( aefenglom inbox. )

[supersoldier]

( TEXT | VOICE | VIDEO | ACTION )
[ x ]

Comments

text | un: taru - before the outpost expedition

[seemstressed]

I've heard there's going to be an expedition north soon. Are you thinking of going?

[supersoldier]

I am.

[It’s better than remaining stagnant in the city, with restlessness gnawing at his skin. A weapon at rest becomes dull, and he does not know if he likes being uprooted from a mission, a prerogative, a knowing of what to do, settles well with him.

All of which, of course, he doesn’t relay.]

Why do you ask?

text; username: fenris | after the first full moon

[bravers]

You all right?

[supersoldier]

[Another instance of someone checking in on him? Odd, again — maybe vaguely appreciated in that cumbersomely detached way of his, but it’s superseded by debating how he should answer.

“I’m fine” is often the default. Usually the truth, too, in some form or fashion.]

I’m fine. You don’t have to feel obligated to check in on me.

[And then nothing. Followed by—]

It was unpleasant, but it’s over. You?

action; first week of the month

[aremnant]

[ Little Ladies Day. A time to celebrate ladies! Or, in Kadaj's mind, to celebrate the only woman who matters both here and back home.

M O T H E R.

So here he is! Out and about! Looking for something, something just so wonderful! for Mother and only Mother. She absolutely deserves the best after all. Oh, yes. Nothing! but the best for Mother. And he wants to impress her. Oh, he so very badly wants to make her smile and feel happy and know that it was him as the reason for doing so. It would just... make him so... very... happy. It would. At least that's what he tells himself! Because he exists to please Mother and nothing else matters. Nothing. Not even... him.

Oh, but then there's Him in his out and about and Kadaj comes to pause when he catches sight of Him. The favored. The best. The one-winged angel he should live up to. Look up to!

S E P H I R O T H.

But, no. He won't go say hi right away. No, no. He wants to show him what he can do! Wants to show him the things he's learning! Things He could never do. So, out and about like this, Sephiroth will see... a Moogle. Yes, a Moogle. With it's round little belly and it's red little ball bobbing atop its head. Just wandering about a little ways near the silver-haired man.

Except something seems... a little off with this Moogle. They're... walking funny. Zig-zags. And they're face... oh they're face looks a little... distorted. No! Decaying. Oh, well that's a little strange, isn't it? For this decaying Moogle which zig-zags about to be twitching and stumbling and coming closer and closer to Sephiroth.

Just a little strange! ]

[supersoldier]

[It is hard to say what Sephiroth had been doing when he’s spotted, and even harder still to discern that he’s been thrown into the obligation of preparations for an upcoming celebration organized by another Mirrorbound. There’s irony, maybe, in their interests aligning, but for reasons altogether different — he works to repay a debt, not to seek gifts or appreciation from a “mother” he does not know.

Taking a turn down a wide alleyway between two buildings proves a shortcut to wherever he’s headed, but allows him the pleasure of an... unexpected experience. A form, small and wobbly on its feet. He recognizes it instantly as a moogle, but with a halting step comes the equally quick realization that there’s something odd about it. A distorted look, an uneven walk, and a decaying(?) face.

Most would be perturbed. But Sephiroth overrides such emotions with suspicion, coming to a complete stop to observe it with a slanted brow.

Needless to say, something isn’t quite right.]

text | un: taru - because sephiroth needs a bit of lalafell shaped shenanigans in his life right now

[seemstressed]

Hullo Sephiroth! How have you been fairing? I wanted to thank you again for your assistance last week! Not only did you look rather dashing but you were quite helpful with the setup of it all.

[supersoldier]

Tataru.

[Will he ever adjust to the notion of others checking up on him? Every time he sees such a message received, it surprises him in that foreign, nigh incomprehensible way.]

I'm doing well enough. And there's no need to thank me when I was only fulfilling an obligation. Though next time you should assign someone else to pour the tea.

I assume you had fun?

[bravers]

Got anything to do for the next couple of hours?

[supersoldier]

No. Did you need something?

text; un: itachiuchiha

[anbu]

[In the weeks following the strange, entangled dream of the Looking-Glass House and its memories, he's not yet encountered this man again. There are a few loose hanging threads on their conversations... and so, early one morning mid-Maiuril:]

Sephiroth. When you have a moment, I'd like to speak with you.

