(Untitled)

[pure_lineage]

Who: Sephiroth, Zack.
Status: Closed.
When: 1:45am.
Where: Sector 4.
What: After leaving the abandoned building in the Midgar Ruins, Sephiroth (with Zack in tow) travels back into Edge in order to do a little late night window shopping.

Comments

[pure_lineage]

There was a subtle mischief smile curving on the ex-General’s lips as he glanced back to regard Zack. “And spoil the fun of my first break in and enter?” Sephiroth asked with a hint of a chuckle in his voice. “I hardly see the point in that.”

Stepping within the boundaries of the shop, Sephiroth sighted the source of the alarm, and within the next moment, the Masamune had sliced out towards the box and split it in half. While the ‘authorities’ would be aware of the break in, at least his hearing wouldn’t be offended by the screeching sound any longer. Pointing the tip of Masamune down towards the ground shortly afterwards, Sephiroth impaled the long blade into the floorboards. It was hardly beneficial doing any form of ‘shopping’ with such a large weapon in hand, and the sooner he got this over and done with, the better.

Walking over to the wall hangers, his cat-like eyes scanned over the articles of clothing hung in the area before he pulled out long sleeved black top. While he typically forewent such useless items, he found it too restrictive along his torso, Sephiroth was also aware of the distinct lack of his typical attire to go with. Which was unfortunate in his opinion, but he would adapt and repay those wonderful scientists for depriving him of his clothing.

“How much are you aware about my past Zack?” The question seemed to come out of nowhere as he moved over to where the leather pants were folded and stacked.

[persevered]

... the bastard was actually having fun, wasn't he? Something told Zack that Sephiroth wouldn't be half as amused if he were soloing this too, which made for a rather reversed scene. Himself being rational and wanting to hit himself, Sephiroth being spontaneous and - dare he think it - playful?

Yep, definite reversal.

Zack could only shrug in response to the break and enter comment (same went to the execution of the alarm). Was he really this bad an influence? No, no, Sephiroth must have just ... Well, he was... different in general. Yeah, that was it. This must have been the result of the JENOVA incident from ten - had it been ten? He didn't really keep track between being an experiment and being dead - years ago. The ex-SOLDIER sighed heavily, then ran his hand through his hair. So long as he was already and 'accomplice', he might as well enter the soon-to-be ruins and make sure the wanna-be God didn't go anywhere.

While stepping over the clutter, Zack pulled his PHS from his back pocket and checked the time. Still early, but if Sephiroth continued dallying to find clothes they'd find themselves with some unwanted company far too quickly. It was surprising they didn't have any now, actually. Usually people crowded around fast at overly loud sounds. Eh, maybe they were lucky and no one heard the way-too-noisy crumble.

Impatiently, crossed his arms as he waited for Sephiroth to pick something nice. He rather wanted to comment on how the ex-General was taking longer than Aerith, but he decided provoking didn't work in his favor at the moment. Didn't help that he was interrupted by a query from Sephiroth before getting out his degrading statement either.

"What?" A little surprise was melded into the confusion, although it was likely because of Zack's former thoughts. Jumping from Aerith's shopping to Sephiroth's past wasn't an easy transition. Gladly, Zack found himself and shrugged (again) in response. Once he decided Sephiroth couldn't see the motion, he spoke, "You were in Shinra before I was, won a General rank during the war. Why?" He smartly excluded information regarding JENOVA.

[pure_lineage]

Sorting through the sizes in the pile, Sephiroth found one that was suitable enough before he pulled it from the pile and unfolded them. They appeared to be similar to his original pair… even if they would never have the same sense of comfort. They were better than nothing though, and would do until he could locate something far more suitable.

It was almost amusing to hear the subtle hints of surprise colouring Zack’s voice, and it told him instantly that he’d definitely caught the ex-SOLDIER off guard with that question. He was generally curious, however, for the answer; although considering the other’s past, it was highly doubtful that he knew anymore than he did - less probably.

He knew that there was at lot Zack was leaving out as well - mainly that eventful little jaunt up towards that pitiful town of Nibelheim - but he spoke nothing of it either. They were both well aware of exactly what happened at that particular time and beyond. “No reason.”

