[Insert witty, fantastic setting details here. Seriously, all you really need to know is that it's a festival. A MONTH LONG festival with Fireworks happening every night once Darkness falls.]
[He had noticed the eyes and sensed something different about the man, but he'd been confused by Zack's behavior. He hadn't acted like a SOLDIER--or like Sephiroth thinks a SOLDIER should act--and the fact that he was working at a booth like this had confused the issue further. But if he's helping out... then that makes sense, he thinks. Maybe. He's not completely sure.
Also, that pose is a little silly.]
Yes, I will be.
[His estimation of the man rises, because, if he is a SOLDIER, he must be cool, because SOLDIERs are cool.] I'd like to test in now, but I have to wait. [His tone indicates that he thinks this is more of the professor being irrational, because after all, he is the strongest, and the professor's always irrational.] Until I'm fourteen.
...Okay, yeah, maybe. But there's nothing too silly for a SOLDIER. (And that's his real legacy.) ]
That long, huh? [ It occurs to him that he has no idea how old this kid really is (or how young, as it were), but he finds it easy to commiserate, either way. The wait's worse than the test, itself, and growing up always takes far too long. (Until you're already grown, anyway, and then it's like nothing, just the distant shadow of years all crammed into a few seconds' worth of crazy, jumbled memory
and when did he get so morbid?) Zack flaps a hand dismissively, still smiling. ]
Well, don't sweat it. You'll be in before you know it. And after that, it's all work! [ One very exaggeratedly serious face. He definitely still is may or may not be joking. ] So you'd better spend the next few years having all the fun you can, okay?
Sephiroth, however, doesn't have a great appreciation for it, since it mainly puzzles him. There isn't a lot of silly behavior on display in the lab or the other places where he's allowed to go. So this SOLDIER is slightly confusing.]
Training is fun at times, but it would be more fun to be in SOLDIER. I don't mind working. I'm already learning how to carry out all the duties I will have.
I like it here. I may go where I like. [But if he doesn't go home, then he can't join SOLDIER. That's not good.] But I'm not sure how I was brought here. [If he's a SOLDIER, then Sephiroth can be more forthcoming than he might be otherwise.] Protocol dictates that I should return to Science Research Department as soon as possible, by any means necessary. [He recites this dutifully, though he doesn't always agree with the professor's protocol.]
"Training is fun"? Yeesh. He probably likes homework, too. And filing reports. And paying attention during mission briefings. ...Actually, if he'd had a kid like that under his wing, back in the day, it probably would've made his job a whole lot easier.
Fortunately, the miniature Sephiroth is saved a talking-to over his terribly poor tastes in entertainment by that last statement. Science Research Department is a happy little phrase that hits him full in the face, and, oh right, he was so busy reminiscing he'd almost forgotten that the Company still has interests other than his beloved SOLDIER.
Like, say, cloning a certain somebody.
That's not quite a frown crossing his face, but the smile's definitely dissipated. Carnival's over, everybody go home. ]
You mean Shinra's Science Department... Right? [ His tone is considerably sobered as he continues. ] Ahhh, far as I can tell, there are a few of us who just got dumped here. None of the locals seem to know anything, either.
[It's true that Sephiroth likes homework and studying (especially strategy and science) and paying attention, but even he thinks paperwork is boring. Why fill out papers when you can be fighting? That's the best part.]
Yes, I am in the care of Science Research Division, under Professor Hojo. [If anyone knew how to return, it would be a SOLDIER, right? But he doesn't know. So does that mean he can't return? Sephiroth's training and desire to join SOLDIER war with his curiosity and desire for independence, and he's not sure how to feel about this. He isn't too worried about not carrying out his protocol if there's no known means of doing so, as he's getting to do whatever he wants, and there's no professor around.]
There is no known means of returning? I will stay here for now, then. [There seem to be a variety of activities and new things to see. He doesn't need adult supervision! He's self-sufficient. Or so he thinks. He only wishes he had a weapon...] I wonder how they were able to bypass security.
