[THNMY, locked to jenova_nexus]

[irametdolorem]

((continued from hereThe thrum of the great engines, the smell of the mako - these things do not escape Sephiroth's notice. But they are, perhaps, of less importance now as he crosses the few remaining steps that separate him from the tube that holds Jenova

Comments

[jenova_nexus]

If he can - they're touching now, and some of his skin is bared - so close so close so close, if only she weren't still practically frozen by the seals...!

Cloud keeps his distance from Jenova, a bit shamefully, but if The General is having problems-- 'Yeah,' he says, and then winces. 'Yes, Sir.' He backs up further and then heads for the door, drawing his sword. He'll need a moment to ready himself.

Teré keeps clear of Jenova, but doesn't follow Cloud. 'I'm going to go get those feathers,' she tells Sephiroth, and edges around him and his burden. Leaving evidence like that behind messes with her MO, man.

[irametdolorem]

Sephiroth nods at Teré's comment, more concerned about keeping himself under control this close to Jenova. And out of respect for Cloud he won't come much closer than he already is. But at least he's past the worst of the mako puddle at least by the time he stops.

If Jenova's still trying to get into his mind, she'll find it even harder to get into his mind than it was shortly before they somehow ended back in the reactor, as all of his systems are on full-alert now.

[jenova_nexus]

Cloud takes a few moments of silence and a deep breath, setting himself - he's practiced this a lot since Zack taught him, but can't be too sure this time.

As Teré heads up the broad cable toward Jenova's platform, she sees a flash of bright light and hears the sound of the energy-blade slicing across the floor into the doorway. The resulting noise is quite impressive - she turns back to see the door is mostly out of the frame, and Cloud is moving forward to finish the job.

Jenova has tried that, and she can tell, so she relies for now on the call of her cells, in some places only millimeters from his. She is, however, trying to get to Cloud, who has a line of tension down his back as he beats the door out of the frame.

[irametdolorem]

It's taking an almost inhuman amount of willpower to do so, but Sephiroth is still managing to resist the call of the Reunion - now less of a low insistent hum and more of a full orchestra (with choir). But he's determined to to see this through one way or another.

However, the amount of focus he's having to spend means he doesn't exactly have any willpower to spend attracting her interest away from Cloud, so Cloud will have to deal with her call on his own. He will, however, not be going any further until Cloud is out the door just to be on the safe side.

[jenova_nexus]

If she were capable of respect, he might have it. As it is, she doesn't stop, pulling at him, since she can't push her way in. Luckily for Cloud, he doesn't have as strong a connection to him, though whatever she is trying has his breathing picking up a little.

Teré is a-gathering feathers behind, waving Cloud on when he looks back to her. He'll glance to Sephiroth again, and then cross through the door, sweeping the room automatically as he does, before starting down the stairs.

[irametdolorem]

Sephiroth does notice the fact that whatever she's trying on Cloud has some manner of an effect on him, but hasn't yet been able to manage enough concentration to both fend off the Reunion and actually form proper sentences.

And once Cloud starts moving, Sephiroth will as well, making sure to keep a decent amount of space between himself and Cloud.

[not_greens]

Cloud has decided to be sensible, and is keeping further ahead. It lets him scope things out, too, making sure none of those pods are about to bust or a robot isn't about to jump them.

Teré follows, pretty sure she has the feathers; her boots skid briefly at one point as she carefully walks down the cable, sending her heart into her throat, but she catches herself and then makes an annoyed sound and continues on her way.

[irametdolorem]

Sephiroth would thank him for that, were it not for the fact that he has his hands full both physically and mentally.

A few stray glimpses of what he's planning might be leaking across to Jenova at this point considering how close they are physically right now.

[jenova_nexus]

Yes. Yes it is. And if she could move she would, is trying to force her body to respond at a higher level. All she needs is one contact, she's sure....

Teré follows Sephiroth, frowning, seeing if she can recall any spell to help. She can't cast anything to decrease her weight or float her. Would Sleep work on a space alien virus thingy?

[irametdolorem]

She might find otherwise, if she managed to try - a virus can't exactly infect itself after all, and he's part of her. But it might get him under her control for a bit, until he managed to either throw her off or have someone Sleep him again.

Considering that viruses don't exactly need to sleep? Probably not too well.

[jenova_nexus]

But the host body might need to~. Meanwhile, Jenova has attempted merging in "mind" now, something like she would have perhaps someday done with the Clones.

Cloud isn't finding any sign of trouble, and is already ahead opening the next door, intending to check the area. Teré is following Sephiroth, skirting the drops and puddles of mako on the floor.

[irametdolorem]

Teré might also have to skirt patches of Mako left behind by Sephiroth's mako-soaked boots, although the further they get away from Jenova's resting place, the less there is to be left behind.

And Sephiroth is quite glad there doesn't seem to be any trouble brewing, as if there were he'd likely have to sit it out, or set down Jenova and he wasn't willing to let Jenova out of his sight at the moment.

[a_quiet_key]

She does and she will. The feathers are safely tucked in her pocket, and she's watching for more, but doesn't interrupt Sephiroth.

Cloud reappears at the door of the reactor, signaling an all-clear. He pauses, to look his General over almost-casually.