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

Entry tags:

#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]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Zelda casts Sephiroth a worried glance before looking at those he’s with. This is a good place to bring him and she quickly directs him to a private spare room where he won’t be disturbed. As they step inside Kopula flutters up, his little paws ringing together nervously.]

I’ll get water, kupo.

Yes, please.

[She replies in a soft voice as she pushes open the door to the spare room. She rushes ahead and begins to move a few things that might be in the SOLIDERS way, before directing him towards the soft mattress. She finally looks at Sephiroth, her brows furrowing slightly.]

You did this to yourself? Why?

[What does this solve?]

[Between those that have helped deliver Sephiroth to the safe house of the Observatory; bringing him here will help to keep the whole incident tonight as low-profile as possible. Sure there might have been many citizens in the Saloon, and other Heroes of Light besides, but the collateral damage not only to Sephiroth's reputation -but his career as well- could be mitigated here better than even if they had managed to get him home.

All they would have needed was for the wrong person to have been out at that time of night.]

I- don't- [Know? Of course he knows and as Sephiroth's panic attack receded back into the crag of his battered mental state and soberness began to return it was as if someone had turned the contrast up on the issues bared tonight-

Sephiroth looks away from Zelda sharply, feeling a guilty twist to his stomach as he sees clearly the concern in her expression. It might have been one of his only arguments for not being brought here; he's not sure if he could take the way she always puts herself out for him - for anyone, truth be told.]

-I thought I knew. Now I'm not sure I want to know.

[Sephiroth speaks to the floor, as he passes one hand over the other; as if he might be able to hide the damage he'd done to his own fist by swinging for a wall earlier on.]

[Zelda shakes her head, unsure if she understands the situation fully. It isn't a good time to ask him anything. He needs rest and he needs water. As the thought comes to mind Kopula enters the room with a small tray. Positioned perfectly on the tray is a tall glass of water and a small bowl of assorted breads that Zelda had baked earlier that morning.]

Thank you Kopula. [She smiles at her moogle as she takes the tray from him. She places it on the nightstand next to Sephiroth, lifting the glass and holding it out for her drunk friend to take.]

Drink this and eat what you can. Small bites.

[She'll wait and help him if he spills more than he swallows. She's taken care of the sick, of children and it's always with a happy disposition.]

[As the tray is brought by Kopula, Sephiroth watches it intently ---anything to not be tempted to look at Zelda for too long-- but finds he has to selectively ignore the mog as well; he hates to think of the rumors which might be circulated in the morning. After all, mog presences almost anywhere/everywhere, at all hours of the day is something they've all become accustomed to.

A great deal of the unsteadiness he had suffered as a result of the drink is already gone, but there is a residual shake to Sephiroth's hand as he takes the glass, eyes the contents for a beat and then takes a sip. Though, the cool water rushing suddenly against where the back of his throat is sore from retching earlier causes him to let Zelda take the glass back before he coughs dryly. Rising his battered fist to wipe some of the water away from his mouth.]

Sorry. Bit too much...

[The bread looks like a good idea, but small sips first. Then bites might follow; he hopes he'll be able to keep it down.]

[While Zelda is looking after Sephiroth, Jade takes over one of the rooms used for research and clears up a space for mixing potions. He doesn't exactly have the time and resources for a miracle cure, but the skills granted by the Alchemist Job make up for that.

A while later, he knocks on the door and quietly enters the room they're in with a small vial in hand.]

I mixed something to reduce the aftereffects of the alcohol. If nothing else, it'll help with the hangover.

[Honestly, he's not completely convinced Sephiroth doesn't deserve to suffer a hangover after the stunt he pulled... But rubbing it in wouldn't serve much purpose at this point.]

[Zelda is ready to take the glass from Sephiroth, her expression kind and understanding. She lightly places a palm on his shoulder as he coughs, hoping that the pressure might be able to steady him.]

It’s alright. Take your time.

[She looks back at Kopula, her brows furrowing slightly.]

