[Sephiroth's eyes remain shut when Cloud approaches. At first he thinks he might be experiencing some sort of drug-induced hallucination at the voice. Maybe it is. He feels so muddled it's hard to tell. Green eyes slowly blink open and cast a gaze towards Cloud. Hallucination or not ...]
... Did you expect any different? Are you even really here?
[He can't tell if the words came out sounding as disoriented as he currently feels. Everything is a mess. If Cloud did actually come back maybe he finally do something. Sephiroth is too worn down and drugged to attempt another manipulation tactic like he did before. If he lets his head clear a little maybe ...]
[ Are you even really here? Something about that makes something tighten in his chest. It has to be bad if Sephiroth's questioning reality. And once again, too familiar. ]
I'm here.
[ He can't let this keep going on. Sephiroth has done awful things, but even he doesn't deserve to be tortured. Sephiroth seems weak enough now that he'd likely not pose a great threat...
Cloud heads over to a computer that's near the chamber. Sephiroth's vitals are being monitored on them. Cloud gives it a cursory glance - he's not an expert, but he can at least tell that Sephiroth's blood pressure is unhealthily low. At least it would be for a normal person...
He looks around until he finds what appears to be a mechanism to unlock the chamber, and with little hesitation, he makes use of it. Taking a deep breath, he steps inside. ]
[Well, thankfully for Cloud it isn't any sort of trap because as Sephiroth doesn't suddenly burst free of the restraints to kill him. He does, however, keep eyes on him as he comes inside.
If he knew Cloud was feeling pity for him, he'd actually be annoyed. As much as he wants out of this situation, someone feeling sorry for him is offensive in some way. Probably his pride, though that is also rather wounded as well.
... Cloud seems to be real as far as he can tell at least.]
So you've finally decided then?
[Good. He fully expects Cloud to just kill him. Cast him back to the lifestream, where he can go back to formulating plans -- one that will probably have a minor detail of slowly killing Rufus next time around.]
I hope all your decision making doesn't take quite as long as this one.
[ Seeing Sephiroth like this... He still doesn't want to kill him, not like this anyway, even if it'd be kind of like putting a suffering animal out of its misery, but... he can't let this keep happening either.
He eyes the wing again. It looks incredibly painful. ]
I'm not going to kill you. Not while you can't fight back, anyway. If you promise not to try anything, I'll get you out of here.
[Cloud should know better. Though it's not like Sephiroth can do much of anything anyway as much as he wants to. And he should be happy Cloud is suggesting getting him out. Just like a good puppet should, but that probably goes back to his frustration over needing help in the first place. No matter how he tries to spin it in his head it goes back to how he can't get out of this on his own.
And that's very very annoying.]
If you fear for their lives, I will not promise I will not do anything later ... but at the moment their drugs are rather ... effective.
Killing you's never worked permanently. You'd go to the Lifestream, come back, and probably try to kill everyone in this building anyway. I'd feel better being the one keeping an eye on you.
[ With that he gets close enough to start undoing the straps keeping Sephiroth trapped to the examination table. Once they're out of the way he takes a step back. He's ready to give Sephiroth a helping hand, since it looks like he needs it, but he has a feeling the other man is going to be offended if Cloud offers it. ]
[ Cloud had expected this, but Sephiroth's a bit heavier than he'd thought he'd be. He still manages to wrap an arm around his middle and lend support to him. Damn, it's strange to see Sephiroth so weak. He's not going to comment on it, though, or Sephiroth might just try to use what little strength he has to murder him...
Instead he starts to lead the taller man out of the chamber. He realises then that he hasn't thought of a way to get them out without being spotted by everyone in the building. Shit. He turns to Sephiroth. ]
You wouldn't happen to know about some other way out of here, would you?
[This is fine. It's not really, but he's going to pretend as he leans almost all of his weight onto Cloud. He feels heavy himself. Even his wing feels heavy.
When the question comes, he can only give Cloud a look. He doesn't even remember being brought to this place, let alone its layout.]
For a hero, you're not very good at this sort of thing.
[ The response doesn't surprise him much, but he does roll his eyes. ]
Well, I wasn't expecting to mount a rescue mission when I got here.
[ He looks around until his gaze falls on a chair. He leads Sephiroth over to it and helps him sit down. ]
Wait here. I'll have a look around.
