Sephiroth

Affiliated with Isola Radiale Written by Beetle

[isolaradiale]

Heyo! Going on an international trip at the end of August and I'm foreseeing little to no activity until then so, starting 8/10/23, I'm putting Johnny Gill (D.Gray-Man), Sephiroth (Final Fantasy), Choso (Jujutsu Kaisen), Zero (Katana Zero), Gilbert Nightray (Pandora Hearts), and Livio the Double Fang (Trigun Stampede) on hiatus. Thank you!

Unfortunately, Johnny Gill did not meet activity requirements for a hiatus at the time this was sent.

All the others will be placed on hiatus for you!

– ⋆ taygeta.

[deathpacito]

jenovasheir​:

The other man is surprisingly timid, despite being the largest out of the two of them, based on bulk alone. There are all types of people it seems. Meanwhile, Sephiroth’s expression remains unchanging.

“Likewise,” He hums. “Have you been on this island long?”

Well, the man hasn’t told him to screw off, so...so that’s good! Right?

<---- a man who doesn’t know how to make friends or talk much to people. 

“A couple of months, by now. You must’ve just got here. How are you finding it?”

[jenovasheir]

A couple of months. Hm. Well, if nothing else, the strange man might prove to be of some use to Sephiroth. Vincent was able to give him a fairly thorough run down of what he needed to know to live on this island, but there was only so much the old Turk knew.

"I have, and I am finding it as well as one can in the given circumstances," He pauses, then adds, "The only difficulty I have encountered is finding a job."

[jenovasheir]

[Text] Today is Lucrecia's birthday. I wondered if you would like to accompany me to buy her flowers.

[Text] I was considering going to the candle lighting for the lost ceremony they've been holding this evening. You are invited to accompany me to that as well, if you wish. There are no graves to visit here to pay respects, after all.

It takes a while for Sephiroth to answer Vincent's messages. He's never been one to mourn the dead. It was such an inevitability for so many of Shinra's soldiers that death almost became white noise at some point. Even Angeal's death was muted to a point.

[txt] I have no other plans for today. Should you wish for me to accompany you, I will oblige.

If nothing else, perhaps sentimentality will loosen the ex-Turk's lips and he'll be able to learn more about his mother.

[jenovasheir]

[jenovasheir]

"The manor…" If true that would mean Sephiroth spent his childhood, or rather what little of one he had, within reach of this man, kept utterly unaware of his existence. It sounds exactly like the sort of thing that cretin Hojo would pull. The thought of it brings the shadow of a scowl to Sephiroth's expression.

The mention of his mother's love, causes his heart to ache in a way he's not expecting. Pathetic as it is, it works to endear him to this man. Perhaps everything he's said is a lie, perhaps it's not, but it's a thread Sephiroth is willing to risk pulling on.

"I will accept your story… for now. It seems there is little risk in doing so in this realm. What do you know of it?" He asks, shifting the conversation away from discussions of his mother. As much as he'd love to soak up every scrap of information Vincent might be able to give him, Sephiroth knows he needs to show some level of restraint, and he's sorely lacking in information on this realm.

[quicksilvernightmares]

Vincent just dips his head in acknowledgement. He has little physical evidence to back up his claims and all he can do is hope Sephiroth will accept his words as truth. There's a brief moment where he wishes the man was here for the incident with the memories, that he was the one to find them instead of Vash, but that would probably have ended poorly. There were too many other things wound up in his actual, physical memories of Lucrecia and too much about Sephiroth's origins there.

"You should order something," he says instead of answering immediately. "We can talk after we eat. I'll buy, since I doubt you've found work on only your second day here." Vincent arches an eyebrow at him, daring Sephiroth to contradict him or attempt to argue. He'd better damn well eat, since he clearly hadn't been before he'd gotten here.

Silently, Vincent despairs over Soldiers; always running as hard as they can without any regard for their own bodies. Was that universal or something Cloud had accidently picked up from Sephiroth himself?

Nope, not thinking about that anymore.

[jenovasheir]

Sephiroth presses his lips together slightly, but it's the only sign of displeasure in his expression. So, it's going to be like that. Well, eating certainly won't hurt him. He might as well indulge the man's attempt at getting him to take care of his needs. There were worse prices he could have to pay for information.