Dropping the sheet down to the floor without a second thought, Sephiroth placed the long-sleeved top on the counter beside him as he bent over just enough to slip the first leg into the pants. While the action was putting strain on his leg injury, he ignored it and continued on with pulling his newly acquired pants up his legs. Fastening the buttons at the front of his hips, Sephiroth flicked back a few straying strands of silver hair as he offhandedly commented, ‘Just pure curiosity is all,’ before reaching for his chosen top and slipping it over his head.

Since Zack didn’t appear to hold any knowledge, he’d have to consider just who else might be privy to such information. ShinRa was out of the question. While it would be entertaining to try, he didn’t trust their employees enough to believe the answers given. That only left one other little group though…

[persevered]

No reason, pure curiosity? Bullshit; Sephiroth had no sense of curiosity. ... normally. More often than not.

Nevertheless, there was no way Zack was bought what Sephiroth sold. An inferior product always failed against a superior one, and in this case the superior one belonged to Zack. Now, did he want to try and pitch to Sephiroth or did he want to leave the odd words be and wait on Sephiroth to dress himself? Both!

So Zack waited, wasting his time by staring at the digital display on his screen. These things had come a long way, hadn't they? But that wasn't the point, nor was his wonder at how they worked and whether some mako was slipped in or not. Hey, mako had run everything else in his time, why not the phones too?

Anyway, Sephiroth finished and Zack looked over to him (nope, he hadn't given Sephiroth the decency of a full turn. Sephiroth wasn't a woman last he checked, thus didn't deserve one). He flipped his phone over and placed it back in its often-forgotten hiding place. "Curiosity, eh?" Zack leaned on a nearby object that he hoped was stable, "What brought this on? Just a random thought?"

If Sephiroth said yes to that, well ... ... Then it really was bull, Sephiroth couldn't find a random thought in his head if he tried. Everything, from what Zack had seen, had to be linked. Not that it was a bad thing, and hey, Zack's brain worked the same way. It wasn't random, just had a number of building ideas that eventually peaked at one point. How far that point deviated from a single conversation varied, but it was never random when provided with the context of Zack's mind.

[pure_lineage]

“One has to have a reason to be curious?” Sephiroth offhandedly remarked as he pulled his long silver hair out from within the confines of the top. It flowed down the length of his back as he sensed Zack lean up against one of the nearby display cabinets. He had more pressing matters to attend to - like finding suitable footwear. Going bare foot didn’t appeal to him for some strange reason. “I was simply interested to know how much information you held into my past is all.”

Pulling away from the area, Sephiroth continued to scan the shop for any other useful items. A long jacket caught his eye, and after pulling it off the hanger as he passed, he made a direct line for the boots area of the shop. Fortunately all of these shops appeared to be similar from his original time - which was lucky for him since it saved him time.

Glancing back over his shoulder towards Zack, Sephiroth regarded the other man quietly for a moment before he returned his attention back to the shelves. “If you’re going to make a nuisance of yourself and hang around, you could at least consider coming into possession of a weapon.” Scanning the shelves, he found a pair of boots suitable for what he needed, before moving off to go into the back of the shop for his search. “I’ve no need for useless garbage loitering around.”

[persevered]

This was a lot like the laughing thing. Better off not knowing. So Zack, being the wonderful ex-best friend he was, forgot about the inquiry and moved on. Granted Zack believed the low information to be pitiful for one of his former status, but he had given up trying to uncover Sephiroth's past some time ago. The subject never went far with anyone (including Sephiroth) and the most he'd ever learned was "Sephiroth's father was something he didn't talk about" and "Sephiroth's mother was JENOVA".

Free from the conversation, he followed Sephiroth deeper into the store. At first he had thought it to be some small place full of leather wares, but they had a fairly wide selection of clothing and accessories. For instance, color; as he strolled through the store he noticed a large amount of variation, to the point where rainbow leather was available. Why? He didn't know, there simply was. A glimpse of it had reminded Zack that, in the dark, black and purple looked very similar. Very. Now, if somehow Sephiroth had picked up a purple something, then ...

Of course it probably wouldn't happen (Zack could see the difference, he assumed Sephiroth could as well; the man's eyesight was something to awe), but Zack could imagine. Hell, it was the only thing he had while walking.

