shinrayear25 | Story time with Hojo and Seph

[In the lab, Seph staggers in and finds his mother working]

Lu: ::huggles:: hello sweetie ^^

Seph: ...mama, I don't feel so good.

Lu: oh what's the matter honey? ::pets::

Seph: But, hey, check out my new coat.

Lu: my that's very stylish!

Lu: is that what you'd been saving for?

Lu: it looks nice on you ::nods::

Seph: Actually bought it on impulse. Zak really liked it.

Lu: ^_^

Seph: I think my mako levels are off.

Lu: hmmm

Lu: ::pulls out her kit::

Lu: sit down, I'll check

Seph: *sits*

Lu: :;pushes his sleeve back and checks:: o_O;

Lu: good grief Sephiroth!

Lu: you know better than that!

Zak: *trots up behind Seph, wearing his Kimono and some proper Wutian shoes, his hair still up in the top-knot ponytail*

Lu: you're lucky you didn't pass out. ::gives him one of her emergency shots::

Seph: *sighs* Thanks, Mom.

Lu: ::minor double-take at Zak:: Heh Look at you. ^^; That's an impressive outfit.

Lu: There.

Lu: You need to be careful honey. ::kisses his forehead::

Cloud: *is standing next to Zak with bags*

Zak: Hai. Thanks much, Doctor Mom.

Lu: Heh Welcome.

Lu: I know you hate needles but this is one of those necessary evil things, okay?

Seph: I wasn't DUE for a shot. Must've been the stress.

Lu: Possibly.

Lu: You know how stuff sneaks up on me.

Zak: Yeah, we were supposed to be on a boat to Wutai.

Lu: I see.

Seph: *does not want to explain to his mom about the earlier killing rage*

Zak: never got called this morning, though

Lu: ::figures something is up but he'll tell her when he's ready::

Zak: *shrughs it off*

Lu: hmmm that's peculiar.

Lu: did you forget to charge your PHS again?

Zak: nope

Seph: No. And I had it on me all night.

Lu: hmm

Lu: did they reschedule?

Zak: haven't heard a thing

Lu: hmm

Lu: weird

Seph: I don't know. Scarlet was going to talk to the President about it, because she thought we weren't ready, so far as equipment was concerned.

Lu: well you could always call and ask.

Lu: ::nodnod::

Seph: What, and remind them that I'm here?

Lu: well that could very well be. you can always ask her later. ::smiles in that pleasant, reassuring momly way::

Cloud: I have to go back to the bar...

Seph: *hugs her*

Lu: ::huggles::

Zak: Let's head out. See ya, Mom

Lu: oh- could you boys pass on a message to Vincent?

Zak: sure.

Cloud: Sure, Mrs. H.

Seph: You two go ahead. I - think I'm gonna hang around here a little while. *not wanting to get into how lousy he's really feeling*

Lu: I have his equipment ready whenever he wants to come pick it out. ^^

Zak: *concerned look* oh, alright, Ya sure?

Lu: Have fun boys ::waves::

Cloud: *nods* I'll let him know.

Zak: *nod* yup, got it.

Lu: He'll be just fine. ::patpats Seph's shoulder::

Cloud: *gives Seph a worried look*

Zak: *drapes his arm around Cloud* C'mon he'll be fine

Lu: ::smiles:: It's all right. I'll take care of him, don't worry.

Vin: *slides in silently through the window a la Turk*

Lu: ::hopes he hasn't picked up c00ties from the boys::

Cloud: ...okay. See you later then.

Lu: ::waves::

Seph: *waves*

Cloud: *leaves*

Lu: ::turns back to Seph:: Are you sure you're all right, honey? You look tired.

Lu: ::jumps:: o_O;;;;

Lu: Oh hello Vincent. ^^;;; ::hand ovre heart::

Seph: I'm fine... high emotional levels lately. Hey, Vincent.

Lu: I'll be with you in a minute Vin ^^

Lu: ::to Seph:: why don't you rest for a minute, okay?

