ph_logs | November Catch-All

Current Mood: curious

November Catch-All

Who: Sephiroth (

imjustaman) & You

What:
Going around Pumpkin Hollow, more exploring, joining the Enforcers, and hanging out in the woods
When:
Throughout November
Where:
All over the Hollow
Warning(s):
One brief mention of child soldier.

Joining the Enforcers

Sephiroth has still been hesitant to actually take the plunge and join the Enforcers. Perhaps it’s because of how much went wrong for him and others at Shinra and now he’s unsettled to think of working for someone else again. Perhaps it’s how he always longed to live a normal life and not be what Shinra wanted him to be. But he has to get some kind of a job and this seems like what he would be the best at. Fighting and protecting are about all he knows after being raised from childhood to be a soldier. And he does still want to protect.

So he goes into the building and smiles congenially at whoever is at the front desk. “Hello. Whom do I see about signing up for the Enforcers?”

Exploring - Outside Larkin Manor

Sephiroth is hardly the type to actually go into a place that looks like it’s been condemned for decades (or that looks like every traditional haunted house in the book). But he stands outside looking at it with a thoughtful frown.

“Do you know the history of this house?” he asks if anyone happens to see him.

Exploring - Cemetery

Sephiroth also isn’t generally fond of visiting cemeteries. But he’s curious about this one, considering how people currently don’t stay dead here. So he’s wandering about amid the headstones, reading the names and dates, and then pausing to study the mausoleum. He may look almost otherworldly from a distance, with his long silver hair and black coat, especially if there’s a fog rolling in.

Into the Woods

Even as a member of the Enforcers, Sephiroth still goes into the woods a lot to protect those foolish or unfortunate enough to have wandered in there. Sometimes he’s on duty, while other times he goes when he’s off-duty.

In general, anyone encountering him in the woods fighting monsters or protecting people from monsters will see him in his Safer form: glowing eyes, whitish hair defying gravity, and purple wings all around his waist. He will be careful not to introduce himself by his name, but if anyone’s good with voices, they should be able to recognize him from that if they’ve previously met him in his normal form or meet him that way later. He is still likely to vanish into the trees without speaking at all unless speaking is necessary or unless someone hails him down for a conversation.

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There are others here from the same world, I'm sure you have met several of them already. To us, this is far closer to freedom than we had before.

Valdis wonders what parts of Sephiroth's past causes him pain, but he seems to keep everything close. Not that she can really judge, she barely knows anything about it. Just a feeling perhaps.

I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Valdis, I am one of the head detectives of the Enforcers.

"I am glad you have all found greater freedom here," Sephiroth says.

There is definitely a great deal of pain there. He doubts he will ever forgive himself for what he did in his madness.

Surprise and recognition flickers in his eyes. "Ah! I remember you. I am Sephiroth."

Her green eyes glint with amusement that is evident in her tone.

I know. I saw you speaking with my brother at the precinct earlier, and I make a point to know who the enforcers are.

"Your brother?" he repeats, thinking back on who he has spoken with.

Crichton.

There's still a level of amusement in her tone that indicates there's something more there than shared blood.

I know, I know. I got all the looks and the brains. But he's sweet.

"You both seem very nice," Sephiroth replies. "It must be amazing to have someone from home here with you." He can't help wishing he had a loved one here ... except for the part where they have to die or be near-death to get here.

There's a low rumble in her throat, laughter, but the wolfish kind. There's clearly some detail she is not sharing on purpose.

It wouldn't be our first near death experience.

Her head tips.

Do you have siblings?

Sephiroth definitely wonders what's so funny.

"Really. You must lead dangerous lives."

He smiles a bit wistfully, gazing off into the night. "I had people who were like my siblings. They are ... all gone now."

Two dead, the third ... no longer his friend.

The worlds we come from are dangerous.

Her tone turns a little more somber as she feels both the subtle joy of memory and the pain of loss coming from him.

I am sorry. The one constant, no matter what world we hail from, is Death.

