outer_divide | Act I ~ [Video]

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Act I ~ [Video]

[The phone turns on and while the video is shaky, it's still clear. A woman as pale as a ghost, white hair, and dulled gray eyes comes into view. She's visibly exhausted and while the camera doesn't show much, it's clear she's not dressed yet, though she does have her coat laying on her. As there is a public function on the phone, it wasn't hard for Genesis to figure out some sort of network is on here, despite the lack of ShinRa logo]

I've been around Gaia all my life and never has this sort of thing appeared on the Planet. [Her voice is soft, tired, and lightly accented, similar to a trans-Atlantic dialect but it isn't heavy.] If... anyone is out there. Please respond.

My name is Genesis Rhapsodos, former SOLDIER, First Class. I can assure you that my.. condition that you see is not contagious. I need medical attention, however. My... my only hope was on Gaia and as I don't sense the Lifestream... I fear I won't be able to get it in the way I had planned.

[She pauses, hands lowering to her lap as she looks around. She adjusts her coat around her chest, her voice lowers but is visibly distressed.]

Angeal? Lazard? Are you there? [She closes her eyes.] Sephiroth? Zack?

Please. Respond.

[OOC: If anyone decides to use Action, it must take place after Sephiroth heals her otherwise things would just get confusing, haha c: Also, she looks like this at the moment.]

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[A somewhat concerned face topped by sandy hair and a pair of spectacles pops up on the video screen.]

Are you all right? Ma'am, are you on the ship?

[Strange, usually the pods heal people. If she's ill... some kind of airborn sickness? Or a creature loose inside?]

[She didn't expect a response so soon and looks back at the PHS.]

Yes, I am still on the ship. I'm not all right, do I look all right to you? [She's visibly dying and she's close to breaking down.]

[Well, that isn't very polite. Though Lyall is unsure just what about her appearance, besides being very pale and apparently unhappy, suggests eminent death. Still, he rolls with it. Perhaps fear from the pods is making things worse for her, as well.]

I can bring a doctor to come tend to you. I am currently in the local hospital, so it should not take very long.

A doctor won't help.

[She shakes her head. A hospital would only give her possible comfort until she dies and that's not what she wants.]

I've had enough of doctors and scientists acting like they can find a way when they don't know what to do.

[Giving her-- or the camera, technically, but it's aimed at her-- a sympathetic look, Lyall says,]

Wherever you are from, ma'am, I assure you that the doctors here are not the same as the doctors where you are from, and they are possibly more advanced. You are a very long way from home, I'm afraid.

As long as they don't double as scientists then perhaps I'll allow it.

[She technically can't be choosy but given what she experienced before. She doesn't know if allowing even this bit will end her life or save it.]

I don't care how far away from home I am, doctors are doctors.

You might be surprised. Let me track down Doctor McCoy or Doctor Mordin. Stay where you are, and I'll see how quickly we can get to you.

[And, though he takes his miniature aethographer with him in case she has more to say, he closes down the connection for now, heading out of his office to track down one of those worthies.]

[Here's a familiar face for you, Genesis, one which is actually rather concerned, though it would take someone familiar with it to note the emotion.]

Genesis. How... where are you? Are there pods around you?

[She's going to assume the answer to that is yes, hoping that she's correct as she makes her way to them once again.]

[Wh-What? She didn't actually expect an answer from Sephiroth! Except... this Sephiroth looked different, the features much more feminine.]

Seph...? But you're-! How are you... how are you here?

[She starts shaking, unsure of what to do. She saw the concern but it confused her. Was Sephiroth not mad at her? Why was he trying to help her now?]

Yes, the pods are around me...

I'll be there shortly then.

[She wasn't entirely certain just why Genesis was in her current condition. The redhead had never gotten that bad back home, they'd managed to cure it before that had happened...so why was it back? And in such an advanced state?

She shoved the questions to the back burner for now, focusing on making her way back to the pods. The moment she'd entered the room, her eyes immediately searched for her friend, upon locating Genesis, she hurried toward the other ex-SOLDIER and knelt beside him.]

How long have you been like this?

Edited 2013-04-04 02:45 (UTC)

[Well. Now she knew why Sephiroth sounded so feminine. She was female! This wasn't her Sephiroth, apparently and yet the woman was still eager to help her.

Genesis clutched her coat tighter, unable to keep herself from leaning away from Sephiroth.]

...four years. [She scoffed.] No thanks to you.

[The reaction wasn't expected, nor was the response she got. There was honest confusion lurking within her eyes as she quietly studied Genesis.]

