entranceway | First Verse : Accidental Video (Forward-dated to July 2, Sunset)

[You have all seen this before- the start of a recording done entirely on accident. This one seems to have a different sort of edge to it, however- a quick movement, the device flipping, sky and land changing places until the com settles onto the grass. Heavy labored breathing, wheezes of pain by something obviously not human can be heard, accompanied by the shot of a long grey body, riddled with wounds.

Then against that gray body fell an arm clad almost completely in red, accented with a few touches of silver: a familiar sight to those who know of the First Class SOLDIERs who existed alongside Sephiroth before everything went to hell. Neither of the two figures were fully in the screen, obviously unaware of it being turned on. Actually, the feed could be a little uncomfortable to watch with its weird, twisted angle. But in any case, the feed wasn’t silent for long.

The red leather-clad hand is gently running its fingers against the gray body, as if soothing it.]

Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess,
we seek it thus and take to the sky.
Ripples form on the water’s surface,
the wandering soul knows no rest.

... what have I done to you, my friend? Is this punishment for my sins now? To behold you this way...?

The fates are truly cruel. Yet I am certain I deserve this for what I had done.

[He falls silent then, and his fingers curl against the creature’s skin as if overcome with grief. The feed turns off a moment after that.]

((ooc: If you wish to come across the two in person, there's a log for them over here!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[At first the images are confusing. Cloud focuses on them, feeling his heart beating faster in his chest. This video is important for some reason; he needs to view it in its entirety.

Then the verses of Loveless begin and his eyes widen in horror.

Sephiroth and Genesis?! What is this place playing at?!]

[He walks across his room and reaches for his sword, ready for action. Yet something causes him to stall. Call it instinct. If Zack has seen this video... If Sephiroth has seen this video...

They are the ones who should act. He hadn't known Genesis and the memories he has of him are few indeed.

His hand slides away from the hilt of his sword and he grabs his communicator instead. What does one say to...to...

Well here goes nothing.]

Welcome to Wonderland. [There is very little welcome in Cloud's voice, but hey effort, right?] You won't be alone for long.

[He's pretty sure of that. Yet it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on things.]

Sit tight.

[When Genesis hears the voice, it draws his attention to the communicator. Zack had already gone after them and Genesis had separated himself from the mentor and student pair.

He looks at it strangely for a moment before replying. He knows the young man in the video, but doesn't really feel like acknowledging him. His response reveals why.]

I would rather be left alone.

[It's expected, really, and it's not like Cloud is emotionally invested in how Genesis is taking the situation. But there is a tinge of worry that follows that response.]

You can do what you want, but being alone won't make it any better.

[Why would anyone be worried about such a man as him? Even after Zack's show of kindness after their showdown in Banora, he hasn't found himself comfortable with kind acts... not after more than five years being the one tormenting the world. When he replies, his tone is firm, as if he cannot be budged from his decision.]

Solitude is what I deserve.

[Cloud gives his head a sharp shake. It wasn't so long ago that he was lost in his own depression. But now he knows it's no good to stay in that frame of mind.]

How can you make it better if you shut yourself away?

Edited 2013-07-02 04:10 (UTC)

Who said I wanted to be better? I wanted to be finished.

[He's getting tired of this and all he wants is his solitude. He's walking towards the mansion now, in the hopes that there is somewhere there he could find a place to be alone in.]

Too bad. You don't get that choice.

Try again.

[Sorry, Genesis. Cloud doesn't have his kid gloves on at the moment.]

We have complicated pasts. You're not the only one. But this place can be a second chance. [Or a third in some cases.] Even if you don't want to take it, it won't let you go.

[Genesis isn't in the mood for gentleness, anyway. But there was no way he was accepting his second chance on a silver platter with the pain of guilt still so fresh in his mind.]

Leave me alone, trooper.

[A little more and he might just toss the communicator away from him. Why was he even still holding on to it, he thinks.]

The name is Cloud. I'm not apart of Shinra anymore. [Do you want a list of why he hates it with all of his being, Genesis? It might take him awhile.]

Zack will worry about you.

Who Zack ought to worry for is Angeal, not me.

He doesn't work that way.

That doesn't bother me.

If you upset him, I will bother you.

He shouldn't be upset about me in the first place. I did not deserve his pity.

It's not pity. [It's a good guy with a good heart giving a damn.] But it might take you awhile.

...it took me awhile too.

[At this point, Genesis has become weary of replying to this plea of not shutting himself away from the world. Cloud's last statement is met with silence.]

[He sighs, long and low.]

Take your time.

[Sephiroth had debated saying anything at all, just as he had debated whether to contact Genesis directly, or Zack. He'd decided on the latter; having a feeling that Zack would be the sort for actions before words. Even so, he is a man of action himself, and to see this exchange throws something of his own arrival in stark relief.

Decision made, he echoes Zack's words, words that had been said on his own behalf.]

Stand down, Cloud.

[He knows where the words are coming from and he realizes that Zack wouldn't want him to upset Genesis either.]

...you're right.

Thank you.

[There is the man who used to be his hero. Cloud is jolted out of thoughts of Genesis and he blinks in confusion at his communicator. After a moment, he grips it tighter and adds:]

Take care of them. [Them meaning Zack too.]

[Sephiroth almost lets the comment fall. Almost. He is not a gambling man; there is little need, when one simply makes his own luck. Cloud has already shown himself as not only an unknown, but a (somewhat) volatile one at that; the General has not forgotten their first conversation.

There is a saying about desperate times and desperate measures. Sephiroth had never liked the adage, and he likes it less given the current situation. But if Zack trusts him...]

What materia is in your possession, currently?

voice;

animusangelus - 2013-07-02 05:30 (UTC) - Expand

soldierfirst - 2013-07-02 05:36 (UTC) - Expand

animusangelus - 2013-07-02 05:39 (UTC) - Expand

soldierfirst - 2013-07-02 05:47 (UTC) - Expand

animusangelus - 2013-07-02 05:49 (UTC) - Expand

soldierfirst - 2013-07-02 06:00 (UTC) - Expand

animusangelus - 2013-07-02 06:05 (UTC) - Expand

First Verse : Accidental Video (Forward-dated to July 2, Sunset)

[Video] 1/3

[Video] 2/3

[Video] 3/3

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice; 1/2

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;