[ It's a ridiculous thing to think, but there is a part of him that wonders if it will all go away, now, if the fight is over, now, if Sephiroth is gone.
Maybe that's all Sephiroth wanted, after all. He got it, whatever it was, got him to break down enough to even think of having those hands on his body, touching him like they belonged, like the fantasies he may have had as a youth thinking of the great hero of Wutai and how amazing it must be to have Sephiroth's attention, how it would have felt to have known him, to have mustered up the courage to talk to him.
It's funny, really, because he can imagine that part of himself so clearly: that he went to SOLDIER to become just like him, that he admired him to a fault, that he might have even thought him something beautiful and untouchable, an idol that he could have never had to himself. And that much, sure, he can rely on--but after that, any memories of his training, his grunt work, even the circumstances of his bump up to First: he can't remember them at all. It's just some hazy clump of memories that stick together, haphazard, like they don't quite fit. Like they don't quite belong. And there's some stubborn part of him that says don't question it, just let it go.
So he doesn't question it. He continues on, like they're still in pursuit of Sephiroth. He doesn't tell anyone what happened, or what he thinks might happen, or that they may very well be on a fool's mission at this point. He shies away from the perceptive way that the girls look at him, or how Barret insists they truck along and keep their heads up. He acts how he always has: cold and aloof, retreating back to his room at the brink of the evening to catch up on his sleep.
And, naturally, who's standing there, when he opens the door? It's startling enough that he reaches for the hilt of the buster sword, gripping it firmly; he doesn't want to cause any disturbance, to anyone else, doesn't want anyone to know the trouble that's landed itself into his room again. He comes in, shuts the door, and narrows his eyes in on the man standing there, nearly too tall for the room at all. ]
What do you want?
[ It's not quite as venomous as it should be--and maybe that's because it's so easy to remember how it felt to kiss him, to lay there in the sheets and fall asleep pressed up against each other; or the embarrassing, shameful disappointment upon waking up alone. He doesn't let go of the sword, strapped to his back, doesn't close the distance, either. ]
[As soon as his eyes met Cloud's gaze, it became even more painfully clear his earlier thoughts about how returning here is a mistake were probably right. He's already unfocused and this is not helping. But he's also far too stubborn to simply back away. This is his own fault and he will deal with it. Somehow.
For a moment use usual smug-yet-almost-expressionless façade breaks as his thoughts crumble together, but it's only for a moment. Just a tiny twist of uncertainty that fades away when his gaze shifts away from mako-blue to the hand gripping the hilt of the buster sword.
That causes the corner of his lips to curl to a small, yet so very amused, smirk. Ah, Cloud. Always on the defensive. All things considered, he doesn't really blame him. If he wants to survive he should be willing to fight at any given moment.]
You believe I've come here for a battle. I assure you that a room like this --
[His arms spread slightly as if to gesture around at the entire space their standing in.]
Is hardly a fitting battleground. Destiny would bring us to a much different place. Not something so ... confining.
[Though Cloud and his friends destroyed fate, so is there even such a thing as destiny anymore? Not that it's really the time to get all philosophical while his nemesis is staring at him. Or maybe it is the perfect time. It's hard to tell anymore.]
But speaking of destiny, how is your pursuit going?
[He realizes he never really answered Cloud's question of what he wants. But that is mostly because he's attempting to avoid it all together. At the moment, he doesn't know. What does it he want? Who knows anymore. Everything is all clashed together in a strange mixture of emotions he really wants to ignore. It's far easier to simply redirect Cloud onto another topic.
Well, really the same topic considering it's still about him. And what he's doing. It's just about the past him.
And mostly just a baiting sort of question to see how much the "Ex-SOLDIER" has figured out or if he'll just be rebuffed in the usual I-Don't-Have-Time-For-This Cloud way. He's guessing the latter because that seems to be how he handles things.]
[ It's always been frustrating, the way that Sephiroth speaks as though he already knows everything--and maybe it just makes him angry because it makes it all feel hopeless, as though there's nothing that he can possibly change about things that are already secured in the future. Then again, hasn't that been the point of all this? The way that Aerith grew wary, in front of what she called Destiny, the fact that they've fought and won and gotten past all of that? The fact that Sephiroth actually asked him for help? He's not entirely sure of anything anymore, and the fact that Sephiroth acts as though everything is simply written out in some language that only he can understand--it gets in under his skin, makes him irritated, afraid, and irritated about being afraid.
