shinrasfinest: (Confused)
Johnas Clearwater ([personal profile] shinrasfinest) wrote in [community profile] melodiesoflife2016-05-10 07:36 pm

#15 | What goes down must come up again~?

Characters: Sephiroth [Open; will top-level prompt]
Where/When: Aqures Ixen, Evening-Early Morning 11-12/May
Summary: Between this and that, whatever progress Sephiroth has made with his once-proud ego finds itself sunk to the bottom of a bottle...or two...or three? This can only end one way, and lets hope this doesn't destroy his career.
Warnings: This is not designed to be a ‘come drink with me’ log (though by all means you’re welcome to try and be social). CW's include but not limited to: lonesome stress-drinking, self-destruction, anxiety/freaking-out, snap-violent reactions, confrontations etc.

There were worse taverns he could have picked, for sure, from the downright seedy or otherwise questionable establishments across Aqures. It was sometime in the early evening that Sephiroth passed the front door to the Space Saloon, like he had done a few hundred times since those months ago, when he’d helped to furnish it in the wake of the Battle of Aqures Ixen.

However, not more than a few strides later did a passing thought push itself to the front of his consciousness which soon found the SOLDIER turning heel and entering the Saloon a few moments later. The only interruption came, where Spencer were always at Sephiroth's side, the small bespectacled moogle turned back as soon as he realized his Hero was distracted-

"Kupo, you know we need to get back soon. Dinner will probably be on already."

"I know. Go on, I won’t be long."

Spencer squeaked, not entirely approving but far be it for him to forbid any Hero of Light from doing what they wanted, and gave a tiny quick-salute before turning back to the street that would lead him home. Sephiroth was responsible, always, and he knew he wouldn't keep Terra waiting.

One drink couldn't hurt, and it wasn’t like he had a habit of it. Break up the monotony of the routine he'd found himself settle back into again. Neither could it hurt to turn the volume of persistent poisonous thoughts down for a few hours. Might even get to relax, for a change; wasn't that what everyone else in the premises was doing, after all?

1) Had Enough [Open - Space Saloon]
2) Time to get home [Open - Post-Saloon, potential confrontations]
3) Panic Stations [Additional cw: drunk-sick]
4) End [Towards/Arriving at the Observatory/Next Morning]
wings_of_steel: ([ s i g h ] men)

[personal profile] wings_of_steel 2016-05-12 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Good Evening Sheena, Dear.

[ Selen greeted the young woman with a nod of her head. She was still doing her best to help Sephiroth in the matter, still sort of leaning over towards him and trying to hoist him up with her extremely petite form. ]

I suppose that is a good idea. Perhaps, A hospital would be more suited. I'm afraid he's acquired some injuries, one or two of which were probably mine.

[ Not that she had any pride on punching the man a few times. She was trying to get him to put himself back together but obviously that wasn't a thing. At the sound of another voice, she looks up again appreciating Sheena's offer to help in whatever form it may be. ]

It seems like we might have a rescue party going.

[ She mused in a soft joking yet serious tone when she heard Jade's voice ]

Good evening to you too, Jade. Any assistance would be appreciated. I'm afraid I miscalculated my own strength this time. Yes, I think that seems to be the majority choice in the matter. I hope that all of you can give me a hand if it's alright.

[ She added to Mary's concern. She wanted to ensure that he would be okay no matter what. Of course, the bruises and such she discovered on him slowly as she peeled away his hair were making her concerns even more prominent. She brushed her hand gently against the bruise, pressing a cloth of sorts. Hopefully it wasn't bleeding. It seemed like Sephiroth was crying but Selen made no announcement of that as she continued to push at him to get up, gently at it. ]

That's not an option that any of us are willing to take. I'm certain we're all worried about you and wish to assist you. Now, please don't be stubborn about this dear.
ninjainviolet: ([Concerned])

[personal profile] ninjainviolet 2016-05-12 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sheena nods in greeting to Selen and the others as they arrive a little distractedly as she focuses on Sephiroth. She had seen the beginning of that bruise earlier, but as she's standing on the other side of him, she can't see just how bad it had become.

Also leaning over him to push his hair back out of the way, her fingers cool with some Ice magic, she pauses when she sees the wetness there. Like Selen, however, she doesn't draw attention to it.

Instead, she supports what the other woman says. ]
Yeah, I think we should get him where he can be treated. Unless someone here can heal? [ Please, oh please let there be someone who can heal.

