№2 ➤ video/action ⁖
[She knew better, really she did, but the dull edge of restlessness was just starting to get to her. Had been creeping, very slowly, she wasn't like Red, she could handle downtime and endless hours of bullshit recon with nothing but a cigarette for company. But it had found a catalyst in those fucking phantoms, a subtle itch that she just can't
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Her green eyes flash, and she gazes down at Rude as if she can see through her, but in truth, she is assessing the situation. It takes but a moment. She recognizes the symptoms, and she does not waste time with greetings or questions. She raises an arm.]
[ESUNA]
[The light from her Heal Materia flares and washes over the woman. She has greater command over Materia than anyone else, she knows this, and she is confident that this will solve the problem. Yet she will not entirely take for granted that it will work in this place, where things are not necessarily the same as they are at home. She drops into an easy crouch beside the woman, still watching her closely.]
You should recover shortly. I will remain with you.
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She just spits the last of the bile out of her mouth, her lips still a bit numb with the burning taste of it, but she's able to sit up.]
...I probably got it from here...
[She'll get on standing when her brain feels less fevered.]
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[Sephiroth uses her Restore Materia on Rude as well, for good measure, the green light of the Cure spell playing over Rude's body.]
You will stay here until I have determined that you have recovered enough to move.
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She grits her teeth. Arguing with Sephiroth doesn't sound like a good plan either.]
Movin'.
[She decides this, motioning at the frothy puddle of stomach acid and breakfast she'd hacked up. There's a nice tree a little further away and she will go rest underneath it.
Compromises. It's all about compromises.]
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Very well.
[She thinks the woman can be moved, but she will not allow her to walk, not yet. So she quickly takes her in her arms, careful to keep her body as still as possible. With her speed and strength, it takes but a moment. Then they are at the tree, and Sephiroth is setting Rude down carefully.]
As I said, it will not take long, but you should lie still for now.
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...thanks.
[Never a good idea to ignore your debts, grudging as they are.]
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[Her politeness is colder with those she does not know. She has warmed to some of the women here, but Rude is not one of them. She remembers the woman's initial reaction to her, but she will not ask if she reminds Rude of something--or someone--especially not while the woman is recovering.]
If you are curious about the caves, I have explored them. I found no sign of a way to leave this place.
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I was just looking around.
[No need to be more detailed than that, girl's gotta have her secrets, especially if stupidity is one of them.]
Nice day for it.
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I used to enjoy fighting monsters, as a child. [She says this not as a commentary on Rude's injuries, but as a simple reminiscence. They'd brought the monsters to the lab for her. It had been part of the experiment, but as a young girl she'd thought of it as pure entertainment, since she'd been allowed to use a sword and battle them. Now killing monsters is a simple matter of business.] I don't see the point of having such vicious creatures here, when so many are not equipped to deal with them. [It annoys her, these open and well-advertised caves, populated with aggressive monsters.]
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Hearing her expression concern for the others is still a little hilarious, but she takes it in stride, has more control over herself than to scoff openly.]
Most of this place makes no sense. And maybe those caves are folks like you and me--[Really? That just came out of her mouth?]--don't get rusty.
Case in point. [She motions to herself tiredly.]
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[She looks Rude over again. It is not that she has no suspicions. She remembers Rude's initial reaction to her, and she remembers what Tifa had said about her. Though she is curious, she will not actively pursue her suspicions. Yet she is interested in Rude.]
That may be. If so, it is cruel and pointless to poison people who seek to train. If you find yourself in need of practice, we can spar.
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Pretty sure you can take me.
[And by pretty sure she means she knows it for a fact. Wasn't her who'd gone to take the bitch down. Admitting weakness isn't usually Rude's bag. She's practical though, and she's not going to pretend she can keep up with Sephiroth.]
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That does not matter. I spar with people of varying levels of skill and strength. Sparring has little to do with winning. [A good fighter can restrain herself when facing a weaker opponent.]
I enjoy the practice.
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...yeah, I guess we could do that.
[There's a part of her that thinks that's a terrible idea. Another part that wants to know when else she could learn something from Sephiroth. Rude is not opposed to picking up a few tricks.]
Apparently I need it.
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Any fighter should maintain a regular training regimen.
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[She answers wryly, she's sure Sephiroth's never had a vacation in her life. Maybe that's why the bitch went psycho so easily.]
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