towerofanimus | Log 23 | Forever to keep one step ahead...

Entry tags:

Log 23 | Forever to keep one step ahead...

Characters: A: Sephiroth & Ganondorf [Closed], B: Sephiroth & Sheba [Closed], C: Sephiroth & YOU [Open]
Setting: 22nd July, Afternoon. A: Floor 75, B: Floor 81, C: Floor 38
Format: Action, can switch
Summary: Sephiroth offloads his latest acquisition onto Ganondorf for 'safe keeping', Encounters Sheba on the way back and then eventually settles in the Floor 38 Lounge to do some reading.
Warnings: None specific yet, usual Sephiroth violence-warning applies.

A: Floor 75 [Closed to Ganondorf]
[There isn't much time. He's already spent an entire night of sleeplessness pondering this fact.

A fool would think that they weren't already onto him. Between his network post which initiated the boycott nearly two weeks ago, his own shadow of a retrieval unit always watching and the cameras between the Infirmary and the Dormitories there is no way they don't know he's got it. Or at least, if there was any doubt, whomever looked on the network already today would know as well, courtesy of a certain loud mouthed girl - he should have cut her tongue out instead of outright killing her. Sephiroth is certain there are others within the Tower who will be looking for him as well, soon enough.

Even without Yukiko's little broadcast Sephiroth knows he can't hold onto this treasure. As precious and as crucial to him as it is, as it will prove to be; it needs to be put somewhere safe. Somewhere hidden, or at least as hidden within the Glamour as he, or rather someone he knows can possibly make it.

In order to gain as much distance as possible from the stairwell, and any other prying eyes, Sephiroth had taken to the air as soon as he stepped onto this floor. He waits hovering, one large black wing beating at the air intermittently as if it were really keeping him afloat, level to but not too near to the top-most platform of the Tower within the Tower. Both arms wrapped unrelentingly around that blasted container, wrapped in a bed sheet and with his jacket pulled around it as much as he can make it.]

B: Floor 81 [Closed to Sheba]
[Is he supposed to feel lighter now? He doesn't.

Who would have thought that he'd had to ask Ganondorf for help. It prickles at his pride like an unwelcome stitch that he doesn't have the means to conceal anything in the Tower, well as much as anything could be concealed here. Ifrits-hell such tactics are not his usual forte, but going down furiously defending that thing certainly wasn't an option. He'd be right back where he started with nothing to show for it - or worse.

Sephiroth presses the button to call the elevator but then wanders away from it more into the lounge area of this floor. As ever his gaze drawn to the window before he realized he was doing it. He blinks harshly and forces his gaze away. It's just a wall, there might well be something out there but it's probably not the beauteous cosmos that it appears to be. The ghost of broken hands cramps his knuckles momentarily and he takes the moment to crack them.

He shouldn't linger, he knows it won't be long before his supervisor catches up to him --he's been lucky enough to have learned how lose him on stairwells quite well. Sephiroth turns and strides back towards the doors to the elevator-]

C: Floor 38 [Open]
[Having retreated back up to his dormitory via the showers Sephiroth has resolved to grab a book and head for the less residential lounge. He seldom makes the effort to climb all the stairs from the 21st Floor but by that fact alone, it might earn him some privacy. To finally try to place the recognizable voice that he hears every time he reads through this poem book; the name always escaping him always and plummeting into a great black hole of a missing memory. There was a red head who had lived here once, with a similar tone to her voice but it wasn't quite a match.

Sephiroth's expression, as he lays back across one of the sofas reading is one of concentration - as if he were studying some complicated science, or trying to learn a new language just by reading the words. That retrieval unit lurks nearby, and every so often Sephiroth will force himself to look away from the book to make sure it hasn't switched into grab mode. It's paranoid and he hates it, but he's expecting it.]

