A Merry Sephiroth Christmas

A Merry Sephiroth Christmas
Date of Scene:	26 December 2012
Location:	Goug - Seventh Heaven
Synopsis:	A christmas evening to drink and chat turns into mind games for the barmaid when Sephiroth walks in, straight out of Tifa's nightmares.
Cast of Characters:	Sable, Tifa Lockhart, Kaydin, Angantyr Vespar, Sephiroth, Portobello, Lavi, Neviril

---

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
The renovations to the Heaven have finished just in time for christmas. Although its not really christmas everywhere, but given the time warping and stuff, there's been some general acceptance on the year, date and time to avoid further confusion between the worlds. Its already annoying enough.

So here's the baraid, putting up a few christmas decorations. A garland of wheath and colored sparkling balls is lined up along the ceiling of the bar area, and the barmaid was putting the finishing touches to a small christmas tree that she set on the counter. She smiles as she puts the last lights into it, busying herself.

Yes, the small goug bar has turned into a full-fledged inn now. There's more space inside now, the old pinball machine is still there, the bar counter has been refitted somewhat, and there are now stairs that reaches to the second floor. Tifa's room was improved from being the backroom with a bed as well.

Kaydin has posed:
Kaydin walks into the bar, holding his sword in hand, the blade wrapped with the chain he normally has wrapped about his arm so it is technically sheathed. He looks around and then back to Tifa. "You did something new with the place, havent you?" He asks sarcastically.

Portobello has posed:
Portobello had been drawn back to Goug recently in order to find out information on whatever sort of interesting or unique technological artifacts have been recently unearthed. Of course not being part of any of the teams that are doing the digs most of his information is second hand and not very reliable.

He's ended his search for the time being and decided to find a quiet spot somewhere in order to go over what information he's collected and try to figure out what's substantial and what's too sketchy to utilize. When he arrives through the door he heads over towards a table near the bar, taking out a few notes and looking over them.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril appears through the door, getting out of the insanity of the outside world. As she steps in she looks around, seeing some of the holidayness and sighs, well least it's not like the outside and she can deal with it. Her one hand holding a bag as she looks around to find a plaace to sit and then stops dead in her tracks. As well not exactly in front of her, but in front of her is a Dark Knight, and suddenly perhaps this isn't the best place to be finding a rest. A sudden massive itch growing in her metal stump that she cant reach and gritting her teeth as it aggitates her.. Quickly finding a place to sit as far from the knight as she can get.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart smiles as she waves to the newcomers. She looks at them one by one.

First Kaydin. Well, she's met him a few times. He's not really on her good side, but he got better by accepting his faults and working up to face them. If he could fix that problem of his of running his mouth for the sake of having something to say about what's being talked about, he might be more likable. He needs some tact

Portobello, first time she meets a Moogle like that actually. She's seen a few of those mail carrying moogles, but this one is a bit more humanoid. But the pompom still gives them away. That's pretty interesting, since they are dressing like humans too it looks like.

And Neviril. She briefly saw her in Deling recently, when scouring the sewers, but she lost track of her pretty quickly. She figured she went back home or safety. She doesn't blame her, she would rather not have been there either.

"Hello, Merry Multiverse Christmas. Well, apparently it was christmas somewhere, since they decided to make it the common date. So yes, a bit of festivity, nothing too big.

Kaydin has posed:
"Looks quite nice to me. Decided to reclaim my armor, better to wear it before my body gets used to the lack of weight." Kaydin says as he moves closer. He urns to look about before moving his gaze back to Tifa. "How have things been?" He asks with some concern.

Portobello has posed:
Portobello turns his attention up from his reading, having been previously absorbed in looking over what was written down and oblivious to his surroundings until his ears perked up after picking up the one manning the bar give out a greetings as he turned his attention over towards her and responded in kind.

"Kupo! A warm greeting this season to you as well. I don't suppose you have any hot cider for this chilly evening?" He inquires towards them, resorting his paperwork as he sets it aside briefly while taking a quick glance around the place to get a look at those who arrived here.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril looks over and notices Tifa, that lady from before, well least there's someone nice around she guesses. She gives a light smile to her, then her eyes go back to Kaydin. Not entirely sure what's going on, but clearly somethings up, full gear and out walking around. Though hearing his reasons, she can't be at all sure, though stops herself from making any remarks, she is not in the position to do anything about this.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart smiles and nods "Everything is fine for now. The bar's done renovating, so I'm back in business here. Its an inn now, there's a second floor with rooms, I get to have an actual room too, and increased the floor space here too." She waves to the tables around.

She nods to the moogle with a smile, and moves along the counter to get a mug and fill it with the cider. She keeps many kinds of drinks around, cider being one of them as its the base for many other mixes "Its apple cider if that's alright with you?" She brings it to Porto's table, leaving it there "How about you?" She looks to Neviril with a kind smile "Anything I can serve you? It doesn't have to be alcoholic you know, I enjoy the company just as well."

Kaydin has posed:
"Nice. Maybe I can probably talk you into letting me stay a few nights. Dont have anywhere else to be and I am willing to work." Kaydin says as he would pull his helmet off, and just sighs as he holds it by a horn. "This has got to be the best inn I have ever been at."