Vin: Sorry to startle you, Lu. Didn't want to come in through the door. I can come back later. *is looking at Jenova's tank* *Growls*

Lu: oh no it's all right

Seph: Sure, Mom. *snags a cot*

Lu: ::gets him one of those little pillows and a fuzzy fleecy blanket::

Lu: there. let me know if you need anything. ::kisses forehead::

Lu: ::turns back to Vincent::

Seph: *nods* *kinda embarrassed about being babied in front of Vincent*

Lu: Good to see you again. ^^ Actually, I'm glad you came by. I wasn't sure how I was going to lug this down to the bar...

Lu: ::digs in closet and produces a BIG plastic briefcase looking thing::

Vin: *tilts head at tank* Does it sleep?

Lu: ::nearly falls over trying to retrieve the thing as it is HEAVY:: xx;

Lu: Hm?

Lu: What, that thing? ::obvious distaste:: Hardly.

Vin: Grabs it* Lu, here, What is this?

Lu: Thanks. ^^;

Lu: just put it on the counter.

Vin: *Points human thumb to the tank* She needs to die, Lu.

Lu: I won't argue with that...

Lu: Buuuuuut there is research to be done.

Lu: And so we must tollerate each other.

Vin: So, what's this?

Lu: Starter kit. ^^ ::opens- assortment of prothetics ala Disney Captain Hook's stash::

Vin: *blinks*

Jenova: You can't kill me, you little whelp.

Lu: <<

Lu: ::has so totally left Hojo a voice mail about Seph::

Lu: ::to Jenova:: oh shut up 9_9

Jenova: I wasn't talking to you.

Seph: half-paying attention*

::the "starter kit" contains a gun arm similar to Dyne's, a "real" hand, something that looks like a drill bit, and an empty recess where his claw would fit::

Lu: here, this is the same lot number as your arm, there.

Vin: ...woah. This is a lot better than I hoped, Lu. I just... ah, didn't want to kill myself in my sleep. **or Veld**

Lu: ::laughs::

Lu: that has retractable claws, Vincent.

Seph: Yeah, and if you scratched your nose with the wrong hand... whoa.

Lu: You can put them in and out.

Lu: tho those points CAN be hazardous.

Lu: c'mere, give me your hand. I'll give you another one.

Vin: *takes off shirt and leans arm up on table*

Lu: This is going to feel really freaking weird.

Lu: ::detaches his claw::

Vin: *flinches*

Jenova: Oh he handles weird just fine, dear. being crazy as a bat and all that.

Lu: ::puts claw away and attaches "real" arm::

Lu: nobody asked you...

Lu: there. try that. ^^

Jenova: I could talk to my boy a while?

Vin: *hisses* Leave him alone. *tries arm*

Lu: I don't see him here.

Lu: Please ignore tall green and slimey.

Lu: she gets bossy.

Lu: ::so totally does NOT put up with Jenova's crap::

Vin: *taps fingers* Wow... 20 years is a big change, huh?

Lu: indeed.

Jen: *pesters Vin more*

Lu: leave him alone.

Lu: ::counterpoke::

Vin: *twitch* *rubs head* She's trying to make me transform I think... she did it last time

Lu: feel all right? sometimes the nerve simulation doesn't match up perfectly

Lu: transform?

Jenova: *Backs off* *growls at Lu*

Lu: ::has not witnessed this yet::

Lu: *growl* yeah you just TRY it sister....

Vin: Yeah into a monster.

Lu: o_O;

Lu: wow.

Lu: er what kind?

Lu: ::hopes it's Bruce-like::

Vin: OH it all depends. Velly could tell you better, I'm not really around much.

Lu: ::nods:: Hm.

Lu: ::does not seem to have any funky mako powers, thinks this is slightly unfair::

Jenova: If you'd let me, Lu, I could bring out Chaos. Oh he is so fun.

Lu: Um, no. There's a lot of breakable stuff in here. Like me.

Hojo: *walks into lab with his arms full of chemicals in a rather unsafe manner*

Lu: <<;

Jenova: Well that would be my point.