[ Well. That settles any further internal debate over this poor kid's origins. At least his obvious confusion clears up Zack's next question -- whether or not the esteemed professor might be anywhere conveniently within their general vicinity.
He's got quite a backlog of I.O.U.s for the head of that particular Science Research Division, and most of them end with the blunt side of his fist.
No reason to freak the kid out, though, if he's all by himself. Zack drags a hand through his hair, sighing as he shakes his head. ]
Not such a bad place, though, right? Kinda hard to worry about stuff like that, while everybody else's celebrating.
No, it's not bad. I've never been to a festival before. I'm enjoying myself. I am capable of operating independently.
[He's not pleased with the professor himself, especially as he has Professor Gast to compare him to.
He's never been to a celebration of this kind, and there are many things to see, although it's the games (and not the prizes) that interest him the most. If only they were more challenging. Yet he hasn't searched through the whole town yet. Perhaps there are greater challenges elsewhere.
Sephiroth is not a very expressive child, so he remains outwardly calm and composed, but he is inwardly excited to be at a strange festival with an actual SOLDIER. He's usually not allowed to do anything nearly this fun. Maybe the SOLDIER will spar with him; that would be exciting. He decides he should introduce himself. Then maybe he can ask about sparring.]
Of course it is. That's just weird enough for today to keep up the status quo. But not enough so to merit totally ignoring the introduction, altogether.
Taking a step forward, Zack offers him a hand, the other on his hip as he bends forward at the waist to reach. Short. A short Sephiroth. Now that's weirdness incarnate. ]
[Standing as tall as he can at his current height, he takes the offered hand, his grip firm, his tone solemn. He's going to be serious and adult so he can impress this SOLDIER. He can already do anything an adult can, anyway, right?]
Do you know if there's anywhere to obtain weapons here? Perhaps we could spar.
[It's too bad he doesn't have his practice sword with him. Sometimes he plays SOLDIER by himself, but it would be a much better game with someone else involved, especially an actual SOLDIER. He does interact with other children sometimes, to ensure he has been properly socialized, but they are not exactly "playmates", and they can't fight very well, so he does not fight with them. That would not only be unfair, it would also be no challenge.]
[ He says the word like he's never hear it, before, a look of comically obvious confusion on his face as he detaches from that surprisingly serious handshake. ]
You wanna...
[ Oh, man, that's just too much. How can he not laugh? Incredulously, of course -- and he doesn't mean anything by it, but. ]
Sure, okay. Maybe we can find some practice swords.
[ Running through a few forms sounds like pretty good exercise, at least. Besides, right about now, he's really itching to get a good look around this packed fairway, anyhow. He may not know how whatever rip in time and space brought them here works, exactly, but he's pretty sure that kind of thing isn't apt to discriminate based on the moral fiber of the people it's dragging through. And if there's more Shinra around, he'd like to know it first.
If Sephiroth's luck is in and his is out, maybe he'll even get to see an actual SOLDIER doing actual SOLDIER stuff. ]
[Sephiroth isn't very good at picking up on others' emotions or on social cues, but he's more used to laughter with no apparent reason behind it than most people, so he continues to watch Zack gravely, eyes wide. He isn't sure if he said something funny, or if Zack is laughing for some other reason. He nods again.]
Thank you. I've never sparred with a SOLDIER before.
[He said yes! Sephiroth has fought against adults and monsters and holographic opponents before, but not a real SOLDIER. This is going to be the best. He can prove he's already good enough to be in SOLDIER himself.]
I was looking for weapons, but I haven't found any yet. [He can defend himself without a weapon, but he'd prefer to have one if he's on his own. He's used to fighting with a sword.] There must be some. It's a large town. [Nothing like Midgar, but large enough.]
[ He's probably a little rusty, anyway (although he'll never admit it). With a quick parting word for his gracious hosts, he's ready to set out for adventure. Confusing, confusing adventure.