Portobello has posed:
Portobello nods towards Tifa as she heads over towards his table with the Mug, "That would be perfect, Kupo. Thank you so kindly." He replies in a warm tone of voice before taking the mug once it's set down and quietly sipping from it as he allows the hot drink to warm him up gradually

His eyes briefly wander over towards the individual in the dark armor, then looking over towards the finely dressed woman with the odd metal attachment where her arm should be. That one bit seemed to constract from the rest of her appearance, if one did not count those hollow looking eyes.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril looks over at Tifa, taking a breath, "Sure, something juicy, don't care what, just some kind of fruit juice is fine." Now seeing the knights face, she'll have to remember him, though she lets it out, spoken in a sort of insultive swagering tone, "So, you dark knight. Long way from Baron, all the way out here, isn't it?"

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart shakes her head "Kaydin left Baron, if that's what bothers you." She moves over to the counter, opening up the small fridget to get some fruit punch. She also keeps that kind of drink on hand for mixes, so its no problem to fill up a glass of it quickly and bringing it back "You can get a room here, I'm not sure what kind of help you might be, but hey, could figure out something."

Sephiroth has posed:
The door opens and a tall figure steps through. Momentarily he seems just another tall figure clad in black leather. When he steps into the lighted bar the familiar to some trademarks become visible; silver pauldrons, long silver-white hair, and the mako blue eyes of Sephiroth.

He pauses at first when he steps into the light, taking a few moments of his entrance to let anyone present look at him before proceeding in further. His face holds a slight smirk, as if he knows a secret while he makes his way towards the bar.

Kaydin has posed:
Kaydin turns to that voice, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow. He could feel the darkness within her, and that voice sounded familiar but he didnt recognize her face. "Baron ordered me to comply with an ally of theirs while they were attacking manhattan. When they began to try and keep people trapped as the world was being consumed, I couldnt stand by and let it happen, so I fought against Baron's allies. I wager Baron probably doesnt view that happily." He says befor turning to the moogle. "you...I never seen anything like you."

Portobello has posed:
Portobello was about to answer Kaydin in responce to his question, though before he could speak up he turns his attention over towards the sound of the door opening and the tall figure that steps into the establishment. He's certainly not familiar with this person though he certainly has an imposing presence.

His attention is once again focused on the Dark Knight as he speaks up, "Kupo, I am a Moogle. From the land of Ivalice, our kind look quite different from anyother Moogles you might have encountered before, if you had seen such beings before." He finally states, in order to answer his question. It's not like he has not explained this before since there have been those who don't venture out of their town and may not have spotted a Moogle before.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril takes the drink, before taking a sip and setting it down. Then laughs erupt from her, "You betrayed Baron, betrayed your own masters because.. because of what, some feeling? Some distate of doing your job? Since when do knights, leave their masters." she scoffs as she finishes her line and takes another drink. Then shakes her head, a traitor, or perhaps a coward, now wishing she was geared. She could surely be rewarded if she was able to bring his head back. Oh well, he apperntly has changed his views and as she is clearly an unarmed opponent, perhaps what ever morales have rubbed off on him will prevent him from doing what he should do. She can sense the new arrival, just barely from his being not pure and innocent, but doesnt look towards him, not stupid enough to risk the wrath of something she is unsure of.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
She hears the sound of the boots on the wooden floor, and she has her normal reaction of course. She turns toward the sound of the noise, after giving Neviril her drink and returning to the counter "Hello, welcome to t-"

That's about as far as she gets, before realization sinks in. Its like her nightmare come to life suddenly. After so many years, its him. Standing there, as if nothing was wrong.

And her legs just give out as a sudden rush of memories flood her brain, and she falls on her butt behind the counter, back against the wall, just staring up without a sound.

All that her mind can process right now is a endless loop 'what the hell is he doing here-what does he want-ohgod I'm going to die'.

Of course, what else would you expect from her, even if she got stronger, she's facing the one that murdered her whole village, that she tried to kill in return for revenge, and almost died doing so. This is a living nightmare.

Kaydin has posed:
"Because I sold my very soul to darkness for the power to protect those unable to fight. And they used the oath I swore to make me attack people unable to defend themselves." He says as he looks to the moogle. "Where I am from, no such beings like you exist." He says before turning to Neviril. "You sound like a knight I knew. Real piece of work. She was cruel, arrogant and enjoyed infl-" He says before he notices Tifa hitting her butt on the floor. This action caused Kaydin to move between her and the man, unwrapping the chain and wrapping it back along his arm as he keeps his sword held out.

"Who are you." He asks, watching the silver haired man.

Sephiroth has posed:
The silver haired man is unarmed, at least by appearances. He seems to regard the man who has just blocked his path with a certain amount of amusement.

"Who or what I am is likely far beyond your ken. If you are asking for my name I will suggest a bit less hostility, but it is Sephiroth. For the moment, I am someone who desires a drink."

Sephiroth does take note of Tifa's reaction but does little else for the moment except widen his already present smirk.

Portobello has posed:
Portobello nods towards Kaydin, "Ivalice Moogles are only known in my homeland. And there are lands in this new world which do not have Moogles as well, so it is not entirely uncommon thing to have not met one of my kind or the many various of my kind." He says in a rather matter-of-factly tone, then he hears the sound of Tifa falling back and looks towards her reaction and Kaydin's as well.

