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[He can tell he’s startled her. His own assessing glance, sharp-eyed and cat-like, informs him as much.

It is hard to judge one’s character outside a familiar environment, but for what it’s worth, this young girl does not immediately read as a threat to Sephiroth’s sensibilities. Though this does little to ease the reality of a confusing situation, the tightness in his shoulder eases, and Masamune — his awareness of it brandished freely now blooming in his mind — is brought to rest, tilted vertically to his body and behind him. It peeks up over his shoulder, but this is not a stance one takes before an attack; he’s not a threat to her if she isn't. (Likely.)

He frowns, the rest of his expression practically carved from marble itself.]

Yes. I don’t know how I arrived here, or even where this is. I was—

[He can’t remember. Gaia, why can’t he recall?]

I don’t remember. [He casts his glance at their surroundings, brow furrowing, wary.] But I know this isn’t where I’m supposed to be. I take it you’re just as clueless, too, then.

Edited 2019-12-14 06:19 (UTC)

[Her own shoulders visibly relaxing, Ai then lets out a sigh of relief (although she does keep an eye on the sword in the meanwhile) and responds.]

Yes. Yes, you're right.

[She purses her lips for a second before elaborating.]

I don’t remember much either. Or rather, I know who I am and where I’m from if that makes sense, but like you, there’s not much in the way of remembering where I was last or what I was doing.

[Ai frowns gripping the edges of her shirt.]

Did you try scaling the walls too?

Edited 2019-12-14 06:44 (UTC)

I leapt over them.

[Yes, he jumped over them, tall as they are — an easy enough feat for Sephiroth, or for anyone who calls themselves a SOLDIER.]

And I ended up right where I started. It's like this garden is twisting the rules of time and space.

[He’s sure the Shinra scientists would have a field day if they knew. Thrown into an absolute tizzy at the very implications, the potential applications of such a discovery, though the revelation of their best investment being stranded in some strange locale would not go over half as well.

It's a thought that nearly earns a scoff. Sephiroth keeps it pinned down in his throat.]

Which doesn’t make sense, and shouldn’t be possible. But here we are. [The assessment runs cold, but if there’s nothing they can do about directly leaving, they should consider their other possibilities. His training is instinct at this point, refining all distraction into dust, leaving his thought process needlepoint and sharp.]

Who are you, and where are you from? [Maybe there’s a connection there.]

You... Oh. Okay.

[While she could have made a remark, Ai's quick assessment of the man was that he was imposing and that it took strength and dexterity to wield such a lengthy sword. She's somehow not surprised that he could manage to leap over the walls. They weren't the tallest, but a normal person wouldn't be able to manage such a feat. She'll keep that to herself for now and the fact that she flew over only to meet the same results.]

So if that happened to you and to me, we'll only end up at the entrance to this building no matter what.

[When he asks for her to introduce herself, Ai complies and even gives a short and polite bow of the head to introduce herself.]

I'm Ai Thao or just Ai for short. I'm from Vietnam. Whether I was actually there last or somewhere else is up in the air for now.

What should I call you?

[His look is once more searching, brow pinching just enough to form a wrinkle creasing across his skin.]

Vietnam... I've never heard of Vietnam.

[There is no place called Vietnam on Gaia, not in this day and age, where every available part of the planet had at least been scouted by Shinra, to test its viability and abundance of resources, of Mako energy.

But maybe he's misunderstanding; unlikelier still, but maybe he's ignorant. Sephiroth ignores his turn for an introduction, in favor of-]

Where is it located in relation to Midgar?

Edited 2019-12-14 07:19 (UTC)

Er. Pardon?

[She is in a word, confused. The unfamiliarity shows itself in her apologetic expression.]

Uh, oh. [Ai puts her crosses her arms, tilts her head, and furrows her brow.]

I haven't heard of Midgar either. Although, to be honest, I can't say I've ever seen a person with your type of features before either so that should have clued me in about how we're definitely... Well, different.

Edited 2019-12-14 07:35 (UTC)

[He’s different from everyone, Ai. He could easily tell her that — and yet, he knows that’s not what she means. The difference runs much deeper than either of them would have expected. Vietnam, Midgar. Neither familiar to the other, which is mind-boggling in its own right. But it severs the idea of them being connected by place and circumstance, as if they were randomly pulled into this situation without any rhyme or reason.

Any obvious rhyme or reason; subject to change, depending on what happens in this terribly quiet garden.]

