008 ☄ [action] this one goes out to

[nohometown]

[[ooc: This song will be playing wherever Sephiroth goes today, sometimes softly, sometimes loudly, depending on his mental state. The song may also attempt to drown out others' songs, as it's not a song with a good attitude. Anyone who understands Latin will be easily able to comprehend the lyrics. (So comforting, aren't they?) I just couldn't resist using his theme song for this curse.]]

I. The park
In the morning and in the afternoon, responsible caretaker that he is, Sephiroth can be found taking his chocobo on a walk. The black bird has grown larger, although it will not be mature for some time. It's now about the size of a large terrier, and runs quite quickly through the grass, though it never leaves Sephiroth's sight. It doesn't seem to know what to make of the music today, cocking its head to one side curiously whenever the song swells.

Veni, veni, venias,
Ne me mori facias

II. The library
He's rather annoyed when the music doesn't cease as he goes to look for new reading material. Unfortunately, his annoyance only causes the song to grow louder, to his increased frustration, which in turn increases the volume of the song (a vicious spiral).

Estuans interius
Ira vehementi

III. Training
Unable to find any escape from the music, Sephiroth was unable to concentrate on his reading and finds himself uneasy and restless instead, the music never leaving him. So he has found an open space on the edge of the City, and there he is practicing. His training is perhaps an odd sight, when it can be seen, for he can move faster than the eye can see. Flashes of fire and light accompany his session, and combined with the music, it's hardly a comforting sight.

Sors immanis
Et inanis

Comments

Library

[oceantrauma]

[Ken looks up from the book he's been looking through on electronics and STARES.]

By any chance do you have headphones for that? [He's not the biggest music fan in the world, and he hasn't heard of the curse just yet, though he noticed music abnormally everywhere this morning.]

[nohometown]

[He knows he should probably just tolerate the curse, since the only damage being done is to his dignity, but it rankles nonetheless.

Especially as he ordinarily takes pains to be polite.]

Unfortunately, no. I'm not sure where it's coming from.

[oceantrauma]

Then how is it here...? It's just following you around?

[Well. That's not normal, is it? Must be some sort of a curse. And he could understand that, being rather polite himself. Ken would feel sorry for him.]

[nohometown]

Yes. Since I woke up this morning. [A pause.] Or was woken up. I'm not quite sure how it continues to follow me wherever I go.

[He tends to get up early, but the music had begun right after midnight.]

[oceantrauma]

I think I'm grateful I've been spared this one.

It seems to get louder at times, too.

[nohometown]

It's quite a nuisance.

[As he says this, the volume climbs slightly. Ira vehementi, it sings. He takes a deep breath, then exhales, and it lowers again.]

It does. It's been doing this constantly.

[oceantrauma]

[Ken backs away just a bit - the music is a little creepy.]

Is it just the same song over and over? [That would be even more irritating.]

[nohometown]

It hasn't changed yet. I suppose it's targeted to me, for some reason. It does feature my name.

[It is very, very irritating. Even his expression, usually calm, shows a trace of it.]

[oceantrauma]

[That's even creepier. This guy, thus far, doesn't really seem to fit the music. Deja'vu some, maybe.]

You don't seem to be like it, though. Anytime we've spoken, you've been quite polite and informative. Granted, it's rare.

[nohometown]

[One thing bothers him about the song is that he is angry, although he takes pains to keep it suppressed, and that anger and frustration has little to do with anyone here. It's simply--politics, one might say.

He has every intention of maintaining a calm and mannerly demeanor.]

Thank you. It is odd.

It's true that I am a warrior, but I like to think I'm professional in my dealings with others.

[oceantrauma]

What kind of a warrior? I don't think I've met many here. Some adventurers and doctors, and angels, though.

You seem professional, to me.

[nohometown]

I'm a general. A professonal soldier, yes. I lead Shinra's army.

[oceantrauma]

A general...then you would be good at military tactics, no?

What's Shinra? I've never heard of that before. I mean, obviously they're based in armed forces somehow, but what are they specifically?

[nohometown]

I like to think so. [He smiles, being slightly wry, in spite of the irritation of the music.] I've been studying tactics since I was quite young.

