themainframe | [Video] ♞ Fire Cross III

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[Video] ♞ Fire Cross III

[ Watch From 00:05:33 - 00:06:37 and 00:07:30 to 00:10:23 or read below.

There's a podium with more microphones than necessary. Behind it is a man in a suit, making a rather political speech about how the "people of the world have the power to end all wars." There's the sound of something breaking in the background, but the man continues on regardless, rambling on about how an ambassador, the Sorceress, is a necessity. Again there's another noise, this one screeching in the background, followed by more sounds of things breaking before Seifer bursts on into the scene. Two Galbadian soldiers make an attempt to apprehend him, but he disposes of them quickly, taking the suited president hostage. Feeling as though Seifer has apparently lost his mind, a woman in red—Quistis—orders Squall to come and assist her.

The scene cuts out briefly, to when Squall, Zell and Selphie finally arrive. Quistis insists that Seifer needs to be restrained, so Squall makes an effort to calm him down. ]

What do you think you're doing?

It's obvious, ain't it? What are you planning to do with this guy?!

...Planning to do?

I get it! [ the blond, Zell, exclaims. ] You're Rinoa's...

[ Seifer immediately cuts him off. ]

Shut your damn mouth! Chicken-wuss!

[ Quistis explains the situation: ]

He broke out of the disciplinary room, injuring many in the process.

YOU STUPID IDIOT!

Be quiet.

[ And then Zell blows it: ]

Instructor, I know! You're going to take this stupid idiot back to Garden, right!?

Shut up! NO!

[ The president understands now. Seifer is from Garden, as are Quistis, Zell and Selphie. Now he has someone to blame. As the president explains how he has them all in the palm of his hand, Seifer shakes his head. Great. ]

I see... So you're all from Garden. Should anything happen to me, the entire Galbadian military will undoubtedly crush Garden. You can let go of me now.

Nice going, Chicken-wuss! You and your stupid big mouth!

[ Which obviously means he's not letting go. Zell seems horrified. ]

Take care of this mess! Instructor and Mr. Leader!

[ Seifer, with President Deling still at... gunblade point, back out of the room with Quistis following. In the next room, a masked woman in dark clothing appears from out of thin air and approaches Seifer. As if pitying him, she murmurs: ]

...Poor, poor boy...

Stay away from me!

Such a confused little boy. Are you going to step forward? Retreat? You have to decide.

Stay back!

[ Quistis runs in, but the woman, the Sorceress, paralyzes Quistis. ]

The boy in you is telling you to come. The adult in you is telling you to back off. You can't make up your mind. You don't know the right answer. You want help, don't you? You want to be saved from this predicament.

Shut up!

Don't be ashamed to ask for help. Besides, you're only a little boy.

I'm not... Stop calling me a boy.

You don't want to be a boy anymore?

I am not a BOY!

[ Angry, Seifer releases the president, who scrambles to leave. ]

Come with me to a place of no return. Bid farewell to your childhood.

[ Squall and the others finally enter, but are paralyzed as well. After making his immediate, rash decision, Seifer waves goodbye to his peers with his gunblade and disappears with the sorceress. ]

[ Seifer is frowning down at his D-Terminal. It wasn't so terrible. It could have been much, much worse; at least it isn't something that Squall doesn't remember, otherwise he'd be screwed. ]

At least I can say I was on the first live television broadcast in seventeen years. You can just disregard everything else since it wasn't even interesting, let alone important.

[ Although... it's weird seeing himself like this. He knew he'd made those decisions and acted like a lunatic, but was he really taken in by the sorceress, his matron, that quickly? ]

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[ Seifer frowns. Leaked them dying? Well, Warrior of Light... sort of... did that. Although Seifer wasn't there. ]

If our memories can be modified upon arrival, who's to say they won't be modified going back? Maybe we won't even remember any of this?

[ And Seifer's not sure if he's okay with that or not. If he went back to the point in time back home where he'd left... he was what, 30 seconds away from making another huge mistake? Was it a mistake? Dammit, he doesn't even know how he feels anymore! ]

Save the Digital World, have our memories wiped and get sent home to live out our lives.

That sucks even more, man...

[ She sighs and grunts, rolling her eyes and reaching over for a sip of water, setting the cup down before going on. ]

Selfish ass world and its selfish ass programs. I mean if you're gonna steal a bunch of people from their lives to save you, at least give them something worthwhile in return. Even just the right to the memories. The friendships and the life lived with that measure of success.

I imagine some people come from terrible lives to this place and find it a paradise. Even I prefer it to home. Just sending us back is kind of shitty.

Then I guess what we should figure out is how sentient this place is. The world itself brought us here, right? It knew it "had to be saved" or somethin' like that. It can bring us here but it can't send us home right now. Maybe once we open those gates it'll tap into some "worldly power" and then it can reward us for doin' our job.