He's right: this room is not a fitting battleground, and they've been together often enough that he knows, at least, he can take those words at face value. It still doesn't feel good to loosen his grip on the handle of the buster sword, but he knows that he can't even wield it well in such a cramped space anyway. Wrought with disappointment, he slips his hand down instead to detach it from his back, walking sidelong without taking his gaze off Sephiroth to lean it, carefully, against the wall. It's still within reach if he needs it, at least, and he folds his arms against his chest, a pointed amount of distance between them. ]
Seems to be going pretty well, since you're here now.
[ But--this isn't the one they're pursuing. Right? It's still difficult for him to tell the difference between them; and the fact that his gaze goes up the line of Sephiroth's body, trying to discern any sort of differences, any telltale subtleties about him, means that when his eyes fall on his face, they linger there for much longer than they should. It must be something about the eyes, he thinks: strange and foreign, they look as menacing as always, but there's a slight pinch of uncertainty in them that wasn't necessarily there before. ]
Haven't seen you yet. We'll be heading to Junon next, anyway. As if you didn't already know.
[ It doesn't feel right to tell him these things--but what's the point, anyway? He flicks his gaze to the ground. ]
If you didn't come to fight, then why are you here?
[Having been inside the lifestream, Sephiroth is privy to a lot of things most would never even hope to learn. Knowledge of everyone who ever existed. Enough information that would drive any normal person mad. Of course, Sephiroth's sanity is already questionable. He also lived through a timeline which at one point would have been this one's future.
But now that the bounds of destiny were destroyed, that future is now very uncertain.
However, with where Cloud says they're headed, it seems the group is still relatively staying on the same path. Sephiroth cannot deny the feeling of curiosity over what other deviations might take place.
At the 'As if you didn't already know' part, his lips can't help but curl up into a smirk. Cloud's attitude hasn't changed much, and Sephiroth can almost appreciate how unafraid he is at talking back.]
I came to see you.
[Which he still isn't sure is a good idea, but he can't do anything about that now. His own stubborn ego won't let him just back away anyway.
Breaking his gaze away from Cloud, he waves a hand rather dismissively as though indicating for him to ignore what Sephiroth just said. It' snot important anyway.]
Rufus will be at Junon. If that matters to you. A celebration of his new found promotion.
[He could tell Cloud how Rufus eventually becomes an ally in the future, which might be gain an amusing reaction, but there's no need to give away everything he knows. Not yet anyway.
His eyes flicker briefly to the buster sword leaning against the wall.
At this point there's still a lot Cloud doesn't remember. He also can't tell him too much at once and trigger him falling into a coma or worse. And he can't have that. His plans are already on very fragile ground.]
[ He's not particularly fond of Rufus--especially not after being left on the roof of the Shinra building, clinging to the edge of broken metal and scaffolding to try to will himself to haul his body back up proper; he doesn't imagine that another fight with the man would go well, especially not after that, especially not after being told that Rufus owns him or any of the other ridiculous things he said. It's probably better, then, for them to avoid Rufus at all. But why would Sephiroth tell him about any of that? Why would he bother? Is he trying to be helpful, or is he taunting him? The fact that he can't figure out is frustrating in and of itself.
He doesn't know what to do. He could try, of course, try and strike this one down, drive the buster sword right through him, but he imagines he wouldn't get that far. He didn't get very far last time, either. Sephiroth is still too much for him, too strong, and even at his best he can't defeat him; now, with exhaustion set in from the long day of talking and traveling, he definitely wouldn't be able to. He's almost a sitting duck like this, at the mercy of whatever it is that Sephiroth really wants out of him.
But what was that? He wanted to see him? ]
Why?
[ His gaze moves, hardened, to look at Sephiroth again, and this time, he doesn't shy back down to stare at the floor. Instead, he studies him, studies and stares and waits. ]
Why did you come to see me?
[ His lips press together, a scoff of a breath, and then he rolls his eyes. ]
[It wasn't a taunt really, no. He's actually not sure what information Cloud might especially find useful in his journey. He could tell him the path all things are headed towards, but that'd throw destiny (even if that's already broken) for a great loop and he'd like to retain some semblance of control over future events.
As he moves further along, Sephiroth may give him more information. He knows there's already one particular instance Cloud would like to avoid as the group as already seen visions of it. While she's always been an irritation in Sephiroth's mind, his interest in her is very little. But it is something that will always be important to Cloud so ...
He'll see when they get there.
If Sephiroth were the type to roll his eyes in return, he would. He simply breaks his gaze away instead, glancing to another spot in the room as though anything else is more interesting at the moment.]
