dualislogs | A "vampire" arrives

Entry tags:

A "vampire" arrives

Who: Vincent Valentine and YOU
What: Vincent's arrival and initial exploration of the city
Where: Dormitories + the Park primarily, could wander
When: September 7-10
Warnings: Possible discussions of death? Otherwise, nothing really

a. dormitories

[After all he'd seen, 'this can't be happening' wasn't something he was going to entertain with a ponder. He followed the directions given by the statues and the strange "Head". Normally, he would have explored this strange new place in which he's found himself, but with all the unknowns, he opted for compliance, at least until he's found this dormitory room which was to double as his base of operations while he figured out the real purpose behind his being brought here. While he wasn't a scientist, Vincent had spent enough time around them to know the collection and analysis of DNA was rarely a good thing, especially when performed under such questionable circumstances.

He nods to the concierge when he's provided his key and network device, frowning down at it briefly before slipping it into the pocket and taking a look around the place. It was so...mundane...He didn't make an effort to appear inconspicuous in his leathers and red cape, knowing his brass claw stood out all on its own, but he doesn't immediately proceed upstairs, instead opting to take up a position near a wall and watch those who came and went.]

b. central square park | ota

[After getting to know the dormitories, he sets out to get to know his surroundings. His Turk training never really left, and getting a lay of the land, and by extension, the city, was pivotal to understanding where he's been taken. As he moves through the lush setting, a growing sense of unease grasped him as he made notes mentally:

There were no woodland creatures. The sounds, or the lack thereof, were unsettling and his hand was never far from the grip of his handgun. Because of the silence, the statues had a looming effect and his crimson gaze shifted around warily. It...might not be a good idea to sneak up on the guy.]

c. central square park | closed to Thane

[Continued from here.

Vincent approved of the selection of the Central Square Park. It was, as its name implied, centrally located but also public. They may not have privacy, but they would have the security of the location. Old habits die hard, and being a bodyguard had been ingrained in him for a very young age. He waited for the Drell near a bench, though he himself was leaning against a nearby statue, arms crossed. He'd never seen another of Tannor's race in Dualis. He'd be difficult to miss.]

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[The beginning of this story sounds as old as time itself. Cautionary tales repeated from galaxy to galaxy like the universe's biggest echo. It always starts with a successful corporation with too many resources.]

"What if"s always seem ideal. [What if things went differently? Pointless to ruminate on, yet he understands the thought behind it. He also considers that the "what if"s could have always been worse.] When did you become aware of what went on behind the scenes of this JENOVA project then?

[He would also ask what it is, but he's still letting Vincent tell the story at his own pace.]

When I learned they were injecting cells taken from the specimen, JENOVA, into Lucrecia's unborn child. [He looked forward, then, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say behind.] When I saw how ill she'd become, I confronted Hojo. I expected dismissal. Instead...he shot me, the...things he did to me I don't completely recall. He...changed me, and then he locked me in a coffin.

While I slept, I overheard some things. Her child survived. They named him Sephiroth. Then the mansion was quiet and my mind drifted. I...never blamed Hojo for what he did to me. My sin was...inaction. And this...half-life is my punishment.

[Thane is quite surprised at how awful this story got in mere seconds, frankly. It sounds like the kind of atrocities Cerberus would get up to — every corner of the universe has them, he supposes.

He understands the guilt, and that desperate need to repent. He silently stares off across the park before allowing his gaze to catch Vincent. Whatever thoughts he has on what's being explained to him he's clearly keeping to himself for the moment.]

And when you awoke?

I learned Sephiroth had learned the truth of his birth, had slaughtered hundreds of innocent people, and sought to destroy the world.

[He paused for a moment.]

So I joined those who meant to stop him.

[So he sought atonement, he thinks. That is not to say he hadn't done it for the right reasons, of course. But just as Thane had been drawn to Shepard's cause as a good way to add some light to the darkness in the galaxy after being part of the problem for so long, perhaps it was the same for Vincent. Though he clearly had more of a personal stake.]

You did what was needed. [He nods lightly in understanding.] Was he stopped?

[He nodded.] Yes. [And more than once, but it was...complicated.] Almost too late.

That's usually how it goes.

[Or it seems so, at the very least.]

Am I correct to assume this girl you spoke of earlier was one of those to help you stop him?

[He hadn't forgotten she was the reason for this conversation, after all. Though there seems to be so much to this story.]

[He nods.]

Yes. She tried to stop him, but was cut down.

[Ah..]

I see. My sympathies. [He means that. He's seen many a comrade fall trying to prevent devastation. It's never easy.] What was she like, if you don't mind me asking?

