"Same process, similar training. He knows how to use the weapon he was carrying, without hesitation. He too, was made for it." Maybe Sephiroth's estimation of Cloud isn't fair, but he knows very well if he so much as breathed wrong in their brief encounter, it would have ended in violence. Hojo had his hand in things in making sure Cloud was as suitable for bloodshed as he himself was.
The cold was a lesser concern. But he'd wait a while, at least. Watch the fire, and try to get things in order at least a little bit. "...Not really." It doesn't sound like he's trying to hide anything about that potential encounter. As far as he could tell it should go just fine. Peacefully, even. There's nothing to avenge by way of Vincent's actions. His own, on the other hand..
Maybe it wasn't fair. Maybe Vincent's isn't. It's not as if Cloud didn't grow into his own and Vincent has that knowledge.
But is he necessarily wrong to have a concern about how it would affect Cloud? Only playing out the scenario would discover the truth and Vincent has no desire to put it to the test. And who knows how Aerith being here in Folkmore, how Zack being here, has changed things?
At least he's almost certain that he's correct it would not give Cloud the closure he really desires.
"Hm." It's a sound of acknowledgement with a short nod that's just a tip of Vincent's head forward a split second. If Sephiroth was hiding something- and he's likely not- Vincent would have to handle it anyway.
Minutes tick by, the sound of logs settling interrupts breathing and heartbeats. There is a wind picking up, though the sky remains clear. The cabin seems well insulated against the threat of Wintermute's chill. And... well, the cloak is warm.
Without sustained conversation, Vincent seems happy to lapse into silence and his own thoughts. Most of the time his eyes remain closed, but here and there Sephiroth is no doubt going to catch the ruby glimmer that suggests the gunman is still awake. Still watchful.
It's a silence that goes uninterrupted for hours. He doesn't move, beyond breath or the occasional blink, watching the firelight without actually seeing the flames.
An hour or so before the sun would normally break over the desolation of Wintermute, he finally stirs; sleep was never an option, wouldn't be regular or easy for a long while yet, but there's a certain stiffness to be had in not moving for most of the night. Nothing's said even then, the cloak unwound and set on the chair, with it the pistol he'd liberated from Vincent the day before.
There's no doubt the Turk will wake, if he'd even gotten any sleep, having someone moving around no matter how quiet Sephiroth could be, but he doesn't say anything, he just heads for the door. It's time to go, and it's a long way back to what passed as 'home'.
Other than the addition of an occasional log to the fire over the course of the night, there was little movement from Vincent.
Was he awake? Asleep? When morning came and Sephiroth quietly arranged departure, the gunman's eyes do not open and his breathing remains steady. He is awake. Sephiroth probably is well aware. But it might be nice that he pretends.
Until the door is closing. Before Sephiroth can leave the porch and the final click of the latch, a familiar voice drifts out of the pre-dawn shadows of the cabin.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2024-06-02 09:47 pm (UTC)The cold was a lesser concern. But he'd wait a while, at least. Watch the fire, and try to get things in order at least a little bit. "...Not really." It doesn't sound like he's trying to hide anything about that potential encounter. As far as he could tell it should go just fine. Peacefully, even. There's nothing to avenge by way of Vincent's actions. His own, on the other hand..
.. He'll burn that bridge when he comes to it.
no subject
Date: 2024-06-02 10:47 pm (UTC)But is he necessarily wrong to have a concern about how it would affect Cloud? Only playing out the scenario would discover the truth and Vincent has no desire to put it to the test. And who knows how Aerith being here in Folkmore, how Zack being here, has changed things?
At least he's almost certain that he's correct it would not give Cloud the closure he really desires.
"Hm." It's a sound of acknowledgement with a short nod that's just a tip of Vincent's head forward a split second. If Sephiroth was hiding something- and he's likely not- Vincent would have to handle it anyway.
Minutes tick by, the sound of logs settling interrupts breathing and heartbeats. There is a wind picking up, though the sky remains clear. The cabin seems well insulated against the threat of Wintermute's chill. And... well, the cloak is warm.
Without sustained conversation, Vincent seems happy to lapse into silence and his own thoughts. Most of the time his eyes remain closed, but here and there Sephiroth is no doubt going to catch the ruby glimmer that suggests the gunman is still awake. Still watchful.
no subject
Date: 2024-06-03 12:18 am (UTC)An hour or so before the sun would normally break over the desolation of Wintermute, he finally stirs; sleep was never an option, wouldn't be regular or easy for a long while yet, but there's a certain stiffness to be had in not moving for most of the night. Nothing's said even then, the cloak unwound and set on the chair, with it the pistol he'd liberated from Vincent the day before.
There's no doubt the Turk will wake, if he'd even gotten any sleep, having someone moving around no matter how quiet Sephiroth could be, but he doesn't say anything, he just heads for the door. It's time to go, and it's a long way back to what passed as 'home'.
no subject
Date: 2024-06-03 12:27 am (UTC)Was he awake? Asleep? When morning came and Sephiroth quietly arranged departure, the gunman's eyes do not open and his breathing remains steady. He is awake. Sephiroth probably is well aware. But it might be nice that he pretends.
Until the door is closing. Before Sephiroth can leave the porch and the final click of the latch, a familiar voice drifts out of the pre-dawn shadows of the cabin.
"Travel safe."