melodiesoflife | Special Military Report: Crappy Art Edition

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Special Military Report: Crappy Art Edition

WHO: Rukia Kuchiki, OPEN
WHAT: After receiving word of her promotion, Rukia heads to Esdham to prepare for the meeting with the president as well as to present another special report. Others in the area are welcome to hang out with her, either at the military headquarters or moving around town.
WHEN: June 7th - June 9th
WHERE: Esdham (or on the way; she went by chocobo)

Rukia arrived in Esdham late on the evening of the 7th, dismounting and leading Yuki to the stables. The chocobo was tired and in need of water and grooming, both of which Rukia was happy to provide to her feathered companion. Then she opened up the largest of her saddlebags, sticking both hands in, and removing a fluffy little black chocobo chick. Yuki trilled happily upon seeing the young bird, and the chick cheeped happily in return before the two nestled down into their stall for some old-fashioned parent bonding. It was ridiculously cute.

She would have taken the airship, but the one scheduled for a routine transfer to Esdham had departed on the 5th, and the hunt for the hamster was taking place on the 6th. True, she could have commissioned a vessel of her own, but it seemed a waste of manpower and resources. Rukia had no problem traveling on her own.

Rather than taking to her bed, she decided to stretch her legs and walk for a time. She was tired too, especially after such a harrowing battle, but she'd never really afforded herself an opportunity to look around Esdham as a city. All she'd ever seen were the the military grounds, the airship docks, and a pastry shop she'd visited to get a present for Yuffie last October. She might as well see which diners were still open, and get something to eat.

* * * * * *

The next day, she presented her illustrated report about Palitutu's letter, Ib's premonition, and the ultimatums posed by the Tarutaru.

It looked like this.

Her next step was to find out more about the Ultima Weapon. She'd never seen it before, and had no idea how it was operated. That seemed important, not only so she could draw it correctly in a future report, but because understanding what they were up against was critical in planning a strategic counterattack. One thing she knew for sure, it was going to be a tough fight, and many of them would likely die. So be it. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but better that Heroes who could be restored in a mere week fight something like this instead of soldiers who had no cause to wage war with such a deadly opponent. They had no such guarantee to restoration.

She moved around the base, talking to other military personnel to see what they knew of the weapon, and when she retired to the mess hall, she took her sketchbook with her to see what she could do with her notes. Surely there had to be some way to defeat this thing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

One of the results of Sephiroth's last correspondences with Varaha had resulted in him dedicating some of his own assigned forces to assisting with security in and around the Mysidian Tower. Naturally, though perhaps more down to his own work ethic than anything else, that meant that he'd had to also take a few rounds of shifts over there personally. After all, one couldn't simply command based on reports shunted his way -even if he did always make time to study them- and it helped with cohesion to have a personal presence in the field. However, shuttle times often didn't leave much in the way of pickings in the mess hall by the time he managed to get debriefed, changed and across the stronghold to one of the many eating places on site.

Sephiroth's still-damp hair was draped forwards over his shoulder, cushioned on a small towel so that it wouldn't get his fresh shirt wet, while he picked out a handful of items from the somewhat old-food that had been sat on the hot plate for a few hours already. Beggars can't be choosy; apparently even relatively high-ranked personnel still had to conform to the recommended meal times just as much as the next person.

"Oh. Rukia-"

Sephiroth had been on his way through the benches, idly procrastinating about where to sit when he'd caught the edge of a sketch book and then looked back to see who's it might be. As if there could be any doubt, with that style of drawing; of course he'd recognized that which he'd seen a few times before.

"...company?"

It didn't feel like it was appropriate to go through the long-winded way of asking if it was alright if he might sit there, and his usually tight-manners felt too tired to use.

Rukia's head lifted, and she blinked for a moment, surprised at the request. She'd thought Sephiroth had made it clear that he did not consider them to be friends at the Christmas party, so she'd respectfully kept her distance save for discussions strictly concerning their duties.

But she wasn't opposed to company of any sort, his included. "Certainly," she acquiesced, moving her notebook to the other side of her plate to indicate that the seat beside her was open.

