incomplete

[divigate]

Who: Angeal Hewley (divigate) and Genesis Rhapsodos (lovelessxhero)
What: Revisiting some unwelcome history.
Where: Genesis’ apartment.
When: After this conversation

Comments

/so delayed I'm sorry <3;;;

[divigate]

Before the door opened, Angeal wasn't certain how he would be greeted. The speed at which Genesis had noticed the degradation lead him to believe that it was spreading quicker than before. He didn't know what triggered it, but the strain that the city had been through recently undoubtedly contributed. So he was somewhat relieved when heard the familiar tone that reminded him that his friend was still far from gone.

"Hello Genesis," he said casually, as if he hadn't come to discuss anything serious. From speaking with him earlier, Genesis didn't sound as if he was as hostile as the last time he'd been faced with his degradation. The fortitude and stability he showed since arriving in the city was more than Angeal might have expected. Revealing what was happening to him showed a great deal of trust that still stood between them.

Which he was hoping would last. Accepting his fate was something Genesis wouldn't be satisfied with and Angeal didn't come with any answers for him. But Angeal hadn't given up, on any of them. Perhaps he'd become more idealistic since his death; despite accumulating hardships, he still wanted to find a greater meaning for their reunion.

When he caught himself getting lost in his thoughts he shook his head in apology and gestured towards the open door. "May I came in?"

That's okay...not like I'm any faster o/

[lovelessxhero]

Being faced with such an eventuality as hopeless as his, was like standing on the edge of a cliff. The cards were face up on the table and it was a losing hand. Though as bleak as it seemed, there were choices available. Balancing between his former self and the new monster he'd discovered, it was so very easy and dangerously tempting to lean a little further towards the darker half, to give in to that rage that bubbled just underneath that quietly controlled, tranquil surface. And who knows, maybe he would have given in and taken that inevitable fall into destruction had it not been for Angeal.

It was with his childhood friend in mind that he kept himself in check, their friendship providing somewhat of an anchor that kept him clutching on to his fading identity with both hands. However, there was no telling when that chain would snap and leave him falling. All he could do was hang on for as long as possible in spite of what his mind screamed. It unnerved him to think of how far he was willing to go to survive, or failing that - for revenge. The latter was more worrying however, since plans were already beginning to formulate in his mind. Plans he hurriedly brushed aside with something akin to guilt as he stood facing Angeal.

"By all means." Genesis stepped aside, allowing Angeal to enter. In his increasingly paranoid mind, he felt his movements were a fraction of a second too late. He also felt a distinct sense of stiffness as he turned slightly, waiting patiently to close the door after Angeal had walked in.

5 years later ;;

[divigate]

Entering the apartment, Angeal felt his agitation start to slide. He observed his living space with a critical eye, as if it could tell him the future. Yet everything was peaceful inside. Perhaps the situation wasn't as grave as he had painted it to be.

"You seem to have settled," he started, already feeling the estrangement to their relationship lessen. After everything he had seen in the past few months, and all of the uncertainty he had experienced, for once he felt stable. Although it wasn’t fair, he was grateful that he had the opportunity to be there for his friend more than he able to before.

Angeal sighed and turned back to Genesis. What was happening again wasn’t his fault. Even now, he wasn’t sure if he would have discouraged Genesis from seeking revenge if the one responsible was present. But Angeal still didn’t know what he if he would be able to change if he was given the chance. Even before he knew about Project G, Angeal hadn’t expected to live a long life. And in the grand scheme, it would be difficult to weigh the good they had done as SOLDIER and the destruction that had resulted from their clones. Still, history had shown that they shouldn’t have existed and Genesis was paying that price more than any of them.

The SOLDIER owed it to him to do anything in his power to stop it. To do that, he first needed to find out what kind of condition he was in. Angeal cleared his throat, but hoped he’d get the full story without having to push too hard. “...How are you?”

He was hoping some mundane questions would transition into a more serious discussion. Finding treatment in the city would be a lot more difficult than before. But the three of them had finally had some kind of peace, and he was going to fight to hold onto it.

Lmf- <3

[lovelessxhero]

In his newly delicate condition, Genesis had both good days and bad. On a better day, his mind only seldom whispered those insecurities, dark images presented themselves in a dreary haze - non-threatening and dreamlike, and his body was able to function without retarded speed, stiffness and aches. On a worse day, the panic which continued to increase at an alarming rate within him, drowned out the rest of the burdens - it was on these days that he'd pace around his apartment, hair askew, muscles tense, eyes wide - his characteristics resembling that of a caged animal - searching in vain for a way of out this nightmare. It was on days like these that his communicator lay forgotten on the coffee table and when his only companions were the insistent beating of his heart and that wretched voice within that taunted him so.

Fortunately for them both, today was a good day.

Well, as good as he can hope for it to be, anyway. His outward appearance was presentable enough, more than concealing the mess that lay underneath and so was the apartment. He followed Angeal’s gaze, noted the approval and mentally - almost smugly - congratulated himself on a job well done. His living quarters had been subjected to his frustrations more times than he cared to remember but after each violent outburst, Genesis had made sure to clean up and replace anything that had been broken in the rampage. Genesis was many things, a slob he was not. Anything that wasn’t perfect within his vicinity would never do. Such irony, as he, himself was far from it.

“Something like that.” A small smile played on his lips as he watched Angeal, standing in the middle of the living room with his straight posture and solemn expression. His presence made the room seem smaller, somehow. Genesis wasn’t a small man - however he had lost quite a bit of weight since his degradation had begun - but he was still faintly surprised to discover how bigger, not to mention stronger, Angeal looked in comparison. It amused him more than it should have or perhaps, that was his survival mechanism kicking in and making light of things that wouldn’t have seemed quite so funny to those of sound mind. Genesis gestured to the plush leather sofa behind Angeal. “Won’t you have a seat?”