Shinra is a company. Their armed forces work together with the government in order to protect the populace.

[Which is the company line, though at times he's not so sure he believes it anymore...]

[oceantrauma]

Then you likely are good.... Probably a good person to know in this place, as well.

[Puzzled look.]

What kind of a company involves themselves in armed forces? Do they manufacture weapons?

training

[dignity_misery]

[She can tell he's a little agitated, and... the thrashing metal music that's following her around all day probably won't help. It doesn't stop her from approaching, waving hello in lieu of a spoken greeting. He wouldn't be able to hear it over the noise anyway.]

[nohometown]

[He pauses in his practice as he catches sight of her, responding to her wave with a nod as he closes the distance between them.

His own music rises, as if to match hers. Though it's less harsh in nature, the clashing of the two doesn't make for a pleasant combination.]

Hello, Carla.

[He speaks calmly enough, trying to raise his voice without shouting, but inwardly he is thinking, music, be damned (or a sentiment to that effect).]

[dignity_misery]

[She is getting used to watching people's mouths, and she knows a generic greeting when she sees one. Carla smiles lazily.]

You're looking intimidating today.

[Although she's not looking terribly intimidated.]

[nohometown]

[His hearing is excellent, so he's able to make out the words in the midst of the clamor (not that the motion of her lips doesn't help).] That wasn't quite my intent.

[He notices that she doesn't appear intimidated herself, and so doesn't take the remark seriously.]

I thought perhaps training would take my mind off this incessant music.

[As if the incessant ticking didn't wear on him enough.]

[dignity_misery]

No?

[She isn't quite sure she believes that, coming from a soldier, but she doesn't dig at it.]

Is it working?

[nohometown]

Not particularly, as to my knowledge, there wasn't anyone here to intimidate.

[He's used to intimidating people, but as amusing as it can be at times, it's usually not intentional. It simply happens.]

It's the most effective method I've tried yet.

[Meaning: sort of, but not really.]

[dignity_misery]

[She looks entirely too eager about this.]

Maybe I should help you.

[Sparring with him is still a frustrating exercise, she'll never be as fast and she gets angry too quickly, but she keeps at it. He's the only one who's offered to do it with her regularly.]

[nohometown]

Maybe so. [He smiles briefly.]

Without a weapon, I assume? [He sheathes his sword. Sparring with her is very different than his usual way of training, but he enjoys it, and he won't turn down an earnest opponent.]

the park;

[prosopopoeia]

[She jogs in the mornings, frequently. Physical pursuits were not a priority, but they were a facet of her life, something necessary to keep from going stir crazy in space, something necessary in preparing for the next inevitable monster invasion.

She hears the music from a ways off, frowning at the curious disruption to a, so far, quiet morning. It grows louder as she comes up behind him, and she slows out of curiosity.]

...Sephiroth?

[nohometown]

Yes. Good morning, Delacroix.

[Sephiroth does his best to maintain his dignity as his music plays and his juvenile chocobo runs playful circles around him.]

A pleasure to see you.

[prosopopoeia]

[The chocobo draws her interest, and Marie crouches down, hands spread to corral it in. She turns the creature's head back and forth curiously.]

I see you 'ave been cursed zhis morning.

[nohometown]

[The chocobo makes a faint Kweh! as she handles it, and Sephiroth looks on.]

Yes, one of the more inane curses, but there are far worse possible alternatives, so I won't complain.

[prosopopoeia]

Yes, zhere appear to be no deaths from zhis.

[Marie carries on investigating the little chocobo. A curious little alien creature to accompany a terrible alien monster curious gentleman.]

[nohometown]

For which I'm grateful. We could use some calm following the desert.

[Faremis keeps kweh-ing, and Sephiroth explains.]

The chocobo is native to my home world. They were once the primary mode of transport, but technology has since progressed beyond that, for the most part. They're still ridden regularly in the country and commonly found on farms, and chocobo racing is quite a popular sport.

[prosopopoeia]

Zhe slugs were most untoward. [Her frown suggests something much more severe of an opinion than 'untoward.'] Eet was my pleasure to set zhem alight.

