thefarshore | Heaven's BBS

Posted: April 28th From: Sephiroth

[ After a disappointing arrival and probably too many hours spent reviewing old network posts, (note: Sephiroth should be banned from anything that could be described as 'archives', 'library', or 'repository of information' for a lot of reasons) he has some questions. And since he'd rather review this information on his own damn time and without actually needing to see or talk to people, it's all in text format. At least this way no one has to put up with condescending tone in his voice?]

The April 25th fire: Was this incident related to previous events? If not, has there been any determination of responsible parties?

'New' arrivals: From all indications we are not from this world. Has this been confirmed?

If so, there is no explanation for our arrival. Confirmed?

Some of these new arrivals have vanished with no indication as to how or why. Has any new information been discovered?

Selection process of who will be god or shinki is currently unknown?

Assignment criteria of a shinki to god on initial arrival is unknown?

What is the exact nature of an ayakashi: what do they look like, what can they do, and all pertinent information.

Blight: Can be caused by shinki and inflicted upon their bound god(s). Can be cured with some ease in the early stages. Can also be caused by ayakashi.
- How are later stages cured?
- What is the exact method(s) by which shinki blight their gods?
- Is the Blight caused by the ayakashi transferred only through direct contact?
Upheavals caused by other gods are not unheard of but not usual. Yes or no.

Upon becoming gods or shinki, we have access to new abilities, but these - aside from this 'borderline' - are not clearly defined. Explain.

((ooc: he'll probably respond to everyone in text only format))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Perhaps they should have gone seeking ayakashi to destroy. But no, that could lead to carelessness and overconfidence; it's best that they practice first like this, to learn the extent of what they can do together. But oh something is burning in Zack, a deep desire to tear down everything he sees. He can suppress it but it's there, wrapped in and around the hatred bearing down on him.

Later he'll realize exactly what it is that he's feeling from Sephiroth. Later he'll analyze exactly why.

But now is for moving together, for training. Zack tries the downward motion as soon as Sephiroth thinks it; he's expecting that it will surely rend the earth in a deep trench — which could be useful as a physical boundary as well.]

[ The arc hits the ground and tears up dirt, sends debris flying in all directions. The energy is exactly as it should be. But there are other tactics they'll need to consider. ]

Three quick slashes: up left to shoulder height, then horizontal, then down left. Think of it as a shield made entirely from speed and the sword.

[Defense is of course as important as offense; every warrior knows that as innately as he should know his chosen weapon. And through whatever godly power Zack and Sephiroth have been given in this bond, Zack knows exactly the motion even as Sephiroth thinks it. His movements are natural and fluid, slashing and blocking as one motion flows into the next. It is relaxing almost, save for the anger twisting his expression; the scowl is not a natural one for him. Still he persists, slashing and blocking as suggested and even when not suggested, seeming to innately know how to blend his own fighting style with Sephiroth's.

He loses track of time in their training and truly, could have spent much, much more of it just in sword work. What stops him is the rage, the feelings within him growing so back and so fierce. It's so much against Zack's own nature that after a while it almost feels suffocating — not that he'll let Sephiroth know as much. No, instead he'll release his shinki from the sword form, taking a moment with his eyes closed to just breathe and get back in touch with himself.]

How do you feel?

[ Slightly disturbed would be a good phrase for how feels. Up until the transformation, he'd considered most of this to be false. Now it's not only real, but it had been easy to let Zack wield him. Zack had also done well. Normally able to find great fault with just about anyone and anything, his critic after this session is... minor. ]

Fine. [ He says in a clipped tone that lets some of his feelings on the matter show. ] And you?

[ Finally, Sephiroth looks at Zack. ]

[Zack is just going to try his best to ignore that tone. He's on edge himself, a little shaken by the experience and what Sephiroth had made him feel. It highlights his own failure in saving his friend in Nibelheim and those memories are painful.]

Mm. [A noise isn't an answer, Zack.] Your form is a lot different from my own sword, but it felt natural to work together. I think that bodes well for our efforts here.

[ Zack speaks of the very thing that has Sephiroth so off kilter. His shoulder tense in response, but he doesn't say anything at first. ]

We'll see if that holds true.

[ Then he casts a glance at Zack that clearly reads: don't disappoint me. ]

[No optimism? No determination that yes, of course they'll be the best? Nothing? Sephiroth, you really know how to suck the joy out of everything, don't you?

The again, Zack's own self feels as torn and frayed as the landscape around them.]

I won't accept anything less.

[Zack's own gaze is filled with steel and fire, a façade to shield his internal confusion and pain from his companion.]

[ Sephiroth isn't ready to believe what Zack says. It would be a stretch to say that he's willing to take what Zack says at face value. Still, it's enough for now. It's something solid in this world that Sephiroth neither likes nor trusts. ]

When shall we meet again?

[Zack pauses. He had't expected that question. Really, he hadn't expected Sephiroth to want anything at all to do with him, considering the man's attitude thus far.

But what to say? That's the harder part. Zack knows that Sephiroth has always been a loner, but he can't tell Sephiroth how he knows, or even that he knows. The feeling of wrongness presses in on him, warning him away from speaking of anything familiar between the two of them. It's almost crushing in its weight.]

I'll leave that up to you. I get the impression that you like your solitude. I won't impose my presence on you more than you desire.

[Would he like to spend time together? Very much so. But he doesn't think that Sephiroth will be too keen on the idea.]

[ Want is a bit subjective here. Safer to say that knowing Zack better, and - as much as he hates it - finding out the intricacies of the relationship between god and shinki, serve Sephiroth's purposes. ]

There is much we'll need to do and I cannot hear these [ He pauses with a look of complete distaste. ] prayers.

The temple then. Mornings, for a run and training?

[Something that will be an approximation of Zack's old training routine, and that will be welcome. With the temple also being their gateway into the human world, it's a good place to meet and plan exploration.

Plus, it needs a general clean up in Zack's opinion.]

[ Zack, he will not clean. :|

....

....but he might organize shelves when you're not looking. ]

Acceptable. I'm going to find what these 'other' abilities shinki supposed possess are.

[ And then he'll master them. ]

[Sephiroth, it's your temple too. Keep it nice.]

I'll expect a report of your progress.

[It's easier to say those words than to offer assistance with training. He doubts that Sephiroth would accept.]

I've already learned one. Supposedly, it keeps ayakashi at bay at least temporarily.

[ Another part that he means to test as well. ]

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