Lu: Honey let me help you with those!

Lu: ::hurries to catch some of the less steady chemicals::

Vin: *doesn't want to offer help or speak or move too quickly*

Hojo: Oh, I've got them...

Lu: Of course you have.

Vin: Hello again.

Lu: ::takes some:: and now I have too.

Hojo: *jumps and drops something*

Lu: He's just stopping by for some EEK!

Seph: *catches it*

Lu: ::jumps away from falling chems:: OO;

Seph: *halfway across the room in .0001 seconds.

Vin: *facepalm* *yay human hand*

Lu: ::breathes:: thank you Sephiroth xx;

Hojo: ... Jesus, Vincent, for somebody who hates me you sure spend a lot of time with my family. *sideways look at Lu*

Vin: I don't hate you.

Lu: Vincent just stopped by to pick up the rest of his accessories.

Lu: It's all right, dear. ::kisses Hojo's cheek to illustrate this::

Hojo: *glares at Vincent anyway*

Vin: If I hated you, you'd be well aware of it.

Lu: Gentlemen, please.

Hojo: Oooh, snarky veiled violent threats.

Hojo: That's exactly what I wanted when I came to work today.

Seph: ...Where do you want this, Pro- Dad?

Lu: He's just here to get a non-lethal arm, that's all.

Seph: *woozy*

Vin: Nothing veiled about it. If I hated you, I'd have killed you first thing.

Hojo: Anywhere that's flat is fine, Sephiroth.

Lu: ::divert attention!:: Oh- and Sephiroth came in a little while ago with his mako levels in the basement.

Seph: *puts it down, goes to put himself back down too - moving that fast was not a good idea*

Hojo: Vincent, my last enduring memory is of you trying to kill me. Forgive me if that doesn't lapse easily.

Lu: I gave him a shot but you might want to give him a quick once-over later.

Lu: ::Rubs head in pain:: ::men::

Hojo: *looks at Lu, then at Seph*

Vin: That wasn't me.

Hojo: How low?

Lu: ::shows him the little meter thing:: Low.

Lu: Very.

Lu: He's lucky he didn't collapse. ::eyes Seph::

Hojo: Sephiroth! Honestly. Are you going to need to start carrying a purse like Lucrecia's?

Lu: ::snerk::

Lu: he has pockets in his lovely new coat.

Seph: It was stress-triggered, Dad.

Lu: I don't think he'll need to invest in a handbag. ::smiles, supremely amused::

Vin: *chooses to just wait it out*

Hojo: If you're not going to pay attention when you're being triggered then you'll just have to carry a kit.

Seph: Unless people are planning on taunting me into a killing rage on a regular basis, I don't really think it should be a consistent problem.

Lu: ::takes this opportunity to edge back to Vincent:: Anyway, just let me know if any of it jams or needs servicing. Send one of the boys by and I'll come and fix it. ^^

Lu: ::closes case and shoves it towards him::

Vin: *nods and ducks out*

Lu: eh? ::whiplash headturn::

Lu: Who said what now?

Hojo: Lucrecia, I don't want you going down there.

Lu: Well then, I can have the boys deliver the parts.

Lu: They're all detachable.

Hojo: I'd rather not have the boys down there.

Lu: :\

Hojo: Valentine isn't safe.

Seph: Neither am I.

Lu: He wouldn't hurt them.

Vin: *stops* Oh chrissakes, Hojo.

Lu: Eh? ::thought he'd left::

Hojo: He said he wouldn't hurt me either. But someone else in there would.

Lu: ::blinks, confused::

Seph: I like Vincent.

Hojo: You also like doing tequila shots, and those aren't good for you either.

Vin: *sighs and just keeps walking, not going to get into it when he actually agrees with Hojo. Veld will yell at him for being angsty tonight*))

Lu: :\

Seph: Yeah, well, Vincent can't screw up my mako levels.

Hojo: And I do NOT like you sneaking him in here.

