animus_network | [video]

Hello. [The person seated in front of the library terminal is a pale, white-haired woman dressed in something reminiscent of a nun's habit, though there's nothing to cover her head. One of her yellow eyes is covered with an eyepatch. She tries to smile and does about as well as one might expect of a person in her situation, the expression both pinched and weak.] My name is Claudia Kotomine. I've—just arrived.

[There's definitely some uncertainty in her voice about how she should describe the situation, but nonetheless, she carries on.] If there are any other members of the Holy Church here, I'd like to hear from them as soon as possible. Or— Anyone else I'm acquainted with. And, mm, even if there aren't...

[She trails off momentarily, her one visible eye flicking away from the terminal as she considers something. Her lips purse together for a moment, and then she sighs. Well, she doesn't want to be ungrateful—at least she's able to eat—but—]

Ah, it's just that the kitchen seems equipped to do a lot more than it currently is! [She laughs, but the sound is nervous.] Is the food always in the state that it is now? I just thought—if there are better ingredients around anywhere, I could make something nicer. I'm more than willing to share with anyone who helps me with this, so...

...Ah, in any case, thank you for your time. [She forces another slight smile.] If there's anything you would like to ask of me in turn, I'm happy to assist or answer you to the best of my ability.

[For those that would prefer action, immediately after this she can be found browsing the library (and frustrating herself with her inability to find anything of immediate use), and later on she'll be investigating the thirteenth floor/the cathedral.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hello. My name is Sephiroth.

What is the Holy Church?

Food can be obtained by hunting or gathering it on certain floors. I can hunt.

Hello, Sephiroth. It's nice to meet you.

[Oh, another child. Her expression immediately shifts to one that is warmer and more concerned. She figures the name "Holy Church" is self-explanatory enough, but she answers his question regardless when asked.]

It's the religious sect I belong to.

Can you? I'm afraid that isn't something I have much experience with myself. [Though, hm, surely there were books on edible plants in this library?]

I'm pleased to meet you, too. [He remembers his manners, always.]

A religious sect. [He doesn't know much about religion. In fact, he knows next to nothing about it.] What does it do?

Yes, I can. It isn't difficult. I can bring you some meat or plants.

Are you injured?

Well... [There are some interesting responses she could give to the question of what the Holy Church does, but she goes with the safer answer instead.] It serves as a banner for those with the same spiritual beliefs to stand under. Or, more concretely, it helps people by doing things like feeding or clothing the needy.

I'd be very grateful. Would you like me to help as much as I'm able? [She feels bad asking a child to do this kind of thing, after all, and she supposes she could learn something this way. She smiles, but the expression falters when he asks about her health.] Mm, well, my body has a condition, but it's not so bad. Thank you for your concern, though.

What do you believe? [Sephiroth likes to ask questions, and he asks this one simply and matter of factly, even if the matter itself isn't so simple.] In helping people?

I do not need assistance, but if you would like to help, you may.

I am capable of healing.

[That question is so innocent that she has to laugh. It's cute.]

Mm, well, helping others is an important part, but that's not all of it! Ah, but religion is a little complicated, so it's hard to sum it up simply... It's a whole system of beliefs, about things like morality and the nature of God.

Well, how do you hunt? It might be more helpful to me if it's something I can do, too. If it is, I can learn it that way, so I won't have to ask you every time I'm in need of something like this.

Are you? Well... It's not something that can be healed altogether, but my body can't heal on its own, so that would help me a lot as well.

[He doesn't understand why she laughs, but he isn't offended. He remains serious in response.]

I see. What is God like? There is no religion where I'm from. [At least, not one that he knows about, having been raised in a lab, but he does live in a more or less secular world.]

I kill animals with my sword. Can you use a sword?

If you become injured, I can heal you. [He says this with confidence. His Materia are rather powerful, even if they aren't the kind of Materia he'd prefer (the kind that burn and freeze and electrocute).]

No religion? [She blinks, that much taking her off-guard. For someone like her, who has been raised in it since birth, the thought of there being none at all is completely foreign. She takes a breath as she tries to decide how to best approach the question, and then she of course leads with what has always resonated most strongly with her own faith.] God is benevolent. We are His children, and He loves and cares for each and every human on a level beyond what we can even understand.

Ah, oh, no— My body isn't nearly strong enough for that. [She laughs sheepishly. She had assumed something like trapping was involved, based on his apparent age, but she's realizing that making assumptions based on what is normal for a child is probably foolish.] Thank you. That's very kind of you to offer.

No, I never learned about religion. [Not only was he raised in a lab, but there aren't any extant churches that are still in use in his world, at least not where he lives.] What is God? Is he a spirit? Why does he love humans?

I see. Then I can kill them for you. [He's glad to be able to help, and he's good at killing.]

You're welcome. Much of my magic is healing-based. [He doesn't mind it so much. He can do enough damage with his own strength that he doesn't necessarily need damage-dealing Materia.]

Mm, you don't know what a god is at all? [Not that she minds explaining, really.] I guess you could think of God as a spirit. The universe and everything in it was created by His hand—and of course He loves His creations.

[Him stating that he can kill things in her stead makes her pause. There are a lot of things she could ask, and she isn't quite sure where to start. She tries to hide her uncertainty with a smile, keeping her tone light when she replies.]

I see, I see. You must have been using a sword since you were very young, then, hm? Are you very skilled?

I have heard of stories about a goddess, but they are only myths. [He's a bit of a skeptic.] How did God make everything? With magic?

Yes, I have been training for years. [For as long as he can remember.] I am very skilled, and my speed, strength, and endurance are enhanced. [World's best child soldier.]

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