011 Sister [video]

[no_hometown]

[The Vine opens on a setting that is uncharacteristic of the Gardens. It appears to be a dimly lit laboratory. The walls are pale gray, with dark screens that flicker with green, displaying data that may or may not be meaningless. There is a low humming, from the lights or machinery. In the background, there is another sound--faint, but sharper

Comments

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve appears onscreen, seeming appropriately surprised and concerned.]

This person claims a connection to you? That's certainly-- interesting. I'd be happy to come by the lab, if I can help in any way.

[no_hometown]

[She would like assistance, but she is not sure how Reeve can assist her. Talented though the woman is, the situation does not call for one of her experience.]

I don't believe that's necessary, Reeve. I would prefer to keep her away from others for now, unless they can be of assistance.

[The woman is violent and cannot be effectively disarmed, but more than that, she does not know if she wants someone from her world to see Kadaj as she is: so like Sephiroth herself, yet so viciously angry and erratic.]

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve raises her eyebrows slightly higher at the sound of some particularly harsh screams she can hear in the background-- but she doesn't mention them.]

Well, all right-- if you don't think I can help at all.
Would you like me to come by, calibrate the security settings, just in case? I'd be happy to do it.

[no_hometown]

You may come for that purpose, if you wouldn't mind. [That is a good idea, considering the unreliable nature of the Gardens. She feels confident she can contain Kadaj, but it's best to be cautious. She will simply keep Reeve away from the young woman.]

I will meet you in the lobby.

[urbanwonderland]

[Having reiterated that she wouldn't mind at all, Reeve makes her way to the oddity that is the Shinra building. Though she does want to help, she would also like to know what's going on. She's an unnaturally curious person, most scientists are.
Sephiroth is indeed waiting for her in the lobby. Half-listening for screams from upstairs, she smiles.]

Hello, I understand you called for service?

[no_hometown]

[No screams can be heard from here. The lobby is as quiet as if there were no one upstairs, as quiet as always. Sephiroth feels tense, yet she gives a small, brief smile at Reeve's little joke.]

You have been correctly informed. I have had no trouble with security, but it cannot hurt to double check.

[urbanwonderland]

[It's quiet, but there is a certain tension in the air. Reeve smiles at Sephiroth's response.]

All right then, I'll just give this a once over-- I can do that from here, no worries.

[Reeve opens a panel close by the door and taps at the display that's revealed behind it. She keeps her eyes on her work, but she can't help it, she does like to know things.

Is-- the situation upstairs, is it the sort of thing that might be considered dangerous?
I am curious, I admit-- but I promise not to pry. Too much.

[no_hometown]

[She nods and watches Reeve work.]

It could be dangerous, if I were not handling it, but I am confident that I can deal with the situation.

I wouldn't suspect you of prying. It is not that I don't wish to tell you about it, but it's best that her contact with others be limited for now.

[urbanwonderland]

[After a few long moments, Reeve nods-- then turns towards Sephiroth.]

Well, of course you wouldn't. [She smiles. She does enjoy prying.]
I understand.

I think that should do it, honestly. Not too much to calibrate-- all settings are now at their maximum.
When you do want to talk about it, you know where I live. As they say.
[Reeve smiles, reaching out without looking to brush her knuckles against the back of Sephiroth's hand.]

[no_hometown]

Thank you. [Sephiroth catches Reeve's hand easily in her own. She holds it, lightly, as she speaks.]

Her name is Kadaj. She looks a great deal like me. Yet she is not a SOLDIER. I don't understand it at all. I don't know if she's another experiment, but--

She claims we have the same mother.

[urbanwonderland]

[Sephiroth's hands are large (also, lovely, with or without their customary gloves) and she lets her own hand rest loosely in the other woman's grip. Concerned, she makes a little movement, simple a folding together of fingers.]

Oh-- I had no idea. Of course-- and I can't understand it myself. It could be that she comes from an alternate timeline, as we've discussed.

Kadaj... what an unusual name.
[Reeve looks up at the woman, projecting a calm she doesn't entirely feel.]
I'm sure you're doing what you think is best-- for you both.

[no_hometown]

It could be, but whatever the case, I feel a strong connection to her. She is as unusual as her name.

I'm not sure if it's best, but I don't want to risk her harming anyone.

[She holds Reeve's hand a little tighter, pulls her closer. She feels--agitated. Hungry.]

[urbanwonderland]

[Sephiroth's emotions are close to surface, she can glimpse them, hear hints of their power in the low voice. The tension there, the way Sephiroth closes the space between them-- she knows these things, understands them. She lifts a hand, fits her palm over the rise of Sephiroth's collar bone, slides it up against the curve of her throat. It's a touch that indicates support and comfort, but also desire.]

I understand. Do what you need to do. Sephiroth.