He doesn't waste much time looking over the menu, just picks whatever seems like it has the most nutritional value as well as ordering a water. Once that's out of the way, he looks back to Vincent with an expectant expression.

"If we're to wait to talk until after eating, what do you suggest we discuss while we wait for the food to arrive?"

[frothofdays]

when rustica is spoken to, her head turns to look at the speaker - a tall man with pale hair. she blinks, wide eyed and bewildered, pausing as her gaze flicked down to what he was holding.

hmm... that was hers, wasn't it? she pauses, looking at her sleeves, checking them - yes, she had one cuff-link and not the other, and that one looked like the one she still wore. only one cuff-link, the other held in this man's hands; thus: this was hers.

"oh! and so i did!" her smile is good natured and bright. she steps toward him, ducking her head politely.

"thank you. i fear i would lose my head if it weren't attached. you have a sharp eye, don't you?" her words are bright and kind and curious. the sort that says this conversation will go until she's satisfied.

[jenovasheir]

There's an idle sense of dread at the look in the other's eyes. It tells him he may have made a mistake speaking with her, but maybe it won't be so bad. Perhaps he'll be able to get some information out of her or find some use in this conversation. Hopefully, he will.

"Mm. It was my job to have sharp eyes," Sephiroth answers.

[deathpacito]

jenovasheir​:

Even as the other man smiles and approaches, Sephiroth remains as unchanging as a statue. At the same time, he doesn’t outwardly reject the interaction either. He’s not one for mingling, but without Shinra’s network, even he can see the value in interacting with others and creating a small network of his own.

“Hello,” Sephiroth responds flatly, then he asks, as if he wasn’t the one staring, “Do you need something?”

Oh-oh. Maybe Livio shouldn't have spoke up....he might be bothering this man. But he'd been staring at Livio, nearly across from him at that height--

"Ah, sorry about that. No, I just noticed-- I don't see many people nearly as tall as me."

Ooof, this is awkward.

[jenovasheir]

The other man is surprisingly timid, despite being the largest out of the two of them, based on bulk alone. There are all types of people it seems. Meanwhile, Sephiroth's expression remains unchanging.

"Likewise," He hums. "Have you been on this island long?"

[quicksilvernightmares]

The soft huff of a laugh is definitely self-depreciating, Vincent mirroring the motion Sephiroth had just made and bowing his head enough his bangs shadow his face. Between them and his collar his expression is almost entirely obscured.

"I was woken up. Both literally and figuratively." His voice is sharper now, filled with venom that's aimed both inward and out. "Hojo put me to sleep in the manor sub-basement, locked away when I wouldn't just die and he got bored. His drugs wore off but I just stayed there, sleeping in some poor attempt to escape my sins. I was there the entire time. Others had to come in and wake me, talk me into coming out into the world again." Vincent breathes out and lifts his head, tired but still sharp gaze focused on Sephiroth once again.

"If any of this is for me, it's to ease my guilt for never doing anything before, for being paralyzed by my own grief. Everything else is for her and you. You should know the woman who would have raised you had things been different. Who would have loved you with everything she had."

[jenovasheir]

"The manor…" If true that would mean Sephiroth spent his childhood, or rather what little of one he had, within reach of this man, kept utterly unaware of his existence. It sounds exactly like the sort of thing that cretin Hojo would pull. The thought of it brings the shadow of a scowl to Sephiroth's expression.

The mention of his mother's love, causes his heart to ache in a way he's not expecting. Pathetic as it is, it works to endear him to this man. Perhaps everything he's said is a lie, perhaps it's not, but it's a thread Sephiroth is willing to risk pulling on.

"I will accept your story… for now. It seems there is little risk in doing so in this realm. What do you know of it?" He asks, shifting the conversation away from discussions of his mother. As much as he'd love to soak up every scrap of information Vincent might be able to give him, Sephiroth knows he needs to show some level of restraint, and he's sorely lacking in information on this realm.

[quicksilvernightmares]

Vincent sees himself so strongly in that gesture that its almost startling. Back when he was a Turk, when he didn't wear a convenient high collar to hide behind, it was always his bangs too. Still is now, just to a lesser extent.

He waits as Sephiroth digests the information he's provided, resisting the urge to let his claws tap anxiously on the tabletop.

