melodiesoflife | Taking responsibility [Semi-Open]

Characters: Vincent, Sephiroth, others [Mostly Open; Refer to the top-level Prompts]
Where: Hospital, Aquares Ixen
When: 9th-14th September
Summary: Some aftermath of the fallout from Sephiroth grieving over Terra being in Crystal Stasis. Vincent helped disable Seph, and is now keeping an eye on him. Some people might want to have words with him about how he did so. In between guarding a Weapon for a few shifts...
Warning: Language maybe? Potential angst?

Sept 11th-13th at various times.
Vincent is one of those who is guarding the Ultima WEAPON'S wreckage. These are the only times he won't be found at the Hospital, keeping a guard over Sephiroth. If you want to interact with him, see here.

Sept. 9th-12th

Vincent will stay out of the way of the healers, but otherwise stay in the hospital and keep an eye on Sephiroth as he sleeps off both the post-Job exhaustion and the sleep status. Making sure the silver-haired SOLDIER is healing well, and not being bothered unduly. Occasionally Vincent will head to the Crystal Stasis wing, visiting those among his friends who are there. Ophelia can also be found bringing him a bag with a change of clothes, and a book or two.

He's unlikely to talk in the same room Sephiroth is resting in, but feel free to come check on the SOLDIER, or yell at Vincent, or check on Vincent.

Sept 13th--Closed to Sephiroth
Vincent has spent the past few days keeping watch over and not quite playing guard for Sephiroth, mostly so that when the other does wake--he can apologize. Also to keep others from overwhelming the silver-haired soldier right away. Sadly, Vincent understands heartbreak; he also knows Seph well enough to have some idea of how, hopefully, to help the other start healing.

September 13th, OPEN

Since part of Vincent's assumed role has been gatekeeper for a very private and recovering SOLDIER, he'll be keeping an eye out to ensure the other doesn't get tired, when others DO come to visit him. This is the prompt to use for visiting Sephiroth--and if you want to do so privately, Vincent can wait outside the door.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ales scoffed and smiled. "Shame it had to end this way. At the very least, we know what side of the argument everyone falls on."

There were those with bleeding hearts who argued to keep her alive. Those who refused not to let their hands get dirty, forgetting everything that happened with Narasimha. Those that tried to argue for reason. Those who held back, unsure of who to believe. The last group included Lydia, and Ales was not going to judge her harshly for that. Some Heroes weren't used to this type of responsibility, and those with proper judgement had to teach them, that's all.

"At least we have Biggs supporting our opinions," he added. "But it also means having to pick up the tasks that no one else will do. Who knows what other villains those Heroes are going to let go?"

"In all fairness, I had more pressing concerns to get back to..." His gaze couldn't help but rise to that crystal statue that still stood within the room before them, as if he expected it to have moved or something. "...at the time, anyway."

He wouldn't elaborate further than that and soon dropped his attention back to Ales, it still ached somewhere deep inside, a feeling he'd never forget, from that loss that he'd now just have to endure. The entire month that he'd spent chasing Palitutu through worlds, becoming more and more desperate in the fact that he'd not need even a glimpse of Terra. Just like everything else, life went on regardless. Time didn't stop and they were running out of it.

"I daresay I've often wondered what the consequences of the next misstep might be. I dislike not knowing what pieces of this game are in play."

Ales followed the direction Sephiroth was facing. Terra. It was a mystery how one person could affect a seasoned soldier so much. He couldn't let things like relationships get in the way of work or cloud his judgement. If anything, Ales prided himself in learning this lesson before Sephiroth. It was one way to keep his self-worth elevated: there was always something he was better at.

"That's why I'm getting more involved. No more sitting back and reading for me. I'm going to live up to the legend and find a way to stop this cycle."

It came down to a simple fact. Sephiroth hadn't been in such an environment, which might cause such relationships to form, ever before in his lifetime. Even when he had gained for himself what he'd come to treasure as his own independence, there were a mountain of other things for him to concern himself with; missions, training, reports, PR, training. Girls just weren't immediately there at the front of such a mind set which had been basically all-career.

Maybe it might be easier to go forwards if he just accepted Terra as a beautiful mistake? The hollow chasm he felt inside of him would fade out of attention, eventually.

"I'll admit, that motivation dried up a long time ago. Too many sleepless nights at the beginning with my head full of nothing but ignorant thoughts." It was clear from Sephiroth's tone that it wasn't a very comfortable admission. He had joined the military at Esdham, in pursuit of learning more and dedicating himself in the right direction but especially now that Hera wasn't a threat any more he often questioned his role there. Sure, given the identity of the President but how the wayward Queen of Aqures Ixen really factored into all of this was still very much a mystery.

"It's all very well finding a way when we still don't seem to be able to see more than a few feet in front of our own hands."

Sephiroth fought to keep his voice low and as private as possible but the message was as clear as he could make it. Give him a purpose, give him a mission and Sephiroth would excel in most things; ask for him to find it for himself, however...

Ales took his hands out of his pockets and let them swing by his sides. He knew that saving the world was more difficult that it should have been. Palitutu hiding information, the Sage hiding information, everyone hiding information. If he took over Aqures Ixen in memory of Ellie, he'd change that. Give all guardians of the world a history lesson, and they would be set. Keeping heroes in the dark would only lead to a situation similar to the Glade.

"I would say more to that, but now isn't the best time." He would tell Sephiroth about Downopolis later. Secret plans. "And I had enough of wallowing in self-pity. Ellie wouldn't like it I wasted my time moping about."

"Hm."

At least he were still sharp-minded enough to take Ales' meaning, it seemed obvious to him that there was something of a 'plan' afoot and Ales would very much like his advice if not his direct input for it. All things to be discussed later.

"I should perhaps take a leaf out of your book, Ales. I'm exhausted of it, yet seem to be stuck in a pit at the same time."

Sephiroth glanced once more from Ales to the crystal form of Terra before turning most of his back to the doorway. He'd turn away now, and get on with whatever the path before him might throw up next. He'd deal with it alone, but with the strength that he needed to overcome whatever obstacles might be put in his way. He owed it to himself, and to everything that special girl believed in him.

Maybe. His resolve was anything but the strong tower he wanted to will it to be currently.

Taking responsibility [Semi-Open]

September 13th [Ales & Vincent]

September 13th [Ales & Vincent]

September 13th [Ales & Vincent]

September 13th [Ales & Vincent]

September 13th [Ales & Vincent]

September 13th [Ales & Vincent]