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 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.]

[fairtide]

A firm hold huh? [Zack tried to keep his perverted thoughts to himself. He was having them more than usual with the sickness.]

Those your pups? [Zack asked as they landed, walking toward the house and feeling terrible, which was a given.]

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth was quite the opposite in that respect, but had always been respectful of others having such thoughts.]

Yes. The fox-like one is an Eevee. Her name is Lucy.

The other is an Umbreon. Eevees can become those. Apparently it's called evolving.

[He gave an amused yet awkward smile.]

There may be some confusion when interacting; his name is Zack.

[He opened the door, not sure how Zack would react to that.

Lucy and Zack both rushed over, definitely acting like happy dogs or cats to see him. He chuckles, petting them and speaking to them softly.]

[fairtide]

[Zack walked inside the house, sneezing and covering his face. He didn't want to get the animals sick.] Lucy and Zack huh? Did you name Zack after me? If so, who is Lucy named after?

[Zack bent down to pet the animals carefully, incase they didn't like him.] Hey Pups, you can call me Uncle Zack. I"ll spoil you rotten at some point.

[imjustaman]

Yes, he is. Lucy ... I suppose I named her for Lucrecia.

[They sniff him all over and then cheer happily.

Sephiroth chuckles.]

They like you. Of course, I'm not surprised.

[fairtide]

Did you ever meet Lucrecia? I think I might have already asked that. [He continues to pet the dogs aka pokemon, they respond to him with affection. He's a little surprised, but he shouldn't be, animals usually respond to him favorably.]

I am, just a little. Will I get them sick? Do they get sick like normal animals? [His stomach rolls and he closes his eyes, fighting off the assault of his immune system turning on him.]

CW: Mention of attempted suicide

[imjustaman]

I never had the chance. After she couldn't end her life in normal ways, she sealed herself in crystal. That happened long before I ever knew and accepted that she is my actual mother.

[He still isn't sure at all how to feel about that, or her. He's distraught that his own mother was willing to experiment on him. But she did feel tremendously guilty about it after the fact, which is more than Jenova ever felt for him.

Lucy and Zack happily rub and nuzzle him! Yay new friend who makes Sephiroth very happy!]

They seem to be very hardy. I think they'll be fine. I should get you to bed.

[fairtide]

That's sad. You should have at least met her and got a hug from her. All people deserve a hug from their mother.

[Zack grins, petting behind Lucy's ears and underneath Zack's chin. He grins, happy he won't make them sick.] Long as they won't get sick, I'm cool with it but I'd feel horrible if they did.

[He pouted, looking up at Sephiroth.] I need sleep, yeah, but I wish I could stay up so we can catch up.

[imjustaman]

I dreamed of that so much as a child.... Hugs from my mother ... and protection. And that was all it was ... dreams. Never reality.

[He smiled, watching Zack with the Pokemon. They were very enthusiastic and happy, tails bouncing rapidly.]

They are very unusual creatures. I would like to learn more about them.

[A chuckle.]

Well. Perhaps if you're not sleepy when you lie down, we can talk a while longer.

[But he wondered what sort of enjoyable catching up they could even do. Was there much that could even be said other than the horrible, grim topics they had discussed the first time? Perhaps simply explaining more about their current home....]