She moved her notes and records aside as well for later study in her barracks. "Have you been in Esdham long?" She wasn't sure how much familiarity she ought to use, so she carefully stuck to very light, very small conversation, waiting to follow his cues.

Just because he didn't consider them friends, didn't mean they weren't still positive acquaintances -or colleagues- at the very least. He certainly had no great distaste for her and actually held a great deal of respect for her as well; in fact conversation with Rukia wasn't hard-going when compared to how awkward a lot of other people made him feel. Friends, to Sephiroth, had only been a word applied to two or three others in his life before. It was just a question of differing definitions...

But now recently events had brought those impossible standards he'd held, under scrutiny.

Sephiroth's mouth curled up a quick smile as he turned and slipped down onto the bench next to Rukia, setting his tray on surface before him and unloading a plate of mostly still-warm food, and a tall glass of pale-colored water. It gave Rukia time to resettle back as he did so all in all it worked out well.

"Not this tour, no. I've just got back from the Tower-" A fork is neatly loaded up with a food and Sephiroth takes a first mouthful. Keeping his attention mostly on his food, yet being mindful enough to take small portions enough so that he could engage Rukia in, what felt a little like a somewhat-overdue, conversation.

"-you?"

"I arrived Tuesday evening," she answered him. "I had thought it might be best to arrive a little early, in order to have time to circumvent any unpredictable obstacles." Like an airship breaking down, or her chocobo getting sick. Anything could happen to delay a journey, and for something so important such as a meeting with the president himself, Rukia wanted to ensure she had as much time as possible to come to Esdham.

But now that the question was answered, she found herself at a loss for continued conversation. She'd already given her report, and it was nothing new to her fellow Hero. There was no information to share that he didn't already know, and it didn't seem appropriate to share anything more personal.

She watched him for a moment, then looked back at her notes. He probably just wanted to eat in silence, so she should let him, right?

"That's sensible. I'm on duty here for the next few days; I suppose..."

He paused to take a small sip of his water before looking to his side at Rukia, her drawings still catching his eye even though all the paper had been moved to the other side of her. Sephiroth might well have been caught staring, in his pause, but then he blinked and seemed to snap out of it with a quick glint of a smile.

"I'm making up time, being as last time I was working, I was suddenly teleported half way across the continent."

She had given her report, it wasn't anything he also hadn't already reported but the more like-for-like reports command heard, the better. Far be it for him to demand assistance from any military force already as stretched-for-manpower as this one was...but when faced with oblivion? It was like bringing a giant to sit on -and break- the table.

Sephiroth took the way that the conversation fell as a cue to take another portion of food. Who knows, perhaps he might be able to find a thread of something that he could talk about. But it only took him one swallowed mouthful to pick up on the awkward that was left hanging; why was conversation always so like a flash of a spark with him?

"Was the trip ok?"

He tried.

Rukia glanced up at Sephiroth. Heavens help him, but it did seem like he was trying very hard to make conversation with her. Had she been mistaken when she'd taken him at his word that they were not friends? She looked down at her notebook for a moment, not answering his question just yet.

But she did know that it wasn't comfortable like this. He was going to get his feelings hurt if she kept trying to keep a professional appearance in all of this. It was clear that Rukia needed to communicate herself clearly and honestly.

"I am unsure how to respond to you," she sighed, and turned in her chair to better face him. "Some months ago, you told me that you did not consider us to be friends, and I took that to mean you had no interest in friendship. I wish to respect your boundaries, but now I am having difficulty finding those boundaries."

She folded her hands in her lap, fixing him with a steady gaze. "If you would prefer to speak only of formal and business matters, then I will continue to do so. However, without knowing what it is you want or prefer, I fear I may overstep those boundaries and cause offense." And when it all came down to it, he was her superior officer, one rank above her. Until they held the same rank, she would have a difficult time seeing him as an equal, and therefore she owed him all due respect.

He'd offered his company as openly as Sephiroth had ever offered it to anyone. To have it accepted and then the conversation bottom out so soon...indeed the level of awkward was rising to the point where he was already starting to regret having stopped in passing. But if he couldn't be amiable to other Heroes who were also employed within the military here it didn't really spell anything positive for them as a whole.

