[ open ]

[colorofthesky]

Who: Zack Fair and YOU!
Where: Several different places.
When: May 25th, all day.
Rating: Er...PG? (Maybe PG-13.)
Summary: A Day in the Life with Zack Fair. Squats, lying around, and exploring -- nothing too unusual!
The Story: In comments below --

Comments

[neverbeamemory]

I do remember you.

[He responds almost urgently. AS if he didn't need to think about it. For sure, he hadn't remembered Zack on sight when he had broadcast his video all over the network here by putting the name to the face had been all needed to pin down the last memory of Zack that Sephiroth has.

Nibelheim, Jenova. All those traitors. Zack might not be able to tell but Sephiroth's expression darkens just underneath it's neutral facade

After a pause, Sephiroth continues, allowing his gaze to wander from the black-haired SOLDIER out over the grounds again.]

I remember enough, to still call you traitor. Like the rest of your pathetic race.

[His tone was rather flat, matter-of-factly enough that should give some assurance that this exchange won't turn violent; but then this is Sephiroth and his moods may flip on a hair-twitch.]

[colorofthesky]

[ 'Traitor.'

He almost smiles (sad and introspective) at that -- the expected answer that both stung and didn't. Sephiroth said he remembers 'enough', but even that implies what he already suspected -- that the other doesn't remember everything and/or what he does remember has been twisted.

He doesn't say anything for a long moment -- there's little reason to argue the point about humanity so he won't. Instead, he lifts up his sword, the length of it gleaming faintly in the starlight. Contemplating it openly, as if there's something there to be seen, the answer he gives is quiet. ]

Genesis. Angeal. Hollander.

[ He looks at Sephiroth. ]

Those names don't mean anything to you, do they?

[neverbeamemory]

[Sephiroth stretches out his large black wing when Zack lifts his sword up. If this was going to escalate, Sephiroth was standing entirely too close and he'd be up off the rooftop to get the room needed to summon Masamune.

Though oddly, the atmosphere didn't feel hostile. Sephiroth tilts his head a little at Zack, trying to figure him out. Those three names do completely nothing to make this any easier either. Why would Zack try to bring up memories Sephiroth has lost? To try and instill some guilt where there wasn't any? Even if Sephiroth did remember them, it doesn't change the fact-]

It doesn't matter.

[colorofthesky]

[ Not to instill guilt, no. He's not optimistic enough to think Sephiroth has or ever will feel guilt for everything he's done. His reasons for asking are more personal in nature, and at the root of it is a very profound sense of loss.

The past is the past, but if there's even a shred of the man he used to know left in this incarnation of Sephiroth, he'd like to know.

He smiles faintly, sad and wistful. ]

I guess not.

[ A heavy sigh, and he rises, the Buster sword sliding smoothly into place at his back. ]

Sorry I bothered you.

[ And with that, he turns to go. ]

[neverbeamemory]

[Keep holding onto that belief, Zack and it's just going to make this easier. What little Sephiroth remembers of his life pre-crisis is deeply tainted by the utter betrayal he felt after uncovering the truth at Nibelheim. It had been a game changer, impossible to ever forgive.

He was completely his own now, destined to carry out the life intended for him. However he wanted to take it, this had been Mother's greatest gift to him.]

As I said, I suggest to let it go.

[Sephiroth returns to gazing out over the grounds as Zack makes his leave. Logically, he knows he will inevitably have to face that one; but Sephiroth isn't phased at all by that. The SOLDIER has too much holding him back.]

[colorofthesky]

[ He stops, just briefly at those words, flashing back to a moment etched into his memory.

Finish Sephiroth off.

He said it to Cloud, then, but if it becomes necessary, he'll take that burden upon himself.

The answer he gives (as much for himself as Sephiroth) is soft, yet not without a hint of steel. ]

I already have.

[ He starts walking again, and this time, he doesn't look back. ]