#13 | Esdham Times

[shinrasfinest]

Who: Sephiroth, OPEN; particularly military-comrades  
Where: Shuttle to/from and at the Republic of Esdham
When: Throughout November, (6th - 10th, 13th - 17th)
Summary: Between the duties he really should get back to in Esdham and those responsibilities he has back in Aqures Ixen, it does seem that the majority of this month will be spent trying to balance everything; it's a good job that military personnel can travel outside of Shoopuf but at the same time it wouldn't do to scramble a shuttle in every five minutes. I might add an additional prompt later, post-Expedition. Prompts in sub-comments for ease of posting. 
Warnings: N/A (Lets go in with none, see if I need to update later)

1) Esdham Shuttle
2) Military Headquarters / Training
3) Otherwise On duty - General OPEN Mingle
      (i)Around the City
      (ii)On Patrol toward the Oasis (aka quiet Heran Frontier)

Comments

1) Esdham Shuttle

[shinrasfinest]

[One thing is for sure, it's getting colder in Aqures Ixen which might make anyone think twice about riding the journey south to the Republic of Esdham. But in truth Sephiroth has seldom taken that route. Esdham provides its personnel with a shuttle service which -within reason- is pretty much on demand. Still, given the growing number of Heroes in the ranks as of late, a pick up or drop off serving many at one time is -at the very least- polite. It's not a civilian aircraft after all; who knows when the resource might become unavailable.

Not that there is much to do on the trips out from and back to Esdham, but to remain strapped one of the heavy-duty seats which line the passenger area. It's only a couple of hours of a flight. A perfect opportunity to catch a nap, re-focus silently and contemplate past events, or perhaps share words with a comrade who isn't generally the type for conversation...]

Re: 1) Esdham Shuttle - OPEN

[damn_juicebox]

[Taking a nap is a fantastic way to pass the time when traveling a long distance. Rukia took advantage of the same in the previous month when sleep wa a luxury. However, unless Sephiroth is a sound sleeper, he might find napping to be somewhat difficult when there's a ruckus above deck. A man's voice cursing, and a woman's snapping back in cold, angry retort.]

'Keep that damn bird away from me!'
'You should be keeping away from her! She caused no trouble until you came to bother her!'
'It's vicious! She attacked me!'
'You tried to pluck one of her feathers! Do you think that did not cause her pain?!'
'It should be put down!'
'I could easily say the same for you!'
'What did you say, little girl?!'

[That sure is a lot of exclamation points.]

[shinrasfinest]

[Hardly one for the sound-sleeping, but given the amount of precise attention Sephiroth puts into all avenues of his work one might not blame him for at least trying to get some rest when it's possible. He tried to ignore the slight -that's putting it mildly- disagreement coming from above deck but...well everyone has a hard limit.

Despite Spencer advising that he should (and probably quite rightly) just continue to ignore it, the more the raised voices continued the louder he seemed to hear them.

A few moments later and his boot steps can be heard ascending the ladder to the upper decks. Quickly assessing the situation, Sephiroth casts a mildly-irritated gaze between the two privates and the bird that's the center of the ruckus. He's a little surprised that there is a chocobo aboard but that's a question that'd likely explain itself.]

What's all this about?

[damn_juicebox]

[Both privates have seized hold of each other's collar, totally in the other's face and refusing to back down. When Sephiroth emerges, both break their angry glares to view the source of the interruption. The other private speaks first.]

'Her damn bird attacked me!'

You went into her pen without permission and plucked her feather!

[And they're back to thrusting their faces together, gritting their teeth in anger.]

[shinrasfinest]

[One eyebrow raises, and the other follows as Rukia sharply answers, followed by both dropping into a frown as they just get right back into each others faces. Inside, he's rolling eyes but he's much too professional to let that show outwardly.

Children.

Sephiroth takes step forwards, invading all personal space and firmly pushes each of their shoulders away from each other so that he's essentially making a space for himself between them.]

Back off, both of you.

[Then he assesses the chocobo, who is neatly still within her small holding pen and looking about as interested in their squabbling as Sephiroth himself is. After a moment he turns his attention to Rukia, holding a hand out with a finger pointed up, in the direction of the other private to make sure he holds his tongue.]

Do you have clearance to bring your bird to the military compound?

[A stupid question really...but he's going somewhere with this...]

[damn_juicebox]

Clearance?