Until either himself or Sephiroth broke the silence. This time (and the last, technically), Zack's "companion" slaughtered it. "Yeah?" Rhetorical, "I've been meaning to get one, but no gil." Gil, gil, gil. His pockets were so empty the moths turned to dust in his pockets, "Might have one stashed away somewhere though, if you care to cross some known territory."

[pure_lineage]

The back was much like what any shop would look like, and it didn’t take long for Sephiroth to find the section where the boots were kept. Passing down the isle, he found the box he was after without too much trouble, and after pulling it from the shelf; he looked for a place to sit. It was going to prove to be rather challenging to get them on with one leg injured as it was, but he was hardly going to let that halt his progress.

He didn’t give any indication of caring much either way to Zack’s gil problem. There was always a way to get what you wanted, and if it involved liberating a few things here or there then that was what was needed. This was nothing but human creations after all, and they were here for use regardless of the item needed to be paid for or not. Yet his mind had gotten off from the topic.

Shaking his head, cat-like eyes flickered up to regard the other as he slipped on the first long boot. ‘Care to cross some known territory’? It appeared that Zack was getting a little too comfortable with his current tolerance levels. Ignoring the question for now, he set to work at putting on the secondary boot - abet more carefully because of the injury - and zipped it up before finally turning half of his attention back.

“You seem to be taking liberties you’re in no in a position to take.” He commented before pushing himself up to stand. Finding the boots a good match, Sephiroth walked completely by Zack without any further regard as he entered back into the main shot area. “What makes you think that I’ll be accompanying you?”

He could hear sirens off in the distance, but they’d hardly be any match for his strength.

[persevered]

That was a good question, unfortunately. Zack wasn't sure he could answer it in a way that would satisfy Sephiroth either. Old Sephiroth, probably, new one? Most likely not. He could try pushing the ego angle, or try taunting him into doing it, but he couldn't imagine Sephiroth budging easily.

He could always go on his own, come back, then find Sephiroth, but that allowed the ex-General more room than Zack cared to spare. Which meant he was left with two options: find a weapon while tagging along with Sephiroth or separate from him. Decisions, decisions. Eh, the least he could do was not give up without some trial and error. Better to do that first, then settle.

... and the sirens he'd been waiting for earlier decided to show up now. No pressure.

Zack trailed after Sephiroth, locking his hands behind his head while he contemplated (for being faced with the threat of the law, Zack was taking quite calm). The right words, the right words ... what were they? "Nothin', just assumption." Yep, those weren't the key ones. Shame he'd put himself in a corner already. Then again, wasn't that his specialty? Time to find out.

"You don't want to?"

[pure_lineage]

Stretching out his arms to slip through the long jacket, Sephiroth ignored the way the injuries in his left arm pulled and ached at his actions and continued donning the long leather across his shoulders. Adjusting the jacket, he waited patiently to see just what pathetic reason the ex-SOLDIER would create in an attempt to persuade him.

The silence continued on which meant that Zack was seriously considering his answer. That didn’t bode well at all, and he found himself disappointed that the ex-SOLDIER was losing his interest quickly. Pity really, since he thought that they would have lasted a little longer, but it appeared that their little time together was just about up.

That much was made certain as he heard their reply. While it had been a pleasant moment to ‘indulge’ himself in the past, Sephiroth was now tired of such useless garbage remaining in his company. He had far more important things to worry about rather than going on a field trip with the resident fool.

“While you have proved to hold some measure of entertainment,” Sephiroth began as he reached out with his left hand and took hold of Masamune’s hilt. Pulling the sword out, the ex-General stepped back into the streets before glancing down the road to see the lights flashing off in the distance, “Your presence is no longer necessary and your company unwelcome.”

He didn’t bother waiting for a response, and after speaking, Sephiroth took off into a run towards the sirens. The sight of the two vehicles ahead caused his lips to upturn into a satisfied smirk, and despite his injures, the ex-General leapt up on top of the first car before using it as a leverage to clear the height of the nearest building. His plan seemed to have worked perfectly as the two cars came to a screeching halt, but by the time they attempted to figure out what had happened, Sephiroth had disappeared over the top of the building, and escaped via the roof.