His jaw drops slightly when he realizes this must be a very dangerous person. He grabs the rest of his notes and journals and quickly tucks them away. This isn't a time to be caught unaware of things turn violent all of a sudden.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril was already enjoying Kaydins explination, with a grin and a laugh. But oh, this new person, he just reaked of some thing more, in the sense when someone sees a Malboro they know its far dangerous then it appears. she remains in her seat, unmoved by him, but she looks to him, "If you will pardon my inturuption, Sephiroth you said? I would love to buy you a drink, if you would allow me." Perhaps not the wisest thing, surely Tifa would be upset at the offer, or perhaps it would simply be easier who can say, but clearly what he did to sir knight was worth buying a drink or 20 for the man. The happy elation on her face, far more then it should be, perhaps like a child that just found the candy jackpot.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart just has a moment of 'folding' on herself, arms locking around her legs as she pulls them up against his chest. Wh-what did he just say? A drink? He doesn't have a weapon? None of this is making sense in her mind right now. She just had her nightmare come back to life without a scratch on him, after being gone for over 5 years. She rather never see him again.

But she eventually shakilly moves up to her feet, practically trying to foce some life into her legs. If he's just here to taunt her, she's not going to give him the satisfaction of completly destroying her at least.

She turns away for a moment, taking a few deep breath to try to still her over-active heart right now, a hand over her chest.

And then... she turns around in her usual 'graceful' (maybe flirty?) way, her lips trembling only the slightest as she forces them into her usual smile... although there might be a bit more wile to it for some reason.

She leans forward on the counter, hands flat on the edge of it, as she confronts her 'greatest fear' directly "So what can I offer the mighty Sephiroth, if its only a drink he wants?"

Kaydin has posed:
"Sephiroth." Kaydin says and when Tifa comes up, he lowers his sword and begins to unravel the chain, the addition to the standard issue sword for dark knights: the deathbringer. He then proceeds to wrap the blade once more and looks to the moogle. He clears his throat to try and break the tension in the room. "So what do moogles do in your world?" He asks, not even hiding the fact he was watching Sephiroth and Tifa, thankfully the armor hid how tense his body was.

Sephiroth has posed:
"What else would I want?" Sephiroth replies to Tifa. He studies her for a moment. It's unclear if his reaction is based on recognition or simply trying to further make her feel uncomfortable. "Something strong if you please, since someone has been kind enough to offer."

Sephiroth focuses the mako blue eyes on Kaydin for a moment before passing him making his way to the bar. "Don't worry. If you're eager enough for me to break your heart, I'm sure the moment will come in due time."

Portobello has posed:
Portobello's eyes look rapidly between Tifa and Sephiroth, almost waiting for something to happen but dreading such an occurance to pass. His ears swivel towards the sound of Kaydin's voice as it takes him a while to register what was said due to the aprehension he's feeling before he finally responds.

"K-kupo...umm...many things. In Rabanastre some ran a inter-city teleportation service and the Moogles ran the Cartophgrapher's guild. In my hometown of Bhujerba there were Moogle Merchants and Engineers, which is what I am." His voice evens out once he shakes off the dangerous feeling this Sephiroth gives off.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril reaches into her shopping bag and pulls out a small bag that jingles obviously full of coins, she tosses it over to where Tifa, "There more then enough to cover Sir Sephiroths drink, and for the rest of the night thats surely about to acure." say nothing else about what that might be, but turning back to listen to the conversation between the two men. Oddly enough enjoying it, wether cause she's just a cynical bitch, or because Kaydin betrayed his oath, she couldn't be sure but it was fun to watch. Her hand going back up to rub her metal stub, damned itch was back and she couldn't scratch it.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart shakes her head, trying to free herself from her thoughts. And there are so many piling up in there right now. About the past, about Sephiroth's being here, his behavior, his grinning face that she barely holds herself from trying to punch in, if she thought she had any chance alone at least. She never thought she did, after the first time. Why did she even try to stab him with a sword anyway, her fists are her best weapon, even 5 years ago. Blinded by rage probably, she wanted to avoid that and keep a clear hear... even if she breaks down sometime, its usually out of sight when it happens.

She moves to ready a 'strong drink' for the legendary SOLDIER. She does have that passing thought about adding poison in it. That'd be a way to end things... but even her can't stoop so low, it wouldn't make her any better than he is if she could just kill someone without them realizing.

Or at least, attempt to, maybe he'd resist that too and just make her look even more stupid and he'd enjoy it too much.

She's in a lose-lose situation, so might as well not give him the pleasure of seeing her break down more than she already did, sliding the glass over the counter, and stopping it with the back of her own hand when its right in front of Sephiroth, not spilling a drop in the process. "Here you are." That was said with about as much 'cheerfulness' she can muster right now.

Kaydin has posed:
Kaydin focuses his eyes to watch Sephiroth's. Despite the fact sephiroth made him uncomfortable, he still watched him intensely, waiting and watching as he listens to the moogle. "Engineers you say? We have an engineer back in baron named Cid. Designed most of the red wings, our airship fleet. I bet you and him would love to talk shop." He says to the moogle, briefly looking back at the moogle with a small smile, trying to atleast look friendly to him before his gaze returns to Sephiroth.

"You alright Tifa?" He asks with concern to the woman, watching her.

Sephiroth has posed:
"Thank you" Sephiroth replies to Tifa, picking up the glass. He closes his eyes as he sniffs the aroma appreciatively, as if it were years since he smelled it.

