sunfloras | Open Post

It’s ostentatious.

[Blunt, dry. These paintings are of a lifestyle very much unlike the one he leads, unlike anything that truly exists in Midgar. The rich put on airs, but they’re never so delicate, never hide their overindulgences, so Sephiroth can only view it all as undeniably shallow. Fake, in a way that’s easy to look down on.

This room is no different, and the painting seems even more over the top than the rest.]

Palatial, or like a museum where we’re supposed to appreciate everything from afar.

[He steps in, gauging the atmosphere.]

What’s the point to all of this? There has to be more than us just wandering aimlessly, room to room.

[Before she can reply, the skittering noise returns, louder and with more clarity this time. Ai is instantly on her guard and her eyes glow as she turns towards the direction of the sounds which come from a four-way path. There's some giggling and low hushed tones begin to echo throughout the corridors.]

"Is there a new Lord?"

"Has a new Lord come out to play with us?"

"It's been so long. Such a handsome one too."

"I go first, all of you stand aside!"

[Ai sets down her lantern carefully and moves up against the wall so she can give more room to Sephiroth and continue looking closely.]

"I'll welcome the new Lord."

"No, I will!"

"It seems he's there with another young thing."

"Will she join us?"

"No, she must go. It's been too long for us."

"Come out and play, come out and play!"

Edited 2019-12-15 02:11 (UTC)

[All trail of thought is severed the moment voices pierce the air. They echo from that four-way path, and the SOLDIER turns his head to look, eyes narrowed and slitted pupils sharp.

Giggling fills his ears, the statements soon following. He gives Ai a glance, noting her decision to give him wide berth — wise, considering they don’t know what might happen.]

You have my attention now. [He calls out down that direction, deep voice reverberating.] Want to welcome me? I’m right here, so show yourselves.

[Along the walls and down the hallways, like spiders crawling out of the woodwork, the duo's mysterious enemies finally appear.]

[Not all are wielding weapons, but opt to use their multiple limbs to move along the floor and walls. These twisted visions of feminity stare hungrily at Sephiroth and Ai Thao with their dark soulless eyes and with every movement they make they twitch and twerk unnaturally.]

"A lord! A lord"

"Ours!"

"Not ours, mine!"

"No, MINE!"

[The dolls seem to multiply in number and some are even trampling over one another to get closer to them.]

Sephiroth, there's so many! We need to clear out just one path or else we'll be overwhelmed!

[Twitching dolls, their limbs clambering over one another as they weave across the walls like overlarge spiders, fill his vision. A threat multiplying, encroaching in this direction, all for the sake of claiming him as their “lord”, whatever that may entail.

Cut a path through, he thinks, and already Masamune is glinting in the erratic lantern light, shadow flickering anxiously all around them. He lunges forward towards the first mass of dolls, his look of determination never turning away from their own soulless stares.

Masamune cannot even be seen, not as he tears it through them vertically, a clean slice that rings like crystal as their forms meet the blade’s steel.]

Easily done.

[Pick a direction and clear it. If he can keep his flank and back defended from more, this should be easy enough.]

[Ai wisely keeps her distance so Sephiroth can wield Masamune without having to be concerned with her proximity. But some of the automatons that haven't been cut clean by him have scuttled across the ceiling aiming for the esper.

Not a problem, she thinks, fully prepared to use the force of her mind to push them away. The energy from her eyes pulse as she forcefully pushes away the group of dolls about to drop on her—

They barely move a few feet.]

What the—!?

[Before she can react, a doll drops on top of Ai, two of its hands enclosed around her neck and the others pinning her torso and legs down. As she struggles, the dolls that are facing off with Sephiroth open their mouths, spewing out what can only be poisonous and toxic violet clouds of smoke and others with flames trying to torch the fighter.

Although she's on the floor, Ai notices the lantern within her reach. Before another breath can be choked out of her, she grabs the handle and smashes it against her captor's face, breaking its hold on her. She stands up haggardly breathing, but with little room to consider the loss of her strength.

There's a doll behind Sephiroth, but the esper, using the lantern as a weapon, swings and knocks it to the floor. Exhilaration and a rush of adrenaline mixed with desperation and confusion start setting in.

