryoji, Sephiroth hadn't given him much choice in the matter. This was perfect. There was so much potential to expand upon.

He entered the Dormitory but then paused not more than a few feet from the doorway. There was a small, around only 15 cm rough wooden carving of a tree left on his bed. Resting on the well-made sheets that he'd left that morning when he'd ventured out. After peering around the room after any one of his room mates that might be able to inform him who put it there, Sephiroth approached the edge of this bed.

A tree. What relevance was this supposed to hold for him? Just as his gloved hand paused from lifting the strange carving he spotted a piece of paper folded underneath. His expression dropped suspiciously as he lifted the note out first and unfolded it, though he needn't have automatically attached such concern to it.

Will you be stop being silly and be forgiving me already?
It was unsigned but it wouldn't take Sephiroth more than two beats to realize who it had to have been from. He held the wooden carving in his other hand, spending not more than a few moments taking in it's details before placing it down on the bedstand. He turned his attention to the note once more. This had been the second such note he'd received with regards to his time as a drone. But whilst he understood, and to a certain extent had accepted, Hidetoshi's very well written, apologetic letter due to the need for them to co-exist within the same four walls - Nesir was a different thing entirely.

She too had laughed at him along with Ryoji. And despite all of the mess that kid had left behind, she'd still returned to be friends with him, he knows this for a fact. Sephiroth doesn't understand the reason why Nesir would be so desperate for his forgiveness; but then, maybe she wasn't as naive as all that. It would serve anyone's purpose well, to remain in his good graces. Though, curiosity piqued, Sephiroth headed back out into the hallway, bound for the floor with that specific tree.
 
 ----

That tree, Forest floor 6
whether Nesir would be there or not, Sephiroth headed out from the stairwell into the Forest. Though the last time he'd made this journey he had been a great deal wetter, both in the literal sense and with regards to his mood. He was in comparatively high-spirits now, thanks to his latest exploits and he fancied that he felt more whole than he had done in a long time. He felt proud again. Part of him hoped that the rest of the Tower knew that.

It would take a few stops at similar looking trees, and a few stops to fend off the indigenous wildlife before he came to the trunk of that tree, the one that he believes she'd symbolized in her carving. Where they had sat for several hours simply tolerating each others' company for the most part. Before that embarrassing infiltration, before Ryoji had become such an issue. Sheltering from the rain.

It's somewhat beyond Sephiroth why on earth this would have meant anything to Nesir, he's not exactly the more forthcoming of people to spend time with. For quite some time, he would stand there gazing up into the branches of the tree as if there was some clue there. Pausing from his thoughts only long enough to cut down any monster or mutated creature that would approach.

----

Mailroom Fl 78
[Later on that day, Sephiroth can be found riding the elevator up to the 81st and then descending the stairwell to the mailroom. He doesn't have a mailbox but that doesn't stop him from sending messages to anyone who does. Just give your note to a worker unit and say the persons name. Who'd even want a mailbox anyway.

Though, until now, he's had to give two notes over when he's wanted to offer a comment to his mark. But it seems there is only one Ryoji left in the Tower now. Well isn't that convenient.]

----

Lounge Fl 81 (Evening)
[As quite usual, Sephiroth can be found early in the evening sat in the middle of Floor 81. He's moved whatever furniture was in the way and killed whatever monsters were needed to in order to secure the floor (the corpses wouldn't be too far away). He is settled down cross-legged to gather his thoughts and continue that so-important sharpening of his focus and by extension those powers that he's only just starting to play with here. He seems oblivious to anyone who might approach him from behind, but it might feel as if he's still watching you as if he's eyes on the back of his silver head as well.

Those that are sensitive to detecting mental/physic fluctuations may well be able to tell that Sephiroth is meditating in order to focus his power in on itself for some reason. Though his mind itself is impenetrable; you'd have to ask.]

Comments

81

[lightofhumanity]

[It had been a very bizarre day for chaos, with the writings on the wall and the fact that he kept believing in various scribblings, even if one thought them silly. He had even avoided people for a good portion of the day, believing that his collar was going to force him to become a living bomb.

So, looking for some rest, chaos had come up to the lounge to view the stars..but saw and sensed Sephiroth. While it had been awhile since the two had crossed paths, chaos remembered him..and sensed the person focusing his power on itself. A bit curious, chaos couldn't help but ask.]