It was uncomfortable, for him as well, being a person who often spent a great deal of time on his own in the past. Not so much anymore, though. Being alone recently didn't have a mite of the strength he'd once associated with it.

He paused as finally Rukia turned and spoke to him frankly. Slowing the pace with which he chewed at his latest mouthful of food, also using the motions to mull over what she had to say. He remembered, around Starlight if he recalled it, the words she referred to and tightened his jaw now as he swallowed.

He hadn't been in a great way then, either, and revisiting it just drew his attention sharply to how long he'd been on a downward spiral. When was the last time Sephiroth had felt...alright?

"I see..." Another sip of water and he gently laid both eating implements and glass down on the table before also turning to look over Rukia from a more face-on perspective. He met her eye contact carefully, almost hesitantly. He wanted to keep a firm lid on the temper that was all too keen to rise in him, lately; Rukia didn't mean to insult so he shouldn't misconstrue it as one.

"...I'm sorry that I left such an impression. For my part, I certainly don't dislike you. In fact, quite the opposite. Military matters to one side, I have a fair deal of respect for you. As for friendship..."

A twist in the bottom of his throat almost bellowed for him to pause and take a sip of water but Sephiroth shoved the feeling as far down into himself as he could. It still stung, even after all this time, to think of his only friends.

"I have never been very good at making friends. Much less actually being able to keep them."

She started to tell him there was no need to apologize. Far from it. But she didn't want to interrupt him as he spoke either, so instead she listened, giving a faint nod to indicate that she held a great deal of respect for him as well. That much would have been obvious to anybody who saw her behavior around Sephiroth and compared it to the way she acted around, say, her housemates, or Santa. It was why she kept her formalities around him instead of allowing herself to relax and tease.

She watched him in almost painful anticipation when he paused to drink, hanging on his words. As for friendship?

Then at last he told her the issue, frankly and honestly. And that was all it took. Suddenly Rukia was leaning forward, her eyes wide, fists raised. "That has always been a great difficulty for me as well!" she confided, her expression intense as if they'd both made an enormous scientific discovery that would change the world.

She seemed to catch her exuberance, and sat back slightly, lowering her hands. "However," she cleared her throat, "I wish to exhibit proper respect for you as well. I may have spoken of too many personal things at the party last year, and created an uncomfortable tension. I apologize for this inappropriate behavior."

It was obvious that Sephiroth didn't know how to take that, Rukia's sudden almost-lurch of a movement forwards along with the intensity with which she confided upon him a shared difficulty. He had watered it down, to as simple a statement that he could make for it, but by his slight recoil -a minute straightening of his posture- he hadn't expected that reaction at all.

He blinked, eyebrows furrowing together a little at the middle but soon relaxed a little as she caught herself and sat back. Sephiroth tried to smile lightly, as she continued, his attempt at encouragement. It still seemed a little stiff but then even his natural expression always had a knack of being sharp. Only the relative softness that managed to drop back around his eyes forgave his thoughts, which weren't sat on this time.

"Nonsense. There was a lot on my mind that night, that wouldn't quieten, which is hardly your fault." Said thoughts had resulted in him almost single-handedly destroying the then-premature relationship he'd since cultivated with Terra, not to mention having to spend the early hours picking glass out of his palm where he'd ended up absentmindedly crushing a glass.

"I've heard a lot of that recently; but I'm lost really with exactly how I've earned that respect."

"Because of your rank," Rukia replied simply. "Lower-ranked officers must always treat their superiors with proper deference and obedience." That much had to be obvious to him. It did make her wonder, though, if that made him feel slightly more isolated as a result. Rukia wasn't above being friends with higher-ranking officers. Kaien had been the best man she'd known, and there was a marked closeness between them. It had hurt when he'd died.

But Sephiroth behaved very differently than Kaien did, and put up far more barriers. It was difficult for her to know which barriers she was allowed to cross and which she was not, unless he expressly told her.

"Your rank was not handed to you on a platter," she pointed out. "You earned it with time, dedication, and service. That is worthy of respect." It wasn't as if he were elevated prematurely, or if he attained his position out of blatant favoritism. He was an excellent general, and it was clear that his soldiers obeyed his orders with pride.

