No Escaping From What You Did | Sephiroth, OTA

[imjustaman]

Who: Sephiroth (imjustaman) & Everyone, especially Zack (fairtide)

What:
Struggling to recover from several months of having pain dredged up and having a horrific fall-out with Zack
When:
End of April
Where:
Police station and the woods
Warning(s):
Grief, guilt, survivor's guilt, depression, self-hatred, Sephiroth's past



Trying to Work

Sephiroth has not been handling anything well since that day he met Zack at the restaurant. He works, but he’s closed-off and quiet. He tries to present himself as being normal. He used to be able to do that, even after Angeal and Genesis left, but that was so long ago and things are so different now. He isn’t so good at pretending anymore. He’s torn between what to think. Everyone here has some deep-rooted pain and sorrow, and there’s even others who nearly destroyed worlds, so he tries to keep hold of those thoughts and tries to tell himself that it’s alright for him to reach out, to have friends. They deserve happiness, so why doesn’t he?

But it’s so much easier to say it, to think it, than to really believe it.

He shouldn't be here, granted another chance. He doesn't deserve it. He should have been left to die. Again.

There's no making up for what he did. No apology good enough. Nothing he can do.

He should be dead.

But what good would that do?

What good does any of it do? Has he made any positive difference here at all? Has he made things better for anyone?

Right now, it doesn't feel like it.

He goes about his work at the police station, but it’s likely obvious from his eyes that he’s shattered inside.

In the Woods

After work, Sephiroth tends to disappear from the radar. He feeds his Pokemon and then vanishes from the house. It’s not necessarily unusual behavior for him, but he’s gone much more these days. Has he been eating himself? Sleeping?

By now there are likely tales in town of the mysterious winged man in the woods, scary-looking yet apparently just there to try to protect others who have wandered into the paths of monsters. After all the displays of wings in his normal form over the last several months, most people may know it’s him. He’s not sure. He doesn’t care anymore.

If he’s not at the police station, or spending brief moments at home, he’s in the woods. Anyone stumbling across him will find a man with glowing eyes, levitating hair, and only one wing on his back. The rest are around his waist like a kilt or skirt. He does look formidable. He doesn't really look like Sephiroth unless one has ever seen him like this, but his voice is the same. And the wings are likely good identification.

Comments

[fairtide]

[He's heard of creatures in the woods, like the ones they have back home. He's decided to go for a walk, see what's hiding in there. Not to mention, he wants to go for a walk and expects monsters to be in the woods, he has a sword and some medicine incase he gets hurt.

His hand moves over the trunk of a tree, the bark rough, but sticky. He wonders if it's sap, it probably is. He walks for a little bit until he comes across a hulking creature, bigger than what he's used to. It stands tall, with spikes along it's back, it lashes out and he dodges to the side, then he slashes and starts fighting with it.

As he makes quick work of the creature, he doesn't notice the monster creeping up closer toward him, ready to lash out. He's knocked on his side with a hostile swipe and then he's on his back, with the creature over top of him. Both are on him now, he wasn't expecting this, usually he's way more accurate and effective when it comes to taking out the big ones.

He doesn't want to yell for help, but it's a close thing.]

[imjustaman]

[And Sephiroth is there, dropping out of a tree to plunge his sword into the creature. Of course he won't let Zack be harmed. He came as soon as he heard the movement and the creature's growls. His normal MO is to leave without saying a word, and as the creature is impaled, he leaps back to land on his feet in the grass. He has to make sure Zack is alright, not wounded or scratched. Maybe Zack would have rather been attacked than for Sephiroth to be the one saving him, he thinks to himself. Zack might not even know him like this, though....

How ironic that he had saved Zack on their very first meeting as well....

He stands by, looking Zack over, staying alert in case more monsters come.]

[fairtide]

[Zack almost manages to get the creature off him, but it comes back with a force to be reckoned with. He picks up his sword from the side of him and goes to cut off his head when it's impaled by someone else, he looks up in time to see Sephiroth, winged and almost majestic standing among the trees.

At first he feels anger rise up in him, then it tampers down. He just saved his ass, even though he had this. He blinked, then sat up, the second creature is trying to go after Zack too. He stands up quickly and cuts off it's head, it's body stands there a moment and then falls over with a thud.

