first judgment // audio (day)

[tenacious_stray]

[The voice that comes over the PORTAL is heavily strained, but speaks with precise deliberation nevertheless.] I know of no city in all of fair Archadia's reach, nor indeed any of Ivalice, named Promenade. This does not seem to me so unusual, however, knowing that I have been spirited here against my will by way of some magicks foreign and unlawful

Comments

[audio]

[no_hometown]

Sephiroth could attempt to answer the man's questions, but he ignores them in favor of the essential fact.]

I have healing capabilities. Have you any idea where you are housed? [Called to action by the transmission, he's already moving, searching.]

[audio]

[tenacious_stray]

I do not- [Or so he begins to say, until he actually takes a closer look at the PORTAL's display.] Ah. House seven, according to this device.

audio --> action

[no_hometown]

[His own house. How fortuitous.] I'll be there at once.

[And with his speed, he is. He listens at the doors, his senses more keen than an ordinary human's. He is listening for uneven breath, the sound of the man's voice as he uses the PORTAL. As it turns out, not only is he in Sephiroth's house, but he also resides on his floor, so the search is very quickly concluded. He allows no delay, but sweeps through the door and finds his patient.]

As promised.

He doesn't waste time on chatter or introductions. He's glad his Restore Materia was brought here with him. He uses it immediately, casting a strong Cure spell on the wounded man.]

action

[tenacious_stray]

[Gabranth sharply inhales as the healing magicks seep through his armor and into his wounded flesh, and takes a small sigh of relief as the pain ebbs away.]

I thank you. [The man had arrived too quickly for Gabranth to take a full measure of him at first, but now, as he carefully gets to his feet, he looks him over.] Might I have your name?

action

[no_hometown]

[He's pleased to see that the magic works here, as expected. He'd had no way of testing the Restore Materia previously. He relaxes, realizing how much he'd wanted to find a useful application for his power.

He acknowledges the thanks with a polite nod, as if to say, Think nothing of it. He, too, studies the man he finds himself faced with, evaluating him.]

My name is Sephiroth.

action

[tenacious_stray]

[Gabranth nods, satisfied with the man's answer, though he wonders about the name's origin.]

Well met, Sephiroth. [He offers a hand.] Gabranth, Judge Magister of the Archadian Empire.

action

[no_hometown]

[He takes the offered hand and shakes it firmly. As a title has been given, as unfamiliar a title as that might be, he replies with his own.] An honor, Judge Magister. My own rank is General. I command Shinra's army.

I am pleased to have been of assistance. If there is any other way I can aid you, I will.

action

[tenacious_stray]

I am glad to hear it, though I would have you know that I am now in your debt.

[He pauses for a moment, considering the information he's just gained.] Forgive me, for I know of no army of Shinra, nor is your armor of any like I've yet seen.

action

[no_hometown]

[He does not feel he is owed any debt, but he also feels it would be discourteous of him to refuse. Instead, he nods.] Again, you honor me. I would value your assistance in future, if I have need of it.

[He's not surprised the man hasn't heard of his army, considering Gabranth's own unfamiliar garb.] Understandable. The people here come from many different worlds. Shinra is my world's ruling power, and I wear the armor of a SOLDIER, First Class. [Those of First Class are able to choose to customize their armor, but that's hardly relevant now.]

I myself have no knowledge of the Archadian Empire. This is what you might call a city of the subconscious. Our subconscious minds, or something of the kind, have been brought here together, though for what reason, none can say.

action

[tenacious_stray]

[His brow furrows.] Many worlds... [Could such a thing even be possible? But more than that-]

Our minds have been brought here? [How?] What of our bodies, or our very souls? Is this flesh somehow not real?

action

[no_hometown]

It would seem so. From many worlds and also different years. The only person from my world I have met here is from eight years after my time.

I have not been here long myself, and I do not fully understand the nature of this place. Apparently, we are still in our own worlds, acting as normal, even as a part of us is here. This is known as Promenade, the City of Dreams.

From what I understand, we can be injured here, and seem to die, but if so, we will be returned to life.

action

[tenacious_stray]

[What.

He stares for a moment, then shakes his head.] Forgive me, but... I am not certain that I can take you at your word. Should you speak the truth, I can only imagine such feats would take incredible magicks, the likes of which I've never known.

action

[no_hometown]

[Sephiroth is pleased by this skepticism.] No need to ask forgiveness. I would not expect you to believe such an incredible claim on my word alone. I report only what I have learned since arriving. It is possible I am misinformed or mistaken on some point.

Nonetheless, we are told this is a dream city, and we are able to dream up objects here. [To illustrate, he conjures an object from thin air: an apple.] Not something I can ordinarily do.

I expect you will want to investigate for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

action

[tenacious_stray]

[His eyes widen at the apple's sudden materialization. What manner of magick was this?]

Aye... So I shall. [Gabranth's gaze lingers on the apple for a few moments longer before he looks up to meet Sephiroth's again.] Have you any other words of advice concerning this realm ere I set out to do so?

action

[no_hometown]

[Sephiroth himself regards the apple thoughtfully for a moment, but keeps it, lowering his hand.]

There will be those, residents of this city, who will claim you have always lived here. I find it best not to contradict them. It is a waste of energy, and it will only make them hostile. The natives aren't fond of those, like us, who say we are from elsewhere.

In the day we must wear masks. [Sephiroth realizes he isn't wearing his, but he doesn't care. There's no one else present.] In public. During the night, we can make no sound. At that time, we communicate-- [He nods toward the PORTAL Gabranth was using.] The device allows us to communicate via thought.

action

[tenacious_stray]

By thought alone? [That makes him wary.] I see...

[Of course, the first part of that doesn't sit well with him, and he shakes his head.] He who shows hostility to those bearing the judicer's plate does naught but invite an early fate upon himself.