Vin: *Does use his new hand to properly flip off the ShinRa building while he walks to the train station though*

Lu: I didn't sneak him in.

Lu: Honestly, I'm not sure HOW he got in here... ::really isn't:: >>;

Hojo: *about ready to go put new locks on every door in the building himself* Well at least don't encourage him.

Vin: *wheee Turk powers*

Seph: He does deserve to have two hands, regardless of whether he attacked you or not.

Lu: ::sigh:: yes dear --;

Hojo: You'll note I never complained about that. He said he was going to bother me about it. I don't want him bothering your mother

Seph: Also, he attacked you, you locked him in the basement for twenty years. I think you're about even.

Lu: He wasn't BOTHERING me, I wanted to...

Lu: I mean, he looked out for me back then.

Lu: I owed it to him.

Lu: He wasn't hurting anything. That's probably the last we'll see of him.

Hojo: It had better be. I'm tired of you defending him.

Lu: ::still thinks of Vin as her not-big brother::

Lu: ... ::looks hurt::

Hojo: And Sephiroth, don't mouth off about things you know nothing about.

Lu: ...

Hojo: *goes into his office*

Lu: ...

Seph: *fumes*

Lu: ::feels that was bit unfair::

Lu: it's all right honey

Lu: ::hand on Seph's shoulder::

Lu: he's just...they never got along.

Seph: He shouldn't be such a jerk to you. Or to him.

Lu: he has his reasons.

Seph: He always does. Just sometimes they suck.

Lu: and he's right, I shouldn't be encouraging him to come here were he could be arrested or worse.

Lu: ::patpat::

Lu: I know.

Lu: There are two sides to every story, just remember that.

Seph: Yeah, yeah. He's just never interested in hearing anybody else's.

Lu: Sephiroth, Please.

Seph: I LIKE Vincent. And I like hanging out down there. I feel like every time I try and make a friend, he's trying to keep me from them.

Lu: have you ever heard your father out?

Lu: well, think about this Sephiroth:

Seph: ... Well, no. He doesn't bother to explain anything to me; he just dictates.

Lu: you're drinking under age, fighting wars, have two boyfriends...

Lu: I think, considering, we've taken all of this fairly well. :;wan smile::

Lu: give us a break here. ::hugs him gently::

Lu: there's a lot to that story that you don't know.

Lu: we'll tell it to you some day.

Seph: *hugs back, gently* I'm just... feeling kinda edgy today, Mom. I'm sorry.

Lu: it's all right.

Lu: I can see why you do.

Seph: If the war in Wutai ends, what use is there for me?

Lu: if you want to know...ask him sometime. no snarkiness, just calmly ask.

Lu: there's always college. ::smirk::

Lu: ::feels kinda bad he's neglected his higher education::

Lu: there will always be a "use" for you.

Lu: there something to be said for a civilian life you know.

Seph: That's what Scarlet wants me to do. It just feels kinda weird; I was raised to be something, do something, and that's pretty much it. I dunno how to be anything else.

Lu: well, one should never stop learning.

Lu: maybe you'll find something else you like.

Lu: it took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.

Seph: Maybe. I just - I wanna be normal. And I'm not.

Lu: :;gentle smile:: normal is a very fluid concept.

Lu: I think you're pretty normal.

Seph: *mutters* Normal people don't have to worry about breaking bones during sex. *flushes*

Lu: at least you haven't dyed your hair green and put it in a mohawk. ^_~

Seph: *laughs* Maybe Dad would notice if I did.

Lu: ::colors slightly:: ::opens mouth:: ::closes it::

Lu: ::giggles::

Lu: yes, I think that might get his attention.

Lu: if I may offer my not-so-professional opinion, please don't.

Lu: I don't think spikey hair would look good on you. ^_~

Seph: Nah, I probably couldn't pull it off. Besides, the hair, it grows like topsy.

Lu: heh

Lu: ::rubs his shoulder a little:: Don't worry about it. You're only 18. Most kids your age are still in high school. You have PLENTY of time.

