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WELCOME TO KANSAI
Where are you? When are you? According to the smoggy sky above you, "noon" is a reasonable guess. You are in Dotonbori, though it may seem unwise to get closer to the bridge over the river or any iconic signs. Wandering past this single city block will be met by police robots, stopping your way with a hologram that claims you are on "probation" and will soon be given a "briefing", that the next robot scans and copies. There are human citizens in this area, at first simply stunned by your arrival and appearance. Over the minutes, though, they notice the information circulating on all sorts of holographic surfaces, and they begin chattering suspiciously about you.
The holographic surfaces aren't the only bright light in the city. You also find yourself experiencing glitches multiple times over these first few hours - parts of your body temporarily turning into bursts of color along with a burst of intense pain, or briefly losing awareness of yourself and coming back into focus a good few centimeters to the left, making an agonizing adjustment to sensory non-deprivation all over again. The other "Akudama" seem to be undergoing the same phenomenon of inexplicable sudden little changes in location. Akudama - that's what the citizens are calling you under their breath from the other side of the narrow alley street.
Want to bum a cigarette regardless? Hide in a karaoke booth and scream? Hey, you do you, buddy. Looks like nobody is coming to give you trouble just yet, unless you make it yourself. Maybe those "Gifts" some of you have will make sparks fly.
The holographic surfaces aren't the only bright light in the city. You also find yourself experiencing glitches multiple times over these first few hours - parts of your body temporarily turning into bursts of color along with a burst of intense pain, or briefly losing awareness of yourself and coming back into focus a good few centimeters to the left, making an agonizing adjustment to sensory non-deprivation all over again. The other "Akudama" seem to be undergoing the same phenomenon of inexplicable sudden little changes in location. Akudama - that's what the citizens are calling you under their breath from the other side of the narrow alley street.
Want to bum a cigarette regardless? Hide in a karaoke booth and scream? Hey, you do you, buddy. Looks like nobody is coming to give you trouble just yet, unless you make it yourself. Maybe those "Gifts" some of you have will make sparks fly.
no subject
For one thing, how can anyone dare to believe they would conceivably contain someone like him for long? Truly, an impossibility. And of course, for another matter, it seems like he may be being challenged for the short amount of time since he's been here.
Zenos does appear to strike a formidable figure, and that is not just because of his size. So he does tune more into the conversation than he had before. ]
It is foolish for anyone to think that they can contain someone like myself for long—the irregularities that have presented themselves so far has proven that they've taken on more they can handle.
They are not worth feeling bothered over. I will leave soon enough.
[ He's far too sure of himself to feel bothered just yet. That being said, he's ready to bring out his own weapon if they should cross blows; it'd be a short interlude and a way to pass the time, he supposes. ]
Does it bother you that I'm unconcerned? Are you inclined to do something about it?
no subject
[His hand lifts from the triage of swords at his hip, as if the act of resting it there had merely been habit and not a true want for a duel (yet). Instead, that hand comes to his chin in consideration, and his gaze settles upon the lineup of robots that bar them from leaving this block.]
Rather than bothered, I am curious. Can they truly contain us? I have yet to make my own attempt.
[His hand drops back towards his sword-hip, and from the revolver sheath they rest in, he pulls a white-handled katana free—its blade soon glowing an ominous red.]
No armor nor magitek has ever stopped my blade. Perhaps it is time to see if that continues in this world?
[Zenos turns on a swift pivot of his bootheel and, much fast than any mere human could be capable of, he lunges forward with his sword towards the very first of the robots that he sees.]
no subject
WOLVER DETECTED. PLEASE REMAIN IN PROBA—
[But the blade strikes true and hotly cuts through; some electronic "guts" inside it spark, leading the message to turn into an incoherent flashing beep. The resistance is that of a true armor, at least; surely an ordinary sword would have clanked off.
Well. It tried. Respect its final wish, perhaps?]
no subject
The machines are nothing but fodder where he's concerned, but he can't pretend he hasn't been intending to mow them down all the same. ]
We will see.
[ Sephiroth then watches him go off, to attack the robots, and of course he follows suit, walking slowly. But he spots that the robot goes down.
Then in the next moment appearing off to the side to swing his blade to cut through a few robots, provided he is successful, with a massive katana that he's just summoned in his hand in a flash from seemingly out of nowhere.
Does this make a path available to them to follow? ]
no subject
BACKUP REQUESTED!
[These trills form a chorus as the robots "notice" one at a time, though GENERAL DETECTED is somewhere in there too. Because Sephiroth's sword is so big and wielded with such a massive force, there is a cleaving effect on the smaller and more brittle areas of the robot; this causes them to lie there ineffectually. Advancing along one additional block of street after taking down the main group patrolling it, you can get a clearer view of the bridge in the distance, "cars" in the middle and delicate pedestrian walkways on the sides.
Ah, here's the backup. This could get really annoying. Taking a robot down might hurt the project of the path more than it helps.]
no subject
How dull!
[Zenos barks, swinging his sword through the next wave of bots that chirp for backup to a chorus of mechanical death-cries. Still, they come. He supposes that opposition stands in that they'll have to cleave through thousands before making any headway.
So, instead, Zenos attempts to teleport past them in the direction of the bridge.]
no subject
And then the sign is replaced.]
no subject
...Hmph. So it seems that's their game, isn't it?