She hesitated for a moment, approaching another one of those precarious barriers to see if it was one to uphold, or knock down. "The matters that troubled you then. Have they been resolved, or do you still need to speak your mind?"

"I suppose." But there was something about the way that he said it, something insecure almost about the way that he tilted his head to one side at Rukia's answer. It was the correct answer, officially speaking at least. Yet it didn't come with the satisfaction that he used to fuel his ego months ago, the pride about himself had all but dried out, wasted. Being a commanding officer in the military at Esdham wasn't so full of the challenges that it had been at his hay-day. In war, he'd shone out and so was assigned accordingly, but all this resource management recently; it wasn't the life that he'd signed up for.

"It just doesn't feel-" Said barrier quivered at Rukia's approach, undecided. Like much about Sephiroth recently. "-enough, anymore."

Or perhaps he never did really learn where he should make his footing.

"It's hard to resolve, when you don't know where the path leads."

Rukia quieted for a moment. She wasn't entirely sure what to say to that, but she felt she might have understood his feelings of isolation somewhat. "...When I was young, I was adopted into a noble family," she told him. "My graduation was accelerated, and I was given a seat in one of the 13 Divisions. I was not treated poorly, but the sudden change of deference and respect replaced the camaraderie I'd once had with my classmates. They judged my station too high for them to continue associations with me, and because my status was received due to adoption rather than through the quality of my blood, nobles would not associate with me either. It was a lonely feeling."

She exhaled, lacing her fingers together and placing them upon her lap. "But I was fortunate to have a vice captain who took an interest in me. He treated me like any other subordinate, and he took the time to train me in swordsmanship. He was...refreshing," she smiled. "Perhaps this may be what you're searching for as well. sometimes we just need a friend who inspires and encourages us to move forward, even if their methods are somewhat unconventional."

Whether that applied to Sephiroth or not, she couldn't say. There were certain people she knew she could tease, and chide, and mentor. Sephiroth...she wasn't sure. He showed glints of humor at times, but he might also take offense if she began poking his forehead and teasing him the way she did with Yuri and Ichigo.

"I will give you every respect you deserve on the battlefield and in military matters. However," she folded her arms, sitting back, "if you wish for something more informal when neither of us wear the uniform, you had best be certain. It would be untoward for a lesser officer to behave in such a way that would cause serious anger or indignation."

As soon as Rukia started to talk about herself, Sephiroth visibly seemed to get more comfortable --or at least less awkward-- in his own skin. He'd sit and listen to anyone who needed, or even wanted, to share anything about themselves with him being as it drew the spotlight from him and his shady excuse for an existence. If there was any positive about Sephiroth's apparent lack of social-skills, the fact that he's an open listener makes up where others might fall short.

Giving Rukia his full attention, the remains of his supper was left untouched, and only when it were clear that she wasn't about to explain something important did he take the glass of pale-colored water from the tabletop. Holding it between his two hands in his lap as he was turned, just in case he felt he needed to take a sip.

Sephiroth nodded along with Rukia, offered a light smile when she smiled and only dropped his gaze again as she reached the end. Folded arms really were a negative tell of body language, a bad habit he knew he had as well. Most of the time he folded his arms out of a distinct lack of anything else to do with them, rather than necessarily wanting to appear closed off.

"Unconventional." He murmured, but his tone remained lighter than it had last he spoke. "You mean like teasing...poking fun...gentle chides or even sarcasm."

It shocked him a little that Rukia might perceive him as so rigid so as not to have any positive experience with those things. Then again, he knew it was his own fault; he's always kept that front up out of little more than self-defence. Just even suggesting those things, brings the edge of a smirk back up to one side of Sephiroth's mouth. It reminded him of good times, before all the whole world went to shit for him.

"I did have good times, like that, once." He nodded as to communicate to Rukia that he did understand. Sephiroth's body language had relaxed significantly in the interim, even if there would always be a certain sternness about him that came with his lifetime of self-discipline.

"Perhaps it wouldn't hurt, to loosen the hold on my pride more often."

"Precisely," Rukia answered, her smile appearing more confident once he showed signs of his own. And as there were few people still lingering in the cafeteria at this hour, she reached out to give his arm a light tap with her knuckle to accentuate the point.

