002 [Video]

[pauldrons]

[8:45 AM]
Didn't see you during last night's patrol, man. Everything okay?

[4:20 PM]
General? You still reading me? Not like you to ignore a hail like that.

[7:20 PM]
Hey, Seph...where the heck are you? Just...let me know, okay? I'm getting worried.


[Evening, Animus-folk. Have a rather concerned looking Zack on your network today. He's definitely worried about something, and considering the late hour, that's not surprising. Monsters will be out soon.]

Has anybody seen General Sephiroth around today? I looked all over and I can't find him anywhere...his name's not on his door anymore, either, but that doesn't mean anything, does it? [a glance over his shoulder, probably at that door in question, then he looks back at the screen.]

Just...lemme know if you've seen him around, okay? It's not like him to not check in.

Comments

[absolute_perception]

[He gives it some thought with a thoughtful expression. His grasp on emotions is getting better the more he works on it. It's not without sympathy, and he is trying.]

You have a valid concern, Mr. Fair. I cannot say if they were the direct cause of the disappearances, however, it would be a fair assumption to think so. When was the last time you had seen him?

[pauldrons]

[Eh, someone who can keep his emotions out of it is probably better at this than Zack can ever be. He's letting his run wild which makes logical thinking difficult.]

Just a couple of days ago. We went on night patrol together, and I saw him go back to his room. He didn't show up for last nights, but I thought he was just busy and forgot to tell me or something.

[absolute_perception]

Considering his discipline and rank, I highly doubt that he would simply walk off the job. I also doubt that he would not report for his duties, unless he showed this type of irresponsibility in the past.

Think carefully, Mr. Fair. Would General Sephiroth exhibit dereliction of duty?

[Always logical, even Elian had his moments where he lost himself for a short time.]

[pauldrons]

[Zack immediately shakes his head. He doesn't need to think carefully about this.]

No. No way. That guy could be on his deathbed and he'd still be working. He never abandons his post or ignores a call. Ever.

[absolute_perception]

[The answer is pretty clear to the clone.]

... Forgive my callousness. It is possible the General is gone. If he was removed from the Tower by the Administration, there would be no warning.

[pauldrons]

[Zack needs a moment to take that in; instinctually he knows that Sephiroth wouldn't leave without a word like this by choice, but to have him just vanish...he can't believe that.]

...And what are the chances that he's not gone? Just...you said it's possible, not that it's what happened.

[absolute_perception]

You heard correctly. I would say the chances are fifty-fifty. I gave my word that I would search and I still intend to uphold my duty. Has anyone successfully removed those door tags in the past that you know of?

[This might help, if it were a kidnapping.]

[pauldrons]

[he takes a deep breath, shaking his head. Calm down, Fair. Start the search again when you know more.]

No. I didn't even know they could come off at all.

[absolute_perception]

I am unable to reach mine without the aid of a box. Could you see if you could remove yours to determine if they could? If it requires force to remove it, then we have another piece to the puzzle.

[At the very least, if he could keep Zack calm enough, the answers could be presenting itself soon. For Zack's sake, he hopes for the best and prepares for the worst.]

[pauldrons]

Yeah. Just...hang on a minute. [he disappears from the feed, leaving a view of the hallway. If Elian concentrates and is a quiet spot, he might just be able to he Zack muttering and grumbling as he attempts to remove his, then the thud of something against the wall. Yep. He just kicked it.

Don't mind his annoyed look when he returns. He's trying his hardest to not fall apart, and it's..kind of failing right now.]

Didn't even budge. Those things don't come off easy.

[absolute_perception]

[He does flinch slightly at the thud and winces visibly. It's all part of the process of finding the truth. Elian doesn't laugh at the whole thing but there is a small, inward smile that Zack was willing to do everything to find his friend which is endearing to him.

Once Zack returns, it's back to business. A deep inhale and a nod.]

I see. Thank you. I am not a detective, but it does indicate that Sephiroth has been removed. Hm, I'll need more answers before I can say for certain what happened to your friend, Mr. Fair.

[pauldrons]

[There is little Zack wouldn't do for his friends. Busting his toes on a wall doesn't even register as a cost, but he has to take a breath at what Elian says. Focus, Zack. Nothing's sure yet.]

You'll let me know what you find? Even if it's not good news? I just...I need to know for sure.

[monsters or not, he intends to go back out there and look again. Even if it means being out all night. That being said, he does appreciate Elian's help.]

[absolute_perception]

Affirmative.

[He nods and does offer a sympathetic look and softens his voice. After losing his father to a fate that couldn't be avoided, the least he can do is put someone's mind to rest, good or bad.]

I'll do everything I can.

[pauldrons]

Thanks, man. I appreciate it.

[He does, truly. If Seph's gone, then there's nothing he can do but wait. But he just...needs to know. It's the not knowing that's killing him.

Well. That and the mental image of what his mother would do to him for forgetting something.]

You know, I never did get your name.

[absolute_perception]

You're welcome.

[His brow raised. He could have sworn he said it. His eyes narrow, now feeling completely dejected and it shows.]

Elian Zigmarl.

[It's times like this that he feels nearly completely invisible socially.]

[pauldrons]

[A nod, then...yep. Elian had mentioned his name, but in all the panic and confusion, it had slipped Zack's mind entirely. It's nothing personal, he just has crummy memory when he's freaked. He'd forget his own name if it hadn't been drilled into his head by his folks.]

Hey, what's the matter? Is something wrong?

[absolute_perception]

[Zack's reasons are definitely sane in circumstances like this, it's Elian being a little bit of a brat now and he's showing his age. He still won't verbally complain about it, his expressions tell the story most of the time.

He sighs and shakes his head.]

It's nothing. Anyway, you should get some rest. I'm sure the stress has started to affect you physically.

[pauldrons]

[His expressions tell enough of a story for Zack to get that there is indeed something wrong, but if Elian doesn't want to say...well. Maybe now's not the time to ask. Daylight's burning.]

Yeah. Maybe. [headshake.] But I can sleep later. There's still some time before the monsters get active, so I'm gonna go look around again. Maybe he got stuck somewhere or something.

[absolute_perception]

[He lowers his head and sighs. No amount of warning was going to stop Zack and he knew it. He knew soldiers like him, one in particular always did things the way he felt was right. Still, now that he had a moment to cool his own jets a bit from that little name issue, it was soon forgotten.

In his line of work, being invisible wasn't a bad thing at all. It only meant that he was doing his job properly.]

Best of luck to you, Mr. Fair.

[pauldrons]

[No one can accuse most soldiers of acting rationally when it's their friends on the line, sadly. They're human...or not. But still, emotional as the rest. At least Zack's only risking his own life, though. No one else needs to risk it.]

Yeah. You too, Elian. Thanks again.

[And with that, along with a half-smile, he's gone. Barely remembers to end the feed, but he's gone. Ah, what a mess.]

[absolute_perception]

[Elian takes care of the terminal feed and nods just as Zack leaves before he cuts off both ends into a black screen.

Soldiers are people too and that's why he never had too much of a problem understanding them. As a clone produced to do a specific job, it takes time to learn these things. He's certainly glad to have that little bit of home again.]