Shinra Shenanigans

[no_hometown]

Characters: Open to all employees of Shinra, Inc! Er, so--just Sephiroth and Reeve, really.
Date: March 29th, following Reeve's arrival and Sephiroth's emergence from the Labyrinth.
Summary: Sephiroth attempts to take charge of the situation. And Reeve.
Warnings: Mismatched personalities?

Comments

[urbanwonderland]

[Keeping pace with Sephiroth is a challenge, but she's hanging in there. Mainly she's thanking whatever stars there are here that she stuck with her spinning class. She smiles, looking up at Sephiroth as the other woman speaks. So tall.]

Ah, yes-- I don't think I'd do very well roughing it. I've been an urbanite for far too long now. At least I've got the skill set required for building a place to sleep! [Realization dawns over Reeve and shows on her face.] Speaking of which, where is your-- residence? Where do you sleep?

[no_hometown]

[Sephiroth answers Reeve promptly, coolly.]

I have been roughing it, to use your term. I've wanted to avoid being too easy to locate, but now that there is a Shinra executive here, I must change my tactics.

I was planning to build SOLDIER Headquarters. [This statement clearly requires further explanation.] There is a substance here, a kind of magic soil--one can use it to build anything from one's world that one is familiar with. In a way, it's not unlike the holographic projectors back home. The things created with it seem quite real.

[urbanwonderland]

[She nods in understanding.]
Yes, I see! Of course there must be some science behind it, but since it works wonders, "magic soil", it is!
[She pauses, shaking her head.] It certainly must be if you thinks it's suitable for building something as large as SOLDIER headquarters-- why would you want to do that? I mean, was that your first choice of places to build? Will you go ahead now that I've arrived and necessitated a change your tactics?

[no_hometown]

That is simply the term others use for it here. It is easier for most of the captives to understand it as magic, but I don't doubt that there is some scientific explanation. [Her tone is slightly weary as she says this. She has said similar things so often recently, and it reminds her of an old argument.]

One of my allies used the soil to create a sizable fort. [She glances at Reeve, her expression blank.] Yes. I will build SOLDIER Headquarters. What I most desire is a SOLDIER training ground, so that I can practice safely. [What else would she build?]

[urbanwonderland]

[She laughs in wry agreement.]
Oh, I'm sure there is. For some odd reason, some people seem to find magic comforting, I can't think why. I find it a little alarming myself.

I see! That does make sense. I do have a some familiarity with how SOLDIERs like to spend their time. [She smiles.] Training. Of course.
Can you tell me more about this fort? How long did it take her to complete a structure of that size?

[no_hometown]

I also don't understand why anyone would be comforted by an unknown, but magic is not alarming. [She does not say why it's not alarming, but leaves it at that.]

The fort is a basic walled structure. Its primary purpose is defense, but against simple threats, like monsters. It has towers, as well as a roof to shield from aerial attacks--but again, it would be little good against anything too sophisticated, like shelling. As it is meant to be manned by unskilled forces, I thought its basic design was sufficient. I am not sure how long it took her to construct as I was not present, but to use the soil, one only needs to have a sufficient quantity of it and imagine what one wants. It does not take long.

I myself have only used it to create Materia, but I look forward to having somewhere to train. [There is the barest flicker of wistfulness in her tone.] Though my comrades are not with me, at least I will be able to spar.

[urbanwonderland]

[She stops for a moment, then realizes she's being outpaced again and jogs to catch up.
You created Materia. Functioning Materia. From this soil. She grins. All right, "magic dirt" it is, then!
It's not that I find magic terrifying, maybe it's just that science one doesn't understand can seem unnerving at first.
At any rate, since the fort sounds to be a success I'm sure you'll be able to make a fine replica of your headquarters-- as well as someone to spar with. Which is a good thing, since I'm absolutely no use in that area.

What kind of Materia did you make, exactly?

[no_hometown]

Yes. I doubt most people from our world could do so, but few understand Materia as well as I do.

[in response to Reeve's other remarks, she simply nods, then takes a moment to consider the question. She avoids discussing the specifics of her equipment, as she would be a poor SOLDIER if she spoke so freely about her capabilities, but Reeve is different.]

I created Heal, Barrier, and a Choco/Mog Summon. My attempts to create Earth, Lightning, and Ice malfunctioned, I believe because of the offensive nature of their attacks, but I mean to try again, to see if it can be done.

[urbanwonderland]

She nods in understanding, glancing up at the taller young woman as they walk. In spite of a few superficial differences, She really is Sephiroth.