What do you mean? Never mind. What matters is that we deal with this again now. [She moved to shed her armor and coat, the leather glove on her right hand following shortly afterward to join the pile of leather on the floor. Pulling the Masamune from its sheath hidden within her coat with the remaining gloved hand, Sephiroth held her bare hand out toward Genesis.]

Let me have one of your arms.

Edited 2013-04-04 03:34 (UTC)

[She recoiled from his hand, shaking her head.]

Why? And what do you mean again? Last time I asked for your help you turned me down. Even told me to rot.

[She gestured to her face.]

And now you have your wish.

[The feline-like eyes narrowed abruptly at the accusation.]

I have never told you to rot and I have never denied you my aid.

[Her voice lowered and hardened as she continued.]

I left the company just to follow you and Angeal after they requested that I aid them in taking your lives. I helped to save your lives instead, because you are my friends. I would never want to see you in this condition. Now give me your arm so that I might help you as I did back on Gaia.

Don't lie to me!

[Her voice was loud and tears came unbidden to her eyes. But she managed to keep glaring.]

I found you in Nibelheim and I asked for your aid but you were too damn selfish and whining about how Angeal and I left you. I got it. We hurt you! But instead of aiding me in the end you told me to rot! I had to run away just to make sure you weren't going to actually follow those orders!

Don't act like you're suddenly sorry and trying to justify your actions! They cost me four extra years of advanced degradation! I'm lucky to have lasted this long!

[She laid eyes on Masamune and then back at Sephiroth. Was Sephiroth going to cut off her arm?]

Get away from me!

I'm not lying to you.

[The words were near hissed out, holding an edge to them nearly as sharp as the edge of her sword.]

I have never set foot in Nibelheim. Do not accuse me of something I have not and would never do. [She set the Masamune down on top of her coat and reached out to grasp hold of the coat Genesis was holding.]

Do not push me away when I am trying to help you, Genesis. I am not leaving you in this state when I know I can cure you of it.

[Genesis eyes widened, almost terrified when Sephiroth grabbed her coat. She tugged it, trying to get it from Sephiroth's hands.]

Let go!

[She ignored the demand and sought to pull the coat toward her, then paused as the coat fell away from her friend's body. Letting go of it, she pulled her hand back toward her.]

....you're... not my Genesis. [The suspicion had been there that something was wrong with the redhead beyond the obvious, but seeing her friend as a woman pretty much confirmed any and all doubts that this wasn't the Genesis she had known. The cure should still by rights work though... so regardless if the woman was her friend or not, she should still by rights offer it and give it.]

Edited 2013-04-04 05:04 (UTC)

[She was quick to cover her breasts but at the sound of Sephiroth's shock, she turned her head toward the other woman. And suddenly remembered that, indeed, this was a different Sephiroth. She tugged the coat back to cover herself up.]

...and you're not my Sephiroth.

[The one who had told her to rot. Her senses her returning and her eyes welled up.]

...please, just go away.

I told you before I don't like seeing you like this. Even if you're not the man I knew... I should still be capable of curing you.

[She looked down at her bared hand resting against one of her legs, voice still quiet, but now lacking any evidence of its previous edge of anger.]

.....if you would, let me help you. I'll leave you alone afterward if that is what you want, but allow me to give you the cure for your condition before I go.

With... with the S-Cells, correct?

[She never was sure if it would work, it had just been another attempt. Angeal's is what made her worse, could Sephiroth really make her better?

Finally, she held her arm out. It shook, but she decided it was better than trying nothing. Her voice was small.]

Please, don't leave me.

[She didn't care if this wasn't the Sephiroth she knew. This woman was still Sephiroth and seemed to be just like the one she knew, only as a woman. She could still be friends with this one, right?]

I'll stay as long as you'll let me. [She picked her sword back up off the floor beside them and taking Genesis' hand in her own bare hand. Lining their wrists up she carefully slid the tip of her sword between their wrists and then cut them both at the same moment, allowing their blood to mingle together.]

This worked for my Genesis. It should do the same for you.

[She whimpered a little when the sword sliced her flesh, flinching. But after, it was over and their blood was mingling.]

How does it work?

[She set the sword down, watching as the blood drip off the bottom of Genesis' arm.]

My blood seems to set right whatever is wrong within yours. I'm not certain why, but it cured both your condition and Angeal's back home.

[Guess who still doesn't really know much about her own origins? Of course, she's also neglecting to mention what also occurred after the previous mingling of blood. Her wing has no bearing in this situation and thus there's no real need to mention it currently.]