She needs to get out, she needs to clear a path, she needs to fight, she needs to—

Kill.

Ai steps forward, deliberately stepping on the torso of a doll still breathing heavily and abnormally.]

Edited 2019-12-15 04:10 (UTC)

[Masamune does the job with ease — if anything has changed about Sephiroth, he will not notice it through the use of his swordplay alone.

Magic, however, is another story.

It’s easy enough to follow up with a fire spell, the energy drawn forth from his materia and set tumbling forward. He can clear out the remainder of what he’s just cleaved through by immolating them, a tactic used on the battlefield more than once to make certain a downed enemy stays down. But when Sephiroth reaches out his hand to cast fire, he knows immediately something isn’t right; there’s a strain behind the mako energy that usually bursts forth with abandon, a flicker of a thing that only amounts to licks of flame dancing at his fingertips.]

What-

[A SOLDIER’s mind is trained to adapt on the fly. Sephiroth is faster than most, mentality snapping into focus despite his magic not heeding his call, and when a doll reaches its limbs towards him, he adjusts by slicing forward and rending it in two.

A quick turn of his body, Masamune sweeping along with him, ensures that anything standing too close meets the same fate. But what he sees when he turns completely around is none other than Ai, having newly brandished a lantern against a fallen doll’s head, and breathing erratically. She steps closer to him and his brow slants.]

Stay steady. [In case it’s nerves getting to her.] We can clear a path together.

— It's not enough.

[She says this in a harsh whisper tossing aside the damaged lantern and pole. One of the fallen dolls has released its bladed polearm and Ai picks that up grasping it in both hands and not heeding its weight against her own. The hallway that Sephiroth is taking care of is ignored and she moves towards the other crowded path. The jerky movements of the creatures appear to taunt her.]

"This one is angry."

"She wants it all for herself."

"Dreadful, dreadful!"

[Their layered, tinny voices rile Ai Thao up in a way she couldn't explain. All she knows, all she wants is to smash their porcelain faces, smash their exposed legs and torsos, and again and again until they were rendered to pieces.

And that's what she does. She swings the plundered lance across a group of dolls, breaking their faces. Although she does not have the usual strength to move multiple objects, one of the figurines levitates in the air and is thrown back and forth, knocking even more of the dolls out of the way. The esper then grabs a doll by its hair, smashing its face against the wall. One, two, no, more than three times with uncharacteristic aggression. The courtesan dolls pause for a moment watching this spectacle and titter amongst themselves.]

"So that's what she wants."

"We'll give her what she wants."

"Yes, yes, she can kill until she is content."

"Until she's alone."

"Until he's alone."

"And then they'll never leave."

[And that seems to cue an even larger swarm, all aiming for Ai.]

[When she turns around, ignoring the mostly cleared corridor, even Sephiroth cannot fight the spark of confusion crackling in his mind. What is she doing? The opposite direction is swarming with dolls; there’s no logical escape route, no strategic distraction or decoy needed. Her efforts are better paired with his own, but off she goes, and watching her turn away from him, Sephiroth notes a difference in her body language. Her motions are stiff, direct, no hesitation — the way she smashes through the dolls who whisper and giggle and titter amongst themselves, encouraging her newfound rage, only confirms his assumption.

Until she's alone.

Until he's alone.

Sephiroth grits his teeth, dashing in her direction, hissing a—] Shut up. [—at one of the dolls muttering their fate like a mantra, severing it at the jawline. His glowing gaze never leaves Ai, and he reaches forward to grasp at her forearm.]

Stop! What are you doing?

[The swarm is crawling desperately, skittering and skittering and reaching forward to grasp at her ankles. Sephiroth tugs her back with an unkind force, but better than being snatched up by those things.]

You have to stay with me. We can't split up— Do you remember the plaque?

[Ai nearly trips and her feet stumble as Sephiroth pulls her back. She even resists and shouts-]

Let me GO! There's more of them, I need to get all of them by myself! I can kill them all alone and, and—

[The plaque.

