we'll try to stay blind | To the hope and fear outside
Who: furoriperator, needsmorefiagra, possibly couldnotfly
Where: Espoir Village church, Residential District
Style: Third
Status: Closed
He'd had enough. Leaving Zack in charge of the Arena's cleanup, but to come running if he heard a massive explosion, Sephiroth headed off to find Genesis. They'd gotten separated during the flooding, but Sephiroth knew good and well both of his ( Read more... )
Where: Espoir Village church, Residential District
Style: Third
Status: Closed
He'd had enough. Leaving Zack in charge of the Arena's cleanup, but to come running if he heard a massive explosion, Sephiroth headed off to find Genesis. They'd gotten separated during the flooding, but Sephiroth knew good and well both of his ( Read more... )
At least not to him. After all, had he not been the very centre of it in his former life? To have witnessed Somarium in a state of utter pandemonium did nothing to disconcert him, really. The heavy torrent of black rain had a mesmerizing effect to his already overshadowed mind, lulling him into a state of ataraxia. The foreboding felt by the city's inhabitants merely slipped past him, kindly leaving him be. He'd survived hell, was currently living through his own private nightmare and really, what could be worse than that? It was a constant battle, the devastiontaion was almost enough to lure him back to his own silent world where the line between deep water and darkness was almost indiscernible. Because then ... at least he could be certain he wasn't about to make, yet, another mistake. Out here in Somarium - a world that was as real as it was going to get for him - he wasn't quite sure how to tread.
The destruction caused by the flooding was monumental. Wreckage littered the grounds, the air filled with cries of despair and relief. The whole scene aroused within him, a peculiar feeling. Kindness was a foreign concept, especially where it concerned strangers. He wasn't quite sure what to do with these new feelings that had suddenly started to bubble up at the very sight of all those left floundering after the flood. Besides, what could he possibly do? After all, he'd never quite got to play out his part as the hero.
And so, he had sought refuge in the most likeliest of places - or unlikeliest, depending on how one might choose to view matters. The deep hush and coolness of the Chapel had instantly soothed his nerves. He's happened upon the building by chance amidst his morning wander and by late afternoon, still had not ventured out. Who could possibly miss him? Shoving his DreamBerry deep in his pocket - so that any new message alerts were well and truly muffled - he chose to remain where he was, deep in his own somber thoughts.
Sephiroth's arrival was nothing short of explosive, shattering the gentle silence in the air. Sighing softly, Genesis folded his arms across his chest, his posture exuding nonchalance. It was a stark contrast from the uproar taking place in his head. He simply quirked an eyebrow in Sephiroth's direction, his expression speaking for itself. Now. Was that really necessary?
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It wasn't even hardly open for debate.
He wasted little time nailing Genesis by eye, countenance stern and absolutely unbending.
"Genesis," Sephiroth stated firmly. "Get up. You're leaving here immediately and relocating into better and more suitable accommodations." His tone, hard as steel, left damned little room for wiggling. Even for an expert such as Genesis Rhapsodos.
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Touch and go. It always was when dealing with Genesis. Judging from his very stance, it seemed as though he'd resist. A mule digging its heels into the mud, too stubborn to be led away from its crumbling home into something better. But then -
There was a shift, his whole demeanour changing so swiftly it was unsettling. Genesis relaxes, his features softening into a smile, more bitter than sweet. He lets his arms drop to his sides, taking a few steps towards the other. "If that's what you really want." Genesis' tone, however, betrayed nothing. The words were uttered in his usual lilting way, slowly spoken as though he was humouring a small child.
Walking closer towards Sephiroth, Genesis calmly passes the other, letting their shoulders brush as he moves towards the Chapel door. It was difficult to determine whether the gesture was executed playfully or mockingly. Genesis remains still, keeping his back to Sephiroth as he quietly speaks. "Reach out. Whatever your fingertips skim may not be the same as what your fist might eventually close in on."
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He'd not had to come down so hard on any of his former comrades since arriving in Somarium, but he was mildly pleased he'd not lost his touch. No, the habit of command was still firmly ingrained, proved further as his quarry slithered to his feet and all but slunk forward, surprisingly putting up little fuss.
Which, naturally, Sephiroth didn't trust a whit.
Furthermore, when Genesis suddenly became sunny and welcoming, Sephiroth's wariness tripled and he inwardly braced for a surprise attack, more than ready to whip the Masamune from its sheath and send the redhead back across the room.
Surprisingly, however, nothing of the sort developed, although Genesis strolled by just a touch too close for comfort, but Sephiroth'd be damned before he step back or down. He simply inhaled a long breath, exercising calm over his irritation. No, it wouldn't do to just slap the shit out of his crimson brother, no matter the want for such an altercation.
As they'd done so long before, they stood facing apart, but Sephiroth heard the words so clearly, each clear as a bell. Sephiroth glowered, but replied in a modulated, even tone, "That, Genesis, is exactly what I intend to find out."
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"And should you find yourself tarnished upon inching too close?" The words are followed by a level stare as Genesis turns around to face Sephiroth. His tone is absent of jest nor is there even a hint of a smirk, just a strangely curious long look as though he was trying to gauge the General's reaction to his words.
Sephiroth was unaware of how far Genesis had let himself sink. Even if one could brush aside the monstrosities committed by his hand for a split second, there was always a newer low and this is where Sephiroth should expect to find him. While his sins were the cause of deep affliction, it was everything that had occurred below the surface that kept him from ever stepping into the light. DeepGround was a stranglehold he'd never been released from. Attempting to understand the heavy burden of sins committed in Genesis' previous life would get Sephiroth absolutely nowhere, so then, why worry about all those skeletons locked away in the closet?
-Play along.
"Sephiroth." Now there's a smirk, a dangerous bite to his drawl. "Sometimes it's kinder to be left in the dark."
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"I'll take the chance."
And he meant it. In his own eyes, he'd failed before, when he allowed Genesis walk away from that simulation, trailing hurt feelings and bruised dignity behind him. Sephiroth had tried to make up for it afterwards, being the first to offer his own blood to aid in the other's restoration, but Hollander had denied him, spouting some bullshit about "compatibility". In retrospect, Sephiroth knew he should have driven his fist into the fat scientist's face and done what needed to be done.
Sephiroth had no illusions about what Genesis was. He knew the damage of which the other was capable; had witnessed it firsthand, had he not? But there was no way in all heaven or hells he was about to let it happen again. There was still a chance, no matter how miniscule, that he could do something to avoid all that pain and misery, a gesture, a word, a look, anything, to bring his friend back from the abyss.
He had to believe it. He just had to.
Hearing Genesis' cryptic statement, Sephiroth merely shrugged. "Perhaps," he replied quietly. "But the shadows don't frighten me, brother. I'm not stranger to their haunts."
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Lying in the infirmary after that fateful spar, he hadn't been too greatly surprised when he discovered that Angeal had volunteered to offer his own blood to help him recover. Nobody had told him that it had been Sephiroth whom had offered his first. Or that Sephiroth had been hovering outside the door, waiting for word on Genesis' condition. Without this knowledge, something within him had suddenly grown colder, almost hardening to a point where Sephiroth was concerned.
That was then and this was now. After all that he'd done, he had a difficult time believing that Sephiroth truly wanted to help him. Perhaps, this was just another way for the General to monitor him, keep him out of trouble? Not that it mattered, anyway.
"I remember." The words are murmured, more to himself than Sephiroth. "It shall be interesting to see whom drags the other down."
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