[This is the first time she's heard that she would even need clearance. There are chocobo knights, so she assumed that it was fairly common to bring one's mount of war.]

There were no objections to her boarding. I was not aware that we needed official paperwork to bring our mounts.

[shinrasfinest]

[He knows that Esdham doesn't have much in the way of stables to keep said chocobo, which is why he's surprised to see one on board the airship even if they do have two or three pens in which they might be kept for deploying chocobo knights out in the field of battle.

Thing is though, they didn't really do much good against the mechanical war machines the Herans were the masters of.]

I would presume you did have the clearance else, you're right, she wouldn't have been allowed to board.

[He'll drop it there though, since he doesn't know the facts. Something he'll now have to look into once they are all signed back on duty; his first job before he's even returned to work...great...]

And you- [6' 3" of tall silver haired man step turns some towards the other private that had been the apparent cause of the argument, Sephiroth even narrows his eyes as he looks over the smaller man.]

-you should know better. Chocobo can be rather skittish aboard an airship and she's not yours so what are you even doing up here, hm?

[cantante]

[Were Tear one for easy naps, she would have surely been doing so for such a long trip. But as she wasn't, all she could do was sit in silence as her moogle companion floated beside her. Though she had insisted it would be all right for him to stay behind, that she would be fine on her own, Sein had been just as insistent on coming along for at least her arrival ( "Going for your tests isn't the same thing, kupo..." ).]

Mystearica, please try and get some rest, kupo... You'll be busy when you get there...

Sein, I'll be all right... Feel free to tell that to anyone else who asks when you go back, too.

[shinrasfinest]

[At the very least, appearing to be taking a nap can secure one a little peace and quiet but it generally depends on how considerate the others on board are being. Sephiroth remains buckled into his seat with his arms folded up over his chest and his head down; for all appearances napping but...not really.

He can't help but to listen to Sein as he worries over his Hero, and Tear's response. It reminds him a little of what Spencer used to be like when he'd first enlisted. After all, the moogles knew next to nothing of the backgrounds of their heroes prior to their arrival in Crystallis. Not only that, as they were assigned companions that equated to the fact that they never -really- could be totally at ease should a Hero be called to war.

From between bangs Sephiroth grins and raises his head slightly to look over there. Looking from Sein to Tear in a smooth progression he then drops his smile a little so that it seems less amused. He's never come across this pair before and first impressions matter.]

Is this your first time?

[He might be wrong, but it certainly sounds like it.]

[cantante]

[Tear can sense that she had drawn someone's attention as she continued her quiet argument with Sein, but doesn't say or do anything until Sephiroth actually speaks to her. She confirms his deduction with a simple nod, looking over him carefully now that they were openly acknowledging each other. Though she hadn't gotten to know the other Heroes in the military very well just yet, Sephiroth himself seemed to be carrying the aura of experience.]

I would believe so... At least, that I can recall. I'm afraid I'm still a novice as far as the workings of the military of this world go, so I thought it best to get started in learning them now rather than in the midst of a campaign.

[To which Sein exhales softly, shaking his head. Oh, if only his Hero would step back from her sense of duty once in a while...]

[shinrasfinest]

[Arguably even his own first month of enlistment in the military, Sephiroth's experience was simply a given. There is something about the way a person carries themselves, in all aspects of their body language, that if another knows what to look for clearly marks them as non-civilian types. The silver haired man sat the other side of the passenger area just exudes that type of aura.]

That's a sound plan. [A short nod before he's drawn to Sein again as her moogle sighs, then flicks his gaze quickly back to Tear.]

You needn't worry, from what I've had reported, activity on the Heran border is at an all time low.

2) Military Headquarters / Training

[shinrasfinest]

[In his role as Major, not to mention the reputation that his time away since the Battle has done little to tarnish, Sephiroth spends a great deal of his time attending one briefing, or de-briefing, after another in the bustling Military HQ of Esdham. The odd discussion of tactics, with regard to continuous updates coming in from the frontier at the Oasis or sometimes even the more mundane topics such as the run-down state of the mess hall that most soldiers shared. Always and often the same; there is no significant movement at all on the Heran side of the border, whether or not Esdham should gather it's strength and push now that the Empire seems still to be reeling in the aftermath of the Battle of Aqures Ixen, did they have the resources? The competence right through all of the ranks? Is this what the Herans wanted them to do, though?