He turns to look at Sephiroth, bemused. Maybe he has changed. He runs a hand through his hair, there's gunk on his face and all over his arms.] Convenient for you to be here. Were you following me?

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth stays alert, not willing to believe that's all of the creatures in the area.]

No, I didn't know you were here.

[He speaks quietly, staying back, not wanting to crowd Zack.]

It's not safe to wander through the woods, especially at night. There's always something lurking.... Something that isn't me.

[He adds, before Zack decides to make a crack about that.]

[fairtide]

I see. Well...thanks for saving me then.

[He watches his form, he wonders if Angeal or Sephiroth had the weirder form.]

So, I was told.

[He had a crack on the tip of his tongue, that Sephiroth looks like a creature they just took out but he keeps it from slipping.]

What are you doing out here, anyway?

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth nods.

At least this version of the form keeps his legs, unlike the one he debuted at the Northern Crater.

He definitely wouldn't be amused by such a crack, especially right now.]

I often come here. People are foolish enough to wander in instead of heeding the warnings. They usually regret it.

[He doesn't like to outright say he rescues them when he can, but not saying it, he's not sure if Zack will think he's part of the danger too.]

[fairtide]

[Zack watches the form with some fascination, it's strange to see. He wonders if Angeal would have survived, if he would have been able to keep his form like Sephiroth does.

He listens for monsters, but he hears none at the moment, not until a few minutes later when three monsters come out of the woods, two of them run toward Sephiroth and Zack, while Zack takes his sword and slashes his assasiliant and then slashes again. It reaches out and attacks him with a quick slash of claws and Zack slashes again.]

I took care of monsters back home. This is nothing I can't handle, Sephiroth.

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth's is his own creation, aside from the black wing, but he wonders too what Angeal could have done had he stayed sane and lived.

He comes alert at the monsters and makes quick work of the ones coming at him. He looks to Zack and nods.]

Very well then.

[He stays back to let Zack fight the third monster. He can't help remembering times in the past when they fought monsters together. Everything was so different then.... Happiness hadn't seemed unobtainable for him. With Zack, he had started to find it again after he had thought he never would. Why ... had everything gone so wrong? Why had he had to lose his mind? Could anything have stopped it? If he hadn't pushed Zack away at that critical time, could Zack have saved him? Or had his fate been sealed the moment Genesis had shattered him at Nibelheim?

He had believed his fate had been sealed from before his birth. But ... it could have been different. If he hadn't lost himself....

If only ... if only ...

So many pointless If Onlys....]

[fairtide]

[Zack makes quick work of the last monster, but he can hear something in the distance, large and coming their way. Does it ever stop? Give him a break. He just wanted to hike a little bit and take in the sights.

He thinks of his thoughts, the different ways Aerith could have died. He knows it had to be by Sephiroth's sword, so he won't ask. It's moot point. He turns to look at Sephiroth, then nods just a little.] I forgive you.

[fairtide]

Wait. You can actually fly with your wings? [He seems astonished by this suddenly. He didn't think Sephiroth could actually fly. He must not have seen his entrance earlier while fighting the monsters.]

[Then his brain catches up with their conversation. He shakes his head, feeling sleepy.] Wouldn't that be putting you out of your home? Besides, it's best if I stay in my own room. I don't want to get you sick too, man.

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth looks amused.]

Of course I can.

[He smiles a bit.]

I have a spare room. If you don't mind it, we will reach my house far faster than we would the Oak and Iron, even by walking.

[fairtide]

[Zack looks a bit amused.] That's cool. You can fly.

[He shakes his head a little harder, making himself go 'Ooooh' as he grabs his head and tries not to fall over.] Best if I stay in my own room for now. If I can even find where I stay. I'm not so good with directions right now.

[imjustaman]

Yes. I'll have to show you sometime.

[Sephiroth winces. He doesn't like this, but he will respect Zack's wishes.]

I know where the Oak and Iron is. I'll get us there.

[fairtide]

That would be super cool. [He was still grabbing his head and trying not to throw up. His stomach did a somersault as he walked toward their destination, following Sephiroth close behind.] Good, I can't think straight.

