Welcome to my nightmare

[imjustaman]

The video feed switches on to a very handsome man with knee-length silver hair, black leather clothes, and the weight of the world in his green eyes. He looks and sounds devastated as he speaks.

"This is all my fault," he says, his voice deep and rich. "I wanted a power that would help me regain my sanity. I never expected anything like this to happen. When I found what I wanted and it activated, it had the side effect of tearing holes in the space-time continuum and bringing all of you here. I will do everything I can to fix this and send all of you home, but I don't know how long it will take. I am so sorry. Be as angry with me as you want. I deserve it."

He reaches to switch off the video.

Comments

[imjustaman]

You're very fortunate for that, then.

[He wishes he had allowed Zack to help him at Nibelhiem. What would have changed if he hadn't lost himself so much that Zack couldn't reach him?

He perks up in surprise that she is unfazed by his revelation. Hers sounds concerning.]

Are they dangerous spells?

[How disturbing to think of not being able to control oneself in such a situation. He can certainly relate to that as well, from how it felt after he lost his mind and Jenova was poisoning what was left of it.]

[halo]

Yes, he's saved me many times. Sometimes, from myself as well.

[She thinks fondly on her Squall, he's an amazing man. She loves him more than life itself. He's worth loving.]

They're helpful spells. They're cast when needed, it's all instinctual.

What about you? Do you zone out too?

[imjustaman]

I'm very happy for you.

[He listens, relaxing a bit.]

Intriguing. It's a good feeling, being able to help others.

[He looks down, speaking quietly.]

I know what I'm doing, unfortunately. It hasn't always been helpful. I have been ... very ill for the last several years. Restoring my sanity is what caused all of this trouble.

[halo]

Thanks!

Yeah, it helps but it also leaves me open for attacks.

[She frowns, listening carefully. She's not surprised Sephiroth feels guilty.]

You were doing what you know how to do, I'm sure you didn't expect any of this to happen.

[imjustaman]

That is a concerning problem. How long does it typically last?

[He nods, but still looks sorrowful.]

I definitely didn't. But ... in my insanity, even if I'd known, I likely wouldn't have cared.

[halo]

For a while, but I'm okay. I promise.

[Rinoa wishes she could reach through the screen and give him a mild lovetap with her knuckles against his cheek. Tell him chin up, he'll be okay, buttercup.]

You care now. That's all that matters.

[imjustaman]

I'm glad to hear it.

[Sephiroth would be surprised if she did, but it would be a good surprised.]

Thank you. I wish it hadn't taken all of this to bring me back to myself.

[halo]

yeah, me too.

[she smiles.] I've learned to enjoy my time as a sorceress, I'm even learning how to access magics without zoning out. Even though...I'm a bit corrupted, like my data has been pulled apart and inserted into a drive backwards? I think I'll be okay. Anywho. You're welcome!

Sometimes we need big events to slap us silly and tell us what's up. It's not ideal but it is what is, you know?

[imjustaman]

[That concerns him.]

Corrupted?

[A sad smile.]

I suppose. Sometimes it works in reverse, where the big event pushes us over the edge instead.

[He had thought he was being told what was up that time too. He prays that will not happen again. He doesn't really think it will now that he understands and he'll be actively fighting for his sanity, but he worries anyway. He cannot fall again. There cannot be a second Nibelheim, or Meteor.]