It's easy to fall back into old habits, and quite often Sephiroth leaves said meetings with an air of disappointment. Anyone less combat-raised might well find it a pleasant relief; he knows not to be lulled into that sense of security.

At least there is a more-than adequate training area present within the same building. The perfect solution to pound his frustrations, with fists, into the punching bag, or simply to keep with his fitness regime. Perhaps some swordplay some with a greener recruit. Post 10th, Sephiroth does have Paladin to begin to get to grips with; surely Warrior should be the best counterpart?]

[damn_juicebox]

[The training yard usually has plenty of soldiers and recruits going through drills, sparring with one another, or simply being made to jog around the compound. At night, it's a little quieter.]

[Rukia should be relaxing. She worked hard all day, moving through drills to the point of exhaustion between meals. Evenings are typically meant for down time, where soldiers can unwind or enjoy a more leisurely pursuit either in the camp or around town. Typically Rukia would be using this time to study military strategy, or foreign history between Esdham, Roalie, Aqurex Ixen, and Hera. But all of her training is making her stronger, and raising her endurance. A little more training will do her good, especially so she can work on her specialized moves.]

[As she swings her sword, sweat trickling down her temple, she stops when she spots Sephiroth's moonlit form approaching the yard. Straightening, Rukia lowers her weapon and bows at the waist. Or should she salute? She's never quite sure, but bowing is far more natural for her.]

Sir.

[shinrasfinest]

[The best time for having the training facilities to oneself, at all, was after dark. Sephiroth preferred it rather than having all of the wide-eyes that he might otherwise have to put up with. There were very few that pushed the limits of physical capability the way that Sephiroth did, having been raised to do so from a very young age. Mako or no Mako there is no harm in pushing a parameter and making that a goal in and of itself.

Sephiroth has his own, medium-sized katana outstretched to his left-side as he approaches the training area where Rukia appears to have been going through her own kata. He's never been much for training with a training-sword; having the deadly edges in play made for quicker learning in his opinion. He stops as Rukia halts in her movements and appraises her with the judging gaze that he'd give anyone thus engaged. If he's a little apprehensive still at the concept of females being present in the military, it's not an obvious tell.

He brings his sword up vertically in front of him and salutes with a firm nod. Sephiroth has never bowed to anyone, and it's much too late after hours for a standard salute to be appropriate.]

Private. Little late in the day, hm?

[damn_juicebox]

It seemed a reasonable time to train, given the shorter hours of daylight.

[It gets dark fast, and she doesn't think she's up at an hour that would be regarded as suspicious. There's at least an hour before she should return to her barracks to sleep for the night.]

[Seeing his sword in hand, she wonders if he had the same idea that she had.]

If you wish to practice, I will stay out of your way easily enough. But if you wish for a sparring partner, I would be honored to match blades with you, sir.

[shinrasfinest]

You aren't wrong. Most others would be already winding down for the evening.

[Around about now, is one of those brief periods during shift change-overs when the barracks would be particularly buzzing with some people coming, going or trying to get settled for the evening. The mess hall would likely be in a middle of a rush too right now.

It seems, like him, Rukia has managed to figure out how to trick the timing so that they get as less 'cross-over' with their comrades as possible. Just how he liked it, given his predilection for being something of a loner.]

Hm-

[Sephiroth raises his sword up and around in a big circle motion, loosening up his shoulder a little while he seems to be considering it. He warmed up in the locker room since it was empty in there so there isn't much of an excuse for him to refuse Rukia's request but still he's perhaps unsure if it's entirely appropriate. Not-so obviously sizing up Rukia in the process.]

-tell me of your experience.

[He certainly doesn't want to be wasting time.]

[damn_juicebox]

I have several decades of experience. Soul reapers generally live for many, many years. I learned under the supervision of Vice Captain Kaien Shiba, a remarkable warrior.

[She waits for him to warm up. As to how much detail he wishes, she isn't entirely sure.]

However, my training was limited to the katana. I am not well-practiced with other blades, though I understand that having the ninja job permits me an automatic, if somewhat rudimentary, grasp of their use.

[shinrasfinest]

[Several....decades? That certainly quirks one of his eyebrows up if only for a moment. He's known from Rukia's previous mognet messages that she's a soul reaper - at least back on her own world but even knowing that, base knowledge and technique is something that even Crystallis cannot strip away from them. Even if the replacement of their abilities with Jobs certainly put everyone on a more level playing field.

There is no denying that his interest is piqued.]