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth is concerned Zack might not be able to walk straight either, and he slows down to try to keep pace with him and prevent him from falling over.]

Did you feel any hint of sickness coming on before?

[He still isn't sure it's a normal sickness, but he hopes.]

[fairtide]

[Zack coughs a few times into his hands, he's starting to think the beast had some kind of sickness in it and that's why it ended up attacking them.]

No, not even a little bit. I was perfectly fine...now, not so much.

[He makes a turn, wondering how long it'll take them to get to his place. All he wants is a warm bed, some tea and possibly a bit of soup if they have it.]

[imjustaman]

[That is definitely possible. And concerning. He’ll probably have to contact one of the doctors when they get to town.]

We should have you looked at by a medical professional in case it’s not a normal illness.

[fairtide]

Hm... [Zack wondered what they could do in order to get an answer from Sephiroth's mother but they were no longer on Gaia, so they couldn't get an answer. Maybe the lady that brought them here had an answer?] Well, I'll hug you until you can hug your mother.

They're adorable, we know that much I bet. [Zack sat crossed legged on the ground, playing with them until they grew bored and went back to their master. Zack sniffed at Sephiroth's legs and Lucy showed him love and affection. Both seemed to really love Sephiroth.] Is there anyone around who know more about them?

I'd like that. [Zack stood, stretching out his body as his stomach rolled. Great, he guessed his stomach was against him more so than ever.] Show me to the extra bedroom?

[imjustaman]

[Maybe she did.

Sephiroth smiled, touched.]

That would mean a lot to me.

[He chuckled.]

Anyone can see that.

[He petted them both, his eyes soft and warm.]

I'm surprised anyone here knows anything about them. I've heard a few things, but I don't actually know where the information came from.

[He nodded.]

Come this way.

[He led Zack down a hall and to a room. Everything was already made up.]

My room is across the hall.

[fairtide]

[Zack would hug him now, but he was more liable to get him sick.] You should investigate. That's the fastest way to find out more about them, dude.

[He followed him down the hallway, heading for the room. Everything was done in blue plaid, it looked comfortable.] Comfy. I'm sure I'll sleep like a baby.

[He looked across the hallway and nodded.] Duly noted. I'll be sure to wake you up with breakfast once I'm feeling better.

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth looked amused. He certainly knew about investigating.]

I've asked around, but so far no one knows how anyone here knows about them. I've heard plenty of interesting stories of what Pokemon have been like here, however.

[He looked pleased Zack liked the room.]

I'll check on you to make sure you are.

[A smile.]

I've missed your cooking.

[fairtide]

[Zack looked amused too.] They know things about the pokemon but nothing about the pokemon? That... makes no sense.

I'll be fine. Don't mother hen too much.

[Zack smiled back.] It's better than nothing as Kunsei used to say.

[imjustaman]

Heh. They've encountered them here, but that doesn't tell them much about the Pokemons' original world. Or I'm not aware it does, at least. I'm curious how they got here at all.

[An amused look.]

We'll see.

[He lifted Lucy into his arms as she went on two legs wanting up.]

It's far better than nothing.

[fairtide]

Yeah, I'm kinda wondering where they came from too. They're very colorful creatures. [Zack smiled as he took off his shoes, then pants and took off his jacket too. He placed them on the chair beside the bed, and crawled into bed. He was left in his long johns and a shirt. Weird clothes this place had, he missed what he used to wear.

Maybe he should consider making his own clothes. It wouldn't hurt to learn.]

I'll cook for you as soon as I can. What made you name Zack, Zack? It couldn't be my winning personality could it?

[Zack smirked, wondering.]

[imjustaman]

I've thought of following them to see where they go when they leave, but I'd probably only discover them passing through the barrier and me walking into it.

[Deadpanning again.

He was happy that he had found a coat and boots similar to his during an event last fall. And the opera he had mentioned had at least restored his actual clothes to him. He had considered learning how to sew himself before finding what he wanted.

He chuckled.]

He's very happy and friendly and enthusiastic, so yes. Apparently Umbreons are usually more serious and reserved in general. Zack acts more like he's still an Eevee.