[She lifts one of the bird's feet to look over its claws.]

A fascinating creature. [She would love to dissect it...] It's development must be interesting...

[nohometown]

They were. [He nods.] And mine as well. [It was easy for him to burn them, and in great numbers, with his Fire Materia.]

[Faremis puts up with this manhandling, but glances toward his mother Sephiroth for reassurance. Sephiroth stands close by but doesn't intervene.

Don't dissect his bird; it's the only thing left alive that loves him. ;_;] They're quite common where I'm from. They take up to two years to fully mature, but they can be ridden after one year.

As a black chocobo, he'll be able to fly when he's older.

[prosopopoeia]

Quite an investment then... 'ave you been training him?

[nohometown]

Yes, I suppose so. I find it preferable to have an amimal companion here.

He is quite well trained. [Sephiroth makes a small noise with his tongue, at which the bird breaks free of Delacroix and makes its way to Sephiroth's side, standing there still and obedient. Sephiroth glances down at him.] Good.

[He looks up at her again.] They're very intelligent animals.

[prosopopoeia]

[She sighs. She has no roommate and no pet, so it is not particularly surprising that she is wound a bit tight.]

Zhat ees impressive for one so small.

[nohometown]

[Sephiroth was already wound rather tight when he arrived; he is taking no chances--the ticking had unsettled him a great deal from the first.]

Some can even understand human speech, to an extent, if they're raised around them.

[He scratches the back of Faremis' head.]

He is small now, but he'll grow large enough to bear me quite easily, or draw a carriage.

I. PARK.

[godofabs]

[it's a pity that Sephiroth's own very elegant music might get drowned out by the very loud AC/DC song that's following him around. Thor looks tired, he hasn't slept because of it and his puppy has to get carried around because he's so sleepy.]

My, what a magnificent bird.

[nohometown]

[He recognizes Thor from their earlier conversation and greets him with a nod.]

Thank you. It's native to my home world.

[Fortunately, Sephiroth doesn't need a great deal of sleep, because the music had begun after midnight and hasn't stopped since then. For once the music doesn't seem inclined to swell, although it doesn't lessen in response to the other, unfamiliar music, the Latin chanting incessant. He does his best to ignore it.

The chocobo approaches Thor curiously, peering at the puppy.]

[godofabs]

[He reaches to pet the bird, actually surprised that it was quite docile.]

Is it a chicken?

[The puppy, however, decides that it's fun to jump and yelp around, adding to the tests on Thor's patience, even if it has grown in the past few months.]

[nohometown]

[The bird is very tame and well trained, and quite calm in Sephiroth's company.]

Ah, no. It's called a chocobo. This one is a juvenile.

[The chocobo doesn't look too sure about Thor's puppy.]

I assume this is your companion animal.

[godofabs]

[For a guy as big as Thor, the tiny puppy jumping around yipping is a stark contrast. Unlike Sephiroth's chocobo, there's a reason why Thor has him on a leash.]

Aye, he is. Wolf's Heart, is his name. Does yours have one?

[nohometown]

A fine name.

[It's true that the man and the puppy seem to have little in common. The chocobo comes to heel as Sephiroth signals with the appropriate noise.]

His name is Faremis.

[godofabs]

A mighty name for a mighty bird.

[He just wants to play with it as much as he can.]

I take it that it he is to be like a horse.

[nohometown]

I thank you. I named him after someone I knew once, who I admired.

A horse? Yes--I've read about them since arriving here. [Comparing species of different worlds wasn't one of his primary interests here, but he had read a great deal since arriving.] We don't have horses in my world, actually, but yes, chocobos are ridden and raced, and they draw carriages.

[godofabs]

Then it makes the name worth more.

Allow me to be candid, for I fear that many from even Asgard, would want to roast your noble steed and eat it at feasts.

[nohometown]

I believe so as well.

[He nods, with a small smile.]

I understand. But they will find both he--and I--formidable opponents, so it is unlikely that they will succeed in capturing him. Chocobos are great fighters, and were used as war steeds in the past.

[godofabs]

Ah, I see. Well have excellent company. [the puppy might be yipping at the chocobo, trying to figure out whether or not he can eat it...]