Employment

[estaunsinterius.livejournal.com]

To: All known operatives, allies, and/or members of ShinRa Corporation, incl. Turks and SOLDIER operatives
From: Gen. Sephiroth
Subject: Employment

It has come to my attention that people belonging to or associated with the above listed organizations have recently entered the city. Upon consideration, it seems in the best interest of all involved to meet with myself or a duly appointed representative regarding possible employment options.

ShinRa corporation does not exist in this world, but I personally see no reason that we cannot continue to work as a cohesive force. For those lacking faith in my continued sanity, I offer a meeting, unarmed, at a place of your choosing.

Sincerely,

-General Sephiroth, SOLDIER CinC

Comments

[mustcatchme1st.livejournal.com]

That's understating it a bit, don't you think?

...I notice you're still calling yourself Commander in Chief.

[estaunsinterius.livejournal.com]

Judging from what I have been told and have subsequently pieced together, at some point I lose my mind because of the influence of Jenova.

I would like to point out that, so far as they concern me, those events have not happened. Nor do I intend to allow them to happen. Time has an odd way of changing around this place; I can only hope that it has changed things for the better.

[mustcatchme1st.livejournal.com]

...How could you say that? So because it hasn't happened in your future, it's moot point in our pasts? Betrayal bites, Sephiroth, and the consequences you left for us aren't like rides in an amusement park.

And now I'm just supposed to forget about it and follow you again? And how will you keep them from happening? What guarantee do you have? For all we know, Jenova can come rolling through those gates tomorrow. What will you do then?

[estaunsinterius.livejournal.com]

I say that because it is the simple truth. As far as I am concerned, and as far as I am able, those events will not happen.

As for how I intend to change the future, it would seem to me that simply avoiding Nibelheim and Jenova would be enough. If Jenova were to arrive tomorrow, I have friends here who should be capable of handling her. I am not above killing the creature I was told is my mother, nor asking someone else to do it for me.

[mustcatchme1st.livejournal.com]

Truth has a funny way of morphing according to viewpoint. And personally, I don't trust your viewpoint, Sephiroth.

...These friends of yours. They know about Jenova? They have no problems with eliminating her? What if they fail?

[estaunsinterius.livejournal.com]

I don't expect you to, Zack. The things I apparently do make me want to find some way to transport myself into the future and put a blade through this bastard who's stolen my face.

Given that one of them is an incarnation of entropy itself? I don't think that will be an issue. If it does become one, I trust you to put that sword of yours where it belongs.

[mustcatchme1st.livejournal.com]

...It wasn't even me. It wasn't that bad for me, not really. I never expected to live that long anyway, being in SOLDIER and all. But Cloud. Those townpeople. Dammit, I trusted you, Sephiroth.

You and that clone of yours screwed us over.

In you?

[estaunsinterius.livejournal.com]

I cannot undo what has already happened, but I can endeavor to change the future. That, in the end, is the only consolation I can offer.

You know what I meant. And if I have any say in the matter, you will live longer than you expect to. I owe that much to Angeal.

Yes. In me. Before I manage to cause any significant damage.

[mustcatchme1st.livejournal.com]

Doesn't look like I have a choice, does it? I can't even verify that you're not playing me for a fool by pretending to be from before it all went to Hel.

Why care, Sephiroth? I'm just a traitor, right?

You can count on that. I won't let you hurt others again, Sephiroth, not like that. Not if I can do something about it.

[estaunsinterius.livejournal.com]

Tell you what. Cid Highwind, Vincent Valentine, and Reno of the Turks have agreed to meet with me tomorrow, at Cid's shop. I will be coming unarmed and without materia. If you still think I'm some hellgod descended to levy the wrath of a mind-controlling being from beyond our world, you can run me through there. I won't stop you.

Because caring is what sane people do about people they have come to trust and even consider friends. And like it or not, I trust you, Zack.

[mustcatchme1st.livejournal.com]

You've got to be joking me. Weaponless? Without materia? What makes you think I'm naïve enough to believe soldiers like us can't take someone apart with our bare hands?

Tch. Whatever. Fine. I'll come to this meeting of yours. Don't think for one second that I'm not watching you though.

...I-I don't know, Sephiroth. I can't go through this shit again.

[estaunsinterius.livejournal.com]

It's a gesture of good will. I will be the only one unarmed.

You're not the only one who will be watching me, and I expect nothing less.

I would prefer not to go through it to begin with. Perhaps we will both get our wishes in the end. And maybe, just maybe, you will eventually begin to trust me again.

[mustcatchme1st.livejournal.com]

Again. Makes no difference for defensive measures. ...That's so generous of you.

Reno likes C4. And he won't hesitate to use it. Just sayin'.

Hn. Maybe. It's not like we can't dream. But until then... don't expect much from me. Even if I'm willing to believe your words in the future, it's hard to forget everything that happened.

What time is this meeting?

[estaunsinterius.livejournal.com]

Would you rather I arrive stripped to the waist and bound in adamantine chains? I'm not asking you to forget - simply that you judge based on the present and not what, to you, is the past. Keep an open mind, as it were.

I know. This will sound odd, but I've met him here before. Apparently, from a different time.

Early afternoon, around two hours after noon. A precise time was not set, but that seems as good a time as any.