Lu: Heck I spent an extra eight years in school after that.

Lu: You don't have to make any big decisions today. Just enjoy what you're doing now.

Seph: *nods* Sometimes I wish I just could have been a normal kid.

Lu: I'm sorry about that sweetheart --;

Lu: I tried.

Seph: You did your best. I'm gonna go lie down for a bit, Mama. You let me know if you need anything.

Lu: You too. ::kisses his forehead::

Seph: *rolls eyes* Or if Dad wants to lecture me about my mako levels some more.

Lu: ::goes back to sorting slides:: heh

Seph: *goes to his room and lies down*

Lu: It's all right. I'll tell him I chewed you out for it. ;}

Lu: ::sits on stool and goes through slides::

Lu: ::wonders if she should go talk to Hojo::

Lu: ::figures he isn't going to be any LESS annoyed::

Lu: ::finishes with slides and goes to Hojo's office::

Lu: ::knockknock::

Hojo: Yes?

Lu: It's me.

Hojo: As long as you don't have any Turks with you, you can come in.

Lu: No, just me.

Lu: No Turks past or present.

Lu: I...am sorry about that.

Lu: ::is in a way- mostly 'cause Vincent could have been hurt::

Hojo: *clearly pouting behind his desk*

Hojo: Do you understand why I'm worried about you, Lu? I don't think you do.

Lu: ...

Lu: ::studies carpet::

Lu: I admit I didn't think of the security risks.

Lu: I guess I still think of him as...how I knew him.

Lu: He was always very kind to me.

Hojo: Vincent could be the nicest guy in the world -- which he isn't, and that's why he was chosen -- and his... his inner demons could still hurt you without him taking any responsibility.

Lu: He wouldn't hurt me.

Hojo: Vincent might not.

Lu: ::knows this argument will go nowhere::

Lu: I'm not going to go visiting him.

Hojo: Good.

Lu: ...

Lu: ::not sure what else to say- if there is indeed anything to be said::

Hojo: ... I worry. About you and about Sephiroth.

Lu: He can take care of himself.

Hojo: Finn told me Sephiroth is under suspicion of treason now. I think Vincent is a bad influence.

Lu: ::sigh::

Lu: You believe Finn over your son? ::dubious look::

Lu: ::has no love for Finn::

Hojo: I haven't asked Sephiroth yet, but I know he and Finn argued.

Hojo: I'm not taking anyone's word. I'm just... thinking.

Lu: Sephiroth probably just told him to keep his hands to himself. ;P

Lu: ::nod::

Hojo: Finn knows better than to touch anyone of mine.

Lu: ::snort::

Lu: well...just...talk to him.

Lu: don't accuse, just ASK.

Lu: otherwise he'll just get defensive and won't tell you anything.

Hojo: He never tells me anything anyway. *stands up*

Lu: ...

Lu: he might if you told him some things.

Hojo: Fine, I'll try, and I'll even be nice.

Lu: 9_9

Hojo: For you. *peck*

Lu: oh stop.

Lu: heh ::returns kiss::

Lu: thank you.

Lu: he is old enough to know what happened.

Lu: you might start with that.

Lu: ::smiles gently::

Hojo: You get up to bed, young lady. You're not feeling well. *smirk*

Lu: heh

Lu: All right, I'm going.

Lu: ::smiles, amused::

Lu: ::obediently goes home to their apartment::

Hojo: Goodnight, Lu.

Lu: Goodnight. ::smiles::

Seph: *staring at the ceiling*))

Hojo: *knocks*

Seph: Come in.

Hojo: You sure? It's me.

Seph: *sits up* Yeah.

Hojo: *goes in* Your mother thought I should talk to you.

Seph: Oh?

Hojo: About... Vincent, and other things. Mind if I sit down?

Seph: Go ahead. Just - shove that stuff onto the floor.

Hojo: *shoves pile of clothing and porn and whatever else onto the floor and sits*

Hojo: Is there anything going on in your life you want to tell me about, Sephiroth?

