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[silvergeneral]

[Should anyone be walking outside Community Housing Building 3 early in the afternoon, they'll find an odd sight--several tree trunks stacked neatly in one pile, the cut-off branches in another. A little off to the side of the entrance is Sephiroth, standing in a small area cleared of snow, for once stripped of his customary coat and pauldrons. He

Comments

[merepuppet]

[Kadaj isn't generally one to approach Sephiroth, but curiosity got the best of him when he noticed the tree trunks.

He won't say anything, at first, just watch quietly from afar.]

[silvergeneral]

[Sephiroth feels you over there. With Mother not around, everything other link seems that much uncomfortably clearer. He stands up, leaning on the handle of his shovel.]

Yes?

[In contrast, the chocobo is busy investigating all of Sephiroth's visitors and Kadaj is no exception. He's got such a pretty crest, just like her rider, but much more manageable. She walks up to him with a curious whistle.]

[merepuppet]

[Kadaj tenses when Sephiroth moves, but tilts his head towards Sephiroth's project.]

What are you doing? [He gives the chocobo a look of mild curiosity, but other than that ignores her.]

[silvergeneral]

[wry look]

Playing ranch hand.

[He gestures economically at the chocobo, who is still in the business of investigating Kadaj's hair and speaks with a sardonic tone.]

I seem to have been... adopted.

[the chocobo lets out a cheerful Kweh! of agreement]

I stabled her in one of the unused rooms on the first floor, but I don't trust that such an arrangement can last. Best to take it into my own hands now.

[merepuppet]

How fun. [He turns his attention to the chocobo. Kadaj had never seen one close up, not in his short lifetime, at least.]

I'm surprised she's willing to stay in your presence.

[silvergeneral]

[Hmmph. Sephiroth thinks little of your disdain, young man.]

It is, isn't it? Pleasant indeed to have a fount of memory and experience to draw from. Memories not simply given but made.

[The chocobo meanwhile is cocking her head anxiously, watching the two wingless. Energy crackles between them, even as their words blur past her and she whistles in concern, raking the snow with her talons.

Is war to come between these like-but-not-like?]

[merepuppet]

[Kadaj tenses, and then glares long and hard at Sephiroth. You just had to say something like that, didn't you?]

I have my own memories, you realize. [His voice basically shakes with anger as he curls his fingers into his palms.]

[silvergeneral]

[It's Kadaj. All types of special favors are bestowed upon his youthful shoulders.]

Yes. But have you a lifetime?

[merepuppet]

Not yet, but we all have to start somewhere. [He shifts his weight, but continues to glare.]

Don't we?

[silvergeneral]

Certainly.

[Sephiroth starts up his work again with studied nonchalance]

May you yet find such personal development in this new, free life you now lead.

[merepuppet]

I hate you. [Yes. That's the only thing he could think to say.]

[silvergeneral]

[Sephiroth pauses again, and only looks at him, coldly. Kadaj was a disappointment to him, and he hates him for it too.

Anamalech on the other hand clicks her beak in irritation at the two of them. Silly silver crests, posturing like suitors over a brood hen.

She lowers her head closer to the youngling, nudging him softly and uttering a quiet trill.]

[merepuppet]

[Kadaj will look away from Sephiroth, and begrudgingly place a gloved hand on the chocobo's head, petting it surprisingly gently.

How did Sephiroth end up with such a nice chocobo like Ana?]

[silvergeneral]

[Ana's inner lids snick closed for a long moment or too in comfortable contentment. He smells like other, just like her rider. Curious smells, like the breath and beat of the Planet that slid beneath her talons, but different, something colder.

Ah, if he had come too while they were all penned, others of her flockmates would have slipped their handlers too to find him.]