I see.

[It’s on the verge of an exhale, but once again, Sephiroth keeps it coiled inside of him, allowing a moment of heavy silence to pass between them.]

Then we’ll get nowhere with that line of questioning. As you’ve probably assumed, I’m from the city of Midgar. My name is Sephiroth.

[Odd name, but she isn't one to talk, Ai thinks to herself. She nods in agreement with his prior statement.]

You're right. And pleased to make your acquaintance even though it has to be here.

[Ai looks towards the manor entrance and then back at Sephiroth.]

Did you try going inside yet? I was thinking it would be a last resort if the sky was going to turn dark, but it gives me a really bad feeling.

[That same discomfort grinds against his bones, too, though he does not immediately show it. Green eyes slide over to that interior entrance, unexplored yet eking waves of foreboding.

Sephiroth dislikes a threat that has yet to surface, both frustrating and dangerous. It makes assessment of that same threat impossible to judge, hard to know how to control. He hates uncertainty, preferring to cleave it away from any situation, in much the same manner he utilizes Masamune to cut down obstacles before him. Straightforward, efficient, precise. Ideal, which this situation is not.]

I have not. But on the contrary, I don’t consider it a last resort — I consider it the most obvious next option.

[He raises his arm, pointing at the manor with Masamune.]

There are no answers outside, so we explore within. If there’s a threat in there, it’ll find us one way or another; after all, why would it bring us here without a reason? I’d rather face it head-on than stand and wait for it to meet us instead.

Edited 2019-12-14 08:16 (UTC)

[There's no arguing that obvious logic. Unlike Sephiroth, Ai, for all her own capabilities is cautious and not at all straightforward. Perhaps that's why it takes her so long to problem solve, but she depends on her innate sixth sense to avoid trouble rather than have a direct confrontation unless absolutely necessary.

But while she doesn't look entirely all for the next step, she instead nods.]

Now that there's two of us then I think I won't be as worried about what we find inside.

[Ai starts to go up the steps and goes right up to the door before turning to Sephiroth.]

I might be asking the obvious, but you're some kind of fighter right? From the looks of this manor, I think the hallways might be narrow. Will that be a problem?

[He follows, silver hair swaying with each step, and stopping when she does.]

I’m military-trained. SOLDIER, if that means anything to you.

[But if she does not recognize his own name, he doubts the name of Shinra’s strongest will spark any familiarity. So instead, Sephiroth tends to her question stolidly.]

Masamune might seem long, but its edge is sharp; walls that get in the way will be cut clean through. [Maybe that sounds like an exaggeration, but it’s anything but.] I have magic equipped, too.

[He considers her for a moment.]

If you’re not accustomed to fighting, I'd suggest you get behind me.

Edited 2019-12-14 08:33 (UTC)

[Ai Thao is of smaller stature and it is even more emphasized when she's near Sephiroth. Her frame and demeanor don't suggest anything impressive, but then she says:]

I'm rather accustomed. Unfortunately.

[She murmurs the last part soberly with her gaze shifting to the side for a second.]

But in this case, I'll probably be better as back up. [Equipped magic sounds promising so she asks about that first.]

Does your equipped magic include any type of healing?

[It’s barely perceptible, but a thin brow arches. This girl does not look exceptionally equipped to fight, so small in stature compared to his broad-shouldered frame, but looks can be deceiving. Not all manner of battle prowess revolved around pure strength and force. Magic, agility, guile. She could possess one, any, or all of these, making her just as viable in a fight.

So he discards his doubt, deciding to take Ai at her word, seeing no reason to argue if she’s going to be trailing behind him, anyhow.]

It does. [He has his Restore materia, which he uses far more on others than himself. Such might be the case today, though he hopes not.

Just a little wryly, stepping past her—] But we should do our best to make certain I don’t have to use it.

[There's some residual guilt in Ai who has programmed herself to not openly reveal her hand when it comes to her abilities. Seeing as how they're both stuck for an indeterminable amount of time together, she decides to step up to the plate.]

Well, in that case, you're lucky! I have healing powers. If there's an open wound or broken limb, I'll be able to take care of that. I can even relieve mental stress when I channel my energy.

[Ai holds up her hand to list two other powers.]

I can move heavy objects and distort them to a degree with my mind and I can fly... Oh, to keep it short, I'm an esper. I may not look it, but when push comes to shove, I think I'll be able to pull my weight.