"Cheers" he says towards Neviril, as he raises the glass. Kaydin seems forgotten for the moment, although his question to her does bring back that slight curl to the corner of his mouth. He drains the drink in one drought, making an appreciative sound afterwards.

He sets the glass back down on the bar, studying Tifa again for a moment. "You look familiar."

Portobello has posed:
Portobello hrms, "Yes, I've been an Engineer for many years. Most of my original work I did was at the Rabanastre Aerodrome, I worked mostly on the Sky Ferries though many other airships as well during my time there. And yes, I'm always up for talking shop with other Engineers, especially ones from different worlds and realms. The exchange in information and technology is a wonderful thing, even admist all the chaos that this time has brought."

He did manage to pick up the name of the one running the bar from Kadyin though from what Sephiroth had spoken it seemed he didn't really reconize her even though she seemed to know who he was all too well, almost on a personal level. This did seem terribly curious.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril nods with a grin to seph as he drinks, taking one herself. Who says you can't be nice, and a cynical bitch at the same time. This turned out to be a much more enjoyable night then she was hoping for and was hopefuly only going to get much better before it was over. turning an eye to the moogle, only half paying attention to that conversation, pondering if this strange kind of moogle would be good for anything really usefull or just all talk.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
It could be a trap. It verily could be Sephiroth toying with her. They had met before, if he was the real Sephiroth he'd know, she was his guide in Nibelheim. Even if she's a bit older, she's not that different. Unless he lost his memory? No that still doesn't make much sense.

She'll probably not sleep well over it no matter what happens after this tonight.

But... might as well test it on her side, who knows "Tifa Lockhart, that rings any bell? I gave Shinra the tour in Nibelheim as a guide." She's probably on their records if only for that, the information that she was a guide was known before they even got to town back then. She had accepted mostly in the slim hope that Cloud would be part of that convoy.

Either way, testing grounds to see what's going on with this Sephiroth...

Kaydin has posed:
"Last I remembered, Cid was being held in the dungeons for some reason, not cooperating with the king's orders I believe. Still there is another, named Sarafina who was an engineer once also. She stays about traverse town, she probably would interest you as well." Kaydin says to the moogle, not turning this time and just watching Sephiroth and Tifa. When Tifa did speak he waited to hear Sephiroth's reaction.

Sephiroth has posed:
Sephiroth smiles in recognition now. "Oh yes, Nibelheim. I remember you. You see, I've been so many places since then."

He pauses to look at the other bar patrons, seemingly somewhat pleased to be the center of attention.

"You seem... uneasy. Perhaps there is something that ways heavily on your mind? Perhaps you feel guilty about something, and seeing me again has brought that memory to the surface."

Portobello has posed:
Portobello was not really sure what Tifa was doing by jogging his memory to see if he remembered her. Personally he thought she was playing russian roulette by taking such a course of action. But it was hers and certainly not his decision to make, though it made him a tad unsteady, as if waiting for a trap to spring.

He goes back to answering Kaydin before as he continues his small talk, "Kupo, such things do happen. Many Engineers are not always receptive to the plans some nations might have for the technology they provide." He says with a sigh before glancing back over to Tifa and Sephiroth.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril stares at Seph, a man of her own heart. Not knowing completely what they are going on about, but she can tell how he is playing with her mind, wether on purpose or purely because he doesn't remember she is unsure only that it's so very juicy and delightfull to watch. If she where capable of such things, she's almost sweaer she was walling in love with the man, but silyl emotions like that have no time or place in her life and her actions and are mearly silly trivial things. She takes some more drink of her drink, because thats what one does with a drink, drinkly drink of it.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
The doors of the bar open up. Slowly, a large hulking figure walks into the bar, ducking down initially to get through the door way. He is easily over seven and a half feet tall as he stands up to his full height. The form is...obscured by a large overcoat, covering it's features, including a hood to cover up it's head. It looks around the bar, noticing the silver haired man and the bouncy bartender. He has met Tifa once or twice in the past, but nothing clicks for him as immediately important about her. He smells darkness...Kaydin and Neviril reak of it...but he continues to move towards the bar, and carefully sits down at it.

Goddamn it, he was going to get something to drink tonight... It had been too long, and be damned this thing about to happen.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart slams a hand flat down on the counter at his attempt to poke at her more. He WAS toying with her. And instead of scaring her right now, its just infuriating her instead. Oh if she had a masamune in her hand...

Well, that'd just loop back to 5 years ago probably, except in Goug rather than Nibelheim.

She leans forward, more angry than scared right now "And how do you think I should react when I face the one that killed everyone I ever cared for and destroyed everything I ever known?" She glares at him, menacingly this time. She's reasoning that if she's going to die here, she'll do it standing at least, not wrapped on herself like a coward. Even running away would likely be futile right now.

She's not ignoring the other people that are entering... But she's definitely not in her usual cheerful mood for those that know her enough at least.

Kaydin has posed:
"Tifa, do you need any help?" Kaydin asks with concern in his voice as he watches Sephiroth. The people who enter, are given barely a glance as he looks to the barmaid with a concern look. He grips the weapon tighter when she says what the man has done. He had control over his emotions thankfully, another instance where dark knight training has multiple functions.

Sable has posed:
Things are happening all over the place.

TIME for --- drinking?

