[He doesn’t know how to start this. He isn’t very good with broaching a subject that doesn’t revolve around a simple exchange of information, easy and concise.]
[ It's an ominous message to get out of the blue like this, and Zack can't begin to guess at what it could be about. There are so many options, everything from a development in Sephiroth's Harpy transformation to all of the fraught stuff back home that they haven't touched on yet.
No matter what it is, he knows this isn't something he can just ignore. His feelings toward Sephiroth are complicated, to say the least, but he doesn't think avoiding him will do much good. Better to face your problems head-on, right? ]
[The message's inherent lack of detail is likely ominous, yes, given the range of subjects he could pull into the spotlight. Strange how none of them seem flattering or easy to talk about, and most should probably not be delegated to text alone.
But it's easier for Sephiroth to approach it this way. To test the waters of just how much Zack might be willing to converse, how strained the correspondence may be between them. With all that's happened, so close together, he cannot ignore all of it -- as tempting as it is.
And so-]
Aerith is gone, isn't she? Returned to our Planet, I assume.
[ Despite everything that might be churning between them, Zack knows that Sephiroth is the straightforward type, which makes the use of a text message sent over their watches feel a bit out of place. Zack suspects that Sephiroth is doing this for his benefit, trying to be respectful of his comfort given everything that's gone unsaid between them.
At least Sephiroth now knows why everyone from Gaia gives him such a wide berth, and he must have at least some understanding of why Zack's been distant. That kind of betrayal, wrapped up with the knowledge that Aerith dies by his hand, makes this a difficult hurdle to clear.
But Aerith's the reason why Sephiroth's reaching out at all. It feels wrong to talk to him about her, him of all people, but Zack pushes through. ]
[Space, ease, comfort. Pick one, and they would all apply to why he chooses to text rather than to find him, to have certain conversations face-to-face; not quite yet, anyhow.]
I had a question for her; something irrelevant, in the grand scheme of things. But she isn't available on the network any longer. I thought it was an error, but it's also the first telltale sign that someone has left this world.
Well, I guess it's good to know that's a way to check. When she didn't come home one night I thought something had to be wrong. But yeah, she's gone.
[ Zack doesn't particularly want to discuss his feelings about this with Sephiroth of all people, so maybe it's a good thing that it's a text conversation. He can control his reactions. ]
What was the question? I know you said it's irrelevant, but...
I had a question about a plant in one of the Coven’s greenhouses. When it’s expected to bloom.
It’s pointless, I know.
[Though maybe not the answer he might have expected.
Sephiroth struggles to find a proper transition to what he truly means to say, so he simply types—]
Are you doing all right? I know there’s almost too much to process in this place, and you didn’t need her departure to be one more event to add to the list.
[ It's a surprise to hear that Sephiroth had been intending to ask Aerith about something so... mundane. About a plant blooming. Why had he been curious about it? Zack wonders what exactly their interactions had been like, realizing that he never quite got that information out of Aerith. He'd assumed she'd wanted to avoid Sephiroth at all costs, but if there's anyone who could somehow feel compassion toward their murderer, it would be her. ]
There's a lot going on, yeah. I've been trying to make some money and also prepare for whatever the next full moon might bring.
... I mean, I'm not happy about it. I think she wanted the extra time, too. To make up for what we missed back home.
[ Does Sephiroth know about her ultimate fate? Probably not all the gory details, and Zack finds himself hesitant to share too much about her. ]
[Though he cannot relate, he knows. He had never even met Aerith until he arrived in this world, but he knew how much Zack had cared for her -- those secondhand stories and that immeasurably fond look in his eyes when he referenced her, off-handedly or otherwise.]
Though at least you can take comfort in knowing she's returned to Gaia for now. Away from the unpredictable nature of this place.
[And maybe that, too, reveals just how much he doesn't know about Aerith's fate, her "future" already come to pass.]
If you need anything, let me know. It's probably little consolation, but I'm here to help if you need it.