"Honestly? Guilt, mostly." The smile Vincent gives is small and self depreciating. "I was there, for the beginning at least, and there was much I could have done to make things easier for your mother. And you, later. I know Hojo. All too well."

Vincent tilts his head slightly, just enough to be sure the shine that was indicative of Mako was visible in his eyes. Not as bright as a Soldier, not the right color either, but prominent enough his eyes glowed with it. Oh, he knew Hojo.

"Your birth was not easy on Lucrecia. I didn't attempt to step in until it was too late. Had I done so sooner, or smarter, both your lives might have been easier. Instead I lost a dear friend and was promptly indisposed so as to not interfere with her son. I cannot make up for my lack of action. But I would like to do what I can now. I owe it to her." He sighs and dips his head slightly, reaching over to grip his own gauntleted wrist with his gloved hand.

"I want you to know her at least. She shouldn't simply be forgotten."

[jenovasheir]

It's the mention of his mother's death that weighs Sephiroth's trust in Vincent more heavily in his favor. It isn't information that's common knowledge, nor something he thought anyone other than Gast and Hojo knew. He's almost completely lured into the man's story, blinded by his thirst for knowledge of his lineage.

Doubt manages to worm its way into the crack that remains. For all his pretty words, it still feels like he's missing part of the story. Vincent reached out to him, took the time to keep watch for his name, and felt the need to clarify when Sephiroth was from before speaking to him. There must be something the former Turk knows that he doesn't.

"Guilt." Sephiroth echoes, skepticism leaking into his otherwise neutral expression, "Twenty-six years pass without this guilt motivating you. What has changed?"

[quicksilvernightmares]

"Gast." Vincent sighs. "Of all people I would have expected him to be better. Then again, as I understand it, Hojo had been slowly edging him out for years. He may not have had opportunity." He was likely attempting to protect Ilfana and possibly Aeirth at the time. Vincent wasn't entirely sure of the time period there.

"For your father... To be honest I'm not sure." He suspects. Strongly. But he never had any definite proof and he highly doubts that either of them want to hear that Hojo was likely Sephiroth's father. For all Vincent knew, Hojo took samples from someone else he deemed physically superior. All he knew for sure was Lucretia was his mother.

"I was not privy to the specifics of your birth but I know for a fact that Lucretia was the one to carry and give birth to you. As for your abilities, again, I don't have specifics, but the Professor named the project Jenova. I assume that's why he told you that was your mother's name. Unfortunately I was a Turk, not a scientist, and a great deal of the jargon went over my head at the time."

None of that is a lie, though a softer, stripped down, sanitized version of truth. He didn't understand at the time and he doesn't understand it all now, though he is a great deal more studied. Sephiroth doesn't need to know that they created him from a space-borne virus abomination that aimed to feed off the planet until it was dry and then leave to find another to devour.

[jenovasheir]

As Sephiroth tries to process the information, he shifts his head away from Vincent, tilting his head just enough for his bangs to slip across his face. Nothing the former Turk says sounds particularly unbelievable, but it feels more like the truth is being dangled just beyond his finger tips. What good does knowing who his mother is do if it sheds no more light on who he is? His brow furrows lightly, then it relaxes and he looks back to Vincent.

"Why? What is your motive in telling me all of this?"

[quicksilvernightmares]

That is exactly the response he'd been expecting and yet it still spikes white hot hate through his chest, coiling heat through every inch of his body. It's a struggle to keep the sharp-toothed sneer off his face, settling for a heavy frown instead.

"Did the Professor tell you that name? Typical. He never did like sharing his accomplishments with anyone, not even her." He takes a breath, wondering if Hojo had told Sephiroth any of his parentage, if he'd taken credit for that or not bothered.

"Your mother was a woman named Lucrecia Crescent. You look... Very like her. She had the same widow's peak, similar facial structure, you have her eyes. It's a striking resemblance." Almost disturbingly so, now that Vincent can see him clearly but also imagine the twisted hate on his face.

Vincent doesn't want to overwhelm him but he wants to provide a link to his humanity, something to keep him grounded. Remind him he's not that far from most other people.

'Says the one convinced of his own inhumanity' Chaos laughs in the back corners of his mind. Vincent ignores him. That's different.

