[ His outstretched hand, which had been loosely held in wait for Sephiroth’s expected aid, stiffens tellingly when the token is displayed. Stiles lowers his arm slowly, recognizing the implicit refusal, and begins to pick himself up while blatantly staring at the coin. His expression is hard and frustrated. The people who were chosen to meet with the Matriarch – were they picked at random? From Itachi to Momo, Sephiroth to Louis…Stiles can discern neither rhyme nor reason for the selection. This small, stupid token that determines who may and who may not speak with the newest lead they have on this world’s history, god does he hate it. ]
Sure am, [ he grumbles, absently wiping grit from the seat of his pants. ] Gonna go out on a limb and guess you have no idea how you ended up with it either? Or is there some secret society I’m missing out on here?
[Eyes follow Stiles as he rises to his feet, and Sephiroth notes the frustration that runs clear across his features. Was it such an offense to not be chosen to speak to the Matriarch? Perhaps to an individual that has something to say; or someone with a mind so crowded with potential questions that it must be agitating to see others be given the opportunity for no reason at all.
Sephiroth palms the coin in the flat of his gloved hand, fingers curling around it. He allows his arm to drop at his side, looking at Stiles questioningly.]
It appears to be random. If you’re asking if I’ve done anything special to earn this, the answer is no. Does that frustrate you?
[It’s obvious that it does, so he hardly gives any time to reply-]
There are better ways of going about showing it. I could have run you through with my blade.
And I’m immensely grateful that you didn’t. Thanks for not skewering me.
[ A heavy exhale, then he relinquishes all hope of meeting with the Matriarch through this particular token. Stiles hasn’t given up, not yet; he just recognizes when he’s wasting his effort with this man. Which begs the question of why he chose a trained warrior like Sephiroth as a mark in the first place. CR obeys no logic. ]
Do you know I’m the only Mirrorbound Arachne? [ he says suddenly, tone sharp with the edge of his aggravation. ] At least, I’m pretty damn sure I am. Still haven’t met everyone, but I’ve seen most of us at some point or another. Now, here we are in a new civilization where the Arachne leader is apparently fascinated by our situation, and I’m not even picked? [ Stiles lowers his voice, a harsh drawl that lacks the dry irreverence of his typical demeanor. ] Some of the chosen people probably don’t have jack shit to talk about. Meanwhile, I’ve been risking my neck every month trying to dig up as much information on this goddamn world as possible. I mean, is this a test or something? They value strength here. Am I supposed to prove myself?
[ Hands on his hips, he turns away with an angry mutter. Yes, he’s frustrated. ]
[Stiles’ frustration is no longer implied; it’s clear as day, for the explanation given to him. Sephiroth cannot relate in the exact same way, but there is the flicker of sympathy crawling somewhere in the back of his mind: being rather one-of-a-kind and looking somewhere desperately to relate, or to possess a keen desire to unearth answers that lie all around them, waiting to be uncovered. It all carries a shade of familiarity.]
No. I didn’t know you were the only one.
[He has not noticed anyone else, now that Stiles points it out.]
Frutrating, I'm sure. …Still, if this is the outlet for that same frustration, it’s only going to be a hindrance for you. You think you’ll endear yourself to anyone here by picking pockets? The audience chamber is surely not the only place to go digging for answers. And you assume those chosen to speak to the Matriarch wouldn’t want to confer with other Mirrorbound — like yourself — first.
[ Sephiroth earns himself the most longsuffering and exasperated eyeroll, as if Stiles is dealing with a parental figure willfully misunderstanding him. God, you just don’t get it, dad! ]
I’ve been making trouble for myself since I learned how to walk. [ A dismissive hand gesture. ] Listen, Sephiroth – [ Stiles pauses, head tilted. The name rolls off the tongue strangely. ] I’m not assuming anything except for the fact I don’t trust people to, A: handle the information I have sensitively when talking with the Matriarch and, two: tell me what I need to know in return once the meeting is over.
[ Yes, he did just use two different value types. No, he hasn’t realized it. ]
You seemed like the type of guy to make his own rules. [ Folding his arms over his chest, he openly scrutinizes Sephiroth. ] Was I wrong? Are you secretly the type of person who follows the straight and narrow instead?
Actually, there’s only so much investment that Sephiroth has in Stiles’ stubborn resolution (or lack of investment) that’ll motivate him to press the point. The question earns an unimpressed look, though perhaps that, too, is nothing particularly unexpected.]