Yes. After the night Sable has had, it is time for drinking. Screw the rules. I have money! (Or at least enough to get through today. Tomorrow? Eeeeh)

Sable shoulders his way carefully into the bar, having wandered here to check the boards for appropriate work. (He has a system. A very precise system. In which he takes Shard Seeker Quests, in fact -ANTI-Shard Seeker quests, then he goes to an entire different place, then an entirely different WORLD and take several different jobs to make sure, to make triply sure-- he doesn't run into Luso Clemens or Reize Seatlan)

His plan seems to be working perfectly. For now. Sable finds his attention drawn to Kaydin, and then to another figure shrouded at the bar but-- he just pretends he knows what he's doing.

This has worked before. He walks in and looks for a board, and then moves to peer with curiosity at the pinball machine, digging around for the appropriate currency.

Sephiroth has posed:
Sephiroth takes a moment to glance back at the newcomers. The mako blue eyes analytically take in details before turning his attention back to Tifa.

"I seem to remember some very different details of Nibelheim than you do. Then again, perhaps I know things about Nibelheim that you did not. I wonder how well you really knew the people that you cared for."

He looks back over his shoulder again at the newcomers and says glibly, "I'm sure the newcomers are thirsty."

Portobello has posed:
Portobello realizes something is gonna give soon. He quickly sets his money for the drink on the table and hops out of the chair and stands near the bar. If this person did everything Tifa said he did he certainly can't leave her alone with a cold blooded killer even if it meant he was going to leave this establishment in bite sized pieces.

So far she's dodged the bullet or perhaps this man is enjoying the denial far too much and seeing Tifa riled up. It's a bit too obvious at this point since if he was going to plan to do something he certainly would have done so by now. Still he remains on standby should things suddenly take a turn for the worst.

Neviril has posed:
Neviril is loving more of the talk between Seph and Tifa, all the juicy bits, and wonderful stuff. Oh she is just going to yes love all of it and then some. The grin on her face about to explode from her face, till she feels the draft of the door opening and others entering, droping her smile to a sneer and not liking it one bit. Not knowing them, and certainly one of them seems to be rather large. She slowly slides from her chair and moves slowly and trying to cause as little commotion as she can around the edge to the exit.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart does care about her customers, but she's also preoccupied with everyone's security while Sephiroth is trying to play mind games with her some more. She frowns angrily "More than you, I can assure you." She doesn't need to elaborate on this "I would ask you to leave if your business is trying to make me angry. Because that's done." She stands up and crosses her arms poitedly, waiting for him to move. "Or are you here to finish up the few scraps that you missed back then?" Namely her, of course. There are no other known survivors at this point, even the fact she survived is only short of a miracle.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
"Yes." says the voices of the cloaked figure. It's voice is...odd, modulating, like it whisps in and out of time itself, but also bestial in a way. He casts his gaze towards Tifa and Sephiroth, his yellow eyes easily visible from behind the hood that obscures the rest of his face.

"If it is not too much trouble, please refrain from antagonizing the source of alchohal," he says, the eyes...so he was with SHINRA? Not surprising...this WAS Goug. However, he holds the gaze for a few moments, and turns it towards Tifa, "What do you have?" Even as his gaze was stolen by Neviril's sneer, and then back to Tifa, who continues to press Sephiroth.

He sighs...

Kaydin has posed:
Kaydin would remain silent. He orders a drink and would watch the goings on, glancing to Tifa with concern as he would remain in the background.

Sable has posed:
Sable investigates the old machine with the eye of someone who is trying not to look inquisitive and impressed. The bored, blaise look of the teenager who knows everything is completely absent. He puts up a solid front but he looks relatively out of place here and he knows it.

Best thing? Ignore. Ignore away.

Sable eventually fetches the right currency (well. It's always the right currency. Portal magic.) and feeds the machine. He eyes Neveril leaving but doesn't pay a moment of attention to what obviously is a /very/ tense atmosphere.

DING. The machine clatters and clanks to life.

Sephiroth has posed:
Sephiroth looks back towards the large man speaking about alcohol. He's unarmed, but by his demeanor you'd think he carried a tank in his pocket.

"I'm certainly not preventing her from serving you. Besides, we're old friends."

He turns back to Tifa at her suggestion that he might be there to kill her.

"Now now Tifa. I know you weren't party to Shinra's betrayal. I don't plan to kill you unless you provide me with reason. I don't even hold a grudge over the last time we met. You were clearly upset, so I forgive you without you even asking me to."

Portobello has posed:
Portobello quietly winces to himself, though he's close enough to the bar to be within earshot. He was definately twisting the screws here, especially with that whole 'I forgive you' comment. He wasen't sure if Tifa was going to explode like a munitions shed during a fire.

He knew nothing about Tifa so he was not in any position to console her and he knew even less about this rather devious stranger who was mocking her so he couldn't simply tell him off. Plus he didn't want to elevate the tension already present in this room, which was so thick right now one could cut it with a knife.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart crosses her arms. Well its true, he could have killed her well before. But why keep her alive then?

Sure, give her more reasons to have nightmares about events in the past.

She shakes her head... and gives up. She's not happy with the 'I forgive you', but she certainly doesn't want to endanger everyone either "I don't know why you think I should forgive you about killing everyone." She bitter, that's for sure. She moves away though. If he's not going to kill her, at least she'll handle her business. Its true that she's not with Shinra or had anything to do with what happened before. And she still hates Shinra for it too.