I’ll be here for some time. If you can please organize the papers we were working on and Kopula…[Her expression was pleading but her tone is firm.] Please keep this to yourself. [She knows the moogles gossipy ways and considering the number of moogles who help out in the observatory something will most likely get out. The most Zelda can do is mitigate that, at the very least Sephiroth had arrived by the time that most of those who visited the old building went home.

She turns back towards Sephiroth, keeping the water within his reach. When his should stops shaking she speaks again.] Try another sip, slower this time.

If there's anything else you need, Sephiroth, let us know.

[ Selen had been standing there the whole time keeping a considerable distance from the party, seeing there were a few people here. It was probably best not to create the same sort of problem they had last night.

She was too worried to leave, so she stuck around to offer assistance until it blew over. It seemed like he looked fine to her and probably be on his feet in no time. She admired the other for having such good healing abilities, though his mental state, she slowly questioned. He was a lot more unstable than she had originally thought but she had only seen one part of him.

Now she had seen more. There's nothing else on Selen's end. She would definitely help if there was anything needed but for the time being it looked like they had it under control. ]

[Sephiroth dry swallows, his mouth already dry again by the time that Kopula leaves. He trusts Zelda's moogle a lot more than he does most others. He attempts to whet his lips but it's like that small sip of water has just made him notice how dried-out he's starting to feel.

The back of his throat feels like it's been coated with fire. He looks to Zelda, sways a little towards her but her palm against his shoulder does seem to help stabilize his balance a little more. A flick of a gaze to Selen; he wants to thank her but the words are stuck as Jade comes in.

A similar intense inspection is attempted at Jade, as he approaches with a vial. First instinct is not to trust anything, given the paranoia hanging over, but after a perhaps too-long beat, he shakes his head and looks down while trying to convince himself that's stupid reasoning.]

You have m- tanks. [An answer to all of them, really. Deep vocal chords choked the low words, though, as he spoke down at the floor.

He'd made himself feel less than two-inches tall tonight, and having everyone being reduced to looking after him isn't making him feel any less like a child. He's supposed to be better than this-

Another swallow happens and then he tries to take another -very cautious- sip from the glass that Zelda still holds. Unable -or unwilling perhaps- to raise his head to look at anyone, for the moment.]

[Zelda's worry gaze moves from Sephiroth to the party with him.]

I know everyone is worried but he needs rest. I'd like to ask as many of you who are willing to leave. [Her lips tug into an understanding smile, Sephiroth has many good friends.] I'm going to be staying here tonight anyway. If a few want to stay then that's fine but sleep is best.

[It's the motherly tone that begins to show towards the end of her words. She turns back towards Sephiroth.]

I'll keep water and bread next to your bed side. Will you try to sleep?

Alright. [Jade puts the vial down on a nightstand.] Please make sure he takes this before going to sleep.

[It looks like Sephiroth has at least calmed down. Leaving him in Zelda's care should be safe now.]

I'll be heading home, then. Send for me if anything else happens.

You don't have to thank us.

[ She smiled but taking the reply warmly as usual. ] You're quite welcome. I'm sure you'll need plenty of rest and such and a huge party of people isn't exactly the best atmosphere.

I'll bid my leave as well, seeing you are in safe hands. Do try to get some rest and I'll probably see you later.

[ She plans on stopping by in the evening or the next day by bringing some helpful things like tea and soup but for now rest was important. ]

[Maybe after all of this is over he might finally wake to the fact that there are indeed others here that should be counted as friends. His own standards of the same have always been near-impenetrable to pass given previous experiences, maybe it was time to drop his shields...to let those that clearly want to help to at least be able to see how they might be able to. It scares him, what they might see though.

For the time being, as others start to say goodbyes, Sephiroth is concentrating on taking small sips of water, hardly looking around. It feels important for him to do so, as he's starting to come around to how dehydrated he's become through all of the excursions tonight. A headache has already started at the very back of his neck, almost like a strain where he's pushed SOLDIER in a way it's not meant to be used tonight.

He's more vulnerable, it seems, rather than put-off by Zelda's motherly tone, currently.]

I will, I thi-k. Soon.