Impressive! Your failures as much as your successes. I mean, your experiment was well thought out, and your data is quite valuable, of course.
[She rakes a hand back through her hair, following her train of thought.]
You know, there's a chance, if I can fashion machine parts from the "magic dirt" that I could build a matieria replicator. Which might be useful! It's worth a try any way. [She laughs.]
I'm getting ahead of myself, and falling behind you. I haven't even made myself a bedroom yet. Or any other room for that matter.
Are we nearly there?

[no_hometown]

I do whatever I can here to gain a greater understanding of our prison and our jailers.

[Sephiroth smiles her approval.] That's a very good idea. If I were to recreate SOLDIER Headquarters, I could also recreate the Materia Room within it. Without your help, that would be quite difficult, as I am not as familiar with the schematics. I'm not sure if it would function correctly, but it would be an interesting experiment for us to try.

We're almost there. I have a quantity of the magic soil stored. We'll use it to construct a residence for you. [When she said they were almost there, she was not speaking figuratively. Mere moments later, they arrive at the chest where Sephiroth has stored her soil. She opens it.]

You need only take up the soil and think of what you wish to create. This will be a good place to build. It is open, and the Orchard is nearby.

[urbanwonderland]

A nearby bush seems like a good place to temporarily store her suit jacket. She goes down on one knee, sifts the soil through her fingers, folds it in the hollow of her hand. When she opens her fist, a bright steel rivet lies in her palm. She laughs delighted and amazed.]

Yes, the Orchard. Right. She miles up at Sephiroth, shaking her head.]
So many of these little things hold Midgar together. Here I am, wishing them into being. I guess I'll need to think bigger, but it's amazing.
I suppose I've got my city on my mind. They way I left it-- I didn't know it was possible to be so thrilled and worried at the same time. Why I'm even thrilled, I don't know. I just fabricated a rivet with some dirt and my mind, but I had to get kidnapped to do it. She sighs, shifting her shoulders.

Well, if I'm going make a bed I can lie in, I suppose I should get started.
Did you say something about fruit? I'm starving.

[no_hometown]

[Sephiroth watches Reeve create the rivet, interested. She has thought that an engineer might best be able to utilize the soil.] It is a fascinating substance, isn't it? Yet it makes me uneasy about the nature of this world, if it is so unstable and easily manipulated.

Your city? What was wrong with Midgar?

I will obtain you some food once you've created your shelter. It will not take long.

[urbanwonderland]

After a moment of letting the rivet roll to and fro in her palm, Reeve slips it into the right front pocket of her slacks. She stands, not bothering to brush the dirt off of her knee.

There was-- a situation this morning. She laughs.] This morning. Unbelievable. Yes, anyhow. Terrorists. Some damned terrorists thought they'd make some sort of point about the current regime by causing an explosion inside the Sector 1 Reactor. Of course there was critical damage. Of course there must have been many injured or killed in the surrounding residential area. But there's nothing I can do. I never even got the final reports. I was on my way to meet with the Board, when-- well, you know the rest.

She sighs, obviously trying not to look as worried as she feels. They need me, dammit. I don't know. Part of me thinks I've had some sort of a breakdown. She laughs, dryly. But if I have, it's very odd, even for a breakdown. Even for me.

But you seem real enough. And so does this rivet. [Smiling, she pats her front pocket.] And so

Ha ha, oh, the irony.

[no_hometown]

[Sephiroth frowns, concerned, even though the event Reeve speaks of did not happen in her world or her time.] There is no excuse for terrorism. I am sorry, Reeve. I can understand why you'd be distressed. Hopefully, you'll be able to return soon. It is even possible that, when we are returned, it is to the time we were taken from, so perhaps you will still be able to do something to help.

We will remain calm and find a way home.

Yes, I am real. [She nods in response to Reeve's thanks.] It is my duty to protect you.

So much irony in the world!

[urbanwonderland]

[She smiles. Definitely Sephiroth.]

Well, yes. Thank you.
I hope you're right, about the manner of our return.

In the meantime, I can't sleep outside. Yes, I think the best thing would be to keep calm and build a house. So that's what I'll do.

[She rolls up her sleeves and sets to work. From foundation to roof, things move along at a pace that astonishes her. Soon enough, she's finished, with only a light sweat and a pair of slightly dirty hands to show for it-- and a house, of course.
It's a simple, single level, multi-room dwelling. Much like an expanded apartment. The rooms are large and have high ceilings. An unusual number of large windows make for lots of natural light. It's a penthouse in the grass, well-integrated into the surrounding landscape.]

[She laughs a little breathlessly, delighted.]
Well, there we are.

[no_hometown]

[She nods and steps forward, having watched Reeve work both silently and patiently, interested, as she has never built anything so large.]

Does this approximate your residence in Midgar?

I am not sure where the Reeve I know lives. We have spoken but a few times, in passing.