Well, that answers that question. Aerith must have deliberately decided not to say anything, and the same goes for Cloud. Given that they'd only recently dropped the bomb on Sephiroth about what he turns into, that makes sense. It would have been just one more piece of kindling to add to the fire.
Should he tell him? Not now, but eventually. Zack isn't sure if it's his place, and he definitely isn't in the mood to go through all of those mental gymnastics right now, when the wound of Aerith's disappearance is fresh.
This is yet another example of Sephiroth trying to be a friend. He's been reaching out to Zack ever since he got here, attempting to bridge the gap between them, and Zack's struggled to meet him in the middle. ]
I'll keep that in mind. But short of bringing her back, I'm not sure what would be much help right now.
[ Because there is no comfort in knowing she's gone home. Not really. ]
[The pause is significant. It's hard to know what to say; he hates that nothing comes to mind when it would be so much easier for others, as though the words have dried up, and all he can think to type is just a military affirmative, and leave it at that.
But he tries, perhaps clumsily, in the way that someone reaching for a sincere attempt might.]
You're not keeping alone, are you?
[Asks Sephiroth, the man who spends the majority of his time detached from social circles.]
[ There is something ironic in the question, isn't it? Zack can still remember the mounting concern that had eaten at him when Sephiroth had locked himself in that basement for days, not even sleeping in his single-minded desire to learn more about his origin. About Jenova.
What if he'd tried harder to snap him out of it? What if he'd been more of a friend? Would it have even made a difference? ]
No. I'm staying with Cloud and Nier.
If you know of some good places around here to go and brood, though, I'm all ears.
[With Cloud and his roommate. There is a small amount of reassurance in knowing that he will be around a familiar face, and one that will surely be as quietly diligent in making certain Zack is handling all these changes, all these revelations, with as much strength as one can expect.
Perhaps that's why he allows the joke to stick; Sephiroth knows one when he sees it.]
Are you saying that I'm "brooding" enough to know of all the best places to ruminate?
[ When it comes to interacting with Sephiroth here, it feels as if teasing has been the easiest thing to fall back on. Zack's still torn between wanting things between them to be like they were before everything went up in (literal) flames and the guilt of having that feeling in the first place.
It's not fair to her, is it? To be close to her murderer. Now that Aerith isn't even here to give her perspective on it, Zack's that much more mixed up about it. ]
Are you going to argue that point with me? Seriously?
[Yes, he will argue that point. Far be it from him to latch a descriptor such as "brooding" to himself, despite how valid it might sometimes be.]
Yes. There is a difference between brooding and simply knowing where all the quiet places in the city are located. Somewhere to think, away from all the noise.
[ Of course he's going to argue. Sephiroth isn't one to take much of anything lying down, though Zack hadn't expected him to die on the hill of whether or not he's broody.
In the interest of not introducing more unnecessary tension into their relationship, Zack lets it go. It isn't worth it. ]
Sure. Let's put a pin in it, but I'll take you up on that at some point.
[ Zack can't face him just yet, not when the wound's still so fresh. But he's making an effort. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Text; un: Sephiroth; end of month July NOW IN THE RIGHT PLACE
Zack. Do you have a moment?
[As good as anything.]
ty jen 💖
No matter what it is, he knows this isn't something he can just ignore. His feelings toward Sephiroth are complicated, to say the least, but he doesn't think avoiding him will do much good. Better to face your problems head-on, right? ]
Guess I do. What's going on?
c:
But it's easier for Sephiroth to approach it this way. To test the waters of just how much Zack might be willing to converse, how strained the correspondence may be between them. With all that's happened, so close together, he cannot ignore all of it -- as tempting as it is.
And so-]
Aerith is gone, isn't she? Returned to our Planet, I assume.
no subject
At least Sephiroth now knows why everyone from Gaia gives him such a wide berth, and he must have at least some understanding of why Zack's been distant. That kind of betrayal, wrapped up with the knowledge that Aerith dies by his hand, makes this a difficult hurdle to clear.
