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[Not in Midgar anymore-?

But the canon-

He takes another deep breath, sighs, and begins to speak more slowly. Suddenly cautious.]

How long have you been here, Sephiroth? In this new world, so to speak?

From:

This would be the start of my fourth month here.

[He's tempted to ask about the man's timeline, to find out just where in time the man is from; be it his present or his future. However he refrains from it for now, perhaps the man might slip with something which would reveal what he desired to know without the question needing to be posed to him.]

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[Four months? Impossible!]

And prior to that? What were you doing prior to your arrival here?

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[Since that question ends that charade, the general manages to get the phone to switch from voice to video at least on his own end anyway. Hopefully the other man would remain using voice, it made it easier converse with him when he was just another voice on the other end of the phone. He'd deal with the face to face when it came to that, but for now it was time to show his hand metaphorically speaking.]

Prior to my arrival, I was awaiting new orders. As I had just returned from an investigation in Modeoheim.

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[The device next to his ear flashes, and Hojo pulls it into his line of sight. The picture on-screen almost makes his breathing irregular again. Sephiroth's features are still young, free of the tint of JENOVA's madness. Green eyes hardened by war, but not yet by betrayle.

Hojo pauses, not sure how to proceed. Gaining knowledge of the circumstances behind his origin caused Sephiroth to soar to greater heights than Hojo ever imagined, but Sephiroth's wrath became a wildfire more intense than that which burned his birthplace down. What to do now that that history is essentially erased?

The Northern Crator...back in his own Gaia where the One Winged Angel lies dormant and in wait...there is where Hojo is truly needed.

...isn't it?]

I see.

[Pause, again. He hates hesitance for its telling nature, but this is difficult.]

What can you tell me about this world, General? [He switches to the title. It has always been easier.]

From:

[I would be rather simple to fall into old habits and mindlessly report what he'd learned while here. However, he still didn't know himself just where the other man was from himself time-wise. Thus he balked at falling into that habit, as easy as it might have been to give into it and pretend nothing was changed between the two of them. He couldn't do that now.]

I think I've told you enough already, Professor.

[This a quiet pause, the general in a sense readying himself for the battle of words which no doubt this rebellion would cause to occur.]

I think it is time you answered a few of my questions now...[the next word briefly breaks the calm expression, feline eyes actually showing several emotions within the span of seconds; anger, and disgust being the foremost of them.] Father.

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[The device slips halfway out of his hand, his whole mind going numb at the last spoken word. Hojo sees the shade of green in Sephiroth's eyes darken and flash, negative emotions conveyed so effectively without words, and feels the ground beneath his feet rush away as if he is standing in a receding tide.

For a while, he is stricken dumb and mute, looking into the face of the man he did not- could not- call son. When he finally speaks, his voice is a hushed hiss, and uncharacteristic. Edged with panic, and almost young. Thirty years old.]

What did you just call me?

From:

[The question wasn't unexpected really, though the way the voice had changed was interesting enough to make him almost wish the man had switched to video with him. Now that he'd made the first move however, he was committed to this line of action or rather questioning.

The temptation to look away as he answered was there but resisted as it might be seen as a sign of possible weakness, as would switching back to voice likely. He did manage to keep his voice calm however, despite the quiet riot of mixed emotions that had been brought up from the back recesses of his mind where he'd shoved all of the information he had been told about his future.]

Father.

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[Father.

Lucrecia Crescent is pregnant, and in a lapse in professional judgement she catches the wrist of her husband (coworker) as he brushes past, whispers you're going to be a father. He looks down at her seated form, no telling bump yet at her abdomen, and smiles without replying.

Sephiroth had black hair and auburn eyes at birth.

Lucrecia Crescent suffers from depression, and in a fit she latches onto her husband (the traitor) as if he is keeping her afloat in an agitated ocean. I want to see my son. Give me back my son. And as he breaks loose, steps back, he watches, fascinated, as she begins helplessly to drown.

Sephiroth had silver hair and green eyes when Hojo returned to Midgar, without Lucrecia.]

No. [But it is unclear what he is denying. Hojo's voice is monotonous and hollow. He reads Sephiroth's emotions clearly enough, even with the boy's apparent calm, and closes his eyes briefly in an attempt to regain his own composure.]

Tell me what you know. [A slight pause, and he adds,] What you think you know.

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[The denial and demand only seemed to have added fuel to the flames of open rebellion, subtle disdain replacing the calm detachment those feline-eyes. The tone replying to the demand has an air of cold contempt and perhaps just a hint of superiority?]

I told you I'm not telling you anything further until my questions have been answered. I know about Project S, what I want to know from you is why you lied about whom my mother was.

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I did not lie, Sephiroth! You-

[He stops himself, bites his lower lip against a wave of nausea and repressed words. No. Stay calm. This is manageable. The truth is maliable. The past is dismissive.

He takes an audible breath. When he speaks again, his voice is an octave lower.]

You are familiar with Project S? You would know, then, that your so-called biological mother was nothing but a vessel, and that most of your genetic makeup is derived from JENOVA.