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[Privacy is not something Sephiroth is going to be getting at the moment. As soon as Ryoji finished comforting Yukiko, he returned to his dorm, took one of Diarmuid's training swords (hopefully he'll be finished with it before Diarmuid noticed it was gone), and started walking through each floor, one by one, searching for the man to blame for this. He usually wouldn't be so reckless, especially after what Sephiroth had done to him not too long ago, but Yukiko...

She had been so guilty, so apologetic, so miserable. She blamed herself for getting hurt, and for upsetting Ryoji. He had to prove to her that wasn't the truth. Sephiroth was the only one to blame... and anyone who made Yukiko that upset needed to pay.

He spots Sephiroth on the sofa, and slowly approaches him, mouth set in a firm line. He's not going to back down, no matter what happens. He needs to be brave this time.]

[Fortunatly for Ryoji, the sofa isn't facing the direction he's approaching from at all. In fact if not for the whispers of silver hair trailing over one end and his crossed boots protruding from the other he might well have missed Sephiroth entirely.

But then, the way his presence feels is probably something Ryoji wouldn't be forgetting for a long time. He has had such intimacy with the same.

Sephiroth doesn't seem to be noticing Ryoji approach either, he seems to be concentrating hard on reading his book and oblivious to what else might be going on around him. Though, Ryoji really should know better than to make that mistake.]

[He certainly knows Sephiroth's appearance is misleading. He isn't going to attempt to sneak up on him at all, because he knows he has no chance at surprising him. Besides, he might as well do this fairly, and prove he's above Sephiroth's manipulative ways.

He ends up behind Sephiroth, sword in both hands, lowered at the ground for the moment. He glares at the back of the man's head, and speaks in a cold voice, only betraying a hint of the emotion inside of him.]

Sephiroth.

[There is something of a low sigh from the man lying across the sofa and Sephiroth shuts his book. It's a sigh meant to sound as if he's being disturbed when he wants to be left alone, but really Sephiroth knew it would only be a matter of time. He doesn't even turn his head to look back at Ryoji before growling out an answer.]

What do you want?

[He's ever so good at inviting violence-]

[Ryoji isn't phased by that growl, though normally, he'd back off. This time, whatever small amounts of self-preservation within him are completely overcome by his desire for revenge, and his protectiveness of Yukiko. He can't let someone this cruel continue on the way he has been without consequence.]

I want you to stop hurting the people close to me. Yukiko did nothing to you. There's no reason to bring her into this!

I can't stop those that would ignore a warning.

[Book is placed carefully on the floor next to the sofa and then Sephiroth turns his head for a moment. Just enough to catch a glimpse of Ryoji over his shoulder armor; it doesn't seem that he can see the training sword since it's pointed at the ground.]

She asked for it. Loudly.

She wouldn't ask for it. You were just looking for an excuse to hurt her!

And anyone who hurts the people I care about doesn't deserve a warning.

[He raises the sword and immediately thrusts it at Sephiroth. A reckless move, but Ryoji isn't listening to reason right now.]

[Not only did Yukiko get in his face, she had outed him in front of all those others that had been in that usually-locked room. Not to mention whatever monitoring equipment the Administration had in there at the time, not that they'd be surprised at his actions towards Ryoji at all considering.

Such idiocy couldn't go without punishment, and he'd got out with what he wanted alright.

Sephiroth hasn't the time to reply to Ryoji at all, but almost as if hearing the boys' thought processes Sephiroth reacts to the sword thrust just in time. Issuing forth a telekinetic wave to meet with the thrust of the training sword. Strong enough to knock Ryoji into the air and backwards onto the floor while the silver haired man got to his feet.]

You love-addled fool. I warned her, just as I warned you. And just like you she ignored me.

[Sephiroth's eyes narrowed as he took two strides towards Ryoji and aimed a powerful kick to the stomach.]

I wonder when you are going to start to listen to me.

[Ryoji, on the other hand, doesn't find that move idiotic. She was upset and emotional about the way things had turned out, so of course she lashed out. Not only that, but she had wanted to protect the others in the group and warn them about someone who doesn't deserve an ounce of trust with something so integral to their survival here.

