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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First Stop - Oasis

[furorimperator]

[And here we are at the oasis, where the group will spend the first night. There's shade here, a pool of fresh water. Feel free to strike your tent, hang out with some pals, find more stuff to puzzle over or just relax in the shade.]

[needsmorefiagra]

[ To put it mildly, the journey so far had been an inconvenience. While it was true, they had made good progress, encountered and defeated a few dozen lesser threats, for Genesis - the real battle began and ended within himself. The exhausting terrain, the constant innocuous little nuisances and the present company aside, it was already beginning to feel like a ... mistake. And for the umpteenth time, he found himself wondering why he had even agreed to tag along in the first place. It was a blessing, perhaps, in more ways than one when finally they found a place to settle down for the night

[furorimperator]

[Leaving Zack Fair to finish setting up camp and ensuring all were settled for the evening, Sephiroth took a canteen and headed over to the corner where Genesis had all but staked ropes and barricades. He gave not a thought to intruding -wouldn't have stopped even if he had- as he sat down beside his crimson brother with a tired but satisfied sigh, taking a swallow of cool clear spring water before wordlessly extending the container to Genesis.]

[needsmorefiagra]

[ For the last half an hour or so, Genesis had been present only in body. The General's steady footfalls brought him back to the present. His gaze lazily flickered towards Sephiroth, stormy blues beginning to lighten a shade. They hadn't spoken almost the entire day. Genesis had purposely lagged behind, while the General had taken his position at the front. This alone spoke volumes about a man such as Genesis. A born leader, there had never been a moment when he hadn't fought for the top spot.

He felt the shift as Sephiroth took a seat beside him. A moment later, he found himself staring at the offered canteen. He hesitated, before taking it, bringing it to his lips for a sip. ]

[furorimperator]

[A slight moue of surprise; Sephiroth honestly expected Genesis to decline the offer, but he simply mentally shrugged and nodded. There were many things which needed to be discussed, the least of which was Genesis' mental state, which was a concern for everyone, not just those from ShinRa.

But Sephiroth knew better than to charge in with a bold front; Genesis would no doubt lower his head, dig his heels in and balk like a mule. Besides, even though he still held hardness in his heart regarding Genesis' actions in their previous lives, the man beside him was still a brother. Still worthy of Sephiroth's concern.]

Brings back memories, hm?

[needsmorefiagra]

That, it does.

[ Despite the uncertainty between them, in that very moment there became a soft sense of ease. Genesis wasn't sure how long it would last nor did he expect anything to come of it. At least not yet. He absently turned the canteen around in his hands, gaze lingering somewhere upon the horizon. How long had it been since they'd sat side by side like this? When had been the last time he'd thought of Sephiroth as a friend and not some obstacle to overcome? In his quest for glory, it suddenly felt as though he'd willingly sacrificed everything. ]

At times I wonder if they were truly memories. More often than not, it seems as though I've been dreaming of another life. One that never quite had a chance to occur.

[furorimperator]

[Sephiroth chuckled softly, propping an arm on bent knee. He leaned back against the rock face, gazing out over the oasis.]

It does seem that way, doesn't it. [His own memories of Midgar were at times dim, as if shrouded in a dream and this was the reality.] I have to admit there are times when I wonder if, provided the chance, we should return.

[A pause, then:] Things seem...clearer here, for some reason. [Quite possibly because the Science Department wasn't shoving them full of various chemicals every day of the bloody week.]

[needsmorefiagra]

[ At the mention of Gaia, he seems to withdraw into himself. The tranquil spell shattered. Genesis frowns at the memories, his voice heavy with an emotion he can't quite seem to place just yet. ]

For some of us, there is nothing left. As for others ...

[ Genesis is well aware of what awaits Sephiroth upon his return. As for himself ... It was strange. If they were suddenly returned to their former lives, they wouldn't be together. They'd each land in their respective time periods. The gap between them stretched over a decade. He wouldn't be able to use his knowledge to change what was to transpire. The story would still play out in the same terrible way. ]

Perhaps, it would be wiser to stay here. In losing our former world, we've gained something else.

[furorimperator]

I have no intention of returning any time soon. [Sephiroth snorts slightly, idly flicking a bit of dust from black leather.] Believe me, I do not miss ShinRa's politics, the old man's grousing, the endless bullshit of that infernal place.

[A soft sigh.] As ironic as it seems, it's better here. Others...well, [A dismissive hand gesture.] I'm sure they feel differently. But since arriving here, I've seen the other side of life. And have become a willing addict.

[needsmorefiagra]

The other side of life ...

[ Genesis words drift into a reflective silence. Funnily enough, he'd never considered what the other side of life might hold for him. Away from ShinRa and all the factors that constituted his former life, who was he? And what kind of life could he possibly lead? ]

... I couldn't begin to imagine.

[furorimperator]

[Sephiroth didn't answer right away, but when he did, his voice was quiet.]

Don't imagine it, Genesis. Just live it.

[needsmorefiagra]

[ Easier said than done. Even if he were to focus all his energy into this other side of life, there were still aspects from his previous life that wouldn't fail to catch up with him. Sooner or later. Genesis casts Sephiroth a sidelong glance, and finally smiles - albeit, rather weakly. ]

... Let's see how it goes, then.

[furorimperator]

[Hardly a declaration of providence, but Sephiroth took it. When dealing with Genesis Rhapsodos, one learned to count the small things as momentous.]

Good.

[couldnotfly]

[Once Sephiroth had set off to go and do whatever it was he was going to do with Genesis and Zack had made sure that camp was well on its way to getting set up, the pup took a moment to refill his canteen and splash his face with water. It had been a long trek out and he was looking forward to getting some rest, but something...something was bugging him.

So he turned to look over his shoulder at the group, a curious expression on his face.]

Is it just me, or was getting here way too easy?

small>[Not that fighting off monsters was easy for everyone, but he'd been expecting bigger things out here. It sent a chill down his spine that they'd had such an easy time getting here.]

[uncute_one]

[Jade shrugs and adjusts his glasses, ever-present smile firmly in place.]

Oh, I wouldn't be so upset about nothing attacking us. For all we know, the monsters appear at night and we'll have to spend our entire time here fighting for our lives!

[He sounds disturbingly cheerful.]

[couldnotfly]

[Disturbingly cheerful, and frankly, just a tad creepy to Zack. But the pup shakes his head, palming the back of his neck.]

Maybe. I know I wouldn't want to attack in this heat if I could help it. [And, if he thought about it logically, anyone trekking through would be worn down at night. Prime monster breakfast.]