That's the way that Jobs work but I find that the experience in something familiar does reward a certain...edge. Even if the ability might not be even a scratch upon the level that one might have been before.

[There is no use hiding how bitter Sephiroth still remains about that fact.]

Well then, I should inform you that recently I've acquired Paladin as a new Job with the hope that it might complement the skill set I have as a Warrior.

I'm keen to spar, perhaps, if it might suit you.

[Holding his blade up and well away, Sephiroth squats a couple of times before drawing his katana across his body and stepping back, bringing the sword up into his signature ready stance]

3) Otherwise on-duty

[shinrasfinest]

[Please feel free to use this thread as an OPEN MINGLE for any/all Esdham-based CR this month that you otherwise don't have a place for! Doesn't have to be directly with Sephiroth either, go nuts!

Otherwise, two more mini-prompts beneath-]

(i)Around the City [Sephiroth / Open]

[shinrasfinest]

[The remains of the battle scars from the Heran assault, now over 10 months ago, were little more than the odd blackened patches on walls, or in the case of the old barracks the ghostly impression left behind of foundations were the only tell that there used to be buildings there at all. Even when they had stepped foot in the nearby cemetery only last month, already a few of the graves which had been laid in the aftermath were already showing the early signs of neglect as comrades and families both moved on with life.

Yet perhaps it's those marks that, as a veteran Hero of Light, Sephiroth can't help but to remember even as he passes through those streets on a regular basis as part of a routine patrol. With the Heran activity still remaining at an all time low -a fact he can't resist sometimes to feel a rush of pride over- the life of a soldier in Esdham, even at his Major-rank still consists mostly of constant drilling, training and patrolling. Heran spies had managed to infiltrate Aqures before, who even knew if there might be moles within the Republic as well.

He pauses as he turns into the wide plaza before the Presidential Palace, where they had fought a giant arachnid-type war machine and between them, the Heroes had prevented what would have opened the door much sooner for the Heran advance; the death of the President himself. As a part of the drill, along with a troop of four other soliders Sephiroth pulls himself into a salute before the building before leading on with the practiced patrol of the perimeter of the square.

Just this last pass and the circuit they'd done would be complete. Surely this shift had to be coming to a end now-]

Re: (i)Around the City [Sephiroth / Open]

[gomu_ningen]

[It had been an afterthought; a sudden remembrance that brought him to the site of his abduction. His time in the prison had been fruitful, at least in helping to further steel his resolve for finding the Queen. Yet, time and time again, the trail for the sought-after Queen became cold. Such had been his arrival in Esdham. After returning from his second voyage, he'd suddenly remembered his reason for first coming here to the Presidential Palace. Luffy had been looking for answers, and he had found nothing but trouble in his quest. At least, this time, he would find nothing but silence.

With a heavy breath, his chest expands as his nostrils flare to release all of the air from his lungs. He had been minding his own business, moving from bits of rubble to rubble, when he heard the shuffling of some one to his side. A yard or so away stood the man who'd also been there the day in which he'd been captured. Luffy's lips part slightly, his expression changing briefly before turning back to his focused, agitated look. There's a desire to call to the other man, but the sound doesn't come. Rather, Luffy keeps his eyes on him, knowing that the man would surely feel the intensity of his gaze and catch him out of the corner of his eye.

Even if Sephiroth did spot him, what would he have to say? Zelda had mentioned great details about him in the few times that they'd shared one another's company, but as someone who had caused such an uproar in the Observatory, would this Sephiroth be holding a grudge?]

(i)Around the City [Sephiroth / Open]

[shinrasfinest]

[Most of the time, the plaza remained silent but for the footfalls of many a solider being drilled.

At the head of his troop, clad in the uniformed navy-blue with silver-trim, Sephiroth finally reached the spot that completed their perimeter. If he spotted Luffy, he didn't make any gesture to indicate the same, at least to begin with. Yet, between the two it was made obvious that the pirate's presence there had been noted.

3. 2. 1. In unison they raised their right hands in a salute, facing the Palace. So practiced that each man could likely do it in their sleep. Held for a long moment before all five soldiers fell into an easy posture and those four with Sephiroth turned and began to file themselves neatly away as their Major dismissed them.

It's only then, that Sephiroth looked more directly at Luffy again. There was a face that he'd not seen in well over a year. The last Sephiroth remembered Luffy was-]

It's been a while.

[He's sure he's never been introduced, either.]