[jenovasheir]

It's such a simple set of facts, yet immensely overwhelming. It's clear from the description that the professor Vincent is talking about is Hojo. It's true that he is the one who told him that his mother was Jenova, and it's also true that such a lie would be in character for him to tell. Still, Hojo wasn't the only one involved in his upbringing.

"Professor Gast never mentioned…" Sephrioth says, his lips pressing into the shadow of a frown. He never mentioned anyone named Lucretia, true, but he also died so early in his life. Was it really possible that all of this was true? Could it have been something the professor was planning to tell him, but never had the chance?

"If I am to believe this story of yours, then who is my father? Where do my abilities come from?"

[quicksilvernightmares]

Fair enough. Vincent scans the street for a moment and tilts his head toward a cafe, someplace a little on the smaller side which would serve well for a more private conversation. Large windows, booths, on the main street. Not where he'd prefer to do business or have serious discussions but he's thinking more of putting Sephiroth a little more at ease then he is of his Turk training. He'll sacrifice some of his own comfort to keep the other man calm if he can.

He leads the way, seats them at a booth where they can both easily view the whole cafe. Vincent waits until they're both settled before he speaks again.

"I understand it will be a bit difficult to verify that I am who I say I am. The Turks are a close knit group and don't tend toward telling outsiders about each other. Most records are sealed. Ask whatever you feel you must to determine for yourself what is or isn't true. I only ask that you listen to what I have to tell you." He paused, clawed fingers flexing idly, deciding where exactly to start, what he should and shouldn't say. A difficult balancing act, to be sure.

"I knew your mother. We were... good friends. I was the Turk assigned to her and Professor Hojo for their stay in Nibelheim."

[jenovasheir]

It will be difficult to verify anything this man says, so Sephiroth makes the decision to believe him until he's given reason otherwise to do so. There aren't many with grudges against him that would want to carry those grudges over to another world, and Sephiroth has never been one to do anything he doesn't want to. If Vincent tries to use him, he simply won't allow it.

Naturally, Sephiroth isn't planning on sharing any of this with Vincent. He'll nod and play the skeptic, keep his cards close to his chest.

Then Vincent mentions his mother and Sephiroth hears nothing else. He tries to keep his expression measured, but there's no hiding the way his eyes widen and his jaw tenses. A deep ache slithers into his soul and makes it hard to think, let alone speak.

But, he has to say something. "You…" Sephiroth starts to say, but he hesitates. How pitiful his voice sounds. Imperceptible to anyone who doesn't know him, but he's certain the man across from him can hear how it lacks it's usual confidence. There's an attempt to mask it by speaking slowly, deliberately, but it is just a mask, after all. "You knew Jenova?"

[jenovasheir]

"I believe you dropped this."

@frothofdays liked for a starter!

[quicksilvernightmares]

They look each other over and Vincent muses that this is the first time he's ever seen Sephiroth both this close and this still. His close encounters have mostly been in the midst of battle and he takes the opportunity to examine him.

He's thin and looks weary though he hides it very well. Vincent hides his small frown behind his collar.

"Vincent Valentine. I was a Turk before you were born, Verdot was my partner." He tilts his head slightly. "I do. Quite a bit. Would you prefer to find somewhere quieter then a street corner to discuss it? There are several parks nearby or a restaurant."

He hopes offering choices might be taken as an act of goodwill. Vincent has little desire to be yet another person who leads Sephiroth around by the nose, regardless of the fact that he knows more about this place and, possibly, about Sephiroth in general, then the man does.

"My information about our world may be largely irrelevant here, but still interesting. What I've picked up about this world is more relevant, but less interesting."

[jenovasheir]

Verdot's partner. It doesn't conjure up any more information than he already knew. He was familiar with the Turks he worked with frequently, but if this man truly was from before he was born, it's likely information not deemed important for him to know. Which, Sephiroth is still somewhat skeptical about that claim. If anything, the man looks like they should be of similar ages. To not only be a Turk, but the director's partner and know of him the man must be in his 40s, if not older.

Nothing will be gained from simply staring, however, and Sephiroth considers the options suggested. He isn't one to dine out, but a restaurant seems the safer choice. Close quarters and filled with witnesses. Admittedly, Sephiroth also can't remember the last time he had a proper meal.

Despite all Vincent had to say, all Sephiroth offers as a response is, "A restaurant," and the willingness to follow him wherever he has in mind.