[He stops to look over his shoulder at her.]

An esper?

[There is a line of believability that vacillates wildly with someone from Gaia. In a world where magic, summons, and the Lifestream itself exists, there should be plenty of wiggle room to allow himself to believe in people with psychic powers, who can heal and relieve stress and fly with mental energy alone.

But it’s still strange, not something that a normal human should possess in his world, therefore slotting it neatly into the category of “unusual” regardless. Sephiroth turns over a reply in his mind.]

All of those abilities, through the simple willpower of your own mind? You must be stronger than you look.

[She's about to downplay herself as she usually does, but stops herself. Ai had been doing that for far too long to herself.]

It is what it is. If I stayed quiet about what I could do, I'd only cause us more trouble.

[She smiles lightly and then finally puts her hands on the gate.]

Let's get started, shall we?

[Both doors slide open and they are greeted with a dimly lit corridor with no visible branching path yet. On the side, there is a decorative lantern with a polished black wooden handle.

Ominous? Yes. Ai has to take another deep breath to calm herself before she reaches out for the lantern.]

And I'll hold this.

[Fair enough. There might be more time to question her abilities later, but for now, they have no choice but to press forward. His unwillingness to leave them both idle pushes them ahead, makes him not want to linger in this entryway longer than necessary.

Ai is of the same mind, it seems, so Sephiroth nods and they both enter the mansion.

He keeps Masamune vertical and behind him as they walk, not ready to throw himself into an offensive stance just yet. But the long, seemingly corridor is an uneasy welcome, and Sephiroth’s eyes — now faintly glowing in the shadows — sweep across to seek any apparent threats. None yet. Only the slow bob of lantern light follows them as they traverse forward.]

Stay alert. Don't hold onto the lantern if it becomes a detriment. I can see fine in the dim light.

Edited 2019-12-14 09:30 (UTC)

Got it!

[Ai glances around to take in the details that the lantern light is able to reveal to them. The style is undeniably familiar to her at least. She's uncertain if such details would hold Sephiroth's interest seeing as how moving forward is their priority, but she does mention something relevant.]

When I was by myself and looking for a way out, I don't think there was an area that indicated that it was the back of the mansion. It seems like we're stuck in half of the total area if there's a totality at all, to begin with. Do you think that's the case?

Given the result of trying to scale the walls outside? I would say it's possible.

[A beat; she can't see it, but his lips purse faintly into a thin frown. The corridor continues, with no visible end in sight.]

But not promising. If we're expected to progress in a logical way, knowing that the exit exists is paramount.

With the way things are shaping up, I'm kind of worried about what we'll find at the end of the building too.

Oh!

[Ai squints are eyes and points up ahead. There's another set of sliding doors and on the wall next to it, a plaque.]

I'll read it first just in case.

[Her lantern sways as she moves towards the wall to read the plaque and while she does so there's a subtle, but apparent noise of scurrying behind the new set of doors. It makes Ai freeze for a moment.]

Did you hear that?

[He is sure to remain at least two steps in front of her even as Ai hastens her pace to read the plaque. All the better, because yes, he hears that skittering sound just beyond those doors. It isn’t enough to send a jolt of adrenaline through Sephiroth’s veins, meeting most subtle changes in a situation with an eerie calm, but he cannot stop the look of disapproval on his features.]

Confirmation that we’re not alone after all. Not surprising, but remain careful.

[In the swaying lantern light, he tilts his chin at the plaque.]

What’s it say?

[Ai glances back and forth before settling her gaze on the plaque again. She holds up her lantern to read the sign.]

How strange. I thought it would just tell us what kind of room we're going into, but it's something else.

"You cannot survive alone. Do not blind yourself."

[Huh.]

[How very ominous indeed.]

Some sort of riddle?

[Is nothing about this place straightforward? If someone is doling out warnings before each room, why be so vague, if not just to be pernicious?]

Or a warning. Neither of us are alone, but as for what ‘blind’ might refer to—

[Well.]

That’s more nebulous, and we won’t know what to make of it until we step inside.

[The skittering noise rushes by them again from behind the doors and Ai shivers.]

Um. Just so neither of us gets jumped, how about you take a step back? I'll open up the doors without touching them.

[That noise again. Sephiroth looks at the door like it dares present a challenge to him, his grip around Masamune’s hilt tightening, the leather of his gloves snug against skin and knuckles.

He steps back, though his look is unfaltering.]

Do it.

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