Meetings and Strategy

[melodiesmods]

Characters: NPCs and the Heroes of Light.
Where: castle of Aqures Ixen | Calm Plains
When: 10th July | 12th July
Summary: Characters all received a Mognet Letter informing them of the upcoming meeting. It happens in the reunion room in the Castle of Aqures Ixen. If you . Feel free to start your own threads for IC Plotting! If you need to speak to a NPC or have to share your plan with them, reply to the appropriate thread below. Characters who received Kurma's letter will be able to meet him on the 12th of July.
Warning: NA

Ultima Weapon Plan
Mysterious Message
The Militaries
Law Enforcement
Civilians

Comments

[bloodypast]

Vincent kept himself at 'ease' while still professional in his posture. Treating Sephiroth as if he were Veld and this was any other report. "Well enough. I have been training, acquired an appropriate fire-arm, and ammo to this world. Roughly 2 months of experience as a Gunner, currently paired with the initial levels of ninja for speed and stealth."

There was no hint of wounded pride or duplicity in what he said. This was the cool professionalism that had made those known as Turks be treated with caution and respect. "Prior to arrival in this world, I was an active adventurer for a little under a year. My diminished skills due to this world have not had the same impact upon my knowledge or experience."

[shinrasfinest]

Given as Sephiroth knew that the man before him somehow had to be his elder, just based on the memories that he'd borne witness to, it was a little odd to view him as such given as they looked quite similar in age; more jarring still to then consider the superior/subordinate mannerisms both were acting with.

He knew that it were appropriate to do so, that it followed some silent protocol that both of them followed, but still it still felt more than a little strange. Almost off, in a way, since it had been a few years since Sephiroth had headed a force anywhere near to even this small size. It was important to note as well the difference; in Wutai they had been on the offensive, the invader. Here, the role was counter-offense - to hold ground.

Not only that, he'd been a lot more personally involved than the role now demanded.

"No they do not." He agreed, still keeping his tone that formal side of polite. "Quite often, it's that knowledge that one has retained from their previous experiences, not being able to be implemented as well that forms frustration."

[bloodypast]

It was odd; in any other situation Vincent would be amused, and Sephiroth would have a point. As it was, Vincent had slipped within to his old role before everything had gone to hell as if it were a familiar glove. Professionalism, his feelings and frustrations did not matter so long as the job got done. Turks did not resign, they left in a body bag.

Well, I suppose I left due to being an experiment and then hiding in a coffin... Vincent's own mental voice was amused and sarcastic. None of it showed in his manner or face.

"The situation we are facing will not allow any emotions on my part that would endanger our defense and survival. That is why I have also been practicing, to get used to the adjustments." As calm still, as if they were discussing the weather. "What is your specific concern, Major?" And yet still blunt and to the point.

[shinrasfinest]

It might beg the question exactly what ShinRa would have done with Sephiroth once he'd passed the prime of his life - at whatever age that might have been given the benefits of mako infusion, that is. SOLDIER could resign, technically, but in his case? A future that would never be known; a future that may well have been planned to go the way that it inevitably did in pursuit of proving the Reunion theory.

"That's good to know." It still felt strange addressing Vincent as if he were a subordinate even though Sephiroth knew that he was not, even if the nod that was delivered was about as business-like as they came.

As Vincent directly asked the question, Sephiroth took a pause. Eyes narrowed minutely as he looked over the other man from Gaia while he tried himself to pin down exactly what his concern was. He justified within himself that it was the lacking Job experience, as opposed to anything else; the thought came that he was personally uncomfortable maybe around Vincent, but that just didn't fly very high.

"Just remember, this is a war. I'd rather not lose a viable resource down to...overcompensation if you take my meaning."

[bloodypast]

Another professional nod, but there might have been the faintest of hint of a smirk around Vincent's mouth. "If I may be personal for a moment, I am well aware of how pride and ill-advised actions can go before a fall." The tone was as neutral as ever, save the hint of self-deprecation.

After all, Sephiroth had seen the memories himself. Vincent had paid once and dearly for his lack of well-thought out actions before. It was not a mistake he wanted to make again, certainly not on some strange new world.

