[ Closed ]

[velvet_zealot]

Who: Yazoo (velvet_zealot) and Cloud Strife (mirageof_deceit)
When: After this conversation
Where: The Flooded Ruins
Format: Action-prose...ish?
What: Cloud has questions that he wants answered. One thing leads to another, and...
Warnings: ...impending violence and hero torture lie ahead. :O

Comments

[mirageof_deceit]

[There are more question than answers, so he followed along after the familiar - yet kind of empty - feeling that had appeared after the silver-haired one appeared. It wasn't hard, months of chasing after Sephiroth honing his skills of following after even the faintest of JENOVA feelings, and he was pleased to find himself stalking through the Flooded Ruins. It was a place that he knew well.

Elena's warning was enough to have himself fully armed, and he leapt up to the stone walkway nearby the sensation. So close, yet the Mist fogged his vision, so he was forced to walk more to the other side, hopping to a stone pillar between the bridges of stone.]

T'ch....

[He spied the silver-haired man, all too much like Sephiroth, but he found comfort in the gentle hum of Ultima Weapon upon his back. Yet, for some reason, his skin didn't like to be close to that man, and he rolled his shoulders to push the sensation away.]

You're shorter than Sephiroth, and you only feel slightly like him. Do you have a name?

[velvet_zealot]

[The sound of water echoed richly in the ruined environment, and so too did the sound of Cloud's footsteps as he made his way closer. The ex-SOLDIER was a little ahead of what Yazoo had predicted, but that was alright. It meant only that he could take care of his brother before moving onto other, truly important business! More specifically... the mission that he had been sent here to complete, what Mother wished for him to do.

The silver-haired Remnant of Sephiroth remained on the water surrounded walkway even as Cloud took to one of the higher pillars. A glance behind him, over one shoulder, was all it took to confirm the blond's position, and in one smooth motion he turns, Velvet Nightmare slipped free from its holster upon his back, his index finger pressed tight to the smooth arch of the trigger, and the barrel of the gunblade aimed toward his mako-eyed adversary.]

I'm offended that you don't remember, brother[The corners of Yazoo's mouth twitched slightly upward. His green eyes narrowed in a predatory fashion, the black

[mirageof_deceit]

[The way that he was called 'brother' was like a mockery and an insult, and he wasn't actually certain how he had earned such a title in the first place. It was mostly likely to do with JENOVA, but he was certain that was as far as their familial relations went. This one had talked about brothers, and Elena had mentioned that as well. One of three... not bad odds.

He held his position even as the odd looking gun was pointed up at him, and a frown warped his lips as he shook his head.] Not like Sephiroth at all...

[His left arm twitched before he clenched his fist as his right hand lifted towards the hilt of the humming Ultima Weapon.] We don't come from the same time, so my failed memories are only of the past. No need for refreshing, but I'm going to ask you stop pointing that gun at me.

[velvet_zealot]

[The Remnant couldn't help but wonder if Cloud's failure to remember him, his admission to coming from a different time, meant that the ex-SOLDIER was weaker than when he'd fought him along side of Loz. Of course, idle wondering wouldn't earn him the answers he wanted, only actions would... seeing first hand for himself the limits of the one that had gone out of his way to come and find him.]

You're asking...? [He chuckled, his tiny smirk taking on a somewhat wry appearance.] Well, then... I'm refusing.

[A step toward Cloud was taken, Yazoo's aim never straying. Long, silver locks of hair swayed out of the way of his vision, and his leather boots softly scuffed against the paving stones.]

You sought me, after all... and you came armed. That must mean you want to fight.

[mirageof_deceit]

[Well, now no one could say that he didn't try to give warnings before a fight started. It seemed to him that Yazoo lived up to the information that Elena had provided him, possibly more so if the refusal to give out information was any indication. It was no matter to him, and he was perfectly confident to have a scuffle in the Flooded Ruins.]

Aren't you just rude. [The corners of his lips lifted into a smirk, full of blustery arrogance] I came for answers, and I was pre-warned about some of your antics from someone who's had the pleasure of your company more.

[Still, his hand closed around the hilt of Ultima Weapon, lifting the large blade from his back to settle in hand by his side. This was going to turn into a fight, which he had no problem with. He stepped to the edge of the pillar, purposefully shoving a small stone off of it to fall towards the water.] Your move.

