on testing and being apped

[lucrecia]

I am a very busy woman, you understand.

...no. Of course you do not understand. If you knew what important matters I had to attend to, you wouldn't be sending me off to an unfamiliar city where I have no access to my research or to my lab or to things which urgently need my attention.

Let me try again. ShinRa does not give vacation time lightly. I haven't even had a chance to catch up from my maternity leave. You should leave me be and let me sort things out.

No? Well, it was worth a try at least. On to being coerced into newer and strange things, hm?

Comments

[heavenlyhonour]

[One word catches his attention and that's the Company's name.]

You work for ShinRa?

[lucrecia]

In the Science Research division, yes.

[And she tilts her head, because she doesn't recognize him in the least. Does she? Parts of him seem familiar.]

Dr. Lucrecia Crescent. And you are?

[bedsidemanners]

Maternity leave? ... Well. Congratulations, my dear.

[lucrecia]

Oh...why...thank you.

[What an awkward moment.]

I would have taken no time, you see, but for legal reasons I had to do so.

[bedsidemanners]

Having that kind of dedication to your work is impressive. What is it you do, if you don't mind my asking?

[lucrecia]

I'm a scientist. I was working on a project about the relation of alien genetics to the life force of the planet. I felt it was very important.

You do not feel the same dedication to what you do?

[bedsidemanners]

... Alien genetics?

Let's just say I take my sick days very seriously. I'm a doctor.

[lucrecia]

A medical doctor? How lovely! Of course you must have such an intimate knowledge of sicknesses and which are contagious or disabling enough to warrant time off!

Alien genetics, yes. As well as those of the creatures which inhabited the planet before we did.

[iam_sephiroth]

[...]

[It can't be. Can it?]

[heavenlyhonour]

Angeal Hewley, formerly of SOLDIER, First Class.

[lucrecia]

I am afraid that does not sound familiar...not all together. But I feel as though we have met before.

[lucrecia]

[...there are facial similarities. And Lucrecia, a little wide-eyed, looks back.

He's something out of a dream, isn't he? Even knowing, having seen, she can't quite believe he's real.]

Have we...met?

[iam_sephiroth]

I am Sephiroth. Do you not remember me?

[shadow_of_a_turk]

As long as we dance on their strings, they hardly care about our own wants.

Hello. Lucrecia.

[lucrecia]

Similar to other places we've been, hm?

[A beat.]

It's good to see you. Alive. Vincent.

[shadow_of_a_turk]

Something like that.

...Why would I not be alive?

[lucrecia]

My son is named Sephiroth.

[Give her a second. And another look.]

...but you couldn't be. I thought-but here you are.

[lucrecia]

When has anyone cared what we think or want if it is not useful to them?

[And she might be a little amused.]

You're me. I'm you. How peculiar.

[iam_sephiroth]

I am Sephiroth. [He looked at the woman and stepped closer.]

I am your son.

[lucrecia]

Hojo. You confronted him and he-

[No. Slow down. She worries her lower lip between her teeth.]

How much do you remember?

[lucrecia]

I never got to see you. Not after the first time. [As though this excuses anything, which even she knows it doesn't.]

You are...different than I imagined. Taller. [Saner.]

[shadow_of_a_turk]

...Not as much as you do apparently.

I was in Midgar before coming here.

[iam_sephiroth]

[He nodded. Sadness brimming at his eyes. She was beautiful, young and he loved her.]

Mother....

[lucrecia]

I...was in the ShinRa Mansion. In Nibelheim.

It is still very good to see you alive and well, Vincent. How are things?

[shadow_of_a_turk]

Nibelheim. They built a reactor there, didn't they?

Same as always. Veld has me on a short leash, but what else is new?