But Aerith's the reason why Sephiroth's reaching out at all. It feels wrong to talk to him about her, him of all people, but Zack pushes through. ]
How'd you find out?
no subject
I had a question for her; something irrelevant, in the grand scheme of things. But she isn't available on the network any longer. I thought it was an error, but it's also the first telltale sign that someone has left this world.
Your reply confirms as much.
no subject
[ Zack doesn't particularly want to discuss his feelings about this with Sephiroth of all people, so maybe it's a good thing that it's a text conversation. He can control his reactions. ]
What was the question? I know you said it's irrelevant, but...
[ He still wants to know. ]
no subject
It’s pointless, I know.
[Though maybe not the answer he might have expected.
Sephiroth struggles to find a proper transition to what he truly means to say, so he simply types—]
Are you doing all right? I know there’s almost too much to process in this place, and you didn’t need her departure to be one more event to add to the list.
no subject
There's a lot going on, yeah. I've been trying to make some money and also prepare for whatever the next full moon might bring.
... I mean, I'm not happy about it. I think she wanted the extra time, too. To make up for what we missed back home.
[ Does Sephiroth know about her ultimate fate? Probably not all the gory details, and Zack finds himself hesitant to share too much about her. ]
no subject
[Though he cannot relate, he knows. He had never even met Aerith until he arrived in this world, but he knew how much Zack had cared for her -- those secondhand stories and that immeasurably fond look in his eyes when he referenced her, off-handedly or otherwise.]
Though at least you can take comfort in knowing she's returned to Gaia for now. Away from the unpredictable nature of this place.
[And maybe that, too, reveals just how much he doesn't know about Aerith's fate, her "future" already come to pass.]
If you need anything, let me know. It's probably little consolation, but I'm here to help if you need it.
no subject
Well, that answers that question. Aerith must have deliberately decided not to say anything, and the same goes for Cloud. Given that they'd only recently dropped the bomb on Sephiroth about what he turns into, that makes sense. It would have been just one more piece of kindling to add to the fire.
Should he tell him? Not now, but eventually. Zack isn't sure if it's his place, and he definitely isn't in the mood to go through all of those mental gymnastics right now, when the wound of Aerith's disappearance is fresh.
This is yet another example of Sephiroth trying to be a friend. He's been reaching out to Zack ever since he got here, attempting to bridge the gap between them, and Zack's struggled to meet him in the middle. ]
I'll keep that in mind. But short of bringing her back, I'm not sure what would be much help right now.
[ Because there is no comfort in knowing she's gone home. Not really. ]
no subject
But he tries, perhaps clumsily, in the way that someone reaching for a sincere attempt might.]
You're not keeping alone, are you?
[Asks Sephiroth, the man who spends the majority of his time detached from social circles.]
no subject
What if he'd tried harder to snap him out of it? What if he'd been more of a friend? Would it have even made a difference? ]
No. I'm staying with Cloud and Nier.
If you know of some good places around here to go and brood, though, I'm all ears.
[ When all else fails, joke about it. ]
no subject
Perhaps that's why he allows the joke to stick; Sephiroth knows one when he sees it.]
Are you saying that I'm "brooding" enough to know of all the best places to ruminate?
no subject
It's not fair to her, is it? To be close to her murderer. Now that Aerith isn't even here to give her perspective on it, Zack's that much more mixed up about it. ]
Are you going to argue that point with me? Seriously?
no subject
Yes. There is a difference between brooding and simply knowing where all the quiet places in the city are located. Somewhere to think, away from all the noise.
[textbook anti-social.]
I can show you sometime.
no subject
In the interest of not introducing more unnecessary tension into their relationship, Zack lets it go. It isn't worth it. ]
Sure. Let's put a pin in it, but I'll take you up on that at some point.
[ Zack can't face him just yet, not when the wound's still so fresh. But he's making an effort. ]
no subject
Of course.
If you need anything else, I'm only a text away.
no subject
[ At the moment Zack doesn't have much intention of taking Sephiroth up on that offer, but who knows how things might change? ]