"A full round of drinks has already been paid for, if you want to request for anything." She says it a bit flatly, but most people will understand her at this point.

Lavi has posed:
A faint but heavy thumping sound begins to play at the edge of hearing for those within the bar, distant but carrying with it the feel of some massive weight slamming against the ground. Slowly, it builds in intensity until a slight tremor rolls through the building with each impact, sending ripples across the surface of the liquids filling the dozens of cups and bottles.

Any murmur of voices that might have filtered in from the streets outside dies out in the presence of the sound as those going about any late night business turn to stare at the source. Eventually, the doors swing open to reveal the mysterious cause for the unusual sound - which is apparently a pair of oversized armored legs.

With a faint grunt, the person attached to those legs lowers herself down enough to slip through the undersized metal frame, managing to just barely slip her massive bulk. Despite the awkward size mismatch, this action carries with it an ususal hint of grace and Lavi steps into 7th Heaven for the first time.

Those who had met the titan before would likely have guessed it was her; she had a rather unique way of annoucing her presence after all. A wide grin beams out towards the room as the ancient knight enters, her gaze zeroing in on the barmaid in particular.

"Aha! It would seem I was not misinformed this time. Greetings to you again."

Even as she speaks, Lavi takes in the faces and expressions of those present, her good cheer guttering out like a snuffed flame and replaced with a faint look of concern. The tension in here was thick enough to cut with her swords.

Moving carefully to the bar, her body bent forward to avoid brushing the ceiling, the giantess kneels down before the counter, scooting several of the stools aside to make room.

"I trust everything is well?" The question was aimed at Tifa, probing for any signs of distress. She had not caught the conversation up until now and knew none of these faces, though she could spot the telltale signs of trouble brewing.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
"Ale, mead...hell, if it's free wine." The cloak stranger said, obviously from a city less...modern than Goug. He levels his gaze on Tifa, and as Lavi makes her appearance, he looks towards the creature in the room larger than he was...which is impressive given that he towered over people. Those yellow eyes size her up for a brief moment, and then slowly turn back towards Sephiroth.

A real kidder, this one, he thinks to himself. Of course, those words said give him pause...the glowing eyes, and a hatred of the SHINRA. That in itself is...interesting, but the talk of killing everyone is...also different. There is something going on here, a history that runs deeper than appearances.

"You're looking to antagonize, not asking or accepting forgiveness. That is great and all, but please stop trying to delude yourself into thinking that is not the case, or lead us to believe you're not. It's unbecoming."

Sable has posed:
The sounds of the pinball machine rattle through the thick tension. The teenager learns an important lesson this day.

He is no Pinball Wizard.

Sable looks rather vexed at the machine which has ground to a halt in the absence of any balls left in play. He frowns, --and stubbornly digs out some more money in the classic fallacy of 'try, try again' -- or maybe he's just mule headed enough to keep his focus on this rather on-- "hmm?" he looks up from the mocking visage of the pinball machine.

Maybe he just looks like he's concentrating on it. Perceptions. Perceptions. "Oh." he eyes some of the sparce Christmas decorations around the comfortable tavern, asking a simple. "Eggnog?" is a curious voice. He looks to Tifa, raising his eyebrows slightly in a 'Are you alright?' unasked question.

The answer to this question is of course 'HELL no' but it looks like he's more concerned on what she wants done about it, if anything.

His eyes shift as Lavi makes her big entrance just by existing, remembering them-- because Lavi is very hard to miss, from the pictures he was taking around Traverse Town. He raises a hand in welcome and sort of shifts his attention to Ang with a vague notion of recognition. This is the part where he closes his eyes for a few moments, when he opens them he looks back at Tifa.

Sephiroth has posed:
Sephiroth turns his gaze from Tifa towards Angantyr again. "What I am looking for is neither your business nor within your understanding. I make no effort towards making you believe anything, because you are no concern of mine. I know this girl. You do not. Perhaps she will inform you of our past, but that does not concern me either. What does concern me is that she seeks to perpetuate the lies that Shinra spreads, whether she knows it or not."

He turns his gaze back to Tifa, holding eye contact for a few uncomfortable moments before continuing. "I do not seek your forgiveness Tifa. That would be... a waste of time. At this point you are unable or unwilling to accept the truth of the events at Nibelheim. I know things about those close to you that you are, apparently blissfully, unaware of. In fact, where I have been for the past five years has taught me a great many things. I see thought that you still have a knack for surrounding yourself with people who are willing to shed blood for you. That is good, but what you must have already surmised is that I am not so easily killed. Speaking of which, where is your friend from Niblheim... the other one who was in Shinra?"

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart goes to fetch the drinks for Argentyr, shaking her head at Sable. She appreciates his concern, but this isn't the time or place. If she was to take down Sephiroth, even if by chance she managed to do it, it'd probably bring the entire building down with it, along with potentially lots of people hurt or killed in stray shots. Even without a weapon, Sephiroth is not to be underestimated after all, she knows that all too well.

She's not too happy to hear him talk to her as if he knew everything "... I don't know." And that's the honest truth as well, she knows he's alive now, but with the darkness spreading and not having any news of him for a long time, she couldn't answer even if she wanted to.

And she wouldn't either, mind you.