[ The lab is big, but it doesn't take too long for Cloud to notice an emergency exit. Jackpot. He returns to Sephiroth and wraps his arm around him again, helping him up. He nods in the direction of the exit. ]
[Cloud is lucky Sephiroth does not feel well at the moment, otherwise he might make more commentary about the lack of preparedness. Combined with what Cloud said ... it just makes him annoyed. He can't do much about it, which makes him doubly annoyed.]
They're going to consider you an enemy after this. You do realize that, yes?
[Partly why he doesn't understand why he's getting a 'rescue' ... If Cloud wanted to maintain his status he should have just killed him. This is going to cause Cloud problems, and Sephiroth cannot fully understand why -- other than him clinging to some misplaced pity. Which is another set of annoyances.
Still ... he can do nothing but lean heavily on the shorter man as they make their way towards the exit. What a strange course of events this has been.]
[ Cloud shrugs as he leads Sephiroth towards the exit. ]
I don't really care what Rufus and his minions think about me.
[ He's sure that Reeve and his other friends are going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they'll assume he's taking Sephiroth somewhere else to kill him. Hopefully they won't think that he's being controlled again. He'll have to make some phone calls later to reassure them.
He pushes the door open with his shoulder and enters into a stairwell. ]
[Cloud is helping the person who summoned meteor to seriously wound the planet. The one who later helped spread geostigma around the populous. Sephiroth doesn't believe Cloud's friends are going to be very happy with this, let alone people in general.
He practically huffs wishing he could somehow find the strength to walk on his own. He might actually try to do that -- pull away from Cloud and move on his own. Of course that doesn't go very well and he ends up having to use the blond for support (again).]
[ As for the rest of Gaia... He doubts Rufus is going to announce to the rest of the population that they had Sephiroth captive and then lost him. That's not exactly going to inspire confidence in the former Shinra president. So he's not particularly concerned about that.
He sighs when Sephiroth tries to pull away, only to fail, but he doesn't comment on it. He just steadies his hold on Sephiroth as he leads him down the stairs. Once they reach the exit, he helps Sephiroth sit down on the stairs. ]
Wait here. I'm gonna get my bike.
[ He doesn't feel great about leaving Sephiroth, even for just a moment, but he also doubts that Sephiroth is going to get far on his own should he decide to try. So he exits the building, glances around and once he's satisfied that no one seems to be around - he makes his way over to where he parked Fenrir. ]
[That might be sarcasm. Probably due to the drugs and why he hasn't made any really cryptic creepy commentary instead. He also hates being ordered around. At least they're at the exit.
Sephiroth really, really wishes he could move properly, because this would be the ideal time for him to leave. Go off to sulk as his body heals then come back and exact his revenge. All without Cloud there to stop him until it's too late.
But instead he's forced to sit here and wait because his body currently doesn't want to respond the way that it should. He hates it. He hates it so much. But at least by the time Cloud returns, he'll still be in the same spot. Luckily no one seems to have sounded an alarm or anything yet. Cloud would probably feel guilty fighting anyone while rescuing Gaia's greatest threat.]
[ It's definitely a relief to return and find that Sephiroth hasn't moved from his spot. Without a word he wraps an arm around him again and helps him up, leading him outside to where his bike is.
He helps Sephiroth onto it before getting on himself. Before starting the bike up he turns to Sephiroth. ]
Hold onto me.
[ It'd suck if Sephiroth went flying off of the bike after all... ]
[Do you really want to give him that kind of inch, Cloud? He slides arms around the smaller man's waist, leaning in close enough to pretty much breathe on his neck.
Just because, in this whole, entire, terrible moment if he can get one moment of satisfaction at all ... it will be annoying Cloud.]
Is this what you want?
[Cloud will probably want Sephiroth to fall off the bike after awhile.]
[ Cloud rolls his eyes. Sephiroth is going to have to try harder than this if he wants to really get under Cloud's skin. ]
Yeah.
[ He kicks the bike into gear. He makes sure to take a different route, one that won't take him through central Edge. There are plenty of backroads to take so he can hopefully make sure no one sees them. Sephiroth is, unfortunately, very recognizable with the impossibly long hair, the distinct armour and the wing... ]
[If Sephiroth didn't feel so bad he would try harder as Cloud's response is unsatisfactory. But he doesn't care enough right now. He will kind of lean into Cloud, but that's less of him wanting to creep the other man out and more that he kind of wants to just pass out. Pass out and let the drugs wear off.
But he'll stubbornly stay awake as long as possible because he's Sephiroth and he should have no weaknesses.]