There's no need to wonder why "looking for weapons" is the kid's first priority, at least. In the loving care of Shinra Inc, there might not be much else he knows, and Zack's sympathy is immediate, no questioning it. ]
Pretty busy, too. It could be easy to get lost in the crowd, so we'd better stick together!
[ And if they accidentally have some normal fun, along the way, it'll be purely by accident. ]
[He smiles a little. Even though this is his first time facing a SOLDIER, and he's much smaller, he doesn't feel intimidated. He's never lost a fight.]
Yes, I'll stay with you, Zack.
[It would be hard to separate him from one of the people he looks up to most; SOLDIERs so are much better than researchers. He sticks to the man's side. Sephiroth's legs are rather short compared to Zack's, but he keeps up easily, adopting a hopping gait instead of a more ordinary one. He isn't technically supposed to do that, as he's been trained to walk normally, but when he can leap and teleport, it's so much faster to move that way, not to mention easier to move through the crowd. He's still carefully holding his tonberry.]
Are there any other SOLDIERs here? I wonder why we appeared so suddenly. We should investigate. [Sephiroth wants to know all the things.]
[ On both counts, though he can't really say how intimidated he's apt to be by the little portable general (as opposed to his past counterpart). Especially with him practically skipping along at his side, plush toy in hand. Now there's something you'd never see a fully grown Sephiroth doing, and the less he's like Zack's last memories of that guy, the better, really.
Investigate? Sounds like a plan (one he'd already been forming, even). It's a little off-putting to be so on the same page, but Zack nods easily, anyway. ]
I haven't seen any others, but if we're here, chances are it's not alone. We'll just have to look around while we're looking around.
Say, in the meantime, though... Is there anything else you wanna try?
[He actually beams at the praise--his own subdued version of beaming, that is. But he sobers again at the mention of others from their world likely to be present.]
You may be right. We should look. [But if someone from Science Research Division is here, he'll have to go with them.] If the scientists are here, I may not be able to remain with you. [It's not because he wouldn't rather follow Zack's cool SOLDIER orders, but he can't say that in front of a scientist. Well, he will just enjoy this while it lasts.]
What else is there to do here? I'd like to play more games.
Well, we'll see. [ Just playing it cool, keeping it light. He'll let the Shinra be the ones to ruin their day, if it comes down to that.
And in the interim, hey, that's just what he likes to hear! ] Oh yeah? Then, take your pick! Looks like there's just about anything you can think of, here.
[He nods. There's no sense worrying if it hasn't happened yet. That isn't sensible and won't help. If he does see the professor, maybe he'll pretend he didn't and go in the opposite direction.]
What's the most difficult one? [Of course, he'd rather have a challenge.] I want to try that one.
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Also, that pose is a little silly.]
Yes, I will be.
[His estimation of the man rises, because, if he is a SOLDIER, he must be cool, because SOLDIERs are cool.] I'd like to test in now, but I have to wait. [His tone indicates that he thinks this is more of the professor being irrational, because after all, he is the strongest, and the professor's always irrational.] Until I'm fourteen.
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...Okay, yeah, maybe. But there's nothing too silly for a SOLDIER. (And that's his real legacy.) ]
That long, huh? [ It occurs to him that he has no idea how old this kid really is (or how young, as it were), but he finds it easy to commiserate, either way. The wait's worse than the test, itself, and growing up always takes far too long. (Until you're already grown, anyway, and then it's like nothing, just the distant shadow of years all crammed into a few seconds' worth of crazy, jumbled memory
and when did he get so morbid?) Zack flaps a hand dismissively, still smiling. ]
Well, don't sweat it. You'll be in before you know it. And after that, it's all work! [ One very exaggeratedly serious face. He
definitely still ismay or may not be joking. ] So you'd better spend the next few years having all the fun you can, okay?no subject
Sephiroth, however, doesn't have a great appreciation for it, since it mainly puzzles him. There isn't a lot of silly behavior on display in the lab or the other places where he's allowed to go. So this SOLDIER is slightly confusing.]