[ She gives Selen a reassuring nod. ] Of course I'll help you. And Sephiroth. [ Turning to Jade, she uses the direct approach. ] We're definitely going to need a hand here. Think you two can stand behind him and help us get him to his feet?

[ Come on, look at the two of them. They're a little on the vertically challenged side.

Shaking her head, she looks at Sephiroth. ]


What? No way. I'm not going anywhere, and like Selen said, I don't think anyone else is, either. We're your friends, Sephiroth; we care about you.

[ You're not alone, you big goof. ]
jadethenecromancer: (what's going on here?)

[personal profile] jadethenecromancer 2016-05-17 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't have my healing magic, unfortunately... But I am equipped to mix potions. [Jade had just switched Jobs to Alchemist. At least there are worse options he could have taken.] I should be able to make something to help detoxify his blood faster. We don't want alcohol poisoning on our hands.

[He nods to Sheena's request. Being almost as tall as Sephiroth, he's the most logical choice to be taking the brunt of the weight. As much as he dislikes manual labor, there's time and place for those kinds of complaints.]

I think the situation calls for privacy. [He steps closer and kneels by Sephiroth, prepared to help him stand once the two of them are done administering first aid.] The observatory should be almost empty by now. I can work there.

[There are a lot of ways he could respond to Sephiroth's weak objection, none of them very helpful right now. No point kicking the man while he's down.]
wings_of_steel: ([ s e r i o u s ] business)

[personal profile] wings_of_steel 2016-05-19 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
Take it easy now and yes, I think that is an excellent idea, Jade. If you would grace us with the assistance on the matter, I'd appreciate it very much. Yes, it sounds like a good location. Perhaps we should try to relocate then?

[ When Selen watch him suddenly move to a corner, though knowing that he also needed air, she didn't get too close to him. Though, her brows were slightly knit together in concern for the man as he told them all to get away from him. Of course, she registered that he wasn't the type to easily accept help and would remain prideful and stubborn about it until the bitter end. Even then she isn't even sure if he will give up.

Sephiroth was a whole different kind of frustrating now, but she was the first to move over again seeing she was trying to get him to stand up or perhaps move somehow so he can be taken to a safer place. Jade seemed to know what he was talking about so she trusted the man as always. It seemed like their task was becoming more difficult by the minute.

Eventually, she was kneeling at the length in which he had his face pressed against his knees. ]


Sweetie, what are you talking about. That's not something you should say about yourself.

[ Selen replied her tone becoming a bit more stern. ]

You're going to have to loosen your grip unless you want to further injure yourself.

[ She's trying to grasp the situation really. ]
ninjainviolet: ([Seriously])

[personal profile] ninjainviolet 2016-05-20 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sheena nods in agreement. The observatory is the perfect place to take him, and she's once again reaching for him when she sees his eyes darting like a caged animal.

Still, she's too late, and she winds up taking the brunt of his push, falling on to her behind as he moves past her. She's up in a flash, though, looking at Selen, she saw her own concern mirrored in the woman's expression. And she recognized in Sephiroth herself--stubborn, not wanting to be a burden to others, refusing to ask for help...

Feeling unworthy...

Well, Sheena wasn't going to have any of that, and her approach this time wasn't too gentle. Striding over to him, she stood with her hands on her hips and gave him a stern look. ]


Not worth it? Seriously? You honestly believe that? [ She paused. ] Do you want me to smack you again?

[ She'll do it, too. Knock some sense into you, Seph. ]
not_most_days: (Bottle)

[personal profile] not_most_days 2016-05-22 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
["I'm not worth any of this". Sometimes a bit of a drink could bring out the truth of what someone kept in their heart. The guard that one kept up fell and their heart spoke freely of what it felt, regardless of the reality. The problem was when people lingered there long enough to believe those words. Sephiroth didn't seem the kind, but the fact that he'd been driven to this level of drink didn't bode well for the man either.]

Somehow I doubt that's true. You've done a lot for the people of this world, even if a few of them don't know how to appreciate it. [She didn't mean anyone in particular besides a few particular named folks, but she knew the public opinion on the Heroes varied. And there was no call to try to prop up Sephiroth with obvious and shoddy partial truths.]

And I know a few of our own look up to you to. I'd dare say you're worth more than you expect to a lot of folks.

[She crouches down, not getting any closer but at least putting herself more at his eye level, trying to keep some of his focus on her and her voice.]

