Log 021 | I warned you

[neverbeamemory]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comments

1) Dorm 4-16

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji hardly sleeps during the night. He doesn't really need to, and he has developed a bit of insomnia over the months. Easier to just stay awake than suffer nightmares.

At one of the rare moments when Ryoji's body can no longer handle the lack of energy, he passes out, actually having a fairly restful sleep for about an hour.

Until the voice cuts through his subconscious, and he's shocked awake.

He knows the voice immediately, even if he's unsure where it's coming from. After a moment of staring into the shadows in the corners of the dorm room, he hisses out a response.]

What are you talking about? I haven't done anything.

[Telepathic]

[neverbeamemory]

Don't be so modest. You've been everything and more that I could have hoped for.

[He might be able to feel that light chuckle.]

Who'd have thought this could be so much fun.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji shivers, but keeps glaring around the room.]

I don't know what you were hoping for, and this isn't fun. Now where are you?

[neverbeamemory]

Who'd have thought that your own pitiful state of mind would leave you so open. It's been most enlightening, these last few weeks.

That would be telling. There are so many places within this Tower.

[notsogrimreaper]

I don't understand... Are you saying this is my fault?

[His anger fades slightly, to be replaced with a sense of worry and guilt.]

[neverbeamemory]

You've had this coming for a long time, Ryoji-chan.

[Yes, he's picked this up from Tohko and yes he's using it to let you know that.]

I only didn't have the means beforehand.

[notsogrimreaper]

Are you still upset about that? I didn't say anything to anyone.

[That was a lie. Diarmuid knew part of what had happened, and may have figured the rest out on his own. Ryoji can only hope Sephiroth won't be able to discover the truth.]

[neverbeamemory]

You'll figure it out.

[Foolish Ryoji, did you really think it'd be only that one time you have slighted him? Not that Sephiroth knows you're lying right now, he's not looking for truths right now.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Does it have to do with when I made fun of you? That was ages ago, and I didn't mean to.

[Though of course he'd never want to take that back now, he'll pretend he regrets it if only to protect his friends.]

[culbutiri]

[Nesir moved from form to form. Her face was still scarred but she was doing her best to pretend it wasn't, at least it was no longer bleeding after she had died of the rumour.

She was preoccupied by her practice but not so much to not see Ryoji watching her. She smiled and waved.] Do you be wanting to be practicing together?

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji had come to the gymnasium in some sort of attempt to focus. He'd been left paranoid practically all day, glancing over his shoulder constantly, giving startled shouts whenever he thought he'd seen Sephiroth. He knew from what Tohko said, though, that this had to be an illusion. He was being toyed with, and he knew it. The thought made him so frustrated...

Thankfully, he remembered Diarmuid's suggestions, just when they had started training. Learning to fight helped strengthen self-control and willpower. They had been talking about Ryoji's alternate forms at the time, but the same had to be true here. If anything, it will help him feel a little less hopeless.

Still, he can't explain why he paused to stare at Nesir. They were friends, of course, but he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. If he wanted to spend time with her, he'd try saying something, not just watching from a distance. Once she speaks, though, he manages a nod and smile.]

Ah, if you want. I'm not too good yet, though. I use a sword, too. Is that-

[He trails off once he notices the scars.]

Nesir, what happened to you?

[culbutiri]

That do no be mattering, you should be practicing against different weapons, you will no just be fighting other sword users. [She smiled at him, she had her own reasons for wanting practice against a sword. She was planning on beating Lancelot in a spar one day.

Her smile drops though and she shrugs] Nothing, I did be doing something stupid, but it do no be mattering.

[notsogrimreaper]

Well, I guess that's true...

[He still doesn't want to do anything to her, especially after seeing all those scars.]

I'm sure it wasn't stupid. Are you going to be alright? It looks really painful.

[neverbeamemory]

[Sympathy. Concern.

These aren't emotions Sephiroth knows at all, that he remembers, but he's certainly interacted with others that give a damn about their companions. It's simple enough to look inside Ryoji though for such a feeling, it's easy to uncover a recent memory of Ryoji protecting Nesir; they shared a cloak and his scarf, and he saved her from slipping.

Just as he had done with Yukiko before, that feeling Ryoji felt when he'd saved Nesir from slipping - that feeling of heroism is inflamed and easily slipped into the exchange here.

However Nesir had gotten those scars, she must be protected from being hurt anymore. They look really painful, so they must be - she would undoubtedly refuse the help, but being stubborn will not do.]

[culbutiri]

It did be very stupid. [She grinned and shrugged] It do be nothing I can no be handling.

[Which was true] So do you be wanting to be practicing or no?

[notsogrimreaper]

...As long as you aren't lying. I really want to help if I can.

[Honestly, she didn't have to pretend to be strong all the time. Minato had acted like that before too, as well as so many others in the Tower. Ryoji always worried when someone acted like that.

He tries to keep smiling, and offers a small nod.]

Alright. I'd like to practice with you.

[neverbeamemory]

[ooc: skip this one]

4) Floor 11

[notsogrimreaper]

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

4) Floor 11

[oathshackledbird]

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

They would be useless here if they were.

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

Son, what is it?

[slightlyoblivious]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[notsogrimreaper]

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

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

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

Yukiko... we can talk, yes.

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

[neverbeamemory]

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

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

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

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

[oathshackledbird]

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

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

He wants Ryoji off this floor now.

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

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

[slightlyoblivious]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[notsogrimreaper]

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

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