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

[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]

[Zack coughed again, then almost passed out.] I'm okay!

[It was a near thing that he was not okay.] Where's a doctor? I think this warrants hospitalization. I almost passed out, man.

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth has had enough of this. He unfurls his black wing.]

I’m taking you to the nearest clinic now, the quickest way. And if you vomit, you vomit.

[He reaches to lift Zack into his arms for flight.]

[fairtide]

[Zack frowns. Huh? He can't hear over the pounding in his head. He's pulled into Sephiroth's arms, he won't think about how nice that is. Instead he frowns further and turns back to look at Sephiroth, his ears no longer hearing the pounding sound.] Are we going to fly? I thought I told you I'll throw up.

[imjustaman]

We are going to fly.

[Sephiroth speaks firmly.]

You need help now. I’m not going to wait to carry you until you collapse unconscious.

[He lifts off the ground, trying to go carefully and not abruptly so as not to further jostle Zack.]

[fairtide]

[Zack frowns, he won't argue he guesses. Sephiroth not only seems sane but he's more liable to be nicer now. Which means... he can trust the flying, he hopes.]

Fine.

[It's a grumble, he allows Sephiroth to hold him in his arms. His stomach churns and he coughs, trying to hold back the bile that threatens to come up.] You are such a mother hen. I would have made it home in one piece, you know.

[imjustaman]

Considering you were almost literally growing worse with every few steps, I find that highly doubtful at best.

[He flies carefully and smoothly, heading for downtown. Hopefully it won’t be hard to find one of the doctors on duty.]

[fairtide]

[He almost throws up but by sheer will he keeps the bile down. He sighs, amused by Sephiroth. Who knew he cared this much about his friends. Sure, he always did but this is pretty significant.] I would have made it, seriously.

[imjustaman]

[Sane Sephiroth has indeed always been a sweetheart and very concerned about his loved ones, although he hasn’t always had the chance to show it this much.

He grunts in response, not believing it but also not wanting to waste time arguing.]

That’s probably what you said growing up in Gongaga as well.

He lands downtown and looks around for the clinic. Seeing it, he starts over.]

[fairtide]

[Zack is close to throwing up. He turns to the side and spits up bile onto his top.] Damn it... I'm sorry.

[He laughs, tiredly.] I can't deny that you're right. I often stopped myself from staying home when I was sick because I wanted to go to school.

[As they get on the ground, he walks inside the clinic, feeling achey.]

[imjustaman]

It’s alright. We’ll get it cleaned up.

Heh. [A curious smirk.] School was that interesting to you?

[Or perhaps it was the social aspect. Zack doesn’t seem the type who would actually enjoy many school topics, as Sephiroth did. But he could be wrong.

He looks around the reception room. Not immediately seeing anyone there, he calls.]

Hello?

[fairtide]

[Zack sat in a seat by the nurses' desk, he yawned, arms crossed over his stomach and waited patiently.]

[A nurse came out, picking up a chart and going over who their patient was, why he was doubled over, among other things.] Take a seat and fill this out please.

[Zack sighed and took the clipboard, only to fill it out as fully as he could. Fifteen minutes later they were seated in a doctor's room, he jumped up on the hospital bed and waited.] Do you think I'll get a sucker after this? They only kept suckers in Shinra's doctor's office after I requested it.

[It was a joke, of course but he was trying to lighten the mood as his stomach cramped and his head throbbed.]

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth smirked in amusement. He remembered.]

If they have any kind of candy here, then perhaps.

[He has never been here as a patient and hasn’t brought anybody in before, so he doesn’t know.]

[fairtide]

[About an hour passed as Zack laid back on the cot and waited. There came a whine...] Okay, this doctor is taking foreveeeeeeeeerrrr...

[Zack sat up, one knee bent to his chest and the other leg sprawled out, his arm was over his knee as he looked at Sephiroth then at the door.] I'm willing them in. Like now. Right this instant. Let's go, let's fly. Vamoose!

[And just like that, the doctor came in with her clipboard, white coat and bright cheerful smile underneath a pair of wire rimmed glasses.] Okay, what seems to be the problem, Mr. Fair?

[Mr. Fair? Argh, he hated being referred to that way.] I was fighting monsters with my friend here, and I ended up getting sick.

Hmmm... let me see your symptoms then [the woman said as she looked over the chart.] Yes, this is troublesome but fixable. Lean over and take a deep breath. [She used her stethoscope to check his lungs, heart, bowels and stomach.] Don't like the sound of that stomach, but I have the proper fix for it.

Okay. So what do I have? [Zack crossed his arms, feeling sleepy and tired. He just wanted some soup and juice.]

You have Marilpoppin sickness. You must have fought a giant monster that looked like a mastadon right?

[Zack frowned, then nodded.] I think? It had tusks.

Then yes, that's what you fought. Run me through every monster you fought and I'll write out your prescriptions. [She looked at Sephiroth, looking him over and at his wings.] What a fine specimen... do you need looked at as well?

[Zack chuckled as he ran through every monster they came across, and made sure she knew Sephiroth wasn't sick, he was perfectly fine. Strangely.]

Seems the case.

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth continues to be amused. He’s glad Zack feels well enough to be Zack.

He relaxes when the doctor comes and is relieved there is an answer for the problem.]

So it isn’t serious?

[He’s not sure what to think with attention on him suddenly. Does she mean his wings, or is she … flirting with him? He goes a bit red.]

I haven’t exhibited any of the same symptoms. I am fine, yes.

[fairtide]

[The doctor shakes her head.] No not at all. He'll be fine within the week's time.

[Zack sighed with relief.] Good doc, but I'm going to t- [he hurls over the side of the bed.]

[She makes a face, then looks at Sephiroth. She smiles wolfishly and then hands Zack his prescriptions. Cough medication, migraine medication and an antibiotic to clear it up. Then she looks at the mess on the floor.] I'll get one of my nurses to clean it up.

[Then she pauses in the doorway.] By the way... you don't want to live alone while going through this and you can't expect anyone to take care of you at the Iron and Oak. Do you think you can do it, Silver Angel?

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth winces. He hopes Zack will be feeling much better soon.

He looks to the doctor, still awkward.]

I am willing.

[He looks to Zack. Is Zack willing?]

[fairtide]

[The Doctor leaves the room, but not before giving Sephiroth a once over.]

[Zack laughs, then goes into a coughing fit. He pounds on his chest, then gets up to grab a napkin and spit in it.] She was so hitting on you, dude. I'm sure you're used to that though.

[He stops, realizing what the doctor said, then sighs.] Fine, I'll go to your house and stay for the next week, until this clears up, man.

[imjustaman]

Yes, I am fairly used to it ... although it hasn't happened in quite some time.

[He smiles a bit.]

We'll do our best to help you feel at home.

[fairtide]

[Zack keeps his thoughts to himself; such as Sephiroth needs to get laid and let loose.]

Lead me to your home. is it far?

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth would probably go completely red if Zack didn't keep such thoughts to himself.]

It's in the Northwest area. Flying would be the fastest way there. Do you feel up to that?

[fairtide]

Long as I don't throw up. I should be golden. [He slipped off the bed, and his stomach churned again. Once outside Zack gave way to being dragged into the air and hopefully not dropped.] Just don't...drop me, man.

[imjustaman]

I have a very firm hold.

[He picks Zack up again and takes flight, going carefully to try not to jar him.

Soon they're in the right area and he lands in front of his house. His animals are both watching from the window and excitedly jump around.

He chuckles, watching them.]