It should have been awkward, his defences should have been held up high along with that pride of his but Angeal’s next question struck him as simply honest - hopeful and cautious all at once and Genesis couldn’t bring himself to carry on his usual charade of arrogance and charm. The anger, resentment and tattered pride were like a bitter shell around him, strip it away and all that was left was a SOLDIER who had fallen from grace, with nothing but fear where hope should have been. Angeal’s question did all that and more, though Genesis would never admit to it so honestly - or readily.

“I’ve been better.” He replied, voice strangely calm.

[divigate]

"Of course," Angeal responded, although his tone was uncertain. He took a seat, not quite able to relax his posture, but kept a composed front. While it was a relief to see how Genesis had been taking the news, he noticed the hesitance and careful pacing in his conversation. He searched his memories for how long it took for his friend's degradation to start affecting his rationality. But circumstances had changed, and that desperation for revenge and fulfilling some veiled prophecy were no longer present. If anything, he seemed lost and looking for someone to guide him in the right direction -- towards anything that seemed less cruel and pointless to the bleak possibility of simply disappearing.

He took a breath and crossed his arms as he silently considered their options. Simply ignoring the issue wasn't the reason he had come over. After all, their supposed destiny had been proven wrong by their appearance in Nuadoria. And although Angeal hadn't put as much faith in the significance of fate, there was a time that he had relied on Genesis for reassurance in the same way that he was now looking to him. It wasn't a responsibility that he took lightly.

"Before," he said with a clearing of his throat and looking up to meet the other's eyes. "There was something that triggered this. If it began all on it's own, then perhaps it's been forced on you intentionally."

The SOLDIER paused then, thinking of those who seemed to be able to control the very atmosphere at their will. "Nothing is decided. We shouldn't stay passive and allow it to continue. First we'll speak to the natives." Angeal concluded without asking for an opinion. He had yet to understand their motives, but he trusted the information they could provide to an extent. "They may not be scientists, but they've been able to reverse certain events after they have occurred."

As they had with Sephiroth. Without mentioning him, Angeal hoped to avoid any resistance to his suggestion. Yet Sephiroth had seemingly been cured from the madness he had witnessed when he summoned Meteor. He was confident that they could help them if given enough motivation. "It's far from over, Genesis."

ooc - sorry again for the delay! Busy busy. But I love your writing. :)

[lovelessxhero]

Genesis paused for a moment before taking a seat on the sofa opposite Angeal. It was rather strange to sit down and remain sitting down without fidgeting. Since his degradation began, nothing seemed placid. The world was turning just a little more faster, the shadows grew just a little more deeper and time whirled past him with what seemed like lightning speed. So to remain stable when everything seemed to move so drastically around him was not an easy feat. It was like standing in the surf with the tide going out. That surreal feeling that the world was dissolving beneath your feet - and would be gone within minutes should he have remained standing still. Genesis regretted his choice immediately.

Genesis shifted uncomfortably. His expression remained calm, however, his heart had begun hammering at an alarming pace. He tried to ignore it and listen to what Angeal was telling him. Genesis had to agree. Staying passive while his degradation continued to devour him was something he could not allow. He had never been one to sit idly by and watch events unfold. He had loathed the feeling of helplessness, the feeling that he was sinking further each day... Genesis shifted again. His left hand moved towards the coffee table, picking up the leather bound book that lay there. Loveless. Trying to seem as nonchalant as possible, he thumbed through it, mentally re-reading a verse. The words helped calm him down somewhat. Since he'd discovered his degradation, Loveless had held even more of a significance for him. When his body ached, when his throat became hoarse from screaming his frustrations to an empty room...he would sit in the gloom, amidst the wreckage and banish the silence and fears away by murmuring the words that were scattered across those sacred pages. He would read about the three friends, the gift, the goddess and wonder, would the goddess ever grace him with her light? During those times when he was at his most fragile, it was his one hope.

"Intentionally?" Genesis tore his gaze away from the book to meet Angeal's gaze. Before. Genesis couldn't remember what had happened, what had triggered his degradation and whether or not he had reacted the same way. Had he fought as hard as he could have? Had he handled the matter more appropriately? More effectively? Or had the same terror and rage choked him, clawing away at him until his rationality had dwindled away to nothingness thus forcing him to commit unspeakable acts? And it this had been forced on him intentionally then by whom? And for what reasons?

Angeal's suggestion was like a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. A hope, a chance that maybe he could be saved, after all. But at what cost? Surely, those whom possessed such power would not do so without there being anything to gain from it? Genesis hadn't spoken to the natives, nor had he seen them. But he'd heard the stories told in hushed whispers by the people who resided within the city. And then there was a question of his pride. Or what remained of it. Given the chance, would he be able to step forward and ask these natives if there was a way in which they could save him? He was certainly in no position to demand it. Nor was he in any position to turn his back on the suggestion.

"Would they be so noble enough to help?" Genesis had his doubts, though Angeal's next words held promise. It was somewhat of a comfort. His childhood friend was not giving up on him and as Angeal continued to stand beside him and help him fight this, Genesis knew, he could do the same. "I hope you are right."

((OOC: Oh, it's okay. I was having connection problems up until last night, anyway. Hence my delay. )8 And thank you very much. I adore your style as well. <3 Also, sorry, Genesis isn't speaking much. He's just struggling with himself.))