I'm going to tell you something important, Cloud. I want you to listen very carefully.
[He snaps his gaze back to the blond.]
Everything you saw, happens. From death to the calamity in the skies. Breaking destiny means you are free from fate, but even before with all of that taking place -- you still win. You did not see a possibility of destruction. You saw what already happened. If I simply wanted to win and destroy the planet, I'd just kill you now.
[Is that giving away too much? Too late to question it really. Of course that isn't really answering Cloud's question either. Sephiroth seems to be actively avoiding the topic all together. Feelings doesn't exist if you don't think about them, that's how it works right?
He'll just move it along and pretend that's totally not the reason he came here at all. No no, giving this information is the reason and not just something to distract Cloud with.]
[ It's the fact that he talks to him almost like he's a child that nearly has him disregard it entirely--he can feel his anger rising, the frustration building like a ticking time bomb in his head, seconds away from an explosion, and the only thing that keeps him from lashing out, or even worse, turning his back on him and stalking out of the room, is the weight of that gaze. It's different, somehow: it's different from the eyes that watched him from all those self-perceived flames, it's different from the eyes that met with him in that place that made no sense at all. It's different from the eyes that rolled back, away from him, hid away behind his lids in pleasure and the fact that he thinks about that at all is embarrassing enough that he falls into a stunned silence.
He's only half-listening, at first, swallowing, his eyes on the ground now instead, but it does mean something, doesn't it? So perhaps Sephiroth doesn't want him dead, or perhaps he does; perhaps that's the only way to get out of everything that happens, perhaps that's how he finally gets his revenge for everything, or finally how he sets things right, in his eyes. But then why tell him that? It would mean that he would know that's the only way: that they would have to be prepared for some kind of fight. ]
If you don't want to win, then what do you want?
[ To change things? But change them how?
Uncomfortable, annoyed, too pent up to stand there, he moves, paces towards the desk in the room, folds his arms against his chest and studies the wood like he would rather see his hardened reflection in the glossy finish there than look at Sephiroth again. He at least trusts, for now, that he won't try to cross the room and attack him; but there's still a discomfort in having him here at all, and it's odd that he feels like he knows some things so intimately about him, while also knowing some things hardly at all. ]
Me? [ There's a scoff--almost like he's teasing him about it, again. ]
[Sephiroth turns to watch Cloud stalk across the room, silently studying his movements. This isn't going well, is it? He's never been the keenest at social skills, but he can certainly tell Cloud isn't happy.
It's looking there's no way to get around the subject any longer. The move Sephrioth avoids it, the more everything circles back. It's almost as if with every word, he's somehow managed to bury himself deeper into a hole.
A deep, dark hole, that's looking harder and harder to climb out of.]
What I want ... I suppose, in a sense, you are right. I do not want you to die. I want you to live. There were a few reasons for that before that have since evolved. I do not know what it all means --
[Which is one of the few honest answers he can give, though that's not to say he's been actively lying. More like avoiding this conversation.]
But my words from before have not changed. We could do much to change fate together. Defy our paths. Start something new.
[There's a sigh, and while he gestures lightly with his hand, Cloud is unlikely to see it with his back turned. ]
What I mean is, if you would like to change any of what you saw ... I will guide you.
[He knows Cloud will want to change one of those events. One that will haunt him for years. Of course he might not believe him or stubbornly believe he doesn't need Sephiroth's help. Maybe he doesn't. They did destroy fate already. They could still change things on their own. And Sephiroth could simply subconsciously be using this as an excuse to stay nearby.]
[ There goes his temper again--but he swallows it down, forces it to focus simply on the way that his fingers curl into his fist, closing in against the top of the desk like he might slam right into it. Such a sound would surely cause the wood to splinter, and even worse, would draw the attention of the others in the rooms so close to his. He doesn't want anyone coming in--namely, Tifa, of all people--and he doesn't want to have to admit that he's been actually communicating with Sephiroth, not to mention the other things they've engaged in. It's embarrassing, and worse than that, it's downright shameful. ]
Guide me to do what you want, you mean. Guide me to kill the Planet, ruin everything, destroy everyone here just so that you can feel a little better about yourself?
[ A shake of his head. He's getting too heated still--he needs time. Needs to swallow it down. What was it he used to do, to calm himself? Squats? No, that--doesn't feel right, that feels... ]
I don't know how to trust you. I don't know how you're any different than the...other one. The other... you.
[ With his expression calmed, he finally straightens, finally turns to look at Sephiroth again, dyed eyes narrowed and blank. ]
[This conversation is not going well. At least not how he planned, though he didn't really have much of one when he came here. But in any case it's not going the way he'd like it to.