[At his question, that ghost of a smile grew slightly, into an actual grin, ever so faint, and his gaze becomes distant.]

She was...bright. She joked and teased when things were dark. She was...a light we all needed.

It looks to me like she continues to be a light.

[You know, because he just grinned despite his general...demeanor. Didn't seem like the grinning type. Thane isn't one for smiling himself, but there were a few people who managed to bring a tug to his lips when he thought of them. Especially one not among the living anymore. He relates.]

She does, yes. [He nods.] When...we die, our bodies and souls return to the Planet. She's with us always.

A beautiful and comforting thought.

[Thane can always appreciate a light in the dark.]

My people believe when we die, we return to the ocean where our loved ones await. It is not quite the same as having them always watching, but it provides great comfort to know that no matter how difficult things get, those you care about are waiting for you at the end of it all.

Then...we believe the same, but use a different term. [He looks over to Thane, then, and there's a kindness, something like kinship, in his eyes.] The Lifestream.

[Thane looks up as if to consider that. He smiles, but it's the barest hint, a ghost of one, but it's there.]

Yes. I suppose we do. It looks as if there are more threads connecting our worlds than I previously thought.

Mmm. [He accompanied his agreement with a nod.]

I wonder if that means something.

I suppose it's up to us as individuals to figure that out.

[If there is a meaning behind the few connecting threads between all of these worlds, that is. People struggle to figure out the meaning behind existence in their own worlds, after all.]

Mmm. [He nods.] Maybe, though, it's also possible there's a direct connection, some underlying reason the Head brought us here.

I suppose it would be helpful to learn more about the others here. Perhaps find what could be a connection.

[Even if that weren't the case, information was always useful. That being said his mind is already at work, always thinking about the next thing. He goes into a thoughtful silence for a moment.]

Your world was in peril. [His folded hands touch the bottom of his chin as he leans forward, once again staring off into nothing.] So was mine, before I arrived here.

[That could mean nothing. It could mean something. But it was a similarity nonetheless. Granted, the commonalities would have to stretch beyond just the two of them. It was useful to start thinking about, though.]

Yes. [Again. His world had been in peril again when the Head had taken him, and now it was a concern what would become of it. And Thane's world had been in a similar state. Was that the connection?]

...someone in my world was attempting to raise the God of Apocalypse, the Ender of Days.

[By awakening the beast within Vincent, but that needn't be discussed...not yet, at least.] Was...something similar occuring in your world?

[It felt like the connection was right under their noses while being a thread so thin it was impossible to see.]

It was a war. [Both with titles or names so grandiose and direct it was almost self explanatory.] Highly advanced synthetics called Reapers trap the galaxy in a cycle of destruction. Every few thousand years they awaken from dark space and harvest whatever civilization has risen significantly. They were a problem for a few years, but before I arrived in this city their army had finally made it to us. Earth was the first planet they attacked — the humans.

I would suggest the inconvenience of our arrivals was more than a coincidence, but...[It's not something he meant to advertise, but it's fitting for the discussion if they wish to get to the bottom of this. Or to find more clues.] I was already dead before I was brought here. If they were trying to inconvenience us they could have pulled me in earlier.

[At first the connection, however tenuous, eluded him, but at that declaration, his eyebrows rose quickly. He wasn't dead, not by truest definition, before arriving here, but...but...]

I have died as well. [He looks over to Thane, dubious, but somewhat hopeful.] Are there others, do you think, that have died, not necessarily true deaths, but...something?

[Thane looks over to Vincent, actually displaying surprise, if mild given the information he was just given.]

You as well, then. Hm. A great many of us were dragged here. I'm inclined to believe that there are likely others. [After this conversation, at least.] Perhaps the important connections are not any one particular thing. Or shared across all of us. Groups, perhaps.

Maybe it's psychological. [It was a stretch, Vincent knew. He was also acutely aware that in order to glean any actual understanding, they needed more information.]

We should observe, come together again once we know more.

It could very well be. We must keep our minds open to many possibilities.

[A stretch, maybe. But if anyone a month ago would have floated the idea that he would be in this very situation he would have considered that to be more than a stretch.]

But I agree. Perhaps these NAPs events will also provide good opportunities to find out more about the possible patterns of those being brought here. [Talking to people when they're fresh off the metaphorical boat may be easier. They're frazzled, confused, looking for answers themselves.

He gives a nod of his head.]

Thank you, Vincent.

[For sharing his story. It helped.]

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chaosvessel - 2019-11-11 17:19 (UTC) - Expand

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