[ He can feel Sephiroth leaning more into him and casts a glance at him from over his shoulder. He doesn't look great. Pale and tired, but clearly trying to hide it. ]
To my house.
[ He moved out of Seventh Heaven a while ago and got a house at the outskirts of Edge. He, of course, still visits Tifa, Barret and the kids on a regular basis and they come to see him too. Things just got a little cramped with five of them living there.
The house is in a secluded location - thankfully, and pretty small. Cloud stops Fenrir outside the front door. ]
[Cloud would be the type to live away from people. Sephiroth understands that feeling rather well.
When they arrive he releases his hold and tries to use Cloud as sort of a support post to stand up, placing his hand on Cloud's shoulder and pretty much all of his weight as he attempts this. He can be determinedly stupid in his stubbornness. And this one of those times.
But he will (not) make it to the door on his own.
He will most likely fall like an idiot if Cloud doesn't stop him.]
[ Once Sephiroth gets off the bike, Cloud is quick to wrap an arm around him to keep him steady. Based on how much of his own weight he's putting on Cloud, it's pretty obvious he's going to fall over if he tries to stand on his own.
With a secure hold around Sephiroth's middle, he leads him to the door. After some fumbling with keys, he finally unlocks it and leads him inside. The interior is modest, but rather cozy. There are plenty of framed photos of his friends and the kids decorating the walls and the mantle of the fireplace that they'll pass as they move through the living room towards Cloud's bedroom.
His couch would be too small to accommodate Sephiroth, so he will have to put him in his bed which is decently sized - enough for two people at least. He has a small guestroom with a bunkbed for the kids when they visit, but that would also be way too small for Sephiroth (and his wing).
Once in the bedroom he helps Sephiroth sit on the side of it. ]
I'd appreciate it if you took your shoes off before laying down.
[ He's ready to help in case Sephiroth finds that he can't do that on his own, though. ]
[Well, he didn't expect this either. Being lead to Cloud's bed. If he felt better he'd definitely make a remark about that. Probably not one Cloud would really appreciate. It's best for both of them that Sephiroth is far too out of it.
Which is also the only reason he's even partially obliging to any of this. It will be slow, though not on purpose, in how he removes the boots. If Cloud doesn't want to wait that long, he'll have to help.]
The reunion makes you act in ways you normally wouldn't. Your friends will not like this. But I find it interesting how you've given in.
[Because that's the only reason Sephrioth can justify why Cloud is doing any of this. Because he's drawn to by the reunion, his strings are being pulled by the connection between them.]
[ Cloud had been about to help Sephiroth with his boots, but then he has to say some annoying shit. Cloud's not above being petty, so he leaves the shoe-removing to Sephiroth and rolls his eyes. ]
This has nothing to do with the reunion. You don't have that kind of control over me anymore.
[ It's very possible his friends might think he is being controlled, though. He'll have to make a call to Tifa once Sephiroth's resting. ]
[But that's not true at all. Even if Sephiroth has to dig in deep, he'll find a way. ... But for now he can't even really think about that possibility, it's taking long enough to get the boots off.
Which he does eventually. He's not even offended that Cloud didn't help him. Because he didn't want help in the first place. It's a stubborn pride thing. And he's very, very stubborn.
He really needs to just pass out for awhile, but first:]
I am going to kill what's left of Shinra. All of it. Despite your actions now, as soon as I am able, I will cast them all down. And you will not be able to stop me.
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... Did you expect any different? Are you even really here?
[He can't tell if the words came out sounding as disoriented as he currently feels. Everything is a mess. If Cloud did actually come back maybe he finally do something. Sephiroth is too worn down and drugged to attempt another manipulation tactic like he did before. If he lets his head clear a little maybe ...]
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[ Are you even really here? Something about that makes something tighten in his chest. It has to be bad if Sephiroth's questioning reality. And once again, too familiar. ]
I'm here.
[ He can't let this keep going on. Sephiroth has done awful things, but even he doesn't deserve to be tortured. Sephiroth seems weak enough now that he'd likely not pose a great threat...
Cloud heads over to a computer that's near the chamber. Sephiroth's vitals are being monitored on them. Cloud gives it a cursory glance - he's not an expert, but he can at least tell that Sephiroth's blood pressure is unhealthily low. At least it would be for a normal person...