Seph: Um... *tugs at the end of his hair* Like, personally? Or what?

Hojo: Personally or otherwise.

Seph: ... I'm dating Zak.

Hojo: *nods* That's a start. What about that other soldier boy I saw sobbing over you?

Seph: Him too. Though that was kinda Zak's idea, it's working out pretty well.

Hojo: Is there anything else?

Seph: ...Are you mad? Or disappointed, or anything?

Hojo: Not particularly. Should I be?

Seph: Well, no. I just thought you would.

Hojo: I'm sure if I get it into my head to do some sort of breeding program, you'll at least donate a sperm sample.

Seph: Yeah. *shrugs* Zak's got a pretty girlfriend.

Hojo: And I would be a hypocrite if I complained about kinky interoffice sexual escapades.

Hojo: A girlfriend too? You'll have enough people for a commune soon.

Seph: *eyebrows*

Hojo: You look like you want to ask a question.

Seph: Her name's Aerith. She actually kinda came first with him.

Hojo: Okay.

Seph: Yes and no... I mean, kinky office sexcapades sounds interesting, but on the other hand, kinky office sexcapades that involve my father....

Hojo: *hoping Seph will mention the terrorism thing himself if he sits here long enough* It was all a long time ago.

Seph: Was Mom involved? *cannot envision his mother doing kinky anything*

Hojo: Oh, lord, no.

Seph: Good. Because - yeah. That would be brain-breaking. Although the idea of you as young and licentious is pretty warping, too.

Hojo: *takes out of his pocket a picture he brought up just in case the conversation took this turn, of a young Finn and a pretty Wutaian girl, and shows it to Sephiroth*

Seph: *takes it* Wow, President Shinra used to be really thin.

Hojo: Yeah, when I dated him, he was quite the handsome thing.

Seph: *sporfle* You DATED President SHINRA?

Hojo: When I first came to Midgar, yes. *embarrassed*

Seph: Who's the girl? She's pretty.

Hojo: *sighs* That's me.

Seph: ...YOU? *trying really hard not to laugh* *not succeeding very well*

Hojo: Go ahead. He used to like it when I dressed up like that.

Seph: Well, Zak was certainly all over Cloud when *he* did it.

Seph: Wow, that was my outside voice.

Hojo: *snickers*

Hojo: That's most of my sordid sexual past.

Seph: You're far more interesting that I thought you were, Dad.

Hojo: ... Thank you. I think.

Hojo: So, er, was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about?

Seph: *frowns* I wanted to ask you. What... happened with you and Vincent?

Hojo: Long version or short version?

Seph: I have time. *not feeling up to getting up yet*

Hojo: As part of the early TURK project, President Shinra... not Finn, but his father, Amon, asked me and Pepper to create soldiers who could take a monstrous form for fighting and then resume human form.

Hojo: Vincent was one of the subjects. The other was a SOLDIER named Dmitri, who attacked me in the lab and was apparently liberated from his recovery tank while I was in Wutai.

Seph: Was that the dude in Tank Ten?

Hojo: Yes.

Seph: Yeah, they came in looking for him and Veld was really an ass to Jen.

Hojo: Veld's been an ass for the last quarter century, some things never change.

Seph: Yeah, that's what I told Jen. She was really upset, though. Had a major 'I-am-inferior' breakdown all over my shoulder.

Hojo: And here I thought Veld had better things to do in retirement than emotionally traumatize little girls.

Hojo: Though the retirement might be my fault.

Hojo: But anyway, we were talking about Vincent.

Seph: Yeah.

Hojo: Anyway, Vincent was never the most psychologically stable. That was what made him a good candidate for the process.

Hojo: ... Yes, in retrospect, that sounds like a bad idea.

Seph: In retrospect, MOST of the projects this department have engaged in sound like bad ideas.

Hojo: Such as? I hardly think you were a bad idea.

Seph: There are days. Like yesterday.

Hojo: Yesterday?

Seph: Yeah. Yesterday was bad. But Vincent.