[deathpacito]

jenovasheir​:

It was rare, if not almost completely unheard of for Sephiroth to run into anyone who out-sized him. It set him apart from others in his world, but the inhabitants of Spirale were far more varied. Still, when he encounters a tall, bulky man in a cowboy hat he can’t help but stare at him. Cat-like eyes assessing him with idle curiosity.

@deathpacito liked for a starter!

Oh-- he's used to being stared at, that's normal, and it doesn't bother Livio too much anymore-- but usually they're staring from way, way down there. This man is rather tall himself.

He raises an eyebrow, his mouth tilting up in a secret smile like they're sharing some joke. Life, that's the joke.

"Hello."

[jenovasheir]

Even as the other man smiles and approaches, Sephiroth remains as unchanging as a statue. At the same time, he doesn't outwardly reject the interaction either. He's not one for mingling, but without Shinra's network, even he can see the value in interacting with others and creating a small network of his own.

"Hello," Sephiroth responds flatly, then he asks, as if he wasn't the one staring, "Do you need something?"

[quicksilvernightmares]

Vincent is lucky he's both a very, very good Turk and that he's been here long enough to have mapped out a good bit of the various Wards. He recognizes the style of Fibonacci and that's enough to get him moving.

[text] It will take slightly longer then that to reach you. I'm currently in Golden Ward and the city is quite large. But I am on my way.

Impatient. Or over eager? Either way Vincent shakes his head a little as he makes his way at a fast clip, weaving through back alleys and shortcuts with a now-familiar ease. Not everyone can move as fast as Sephiroth, even if Vincent came come closer then most. Cloud is the only one he knows of who can match the Silver General.

Its edging toward thirty minutes when Vincent spots the head of silver hair that stands above the crowd. Literally, since Sephiroth tends to tower over most people, even here.

"Sephiroth," he calls, only just loud enough to be heard. He doesn't approach too close, only enough to get a good look at him.

He looks just the same as he had before, only the way he stands and holds himself is different. Interesting.

[jenovasheir]

Sephiroth lightly clicks his tongue at the message. It's not impatience or eagerness that caused his estimate to be too low, but ignorance. There's still so much he doesn't know or understand about this realm he find himself in. How frustrating.

At least, the message is enough to make it clear that the other knows where he is. If he'd given a better estimate, Sephiroth doesn't doubt Vincent would have arrived within the given time frame. So, he waits, and he's eventually rewarded with the sound of his name being called.

This man was certainly not a Turk anymore. Slowly, Sephiroth looks over the man. He isn't sure what to think of him, but one thing is certain: he's never seen him before.

"Vincent, I presume," Sephiroth greets coolly. His expression is as unreadable as ever, even if it's a bit softer than the Sephiroth of Vincent's time. "You said you have information."

[quicksilvernightmares]

Reasonable. That response is entirely reasonable and measured and Vincent remembers what he'd seen with Cloud. The last mission to Neibelheim where everything went wrong. He breathes out slowly, tucks his forehead against his raised knee for a moment before he gathers himself enough to respond.

[text] That is fair. There are no Turks and no Shinra here in this world and thus no one to verify my identity. But there are also none others to claim to be from either.

[text] I know of that mission. And your search for Genesis during it. I would like to meet in person; I can provide some assistance in moving through this world and I have some information from our own I believe you would be interested in.

Very Turk, to provide just enough hints of information so as to lure a target in, to give a breadcrumb trail to something hopefully juicier. In this case he's being entirely honest of course: Vincent believes Sephiroth is desperate for information about himself and where he comes from and thats a very big reason Jenova was able to sink her claws in so far, so fast.

Maybe if he can provide a stronger link to humanity then away from it they won't have the same problem. Hopefully. At least Jenova isn't here.

[jenovasheir]

Genesis. In hindsight, mentioning even as little as the fact that he was in Nibelheim exposed a large weak point to be exploited by anyone with even just a bit of information. Even knowing that all of this could be a trap to lure him out while he's under powered, it's a well laid one. The allure of information would always be his downfall.

[txt] I will be here for the next twenty minutes.

Attached is a photo of a street corner. At a glance, it doesn't appear to have very much information, but if this "Vincent" really is a Turk, it should be more than enough to find him by.