(Untitled)

[stoic_heroism]

Who: Cloud, Sephiroth, Lapis WEAPON
Status: Closed
When: 3:00 AM
Where: Reactor 4, Old Midgar
What: An attempt at rest is interrupted

Comments

[stoic_heroism]

The sound of feet hitting the platform in the distance had awoken him, but Cloud knew better than to open his eyes. That sound had been much bigger than a mouse, and he was not pleased to even consider the possibility that his time for rest was up. He could only hope that it was Reeve coming back to check on him or to give some more advice on causing greater interference on the Black Materia.

It was not to be though, and Cloud allowed his head to fall forward at the loud steps that a heavy weight was causing. It sounded intentional, and he opened his blue eyes to stare down the corridor. He spied Sephiroth approaching, but he thought it would have been in the ex-General's best interests to have gotten the drop on him. Sephiroth hardly wanted another fight with him.

Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet to block the door more. Pale and tired, he grasped the hilt of his sword and held it up to stop Sephiroth from getting too close. "Some of us in the world need sleep," he murmured quietly. "I won't hand it over, so you mine as well turn back."

[pure_lineage]

He watched in open amusement as the little blonde woke out of their doze and realised just who was approaching them. There was no attempt to speed up his movements they slowly rose up and bared their weapon towards him, and after coming to a stop a few centimetres from the large blade’s edge, Sephiroth didn’t bother hiding the chuckle that slipped out.

“I would desire a far more challenging situation if I desired to take that beast right now. And you hardly seem like much of a challenge at this point in time.” He murmured while noting the blonde’s rather pale and tired features. Purposefully playing up his arrogance, Sephiroth smiled far too pleasantly as he added, “I’ve come here for an entirely different reason.”

[stoic_heroism]

Sephiroth could talk big in such situations, but the ex-General had yet to prove much in the way of results when it came to finishing him off. Still, he knew that his healing injuries would be a detrament for himself if they actually faced off in battle. He would do well to avoid such confrontation unless Sephiroth really pushed for it.

"Then best you be on your way if you have nothing to do with the WEAPON," he stated coldly. He did not lower his blade even when it appeared that Sephiroth had dropped by for a visit for a completely different reason. He didn't bother to mask his suspicious as he stared at the ex-General. "And that would be?"

[pure_lineage]

Remaining on the other end of the blade, Sephiroth was tempted to reach out and push the blade aside, but held off due to the fact that he knew his hands were rather gloveless at this point in time. That was one thing he was unable to find within that useless store, and he wasn’t yet willing to bring that sort of attention to himself as he stood on the other end of the blade.

Instead, Sephiroth continued to show that he was hardly fussed by the show of aggression, and watched the blonde carefully as he was questioned. “Information.” He simply said, before elaborating a little further. “To ask you a simple little question.”

[stoic_heroism]

It was a strange set of circumstances when Sephiroth came to him for information. The ex-General always seemed terribly informed about most things, and he wondered what it was that Sephiroth needed information on. He doubted it was a simple question with a simple answer.

Slowly, he lowered his blade and leaned against it, looking Sephiroth over. Where was Sephiroth's normal uniform? It was strange to see the ex-General covered in 'mortal' clothing. "If I give you the information - assuming I have it in the first place - what will I garner in return?"

[pure_lineage]

He entirely ignored the way that Cloud judged his appearance, and gave the thought no mind as the blade was finally lowered. While he had no desire presently to challenge the blonde physically, Sephiroth found Strife’s actions rather foolish for lowering their weapon to the enemy. Yet such a thing would only work in his advantage.

There was a small puff of amused air at their little returned question, but he gave no other signs of his thoughts to it as he smoothly announced, “Nothing but the remainder of the night devoid of my interruptions.” If he didn’t receive the answer he so desired, then he’d simply move on to the next target who might possibly hold the information. If Strife did, however, then he would need to occupy his time with plotting those foolish scientists demise.

[stoic_heroism]

That was hardly a good deal, nor a reason for him to give up information. Of course, Sephiroth would be too arrogant to think that there would be a price for information. That and he suspected that Sephiroth had nothing to give in return... or, if the man did, the price would outweight what he could possibly give.

