02 | January 8th | Video

[heart_rhythm]

[Tifa hasn’t really felt the need to address the network since she arrived here, but she turns on the communicator now, letting her gaze remain a little to the side, her expression somber]I know there have been a lot of people going home lately, so I’m going to have to add another notice of that sort. If anyone knew her here, it looks like Marlene

Comments

[PERMA VIDEO]

[silversouba]

Good. That's one less rat to pollute this city and distract brother.

[heart_rhythm]

[Oh, she remembers you. Tifa fixes him with a cold look, voice quiet]

Maybe you'll leave next and there'll be even less for this city to bother about.

[silversouba]

You think I want to be here?

[heart_rhythm]

I didn't imply that you did. But why bother making comments like that when no one here can control who stays or leaves?

[silversouba]

Because it's true. No one wants to be here, not even your precious friends. That little girl was nothing but a nuisance to Cloud. She was taking him from his true purpose. . . as are you and Sephiroth. But I imagine you'd rather he not trust the very man who caused you so much trouble in the past.

[Short pause]

That's why I'm willing to make a deal with you. Don't waste this opportunity because I won't be offering it again.

[heart_rhythm]

[She's about ready to just shut off the communicator as he goes on, especially after implying she's a nuisance to Cloud. And though she doesn't think she would ever accept a deal from him, there's an undeniable curiosity about his offer]

Oh yeah? What's the deal?

[silversouba]

Clever girl.

[You're not quite as useless as the others, Tifa]

We get rid of Sephiroth, and you can have Cloud all to yourself. Doesn't that sound nice, hm? He won't have to worry about Mother, me, or my brothers, and most importantly, he won't be around him.

Refuse the offer and things will only get worse! Sephiroth is a ticking time bomb. You and I both know Cloud is better off without him.

[heart_rhythm]

[She glares at him a little before shaking her head]

And I thought you said I was in your way to get to Cloud as well. Don't you mean that taking care of Sephiroth would leave Cloud all for you?

Don't misunderstand. I may hate Sephiroth and want him away from Cloud, but I'm not to the level where I'd consider teaming up with someone like you and using underhanded tactics like killing someone my friend cares about to get my way.

[silversouba]

You don’t have to kill him [though that presents an interesting opportunity].

I want to get Sephiroth away from Cloud more than I want Cloud’s
loyalty. Mother will take care of that. In time he’ll come to see where his true purpose lies. But for now you can get what you want and I can get what I want. It’s the only chance you’ll get, you know. Don’t you want him all to yourself?

[heart_rhythm]

[Gritting her teeth, she shakes her head angrily]

He's not a thing I can keep to myself, and he's free to make his own choices, including who he allies with! Anyone who believes otherwise is not someone I would ever make deals with.

[silversouba]

[Kadaj merely smirks]

You do realize that your inability to act on this puts his life as well as yours in danger? If you truly cared for him, you'd seize this opportunity. Sephiroth is only manipulating him.

Hn. I thought friends were supposed to save each other from that sort of thing. But I guess it only speaks to your kind.

[heart_rhythm]

I will always be there to protect Cloud. And no matter what I do, I don't plan to team up with you to achieve your ends. I'm not dumb enough to think you wouldn't use me to get whatever you want.

[silversouba]

No. [His voice was firm, leaning towards irritation. You’re not listening to me. If you don’t get Sephiroth out of the picture then you are not protecting Cloud.

It’s so simple! Even a child could see how much better off he’d be without the very man who caused him so much stress in the past! If you care for him as much as you say then stop being so selfish and make the sacrifice for him.

[heart_rhythm]

Of course he's better off without him! [Her voice raises now; he's hitting several nerves with her but not in a way that's leading her towards him] I would do anything to keep him safe, but I will not go into this blindly with someone who could possibly be another threat to him.

I'll do what I have to as far as Sephiroth is concerned, but I'm not joining you. In fact, you've made me aware that I should keep an eye out for you as well when Cloud's concerned. I won't let you near him either. [There's a low venom in her voice as she glares icily at him]

[silversouba]

[He laughs, loudly and childishly] You think you can keep me away? Think again! We’re family. The real kind. Not the sort you and he pretend to share.

It’s sad, isn’t it? Brother so desperately wants a family and yet… he has one right in front of him. Why does he constantly reject us? Do you think it’s because of Sephiroth? He should know by now that we’re not the same. Just like you should know that I will always be a threat to you.

You can reduce that threat to one instead of two by siding with me. You can’t keep both of us at bay, not for long.

[heart_rhythm]

[She's listened to this for about long enough.]

I've done well enough by myself before, I'll take my chances now.

[And with that, she ends the call]