His words are able to cut through her haze and in the back of her mind, she flails around trying to remember—]

... Alone. I can't do it alone. Neither of us can.

[She's finally relaxing and her breathing is returning to normal and less feral. Her eyes are still glowing, but reason returns to her features.]

Was I... I was going crazy?

Edited 2019-12-15 07:04 (UTC)

[Trying to move Sephiroth is like attempting to move a marble statue. Trying to wrest free of his grasp is like trying to pull one’s wrist out of a vice — both are equally hard to do, and this works to his advantage. He does not intend to let her free, not without trusting Ai will remain calm, collected, and not go dashing into danger.

He meets her gaze with his own, both their eyes alight in the erratic shadows, but for differing reasons altogether.]

I don’t know. [He legitimately has no idea, but it’s evident that this place has some effect on them.] But something’s not right— my magic’s not working the way it should. Maybe they’re trying to influence us, trying to split us up in any way that they can.

[The signs, they were warnings. They should heed them stubbornly.]

Push them away to buy us distance. [Slowly, his grip uncurls around her wrist, his eyes leveling at the dolls approaching.] And then we’re turning back to the other corridor. Understand?

I-I can try. [She rubs her wrist where he grabbed her and gulping in attempt to gather her bearings.]

My power isn't potent as it should be either, but if I concentrate really hard... Yes, that should get us somewhere.

[Ai hones her focus and forces her mind to push against the automatons. Their spider-like limbs flail around as the wave is pushed aside giving the duo enough space to make their getaway.]

There! Let's go.

[And running!]

Edited 2019-12-15 07:41 (UTC)

[He doesn’t need to be told a second time. The moment that invisible force pushes the dolls back, Sephiroth is turning on a boot heel and making long, running strides towards the corridor behind them. His longcoat and hair whips him as he presses forward.

The way is clear... mostly. A few more dolls crawl out of the shadows, but Sephiroth meets them with Masamune as they pass, and they crumble to the ground with a clatter moments later.

He’s fast. His pace overtakes Ai’s with ease, and he affords her only a passing glance.]

Faster!

Edited 2019-12-15 07:50 (UTC)

[Ai grunts as she skips over a doll corpse and runs after Sephiroth. There's no use expending their energy fighting the remaining dolls, especially when it's only proven that it feeds into the madness that is bound to set in.

After her foot almost trips her when stepping on the sleeve of a kimono, Ai lets out another noise of frustration and then just chooses to glide. She hovers a few inches above the mat and smoothly sails past Sephiroth.]

Turn the corner!

[She flies towards a gate that indicates the end of the room and one can tell because each side is decorated with two gaudy flowery lanterns that stand out against the rest of what they've been seeing. Even more noticeable, the dolls seem to stop just short of that exit.]

[All of a sudden, she’s there in his periphery again, flying—? Floating? Surprise tries to overtake Sephiroth, but he shuts it away with ease, the situation taking priority instead; she had already told him of this ability, so he sets his jaw and keeps his eyes forward. The next turn is a sharp one.

(Right. Like they had decided on before.)

Ahead, two lanterns are points of light heralding the approach of another room. And behind them, the dolls slow, but Sephiroth keeps moving with Ai in tow. They reach they exit, and only then does he turn on his heel to check on the state of the horde behind them, Masamune at ready.]

[The door opens thanks to Ai's telekinesis and she doesn't even spare a glance towards the courtesan dolls seeing as how Sephiroth has her back. The ones he's facing continue to twitch unnaturally, but they dare not move closer.]

"They've made it."

"They've passed."

"We shall meet again."

"Soon."

"Soon!"

"Soon."

The army of dolls begins to recede until they're out of sight. Ai's voice cuts through the leftover silence.]

Alright! We've made it. Let's close the doors behind us just in case.

[Sephiroth is silent, cold, still, as he watches the dolls disperse into shadow. Only when signs of movement have gone completely still does he take two steps back, reaching out with his free hand to shut the double doors with a defiant clack.

He turns to face Ai, but unlike the her, his features still eke with dissatisfaction.]

Who's to say we won’t see them again? They even just promised us as much.