[supersoldier]

[Events have put him in a strange mood. Rumination comes easily to Sephiroth, and with the influx of the new Mirrorbound, it has struck him in spades. He has not been an easy man to find as a result -- falling upon old habits of social detachment -- but at least he is an easy man to text.

The reply comes with only a one or two minute delay.]

I have time. What would you like to speak about?

text | un: augur

[prophexy]

[there's no real easy way to ask this, so he's just going to come right out with it. after rewriting the message at least five times and reminding himself that he must ask someone before the consequences get any worse.]

Thou wert newly-arrived in Aefenglom at the same time as myself, correct? Hast thou yet managed to secure a Bond, perchance?

[supersoldier]

[It’s out of the blue, yes, but Sephiroth doesn’t do well with conversations that take an age to get to the point. Urianger’s straightforward message is welcome on all accounts, even if the nature of it is unexpected.]

I have, with another Monster.

[Not the most effective, but it’s done the job and then some. And while there’s consideration for another that hasn’t yet come into fruition, Sephiroth is intuitive enough to ask—]

Have you not?

action | you know

[shithogs]

[Just as promised (?), Kainé is waiting outside the city gates before an hour has passed, leaning forward with her hands resting atop the pommel of one of her swords, propped up as she surveys the chosen arena. There's plenty of space to maneuver, not that she's ever been picky about that, and they're near enough to the city walls that she doubts any Shades are going to lumber their way and bother them— if they do, it won't take much to cut them down.

All that's left to do is wait. Waiting's a bitch.]

i'm ready

[supersoldier]

[She will not have to wait long. Punctuality is one of the pillars of the military's expectations, and Sephiroth has the latter so hammered into his bones that certain predilections have permanently woven themselves into his personality — he’s there, almost an hour exactly after their exchange over the network, approaching with Masamune in-hand.

His face is impassive, though his feline eyes are sharp and searching.]

How skilled would you consider yourself?

[Maybe someone else would be afforded a less frank “greeting”, but not her. Straight to business, and wanting to know just what he should expect, or how much he needs to hold back.]

text;

[bravers]

Weird question, but you're alright, yeah?

[supersoldier]

[That's debatable, maybe, though things could always be worse given the weight of the truth given to him not that long ago and his sudden advent of... wings. He wonders which Cloud refers to; or if he means it in a generalized, sweeping sense, a concern like only another Bondmate would have.]

Well enough.

[Likely Cloud can feel anything amiss, and so-]

Thinking often. Dealing with my new changes. Does it bother you?

cont. from into log

[supersoldier]

((From here))

[As much of a compliment as Sephiroth ever gives them. Middling, at best, but one must take what they can.

The way she trails off, that pause in between the halves of her statement, are telling. Sephiroth's transition into a Harpy is slow yet steady, perhaps a blessing in its own right that he needn't suffer a transformation racking his body in a matter of days. The many Mirrorbound who arrived unconventionally -- spilling through shining surfaces, or emerging from pools of water -- were not so lucky.

It must have been difficult for her, he thinks. To have both body and mind affected without time to adjust or even comprehend what was truly happening.]

It's best that you begin your preparations now. [He recalls his own... erratic behavior beneath the swollen thrall of the full moons the same way a person recalls a cloying dream, but the memory is there all the same. Rarely is he flattering, or even rational in the way he prefers to be.] ...Have you been told about how the moons affect a Monster's disposition?

[sonnestark]

[She nods in agreement, her expression solemn. As much as she is making every effort to take her new situation in stride, she intends to take making any preparations quite seriously, in addition to her efforts to learn as much about this place as possible.]

I thought so, as well. Better sooner than later.

[Even if the changes won't be quite as rapid this time, she has no way of knowing when they'll begin, or how quickly they'll progress once they do. She wants to be ready, if she can.]

I've heard that the full moon can hasten a transformation, but not much more. Does it— change a person's personality?

text;

[bravers]

Weird question, I know.

But you didn't come in with any kind of meds, did you? Potions, remedies, anything like that.

Thanks.

[supersoldier]

[Should he be concerned?]

Nothing like that came with me to this planet. My only means of healing now is a useless restore materia; not a means of healing at all, now.

Is someone injured?

text

[redload]

you the famed sophieroth?

[redload]

[shit. that's not how you spell his name, is it? nico, what the hell was it—?]

text, un: itachiuchiha

[anbu]

[The length of time that has passed since their last encounter isn't insignificant. Nor is the weight of it - considering what had transpired, and how it made him feel. How it still does even now, in a gauzy distraction to the hard cold truths of the past several days. The cold and empty house. The pulsing, aching pain at the end of a broken tether like a headache that won't fade.