Hojo: You promise we'll get back to yesterday?

Seph: Yeah.

Hojo: Anyway, the project was going well, we'd gotten three forms out of Vincent and two out of Dmitri using a combination of self-meditation and Jenova/mako injections.

Hojo: Then one day Vincent tried to manifest his fourth. He began screaming at me and at Jenova, pulled free of his restraints, and when I tried to tranquilize him, he attacked me.

Hojo: He didn't respond to several tranquilizer darts, so I resorted to his service revolver. When that didn't do anything, I went for the shotgun. That would be how he lost the arm.

Seph: *nods slowly*

Hojo: I replaced the arm and did everything I could to stabilize him, but his vital signs dropped off entirely and he remained unconscious.

Hojo: He was, for all intents and purposes, dead.

Seph: So... you nailed him in his coffin?

Hojo: There was no love lost between us. That wasn't the first time he'd attacked me.

Hojo: So yes, when I gave up on reviving him, I dressed him up in a silly costume and nailed him in his coffin with much relish. I've always been a paranoid bastard.

Seph: Also a little weird. But... what about the body? Mom said there was a body.

Hojo: Yeah, we faked that. Closure and all.

Seph: But... he wasn't really dead, apparently.

Hojo: As it turns out, yes.

Seph: Awkward for you, that.

Hojo: Yes.

Seph: And he and Mom were... friends?

Hojo: Yes. She looked at him like a brother.

Seph: So why the rampant jealousy every time he walks in the room, Dad? *not dumb*

Hojo: ...It's not jealousy.

Seph: You can call it concern for her safety if you want to, but it sure looks like jealousy to me.

Hojo: It's not just concern for her safety, but that's the most relevant feeling.

Hojo: ... so, yesterday?

Seph: Yesterday was bad.

Hojo: How bad?

Seph: Well, I didn't kill anybody.

Seph: Did you know your old flame promoted Zak to First Class-Prime and was going to deploy him to Wutai and send me on a babysitting mission to Corel? With SCARLET?

Hojo: He didn't mention the details but he did tell me he was trying to distract you from... and I quote... "treasonous thoughts".

Seph: That wasn't the way to convince me to trust him, I'll tell you that much. *angry again*

Hojo: He thinks there are bad influences in Midgar. I'm inclined to think the same. *head gesture in the very, very general direction of the bar*

Seph: He's not too great an influence himself.

Hojo: Finn's been a jerk for years. You've known Vincent... what, two weeks? And yet this didn't come up before. Can you blame me for wondering if a cause and an effect were related?

Seph: I haven't been happy with him in a long time. The conflict in Wutai is a bad idea, and it's been handled badly, and then... well. I found out about Vincent. And the window.

Hojo: *shrugs* So what are you planning to do?

Seph: *shakes his head* Nothing that should really effect you.

Hojo: Well, I assume you wouldn't allow anything that would hurt your mother, at least.

Seph: No. Nor you.

Hojo: *nods* Thank you. *looks at interesting stain on the wall*

Jen Sagan: Dad?

Seph: You ARE my father.

Hojo: Hmm?

Jen Sagan: Oh, am I interrupting?

Hojo: I don't think so. *looks at Sephiroth*

Seph: Nah, we're done. Unless - uh - give us a sec, Jen.

Jen Sagan: *excuses herself*

Hojo: Yes?

Seph: My mako levels. Shinra got me into a killing rage, and... well, I didn't kill him. I... got it out in other ways. But it completely fucked up my levels; I think I was *sweating* mako last night.

Hojo: *nods* I'd like to have you in for a complete workup this week, just to check everything. And it wouldn't be the end of the world if you carried a kit with you.

Hojo: Incidentally, Sephiroth, I'd like you to remember two words?

Seph: *nods* Yeah... I probably would've taken better care of myself if I hadn't had to come all the way back up here to get shot. Two words?

Hojo: "Plausible deniability".

Hojo: Don't do anything rash and make sure your ass is covered. Politically, anyway.