What rules should I break, when I’ve been handed an opportunity more advantageous than most?
[The straight and narrow equals the most efficient route in information gathering. It’s nearly as simple as that.]
If you don’t trust others enough to help in gaining that same advantage, that’s not a problem of mine.
[ Expression creased with a moue of disappointment, he stares up at Sephiroth in clear scrutiny as if coming to some kind of decision. A bitter sigh climbs up his throat, then he shrugs it off. ]
Fine, whatever. What are you going to talk to her about, then? Have you thought about it yet?
[So many people say. He’ll not contest the point.]
I would like to clarify her intent behind summoning us here, though I imagine the answer is as straightforward as curiosity.
[Anything more aggressive, and it isn’t as though they’d have been welcomed here in the manner that they have. Unless this is a very roundabout way of setting them all up for something more malicious, but that isn’t Sephiroth’s initial read on the situation.]
Beyond that? The Cwyld. The moss in this place. The history of this city.
[A beat.]
Any insight they may have about the Mirrorbound, and the potential of returning home.
[ Mouth quirked as he listens, Stiles nods along in silence. Everything Sephiroth plans to ask about seems reasonable – and, more importantly, useful. Once again, he feels that dangerous flare of envy buzzing hot in his veins. Instead of feeding into it, he brings up his comm watch and searches the network for “Sephiroth.” Finding the name, he sends the other man a quick text. ]
Sup.
[ That done, he returns his attention to Sephiroth. ]
Alright. I know I haven’t…uh, well – I probably haven’t endeared myself to you today, but… I just sent you a text. Can you reply to that network username with whatever you learn? I’d owe you one. And I pay back my debts.
[His watch pings with a notification, and there's only a small moment of interruption in which he chooses to check (Sup, it says rather elegantly), confirming that he's won some kind of approval from Stiles to earn potential, future correspondence.]
...Of course.
[It isn't as though endearing oneself to Sephiroth is ever a reasonable task, anyway, and Stiles' attempt at pickpocketing had not so much as pushed the needle into "irritated" territory. The sharing of information is more important, obviously a priority for him. He sees no reason to deny the burgeoning connection of exchange.]
If I learn anything, you'll know. I assume that isn't restricted to only what's uncovered in this city.
[ The presumption gives him a moment’s pause as he internally debates whether or not he wants to start including Sephiroth in the small circle of informants he’s been building. On one hand, he doesn’t really know the man particularly well. On the other, Sephiroth hardly seems like the type to give him bad intel or purposefully lead him astray. He’ll need to take a chance. With a decisive second nod, he holds out a hand for Sephiroth to shake. ]
Deal. There’s some stuff I’ve already uncovered, but I’ve already got someone looking in on that with the Matriarch once he chats with her. I’ll tell you what I know after your meeting with her. Sound good?
[He glances impassively down at that hand. And, as Sephiroth has done to more than one person in the past, neglects it and looks directly at Stiles, only offering him a half-inclined of a nod.]
Whenever you're ready. Until then, don't cause too much trouble in this city.
[You might actually lose an arm next time, buddy!]
Yeah, yeah. Stop trying to make your hair look authentic by acting like an old man. I got it, dad.
[ Rolling his eyes, Stiles turns on his heel and marches back the way he originally came (carefully edging around the pot hole that had tripped him earlier; no need to embarrass himself any more than he already has today). ]
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no subject
Sure am, [ he grumbles, absently wiping grit from the seat of his pants. ] Gonna go out on a limb and guess you have no idea how you ended up with it either? Or is there some secret society I’m missing out on here?
no subject
Sephiroth palms the coin in the flat of his gloved hand, fingers curling around it. He allows his arm to drop at his side, looking at Stiles questioningly.]
It appears to be random. If you’re asking if I’ve done anything special to earn this, the answer is no. Does that frustrate you?
