♘ 1: Video

[intemperiae]

[The visage appearing over the video feed was...less than amused, honestly. MAKO green eyes framed with silver narrowed in growing consternation, as this particular user had been trying to make sense of this strange simulation for the last hour or so. With little luck, as this place damned sure wasn't his HQ field tent.

Not to mention that this thing in his hand certainly doesn't look like his PHS, there's a bloody collar around his neck (and for that, heads will roll, oh yes), his sword is nowhere to be found and some idiot considered it humorous to leave cryptic notes at the foot of his bunk... Needless to say, Sephiroth's temper with it was quickly evaporating.]

...I do not find this particularly amusing, gentlemen. We have work to be done, these pranks are better left for your celebrating at mission's completion.

[Granted, finding himself in a completely different place than the one in which he'd arrived the previous day did little to mollify his irritation, either. But, no matter the situation, a SOLDIER always kept a level head. ...most of the time.]

Fair! Strife! Report in, immediately!

Comments

[intemperiae]

[Considering the General's exposure to anyone younger than, say, sixteen was virtually nonexistent, he wasn't a very capable judge of age.]

Nothing has been explained succinctly, no. And I don't find this penchant for drama or whatever it is very amusing.

[floreatnoctem]

A moment then, if you will.

[She types at the console for a few moments, and then brings up this for him.]

There you go.

[intemperiae]

[Hn, competent and capable. Impressive.]

Thank you. I appreciate the information.

[floreatnoctem]

[Strega is nothing if not dangerously efficient, most days.]

Of course. A teammate went to the trouble of helping to write it, it is only fair that it actually be put to use.

If you have any questions that are not answered there, I can do my best to try and help with that.

[Anything to keep her mind occupied.]

[intemperiae]

Logical reasoning.

[Praise be someone possessed it in this waking nightmare.]

I can assume to say that after a brief scan of the introductory paragraph, the idea that this is a company holographic program - as well as a personal hallucination - is incorrect.

[Wry twitch of lips; this just wasn't his damned day.]

[floreatnoctem]

We excel at it.

[Usually.]

Your company must be quite impressive if you believe this to be a simulation of theirs. [Did her voice sharpen at the word 'company'? It's hard to tell.] But no- this is not a holographic program, I assure you.

[intemperiae]

A pity. [Because he'd take wicked pleasure in reprimanding those responsible.]

[floreatnoctem]

I would not be so certain. If you are here, then it likely means you do not wish to see what has probably become of your world.

[intemperiae]

Unfortunately, I am hardly inclined to believe missives from an unknown source without having hard evidence to support it. [Especially when said missive spoke about the destruction of an entire planet.]

[floreatnoctem]

Spend some time on some of the floors that scream. You won't need much evidence after that.

[intemperiae]

...of what?

[floreatnoctem]

Of this place, and what it is. Though it may make the claim about our being 'saved' more than a bit questionable.

[intemperiae]

I meant "that scream", actually. I'm afraid I don't quite understand to what you're referring.

[floreatnoctem]

Ah. On certain floors of the tower you can hear things. Mostly disembodied screams.

It is all much worse at night.

[intemperiae]

[A haunted Tower.]

...lovely.

[The sarcasm is probably thick enough to walk on.]

[floreatnoctem]

It's absolutely charming.

[intemperiae]

So it seems.

[floreatnoctem]

You will adapt to it.