"Ask your question, and I will consider giving you an answer," he replied simply. If it was not something he knew or wanted to give, he could simply deny Sephiroth.

[pure_lineage]

Sephiroth watched Cloud closely during their short reply. There were a few in his mind that could grant him such information, and while he wasn’t against forcing any answers out of his chosen targets, he would rather avoid such a confrontation at this point in time; at least until his injures had healed. He never even once considered waiting until that moment, since as soon as the idea was planted within his mind, Sephiroth found himself unable to simply ‘forget’ about the notion.

He needed an answer.

“Very well,” He murmured with a smile. There was a small break of silence within his speech before the ex-General continued. “I am curious to know just how much of my past are you aware of?”

[stoic_heroism]

This would get interesting. He wasn't sure if Sephiroth was just playing a game with him yet or if the ex-General was actually going to probe for answers. He then had to weigh how much it would benefit him to give out information freely, especially to someone who could and probably would use it against him later on if at all possible. It also did not help that he knew he was at a disadvantage becuase of his injured arm and leg.

He frowned at the question, not one he had been expecting nor wishing to discuss. It was a broad range, and he knew that Sephiroth knew some about the past as well. "Enough to be informed, I suppose," he said, not giving anything away as to which vein this might go. Surely it wouldn't be about Jenova; Sephiroth knew somewhat everything about that creature.

[pure_lineage]

Sephiroth waited patiently for the answer to come, and when the evasive reply was given, the ex-General watched with a small hint of entertainment as Strife attempted to prevent swinging either which way. If nothing else, the blonde definite was rather careful. When he compared it to the answer he received from that fool of an ex-SOLDIER, Sephiroth was left with the distinct impression that his thoughts revolving around Strife’s knowledge might have been spot on.

Time would tell though.

Giving away no indication to his inner thoughts, the ex-General continued to smile in that far too pleased way of his. “There is one small little detail that continually eludes my knowledge, but is something that has continued to make itself known from time to time.” Sephiroth announced in a way that gave the impression of him ignoring Cloud’s previous answer. Keeping his cat-like gaze locked firmly on the blonde, Sephiroth continued as if he were talking about the weather. “And that would be whether or not Hojo was my biological father.”

[stoic_heroism]

Cloud was pretty certain that this small detail would actually be something rather large. Most small details were nothing to be concerned over, and Sephiroth had overlooked more than a few 'small' details for as long as he had known the ex-General. He doubted that would stop no matter what he said on the private matter of certain aspects of Sephiroth's life.

Well, that was certainly a random vein. He knew the answer to that detail, but he had to judge if it was worth a potential blood-bath to answer in the first place. Jenova had caused the burning of his hometown and years of torture ofr him. He knew that Sephiroth disliked Hojo or that the pair at least were at odds with one another. To admit to Hojo being Sephiroth's father might get people killed.

After a moment, all he could come up with was, "ah." He still gave nothing away to see if Sephiroth would show any sign of violence towards an answer.

[pure_lineage]

He watched every reaction carefully as he stated his question, and wasn’t certain if he should be pleased or not by the useless sound he got in reply. While he cared nothing for normal human interactions, Sephiroth was hardly a fool when it came to recognising them within others, and the way that Strife replied didn’t speak well for his question. Judging by the complete lack of response something had to of been known, and he levelled Cloud with a penetrating stare as he considered this line of thought.

“I heard of such things in a rather interesting little rumour just today,” Sephiroth continued as if his thought process was never occurring. “My only regret for if it is true, that the inept little fool is no longer among the living.” Half turning away from the blonde, Sephiroth finally pulled his gaze from Cloud as he dismissively spoke. “But if you are unable to answer my question. Then there is little point in remaining and I shall seek my answers elsewhere.”

[stoic_heroism]

He watched Sephiroth, his eyes traveling over the ex-General's strange clothing before he frowned again. There were very few that knew anything of the Sephiroth Project anymore, since all involved had been killed or were with AVALANCHE. He held a considerable doubt that Sephiroth had not inquired with ShinRa, but he knew well also that no one in his group would say anything either to start such a rumour. Sephiroth normally didn't stand around long enough to garner a proper conversation with anymore.