"There are many here who would love nothing more than a chance to know you better, if you afford them the chance to do so. A smile and a dry joke can go a long way."

She was actually surprised to see how positively he'd reacted to her story. Rukia had a difficult time opening up to others, and seldom talked about herself or her past unless directly asked...and even then, not always. It actually felt warm and pleasant to know that he was somewhat interested in her too.

In her case, folded arms were more a sign of relaxed pride and confidence than any sort of rejection, and the easy smile on her face would perhaps begin to show this.

"Naturally, you're welcome to dish it back in return," she pointed out, then smirked. "Even though I'm your elder by many decades."

Edited 2016-06-16 22:29 (UTC)

For just that tap of a fleeting moment, Sephiroth's smile flashed up and near enough reached the corner of his eyes as Rukia bumped his arm. He could return the gesture, of course, but instead took another sip from his glass.

"I wasn't ever the joker-" Internally he took a sharp breath in. Genesis. How easily, even though it had been months -potentially even over a year now?- since his once-friend had fallen into the stasis. The friendship that was broken but could well have been mended if he'd made a bit more of an effort- "-but I take your point well enough."

As the atmosphere between the two of them continued to loosen, he did indeed seem to come around to what had been the true nature of her folded arms. Casual, really...the gesture lacked the stiffness that would associate it with negativity. Perhaps he'd just gotten so used to seeing the world through a darkened lens?

Quite likely, given how his pessimism had been running rampart for a while.

"Careful." He warned, but with a definite mock of an edge to his tone. "I'm certain you wouldn't want me treating you as your age."

"You're welcome to try," Rukia chuffed a light chuckle. "It isn't as if it will cause any true offense. There are many shinigami who are well over 2000 years old. I'm but a drop in the bucket with my years, compared to them."

Besides, it might help her troll that Santa youth more easily, as he didn't seem to know about her ageless quality and believed her merely to be a kinky old woman.

"But if you truly wish to push my buttons, you'll have to be observant." Rukia smirked, swiveling back to the table. If she didn't, he might not do the same, and then he'd never be able to finish his meal before it went cold. "I'm certain you'll find ways to get under my skin soon enough."

It wasn't as if his food had been all that warm when he'd picked it from the hot plate anyway. It had been more of the fact that he knew he needed to eat as opposed to particularly wanting to. He was forever finding out that the energy boost that came alongside his custom job needed -at times- at least double the fuel that others needed and that wasn't counting when he was required to actually use any of the skills from it.

What he wouldn't give for true mako-infusion to be brought into this universe.

"I'm surprised it hasn't all dried up, even given your age in comparison to other shinigami." The concept of living for so long was quite outside of Sephiroth's current scope of experience, despite the fact he knew well enough that immortality was something that he would also come to achieve. Kind of.

Another flash of a grin and an almost-wink later and Sephiroth too turned back to face what was left of his meal. Slowly loading up another fork-full in preparation to make himself finish it even if he didn't really have the desire to.

"I'll be on the look-out then."

"I exfoliate," she quipped dryly with a calm little smile, leaning her cheek on her hand as she idly sketched a couple of poor-quality daisies on her paper. No, she wasn't bothered by her age at all. She knew exactly what she looked like, and what age she appeared to be. But she was sure he'd find other ways to needle her. All he had to do was look to Yuri as an example, the man was the epitome of all things troll.

"Are you seeking another moonlight duel once you've finished eating?" she asked, her eyes still on her notes. He'd just showered, so perhaps not, but she did enjoy their sparring sessions.

That tickled his sense of humor. Sephiroth was just about finished chewing and made himself swallow the current mouthful of food before he chuckled lowly, bringing his hand up and curling it before his mouth, just on the off chance that he might still have some food left in there.

Given a moment, he composed himself and continued to finish his meal. It was mostly gone by the time that Rukia had finished her doodling and asked him another question. Indeed, if only he'd not already had a long day and freshened up for the evening. There was the small pile of paperwork that was sat back in his office as well...waiting for his attention. It wouldn't do, to go into a meeting with the President of Esdham, with the affairs befitting his rank not already squared away.