What are you preparing yourself for, if you do not mind my asking?

[neverbeamemory]

[At first it might seem as if Sephiroth was either ignoring chaos or didn't hear him. Nothing changed in the way he was sitting, or the way that he was channeling power either.

But then turning it down as one might turn down noise from a stereo, Sephiroth drew himself out of his inner-focusing a few levels and at least vocally acknowledged that he wasn't alone in the room now. He recognized the person behind him though couldn't recall a name just yet.]

It's important to always be prepared.

[lightofhumanity]

[chaos felt that tuning-down, but didn't comment on it.]

That is true, especially in this place. However, most people prepare for a reason, because they think that something is coming.

[neverbeamemory]

[It remains much more of a background-noise level as Sephiroth continues to engage in the conversation presented. He's no reason to hide what he's capable of but he doesn't want to overdo it; the headaches from splitting ones focus too many times can be agony.]

I prepare because I can and to do otherwise would be to become complacent.

[And this is a power he hasn't utilized much at all during his residence in the Tower. Until recently.]

[lightofhumanity]

Perhaps. That is one way of looking at the situation.

[There were a few other ways, since there were many different people in this Tower, but chaos wasn't going to elaborate unless Sephiroth wanted him to.]

Floor 6

[warriorscribe]

*Enoch comes by, inadvertently announcing his presence when he's out of range of a powers-disabling creature, his armor reforming with a white glow. He doesn't even notice Sephiroth until he's almost out of the adjacent trees.

He's bloodied a bit, but not from his own veins; he's carrying an armful of bullfairy corpses.*

That's an odd place to rest. This level can be dangerous.

[neverbeamemory]

[A sudden white glow within the surrounding trees would certainly catch his attention as Sephiroth knew better than to let his thoughts wander too much on this floor. He's had many an exhausting hunt here, especially at night when there are all manner of things lurking about.

He notices the blood but doesn't pay it any mind; there are a few bits of his recent kills scattered around no doubt as well. Probably doing nothing to help to keep other types away.

However he does pause when Enoch gets close enough for Sephiroth to see what exactly he's carrying. His expression narrows into curiosity before melting back into his usual, cool facade.]

I've noticed. [Smirk. He enjoys the dangerous places a little too much.] Says the one carrying the fresh meat around.

[warriorscribe]

I won't be on this level for long.

*And then his armor vanishes again.

In his other hand, he holds a sling already loaded with a stone. He's turned around to watch the trees he came from...

And sure enough, one of the forest's rabbits, already sporting a bloody wound on its head, comes hopping out, seeming a little dazed. Enoch takes a step back and puts as much of his strength as he can into the sling, a downward throw aimed right at the rabbit - it strikes it midair as it lunges and the now unconscious rabbit hits Enoch's legs harmlessly. With a stomp to its neck, he kills it, and his armor reforms. He drapes the sling over his shoulder and reaches down to pick up a couple of the bullfairies that had dropped.*

...Not as long as I can help it, that is. Why are you resting here of all places?

[neverbeamemory]

[Eyebrow raised from the moment the armour had vanished, Sephiroth calmly observes Enoch dispatch the mutated rabbit. He's seen the end of too many monsters in this place to be surprised at a sudden attack, though Enoch's quick reflexes with a slingshot are noted. Masamune is not present in reality for now, though Sephiroth does know if Enoch hadn't been capable, he'd have had to kill it with his bare hands.]

I- [Sephiroth pauses. Not exactly sure why he'd taken the hint so literally from Nesir to seek out the tree. Clearly she wanted to talk to him but actually was he done hating her?] - I think I'm supposed to be meeting someone here.

Floor 6

[culbutiri]

He might have not got the hint, but she figured she would wait up here anyways in case he did and came.

She saw him approach and look up, she dropped down from the high branches to perch just above his head. "There you do be being, I did be about to be giving up."

[neverbeamemory]

So had it been a peace offering, or just a token by which she could prove she could get his attention enough to come all the way down here? He doesn't like the idea of anyone being able to summon him, in any way.

Sephiroth wasn't sure which one to believe, and so wouldn't make a judgment right away though it was already making him feel less than comfortable considering Nesir's current affiliation affection concerning Ryoji. Did she know? No that was impossible for her to. He hasn't even begun to really pull as his new puppet-strings yet, only test them.

