( Nothing. Her punch does nothing — it doesn't even leave a mark — and Nico realises that this might be the first time she's ever experienced feeling truly powerless. Back home her guns have always kept her safe enough, even if all they did was hold back the demons until Nero arrived, but this time there's no Devil Hunter coming to make mincemeat of this particular ... problem.

Sephiroth isn't an enemy — not really. He's just a vicious, beautiful nuisance.

He pulls her in closer, setting her off her axis and leaving her wobbling a little as he lifts her hand up higher. He's — those are talons, real talons setting against the tender skin inside her wrist, although the fact that they don't pierce supports the idea that he really is just outside looking for fun. Sephiroth has had plenty of opportunities to do her harm — more than she cares to think about, really — and yet here he is, leaning in close to share her warmth and talk about his flowers. )

R-Razes entire towns, huh?

( Nico makes an irritable sound in the back of her throat when she realises that inherited stutter is back. A deep breath follows, then a long exhale, as she tries to get ahold of herself again. )

Sounds like they were talkin' from experience. Is that really somethin' to brag about? Wiping out whole towns like they're nothin'?

( She grits her teeth, squirming just a little to test the strength of his grasp. )

Think I'll just stick to gettin' strong enough to deal with the assholes creepin' the woods at night, if it's all the same to you.