ARRIVAL.

[insusurromods]

𝑰𝑵𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑼𝑹𝑹𝑶: 𝑨 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑻 𝑫𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑵𝒀

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 you moved under your own power. The shadows that dwelt in the corners of your vision vanished, the world is bright and the shackles of destiny fall from your liberated limbs.

You're free.

But before you can take that next step, before you can alter your fate, a terrible howling fills your ears. It's an ill wind full of malice, one that rips you off of your feet and back, back, back from this chance to seize your destiny. The shadows coalesce into a single entity, its hands locking around your throat. It cannot let this stand.

You think that maybe this is the end. The world goes dark as it rushes past you, this is the end.

Except you wake to the feeling of rain on your skin.

The cliffs around you bare the scars of a fierce battle. Before you, a massive city faces the sea. Behind you, greenery sprawls for miles. Midgar has never looked so beautiful, but it has also never looked so unlike itself. The Sister Ray points proudly towards the sea. A bustling city crawls out from its shadow, looking wealthier and more robust than the slums ever did. You don't have long to ponder this.

Because you aren't alone. Others are coming to, looking just as confused and uncertain as you do. Some are battleworn and bloody, as if they were pulled from a fierce battle. Others appear to be in perfect health, as if they were simply pulled from a long slumber, though no less confused and lost. The howling that filled your slowly begins to fade, and as it does, the rain begins to clear.

𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐀𝐑 is within a few hours walking distance. 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐌 lies not much further in the opposite direction. There is no presence urging you to walk to one or the other, no voice from on high telling you what path your feet should walk. Underneath this infinite blue sky the choice to go - or to stay - is entirely yours.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐓?

Comments

[earlylight]

[She isn't strong like Zack or Cloud. She isn't like Tifa either. All she can do when she first sees him is watch...and wait. That sword of his makes her heart race, but she can't bring herself to run. She has spent too long in the Lifestream to be frightened of him.]

Sephiroth. [Has she ever said his name out-loud? Maybe, but it's difficult to remember. However her tone is unmistakable: she sounds like a weary mother waiting for her wayward son's explanation of his latest catastrophe.]

[hero_of_wutai]

[ Sephiroth's never heard that particular tone before but for some reason he still shifts his grip on his sword so that the blade is angled up and behind himself, reducing the risk of accidentally injuring a passerby.

He turned towards the voice and eyed the young woman in front of him. Something about her seemed almost familiar, but he was sure he'd never met her before. ]

Can I help you?

[earlylight]

[He...doesn't remember? Or is that an act? Aerith observes him, but she can't come to any definitive conclusion. Time is obviously misbehaving, so it is possible he is from before -

Her heart skips a beat and she blinks a few times, settling.]

What do you remember?

[hero_of_wutai]

[ Sephiroth's head tilts slightly to the side even as he keeps eye contact. He hadn't been expecting that question and especially not as vague as it was. ]

I remember everything leading up to my meeting you here, but I do not know you. If that is what you mean.

[earlylight]

[She hadn't phrased that very well. Hm, try two? Aerith frowns and gathers her courage, standing...as tall as possible. She is smol.]

I never had the chance to meet you. [Like this. But...she needs to be careful.] My name is Aerith Gainsborough. I sold flowers on the streets of Midgar.

[hero_of_wutai]

[ Ahh, that explained why she'd seemed slightly familiar; Zack had gone on and on about the flower seller he'd encountered below plate. ]

Zack's friend, correct? It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Gainsborough.

[ She seemed nervous so Sephiroth sheathed Masamune; Zack had mentioned before that she was under Turk surveillance, perhaps visibly disarming himself would help? ]

[earlylight]

[He's sane. With Masamune sheathed, she chances a step or two forward, green eyes fixed on his face. Even his voice sounds different. There isn't as much pain there definitely. If he is Zack's friend right now then...

Aerith has no qualms about hurrying forward and taking hold of his arm. Hi?]

You can call me Aerith! Are you hurt? I can heal you if you need it. [So there is a reason the Turks trail her...]

[hero_of_wutai]

[ That was a much faster turn around of attitude then he'd been expecting.

He managed to contain his reaction to her grabbing his arm to a simple flinch, and hoped she didn't notice, and looked down at her. Someone was not used to be touched with no warning. ]


I am uninjured. I was about to retire to my home when whatever happened happened, and I encountered no threats after I awoke.

[ He pauses before tentatively continuing ] Thank you for the offer though.

[earlylight]

[If he isn't the Sephiroth of the future - his future - then there is no reason to start blaming him for those travesties. She also has faith in Zack's choices. So that means she had to help Sephiroth too!

Besides it's not like she hasn't already died.]

Good! I'll make sure no one threatens you. [See this face? She's a monster. Clearly.] Anytime! If you're Zack's friend, I want to know you better. He has helped me a lot.

[hero_of_wutai]

[ Despite himself he finds her quite charming and lays his free hand over the one she'd tucked into his elbow. He could definitely see why Zack had been charmed. ]

Don't underestimate how much you helped Zack as well. He met you right before a particularly difficult point and I doubt he'd have handled it as well as he did without knowing you.

He always speaks of you with such praise that I think I'd enjoy getting to know you as well.