Which he supposes goes along with the words Cloud's expressing right now. Maybe he's trying too hard to play this carefully. At this rate they're going to get absolutely nowhere.
And that only goes to remind Sephiroth of his original thoughts of how coming here is nothing but a bad idea. But he did it anyway, and now it's going in the worst possible direction.
Well, not worst. Cloud hasn't attempted to grab the buster sword and run it through him yet. He's almost sure he would given the chance though.
That is something he needs to change.
A sigh follows, and his body pivots so that he meets Cloud's gaze. He didn't want to give this much, but he's not sure what else he has to offer other than answers of what is to come.]
The one your are chasing intends to wound the planet, not destroy it. He will summon meteor to strike the world and be at the heart of the impact. The lifestream will attempt to heal the wound. Being at the core of this, he will try and merge with the lifestream itself to become a ... god.
[Sephrioth gestures a bit with that last part, waving a hand almost dismissively.]
The flower girl --
[Ah, maybe he should watch his wording there ...]
-- Aerith holds a materia which she will use to summon a force to stop what is to come. There is a temple in a place called the forgotten city, that is where she originally meets her death. I cannot say if the events this time will be different. But that is the path fate wished to keep in place.
[ He hears the words: all of them, given that he's focused so keenly on them, focused so hard that he barely even notices the headache that starts to creep up on him, pinging back behind his eyes. Meteor, he says, and his head swims; lifestream and there's something that pulls at him, makes all the angry, irritated words in his throat close up, wither and disappear. Sephiroth speaks of Aerith and the Forgotten City and it feels like it's too much, like he's swallowing for air that he can't seem to take in fully. All of these things waiting in his future, and yet they're almost familiar--almost, like he's seen it before, like the sound of materia tipping over onto rock, clanging as it moves away from--but how would he--
One of his hands lifts, clutches at the side of his head, and his gloved fingers dig into his scalp; he's tempted to pull his hair out just for some relief from the feeling. Thoughts and memories clash together, a mangled knot of what he thinks is true and what must really be true, or maybe nothing is true at all, but no, this Sephiroth isn't lying, is he? And here he is, doubled over and weak, his free hand clutching for the wall to maintain some sort of balance.
He just needs to not think about it. He needs to pretend he doesn't know. He doesn't get it. He pushes it all down, and tries not to think of Aerith's face or the water or the feeling of her in his arms. ]
So what's the plan, then? [ Harsh, his voice sounds like he's gasping for air. ] What am I supposed to do to fix all that? Work with you? What's your master plan then? Why would you want to stop yourself anyway? You don't care about her, or the Planet...
[And this is exactly why he did not want to give so much information at once. He watches Cloud scramble to keep ahold of himself, though gives no real visible reaction otherwise. There was once a time where seeing him buckle over in pain would spark a bitter enjoyment, but that's not his goal right now.
He doesn't need Cloud's mind to break completely. He just wants him to listen, but probably due to both of their stubbornness they will have to do this the hard way.
Which Cloud is currently experiencing right now.
What's the saying? You reap what you sow?]
You're right, I don't.
[Sephiroth finally slips from his statue-like stance to move towards Cloud, but not directly as he shifts his gaze away. Almost as though he's taking a causal stroll around the room.]
But both of those are important to you. And by extension that makes it of some importance to me.
[Of course that only partially answers Cloud's various questions. The plan is practically shattered, only being held together by a thin string connecting everything. At any moment it could break and everything would be for nothing.]
The question is, are you willing to work with the one you hate so much in order to save something you cherish? Is that such a terrible sacrifice? Though with every moment of suffering you become stronger. So perhaps in this case, destiny should play it's course, hm?
[Those last words are meant as bait. Sephiroth doesn't even look at Cloud when he says them, choosing to move back towards the window to glance towards the streets instead.]
[ It's not like the idea doesn't have its merits. He won't pretend that it means nothing, or that he doesn't understand that there could be benefit to it. Sephiroth knows much more than he does--he's displayed that, given him information that no one but him, really, could know, and has even more information that he's surely keeping from him, too. There's the problem with it: what if this is the other sort of bait? Like he's luring Cloud into thinking something, telling him only certain things and then it'll turn out whatever he's left out is something important. What if he's just being lured into helping Sephiroth do what he's wanted to do all along? Even when he moves, Cloud's eyes follow him; tired as they are, they still narrow, focused to ensure that he won't do anything stupid.