He definitely takes note of the plural. "... You and your brother are from different worlds?"

He nods. "And betrayal too, I suppose. One of them is still alive, but turned against me long ago."

And for such a petty reason....

There's that wolfish laughter again.

Yes. We are not siblings by birth, but by choice. I suspect you know this feeling, even if you have not voiced it.

Her head tips to the other direction, even more curious now.

No, betrayal is not a constant, at least not in my endless years...still, you seem more sorrowful than bitter. It cannot feel good to have someone part from you in such a way.

"Yes, I know it very well," Sephiroth says.

He ponders. "It's difficult for me to imagine a world where there is no betrayal." And he nods. "I am not bitter, really.... I wonder if it was my fault, if I came across wrong or if he misread me. And as hurtful as what he did was, it unfortunately pales in comparison to what I did later to others."

He says this only because he doesn't want to appear as a guiltless victim of betrayal when in his mind he caused a far worse and unforgivable one.

No world is free from betrayal, it is simply not something everyone will experience. They may feel it, but it is not like Death. Death comes for all, regardless of wealth or status. It is the great equalizer.

Valdis rises, understanding that feeling, that desire to not be seen as a victim, to take power in a circumstance and how it can go awry.

Well, this is a place for second, or third chances, all it takes is for one to recognize what they could have done differently.

Sephiroth also has a hard time imagining that some people will never be touched by betrayal. "It must be incredible to have loved ones so loyal."

He considers this last statement. Very true. And in his case, to be able to stay sane.

"Yes," he agrees. "I hope to do all I can here that I should have done there. It will not take away what was done before, but I do not want to make the same mistakes again."

If he only knew, but she's not going to tell him.

I count myself blessed to have found love again.

And she shall leave it at that, though she does walk a little closer.

I think you are wise to not deny the past or try to erase it. I think you will find that others here are willing to give you a chance that those on your own world may not. Yet...I do not think it fair to blame them for that. Someone told me recently that one can wish for healing for another and still never wish to see them again. I hope the one you miss feels that for you.

"I can imagine. I would as well."

He nods. "I definitely don't blame them. I could never expect or hope that they would want me around. And if they never even get to where they would wish healing for me, I wouldn't blame them for that either. But thank you."

Well, at least you aren't in denial.

The night grows later, and she knows Max is waiting for her, but she's very curious about this person.

May I ask what you did?

"Heh. Where to even begin? I suppose the simplest explanation is that I lost my mind and tried to destroy the world." He sighs tiredly. "I was supposed to protect, but everything went so wrong."

Oh, been there. Though it was my soul, not my mind.

Funny the silly little things people might have in common.

I take it your sanity has returned to you?

Sephiroth blinks in surprise at this information.

"I wasn't expecting that anyone else here would have gone through that as well. I'm sorry you have.

"And yes, I am sane again. I was experimenting with something that backfired on me. It restored my sanity, but also nearly killed me. So, now I am here."

She takes in his surprise, wondering if he's met anyone else in her pack. He would be in good company with her, Daisy and Fever.

I am somewhat familiar with experiments that backfire. I am one myself. In a manner of speaking.

A failure for Amos at least.

I hope your new chance at life is fruitful."

He has not met them yet, but he would certainly be interested.

"I see. I wonder if the scientists who experimented on me throughout my life would consider me an experiment that backfired as well. I suppose it's safe to say they never expected me to attempt to destroy the world." Although Hojo was crazy enough that perhaps he was just fascinated and intrigued.

"Thank you. I hope this too."

I don't think any scientist acts with the intent to destroy the world, but I have seen many lose control of their creations.

Valdis inclines her head.

Perhaps we can speak more when we see each other again, but for now I must return to my home.

"That seems to be a consequence of toying with matters that should be left alone," Sephiroth says.

He nods. "Of course." He steps aside to allow her to leave. "I will look forward to our next meeting."

Valdis inclines her head.

Until then.

All he will feel as she passes is a whisper of disturbed air as she swiftly vanishes into the night.

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November Catch-All

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