Edited 2013-04-06 00:44 (UTC)

[She tilted her head at that.]

You don't know why? Then how did you even know to do this?

[She begins to feel a bit sore, but nothing major. Almost like a symptom of the flu, really. She groans and slouches.]

I'm tired.

I don't doubt it.

[The blood flow has slowed considerably by now, and she shifts her hand to hold Genesis' injury closed in order to help stop the blood flow. She doesn't answer the question if only because she doesn't think now is the proper time to go into it with Genesis in such an exhausted condition.]

You can sleep now if you want. I won't let anything happen to you.

Hm. I suppose the S-Cells really were the cure after all...

[She snorted tiredly.]

I think I'd prefer to sleep somewhere else than a cold pod room.

[She's not entirely certain what Genesis means by S-cells, unless it was just a short-hand way of referencing her own blood cells. The question can wait for now however. Genesis is correct that this isn't really the best place to go to sleep.]

Let's go find some place warmer then. Do you want help getting dressed?

[Genesis considered the question before reluctantly nodding. She wasn't sure how well she was going to stand and she would need someone to hold onto while she got into her pants.

But first, she started with her undergarments, getting her bra and panties on first without much trouble. Finally, she shifted to stand, beckoning Sephiroth closer.]

I need your arm.

Medical facilities available. Qualified as a physician.

Could you really help me at the genetic level?

Quite adeptly. Am originally a geneticist.

[The offer is tempting, but she also doesn't know this creature.]

I suffer from degradation. I was created with alien DNA cells fused with a human's and then it was injected into me while in the womb. It was... it wasn't a success and now my body degrades, the cells unable to keep hold.

Would that be something that could be cured?

[He looks rather excited at the prospect. A smiling salarian is not the most reassuring sight to most humans.]

Fascinating. Likely capable. One of the best. Need a project.

[Surprisingly, it's not the smile that makes Genesis uneasy and immediately frown.]

Project? I am no one's project! And I refuse to be that again.

[She had a bad time with scientists previously, please forgive her. She shakes her head.]

I'll find help elsewhere.

Unlikely to find better qualifications.

[There's little emotion to it. A simple statement of fact.]

I don't care. I'm not going to be a project!

Project would be cellular. Never experiment directly on species with members capable of calculus.

[...well, that sort of left her confused, but she was still incredibly uneasy and ended up shaking her head still.]

I would rather not. Thank you.

Can hardly force matter. Will be at hospital if you change your mind.

[It's clear she's not from the same world he knows but she talks of Gaia and though he's never heard it called the "Lifestream" he can't help thinking it's a very appropriate term for the power that flows through him from the Earth.]

This is not Gaia, if by Gaia you mean Earth. This planet is called Verdana and the force of her power flows far differently than Gaia's. I don't know what your plans were or what you need but I have very limited access to Verdana's power if that could help you in some way.

[He doesn't think it will but if she has the power to manipulate the energy of Gaia maybe she can work with Verdana as well. He can see no tattoos to indicate she is a Druid though. Regardless he can't sit back and watch her suffer when he might be able to help.]

I- no, I don't mean Earth. Gaia has no other name but that.

[This man sounded quite odd, really. But he's right about Verdana having a different power flow, that much Genesis could tell. But she was born from the Lifestream, as were all things from Gaia, so she knew this Planet's was wrong for her.]

I don't believe Verdana would like another to taint Her flow. Much like the Lifestream doesn't like when foreigners attempt to taint Her. What I need is Mako, liquidized Lifestream. I'm Gaian, I was born from the Lifestream, just like all things on the Planet are. To have something else inside of me... well, I'm not sure what would happen.

[Probably nothing serious, but she was already tainted with Jenova cells and that alone was enough for her to never be able to actually return fully to the Lifestream once she passed away.]

Besides, I would rather not taint Verdana.

I'm sure Verdana would very much like it if you did not taint her either. She's... well let's just say she's had it really rough the last few centuries.

[But it is really interesting to hear his girl talk about the life of the planet as though it were a conscious being, as he knows it to be. And more than that to talk about this "Lifestream" in a tangible physical sense.]

On Earth, those of us that can speak to her call her Gaia. Usually anyway, it varies a little by culture, of course. But you say you're from a planet called Gaia? And this Lifestream of yours is a physical substance?

[He makes a small sound, clearing his throat a little, embarrassed.]

I'm sorry you are ill and here I am asking questions... [But if she's going to die anyway then they're questions he'd like answered. Cold, maybe... but practical.]