Suffering? He's had plenty of that. He'd endure more of it, too, if he had to, more of it to become stronger, to become the sort of person who can end all of this. He doesn't care about himself when there are people he needs to protect--and honestly? Even that is perhaps more important than the Planet, in his eyes. ]
Tell me what you want me to do next.
[ He's not agreeing--but he is offering a chance, and depending on what he hears, he might just take him up on it. ]
Tell me what you think we should do.
[ With a sigh, he moves towards the bed, moves and eases down to sit on the edge of it. He's determined by now that Sephiroth isn't going to make a move while he's here--and truthfully, he's too tired to keep his tense stance going for now. ]
[Well, that's something at least. Better than outright refusal. Does this mean they're getting somewhere? Sephiroth is still unsure 'where' somewhere is at this point. Changing the future. Changing destiny. That's one thing, but internally he's all mixed up.
But perhaps if they keep going down this path they can find some common ground. Sephiroth knows that he and Cloud are both very alike yet very different at the same time. It's going to be difficult for the two of them not to stubbornly bump heads or drift onto different paths.
Turning back around to face him once more, he eyes the blond-haired man. If Cloud can ease up a bit ... maybe he should do the same. Would that help this conversation? Stepping to the side, he leans back against the wall and folds his arms. It's an attempt to look causal but he still carries that smug-arrogant look no matter what he does.]
Keep along the same path for now. Follow the clues in your search for 'me' ... You'll gather some more companions along the way. They may not be important to you now, but they will be eventually.
[Not that Sephiroth wants anymore people who might meddle and get in the way, he also doesn't know how the rest of the battles will go if Cloud doesn't gather the rest of his comrades. Sure he could aid if he so wished, but they also don't know the ramifications of that either. Is he going to create some sort of paradox and effect his own existence? ... Or perhaps he can split himself from the timeline all together.
He glances away from Cloud as his thoughts drift over various possibilities. Even with his vast knowledge from the lifestream there's still so many ways all of this can go wrong.]
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Maybe that's all Sephiroth wanted, after all. He got it, whatever it was, got him to break down enough to even think of having those hands on his body, touching him like they belonged, like the fantasies he may have had as a youth thinking of the great hero of Wutai and how amazing it must be to have Sephiroth's attention, how it would have felt to have known him, to have mustered up the courage to talk to him.
It's funny, really, because he can imagine that part of himself so clearly: that he went to SOLDIER to become just like him, that he admired him to a fault, that he might have even thought him something beautiful and untouchable, an idol that he could have never had to himself. And that much, sure, he can rely on--but after that, any memories of his training, his grunt work, even the circumstances of his bump up to First: he can't remember them at all. It's just some hazy clump of memories that stick together, haphazard, like they don't quite fit. Like they don't quite belong. And there's some stubborn part of him that says don't question it, just let it go.
So he doesn't question it. He continues on, like they're still in pursuit of Sephiroth. He doesn't tell anyone what happened, or what he thinks might happen, or that they may very well be on a fool's mission at this point. He shies away from the perceptive way that the girls look at him, or how Barret insists they truck along and keep their heads up. He acts how he always has: cold and aloof, retreating back to his room at the brink of the evening to catch up on his sleep.
And, naturally, who's standing there, when he opens the door? It's startling enough that he reaches for the hilt of the buster sword, gripping it firmly; he doesn't want to cause any disturbance, to anyone else, doesn't want anyone to know the trouble that's landed itself into his room again. He comes in, shuts the door, and narrows his eyes in on the man standing there, nearly too tall for the room at all. ]
What do you want?
[ It's not quite as venomous as it should be--and maybe that's because it's so easy to remember how it felt to kiss him, to lay there in the sheets and fall asleep pressed up against each other; or the embarrassing, shameful disappointment upon waking up alone. He doesn't let go of the sword, strapped to his back, doesn't close the distance, either. ]
This isn't the place to fight. Take it outside.
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For a moment use usual smug-yet-almost-expressionless façade breaks as his thoughts crumble together, but it's only for a moment. Just a tiny twist of uncertainty that fades away when his gaze shifts away from mako-blue to the hand gripping the hilt of the buster sword.
That causes the corner of his lips to curl to a small, yet so very amused, smirk. Ah, Cloud. Always on the defensive. All things considered, he doesn't really blame him. If he wants to survive he should be willing to fight at any given moment.]
You believe I've come here for a battle. I assure you that a room like this --
[His arms spread slightly as if to gesture around at the entire space their standing in.]