Right now though, we're here because it doesn't do to leave a man in the gutter in his own sick. It's a man's own business what he does with a bottle, but it's the right thing to make sure he gets home after.

[Glancing up, she makes eye contact with Sheena and Jade. She's not sure how Selen might feel about it, but her own thought is it might do to take him where he needs to go whether he wants to or not. Raising her hands she gives her fingers a little waggle, magical energy sparkling at her fingertips.]

Course, if you want us to go, you'll have to pardon us for bein' a bit slow here. You can't blame us for not simply floatin' on by.

[She cocks her head, hoping the message got across, and waits for permission.]
jadethenecromancer: (side-eyeing you...)

[personal profile] jadethenecromancer 2016-05-23 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jade can't say he's surprised by any of this. Sephiroth's mental state has never been completely stable, and lately it's been one unpleasant reveal after another. The ever collected facade had to crack sooner or later.

At least nothing's burned down yet.]


Alright, give him a little space. And no violence, please. There's a time and place for that.

[He meets Kidd's gaze and considers the suggestion. It's tempting, and would certainly make it easier for them to drag Sephiroth to the observatory. On the other hand, taking away what little control Sephiroth still has over himself could make the panic attack worse...

Silently signaling Kidd to wait a little longer before they resort to that, Jade regards Sephiroth for a moment and then goes straight for the one thing that should elicit a reaction.]


Terra will be worried sick if you don't return home. Is that what you want? [He pauses long enough to let the words sink in.] If she's more important to you than sitting here and wallowing, then drop the self-pity and cooperate.

[Jade never was one for friendship speeches.]
ninjainviolet: ([Concerned])

[personal profile] ninjainviolet 2016-05-24 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sheena herself had been waiting for some kind of reaction after they had seen the video and the time in the Sage's vision approached. However, she had been thinking more along the lines of having defied fate rather than feeling worthless from the man. ]

Oh, but Sephiroth, it matters. You matter. Don't you see? We're all here because we believe that.

[ Even Jade.

Stepping back, she gives Jade a look. If she was going to actually hit Sephiroth, she would have by now. Like she had earlier. She didn't always lash out unexpectedly, you know.

And surprising herself, she agrees with the man over Kidd's suggestion and shakes her head. Sephiroth is a proud man, not wanting to be a burden to others, so letting him get to where they want to take him under his own power will let him keep that pride.

The moment Jade mentions Terra, however, she does step back--out of potential harm's way. She's not sure how Sephiroth will react, but she's not taking any chances. ]
wings_of_steel: ([ s i g h ] men)

[personal profile] wings_of_steel 2016-05-24 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I think we all got a bit of excitement this evening. It'd be best to refrain from anymore damage, but Jade is right, Terra will be worried sick and I'm certain she's already wondering where you are. I can't say this is a good time to be out on your own.

[ Selen replied still within his presence but she had moved a few steps back to give him some space and air. As Jade said, violence would only lead to other conflicts and Mary's response seemed to be reasonable enough. She was fine with it as long as the other wasn't falling on his face every five steps or less.

It was her only concern since Sephiroth would sport more injuries than necessary and she wasn't fond of having to see him even more injured than he is. ]


Why don't you lead us then, Sephiroth? We'll follow and we'll only assist if you truly can't get back on your own, but as the young lady said, we're not going to idly watch you on your own, unfortunately.
not_most_days: (Suspicious)

[personal profile] not_most_days 2016-05-25 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[Kidd's face shows little change through his grunting response. She knows the man isn't all there right now and to not take the storm and fury too seriously. If it did come to violence a man in his state leaves many openings, no matter how well trained they are, unless they are particularly skilled in fighting off balance.

The magic fades from her hand as Jade and Sheena turn down her suggestion, but she's still game to get him where he needs to be for his own sake if it comes to it. Sometimes the nice choice isn't the thing someone needs.

But at the comment of believing in something that isn't her brow furrows. Has something happened between him and Terra? She's not surprised that the two of them would bury whatever happened, given what she knows about them. Hide it away and pretend like it doesn't bother them.

Even if he's in no state to be clear or thoughtful, she doesn't doubt this is what he truly feels. But drunk as he is a pep talk will have trouble getting past that storm of emotion.
]
jadethenecromancer: (team dad)

[personal profile] jadethenecromancer 2016-05-29 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's not the first time Jade's had that look directed at him, and it doesn't shake him this time either. There has always been some risk in letting Sephiroth walk freely, but even knowing that violent part of him is still there, just under the surface... Well, Jade made his call long ago. He's hardly going to be intimidated now.