That's pretty optimistic for someone who tries to be so grumpy all the time. [ She remarks with a smirk and arched brow before raising both hands in mock surrender. ]

But don't take it as a jab. I totally agree, and hope that's the case. Seein' all these memories and crap has definitely made me hope for better things for a lot of people. One thing all these Chosen kids seem to have in common: we've all had some shitty, shitty moments.

If we save this damned place, I think we deserve some kind of recompense. That's for sure. I just home its more than a consolation prize, hand-shake and "Thanks a lot!".

[ He doesn't TRY to be grumpy all the time; it's all natural ability. In fact, he taught Squall! ]

"Recompense," huh?

[ He didn't know a word like that was in her vocabulary. ]

Considering the type of things that inhabited this world before we got here, I wouldn't doubt that's what our reward would be—if we got one—even if the world was capable of giving us something more. Guess we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out.

Man, don't joke about my words. I happen to be pretty damned educated. Made it into my last year of high school. Well, I dunno if you have high school. Uh. I made it into my last year of childhood and teen education, how's that? This would have been my last year and then on to university if I were a normal kid.

I happen to get relatively good grades on everything, too. I'm just a troublemaker and public nuisance, but heck, I was gonna graduate.

[ A minor grumble and sniff, at that. ]

I wish there was someway to find out. The guarantee at least the memories would be intact. I know some people could definitely use a good memory of friendships made to keep them going.

Don't worry. We have schools in my world, too.

[ He smiles, but it's bitter. Graduate, huh? Must be nice to have graduation right in the palm of your hand. ]

We just have to keep a lookout. People come and go all the time from different timelines, so if one of 'em happens to come back, we can interrogate 'em.

Alright, deal then. We catch 'em and grill 'em! [ She punches a fist into an open palm, nearly dropping the D-T in the process. She manages to juggle it back into place and clear her throat. ]

By the wa~y Princess.

I've been thinkin'.

You know how to use that sword you wave around or is it just a fancy showpiece like the rest of you?

[ He frowns at her firmly. ]

Yeah, after twelve years in a military academy I might have learned how to swing it around with some semblance of skill. The hell do you think?

Hey maybe it was a double entendre. *shrug* Its called a segue. Chill, Princess.

You wanna play swords in the park some night? *brow-waggle*

No thanks.

[ YOU'RE NOT SQUALL. ]

And no, it's not because I'm "afraid of losing to a girl" so don't even start. I've got stuff to do.

Really? Not even like..recreationally? That's...

*blank stare*

Seriously?

Hold up, you...Nah, come on. Really? Not a single fight? You're not busy all hours of all days, you're gonna get rusty. Or fat. Or bored.

If you want recreational sparring, go talk to Squall.

[ He doesn't comment on the other things... because she's right. Mostly. He's still fit. But his gunblade and brawn are useless here, except to perhaps pry open a locked door. Maybe someday he'll admit to himself that it's just because she's not Squall. ]

Besides, I have to be in the mood to do it and right now I'm not.

[ He's Balamb's #2 brooder, so who knows when he'll be "ready." ]

Well, I can understand havin' to get in the mood, it can get kinda personal. [ She remarked with a slow nod. ]

I already fought Squall, though, so the suggestion is kinda moot. I just thought you'd be a fantastic challenge. Guess I'm wrong, though. It'd be kinda in bad taste to spar with a guy that's not really in shape to do so.

I wouldn't wanna fight with someone that's got no chance of winnin'. No real challenge there.

[ Deliberate ruffling? Her? Nooo. ]

Edited 2013-09-16 14:10 (UTC)

[ He doesn't just take the bait. No, he takes the bait and runs fifteen miles with it. ]

You think I'm not in shape enough to kick your ass?

[ He realizes at that point that he basically did what he used to call Zell out on all the time. That doesn't help soothe his temper. ]

I ain't number 2 against him! I'm half the reason Squall can even hold his own in a fight.

Really? [ She asks with a casually dismissive tone, arching a brow and giving him a dubious once over. ]

From where I'm sittin' there's two guys, both with the same scars. One of them got up off his ass and had a proper go. The other one is just finding limp-wristed excuses not to do something.

I mean if you were fit to fight, you wouldn't turn down a perfectly friendly invitation to stretch your legs and let off a little steam.

Yeah. "Friendly invitation."

[ It's everyone. Everyone thinks Squall's better than him, without even knowing their history. Why? Why can't they look at the two of them and think he's the better one? He's not the one who needed to be carried to the infirmary. And even when he does lose, he doesn't need someone else to pick him back up again. ]

Look, I don't need to prove myself to you.

[ It won't change anything. She'll still think Squall's the better swordsman; the better fighter; the better whatever. It takes some effort to reel in his temper. ]

Take it to mean whatever you want.

[ Nah, Seifer, don't worry. Roze is better than that. Usually. Sort of. Maybe. ]

Alright! Alright, geez. [ She laughed, raising her hands in a gesture of surrender, green eyes glittering with mirth. ]

Calm down, Princess. I'm just pickin' on ya. Squall and I have a little arrangement. We duke it out when he's bent. He popped me in the eye. We don't have some kinda circle-jerkin' club. Didn't even use swords. Probably will at some point but it ain't this epic Fight Club and we don't share epiphanies over soap.