So, who would have told? Who had the capability to say such things?

He leaned a little more on his sword, thinking that Sephiroth was going to walk away from him. That was fine, since he was not looking for a fight in his current condition. "I can answer your question," he said simply. "However, I'm trying to judge the benefits of telling you anything that I know." He did not need Sephiroth going crazy and killing people.

[pure_lineage]

Glancing back over to regard the blonde, the ex-General stood there quietly for a moment as he listened, but his silence was broken by the amused chuckle that followed. “I believe I’m already aware of your answer Strife.” His eyes narrowed as his mind considered the options, and he found his thoughts diving directly towards those accommodating scientists who revealed themselves to him earlier on in the night. Oh how he would enjoy making them pay in place of Hojo; especially that Quigley. Sephiroth would enjoy taking the time to personally get to know every aspect of that fleshbags body - inside and out.

“But perhaps it matters not either way,” Sephiroth said as his amused expression darkened subtly. No, regardless of if the information was true or not, he would make those fool pay for what they did to him. Just knowing whether or not Hojo was his biological father would make the entire situation far more enjoyable on his end. Turning his attention entirely away from the blonde, his expression reflected his inner thoughts for a mere moment before they passed, and he glanced back over towards Cloud.

If he could garner that extra source of entertainment, however, it might be worth pursuing. “I might consider ignoring you and your little friends for the time being if you answer my question satisfactory.”

[stoic_heroism]

At the reply, Cloud simply shrugged his shoulders and made to seat himself again. He instead leaned against the door when he thought that sitting might look too difficult and give the remainder of his injuries away. "If you're already aware, then I don't see why you are here asking in the first place." It was rare that Sephiroth would ask for anything, and if the ex-General already knew the answer, why bother asking in the first place.

Hojo had outrightly admitted relation to Sephiroth, though it seemed that the scientist had taken pains to hide such a fact from Sephiroth. He was certain of the answer for Hojo doing so, but it seemed very cold-hearted in his own mind. Still, there were a lot of decisions and theories that he disagreed with in regards to Hojo, and it was just good that the professor was dead.

"You ignoring us does not stop the fact that you are there and could bring harm to people," he stated coolly. "However, yes, Hojo admitted through words that he was your biological father. There was also some notes also stating such." He would see how that answer would do for him.

[pure_lineage]

“Assumed knowledge is one thing,” Sephiroth murmured as Cloud shifted back down to sit on the floor. Tilting his head back subtly to regard the blonde, the ex-General eventually turned his attention away from the other as he muttered, “But true knowledge is ultimately more satisfying.”

Sephiroth chuckled lightly at the cool statement regarding those fools his once-puppet remained in the company of. While he would focus his attention on those wonderful scientists and their creation for the time being, he would hardly stay his sword if any other type of threat was aimed in his direction. While he was willing to sacrifice one thing temporarily, he would hardly put up with foolish acts of bravery. “Perhaps, but I can hardly control such actions if they believe it wise to approach my position.”

When the answer was finally given, Sephiroth found a distinct lack of any feeling within him; something which was completely foreign to the ex-General. While there was always the chance that the blonde was lying, or was lied to, there was a small part within Sephiroth that doubted that was the case. He’d hardly be fortunate enough for such a thing to occur. That wasn’t to mention he knew Hojo well enough, and could believe that inept man going to such lengths as to put their own child through so many different experiments.

It was only as that thought drifted through his mind did he feel the first spark of rage within. Pulling his gaze away from the blonde, Sephiroth glanced off with a narrowed gaze towards the direction where he knew the underground laboratory was stationed. He was severely tempted to forgo allowing his injuries to heal and simply burn the place down, but doing so at this present moment would hardly be advantageous towards him; not with those women protecting the area.

Eye’s narrowing subtly, Sephiroth’s attention didn’t return back to Cloud as he asked. “Have you come across any strange women Cloud?”