"Perhaps not tonight. But we must do so again, soon." With a deft push of the tray away to the other side of the table, Sephiroth took a longer sip from his drink to wash the rest of his food down with. He lowered his eyes, for the first time in a while, to those notes before Rukia.

"You look like you've been busy..."

Rukia smiled at him, bobbing her head. "Agreed," she said, and she found herself genuinely looking forward to their next match.

She paused in her doodling when he called attention to her notes, and she exhaled heavily. "Not as busy as I wish I might be. I spent several weeks sick in bed last month." She'd accomplished quite a bit before that, such as defeating the behemoth along with her friends, and helping to discover Palitutu's secret laboratory in the sewers beneath the city.

But she'd fallen ill halfway through that last adventure, sick enough that she'd confined herself in her room. She tucked a lock of black hair behind her ear as she frowned at the paper. "Because of this I fear I have not been able to keep up with current affairs. I've fallen behind rather shamefully."

She laid down her pen, but kept her chin propped up in her hand. "What of yourself? What occupies your time and attention lately?"

Sephiroth genuinely regretted not having had an open enough mind to desire to spar with other Heroes of Light much earlier on. Well, there was no point to dwell on that now. Wasn't he supposed to be trying to look forwards? His duels with Rukia, among others, were often now seen as opportunities to work towards as he went about his fitness routines.

It was a sure sign of ego-deflation, how Sephiroth had not presented any interest in beating the behemoth when he'd once upon a time taken great pride in being able to single-handedly fell such strong monsters all on his own. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he hadn't gone for it, out of potential weakness?

"The sickness took weeks away from many people, you aren't alone." He tried to encourage, yet sympathy really wasn't his strong point. He hadn't been ill, at least not physically...mentally...well it was good perhaps that people had gotten sick so that less attention was paid to the state he'd left the Saloon in one night. As if to make it up, a short time later Sephiroth had offered his help to Jade, in the pursuit of a cure.

He often felt like he'd do anything to erase that day, still.

"Work, mostly. As boring as that sounds you know just as I do how over-stretched resources are since Mysidia's discovery..." He paused for a moment and if Rukia were looking she might be able to spot a slight movement at the corner of his face as Sephiroth chewed a little on the bottom-inside corner of his mouth.

"...and Terra, when there is not work."

It felt a little strange, saying that out-loud, like he were shouting it rather than having a normal conversation. It made it feel more tangible, like the words meant a lot more than he was putting into them.

Rukia nodded to indicate that she understood, concerning both of his issues. Certainly she had no wish to deprive Esdham of their resources, whether it be soldiers or even those in charge of running the airline transport from one city to the other.

But she was surprised to hear him speak of Terra. It seemed this time that he truly wanted to express himself with words, else he wouldn't have mentioned her at all.

"I trust your romance is going well, then?" she smiled, pushing away her notes and pivoting on the bench to face him with one leg tucked in front of her. There was a teasing hint to her grin, but there was genuine happiness too. Congratulations to him for finding a place for his heart!

Rukia had asked a question, and that was honestly the two things he spent the majority of his time dedicated to and there didn't seem to be an immediate reason to hide it; being fairly common knowledge that they were at least living together.

Excusing his various fitness regimens which he'd only stepped back up to above-human levels with the acquisition of the custom job he'd probably never take off.

Romance. Sephiroth pulled a very strange face, almost as if in immediate disgust at the word. As hard as it was to find the exact words for those feelings that had taken root in him over Terra, using 'romance' felt formal, old-fashioned yet totally immature. Like something Tempest would use to describe it...like something out of a badly written novel or a poem. Like Loveless.

He tried to smooth his face out as Rukia turned on the bench to face him.

"Now you're showing your age." Eventually came out in a light-hearted attempt to, once again, divert attention from his private life. A couple of dry huffs of a chuckle followed.

"I like to think we're happy enough, yes."

"Would you rather I call it a fling or a tryst?" she chuckled. At least she hadn't called it 'courtship' even though that word was perfectly ensconced in her 70-year-old vocabulary. Either way, she listened with interest, and her expression was warm.