As for lavi's question, it pretty much answers itself already, she's not quite in a good mood, which isn't usual for her. Obviously she got something big on her mind right now, and the cause is the silver-haired person sitting right across her counter.

Portobello has posed:
Portobello is growing rather antagonized himself by the way he continues this, he almost considers speaking up himself but before he's made any decision to a tell-tale noise is heard as his ears swivel towards it as he sees a large pair of armored legs in view which belong to none other than the impressing looking woman he met a while back in Palumpolom.

Seeing her head directly towards the bar he quickly steps off towards the side of the bar in order to make way for her, in case she didn't spot him standing so close to the bar and the scene that was already underway between Tifa and Sephiroth and now another patron of the bar who decided to give Sephiroth a piece of his mind as well. He didn't want to add his own voice to this arguement unless it was absolutely necessary. If she didn't notice him before he figured he might as well greet Lavi now, "Kupo, greetings Lavi. I'm afraid you have come at a rather...umm...awkward time to this establishment, I'd fill you in but things pretty much speak for themselves." He is in a low, somewhat quiet tone.

Lavi has posed:
Lavi twists her torso about to regard the others in the room, returning Sable's wave with a curt nod before focusing on the strange hooded figure's accusations and then the dismissive response from the tall man next to her at the bar.

Mentally she sighs, the corners of her eyes tightening up a little. So much for a relaxing night of booze and conversation. "So it would seem," the giant asides to the moogle, keeping her discerning gaze on Sephiroth now.

Settling her bulk in such a way that she can move at a moment's notice, Lavi considers this person, making no attempt to hide her blatant staring. Not that she is really capable of doing anything subtle when merely twitching her fingers could send furniature flying. Tifa answers her with silence and her sour expression but thanks to the snippet of banter provided by the last few moments, she's pretty sure what the general gist of the issue is.

"Well then." She leans towards Sephiroth, resting her hands on her knees rather than the counter, so as not to break anything by accident. "Why don't you set us all straight so you can stop frightening the poor girl? Bars are supposed to be places to get rid of your troubles, not add to them."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
"Please don't encourage him.." the figure says, taking the drink from Tifa.

The figure's hands were...less hands and more claws. However, he grabs the cup without hurting anyone, he was fairly carefull, and takes a long hard drink.

There, now he's ready for this bullshit. "Keep them coming please." he asks, dropping money on the counter and then speaking.

"Then we have an agreement. I do not care about your unimportant bullshit, you do not care about my important bullshit. Shinra is one evil company in a universe full of evil organizations, corrupt governments, and nilistic cults. They don't matter, and quite frankly, I don't care. I want a drink, I am here for a drink, and now some silver haired nancy boy is thinking of ruining my night of drinking because he gets his jollies from rubbing trauma in the face of the cute bartender."

Sable has posed:
Sable nods slightly at Tifa and turns back to the pinball machine, listening but not interacting with the scene playing out, seemingly too big for this small space that Lavi also manages to accomplish single-handedly.

He eyes the moogle and Lavi, setting his jaw slightly at the thorns thrown and barbs twisted from the silver haired stranger at the counter, but he has no stake in this conversation other than a complete distaste. This realization seems to set him slightly off balance because he tries to root out why he should care in the slightest.

The Pinball machine hoots and wheezes at him with scorn as he fails to pay the minimum price of attention to the proceedings. Sable curses at it quietly and without real malice, frowning down at the glass as he absorbs himself in his own thoughts. "Alcohol doesn't rid you of troubles. It just hides them under a blanket of fog." Is what he finds himself saying. What he doesn't add is. 'HeY! Here's a great idea, you over here in the cloak. Let us further provoke the tense aura of fireplace logs by poking them with a large metal stick. Surely they won't crumble and cause the flames to explode into a bigger bonfire. What-- the hell.'

He knows better than to say these things out loud. They can only lead bad places.

Ding ding ding goes the pinball. Ring Ring Ring goes the bells.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
"No," the figure in the cloak says, "But it will at least be a few good hours of enjoying myself." ANGANTYR RUDELY INTERUPTS THE POSE ORDER. DEAL WITH IT.

Sephiroth has posed:
Sephiroth continues to bore a hole into Tifa with his gaze as he answers Angantyr and Lavi, "Explanations would be pointless to the two of you. The two of you see what you want to see. Also as I said, I'm not particularly concerned with your understanding. Perhaps one day you might earn it, but I doubt it."

He pauses for a moment, a slight chuckling escapes his lips. "It does give me some amusement Tifa to see you clutch to your illusions. You really didn't know, did you? The entire town of Nibelheim, everyone, were all Shinra operatives. They were placed there to cover Shinra's secrets. All of the adults were party to it. I know you hate Shinra too. I know what your friends do. We don't have to be enemies."

He turns to leave, the other occupants of the bar getting an arrogant smirk from him before he heads towards the door. He stops to turn around and add one more thing before he leaves.

"I believe you that you don't know where your friend is, but I do. I know where all the others like him are... always."

Portobello has posed:
Portobello didn't know it but he was wearing a rather irritated expression as he watched Sephiroth, an expression that might look comical on the small creature but it was there just the same as he grew tired of his talk which was only serving to provoke Tifa, truth or not. Thankfully it appeared he was leaving for the night so perhaps the tension in here would unwind after that.

He looks towards Tifa with concern though he can't really see her too well from his angle near the bar, he looks over towards Lavi again, knowing her questioning would get as far as anyone else's, which was not far at all.