[Zelda smiles at those who depart, her lips forming a silently thank you. Sephiroth is an important friend of hers and she’s happy to see that he has so many who are looking out for him. As people filter away her bright blue eyes come to test on her tenant.

Her tone remains calm and sweet but with a soft motherly force to it. She won’t let Sephiroth push himself in this state. That isn’t what friends do.]

Take your time. I’m going to fetch some more pillows for you to sit up if you need to.

[She’s gone for a few minutes at most and comes back with pillows. She places them at one end of the bed; he can toss away those he doesn’t want to use. She watches his consumption of the water and then speaks again, her tone remaining soft.]

Do you want more water?

[There are plenty of others who have pushed him far enough tonight. He doesn't know of the extent yet, but the consequences won't exactly be vanished along with a new day. Not to mention the potentially irreparable damage to his reputation. Currently though, he's not thinking that logically. Re-hydrating is most important right now.

When Zelda leaves the room, even though she announced she were going to fetch more pillows, Sephiroth's settling anxiety stirs in the back of his mind again. He takes a long moment, frozen in place and staring at the door until she returns. Then takes yet another sip from the glass before answering her.]

Don't want to overdo it.

[But yes, it would be good to have a fuller glass if he was to attempt to sleep. The small breads nearby might be an idea as well - to have something small back in his stomach at least.]

[Zelda nods her head and moves to refill the glass in his hand. She had brought in a small pitcher expecting Sephiroth to wake up dehydrated through the night. If he really has drank that much then he has a lot to recover.

She smiles at him, her expression kind.]

Take your time.

[She doesn’t know how many times she’s said that but she wants him to know it’s okay to take it slow. Healing is always a slow process.]

Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?

[Zelda doesn’t mind, as it is she’ll be just outside the door for the rest of the night and will occasionally check in on him.]

[This time at least, Sephiroth manages to hold his hand steady enough for Zelda to refill it - there is still a residual shaking but nothing compared to now his nerves were shot when he'd first come around from the panic attack he'd had in the street.

His smile in response is mostly out of manners. Sephiroth might still be coming around from his drunken stupor but he seems to have at least thought around how Zelda is really putting herself out for him in this instance now. What time was it? What was she still doing here at this time of night when everyone else had gone home? How lucky it was that she'd been on hand.

Slowly he rips off a small chunk of one of the breads and spends a long time carefully chewing it. His throat didn't want to swallow it all that easily, and he could almost feel his abused stomach lining revolt as a reaction to the new substance introduced. After a moment of looking a little more sick the sensation passes and the nausea fades away.]

I don't...know what to say, Zelda.

[Finally looking back up at her, the pain he feels inside --and from a fair few physical beatings tonight-- crunches somewhere behind his expression. He knows he's been foolish now, and that this is only going to be the beginning of concern about him now that his soul has been bared. Sephiroth thumbs the rim of the glass while trying to force his thoughts past a growing migraine.]

[Zelda spends a lot of time at the old observatory and its usually at odd hours. Early in the morning she’s at the Chocobo farm and she’s found a peculiar balance to her day though it doesn’t run off of a particular schedule. In this instance, she’s happy she is on hand to help.

A more earnest, younger smile tugs at her lips when he looks back up at her.]

How about, ‘good night and sweet dreams’

[Her expression softens.]

We can talk more tomorrow.

[She can tell that he needs time to think and to process everything that’s happened tonight. She might write to Jade or Selen and see if either can tell her small details of earlier in the night, however, in the end it will be up to Sephiroth to speak to her. She rises from her work and tides up a few things in the room. It’s mostly busy work, making sure that Sephiroth is okay before stepping away from his room.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

4) [Arriving at the Observatory] - Perfect! Also, open to anyone in company

4) [Arriving at the Observatory] - Perfect! Also, open to anyone in company

4) [Arriving at the Observatory] - Perfect! Also, open to anyone in company

4) [Arriving at the Observatory] - Perfect! Also, open to anyone in company

4) [Arriving at the Observatory]

4) [Arriving at the Observatory]

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