He looks around until he finds what appears to be a mechanism to unlock the chamber, and with little hesitation, he makes use of it. Taking a deep breath, he steps inside. ]
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If he knew Cloud was feeling pity for him, he'd actually be annoyed. As much as he wants out of this situation, someone feeling sorry for him is offensive in some way. Probably his pride, though that is also rather wounded as well.
... Cloud seems to be real as far as he can tell at least.]
So you've finally decided then?
[Good. He fully expects Cloud to just kill him. Cast him back to the lifestream, where he can go back to formulating plans -- one that will probably have a minor detail of slowly killing Rufus next time around.]
I hope all your decision making doesn't take quite as long as this one.
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[ Seeing Sephiroth like this... He still doesn't want to kill him, not like this anyway, even if it'd be kind of like putting a suffering animal out of its misery, but... he can't let this keep happening either.
He eyes the wing again. It looks incredibly painful. ]
I'm not going to kill you. Not while you can't fight back, anyway. If you promise not to try anything, I'll get you out of here.
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[Cloud should know better. Though it's not like Sephiroth can do much of anything anyway as much as he wants to. And he should be happy Cloud is suggesting getting him out. Just like a good puppet should, but that probably goes back to his frustration over needing help in the first place. No matter how he tries to spin it in his head it goes back to how he can't get out of this on his own.
And that's very very annoying.]
If you fear for their lives, I will not promise I will not do anything later ... but at the moment their drugs are rather ... effective.
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Killing you's never worked permanently. You'd go to the Lifestream, come back, and probably try to kill everyone in this building anyway. I'd feel better being the one keeping an eye on you.
[ With that he gets close enough to start undoing the straps keeping Sephiroth trapped to the examination table. Once they're out of the way he takes a step back. He's ready to give Sephiroth a helping hand, since it looks like he needs it, but he has a feeling the other man is going to be offended if Cloud offers it. ]
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[An odd response, but whatever. Sephiroth huffs, but says nothing more. As soon as he's free to move he tries to get up. The keyword being tries.
He gets partway before he kind of just falls into Cloud. Which is probably very frustrating for the both of them.]
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Instead he starts to lead the taller man out of the chamber. He realises then that he hasn't thought of a way to get them out without being spotted by everyone in the building. Shit. He turns to Sephiroth. ]
You wouldn't happen to know about some other way out of here, would you?
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When the question comes, he can only give Cloud a look. He doesn't even remember being brought to this place, let alone its layout.]
For a hero, you're not very good at this sort of thing.
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Well, I wasn't expecting to mount a rescue mission when I got here.
[ He looks around until his gaze falls on a chair. He leads Sephiroth over to it and helps him sit down. ]
Wait here. I'll have a look around.
[ The lab is big, but it doesn't take too long for Cloud to notice an emergency exit. Jackpot. He returns to Sephiroth and wraps his arm around him again, helping him up. He nods in the direction of the exit. ]
Found our way out.
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They're going to consider you an enemy after this. You do realize that, yes?
[Partly why he doesn't understand why he's getting a 'rescue' ... If Cloud wanted to maintain his status he should have just killed him. This is going to cause Cloud problems, and Sephiroth cannot fully understand why -- other than him clinging to some misplaced pity. Which is another set of annoyances.
Still ... he can do nothing but lean heavily on the shorter man as they make their way towards the exit. What a strange course of events this has been.]
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I don't really care what Rufus and his minions think about me.
[ He's sure that Reeve and his other friends are going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they'll assume he's taking Sephiroth somewhere else to kill him. Hopefully they won't think that he's being controlled again. He'll have to make some phone calls later to reassure them.
He pushes the door open with his shoulder and enters into a stairwell. ]
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[Cloud is helping the person who summoned meteor to seriously wound the planet. The one who later helped spread geostigma around the populous. Sephiroth doesn't believe Cloud's friends are going to be very happy with this, let alone people in general.
He practically huffs wishing he could somehow find the strength to walk on his own. He might actually try to do that -- pull away from Cloud and move on his own. Of course that doesn't go very well and he ends up having to use the blond for support (again).]
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[ As for the rest of Gaia... He doubts Rufus is going to announce to the rest of the population that they had Sephiroth captive and then lost him. That's not exactly going to inspire confidence in the former Shinra president. So he's not particularly concerned about that.
He sighs when Sephiroth tries to pull away, only to fail, but he doesn't comment on it. He just steadies his hold on Sephiroth as he leads him down the stairs. Once they reach the exit, he helps Sephiroth sit down on the stairs. ]
Wait here. I'm gonna get my bike.