[It’s obvious that it does, so he hardly gives any time to reply-]
There are better ways of going about showing it. I could have run you through with my blade.
no subject
[ A heavy exhale, then he relinquishes all hope of meeting with the Matriarch through this particular token. Stiles hasn’t given up, not yet; he just recognizes when he’s wasting his effort with this man. Which begs the question of why he chose a trained warrior like Sephiroth as a mark in the first place. CR obeys no logic. ]
Do you know I’m the only Mirrorbound Arachne? [ he says suddenly, tone sharp with the edge of his aggravation. ] At least, I’m pretty damn sure I am. Still haven’t met everyone, but I’ve seen most of us at some point or another. Now, here we are in a new civilization where the Arachne leader is apparently fascinated by our situation, and I’m not even picked? [ Stiles lowers his voice, a harsh drawl that lacks the dry irreverence of his typical demeanor. ] Some of the chosen people probably don’t have jack shit to talk about. Meanwhile, I’ve been risking my neck every month trying to dig up as much information on this goddamn world as possible. I mean, is this a test or something? They value strength here. Am I supposed to prove myself?
[ Hands on his hips, he turns away with an angry mutter. Yes, he’s frustrated. ]
no subject
No. I didn’t know you were the only one.
[He has not noticed anyone else, now that Stiles points it out.]
Frutrating, I'm sure. …Still, if this is the outlet for that same frustration, it’s only going to be a hindrance for you. You think you’ll endear yourself to anyone here by picking pockets? The audience chamber is surely not the only place to go digging for answers. And you assume those chosen to speak to the Matriarch wouldn’t want to confer with other Mirrorbound — like yourself — first.
[whew that was a lot of words.. for sephiroth
He adds:]
You're just making trouble for yourself.
no subject
I’ve been making trouble for myself since I learned how to walk. [ A dismissive hand gesture. ] Listen, Sephiroth – [ Stiles pauses, head tilted. The name rolls off the tongue strangely. ] I’m not assuming anything except for the fact I don’t trust people to, A: handle the information I have sensitively when talking with the Matriarch and, two: tell me what I need to know in return once the meeting is over.
[ Yes, he did just use two different value types. No, he hasn’t realized it. ]
You seemed like the type of guy to make his own rules. [ Folding his arms over his chest, he openly scrutinizes Sephiroth. ] Was I wrong? Are you secretly the type of person who follows the straight and narrow instead?
no subject
Actually, there’s only so much investment that Sephiroth has in Stiles’ stubborn resolution (or lack of investment) that’ll motivate him to press the point. The question earns an unimpressed look, though perhaps that, too, is nothing particularly unexpected.]
What rules should I break, when I’ve been handed an opportunity more advantageous than most?
[The straight and narrow equals the most efficient route in information gathering. It’s nearly as simple as that.]
If you don’t trust others enough to help in gaining that same advantage, that’s not a problem of mine.
no subject
[ Expression creased with a moue of disappointment, he stares up at Sephiroth in clear scrutiny as if coming to some kind of decision. A bitter sigh climbs up his throat, then he shrugs it off. ]
Fine, whatever. What are you going to talk to her about, then? Have you thought about it yet?
no subject
I would like to clarify her intent behind summoning us here, though I imagine the answer is as straightforward as curiosity.
[Anything more aggressive, and it isn’t as though they’d have been welcomed here in the manner that they have. Unless this is a very roundabout way of setting them all up for something more malicious, but that isn’t Sephiroth’s initial read on the situation.]
Beyond that? The Cwyld. The moss in this place. The history of this city.
[A beat.]
Any insight they may have about the Mirrorbound, and the potential of returning home.
no subject
Sup.
[ That done, he returns his attention to Sephiroth. ]
Alright. I know I haven’t…uh, well – I probably haven’t endeared myself to you today, but… I just sent you a text. Can you reply to that network username with whatever you learn? I’d owe you one. And I pay back my debts.
no subject
...Of course.
[It isn't as though endearing oneself to Sephiroth is ever a reasonable task, anyway, and Stiles' attempt at pickpocketing had not so much as pushed the needle into "irritated" territory. The sharing of information is more important, obviously a priority for him. He sees no reason to deny the burgeoning connection of exchange.]
If I learn anything, you'll know. I assume that isn't restricted to only what's uncovered in this city.
no subject
Deal. There’s some stuff I’ve already uncovered, but I’ve already got someone looking in on that with the Matriarch once he chats with her. I’ll tell you what I know after your meeting with her. Sound good?
no subject
Whenever you're ready. Until then, don't cause too much trouble in this city.
[You might actually lose an arm next time, buddy!]
no subject
Yeah, yeah. Stop trying to make your hair look authentic by acting like an old man. I got it, dad.
[ Rolling his eyes, Stiles turns on his heel and marches back the way he originally came (carefully edging around the pot hole that had tripped him earlier; no need to embarrass himself any more than he already has today). ]