Still, she had done it in front of him, which was dangerous... about as dangerous as Ryoji confronting Sephiroth without telling anyone of his plans. So maybe he and Yukiko are both somewhat reckless, at least when it comes to the people they care about. When Sephiroth does things like that, they don't exactly think before reacting.

So even when Ryoji gets knocked back, he doesn't regret his decision. He's doing this for Yukiko, and whatever pain he feels doesn't matter.

He slams into the ground, letting out a strangled cry and just barely maintaining his grip on the training sword. The impact made it difficult to get up too quickly, and so he's only halfway to his feet when he gets the wind knocked out of him by the kick to his gut. He chokes, falling back down to a sitting position, but he glares up at Sephiroth, still determined.]

I won't ever listen to you. You made me listen to you before, and I'm not being your puppet ever again.

Trust me. When I need you all to listen to me, you will. It will be impossible not to.

Great things can be achieved with co-operation.

[He tries not to spit that last word out, and therefore almost sounds enthusiastic. Some of his belief in the power of the masses has been restored in recent days after all, if only he could get that under his thumb - the things that could be achieved.

Sephiroth makes a grab for the end of the training sword and rips it from Ryoji's grip. Swinging it up and around his head like one would a sledgehammer before bring it down onto Ryoji. Physical strength only though, for now.]

We're all stronger than you think. Plenty of people here have control over themselves. I made myself an easy target, but not anymore. And no one else is like that-

[His speech is cut off when the sword is wrenched out of his grip, and he yelps as the sword hits him. That's definitely going to bruise, if not break something, but Ryoji is too angry to care. He scrambles up to his feet, and suddenly is enveloped in blinding light, before Thanatos appears, already roaring. He charges in with a real blade this time, aiming to cut into Sephiroth's side.]

[Sure, direct manipulation like he pulled off with Ryoji is very rare to gain a mastery of. In fact after Nesir had killed him, the connection he'd generated with Ryoji had been shattered. Much like anything, once it was reset by death it'd have to all be recovered again. The reason why Sephiroth doesn't go all-out in the Gymnasium anymore like he used to; a punchbag is good for venting but what point was there pumping weights if at no notice you could have all of that work resulting in nothing.

One could argue whether knowing the truth about Glamour is really a strength. It certainly knocks self-preservation off being a priority. Perhaps that was the problem here overall - no one fears him as they have no reason to fear death. None of it is real.

Sephiroth holds the training sword from delivering it's next strike as Ryoji clambers to his feet. He remembers that light very well and a light smirk creases his features as he drops the training blade now on the floor.

There was only seconds to react before Thanatos was charging at him with it's own blade. Sephiroth side-stepping away from the edge of it and smoothly summoning Masamune as well to block the strike. It's powerful though and the reverberation powers right up the blade into Sephiroth's arms. He does manage to tighten his grip and stop it becoming a problem though as he lunges forward into the blocked slash - attempting to get a leg behind Thanatos' and make the angry beast lose it's footing.]

[Even if that manipulation is gone, and even though it seems as if Sephiroth is no longer able to achieve the level of control he had on Ryoji before, he’s still worried. He doesn’t want anyone else getting hurt because of those abilities, which is why he rushed so recklessly into this fight.

Self-preservation wasn’t even a priority before, and now that death isn’t permanent, Ryoji will get himself into all sorts of avoidable situations if it means protecting those he loves.

The monster growls and pushes against the blade, his strength much more of a match for Sephiroth now. The Persona can hover slightly, so Sephiroth’s plan doesn’t succeed, but he is at least pushed back slightly, forced to back up and attempt another swing of the blade.]

[Sephiroth too backs up, to give him the extra room needed to make a successful block with Masamune - needing to keep both hands on the great blade's hilt to deliver the strength needed to counter this incredible force that is Thanatos.