[In other words, keep your guard up. He’s not the type to fall into relief or comfort just because they’ve fled an array of disturbing dolls, who might be crawling above their heads right now, merely choosing not to overcome them.]

What were they, and what do they want? We’re left with more unanswered questions. How irritating.

Edited 2019-12-15 08:28 (UTC)

True... Considering how many there were, it's definitely not the last of them...

[And has to quietly chastise herself about letting her guard down. She casts her gaze down at her open palm, reassessing her energy levels.]

You said back there that your magic wasn't working correctly, didn't you? Same for me... Well, not my magic, but you know. I should have been able to just clear a whole wave easily if I didn't panic back there.

Oh, but enough about me. Are you okay? You're not hurt anywhere?

[Ai moves a little closer to Sephiroth, inspecting him with curious blue eyes, trying to find any blemish or bruise to take care of. It's strangely fussy of her.[

Edited 2019-12-15 08:34 (UTC)

I was just about to ask the same of you.

[He waves her away in a single motion, not harsh, but certainly not allowing too much space between them.]

...Don't worry about me. I'm unharmed. [He considers her, though, in much the same manner, minus the fussiness. His is a more careful, detached sweep of a gaze.]

Has this ever happened to you before? Your abilities gutted so completely?

[It sounds like she once had a strong command of her powers.]

Well, not exactly? I've been up against opponents who could nullify my powers to an extent. I'd just have to problem solve from there.

[She also cut off another crucial ability that she never plans to unlock in the near or far future.]

If you hadn't told me your own powers were hindered, I wouldn't have known. You're quite the swordsman already.

[Ai, you don't know the half of it...]

[He would cross his arms if one hand was not hindered by holding onto Masamune. The problem with such a long blade is that it doesn't have a sheath to stow it away.]

My swordsmanship is not a power. It's a result of physiology and training. Though...

[He trails off into silence, turning his own words over in his head.]

I take it back. Yours might be physiological for all I know, too. You were born with your abilities?

It's very good swordsmanship, nonetheless! And I'm impressed. It must have been challenging especially with that type of blade.

[When he asks her about her abilities, Ai seems to pause with some hesitation. And then she smiles and while it's not strained, there's a sense of it being apologetic.]

Mm hm. [She nods to confirm.]

I've gone through my own training to make sure I had control over them. It's kind of wasted on me, but... Oh, never mind. Forget I said that.

[She tries to brush her self-deprecation off and goes to take another portable lantern to light the way for them.]

[The praise comes and goes, rolls right off of him like gathered condensation. He’s heard it time and again, and it does not affect him, not really. Though perhaps there is some novelty in hearing it from someone untouched by Shinra’s constant, glorifying campaigns. If nothing else, he cannot say that Ai’s complements are not earnest or sincere.

Still, his gaze follows her back as she moves to steal another lantern.]

Why do you say it’s wasted on you? You handled yourself well enough, and with handicapped powers to boot. And you just told me that pushing aside a wave of enemies isn’t normally an issue.

[Training, too. So some kind of program exists for her and hers, as well.]

Edited 2019-12-15 14:03 (UTC)

[There's so much she could say about herself regarding her feelings about her powers and about her very existence regarding them. It doesn't seem like the time or place to spill her guts though, even if they survived an army of dolls together.]

It's just...

[Ai walks ahead, forgetting to stay behind him. Her shoulders slacken as her cheerfulness diminishes.]

I have a lot to work with, but I've had... Well, I still have trouble thinking about whether it's worth it in the end. It sounds selfish doesn't it?

[She’s wandering off, her focus thinning now that they’re out discernible danger. Sephiroth starts walking, then, catching up with long strides so that she cannot remain far ahead. Soon, his pace will overtake hers.]

It isn’t selfish to wonder if something suits you.

[And there’s much he could add to that, too. Much to say regarding his own role in Shinra, and the festering questions of how much longer he would remain, if SOLDIER is all what it once was — but these are thoughts he has shared with only one other, and not easily wrested from the cage of his mind.

So he doesn’t offer it. Instead-]

Duty is obligation. It’s either unwanted, or something to take pride in. There is no middle ground. It sounds like you’re trying to figure out on which side you stand.

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