[velvet_zealot]

Hmm... you must be referring to that idiot female Turk.

[He could recall the intrusion of the Turks as if it were yesterday. They had come barging into the Northern Crater as though they owned the territory, their noisy helicopter creating one hell of a disturbing racket. If anyone was rude, it was them.

Of course--and he smiled fondly at this particular memory--he'd made two of them suffer considerably for their unwelcome arrival. It had been quite the pleasure, too.]

I enjoyed it, you know... making her scream. [Yazoo's voice adopted a velveteen caress.] She bled quite a bit, and so did her partner... Tseng.

[He wished that Reno and Rude hadn't escaped with Mother, but at the very least they hadn't gotten away unscathed.]

So, these answers you want... [Another step closer, his trigger finger flexing, but not drawing back quite yet.] ...what are the questions?

[mirageof_deceit]

I might be. [He would hardly call Elena an idiot, but she did have a big mouth at times. That was fine by him, since it allowed him to get information out of her when needed. He was certain that she tightened up in some ways.

Of course, his eyes narrowed at the mention of making Elena scream. He didn't remember that sort of information escaping her, but it did explain why she seemed to have so much personal experience with these guys... and why she was so quick to point them out as a threat to her.] Bleeding is what Turks do. You're the type to pull wings of butterflies, aren't you?

[He could go no further on the pillar he was standing on, so he remained standing on the edge. He was keenly aware of where that weapon was aiming.] Is there a reason I shouldn't kill you where you stand for starters? What is your plans now that you're here and alone would be another?

[velvet_zealot]

[The type to pull wings off a butterfly? Yazoo considered this, then shrugged his shoulders lightly.]

Insects really don't matter to me... they don't matter to Mother. But... you know that much, don't you?

[Upon reaching the edge of the stone walkway Yazoo came to a stop. Besides their voices and the occasional pitter-patter of water dropping in the distance, the ruins were eerily silent.]

As for plans... I only want to find Mother. To make Her happy... fulfill Her dreams. [Although, just like before, it would be difficult. No matter how good a son he was, like Kadaj... he still couldn't sense Her. They're just Remnants... but that doesn't mean he will ever give up. He can prepare, and that's what he plans on doing.] I'll pave the way for Her return... even if the world has changed.

...And if you get in my way--Her way--don't think I'll allow you to live.

[His green eyes narrowed dangerously, and at last the first bullet was fired... straight toward Cloud's heart.]

[mirageof_deceit]

[Ah, so this was really just all about Mother again. It was the same old story, and it hadn't been amusing the first time. He wasn't particularly finding it amusing this time around either.] I do, but JENOVA isn't here. The only source would be from SOLDIERs, and most have the will to inactive them, so they aren't useful to you.

[He sighed and rubbed his forehead with his knuckles, feeling like this was going to be another conversation with Sephiroth in a smaller form. Though, the ex-General had seemed to be aware that while it was in the name of 'Mother', Sephiroth was in control.] JENOVA's way is that of Sephiroth.

[Ah, it had been awhile since his life had been threatened. He knocked aside the bullet with the Ultima Weapon before he raised his hand to cast a ball of Demi between them to block Yazoo's view of him and to slow any bullets that might follow the first. As soon as it was cast, he leapt up and over the crackling sphere of energy and came down in an attempt to cleave the other in half with a two handed swing.]

[velvet_zealot]

You don't seem to understand... being world's apart won't stop me from carrying out Mother's will!

[Demi was a worthy distraction, but Yazoo was certainly not about to play sitting duck to a mere black sheep.

He hastily pushed himself back from the edge of the stone walkway and, firing a few more shots towards the spot he suspected Cloud still stood, he started off down the length of paving stones to put distance between his adversary and himself. The crackling ball of energy hid well Cloud's timed jump, however. When the Remnant turned, it was almost too late.

Velvet Nightmare was brought up just in time and Yazoo's free hand pressed flat to the bladed end, helping him brace for the impact of Cloud's attack with Ultima Weapon. Stone crunched under their feet, and a low hiss of displeasure escaped Yazoo when his eyes met with the ex-SOLDIER's.