I did not lie. [He repeats, perhaps more for himself.] You were created to transcend humanity, Sephiroth. You did not need... mortal parents.

[A small sigh, then. Years upon years of self-loathing start to creep insidiously through his veins.] I am no more your parent than that woman was.

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For shame, dear professor. To lie even now? Tsk tsk...

I know everything about Project S, Hojo and I was the one who told the dear General the truth. I also know everything about Project G. Trust me, dear professor, you should quit while you are ahead.

You are correct in one fact, however. You are no parent. And that "woman" that you have condemned was never a parent for the sheer fact alone that you took her child away.

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[Heated by his conversation with Sephiroth, Hojo does not appreciate this interruption in the least.]

You. The failed experiment of that halfwit hack posing as a scientist. Last I heard your inferior making was causing you to unravel at the seams, Genesis.

And, for the record, Project G and Project S were nothing alike. [His tone darkens a shade further.] And you, boy, should go back to your dreamy prose before you betray your ignorance further.

From:

Nothing alike? Nothing alike? Oh and here I thought that Hollander was a halfwit. I know every detail of both projects, professor. The only difference between then were the methods you used.

There are no dreams, no honor remains...my dear, deranged professor. You don't know when I am from. You say I am ignorant? I am far from it, in fact. I am from a time in which no one remains.

Except perhaps Cloud Strife. Another failed experiment, yes? Funny how these... failures happen to be the only ones left standing.

And, for the record? I was unraveling at the seems seven years ago. No one but the Goddess herself could save me.

And she has. Quite beautifully, if I do say so myself. Think about it, Professor Hojo. Seven years is quite a long time.

A very long time.

From:

[Seven.

Years.

Perhaps - no, surely - on another day when Hojo's senses were less assaulted, Genesis' words would have little impact. As it stands, however, at present they shoot right through the professor's nervous system, sending a chill down his spine which very nearly makes him drop the phone again.

The failures are the only ones left standing.

At the back of his mind, this very thought had started to bloom years ago, crept into his consciousness now and again, nagging and insidious. That's why- That's why Sephiroth had to succeed. That's why the One-Winged Angel needed to take flight - to leave on the dying world Hojo's last and greatest legacy. To beat down every miserable failure that had coalesced together in their hatred for their maker.

Seven years.

Hojo's voice is waspish as he speaks again.]

No. If there is one similarity between Project S and G, it was the desired outcome. The methods made all the difference, as the products can attest. Sephiroth is the superior specimen - perfection by my hands. He will always remain a class above you, Genesis, just as I have always been a class above Hollander.

[Father. No. Sephiroth is of no blood relation to Hojo. The father's deeds will always marr that of the son's, and Sephiroth could not be marred. Sephiroth was made to sever all ties to earth and rise above the common dirt of human existence.]

But this is no time to exchange old stories, as much as I know you like your tales. [He needs to end this conversation quickly; his mind is in desperate need of rest.] Why are you with Sephiroth, boy? What are you doing?

From:

A class above me? Dear Hojo, did you not listen? It was your failed experiment that brought down the man who you say is a "class above me." Your attempt to get a rise out of me will not work. Not to the likes of you and may have worked if I was from the very same time as you.

But I'm not. And so I carry the knowledge of the future for many in this place called Gaia. I have no reason to lie, not even to you. In fact, throughout all that time during the war, I have never lied. Manipulated, maybe. Ensured my own survival, yes. But lied? Never.

And so, I bring the truth to you now, Hojo. Your failure triumphed over your "superior" specimen. And Hollander's failure? Why... he lives on. Lives on to do as the Goddess wills.

What I am doing? Why I was on my way to go see the Director but this little place has redirected my route for the time being. What am I doing with Sephiroth? Ah, well...wouldn't you like to know?

Edited Date: 2010-02-05 05:09 pm (UTC)

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[Hojo, all too aware of just what sort of game Genesis is playing, hisses nonetheless. He bites his tongue to prevent betraying his agitation further, and takes a deep breath, willing rapid heartbeat to slow.

There is no proof to anything the boy is saying, and Hojo knows better than to demand any. It is true that Genesis' manner has changed greatly since Hojo last saw him, and the mere fact he is alive speaks for itself...but even if he is from some distant future where the scientist's empire has crumbled to nothing...

...there is no reason now why that future cannot be changed.

Which renders Genesis' words, truth or not, insignificant.

Hojo sighs, and is much calmer when he next speaks.]

I will waste no more words with you, Genesis.

[The Director. Which one? It hardly matters, save that there appears to be a vast number more of people from his own world here. Whether this is beneficial or not is yet to be seen.

He raises his voice a notch,]

Sephiroth, are you content in letting this fool speak for you? You had more questions; I will answer them.

You know very well that I am the only one who can.

From:

Suit yourself, but the future has already been changed now that the dear general has kept his mind in tact this time.

This fool told him the truth. I believe that is enough for him to trust me or even Cloud Strife rather than your disgusting self.

My soul, corrupted by vengeance
Hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey
In my own salvation
And your eternal slumber.

Have a good day, professor. Should I find anything... amiss... hm, well, I believe you will know what will happen.

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