[ He's not impressed, but hey they managed to get this far... ]
cw: minor body horror(?)
How absurd, [he twirls the sword in his hand, bringing it back towards its revolver-scabbard and sheathing it as he does.] Surely they don't intend to—
[His sentence is abruptly cut off by cruel, comedic timing, as the arm that had just put away his sword glitches. Zenos gasps as pain flares up the length of his arm, with the normal shape of it abstracting for a split second—pulling apart into the sort of technicolor boxes you would see on a TV screen that's lost its signal—before setting itself straight again.
He clutches his arm to his chest, his face reddened and his upper lip curled back with a snarl.]
Well, well... that was unpleasant, [his words are breathless,] if this is the magic that keeps us, perhaps there is no choice in venturing to this hospital.
no subject
Sephiroth anticipates that it's not going to be rather pleasant once he experiences that again, but... it seems unavoidable. He'll look displeased at the thought of going into the a hospital for treatment.
He really does not like their options. So, it doesn't mean he has to accept them. ]
Unfortunately, that seems to be the case.
However, if we are fortunate enough that they dare to show their face...well, we'll see at that time. Nonetheless, they will learn that they have not chosen people who will play along with their game so easily.
...But before then, I believe some introductions are in order, aren't they?
[ The billboards are hardly introductory material, beyond a list of crimes and such, after all. ]
no subject
But for now, he flexes his arm just to make sure it feels as it should be. Then he'll lift his gaze, and smile.]
Zenos yae Galvus, it is a pleasure to meet a fellow swordsman.
[Something he intends to test when given the chance to.]
What might they call you, warrior?
no subject
As expected, it's not a name he's familiar with, and of course he decidedly commits it to memory. Too bad most of the people here won't be as fortunate. ]
Sephiroth. Of course, I will extend the same courtesy.
I witnessed your skillful display just a few moments ago, after all.
[ Speaking of which, he'll finally call away his katana. ]
However, it's much too soon for me to presume that is all you have to offer, so I look forward to seeing more of your ability in the future.
no subject
Pleasantries aside, he puffs his chest with a bit of pride.]
I have the power I displayed, and much more Sephiroth. You will not be left for wanting, when you taste it for yourself.
[Is this... an issue of challenge??? It's hard to tell.]
For now, let us dispatch that which stands in our way — starting with those at the hospital.
no subject
[ Sephiroth does intend for it to be a challenge of some sort. He has to keep himself mildly entertained if he's going to be temporarily kept here. ]
Other matters aside, I can agree to that course of action. It should be simple enough—most who have presented themselves before us seem hardly worth a challenge, after all.
[ And then with that he goes right to make his way towards the hospital...surely this will end up simple and clean for all parties concerned, right?? ]
no subject
Little do they know what will be in store for them at the hospital that evening, but for now, they are none the wiser.]
What of your own world, dear friend? You spoke earlier of your ability to leave whenever you so choose. Are you in no rush to return?
no subject
At the inquiry he feels a sliver of amusement, but nothing more. A reasonable inquiry all the same. ]
I am certain that I can find a way to exit this world easily. Though you are also correct in assuming that I'm in no hurry. Nothing concerning will happen in my world during the time I have left it.
[ Gaia may, in fact, be breathing a sigh of relief at Sephiroth's current, uh...lack of presence, actually. ]
How about yourself? Do you have any pressing matters to attend to, or something that would require your immediate attention?
no subject
[Well, Fandaniel might be screaming his little head off over his disappearance, but Zenos isn't too bothered about being far from the melodrama.
If anything, he bristles at the thought that someone else might kill his prey before he does but—no, no, he must have more confidence in them. The Warrior of Light wouldn't succumb so easily to others. That's what made them special.]
Not particularly, the star I came from was boring, though I suppose the pest that clung to me is actively trying to bring calamity to it. I would like to kill my prey before he does.
no subject
Though the comment about prey does certainly interest him just a tad. ]
Oh? I presume that your target has come into conflict with whatever pest this is, and that is why they're in any danger of dying? And I presume that they must be worth your time to even consider them as such?
[ Sephiroth considers his own person of interest back home, Cloud. Who probably isn't in danger of dying any time soon. The blond is more than powerful enough to face whatever comes his way. ]
no subject
No, we hate Fandaniel in this house.]Well, my prey is formidable, that is for certain.
[Yet, there is a modicum of hesitation there.]
The Ascian seeks to end the world, and while I am not too terribly attached to it, it would be quite the nuisance if his goals interfered with my own. If he continues on his crusade without my presence, then I fear even my own dear friend will not be able to withstand complete annihilation.
no subject
I assume, then, that whomever or whatever this Ascian is...he is quite powerful. In order for you to consider him a considerable threat to your prey, that is.
[ He is also unsurprised that he's not heard of such a being. Different worlds, etc. ]</small
no subject
Hm, perhaps. To face one myself is an easy enough task, I could dispatch them without a thought. But for my beloved friend? Well... they are certainly strong enough to fell a great many foe, but an Ascian... I am unsure.
[And uncertainty is not something he deals well with.]
Never mind these boring talks, Sephiroth! [Huffs,] let us commence with exploring this place further. I am in no rush to make it to the hospital.