But "believing something that isn't"... So this is either about his future on Gaia, or he's found out about the situation from the Sage's vision. Actually, it's probably both at once.

There's no point arguing about it now, though, when the man isn't sober enough to think straight. For that matter, Jade isn't sure how much the others know about Sephiroth's background. Best not to bring it up.]


But you did. And you can't take it back. Like it or not, you have a duty to fulfill.

[After a brief silence, Jade takes a step forward -- though still leaving plenty of space between them -- and crouches down again. This time, he speaks quietly.]

Sephiroth. Stand up.
wings_of_steel: ([ c o n f u s i o n ] yes?)

[personal profile] wings_of_steel 2016-05-31 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
You have many other duties far more important than dying, Sephiroth. This isn't the time for you think in such a way.

[ Of course, she had been listening to this silent conversation for as long as she could without saying anything but for him to say that about himself, poked at a nerve inside of her. Of course dying was the end point. Some point in the future they would all die but she didn't think of it as a duty. Rather, it was something like an escape, an easy way out. ]

Let us help you if you can't stand anymore.

[ She pressed but her tone was soft and not demanding. She was trying to get him to move along and get help in some way. ]
not_most_days: (Suspicious)

[personal profile] not_most_days 2016-06-15 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mary had heard folk say that before. Soldiers who had given up on any hope of seeing their homes once again. Some were distraught about it, and she pitied those men. Others held it as a point of pride, laying their lives on the line in the face of the pirates who had attacked them. She pitied them all the more.

But Sephiroth...no, there was no pity. She knew he was better than this even if the drink was making him say otherwise. Still knelt in front of Sephiroth and alongside Jade she held out her hand in offering.
]

If you want to cast off your duty that's fine. Stand for yourself then. Lean if you must, but use those feet of yours to move forward.
ninjainviolet: ([Concerned])

[personal profile] ninjainviolet 2016-06-16 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sheena had remained where she was, but comes forward now. Both Selen and Kidd had made valid points and requests, and now Sheena has something to say as well.

A question that needs to be asked, and whose answer just may get Sephiroth on his feet and rethinking things.

Kneeling before him, the ninja speaks in a gentle, yet firm, voice. ]


Sephiroth. Tell me. What is the one thing or person you cherish and want to protect above everything else? In other words: Why do you fight?

[ If she's right, the name "Terra" will be the answer. ]
Edited 2016-06-16 00:23 (UTC)
jadethenecromancer: (not amused)

[personal profile] jadethenecromancer 2016-06-17 08:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jade has to resist the urge to let out an annoyed sigh. How does he always end up with the suicidal ones?]

If you're truly a fighter, then you will not run away. Even if the battlefield is inside your own head. [Despite his irritation, Jade's voice remains calm.] You are committed to protecting her, are you not? Then your duty right now is to return to her side, no matter how painful it is. Everything else can wait.

[At least Sephiroth seems to be calming down a little. With any luck, they won't have to resort to force after all.]

I'll say it again. Stand up.
wings_of_steel: ([ s i g h ] men)

[personal profile] wings_of_steel 2016-06-20 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
You can be regardless of what state you're in. I'm sure she's content knowing that you are protecting her in your own way. Jade is right, you should stand up and face your problems. We all have our dark pasts to worry about to be honest. None of us are perfect.

[ Herself included. She wasn't as kind or caring as she always appeared to be. It was good to hear that he was calming down some and not throwing a fit or getting himself further injured. It was the matter of stating facts that he would acknowledge to some extent. At least, in her opinion she felt that was the right way to approach this situation. ]

You'll be fine in due time.
not_most_days: (Disappointed)

[personal profile] not_most_days 2016-06-20 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
It's the things you care about most that have the ability to make you question your path and put a knife to your heart. You wouldn't be feeling this way right now if there wasn't something there that drove you to the drink in the first place. If you could simply turn away from it then you would have already, not left yourself here muttering about your worth.

[She bites her tongue, not wanting to get too harsh on the man.]

I once told a friend that no honest man has an easy life, and it's aching for one that causes the most pain. But that's how you know that the path you tread is worth walking.
Edited 2016-06-20 23:32 (UTC)

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