He knows better than to try to keep their blades locked though and at the first opportunity Sephiroth retreats again and takes this time a lower slash for the monsters legs.

Finally a challenge that matches one of his caliber.]

[Ryoji can't help but feel a flare of grim satisfaction when Sephiroth is forced to retreat, and of course, that's one big mistake for him. He's not nearly skilled enough, hasn't trained long enough or fought enough battles to realize that he can't compliment himself until the battle is done. He's let his guard down, and that means that he doesn't have enough time to move out of the way of the slash.

The blade leaves a long cut along his left leg, and Thanatos howls and charges forward again. With his injury muting his strength and muddling his thought processes, however, Sephiroth should easily be able to handle him.]

[Sephiroth on the other hand is ~~over-~~confident, and skilled enough to know that he can win this fight. It had just taken a few crucial moments to adjust to the change in the type of foe he was facing.

He gracefully dodges around Thanatos as it mindlessly charges forwards, with an accompanied feigned slash to it's head. Though as Thanatos gets past Sephiroth he flips Masamune around in his grip and follows with a uppercut slash, turning to face his opponent again in the process. The finer edge at the end of Masamune slipping in a single motion up the monsters back.]

[The monster howls in pain as dark black blood drips from his back. For the slightest second, Ryoji appears again, but blink and Thanatos is back again, spinning around with his blade ready to slice through Sephiroth.

The cut on his back is quickly weakening him though, and the monster is panting with each attack it makes. If Sephiroth doesn't hit him again, after a few minutes, Thanatos' form will flicker more rapidly, and eventually fade.]

[Now it is a waiting game, clearly the monster is tiring with each drop of it's black blood onto the floor behind it. It's heavy panting with each attempted slash at Sephiroth becomes more and more distinctive as the silver haired warrior continues to dodge and parry but does not make another attack in the meantime.

Once the form has faded back to Ryoji only, Sephiroth steps back and brings Masamune around and then settled the hilt up level with his shoulder again. The arch of the blade ready and waiting to see if Ryoji would still rush for him.

He's no qualms in killing the boy, in a swift uppercut should he make the move.]

[It's unfortunate for Ryoji that a lot of the attacks he suffered while in his alternate form have carried over. He has cuts and bruises all over his body, and he's looking a little pale from the blood loss. He's hunched over, both arms curled around his side, where he had been kicked down. He's certainly not in a state for fighting, and even if he wanted to try, he has no weapon.

He stumbles a step forward, groans quietly, and then falls to his knees, struggling to catch his breath. If he hurries to find a healer, he should be alright, but he has no idea if Sephiroth will let him go or will just end him now when he has the chance.]

[Sephiroth spends a moment just watching the broken and bleeding boy now on his knees before him. Sadism demands Sephiroth to make the boy beg for his life and then take it away anyway, but he refrains. If he knows anything about Ryoji and his stubbornness he knows he won't get that pleasure and it's only going to leave a sour taste in his mouth after the inevitable.

Despite how unreal death really is here - perhaps if he kept killing Ryoji eventually the boy would learn. Sephiroth leans back a little and then delivers a kick to Ryoji's torso to knock him on his back, following through with a step as he turns Masamune in a giant arch and then brings the pincer down two handed to finally stab at that same body of flesh.]

[Ryoji keeps glaring at Sephiroth, wishing he could somehow find one last burst of energy and cast Megidola. An explosion like that would surely wipe the smug grin off of Sephiroth's face.

Yet he knows he's been beaten, even before he's kicked down. It doesn't stop a strangled cry escaping from his lips as he hits the ground, becoming almost a sob as the sword plunges through his body. He only has a few seconds of life left, he knows... He'll come back soon, but he's still worried. He can only hope no one notices his absence... He doesn't care about dying as long as no one knows.

He chokes on the blood pooling in his mouth, filling up his lungs, and the spark of anger in his eyes quickly fades away as the rise and fall of his chest stills.]

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Log 23 | Forever to keep one step ahead...

C of course

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