SOLDIER's Guided Tours - Destination: Saburra Desert

[furorimperator]

Who: The Desert Expedition
Where: Starting at Lake Meridian and progressing into the Saburra Desert
Style: Prose/Action tags [pick your preference, although action tags do go faster!]
Status: Open to anyone who responded ICly to Sephiroth's invitation. [And the invitation is still open! If you want your pup to participate, let the General know on

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From Somni to Oasis

[furorimperator]

[Following the path to the first designated oasis, where the group will spend the hottest part of the day. Feel free to have "party banter", find some interesting artifacts/flowers/plants/whatever on the way, ect.]

[furorimperator]

[It was hot, but that was to be expected. Thanks to ShinRa's wonderful conditioning and their manipulation of genetics, the heat wasn't totally unbearable.

Such was far from Sephiroth's mind, however, as he crested a large dune and stood at the precipice, staring out over the sandy landscape. Yes, he'd missed this.]

[couldnotfly]

[The heat itself wasn't a problem, not for SOLDIERs, but Zack had the.....unfortunate tendency to be clumsy when tired. That was unlikely to change even in the relative peace of Somarium, so he'd been stumbling a bit the entire way.

Hells, he was still stumbling as he came to stand beside Sephiroth, dusting sand off his pants for what felt like the thousandth time today. He was going to have sand in places sand was never supposed to go by the time they got home, that was for sure. But, at this moment in time, he really couldn't bring himself to care.]

Enjoying yourself, General?

[furorimperator]

[Unsurprised when the pup joined him at the pinnacle, Sephiroth had to chuckle at Zack's clumsiness. Well, everyone was entitled to be a bit awkward every now and then, so. And they'd both been up quiet late ensuring all was in readiness for the trek.]

I am, actually. It's good to get out and about every so often.

[Which was quite true. As he'd told Angeal, vacationing was all well and good, but it wasn't what he'd been made for. He was a soldier, no matter what world upon which he resided.

He glanced back to the rest of the troopers, an eyebrow quirked knowingly.]

A bit of a motley crew we lead, though, hm?

[couldnotfly]

No kidding. Thought I was gonna go nuts just staying in town. [Hence the tree-climbing incident that was ongoing when Seph brought up this little trip. Another few days of that and he'd have been climbing walls.

Now, however, he looks back at the group and thinks for a moment. They're good people, and decently good at keeping up with two SOLDIERS, but something does have Zack a little concerned.]

Well, they're no ShinRa troopers, but they're doing okay. I'm just a little worried about how they'll react if something tries to make a meal out of us. Like you said, Shiva only knows what's out here.

[furorimperator]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, pup. [True, he wasn't entirely thrilled with not having an entire platoon of Second Classes at his back, but given what he knew of those along, Sephiroth figured they'd be all right. Besides, he, Genesis and Zack had seen their share of war, and Snake seemed dangerously competent, as well.]

But between the three of us -you, me and Genesis- I'd hate to see the unfortunate denizen to bring us low, indeed. [A smirk and a spared glance back to Rhapsodos, bringing up the drogue of their group, rather uncharacteristically. But Sephiroth knew he'd have to "have a talk" with his scarlet brother, perhaps later after they made camp.]

Just keep your eyes and ears open, Zack. I trust your instincts, my friend.

[couldnotfly]

[Nothing ventured, nothing gained...how many times had he heard that before? Far too many, no matter how true it was. Still, Zack grinned. For something to take the three of them out...well..]

It would have to be something really big. And I mean really big. Probably bigger than a Zolom. [Not much got that big. Did it? Zack hoped not, even as his grin turned wry and he huffed out a sigh. Sephiroth's trust was held incrediblely dear to the pup, but something was bugging him.]

Yeah, well, when my instincts are screaming to get as far away from him as possible, I'm not sure that's a good thing. ["Him" being Genesis, who Zack was doing his best to be civil around even as he gestured to be sure Sephiroth got his point. And it is working, mostly in part to Genesis being so quiet instead of spouting off his beloved poem at every step, but that didn't keep Zack from being wary.]

[furorimperator]

[Sephiroth cocked an eyebrow.] Have you never heard the saying, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"?

[Which was exactly what the General planned to do. He didn't trust Rhapsodos, not by a long shot, not yet, but he wasn't simply going to outright accuse him without merit. Yes, Genesis had done unspeakable things back home, but this was not Gaia and even the most heinous of men might deserve a second chance. They would simply have to wait and see.]

If necessary, I'll handle him. You can believe that. [And he would. No questions asked. Genesis had been a brother, yes; but Sephiroth would not hesitate to take care of any problems which arose due to the redhead's machinations. Permanently.]

[couldnotfly]

Heard it enough times to not like it anymore, that's for sure. [But he did know what it meant. He could make a guess at Seph's plans, but that didn't mean he liked them. No, it didn't mean that at all, because he didn't like them one little bit.

Still, he nodded. He believed it alright, and Zack scrubbed at his face. Enough with the moping, Fair. This isn't Nibel. Get over it.] Yeah, I know, I just....I don't trust him but I know you did and maybe it'll work here, but...[But what, Zack? Things aren't the same here, so who says it won't work? Lack of sleep and decent brain function, probably.]

...Seph, the next time I get under six hours of sleep, gag me. Before I say something really stupid.

[furorimperator]

[Well, there was nothing left to do but put an arm around his best friend and give him a reassuring squeeze.]

No worries there, Gongaga brat. Put your mind at rest, Zack. I'm here and I won't let anything happen. [And he meant it. He'd move heaven, earth and all the hells for the man beside him; Sephiroth owed him that much.]

But come on, let's get moving before we're roasted to a crisp.

[doveindisguise]

[Big Luke, who is only on this little trip purely in pursuit of various scientific endeavors and to satisfy his own unending curiosity, keeps a close eye on to fighters of the group as they move swiftly through the desert.

Snake in particular seems to catch his interest.] You seem to be thoroughly prepared for any encounters we may face. Have you been out into the desert before?

[doveindisguise]

[Luke only nods in response to that. Is the young man actually educated on just what the Gulf War was or even when it took place? Of course not, but that doesn't mean he won't tuck that little piece of information away for later reading.]

And this particular desert, have you traversed across it before?

[doveindisguise]

Purely for my own curiosity. I intend to do a little investigation around the Ruins.