[ He would get the references, but the tone of her amused sarcasm was enough to signal she'd really meant nothing by any of it. Or at least nothing negative or judgmental. ]

I don't judge anyone without a show, Princess. You included. I get not wantin' to show your hand. Play the cards close to your chest and no one knows when you're gonna take the pot. I would never just assume someone was better than you.

Never.

Look. I was just flirtin'.

[ There's the meat of it. ]

I like fightin' good-lookin' guys. Its more fun than beatin' up girls, hands down. I don't really do well just...tellin' guys I like 'em. So I smack 'em around a bit instead. Sometimes it gets it out of my system.

Sometimes it doesn't.

Whatever. [ She muttered, scratching her front hairline, tousling her bangs and looking off to the side. ]

You don't have to get bent outta shape over it.

[ She hit too much of a sore spot. Sure, he'll get over it... but not right this second. Roze says she's always bluntly honest about how she feels, and he's experienced that first hand countless times. Even so, for some reason, it's hard to believe she's being honest now and it makes him feel like a dumbass. ]

I get it.

[ Doesn't it already make him number two in a way? She's been sparring with Squall. Oh well. He could deal with being number two in looks. That didn't matter to him nearly as much as beating Squall in a sparring match. ]

I do, so you can quit explainin' yourself.

Hm. I messed up... [ She mused, side-eyeing him before inclining her head to him. Bowing on screen wasn't quite as effective as bowing in person, but it didn't change the meaning and effort any. ]

I'm sorry. You're pretty fuckin' awesome, Brave Sir Almasy. Princess Roze is a brazen idiot.

[ She cocks her head enough that he can see one smiling green eye through a fringe of soft pink bangs. ]

I can't help it. You're good-lookin' and delightfully grumpy and it just gets my skirt in a bunch. Its practically a direct challenge. Fightin' you would be the best first date ever.

I bet you're good, too.

[ Her bow makes him slightly arch an eyebrow. Man, it's been ages since he's been in a situation where people bowed. Xu and Quistis to Cid... and that was about it. He sure as hell didn't do any bowing. ]

Ain't "delightfully grumpy" some kinda oxymoron? And yeah, I'm pretty good. One of two gunblade specialists in my entire school. It's too complicated of a weapon for everyone else.

[ ...Still number two. ]

Not my idea of a first date, though.

Nope, "happily grumpy" is an oxymoron. Delightfully is my reception and grumpy is your expression. I like that you're so prickly. Its wonderfully charming, and deeply individual.

[ She winks, curling half her mouth into it and clucking her tongue softly as she fires a finger-gun at him before glancing off thoughtfully. ]

Hm. I didn't fight Squall with his blade. We just duked it out blow-for-blow in the park. Lotta pent up rage between us, but he was in a real fit and I was just tryin' to help. Its what I do, y'know. Help friends when I can.

I'd like to see what this gunblade hullabaloo is all about. Awful fancy. And if only two people got it down, that's pretty fuckin' legit. You're a regular bad-ass. That'd be like me bein' the only kid skilled with a katana back home. I just can't imagine it...kendo class is always full.

[ Interest piqued. ]

Well, then you'll just have to introduce me to a proper first date.

[ He rolls his eyes at her. Prickly being charming and deeply individual? ]

It's mostly because there are also guns in my world and it's hard to block bullets with a sword. Hard, but not impossible. As for the first date thing, you'd find it dull and boring. You probably wanna leave it at that.

Hey, I don't find spending time with anyone dull and boring! Don't discount me like that. Just because I like life to be exciting and fighting me is a prerequisite to hooking up doesn't mean I can't enjoy normal things like normal people.

[ She pauses, frowning faintly before rubbing her cheek and looking off to the side. ]

I fight people because I want to know they can take care of themselves. Life is tough and full of bullshit, and I want to know if I'm not always there to take care of them, they'll be safe on their own.

Anyone can talk a big game, but I'll always be worried if someone can't put their money where their mouth is.

I'm always gonna worry about some people.

Its nice not to have to worry about others, though. Then I can focus on other stuff. Like havin' a good time on "dull and boring" dates.

[ Better than thinking about them dying because they got mixed up with someone that dukes it out with monsters on the daily. ]

[ Seifer gives her a heavy sigh, then retrieves his Crest from his coat pocket. ]

Look. This is the Crest of Sincerity. It's physical proof that I'm honest about the things I say. So if I say I can handle myself, it means that I can. I know my limits, so you don't have to worry about me.

[ ...He doesn't know his limits. He's just a lucky bastard who can still stand after surpassing them. ]

And I'm tellin' you you'd hate it. It'd probably be traditional. Mood lighting, candles, food good for feedin' each other.... Romantic things like that.

[Video] ♞ Fire Cross III

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