"I didn't expect you to actually be here." He lifted his head to look up at her. Much less waiting for his forgiveness, but Sephiroth didn't say that one, his ego is inflating itself fine today without the need to say that out aloud.

[culbutiri]

"So why did you be coming?" Her voice was curious as she hooked her legs around the branch and swung upside down so she was facing Sephiroth.

It was a lot easier when it wasn't raining.

[neverbeamemory]

Tree climbing. Well he already knew that it's a hobby of hers.

Sephiroth shook his head a little at her, not really seeing much point in her antics but her question caused him to pause. A beat later to look away. Already over and over on his way down here, and in the time he's spent waiting beside one tree or another, he's considered why he's come all the way down here.

To get an answer from her? To try to settle exactly whether or not he was still hating her from the events of the previous month? Truth was, he feels a lot better now than he had on that night when he'd told her he hadn't decided yet. He would never feel the same again, but there was nothing to be done but to bury it and move on. Letting it cloud his judgment is counter-productive.

"You left me a carving." His eyes were still unable to move to meet hers from a focus point on a nearby bush. "I wanted to know why."

61st Floor

[xroyal_bratx]

[ while Sephiroth stepped onto the floor, Ishtar was already lurking somewhere in it, testing out her sword again to make sure things would work smoothly. Sidia had not been stained with blood since she had it at home, but because it had been a life and death situation, she had used it to its fullest extent.

She still thought that the weapon had some sort of ability to understand her and help her, even though it wasn't exactly possible. She believed it only because Ruelles were made from the souls of living creatures. Sidia had souls of vampires molded into it with heavy magic. There was no way it would not be somewhat alive. She closed her eyes, testing one of the spells that Yujinn had taught her a long time ago. A defensive spell, creating a sort of barrier as the words flowed from her mouth quickly, enveloping her in an invisible barrier until she moved Sidia to destroy it.

It still worked. She smiled. ]

I can always count on you, Sidia. [ That and she needed some time to gather herself together because Darres was here. ]

6th Floor

[neverbeamemory]

[Between the trees, near to the one he'd sought out - which he thought was the same one as Nesir's carving (though really it could be any one of these!) Sephiroth thought he spotted someone he recognized but from that distance it was unclear, but as ever being curious to the skills of others in the Tower he drew closer.

Noting the magic being used, and it's caster, Sephiroth couldn't resist to comment. He knew Ishtar was versed in healing magics, having been the recipient of those on a few occasions already. It was good to know she was advancing into support magics as well.]

You're doing well.

6th Floor

[xroyal_bratx]

[ Another swing of Sidia and it was enveloped in some sort of strange light before she turned around surprised at the sudden approach. She was getting used to noticing people from time to time, but she also sometimes allowed herself to let her guard down.

It had been a few weeks to a month or more since she had seen Sephiroth. Their bizarre adventure was something she wouldn't forget so easily. ]

Sephiroth!?

[ She lowered her weapon and then laughed. ]

Ah, am I really?

6th Floor

[neverbeamemory]

[He relaxed his stance, that had been an automatic reaction to her surprise, when she lowered her weapon. You never know anymore in this Tower whether anyone, even the other residents you might know, would suddenly attack you without reason.

He'd taken that chance when he'd made the comment. He's sure he could have handled it. Ishtar with a sword though? This was new.

He cracked a smirk at her comment and nodded.]

Though I may have been mistaken considering the distance away. New sword, new magic, certainly seems you are getting stronger.

Forest Floor 6

[gomu_ningen]

[Sephiroth's keen ears had to have heard it, the rustling and strange chewing sound from the branches above. Among the lush and greenery above him swung the monkey-like lad, swaying from branch to branch with a large piece of meat stuck between his teeth.

Coming to rest upon a large, stable limb, Luffy sat and began to eat his prize as he looked down to the ground below.

Huh, that's weird. That silver and black guy looks familiar.., he ponders.]

[neverbeamemory]

[The latest rabbit that had lunged from the undergrowth at him was kicked squarely into the trunk of the tree. The way that the wildlife here disabled powers was an inconvenience for sure, though Sephiroth didn't need his blade to kill things. It just made it easier.