Is hardly a fitting battleground. Destiny would bring us to a much different place. Not something so ... confining.
[Though Cloud and his friends destroyed fate, so is there even such a thing as destiny anymore? Not that it's really the time to get all philosophical while his nemesis is staring at him. Or maybe it is the perfect time. It's hard to tell anymore.]
But speaking of destiny, how is your pursuit going?
[He realizes he never really answered Cloud's question of what he wants. But that is mostly because he's attempting to avoid it all together. At the moment, he doesn't know. What does it he want? Who knows anymore. Everything is all clashed together in a strange mixture of emotions he really wants to ignore. It's far easier to simply redirect Cloud onto another topic.
Well, really the same topic considering it's still about him. And what he's doing. It's just about the past him.
And mostly just a baiting sort of question to see how much the "Ex-SOLDIER" has figured out or if he'll just be rebuffed in the usual I-Don't-Have-Time-For-This Cloud way. He's guessing the latter because that seems to be how he handles things.]
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He's right: this room is not a fitting battleground, and they've been together often enough that he knows, at least, he can take those words at face value. It still doesn't feel good to loosen his grip on the handle of the buster sword, but he knows that he can't even wield it well in such a cramped space anyway. Wrought with disappointment, he slips his hand down instead to detach it from his back, walking sidelong without taking his gaze off Sephiroth to lean it, carefully, against the wall. It's still within reach if he needs it, at least, and he folds his arms against his chest, a pointed amount of distance between them. ]
Seems to be going pretty well, since you're here now.
[ But--this isn't the one they're pursuing. Right? It's still difficult for him to tell the difference between them; and the fact that his gaze goes up the line of Sephiroth's body, trying to discern any sort of differences, any telltale subtleties about him, means that when his eyes fall on his face, they linger there for much longer than they should. It must be something about the eyes, he thinks: strange and foreign, they look as menacing as always, but there's a slight pinch of uncertainty in them that wasn't necessarily there before. ]
Haven't seen you yet. We'll be heading to Junon next, anyway. As if you didn't already know.
[ It doesn't feel right to tell him these things--but what's the point, anyway? He flicks his gaze to the ground. ]
If you didn't come to fight, then why are you here?
no subject
But now that the bounds of destiny were destroyed, that future is now very uncertain.
However, with where Cloud says they're headed, it seems the group is still relatively staying on the same path. Sephiroth cannot deny the feeling of curiosity over what other deviations might take place.
At the 'As if you didn't already know' part, his lips can't help but curl up into a smirk. Cloud's attitude hasn't changed much, and Sephiroth can almost appreciate how unafraid he is at talking back.]
I came to see you.
[Which he still isn't sure is a good idea, but he can't do anything about that now. His own stubborn ego won't let him just back away anyway.
Breaking his gaze away from Cloud, he waves a hand rather dismissively as though indicating for him to ignore what Sephiroth just said. It' snot important anyway.]
Rufus will be at Junon. If that matters to you. A celebration of his new found promotion.
[He could tell Cloud how Rufus eventually becomes an ally in the future, which might be gain an amusing reaction, but there's no need to give away everything he knows. Not yet anyway.
His eyes flicker briefly to the buster sword leaning against the wall.
At this point there's still a lot Cloud doesn't remember. He also can't tell him too much at once and trigger him falling into a coma or worse. And he can't have that. His plans are already on very fragile ground.]
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[ He's not particularly fond of Rufus--especially not after being left on the roof of the Shinra building, clinging to the edge of broken metal and scaffolding to try to will himself to haul his body back up proper; he doesn't imagine that another fight with the man would go well, especially not after that, especially not after being told that Rufus owns him or any of the other ridiculous things he said. It's probably better, then, for them to avoid Rufus at all. But why would Sephiroth tell him about any of that? Why would he bother? Is he trying to be helpful, or is he taunting him? The fact that he can't figure out is frustrating in and of itself.
He doesn't know what to do. He could try, of course, try and strike this one down, drive the buster sword right through him, but he imagines he wouldn't get that far. He didn't get very far last time, either. Sephiroth is still too much for him, too strong, and even at his best he can't defeat him; now, with exhaustion set in from the long day of talking and traveling, he definitely wouldn't be able to. He's almost a sitting duck like this, at the mercy of whatever it is that Sephiroth really wants out of him.
But what was that? He wanted to see him? ]
Why?
[ His gaze moves, hardened, to look at Sephiroth again, and this time, he doesn't shy back down to stare at the floor. Instead, he studies him, studies and stares and waits. ]
Why did you come to see me?
