[Telepathic conversation to Jenova and Sephiroth]

[moralmisconduct]

[Drowning again, the haze cool between his fingers, sliding without form over the scars on his skin and the crevasses of his mind. Within the tank, Hojo's head lolls, consciousness surrendered to the green mist before his eyes; an entire population of voices bypasses his ears and sings straight to the auditory centre of his brain. He follows. Green

Comments

[moralmisconduct]

What I am willing to commit myself to depends wholly on what Sephiroth is trying to achieve. I gave my all to his cause last time, and he failed dismally. If his approach is the same again, I will not waste energy in aiding him.

The Black Materia is no longer any of my concern.

[The connection between them wavers, a soft ripple along their bond conveys her amusement. He knows he needs to keep her entertained, remind her that he is not just another puppet, another thing to be played with, broken, and left in the dust of empty promises. He is a manipulator as much as she - and though many of the red strings tying his fingers to the necks of his toys had been severed, he possesses the power to affect their actions still.

Jenova and Hojo - mutually bound since their initial meeting. To whom did the master string belong? He could not say then, and cannot say now. But she must not grasp his uncertainty.]

My plans are completely my own. But they do concern you, as well as our precious son.

I wish to control the cycle of Life and Death on this planet through the Lifestream, and through you. You have this ability, yet you are unaware and unable to use it to your own advantage.

Without my influence, you will remain a slave to your own limitations. Don't be so hasty to dismiss me, JENOVA. I am no feeble, aging mortal. My intellect and skill surpasses all others.

[motherkn0wsbest]

Jenova considered the information presented for flaws and for a trap that would land her back where she no longer wished to go. She knew well just what Hojo could accomplish if she took a wrong move, and she had no plans to return to that kind of miserable existence. There was much to do, much indeed... perhaps Hojo could aid in the spread of her cells a little more as well as the consumption of this planet.

Finally, after some debate, she spoke again through the connection. This planet will be reduced to ash, and we will travel back among the stars looking for another place to start a shining new future. It is already written among the stars...

There was a minor flash of pleasure at the word choice from Hojo in regards to Sephiroth. 'Our' hit a strong chord of liking, but she covered it quickly after the small initial slip. No matter. Any flesh with our being can be used as a vessel for Lifestream. That is no secret.

Her smirk grew. You are playing a dangerous game, Hojo. What is in this for you?

[moralmisconduct]

[The atmosphere stirs slightly, warmed by the small amount of pleasure she had displayed. Sephiroth remains their joint pride, a monument to all they had accomplished together.]

I want what I have always wanted. The pursuit and use of knowledge is my only endeavour. I've achieved much, but there is always more to discover...

And when you journey to the cosmos, I wish to follow. I have come very close to this, and failure irks me. Consider it my goal to correct these miserable failings.

It would be in your best interest to come to my side now, JENOVA. Serve me, and realise your true potential.

[motherkn0wsbest]

Knowledge was both a tool and a weapon. There was no doubt that Hojo's doubt would lead it to being more of a weapon than a source of good to anyone involved. He still had those pointy tools that irked her so much, and in giving him more knowledge or a use for it would no doubt be the same as handing over more sharp objects to separate her cells with. She was finally united.

His arrogance was amusing though. He really had no idea how close he was to being potentially lost in the sea of Lifestream. Certainly his will was strong, and he would eventually find his way back... but his struggles would be beautiful and just revenge. To no longer be a failure, you would need to ascend passed that miserable, weak vessel that you inhabit now.

She chuckled softly down the connection, finding the demand anything but a requirement. We have no master. We are eternal. We will reach our hand into the dark field reaches... nothing on this planet shall forestall our hunger. She gripped the connection and smirked. Serve us, Hojo. Serve our son. Serve the cause that will allow you to escape your pitiful mortal fate....

[moralmisconduct]

[A weight he had not been aware of lifts from his head. The sensation is blissful, soft, like a man breaking the surface of the ocean and finding himself afloat between water and air, with eternity stretching away in all directions.

Her voice is no longer a separate entity. It is sea, sky, and foreverness. It is everything.]

Serve JENOVA... Serve...Sephiroth...

Yes... Tell me what I must...

[But, the waterlogged fool, lungs full of salt, finds himself plunging back into the abyss, back into the cold. Hojo fights to regain his mind, though the pain crawls back tenfold as strong.

He is his own master. He will not bow down.]

No, JENOVA! This is not how this game will be played. I came to make a proposition that would be beneficial to us both, but I have other options.

Do not mistake me for another pawn.

[motherkn0wsbest]

Oh ho ho, Hojo was floundering. Such a wonderful frail old man, seeking but unable to escape, she was still the master in this little game. His words made her aware of that, of his weakness to the pull. Perhaps she should battle for control? No, it was too early for that; she would make him squirm and regret and scream before twisting his form into something of her desire.

Other options that will reach dead-ends soon enough. No other has the power as we do save one, and we are united in cause and purpose. She knew just by simple probing, by all the years of watching, that Hojo had weaknesses. All she had to do was pluck at those frail strings, and he would dance like a good puppet for her. However... we shall consider your proposition.

She allowed her amusement to show as she tightened their connection, to feel more clearly his physical form. Shall we come to discuss such matters where your old body will not be lost in the Lifestream? A playful offer.