After the end of this scenario he clambered up onto a nearby stool that was at the bar and just settled there for now, giving a long sigh.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Despite herself, she wants to hear more about what Sephrioth has to say, if he really knows about Cloud but...

No, she doesn't trust Sephiroth, no matter what. They might both hate Sephiroth, but her father wasn't an operative for Shinra, she's sure of it. But she knows lots of people in the village were connected to the reactor... She will need to reflect more upon it maybe, when her head isn't swimming with too many information like that.

For now... she needs to rest, that's how she's feeling. She smiles to those that are showing concern though "I... think that's enough for tonight..." She pockets the money "You can enjoy your drinks." Its an inn, so technically it won't close, even if there's no bartender at the time. She just moves to the back room for now.

And breaks down, just a little, arms around herself, as if she could comfort herself, leaning against a wall out of sight.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr watches the young lady walk into the back.

Slowly, he reaches behind the bar, and pulls out a bottle of whatever he can reach, and starts pouring himself a drink.

And then gives Sephiroth the finger. Whatever. He has booze. Booze is aquired.

Sable has posed:
Sable doesn't know why things happen in the fashion that they do, but he thinks that he has a modicum of control over his thoughts and actions.

Even when sometimes he'll only figure out what it is that he does later. But this-- this searing dislike of tormenting someone (which is somewhat obvious from what little he can pick up here) is completely surprising. He doesn't know either party and it shouldn't really.. matter.

But somehow it does. Sable wants to throw a glass straight at the back of that jackass's head, but he has more than enough self control to calm the emotional flare up. Sable taps his fingers on the glass of the pinball machine, ignoring everybody and the sound is faintly strange and clicky for a moment before it is again dulled.

Lavi has posed:
The titan gives a bemused, 'Ooooh?' at the casual dismissal to her own attempts to broach the subject of Sephiroth's ire. Quite the ego on this one. However, she doesn't interrupt the man as he speaks his final peace for the night and disappears back into the streets.

The tension goes with him, deflating as if it were a balloon that had just been popped. Lavi watches him go, then turns back to the counter as Angantyr and Portobello take up new seats in the vaccuum left by the disturbing presence.

"Well... that was certainly an unpleasant individual." She frowns slightly at Tifa's departure. Unfortunately, she doesn't know the girl well enough to try and offer some comfort. She'll just have to work this one out on her own for now.

Like Ang, however, the giantess is here for the booze. Shrugging, she reaches over the bar and takes one of the largest bottles she can find on the shelves, carefully grabbing it from above with two fingers. A simple flick of her thumb shears the entire glass neck off, which is caught by her other hand and set down so as not to dirty up the floor.

"Well, my new friends," Lavi offers them with a grin. "To what shall we drink?"

Sable has posed:
"To quieter days." Sable mutters from the pinball table, also proving he can break the posing order just as efficiently as the WOD guy in the cloaked shadows of obscuration. "And more drinking, and less talk-- and absolutely /NO/ singing."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
"To the departure of arrogant *GOOSEHONK*s." Angantyr says, and pours himself a drink, raises it up in the toast, and starts drinking.

"Now that's a good one." he says, wincing in recoil. Lavi will notice the dark claws...the skin almost like it is made of shadow stuff, and the two glowing yellow eyes...which pretty much the rest of his features are well hidden.

"An-...No singing? You obviously haven't been drinking long enouugh to know the two go together...usually after long amounts of Drinking."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr also pours Sable a drink, sliding it down to the boy. Mideval sensabilities man...

Portobello has posed:
Portobello is left simmering for a bit as he eventually cools off enough to finally respond to Lavi, "Kupo, you took the words right from my mouth." He replies before turning to face the giantess, "Kupo, we drink to the fact that drinking offers a temporary means of forgetting the abrasiveness of some people." He states flatly though he's not feeling so up to drinking at this point despite his previous statement.

Lavi has posed:
"Hmm. Silence is a terrible thing. It is the sound of predators stalking in the night. Of battlefields littered with the dead and dying, while carrion beasts eat their fill. Of empty villages painted red with suffering." The elder woman looks back at Sable, her dark sapphire eyes tinged with memories that stretched across two centuries of war and death.

"No, we must fill the night with joyful sounds. Conversation, stories, and song! This is how we let Death know that he has not yet claimed us."

She wiggles the bottle in her hand, sloshing a little over her fingers. "So drink up! Nothing helps loosen the tongue than a few rounds of spirits."

Unfortunately, alcohol provided no such relief to the massive knight for her powerful physiology was created with the ability to process and disperse almost any poisons that might enter her system. It took utterly ludicrous amounts of the liquid to even give her a slight tingle and she doubted Tifa would appreciate waking up to find most of her stock missing. Lavi's demeanor was naturally uplifting and bold, so this didn't bother her so much.

"Come now, wipe that sour look off your face. You're still alive! Let those who come after do the mourning."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr takes a drink, another long drink.

"I can't wipe the look off my face." he says, with a loud harsh laughs, and continues to down alchohal.

Portobello has posed:
Portobello hrms, still watching Lavi from where he's seated next to her as he gives a little shrug, "Well, I can say for certain that I have not sung a tune in a very long time. Not that I sing out loud, that would be a little emberassing, Kupo." He quietly blushes at the very thought of doing something like that.