Training is fun at times, but it would be more fun to be in SOLDIER. I don't mind working. I'm already learning how to carry out all the duties I will have.
I like it here. I may go where I like. [But if he doesn't go home, then he can't join SOLDIER. That's not good.] But I'm not sure how I was brought here. [If he's a SOLDIER, then Sephiroth can be more forthcoming than he might be otherwise.] Protocol dictates that I should return to Science Research Department as soon as possible, by any means necessary. [He recites this dutifully, though he doesn't always agree with the professor's protocol.]
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"Training is fun"? Yeesh. He probably likes homework, too. And filing reports. And paying attention during mission briefings. ...Actually, if he'd had a kid like that under his wing, back in the day, it probably would've made his job a whole lot easier.
Fortunately, the miniature Sephiroth is saved a talking-to over his terribly poor tastes in entertainment by that last statement. Science Research Department is a happy little phrase that hits him full in the face, and, oh right, he was so busy reminiscing he'd almost forgotten that the Company still has interests other than his beloved SOLDIER.
Like, say, cloning a certain somebody.
That's not quite a frown crossing his face, but the smile's definitely dissipated. Carnival's over, everybody go home. ]
You mean Shinra's Science Department... Right? [ His tone is considerably sobered as he continues. ] Ahhh, far as I can tell, there are a few of us who just got dumped here. None of the locals seem to know anything, either.
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Yes, I am in the care of Science Research Division, under Professor Hojo. [If anyone knew how to return, it would be a SOLDIER, right? But he doesn't know. So does that mean he can't return? Sephiroth's training and desire to join SOLDIER war with his curiosity and desire for independence, and he's not sure how to feel about this. He isn't too worried about not carrying out his protocol if there's no known means of doing so, as he's getting to do whatever he wants, and there's no professor around.]
There is no known means of returning? I will stay here for now, then. [There seem to be a variety of activities and new things to see. He doesn't need adult supervision! He's self-sufficient. Or so he thinks. He only wishes he had a weapon...] I wonder how they were able to bypass security.
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He's got quite a backlog of I.O.U.s for the head of that particular Science Research Division, and most of them end with the blunt side of his fist.
No reason to freak the kid out, though, if he's all by himself. Zack drags a hand through his hair, sighing as he shakes his head. ]
Not such a bad place, though, right? Kinda hard to worry about stuff like that, while everybody else's celebrating.
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[He's not pleased with the professor himself, especially as he has Professor Gast to compare him to.
He's never been to a celebration of this kind, and there are many things to see, although it's the games (and not the prizes) that interest him the most. If only they were more challenging. Yet he hasn't searched through the whole town yet. Perhaps there are greater challenges elsewhere.
Sephiroth is not a very expressive child, so he remains outwardly calm and composed, but he is inwardly excited to be at a strange festival with an actual SOLDIER. He's usually not allowed to do anything nearly this fun. Maybe the SOLDIER will spar with him; that would be exciting. He decides he should introduce himself. Then maybe he can ask about sparring.]
My name is Sephiroth.
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Of course it is. That's just weird enough for today to keep up the status quo. But not enough so to merit totally ignoring the introduction, altogether.
Taking a step forward, Zack offers him a hand, the other on his hip as he bends forward at the waist to reach. Short. A short Sephiroth. Now that's weirdness incarnate. ]
I'm Zack. Nice to meet you.
[ ...Sort of, anyway. ]
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[Standing as tall as he can at his current height, he takes the offered hand, his grip firm, his tone solemn. He's going to be serious and adult so he can impress this SOLDIER. He can already do anything an adult can, anyway, right?]
Do you know if there's anywhere to obtain weapons here? Perhaps we could spar.