In the silence that followed Sephiroth could hear a strange cacophony of noises coming from above his head. After a cautious look around his more immediate vicinity he peered up into the branches. Luffy has a unique look about him also and Sephiroth recognizes him on sight. Monkey D Luffy. In a tree, looking particularly Monkey-like, something in that was supposed to be surprising?

Sephiroth would observe him for only a moment before turning his attention again to his surroundings on the ground. It could be fatal even during the day to let his guard down here.]

[gomu_ningen]

[There's a sudden "woosh" of air, followed immediately with an echoing "thud" as the ground shakes under the high dive landing of Monkey D. Luffy. Standing straight as his knees bent back after absorbing his fall, the young pirate chuckled and tipped at his hat off of his eyes.

Hugging his banana bunch closely, the young man seems to have forgotten their past meeting, or at least the end result of it.]

"Hey, Sephiroth! Fighting monsters in the forest again?"

[neverbeamemory]

THUD

[Sephiroth snapped his attention instantly back in Luffy's direction when he landed, Masamune raised ready to strike. It could have been a monster that jumped out of the tree at him!

It had taken a great deal of willpower to reign in the reflexive urge to strike right there and then, but lucky for Luffy - he's in control enough to hold back.]

"Luffy." [He said as if to clarify some inner part of him that his guy isn't a threat. Then he lowered the great blade with a grunt.] "Monsters are a given on this floor."

81

[planetcrusher]

[This floor happened to be a favorite of Miss Nanaya's, even if she'd only recently discovered it. It's hard to resist such an epic view and especially when its so gorgeous at each and every time of day - though the clouds and the stars in the dead of night had to have been the best as they're absolutely badass in her opinion. Recent stirrings of strange rumors and other happenings remind her of Link's wise words regarding something big coming on the horizon and how she shouldn't tell anyone, which is exactly why she's taken to keeping to herself for now.

Or at least, that was the plan until she runs into him.

She's only really seen Sephiroth once before, though anyone with half a brain would be able to tell this guy's no good. She's done her homework snooping around the network as well, making her rather savvy about the whole "Don't mess with Sephiroth or Ganondorf" schpeel. And while she could've very well left the floor as soon as she had come, something compels her to stay, as if he were watching her the entire time... Leaving would've been the same as just high-tailing it outta here, right? A sign of weakness. That's how she feels, at the least.

Makoto approaches quietly, some random book she'd yoinked from the Library in tow as she unceremoniously slumps into a nearby chair, legs kicked up on a table]

Mornin' stranger! Lovely weather we're havin' innit?

[neverbeamemory]

[Morning? Had he been sat here that long already? It certainly didn't feel like it.

Though to be fair, this far up in the Tower there is no day and night really. They're a little too far into the atmosphere for that.

Sephiroth remains sat exactly where he has all along. All too aware of the presence behind him though it's not one he recognizes at all. Without looking he wouldn't be able to tell who it is; he's only encountered Makoto once and that was only as he had passively observed from the sidelines at Ganondorf's latest meeting. Calling it a Reunion would be to go a little too far, Mother would be insulted.

He's not about to attempt to psychically 'read' at this other presence either to determine who it is, doing so towards a complete stranger is similar to showing all the cards you hold in a game. She doesn't feel threatening at all, but again, that could be a dangerous assumption to make.

Sephiroth draws himself out of his 'trance' state enough to be able to reply, but it's not possible to see to what extent he's fully conscious or not. In truth, he's controlled much like a bunched up spring; ready to be released into whatever action was necessary at a seconds notice.]

You're sure it's morning?

[planetcrusher]

The clouds just scream 'morning' to me y'know? Kinna like that bristling, itchy feeling your tail gets when you're in danger! Dont'cha ever wonder how squirrels always manage to hide in just the right spot behind a tree so that you can never spot 'em? We've got a sixth sense! Pretty baller, but prrrrroooobbbbaaabbbllllyyy not the right analogy to use here...

[I hope you enjoyed your meditation, Sephiroth. Because it isn't going to get much easier with her around...]

[neverbeamemory]

[Oh boy...another of these excited types.

Sephiroth mentally rolled his eyes, though his actual eyes remain closed. What is a squirrel even, he doesn't even care. Maybe if he ignores her long enough she'll burn out and get bored, leaving him in peace.]