It wasn't the first time they had met this closely, face-to-face, yet were unable to see eye-to-eye... but Yazoo wanted with every fiber of his being for it to be the last time.]

[mirageof_deceit]

[He careened down gracefully, his gaze following movements for any sort of normal trickery as he found the Ultima Weapon impacting with that odd gun. He was surprised that such a weapon held up so well to the harsh impact of Ultima Weapon, but that just made his sword hum angrily as it drew on his life energy.

This was also the closest he had ever been to a remnant, he realized. His skin felt like crawling away, but he pushed that sensation aside as his feet touched down on the cracking stone. He pushed hard into the blocking weapon as he settled himself before taking the offensive.

Suddenly drawing back his large blade, he swung two quickly. One slash went for Yazoo's left shoulder, assuming that like Sephiroth it was the dominant hand and another towards the chest. The worst was that he drove Yazoo backwards; the best was he ended things early]

[velvet_zealot]

[Velvet Nightmare was strong, but if made to endure continuous attacks like Cloud's first, there was no doubt in Yazoo's mind that the weapon wouldn't last long. It made him wish that he had Loz's gunblade with him right now, or even Loz himself... not that the Remnant was about to back down from this confrontation.

Even if things got ugly, there remained a part of him that thrilled in being this close to Cloud, in fighting him. It was beyond his understanding, but reason was irrelevant in the heat of battle.

To avoid serious damage to his left hand--which was indeed the dominant of the two, much like Sephiroth--Yazoo brought up his foot just as Cloud began to swing, and he planted it firmly in the other man's gut. Then, kicking himself backward, he was also able to push back Cloud and double the distance between them. Were it not for his own speed, Cloud's attacks would have done more than graze him; were it not for his own speed he'd never have been able to fire off another shot in the process.]

[mirageof_deceit]

[Cloud took the kick hard to his gut, but he knew enough to allow Yazoo to push him back. He lifted his feet and sailed backwards until he could get the balls of his feet safely under him again. He came to a stop with a grunt, shifting his weight against the forming bruise on his flesh.

He parried aside the flying bullet aimed in his direction, eyeing the silver-haired man for a moment. One hand dropped to rub at his stomach before he simply shrugged the attack off and smirked at his opponent.] Almost like old times...

[He waited a single moment before simply charging brazenly towards his opponent, closing the distance rapidly as he held the Ultima Weapon in both hands. It might have felt a bit like old times, but he knew how dangerous anyone associated with Sephiroth was... especially one with a gun.]

[velvet_zealot]

[The only old times that Yazoo could recall were fights that Cloud could not; their first meeting outside of Midgar, their second meeting in the Forgotten Capital, and their third meeting in Midgar Edge, at the base of the Meteorfall monument. The ex-SOLDIER had already confirmed that none of those three events were known to him, however, that he didn't even know who Yazoo was, except that he had connections to Sephiroth, and through him, to Jenova

[mirageof_deceit]

[He suspected that Yazoo would put distance between them now that he had closed it, but he had other tricks up his sleeve to keep the other still. There was no point employing them just yet, since he wasn't all that concerned about a few stray and well-placed bullets. Ultima Weapon was more than large enough to block and parry aside those.

Cloud followed legging it across the stone walkway and then looking to where the silver-haired man leapt out of his sword range. He was forced to remain on the walkway as he parried aside bullets and even side-stepped a few so that he could give himself time to charge up a spell.

As soon as Yazoo made it clear the pillar was the intended target, he lifted his hand and quick-cast Demi2, casting the area and the surrounding air in a dome of black energy. He leapt right after it, aware of how long the spell would be in effect for, which would leave the pillar open for him to land on and redirect as necessary.]

[velvet_zealot]

[The soles of Yazoo's boots had barely connected with the pillar when Demi2 had struck, and even though he had pushed off and cleared the gap between that post and the stone archway afterward, it was not without incurring serious damage. He teetered for a moment on the edge of the arch, Velvet Nightmare clenched in an unrelenting grip, but the crackling energy at his back was enough to cause his balance to falter.

Bullets fled his gun in Cloud's direction as he fell... fell, and with a splash, plunged into the murky water below and disappeared from sight.

Ripples spread outward on the surface, the water rocking against the stone path and the columns, but there was no sign of the Remnant...]