[ He doesn't feel great about leaving Sephiroth, even for just a moment, but he also doubts that Sephiroth is going to get far on his own should he decide to try. So he exits the building, glances around and once he's satisfied that no one seems to be around - he makes his way over to where he parked Fenrir. ]
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[That might be sarcasm. Probably due to the drugs and why he hasn't made any really cryptic creepy commentary instead. He also hates being ordered around. At least they're at the exit.
Sephiroth really, really wishes he could move properly, because this would be the ideal time for him to leave. Go off to sulk as his body heals then come back and exact his revenge. All without Cloud there to stop him until it's too late.
But instead he's forced to sit here and wait because his body currently doesn't want to respond the way that it should. He hates it. He hates it so much. But at least by the time Cloud returns, he'll still be in the same spot. Luckily no one seems to have sounded an alarm or anything yet. Cloud would probably feel guilty fighting anyone while rescuing Gaia's greatest threat.]
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He helps Sephiroth onto it before getting on himself. Before starting the bike up he turns to Sephiroth. ]
Hold onto me.
[ It'd suck if Sephiroth went flying off of the bike after all... ]
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Just because, in this whole, entire, terrible moment if he can get one moment of satisfaction at all ... it will be annoying Cloud.]
Is this what you want?
[Cloud will probably want Sephiroth to fall off the bike after awhile.]
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Yeah.
[ He kicks the bike into gear. He makes sure to take a different route, one that won't take him through central Edge. There are plenty of backroads to take so he can hopefully make sure no one sees them. Sephiroth is, unfortunately, very recognizable with the impossibly long hair, the distinct armour and the wing... ]
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But he'll stubbornly stay awake as long as possible because he's Sephiroth and he should have no weaknesses.]
Where are we going?
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To my house.
[ He moved out of Seventh Heaven a while ago and got a house at the outskirts of Edge. He, of course, still visits Tifa, Barret and the kids on a regular basis and they come to see him too. Things just got a little cramped with five of them living there.
The house is in a secluded location - thankfully, and pretty small. Cloud stops Fenrir outside the front door. ]
We're here.
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When they arrive he releases his hold and tries to use Cloud as sort of a support post to stand up, placing his hand on Cloud's shoulder and pretty much all of his weight as he attempts this. He can be determinedly stupid in his stubbornness. And this one of those times.
But he will (not) make it to the door on his own.
He will most likely fall like an idiot if Cloud doesn't stop him.]
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With a secure hold around Sephiroth's middle, he leads him to the door. After some fumbling with keys, he finally unlocks it and leads him inside. The interior is modest, but rather cozy. There are plenty of framed photos of his friends and the kids decorating the walls and the mantle of the fireplace that they'll pass as they move through the living room towards Cloud's bedroom.
His couch would be too small to accommodate Sephiroth, so he will have to put him in his bed which is decently sized - enough for two people at least. He has a small guestroom with a bunkbed for the kids when they visit, but that would also be way too small for Sephiroth (and his wing).
Once in the bedroom he helps Sephiroth sit on the side of it. ]
I'd appreciate it if you took your shoes off before laying down.
[ He's ready to help in case Sephiroth finds that he can't do that on his own, though. ]
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Which is also the only reason he's even partially obliging to any of this. It will be slow, though not on purpose, in how he removes the boots. If Cloud doesn't want to wait that long, he'll have to help.]
The reunion makes you act in ways you normally wouldn't. Your friends will not like this. But I find it interesting how you've given in.
[Because that's the only reason Sephrioth can justify why Cloud is doing any of this. Because he's drawn to by the reunion, his strings are being pulled by the connection between them.]
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This has nothing to do with the reunion. You don't have that kind of control over me anymore.
[ It's very possible his friends might think he is being controlled, though. He'll have to make a call to Tifa once Sephiroth's resting. ]
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[But that's not true at all. Even if Sephiroth has to dig in deep, he'll find a way. ... But for now he can't even really think about that possibility, it's taking long enough to get the boots off.
Which he does eventually. He's not even offended that Cloud didn't help him. Because he didn't want help in the first place. It's a stubborn pride thing. And he's very, very stubborn.
He really needs to just pass out for awhile, but first:]
I am going to kill what's left of Shinra. All of it. Despite your actions now, as soon as I am able, I will cast them all down. And you will not be able to stop me.
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