[ His lips press together, a scoff of a breath, and then he rolls his eyes. ]
Because of what we did?
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As he moves further along, Sephiroth may give him more information. He knows there's already one particular instance Cloud would like to avoid as the group as already seen visions of it. While she's always been an irritation in Sephiroth's mind, his interest in her is very little. But it is something that will always be important to Cloud so ...
He'll see when they get there.
If Sephiroth were the type to roll his eyes in return, he would. He simply breaks his gaze away instead, glancing to another spot in the room as though anything else is more interesting at the moment.]
I'm going to tell you something important, Cloud. I want you to listen very carefully.
[He snaps his gaze back to the blond.]
Everything you saw, happens. From death to the calamity in the skies. Breaking destiny means you are free from fate, but even before with all of that taking place -- you still win. You did not see a possibility of destruction. You saw what already happened. If I simply wanted to win and destroy the planet, I'd just kill you now.
[Is that giving away too much? Too late to question it really. Of course that isn't really answering Cloud's question either. Sephiroth seems to be actively avoiding the topic all together. Feelings doesn't exist if you don't think about them, that's how it works right?
He'll just move it along and pretend that's totally not the reason he came here at all. No no, giving this information is the reason and not just something to distract Cloud with.]
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He's only half-listening, at first, swallowing, his eyes on the ground now instead, but it does mean something, doesn't it? So perhaps Sephiroth doesn't want him dead, or perhaps he does; perhaps that's the only way to get out of everything that happens, perhaps that's how he finally gets his revenge for everything, or finally how he sets things right, in his eyes. But then why tell him that? It would mean that he would know that's the only way: that they would have to be prepared for some kind of fight. ]
If you don't want to win, then what do you want?
[ To change things? But change them how?
Uncomfortable, annoyed, too pent up to stand there, he moves, paces towards the desk in the room, folds his arms against his chest and studies the wood like he would rather see his hardened reflection in the glossy finish there than look at Sephiroth again. He at least trusts, for now, that he won't try to cross the room and attack him; but there's still a discomfort in having him here at all, and it's odd that he feels like he knows some things so intimately about him, while also knowing some things hardly at all. ]
Me? [ There's a scoff--almost like he's teasing him about it, again. ]
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It's looking there's no way to get around the subject any longer. The move Sephrioth avoids it, the more everything circles back. It's almost as if with every word, he's somehow managed to bury himself deeper into a hole.
A deep, dark hole, that's looking harder and harder to climb out of.]
What I want ... I suppose, in a sense, you are right. I do not want you to die. I want you to live. There were a few reasons for that before that have since evolved. I do not know what it all means --
[Which is one of the few honest answers he can give, though that's not to say he's been actively lying. More like avoiding this conversation.]
But my words from before have not changed. We could do much to change fate together. Defy our paths. Start something new.
[There's a sigh, and while he gestures lightly with his hand, Cloud is unlikely to see it with his back turned. ]
What I mean is, if you would like to change any of what you saw ... I will guide you.
[He knows Cloud will want to change one of those events. One that will haunt him for years. Of course he might not believe him or stubbornly believe he doesn't need Sephiroth's help. Maybe he doesn't. They did destroy fate already. They could still change things on their own. And Sephiroth could simply subconsciously be using this as an excuse to stay nearby.]
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[ There goes his temper again--but he swallows it down, forces it to focus simply on the way that his fingers curl into his fist, closing in against the top of the desk like he might slam right into it. Such a sound would surely cause the wood to splinter, and even worse, would draw the attention of the others in the rooms so close to his. He doesn't want anyone coming in--namely, Tifa, of all people--and he doesn't want to have to admit that he's been actually communicating with Sephiroth, not to mention the other things they've engaged in. It's embarrassing, and worse than that, it's downright shameful. ]
Guide me to do what you want, you mean. Guide me to kill the Planet, ruin everything, destroy everyone here just so that you can feel a little better about yourself?
[ A shake of his head. He's getting too heated still--he needs time. Needs to swallow it down. What was it he used to do, to calm himself? Squats? No, that--doesn't feel right, that feels... ]
I don't know how to trust you. I don't know how you're any different than the...other one. The other... you.
[ With his expression calmed, he finally straightens, finally turns to look at Sephiroth again, dyed eyes narrowed and blank. ]
So how are you going to fix that?
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Which he supposes goes along with the words Cloud's expressing right now. Maybe he's trying too hard to play this carefully. At this rate they're going to get absolutely nowhere.