So has Gaia.

[She was able to talk about her Planet being a living being because that's what it simply was. Most people on Gaia understood that the Lifestream is what created all life on the Planet, even if the Goddess within was only known by her and perhaps a select few others like the Cetra.]

While I'm not an Ancient, there is a race called Cetra, also known as Ancients, who could commune with the Planet herself. I don't believe She has any other name. The Cetra died out years ago, but yes, the Planet is called Gaia. The Lifestream is... the essence of the Planet. All who have lived on the Planet will eventually return, adding to the memories and emotions of their lives. It's one big collective consciousness, basically.

[It's actually quite nice to be able to talk about this with someone who didn't think she was some weirdo believing in the Goddess.]

Yes, it's a physical substance. We call it Mako. A... company found a way to harness Mako into an energy source, as that is what it is. I have Mako within my body because I was a SOLDIER, First Class. Those who become SOLDIER are injected with Mako, to become... superhuman, I guess you could say. I was the prototype and thus, flawed. It's why I am degrading.

[She huffs a soft laugh]

It's fine. It isn't like you could do much with this information anyway.

[Even with all the differences, the strange words Mako, Cetra, this SOLDIER program... it sounds exactly like what he knew of how the earth worked. The essence of the Planet, communing with Gaia herself. She is by no means a Druid but she understands and that is a great comfort in this strange world that seems to make so little sense at times and be filled with so many people hung up on nothing but science.

And if she’s going to allow him to keep asking questions then he is happy to gather what information he can. The downfall of Druids everywhere, and insatiable thirst for knowledge and a potentially fatal curiosity.]

And the production of this Mako doesn’t harm Gaia at all? I should think there’d be a concern for draining the planet. [Just as magic could drain it, just as the Sahara Desert had come into existence.

It’s frustrating though because even with her explanation, even not knowing the science that went into what was done to her. Atticus is pretty sure a supped up batch of Immortali-Tea would be able to help her. She was degrading, she needed a boost from the planet’s energy, something that would keep her body young and fit and healthy. Which was exactly what Immortali-Tea was. It had allowed him to survive for over two thousand years.

But he hadn’t been able to find all of the herbs here yet to even make it for himself and Oberon so what good would mentioning it do? He couldn’t, couldn’t give her false hope, couldn’t return the openness of this conversation and he felt a twinge of guilt and sorrow at that, just as he had when the widow was hurting and he’d been unable to offer her relief. Sometimes living for so long was more of a burden than a blessing.]

Oh, no, it does. [She sighed softly.] I would be a fool to not believe so. And to be honest, there are those out there who want the company to stop what it's doing, but... it's practically the government. Not totally, but ShinRa controls almost everything. It will use all that it wants, regardless of what its doing to the Planet.

[What she needed was mako. Well, mako and Sephiroth's cells. She was degrading on a genetic level, the mako would certainly boost her energy but her cells needed to be fixed. Sephiroth's cells could do that.]

I can only hope that if I were able to return, I can help take down the company once and for all.

Mankind's greed knows no bounds.

[The trouble they had with things like coal mines and oil spills were bad enough. If these corporations could do something as dangerous as draining the planet of it's power and converting it to usable energy... he didn't even want to think about what that would mean for the planet. It was a truly terrifying prospect.]

It sounds like a noble cause but no one really knows how we're supposed to get out of here... Sorry.

An unfortunate trait of us, I'm afraid. But I can guarantee there are good people still out there.

[She would know. But still, it always seemed to be few and far between of them.]

...I was afraid of that. Thank you.

[She supposed this would be her fate, after all.]

[He was quiet for a long moment, wracking his brain for anything else he might be able to do to help her but he didn't know the rules here. Verdana might consider them all as something separate from her and as such might allow him to try to correct her imbalance magically.

But he couldn't guarantee that and he couldn't guarantee that he would even be able to correct it. If he messed anything in her failing systems up any more than it already was then... his life would be forfeit.

Sometimes he hated the restrictions on his magic but he'd been around long enough to know and understand that these were things he could not change, still it stung to be so close, to know the theory behind what was happening to her and not be able to do anything about it. It hit a little too close, made him think of Frank and here was another person he could learn from, another person he might be able to help... and he had to sit back and do nothing.]

I'm sorry. [It's not enough but it's all he can offer her before he cuts the feed, unable to sit back and wait for the inevitable even if it might have been kinder to stay and give her someone to talk to until then.

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Act I ~ [Video]

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