[shinrasfinest]

The comment drew a huff of a quick chuckle from Sephiroth which moved his shoulders as well in a way that wasn't often seen down to his usual -armored- attire of choice. It wasn't an amused chuckle though, more of an ironic one. Knowing what he knew now, after his return from stasis; there couldn't be a finer way to put how the events within SOLDIER prior to his own fall had played out. Idly, he did wonder where Genesis was but that stray thought was quickly put away.

"Quite." He replied, some of that dry irony sticking deep in his throat as he spoke. "But I don't think that either of us is under any illusion of what is at stake here. Having a firm comprehension of that is a vital first step."

[bloodypast]

"Then we are in agreement." Vincent confirmed, still with that hint of smirk at the corners of his mouth. There might have been the faintest hint of relaxation, an untensing of shoulders, shifting of posture. Still in a professional cant and manner, even one of at ease, but as if some test or obstacle had been overcome by them both.

"Where would you like me to report, Major? I am not a soldier, but you have the most knowledge of what will be going on."

[shinrasfinest]

"So it would seem." Still, the prospect of now having to lead an operation with such heavy odds stacked against them was still much too fresh for Sephiroth to allow himself to loosen up - it might beg the question, if he ever did do such. There was much planning to be done, and heavy considerations to be weighed against each other.

As a Hero of Light, he owed Aqures Ixen the best operation he might be able to muster. To Sephiroth, failure here could not be allowed to be an option.

"Hm. As you said, I believe your skills are well suited for what you offered in terms of services. For sure we'll have to take all the extra pairs of legs where we can and the fact that you could be armed may be beneficial in some circumstances I'm sure."

Sephiroth presumed it didn't need to be said, though, that drawing attention to a message runner would be a good way to get said messages intercepted. Communication was hard enough, but if something vital didn't get through...

[bloodypast]

Vincent was aware of the potential risks. Both for his own safety, as well as the fact that he was a lot more obvious with getting around than a moogle. There were still too many variables, too many unknown things to deal with.

But the basics were sorted. Sephiroth knew the resource he had just been offered, and Vincent was aware of the risks. A professional nod of his head before he spoke. "No answer is needed just yet. You have a lot to deal with."

Vincent well understood, though he had never been in command himself. Not the way a Major, General, or even Veld as head of the Turks had been. But there had been smaller skirmishes, times when a Turk was the one who became in charge. Certainly as well while traveling in Avalanche, he had seen the strain and worry in Cloud, Cid, and in Tifa.

[shinrasfinest]

"I have no doubt that regardless of an answer or not, you'll find for yourself the most appropriately useful tasks to assist with." Sephiroth wasn't sure how he'd arrived at that conclusion about Vincent but there had been a time when he'd never mistrust his instincts about a person. Mako-infusion aside, Sephiroth was still sharp when it came to identifying certain traits within people.

Intuition had given him an edge well exploited over the years, it seemed he'd just needed the correct stimuli to remember how to use it.

"I get the impression that you wouldn't be too far away, should there a need arise for your expertise."

[bloodypast]

That almost made Vincent smile, instead the hint of smirk became more than a hint. Still subtle compared to anyone else, but a clear smirk on an otherwise stoic countenance. Following it with a nod, confirming Sephiroth's thoughts.

Vincent was the type who would make himself useful, and keep his ears open.

"I did want to make certain that you were aware."

[shinrasfinest]

It takes one to know one, and given that fact Sephiroth spotted the subtle smirk of knowing which others might have easily missed. He wasn't too sure what it was meant as though, not knowing Vincent that well and so he had to be careful not to read the wrong way into it. One thing was for certain; the once-Turk didn't seem the type to attempt to inject humor or sarcasm into a serious set of circumstances how Genesis might have done the same.

"Noted."

There were nothing else to be said and so with a final nod of acknowledgment, Sephiroth bade him farewell before deciding to follow it with a comment.

"Take care, Vincent."

[bloodypast]

Vincent's humor was often dry, less sarcasm and more snark and rare at that. Sephiroth had no way to know that he was interpreting the smirk correctly. Neither man was given to irreverence when not warranted.

"You as well. Good luck." Not that he felt Sephiroth would leave things to luck. The well-wishes were sincere all the same.