She gave a sharp nod of approval at his report. "I'm glad to hear it. We must take the opportunity to enjoy happiness where we are able." Heaven knows there seemed to be little time for it otherwise, and the cruelties of this world could sometimes be too much to bear for one person alone. Rukia didn't like to think of how she might have coped without any of her housemates to stand beside her, particularly Raven. His steadfast companionship had proven to be a true bright spot in ways she never could have anticipated.

"Do you expect you'll propose soon?" she asked in all seriousness. For that was how a courtship proceeded, was it not?

"It's certainly not any of those things either." Really, Rukia, that made the whole thing seem entirely more obscene than really suited Terra's nature. Never mind the age gap that they had that sometimes niggled at the back of his mind. Only while he thought about it though.

He only nodded alongside Rukia's further comment. Still, there was something about a certain h-word that she used that seemed to bypass all of Sephiroth's self-discipline entirely. The light smile he seemed to have adopted while talking to her over the last few minutes grew not so much wider, but seemed to reach further behind his expression, putting something of an extra glint into his eyes. He daren't ever admit that he might have achieved it, this happiness, lest something happen to destroy it - but it's there all the same.

"What-" The frown had returned, as Sephiroth was somewhat taken aback by the next question. Having gotten to be involved with anyone in the way he was with Terra was simply unprecedented for him and in a lot of ways they were both still learning what it was to love. But to go to the next step? As if they were any other couple in the world-"-no."

"Are you serious?" Was he? Rukia was clearly thinking further ahead into the future than Sephiroth ever dared to.

It was hard to tell if Rukia was serious or not. She was definitely grinning, but whether out of mischief or genuine interest, who could say? Whatever the case, as long as he was talking about it openly, she didn't see any reason to stop. Surely he would change the subject if he truly wished to discuss something else.

"Marriage is the ultimate goal of courtship," she pointed out. "I merely wondered when you planned to reach that goal." And maybe she wanted to hear how he would have planned to propose, too. Human customs were incredibly interesting, and as she didn't think Raven was the type to marry a dead woman, she would have to settle for hearing about it from people who were actually alive.

It was confusing, almost, trying to figure out if Rukia meant it in seriousness or in jest given what they'd just moments ago been talking about in terms of getting him to lighten up a little more. For a short moment, Sephiroth felt as if he might be trying to run before he could walk, before putting that ridiculous notion to one side. Really, he used to be a lot more confident than this in pretty much everything.

But now they'd started talking about Terra, he felt he was drawn along into continuing the conversation out of some growing need to justify himself and how immature he was potentially appearing to be in Rukia's eyes.

"We've never really planned it, like that..." It had just, well, happened.

Edited 2016-07-12 19:44 (UTC)

"Most people don't, unless they come from rich and prestigious families," Rukia chuckled. She supposed she was fortunate that Byakuya had never suggested an arranged marriage, but it would have been ill-conceived in any case. She was only adopted into nobility, and didn't carry the family blood that the others did.

So she had her answer regardless; there were no thoughts of marriage in the near future. But the seed had at least been planted, now that she'd mentioned it to him. It was up to Sephiroth if he chose to water and nourish that seed into something bigger.

"Well, I'm pleased to hear that you're doing well. Congratulations," she smiled.

"Hm."

There was no denying the glow that seemed to spread out over the rest of Sephiroth's face, for only a moment with the flash of a wider smile. At the same time, it seemed that reality was about to catch up and he cleared his throat as that workaholic streak could only be kept at bay for so long.

"I- I- should get going. Paperwork waits for no one." It was a very inexperienced way to abruptly change the subject before embarrassment might start to creep in. Already he was starting to worry that perhaps he shouldn't have mentioned anything. Sephiroth was sure that Terra wouldn't mind, might even be happy at the fact he was starting to share but-

-he wasn't sure how right he was for having done so.

"It's been great to catch up, Rukia."

With that, Sephiroth pulled the tray back in to his side of the table, loaded the empty glass on top of it and slipped out of the seat beside her.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Special Military Report: Crappy Art Edition

[Mess Hall; hope this works]

It does!

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Sorry, this one is short!

Short works!

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[Ok to end here, or the next!]