Seph: *nods* Scarlet's on my side, Dad.

Hojo: She's a smart cookie.

Seph: Assuming I had a side. Assuming there were sides to be on.

Seph: *She* wants me to go to *college.*

Hojo: You should. What do you want to study? Biology?

Seph: A world of no. I've had enough biology to last me a lifetime.

Seph: I like history.

Hojo: Recent or ancient?

Seph: But you built me to be a supersoldier, and now everybody wants me to go to college. I don't get it. Ancient, mostly.

Jen Sagan: Are you clear now?

Hojo: *smiles* I'll bring up some of my old books. The war won't last forever.

Jen Sagan: I do need to talk to father...

Hojo: I think so.

Seph: *nods* Yeah, no more sordid details about my sex life.

Jen Sagan: Father, I just wanted to tell you that it's spread past your mark.

Hojo: ... Damn. Better do something about that.

Hojo: If you'll excuse me, Sephiroth?

Jen Sagan: In fact, it's spread all the way to the fingers.

Hojo: Damn.

Jen Sagan: *has a disease*

Jen Sagan: *wobbles outside, waiting for the professor*

Hojo: *follows her, escorts her down to the lab*

Seph: *trails after, worried about his sister*

Jen Sagan: I feel.. I feel sick..

Hojo: What kind of sick?

Jen Sagan: *attempts to shake it off* I've not felt sick like this.... Like my skin.... like my skin isn't attached, and nothing about me is solid, and like I'm going to puke....

Hojo: *hurries her to the lab*

Jen Sagan: *vomits along the way"

Jen Sagan: Dad, what's going on..../

Seph: *follows, anxious*

Hojo: I don't know. *leaves her on a table and begins prepping for bloodwork*

Jen Sagan: *leans back, relaxing a little* *Is pretty scared*

Hojo: *inserts needle, but has difficulty finding a vein* ...

Jen Sagan: *groans*

Jen Sagan: *passes out*

Hojo: *pulls needle away, confused, and notices that Jen is (a) passed out and (b) bleeding blue*

Hojo: ... That's... not right.

Seph: ...Dad....

Hojo: *displeased with her skin temperature, begins getting out the emergency equipment* If I can't stabilize her, Sephiroth, I'll need to put her in a tank. Can you prep ten for me?

Seph: *nods* Yes, sir. *goes to do so*

Hojo: *murmuring* Jenova, any enlightenment to offer as to why my daughter is bleeding in blue?

Hojo: *hooking up various monitors and suchlike*

Irena: *calls janitors about the vomit*

Jenova: Perhaps she's been injecting herself? Is Sephiroth or yourself missing anything from your kits?

Hojo: I didn't notice anything... Sephiroth, have you noticed anything chemical missing lately?

Seph: No, but I stopped doing inventory when you got Irena to do it.

Hojo: Irena, have you?

Irena: Um, I've just been writing down the numbers. *fetches clipboard and shows it*

Jenova: If she's not injecting extra mako, it could be subjugating her blood supplies and you'll have to replenish it till her body becomes accustomed.

Hojo: Hmm. We are missing some things, but I'll flush her system and see if that helps.

Hojo: *gets out still more needles and tubes and stuff8

Jen Sagan: *skin seems to be changing by the second, now both arms are infected*

Seph: If you need any blood, Dad...

Jen Sagan: *has same type as Sephi- UNKNOWN*

Hojo: *shakes head* This is moving too fast. I need to stabilize her. It'll have to be the tank.

Hojo: *gets Jen ready for the tank*

Seph: *chewing on his bangs*

Seph: *hasn't really done it in years*

Jen Sagan: *convulses, her body twisting*

Seph: *ready to lift her if Hojo needs help*

Tank: *full green lights, ready for occupant*

Hojo: *lifts her and attempts to get her into tank*

Seph: *jumps in and helps*

Hojo: *finally gets her into the tank with Seph's help*

Seph: *is all strong like that*

Hojo: *pushes buttons to seal the tank*