In the end, he decides to keep his message simple and direct, lacking the words yet for anything more complicated. Gauging, in some way, Sephiroth's current mood toward him.

And to answer another question, too.]

Sephiroth. Are you well?

[supersoldier]

[It is difficult to know what to say about their last encounter, not because of what occurred (though perhaps that is a part of it), but because it was inevitable, in a way. Like something heated and simmering, before the Moons stripped them just enough of inhibition to incite a boil. Selfishness. Fulfillment. None of these things, or all of them.

It was not something to apologize for — he believes that Itachi may feel the same way — but as always, Sephiroth tamps down deeper, searching discussion in favor of professional distance. When the Sisters aren’t lording their influence over him, it is easy enough to take all those loose pieces of him, gather them back up, and lock them tightly inside of his mind, where they stir and pace a hole into his skull — but at least he has some measure of control over them.

Itachi is the one to contact him first. A part of him is glad for it, curious as to how he had been. The rest of him is as straightforward as ever.]

Itachi. I’m well enough. This city and its people are determined to keep me busy.

[Have Worse Dragon shenans come and gone? Maybe. Of all places to think he’d be spending his time to help a fellow Mirrorbound…

Not worth the mention.]

And yourself?

un: machinequeen • text

[trulygifted]

Hey good-looking
Remember how you basically swore an oath to be there for me in my time of need? Because of that time you tried to eat me in the woods?

( Nico is 100% aware he wasn't trying to eat her, please ignore her ... )

I might need to call in another favour
Halloween style

[supersoldier]

[The time he tried to eat her in the woods...

There’s only a minute delay before a response.]

What does “Halloween” have to do with the favor?

un: taru | text

[seemstressed]

<sub>[To say Tataru has been feeling down would be an understatement. Sure, she's still managed to go about her usual day to day duties and chores but it's been an incredible struggle on her part to do so. Loss isn't something she's unfamiliar with. The Lalafell had lost many people over the years, whether it had been from war or other circumstances. People died, people moved and lived out their lives elsewhere - that's just how life was.

But it was starting to become a bit much. More and more people she'd met had been leaving Aefenglom and while she'd quietly mourned the loss of not being able to bid them farewell she'd managed to take it all in stride. This time however it's different. This loss, this disappearance of her Bonded, a strange mage she'd grown terribly fond of, leaves her feeling as if her very heart was being torn in two. It's her own fault, she reckons, for becoming so attached to Henry...but how was she to avoid it? Maybe, just maybe, their little union had been cursed from the start.

For such a small being she feels things far too strongly. It's troublesome and tears do her no good. There's only so much sadness one can indulge in, especially when she knows that her unease and heartbreak can only be causing trouble for her other Bond. Sephiroth surely didn't need that. No one did.

Her home feels far too empty and big now without Henry in it and so she finds herself not wanting to stay in it for very long by herself. Instead she's out on a walk around town, forcing herself to get out and get some air. It's a bit chillier than she likes but she's bundled well enough for it. In mitten covered hands she messes with her mirror before deciding to send off a message to Sephiroth - it's short and sweet, just like her.]</sub>

Hullo Sephiroth. Have you been keeping well? I do apologize for being a little distant as of late.

[supersoldier]

Tataru. Apologies aren’t necessary.

[For he is a man of distance and solitude, besides. What sense would it make to take offense to another doing much the same?

Still— it’s Tataru, and he does wonder if something has happened in the interim since they last spoke.]

I am doing well enough. And you?

modranicht

[sonnestark]

[Around Modranicht, Sephiroth will find a brightly-wrapped square box with a white bakery box on top of it. Opening the latter will reveal an assortment of spiced cookies from a local bakery, whereas the former holds a thick, warm black hooded cloak made of material that is soft to the touch, with slits in the back for wings, clearly meant to accommodate a harpy. The attached note reads:]

Happy Modranicht! I hope this helps you to shrug off the cold. I find I have less tolerance for it now that I've changed. I hope the season finds you well.

- Karin

Modranicht gift

[thejoyrider]

[On the day of the holiday, a plate of homemade cookies and a sample of herbal tea mysteriously appears on his doorstep. The wrapping is decorated with a fresh lily flower (actually a Fae magic product, designed to fade away from existence in a few hours) and a ribbon. The attached handwritten note reads as follows:]

Happy Modranicht! Let’s have another great year here in Aefenglom!

M⚜️