Re: (i)Around the City [Sephiroth / Open]

[gomu_ningen]

[The hat is tipped off of his head, held against his chest as he keeps his vision focused on the ruins ahead of him. There isn't so much as a nod from him, a long pause holding until he finally closes his eyes in thought.]

Sure has-..

[The small utterance of noise is all he says, moments moving along before he finally returns the hat to his head. He takes his time to turn around, crossing his arms over his chest as he plainly looks to the man in uniform. Long has gone the youthful look in Luffy's eyes. The last time they'd locked gazes with one another, the pirate had been able to see the sleeping beast hidden behind the azure lenses. While Luffy's eyes do not glow, there is something there that alludes to a wealth of pain and experience. There is grief in his gaze, loss, kept at bay as his vision turns to one of questioning.]

It isn't easy being a hero. You know that better than any one.

[He bends his knees, leaning forward ever so slightly to pick a small rock from the ground. He turns his back to Sephiroth, tossing the rock up a few times in his grasp before he rears his arm back to try and hit a crumbled fixture in the distance.]

But you keep on doing it. You keep doing what you can to help people. Even when knowing that every day people die, you do what you think is right.

[He had not forgotten what he'd been told. The information of those who had opposed the idea of sending in a team to save the few heroes who had been captured by the Empire still left a sour taste in his mouth. He had nothing but sharp words when he recalled the name, yet time had given him the lesson that such things were inevitable. It was not fair that his friends had to suffer, but there was no use in blaming those who did not wish to cause more pain to those undeserving of such a fate.]

How do you keep going? Money? Fame? Praise?

[His head turns over his shoulder, the piercing gaze of his eyes as his pupils narrow in on the taller man.]

What makes you continue to be a hero?

(i)Around the City [Sephiroth / Open]

[shinrasfinest]

[It doesn't take more than a few moments of locking eye contact with Luffy that Sephiroth realizes that the young man before him has certainly changed in the months that they've been here. Sephiroth's too, though there is forever the stern confidence that comes along with his strict discipline in himself, hide many insecurities. His eyes reflect hardly any trace of the glow that they once held and if it wasn't for his striking slitted pupils and thick black eyelashes it's likely they'd get lost in his face being as pale as he is.]

Hm.

[It's all he could do but to watch the pirate as he picked up a rock from the ground and eventually hurled it at a still-damaged part of the plaza. Carefully inspecting body language as if he might be able to read what Luffy were getting at before he said those words.

Sephiroth manages to catch himself, just about, from reacting with a recoil to the gaze that comes with that sharp question. Thin silver eyebrows furrow as the Major has to quickly gather his thoughts into a reply. It's a few short moments before he takes a deep inhale and speaks.]

This...you think that this is being a Hero?

[He shrugs, as if to indicate to himself; his position in uniform, his reputation throughout the wider world especially in the wake of the Battle, his knocked self-confidence that he probably noticed more than other people did.]

This isn't being a Hero, it's farthest from it.

[And how he hates it, the bitterness is clear but Sephiroth can't be anything but honest with Luffy. It wouldn't be in his nature to be anything else.]

This is doing what needs to be done.

(ii)Oasis / One silent frontier [Sephiroth / Open: Between 13-17th]

[shinrasfinest]

[When the opportunity to take a handful of newer squadrons came up, to go out across the desert and to the Oasis, perhaps it was out of that building need for a break from the norm that Sephiroth offered to take charge.

Scorching though, with the weather having taken a turn from rain into that unforgiving blaze of a sun which brought temperatures all the way up. It would be a slow patrol, taking every caution when it came to suitable breaks from the trudging through the endless sand and making sure all the other soldiers were well briefed on how to (and not to) cover up in order to protect themselves in such a harsh environment. Such a contrast to Aqures in the last week where Sephiroth were certain there might well be snow soon.

His long mane of hair is all twisted up and tied back, light fabric also wrapped around his head to protect nose and eyes when a wind might catch red-hot sand and fling it at them. An uncomfortable memory, the taste of the sand almost, ghosting in the back of his mind as he recalls when he'd got stranded out here months ago. Events never spoken of, not even whispered about anymore.

The Oasis is much ruined as it was when Sephiroth had last seen it, with one tangible yet invisible difference. It certainly didn't feel as though this were the battlefront it had been when he'd first enlisted. Indeed, the silence as the troop came to a halt behind him is absolute-]