[It's too bad he doesn't have his practice sword with him. Sometimes he plays SOLDIER by himself, but it would be a much better game with someone else involved, especially an actual SOLDIER. He does interact with other children sometimes, to ensure he has been properly socialized, but they are not exactly "playmates", and they can't fight very well, so he does not fight with them. That would not only be unfair, it would also be no challenge.]
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[ He says the word like he's never hear it, before, a look of comically obvious confusion on his face as he detaches from that surprisingly serious handshake. ]
You wanna...
[ Oh, man, that's just too much. How can he not laugh? Incredulously, of course -- and he doesn't mean anything by it, but. ]
Sure, okay. Maybe we can find some practice swords.
[ Running through a few forms sounds like pretty good exercise, at least. Besides, right about now, he's really itching to get a good look around this packed fairway, anyhow. He may not know how whatever rip in time and space brought them here works, exactly, but he's pretty sure that kind of thing isn't apt to discriminate based on the moral fiber of the people it's dragging through. And if there's more Shinra around, he'd like to know it first.
If Sephiroth's luck is in and his is out, maybe he'll even get to see an actual SOLDIER doing actual SOLDIER stuff. ]
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Thank you. I've never sparred with a SOLDIER before.
[He said yes! Sephiroth has fought against adults and monsters and holographic opponents before, but not a real SOLDIER. This is going to be the best. He can prove he's already good enough to be in SOLDIER himself.]
I was looking for weapons, but I haven't found any yet. [He can defend himself without a weapon, but he'd prefer to have one if he's on his own. He's used to fighting with a sword.] There must be some. It's a large town. [Nothing like Midgar, but large enough.]
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[ He's probably a little rusty, anyway (although he'll never admit it). With a quick parting word for his gracious hosts, he's ready to set out for adventure. Confusing, confusing adventure.
There's no need to wonder why "looking for weapons" is the kid's first priority, at least. In the loving care of Shinra Inc, there might not be much else he knows, and Zack's sympathy is immediate, no questioning it. ]
Pretty busy, too. It could be easy to get lost in the crowd, so we'd better stick together!
[ And if they accidentally have some normal fun, along the way, it'll be purely by accident. ]
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[He smiles a little. Even though this is his first time facing a SOLDIER, and he's much smaller, he doesn't feel intimidated. He's never lost a fight.]
Yes, I'll stay with you, Zack.
[It would be hard to separate him from one of the people he looks up to most; SOLDIERs so are much better than researchers. He sticks to the man's side. Sephiroth's legs are rather short compared to Zack's, but he keeps up easily, adopting a hopping gait instead of a more ordinary one. He isn't technically supposed to do that, as he's been trained to walk normally, but when he can leap and teleport, it's so much faster to move that way, not to mention easier to move through the crowd. He's still carefully holding his tonberry.]
Are there any other SOLDIERs here? I wonder why we appeared so suddenly. We should investigate. [Sephiroth wants to know all the things.]
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[ On both counts, though he can't really say how intimidated he's apt to be by the little portable general (as opposed to his past counterpart). Especially with him practically skipping along at his side, plush toy in hand. Now there's something you'd never see a fully grown Sephiroth doing, and the less he's like Zack's last memories of that guy, the better, really.
Investigate? Sounds like a plan (one he'd already been forming, even). It's a little off-putting to be so on the same page, but Zack nods easily, anyway. ]
I haven't seen any others, but if we're here, chances are it's not alone. We'll just have to look around while we're looking around.
Say, in the meantime, though... Is there anything else you wanna try?
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You may be right. We should look. [But if someone from Science Research Division is here, he'll have to go with them.] If the scientists are here, I may not be able to remain with you. [It's not because he wouldn't rather follow Zack's cool SOLDIER orders, but he can't say that in front of a scientist. Well, he will just enjoy this while it lasts.]
What else is there to do here? I'd like to play more games.
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And in the interim, hey, that's just what he likes to hear! ] Oh yeah? Then, take your pick! Looks like there's just about anything you can think of, here.
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What's the most difficult one? [Of course, he'd rather have a challenge.] I want to try that one.