And that only goes to remind Sephiroth of his original thoughts of how coming here is nothing but a bad idea. But he did it anyway, and now it's going in the worst possible direction.
Well, not worst. Cloud hasn't attempted to grab the buster sword and run it through him yet. He's almost sure he would given the chance though.
That is something he needs to change.
A sigh follows, and his body pivots so that he meets Cloud's gaze. He didn't want to give this much, but he's not sure what else he has to offer other than answers of what is to come.]
The one your are chasing intends to wound the planet, not destroy it. He will summon meteor to strike the world and be at the heart of the impact. The lifestream will attempt to heal the wound. Being at the core of this, he will try and merge with the lifestream itself to become a ... god.
[Sephrioth gestures a bit with that last part, waving a hand almost dismissively.]
The flower girl --
[Ah, maybe he should watch his wording there ...]
-- Aerith holds a materia which she will use to summon a force to stop what is to come. There is a temple in a place called the forgotten city, that is where she originally meets her death. I cannot say if the events this time will be different. But that is the path fate wished to keep in place.
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One of his hands lifts, clutches at the side of his head, and his gloved fingers dig into his scalp; he's tempted to pull his hair out just for some relief from the feeling. Thoughts and memories clash together, a mangled knot of what he thinks is true and what must really be true, or maybe nothing is true at all, but no, this Sephiroth isn't lying, is he? And here he is, doubled over and weak, his free hand clutching for the wall to maintain some sort of balance.
He just needs to not think about it. He needs to pretend he doesn't know. He doesn't get it. He pushes it all down, and tries not to think of Aerith's face or the water or the feeling of her in his arms. ]
So what's the plan, then? [ Harsh, his voice sounds like he's gasping for air. ] What am I supposed to do to fix all that? Work with you? What's your master plan then? Why would you want to stop yourself anyway? You don't care about her, or the Planet...
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He doesn't need Cloud's mind to break completely. He just wants him to listen, but probably due to both of their stubbornness they will have to do this the hard way.
Which Cloud is currently experiencing right now.
What's the saying? You reap what you sow?]
You're right, I don't.
[Sephiroth finally slips from his statue-like stance to move towards Cloud, but not directly as he shifts his gaze away. Almost as though he's taking a causal stroll around the room.]
But both of those are important to you. And by extension that makes it of some importance to me.
[Of course that only partially answers Cloud's various questions. The plan is practically shattered, only being held together by a thin string connecting everything. At any moment it could break and everything would be for nothing.]
The question is, are you willing to work with the one you hate so much in order to save something you cherish? Is that such a terrible sacrifice? Though with every moment of suffering you become stronger. So perhaps in this case, destiny should play it's course, hm?
[Those last words are meant as bait. Sephiroth doesn't even look at Cloud when he says them, choosing to move back towards the window to glance towards the streets instead.]
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Suffering? He's had plenty of that. He'd endure more of it, too, if he had to, more of it to become stronger, to become the sort of person who can end all of this. He doesn't care about himself when there are people he needs to protect--and honestly? Even that is perhaps more important than the Planet, in his eyes. ]
Tell me what you want me to do next.
[ He's not agreeing--but he is offering a chance, and depending on what he hears, he might just take him up on it. ]
Tell me what you think we should do.
[ With a sigh, he moves towards the bed, moves and eases down to sit on the edge of it. He's determined by now that Sephiroth isn't going to make a move while he's here--and truthfully, he's too tired to keep his tense stance going for now. ]
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But perhaps if they keep going down this path they can find some common ground. Sephiroth knows that he and Cloud are both very alike yet very different at the same time. It's going to be difficult for the two of them not to stubbornly bump heads or drift onto different paths.
Turning back around to face him once more, he eyes the blond-haired man. If Cloud can ease up a bit ... maybe he should do the same. Would that help this conversation? Stepping to the side, he leans back against the wall and folds his arms. It's an attempt to look causal but he still carries that smug-arrogant look no matter what he does.]
Keep along the same path for now. Follow the clues in your search for 'me' ... You'll gather some more companions along the way. They may not be important to you now, but they will be eventually.
[Not that Sephiroth wants anymore people who might meddle and get in the way, he also doesn't know how the rest of the battles will go if Cloud doesn't gather the rest of his comrades. Sure he could aid if he so wished, but they also don't know the ramifications of that either. Is he going to create some sort of paradox and effect his own existence? ... Or perhaps he can split himself from the timeline all together.
He glances away from Cloud as his thoughts drift over various possibilities. Even with his vast knowledge from the lifestream there's still so many ways all of this can go wrong.]